The next morning I awoke to darkness and the eerie noises of the Fire Nation's version of night. Nothing back home made noises such as these. In the morning you might hear some tiger seals or something, but never the odd clicking or chirping noises of the Fire Nation's night. It was as scary as it was fascinating.

Today, I knew, the peace dinner would take place. But, before that, I had a whole day to kill, more or less. And on top of that, my parents had agreed to stay for at least another week. It was probably a hoax to get me accustomed to Shang. Well, good luck, guys.

In addition to the noises of the Fire Nation's night, I now noticed a pitter-pattering noise… Rain. In the Southern Water Tribe rain was a rarely seen delight. Here it was as common as grass, apparently. According to Shang, anyway. And, even though it was still dark and I wasn't dressed, I grabbed my robe and headed outside, unable to resist the call of water and the moon.

As far as I could tell (as I was sneaking around) no one else was awake yet. Perfect. Now I didn't have to answer to anyone if they caught me out and about in just my robe, basically.

I emerged from the palace and felt the moon's glow instantly on my face. For a waterbender like myself, the power of the moon is, well, enriching. It's almost like feeling the nice warmth of the sun. But better, in my opinion.

I let my robe fall from my shoulders and laid it down safely under the overhang of the palace roof, so it would stay dry. I stepped out into the rain, and it felt wonderful. I lifted my face to the sky… This was my favorite part of the Fire Nation, and I had a feeling it always would be. I tilted my face back down and, in a single graceful movement of my arm, caught a stream of water falling from the sky. It was just playful waterbending, but I loved the fluid, simultaneous motions of both my body and the water it controlled.

My power waned slightly as I felt the sun begin to rise. It was alright, though; the rain still continued to pour.

I stayed outside and, apparently, lost track of time, because I was soon startled by a voice nearby.

"Typical waterbender," a familiar male voice said, "but even waterbenders can get sick from being out in the rain."

I allowed my stream of water to splash to the ground. I looked over at Shang who was dry and, well, fully clothed. I blushed.

"I'll have you know, sir, that I've been outside in the Southern Water Tribe many-a-day without a parka. You ever been to the Southern Water Tribe? No? Well it's a lot colder than some rain, I assure you."

So it wasn't the nicest thing in the world to say, but I'm from the Southern Water Tribe, darn it, and he's not going to tell me I'm going to get sick from some rain.

"Whatever you say," he patronized, holding up his hands in front of him defensively.

I fought the urge to stick my tongue out at him and lost. The funny thing was that he was just as childish as me, because he stuck his tongue out at me as well. And they thought we were mature enough to be forced into a marriage.

"Hey, just because you're a little scaredy-cat who's afraid of some rain…" I began, only to be interrupted.

"I'm not afraid of rain."

"Well prove it!" I taunted.

"No thanks, I'd rather stay dry." He folded his arms over his chest. But, see, he wasn't going to win this one.

"Poor Fire Prince, scared of some water," I mocked. I drew some water from the sky and splashed him.

"Hey! Cheater!" he cried. I laughed.

I myself was soaked and I wouldn't rest, I decided, until he was, too. Again I manipulated some water from around me, but this time it was a much bigger stream.

"Don't you dare," he threatened, eyes wide.

"Try me." He knew I'd do it, too.

"Fine," he said, then he stepped out in the rain with me. "Happy?" he asked.

"Yes," I giggled, feeling accomplished, but I was unsure why.