The next morning I woke up before Lee, so I carefully wriggled out of his grip, kissed his head then went out to get some breakfast which Mushi was making. "It is good to see my nephew better. I was starting to worry for him." He admitted and I smiled as I accepted a bowl of joop.
"Lee's as stubborn as they come. There's no way that fever was going to take him down for long." I answered just as Lee walked into our new living room, stretching and rubbing his eyes.
"What's that smell?" He questioned and his uncle glanced over to him doubtfully.
"It's joop, though I don't think you'll like it." Lee walked over and sniffed the contents of the cooking pot curiously, a thoughtful expression on his face before he smiled easily.
"Actually, it smells delicious. I'd love a bowl, uncle." He decided, picking up a bowl and I arched an eyebrow, as surprised as Mushi was though he seemed a little suspicious also, taking the bowl to ladle some of the breakfast joop into it then handed it back to Lee.
"Now that your fever is gone, you seem different somehow." Mushi said as he nephew walked over to me and pleasantly surprised me again when he pressed a kiss to my temple then sat down beside the window, leaving a rosy blush on my cheeks.
"It's a new day. We've got a new apartment, new furniture, and today's the grand opening of your new tea shop. Things are looking up uncle." He said before starting to eat. Mushi and I exchanged proud and pleased smiles.
Once I'd eaten I quickly got dressed in my knew green and gold Jasmine Dragon uniform, putting my hair up into a smart and elegant twist before stepping out to show both Mushi and Lee. "How do I look?" I questioned, turning a circle for them and Mushi's eyes became teary with joy.
"Wonderful! I knew green was your colour. What do you think nephew? Doesn't Saki look beautiful?" Mushi questioned but Lee only smiled as he walked over to me and lifted me up into the air, making me laugh as I gripped onto his shoulders as he spun around with me.
"Saki always looks beautiful." He said then put me down again quickly, wrapping his arms around me and I held onto him with a tranquil smile, resting my head against his as Mushi watched the two of us with a silent pride.
Once the breakfast was cleaned away we all walked over to our new shop, where Mushi admired it proudly, the name Jasmine Dragon written above in large, golden letters. Inside it was spacious and very sophisticated, with several stoves for cooking tea and plenty of herbs and supplies to make them with. "Who thought when we came to this city as refugees that I'd end up owning my own tea shop. Follow your passion nephew, and life will reward you." Mushi said as I started to take the chairs down from the tables and set them out neatly.
"Congratulations uncle." Lee said cheerfully as Mushi gave a wide smile.
"I'm very thankful." He said as I flung open the doors and instantly began to greet people with a smile and a warm welcome, skipping around cheerfully and dancing about, causing them all to smile and laugh at my enthusiasm as I helped people to their seats and started to take their orders.
"You deserve it. The Jasmine Dragon will be the best tea shop in the city." I heard Lee and I tossed him a smile over my shoulder as his eyes watched me with a soft gleam.
"No, I'm thankful because you decided to share this special day with me." Mushi corrected as he placed his hand on his beloved nephew's arm. "It means more than you know." In answer Lee quickly placed his arms around his uncle in a loving embrace before pulling away with an enthusiastic smile.
"Now let's make these people some tea!"
"Yes, let's make tea!" Mushi agreed and I chuckled before continuing to take the orders. Our customers seemed to enjoy my enthusiasm and the way I danced or glided around the shop so I kept it up, wanting them to enjoy themselves here as much as possible. As they waited for their tea to boil, I filled the shop with songs just like I used to and it was like I had been here my whole life, instantly fitting in.
Whenever smaller children entered the shop, I gave them little fruit bowls to keep them satisfied whilst they waited for their drinks and the mothers always seemed very impressed with my ability to entertain the children and manoeuvre around them easily even if they were running about the shop. Lee had a little more trouble, being not as used to children apparently and I giggled when he almost tripped over one, however when he started to tilt backwards, I quickly pressed my hand to his back and set him on balance again. "Careful, uncle won't be impressed if you smash a teapot on your first day." I said in a teasing tone and Lee smiled at me.
"I'll be careful." He promised and I held his smile a moment longer before going to pour more tea for our customers. Our grand opening was a huge success and people started to make reservations, wanting to taste Mushi's now famous tea blends.
After our doors were closed, the three of us flopped down into chairs, exhausted but laughing all the same, having enjoyed our time together. "Well, if that was not a success, then I'll eat my own apron!" Mushi said and I chuckled.
"I never thought my feet could ache so much." I said, stretching out with a yawn as I took out the chopsticks in my hair and let it tumble free where Lee instantly leaned closer and started to play with it, making me smile serenely.
"Ah…I think I could do with a cup of tea of my own. Would anyone care to join me?" Mushi questioned but then Lee stood up.
"You relax uncle, I'll make us all some tea." He offered then went around to the back, both of us watching him leave. Mushi then hummed with a smile, stroking his beard in thought.
"I never thought I'd see a day where my nephew was so at peace." He murmured then gave me a mischievous look. "I knew you would be good for him, my little Saki." I blushed deeply, getting up to retrieve the broom.
