Hey There,

Welcome back readers and I hope this is reaching you all well. I want to wish everyone (who likes eating, family, friends, parades and dog shows) a very Happy Thanksgiving a little early. I wanted to get this posted before the holiday. Hope that you're ready for the party because it's finally here! Yay! Enjoy!

Special thanks to Rose-Aki for her review of the last chapter (THANK YOU!). And to the people now following this story, thank you so much! It means a lot!

Standard Disclaimers apply - I do not own any of the trademarked things mentioned. I am merely borrowing them all for my own stories and ideas. Most will be returned unharmed.

Dedicated to the other (maybe only other) girl getting way too excited about professional football. Yeah, you know who you are! This one's for you, girl!

"They Forgot"

Chapter 6 - Partytime!

(Katara's Perspective)

After we'd all gotten dressed up and ready for the actual party itself. I had to admit that I loved the look of Mai's favorite colors altogether. As most of us began to pop-up in the halls. I had selected a burgundy dress (from the suggested colors). Detailed in bright red designs, and I had to admit. I even felt beautiful in it.

Even though I had to walk down a grand staircase in heels.

As much as I wanted to complain about this, none of the Kiyoshi girls said anything. Even though some of those heels were more dangerous than mine. Toph had it so much worse than all of us and she wasn't saying anything. Even though she'd tripped on her own train twice and had a few choice words I can't repeat. She didn't blame it on her shoeless feet, she blamed Sokka. Because he had volunteered to walk Toph down (see, he can be a gentleman... even if he had to walk his date down first).

I even had to admit Toph's dress was lovely. Dark purple with burgundy designs. She almost looked regal on my brother's arm. You know, when she wasn't tripping and slapping the heck outta him. When Sokka wasn't snickering and scoffing, they really made a nice pair as they walked in front of me.

Aang met me at the bottom of the stairs, dressed immaculately. I could remember so well the days when I was just taller than him. and always wore flats on dates, now I wore heels to compete with his height because he towered over me. When he saw me I got to see him light up. He rushed forward to take my hand when I was stepping down from the last step. He told me, "Wow Katara! You're even more beautiful than normal. Mai's gonna have a hard time upstaging you and Toph tonight."

Toph grinned, "Just cause it's her day doesn't mean we're gonna make it easy for her."

Aang gave me a kiss and said, "Really, you look gorgeous."

"Thanks, sweetie." I smiled, "But where's Zuko? Hasn't he come back down?"

He kept hold of my hand as he led me through to the Ballroom. "He has, but he's in freak-out mode, right now. Not that I blame him, he's gotta be feeling the pressure. I wish I knew what to say to him." Aang made me smile. Always so concerned with everything happening around him. "But I just have no idea what would help him. Even though I know I've met the one I want to marry too. I haven't reached that point where I know I'm ready yet… or sorry, where we're ready yet. We haven't reached that yet, right?"

"No, we haven't," I said as I felt my face heat up. "I think we're still a bit… you know, young yet."

"Yeah, me too!" Aang agreed. "Way young for that yet, he's older. Zuko's older and so is Mai, it makes sense it would happen to them before us. Plus he's been thinking about it for a while now and wants to get Mai outta that house… Am I yammering, I feel like I'm yammering."

"Yeah, buddy. You are," Sokka told him. "But I'm with you, even though I'm an older guy. I have no idea what he needs to hear right now. That we haven't already said to him. If I were him, I don't think any of it would help me till it was all over with. I'd asked Suki- I mean, I asked the person, whoever she may be to marry me and had found out yes, no, maybe so."

That of course had to be the moment Suki showed up, totally gorgeous in purple. To make my brother sweat, have I mentioned I love her? She asked him, "So you're not so sure I'll make the cut? I'm a good girlfriend but I might not be wife-material? Is that it?"

She was playing with him, clearly. But Zuko's news had all of the boys so on edge, my brother missed this cue entirely and hilariously. Even Toph was hiding her laughter behind her hand as my brother, backpaddled like his life depended on it. "No! Na-Na-NO! That's not it! You're great wife material, the only wife material in this market! NO! We're not-I'm not! WEEEE! ARE!... Were just not ready. Like Aang was saying about Katara."

Suki thought about this for a whole minute before she let him off of the hook. "No you're totally right I was just messing with you."

"SUKI!" Sokka complained. "Don't scare me like that! My heart almost jumped outta my chest." He said gripping the left side of his chest for emphasis as he leaned on Toph heavily for support and she shoved him back.

