(Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Avatar, the last airbender
(Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Avatar, the last airbender.)
(This is really the first chapter. I hope you enjoy it! There's more if you want it so just say so. Even if only one person says to, I will)
Memories and Explanations
"Zu Zu, dad called he said that he wants you outside." Azula said with a smirk.
Oh great, what is she hiding. Zuko thought bitterly, as he sat in his family's beach house on Ember Island. "I'll be there in a second, after Aang is finished his lesson."
"No need, Zuko, I've already killed him."
Zuko turned with a start as he watches his father murder the Avatar.
"Your turn my son."
Zuko woke up with a start, sweat pouring down his face.
Only a dream.
This wasn't the first time he had a nightmare similar to this, but it still had the same effect. Zuko turned to face the window only to find that the sun barely was showing.
Well, no use going back to sleep.
He got up and put on his old fire nation robe, took a look at the picture on his stand, and then decided to go for a walk. He walked past all the rooms and was about to head out the door…
"Bad dream?"
Zuko turned with a start to see Toff standing in front of her door.
"I've had better"
"What was it about?"
"It's none of your business, is it?"
"No, I guess its not."
Satisfied, Zuko then turned and went out the door.
"Mind if I join?"
"Yes, but it won't stop you will it?" Zuko was tired by her nagging so he gave in.
"No it won't."
Zuko shrugged and continued walking. They walked in silence nearly the whole time. He recognized his way from before, when he was hunting the avatar.
The Western Air Temple was the first place I looked with my Uncle. Zuko thought. My uncle. Oh, why did I ever betray him…? Because I was blinded by wanting my father's love and swayed by my accursed sister's words. His mind traveled back to when they were together and his Uncle offered him tea. (As he so frequently did). Zuko sighed.
"What?"
Zuko jumped. He forgotten Toff was with him. "Nothing, just remembering my Uncle." It felt strange to Zuko, sharing his emotions with the blind girl but strangely it was ok.
"He's a very wise man. You must miss him."
"Yeah." Zuko said more to himself then to Toff. "Let's head back before they think I murdered you or something."
"They would never believe you beat me." Toff replied as they both headed back.
Katara woke up from a dreamless night, thankfully, and once again made her daily routine of going to the springs to wash up. She always tended to wake up a little earlier then the rest of the crew, except Toff, she could always feel the vibrations from people moving.
Why did I choose the room furthest away? She thought as she always did, when suddenly she glanced at Zuko's room to see that he wasn't there.
Something caught her eye and she walked in. He had little to nothing except his swords standing up in a corner, a bed with a stand, a candle and a lone picture. She went to look at the picture to see that it was a portrait of women. She had a particular beauty to her, and the way she stood made it look like she was of royalty and importance.
"That's his mom you know."
Katara jumped to see Mai standing in the doorway.
"I uh was going past and uh." Katara stammered because she was embarrassed to be seen in the guy's room she had a grudge on.
"Don't worry about it, I won't tell him you were in here." Mai said
Katara grinned then left without a word.
"Where are you going?" Mai asked as she followed beside her
"To the springs to wash my hair," Katara said, "Wanna come?"
"I'm sick of always smelling like dirt" Mai said, "and this place is full of it."
Katara grinned as she led the way, and curiosity got the best of her. "Did you ever meet Zuko's mother?"
"Yes, many times," Mai said, "always looked after Zuko and me."
"What happened to her?" Katara asked because Zuko said she disappeared when they were locked in the cave of Ba Sing Say.
"Zuko told me that his father said she was banished."
"Just like Zuko was." Katara said in amazement.
"Yeah, except she was banished for murder."
"What?!"
"She murdered her father-in-law so that her husband wouldn't kill Zuko."
Katara's head was spinning. "Wait, the fire lord wanted to kill his own son?"
"Yep, to get the place of fire lord."
"But how did Zuko's Mother killing Zuko's grandfather keep him alive?" Katara was confused trying to keep up.
"He was the original fire lord. Zuko's father would become fire lord after his death. And her name was Ursa." Mai said getting annoyed saying 'Zuko's Mother' over and over again.
"So Ursa got banished for saving her own son." Katara whispered to herself. "Zuko must have been devastated."
"He didn't know what happened to her," Mai said "Until he yelled at his father, during the day of black sun, about how the world hates the fire nation because of the war and it has to stop, and left his home to come here."
