She embraced him harder as he buried his face on her shoulder. This was all she can afford to give him, but somehow they both knew that the gesture was enough.

"He was only fourteen. The same age Katara was when we went after the Southern Raiders so many years ago..."

Mai knew that Zuko was once again tearing himself up over the recent end of another rebel uprising. The Firelord personally led his armies against such threats, and he faced enough of his enemies for him to be fearless and unnerved by their plots and attacks.

But this time, not this one.

"He told me his father was the commanding officer we attacked back then in that ship. It was supposed to be his last reconnaissance mission... he was to be honorably discharged because he... had a weak heart." A sigh. "By all rights, he shouldn't be even in the army... but you know the policies back then." His wife nodded grimly, and Zuko continued reluctantly, "After the attack... or rather after I rammed the man against the hull... I guess he couldn't take the shock his body endured and... he died a week later."

"So... the leader of the rebels." Mai said, understanding dawned on her grim features.

"Was his only child. He felt I stole his father from him. And that's why he joined the rebels, to make me pay." The Firelord covered his face with a shaking hand. "I looked at his face, and I knew he was telling the truth. He was wearing the same expression Katara did back then, full of anger and hate. But unlike her... there was no Aang to make him stop. He couldn't stop fighting, won't listen, even when I tried to explain... when I tried to apologize."

There were no more words, and she knew what happened next. With a heavy heart, Mai could only hold Zuko, as they both took upon themselves for the sins of their past for the sake of the future.