(A/N): This chapter is much longer than the rest. I'm not even sorry.


Hiro sat awkwardly at the dining table for breakfast, Father at the head of the table with Mother at his left hand and Makoto on the right. Hiro sighed as he swirled around the rice porridge and currants in his bowl; he much more preferred Meiling's food, but today his parents specifically ordered him to take breakfast at the table this morning. Silence filled the room with the exception of eating utensils scratching the plates.

Master Hamara cleared his throat, taking the napkin from his lap to wipe his manicured, greying beard. Adjusting robes, he turned to his sons. "Hiro," he said sternly, "You might be wondering why we've asked you to eat with the family this morning, like a civilized person, instead of riding that confounded beast." Master Hamara shot Hiro a dark look and continued, nodding to Mistress Hamara, "Well, your mother and I have decided to send you and your brother to stay with my brother in the Capital."

"That's great!" Makoto shouted, almost jumping out of his seat.

Hiro, however, was not as enthusiastic as his brother. "What are you talking about?" Hiro asked skeptically, folding his arms, "You and Mother hate the Fire Nation. You think they 'abandoned' us, or something."

Master Hamara spread his hands, "I know that in the past, we haven't exactly agreed with Firelord Zuko, but the Fire Nation is still our home. Your mother and I were born there and we want you to learn about your heritage and culture. We want you to see and feel the things we experienced in our youth"

Mistress Hamara nodded and dabbed her mouth with a napkin, "We only want you to embrace being a Fire Nation citizen. You've been confined in this dirty, little Earth village for far too long. You need to go out in the world and, shall we say, socialize?"

"What are you saying?" Hiro sneered.

Mistress Hamara coolly smoothed the hair at her white-winged temples and pursed her lips, "I'm just saying that there is no one here worth meeting. If you are going to be successful in life then you need to make powerful connections."

"I can't believe my ears," Hiro said, his voice slowly rising, "You want us to go to the Fire Nation to get married, don't you?" He stood up suddenly, his chair almost falling down behind him, "And married no doubt to some rich, Fire Nation brat whose father happens to trade in this part of the world."

His parents just sat at the table, hands folded calmly in front of them. "Listen, Hiro," Master Hamara said forcefully while remaining his composure, "You and Makoto will go to the Capital and you make an effort to socialize."

"Come on, Hiro." Makoto said, placing a hand on Hiro's shoulders. "You are always complaining how you don't have any friends. This is your chance to make some."

"Yeah, but I did not want to make them like this. Can't you see they're not giving us freedom? They're playing matchmaker!"

Mistress Hamara pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head, "Why do you always have to be so headstrong, Hiro? Why can't you be more like your brother? We are just trying to do what is best for you."

"More like trying to keep the bloodline 'clean' and the money flowing. Thanks, but no." Hiro threw his napkin on the table and stormed out of the gilded dining room. Hiro was enraged that his parents thought they could pawn him off like some thoroughbred prized animal. Well, he wasn't going along with them.

"Hiro!" Makoto shouted, trotting up beside him, grabbing his shoulder "Where are you going?"

"Upstairs. How can you be alright with this?" Hiro asked accusingly.

"I'm alright with it because I want out of here as much as you do." Makoto said, pointing his finger at him, "You think you are the only one who feels trapped, but think about how I feel. There are so many things I could learn from the firebending masters in the Capital."

"Makoto, you don't need a firebending master. You already are one. You're the best firebender I know."

"That's exactly what I mean. I am the only firebender you know. Listen, once we are there, we can do whatever we want, meet whoever we want. Sure, we might have to attend some parties, but if that's the worst of it, then I'll take it. This is our chance to do something different and it's a chance we might never have again."

Hiro looked down and was silent. He hated how his brother always sounded practical, but he could not help but feel like the entire enterprise would just be trading one cage for another.

Makoto reached out and put his hand on Hiro's shoulder. "Hiro, just promised me you will think about it." Makoto said softly and sincerely, "I want to go to the Capital, but I want to go with you, too."

Hiro looked at his brother, "Alright, Makoto. I will think about it, but just give me some time."

"Don't take too much time."

"What?"

"Father says we leave in a week."

"A week? That's ridiculous!" Hiro exclaimed, "How long would we be gone?"

