Hi :) nice to meet you, thanks for clicking. Anyway here's the first chapter, I tried as hard as I could to check and make sure there's no other story with the same plot line but I really couldn't check everything so if there is please tell me and I will take the story down. So disclaimer... right well I don't own Avatar, if I did Avatar would still be airing new episodes and 'smoke and shadow' would be out by now. Seriously I don't own anything, all credit goes to the genius' who created avatar and this amazing franchise we all love today. So here it is. Reviews and criticism are appreciated and welcomed.

10 years into the future

Mai's hair was whipped in every direction as she sprinted out of the palace city. The cold was bitter against her lightly clothed frame but she couldn't risk being slowed down by formal robes. She ran almost recklessly while trying to ensure the safety of the small bundle in her arms. She could hear the light thudding of feet behind her- closing in. Mai found her escape, the forest. She dived into the forest, ignoring the cuts and scrapes made by the trees. The thudding of feet got louder. She heard muffled orders behind her. Her heart beat faster and faster. She willed her legs to continue. Her legs were already giving way before Mai tripped and fell into a small clearing. Everything was pitch black except for the glow of her chasers' fire getting brighter.

"Mommy", the small bundle in her arms began sniffling. "shhhh… Azumi, it's ok" Mai said trying to comfort her daughter. She could feel her child shivering against her. She twirled her last shuriken in her right hand while holding up Azumi with her left. Mai let out a long breath, readying herself for this battle. Suddenly the clearing was illuminated with an eerie blue glow. She tightened her grip on Azumi before turning around. Her emotionless mask broke for a second to let awe seep through. In front of her was a large blue portal and the infamous blue spirit that her husband had told her about. He or it stood there clad in a shinobi shozoku with his infamous blue mask covering his face. In the blink of an eye he had grabbed her and shoved her into the portal. Her whole world was engulfed in a bright blue light.

Post-DOBS (Day of Black Sun)

-In the boiling rock –

"I'm sorry" Zuko whispered almost to himself. He couldn't bear to look into Mai's eyes. He hung his head in shame for he knew there was nothing he could say that would ease Mai's pain. He listened carefully to the sound of her footsteps. They were light and soft. He didn't expect anything less from a master assassin. Zuko focused on her footsteps instead of his aggravated breaths. His mind was in turmoil as a million thoughts ran through his head. After he left he didn't think he would meet with Mai again so soon. He hadn't even begun to think of what he could possibly say. Zuko noticed that the sound of her footsteps had come to a halt. Against his better judgement he looked up to meet her eyes. He tried to ignore the lump forming in his throat. Her face was blank and emotionless as he expected, it never ceased to amaze him how nothing could break the mask she always wore. However, when he looked deeply in to her eyes he could see the anguish and frustration she felt. He couldn't ignore the pained look in her eyes or the silent question they communicated, 'How could you?'. Zuko didn't have an answer ready and he knew he never would. His mouth opened but closed shut once more. All Zuko could think about was his desire to just sweep her into his arms and melt into her embrace. He was eventually forced to look away before he could act out his desires.

Mai said nothing as he turned away from her. There was nothing for her to say, she knew he made his choice and she had to live with that. However, no amount of logic or reasoning could stop the pain she was feeling. They were already separated for three years due to his banishment. Three long years of loneliness and wishful thinking. After finally being reunited, they both lived blissfully in each other's arms, it was like a dream but like all dreams it ended. Mai struggled to hold herself together. It took all her concentration not to run into his embrace. She knew her time with him was running out. Azula allowed her only a few minutes with Zuko. When they discovered Zuko's presence in her uncle's prison the princess immediately suggested the idea to her. Mai agreed knowing that all of Azula's suggestions were just orders. Mai knew Azula just wanted to make her brother more miserable but Mai had to be careful for she suspected that Azula wanted to test her loyalty as well. Mai knew the consequences for betraying Azula. If she were lucky she would be sent to some prison camp to be tortured, however, she knew Azula wouldn't let her go that easily.

