"We don't have to do this" her brother said.

"She says can name possible traitors. We have to listen"

"We both know that's not why you're agreeing to talk to her"

"Who cares?" Azula had already ran out of patience "We're doing it anyway."

"Azula, this is a bad idea. Just yesterday you were jea-"

"I remember what happened yesterday, Zuko" she trying not let her anger take over, but it was becoming near impossible, and Mai wasn't even in the room yet "I don't want to see her, but we need the information she has, and I am not leaving you alone with her."

Zuko sighed and pulled her in for a hug. Azula didn't move a muscle. Before either of them said anything, a guard opened the door to their office, and they turned around to see Mai by his side, a large wooden box in her hands.

"Dismissed" her brother said to the guard, his right arm still around Azula. The loud sound of the door closing behind him echoed through the room, and was then replaced by a tense silence. Mai was the one to break the ice.

"You seem to be doing better" she sounded as bored as ever, but her expression softened for just a second.

"Much better... thanks to Zuzu" the princess said, trying to get a reaction out of her, but Mai didn't even flinch.

And now you're making a fool out of yourself just for your failure of a brother, she could hear her father say. Just when I assumed you had run out of ways to humiliate yourself.

"So it's true. Zuko finally cracked."

Azula couldn't decide if she pleased or disappointed that Mai always knew there was something between them. On one hand, always knowing she was only second best during her entire relationship with Zuko was exactly what her former friend deserved. On the other hand, that meant Azula didn't get the satisfaction of actually telling her.

"Jealous?"

Mai offered her a cruel smirk "I'm not the one fuming with rage, Azula"

"Mai" Zuko reprimanded her while strengthening his hold on Azula, as if to prevent her from attacking his ex "Be civil. You said you had information on possible traitors, right?"

Her expression became somber.

"Before I give you their names, I need both of you to promise me one thing"

"You know very well that's not how this works. You'll tell us what we want to know, beg us to return the favor somehow, and we'll think about it."

"What is it you need, Mai?" Zuko said, far too kindly for Azula's taste. In retaliation, she placed her hand on his back, subtly heating it up just a little as a threat. Zuko didn't react at all.

Even your brother doesn't respect you anymore.

Don't listen to him, dear! That just means Zuko trusts you and know you won't hurt him. Your father is never right about anything.

Why would she listen to you of all people?

BOTH OF YOU, SHUT UP!

"Azula, are you okay?" Zuko asked, gently rubbing her arm. Mai's facade crumbled for a moment, looking almost as concerned as him.

"I'm fine" she lied, desperate to pretend what just happened had not scared her. Hearing voices was already bad enough, but having said voices argue with each other in her mind was a new low "What was your stupid request?"

"I just want my family to be safe."

Before Zuko could promise nothing would happen to them, Azula spoke up "Why would denouncing traitors put your family in danger?"

Mai had the decency to look intimidated by Azula's piercing gaze "My mother and I are loyal to Zuko, and Tom-Tom will be too. Your brother might be stupid, reckless, stubborn and impatient, but he's not a bad leader"

It's true, but still.

"Watch your mouth. You're talking about your Fire Lord" Azula pulled away from her brother, walking towards her former friend "And what about your father?"

She sighed "He's conspiring with the traitors to put Ozai in power again"

It took Azula all she had to fight the urge to scream and lash out in rage. Ukano was a dead man. She wanted to hunt him down and kill him for daring to even think about hurting Zuko, let alone actually conspiring to do so.

"How dare you ask me to spare that man?"

"I'm just looking after my family"

"Which includes a traitor that wants to murder my brother" she could feel her hands shaking.

"I'm not saying you shouldn't stop him. I'm just asking you not to give him an unfair punishment"

"How thoughtful of you" she scoffed.

"What made you think he could be conspiring against us?" Zuko asked, getting in between them.

"He was acting strange for weeks now. Wouldn't let anyone into his office, was always super busy despite nothing important happening, and was acting all paranoid. I was worried, so I stole his key, went through his stuff, and found this" Mai handed him the box. It was filled with letters that had a phoenix in them "He was sending money to a rebel group. These letters have all their requests, demands, reports of progress and losses... everything. My dad caught me reading them and disappeared."

Azula smirked cruelly "If he knows what's good for him, he won't come back."

Zuko placed the box on his desk "I know this is horrible for you, Mai. I'll be as merciful as possible" he turned to Azula "But he will suffer the consequences."

"I know, Zuzu"

I'll make sure of it.