The ferry dropped us off at the opposite side of the lake, where we had to show our papers to a customs woman, who looked like she ate more in a day than what the refugees here ate in a week. She peered at our papers dubiously, squinting closely. "Hmm…Miss Sakiya, Mr Lee and…Mushy is it?" She glanced over to Mushi, who corrected her instantly.
"It's pronounced Moo-She." He said and the lady instantly glared at him.
"You telling me how to do my job?!" She demanded to know and I recoiled slightly, backtracking a step and Lee glanced my way before reaching out and resting his hand on my shoulder.
"No! No, no!" Mushi quickly interjected before his voice became charming and smooth. "But I must say, you are a flower in bloom. Your beauty intoxicating." He said and Lee retched behind his hand, shuddering in disgust as I giggled, hiding my laughter behind my hand as the woman blinked then smiled easily, the charm having worked its magic.
"You're pretty easy on the eyes yourself handsome." She said before making a cat claw gesture and gave a playful growl at Mushi which made me blush with a little embarrassment, hoping no one around was watching though I couldn't help but smile. "Welcome to Ba-Sing Sei." She said before stamping all of our papers in acceptance.
When Mushi turned around, Lee snatched his papers back with a disgusted expression on his face. "I'm gonna forget I saw that." He announced before going over to take a seat where Mushi and I both followed him, waiting for the next tram to take us into the city.
"So, you guys got plans for once you're inside the city?" Jet asked, coming over to join us but before Lee could answer, a tea peddler came strolling by.
"Get your hot tea here! Finest tea in Ba-Sing Sei!" He invited and instantly Mushi lifted his hand to wave excitedly.
"Oh! Jasmine please!" Mushi got himself a cup of tea, however the moment he took a sip, he spat it back out again with a sound of distaste. "Coldest tea in Ba-Sing Sei more like. Disgraceful!" He glared at the cup and I gave a chuckle.
"You really love your tea, don't you?"
"But of course! Nothing is better than a perfect blend of herbs in hot water." He informed me with a smile as Jet pulled Lee away to talk. I glanced around the station, quite shocked at how many more refugees there were on this side, however in my distraction I didn't notice that Mushi had heated up his tea by himself with firebending very discreetly.
"What are you doing?!" I hissed with worry. "You can't just…someone could have saw!" I scolded him, giving him a glare that only made him chuckle.
"But they didn't." He reasoned then took a sip of his tea with a smile. "Ah…much better." Lee came storming back over and the moment he was sure Jet was gone, he smacked the tea out of his uncle's hands, making his eyes go wide.
"What are you doing firebending your tea?! For a wise old man, that was a pretty stupid move." He growled through grit teeth as his uncle began to grow distressed.
"I know you shouldn't cry over spilled tea…but it's so sad!" When the tram finally arrived, the three of us climbed on board, Lee still obviously angry however Mushi turned his attention to an obviously new born baby that was asleep in its mother's arms. "What a handsome baby." He complimented and the mother smiled proudly.
"Thank you. Her name is Hope." She said and I leaned forwards to get a look at the sleeping baby.
"She's beautiful." I said and reached across a hand, however the moment I came too close, my head spun with a tight pain and I recoiled, gripping my head with one hand and quickly hunched over as something flashed before my eyes. I could see a tiny baby in my arms, crying loudly as I struggled to comfort it as I myself was crying too, kneeling before the body of a woman with long silky brown hair, her skin as pale as ice.
"Sakiya, are you alright?" Mushi questioned as Lee touched my shoulders, looking at me with concern as the pain went away with the vision. Was that a memory? If it was then…maybe my mother really is dead. But who was the baby?
"I'm fine." I said quickly, giving a forced smile as I sat upright. "Just a headache." Excusing my actions I hugged my waist and looked down at my feet, overcome with sadness. To lose my mother once must have been hard, but to have to go through the feeling twice felt like an avalanche that crushed me completely. I still couldn't quite remember her features.
"Saki?" Lee murmured gently but I shook my head, asking him not to bother me so he let go of my shoulders and left me in peace, though I could tell that he shared a worried glance over my bowed back.
