OW!! My wrists were BADLY hurt from tae kwon do. So I'm supposed to lay off the computer for a while. :P Anyway, here's the next chapter. And who ever reviews gets a SUPER, HILARIOUS, LOL TREAT!! For real, I'll pm you the link if you review. You can even tell me ONE WORD and I'll take that ;).

Note: SUPER, HILARIOUS, LOL TREAT only for Zuko-lovers XD

Ages are still the same; Zuko- 12, Mai/Azula/Ty Lee- 11

Chapter 19: Lies?

Tip Tap Tip Tap

Her steps made an odd rhythm that irritated her as she made her way to a classroom. But why? Because she had been a "good girl" as to accept and run a simple errand for her teacher. Even though the woman insisted the princess shouldn't, she did get a pretty bad grade on her last test.

"You are so mean," a voice laughed- obviously being sarcastic at the moment. She had recognized that a conversation was going on in a room she was not so far from.

"I know," another one boasted. Though the voice sounded strangely familiar. She quickly shook off the fact that she was so tempted to see whoever was in the room. Too late. Curiosity got the better of the girl as she stealthily peeked through the door.

Her eyes shifted around the room to see there were only three girls in there, just talking. A bright haired girl, a shorter one and...Lyka?! Azula was simply appalled at the girls as they resumed their conversation.

"No! Evesdropping is bad!" her inner-conscience echoed in the back of her head. She shook that thought away as they continued talking.

"So how long are you going to keep it up?" the short one asked.

"Dunno," Lyka shrugged. "I guess until Jun says something. He's too caught up with that Jin girl though..." she rolled her eyes. Wait, it sounds like she's just using Zuko. As much as she tried, Azula could not stay uninterested.

"Yeah, but I do feel bad for him," the brown-haired girl stated. "He is the prince." Oh yeah, they're definitely talking about her brother. And she's definitely just using him.

"That's the point, Ming." Lyka reminded her friend. "Anyway, let's go- I think free period's over." She said as they got out of their seats and headed for the door. Azula, now somewhat panicked that they were headed her way. She stepped away from the door as they all bowed to her before they had disappeared from her sight into the hallway.

Phew, being a princess did have its benefits.

Meanwhile, Mai was calmly sitting under her favorite tree just outside the back door of the school. She had taken advantage of free period to do her homework under the peaceful weather.

"Stupid homework," she muttered quietly under her breath as she paused to check over an answer she was sure was wrong. "It was fine until they started adding letters to the equations." Surely she was a very smart girl- but perhaps there was something else on her mind.

"Need help?" she looked over to her right to see an unusually happy Zuko sit by her. She could easily tell that it was Lyka-related. Her eyes immediately squinted as her eyebrows slightly came together.

"No, actually I don't." she defiantly looked away. Though part of her really regretted this. Why'd she have to have such a huge crush on him? "And I think Mrs. Lee's class is supposed to be back inside by now." she stood up and headed for the school.

By instinct, Zuko quickly stood up and followed.

"What?" he asked once he had caught up with her. As soon as he had made that comment, she exchanged him a 'what-do-you-think' look. Much like Azula would when he'd ask her a question.

"Look, nothing's wrong...or anything..." she sighed. It killed her to lie to him- but what was she supposed to do? Say his girlfriend's a total...well she's not the type to say words like that. "I'm just gonna get to class." she continued walking.

"Mai," he called after her. Respectfully, she turned around- probably to hear another excuse. But before he could even say anything, Lyka had walked into the picture once more.

"Hey," she greeted him as she gave Mai a nasty look. Without another word, she took him by the arm and gave him a quick peck on the lips. At this, Mai felt as if she had just been stabbed by one of her daggers.

Now shocked and a bit dazed, Lyka waved bye to Mai as she pulled Zuko off away from her.

"Whatever," Mai thought as she turned around. But just as she did, she realized she had nearly ran into Azula. "Oh, sorry." her voice still had a hint of jealousy and anger/rage.

"Wait, I need to tell you something!" she stopped her friend. Mai stopped, listening. "You may think I'm making this up- but Lyka's using my brother...to get her old boyfriend back." she spit it out in one short- but still detailed- sentence.

"Really?" Mai wouldn't believe this. As much as she wanted to, it just didn't seem like that.

"Yes, you know Jun? The kid almost every single girl in this school- including me and Ty Lee- thinks is so cute?" Azula tried to explain as quickly as possible as Mai simply nodded her head. "Yeah, I heard her, Ming, and Asuka talking about it."

"The Asuka who we all call Suki?" she questioned.

"Yup," For a moment, Mai stood there thinking. And now that Azula mentioned it, it did make some sense. "So I think we should-"

"No Azula, I don't think we should mess with them." Mai contradicted.

"But if we don't..." she stopped there allowing Mai to think a little before continuing.

"...Oh,"

"See?" she smiled sweetly. "Now let's go,"

By curiosity, do any of you guys play Tekken (4, 5, or 6)? If you do, you'd probably see another reference thing here. But if you don't play that super awesome PS2/3/P game, then you would have seen I put the name Suki in there. I always thought Asuka's nickname would have been Suki ;)

Gasp! I apologize for still being so predictable and not coming up with anything too original. But I will soon enough :D. And remember, THE SUPER HILARIOUS LOL TREAT FOR ZUKO LOVERS is available once you review! It doesn't take much, trust me ;)

-Black5Belt