So this took me a little while due to the fact that so much could easily happen. It's short but definitely needed.
Untilthemoonrises: I don't know if that would go over so well, lmao. Though funny.
Kimberly T.-I'm debating on whether or not letting you know what's up with Mai and Ty Lee next chapter or leaving it a surprise for just a few more. Don't know yet
Fuzzyninjaassassin777: I love the fact that you like my story! You are one of the reasons I keep on writing. Love your reviews!
DofD: you just rock out loud. Also you are another reason I keep on writing.
Luvnote4u: I will tell you either next chapter or in a few
Aipom4: but I'm not telling which one :D
Loveme: as this is a zutara story you do know that is Mai and Zuko will not stay together forever. But I got the perfect idea of how to do it when I finally get around to it :D
Atla lover: "Zuko I have to tell you something," Mai said quietly. "I wasn't born a girl." LMAO!
FireIce: I think I just screwed up that rate.
Sweetgirl23: Sometime in next few chapters. I promise.
My hazel eyes: soon. Soon you shall find out.
Scerherazade: Hope you enjoy! And nope not Mai's announcement.
Cinemascope8: posting as quick as I can figure it out.
Ladyghost92: Yeppers-Mom?
Katara watched the couple talking, Zuko pinching the bridge of his nose. Ha! And he gets on to me about being with someone I can't love? She watched as Mai got angrier, their conversation getting sour. Katara couldn't help but smirk at the discomfort of the couple. Wait. I shouldn't feel happy about that. Katara turned her head away just in time to see the woman entering the massive hall.
Time stopped. She was standing under the comet waiting for the lightning to strike her. Katara managed to swallow the lump in her throat and noted everyone around her had stilled. She could hear the footsteps from Zuko's long strides as he closed the distance between him and his sister. How did Azula get out? Katara watched as Zuko's steps faltered, he was no longer the determined Fire Lord that he had become. But rather the boy she had met back in Ba Sing Se. Katara peered closer noting the woman couldn't be Azula, she was older, much older.
"I couldn't miss the new Fire Lord's party," The woman said as she bowed before Zuko.
The room was silent; there was no mistaking his next word. "Mom?"
Katara's heart lurched in her chest. Of course! She looks just like those paintings he has. She really is alive. She turned to see Toph's eyes wide. Suki turned toward Katara with the unspoken question 'did you know?' A low murmur of voices began to rise from the crowd as everyone began to find their voice. Katara looked back up to where Mai stood. Did you know? Mai stood rigid, her mouth slightly open, her eyes wide.
"I am so sorry I missed your coronation," Ursa said as she began walking toward the throne. Zuko followed her, trying to remember how to walk like a nobleman. "But it had already passed by the time the news reached my ears. Even your speech at Ba Sing Se had passed. I had wanted to come back so much sooner but waited untill things died down a little bit."
"Where were you?" Zuko's voice was a bit hoarse as it seemed he had forgotten how to speak.
"A very small town on the very eastern side of the Earth Kingdom." Ursa sighed.
"Father never said." Zuko looked down toward his feet.
"Your father intended for me to be in Ba Sing Se." Ursa lifted an eyebrow. "But as soon as possible I ran as far as I could from his controlling reach."
"How?" Zuko asked.
"As you have surely noticed, it isn't hard to escape the Fire Nation undetected." Ursa smiled softly at her son. "And you must be Mai, my you have grown." Ursa walked up to the tall noblewoman.
"Lady Ursa," Mai bowed. "It is nice to see you again." She allowed a small smile.
"Are you staying long?" Zuko asked hopeful.
"A while." Said a grumpy voice behind him. Zuko whirled around to see his Uncle frowning. "Haven't seen you in months and I don't even get a 'hello'" Zuko grinned and hugged the old man. I don't care if it's not befitting of a lord to hug people in public. My mother and Uncle are both here! Zuko's face was engulfed by a huge smile.
"What are you doing here? I thought you said you couldn't make it." Zuko asked.
"I persuaded him." Ursa smiled gently at her son.
"You couldn't have told me?" Zuko frowned at his uncle.
"You would have jumped on the first airship to Ba Sing Se if I had told you." Iroh watched as Mai bowed to them, excusing herself.
"Can you believe it? Sparky's Mom is actually alive!" Toph exclaimed.
"Wow, she looks as pretty as when she left." Ty Lee watched as Zuko hugged his uncle.
"I don't think I've ever seen Zuko this happy before." Suki commented. Katara looked at the Kyoshi warrior. I have.
Zuko brushed her hair out of her face as she breathed in evenly. Katara shifted in her sleep, her eyes fluttering open. She reached up and ran her fingers through her hair. He looked down at her, a happy smile on his face.
