The Banished Commander (ATLA fanfiction)

Twenty-five

Zuko's P.O.V.

Jian walks into the tea shop, talking to one of the regular customers. He sees Iroh and I before he smiles and waves towards us. He walks over after bidding the customer a goodbye before he walks behind the counter.

"Any luck Zuko?" He asks

"On?" I question

"Finding Zara or asking that one friend out." He teases

"I already told you that it will probably have to wait. I need to settle down and get used to life living inside these walls." I start

"Zuko, there is no way to get used to this. I've been here for almost 6 years and it's still always an adventure." Jian says

"Jian has a point. And the fact that he's still telling you that you should go after Zara should also show you something." Iroh says "He knows Zara better than she even knows herself."

"I wouldn't say that right now. She's not my little girl anymore." Jian starts

I look out the window, zoning out the two of them as I see Jet standing outside the door, talking to his two other friends. I nod before going back to work.

I hear Jian pick something up before he goes out to the tables and starts to dish out the tea that Iroh had been working out. He looks at me and nods before nodding towards the newer customers as I walk over to the table, starting to take their order. 

Zara's P.O.V.

I'm walking through town, my bag on my shoulder as I'm looking at all the fruits and grains that are available for sale. I stop by a flower shop, seeing a flame lily in the bunch. I smile before picking it up, twirling it in my hand.

"Zara!" I hear my father's voice yell out

I turn around toward the direction of the voice, seeing my father running toward me.

"You don't know but Iroh and Zuko are staying here as refugees and they were just attacked." He tries to explain

"By who? Where?" I ask

"The tea shop in the lower level." He says "By some kid that Zuko met on the ferry. Brown hair, I don't know his name. Constantly chewing on a weed."

"Jet..." I whisper

I adjust my bag before running towards the tea shop to hear the sounds of fighting.

I bite my lip before shaking my head. I see Zuko's scar before Jet's twin hook swords.

"Why is nobody listening to me? These three are firebenders!"

"Three?" I ask my dad

"He's talking about me as well." My dad whispers

I turn to look at my dad before I growl.

"Stop this right now!" I yell as I push my way to the front

I look at Iroh as he shakes his head, looking at his nephew with worry.

"Zara? What are you doing here?" Jet says "Wait, you can help me!

I look at him before I see people coming up and grabbing him.

"Zara! Please, tell them that I'm telling the truth!" Jet yells as he is struggling "Tell them that they are from the Fire Nation."

I sigh before I feel my father's hand in mine.

"I'm sorry Jet." I whisper "They are just refugees just like us all. You must be mistaking them for somebody else."

I watch as they drag him away before I fall to my knees, the tears coming into my eyes.

"Iroh, do you think you guys could handle without me for a few minutes?" My dad asks

"Yes, yes, have her come in." Iroh says

I feel my dad nod before he just sits with me as everybody starts to clear the street.

"My Firelily, you didn't have to do that..." My father whispers

"It was either that or watch them drag you three away." I whisper

I look at my father as he smiles softly before leading me into the tea shop.

"Ara, what are you doing here?" Zuko asks

I look at Iroh before he shakes his head and goes back towards the kitchen.

"I was separated from Aang and the others." I explain "I knew the next safest place for me would be here."

He nods before he smiles softly before walking away. Coming back shortly after to give me and my dad a cup of tea.

"You two..." My father laughs "Ozai and I would always talk about your future."

"Yeah, it became the ridicule for me and Zuko back at the Fire Nation," I grumble

"I'm going to guess there was something between you and the Jet kid." My dad whispers

I look over at Zuko as he intentionally ignores us before I nod my head.

"Yeah. During my time in the Earth Kingdom after my banishment." I say

"Right, Iroh told me about that when it first happened. He also explained that Ling blamed Zuko." He says

I look over at Zuko before looking down at the tea in front of me. I take a deep breath before seeing the happiness gleam through Zuko's eyes and look at my dad. 

"Ling..." I start "I haven't seen him since Zhao killed the Moon spirit in the North Pole." 

"Zhao did that?" Jian questions 

Zuko's P.O.V. 

"Yeah. Zhao tried to kill the Moon spirit. Which fortunately he failed but it unfortunately left the North Pole without their princess." Zara explains "Princess Yue was like me, chosen by the spirits for an unknown reason. Only her's made sense."

"Zara, yours makes sense too. You just need to give it time." Jian explains 

"I've been giving it 16 years dad!" She yells "It hasn't made since. It's only cause me and those around me pain!" 

"What do you mean?" He asks 

"I've been hunted because of this mark. The Fire Lord has a bounty on my head just because of this mark and that is causing pain for my friends." She starts to explain "This mark hasn't stopped growing in the last two weeks." 

"Zara..." Jian starts 

"No it's fine. I should get going. I have a long day tomorrow." She starts "I'll be sure to stop by now that I know all three of you guys are working here." 

Jian looks over at me through the window as Zara walks out of the shop. I nod before setting the kettle down, heading after Zara. 

I get outside of the tea shop, seeing Jin standing there waiting for me. A group of people already in the streets. Zara's dark hair disappearing into the crowd, heading towards the higher levels. 

"Zara!" I yell

"Lee!" Jin yells, grabbing my shoulder 

"Hey Jin, give me a minute." I try to brush her off 

I look back towards the crowd, seeing Zara pushing herself through the crowd, not even looking back towards the tea shop. 

I wanted to talk to you...