Huzzuh, an Update! Leave a review!
Zuko's head was going to explode. The young man was seated in the center of the living room of the small apartment he and his uncle shared. His scowl was firmly in place and it seemed to deepen with each passing minute. Today was the first day off he had since the opening of the tea shop. His first day off and it was about to go to waste on a foolish date. Zuko rubbed his forehead, frustration welling up inside of him. When Jin had first appeared to him in the tea shop a week earlier and declared it was his duty to make it up to her Zuko hadn't taken her seriously. Then she had reappeared the day before asking if he decided on anything. Before Zuko could politely reject her and resume his duties his blasted Uncle had appeared and casually mentioned that the younger man had the next day off.
"Damn old man butting into my business..." Zuko's grumbled words didn't make him feel better. He had panicked yesterday and told Jin he would take her out today. Groaning, the young man resisted the urge burn the nearby table. Instead he slammed his fist against the floor. He had less than hour to come up with decent plan. Before he could could continue with his griping a knock sounded on the front door. Amazingly, Zuko's already deep set scowl deepened as he pushed himself off the floor and stormed to the door. He yanked it open and turned his scowl on whoever was on the other side.
It was Mei Lin, the older woman his uncle seemed to be infatuated with. Zuko felt slightly guilty as her eyes widened with surprise, not having expected to be greeted such animosity. The scowl went down a notch and trying to keep his voice from sounding like a platypus bear growl Zuko asked stifflly, "Can I help you with something?"
The older woman smiled weakly up at him. "I didn't mean to disturb you Lee...I was just hoping to visit with your Uncle if he's available."
Zuko sighed. "Sorry, he went out earlier. I'd invite you to wait inside but I'll be leaving soon myself." His scowl returned full force.
Mei Lin tilted her head slightly and asked curiously, "Forgive an old woman for prying but are you alright Lee?" Her eyes filled with concern as she continued, "Is someone bothering you?"
Only you was what Zuko felt like saying. Instead he shook his head and said politely. "No, I'm fine."
Mei Lin nodded and smiled. "Very well. Please let your Uncle know that I stopped by alright?" To Zuko's surprise she reached out and took one of his hands and squeezed it. "If you ever need anything you can come..." She paused to smile weakly before continuing,"...come visit me. I'm living near the zoo." Mei Lin dropped his hand and left.
Jin smoothed the front of her tunic down as she hurried to the street corner where she was supposed to meet Lee. It was slightly faded but it was clean, that was the important thing right? Jin felt nervous as she drew closer to the meeting spot. It was obvious that Lee was less than thrilled about this second date. If he still felt the same after this date...She squeezed her eyes shut not wanting to the think about that possibility. Hopefully he'd feel the same as her.
"Jin!"
Jin's eyes popped open at the sound of Lee's voice...from behind her. She stopped walking and realized that while lost in her thoughts she had walked straight past Lee. Her cheeks flooded with colour. "Lee! I'm sorry, I was caught up in my thoughts..."
To her surprise and pleasure Lee smiled slightly. "So I noticed."
Jin blushed again, this time from how handsome Lee looked with a smile on his face. Acting on impulse she took his hand in hers and smiled up at him. "What do you have planned for us today?"
To her delight the smile on his face didn't disappear. Instead it widened a notch.
"How do you feel about the zoo?"
Iroh sighed deeply as he navigated the streets of the lower ring. A week had passed and after no contact from Mei Lin he had decided to go and search for her. What had seemed like a good idea at the time was now obviously futile. The lower ring was packed with people and merchants and finding Mei was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Slightly frustrated the older man moved into a narrow alley way to take a break.
Leaning against the wall Iroh wondered if he was being foolish. There was no reason for him to be looking for her, or even worrying about her. She was a mature woman, she could handle herself. An image of that young man from before yelling at Mei floated into Iroh's mind and he scowled deeply. If they had been in the Fire Kingdom he would have quickly put that young man in his place.
Shaking his head Iroh decided to head back to his home. Maybe later she would come by the shop. He slipped out of the ally way and began the walk home not realizing that the object of his thoughts had just passed by.
Mei Lin walked slowly through the lower ring, carefully moving through the throngs of people and merchants. Stepping out of the way of a cart Mei wondered why she was so disappointed in not being able to see Mushi. She could always try again in a few days. Besides, it wasn't as though they were close friends. She and Mushi had only talked at the most 3 times. Mei touched her forehead feeling a headache coming on. She scowled slightly and continued on her way home.
