I realized a little too late that Pakku is actually Grampakku now, but I think for the sake of this story (since it's a continuation but doesn't follow the events of Korra and diverges a little from the ATLA finale and after-stories), it'll be alright if I keep them as just comrades. Maybe there will be a little Kanna/Pakku love bonding in this and then you can actually watch it happen. Who knows! *shrug* Anyway, I know this might be moving a little slowly, but I promise it will start picking up pace very soon.

Thanks, as always, for reading :)

Chapter 4: Anniversary

"Uncle, we cannot stop."

"I only need a moment to drink my sweet jasmine tea." General Iroh at on the ground and cuddled his cup close to his chest, closing his eyes and smiling. He started humming, swaying gently in the shade's refuge of the hot sun on the road to the Fire Nation villages.

"We don't have time for tea!" Fire Lord Zuko snarled, ripping back the curtains of their litter, his head hanging out the window.

Iroh opened one eye, replying, "Perhaps you should try some calming chamomile instead, nephew."

Zuko froze, glaring at his uncle. He blew air out of his nose in anger, two small jets of flames igniting beneath his nostrils and pulled his head back inside the litter.

"Fine, do what you please," his muffled voice said.

"Why must you rush this day?" Iroh questioned, smiling to himself. "Today, we pay homage to those of your nation – our nation. We must honor their loyalty and love!"

Zuko's head slowly appeared out the window once more, his face flat. "With tea?"

"What else is there?" Iroh laughed, one hand on his rounded belly. "I know the hardships you face on this day, nephew. I understand the great lengths you have gone to forget this anniversary, but surely your people will not. What was a day of sorrow to you was a day of reckoning and rebirth to them. Honor it, if not for yourself, then for them. They, after all, adore you." Iroh winked, finishing his tea in a satisfying gulp and then eyeing the mound of tea leaves left behind, as if trying to read his fortune.

The guards surrounding the litter were no doubt stone-faced behind their masks and their heads remained rigidly forward, but Zuko knew they were listening.

They always listen, the bastards.

"Now, let us go into the city!" Iroh exclaimed as he crawled into the litter beside Zuko. Zuko grumbled internally, but he said nothing. If anything, his uncle's constant positivity helped balance him out.

But not on this day.

Iroh leaned over, patting a bag at his hip as he whispered, "I feel a bit of shopping would do us both wonders." Zuko rolled his eyes as the litter began moving forward with a slight lurch and Iroh merely smiled, squeezing Zuko's knee with reassurance.

"Lady Mai, are you ready?"

Mai sighed in annoyance. She hated the servant girls.

"I suppose so," she drawled, wrapping her shawl of red silk around her thin shoulders. It was noon, but she could already see storm clouds gathering in the distance, dark and ominous, but refreshingly so. If anything, the rain reflected how she felt and, at any rate, it was a nice reprieve from the constant bearing down of the sun on her pale skin. She hated sunburns more than she hated the servants who followed at her heels like yapping dogs.

"The litter is waiting for you, whenever you wish to depart."

Agni, let's just get this over with.

She crawled in to the carriage, plopping heavily down onto the plump cushions and silken throws. So much red – red and gold, it was as though fire itself was trying to regurgitate its children, but she loved red. It made her hair appear even more strikingly dark and skin even fairer, so she welcomed it, but she plastered a blank expression of boredom upon her face as she leaned back, fingering the tassels that decorated the window.

The five year anniversary. Look out, world of the lower class, you will be blessed with your Fire Lord and his future lady today.

Her fiancé's litter had left hours before; the Fire Lord seemingly never needed preparations nor wanted them; he simply did as he was told to merely get things over with and she admired that about him. You rush so quickly to satisfy the needs of your people, yet you still refuse to marry me? That, in itself, is the greatest service to them, so why wait?

Her heart had been beating uncharacteristically fast since that morning, it was true; today she would see the Fire Lord, today she would be with the Fire Lord for all citizens to gaze upon in admiration and loyalty. He could not run from her today, he could not turn her away. He would be forced to play the part of a loving fiancé and an even more loving Fire Lord, but there was a part of her that was alright, if only for that moment, with pretending he truly meant it. She fingered the cool fabric of her shawl, wondering what robes he decided to wear today and how much longer his hair was than when she last saw him.

And maybe he is wondering the same about me?

"Maaaaaaiiiiiii!"

She grunted, looking out the window. A familiar bobbing head of brown hair appeared across the street as a nimble body dressed in pink sprinted towards her carriage. A wide smile was plastered across the girl's face, giggles emanating from her mouth like a child.

