The story is finally coming to an end soon.
It wasn't long until team Avatar minus Kano returned to Ba Sing Se. Aang dropped the others off as he made his way to King Kuei to report on what transpired.
"Welcome back", Zuko greeted them with a tray of chai as they entered the house. They all happily took a cup and sat down as they gave the fire bender the rundown on what happened at Renu village. The smile he had earlier dropped slowly at the news of what Aizo had done.
"I thought we had rounded up all of my father's loyalists", Zuko groaned and dropped his face to his hands.
"Some loyalists were always going to fall through the cracks Sparky. You can't help it if you haven't captured all of them", Toph stated.
"Toph is right Zuko", Katara spoke up, "what matters now is that we were able to put a stop to his plans."
"Although if we looked for him after their lair went down then maybe we would have prevented what happened to you, sis," Sokka said as he sipped his tea.
"It is what it is Sokka", Suki patted her boyfriend's back, "we could have done a lot of things but there isn't any use thinking about it."
With that Zuko turned to the water bender, "How does your wound feel?"
Katara thoughtlessly placed her hand over where the arrow had been, "It still stings a bit but I'm fine. I was lucky to have Kano there to heal me."
"And she chose to remain at the village?" Zuko wondered.
"Yes. After the mess with Aang finding out about our wager and Aizo, she decided to stay and reconnect with her friend."
"So is the wager off?" Zuko asked.
"Never should have agreed to it but yes it's over", Katara answered.
"Either way, it's looking like Katara might be in the clear with Aang", Sokka commented.
"Just because Kano relented doesn't mean that Aang will…accept me as more than a friend", Katara replied.
"You don't know that for sure Sugar Queen. He only said that he needed time to figure out what he wanted. Everything will be fine," Toph encouraged.
"Toph is right. So much has already happened in the past few days, even before we departed for the mission. The best thing you can do is give Aang the space he needs and wait for him to say something," Suki said and then turned to Zuko, "How did everything go with Mai?"
They eagerly looked to the fire bender who couldn't help holding a flustered expression on his face. His eyes shifted as his lips curved upwards into a small grin as he thought of Mai.
"Judging by Sparky's heart rate, everything went well", Toph smirked.
"We spent the day together…" Zuko started as he reminisced over it.
He had found her standing outside of the lobby. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders in waves, framing her face like a curtain of midnight silk. Mai's eyes met his as he approached her. She held a stoic expression at the sight of him.
"H-hi Mai…" Zuko greeted awkwardly, "I'm here."
"So you are," She responded.
From the hotel, they strolled through the nearby park. Iroh had mentioned it as a good date spot surrounded by beautiful flowers. It was the first time in what felt like a lifetime since they spent time together like this.
As they walked, Zuko couldn't help but steal glances at Mai, admiring the way her dark hair caught the sunlight and the subtle grace with which she moved. Mai observed him as well without showing it. When she had relented to giving him a chance to prove himself to her.
They found a secluded spot beneath the shade of a flowering cherry blossom tree and settled onto a comfortable bench. They had not talked a lot but were comfortable with one another. Before their breakup, they would happily sit in each other's company and be content. The fire bender hoped they could return to such bliss, but he knew he would have to work for it.
"Mai…", Zuko began, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I know I've made mistakes, and I understand your reasons for being upset with me. But I want to use this chance to make everything right."
"I appreciate your honesty," Mai said quietly, "But words alone won't be enough to earn back my trust."
Zuko nodded, understanding. "I know," he replied. "That's why I've planned a day for us, just the two of us. No distractions, no responsibilities. Just you and me."
Zuko reached into a small basket he had brought along and produced a selection of pastries and fruits.
Mai accepted a pastry with a soft "thank you,", her eyes meeting his with a warmth that hadn't been present in quite some time.
Eventually, they rose from their bench and began the leisurely walk around the park. They talked about inconsequential things about the garden that while beautiful weren't the kind of thing they cared much for. They spoke of what the future held for the fire nation post-war. Zuko told her of the programs he planned with Aang to reveal the truth of what started the hundred-year war, and of Avatar Roku and Fire lord Sozin. Zuko found himself opening up to Mai in a way he could not with Katara, speaking freely about his hopes and fears, and his dreams for the future.