Mai and Zuko were interrupted by the faint roars coming from the prison yard. A young guard burst in, "Ma'am there's a riot going on. I'm here to protect you" he said. Mai turned to him adamantly, "I don't need any protection" she stated flatly. Mai's eyes narrowed as Zuko laughed it off, "believe me she doesn't" he claimed proudly. Mai fought the blush growing across her face as she thought of how she missed his laugh. The guard didn't get the hint and continued on with his mission. "I'm sorry but I'm under direct orders from your uncle to make sure nothing happens" he said as he moved to guard his boss' niece. Mai recognised the glint in Zuko's eyes. Before she could stop him he had already seized the opportunity. Zuko blasted the ground with his fire. Mai knew it was just a warning shot but it was enough to scare the dim-witted guard to jump into action. It took Mai less than a few seconds to floor the idiot in front of her but the action gave Zuko the few seconds he needed to escape from the cell and lock Mai inside. Their eyes met and Zuko froze upon seeing the steel in Mai's eyes. He broke eye contact and left to join Sokka and the others. Mai kept her eyes trained on his retreating figure as he left her life for the third time. Mai ignored the guard's moans and immediately began searching him for a key to the cell. Once she found the key she made her way to the door but suddenly a blue light engulfed the otherwise dark room. Mai reached for her blades and took a fighting stance but she froze when she saw two figures in front of her.

Mai skilfully landed on her feet, Azumi was still wrapped up in her arms, and she was still disorientated from the bright light. She searched the room but found the Blue Spirit was nowhere to be seen and the portal had been left open. What she found instead to her surprise was herself. Her younger self who was currently glaring at her. Realisation dawned on her as she recalled the memory of her time on the boiling rock prison. The figure in front of her suddenly sprang into action. Mai attempted to block the onslaught of attacks. "Stop" she said but her younger self continued attacking, "You need to stop, I'm not your enemy". She knew she didn't have enough energy or weapons left to defend herself and Azumi. She reached in her sleeve but found she was out of throwing darts. It wasn't long before Younger!Mai had her older self pinned against the wall. Azumi hit the ground with a soft thud. "Mommy" the young child whimpered as she ran to her mother's side.

Mai found herself in a glaring match with her younger self. Neither wanted to break eye contact. Both of them scrutinized each other silently. "Explain" Younger!Mai said plainly, a blade raised and ready in her hands. Younger!Mai struggled to retain her blank expression as she looked between Older!Mai and the young girl with her. Older!Mai took a moment to compose herself. How was she supposed to explain what she didn't understand? What was one supposed to say to their younger self. "I'm your future self" she said. "You don't say" Younger!Mai muttered under her breath. "This is my daughter" Older!Mai said. She would have been proud at her younger self's ability to keep a straight face if they were in different circumstances. "A spirit brought us here while we were trying to escape from New Ozai assassins" she continued. Younger!Mai wasn't pleased, she eyed the blue portal in the room and faced her older self. "You're story sounds cute but why should I believe in you or time travel. You could be some trick or a look alike." Younger!Mai challenged. Older!Mai kept silent, she knew her younger self was right, she didn't have any proof and her younger self is only doing what she would expect in this situation. She thought carefully about what she needed to say next, she knew that her younger self had to be on time to save Zuko and the others from certain death.

