Thanks to all my reviewers, RueBroadway, jliljj & of course MastaDrumma22.

Chapter 7

Once the fire nation soldiers, passed the ally way Mai was hiding in she made a dash for the front door of her house. Her actual house was in Omashu, but after the invasion Firelord Ozai had her father & his family stay in a temporary home in the fire nation to help get things back up on their feet. Once she got to the door she ran in & closed the door behind her. It was the middle of the night & no doubt her mother father & baby brother were asleep. She stood still for a moment finally breathing freely. Soldiers were buzzing around at every turn. It was likely she was wanted now, so she had to sneak home without being noticed. Mai fell to her knees. She was so worn out. Of all the things that had happened the last four days, she would regret nothing more than the way she yelled at Zuko, but she was just so angry at him. Its for the better I guess, she said to herself. Them being together was just not meant to be, at least it couldn't be after the way she treated him today. She heard someone walking behind her. She turned her head slowly.

"Mai is that you?" Her mother dove to the floor beside her. "Mai, Darling where have you been? We haven't seen you in days. Then this afternoon soldiers came here looking for you. They gave us a paper with a warrant for your arrest." She paused & threw her arms around her daughter. "Your wanted Mai. What's happened?"

Mai slowly returned her mothers embrace. She loved her mother but after this kind of day she wasn't sure if she could handle her overly emotional mother.

"I'm fine mom. I didn't do anything. Azula thought that I had something to do with Zuko leaving the fire nation. I didn't though."

"I knew it had to do with that boy. I knew it was a bad idea for you to get so close to him. That's why I took that letter he left you. If I had known that you'd end up in trouble any ways I wouldn't have wasted my time."

Mai shot up. "What letter?"

"Oh well that day, the day of the invasion he came by the house to see you, & I let him in. I'd forgotten that you were out, & after he left I went in your room to see what he was doing in there & I found a letter he'd wrote for you."

"What?!! What did you do with it? What did it say? How come you didn't tell me about this?" Mai said. She already had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"Well I read it-"

"Mom!"

"I know I know. It was wrong, but he was acting so weird, I was worried." Her mother stood up & headed to the master bedroom. "I couldn't help it. When I read it I knew that if you had any information it could get you into trouble so I took it & hid it.

Mai followed behind her mother. They entered the sleeping chambers & Mai's mother woke up her husband. "Wake up, Mai is home."

He sat up half asleep. "Your in big trouble, young lady."

"Yeah nice to see you too dad."

"No not with me, with the fire nation. Show her the paper honey." He asked his wife as he got up. Mai's mother was already digging through a trunk full of papers. She finally came up with two rolled up pieces of paper.

"Here." She handed Mai one of the papers. "Read it."

Mai unrolled it & read it. It was a wanted poster. With a lovely portrait of her face on it & a large amount of money underneath it. At the top it said her name & that she was wanted for assault on princess Azula. It also said armed & dangerous in bold print at the bottom of the page.

"What exactly did you do Mai?" Her father asked.

"Well," Mai looked up innocently. "I punched Azula in the face, then pushed her over, then stepped on her, then-"

"That's enough!" Her mother said shocked.

"Hey she deserved it! She put me in prison on no charge, just to use me as bait, then she threatened to kill me. Were far from even as far as I'm concerned."

"Stop it Mai!" Her mother sounded appalled at the thought of violence.

"Mai you know what this means?" her father sounded serious.

Mai nodded her head.

"Does she have to?" Mai's mother looked up hopefully at her husband.

"Yes," he replied sadly. "I mean look at this." He showed her mother the wanted poster. "The only person who has a higher bounty on their head than her is the Avatar himself. It will be too dangerous for all of us if she stays here. Think of Tom Tom."

"He's right mom. I have no choice."

"Go get some cloths, I'll get some money for you, you'll need it." Her dad said running of in the other direction.

Mai nodded & headed to her room. Once she got there she replaced her wrist & ankle weapon holders. She then went to the trunk with her cloths in it & started shuffling through it. Shades of red & black were all to be seen. That's exactly what they'll be looking for. that's when she saw a small flash of gold at the bottom of her trunk. Twenty minutes later she walked out of her room & into the living room ready to go. Her Mother & father came into the room.

"Oh my Mai." Her mother covered her mouth in surprise. "Where ever did you get those cloths & that make-up?"

"Azula, Ty lee & I stole them. They belonged to the Kyoshi warriors of the earth kingdom."

"Oh I see, what a good Idea." Her father stroked her beard thoughtfully.

"Bounty hunters won't be able to recognize me & it has armor so I'll be more protected if they do." Mai looked disgustedly at her ensemble.

"Well, I guess your right." Her mother sighed. "Here take this too," she handed her a hooded cloak. "Put it on, it will keep you hidden & warm."

She slipped it on over her head. Then her dad held out a small bag.

"It's not much money but it should get you to Omashu, once your there go to our house, you should be safe there until were back." Her father said handing her the small jingling bag of gold coins.

"Here Mai you won't have time now but maybe later." Her mom handed her the rolled up letter from Zuko. Mai took the letter which she almost dreaded reading.

"Thanks guys." Mai put the bag of gold coins on the belt around her waist next to the two gold fans, & the letter in a pocket on the inside of her cloak. She then hugged her parents. Her mother needed to be pried off from her father. Mai was about to open the back door & leave when she heard a small voice calling her.

