Love For The Broken

It's hot. Just like it is every day in the Fire Nation. Today is no exception.

Zuko is melting in his heavy Fire Lord robes, sighing aggravatingly as he pulls at his collar which is, as always, too tight.

Its midday and he is in the throne room discussing a plan to return honor to his nation. Zuko's mind wanders to the events planned for later this evening. The Fire Lord is traveling to the newly rebuilt Eastern Air Temple for the annual Peace Gala. He couldn't wait to see all of his friends again. He could return to the semi-normal life he had before being crowned 8 years ago. Yes he loved his Nation, but one can only stand being isolated here, with only Mai for company, for so long!

"Right My Lord?" asked one of the Nobles as Zuko was snapped from his reverie

"I'm sorry. What were you saying, Chan? Zuko asked his least favorite noble. Chan, despite being a complete ass to Zuko at Ember Island, pitched the overall worst and completely idiotic ideas Zuko has ever heard. Last meeting he suggested that we should start delivering packages to other Nations by sending them through an air canon that would blast them as far as the Northern Water Tribe.

Chan sighs, rather moodily "I was saying my Lord that we should try to bring peace to the Fire Nation by becoming completely self-sufficient; cutting off all trades from the other kingdoms will be the easiest way to ensure peace. We need to show the other Nations that we do not rely on them by removing all ways of contact to them. We all know the other lands don't like us, so why bother with them anyway"

This time it was Zuko turn to sigh at this scheme. It was utterly ridiculous, per usual.

"No Chan we cannot do that. As opposed to your description, we are heavy dependent on the other Nations and they are heavily dependent on us. All four Nations are needed to bring balance. And we are not trying to bring peace to only the Fire Nation population; we are trying to bring peace to the world. Also, people have families who live in different nation, friends as well. Another thing is that we are trying to gain respect from the other Nations and ideas like yours will only bring the opposite." Zuko concluded

"But sir!" Chan cried

"That's enough Chan this meeting is over, you may all leave." Zuko started as he rose from his throne and walked to his room to pack.

He walked into his room to the un-godly sight of his girlfriend ransacking his room and throwing knives, looking pissed. Zuko sighed for what seemed like the millionth time today as he walked to the rampaging female.

"Are you okay Mai?" He asked

"Just fine How about you huh? Are you excited about your little trip to the FUCKING EASTERN AIR TEMPLE?"

Zuko flinched at the loudness of Mai's voice. He didn't need a headache to ruin this day anymore.

"Yea are you ready to go or not? Because I still need to pack and, by the looks of my room, it's going to take me longer than I expected."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN AM I READY? YOU NEVER TOLD ME WE WERE EVEN GOING ON THIS DAMNED TRIP"

Another sigh. "Mai, it's the annual Peace Gala. It's held every year, the same day every year, for eight years. You know it follows the Avatar cycle. Last year it was held here, the year before it was held in the Southern Water Tribe, and this year it is being held At an Air Temple and next year-"

"I GET IT, IT WILL BE HELD IN THE EARTH KINGDOM" she retorted. Mai took a deep breath trying to calm herself down. "How the hell are we even getting there Zuko?"

"We will be getting their by Bison. Aang found an Island with a whole colony of Flying Bison, enough for them to be able to pick up all the people and fly them to the Temple."

Her nose scrunched up in disgust. "Great" she said unenthusiastically "We get to arrive by smelly animal, my favorite way of traveling. I don't understand how you and those idiots could stand that mode of transportation"

That was the last straw.

Zuko crossed the room at an in-human speed and landed directly in front of Mai.

"HOW DARE YOU CALL ANY OF THEM STUPID" He screamed which caught Mai off guard. He never screams. She holds her stomach reflexively, unnoticed by Zuko. "SOKKA, TOPH, AANG AND KATARA ARE THE THREE SMARTEST PEOPLE I KNOW. THEY ARE MY BEST FRIENDS AND I WILL NOT HAVE YOU GO ON THIS TRIP IF YOU CONTINUE TO DISRESPECT THEM. WHAT IS WITH YOU LATELY ALL YOU EVER DO IS COMPLAIN, WHICH IS NORMAL, AND INSULT OR INJURE ANYONE THAT YOU CAN THINK OF AND I AM SICK OF IT MAI. TELL ME WHAT YOUR PROBLEM IS SO I CAN HELP YOU"

"THAT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS ZUKO. IT'S NOT YOUR PROBLEM. AND I CAN GO WHERE I PLEASE YOU ARE NOT THE BOSS OF ME." She screamed back.

"OF COURSE IT'S MY BUSINESS MAI. YOU ARE MY GIRLFRIEND IF SOMETHING IS BOTHERING YOU IT IS MY BUSINESS. YOU NEVER DO ANYTHING. YOU NORMALLY JUST SIT THERE STOICALLY BUT FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS YOU HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT A COMPLETE AND UTTER BITCH. EVEN AZULA AND TY LEE AGREED WITH ME."

"I DON'T WAN TO TALK ABOUT THIS ZUKO" she stated

"FINE" he agrees "Just get your things together so we can leave already

And by nightfall they were off. On their way to the Eastern Air temple. Where Zuko's old life waited for them.