"Ty Lee?" Mai asked in surprise. The girl did a cartwheel, landing right in front of Mai's window, her long braid swinging against her back.

"The Kyoshi Warriors left for the North Pole," she said happily, gripping the window and pulling herself effortlessly into the litter. Mai smirked at the wondrous expressions on the guards' faces as she scooted over to the other side of the bench so her childhood friend could come to rest beside her. Ty Lee immediately took Mai's hands in her own, her eyes sparkling and lively.

"They said I could come stay with you for a while. Suki and the other girls are going to see Aang, but I told them I wanted to see you and Zuko! Isn't that great?" Her face beamed as she leaned forward on her knees, close to Mai's face.

Zuko.

That name feels… wrong. I wonder if I will ever be able to say it myself.

Mai sighed, pulling her hands back. "That is great," she said in monotone, looking out the window. "Yet, the Water Tribes and the Avatar usually travel here for the anniversary celebrations. Why are they having their own?"

Ty Lee bit on her lower lip, holding a knuckle to her chin.

"I think they are honoring Katara and Sokka," she replied quietly. "It explains why Suki was so anxious to leave right away. Even Toph sent a confirmation she would be attending, and she has never cared to join the celebrations before. I could be wrong, but… If it is a family celebration, I wouldn't want to impose."

"Honoring… Katara?" Mai blinked, struggling to keep her face flat.

"I think it's great!" Ty Lee beamed again, folding her arms behind her head as she leaned back against the plush cushions. "I sure do miss them." Her face was overcome by a shadow of sorrow and nostalgia for a moment, but Mai blinked and then it was gone.

Mai muttered a small, "Mm," as she wrapped her shawl around herself a little tighter than before.

Children of the Water Tribe… They deserve honor, I suppose.

"Ty Lee," she spoke suddenly, somewhat curt. "Please, do not mention this to the Fire Lord. He has been… stressed, of late. I don't want anything to…"

"Say no more!" the girl exclaimed, holding up a hand. "I understand. How is Zuko, by the way?"

There was a light rap on the door. Mai turned to the guard standing outside, who bowed deeply as he asked, "My ladies, are we ready to depart?" Mai waved her hand submissively, grunting in affirmation. The guard bowed again and, moments later, the litter lurched as it was lifted and began moving forward.

"So, how is he doing?"

Mai lounged back, holding her fingers against her forehead as she sighed, long and heavy, replying apathetically, "He hates this day." She closed her eyes; she despised the rocking of litters as they moved down the pathway into the city. "I don't blame him. Festivities are so… loud."

"Has there been any marriage announce-"

"No," Mai snapped, opening one eye to glare at her. This is the end of that conversation. Don't be a fool, Ty Lee.

"What a shame," Ty Lee said, frowning with disappointment. "You'll look so lovely in wedding attire."

"Hmph."

This moving forward… To you, to the Fire Lord, my fiancé – is it all in vain? How will you greet me when you see me step out onto the ground?

Will you look at me the way you looked at the turtle-ducks as you touched the water?

She turned away from her childhood friend, ignoring her widening gray eyes – I'm done talking about this – and focused on the landscape that passed by them, losing its vibrancy in the coming rain. Mai wondered how many hours of sun were left before the clouds engulfed them all in darkness.

What a time to be alive.

"There." Gran-Gran leaned back, her hands on her hips, a great smile tugging at her lips. "You look wondrous, Katara. If I knew you back in my prime, I would have been quite the jealous friend."

Katara shook her head, rolling her eyes as she smiled. Turning to the mirror, she admired the work Gran-Gran had done on her hair. It looks…pretty. Gran-Gran knew she no longer felt she could wear her usual braid – it was a thing of the past – and so her grandmother let her hair fall down to her waist in loose, thick curls and had pinned back pieces above her ears, which were curled more tightly the rest. Gran-Gran had presented her with new beads for the loops of hair that hung on the sides of her face; seemingly made of ice, they were crystalline and pure and blown from thick glass and so the midday sun shone through them brilliantly. Katara fingered them silently, frowning slightly at her reflection.

The dress looked better than she initially thought earlier that morning. It brought her some solace; she held out her arms, watching the way the blue fabric trickled over her body like water and pooled on the floor at her feet. It was a little long – apparently it belonged to some girl named Yue's mother – but Katara liked the way it trailed behind her when she walked.

