Burning Bright
Part III
Zuko realized, as he lay awake in his cot, that he did not have many friends. In fact, as far as he could recall he did not have any friends. That thought, while odd and somewhat disturbing, did not struck him as something that he should be worried about. Perhaps, it was because he was so focused with capturing the Avatar and regaining his honor that he had decided that having friends was not a priority in his life as of now. However, as he continued to further examine this particular area, he realized that his hopes of returning to the Fire Nation were now next-to-impossible. He rolled over to the left. He hated to admit it. He wasn't going home soon. In fact, there might even be a chance that he won't return home at all. Zuko groaned but then he gritted his teeth.
He sat up and stared at the dark, wooden wall, his eyes burning with passion. He would never give it up. He would never give up the hope of returning to his homeland. He clutched his blankets tightly. Home seemed so far away. But he knew that someday he will be back there and his father will see him for the son he truly is. For the honorable man that he truly is. He will find a way somehow.
But for now, Zuko decided that it wouldn't hurt to have a friend for awhile. He certainly was going to be stuck in Ba Sing Se for some time—and with only his uncle for company too. He grimaced at that thought. While his uncle was a patient and understanding companion, he always managed to irritate Zuko with his never ending obsession of tea, music and Pai Sho. He had never experienced being with people his own age who did not try to kill him and although he was still reluctant to the idea, he actually liked spending time with Jin.
He lay down on his cot again.
Yes, perhaps he would take a break from all the Avatar-plotting for awhile and actually start doing things people his own age usually do.
The day had dragged on slower than usual since there were not many customers and Jin had not yet arrived. Pao was being more difficult than usual since he had become extra cranky with the lack of customers. Iroh had to restrain Zuko several times from banging Pao's head with a teapot. Zuko tried to be discreet about it but Iroh always managed to catch him glancing at the door and he could not help making one comment about it.
"Looking for your lady friend Prince Zuko?" Iroh asked teasingly once Pao had gone outside in the hopes of attracting more customers.
"Don't call me that! My name is not Zuko!" Zuko hissed. Then in a pained voice he uttered, "It's Li."
Pao came back in looking angry and irritable. He barked at Zuko and Iroh to stop wasting time and to get back to work. Zuko could barely restrain himself from snapping back at Pao that there was no work to be done since there were no customers. Iroh however, always good-natured, nodded nonchalantly at Pao and retreated to the backroom where he started singing another folk song in a loud voice. Zuko scowled and to amuse himself he started wiping the tables, his hand moving in mechanical and circular motions.
However, later in the morning more customers slowly started trickling in. Pao started telling Zuko and Iroh in a loud voice that it was all because of his superior marketing skills. Zuko could only scowl in return.
At about half past two, after Zuko and Iroh ate their meager lunch of rice porridge, Jin finally arrived, looking tired and flustered. Tucked underneath her right arm was bouquet of assorted flowers, their brilliant hues reflecting brightly against the dull and dreary teashop. Zuko immediately perked up and dropped the rag he was holding. Finally, something interesting.
He wanted to take his mind off the thoughts he had been thinking while he was wiping the tables. He was thinking about home again, about his former life and mostly about his father. He didn't really want to think about them because they were too depressing but sometimes he can't help it. His desire to return home and to regain his honor often overwhelmed his senses, even when he wasn't out rightly thinking about them.
Jin sat down in her usual table and cheerfully waved to Zuko who approached her. He raised his brows at the sight of the flowers. They all looked beautiful, but he noticed that some of them had turned brown at the edges and others looked droopy and wilted.
"Hi, Li," Jin said. She still sounded like her usual cheerful self but Zuko noted that her voice was tinged with weariness.
"You look tired. Where have you been all day?" Zuko asked.
Jin ignored him and instead she said, "I think I want some tea."
Zuko nodded quickly and said, "Of course. What do you want?"
Jin silently mulled this over for a moment before suddenly waving at someone. Zuko turned and saw that she was waving at Iroh.
"I think your uncle created a new blend," Jin said as she waved at Iroh.
"You wouldn't like it. Three people vomited today," Zuko informed her flatly.
"You told me the same thing when I ordered his new Horseradish tea but I actually liked it," Jin said, chuckling a little. Zuko sighed and went to his uncle at the counter. Iroh looked pleased that Jin was interested in his new blend—in his opinion it was a delightful mix of spinach and the roots of a Straw Flower. Three of his customers however, did not seem to agree.
"She has brilliant taste in tea!" Iroh commented as he poured the tea into the cup.
"No," Zuko said as he took the cup. Before turning to leave he said, "She's the only one nice enough to actually tolerate your experiments."
Iroh frowned for a moment before firmly grabbing Zuko's shoulder. Zuko turned a fraction of an inch towards Iroh.
"What?"
"I want to take the tea to her," Iroh said grabbing the teacup from Zuko's hands.
"What!"
"Oh, I'm sure Jin wouldn't mind," Iroh said easily as he strode towards Jin.
"Why would you want to bring the tea to her? Shouldn't you be making more tea for the customers or something?" Zuko rambled as he trailed after Iroh.
"Don't sound so panicked nephew. If you are being suspicious of my motives then there is absolutely no need to worry about anything," Iroh said as they neared her table. He gave a hearty laugh before adding, "She is much too young for me!"
Zuko's ears became a shade of violent red as he realized what Iroh meant by that comment. Zuko hissed, "Uncle!"
"Relax Zuko! I just want to thank her for being such a wonderful customer," Iroh huffed.
Zuko growled before hissing, "Not so loud! And I told you that it's Li!"
Iroh however ignored him and faced Jin, smiling brightly as he said, "Hello Jin! Your face is as lovely as those flowers you brought!"
Zuko exhaled loudly. As usual, his uncle refused to miss out on a chance to compliment a girl. Usually, whenever Iroh tried to act charming to women younger than him, they would get disgusted and would immediately proceed to turn their noses up in the air in pure repugnance or they would wrinkle their noses in distaste all while trying to keep a polite façade. Jin however surprised him yet again by sporting a completely different reaction. She merely laughed jovially and she lightly slapped Iroh in the arm.
"A girl like me can only take so many compliments from such a gifted tea maker," she said as she took the cup of tea from Iroh's hands.
"And old man like me can only take so many compliments from such a vibrant young lady!" Iroh chuckled. Jin took a small sip from the teacup and looked up at Iroh. She bit her lower lip and she looked as if she was judging the tea seriously. Then in a half-serious tone she said, "Mushi...I have taken a great deal of time to examine this tea and I would like to tell you that it tastes…."
Iroh looked at Jin with a look of mock excitement. Zuko, as usual, simply sulked in the background.
"Brilliant! Just brilliant! It's like someone's dancing on my mouth," Jin said making vivid gestures with her hands. Iroh looked more and more amused.
"You have impeccable taste, my dear," Iroh said bowing his head slightly.
"Thank you!" Jin said. She drank a few more sips before asking, "So what is this wonderful little concoction made out of?"
Iroh proudly puffed his chest out and said, "Spinach and the roots of a Straw Flower."
"Straw Flowers!" Zuko said loudly. He looked at Iroh and said, "No wonder people puked!"
