Watch it Burn

Chapter 20

I had woken up early, the sun streaming in through the windows as the dawn rolled in. Back on Kyoshi island we always would wake up with the sun to start our training, and this habit was something I had yet to break.

I tip-toed around the house, but I realized that everyone else had yet to wake up. Deciding that I had nothing better to do I slowly made my way to the front door.

When I walked outside I was hit with the early morning chill. It had rained last night, leaving a heavy dew on the grass.

I walked down around the neighborhood aimlessly. Eventually though I grew bored of the large estates and rolling fields, so I found my way to the lower class neighborhood.

Walking around the streets I noticed a stark contrast to where we stayed in the wealthier neighborhood. The streets were more crowded with people going to work. Shops were opening up and store owners chatted with early customers who were trying to get a better deal.

Every once and a while I would catch a Dai Li agent eying me suspiciously as I walked around. I blended in pretty well seeing as I was from the Earth Kingdom, but I was technically on the Dai Li 'watchlist'.

'Speak of the devil' I thought as I glanced behind me and noticed two agents following me. I sped up and took random turns, but the agents continued behind me.

Cursing I glanced around, looking for a place to hide. I dipped into a small tea shop that looked a little worse for the wear.

Watching from the window, I observed as the agents looked around for me but eventually gave up and walked away. I breathed out a heavy side of relief as I watched the agents retreating backs.

"Are you gonna buy some tea or are you just gonna stare out the window?" A voice behind me asked.

A very familiar raspy voice.

I whipped around and came face to face with the absolute last person I expected to be wearing an apron and holding a tea kettle in all of Ba Sing Se.

"Zuko?!" I asked and his eyes grew wide with surprise as he recognized me.

He grabbed my arm roughly and dragged me to the back of the shop. He slammed the door behind him and I flinched. I didn't shy away from his touch, he was warm and I was freezing from outside, so I silently hoped he didn't let go of my arm.

"Why the fuck are you here?!? He asked me.

"If I told you, you would capture me again!" I said, "That would be like-the seventh time!"

"Who says I'm not capturing you right now?" He hissed.

"You're such an asshole." I seethed at him.

I felt his grip tighten on my arm and grow warmer. I was still cold though so I wasn't going to shy away.

"Listen, I don't know why or how you're here, but based on how you're dressed and where you are and the fact that your own sister was against you last time I saw you, I'm assuming you don't have your crew anymore." I smirked, causing him to scowl deeper. "Heyyyy your hair got longer! It's really cute!"

"You stupid bitch!" He snapped at me, touching some of the hair on his head.

"Yeah...I've been called worse." I rolled my eyes, "So how did you get here anyway?"

"I'm the one asking questions." He told me.

"Well I was being followed by Dai Li agents, I'm sure they would love to hear about how the fire prince is in Ba Sing Se." I shot back.