When Worlds Collide: Book Three, Fire

Chapter Ten

/////Sam's POV\\\\\

The next evening, all of us were sitting next to the fire, and I watched nervously as Zuko made tea. I had tasted his tea before, and quite honestly, I wasn't looking forward to it again.

"Are you sure you don't need help?" I asked again, earning an annoyed look.

"I got it," he told me, pouring the last cup. "No one can make tea like uncle, but hopefully I learned a thing or two. I did work with him at the Jasmine Dragon in Be Sing Se." I could tell he directed that last part to me, but I just rolled my eyes. "Would you like to hear his favorite tea joke?"

Everyone nodded, and Zuko looked excited as he passed out the tea cups. "Okay," he smiled, kneeling down to give Haru and the Duke their tea. "Well, I can't remember how it starts, but the punchline is 'leave me alone. I'm bushed!'"

We fell silent, giving him odd looks, and Zuko blushed slightly and shrugged. "Well, it's funnier when Uncle tells it."

"Right," Katara sighed, taking a cup when Zuko kneeled down between her and Aang. "Maybe that's because he remembers the whole thing."

Aang laughed, and Zuko gave a soft smile as well, as he made his way to Teo and Toph.

"It's nice to get a chance to relax a little," the blind girl said, accepting tea as well. "It hardly ever happens."

"It's probably because we don't have to worry about this royal pain the neck," I teased, taking my tea as well.

Zuko stood up to walk over to Sokka, who had seperated himself from our group. As he passed behind me, I felt a small shove on the back of my head, and I smirked.

When he was out of ear shot, I scooted over to Toph. "Is it drinkable?" I asked.

Midsip, Toph spat out her tea, and gagged. "Why?" she asked. "Did he do something to it?"

Laughing, I shook my head. "No. It's just, last time he made tea... it just wasn't good."

"Well, it tastes fine..." She seemed hesitant to take another drink, and I just rolled my eyes.

When I finally mustered up the courage to taste the drink myself, Zuko had plopped down next to me.

"What's up?" I asked.

His eyes were on Sokka, and he shook his head. "Nothing."

Raising my eyebrows, I nudged him in the side. "The tea isn't terrible, so I applaud you on that."

Glaring slightly, his eyes shifted to Sokka again. "Can I talk to you?" he asked, and stood up, leaving me no time to answer. By the time I set my tea down, and stood up myself, he was already heading over to the fountain, out of hearing range from the rest of the group.

I scrambled to catch up, and ignored Katara's questioning gaze when I passed.

"Sokka's wanting to find his father," he said softly, leaning against the fountain.

"But... we don't know where he is," I pointed out. "What does he plan to do? Fly around the Fire Nation until he finds something?"

Zuko ran his finger on top of the water, and I gasped. "You told him?" I asked. "He's going to go searching for him now. And knowing Sokka, he'll get himself killed while doing it."

"I'm going to go with him," Zuko stated, turning to face me. "If I'm right, his father is in the highest security prison in the Fire Nation. And if I'm wrong... he'll still be in a lot trouble if something goes wrong."

"So you're going to risk your life too?" I asked. "Here's an idea - talk him out of it."

"I can't do that." He shook his head, and took my hand. "It's his father, Sam, and his troops."