I disclaim any ownership of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Lalala! Ninth chapter! Join me in dancing? This will be a chapter of pure fluff, and then seriousness will continue. Am I about halfway done with my story? I don't know, maybe. Sad? I am, too.

Two thousand, five hundred, seventy-five hits. I am good, aren't I? Especially since none of my twenty-nine reviews have been flames. I'm going to continue in dancing wildly.

Review and I will bake you cookies. Whether you eat them or I do, well, that's up to me. No flames; I want to keep up my good streak!

And I present . . .

For Better, For Worse, Forever . . . Chapter Nine

Mai was in the library, trying to pretend to be focused on a book. In reality, she was thinking about what had happened earlier that day. She was still so mad at Ty Lee. Sure, the hyperactive girl meant well, but she had no right to go and try to tell Zuko that Mai loved him. What could've happened if he had found out?

She and Zuko could no longer be friends; it would be too awkward! Then, Zuko wouldn't trust Mai any longer, and any hopes of ever having him love her would dissipate into thin air. Mai would grow old and lonely, being the owner of over twenty badger cats. She shuddered at this possible outcome.

The assassin let her mind wander away from the book a little further. What if Ty Lee had told Zuko, or if Mai had told him herself? And what if Zuko felt the same way? What would've happened?

Mai smiled a little. She saw herself dressed in Fire Nation royalty garb. If only, Mai thought. She dreamed of being queen, maybe producing an heir or two. Mai did love kids, even if she didn't show it to her little brother, Tom-Tom.

Her thoughts were interrupted by someone clearing their throat. Without even turning to see who it was, she knew.

"Hello, Zuko. How are you?" she asked. Mai turned to face him. Zuko was smiling. He sat in a chair next to Mai.

"I'm fine," he said. He seemed distracted, but he was looking right at her.

"What are you staring at?" Mai asked, setting down her book. She cocked an eyebrow.

"Oh, nothing really, Mai," Zuko said. She thought she might've seen a tint of red in his cheeks. But it couldn't be… could it?

"Are you sure?" she asked. Mai started to worry about Zuko a little. "Are you sick?" She pressed her hand to Zuko's forehead. He took it from his brow and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Your hand is really soft," he said, stroking her fingers. Mai got up, trying to hide her blush (and failing to do so).

"Okay, y-you're sick. I'm taking you to the- er, doctor's," she managed to stutter. Mai headed towards the door, but Zuko still had her hand, and he pulled her back.

"Mai," he said, laughing a little, "I'm not sick. I promise. It's just that Ty Lee told me something interesting." Oh, no. Damn it, Ty Lee, Mai thought, now turning her usual fair complexion a bright pink.

"What all did she tell you?" Mai asked, fear heavy in her voice. Zuko chuckled. She's really cute when she tries to act collected, Zuko thought.

"She told me you fell in love," he said. Mai sighed and hid her face in her free hand. "And it's not just anyone you fell in love with. He's very familiar to me." He smiled; he loved to tease her.

"Oh, no," Mai groaned. She felt like she'd cry, or even run away. She was so embarrassed. "I didn't mean for you to find out that way, Zuko. I'm sorry." The young woman turned to leave while she still had a fraction of her dignity. But, once again, she was pulled back by Zuko's hand.

"It's alright, Mai. I don't mind," he said, and reached for her other hand. Now, Mai felt as if she could melt. She had to bite her bottom lip to keep her from launching her mouth onto his. "Trust me, I don't mind at all."

Mai looked up into Zuko's golden eyes; they shone in the dim light of the library. Why is he being so forward suddenly? she asked herself. He never acts like this.

"We missed a long time of being together after my Agni Ki, Mai," Zuko said, as if he had read her mind. "I'm not going to lose anymore time." The usually gloomy woman looked up at her long-time friend and love, and did something very rare. She smiled. It was not even a quick smile that seemed more sympathetic than anything. The smile Mai gave Zuko was genuine, one that was heartfelt. Though she might have been out of practice in the smiling department, Zuko could not have thought Mai looked any prettier than she did right then and there.

"I've missed you Zuko," she said. She was about to say more, but Zuko couldn't wait any longer. He pushed back her long bangs, leaned down, and kissed her. Though surprised at first, Mai couldn't have been happier.

They had been kissing for no more than four seconds when they heard a shrill, but familiar shriek come from behind one of the many bookcases.

"It worked!" Ty Lee screamed at the top of her lungs. Right as she was about to run out of the palace and announce to the world that Mai and Zuko were now an item, she felt two pairs of hands clamp around her mouth.

"Ty Lee, you can't tell anyone!" Mai scolded her now very disappointed friend.

"Why not?" the acrobat whined. She put on her famous pout, the one that even Mai could barely resist.

"Think about it," Zuko said. "What would Azula do to us if she found out? She's not very coolheaded when anything comes close to me producing an heir to the throne to take her spot."

"What does that have to do with me, Zuko?" Mai questioned with a little tension. He smiled bashfully.

"I mean, it's not that I'm planning children right now!" Zuko said quickly, "It's just that now that I have a girlfriend, it could lead to marriage, leading to children, which will lead to Azula being pushed even further away from the throne. That will not make my sister very happy at all." Both the girls nodded in agreement.

"But I can't tell anyone at all?" Ty Lee moaned. Both Zuko and Mai shook their heads no. Ty Lee crossed her arms and pouted.

Mai just laughed a little and patted her friends head. She left the library with Zuko right next to her and Ty Lee trotting not too far behind.

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It's been so long since I've updated. With finals, end of the year school trips, and the big dance, I've been too busy. But I've finally finished it.

Yes, I am aware that Mai and Zuko may have gotten majorly out of character in this chapter, but all regularity will be restored with the next chapter. I promise.

Did you like it? Review! If you didn't, don't bother.

Next chapter will be back to seriousness. Look forward to this chapter, too.

-Maiko Forever