"Yeah, that still doesn't excuse him from trying to kill us all those times." Katara said angrily.
Mai sighed and continued walking
"We're here." Katara exclaimed
They had arrived to the beautiful springs surround by natural walls covered in moss.
"About time too." Mai said expressionlessly
Katara water bended the cool water into her hair and washed it. Mai watched with a raised eyebrow, and then turned to wash herself.
Once they were finished, they dried off and got dressed in their freshly cleaned clothes.
"Mai," Katara asked, "Where did you learn to throw knives like you do?"
Mai answered after a pause of silence, "Experience." And said nothing else the whole way back.
"Aang, remember what I taught you?" Zuko said frustrated "Fire comes from the breath not the muscles." He felt funny considering those were the exact words his uncle said to him when he was learning. Everyday he found a similarity between him and the child.
"This is so hard!" Aang said angrily, "You'd think I'd be good at this seeing that I first mastered air bending, but no I either end up earth bending by accident or air bending!"
"Maybe you need a break" Katara said walking up to them with Mai following.
"Yeah, you should take one too, Zuko." Mai agreed
Zuko looked at Aang who was near tears out of frustration and breathing heavily. Wow, I've been there before. Zuko thought to himself "Okay, we'll start up again after we eat."
"No, I have to get this! I have to before that comet arrives or I'll let the whole world down!" Aang yelled, "I already did that twice, I won't let it happen again."
"Look, you'll get nowhere getting worked up on it. You've been working for three hours straight since you got up. You need some rest." Zuko said, "Besides you've gotten so much further, you deserve a break."
Zuko walked up to him and put his hand on his shoulder. "I know it's hard, but trust me you'll get it."
"Seeing as if I don't have a choice I'll stop for a rest." Aang said reluctantly.
Katara hugged Aang and both walked away talking.
"Did you mean that?" Mai asked Zuko, "That he's getting better?"
"Yeah, he still needs work though, he's trying at least."
"I just wanted a yes or no answer." Mai said as she turned and walked away
What's up with her? Zuko thought as he turned to follow Aang and Katara's trail.
"Hey fire Jerk!"
Oh great. Zuko thought. "What do you want, Sokka?" Zuko said without turning around.
"Well, ever since I heard you were a master swordsmen, I've been itching to duel you."
"Are you serious?" Zuko asked with a raised eyebrow. "Last time I checked, all you had owned was a boomerang and a club."
"Well you are mistaken, are you up to it?"
Zuko laughed "You're not worth my time, water peasant" he turned and started to walk away.
"Mai's right about you," Zuko stopped at what Sokka had said, "You do walk away from your problems."
"You have no idea what you're talking about."
"I bet that's how you got your scar isn't it?" Zuko's hand balled into fists and was shaking, sparks flying from his fingertips. "You're such a coward and you always will be."
All of a sudden, Zuko screamed in rage and Sokka was on the ground. "If it's a duel you want then it's a duel you'll get." Zuko said right in his face.
Sokka grinned as Zuko walked away in rage.
Mai was sitting in her room thinking about what Katara said. Her thoughts wandered for a bit then drifted asleep.
"Hey cutie, why don't you come home with me."
The 12 year old Mai ran away from the silhouette of the man until she hit a dead end. She screamed for help but no one came. Then she pulled a knife from the ground near her and threw it at the man. It stabbed him right in the heart and he fell dead to the ground bleeding. She sat there sobbing at what she had done, when
She jumped with a start sweat and tears streaming down her face, when she heard a door slam and loud foot steps going past her door. She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and looked to see an angry Zuko grabbing his swords.
"Zuko, who are you killing?" she asked sarcastically
"That freaking peasant is asking for it! I don't need to kill him, just putting him in his place." Zuko yelled angrily then stormed out.
Oh boy this isn't good. She thought better go get Katara. Mai then turned and ran to get her.
She found Katara, Aang, and Toff sitting together talking.
"Katara!" Mai said out of breath "Your brother" pant "and Zuko" pant "are gonna fight!" she managed to get out.
"I wondered what all the stomping was about." Toff said
"We better hurry before they kill each other." Katara said
"I bet 4 copper pieces Sokka's gonna win!" Toff said
"Sokka has no chance! You're on!" Aang said
Katara and Mai both rolled there eyes and they all ran to find them.
