A/N:

I'm back! Hope you all enjoy! XD

Chapter 4:

"So when's the wedding, Sparky?" Toph asked as she lounged on the patio of Zuko's balcony.

Sitting cross legged in front of the low table as he drank his wine and popped a dumpling into his mouth using his chopsticks, the Fire Lord sighed and looked away from his friend. She knew as much as he and the whole country did that a wedding date hadn't been set. Getting married to Mai wasn't his dream nor his priority. He was still very much focus on helping all the other nations get back to their former glory as well as rewrite his nation's wrongs. Besides, Toph knew who he really rather share his life with and Mai wasn't her.

Rolling her eyes, Toph picked a hand full of nuts and berries and chomped down on them. While she understood Zuko's reasoning for getting engaged to Mai and yet not setting a date for the wedding, as a highborn she knew what he was doing was irresponsible. Marriage for highborn wasn't always about love or one's convenience. It was about legacy and high breeding. It was the sad truth for many like them. However; if he really couldn't marry that walking skeleton then he should just marry Katara and get it over with.

Taking a sip of her wine before tossing a few more nuts and berries into her mouth, "Your dad's supporters aren't gonna just stop making attempts on your life, Sparky. Getting married and having an heir is important to ensuring that the countries future."

"Oh not you too! Now you sound like uncle!" Zuko groaned as he turned away from her, annoyed by her answer.

Smirking, "Of course, I do. I'm in Bei Seng Sei almost three times out of the month."

"Ugh! Maybe you're right." Zuko leaned back onto the floor of his balcony and looked up at the night sky, arms behind his head. "Maybe you're both right but…"

Picking her teeth, "Can't get over Katara. Yeah, I know. You make it so obvious." The blind earthbender climbed to her feet and stretched. "So here's my word of advice. Either you're gonna do what you want or do what's right, either way, you're gonna deal with shit. So you better think long and hard about it."

What I want or what's right? But which is right for me? Zuko hated having to think too hard about something he already thought too hard about. Every waking moment was dedicated to finding an answer to his problem. Ugh! I'll think about it later. Right now, he just wanted a break from worrying himself over this.

…

Katara held the side of her head as she staggered her way through the halls searching for Zuko. She had it. Ursa's location. She needed to find him and tell him. However; she was moving quite slow due to the massive migraine she was sporting a long with an injury to her leg after she ended up having to fight Ozai off of her a second time when she tried to leave. He twisted her ankle and tried breaking it before the guards rushed in upon hearing her yelling and screaming. She ran out of the prison and got herself back to the palace before anyone could check on her to see if she was okay.

Limping as she held to the wall, Katara saw what looked like Mai talking to someone behind a pillar. She was going to call for the noblewoman until she saw her reach for the mysterious person and kiss them. The waterbender gasped and shook her head as she tried backing up but slipped and fell. Mai 's head turned as soon as she heard the sound. Seeing the waterbender, Mai's grey eyes widened as her obscured lover dashed off without being seen.

"You! You're spying on me!" Mai suddenly became angry.

Fighting to get back to her feet as the noblewoman made her way to her, each step making her look more and more like a raven-valcher. Katara finally stood and with the look of shock shook her head. "No, I wasn't! I was looking for Zuko! I swear!"

"You slut! How dare you seek out my future husband! He's mine! I told you the morning I caught you in his bed years ago to stop your scandalous affair with him!" Mai raged.

Staring at the noblewoman she just caught making out with someone who clearly wasn't Zuko, Katara's eyes slanted as her lip twisted into a snarl. "I'm not his whore anymore, Mai! You know that! You're just pointing finger at me because I caught you with someone else!"

"Don't you dare tell him!" Mai hissed as she caught up to the waterbender and snatched her wrist, yanking her forward. "Besides, what would he care? He was going to make you his concubine after he and I got married. Neither of us mean anything to him!"

Jerking away from Mai, Katara snatched back her wrist and stumbled back a bit. Her eyes held fiery tears as she glared at the pale noblewoman. "You deserve each other. The both of you deserve each other."

And with that Katara turned and limped herself away. She had no more words for Mai. No more. She had finished what was asked of her. Found Zuko's mother and now, she was free to return home. Once she got the chance to speak with Zuko, she'd leave and never look back. If she was nothing more than a pleasure toy to him then so be it, she couldn't force him to see her for more.