"Hmmm…..yes, I will admit that…..some people have blatantly expressed their negative reactions towards my new blend but….you will find that my creations are an….acquired taste," Iroh said, looking slightly ashamed.
"And perhaps your blends need an iron stomach too," Jin said good-naturedly patting her belly. Iroh threw his head back and laugh. That girl never ceases to amaze him with her sharp wit and humor.
"So what are these flowers doing here? A slow day?" Iroh asked as he fingered a bloom.
Jin sighed loudly before saying, "Unfortunately, yes."
She then gathered up the bundle and thrust them towards Iroh, "That's why I stopped by actually. They're no good once its past midday. They become wilted and dry."
Iroh held the bouquet in his hands and smiled, "You are much too kind."
"It's no big deal," Jin shrugged.
"Maybe you could create a new blend from them," Jin suggested. Iroh gave her a big smile.
"I would very much like to return the favor. How would you like to come to our house for dinner?" Iroh asked. From behind him, Zuko stiffened and immediately shot Iroh a murderous glare. Zuko started tugging at Iroh's sleeve and he tried to be subtle in his protests but Iroh was determinedly ignoring him.
"Oh…..that's really not necessary," Jin said with a wave of her hand.
"Of course it's necessary! You have no idea how much of a wonderful presence you are! Why, you're our best customer and you never seem to run out of compliments for my tea!" Iroh exclaimed.
Jin chuckled and wagged her pointer finger while saying, "I'm afraid that flattery will get you nowhere."
Iroh shrugged, "An old man can try."
Zuko did not like where this conversation was going. To invite her to their house basically means bringing her to a place where all their secrets were just laid out for all to see. He had very few possessions he acquired from the Fire Nation but there were some. His uncle salvaged some family pictures blatantly displaying their Fire Nation heritage. Zuko himself had kept a small Fire nation flag. And all those were strewn all over the floor. And furthermore, how did his uncle plan to "cook" dinner for them? He couldn't even cook dinner for themselves!
"I'm just kidding! I guess I could go," Jin smiled.
"Wonderful! Just come back here by sundown and I and my nephew will gladly escort you to our humble household!" Iroh instructed as he took one petal and smelled it. He left muttering under his breath, "Now with the juice of the oolong….this could work…."
Zuko silently sprinted over to his uncle, tugging at his sleeve while he was at it. In an annoyed whisper he said, "Uncle! What are you doing! She'll see all of our stuff!"
"Do not worry. I'll do everything! Just find a way to distract her until I'm ready," Iroh said. Zuko growled and let his uncle go, striding back towards Jin's table. Jin had a look of amusement on her face.
"Are you sure you want me to go?" Jin playfully asked as Zuko took a seat across her.
"Yeah….why would you say that?" Zuko said as he started to panic once again. What did she mean by that? Did that mean that she was growing suspicious?
"Because you just look so grumpy that I'm coming! Did I do something to make you mad?"
"No!" Zuko sputtered. Then he added, "That's just me anyway. I always seem mad."
Jin smirked and said sarcastically, "Really? I wasn't aware of that."
Zuko glowered and said, "Ugh! Whatever! Anyway you shouldn't have given him more ideas to poison our customers."
"Don't be ridiculous! Your uncle is a brilliant tea maker. His concoctions are just not….pleasing to….um…. everyone," Jin weakly argued.
Zuko rolled his eyes and scoffed, "You're just saying that because he always gives you free tea."
"You should do something to get rid of all your pent-up frustration."
"I'm not frustrated!"
"Perhaps you should drink some more of your uncle's tea. It's very calming."
Zuko scowled and said crossly, "What's with all you people and tea! It's like no one here in Ba Sing Se talks of anything but tea!"
Jin folded her arms and sniffed, "Well I'm sorry that having no hobby or interest at all has made you bitter and jealous."
"I have hobbies!" Zuko argued.
Jin looked as if she didn't believe him.
"This is coming from the boy who said he likes to do nothing for fun."
Zuko's temper flared and he spat, "I don't expect someone as uncultured as you to appreciate any of my interests."
Jin's brows raised and she said, "Excuse me? Uncultured?"
Zuko immediately realized his blunder and he quickly tried to smooth it over. In a panicked tone he said, "It's just that…..um…..I didn't mean that you're uncultured…..I meant….."
He took a deep breath and said in a steady tone, "What I meant to say is that I just don't think you'd find my hobbies interesting."
Jin sat back in her chair and looked at Zuko in the eye, "Try me."
"Well…" Zuko racked his brain for anything to tell her without provoking her mocks. He tried to think of things people his own age would consider a fun hobby but his mind drew blank. He just didn't have that much experience with teenagers who did not want to kill him. He could tell her that he liked to practice and hone his Firebending abilities or plot new ways to capture the Avatar but Jin did not really know that aspect of his life.
Jin pursed his lips, her expression clearly saying that she was waiting.
"I…um…..I really like to study History and Literature," Zuko said. That was true. As a child he always had a keen interest in History and Literature. They were two of the few subjects wherein he actually excelled more than Azula.
Jin's eyes fell downward and the last few minutes were enveloped in silence. Zuko felt extremely uncomfortable. Finally Jin said in a voice ridden with emotion that he could not identify, "I'm not too keen on History."
Zuko gave a surprised look and he could not help asking, "Why not?"
Jin avoided his eyes and Zuko noticed that it was something which she seemed extremely uncomfortable with.
"I just don't like Earth kingdom history all that much," she said flatly.
"Why not?"
Jin started squirming in her seat. She seemed in a hurry to dismiss the topic.
"But I really love Literature though!" Jin said. She looked more enthusiastic. Zuko shrugged. He guessed that not everyone can appreciate History as much as him.
"Whose works are you most familiar with?" Zuko asked eagerly. He was glad that they were finally talking about something he was familiar with.
"I really love Earth Kingdom folk tales especially those written during the period of Avatar Kuruk. It seemed as if Literature truly flourished during that time. But I love all kinds of literature. Right now, I'm interested in Political Works written by Neimu," Jin said, her eyes glowing with passion.
Zuko felt himself being slapped. He realized that the two of them have completely different views of Literature. He was thinking about Fire Nation Literature while she was referring to Earth Kingdom Literature. He had absolutely no idea what she was talking about. However, he admired at how passionate Jin seemed to be about this topic.
"One of my favorites among all written works is the folk tale of the great bird spirit Yan Niao and the warrior Zhan Shi. I love how the early writers slowly progressed on the climax until it burst into a full grown spectacle," Jin continued on, making wild gestures with her hands
Zuko, who knew nothing at all, simply nodded and said in an anxious voice, "Yes…..me…..too."
"But nothing….and I mean nothing! Can top off Du Zhe's grand tale of Prince Tong Ku and his beloved, the peasant Wen Zhu! It is just so brilliant in all its simplicity but at the same time it is so…..dramatic with its subtle emotions," Jin rambled on. She was now standing up and her voice was colored with fervor.
Zuko felt a strange mix of admiration and anxiety. He was getting nervous. What if Jin found out that he had absolutely no idea what she was talking about? But at the same time he admired how one woman seemed so passionate about something.
"Oh…I'm so rude," Jin giggled. She sat back down and looked at Zuko and said, "I didn't ask you what you liked."
Zuko decided that it was time to veer the topic away from that particular direction.
