Hey There,

Welcome back! We're at the beginning of May-yay (2023), spring is in full swing. The pollen count is staggering and I caught a bit of a cold so this chapter was a real labor of love. But I'm so happy it's ready to post! Can't wait to share what happens next, hope it was worth the wait.

Special thanks to my friend Rose-Aki for her wonderful review! Nearly everything you mentioned I was nervous about. You gave me such peace of mind. You make the words "thank you" seem too small to possibly convey my appreciation. But none of this could be possible without you.

Standard Disclaimers Apply - I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender, Nickelodeon or MTV. I don't own any of the trademarked things mentioned, I am merely borrowing all of these things for my own twisted plots. Most will be returned unharmed!

Dedicated to that friend who's wise enough to always bet on Mai.

"They Forgot"

Chapter 21 - The Pitfalls of Plans

((Suki's Perspective))

I think I first started to notice my boyfriend acting strange when we were still at the institute. I don't think we'd even left yet and I was picking up on something odd about him. During the planning session set up for Princess Azula's second marriage ceremony. Sokka and I had been some of the chosen few to sit in on this special meeting. It was interesting and a privilege. As many weddings as I've been to… I've never gotten such an intimate look at how a high society event like this even begins. I hope my security intel of the palace was of some help to everyone. During this early planning process.

Sokka had done a great job of assisting Ty-Lee (and me) in making suggestions whenever everyone else was blanking out. By the end of the evening, we had a few dates selected for more planning, rehearsals of every aspect, as well as possible dates for the wedding event itself. Even a few raincheck dates were almost certain since the princess seemed intent on having this wedding outdoors (like her first one had been). She wanted as many witnesses as possible, so no one would ever again question her relationship status. And after seeing firsthand how complicated it is, I can't say I blame her.

The Elder placed in charge of all of this would still have to confirm all of these things. With the rest of his council of older and wiser Fire Nation men. The Admiral seemed very encouraged that everything should fall into place nicely. I know I'm not a born Fire Nation citizen like many in that room were. Even I thought fleetingly that this older man was a dreamer thinking that.

Since the meeting adjourned, and the royal family (plus Ty-Lee and Mai) was left to share their goodbyes privately. (Not to mention make plans of when we would be all getting together again). Sokka has been quieter than… well… EVER.

When the rest of our party joined us back on board the airship. First, we would be escorting the Elder back to his home. Yes, it was hours out of our way, but it's amazing how little these things meant to the Fire Lord when Mai was on board. When the longer we remain airborne, meant the longer he got to keep her with him. I know it should annoy me, but they've barely spent any real time together in months. I was glad to see them finally scoring a little time for themselves.

After the Admiral was safely dropped near his home, then we would be able to head back to the Capital. So we would be airborne for several hours to reach the palace from the Elder's hometown. I kept trying to see if I could get my boyfriend alone in the time before we reached the Elder's home again. But it was becoming abundantly clear… he seemed to be avoiding me for some reason. So I waited to corner him after the Fire Elder had safely exited. Then I set out on the mission of finding out what was going on with Sokka. I had only twelve hours to figure it out. Before my boyfriend would be required to report his dealing from this past week and receive his next assignment. While I would need to watch over the Fire Lord as he travels to his next appointments and destinations. In a completely different direction. We could not part ways with this weird rift forming between us. It would only widen, deepen over time, and that was unacceptable to me. Especially if it can be fixed right now, WHY is he avoiding me?

So I did what any self-respecting Kiyoshi Warrior would do. When they're being given the run around by their boyfriend. I got my friends to help me trap him in a place not so easy to escape. So I could keep him there till he fessed up. Ty-Lee offered to incapacitate him her way, but I thought that even temporary paralysis was a little extreme. So I just got their help luring him into a place where we were locked in together till I knew what was going on with him.

Zam, a new recruit suggested a pantry she'd gotten locked inside of on another trip. It was the perfect place. All of my friends lent me their help, even the Fire Lord… kinda.

Before Mai had gone off with Zuko for their last little bit of time together. She told me, "If this doesn't work. Let me know and I'll pin him down for you with my knives. He'll tell ya anything you want to know."