"We would be staying with Uncle for two, maybe three months." Makoto shrugged.

Hiro's mouth dropped open, "I can't leave Feng that long!"

"Well, what did you expect? We're not going there to grab a bite to eat and leave."

"I guess..." Hiro scratched the back of his head, brows knitted in thought. "I'm going upstairs. I will have my answer by tomorrow."

"Good. No sparring today. I'm going to get started on packing." Makoto said, obviously trying to mask his eagerness.

Hiro rolled his eyes and made his way up the grand staircase and into the washroom he shared with his brother. He turned on the facet of the large tub, running his fingers through the water to test the temperature. The boiler always took forever to heat up, so he filled the bathtub with cold water and ran his hand through the water to heat it up. After taking off his clothes, he lowered himself into the now steaming water with a sigh of content. It was just what he needed after breakfast. His stomach growled; he didn't even manage to get a single spoonful. Maybe Meiling could find me something to eat later, he thought to himself.

Meiling. He wondered what she would think about the whole thing. She would probably tell him that he should go and finally get out of his cage. He smiled to himself. If anyone could take care of Feng, it was her. But who would take care of Meiling?

Hiro took a breath and submerged his entire body, letting the water consume him. He couldn't leave Meiling. She didn't have anybody; she was on her own, kind of like him. She was not just part of the staff, or at least not to him. She was his friend. Maybe even more than that. Hiro's eyes shot open and he rose to the surface gasping for air, apparently under for far too long.

Rubbing his eyes, Hiro rose out of the water and reached for a towel on the shelf. Wrapping it around his waist, he stepped out the tub trailing water behind him as he walked to his bedroom, the air cool and relaxing on his skin. When he entered his room, he was caught off guard by Meiling making his bed. He grasped the knot of his towel and coughed into his fist.

Meiling turned around in the midst of fluffing a pillow, but at the sight of Hiro, her eyes widened and she dropped the pillow. Her face grew a deeper shade of pink and she quickly looked in a different direction.

"Oh- um, that's how we uh- fluff pillows," Meiling stuttered, picking the pillow from the ground, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I'm sure it is." Hiro shot Meiling a sly grin. A part of him thoroughly enjoyed making Meiling uncomfortable.

"Well, then. I think I am done... fluffing pillows, so I will leave you now." Meiling said making her way to the door, obviously trying not to look directly at him while she tried to pass him.

Before she could get to the door, Hiro gently grabbed her arm, "When are you free again?" Hiro asked.

This time she looked at him in the eyes and snorted, "If it was up to Miss Chun, never. However, they gave me the evening off tonight." She squinted her eyes, "But I don't think you will want to practice at night."

"Can I see you anyways? I want to talk to you, that is," Hiro ran his fingers through his hair, sprinkling water everywhere as his hair sprung back, "I mean, if you don't have any plans."

"Please, Hiro. Do I look like the type of person who would have plans?" Meiling looked up at him, a hand on her hip.

"Yes." Hiro said, softly.

"Oh, well, I don't."

They awkwardly stood in the doorway until soft footsteps could be heard coming up the servant's stairs. Meiling let out a gasp, backed into the hallway and putting her hand on his bare chest, shoved him back into the room. As she closed the door, she whispered, "Meet me at the stables right before sunset."

Hiro laughed a little to himself, still looking at the place where Meiling had been. Sunset.


Hiro tightened the last buckle on Feng, petting the eager eel hound as the finishing touch. Hiro looked out at the setting sun, to see Meiling coming up the hill. Her dark hair was down and she was wearing a simple dark green dress, almost the color of Feng's smooth scales. She waved at him and smiled, jogging up to Feng's stall.

"Hello, Feng," she said cheerfully, throwing a single sardine into Feng's mouth, "Sorry, but we won't be taking you out for a ride today." She scratched the scales underneath his jaw causing Feng to whimper contently.

"Ah, what?" Hiro whined, "I just put his saddle on! Why did you ask to meet here if you didn't want to take Feng?"

Meiling crossed her arms and jutted her chin proudly, "Well if you must know, I don't get to see my favorite eel hound that often," she sniffed, "And I didn't want anyone to see us outside the servants entrance. It's different meeting there in the morning while everyone is still asleep."