"Are you disappointed?" her grandmother asked quietly, her hands on her shoulders.

How short you look, Gran-Gran…

Katara sighed, shaking her head firmly, the loops in her hair swinging against her cheeks.

"I look…less sick," she replied heavily. Gran-Gran smiled, tilting her head as she said, "You look beautiful, Katara. The hardships you have survived, the sleep that has been stolen from you, the plague of thoughts you have been forced to know… Do not doubt yourself so much. You do not look sick nor tired nor weak. You look like a new woman. You look like life itself."

There were tears in her grandmothers eyes as they both stared into Katara's reflection. Her hand went to her neck out of habit, but she found it bare and so her gaze dropped.

"My mother's necklace…" she muttered. "I lost it. The worst part is, I can't remember where or when."

"Things have a funny way of finding their way back to you," Gran-Gran said. "And if it doesn't, your mother will understand. But here" – she reached into her robes and pulled out a pair of earrings, brilliantly crafted glass of multiples shades of blue, all winding around one another – "take these. Hakoda had them made for you."

Katara paused, just looking at her grandmother, drinking in her face. She smiled, but her lips trembled slightly as she lurched forward, holding Gran-Gran tightly as the old woman stroked her hair lovingly.

"Thank you," Katara whispered.

There was a light rap on the door.

Gran-Gran pulled back, smiling at she wiped at her eyes and said, "Come in."

Katara's father entered, his build tall and strong amidst the doorframe. He was wearing the familiar wolfhelm she had watched him leave for battle in and was dressed in thick furs and deep blue robes of the Southern Water Tribe. He froze when his eyes met Katara's and – oh goodness, you better not start crying too – he smiled wildly, holding out his hand.

"You ready, kid?" he asked. Katara huffed in amusement, rolling her eyes and giggling softly up at him.

"Let's do it," she replied firmly, putting her earrings in. She squared her shoulders back and stood tall. Her heart was beating, it was beating so fast she feared it could be seen through the top of her dress, but she didn't mind it. She welcomed it, she basked in it – she was alive.

I made it. I made it this far.

I'm still here, mom.

She placed her hands in her father's as he led them out into the hallway and Katara lifted her chin slightly, letting her face soften. I can do this. And when a flurry of green appeared at the end of the hallway and the music began playing outside, she heard a collective shout that sent her heart pounding inside of her chest.

"Katara!"

"Uncle, will you stop singing?"

Zuko was sitting back in the litter, arms folded, frowning fiercely. Iroh had been swaying blissfully, singing some song about a secret tunnel for near an hour and the Fire Lord had half a mind to jump from the window and walk the rest of the way to the village where he would wait for Lady Mai.

"Something has you on edge, nephew," the general responded, opening his eyes. He laced his fingers together over his rounded belly, leaning back against the plush pillows of silk. Zuko scowled, whipping his head to look out the window, fiercely studying the houses and shops they passed by as they came into the town.

"I hate this day," he muttered.

"You are uncertain without the Avatar here."

"He should be here!" Zuko replied heatedly.

"The Avatar, as Chief Hakoda's letter stated, has other affairs to tend to with the Northern Water Tribe. He is not abandoning you, Zuko. At any rate, you still have the lovely Lady Mai to keep you warm while you dote on your loving citizens," his uncle added with a sly wink. Zuko's scowl deepened and he felt his blood rush to his cheeks. He opened his mouth to respond, but instead shut it quickly, quietly fuming. His eyes avoided his uncle's, but he could feel the old man's gaze strengthening on him, making him squirm uncomfortably.

"What do you want from me?" Zuko finally shouted. "Stop looking at me like that."

The litter faltered slightly as a guard poked his head through the window.

"Your Grace?" he inquired. "Did you need something?"

Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply and his uncle giggled as he snapped, "When will we arrive?"

"Not a quarter hour yet, Your Grace."

"Good."

The guard left and Zuko rested his chin in his palm, watching the houses as they rolled by. Iroh stirred next to him, sighing happily in comfort as he rearranged the pillows around his body. When he stilled, Zuko could feel his eyes bearing into his back and he sighed, turning back around to face his uncle.

"Yes?" he prompted, an eyebrow raised.

What the hell do you want?

His agitation was high on this day, no man could deny that. Were it not for his role as the Fire Lord, he would have failed miserably at a half-assed attempt at composure.

I am the Fire Lord.

I am the ruler of my nation.

But at what cost?