Toph told him to, "Lean that someplace else!"

Suki fired right back, "While I agree that we're not ready for anything like that yet. I just liked hearing the fact that I crossed your mind. As I'm sure Katara liked crossing Aang's… didn't love it that you tried to dismiss it so lightly. But hey! Like I said, we're not ready." Then she shot me a wink and grin as she'd turned away from my brother and walked out like a punk. Head held high and not looking back.

Sokka called after her, "I only dismissed it because we're not ready! Like we both said!" But she was gone and Sokka realized out loud, "She's so gonna step on my feet as a punishment out on that dancefloor tonight."

I was still laughing at Suki's perfected torture methods on my brother. I barely got out the words, "Don't you think you deserve it a little?"

That was when Zuko's uncle walked by to slap both boys on their backs and tell them. "What Zuko probably needs, even more than our words. Is the chance to freak out, as he's doing, right now. Even if just a little bit, to get it all out of his system so he won't do it in front of Mai. Just give him a little space, he'll come to you when he's ready. You boys look so handsome and you girls are so lovely. Tonight's going to be a magical night. You'll all see."

I really hoped Iroh was right, getting a little nervous myself. Now that this was all really happening. I got everyone who was standing around to do one more check all around the room. Aang knew right away that my own nerves were getting wrecked and after he'd finished checking everything I'd asked him to. Aang came back to me and took my hand to soothe me. "I'm sure everything is as perfectly perfect as it can get, Katara. We've done all we can, the best thing we can do from here is just have fun and make sure everyone else is too."

I shared with him, "I feel like there's more I should be doing. To help them both, and then I feel helpless because I know this is something they have to do together…you know."

"I know you're heart's in the right place," He said as he pulled me close and held me for a minute. "But Zuko's got this. We just gotta have fun now, okay?"

"Yeah, you're right." I gave him a peck on the lips and said, "What would I do without you?"

"I'm not gonna let you find out." He smiled, before stealing another kiss. Then he was rushed off to handle some dilemma where some lanterns up high had gone out and wouldn't re-light.

It was during this little break, awaiting Mai's reappearance, that I knew I heard a frustrated Zuko let out a burst of fire. The noise had come from some doors I'd never noticed at the back of the ballroom. The doors were hidden behind a heavy curtain. And wasn't a full exit like some similar doors that were further down the walls.

When I opened the door, I stepped out onto a really decorative balcony. That had been lined with candles and decorated similar to the color scheme we'd used for the rest of the party. It was all visible because of the light of the setting sun. And there was Zuko, with his head balanced on his arms, leaning heavily on the railing.

I let him know I was there by asking, "Zuko? Are you okay?"

"No!" He said honestly in a panic.

So I asked, "What's wrong?"

His face popped up from the curve of his elbow. "I know I want it to happen here. I had time to plan, decorate and set it up, I know what to say. I've figured out every move and I don't think I'll have trouble saying it. Since it's been hard all day NOT asking. So why am I freaking out, sweating buckets and why do I feel so crazy, right now?"

I put a hand on his shoulder, and the tension in that joint felt like touching overused rubber bands. He was so stressed and so overwhelmed. I let him know, "Because what you're about to do is crazy. It takes guts and it's not easy. But what I think you need to remember, is that this isn't like one of those scary battles we've fought. Or big meetings where you had to sit with a table full of adults and not look out of place. Zuko this is Mai and when you two walk out here tonight. It will just be you and her… It'll work out. I know it will."

I felt him take a deep breath before he stood up and looked me in the eye. Saying, "Thanks Katara… do you really think I can do this?"

"I know you can, but right now, we gotta get you to stop freaking out so much. Mai will be coming down any minute now and you've got to look like you haven't been in an agni-kai."

"You're right," he agreed, before he offered his arm to me and led me back inside. Telling me, "By the way, you look pretty."

"Thanks. But right now I'm more concerned with getting you looking more pretty." I let him know as I called for backup from the rest of the Gaang. You wouldn't believe how everyone jumped into action sprucing our guy back to royal standards.

Aang came over and took my hand as he asked, "Is he doing any better?"

I assured my boyfriend, just as he'd assured me earlier. "He's got this."