"Alright," Hiro growled, "Just let me take his saddle off." He began to unbuckle the straps encircling Feng's limbs. "Where are we going anyway?"

Meiling smiled, her eyes flashing, "We're going to spend a night on the town."

"Meiling, if I didn't know any better, I would say this sounded like a date." Hiro said slyly, lifting the saddle off Feng and putting it on the stall door.

"Maybe it is, maybe it isn't," Meiling teased, swishing the skirt of her dress impatiently, "But in any case, you said you've never been to the village, which is a shame because this is your hometown. So let's go!"

"By all means, lead the way!" Hiro said, gesturing towards the door with a mock bow. Meiling grabbed his hand and pulled him eagerly down the hill towards the town, her wavy hair flying behind her. The summer night was still warm from the heat of the day, but the moon was already up, despite there still being light in the sky.

As they entered the town on the main street, they were met with the glowing lights of shop windows and the noises of the summer night market. Meiling stopped abruptly and pulled him in an alley. She eyed him up in down and shook her head.

"Mm, mm. No." She said rubbing her chin. "This just won't do."

"What? What's wrong?" Hiro asked, confused.

"What if someone recognizes you? You basically scream 'I am the rich Fire Nation guy that lives in the big mansion on the hill."

"I do not!" Hiro shouted defensively.

"Say no more! I have just the solution." Meiling held out her hand. "Stay here for just a moment."

She ran across the street to a vendor, with whom she talked with for a few minutes. She pointed at a few things, some coins were exchanged and she came back, putting an old wool cabbie hat on his head.

"And for the finishing touch," she announced proudly as she produced a thick red scarf from behind her back. Letting it unravel to the ground, she draped it around his shoulders, hiding some of the fineness of his clothing. "That's better." She said contently, giving him one more look.

Hiro pinched the scarf and adjusted his hat, "Meiling, it's the middle of summer."

"Hey, I'm not the one who decided to dress up like the Prince of the Fire Nation tonight." Meiling said, sticking her tongue out. She was right. Hiro had put on some nicer clothes, as opposed to his usual wardrobe of worn out shirts and patched up trousers.

"You must have spent half a week's wages on me though. You didn't have to do that, Meiling." Hiro said, pulling the hat down further down his forehead.

"Yes, I did. It's a gift, so you're not aloud to give it back. And besides, you're paying for dinner." Meiling winked, linking her arm in his as they went down the road.

The night was warm and it glowed in the light from the shops. The aroma of spices and food filled the air as well as the noises of the market around them. Customers perusing the goods and vendors haggling with the prices; laughing and shouting, dogs barking.

"Is it always this busy at night?" Hiro said loudly to Meiling as they pointed at goods along the way.

"Of course it is." She replied, "It is usually too hot in the day to hold market. The fish would spoil and tempers would rise, so in the summer, they hold it at night."

"I see," Hiro mused when suddenly he was interrupted by a gurgle in the pit of his stomach. "So, where's a good place to eat, anyway?"

Meiling pondered the question for a moment, biting her lower lip. "I know just the place!" She exclaimed, jerking him down the next street, to a little shabby teashop. They entered the shop, which was filled with some quarry workers relaxing with their tea, still covered in dirt from their shifts. Hiro felt like they were looking right into him as if they knew he was the son of their employer, the one who made their lives so miserable.

Meiling eagerly went up to the kitchen counter. "Mama Xia!" She yelled, hands cupped around her mouth.

"Hold on, I'm coming," said a gruff from behind the kitchen door, "It takes a woman my size a little- Meiling!" The voice came from a portly woman in an apron, with greying hair tied up in a tight bun at the nape of her neck. Once she saw Meiling, her eyes lit up and a smile broadened on her face.

Wiping her hands on her apron, Mama Xia waddled around the counter, enveloping Meiling in a suffocating hug. "My baby!" she exclaimed in a shrill voice.

"Mama Xia, let go!" Meiling muffled from underneath the hug.

"Oh, I'm sorry, baby. It's just that you never send me word of how you are doing in that isolated mansion. I don't know why you went there, you seemed to be so happy here!"

Meiling shot her a dark look, "I'm not going to explain my reasons for going there, but I'm here now, so be happy!"

