A/N: Decided to skip the 'demonstration' as it is not really pertinent to the story.

Interface

Chapter 26: Bending, Birthday and Leave Taking (the sheer brilliance of this title astounds even me…. cough, cough, wink)

Daylight faded. Mai lay back in a lawn chair, book in hand, glasses perched on her nose. She adjusted the lantern beside her, turning up the brightness and found her spot again. Beside her sat a table with a tall glass of Iroh's wonderful iced tea and a half-eaten sandwich on a plastic plate. In front of her, Iroh and Zuko were bending.

Their movements and the flashes of flame, brilliant oranges and reds that competed with the majesty of the setting sun, were a distraction. But she didn't mind. In fact the reading was really more of a ruse. She peeked at the men over her glasses, enthralled with their movements. Despite the inherent choppiness of firebending, the short sharp flurries of punches and kicks, it had grace too. Nephew and uncle made wide circles with their arms, as if powering up, before letting loose blasts of fire. Some of the forms were almost dance-like.

"Sooo different from waterbending." The voice was Sokka's. He sat on Mai's other side. His sandwich was finished and he eyed hers lustfully. "Are you going to eat that, seriously? You can't let amazing food like that go to waste." He reached out for Mai's sandwich, his movements tentative.

"Go ahead," Mai sighed. "I'll get something else later if I'm hungry." She handed him the plate and watched in wonder as he inhaled the food like an anteater snorted up its favorite form of nourishment. The man could out eat anyone.

Sokka had become a fixture at the Jasmine Dragon, spending a lot of his free time there as well as his work hours. That was all right with everybody. He had pushed headlong into everyone's heart, breaking down barriers and resistance and was now part of the household.

"Seriously, Katara's movements are all flow-y and fluid, you know, kind of like water." He slapped a hand against his forehead, recognizing the inanity of his statement too late.

"Ah, so that's why they call it waterbending; that and the bending of water." Mai gave her friend a poke. "Don't choke on that sandwich, Sokka. Iroh needs you tomorrow."

"Your concern, it melts the ice cold of my frozen tundra heart."

"Oh, shut up." She slapped her book over his head but could not repress a giggle.

The two benders were oblivious to everything but their fire and their movements and their own bodies. Mai and Sokka could have been rolling around the grass, embroiled in a fight to the death, and neither would have noticed.

"So they get right into it, don't they? It's cool, I guess, but our weapons are pretty cool too, don't you think?" The fire, reflected in Sokka's blue eyes, looked eerie.

Mai shrugged. "We're not benders. I'm fine with that. I'm not a concert pianist either. And yeah, our sharp, pointy things are cool."

She decided to shut her book, turn off the lantern light and watch the bending instead, with her full attention. Lounging in the chair, hands behind her head, Mai kept her eyes on Zuko. He wore a sleeveless tunic, part of some special training clothes Iroh had purchased for him, and loose knee length pants. His feet were bare. That was a lot of naked skin and despite her intent to focus on the bending, she found herself straining to see the muscles of her lover's arms and calves instead. He had an amazing body. She would love Zuko no matter what his body looked like or what it might become, but damn it was enticing and memories, very recent ones, of that body covering hers, his movements frantic and fast, made her tingle. She felt her cheeks redden and was glad of the near darkness.

"It's going to be weird without you guys around. A few more days and you'll be leaving. I wish Suki was here." Sokka missed her with a sudden aching potency. He could almost smell her, feel her, hear her. "You know, she's pretty good with weapons too. We should start a club.*"

Sokka was a strange mix of cynicism and warmth, humour and practicality. He had moments of introspection too and even melancholy. That was the best word for what he felt at that moment. He'd never gone so long without seeing Suki. Yes, she lived on Kyoshi Island and he lived at the South Pole, but they visited fairly frequently, usually every six weeks or so. Talking on the phone was not the same thing. He needed to touch her again. And now his new friends, the only people he had connected with in the Fire Nation were leaving too. It was only for a week, but Sokka couldn't help but feel sad and lonely already.

"Um, Sokka, why don't you invite Suki to visit? If you don't have the space, she can stay here. We've got plenty and Iroh won't mind."

