The next day, Masa answered the door and found Azula on the porch. She was wearing a casual, midriff-baring top, slim-fitting pants and a shoulder mantle. Her hair was in an ostrich-horse tail, and she had a little lipstick on. "Hi, Cat," he said pleasantly. Then he realized. "Is something wrong?" He stepped out, closing the door.
"I don't know why I'm saying this, Masa, but I am, so try to be serious."
"Okay. You know you can tell me any-"
Azula placed her hand over his mouth. "Last night, I had one of my nightmares. I was nearly panicking. I was in a sweat. That's happened before. But I called your name." They let that hang. "When you weren't there...I screamed."
He gently stroked her face and hairline. "I'm sorry I wasn't there, Cat. I've been missing you, too."
"You're not listening," she said forcefully. "I've never felt this way before. I'm guessing you haven't either. We jumped into this with no thought, and that's not my way."
Masa caught her drift. "Cat, what are you saying? You want to call it off?"
"There is nothing to call off. We spent time together. We had some fun between the sheets." She took breath. "You haven't seen the really ugly things. Would you have stuck by me through that nightmare? Or would you have bolted when it was convenient?"
"When I side with someone, I stick with them, Cat. Otherwise, I'd be no better than an animal." He focused himself. "Besides, it can't be all that bad."
Azula's eyes got very hard. "Don't you dare pity me, Masanori Sun."
Masa got a little angry. "I'm no one to look down on anyone, Princess." He practically bit out her title. "And I told you, I won't be looked down on, either. If you want to call this off to spare my feelings, I appreciate the concern. I really do. But I'm thinking of your feelings, too. And that's not easy when you don't let me in. I know it's scary, but I think it's time we got down to embers with each other. Say what we're thinking."
"All right. As crazy as it sounds, you are my boyfriend, Masanori Sun. And I don't care who knows it. You annoy me, you frustrate me; you're silly; you tell terrible jokes. But you're always on my mind. And I like being around you."
"Wow," Masa said, his breath taken momentarily. "Then...that makes you my girlfriend. Just the prettiest, most stuck-up, smartest, most arrogant, most wonderful girl in the Four Nations. Maybe you were right: we're both broken. But the pieces fit together great, don't they?"
No more words were exchanged. They just stood, looking into each other's eyes.
Masa found his voice. "Come with me. There's a teahouse not far from here with a band. It's a great place. If you'd like, or course."
"Lead the way," she said with a hair flip.
"Great. Oh. Give me one minute." He went back into the house. Azula waited. Masa re-emerged. "I had to tell Mom where we're going. That's the deal we made."
"It took you three minutes, by my estimation."
"Oh, that's funny," he said sarcastically. "Let's go."
They started walking. There was no hurry.
"You want honesty, Little Boy? All right. Do you know what your cousin Kuma does?"
"Sure. She helps people."
"That's who I met with yesterday. I didn't know you were related until then."
Masa chuckled. "Azula, I may be geeky, but I'm not stupid. She's helping you out." He gave her a tender smile. "You couldn't ask for anyone better."
"She brought me back to life." Azula tried to laugh, but it came out more of a bark. "I thought maybe she set us up together."
"She didn't."
"I know. She convinced me."
"Listen, Cat...how would you like to have dinner with us this evening?"
"Your mother suggested that?"
"I did. She agreed to it."
"I'll think about it," the princess said faux-haughtily.
"Look, I know Mom hasn't been very...friendly to you. That will change when she gets to know you."
"How do you know?"
"I know my mom," he said confidently.
"You've known her sixteen years. You've known me nine days."
Masa chuckled with mixed humor and exasperation. "Always scouting the angles, aren't you?"
"It's burned into my brain," she said defensively, "I can't just turn it off."
"I don't want you to turn it off, Cat. You have your talents. What good are they if you don't use them?"
"It really doesn't bother you?"
"Cat, you don't have to defend yourself to me. Everyone has quirks and imperfections. That's what makes us people. That's what makes us...interesting." He dropped his voice low on that last word and leaned over to nuzzle her hair. "Wow, you smell good."
"Masa!" she said in frustration, nudging him away. He laughed. For a while, neither said anything, until he took her hand.
"I didn't know you were left-handed."
"You let that slip past you," she said. "Not good for a warrior."
"I'm learning," he replied. "Wow, for a girl who plays with fire, you have soft hands."
She looked at him with a smirk. "Don't tell me you didn't notice that until now."
"Well," he began with a slight blush, "I wasn't thinking about your hands then." Both of them laughed knowingly. "Azula?"
"Yes, Masa?"
"Why do you wear makeup, anyway? You don't need it."
"I like to look good," she said impatiently. She was slightly offended.
"But you do. I've seen you without it. You're naturally beautiful. Heart-shaped face, gleaming eyes, that little lip curl. And of course, your hair."
"Mm," she purred, "keep going, sweet-talker."
"What? Nothing nice to say about me?"
"Well, you have a strong brow. Very noble. Bright eyes. Um, strong chin." This was very awkward.
"Okay, okay," he said chuckling, "don't hurt yourself with compliments. You tried, and that means a lot. Everything will be fine, you'll see."
She squeezed his hand. "Silly."
The Golden Sun was the teahouse Masa like. It had a friendly atmosphere. A raised platform served as a stage for the musicians. A dance floor was polished and ready. There were only a few patrons, given it was early in the day.
"Masa!" one of the band members called out.
"Lau! Good to see you. Hey, can I talk to you?"
"Sure, buddy."
"Cat, if you'll find us a good table, I'll be right back, okay?" Masa went over to the stage and began chatting up the band. The conversation ended when he handed some coins to the bandmates. When he returned, Azula was seated. "Why'd you pick this table?"
"It covers the whole room, allows easy access to all points, and we can put our backs to the wall." She saw him smile. "I told you: I can't turn it off." Masa just stroked her cheek, as if to say it was all right.
The band started playing Into the West. Masa extended his hand in a gentlemanly fashion. "Princess Azula, may I have this dance?"
"You may." She rose from her seat and they walked to the dance floor. They danced. There was hardly a misstep between them. No words were exchanged. There was no need. They danced a good long time, cheek to cheek. (Or cheek to collarbone, given the size difference.) Everyone cheered when the music ended. The young couple returned to their table and enjoyed some white dragonberry tea and roasted pig-chicken skewers. Through it all, no words were spoken.
On the way out, Masa thanked the band. "Let's head home, Cat."