"Mai. Ha ha, Mai!" Tom Tom called excitedly. He began a drunken run towards her. Mai had never liked children all that much, admittedly at times her own brother was most annoying, but one good thing about him was that he did love his big sister. Mai turned around & kneeled down & opened her arms, Tom Tom practically leaped into her arms.

"I'll miss you Tom tom." She whispered so only he could hear.

"Mai, Mai, Mai." Tom tom giggled. Mai was the only word he knew how to say, so she just assumed he meant I'll miss you too. She picked him up & handed him to her mother. She gave a quick wave & took off out the back door.

---

Toph walked out of Katara's room fully healed. She ran as quick as she could until she was outside. It was the greatest feeling in the world to feel ground beneath her feet. To feel everyone around her. To feel people sitting, standing walking all around her. She plopped herself on the ground & began making dirt angels. Home sweet home. She thought to herself. She sat up as she could feel someone coming closer, it was Aang.

"Oh hi Toph. All better?" He smiled at her.

"Yes, thanks to Katara, I've never needed to be healed by her before. It felt Kinda tingly."

"Been there." He laughed.

"Were you going to see her?"

"Well, yeah but now that I see you can I ask you a question?" Aang sat down next to her.

"Sure Twinkle toes." Toph replied.

"Well it's just that, you can tell that Zuko likes Mai & well that I like Katara. I was just wondering-"

"Katara cares about you almost more than Sokka, but if you want to know I'm not the person you should be talking to." Toph stood up. "When she's done healing everybody you should pay her a visit. Besides I've got someone to talk to myself." Toph began walking away.

"Oh OK." Aang didn't move for a while. The prospect of talking to Katara about his feeling for her sent a shiver down his spine.

---

It was past midnight, but even so the western air temple was still buzzing. Kid's & parents were reunited. Everyone was celebrating. A huge campfire Zuko had created lit the entire area. All they warriors who had been in prison were eating like there was no tomorrow, some were joyfully dancing, some were sharing stories. Everyone was excited & happy except for Zuko. He laid down in the darkest corner of his room sulking the only thing he seemed to be good at.

He didn't know what he had done to deserve this. He just wanted to be with Mai. The way she yelled at him You play just as much games as your sister her words echoed in his head. It was the worst feeling almost as painful as the slap she hit him with, no one could deny that there was nothing more frightening than a woman scorned. That was the thing though, he had gone to tell her he was leaving but she wasn't home. Maybe she didn't get the letter he left her.

He pondered. You left me here, worrying about you. I was alone. I thought you were dead. She said that, that must mean she really didn't get the letter. That explains a lot. Even though he knew this, there was no way he could tell Mai, not without getting used as a human punching bag. He laughed out loud. Was it possible that he wanted her now more than before. He'd always liked it when she showed emotion. She really was cute when she was angry. Zuko made a promise to himself, Mai was the girl he would be with, no matter what. Finally he was able to sleep & dream dreams of him inwardly smiling as he was yelled at & hit by Mai.

---

Sokka sat on the edge of one of the highest points in the western air temple. He had been celebrating for hours since they returned to the island with everybody & he couldn't sleep so he came up here to think. His father & all the other water tribe warriors praised him greatly. He wished Suki could have been there too but there was nothing he could do. If anything, he thought Toph deserved praise. She was the one who did all the work.

He looked into the sky, his eyes uncontrollably drawn to the moon. Tonight she was full, he admired Yue. If he looked at her closely he could almost see her white hair flowing gently around her elegant face. He then looked away, he didn't deserve praise.

"There you are." Toph came up next to him. "I've been looking for you all over the place Sokka. Why are you all the way up here?" She sat down beside him.

"Hey Toph your all better." Sokka said evasively.

"Yeah." Toph turned her head towards him even though she couldn't see him. "Not being able to move or bend was the most scary thing that's ever happened to me." Sokka avoided her unseeing gaze. "I'm just glad that you were there or I don't know what I would have done. I wanted to find you to say thank you."

"It's my fault!" Sokka said sharply.

"No, it wasn't. She was to quick for me &-"

"No, I was so excited about Suki that I wasn't paying attention. I would have seen her coming & I would have been able to take her out. Instead you protected me, your the one who deserves the praise."

"But Sokka it's not your fault." Toph put her hand on his shoulder.

"No!" Sokka shouted. "I'm sorry Toph," he lowered his voice again remembering how sensitive her ears were. "It's my fault. I'll never let anyone hurt you again." Sokka's mind saw images of Yue & then Suki & then Toph. "I promise." He then grabbed her arm & pulled her against him & hugged her tightly.

Toph blushed madly. Her ears weren't even able to separate her rapid heart beats from Sokka's. She returned the hug after a moment.

Sokka continued talking still hugging her. "Never blame yourself for that, you were great, no you were perfect. OK?"

"All right Sokka. You were great too." Toph whispered. She really wasn't sure what else she could say. Sokka held her a moment longer. Then Sokka stood up.

"It's late. Really late. We should probably get some rest." He said smiling.

Toph stood up. Then she felt her hand get grabbed. Sokka was holding her hand. They started walking. If it was anyone else she would have said she could walk on her own, but since it was Sokka she decided to let it go.

Author's Note: Just wanted to mention that no one had asked about the absence of Zuko's letter in the story until RueBroadway. Good timing.