Author's Note

This is my first Jetko story and my first Avatar story. I have more ideas for different couples including TY LeeXZuko, TophXAang. If you have any ideas or couples you want to see me write about just hit me up. I'm open to all kinds of critique, including flames but that doesn't mean it's nice to flame. Try to get the suggestions helpful and professional. I am having fun writing this story and I hope you all enjoy. WARNING This story is yaoi meaning there will be heavy romance between males. If you do not like this sort of thing then please leave and don't insult the people who do like it. Review and comment! I love my fans and my haters.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or its characters, settings, or story plots. I only own my imagination and cleverness.

Traveling to Ba Sing Se was more trouble than Zuko could have imagined. The ship carrying all the refugees to the prisoned city was crammed with sweaty bodies, sick children, and dirty pickpockets. Zuko already had to break free from four brawls and his mood was rapidly spinning from angry to bitter. He cursed quietly to himself as he drew his hood over his head as he huddled closer to his uncle. Of course he wasn't invading his uncle's personal space on his own accord but rather his body was sandwiched between that of his uncle's and a smelly middle-aged man who was obviously trying to sport the balding look but was failing miserably. It was cold and damp from all the sea water splashing onboard the ship and Zuko wished with all his might to just to be able to warm himself a little with his firebending, just a bit to warm his frozen fingers and toes, but he knew it was too risky and obvious if his body were to suddenly start steaming right in the middle of a crowd of people. So his mood soured even more as he glared a hole at his feet, as if his intense gaze would warm them up.

Iroh, on the other hand was chatting amiably with a woman who was crammed against his side. Zuko groaned as he heard his uncle say his favorite tea joke, and then he rolled his eyes as the woman responded with one of the ugliest giggles Zuko had ever heard in his life. It sounded like a combination of a growl and hiccups. Zuko had to look over at her just to be sure she was human. When he confirmed she was at least human appearance wise he turned his attention to the sea of people who occupied the ship deck. There were hundreds of refugees. Mostly beaten down looking women and men, a nice handful of kids also. Zuko figured more than half of them had lost their homes and jobs to the fire nation. Zuko felt uneasy as he thought what these people would try to do to him and his uncle if they found out they were firenation. Not only firenation but royal firebenders. Zuko doubted he and his uncle could combat an entire shipload of people, but he sure as heck would try his best. He scanned the crowd again as he drew his hood closer to his body, he shivered against the cold wind. Afternoons were horrible, but at least they were warmer than nights. Zuko thought there was no worse a fate than to die on this spiritforsaken ship surrounded by hundreds of people who would have gladly thrown his body into the sea. As he idly peered about the ship something caught his eye, or rather someone. A boy about his age with dark tanned skin, wild, uncombed hair, and dark eyes was staring right at him. He had a frown on his face as he looked intently at Zuko. Zuko had the urge to glance around to see if anyone was behind him that the boy could be possibly glaring at so fiercely ,but Zuko being Zuko stared back just as angry. If some punk was going to stare at him like he just killed his mother well then he could play the glaring game better than anyone. He stared intently at the boy for what seemed like an eternity before the boy finally broke contact and turned his head towards a person seated beside him. Zuko couldn't tell if it were man, woman, or child, but he was glad for the distraction. His eyes were beginning to water.

He turned his attention back to his feet which he couldn't understand why were so interesting but he stared regardless. Iroh finally turned his attention to his nephew and beamed brightly at him. Zuko didn't look up but he could tell from the corner of his eye that his uncle was looking at him. Zuko just didn't want to see the sunshine that was pouring from his uncle's smile or listen to the lovey dovey mumbo he was about to spew. Unfortunately, luck was not on Zuko's side.

"Nephew this lovely young lady has been telling me all about her and her young daughter. You should try to make some friends while you are here. It will make the journey more eventful."

Zuko bit back a groan as his responded with a clipped 'no thanks' and he turned his head away this time towards where that boy was staring at him. The boy was nowhere to be seen and nor was the person he was talking to. His uncle wasn't one to give up as he continued to chat to Zuko rather than with him, cause Zuko merely responded to him in a series of mmhs and no's.