Mai listened intently. Sharing her own thoughts and feelings with Zuko, letting him see a side of her that he missed. Throughout it all, Zuko was attentive and thoughtful, listening to her every word and respecting her boundaries.
Despite their time together being pleasant, it was only a matter of time until they addressed the issue between them. Mai knew it in her heart she still loved Zuko. But that didn't mean she would take him back. She could not forget how she felt seeing him and Katara together. Zuko's actions had not only hurt her but had hurt Aang as well.
When Zuko broke up with her the first time, it was to save the fire nation from itself. She forgave him then only to later have her heart broken again. Yet here they were…Zuko taking the chance she had given him to make things right. Finally, Mai stopped and planted herself still, making Zuko stop as well.
She stood before Zuko, her heart torn between the love she still felt for him and the pain of the past. She had spent countless nights wrestling with her emotions, trying to make sense of the tangled mess of feelings inside her. Mai had gotten to a point where she was willing to end her life until Ty Lee intervened. Before she wouldn't have entertained the idea of giving Zuko a chance, at least that was until Aang's unannounced visit and Ty Lee's insistence to hear him out.
And now here she was with him. She had spoken of his betrayal before, but Mai felt there was still more that needed to be said.
"Zuko," Mai began, her voice barely above a whisper. "Being with you has been…nice but I…I don't know if I can do this. I don't know if I can go back to how things were. When I found you with…her, it hurt. More than you'll ever know."
Zuko's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of guilt crossing his features before he masked it with understanding.
"Mai," he said softly, his voice tinged with regret, "I'm sorry. I can never apologize enough for what I did. I was confused and lost, and I made a mistake. But I swear, Mai, with Katara I felt nothing. Nothing compared to what I feel for you."
"It's not just about what happened,", Mai replied quietly. "it's about the trust that was broken, the betrayal I felt when I saw you with her. I thought…I thought we had something special, something real. But now, I don't know what to believe anymore. You were my first crush…my first love. You were the only person I thought I could be myself with. Someone I didn't have to wear my mask around."
Shame rose within Zuko as he saw the tears in Mai's eyes.
"I was ready to die for you Zuko. But that wasn't enough was it?" Mai asked with a sad smile.
"It was enough! I thought Azula killed you but that isn't an excuse for what I did. You have every right to hate me." Zuko reached out to take Mai's hand in his own, his touch gentle and reassuring.
"Mai," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity, "I know I can't take back what happened. But I swear to you, with every fiber of my being, that I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I'll do whatever it takes to earn back your trust, to prove to you how much you mean to me."
She watched him for a moment. Mai knew that Zuko was telling the truth. A part of her wanted to let him in but the other was still wary. She pulled her hand out from Zuko's, deciding it wasn't enough. There was still something else that bothered her. After all, Mai wasn't the only person Zuko hurt.
"Before…when I said I thought of Aang…how I thought about being with him, you said he was too in love with Katara. I asked if you knew that then why you took the girl he loved from him. You never answered my question."
The fire bender pursed his lips. She got him there. He had avoided answering and chose not to address it then.
"I…wish I had an answer but there isn't anything that excuses what I did. I never meant to hurt Aang. That was the last thing I wanted to do to him after he accepted me as his fire bending instructor."
Mai's gaze bore into him, her anger palpable in the air between them. "But you did, Zuko", she responded sharply, "Not only did you break my heart but you inadvertently broke his too."
Mai was right again. Zuko couldn't deny what he had done to Aang. The guilt wrecked him despite the air bender's insistence that everything between them was fine.
"You're right," Zuko sighed heavily, "I was thinking about myself, my desires, and my happiness. I never considered the consequences until it was too late. I don't deserve either of you…"
Mai watched Zuko's eyes, seeing the regret he held for his actions.
"Nothing I do will be enough to fix it but…." Zuko let out a deep breath as he gathered his thoughts.
"Mai, I love you…and I don't believe I will ever stop loving you. You were the only person who saw me for who I truly am. You see past my crown, past the expectations, and you've loved me for the person I am underneath it all." He reached out to gently brush a strand of hair from her face, his touch gentle and tender.
"I love you because you challenge me," he continued, his voice growing stronger with each word, "You never hesitate to speak your mind, to question my decisions, to push me to be better. But most of all, I love you because you make me feel alive. With you by my side, I'm not just the Fire Lord or the heir to the throne. I'm simply Zuko, and that's enough. My family is in the wind, and I don't know what the future might hold but what I do know…is that I want to make you a part of it….as Fire Lady…as my wife."
