The Maiko family were on a firenation ship, sailing from the Firenation to the Southern Airtemple.  Fire Lady Mai was leaning forward against the railing, staring at the ocean.  The ocean looks very peaceful with the sunlight reflecting off the water.  Then Mai felt strong arms wrapped around her waist, turned her head, and saw that it was her husband, Zuko.

Zuko said,"Enjoying the view, my love", pulling her close to him.

Mai smiled and said,"I am!  You, my love, enjoyed having our kids around", resting her hands on Zuko's hands.

10-year-old TJ and 7-year-old Zelda were playing tag.  TJ was it and trying to tag Zelda.  The siblings were laughing as they played their game.

Zuko heard his kids laugh and said,"Yeah i do enjoy our kids around, Mai", resting his head on Mai's shoulder.  Then Zuko and Mai heard clanging sounds behind their backs.  Zuko let go of Mai's waist.  They both turned to see where it came from.  It was TJ and Zelda, they ran into a few metal cans and knocked them over.

Zelda said,"Uh-oh!  We've made a knock down", who has her legs on top of one can and leaning her back against a few more cans.  TJ was on his stomach and there was a can underneath him.  Their parents laughed at them and helped their kids up.  When they went towards the railing, TJ was standing on a bucket while Zelda was jumping to try to get a view.  Zuko picked up his daughter and said,"Here Zelda, now you can see"!  Zelda grabbed the railing while her father held her by her waist.  As the Maiko family stares at the ocean, they spotted an island that is very mountiany.

TJ yelled,"LAND ASHORE!  Sorry I always want to say that"!  Zuko, Mai, and Zelda laughed as TJ yells that there's shore up ahead.

When they're finally on shore, they stopped at the beggining of the mountains.  The Southern Airtemple was about a few mountains away.

Zuko said,"Well I guess its mountain climbing"!  "You think",replied Mai with a low laugh.

Zuko said,"Well I thought that might be very painful for you to climb up this.........many....mountains", gulping.  "Why do you think a girl can't climb or are you just being chicken",replied Mai as she flap her arms like a chicken!  Zelda muffled her laugh.

Zuko said,"I am not a chicken!  I'm not afraid that I'm going to lose to a girl to the top of those mountains", pointing to the mountains.  Mai folded her arms, smirking, and said,"Alright, I'll take that as a challenge then hmm!  I guess it boys against the girls huh, Zelda", looking down at her daughter.  Zelda nodded.

Zuko said,"Okay then is that a bet!  I don't think a girl can beat me to the top", smiling.  

"Why do you have a problem with girls climbing hmmmm",replied Mai with a smirk.  

Zuko said,"NO"!  

"Okay then it's a bet then",replied Mai.

Zuko said,"Okay its a bet!  If the boys win, then we get to have the bed rooms at the Southern Airtemple all to ourselves while you and Zelda are going to sleep on the floors"!

Mai thought for a moment and said,"But if the girls win then we get to have the best bedrooms there is and you had to give me a foot massage"!

(oooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh)

Zuko said,"Okay it's on!  Come on, TJ, lets show them what we guys can do"!  TJ nodded.

Mai said,"You ask for it!  Come on, Zelda let's show the boys how we girls can do shall we"!  Zelda nodded as she followed her mother.

After Mai and Zuko got their bags off the ship, the captain asked,"My Lord, would you like us to leave or stay here"?  "You can stay here until it's our time to leave",replied Zuko.  The captain said,"Thank you", bowing and then walk away.

At the begining of the mountain, Mai tied her bag around her waist with some rope.  Zuko watched what Mai was doing and said,"Is that suppose to help hold your bag with some rope while you had the bag strape over your shoulder", pointing to her bag.  

"Hey, I had camping experience since I was younger",replied Mai with a smile,"Come on, Zelda, lets go shall we", squatting so Zelda could jump onto her back.  

Zelda said,"Okay Mom', as she jump onto Mai's back and wrap her arms around her mother's neck so she could have a piggyback ride.

Zuko put his bag over his shoulder and said,"Come on, TJ", as he squatted down and TJ got onto his back, and wrap his arms around his father's neck!

As soon as they got ready, Zuko said,"You ready"?  "I'm ready",replied Mai as she looked at her daughter who is right now on her back.   They faced the mountain.

Zuko said,"Ready...........Set............GO"!  Zuko and Mai immediately started climbing up the mountain while their kids hold on.  

Zelda said,"Be careful, mom"!  "I am, Zelda!  I am!",replied Mai as she grabbed each ledge and kept on moving.

Zuko, who's hand almost slipped on one ledge.  TJ said,"Careful".  "I'm careful",replied Zuko as he continued to grab each ledge.