As soon as Mai was nice and distracted by the others. Zuko teased, "Don't come to get her, you are the best at what you do. Don't make me fire you."

"I'm not, down boy." I teased right back. "She's all yours. Just keep it clean, I don't want to have to peel you off of any walls this trip."

I thanked all of them, and headed inside of our little makeshift holding cell. Reminding the doorkeepers I'd trusted to let me out when I gave them the signal. Then I quickly entered and shut the door.

Sokka smiled at me until he saw the door bang closed behind me. "Awww SUUUUUUUUUKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!" He freaked, "YOU'VE-LOCKED-US-IN! THE-DOOR-ONLY-OPENS-ONE-WAY! I-KNOW! I'VE-BEEN-IN-HERE-CLOSE-TO-AN-HOUR-NOW!"

I corrected him, "You've only been down here fifteen minutes at best. I followed you after you didn't come back immediately. I should have known it was something like this. Not that you would be avoiding me or anything… riiiiiiight?"

"Ri-Right!" He agreed, still acting way weird. "Why would I do something like that?"

He was cornered, he couldn't run, even if he wanted to. So I just took a seat and made myself comfortable. I crossed my arms and waited for him to cave. The staredown I sent his way must have been just the push he'd needed. Because it wasn't very long at all before he was saying. "Okay-OKAY-You got me! I was acting weird, okay? But I wasn't actively avoiding you. Or I didn't realize I was doing that. Not till just this minute."

"What is it? Why are you acting so strange, and being so quiet?" I asked mystified. "It's not like you at all."

"Hey! I can be quiet!" He insisted loudly, before making an effort to speak softer. "I can."

"I know," I had to soothe a little. "But the quiet you're being right now is odd… eerie even. And we've only got so much more time together-"

"Yeah, I know! Well, yeah…maybe. We should talk before we gotta… go different directions." He had to agree.

I couldn't take it anymore, I asked. "Come on… Talk to me… I don't want us to get pulled our separate ways again. Not knowing what's up with you."

"It's nothing… really." Sokka waved off sitting beside me.

"Really? You've been a different person since we left Azula's room back at the institute. You're calling that nothing?"

"It's silly." He tried to explain but was still leaving too much out. When he looked at my face, and saw all of the question marks. He finally tried to express things better.

Sokka said, "I don't know… Helping Azula and Kavin today… Trying to guess at things for them or Mai and Zuko too… Trying to picture how everything is gonna look. I kept trying to see it all inside my head. Like Iroh and Ty-Lee kept encouraging… even Lady Ursa called it 'having vision.' Which sounds super cool but all I kept seeing was the little weddings Katara and her friends used to put on in the South Pole. I kept seeing her all surrounded in blue and white, she used to use mom's tablecloths. She'd march and hum and there weren't many flowers. So she's always pretended cooking tools were flowers and she was missing her two front teeth."

"Aww!" I had to say. "That's adorable."

"It started out adorable," He warned. "Then I kept seeing this little bald kid break out of an iceberg from behind her. Then suddenly she wasn't a little girl, and he wasn't a little boy. They were grown and it… scared me for a minute."

"Scared?" I repeated. "You can't tell me you're scared for her ending up with Aang."

"No!" He quickly assured. "If anything, I'm relieved it's Aang. Really I am… I think it just scared me when I realized how soon it could be her turn. Her wedding and… I don't know… I'm not ready, you know?"

I felt like he needed to hear, "Well, it's gonna happen Sokka. All little girls grow up, even little sisters. It's a blessing she's found someone who makes her so happy."

"I know, you're right." He smiled, then he took my hand. And went on, "I tried to not think about it. Focus on Azula's and Kavin's or Zuko's and Mai's day. But no matter how hard I tried, after getting Katara and Aang outta my head. I wasn't seeing a wedding where any of them were getting hitched. I kept seeing my own day and the two of us crossing under the tunnel made of fellow Kiyoshi Warriors and White Lotus sentries. Crossing swords and fans! You were wearing a traditional Earth kingdom kimono and I was wearing the ceremonial threads of a Southern Water Tribe Warrior… We looked so happy and I realized…"

When he didn't go on I encouraged him, asking, "What?"

