Authors note: Okay, this is an interesting chapter about when Zuko and Mai come across a small child right before the Agni Kai…

Chapter Twenty-Five

Commotion for Silent Words

"So are you nervous?" asked Mai in whisper.

"Sort of, not really," replied Zuko, "I probably won't be till tomorrow. Then I might be."

The Agni Kai that had most of Fire Nation talking was tomorrow. It was to be attended by anyone which made it even more awaited.

"I'll be alright though."

Zuko nodded at Mai as they continued their walk. They had decided to have a nice talk before it came time tomorrow where no words could be said.

"Thanks, Zuko, for the walk. It…means a lot to me."

Mai stared hard at the ground when she said this, blushing quite hard.

"Why do I blush at the silliest things," she thought, "I suppose he just makes me."

"Oh, your welcome, Mai," replied Zuko, interrupting her thoughts, "I like walking uh with yo-you."

They both were nervous at the moment for their separate reasons. It was silent for the most part besides the rustling of the trees and the swaying of their clothes. Soon the two found themselves in one of local gardens.

"Zuko…"

"Yes…"

"I want to tell you something."

"What?"

"I wanted to tell you that I…who is that?"

Zuko looked from Mai's face to what her eyes where staring at. He looked and was surprised to see a little girl who looked like she was the age of four. She had a tiny peasant dress on, with a single bracelet on her arm. Her face was tear streaked and she looked very frightened.

"What she would do?" asked Mai.

"Go to her, I guess."

The two edged towards the little girl, each one thinking of words to say. When they were only a few feet from her the girl noticed that she was being watched. She tried to run but tripped. She started to wince as Zuko reached out his hand.

"I think we should go," stated Mai nervously.

"No…wait."

Zuko kept his hand open and watched as the girl slowly put her hand in his. The girl stood up and wiped her cheeks.

"What's her name?" asked Mai.

"I don't know," replied Zuko.

"Mina."

The two stared surprisingly at the girl. She could talk.

"Your name is Mina?"

She nodded at Mai and smiled. She then began to point down the road with her fingers and mumbled a few words.

"What did you say?" inquired Zuko.

"Home," was all Mina said.

She grabbed Zuko hand, then Mai's, and led them both down the road they had once come. Mina was a very small girl but her grip was firm.

"Home," she repeated, as she dragged them along.

"Zuko?"

"It's ok," smiled the prince, "We'll be fine."

The girl had them follow her until the came to what looked like the servants house outside of wealthy Fire Nation house.

"Home," said the girl for the final time and left the two.

She ran into the servant's quarters and closed the door. Zuko and Mai could hear a laugh of joy come from an adult inside the house. Then, a few minutes later, Mina peeped outside of the house.

"Thank you," she said and then slipped back inside.

They stood silently for awhile until Zuko towards Mai.

"What was that about?" he asked.

"I have no idea."

The two walked confused back to the palace and sat down beside Mai's favorite tree.

"I bet she wandered from her house," said Zuko.

"Yeah, probably, maybe we should visit her again."

"Yeah…Mai?"

"Yes Zuko."

"Before we saw Mina, you wanted to tell me something. What was it?"

Mai's face began to get red again, "Oh, it was nothing, really."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes…it was nothing."

"Ok then, I'll see you later."

"See you later."

Zuko walked away and Mai sighed when he did so.

"Mina," she mumbled under breath, "If she had only showed up a few seconds later…"

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Authors note: Yep, so Mina might come back. I'm still thinking on it but I thought she would be cute for at least one chapter. And what Mai was going to say…I guess it will have to wait…