"What won't I mind?" The burly man was toweling off now and grinning down at Sokka and Mai. "That was a good session. I've been letting my bending slide for a few years now. That won't happen again."

Zuko joined the trio with his own towel in hand. "Me too," he confessed.

Mai watched as her lover peeled off his tunic letting it drop to the grass. He wiped the sweat from his chest and arms. She licked her lips, an unconscious act, transfixed again by the beauty of his masculine form. Sokka nudged her and Zuko laughed.

"That's the way Suki looks at me." He sounded wistful and Mai wondered for a brief moment if he was going to cry. His face twisted a bit, fighting his body's treachery.

"I told Sokka he should invite her up. She could stay here, right Iroh?" She nudged her friend back.

"You can invite anyone you want and they are free to stay with us, young man. And if you need a few days off to go see Suki, you can have those as well. I'm pretty easy going." He patted Sokka on the shoulder before heading toward the house.

"Say, Iroh," the Water Tribesman called, "do you think I could leave during Spring Break too?" The thought of seeing Suki transformed, grown from a tiny seed into a blossoming flower. He clutched onto it tightly now, unwilling to let go.

The older man stopped and considered, stroking his beard. "That would leave Kenji here by himself. Hmm….well, I think we can work something out. You call your girl and make your arrangements. Who am I to stand in the way of love?"

Sokka whooped, thanked Mai for the sandwich, Iroh for his kindness and Zuko for inviting him over. He leapt from the lawn chair, eager to get home to his apartment. "Suki awaits!"

Chuckling, Iroh collected the towels and headed into the house. "Coming?" he asked the young couple.

"We're going to stay outside for a few minutes." Mai indicated the now vacant chair and Zuko dropped down. He stretched his arm out across the tiny abyss that separated his chair from hers. His hand rested on her stomach, stroking gently. Eventually, Mai put her hand on his, playing with his fingers.

"When do you want to go in?" the firebender asked.

"There's no hurry." Mai turned to face Zuko and smiled.

~~~~0000~~~~

The Sapporo Zoo was not the best in the Fire Nation, but it was not the worst either. Its collection of wildlife was small but it spanned several hectares and those in charge prided themselves on replicating natural habitats as closely as possible, giving the creatures plenty of room to play and roam and behave as they would in the wild. Mai figured it was difficult to do that with humans staring at you and part of her felt bad for all the animals stuck there. But it was Tom-Tom's fourth birthday and he loved animals. So she and Zuko had decided to take him to the zoo that morning and then out to lunch rather than buying him a gift. They hoped he would get more out of the experience than he would some toy or other.

Later, that evening, there would be birthday cake and a few gifts from Mom and Dad. Tom-Tom's day would be a full one and a great one too, Mai hoped.

"I don't like the bus," the boy declared as they stepped off outside the zoo's main entrance. "It smells."

"That it does." Mai agreed wholeheartedly. Sometimes a keen sense of smell was not a good thing. She ruffled her brother's thick brown hair and seeing his shoelace was undone, bent to retie it. He was learning but a fit of frustration would not be a good start to their zoo adventure.

"Come on, buddy." Zuko took the boy's hand. Mai took the other and they strolled toward the ticket booth, purchased three and then pushed through the turnstiles.

They studied a huge map of the zoo and tried to decide which exhibit to visit first. Tom-Tom was keen on bears and the big cats. They were at opposite ends of the complex.

"You have to choose one, Tom, or we'll choose for you." Zuko grew irritated as the boy waffled between the two. For all he loved Tom-Tom, Zuko had little experience with small children and the tests they could put you through. And his patience was thin as a well-worn towel anyway.

"I dunno." His voice was high pitched and whiny and both adults ground their teeth.

"Bears," Zuko declared with a firmness that guaranteed no argument. "This way." He pointed left. Sometimes it was best to take the decision out of little hands.

Tom-Tom jutted his lower lip out and stomped rather than walked for a few minutes. He threw a "You're mean, Zuke," over his shoulder once. The firebender sighed. The words made his heart ache, but Tom-Tom was young and said what he felt at the moment, no censorship. Perhaps that was better anyway. Zuko did not waffle though, and stood by his decision.

But soon other children, most dressed in colourful and comfortable shorts and t-shirts, balloons, laughter and the bellows, roars and squawks of animals dispelled the boy's grumpiness like the rising sun banished the night. He grinned and increased his pace, wrenching free of the adults' hands. Before long the boy was trotting along the paved path, winding his way expertly amongst the steadily growing crowds. Mai kept her eyes on his bright orange shirt and ran to catch up.

"Little brat," she muttered under her breath.

When she was beside Tom-Tom, she stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. Kneeling down, heedless of the people swarming in lines around them she stared deep into her brother's eyes.

"You need to stay with us, Tom-Tom. If you get lost, you might get hurt or picked up by someone who…." She left that sentence unfinished. "If you run off again, we will go home. I'm not just saying that. I mean it. Do you understand?"

He toed the pavement. Huge, fat tears spilled down his cheeks. "Sorry."

Mai sighed before hugging him tight. "Let's start over. I want you to have a good birthday, all right?"

They waited for Zuko and as Mai suggested, began again. Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the bear exhibit. The boy gaped at the huge animals and laughed at their antics. Mai felt uncomfortable once again, like she was watching something private, something that should be witnessed only by other wildlife, not humans gathering along fenced in pens and staring through plexi-glass.

"What's the matter?" Zuko whispered the question, his lips close to her ear. "You seem a bit upset."

"Eh," she shrugged. "I'm just not sure about the animals in zoos thing, but I'll get over it." Her heart beat faster when Zuko brushed his lips along the tender flesh of her neck.

"I know what you mean. Tom-Tom's enjoying it, though."

"He's too young to know any better. But I won't spoil anything for him."

They moved through the zoo, checking out freakishly long snakes that hung from trees or coiled their bodies tightly and rested in dark corners of their 'habitat', monkeys that chattered loudly and swung like acrobats from trees, showing off for their visitors, big cats that lounged in the sun, let out the occasional roar or paced about, vigilant, guarding their own.

Once noon came and left again, Tom-Tom was tired and hungry and it was time to go. They drank from water bottles they had brought with them and trudged back toward the entrance to wait for their bus. A pizza place was next, a favorite of Mai's and Zuko's. After a leisurely lunch, as leisurely as lunch can be with a new four year old, they headed to the home of Mai's parents.

