A/N: This story was to be for the Maiko Big Bang on LiveJournal, but it was proving a bit difficult. So, I came up with another idea for that and now I can take my time with this particular story.

Vita Post Mortem

Prologue

Fire Nation Palace

Zuko had enjoyed five years of peace, five years of happiness and five years with the love of his life. The sunrise always roused him from the deep sleeps of contentment he now had, so different from the restless nights of his past. And as each day began, he looked over at Mai breathing softly in and out, her black hair spread across her pillow, her features peaceful and thanked Agni for his good fortune. Sometimes he still believed it would be taken away and sometimes he still believed that he didn't deserve it.

"Mmmm," Mai moaned, stretching herself awake. She looked up at her husband and smiled. "I can feel the intensity of your gaze almost every morning."

"Oh, does it wake you up? I'm sorry," the Fire Lord said contritely.

Mai just rolled her eyes and reached up with her hand, brushing the dark bangs from Zuko's expressive eyes.

"It's nice," she said softly. "I like when you look at me."

"I'd like to do more than look," Zuko said suggestively.

He rubbed a hand across her huge belly. Mai was almost eight months pregnant with their second child. And she was more beautiful than he had ever seen her. Pushing her simple red nightgown up, he placed his hands on bare skin, running them up and down and all around the mound. It felt warm and firm and occasionally there would be a flutter of movement. Every time that happened, just like with their son, Takehiko, now two years old, a look of utter joy and wonder would flash across Zuko's face. Mai found it adorable and his thrill at being a father made her love him all the more.

Zuko removed his hands and began to kiss her abdomen instead. He pushed her nightgown up further and placed kisses on her swollen breasts. Mai tried to wriggle out of her underwear, desperate for more of Zuko's touch now.

"Let me help," Zuko breathed softly.

Mai lifted her bottom off the bed and Zuko slid her underwear down, tossing it off the side and onto the plush red carpet. He stood up for a moment and pulled down his sleep pants, revealing the arousal Mai already knew was there.

"Take your nightgown off too," he demanded, his voice thick with desire.

It was a struggle for Mai to sit up. Zuko helped again and she pulled the gown over her head. He eased her back down and then set to work between her legs. She was oozing wetness and made little pleased noises that drove Zuko even crazier. His tongued darted in and out and then over that tiny, highly sensitive bud. It didn't take long for Mai to reach climax. Little tremors ran through her body and when they stopped, she sighed deliciously. Zuko got up onto his knees and looked down at Mai; flushed from her orgasm and with bits of hair sticking to her cheek and her neck, gold eyes hazy with pleasure and lust, she looked positively wanton.

"On your back," she ordered and gave him a playful swat. "We're not finished yet."

Zuko helped Mai to a sitting position then placed a searing kiss on her lips before scooting around her and lying down on his back, as requested. It was easier at this late stage of pregnancy for Mai to be on top. It was one of her favorite positions regardless. She straddled Zuko's thighs and grabbed hold of his member, stroking it with agonizing slowness, teasing her husband. She wanted to hear him plead for release.

"Mai," he hissed. "Come on, I'm going crazy here," he begged.

"That's the whole point," Mai replied and leaned over as far as she could, balancing herself on her two hands.

She dragged her tongue slowly up and down his hardness until Zuko was actually twitching with tortured delight.

"Ready?" Mai asked with a raspy laugh.

Her husband just nodded his head over and over until Mai finally lifted herself back up, shifted and lowered her body onto Zuko's cock. He placed hot hands on her hips and held her firmly in place for a moment, just reveling in the feel of her surrounding him. She began to undulate then, her movements slow and sure, until she almost lost herself in the pleasure. Zuko laid back and let her do the work, only reaching up to touch her hair or a breast every so often.

When Mai clenched even tighter around him, he grunted and grabbed hold of her hips again, thrusting jerkily until all his seed was inside her. She climbed off gingerly and placed a kiss on his chest. Zuko ran fingers through her silky black hair and gave her a lopsided grin.

"Can we start every morning like that?" he asked.

"Once the baby comes, I highly doubt it," Mai laughed. "I'm going to have a quick bath. Why don't you check on Takehiko?"

