Burning Souls - Book 2 // Zuko

Chapter 9

"Here's your tea," Iroh said, placing the cup of hot steaming tea in front of Raven.

The girl had been sulking around since they had arrived in Ba Sing Sa, even though they had only been there barely a week. Iroh had easily found a small apartment above a tea shop where he had offered his services to the manager as well as Zuko and Raven's. The problem was, Ba Sing Sa had everything.... Except one thing that it lacked sorely: shade and trees.

This made Raven's day practically dreadful for she had to stay indoors if she did not want to have a migraine every time she stepped outside. She had tried to wear a hat but with her long hair, a strand or two would always find a way to go flying away and she would return with a splitting headache that even Iroh's tea couldn't solve quick enough.

Zuko and Iroh had managed to keep her well entertained and she would help around the tea shop but doing that day after day and only being able to step out after dark was a pain for her.

Raven downed the tea in one gulp before she walked over to the sink to wash it. As she was doing that, Zuko returned from serving some tea and whispered to his uncle and her.

"Don't look, but I think that girl over there is on to us."
Raven followed Zuko's advice and didn't look, but Iroh didn't and immediately Zuko pushed him around, "Didn't I say not to look?"
"You're right Zuko," Iroh whispered. "I've seen that girl in here a lot lately. It seems she has developed quite a crush on you."
Raven accidently dropped the teacup but luckily it was close to the bottom of the sink so it didn't break while Zuko cried out a muffled cry of shock.

"What?!"
"Excuse me," a soft voice said from behind.

Zuko spun around to see the same girl standing there, "Thanks for the tea."
Zuko took her payment for the tea and turned back around to the counter, however Raven managed to get a good look at her. She was about Raven's height... maybe a little taller with long brown hair in a braid and quite a cute face. She was pretty.

"So, what's your name?" the girl pushed.

"It's Lee," Zuko replied.

Raven bit her lip to keep from laughing but the next thing the girl said made the smile fade.

"Well Lee, I'm Jin. I was wondering if you wanted to go out sometime?"

"Uh.... Actually," Zuko muttered but there was the sound of dishes being set down.

"He would love to," Raven replied. "You should go with her Zuko. You need to get out. You haven't had a break in a while."
Zuko turned to look at her with a completely baffled look but Raven smiled softly at him and nodded. However, Zuko failed to notice the look of pain in the girl's eyes.

"Okay," Zuko muttered to Jin who smiled and left with a thank you.

When Zuko turned back around to confront Raven about how she had told him to go... he found the spot where she had been standing empty.

"Where is she?" Zuko asked of Iroh but the old man sighed.

"Give her a little space Zuko. She is going through a rough time trying to adapt. Besides, her days are cooped up in here. I wouldn't blame her for being upset."
"But why did she tell me to go on the date?" Zuko insisted, getting impatient.

Iroh smiled, patting his shoulder, "I think she feels guilty about not being able to spend time with you outside of the shop. She wants you to enjoy yourself and not tie yourself down to her because she is unable to leave."

Zuko grumbled, "I'm going to get ready for the date and when I get back, I want a straight answer!"
Iroh waited until Zuko stormed up the stairs into his room before he sighed. Two ornery teens in a new place, one of them being unable to leave the house and the other too short tempered to make any friends.... What a life!
Iroh didn't fail to help Zuko get ready as well as combing his hair down the center so he looked like a genius but absolutely ridiculous. Once the boy had begrudgedly left, Iroh went off in search of Raven. He could tell she was in her room because he could hear her humming a steady hum to herself. She did that when she was flustered, upset or bored.