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Chapter 6-

The girls from Ba Sing Se~

I'm sure that if Gyeong wanted to, she could take over the world. With a single word, she could have any of us younger tenets running errands, cleaning floors, and folding sheets.

For most of us, Gyeong was the closest thing we had to a mother, so we did it willingly. She took care of us, and we took care of her. It came in handy in times like this.

Gyeong had Eun filling and then emptying the tub twice, even though I'd just taken a bath the night before, while Keiko had brought her jewelry, and gone to the market three times to get her silk ribbons for my hair. I had taken two baths and Gyeong had scrubbed my hair, and now felt cleaner than I had since I fell in the mud creak when I was six. Luckily, it made the time go by quickly, so I didn't mind.

"Have you picked out what you'll wear?" She asked, combing through my hair gently. Keiko plopped down beside us on my bed, holding out the hair ribbons she'd gotten. "The white and blue one. It's the only nice one."

"Use this one, then. It'll match the waist skirt." Keiko said, handing Gyeong a pale pink ribbon. "And my new slippers should match it, too, if you wanna wear them."

"Thank you." I said, picking at the knot of my robe. "Don't be nervous, honey. You've gone out with him before, and from what I saw earlier, you both really like each other." Gyeong said, taking the ribbon and finishing up my hair, sliding in a lovely flower pin from her jewelry box.

"I, I really do like him." "Good. He's a sweet boy. Always taking good care of his Uncle."

"How'd Lee become the fire lord, anyway?" Keiko asked, moving over so I could get up. "I dunno. He said he'd explain everything tonight. His, uh, his name's actually Zuko."

"Huh, that actually suits him better than Lee does." Keiko said, leaving to get her slippers.

I pulled out the prettiest dress I own. With long flowing sleeves and beautifully embroidered flowers across the bottom and lovely pink flowers across the waist skirt, I'd never worn it out before, but I always felt like a princess when I tried it on.

It was the only thing I had of my mother's, and had been her wedding dress. Earlier this year, I began making it over so I could wear it to Sunan's wedding, and I'm so glad that I finished it a few weeks ago.

Hopefully it was good enough for wherever Zuko was taking me. Hopefully I was good enough for wherever he was taking me. I mean, he's the fire lord, and I'm nobody. I couldn't compete with any lady of the middle ring, let alone a high ranking lady of class.

What if he didn't like me after this date? What if I wasn't able to keep up in high society? What if I couldn't keep up with him?

Keiko helped me dress, careful to not mess up my hair before sliding her pale pink slippers on my feet.

Gyeong sighed, smoothing my dress down before nodding. "Finished!"

"How do I look?" I asked with a slow spin. Gyeong nodded, looking proud of herself while Keiko let out a low whistle. "You look amazing Jin-jin!" "Pretty as a picture, my darling. He'll probably be here in an hour or so, so sit back and relax!" Gyeong said, picking up her jewelry box, allowing Eun in as she left.

"Woah. you look great, Jin." I ran my fingers over the smooth fabric of my dress, trying to stop the flames on my face.

"Thank you. Do, do you think it's enough?" Eun motioned for me to spin in a circle, and when I faced him again, he nodded solemnly. Keiko was looking at him like he'd grown a second head. She did that a lot.

"You're lovelier than the sun, Jin-jin. He'd have to be blind not to see that."

"Really, Jin. You look great. Relax! Do you have any sewing or anything to finish? That normally calms you down." Keiko said, moving me to sit on my bed. "Yeah, yeah, you're right. I need to finish your Aunt's dress, anyway. Would you please?"

Eun brought me my supplies before I could finish my sentence, filling my lap with the dress and my sewing box.

Both twins settled at the foot of my bed, and Eun tossed a deck of cards at Keiko

"You deal. You need these?" Eun asked, holding up a scrap of thread. "No, why?"

"I already owe her money, I don't wanna never have money again."

"Speaking of! You owe me money!"

"What! Since when!"

"Don't try and pretend you don't! You literally just said you did!"

The two began arguing, as they normally did, somehow still played cards as they fought. I put in the last few stitches into Mrs. Bunnag's dress, placing it into a basket before laying my cheek against Keiko's shoulder.

"Quit cheating!"

"I'm not cheating! You just suck at cards."

"Well, you just suck in general!" Keiko raised an eyebrow, pushing Eun off the bed.
Eun sprawled across the floor, clutching his hand over his heart. "Keiko, my sister! Thy wound me with thy hatred! Bleh."

