Playing With Fire

Chapter 1 - The Customer

"Nephew," called a short, stumpy, elderly man with grey hair up to about his shoulder; his beard was as grey as his hair, but not nearly as long, and it surrounded his cheekbones and jaw thickly. This man, although not of the youngest generations, moved swiftly around the tea shop that he had run, cheerily attending to each and every customer - some coming, some leaving. Suddenly, from a door near the counter, which was located at the back of the shop, came another. It was a teenage boy this time; he seemed to be quite the opposite of his uncle. This boy's face had a straight, unmoving frown. He seemed to have an I-Could-Care-Less attitude about him. His hair was not nearly as long as his uncle's; it was simply a black, unruly mess on his head. There was something unique about this young man, however. It was the scar around his left amber-coloured eye, marking him with an unforgettable and … well, scarring past. What was so special about that scar? Why, everything - from how he'd gotten it, to who he'd gotten it from, and what it meant.

This boy had an undoubtedly, incredible gift - bending (a way of manipulating one or more of these elements: fire, water, earth, and air). He was a very powerful firebender, just as powerful - if not more - as the rest of his family, which relates back to the story of the scar. This boy came from no ordinary, powerful firebending family. No, he had come from a wealthy, royal one. Yes, this boy was royalty; as a matter of fact, he was next in line to become Fire Lord of the Fire Nation … that was, until he was banished by his own father and current Fire Lord, Fire Lord Ozai. After an outburst at a meeting in which he'd attended along with his uncle, his father and his father's generals, he was seen as disrespectful. Ozai was struck with the utmost anger, and he challenged his only son to an Agni Kai (fire duels used to settle disputes in the Fire Nation - the goal being to knock his/her opponent of his/her feet, or to deliver a final blow to the face. Some, but not all, were fatal; however, these duels often always affected the participants' honour).The Agni Kai proceeded, and Fire Lord Ozai's son, only thirteen years of age, had lost. The boy's birthright had been renounced, and he was exiled from his homeland. So, the scar that this boy wears permanently over on the left side of his face isn't just a scar; it has marked him as an outcast; he was … the banished prince.

"Yes, Uncle," the boy's raspy voice asked. The elderly man spun around on his heel and took a wooden tray off of the counter, handing it to the boy.

"Clean off the tables and then wipe them down," his uncle instructed. "Oh, and Prince Zuko," his uncle whispered to him, "be sure to clear off every table." Zuko raised one eyebrow and gave his uncle a uncertain nod. As his uncle proceeded back behind the door Zuko had previously come from, he rolled his eyes. Illusive as always, Zuko thought to himself as he moved from table to table, clanging cups onto the tray. The tea shop was now empty as the sun had begun to set, and even though it was night time, Zuko found the lack of customers surprising. Uncle predicted a storm heading this way, he thought to himself, perhaps the people of Ba Sing Se were afraid of rain. He chuckled once on the inside, showing no signs of laughter on his face. Just as he had about to clear off the final cup off the last table of the tea shop, a hand slid over it. Zuko jumped back a bit, only just realizing a man had been sitting there, cloaked, this whole while.

"Oh," Zuko mumbled as he took the remainder of the cups to the back. Zuko squinted his eyes once more, while he'd opened the door, trying to make out who the man actually was. After a minute of trying, he proceeded inside. What was the point? He knew no one from here, nor did he want to. Letting the tray slip onto the table, he looked curiously at his uncle who'd been sitting on the floor beside a brewing pot of tea. Uncle, who had seemed to notice Zuko's curiosity, turned to him.

"Tea," he clarified offering a seat beside himself. Zuko merely stood beside where his uncle sat.

"No, thanks," Zuko denied, thinking it was being offered. Uncle merely chuckled.

"It's not for you, Prince Zuko," said Uncle kindly as he poured some of what smelt like jasmine tea out into a teacup. "And it's not for me either," Uncle spoke once more taking in the scent of the jasmine tea. Zuko's brow furrowed as he continued to look at his uncle who was intoxicating himself with the scent of his own tea. Zuko proceeded back to the tray with the cups, washing them out, and trying to find something to occupy his hands.

"Then who is it for," Zuko asked, seeing no point in brewing a tea not to be drunk; however, little did Zuko know that this cup of tea was going to be drunk, and that the person drinking it would significantly play a role in his life. Uncle looked up from his tea and smiled.

"A customer - a very faithful customer - Prince Zuko. I don't know whether you've noticed her or not, but she comes in nearly everyday. She seems like a nice-" Uncle was cut off at the sound of teacups clinking loudly together. Zuko spun around on his heel with his right eye twitching.

"No," Zuko said firmly, "no more dates … especially not after what had happened with that girl." Uncle frowned slightly.