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That was how they spent the rest of the journey to Ba Sing Se. When the ship landed it was around afternoon and the sun was beaming a nice dark red giving the city a serene look. Zuko had a little trouble standing when it was time to leave the ship. It was like his limbs forgot how to function and his legs and back were really stiff, but at last he managed. As Zuko followed behind his uncle off the ship and onto the landing docks he had to agree with him that Ba Sing Se was one beautiful city. But he couldn't help but feel like he was out of place. He had never been to the great city before and he was positive that the last time uncle was here was when he was invading it. They once belonged to the greatest nation on the planet, and now look at them. Entering Ba Sing Se as mere refugees. Boy, if Azula could see them now. After getting through the crowds of people, and down winding streets, Zuko and Iroh found themselves at their new home. It was a small two bedroom apartment that included a small full bathroom, a kitchen, and a small living room. Zuko frowned as he took in the place. This was supposed to be where he lived? Iroh must have seen the look of discomfort on Zuko's face because he was quick to get in a few words of praise before Zuko's inevitable rant.

"My my, what a cozy looking apartment don't you think Zuko? Look it even has a ceiling fan!"

Zuko grunted, "Well I suppose anything is better than living on a dirty old ship."

Iroh smiled at Zuko's comment. "That's the spirit Zuko. Remember there are many more people who are less fortunate than us. We should be grateful."

Zuko forced at small smile on his face as his uncle turned to him. Of all the people in the world Zuko could care less about, his uncle was the one person he actually didn't want to disappoint. If his uncle liked it here than he would try to make the best of it and try not to completely ruin everything. Zuko picked up his bags and headed to the smallest bedroom.

"I'm going to set my things up."

He was off down the hall before his uncle could reply. As Zuko walked down the hall he decided that living on that ship when he was chasing the avatar and the forest he and uncle had to stay in when they escaped from Azula was way worse than this. He would try his best not to be a complete buzz kill. He entered his new room and took a look around. The bed was a decent size; there was a spacious closet to his left, a nightstand, and a window. He set his bags down and walked towards the window. He pulled back the blinds and peered outside. There was still plenty of sunlight to see the crowds of people walking below and small buildings scattered about. 'It could be worse' he thought to himself.

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After staying put for about a week and when they had begun to settle in Iroh trotted into the living room one day where Zuko was currently polishing his Broadswords. His uncle never simply walked anywhere, he always had a bounce to his step. So when Zuko means Iroh trotted in the room he actually means trotted inthe room. Like some freaking puppy.

"Well nephew, I have good news." Iroh paused for dramatic effect Zuko assumed. He knew his uncle was trying to get him to ask what he meant.

Zuko hated when people beat around the bush but he played along. He kept his back to his uncle as he continued with his task of sword cleaning.

"And what is the good news uncle? More blind dates you've set up for me?"

Iroh chuckled. "No but that reminds me. There is this really nice looking girl I've seen hanging around here lately. You should talk to her."

Zuko simply stared at him.

"Anyway. I was just down at the tea shop-

Zuko groaned, "The tea shop again? How much of that stuff can you drink?" His uncle had found a tea shop nearby the apartment and he made it a point to visit it every single day. Zuko couldn't understand how or even why someone would consume the same thing over and over.

"One can't have too much tea nephew." Iroh took a moment to bellow loudly as if he told the world's funniest joke. Zuko just kept polishing his sword. Maybe the harder he scrubs the faster his uncle would disappear. "Anyway I got us jobs down there and guess what we start today." No such luck with the disappearing act.

Iroh finished speaking with a grin on his face like that was the best thing that could have happened in the world. Zuko jumped up but quickly remembered his Broadswords and he set them down neatly. Ugh a job! How could he do this to him? Zuko didn't want a job. He wanted to at least pretend to be a teenager and lounge around. He didn't want to serve tea to a bunch of jerks who obviously didn't know that water was the healthiest beverage anyway.

"Uncle I hate tea! Why would you get me a job at a TEA SHOP!" His voice rose a little. Iroh simply shook his head.

"Zuko regardless of your feelings we need the money, unless you know a better way to come up with the rent?" Zuko felt his face heat up. It was true. without money they couldn't survive obviously. But of all the places why a tea shop? Tea shops were for nancy boys and old wanted to protest but he knew they had no choice. Eventually he threw his hands up and growled and pointed at his uncle, "FINE! I'll do it but I won't be happy uncle! You hear me? I won't like it one bit!" With that he stormed off to his room. It was silent for a few moments before Iroh heard Zuko's footsteps returning. He looked up to see Zuko storm towards him and snatch his broadswords from the living room table before storming back away without a word. Iroh chuckled lightly as Zuko left but he didn't miss the way Zuko's face was burning with embarrassment.

