Disclaimer: Avatar is the property of Nickelodeon. My only payment is the knowledge that you, the reader, have enjoyed this story.
Avatar: The Last Airbender – Destiny
Description: The inspiration for this story came to me after watch through, Tales of Ba Sing Se, and before seeing, Apa's Lost Days through the season finally. This takes a very different storyline than the series at the point of Tale of Ba Sing Se. This is first an action/adventure but it wouldn't be a story from me without some romance.
While the romance is primarily Kataang, there is some Zutara in it as well.
I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 1: Making a Life
"I'm not so sure about this." Zuko's normally stiff posture was even more rigid than usual.
Jin wrapped herself around his arm and smiled up at her boyfriend. "Don't worry Li, my parents are going to love you." She glanced down the empty alleyway and quickly dragged the boy into it.
"Ugh!"
"And even if they don't, I will… always." The young lady wrapped her arms around the young prince and pressed her cheek against his chest.
"Me too Jin."
The young lady giggled. "Oh Li, you know how to make a declaration of love sound like a command."
"I do?" The young prince turned aside. "Sorry."
"That's what I love about you. You're so commanding, so strong. I feel safe when I'm with you."
Zuko slowly brought his arms up and held the girl close.
She enjoyed the warm embrace a bit longer before announcing, "We should get going. My parents are waiting."
"Right." Zuko took Jin's hand and lead her back down the street.
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(000)
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"So, Li… Jin tells me you work at a tea shop along with your uncle." Jin's father gestured to his tea cup and his wife quickly filled it for him.
"That's right Sir." The young prince gave a subtle bow.
"They make the best tea in all of Ba Sing Se." Jin added proudly.
"Your daughter is too kind."
"Not at all. I've heard the same from many of my business associates. They say they've never had tea so good." The man of the house took a sip of his tea. "Perhaps you can teach my wife how to make tea that good."
Jin's mother lowered her head in shame.
Zuko remained silent, choosing to taste his tea first before responding. "To be honest, it is my uncle who is the master tea maker. He is very passionate about his tea, but I must say, this tea suits my taste just fine."
The woman smiled and offered her daughter a sideways glance.
Jin smiled as well.
"What are your plans now that you are here in Ba Sing Se? You don't plan on being a waiter in a tea house forever, do you?" The man took another sip.
Zuko stole a glance at Jin and instantly picked up on her worried expression. "Well Sir, my uncle and I would like to open our own tea shop sometime soon, but it will take some time before we can save up enough money to be able to buy our own place."
Jin smiled again. After stealing a sideways glance at her father and seeing his approving nod, her smile grew even larger.
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(000)
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"Father was very impressed. I can tell. And mother thinks you were the perfect gentleman." Jin clung tightly to Zuko's arm.
"I just answered honestly and tried to be myself," he replied plainly.
"And you're perfect just the way you are," his girlfriend added. "You know, Father is always looking for a good investment. Maybe, if I ask him, he would be willing to lend you the money so you can start your own shop?" Jin could hardly contain her enthusiasm.
"No, don't!"
She shrank away slightly.
"Sorry. I just mean… I don't like being indebted to anyone."
"I see." She looked away sadly.
"Besides, I'd have to discuss it with my uncle first. He's a proud man, it might take some convincing."
Jin smiled up at her boyfriend. "I'm sure you can convince him." They continued down the courtyard to the fountain. "Oh look! The lamps are lit this time. Isn't it beautiful?"
Zuko nodded. Turning towards his girlfriend, he said softly. "Jin…."
She smiled up at him. "Yes Li?"
"I… I…"
She held his hands in hers. "What is it Li? You know you can tell me anything."
"I…" He looked away for a moment then turned back and gazed into her trusting eyes. Without any further hesitation, he leaned in and kissed her.
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(000)
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Zuko opened the door to the small apartment he and his uncle shared.
"Back already?" The portly old man asked, looking up from his book.
"It's nearly midnight," the young prince replied.
"Oh, is it really? This book is so good, I completely lost track of time." Iroh stood up and stretched. "Aaaah! Care for some tea?"
"THAT… would be nice, but sit, I'll get it Uncle." Zuko walked over to the counter and grabbed the pot then filled it with water.
"Huh?" Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Iroh sat back down, placed his marker in the book before closing it and asked. "So, how was dinner with Jin's parents?"
The young man waited till he got the water hot, then brought the pot and the tea to the table. Sitting across from his uncle, he prepared the tea. "Her father is a bit stuffy, but I guess its normal for a father to be protective of his daughter."
"Protective?"
"He kept asking questions, sizing me up to see if I was good enough for his daughter."
"I see, and what about Jin's mother?"
"A pleasant woman. A bit shy, which is understandable with how overbearing her father can be." Zuko looked off pensively.
"Mmm, good tea. You're learning. It seems all our time at the tea house hasn't been wasted." The former general took another long sip.
"Uncle, what do you think about opening our own tea shop?"
"Huh? Are you serious?"
"I wouldn't be asking if I weren't."
"But I thought you weren't interesting in settling down and making a life here in Ba Sing Se?" Iroh stroked his beard and gave his nephew and inquisative eye.
"Things change… I've changed." Zuko tilted his head and stared out the window.
Iroh smirked knowingly. "Could part of the change be because of a certain young lady?"
Zuko looked down into his tea. "Is it wrong for me to want something so pedestrian as a home and a family?"
The elderly man reached out and placed a hand over his nephew's. "Whether a king or a peasant; we all want the same thing, a place to call our own and a family to share it with."
"I never thought I could be happy in a place like this. I never imagined wanting anything outside of my homeland. But Jin is so…. so…"
"Yes, she is." The old man smiled. "Will you look at the time. We should get to bed. We have work in the morning, and if we're going to be saving up to buy our own tea shop, we'll need to put in as many hours as we can."
"Goodnight Uncle."
"Goodnight Prince Zuko."
"No, just Zuko from now on."
"Goodnight, my nephew." The old man smiled and went to his room.
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(To Be Continued)