Mai's eyes widened at his words. Was this his way of proposing to her? She had dreamed of their wedding. His proposal was never like this. Her expression softened slightly as the weight of his words set in, yet a flicker of uncertainty crossed her face. Despite what she had said to others before, Mai still loved Zuko. However, she wasn't ready. Mai wasn't ready to take Zuko back.
"Zuko, I want to believe you. I want to believe that we can get past this," she whispered, "I…I need time. I don't know if I can trust you again. You've hurt me and I don't know if I can ever forget that."
Zuko's heart sank, the weight of his guilt crushing him.
"But…I promise you this. I won't shut you out completely. I'm not ready to move on from this gap between us yet. Will you be patient with me?"
He nodded, "I understand. I'll wait for as long as it takes. Because you're worth waiting for, Mai. You're worth everything to me."
Finally, for Zuko at least, Mai gave him a sweet smile.
His mind drifted back to where he was. Back with his friends. Zuko thought to tell them all about it. However, he would keep it to himself. The matter was between him and Mai after all. So instead, he said…
"We aren't there yet, but we will be."
After reporting to Kuei, Aang arrived at the house and led Appa back to the stable to rest. He knew the trip was tiring for the bison and assured him that he could rest as long as he needed.
"Don't worry buddy, I'll bring you all the food you want. You deserve it", Aang said as he patted Appa who moaned in satisfaction.
"You know how ridiculously hard it is to find you?" A deadpan voice said from behind him. Aang turned to find Mai standing with her arms crossed.
"There's a reason why Zuko and the fire nation couldn't catch me before", Aang grinned.
"Haha", Mai rolled her eyes as she approached the air bender, "I've been meaning to apologize to you. I went too far with what I was saying. I don't normally care about hurting other people's feelings but you aren't like everyone else."
"By everyone else, do you mean because I'm the Avatar?"
"No," Mai shook her head, "Because you're the only other person I know who understands how it feels to have your heart broken."
"Oh…well thank you. It's fine. Honestly, I only wish I hadn't overreacted like I did…I lost my composure."
"Nobody is perfect," Mai shrugged. "Plus, I said a lot more than I should have."
"I'm already over it," Aang smiled. "I heard you were giving Zuko another chance. How did it go?"
"He didn't tell you?"
"My friends and I just got back, and I've only just returned from talking to King Kuei," Aang explained.
"It was…fine," Mai answered.
Aang raised an eyebrow, "Just fine?"
"Ugh, I really don't feel like going over everything that happened," Mai groaned.
"Wouldn't hurt to talk about it," Aang chuckled.
Back at the house on the upper floor, Katara glanced from a window to find both Aang and Mai standing together outside. She wondered what they could have been discussing. She could make a guess. Would they be talking about her or Zuko? It was a possibility.
'I hope she didn't come back for another kiss.' Her mind flashed back to when she had last seen them together. Katara shook her head. 'No…she wouldn't. Not after spending time with Zuko.'
The water bender thought more about Mai. A heavy sense of guilt waved through her as she thought about what she had done to her. Aang might not have held any resentment toward her, but Katara couldn't say the same with Mai. The last time they were in each other's presence, Mai ignored her.
Zuko turned into the hall she was in and stood next to her, seeing what she was gazing at. His heart jumped at seeing Mai again already. She hadn't mentioned coming over since their date. Aang was smiling while Mai grimaced. Zuko remembered that something had occurred between the two of them before. By looking at it, the fire bender could only assume they were fine. From the corner of his eye, he watched Katara's expression.
She held a pensive expression as she watched them.
"Copper for your thoughts?" He asked.
Katara turned to him, startled, "When did you get here?"
Zuko grinned, "barely a minute. You looked so lost watching them."
"I guess I was," Katara sighed. "Its…Mai. I haven't had the chance to apologize to her. Aang wasn't the only person that we hurt after all. What if she hates me?"
"I wouldn't say she hates you," Zuko responded.
"Then what would you call it?" Katara challenged.
"Um…" Zuko thought to himself, "She…okay maybe not hate, but she likely doesn't care much for you."
"Thanks Zuko, that makes me feel so much better," Katara replied sarcastically and rolled her eyes. She chided herself for ever seeing him in a romantic light before. Despite being a leader of a nation, Zuko didn't exactly have a way with words.