"Your assumptions are sound and logical but what I'm saying is the truth. You've read enough about spirits to know they can do anything, you've spent the better part of a whole year chasing a 100 year old little kid on his flying byson, time travel shouldn't be out of the question" Older!Mai tried. "Your arguments are well thought out, I agree, time travel wouldn't be impossible but that doesn't prove that you are actually me or that that is my daughter" Younger!Mai countered. Older!Mai noted how the sound of rioting in the distance had died down, she knew their time was running out and Azula must already be fighting Zuko by now. She needed this to end, they all did. "You really think there's anyone else who can retain such a bored expression for so long. I am you and it doesn't even matter if you don't believe me. You can tell already that I can't bend and I rely on weapons, since I'm weaponless you know I won't pose any threats" Older!Mai watched how Younger!Mai dropped her weapon and moved to unpin her from the wall. Once set free Older!Mai rubbed her wrists and studied the new holes in her sleeves. "You need to help him" Older!Mai stated abruptly catching Younger!Mai by surprise, she turned to look at her younger self and found that she had already hidden the look of surprise on her face and was throwing Older!Mai a pointed look. Both of them continued staring at each other, watching each other's movements. Mai understood Younger!Mai's silent question and briskly replied, "He's trying to escape and you know Azula's never going to let him out of this prison alive".

"I don't owe Zuko anything" Younger!Mai said almost defiantly.

"No you don't" Older!Mai said, a small smile threatening to creep itself onto her face, "He's the jerk who dumped you"

"I thought you were trying to convince me to save him"

"I don't need to try, you will save him" Older!Mai said slowly.

"Give me one good reason why I should commit treason, betray Azula and sentence myself to exile or worse for that jerk"

"You don't have a reason. Not right now but wait a few years and you will" Older!Mai said while nodding to Azumi who peeked out from behind her mother's robes to look at Younger!Mai warily. Younger!Mai watched the child in disbelief. She thought silently of all she could have and everything that could be.

'And you love him' Older!Mai thought to herself, one look at her younger self told her Younger!Mai didn't need to be reminded of that fact.

Older!Mai watched her younger self let out a deep sigh. She simply nodded to Older!Mai and Azumi, without another word she ran off in the direction Zuko had taken moments before.

"Are you okay, Azumi?" Mai asked her daughter as she knelt down to her eyelevel. Azumi nodded meekly and wrapped her little arms around her mother. "What's going on?" Azumi asked her mother.

"Dear, I'm not really sure, we're in the boiling rock prison, you remember how your great uncle works here right?" she tried to explain to her daughter. Azumi's eyebrows knotted and she scrunched up her nose, "But was that lady really you? She looked so gloomy" Azumi asked still confused about their exchange. Mai chuckled softly and gave her daughter a small smile. "Yes dear, I think that was me, and yes she was gloomy wasn't she. It's only because she doesn't have you yet" Mai said while Azumi nodded in understanding, "you really should have seen your father back then too, he was really moody". Azumi let out a small gasp and her mouth made an 'o' shape as she remembered how they were running earlier, "Mommy, where is Daddy and why were those men chasing us?" she asked quickly. Mai let out a long sigh, "Your father is with uncle Aang doing work and those men are bad people. They wanted to take you dear, so that they could make your father do what they want" she said trying to explain their situation. A frown promptly made its way onto Azumi's face as she struggled to grasp the situation they found themselves in. "Did Daddy do something wrong?" Azumi asked innocently, a worried expression gracing her features. "No dear, your father is a good man, but those people don't like the fact that your father helped to put an end to the war. You can't ever let them get you, they'll hurt you" Mai said quietly, trying her best to explain politics to her young child, "you don't need to worry, I won't let anything happen to you, I promise". Mai scooped up her daughter into her arms and stood up. "Will Daddy be ok?" Azumi asked her mother with her head resting on Mai's shoulder. Mai craned her neck to look at her daughter's expression. She could tell Azumi was exhausted, "He will be".

Mai turned to watch the portal and saw the Blue Spirit had already returned and was silently watching her and Azumi. Mai waited patiently but the spirit made no attempt at communicating. "Explain" She said, mentally berating herself for copying her younger self's tactics. The Blue Spirit only turned his head to look at her before turning to the portal. Mai followed its gaze and she could see faint blurs getting larger and that the portal was already shrinking. Mai's grip on Azumi tightened as she recognised the New Ozai assassins that were chasing them. "Can't you close the portal fully?" Mai asked the spirit, hiding the desperation in her voice. She kept her eyes focused on the assassins. The spirit shook his head saying nothing. "You're telling me you can open portals but can't close them" Mai said irately, "How convenient". Mai glanced at the young girl looking up at her worriedly. She was outnumbered, weaponless and Mai couldn't count on the Blue Spirit for help. She needed to think of something otherwise they would be captured and most likely tortured for information on her husband.

