A Decade in the Life of Mai and Zuko
Year 4
The fourth year of Zuko's reign began auspiciously. Trade between the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom and both Water Tribes was thriving. People were generally happy and prosperous.
Zuko had made several important reforms to the education system, the legal system and to the role of Fire Lord itself. He didn't sit behind a wall of intimidating flames, using absolute rule. Instead, he worked with ministers and civilian advisors, trying to find the best solution to all the problems his nation faced.
While his nation had finally begun to thrive post-war, his sister, Azula, had done the opposite. Despite three years of talk with doctors, and Fire Sages, visits from Zuko, Mai and Ty Lee, her condition remained the same. Zuko had come to terms with Azula and all that she had done. Though ruthless and cruel, Zuko also believed that within Azula there was a lost little girl; a girl who had been used by her father and then tossed aside. He hoped that one day that girl would come forward. She never did. Azula shifted between days of complete silence and days of raging mania. No one got through to her. The last few weeks had seen a change. She didn't eat. She looked at no one, not lifting her head from her pillow. Her frame grew skeletal, her breathing ragged. The healers notified Zuko of Azula's downward turn. If she didn't start eating soon, she would die within a few days.
Zuko entered her room, crouching down beside her bed. "Azula," he whispered. "It's Zuko. I've brought some soup for you. I can help you with it."
No response. "Come on, Azula. You need to eat or you'll die."
No response. Zuko sighed. "Is that what you want, Azula, to die? We're all trying to help you, but if you've given up, there's nothing the doctors, the sages or anyone can do. Please eat. Don't end your life like this, Azula. Fight. You love to fight so do it for yourself. Remember how strong you used to be. Show me that strength."
No response. Zuko placed the bowl of soup on the floor gently. He stood up and let his hand hover over his sister's head. He quickly brushed his hand across her forehead, turned and left the room. Shoulders slumped, he shook his head at the healers' inquiring looks. He walked slowly back to the palace, thinking about Azula and how terribly wrong everything had gone for her.
The next evening, after Zuko and Mai had put little Keiko to bed, a messenger knocked quietly on their sitting room door. "The healers wish to see you, my Lord."
Zuko turned around, catching Mai's eyes. "I'll get Sun to stay here and watch Keiko. I want to come with you."
The Fire Lord nodded. A few minutes later, they were headed up the stone path to the healing house. Zhiang, the head healer, greeted Mai and Zuko . "I am sorry, my Lord, but your sister died a few minutes ago."
Mai grabbed Zuko's hand and squeezed. "Thank you, Zhiang. Mai and I would like to say goodbye."
The couple continued on to Azula's private room on the top floor of the building. She was lying on her back on the bed, eyes closed. For the first time in years, a look of tranquility was on her face. Zuko and Mai both approached the bed. Mai bent down and placed a kiss on the princess's cheek. "I'm so sorry, Azula. Things should have been so much better for you." She backed away from the bed, giving Zuko his chance. Zuko took Azula's cooling hand in his. He rubbed his thumb gently over her prominent knuckles.
"I wish I could have helped you, Azula. I wish we had been happy. I wish we had been normal. But we weren't. I tried. I really, really tried." The Fire Lord's eyes sparkled with tears and he angrily wiped his arm across them. Abruptly, he stood up straight and looked at Mai. "Are you ready to leave?" he asked. Mai just nodded.
The next evening, Mai and Zuko held a private funeral for Azula. There was no time for Ty Lee to make it from Kyoshi Island, and no one else wanted to come. Dressed in traditional white, the couple watched the body burn and the smoke rise into the darkening sky.