Katara woke up to a soft chill in the air, opening her window. The sun had started to come up; she closed her eyes and felt the warm glow. Weekends were free time the students got. So Katara and Suki were going to visit the nearby villages to shop for dresses. She walked over to the bathroom for a shower, after she got around she left to go and get Suki. She walked casually to the Earth housing on her way through she saw Tsukiko working on the outside of her house. It was an older house that had fallen into disrepair. "Tsukiko!" Katara called.

Tsukiko stop half shocked at someone calling her name, she fell off the roof of her small house. Katara rushed over to see if she was okay. Tsukiko just laughed at her "I'm alright, it's nothing compared to Toph's class." Tsukiko said with a smile.

"Hey, Tsukiko who are you going to the dance with?" Katara asked.
"Dance? What dance?" Tsukiko replied.
"The Orange dragon dance, it's our fall dance. We have one every season. Suki is going with Sokka, and I think Aang is going to ask me…well I hope he asks me." Katara said looking at the ground.

"Are you kidding? How could he not ask you? You're smart and beautiful, not to mention you're an amazing water bender." Tsukiko said with a smiled back. "Anyhow." Tsukiko started. "I've used most of my money to fix the house." She smiled. "Besides I have no one to go with."
Katara looked concerned. "Don't worry about me I have Kio." She smiled warmly.
Katara Smiled a bit unsure. "I have to go pick up Suki, let me know if you need help with the house." She said walking away.

Tsukiko smiled and went back to work, Katara returned to the task at hand. After Picking up Suki and some other girls, they went on their shopping trip. The girls planned to be out all weekend.

_
Tsukiko spent what seemed like most of the day working on the house, the outside looked amazing, the inside needed some work. Kio crawled up on her shoulder. "Kio, what do you say we go for some tea? I hear there is an amazing place in the Fire nation's side."
Kio nuzzled her, "Tea, it is." She changed her clothes to a black set; after all she didn't want to provoke the Fire nation students. She went to the Red dragon. It was super busy.

Iroh was running all over, he knew he made good tea, but he never thought it would be this busy. His nephew Zuko was nowhere in sight. Iroh need a hand.

Tsukiko worked her way around the new waitress, to the back counter. "It looks like you guys need some help." She said with a smile.

Iroh looked at this new girl. "Do you think you can manage?"
Tsukiko nodded her head, Iroh smiled and handed her a tea tray. She got to work right away. It was like helping the nuns at the orphanage. Accept it was way easier, time was going by it was almost mid day when the shop was nearly empty. Iroh walked over to her. "You know, you're really good at this."
"Thanks." She said with a smile.
"I could use some help around here, My nephew was suppose to be helping me , but lately he has a lot on his mind."
"I'd love to help, if you have a job opening that is." Tsukiko said.
Iroh laughed a bit "You are welcomed to help; we usually get a huge rush after mid-day."

Tsukiko went into the back and found a work uniform that fit her perfectly; she washed the dishes so that they would be ready for the next rush. Kio helping her when he could, Tsukiko was out wiping down the tables when she heard Iroh's voice "Zuko!"

She turned to see a boy, with shaggy black hair. His left eye was scared; it was a dark red close to his eye. Tsukiko noticed that she had been staring at him and quickly returned to her work.

Zuko hugged his uncle. "Sorry I'm late uncle." He said
"Zuko it's alright, Oh before I forget. This is Tsukiko; she just started working with us today." Iroh said gesturing to her.

Zuko looked over. It was that girl, she smiled warmly at him. "Hi." She said in a hushed voice.
"Hi." Zuko said in a softer tone than normal.

Iroh looked at the two of them and smiled. "Well you two had better get ready, the next rush will hit soon." He said walking to the kitchen.

Zuko rubbed the back of his head and walked away to get changed; His mind was on that woman from the past. His father did tell him the child died right? He was almost sure of that. By the time he left the back the Tea house was already starting to get busy. Every now and then he'd watch Tsukiko and how she moved so fluidly. Her bright smile, of course he was no laughing matter, he moved just as easily between the tables. Having her around made it much easier; they didn't have to slow down the pace.

Zuko and Tsukiko worked well together Iroh was impressed at how quickly they worked. It was like the perfect blend of tea. At the end of the night they cleaned up the tables, Zuko and Tsukiko were exchanging stories about customers. "I swear those girls wanted to eat you." Tsukiko teased.
"I don't think they realize they are trying to play with fire." He said smoothly.

Tsukiko burst into laughter at his comment, Iroh brought out a plate with some tea. "You both worked hard today." He said sitting it down by the table they were at.

"Thanks." Tsukiko said picking up the cup of tea.
"Be careful it's hot." Iroh said a bit concerned.

She smiled at him, slowly sipping the tea. "Wow, it's wonderful. Sister Sayuri would love this." Tsukiko said.

The three spent the next few hours sipping tea and talking, before they knew it mid night had come. "I had better get going." She said.
"Let me walk you home." Zuko said.
"Thanks but, I don't think people on the earth side are very friendly towards…" She trailed off.

"At least let me walk you to the gate." He said.
She smiled and nodded her head.

_
Aang was nervous he was with Sokka who was going on and on about Suki and the dance. "Aang, stop worrying, Katara isn't gonna say no."

Aang wanted to ask Katara before she left, but he barely missed her. "What if someone already asked her? What if she doesn't want to go with me?" Aang asked pacing back and forth.
"I'm sure you're just over reacting." Sokka said playing with his boomerang.