"So you had a slow day to huh?"
Jin looked confused at Zuko's sudden disinterest in Literature but shrugged it off.
"The worst. I've been going up and down the city looking for people who'll buy my flowers but it seems as if I had a dry spell today," Jin said looking frustrated.
"The shop had a bit of a dry spell too this morning. But I guess it's over now," Zuko said looking around the shop. Almost all the tables were full. He was starting to wonder where Pao was and why he still has not reprimanded Zuko for wasting time. He saw that Pao had disappeared but he was often like that. If business was going great he would often leave the shop to Iroh and Zuko and he would only come back to collect his money.
"It's like no one wanted to buy my flowers. I've been to everywhere from Wu Yuan square to Market-Market," Jin grumbled.
Zuko looked and became confused. He had no idea where Wu Yuan Square or Market-Market was. Although he had been living in Ba Sing Se for a span of about three weeks, he refused to explore the place any further than the Marketplace and the Clothes District. The streets were always bustling with a sea of people and that was something he disliked. Walking amongst the crowd of wall to wall people made him feel claustrophobic and slightly woozy.
Jin noticed the puzzled expression on Zuko's face and she immediately understood.
"No way!"
"What!"
"No way!"
"What!"
Jin laughed loudly and said in between fits of giggles, "You don't know any of those places do you?"
Zuko didn't look at her, too embarrassed to admit that for the past month he spent his free time in his room plotting new ways to capture the Avatar or just plain sulking.
"You've been here for three weeks! You didn't try to explore the city, just once?" Jin demanded looking slightly incensed.
Zuko mumbled something about tea and being busy.
"What is wrong with you? You mean for the past three weeks, you just stayed in your room and sulked?" Jin said wringing her hands.
That was true. The majority of his time was spent in his room silently brooding about his honor, his homeland and his father.
"Ba Sing Se doesn't really interest me," Zuko shrugged.
"Ugh! Nothing interests you!"
"That's not true!"
Jin had now folded her arms and she was looking at him squarely in the eye.
"Ba Sing Se is a really wonderful place! You should take time to appreciate it," Jin said evenly.
Zuko rolled his eyes and sarcastically said, "I am just dying to explore the city and all its trash filled and disease infested glory."
Jin lightly slapped his arm and quipped, "Fun-sucker."
"I am not. I'm too busy," Zuko said shortly.
"Too busy doing what? Serving tea? Being grumpy?' Jin retorted.
Zuko wanted to answer that he was too busy finding ways to bring his honor back but he quickly stopped himself. He should control his temper and tendency for outbursts. He sighed and said, "I don't really want to. And besides Ba Sing Se is so big and confusing that I might get lost. And all the people! Ugh! Not worth it!"
Jin's eyes immediately brightened. She was grinning from ear to ear and her face had that look as if she had come up with a great idea.
"I could show you around!"
"You will what!"
"Show you around Ba Sing Se! You won't get lost with me. I could make my way across the city with my hands tied behind my back and my eyes blindfolded!" Jin continued getting more and more excited.
Zuko was not in the mood to take his place among the multitudes of people that walk in the streets of Ba Sing Se daily. He did not find any need to go around the city. There wasn't that much to see anyway.
"No thanks."
But Jin had ignored him and she was now making her way over to the counter where Iroh sat happily serving himself some tea. His uncle often did that when Pao leaves.
"Live a little Li!"
"I have lived through enough."
"You sound like an old man who has seen most of his life."
"I might as well be."
Zuko then came up with another excuse.
"Anyway you're….you're tired from selling all those flowers!"
"No, I'm not. Mushi's tea made me feel better.
Jin rolled her eyes and paid Iroh. Iroh took the coins and placed it in the coin box.
"But I have work!" Zuko protested.
"Mushi wouldn't mind, wouldn't you Mushi?" Jin said as Iroh faced them again.
"Mind what?"
"I'm going to show Li around the city," Jin informed him as Iroh took small sips from his tea. Iroh looked delighted at this idea. He nodded eagerly and said, "Of course! Of course! He needs to have some leisure time after all those hours of working!"
"Just be sure to be back in time for dinner," Iroh added.
Zuko tried to think up of a way to get himself out of this. Using his last resort he said, "Pao would not like it."
"Pao never likes anything," Iroh commented.
Jin laughed and said, "And besides he's not here right now."
Iroh nodded and shared a sly look with Jin. He said, "A wise observation."
"Come on Li! Before he comes back," Jin whispered tugging at his sleeve. She was already darting towards the door and Zuko had no choice but to follow her. He shot his uncle an angry look.
"This is a perfect excuse to distract her!" Iroh whispered.
"Oh," Zuko said as realization dawned on him. Then his uncle started nudging him propelling Zuko back into his foul mood.
"Stop it!" Zuko scowled as Jin tugged at his sleeve and slowly dragged him outside. He sighed. He knew he would lose. Once Jin set her mind on something, she would not give it up.
"Have fun!" Iroh cheerfully called as they disappeared from his view.
And at that timely moment Pao arrived, looking furious that his employee was once again wasting time with his girlfriend. By the time he started cursing and yelling, Zuko and Jin were already out of the tea shop.
"I still think this is a bad idea," Zuko mumbled as Jin dragged him across the street. Like every other day, it was filled with people, going in all different directions. Loud voices of vendors accompanied with raucous chatter of children all melded into one cacophonic sound. Zuko's head started to ache from all the people pressing around them and the loud noises resonating from everywhere. He turned to look at Jin and was mildly impressed at her uncanny ability to weave herself through the crowd and to navigate herself through the confusing and large road network of Ba Sing Se.
He noticed that Jin had light feet. His mind momentarily wavered to their date when Jin had gently pulled him along towards the fountain. She had taken quick but sure steps without even looking forward. Very much like that night, Jin expertly maneuvered herself through the dense crowd without any form of hesitation.
Jin playfully swatted his arm and said, "Don't be such a loser! Come on! There's this place I think you would really like to see!"
Zuko wrinkled his nose and said, "Where are we going?"
"I am going to let you meet my neighbor!" Jin said excitedly.
"The one who lets you work in the forge?"
Zuko temporarily forgot his foul mood. He could still not embed it into his mind that Jin was an earthbender or that she seemed to have an affinity for dangerous weapons.
They took a sharp turn to the right and entered a twisting passageway. Above them clothes hanging in clothesline billowed in the wind. Zuko bit his tongue and decided not to ask her anymore questions or complain since she seemed too excited to respond. Finally they made a turn to the right where it exited unto big field with a cluster of run-down brick buildings encircling it. A large and weather-beaten tent was propped up against one of the buildings.
Zuko deduced that it was a forge from the smoke fluttering everywhere to the distinct sounds of metal clashing against each other. Jin motioned him to follow her and together they entered the tent. The forge was bursting with activity. Large, thick-muscled men moved to and fro carrying buckets of hot liquid or holding large, metal hammers in their hands. Embers and sparks flew everywhere and the whole room was hot and stuffy. Zuko started sweating up a storm after only few minutes of just standing there.
He still could not imagine Jin staying here, working amongst the burly men with a hammer in hand, beating and shaping the metal into a weapon. This place was just too dangerous for a girl as delicate as her. He instinctively touched her shoulder and inched his face towards her. She looked absolutely unaffected—happy even.