"He used to smile like that all the time when Lady Ursa was still here," Ty Lee turned toward them. "He became a different guy after she left."
"I can understand that." Katara said quietly. She watched as Mai excused herself, heading in their direction.
"But I thought that Zuko's mom had died." Suki said quietly.
"That's what Zuko's Dad had always said." Ty Lee shrugged. "One day she was here, next day she was gone."
"I need to borrow Ty Lee," Mai said as she stood behind Ty Lee. Ty Lee jumped at the sudden presence.
"You know I think that I want to finish these fire chips," Ty Lee smiled sheepishly. She had barely begun to lift the food to her mouth when Mai pulled her out of her seat whispering in her ear. Ty Lee grimaced and walked out of the hall with her.
"What was that about?" Katara asked.
"I'm really not sure." Toph replied. "She only said 'we need to talk now'".
"What's going on?" Hakoda asked as him and his son walked up. He looked around the crowd; everyone was talking, eyes darting toward the Fire Lord.
"That's Zuko's mom. Everyone thought she was dead." Suki said.
"I seriously thought that was Azula when she first walked in the door," Sokka stood behind Suki.
"I did too." Katara wrapped her arms around her as she shivered. Hakoda placed his hand on Katara's shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile.
"And these are my friends," They all turned to see Zuko and his mother. "Suki of the elite Kyoshi warriors, just recently engaged." Ursa nodded her head at the young woman, "Sokka a great warrior from the southern water tribe, her soon to be husband." Ursa nodded toward him. "Hakoda: chief of the Southern water tribe." Ursa nodded toward the man. "Toph Bei Fong: The strongest earthbender and only metalbender." Toph smiled in her direction as Lady Ursa tilted her head in question. "And Katara of the Southern water tribe, one of the best waterbenders on earth." Katara blushed at the compliment.
"Hey," Aang pushed through the crowd. "I guess I picked a bad time to go to the bathroom. What's going on?"
"Hello, and you must be the Avatar," Lady Ursa bowed before him, "My name is Ursa. I am Zuko's mother."
"Mother? But I thought you had…" Aang's eyes had started darting as he noticed guests had turned toward their conversation.
"No, I didn't die." Ursa smiled. "But I was banished, and I must appeal that."
"You're un-banished." Zuko stated immediately.
"Where did your fiancee go?" Ursa asked her son. Katara's body went rigid. You asked her to marry you? After what we talked about. You plan to spend your life with some one you don't even love? How could you condemn yourself to that? She could almost feel the tears welling up.
"Huh?" Zuko looked at his mother confused.
"Isn't Mai your fiancee?" Ursa asked.
"She's just my girlfriend." Zuko smiled at her. He looked over to Katara and saw the tense expression on her face. The quick glance didn't go unnoticed by his mother.
"My mistake, a few of those rumors said you had already proposed." Ursa shrugged in a true Zuko fashion. Her eyes darted toward the waterbender who seemed extremely occupied with her tea. "I do believe all this travelling and excitement has made me weary." Ursa yawned.
"You're not going already?" Zuko turned to her quickly.
"Just to sleep. I was hoping you wouldn't mind me staying here in the fire nation." She gripped his hand and squeezed. "I will just go find my old room and unpack. Iroh, will you help me?" Zuko turned to see his uncle nodding.
Lady Ursa and Iroh made their way out of the hall into the darkness of the night. The hall was a separate building from the rest of the palace, an attempt to keep assassinations down. They walked in silence for a moment
"He has grown so much." Ursa said quietly.
"He has." Iroh agreed.
"I still wasn't expecting…I knew, but…" Ursa looked down.
"His father was a cruel man, as you have already noticed. And Zuko has fully embraced his scar. From what I have noticed, it rarely bothers him anymore."
"Is that one girl, the earthbender…"
"A metal bender? Yes, it seems quite unreal." Iroh stroked his beard.
"I meant blind." Ursa smiled to the man.
"I keep forgetting that." Iroh smiled back at her. "She sees in a unique way, with her earthbending."
"Ty Lee has gotten so beautiful, I heard she ran is a Kyoshi warrior now." They began up the steps of the palace.
"She ran away to the circus first, but I do believe a warrior is her calling." Iroh waved at the guard who immediately retreated back to his post after recognizing the old man.
"And Mai has become quite the noblewoman." Ursa walked through the door being held open for them.
"She truly has." They turned down the hallway that lead toward her old room.
"You were right, by the way." Ursa smiled toward the man.
"I know my nephew." Iroh said simply.
"If he loves her then why does he stay away?"
"Because she is the Avatar's girl."
I hope you enjoyed. I am still debating on whether or not to let you see inside of Mai and Ty Lee's convo or not. You will find out in just a few chapters regardless. Anyway. Please review it always helps!