Alright, this is the fluffy chapter you've been waiting for. Enjoy it now while you can. (dun Dun DUN!)
Promise
Zuko walked into the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. It was a bright morning in the Upper Ring. Iroh stood at the stove in the enormous and beautiful kitchen.
Zuuko noticed a strange but pleasant smell meet his nose as he walked in.
"What's that smell?" he asked.
"It's jook," Iroh replied, then said,"I'm sure you wouldn't like it." Zuko leaned over the potof thick white paste and inhaled. It smelled really good. His stomach reminded him how hungry he was.
"Actually, it smells delicious. I'd move a bowl, Uncle." Zuko picked up a bowl to be filled with jook.Iorh gave him a curious look, but ladled the paste into the bowl.
"Now that you fever is gone, you seem different somehow," he said suspiciously. Zuko smiled.
"It's a new day. We've got a new apartment, new furniture, and today's the grand opening of your new tea shjop. Things are looking up, Uncle." Zuko sat at the table, and sipped from his bowl. He looked out the window.
This place really is beautiful, He thought. The Upper Ring was like a massive garden in the literal middle of the city. There were still several apartment complexes and houses crowded together, but grass, trees, and flowers grew in empty patches. Unlike the Lower Ring, where the most plant life you'd see were the pathetic little tufts of grass growing in the roads, trampled by thousands of feet.
Avaa had seemed to be the most pleased about the change of scenery. She didn't seem to like city life much, as amazed as she was at it at first.
Zuko's heart gave a happy jolt at the thought of Avaa. Lately, everytime he saw her, she became more and more beautiful. Not that she wasn't before, he just seemed to be noticing it for the first time.
As if on cue, he heard a rustle of cotton robes and a feminine voice yawn. Zuko turned and smiled at a very groggy Avaa.
"Good morning,"he said pleasantly. Avaa blinked curiously at him. Zuko grinned at how surprised she was. Soon, her surprise melted into an equally pleasant smile.
"Good morning."she said. She looked at Iroh at the stove and her expression fell into confusion again.
"I thought I was going to make breakfast today," Avaa said. Iroh turned to her.
"It's fine," he said, " Are you hungry?" He held out a bowl full of steaming jook. Avaa smiled again.
"I'm starving." She took the bowl and sat beside Zuko. he looked at her fondly. Avaa noticed his look and pulled her hair behind her ear.
"What?" she asked. Zuko blinked and shook his head slightly.
"Nothing," he told her.
After they finished breakfast they started walking toward the teashop. Iroh walked infront of Zuko and Avaa. He looked like he was ready to skip up the stone pathway.
"Come on," he called, "We don't want to be late." Avaa smiled.
"I don't think I've ever seen Iroh this happy," she told Zuko.
"I have, but not since I last saw my cousin, Lu Ten," he replied.
"Iroh has a son?" Avaa had never heard him mentioning he had a child.
"Had," Zuko corrected, "Lu Ten died during Uncle's 600 day seige on this city." Avaa frowned.
"Oh," she said quietly. Zuko half-smiled.
"But you should have seen them together. They were as close a father and son could be." As he said the last sentance his smile fell.
"Let's focus on the shop," Avaa said quickly, "This is a happy day." Zuko's smile was full again.
"Right."
"We're here!" Iroh exclaimed. He was standing on the top of a small flight of stairs and was looking at something in the distance. Avaa and Zuko dashed up to his side. Avaa's mouth fell open when she saw the building.
The shop stood in a small square, surrounded by flowerbeds and with a founatin in the middle. The structure itself was beautiful. The walls were jade green and roof was gold.
"Iroh," Avaa said,"It's beautiful."
"Isn't it?" he said grinning. Avaa broke into a run toward it.
"Come on!" she called happily.
The trio ran up the stairs and into the shop. It was even more beautiful on the inside, if that was possible. People already sitting at tables, patiently waiting to be served tea.
"Who thought when we came to this city as refugees that I'd and up owning my teashop. Follow your passion, Zuko, Avaa, and life will reward you."
"Congratulations, Iroh," Avaa said cheerfully.
"I'm very thankful," he replied, smiling.
"You deserve it. The Jasmine Dragon will be the best teashop city," Zuko said.
"No, I'm thankful because you decided to share this special day with me," Iroh put a hand on Zuko's arm, "It means more than you know." Zuko gave Iroh a warm hug, much to Iroh's pleasant surprise. Avaa smiled at them.
"Now let's make these people some tea," Zuko said. Iroh smiled.
"Yes! Let's make some tea!" he said. Avaa thrust her fist in the air.
"Yeah! Let's get to it!" she exclaimed.
Katara walked from the military base with the message scoll in hand. She headed toward the Palace. She kind of wished Sokka were here. He was the military strategy guy, but she could live with it. She just had to deliver the scroll to the Earth King.
As she walked she noticed a new teashop. The Jasmine Dragon. Hmm.. it wouldn't hurt to take a break.
"What do you say Momo?" Katara asked the lemur on her shoulder, "A cup of tea before we get back to the King?" Momo chittered and she walked inside the building.
"Table for two please," Katara told the employees by the door. They bowed politely and went to find an empty table. That was when Katara heard a familar voice.
"Uncle, I need two jasmine, one green, and one lychee!" Katara turned and saw Zuko in a waiters uniform. He was speaking to Iroh who was working behind the counter.
