Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Avatar characters. Thanks for reading this story, by the way!

Dinner was uneventful. Kumiko sat next to Prince Zuko, looking at her lap the entire time. Lord Iroh sat across from her, grinning at her every time he caught her eye. Kumiko hardly ate anything, her stomach clenching every time Zuko spoke. She couldn't forget his warm hand, the way he looked in her eyes….

Stop it! She mentally slapped herself. She was being ridiculous. He was the enemy. She couldn't be falling for this bratty, egotistic, infuriating prince. She smiled silently and listened to the talk around her. Insults made her feel better.

"Kumiko, would you like some more tea?" Iroh asked. She shook her head, her smile melting away from her face.

"I-I think I'll just go to bed. I'm n-not feeling at all well." Kumiko stood up slowly. She really wasn't lying, her head was swimming. The talk and laughter quieted and she left, walking with a hand on her forehead. Kumiko wandered through the hallways of the ship, trying to remember the way back to her room. She stumbled and fell, hitting her elbow on the metal wall of the ship and banging her head on the ground. She sat up, rubbing her head. Making sure no one had heard her she got up again, placing one hand on the wall to guide herself. When she finally reached the small room, Kumiko lay down on the blankets serving as her bed. Her head was throbbing painfully now so she closed her eyes. A few minutes later, she was sleeping peacefully.

………………………..

Waking up early the next morning, Kumiko was surprised to discover that her door was open. Cautiously, she pulled the blankets off and stood up. Her forehead was still tender and her head was aching but she could hear her stomach rumbling. Gingerly, she picked her way through the intricate hallways, smelling something cooking in the kitchen. She followed her nose and eventually wound up in that very place. The cook saw her and heartily gave her some breakfast; vegetables and rice. She ate it quickly, thanked the rotund man and made her way out on deck.

She found it was still fairly dark, the sun only just peeking out over the horizon. She suddenly heard several loud noises coming from the other side of the deck and curiously made her way over there. Hiding in the shadows she could see the Fire Prince at work, his uncle watching intently.

"Again, Prince Zuko. This time, try to take deeper breaths." Lord Iroh yelled as the prince finished a series of punches and kicks, fire blasting from his fists. Prince Zuko nodded slightly and went into his routine, faster and more furious than before. Kumiko was stunned. He was so graceful, his movements fluid and quick. It was like watching a dance.

When he had finished, Iroh applauded and Kumiko had to resist the urge to also. The prince smiled slightly.

"What are the next forms?" He asked his uncle. Iroh sighed.

"Can't it wait until tomorrow?" He asked, standing. Zuko grew irritated.

"I think it would be better if I learned them now." He said, putting emphasis on the last word. Iroh only sighed.

Kumiko then watched in growing fascination as the old man got up and preformed a complicated looking move. Even Prince Zuko was stunned. Brow furrowing in frustration, the prince tried in vain to copy the move Lord Iroh had preformed. As he seemed about ready to explode in anger, a soldier walked up to them.

"What!" The prince snorted heatedly, flames erupting from his fists. The soldier bowed, looking not a little frightened.

"We're approaching the next town, sir." He said hesitantly. Kumiko gasped loudly and immediately regretted it. The trio turned to look at her, surprised. The prince was furious.

"How did you get out?" He yelled, storming towards her. Kumiko backed away as Lord Iroh stood and nodded to the soldier.

"Prince Zuko, I unlocked her door. Besides, we'll drop her off as soon as we land." He said calmly. The prince huffed.

"Thank the gods." He muttered and walked away. Iroh turned towards Kumiko and smiled. "If that's alright with you." Kumiko laughed nervously.

"Of course."

Iroh smiled wider and sighed, watching the prince firebend.

"I'm sorry it won't be in your village. I'm afraid that Prince Zuko would have you thrown overboard if we even suggested turning around to take you back." Kumiko nodded, her stomach fluttering. She really couldn't wait to get off this boat. Iroh walked back over to Zuko and began to show him how to execute the new move. Kumiko walked back over to the other side of the boat and stared out towards the ocean. Far away, she could see the faint outline of the Earth Kingdom. She sighed. She had only been on the boat two days and already she missed her home. It would take her another four days before she was actually back in her village. What would she tell her friends? That she had been captured by the Fire Prince, about how she had been locked up in a prison, about Lord Iroh and his love of tea, and about Prince Zuko, how he had danced with her. She shivered in the cool breeze. Unusual how much things can change.

………………………..

They arrived at the port a few hours later. Lord Iroh had gotten enough tea to last for several weeks and Kumiko was happily on her way home. The only person who wasn't pleased was Prince Zuko but then again, could he ever be?

"Lord Iroh, I want to thank you for being so…nice to me." Kumiko said, bowing her head. Iroh nodded and smiled while making sure that the tea was safely on board.

"My pleasure." He said. Kumiko turned to the prince who rolled his eyes. Kumiko raised an eyebrow.

"Prince Zuko," she said, bowing low to the ground. "The next time you grant us the honor of visiting the Earth Kingdom, you should come to the village again." Prince Zuko grimaced and Kumiko smiled slyly. Lowering her voice, she whispered quietly, "Maybe then you and I could once again dance to another song. I'll be looking forward to it." Zuko looked down in disgust.

"As will I." He smirked, a twisted smile on his face. Kumiko nodded, her smile growing.

"I'll keep that in mind, my prince. Have a nice time trying to find the Avatar. You'll have no luck wish from your dear peasant friend." She said primly and leaped away as the prince tried to fry her. Iroh held him back with one hand.

"Careful Prince Zuko, you'll burn my tea!" He cried desperately.

"That…did you hear…I'll get her for that!" He struggled feebly. But Kumiko was already gone, vanished into the crowd. The prince stood, breathing deeply. Wench! That little snake tongued worm! Fiendish little child! He thought, crossing his arms and glaring at the spot she had gone from. Iroh let go of his shoulder and looked at his young nephew. He smiled coyly and nudged Prince Zuko gently in side.

"You danced with that young girl?" He asked smiling slightly. Price Zuko turned and looked at his uncle slowly. If looks could kill, Iroh would have been a dead man. Zuko was silently fuming, trying to ignore his uncle, now laughing audibly.

"Uncle!" He yelled.