"Oh please, I did nothing." I argued humbly as I began to sweep. "Whatever change there's been in Lee it's all his own doing."
"Not entirely true, you see, I believe he has finally found his true identity. Through you. You showed him what life could be without all his inner confliction, and he has chosen to take that better life. Chosen a life with you." My cheeks reddened further as Mushi chuckled at my embarrassment.
"Uncle, don't tease her." Lee scolded gently as he reappeared with the tea, perfectly boiled as Mushi chuckled again and waved a hand, signalling his apology. Lee then came over to me, gently taking the brush from my hands and our eyes instantly locked together as he pulled me closer with a loving gaze, smiling softly down at me as his hand rested on my waist and the other curled around my hand to place it on his shoulder.
I was slightly confused at first, however I then saw what Lee intended as he began to step gracefully with me, dancing around the tea room and I couldn't help but lose myself in his gaze, stepping easily with him.
Suddenly there was music and out of the corner of my eye, I could see Mushi playing a relaxing melody on a liuqin, a stringed instrument and he plucked away with closed eyes, swaying with the rhythm as his fingers danced over the board.
Lee lifted my hand and twirled me underneath him, making me chuckle as we stepped back together and continued to dance, his eyes never leaving mine until the song ended and he stepped back, giving a bow so I smirked playfully and made a curtsey, Mushi clapping his hands with cheerful laughter.
We finished cleaning the shop and preparing everything for tomorrow, however as Lee and I turned to start walking home, Mushi stopped and called to us. "I've just had a wonderful idea! Why don't you two celebrate together?" He suggested and we turned back to look at him in surprise and I saw that playful sparkle in his eyes. "You know, in honour of our success today. You two youngsters should go out to town and enjoy yourselves, get to know the streets and such." He said as he continued to walk towards us then passed us by.
"Then you should come with us." I said reasonably. "It is your shop, after all uncle." Mushi chuckled again, turning around then gave a theatrical yawn and stretch.
"Oh I would love to! But this old fool needs to get some rest. Don't worry, you two have fun and I'll get some beauty sleep." He told us then began to walk away with a sway, singing to himself cheerfully as Lee just blinked.
"Guess that means we're eating out. What do you say?" He questioned me, looking down with a smile so I arched an eyebrow with a smirk.
"I say…last one to the market is paying!" I yelled then bolted, leaving a baffled Lee behind me before his mind caught up with what I said.
"Hey! No fair!" He called after me and I laughed, streaking off down the street with Lee hot on my tail, racing to catch up however as I skid to a halt at the market, Lee didn't slow down until he'd crashed into me, making me squeak in surprise as he tackled me around the middle and lifted me off the ground clean, making me giggle and kick out as he kept me restrained before dropping me to the ground. "You cheated, so that doesn't count." He informed me, placing his arm around me as I calmed down a little and we head towards a noodle shop to get something to eat. "So, Saki, what do you want to do?" He questioned and I looked around. "After we've eaten of course."
"I don't know, what sort of things are here?" I slowly started to smirk, glancing up at Lee who began to look worried.
"Okay, that look means that you've got a plan. What're you up to?" He questioned so I gripped his hand and dragged him towards where I could hear music playing a few streets over, with laughter, singing and the smell of all kinds of food. Sure enough there was a street festival, which instantly made me beam from ear to ear.
"Yeah! Party!" I spun around and grabbed Lee's arms, dragging him into the parade where other people were dancing and I joined in with them, dragging Lee along for the ride. I felt completely free, letting go of everything that tied me to the ground and as I leaped up with a spin, I felt a gust of air and I spun with more momentum than I had intended, causing me to twist several times before I landed again, biting my lip. "Oops, guess I got carried away." Lee, however, was staring at me with wide eyes. "What?"
"Nothing!" He quickly answered so I grabbed his hand pulled him over to one of the stalls to play the game, barrel bash, where we had to fling rubber balls at the barrels and if we hit the centre, we'd win a prize. We played all kinds of festival games and stuffed our faces with all kinds of junk food, but it was the best night of my life. Or at least, as far as I could remember, but I'm pretty sure that it was. "Here." Lee said, taking my hand in his. "Come with me."
Willingly and without question I let him lead me away from the festival to where the noise dulled to a quiet murmur and Lee then pulled me towards a building. He lifted me up onto his back then began to climb it almost expertly, me clinging onto him to keep from slipping as he climbed up to the roof then let me slide down to stand on my own two feet. "I thought you'd enjoy the view." He said and I turned to see the millions of stars in the sky, all glowing brilliantly against the charcoal black.
"Lee…it's beautiful." I whispered, seeing the sky set against the wonderful candlelit city of Ba-Sing Se, smiling happily as I rested my hands and head against his chest, feeling his arms curl around me. We watched the stars together for a moment before the magic of the moment reached us both and Lee turned down to kiss me, our lips melting together easily and I couldn't help but smile gently against him, feeling unquestioningly happy. I didn't care if my memories never did fully return. So long as I have Lee, then he was all the happiness I would ever need.