At sunrise the next day, Aiori was on the deck with Zuko and Iroh. Zuko was in his tunic and Aiori was in a red kimono. She figured that since she was going to live with Zuko in the Fire Nation, she needed to learn to like the color red. It would be a big adjustment, so to help, Zuko and Iroh convinced Aiori to learn the art of fire bending.

"First, you have to find your center. What fuels the fire is the inner soul and strength." Iroh instructed Aiori. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

"When I water bend, I have to find my balance with the water, so I'm a bit new to this." She informed them.

"Very logical," Iroh replied, "Take your time." She stood with her eyes closed for another moment.

"Okay, got it." Aiori said.

"Good, now imagine that power flowing through your veins and into the palm of your hands."

"Okay,"

"Now reach out in one quick and sharp movement with your hand and envision that power flying out from your hand." She stepped forward and did as he said, but nothing happened. She groaned. "It's okay, just keep trying. You'll get it eventually." She went on, throwing her hands out until she gave up.

"I can't do it!" she complained. "It's hopeless."

"Don't say that." Iroh told her with a hand on her shoulder and a cup of tea in the other. "It takes everyone time to learn how to bend."

"Maybe you need to practice moving fie before making it." Zuko finally spoke up from where he was standing. "That's how I learned." And he walked over to her. He made a flame in his fist and held it in front of her. "Now, call the fire to you." She looked at the fire and held out her hand, but the fire didn't move, only flicker. She sighed and threw her arms down to her sides.

"I give up!"

"That's not like you at all." Zuko told her, "You're normally more unrelenting." And he walked up behind her and reached his arms out in front of her so she could see them. He lit his flame again on both hands. "Now, I want you to try again. If you do it right, the fire will move into your hand and won't burn you." He spoke into her ear…actually giving her goose bumps.

"Burn me?" she asked, now unsure of what she was doing.

"Don't worry about it." He told her.

"Doubt will make you unable to do it." Iroh spoke up. She took a deep breath and put her hands next to Zuko's and concentrated on the flames moving, but there was still nothing.

"Maybe I was just meant to be a water bender." She suggested, "My father might have been able to bend fire, but perchance I didn't inherit the gene."

"You never know." Iroh replied. Zuko took her hands in his and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"You can do it, I know you can." He said. "You'll see."

"I can see something…and it's a little steamy." Iroh joked.

"When the time is right," Zuko stated.

"However, now it is time to prepare for Aiori's sixteenth birthday. Tomorrow is the big day, and I want you to be able to celebrate it as you would at home." Iroh commented as he stood up.

"Like a princess." Zuko whispered in her ear and she blushed, feeling her heart speed up.

"I'd like that." She said as she went to walk away. But he pulled her back and kissed her cheek. She smiled.

"What do you want for your birthday?" he asked her. She thought about it and bit her lower lip.

"I can't think of anything."

"Really?"

"Really, I'm happy with that I have."

"You're not helping me very much." He stated.

"I'm sorry, but I just never really wanted anything on my birthday, ever."

"Are you crazy?"

"No, just grateful for what I have." He chuckled and let her go and watched as she walked into the main part of the ship.

That night, Aiori tried to fire bend once more. It was late and the moon was full. She gave up again and began to meditate on the deck. She went into such a calm state that she didn't realize General Iroh walking up to her from behind. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and she opened her eyes. She turned and smiled at him and he apologized for interrupting her. He draped a blanket over her shoulders and walked with her back inside, making sure she got to bed. He didn't want her to be tired on her big day.