Her eyes followed the cup as it was set in front of her. Her fingers were laced together, and her hands pressed against her lips.
"Enjoy," she heard him say.
Her hands slowly and methodically lowered. One of them pushed the steaming cup a couple of inches away. "Sit," she suddenly requested, dipping her head towards the chair across from her. "Why don't we talk?"
Iroh turned back. "I'd be more than happy to," he replied. "Just let me fetch another cup from the back and we can both talk over some tea."
"Have mine," she said, pushing the teacup further until it was on the opposite side of the table.
"That's very kind, but I couldn't take your cup from you."
"Take it." It sounded like an order. Reluctantly, Iroh sat down. Before, she had refused to even look at him. Now she watched him like a hawk, her eyes stony. Amidst the black, they almost seemed a bit… off. She raised her hands and leaned them against her lips again.
"Your clothing and markings are very distinct," Iroh began, breaking the thick silence. "Are you from one of the valley tribes in the southern corner of the Earth Kingdom?"
"I am," the woman answered.
"When I was younger, I traveled the world," Iroh continued. "I remember visiting the valley tribes. A few tribes had the custom of warriors wearing the hide of their best game over their backs like you do." He took a sip from the cup. "I also remember the dark markings around the eyes. I forgot to ask what it was for. Aesthetics, perhaps? It looks very nice on you."
"Where I come from, aesthetics don't keep you alive," the woman replied bluntly. "Traditionally, it distorts the face—make it unrecognizable to any prey that has learned to fear the shape of a human face. Ancient tribe lore says it also hides my age from the four-eyed wolf. An legend tells of a wolf that prowls around unseen by people, a bringer of death. He especially targets those who are further in the years."
"I should be careful then," Iroh said with a light chuckle.
"You should," she said, her eyes growing hard.
"You know, I never learned your name."
"You don't know who I am?"
"I'm sure I would remember a face like yours." He gave her a friendly smile.
She returned it with an icy stare. "Well I know exactly who you are. Tell me, General. Is there anything you regret?"
No one had called him by that title in a long time. What little cheer Iroh tried to bring into the atmosphere quickly dissolved. "There are," he answered truthfully. "But it is impossible to go through a lifetime without regrets. It is just a part of life."
"Hm. How profound," the woman said. "Any specific examples? Think clearly, now." Her fingers twitched with agitation.
"What is troubling you?" Iroh asked.
"The year 94," the woman snapped, her voice growing more and more enraged. "Do you remember?"
Iroh's eyebrows rose, and then his face relaxed. He set the cup down and rested his hands on the table. "So that's what this is about," he murmured, lowering his eyes. "94. Yes, I remember. That's when I began my siege on this city."
"And before that," the woman spat. "Before you and your men even reached the city. Shudao Valley. Do you know who I am now?" She stood up. A hand, claw-like, grasped the edge of the table. With a powerful thrust, she threw it aside. She stepped towards Iroh, but he remained seated. "You'll die for what you did to them!" There was a flash of silver as the dagger flew through the air.
His breathing was haggard as he bolted down the street. He had to get back to the Jasmine Dragon. Zuko was certain his uncle was in danger.
Argh! Why hadn't he listened to his instincts when he had first seen that woman? She was the Lower Ring killer, she had to be! She must have caught scent of Iroh and come after him. The Jasmine Dragon appeared slowly before him. Zuko could see that the light was still on within. He only hoped he wasn't too late.
Suddenly, Zuko slowed. Ahead of him, someone else darted towards the teashop. It was a young woman in a long green dress. Her dark hair swayed wildly as she reached for the door and wretched it open. The light from the teashop illuminated the side of her face. Zuko felt his heart skip a beat. It couldn't be…
He wasn't thinking when he blurted out her name. "Seiya!"
The girl reflexively stopped and looked towards him. They locked eyes for a moment. Hers were amber. A look of shock came over Zuko's face. "No…" he whispered. The girl quickly turned away and ran into the teashop.
