First of all, I would like to thank every one of you for your patience, waiting for this chapter. And for those who just found this: welcome! I hope you like this story as much as I enjoy writing it. I'm so sorry for your long wait! And secondly I GOT MYSELF A BETA. And she's pretty cool, Juli Beawr, I thank you since I can't edit my own stuff to save my life. And Akura is Akuraice's character that he created (dude, message me, I need to talk to you about stuff changing). And I shall advertise for my beloved sister: Tracylay, she writes a Young Justice fanfic, it's a Dick Grayson/OC, and it is WONDERFUL. Not that I BETA for her or anything.

Quick advice: do not get in a car wreck if you were planning to use the day writing a paper and working on a project, then your day is ruined. It sucks and stresses you out even more than you already are.

I hope y'all like the chapter!

The past few days were rather lighthearted. My soul felt like the sun had appeared for the first time, blinding me in its beautiful greatness. Of course Zuko still got in his moods, but he was more open with everything around me. He trusted me, he trusted me enough to tell me who and what he was, and never second guessed me.

Work was pretty busy that day. It seemed like everyone heard the word about Iroh's tea and came swarming in when they could. It really got a bit tiresome: walking back and forth, trying not to slip and ruin a tea set. I had actually gotten better with the whole balance thing , and hadn't dropped anything since the time I bumped into Akura. I wouldn't be surprised if it was due to Zuko's training. The training was intense. Sure, I got bruises and scratches from it, but I loved it. Zuko primarily taught me using sparring instead of the simple step-by-step movements most would see in scripts. He was determined to have me know how to defend myself in real life situations. For a while he wouldn't teach me anything traditional, so I had to persuade him to teach me the origin of the forms. The fact that I could use the forms to help me relax and clear my mind at the end of a stressful day was simply a plus.

"Mushi, we have an order of the scarlet cloud and I haven't learned how to make it yet," I said to him. I made my way to the kitchen area where all the tea leaves, herbs, spices, and dried fruits were stocked.

The elderly man gave me a sincere smile and came over to teach me, "I'm so glad you have an interest in learning your teas, Miss Olivia."

I smiled at him, " That's because I love tea. Now, what does scarlet cloud have?"

He grabbed the needed ingredients as he told me, "The base is the White Mao Feng tea. Then you add some blackberry, peach, raspberry, and a hint of mint."

I nodded as I put said ingredients together and brewed it in the hot water. "It sounds good."

"It is if you like the fruity teas. It has good quality and is also soothing. Now don't forget to give them a cup of rock sugar on the side." He looked back up at me with his sparkling eyes, "You have a craving for learning things. It is rather admirable."

I looked down bashfully at the tray I was setting up, "Thank you, Mushi."

I lifted the tray and took it to the table I was serving. Two officers just getting off their shifts, they smiled kindly at me when I set the tray in front of them. "Here you are, sirs: scarlet cloud white tea."

One nodded, "Thank you, Olivia."

I gave them a bow, "It is my pleasure, I'll check on you in a bit, okay?" Their smiles grew wider and they went to their tea. I turned and saw Akura coming in. He gave me a flicker of a smile before sitting down at his usual table.

My attention was caught by another table asking for more I had refilled their teapot, I placed it on their table, and Zuko bumped hips with me, causing me to giggle.

"You'll pay for that," I murmured to him, smiling widely.

He chuckled, "Sure I will." He was cleaning up a recently vacated table. He gave me a side glance, his golden eyes shone with a challenge. "You wouldn't hurt me."

"I would," I said after a moment of thought. "I would just panic and worry until I knew you were alright." I looked over at Akura, "My usual customer is here. I better tend to him."

Zuko looked over at said customer, his smile faltered and the light in his eyes grew dark and narrowed, "Be careful. I have a bad feeling about him."

"Don't worry, he's just a friend," I told him.

"No, no, it's not that…he just-," Zuko shook his head and went back to work, "Never mind. Go ahead."

My concern filled eyes lingered on Zuko, before I blinked, put on my server smile, and turned around, going to Akura's table. He was staring at the blank wall at the other side of the room. His blue eyes seemed so far away, in deep thought. Something was worrying him, hurting him– or was it frustration?

"Hey, Akura," I said, "It's been a few days."

He was pulled out of his trance. His face softened into a calming smile, "hey, Olivia. I've been busy. And it seems that you've been, too. With the tea shop, I mean."

I glanced around the room, taking in all the customers we had. Again. "Yeah, I believe they finally got word of Mushi and his tea. So what would you like?"

"The usual. When do you get off?"

"About twenty minutes," I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"When you get off…can we talk?"

"Um… sure. I'll be back with your tea." I turned and went to get his tea, Zuko was in the back, taking a scoop of a pre-made mix, I went next to him after I grabbed a tea pot and filled it with hot water, "Akura's acting…strange today."

"What happened?"

"He's being…rather curt. I don't like it," I told him as I mixed some of the herbs and spices together.

"He's your friend. When you get off, talk to him for a while."

"I will. He already asked me to." I put the mix in the brewer. "We'll probably just sit in here and talk."

"Good. I want to make sure you're safe, Olivia."

