CHAPTER 4 – ZUKO

Uncle's apartment in Ba Sing Se had not changed since I'd been there. He had even kept my humble pallet in the smaller of the two bedrooms.

"Uncle, surely you're a rich man now. Why haven't you put finer furnishings in your home?" I asked.

"I have no need to," he replied. "You add things to a home to impress others. No one visits me here, so I have no one to impress. Now the Jasmine Dragon, that's a different story." He smiled, making it obvious that tea shop was his pride and joy.

He picked up a dirty tea cup from his dining table and quickly washed it at the sink. Drying the delicate china, he turned to me. "Some things have changed in this city since you were last here." I raised my eyebrow at him. "The Earth King returned, but he now has an advising counsel instead of those Dai Li agents. Because of my involvement in reclaiming the city, he had offered me a position with the counsel, but I chose to decline. Power is no longer my pleasure, and it hasn't been in a long time." Sadness crowded Uncle Iroh's face, and I knew he was thinking of his son.

I wondered if a more proper burial had been made for my cousin now that Uncle had respect in this city. The pain of that loss was still much for Uncle to bear. If I wanted answers, I would have to hunt for them myself.

"Zuko," Uncle said, "how about you get some more rest tonight? Tomorrow, we will go see the Jasmine Dragon. I won't force you to work in my shop, though it would be appreciated." He smiled, and then bowed to me before going to his bedroom.

I trudged to my little room and lay on my back in my bed. The last night I'd spent here, I was focused on capturing the Avatar after seeing the waterbender girl outside the Jasmine Dragon. I'd not yet freed the Avatar's flying bison, nor had I been imprisoned with the waterbender in the Crystal Cove. I hadn't betrayed Uncle to return home. A year ago, I still thought my honor was my destiny.

I had been stupid.

Uncle woke me early the next morning, and forced me to take a proper bath. When I emerged, dressed of course in earth clothing, he had hot tea waiting for me on the table. I drank gratefully. No servant could ever care for you like a family member could.

He washed the pot and cups with care before we left for the Jasmine Dragon. Uncle Iroh walked the distance to his shop everyday instead of utilizing a carriage. He happily waved and greeted every person who crossed our path.

"Who ran it while you were gone?" I asked as we neared his shop.

He chuckled at me. "I am rich enough to employ a manager."

"So what do you do all day?" I asked, looking over at him.

"I drink my tea and play pai sho," he said. "That was my retirement plan, and I'm sticking to that."

The shop manager noticed us coming and opened the door for us. In the minutes before the shop officially opened, Uncle gave me a short tour. The Jasmine Dragon was beautifully furnished. All of the polished oak tables had matching runners, but different tea sets belonged at different tables.

"I've been training my manager in the secrets of brewing the best tea," Uncle said while we were in the back. "He is a patient learner. You never took much stock in patience, or tea making." He laughed and nudged me.

We came back out into the front room of the shop as the manager was unlocking the door.

"Ready for business today," he said, flipping the 'closed' sign over so it now read 'open'.

"If you wish, you can explore the city now," Uncle said. "Or you could stay and play pai sho."

I had gained respect for my uncle, but I still would not play his board game. "No thanks. I'll just look around today."

I exited the shop and paused outside. Where could I possibly go? Uncle had suggested finding Jin, the girl I'd had one date with while living in the Outer Ring as 'Lee'. Ba Sing Se was a huge city, and I had no idea on where to begin looking. I audibly sighed and went in the direction of the small shops in the Upper Ring. Maybe I could buy a few things to decorate the Royal Palace with before I returned to the Fire Nation.

Setting off toward the shops, I chose to walk. It felt nice. At home, I was never given a choice as to whether I wanted to walk or be transported. The latter made me feel as though I were livestock, rounded up and corralled.

The architecture of Ba Sing Se was very different from that inside my volcanic crater. I walked with my head up, noticing all the details of the buildings. Any people I did make eye contact with seemed to not recognize me. I released my breath of paranoia I'd been unconsciously holding in.

Staring up at a magnificent building, I crashed into someone. Jerking my head back level, the woman in front of me was on her knees, picking up the items that'd flown from her basket.

"I'm so sorry," I said. "Let me help." I got down of my knees with her and assisted in rounding up her groceries.

We both stood back up, but she kept her head lowered where her hair covered her face. "Again," I said, "I'm very sorry."

As I walked past her, she spoke. "I forgive you," she said. "Nice to see you, Lee."

Hearing my pseudonym, I quickly turned back to her, but she was walking away.

"Jin?" I called, catching up to her.