When the tram stopped at the inner ring of Ba-Sing Sei, we got off and received directions to our new home after showing the woman at the counter our papers again. Whilst walking in the street I saw how tired and bored everyone looked, squatting in poverty and it improved very little the further into the city we walked. "I thought this place was supposed to be the centre of the earth kingdom, not the centre of slum city." I said, stopping as I blinked down at a man who was picking his toenails. With his teeth. Shuddering in revulsion I limped on, catching up with Lee who glanced down at me before moving me along, placing me between himself and his uncle for safety measures.
"I guess not everyone can receive the royal treatment." Mushi said before slowing down, his feet continuing whilst his eyes remained on something that had caught his eye before he dashed forwards to barter a price, making me laugh quietly before I continued forwards, Lee not breaking stride. When Mushi returned, he was carrying a large vase with a bunch of orange flowers inside. "I just want our new place to look nice in case somebody brought home a new friend." He said with a suggestive look at both Lee and I, making me blush.
"This city is a prison. I don't want to make a life here." Lee said darkly, glaring outward as we continued to walk.
"Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not. Now come on, I found us some new jobs, and we start this afternoon." He revealed and I lifted my head.
"Really? Where?" Mushi pressed a finger to his lips to hush me, wanting to keep it a surprise however there was a mischievous twinkle in his eye, making me smile brightly before following after him. After dropping our things at the new house and cleaning up a bit, Mushi took us over to a tea shop where the owner greeted us.
"Welcome, welcome, you must be my new employees. Hm…you don't look like servers…wait a moment! I know." He said, smiling brightly then produced three aprons which he handed to us in turn. "Put those on. You, girl with the staff. Do you really need that all the time?" He questioned and as I opened my mouth, Lee cut ahead of me.
"Yes, she does." He said blankly so I shot him a look before smiling warmly at my new employer.
"No I can manage." I informed him, putting the staff down then wriggled my toes, taking a tentative step and I felt a slight discomfort so I quickly stepped again to take the weight off. "See? No problem at all." I announced as I put on the apron and tied it off at the back.
"Well, you certainly look like official tea servers. How do you feel?" He questioned as he stepped back to admire us, however Lee was less than impressed.
"Ridiculous." I couldn't help but giggle.
"I think you look wonderful Lee." I informed him with a smirk as Mushi wrestled with his own apron.
"Uh, does this possibly come in a larger size?" He asked imploringly and our employer as he poured out three cups of tea.
"I have some extra string in the back. Have some tea whilst you wait." He invited, handing them out before going through the back of the shop. Mushi was the first one to take a sip, but he quickly pushed the tea away from him.
"Yugh! This tea is nothing more than hot leaf juice!" He exclaimed and I took a sniff before feeling my stomach instantly reject the smell, causing me to retch so I quickly tipped the tea back into the pot as Lee rolled his eyes.
"Uncle, that's what all tea is." Mushi shook his head in disappointment as he reached out and picked up the teapot and head over to the window.
"How can a member of my own family say something so horrible? We'll have to make some major changes around here." He decided as he poured the contents of the teapot out onto the street then started to make his own brew, blending herbs in the boiling pot and from there on, he took charge of making the tea whilst Lee and I served, though I think Lee loathed the very thought of him serving others, but he bit his tongue and got on with it.
I however, had a wonderful time meeting and greeting the customers. "Hello!" I called cheerfully with a wave to our newest arrivals and they blinked in surprise before smiling as I held a tray in front of me. "Come and sit down and enjoy the greatest tea in all the earth kingdom, I'll be with you in just a moment!" Constantly smiling I poured the tea for the elderly couple they were serving and the lady passed me a coin, making me blink in confusion. "Oh no, you don't pay me ma'am. It goes to the owner so he can keep the accounts." I told her warmly but she chuckled at me.
"No dear, that's called a tip. A little extra just for you to keep, for being such a delightful young lady." She informed me and I halted slightly as she slipped it into my apron pocket, slightly confused. A tip? "Thank you for the tea." She said and I nodded my head, smiling again before moving on to take the next orders.
"So tell me, how did a little lady like you get such a painful looking limp like that?" One of our new customers questioned me as I shuffled over, dragging my other leg with me as I laboured for breath.
