Disclaimer: I regret to inform you, I do not own Avatar.

Author's Note: This is going to be a little off track. Please forgive me now. In some parts it's going to be very mushy romance. You'll see a whole new side to Prince Zuko. Italics are flashbacks and bold is thoughts.

Kindling a hidden flame

"Your Highness! This is insane! How can you banish your own son? He's the only heir to the throne. If you die, no one will be there and the Fire Nation will fall to pieces!" A young princess protested to the Fire Lord.

The flames infront of the Fire Lord flared up and his voice shook through the room. "You DARE to speak out against me! I see why you are like my son. Neither of you know when to keep your mouth closed. If you desire to be with him then I banish you as well. You are to stay with Zuko until he regains his honor and returns to home. You are only allowed back to this place if Zuko is as well."

The young princess gasped and stepped back. She looked all around the room for someone to stand up for her. She looked at her parents and saw their eyes downcast. They were going to let her be banished and not say a word. She glared at them then back at the Fire Lord. She quickly turned and left the room. Once out of sight from anyone, She broke out in tears and ran to her home. She rushed up to her room and packed her belongings. She walked from one side of the room to the other, over and over. She gathered all the things she needed and threw them in two large bags. She stared down at the bags and grew even more angry. Her fists burned and she slammed them down on her bed, falling on her knees. She mumbled to herself. "Banished? Me?How could he be so mean to his son and I?"

"He's the Fire Lord. He can act however he likes. I should know. I was foolish to ask for mercy from him. I knew he would never grant it." A voice called from the doorway.

The young girl turned to see Prince Zuko. He had a bandage around his left eye and his hair was pulled back in a ight ponytail. He had an angered expression on his face but in his eyes was hurt and sorrow. Without another word, Zuko left the girl alone in an empty silence that sent chills through her body.

Lamura sat up with a jolt. She put a hand over her heart and took in a deep breath. She looked around the room in a hurry. She saw the iron walls and cold floor. She instantly remembered where she was. She was on a ship with Prince Zuko and his uncle Iroh. She had been banished along with Prince Zuko for speaking out against the Fire Lord. She let out a deep sigh and got out of her bed. She could see the sun from her window. She quickly dressed and left her room.

She walked out on the deck of the ship. She had on a long dark red dress with white flowers embroidered on it. She had her long black hair trailing behind her. It went to the back of her knees. Over her hair she had a white satin cloth. The cloth was secured on her head with a small golden headband. Her dark blue eyes gazed out at the water infront of her. She walked to the front of the ship and watched as the waves hit the front of the ship. She sighed and lowered her head. She loved to spend time away from home but she missed her home, her bed, her parents.

"Tired of being on the sea, Little Lamura?" Zuko's uncle, Iroh, said from behind her.

She turned and smiled. She loved Iroh. He was like a father to her. "Yes. Being at sea is alright but after so long, I begin to miss land. Do you think there will be any chance of stopping soon?"

Iroh smiled and moved closer to her. "There is no way to determine when we will land but I'm thinking of making up an excuse to get off this boat. My nephew has been too worked up lately. I think we all need a break. Please try to help him relax. I have seen how, on some rare occasions, he relaxes when he's around you. He is in his meditation room."

Lamura saw his mischievious smile and smiled as well. "You think he relaxes when I am near?"

"Yes. I have seen it in his eyes. He talks about you sometimes as well. Besides...," Iroh tilted Lamura's chin up slightly and smiled. He then led her towards the meditation room."He can't help but be happy when such a beauty is around."

Lamura opened her mouth to say something but Iroh opened the door and shoved her inside, slamming the door behind her. She looked back at the door with wide eyes. She considered walking right back out of the room when a voice stopped her. "Uncle, I don't wish to hear any news about our position. I just want to relax. Please, come back later."

She closed her eyes and smiled. She stepped closer to him. "I don't know our posistion. I was just pushed in here to help you relax."

Zuko quickly turned around and saw his former-betrothed infront of him. He was wearing normal red training pants and a simple red vest. He was amazed by her beauty. He turned and sat facing her. He motioned for her to sit infront of him. Watching her move towards him made him smile inside."Did my uncle send you in here?"

Lamura sat infront of him and rested her hands on her lap. She smiled when he asked about his uncle. "Yes. He asked me to help you relax and get your mind off of your troubles." She scooted closer to him, their knees almost touching. Her cheeks turned a light pink color. She bowed her head so he could not see her blush.Then she whispered so he could barely hear her. "Is there anything I can do to help you relax, Prince Zuko?"