They glanced back at Aang and Mai. Aang was laughing as Mai held a small smile on her face. Zuko had felt a spark of envy at seeing the two of them. What was that they were laughing and smiling over? He mused over the thought until Katara spoke again.
"What do you think they're talking about?"
He only had one guess for what they could be talking about.
"Am I hearing royal wedding bells?" Aang teased.
"I don't recall saying I agreed to his proposal," Mai scoffed.
"You didn't say no either," Aang smirked.
"You're just asking for me to stab you."
"You wouldn't be the first to try," Aang replied.
"Oh, I'm sure. Although I would be the first to successfully do so."
"Are you trying to threaten the Avatar, Mai?" Aang chuckled.
"Hardly, I'm only making a promise," Mai smiled.
Aang pressed a fist to an open palm and bowed, "I accept the challenge." They both laughed at the absurdity of it.
"As fun as it has been to catch up, I should get going," Mai finally said.
"Are you sure that you don't want to stay? I'm sure it would make Zuko happy." Aang insisted.
"Without a doubt, but I did mean it when I said I needed time to reflect. I can't do that if we're in each other's space."
"Fine," Aang accepted, "but before you go." He quickly embraced Mai in his arms. The gesture surprised the Fire Nation girl. She was happy to accept it, nonetheless. Mai wrapped her arms over Aang, resting her chin on his shoulders, and held him tight. Both encompassed in a feeling of warmth.
"Do you…do you think we'll be okay?" Mai asked.
"Us?"
"No, I mean with them," Mai murmured.
"I'm sure you and Zuko will be fine," Aang assured.
Mai pulled her head from his shoulders, and cupped Aang's cheek, "and what about you?"
Aang closed his eyes as his mind flashbacked to his previous conversation with Katara. Just like Mai, he needed time to process his feelings for Katara. After nearly losing her, Aang couldn't stand the thought of not having Katara in his life. What that meant for the two of them was yet to be seen. Aang wasn't ready. He knew that much at least.
"It's difficult to say," He spoke softly and opened his eyes. "But I'd like to believe that we will be…"
Mai gave him a small smile until it grew into a devilish grin.
"Maybe you two will be but until then would you be up for another kiss?" She asked with half-lid eyes.
Aang shook his head but kept a smile on his face. "Once was enough. Besides, we both know it's not me you'd be happy smooching."
Mai let go of Aang and punched his shoulder, "watch it Avatar."
Aang laughed at her annoyed expression.
"Now I should take my leave right now."
Before they could bid each other farewell, Katara ran up to them. Mai glanced at the water bender and moved to leave until Katara called out to her.
"Mai, wait! Can we talk?"
Mai didn't bother turning back to her, "No."
"Please wait! I want to apologize," Katara pleaded.
"I don't ca-" Mai started until she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Mai", Aang started, "She does regret what happened. I'm not saying you have to forgive her, but you should hear her out."
Mai narrowed her eyes at him, "You can't be serious."
"If not for yourself, then will you please do it for me?"
"UGH, you are such a little… I hate you so much." Mai groaned, knowing that she didn't have it in her to say no to him.
"No, you don't," Aang grinned smugly. He took his hand off Mai's shoulder and walked back to the house. He made sure to smile at Katara as he passed her. Then it had been just them standing there.
The atmosphere between Katara and Mai was tense, thick with unresolved emotions and unspoken words.
Katara could feel her heart pounding against her chest as she searched for the right words, her palms slightly clammy with nervousness. She stole a glance at Mai, who stood with a subtle but unmistakable aura of guardedness, her posture stiff, and her expression unreadable.
"Well," Mai started with a flat tone, "are you going to talk or what?"
"R-right, of c-course," Katara stuttered. "I've wanted to apologize about what Zuko and I did."
"What was it exactly you and Zuko did?" Mai demanded. Aang might have convinced her to hear out the water tribe girl but that didn't mean she would make this easy for her.
"Um…be together?" Katara answered nervously.
"Be together?" Mai scoffed. "As if it was something so simple."
"You're right," Katara backtracked. "What I did wasn't simple. I was running away from my feelings for Aang that I didn't think of what my relationship with Zuko would do to you."
