Chapter 4: A night in Seika
"I work for Lady Wu. She was know as Aunt Wu back in our village. I work here now that she married." The girl said, then turning to Aang. "Hi there Aang!" She said nervously playing with her fingers.
"Hi Meng." Aang said with a weak smile.
"Meng, what did you mean by Lady Wu? Who is she married to?" Katara tried to ask without rolling her eyes.
"Lord Iroh, of course. They both said that they fell in love the moment he went through her village on the back of a giant fluffy monster. Now she is happier than ever." Meng said with a small shoulder shrug.
"Wait!" Zuko said with eyes wide open. "Uncle remarried. Well, at least he has someone to keep him occupied while I am away"
"Yeah and thats not even the best part"
"What is the best part?" Zuko said with a curious look.
"I'm your new little cousin." She said with a pair of googly eyes.
"WHAT!?" Zuko blared as he blew his cool.
"Yeah, Lady Wu and Lord Iroh adopted me. But don't worry." She told him.
"Why?" He said with a new look on his face.
"Because you are still the Heir to the throne. He told me that even though he adopted me, he should still be fair to his nephew"
Zuko just stared at the ground.
"Come. I am to bring you all to them. They would like to see you." Meng said lifting her skirt as she walked up the stairs.
Royal Library
When they reached the room where Iroh and Wu were meeting them, Iroh had earned a big smile and was even more happy than ever.
"Nephew... Welcome back. I trust my new little daughter has told you the good news." He said hugging Zuko's brains out.
"Yes. She told me that I get to have the throne." Zuko said hugging his uncle back.
"Thats true. I told her that my successor is to be my son. You remember that I truly do think of you as my own son. Not my hair-brained brother's child"
"Thank you Uncle. And Lady Wu, I would like to welcome you to my family, as my new aunt."Zuko said toward Wu. She started to tear up.
"And to you Meng. I would also like to welcome you." He whispered as he hugged his new little cousin. "You have a big responsibility to be the new Fire Nation Princess"
"Thank you Zuko." she said bowing to him.
"Now, lets get over formalities. You kids have to go get ready." Wu said waving her arms.
Zuko's Room
Before the boys went into his room, they saw the girls being guided somewhere else.
Their outfits were totally different.
Sokka's was a green outfit, with armor like Suki's's on the top, and a dark green pair of pants, with a black pair of boots. His hair was in his warrior's not. He had to improvise on the Kyoshi armor, making it able for a guy to wear it and not look girly.
Aang's costume was a light blue vest over a dark blue shirt and over a pair of midnight blue pants. Also a pair of black boots. His head remained with black, fuzzy hair.
Zuko's was the same as in practice.
"So, are you ready to perform on the night of the new age of freedom?" Aang said to Zuko.
"It still doesn't feel like we are free. My father could not have been taken out that easily. It just seems too perfect." Zuko muttered deeply under his breath.
"Yes well, free or not free, lets get this party started!" Sokka and Teo shouted together.
Girls' Dressing Room
When the girls got to their room, they immediately got to setting up their make-up stations and dresses, the ones for their performances and then the ones that they would be wearing to the ball.
Katara's outfit was a half kimono with a full skirt at the bottom that ended at her knees. It was light blue and had snowflakes that glittered all over the material. She had dark blue slippers that had a snowflake on the end of each of the shoes tips.
Her hair was divided into two French braids that went down to her waist, and separated at the middle of the back of her head, and was braided into a bun.
Suki did her regular kyoshi outfit but had a shorter skirt on that was knee length.
Song had her her hair in a ballet bun and had a long braid come out from the middle of the bun.
Her outfit looked a little like Katara's, but was a white half kimono with cherry blossom petals dancing around the material. She had a pair of light pink capri pants, a dark pink skirt and sash. Along with dark pink shoes.
Katara did Song's hair while Suki did her and Katara's make-up.
When they were ready, it was just in time for Suki's performance.
