A/N: Sorry for the late update once again. Fear not: I haven't forgotten about the story, I've just been busy with my new adopted dog that's sucking up all my time, plus school is starting for me tomorrow so I'll be pretty busy. I used to not work on weekends when it comes to updating, but that might be what it comes down to. Either way, I'll try and update once a week AT LEAST, twice a week at the most. Again, sorry!

Also: I'm dedicating this chapter of the story to SOKKANTYLEE for the *fabulous* chapter idea. (: Thanks so much for the suggestion and reading/reviewing my stories! I hope I do it justice for you!!!


Chapter Four: The Jasmine Dragon

"The Jasmine Dragon?" Katara wondered aloud, looking out the car window as she unbuckled her seatbelt. Zuko got out before her and chivalrously opened the car door for her and helped her out. She nodded and mouthed a 'thank you' his way. "I've never heard of this place," Katara went on as Zuko held the door open for her. "Is it new?"

"Yes," Zuko replied, "it's owned by my uncle." They entered the cheery, green and white tea shop. There were numerous tables, most of which were filled up with hushed and joyful costumers, all sipping tea. Uncle Iroh zoomed out of nowhere towards the two, a wide grin smothering his small face. His hair was unkempt like he had been running around all day, and his white smock was painted with tea stains like he had spilled more than one batch on himself.

"Zuko!" He cheered, "what brings you here?" Iroh's wide eyes hovered on Zuko's making him uncomfortable even when he looked away. Zuko knew his uncle missed him and he should visit him more often, but at the same time...this is why he refrained from it so much. 'Oh the embarassment...' he thought to himself, praying Iroh wouldn't say or do anything humiliating in front of his boss's daughter.

"Just getting some lunch," he responded calmly, although on the inside his heart was thumping for many reasons. He raked some fingers through his thick black hair.

"And who's your lady friend?" Iroh turned to Katara, then shifted back to Zuko. He playfully jabbed Zuko in the arm and provocatively wiggled his eyebrows up and down until Zuko's entire face was red.

"I'm Katara," she told him politely, holding her hand out for him to shake. Iroh kindly shook it, and kissed it as she let go. She chuckled weakly.

"Uncle," Zuko scolded under his breath.

"I'll get you two your own private booth," Iroh slid away to find a table, his words seeping under Zuko's skin. Katara watched as he left, still smiling.

"He seems nice," she noted as he popped his head out from behind a corner, beckoning them to follow. Zuko muttered something insulting under his breath as he led the way. She thought nothing of it as she followed.

"Thank you," she said as Iroh pulled out her seat for her. He nodded his head with a smile.

"No problem, Katara," he retorted slowly, "you know," he began, pulling up a seat from another table and adding it to Zuko and Katara's, "you're much prettier than some of the other girls Zuko's brought around here."

Zuko mashed his heel onto his uncles toes.

"Especially Mai," Iroh's pupils slid over to Zuko's, whose eyes were thinner than slits. "Much nicer and more cheery, too."

"Oh, thanks," Katara replied, feeling the awkwardness Zuko was bathing in.

"Although, now that I think of it," he pondered aloud, "it's not too hard to be nicer and more cheery than her, anyway," he joked. Zuko unwraveled his fork and knife from the fancy white napkin. 'Just in case,' he thought, clutching the utensils.

"Are you dating?" He spat out.

"Uncle!" Zuko yelled, his voice low and face flushed. Iroh shrugged in reply and faced back to Katara, who weakly laughed.

"No," she replied sweetly, picking up her menu and opening it.

"Well you should," Iroh egged. Zuko felt like sliding from his chair and down to the ground where he could safely crawl away. "He can be quite the ladies man when he chooses to be. Plus he makes a mean pot of tea--"

"Could you get us some water," Zuko cut in curtly, using it more as a declaritieve than a question.

"Of course!" Iroh caked on the 'happy' in his voice as he stood up. "And you don't need these to drink water," he whispered in Zuko's ear, stealing the knife and fork away from his nephew. Katara eyed the two mysteriously, soaking in their relationship. They both waited until Iroh left before they began talking.

Zuko muffled a stiff chuckle at Katara. "Sorry about that. He's crazy," he explained.

"It's fine," Katara waved it off.

"No, really-- I think he's crazy."

