Early the next morning, Masa was ready. He took a satchel with him to Azula's house. He left it on her porch as they went about their errand. No masks were worn; they were past that. Out of the blue, he said: "You're a great kisser." She swatted him with amused annoyance. He laughed. "Hey, there was this Fire Sage walking by a farm. And he saw a farmer whipping an ostrich-horse. And he said, 'That's terrible, the way you're beating that animal. You wouldn't do that to your wife, would you?' And the farmer said, 'I would if she farted and jumped to the side every time I tried to mount her.'" Azula gave him a withering glance that screamed, "must you?" Masa grinned, but slightly nervously.

The tailor/tanner said it would take time to prepare the pelt. Masa flashed several gold pieces and told him to be extra careful. To pass the time, they did some shopping in the marketplace. Both were bored nearly to tears, but wouldn't admit it.

When they returned to the tailor shop, the pelt was ready. Masa actually put it on like a coat. "I feel like a waterbender," he said.

"With your tan, you could pass for one, except for the hair. Take off that thing."

"Okay." He turned to the tanner and handed him another gold piece. "Thank you."

When they reached Azula's house, she proposed firebending practice. Masa wasn't about to turn down a lesson from someone of her reputed skill. They worked on form, control and aim. Her movements were flawless. His were...good. But when he saw her perform the lightning, he stood, mouth open.

"I take it you've never learned how to do that," she said.

"No, I haven't," he said dazedly. "You didn't even have to charge it up. Isn't that how it usually works?"

"I've transcended that limitation," she said proudly. "I've had a lot of time to focus on it." Masa picked up her implication, unintentional though it may have been. "You have to separate your emotions from your objective. Love, hate, joy, anger-they all get in the way. It's that simple, and it's that complex. Here are the standard movements." She demonstrated again. "Try."

"Okay." He began charging up his breath. He visualized the lightning strike, how it would course through him-how it was coursing through him. The lightning crackled around his hands. It felt strange. But when he went to release it, it fizzled. "Ah!" He stamped his foot in frustration.

"What happened?"

"I could feel it, but...it was like a thousand needles pricking me."

"You'll get used to that. But don't lose your concentration. If the lightning passed through your heart, you die."

"Let me try again." He went through the motions. This time, he made it. The lightning flew from his fingertips with a resounding crack! "I did it! I did it!"

"You certainly did," she said harshly, pointing to where he had aimed. "You did it to one of my trees."

Masa was nearly embarrassed to death. "It wasn't important, was it?"

Azula sighed. "Not really. I think that's it for today. Next time, we work on your accuracy."

"I don't know, Cat," he said uncertainly. "Firebending is great, and I want to master it. But that lightning...it's only good for hurting people. I don't want that."

Azula inhaled deeply. "Mastery means complete mastery. What you do with it and how is your choice." They nodded a silent agreement.

"Cat? Um...can I see some more of yours?"

"All right." She conjured a ball of flame in her palm.

"How do you get it that color?"

"Just talented," she said proudly.

"It's beautiful. Just like you," he said with a tender smile.

"Silly." But she gave him a smile back. "Now, you wanted to celebrate?"

He perked up. "Yeah. I've got some stuff in my satchel."

"Let's go inside."

In the beach house parlor, Masa removed a jug from his satchel. "My friend Hiro gave this to me. It's from his family's vineyard, mixed with oranges and lemons."

"How is it?"

"Um...I never actually tasted it before now."

"I see," Azula said with a face that Mai would have been proud of.

"I'm guessing you never had any like this, either?"

"Never crossed my mind," the princess said airily.

"Well, we're going to treat ourselves today, Cat." He stood from his chair and went into the dining area. "Do you have any glasses?" he called.

"No," she said, "only teacups."

"That's fine for later," he called. "I like tea."

Azula nearly facepalmed. "Why am I not surprised?"

"What's that mean?"

"I'll explain later."

"You say that," he said playfully, "but I doubt you mean it."

"It'll be better later."

Masa returned with two cups. "Shall I serve you, my lady?"

"If you must." She took a cup and allowed him to pour. "And to what shall we drink?"

"How about...to greater adventures?"

"To greater adventures."

They clinked cups and both took a drink. The liquor was pleasant with a heady tang. It also had a powerful kick.

"Hiro knows his stuff," Masa rasped gamely. "He's never let me down." Masa grimaced and slouched. "Does it burn your stomach, too?"

"A little," Azula admitted. "It's quite good. Another."

"Oh, ho," Masa chuckled, "the princess thinks she can drink. Catch me if you can, beautiful."

The two continued to enjoy the potent liquor well into the evening. After three drinks, both were very relaxed.

"So," Masa said, "the chief says, 'Death it is. But first, unga bunga!" Both laughed at that until they were crying.

"Oh, that's so brutal," Azula said.

"I thought you'd like that one," Masa replied.

The two of them calmed down from the laughter. Azula swirled her liquor in her cup. "Masa," she said seriously, "not to start another fight, but what were your parents like?"

"Mom's still-)hic( with us. She's...a lot better than I could hope for. Still, she's been kind of...overprotective since Dad died. I almost got into trouble with her because of that hunting trip. I keep telling her, I'm a big boy and I can take care of myself." He snorted. "She'l probably faint when she sees my tiger-wolf skin."

"You miss your father terribly. I can tell."

"I try to live up to his expectations. I know I act like a goof now and then, but that's just me...trying to enjoy life and not get bogged down with grief. I laugh because...it's better than crying."

"Mm. I know about putting on a good act for a father. You said he was an evil bastard. What have you heard about him?"

"Just stories," Masa said sadly. "I figured they had to be true, since no one could make up that stuff."

"The real story is worse," Azula drawled. "He was so twisted by hate that there was nothing human left. He put that scar on my brother's face."

Masa's breath caught. "That's...unbelievable."

"But he put other scars on both of us, the kind you can't see. The kind neither of us could admit to for a long time. Hate nearly destroyed us, too. He nearly destroyed his whole family."

"He can't hurt you now, Cat. Not unless you let him."

"What do you mean?"

"You have good reason to hate your father. But that gives him power over you. You're too smart to let that happen again."

"It's like I said: you don't understand. I hate him for what he did, but...he's still my daddy." She brushed away a tear. "Little Boy?"

"Yeah?"

"What's happening between us?"

"Only what we want to happen, Fire Cat."

More liquor was consumed in the eye of the night. Then, without a word, Azula took Masa by the hand and led him upstairs. What followed was a life-changing experience for both of them. It was awkward, painful, embarrassing, heartfelt, healthy and wonderful. Union rocked together. Two flames burned as one.