"So we've really been invited to serve tea at the palace to the king? That's incredible! And on your second day of all things. Looks like all our bad luck before is finally balancing itself out." I beamed as I let my hair down from the rather complicated hairstyle it had been made into for the show. "That's amazing, you must be so happy Uncle Iroh."

"Yes, I am very excited. I still cannot quite decide on which tea set to use. What do you think little Kayo?" He asked me as he poured tea for the three of us, the table set with all the food we'd ordered from our favourite restaurants and brought home, including an abundant array of sweets and desserts so that we could have our own private celebration at home.

"I think the blue and white porcelain would be a good choice. It's simple, elegant and tasteful. Either that or the gold jewelled teapot with the matching set, since it is the king after all, but if you want to go traditional, then there's always…" I listed off a few which would be a good choice before we narrowed it down to three, unable to make any further decision so we decided to make the final choice tomorrow. We enjoyed a hearty meal together, all of us talking about our favourite parts of the day as well as Zuko and Iroh telling me which parts of the dance routine they liked the most.

We were happy, all three of us together and after everything had been eaten, Zuko and I washed up whilst Iroh had already gone to bed since it was so late, snoring away in his room so with a giggle I closed his door before returning, muting the noise. "Some day huh?"

"Yeah, it's been kind of crazy." Zuko agreed, helping me to tidy up before it was all done. I took a moment to open a window, wanting some fresh air before heading to bed and admired the stars for a little while. "Kayo?" Hearing Zuko call for me, I opened my eyes from where I'd been enjoying the cool breeze and turned to see him holding out a potted flower towards me. "Congratulations on your debut."

"Zuko…" I choked up at his gesture, looking at the beautiful orchid which was only just budding. "Did your uncle put you up to this?"

"Well, it was his idea. He said that it was traditional to congratulate someone on a performance with a bunch of flowers, but I thought this would last longer than cut ones." He admitted a little shyly, his ears turning pink as he rubbed the back of his head. His hair had gotten much longer, it suited him way better than how he used to have it.

"This is…it's beautiful Zuko. Thank you."

"You're beautiful." I was so glad I hadn't actually yet taken the flowerpot from him because if I'd been holding it just then, I would have dropped it. Looking at him in surprise, Zuko had this kind of weird expression on his face. It was all soft and tender, warm and inviting which was unusual for him. Well, not so much since this morning, I was still adjusting to the new Zuko. "You're beautiful Kayo."

"Um…thank you?" Uncertain of how to respond, I blushed at his words as my pulse began to dance a little, happy to hear him say such a thing. He really things I'm pretty? Wow, I didn't realise how much that would actually matter to me. I'm glad he thinks I'm beautiful. "What's brought all this on? You're like a totally different person Zuko." I said to him as I finally took the flower and walked over to my room in order to put it somewhere safe, finding the perfect spot by the window before I then pulled some water from a pitcher and watered it lightly, carefully controlling the water so that it didn't gush and ruin the plant.

"If I'm a different person, then it's because you've helped me realise a lot of things. You and my uncle." Zuko said as he followed me, watching my every movement which made me severely self-conscious of myself, blushing deeply.

"You're exaggerating, I didn't do anything really, except maybe cause trouble for both you and your uncle from time to time and annoy you almost to the point of wanting to murder me, and there's also that time…" When Zuko's hand came to rest upon my shoulder, I stopped talking, slowly turning as he guided me around. The moon must have come out from behind the clouds at that moment as my room was suddenly flooded with moonlight, bright silvery white rays surrounding us as it lit up his features.

"No, I owe you a lot Kayo. You've made me realise that there's more to life than just following what everyone expects from you. You're so free spirited, you don't let anybody hold you back or weigh you down. You've followed your own decisions and dreams without ever faltering, I admire that about you." He must have eaten some dodgy shrimp or something, because this wasn't at all like the Zuko I knew. Being mushy and talkative like this just wasn't his style, but I had to admit that I kind of liked it. Hearing these words from him made me feel good, I couldn't help but want to hear more.

"I though you said I was lazy and too carefree for my own good." I teased lightly, making him smile slightly as he started to play with my hair.

"That was a long time ago, I don't think that anymore." Well, that was something at least. "Kayo…you being here means…everything to me. I'm glad you stayed."

"Me too." I admitted, our voices soft and quiet as our breath mingled between us since we were standing so close together. I could see every detail on his moonlit face, the golden hue of his iris and the gentle sweep of his brow, the uplifted curl of his mouth and all at once, it hit me just how handsome Zuko was. It wasn't the first time I'd thought that, but this was the first time I actually paid real attention to him, and rather than seeing him as just some grouchy kid around my age, I saw him in a different light. I saw him as a guy who was almost a man, and that was a little scary.

"Kayo…" His voice was so light it felt like a gentle brush against my ears, like a feather.

"Yes?"

"Can I kiss you?" I gulped, feeling an unexpected thrill shoot through my entire body, and when I realised that there was nothing telling me no, I felt another thrill of exhilaration and anticipation as I breathed.

"Yes." Softening further towards me, Zuko leaned in close so that our faces were almost touching, pausing a moment at my lips to give me one last chance to back out before he gently touched his lips against mine. They were moist and warm, tenderly brushing against my own as his arms moved to encircle me, pressing against my back as I held my breath. Zuko moved slowly, seemingly unsure of himself until he found his confidence and kissed me a little more firmly as I just enjoyed the experience.

Never in a million years would I have ever thought that one day, I would be kissing the Prince of the Fire Nation, yet here I was. My hands had naturally risen to grip onto the back of his shirt, feeling pulses of pleasure at the sweet sensations rippled through me until Zuko pulled his head back, both of us keeping our eyes closed for a few moments to savour the after sensations, breath slightly scarce as we both then looked at each other. Oh crap, what do I do now? Should I say something? I did not think this through, and I don't think Zuko did either because now he was blushing as heavily as I was and he quickly pulled back and turned his head away awkwardly, clearing his throat. "Well…goodnight then. I'll…see you in the morning."

"Uh…yeah. Sure. Goodnight." Dumbly waving at him as he left my room, I turned around in a daze then fell face first onto my bed into the pillows, staring blankly into the darkness the pillows gave me before I grabbed hold of one and squealed, using it to muffle the sound. I wriggled and kicked my legs excitedly, unable to help but laugh and giggle. I can't believe Zuko just kissed me, and I let him. What the heck is wrong with me? I mean, we were just friends right? Maybe he got caught up in the moment, maybe he's developed feelings for me. I don't know what was, but I had this bubble of happiness inside me and I did not want it to go away.

Whatever was going through that cute head of his, I'd find out sooner or later, but for now I'll just lay here and enjoy the memory all to myself, giggling like a total girl over the fact that I'd just been kissed by a boy.