Authors note: I know many people might not like Maiko but just give it chance. And no I do not own avatar.

Chapter One

Behind the Door

"Stand still Ty Lee," demanded Azula.

"I'm trying princess Azula but I just can't," replied Ty Lee in a tired voice.

Azula was standing on her back and was quite heavy even though she was only nine.

"Do not say can't Ty Lee, you will. Mai, get over here!"

The sour looking child glared at the princess. She knew if she didn't come she'd get in trouble. But today Mai didn't care. Why did she have to obey the orders of a girl who didn't even consider her as a friend? Today she wasn't going to put up with it.

"Mai, you heard me! Now get out of your thoughts and get over here!"

Mai found herself about to scream when an older voice intervened.

"Azula, please talk nicer to your friends," said Azula's mother, Ursa.

"You can hardly call that girl my friend," said the princess under her breath.

Ursa shot a sharp look to Azula who only rolled her eyes.

"Look mother, the only reason I called for Mai was so that I could finish my pyramid."

Ursa looked down at Ty Lee, the base of the pyramid, sweat pouring down her face. Even though she was tired, Ty Lee wasn't going to make a fool of Azula by making her fall. Finally, someone came to her rescue.

"Azula, how about you finish your pyramid later. I think people will be more willing," urged her mother.

Azula sighed heavily, "Oh fine."

She jumped off Ty Lee reluctantly and strutted off. Ursa gave a smile to Ty Lee to say your welcome and Ty Lee smiled back. Mai watched as this all happened. In a way she envied Azula for the mother she had. Ursa was serious and precise yet joyful and sometimes unpredictable. She always had a kind word to say and would help solve a problem anytime she could. There was no one like her in the entire fire nation. Well maybe in truth, Mai just wanted a mother of her own. Someone to care for her, rejoice with her, love-"

"Mai, Mai!" screamed Azula in the middle of her thoughts.

"Huh, what?"

"My mother called you to follow her five minutes ago."

"Fire Lady Ursa wants you," beamed Ty Lee

Mai gasped, "Fire Lady Ursa….wants me?"

Ty Lee nodded while Azula walked away in disgust. Mai didn't even stop to ask where Ursa went. She just got up and ran. Mai ran as fast as she could.

"Oh I hope she hasn't changed her mind," she thought.

Mai ran from corridor to corridor. She looked into every room that wasn't locked in hope of finding her but was always disappointed to find it empty. As she walked down a hallway, Mai saw a figure in the distance. She quickly walked towards it to find it was Ursa. Mai gave a tiny smile before she went to her usual frown.

"Oh Mai, there you are. I've been looking all over for you."

Mai looked to the ground in dismay. How could she have it so that the Fire Lady herself had to be looking for her?

"Well that doesn't matter," said Ursa gently, "You're here now and there's someone I want you to meet."

Ursa put her hands on Mai's shoulders and they both paced together, passing many chambers until they came to a pure black door that had "Death written all over it.Mai's face went pale and she started to push away.

"It's ok," said Ursa reassuringly, "I'll go first."

She opened the door slowly and walked in before Mai who stayed behind. She could hear low voices inside before Ursa called her to come. Mai walked in quietly, every step telling her to go back yet she kept going. When the room came into view, she could see that before Ursa was Zuko, prince of the Fire Nation. Mai felt like she was going to make a mad dash for the exit but her feet stayed cemented to the floor.

"Mai, this is my son, Prince Zuko."

Mai tried to utter the word "Hello" but was interrupted by Zuko before she could.

"Mother, this is one of Azula's friends?!"

Ursa frowned at her son.

"Zuko, where are your manners?"

"I don't know. Azula probably stole them. She's always stealing things…"

"Zuko…now I will not tolerate this. I know you might no want to play with one of your sister's friends but," Ursa leaned closer to her son, "She doesn't have a lot of friends and I don't think Azula is treating her right."

Ursa spoke so low now that it was almost a whisper, "When I came here, I thought you were going to treat her nice. You still can. The thing is…do you want to?"

Zuko looked from his mother to Mai. His mother was giving him a "Take Your Time" look and Mai had now glued her eyes to her feet. Zuko was about to tell his mother he still didn't want to spend time with her when suddenly he saw a tear drop from the tiny girl's eye and land on the deep, red floor. It didn't make a sound and she didn't make a sound but it seemed like everyone in the world was screaming in Zuko's ear, all saying the same thing. "How could you?"

"Um, mother…I think Mai and I…will get along fine."

Ursa grinned as she brushed Zuko's hair lightly, "I'm sure you will."

She gave Mai a smile even though the girl didn't see it and shut the door behind her.

Zuko moaned to himself about being closed in. He looked in Mai's direction to see that she was looking straight at him.

"So…you're Mai."