((Mai's Perspective))

I had gone back to my room as my boyfriend had advised and found a dress waiting for me back in my room. It was a gift from Zuko (but he credited Ty-Lee and Katara for help picking the right one) and it was as pitch black as my disposition. There were a killer pair of new shoes from Katara and Aang. A burgundy wrap for my shoulders that sparkled from Suki and Sokka. A purse from Toph, who surprisingly knew quality. Make-up from Ty-Lee and the rest of the warrior girls. Opera gloves also from Ty-lee, and a beautiful hairpin also from Zuko, all trimmed in onyx, obsidian and blood rubies. All of my favorite gemstones. I loved it, and I was sure I would be comfortable at the same time as I would look completely glammed up. So I'd taken a very fast rinse in the tub after running through that obstacle course and put on my gifts.

When I walked out into the hallways, all was quiet, but as I neared the bottom of the staircases. I could hear someone running and whispering just ahead of me. I'd been sighted by the lookouts and I was heading in the direction that I could hear a commotion.

The Innkeeper at the front desk, ushered me saying, "Right this way."

I was led deeper inside of the ground floor than I'd ever gone before. Inside of the resort, and just beyond the conservatory. There was a huge ballroom decorated to a tee. With black, purple and red lanterns all lit and floating overhead if they weren't hanging from a string.

A banner over the door read, "Mai! This Way!" And had an arrow pointed at the grand double doors. So when the Innkeeper opened them and stood aside. The inside was as dark as my dress, but I could hear the hiss of whispers and a lot shushing in that dark.

So I stepped in, saying to no one in particular. "You guys are lucky I'm not throwing knives at this sketchy scene. This is like something out of a horror story. "

Then all of the lights in the place lit at once and everyone shouted, "SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

As I looked around at all of my friends they were just as glam as I felt. All of the guys were dressed very well. The girls were all in floor-length gowns, all in reds, burgundies, and purples. Some of the Kiyoshi girls had brought dates I recognized, others I was meeting for the first time, a few were dating each other, and of course, Team Avatar was nearly a whole paired-off pack. Ty-Lee was the only one wearing pink, but she'd chosen such a different shade. It still went with the rest of the party. And she was clutching a date, even though she'd complained all day that she was dateless. I knew she'd find one before the party kicked off.

When my eyes met my boyfriends, I gotta admit that I had a very hard time tearing them away again. He looked so much more relaxed even though he was dressed up. Because it wasn't his Fire Lord persona at all. He'd gotten to dress up more by choice. And his taste was still as impeccable as I'd remembered when he was just the prince. Well, that and he'd chosen all of my favorite styles on him, and colors. He was really set to spoil me rotten today. I'm here for it too.

He came over to me and took my hand. He told me, "You look beautiful. How are you feeling?"

"Better…" I had to tell him. "Now that I'm clean again and everyone's all together." I was honest. I raised my voice and addressed the crowd telling them all. "Thank you, but this really is too much-"

They were all assuring me that they had had fun, and had been enjoying the island. Or it was my day. But before I could even tell them thank you…

The doors that had closed behind me re-opened and I heard, an old friend's voice say, "SURPRISE! Sorry, I'm late, but did you really think I'd miss this party?"

I turned around not believing my own ears, but it really was "Azula?"

"Happy birthday Mai," she said as she ran up to me and hugged me. My eyes locked with her brother's death glare over her shoulder. This had clearly not been a part of his plans.

When she pulled back she sighed. "Didn't we always say we would throw parties like this when we were old enough? Back when we couldn't even see you on your birthdays, when your parents forgot? They did it again, didn't they? Typical koala-sheep, good for nothing, all of them."

Azula ignored the millions of questions being slung her way, to keep going. "Now here we all are. All grown up and you're twenty today! You know it really has been too long since it's gotten to be just us girls. Did you get my gift?" She acted like she didn't even hear them and she was wearing a floor-length bright red gown. As well as the former Fire Lady's engagement necklace that had come from the former Fire Lord. I recognized it, because I recalled seeing Lady Ursa wear it when I was little. Azula's hair was all styled perfectly and she did seem to be more in her right mind than my last several visits to her cell. Which had been a month ago, come to think of it now.

Finally, Zuko got questions in that she heard, and acknowledged he'd turned her to face him as he asked. "How are you here? How did you get out? What are you up to?"

"Oh! Zuzu! Don't get all huffy-puffy just because I managed to surprise you too. This is a party, good times. No need to get all mad. And no need to think there's always a plan to every move I make. I'm not father, you know." Azula pouted out, all condescendingly. Just as she would whenever Zuko was overreacting to one of her schemes.

I (Mai) said neutrally, "We're so glad you could make it Azula, it really has been too long. But I think Zuko is just concerned, like the rest of us. Just how it is possible that you're here."

