Gifts and Curses, Hatred and Fire

by Bayanette Winters

Yang was sent to assassinate Fire Lord Zuko, a tired and lonely monarch just trying to do his duty. However, when she makes a different choice than she was supposed to, she puts the life of her family at risk. Though there's much more than meets the eye about this woman, will Yang have the power to save what she has left? Or will Zuko burn her path?

2. Chapter 2: Broken Jasmine

"Oh, good morning!" Iroh greeted his first customer with a grand, cheerful smile. The girl gave a polite nod. Her thin green hood sat loosely around her head, keeping most of her thick brown hair out of sight. Her light skin had dark patches here and there, showing a vibrant lack of sleep in her features. Iroh quickly sat her down at one of his tables. "What brings you to the Jasmine Dragon today, young one?"

The girl looked up, her aquatic blue eyes shimmering with a fog of exhaustion. "Just tea, sir. I hear it's the best in the Kingdom."

"You heard correctly!" Iroh bustled around his shop, obtaining a few tea cups and other various items. "Don't even worry about what to order. I know the best thing to wake up a tired mind."

He heard the girl plop down heavily at a table behind him. He imagined her head leaning against the freshly-polished wood. A large sigh met the old man's ears.

"Thank you, sir."

"No need to call me sir, young lady." Iroh turned around with a smile and gave her a steaming cup and saucer. He sat across from her with a beverage of his own. "Just call me 'Iroh'."

"Iroh?" The girl muttered as she sipped at her drink. The liquid wetted her chapped lips, giving them life and a small relieved smile. "I've heard that name before."

"I would not be surprised. Many have heard my name. The Jasmine Dragon is the best in the country!"

"I can't seem to recall where though…." The girl set down her half-empty cup. "This is good tea, sir."

Iroh shook his head, but a grin still spread from cheek to cheek. "I pride myself on making the best tea. Tea not only soothes the body, but the mind as well."

"Indeed." The girl finished her drink, then gave the man a knowing gaze. "I remember where I've heard the name Iroh. You were a great warlord some time during the war."

Iroh frowned at last. He stared at the girl, whose eyes had gone from tired to focused within a dying man's desperate breath.

"Yes, but that is all in the past now." Iroh stood, taking the empty cups away. He turned his back on the girl, anticipating something suspicious.

"And you're the favored uncle of Fire Lord Zuko, too, right?"

Iroh gave no response.

"Sorry, old man. But I need you. Fire Lord Zuko will be much easier to kill if your life is on the line."