Authors note: Another just Mai and Zuko chapter. It's kind of interesting.

Chapter Fourteen

Unraveling Things

"But why Lu Ten?" questioned Mai sadly.

"I don't know," replied Zuko.

The two children were sitting in Zuko's room alone as the harsh rain came down on the palace.

"Lu Ten was so kind...now he's gone."

"It's even worse for Uncle Iroh. That was his only son."

Zuko shoved his fist into the bed, "The war is stupid! All it's doing is taking lives away!"

The young boy walked off to the window angrily and leaned against it.

"That's not true Zuko," comforted Mai, "The war is not trying to kill people. It's trying to help-"

"This war is not helping anyone, not even the Fire Nation. Think about Mai. Your Father left you because of the war. Can't you remember?"

Mai tried to push the thought away but it wouldn't leave. It had been a month since he had left her yet seemed like it happened yesterday.

"Father where are you going!? Father!"

Mai pushed her hands against her ears to make the sound go away.

"My father did what he did because he wanted to, not because of the war. War happens and we can't do anything about it Zuko."

"I'm sorry Mai but can't help feeling we can."

Zuko walked back over to his bed, sitting next to Mai again. He immediately thought of a lighter subject.

"I think I'm going to a meeting with Fire Lord Azulon in two weeks. My mother has been giving hints."

"Why would you be going to a meeting?"

"I'm not sure. I would be with Azula and my parents. When that happens, my grandfather never really states why."

Zuko shuffled awhile as a question rattled in his head. Soon he could no longer help keeping it in.

"Mai, why did we start the war, the Fire Nation? Why are we trying to conquer the other nations?"

Mai would have spoken early if she knew the answer but she honestly didn't.

"I really don't know. I'm sorry."

"That's alright. I don't think anyone knows...the rain let up."

Mai looked from Zuko's eyes to the window. The rain had stopped.

"I'd better be going," she said.

"Yeah, okay."

Mai leaped from the bed and to the door followed by Zuko. They arrived and stopped in the silence. Suddenly Mai grabbed Zuko's hand so that he was right in front of her. Zuko looked surprisingly at Mai, gazing into her eyes. He saw fear.

"Zuko...I need you... to promise me something," she stuttered.

"Yes anything."

"...Even if the war gets harder and harder I want you to promise me you won't ever give up. That you'll keep trying."

"Huh?"

"Please, just promise me."

"I-I promise."

"Thank you Zuko...goodbye."

Mai broke her grip from Zuko's hand and exited the room leaving a promise that would be tougher to keep than Zuko would ever know.

Authors note: Yeah...so the story is about to take a sad turn. Plus I have decided that this story will have about thirty-five chapters. So I am getting to the halfway point.