Chapter 21

Zuko watched as Liling bended some water and practice her stances.

"Is something wrong Prince Zuko?" His uncle asked with an amusing look on his face.

"Nothing."Zuko said as he continued staring at Liling.

A small smile formed her lips as she swished the water around, after awhile Liling left the deck going to her room.

Liling let out a frustrating growl, picking up her things. She searched everywhere to find her necklace.

"I can't lose it….i…"Liling said

"Liling? "

"Iroh?" Liling said

Iroh poked his head through the door.

"We are going to the docks to restock, would you like to accompany me to do a little shopping?"Iroh asked

Liling nodded her head, and followed the retired general. As usual Zuko was with them, Zuko would occasionally glance at Liling when she was looking in the stall with his Uncle, until he would lose interest and leaves.

"Hm…"Liling said inspecting the peaches.

"These just got picked this morning."The vendor said "We've also got some lychee nuts."

"Excuse me! Coming through! "A voice said Liling turn and saw a young man carrying a large box full of fruit. He placed the box on the table. "Hey dad! I got the box!"

"That's the last one?"

"Yes." He said

Liling looked at the guy he had dark brown hair and green eyes he turned his head looking at Liling. The guy froze and a very faint blush appeared on his cheeks.

"Hi." Liling politely said

The guy nodded his head and continued to stare at Liling.

"Can I take a look at those lychee nuts?"Liling asked

"O-oh um…yeah.."he said handing her a few. "What's your name?"

"I'm Liling."She said "What's yours?"

"I'm Feng..nice to meet you." Feng said

Iroh raised an eyebrow seeing the two talking.

"So…traveling?" he asked

"Yes." Liling answered as she continued to place some fruit in the basket.

"How long will you be here?"He asked

"Maybe until tomorrow."Liling answered

"Will you be here for the Music festival tonight?"Feng asked

"There's a music festival?!"Liling said her voice full of excitement.

"Yeah, it's in the center of town a band plays music, there's some dancing and a bunch of stuff."Feng casually said

"It sound like fun."Liling said

"My mom is working on a fruit pie stand tonight I'll be helping her, So…maybe I'll see you there?"Feng asked

Liling glanced at Iroh knowing that he also enjoys festivals especially music festivals. He nodded, Liling turn her head to Feng who had a faint blush on his face.

"Yeah! I'll see you there."Liling accepted

"Great! We can meet in the fountain at sundown."Feng said excitedly

Liling handed the older man the money for the fruit and left with Iroh, Feng who was still staring at the spot that Liling was a moment ago. Until he was smacked in the back of the head by his father.

"Don't stand there back to work! We have a long day." He said

"Yes, father!"Feng said as he went back to work, he couldn't stop smiling.

"Interesting.."Iroh said

"What's interesting?"Liling asked

"It seems to me that young man might have a little crush on you."Iroh commented

"Huh? I don't think so, I just think he's being friendly."Liling simply said

Zuko was busy sparring, sending a few blast to Jee who was sparring with him, The sun was slowly going down he saw Liling but she was dressed a little differently. She had on a light green kimono on the edge had a decorative vine with soft flowers, her hair was in a bun with a few strands loose giving her an enchanted look it was making his mouth dry.

Why is she wearing that?

"We will see you later Prince Zuko."Iroh said

"Wait! Where are you going?"Zuko asked

"To the festival!"Liling smiled

"A young man invited Liling to the music festival tonight."Iroh explained. "I thought it would a nice idea to go and relax."

"We should go, I hope Feng isn't waiting for us."Liling said

Zuko froze as he heard a faint voice in his head trying to reason with him.

Feng?

Looks like he's interested in her…

No! if she leaves she could escape!

But your uncle will be with her and Feng…

What if that Feng guy tries to…

Why do you care if she goes to see him, she's not your girlfriend.

But she is my prisoner!

You sure don't act that she is.

"No. she's not going."Zuko shouted

"What did you say?!" Liling snapped her brown eyes glared at the prince. "You can't tell me where I can and can't go! "

"Yes I can!"Zuko snapped "You could use this as a chance to escape, I can't risk it! It's more of a risk letting you walk freely on the ship!"

Iroh looked at Zuko then at Liling, he never saw his nephew act like this before usually he wouldn't care where they go. He raised a curious eyebrow he opened his mouth to say something but Liling cut him off before he could say anything.

