Lady Mai was buried in the royal mausoleum.

Lord Zuko had broken down the moment he had heard the news, when he returned from intercepting the other members of the Red Lotus. He shed his tears only in front of his children. Kasai and Izumi were ridden with guilt.

The adults had cold, impassive faces during the funeral. Kazuki held his mother's hand and wailed, along with Iroh and Ursa. Zhu gripped her father's black robes, keeping her tears to herself. Fire Lord Izumi was the only one who could deliver a eulogy.

"...She died protecting the very essence of her life ; her family…"

Zhu spotted her mother in the crowd but looked away when she met her gaze.

Katara and her children were there. The waterbending master spoke to Zuko alone, giving him words of comfort. Bumi, Kya and Tenzin conveyed their condolences to Izumi and Kasai, as Zhu stood far, far away from the crowd and observed.

She wanted to run away. Every bone in her body itched, feeling the absence of her grandmother's warmth. Maybe...maybe she'd wake up soon and it would've all been a nightmare. A hellish nightmare, but one nonetheless.

Zhu leaned against one of the pillars in the courtyard where everyone had gathered. Slowly, the crowd began thinning until it was only Lin and the waterbender lady named Kya were left. Lin cautiously approached Zhu, who had her hands pressed against the cool stone behind her back.

"I heard what happened from Iroh." Her mother said, "Are you alright?"

Zhu violently shook her head, biting her trembling lip. Lin gestured her to come closer and Zhu flung herself at her mother, wrapping her arms around her waist.

"Will she come back?" Zhu's voice cracked, "Will she come back like your uncle Aang did?"

Kya's eyes widened as they met Lin's, who lowered her gaze immediately.

"I don't know, Zhu."

Zhu's sniffles turned into sobs. Why couldn't this be a nightmare?

Zhu observed that her mother acted different around Kya. She was more talkative, more snappish and sarcastic. But it was endearing how Lin clung to every word Kya uttered. Her mother always had an air of harshness around her but this woman cut through it like water.

Kya had approached Zhu, after her brothers had left for their respective destinations. Introducing herself, Kya had casually slipped in that she was there when Zhu was born. The girl had glowed red when she heard how tiny and adorable and well-behaved she was as an infant.

"You were very brave, Zhu," Kya smiled, "to step up to protect your family."

But that wasn't enough, was it.

The woman was going to accompany them back to Republic City. Zhu had overheard her talking to her mother. For some reason, Councilman Tenzin getting married drove Lin to crush the cup of tea that she was holding.

"I'm sorry, Lin." Kya looked apologetic, "But he wants you to be there."

Zhu pretended to be busy packing her clothes and running around the room. Her mother, who was sharing the room with her, was standing by the window, looking out at the gloomy city from the second floor of the palace. Kya leaned against the window pane next to her.

"I don't want to be at his damn wedding."

"It's been years, Lin. You can't be hung up on the past. You have other things to focus on. Please"

The policewoman clicked her tongue, sneaking a glance at her daughter who was folding socks. Kya placed a comforting arm on Lin's wrist. The latter scowled at her for a moment, before placing her own hand over hers. Needleless to say, when Zhu very carefully looked at the two women, her eyebrows shot way up.

As if they both suddenly noticed Zhu's presence, both women shifted slightly away from each other, dropping their hands. Lin told Zhu to go say goodbye to her siblings and father. They'd be taking the late night ferry back to Republic City.

Zhu first rushed to Kazuki's room. He hadn't left the confines of his room since the past two days. Without knocking, Zhu let herself in.

The curtains were closed. Kazuki hadn't bothered switching on the lights. He had buried himself in his bed. Zhu slowly approached his bed.

"Kazu?"

He made no move to acknowledge her presence. Zhu quietly lay down next to him, over the covers.

"I'm leaving for home. Just came to say goodbye. You could come visit me. I can take you around the city. You'll like it there. We'll go to watch probending. Please don't lock yourself in your room and skip your meals. You'll fall sick. Grammai wouldn't want that."

Kazuki tugged his covers, wrapping himself tighter. "You don't know what she would've wanted." His voice sounded tired and angry.

"We both know what she would've wanted." Zhu turned to him and pressed her forehead against his back, "I'll see you soon, Kazuki."

After exiting his room, Zhu made her way to her father's chambers. She stood outside the door, finding the strength to face Lady Chiaki. You chased after a murderer, Zhu. You can face that witch of a woman. Inhaling soundly, Zhu rapped her knuckles against the wooden door and opened it at the sound of a feminine 'Enter'. Kasai was standing by the balcony attached to his quarters as Lady Chiaki sat in the parlour, sipping tea by a short table in seiza position.

Lady Chiaki took one look at Zhu and turned away. She knew better than to antagonize the girl when her husband was still mourning. Why add onto his misery by reminding him that Chiaki wanted his daughter dead.

Zhu bowed her head towards the woman and bolted towards her father. They spoke to each other in low volume. Kasai seemed as if he had aged overnight. He looked worn out, with dark circles under his eyes. His usually impeccable hair was disheveled and he hadn't shaved his beard.