I looked up at him, and gave him a soft smile, "You're such a sweetheart."

His beautiful golden eyes met mine. "I care about you." He gave me a soft kiss before taking his tray to the table.

After that display I struggled to keep a goofy smile off my face. Once I had the tea brewed, I went back to Akura's table and set the tray down. "Here you go," I told him, "I just have to clean up some tables and sweep up the back area before I can get off."

He nodded. "Alright; I'll see you then."

Wow. His mind was set on whatever he was thinking. I let out a deep sigh before I went to finish up my shift. I tidied up the shop, cleaning up messes from past customers, sweeping the back area and taking out the trash. When I stepped outside, I got a big breath of fresh air. It was nice to smell the outdoors after spending so much time around tea.

A piece of paper brushed against my arm before I caught it and read it. The paper was a missing poster for a flying bison. There was only one flying bison like that I knew.

"Appa." A pain echoed in my heart. Aang had lost Appa. I hoped that for Aang's sake, Appa was found soon. I folded up the piece of paper and stuffed it in my pocket before I went back inside.

With my shift finished, I took off my apron and adjusted my clothes to my comfort. The apron was folded up in my hands as I went up front. Mushi was talking to two men, who seemed to have taken him by complete surprise. "My own teashop? This is a dream come true!"

I tilted my head with the slightest of smiles, Mushi getting his own teashop? I wasn't surprised. He was practically taking over this shop anyways. I leaned against against the counter and tuned in to the conversation.

Our current manager seemed to come out of nowhere, "What's going on here? Are you trying to poach my tea maker?" The manager stepped in front of him defensively. It was apparent he didn't want Mushi to leave, since he made fantastic tea.

"Sorry pal," the man with the funky hair chuckled. "That's business for you; am I right?"

Our manager was frantic, desperately looking at the old man, "Mushi, if you stay, I'll make you Assistant Manager. Wait, Senior Assistant Manager!"

The dealer countered, "I'll provide you with an apartment in the upper ring. The teashop is yours to do whatever you want: complete creative freedom."

"I even get to name the shop?" asked Iroh. He seemed like he was about to burst like a happy child.

"Of course!"

The manager looked at Iroh, a plea of desperation in his eyes, "Uh, Senior Executive Assistant Manager?"

Iroh handed him the teapot and bowed to the dealer, accepting his offer while our now ex-manager sulked and walked into the kitchen. I couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction. I never liked him that much anyways.

Zuko came walking by with a tray, and Iroh saw him, "Did you hear, nephew? This man wants to give us our own tea shop in the upper ring of the city!"

"That's right, young man," said the dealer, "Your life is about to change for the better."

Zuko dropped the tray onto the table. "I'll try to contain my joy," he said sarcastically as he walked out the front door. Well That was abrupt.

Iroh beamed at me, "Did you hear the news, Olivia? The upper ring!"

I smiled at him, "Yeah, it'll be nice moving there. And you get your own shop, We're going to have fun."

The dealer grinned at me, "You have good taste, young lady."

I nodded and went to the table that Akura occupied, I took the seat across from him, pulling him back to reality, "So what keeps your mind at the other world, dear friend?"

"Just thoughts." He finally looked at me, but the dimmed light in his eyes worried me. "You and Lee…you both seem closer."

I smiled, looking at my hands on the table, "Yes. We're together now."

"When did that happen?"

"Just a few days ago. Where were you for the past few days?"

"Out. There was work that needed to be done that I couldn't do here. Why are you so curious?" playfulness danced in his eyes as he leaned forward, above the table.

"I was worried about you, Akura. Even Ba Sing Se isn't safe."

Akura laughed, brushing his hand against mine, "Maybe I was helping to keep Ba Sing Se safe. There are bounties on bad people here, Livi. I turn them in and get money for good deeds."

I furrowed my brow, "Isn't that the job of officers?"

"There simply aren't enough to counter the evil. So they post bounties on people."

"So you're a bounty hunter?"

He shrugged, "Of sorts. I only turn in the bad guys."

I craved to get away from the topic, afraid that I would find a disagreement. I had just noticed the bags under his eyes, and there was a darker aura about him. "Are you okay?"

He nodded, "Don't worry about me, Livi."

I blinked and narrowed my eyes, "Well guess what? I am. I AM worrying."

Akura shook his head, "There is nothing to worry about." He changed the subject abruptly, "I heard that you guys are moving to a new place."

"Yeah." A grin appeared on my face, "Mushi's getting a shop at the Upper Ring, and they're giving us a new apartment there."

He smiled, and this time it reached his eyes. "You'll be closer to where I currently live then." He said, delighted.

"Where do you live?"

"At the visitor's quarters in the Upper Ring."

"And you come all the way over here for tea?"

"No. To see you."

"Akura…you don't have to-"

"But that's it. I do. I have to see you. I have to make sure you're safe." He ran a hand through his hair. "That's what I was doing last night."

"Please, think of yourself, also. I care about you too much for you to get hurt. You have been dear to me." I put my hand on his arm. Touch was a strong form of communication. I wanted to show him that I cared.