"Oh, that." I said with a dismissive laugh. "Just a little accident, I usually use a walking staff to help me get around, so it isn't so noticeable." I explained as I poured them some tea as well.
"Well you take care, that injury looks serious. You should probably sit down and rest a bit." The other suggested and I chuckled.
"I'd be dismissed on my first day of work if my employer caught me lazing on the job. Don't worry, I'm fine." I assured them as Lee walked past. Without saying a word he rested a hand on my shoulder and then just as quickly, he removed it from me and I paused, blinking at the point of contact before looking up after him as he returned to his uncle for more tea. Blushing I turned my head away and answered the call for more tea.
It was a long day but I found it very enjoyable. What I did not enjoy, however, was the climb I would have to make to get all the way to the top of the building where our apartment was. I'd done it once today, but right now I wasn't feeling so sure I could do it again. "Come on Sakiya, what're you waiting for?" Lee demanded to know, irritated from his afternoon of having to interact with people for such a length of time.
Gritting my teeth I made to take the first step. "Uh…Lee? I think Saki may need some assistance." Mushi said and Lee growled, his entire body tensing.
"Then you carry her! I'm tired." He grumbled and I shot him a dark look, however his uncle grabbed the back of his collar and spun him around, pushing him back down towards me with a stern expression before continuing up the stairs. Lee glared after his uncle before stomping back down the steps and reached out to pick me up, however I shoved my staff at him.
"You can carry that if you're so exhausted. I'll get myself up those steps." I barked at him sharply and he recoiled in surprise as I gripped the banister and began to haul myself up, using only my good leg to hold my weight as I began to ascend the steps.
"Fine. Suit yourself." He shot back before stomping back up the stairs, leaving me alone in a dark, dusty stairwell. How charming. It's not my fault he's such a grouchy jerk. Oh well, maybe I should start climbing. I've only got six more flights to go.
Somehow I managed to haul myself up another two, however after that I was exhausted and I collapsed down, wincing in pain as my leg angrily throbbed, irritated I had made it suffer so much in one day. Maybe I could just sleep out here, no one will mind. Just a few minutes…
"Saki!" A voice called out and I groaned.
"Leave me alone. I'm sleeping." I mumbled as feet came thundering back down then cleared the last flight, landing right next to me and Lee rolled me over onto my back.
"I'm sorry Saki, I didn't mean it." He said as he pulled my arm around his neck then lifted me off the ground. "Here, I'll help you." Too tired to really argue, I yawned and curled up against his chest, using his shoulder as a pillow.
"You're so warm…" I mumbled to myself. "Goodnight Lee…sweet dreams." He blinked down at me before giving a soft smile as he carried me slowly up the stairs.
"Yeah. You too." He answered, shifting me closer as I went lax against him. He put me to bed and made sure I was warm before leaving me to sleep, only waking me later to eat some food. We worked every day at that sweet little tea shop and we became very popular with the locals, for great tea and conversation.
I always greeted our guests, giving them my apparently adorable smile and I would show them to their seats, my leg getting better and better by the day as we earned our wages as well as a little extra in tips. During one of our breaks, I went out with Lee to get some more herbs and food at Mushi's request, Lee helping me to carry the stuff.
"So Lee, the tea shop's not so bad, I think you're starting to settle in a bit." I said cheerfully, bouncing on the balls of my feet as I picked up some fruit and paid for it out of my tips. "And your uncle seems to really be in his element." I chuckled at my own unintended pun, giving a twirl as Lee just watched me.
"You seem different." He told me finally and I turned my head to look at him with a coy smile, picking up some ginger and jasmine from another stall.
"Really? How come?"
"I don't know." He answered, maintaining his serious expression. "You're just…more lively." He decided and I rolled my eyes with a laugh, looking down at my now healed foot.
"Well maybe because I'm not limping everywhere anymore. It feels good to be able to get around by myself. Believe me, I wasn't sad when we used that staff as firewood the other night." I told him as I paid for the herbs then moved on, glancing over the stalls but then stopped at one.
It was a trinket stall, however I noticed something tucked away in a corner, almost unnoticeable however I propped my basket on one hip and reached out for it. The rusty old pipe flute sat easily in my hand, worn out and battered however it somehow felt familiar, like I was used to holding an instrument just like it. "You don't want to buy that, do you?" Lee questioned me with distaste and I blinked.
