There are a few things that you should know before you read this story.

First of all, English is not my mother tongue. I've studied English about six years but there will be many many many mistakes ahead on this story. For example I'm not sure where I should put commas and where I shouldn't and so on. Try to understand. Usually I write first on my mother tongue and then translate [thanks for Google translator :-D].

Second thing that I want you to know is that this is my very first fanfiction ever so be nice to me and give some helpful tips :-)

I almost forgot the third thing! I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or its characters.

I hope you enjoy!

After All She Loved Him

Chapter 1 - Flowers

The sun was shining directly to the palace's courtyard. Day was really warm and bright, birds sang their melody of joy.

That was why I went to sat under the tree, into the shadow. Azula and Ty Lee played together like usual, today they did cartwheels near the big fountain. When Azula failed her own cartwheel and fell down but Ty Lee perfomed it smoothly, Azula pushed the weaker girl to the ground and laughed.

Ty Lee did everything what Azula wanted and she never resisted what she commanded. But I certainly did the same things that Ty Lee. We both, Ty Lee and I, were scared of Azula, manipulative, mean and ruling girl. Azula thought that we were friends, I wasn't so sure of it.

I woke up from my thoughts as I noticed him.

He was walking through the courtyard with his mother Ursa. I had a foolish crush on him even thought I didn't even know him well. Plus, he was Azula's brother.

Zuko.

I couldn't help my blushing and I smiled involuntarily, which was embarrassing and really annoying. I looked away so he wouldn't notice my stupid reactions.

But like always, Azula noticed.

I saw her whispering something to Ty Lee's ear, who covered her mouth as she giggled quietly. Azula ran to her mother and Zuko.

''Mom,'' she shouted as she ran. ''Can you make Zuko play with us? We need equal teams to play a game.''

''I am not cart wheeling!'' Zuko said firmly.

''You won't have to. Cart wheeling's not a game,'' Azula said, crossing her arms over her chest. ''Dumb dumb.''

''I don't care. I don't want to play with you.''

''We are brother and sister.'' And there it was again. Azula's manipulation voice.

''It's important for us to spend time together. Don't you think so, mom?'' she wheedled and I could almost imagine her staring unbelievably sweetly at Ursa.

''Yes darling, I think it's a good idea to play with your sister,'' Ursa admitted to Zuko. ''Go on now, just for a little while.''

Ursa walked away and left Zuko.

I heard Zuko's sigh as he walked behind his little sister, arms crossed.

''C'mon Mai, stand up!'' Ty Lee whispered to me and grabbed my arm to drag me up.

''All right, all right'', I mumbled and followed Ty Lee, who actually danced as she moved.

I stood in front of the fountain, Azula called Ty Lee farther so she could whisper something to Ty Lee's ear.

I knew that Zuko was standing right next to me but I didn't even dare to look at him. I just stared my feet.

''Hi, Mai,'' he said uncertainly. I lifted my head up and looked at him.

''H-h-hi, Zu-zu-zuko,'' I stammered shyly, blushing stupidly. I started to stare my feet again, trying to hide my face.

''So... What's up?''

''N-nothing much.'' I couldn't look at him, because I felt my face color change redder and redder.

Silence fell between us, but thankfully, Azula and Ty Lee finally came closer.

''Hey Mai, move closer to the fountain so we can start,'' Azula commanded and I obeyed wihout a murmur.

''Here's the way it goes.'' She picked apple from the tree and placed it on top of my head. Azula clearly machinated something.

''Now what you do is try to knock the apple off the other person's head,'' she said and went farther. ''Like this.''

She stretched her hand and flame released from her fingertips, igniting the apple. Zuko, with terrified face, ran to me and tried to throw the apple away. In unbalance I staggered back and suddenly, both of us were in the fountain, Zuko crosswise on top of my stomach.

''See, I told you it would work,'' Azula giggled to Ty Lee.

''They're so cute together!''

Zuko and I stood up, both of us soaking wet. He walked away angrily, and I was pretty sure that he was as embarrassed as I.

''You two are such...'' even thought I bristled with anger, I didn't say the end of the sentence. ''..Ugh.''

Azula was still laughing and she walked away happily. Azula was so mean, so crude, but I couldn't do anything for it. She was stronger and I was far too weak.

I walked from the fountain offended.

''Mai, don't be mad!'' Ty Lee requested and ran to my side. I didn't even glance at her.

''Actually we helped you,'' she tried.

''Oh, how?'' I asked monotonously.

''Well, it's obvious that you like Zuko...''

''Is it obvious?'' I interrupted with some concern and looked at Ty Lee. ''Oh no.''

''Let me finish, Mai,'' Ty Lee smiled and continued. ''That's why Azula asked Zuko to play with us and that means that we helped you!''

I was silent for a moment.

''If you two helped me, then why all my clothes are all wet?'' I deadpanned.

Ty Lee blushed a bit and smiled apologetically.

''Sorry, Mai.''

I let out a sigh.

''Apology accepted,'' I muttered, still angrily, but Ty Lee jumped to hug me.

''Thanks!'' She didn't seem to notice that now her clothes were sopping too.

''But don't talk about it anymore,'' I warned as she separated from me.

''Okay!'' she said and started to cart wheel again.

Later on the same day I sat again under the tree but thankfully I was alone. Now I had dry clothes on, thanks for Azula's large range of clothes.

The sun went down slowly, painting the skyline to orange. Birds didn't sing anymore; the whole courtyard was silent.

I shut my eyes and leaned back, pressing my back against the tree.

''What a day,'' I thought. I was supposed to go home later than usually because my parents had an important meeting, which lasted a long time.

''Mai...''

I cringed and opened my eyes.

Zuko stood in front of me, hands behind his back. His cheeks were red.

''Um... I-I'm sorry about what happened earlier,'' he mumbled softly. ''So I thought... I mean it was mother's idea... that I'll give you these...''

He brought his hands in front of me. He was holding a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

There were just a couple of wilted flowers.

''T-t-thanks... But you didn't have to... '' My heart was beating hard. ''I can't take them - ''

''Just take them,'' he claimed and pushed the flowers into my arms.

''Thanks, they're... pretty.''

He blushed slightly.

''Not as pretty as you,'' he spluttered and quickly turned around before I could respond. ''I have to go now, bye!''

He hastened away, not looking behind.

My face spread into a joyful smile.

So, that was the first chapter :-) What do you think?