Ch3rry: Sorry I haven't submitted in so long. I've been out of town for three weeks, but hey here's the next chapter!

Zuko: Umm I was wondering is there anyway I can get a raise.

Ch3rry: What? Why? No way!

Zuko: Well first of all you make me look like an idiot in this story and I don't really like you.

Ch3rry: Well you are and idiot and I love you so too bad. Just say the disclaimer. Or else your going back to my closet.

Zuko: 'gulp' Ch3rry does not own Avtar:tla or any of it's characters she does own Hana though.

Ch3rry: See was that so hard?


Zuko was alone with Mai in the dreaded room back for the second time during their trip. He was really starting to hate this room. The lights were dimmed and casted creepy monstrous shadows on the wall. The whole vibe was ominous, eerie and, deadly. She told him that she wanted to talk. He could only hope that the talk was not going to be about a certain Earthnation girl. Maybe, she needed help deciding what outfit she should wear tomorrow. He highly doubted it though. If she wanted to talk about clothes she could go to Katara.

"Zuko." Mai said interrupting his wandering thoughts.

"Uh, hey. So, um, Mai. What was it that you wanted to talk about?" he questioned holding his breath.

"Nothing important. I just thought we haven't really spent much time together." She replied. She reached her hand into her pocket, pacing back and forth. Slowly, she began pulling something out. The object gleamed threateningly. It was a knife. She ran it menacingly between two fingers. Zuko gulped. She's going to try to kill me.

Mai grabbed a piece of cloth off a nearby table and polished it.

"Zuko tell me. How are you feeling? Are you still having those headaches?" Mai asked.

Relieved, Zuko released the breath he had been holding in. She was only concerned about how he was feeling.

"Nope, no more headaches. I actually feel a lot better now." He replied.

She walked over to him and placed the hand that wasn't holding the knife, carefully on his scarred face.

"I'm so happy to hear that." She related. She then kissed him softly on his smooth lips.

"Did you tell Mai about Zuko? "Katara asked worriedly.

"Of course not." Toph replied reclining back into her chair. She placed her dusty feet onto the table.

"Toph, do you mind?" Katara asked annoyed.

"Oh, sorry." She said sarcastically. Toph moved her feet closer to Katara. "Is that better?"

Katara gave her look, knowing perfectly well Toph wouldn't see it.

"Whatever," Katara replied "Come on!" she grabbed Toph by the arm and stepped lightly towards the room Mai took Zuko.

"What are you doing?" Toph asked.

"I have to know what's going on." Katara answered continuing to pull Toph along. "Not everyone has ears on their feet.

When they made it to the room that held the two young firenation adults, they got into eavesdropping positions.

"Aww man, they're just making out." Toph grumbled.

"Shhh" Katara hushed.

"You're no fun Katara." Toph whined.

"I'm happy to hear that Mai." He said in between kisses. "I'm also glad that you don't want to kill me."

Mai pulled away from and looked him in the eyes. "Now why would I want to kill you?"

Zuko winced. Smooth Zuko smooth. "I don't know, no reason." He stumbled.

"You disgust me." She whispered.

Zuko was confused. He suddenly felt something pointing into his chest teasing him. The sharp object slowly crawled up to his throat. By then he already knew that it was the knife from earlier that was threatening to pierce his skin.

"I love you Zuko. More than anything in the world, but I guess my love isn't enough for you. So you decide to go cheat on me with some Earthnation girl!" she began.

"It's not like that." Zuko told her.

"It isn't? You send her flowers and invite her to dinner at sunset and it isn't like that?" Mai said beginning to yell. Her hand trembled causing the knife to knick at his skin.

" We should do something." Katara said ready to burst through the doors.

Toph grabbed her ankle and shook her head.

"Not yet." The tomboyish blind girl said.

"What is it then! Explain it to me please!" Mai begged. The knife in her hand continued to threaten Zuko. He had red cuts on his neck from where the knife had slightly pierced his skin due to her uneasiness.

Zuko not wanting to be torn to shreds grabbed her wrist and backed her against the wall.

"Listen I messed up and you know that. I have to make things right."

Mai kicked at him, but he dodged it. AS he dodged he had to let go of her arm. So in one mover she pushed him away from her and threw a knife pinning his sleeve of his robe to the wall.

"You wronged me too you know! This is the second time!" she yelled. She looked at him sadly. "It's also the last time. We're through, but I guess you already knew that." She turned around to walk out the door.

"Oh crap! Back to the table." Toph commanded. The two girls rushed to the table.

For a brief second Mai turned back to Zuko. It was as if she could see their whole relationship fly by in a split second. It made her sad to know that he had chosen Jin over her.

"Mai… I'm sorry." Zuko said softly.

"You always are." Mai swiftly walked out of the room and headed towards the front door.

