A/N: I know I said I would do my best to post two chapters this week, but as you might have notices, that didn't exactly work out. I was a it too eshausted from my holiday to have good inspiration. But at least here is one chapter, I hope you'll enjoy it.
The Saturday following the dance was for Zuko a struggle to get through. That morning he realized he had been in shock the night before, with too many contradicting feelings assaulting him. In his daze, he had forgotten to take proper care of his wound and had gone to bed without even washing away the blood. Which meant his arm was hurting immensely by the time he woke up the next morning. The pain was bad enough to rouse him.
Blinking in the predawn light, he vaguely wondered what had woken him. As the constant pain drew him to full consciousness, he glanced down his arm. It was caked with blood and the flesh around the wound had turned red and angry. He stared at it, wondering how on earth he had gotten it. It was only when he was in the bathroom cleaning his arm, that he remembered what had happened.
A gang of men had been robbing a house, and stupid that he was, he had confronted them. Why had he done that? Was he really that depressed after Katara had found out the Blue Spirit's true identity? The thought of Katara brought him up short. He would be facing her in just a few hours. How would she react when she saw him? Would she start yelling at him to jump off a cliff again? Would she slap him in the face as she had done before? Or would she stubbornly refuse to acknowledge his existence? Whatever it was going to be, he wasn't looking forward to it. But what could he do to change it? What did he want? Did he wish last night hadn't happened? No. His mind was decisive. Whatever the consequences, whatever this coming day would bring, he was glad Katara finally knew who he really was. Now he could finally be completely, one hundred percent, honest with her. Provided she ever talked to him again.
He looked down at his now clean arm. The wound really was quite severe and had started to fester in some places. He would have to make sure it stayed clean, otherwise it wouldn't heal properly. Great. He thought. Another scar to look forward to. He hunted through the bathroom cabinet and dug up a rolled up gauze. He carefully wrapped it around his arm, covering the wound. He gritted his teeth as the bandage touched a sensitive spot. It wasn't easy to do since the wound was on his right arm, and he wasn't very adept with his left hand. But after a long and sometimes painful process, he managed to properly bandage the wound and had tied a somewhat sloppy knot. But it would hold and that was good enough for him.
He walked back to his bedroom and checked the clock. He still had plenty of time to have a decent breakfast and he would still arrive early at work. But with nothing better to do, he shrugged into his clothes and went downstairs to the kitchen.
Lo was already there, making scrambled eggs, his father's favourite breakfast. This made Zuko wonder if his father was up already. He didn't actually know what his father's habits were anymore, he had long ago ceased to care.
"You're up early today" Lo commented as she turned to face him. She was scooping the scrambled eggs onto a plate.
Zuko shrugged. "Couldn't sleep anymore"
"Really? I expected you to sleep in today after coming home so late last night. Although I must admit, I had thought you'd be home even later" she gave him a piercing look. She always looked at him that way when she wanted him to explain himself.
"Oh, it would have been later if the choice had been up to him" a cold voice commented from the kitchen entrance.
Zuko turned around slowly and watched his father walk into the kitchen.
"I got a phone call last night from Zhao. He thought it was prudent for me to know what you did last night" his father said without even greeting him a good morning. He sat down at the breakfast bar and started on his scrambled eggs. After taking a few bites, he spoke again. "I didn't know whether to believe him or not. He claimed you would have raped a girl if it hadn't been for his interference. Is it true?"
It physically hurt when his father asked the question. Or maybe it was his wound reminding him it was still there. "No, it's not true" he said through clenched teeth.
His father gave him a assessing look. "Then why did Zhao feel the need to send you away? And put you in detention?" he inquired.
"Because he hates me"
"Teenagers" his father muttered. "You always think everyone is against you" he turned his head to look at Zuko. "Vice principal Zhao might be a brownnoser, always trying to get into my good graces to get higher on the payroll, but he is honest in his work. If he thought it justified to punish you, than I can only agree with him. Besides, punishing you would hardly get him in my good graces, so why else would he do it?"
His father's reasoning was just as difficult to understand as Zhao's had been. Zuko stared at him as he continued eating his breakfast. "We were only arguing" Zuko muttered, more to himself than to his father. He knew that in his father's eyes, he was already condemned.
"Only arguing? Zhao mentioned you might say that. Still, you were physically restraining the girl. One can hardly call that 'only arguing'" his father's voice was devoid of any warmth. Slowly he turned his head to look at Zuko again. His eyes were just as cold as his voice. "Or are you saying that Zhao was lying?"
"Yes!" Zuko replied vehemently.
"So you weren't restraining her?"
