A/N: Thanks to xXHimeSamaMaiXx for my first review. And to everyone who added it to their story alerts. So with that being said here is chapter 2.
Summary: Set 2 weeks after the war is over. Zuko is realizing the problems that come with being the Fire Lord as everything possible seems to go wrong. Through it all one person is there to help him find his mother and himself. Zutara/Taang/Sukka
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar
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Zuko walked through the double doors leading into the dining room as passing servants bowed to him. He still wasn't used to the respect he was given as the new Fire Lord. He was banished for so long that the palace life seemed so foreign. However he was bred for this sort of attention. He entered the room and spotted Mai snacking on fruit tarts topped with rose petals. He walked over to her and when she noticed his presence she stood up and bowed to him.
"Fire Lord Zuko." Mai said as she stood up.
"Hey Mai, How was your day. I haven't seen you."
"Boring. This palace has nothing fun to do. I just walked around near the garden. Then I ordered some servants to sharpen my blades."
"I'm sorry your day was… uneventful. I will try to see if I can find some way to entertain you" Zuko replied to the boring noblewomen. 'Since when is she interested with fun?'
"Well, I'm sure I would have fun if you entertained me" Mai replied with a wink
"Ohh... uh... well… Do you want to eat?" Zuko replied as he felt his body temperature rise. 'Whoa, where did that come? She sure is surprising today.' Zuko thought.
"Yeah, sure." Mai replied in her normal monotone voice. They both sat down as Zuko motioned for the servers to bring their food in.
"So you look beautiful tonight" Zuko said gesturing to Mai's black Kimono with a silver dragon on it.
"Thanks. Ugh… What is taking the servants so long with our food" Mai said with a sigh. "You should get better Palace help. My daggers were still dull when I got them back"
"I'm sorry; I'll see to it that they are re-sharpened correctly." The Servants brought the food in and sat it in front the Fire Lord and the noblewomen.
"Took you long enough" Mai muttered under her breath. The couple ate in silence as Zuko struggled to think of conversation. Every time he talked to Mai she was unemotional and depressing. Her new thing lately was complaining. Everything was wrong to her. He had too many things to worry about. Now Mai required entertainment, and what was with the wink???? Zuko was, like most men, confused. He picked up a piece of spicy chicken and chewed thoughtfully.
"Zuko, are you o.k.?" Mai asked breaking the silence.
"Yeah, I'm just stressed from all the work I have to do." Zuko looked at Mai thinking 'Not like you would know. I am always dealing with paperwork and I get no help from you… sorry I forgot you have to complain to all of the servants.' It was no secret that the Fire Lords girlfriend was despised by the help. Zuko would pass rooms and hear them complaining about her complaining. All in all it was way too much complaining for Zuko to handle. Why couldn't she be more like Katara. 'Wait!! Where had that thought come from. I'm losing it'
"Oh." Mai simply stated. They ate the rest of their meal with no conversation to speak of. Unless of course you count "Can you pass the spices?" "Here" "Thanks Mai." "Whatever". After their meal Zuko pulled Mai into a stiff embrace and kissed her goodnight.
"I have to go start on my paperwork. I'll see you later."
"Goodnight Zuko." And with that Mai and Zuko went separate ways. Zuko wondered as he headed to his office why he loved her. He figured that was a problem for another day.
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Aang was fuming as he walked down the hall. How could Katara break up with him… Well reject him. He loved her. "UHHHH!!!" Aang screamed out.
"Geez Twinkle Toes. What's with all the noise." Toph said poking her head out of a room that Aang was passing. "Your vibrations are disturbing my rest."
"Sorry Toph."
"Come on, what's wrong?"
"I was just rejected by Katara." Aang said as he looked at the floor.
"Oh really?" Toph said, although there was no surprise in her voice.
"Wait you knew she didn't like me?"
"Well… yeah. A person gives off certain vibrations when they like someone. Sugar Queen only gives off those vibes when she's near Zu--- Haru."
"Ugh. I knew it!!! It must have been the mustache." Aang said as he cursed his lack of hair.
"Sure. Don't worry I'm sure you'll be fine. There are other girls out there who like you. Anyways, you better get packed. We have a long flight on Appa tomorrow. Great, no earth for 5 hours"
"Yeah, I should go do that. Thanks for the talk Toph."
"Anytime Twinkle Toes. No if you will excuse me I need to get back to my beauty rest."
"Goodnight Toph" Aang said as he watched Toph return to her room. 'She can always make me forget when I'm upset'
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Sokka and Suki exited the kitchen with full bellies only to find Katara on the floor crying. They looked at each other and Sokka gestured for Suki to give them some space. He sighed. His sister was emotional and as her brother it was his job to cheer her up.
"Hey Katara. Do you want to talk about?" Katara looked up at the sound of Sokka's voice. But keep hugging her legs with her back to the wall.
"Su...Sure Sokka." Katara sniffled. "Aang told me he loved me and I don't feel the same way."
"And did you tell him how you felt?"
"Yeah, and saying he didn't take it well is an understatement."
"I'm sorry sis. I'm glad you were honest with him though. That and no guy even comes close to being good enough for you."
"Thanks Sokka. I just wish that it could have ended differently." Katara said. Sokka offered her his hand and helped her stand up. "I think I'm going to head out in a week to the Southern Water Tribe. I miss Gran-Gran and Dad. That and I'm sure that I can help re-build. I want to take some ideas I got from the Northern Water Tribe and bring them home."
"That sounds great Katara. That and going home can help you forget about this whole Aang thing" Katara looked down at the floor and started crying again. Sokka scratched the back of his head. 'Why do I always say the wrong thing?'
"Oh Katara, I have to tell you something. I'm leaving with Suki to Kyoshi Island to help rebuild and train the new warriors" Instantly Katara stopped crying and started to laugh. "Wait what's so funny?"
"Just the thought of you in the Kyoshi Warriors dress. Not to mention the make-up." Katara said giggling.
"Suki wouldn't make me wear it again… wait would she?"
"I'm pretty sure if your training there's no exceptions Sokka." Katara said still laughing.
"Yeah, I'll see you later…. SUKI!!!!!!!!!!" Sokka yelled as he ran off to find his warrior. Katara sank back down on the floor. She was still upset over the whole Aang thing, but she had to focus on going back home. As well as getting her mind off a certain Fire Lord who had been in her dreams recently. She didn't know why he was in her thoughts but she figured when she left any feelings she has will disappear too. Then again he did save her life, so it must be natural for her to have some emotion towards him. She scolded herself; He was dating that gloomy girl…Mai. Ugh. What did he see in her? 'Wait am I jealous… no I just need to focus. Got that Katara. Focus. He is so amazing though and handsome. FOCUS. Water Tribe rebuilding. I need to leave soon before I really lose it.' Shaking her head as she stood up, she started heading to her room. It was getting late; she just hoped that her dreams were free from Zuko.
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So it looks like Katara likes Zuko. I've read a lot of stories where Zuko likes Katara and it takes time for her to love him back. So for my story I decided to switch it up. For Taang their relationship might develop sooner, I haven't decided yet. I just don't want Toph to be a rebound. And may I say that writing Mai was a pain, I got bored just thinking about having to write her. I promise Maiko won't last long. I just want the Zutara relationship to grow.
Please Review.