Sokka watched as an angered Zuko came toward him with his swords in his scabbard.
"About time you showed up, I thought you actually did run away." Sokka loved messing with his anger, he found it quit funny.
"Shut up and bleed, water peasant."
Though, Sokka hated Zuko for calling him a water peasant. I'll show him, he thought.
Sokka ran toward him screaming, ripping his black sword out of his scabbard, to make a blow at his head.
But Zuko quickly ducked and pulled his swords out slightly, shoved the handle into Sokka's stomach, and still kept his swords in the scabbard. Sokka flew back about ten feet away. Wind knocked out of him for a few seconds.
Zuko walked up to him and asked, "Are you about through?"
"Not even close." Sokka grabbed a hand full of dirt and threw it at Zuko's face.
Zuko shielded his face, but was tripped by Sokka.
Zuko expertly rolled away and back on his feet before Sokka knew he was on the ground. Both of them were covered in dirt when the rest of the group arrived, but neither Zuko nor Sokka really acknowledged them.
"Ready to get embarrassed in front of your girlfriend?" Sokka asked with a smirk
"At least I know mines alive and with me instead of being either locked away or dead."
Sokka's eyes filled with water with only one tear that fell to the ground. "Suki" he whispered to himself. He was filled with rage and attacked Zuko quickly at his side.
Zuko dodged it and finally pulled out his swords to block another blow to the head. Zuko then attacked Sokka at his side, but Sokka blocked it. Then Zuko tripped Sokka and locked him in on the ground with his pair swords crossed in the ground around Sokka's neck.
"Be thankful I didn't kill you," Zuko said with a smirk, "You let your anger get the best of you."
"Ha! You're one to talk." Sokka spat at him, still locked into place.
Zuko frowned and walked up to Katara but before he said anything, she asked, "Did you hurt him?"
"Only his pride, and possibly his ankle." Zuko replied
"Oh man, twinkle toes; I owe you 4 copper coins!" Toff said to Aang.
"That you do, Toff." Aang smiled
"If it makes you feel better Katara he got my ankle too." Zuko said turning to Mai.
"You better wash off." Was all Mai said.
And with that Zuko limped to the springs, muttering angrily to himself.
"Is someone gonna help me, or what?" Sokka yelled
Katara ran up to her brother and tried to pull the swords.
"Watch it Katara! You mine slice my neck!"
"Better let me handle it." Toff said walking up.
Toff stamped her foot and the swords came up and Mai grabbed them. Sokka got up but fell again, and grabbed his ankle.
"Better let me heal you Sokka." Katara said while water bending.
Sokka winced when the cool water hit his ankle
"Sokka, I can't believe you lost," Toff started
"Yeah I know but,"
"You made me loose 4 copper pieces!"
"Hey!"
"Sokka sit still your making this harder than it had to be." Katara said
Mai put the swords in Zuko's scabbard and hung it on her back. "You were no match for him anyway."
"And Zuko knew that! Why would he challenge you?" Katara asked angrily.
"Zuko's not one to pick fights, well at least when he's not being annoyed. He's been especially careful around you guys." Mai exclaimed
"Why?" Aang asked
"Because nobody trusts him."
"He didn't start it," Sokka confessed, "I did, he originally said no but I provoked him."
Oh boy, Mai thought. "What did you say?"
"I called him a coward and that's how he got the scar."
Mai sighed, "Well that is why he agreed and was so angry."
"How did he get the scar?" Aang asked with worried eyes
"The same reason he got banished." Mai said and sighed again, "It's not my place to say."
"Where's Katara going?" Toff asked.
Katara was walking toward the springs to find Zuko, but stopped short and hid behind a bush to watch him.
"Why do I even bother trying? I can't escape my past." Zuko said to himself as he was drying his robes with fire bending.
"I'll never add up to half of what Azula is," Zuko yelled to himself. "Miss perfect as I was always reminded. Dad was right, Azula was born lucky and I was lucky to be born." Zuko laughed to himself, "Heck I'm lucky to be alive! My own father challenged me to an Adni Ky at 13 years of age, burned this accursed scar on my face, tried to kill me twice and will kill me if seen again!"
Katara gasped and covered her mouth.
