When I said sheep were renting my space, I DID mean the students.

Jet: What do you mean, I'm not in this chapter?!

Me: Screw you, toothpick boy.

Here's the next bit. Sorry, it's short.


"Hey, Katara, are you doing anything?" Suki asked as she caught up to Katara.

"Yeah, I'm on my way somewhere. I'm meeting a friend." Katara replied.

All the while, she was trying to show signs that she wanted to go there alone, but Suki said, "I'll come with you!"

When it comes to her, she's oblivious to my annoyance. Katara sighed to herself.

"Hey, Suki… I'd rather go alone, you know…" She mumbled, hoping to heaven that she wasn't going to get mad.

"Oh, okay…" Suki said, to Katara's surprise.


"Hey, Yue! Want to do something fun?" Suki called out to her friend as she got to the cafeteria.

"What's that?" Yue wondered, pulling her stunning pure white hair back.

"Let's spy on little Katara. I think she's meeting a boy behind Sokka's back." Suki said excitedly.

"Why would you think that?" Yue asked.

"She was going somewhere but didn't want me to come. She said she was meeting a 'friend'."

"It's none of our business." Yue said simply.

"Oh, okay… I'll just go then…" Suki said, slightly downtrodden.

"Which is all the more reason we should check what's going on." Yue continued impishly.

"Hooray for my girlfriend competition and best friend." Suki grinned.


"Hmm… Here's the Jasmine Dragon. Why'd Zuko want to meet here?" Katara wondered, coming into the shop.

At once, the sweet aroma of tea filled her surroundings, and she found herself in an old-fashioned shop with a wonderful warm aura to it.

"Good day? Would you like anything, young lady?" Katara turned to see an old man with a warm, smiling face.

He looked very familiar, when Katara realized who he was.

"Mr. Iroh. Is it really you?" She was surprised to see Zuko's uncle, a nice man that used to be there when Zuko and she played together as kids.

Zuko called him uncle, but Katara decided she couldn't, so affectionately called him Mr. Iroh instead.

"Oh, do we know each other? Wait, let me think… Ah, I know." Iroh started.

"Katara right? I haven't seen you in nearly a year, I'm sorry to say. I was busy with certain… things. Zuko couldn't visit you much since the accident, forgive him."

"Accident?" Katara repeated bewilderedly.

"I heard you two were in the same class, but he didn't tell you?" Iroh asked.

"No. I think he was going to tell me, that's why I'm here." Katara said.

That's it, I'm REALLY going to give him a piece of my mind for keeping me out of the loop. Katara thought determinedly.

"Oh, hey Katara. You're here." She saw Zuko walk up to her, and maybe it was her imagination, but he looked as though he was both happy and uncomfortable with her being there.

"I'm sorry for not telling you for so long, but I got into an accident involving the organization. Also involving one of the flamethrowers in the weapons trade." Zuko started.

"Oh, what happened?" Katara asked anticipatively.

"In the weapons trade, I overheard something about this guy who was going to be killed. I was at the warehouse at the time, and so were they. They were going to kill this guy right there." Zuko continued, looking paler than before.

"So I tried to intervene. But then, I surprised them. They were planning to burn him alive with the flamethrower model he didn't pay for, but when I came, they were startled and started the weapon on me."

"I was saved by my uncle, but I have no idea why he was there. I sneaked out, so unless he knew about it, I doubt uncle had any reason to be there. But I'm fully grateful he saved me."

"So you got burnt? What happened afterwards? To you, the guy, the ones who attacked you…" Katara asked.

"Because of what happened, I had to be brought to the hospital. After a week, my father sent news that I was being disowned for disgracing his part in the organization as one of the top crime lords. Uncle told me that it was only until he thought it over; he needed a successor."

"I think that's about it. I couldn't tell you because I was ashamed. But then when I transferred because of my disownment, I knew I couldn't hide from you." Zuko took a breath, as though he hadn't breathed in a while and leaned back in his chair.

"Zuko, I…" Katara didn't know exactly what to say, so instead reached across the table and grasped his hand.

"None of it is your fault. Really, I'm just happy to see you with at least one eye." He mused dryly.

"Geez, don't overdo it with the enthusiasm. But your father can't have just done that to you." Katara said.

"He did. Be happy your father doesn't have anything to do with that sort of thing." Zuko said.

Katara thought about her dad. He had gone away for important business when she was in seventh grade, and hadn't been in contact with the family since.

"I wish my dad would at least call to let us know he isn't getting involved in anything. What about you? If your dad disowned you…" Katara started.

"Uncle took me into his tea shop with him. We stay upstairs. My tuition at school is still paid for, but I've pretty much depended on uncle for so much. I feel like I'm not being grateful enough for forcing him to take care of me." Zuko sighed.

"You're not forcing anyone. It's my choice, nephew." Iroh appeared, holding a tray with cups of jasmine tea.

"On the house for you two. It's not everyday I get to see one of Zuko's friends." Iroh said cheerfully.

"Well, it will be everyday, I promise you. If it's okay, I can tell my friends about it too." Katara offered.

"Of course. More good business is welcome." Iroh said, going to serve other customers.

"Oh, by the way, why is your uncle running a teashop? I'm sure he's got good financial connections." Katara said.

"He does. I don't know myself, really. I just know that he really likes tea." Zuko shrugged.

"Well, anyway, I'm glad to see you again. Zuzu." Katara smirked.

"I told you before not to call me that." Zuko said, running after her as she attempted escape.

"Oh no! I'm sorry!!!" Katara laughed deliriously as Zuko caught her in a tickling hug, making her concede.

By then, both were very well happy.


"They seemed really close, I can't believe it." Yue whispered, pulling her jacket tighter.

"Wow, she's actually friends with the new biggest issue in our school. It should be VERY interesting." Suki laughed.


I know it was unlike Zuko, but he got it from his mom. More Zuko cuteness and Zutara fluff! Huzzah!