Series: Avatar: The Last Air Bender

Pairing: Maiko

Rating: G or PG

Warning/Spoilers: Book Fire chapter 5 and 10 spoilers and Book Earth spoilers.

Word Count: 482

Disclaimer: Avatar belongs to Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko

The first sign of flame

She was livid.

For the first time in her life all her emotions had been locked away and with just a piece of parchment the cell burnt away and all that was left were the fiery emotions that existed. As if the kisses and caresses that he left behind branded into her very flesh like the one that covered his eye.

No it wasn't really him that she hated. Zuko was someone she could never hate. His sister on the other hand she had no problem with. She was always made fun of at the Fire Nation Academy for girls by Azula and her "real" friends assuming she had any to begin with. Then Azula found out that Mai's family was noblemen that were of highest regards she suddenly had a change of heart. Azula had always been the manipulator leaving Mai to get into trouble whenever things didn't exactly turn out the way that they were supposed to go. Everything changed when she met Zuko.

Zuko was the complete opposite of Azula. He was gentle and mysterious and extremely passionate even for someone so young. Mai loved that about him because most of the young men of the fire nation were complete asses. Zuko was protective even if it was to much at times and Mai wondered how it seemed so rare for someone to have a heart in the royal family. Then again it was always known that Zuko took after his mother and Azula after her father. What ever happiness was felt during the time period of their child hood together was taken when his Uncle's son had died. And when he came back the fire came back in fury. Every one is sadly mistaken when they say that Mai never felt love.

Even now that he could be so idiotic about leaving her and Ty lee behind it was for their safety. Mai was anything but weak as was Ty Lee. They realized after the vacation at the beach that Azula had shown her true colors that night and wanted to leave.

Ty Lee had already been planning something not wanting to live with her family for very much longer. Mai; although not having to worry about family matters anymore found that she was going to leave and let Azula pick up the pieces. Packing her things she wondered if the Avatar would like a knife throwing assassin and bubbly chi blocking circus freak to the group. It seemed that everyone was just freeing themselves from everything that they knew. It would be a good change from what was taught.

And after all; Zuko was rightfully hers and she'd be damn sure to prove it to any other ladies that got in her way. That included the water bending floozy. And it was more than time to get back at Ty for the whole apple thing.

A/N: No this doesnt mean I want flames.I hope anyone who reads it enjoys.