Hi there, I'm planning on turning this into a big set of drabbles of "Lost Moments" between Zuko and Mai. Rating set at T for now, though it could be subject to change in the future.

Reviews and constructive criticism is always welcome.

-E


Chapter 1: Remembering Home

Zuko decided that he had definitely not missed Azula's schemes during banishment. Her plots usually ended with him covered head to toe in mud, soaking wet, and marching away with a wounded pride. He knew immediately, from the warmth creeping to his cheeks, that something was up when the only other person to show up to dinner was her. But despite his suspicions, and the bushes that seemed to giggle, he decided to take a seat at the table. He was kind of hungry, anyways, and if he learned one thing during banishment, it was to not let perfectly good food go to waste.

After sampling what was on his plate, he realized that he'd missed the taste of home. The food was, though he didn't care to admit it, much better than the food he had been subjected to eat for the last few months. It wasn't seasoned quite right, but he decided that it didn't matter too much. Besides, once Azula and her friends left, it would be back to Earth Kingdom food.

Off-key music began to play, and he looked up, suddenly remembering that she was still there. The Mai he remembered from years ago would blush, and stutter, and softly giggle at the jokes Azula played on him, and give him the occasional bashful glance which he vaguely remembered returning. In fact, he found himself timidly glancing up at her now. This Mai was different. This Mai held her head high, and was proud in her manner of walking. This Mai spoke with an even and steady voice, this Mai didn't look at him at all. But Zuko found himself curious. He wondered if her hair was as soft as it looked, or if her amber-gray eyes, which were fixed upon the plate in front of her, were just as he remembered them.

The Dai Li agent stumbled over a few notes.

He found himself wanting to talk to her, to ask her how she'd been these past three years.

Another wrong note.

Zuko cleared his throat.

A flat note.

"Almost tastes like Fire Nation food. Just isn't seasoned enough," the wrong words left his mouth.

Zuko felt his pulse flutter as those amber-gray eyes turned to him. Her tongue flicked across the ends of her chopsticks, and she opened her mouth to speak-

A painfully sharp note.

Mai grimaced and Zuko's face burned.

"Can you please stop that? You're giving me a headache!" he complained to the Dai Li agent. The man apologized, and shuffled away.

The bushes snickered and Zuko felt the heat in his cheeks rise. He got up to leave. "I know you're back there Azula! Don't you have something more important to do?" he yelled. He certainly had more important things to do than get laughed at by his sister and make small talk with old acquaintances. He was done going along with his little sister's dumb games.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I was just telling Ty Lee- "

As he took a step to exit the garden, a hand brushed against his sleeve.

And then, in a barely audible voice, "Let's get out of here."

He hesitated, "Good idea," he replied. He was, after all, just leaving.


They wandered to the Middle Ring, browsing the shops and stalls in silence, the occasional comment made between the two. Much to his discontent, the streets were familiar to him. He knew exactly how to get to that old noodle shack he and Uncle used to go to, he recognized the stall owned by the woman his Uncle would occasionally flirt with, and he was well aware that the old tea house was just a left around the corner. He took a right instead. In that moment, he decided that after his sister left for home, he'd leave Ba Sing Se; he never liked this city in the first place. He hated the food, he hated the smell, and he hated the sluggish, loud crowds. A baby was crying, two women were trying to haggle, someone behind them was calling out after someone named Lee.

Lee…where had he heard that name before?

"Lee, I can't believe it! It's been so long!"

Oh, right.

"Lee?" An amused voice drawled.

"Oh…Hi, Jin…umm…err. This is just my friend from…the circus," Zuko laughed nervously, "Yeah, she's the knife thrower," he inched away towards a side alley, trying to make an escape. Sweet freedom was tangible just as he felt two hands on his back, leading him towards a familiar fountain.

"Here, I'll show you," Mai obliged Jin, "Go stand over there, Lee," Zuko could hear the smirk on her lips.

She turned him around, her hands resting on his shoulders for a moment. Zuko almost shivered as those amber-gray eyes looked him up and down.

"Hmm…Still not quite right," Suddenly, there was a fish on Zuko's head, "Better."

Mai made her way back to Jin, an icicle in hand.

"You see, it's all in the wrist, really," she let the icicle fly.

Zuko held his breath and closed his eyes. The icicle impaled his face. He was dead, surely he was dead.

"Wow! That was amazing!" was that Jin's voice?

Zuko inhaled, and after coming to the conclusion that he was, in fact, not dead, he marveled in his new found appreciation for life. He was safe.

"You wanna try, Jin?"

He spoke too soon.

This time, as the icicle came soaring towards his face, he was quite positive that to stay still would mean that he really would die this time around.

Turning to move, he slipped and landed in the fountain. He struggled for air under the frigid water, emerging to the most peculiar sound: laughter. He peered up at her, through wet bangs and with burning cheeks. And she looked down at him, a grin on her face.

"Now we're even,"

He sprung up out of the fountain, and with a cackle she took off down a side street.

Girls are crazy, he thought as he chased after her.

She was much faster than Zuko anticipated. He trailed behind her, his breath labored as he struggled to keep her within sight.

Zuko grumbled. He didn't remember chasing down the Avatar ever being this strenuous.

"Are you crazy?!" Zuko called after her, "You could have gotten me killed!"

Laughter was her response.

"Whatever, Lee," Mai spoke breathily.

"Just stop for a sec!"

She slowed, giving him a chance to catch up. His hand came up to grab her shoulder, to ensure that she wouldn't leave him again.

Zuko felt the color rising to his again, vaguely noticing the same on Mai's cheeks, and he became suddenly aware of how close in proximity they were to each other. He quickly turned away to hide his face, massaging the hand that had, only moments ago, been touching Mai's shoulder because it, too, now burned.

"You finally seem to be enjoying yourself," he spoke softly, "I've missed seeing this side of you," and it was true. This was the little girl from all those years ago. The little girl he had left behind three years ago in the Fire Nation.

"Well, a lot has changed since the day when I used to throw mud in your face,"

She was right. The scar on Zuko's face ached. Three years ago, things were very different. He had pride, he had honor. His uncle didn't hate him, he had had –or he thought he had, at least- his father's love. Three years ago, this scar didn't define his life.

A soft hand cupped his cheek.

"But not everything's changed," her voice as whisper as she drew nearer to him, their foreheads touching. He gazed into those familiar, amber-gray eyes, watching as they closed, unaware of his eyes doing the same. There was a sort of completeness, an ache soothed, when he felt her lips brush against his. He froze for a moment, before kissing her again, this time, her arms encircling his neck, and his hands finding their seemingly natural place on her waist.

They lost track of time, reluctantly returning to the palace long after dark had settled in. Avoiding Azula and Ty Lee's knowing smiles, they stole one final kiss before parting ways to each of their respected bed chambers. Zuko lay in bed, his lips tingling as he replayed the last few moments of the night in his head. He could not forget the softness of her lips, and her scent still lingered. Zuko found himself missing her again.