Cars rushed  by, people walked all over and the world was alive this warm spring day. Kisumi was wearing knee length shorts, and a blue tee that read "THERAPY" in bold white english letters diagonally across the front. Her sneakers twisted nervously as she waited outside teh public restroom where Zuko had just gone. As expected, she had met the prince at the gate and they'd taken a cab to the city where they could eat, walk, play and do whatever else friends did. 

She looked at a neon sign across the street, there was a kareoke bar, an arcade, a ramen shop, all great places to go. She reached into her pocket and retrieved a small white box, her present for Zuko and opened it to look at the two charm necklaces, her heart shaped jewel nestled sweetly into Zuko's tiny cold crown.  

"Whatcha got there?" Said an imposing young man, probably in his early twenties. 

"Oh uh, it's nothing," Kissy closed it with a click and put it back in her pocket. 

"Nah, don't be shy," the man grabbed her arm, "a present for your girlfriend?"

Where were all the people a moment ago? Kissy looked around at the much fewer passersby who didn't bother seeing her trouble.

"L-leave me alone." Zuko would be out any minute, then they could go.

"Don't be rude now boy, how much is that necklace worth huh? I think my wife would like that."

"Let go of me!" Kissy went to push him away but the man took her wrist instead and proceeded to take her other arm too. 

"Little fag with your stupid pink hair, you don't need jewelry huh?" the man reached for her shorts, first for the pocket to try and fish out the object he meant to steal, then for her zipper, probably thinking it would be easier to steal her shorts all together than just the object.

"No! Get off me!" It didn't matter that this man mistook her for a young boy, after all that was the point, but soon enough he'd realize that wasn't the case. What would he do then? "Zuko-kun!" she called.

"What calling some faggy boyfriend of yours? No one's here stupid, now hand it over!" Kisumi turned around to bold for the restroom door, but due to wrestling with the man ended up with her back to it, the man hold her around the waist. "Zuko! Help me!!" She forgot her friend couldn't hear her, but still she called. It was only a matter of time before the offending man would find himself less in need of her necklace and more in need of a hospital if he didn't back off immediately.

The really was no reason for her to be in here. Zuko sighed and frowned at her reflection. She was just getting overly nervous and needed to collect herself so she made up the excuse. The girl dipped over the faucet and splashed water on her face.

'And now you're making her wait.'

Zuko quickly dried off her face and took one more look at her outfit. She straightening her collar around her neck and smoothed the shirt that was tucked into her jeans before turning for the door. The smile she was wearing was instantly gone at the sight before her. Red coated her gaze and her lips pulled back in a snarl.

She couldn't just deck the offender, that would cause Kissy to fall as well. So instead, she reached out and clamped a hand on his shoulder, digging fingers into the soft area right above his collarbone. Her thumb shoved downward and triggered the pressure point on the side of his neck so he would let go of her Dreamwalker. As soon as this was done she jerked him backward, not caring for his protests. After putting herself between the two, Zuko grabbed the collar of his shirt and practically lifted him off the ground as her eyes conveyed her murderous intent. No one laid hands on her girl. No one. Her right hand drew back and in one fluid movement, lashed forward to catch the male against the cheek. Her hand released at the same time so that he was sent sprawling across the cement.

Even as the male was trying to scramble to his feet Zuko straddled his waist. She grasped his collar and jerked him up so they were face to face after she squatted. Her voice came out as a soft whisper that was harsh.

"I see you again. Dead."

Her hands released him and she stood so she could send him a warning kick to the ribs that had him curling up on his other side groaning. Without another word she quickly turned, wrapped a protective arm around Kissy's waist to direct her away from where they were. If he had friends they had to get out of here before they arrived. She knew the owners of the sushi place she liked fairly well and knew they would allow them to hide there since they had done it before. As soon as they turned the corner Zuko broke off in a jog while linking her fingers with Kissy's so she could make sure she stayed close. She wasn't letting the girl out of her sight for the rest of the evening.