"You go here sometimes?" Zuko could not hide the surprise in his voice.
Jin noticed it and said in a slightly annoyed tone, "Yes, why?"
"Nothing," Zuko said looking away. He noticed that Jin was studying him with a look on her face. It was as if she was challenging him to make a comment. When Zuko said nothing Jin shrugged and started walking around the shop. Unfamiliar with the place, Zuko just followed her around. She suddenly stopped and picked up an arrow. The metal part of it was still scalding hot and it was glowing white.
Jin started tossing it up and down much to Zuko's panic. When the arrow fell down for the fifth time, Zuko snatched it before Jin could catch it.
"Hey!"
"It's too dangerous for you! You could get burned!" Zuko said putting the arrow down.
"Li! I've been handling weapons since I was six years old! There's no need to worry," Jin said scoffed.
"But you could injure yourself! A girl like you shouldn't even be here!" Zuko argued.
"Excuse me?" Jin said placing her hands on her hips. She looked extremely offended.
"Look at this place! You could burn yourself or pour hot water on yourself or….or….you could accidentally stab yourself with a sword!"
"You are being ridiculous," Jin said. She now looked completely annoyed.
"And I don't like the look these men," Zuko said looking around suspiciously. In a lower voice he added, "They keep looking at you in a weird way. They could very well overpower you."
"You are so paranoid. I can't take care of myself!" Jin cried exasperated.
"And she most definitely can," a loud, booming voice said. Zuko and Jin turned to find an old man walking towards them. He had a big black beard streaked with grey and his mouth was mostly obscured by his facial hair. He sported a most odd hairstyle; on his head were two pigtails and his hair was ridden with bald spots making his head look oddly like a soccer ball. He did not look like a man fit to work in a forge since he was extremely thin and scraggly. His eyebrows looked peculiar too—they were big and bushy but they looked upturn.
"Duan Jie!" Jin said jovially as the man approached. The man was greased with soot but he looked extremely kind. His eyes crinkled whenever he smiled.
"Jin!" he cried excitedly.
Duan Jie approached them and turned to look at Zuko. Duan jie stared at Zuko with a critical eye.
"Now who is this young man?" Duan Jie asked rubbing his beard.
Zuko held his hand out reluctantly.
"My name is Li. I'm Jin's friend," Zuko said.
Duan Jie grabbed Zuko's hand with his two hands and shook it vigorously.
"My name is Duan Jie. I own this forge," he said happily. When he let go of Zuko's hand, Zuko noticed that his hand was now lined with soot. He discreetly tried to wipe them off his hand.
"Jin talks about you," Zuko politely said.
"Does she now? It's always nice to know that a pretty young lady still talks about me," Duan Jie chuckled. Then he turned to look at Zuko. He patted Zuko's biceps.
"He looks very strong. I could use a man like him here. Is he looking for work?" Duan Jie asked.
"Oh no! He already has a job!" Jin said shaking her head.
"I work at a teashop," Zuko said.
"Really? Is this the teashop Jin keeps on raving about?" Duan Jie asked, shooting Jin with a look Zuko did not understand.
"The one and only!" Jin laughed.
Duan Jie rubbed his hands together and said in a happy voice, "Well now….I better get myself there sometime. Why don't we go there together next Tuesday, if that's all right with you Jin?"
Jin nodded, "Of course!"
Duan Jie elbowed Zuko lightly and said, "Guess we'll see each other again eh?"
"Just don't order any of my uncle's new blends," Zuko warned him seriously.
She looked around the forge. "Busy day?"
"Very. Three men ordered swords and shields and another wanted his sword fixed," Duan Jie said leading them deeper into the forge. He picked up a sword lying on an anvil. It was bent badly.
"This looks awful! How did it get to such a state?" Jin asked as she examined the sword closer. Zuko watched her as she her fingers expertly skimmed across the hilt all the way to where it got bent.
"He wouldn't say," Duan Jie shrugged. Then in a more conspiratorial tone he whispered, "Some say he had a run-in with the Dai Li."
Jin immediately stiffened at the word Dai Li. Zuko noticed this and craned his neck to hear more.
"I really hate them! They're stupid and ridiculous! We could barely move without worrying that it might have displeased the Dai Li!" Duan Jie grumbled.
Zuko noticed that whole forge became silent after that. Beside him Jin stiffened and she looked nervous. One of the men who was pouring cold water on a short sword, took his mask off and nervously whispered, "Don't go saying things like that Duan! The Dai Li could very well be at our doorsteps!"
Duan Jie however, simply scoffed and said, "I do not care! The Dai Li does not frighten me!"
He then grabbed a nearby hammer and whacked it against the anvil. "If they ever try to pull something like that on me then…." BAM! Another whack resonated across the forge.
"This looks easy enough. If no one can work on it by tomorrow will you let me do it?" Jin said as she balanced the sword with her pointer finger.
"Of course! Of course! I was actually hoping that you would make the offer," Duan Jie said patting her back.
"You are the best blacksmith I have ever come upon!" Duan Jie added as Jin put the sword back.
"If she's the best why can't she work here?" Zuko asked genuinely curious. Although he did not like the idea of Jin constantly endangering herself with all this fire and hot water, he understood that she really liked metallurgy and if it was her interest, who was he to judge?
Duan Jie looked sad and Jin lowered her eyes. He shook his head, clamped a hand on Zuko's shoulder and said grimly, "Prejudice reigns freely here in Ba Sing Se. I'm afraid women are not given the same opportunities as men. A girl working in my forge would raise too much talk."
Zuko immediately felt embarrassed for asking a question that seemed so unwanted by Jin.
"I'd pay her of course whenever she fixes and forges some weapons for me but she never accepts the money," Duan Jie said elbowing Jin. Jin laughed, patted his head and said, "I consider this as more of a hobby!"
Suddenly Duan Jie grabbed Jin's arm and said in a warning tone, "Speaking of the Dai Li Jin….I'm not afraid of them but…but I am afraid for you. I warn you to be very careful about….your….uh…."
His eyes flickered to Zuko.
"Um….I know," Zuko said.
Duan Jie looked surprised.
"He caught me," Jin said. She looked extremely ashamed.
Duan Jie's eyebrows rose higher. In a low voice he said, "Which is why you must proceed with caution! Pei has gone missing."
Jin looked shocked and slightly worried.
"Even in your own home you must not do it. I have noted that Dai Li are much more suspicious for some reason," Duan Jie said looking from side to side.
"I'll be careful," Jin nodded.
He sat up straight and said in a significant tone, "I have a feeling that a great series of events will soon change the tide of things."
Zuko did not know why he suddenly felt so uncomfortable. He was sweating much more than he did when he first came here. He looked around to distract himself.
Duan Jie draped an arm over Jin and Zuko's shoulder and said in a much lighter tone, "So what are you and your friend doing here?"
"He's new here. I'm showing him around Ba Sing Se," Jin explained.
"I don't think he'd like staying in a hot and sweaty forge for the rest of the day," Duan Jie laughed as he grabbed a bag.
He then turned to Zuko whose face was now soaked with sweat.
"My boy! You are sweating buckets!" he exclaimed.