Kasai still smiled for his daughter. He said that he'd miss her and that he'd radio her twice a week. Before leaving, Kasai tightly embraced her, whispering an 'I love you' that pricked Zhu's heart. That was the first time someone other than her mother had said it to her.

"I love you too, papa. You and Kazuki and grandad and Iroh and Ursa and Aunty Izumi ...and Grammai too."

They both ignored the overdramatic scoff Lady Chiaki had let out.

Zhu found her grandfather outside the palace, over one of the hills. He had his eyes closed as he faced the sunset. She quietly went and sat close to him, gripping the sleeve of his red robes. Zuko had blinked his eyes open to acknowledge her and they watched the sunset together. They were silent before Zuko spoke up.

"She used to say that she hated the sunset." He smiled a sad smile to himself, "She hated the colours. That's what she said years ago on one of our dates," Zuko tilted his head towards Zhu, looking at her, "But she did love them. We often came here to watch the sunset together. I broke her heart twice, you know. I had hurt her and maybe...maybe that's why she left before me."

"Don't...don't say that. Grammai didn't go willingly, grandad. I know you know that."

The old man rambled on and on in grief and Zhu sat there and listened. Mai and Zuko had gone through a lot together. Now, with her gone, it felt as if half of him had died. He had started to lose everyone close to him. First, it was his uncle, then Aang, and Sokka. And now…

"You won't go, right, grandad?" Zhu asked, knowing that she was being selfish, "You won't leave us?" She felt tears well up in her eyes.

He let out a low chuckle, his gaze far away, "I would love to be where my wife is, Zhu," Zuko placed a hand on her head lovingly, "But no...Not any time soon. I will stay until I'm not needed anymore."

Zhu wrapped her short arms around her grandfather's arm, staining his sleeve with tears. They sat there, under the tree, for a long time. And Zhu vowed to herself. The next time she crossed paths with Ghazan of the Red Lotus, she would kill him.

Lin left Zhu to her devices, thinking that was the best way she would cope with the grief. The woman felt that Zhu wouldn't want anyone to be breathing down her neck, telling her that she could talk to them any time. She spent her nights working or sleeping at her office. Also, the fact that Tenzin was getting married made her irritable. He was the one who had fought for her affections against Kasai and in the end, he left her for little, tiny Pema who had blushed red every time Tenzin had glanced at her.

The one time Lin and Zhu were home together, Tenzin had come knocking at the door. She had not let him in, answering him curtly and to the point. Zhu kept her ear trained on them, hiding behind the kitchen door. The two adults suddenly started to argue and Lin finally snapped.

"Oh, I know what you meant by your goals. You wanted to get married and have children right away. But did you ever stop to think that maybe I wanted to achieve something in life? And you threw me away when you found out that we didn't want the same things? -"

" - didn't throw you a-"

" - I wanted to, Tenzin. But just not at that moment. I wanted to marry you. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. I did want children, Tenzin, but it was too fast. Besides, I knew you turned to Pema to console you after we had that fight -"

" - Lin, I - "

"I'll be at your wedding, Tenzin. Goodnight."

Zhu did not dare ask her mother about the conversation she had eavesdropped on and the woman made no attempts to talk about it. They finished the udon Zhu had made for dinner quietly, without any conversation. And then Lin returned to work.

A few days later found Zhu walking back home after visiting Baki's husband to pick up some books. She had stuffed the lot in her school bag, swung in on her back and hurried home before it got late. Walking faster through the crowded streets, she collided with someone, sending them face down on the pavement. Horror seized her when Zhu realized that she had pushed a grown man to the ground.

"Sir, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" She helped him up and handed him his small leather suitcase that had skidded a bit further away.

Rubbing his head, he laughed it off, "Yeah, I'm fine and I - OH SHIIIII - OH NO!" He looked at the red scarf around his neck which now had a long tear in it. The stranger screwed his green eyes shut and dug his fingers in his hair. "Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap. I tore the scarf. Oh shi - i - irsu, I was going to wear it for the picture."

Zhu stared at the jovial looking, moustached man panic and press the split sides of the scarf together as if he expected them to turn into one piece magically. The longer he panicked, the more her guilt increased and she interrupted his rant.

"Sir, I can stitch it for you if you like."

He stopped tearing at the roots of his hair and gawked at her, "Really? You can? Wait - I mean...I don't know...Can you? It'll be a huuuge huuge help but-"

"I stitch torn clothes all the time," She informed, "My mother's a cop and my friend gets bullied a lot so I stitch their clothes for them. I have a needle and thread in my bag," Zhu dropped the heavy bag on the side of the pavement and rummaged through it, pulling out an emergency sewing kit. "Oh, I have a roll of thread that matches your scarf. That's a relief." the seven year old extended her hand to the man's face, "Your scarf, sir."

As he unfurled his scarf from his neck, Zhu noticed a wedding ring on his hand. She examined the tear and got to work right in the middle of the busy street. The stranger then began to nervously ramble.

