Authors note: Pretty important chapter in some ways. I hope you enjoy. I'm doing my best to put in Maiko but it's pretty hard right now. I'll try soon though, soon…
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Why Didn't You Say?
The cloaks hid their faces but even more their identities. If they were going to take down the government things had to be kept secret.
"My question is how we get to the general quarters without being seen?"
"Yeah Zuko, there isn't girl general's."
The prince sighed as the questions nagged at him. All three of the fugitives were staring up at the head of Fa Wing, the Weaponry Palace of the Fire Nation.
If they could destroy it the war would come to an immediate stop. The Fire Nation would be figured out in days and would have to surrender.
Zuko knew if he could do it, without being noticed, he could return home. The war wouldn't be in the way…and maybe his father would look at him. However, Zuko knew what other events could become of this. It scared him more than anything, even more than the prophecy and the curse.
"We'll sleep on it…tomorrow we'll take it."
Mai and Ty Lee nodded and followed Zuko into the black of the ally.
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"I can't believe we're going to stop the war. I bet this is the prophecy."
Mai shook her head at Ty Lee who had been going on for hours. It was hard for her to say nothing but her mouth never spoke of anything. Her eyes saw though. They saw the hard glare that Zuko had upon her.
He wouldn't stop and every time she turned to him it was there.
"Well I'm getting some sleep…my fist are still weak from the ship fight."
The acrobat turned on the ground before her eyes slowly closed. A few minutes later a light breathing had overtaken her.
"Night Ty…" Mai murmured to herself as she sharpened her daggers.
After Ty Lee had drifted off the campsite seemed quieter than ever. Only the slight sound of the knives hitting against the rocks could be heard.
"Nice night, huh?" she said, glancing at Zuko.
No answer came.
"Never mind…"
"Why?"
Mai looked up, the glare even worse.
"What do you mean?"
"Mai…you're going to kill my mother. I just found out she was alive."
"I'm going to bed…"
Mai dropped the dagger and went to lie down.
"Ah!"
Zuko's eyes went wide as Mai grabbed her arm. She fell to the ground in pain as he rushed over to her.
"What's wrong?"
"Like you care…" she said through a grunt.
Zuko touched her arm just for her to scream. He looked over but Ty Lee wasn't awake.
"You need help…let me look at it."
"I'm fine."
"No you're not, let me help."
Mai hesitated but let Zuko help her up to a sitting position.
"Take off your shirt."
"What!?"
"I meant the outer part…"
Mai, feeling her stupidity slipped it off quietly. She felt odd letting her arms show but lived through it.
Zuko gasped when he saw her bloody arm. It was unnoticeable through her crimson outfit.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?"
Mai didn't answer the question as Zuko sighed. He reached for the water casket and wetted a cloth.
"Uh!"
"I'm sorry…" he mumbled as he wiped it over the wound.
Mai stopped moaning for a moment to see how gentle Zuko was. His hands were soft against her skin. She gazed at him for second before he looked up. Then her head turned quickly away.
"All I wanted was to know…" he said, putting down the cloth.
"I couldn't tell you."
"Yes, you could of. It would be so much better than what I feel right now."
Zuko ripped off a sleeve of his shirt and tore it until it could be a strong bandage. He then slowly began to wind it around her arm.
"How long did you know?"
Mai was silent for a moment.
"I can't remember…I had to be at most five."
"You've known that long?"
"Well no…I knew I was going to kill someone but I didn't know who."
"Who told you it would be my mother?"
"Avatar Roku."
Zuko breathed heavily. He was starting to hate that Avatar.
"He told me that it's in my blood, to be the curse. I'm supposed to suffer…"
"I think everyone is supposed to."
Mai winced as Zuko tightened the bandage.
"No…not like me. I'm supposed to suffer even more. I've felt pain but not like this. Knowing that I'm going to kill someone and even more that I don't have a choice. It's more-"
"Why didn't you say?! Why didn't you say it was my mother?"
Mai's face turned white when she saw the tears run down Zuko's face. He hid his face in shame, the shame he couldn't hide.
"Why did you give me hope and then snatch it away? You shouldn't have told me…you shouldn't have promised!"
Mai gasped when she remembered. It was all in plain view. She had promised the reunion of the two…long ago…
"I just want to see her…" he whispered.
Mai looked away into the black of night. Her destiny, her curse…it was more than she could handle.
"I'm sorry…"
Zuko peered at Mai through the corner of his eyes.
"I'm sorry that I'm this!"
With a swift turn Mai faced Zuko. Her eyes were black. Zuko looked at them as tears fell from eyes to her cheeks. They didn't look like a curse. They looked like a meek child who just wanted love. They looked lost just trying to find their way. They looked sad just wanting happiness.
Zuko slowly reached out and embraced Mai into his arms. Her crying was soft but it was there.
"I'm sorry too…"
She looked up to see a forgiving face, a face that only wanted to help. Mai knew Zuko understood, if anyone did he would.
She felt herself nearing closer to him. He felt himself edging closer to her also. Their lips almost touched but a breeze went coolly between them, fathering the two apart.
"Goodnight…" Mai said lowly.
"Goodnight…" Zuko whispered back into the cold night.
However, it wasn't cold. No, not now, now it was warm.
"He'll take it back," came a low whisper that only one heard, "The curse will return."
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Authors note: It was close, but no, not yet. I hope you all enjoyed, I'll try to update soon. Please review.