…..

The next morning after Katara had rested and healed her injuries from the night before, Zuko had sent out a search party to the location in which she provided for him. He was so excited and so anxious at the same time. Over ten years had passed since he last saw his mother. There was no telling what became of her all these years or if she was even still there. Besides, from what Katara told him, it didn't seem his father knew if she was there or not. It wasn't as if his mother said where she'd go or that his father had his spies follow her. Katara looked through the memories of his father and paid attention to the hints as there was no direct answer to where his mother could have gone being that his father didn't actually know himself. Nonetheless, Zuko was grateful for what his friend was able to accomplish. Even if it turned out his mother wasn't there, in her home village, this was the closest he's been able to get to his mother in ten years.

Standing up behind his desk, Zuko looked down upon the map of the countryside village his mother was from. With him was both Katara and Toph standing to either sides of him.

"I can't believe this is happening." He said as his voice almost broke from the overwhelming feeling he felt. He literally felt as if someone had shoved something down his throat causing the lodge he felt. Agni, he prayed his mother was brought back home safe and sound.

Katara looked at the firebender she had given her heart to and the chance at being reunited to his mother. As much as she wanted to comfort him in this moment of his greatest need, she couldn't or rather, she wouldn't. Having heard Mai's words to her, the waterbender realized just how much of a tool she had become to him. No better than his servants that waited on him hand and foot. If anything, she was lower. She prayed his mother was found in this search for this was the last thing she'd do for him. Zuko had used her enough.

Sensing the tension, Toph turned her head in her friends' direction and held her hands together in front of her. "When you see her, hug her, will ya? Out of all of us, you're the only one with parents still alive. You gotta cherish that, Sparky."

Zuko nodded his head. Of course, he'd cherish seeing his mother again. She was the only good person in his life growing up other than his uncle.

"Katara, thank you so much." He said with pure joy on his face as he looked to her. "You have no idea what this means to me." Zuko was about to reach for a hug when she held her hand up to stop him.

"I need to go get packed." The waterbender said on her way out the room.

The young Fire Lord was confused as Katara left out the room, slamming the door behind her. Toph grabbed hold of him as he tried to chase after their waterbender friend.

"Don't." She warned.

Looking down at the girl, Zuko knew she could sense things he couldn't but could he just let Katara leave like that?

"You remember what happened when you chased after her at King Bumi's birthday party after you guys had first broke up?" Toph reminded the firebender since he seem to not remember how even his firebending was no match for the thick layer of ice Katara froze him in.

Sighing, Zuko's shoulders dropped and he returned his gaze to the map at hand. Right now he needed to focus on finding his mother. This is what he's always wanted and he was so close.

…..

Shoving all her belongings into her bags and packing up everything that was hers in the room, Katara ignored the way her guards looked at her. They didn't understand. No one understood. She had to get out of here and stay as far from this terrible place. She's lost so much to this nation and these people. Tears fell from her eyes as she packed her things angrily.

"Whoa Sugar Queen, What's with you today?" Toph decided to check on the waterbender in Zuko's stead being that she was the only person that has bested her.

Making an angry gurgling noise in the back of her throat, "Shove it, Toph! I don't have time for you and your bull shit! I have a boat to catch by noon."

"So you're gonna just leave like this without seeing if it's been a success?" The earthbender crossed her arms and leaned against the door.

Katara paused from her packing and turned a death glare on the earthbender, "Don't you act like you don't get how I feel, Toph! You know what I've been dealing with!"

Sighing as she shook her head, Toph looked over at the guards posted in the room to help carry Katara's things and dismissed them. Things were clearly turning to a personal subject that was better kept between the two of them. When they left, Toph turned back to face the waterbender.

"So how is he?" She asked.

Trying to calm herself down as she went back to packing. "He's with Aang at the Northern Air temple."

"So ya gonna tell Sparky someday or are the rest of us gonna just act like we don't know Zuko's got a four year old son that he doesn't even know exists?"

Once more the waterbender paused and looked at her friend. "Toph, I don't have time for this. I have to get back to the South Pole. Aang's on his way there with Kai."