He grimaced, memories of lightning flashing across his eyes as his sister's laughter struck seemingly into his soul. He scratched at his hair, willing the images to pass and his hand slipped into the pocket of his robes, fingering a familiar, cool stone. It touched his skin like water and it made his heart pound faster yet, in a way, calmed him at the same time.

"I have half a mind of your ventures this morning," Iroh said. The way he said it, calm and quiet, almost hesitantly, did not irritate Zuko as he would have expected, but rather pulled at his chest, sending a wave of guilt washing over him. His stomach felt strange, his head heavy and his fingers released their hold on the choker in his pocket as he returned his hand to his lap.

"Do you now?" he mumbled.

"Does Lady Mai know?"

"Know what?" Zuko spat. "That I miss my friends? That I'm Fire Lord because one of them died for me?"

One of them.

Fool, you can say her name. You owe her at least that much.

The back of his eyes felt hot, but were it fire or tears, he did not know.

Let them know. If my people love me as much as they say they do, let them know their freedom claimed the life of a girl. Let them know I was weak.

Let them know I hate who I am.

"Mai has no business giving me a chance."

Iroh leaned forward, lightly touching the Fire Lord's hand.

"She has a future with you, Zuko," he said gently. Zuko snatched his hand out of his uncle's grasp, replying curtly,

"Not a good one."

Iroh did not move to speak and for that, Zuko was grateful. His head had begun painfully throbbing near his temples and he felt weary.

I hate this day.

The litter stopped with a slight lurch, lowered to the ground by the Fire Nation guards. The door opened, sunlight penetrating the silken red walls, near blinding Zuko in its brightness. He squinted, scowling as he followed his uncle out, who was humming that damned tunnel song again.

Rain?

The sunlight was strong and searing, but Zuko could see dark clouds gathering in the distance. He squared his shoulders back, nodding to his guards as they formed a group behind and in front of him. Iroh looked around, smiling widely as he said,

"How much longer until the Lady Mai joins us?"

"I would not expect more than a half hour, my lord," a guard said, his voice muffled behind his helm. "Her litter left a while after yours, but they made no stops."

"You see, nephew! Now we do not have long to wait!" Iroh said, clamping his hand down onto Zuko's shoulder. "I knew I needed a tea break for a reason. I would not mind having another cup while we wait, actually; no, I would not mind that at all." Zuko lifted an eyebrow, but he allowed the tiniest of smiles to play at his lips and, if anyone were to see it, they would blink and it would be gone.

"Come, come," Iroh said excitedly as the escorts laid a cushion and blanket down upon the ground for Iroh to sit. An umbrella was opened for shade as Iroh was given his teapot and cups by a young servant girl. Her eyes met Zuko's for a brief moment before she blushed deeply and lowered her gaze, mumbling a, "Forgive me, Your Grace," as she backed away. Is my gaze so unwanted that you feel you must apologize upon seeing it?

He scowled, but Iroh thrust towards a cup of tea, to which Zuko warmed his palms to heat it. Iroh sighed happily, inhaling deeply the scents of chamomile.

"You see, Zuko? Chamomile," he said dreamily. "The most calming of all herbs!" Zuko grunted, but he sipped at his tea dutifully, letting the bitter-sweet taste rest in his mouth for a moment. He wondered absently when Mai's litter would be arriving; he hated waiting.

There was another part of him, however, that wished time could stop so she would never arrive. Grim thoughts, Fire Lord; is this how you would treat your future wife?

The word rested sourly within his mouth. Wife. He was running out of options, out of reasons and petty excuses to keep the royal marriage from happening. But why, why did he need them in the first place? They were…already lovers once, when they were young and naïve and angsty. And had there been passion then? Maybe on his part, for a little while, but on hers… No, she was as stoic as ever. Maybe…That is why, then. Can you blame a man for not wanting to pledge his love to cold stone?

It was a little harsh; Mai had her moments where she softened and, he forced himself to bitterly admit, he had no right to push her away for her apathy when he was as resentful and distant as ever.

But I have a reason!

He gritted his teeth to himself, glaring absently into the distance, his fingers tightening on his teacup. He could faintly hear Iroh singing the tunnel song again, which pulled at Zuko's nerves but he was too embedded in thought to fully notice the old man's antics. He did glare at him, however, when Iroh clasped Zuko's shoulder, saying, "My nephew's heart is a secret, secret tunnel – he may look intimidating sometimes, but he is shy and full of love!" which sparked a deep blush of the young servant girl's cheeks. Zuko quickly looked away from her, feeling his own face flush and turn hot, his ears no doubt pink, and he cursed his uncle for his embarrassing words.

