(A/N) Took awhile but here we go. Thanks again to The Wistful Bloom.

Chapter 3: Karma

A small note is on the table for when Kai wakes up. I rush out of the building, eager to fill my empty tummy. Obviously, I'm not going to the tea shop. I'm truly very sick of tea. Since it's still fairly early in the morning, you'd think only a few people would be out. Wrong. The Fire Nation, they wake with the sun. I prefer waking with the moon. Unluckily, my rent prevents me from being nocturnal. I get to the main square without a second glance. No one probably paid any attention to what happened, anyway. The Plaza is as active as ever. I head over to a stand selling rice and buy about two bags. Next, I stock up on some herbs. Finally I get some odds and ends to mend clothes with, because Kai is starting to mumble about holes in his.

I carry my stuff close to me, wary of thieves. I make it back to my small home with everything to find Kai up and eating rice. He all but jumps to help me carry the stuff in, but I wave him off. It's our lazy morning, and he still can't just sit down and be lazy. Someone needs to help the poor guy. After putting all the food away, I head to the only other room.

"Take off your clothes."

His face flushes, before hesitantly doing as I asked. When he was only in his undergarments, I threw a blanket at him. I took the clothes and carefully started to fix them up. He watched me for at least ten minutes, before playing with a little ball of fire. I didn't mind much since most buildings here are made of stone. If we were at the ice city back home, I probably would have hit him in the face. Today, I'll cut him some slack.

"Mizumi, I'm bored."

I ignore him in favor of stitching.

"Mizu, I'm serious." I seriously don't care.

I hiss slightly as I turn to glare at him, managing to stick myself with the needle.

"Oops."

I glare. He sits still, nervously waiting for me to hit him. Instead I continue working. He slowly relaxes.

"Are you done yet?"

He better not start. As if he can read my mind, he doesn't. Instead his amber eyes flick around the room, trying to find something to entertain himself with. When they zone in on my bag, I almost throw the sewing down.

"Why don't you go meditate?"

He seems to ponder this idea before shrugging in agreement. As he does that, I finish with his clothes. I don't tell him I'm done, since I enjoy the silence too much. My eyes flutter close, and I resist weakly. It's not long before I'm asleep.

"MIZUMI."

I snap my eyes open in a flash, whipping out an ice blade. Kai looks at me with wide eyes. I notice he's in his uniform and with a curse I rush to get ready. He's nowhere to be seen. Ugh. Leaving me to suffer. I jump out of the window, rushing after the fire bender. When we're side by side, he throws me a smile. I, on the other hand, throw him a frown.

"You left me. Because?"

His smile turns sheepish. We make it on time and Xue looks at us reproachfully. He gives our orders for today, before going back to greeting guests.

It was around an hour later when the practically glowing Lady Kimiko pulled along a reluctant prince. I lift the teapot, so that it covers my face. Kai gives me a look before he too spots the young royal. "It serves you right." Even though he knows my hobby, he doesn't approve at all. Regardless, I really can't afford to go to jail. Jun would pitch a fit and leave me here. All my work would have been for nothing. "Kai. Serve them, please." I give him my best pout.

"No."

He then smugly goes back to the tearoom.

"You, there! Come serve us."

The prince looks ready to run and I surely don't blame him. Kimiko has a firm grip on his arm and talks ridiculously fast. She keeps making 'eyes' at him. I hear Kai's gagging as he watches from the tea room.

"Coming, Lady Kimiko."

My smile is already pasted on, so I am ready to go. As I head to the table, I can feel golden eyes zoning in on me. Crap.

"Get the usual. Quickly, now."

"Yes Miss."

I practically sprint away.

"Kai please. He know it's me. HE KNOWS."

I'm in a full blown panic. What if he shouts out melon thief and guards magically appear? My eyes keep flashing between frost and ocean. It seems like I can't get enough air in my lungs. The entire plan is going to collapse if I get arrested. They are going to kill me. "Calm down Mizu. I'm going." Amber eyes look at me worriedly. I nod slowly.

"I'm calm."