"I think we better leave," Jin said wiping the sweat from her own forehead.
"Yes, but not before….." Duan Jie fumbled through his bag.
"Some Coconut Bars!" he said holding one in each hand. He handed one each to Zuko and Jin.
"Coconut….Bars?" Zuko said cluelessly. He was very unfamiliar with earth kingdom cuisine. Jin however seemed extremely happy with the coconut bars. She said thank you many times before giving a mid bow.
"Thank you for having us," Zuko said following Jin. He wasn't too adept with earth kingdom customs but he supposed that bowing to people before leaving was one of them.
"Of course! Of course! Do come back soon!" Duan Jie said as Jin and Zuko left licking the coconut bars.
"And if possible Jin, bring your friend along! Perhaps he will be as good at smelting as you!" Duan Jie called as they disappeared into the corner.
Zuko noticed that Jin was finishing her Coconut Bar at a much faster pace than he was. He stared at cold and creamy desert and tried his best to eat it as fast as Jin but he found himself unable to since the bar was slowly melting into a sticky goo. It dripped all over his hand, making Zuko cringed in disgust. He was very unfamiliar with this desert. It was very similar to the ice cream he was used to back in the Fire Nation although it was rectangular in shape and instead of a cone, it was held by a small stick.
"Your Coconut Bar is melting," Jin stated. She was staring at him with a curious expression on her face.
"I don't like Coconut Bars that much," Zuko lied. He actually liked the taste. He just didn't like it dripping all over his hand.
Jin laughed loudly and she momentarily disappeared from Zuko's line of vision for awhile. Zuko panicked a little bit, thinking that Jin had left him all alone but calmed down once he saw her again. She had completely finished her Coconut Bar and she was carrying a small rag in her hand. She motioned Zuko to hold his hand out and he did so reluctantly. Jin then began wiping his hand.
"You are the weirdest person I have ever met. Who doesn't like Coconut Bars?"
"I actually like it….It's just that it melts too fast," Zuko said weakly.
"Of course it melts fast! That's the point of eating it quickly!" Jin said rolling her eyes. After a few moments of silence she looked at him and said, "Don't tell me you've never tasted a Coconut bar before."
Zuko felt nervous again. What was he supposed to say? That he really never tasted a Coconut before since he lived most of his life in the Fire Nation?
"Um…..because…because…."
What did he tell Jin again during their date? He scratched his head in an effort to remember.
"Because I travel so much…..in a…..ugh….circus I don't really have time to eat….stuff like this. I need to be in tip top shape," Zuko mumbled remembering his previous lie. By then he had no idea what he was talking about or even if what he told her sounded remotely believable.
"In tip top shape for what? Juggling?" Jin giggled.
"It's not easy being a juggler!" Zuko snapped.
"Of course Li," Jin said in a patronizing tone.
"Don't patronize me!"
"Sorry Sir Grumpy!"
"And don't call me that!"
"Relax! I have to bring you to a Yoga teacher sometime."
"Yoga?"
"It's a form of relaxation. I think if you try it, you probably won't be so wound up as tight."
"I can relax just fine!"
"Maybe you should try some meditation," Jin suggested ignoring the fact that Zuko was getting more and more riled up.
"I know how to meditate! I do it every night!"
"Maybe you're doing it wrong."
"I've been doing it for years," Zuko flatly said.
"Maybe it's time you change your technique."
"Stop it!"
"Stop what?"
"Stop pretending that you know me."
"I'm not. I'm just trying to help you stop being so cranky."
Zuko sighed and glared at her. Jin seemed completely unfazed by his bad social skills and lousy temper.
"I'll show you around Market-Market. I know a great stall that sells all these great books. They have some History books too. Maybe you could buy some. Reading can help you relax too you know," Jin said as grabbed his arm and started dragging him to a more populated area of Ba Sing Se.
"I don't need advice on how to relax!" Zuko growled as he tried to match Jin's lithe steps. She was very quick and Zuko had trouble sometimes catching up with her. She took him to Market-Market which Market was just like any regular marketplace except it was louder, the crowd was denser and the wares people were selling had more variety. They spent thirty minutes looking through different stalls before going to the stall that sold books.
The owner who owned the stall was another friend of Jin. He was a middle-aged man, burly with his hair pleated in a long braid. His face looked heavy and his hands were as big cabbages. He would have looked threatening if it weren't for his soft voice and happy demeanor. His stall was small and overcrowded with scrolls protruding in every direction. The whole place smelled like paper.
The man—who Jin introduced as Shu—started handing Jin several scrolls. They started talking about politics and Literature, things Zuko was really clueless about. To avoid being roped into the discussion he looked around and avoided their gazes.
"Professor Lu Xun recently released this. Many of the critics said that it was good," Shu said procuring a thick scroll.
Jin wrinkled her nose and said, "I don't really like him. He's too arrogant and his essays are mostly about Dai Li propaganda."
Shu froze in his seat. Zuko noticed that whenever people mention the Dai Li everyone seems to get nervous and time stops momentarily. Shu seemed eager to change the topic.
"How about your friend?" he asked jerking his head in Zuko's direction. Then in a more serious tone he asked, "You can read can you?"
"I'm not illiterate!" Zuko snapped. He was really offended by the question. He was the Prince of the Fire nation. He has studied with the best tutors and teachers in the country. He was one of the most learned men in the world.
"Sorry, kid. It's just that most people here in the Lower Ring don't even finish grammar school. I just didn't want to assume," Shu shrugged apologetically.
"Li likes history," Jin said, trying her best to abate the situation after noticing that Zuko had an irritated look on his face.
"I just have the thing for you fella. This was gathered by the Ba Sing Se University Historical Assembly. It's really nice and detailed and it spans from the very first Earth King to the last. But it mostly revolves around the Dynastic Cycles," Shu explained as he took a big and heavy scroll out. It was help by a strong metal clamp. Zuko looked around expecting Jin to state her opinion on the book but found that she had disappeared into one of the other stalls.
"Where is she going?" Zuko asked as Shu gave him the key to open the metal clamp. Zuko opened the scroll and examined it. The writings were in a neat and steady scroll but they written so close together that it made Zuko dizzy.
Shu shrugged and said, "She's not too keen on History."
Zuko remembered what Jin told her earlier.
"Why not?"
"She wouldn't say exactly. But it's really unbelievable considering how much she knows about Earth Kingdom History," Shu said shaking his head.
"So will you buy it?"
""Maybe next time. We're just window shopping," Zuko said putting it back down. Shu nodded and put the scroll away. Zuko started feeling awkward after realizing that he and Shu were alone together and he had absolutely no idea what to talk about with him. He started twiddling his thumbs in an attempt to tone down all the awkwardness.
"So….."
"So…."
"Yeah?" Zuko jerked his head up and prompted Shu to continue the conversation. He was dying to kill all this discomfort and unease.
"So you and Jin…..how do you kids call it these days," he muttered under his breath. Then he snapped his fingers and said, "Ah…dating isn't it? You and Jin are dating?"
"No!" Zuko said a little too loudly. Then in a calmer voice he mumbled, "We're just friends."
"That's all right, kid. I'm sure you'll get there someday," Shu said sympathetically patting Zuko's arm. Zuko was too tired to argue. What was it with people being so pushy between him and Jin? It was as if they had nothing better to do then to be so meddlesome in other people's lives. Zuko grunted.
