Zutara – Healing Chapter 2
I rolled my eyes; this had to be the 10th feast this week. Who knew the hardest part about my first week as firelord would be holding down all the food? I had never imagined this many people in the firenation were against the war, and they all insisted on giving food and other gifts to thank the avatar and his friends, which included me, for the victory. Aang and the others were still staying here at the palace, partaking in the celebrations.
Tonight was a special party though, for it was the last that the whole gang would be together in. It was a farewell feast and dance, for tomorrow they would go their separate ways. Sokka and Suki were to return to Kyoshi island, Katara planned to return to the south pole, and Aang and Toph (who was rumored as being closer than friends) were heading to the Earth Kingdom to help with the rebuilding and healing. But for tonight, they were here.
My eyes ventured to Katara again. She wasn't smiling and she barely joined any conversation around her. She sat farthest from me out of all the members of the avatar's party. Her manner unnerved me, she usually had more spirit than this, and the war was over yet, I had not once seen her dance at any of the previous parties. I had often wished to speak with her at these parties, but whenever I approached her, she found reason to avoid me. So I gave Katara her space.
When the meal was over, the dancing began. I was practically forced to dance with many noble women or their daughters. As soon as one dance was over, I was pulled into another. In one such instant, I was pulled into a dance without noticing who had grabbed me. When I saw who was before me, my heart dropped.
"You have been avoiding me," Mai said in her lifeless voice.
I sighed uncomfortably, which made her frown.
"Zuko, what's wrong with you? I have been trying to see you, sending you messages, but the guards won't allow me in your quarters and you don't answer my messages." I looked away but continued dancing with her. "I have forgiven you, now please talk to me."
I dropped her hands and stopped dancing, "Mai." I looked around, there was too many people watching, so I grabbed her hand, "Come with me."
I led her out of the banquet hall and into the large hallway where the air was cooler than the crowded room. I knew that could help me cool down myself. I still didn't know what to say though. I had no idea where Katara and I were in everything, which made this difficult. I could not tell Mai that I had someone else, because I didn't know if I still had Katara. "Mai," I started again turning back to her. I noticed I still had her hand so I dropped if quickly.
She frowned at me.
"I don't know how to say this," I said.
"Just tell me the truth, that's what every girl wants," she almost sneered at me. It was hard to tell how she said anything with such little emotion.
"You want the truth," I was uneasy and started to feel irritated. I wanted her to leave.
"Yes I do," she yelled.
"I…" I started strongly but was still at a loss of what to say. I closed my mouth than opened it again searching for words.
"You what?" Mai yelled.
I clenched my fists, I was getting angry. "I'm done!" I yelled and turned around not wanting to see her face.
When she didn't answer, I looked back at her. Mai's face was completely emotionless. "That's it?" she said plainly.
"What else do you want!?" I turned back at her and screamed in her face. She was always so confusing!
"If it was so simple, why didn't you tell me before?"
"Simple?" I screamed.
But she remained cool though her words built heat as she spoke, "You're done with me I get it. You could have broken my heart quickly and openly instead of silently tearing me apart on the inside."
"Well, I'm sorry for waiting and trying to find a way to tell you without hurting you!" I grit my teeth, I was never able to do anything right for her. By now I had given up trying.
"Well, you were wrong. I gave up everything for you, now matter how you said it, you were going to hurt me," she scoffed.
""What have you sacrificed for me? Your mother practically set us up since we were kids. Your parents' dream was to see you by my side when I became firelord. You probably didn't have much choice in the matter!"
"At least I would make a better wife for the firelord than a hut-raised water wretch!" She screamed, with more emotion than I had ever seen her show before.
Anger burned in me and turned to pure rage, she had hit my weak point. No one speaks of Katara that way, especially around me. "Get out of the palace!" I barked in order. "And if I ever see you in the palace again, you will be banished. And you should be thankful that I should spare your father's position, but if you try my patience, you mite not have that pleasure." My hand was outstretched and pointing in the direction of the exit.
I noticed then that there were palace guards near me, they must have come to the sound of yelling. Now two approached Mai, but before either touched her, she burst into tears and ran as fast as she could in the same direction as my finger.
I was breathing heavy, still hot with anger. I couldn't help feeling that I was harsh on her, but she had tried my temper and paid for it. I turned to the guard nearest to me, "Mai is not allowed in the palace at all, unless by my order and no one else's."
"Yes, my lord," the guard bowed and left with the other guards.
With a sigh and a headache, I turned back to the party.
