Aiori awoke the next morning with a headache and red swollen and burning eyes from crying. She just looked around the room, allowing her hair to fall in front of her face and impair her vision even more. Everything was puffy from the loss of tears. She sat up slowly and wiped her nose on her arm. She felt horrible from the inside out. She turned to the door and saw that there was a tray of food! She scooted over to it and looked at what was left for her. There were some noodles with some sauce and a cup of tea that was now cool. On the side was a passion fruit. Aiori picked up the fruit and bit into it, letting the juices run down her chin. It was very tender and luscious. After eating that, she left the rest and peered out the door. When she saw the coast was clear, she left her room and quietly entered the hallway. She closed the door behind her and turned to see Iroh who seemed to pop out of nowhere. "Ah, there you are." He said. "We have been waiting for you to appear."

"I'm sorry, I just needed some alone time." She bowed her head and looked away.

"I understand."

"Thank you for leaving me something to eat." She thanked him.

"Oh, I didn't, it was Prince Zuko." She looked up surprised.

"Zuko?"

"He felt sorry for saying what he did. And when you called him heartless," he stopped and chuckled, "He turned as pale as a kunta fish in the Sun." he laughed again. "It was most entertaining watching him pick at his food at supper and not do anything else. He is normally barking orders to everyone, but he was dead silent. I asked him what was wrong and he shrugged, and then brought you the tray of food, but you were fast asleep. So he just left it for you, went into his room and didn't come out. But he is on the deck of you wanted to talk to him." Aiori shook her head. "Very well, how about a nice hot cup of tea to chase away your troubles?" Aiori smiled and nodded and followed Iroh into the mess hall.

Soon after having tea, Aiori decided to help with the laundry. A crewman handed her a pile of Zuko's clothes and she walked with them to Zuko's room. She had her hands full, so she just put her ear to the door to listen if he was in there. When she didn't hear anything, she bumped open the door with her hip and entered, but she had the wrong notion and Zuko was in fact in the room. He was in a tunic, practicing some martial arts. She stood up taut and looked to her side when he stopped and his eyes landed on her. It was an awkward moment for the both of them. She wanted to look at him, and felt her attention being drawn to his bare arms. They looked so strong, as if he could easily hurt her and she should have been scared of him. But in reality she didn't fear him, unless he was uncontrollably mad. She felt her knees get weak as she looked back up at him. "Um…I am sorry." She said, "I didn't know you were in here. I have your clothes." And she set them down on a nearby desk and folded her hands in front of her. She went to walk out, but he articulated her unexpectedly.

"Aiori," he started, "About what I said to you yesterday…I did not mean it. It was wrong of me to critically remark your people. I made a horrible stereotype and I apologize."

She was silent with her back to him in the doorway, but then turned her head, "Really?" and he nodded.

"I know it wasn't the first time I offended you." He stated and she sighed.

"And it probably won't be the last." And with that she left. But she stopped and looked back in to say something, "Oh, it's music night. Your uncle wanted to know if you were planning on attending."

"Maybe I will." And she walked away with a nod.

That night, the entire crew was on the deck laughing, singing and playing instruments! But Zuko remained in his room. He was writing in his personal memoir, and could hear the music and cheer. He couldn't concentrate on what he was writing, and soon decided just to go down to check it out. He approached the deck and saw people smiling and enjoying themselves. His uncle was clapping his hands delightfully to something as he tapped one foot to the beat. Other men merrily played their instruments. He couldn't see past the people and walked in closer to appear over the circle they formed. He saw Aiori in the middle of the circle, dancing around happily, kicking her feet out, spinning and fiddling with her dress. Her hair was out and she simply flaunted it out of her way. She looked happy…she looked beautiful. Zuko stepped in front of the other men and watched as she continued. There was a strong beat from some drums and a precious melody from flutes and chimes. Aiori began to skip and laugh. A man pushed up a box and she jumped on it and danced up there. She ended with a bow and the men clapped, even Zuko.