Zuko wished he could tell his father he hadn't been, but the truth was that he had been holding on to Katara to keep her where she was, what pretty much the definition of 'restraining' was. "I wasn't restraining her. I was holding on to her because I wanted to tell her something before she stormed off"
"Which is exactly the same as restraining someone" his father raised an eyebrow. "So Zhao told the truth"
"No!" Zuko yelled at his father, who's face immediately darkened with anger. Zuko knew he had to be very careful with what he was going to say next. He struggled to control his temper and to bring his voice down to a more normal level. "Yes, I was holding on to her, as Zhao told you, that part is true. But I wasn't trying to force her to do something she didn't want to do. I would never do something like that" the thought alone was sickening.
The expression on his father's face didn't change. "I should hope not" he said darkly. "I raised you better than that"
Zuko couldn't help an incredulous snort from escaping his throat. It had been a long time since his father had done something that was remotely close to parenting. His father might have been the one that sired him, but the only father-like figure he had known for a long time was his uncle.
"Something amusing you?" his father inquired coldly.
"Just the thought that you think you raised me" Zuko shrugged. He was tired of pretending he had a normal relationship with his father, while in fact it was only reluctant acceptance of each other. And he was tired of not speaking his mind. They both knew it, why not just say it out loud? Then he looked at his father's face and knew he had made a big mistake.
"What did you just say?" his father's voice was deadly calm, belying the cold menace shining from the golden eyes, so much like his own.
"Oh come on!" he couldn't believe his father was being deliberately obtuse. "We both know it! You haven't tried to raise me ever since mom died! You wished me dead! Look it up in the dictionary if you must, but that is not the definition of fatherhood! Uncle has been more of a father to me than you ever were!"
"I won't be talked to like that!" his father thundered. "Young man, you may resent me for not being a good father to you. I give you leave to do so, because I absolutely loath you for what you did to Ursa! And I've had to tolerate you ever since. Well, not anymore! If that is how you speak to me, than you are no longer welcome in this house. Go! I give you until the end of the day to pack your things, but after that I never want to see you here again. Go live with that weak brother of mine if you think him a better father! I wash my hands of you!" with that, his father turned on his heal and stalked out of the kitchen.
"Fine!" Zuko yelled after his father's retreating back. "Finally! I'm released from you!" but his father was already gone. He now stood facing the empty doorway, breathing hard, fists clenched by his sides. "I don't need you!"
Realization hit. What did I just do?! For the first time ever, he had talked back to his father. He somehow felt immensely relieved. But a different feeling, a feeling of dread crept upon him. I talked back at him. And he kicked me out. Where am I supposed to go now? What do I do?
"Zuko?" Lo said from behind him.
With sagging shoulders he turned around to face her. "Yeah?" he suddenly felt very tired.
"I think it's for the best if you just leave. No use in staying here anymore" Lo said, her face showing no emotion at all.
"But… Where do I go?" he couldn't remember ever feeling so lost.
"You have to go to work don't you? Ask your uncle if you can stay with him. At least temporarily. Come and pick up your stuff tonight. Otherwise Mr. Ozai will undoubtedly throw everything out with the trash" totally out of character for her, she walked towards him and put her hand on his shoulder in a consoling manner. "It might not seem like it now, but moving out will be for the best. For everyone"
Zuko was far from convinced. After all, he was the one that had to find a new living space.
"Just go to work now. You don't want to be late, do you? I noticed your car wasn't in the garage"
Damn! His car was still in the school parking lot. Now he had to walk all the way to the Jasmine Dragon. He checked the clock on the kitchen wall. If he started walking now, he might just make it in time. He walked out of the kitchen and grabbed his jacket from the coat rack. Shrugging into it, he rushed out the door.
While he was walking, he tried to clear his head. He refused to let his thoughts stray to what had happened. Either this morning, or the night past. Or anything that was remotely related to those events. Which didn't leave him much to think about. He stopped abruptly and covered his face with his hands.
"I'm pathetic" he said in a loud voice. All he had been thinking about lately was Katara, but since she was deeply involved in the events from the night before, he wouldn't let himself think about her. What else did his mind digest? Nothing.
"I'm pathetic!" he repeated, louder this time, startling a young mother with a stroller who just passed him. Was he really one of those guys who's entire world evolved around one girl? That was truly sad. Even if the girl in question was as amazing as Katara. Didn't he have a life of his own? Yes. Or whatever's left of it now you've been kicked out. Banished by your own father. His subconscious snarled.