"Okay, I get the idea..." Mama Xia said defeated, but with a grin spread on her plump, red cheeks, "I am happy you are here, finally. But I see you have brought a friend." Mama Xia said slyly eyeing Hiro up in down as he blushed under her discerning eye. "And what might be the name of your handsome friend over here?"

"Oh, um," Meiling coughed into her fist, "This is, uh, Shang. He works up in the mansion as a stable boy."

Hiro recovered his senses and waved, "Uh, yes, I'm Shang. I just moved here, so Meiling was kind enough to show me around the village.

Mama Xia tsked, "Was she now?" glancing sideways at Meiling.

"Mama Xia!" Meiling elbowed her.

Hiro laughed, "It's very nice to meet you Mama Xia." He gave her a deep bow.

Mama Xia let out a low whistle. "Nice to look at and polite? Meiling, you've finally caught yourself a good one!"

Meiling folded her arms, "Mama Xia, if you're going to be like this, then we will eat somewhere else."

Mama Xia held up her hands defensively. "I'll stop, I promise. I can't let my baby starve! I will bring out your favorite." The teashop owner disappeared behind the kitchen door and could be heard barking orders at her cook.

Meiling rolled her eyes. "Let's sit down." She led him over to one of the smaller tables stuffed in the corner of the room. They were sitting so close their knees were touching.

"So Meiling," Hiro said coyly, "'finally caught yourself a good one?' Were there a lot of bad ones before?"

Meiling squinted, "No, Mama Xia likes to exaggerate too much as you can probably tell. The men who come in here aren't the most intelligent guys around, so let's just say I had a lot of senseless oafs as admirers when I worked here." Meiling raised an eyebrow, "Why, are you jealous?"

"No! Why would I be jealous?" Hiro denied quickly, but to be honest, he had been a little jealous, before. For a slight moment, he had pictured in his mind Meiling with some miner who didn't treat her well and he had quickly become defensive at the thought.

"Oh nothing, I'm just pretty good at knowing what jealousy looks like on another man's face." Meiling said, lightly, but all Hiro could picture was that jerk who was causing her trouble. "Aha! There's that look again!" Meiling exclaimed pointing at his face, "I knew it, you are jealous! And of imaginary men! Don't trouble yourself, Hiro. I haven't exactly had a lot of suitors in my life. I'm too busy with work to think about that."

"Oh, right." Hiro said scratching the back of his head.

"Well, I mean, there was this one guy..." Meiling continued.

"Meiling, stop it!" Hiro said his face flushing.

Meiling laughed teasingly, "Okay, Flameo, cool down, I am just messing with you."

"You're just as bad as Mama Xia."

"I've learned from the best," Meiling said tapping her button nose.

Mama Xia busted out of the kitchen door, toting two steaming bowls of jasmine rice, topped with pieces of marinated pork and vegetables skewered on a stick. Hiro couldn't help but eye them greedily as she placed them before them.

"Enjoy!" Mama Xia said proudly as she moved back into the kitchen to yell more at the cook.

Hiro ravenously consumed his the skewered meat, the juicy pork melting in his mouth. After he was regretfully finished with those, he shoveled the rice into his mouth emptying his bowl ferociously. Meiling sat across him with a bemused expression.

"What?" Hiro muffled, rice stuffed in his cheeks.

"Nothing." Meiling said shaking her head, "I just don't think I ever get tired of watching you scarf down food."

Hiro shrugged, "What can I say? I must have a thing for Earth Kingdom food." He dropped his chopsticks with a chink into his emptied bowl and leaned back to pat his stomach.

Meiling giggled and quickly finished up the last of her jasmine rice. She reached over to grab his bowl and her's and motioned him over to the counter where Mama Xia sat polishing teacups, her face red from the kitchen.

Meiling placed the empty bowls on the counter and leaned over to peck a kiss on Mama Xia's plump cheek. "Thank you, Mama Xia. For everything." Meiling said sweetly.

Mama Xia's smiled softly, wrinkles gathering around her tired eyes. "Anything for my baby. You've always been like a daughter to me." Mama Xia smacked the back of Meiling's head.

Meiling winced and rubbed her head. "Hey! What was that for?" she yelled.

"You need to visit your mother more!" Mama Xia said, folding her arms.

