Yay! I didn't forget about this story! Quite the opposite in fact. I started writing this chapter the same day I finished the last chapter and I've been slowly but surely working on it. I'd like to thank you guys for your great reviews! It really brightens my day when I get them! Now...onto the story!
Jin's face lit up with a smile and she threw her arms around Zuko and squeezed him. "Lee! I knew it was you!"
"Uh...yeah I guess it is me..." Carefully Zuko set the tray down and pried her arms from around him. "What are you doing here Jin?"
She took a step back, the smile never leaving her face. "I was running an errand for the shop I work at. I stopped here to drink some tea before heading back." A sudden frown spread across Jin's face and before Zuko could react she punched him in the arm.
Zuko gaped at her and rubbed his arm. "What the heck was that for?"
Jin crossed her arms and sniffed. "That was for ditching me on our date!"
"I didn't ditch you!"
Jin raised her arm to punch him again and Zuko groaned and said hastily, "Ok ok! Maybe...maybe I did ditch you...I'm sorry." He picked up the tray. "It was nice seeing you. Bye." Zuko turned and walked forward two steps before Jin grabbed his arm and stopped him.
"If you think that saying sorry is going to make up for hurting my feelings..." Jin paused to move in front of Zuko and placed her hands on her hips. "Then you're wrong."
Mei Lin watched as Lee blushed and stammered his way through a conversation with a pretty girl and smiled. Watching the two of them brought back memories of when her late husband Ling had begun to court her. A soft smile touched Mei's face. He had been very handsome and hardworking. She had been very proud to be his wife. The smile faded slightly. They had only had a few short years together before the Firenation came. Mei's hand, which had been resting on her lap, fisted tightly. Even now, many years later, the pain hit her hard.
"If you are making that face because I took too long in returning, I promise I will never do it again!" Mushi's bright voice broke through Mei's melancholy thoughts and she blinked.
Mushi was standing now next to her, a slightly puzzled expression on his face. In his hand was a green and gold menu.
Mei smiled slightly. "Forgive me...I became lost in thought after watching your nephew with that young girl." She nodded in Lee's direction and noticed with interest that Mushi seemed surprised to see the two young teens together. The thought of Mushi not knowing something such as this caused the smile to turn into a grin. "I'm surprised Mushi." Mei paused before continuing teasingly, "I would have thought that you had their engagement party planned already."
"Engagement party? I have already begun planning the wedding." He handed her the menu before settling down in the chair beside her. "Please, choose anything you'd like."
Opening the menu Mei scanned the list of teas and pastries. After a moment she said softly, "I believe I will try the white symphony tea along with an egg custard tart." It would be slightly expensive but seeing as how this was a sort of last hurrah Mei was willing to spend the extra coins. Mushi's face brightened and he took the menu from her.
"White symphony! An excellent choice." Mushi turned and handed the menu to a passing waiter and instructed them to bring out two egg custard tarts, a glass of white symphony and another of ginseng. Turning back to Mei he folded his hands over his generous midsection and continued serenely, "Ginseng tea is a tea to soothe the heart and the mind."
Mei's leaned forward slightly and smiled. "I will try to remember that the next time my heart and mind need soothing." To herself she thought Perhaps I should have ordered it now. Her face fell slightly at the thought.
The smile that had been on Mushi's face faded slightly. He leaned forward and placed a hand over hers on the table. He gave it a light squeeze before replying softly, "I pray that that day will be long in coming."
Jin sipped at her tea and sighed happily as she watched Lee serve tea to some nearby customers. After her dramatic statement Jin had giggled and told Lee she would speak with him some more later. Pushing the near empty cup away she smiled. She hardly ever came up to this ring of the city. How lucky she was that she had decided to duck into this tea shop before heading back to her job!
After that "date" a few months ago, Jin had been too embarrassed to try and find Lee. It was obvious that he hadn't wanted to go out but after he had begun to relax Jin had hoped the older boy would see in her what she saw in him. Her cheeks flushed as she remembered Lee kissing her. That had been unexpected—but wonderful- surprise. And then he had run away. Leaning forward to rest her chin on her hand, Jin continued to watch Lee move about. She had finally gathered the courage to return to the old tea shop a few weeks ago. Bitter disappointment had filled her when the owner had told her that Lee and his Uncle Mushi had moved on.
Speaking of Mushi...Lee turned her head and focused her attention on Lee's portly Uncle. He was seated near the back of the shop with an older woman. Mushi was waving his arms animatedly while the woman tried to drink her tea. She was unsuccessful, seeing as how she set the cup down and began to laugh. Jin smiled. Mushi was such a kind man, it was thanks to him after all that Lee had agreed to go with her that day.
