Disclaimer: I own nothing, but the plot.

Chapter 1

Mai sighed, looking around the room she was in. Hearing the steady breathing of Ty Lee in the bed on the other side of the room. Of course she had to share a room with Ty Lee.

Azula had no problems with anyone having their own rooms, but the inn had only two rooms empty. And like Azula said it wouldn't be dignified for a princess to share a room wit anyone else.

So Mai got stuck sharing with Ty Lee and wondering what she should do. She knew that they were tracking the Avatar and Azula's uncle, General Iroh. As well as Azula's brother the banished prince.

Zuko, he was the reason she couldn't fall asleep. She had yet to see him again. She was the huntress and he was the prey. It was simple concept. Normally.

The problem was Mai had no idea what she would do when she saw Zuko again. Mai knew she could fight well, that was part of the reason Azula chooses to help. That and she is one of Azula's few friends.

What Mai didn't know was when she saw Zuko would she be able to fight him? Would she freeze up? She didn't want to let her friend, the future ruler of the Fire nation down.

Mai rolled over, starring blankly at the wall. How would Azula or Ty Lee be able to know that she still had feelings for the banished prince?

She wasn't a child anymore. She n longer blushed when someone mentioned his name. She could easily mask her feelings when she needed to.

But it was still dark and Ty Lee was still asleep. Mai smiled to herself, a faint blush painting her porcelain cheeks. She pulled the blanket up around her chin. Thinking of Zuko always made her smile, it was one of the few things that did.

While Mai was allowing herself to be vulnerable. The sun began to rise. Illuminating the run Ty Lee rolled over and opened one of her eyes. Looking at Mai's face, Ty Lee quietly climbed out of bed. She crept across the floor. Mai totally oblivious to her friend never noticed her approaching. Ty Lee lent over her friend.

"What cha' smiling at Mai?" Ty Lee asked positively bubbling with energy. Mai jumped starring at her friend in shock.

"What are you talking about?" Mai asked trying to compose herself.

"Weeell" Ty Lee loved doing this to Mai, especially since it took a lot to make Mai flustered. "You were smiling and blushing a bit. So I was wondering what you were thinking about."

"I was thinking about nothing important." Mai told Ty Lee cooly. "If it was anything important, I would probably have told you."

Looking at Mai closely, Ty Lee asked the one question Mai really didn't want to hear. "Are you in looove?"

Mai just looked at her like she was crazy. Keeping her voice controlled and perfectly even, Mai answered simply. "No."

"Ok. I believe you." She smiled. "You can have the room to get ready first. I'll go see if Azula is awake. I'm sure she is she's always up and ready with the sun. It must have something to do with her bending." Ty Lee shrugged and left the room.

Mai watched the door close before she climbed out of bed. Taking her normal outfit she pulled it on and started on her hair.

Thinking of her friends and of Zuko as she separated her hair, Mai knew she needed a plan. She didn't want to fight Zuko, but her loyalties were to her friends.

If she didn't want to choke and let her friends down when she and Zuko came face to face. She knew what she needed to do.

Mai looked up as someone knocked on the door. "Come in" she stated as she finished with her hair. Ty Lee opened the door and bounced in.

"My turn" Ty Lee giggled as she shoved Mai out of the room. "Oh and Azula is outside waiting for us."

Mai just nodded her head and kept walking. Going outside she looked at Azula. "They can't be more then half a day away. We will catch those traitors. And what is taking Ty Lee so long?" Azula growled.

Half a day away at most. Mai smiled inwardly. Half a day was perfect. They wouldn't catch them today. At least, they wouldn't if Zuko and Iroh left at about the same time.

Tonight when they stopped, she would sneak out. She would find their camp. All Mai needed to do was see his face and everything would be fine.

Mai knew if she was caught sneaking out, Azula would not hesitate to kill her. Especially if it was to see Zuko. But if this was the only way she could help her friends when the time came, then she would do it. She had to.

Authors Note: This is the first chapter of my first Maiko story. I hope anyone who reads it will enjoy it as much as I am enjoying writing it.

For anyone who cares to know it will take me around a week to update. Could be sooner, could be later. I have already started on the second chapter.

Please leave a review. And don't bother flaming me, I won't even read them. Goodbye until the next update. Peace out people!