This is my first Avatar The Last Airbender fanfiction this chapter was not Beta read and if any are interested in beta reading my work before it's post PM
I would like to thank all my patient reads and hope you enjoy this next chapter and for all those reading please stay safe
Disclaimer I don't own anything related to ATLA
Zuko let an almost audible groan of disdain escape his lips. He had been working at the tea shop nearly non-stop for a couple weeks. Sadly because of Iroh's tea the tea shop has never been busier. He swore people from all over Ba Sing Se would line up, and even a few from the upper ring would come by for his tea. Even though this made Iroh happy, it just made Zuko have to work even harder. Scrubbing floors and tables, serving hot tea nearly around the clock. He got sick of it quickly. Even hearing his Uncle being approached by a rich tycoon did nothing to pique his interest.
"Did you hear, nephew? This man wants to give us our own tea shop in the Upper Ring of the city!" Iroh beamed excitedly to Zuko.
"That's right, young man, your life is about to change for the better!" the businessman boomed, expecting a similar response that his Uncle gave to the news.
Instead, Zuko just rolled his eyes, turning away from the two men. "I'll try to contain my joy," he muttered sarcastically as he walked out the front door. He needed a break. Zuko sighed as he leaned against the wall next to the front door, taking a small moment to himself. He let his eyes close as he did a few calming breaths. But even this small moment was interrupted. "Hey Li...," he heard a gravelly yet familiar voice call for him. Once he looked up he saw a small yet boyish girl, with a stoic young man standing next to her.
"Smellerbee?" Zuko said surprised to see her and Longshot. And almost immediately his eyes shifted around looking for Jet. Half expecting to be jumped by the swordsman. Zuko's hands already reaching for his hidden knife.
She let out a heavy sigh seeing Li's reaction. "He's not here...," Smellerbee answered. "Can we... can we go inside and talk?" she asked as Longshot remained silent, he placing a comforting hand on her shoulder as she began to shake.
Zuko took note of their downcast appearance. He put away his knife and nodded his head mostly out of curiosity. "Sure... we can go to the back and talk," he answered, still wondering if this was all a trap as he waved them to follow.
Smellerbee exhaled, relieved as she and Longshot followed Li inside. "Uncle, I'm taking my break in the back," he said as soon as they walked in.
"Alright, nephew," Iroh answered as he looked at Zuko and saw guests. "Oh, hello Miss. Smellerbee, would the young lady like some tea? Or what about you young man?" Iroh asked trying his best to recover from his misgendering mistake from the ship.
"Ummmm, no, we are alright," she said, brushing past the older man with Longshot remaining silent as he followed behind.
"Well, if you change your mind, I'll happily bring over a pot," he said with a smile as the three disappeared into the back of the kitchen.
Once they were in the back, Zuko pulled out a couple of chairs. They took their seats around the small table nestled in the back room. "So what is this about? What did you want?" Zuko asked, still very suspicious of the two freedom fighters.
Smellerbee remained silent for a moment, matching the stoic silence of her friend. Longshot then reached under the table to take her hand holding it and giving it a small squeeze. Comforted the words finally slipped from her mouth. "Jet... Jet is dead," she said, holding back a sob.
Zuko's eyes went wide in shock, he not truly believing it. "How? What happened?" he asked as his chest felt heavy.
Smellerbee gulped as she tried to find the words. She gripped Longshot's hand hard before she could speak. "The Dai Lee... that... that guy in charge of them... he killed him," she answered, her voice still catching in her throat. "After Jet was arrested... the Dai Lee brainwashed him... they made him their puppet," she began to tell the story of what happened.
Even as she spoke of the Avatar and his bison, and their plan to rescue him. The only thing that Zuko focused on was the image of Jet being dragged away by Dai Lee. He was arrested because he accused Zuko of being a fire bender.
At first, Zuko questioned whether or not it was his fault Jet died. But as he continued to think about his own actions. He knew it was not. Zuko defended his family and himself. He was not responsible for Jet's actions before the fight, and he was not responsible after it. Besides the only alternative was allowing him and his Uncle to be arrested and that was not an option.
"We waited with him... till he... till he was gone...," Smellerbee finished her mind recounting as the Dai Lee began barging into the room. They stood with Jet till his final breath before finally making their escape.
"I'm sorry," Zuko whispered not sure what he could say to offer his condolences.
"It's alight... it's not your fault... in fact, it's ours. Maybe if we tried harder to convince him... to get him to move on. Maybe he wouldn't have been arrested in the first place," she said, shaking her head before rubbing her eyes. "But that's not why we are here," she said this time her voice more resolved and steady.
"Then why are you here?" Zuko questioned his brow raised with his arms crossed over his chest.
"We know who killed Jet, and we know where he's hiding... we want your help to kill him," Smellerbee said her eyes now filled with rage.
Zuko paused as he heard the request, as a sickening drop was felt in his stomach. "Why come to me?" Zuko questioned not sure why they would want his help.
"Because we can't do it alone... We are alone in this city without Jet," Smellerbee replied saddened by that fact. "All the rest of our friends are gone... and with Jet gone too, we have no one else to turn to," Smellerbee pleaded. "I know you two had a falling out, but we need your help."
Zuko looked to Smellerbee, her eyes welling up as she asked for his help. And as he glanced at Longshot, even though his face remained still, lacking emotion. He noticed the smallest quiver in his stoic facade. Although he wouldn't say it out loud Longshot too was silently pleading for aid.
He wasn't sure if he could do it, or even if he should. He couldn't bring any more trouble down on his head. Not just for his Uncle but Suki and the others too. "I can't," he answered plainly.