~~~~0000~~~~

Zuko carried Tom-Tom slung over his shoulder like a bag of produce. His little body was limp and he snored softly. Akira smiled when she saw them and pointed down the hall to Tom-Tom's bedroom.

"Could you put him on his bed, Zuko? Just make sure that he's comfortable."

"Sure."

"We'll be out in the garden." Akira led Mai out back where Hoshi was sipping on a beer and finishing up his own lunch. "He's so exhausted looking. How was the zoo?"

"It was a bit rough for a few minutes, but it all worked out. Tom-Tom had a great time. He'll tell you all about it. Oh, and he ate two big slices of pizza and fell asleep on the bus over here."

"I can't tell you how glad I am that you've taken an interest in your brother. He loves you and Zuko too."

"He's a great kid; I'm lucky and I was a jerk before."

"You had your reasons, I know."

"I'm getting scared." Mai backed away from her mother and laughed at the woman's peeved expression. "I'm kidding, though all this getting along is freaking me out a bit."

"I don't want to waste any more time fighting with you, Mai. You're my daughter, my only daughter, and I do love you." Peevish look gone, Akira tilted her head and took Mai in. "You're very happy. I can see that all over you despite that dour, sarcastic demeanor you like to wear. I'm glad of that too."

"Well now I might just cry." Mai felt slightly uncomfortable with both her mother's scrutiny and the emotions she was unusually free with. Relieved when Zuko joined them, she linked her arm with his and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Um, did I interrupt something?" He felt as though he had stepped into the midst of an important moment. Sometimes his timing was terrible. Fidgeting with the pockets of his shorts, Zuko looked about the garden. He cleared his throat, waiting for a response.

"Just some of that womanly emotional stuff," Hoshi replied with a wink. "Nothing for us men to concern ourselves with."

"Where are my knives when I need them," Mai retorted.

Wisely, Zuko kept his mouth shut. "Yeah, so Tom-Tom's out cold on his bed." He fidgeted for a second longer. "So can I do anything to help, with, um, anything?" He groaned and Mai giggled. His awkwardness never failed to amuse her.

