TOMOKO - burning gold. (atla)

t h i r t e e n | TEA TIME WITH IROH

now

"AGAIN" IROH'S VOICE DEMANDED STERNLY. Zuko huffed irritably, and Tomoko dodged his incoming attack. She ducked as a wave a fire flew towards her, and she returned with an attempted kick to Zuko's side. The Prince rolled away and punched a fire ball. The girl grabbed his wrist and twisted it. She pulled him back in an awkward angle, disarming him. She kicked the back of his knee and he fell forward.

He groaned. He pulled his wrist with a sudden movement, rushing at her with his full body weight. His body moved with fluidity, like that of a dance, and he advanced towards her. He swept his leg at her, and Tomoko jumped into the air. She struck a closed fist towards the Prince, aiming for his armoured chest
She made impact and Zuko grunted in pain. His grip found her wrist and he held her tightly, twisting her arm like she had done earlier. She made a noise of surprise, before using her body weight and pulling him down with her. She landed on her back and pulled the boy with momentum, breaking his rooted stance. He stumbled forward and she ducked between his legs.

Zuko spun around with an angry look in his eyes. He punched a blast to the girl. Tomoko could feel the intensity of Zuko's flames burn with an increased heat, a sign that her lack of defeat was getting to him. He bent multiple shots towards her, grunting audibly with each movement. A bead of sweat rolled down her forehead as a particularly close shot wizzed past her face, and she could feel her own irritation bubble.

Zuko's audible grunts became louder the longer they sparred. When he still was unable to get any advantage over the girl, he yelled in frustration. A bright flame appeared in his hand and he sloppily bent it towards her.

"No!" Iroh interrupted their match. "Fire bending comes from the breath, Prince Zuko! Not anger." He reprimanded.

"It works just fine!" Zuko retorted irritably.

Tomoko shook her head, lightening up her stance as she brushed her hair from her face.

"If you soley rely on emotion, your fire bending will become stale. You will run out of energy and you will lose the fight." Iroh explained.

Zuko narrowed his eyes and huffed in anger. He brushed past his Uncle irritably and stomped off through the doorway to the inner part of the ship.

Tomoko sighed and shook her head. Iroh looked on after his nephew thoughtfully.

"He will get there in the end, Oko." Iroh spoke quietly.

"I know Uncle." She looked to her feet. "I just wish that the end would come quicker." She mumbled.

The older man turned to her. Tomoko removed the fire bending armour she wore for practice from her body and piled it into a corner and wiped her brow of sweat.

"Since that leaves the two of us, how about a cup of tea?" Iroh suggested.

A lighthearted grin crept onto the girl's face and she game a small giggle. "I'd love one, Uncle. Did you purchase any new brews at our last docking?"

Iroh's eyes crinkled and his eyes gained a twinkle at the question. "As a matter of fact, I did!"

The two talked about the new herbs Iroh had acquired and he gave the girl a choice between a smooth, herbal green tea or a new spiced one of  apples and cinnamon. Tomoko scrunched her brows as she considered her options.

"Hmmmmm..." She mumbled.

"So many teas, so many choices." Iroh chuckled.

Tomoko cracked a small smile before grinning at her elder compatriot. "I'll try something new. Hit me with the spice, Tea Master."

Iroh laughed a small hearty laugh, his hand landing on his stomach. "Finally, someone who can appreciate my talents."

Iroh went about preparing the tea in front of him, heating the small clay pot that was decorated with tiny red flowers. The smell of the spice reached Tomoko's nose, and she closed her eyes as it mixed with the salt water air.

"Do you smell it, Tomoko?" Iroh's voiced chimed.

"It's devine. I can't wait to taste it." The girl replied without opening her eyes.

Iroh shook his head. "Not the tea, although I do agree with you." He told her. She opened her eyes and gave him a look of confusion. "Can you smell it? A storm's coming."

Tomoko's brows furrowed and her gaze darted to the blue expanse above her head.

"Are you joking, Uncle?" She questioned in disbelief. "There's not a cloud that you can see for miles."

Iroh pointed his finger in disagreement. "Ah, but you can smell it." He explained. "Close your eyes, and focus closely on the direction of the breeze. If you concentrate, you can find the scent of rain on it's journey towards us."

Tomoko did as she was told, closing her eyes once again. She felt the breeze brush through her hair and along her cheeks. She tried to focus on the wind, but when she couldn't find what her uncle was describing, she gave a small smile.

"I'm afraid the only thing I can smell is the spicy apple cinnamon delight before us, Uncle."

Iroh tapped the side of his nose. "I don't blame you. The beauty within this pot is incredibly distracting." He agreed.

He poured the brew from the pot and into the small china cups on the table, the steam rising hugh. He passed the cup to Tomoko, and the girl graciously accepted.

"Where did you learn to sniff out storms, Uncle?" Tomoko inquired.

"Oh, you learn a thing or two in a lifetime." He hummed. "Many different peoples have many different things to offer in this world. If you are lucky enough to meet them, you might also be lucky enough for them to teach you." He replied, taking a sip of the tea.

Tomoko nodded, taking her own sip of the brew. As soon as it hit her tongue, her eyes widened immediately at the heat of the spice.

"Yowza!" She cried. "That's warm." She opened her mouth and fanned her tongue. "Warmer than hot fire flakes!"

Iroh chuckled in agreement. He took another sip. Tomoko followed suit.

The more sips she took of the tea, the more accustomed she became to it's warmth. The burning liquid tasted like if she were to eat her own fire, but mixed with the smooth taste of apples and cinnamon.

"You know, after you get over the initial shock, and all you're tastebuds have gone numb-" She sipped once more. "It's not half bad."

Iroh grinned in apreciation. "I'm glad you enjoyed, my dear."

----

A/N

short chapter, I know. but I hope you all can forgive me :)

I am working on chapter fourteen currently, so it should be out sometime soon. Since I last updated, this book has gotten over 1.12 k reads!!!! Omg!!! thank you♥️ for taking time out of your days to read my story. I have so much planned for Zoko, including two more books (plus after adventures in the comics!)

anyways, enjoy the filler chapter of Tomoko and Iroh bonding. hope to see you all soon. don't forget to comment!!