A/N: Wow, I may have loved yesterday's prompt, but I didn't know anyone would agree! Thanks to all the reviewers!

Notes: Takes place BEFORE Lake Laogai, but AFTER Zuko and Iroh were transferred to the Upper Ring.

Secrets

Mai had been lounging lazily across the Earth King's throne analyzing each and every one of her blades carefully—Ty Lee was in the middle of the floor doing handstands and flips as she pleased—when Azula walked in, head held up high. Her head automatically snapped in Mai's direction, some unreadable expression on her face.

"Mai."

"Yes, Azula?" Mai knew that when she answered Azula with boredom—without looking at her to top it off—it really irked the Fire Nation princess who was use to people throwing themselves at her feet. Please… as if I'd ever.

"My stupid brother and uncle have been confirmed in the city; somewhere in the Upper Ring. I need you to go out and find exactly where they are."

Mai stood up with a sigh and bowed—albeit a little stiffly—and responded. "Yes, Princess Azula."

"I expect you back before midnight. Now go."

The tallest of the three girls took her leave. Mai may have respected (or was it feared?) Azula, but really wished she had stayed in New Ozai. Of course if she'd done that, there would have been extreme consequences, but the boredom there was better than the slave life she upheld here.

What were even more annoying were the stupid disguises they currently had to wear.

The green dress was ugly and not flattering at all. The make-up was atrocious and the use of fans as weapons was slightly degrading. Though Mai did make sure she hid a couple stilettos in the folds of the fan. Throw it out just right and WHAM!

It was late dusk when Mai made her way to the Upper Ring. Sure, it was not as large as the Middle and Lower Rings, but it would still take a while to go through every section. Most people were already home, but the few people who were out on the streets gaped openly at Mai. Apparently Ba Sing Se had heard of the Kyoshi Warriors, but had never seen one before; not that she was a true Kyoshi Warrior.

The sky was getting dark when she finally finished about a fourth of the ring. Mai guessed she had about four more hours until midnight. Boredom had struck immediately upon setting foot outside and just when she thought it was getting worse she noticed a building. A tea shop. A tea shop called the Jasmine Dragon.

Very subtle, Iroh.

The shop was already closed, but at least she knew where the two worked. If this was Iroh's tea shop their apartment couldn't be too far away. As Mai continued down the street she was suddenly grabbed and pulled into a space between two buildings. Blades were at her throat and she actually smirked a little. Wow, I'm actually getting robbed… how exciting. Sarcasm was laced strongly with every thought.

Mai elbowed her would-be thief in the side, twisted out of his grasp, and quickly pinned him to the wall with her shuriken. She had to admit she was a little surprised when she saw her attacker. "Well, if it isn't the Blue Spirit himself." The man seemed to flinch—was it at his name or something else?—but Mai ignored that and strolled up to his prone body.

She noticed she could not see much with the mask; not even his eyes were visible. "Why don't we just take this mask off…?" His head shook and Mai smiled to herself. She grabbed the bottom and with a flick of her wrist the mask was sent flying. Mai's eyes widened minutely, but returned to their normal state just as quickly.

"I should have known it was you."

Zuko seemed to be looking everywhere but at her face. "Mai, I can explain…"

She crossed her arms in front of her chest and she noticed he seemed to glance there and then stare as if in a trance. Men… Mai rolled her eyes. "I'm sure it would be a wonderful story filled with conflict and horror, but I have no time for this." She turned away and started walking.

"Mai!"

She stopped and strolled back reluctantly. "I guess I should free you." Mai grabbed all of her shuriken and once again started to leave when a hand gripped her wrist and her heart skipped a beat. She turned around quickly almost hitting him in the face. "What do you want?"

Zuko looked loss for words. "Oh… um—uh… Why are you dressed like a Kyoshi Warrior?" On the outside Mai glared at him, but on the inside she smiled 'cause he was still the same old Zuko.

"Goodby—" He pulled her closer and Mai temporarily lost the ability to breath. She looked up at him and he seemed to be debating something. Without a second thought Mai went up on her toes and pecked his lips, but before she could pull away he deepened it.

I've been waiting all my life for this.

Mai could feel Zuko shaking slightly when she pulled away and patiently waited for him to speak.

"I—I…" And without another word Zuko tore from her grasp, grabbed the fallen mask, and disappeared. His stealth had definitely improved since the last time she saw him.

Well, she thought turning around and walking away. He really IS the same old stupid Zuko.

Mai returned to the Earth King's palace about an hour after the confrontation. Azula was now seated at the throne while Ty Lee did flips around the room. "Mai, you're back. Do you have any information?"

Even though it was a question, Mai knew she better have a good answer. "I found where your brother and uncle work. Iroh owns a tea shop in the Upper Ring called the Jasmine Dragon."

A cruel smirk flitted onto Azula's face. "Perfect. We'll just get a messenger boy to say that the Earth King would love to have them come sever him tea and they'll be right where I want them."

Azula dismissed her with a wave of the hand. "Well done Mai, you are dismissed."

Mai bowed and left the room, but she could not help but feel as if she did something bad…

And that, my folks, is where canon picks up. This took over TWO FREAKING HOURS to type! My grammar just went down the drain, so if you notice any mistakes, sorry. I was just at a total loss of what to type even though I came up with the idea three days ago! I even ate a full two foot tall pixie stick to help… which it did, but now my fingers are all spazzy on the keyboard... My backspace button sure did get a work out today. I think this may be my worst prompt.

Well, thanks for reading!

Luna