Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar!
[Break Ups]
Six months later, the friends were once again gathered at the Fire Nation palace. Zuko had finally taken over as Fire Lord now, continuing his bland relationship with Mai. Katara had become the Ambassador of the Southern Water Tribe, and had come to the Fire Nation to assist in the negotiations for peace. Aang had come along too, because, as the Avatar, he was required to preside over the meetings. Sokka had come in the stead of the soon-to-be-chief of the Southern Water Tribe, and had brought his fiancée, Suki, along too. In fact, he had just proposed to her a few weeks ago, and they were to wed in a year. Toph had come as one of the Earth Kingdom delegates, and had crashed Zuko's palace for a place to stay.
Katara's presence had not improved Mai and Zuko's relationship. In fact, her tenure at the palace had soured things between the two. Mai could feel that Zuko's heart was not with her, and she knew who had stolen his heart. And of course she wasn't too happy about it.
Aang and Katara weren't exactly having a great time either. Aang was still too immature for a long-term commitment, and he sometimes annoyed her inside out with his childish tendencies. Still, she had a deep affection for him, and patted him like she would pat a child.
One day, Aang and Katara broke up.
As time went on Katara had become less tolerant of Aang's behaviour. She also felt weird kissing a guy who was still shorter than herself. Slowly, within her, dissatisfaction grew, simmering inside her like fire, shortening her fuse. One day, she couldn't stand it anymore.
Aang had come into her room, wanting her to fly a kite with him. Not in the best of moods, Katara lashed out at him.
"Aang, you're 14. You're the avatar. Can you stop all these immature behaviour, please? Sometimes, it's really tough being with such a childish guy!"
Aang stared at her, confusion building up in his gray eyes. His head drooped, looking like a lost puppy. "Katara? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Now just leave me alone, will you?" She retorted.
Without warning, a lean hand stretched out, pulling her head down. She gaped as Aang's face came into view. His deft fingers stroked her face, twirling through her glossy hair, and finally pulled her into a kiss. What?! How dare he kiss me without my permission! Katara pushed Aang away.
Once again, he gazed at her, eyes filled with hurt. Why did she pull away? Maybe another kiss will help…
"I love you." With that, Aang tried to kiss Katara again, even as he swayed back and forth in an attempt to reach her lips.
"Aang. " Katara's hands pushed him back down. She looked down at him, before looking away.
"I'm sorry. I don't think our relationship will work out."
"What? But I love you! And you love me!"
"No, Aang. I love you as a brother, as a child, as a friend. Not as a lover. I'm really sorry for breaking your heart like this…" her voice trailed away into a whisper. Am i carrying things too far? Should i have waited till he's older before telling him this?
Aang didn't reply. Staring at the ground, he felt his whole world crash down around him. Katara didn't love him. And he loved her ever so much. She was the sun of his universe, the pillar of his strength. What was he to do now that she rejected him? His head whirled and his heart bled with unseen tears. Grey eyes reflected the inner turmoil within him. After what seemed like eternity, he left the room.
Katara watched as Aang got onto Appa and flew away. She knew her decision was right. She didn't love him that way, and couldn't continue leading him on like that. Gazing at the sunset, she felt a pang of despair. The sunset was so beautiful. As the sun set, fleeting golden-red rays of light floated through the sky, dancing on the elegant mirror of water in the garden below. The sheer splendour of the scene took her breath away. If only some of that loveliness would spill over into her own drab life. But it couldn't. She wanted to leave the Fire Nation right away, to return to her barren homeland, to hide her feelings of emptiness and loneliness among the bare ice and bleak landscape. There, she could weep with the moon. There, she could shed her tears into the sea. There, she could blend in. A shattered heart that housed only unhappiness, regret and disappointment could find solace in the desolate icy mountains and empty seas of her homeland. I guess a child of my bleak homeland is doomed to a life of sorrow.
With that, she scribbled a quick note to Zuko explaining why she was gone. Then she told her brother about her intention of returning home. Sokka didn't stop her. He could see the despair eating away at her. By dawn the next morning, she had boarded a ship bound for the Southern Water Tribe, far away from the terrible beauty of the Fire Nation, where all that remained was pain and loss.