The remaining minutes felt unbearably long; he felt stagnant and cramped, having forgotten about his tea and merely holding it absently. Mai…

And he wished he could read her mind, could see what damned thoughts she had and whether or not she even wanted to be the Fire Lady. She never commented on her feelings nor her views on the arrangement, so maybe…just maybe, she wanted out of it, too?

At the very least, I wouldn't blame her.

But Zuko grudgingly knew she would never back out. She believed in their people and their people believed in the royal marriage.

There truly is no way out.

"My, I wonder if something is on your mind, Fire Lord."

He looked up at the sound of the awfully monotonous voice, noticing for the first the deep scowling of his lips and the steam that rose to his face from the tea that boiled violently in his hands. He mumbled a small, "Ah", as he let his hands cool, his blood calm, and his gaze met the stoic, gray eyes of an ebony-haired noblewoman.

He thrust his tea towards the servant girl, who took it quietly, but something about her looked a little more disappointed than before and the Fire Lord stood, brushing off his robes as he bowed to his fiancée.

"Lady Mai," he said platonically. "Good to see you looking well."

"And you," she replied, her voice bored and apathetic and she sighed, long and drawn-out. Agni, I hate it when you do that. "This village is…nice."

Zuko fought to keep himself from rolling his eyes at the painfully formal and emotionless banter. He opened his mouth to speak when a flurry of pink and brown came rushing at him, pummeling into him with such force he stumbled backwards, spluttering and huffing from the impact.

"Zuko!"

"Wh- Angi… What in- Dammit, I- Ty Lee?"

She pulled back, giggling, braid swinging, teeth shining – she was all Ty Lee as usual. She didn't look any different since he last saw her and his eyebrows shot up in surprise. He could hear Mai sighing again in the background and it sparked a slight twinge in his jaw, but he ignored his annoyance and instead focused his eyes on the girl in front of him.

"What are you doing here? And shouldn't you be wearing your formal warrior attire?"

"The Kyoshi Warriors went to the North Pole and I wanted to come see you guys!" She threw her arms around the Fire Lord's neck again, burying her face into his neck in content and he looked to Mai, silently pleading to her with his eyes to help him out. She shrugged, folding her arms, stating flatly,

"The Kyoshi Warriors gave her some time off."

Zuko scowled, his hands balling into fists at his sides while he waited for Ty Lee to finish caressing him. She finally pulled back but poked him in his chest, giggling,

"You feel stronger, Fire Lord. You're all muscular and strong now! I might have to hug you more often."

Zuko's mouth parted as blush flamed on his cheeks and neck and he whipped his head to the side, avoiding everyone's eyes. Agni, this is awful.

Iroh's head poked up as the old man stood.

"He has been mastering his training very well," he said proudly, "And when we dine tonight, we all can take turns flattering Zuko's physique!" The Fire Lord glared angrily at his uncle. You are never a help, old man!

"Now," his uncle continued, "I believe it is time we move forward to greet our people and celebrate this joyous day! Let us greet this secret tunnel of love with happiness and pride! Secret, secret, secret, secret tunnel…" He began singing again and Zuko huffed, two small jets of steam shooting out below his nostrils as he stomped forward, leaving the servants holding umbrellas for shade behind.

"Uncle Iroh, that song is beautiful!" he heard Ty Lee quip. "Where did you learn it? Is it Fire Nation?"

"No, my dear, it was first sung to me by our master swordsman, Sokka, many years ago. It comes from the nomads, a particularly musical group of them!"

Zuko glowered, but he slowed his pace to allow Mai to walk next to him. The people, our people…They would like to see us together.

"Two lovers, forbidden from one another; a war divides their people…"

And so they entered the Fire Nation villages, Mai at his side while his uncle sang the song of tunnel love that came from Sokka.

His chest tightened at the Water Tribesman's name. Mai looked over at him when he began walking faster; he refused to meet her gaze, but he felt her quicken her pace to keep up, though she had grunted in annoyance. His hand slid into his pocket, his heart leaping into his throat, guilt and regret flooding him when his fingers brushed against the cool stone.

Kat-

Roaring cheers erupted suddenly, engulfing him in the loud joy of his people. He started, looking up to see hundreds of citizens gathered around a platform, anxiously awaiting the Fire Lord and his fiancée. Ty Lee was bouncing, waving her arm wildly as a beaming smile took over nearly her entire face. Mai threaded her arm through Zuko's, who stiffened slightly but did not pull away.

