Chapter Four

When Yue awoke, the sun was far from rising. She had asked for a servant to wake her an hour before the sun would rise. She thanked the maid and sat up in bed, stretching her arms above her head before swinging her legs off of the bed into her fuzzy boots.

She pulled some clothes from her closet. Today, for some reason, she chose each clothing item with care and concentration, even if the outfit would be hidden under her heavy, blue coat. After dressing, the princess called for her hairdresser to do her hair. Her hands were too shaky this morning to try to get the braids right.

After she was ready, the princess assumed that she had a few minutes to grab breakfast before the rosy-red sun poked it's head above the horizon. Yue rushed into the dining room to find Somma chatting with Firelord Iroh, who was enjoying a very hearty looking breakfast and some tea.

Yue stopped in the doorway, "Firelord Iroh," She said, bowing, "Good morning!"

The Firelord stood and bowed back to her, "Princess! Good Morning to you too! Please, join us! I was just telling Somma here how startled I was this morning when I stepped on the palace floor with out shoes on. I'll need to remember to sleep in my boots from now on." He laughed, taking another sip of tea.

Somma smiled at Yue, before her face looked confused, "Yue, why aren't you wearing Hahn's betrothal necklace?"

Yue sucked in her breath. She hadn't even given the dreaded necklace a thought this morning, she had been so excited about her day with Zuko. "Oh, um… I lost it."

Somma's eyes went wide and Iroh turned his attention to Yue, "You're getting married? Congratulations!" Iroh cheered, smiling warmly.

"Thank you, Firelord." Yue said, smiling to the best of her ability, "I must be going now, good day!" Yue said, uncomfortably, before turning into the hallway and rushing to get to the steps.

The sun was just beginning to peek out into the sky, out of the dark blue waves, as if it was bashful to meet with the sky. The early-morning light began to turn from pale gray to a deep, warm pink. Yue sat down on the steps and watched the sun rise, gradually changing the sky's colors, not so bashful anymore.

"You beat me," A soft, male voice rasped.

She jumped and turned her head to see Zuko, wearing less princely looking robes. In fact, he could have passed for any other commoner. He was wearing a deep read overcoat, his crowned topknot the only emblem of his status. He sat down on the steps next to Yue as they watched his element separate from hers. The sky was a deep, raging orange now, the small clouds that dotted the heaves were like golden cotton.

"I did," Yue smirked, "And I thought your people were early risers."

"We usually are," He said, smiling at her shyly, "But I suppose I'm out of my environment here."

She giggled and turned towards the sky, "I always loved watching the sun rise," The princess sighed, watching as the sky's orange tint faded into a violet shade.

Zuko turned to look at Yue, "They are beautiful." He stated, looking at her while she admired the sky.

When the sun had broken contact with the ocean entirely, the upper atmosphere was completely blue. Yue stood and began to move down the steps, "C'mon! We have a lot of ground to cover!" She beckoned for Zuko to follow her.

Zuko tried to maneuver himself safely down the slick white steps, but felt himself sliding and wobbling as she sped to keep up with her. He stopped himself from falling, just barely, one he made it to the bottom. He hoped that she hadn't seen his bungled attempt to catch up. Once he made it back to her side, he exhaled heavily from exasperation. The frigid air was much thinner here, and he found it harder to catch his breath as he walked alongside the princess.

"Where are we going first?" He asked, looking down at her. He hadn't noticed how much taller he was than her until just now. She looked so tiny and fragile compared to him. He was a good head taller than her.

"We can go to the market," Yue offered, "It's one of the busiest and exciting places in the city."

Zuko looked questionably at her, "Won't people recognize you?"

"Obviously," Yue said, "Why?"

"Wouldn't that cause a… commotion?" Zuko asked, confused.

Yue snorted, "Of course not! Why would you think that?"

Zuko shrugged, "Anyone in the royal family can't just simply leave the palace peacefully," Zuko explained, "There are a lot of… admirers."

Yue looked up at him, "Admirers? For whom?"

Zuko blushed, "Um… well lately a lot have been showing up at the palace. F-for me."

