Chapter Nine

Yue gasped, her hand fluttering to her neck, "Really?"

Zuko nodded, "Yes."

"B-but… Hahn…" Yue stammered, looking down at him, "Zuko… It can't…"

"I'll find a way to be with you," Zuko said, standing up, pulling her close.

"Uncle?" Zuko asked, entering Iroh's bedchamber, "I need to talk to you."

Iroh looked up from a tome he was studying, "Of course, Prince Zuko. What is this about?"

"Do you think that… a marriage would be a good way to bring together our nations?" Zuko blurted, awkwardly folding his hands.

Iroh blinked, "A marriage? Between whom?"

"Princess Yue… and… Myself." Zuko stated quietly, looking up at his uncle, trying to see the reaction.

Iroh scratched his beard, "And this is your idea, nephew?"

Zuko nodded, "Yes, Uncle."

Iroh smiled, "I think that this is a very, very good idea. I'll make sure to propose this matter to Chief Arnook first thing tomorrow morning. But I must ask, you don't have just the sake of the nations in mind, do you, my son?"

Zuko tried not to blush as he looked away, "Not exactly…"

Iroh clapped a hand on Zuko's shoulder, "Not to worry, my dear boy. I understand."

Zuko breathed out a sigh of relief, "Thank you for understanding, Uncle."

Iroh smiled broadly, "You shouldn't be so serious, nephew. You may be getting married soon!"

Prince Zuko couldn't help but chuckle a bit under his breath as he watched his jovial uncle amble out of the room.

Yue was sitting in her room, repairing a snagged set of mittens. She couldn't help but begin to think of Zuko as she continued her work, sighing at just the mere thought of his handsome face and strong build. She was startled as her father entered her bed chamber, standing before her, smiling softly.

"Yue, I have some exciting news!" Arnook said, taking his daughter's hands and looking her in the eye, his midnight blue gaze full of seriousness.

Yue blinked, cocking her head to the side, "What is it Father?"

Arnook inhaled deeply, "Prince Zuko has asked for your hand in marriage in order to bind our two nations!" Arnook gave her a weary smile, knowing that the last time he announced her engagement to Hahn, the response had been quite hostile.

A wide grin spread across Yue's face as she leapt up from her father's hands. "Yes!" Yue nearly shouted, as she twirled giddily around her room. "Yes! Tell him I gladly accept!"

Arnook scratched his head as Yue bounded out of her chambers and down the hall. That went a lot better than I expected… He thought to himself, standing up slowly and leaving the room.

Yue skipped all the way to Zuko's bedroom, not bothering to knock on the doorframe. "Zuko!" She called, "Zuko, I have some good news!"

Zuko sat up on his bed, smiling fondly as Yue rushed into the bedroom, her eyes full of child-like joy. Zuko stood up and felt her run into him, nearly tackling him back onto the bed. He laughed and steadied her, wrapping his arms around her lithe shoulders.

"Guess what?" Yue asked, lifting her chin and gazing up at him, blue eyes shining with glee.

Zuko smiled softly, stroking her beautiful white hair as he gazed down at her, "What?"

Yue bit her lip with anticipation, "We're going to get married." She whispered, her cheeks flushed.

Zuko's eyes went wide and he smiled again, "I can't believe your father allowed it."

Yue stood on her toes and reached around his neck, "Do you really want to be talking about my father right now?"

He laughed quietly, shaking his head, before leaning down and connecting his lips with hers, holding her the closest to him he ever had. His hands grasped her waist as he deepened the kiss, feeling her face heat up doing so.

Yue pulled back, resting her head on his chest. "We should get married on my birthday, Zuko."

Zuko kissed her forehead, pulling her into him, "As you wish, Princess."

"What are we waiting for, Prince Ozai?"

"The perfect time to… strike."

"… And when is that, sir?"

"When they will least expect it."

A/N

Sorry for the delay- I've been procrastinating! Thanks to all my loyal readers and Zue shippers! Please review!