Here's the next chapter, ppl! Here, they pretty much just find out more about eachother. I also realized that Zuko is 2 years older than Azula and Ty Lee, and only 1 year older than Mai (In the series, Zuko is 16, Azula/Ty Lee are 14, and Mai is 15). So...oops XD. But I'm continuing the story like that anyway.

This chapter may be rated T for a reason. But it's nothing too bad.

Disclaimer: I still don't own Avatar or its characters. And I bet I still won't by the end of this story :(
Spoilers: Nope. Still no spoilers in this chapter

Same ages; Zuko- 7, Azula/Mai/Ty Lee- 6

Chapter 6: Some Call it Bonding

"Mother! We're home!" Azula called from the front door. Walking through the hallway, they eventually met up with Ursa. "And we got everything you needed!" she handed the bags to her.

"Thank you, children!" she hugged them. "Now, you may continue your games." she walked away. Azula smiled sweetly as her way of saying, 'you're welcome'. She had already left by then leaving Azula empty. Because the thank you was obviously towards Zuko.

"Great! Now let's go back to the backyard," she led them all. Normally, Zuko wasn't a follower, but he really had no choice.

"So, we're out here...now what?" he asked once they got outside. Then, he remembered something. "Oh yeah, back at the market, I didn't know you two could fight."

"Yes well, I guess that's something new you learned today," Ty Lee walked along the border of the fountain as Azula laid down near the water. Mai and Zuko were sitting, once again, under the tree, leaning on each other as Mai twirled one of her blades in her hand.

"Honestly, I didn't know either…" Azula admitted.

"Well…I'm from the circus. And you guys already know that by now...But it's a really long story." she stopped to do a handstand along the edge of the fountain, feeling the cold water close to her face.

"Well, go ahead and tell us." the princess said still relaxing.

"Okay," she started as she landed gently on her feet. "I was born with 6 other sisters who looked exactly like me. It was hard, because it was like I didn't even have my own name…so I joined the circus afraid of being part of a matched set. At least now I'm different."

"What about you getting those guys unconcious?" Zuko added.

"Oh, well one of my friend's father, from the circus of course, also knew acupuncture. Unlike Mai, I don't trust myself with sharp objects, so I learned those pressure points anyway, but I use my hands and feet."

"Wow," Azula comented. "What about you, Mai?"

"What about me?" she asked as if nothing happened.

"You and your fighting style?"

"Oh, that." she looked at the dagger spinning in her hand. "Well, my uncle was a master in Shuriken-jutsu. Even as a 4-year-old, my uncle saw I took interest weaponry as well- so he taught me. And ever since then, I've been training with him- secretly."

"But, why secretly?" Ty Lee wanted to know as well.

"Because of my father's political career." she stuck the blade back in her sleve. "Sure I'm an only rich child who gets anything I want, but I'm only allowed to speak when spoken to...I always have to sit quietly wherever we are...and my mother says I had to behave all the time." she didn't sound so thrilled saying this.

"That sounds hard," Zuko turned to her. "I know- coming from a prince it sounds a little shallow..."

"Well at least we get to goof off sometimes," Azula sat up. "Like...once a week." she smiled.

"Ya, but mom still has high expectations for me- she says I have a pretty big responsibility being a prince, and an older brother."

"Yes, and dad always expects the best when I do everything, instead of my best." she looked over to her friends. "Because mom has favorites..."

"What?"

"Yup- I can tell, Zuko." she got serious once more. "I can tell she likes you better. She always has. Not because you're the first-born though, I really don't know why. All I know is dad likes me better; as well as mom likes you more."

"But, I-"

"Doesn't matter anyway, I can live like this." she ran her fingers through the cool water feeling jealousy deep in her heart. There was an awkward silence as they all just remeained in their positions for a while.

"Wow, we really learned a lot about eachother today!" Ty Lee beamed, then turned to Azula. "Now let's go practice those cartwheels." she said as they both stood up. Mai and Zuko remained under the shade just...talking.

"Hey, I have to go..." Zuko said as he got up. But before he was fully standing, he felt pain on his lower side. Clutching at where it hurt the most, he fell on his knees as Mai helped him.

"Are you okay?" she asked worried.

"I'm fine, really." he lied. "I think it was that guy with the swords..." he lifted his hand to see a thin, red strip on his palm- evidently coming from a gash under his clothes.

"No, you're not okay- you have to get inside and have a nurse take care of you." she gently helped him up.

"But-" he stopped her by refusing to stand up. "If I go in there, my mother will find out what happened."

"So you're just going to sit there in pain waiting to bleed to death?" she tried convincing him. His face fell.

"Well...if you put it that way, okay." she smiled helping him up- successfully this time. Once standing, he was still bent over a little with one arm around Mai's shoulder for support and his other arm across his body, hand covering up the gash.

"Azula!" she tried calling for help. The princess looked over their way. "Help?"

"Sorry, a little busy over here!" she attempted another handstand, but flopped down to the floor after about five seconds. She sat up angrily as Ty Lee giggled, explaining what she was doing wrong. Mai rolled her eyes and continued on into the building. After walking/limping through a hallway, they turned a corner and met up with Ursa.

"What happened?" she asked being the protective mother she is.

"Mom, can I explain later? It really hurts." he showed her his hand, now covered in more blood. She gasped looking at the scene.

"Okay, follow me- there's a clinic not far from here." she led them down a few more hallways and turns. It was actually harder than it sounds. Having to carry someone at least your weight- who was also limping to add on more weight...Finally, they got to a room that had 'clinic' written in Kanji letters. Carefully, Mai sat him down on the bed.

"Thanks," he smiled at her as the nurse approached him with bandages. She smiled back walking out the door with his mother.

"Yes, thank you very much, Mai." she led her back to the backyard to continue playing with Azula and Ty Lee.

I was supposed to post this chapter tomorrow, but I had it today and decided to put it up anyway. Wow, this chapter was long. And if I keep babbling here, it will get longer...so just look out for the next chapter!

And don't forget to...REVIEW! I need to know if the readers enjoy the story!

-Black5Belt