Jin's view was suddenly blocked by Lee's body. The young girl looked up and couldn't help but smile at the uncomfortable look on his face. He flushed slightly and asked stiffly, "Are you done?"
"Actually, I am." Jin pushed her chair back and stood, "The tea was wonderful." Placing some coins on the table she asked hopefully, "Walk me to the door?" Lee nodded and setting the tray he was holding down, walked with her the few steps to the entrance of the shop.
After a few awkward moments of silence Lee said, in his usual stiff tone. "Thanks for visiting...I guess I'll see you around." Jin grinned then. "Of course. I'll be back soon so you can tell me how you're going to make up ditching me on our date. See you later Lee." Following an impulse Jin pushed herself up on her toes and kissed his cheek, just below the scar. She smiled at his shocked expression before hurrying out the shop and disappearing into the throng of people.
I should have ordered two of them was all Mei could think as she finished up her egg custard tart. She was alone now, having insisted that Mushi go and check on his other customers. Savoring the last bits of her custard and tea, the older woman forced herself to push the now empty plate away. It was time to continue with her search for a new home, a new job...Mei's good mood dimmed slightly. She bekoned over a waitor and pulling several coins from a pouch around her waist Mei handed them to him. He bowed in thanks and turned to get his cleaning supplies. The older woman stood and easily moved past him towards the entrance where she had last seen Mushi. It was time to say goodbye.
Mushi stood at the entrance waving jovially to some costumers who were just leaving. When he finally noticed Mei walking towards him, Mushi's entire expression shifted from happiness to dismay. With a sad voice the slightly older man said, as soon as she was close enough, "You're leaving so soon? Surely you can stay a bit longer!"
Mei smiled sadly. "I'm sorry Mushi, I've already stayed far longer than I planned to." She paused to breath in deeply. "I still need to search for new accomodations and a new way to support myself." Her lips stretched into a forced smile as she continued, "If not I'll be forced to underneath one of the transportation bridges."
His golden eyes heavy with sadness, Mushi took Mei's hands in his own and gave them a squeeze. "It has truely been an honor getting to know a fine woman such as you. Once you are settled, you must come back for a visit." His kind words brought tears to Mei's eyes. Blinking them back she smiled for real. She squeezed his hands back and replied, almost shyly, "I promise I'll come back for a visit. You've been a good friend to me in the short time we've known each other." She slid her hands from his, bowed slightly and left the shop.
Iroh was worried. A sigh pushed its self out of him and the older man struggled not to frown as he helped his nephew clear off the last of the tables. They had closed the shop soon after dark and it had been a successfull day. He should be beaming with happiness. But no matter how hard he tried he couldn't get his mind off of Mei. Had she found suitable accomedations? A new job? Had others treated her with the respect she deserved? Iroh's face twisted into a scowl. If someone had done something to her...his had tightend on the tray he was carying to the kitchen.
"Uncle? Are you alright?" Zuko's voice pulled Iroh back from his thoughts.
Setting the tray down on a counter, Iroh forced himself to smile pleasently. Once he was sure that his scowl wouldn't return he turned and faced his nephew. "Of course Zuko, why would I not be? Today was more of a success than I hoped!"
Zuko gave Iroh a look that clearly said he didn't believe a word the older man had just said. Inhis thr silence they completed the rest of the tasks. When they were finally on their way back to their apartment Iroh cleared his throat and said innocently, "I noticed today that your friend stopped by."
The younger man's face tightened into a scowl similar to the one his uncle had been sporting earlier. " She is NOT my friend!" His scowl darkened. "She's trying to make me repay her for last time!"
By this time they had reached the apartment. They entered and once the door was closed Iroh placed his hand on Zuko's shoulder and squeezed it. "Only a fool would push away the opportunity to better someone's day. Don't you think it would be nice to have a...friend your age?"
Zuko removed his shoes and grumbled, "I don't need any friends." He paused and looked at his Uncle, the expression on his face serious. "And neither do you Uncle. We're wanted Fire Nation criminals. We can't afford to let our guard down!"
"Zuko!" Iroh sighed heavily. "It is true that we are wanted Fire Nation criminals but we are in Ba Sing Se now, We are safe here. You cannot live the rest of your life afraid!"
Zuko scoffed at this. Afraid? "I am not afraid Uncle, but I'm not stupid either. Living here means we have to be careful. Something you seem to have forgotten." When his Uncle didn't reply Zuko continued stiffly, "I'll see you in the morning." He turned and left to his room.
For some time Iroh stood there , the weight of his 64 years pressing down on him. Another sigh slipped from the older man as he finally walked to his bedroom.
dun dun dun! Aww Zuko why can't you just be happy? And let Iroh be happy? Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Please leave a review and let me know what you thought :)