How could she have forgotten Kissy's ability to draw in trouble? That was how they met afterall. It wasn't long before Zuko led them back an alley and jerked her head around to make sure no one was following them before ducking into a 'Employee Only' marked door. Once inside her arms circled around Kissy's upper body, one hand pressing against the back of her head.

"Sorry."

She knew Kissy wasn't a little girl anymore, but something like what she had seen a bit of would surely work up anyone. All the while she held the girl she was berating herself for leaving the pinkette alone. Unbeknownst to the pinkette tears even pricked at the corner of her eyes.

She felt the man let go and spun around, hands flying to her mouth as she watched her hero save her once more. Zuko was so cool! Even so in her marveling she looked no less terrified. There was a degree of relief and panic when Zuko took hold of her to led her away from the man on the ground, who was also ignored by the remaining passerby.

Off they went, rounding a corner when Zuko took her hand, making her heart pound and she easily kept pace thanks to her training. It happened so fast, into the door they went and bam! Kissy was wrapped up in her prince's arms. Fear, adrenaline, bliss, it was so much, then her prince spoke and Kisumi cracked. She couldn't help crying, she was such a baby. There was nothing to even cry about, they were both fine, everything was okay, she was safe and in the best company of the best person in the best position. Head cradled, her own hands up under her chin, pressed against the strong body of the dark haired femboy.

She shook her head, resulting in accidentally rubbing her tears against the other's shirt, "D-Don't be sorry," she said, "thank you for saving me....again." She looked at those eyes, were those....tears? No that wouldn't do. She pushed herself up and kissed Zuko's cheek quickly, very quickly, so fast that she hardly registered what she'd done until it was too late. She turned bright red, wide round eyes forgot to cry anymore as she watched for a reaction. Then she was conscious of exactly how close they were, how she'd just been held. It made her so happy, and so embarrassed too. Frozen, lips parted in shock she stared, "I-I didn't m-mean...uh," Her felt warm, still standing there in her arms, but it was a good warm.

The kiss was a bit of a surprise and her wet hues widened a bit, but she quickly pushed it down and formed a smile. Long fingers gently raked through those soft pink strands and drew her closer so that her lips could touch against her forehead. She was just happy she had gotten there before anything bad really happened and the girl was safe.

"Welcome." Zuko drew back slightly when an elderly woman came into the back to check what the noise had come from and gave a wave to the two. The Prince released Kissy with one hand so that it could form a few hand signals explaining their reason for being there. The woman smiled and gave a wiggle of her hand, brushing off her explanation.

"Don't worry about it, Zuko-kun. Stay as long as you like. Just no funny business in my backroom."

This brought a bright blush to the girl's cheeks and she quickly glanced to Kissy before turning her head away so she couldn't see the expression as she frantically signed some more. A smirk crossed the woman's face and she chuckled softly at the girl's unease at the remark.

"Double the usual?"

Zuko only nodded at the woman as she shuffled her feet. Then turned back to Kissy with a bit of a bashful look and a lingering blush. Sure, she had had dreams of such things happening, but in the backroom of sushi place? No way. To try to draw way from the situation she brought both hands up to Kissy's cheeks and brushed the stray tear paths that streaked her cheeks. "Okay?"

Her words were clipped, but she wanted to make sure the younger girl was alright.

Each moment was magic, seeing her Prince looking stunned was one thing, but se drew near to kiss her forehead and the pinkette all but melted. She forgot to breathe, think, anything but listen to the dokidoki of her heart. Then they were caught, and Kisumi tried to make herself seem smaller, invisible, melting into Zuko to try and disappear. However her attempt at hiding was thwarted when Zuko turned to sign.

