Author's Notes

Try "On the Beach" (from timestamp 1:00 to 3:20 ish) by Richard Gibbs and Jonathan Davis for this one. :) (Yeshhh, the one from Queen of the Damned)

-TheGreatestConWoman-

Also, shoutout to AnimationzRule for absolutely reading my mind. This one's for you

and for everyone that has read the story so far, thank you!

*bows X 2020*

"I didn't know Chiyo was such a great dancer!"

"She's so pretty with makeup!"

"Yeah! And her swordbending was so awesome, too!"

"Sokka, swordbending isn't a thing..."

"Of course it is! Hey, where did Zuko go?"

Zuko left the booth and slipped into the backstage to find Chiyo. She saw her sitting in front of a mirror, still in the dress and makeup from her performance, staring at her own reflection aimlessly.

He grabbed a couple of fake flower props from a box and approached her. "You're still amazing as ever, Chiyo."

She looked up at him through the mirror and gave him a small smile. "Thank you, Zuko."

He gave her the flowers and stood behind her. "I couldn't find any fire lilies. They aren't in season yet. I hope these will do."

"They're lovely." She cradled the flowers in her arms and used the tips of her fingers to touch the bright paper petals.

"Not as much as you."

Chiyo turned her head to look at him, a deep blush painting her cheeks. "Zuko..."

He turned her chair around, gripping the armrests, and leaned in until their faces were only a few inches apart. "May I ask you a question, Chiyo?"

She was caught in his golden eyes, willing herself to look away, but found no strength to do so. "Yes?"

"May I kiss you? Properly this time."

Chiyo's breath hitched in her throat and she felt her heart hammering against her chest, threatening to jump out. His husky voice sent shivers down her back, more so with his words. The way he looked at her was hypnotic, and she found herself saying, "Ye—"

"There you guys are! We've been looking for you two for a while!" Sokka entered the backstage with Suki and the others. "Party's starting and they got foo—Why are you looking at me like that, Zuko?"

The party was in full swing when they made it back. The Flamey-Os were up on stage playing a lively tune with several instruments and everyone was lining up to meet the actors and actresses from the play. Toph made a beeline for the actor while the others checked out the buffet in the corner.

Zuko took off his cloak and wrapped it around Chiyo's shoulders. "I don't want you to catch a cold..." He explained as she had given him a questioning look.

"But the others will see you..."

"I have this." He pulled out a black mask from his tunic. "I got this from one of the props lying around backstage. I hope they don't mind."

She giggled and took it from him. She reached up and placed the mask securely on his face, tying it behind his head. "There..."

Zuko smiled from behind the mask, remembering their adventures during the Fire Lily Festival. He took her hand in his and led her towards the band.

"My Lady!" It was the organizer who called and approached them. He bowed deeply at the waist and beamed widely. "You never truly cease to amaze us, Lady Chiyo! Your performance was absolutely stunning!"

She reciprocated his bow. "Thank you, Sir. I wouldn't have been able to do it without all your help."

"There are a lot of people who wish to know you, my Lady, but of course, it is still your discretion. Shall I let them know of your return?"

Chiyo shook her head, her grip on Zuko's hand tightened. "Please don't. I may not be able to explain now, but know that no one must know."

"You don't have to worry, My Lady. One of the greatest things about Ember Island is that it gives everyone a clean slate. Nobody knows that you are the apprentice that everyone's been talking about."

"Thank you."

He bowed once more. "Please, do enjoy the party, and have a pleasant evening. To you as well, Prince Zuko."

"H-how did you-?"

The organizer gave him a small smile. "Nobody else can hold the apprentice's hand like that except the Prince." With that cryptic message, he left them stunned and confused.

Aang greeted his old friends, the Flamey-Os as they continued producing music for the party. They waved energetically as they saw "Kuzon", their friend from school.

He looked around, and noticed that people still refused to dance. He spotted Chiyo and Zuko a few feet away from him and he excused himself through the throng of socializing people. "Say, Chiyo, why do Fire Nation people don't like to dance, but you, uh... entertainers... do?"

"Because we like leaving it to the professionals." Zuko answered for her, lifting up his mask to give Chiyo a wink. She blushed and looked away. "Also, we were taught that dancing is not conducive to a proper learning environment, and that we must have rigid discipline and order."

