Bored, that was the only thing Suki could feel at the moment. She was back in the Fire Nation with some of her warriors taking a had not been able to do much on Kyoshi but train, train and train. The girls were getting tired and stressed out, so Suki decided to take them on a trip to the red nation. She was here for a holiday, but was not really in the mood. Being the Fire Lord's friend granted her a lot of privileges, such as owning a very luxurious and big house near the country, having the best quality of furniture inside it and being rich. Aang, Katara, Toph, Sokka and herself all received these kinds of gifts from Zuko after his accension to the throne. Her girls were playing about in their rooms when they had arrived at their destination. Ty Lee was especially happy about returning to the Fire Nation. She decided to take them out for some shopping a while ago. Suki chose to stay at her house, and stare at the open fields. Her heart was broken. Not so long ago she and Sokka had broken up, over someone else. She was sad, she felt alone, and bored. Being used to hearing his laughter so often, it suddenly felt like she was the only person left in the world. She started to think back, on the day they had separated. She longed for company, another to share in her pain and joy, someone close to her, someone that gave her the same feeling she felt during the war when she was still attached. That was a feeling her warriors can never provide her with.
Suki retired to her bedroom. It was gorgeous, yet it was so empty, so lonely… so lonely. After a while Suki fell asleep on her really comfortable bed. How she longed for someone to share the comfort with her. Her mind kept replaying what Sokka's last words were before he left, for good. Their fight was intense, and consequences were harsh. A tear slipped down her eye to her cheek. The girls were back after over an hour's of super pampering and shopping. Ty Lee burst into Suki's room, and regretted it immediately. Suki was still asleep, her face was shiny with tears and looked so sorrowful, so pitiful, so lonely. She remembered the day her leader broke up. She just dashed into the dojo and into the room crying bitterly. When she asked what happened, she was just forced out, and door slamed in her face. She only managed to find out about her separation after talking with her teammates.
"Can't believe she still hurt from that incident." Ty Lee thought to herself. She felt pity for her, and Suki wasn't the only one breaking down. Not so recently, she heard Mai and Zuko break up as well. The information she heard was not clear and she was not sure how and what happened between her two best friends. She was lucky so far, finally hitching up with Haru after the war ended. Things were smooth, and they were just a boat's ride distance from each other. Suki was different, her ex lived all the way in the South Pole, maybe that had contributed to their distancing from each other. Ty Lee stroked Suki head slowly.
"Sokka?" Suki said in her sleep. Ty Lee suddenly had a crazy idea. It may not be the best, but it was still worth a try. She crept out of the room and called for a group meeting.
"Hey girls, as you all know Suki's in a pretty bad shape after that incident, right?"
The others nodded.
"And, my two best buddies from the Fire Nation broke up as well right?"
They nodded again. Ty Lee started elaborating on her plan of getting Zuko and Suki together. At first, her idea for hitching their leader with the Fire Lord was not very well received, but Ty Lee managed to persuade all of them to take part in her scheme to return what Suki had lost to her. And one key fact that made the plan of hers possible, Suki told her once that she actually liked Zuko, and she thought he look better with the scar, something not even Mai would have felt. They discussed and discussed until they had the perfect plan to heal Suki's broken heat. Just as they did, they heard footsteps coming out from Suki's room.
"Quick! Act normal!" Ty Lee whispered. The girls scattered, and went back to their self pampering.
"Oh you girls are back." Suki said while rubbing her eyes. "How did the trip go?"
"Very well, very well indeed, in fact, all of us bought something for you! Girls!"
The plan was being put into action, the first part of it, was to get Suki a good dress for the next phase.
"Wow! You look so good in this!" One of the girls complimented.
While the girls distracted their leader, Ty Lee was already initiating 'Phase 2' of her plan. Getting Zuko ready for the treat she's giving to Suki and Zuko. She was allowed to enter in and out of the palace as and when she wanted to.
"Ty Lee! What brings you here?" Zuko was happy, being the Fire Lord was tedious and all so boring without anyone to accompany him. He moved in for a friendly hug.
"Me and the Kyoshi warriors are here on vacation, and we're staying at Suki's Fire Nation house now. It can get real boring there you know, it's such a small island."
"Well then, do you and your friends care to join me for dinner tonight? It gets really boring here too." Zuko asked.
This was going to be easier than she thought.
"We loved to!"
"Good how 'bout 8 tonight."
"Sure thing Zuko!"
"I'll send some carriages to pick you up before dinner."
When Ty Lee went back to the house, Suki was trying out the dresses her girls bought for her.
