Yearning: Part 1 Chapter 1: The Meeting, an avatar: last airbender fanfic

DISCLAIMER: I don't own this fanfic, and I don't...ugh, why do I have to mention that I don't own this stupid show?!

I'm just kidding about the "stupid show" part...Avatar is great, but it's still overrated. I would be very pleased if I could actually find some haters' websites for this show. Does anybody know any?

I want reviews to tell me what I should rate this fanfic(K+ or T??)...This fanfic is rated for language and some innuendos.

And now, without further ado: Yearning: Part 1

Chapter 1: The Meeting.

Zuko took a deep breath as he watched the scene in front of him. It was breath-taking. The light that illuminated from all around seemed like twinkling stars just close enough to touch. And at the dead of night you find it's true beauty. In design and full of its rich heritage. Though its past was scarred with unnecessary battles that had killed so many people. It took time to rebuild all that had been destroyed.

However, he had restored his kingdom's honor and is at peace with all the other kingdoms around it. It was a grueling task that had taken a number of years to accomplish but now his kingdom is what is should have always been.

Sometimes it seems surreal just to walk down the halls of the castle. It seems as if it was just yesterday when he was a mere child. But that was years ago, now he was the Fire Lord and had a kingdom to lead. It seemed such an easy job at first, but as days turned to weeks and weeks to months the stress began to take its toll.

"Zuko," a voice had whispered behind him. He didn't have to turn. It was his wife. No one ever enters their personal chambers except for them. "Mai go to sleep," he answered back.

"Then come back to sleep with me," she said as she neared him. Zuko had leaned against the railing of the balcony taking in the sight for quite a while now. He shook his head. As stubborn as always, "No I'll come in later."

"Zuko," she whined slightly as she placed her hands on his shoulders, "it's really cold in there without you." With that she began to massage them slowly but sensuously. He needed this. It's been a long time since he was able to relax like this. He let out a groan when she began to massage the tense muscle on his arms. "Zuzu, come to sleep," she chanted in his ears, "you need your rest."

With a little more persuasion she was able to get Zuko inside the sleeping chamber and sit on the bed. "So Zuzu," she began, "Where are you going tomorrow?" Zuko sighed as he tried to remember the agenda planned tomorrow.

"We're starting our Journey to the Earth country tomorrow," he finally answered, "We'll go to Ba Sing Sei and work out all the deals needed. I'll leave Uncle in charge when I'm gone."

Mai pouted slightly. She never gets her well deserved time with her Zuzu anymore. Well it's expected now that he has so much responsibility as a Fire Lord. Sometimes she wonders why not Zuko just send Uncle Iroh to do the business outside the kingdom. However she knew Zuko will not let his Uncle travel so far distances, and he prefers that all the deals are made in person. "Zuzu, I'll be alone for a couple of days!"

Zuko sighed and turned to meet his wife's gaze. "Mai, you know I don't want you coming with me when we leave the kingdom. There are still many people bitter about the Fire Nation. I can't afford having you hurt when we're attacked!"

Mai nodded. Yes she understood that but she felt that their marriage was being split apart because of all the responsibilities Zuko takes. "I can take care of myself," she pouted looking down stubbornly. Zuko gave smile and kissed her softly on the forehead, "I know." he answered simply as he gathered her into a hug.

Mai gave a grin. Moments like this make her forget about the space between them, and heals it too. "Zuzu, let's go to sleep. You have a big day ahead of you," Mai said as she snuggled closer to him.

Zuko nodded and joined his wife inside the bed. He made sure that they were covered by the blankets and held his wife close to him. "I love you Zuzu," Mai whispered in the dark. As a return of response he gave her a soft kiss on the lips and went to sleep.

"Uncle," Zuko called as he positioned his bag, "Don't forget. The Avatar will be here to pick up a scroll during noon. It's inside my desk. On the left drawer."

His Uncle gave his usual grin, "Don't worry about a thing Zuko! You know your Uncle is never forgetful!" Zuko stared at him skeptically at him and looked over to his wife who kept herself from laughing.