He gave me a kind of sideways sly look and said. "I may not be as unready as I originally thought I'd be. For that sight."

"Sokka…" I tried to say more, but just no words would come. Not only was he starting to think of marriage. But he was even confessing to picturing me… FINALLY. Why weren't words coming out. Words telling him how flattered, humbled, and happy I was… That the only way I saw a wedding in my future, would be if he were the groom. Also that as happy as I was that he finally felt this way… I wasn't ready for something like-

Thankfully Sokka said, "I'm not saying I'm gonna ask you tomorrow. I'm not saying it'll even happen soon, we're kinda both needed in a lot of other places right now."

I could only nod my head up and down to agree. I was still speechless, utterly.

"What I am saying is…" Sokka specified. "I don't know when it'll happen. How it'll happen, or where it could happen. All I do know is I want it to happen with you…" He kissed my hand and looked me straight in the eye to finish. "That's all I'm sure of."

I had to pull him to me and kiss him for real. Before we locked lips, I had to tell him. "That's all I know too."

I have no clue how long we were down there. Assuring each other, like this. All I do know is that my door guards had both nodded off. So it took a little longer than planned for us to finally make it to our own private sleeping quarters we were sharing. Even longer for both of us to fall asleep. But I got to carry in my heart, the person I love most in all the world. Wants to marry me, for real! I was starting to understand how Mai must have felt when she realized Zuko was serious about her. I secretly hoped Sokka and me could be half as happy and lucky to end up together as Zuko and Mai are.

And I felt that way even when Sokka was snoring… all night long. Usually, it keeps me up because I'm a light sleeper, but tonight it was just comforting having him near. If that's not true love, I don't know what is.

(Mai's Perspective)

After the stress of last several days and nights, mixed with the stress of today…

Quick recap: {My new annoying fame, Zuko gone… all the time, living and performing in a circus for a week. Pretending to be someone else that entire time. Then not even get to fully reunite with Zuko before we had to be so careful in front of a Fire Elder. When we couldn't stand being apart we fell asleep together in the same bed. Only to wake up getting caught by the Elder [even if he was surprisingly kind]. We met with Azula and Kavin, for the first time since leaving the island. Azula was mad about how Lady Ursa was told her news. Zuko argued with his sister, while Kavin and I were both mediating. Zuko faced his mother and explained everything before I nervewrackingly met with Lady Ursa alone. Who welcomed me to the family… All before we got on the subject of Azula and Kavin Formal Fire Nation Approved Nuptials.}

I really did think, I would fall asleep with no problem. I really didn't see how I could have anything left after any of that. I get more tired just thinking about all of it.

But when we got back on board… Zuko told me, "There's no WAY I'm sharing you even for a minute tonight. I'm taking you with me and we're heading back to our room alone. I'm not taking any chances after the other night."

Zuko had said this as he pulled me away from a pack of Kiyoshi warriors conspiring against Sokka. Suki was trapping the water tribe warrior for a heart-to-heart, which sounded interesting. But the Fire Lord was done sharing for today. He dragged me back to his private quarters, (I say that like he was met with any kind of resistance from me). He had even arranged for us to eat alone together back there. It really was so romantic. The lighting was dim, the food was great, and the company was the best part.

I was so thrilled to see him, to just be with him, even for this little bit. To hold his hand or just look at him. Sleep just wasn't gonna happen for me. Zuko on the other hand, was so tired. His eyes were so heavy-lidded, and he's been complaining about not getting much sleep since the last time we'd been together like this. He went to sleep almost as soon as he laid down.

I was so relieved when sleep came easily for him. Even if I missed him, can you really miss someone who's right in front of you? When they're asleep and you're not?

I wish I could draw or paint, because if I could. I would have captured the peace and beauty I got to see when I watched him sleep that night. I wished I could somehow take it with me in a better way than just the unreliable pictures in my mind. But since I couldn't, I tried to memorize every detail and aspect. So I could remember it when I would be missing him and I was trapped back home again.