"Hey everyone! We're going for dinner at the Fire Lord's palace, at 8 tonight!"
"What? But what am I gonna wear? "
Ty Lee took a nearby mirror and placed it in front of Suki. She pointed at her reflection in the mirror and said, "This."
Ty Lee went out to check on the sundial outside the house.
"Well girls, we have about an hour till dinner starts, lets get ready! Rides are coming in before dinner." Ty Lee said cheerfully.
The girls were only used to warrior face paint, most of them had never used it on a formal occasion. Somehow, they managed to get it to look perfect.
Ostrich-horse carriage arrived outside the house to pick the girls up. Many of them were giggling about the plan, how perfect it has been so far, what the result is going to be like after it was completed. Ty Lee sat in the same carriage as Suki.
"It's gonna be nice to see Zuko again."
"Yeah…" Suki was still lost in her memories.
"Come on Suki, cheer up! We came here to enjoy ourselves, so let's enjoy!"
"I don't see how you can always be so cheerful everyday."
"Guess it's in my blood! Come on give me a smile." Ty Lee lifted Suki cheeks up.
"Aww, you look so cute!"
Suki smiled as Ty Lee took her hands off.
"You always know how to lighten the mood."
"I guess that's in my blood too!"
"Ha ha."
They reached the palace entrance about 10 minutes later. The girls allighted from their carriages. The palace was amazing. Warm flames decorated the amazing building. Inside, beautiful lamps lit up the palace. It was obvious that Zuko had majorly revamped the interior, the girls could see the new design was derived from the palace of Ba Sing Se, Ty Lee had once had a glimpse of the original palace interior. It looked like a slaughter house when she was a child, now it was heaven.
"Welcome to my err…err… oh forget it! Welcome to dinner, everyone!"
The girls laughed, apparently, Zuko was still a sucker at giving speeches. The dining hall was beautifully rebuilted. Ty Lee made sure Suki sat right next to Zuko. Zuko clapped twice, palace servants walked into the hall with dishes in their hands. This was what the Kyoshi Warriors had been missing out on. These dishes were worth dying for.
"Hey Zuko, I remember there was this really nice spot where we could see the city in the palace, can we see it tonight?" Ty Lee asked after finishing her food. Zuko agreed and led them out of the dining hall to the palace top. Ty Lee was not right about beautiful, it was spectacular! As they observed the city, Ty Lee pushed Suki closer to Zuko. Suki shot her an accusing look.
"Oh sorry," Ty Lee faked an embarrassed face. "It's hard to ignore the sight." Ty Lee edged away from the two. So did the other Kyoshi Warriors. They were stepping into Phase 3 of Ty Lee's plan.
"Prepare dim the lights." Ty Lee whispered some of the girls.
"Flutes?" The other girls nodded.
"Are the flower petals ready?" Ty Lee asked the palace servants.
"Ready as you've requested, maam. But may I ask what you intend to do with them?" A female servant replied, holding out a basket of pink petals.
"You'll find out soon." Ty Lee had a mischievious smile on her face. The girls took out their fans as they prepare to initiate the plan.
"Get in position everyone!" Suki and Zuko had already struck up a conversation.
"Now!"
The girls turned off the lamps, and dropped the petals and fanned it as quickly as they could. They started a playing slow soothing melody.
"What the?" Zuko said as the lights were dimmed.
"What's that?" Suki pointed the floating pink petals that were headed towards them. Beautiful music filled the air.
"It's a setup again. I can't believe I fell for it again." Zuko looked back at the city lights.
"Must be Ty Lee again, when we return to Kyoshi, I'm gonna make her run round the whole island 20 times!"
Ty Lee upon hearing that quickly hid herself.
"So, when are you girls leaving?" Zuko was a little sad on hearing her said that they were leaving.
"About, 2 more days. The view is really beautiful up here." Suki turned around and headed back into the palace.
"Wait," Zuko called and grabbed her arm gently. He let go of her arm, and swallowed, a little embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I just wanted know if you'd like to stay a little longer for your vacation." Zuko pulled his collar to release some of his heat. The dimly lit surroundings hid his blushing.
"I'll think about it. Thanks for the dinner too." Suki was blushing herself too. She had developed a little crush on Zuko before they went their separate ways after the war, little did she know Zuko had a crush on her as well.
That night, Suki went back to her Fire Nation home much happier than during the day. Perhaps this vacation was more than what it seems. Perhaps it was a chance to start anew, with a new companion, a new relationship.
