Six grueling months of torturous search, my feet stung with every step I took towards home, once again returning with nothing but an ever despairing hope. I could feel the strain of the pack on my back, which felt almost as broken as the heart in my chest. I could see the edges of my palace, my awaiting fiancé waiting patiently inside no doubt. This brought me little comfort however, I was consumed in the desperation that had filled my soul since the veil had been shoved precariously off my eyes- since I had learned my mother was alive.
I was greeted like a king-which in some way, I suppose I am. Servants took my pack and coat, removing my burdens I could feel some strength surge back to the surface of my demeanor. I thanked them and pressed onward towards the bath. The steam from the water embraced the fervid blood in my veins, coaxing it into submission. I disrobed quickly and lowered myself into the water, from the bottoms of my dirt caked feet to my weathered face, and blew fire from my nostrils, heating the water to a near boil. I rinsed my filthy hair and watched the water turn a muddy brown color before the waves dispersed it. My body relaxed within the bath, allowing my muscles the long-awaited break they'd longed for. I focused so intently on scrubbing the filth from my tortured body that I didn't notice Mai enter.
"Zuko, we have guests…" she whispered in my ear. I jumped at the intrusion.
"Mai, I'm currently bathing, if you didn't notice." I snapped.
"No luck then? Oh Zuko, I do wish you'd give these frivolous pursuits up. I think maybe it's time you recognized that she may be gone… besides, I get so lonely…" she nuzzled my ear affectionately.
"Leave." She sighed and did as I asked, she was aware of my temper, as were most of those close to me, though it only flared about this subject. It wasn't fair to her, she was right, I left for months at a time and she was alone. Then there was all the repairs that needed to be taken into consideration. As Firelord I should be more concerned, and I am. But I'm being selfish. Childish, even. I knew that. Mai knew that. Even Aang had warned me of it. But I needed to do this. No one understood. Not really.
I rose out of the bath to greet our guests.