How can someone so beautiful, inside and out, Live and breathe? And want to be with me? He's put himself through so much because he wants to be with me. I don't think I'll ever fully believe or understand it. I also don't think I'll ever get used to it.

After a couple of hours of Zuko sleeping soundly and me reading to myself. Trying not to stare the entire time, even though I found him way more interesting than the book. He seemed to wake up and ask, "How are you awake right now?"

"I don't know, honestly." I shared, "I just couldn't sleep… for some reason."

He cracked his eyes open at me and could have commented on a number of things. But what he chose to say was, "You borrowed one of my shirts but kept your hair perfectly up?"

I shrugged, "Most of my clothes were damp from that steam pipe burst thing. Even though the whole thing was staged. I guess the moisture and steam part was real… I thought you wouldn't mind." I shrugged and one of my shoulders popped out of the wider neckline. Before I could fix it, he planted a quick kiss on the crest of that shoulder. That sent a thrill down my spine.

"I don't," He said, eyes fully open now. "But why did you keep your hair up? Who's gonna see it? We're all alone in here? I've made sure."

"I know how unpredictable ship life goes," I reasoned. "I wanted to be ready in case we do need to jump up quickly. Being dressed like this is gonna raise enough eyebrows."

"You don't think it's too tight and could be making it harder for you to doze off?" He rationalized right back. Did he always have to have an answer for everything? Even the questions I'm not asking him?

I had to shut this down before we were arguing and he was completely awake again. Ruining all chances of either of getting any rest. So I told him, "The only one who finds this style uncomfortable, right now. Is you."

"So humor me," He asked quietly. "Just while we're alone together?" Then he nearly killed me adding a "please?" to the end of his plea.

If spending time together like this wasn't such a rarity, I never would have given in so easily. But this was all about making the both of us happy and he was too adorable. All pouty like a turtle-duckling who'd lost sight of his family. How could I turn him down?

So, I excused myself, for just a moment to take it all down. But sleepyhead Fire Lord insisted on getting up. So he could sit near my workstation and watch this mundane mainstay happen in all of its mediocrity. When his chosen seat was too distant, he even insisted on helping me and holding me tight when we were all done. He placed a kiss on the back of my neck, burying his face in it. Saying, "Much Better."

I tried to warn him, "You know… I'm not the only one to notice your new obsession with my hair. Other people have started to take notice."

Completely unashamed, and unbothered by this news. My fiancee squeezed me tighter, and said, "Sokka isn't exactly other people. He's a friend who had to put up with some of my fumings. When I knew we wouldn't get to have this time together last night."

"How do you know I was talking about Sokka?" I asked him turning to face him in his arms. "I could have meant anyone else on this ship for all you know."

"But you didn't," Zuko said with certainty. Claiming, "I know you two were talking last night when you tucked in Ty-Lee-"

"You heard our conversation?" It's not that I cared, it was that this was coming from the guy who claims to not hear so well out of his left ear (Because of his scar and injured ear on that side). To hear that whispered conversation from that distance he must have super hearing skills.

"Sokka's voice… carries." He shrugged.

"Mine doesn't." I reminded him flatly.

"Usually your right, but I could guess what you'd said. You even got him laughing, not the easiest thing to do. Sokka's usually the one making everyone else relax with his comic relief. He isn't the easiest to crack up, surprisingly." Before he teased me, "I don't think even he'd expected to meet a formable match in you."

"Because the only one I'm usually teasing is you." I reminded him.

He kissed me right on the lips before he told me, "Quit teasing now, and let's go back to bed. Maybe now you can sleep too. So I don't feel like I'm missing out on so much."

I kissed him back and agreed, "Okay."

So we laid back down together and got all cozy, but I still couldn't sleep and I could tell that Zuko was trying to stay awake, just because I was. No matter how many times I told him that I was fine. He wouldn't believe me and kept himself aware for as long as he could.