"So, you new around here, kid?"
"Yeah." Zuko felt like he had nothing else to add.
"You'll like Ba Sing Se. It's a great city. It's a good chance to start a new life," Shu said as he started re-arranging the scrolls. Zuko frowned. He doesn't want to start a new life. He wanted to leave Ba Sing Se! He wanted to go home. He became lost in his thoughts once again that he ignored Shu's long explanation about a particular book. His focused only snapped back to attention after Shu started rambling about Literature.
"The Miaos Legacies are a staple in Earth Kingdom Literature. Personally, the writing style is a bit off but…."
An idea started forming in Zuko's head. Of course! This man sold books which meant that he was probably knowledgeable when it came to Earth Kingdom Literature. He politely interrupted Shu, "Do you know more stuff about literature?"
"Of course but not as much as Jin. That girl swallowed every kind of book in literature, I reckon," the man chuckled. His eyes trailed to where Jin was. She had gone into a stall that sold birds nearby and she was staring in delight as two lovebirds twittered to each other.
"She's one smart cookie, that one. Amazing how smart she is considering that she's just from the Lower Ring," Shu added.
"Well Jin told me about the Bird spirit and that prince person….." Zuko said lamely. He felt really stupid.
"The Legend of Yan Niao and Zhan Shi and the Warriors of Earth? Good choices, kid," Shu commented as he scrambled to locate the scrolls. Zuko felt proud of himself that he didn't make himself seem so stupid in front of Shu
"And some books written by Neimu," Zuko quickly added after remembering that Jin had mentioned him. Shu nodded and started taking out some scrolls. Zuko decided that that was very clever of him. He could read all these books so whenever a discussion came up about Literature and stories he wouldn't feel so stupid or nervous.
Shu separated them into two piles. The piles in the right had newer looking scrolls while the left pile's scrolls looked rundown and frayed at the edges.
Shu gestured to the right pile and said, "These are worth thirty a piece." Zuko's eyes bulged. He didn't bring that kind of money with him.
Noticing his expression Shu snickered and pointed to the left pile saying, "And these are seventeen a piece. I assume you'll be taking the left pile."
Zuko counted all his money and he discovered that if he brought the scrolls from the left pile, he could still buy two more. Zuko decided that he was really curious why Jin seemed so dismayed with Earth Kingdom History. He told Shu that he'll buy the History Scroll after all.
"Can you give me one more? Just tell me what you think I should buy. Something Jin would…like," Zuko said. This way if Jin started talking about other things he would know what she was talking about and he wouldn't raise suspicion.
Zuo Zhe winked at him and said, "Trying to impress the girl using the old noggin eh?"
Zuko just rolled his eyes. Shu suggested The Miaos Legacies. Zuko paid for all of it and took the crusty, brown papers, carefully placing them in a paper bag. Jin arrived just as Zuko placed the last scroll in and she looked very happy. Shu greeted her with a wave while Zuko just nodded.
"I think me and Li should get going now. It's a long way back to the teashop and his uncle will be waiting," Jin said as she grabbed Zuko's arm. Just as they were about to leave Shu called Jin and motioned her to come closer. Jin nodded expectantly and did so.
Shu nodded and shrugged. Then he glanced side to side and pulled Jin's sleeve, drawing her closer. Zuko watched with interest as he slid a scroll into the fold of her sleeves.
"No need for pay," he said.
"Thanks," Jin whispered. Shu suddenly started looking at Zuko suspiciously.
"Don't worry. He knows," Jin murmured.
Zuko's eyes flew open in realization. They were talking about her bending. Shu looked worried but nodded anyway. Jin bid him goodbye once again and she ran towards Zuko who was waiting for her by a food stall. Zuko noticed that Jin's arms were folded in her sleeve and she kept looking around.
"What did he give you?" he asked curiously. Jin just eyed him warily.
In a low voice she said, "An Earthbending scroll."
"What?" He couldn't hear her.
"An Earthbending scroll! Seesh!"
"Why would you want one? Isn't it kind of dangerous with the DaI Li and all?" Zuko said worriedly. Duan Jie's warning rang in his ears.
"That's why I'm hiding it!" Jin said exasperated.
"Well excuse me for just looking out for you!"
"I carry my own weight! I can take care of myself!" Jin snapped.
"Fine!"
They walked in silence for a few minutes. Finally, Zuko decided to venture in another attempt at a conversation. He held his paper bag out and said, "Put it in here."
"What?"
"You look suspicious with your sleeves folded up."
"So?"
"Put it in here. You'll feel less uncomfortable."
"It's alright. I'm pretty sure I am more than capable of carrying a scroll," Jin said rolling her eyes.
Zuko glared at her and retorted, "You won't be saying that once the Dai Li catches you."
"Pffft."
"Put it in here,' Zuko urged more insistently this time.
"Fine! Just stop talking so loud! You're drawing attention," Jin hissed as she swiftly slid the scroll in the bag.
"So what kind of books did you buy?"
"They're just History books," Zuko lied. Jin's face melded into an unreadable expression.
"Are you okay?' Zuko asked concern.
"Yeah, sure."
Zuko stared at her skeptically but he decided to let it go. Her cheerful and carefree expression had come back to her face.
"So what's it for?" Zuko expected her to tell him that it was for her studies.
"It's so I can continue my training."
"Your training?"
"As an Earthbender! Please Li, keep up!" Jin said rolling her eyes.
"But don't you need a master?"
"Secret earthbender remember?"
"But you can't possibly learn just by reading the scrolls!" Zuko protested.
"I'm a fast learner. And besides I'm almost done with my training. I just need to complete one more scroll after this before becoming a master," Jin said proudly. Zuko stared at her in amazement.
"Where do you practice?"
"Why should I tell you? You know too much already," Jin pointed out.
"I'm just curious how you manage to squeeze Earthbending in, in this overcrowded city without attracting attention."
"I have my ways."
"No, seriously. Tell me where you practice," Zuko said insistently.
"Why is it such a big deal for you?"
"I don't know. Maybe I could accompany you when you practice."
"Why would you do that?"
"So I can protect you if something bad happens."
"I'm a very capable earthbender who is well-versed in almost all weapons. I think I can handle myself in a fight."
"Yeah, I know that—''
Jin interrupted him. Her mouth was set into a thin line.
"I hate it when people make assumptions just because I look weak and I'm a girl."
"I'm not making assumptions. I'm just saying that the Dai Li usually win through numbers. You need someone to be there with you just in case," Zuko hastily said.
"Aww…..you do care."
"Whatever," Zuko grumbled.
"I don't usually go there alone anyways," Jin said. She started playing with the hem of her dress.
"You don't?" Zuko said. He suddenly felt something weird in his chest.
"Are you jealous?" Jin asked seeing the expression on Zuko's face. Zuko blushed and looked away.
"No!" He was absolutely not jealous. Why should he be? Why should he care that Jin was probably earthbending with another earthbender? Who was probably a guy. Who was probably handsomer than him. He'll stop that train of thought before he unwittingly loses his temper for some unknown reason.
"You don't have to yell!" Jin snickered.
"You don't have to be so assuming."
