Reviews chapt. 18 - 19

gloomy maiko lover -

This was so painful my eyes got watery even though I new Mai wasn't dead at least I think she's not hopefully she's not so this was very painful but you did a great,and awsome,and wonderful wonderful job as always and always will do so again wonderful job and I just love this story and can't wait to know what happens next and can't wait till you update hope you update soon love this and as soon as you update I'll R&R. xD :( xD :( xD :( xD :(

Yes hopefully she isn't x] thankiee ^^

Kimjuni2 -

Zuko was close but Mai wasn't there, she's a time ago escaped. I want a reunion and fast, they can't without eachother and I can't either. The scène with her clothes and Zuko, was nice, he really care/love her. Please Update soon again and I'll be R&R !
And lol by my it's already 12 august :D
But you really did great job !

I know :[ I hated writing this chapter.. I wanted to kill myself!!!! D:( Yes Zuko does love her very much XD Thankyew :]

SuperSumer -

cool story plz update soon

thanxx... I will ^.^

Kimjuni2 -

Like it ... Like it... no I LOVE IT AGAIN ! Ty lee is gonna cry and that gives Zuko more bad feelings. Ow I want a Maiko reunion. Please Update soon again, I must reading, so I read it from the beginning, till your Update =D So pleas Update and I'll be R&R !

lol ty :D I can't wait to write the reunion X] and thank u again xD

gloomy maiko lover -

I love this story you did a great job. :) but this is still painful :( so just love this and can't wait to know what happens next and can't wait till you update hope you update soon and again you did a great,awsome,wonderful job as always and will always do so Love this story so much and I'll be R&R as soon as you update so I guess bye for now. xD xD

Thanks :) byebye xD

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Chapter 20

"Well who did you find?" Asked Zuko.

"You'll see." Sokka said with a wink. Zuko rolled his eyes, and waited impatiently, tapping his foot against the sand. Then, as the figure emerged from the side of the ship, Zuko's brows began to rise. He stared, unmoving, and Sokka's smirk widened.

"Is... that's..." Was all Zuko managed to choke out. He shook his head, making sure he wasn't hallucinating.

"Pinch me." He whispered to Sokka.

"You're not dreaming, Zuko." Sokka replied with a chuckle.

Zuko's eyes widened as the slow moving figure of his mother came into the sunlight. She paused in her tracks and smiled at him. His mouth fell open, and he hadn't noticed tears draining from the corners of his eyes.

Ursa made her way down the side of the ship calmly, and took a place in front of Zuko. Sokka yawned,"Well, I'm gonna go take a nap." He said, and smiled before departing. Zuko still hadn't moved. Ursa chuckled at his perplexed expression. Zuko shook his head,".. Is that... really you?" He asked, a small smile edging at the corners of his lips. It was time he had actually smiled since the day Mai was taken. Ursa nodded simply, and embraced Zuko in a hug. He wrapped his arms around her. After a moment, Zuko started to feel confused. "Wait, where were you?" He asked.

She propped an eyebrow,"You see me for the first time in almost ten years, and that's the first thing you say to me?" Ursa asked.

Zuko blinked,"N-no, I mean I just, didn't-"

Ursa chuckled again," I'm just kidding with you, Zuko." She set a hand on his cheek,"My have you grown." She whispered. Her smile faded the closer her fingers got to his scar.

Her hand stopped over the torn skin, and she opened her mouth as if she were going to speak.

"It wasn't your fault." Zuko interrupted.

Ursa stared at him,"It wasn't your fault, either."

They were both quiet for a moment.

"But, seriously.. Where were you all this time?" Zuko asked again.

She sighed, and slowly shook her head, a small smile making it's way onto her lips again. "We'll talk about it later." She set a hand back onto his cheek,"I'm so, so proud of you, Zuko." Ursa brought him back into a hug, and spoke against him,"I was worried you'd forgotten who you are."

"I never forgot what you told me." Zuko said with a smile.

Ursa pulled away from him,"So, can you explain the situation? I heard most of it from your friend, but I didn't really catch why we were here....." She trailed off, remembering all of what Sokka explained.

Zuko sighed, and his head drooped. Ursa patiently waited, knowing it must be bad news.

"Did he explained about Mai?" Zuko asked, forcing out her name.

Ursa nodded, unsure,"Yes, he did mention something about her. He said she was your girlfriend..?" She asked.

His shoulders slumped,"She is... And I was going to ask her... I was going to ask her if... She wanted to marry me..."

Ursa smiled,"That's wonderful Zuko."

"But before I could she was taken." Zuko spat out, cringing. His fingers trembled.

Ursa blinked, and her mouth parted slightly. "That's... awful..." She said, looking down.

Zuko swallowed hard,"I was so close to finding her..." He whispered to himself, but she heard clearly.

---

"I'm so happy for them!" Ty Lee said, jumping cheerfully as she turned to Suki.

"Me too. But sadly I can't show as much enthusiasm as you or I'll throw up again." Suki said with a smile.

Ty Lee giggled,"I'm so happy for you, too. I still can't believe you're pregnant! You're not even showing." She said, glancing at her flat stomach.

Suki shrugged,"Well, it hasn't been that long... And, it's not certain.. Maybe it's just a coincidence." She said leaning into her chair.

Ty Lee paused,"Do you want it to be a coincidence?" She asked quietly.

Suki stared up at her,"No, of course not. I've always wanted a child of my own, and now I might get one." She said, smiling.

Ty Lee smiled again,"Good." She turned back around to look at Zuko and Ursa, but they were both gone. "Hey, where did-"

"They're over there." Suki interrupted, pointing to the two coming up the side of the ship.

Ty Lee clapped, and headed over to them. "Hello Ursa!" She greeted cheerfully. Ursa smiled,"Ty Lee, you've grown as well."

She nodded,"Yep, 5 feet, 3 inches!" Ty Lee said with a small jump. Ursa chuckled. She looked over towards Suki, who simply smiled,"I'm new." She greeted with a laugh. Ursa laughed as well, and Zuko felt happier than he has in months. "So," Suki started, ready for business,"What's the plan?"

Zuko sighed,"Right now we don't have one. Not until we gain any more information on where she's been." He said, walking towards the edge of the ship. He gave the captain a small nod, who then started to steer the ship out of the dock. Hakoda's crew followed.

"Hey... Where's Katara?" Ty Lee asked.

"Her room. Sleeping, I think." Suki responded.

Zuko went into the center of the ship and into his room, locking the door behind him. He needed privacy, at the moment. Though, when ever he was alone, Mai was all he could think about. Her voice swarmed in his head, and his fingers reached out to grasp her. But, there was nothing. He buried his face in his pillow, and let thoughts of her invade his mind.

---

"Aang, you sure everything is okay?" Katara asked as she stroked her hand along Aang's arm. He swallowed and nodded,"Yes, it's fine Katara. Don't worry about it." He said hesitantly, and turned around so his back was to her. She sighed,"I can tell when somethings wrong. You can talk to me about anything."

He was quiet for a moment, then spoke up when he found words,"You'll get mad."

"I promise I won't get mad," Katara immediately objected," What ever it is I'll understand."

"Look, Katara, it's okay, really. It's just that I've recently heard some .. shocking... news, and it's just going to take me some getting used to before I'll be normal again. It won't concern you until later, alright? Just stop worrying, please." Aang explained, turning back to face her.

Katara let out a deep breath,"Alright. If you think that's the right thing to do, then I'll listen." She agreed, as Aang took her hand and kissed it gently.