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If drinking tea was as horrible as Zuko believed nothing could have prepared him for the horror of actually SERVING tea. Ugh, the smell of tea would be embedded in Zuko's mind forever. It was his first day on the job and already he spilled tea on himself seven times, got three orders mixed up, gave someone five times the change they were supposed to get, and oh yea, he accidently knocked over on old woman when he turned around and slipped on some tea that he himself spilled moments prior.

The outfit was the most descent thing about the job. It was simple and wasn't too loud or uncomfortable. If Zuko was given the choice to choose between wearing a costumes made of tar and feathers over serving tea in a tea house for the rest of his life, he would have happily offered to pluck the chickens himself. There were so many rules to serving tea. Be polite. Always smile. Never throw tea in a man's face if he asks what you're packing under your apron. It was awful. Zuko was forced to plaster a fake smile on his face all day, but he was sure his smile was about as friendly as Azula's.

Of course by the end of the day and they were closing the shop up Zuko was so hot if Ozai himself would have showed up to kill him he would have gladly knew more about tea than he probably knew about himself. Iroh suggested Zuko go take a walk to calm him down. For once Zuko was grateful for his uncle's advice he told his uncle goodnight before he gladly stalked off. He didn't know where he was going but he hoped no one would bother him. He thought he would just walk a straight path as long as he could and try not to make too many turns. He didn't want to get lost in a city this huge.

He walked down a narrow street that was relatively empty. It was going on eight so not many people were out. A few kids were racing around, trying to get their last bits of fun before they would have to return home. Zuko found himself watching a them, envying them for their innocence. They probably don't even understand why they're here. Zuko walked on shaking his head from his depressing thoughts.

The sky had turned a somber dark blue and the wind had started to pick up. Zuko was just starting to wish he had worn a thicker set of robes when he picked up a little commotion. He could hear footsteps, running footsteps from the sound of it. They sounded like they were approaching fast. He looked ahead in time to see what looked like a little girl running in his direction. Now to Zuko, someone running at him registers as someone coming to get him or someone who's going to get him if he stays. So naturally he got into his fighting stance, ready to unleash his pent-up tea house fury.

The girl ran quite near him and she glanced up at his face. She scurried to a stop as she took in his appearance. She was out of breath and Zuko could faintly see in the dark but he did notice her hair was a bushy mess atop her head. Jeez do people comb their hair in this place?'

She was a small creature. She wasn't very developed etiher and Zuko was just about to reconsider her though briefly before he snapped his attention back to the situation. The girl stood on her tiptoes and peered at his face. Zuko hated to be stared at so he backed up a few paces and angled his scar away from her peering eyes.

"Who are you?" Zuko rasped. What are? Is what he really wanted to ask.

"You're the guy from the ship. The one Jet was eyeballing." The girl responded in a scratchy voice as if Zuko's question was not spoken. Zuko's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Jet?-

But he was cut off as the girl threw a sack into his hand. Up till now he hadn't even recognized that she was carrying it. Spirits! It was heavy. It seemed to weigh about as much as the girl. Then she took off down the path he just came.

"If you want to live you better run!" She cried over her shoulder. Zuko stared wide eyed and mouth open like a star struck fool. Then he heard more footsteps coming from the corner that girl just ran from. Zuko figured the girl was some kind of thief and was being chased, and by being a fellow player of the chasing game Zuko knew better than to stand around in the way. He tightened his grip on the sack for some unknown reason and took off running the same way the girl did. Clearly she knew where she was going and Zuko had no idea what was happening so he followed after her. He saw her a little up ahead as she climbed onto a crate and propelled herself up on the roof like a fish out of water. Zuko was stunned such a lithe little frame could look so graceful but he was again snapped out of his own thoughts as the girl hissed at him to hurry. He tried to growl out at her but the weight of the sack made his growl sound more like a choked grunt as he shifted it in his arms.

He quickly hopped on to the roof with some difficulty due to the weight of the sack He followed the girl as they silently galloped across rooftops like a couple of airbenders in a monastery. Finally after a few minutes of jumping they girl softly landed onto of a roof and she turned to look at Zuko who settled near her side and who was slightly out of breath.

