Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Author's Note: This concludes the Maiko set from Chapters 10, 12, and 14. While I'm thinking of putting these into their own story, filling out what's there and continuing on, I don't really want to start another multi-chapter fic right now. Destiny's Call is pretty demanding.
EscapeIroh's rescue had been completed quite smoothly. In fact, in Mai's opinion, it had all been almost laughably easy.
Benders, she thought disdainfully. They tended to get so wrapped up with their bending techniques that they forgot there were other, often simpler, ways to accomplish things. Of course, it had taken a great deal of preparation, and their timing had to be perfect, but once everything was set up, all had gone perfectly according to plan.
Zuko and Mai had spent days studying the guards' rounds, memorizing when they were at different points, and, more importantly, when they weren't someplace. They looked at palace schematics and toured the grounds and the parts of the city that were nearby. Finally, when Mai judged they were ready, the two of them had gone at night to Iroh's cell, making sure that the guards had not altered their patterns and allowing them the maximum time possible. Then Mai, using a combination of specialized tools and her knife collection, simply removed the door from its hinges. With Zuko lending his brute strength, they were able to shift the door, lock still intact. Mai worked her magic on the shackles, and Zuko hefted Iroh's body, leaving them just enough time to replace the door roughly in the same position so that no one would notice anything amiss until they actually stood right in front of the cell.
Mai knew that Zuko would not be able to shoulder the considerable bulk of his uncle long enough to get them out of the city. Therefore, over the course of several days, they had stashed an ostrich-horse and some supplies a few blocks away from the palace grounds. Mai retrieved these things, and Zuko unloaded his burden onto the animal with evident relief.
As yet, no one had spoken a word, feeling the need for quiet. Mai and Zuko didn't need to discuss anything, having already hammered out every detail. Iroh was clearly weakened from his ordeal, and they would not be able to travel far with him until he regained some of his strength. Fortunately, this, too, had been expected.
Among their other preparations, Zuko and Mai had discovered that several of the structures on the outer wall possessed hidden entrances to tunnels that ran through the fortification. There were no outlets to the outside, the people who designed the tunnels doubtless assuming that anyone who needed to use them would be earthbenders who could make their own doors. However, Mai had again demonstrated her ingenuity, loosening some of the stones so that Zuko could blast them an opening with little noise or effort. They would leave a gaping hole in the outer wall, but that couldn't be helped.
With a tarp drawn over Iroh, Mai and Zuko exited the inner wall easily enough. The Dai Li recognized them and did not question their reasons for going abroad so late. After the gates had closed behind them, they shifted direction a little.
Fortunately, the distance between the outer and inner walls on the eastern side of the city was not so great as on the other side. At last, they reached the vacant military barracks they had chosen for their entry point. Azula had no reason to defend the wall anymore, since the only likely attackers would be her own people, so the few guards remaining were a skeleton crew for show.
They found the tunnel, punched the exit at their designated location, and proceeded on to the hills that overlooked the sea behind the city. This was the only part that could not be planned exactly due to time constraints, but they found a cave just before dawn and settled in it to rest. Mai debated setting the ostrich-horse free at this point, to add to the confusion that would ensue when their absence was discovered, but they might still need it.
"We did it," Zuko broke the silence. "Now, I'm on the run again. I can't believe it."
"I think it's exciting," Mai returned, and she was among those to be surprised that this was true.
"So, what do we do now?" asked Zuko. "Azula virtually controls the Earth Kingdom. Where can we go?" As usual, he had not been thinking ahead. Mai, however, had, though she wasn't ready to reveal her plans quite yet.
"It's a big country," she replied. "I'm sure we'll be able to find places to hide."
"Thank you for freeing me, Zuko," Iroh spoke at last. "I knew you would come around."
"Actually, it was Mai's idea," Zuko responded, turning to her. "You must have another reason for doing this. I know why I went along, but what's Uncle Iroh to you?" Mai lowered her eyes. This, then, was the moment of truth. It was funny how Zuko could be both perceptive and incredibly blind at the same time.
"I didn't do it for him," she admitted softly. There were several beats of silence.
"I still don't understand," Zuko sounded perplexed. Iroh, however, understood perfectly.
"Nephew, I believe she did it for you." In the oppressive pause that followed these words, Mai chanced a look up at Zuko. Once she had done this, she couldn't look away. His golden eyes held her, captivating yet unreadable. Finally, in his usual fashion, Zuko summed everything up in a single, eloquent syllable.
"Oh."
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Author's note: Okay, so it's not much resolution of a romance, but if I carried it any further, they wouldn't be near Ba Sing Se anymore. For the time being, I leave the rest to your imagination.
Member of the Boomeraang Squad: charleegirl, Jesus.Lives, Liselle129, Strix Moonwing, Avatarwolf, MormonMaiden, libowiekitty, and honorary member SnakeEyes16
Thank you to IGAF-kun, Dakyu and Avatarwolf (and Momo) for reviewing Chapter 15.
Magawa: Oh, I don't know. Sometimes I think Sokka thinks too much.
libowiekitty: OK, you're a member of the squad now. Just remember to add that line to your fics!
Aangs fangirl1214: The show does seem to draw a lot of parallels, like Aang's view of Katara when he regained consciousness in the finale being so similar to his very first look at her, so I like to highlight those things.
White Fuzzy Ears: I'm not totally sure what you meant, but it will probably be sooner than a few years.
frozenheat: I'm glad you found it effective, and I do think Toph will want to rescue Iroh.
Durins Bane: Yeah, with Sokka's other options at the moment, I can't see him going for Toph. Besides, he already said that he considers himself to be "with" Suki.
MormonMaiden: OK, I'm confused; are you my fangirl or Sokka's? Anyway, I'm happy I gave you butterflies!
SnakeEyes16: Yeah, I'm kind of in Avatar withdrawal myself. I think that's why I'm writing so much. I actually pulled out the Season 1 DVD set a few days ago, watched the first two episodes, then watched Lake Laogai on tape. You can totally hear the difference in Aang's voice.
Tech-Man: Toph is capable of being understanding; she just prefers not to show it. As it turned out, your review did inspire me to a new idea, so the next chapter will be yours.
Kumori Doragon: I think we've all been there when it comes to crushes. I thought it would be funny to have Toph blushing, since I don't think we've ever seen it. I've been wondering if she would even try to hide it, since she may not realize that other people can see that reaction.
Kimbalynn616: I'm actually not a huge Tokka fan, either, but there is at least some evidence for a one-sided crush, and a couple of readers were clamoring for it.