"Mai help Uncle," Mai nodded and went forward to give him a hug and a kiss. "Aw look at you two! How cute," Uncle joked and Zuko shook his head. Uncle will always be uncle. But he was also his father figure growing up, and he hopes that he will help him when he gains children as well. "I'll be waiting for you when you get back," Mai had whispered in his ears. Zuko nodded and gave her another kiss.

With that he boarded the ship and gave a wave before turning to meet the dawn. He always preferred to travel early. By at least a day and half they would be there. He wondered vaguely to whatever happened to the tea shop his uncle had run for a while before they whole invasion. Perhaps it was turned to another shop for food. He teased with the idea that the Jasmine Dragon was still there, but that was impossible. It was years ago. No doubt that they would close it up soon enough.

Zuko sighed. He had just arrived a couple of hours ago and he had went straight to work. The deal was crucial for the Fire Kingdom and needed to be sealed. Of course it was not that difficult. Just time consuming since they each had to draw up boundaries and rules to be followed and had to make sure the contract was fair for both countries. By the end he thought that his brain would explode.

The general next to him noticed his fidgeting and offered, "You want to come with me to a shop I go to everyday? It's popular and has the best tea in Ba Sing Sei!" Zuko nodded. He just wanted to get out of this damn room of hell. As they walked the general began to talk about the shop more, "It's a magnificent shop too you know? Makes you want to live there. That girl done well for herself when she bought that rundown place. Now she makes the best tea I have ever tasted and gets quite a number of costumers..."

Zuko nodded rhythmically showing that he was paying attention. The tea might be good he said to himself, but will never compare to my uncle's tea. Now that was tea. "Ah! We're here!" the general said snapping him out of his train of thought.

He stopped as he looked at the shop. How...how...in...How...what is...what the...it's not possible! The general didn't seem to notice as he entered the shop and immediately seated at a window seat. But the grand Fire Lord just stared. Stared up at the title as if it was so many years ago when he was a mere teenager and stood on the very spot he stood on now. His breath almost hitched as he reread the title. Jasmine Dragon. That name brings back so many memories. (A/N: er...that is what Iroh's shop right? I'll immediately change it if its not. God I forget too much.)

"Sir, are you coming in?" an angelic voice asked broking his reverie. He looked and he almost choked. The brown hair soft locks tied in a clip, brown eyes that he had once gazed in looking down at the clipboard, and that childish smile that made him so amused. "Jin," he whispered.

She looked up and her eyes widened in shock, "Lee!?" Zuko winced. That's right, his alias name. Lee. She ran down the steps to him and almost gave him a short hug. Then she abruptly stopped herself as she noticed his attire. Clothes fit for a king...and her eyes widened as she spotted the Fire Lord symbol stamped on his sleeves.

She gasped and immediately backed away. She gave a bow and said quietly, "Excuse me Fire Lord, I didn't know. It is an honor for you to come and visit my humble shop. Would you like a window seat?"

Zuko stared down at her. Even after years being accustomed on being a Fire Lord he had never truly was never accustomed to being bowed at. And now that one of his old...er...acquaintances were bowing at him, it was much more awkward.

"Jin," he coughed out, "Just call me Zuko." She looked up at him and nodded, "Yes Zuko-dono." Zuko shook his head, "No. Just Zuko." She nodded again and motion towards the shop, "Would you like to come in Zuko-d...Zuko?" He nodded and was seated right across from the general who helped himself to a cup of tea.

Jin had disappeared inside the kitchen and the general spoke up when he noticed Zuko's eyes trailing after her, "Jin was the girl that bought this place. I don't know why she kept the same name but it sounded good so why get rid of it she reasoned." Zuko silently chuckled at how much time his uncle had spent to make up the name.

"Here's the jasmine tea you ordered," Jin said placing the Chinese teapot down with a set of delicate tea cups. "Enjoy Lee...I mean Zuko-dono...no...I meant Zuko!" she corrected herself blushing madly. Zuko just had to admit she was adorable like that. She hasn't changed much either. In fact she grew even more beautiful.

Well, that's chapter 1. Chapter 2 is already up.