His gaze went down to my hand, and he put his own warm hand on mine, "I'll try- for you. Will you at least do me the pleasure of taking you out tomorrow?"

I nodded, "Of course. Just rest well, Akura. I want to see you yourself tomorrow." I stood up the same time as he did. I stepped towards him and he engulfed me in his arms.

It seemed that he was reluctant to let go, but when he did, he murmured, "Anything for you. Now I will pick you up around lunch tomorrow."

"That sounds good. Please, take care of yourself, Akura." I gave him one last hug before I left.

Zuko was waiting outside, leaning against the building with his arms crossed. He pushed himself off the building and fell into step next to me, "Is everything alright?"

I shook my head, "I don't know. Akura's acting strange." Zuko took my hand in his and squeezed it. "Something happened to him. And he won't tell me about it."

"Because he doesn't want you to worry," the firebender replied. "You tend to worry a lot about others."

I shrugged, "I can't help it. I worry about the people I care about. Like when Jet accused you…I was terrified. I don't want to see you hurt." I looked up at him when I said that. We stopped walking and I reached up with my free hand to lightly touch his face. I let out a heavy sigh and reluctantly slid my hand down and we continued walking.

"You…you're a gentle person. I can't see you hurting anyone."

"Maybe because I don't like hurting people."

"Yet you want to learn how to fight."

"To defend myself. And swords are pretty."

Zuko chuckled, "I've never heard that before. Why? Why do you feel you have a need to learn?"

"I won't always have someone with me. And it's not safe out there, for a girl especially," I gestured with my hand. I cleared my throat with a cough and mumbled, "…and I have a pretty big bounty on my head."

His jaw tightened at the mention of that. Did he forget? "I can't imagine you having a bounty on your head. What did you do?"

"That's it. I don't remember what I did. But whatever I did, it offended the Fire Nation."

"Sometimes I forget that you don't know your past. You seem to know yourself and who you are." He was silent for a moment, in deep thought, "I really can't imagine you doing anything. You're too….you."

I smiled softly. "Thank you. But I don't know, maybe I did do something. I can feel something inside me, something that is kept at bay… wrapped in lost memories."

He looked down, trying to conceal his grin. "You have an interesting way of saying things," His thumb rubbed the back of my hand. "It's poetic."

I laughed, "I thought you didn't like poetry, considering the way you react to your Uncle's words."

"Because I don't like his stupid words. That old fool," he scoffed. "The way that you speak…I don't know how to say it. You put images to the things unseen."

"And yet your Uncle doesn't? He has wise words, Lee. Sometimes you have to take his tone out of it, because he's…well he's a goofball. He acts like a dimwit in front of you."

"Why would he do that? He's just an old man who-"

I stepped away from him and slid my hand out of his, doing my best to refrain from slapping him. Instead my eyes narrowed dangerously, "Lee. You will think about what you said. Your Uncle loves you, just think about what he's done for you. I'm going home to clean up, then…we will go on our date."

Zuko was wide-eyed at my sudden change in attitude, but I gave him no time to respond, I simply turned around and continued on my way. With the time I have been here, I was able to memorize the passage to and from the tea shop. The rage with in me burned, it kept my fists clenched at my sides and my pace rushed.

I got to our apartment and opened the door, making a beeline for our bedroom. I slammed the door behind me and got out of my work clothes. There was no need to bathe, tea smelled good, and even with daft hands I made no mess. I sat down on my bed and put my head in my hands.

Zuko could be a sweetheart, but sometimes he was blind to those who cared for him and those who didn't. Now that my head was cleared, I recognized I wasn't necessarily mad at him: simply disappointed of the fact that he didn't know who really cared for him and who didn't. Iroh loved him. His father was the one who exiled him to assign him the impossible task of capturing the Avatar.

I finally went to my dresser and put on a long dark green qipao- a long silk fold-over tunic that tied together down to the hips, splitting off on the upper thigh at either side, the short sleeves were nice for once, instead of wearing the dreaded long sleeves. I didn't want to scare the customers with my practice wounds- being bruises and scratches- though some will scar, I don't mind. It would be worse if Akura saw them. I don't know what he would think if he did, that's why I didn't want him to. I put on some pale green leggings and dark brown leather boots, stopping just above my ankle.

I went to the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. My hair was still up in its bun from work, I tugged at the knot and it fell loosely to the ends of my shoulder blades, well a bit past them now. It has grown a bit the time that I've been here. I combed my fingers through the thick curls. I split my hair into thirds and put it in a loose side braid before tying it with the ribbon.

This was going to be my first date. My breath stopped short as I heard my heart thump against my chest. The nerves of comprehension were finally upon me. I shook my head, hoping to shake the nerves away along with it, but it only brought more negative thoughts. Something could go wrong; someone could recognize him, someone could recognize me, which could lead into several different fights, and maybe even a death.

The ideas overwhelmed me and I took my spot back on my bed and closed my eyes, my head once again in my hands. There was a knock on the door and I swallowed my worry and plastered a smile on my face. One that could hide everything from everyone. "Come on in," I said, knowing full well who it was.

Why must I be my own worst enemy?

Thank you for reading! And please leave reviews, they are much appreciated :D