"You can't... or you won't?" Smellerbee asked after a small pause taking in his words.
"Fine, I won't," Zuko corrected himself. "I won't take someone's life for... petty revenge," he said shaking his head before his gaze met hers. "I have come to terms with many of my mistakes and... misdeeds so to speak. I won't start again by killing someone I don't even know."
Smellerbee gritted her teeth at his reply as she balled up her fists. "You won't have to! We will kill him, we just need your help getting inside!"
"The answer is still no," Zuko said, eyes narrowing at her demanding tone.
Smellerbee slammed her fists into the table as she pushed herself out of her seat. "You need to help us! I thought we were friends!" she said lashing out with her words.
Zuko stood from his seat at her sudden outburst. "We are not friends... I barely know any of you," he argued shaking his head. "I'm sorry for what happened to Jet and what you may be going through. But Jet made his choice when he attacked me and accused my Uncle. I'm not gonna be guilted or forced into something that I'm not involved with," Zuko replied sternly.
"So... you'll just let the guy get away with it?" Smellerbee said with venomous disgust.
"If you want to kill... whoever. I'm not gonna stop you, but I'm not gonna help you either," Zuko said as he stepped back from the table. "Now unless you plan to order some tea, I suggest you leave," he said standing to the side of the door giving them access to leave.
Longshot and Smellerbee both looked in disbelief at Li. But that disbelief was quickly replaced with anger and betrayal. "You'll regret not coming with us!" Smellerbee shouted as she jumped to her feet.
"I seriously doubt it... now leave," Zuko said as his annoyance grew.
Smellerbee and Longshot looked at each other as a knowing look was exchanged. "Fine we will go, but this isn't over," she spoke one last time as she and Longshot both stormed out. Her shoulder brushed past Li as they headed out of the tea shop.
Zuko rolled his eyes as they stormed off through the tea shop. He could hear Iroh calling out to the two freedom fighters, but they ignored him as they left. "Did something happen?" Iroh asked as Zuko stepped out from the back.
"Nothing to concern yourself with," he answered as he went to grab a tray of tea. "Let's get back to work we have customers," Zuko replied wanting to brush off the whole conversation.
Iroh wanted to inquire further but the tea shop was still rather busy. He returned to the kitchen continuing to brew his teas since this was their last day he wanted to leave on a good note.
Once they finished for the day. Iroh said his goodbyes to the store owner. "It has been a pleasure brewing for you," he said and gave a grateful bow. "My nephew and I could not thank you enough for all you have done for us," he said as he grabbed his tea blends.
"No need to thank me... but the offer is still open for you to stay and be my... co-manager," the shop owner said with a pleading smile. Trying one last time to get Mushi to stay.
"Thank you for the offer, but it is time we moved on," Iroh answered. Bowing one last time to the shop owner as he turned to leave with Zuko in tow.
After they left, Zuko and Iroh went to get settled into their new place in the middle ring. What little possessions they had were already unpacked and placed where needed. Once they initially arrived at their new home the difference in their new living conditions became blatantly obvious. The improvement of the smell alone showed the contrast to the lower ring.
While Zuko did welcome the change in scenery. He didn't stay home often as the days went by. Until the new shop is open "The Jasmine Dragon." Zuko spent most of his time training or passing by the military barracks for updates on the Kyoshi warriors.
It has already been so long since the Kyoshi warriors went on their mission, and they have yet to return. It did make Zuko uneasy that they have been gone so long, but he knew they could handle themselves so he didn't worry too much. "Uncle I'm heading out for a bit," Zuko said as he headed to the front door. "I won't be long."
Iroh looked at his nephew and then peered out the window. The light of the sun barely peered over the city walls as night loomed. "You sure? It is getting quite late," Iroh answered but Zuko was already walking out the front door as he spoke.
Zuko stretched a bit before breaking out into a light jog. His feet pattered against the stone as he made his way through the middle ring. As he jogged along the streets, shadows of the towering walls blanked his path. Almost making the night sky come sooner as the walls blocked out the sun. But Zuko didn't mind the dark, he was used to moving through them.
While he marched along at his brisk pace. As he turned a corner he was suddenly met with a lone figure standing stationary in the middle of the street. Zuko was taken back by the sight, making him stop in place. He narrowed and squinted his eyes cautiously at the figure that stood in his way.
"You could have made this simple," a low calm voice spoke which immediately drew Zuko's attention. He then watched the figure drawing a bow. An arrow being slowly nocked back along the string.
As Zuko saw the weapon, the figure almost became clearer. "Longshot?" he quietly questioned himself as he never heard the boy speak before. And now that same stoic freedom fighter was lining up his weapon. Zuko's eyes darted quickly, looking for a place for cover or a place to dodge to avoid his line of sight. "What do you want?!" Zuko called out.
"Doesn't matter what I want... it is what she wants..." Longshot replied as his eyes remained trained on Li.
Zuko twisted his foot about to sprint for cover but suddenly felt sheering pain run through his body. A thin curved blade slid across his arm as Smellerbee rushed passed him. Zuko tried to lunge or swing at the girl but his arm quickly went limp at his side. "You should have come with us... it would have been less painful for you... firebender," Smellerbee said her voice almost as monotone as Longshot's.
Zuko's felt his breath quicken as each limb began to fail and he fell to the ground. Smellerbee and Longshot stood over him. Their eyes glassy and their facial expressions were cold. "Why?" Zuko choked out as his chest too grew stiff.
"Because she wants you... You could have made this easy and joined us... it would have been easier for you," they both spoke in unison as they reached out to grab Zuko up. As their fingers reached for him, Zuko's vision grew dark as he fell unconscious.
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