You

Lina Halim

Chapter 1: Shuffle of Red

"You know what you are, Zuko? You're an idiot.. I don't care if you're a prince. That doesn't change the fact that you're the biggest idiot I've ever known. I can't believe I put up with you for all these years. I don't EVER want to see you again!"

These were the last words he had ever heard from her. No, it wasn't like she's dead. She's very much alive, only he had made the biggest mistake in his life. She was angry at him. She was probably still angry at him.

Even after two years. Mao isn't someone who'd forgive & forget easily. That much, Zuko knew.

They've been friends since ever. It's not like Zuko had any other choice. She followed him around & watched over him like a hawk. She worked in the Fire Nation's castle with her mother. She was born & raised in the castle, just like Zuko was. Her mother was his babysitter (not like he needed one, he always said) & soon after, Mao took over the job, bit by bit.

Mao had patience. Zuko had to give her credit for it. She doesn't forgive & forget easily, but she had patience.

That is, until he screwed up. When he had disobeyed his uncle's warning. Resulting him into a duel with his own father, disgracing himself & got himself banished from his own home. His last stupid act, & the one that angered Mao.

He didn't even see her when he went off with his uncle & his crew.

It's been two years.

Two long years.

But why is he remembering it now?

Mao placed a cup of tea on the table in front of Admiral Zhao. He had just visited the King before continuing his search for the Avatar. Mao bowed & began walking to the door of the guest quarters.

She was elegant. Her steps barely made a sound. Her silky black hair touched her smooth fair skin. She clutched her tray tight.

"Miss-" Zhao called.

Mao stopped & turned around slowly & bowed. She stood up straight, & smiled at Zhao. "Anything else I can get you, sir?"

"Why don't you join me for tea?"

"With all due respect, sir. I'm afraid I have to decline your honorable invitation. I am here to serve the King's guests, not entertain them."

"Ah, but I have news concerning an old friend of yours."

"I'm sorry, sir, I don't quite understand what you mean."

"Prince Zuko."

Mao dropped her tray. She got down & grabbed the tray & bowed to Zhao again.

"Now. Will you join this old man for tea?" Zhao asked again.

Unable to decline, she nodded & sat down on a chair across the table.

"Thank you, Mao. Tell me, you are Prince Zuko's oldest friend, no?"

"I think I am his only friend, sir. But I am not sure if he had regarded me as his friend."

"You have been together with him ever since you were babies, am I correct?"

"Yes, sir. Not to be rude, but where are all these questioning leading to?"

"You are aware of the return of the Avatar."

"The air bender, if I'm not mistaken."

"You're a smart girl. And you know that is what Prince Zuko is after?"

"The only way he could get back in the kingdom."

"You sure know a lot."

"I wouldn't quite put it that way, sir. Again, what is your point?"

"I'm sure you would love to see the Prince again, no?"

Mao fell silent. She was indecisive. A part of her wants to see him again, another part of her saying not to forgive him for doing the stupidest thing he had ever done in his life. But the part that wanted to meet him was bigger.

She wished she didn't say what she said to him 2 years ago. She wished she had seen him off 2 years ago.

She wished she had told him 2 years ago.

"The King told me you were an excellent fire bender. Is this true?" Zhao asked.

"I wouldn't say that I am, sir."

"I believe the King. I would like to see it for myself."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"Would I be so bold to ask you to a duel?"

Uh oh, Mao thought, ever since with Zuko, she couldn't refuse a duel.

"I accept," she replied on impulse.

"COME ON, ZUKO, PUT SOME BACK INTO IT!"

Zuko shook his head & continued training. He stopped & stared up into the dark sky. Suddenly angered, he 'punched' the sky, sending a ball of flame into it. His uncle, Iroh, walked onto deck.

"Any news on the Avatar, uncle?" Zuko asked.

Iroh shook his head & watched as Zuko's body shoot out flames. He always does that when he's angry. But then again, Iroh had forgotten the time when the boy WASN'T angry.

"You need to calm down, my boy. There's no use on keeping a hot head while searching for the Avatar," said Iroh.

"I'll do things my way. I'll get around," Zuko retorted at the most level-headed way he could get.

Zuko picked up his robe & covered his body with it. It looked the same as the other royal robes, but this one was sewn specially by Mao when he accidentally burned his old one. He wore it ever since, & took good care of it. He was never fond of Mao following him around, but something in him told him to take good care of it.

"Prince Zuko, we have to restock our supplies," said a member of the crew.

"Dock at the nearest town. The sooner we get our supplies, the sooner we can go look for the Avatar," Zuko ordered & left for his quarters.

He locked the door & dropped down onto his mattress on the floor. He closed his eyes, carefully trying not to doze off.

He saw a figure in the shadows. She wore a red dress, with a red shawl draped around her shoulders. She turned around slowly & smiled.

"Mao…" he muttered.

He saw his own hand reach out for her. She extended her hand to reach his, but the closer he got to her, the further away she went.

The two 10 year olds sat in a tower high up in the castle together. Zuko sat by the window, Mao sat on the floor next to him.

Mao looked up at Zuko, "Hey Zuko, guess what?"

Zuko didn't reply.

Mao stood up & faced him, "Are you listening?"

"No, not really. I don't get you, Mao. Why are you still following me even after 10 years?"

"No reason."

"Then get out of my face."

"No, I won't. I take care of you, that's my job. You know that."

"Yeah, yeah…"

"Do you want to hear what I have to say or not?"

"I have the feeling you're gonna tell me anyways."

"I'm gonna practice fire bending. I wanna become a good fire bender."

Zuko turned & looked at her. He pulled a face. He snickered & started laughing. "You? Fire bending? HAH."

"You don't think I can do it, do you?"

"I don't think, I KNOW you can't do it."

"You'll see, one day I'll be better than you."

"In your dreams."

He was such a jerk, & still is one.

The ship came to a sudden stop. Zuko stood up & left his quarters. He made his way to the deck to see what caused the sudden stop. Iroh turned around & looked at Zuko.

"You'll never guessed who's here for you," Iroh said simply.

Zuko nudged his uncle aside & went on deck. A ship was next to theirs. A ship all too familiar.

Zhao's ship.

But the person on its deck wasn't Zhao.

"ZUKO!" She shouted.

Zuko turned to face her. He was shocked. He couldn't say a word.

He opened his mouth. "Mao…"