Both Zuko and Mai kept on going while their kids held on.  Zuko was climbing as best as he could while TJ held onto him very tight but Mai and Zelda were ahead of them.

By the time, Mai was really close to the top, she let Zelda climb over her shoulder.  Zelda was at the top and helped her mother up.  Zelda said,"We made it, Mom!  WE MADE IT"!  "Yes we did",replied Mai, smiling.  They both danced at the top of the mountain while Zuko and TJ were still at the side of it!  

Zuko groaned,"Well at least we about 18 ft close to the....top"!

TJ looked over his father's shoulder to see his face and asked,"Father?  Are you afraid of heights"?

Zuko was shocked and said,"What No!  What gives you that idea"?

At the top, Mai and Zelda looked down to see how high they were.  Mai said,"This is going to be fun because since its a smooth cliff, were going to slide down on it", smiling.  Zelda said,"Yay"!  Mai put Zelda onto her lap and slide right down the cliff.  Zelda screamed with excitement and Mai just laughed childishly.  They were at a very fast speed.

By the time, Zuko and TJ got to the top, they were exhausted.  Zuko said,"Well one down........two more to go", panting.

When Mai and Zelda were finally at the bottom, they looked back at the top of the first one.  Mai said,"See ya at the top, Zuzu"!  Zuko closed his eyes after he heard his nickname and said,"Well TJ, I guess we're going to have to come down then"!

Mai had Zelda jump onto her back again and started climbing up the mountain.  Zelda held on tight after she wrapped her arms around her mother's neck as her mother continued to climb.  Zelda said,"See ya, Daddy"!  

TJ and Zuko slid down the cliff.  At the bottom, they saw that Mai was about 30 ft ahead of them.  TJ said,"Wow, Mom was really fast at climbing"!  "Less talking lets move",replied Zuko as he had TJ get onto his back again and started climbing the second mountain.

Mai was picking a fast pace as she grabbed every ledge, pulling herself up.  Zelda looked down to see if her father was getting close.  Mai said,"whatever you do, Zelda don't look down"!  Zelda saw how high she was and looked back up to where Mai was going.  Mai was starting to sweat as she continued to climb.  As Mai got very close to the top, her hand slip form one ledge, and rocks came falling.  Zelda squeezed her eyes shut as Mai was dangling on the cliff.  But Mai used her other hand to grab another ledge and started to climb to the top.  When Mai pulled herself up to top of this mountain, She stood up and said,"VICTORY IS GOING TO OURS"!  "VICTORY",replied Zelda with her fist in the air.

Zuko said,"Okay they're really taunting us"!  "Yep",replied TJ as he held on tight to his father.

Mai slid down on the side of the cliff while Zelda was still on her back, holding onto Mai's robe.  They both screamed in excitement as they go down.  

Zuko and TJ were very close to the top.  TJ said,"Were going to lose aren't we"?  "I think so, son.  i think so",replied Zuko as he continued climbing.  When they were at the top, they stood with their hands on their knees, and catching their breath.

At the bottom, Mai looked at her daughter, who is still on her back, and said,"Well this is it, Zelda!  The Last mountain to climb!  Southern Airtemple here we come", as she started climbing the last mountain where it held the airtemple at the top.

Zuko and TJ slid down the smooth cliff and when they were at the bottom, the noticed that Mai was now 50 ft ahead of them.  TJ said,"Darn", putting on an serious expression that his father uses whenever he's serious.  "Come on",said Zuko, grabbing his arm.  TJ got onto Zuko's back and Zuko started climbing.

While Mai was climbing, she felt so heated up that Zelda had to pull at her sleeves with one hand.  Mai climbed very well at a fast pace.  By the time, Mai got really close to the airtemple, Zelda said,"Were getting close"!  "Yes we are getting so close that we're going to have the rooms to ourselves",replied Mai with a smile.  Zelda yelled,"Yaaaaaay"!  Mai just giggled.

When they were finally at the top, they saw Aang standing in front of them with a small smile on his face.

Aang said,"MAI QUICK GET TO THE TOP TO WHERE KATARA WAS BEFORE ZUKO DOES", pointing to the direction of where to go,"All you had to do is just take the stairs"!

Mai said,"Come on, Zelda let's go",grabbing Zelda's hand.  "Yeah",replied Zelda.  They ran up the stairs as fast as they can.  When Zuko and TJ finally get to the top, they lay down on their backs for a moment to catch their breath.  They look to see that it was Aang who was looking down at them with a smile on his face.  

Aang said,"You better get up or you're going to lose to Mai and Zelda"!

Zuko and TJ groaned, got up and started running up the stairs.