"Of course, you wouldn't think of the girl who helped your brother and Zuko bust Suki and your father out of the boiling rock," Mai retorted. Her anger at Katara returned as she stepped up to her. "I put my life on the line for them, for Zuko! And what do I get in return for it? Betrayal. Heartache. Depression. Wanting to kill myself! And now, you dare to stand here and apologize to me?"
Her abrupt anger taking Katara by surprise.
Mai's fists clenched at her sides, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to contain the torrent of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. The injustice of it all weighed heavily on her, the raw pain of betrayal twisting like a knife in her chest.
"You have no idea what it was like," Mai seethed, her voice trembling. "To watch him with you, to choose you over everything we had. And now, you come crawling to me to apologize and expect me to forgive and forget?"
The tension between them crackled in the air, the unspoken words hanging heavy between them like a barrier that couldn't be breached. Mai's anger burned fiercely, a blazing inferno fueled by a sense of betrayal and hurt that lingered deep within her soul.
Katara had half-expected Mai to be upset, but witnessing her rage still struck a chord. Katara couldn't blame Mai for feeling that way since she knew she'd feel the same if she were in Mai's shoes. She took a deep breath, steeling herself. She knew that her words might not be enough to soothe Mai's pain, but she was determined to offer her sincerest apology.
"I know my actions have caused you great pain, and for that, I am truly sorry." She met Mai's gaze, holding it with unwavering sincerity as she continued, "I want you to know that I never intended to hurt you. I understand the sacrifices you made for Zuko, and I deeply respect your loyalty and bravery. I know it wasn't easy for you to stand up against Azula like that."
Her voice faltered as she spoke, her guilt weighing heavily on her, "I'm not asking for your forgiveness, Mai. I know that will take time, and I respect whatever decision you make."
After hearing those words, Mai closed her eyes. She had to calm herself down before saying something she would regret. She didn't want to repeat what had happened with Aang before. The tension that coiled tightly in her muscles gradually released. She could tell that Katara was sincere, but she didn't have it in her to forgive the water bender easily. Slowly, Mai opened her eyes to address Katara.
"All in all, it is very nice of you to say that. However, nice words like that aren't enough to gain my sympathy. I'm not Aang after all." Mai spoke with a calm flat tone.
Katara pursed her lips, trying to show that she understood what Mai said.
"But…I can respect that you are willing to try. The fault lays more on Zuko than it did on you."
"But I was—"
"Stop. We do not know each other, Katara," Mai interjected. "I've known Zuko since I was a child, and we were together before he left to join you all and teach Aang fire bending. The only person you need to worry about is Aang. Did I hate you for taking Zuko? Of course. Since you two have broken up and Zuko began begging me to come back to him, I don't feel that way anymore. You may have been the other girl, but you were never THE girl for him. I didn't ever plan to talk to you at all until this moment."
Katara hadn't expected this from her. It only confused her why Mai was so angry with her then.
"Just a few seconds ago you were taking your anger out on me when I was trying to apologize!"
"I'll admit that anger was still there. I grew up in an environment where I wasn't allowed to express how I felt because of how it might affect my family's image. I try not to suppress how I feel. And to be honest…I still don't like you." Mai stated.
"Oh," Katara fidgeted with her hands, "So where does this leave us?"
"Nowhere. I still don't like you," Mai answered. "Now are we finally done here?"
"Yeah, sure…." Katara's shoulders slumped. She finally managed to apologize to Mai but was not satisfied with her response. If Mai were to take Zuko back, then Katara hoped that the two of them could be friends.
Mai turned her back to Katara as she started her way back to her hotel. After taking a few steps she stopped. Katara watched as Mai stood muttering to herself. Mai's shoulders tensed up until she let out a deep sigh and her shoulders relaxed.
"I told Zuko I needed time. Maybe after that time…you and I can get along. For now, that is all I'm willing to promise. I know Aang won't get off my back if I don't offer anything."
"I'll take what I can get!" Katara gleefully exclaimed. Mai rolled her eyes and waved her off as she left.
While it wasn't what Katara had hoped for exactly, she was glad Mai would give her a chance as well. She walked back to the house with a smile, feeling content and hopeful for the future. At the front door, Aang stood waiting for her.
He didn't have to do that, but Katara was glad that he did.
Be sure to leave a review. Gotta get back to finishing the spring semester so it will be some time before I update this story. Have a good week.