He throws me another worried glance, before heading out to serve the tea. I peek out of the little window that lets us see into the shop. Lady Kimiko hasn't noticed the switch, being too busy 'wooing' Prince Ryuu. However, the prince narrows his eyes at Kai, before glancing around the room. I duck when his eyes reach the window.

"Your highness, do you need anything?"

That has definitely earned Kai brownie points. The prince glares, while he grins innocently.

"No, thank you."

Wow I didn't know upper-class people even knew that word. But... then again, I've only met Kimiko.

"Misumi, why are you not working?"

The spirits must really really hate me. What did I ever- well, scratch that. I have a pretty good idea what I did. Why does Xue have to be here now?

"Doing inventory."

Even I think that sounds like bull. Apparently he agrees, because he points towards the serving area with a scowl. I curse my fate. Slowly, as to not draw suspicion to myself, I make my way to the recently filled table.

"How may I help you?"

They give me their orders and I shuffle away to the tea room ducking behind other waiters and customers.

"Y'know you owe me big."

Kai is brewing more jasmine tea for the noble brat.

"I know." He lets out a dreary sigh.

"Well, at least I don't have to go home with her."

We both shuddered at that.

"I wonder how she caught him."

"Maybe she asked her dad to set them up?"

Jeez, she really couldn't take a hint. The pot whistled and Kai groaned before reluctantly starting to collect the pot.

"Hey, let me take this pot and you can take mine when it's done."

My people had ordered jasmine too, so it wouldn't be a big deal. I soon found myself swept up in a hug.

"Thank you!"

I give him a small smile before heading out with the tea. I dodge through the bustling people making my way over to my table. I gingerly pour each individual tea, before leaving with a bow.

"Tea person." I stumble but keep walking.

Maybe she isn't talking to me

"You with the bun."

There are lots of people with buns.

"Blue eyes."

Crap.

I'm the only person here with those. As I march over, cursing my good deeds, my blue eyes quickly turn gray.

"Yes, my Lady."

She doesn't even spare me a glance.

"Tea, now."

The prince glances me over, briefly hesitating at eyes that aren't blue. I quickly pour the tea into the cups with the hope of dashing away.

"Excuse me, miss. Do you have a blue-eyed relative living with you?" He doesn't recognize me.

"No, your highness." He narrows golden eyes at me looking for any signs of a lie.

"Thank you, miss."

"The pleasure is mine, your highness."

After rising from my little bow, I walk back to the tea room at a moderate pace. If I walk too fast, he'll know something's up.

"Kai, he doesn't know it's me." He looks at me dubiously.

"How could he not?" By now, my eyes are probably back to normal, which is good.

"Maybe I'm just lucky." Soon the two left and I was free again.

"Misumi you have to close up shop tonight."

I gave Xue a glare when he wasn't looking, before finishing up the dishes.

"Later, Mizu."

I put the dishes up once they are dry before heading out the door. I make sure to lock all the doors and exists. As I turn to leave the building, I notice a shadow trying to catch up to me. I can either run or fight... and possibly get jailed for 'disturbing the peace'. Run it is, then.

I dash down the streets, carefully avoiding in dead ends. After a quick thinking, I make a sudden right turn. I keep running, looking behind me and not in front. It's only my bad karma that could possibly have me running face first into the guy. I pulled away, expecting some sort of assassin, only to come face to face with Kai.

"You jerk."

He smiles bashfully at me.

"Sorry, didn't mean to frighten you." I glare.

"I bought food."

He's forgiven.

We walk the rest of the way home, munching on delicate looking cakes that look even better than the ones we make at the shop. At home we settle down with happy bellies.

"Hey, Mizu."

I glance over to find him already snuggled up. He gives me a blinding smile, before leaving his nest of comfort and wrapping me in another hug which quickly turns into him messing up my hair. Finally, I get away with a huff to find him laughing at me. His laughter stops, replaced with a smug smile.

"The prince said that he would rather you stop stealing from his city, and work on your customer service."

My eyes felt like they might fall out of their sockets.

"He also said you shouldn't lie so much." Kai then proceeded with his laughter while I huffed away in embarrassment.

This is all Karma's fault.

(A/N) Yay finally posted. Hope you enjoyed.