I actually wrote this story a long time ago, when I was 13 (I'm 18 now). I re-found it when browsing through and I clicked on RealCoral's account. Her (My) account is still there. But anyway, I kind of proofread the story and added more detail. I like it better now ^^
Before she left, Ursa had started a tradition of picnicking as a family every year under the cherry trees. But now the glue that kept the family together was gone and everyone, especially Azula and Ozai refused to acknowledge it.
Zuko, however, wanted the legacy of Ursa to continue. Although there were certain family traditions he had despised, seeing the Ember Island Players being the one that first came to mind, he had always enjoyed the annual event. It was one of the few times in the year when he could talk to his father casually and when Azula would tone down on her teasing (although she would still call him Zuzu).
The first spring without Ursa, Zuko began to make plans for the picnic. Although he did not think it was likely for Azula or Ozai to accompany him, he tried to keep a positive attitude. He made a checklist of everything he needed and gathered the courage needed to talk to his father (who barely talked to him now that Ursa was gone) and Azula (who very rarely talked about their family).
He decided to approach the subject first to Azula. She refused to attend without hesitation, saying that it was too childish and pointless, especially when food was being made by professionals in the palace. Zuko got the feeling that there was another reason, but did not question anything.
Not completely dissuaded, he went up to his father during the few times when he was not in meetings.
"Will you come with me?"
"No," was his father's response. The Firelord glared at Zuko for a few seconds, making Zuko feel self-conscious. The few times his father talked to him was usually to offer criticism. To Zuko's relief however, Ozai simply turned around and left for yet another war meeting.
Zuko wanted to ask his uncle Iroh to go with him. However, he was still in deep mourning over the death of Lu Ten and had decided to travel around the world. The prince did not know if and when he would come back. Besides, the best time to watch the cherry trees was almost over.
Now desperate, Zuko started to ask the random people of the palace to help him out, including the servants and the cooks. All said they were too busy but Zuko could tell that they were uncomfortable with the situation. He had no friends his own age, seeing how he had been homeschooled by tutors, and all his tutors were too strict to ask.
Zuko could tell that people were starting to pity him, which just made him more depressed. After all, he was a prince, even if he was just twelve years old.
Everything had been upside down ever since Lu Ten died. His mother and uncle left. Azula teased and bullied him more than ever before and his father barely acknowledged him. All Zuko wanted was to get things back to the way they were.
Although Zuko waited a while to see if anyone would change their mind, he ultimately decided no one would. Since the cherry tree season was almost over, he elected to just go by himself and remember the time their family was actually happy.
He packed a basket with his favorite food. He then miserably left the palace and headed to a nearby seaside cliff, where the family always set up the picnic. It gave beautiful views of both the giant cherry tree and the ocean. To give it an extra touch of magic, there was almost always a gentle seaside breeze.
As he was leaving the palace, he saw Mai walking around the garden, dropping breadcrumbs everywhere to feed to the birds.
"Hello Mai," said Zuko. Mai jumped a little, surprised.
"Oh, hi Zuko," she said, blushing. Why she was so strange around Zuko, he didn't know. He was too young to understand his sister's best friend's feelings.
"Where are you going?" asked Mai, still blushing, as Zuko seemed reluctant to talk. She wished the earth would swallow her up.
"Nowhere," answered Zuko.
"You can't really be going nowhere, Zuko, everyone goes somewhere," said Mai, trying to sound smart. However, Zuko just looked at her with an unreadable expression, although she suspected he was either annoyed or angry. Mai blushed yet again. Ty Lee would say it was some sort of record. Blushing, that is.
A long and awkward silence followed and Mai wished even harder that she could control the red on her face.
"See you Mai," said Zuko after a long awkward silence. Mai just waved back, slightly ashamed.
Mai stared at Zuko and wondered what he carried in his picnic basket and where he was going. A picnic? She almost laughed at the stupidity of her thoughts. She hesitated and decided to follow Zuko, unsure what to expect.
Her imagination raced during the long walk there. What if he was meeting a girl? After all, picnics could be very romantic. Or what if he was leaving the palace? Mai couldn't deal with Zuko's disappearance. Her thoughts continued to race, coming up with more and more unlikely reasons as to where Zuko was going.
Finally, the young prince stopped. The girl looked around. She saw a large cherry tree planted near the end of a cliff. In the backdrop, she saw the ocean, too bright to look at directly because of the noon sun. Other than grass, weeds, and the occasional flower, there was nothing else to see.
"I know you've been following me."
For the second time that day, Mai jumped at Zuko's voice. She turned a deep red and was lost for words, trying to come up with a reasonable excuse why she had been acting like a stalker.
"Why did you follow me?"
