Wo Ai Ni

By Sixthstellestial

Disclaimer: Avatar: The last Airbender is property of Nickelodeon.

Note to the Reader: This is a Prince Zuko and Jin fanfiction. I know some people dislike Jin but I personally like her. This fic is inspired by a few Chinese and Vietnamese movies. I hope you'll enjoy it. I'm also looking for a beta so if you are interested, please email me.

Anyways, I'll let you get on with the fic now. Happy reading and enjoy!

Chapter 1: Iroh Saves the Moment

Jin sat on the bridge's railing, enjoying the nice breeze that blew across her face. Another day at school had helped to free her mind from thoughts of her "almost-perfect" date the night before. She kicked her legs lightly and hummed a song with few notes. Her hands stroked the worn out fabric of her book bag that she rested on her lap.

After a few more minuets, she hopped off of the bridge's railing and started towards the busy market streets. She was heading home while thoughts ran through her mind again.

Tch... I shouldn't be thinking about it. Dissatisfaction was still hanging onto her. But why did he just run away me like that? He said... it's complicated. Oh... I bet he has some family issue or something...

Jin shook her head. She didn't want to think about it. From the moment he ran away from her, she sense that there was something troubling him. Then she pulled a finger to her lips and blushed. But he did kiss me back and—

"Uf!" Jin uttered out when she felt her body bounce back from something. She had probably accidentally walked into someone. Stepping back in embarrassment, she bowed and apologized over and over.

"It's alright," the person said. The voice was familiar.

Jin looked up and saw the old man from the tea shop. He seemed to have recognized her too, considering he was smiling at her. He was the one that accepted the date for Lee. Jin had wished that Lee be the one who answered, but she was just glad that the answer had been a 'yes' after all.

"Oh! Aren't you that young lady who asked my nephew on a date last night?" Iroh asked her. He was itching inside to know how it went. The only reply he received from Zuko the other night was, 'it was nice'. Maybe if he asked this young lady, he'd get some better information.

Jin smiled back at him and replied, "Yeah. Um... what are you doing out here in the market? Shouldn't you be back at the tea shop, mister?"

"Actually, I was just picking up some ingredients for the shop." He held up a filthy, dirt-covered basket filled with a combination of dry and fresh leaves. The smell was quite pleasant, despite unclean look. Jin giggled. This old man was charming.

"So how was your little date?" Iroh asked, lowering the basket back to his side.

Jin's laugh quieted down and her smile faded at his sudden question. A tingling feeling started to fill her stomach but she had to say something.

"It was... nice, I guess." There wasn't much emotion in her words. They came out flat and plain. Everything was nice until the ending.

Iroh's grin dropped. "Come on. Please tell me something better than nice. How about we walk back to the tea shop for a cup of tea, hm? Maybe then you can tell me a little bit more?"

"Oh..." Jin said thoughtfully. She bit her bottom lip. What if I see Lee? What am I going to say? Is he even going to talk to me? Endless questions came to her all at once, making the feeling inside grow even more. "I might have to be home in a few. I have a lot of homework tonight."

"Homework? You're going to school?" Iroh asked with slightly widened eyes.

She nodded, and adjusted the strap to her book bag on her shoulder.

"That's good. A young lady should have both beauty and brains. But why don't you come along just for a few minuets? I have a feeling you want to talk to my nephew."

Jin nodded again. Maybe I should talk to him at least... "Sure. Thank you, mister..." she let her sentence trail, fishing for the old man's name. She didn't remember hearing it.

"You can call me Mushi." Iroh smiled at the fictitious name he had given himself.

"Uh... Okay. Mister... Mushi."

"Come. I'd better get back or my boss will get on my case just like my nephew."

Jin laughed softly and walked with Iroh through the semi-crowed streets of Ba Sing Se.

"Oh I forgot to ask you," Iroh said on the way.

"Yes?"

"My apologies but what was your name again, child?"

"Jin. My name's Jin."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Zuko picked up a couple a used tea cups on the old wooden table. It had been a total of four days since he and his uncle came to in Ba Sing Se. The former prince wasn't happy with his life right now. He didn't want to stay here much longer. But where else could they go now that they were considered traitors of the Fire Nation?

"I'm back!"

"Finally," Zuko mumbled without turning towards the voice. He already knew it was his uncle. He went into the kitchen to dump the cups into the sink and headed back outside. "How long does it take you to—?" Jin..? Zuko froze. He had thought he'd seen the last of her the other night. What is she doing here?

"I'm sorry," Iroh said. "But I bumped into your lady friend in the market and we had a little chat." He gestured towards Jin. She was standing next to him fidgeting with her hands and watching the floor. She glanced at him every now and then, but never more than a few seconds.

Iroh left her side and headed towards the kitchen in the back of the shop. Before he past his nephew he whispered, "Go talk to her."

"Wait, Uncle!" Zuko said in panic but Iroh was gone. He turned back to Jin. She was still standing there, probably waiting for him to make a move. There were so many reasons for him not to.

Then, perhaps the girl was tired of waiting. She walked towards him slowly.

Zuko started to tense as confused emotions tickled his insides when Jin stopped in front of him.

"Um... hey, Lee," she said, looking up at him. "Do you have minute?"

He gulped. A million thoughts clouded his mind. What did she want? What was he going to say? Is this good or bad?

"Sure he does!" Iroh's voice suddenly came into the conversation.

Both teenagers turned to him. He had snuck up from behind Zuko. He was standing there with a wide grin at both of them. Both Zuko and Jin sighed in unison. Iroh had broken the awkward tension between them.

"No," Zuko finally said. He could have sworn that Jin had gasped. "I can't. I have to work."

"Oh..." Jin said with the same disappointment during their date. She even lowered her head in the very same manner. "I guess I'll be going then."

"Nonsense!" Iroh exclaimed. "You've been working hard, Lee. Why don't you take a few minutes with Jin?"

Zuko saw a hint of joy spark up on Jin's face. He couldn't refuse or run away now even if he wanted to. Something about her smile just held him.

He simply nodded in reply as the two of them went to a table in the corner for two.

Ending Notes from Sixthstellestial: I hope you've enjoyed the first chapter. I know it might be a little boring, but all I can promise is that it will be better in the later chapters. Please leave some reviews for me and I'll keep writing for your reading pleasures.