"He always was a worrier, wasn't he?" Azula accused, while Zuko was still far too concerned to take this bait as teasing. "Oh fine, I got out because today isn't just your birthday anymore Mai. It will forever go down in history as a historical fact."

Ty-Lee's voice was steady even though her stance was guarded. As she asked our former bestie. "And just what great event has made this date so infamous?"

"It marks the end of the elders having any say over who I end up with." Azula announced as if she was telling us something average. Then she added, "I got married today."

"Married?" we all repeated.

Ty-Lee's voice carried over all of us with Zuko's, "TODAY?"

Zuko asked, "How are you married, you were institutionalized? Was it another inmate? Was it a doctor? Was it all in your mind? What is happening right now?"

That was when her supposed husband walked in and joined his new wife. When I first heard all of this, I could not believe it and Zuko was even more flipped out. But it was the introduction of this husband that actually ended up selling us all on the truth of this story. His name was Kavin and he was one of the lead therapists that had been working with Azula since the beginning of her sessions. He acknowledged that she still had a long ways to go, before she could leave the institute. But he was the first to acknowledge that leaving was even a possibility.

Zuko demanded, "If leaving is really something she will be able to do. How come I'm just hearing about this now. It wasn't mentioned in any of my meetings with the rest of your team?"

Kavin explained, "Because it had been a more fleeting notion before your sister was able to make the progress she has since your last visit, Fire Lord."

He confessed to being completely captivated and fascinated by Azula from the start. He'd supposedly fallen for her immediately and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. She had been making great progress since he'd finally acknowledged his feelings for her (Something he'd only denied because she was his patient and not in a good place). His denial of these feelings had only done Azula more harm than good, for months. She's been too traumatized by everything that had happened since she'd been placed in his facilities. She'd lost control of her bending multiple times and had all kinds of new scars marking her body from those times. It had been a long-winding romance, that had been happening for years now. Today, they'd finally said, "I do."

At the end of all of this story, Zuko asked before I could, "If it's been happening so long? How come this is the first I've heard about any of this?"

Azula accused, "This is what you get for not visiting more often, Zuzu. Everything's always a shock." She teased again, before saying more seriously. "You know as well as I do that the elders would be all up in this match if they knew. You should be proud, I took my cues from uncle. Marrying in complete secret, take it or leave it."

"Don't play cute with me Azula, what are you real-" Zuko stopped when I took his hand and I asked to hear her out.

He turned to ask me directly in my ear quietly, "You're not taking this seriously?"

I had to tell him the truth, "Zuko… look at them. The way they're holding hands. The way she looks at him… I know this sounds like a classic Azula ploy… but this was the one thing she could never stage. She couldn't even fake something like this at the height of her best days. I think they're on the level this time. Just hear them out." Then I took a better hold of his arm and made him face his sister again.

Still Zuko asked, "What is it you really want Azula? I know you're not just here for Mai. Or this wedding thing… so what is it?"

Azula explained, "I need your help brother. As much as it still pains me, you are the Fire Lord. You're the one who got all of the power. What I need from you is the very same thing you want ultimately. That is to marry whoever I choose with the elders of our Nation not getting involved. They could annul this marriage without your support. So can you at least allow me this much say over my own future and let me love the person I want to. Rather than the person they assign me?"

Zuko thought about this for a moment, then he said. "Give me a moment to talk this over with my friends." Then we all formed a huddle and I was amazed to hear how many of the our friends were already telling Zuko to support his sister. Iroh even walked over to take part in this huddle and told Zuko his opinion.

"I would usually be the first telling you to watch her." Iroh said, before repeating my sentiment. "But look at them. They're in their own world. They barely know any of us are here. I think she really could be in love this time Zuko."

So my boyfriend took a deep breath and put out his hand to me, asking. "Will you walk with me?"

"Always," I told him honestly.

But then he stopped in mid-step and turned back to our gathered group to offer his other arm to our friend. "Ty-Lee, I think this needs to come from you too. Are you with us?"

She took his other arm and walked over with us. Suki and a bunch of warriors following on Zuko's heels. Ready to spring into action if this was a trap. Zuko cleared his throat and put on his Fire Lord tone of voice. "After talking this over with everyone, I have decided to give you my full support in letting you choose whoever it is you marry. If you two are really serious about this, then I'll support your choice. But are you really sure this is what both of you want?"

Both Azula and Kavin let out a breath of relief. Before Azula assured, "Yes this is all I want, and I'm not here to steal Mai's party. I just wanted to share my good news. How often is my news good lately?"

