The Girl and the Fire Lord

16 Guards and Gossip - Kaori's POV

It had been about a week since I'd found out Hiromi had something going on with the Firelord Zuko, and I was desperately trying to live normally. Each morning I walked the garden and fed my little turtleducks, I ate breakfast with my friends, and I kept an eye out for my friend and the Firelord. Hana was spending more and more time with Taiyo, and Hiromi hadn't been in the lounge even once that week. She and the Firelord hadn't been in the garden since we'd run into each other, but she was well aware that I knew her secret. My long days were spent playing piano, talking to Chiasa and her gossipy friend Anzu who was just a few years older than me and about thirty years younger than Chiasa. I didn't particularly love Anzu, but she was interesting to talk to. I missed talking to Hana and Hiromi about our families and music and saving our money for our kids to go to the academy together. My heart ached to talk about something other than guards and gossip.

In the corner of the lounge there were twenty or so couches and chairs to match. We sat down in one of the seating areas, and before I'd even set my tea down on the table, Anzu was going off.

"Yes, and did you hear about Misaki and the whole mess that she's in right now?" Anzu baited. Chiasa gasped and raised her eyebrows, intrigued by the drama. "So apparently, she was dating this sage who left to go with Aang to the Southern Air temple and he was like, not supposed to date or something - I don't know all of their sage-ly ways - and when he left she totally was all over the guard from her hall and she dumped the sage by letter. He's going to be so devastated when he finds out!" 

Chiasa let out a sympathetic sigh, but I knew she was eating this up. I sipped my tea and took a quick sweep of the room. The tall bookshelves next to the grand piano were calling my name. 

"I'll be right back!" I said quickly, walking to skim the shelves for an escape. I set down my tea on a small table next to the shelf and began thumbing through book titles.

The Art of Pai Sho and How to Gamble the Smart Way No thanks. I didn't have the money to gamble, and if I did, I certainly wouldn't be gambling on Pai Sho.

Aang Fought a Volcano at 12 and Won: Why Aang is a Better Avatar Than Roku  Controversial! I picked it up off of the shelf.

The Cave of Two Lovers

I reached for the book, but I was startled by a voice.

"Good evening, Kaori." 

I turned and met eyes with Yasuo. His cheeks were already shaded pink and he held a single rose forward.

"I remembered what you said about the white flowers, and I didn't pick any. I thought this was the second prettiest rose in the garden, and it reminded me of you." He said, and I took the rose with a delicate smile. 

"Thank you, Yasuo, for thinking of me, and for picking me the second prettiest flower in the garden!" It was a kind gesture, and I appreciated it. His eyes widened and he looked distressed.

"Wow - I just realized what I said. I did not mean I picked it because it reminded me of you because you're the second prettiest anything. I think you are easily the most beautiful woman in the palace." He rushed, and his cheeks got even redder. He was more nervous than the last time we'd spoken. I wondered what had changed. 

"Oh, don't worry. I took no offense." I reassured, and he let a small half-smile creep onto his face.

"I am so glad. I also came over to you to see if you'd like to see a play tonight?" 

I thought for a second, really weighing the options. He seemed to like me, and he was a kind man, but our last date had been... awkward. We didn't have a lot of chemistry. Still, he was very handsome, and there didn't seem to be a whole lot of harm in going to a play. If I didn't have a good time, I'd tell him I appreciated his kindness, but I didn't see a relationship with him. Once I came up with a solution, I agreed.

"That sounds fun, I'd like that." I said, and he grinned. 

"I'm glad! I'll come by your room about eight tonight. Does that work for you?"

"Yes, I'll see you then." I said. He gave a quick nod, and then walked away. A bubble of excitement floated up in my stomach. Maybe I really could like him. 

When I walked back to the table, Anzu and Chiasa were still whispering and snickering. 

"I wonder what Kaori and that hot guard were talking about." Anzu whispered much too loudly. Even the smallest things sent them into a frenzy.

He really was hot though.