Warning: this chapter contains slightly M-ish material. Not really though I'd just thought I'd warn you. Oh yes and well since there have been rumors of season three not starting until september, I have decided that once the premiere date is confirmed, and if it is september, I'm going to write the end of it. I mean who wants to wait until september right? So here you go the next chapter and I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 25: Precious to Me

"Let me in damn it!" I yelled at the palace guard.

"No one is allowed in the palace, miss," he said.

"I don't give a rat's ass! You're going to let me in now!" I screamed. The man grabbed my arm and began to drag me away.

"No! Let me go! I have to see Prince Zuko!" I didn't want to mention that I was also here to bust out Uncle Iroh considering I could be put in jail as well.

"We'll take her," a member of the Dai Li said as he and another member came from the palace. I was being tossed like a potato or something. One minute I was in the guard's hand and the next I was being taken by the Dai Li. But I didn't struggle; they were taking me exactly where I wanted to go. I picked up Natasha and let them lead the way.

We approached two huge doors that led to the throne room. One of the Dai Li went inside while the other stayed with me.

"Princess," I could hear him say.

"What?" she said, a little annoyed.

"There is a young girl here who wants to speak with you," the Dai Li agent said. That is so not true! I didn't want to see or speak with Azula! I wanted to avoid her at all costs.

"Fine, just let her in," she said. Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. At her words, I couldn't help but feel my heart race. The door began to open. The other Dai Li member led me inside.

Man, Azula sure was pissed to see me. I would pay serious money to see the look on her face again.

"You!" she yelled as she jumped out of her seat. I gave a small, sweet smile.

"Belle?" Zuko said in complete confusion. I looked his way.

"Zuko!" I exclaimed. I couldn't believe that I was happy to see him. He immediately got up and was about to walk towards me, but he stopped as Azula shot a glare towards him.

"What are you doing? She's the enemy!" Azula said, "Lock her up!"

"Aren't you even going to listen to what I have to say?" I asked. She sat back down in her throne, clutching the arm rests tightly. What she wouldn't give to see me dead.

"Zuko, although I don't agree with what you did...you're still my family...and family doesn't get left behind..." I said, Especially when I'm the one who gets left behind, "please...I don't want to be alone..."

"Oh please! You can't expect us to believe this bull shit!" Azula said.

"It's not lies! It's the truth!" I pleaded. I then turned to Zuko.

"Zuko, you believe me, don't you?" I asked. He looked at me for a moment and then nodded.

"Let her stay...we can trust her," Zuko said. Azula was about to protest but then she stopped, smiling menacingly. So the game was restarting so quickly.

It was nightfall and I had on a new dress. They probably stole it from some poor unfortunate soul in the palace. I slipped out of my room and made my way towards the cellar. I didn't know how I was going to get past the Dai Li but I had to try. As if by some miracle, there were no Dai Li. I searched the cellars. I finally came to a cellar and saw someone sitting in the shadows of the cell so I couldn't see who it was.

"Uncle Iroh?" I asked quietly. I was amazed at how small my voice sounded.

"Belle?" I heard Uncle Iroh say and I was relieved. I held on to the bars of the cellar door as I strained to see Uncle Iroh. I saw him sit up and walk to the cellar door.

"Uncle Iroh, I'm sorry," I cried. I was so happy to see him. I desperately wanted to rush in there and hold onto him tightly. I wished I could break him out now but I knew now wasn't the time.

"Belle, what are you doing here?" he asked.

"I came to rescue you," I said.

"But Belle, I told you to stay with your friends."

"I know but...I couldn't...I didn't want to lose you," I cried. I felt him put a hand on my shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere," he said reassuringly. I looked up and smiled, the tears still wet on my face. "Now you need to go before anyone sees you."

"I'll come back," I promised. I was reluctant to leave Uncle Iroh behind but I knew I had to. Just as I was leaving, I saw a few Dai Li coming. I didn't think they saw me.

Just as I was making my way to my room, I felt someone clasp their hand over my mouth. The next moment I was pulled into a room. I looked to see Zuko's amber eyes staring back at me and I felt a ping in my heart. He lifted his hand off of my mouth but he held onto my arms gently.

"Belle, what are you doing here?" he asked, clearly upset.

"I already told you," I whispered.

"No, I mean why are you really here."

"Fine, you want the truth?"

"Yes."

"I'm here to save Uncle Iroh."

"Belle, are you crazy? Do you have any idea what Azula would do to you if she found you snooping around in the cellar?" he said and he held onto me tighter, "And not just Azula, what about my father? He'll kill you Belle."

"But, he's your father; he wouldn't do that to me."

"Belle, you're from the Earth Kingdom. You're the enemy...that's why you have to leave. Come on. I'm taking you home." He then began to pull me towards the door. But I pulled my arm away.

"No. I'm not leaving Uncle Iroh and I'm not leaving you. I can take care of myself. I'm not a child."

"Belle..." Zuko said, still wanting me to leave. Our eyes met for a moment. My body began to heat up as he came closer to me. I looked away as he placed his hand on my cheek. For a moment, I thought my heart had stopped beating. I then looked back up at him as he gently brushed his lips against mine. My heart began to race wildly but at the same time it seemed to be beating slower than usual. When he let go of me, I placed my hand gently on his scar and I held my face close to his. Our noses gently touched each other and I could smell his sweet breath.

"I love you," I whispered softly.

"I love you too," he whispered back and he pressed his lips against mine again. He began to slowly send kisses down the side of my jaw. I continued to kiss him too as he laid me down gently on the bed. I wrapped my arms around his neck and my hands moved through his hair. A wave of emotions began to fill my body as he continued to kiss my neck. I was both happy but scared at the same time. My breathing suddenly became heavier when he kissed the very tip of my chest and continued to kiss it. I mimicked his movements and kissed his chest and neck as well. I felt Zuko as he began to remove the string around my dress. I kissed his cheek and held his head close to my face. He was beginning to open up my dress and his body moved closer to mine, giving off an intense amount of heat. His skin was very warm and I wondered if it had anything to do with firebending. Head still lightly touching my face, Zuko began to kiss my neck harder. I moaned slightly. I could smell the sweetness of his hair, continuing to run my fingers through it. Although it was wrong, I desperately wanted him to be mine.

He then slowly sat up and looked at me for a moment. I could feel that my cheeks were red and my breathing was very heavy. Beads of sweat covered his face from nervousness. He then got up and looked away from me.

"I can't..." he said, still not looking at me. I sat up and tied the string back up around my dress. I then placed a hand on his shoulder. He still didn't look up at me.

"Don't you see Belle? I'm not good enough for you. I don't deserve you...I...I don't want to hurt you anymore. You need to just...forget about me." I stared at him for a moment.

"Don't say that Zuko. Don't you dare say that," I said and he looked up at me, "I could never forget about you...I love you, besides you still love your father no matter what he did to you. And what you've done to me isn't nearly as bad." I then rested my head on his shoulder. "I know things seem bad Zuko, but it's going to get better. I know it will." I held onto to him tightly. We laid there in silence for a long time.

"...Zuko...are you angry at me for coming back?" I asked quietly. He wrapped his arms around me and pushed my hair back.

"...Yes," he said, "...but I'm also glad."