Victory

The person hiding behind the smiling demon mask spoke not a word. However, there was nothing to be said as Mai dodged another swing of his swords and leaped backwards, throwing a small dagger at the black clad figure. The Blue Spirit was not fazed by such a simple attack. His stance showed that he had survived many different conflicts and battles, and will live to see many more.

It was one of her special abilities, to read a person merely by his or her stance. It wasn't difficult at all, but it was dangerous to do during pitched combat, as the weapons master found out. In the moment she was distracted by her thoughts, the blade in his right hand made its way to her throat. She shut her eyes and prepared to meet Agni, but the killing blow never came.

What seemed like an eternity passed before the girl's eyes came open again. The Spirit's sword had stopped only millimeters from her skin. Curiously, she looked into the mask, unsure of its wearer's intentions. Now that she was closer to her opponent, Mai was almost certain that the person behind the mask was male.

The thing that made her wonder though, was not his identity, but why he had spared her. After all, he had never shown mercy to those from the Fire Nation before, while those of the Earth Kingdom were only stolen from.

"Perhaps he can't tell the colors of my clothing at this time of night." She posed a possible solution to her problem. She dismissed such thoughts as the Blue Spirit backed away, but did not sheathe his twin blades. Once again, his stance spoke volumes, he was unsure of himself and his opponent, a combination of attitudes that left him open to attack, especially in this, lack of, light.

It was her duty, after all, to slay any enemies of the Fire Nation that got in her way. That was why she followed Azula, to serve her country, not the egotistical, maniacal princess or the Fire Lord that burned and cast out one of her best friends.

She sighed in a slightly bored manner, "Sorry for your luck, Blue Spirit, but you left your guard down and I must cut you down!" A throwing star, carefully and surreptitiously removed from her left sleeve, was launched right at the masked bandit's chest. Despite the low light, the two swords crossed and deflected the projectile weapon. The shock of the sudden deflection threw her off a bit, but didn't shake her resolve, as she awaited his counterattack.

It never came and that frightened her, "Why doesn't he attack? Why won't he take the opportunity to strike me down?"

He took a few steps forward and observed her for a moment, seemingly admiring her. Then he heaved a frustrated sigh and slid his broadswords into their sheath. The battle was over, the victor obvious. The Blue Spirit bowed, a sign of his respect for her, once again exposing himself to a dangerous opponent.

Then, he leaped up into a tree and vanished...at least he would have, if a throwing dagger hadn't just pierced his right thigh. Unable to use that leg well enough, he fell to the ground. Mai quickly ran over and knelt down next to him, preparing the moment she had been waiting for since she met this masked man, only minutes ago. Carefully, she removed the ties holding the mask on and pulled it away from his face.

A scarred face, shamed to be seen this way, was turned away from her, but she still saw it, "Zuko?" She hesitated, dropping the third knife she was going to use to deliver the finishing strike and scooted away, shocked that she had almost took the life of this boy.

However, the exiled prince quickly realized that struggle to avoid being identified was futile, the surprise was written all over her face when she removed the one thing that covered his face and kept his secret from becoming common knowledge. Now two people knew, and this one might not be as merciful as the last. The Blue Spirit braced himself for the worst.

"I...I don't know what to say." Mai said quietly, so unsure of herself, "I was hoping to meet you again, but not like this." Suddenly she had become so shy, as she had when they were children.

The son of Ozai and Ursa remained silent, his pained, uncaring expression softening a little bit, and gestured to his wounded leg.

The 'friend' of Azula's nodded silently, quickly tending to the injury. She couldn't properly bandage it, but it was much better off after she performed first aid on it.

She sighed as her work was finished, "Look what's happened to us over the years, Zuko." She paused, carefully considering her next words, "Azula has Ty Lee and me working for her like servants, at her beck and call, and you've turned to thieving as you run away from the Fire Lord's persecution. It seems as if all hope is lost for us."

"It seems worse than it is." Zuko stated simply, attempting to reassure her, but not exactly sure of how to do so.

"You're right." Mai agreed, believing his words as if they were Agni's, "We can't just give up hope because the odds are against us now. Things have always been hard for you...and you haven't given up yet."

"Zuko, you've given me more hope for the future today than anyone else has given me in my entire life." The weapons master told him, "It may be suicide to leave Azula, but I will join you, if you will have me."

The nephew of Iroh seemed to be startled by this sudden statement, Mai and Ty Lee seemed undeniably loyal to Azula from the times he had spied on them all, but, now, it seemed that those perceptions were incorrect.

"Mai..." He sat up the best he could, so he could see eye to eye with her. They stared at each other for what seemed like forever and a day, before Zuko pulled her into a tight embrace. The rightful heir to Ozai's throne whispered, "Of course you can join me."

Happier than she had ever been by Azula's side, New Ozai's Governor's daughter quickly helped the lad limp back to his camp. With the combined abilities the brother of the great and powerful Ozai, the Fire Lord's son, and Mai, surviving Azula and the wrath of the Fire Nation would be that much easier...

A/N: This is something that is a result of my boredom and staying up too late after playing a videogame. I'm proud of this...but not that proud. Please review, thank you.