Yue saw the endearing blush that crept across his cheeks and smiled, "Hoping that you would notice one of them, I'm sure."

"I-I think so… I don't exactly know why they assemble every day. It's amazing how dedicated a few are. I've seen the same bunch of girls out there every day for a while now." Zuko said, shaking his head.

"Oh, so you have noticed a few?" Yue teased, elbowing his arm.

Zuko grinned at her gesture, "Not really. Some are just… easy to spot. They call a lot of attention upon themselves."

Yue smiled at him, "I'm sure," She said, the friendly teasing continuing.

Zuko saw what Yue had been describing, down by the harbor. The market, a large cluster of tents and booth, was absolutely buzzing with people. They wove in and out of the streets, some calling out and announcing their prices or merchandise to the buyers. He was drawn in by the energy of it.

Yue expertly lead him through the clumps of people, "See anything you like?" She asked him, peering up at his eager-looking face.

"I don't know," He murmured, looking around.

They passed through the market after a few minutes; both had eaten a few things and spent a little money on small items. "Where to next?" Zuko asked, his excited emotions not hidden very well. He felt young again… well younger than sixteen.

Yue showed him a few historical buildings, the large park, and lead him through the streets of the city, which had small walking paths, but were mainly just passages of water. People traveled by boat. She led him by Master Pakku's academy, where he saw water-benders for the first time. He wondered if Yue could bend her element.

They had seen a good portion of Yue's favorite sites in her city, but it wasn't even noon. Yue and Zuko were leisurely walking over one of the many bridges that connected the buildings. "I do know one more place that we can go to…" Yue said, mulling it over.

"What is that?" Zuko asked, peering at her curiously.

"Well, you said your people don't acknowledge the spirits, correct?" Yue started, folding her hands. "There is a really, really special place that I'd love to show you. It has a great importance to me…"

Zuko was keen to see this place, "I'd love to see it," He spoke softly, watching his breath escape in puffs of steam.

"Follow me," Yue said, grabbing his arm and pulling him down the bridge, heading in the relative direction to the palace. A wall located behind the palace was he destination. It had a single door to it, small, but accessible to any human.

Yue opened the door and ducked inside, Zuko following her. His jaw dropped at the sight before him. The air was crisp and balmy, the ice faded into lush, rubbery grass and a bond holding two contrasting koi fish was in front of a roaring water fall, ebony gate way, and bamboo garden. He followed Yue, in total awe, towards the center of the place.

"W-what is this place?" He breathed, awestruck by its mystical beauty.

"This," Yue said, smiling serenely, "is the Spirit Oasis, the center of all spiritual energy in our land."

Zuko couldn't take his eyes off the Oasis's heavenliness. He finally turned to Yue. "Why is this place so important to you?"

She sighed, almost sadly, as she slowly lowered herself to sit in the soft grass. Zuko joined her, watching the white-haired maiden stare into the koi pond.

"When I was born, I would not open my eyes. I wouldn't move. I wouldn't cry. It was if I was born asleep," She looked up into Zuko's soft, glowing eyes. "All the healers told my parents that I would die. On the night of the full moon, my father brought me here, and placed me in this pond. See, the water has special powers. My black hair turned white, and I awoke for the first time and began to cry. The moon spirit gave me life, which is why is was named Yue."

Zuko sat and listened, "Oh," was all he could muster.

After they left the Spirit Oasis, Zuko had to go find his uncle. He and Yue stood at the palace's steps. "I had a lot of fun with you this morning, Zuko," Yue beamed up at him.

"So did I," Zuko said a bit nervously, "Yue."

Yue was about to turn and walk up the stairs, but he noticed a hesitation in her. She turned and stood on her toes, planting a small kiss on his cheek. Zuko suppressed an audible gasp, and felt his face warm. Yue blushed back at him. "I'll… see you later," she whispered, before turning and easily galloping up the stairs, until she disappeared into the castle door.

Zuko stood frozen on the spot, his hand flying to where her lips had been. He let a smile cross over his lips, before he turned and gazed after her.