Authors note: Alright, this chapter will hopefully be a little bit happier than the last one.

Chapter Twelve

Comfort for the Heart

"What's going on?" he thought, "Where is everybody?"

Zuko was running around the outside of the palace, looking for anybody who could tell him what was going on. He finally chose to go Azula's area, hoping to find some answers.

When Zuko arrived, both Azula and Ty Lee were sitting down in the grass with blank faces instead of their usual playing.

"What's going on?!" asked Zuko, "Why is everyone being so sad?"

Azula stood up with her arms crossed, "For one, Father's in a meeting. That's the reason no ones around. And the other is because you are such an idiot, Zuzu."

Zuko made a fist at his younger sister, ready to punch her for real.

"It's not because you're an idiot," said Ty Lee trying to break up the fight, "I guess nobody has told you yet."

Zuko gave a puzzled look, "Told me what?"

"About Mai!" screamed Azula

"What about Mai?" he questioned.

Azula sat back down on the ground in frustration while Ty Lee tried to explain, "General Kong Hei has been requested to go somewhere."

"What? Where?"

"To…to…to Fa Wing."

"Fa Wing?! But that's so many regions away. Why would the Fire Nation send him there?"

"Because that's what he's general over," bellowed Azula from the ground, "But that's beside the point. General Kong Hei at first didn't want to go but then he thought about Mai and immediately made his decision…to go.

"That's a lie!" yelled Zuko.

"Oh really. Well if you want to believe that then fine. But we all know the truth in the end. General Kong Hei left Mai and he's not coming back. He doesn't want her anymore, end of story."

"That is not true!"

Azula didn't plan on fighting Zuko again. She knew he knew the truth. Zuko knew it too. He gazed hopelessly at Ty Lee.

"Do you know where Mai is?" he asked Ty Lee

"Over on the bridge," she replied.

Zuko glanced once more at the playing area and at Mai's favorite tree before leaving to go to the bridge.

He arrived shortly after the visit with Azula and Ty Lee, finding Mai staring downward into the water. Zuko sighed heavily as he walked towards her. He could see some faint wetness around her eyes.

"She's been crying," he thought to himself, "Of course, Zuko."

He felt like turning around and forgetting this girl forever but he couldn't. It just didn't feel right.

"Mai…" he said lowly as she yanked her head up.

"Hello, Zuko," she answered even lower.

"I'm really…I'm mean I'm…look about your father-"

"Everything's alright," Mai cut off.

"But-"

"Zuko I'm fine. The Chi Poi family has taken me in. I'm going to live with them now. I'll be okay."

Zuko was about to try and talk to her again however it was useless.

"Maybe she is okay," he considered.

"My father is general over Fa Wing," Mai said breaking into Zuko's thoughts, "I knew this sort of thing would happen. It's his fate and I have to deal with it."

"So you don't care at all. When people are mean to you and don't worry about what happens to you at all you just give up."

Mai looked from Zuko back to the water, "I haven't had it easy ever since I was a child. My mother died when I was only four. She always cared for me and made sure I was happy…then she was gone. The day she died something changed between me and my father. He didn't want to talk to me, play with me…have anything to do with me. It was like he stopped loving me."

"After that what was I to do. People treated me wrong so I started to not care. I just didn't care."

Zuko watched as a teardrop fell into the water making tiny ripples.

"Mai I didn't know. I'm-"

"I already told you I'm fine. I'll deal with things…I always do."

"Mai, do not let dealing with things get in the way of your real feelings. Your father hurt you and you have every right to be mad. He was wrong to leave you and even though he didn't say it I will."

Zuko didn't know why he had done it or even if he should have but maybe it would help in the least. He reached out and grabbed Mai's hand pulling her into a hug.

"I'm sorry," he said holding her close, "I'm sorry for everything."

Mai would have usually pushed the person aside but something told her not to. It just didn't feel right. She clung to Zuko, crying softly to herself, letting all her sadness melt away.

Zuko clasped her awhile before thrusting her away, then putting his hands on her shoulders. He smiled as if some how the day was getting better.

"Things will turn up Mai," he said reassuringly, "I know they will."

Mai wiped a tear from her eye, a smile crossing her face.

"Okay."

Zuko started walking off the bridge and motioned Mai to follow. She nodded while walking off as well and began pacing side by side with Zuko.

"Um, Zuko."

"Yeah, Mai?"

"Thanks…for everything."

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Authors note: Okay, the story is turning for the better. For the update, Mai know is living with the family she lives with in the show. Please review.