She was snapped out of her thoughts when she realised the Blue Spirit was right in front of her. He held out his arms and gestured to Azumi. Mai immediately jumped back, holding Azumi tightly. "No" Mai said, her usually emotionless voice filled with steel. There was no way she would entrust her only child with some unknown spirit. She could feel her daughter shaking silently with fear in her arms, 'No' Mai thought, 'Not Azumi'. Mai was filled with a sense of hopelessness, she didn't know how to defend her daughter. Before Mai could think of an escape the assassins had already come through the portal. "You're coming with us traitor!" the leader of the assassins shouted as they began firing at Mai. Mai dodged and turned to the door but found that it had already been blocked by her chasers. Mai was now surrounded from all sides. She was suddenly clubbed over the back of her head and she fell to the ground. Her vision was blurred as she struggled to stay conscious. She could faintly see her daughter being ripped from her arms. She screamed at her limbs to take action but they wouldn't move. She watched in horror as her daughter cried and screamed for her. Mai saw the Blue Spirit take down Azumi's captor before disappearing through the door before Mai blacked out. "Sir shall we pursue the girl?" an assassin asked their leader. "No, we don't know where we are, we need to get this traitor back to the camp, she'll be more than enough" he spat. He ordered his team through the portal. Soon there was no sign left in the cell of their fight, the portal continued to shrink until there was nothing left and the room was left in darkness again.

"No! Put me down! Mommy needs help!" Azumi screamed as she continued her futile attempts at breaking free from the Blue Spirit's grasp. Azumi continued with her struggle as they reached the gondola. Azumi fell silent as she saw the young lady that looked like her mother fighting the other guards. Azumi looked to the Blue Spirit who watched the scene carefully. Azumi watched as Younger!Mai was surrounded by guards with a young lady leading them. Azumi could vaguely hear what the person was saying.

"Leave us alone" Azumi heard another lady say. Azumi felt a shiver run down her spine. The lady had a fierce look in her eyes. Azumi recognised the lady, it was her daddy's sister- Aunt Azula. Azumi realised the girl in pink standing next to her was her auntie Ty Lee. Azumi watched fearfully as the guards left Younger!Mai alone with her aunt and her mother's friend Ty Lee. She could see that her Aunt Azula was talking but she couldn't make out exactly what she was saying. It didn't matter, Azumi could tell it was important from the nervous looks her auntie Ty Lee kept giving both Younger!Mai and her Aunt Azula. She saw how Mai finally looked up at Aunt Azula, she was amazed how Mai stood strongly despite the obvious ferocity of her Aunt Azula's shouts and threats. Azumi hugged herself tightly as she saw how her Aunt had become absolutely livid and was now screaming at her young mother. Azumi failed to notice that the Blue Spirit already had them moving. The Blue Spirit rushed to the scene causing all three girls to freeze in shock. Before either Azula or Ty Lee could make a move the Blue Spirit had grabbed a hold of Mai. He shot Azula and Ty Lee a single look before he leaped over the boiling lake as if he could fly, taking Mai and Azumi with him. Ty Lee and Azula were left in a stupor unable to react until it was too late. Mai had already escaped.