He mounted the stairs, his face strong and devoid of any of the conflicted thoughts he had been drowning in. He nodded to his people, drinking in their faces, their smiles and cheers, letting himself become enveloped by the sound of victory and pride. He stood in front of them, tall and sturdy and regal, but his heart did not feel so. There was something in the way that Mai's hand tightened on his arm that almost settled him, made him feel grounded and slowed the pattering of his heart.

He bared his shoulders back, letting the fire within him turn away from rage and into strength.

No turning back.

Five years and I have not turned back.

He was a true Fire Lord. That, no one could deny. She felt something stir within her…is it pride?...as she watched her fiancé speak to his – no, our – people.

"It has been five long years since the Fire Nation was reborn from the ashes it caused. We have been tarnished, we have been turned away and we have struggled with rebuilding our name, but Ozai's mistakes are not ours! The world has seen our peace. The world has come to know our kindness. Though our fires never die, we have demonstrated to our now-allied nations that fire is not destruction, but life, power, and ambition." The Fire Lord paused, looking oddly nostalgic – or is it sad? – for a moment and, up close, Mai could see the muscles in his jaw twitching.

"It is true," he said finally. "We have seen death. Our friends have fallen, our families have been broken by the stress of my father… But he was not the true phoenix – we are!" The crowd cheered violently, their roars deafening. "I promised you peace. I have given you peace – we have found it and worked for it together. It has been five years since everything changed, since the Avatar saved us from tyranny and in that time, we have become a nation I never thought we would be lucky enough to be. We have grown so quickly and so much in this time that no one will dare doubt us again. The Fire Nation is strong because of you! The Fire Nation is peaceful because of all of you and today, we celebrate our freedom! We are moving forward and we are doing it as one. Let the world continue to see our love and know that, in a time of struggle, we have risen from our ashes in harmony!"

They were screaming with their love for the Fire Lord. Impressive, Mai reflected. You have a way with words. Zuko looked down at her, causing her mind to go blank for a moment, but she cleared her throat, looking out towards the crowd as she raised her arm.

"As the future Fire Lady," she began, "I give you my gratitude and my love. I will never stray from this nation, which is so full of life and courage. I will do my best to honor you as you have honored us and I will stand by Fire Lord Zuko's side for all my remaining years, serving you and keeping you safe."

Her heart felt…strange. It was tight, but it was also…airy. She had never been good at speeches; they were incredibly boring and sounded so rehearsed it felt as though the speaker didn't give a firehawk's ass about his crowd. But there was something about the way her people looked at her and cheered for her that made her feel like, maybe this time, it was different.

They actually… like me.

"Now is the time for celebration – let us drink, eat, and dance as we toast to our years of work and the years of peace that await us," Zuko finished, bowing deeply.

The Fire Lord bows to his people? That's a new one. You definitely know how to show them you care.

And should she show him she cared? Would he notice?

Would he accept it?

She did not know how to speak to him and it annoyed her, for there was a time when the comfort between them was natural and true. But it was not that time anymore – they had grown, they had matured, and they no longer knew each other.

Do you want to know me?

Her brain felt scattered, her mind twisting and turning and the crowd was still cheering, much to her agitation, and so she said the only thing she could think of, the only thing that would not give him the satisfaction of knowing she cared more.

"I'm bored."

He kept his face straight without so much of a hint of reaction.

"Okay," he said.

That's all?

"So, I'm hungry."

Does this not bring back memories?

He raised his arm in response to the cheers, his gaze fixated on his people.

"Then eat," he replied flatly.

Thunder rolled faintly in the distance, the clouds beginning to make their way across the sky.

The backs of her eyes felt hot, tight… But why? Why should she care? It wasn't fair, it was stupid, it was all so stupid and it shouldn't hurt her, it should not and as he turned and left, rejoining his uncle and Ty Lee, Mai had no choice but to follow.

For the rest of her life, she would no longer have a choice but to follow.

Zutara is coming into play soon, I promise. Won't be long now, so please don't give up on me yet ^_^

PS: I know Zuko's kind of a dick and with Mai, it seems like I abandoned all of her character development in the show (buuuut, let's be honest, she didn't have much). But I just didn't want them to be too OOC and I really wanted to show how Katara's "death" really affected him and sent his emotions and thoughts to a secret, secret tunnel.

I'll stop with the tunnel thing now, it's just too hard to resist!

Onward, my friends. This is only just beginning! Action soon :)