"Alright, drama queen. Would you take this to Mrs. Bunnag her dress, please?" I asked, helping Eun stand and thrusting the basket into his hands. "Sure, Jin. If you go before I get back, have a good time. Keiko, tell his royal hind end to behave."

"Be nice, please! Stay safe." His eyes twinkled, and he grinned as he left.

Keiko tossed her cards on the floor, laying across my bed with her head hanging over the edge. I sat beside her, and would have laid back with her if I wasn't all made up for my date.

"Jin?" She asked, her hair hanging across her face. "Yes?"

"Do you love him?" my face felt hot, the heat spreading up my cheeks. "No, but I might some day."

Keiko swallowed hard, nodding as she did.

"Ok. Do. Do you think you'll end up the fire lady?" my ears began to burn, and my throat felt dry.

"What! It's only our second date." I rasped, and Keiko groped for my hand, giving it a tight squeeze.

"I mean, you both are so into each other, and, I mean, come on! Just the way you talk about him shows that you really care about him, and you've carried a flame for him for months now. Er, no pun intended."

She said quickly, sliding back up on the bed so she could look at me.

"You just gotta think about this stuff, Jin. Especially if he's just as serious as you."

"I hadn't even thought of that." Keiko sat up on her elbows, grinning at me.

"That's what I'm here for, Jin-jin. Making you think of everything!"

I smiled back, and adjusted the way I was sitting. "Thank you."

"Sure thing, sugar plum!" she said with a hum, giving my hand another squeeze.

A strange squeaking sound filled the air, accompanied by the sound of many boots.

"What's that noise?" Keiko asked, sitting up completely and looking out the window. "Oh, wow." she laughed, turning to me with a wide grin. "Your boyfriend's here." I dashed to the window, excitement filling my heart at the sight.

The carriage from earlier and a handful of fire nation soldiers making their way down the street and towards our building.

Bringing Zuko back to me.

The carriage stopped, Zuko hopped out, still dressed in his full fire lordly glory, and I ran for the door, nearly falling down the stairs in my attempt to get to him. The moment I opened the door, he grabbed me up in a tight hug, lifting me clean off the floor. My heart raced, pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it.

"Jin! You look, wow." He set me down, his gaze warm and his smile sweet. My stomach turned into knots, and my hands felt sweaty. "You look perfect, fire lily. Absolutely perfect."

He leaned down, and I stood on my toes, our lips meeting in the middle. His arms wrapped around my waist, one slowly sliding up, the other down slightly, holding me tightly to his chest. I felt as if I was flying, and I held tightly to Zuko, as if he was the only thing keeping me on the earth.

Our kiss would have progressed if it wasn't for the sudden clearing of someone's throat.

Keiko stood behind us, eyebrow cocked, arms crossed, and leaning against the wall. "Watch your hands, my lord." Her voice was heavy with distrust, her tone filled with anger.

Zuko's hands slid off me, eyes wide, and glancing between the two of us.

"Zuko, this one of my best friends, Keiko." Zuko gave Keiko a kind smile and a slight bow.

"A pleasure, Miss Keiko." She bowed back after a moment, still glaring at him with distrust. "My lord." Zuko made a slight face, making me giggle. "Zuko's fine, Keiko."

This made Keiko smirk, looking pleased with his answer. She began to respond, but my belly decided to speak up, making my hunger known to us all.

"You two better get a move on." Keiko giggled, Zuko laced our fingers together, making me suddenly very aware of how close together we still were. "You're right. Let's get you some dinner." Zuko said, turning to lead me out the door.

"And feed my large appetite?" Zuko snorted, and Keiko looked at us as if we were crazy. I knew she'd like him.

"Have a good time." Keiko said, starting to climb the stairs before stopping half way up, turning around quickly.

"Oh, hey! Zuko! My brother said to tell you to behave!"

Zuko's eyes widened, his hand heating up drastically in my hand. "Don't worry, I will!" This seemed to satisfy her, and Keiko kept going up the stairs.

"C'mon. I have a great place in mind for dinner. Is that alright?" Zuko lead me to the carriage, the soldiers all bowing lowly to us both while one opened the carriage door. "Any place you pick is perfect. Thank you!" I said, allowing him to help me into the beautiful vehicle. Zuko climbed in beside me, closing the door behind us.

"Anything for you, Jin."

Responses-

Faby Gadget- Thank you for understanding, and just thank you in general! You're really sweet, and I'm glad you like the story!