Mai hit the ground hard due to her shocked state. She rose to her feet quickly and turned to her saviour but the Blue Spirit had already disappeared. Mai was left with the young girl from earlier, her supposed daughter. "What's going on?" she demanded, as softly as she could as not to scare the young girl. Azumi looked at her young mother and shrugged her shoulders as the child could only worry about her own mother. Mai knew she didn't have time to stand around and ask questions, Azula would follow soon and she didn't want to be on the receiving end of a lightning bolt. Mai began towards the airship they had used to get to the boiling rock. She stopped herself mid-step. She turned to see Azumi looking up at her expectantly. Mai realised that her supposed older self was nowhere to be found. "Where's Mai?" she asked, the question felt awkward to her but she would never let that show on her face. Azumi's eyes cast downward and she began rubbing at her eyes, "Mommy… she's gone" Azumi said between sobs. Mai made a decision, she couldn't possibly leave the child here where Azula could find her. She swept Azumi into her arms and began sprinting to the airship. In the distance she could see that Zuko and a few others were already storming the ship. The crew of the ship ambushed them and forced them back onto the beach. They were holding their ground but Azula could show up any second. Mai put Azumi down carefully, "stay here" she ordered as she jumped into the fight. The crew looked at her confused for she was with the princess earlier. Mai couldn't blame them, she was confused too. Mai took advantage of their stunned states and took them down easily. Mai ignored the surprised looks from Zuko and the others as she delivered the final blow to the last of the crew members. She waved Azumi over and turned to Zuko and the others. They were still rooted to the ground, staring at her in awe. Mai wondered how these people could survive without her, "Let's go, Now!" she shouted and they all boarded the airship. Mai could feel their eyes on her and the young girl in her arms. "Mai-" Zuko began before Mai cut him off, "Escape first, questions later" she said while she helped the others start the airship. She didn't have the energy to deal with Zuko right now, she still had to come to terms with the fact that she was now a traitor and an enemy to the nation she calls home.

-On the airship-

An awkward silence filled the airship as the group of escapees shot looks between each other, each confused about the situation they found themselves in. Mai ignored their strange looks and focused instead on the young girl asleep on her lap. Mai's supposed daughter fell asleep as soon as Mai sat down. It had been an exhausting day for everyone. Mai had questions to ask the little girl about what happened to her but Mai knew they would have to wait. She could tell from how Azumi had practically cried herself to sleep that something bad had happened to her future self.

"Sooooooo…" Sokka began while scratching the back of his head nervously. Mai looked up to see that the water tribe boy was trying and failing to make conversation with her. "Just say whatever it is you all want to say already" Mai said in her usual bored manner. All of a sudden the ship was filled with the sounds of their voices all talking at once. Hakoda put an end to this and caught everybody's attention. "First of all" Hakoda began, eyeing his other companions, "I believe we owe you our thanks for saving our lives". He bowed his head slightly in a sign of gratitude. The others remained silent, some in awkwardness or indifference but in that moment one stood out to Mai. She locked eyes with the leader of the kyoshi warriors. Suki. Mai kept her gaze firm and even. She recognised a warrior when she saw one. Suki sat rigidly, her eyes watching Mai's every move. Mai remembered the warrior's skill, she was talented but so was Mai. "Well… Zuko, I believe an introduction is in order" Sokka said carefully, looking back and forth between the two women.

"Mai, this is Sokka, Hakoda, Suki and Chit sang" Zuko said, "Guys this is Mai and…." He trailed off gesturing to Azumi. "Azumi" Mai added. She blinked in acknowledgement while the others mumbled their greetings. Awkward silence filled the room except for Azumi's soft snoring. Mai could feel their gazes drifting towards her and Azumi. "So who's the kid?" Sokka blurted out unexpectedly, "Wait is this your daughter? You never told us you had a daughter?!" Sokka said looking at Zuko incredulously. "Shut up Sokka" Zuko said exasperatedly, "Mai who is she-" he was saying before Mai snapped at him, "Don't talk to me so casually" she said ice edging her voice. She bit through their little introduction but she wouldn't let Zuko think he had any right to just talk to her. Mai barely missed the confused glances the others were directing at Zuko. "But still, why was a kid like that in the boiling rock?" Chit sang piped up, curiosity piqued. Mai looked ahead at them calmly. She could lie about what she saw. She could hide the fact that Azumi was supposedly her daughter and that she encountered her supposed future self- but why? It would only cause more difficulty when Azumi woke up and started talking. She still didn't know how to explain the masked man that had saved her from Azula. She let out an inaudible sigh defeatedly, "It's a long and complicated story" she said. Suddenly realising how small the space in the airships cockpit really was. "Then you better start talking" Hakoda said, looking at her calmly.

