Uncle, how will we find Taylor?" My ears picked up at the sound of my name. I knew who it was now: my old friend Zuko. You haven't seen him since his Agne-Cai with his father, when he was shamed by the fire lord. Running toward the sound of his voice, I was somewhat surprised to see he and his uncle dressed as refugees. I smiled and ran up to hug them both anyway.
"Zuko! Iroh! It's been so long! How great it is to see you!" I cried with joy.
"We were just looking for you! How lucky to find you so easily!" Iroh replied.
Leading your old friends up to your house, you looked at Zuko. He hasn't changed a bit, I thought, but there is something different about him. After he removed his hat, "YOU'RE HAIR!" You exclaimed. "It's all chopped off!"
For a moment Zuko looked angry, as though he might fume, but then he just hung his head in shame.
"I have been severed from my family. Azule claimed me as a traitor, and now I can't ever go back to my family."
Itired a bit, knowing that Zuko's honor was something he had always held dearly. "Oh, Zuko, I am so, so sorry . . . Come inside and we can have tea."
"Thank you, but I do not deserve your graciousness. I don't want you or your family arrested for helping refugees."
"Did someone say tea?" his uncle's asked as he walked over. Putting his hand on Zuko's shoulder, Iroh said, "Come now, Zuko, why turn down hospitality from an old friend whom you know so well? You didn't mind invading anyone else's hospitality. Let's have some tea."
"There's a hot kettle inside waiting for you. I don't mind, help you General Iroh." I said, and he padded happily towards the tea.
"Zuko...why won't you accept my help?" I said, your voice lowering from glee to hurt.
"I don't want the Fire Nation finding out you helped me. You could be punished severely." he replied, reaching up to touch his scar.
"Zuko, we're in Ba sing sai, there's no Fire Nation occupants here, besides us, that is. They'll never know. Besides, there's so much more to it then that..." my voice trailed.
"I know what my father is planning, and his army can break through these barriers. I don't want to see you get hurt, you're such a good friend." He replied.
"Zuko, I..." before you had a chance to retaliate, he pulled me into a long, passionate kiss. Me and hem never got around to drinking tea - you spent the rest of the evening in his arms watching the sunset.