"I thought your date went rather well," he murmured. Zuko raised one eyebrow. Had Uncle spied on his dates? Zuko shook the idea from his head. He was Prince Zuko, he was busy searching for a way of regaining his honour, and 'dating' didn't exactly fit into his schedule. "Alright," Uncle sighed, "well … why don't you take this out to her?" Zuko left his work once more and looked at his uncle confused. The only person he'd seen out there was a man wrapped in a cloak.

"Uncle, there's only a man here," he told his uncle before walking over to his uncle. Uncle chuckled once more.

"I doubt that. Come. Let me show you," Uncle said as he rose up off the floor and ousted the fire. Zuko glared confusedly at Uncle. "Come, Prince Zuko. Confusion cannot be treated with just wondering," he spoke as he exited the back room and proceeded into the tea shop once more. Zuko rolled his eyes and let out a sigh as he followed his uncle. "There she is," Uncle whispered to Zuko indicating the stranger in the corner. Zuko squinted his eyes trying to get a better view at him or her. Slipping the teacup filled with jasmine tea into his had, Uncle gave him a nudge. Zuko looked at him bewilderedly and Uncle merely nodded. Sighing, Zuko trudged off toward the stranger. He hadn't known how long he'd stood there in front of the stranger, but every second that passed seemed to annoy him. Why wasn't the stranger saying anything? What? Couldn't he or she talk? Zuko rolled his eyes and looked down at the jasmine tea. Maybe he was supposed to talk first? He closed his eyes and sighed just to open them up once more and stare at his own reflection in the tea.

"Hi," Zuko awkwardly and quietly said. He could see the stranger's colour of his/her eyes now. Whatever the gender of the stranger before him, he/she had stunning and dazzling amethyst coloured eyes. He could make out yet another thing from the stranger by way of the moonlight now shining through the window before being covered by dark clouds once more - whoever this stranger was, they were smirking. "Here's your tea," Zuko said a bit louder placing it on the table and waiting for a 'thanks'. The stranger merely reached over and grabbed hold of the teacup bringing it to his/her face. Zuko squinted once more analyzing this suspicious person and still waiting for his thank-you so as to maybe catch the identity of this person. I deserve one, don't I, he asked himself, especially from Uncle's favourite customer. Time passed as he watched the stranger set down the cup time and time again without giving him a thank-you. "Well," he asked impatiently. The customer seemed to have shifted in his/her chair, waiting for him to continue. "Aren't you going to say, 'Thank you'," Zuko asked again, his voice rising while he was clenching his fists. He could see a smirk play on the person's lips. Sensing the slight tension between his nephew and his favourite customer, Uncle moved onto the scene.

"Amira," Uncle said softly, "are you enjoying your tea?" The stranger leaned forward and to Zuko's surprise, it was indeed a female. As she pushed the hood of her cloak back, allowing it to fall to the back, she revealed her long and thick, curly, brown hair. Zuko's heart pounded against his chest as he watched this creature perfectly sip tea from her cup. He shook his head. What were these … thoughts? These … feelings, he asked himself, shaking everything out of his head once more. Snap out of it. You're Prince Zuko, he told himself.

"Why yes, Mushi, it's wonderful," she relayed in a breathless tone. Uncle's cheeks blushed a vague shade of pink.

"Well, you know I do make it myself," he added. Amira gave a slight chuckle and thanked him for the tea once more, leaving two copper pieces on the table and taking another big sip of her tea. Her eyes glanced up at Zuko who had been staring at her oddly ever since she'd revealed her identity. She merely chuckled and set down her teacup on the table. Rising up off of her seat, she pulled the hood on her cloak over her head, but not as far down as it had been before. Uncle nudged Zuko to collect the things off of the table. Snapping out of his daze, Zuko did so, stealing glances at this Amira girl. He didn't know what he was feeling, nor if he wanted to feel like this. It made him sick to his stomach, but it was a feeling he enjoyed. Zuko pretended to be doing something important at the counter while he overheard Uncle and Amira's conversation. "Are you absolutely sure you have to leave so soon," he asked as Amira tightened her cloak around her.

"I'm afraid so, Mushi," she replied with a bit of sorrow in her voice. Uncle looked out the window at the approaching storm clouds.

"There's a storm coming, you know," he informed her. Amira nodded and too looked out the window. She could also hear the shouting of guards and the stories of other civilians. It was her time to leave.

"I'll be fine, Mushi," she said with a smile, giving him a slight bow, "it was very nice to see you again." Iroh bowed in her direction as well.

"I apologize for my nephew back there. He doesn't usually stare at the customers - well, maybe sometimes - perhaps he's a bit shy," Iroh commented with a glance towards Zuko. Amira nodded her head and looked at Zuko.