But sleep won out and he immediately started to have a nightmare about his father. So as much as I didn't want to, I had to wake him up. I couldn't just lay there and let him suffer. Especially if I could do anything to stop it. By the time I got him to open his eyes. He was covered in a cold sweat and on the brink of tears. When he saw me, he said my name and grabbed me in a tight hug begging in my ear. "Please tell me you're not a dream. You're real and you're really here with me right now. Right?"

"Yes." I assured stroking the back of his head with one hand and his back with my other hand. He was so stressed from whatever he had been seeing. The whole expense of his back felt like overworked and outstretched rubberbands again. I told him, "I'm right here… and I'm gonna be with you as long as I can be."

He pulled me into a long kiss and I couldn't ask any more questions for a little bit. When I could speak again, I asked him "Do you need to talk about it?"

"No!" He was very firm. "No. I'm not wasting our time on something like that. I have plenty of time to worry about what I saw later. I can check into it when we get home, I want to think about anything else right now... Did I... wake you up?"

"No, because to wake someone up they have to be asleep in the first place," I explained.

"Why can't you sleep? Is this becoming a problem for you?" He asked all worried.

"No," I assured, "I think I'm just so happy to be with you. I just can't take my eyes off of you. So, I'll sleep when I'm trapped again."

"Trapped?" He repeated. "Is that what home life is like for you now? You're still trapped and have no escape?"

"No, because this whole week has been an escape." I hope I gave him peace of mind. He let out a breath that sounded a little relieved. "I know it won't be like this forever. It's just the way things have to be for now."

"But it shouldn't be like this, you should be more free. More… I don't know. Out there." Zuko claimed, before wrapping me a little tighter in his arms and wishing. "If only I could take you with me more and not have to let you go again."

I kissed him, and when I pulled away I teased, "You wouldn't get anything done. I'd steal all your focus and attention."

"Yeah," he chuckled, "You would, but it would still be worth it."

"Our people need you." I tried to say grandly and importantly.

He reasoned right back, "And I need you." Before resting his forehead against mine adding. "All the time."

"I know." I smiled… how could I not. I felt the exact same way about him. "This is just how things have to be right now. This is all building towards a time when I do get to go with you. Where we get to be a team and we get to do this altogether… right?"

"...Yeah…" He agreed. "I just wish that day was closer, like yesterday."

"It'll be here before we know," I tried to soothe him, a little more. "Then you'll be looking for ways to get rid of me, you'll be so tired of me."

"Nope," he disagreed venomously, "That's a day that will never happen."

"I may ask you some other time if I can get that in writing." I tried to lighten the serious mood with some light ribbing. But Zuko was not letting it go.

"I'll add it to our vows, I'll never grow tired of you and you'll never cut your hair again." I could tell he was perfectly serious too.

"The ends of my hair are gonna get all split," I complained. "It'll be like you married a shaggy-haired Black bear dog."

"I will love it anyway, even if the ends are all split." He said so seriously, I couldn't help it, I laughed and so did he. "Alright, you can trim the ends… but only when they split… nothing major. My heart can only take so much."

I let him know, "And my heart can only take so much of this being away from each other all of the time."

"Me too." He said sadly before promising. "I will do everything I can to spend more time with you. Starting with the beginning of this new month we're about to start, okay? I'll work it out with my schedule keeper. Make sure that whenever I am home we can see more of each other than when you sneak away to see me at night or vice versa."

I took a deep breath and said, "... Okay…" At the end of it, I knew how meticulous Zuko's schedule keeper was. If this feat could be accomplished, it wouldn't come easily.

As if he knew what I had been thinking, Zuko said. "Hey, I'm just as miserable as you right now. But like you said, it's all just for now. Building to a time when we get to be the team we're meant to be… ruling together. We've just gotta tough it out a little longer… it's killing me too."

I wish I could say I slept after this, that Zuko slept after this. But all we did was spend every moment together we could. Before landing home and having to go our separate ways. Zuko wasn't even getting to stay a day in the palace. Because he only had time to go check on his father before jumping onto another airship to ride off in another direction. Suki and Ty-Lee right behind him along with the rest of Kiyoshi warriors assigned for the trip.

