A/N: So here it is. I've been in such a Jai mood lately. They're relationship might be crack, but it's fantastic. Enjoy! Reviews are loved and wanted. I promise Mai won't throw a dagger at you.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. Though I wish I owned Jet. And possibly Ty Lee as well.
She had finally done it. The letters on the small parcelment seemed so much smaller to her now, all so less terrifying. This was for her happiness, and while she had love Zuko at one point, their relationship just seemed to fall apart at the seams. He was always too busy to spend the night, or off on some trip with Avatar Aang. She understood his duties, but it had only been a year since the war had ended, and he'd spent more time out and about than with her. Even the short time they had spent, he always seemed so distance. She had faced reality and come to the conclusion that the childhood love she once had was no more.
Not to mention she didn't really have any real desire to become Firelady. She had been waited on hand and foot for most of her life, and she was sick of it. As much as she hated to admit, she was done with the Fire Nation. It seemed the country had never really fit her personality anyways. As she slipped her traveling robes, she made sure her holster was in check-every knife, every dagger had to be perfectly in line. If one was out of place it would take her another couple hours to fix. Thankfully, it was and she grabbed the small bag to her side, making her way out of her room. No, the room she had once called hers. It was nothing more than just a palace room now.
She had thought where it best to put the note, his study. He wouldn't be there, for he was off with Aang and probably that waterbending peasant. She couldn't think of her name, nor did she really care. She was leaving this all behind her, starting a new. Guilt ran through her as it had when writing the note. How ironic that she would leave Zuko the same way she had left him two years ago. It seemed they were both too weak to tell each other in person. Her arms pushed open the door to the lavish study. Mai had always admired it, and often spent most of her time here. Reading, meddling, writing-whatever she could think of as entertainment. But this visit was not meant for entertainment. As her porcelain fingers traced the rich mahogany desk, she placed the scroll where I could easily be found.
She would admit, this was part she would miss about the Fire Nation, but it wasn't enough to keep her here. Not wanting to linger too long, she took one last glance. Her mother's voice rang through her head, Think Mai. One day you'll be Firelady, I know it! At the time she was only seven, and excited to one day stand by Zuko. That was before she grew older. Before the prince had been banished and herself locked into servitude with Azula. Lost in her own train of thought she didn't notice that she had been standing outside the door for five minutes. She came back to a guard to her right, a quizzical look on his face.
"Lady Mai. Do you need help?" He asked helpingly, a hand out stretched for the woman.
"No, I'm fine," Her voice was cold and distant. "Leave me be,"
He did as she wished, heading down the hallway. Mai quickly made her way to the palace gate doors-less she run into anymore guards. As her thin fingers slipped on the huge knob, she took a moment to look back. Something told her to stay; to live her life as the pampered Firelady. Surely it wouldn't be that bad. No, she snapped at herself, he's better off and so are you.
Her eyes narrowed, a silent curse thrown to herself. She was doing this, and not backing down. She never did and she wasn't going to break that record now. Determination filled her as she pulled the brass open, the bright lights of the sun blinding her. Her feet began to pace, not taking another look back, even as she reached the gates. She took a moment as she reached its limits, pulling the maroon hood of her robes over her head. She didn't exactly feel like explaining why the supposed future Firelady was half way across the Nation. No, she would wait until she reached the Earth Kingdom before showing her face. There she would at least be able to change into something less obvious. She had the urge to look back, but had promised herself no. It would only make it harder. Even with her conscious telling her not to she couldn't resist it. Her eyes turned to look at the palace for what she hoped would be the last time. "I'm sorry," She uncontrollable muttered before moving along.
