(Quick note: I do not own Avatar in any way shape or form! This is my first time writing a fan fiction so let me know what you think! I'm hoping to get one chapter up for Zutara month)

Chapter One: Revealed

The day dawned bright, but Zuko knew that there was nothing bright about it. Yeah, they won the war, his father was in prison and the gaang was alright, but he knew that the turmoil inside of him was far from over. Ozai refused to tell him where his mother was and the fire nation was restless. Zuko was stuck with the inevitable task of reshaping his broken nation. New school books and curriculum, troop relocations, war rehabilitations, and much more oh-so-fun chores. But he was too distracted and emotionally confused to focus on his nation at the same time. Why must that waterbender insist on taking over his every thought? And Mai, poor Mai, was stuck somewhere in the middle, though she has been acting a little off lately. The last month or so had been . . . weird. He still liked Mai, even if she didn't show emotions towards, well, anything, but this stupid, strong, horribly independent, beautiful water tribe peasant kept creeping into his thoughts despite his efforts to push them away. It was easier right after the war ended because he was constantly distracted with council meetings and such, but now that things have settled down he missed the blue eyed warrior. Badly. UGH, WHY on EARTH did she refuse to leave him alone?! He started pushing all thoughts of Katara away by focusing on the council meeting with Aang and the leaders of the other nations that would start in a half hour. Zuko began pacing in the hallway, lost in his thoughts, when he was stopped by Mai.

"Hey, Zuko. Can I talk to you for a second?" she asked. Zuko got worried, but about what? He had no clue.

"Uh, yeah, of course." He smiled weakly.

"We can't be together anymore. I've seen the way you look at that waterbender. She's a strong warrior, I can see why you would like her." She said. He was confused, "But, Mai, I like you!"

"But not as much as you like her and you know it. And while I was imprisoned in the Boiling Rock, I sort of met someone." She confessed.

Zuko was furious, "What does he have that I don't? Muscles? An unscarred face?!" He could feel his body temperature rise.

"No, Zuko, you are! She just makes me feel . . . something." He paused to process that, stuttering "uh…" while nervously rubbing the back of his neck the back of his neck.

"That girl would be more tolerant of this boring palace life. If I become the fire lady, I'll never get to leave. I want to travel with Toru, not be stuck in this cage. So go get her, Zu." Zuko didn't know what to think.

"But Katara is the Avatar's girl and I-"he didn't want to lie to Mai and say that he doesn't want Katara, because he did.

"I wouldn't be so sure. Sorry Zuko." And she left him alone in the hallway. Zuko was stunned! After everything they've been though, she leaves him for a traveling lesbian. He threw an angry blast of fire towards the door that she closed. He was contemplating burning it down when the clock struck the hour. He was late to the meeting! He rushed into the previously named "War Room" to find everyone there: Aang, Uncle Iroh, Hakoda, Arnook, Bumi, and Kuei. Aang started off the meeting, "So now that we're all here, let's talk about trade routes." Zuko thought that his voice was sullen and heavy. He'd have to ask what was wrong later. The meeting trudged on boringly with everyone settled on a happy compromise by the end. Zuko dismissed everyone, asking Aang to stay behind.

"So, uh, what's on your mind? You sounded upset earlier." There was a long pause.

"I just can't believe she left me! I gave her everything. EVERYTHING! But just because I don't want to ever want to settle down, I mean I'm a nomad for crying out loud, she feels like I'm not the one for her! I just don't want to live in the same place for the rest of my life!" Zuko didn't know what to say. He felt bad for the young Avatar as he stormed off, but Zuko had the strangest feeling in his stomach. Like a messenger hawk trying to escape from its cage . . .