Hey guess what? I'm gonna skip this babbling part so we can get on with the story! ;)

Disclaimer: Avatar. Not mine.

Ages are the same again. Zuko- 9, Mai/Azula/Ty Lee- 8.

Chapter 13: Plans

One week. It's only been a week, and they've noticed a change in Mai's attitude. Every time they'd play their games, she'd simply tell them she didn't want to. Every time they would just talk, the little girl would remain quiet. Now normally, she was quiet, but this was just different.

"Azula, Mai is..." Ty Lee's little voice trailed off.

"I know." she watched as the little girl ran a line in the water next to her with a finger. She obviously looked upset. "I thought it would be better if Zuko was never with her anymore."

"And it's not?" she asked. Azula shook her head. Clearly now she was thinking.

"But we can fix this!" she piped up. "There's a play at school, right?" Ty Lee nodded.

"How will that help, though?" she titled her head to the side, like a confused puppy when scolded.

"Easy. We get them to play the lead roles." Azula stepped off the bridge that lay across the small river. "And...change the script a little." she added.

"Clever..." Ty Lee complimented. "But, what about you dad? Isn't he going to be at the play?"

"Oh yeah," Surely Ozai would get pretty upset. "I'll just explain it was my fault. He always believes me." she smiled. Being daddy's little girl really did have its benefits. "But remember- we can't tell them about this." she reminded her.

--

"Ugh!" Ty Lee groaned in her chair. The fourth grade was so boring- at least to someone who isn't used to boredoem and silence for more than half an hour. She laid her chin on her hand once more, signaling boredeom had almost fully taken over her. If they were signing up for the play, it was nessecary they stay after class. That would really add more time.

"Relax, Ty Lee!" Azula comanded. "You'll get in trouble if you keep moving around. Bsides, we only have a few more minutes before class is over." the young acrobat rolled her eyes and continued waiting.

Mai on the other hand, crossed her arms on her desk, and lazily lay her head on it. By Ozai's orders, Zuko was also moved to another class. Sometimes, she just felt like yelling at the guy.

"Alright. Class is dismissed!" Mr. Zhao announced. It was about time. The two waited until everyone left before approaching the teacher.

"Um, Mr. Zhao,"

"Yes, princess Azula?" he turned around. "What did you need?"

"It's about that play they're having in a few days." she innocently informed him. "My brother and I wanted to have the lead roles." she went straight to the point. The man was a bit taken back at what she said though, because out of all the people. Azula? In a play? With a bit of romance between the two lead roles?

"Are you sure?"

"Um, yes." she confirmed. "My mom says it's important that I get involoved in these kind of things." she lied. At least it sounded more believable than Mai or Ty Lee when they tell her false information.

"Okay then..." he agreed as he started writting on the paper with the words 'Play Roles' written on the top. He clearly wrote the names Azula and Zuko at the top. Ty Lee pulled her friend away from the bigger desk.

"What? Why you and Zuko?" she asked still confused.

"Ty Lee..." she slapped her forehead in frustration. "What do you think Mr. Zhao would say if I said, 'Mai and Zuko want the lead roles'?" Ty Lee looked at the floor for a moment, then let all her thoughts out with a simple 'oh'.

"Okay. Thanks Mr. Zhao." Azula said as she happily walked out the door.

"Now what?" Ty Lee asked as they made their way through the busy hallways.

"Just wait." After a few more turns around corners, they reached the large stage area where the play was supposed to be held. It was a large outdoor complex, covered with shade and completely decorated for the first act.

Spotting the original copy of the script, Ty Lee. walked past the table, grabbing the stack of papers subtly and brought it back to Azula. The princess toook out a black ink pen and started making the "improvements" she planned. She quickly skimmed the first few pages- only to find the interesting parts in the last act.

Final Act

Lead Role (Female): I've missed you

Lead Role (Male): I've missed you too

Both lead Roles hug...

Azula carefully scratched out the words 'missed' and with her neatest handwritting wrote the words 'love' in the spots. She did the same with 'hug', only she replaced it with 'kiss'. She was sure this was anough to get her dad to say something. The princess placed the script back where they had found it and strotted over to where her friend stood.

"Okay, we're done here." she stated. Ty Lee happily nodded as they headed for the door to get home.

Heh...yeah, this one's pretty short. But it's basically Azula with her plan to get Mai and Zuko together once more. Next chapter will be the play-thingy. Oh yeah, and another thanks, this time to hpswst101! I thought it really fit in with the story so far.

This is also the last chapter before the dreaded school starts for me. Which means I may take a little longer to update and stuff. But I'll still keep it going.

-Black5Belt