(a/n) Hey guys. The second installment of the Darkest Day is here. Special thanks to The Whistful Bloom-my beta.
Chapter Two: Ties
"Mizu, you have a scroll."
The only person that sends me scrolls is Jun, my watcher. I rarely ever see him in person on purpose. Officially, we've only met twice, but he always send me letters to check up on me. Kai tosses it to me without looking up from his spice chopping. His customary dark hair bouncing slightly as he works. I catch it with ease, noticing a hand shaped bruise on the boy's neck before ripping open the seal. I tuck a stray strand a her, before wiping my dirty palms on my pale red apron.
Mizumi,
It seems the Fire Capital is doing wonders for you. Remember your manners, and listen to your boss. I won't be there to bail you out this time. I'm counting on you to do your best, so you can return as soon as possible.
-Jun Shi
It's all ways the same thing with him. Be respectful, stay out of trouble, listen. I know the consequences, if anything went wrong. Being sentenced to death is the kindest of them. I don't plan on dying anytime soon, so I have to keep a low profile. I knead the dough with more force as another strike of pain splits my head in half. I've been having them on and off all morning, and now they are really starting to irk me. Kai shoots me a concerned look which I return with a glare. He hasn't asked me what's wrong, even though I can feel he wants to. He probably knows that if he asks I'll use it to trap him. The firebender turns away from me.
"Misumi." Dough splashes everywhere.
Why does he always do that? It's bad enough that he refuses to say my given name, but sneaking up behind me is taking things too far.
"Yes Xue, sir."
He gives the room a disgusted glance before transferring said glance to me.
"In a few weeks there we will be serving at Palace for a party, so brush up on your skills, and do everything exactly as you're told in preparation. We will discuss this in detail on the night of and the night before the party. Understand?"
I give him a brisk nod. With one last sneer, he leaves from the tea area and goes back to welcoming the guests.
"I can't wait till the party."
Kai has finished all his chopping and now sits on the countertops, watching as I try to scrape the dough together again. Instead of answering I continue with preparing the dough for baking. Five batches later, and I'm rushing around serving the patrons. Unluckily my favorite gossip girls only come in the morning. The afternoon rush is too much for their "delicate bodies".
Kai has lost the limp, but the swelling around his usually amber eyes make the younger crowd of girls to swoon. They think he's some badass that takes people on left and right. If only they knew. We slide by each other with practiced elegance and serve our opposite tables.
"I know for a fact the prince is asking my father for my hand as we speak."
If the two old ladies are my favorite customers, then Lady Kimoko is my least favorite. She randomly started showing up here about two weeks ago. Talking with Hikari only showed that she came to catch the prince here, hoping trap him into conversation.
"How may I serve you, Lady Kimiko?"
I don't know if it's because she can feel my dislike for her, but she has no trouble in returning the feeling. Her eyes linger on me, lips curling in distaste, and all her little groupies do the same.
"We would like jasmine tea, since it's my future husband's favorite."
I really feel bad for the unlucky sap. Maybe he's hiding from her, I know I would. I, only serve her tea and I can't get away fast enough.
Kai grins cheekily at me from the other side of the room. It's so not fair. "Enjoying yourself, Mizu."
"Bite me."
By the time I make it back to the table, the girls are in full swing.
"You know little tea person should feel so honored to be serving the future princess." Ocean blue turn frosty.
They all burst out into giggles. Xue glares daggers into my back.
"Go get us more tea."
I happily leave trying to avoid making a scene. Back in the tea room, I forcefully chop the jasmine leaves.
"Don't blow it, Mizumi."
The knife falls into the basin with clatter as I throw Xue an icy glare. The use of my actually name doesn't go unnoticed.
"I won't."
"Good."
The rest of the day, Kai walks on eggshells around me; while Xue gives me firm glowers. After work, I stroll alone. Kai left before me in a hurry, probably trying to escape me dragging him back to my place. The streets are filled with laughing friends and family, while I walk alone. I ignore the welcoming smiles or even worse the pity filled stares. I didn't come here to make friends. The sky turns its signature midnight blue and the stars twinkle merrily about the moon. Only when the moon sits high in the sky do I decide to go home.
I go into my apartment expecting to see exactly what I saw. A beaten up Kai lying on my sofa. As I look at him, I feel the rare feeling of guilt sneak up on me and before I know it-I'm healing him. Carefully, as to not wake him up, I remove his top layer of clothing. My water encased palm glows slightly as I move from wound to wound. I found some cracks in his ribs, but I leave those alone. I haven't exactly been taught how to heal broken bones yet, and I don't want to make it worse. I let him have my futon, (once again), before the nightly thud occurs. My eyes close soon afterwards.
The next morning, I wake up before Kai. To me, that is an amazing accomplishment. The sun hasn't even started peeking out yet. I take my time getting dressed, before using Kai's favorite entrance, the window. A soft landing, then I'm off. When I get to the tea shop, the only person there is Xue. He looks at me like I'm a spirit, before ushering me inside. He makes me prepare everything as punishment for coming late all the other times, when I clearly have the ability to make it on time.
"You shouldn't be late. You could miss something important."
Three hours later the morning workers arrive. I help them set up the tables as well as I can. An hour later Kai appears, looking as refreshed as I've ever seen him.
"Morning Mizu." His good mood must be contagious. "Hello, Kai."
Then we set off to work. We finish earlier than usual-
"Because someone finally came to work on time"
"Shut up."
-and had time to actually sit around.
"You should come early all the time." I don't dignify that with a response.
I get another scroll from Jun during this time. I only open it after I shoo Kai away. He knows that I'm not exactly an honest person, but he doesn't need to know everything. It contains the same message as the ones before them. Mind your manners, keep your nose clean, blah, blah, blah. All the messages are exactly the same. The only one that was different was the first one.
Mizumi,
Do not cause trouble while you're in the fire nation. You only have to do this last year and then you will once again be free. You are there to work, not make friends. Do not make any close ties, since you will not be there long.
-Jun
At the time, I could only think about have Jun should have known me better. I felt belittled, so I made sure to ignore everyone, but Kai, little jerk, somehow wormed his way in. He notices my mood change and sends me a broad smile.
"Mizu." I tense as he wraps me in a hug. "If you spin me, I will hurt you." He grins.
"You could never hurt me. You love me remember?" Don't make any close ties.
I shake Jun's warning out of my head, before going back to relaxing on the roof.
"Misumi. Kai. The customers won't wait for you two to finish sun bathing."
"Yes sir."
The day starts up smoothly. Kai doesn't spin me. Xue doesn't constantly berate me, and Lady Kimiko doesn't make an appearance. I don't want to get my hopes up, just in case the spirits would suddenly give her the urge to come. And guess what, they did. At little bit after noon, she arrived with her lackeys.
"Tea person, set up our table."
She didn't specify who she meant so I made a mad dash for the kitchen. Apparently, a certain firebender had the same idea.
"No way Mizu." Kai tries elbow me out of the way.
"I am not serving her Kai."
"Well I'm not."
"Pleaaaseee." I send him my best doe eyed look. "Not working."
"What are you two doing?"
Today just keeps getting better.
"Kai, go serve the lady." A smug smile graces my face.
"Misumi go dump the water containers and start the repair on the nice uniforms for the party."
Still better than serving that spoiled brat.
(a/n) That's it. Hope you enjoy. I'll update soon. -Never Bell.