8---

Suki was an impatient person; anyone on Kyoshi could have told you that. Now, as she sat waiting near the docks, her patience ran out. It was only her strong emotions that kept her glued to the spot.

She didn't have to wait too long, for after a few minutes she heard a soft whizzing and splashes coming from the bay. She turned to look and saw a large flat rock skipping off the waves. Perched atop was a lone figure.

She smiled, "Ohh you show off."

Mikado sped all the way up to shore and his transportation turned to sand and blended with the beach in a fluid motion, he stepped off and bowed to the waiting woman.

"It's about time you…" she mocked, but was silenced by him holding up his hand.

"Please, follow me." He looked up and stared into her eyes.

She couldn't manage a response as she stared into his luminescent green eyes. She nodded and he took her hand.

He led her through a twist of trees on a small path that was grown over a bit by the local vegetation. His pace was not fast, but it did have determination to it.

Suki was just about to wonder where they were going when they stepped out onto a small clearing. He let go of her hand and stood at the edge of the clearing, which was a hundred foot straight drop into the ocean.

Her eyebrow went up as she followed and stood beside him. "Well? What is it?" she crossed her arms and tried to act tough. Her voice faltered and she knew he could see right through her façade.

"Just watch," he gestured to the calm ocean waters.

At that moment the sun set behind the distant mountains on the mainland, and as soon as it passed behind the horizon, Suki's mouth dropped open.

The whales were still there, as Mikado had hoped, and when darkness finally fell, their mating lights shone brightly. The stars that filled the sky were no match for those that filled the sea.

Suki could not hide her wonder, it was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen. It was only when she noticed movement beside her did she pull her eyes away to look at Mikado.

He had turned to face her, and for a long moment they stood there, just staring into each other's eyes. She was just about to rush forward and kiss him, when he moved.

He dropped to one knee; Suki's eyes widened with amazement

He pulled a small velvet case from his pocket; Her eyes filled with tears.

He reached up and opened the box; she couldn't breathe.

He pulled the ring from it, and slid it onto her right hand.

"Suki, will you do me the honor…" She couldn't hear the rest, her blood pounded in her ears. It was a slightly lengthy speech, but at the very end she could here four words above her beating heart. "Will you marry me?"

She couldn't see anymore for the emotions that poured from her eyes, but she found his hand in the blur and pulled him up to her.

"Yes."

She embraced him, and he wrapped his arms around her. She had never enjoyed the warmth of another person as much as she loved this moment right now.

She pulled back abruptly, and Mikado was stunned, he was hoping they'd kiss again. "Wha?" he asked, but she placed her finger over his mouth,

"On one condition." She smirked, clearly hiding back more tears.

"Name it, anything. The fire lord himself couldn't stop me from being with you."

She choked back more tears, "You never hide your eyes from me again." She tried in vain to hold her smile, but it collapsed into more tears.

"Never."

He held her close and they felt each others lips once again.

She would never forget the taste of strawberries.