"Seriously- you guys didn't bring back any meat?" Toph repeated, waving her hands about in an exasperated manner.

"You mean to tell me after the whole story about nearly being killed, finding my dad, my girlfriend, escaping from a completely inescapable prison, surviving an attack from the fire nation princess, a supposed older Mai, a masked flying man and Zuko's daughter" Sokka said, before he paused to take a deep breath, "All you got from that was that we didn't really get meat?!"

"Yeah, pretty much" Toph said calmly, picking at her toes.

This caused a string of chuckles to burst from the group. Except for a few select members. Mai remained silent and vigilant. These people didn't trust her. That much was obvious from the not so secret glances the water tribe girl continued to shoot her way, along with a few others. Mai was trained to see it, the way the muscles of a warrior would remain tense, always ready to defend and attack. She saw it in herself. These people were the enemy of her nation, yet Zuko left everything – everyone, to join this merry band of buffoons.

'My daughter' Zuko thought. Sokka's words echoed in his thoughts. He found his gaze repeatedly wandering over to where she, no, they stood. Mai stood with her back facing him. He could see that she was tense, she kept her back straight to stay alert. From her position, Zuko had a clear view of his supposed daughter. Zuko couldn't be sure if it was true, how could he believe it to be but when he looked at the child's face, it was like every ounce of him wanted to protect her – and her mother.

"mmmm…mommy?" Azumi mumbled. Mai tensed even more as all eyes were on her and Azumi. Azumi looked around her, her eyes still bleary from sleep. She saw several wide eyed faces staring back at her. She blinked. She looked at Mai. Then her eyes fluttered for a moment, before opening widely to take in her surroundings. Suddenly the young girl began weeping into Mai's chest. Mai froze and struggled to keep a straight face. Everyone began to shuffle from one foot to the other uncomfortably as they watched. Mai took a deep breath and began to soothe her daughter, rubbing her back and holding her close. She brushed off the surprised looks she got from the rest of the group and brought Azumi close to the fire.

"Haru, do you mind preparing for dinner, why don't you take Toph, Teo and the duke with you?" Katara suggested quietly, "Chit Sang, maybe you could help too?"

The others got the hint and realised it was their cue to leave. Azumi's sobs had died down but she still had her face buried in her mother's chest and her shoulders shook slightly. Katara was surprised, she didn't expect the deadly assassin she had spent the better part of a year running from to have such good maternal instincts. Katara approached the pair, making eye contact with Mai, Mai nodded impassively, Katara took that as deadly assassin for 'Go ahead'. "Hey" Katara said sweetly and knelt down so she could be at eye level with Azumi. "I'm Katara" Katara said, "You're name is Azumi, right?"

Azumi shifted her position in her mother's arms so she could face Katara. Her eyes were red and she was hiccupping slightly when she turned to Katara. "Aunt Katara?" Azumi said meekly. Katara offered her a smile, "Sweetie, we need you to tell us what happened to you, ok?" she said softly and offered to take Azumi. The young girl burrowed herself deeper into Mai's arms and shook her head. Her mouth formed a large pout as she looked pointedly at Katara. "Wow, you're really bad at this huh?" Sokka said, earning a glare from Katara. The others moved to sit closer to the fire as the sun began to set. Azumi suddenly tore her gaze from Katara and stared at Zuko. Zuko stared back, caught off guard. He looked to Mai for help but she kept her gaze on Azumi. Azumi took in a deep breath sharply and her face broke out into a smile. "Daddy!" Azumi said in recognition, Zuko sat dumbfounded and stared blankly at the child infront of him. Azumi held her arms up expectantly. Zuko remained dtuck in his spot as he looked at the pair of arms and back at Azumi. Azumi began to shake her arms exasperatedly at her father before he was given a strong shove by Katara. He picked her up and found a pair of little arms wrapped around his neck as Azumi snuggled closer to her father. Zuko swore he saw a ghost of a smile appear on Mai's face, her expression was still unreadable but it wasn't the cold one he had grown accustomed to recently.