Zuko pulled the knife from his sleeve and followed her out of the room.

"Shh, shh act natura.l" Katara said.

"Ha ha ha you're so funny Katara!" Toph laughed as Zuko walked into the kitchen.

Zuko rolled his eyes as he watched Mai walk out of his life. Once Mai was gone the room went silent. Zuko turned to look at the two girls sitting at the table. Neither of them returned his gaze.

"I know you huys were listening." He said tiredly. He pulled out a chair and joined them.

"What! Psh! Of course not Zuko. What makes you think that?" Katara asked.

"Toph said you were funny."

"Ouch! That's harsh. True, but harsh." Toph chuckled.

"Ok, ok so we did snoop, but it was because we were worried." Katara explained.

"That and Katara is an extremely nosy person." Toph added.

"Toph." Katara said in a warning voice. She turned back to Zuko and placed a caring hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry Zuko, but you know you kind of brought it on yourself."

"I know." Zuko sighed.

"He's just not very smart when it comes to girls. It's like trying to teach Momo how to make tea. You just end up with bugs in your cup." Toph said.

"Thank you Toph, that was very reassuring." Zuko lamented.

Katara giggled and Toph smiled triumphantly. The brunette suddenly noticed that there was blood trickling down Zuko neck. She stopped laughing and gasped.

"Zuko you're bleeding." She said. She got up and returned with a small bowl of water.

"Katara I'm fine. It's just a little knick. Like you said I deserved it anyway." Zuko refused.

"Why that may be true, I can't sit here and watch you bleed. Now scoot over here or I'll really make you bleed." She insisted.

There was no point in arguing with her. Toph was really the only one who stood their ground against Katara. The men on the other hand always did as she asked or received the consequences later. But most of them didn't really want to see monster Katara wreck havoc so they usually listened to her.

So Zuko allowed her to heal them minor cut. Her motherly attitude towards everyone always reminded him of his own mother. He appreciated it but sometimes it was a little weird.

"Does this mean your set on Jin?" Toph asked out of nowhere getting right to the point.

"Toph, really?" Katara said.

"Hey. I know you were thinking it Sugar Queen." Toph smirked.

"What I was so not… ok so maybe I was, but do you really think this is the right time?" Katara replied irritably.

"It's fine Katara." Zuko interrupted their argument. "The truth is, I had convinced myself not to meet Jin tomorrow." Zuko said.

"But you are now right?" Katara inquired.

"Actually, I'm definitely not going now." Zuko said sadly.

"What Zuko, you just went through all that for nothing?" Katara said shocked. Not that she liked the whole idea of him moving on so fast, but she knew he had promised to meet this girl.

"That's why. I really don't think me and dating is working out right now. I need to focus on my nation." He explained. "That's why I'll be leaving back forhome tomorrow."

"WHAT!" Toph and Katara both exclaimed. Katara looked at Zuko, mouth wide in astonishment. Toph her eyebrows raised in interest.

"You're leaving me already Sparky? I'll be stuck with Sugar Queen all by myself until Twinkletoes comes get her. At least take her with you." Toph whined.

"Ha ha. Very funny Toph." Katara said sarcastically rolling her eyes.

"Listen Champ I know. Iroh will be disappointed too, but that's the best thing I can do." Zuko said.

Katara gave him a weird look.

"Is it really what's best or is it what's best for Zuko?" she questioned.

Zuko winced at her words, but ignored her.

"I'm going to my room to pack." He told them walking away.

"Hmph, he's being a bit of a jerk." Toph noted.

"He's not a jerk… ok maybe sometimes." Katara admitted. She sighed. Honestly, she wasn't even sure herself what Zuko should do. One thing was for sure though; he shouldn't just ditch that poor girl.

"Heehee. It's beautiful Jin. He's going to turn into a wild animal when he sees you." Hana giggled.

Jin laughed. "You really think so?" She asked knowingly. She twirled around and then posed seductively.

"For sure!" Hana reassured. The happy younger brunette bobbed up and down excitedly. Jin couldn't help but grin, showing off her pretty smile. Her younger sister was almost more excited than she was. She went over to hug her sister.

"Thanks." Jin said squeezing her tight.

All Hana's life Jin had been there for her. She always giving her advice and reassurance. When they were younger, Jin would always let Hana wear her makeup and clothes. She even helped hook her up with her first boyfriend. And though it's hard to believe Hana wasn't always the popular, cool girl. The boys and girls in her class use to make fun of her on a daily basis. One day Hana came home in tears. That whole night Jin comforted her and hugged and told her that everything would be ok. that next day Jin marched up to the school and gave everyone a piece of her mind. No one ever bullied her again. That's why Hana was so happy to be able to do the same for her.

Finally releasing her, Jin looked at her sister and smiled. Hana returned her smile. Giving Jin a slight push she told her "I'm just happy to have you back."