"I'm not the one who's getting riled up over nothing."
"So what's it like?" Zuko asked eager to stifle Jin's giggles.
"It's a really spacious. Enough room for me and my brother to practice."
"You have a brother?" Zuko asked in surprised. It was then that he realized that despite their many conversations he did not know much about her.
"Two, actually. I'm the youngest," Jin said wrinkling her nose.
"What are their names?" Zuko asked, genuinely curious.
"Ge Jiang and He Shen" Jin answered.
"Are they benders too?"
"They're the best. Ge Jiang is a master already and He Shen just needs one more scroll before becoming one."
"What are they like?"
"I don't think you'd like either of them very much."
"Try me," Zuko challenged.
Jin rubbed her chin and said in a thoughtful voice, "I guess between the two of them you would like He Shen more."
She shrugged and added, "Between the two of them I like He Shen more."
"Why's that?"
Jin frowned and said, "I don't know. I guess it's because me Ge Jiang get into too much arguments. How about you? Do you have any siblings?"
Zuko mused about it for a moment. He was wondering how far he should lie.
"Just one."
"What happened to her?" Jin asked suddenly concerned. She stared at him worriedly.
"Huh?"
"What happened to her? I mean….she doesn't live with you and your uncle…."
"Oh." Zuko started panicking again. What should he tell her? That she's not with him and his uncle because she's too busy trying to kill him.
"She…..lives with my dad. We don't really get along too," Zuko said hurriedly wanting to dismiss the topic. Jin seemed to noticed that because she didn't ask anymore questions about his family.
"Me and Ge Jiang never agree. But after the war I realized that all we had left was each other. We shouldn't even be arguing because now is not the time to turn against each other," Jin continued. She was saying it as if she was trying to convince herself more than Zuko.
"You wouldn't be saying that if you met my sister. She's cruel, manipulative and mean," Zuko spat before he could stop himself. Jin stared at him with a shock look on her face.
"Do you miss her sometimes?"
"No." Zuko tried to looked away from her but Jin persistently held her gaze.
"I used to think that Ge Jiang was mean. In fact, I still think that he is mean. I mean….he was always the better bender and he never misses out an opportunity to show it off and rub it in my face. He always makes it a point to show me that me and He Shen will never be as good as him. I mean that's kinda true…"
"No, it's not."
"How would you know? You've never seen me bend."
"Everyone can be as good as they want. You shouldn't let yourself be defined by other people."
"Wow…..so now you're my psychiatrist," Jin whistled sarcastically.
Zuko exhaled loudly.
"I'm just saying—''
"I get your point! What I'm trying to say is even though my older brother can be a royal jerk sometimes, he's still family," Jin said exasperated. In a lower voice she added, "And in this time of war we have got to hold on to what little we have left. We can't choose our family."
Zuko frowned and looked unconvinced.
"If it makes you feel better….I know how you feel."
"Really?" Jin skeptically said.
"Yeah. You see, my sister…..she was also better than me at everything—and she wasn't very humble about it either."
"Better than you at what kinds of stuff?"
Zuko froze. How was he supposed to tell her that Azula was better than him in firebending.
"You know. The usual…" Zuko mumbled unwilling to let the topic go any further. Jin stared at him curiously but she decided not to push it farther. Instead they walked in silence for a few minutes before Jin finally broke it.
"Li…..can you do something for me? As a friend?"
"What? I already let you drag me around in this putrid city," Zuko muttered.
"Ba Sing Se is not putrid!" Jin snapped.
"Fine! What do you want?" Zuko asked in a softer voice.
"I want you to make peace with your sister if you ever meet again. We all need to cling unto what little family we have left in this war," Jin told him. Zuko stared at her. He couldn't do it. He couldn't bring himself to even talk to Azula. She was the source of all his misery in life. How could he make peace with her?
Zuko was about to say no but he stopped himself. He stared at Jin's big, green eyes and saw that she was serious and sincere in what she was asking of him.
"Yes," Zuko whispered. Then in a louder voice he repeated, "Yes. I'll make peace with her."
And for some reason he wasn't lying to her about that.
They turned around a corner where the teashop came into view. Zuko saw that Pao and Iroh were both waiting for him outside the teashop. Pao looked very unhappy while Iroh was his usual jolly self.
Zuko groaned and rubbed his temples.
"Li!"
"Hi, Pao!" Jin said before Zuko could speak. She skipped over towards Pao, whose face had turn into an ugly color of purple.
Pao turned away from Jin snobbishly before proceeding to yell at Zuko. It took all of Zuko's patience to keep himself from yelling back. At the sidelines, Jin and Iroh simply watched on with an amused expression on their faces. Finally, Pao was through scolding Zuko and he immediately demanded his money from Iroh. After receiving the money he turned on his heels and left, talking about 'castrations' and 'silly teenagers' under his breath.
"He seems charming," Jin smirked.
"He is actually quite decent once you get to know him," Iroh said.
Zuko stomped his way towards them and said in an angry tone, "Ugh! I can't believe this!"
He turned towards Jin who was trying her best not to break out in giggles.
"This was all your idea!"
Jin simply broke out into laughter. Zuko rolled his eyes.
"You youngsters better come along now. The food I have prepared for all of us is getting cold," Iroh said. He draped an arm around each of Zuko and Jin's shoulder and he led them towards their small apartment.
Zuko and Jin hung in the back so they could talk some more while Iroh led the way up in the front.
"Aren't you worried?"
"Worried about what?"
"The Dai Li discovering your supposedly super secret practicing grounds," Zuko said as they made a turn.
"Supposedly? If you saw it then you wouldn't think so," Jin sniffed and turned her nose up in the air.
"Then show it to me!" Zuko said persistently.
"Ugh, no!"
"Come on! I already know that you're an earthbender so I don't see why it's such a big deal!"
Jin stubbornly shook her head. Zuko realized that it will probably take awhile considering how pig-headed both of them were being.
"If you won't…..I won't give you your scroll back!"
"That's just playing dirty!" Jin said. She attempted to steal the scroll away from the paper bag. Zuko easily dodged her and they ended up getting wayward from the direction they were going.
"Just show me where you practice!"
Jin shook her head and she continued her attempts at reclaiming her scroll. Finally she made a lunge at it but a box snagged her foot causing her trip and fall on Zuko.
"Ouch!"
"Fine! I'll show it to you tomorrow," Jin snapped. Zuko handed back the scroll to her.
"So this where you two disappeared off to!" they heard Iroh's voice say. They both looked up to find Iroh smirking at them. It was then that Zuko realized that he and Jin were in a rather….awkward and compromising position.
Zuko growled and they both jumped up. Jin looked completely unaffected.
"Now not before dinner you two," Iroh suggestively said as he patted Jin in the back. Jin cheerfully smiled. Zuko noticed that she discreetly hid the scroll in between the folds of her sleeves again. Jin went ahead of them leaving Iroh and Zuko alone.
"Aren't the girls of Ba Sing Se so pretty that sometimes you just can't resist?" Iroh commented, wagging his eyebrows.
"Shut up uncle!"