"Actually, my son - the older one - really loves this scarf. It helps him fall asleep. My wife loves it too. Says it contrasts with my eyes but in a nice way. I was on my way to one of the photograph studios. Bet my wife and kids are already waiting there. I was held up at work. But wow, really, work is sooo stressful, like, I really think I'll go grey in a few weeks time. My youngest turned five a few days ago and he said he wanted us to get a picture taken together and, well, who am I to say no to a sensible thing. And B - Oh, you're done already?" He inspected the now stitched scarf Zhu had handed him, "That was really fast! And you were telling the truth. You're good. Thank you so much, little miss."

Zhu scratched the back of her neck, "It was my fault, sir. Anyway, if you wear the scarf with the stitched end to the back, from a distance you won't see the thread. I used really small stitches." She grinned widely at him, proud of her work as the man wrapped his scarf around his neck.

"Thank you. I'll never forget this." He gripped the handle of the suitcase tight, "Can I know the name of my saviour?" He laughed in goodnature.

"My name's Zhu Beifong."

"Beifong?" He blinked in surprise, "Like the Metalbending Chief Beifong?"

Zhu nodded.

"Hmm...I didn't know she had - Oh crap, I'm late. I have to get going before my eldest throws a tantrum. Goodbye, Zhu." He had started walking away, waving at her. Zhu waved back.

"Oh, I forgot," He called, "My name's San. I hope we meet again!"

SIDE STORY

Lin had changed out of her Metalbender uniform and into formal robes in darker shades of green, with metal accessories. She had told Zhu that she'd be back around midnight, and that she shouldn't be awake by the time she came home. Her daughter didn't ask where she was going, dressed like that. The woman sighed. Sometimes, her daughter was too smart for her own good.

She stepped out of the house only to run into Kya, who waited for her with a smile. Lin was speechless for a minute. The woman in front of her looked beautiful, draped in blue Water Tribe garb.

"Thought you'd like some company." Kya grinned.

Lin was very grateful.

Air Temple Island looked much better than the last time she had been here.

Since there hadn't been a proper Air Nomad wedding in a long time, it was a much awaited event and almost all of the acolytes were in attendance. Only Lord Zuko and his family were absent. Kasai had apologized to Tenzin but the latter had only expressed his regret of having his wedding soon after Aunt Mai's death.

The ceremony was beautiful.

The couple stood at the altar, exchanging their vows. As Pema repeated the words she had memorized from the scriptures, Tenzin's gaze accidentally fell on a very familiar earthbender. His eyes were glued to her in veiled shock and Lin held his stare. She seemed indifferent but Tenzin knew better.

The vow master had coughed to break the airbender out of his thoughts. His fiance frowned at him in worry but he flashed her a grin.

Though Kya's presence had comforted her, she couldn't be beside Lin throughout the wedding. She was, after all, the groom's sister. Lin wove through the crowd aimlessly, hating everyone around her. She should've been at home with Zhu.

Bumi had caught her as she tried to sneak away to an empty room.

"Hiya, Lin!" The man grinned at her, "How are you doing?" Her glare made him falter, "Right. Sorry. My bad." He looked at her with sympathy but Lin decided against decking him. "Care for a drink?"

Lin declined. She couldn't go home drunk no matter how tempting it had sounded. She had a six - nearly seven - year old at home.

"Get it over with," Bumi advised, "Like ripping off a bandaid. The sooner you go talk to them, the sooner you can make peace with yourself." For someone who still acted so childish, Bumi was exceptionally wise and observant. Lin rolled her eyes at him.

"Just...go back to your drink, Bumi."

The man chuckled, predicting the reaction. "You know I'm right, Lin."

He was. And she did end up approaching them first.

"Congratulations on the nuptials, Pema, Tenzin." Her tone was formal and she tried not to stare at the arm around Pema's waist.

"Thank you, Chief Beifong." Pema smiled, erasing the memory of Lin trying to throw her in prison. She looked beautiful as all brides did on their wedding. Lin pushed down the feeling of jealousy. Her eyes flitted over to Tenzin's.

It was almost as if she couldn't recognize the boy she had known her entire life. They had sparred together, watched and helped each other grow. Her best friend was the first to fall in love with her and the first who broke her heart. But he was happy now and Lin could live with that.

"You being here means a lot to me, Lin," Tenzin was immensely grateful, "Thank you."

Lin wished they had been more honest with each other. She cursed herself for not telling him how much she loved him again and again back then.

She grinned at him, "It's your wedding, short-fuse." He still hated that nickname. "Where else would I be?"

Kya found Lin hiding in one of the rooms on the other side of the island. She took one look at her tear stained face and embraced her. Lin let out a short laugh, burying her face in Kya's shoulder.

"I don't hate him, Kya."

"I know."

"I don't hate Pema, either."

"I know."

Lin's sobs became a tad bit louder.

"How-how long before it gets better? How long before I stop hating myself?"

"You'll know when you've forgiven yourself for something you didn't know then, Lin."

Thoughts?