I (Mai) added, "Both of you have to stay and celebrate with us. I bet even if your wedding had a recession you skipped it to get here so fast."

Ty-Lee said, "Maybe you guys could have your honeymoon here. It is a brand new island, pretty deserted, what could be a better place for that?"

That was all we could say before Ty-Lee and I both rushed to hugging our friend. Congratulating her and telling her how beautiful a bride she was. Zuko shook Kavin's hand and said, "Take good care of her. And keep me better informed in the future, brother-in-law."

Kavin's voice broke as he said, "Yes, my lord."

Then I asked, their Uncle Iroh, "Could you please play the first song for this newly married couple's first dance?"

Iroh winked, "I know just the tune."

Then he and his band cranked out a floaty and romantic song. Kavin and Azula bowed to each other almost comically and started dancing together. I couldn't remember the last time I'd seen Azula kidding opening or smiling so freely. Zuko wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close as he said, "Did you really just give up the first dance to your own party?"

"She's an old friend, your sister and I figured I'd give it to her so she doesn't have to steal it." I shrugged.

He was still muttering in my ear, "This is your party, your day. Princess or not, married or not married, she's not stealing this. It's still your day."

"I know, and I'm gonna have fun no matter what. I don't mind sharing, just as long as I don't have to share you all the time." I told him and he smiled, and since I was leaning so close, I felt his shoulders relax behind my head.

I felt someone take my hand in front of me and pull. It was Azula, saying. "This is your birthday, Mai. You never got to celebrate it much growing up. Get out here and dance, already."

Zuko asked me, "May I have your first dance, my lady?"

"You may." I smiled curtsying to him like we were taught in class. He led me out to stand beside the other pair and we started dancing.

If this had been a few years ago. We could have skipped this part because I wasn't any good at dancing and I usually had been a wallflower at most of my parent's parties. Even though there were people lining up to kiss up to them and me. But Zuko had been forced into dance classes, and had hated it… till the rest of the team got enrolled too.

When we were far enough away from everyone else, I shared with Zuko. "And to think this morning I really thought that I was gonna be all alone today."

"Did you really think I'd let that happen?" He had to ask.

"I didn't know if it was something you would have any control over." I shared. As he spun me out, when I came back to him he lifted me into a turn that got everyone watching to clap. Azula even teased, "Someone's been practicing."

When I was on my feet again he said, "There may be times that is the case. But I managed this year, and to surprise you too. Are you at least having fun?"

"I'm having too much fun." I said, before reminding him, "I used to hate dancing."

"I did too, till I knew how and found the best partner." He shared right back.

"I thought it was only when Team Avatar joined your classes that you started to like them." I asked as he saw Azula and Kavin try an even chancer lift. And he had to compete so we did another more trusting lift. Before he answered me.

"No you're right, having the team with me helped a lot." He'd shrugged before he was right at my ear again saying. "But don't you remember? You were with the team that day, and it wasn't till I was paired up with you that any of that mushy stuff made any sense to me."

"I seem to remember being kept after class because we'd been the worst in class that day." I said narrowing my eyes.

"Oh no, that's just what I told you," he chuckled warmly.

"You lied!" I accused and he laughed more.

"I would have said anything to have a little more practice with you that day." He said, clearly not sorry at all. Though as all of his actions from that day began to recur to me… I wasn't sorry either.

When the song ended we bowed/curtsied to each other and everyone clapped.

It was only after the second song began that everyone else started to join in. And Zuko's uncle began to play up-tempo beats. I pair-danced with my boyfriend the most of course. But also Aang, Sokka, Kavin, and Zuko's uncle when he took his break from playing his horn in the band. I danced with all of the girls, and danced so much I couldn't feel my feet anymore. So kicked off my shoes and danced some more. By the time dinner was served, everyone was very hungry and all of my favorites really were here, as my boyfriend had hinted. Even the fruit tarts Zuko and I used to flirtingly bug his palace's staff about back when he was still a prince.

And the birthday cake was huge. It was a red velvet cake with real cherries and red berries baked in it. So when you sliced into the cake. It bleeds. The three-tier cake was covered in almost black-dark chocolate icing. Everything couldn't have been more perfect.

That's all I could fit into this chapter.

But as you all know, that's not it for this party. Nope! And instead of leaving anyone hanging for another chapter. I'm posting at least two chapters today! Yay! Because you guys have been patient enough, and I can't wait for all to see how this goes. So bye for now, but watch out for that second posting. Hope you're having a great day.

~DarcyBeDippy85