not from around here | Zuko X OC

| chapter thirty eight |

The tea trio were stood outside of the royal palace, looking up in awe.
Zuko's hand was in Saki's and she felt him give it a squeeze, causing mysterious butterflies to appear and flutter around her stomach.

"Many times I imagined myself here, at the threshold of the palace. But I always thought I would be here as a conqueror. Instead, we are the Earth King's personal guests, here to serve him tea. Destiny is a funny thing." Iroh told Saki and Zuko.

"It sure is, Uncle." Zuko agreed, glancing down at Saki and watching her eyes move over the palace.

"You could say you've conquered the tea industry." Saki grinned up at both of them, proud of her cheesy pun.

Uncle Iroh laughed heartily and Zuko rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but chuckle a little.

Iroh led the way into the palace, where they were told to wait at a table for the Earth King.

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"What's taking so long?" Asked Zuko after a long time of waiting at the table. Saki was getting bored, like she so easily did, and was resting her head on his shoulder.

"Maybe the Earth King overslept." Suggested Iroh, making Saki sigh.

"Something doesn't feel right." She said, moving her body closer to Zuko, worried something might happen to him. Zuko was glad of this, because he was worried something might happen to her.

"Yeah, something's not right." He added, putting an arm around Saki.

Suddenly, a girl with brown hair walked in front of them, smiling evilly.

Zuko and Iroh gasped and Saki frowned for a second before something in her brain clicked at the familiarity of her face.
She was Princess Azula, Zuko's sister.

"Oh shit." Saki mumbled under her breath as the grin Zuko had around her waist tightened.

"It's tea time!" She exclaimed.

"Azula!" Zuko suddenly shouted, before jumping onto his feet up in front of Saki.

"Have you met the Dai Li? They're earthbenders, but they have a killer instinct that's so firebender. I just love it!" She exclaimed, grinning evilly.

Iroh picked up a cup of tea and stood too, looking calmly at Azula. Saki joined him, taking a step around Zuko.

"Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname "The Dragon of the West"?" Iroh asked her, casually sipping his tea.

"I'm not interested in a lengthy anecdote, Uncle." She said, examining her nails.

Uncle continued drinking his tea. Saki was confused as to how he was so calm and relaxed in this situation, so she glanced to Zuko, looking for some answers.

Zuko looked over at Iroh and smiled, before grabbing Saki by the arm and pulling her behind Iroh, wrapping his arms around her protectively.

Iroh began breathing fire all around the room.
Saki sheltered in Zuko's arms and, as soon as uncle stopped, they ran, bursting into a corridor.

Saki stumbled over a piece of rubble and almost tripped, causing her to ram into the wall. She voiced off with a yelp and, before she had a second to think, Zuko grabbed her arm and pulled her down the hallway.

Dai Li agents chased after them, shooting the tips of their stone gloves like bullets.

Iroh shot lightning at a wall in front of them and grabbed Saki's arm, jumping out of the building and into a bush.