"Well, it was nice meeting you too, Lee," she stated before quickly departing the tea shop. At the sound of her voice, Zuko had nearly knocked over the teacup, trying to awkwardly decide between waving to her or not. Iroh slipped around behind the counter beaming at Zuko mischievously. Zuko's eyes rolled in the direction of his uncle and he sighed.

"No," he simply said, carrying the teacups back into the room behind the shop. Uncle frowned a bit before following his nephew into the back.

"I hadn't even said anything," Uncle stated as stacked up the teapots in a corner.

"I know you, Uncle," Zuko simply said; his raspy voice not showing a hint of the confliction stirring inside of him. His uncle heaved a heavy sigh.

"Is it too much for an uncle to want his nephew to find love," Iroh asked as he sat down on the floor cross-legged. Zuko grunted and stormed off to the sliding door that separated his 'bedroom' from the rest of the tea shop. Sliding it open, he stepped in and closed it. I don't care about finding 'love'. I care about finding the Avatar. I have my honour to restore, after all, he mentally told himself as he flung himself onto a mattress, he'd used for a bed. Sighing, he stared up at the ceiling. But it would be nice - bah! What am I saying, he thought. Zuko sat himself up on his mattress and shook his head clearing all of these thoughts out. Suddenly, sprinklings of water had wet his cheek, Zuko jumped immediately and looked at the window directly beside him. Shutting it against the heavy downpour of rain, Zuko shook the water off of his cheek and sunk back onto his mattress. Although he hadn't wanted to, he wondered about the girl, Amira. What he'd say to her if he saw her tomorrow? What she was like? Where she was now …

· · ·

The rain crashed down all around her as she walked barefooted through the streets of Ba Sing Se, searching for a place where she could take shelter tonight. She hugged her cloak tightly to her as the wind gushed and the rain continued to pour down on her. She could feel cuts on her feet as she had walked over many sharp stones. There didn't seem to be a shop nor home open. I assume the people of Ba Sing Se don't like rain, she chuckled to herself as she continued wandering around the streets searching for at least a dried cardboard box and a shed. Suddenly, something stirred from behind her. Amira froze in her tracks for a second and continued walking, briskly this time. She was now even more alert. The same noise stirred behind her once more. She started into a half-jog now, down the street. Amira had never feared anyone before in her life, but the noises she was hearing had unnerved her. She could distinctly hear the sound of her name being whispered, and the withdrawing of swords. The noise was heard once more, and Amira's pace quickened once more until she'd finally run into a dead-end. Her heart raced as she quickly turned around in a readied stance. "Come out," she called out to the 'empty' street. "Show yourself," she called once more, and in an instant, three men, clothed in blue armour stepped out from the shadows. Amira's eyes filled with fire as she noticed one man reaching for his blade. He charged forward at Amira and then in a quick second, a sudden whip of water had sent the man tumbling back. The water now levitated near Amira's hand. The man looked infuriated and stepped forward once more. Amira, too, had taken a step forward, not backing down one bit.

A second man stepped between the two. He seemed to be more peaceful, but still wore a frown on his wrinkled face. "Now, now," his voice said calmly to both of them. "We can just talk, can't we," he asked passively. Amira's eyes continued to glare at each one of the men. Then, with a grunt, the man who'd drawn his sword placed it back in its sheath. Amira's eyes didn't leave the men, but she stood down, allowing the water to gracefully fall back down to the puddle beside her. The second man gave a slight smirk. "My, Amira, how your waterbending has improved," the man said in a mocking tone. Amira's fury was rising quickly. "I'm sure your father would be happy to hear about that, but then again … considering that women learning waterbending for fighting purposes are forbidden … he might not. That'd be your - what? - third disappointing action," the man continued with another smug, sly smirk. Amira could feel her heartbeat pounding against her chest. She would give anything to knock the three men off their feet and run. The man's smirk disappeared as he proceeded, "We're not here to play games or put up with your petty attempts at waterbending. We're here for business. You're coming with us-" the second man continued.

"And who says I have to play along," Amira finally spoke . Each man had seemed to chuckle lowly at her remark, only making Amira angrier. Suddenly, the second man, stepped forward to Amira. Amira had nearly gotten into her stance before he pinned her against the wall.

Lowering his lips to her ear, he whispered, "Why, The Chief, of course." Amira was disgusted. Her temper had now risen past it's boiling point. In a sudden movement, a splash of water slapped the man's cheek forcefully, sending him to the ground. The two other men charged at her swishing and swinging their blades all around. Amira dodged all except one that cut her upper arm. Gripping the wound and giving an outcry of pain, she sent water whipping at their faces. The men hollered in pain, and Amira seized her opportunity, she ran. Down and down several streets she went, turning into alleys and cutting street corners - any and everything to lose her father's men. She heard more sounds behind her, and so, she charged on yet faster. Her feet were sore from all the running, and the cuts on her feet didn't help at all. Suddenly, she'd slipped on a cobblestone, sending her down face first onto the street. Her chin and elbows were scraped horribly to the point where a bit of blood oozed out. Amira struggled to get to her feet. She could hear the noise getting closer. She couldn't go back. She didn't want to! She had to find some way to move. In the next second, a hand had caught her shoulder. Amira turned around immediately, her chest heaving as she still lay on the ground. She closed her eyes in relief, for who she'd seen was nothing more than the boy from the tea shop. He extended a hand, and after taking hers, pulled Amira up to her feet.

