Book 1: Freshmen

Chapter 11: 'Jet' means 'He Who Causes Problems'

The next morning the gang gathered at the Shuǐ table like usual.

"Where's Zuko?" Aiyoku asked as she sat down.

"We haven't seen him since the dance." Mokka said.

Aiyoku scanned the Dining Hall. She didn't see him. "Maybe I should look for him." Aiyoku said.

She walked toward the door when she smashed into someone.

"I am so sorry." She said rubbing her head. "I wasn't look… ing." She choked on her last word. The person she bumped into was Jet.

"My bad, Aiyoku." Jet said. He had his arm slung over the shoulder of a small girl from the Dìqiú house.

"Hello, Avatar Aiyoku. It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Jua Mai." She said with a smile.

"Likewise." Aiyoku said staring at the girl.

"So what have you been up to?" Jet said with a smirk. He twirled his wheat in his mouth.

"Aiyoku, I found you."

Aiyoku looked toward the voice. Zuko.

He walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder. "Jet, long time no see."

"Wow, are you dating the scared prince. Aiyoku you never cease to amaze me." Jet laughed.

"Don't talk about Zuko like that." Aiyoku snapped.

"I thought you didn't like him, that he, how'd you say it , put the 'eep' in 'creepy'."

"Shut up. It's different now. Cause unlike you some people can change." Aiyoku glared.

"Babe, trust me. Old habits are hard to break." Jet said with a cocky smile. "I'd know."

"You act like you're proud of what you are and what you've done." Zuko said.

"He is. He never felt remorse for his actions." Aiyoku snarled.

"Maybe, you're right, pretty boy." Jet said stepping closer to Zuko. "Just you wait you'll see sides of Aiyoku that only I've seen. And they aren't pretty."

"Shut up. You know nothing!" Aiyoku exclaimed.

"No sweetheart, I know plenty." Jet said leaning toward Aiyoku.

"Don't talk to her like that." Zuko said pushing Jet back.

"Oh, the Huǒ monster is a bit over protective. Watch out no guy is safe!" Jet yelled.

"That's right." Zuko said stepping toward Jet.

"Bring it on." Jet smiled.

"Knock it off Jet." Aiyoku demanded.

"You're not my girlfriend anymore, Aiyoku. Don't tell me what to do." Jet smirked.

"But I can." Professor Kyoshi had come from behind Aiyoku and Zuko.

Aiyoku turned to face Kyoshi, "Professor?"

"Jet Zìyóu, you shall leave Avatar Aiyoku and her friend alone. And I'd like to see you in my office after breakfast." With that Professor Kyoshi returned to her seat at the head table.

Zuko walked Aiyoku back to their friends.

"What was that about?" Yue asked.

"Jet was being an ass."Aiyoku answered.

Mokka giggled, "Sounds to me like he found out about you and Zuko."

"Yeah, whatever. Not like it was a big secret." Zuko sighed.

Aiyoku kissed Zuko on the cheek. "True besides he has a girlfriend, so why can't I have a boyfriend."

"Right, at least you waited sometime before hand. I heard Jet was dating that girl less than a week later." Don chimed in.

Aiyoku sighed as she started eating. Jet was just a thorn in her side. I wish he would disappear. She thought.

For the weekend the gang went to Omashu. Zuko offered to take his new friends to visit his uncles' teashop.

When they walked up to the shop they knew it had to be right. The outside looked like a small palace. It was colored in greens and marble. The sign above the door said 'The Jasmine Dragon'.

When they entered the shop the different smells of tea attacked their noses.

"How many?" A girl asked the group. She had her hair in two braids and messy bangs. She wore green robes and held a clipboard.

"Six, please." Mokka answered.

The girl eyed them all then saw Zuko. "Oh, Prince Zuko! I didn't see you."

"Hello, Jin. These are my friends: Mokka, Shu, Yue and her brother Don." Zuko said.

"And who are you?" She asked pointing to Aiyoku.

"She's my girlfriend." Zuko answered.

"Your uncle will love to see you and your friends. As well as your girlfriend." Jin said.

As she guided them to their table she let them pass her while placing her hand on their back. She repeated the motion till she got to Aiyoku as she moved her hand to go over her head she smacked Aiyoku in the face.

"OMG, I am so totally sorry." Jin said. "I didn't mean to … I'm sorry."

When they sat down the gang ordered their tea.

When the tea came it was delivered by an older man slightly over weight. He was wearing green robes and had a long silver braid.

"Uncle." Zuko got up and hugged the man.

"Jin told me you and your friends were here." He said looking at the gang.

"Yeah, guys this is my uncle Iroh. Uncle, this is Shu, Mokka, Yue and her brother Don." Zuko said. Then he turned to Aiyoku. "And this is Aiyoku, my girlfriend."

"Oh, you're the Avatar. It is an honor to meet you." Iroh bowed his head. "To think you would spark the interest of my nephew. Not to mention bring him friends."

Aiyoku blushed a bit, "Thank you, Iroh. It's very nice to meet you." She said bowing her head slightly.

"Now I hope you enjoy the tea. I'll see you again soon." Iroh turned and left.

"He seems very nice." Mokka said taking a sip of her tea.

"Yeah, I'm kind of surprised." Shu chuckled.

"Very funny." Zuko rolled his eyes.

After they walked around for awhile, Aiyoku told the others to keep going leaving her and Zuko behind.

"Come on, Zuko." Aiyoku said pulling Zuko by his arm.

