Chapter 15

"Iroh, don't you think you went a little overboard?" Liling said looking at a few of the crew members carrying a few boxes of what Iroh bought from the market.

"Nonsense, just a few things necessary for music night."Iroh reassured

'It's still a lot...but if it makes him happy what can you do?' Liling thought to herself her eyes shifted and saw a stall selling various fabrics and clothes. Her eyes were drawn to the colors , she wanted to go and take a look but slightly hesitated.

Iroh looked at the dark haired girl. A serene smile etched on his lips.

"Is there someplace you would like to go?" He asked smiling paternally to the girl.

"Can we go take a look over there?"she asked softly. Iroh nodded.

"Of course...but there is something I would like to talk to you about."Iroh said

Liling slowly nodded slightly hoping that it didn't have to do about what happened a few weeks ago.

"Apparently Shin said something that peaked my curiosity." Iroh continued

Liling froze. "He said that you burned him." Iroh said

"I...well...I don't know about that I just tossed anything I had maybe i had a hot iron pan or something, I mean...how can I possibly do that?" Liling replied "I'm a waterbender not a firebender."

'Oh...no...please don't press forward Iroh, I really, really don't want you or anyone knowing that.' Liling tried to hide her expression but Iroh somehow could tell.

He looked at the young girl slightly worried so he decided not to pressure her, thinking that it could make things worse since she's slowly becoming herself again.

"Maybe he just sprouted nonsense."Iroh said changing the subject. With a gentle paternal smile at the young girl. "Now I believe you wanted to look in that exquisite shop."

Zuko was on the ship meditating, after a while outside with his uncle and the girl, he quickly got tired of walking around with them. His uncle has weird ideas of what fun is. In this case, he meant that they should pretty much walk and try talk while going to the shops. Walking with that girl made him feel strange. He still thought back at what happened an hour ago.

"Whoa!" Liling was picking containers of different teas and staring at them with surprise. "There are so many flavours here!"

"Here's one we haven't tried before!" Iroh grabbed one of the containers "Prince Zuko, which one do you prefer?"

"I don't care! just hurry up." Zuko said irritated

"Which one?" Iroh said Liling shrugged and folded her arms over her chest.

"I don't know," she told him. "I've always had green tea, Jasmine or ginsen..."

"Hmm?" Iroh said opening the lid smelling the sweet fragrance in the tea leaves. Zuko cocked his head to the side.

" I like it...it's very sweet fragrance." Liling said

"You like sweet things, don't you?"Iroh asked Liling. She nodded. "What kind do you like?"

"Hmm...My favorites are Custard tart and Moon cakes." Liling answered "But i don't think i could find any moon cakes unless if i make them myself, sine the autumn festival won't be celebrated months from now."

"Are you done shopping?"Zuko said annoyed

"Geez...what's wrong with you? Just relax a bit."Liling said

"I don't have time to relax!"He raised his voice at Liling.

"Don't yell at me!"Liling snapped

The end of that memory it was when he left them, Zuko inhaled as He thought he could look for any information about the avatar but nothing...not a single clue which made him very angry that he didn't find anything. He slowly exhaled and tried to think calmly of what to do next.

He knows that the avatar will head north, he has his little friend to use as bait to draw him out when the time is right. The girl...lately she's slowly being herself again after what had happened a three weeks ago. Ever since then his uncle started acting a bit kinder towards her...but why? She's his prisoner he shouldn't think of her as anything else but that yet...

He felt his gut feeling warm, it was very odd but it wasn't making him feel uncomfortable whenever he thinks of her. He closed his eyes meditating.

"Huh? I can pick whatever I want?" Liling asked looking around the folded clothes of the table and looking at more colorful fabrics on the shelves.

"Yes, I'm sure you'll find something lovely for you." Iroh said kindly.

Liling nodded and smiled softly. Looking around the colorful clothes. 'All of these clothes are pretty...'she thought looking at the colorful fabrics and wool twine.

Zuko took another deep breath the small candles followed his rhythm in a very steady and slow beat. Zuko's eyes opened a little as a fist tapped twice on a large metal door.

He was seated before his table in his room, on which four candles were burning brightly, flickering in time with each of his breaths as he meditated.

Uncle must've finished his shopping with her...

"Come in" he muttered and almost winced angrily when he saw that it was not his uncle, but Liling.

"Your uncle asked me to get you."Liling said

"Why didn't he asked me himself?"he asked

"Because he's making tea at the moment, it's already time for dinner."Liling said

He got up and turned to her as he looked away, there was a very small hint of pink on her cheeks. "Is something wrong?"He asked annoyingly

"Nothing!"Liling quickly said turning around. 'I'm just not used to seeing boys without their shirts on! Well...i'm used to seeing Aang but not anyone else!' She thought letting out a small awkward cough. 'I wonder if Iroh will like what i made today? who am i kidding he'll eat anything..like my dad. Hehe.'

Zuko's brow furrowed even more when he saw a small smile grace her face, her complexion somehow seeming to glow in the warm light of the candles. Her eyes reflected the glow making her seem a bit more enchanted.

Zuko made to grimace wondering why he was staring at her, as he put on his tunic following the girl, making their way to the table that had a few delectable dishes. the two sat down while Iroh poured some tea in a cup.

"Liling as usual you truly have a gift."Iroh complemented while eating a braised pork. Liling smiled at his complement.

"Thank you, i have my mother and grandmother to thank."Liling said with a gentle smile "They taught me how to make a lot of dishes."

"I'm sure you would make an excellent wife, Right Prince Zuko?"Iroh said with a Mischievous glint in his eyes.

"W-What?"Zuko said almost choking on his soup.

"I said that Liling would make an excellent wife, don't you agree?"He said

The banished Prince didn't say anything, Why would his uncle say that all of a sudden? Why now? Is it because he's close to the marrying age? is that why he's saying such nonsense?! He has no time to even think of it! Just what is uncle planning to do?!

"Iroh, i think you're making him feel uncomfortable."Liling spoke up, pouring some tea. "Want some more?" She held out the tea pot towards Zuko.

After dinner Liling and a servant cleaned up the table as she left to help down at the kitchens. Once she was gone Iroh glanced at Zuko, he thought maybe just maybe he could try to get him to forget the avatar and maybe live a peaceful life, he turned back to look at his nephew, who had not moved an inch since he spoke.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Zuko beat him to it.

"Don't even say anything unless it's about the avatar."Zuko said "The girl is our bait to get him, nothing else."

The old general's smile fell as he gave a deep sigh, This is going to take a lot of work...