"And what do I get for trying to make things right?" Zuko yelled, "A girlfriend, who I brought, that yells at me, a peasant that mocks me, a water bender that hates me, a blind girl and a child to teach."
"Though it's less then what I deserve," he told himself, "What I've done is unforgivable. At least I have semi friends here, which is a lot more then I had."
Katara was surprised at what Zuko said, and waited a while, then came out.
"Mai said you would be here."
Zuko looked at her then turned and kept drying his robes.
"How is the ankle?"
"I'll be fine thank you." Zuko said while he started to get up and head back. He was walking fine for a while, being sure to hide his face from her so she wouldn't see his pain when he tripped and hurt his ankle more.
"This is stupid, let me heal it."
"If it makes you happy." Zuko said not looking at her.
She healed it without a word, worried he might see through her.
Wow he has a longer tolerance for pain. She thought. Had he waited any longer, he wouldn't be able to walk at all. It took a full hour till he desided that his ankle was mostly healed, or at least till it wasn't fatal.
"We should head back." Zuko said rubbing his ankle "Before they think I killed you or something." He tended to always say that when he was alone with one person of the group.
"Why would you say that?"
Zuko didn't respond. What is wrong with her? He thought. She doesn't act like this. First Toff talking, then Mai's grumpy, and now Katara. Oh no, he thought then shook his head. Why do I have to notice these things?
When they returned it was nearly dusk and Zuko and Katara parted after a silent walk. Aang ran up to Zuko with a smile.
"Zuko!" he said excitedly "Watch me start the fire!"
Even Zuko couldn't stay annoyed at the happy look on his face.
"I've been practicing." Aang explained
"I thought that we were done for the day, remember taking a break?" Zuko said
"We were done the lesson, but that doesn't mean I can't practice." The avatar said with a sly smile.
When they arrived at the main camp area, Zuko looked at the pile of wood and waited.
Aang first earth bended a rim around the wood with a ditch around that, fire bended the wood, water bended water in the moat he made and then blew air to make the fire bigger.
Zuko couldn't be angry any more and laughed hysterically, at the happy grin Aang had on his face when he was done. He sat down by the edge of the crazy fire set up.
"That's one way to do it." He said with a smile, "Though you did make the fire a little to hot and need to get more wood."
Aang's face fell and was disappointed.
"Hey, don't sweat it; I do it all the time." Zuko said, "I'll come with you."
"But who will watch the fire?" Aang asked a little happier.
"I will."
They both turned to see Sokka walking toward them. Zuko noticed there was something wrong with him.
He isn't goofing around and happy, he looks either serious or depressed, I don't know which. He isn't himself, though. He thought.
"We better go." Aang said to Zuko
Katara walked inside her dorm and flopped on her bed.
"Why were you heading to the springs?"
Katara jumped and turned to see Toff in the doorway. "Nothing gets past you, does it?" She sighed then continued, "I went to heal Zuko's ankle."
"Anything interesting happen?"
"No!" Katara said a little too quickly
"Katara even I know your lying" Mai said and walked in
Katara blushed, then said, "Remember when you said that he got his scar for the same reason he got banished."
"He told you?" Mai said with a raised eyebrow.
"Well not exactly."
"What do you mean 'not exactly'?" Toff said with a frown
Katara sighed then said very quickly, "I was just going to the springs to heal Zuko's ankle but I heard him yelling at himself and I know I shouldn't have eavesdropped but I couldn't help it! Okay? I'm sorry!"
"So you accidentally heard him talk about his past." Mai said.
Katara nodded and hung her head in shame.
"Why am I the only one that knows nothing?!" Toff asked angrily.
"What did you exactly hear?" Mai asked. She knew that Zuko does yell a lot to himself when he thinks he's alone. I wonder what she actually knows. Maybe if it's to vague then I'll fill in some holes.
"Well he said that his dad said," Katara replied using her hands to count the events, "That Azula was born lucky and that Zuko was lucky to be born and then Zuko said that he is lucky to live. He then said how his father…" Katara looked at Toff then Mai.
"Oh come on! Don't leave me in the dark!" Toff yelled.
"It's ok Katara; it's just between us three." Mai said.
Katara sighed then continued. "He then said how his father challenged him to an Adni Ky at age 13. That's how Zuko got his scar, from his father. He also said that his father tried to kill him twice and will again if Zuko ever meets his father again."