"Just what's wrong with you! It's only a festival! It's not like I can run while wearing this!"Liling gestured at the kimono, which was slightly formal.

"You're not going!"Zuko snapped

"You can't stop me!"Liling stated before she could take a step further Zuko grabbed her, he called for two soldiers to put her in her room and lock it.

"You're such a jerk!"Liling shouted as the two men dragged Liling to her room.

"Prince Zuko, I can't believe you."Iroh spoke up. "That is no way to treat a young woman like Liling."

"Uncle! Don't you get it that-"

"I think I do get it."Iroh interrupted "But you could have been kinder about it, Liling was so excited to go. She hasn't been to a festival in a long time."

Before Zuko could say anything Iroh raised his hand. "My dear nephew , I think we should take a walk."

Liling paced around the room slightly cursing, the guard took away anything that she could break free from her room.

"What is wrong with Prince firecracker?! Everything was going well and he just ruined it!"Liling grumbled She looked at the sky the sun was slowly setting. "Poor Feng, he's probably waiting…Ugh! One thing I wanted to do and he ruins it!"

How can she get back at the scarred prince? Maybe adding something to his food? Yeah..make it real disgusting so that he'll regret it!

"Liling, there is someone who would like to speak with you." Iroh said poking his out at the metal door.

Before Liling could even open her mouth, Iroh had shoved someone through the door and shut it fast behind him.

Liling blinked as she saw the person as he looked upon her.

"Hi…." Zuko gulped only to flush pink as he heard the click of a lock behind him.

When she looked back up glaring at the prince.

"So…"Zuko trailed off trying to find something to say.

"Why are you here?"Liling asked "Are you here to yell some more?!"

"I-"

"No wait don't tell me! You just want me here locked up until you just use me to trap my friend! "Liling said "I don't get you at all! One minute you act like a real person then the next your angry and moody!"

Liling glared at Zuko as she pressed her lips together.

"Just tell me why are you so angry about?" Liling asked crossing her arms over her chest. "Your uncle said it was okay for me to go to that festival."

"But I didn't! " Zuko blurted out.

"Your uncle said he would go with me to meet up with Feng. " Liling stated

"I'm not letting you out my sight." Zuko replied

Liling tightened her fist and glared at the scarred prince.

"Just because I'm here against my will doesn't mean that you own me!" Liling snapped at him. "One minute you were fine the next you almost dragged me away from the deck. I don't get you at all!"

Liling reached for the door but Zuko swiftly grabbed her hand and pinned her on the metal wall.

"Get off-" Liling struggled, her body thrashing wildly as Zuko leaned in to look her dead in the eye.

"I won't unless you stay here."

"Why are you acting like this?!"

"I...well-"

"Why?"

Zuko kept staring at Liling. Liling raised her voice at him.

"Why are acting like this? You're not my family! You're not my boyfriend or even my friend! Just tell me why?!" Liling shouted her brown eyes meeting his own amber ones as he opened his mouth then quickly shut it.

What's wrong with him?! Liling stared at him she never saw Zuko like this before.

"Zuko just talk to-" Liling's eyes widen in shock as something warm pressed onto her open lips.

Zuko meanwhile could not concentrate on anything except the taste of sweet honey and berries from her lips.

He just got so mad and just felt his stomach burn ferociously that he just did things without thinking anymore. He had never meant to grab her like that or to yell at her…or to kiss her like this.

He was faintly aware of one of his hands pulling her body closer to his own, her small hands reached up to grip his clothes. However instead of pushing him off she gripped hard.

Zuko's eyes sliding just a little bit open to look at her face as he parted for air as he leant in again, this time pulling her flush into him.

His hand kept a firm grip on the back of her head, her bun snapped away her dark locks fell as it was now in between his fingers gently caressing her, .Liling pulled away from him, her own cheeks scarlet as her lips was rosy and slightly bruised.

"You're right..You should go there…" he huffed, trying and failing to ignore the way his lips brushed hers as he murmured. "Only tonight…"

Without a word Zuko left as Liling placed her hand on her lips, staring at the door.

Please leave a review and tell me what you guys think!

Bittersweet256- Yes they'll find out soon that Liling can firebend, i don't know if it should be when Aang tries to firebend in the deserter chapter or if it should be further along the story.