Shinobi Bender:It had to be nasty and just gut ripping you know. Zuko and Aang's will live up to this one.
Lord Kain:Hello! (Waves stupidly) Welcome. Yes, there would be pressure to have little zuzu's. Mai has been taught from birth that certain duties are expected plus she just kinda rolls with the punches. Katara wanted time with just Aang and well there you go...
Zebradonkey:Remember Devout Kataanger writting this story. I need to stop watching the last episodes, it makes me hate her. GRRR!!
Air-Nomad: You were totally reading my mind. You guys are so good. Zuko is a hot head what can I say? Him and Katara have that in common.
youn2731:Yes, her explanation was dissapointing. She seems to be a very needy character to me. She needs to be doing something and being left alone was not something she is comfortable with. As for not losing him, well I'll explain that in a later chapter. Hope that cures some of the ill will I've created. Aang being harsh with Mai will also be explained.
Sironblood1:Never fear. Katara and Mai will make up.(I think...I'll come back to that) Alot of people feel that way about Zuko. I guess you'll especially like the next chapters.
melissita:Fresh blood, Yippe! Welcome and Thank You.
coolmac1718:Now that Mai has had her say, the healing can begin. Katara's illusions for a simple sorry have been firmly slammed down. I really didn't want Aang to see that but he had to understand where Mai's pain from. It was intense to write, that's why I took so darn long.
Sifu arizony:Sokka is totally clueless and though he understands that bad things are going down he can't help but be sarcastic/funny. Toph picks up on every body's feelings so she is more in tune to assess Katara's attitude. Mai wants the best for Aang just like he wants the best for her. His turn is coming up.
MikeJCaboose:Don't worry about the cheerios it was my second bowl. I know how you feel about the instant Aang forgiveness. It annoys me too, hence this story.
doctor anthony: Thank you for the high praise. Emotions are the hardest to capture.
PinkYellowRoses2:The fight scene was hard. I actually watched several episodes to get Mai's fighting style as close to the show as possible. I know Mai was harsh but she's been bottling up alot longer than Aang. Aang is calm right now but Zuko's arrival will definitely push him out of it.
Thanksgiving got in the way. I am back and updating regularly again. A much longer one is next.
P.S. Just so you guys know. When the reviews hit 100. I actually passed out. My sister said it was hilarious.
I got a lovely goose egg on the back off my head as a souvenir. It was so worth it.
"Excellent form, my nephew. You are now a Master Firebender."
Zuko extinguished the blue flame and stood back in his starting form. He bowed to his Sifu Iroh. "I was honored that you would use your vacation to finish my training."
A servant rushed in quickly bowing to both men. Breathless he handed over the scroll. "Firelord, this came for you." He bowed out again and left the room as quick as he'd come in.
Zuko ripped the seal scanning the brief message.
We have found the location of Lady Mai.
We have observed as instructed.
She appears to be the Avatar's companion.
They are currently residing at the Western Air Temple.
We await further instruction.
The archers had followed his orders. No information that wasn't necessary. 'He just had to ask who she was with, didn't he? 'Avatar's Companion?' Zuko inhaled sharply determined not to let loose a stream of fire. Jealousy rushed through him and the violence in his face did not go unnoticed.
"Zuko what is the matter? Your letter is smoking that is never a good sign." Zuko dropped the singed document to the ground, his harsh breathing the only sound in the room. Iroh bent and recovered it, "May I?"
Zuko white knuckled hold on the window frame was all the answer Iroh needed. He scanned the parchment, "It's obvious fire is no the only thing you have mastered. Your temper seems to have cooled considerably. Before now news like this would have burnt the lovely ceiling." Iroh observed.
Iroh approached his nephew. The trees right outside the window were burning and scorch marks trailed from the base of the trees to the window sill where Zuko rested his still warm hand. "Perhaps I was mistaken about your temper." Iroh remarked dryly.