The Grand Ballroom
While the girls waited for the boys to arrive, they met with Lord Iroh and Lady Wu. The happy couple wished them a safe and wonderful performance.
When Sokka arrived, him and Suki were escorted to the entrance of the ballroom. When the music started, it seemed that they were on a small planet just for them.
They danced to please everyone, but they had done more. They put everyone in the whole room, even the servants in a trance of peace.
When they finished their performance, they got a huge applause from everyone.
Katara and Song raced up to Suki and gave her a giant group hug, more like a group glump.
As soon as Suki and Sokka were behind the brilliant red curtain that hid some of the inner corridors, Katara and Aang were led out.
As they danced, it was if they were being lifted on air, having Katara's graceful movements being led by Aang's incredible strength and ability to lead her. It left the whole room staring.
When they finished, the entire room cheered out in applause, giving Katara and Aang their well deserved justice.
As they left the stage, Zuko grasped Song's little hand, gave her a quick peck on the top of her hand, then led her out.
As the music started, she grasped the feel of being in his arms.
When they completed the first sequence of moves, the entire room and beyond was paralyzed with amazement. They could not believe that their prince could dance like that.
'Why am I feeling like this?' Song thought to herself as Zuko gave her a quick little smile. 'I feel as if I can just float in a sea of clouds, drifting into the horizon. And yet, my heart can't stop beating. Do I love Prince Zuko'
When they finished, they were immediately showered in a brilliant combination of Red and Pink flowers. He gave her a soothing hug that sent shivers to her heart.
"Now, my friends. Let us adjourn to the dining room, where meals have been set at each setting." Iroh said, extending his arms out to the huge ballroom.
The Grand Dining Room
Once the gang was released to go change, the girls had a group hug. They were so proud of each other.
When they arrived in the dining room, they were escorted to the sides of the Fire Lord.
They were greeted with a selection of Chicken or Pork, or in Aang's case, a huge salad with plenty of dressing.
While everyone was finishing their meals, a soft, gentle song was being played. Some of the couples began dancing.
Song just looked out toward the crowd, feeling just a little bit jealous. But it seemed right on cue, that Zuko asked her to dance with him. She responded with a bright pink blush and a small nod.
They spun around in their own little world, not wanting to stop. As the night went on, they got to know each other, more deeply, knowing that their main families were not with them tonight.
When the ball ended around midnight, everyone was ready for bed.
They all slept until late afternoon, being very exhausted.
Song's Room
She awoke to the sound of a quiet knock on her door. As she opened it, she was greeted by a certain prince holding a soft pink flower.
"Good Morning. Did you sleep alright?" he said shyly.
"Yes, I slept soundly. I was very tired." She said opening her door, "Would you like to sit down? I can make a pot of tea for us." She motioned to her little table near the window.
"Actually, I was wondering if you would like to join me in a morning walk in the garden." He said setting the flower down on the table.
"Yes, I would love too. I just will get dressed quickly." She said running behind her screen with her pink dress in hand.
The Garden
As they walked, he told her stories of his childhood, growing up in the Fire Nation. As she did with her childhood in the Earth Kingdom.
When they arrived at a small pond, they sat down. Zuko had a grin that sent her into a world of surprise.
"Can I give you something?" he asked with a crooked smile. Song nodded, waiting in a quiet anticipation.
He reached into his pocket and drew out a small box.
She opened it to find a cherry blossom hair clip. "It is beautiful. Can you help me put it on?" She held it in her hand.
As he put it in her hair, she became nervous, wanting to stay near him forever.
"Thank you. I will treasure it forever." She said giving him a quick hug and quick peck on the cheek.
"Your welcome. I am glad you like it." He said as she pecked him, but he caught her on the lips instead of his cheeks.
She grew red. "I have to go." She said running away.
"Wait! Song!" He called he ran after her.
Well, that was ch. four. I hoped you liked it.
Seika means sacred fire in japanese. it just seemed fitting for the fire nation.
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