Mai knew what grown ups meant when they said someone was "gone." It didn't mean they moved away or were going on a very long trip. It meant they died and went away forever and ever and ever. Only grown ups didn't say that because it made them too sad. So they said they were "gone." Gone meant you couldn't talk to them anymore, hug them, laugh with them. Gone and not coming back.

Ty Lee was sitting next to her, sobbing hysterically like a big baby. Mai knew those kind of tears. They were spur of the moment and and you could brush them off and move on. Then there were other tears, the kind that were less showy and dramatic, but more meaningful. They stuck on your cheek long after Mommy wiped them away and tugged your face into a frown whenever you were happy. They hurt like a cut from a knife and needed more than a dab of medicine to heal them.

All the way up front Zuko and Azula weren't crying. Maybe people in the royal family weren't allowed to cry in public. Mai had seen them both cry before, when their feet got stuck in shut doors and they fell and scratched their faces. But no one but her had been around then. Half the Fire Nation was there now and they couldn't cry like a baby in front of everyone.

People started getting up and leaving. New Fire Lord must have finished his boring speech about boring stuff. Mai made ready to find her parents but Ty Lee tugged on her arm and pulled through the crowd. Ty Lee's hair was all ruffly and her eyes were gooey and red but she was already perking up.

Azula and Zuko were standing around looking miserable. They didn't look like they had been crying; their eyes were shiny and their cheeks were clean. Ty Lee dragged Mai up to them and without further ado jumped in and hugged Azula.

"Stop it Ty! You're embaressing me!" Azula cried, pushing Ty Lee away.

"I'm so sorry about everyone you know that died. Your cousin, your mother, and your grandfather..." Ty Lee said seriously, counting off the dead family members on fingers. Azula rolled her eyes, something Mai thought was a odd action for a person who has just attended a funeral. Zuko stiffened behind Azula.

"Its quite alright Ty Lee." Azula said sharply. It looked like it was alright too. She was almost smirking. "Are you sure? It must be really really sad! I remember when my kitty died I was crying for ages and ages and Mom said she'd get me a new kitty so I cheered up!" Ty Lee said. Mai kicked her. Did she have any idea what to say when half of someone's family went away?

"You can't replace people." Mai said softly. Ty Lee caught her meaning and grinned sheepishly.

"Of course not." Azula responded as she picked at her nails.

"I feel really sad for you." Ty Lee continued, putting a comforting hand on Azula's shoulder. Azula pushed it away.

"Yeah. D'you wanna go play cartwheels?" Azula asked happily as if nothing had happened. Ty Lee nodded pulled Mai away to the palace courtyard. She caught a glimse of Zuko before the crowds of mourners obscured him from view, a tear rolling down his cheek.