"I'm impressed you were able to keep up." She grinned at Zuko and before he could open his mouth to respond the girl hopped down of the roof and slide open a window before she vanished inside. Zuko stood still for a moment trying to decide if he should follow her inside or dump the sack and get the heck out of there like he should've long ago. His dilemma was solved for him when he heard the girl's voice call out to him.

"Hey you gonna get your butt in here or not?"

Zuko wasn't sure if this was some sort of trap but he was also curious as to what was going on. He slide down to the floor and peered into the window. He could see a dimly lit room but the girl was gone. He decided to check it out. If it were a trap at least he could pretend he didn't see it coming. He gingerly climbed through the window and stood holding the sack firmly still as if it would help him out if he was headed for trouble. Suddenly the window snapped closed behind him and he jumped violently. He heard quick movement and the room was suddenly flooded with bright light and Zuko's poor eyes got the full blast since he couldn't reach up to shield them.

"Spirits Bee! Don't blind the poor guy." A male voice rang out but Zuko's eyes were white and blurry.

"Sorry Jet. You know I don't know what I'm doing. Why didn't you do it?" The girl's voice rang out also.

"You were closer." The male voice came again. By now Zuko's' vision was slowly returning. As Zuko looked around the room he could make out three shapes. One he assumed was the girl's.

"Hey, he's the guy from the ship!"

"I know. That's what I said before."

Finally Zuko's eyes returned to normal and he was able to clearly look around. Standing near the oil lamp that nearly blinded him was the girl. Now that she was in some good light Zuko could see her features just fine. She was pretty short, with dirty brown hair, and her face was plain. Not ugly, just lacking real beauty. She was wearing a dark green vest over a red long sleeved shirt. She wore tiny brown shoes and her dark brown pants were shaggy looking but they looked descent enough for a thief.

"Sorry about the light. I'm usually not the one lighting it." The girl grinned sheepishly.

"Where am I?" Zuko croaked out.

"What are you scared?" The voice made Zuko's head snap to the right so fast he was shocked he didn't get a cramp in it. There leaning on the wall was that tanned boy from the ship who was staring at Zuko. The boy was about as tall as he was, with untamed brown hair and Zuko could definitely tell the guy had some muscle mass on him by the way his grey cotton long sleeved shirt clung to his body. Emphasizing every inch of his built physic. He wore a pair of black pants that were tucked down in big brown work boots. If this weren't a serious moment Zuko would've whistled at the amount of punishment those boots looked like they'd been through.

Zuko was more than confused at this point. This guy looked like he meant trouble so Zuko wasn't about to play around with words.

"If this is some kind of joke trust me I'm the wrong one to mess with." He glared at the boy. The tanned boy pushed away from the wall with his hands up in surrender.

"Whoa, easy there firecracker. We mean you no harm. Right guys?" The tanned male asked with a smirk, turning his head towards the girl and a guy Zuko just noticed was standing not too far from him near the window. He must have been the one who slammed the window shut. This boy was sportin clothes a lot similar to the girl's but he had a solid black vest over a white cotton shirt. He too wore brown work boots. Knowing that he was trapped in there with three strangers was about as comforting as kissing the avatar's bison. The tanned male must have caught on to Zuko's distress because he quickly stepped up to Zuko who took a hasty step back. He might not have been able to firebend but he sure could still kick some butt if it needed to be kicked.

"Look man, we aren't trying to pull a fast one over you. That sack you got there Smellerbee stole from some Earthbending snobs. She must not have been able to run from those benders and carry it before she ran into you. I guess you helped her out. Helped us all out."

"Sack?" Zuko asked wearily. The boy's smile grew even larger and his eyebrows rose slightly.

"Yea man, a sack, the one you're holding."

Zuko looked down at his hands having forgotten all about clutching the thing. The boy reached his hands out towards Zuko.

"You mind if I take that?" Zuko's face heated up as he looked at the boy who was so much closer now. He was looking at Zuko with a broad smile. For some reason that smile unnerved him and he had to swallow loudly. He quickly handed the sack over to avoid staring at him too long. The boy set the sack down on the bed before he stuck his hand out for Zuko to shake.

"The name's Jet and that over there is Smellerbee." Jet pointed towards the girl. Then the boy near the window. "And that's Longshot." Zuko looked over at the tall lean boy who just silently stood and peered at him. Zuko turned back to look at Jet who was smiling at him like he was waiting for something. "Well, what was your name again?" Zuko didn't remember ever telling anyone his name but he thought about the awful fake names he and Iroh had made up. "Li."