Shyness was replaced with wonder as she watched the signals, trying to understand, but she didn't know anything. The remark about funny business also made the pinkette blush and she looked at the floor. It wasn't but a moment and they were alone again, Zuko's hands on her cheeks, making her look at her. Oh, how she loved hearing Zuko's voice, it filled her with so much joy she smiled, feeling like her heart might burst and nodded.

She'd follow her anywhere, do anything for her, as ling as it meant she could stay by her side.

With her hands wanting to linger on the soft skin of the girl's face, she allowed one more soft pass of the pads of her thumbs across her cheeks then drew back. Instead of taking the girl for her word, Zuko let her hands trace over her form. Nothing inappropriate, mind you. Just checking for tender spots, blood, anything that would prove she was injured. When she found none the blue haired girl nodded slightly and gently took Kissy's hand.

Any longer and she might do something she wasn't ready for. Her gaze was often glued to her crush's lips and not only to see what she said. Zuko quickly averted her gaze that had fallen to just where she was thinking about. She fought away another blush and motioned if it was okay for them to proceed by pointing to the door.

Without waiting she turned from the girl as she made a face. They hadn't even been on their first official date and she was already thinking about kissing her? Ugh. Manners, where had they gone? Zuko bit into her cheek as her hand pressed against the door, ready to push it open.

Of course Zuko had to watch her mouth, but something flickered through her crush's eyes that made her feel a little hot. Self concious and shy she let herself be led away. The other seemed to hesitate at the door, by why? Nervously, Kissy looked back and forth wondering what to do.

But then they were out on the floor of the restaurant, sitting at some back table that felt more private.She fidgeted in her seat when the nice older woman asked about drinks. Kissy wanted a ramune, something fizzy and sweet. Then came the suahi and she marveled at it. "Wow, it looks really good!"

She told the woman, who seemed proud and signed something to Zuko with a wink. Kizzy blushed again and shrank back a little. What did she say? She looked to Zuko and worried, was it weird? Did she say something wrong?

"What that okay?" she mouthed when the woman went away, hoping she hadn't accidentally been rude.

The woman came back one more, this time, her wink was for Kisumi and she set a small notebook and pencil down in front of her before walking off again. She looked at it and blinked, looking at Zuko again shly for a moment.

"Oh!" she then shifted for her pocket and retrieved the box, "H-here," she opened it and handed it over. "T-the crown is for you..."

She hoped she'd like it and then briefly thought about what it would be like to have Zuko put the other necklace around her, coming close, fingers bushing the nape of her neck as she fasted the little clasp. She shut her eyes tight to push the fantasy away. What mattered right now was if Zuko thought her gift was totally lame.

That woman was going to be the death of her..

She hadn't even bothered to ask Zuko what she wanted to drink since the girl always had green tea. But her signing was what flustered Zuko the most. She had tried to sign back, denying what the owner had said. When she found it useless Zuko let her forehead hit against the table with a soft thud as she groaned. When she pulled back up, her cheeks were a cute pink. It was then that she noticed the notepad that had been left and her electric blue hues pleaded to not have her repeat what was said.

Her head shook, sending blue locks brushing across her forehead and cheeks. Of course she hadn't said anything weird. The older woman was proud of her work and appreciated the words, but what came after.. Zuko blushed again and lifted her drink to her lips. It was most certainly not helping her state of mind.

When Kissy passed the box to her, Zuko lifted her eyebrows and glanced up to Kissy then back to the necklaces. A slender finger gently lifted the jewelry from its place to get a better look as she smirked. It was absolutely perfect. Instead of waiting until after they ate she removed the two from the box and passed the crown to Kissy before she stood and moved so she was kneeling on the seat next to the pinkette. Her finger twirled, indicating she should turn her back to her. Once this was done, the necklace was unclasped and placed around her neck. After it was reclasped, Zuko straightened the chain and settled down, turning around so Kissy could do the same for her. She was so excited about the necklaces that her scars were forgotten. Her hands flipped down her collar to make it easier and revealed the smooth marks that disappeared into her hair line for Kissy to see.