Chapter 7

Rui realized she was sitting on her knees, very uncomfortably, and was about to open her eyes and move, when she heard some people speaking in hushed tones. After about a second or two, she realized that the voices were discussing her! Her mind was alert as she tried to focus on what they were saying.

"Dad, I already told you, she hates me! She doesn't even care if I live or die!" Rui nearly started when she realized that the person who had just spoken was none other than the Prince himself. Rui grew slightly sad. She didn't hate the Prince… it was just that she… she hated anything to do with love….

"Then how do you explain the fact that she stayed here all night because she was worried about you?" the General pointed out, his eyebrows raised. The Prince was silent for a moment.

"She just wanted to make sure I wasn't dead, because she probably feels bad at the fact that I had gotten hurt protecting her or something. She's probably just here because she feels guilty!" he stated, defiantly, but even Rui heard the uncertainty in his voice.

"I think there's something more than that, Lu Ten. I think she's actually begun caring for you." Iroh replied him, sounding thoughtful. "I think she has finally realized that she should give you a chance, or, at least, maybe she's finally decided to try and be friends or something." When Lu Ten stayed silent, Iroh put his hand over his son's. "Look, Lu Ten, you cannot be sure about what's going through her head, but, what you can be sure about is how you feel about her, and how you treat her." He looked into his son's face, a thoughtful look on his face. He opened his mouth to say something, but then he just sighed.

"I'm going to go and talk to the nurses about your progress so far, and what they are going to do with you for the next few days, how long more you have to stay, and all the rest of that stuff." Iroh smiled at his son and exited the room.

*Rui's P.O.V.*

I heard the General leave, then I tried to sense my surroundings and the emotions and feel around me. My father had taught me how to do that years ago. He said it was important for me to be able to assess the emotions and feel around me, just to make sure I wasn't in any danger, and for other various reasons. He had made me do that every morning when I got up, just to practice. Now I had gotten so used to doing that, that I did it every time I woke up, just out of habit. So, I sensed the feel of emotions around me, and came to the stunning conclusion that the Prince was feeling sad and dejected. After a moment of wondering why this could be, I suddenly realized that it was probably my fault. I was overcome with emotion. He had saved my life and this is how I repay him? By making him feel like a load of shit? I don't think so. I was going to make it up to him no matter what. I had already, previously decided that, but now it was even more important that I do that. After about another minute of contemplating and thinking, I decided to wake up. However, I decided to give him a little warning that I was waking up, because I could feel his stare penetrating me.

I started to move my head around slowly, like I was just regaining consciousness after being bonked on the head or something, and I yawned hugely, while starting to sit up and stretch my arms out at the same time. I slowly opened my eyes and looked at him innocently. Then I let out all my emotion that I had been hiding inside. I looked at him for a minute, confused, then I opened my eyes wide, like the realization had just hit me, and I let my mouth form a big "O". This is how I had initially acted, in my head, when I had found out that the Prince was alive and well. I let my hand fly to my mouth and I started babbling.

"Oh my god!!" I screeched. He winced; that had probably hurt his ears. "Sorry," I said, abashed, blush creeping up my neck and into my cheeks. I hadn't meant to scream so loud. He just grinned at me.

"It's okay, don't worry about it." I looked at him for a moment before I realized that I was being so offending. I gasped and jumped to the floor in a bow within a second. My face darkened with even more blush creeping up my face.

"I'm so sorry, Your Majesty. I'm being so rude!" I was scandalized at my behaviour. I usually never let anything distract me from being respectful to the Royals of the Fire Nation. The Prince just chuckled.

"Don't worry about it, R – I mean, Crystal." He had sounded a bit sad at the end of his sentence, and I realized that he must have recalled how I had reacted to him calling me Rui the first time. I looked up at him and smiled a smile that didn't reach my eyes, but was a smile all the same. The very first that I had given him, in fact.

"I – it's okay… you can call me Rui." I smiled slightly at him again. I nearly laughed at the look on his face. (Again, I said nearly). His eyes had brightened up considerably and his face had broken into a grin I had thought only a child capable of.

"Really? I can? Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" He was about to say something else, but then he bit his lip. He down at his feet before looking at me again nervously.

"What is it?" I asked him, curious.

"I…." He sighed. "Are you sure that you don't mind me calling you that? Cause, you know, if you don't want me to and if you aren't comfortable with it, then I won't. You don't have to let me if you don't want to, Crystal." He rushed the ending, nervous. I looked at him kindly, and I realized that he really did have his heart in the right place, not that I had doubted it before… but now I was completely convinced that he didn't just want to take advantage of me and then leave, acting like nothing had ever happened. I knew that he didn't want to just purposely break my heart and faith again, and I appreciated that. I smiled at him again.

"Yes, I'm sure." I smiled at him again. His face broke out in a grin again, and this time, if it was even possible, his grin was even bigger than the last one. He nearly jumped out of his bead in excitement, and this time I did laugh. I finally gave in to what my body needed, and it felt great.

The Prince suddenly stopped smiling and just looked at me. I began freaking out instantly. Oh my god, was I supposed to laugh? I thought that's what he wanted! Was I wrong??? I just continued ranting and freaking in my head. I was so lost in my own thoughts that I hadn't even realized that a grin had spread across his face. He looked at me, intrigued and excited.

"You – you laughed!" he said, overjoyed. I then realized how depressed I must have seemed to him. I giggled at his reaction. He really did remind me of an over-grown child. He continued to look at me, excitement virtually pouring out of his eyes. I smiled kindly at him again, before letting it fade because of what I was about to say to him. I looked down at my feet, sighed, then looked back into his face again. This is gonna be so hard… I had thought to myself miserably. I took a deep breath, and started speaking.