"This is no time for jokes." Zuko shouted, a second wave of fire crumbling the charred balcony. "She was supposed to be with me and she's living with him! His companion! She was mine, she is mine." Zuko yelled fire swirling around him.
Iroh snuffed out the flames and sat him down. "Zuko, listen to yourself. Mai is not an object. She is a beautiful young girl. She still has her life ahead of her, you didn't really expect her to stop living because of your indiscretion. If he makes her happy, you should be thanking your good fortune. You have made your choice and she has hers. Do not spoil her happiness."
Zuko pushed from the couch. "You're right, Uncle. I have made my choice. I will go and beg for Mai's forgiveness. I will beg her to let me make her happy but if she is truly content with Aang, I will leave."
"Are you sure? Would you like me to go with you?" Iroh asked.
"No, I have to go alone. I must face Aang as Zuko not the Firelord."
"Do not go looking to start a fight. I love you very much nephew but if you don't step carefully you will wake a sleeping dragon. Do not let his peaceful nature fool you, inside him beats a wounded heart and that is most unpredictable." Iroh advised the younger man.
"After what I did, the least I could do would to be agree to a match." Zuko replied. Iroh silently agreed.
After the war the original war balloons had been handed as a gift to all the other nations. It was an expensive gift to show the new FireLord would not be keeping any military advantages to himself. The new balloons were now black with the insignias of all the nations.
"Oh Aang, you're such a better bender than Zuko. I mean all he can do is Fire but you. Well you can do all the elements." Mai giggled girlishly.
"Yes, I am rather impressive aren't I." Aang smiled and pulled the girl towards him.
"Oh Aang. You're muscles are so…big!" Mai ran a finger down his very muscular chest. "I'm so glad I came with you. Kiss me, Avatar."
He swung her into his arms and she wrapped her arms around his neck eagerly. Her tunic came undone expertly in his hands. Her garment fluttered to the floor and she sighed in anticipation as he...
Zuko broke from the dream and lunged over the edge of the basket. He was sick until nothing but dry heaves remained. Stomach aching from the sudden upheaval he slid down heavily onto the floor. This was the third restless night he'd spent shoving out the thoughts of Mai and Aang together since taking this trip.
He needed sleep but it seemed the closer he got to the temple the worst the visions became. In relief he spotted the meadow that signalled he was on top of his destination.
He set the balloon down on the grassy embankment closer to the water but still within viewing distance of the upside down buildings. His archers dropped from the trees simultaneously surrounding him.
"Any new developments?" he asked.
The leader, Wai-Lei nodded. "There was a battle between Lady Mai and Lady Katara earlier today, over there." He pointed to the sunken earth. "Lady Mai won. Her and the avatar quarreled and he stayed behind with Lady Katara."
Zuko took in the information a sense of relief overwhelming him. 'So Katara was here.' He was sure he could use her as an ally. After all she wanted Aang back as much as he wanted Mai.
"Your task here is done. Your payment gentlemen." He handed out the bags of coins and tossed the largest to Wai-Lei. "I trust I don't have to tell you to keep this little venture to yourselves."
Wai-Lei saluted the young man. He signaled his men and they all departed unseen back from where they came. Zuko took a deep cleansing breath and began picking his way through the plentiful plants.
He pushed through several rough patches before the bridge came into view. He tested it with his supply pack. It held and he put a third of his weight. He had to give it to the monks. They knew how to build, even after a hundred years their dwellings were in excellent condition.
Zuko pondered his approach. It had been close to sunset when he had arrived and now it was dark. Thankfully a full moon was out to light his way. He passed a huge alcove that housed a sleeping Appa.
He would have slept near the bison but he didn't want to antagonize anybody by just coming out like he owned the place. It didn't feel right to abuse Aang's hospitality and spend the night in his home without asking him.
He pulled a light blanket and curled up next to one of the extended walls. It would give him protection from the wind and he would still be able to see anybody coming. He wondered where Mai was and if her and Aang had made up.
He sincerely prayed they hadn't.