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Chapter 21

Toph leaned over the side of the ship, and her stomach gurgled. "I hate this." She moaned.

Katara sighed,"Here, just lay down and rest. Just don't think about it and you'll probably feel a lot better." She encouraged while gathering salt water in her pouch.

"Fine." Toph groaned as she flew down onto the metal floor.

Katara blinked,"Don't you want to go to your room?" She asked.

Toph shook her head, and Katara shrugged. Aang hadn't spoken all day. He had been watching the horizon since they departed, and has remained completely still.

"What's with Aang?" Toph asked.

Katara stared at him. She honestly didn't know. She wanted to help him, she wanted to reach out to him. But, when ever she tried, he just pulled away. Maybe, he was mad at her.

She sighed,"I don't know." She whispered.

Suki leaned back in her chair, and rested a hand over her stomach. She did want to be pregnant. And she hoped she was. But she didn't know if Sokka wanted her to. They hadn't had a serious conversation about it yet, there were other things to worry about. But she needed to know, tonight.

"You alright?" Katara asked, noticing Suki's concerned expression. She snapped away from it immediately,"Oh, nothing." She said and turned away.

A moment later, Ty Lee made her way out to the deck, her long hair down for the first time since they met her. They realized her hair was actually quite wavy.

"Your hairs really pretty." Suki noted with a smile.

Ty Lee blinked and blushed,"Oh, I just let it down since we will almost be back to the palace... And planning again." She added with a nervous chuckle.

"Woo hoo." Toph said sarcastically.

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Mai blinked against the harsh sunlight, and waited until her eyes adjusted. Now where am I? She thought, annoyed. She realized her hair was still down, besides the two small buns on the top. She sighed, and tried to walk forward, but then sprung back. What the- She then also realized she was tied, both hands behind her back. Mai began to examine her surroundings, maybe she has been here before. Maybe this was the place with that man... She shook her head, no, this place was different. There was a small, window on the top of the wall, and a door on the opposite wall. She closed her eyes and listened, trying to hear voices, but she couldn't. All she could hear were screams. Screams of pain and agony. She squinted her eyes shut. Where was she? She began to panic, but something inside of her made her stop. She couldn't lose control, not now, at least. Mai could still hear screams all around her, and she figured there must be more rooms. The screams were high pitched, and Mai noted there must be other women here. The screams were pleading, and Mai tried to mute them out. Where was Azula? Where was Zuko?

Where is he? She thought frantically. She squirmed, trying to free herself from the shackles, but there was no way. Tears began to drain from her eyes the more she thought about him. Mai hadn't realized she missed him so much. How long have we been separated? She asked herself, trying to escape in a frenzy. She shook her head, trying to shake her tears away. But they wouldn't cease. She needed him. Badly. Her fingers trembled, and her back arched the more she thought about him. She wanted to hear his voice again. Then, her eyes widened. His voice. He had been talking to her, before. A part of Mai knew it was just her imagination, but she missed him too much, and at the moment could care less. Zuko! Talk to me! She screamed silently. No answer.

Please! Please, please say something! There was nothing. She was alone. Her eyes then fell onto the door. She was so confused, and so hurt... Her stare then turned to the stone floor beneath her. The tears still fell, and her breathing came in quick gasps.

Mai. Her name was called. His voice rang inside of her head.

Zu-

Sleep, love. He interrupted. Her chin quivered, and she slowly nodded as her eyes closed. She hadn't realized she was so exhausted. Mai was almost fast asleep, until she heard the door begin to creek open. Her head shot up, and she waited for whoever it was to reveal itself. She waited, and her heart began to beat faster and harder.

Then, she could see him. He was no older than 20, which made her feel a bit better.

"Awake? Finally. I was getting tired of your mindless body." He said with a smirk.

What does he mean by that? She thought. Mai's glare didn't cease.

She could hear Zuko's low snarls inside of her.

"But, now you're awake." He said, taking a few steps closer until they were almost touching.

He reached one hand out towards her, and Zuko hissed as his fingers brushed along her hip. What was she suppose to do? Just sit here? No. She couldn't give up. Zuko always told her so.

The boy began to lift her shorter robes over her head, when Mai kneed him between his legs. She could faintly hear Zuko's harsh laughter build up.

He began to lift himself back from the floor, and hissed at her,"You know? I was actually going to go easy on you. And, heck, maybe even set you free. But now, just because of that, you're going to wish you were never born." He finished and swung himself back out the doorway.

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