"Oh..." Aang scratched the back of his head. "That's what the music teacher also told me back at the academy..."

"Don't worry, Aang." Chiyo laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Once you defeat the Fire Lord and everything returns back to normal, people will come to appreciate the art of dancing, and there'll be a dance party every night, even in the Capital!"

His expression turned into a mix of worry and sadness. "Yeah... sure..." He left turned around and left the pair.

"Did I say something wrong?" She bit her lower lip and looked up at Zuko.

He reached up and cupped her cheek, running his thumb over the smooth skin. "Don't worry, Chiyo. Maybe he's just in a mood because of the play."

"I hope so..." Her attention was diverted as the band started to play a new song. She couldn't help the wide smile that graced her lips. "I love this song!"

Zuko chuckled and lifted his mask, leaning in to whisper in her ear. "Go dance. For me."

She giggled and moved closer to the band. He watched as people hastily made way for her, giving her room and highly anticipating another performance from her.

***Chiyo slowly removed the cloak until it pooled at her feet, exposing her painted back. She raised her hands to either side of her head and closed her eyes; feeling the rhythm of the drums, tambourine, and the tsungi horn, she started moving her hips.

Shock was an huge understatement, and one can see it in everybody's face. This particular dance was meant to be performed by older, more experienced entertainers as it was deemed to be too provocative in nature.

Some even said it was the dance of pure seduction.

With achingly slow movements, she brought her hands down; her fingertips ghosting lightly against her cheeks, the side of her neck, her collarbones, her chest, down to her waist.

Her skirts flowed around her as she spun. Her half-lidded eyes captivated anyone who dared look, even the women cannot resist following her hands, wherever they went, wherever they touched.

The sound of her golden bracelets provided accompaniment to the music every time she clapped to the beat, hands in the air, hips moving with the sound of the tsungi horn. All the while, the corner of her lips turned up into the slightest of smiles.

They couldn't resist clapping with her, hypnotized by her movements.

She halted suddenly and stepped forward, a wicked smile playing on her lips as she moved towards someone from the crowd. The entertainer held out a hand to a man wearing a black mask, and with the sweetest of voices, she said. "Dance with me."

Unable to resist her, Zuko took her hand and he was led back to the center. She placed one of his hands on the small of her back, and held the other; it reminded them both of their first dance back during her first debut.

He pulled her tight against him, a smirk beneath his mask as he saw her flushed expression, her slightly parted lips. Together they spun with the music, traipsing in time with the beat, not minding the crowd in the slightest.

Chiyo was distracted by the warmth around her, of his broad chest against hers, his hand in hers, his palm against the bare skin of her back; and by the golden eyes that gazed at her hungrily.

After the countless times they spun together, Zuko dipped her low, almost parallel to the ground; all the while holding her, their eyes locked with one another, fiery amber against burning gold.

The music faded and they were broken out of their trance as everyone erupted into applause. They both bowed and ran away from crowd, laughing loudly and carelessly.

Once they were in the safety of the balcony, Chiyo let out a loud sigh of relief and more laughter. "That was so amazing! You are one hell of a dancer, Prince Zu—"

He tugged her arm and pulled her close, then took her lips in his own. His hand wound its way into her hair, letting it loose from its ties; the other rested on the railing of the balcony as he pressed her against it.

Her eyes slid close as she let the kiss consume her. She brought a hand up to his chest, above his heart, feeling its steady beat beneath her palm.

She marvelled at the way his lips moved against her, a foreign feeling, but one that was very welcome. Rough and gentle, coaxing and making her want more.

They pulled away reluctantly gasping for air, heated despite the cool breeze of the evening. Zuko rested his forehead against hers, his eyes closed as he held her, trying to catch his breath. "Never... dance like that... again..."

Her eyes shot open and she looked up at him. "W-why? Didn't you like my dance?"

"I liked it. Way too much. And so did all the men that watched you." He cupped her cheek with his free hand, holding her like fragile porcelain. "I want you to dance like that, but only for me, Chiyo."

She couldn't stop the wide grin that lit up her face at his words. "Okay."

"Promise?"

"Promise."