Well I never expected to make another story here in Fanficion, but I guess old habits die hard, or is it I'm just in love with a good story? Who knows and now I feel like I'm rambling like everyone else here does.

Anyway for anyone who has read my previous stories, it has been years since I've made a story, quite literally. Does it take that long to recharge my batteries?

So yea I apologize to my readers, if I still have any..lol.

As for newcomers, always welcome, fics are for your enjoyment and as your host it's my duty to welcome you.

This story is dedicated to the new Avatar movie that came out about a month ago, which inspired me (ohh I know people said it sucked, but I looked past the crappy scripture and tried to focus on my love for the anime and how awesome it was to have a movie dedicated to it). It's also dedicated to my diminishing childhood, as I once knew it when I enjoyed anime in those times, ahhhh the memories. And of course it is dedicated to you the readers, for your pleasure!

This is going to be about Zuko (As always, I just love the character of Zuko, who wouldn't really) and with Jin, well maybe, you would have to stay tuned for more chapters later on if you want to find out.

At any rate enough nostalgia; on with my latest project.

Thoughts is italics and '' Speech in"" Enjoy!


Chapter1: Prologue

~A Man's Honor: By The Fountain~

"What's wrong? Jin asked concerned.

"It's complicated" Zuko mumbled, barely audible to anyone but himself while he made haste to the house his uncle and he lived in Ba Sin Sei.

"I have to go"

Softly but decisively, he moved on. With light steps until nothing remained of him, leaving his female companion standing alone by the fountain.

And as he left, Jin had a pained expression of confusion. Why would he leave? It was the perfect moment for a make-out session, and her hormones were on fire, ready to savor his lips and his being, but he left so suddenly with so few words...

She continued staring at the direction he marched to a few moments ago. Nothing but an empty, dark road made of stone, slightly visible only by the torches he lit just before those teasing 'kisses' they gave each other.

His sudden departure had left her confused and unfulfilled. And now she was starting to feel saddened. Had she done something wrong? She didn't think so; everything was so perfect up until this point. Maybe she was too fast? And he wasn't ready? Was that it?

She looked down at the floor with a defeated face and sighed.

'What does it's complicated mean?' Jin thought to herself, wanting to figure out what he really meant.

Lee seemed like a sweet guy, apart from being handsome. What kind of complications could someone like him have?

They had so much fun during their short time together and the more she found out about him, or at least what he let on during their date, Jin felt more attracted to him. And unlike other men she met in her life, he was so timid but at the same time had the attitude of pure and utter confidence and determination. When she gazed into his eyes at times tonight, it was almost like they were on fire. Was she turning him on? She hoped so, she did her best.

Jin let a small crack of a smile curl up in her saddened expression as she thought of this. It was so dreamy to think of a guy with both qualities. Lee seemed so unique, like a jewel by the shore full of rocks and boulders.

It was so rare on men, especially in the earth kingdom, where everyone thought they were the toughest person around, that someone could be so humble and yet so ignited like he was. Had he had a girlfriend before? Was he a foreigner? She would have asked him - if he hadn't left…

Jin looked up and sighed again, then started to walk the same way they both came in from, and the way he ran off to. Still deeply saddened by what had happened.

She would have to confront him eventually, as she was now a regular customer at the Tea shop anyway. She didn't know though, what Lee would say when he sees her by then, or what she would say to him.

"Oh hey Lee, great tea as always... soo what did you mean by "It's complicated during our date? Jin said out loud as she walked home.

"No that's stupid, how about "Hi Lee, so uhh I had a great time on our date, do you want to go out again?"

Jin said again to herself, and then thought more closely 'that was even more idiotic than my first one, I didn't even ask him why he left' she was glad this was only a rehearsal.

Maybe she should just forget about that dark spot on her first date and act normal? Perhaps that would be best, Lee didn't seem like the kind of guy who liked to dwell on the past too much, judging by the way he was evasive about his life.

Besides, she truly did had a great time with him, and he looked like he did with her too, that was what mattered really.

And maybe with a bit of continued persuasion, he might go out with her again, who knows maybe she can get him to open up to her more.

A slight blush formed in her cheeks, the thought of more dates with Lee seemed nice, despite what happened today. The good thing about being in Ba Sin Sei was that no one leaves, since it's the safest place in the world, away from the fire nation. She wouldn't have to worry about him taking off any time soon.

So at least with that one happy thought, she looked forward to meeting him again.


"So how was it? Asked uncle Iroh, turning from the plant baskets he was trimming at night.

Zuko slammed the slide doors to his room with a loud snap saying nothing.

To which, Iroh looked on suspiciously and only turned back to face the baskets full of plants again.

"It was nice..." murmured Zuko all of the sudden for the second time that night but to his uncle, then went on to shut the doors again, much softly this time however.