"No, of course not. It's just…I feel like I should know how to play it." I told him. Just then a stabbing pain hit my head and I hissed through my teeth, my hands jumping to my head as I dropped everything and hunched over, tears streaking down my face as the pain grew.
"Sakiya!" Lee called my name, putting down his basket and instantly pulled me to him as I whimpered, seeing images flashing before my eyes. I was looking up at a man, watching him play a flute before I laughed and clapped my hands, obviously very young. The memory shifted and now I was crying, holding the flute to my chest as a woman hugged me close to her, my mother. She was visibly pregnant as I was resting my head against her round belly, and I remember feeling a gentle kick of the baby's foot. So I had had a brother or sister.
Almost too quickly it was over and I exhaled sharply, my eyes flying open as a small crowd gathered, concerned for what was going on as my knees gave out beneath me, feeling physically drained from the return of a precious few of my memories. "Saki, are you okay? Talk to me." Lee's soft voice pleaded as I took deep breaths, looking at the ground so I shook my head, snapping myself out of it.
"I'm fine. I think I just walked a little too far today." I answered, reassuring everyone else that I was fine so they moved on, allowing me to kneel down and pick up everything I had dropped. Taking the flute back into my hands I looked at it for a moment longer before putting it back at the stall. "Let's just go back."
"Alright, if you're sure." Lee said, standing upright then constantly looked over at me, making sure I was alright. I quickly became distracted from the flashback by the rush of customers, all wanting to taste the famous brew that Mushi made.
"This is the best tea in the city!" An officer declared with a grin as Mushi poured him the tea himself.
"The secret ingredient is love." He revealed with a serene smile, inhaling the scent of the vapour that came out of the spout as I stood at the back of the shop, sorting out the herbs and keeping the fire hot as Lee and Mushi served people out front.
"I think you're due for a raise." Our employer revealed, impressed with all the business he was receiving and I tossed him a smile before continuing to do some cleaning out the back, making sure every surface was clear from every speck of dust.
"That's it!" A voice yelled as the door was kicked open. "I'm tired of waiting. Those people are firebenders!" Wasn't that Jet's voice? Frowning in confusion I walked out from the back however I couldn't see due to everyone standing up and staring at him in shock, hiding him from view though I rose up on my toes to try and peer over their heads. "I know they're firebenders! I saw the old man heating his tea!" He said but by now, everyone was confused.
"He works in a tea shop." The officer who had just been served by the accused Mushi stated bluntly whilst frowning at the unwelcomed intruder. Jet drew his swords, glaring and ready to fight.
"They're firebenders I tell you!"
"Drop your swords boy, nice and easy." The officer said in a deadly calm voice, though Jet turned his full attention to Lee and Mushi.
"You'll have to defend yourself. Then everyone will know. Go ahead, show them what you can do." He murmured eerily and I began to move forwards, trying to push my way to the front, however my blood ran cold when I heard Lee take the officer's double broadswords from his hilt and accept Jet's challenge.
"You want a show? Fine! I'll give you a show."
"No Lee! Don't!" I cried out but it was too late. Ducking down I saw through a gap as Lee dragged a table out in front of him then slammed his foot against it, forcing Jet to leap over it but then he sliced his twin hooked swords straight at Lee who deflected then leaped up onto another table, moving quickly as Jet sliced it in half.
Lee balanced on one foot, keeping half the table upright but then Jet sliced the legs out from underneath it and switched to the other table before leaping over Jet's head. "Will you boy's just quit it?!" I yelled, struggling to break through the crowd but as I finally found an opening, Mushi caught me with one arm and held me back.
"Don't it is too dangerous." He said to me and kept me anchored in place as the two boys continued to fight. I was very impressed with Lee's fighting style, honed to perfection and I couldn't help but blush both inwardly and inside at how powerful he looked when in battle. However as I watched, Jet managed to land a kick straight at Lee's chest and he flew out through the door and into the street.
"No, Lee!" Breaking free from Mushi we all ran forwards to watch the battle continue, the two boys locked together with their blades crossed against one another.