"So you noticed," she said. She was dressed in a rich dress. Before, she had been living in poverty. Her clothes had been ragged and worn the last I'd seen her. On her hands were dainty white gloves, fit for a proper lady. Her silk black hair was pulled back with ornate combs.

She was beautiful.

"How have you been?" I said, clasping her arm.

She pulled ever so slightly away. "I've been okay." She brushed an imaginary strand of hair from her face.

"You look great," I said. She nodded with a blush across her cheeks. "Well, you seem busy, but how about we meet tomorrow?"

She smiled shyly. "That would be nice. Where would you like to meet?"

"How about the Jasmine Dragon?" I said.

Her shy smile didn't stray from her face. "I love that tea shop. Midday sounds okay?"

I nodded in agreement and we parted ways. Throughout the rest of my day, I simply walked around Ba Sing Se, taking in its culture. For lunch, I stopped at a simple shop and ate a bowl of rice and vegetables. Still, no one recognized me or my scar, and I felt happy. For the first time in months, I didn't feel dread or stress.

That evening, Uncle and I sat down to a hearty meal.

"Uncle, this is practically a feast," I said.

He smiled and added more roast duck to his plate. "It is a celebration. I already feel a great change within you, Nephew."

I smiled at him and ate another mouthful. Laying down that night, I had a full stomach and a sleepy head. Being Fire Lord is great, but being invisible is better.

When I awoke the next day, Uncle had already departed. A note left on the dining table said to go to his shop for my morning tea. Since my plans were to meet Jin there anyway, I got dressed in my finest earth clothes and washed the dirt from beneath my fingernails. By the time I was fully ready, it was almost midday. Time to meet Jin.

The walk to the Jasmine Dragon was a pleasant one. It would through a few fragrant gardens as well as past some of the most magnificent buildings in the entire city. Everything seemed poured in gold and polished to glow. Dreamily, I wondered if it glowed at night.

Entering the shop, the manager greeted me happily.

"Nephew!" Uncle was sitting at his pai sho table in the corner. "Come, and meet my friends," he said, gesturing to the men sitting around him. He politely introduced me to all of them, and I said my niceties in return. None of the men called me by my title, something my former self would have been angry at but my current self was content with.

"Now Zuko, what are you here for today?"

"I found Jin yesterday. We're having tea here," I told him.

He smiled at me. "Good for you. Enjoy yourself during your stay here." He then called over the manager to show me to the best table. The manager himself took my tea order and began to brew it so it would be hot when Jin arrived.

I watched her approach the shop. Her dress was as elegant as the one from the day before. She still wore gloves on her hands. I guess she had really moved up since I had last seen her. She entered the shop, and one of the waitresses at the door directed her to my table.

"Hello, Lee," she said while seating herself. Mentally I was kicking myself for not raising and showing my respects.

"Hi," I said. "How are you today?"

"Nearly the same as yesterday," she said. She seemed to be withholding something from me, I just couldn't figure out what.

Our tea was served and we made short, awkward small talk. This was a disaster. I had thought our first date was terrible, but this one was even worse.

She was looking down into her empty tea cup and biting her bottom lip. "Would you like to see my home?" she asked.

"Sure," I said. Inside, I was hesitant. This was awful, so why was she inviting me to her place?

We exited the tea shop and as we did, it seemed like an exchange of glances passed between her and Uncle. She hailed a carriage, and we rode to her residence in silence. It was only a five minute ride, but it felt like an eternity.

The carriage stopped in front of a beautiful house. I got out first, and helped Jin out by holding her hand. When both her feet were on the ground, she quickly pulled her hand from mine. The front yard of the house had a blooming garden. I spotted a gardener pruning some roses in a distant corner of it. As we approached the front door, it opened for us. Once inside, I realized a servant had opened it for us.

Another servant quickly appeared to remove Jin's shoes from her feet and placed them on a small rack. He knelt to do the same for me, but I stopped him.

"I can do it," I told him, thinking I was saving him some work. Instead, he looked disappointed.

I followed Jin into a finely decorated sitting room. We sat on couches opposite from one another with a coffee table between us.

"Lady Jin," a female servant said, bowing, "would you and your guest like some small sweet cakes?"

"Yes, that would be lovely," Jin replied. She was courteous and kindly towards her servants.

Once the servant was gone, she looked dead at me, studying me. I waited for her to speak.

"I was beginning to wonder if I would ever see you again," she said.

"Are you glad you did?" I asked.

"Well, I would like to have some questions answered."

"Jin, about our date," I said, rubbing my neck. "Things really were complicated. I had so many other things going on."

"Like what?" she asked, raising one eyebrow at me.