Shaking her head in disappointment, the earthbender gave up trying to help her friend see her own faults. Katara could be mad at Zuko all day for whatever reason but in the end, she hadn't even tried to mend their relationship/friendship. On top of that, she kept his son from him and hadn't even told him about the boy. While Toph understood entirely how hard this all had been for Katara, she didn't like how her friend hadn't made any effort to make things better and fix her circumstances.

"Alright, Sugar Queen. Whatever makes you happy. Just know either way, I'm here for you." On that note, Toph left Katara to finish her packing.

As she was left to herself, Katara figured she'd finish her packing later. It was still three hours till her ship departed. Perhaps, she needed time to think what she'd say to Zuko before leaving. This was goodbye. The very last one she had hoped. Maybe she should tell him about their son she had harbored away from him. But maybe that would only make his life that much harder than it already was. In the end, she didn't want to make worse his life that he had only just gotten back on track. It wouldn't be fair. Besides, Kai and her were fine. They had Sokka and Aang to help out. And while it was wrong for them to have told his uncle but not him, Iroh also sent gifts and visited his great-nephew. It wasn't like they were lacking anything. She just wanted to keep from over complicating things. Besides, Zuko would marry Mai and have children. There didn't need to be a bastard added to the mix. And who's to say she wouldn't find someone else and married them?

When all is said and done this was for the best. This is how things should be. She told herself as she always had.

…..

In the end, Katara didn't say goodbye before boarding her ship heading home. Toph watched with Zuko as the noon trade ship departed with their waterbender friend. It upset them both to see she had gone without a word. Especially Zuko, he didn't understand what had been up with her attitude this morning. She had practically put up a wall between them as she had whenever they weren't on good terms but he didn't remember them having any sort of falling out. So what was it? What made her act like this? It didn't make sense.

Once again disappointed, Toph shook her head and turned away from the view of the departed ship. "I don't know what kind of shit show you've been running around here but Sugar Queen was pissed off when I went to talk to her."

"Shit show?! I haven't done anything but be nice! You know me, Toph. When it comes to Katara, I'm even nicer than Aang!" Zuko's temper got the best of him.

"Whoa, slow your roll, Sparky." Toph chuckled. "We all know you suck being good, nice, or even a decent human being. Blame your pops for that."

Groaning loudly as he marched past her back into the palace with his fists balled, Zuko wore that angry face that ran in his family. The look of a man on the verge of striking someone down.

"I was just kidding, Sparky!" Toph chased after him.

Not believing her, "Whatever, Toph!"

"Well if not you then who got under Sugar Queen's skin?"

Pause.

Mai!

…

"What did you do?!" Zuko stormed the chambers he gave to Mai.

Sitting at her vanity, Mai brushed her ravenous hair and didn't bother looking up at the young Fire Lord through her mirror. She simply remained composed and continued brushing her hair.

"What did I do, Zuko?" She asked in that still eerie voice of hers.

Stomping up to her vanity, Zuko slammed his hand on the dresser and growled at her. "You said something to Katara! I know you did! Now tell me, what was it?!"

Mai sighed heavily and laid her brush down. This pettiness that her fiancé had to him was becoming annoying. Agni, how she had managed these years without losing her temper to him, she would never know. However; the woman she was and the wife she would become were all crafted by her mother's teachings. No matter what, she would not lose face in front of him or anyone for that matter. Minus the water peasant she ran off.

"I only told her the truth." The noblewoman confessed. "She was nothing more than a scandal waiting to repeat itself. Having her around would bring more dishonor to you and your reign."

Nothing infuriated Zuko more than hearing Mai talk as if she knew the politics of this nation more than him. He knew already about what it looked like to have Katara around after the council had shot down his chances of marrying her. However; every Fire Lord before him had been known to have a mistress or two. Not that he wanted to follow in his forefathers' footsteps or have Katara reduced to a concubine but either way, it didn't affect his image. No one cared as much. Mai was out of line to have told Katara what he had been thinking over. It was only an idea. Wishful thinking. Now his fragile relationship with the waterbender was likely in ruin.

Seething in rage, "As soon as my mother is found and brought to me, I'm leaving for Bei Seng Sei."