"I'm going to make some coffee. Would you like a cup?" Akira started for the kitchen but paused, waiting for the reply.

"I'll have one." Mai looked to Zuko and he nodded, "We both will."

"All right; when Tom-Tom wakes up we can have some cake. It's chocolate. Everyone likes chocolate, right?"

They passed a lazy hour or so, relaxing in the shade, chatting amiably about nothing of any importance. The subject of Mai's and Zuko's trip with Iroh came up a few times, but Mai deflected any questions. She didn't want to hear Akira's worries or complaints. They were going. End of story.

Tom-Tom wandered out back, ruffled looking, like a kitten emerging from beneath a blanket, and just as cute. He scrubbed at his eyes and got oriented before flashing everyone a bright grin.

"I'm here!" It was a cheery declaration of both his presence and his existence. "Can we have cake now?"

Mai snorted. "He's definitely my brother."

"Well, why not?" Mai's mother ushered everyone inside to the dining room which was decorated with red streamers and red balloons. The plates and forks were already laid out and Akira dug Tom-Tom's gifts out from the hall closet. They were all wrapped beautifully, tiny red and gold ribbons curled to perfection, every corner smooth. It was the kind of thing that Mai's mother excelled at and every time someone tore into a gift like some rabid animal, she cringed. She'd rather everyone delight in the wrapping first, then peel back the paper with care worthy of a surgeon.

Mai got the cake out of the refrigerator, double chocolate with thick icing, and there was a large carton of chocolate milk in there too. "I sense a theme," she chuckled, handing the cake off to Zuko.

Akira continued to bustle about, getting the candles and matches, forgetting that Zuko could light anything for her. She stopped to give Tom-Tom a tight hug, whispering "happy birthday," into his ear. He giggled and rubbed at the side of the head shrieking "that tickles," before taking a seat at the table.

Mai snapped pictures and Hoshi too; Tom-Tom blowing out four chunky candles, Tom-Tom tearing open presents, Akira gritting her teeth and looking disappointed, Tom-Tom feasting on chocolate. She made a point to capture Zuko as well; lighting the candles, sneaking glances at her, trying hard to do everything 'right'.

"Next year, you'll have friends, Tom-Tom, and you can have a real party."

The boy didn't seem to care. He was engrossed in his new toys, nothing too extravagant, and enjoying his food. He hadn't had time yet to crave the companionship of other children his age. So far, his time in Sapporo had been pretty full despite the lack of little buddies.

"So," Mai began a short while later, everyone stuffed and relaxing in their chairs. "Zuko and I need to get home. We've got packing to do and…."

Akira frowned. She couldn't help herself. This trip still didn't sit well with her. But she bit her tongue, not wanting to ruin her son's birthday with an argument.

"Let me give you a ride home." Hoshi stood up from the table, rubbing his son's head as he walked by. "Wanna come, Tom-Tom?"

The boy readily agreed. "The bus is stinky, Daddy."

"I'll never hear the end of that," Mai drawled. "Be glad you don't have to ride it every day."

"I'll just stay back and tidy up." Akira sounded a bit put upon and Mai felt instant guilt.

"We can help, if you like."

"No, no, you're busy. Go along home. We'll be over tomorrow evening to say goodbye. Thanks for taking Tom-Tom to the zoo and to lunch." Her words were meant for Mai and for Zuko.

"Yeah, thanks!" The boy gave each of them a huge hug and each of them flushed with pleasure.

"No problem; we'd like to take you lots of places." Zuko met Hoshi's and Akira's eyes, asking for permission. They nodded and he smiled in return.

Tom-Tom kept up a constant chatter on the drive to the Jasmine Dragon. Hoshi listened attentively and grinned at the boy's description of the zoo and the animals.

"Did you get lots of pictures?" he finally asked.

Mai yawned and blinked a few times. A nap sounded good right about then. "Yep, I'll send them to you tonight."

In front of the tea shop, their home, Mai reached back and gave her brother's leg a friendly squeeze. "Happy birthday, little brother; love you."

"Love you."