"Tea and water!" Iroh skipped back to the table and poured each a glass of water and a cup of tea. "It's my finest and most favorite to make," Iroh boasted. He leaned in close to Katara "and drink," he added in a whisper. "It'll be the best you've ever had!"

"We'll tell you when we want to order," Zuko said abruptly. Iroh got the picture and walked away, taking one last look at Zuko and Katara together. Katara lifted up her menu and began reading off some of the things she considered to order. Zuko, barely listening, watched as Iroh peered around the corner, spying. He growled under his breath watching his uncle make kissing faces and a heart with his fingers. He pointed to Katara then gave Zuko a sly thumbs up.

"Knock it off!" Zuko screamed, standing up from his seat. Katara gasped in surprise as the cups of water and tea bounced around on the table. She whipped her neck around towards the corner but as soon as she did Iroh disappeared. Zuko cursed him under his breath and sat back down. "I'm sorry about that. Maybe it was a bad idea about coming here," he said, blushing sheepishly.

"It's alright," Katara inquired, taking a sip of tea. "And you're uncle was right-- this is the best tea I've ever had." Zuko slapped his hand on his forehead and grumbled some more. "Don't worry, Zuko," Katara put her hand gently on his and rubbed it with her thumb, "my brother can be the same way. He's just so embarassing sometimes!"

Zuko chuckled, loosening up. "Yeah."

"But I wouldn't change him for the world," she went on. Zuko smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Same here," he replied.

"Good," Katara responded, "I think it's good to have the people you love seperate from the people who could just drive you insane. But when the people you love drive you insane? Keep them the closest to you. They're the people you should love most in your life and never let go no matter what. The kind of person you love so much, you would give up your life for." Zuko gazed into her soft blue eyes as she spoke, her words demanding. He liked --no, loved-- that about her. She had a voice than demanded to be heard, and she had the opinions that he wanted to listen to. Good combination.

"You're right," Zuko agreed slowly. "Absolutely right." Zuko looked at her, trying to picture her father giving up his life for her. At that, he cringed so instead he pictured himself giving his life for her. 'How far would I really go for this promotion?' Zuko thought to himself, watching her intensely.

Zuko thought of everything she said and took it in account for his life. He tried pressing it onto his situation. 'In a new, crazy kind of way,' he debated, 'she drives me nuts, too. She's so...different. I can't tell what she'll do or say next.' Just then, he heard a beep and then saw a bright white flash that blinded him. He let out a loud groan as he shielded his eyes.

"Katara!" he complained, "warn me next time!"

"Sorry! It's was a picture perfect moment!" Katara took a look at the screen on her camera. "I've never seen you look so content before. You look...happy," she reported. Zuko grasped the camera from her and looked at his photo. He always knew he wasn't unfortunate looking, but until he saw the pictures she took of him, he never realized how he truly was percieved by others. "What were you thinking of to make you so relaxed and happy looking?" she asked innocently.

'You', he thought with a dry swallow, "nothing," he lied.

Katara's faced glitched, showing she didn't necessarily believe his answer, but she'd take it anyway. "Hmm, well then," she quipped, "you should think about nothing more often."

"Thanks," he replied in a mutter. Zuko felt like she was inside his brain, reading his mind, which made him dare not look at her again. But when he did, he stopped and gazed, captive by her beauty. 'Uncle was right...she is prettier than Mai.' Zuko checked out the outline of her face, then on each part of it: her silky brown hair tied in a messy braid, her celestial-looking sky blue eyes, her dainty nose...her soft, pink lips.

"Thinking about nothing again?" Katara smirked. Zuko popped out of his thoughts, his face flushing a light pink.

"Actually, yes."


A/N: Haha. I have to admit, I had a real fun time writing this chapter. I almost want to press forward with it a little more, but then it'd be going into the next chapter...which I can't have! (: I hope Iroh wasn't too over the top. It's just when I think of him, I picture him getting super excited when Zuko has a "lady friend". Lol. And the hiding behind a corner making kissing faces? I can picture that as if it were really in the series. (I wish it was...)

P.S- Sorry if it isn't too filtered. I only spell checked it once myself, and my computer spell checker is turning to swiss cheese. Once it goes back on and cooperates with me, I'll review this chapter and fix it if it needs it. If you find any spelling errors or where something doesn't make sense, please comment and tell me so I can change it myself!

Thanks, guys.

Anyway, please remember to review!

p.s.s- I promise to update quicker this time...maybe this week? Review and we'll find out!