So oddly enough, I ended up walking along with Sokka till we reached the Governor's Mansion. When the familiar iron gates came into view I told Sokka honestly. "I don't even want to go in there."

"Can you even call this place home anymore? After all they've put you through?" He asked not prying, just curious and making conversation.

I had to be honest, "Besides my baby brother who isn't always a spore in my side. As far as I'm concerned my real home just flew outta here. Because it can only be wherever Zuko goes."

Sokka thought about this for a moment, then he said. "I totally get it… Katara is part of my home too. You know when her and Aang aren't gross or when she isn't nagging me every other minute. Which leaves a very small portion of time, believe me! But the rest of that time, my home is wherever I get to be with Suki too. It sucks being ripped from the people who are you're home."

"It does." I agreed.

Then he got serious as he can be, and said, "Well! If it ever gets to be too much and you need a mission to get your mind off of things. Let me know, the White Lotus is always looking for voluntary people we can trust for cool jobs and adventures. I know they'd have dozens of things you could help with and just disguise yourself like you did in that circus." Then he gave me a card with how to reach him labeled on it.

I promised to keep that in mind, just before we were both spotted by Tom-Tom who was supposed to be heading to school. He came running and hug-attacked me yelling "SISSY! YOU'RE FINE-LY HOME!" The only reason I didn't fall backward was Sokka's quick reflexes.

Sokka said, "Whoa, woah, WHOA little man! You must be eating all the right vegetables like Aang told you to. Because! YOU. Are. Getting. SO! STRONG!"

"Hiya Mr. Socks!" Tom-Tom greeted with a sniff and a high five. Yes, he really thinks Sokka's name is Mr. Socks. And Sokka lives for that.

"Flex for me one time, killer!" Sokka said showing him how, with a manly grunt. Tom-Tom mimicked him perfectly, grunt and all. While I tried [in vain] to straighten my brother's school uniform. It just wouldn't look nice, for some reason.

"Yeah!" Sokka went on, "Those arms are gonna be guns in no time. Nice work."

As Tom-Tom shot back into the house to grab something he wanted to show Sokka. Tom-Tom's head guard brought me up to speed on his progress. He hadn't been sleeping, eating, or even playing normally since I had left. His teacher had even sent him home early when he nodded off in class, twice. When he returned I noticed darkening under his eyes and his clothes hanging off of him, like he was losing weight. I think Sokka noticed it too and suddenly he was on his knees in front of my brother saying. "You know, my next stop for the White Lotus isn't expecting me for another day. What do you guys say we have a little fun today?"

Then he proceeded to come inside with us, inside of our mansion-shaped prison. He spent the entire day teaching my brother Water Tribe games. Exercises to make him strong and how to throw a smaller version of his famous boomerang. Tom-Tom was even showing some talent with it too. My brother couldn't wait to show all his friends at recess, all of the things Mr. Socks taught him.

Sokka also helped me explain what the circus had been like, and Azula's home too. Giving my stories sound effects, dialogue, costumes (by using the things around him), and a whole new creative flair. When he wasn't doing all of this for my little brother. He made a point of sitting with me and also making my imprisonment not so bad. I asked him "If Zuko had tipped him off to my struggles at home?"

Sokka admitted, "I would be lying if I said he'd told me nothing. But I figured out most of it for myself, the last time I was here. When we were speaking to your parents on behalf of my former master. The look I got at what your life here must be like. I wanted to help in any way I could. As a friend... hope you don't mind."

"No, I don't mind." I smiled. "You've helped a lot, actually."

He said, "Glad to hear it." Before Tom-Tom pulled him away for another game. Good thing his stamina is high.

The sun wasn't even down before Tom-Tom fell asleep at the dinner table. I thanked Sokka repeatedly for making my brother's day. Mine too, if I'm perfectly honest. Besides getting to watch Zuko sleep this morning. Sokka's friendship and kindness had been the highlight. He said, "Hey! Anytime. You're a great friend and he's a great kid whose world revolves around you. Have you talked to him about your moving to the palace yet?"