Zuko watched as his dear friend bowed her head and spoke with such formalities. When he was around her, he didn't want to be 'Prince' Zuko. He just wanted to be Zuko or any of the funny names she gave him. They had had few times when they were completely alone and they could be free and open with one another. Although he was a banished prince, he was still a prince and treated people the way he was taught to treat them. "Well, you could stop with the formalities and call me Zuko. We're alone and I want you to be comfertable with me. Please, come a little closer."

Lamura blushed a little more and she scooted just a little closer. Their knees touched and Zuko smiled. He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. He turned her and pulled her close so her back was against his chest. This was one of the very rare really romantic moments. She looked over her shoulder at Zuko. She saw his smile and gladly gave him a smile of her own. She leaned into his embrace and put her hands over his. She took one of his hands and lifted it up to her lips. Kissing his hand, she let it fall back to it's place around her waist."I'm very glad we get times like these. It makes me feels so happy but why are you so open? You've never been this open in a while." She moved from his embrace and sat infront of him. She leaned forward, placing her hands on his knees. She spoke with joking sarcasm. "Are you seasick, my dear prince?"

Zuko laughed and leaned closer to her. Their faces were inches apart. "No. I never get seasick." Zuko leaned even closer. He was close enough to feel Lamura's breath on his lips. Pausing just a moment, he took in the scent of peaches. He closed his eyes as the aroma filled his lungs. "You smell like peaches."

Lamura smiled and watched Zuko's cheeks turn a noticable red. She moved her hands up his legs and took his hands in hers. "Is that a bad thing, dear Zuko? Shall I get something to take away the smell?" She slowly started to get to her feet, wondering if Zuko would stop her. Zuko did exactly what she thought he would. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back down, setting her on his lap. He held her close and smiled. He rested his head on her shoulder and kissed her collarbone.

"You can't leave and I don't want you to get rid of that wonderful scent. I love peaches." He held her around her waist. He loved being close to her. He loved being able to hold her and love her. "Sometimes, I'm glad we were banished because at home, we would never be able to show this much emotion. Don't you agree?"

Lamura smiled and wrapped her arms around him. She rubbed his back lightly and kissed his shoulder. "Yes.Sometimes I'm also glad we got banished together. We can be together so much more and be ourselves but sometimes, I get homesick and wish I could see my parents."

Zuko pulled back and looked at her with sorrowful eyes. "You have a portrait of them don't you?" He placed his hands on her shoulders and gave them a little rub.

Lamura nodded and looked down. "Yes but sometimes that can't satisfy as much as really being with them. I'm glad to be with you but I miss myparents. I'm still a little mad that they didn't stand up for me when I was banished but I can kind of understand. They wanted to stay where they knew they could be happy. If they went somewhere outside the fire nation, people would run from them and that would only anger them."

Zuko frowned and tilted her chin up. He gazed deeply into her eyes. He loved her eyes. they were so beautiful. He leaned close and slowly closed his eyes.

Lamura saw this and smiled. She also leaned closer, their lips inching closer with every passing moment. They were just centimeters apart. They could feel eachother's breath on their lips. They could practicaly taste the other person's lips. Then, the ship shook and tossed the two across the room. Lamura landed against the wall and Zuko hit a table. They both sat up and looked at eachother. "What was that?"

Zuko jumped to his feet and stormed towards the door. "I don't know but I'm about to find out." He flung the door open and stormed towards the deck. Lamura quickly followed, angered because their romantic moment had been ruined. When they got to the deck, the found the soliders walking off the ship. Wait...Walking off the ship! They were supposed to be sailing. They looked to the side and saw a village and the ship was docked. Iroh saw the two and motioned them over. Zuko stormed over angered because his orders had been disobeyed and Lamura stormed over as well,waiting to hear a good reason for why they had been interuppted. Zuko spoke first. "Uncle! Why have we stopped? Why are we not still at sea?"

"Who gave the order to dock? This is against Zuko's commands." Lamura spoke with the same fury Zuko did. They had the same temper.

Uncle Iroh smiled and looked at them calmly. "I gave the order. I have stopped to get something very important."

"And what is that so important thing?"

"I have lost a lotus tile for my game."Iroh answered simply.

Lamura's and Zuko's eyes grew wide. "WHAT!"