Chapter Text
It was a beautiful morning. The sun was shining brightly, the birds chirping melodic and the sound of the waterfall music to the ears. A kind brunette were walking on a forest path, basket in hand, on her way to this musical talent of a waterfall. Zarina was humming along to a song she'd had on her mind since she'd woken up. The basket was swinging back and forth as she jumped happily forward.
She came to stop as she could now see the clear water running from the top of the mountain to the rock face she now stood infront of. She bent down and filled up the pitcher her aunt had given her to fill. She did so and stood up again to go back home, but her head turned in the direction of metal clanging together between the trees not far from where she stood. At least it didn't sound so. Zarina - being just as curious as you and me - treaded carefully towards the sound, peeking out from behind one of the trees.
It looked to be a fight. Men in uniforms of the dominant colour of red - fire nation Zarina thought, were fighting with; kids? Yes, there were some kids there, but a guy caught Zarina's eye. He seemed to be older, one of the oldest actually. Zarina would guess he were around 17 years ish. His messy, brown hair looked tangled up as it was laying in front of his eyes. Well, laying would be kind of a wrong word here. It was more like... flying around as he jumped around, a sword in each hand. Though they were special. They had small hooks at the end, something he showed of by grabbing the foe's shoes and making them fall to the ground.
Zarina giggled lowly as she watched. The kids; teens; whatever, seemed to have done this a million times. "Figting the fire nation? Yeah, I do that before breakfast." Zarina laughed at her own comment. How did I become this funny? she had to ask herself.
The group of children had soon - with impressive ease, taken out the whole group of fire nation foes.
Zarina stood with wide eyes, still watching from behind the tree. She was impressed. Very so actually. Bit she was confused too. Why were they fighting the fire nation? I mean, of course, she wasn't stupid or oblivious, she knew there was a war. But the fire nation had never reached her little village. She couldn't understand how they had gotten so close to her home. Suddenly, she got scared. What if they came for aunt Jessie?
She was pulled out of her trance of fright though, as she had apparently stepped on a branch.
"Who's there," the oldest boy said as he drew his swords again. He seemed paranoid, Zarina thought.
She stepped out from her hiding spot, figuring there was no use to try anything else. She'd already seen these kids fight, and she hadn't had enough training with aunt Jessie yet; she was still not that familiar with her abilities.
With her hands held up at her sides in a sign of peace.
"Who are you?" a smaller one asked. The kid had some red paint in the face, on the cheeks, and a big red headband. Her - Zarina assumed - hair was tangled and layed over the big headband. It looked messy, but Zarina thought it looked nice.
"My name is Zarina," Zarina said. "I'm not fire nation. I assume that's why you all beat up those guys," she elaborated when she was met with narrowed eyes. Seems like Mr. Handsome ain't the only paranoid one here, Zarina couldn't help but think.
"Sure doesn't look like it," a taller one said. He was huge too. With a huge log which Zarina had earlier observed was used as a club. He looked kind though, despite his intimidating size.
The original of The Paranoids - which Zarina now as she'd gotten a closer look, guessed were the leader, said; "Well I'm Jet. This is Smellerbee, Longshot and Pipsqueak," he said, pointing to each one. Smellerbee was the one with red facepaint and a blue headband. Pipsqueak was the big, intimidating one, and Longshot was a tall slim guy with a straw hat. He seemed to be a quiet one.
"How long did you stand there, miss?" Jet asked.
Zarina were surprised to hear he had manners - it didn't seem like they were alot in villages, more like living around them - so she didn't expect much. "Long enough to see you kick those soldiers right in the ass. It was pretty cool actually," she said truthfully. "They were fire nation soldiers, right?"
Jet chuckled lowly, making Zarina finally notice the stem of hay in his mouth. "Yes, they were," he confirmed, calming Zarina down. "We're The Freedom Fighters, we fight the fire nation since no one else wants to."
Zarina chuckled. She didn't really know what to say to that, but she didn't wanna create that akward silence either.
Jet turned to face his friends, rasing an eyebrow to wait for their judgemental of his proposal. When they nodded for him to continue - even as a leader, you have to get the blessing from others it will impact greatly - and said with a smug smile; "you know... we got camp not far from here. You could come along..."
Zarina could hear the suggestive undertone in what he was saying, but she really needed to get back to aunt Jessie, not to mention Noah which were probably almost home now. He'd said he'd just be gone for 4 days this time. Zarina and aunt Jessie were to expect him by sundown.
Zarina bit her lip. She shouldn't...
When did I last get to hangout with kids my age? That settled it. That thought was a good enough argument for her. Besides, her aunt and uncle did always complain about her never having any friends like hers.
"I'd love to," she smiled as she finally answered.
Jet smirked to himself. He had already thought about a way this nice girl could help his cause...