Meiling smiled. "Okay, I promise. But for now I have to go."

Mama Xia fondly cupped Meiling's face in her hands. "Be good."

Meiling turned to go and motioned Hiro to follow. Hiro went over to where Mama Xia sat still waving to Meiling and handed her five yuans for the dinner.

Mama Xia pushed the note away. "No charge, on one condition; that you take care of my baby. I can tell she really likes you and I mean that. I've known Meiling for a long time, ever since she was just a tot." Mama Xia wagged a finger at him, "So if you hurt her, you'll have Mama Xia to answer to."

Hiro nodded sharply. "The last thing I would ever want to do is hurt her." Hiro said sincerely.

Mama Xia eyed him skeptically, but finally said, "I believe you."

Hiro jogged up behind Meiling to catch up and they went back into the lively, warm night air. They walked further down the main road, stopping at various shops along the way. The sounds of the ocean slowly became more audible as they drew closer to the other side of the village. The faint noise of the waves of the incoming tide gradually mingled with the slow notes of a street band playing their last songs for the night.

As the music rose as they neared, Hiro took Meiling's hand and pulled her off to the side of the street, in front of the mouth of an alley. He put his hand around her waist and pulled her closer to him, her eyes widening with surprise.

"What are you doing, Hiro?" Meiling asked.

"Dancing, of course." Hiro winked and guided her hand to his shoulder. "We were taught how to dance, at least. Although, I've only really had my brother as a dance partner." Hiro wrinkled his nose.

Meiling nodded and laughed, as they started swaying slowly to the lethargic rhythm. She rested her head on his chest and for a moment Hiro was almost scared she would be able to hear how fast his heart was beating. He closed his eyes and at that moment he knew he was truly happy. Happier than he thought he could ever be, and if he could be this happy with Meiling, then maybe this village which he had always considered a cage, wouldn't seem much like a cage any longer. Hiro felt Meiling take a deep breath as she lifted her head up to look at him.

"I wish this summer would never end. We could just stay here, dancing in the summer market." Meiling sighed, "What was it that you wanted to talk to me about anyways?" Meiling asked.

Hiro looked at Meiling. Her eyes were full and the color of trees against a distant storm, but most of all they were filled with love as they searched his face. He could see it clearly and he loved her too. He couldn't deny it any longer. "It doesn't matter anymore." Hiro said shakily.

Without hesitation, he lifted her chin and kissed her. Much to Hiro's surprise, Meiling did not draw away, but placed her hands on his face, leaning further into the gentle kiss. No, he couldn't leave her. Not ever.

The end of the song interrupted them and the distant clapping of the bystanders as the band finished for the night. Hiro looked down at Meiling, still feeling the residue of the moment in the pit of his stomach. Meiling blushed and looked around, "I hope no one saw that."

Hiro gave a half smile, "Who cares if they did?"

Meiling nodded, "I guess you're right. In any case, I suppose we better start walking back to the house." Meiling turned, with her back to the sea, started going back up the main road. Hiro caught up to her and took her hand in his, entwining their fingers. Meiling gave him a sideways glance, squeezing his hand.

They walked in that way all the way back through the village, but with each step, Hiro grew more aware of the vibrant red scarf and the shabby hat that concealed his true identity. He began to think that this was what Meiling must feel every time she had to put on her maid uniform. As long as she wore that costume she would never be herself. She would be the property of the Hamara family. She wouldn't be the girl he knew was really underneath that skin, the girl he was in love with. And he needed to love that girl, not the maid.

As they continued up the inclined path to the mansion, Hiro realized that he could never love her the way he wanted to. With horror, he knew that if they went back to that house that Meiling would lose her job. Somehow, someone would find out. Hiro promised Meiling he wouldn't let her lose her living because of him. He promised Mama Xia he would take care of her. No matter how he looked at it, the fact still remained that he couldn't love Meiling without hurting her.

Hiro clenched his other fist and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He let go of Meiling's hand and she stopped. Since leaving the brightness of the village, their eyes had adjusted to the light the moon gave out.

"What's the matter?" She said, concerned as she put her hand on his shoulder.

"Meiling, I'm going to be leaving soon." Hiro looked at the ground. His heart was racing with the looming dread of the words he intended to speak.