"I did, it'll be an adjustment for him," I said honestly. "I told him I would be just up the street and I was making that trip when I was his age to visit Azula and Zuko when we were little. That he'll be able to see me whenever he wants, and that Zuko will be his big brother-in-law. He's excited about that."

"That's a good way of putting it, he really loves you both." Sokka complemented before saying, "I wish I could do more, but I really should be heading on-"

"No, no. Go on, I know they're expecting you. It was so nice of you to stick around like this today. To help both of us like you did. You're a great friend too, Water Tribe."

"Right back at ya, Mai. You saved more than just Zuko's life that day at the Boiling Rock, remember?" He reminded. "Because of you, Zuko, Suki, Dad and me all got out of there. I can't ever forget that… even if I know from your end, it was all for Zuko. I'm still grateful too."

Before I knew it, we were at the front gates again, and he hugged me. "Don't worry. This is all just temporary. It won't be like this forever."

"Thanks again, and safe travels." I wished him.

He said, "One day we'll even get to laugh about that one crazy day I hung out with you guys. And helped Tom-Tom get away with playing hooky! Just hang in there. Don't lose that card. Contact me if it gets to be too much, we can work out a way of getting the both of you outta here for a while if need be. Zuko's already trying to work on things from his end. I can pick up the slack in the meantime."

"I will. Take care." I waved, then he too, had gone.

I checked to make sure Tom-Tom was still asleep and it was a good thing too. He was awake and saying. He'd been afraid me coming home and playing with Mr. Socks had all been a dream. Once he was assured I was really home for real. He was back out like a light, and I was finally able to reach my hideaway. And the guards who were back to protecting me full-time. I know it's not as weird as I once thought. (After watching the comradery between Zuko and his Kiyoshi Protectors) But I was relieved to see my own guards and they were all as curious to hear about the circus as my little brother had been. It was nice talking to them, and being brought up to speed on all I had missed while I was gone. (Another bomb threat and another assassination attempt on my father's life) before they reviewed my schedule for the week with me and returned to all of their posts protecting me.

Even though Sokka, Tom-Tom and my protectors had all helped me ease back into this place. It still didn't help me miss Zuko any less the moment I was alone. I remembered his nightmare and the one Tom-Tom had just been experiencing. You would think I would have picked up on the dark pattern here.

In my defense, I haven't slept at all, and I still wasn't tired. Even when I was alone and surrounded in quiet.

I didn't know when I would get to see Zuko again. And I couldn't seem to stop the idea from tearing a new place in my heart. I felt like if I wasn't very careful, my heart could fully break from it. Just looking at these walls and floors. So I pulled out one of the lists and letters Zuko had hidden in my pockets when we had been kissing and saying 'bye, for now.' But before I could open the first one. I could hear a ruckus outside on my balcony. I could hear the men posted there arguing loudly with what sounded like an intruder.

After hearing about all the commotion I'd missed, I was worried something similar could be about to happen. Till I heard a familiar voice commanding my men to "STAND DOWN." I'd know that voice anywhere. It was Zuko! But what was he doing here? I thought he'd already long gone.

I ran to the balcony doors and threw them open. There stood Zuko and Sokka on the deck of a medium-sized airship, that barely fit in the spaces between our building and our neighbors. It hovered there like before. With Kiyoish warriors protecting all sides and some more heavy-set and burly guards as well.

I told my men, "Stand down. He's the Fire Lord, you know? The one who hired all of you? And Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe was here a few hours ago."

The man to my left (Greel is his name) dumbly said, "Hold on miss, it could be impressive impersonators. Have them confirm their identities by answering a question only they would know the answer to."

The smarter guard at my right tried to explain, one of the last assassins to show up had been a look-a-like of someone my father trusted. So their idea, while STUPID, did have merit. Even if I thought this was the dumbest thing ever, I did as they asked. But since I was choosing the question, I decided I might as well get something out of this too. So I asked them both questions that were rather... shall we say personal. "Okay Sokka, Suki doesn't have as many tattoos as me, but she has a few tiny ones. If you're really you, where is her tattoo of your Southern Water Tribe war face paint you wear into battle shown?"

