A/N: If you know nothing of Zuko's place in 'The Legend of Korra' and don't want to be spoiled, read no further.

This piece comes from the idea that Zuko gives up his throne at age 84 and becomes an ambassador because of Mai's death. Once again I'm using the 'Two No More', 'Expansion' children.

Seems I'm in writing frenzy mode everyone. Nothing can stop me….well…

Nothing is the Same Anymore

Zuko was eighty four years old and he was alone. Death was inevitable, part of life. It made all people equal. Yet when it took someone that you loved more than words could ever express, when it took your life partner, your lover, the mother of your children, your best friend, none of those truths made a damn bit of difference.

Mai had lived a full life, a happy one for the most part. She left behind children and grandchildren, even great grandchildren, and a niece and a nephew, all of whom loved her dearly. They may not have always gotten along, but the love was there beneath any anger or disappointment. And what was life without some bumps in the road?

He missed her so much that he physically ached. Waking up in their bed alone every morning was fresh agony. The lingering scent of her perfume made Zuko catch his breath and his eyes fill with tears. The palace was full of special spots, rooms the pair had loved, private places they had made love or just escaped to when things got too much. The palace was their home but now, without Mai, the palace felt more like a mournful reminder of all he had lost.

All three of his children, Ryuhito, Miyako and Kaminari, grief still etched into their features, gathered about Zuko.

"It sounded important, Dad," Kaminari began. She referred to the messages he had sent each of them.

"Yes," the old Fire Lord agreed. "I've made a decision."

The three exchanged glances, guessing what that decision was. But they let their father take his time, allowed him the space to gather his words.

"I'm leaving." The declaration was simple and direct.

"What do you mean exactly?" Miyako inched closer to her father and looked deep into his eyes. "Where are you going?"

"You'll be Fire Lord now, Miya. It's time. I don't want to be here anymore. Can you understand?" His children, all in their early sixties, nodded. "Your mother is everywhere. Some might take comfort in that and maybe one day I will. But right now, I just want to get away. I'll travel, maybe be an ambassador of sorts, for the peace that Aang and I helped to forge." He paused then and drank in his children, the three people that he and Mai had created together. He could see her in each of them. It made him proud and made him yearn for his wife. "I'll make things official, and the Fire Sages will crown you as soon as possible, Miya."

"I'm ready, Dad. I've learned so much from you and I promise to uphold the values that you stand for." Tears stood in the soon to be Fire Lord's eyes. Her emotions were all over the place. She missed her mother, dead only a few months, and she would miss her father. But the prospect of ruling her beloved nation thrilled her. She longed for the challenge and the responsibility. It was a long time coming.

"I know that you are. You'll do a fine job. I'm not worried, Miyako." He released a sigh and stared about the room. It had been one of Mai's favorites, a cozy room for reading or just sitting with a cup of tea, watching children or grandchildren or great grandchildren play. He and Mai had dreamed and planned in the room, almost as much as they had dreamed and planned while in their bed, calm and relaxed after making love. He smiled at the thought. There had been so much lovemaking, and somehow it had never gotten old or stale.

"We'll worry about you, Dad. Are you sure that you'll be all right? Where will you go? What if you need us?" Miyako touched her father's arm, a brief, gentle touch, but it was enough to convey her love and concern.

"You don't need to worry. I've got friends all over the world. I plan to travel just about everywhere. It might be my last chance to see all the nations again and visit some favorite spots, spots your mother and I enjoyed together. And I'm still going strong." As if to prove his point, Zuko stood up, assumed a bending stance, and made a powerful flame. He shot them a grin then. "Your old dad still has it."

"Will you keep in touch at least?" his youngest, Kaminari, asked.

"Of course; and maybe we can meet up here and there, everyone else too. I'm not leaving because I want to get away from any of you. I love you all, each and every one of you. I just need to," his eyes filled with tears and unashamed he let them fall, "to come to terms with your mother's passing. And being here is simply too hard for me right now. Please understand."

Ryuhito's voice was strong and reassuring. "We do understand, Dad. Do what you need to do. You've always been here for us. Take care of yourself now."

"I'll leave as soon as Miyako is crowned," Zuko replied with a nod. "I'll begin my goodbyes tomorrow."

He watched from the bridge of the luxurious air ship as the Fire Nation palace and then Capitol City and then the Fire Nation itself faded from view. Zuko suddenly felt very old and very lonely and very alone. But it was the best thing to do. He knew that in his heart. With Mai's essence all around him, he would never be able to fully work through his grief. It wasn't that he wanted to forget her. No, he had so many treasured memories and they gave him great comfort. Zuko simply needed some distance and lots of time. Once the worst of the pain was over, he could embrace all the marks she had left in their home once again.

"I'm grateful that you didn't have to suffer this, Mai, but part of me still wishes that I had gone first. Life without you is…." He fumbled for the best words. "Life without you is so much emptier." Zuko wiped at his eyes and then watched the sea below churn. In his hand was one of Mai's blades, the only reminder of her he had brought along. Its weight was a comfort and he turned it back and forth, back and forth. A storm was on its way, violent and cleansing. The former Fire Lord could smell it in the air and he looked forward to it.

A/N: Thank you Ix for suggesting that Zuko carry one of Mai's blades with him. Of course he would...