Those were some of the sweetest words Mai had ever heard.

~~~~0000~~~~

The following evening, Zuko lugged a pair of cases down to Iroh's car and stuffed them into the trunk. He was grateful that Mai wasn't one of those girls that packed almost everything they owned for just a few days of travel. Or maybe those girls didn't really exist. Maybe they were just part of television and movies, some stupid stereotype. Whatever the case, Mai packed efficiently and sparingly, as did Zuko and Iroh. In fact, Mai and Zuko shared one suitcase.

He wore jeans and a t-shirt and old sneakers, comfortable clothes for sitting in the car. Mai wandered out next, dressed in a more feminine version of the same, her satchel slung over her shoulder. Sadako was with her, there to say her goodbyes and spend some time with Kenji.

"Is my uncle still talking with Kenji?"

"Yep, more tea talk and instructions; it's like another language and I don't speak it." Sadako grinned at the pair. "But I'm learning. Kenji's worth it."

Sokka had already headed to Kyoshi Island, so Kenji was on his own. The Jasmine Dragon would be open a reduced amount of hours for the duration of everyone's absences.

"Worth it, eh?" Mai asked. Her tone was thick with suggestion. She nudged her friend then and Sadako grabbed hold of Mai, hugging her tight.

"I hope you find your dragons, dear."

"I hope so too."

Mai's family pulled in front of the house, Tom-Tom tumbling out of the back seat and running to his sister.

"Bye, Mai, bye Zuko; have a good trip. And be safe." He had been practicing all the way over and was inordinately proud of himself.

Zuko looked at the boy's face and had to laugh. "Someone is pleased with himself. We'll see you in a week, Tom-Tom. It will go by fast."

"That's seven days, right, Zuke?" He puffed out his chest.

"Kid's a genius, Mai."

"He's got good genes."

"He does," Akira agreed. She smirked and patted her hair.

The handsome middle-aged woman had a lot to say, but swallowed it all down. She worried too much anyway, and Mai was an adult, accompanied by two other adults. Akira simply had to trust Iroh to watch out for them and not lead them into harm's way. He was an odd man in many ways but a good man who loved his nephew and Mai and would never hurt them. Why did she insist on fretting?

"Call once in a while, all right?"

Mai couldn't resist. "If the dragons aren't roasting me alive, sure."

"That's not helping, Mai." Hoshi put an arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek. Mai was taken aback a bit but managed to keep that surprise hidden.

"I know; sorry." It was difficult to maintain even features with Sadako beside her, shoulders trembling with suppressed laughter.

Iroh and Kenji came down the front steps, in mid conversation and gesticulating crazily. The talk grew loud and confusing and as usual, Mai and Zuko hung back and listened rather than participate. Both were eager to finally get going. Iroh first mentioned the journey months ago and now that it was upon them, it seemed that actually leaving was taking forever.

"Can we just get out of here?" Zuko growled.

Only Mai heard. She bumped his hip before sliding and arm through his. "I know," she whispered.

"So why is it you're leaving in the evening?" Akira was genuinely curious.

"I enjoy driving at night. We'll find a nice place to stay in a few hours and start fresh again in the morning. Mainly, I want to spend tonight by the sea." Iroh embraced Akira. "It's going to be a great trip. Go home and enjoy your week. I'll make sure that Mai calls."

A flurry of hugs occurred then, too many to keep any track off. The three travelers stepped into Iroh's car and drove off, away from Sapporo and into the unknown. The sunset was blinding and beautiful as they headed towards the highway.

"I hope you're ready for adventure." Iroh looked in his rearview mirror at Mai and Zuko, sitting together in the back seat. The sight of them side by side, as close as they could get, always made him happy and always made him smile. Sometimes he wondered if a man could be too content.

It was time to break away from the confines of school and the library and the tea shop. It was time to see the real Fire Nation. It was time to find dragons.

*anyone get the reference?

~~~~0000~~~~

A/N: Horror of horrors...no Komoku this chapter. What was I thinking? Finally, the journey, which might take me a bit of time to piece together, figure out and then write. Don't expect an update next week..it ain't gonna happen.

I mercifully have no experience riding my city's busses, but I've heard tales of the stinkiness from others.

Thanks for reading and reviewing. I hope that everyone is still enjoying the story.

Alabaster