"Sure, just let me wash up. I smell like sex," the Fire Lord grinned.

Ten minutes later, he opened the door to their son's room and scooped him out of bed, still sleepy eyed.

"Daddy?" he asked.

"Let's get you dressed and wash your face. Then we can have breakfast with Mommy."

"K," he replied obligingly enough.

Takehiko was a quiet, thoughtful two year old with a surprisingly quirky sense of humor. He had his father's dark brown hair and dark gold eyes though they were narrow like Mai's. You could see the delicate bone structure beneath his chubby baby cheeks. He was a handsome little boy, and would no doubt grow up to be a handsome man.

Zuko helped the boy out of his sleep pants and shirt and into a simple red tunic over brown pants. He scrubbed the boy's face and then kissed him affectionately on top of the head. Scooping him up once more, he ran down the hall with the giggling toddler and entered his own quarters again.

Mai was just tying up her robe when Takehiko ran to her, wrapping eager arms around her thighs.

"Mommy!" he exclaimed.

"I'm happy to see you too," Mai replied with a smile.

She took her son's tiny, warm hand in hers and led him to the low table where breakfast would soon be served. Zuko followed, sitting on the sofa and putting his feet up on said table. Mai promptly pushed them off.

"Food goes there," she reminded her husband and eased herself down next to him.

"Fine, fine," he grumbled but his voice held no real anger or irritation.

"Are you hungry?" Mai asked as Takehiko climbed up beside her on the sofa and put his head on her belly.

She ran her fingers through soft, still baby fine hair and then stroked his head.

"Yeah," he replied. "Me hear baby now."

"Okay, just remember that soon you'll be hearing a whole lot from him or her."

Zuko leaned over, kissed Takehiko on the head again, and then kissed Mai with great tenderness.

"I can't wait," he whispered, though her comment wasn't meant for him.

Akina Island, Fire Nation

Jiro walked home from the harbor, torn fishing nets slung over his shoulder. His wife, Akemi, would mend them tonight after dinner. He was far too tired for the relatively easy day he had had and his muscles ached dully. Swiping at his damp forehead irritably, his hand came back slick with sweat. And yet the day was cooler than usual even for early winter. Shrugging, he continued along the road waving cheerfully at acquaintances and friends.

"How was the fishing today, Jiro," an old woman who ran the town's single tavern asked.

"Not good," Jiro replied with a small frown. "But tomorrow will be better."

"That's the spirit," she called and went back to sweeping the street in front of her establishment.

Jiro breathed in deeply and then gasped at the pain he felt in his chest.

"What in Agni's name is going on?" he asked himself.

He breathed in again and winced. His head began to throb, like a drummer was beating out a rhythm inside his skull. He felt weak and wanted to sit down. But Akemi was waiting and she would be angry if he was late. Forcing himself forward, Jiro began to cough. It was a deep, moist, hacking sound and when he took his hand away from his mouth, he noticed small flecks of blood on his palm.

He collapsed a few minutes later. A passerby ran for help and the healer came within minutes. The two men carried Jiro home, though the front door of his simple house, past his distraught wife and onto the bed.

"Shou, what's wrong with him?" Akemi shrieked.

They had no children and their lives revolved around each other. She didn't know how she would survive should something happen to Jiro.

"I'm not sure," Shou replied. He placed a comforting hand on her back and guided her away from the bedroom. "Let me have a look at him, alright?"

Akemi nodded her assent and left the room, hovering in the doorway. The healer examined Jiro. He was feverish and coughing regularly. More and more blood sprayed outward with each hack. Shou wiped the spittle from his own face with a clean cloth and then wiped at Jiro's mouth. He attempted to give his patient some water, but the man pushed it aside violently.

"Let me see Akemi," he finally gasped. "Now!"

The healer nodded and gestured for the woman to come in. Within a minute Jiro was dead. One more great gout of blood spewed from his mouth with his final retching cough.

"Agni save us," Shou whispered softly. "I've never seen anything like that."

Akemi laid her head on her husband's chest, oblivious to the red dampness, and wailed.