"Damn it!" he shouted. He shoved his hands in his jacket pockets and stalked down the street. People around him gave him a wide berth when they saw the angry scowl on his face. He even managed to give a five-year-old the fright of his life by looking at him directly. The kid yelped and ran to his parents some way away. The moment the child reached his father, the man bent down and picked him up, consoling him. Enjoy it while you can. Zuko thought sourly. Today he protects you from the world. Tomorrow your mother dies. The day after, he'll kick you out of the house.
His mood hadn't brightened one bit by the time he stepped into the Jasmine Dragon. He was more than on time thanks to his quick stalk down the streets. When he opened the door, he saw his uncle standing behind the register, checking the contents.
Iroh looked up as the door opened and watched his nephew storm in. "Everything alright?" he asked with raised eyebrows. He knew Zuko had a mighty temper when pricked, but he hadn't seen a lot of it lately. Now, one look was enough for Iroh to realize something was terribly wrong. "Zuko? What's wrong?" he called after the retreating teenager.
Minutes later, Zuko came out of the linen closet where he had deposited his jacket. "He kicked me out" he stated.
Iroh looked at his nephew, completely baffled. He didn't need to ask who his nephew meant. "My brother kicked you out? Why? What happened?"
"Because I talked back. That's why. And as for what happened…" Zuko dropped down in a chair and snorted. "That's quite a long story" without saying anything else, he laid his arms on the table and let his head rest on his arms.
Utter devastation rolled off him in waves. All Iroh could do was stand and stare. He had no idea what he could do to make his nephew's plight any lighter.
"Where is Katara?" came Zuko's muffled voice.
Iroh cleared his throat. Thankful for the direction Zuko gave him. "You want to talk to Katara?" to him it wasn't entirely logical, but what did he know? He wasn't a teenager anymore. And his two employees seemed to get along splendidly. Zuko's snort clarified things.
"No! I don't want her to see me like this"
Iroh let out a breath, relieved that with that at least, he could help his nephew. "Katara won't be working today"
Zuko lifted his head and looked up at him. "Why not?" was that anxiety in his eyes? "Is she sick?"
Iroh shook his head. "No, as far as I know, she's as fit as a Rostrhamus sociabilis with a belly full of Gastropoda. She told me last week that she had swimming practice today. Something to do with upcoming preliminaries"
Zuko stared at him. "As fit was what?"
"A Rostrhamus sociabilis. A Snail Kite"
When Zuko kept staring at him with an unbelieving look on his face, Iroh explained further. "A bird of prey"
"I know what a Snail Kite is Uncle" Zuko said irritated. "I just can't believe you can compare Katara with a bird that resides in a swamp and eats snails"
Iroh shrugged. "Why not? It is a magnificent creature. And snails are actually very tasty"
Zuko snorted again. "So she's not here? Good"
Iroh frowned. "Why is that good? Do you find it bothersome if she is to see you like this? Or did something happen between you two?"
Zuko looked down on his hands. "It's a long story"
"Another long story? You're full of long stories today"
Zuko let out a humourless laugh. "It's the same story actually. But I won't bother you with it. It's something I have to figure out on my own"
"Zuko" Iroh stepped closer and put his hands on his nephew's shoulder. "You might think and act like you're on your own. Anyone would feel that way when they got sent away by their own father. But you are not alone. I'm here for you. I invite you, no implore you, to come and live with me" he held up his hand when Zuko opened his mouth to protest. "Not just for your sake, but for mine as well. I'm getting older and I can use a helping hand around. Besides, I'm lonely" he knew his nephew had a great deal of pride coursing through his veins. One trait he had inherited from his father. And by couching his request like it was for his own benefit as well as Zuko's was the way to ensure his nephew would agree.
He looked down at Zuko and saw tears spring to the boy's eyes. At the same time, he felt the shoulder on which his hand rested, sag. Looking like he did, Zuko truly looking like a young boy in need of a reassuring parent.
"Thank you Uncle. I would love to come and live with you" Zuko said while he tried to wipe away the tears that started rolling down his cheeks.
"Good. Now that that is settled, I suggest we go and collect your things after we close for today. Or do you want to do it tomorrow?"
Zuko shook his head. "He gave me only today to pack up and leave. After today he doesn't want to see me there ever again"
Iroh was taken aback by his brother's cold heartedness. He could only wonder how much hatred still lingered is his brother's heart. "Well then, today it will be. The sooner the better" he didn't know what else to say to lighten the mood.
Zuko pulled himself together. Everything will be alright. He told himself. I will stay with Uncle. We are going to pick everything up tonight. There is no need to worry anymore. I have a place to stay. I won't have to face Katara today. For today everything is alright. Leave tomorrow's problems for tomorrow. Today everything is alright. With that mantra playing in his head, he gave a tight smile to his uncle and went to work.
