Lost in the screams of pain is a chapter story,
All the stories are about fragments out of Zuko's and Iroh's lives.
This story happens after [Book 2, ep.14: City of Walls and Secrets].
There are many beautiful girls in Ba-Sing-Se; Zuko seems to get some interest in them. Iroh has noticed his nephew's changes.
Iroh is sixty-five,
Zuko is sixteen.
Lost in the screams of pain,
Chapter 50: A teenage boy.
It was a sunny Sunday morning while the two men strolled along the pleasant market place. Iroh looked with pleasure at the many stalls. He stopped at one of them. "Fancy some fruit for today?"
There was no reply, Iroh turned around with confuse. His nephew was glaring over the market place, his mind wasn't there. "Lee?"
"What?" The boy turned quickly around, his mind wasn't there today. Iroh frowned at him, "Fancy some apples, berries, leechi nuts, mangos, watermelons,… Some fruit?"
Zuko stared confused at the stall. "Yeah, euhm. Some leechi nuts…"
The older man ordered some fruit while the youngest waited patiently next to his uncle. They both walked further, Iroh glared over the stands while his nephew stared over the square. He wasn't interested in buying something today; he had other things to do.
"Stop! I noticed something interesting!" The older man pulled with enthusiasm at his nephew's arm, he looked over some little small needs. "Look at these wonderful handmade bowls; they are real works of art!"
"Uhu…"
Iroh frowned, No hassle? Zuko hates markets … and waiting! He glared carefully besides him; his younger nephew stood there, next to him with crossed arms. He seemed busy with watching a couple of young pretty ladies. Hmm. Zuko, Zuko, Zuko… What are you doing now?
The old man smiled wide as he glared over the beautiful ladies. Oew, my nephew has a good taste…
One of the girls had long dark hair; she was very tall and wore a light green dress with a flower pattern. The other was much shorter and had a darker skin; her hair was short worn in a cute ponytail. She wore a pretty yellow dress. The two ladies seemed to have a nice chat with each other, they were probably best friends. Suddenly, there came two boys, their boyfriends. They were occupied…
Zuko bit his lower lip as he watched this scene. What's so special to have a girlfriend? I mean … every teenager who visits the tea shop is talking about having a lover or finding one… The boy turned around a bit while he glared at the ground. No girl is interested in me. Who wants the boy with the scar? … Mai likes me! But we are separated by a thick wall… forever.
Iroh stared surprised at his nephew; Zuko seemed very affected by what he had witnessed. He clearly became sensitive to the girls since they were in Ba-Sing-Se. But does he stand open for them? Iroh doubt that fact, Zuko wasn't very social and he easily closed his heart for others.
Zuko woke out of his daydream and stared at his uncle's face. "What are you looking at?"
"You, my nephew." Iroh laid his arm around Zuko's shoulder. "That were beautiful girls, you were staring at…" The old man felt the boy stiffen under his arm, his cheeks turned red.
"Hey! Don't be shy Zuko… pretty girls are made to look at!"
Later that day.
It was quiet in the tea house; the young servant cleaned some tables while his uncle brewed some nice tea.
The boy looked up and blinked as he set his young golden eyes on the governor's daughter. She was the richest girl out of the lower ring. Zuko had seen her before, her appearance was confidential. She was the spitting image of Mai, a true beauty in Zuko's eyes. He didn't knew her name nor her personality; … he didn't even want to know it. He didn't want to fall in love with her, with nobody out of this pathetic city.
Zuko took some steps forwards, stopped stoic before the young lady. "May I take your order?" The boy asked cold.
The girl glared up with a blank face. "Ginseng."
Zuko walked slowly towards the bar, his heart did strange. Why do the gods always have the need to mess around with me? She reminded him too much of her, she was almost an exact copy, this was strange. He couldn't fall in love with her, not on Mai's doppelganger. He promised Mai, he would wait on her… forever.
"Ginseng uncle…" The boy whispered confused.
Iroh frowned and peeked behind his shoulder, "Is something wrong Lee?" The boy stared emotionless before him as he shook his head. Iroh frowned a bit more and walked closer to the bar; he stared over the table and noticed the girl. She had dark black shiny hair, a very light skin and a pretty face.
"She looks a bit like the young Saiko, Mai's mother." Iroh whispered.
"She looks just like her… only different haircut, eye color and Mai's prettier." Zuko muttered.
"Why don't you go and talk with her?"
The boy shook his head as he laid the towel on the bar. "Would you like to serve for her? Please!"
"Nephew…" Iroh replied with a questioning voice.
"Just for once? Please!"
Iroh sighed as he brought the young lady her cup of tea. Zuko needs to talk with girls… take some action! The man thought as he walked through the tea shop.