"I missed you daddy" Azumi said. Zuko sat awkwardly with Azumi in his arms. He patted her back and ignored the gleefull smiles of those around him. "Azumi, will you tell us what happened?" he tried. The young girl nodded and made herself comfortable before she began.

"We were being chased" she said factually.

"Chased?" Sokka said. "You know Uncle Sokka, when someone's trying to catch you" Azumi said impatiently, raising her eyebrow at Sokka.

"I know what it means!" Sokka said defiantly, staring down the little girl. "Leave her alone Sokka" Aang said, trying to stifle a laugh, "Who was chasing you?"

"Sassassins" Azumi said, looking down at her lap as she remembered what happened. "Wait – do you mean 'Assassins'?" Sokka said, stroking his chin. "That's what I said! Sassassins!" Azumi said impatiently, "You're not listening!"

"But you sai-" Sokka was saying before Katara slapped him on the back of his head, "Stop arguing with a child and let her finish, go on Azumi, who were they?" Katara said.

Azumi let out an exaggerated sigh and slapped her small palm on her forehead while moving her head side to side. "I told you already! The sassassins!" she said.

Before Sokka could argue with the little girl, Hakoda cut in, "Never mind that" Hakoda said, shooting a reprimanding glare at his two children, "Do you remember how you got here, or what I mean is how you met Mai" He said pointing towards her. Azumi was silent for a bit before she spoke, "This man- he had a weird face- it was blue, he pushed me and mommy into this blue portal than we met mommy or younger mommy" she said, looking to younger Mai in confirmation.

"What happened after I left?" Mai said curtly, curious as to what caused her older self to leave Azumi behind. "They took her" Azumi said quietly, her sobs returning slowly. "The sassasins took mommy and the blue man took me to you" she said. A solemn silence fell on the group as they registered the new information they received. "Why did they take her?" Zuko said, his voice cracking as he thought about what could have happened to Mai. "They were bad people, they wanted to make Daddy do what they wanted so they were going to hurt me. That's what mommy said" Azumi said and she looked up at Zuko. Zuko couldn't breathe, a lump had formed in his throat preventing him from taking in any air. How was he supposed to react to that? It seems to him that even in the future he still doesn't get anything right. "Where was I, Azumi?" Zuko said, "Where was I?" The others remained silent, no one knew what they were supposed to do with this knowledge or this child they now had in their custody.

"I don't want to answer any more questions" Azumi said tiredly, she stood and faced Aang, "I want my mommy" she cried, her sobs becoming more frequent and violent. "You're the avatar, can't you find her?" she said in between sobs. Aang, sat awkwardly, no knowing how he was supposed to answer, he couldn't just tell her 'no'. "Well, you see Azumi, the thing is, well.." he said awkwardly looking to the others for help. "We'll do everything we can!" Katara said cutting off Aang, "Everything will be alright, but for now you still have a mommy and daddy" she said gesturing to the newly dubbed parents. Mai couldn't help but look flatly at the water tribe girl, what was she just signed up for? She can't stay here with them and take care of a child. Azula would be over their heads any minute and she wouldn't stick around like a sitting duck. Could she really just abandon Azumi though, it was clear these idiots didn't know how to deal with her, she can't leave the little girl here, if Azula found her…. Mai didn't want to think about that. Mai was snapped back to reality when she found Azumi trying to crawl into her lap. She sighed in defeat and tried not to kill the water tribe girl.