Because of Katara's absence, he had twice as much work to do, twice as much customers to serve. He didn't mind, he even preferred it. That way, he barely had time to think about his own situation, or anything pertaining Katara.
Regrettably, he wasn't the only one who had wondered where Katara was. When he stood by the table where Mr. and Mrs. Kuruk sat, they inquired why Katara wasn't there.
"I say, where is your lovely co-worker today?" Mrs. Kuruk asked.
"She has swimming practice today. She's on the school's swimming team and the preliminaries are next week"
"She's on the swim team? That is quite an accomplishment. Is she good?" Mr. Kuruk asked.
"One of the best. She the team captain" he couldn't deny feeling reluctant pride. It was an accomplishment. The feeling left a bitter taste in his mouth. It wasn't like he was jealous of Katara, far from it, but he rather didn't think nice things about her right this moment.
Mr. Kuruk whistled. "Team captain. Not too shabby"
"If you see her again before the preliminaries, do wish her the best of luck from us" Mrs. Kuruk implored.
"I will. She'll like that" Zuko promised.
He didn't know whether or not it was a good thing that he now had a reason to talk to Katara. On the one hand, he wanted to talk to her, to find out if she was alright. One the other hand he was still miffed that she hadn't recognized him. On top of that, hadn't he just resolved to not be so immersed in her, to proof that he wasn't one of those guys who's entire life revolved about a girl? Today, I won't think of her again. He thought firmly to himself. Today, I have nothing to do with her. With that resounding in the back of his head, he went back to work.
About half an hour before closing time, the door of the Jasmine Dragon opened again to let in another customer. A slender girl walked through and scanned the now half empty room. A smiled played on her lips when her eyes found Zuko standing at the bar, waiting for his uncle to finish preparing tea. She chose a seat near the window, where the sun would shine through and give her braided brown hair a shine of gold. Once she was seated, she waited patiently for Zuko to come and take her order.
"Welcome to the Jasmine Dragon" Zuko greeted her as he came to stand at her table. "Do you know what you would like?"
"Yes" the girl smiled up at him. "Your name and phone number please"
Startled, Zuko looked up from his writing pad ad looked down at the girl, into warm brown eyes. "What?" did he just hear that correctly?
"I would like your name and phone number please" the girl repeated boldly.
"Er… Zuko. And I don't usually give my number to strangers"
She didn't look put out. "Hi Zuko, I'm Jin. Now, we're no strangers anymore, are we?" she winked at him. "But if you don't want to give me your number, the least you can do is take me out on a date… Sound fair, doesn't it?"
"A… a date?" Zuko stuttered. "You want to go on a date with me?" no girl had ever asked him out on a date. It was a refreshingly novel experience.
"Yes, I do. So what do you say? Are you free tonight?"
Zuko would have loved to be able to say yes. Unfortunately, tonight was the one night that didn't suit. "I would like to go out with you Jin, but I already have plans for tonight. Tomorrow ok too?"
Jin made a face. "I'm sorry, tomorrow isn't possible for me" she seemed to think about something. "How about Wednesday? I have a test that morning and I have to cram for that. But Wednesday evening is good for me"
Zuko mentally revised his own agenda for the upcoming week. "Wednesday's good. Six o'clock?"
"Sounds good. I'll meet you here, I know a divine restaurant close by. You'll love it there" she smiled at him again.
He smiled back at her. She was cute when she smiled. "Now, can I get you anything tea related, or was it your only objective to ask me out?" he joked.
Jin laughed. "My objective was to get your number Zuko. But a date is better, I think. And yes, I would like a cup of Green tea and a brownie"
"Green tea and a brownie" he repeated as he wrote it down. "Coming right up"
"What did you and Jin talk about?" Iroh inquired when Zuko was back at the bar. "You seemed to have fun together"
"You know her" Zuko asked surprised.
"Of course I do. She's been coming here for weeks. Talked to her myself a couple of times. Is everything alright with her?"
"I think so. She asked me out on a date" Zuko sounded as if he still had trouble believing it.
Iroh looked at him sharply. Then his face cleared and he smiled broadly. "How wonderful! When?"
"Wednesday" there was a new but definite light in Zuko's eyes. "I'm looking forward to it" he smiled and turned around to bring Jin her tea.
Ah, mission accomplished. Iroh thought to himself. He is smiling again. That proves that even the greyest of days has a ray of sunshine.
A/N: So I wanted to do a chapter without Katara in it, sometimes even I, as the writer of this story, get tired of her whining. Anyway, I hope you liked it, please let me know what you think of it. So R&R to make me happy!