Day 5! Let's do this thing! (Some more S2 zutara... aw yesssssss)

Bound

n. A boundary

v. To walk or run with leaping strides

adj. Heading towards somewhere or restricted to a specific space

Iroh knew from the beginning that the young waterbender and his nephew were bound together. Call it fate or destiny, but just not a coincidence; Iroh did not believe in such a silly thing. He could see it in the stars, this was so obvious. Why else would the girl come in almost everyday, other than to have some more tea - there's always time and room for tea.

The young lady was at one of the tables right now. Iroh went to her table and took the other seat across from her. Up close he could tell that she would become a beautiful young lady, breaking the hearts of every man she'd pass.

The old man must have startled her. She jumped a little in her seat when he sat down.

"Have you enjoyed the tea?" Iroh asked pleasantly, starting a light conversation with the girl.

"Oh! Uhmm... yes I have, Ir-"

"Mushi. And that's my nephew over there, Lee." He interrupted. Had to introduce them now as long as she was here.

"What are you doing here?" She asked. He liked this one. Getting straight to the point.

"We're here to start a newer, simpler way of life. We wish no trouble." He answered, hoping that she wouldn't think them as enemies any longer.

"Oh." It was all she said. At that moment, his nephew came by with a tray full of empty tea cups. The old man's face brightened at that. A full customer was a happy customer.

"Nephew!" Iroh said, grabbing the boy's attention. "Why don't you sit down with me." He offered, pulling Zuko into the seat next to him.

"Uncle, not now." Zuko tried to get away but Iroh kept a firm - but loving - hold on his nephew's arm.

"It is impolite to refuse an old friends, nephew." Iroh turned towards the girl. "Isn't that right?" He asked, hoping to get the girl to go along with it.

"Uh... sure. Take a seat, Lee." She said, looking at Zuko. He sat down next to Iroh and across from the waterbender.

"I wouldn't really call this peasant and old friend." Zuko muttered under his breath. He made a point not to look in her direction. Iroh would have to talk to the boy about what things are okay to say to such pretty young ladies like this one right here.

"Katara." The young maiden announced.

"What?" His nephew asked, making eye contact with the Water Tribe native.

"That's my name. Katara. I figured that since we're such good old friends, you should at least know my name." The young lady - Katara - responded. Zuko just looked at her like she slapped him in the face.

"Oooh, what a beautiful name!" Iroh exclaimed, trying to diffuse the rising tension between the two benders.

"I just wanted to tell that htat if you even think of hurting Aang or any of my friends, I will personally end you." Katara warned, looking at Zuko. He tea cup had frosted over, which she might not have noticed.

As she got up from the table and walked out of the tea shop, Iroh called out to her, "Please do come again, Miss Katara!"

He looked back to find that his nephew had disappeared, probably to confront his feelings for her or whatever else boys his age do.

The spirits had told Iroh that Zuko and Miss Katara would be bound together in come way.

Ahhhh... young love was so beautiful!

605 words in all!

Remember to Smile :)

~Becca