Zuko did not know why but he felt ashamed to show Jin their apartment. He told himself that Jin's apartment was probably similar and maybe it was even smaller but he still couldn't banish the underlying shame of seeing the small, dingy place they called home. He saw that his uncle had done a fairly good job with hiding all their Fire Nation wares. Suddenly his eyes caught something and he panicked. His Dual Dao swords were still displayed on the wall. He glared at his uncle and tried to motion for him to distract Jin so he could hide the swords but it was already too late. Jin had already seen them.
"Whoa! Are these yours?" Jin asked as she made a beeline towards the swords. She grabbed the swords and started examining them.
"Um…yeah…..but I don't—''
"This is so cool Li!" Jin smiled. Zuko stared at her shell-shocked. That was not the reaction he was expecting.
"Huh?"
"You know how to use these? I've never seen a weapon like this before," Jin said. Zuko cringed. Of course she had never seen a weapon like that before. It was from the Fire Nation!
She started making complicated movements with the swords. Zuko observed that she still moved awkwardly with it. Suddenly, she twisted her wrists in the wrong way and one sword fell out of her grasp. Behind them Iroh watched on with an amused smile. He was preparing their dinner.
Jin looked frustrated.
"Don't think of it as two entirely different swords. Remember they're two parts of the same whole," Zuko advised as he picked the sword up. Jin looked impressed.
"You have to teach me this!"
Zuko just stared at her, his face etched with shock.
"Li?"
"Huh?"
"Are you going teach me this or what?"
"Yeah sure. I'll teach you how to use it," Zuko smiled. At least they will be doing something that he was more at ease with.
"I'll probably have to forge my own set, though," Jin mumbled absent mindedly as she placed the swords back on the wall.
"So you know how to use these?"
Zuko puffed his chest a little bit and said proudly, "Yeah. I'm actually kind of a Dual Dao master actually….."
"Really?" Jin said skeptically.
"You'll see for yourself once we start sparring," Zuko informed her shortly after seeing the skeptical look on her face.
Iroh then called them to dinner. Zuko discovered that Iroh actually bought roasted ducks and some fish from a nearby restaurant but he was trying to pass them off as the products of his own cooking.
"So you are not only a teamaker but a cook as well," Jin commented as she ate some more fish.
"I have many talents," Iroh shrugged as Zuko rolled his eyes. Zuko found himself actually enjoying their dinner. They had a good and light conversation afterwards with Iroh constantly telling "stories" about himself when he was a young man. Iroh then decided that they should make some music so he took his guitar out and started singing. Jin laughed lightly and sang along with Iroh while Zuko just stared at them refusing to partake in any of the ridiculous songs they were singing. Finally after a rendition of "Four season" Zuko lost his temper and told them in peevish voice that he did not want to hear anymore songs.
Iroh looked annoyed but grudgingly stopped playing his guitar. He then suggested that Jin and him played Pai Sho.
"I don't really like Pai Sho," Jin admitted as Iroh took the board out.
"So do I. It's a really pointless game," Zuko spat. Iroh looked extremely offended.
"You two shouldn't say something so horrible!" Iroh chided as he took the tiles out. Zuko just crossed his arms and waited for inevitable boredom Jin was about to feel. As soon as everything was set up, Iroh motioned for Jin to go first.
"The newcomer must make the first move," Iroh said giving a short bow.
Jin examined all the tiles she was given seriously. After a few minutes of silence she placed one tile in the middle. She looked up at Iroh, confident with her choice.
Iroh looked at the tile she procured and immediately he was overcome with so much shock that he could barely get the three syllables out.
"The….the Lotus tile?"
"Yes….is there anything wrong?" Jin asked looking worried. Zuko stared at both of them, confused at why his uncle suddenly looked as if he had seen a ghost.
Iroh quickly recovered his composure and said in a steady voice, "A very unusual choice. Is there anyone who taught you how to play using this particular strategy?"
"I don't know. I guess my dad always played his Pai Sho games this way," Jin shrugged. Iroh nodded and placed his own tile. As Zuko watched them, he observed that unlike most of his uncle's usual competitors Jin took her sweet time before making her move. As the game progressed it seemed as if Jin was winning. Iroh even started to look worried.
However during the last few turns, Jin started to lose, until finally Iroh narrowly won the game. He clapped his hands together and as a reward for being such a good Pai She player he gave Jin some honey cakes.
"You must start influencing my nephew to be as good as Pai Sho player as you," Iroh said.
"I'll try," Jin laughed. They talked some more before Jin announced that she was about to leave.
"You were wonderful company," Iroh said as Jin headed out to the door.
"Hey wait!" Zuko said.
"What?"
"You're going out there? Alone?"
"Yes, why?"
"It's too dangerous. Lots of shady characters are out there."
"You are just being paranoid," Jin said shaking her head.
She gave a mid-bow and thanked Iroh for the good game and the food while she waved goodbye to Zuko reminding him about the Yan Yuan Players. Iroh nudged Zuko making him blush. Jin waved a final goodbye before disappearing into the corner.
"You should've stopped her," Zuko told his uncle as they shut the door.
"I should've stopped her to do what?"
"You should've stopped her from walking in the streets alone."
"And why me?"
"Because she listens to you!"
"Well, I'm glad you actually care about someone Prince Zuko," Iroh commented.
"I do not!" Zuko said stomping his feet. He started cleaning the table up. He was angry and irritated that he was starting to make friends here in Ba Sing se. That he was starting to make a life in Ba Sing se. People make friends when they intend on keeping them. Zuko did not want to be stuck in Ba Sing Se for the rest of his life. He wanted to go home.
"I should stop spending time with her."
Iroh froze.
"What?" he said it as if he did not hear Zuko.
"I should stop spending time with her."
"And why is that?" Iroh said putting his arms in his hips.
"Because I don't want to make a life here! I don't want to make friends, uncle! I want to go home!" Zuko said loudly, slamming the chopsticks into the table.
"This is our home Prince Zuko," Iroh said with a sense of finality. He turned away from his nephew and they continued to keep all the utensils and the plates in silence. Zuko didn't feel like talking to his uncle anymore. His whole body was pulsating with rage. How dare his uncle compare his filthy hovel as their home? He should be in a palace where hundreds of servants are waiting on him. Not in this cramped apartment making through life as a tea server.
"And you should reconsider about your decision in not spending time with her," Iroh said as they prepared to go to bed.
Zuko grunted. He opened the doors that led to his room and slammed them shut.
"There is so much more to her than meets the eye," Iroh whispered in a soft voice.
Through the spaces between his fingers, the Lotus tile precariosuly sat.
It's a bit longer than the first two. I just thought that I'd like to warn all of you that it usually takes me more than one week to update a chapter up. I don't want to update everyday but produce crappy work. This one took a little longer because there was an error or something. For the next chapter it will be mostly like this. Zuko-Jin friendship bonding stuff. It will be about two chapters more before any real action-y stuff happens. So now we caught a glimpse of Jin's life. By next chapter we'll be meeting the rest of Jin's family or more specifically her brothers. If you want to find out more about her….stay tuned.
By the way I suggest that you guys start paying attention to the little details about Jin from this chapter on. It's going to be important in the next chapters.
Thanks to SkorpionQueen012 for reviewing again and for trying to help me upload my new chapter!
Thanks to ArrayePL for the reviews too and for all the people who bothered to read this!
But please don't leave me hanging. Keep the reviews coming.