Chapter Three: Hurt

"I am not exactly sure what it all means", Aang finished telling the gang back at the Jasmine Dragon, "But I know that Roku wants me to find out".

"When will you be leaving?", Zuko asked with his arms crossed.

"I wasn't going to leave until Suki and Toph got back", Aang replied, "It would take too long for us to travel on foot without Appa, plus we will probably need all the help we can get".

"You're not coming, Zuko?", Katara asked.

"No", Zuko answered looking her way, "I have too much to do here. People need to see the Fire Lord and the Earth King working together to bring peace. I can't leave now". Katara nodded understandingly.

"Lord Zuko is right", Iroh added, sitting down, "People need a leader right now. Besides, Zuko will want to see that his mother is taken care of, now that they have finally found each other again."

Katara looked away quickly before anyone could see her face.

"Katara, I'm sorry", Zuko faltered

"Don't be", Katara answered quietly, "None of it is your fault".

Aang tried to put his arm comfortingly around Katara, but she shrugged it off.

"I don't feel like tea anymore", Katara told the group. She got up and left the room.

"No one take it personally", Sokka said sympathetically, "For the most part she has moved on, but every once and awhile it's a little too much for her."

"I know", Zuko replied, "But it is best if I leave now anyway. I have stuff to do".

"Zuko wants to help me get to know his mother better. We are going to have lunch together", Mai clarified as she walked into the room. She had not heard any of the previous exchange. "Let's go, Zuko", Mai said winding her arm around his, "I don't want to wait around here anymore".

"Of course", Zuko smiled, "I'll visit again later tonight ", he told his uncle.

"Until then I think I can manage", Iroh laughed

Mai and Zuko stepped outside, where they were surrounded by their escort of soldiers, and set off towards the Earth Palace.

...

"Katara? Katara!" Sokka called, walking up the stairs that lead to his sister's room.

"What is it Sokka?" Katara answered from on top of her bed.

"I know you're still upset and everything, but I think we need to talk", Sokka replied coming over and sitting next to her.

"I am not upset!", Katara flared. Sokka gave her a look that said, I told you so. Katara sighed and put her head down.

"Maybe I am", Katara explained more calmly, "But I don't see how I wouldn't be. There are times when I can think about her and I don't feel sad at all and I begin to think that our family has finally started to heal, but then there are also times like these when I get sad and angry out of nowhere and I begin to wonder if things will ever be the same".

"It's not out of nowhere", Sokka reassured her, "Everyone understands what you are going through right now".

"I know it's wrong for me to feel this way ", Katara sniffled, "But sometimes I think that I am almost jealous that Zuko's mother is alive".

"No one blames you for feeling this way", Sokka said, "And at least you still have Dad and me".

"Thanks, Sokka", Katara said hugging him, "I will always treasure that". Sokka smiled understandingly

"I think it time we see Dad, again", Sokka suggested as soon as he and Katara stopped embracing, "That's bound to lift your spirits"

"That sounds great!" Katara said brightly, "When should we go? Isn't he and the rest of our tribe still helping with the reconstruction of the outer wall ? "

"We could leave now?" Sokka suggested.

"But what if Toph gets back while we are gone", Katara asked.

"Hmmmm", Sokka thought out loud, "We should be able to see them coming back for the outer wall, plus Toph and Suki will probably want to rest for a few days before we set out. I don't see how it could be a problem".

"That sounds great!" Katara replied throwing her arm over her brother, "You tell Aang while I start packing".

"Sure", Sokka muttered.

...

It was hours later and twilight was just beginning to set upon the city. Back at the Earth palace Zuko and Mai lingered together in a hall after spending the afternoon with Ursa.

"That went better than I expected" Mai admitted.

"What exactly did you expect", Zuko asked, "That she'd hate you". Mai answered him with silence.

"No one could ever hate you, Mai" he assured. He wrapped his arms around her waist.

"We should go out and do something", Mai smiled.

"What?" Zuko asked.

"I just that we haven't really spent a lot of time together over the last week", Mai shrugged, "And I wanted us to do something tonight".

"You mean like exploring the city together or sitting on the roof watching the stars?" Zuko asked

"We could do something romantic like that", Mai replied in a sarcastic voice, which quickly softened, "But it really doesn't matter, as long as I'm with you".

"I would love to spend sometime with you", Zuko said, "But I promised my uncle that I would visit him again tonight". Mai's face fell. "But I don't think it will take long", Zuko added quickly, "You stay here and rest for a few hours, then we'll have the whole evening to ourselves".

"I'd like that", Mai whispered. Zuko bent forward and kissed her softly. They pulled away and look deep into each other's eyes for a brief moment, then their lips met again and the kiss continued.

...

Zuko walked into the Jasmine Dragon to see Katara and her brother dressed in traveling clothes and with traveling packs in their hands.

"Ah", Uncle Iroh commented, "Zuko, you are just in time to say goodbye."

"Where are they going, Uncle", Zuko whispered under his breath. He watched Aang and Katara embrace.

"Sokka and Katara are going to see their father," Iroh explained, "Chief Hakoda is still leading the effort to repair the outer walls. He is going to stay until reinforcements come from the north to replace him, then he will return to his own tribe and begin rebuilding there. This city represents the future of the nations, all peaceful working to together. He understands that he must stay to represent his people".

Zuko thought about his uncles words. He was right. Zuko had noticed it too. Ever since the end of the war, something had changed about the city. Members of the Fire Nation had started appearing all over the city, and they weren't despised or feared like before. Water Tribesmen, following the example of their leader, had also come to the city. Zuko saw it everyday, friendship were forming everyday between members of the nations. Ba Sing Se was truly a place where people were putting aside their differences to work towards a better world. If only the rest of the world was the same way.

"That's good", Zuko responded, "They could probably use another waterbender." Zuko walked over to where the three of them were standing.

"I am glad you're making this trip, Katara", Zuko said laying his hand on her shoulder.

"I think it's what we both need", Sokka answered.

"At this rate", Aang laughed, "It looks like I'll be the only one left in the city". Everyone laughed with him

...

Mai rolled her eyes at the group of guards who walked her to her chambers.

"Believe me", she said in a flat voice, "I can take care of myself".

"Your Highness", a guard protested, "Lord Zuko gave us specific orders to ensure your safety at all times".

"Fine", Mai droned.

They walked until they got to a large gold-crusted door.

"Will you be fine waiting out here", Mai asked, "Or did Zuko tell you not to let me out of your sight".

"Out here is fine, Your Highness", the guard said stiffly.

Mai sighed, opening the door and stepping into the well-furnished room. It was nice to be home, she thought. She was just starting to think about taking a nice, soothing bath, when suddenly her sixth sense prickled down her spine. She froze as the door shut behind her. None of the candle were lit and someone had left the window open. Its curtains swayed warily in the night breeze.

"Who's there?", Mai challenged, swooping into a fighting stance and reaching for one of her daggers. A faint noise came from a corner to Mai's left and she whirled to face it. Someone stepped out of the shadows. Just as the moonlight caught the intruder's face, it spoke.

"Hello, Mai", Azula smirked, "It's been a while".

Sorry it took me FOREVER to post. This chapter was starting to get really long, so I split it into two chapter, this one and the next one. That's why this one is so short. The next one will be longer. The next part will be posted either tomorrow or the next day. This chapter was a little slow, but I promise the next one will have a lot more happening. If anyone want to see what the mysterious air nomad girl looks like, go to my profile. I have a link.