The plan worked perfectly. After his supposed death, Zuko had snuck on board Zhao's ship as a faceless soldier. When Zhao and his troops finally left to battle the Northern Water Tribe, Zuko finally rid himself of the armor and dressed in plain gray.
"I'm going," he said as he prepared the canoe.
"If you're fishing for an octopus, my nephew, you need a tightly woven net or he will squeeze through the tiniest hole and escape," Iroh said. Zuko rolled his eyes, then suddenly became serious.
"Uncle," he said, "if anything happens to me, will you take care of Mai?"
Iroh nodded.
"I will," he said solemnly. "But Zuko, just so you know...ever since my son died, I think of you as my own. So please, promise me you won't..." He looked down, eyes closed in pain. Just then, Mai came into the room holding a large burgundy scarf. Iroh stepped back, letting her have her moment to speak with Zuko.
"Here." She draped it over his shoulders. "It's pretty cold out there and I know how much you hate that," she said. She looked down, then back up at him again, biting her lip. "Don't do anything stupid, okay? You're kind of my only friend right now, and-"
"I won't." He rushed forward to embrace her. "Listen, I don't know if I ever thanked you for putting up with me all this time, but...well, I really appreciate it," he said. Mai smiled, returning the embrace.
"Anytime, Zuko."
He let her go after a moment, then went to embrace his uncle. Iroh hugged back so tightly Zuko almost couldn't breathe. He knew he had to come back, it would break them both if he didn't, but if the worst happened...
"You and Mai take care of each other while I'm gone, okay? We'll meet again, after I have the Avatar," he whispered, praying he would be able to keep that promise. Then, he let go and walked over to the canoe. "I'm going now," he said. Mai and Iroh nodded, watching as Zuko lowered the canoe and began to sail away.
"Remember your breath of fire, and keep your ears warm!" Iroh called after him.
"Don't come back sick and give it to me again," Mai teased, then sighed as she leaned against Iroh's shoulder. Iroh wrapped an arm around her and smiled.
"Come, let's play a game of Pai Sho. It will keep us from worrying."