I was starting to sweat nervously. Luckily, the female servant entered and bought me time. She placed the large platter of cakes in the middle of the table and two smaller plates in front of Jin and me. She placed a few cakes on our respective plates and left the room.

"Well?" Jin said.

I exhaled. "It would be best if you did not know."

She smiled at me, but it was not a pretty smile. It was a smile much like the ones Azula used to give. "Tell me again what I know about you."

My palms felt slick, and a flush was creeping up my neck and into my face. "My name is Lee. I was a refugee of the war. I worked in a tea shop with my uncle until he was offered his own in the Upper Ring."

I waited for a response from her. She gave none. Instead, she pursed her lips and held up a single gloved finger. "Wait here, I just remembered something." She rose and left the room, but quickly returned. She placed a folded piece of paper next to my plate before seating herself again.

"Open that up and look at it," she said sweetly.

I gave her a confused look, but listened anyway. Slowly, I peeled the paper from its folds to reveal my face and Uncle's. The portrait of me was before I had changed my haircut. Uncle's was much fatter than he is now.

"Your scar is distinctive, Zuko," she said.

At the sound of my real name, I jerked up to look at her.

"I found that piece of paper after I was released from prison," she said. "And before I got this." She removed her glove to reveal a scar bearing resemblance to mine. The skin surrounding it was perfect porcelain making the hideous burgundy scar an island.

My jaw dropped. "I'm sorry, Jin. Tell me who did that, and I can handle it," I said, preparing to hurt the soldier who had marred her.

"It is too late for revenge," she said. "A guard in prison showed me much kindness." She made a small chuckle to herself. "I'm relatively sure the great General Iroh is the man who freed my prison hall as well. He is a firebender much like you, correct?"

I nodded and held my head in shame.

"I'm not angry at you," she said.

I raised my eyes to hers. "How can you not be?"

She laughed. "Look at my house!" she said, raising her hands to gesture around. "It's beautiful. Before the war, I had lived in a tiny apartment with my parents."

"But you were imprisoned by my people. One of them hurt you."

The look in her eyes was soft. "But that's in the past." She looked away from me. "And before yesterday, I had thought you were there, too."

"You never thought were you going to see me again?" I asked.

"No," she said. "In prison, I'd overheard guards talking about you. You were still Prince Zuko then. It is my understanding you are addressed as Fire Lord now?"

I gave a small smile. "Yes. I'm here on vacation."

"I hope the remainder of your vacation is wonderful then." She rose and motioned for me to join her. "I have one last thing to show you before you leave."

I followed her through a labyrinth of hallways until we reached what appeared to be a bedroom door. She held a finger to her lips, signaling me to be quiet. Jin opened the door, and we crossed the room to a crib.

"Meet my son," she whispered. The baby yawned in his sleep. He then woke up, and she picked him up from his bed. His eyelids fluttered open to reveal golden eyes. Fire Nation eyes.

"Jin, he has golden eyes," I said, staring.

She smiled at me. "Yes, he does." She looked up at me. "His father was a soldier."

Once again, my jaw dropped. "You married a Fire Nation soldier?"

Her smile grew wider. "I did. The war brought me much happiness along with sadness."

A servant entered and she handed the baby over to him. Jin exited the room and we wound back through the house to the front entrance.

"My husband was one of the first soldiers to surrender to your uncle. Iroh was something to fear when they reclaimed the city. He was a driving force, much like he was when he tried to capture this city all those years ago." She stopped to adjust a frame on the wall so it hung evenly.

"You may think my husband was an evil, fire-mad man like some of those soldiers. But he was not. He had actually been in a probation of sorts for not using his firebending against helpless Earth people. My husband is a good man.

"The Earth King personally employed him as the police chief of the Upper Ring. Your uncle Iroh gave us this fine house. He had recognized me from our date in the Outer Ring.

"Zuko," she said, placing her hand on my cheek, "your war gave me the love of my life. And for that, I thank you."

"But Jin," I said, removing her hand. "My great-grandfather started this war, and I helped end it."

"If it had not been ended, I couldn't love my husband nor be with him." She laughed. "Didn't anyone ever tell you it's pointless to argue with a woman?"

I gave a small chuckle. "I'll take that advice. It was nice to see you, Jin."

"Would you like my carriage to give you a ride home?" she asked.

"No thank you. I prefer to walk," I said. The servant at the door again opened it for me and I emerged into the bright sun, feeling as though I had accomplished something.

Author's Note: This one is the longest so far. Also, fun fact: I listen to Tibetan mantras and sacred Tibetan temple music while I write these.