"You know about that?" He asked, Before Zuko socked him in the side and he faltered. Then he admitted. "It's to the left of her right shoulder blade - at the bottom of that shoulder blade."

The smarter man on my right (Rohan) asked, "Was that the right answer?"

I confirmed, "It was."

Before Suki called from the other side of the airship, "Why am I getting dragged into this?"

I called back, "Sorry, I don't know too many things that only Sokka would know." Then I asked my smarted guard, "Do I really need to ask the Fire Lord to confirm himself?"

"It's for your safety, miss." Greel (the dumber one) insisted.

Zuko called to me, "I don't mind Mai, hit me with your best shot?"

Well, he asked for it, didn't he? "When I was Izumi, and had to add many tattoos to hide my real ones. Which one of my real markings couldn't be concealed."

He blushed as he claimed, "Your symbol for beauty in darkness. A human skull with flowers growing out of it."

My men asked me, "Is he right?"

I admitted, "He is."

While I heard Sokka say to Zuko, "I haven't seen that one."

Zuko told him, "That's right, you haven't. Notice she didn't ask me where it was out loud?"

Sokka hilariously shot me a look, that made me smile as both Sokka and Zuko reached out to pull me onto the ship with them. Zuko told my men, "We'll bring her back in a few. I just can't handle something I've got to do without Mai. Watch over her family till we're back." Then he turned to me and asked me, "Could you please come with me, just for a little bit?"

I didn't hesitate, I assured him. "Of course, but I want to know what's going on. I thought both of you were long gone by now."

Sokka said, "Believe me, we almost were. But we'll explain everything on the way." As the Airship we were on lifted up high and started heading wherever it needed to go. Sokka and Zuko had both helped me board, Sokka had let go and stepped back to go speak with the driver. But Zuko had completely glued himself to me and his grip was entirely too insistent for me to not worry. I knew he had been going to check on his father, and I still remembered the nightmares he'd been fighting off last night. If all of these things were connected... I wouldn't be very surprised. But I still asked him to, "Talk to me, what's going on."

He answered me, leaning his face on my shoulder. "My father fully escaped this time and actually made it out with some of his supporters. They were caught again before they could leave the city. But we were lucky that my Uncle and Sokka had both been in the right place at the right time. If they had made it out of the city... I don't have to tell you how horrible and scary everyone's lives would get."

"No, you don't need to tell me that," I confirmed. Then I realized, "Sokka just left my house not long ago, for the station. It must have happened very near the palace. Has Ozai really gotten that reckless?"

"Yes. He's gotten sloppy." Zuko said firmly and I could tell even not looking at him that he was lying. Or there was something that he wasn't telling me. But I let him go on anyway. Knowing we had a little ways to ride before we reach the prison. I'd get the truth eventually. Zuko said, "I have to go and confront him about it now. I know it's a big ask, but could you come with me and just be moral support as I handle this? If nothing else?"

Again I had to tell him, "Of course, I can. But what do you need me for? You've faced him a million times under much more dangerous circumstances. What makes this time so different from the others?" I went for it, "What aren't you telling me?"

Zuko explained, "He's found out about Azula and our recent news. His plan wasn't fully sketched out, but some of it was based on getting Azula back under his power again."

"After she's just gotten so much better? No." I couldn't help it. That really pissed me off.

"And another part of his plan was all about getting to you and Kavin. I don't think he realizes Azula has married a psychotherapist and I don't think he realizes I'm marrying a woman who can take care of herself." He almost smirked as he asked me, "Could you help me show him what a stupid idea that was?"

I grinned back as I cracked my knuckles, "Oh. It will be my pleasure."

So I set out on my first mission as Zuko's partner in life. This would be the first time we faced the former Fire Lord head-on as a team. As the united front, we aspire to be when we rule together. I hoped it set the standard for what Zuko can expect from me from now on. I hope I can make him proud, wish me luck.

That's all for this chapter!

But never fear dear readers, more will be posted tomorrow. Yay! Hopefully, it's something to look forward to! It has been a joy, to write and share this. Please review if you can, I would love to hear from you. Hope you're having a great day! Take Care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85