"Stop glaring!" Katara harshly said to Zuko who refused to stop glaring at her. Mai watched as the avatar tried to make peace between the two.

"Hey, lunch is ready" they heard Chit Sang say. Any further discussion on Azumi's caretakers was interrupted as Sokka practically sprinted up to get his food. Screaming 'Meat!'.

Everyone was tucked in to their sleeping bags. It was already late into the early hours of the morning. It wouldn't be long before the sun rose. The roaring fire was reduced to a soft glow, offering little warmth to those around it. Mai lay in her sleeping bag, she could tell that they wouldn't try to hurt her, but her training prevented her from relaxing. Her mind raced at everything she had learned earlier but what was she supposed to do. She has to live now not her future. Right now she needs to take care of her daughter and survive in the wilderness. Mai was no stranger to roughing it out but that doesn't mean she needs to like it. She remained still, she knew some of them were still awake, they were probably still trying to keep up their guard against her. Mai wasn't an idiot, just because they were friendly with Zuko and that she had saved their lives wasn't going to erase all the damage she had done along with Azula. What worried her is that she didn't know if she wanted it to erase everything. If she did, she could be with Zuko, he may be both a jerk and incredibly stupid but Mai couldn't help it. If she were to make the choice again or even a hundred times she would still choose to save him. 'I love Zuko more than I fear you'. Her words resonated inside her mind. Why would she say that, it just felt right. She knew it would set Azula off her game but does she realy. Mai resigned from any further reflection and opted to rest and build up energy for when Azula came- and she would.

Mai was suddenly roused from her slumber by the not so subtle tapping on her face. She was still half asleep and she hoped that if she ignored the little hands now pulling at her arms they would eventually disappear. Mai counted quietly in her head willing whatever was trying to disturb her rest would vanish. One fireflake… the little hands had given up on her robes and was once again attacking her face…Two fireflakes…."Mommy" she heard a small voice whisper… Three fireflakes… "wake up" the voice persisted as she felt something try to pry her eyes open… Four fireflakes…. "Mooooommm" the voice shouted loudly in her ear- "What!" Mai said as she sat up ready to skewer whatever ruined her sleep. Mai found Azumi sitting next to her. The child was teary eyed and was hugging her large pillow. Mai took in a deep breath and let out a sigh before she began, "What is it?" she said impassively as she rubbed her temples. Azumi crawled onto her lap and wrapped her short arms around her mother, catching Mai off guard. "mmm..Can't sleep, I had a nightmare" she murmured into Mai's hair. Mai considered her options carefully, if she sent her away she would have an upset child to deal with in the morning or she could just keep her here and go to sleep but risk ruining her cold-hearted reputation. Sleep it is. Her reputation be damned. "Fine, sleep here, just stay on your side of the mat" Mai said as she shuffled over on her mat to allow Azumi to lie down next to her. Mai handed Azumi her spare blanket before wrapping herself up and sleeping with her back to the girl. Mai closed her eyes and was slowly slipping into the unconsciousness of sleep before she heard the rustling of bed sheets behind her. Mai reached over and found the place where Azumi lay was now empty. 'finally' Mai thought, 'some peace'. Mai was roused from her drowsy state once again when a small girl wormed her way into Mai's blanket and curled herself up against her young mother's chest. Mai cracked an eye open to see the girl sleeping peacefully while she cuddled up against her. Mai sighed defeated. Mai just wrapped an arm around the girl, pulling the blankets around them tighter before finally falling asleep. What she didn't notice was the soft looks she was receiving from the other members of her group. Mai would have to kiss her reputation goodbye.

Mai's slumber was abruptly disturbed when a large crash caused everyone to rouse from sleep. Any drowsiness she had left was drained away when she saw what was happening. Azula had arrived.

well that was the first chapter :) Again I don't own Avatar or any of the characters, so reviews and constructive criticism are very much appreciated. It's my first time writing for avatar sooooo... yeah. Anyway thanks for clicking.