"Are you alright," he asked, his face not changing its frowning state. Amira nodded her head, and then suddenly, she felt a surge of pain run through her body. Gripping her arm, she sunk to the ground once again. She thought she heard Zuko let out a small gasp, but she could've been wrong. He did, however, sink himself to his knees. As he placed the arm that hadn't been wounded around his neck, he hoisted Amira up and walked her down to the tea shop once more. Amira had been fading, she felt faint almost as if the pain would suck her down into an abyss. Zuko quickened his step, leading her into the back room of the tea shop and gently laying her on the floor. "Uncle," he called out, without trying to hide a sense of panic in him. Soon enough, Iroh had stepped out and his face became worried as he looked from Zuko to Amira. He hadn't asked a single question, instead, he'd gone back to the storage room and fished for a couple of herbs. Amira's eyes had finally closed; she'd given in to the pain.

· · ·

In a few hours, Amira awoke to find sunlight breaking into a room and herself upon a mattress. Her cloak had been taken off, and she was simply wearing a dirty, battered and torn blue kimono. Having taken note that she'd no longer been in pain, she looked toward her wound which had been bandaged. Suddenly, the door opened and in came a familiar face; it was Iroh bringing in a tray of tea and sandwiches. Amira gave him a small and sleepy smile. "Good morning, your highness," Iroh said as he lay the tray down on the mattress. Amira had immediately tensed up. As Iroh gave a laugh, she realized him to be only joking and she proceeded to give a small laugh as well. Amira looked at the delicious sandwiches and the warm tea. Her stomach growled in both hunger and pleasure in seeing food.

"Good morning, Mushi," she said giving him a slight bow. Iroh merely smiled. Amira stole a quick glance behind him checking to see whether Zuko had been there or not. "Where's Lee," she asked politely before taking a nibble of her sandwich. Iroh smiled.

"He's out running some errands for me; he should be back soon," Iroh relayed before rising to his feet. "Oh, and he told me what happened last night," he stated. Amira froze before taking another bite of her sandwich. Iroh looked back at her. "If you really need a place to stay, we have no problem taking you in," he told her. Amira exhaled an exhale of relief. Oh, it's about that, she thought to herself. Giving him a kind and courteous smile, she bowed her head at him once more.

"Thank you so much, Mushi. I appreciate your hospitality," she thanked. Iroh's cheeks turned a light shade of pink as he returned her courteous bow and left the room. Amira took another bite of her sandwich. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad, she thought to herself. There was no more running away from palace life, no more searching up and down for a place to stay, the guards couldn't possibly know she was here, everything would be alright. As she leaned against the window, she peered out into the - now - bright city of Ba Sing Se. It was beautiful, she admitted, when it wasn't raining. Suddenly, the door opened once more. Amira looked back only to see her rescuer stride in, still bearing that ever-present frown on his face. They simply stared at each other. The room had suddenly begun to feel very awkward. Amira broke the gaze and stood up, extending a hand to Zuko. "Thank you," she expressed quietly. Zuko looked down at her hand and then back up at her, raising one eyebrow and not saying a word. Amira dropped her hand to her side and courteously bowed her head at Zuko, walking over to the sliding door. Just as she had exited, she could've sworn she heard the voice behind her murmur, 'You're welcome', and at this she half-smiled. She hadn't known why she did, but she simply did.

Zuko watched her leave the room. Uncle Iroh had told him about taking her in, the fact that she'd share Zuko's room, and that she'd work at the tea shop until she had enough pieces to get her to wherever she needed to be. Disgruntled by all of this, Zuko still agreed. As he sat on his mattress, shutting the window and leaving the room in complete darkness, he contemplated his actions from last night. If Uncle hadn't wanted me to check if there was a store open that sold the herbs he'd needed, I'd have never found Amira, he thought to himself. Then, in an instant, a thought had occurred, Had Uncle known? Zuko remembered hearing the fussing and curiously, he investigated it. He hadn't seen any men, just Amira, taking off rather fast down the street - until she fell. He sighed. Had he become soft? He rolled his eyes. What did it matter anyways? So, the customer has become the house guest - maybe this wouldn't be too bad, he thought as he lay himself down on his bed, closing his eyes, and trying to catch whatever little sleep he could.