This drabble takes place after Azula strikes Aang with lightning back in Ba Sing Se. Zuko and Mai are traveling home to the Fire Nation together. And Zuko can't help but wonder if he's doing the right thing, by going back, or not.
Zuko's PoV
I wonder...am I doing the right thing? I'm going home, and I'm getting my honor back...so why do I feel that I've made the wrong decision?
"Zuko?"
"Huh? What? Oh...hey Mai..." I said after turning around, realizing it was Mai who called my name.
"What are you doing over here? And, were you just...talking to yourself?" She asked.
"..." I didn't say anything.
"Humph...what's your problem?"
sigh "I...need a while to think." I told her.
"You know, you should be happy! You're going home, where you belong. You'll have your honor, your throne, and your father's love back!!" Mai said to me, then I frowned because I was thinking of other things. Then she kissed me, I don't know why. It didn't matter though, it didn't change how I felt.
"Well, I'll leave you alone for a while." She said as she started to walk back inside the ship. I looked over, still frowning, and saw her wink at me before disappearing.
...This is all so sudden. For three years now, all I wanted was to return home. But this...it seems to good to be true! And, I was just talking to Mai, but why does it seem like I was talking to--no, it couldn't be. But uncle...we should be returning together. Why did he help the Avatar? He should've helped us fight the Avatar back in Ba Sing Se!...
"No!" I said outloud, shaking my head.
No, he didn't betray us, he didn't do anything wrong, Uncle was doing the right thing. But I...I'm the one who betrayed him. I'm doing all this for a false love...
I don't feel right, I feel an emptiness inside me. I mean, I do miss uncle, but there's something else. Something's missing. But what?
...That girl. The Avatar's friend, that Water Tribe girl, her name was...Katara! That's it! We were in the Crystal Catacombs together. She told me she lost her mother to the Fire Nation...just like me. And after all I've done to her and her friends, after chasing them down, she was still willing to help me. She had some special water and was going to use it to heal my scar! I can't believe this...what have I done?? I'm leaving all the nice people, the good side of things...and for what?! For something I can never get back!
I clenched my teeth together.
"Aarrrhh!!" I couldn't help it, I got so angry that I punched the railing I was leaning on and dented it.
"Zuko?!" I heard Mai calling me.
"Oh great" I mumbled.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"Nothing, I feel fine!...just fine..." I said walking away from her.
I couldn't stop thinking about Katara after that. I hope that someday I can apologize...but I don't think I'll ever be forgiven for what I've done.