Mai considered jumping off the cliff. She still refused to meet Zuko in the eye.
With a sigh, the prince moved in her direction. Stupid! Think of something!
It wasn't until Zuko was directly in front of her that she finally lifted her gaze. The love of her life had an unreadable expression on his face. For a split second Mai thought about how handsome he looked.
"Why did you follow me?" he asked again. When he realized that Mai was still tongue tied however, the boy sighed again.
"It's okay you know. I was kind of looking for companionship."
He gave her a rare (and radiant) smile and grabbed her wrist.
He's actually acting like a boy.
"Come on! Picnics are more fun with other people!"
"Okay," responded the girl in a small voice. The young girl had been waiting for a moment like this for a long time.
Her crush ran toward the basket under the cherry tree. He opened the lid and took out a large blanket. Zuko spread the blanket on the ground and began to unpack the food and plates. Mai stood close, wondering if she should help him out.
"What have you packed?" asked the girl after an awkward pause.
"Dumplings, curry, and fire flakes," answered the prince.
Mai wrinkled her nose, which caught the prince's attention. He stared at her for a few seconds.
"I hate fire flakes," she answered, "Flour and peppers don't mix."
"Have you tried them before?"
"No. But I hate fire flakes."
Zuko only shrugged in response and kept unpacking. Mai felt like she had said something wrong but she got that feeling every time she talked to him.
"I'm guessing you still like curry."
Mai nodded and proceeded to grab a plate, where she began to serve herself the food.
The two aristocrats then contented themselves by eating silently while staring at the falling cherry tree leaves. Mai felt like saying something, although she was not sure why. Zuko seemed to be in a sad mood and he kept clenching his jaw.
"Come on Mai," said Zuko after he cleaned his plate, "Why don't you try fire flakes?"
"I hate fire flakes!" yelled the young girl. Zuko looked back at her, ashamed.
"I'm sorry Zuko, I-" started Mai.
"Don't apologize," Zuko said abruptly, cutting her off mid-sentence, "I shouldn't be making you do something you don't want to do."
Zuko grabbed fire flakes and Mai just stared in silence at the sea, feeling once again like she had said something stupid. She did not notice Zuko was looking at her.
"I can't believe it!" yelled the young girl suddenly, "It's the rare panda lily!"
Mai had seen a bunch of panda lilies near the end of the cliff were they sat. Before Zuko could truly register what Mai meant, Mai stood up quickly and ran towards the flowers near the cliff. Zuko tried to stop her, saying it was too dangerous but Mai's legs seemed to have a mind of their own now.
However, when she reached the end of the cliff and looked down to where the ocean was waiting for her, she slipped. The young girl yelled, waiting for her death. Suddenly, a hand reached out and grabbed her wrist. Instinctively, she held on to it.
"Mai!" yelled Zuko's voice from the top of the cliff, "don't let go of my hand!"
Mai was too afraid to tell him she did not have much of a choice. Zuko extended out his other hand and shouted to grab his other hand. Mai held it tightly, not realizing for a second that Zuko was holding her hand. With some effort, Zuko pulled her up. In a few seconds, he had her on the cliff unharmed but for a few mud stains and scratches.
Mai and Zuko sat sprawled on the floor for a few minutes, trying to catch their breath. Suddenly Mai started crying, something rare.
"Why are you crying?" he asked, perplexed.
"I'm sorry!" she sobbed.
"Huh?" he muttered confused.
Mai stood up to leave with her hands hiding her sobbing face but Zuko's hand stopped her once again.
"Why are you leaving?" he asked.
Mai glared at Zuko with eyes full of tears. Her gaze told Zuko nothing, but it still hit him like an electric shock. Zuko let go of her arm. Despite now having a free arm however, Mai stood there, forgetting her previous escape attempt. It was strange what a crush could do to the mind. One moment she wanted to do something, the next she was wishing she had fallen off the cliff. The two children stared at each other, waiting for the other to speak.
"Would you like some fire flakes?" asked Zuko finally, trying to defuse the tension. He walked back towards the picnic basket.
"I don't like fire flakes," said the girl for the last time.
"I know," said the prince with the bag of flakes on his hand.
"But I'm ready to try them" she said grinning. Yes, it was strange what a crush could do the mind.
Please review! If I made any stupid mistakes, don't be afraid to correct me. I tried to make the interactions between the kids as natural as possible, but if it sounds weird to you, don't be afraid to tell me. As of right now, I am editing three chapters (go to RealCoral's account if you want a "sneak preview" of it). I also wrote a brand new chapter that deals with the romantic relationship between Ozai and Ursa. But again, it's in editing mode. I'll probably upload it soon though, maybe this weekend. That is, if people want me to keep writing :D