Now with a smile, Iroh continued to trim his plants, humming while he did.

He didn't say much but he was happy that his nephew enjoyed himself at least a little bit tonight, after all, you were only a teenager for so long, and he was long overdue for a fun night, and having one with a girl was just what his nephew needed, or at least he thought so.

Young love was such an inspirational thought for the old master, tapping into his more charming side, Iroh could remember his very own teenage years. He didn't want to interfere with Zuko's night though, allowing his nephew to make of his life as he pleases. He could watch the results blossom from a distance.

Perhaps, however, he can give him some advice next time, his beloved nephew could most definitely use more of that.

Now that they were in Ba Sin Sei, they wouldn't have to worry about Azula coming after them, and Prince Zuko could think about other things rather than just capturing the Avatar all the time.

Maybe his time here would indefinitely change his perspective about how to live his own life and make cohesive, rational choices about what's good for him.

Ba Sin Sei offered both of them a chance to start again, it was an opportunity to get away from the stress of an old man's troubled past, and a young man's traumatic childhood.

In fact, Iroh thought, ever since he started working in this Tea shop, he knew he'd reached his calling. Making and serving Tea is, he decided, what he would do for the remainder of his life, besides people around seemed to like his Tea.

"Winter Spring! Summer and Fall!"—


It's a strange feeling when a man is alone, he battles himself with the thought that maybe he should go out and enjoy life with his friends, or whether he should stay put and enjoy solidarity. Both had their advantages, as well as disadvantages.

Perhaps if this was a different time, a different place, Prince Zuko would have gone out with his mother for a walk around the royal palace or even hanged out with Azula and her crazy friends out to terrorize some poor guard at the entrance hall. He might have even sat in the dining room with his father for supper and have some small talk with him, that is before he became fire lord…

But all those things were long gone, which is why he had no choice but accept solitude, a man's last resort.

His uncle always told him that to meditate peacefully, a man needs his own space, a quiet environment and it proved correct always, Zuko would know by experience.

And it was in solitude, that Zuko did indeed find peace He found himself not angry with the bad memories, even if he didn't meditate. Sometimes he was sad when he thought of his mother, but in solitude, he needn't show his pain to anyone.

Zuko had indeed had a good night tonight, something he hadn't had in a while.

He was, normal for what felt like a breath only, but a much-needed breath he had longed for and didn't even know it until it was over. Working on that peasant Tea shop was driving him insane and he needed a distraction, he guessed.

A waiter was hardly a job for a prince. It was so indignant but he had to deal with it, for now at least.

When Jin asked if he wanted to 'get together with her sometime' Zuko was flabbergasted, and then his uncle had to agree for him to this! They were enemies of the earth kingdom, if anyone found out who they really were, well Zuko didn't want to think about it, they had already gone through so much.

That incident with Jet probably had a few people wondering already and he didn't want to alert anyone else if he accidentally said something to this refugee girl.

But it was a nice night anyway, when Jin kissed him he had to hold himself from doing something he might regret, Jin was a nice girl and he didn't want to take this too far for both their sakes, he didn't want anyone to know what he was.

He knew it was coming sooner or later too, which is why he brought the free tea coupon for when the moment arrived, but apparently it wasn't enough, that Jin was persistent.

'Of course she would be, she an Earth Kingdom girl' Zuko though while he stared at his ceiling.

He tried to resist all of her advances during the night; he wasn't interested in her, it was his uncle's idea anyway.

What he didn't know before though was that he would have a bit of fun, despite the awkwardness of the entire situation.

Jin reminded him of how much he really missed all those childhood moments of his past, without her even knowing it. Zuko had felt good, he was actually hanging out with someone his age, and she wasn't even trying to capture him and take him as a prisoner.

How much had the loneliness swept him into darkness that he needed to resort to this?

Maybe he was a little angry when he left her standing by the fountain, the situation was perfect for him to take it up to the next level, and maybe then some too if he wanted.

But he just couldn't.

He was a prince of the Fire Nation, banished and disgraced he might have been but he was still considered an enemy to everyone else, he was fire nation no matter what. And now that he was a fugitive of the same, he and his uncle had no one, he couldn't trust anyone. He had to protect himself and his uncle and besides.

No one would be interested in him anyway if they knew who he really was. At least not for the reasons that truly mattered. Zuko was just doomed for the time being.

His life was, it was…

'It was complicated' His own words echoed in his mind.

"Maybe I just need some rest" Zuko held his head with his hand as he laid down in the mat, covering his burned curse, and soon drifted to sleep.

Complicated or not, he still had a job to do.


Please Review, an author's goal is to provide and I would like to know your opinion about the story

BTW I already started the second chapter so expect it soon I guess..