A month later, Zuko and Mai broke up. The fight leading up to the break up started over a cup of tea.
"Zuko?" Mai had entered the Firelord's study without knocking. She carried a cup of tea in her hand.
Zuko glanced at her. As usual, Mai was dressed in a black and red ensemble, face as immobile as ever, eyes registering no emotion. She really seems as if she has no emotions. Does she always have to behave as if she's just a puppet being controlled by a string? Why does she want to act all stiff and cold for? And can she please change her dressing style? Those clothes put me off.
Mai walked over to Zuko's table. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, really. Sheesh, can you change your dressing style please? These clothes irk me."
"Touchy today, aren't we?" Mai arched a perfectly pencilled eyebrow.
She placed the cup on his desk. The cup wobbled. And the cup fell. Tea oozed its way onto the letter Zuko was reading, which only fuelled his anger. All the bitterness that had built up in him sloshed out at once.
"Why'd you do that?!" Zuko clutched at the parchment, eyes blazing.
"It's just a letter, Zuko. You don't have to get all worked up." Mai merely glanced at the letter.
"It's not just any letter!"
Mai peered at the writing. "Oh. So it's from Katara, eh? That peasant doesn't deserve you Zuko. Come here." She reached over the desk, trying to pull him into a kiss. Zuko slapped her hand away.
"Hands off me!"
"Zuko? What is your problem? I've had just about enough of you! Ever since you helped defeat Ozai you've changed! Tell me, do you love that waterbender?" Mai's amber eyes glinted dangerously. She was no firebender, but in battle, she was a rival not to be trifled with.
"Don't drag Katara into this! The problem exists between you and me! I can't stand how you always act gloomy, as if your life is so bad. Your living conditions are better than many in the world! So why can't you just cheer up and smile and wear nicer clothes once in a while? And stop being so cold all the time?"
"You think so, do you? Do you seriously think that it's easy being your girlfriend? Especially when you've changed so much? The Zuko I love doesn't go about hobnobbing with peasants or swooning over waterbending floozies!"
"Maybe we should just break up!"
"…"
"Mai, I'm sorry."
"No, you shouldn't be. I guess it'll be for the best that we spilt up."
Zuko sighed. "I guess so. We just don't work out as a couple. But Mai, I want you to know that no matter what, I won't hate you. Let's remain friends?"
Mai gave a tiny smile. "Sure, Zuko. I'm glad we spilt amicably. Sort of, anyway."
"So what're you going to do now?"
"I'm not very sure. I think I'll travel a bit to take things off my mind. Maybe visit Ty Lee at Kyoshi. Anyway, I'm leaving now. I guess this is goodbye."
They hugged.
"Well I'll be off. I wish you all the best in your relationship with Katara."
"Have a safe journey, Mai. And I wish you all the best in your life too. I hope you'll find a guy worthy of you. We part as friends, don't we?"
"Yes. Goodbye." Mai gave a plaintive smile, as she left, waving a nonchalant hand behind her.
That night, both Zuko and Katara stared at the moon from different sides of the world. Zuko leaned over the parapet of the balcony attached to his bedroom, eyes fixed on the luminescent glow of the full moon, thinking of his life. I miss Katara.
Over at the Southern Water Tribe, Katara sat outside her hut. She gazed at the moon, feeling her power increase. She was alone; all others were safely tucked inside their huts, enjoying the night. She alone sat out among her element, yet another seemingly beautiful ice sculpture that dotted the empty, icy lands. Yue, please tide me through. I don't know how long I can last. Maybe one day I can find a good Water Tribe man to marry. Meanwhile, I think I shall teach waterbending to anyone who has the potential.
That night, two star-crossed lovers gazed at the moon from opposite ends of the world. The soft rosy light of the moon calmed both down, exerting a peaceful serenity on them. The evanescence of the moon's soothing balm soon wafted off, leaving the two in deep slumber.
A/N: The ending of Avatar wasn't quite explicit. So maybe the two different couples may spilt up. After all, Aang was only 13 when the series ended. That's definitely too young to start going into a long-term relationship. And ehh i'm sorry if i offended anyone who ships kataang or maiko. No offence meant! ;D
So yeah, thanks for reading! :)