Who was she trying to fool? She may have only talked to him a handful of times but already the cheerful Mushi was making a place in her heart. Mei's face reddened slightly. Thinking of it like that made it seem as though she had feelings for the man. He was merely a friend, someone who she had been able to confide in. Her head throbbed harder and Mei sighed. She was too old to be thinking so deeply. So trapped was she in her thoughts that Mei Lin never noticed the familiar figure in the ally way as she trudged by it.
It was dark by the time Zuko and Jin's date wound to an end. They had spent the day at the zoo and afterwards had gone to small eating establishment. When they had finished eating, Zuko, feeling more relaxed than he had in weeks, had offered to walk Jin home and the girl had readily agreed. Now the two teens walked leisurely through the streets of Ba Sing Se.
As they neared her home Jin felt her stomach clench. The day had gone perfectly and she wasn't ready for it to end. "Lee..." She reached up and touched his arm. When he stopped walking and looked down at Jin continued softly, "Can we rest here a moment?"
Lee nodded. "Of course." He glanced around and tilted his head in the direction of a nearby bench. "We can sit over there." He smiled slightly at Jin and the two teens walked over to the bench and made themselves comfortable.
They sat in silence for several moments before Jin smiled and said, "I had a good time today Lee..."
"Ah, I'm glad you did. To be honest though," Lee paused to rub the back of his head. " I didn't come up w/ any plans until about an hour before I left go meet you. I'm, uh, not really good at this sort of thing." He looked down, his face heating up with embarrassment.
Jin bit her bottom lip to keep from bursting into laughter. Trying to keep her voice steady the young woman said solemnly, " Well it was a good idea for a last minute one."
Lee looked back up and turned to face her. Instantly he frowned. "You're laughing at me."
Jin's eyes widened and she slipped a hand over her mouth. "No I'm not! See? I'm completely serious."
He raised an eyebrow and asked suspiciously, "Then why are you covering your mouth?"
Body now trembling from repressed laughter Jin replied innocently, "Covering my mouth? I'm not doing that."
Lee suddenly reached forward and grabbed her wrist gently. "Really? Then I must be imagining this."
The moment Lee's skin brushed Jin's all the amusement fled from her body. The spot where his hand gripped her wrist was shooting tingles down her arm and it was all Jin could do to keep from melting into a puddle. She tried to speak but her tongue refused to work. "L-Lee we should..."
Jin's voice faded when Lee gently placed his free hand on her face and his thumb touched her bottom lip.
Zuko couldn't bring himself to stop even though he knew he should. Things could never work out between them. He was the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation and she was nothing but a lowly Earth Kingdom peasant. Even if he never returned to the Fire Nation the moment Jin found out his true identity it would all be over. The best thing to do would be to let her go. Even as he thought all this Zuko with slow, sensual movements, dragged his thumb across her soft bottom lip and leaned down towards her.
Jin's eyes widened when she realized his intent. He was going to kiss her! The moment their lips met it was as if a bomb had been dropped. Zuko had meant to kiss her lightly, just a peck but all sane thoughts slipped from his mind at the feel of Jin's soft mouth. Gripping her wrist tightly, he gave it a pull, causing her to fall forward onto him. His other arm slid around her waist and held her tightly against him. For a moment Jin was stunned. She had never expected Lee to respond to her in such a way. Not one to waste an opportunity she immediately wrapped her arm around his neck and kissed him back eagerly.
Again and again the two teens kissed, suddenly desperate, both wishing they could freeze in this moment of time.
Iroh was nodding off in front of the window when he was startled awake by the door opening. The older man jumped slightly and nearly spilled the tea he. With a frown he looked over to where his nephew stood sheepishly. Iroh lifted the cup to his mouth and drank the rest of his tea noting with some surprise the tea was nearly cold.
"I'm sorry Uncle, I didn't mean to disturb you."
With a groan Iroh pushed himself up and slowly walked was holding over to the tea kettle. "It is alright Nephew, would you like some tea? It is Ginseng."
Zuko shook his head. "No thank you, I'm going to go to sleep." The young man finished removing his foot wear and began making his way towards where he slept. Iroh, once his tea cup was full, sat beside the window again and slowly sipped. A smile spread across his face. This was how tea should be. Piping hot.
Zuko poked his head out from the room. "Uncle? I almost forgot, your friend...Mei Lin, she came by today. She wanted to see you."
Once again Iroh was startled and this time his tea, now perfectly hot, spilled.
Poor Iroh! Spilling hot tea on yourself is NOT fun.
I'd like to take this moment to apologize for not updating sooner. I started writing the chapter a few months back but due to some unfortunate circumstances I was not in any mood to write anything romantic. Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, PLEASE REVIEW! And let me know what you think!