Mai stood stock still, unwilling to shed the tears that so desperately wanted to burst forth. A roll of parchment hung limply in her long fingered hands, one that had been read several times, and searched thoroughly for clues as to why its author did what he did. It was all in vain. A hastily scribbled note was all her left her. Nothing more, not even a promise of return.

Mai,

By the time you read this, I'll be gone. Re-banished, probably. I finally confronted my father. I know my real destiny now, and it's to end this war. I've left to find and aid the Avatar and his friends. I don't know when I'll come back, but if I do, I'll be different. I hope you understand, what I'm doing is the best for the entire world, not just me. I must leave now, before they find me and stop me. Goodbye, Mai. I'll miss you. Wait for me.

Love,
.Zuko.

"Why, Zuko, why?" she whispered under her breath, as if the wind would carry back to her the answer in his voice, the only one she had ever trusted. Miserably, she moved towards the open window with all the speed and agility of a sloth.

"Don't you care about me Zuko? I'm all alone in the world now, don't you see? You're the only one who opened up my emotions and saw me for who I am inside. I don't want to lose that. Please, come back!" she did not dare raise her voice, or her carefully maintained façade would be shattered with wailing.

She stepped out onto the ledge below her windowsill which made up the gently arching roof of the floor below her, pagoda style. Letter still clutched in her hand, she slowly found herself sitting, and traced Zuko's signature with her fingertip in the dark.

--Flashback, circa four years previously--

Mai sat next to Zuko on the little hill looking out over the turtle-duck pond in the Palace courtyard. Mai was soaked through with water and Zuko was quite damp himself. Both had blushes plastered over their faces. They had just gotten away from yet another one of Azula's cruel pranks. Zuko's mother, Ursa, had ushered them into the sunlight after telling her daughter off. Her retreating form could be seen pulling Azula back into the Palace quite forcefully. Ty Lee, like the faithful girl she was, cartwheeled in their wake.

Soon, the two young teens were alone, trying to dry off. It only vaguely occurred to them that they were alone to do or say anything they wanted. Zuko sprang up from the hill, and walked down towards the pond, furiously muttering under his breath. "Stupid Azula…Now she knows…Always annoying…"

Mai, who couldn't hear any of this, slowly got up, nervous as to what she was about to do. "Z-Zuko?" she called. He stopped in his tracks at the bottom of the hill. She walked over to him.

"What?" he asked, quite oblivious. He turned to her shivering form. "Thanks. I don't know what Azula would have done." She offered a small smile. His frown softened, and he asked carefully, "Are you cold?"

Mai nodded. Zuko, not knowing what else to do, lit a small fire in his hands. He too, was cold, despite the sun that was shining down upon the two of them. Mai moved closer to absorb the heat.

Zuko looked up from the fire, startled, to find Mai's face only a few inches from his. Her eyes were closed, and the little fire danced in front, lighting her features beautifully. Without thinking, Zuko moved closer.

Mai opened her eyes, and she too, was startled to find him so close. He was staring at her, and she him. The fire played on his features as well, and Mai found herself wondering if she'd ever noticed his golden amber eyes the same way before, or his thick, dark hair.

What escaped both their notices was the fact that they were slowly moving closer…and closer...and closer…Suddenly, both were brought back down to earth by the feeling of the other's lips crashing onto theirs.

Mai pulled away instantly shocked and surprised. She stammered an apology, cursing herself in her head for lack of control. People did not just go and kiss the Prince of the Fire Nation! She looked up at Zuko fearfully, waiting for his reaction.

Zuko was staring at her, an odd smile on his face. He said nothing, as Mai continued her stuttered apologies. Then, quite suddenly, he said, "Don't be sorry."

Mai felt the heat travel up to her face. It was a heat that she knew had nothing to do with the sun or the fire that had been in Zuko's hands earlier. "What do you mean?" She asked. "It was not…proper for me to do that…not my pl-"

Just as suddenly, Zuko had closed the space between them again. Pulling away after a moment, he smirked and repeated in response to her shock, "Don't be sorry. I know I wasn't. It doesn't matter if it's not proper." He wrinkled his nose at the last word.

Mai smiled, finally getting over the shock at their actions. The smile was short lived however, as she thought of the consequences. "Azula," she said, grimacing. "She won't let either of us live this up."

Zuko's smirk turned into a deep frown at the mention of his sister. "It seems like she ruins everything. For me," he added hastily, remembering that Mai was Azula's friend. "You know what? I don't care. She will not ruin this." He said strongly. "I won't let her."

"Zuko! Come inside now! Your father wants to hold a meeting with all of us. Get dressed, hurry. Fire Lord Azulon is waiting!" A very flustered looking Ursa called across the courtyard. Zuko thanked his stars that she could not see what was happening between him and Mai.

He rolled his eyes, and with a groan, turned away from Mai awkwardly. "I must go," he said shortly, walking up the hill. Mai watched him clamber up the hill. Suddenly, he turned around, and came back to her. He hastily kissed her cheek and placed a small gold Fire Nation Emblem in her palm. "Wait for me," he said to her, scurrying back up the hill after his mother's renewed calling.

Mai's blush was nothing compared to Zuko's.

That very day, his mother vanished, and he stayed in his room, grieving. Two days later, he went to the War Minister's meeting on the privilege his Uncle gave him. Mai waited for him outside, waiting to hear how his first War meeting had gone, and if he had recovered from the loss of his mother yet.

All she saw was him being dragged out of the room by guards. He spared a look of fear for her, one that told her that he wanted nothing more than her comfort. She moved forward to go to him, but a masked guard stopped her. "No one is to talk to him," he said in a gruff voice, disgust filling his voice as he spat out "him."

Mai was afraid, afraid for Zuko. She was forced to return home with her parents, as the Palace was evacuated of all but the Royal Family. Still Mai waited. A messenger came to the door for her father, calling him to an Agni Kai at dawn, the next morning. Her father sent word that he graciously accepted the invitation, and would indeed go.

Mai, not knowing who the Agni Kai was for, did not bother with asking her father if she could go. She had asked once before, wanting to watch a duel, but her father expressed his rage at her boldness by locking her in her in her room for the day. It was not proper for a woman to go, he had snarled through the closed door.

Still, Mai waited for him. She waited four years, never giving up hope that he would find the Avatar soon and return to her. A baby brother was born to her, she was forced to join Azula and hunt for the Avatar, and even Zuko and his Uncle, she trained for battle with knives, and yet she waited for him.

--End Flashback--

After a brief reunion, she was forced to wait for him again. This time, she had nothing, not even a small Fine Nation emblem. Only his request. "I will wait for you, Zuko. I will always wait…" She said into the night. "Always."


Maiko, as promised! And, much, MUCH, sooner than expected...Well, I don't have much left to say here, except to beseech you for suggestions. I've decided to quit begging for reviews...It doesn't matter if I don't get them. I know that lots of people are reading, and that's what's important. As long as the number of hits goes up, I'm good.

--iamtheblindbandit--