"What are you talking about? Where are you going?" Meiling said, trying to search his face, but he did not to show any emotion. He ground his feet into the ground, establishing his base, just as Meiling had taught him. He needed to be strong.

"Mother and Father are sending Makoto and I to the Capital. We won't be home for a few months." With difficulty Hiro kept his voice steady and unchanging.

"Why the bad attitude? That's great news! You can finally get out of here and see the world. I'm so happy for you." Meiling threw her arms around him, but Hiro did not accept the embrace. She looked up at him, confused. "I don't understand. Isn't this what you've always wanted?"

"Meiling, I'm coming back home with a wife." He looked directly into her eyes this time, to make sure she understood.

"What?" She asked with an air of disbelief in her voice.

"I have an arranged marriage." Hiro lied, "It is very common in the Fire Nation, especially among noble families like mine. What I needed to tell you is that it's over, Meiling." Hiro clenched his fists, his nails digging into the skin of his palms. "You were fun while you lasted."

Tears started to well in the corners of Meiling's eyes, as she shook her head, slowly backing away. "No, I don't believe a word that is coming out of your mouth, Hiro." Her voice was cracking.

"It was just a bit of flirting." Hiro said lowly, "You're a nice girl, but I need someone with connections. Not some poor, earthbending servant, with only a pretty smile to her name." He winced at those last words, but he needed to do this. He needed to sever all the bonds between them. As he saw Meiling break in front of his eyes, his own world was crumbling as well.

"Liar!" Meiling shouted as she sent a brick of earth whizzing past his head. "Why are you saying this Hiro?" Another brick, but Hiro he knew she wouldn't hit him. "This isn't you talking! I know you." she cried, her voice raw. A mound of earth lifted underneath his feet, knocking him to the ground. Meiling dropped to the ground, her skirt fanned around her. She buried her face in her hands and began sobbing.

Hiro got up and moved to put her hand on her shoulder. He had gone too far. He couldn't see her all broken before him.

"Go away!" She screamed, pushing him away with a wall of earth that knock the breath out of his lungs. Tears drenched her face. "I loved you, Hiro. I thought I knew you loved me back." She shook her head, shrouding her face in a veil of hair. "I can't believe how much of a fool I've been to think that."

Hiro shook his hands, "No, Meiling, it's not like-" but he was interrupted by another wall of earth.

"I think you've said enough." Meiling said, anger rising in her voice again. "Just go already."

He got up again, dusting off his breeches. He walked past her, as she still remained collapsed in the dirt. As he climbed further away from her he whispered over his shoulder, "I'm sorry, Meiling," aware that she couldn't hear the words. Doubt began to flood his mind about what he had just done, but he would comfort himself by saying that Makoto would have done the same thing. Each step he took towards the house caused him pain; he wanted so much to just run back to her and tell her everything he said was a lie.

When he reached the quiet mansion, Hiro rushed up the stairs to the family quarters and directly to Makoto's room. Swinging open the door, he was met by the sight of Makoto writing something at his desk in the corner.

"What's the matter, brother?" Makoto asked calmly, looking up from his work.

"I'm going."

"What?"

"I'm going to the Capital with you." Hiro said, serious and determined. There was no going back.

Makoto was silent at first and frowned. "That's great, but," he hesitated, "something is not right. Are you sure you know what you're saying? I thought you wanted more time to think."

"I've made up my mind." Hiro reassured him firmly as he backed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. When he got back into his room, Hiro snatched the battered hat off of his head, throwing it to the ground along with the scarf. He marched to the window and looked out, hoping to see Meiling coming back up the road to the house. He must have stood there for half an hour, but there was still no sign of her.

Hiro growled and punched the wall in frustration, mad at himself for doing this. He sighed and his eyes wandered to the ground where the red scarf lay crumpled. He picked it up tenderly, running it through his fingers. It really is a good scarf, he thought.

He slumped down onto the bed, not even bothering to change his clothes and draped the scarf over his eyes. His head hurt and he was exhausted by the events of the day. As he sleep started to take him, his last thought was of Meiling, weeping alone on the dirt road.


(A/N): Scarf! Ahh, is it possible to have nostalgia about something that happens in the future? It is now.