When the siblings took their leave of the two fire nation teens, Ty Lee turned to survey Yan Zu's reaction regarding Mai's departure. He wore a serene expression which either showed that he was happy for Mai or that he was simply trying to be.

"How are you holding up?" she asked. "Is your heart alright? Or do you need some alone time to cry a bit?" She hoped her teasing would make him feel better in case he was heartbroken that Mai had officially chosen to be with Zuko.

"Oddly enough," Yan Zu reflected. "I'm not sad or hurt. I meant what I said when I told her to stop being stubborn. I wanted her to just go to Zuko since it was obvious that she still loves him. I want Mai to be happy, not because I'm in love with her and have to let her go, but because she's a good friend who I know deserves happiness."

"Wow, you got over her fast," Ty Lee commented. "Didn't you just tell me yesterday that you liked Mai?"

"Yeah, but I wasn't sure how much I still liked her," he explained. "I knew that I liked her, but I didn't have the opportunity to really confront my feelings. When you asked me about my feelings for Mai, I told you my general situation. When I said I wasn't going to act on them, I assumed you took it to mean that I was trying to get over my romantic feelings for her. To be honest, I did my best to get over her once she told me that she still loved and would always love Zuko. I guess I didn't really know my progress until that conversation we had with her a few minutes ago. When Sokka and Katara were trying to convince Mai to see Zuko, I wasn't secretly hoping that she wouldn't listen to them and get back together with him so that I would have a shot. The whole time I was thinking, why is Mai being so stubborn? She loves Zuko, and he loves her too. What is she waiting for? It wasn't about me at all. That conversation was the test for me to see whether or not I still had feelings for her."

"So now you know you don't?" Ty Lee tried to mask the hopeful tone in her question.

"I guess I don't like her anymore," Yan Zu answered as celebratory images began flashing in Ty Lee's mind. "Maybe I was able to get over her quickly since I tried to distance myself for a while and since I knew that Mai was in love with someone else. It made things easier for me. I began the process as soon as I was sure I didn't really have a chance with her. That way, my feelings weren't too deep yet, and I was able to get myself out of that potential loser-of-the-love-triangle situation."

Ty Lee giggled at how Yan Zu explained his position. "Yeah, that would have been a total sobfest. So what are you going to do now?"

"Well, I was thinking of travelling the world, going on an adventure," Yan Zu mused. "I'm not really sure where I'm going exactly or what I'm going to do. All I know is that I need a break from all the drama I've had in my life so far. I just want to take it easy and see the world since I haven't seen it in over 2 years. What about you?"

"Well, now that Azula's in prison and Mai's with Zuko again, I guess I'm free to go as well," Ty Lee said. "I think I'll go to Kyoshi Island with the girls. That way, I can become an official member. They're going to sail in a few hours I think, so I'm heading out with them. I hear it's really beautiful there. You should visit us, or better yet, make that your first stop on your adventure." Ty Lee hoped that he would get that hint that she wanted to spend more time with him.

"Sounds like a plan," Yan Zu agreed. "I can stay with you guys for a few weeks or even months. I've got all the time in the world. I can just move on to whatever place from there." Yan Zu paused for a moment before he turned to Ty Lee and asked, "You like travelling, right? I mean, you were part of the circus then you, Mai and Azula went around looking for the avatar and the banished prince. I was thinking, won't you get bored if you're just stuck on some island forever? What I'm saying is, maybe if you find it boring, or you get restless from staying there too long, maybe you'd want to come with me instead?"

It took all of Ty Lee's strength to keep her from jumping up and down. She couldn't help smiling widely, however, as she responded, "I'd love to. Oh Yan Zu, you don't have to pretend and hide your feelings for me. We both know that without me, your adventure's pretty much going to suck." Ty Lee gave him one of her mischievous winks.

"Yeah, well without me, your life with the Kyoshi warriors isn't going to be much fun either," he retorted. The two broke into laughter and walked towards the tent where their friends were as Yan Zu put his arm around Ty Lee's shoulders.


Mai's heart seemed to beat faster the closer she got to her destination. She couldn't tell whether she was more excited or nervous to see Zuko again. As she reached his all-too-familiar quarters, she slowed down. She stopped a few steps from his doorway to give herself time to think and compose herself. Though she took deep breaths to calm down, she could not banish those final persistent thoughts of hesitation.

She tried to plan her approach. Should I just enter his room like everything between us is okay again? Should I bring up what happened these past few months or anything about our break-up, or should I just put everything behind me and mention nothing? I haven't thought this through. Just a while ago I was so sure that I never wanted to see him again. Now I'm here, a foot away from his door, with no plan. Am I really ready to face him? Maybe he's not ready to see me. Maybe it's too soon. It's not too late. I can just back away quietly; he doesn't know I'm out here. I can just go see him when he's better and more settled into his role as the new firelord.

Although she thought her doubts regarding their relationship had finally vanished, a few of those thought resurfaced. Why should I seek him out first anyway? I can just turn back and wait for him to come to me. If he really loves me as the others say he does, he'll come find me. If I leave now, it's all up to him. But do I trust him enough? What if I end up waiting for nothing? Can I even bear to be hurt like that again? Maybe we both deserve other people who are better suited to us. He might need someone kinder, more caring and understanding than me. He can easily get any girl he wants anyway. I'm sure I can find another guy who'd love me for who I am. There are other guys out there, like Yan Zu. Why not Yan Zu? He's always been there for me. He seems to care for me, and if I picked up on the hints correctly, he might have liked me more than a friend. I mean I don't see him that way, but if I had to pick anyone else, he'd be the best option. Who knows, I may grow to love him in time.

Luckily, her stronger and more rational side fought back those negative thoughts. No, I'm being stupid again. How many times do I have to be convinced of my relationship with Zuko? Why am I the only one who doesn't think that Zuko and I should get back together? I know that I need him, and from what I've heard and felt, he feels the same about me. And Yan Zu? Doesn't he deserve better than to be my second choice? He's been nothing but good to me, and I'm choosing to devalue him by thinking things like that. He needs someone better, someone who will really love him and not just settle for him. I'm not even sure if he liked me that way since he's never actually told me that he did, so I should stop thinking about him like that. If I don't, I'm just going to ruin a great friendship which, I might add, is incredibly hard for me to come by. I have to stop being so proud and just make the first move. I've come this far already. Okay Mai, take those final steps and go to him.

She walked quietly to the entrance of his room and saw the boy she had missed incredibly. It was only through actually seeing him so close to her once again that she truly felt how much she had missed him. His back was turned away from her, and he seemed to be struggling with getting dressed, a result of his acquired wounds from Azula no doubt. The sight of him in this state melted away any lingering fears. She wanted nothing more than to run and hug him tightly. She restrained herself however and leaned against the frame of his doorway momentarily. If anything, Zuko may need me, especially now. He'll need someone on his side now that he's leading a new era where we are no longer the supreme race. At least he'll know, even if his officials disagree with his policies, he has someone who will always be there and support him. Okay, no more fear. No more hesitating. This is it.

With those thoughts of assurance and courage and a final deep breath, she uttered the first words she had spoken to Zuko in months which she hoped would suffice as both a greeting and a peace offering. "Need help with that?"

He turned around immediately, grinning widely, and exclaimed, "Mai!" Nothing was sweeter than to hear him say her name with such enthusiasm as he opened his arms to her.


Wow, it took me quite some time before I could start on this chapter mainly because I had no idea how to go about it. Oh well. One last chapter then I'm done!