"That's all?" Mai said, "Well you know the main points but you don't know why his father challenged him to an Adni Ky, and other details but yeah you got the jest of it." Mai decided that she'll tell Katara because she already knew about Zuko's dad becoming the fire lord.
"Wow, I never thought much of Zuko but I never thought of killing him." Toff said in awe. "What's an Adni Ky?" she added.
"It's a fire bending duel." Mai said, "Can be brutal sometimes."
Katara noticed it was getting dark and said, "We should head to the fire."
"I hope the boys were smart enough to start one!" Toff replayed.
Sokka was watching the fire silently thinking of Suki, and when Azula was distracting him with her.
"Sokka's the name, right?" Azula said, "My favorite prisoner used to talk about you. She kept saying that a guy was gonna try to rescue her or something, of course he never came. She began to give up hope, and is still starving in her cell."
Sokka remembered charging her and pinning her to the wall, getting right in her face, and saying very slowly "Where is Suki?!"
That very distraction got his father and many people he loved stuck in jail too. He worried about Suki the most though. Even though she was a fully trained kyoshi warrior, he felt oddly protective of her. Seeming that his first real love, Yui, died for as the moon spirit, he wanted nothing more then to keep Suki safe.
And I failed at that too. He thought. That fire nation jerk keeps says that he doesn't know where she is, and Toff said he was telling the truth. He may have anger issues and maybe from the fire nation, but Toff can tell he's very truthful. I still don't trust him though. Azula could lie without Toff noticing. His mind kept wandering when Mai, Toff and Katara arrived.
"Wow nice fire." Toff said
"Where's Zuko?" Mai asked.
"And Aang?" Katara asked.
"Zuko and Aang went to get firewood." Sokka said emotionlessly
"But we have returned." Zuko said with a smile
The whole group sat down at the fire, eating. Mai and Zuko were holding each other, while Toff and Aang were laughing about a joke they made. Katara looked at her brother with a worried face and walked over next to him. She didn't say anything but put her head on his shoulder.
Zuko decided to start a conversation with Mai alone. "Would you like to go for a walk?" he asked her
"Sure." She said emotionlessly
They got up and departed from the group. It was a perfect night. The moon was full and the sky was cloudless, and the air was hot but the breeze made it just right. Once they were out of eye and ear sight, Zuko asked Mai, "Are you ok? I mean earlier it seemed like you were really annoyed with me."
Mai was silent for a while but said, "It had nothing to do with you."
"Would you like to tell me?" Zuko asked
Mai sighed and then said, "Just remembering painful memories."
Zuko understood right away. He remembered when he was 13, before he and his mother were banished, that Mai came crying to his house. He remembered taking her inside and in his room.
"What's wrong? Why are you covered in blood? Did you run away from your mom again?" The young Zuko said.
The 12 year old Mai just sobbed harder. Zuko gave her a wet towel and she washed the blood off. Then she all off a sudden hugged Zuko and wept in his chest. Zuko then held her in his arms. "Its okay, you're safe now."
"I did something terrible." She finally said, "I killed a guy with a knife."
"What?!" Zuko said
"He was going to attack me!" Mai yelled shaking in fear.
Zuko held her again as she wept. "Its ok, it was self defense. You had no choice."
The door opened and Zuko's mother, Ursa, walked in.
"What is going on Zuko, you're making a lot of noise." Then she saw Mai. After Mai explained the story she sobbed again.
"Why don't you stay here tonight, and I think its time you learn some proper self defense. What do they teach you in that academy for girls anyway?" Ursa said with a smile. "I'll teach you how to really throw knives properly." This wasn't the first time Mai ran off and men have tried to attack her.
Mai nodded then left Zuko's room to go into Azula's room.
Zuko then asked Mai, "Who made you remember?"
"I was talking with Katara."
"These people have been bringing up a lot of memories for both of us."
They stopped where the moon and the stars were perfectly visible.
"As long as we're together, I don't care what happens." Mai said with a grin
They kissed each other for a moment, and started walking back hand in hand.
(Sorry to all the Zutara fans and I am all for Zutara, but Maiko just makes more sense. Please review! If you enjoy it I'll put more on, if not I'll write privately. I have to say though, it gets better later!)
