A.N. I'm baack! Okay, so I've been getting a few reviews lately, and I decided that, before the year, I'm going to begin updating the story again. So stay tuned!
A special thank you to everyone who's been reviewing, and whos been faithful and patient with this story for so long. I'll make it up to you guys, I pwomise.
"What have I done?"
Tears silently streamed Mai's face. Her mind raced.
You're so beautiful when you hate the world
I don't hate you
I love you
Marry me?
No.
Suddenly, her train of thought was interrupted.
"Is everything alright my dear?"
Mai looked up to see Iroh and Lu Ten.
She sighed. "Zuko proposed." She replied bitterly.
Iroh grinned, and embraced her.
"Ahh, welcome to the family! Ah, it's been too long since I've attended a wedding. I always saw this coming, even as you two were children. My, why are you crying? Shouldn't you b-"
"I said no." Mai mumbled.
Iroh's jaw dropped, and he pulled away.
"My dear, but. . I thought you two were in lov-"
Lu Ten cut him off. "Dad?"
"Yes my son?"
"Why don't you go and find Zuko. I think I'll stay and speak to Mai for a bit.
A look of confusion spread across his face. "Are you sure?"
Lu Ten nodded.
Iroh nodded in response, and began to walk towards the Royal family's private gardens.
Lu Ten sat down next to Mai.
After a thoughtful silence, he finally spoke.
"Why did you say no?"
Mai remained silent.
"I don't think you'd be crying if you didn't love him."
After a few moments of silence, Mai stood up.
"I love him!" She snapped. "That's the problem. I've always loved him, and he always left."
Lu Ten became confused. "But. . he couldn't help it when he was banished. You know that."
She sighed. "I'm not an idiot. I know that. It's just . . . he could've said something. He left without saying a word to me. He could've sent a hawk or . .something. I was the only person who cared about him after his mother left, and I was left in the dust. Do you know how I found out that he was banished?"
Lu Ten didn't answer.
"Ty Lee told me. She overheard Azula and a few guards talking. I found out three weeks after his ship left."
Lu Ten smirked. "That was only once. You said he always left. I'm not an idiot either. "
A ghost of a smirk passed Mai's face, but it disappeared as fast as it came.
"After Ba Sing Se was conquered, he was welcomed back to the Fire Nation with open arms. But he was so. . . confused. He never told me what was wrong. I had a hunch, but I never pushed it. The day after the Eclipse, he disappeared. He left me a letter. He said he was joining the Avatar, and that he was leaving me. That it wasn't about me, it was about the world. He said that he loved me. But apparently it wasn't enough.
She paused, and laughed bitterly.
"It hurt. So much. . . I guess I'm being selfish. I just wish he would've said it to my face. When he was brought to the Boiling Rock-"
"The Boiling Rock? Isn't your Uncle the Warden?"
She nodded. "Yes, he is. Or was. . . I had every intention of telling Zuko how I felt. But then he locked me in a jail cell and ran. I risked my life saving him from Azula. She dismissed my Uncle from his position as Warden, and had me arrested and tried for treason.
She paused again.
"I was released on the day of his Coronation. Since the war was over, all the prisoners of war were freed. When I saw him, the past seemed to disappear. But now that he's proposed. . . it makes me think . . he might leave again. So I said no."
Suddenly, Lu Ten became hysterical with laughter.
"Mai . . . where. . could . . he . . possibly . . go?" He bursted out between giggles.
Mai glared, and began twirling one of her knives. Lu Ten, after some time, calmed.
"Mai, what I'm trying to say, is that Zuko is madly in love with you. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at you. It's like you're the only person in the world."
Mai shrugged.
"The past is the past. Neither of you can change what happened. But it's your future, and right now, you're in complete control."
"But. . .what am I supposed to do? I already said no. And if what you're saying is true . . . I basically just broke his heart."
"You're going to have to admit you were wrong and . . take it from there."
Mai still looked sullen.
"Come on, cheer up! You were never this gloomy when you were younger. He loves you. He'll give you another chance. Trust me. Go talk to him."
Mai looked at him.
"And you were never this wise when you were younger. You're definitely Iroh's son." She smirked, and sighed.
"Fine, I'll go talk to him."
