Dragon of the West

Chapter 6- The Engine Room

Hello and welcome back to another chapter of Dragon of the West! I don't really have much to say, so I'll let the story do the speaking for me!

-Darthlane

Chapter 6

Iroh sat down with what he hoped would be his new friends. Mylo face broke into a broad grin at seeing him. "Hey, glad you came. Have a good comatose? I tried to wake you, but you were out cold."

Iroh smiled lightly. "Yeah, my brother would always hate that."

Nile and Satsudi didn't look as happy to see him. Satsudi didn't look like he didn't want to see Iroh, but he did look a lot more uncomfortable. Nile frowned for just a moment, but flipped it around into a smile. It didn't escape Iroh that his appearance of happiness didn't reach his eyes.

"Iroh!" Nile said. "Our new buddy! Just who I wanted to see!" He deliberately reached over and grabbed a muffin from Iroh's breakfast. As he was about to put it in his mouth Iroh's hand darted out and grabbed the muffin away.

"We can be enemies," Iroh said, setting the muffin back down with the rest of his breakfast, "or we can be friends. I would rather we became friends, wouldn't you?"

"No one asked you to sit over here." Nile hissed. "Just go sit over there with them." He pointed at the other table.

"I don't want to sit with them." Iroh answered. "I'd rather sit over here."

"You aren't wanted here. See if they will take you, cause we won't."

"You mean you won't." Said Iroh. "Tell me Nile: have I done anything to you? No. In fact, I remember giving you a cake. I think that's a pretty friendly gesture. Does that mean nothing?"

"I've seen your type." Nile grumbled. "Rich, popular. You only came over here because you knew you wouldn't be top dog in their group so you figured you would try and be top dog over here."

His eyes narrowed. "But you'll end up with them soon enough anyway. Might as well leave us alone and go now."

"What's this?" Came a smooth voice behind Iroh. "A lover's spat?"

Iroh turned around to see who was talking.

One of the boys from the other table was leering over Iroh's shoulder, with two others flanking him. He was tall, had long black hair tied back in a ponytail, and had a face the ladies would have fallen head over heels for. His smile was incredibly infectious, and his eyes just shone with intelligence. Iroh knew instantly that this guy was the leader.

"I see our newbie found his way to breakfast." He said, examining Iroh. "My name's Zarai, what's yours?"

"Iroh." He answered.

Zarai's eyes lit up in surprise. He quickly hid it behind his smile again. "You know, you look familiar. I swear I've... seen you before."

He knows. Iroh realized that he had seen this guy before. Zarai was the son of a rich businessman that often did business with Azulon. It had been years since Iroh had seen the other boy, but he could tell that it was him.

"I noticed that you and Nile here don't seem to be getting along too well." Zarai continued. "If you feel you need to leave you are welcome with us."

He leaned in close to Iroh's ear. "I don't know why you won't tell them who you are, but I know you don't want them to hear it. Just remember, I know. I can tell them. Watch your step, Prince Iroh. I certainly will."