"Happy Birthday!" General Iroh shouted, waking Aiori up abruptly! She rubbed her eyes and looked around and then up at him. He laughed and pat her head like he always did.

"Iroh, you startled me."

"Well what are you doing sleeping in on your special day? Get up! We are going to have a marvelous day!" he said and he left, allowing her to get dressed. She put on her white kimono that went down just above her knees and exposed some of her chest and a pair of sandals. After brushing her hair, she ran up into the mess hall where everyone cheered "Happy Birthday Aiori!" making her giggled. She sat down at the head of the table and Zuko took a seat next to her. They had a special breakfast; it was a bit fancier than the others and drank juice instead of water.

After breakfast, the crew brought Aiori out to the deck and she sat down in Iroh's chair. One by one, members of the crew gave her their gifts. She received gold necklaces and earrings, gold and jewel rings, hair sticks with diamonds on them, more shoes and even more special trinkets. Iroh gave her a very special gift, it was a handcrafted sword. "This was made by a blacksmith you had been working all his life. It took him two years to make this sword, and it's built to last forever. He made the designs by hand. Since you've proven yourself to be such a strong warrior, I figured it would mean importance." He said. Aiori smiled and took it out of the case with one quick movement and held it in front of her face. It was beautiful! She could see her own reflection in it, and on the blade a dragon was engraved. The handle was a dragon with its wings extended out, and there were red crystals for the eyes! Aiori did a quick trick with it, spinning it and waving it, showing off what she had, and then put it back in the case. She hugged Iroh with full meaning.

"Thank you so much, Iroh! I will treasure it always." She said.

"Don't taint it, put it to some good use too!" he said and she giggled. Then Zuko stepped up. He had a chest in his arms and he held it out to her.

"Happy birthday Aiori." He said and she took it from him. It was a pretty chest with red and gold rims and a big gold vantage point in the shape of a brimming sunset. She opened it slowly and gasped at what she saw.

Inside was velvet lining that protected a precious choker with red gems and diamonds aligned by gold. Next to the choker was a matching bracelet. And above all that was a tiara! It was small and bullion, like everything else, and it looked so delicate. On the tips were more gems and small gold chains dangled off the sides. It was the most strikingly beautiful thing she had ever seen!

"Zuko," she started, "Where did you get this?"

"It was my mother's." he said. She looked up at him with a twinkle in her eyes.

"What?"

"My father gave the tiara to her when she took her place next to him." He explained, "It dignified that she was going to be the queen of the Fire Nation. I wouldn't trust anybody else with it." He said and he reached in and took out the tiara. "You were royalty when I took you away, and I hope you get to stay that way when we get back home." And he placed it gently on her head. She smiled and put the chest down to hug him. It was a heart warming moment, and everybody smiled.

"Well what are we waiting for? Strike up the band my good man!" Iroh called out and music began to play.

That night was a magical night. Everybody looked up to watch the night lights dance across the night sky next to the full moon. Everyone was peaceful and quiet and watched in awe. It was so beautiful and magical! Iroh watched while sipping tea and Aiori watched from the front of the ship in the comfort of Zuko's arms. He had them around her waist and they both faced out with smiled on their faces. To Aiori, the day seemed so familiar, and yet it didn't. It was her birthday, a day she knew well, but she wasn't celebrating it with her family and friends, but with a crew of men on a ship of fire benders, and in the arms of a banished prince. But it seemed very romantic to her. She felt the warmth of his body and turned to face him.

"Don't you want to look at the night lights?" he asked her. She shook her head.

"I want to look at you." She simply replied. "Well, not just look." She finished and leaned in, kissing him tenderly on his lips.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"For making this the most memorable birthday I have ever- and probably will ever have."

"Anything for you." He said, and she saw him blushing. But it was normal; he wasn't use to expressing himself.

"There's only one more thing I would like." She said with a sly grin.

"Of course." He said and he leaned in and they began to kiss repetitively. This went on for some time, letting their lips lock and even letting their tongues explore each other's mouths. It was almost sensual, and it left them in a trance. But Iroh walked over and stopped them.

"You know Prince Zuko, I'm sure everyone else would like to see the birthday girl without you hogging her all to yourself." He said and Aiori just burst out into a fit of laughter as Prince Zuko just blushed.