Mai said,"Come on, Zelda, we're almost there", holding onto Zelda's hand tight.  Zelda was keeping up with her mother's pace as she kept on running.  When they finally got to the top to where Katara was at, Mai cheered,"Yes we did it"!  "Yeeeaaaah!  Whoohoo",replied Zelda.  They did a high five and they both said,"GIRLS RULE"!  "Congradulations you two",said Katara with a smile.  Katara's daughter, Tara said,"Yaaaaay"!  Mai and Zelda both laughed.

TJ and Zuko kept on going up the stairs and Zuko said,"Alright TJ, we're almost there"!  TJ grunted in reply.  Whenthey were at the top, Zuko said,"Yes we made it"!  TJ and Zuko noticed that Mai and Zelda were standing there, crossing their arms, and smirking.

Mai said,"Well look who lost", smirking.

Zuko said,"Alright I'll admit it"!

TJ said,"Boy dad do you have to admit anything"!

Zelda said,"Well TJ, you have to admit too"!

TJ groaned and Zelda thought why does he had to be so stubborn.

Tara asked her mother,"Why is TJ so stubborn"?  Katara laughed and said,"well i guess he's got Zuko's genes mostly!  How's Gyatso doing so far", watching her daughter come close to the basket where Gyatso sleeps.  "He's fine mom.  He just woke up",replied Tara, picking up her 3-months-old baby brother.  Gyatso looks like Aang; he has fair skin, light brown hair, and has blue eyes like Katara's.  When Tara handed Katara Gyatso, Katara rocked her son as she watched mai and Zelda cheer.

Mai motioned Zelda to sit next to her on the top of this wall next to Katara.  They both sat with their legs crossed and mai said,"Okay admit it"!

Zuko and TJ groaned,"Girls can climb mountains and you two beat us here.  And I/father has to massage your feet"!  

"And TJ",replied Zelda.

TJ sighed and said,"Of coarse you can throw daggers and also firebend".

Zelda smiled and said,"Guess what!  You lost the bet", with a smile.

Mai said,"That means Zelda and I get the best rooms here and you have to give me a foot massage, Zuko!  Katara which way is the best rooms"?  Katara stood beside Mai and pointed right.  Mai said,"Thank you.  Come on, Zelda let's go", grabbing Zelda's hand.  Zelda skipped with excitement as she and Mai walked towards their room.

Zuko sighed and asked,"Do you any lotion I could borrow"?

"Lavender or Cherry Blossom",replied Aang, holding two bottles of lotion.

Later that night, Zuko came into the room where Mai was at, with Lavender scented lotion.  Mai, who was in her red nightgown, had her shoes off and laying on the bed.  Zuko poured lotion into his ahnd and started massaging her feet.

Mai said,"I'm surprised that you pick Lavender", smiling.

Zuko said,"Yeah you do love lavender".

Mai said,"So Handsome, how do you feel right now"?

"I'm very tired right now from all that climbing and running.  TJ and I are going to need alot of sleep so we don't feel so very tired anymore",replied Zuko with a smile.

Mai said,"Ooooooh that feels so good".

Zuko smiled and stopped massaging her feet.  Mai asked,"Why have you stopped"?  Zuko walked over to her side and said,"How about a kiss will do shall we"?  Mai nodded and leaned in to kiss Zuko.  They broke the kiss when TJ was at the door holding blankets.

TJ asked,"Am I interrupting something", his parents shook their heads,"Well father since Mom and Zelda had the best room her, Aang said we had to sleep in the living room where it's all dusty"!

Zuko kissed his wife on the cheek and said,"Good night Mai, love you"!  "I love you too!  Good night",replied Mai.   Then Zelda said,"Good night Daddy!  Good night TJ", waving.  "Good night",replied TJ and Zuko altogether as they leave and went towards the living room.

While Mai and Zelda were alone in to room, Mai closed the door, and said,"Zelda how about we do each others hair shall we"?  Zelda nodded.  Mai undo Zelda's hair and brushed it.  She made her daughter's hair in a style she wears when she was about her age.  She showed Zelda to the mirror.  Zelda saw that she is the spitting image of Mai.

Zelda said,"I'm...pretty"!  "Yes you are pretty, Zelda.  You are",replied Mai.  Then before Mai and Zelda went sleep, they were playing underneath the blanket, laughing and tickling each other.  

---

In the Living room, Zuko and TJ were wrapped in their blankets, shivering from the cold.

Zuko said,"You know TJ, I'm going to love you no matter if you're alot like me or not, okay!  Good night"  "Okay, good night",replied TJ.  They all went asleep, ignoring Mai's and Zelda's laughter.


The End