Raised in Earth (OC x Zuko) book 2

Chapter 8

this chapter is dedicated to all the wonderful fans who have cared enough to read every chapter! thank you all for the positive comments and votes!! Specifically though, this is for chrissy531. Thank you all so much!

~Caramel Rage

"So, Mr. Lee, Ms. Milu, and Mr.... umm Mushy is it?" Yet another crabby lady ran the dock we arrived at. Zuko had been avoiding me since the boat, why he was doing so was unclear to me.

"It's pronounced Moo-shee." Iroh corrected her. I had no idea why he had chosen that name of all the names in the world.

"You telling me how to do my job?" She accused angrily.

"Uh, no no no." Iroh took a step forward and had a charming smile on his face. "But may I just say that you're like a flower in bloom, your beauty intoxicating." Eeeewwww. No no no no no no no. No. Sop Iroh before my brain melts.

"You're pretty easy on the eyes yourself handsome. Raorrr." She made a cat claw gesture. "Welcome to Ba Sing Se." She said flirtatiously.

"I'm gonna forget I saw that." Zuko snatched the papers from Iroh in disgust.

"I'll see you in therapy. That was scarring to my poor brain." I pet my head in mock pain.

We found seat and were soon joined by the infamous freedom fighters.

"So, you guys got plans once you're inside the city?" Jet asked, eyeing me still. I scooted closer to Zuko. A tea peddler in the distance called out his wares.

"Oh! Jasmine, please. Iroh waved the man over and had him pour the tea. Upon taking a sip, his eyes widen and he spit out the drink in disgust. "Blaugh! Ugh. Coldest tea in Ba Sing Se is more like it. What a disgrace!"

"Hey, can I talk to you two for a second?" Jet asked. Zuko and I got up and walked with him reluctantly. "You and I have a much better chance of making it in the city if we stick together. You want to join the Freedom Fighters?"

"Thanks, but I don't think you want me in your gang."

"Jet, there isn't a war in these walls. No Fire Nation citizens for you to bully and no soldiers for you to fight. Just give it a rest." But the lunatic ignored me.

"Come on, we made a great team looting that Captain's food. Think of all the good we could do for these refugees. Besides, I can think of one Fire Nation citizen about to be in those walls."

"I'm not from the Fire Nation dumbass."

"I said no." Zuko reiterated.

"Have it your way." Jet seemed surprised by Zuko's decision. He winked at me and turned back to his fighters, his glance catching on Iroh for a moment. Zuko and I walk back to our companion and his now steaming cup of tea. I looked back at Jet to see a now hostile and suspicious look on his face before he turned away. Zuko smacked the tea out of his uncle's hand.

"Hey!" The general shouted in surprise.

"What are you doing firebending your tea?! For a wise old man, that was a pretty stupid move." Zuko whispered through gritted teeth.

"I know you're not supposed to cry over spilled tea, but... that's so sad." Iroh said mournfully.

"He suspects us now! You don't want to be on that asshole's bad side. We then walked and boarded the train to Ba Sing Se.

Iroh turned to the woman with a baby seated beside him. "What a handsome baby."

"Thank you." She smiled.

"Hope." I said plainly, smiling at the sleeping bundle of joy. The woman gave me a look of surprise.

"How did you know?"