"How about Zuko?" I ask, the cub looks back at me blankly, I sigh, "guess not...hmmm" Leaning back against my headboard i flip through my parents' "Fire Nation baby names" book again.

"Lee?" the cub huffs and lays his head on my lap, " that's a no... You're a guy so Ursa won't work either... No not that... No, nope... Nada... Geez who woulda thought finding you a name would be so hard?" I chuckle, stroking his head. He looks up at me and licks my wrist.

I look down at the book again. "How about Kishan? Kishan... Hmmm I remember dad telling me the legends of Kishan the Tiger king at bedtime when I was little" the cub's ears perk up and he raises his head so he can hear better, "hmmm you like that one buddy? You want to be called Kishan?"

He licks my face eagerly. I laugh quietly. "So you want to be a king? Hmm? Kishan, I like it, it's got a nice ring to it, don't you think?" I look over at the candle on my nightstand, it's almost completely melted..

"Oh, we better get to bed, buddy" Kishan curls up against my side, an obvious indication that he's been ready for bed for quite awhile now. I chuckle quietly as I put out the candle and snuggle into bed. I barely have time to think about Jace before my eyes fluted shut and sleep sweeps me away.

I woke up to my mother's yelling and her tossing the many items that have ended up on my floor and various other locations throughout my room over the years.

"Runa! I told you he is NOT allowed on your bed!"

I groan, "MOM! Come on! What time is it! I'm not even usually conscious right now!" I duck just in time to miss the boot she now throws at me, on purpose or not, I'm pissed at her and just want her out.

" mom! I'm sorry! He just kinda jumped up here last night and it was late and- and..." The look on her face told me she wasn't buying it, "and, I mean, how could I say no to a face like this!" I exclaim, tilting up Kishan's sweet sleepy face so she could see it, "come on mom, I couldn't help it!"

Just then Kishan's eyes fluttered open and they flickered from me to my mother. As soon as those golden orbs were set on mom her face softened.

"I guess it's okay.." She comes over and strokes his ears, "just this once though.. Got that, Runa?" She turns and gives me a look before making her way out of my now disaster zone room.

"Bye guys! See you tonight" I called to my parents, as I ran out of the front door with Kishan hot on my heels.

"we've got quite a walk ahead of us!" I tell Kishan before I jump over a low cart that crosses our path.

Skidding back to pavement I slow to a jog and allow Kishan to catch up to me.

My body went into autopilot as we made our way down the familiar block, and allowed my thoughts to make their way to Jace. What am I going to do? Jace, he's just so- and I'm not- uhg! He didn't lie but, he didn't tell me either. Obviously it's a touchy subject with him, I mean even Korra looked uncomfortable when Jace admitted he blood-bended the fire bender. But I think my parents knew... And Lou of course.. I feel so out of the loop... And then there's Jace's feelings for me, and perhaps my feelings for him... He made my assumption of his feeling much less foggy with his, "advances" last night... I'm so stupid.. Runa you are such a lard you know you like him, you always have, but now you're letting some stupid little kind-of secret get in your way and upset you!

You just have to- something sideswipes me and I fall to my hands and knees trembling,

"My Lord!" I gasp, Kishan brushes against me gently, I pat his hunches. "I'm fine, I just wasn't paying attention" I tell him.

"Runa! Spirits! I'm sorry I saw you but- ugh bad riding! " I look up to see Jace jumping from Turk's back and racing towards me. I'm standing by the time he gets to me and I'm more annoyed than hurt.

"Are you okay, Runa? I have no idea what I was doing!" He throws his hands up in frustration, " I'm so sorry, are you hurt?" He asks, hands on my shoulders. I look up at him, his eyes meet mine, they show genuine concern. His hair's swept back into a ponytail tied at the base of his neck , so it's easier to read his expression, no hair to hide behind. I look at him and my annoyance dissolves into humor as i start to giggle, I must be a lunatic.

hy? Why are you laughing? Did you hit your head? It didn't look like you did, but-" he looks at me confused, which only seems to make me laugh more.

"Jace, I'm fine, erm, I'm...just oh spirits, just shut up, Runa!" I laugh at myself, " I'm just such a ditz sorry, Jace. I don't mean to upset you but your incredibly funny, I've taken much worse spills than that, no need to worry" He still looks confused but smiles when he realizes I'm okay, well sorta.

"Sorry I kinda ran you over... Again" he tugs his sleeve, nervous.

I laugh, "yeah you do that a lot don't you? Is running people a hobby or a life style choice?" I ask jokingly. He shrugs sheepishly and kicks the pavement. He looks at me and I feel an awkward silence settle in the air.

"About last night" he starts, but I put a hand up.

"Let's not, just forget it happened? Okay?"

"Wait which part are we talking about? The fight or the almost-kiss?" He tries to clarify, but he also tries to not make it sound awkward which he does a horrible job at.

I shrug, "the kiss, let's just... Not... The fight seems a little more important right now, besides, one may lead to the other" I explain, scraping the heel of my boot on the pavement.

"Sounds like a plan, but can we talk? What about practice?" He asks.

"Screw practice, this seems more important" I stick my hand out for him to hold. Jace gives me a look before smirking and sliding his hand into mine.