Fire Burns and Ice Freeze

Tales of Ba Sing Se

Zuko, Iroh, and I were at the tea shop. I was still avoiding Zuko, and I could tell that Iroh had caught on that I was avoiding him. Zuko was severing a customer and I was up at the counter with Iroh next to me.

"What's wrong?" Iroh asked

"Nothing, why do you ask?" I asked

"Because you are avoiding someone, and don't deny it." Iroh said

"He is still so obsessed with capturing Aang, and going back home." I said

Iroh went to say something but Zuko walked up to us.

"Are we done yet?" Zuko asked

"No we are not." Iroh said

When the day was finally done we headed back to the apartment. I changed my clothes. I was about to leave when Zuko stopped me.

"Where are you going?" Zuko asked

"To walk around." I said

"I'm coming with you, and I won't take no for an answer." Zuko said

"Fine." I said

I left the apartment and headed down the street, I don't how long I walked or where I had walked but I ended up the farthest out ring, that was filled with grass and trees, and flowers. I looked around and then fell backwards and just started up at the sky and the clouds. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Zuko lay down next to me.

"Can we talk now?" Zuko asked

"I really don't see what there is to talk about. You made it clear that you want to capture Aang and go back to the Fire Nation. You care less what happens to me." I said

"That's not true." Zuko said

"Which part?" I asked

"I do care what happens to you. But I want to go home." Zuko said

"You want to go back to place that turned their back on you. To the father that burned and banished you. To the sister that was sent to capture you, and has been rude to you since you were children." I said

Zuko bolted up right.

"You have no right to talk about that or them. You know nothing of my family." Zuko said

"I know what you and Iroh have told me. And I have had the great pleasure of meeting your sister not once but twice, and the second time she almost killed me. So I do have the right to say what I did." I said

Zuko fell back down to the ground.

"Why are you mad at me?" Zuko asked

"What about you." I said

"What?" Zuko asked

"A few nights ago, you said you wanted to take Aang and go home. I asked you what about me, and you answered what about you. Now do you understand why I am mad at you?" I said

"Yes, I understand why you are mad. I have no clue about what would happen if I went home. I don't know what would happen if I actually caught Aang. I don't know anything, other than the fact that I hate this city." Zuko said

"Who's Mai?" I asked

I could see Zuko physically stiffen.

"Well that answer that question." I said

Zuko sat up and looked at me.

"Unlike you I think I know what would happen. You capture Aang, then you go home. Your father welcomes you back, you become crown prince again. Iroh won't go back with you, and even if I wanted to I can't. I'm as you put it the first time we meet a peasant. Not only that, but I'm a waterbender who can also firebender." I said