At the Pao Family Tea House, inside Zuko walked down the shop with a tray of cups, and looked behind at Kurai. He walked up behind his uncle who was on a ladder, stacking things on a shelf behind the counter.

"Uncle, we have a problem." Zuko said. Iroh descended from the ladder. "Kurai's over there at the corner table." Kurai was sitting in the corner of the shop, drinking tea. "She comes by every day." Iroh looked at the girl, but was quickly pulled back by Zuko. "Didn't I say don't look?!"

"You're right, Zuko. I've seen Kurai in here quite a lot. Seems to me she has quite a little crush on you." Iroh smiled.

Zuko was Bewildered. "What?"

She handed Zuko some coins, which he put on a table. "Thank you for the tea. Who might you be?"

Kurai was pretending not to know Zuko in public, so they wouldn't be in trouble.

Zuko Turned back. "My name's Lee. My uncle and I just moved here."

"Hi Lee, my name's Ella. Thank you and ... well, I was wondering if you would like to go out sometime." Kurai grinned. Zuko was stunned.

Before the stunned Zuko could respond, Iroh spoke up. "He'd love to!"

"Only if you teach me that Lotis Style." Zuko smiled.

"Great. I'll meet you in front of the shop at sundown." Kurai said.

Kurai walked away, as Iroh threw his arms on a bewildered Zuko's shoulders, with a large smile as he glared at him.

xxx

The tea shop that evening, as Zuko came out, his hair combed. He walked out into the middle of the street and looks around as Kurai emerged from an alley beside the shop and walked up to him.

"Hey. Well, look at you." Kurai ruffled his hair. "You look so cute."

He stopped Kurai from ruffling his hair. "It took my uncle ten minutes to do my hair."

"You ready to learn Lotis?" Kurai grinned. "Show me your form!"

Zuko got in formation, circular with his hands out. Kurai got behind him, and straightened his arms out, helping him.

Zuko blushed as her hands were on his waist and hands. He turned in a circle as she taught him, and they kissed.

Xxx

Kurai grabbed Zuko by the arm and dragged him as he glanced once back at the teashop. At a town square where several people stood around doing various activities. Zuko and Kurai were eating at a restaurant, Kurai sipping tea while Zuko poked at his last meatball with his chop sticks, not looking at Kurai.

"So, how do you like the city so far?" Kurai said.

"It's okay." Zuko said. "Where have you been? Have you...learned Firebending?"

"How can I, without my number one teacher?" Kurai grinned. "Have you thought about it? Joining us?"

She leaned forward; eager.

Zuko slumped. "I'm sorry, Kurai. I can't. I won't hurt you as long as you don't get in my way; but I have to capture the Avatar. I have to regain my honor."

"You say that." Kurai said. "But you don't really..."

She stopped; reading his mood, knowing he wasn't ready to listen.

"It's all right. Hey, I want to show you one of my favorite places in the city." Kurai said. "I found it on my way to the tea shop!"

Xxx

Kurai led Zuko to the Firelight Fountain.

"I'm so excited for you to see the Firelight Fountain. The lamps make the water sparkle and reflect in the pool in the most beautiful way." Kurai said.

She lead Zuko into an open area with a large fountain and several posts with candles on top surrounding it in a circle. However, the candles were not lit.

"I can't believe it! They aren't lit." Kurai said.

Zuko looked at her before looking at the fountain.

"Give me your hand." Zuko said. "You can do this."

Zuko took her hands. Kurai's eyes glowed bright red as she began Firebending. Zuko aimed the pointer and middle fingers on each of Kurai's hands, she shot small bursts of flame in all directions at the candles to light them. Once finished, Zuko let go of Kurai.

"Look what you did." Zuko said.

"Look what we did." Kurai corrected.

They both turned to look at the fountain. As Zuko looked at them, Kurai brushes her hand through her hair, smiled at him, and held his hand. Zuko turned to look at the girl smiling at him. They both turned to be face to face and then kissed.

Zuko looked at her seriously. "Come with me to the Fire Nation. You could be my princess."

Kurai kissed him again. "Someday, when the war is over, you'll be the greatest Fire Lord the world has ever seen, Zuko. You'll show the world the warmth and kindness in the Fire Nation. And on that day, I'll be your Queen; your Fire Lady."

Zuko pressed her. "Then come with me now."

Kurai put a finger to his lips. "Not until you make the right choice. You're a good man Zuko. It's ok to choose love."

She walked off, leaving Zuko standing conflicted in the firelight.

Xxx

In the tea house, Iroh was looking out from the windows at the street, waiting for Zuko. The door opened, as Zuko walked inside, being silent.

"How was your night, Prince Zuko?" Iroh said.

Zuko walked into a room and slammed the doors shut behind him without replying to Iroh. Iroh looked after him for a second with a confused look before turning back to the window to continue his work. He turned back when he heard Zuko opening the doors. Zuko's face was in the crack between the two doors.

"It was nice." Zuko said.

He closed the doors again. Iroh was smiling and resumed his work.