Zuko laid the blanket on the ground and put the picnic basket on top of it. Mai stood close, watching him do this simple act.

"What have you packed?" asked the girl after an awkward pause.

"Dumplings, almond cookies, spring rolls, papaya, fire flakes, and Szechwan soup," answered the prince.

The young girl stuck her tongue out and claimed she hated fire flakes. When asked why, she just said that flour and peppers did not mix. The two aristocrats then contented themselves by eating silently while staring at the falling cherry tree leaves.

"Come on Mai," said Zuko grinning after finishing the soup, dumplings and rolls, "Why don't you try fire flakes?"

"I hate fire flakes!" yelled the young girl angrily. Zuko looked back at her, ashamed.

"I'm sorry Zuko, I-" started Mai.

"Don't apologize," Zuko said abruptly, cutting her off mid-sentence, "I shouldn't be making you do something you don't want to do."

They ate in silence once again. Zuko ate fire flakes and Mai just stared in silence around her. She did not notice Zuko was looking at her.

"I can't believe it!" yelled the young girl suddenly, "It's the rare panda lily!"

Mai had seen a bunch of panda lilies near the end of the cliff were they sat. Before Zuko could truly register what Mai meant, Mai stood up quickly and ran towards the flowers near the cliff. Zuko tried to stop her, saying it was too dangerous but Mai's legs seemed to have a mind of their own now. Mai was happy to have found the rare lilies.

However, when she reached the end of the cliff and looked down to where the strong and deep ocean was waiting for her, she slipped. The young girl yelled, waiting for her death. Suddenly, a hand reached out and grabbed her wrist. Instinctively, she held on to it.

"Mai!" yelled Zuko's voice from the top of the cliff, "don't let go of my hand!"

Mai was too afraid to tell him she did not have much of a choice. Zuko extended out his other hand and said told her to grab his other hand. Mai held it tightly, forgetting how sweaty and clammy her hand was. Zuko pulled her up. In a few seconds, he had her on the cliff unharmed.

Mai and Zuko sat sprawled on the floor for a few minutes, trying to catch their breath. Suddenly Mai started crying, something rare.

"Why are you crying?" he asked, perplexed.

"I'm sorry!" she sobbed.

"Huh?" he muttered confused.

Mai stood up to leave with her hands hiding her sobbing face but Zuko's hand stopped her once again.

"Why are you leaving?" he asked.

Mai glared at Zuko with eyes full of tears. Her gaze told Zuko everything. There were things a girl could not explain to a boy. Zuko let go of her arm, an invitation for her to leave. However, Mai stood there, forgetting her previous escape attempt. The two children stared at each other on the eyes, waiting for the other to speak.

"Would you like some fire flakes?" asked Zuko after a while. He walked towards the picnic.

"I don't like fire flakes," said the girl for the last time.

"I know," said the prince with the bag of flakes on his hand.

"But I'm ready to try them" she said grinning.