"You must be getting tired of using those swords. Why don't you go ahead and firebend at me." I heard Jet sneer as Mushi called out desperately.
"Please son, you're confused! You don't know what you're doing!" I tried to run forwards again but Mushi gripped my arm again, keeping me a safe distance back and hid me behind him, holding out his arm as the blades began to clash once more.
"Bet you wish he'd help you out with a little fire blast right now." Jet taunted at Lee who moved quickly, stabbing his sword down and trapped one of Jet's hooked blades into the ground.
"You're the one who needs help!" I continued to watch, gasping at almost every strike as the two boys continued to fight ferociously, fisting a hand into Mushi's robe as I stood uselessly. If only I knew how to fight, I could help Lee!
"You see that? The Fire Nation is trying to silence me. It'll never happen!" Jet declared then swung his blade upwards, latching it onto the roof of the well he was standing on then used it to propel himself forwards with a flying kick straight at Lee, however with reflexes that I didn't know existed within me, I leaped out from behind Mushi and ran forwards gracefully.
"Saki no!" Mushi yelled and Lee stopped, turning his head to see me run forwards in front of him and stood in the way of Jet's attack.
"Saki!" He reached out for me however my body responded without my mind even needing to think. My eyes closed and my arms moved, turning in two wheels in a fast motion before I shifted my body in a mirrored motion, letting Jet slide past me however at the precise moment, my legs snapped together in a cross and caught Jet's body between them, flipping around so that he hit the ground hard and I too dropped, gasping in shock at the move I had just masterfully pulled.
"How did I…" However I now had a very furious Jet starting to get up, so I squeaked and crawled back as he made to turn on me. Before Jet could even lift his head to look at me, Lee swung his blade and Jet instantly had to defend, the two of them exchanging blows before a commanding voice called out to them whilst Mushi hurried over to me and helped me to stand, holding me against his chest as I hid my face in trembling fear.
"Drop your weapons!" The official guard ordered and the boys parted. Jet instantly pointed towards Lee, Mushi and I with a hate filled glare.
"Arrest them! They're firebenders." He ordered however Mushi quickly stepped in, holding me close as his hand rested on my hair.
"This poor boy is confused, we're just simple refugees." He excused as I bit my lip and turned my head slightly to see Lee and make sure he was alright. He wasn't even labouring for breath! It looks like he really is a well trained warrior.
"This young man wrecked my tea shop, and assaulted my employees!" Our boss yelled at Jet, pointing to him as the two officials who had been taking tea stepped forwards.
"It's true sir. We saw the whole thing. This crazy kid attacked the finest tea maker in the city." One of them announced and I looked up to see Mushi blushing as he chuckled deeply.
"Oh that's very sweet." He said modestly and I smiled up at him as he looked down at me. Instantly I anchored my arms more securely around his waist, embracing him to me and he rested his cheek against the top of my head, giving me comfort as I recovered from the shock of my surprise counter attack.
"Come with us son." The guards ordered and instantly grabbed onto Jet who growled in frustration.
"You don't understand! They're Fire Nation! You have to believe me!" He was yelling as he was disarmed and dragged towards a wagon which had been brought out. I felt sorry for him, however I couldn't help but feel that he got what he deserved. He attacked Lee for goodness sake!
The moment the wagon started to move away I relaxed, letting go of Mushi as Lee turned to the official and bowed, returning both swords with his apologies, however the guard only complimented his battling ability and everyone then returned either to their shops or homes, most going back into the tea shop for a calming brew, however I remained outside, looking at Lee as he stood there, taking deep breaths to tame his battling spirit. "Lee?" I called to him tentatively and he sighed before turning around.
"What is it…?" I cut him off by crossing the distance and leaping up at him, anchoring my arms tightly around his neck and my feet lifted off the ground and his arms instinctively caught me, one hand holding the back of my head as the other wound around my back.
Initially startled, Lee blinked for a moment before his head turned into my hair and he held me closer, making me smile secretly as my cheeks became rosy red and a little warm. "I'm glad you're not hurt." I murmured to him then let go, however before I moved away, I reached up on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek on pure impulse, startling him into a stupor as I turned away and took my blush inside where I fought to hide it.