"Where are we going?" Zuko asked.

"I want you to officially met Appa and Momo." Aiyoku giggled.

"What?"

Before Zuko could blink they were on the grounds of the school near the stalls.

"Well, hello there." said Professor Láng Zhōng.

"We'd like to take the sky bison named Appa for a walk, Momo as well." Aiyoku said.

"How can you take Momo for a walk he has no leash requirement."

"Uh … no, just going to take him with us." Aiyoku stated.

"Oh okay." And with that Professor Láng Zhōng left the two.

Aiyoku pulled Zuko toward the stall that held Appa. When they got there Momo jumped onto Zuko's shoulder.

"I think he remembers you." Aiyoku said as Momo licked Zuko's face.

"Come on Appa. We're going outside." Aiyoku said.

Appa licked Aiyoku and Zuko. The two lead Appa outside. Aiyoku climbed up Appa with a rope in her hand. She tied it to Appas' horns.

"Come on Zuko. You'll see it's fun." Aiyoku smiled.

Zuko climbed up the same way Aiyoku did, but it took him a little longer.

"I've never flown on an animal before." Zuko said in a nervous tone.

"Don't worry I'm an expert. Just hold on to me 'kay." Aiyoku said with a laugh. She petted Appa.

Aiyoku glanced at Zuko then smiled, "Yip yip." Aiyoku shouted as she flicked the reins.

Appa took off in the air. Momo hovered right above them. They flew high above the grounds.

"Wow." Zuko said as he looked around.

"Appa take a trip around the school. Make it fun, 'kay." Aiyoku demanded in joy.

Appa flew toward the castle. He dipped under walkways that connect between towers and circled around towers. He dived down and flew close to Lake Laogi. So close that his foot skid across the surface.

Momo dived under the water and back up. He spun; flicking water at Zuko and Aiyoku. Aiyoku laughed.

Appa circled back to the school and made another round. After that he landed back on the ground near the stalls.

During the ride Aiyoku enjoyed the feeling of the wind. It felt freeing. Like the weight of the world was off her shoulders.

Zuko was amazed that he felt the same as Aiyoku did. That was a feeling he never felt before. And it was Aiyoku who made him feel this. She didn't know it but she was changing his life.

If she knew what his life was like before he came to this school. Before he met Aiyoku. What would she say, what would she think.

"That was amazing." Aiyoku said.

"The sun is going down we need to hurry back." Zuko informed.

"Right, Appa, go back to the stalls now." Aiyoku said sweetly.

Appa turned and walked away, back to the stalls. Momo flew back with him.

"Well, I think I liked this date very much." Aiyoku said.

"Date?" Zuko asked slightly shocked.

"Yup. Our first date was the dance. Now the ride on Appa. You asked me to the dance and I asked you for the ride." Aiyoku answered with a smile.

"Oh, alright." Zuko said in a wary voice.

Aiyoku walked over to Zuko and kissed him. Zuko pulled her closer but she pulled away.

"I'm better at this than you." Aiyoku smiled.

"I know that." Zuko sighed.

"But from here on, know that all the dates are on you." Aiyoku said poking Zuko in the chest.

"Alright." Zuko said. They started to walk.

"A date doesn't have to cost as long as it's just us and it's fun. That is a date to me." Aiyoku stated.

"Got it."

"But don't always be cheap."

"You should know I'm not like that." Zuko exclaimed.

"Just teasing. Calm down." Aiyoku giggled.

As they walked through Omashu to get back to the school for dinner Aiyoku stopped to do some quick window shopping.

"That is so cool!" Aiyoku said pointing to a Water-Rider.

"That's the new model, I believe." Zuko said.

"Nice. I wish I could get it but it's too expensive." Aiyoku's expression saddened.

"You could save up money. Doesn't your dad send you money every week?" Zuko implied.

"Yeah, but not enough to save for this. Oh well." Aiyoku walked on.

As she and Zuko walked through Omashu, dead ahead Aiyoku spotted Jet and Jua Mai.

Zuko saw them as well. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

They walked straight for them. Aiyoku and Jet passed each other and Aiyoku felt something on her butt. A hand!? It lifted her skirt just a bit.

Aiyoku squeaked at the breeze.

Zuko didn't know why she would make such a noise. He turned toward Jet and then looked back at Aiyoku.

"What was that?" He asked.

"I think he touched my butt." Aiyoku said.

Zuko wasn't one for unreasonable conflict if he could help it, but Jet had finally push him to far. He had crossed too many lines that day. He turned to face Jet.

"Hey, Zìyóu!" Zuko called.

Jet turned around. Zuko was right in front of him.

"I want you to leave Aiyoku alone, now." Zuko stated.

"Yeah, whatcha gonna do about it, pretty boy?" Jet smirked. Jua Mae back away from Jet.

"You don't want to know. Just stay away from her and we won't have a problem." Zuko said.

Aiyoku didn't know what to do. She wanted Jet to pay but she didn't want Zuko to get in trouble.

"Make me, Scar boy." Jet grinned.

Zuko inhaled while looking at the ground. Zuko looked up and punch Jet in the face. Jet flew back.

Before Jet could get up Zuko was standing over him. "Do as I said, or next time I won't hold back."

Aiyoku walked up to Zuko and pulled on his sleeve, "Zuko let's go. Leave him alone."

Zuko nodded then turned back to Aiyoku and they walked back to the school together.

"Thank you." Aiyoku whispered.

Zuko looked down at her. When they made eye contact Zuko kissed her forehead.