"Heh, yeah, me too." Jin admitted.

"Okay, okay enough of the sentiments time to get some sleep. You want to be ready for tomorrow!" Hana said speaking about forty miles an hour.

"I know, I know, calm down." Jin begged.

"They both looked at each other. Hana gave Jin knowing look. Finally, Jin crumpled under her sister's gaze. She grabbed her sister by the arms and they both squealed.

"It's not like this is my first date with Zuko, but this time it's different. I just can't wait!" Jin said.

That night Jin went to bed smiling. The first time since a while. Everything was finally falling into place.

"Zuko, honey, wake up."

"Mom? Is that really you?"

"Yes, my dear."

"Mom! Mom! I missed you so much! I can't believe you're here! I have a problem. I don't know what to do. I think I made a wrong decision."

"Listen Zuko. Whatever you decide, I know it will be right. I won't be here to make you decisions my son."

"Mom you act as if you won't be around anymore."

Zuko reached out for his mother's hand, but her skin burned hotter than a raging inferno.

"Mom, mommy, your burning!"

"I love you Zuko."

Ursa suddenly caught on fire, starting on one corner of her body to traveling to the other. She was being engulfed in bright, red and orange flames.

"Mom… please, don't go. Mom."

He tried to grab a hold of her despite the serpent like bite of the fire, but then she was gone just like that. All that was left were ashes. Zuko started to cry. He ran his hand through the black and white dust that was left of his mother.

"Mom, please, I don't know what to do. Mom. Mom!"

"Mom! Mom!" Zuko cried out in agony. He woke up drenched in sticky sweat.

Mom, am I doing the right thing?

"Firelord Zuko are you all packed up?" Iroh asked slightly opening the door.

"Almost." Zuko replied getting up from his bed.

"Zuko are you alright?" Iroh asked him. Zuko looked pale and had beads of sweat on his forehead.

Zuko looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Uncle… am I a bad person? Is it wrong for me to leave? Zuko asked. He was truly lost, confused. In reality he didn't want to meet Jin because he was afraid of hurting her. Yet, if he didn't arrive it would be hurting her. So he couldn't help but wonder if what was really holding him back was his cowardice.

"Only you can answer those questions, my son." He said patting Zuko on the back. "The boat leaves in five hours."

The day went by slowly. Zuko tortured himself throughout the day. His mind played games with him. He had to make a choice.

Jin on the other hand was ecstatic. She had peaceful sleep that night and she was busy running around getting ready.

"There." Hana announced placing the final touches on Jin's outfit.

"Are you ready?" Hana asked.

All Jin could do was nod ecstatically. Her brown hair was put into a stylish ponytail. Her signature look. Some of her hair was left to fall down past her shoulders.

Her dress was a mint green with a decorative edge. Her makeup was very light and natural, enhancing her already beautiful features.

"Wait." Hana exclaimed running out of her room. When she came back, she had a beautiful orchid flower pin. She placed the pin in her sister's hair. "Now your ready."

"Bye Sparky. You better come visit soon." Toph told him.

"I will." Zuko confirmed.

"Are you really sure you want to go?" Katara asked.

Zuko nodded.

"I was actually wondering if you'd meet her and tell her I won't be coming." Zuko pleaded.

"Are you kidding me, asking me to do your dirty work. I'm really disappointed in you Zuko." Katara said.

"I know and I'm sorry." He said outstretching his arms for a goodbye hug.

"Whatever, I'm not the one you should be apologizing to." Katara grumbled hugging him back reluctantly.

"Bye you guys." He said. He walked with Iroh to the dock where his boat was waiting. Before Zuko climb aboard his ship, his uncle stopped him.

"Zuko make sure that you go through your life, so that you do not die with regrets." Iroh encouraged.

Zuko simply nodded in response and boarded the ship.

"Bye Hana!" Jin yelled out to her sister.

"Bye Jin, knock him died, well not literally, but still." Hana yelled.

"I'll try." She laughed.

Walking down the street she felt genuinely happy. The setting sun created a beautiful glow across the skies. The sky was painted in an array of purples, oranges, yellows, and blues. She finally reached the fountain. The lanterns were off, but she didn't mind. She sat on the edge of the fountain, looking right and left. All she could do was wait. She waited and waited. No one came. As the skies grew darker, her hopes diminished. It was beginning to look like her Prince wasn't going to show up anytime soon.


Ok so what do you think?

It's not my best but, I tried. I really do work hard it's just oh well Idk. By the way I'm not so good with fighting stuff so excuse the little Mai/Zuko scene lol XD

So tell me what you think, how I can improve, mistakes, what you liked, what you loved, what you didn't.

Thanks so much. Arigato! Love ya

Ch3rry 3