Protected Princess || Zuko

18 || The Tale of Hai

I woke up to the sun shining through the window onto my eyes. It must be afternoon by now. I looked around the apartment to see it empty. Zuko and Iroh must be at work already. I guess I should make the most out of my day off.

I got myself off the couch and started getting ready to go out. As I did, my mind couldn't help but drift back to everything from last night. Was Zuko genuinely upset about what Jet said? I understand it's hard for him to trust others, but one small comment like that can actually set him off so intensely? Is it really my responsibility to deal with that? Like Bo said, I should be taking care of myself first, but I feel so wrapped up in Zuko. One moment everything is going well, then the next it's all wishy washy. I mean just the other day we were on the roof talking about our feelings, then the day after he kisses me, and now he's not even speaking to me! It's ridiculous.. but maybe he'll talk to me after work.

Speaking of Jet, what was all that 'Dai Li' nonsense about? I'm getting worried about what might've happened to him, especially knowing what Bo said about Ba Sing Se treating the lower ring poorly. I wonder why I couldn't sense him like before too. Something must've been distracting me enough to take my mind off of him completely. Maybe it was my worry for why Iron was gone so long.. I don't know. I wish I knew more about my bending, or at least had somebody to talk to about it. I feel so lost. As much as I love Iroh, even if I did tell him about my blessing, he'd probably have no clue where to start or how to help me. I wish I had my sister. Yue always knew how to help me in moments like these. I have no idea what she would even say right now.

°°°°

After freshening myself up, I left the apartment. I wondered through the streets of the lower ring, passing all the interesting stores and restaurants. Nothing seemed enticing enough to explore, so I kept walking. As many people as there were in Ba Sing Se, it sure did feel lonely without Iroh or Zuko with me. Especially since I've been with them 24/7 since I left the North. I mean, I'm so bored I might as well just clock back into work.

"Kyi!" A voice yelled from behind me.

I turned to see Bo waving his arm and jogging towards me.

"Hey, Bo!" I said happy, only for it to turn to confusion, "Shouldn't you be at work?" I questioned.

"My dad sent me to buy some new tables to replace the broken ones. He said the ones I bought this morning were 'too red', whatever that means." He began to walk with me.

I laughed, "I guess he has a specific vision."

"Oh definitely, that's why he's sending me to a specific store. Should be down here to the right." He pointed.

"I'll come with you!" I offered, excited to finally have something to do.

"Isn't it your day off?" Bo asked, shocked at the offer.

"Yeah, but I didn't realize how boring it would be. Who told you I had the day off?"

"Lee." Bo replied. My head snapped in his direction at the name. "I asked where you were, he seemed kinda defensive at my ask." He laughed.

"Defensive?" I inquired.

"Yeah, like protective. He said you needed the day off and that I shouldn't make an issue out of it since you deserved the break. I never said it was an issue though." Bo concluded. My face got slightly warm. So Zuko wasn't really angry at me after all.