"You'll die for what you did to them!"
Before she even realized it, the dagger in her hand had stopped in its tracks. Barely moved, the old man had reached out and caught her wrist before she could bring it down. Breaking out of her surprise, she scowled and kicked out one of his chair legs. The chair toppled, but Iroh was on his feet before he could go down with it.
"Spritely for an old coward, aren't you?" she hissed, yanking her arm away from his grip. Her arm came around for another strike. Iroh managed to just barely evade the blade's path.
"I don't want to fight you," he said. "You're right. What happened in Shudao Valley pains me even to this day."
"Act as remorseful as you want," she snapped. "It won't save you!" She lashed out at him again. And every time she did, Iroh dodged or redirected her attack away. She grew more and more angry. "I know you're a firebender!" she shouted. "Go on and fight back! You had no problem killing them; why don't you try and kill me too?" Her strikes weren't getting any closer.
Then, as she lunged for another attack, she suddenly changed course at the last second and swooped down with a leg to take Iroh's legs out from under him. The quick change took him by surprise. He fell back and hit the ground.
She was above him, dagger raised. "Finally," she growled. As she struck down, a pair of hands flew out and grabbed her arm.
"Stop! Don't hurt him!" a voice cried out. Both Iroh and the woman looked over at the intervener. It was the young girl. The woman's face grew softer for a split second, and then returned to its ferocious scowl. "Stay out of this," she demanded, trying to shake the girl off. She hung on.
"Arlei, please don't!" the girl pleaded. "He's not who you think he is!"
"No," Arlei barked. "He's not who you think he is. He's a murderer!" She pulled the girl off. The young woman quickly darted between Arlei and Iroh, holding her arms out to shield him.
"He was always kind to me!" she argued. "If you hurt him, I'll… I'll never forgive you!"
Arlei's infuriated expression completely dropped. Her face completely changed in a way Iroh had never seen before. It looked… compassionate. "Seiya," Arlei said, her voice suddenly gentle, "why—?"
"Uncle!" A burst of flame shot through the air. Arlei flew back as the fiery tendrils passed in front of her. Zuko suddenly appeared, fists pointed towards her. "Get away from them," he ordered. "You're not getting near either of them. It's over for you. You'll answer for your crimes against the Fire Nation."
Arlei glared darkly at Zuko. "You're a fool," she spat.
"You're the one who's been killing people in the Lower Ring," Zuko said. "Drop your weapon and come quietly. Otherwise, it'll turn ugly for you."
"You think a little firebending is going to scare me? Ask your uncle. He knows better." Her gaze suddenly shifted to Seiya. "Fine. He lives. We're going."
Zuko stepped in front of Seiya, fists still raised. "She's not going anywhere with you."
"Get out of my way." The quiet voice came from behind him. Zuko turned around, shocked. The young woman was staring at the ground. Then, she picked up her dress and walked around him. Zuko dropped his arms. "Seiya, wait!" She didn't look back at him. They disappeared through the door. Zuko ran after them, but as soon as he threw open the door, they were gone. He walked back to Iroh and helped the old man up. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Iroh assured. "But my teashop's a mess now."
"What happened? Who was she?"
"A bad memory from my past," Iroh replied sadly. "I don't blame her for what she tried to do."
"Are you crazy? She tried to kill you! And she took Seiya!" At the mention of her name, Zuko's head dropped. He walked to the nearest wall and leaned his back against it. "You were right, Uncle. She's here. She's alive." He took the scarf out and looked at it.
"She has changed," Iroh said. "You saw how she treated you."
"There's something strange happening in Ba Sing Se," Zuko declared, squeezing the scarf in his hand. "I'm getting to the bottom of this." Tonight, he had seen so many crazy things. He saw a maniac trying to murder his uncle, and he saw the girl.
The girl who, for seven years, he had thought was dead.
You're the wolf outside the door
And I'm in trouble
If you're the wolf I saw before
I'll never last long
"The Wolf" by Foxworth Hall