"And you're not taking me, I assume." Mai raised from the vanity and looked to Zuko with her hollow gaze.

Unable to help his feelings of disdain, "Why would I? Besides, I need you taking care of matters here while I'm gone. Think of it as your trial for Fire Lady."

The noblewoman didn't say a word or bat an eye as she watched her fiancé turn on his heel and proceed to leave the room. He paused as he reached the door.

"You should remember why we're doing this. You don't love me and I definitely don't love you. This is for the country and for the sake of what little comfort I'll get out of not being with who I want." Zuko's fists were held tightly together. "Don't forget that."

The door slammed after his statement and left Mai in a bitter mood. She hadn't forgotten. She had thought endlessly about it. How she was being used as much as she was using him. Zuko had it coming when he broke up with her and left to join the Avatar.

~Later That Day~

The prison guards did not question the Fire Lord's fiancé when she entered the prison. For if the Southern Water Tribe Ambassador could enter, then surely she could. None of them thought it suspicious when she asked where the former Fire Lord's prison cell was. Just the night before he had several physicians tend to his injuries after a brawl with Ambassador Katara over information on his ex-wife. It seemed perfectly normal that she was there and besides, it wasn't like they could question her either way. So when she asked, they led her to his cell and left her to do whatever she had come to do.

Inside the cell of her future father-in-law, Mai lit the torch and formally bowed as she turned to the bars. She could not make out his figure due to the heavy darkness of the room. However; as he moved closer to the bars, his form became apparent to her.

Raising herself to look to the man she sought out, "Fire Lord Ozai."

"What have you come here for, Governor's daughter?" He refer to her as he had done when she had been the friend of his daughter. However; it did hold some malice in his tone as he had never forgotten a traitor. She turned her back on his daughter and the crown. No better than his son.

Climbing to her feet, Mai met the eyes of the former Lord of this nation. The flickering light of the torch seemed to enhance the intimidating way he glared at her suspiciously. If she feared him, it did not show. Not in his expression or even her eyes. There was no giving away how she felt. Ozai had always thought she had been a perfect friend for Azula. Someone she could learn a thing or two from about composure. It was the one and only redeeming quality about this barely alive looking girl. A product of high breeding and power hungry wealth. The perfect Fire Lady and nothing more.

"I have a deal to make." Mai said.

"A deal? And exactly what kind of deal are you willing to make?" Ozai seemed slightly interested in the nerve of this girl.

Digging into her pocket, Mai pulled from it a blue necklace, one that a certain waterbender had dropped during their little strife. "Your freedom and in return, you take care to kill her for me."

Ozai looked to the necklace and narrowed his eyes. While he hadn't paid much attention to the necklace before, he knew who it undoubtedly belonged to and who it was this stoic girl was asking him to kill. That sly little waterbender. He rubbed his shaggy beard and thought it over. Sure, freedom was nothing to pass up at the cost of wasting his time hunting that insignificant water bitch down. Did he honestly care about this stoneheart girl's vendetta? Not in the least but getting his hands on that little water cunt after what she did to him did have a better ring to it. His freedom and a chance to make that savage pay was a win win he could not refuse.

"I'll do more than kill her. I'll make her suffer." Ozai grinned devilish before Mai tossed him the necklace as well as the keys she skillfully snuck away from one of the prison guards.

"Wait till Zuko leaves for Bei Seng Sei. When he does, you'll have a greater chance getting away." Mai informed him. Not only was it to his benefit to take her advice but it would cover her tail too. If he escaped tonight, it would trace back to her. She couldn't have that happening if she had still planned to be Fire Lady.

As the noblewoman left his cell, Ozai stared down at the keys she had presented him with. Finally. He thought. Finally, I can get things set in motion. Escaping had been no issue. However; waiting for the most opportune time to leave this filthy prison did keep him longer than he wanted to. Besides, he had just caught wind of his supporters reaching a staggering growth. It would be in no time that he was back on his throne. But first, it seemed he had to deal with a little problem before venturing onto achieve his ultimate goal.

Shoving the keys into his pocket, the former tyrant then examined the necklace in his hand. Looks like I'll make good of my threat to you, Water girl. You're as good as dead now.

…..

A/N: what do you guys think? Like it so far?!