"I'm brewing as fast as I can!" Iroh said smiling. If that wasn't enough she was Avaa pick up a tray of teacups and give a smile one would only give to a close friend.
Katara was frozen in shock for a moment. The Fire Nation is in the city! she thought, And Avaa's one of them! Katara wasted no time and ran as fast as she could to the palace.
How could they have gotten in? Katara wrestled with that thought as she ran down the palace halls. And Zuko no less! Since when could he do anything right? Of course he did have Iroh and Avaa. Avaa seemed to be the clever type.
Katara burst into the throneroom. Suki and two other Kyoshi warriors knelt infront of the throne.
"Thank goodness you're here, Suki," Katara said between breathes, "Something terrible is going on. The Fire Nation has infiltrated the city. I just saw Prince Zuko and his uncle! We have to tell the Earth King right away!" Suki rose to her feet.
"Oh, don't worry. I'll be sure to let him know," Katara stared, dumbfounded. Azula! Momo leaped off her shoulder with a frightened squeak. One of the flase Kyoshi warriors rushed toward Katara, flipping through the air. That could only be Tylee. Katara pulled the water from her reserve and prepared for attack, but Tylee struck her shoulder as she flipped behind her.
Katara fell to the floor into the pool of water, completely paralized. Chikushou! she thought Chikushou! The three 'warriors' gathered around her.
"So," Azula said, "Zuzu's in the city too. Ithink its time for a family reunion."
Avaa, Zuko, and Iroh were cleaning up the shop for the evening. Luckily, another employee volenteered to wash the dishes, or rather persuaded. Because of that, Avaa helped Iroh clean off the tables. He would pick up all the dishes and she would wipe off the tables. Zuko swept the floor.
As they were cleaning a man walked inside the shop. He walked to Iroh and handed it him a scroll.
"A message from the royal palace," he said. Avaa glanced up at Iroh. He read the scroll with a look of worry on his face, but it slowly turned into astonishment.
"I...I can't believe it," he muttered. Avaa put down the rag and walked to Iroh's side.
"What?" she asked.
"What is it, Uncle?" Zuko asked also walking over.
"Great news! We've been invited to serve tea to the Earth King!" he said. Avaa stared at him wide-eyed.
"No way!" she exclaimed. Iroh grinned.
"Read for yourself!" He handed her the scroll. Avaa read it over. Sure enough, it invited them to the palace. Only by 'them' it ment Iroh and Zuko. Avaa's smile fell when she reached that line. She had want to go too, but she put on a false smile as she handed the scroll back to Iroh.
"This is great, Iroh," she said, "I'm sure you and Zuko will have a good time." Iroh brow furrowed.
"You're coming too," he said.
"But it says you and your nephew," Avaa told him. Iroh waved it off.
"I'm sure the Earth King won't mind a beautiful girl such as yourself tag along. Besides, we are a trio not just a duo." Avaa smiled and bowed to Iroh. He responded with a pat on her shoulder.
"Let's finish up so we can go home," he said,"We're going to see the Earth King tomarrow." Iroh dashed to the back of the ciy.
Avaa stared out the window absently at the cool night. It was really late and she should have been sleeping, but she just couldn't . She had too much on her mind.
Avaa heard soft, muffled footsteps behind her.
"Can't sleep?" Zuko asked. Avaa turned around and shook her head.
"Me neither," he replied as he sat beside her. Avaa turned back to the window, but she didn't register anything out there. She was aware of every move Zuko was making. He seemed to make her...nervous lately.
"Zuko?" Avaa asked.
"Avaa?" Zuko said as she did. They laughed nervously at their timing.
"You go ahead," Avaa told him.
"Are you sure?" Zuko asked. She nodded. She was glad she could stall. She wanted to say it of course, but it was nerve-racking to even think about telling him.
"Alright," Zuko said. He exhaled deeply, and ran his fingers through his hair,"Umm. You've been a really, really good friend Avaa, but," he paused. He spoke very hestiantly, like he didn' trust himself his words were right,"I think I've startedto like you more than that," Avaa stared at him. Is he saying what I think he's saying? "I love you." Avaa had to remind herself how to breathe. Happy chills ran through her body, and she smiled widely.
"What were you going to say?" Zuko asked. He looked alot less nervous. Avaa laughed quietly.
"That I love you." He smiled and hesitantly took her hand in his. Avaa's cheeks turned pink and she squeezed his hand gently. Zuko lowered his gaze before leaning foreword. Avaa took the hint and also leaned in. They met each other halfway and shared a sweet, tender kiss. It was light with no tongue, but it was the best Avaa ever had.
They moved their lips away from each other but let thier noses and foreheads touch. Avaa looked into his golden eyes. They looked beautiful even in the moonlight, they never lost their gleam. Zuko sanked his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. Avaa lay her head on his shoulder.
Avaa couldn't describe this feeling. She felt completely safe and loved, and that nothign existed besides Zuko. She didn't want to be anywhere else except in his arms; she never wanted to leave him.
As she thought of this, Avaa realized how close she had been to losinghim a few days ago.
"Zuko?" she asked.
"Hmm?" He looked at her.
"Promise that you'll never leave me?" Zuko tightened his hold on her waist and rested his head on hers.
"Promise."