Authors note: If you want to call Mai ooc in this chapter then fine but I thought it would be cute.

Chapter Twenty-One

The Royal Market

Zuko excused himself from some of his friends.

"I have business to attend to," he told them and then said goodbye.

He ran outside the palace and saw Mai in the distance.

"Come on. Let's go," he said.

"Go? Go where?"

"To the Royal Market."

Mai gasped. She had never been and even invited to the Royal Market. It was a place for all the rich merchants to come and buy things just for the pleasure of it. The prices on some items were beyond expensive.

"But Zuko…I don't have any money."

"That's ok, Mai. I'll take care of it."

They both walked together to the readied carriage to find Uncle Iroh already in it.

"Hello Prince Zuko, and who is this?"

"This is my friend, Mai."

Uncle Iroh raised his eyebrow and grinned slyly, "Hello Mai."

"Hello…General Iroh?"

"Just Iroh, I'm retired."

"Oh…"

Mai quickly got into the carriage and Uncle Iroh climbed out, taking Zuko aside.

"Is this the girl you kept telling me about? She's pretty."

Zuko made a pleading look, "Uncle Iroh! She might hear you!"

"And that would be bad why?"

Zuko shrugged.

"Fine, I'll keep quiet."

Zuko smiled once again and entered the carriage with Uncle Iroh who smiled; thinking of his own childhood loves. The trip was silent for the most part besides Uncle Iroh's anonymous facts about life. Soon the whole entourage had arrived to the Royal Market.

"Ok, I'll meet you two back at the carriage in two hours. I've had my eye on a certain Pai Sho piece that I think might be here."

"Alright, Uncle Iroh, bye."

Zuko was about to run off when his Uncle grabbed his shirt sleeve.

"Take this," he said, shoving many coins into his nephews hand, "To buy her something special."

"Thanks."

The two departed to their own ways.

"Is anything wrong?"

Zuko spun around to see Mai quite alone.

"Oh yeah, everything's fine. So are you ready to go?"

Mai nodded as they both started their outing.

"So, where do you want to go first?" he asked.

"You can choose?" she replied.

"Well there is some broadswords I'd love to check out."

"But I thought you already had broadswords?"

"I know but those are just childish ones. I want some real ones."

The two were lucky, in the huge the market, to find the broadswords rather easily.

"Wow…" was all Zuko could say.

Mai was even astounded at how beautiful the weapon was. With it's glimmering blade and brass handle it was no wonder why Zuko wanted them so much. And as Mai saw Zuko's face she wished she could do just one favor for all the ones he had done for her.

"Ok…I'm done," he said giving them another look, "It's your turn to choose."

Mai ran off suddenly leaving Zuko to follow as he usual did.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"You'll see."

Mai had Zuko tagging along before she finally stopped. She pointed to and stand and Zuko looked in that direction.

"That's is what I want to buy."

Zuko was surprised and confused to see the same broadswords shop they had been to a few minutes ago.

"Mai, you just led me in a complete circle."

"I know…"

Zuko gasped, "But Mai, I was supposed to spend the money on you.

Zuko brought forth his hand, filled with money. Mai flushed, put pushed his hand back.

"No, I want you to have it."

The prince was about to make a mad dash to the shop but didn't.

"It's ok. I'll get another opportunity. How about we just buy something we can share?"

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"Ok then."

In the end, the two decided to buy to bags of fire flakes, pair of fire nation handkerchief and give the rest back to Uncle Iroh.

"This is great," said Zuko, popping some fire flakes in his mouth, "I can't wait to do it again."

"Me too," replied Mai, trying to eat a handful of flakes politely, "Do you think, though, that we should get back to your uncle?"

"Yeah, we probably should but there is one more thing I want you to see."

Zuko rummaged through his pocket it bit before finally grasping the thing he had been looking for.

"Ok know close your eyes."

"What do-?"

"Just close them."

Mai immediately shut her eyes and waited a few seconds before Zuko said "ready." She opened her eyes and let her mouth drop in awe.

"I thought since you love daggers so much…well I had one engraved."

It was an engraved dagger that lay in Zuko's hand. It had a touch of gold at the point and the word none other than "Hope" was inscribed.

"I got it a long time ago so don't worry about the money. I was just waiting for the right moment to give it to you."

"Zuko…it's…beautiful."

Mai, without even thinking, kissed Zuko on the cheek and hugged him softly. Zuko did the only thing he could do and smiled.

"Thank you," she said, blushing about her actions.

"Um, you're welcome."

They both walked back to the carriage, Mai admiring her gift and Zuko still in shock about his kiss. Soon they were greeted by the cheerful face of Uncle Iroh.

"I found my Pai Sho piece. I hope you to also had good luck."

They both nodded as everyone got into the carriage.

"So how was your day, Mai?"

"Oh, wonderful," she said looking up from her dagger.

"And you, Prince Zuko?"

"…Wonderful…"

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Authors note: So what do you all think? I thought it was cute.