Chi: Alright, I want everyone to know that I love the rabid fangirl (xD) MormonMaiden. Just had to get that out of my system.


He nodded, "I'm fine, what about you? You're not injured are you?"

Natsuko nodded as well, her eyes half-lidded. "I'm all right."

Her voice had dropped to a soft whisper as she spoke. He could feel her hands resting on his bare chest, her breath on his neck. "Natsu-"

Iroh couldn't complete his thought; he was cut off by her lips pressing to his.


That was all he needed.

He deftly rolled over so that Natsuko was beneath him, pinned to the ground with his weight. It was a bold action, but she made no effort to stop him.

Well, at least to begin with.

"Iroh, no. I can't, I mean, I'm getting…" she pushed him away and sat up, picking blades of grass out of her hair.

"Then why did you kiss me?" Iroh remained where he lay on his back, staring up at the approaching night sky.

Natsuko said nothing for a moment; she was choosing her words carefully. "I got caught up in the moment."

He nodded, not saying anything as she rose to her feet and jogged to the palace.

"Goodnight, Iroh."


June finally met its end and July came no acknowledgement. However, it too was nearing the last of its days and with each that passed the time grew closer to when Natsuko would be wed.

The tutoring he had started with her continued as though nothing had transpired between them. She never mentioned it and neither would he.

"Iroh, pay attention," she said calmly as she delivered a hard kick to his side.

The fire prince stumbled backwards, but he did not fall. Instead he lunged forward to land a blow to her stomach which was skillfully blocked.

"So there is a week left until the wedding."

"That's right," Natsuko struck him again.

Iroh grimaced, "That means your groom will be here any day, correct?"

"Uh-huh." She narrowly missed a round-house kick.

"One last question," the prince said as he blocked her return kick to his head.

A tawny fist flew at his head, "What?

Iroh caught her arm and twisted it behind her back, forcing her into a temporary submission. "Do you love him?"

She seemed to go stiff at the question. "What?"

"Do-you-love-him?" he asked again, putting emphasis on each word.

"I don't see how that concerns you."

"Natsuko, just answer the question."

"Yes," she answered, her eyes flashing indignantly. "I do love him."

The prince wilted a bit, "Are you telling me this so I will leave you alone?"

"No, I really do love Daitaro. He makes me happy."

Iroh took in a deep breath then forced a smile he didn't feel, "So long as you're happy then."

Stepping forward, he lightly kissed her forehead, "Congratulations once again."

"Thank you," Natsuko closed her eyes and allowed him the gesture.

He turned to depart and found himself faced with Aunt Mimi who was making her way down the breezeway. Prince Charming's probably here.

No, that couldn't be it. Her steps were short and quick, hurried yet still lady-like; her appearance though was grim.

"Mama," Natsuko jogged to meet the woman halfway, her lips pulled back into an excited smile.

Mimi pulled her close and whispered something into her daughter's ear.

Whatever news had been delivered was not good. Natsuko stepped back, still in the older woman's hold. Her face was twisted into a horrified expression. "No…no!"

"Natsuko, wait!"

Natsuko didn't though. She broke away from Mimi's protective grasp and ran, tears flowing over her cheeks.

Iroh had never known someone to move so quickly. He watched as she darted across the grass, jump over the railing of the breezeway and disappear.

"Natsuko!" Mimi called after her in vain. Gathering her skirts in her hands, the noblewoman started after the fleeing girl. "Natsuko come back!"

He caught her gently by the shoulders as she neared him, holding her back from pursuing Natsuko. "Aunt Mimi, calm down for a moment. What's going on?"

"Prince Iroh, I need to go after my daughter," she said, struggling against her nephew.

"No, you need to tell me what happened."

She relaxed a bit, releasing a deep breath. "It's Daitaro. His boat was sunk by a Fire Nation Battleship who mistook them for rebels."

Iroh closed his eyes and shook his head. This would not reflect well on any of them. "I'll go talk to her, Aunt Mimi. I know where she's heading."