Asahi was waiting at their usual training spot and watched as the sun was rising on the horizon, tinting the Fire Palace in a gentle golden light. Pyro was at her side; he never missed on of their sessions and was always eager to do his best in the "dance" form that Asahi was teaching him and Zuko. She furrowed her eyebrows as she saw Zuko running towards them and stopping in front of them, slightly out of breath.

"You're late." She commented and noted that she hadn't had to tell him that in a while.

"I'm sorry." He answered, submitting unusually fast to her stern voice. "It got a bit late last night." He sighed. Ashai squinted her eyes, trying to stop herself from imagining just what had kept him awake for so long that he would oversleep.

"Well, if you know, then it's good." She said, trying to make her voice sound nonchalant. "But you better be on time tomorrow." She warned him in a sharper tone. She hated this gnawing feeling of jealousy that stubbornly spread in her heart; she wasn't used to the enormous amount of emotions that she was being confronted with since she'd met Zuko.

They started their practiced, but Ashai intervened after a short time.

"You're completely out of synch." She said. "Try to work with me here." She put her hands on her side and looked at him angrily.

"What?" Zuko looked offended. "You're the one who's going much faster than usually today! And I told you I'm tired." He tried to defend himself, sadly accomplishing just the opposite, as Asahi felt a new wave of anger rushing through her body. May's face flashed in front of her eyes.

"Tiredness is no excuse!" She scolded him loudly. "Especially if it comes from a long date-night!" Her chest heaved heavily as she turned away from him.

"What?!" Zuko grabbed her shoulder, pushing his fingers painfully into her flesh. "That wasn't a date night!" He said. She turned to face him again, her eyes close to slits now.

"Oh, yeah, like it's not romantic with wine and candles and all!" She spit at him. She knew she was unreasonable; it didn't matter what type of occasion had made him stay up too long, but still…

"How do you know all that?" Now it was Zuko's turn to grow angry. "You weren't even there!"

"I have my sources!" Suki had told her when they'd accidentally met in the hallway.

"Damn that Suki!" Zuko cursed under his breath. "But anyway, why did you leave so quickly anyway?" He asked her and tightened his grip on her shoulder. "I didn't ask you to!"

"I thought I should let old lovers spend their time solely in their own company." She pressed through her teeth.

"We're not lovers anymore! And what does it concern you what I do with May anyway?! You're being stupid!" He told her forcefully. Asahi's vision was suddenly tinted in red.

"I'm what?!" How dare he? "I'll tell you something you stubborn, rough, uncommunicative blockhead, I-!" But her vicious rant was interrupted by Pyro, who built himself up between the two of them.

Don't fight! He pleaded. Why are you fighting?!

His eyes were big, he looked anxious and Asahi felt aa sudden twinge in her heart.

"Pyro…" She began, trying to explain the inexplicable.

"Is this the wrong moment to tell you that I have some requests in my father's name?"

Asahi whirled around just to find May standing at the edge of their training grounds. She was graceful as ever, her hair carefully arranged and draped in proper Fire Nation clothing. She looked absolutely stunning in the morning sunlight; Asahi despised her.

Pyro approached May swiftly, eyeing her suspiciously.

Who are you, little human? He asked her; obviously, she didn't hear hm.

…

Zuko stared at his Dragon studying May and wondered about the weirdness of the situation. Here he had been, in a major fight with Asahi, about to find out where all her strange anger might have come from when, yet again, May had interrupted. Of course he didn't blame her, May had never been of the sensitive kind, but still, he wondered at her "perfect" timing.

"Oh, no, you're just on time." Asahi, beside him, told her. Her voice was cool and somewhat higher than usual.

May didn't pay her any attention; she was fully focused on the Dragon growling in front of her.

"Pyro." He said, careful not to address the Dragon's question too obviously. "Leave her alone, she's a friend."

Pyro shot him a concerned look, but backed away from May, who then carefully straightened out her still perfect dress.

"As I was saying…" She began, not before shooting Pyro another suspicious glance. "My father has some requests and was wondering whether you'd be able to fulfill them?" She looked at Zuko expectantly.

"May, I don't know if this is the right moment…" He began. He didn't want to shoot her off immediately, but he did care for his training time with Asahi; especially since they obviously had some things to discuss about.

…

Not the right moment? Asahi could barely keep herself from laughing out loud. Not the right moment! Zuko was indeed the most insensitive bloke she'd ever met. To relieve his conscience, she stepped towards May.

"Oh, don't worry." She said, fists clenched behind her back. "We were about to finish anyway." She turned to Zuko and shot him a bright smile.

"Asahi…" He began, probably trying to find some sort of excuse to stay with May.

"Oh, don't worry Zuko, go and talk about such important matters." She turned away from him and raised her hand in a wave. "You are the Firelord, after all." She then walked off with dignity, or at least she hoped she did and, once again, left Zuko in May's care. The only difference, and that somewhat helped her stay considerably calm, was that Pyro was watching over Zuko, making sure that he wouldn't do anything stupid.

…

Zuko rubbed his temples as he watched Asahi leave. A slow headache crept up his spine. He sighed, then turned towards May. His ex-girlfriend seemed oddly gleeful, smiling slightly when he focused his attention on her.

"My, she's quite a willful one, isn't she?" She commented which made Zuko quite angry.

"She has a fire in her soul." He explained, as calmly as possible.

You better tell her to cease insulting Asa-mama, or I'll have to rip her head off. Pyro told him in a dangerous tone, while he kept his eyes locked on May.

"Be a bit kinder." He told him. "I told you May's a friend."

"You can talk to him?" May asked, her face now genuinely glowing in wonder.

"Yes. So does Asahi. And I am to tell you that, if you insult her again, Pyro might rip your head off." He said and couldn't stop a small smirk when May's eyes filled with fear. "So, what did your father want?"