Aang curled up, think about it. She'd be back tomorrow and he was gonna ask her, No matter what. Sokka had passed out shortly after their talk. Aang didn't sleep so well, he found himself constantly waking up.

Katara And the girls had a wonderful day, they were out early enough that they all managed to find amazing one of a kid dresses. They were gonna stop by a spa before heading back tomorrow. Katara was excited to get back.

Zuko walked next to her, the walk was mostly silent. He noticed that Tsukiko was shivering. "Here." He said taking off his jacket and placing it around her.
"Thanks." She said in a hushed voice.
"I didn't realize it was that cold." He said.
"Its not, I'm just a block of walking ice." She laughed a bit. "I've always gotten cold easily; I was told when I was first found my body was as cold as the ice."

Zuko looked at her "Found?"
"Yeah, at least that's what they told me." She stopped. "here." Said said handing him back his jacket.

Zuko didn't notice that they had reached the gate already. "Keep it you can give it back tomorrow at work."
"Are you sure?" she looked a bit concerned.
"Yes, I'll see you tomorrow." He smiled slightly.
Tsukiko nodded and went on her way, Kio trailing behind.

That night Zuko found sleep easily, in fact he was actually relaxed.

Tsukiko curled up in bed with his jacket, the scent was so familiar. Kio nestled up next to her she smiled softly. "Night my brave warrior." She whispered.
Her mind drifted all over, trying to place the scent. In no time at all she had fallen asleep.

Aang spent what seemed like forever waiting for Katara, he hardly slept or ate for that matter. His mind full of what ifs, Sokka was occupied with meat. Aang was mid step when Katara walked through the gate. He ran to her "Katara would you to the orange dragon dance with me?"
Katara took a step back; Aang had almost crashed into her. "Sure, Aang I'd love to go." She smiled.

Tsukiko was spending yet another day working on her house, it finally looked livable. "Come on Kio, I want to send a messenger hawk." Kio jumped onto her shoulder from the beams. She ran out of her house, grabbing her bag on the way. Tsukiko happened to notice Iwao and Aang in the street. She stopped for a moment making a gesture to make sure Iwao knew she was keeping an eye on him. Before going on her way, in the corner of ever housing they had a tower where the hawks were kept. She gave the man a letter and the address of the nuns. Bowing before she left. It was gonna be a good day, the sun was bright and warm. It wasn't to long before she was dressed and serving tea. Tsukiko was busy weaving in between the tables, every now and then glancing over at Zuko. He was cute in his own way.

The store cleared with the acceptation of a few customers every now and then. Iroh decided the two of them should learn how to brew tea, the right way. Iroh, showed them how to do it, and then left the two of them to work.

Zuko noticed that her fire was a bit small. "You need to have a bigger fire to heat the water."
Tsukiko looked at him and bowed. "Yes, Sifu Hotman." She said with a grin. "Wouldn't want to upset you."
Before Zuko had a chance to say anything Iroh came in. "Tsukiko, there is someone here to see you."

She looked a bit puzzled, but went out to see who it was. Iroh looked at Zuko. Who immediately looked down. "What uncle?" He said.

Iroh just smiled. "I'd ask her before someone else does." He said walking out of the kitchen.

Tsukiko walked back in after what seemed like hours to Zuko, she had a smile on her face. They finished up the day hardly taking to each other. Before Zuko could get out to ask her, she had left. He sighed and went back into the employee locker room. He saw this jacket with a thank you note, he put it on. Zuko noticed something in the pocket it was a small bag of cookies. A small smile crept it was on his face. He decided to go for a walk the streets were empty most of the students, getting ready for tomorrow and all the tests they'd have to do. The dance was this coming weekend and he decided to ask her during first class. Slowly he worked his way towards his house.

_
Aang found sleep a lot easier, Katara had said yes. He was excited he only had to survive one week of seemingly endless tests. Aang wasn't worried at all, until he remembered that Toph taught his once class. He curled up, Mo mo at his side.

Katara was a bit worried about the tests tomorrow, but she was happy. The moon was almost full and she was going with Aang to the dance. It was a peaceful night, silent and warm. The dance was going to be wonderful she could just feel it. Katara fell onto her bed, looking over to her dress. It was a Light blue with white trim it held crescent moons on the shoulders that sparkled. Katara was excited and hoped the rest of the week went by fast.

Tsukiko, returned home to see a hole in her wall. "Damn it Iwao! I hate that guy." She said, slamming the door of her house mumbling something about earth benders. After finding a quick fix for her wall, she fell face first into her bed. Rolling over she looked at Kio. "It must be nice being a pet." She mumbled.
Kio glared at her. "My bad oh brave warrior."
Kio nodded his head In agreement. Tsukiko laughed, pulling him to her chest as she rolled onto her back. Kio curled up on her lower chest. She pet him softly, as she fell asleep.

Tsukiko walked into her first class, the whole class abuzz with who was wearing what for the dance. She rolled her eyes sitting down just as the teacher passed the tests out.

Zuko walked into class just as it started, he took his seat next to Tsukiko. Sighing as he started the test. The rest of the day, he kept just missing his chance. He was getting frustrated it seemed like the universe was against him. He finally got his chance just before Tophs class. Tsukiko was sitting with some group of girls. "Tsukiko." Zuko said "Can I talk to you for a moment?" He asked.
She nodded and walked with him over to the other side.
"I was wondering if….you might like to go to the dance…. I mean would you go with me."

She looked at him. "Zuko…I'd….I'm sorry, someone asked me already and I said I'd go."
"No, don't be sorry." He said walking off.

Hope you like it, sorry if it seems a bit rushed. :/