((Thanks for commenting, everyone. To answer your question, EyeoftheTigerKissoftheDragon, the answer it yes. He is now truely starting to become one. But no too quickly. Just to give a heads up, Zuko is at the age where his hormones should already be kicked in. But being in a ship with just his crew made his hormones just stand still. So of course, when he meets Ciara, they are on the move. So yay hormones.))

Chapter 9: The Burning Library

Ciara stared at the thin strip of land before her, there it is. The border of the Fire Kingdom. She could faintly see small dots crossing to and fro before the border, "Ships."

Ciara sighed, knowing that they won't let them pass with ease, for she just realized last night that Zuko was a banished prince.

Zuko sighed wearily, as he looked at Ciara who was focused on the piece of crummy land ahead. He turned around to go to his room, when he bumped into his uncle, "Sorry Uncle." Zuko raised an eyebrow and asked sternly, "And what are you smiling at?" His uncle just grinned, "Ah, Prince Zuko, your hopeless life makes me smile."

Zuko stared at his uncle in anger, before he turned around and leaned against the railing, "Thanks, uncle. I feel enlightened now." Iroh laughed softly and stood beside Zuko, looking out at the endless blue of water. "So, have you told her?" Uncle Iroh asked softly, being careful not to be overheard.

Zuko sighed, forgetting he was talking to his uncle, "No…not yet." Zuko froze, realizing he was talking to his crazy uncle, he sighed in disbelief. Iroh smiled and patted his shoulder gently, "I'll handle it, Prince Zuko. For this old fox still has his mojo." Zuko turned his head toward his uncle, and raised an eyebrow, "Mojo? Are you really that crazy?" Iroh looked to his left and right, making sure no one was around to hear, "Crazy like a fox. Now go and relax, you work yourself to hard…have some tea."

Zuko groaned and straightened up, tea…I swear it kills people's brains. I even have proof, look at my poor uncle who thinks he's a fox. Zuko shook his head and walked off toward his room, glad that he could finally be able to rest for once in his life.

Iroh turned to still see Ciara looking at the border of the Fire Kingdom; he nodded to himself and strolled casually toward her. "Ciara, why so quite?" he asked, standing beside her with his hands clasped behind his back. Ciara continued to look before her, "So many memories….and they were all horrible." Iroh frowned slightly before asking, "How so?"

Ciara watched the water hit the ship's stern gently, "It is forbidden for a priest or a priestess to bear any children or be bound to another. I was born from a priestess, being raised and taught in the temple in secret. When I was eight, I was playing in the library, for it has been abandoned. I heard footsteps and became silent, but only to see that is was my mother checking up on me. I dashed toward, but paused seeing the shadows of another coming toward her. Fire filled the library, followed by angry shouts from the priest who saw her with me. He called her a 'traitor' saying she will face Lord Ozai's wrath. My mother whispered softly to me, 'Run. Run and never look back.' So I did. I dashed by the priest, and made my way to the dock, where I snuck into a ship. Ever since then, I was forced to steal, then I improved my ranks…."

Iroh nodded solemnly, "Yes, but I heard from my nephew you are a talented firebender." Ciara smiled, looking at Iroh, "I'll have to thank him for such a flattering comment." Iroh nodded, his plan coming into motion, I can't wait to see Zuko's face when he finds out that I helped him with his love life. Yep, this fox still has game.