A/N: Thanks for the reviews. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! gag But really, thanks. Ya'll are awesome :-)
Disclaimer: Same as the last 2 damn chapters, good enuff?
Chapter 3
Dinner was held in one of the palace's smaller, less formal dining rooms. Green and gold tapestries hung from all four walls while a plush taupe rug with the Earth Kingdom rings covered the polished marble floor. The table was low and glossed to a high shine. Large overstuffed pillows circled the table. Mai was surprised that Ty Lee was sitting in the room alone drinking tea.
"Hey! How was your bath?" Ty Lee asked cheerily. Normally Mai would have found Ty Lee's tone only slightly less annoying than nails on a chalkboard, but considering the evening she was having she welcomed it. Ty Lee has always been a good friend and she has always been genuinely concerned about her happiness.
"Eh, coulda been better" Mai said absently while pouring her own tea. "The bath itself was wonderful; just what I needed. But Azula knows about what happened between me and Zuko and decided to join me just so that she could taunt me." Again Mai decided to tell her friend a half truth. Mai and Azula's relationship had always been precarious, even as children. There was an underlying tension that threatened to turn volatile at any moment. Taunting was just the least of the antics Azula engaged in. Nonetheless, it was what made their relationship thrive.
"Mai I swear to Agni I didn't say anything this time!" Ty Lee generally had problems keeping secrets. Not because she was a snitch, but because whenever she got excited things poured out of her like a busted dam.
"I know you didn't."
"Zuko told her?" Ty Lee was confused.
"No" Mai looked away. "She kinda saw it, saw us, with her own eyes."
Ty Lee's eyes and mouth widened but before she could say anything the screen door slid open and Azula appeared. The three girls exchanged pleasantries and Azula ordered the servants to bring out the food. Normally it would be considered rude to begin serving before all invited parties had arrived but Azula didn't care. She made an offhand remark about Zuko cowering in his room after the afternoon's "exhibition." Mai inwardly cringed but managed to keep her outward composure. She wanted to see Zuko again, but she secretly hoped that he would not show for dinner. Unfortunately, just as a platter of roasted turkey-ducks, steamed vegetables, white rice, and miso soup was placed on the table, the screen door opened and Zuko entered. Great, welcome to the freakin' circus Mai thought.
"So nice for you to join us ZuZu."
Zuko's jaw line visibly hardened but he said nothing. He knew if he was to survive dinner he could not respond to everything Azula said. Selecting a pillow next to Mai, Zuko sat down and began plating his food. Ty Lee let a broad grin spread over her face. She resisted the urge to say how cute they looked sitting next to one another, but she certainly thought it. She also thought how cute Zuko had become in spite of the scar.
Nearly half way through the uncomfortably silent meal a Dai Li agent entered through a hidden earth door. "Excuse me, princesses. I have a letter from the Fire Lord." The Dai Li agent bowed and left through the same invisible entrance. Wiping her hands, Azula silently read the letter while the other three waited to hear what it contained.
Azula closed the letter and smiled. "Father has already appointed a governor over Ba Sing Se. We are to return home once he arrives."
"Home. I'm finally going home." Zuko sounded hopeful.
"Not yet" Azula continued. "Father says it will be at least three weeks before the new governor will arrive."
"Three weeks!" Zuko interrupted.
"Honestly ZuZu, what's three weeks when you've already been gone three longyears?" Both Mai and Zuko knitted their brows and shot dangerous looks toward Azula. Ignoring Zuko and looking at Mai, Azula continued, "I'm sure you can find somethingto do to occupy your time." Mai rolled her eyes and stabbed a slice of turkey-duck with her chopsticks. Azula silently sipped her tea. "Oh and until then Martial law will be in place. Zuko and I are to meet with Generals Zhán Shí and Lí Hai tomorrow morning as father's representatives."
Zuko's expression changed. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Had his father really accepted him back? He suppressed his excitement fearing that it could be a trap. This would be the perfect chance for Azula to make him look like an ass. "May I see the letter?" he asked slowly and solemnly. Reading it, Zuko discovered that for once, Azula was indeed telling the truth. One sentence in particular Zuko read over and over: 'My son and daughter will meet with Generals Zhán Shí and Lí Hai tomorrow at noon on my behalf.' My son Zuko thought. Not his name but his relationship, son. Zuko breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. Mai slid her hand from her lap and rested it on Zuko's knee. Squeezing the skin there she looked into his eyes to share her congratulations with him.
A/N: Much shorter than the previous two. This was kind of a filler chapter--sorry. It was kinda getting fluffy toward the end and that was not my intention either so I apologize for that as well. Next two chapters will likely be published simultaneously--its time to put the kiddies to bed and get to the reason I made this story rated M. Hopefully that will be soon because the story has been done since before I published chapter 1, but I like to read the comments and tailor if need be. Plus, editing your own work takes longer than actually writing!! (in my opinion). As usual, please R&R! Thanks I.M.B.
