Behind These Painted Masks
Chapter 16
Old Love
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"So, how did it go?"
"When I got to the meeting, everyone welcomed me. My father had saved me a seat. He wanted me next to him. I was literally at his right hand."
"Zuko, that's wonderful. You must be happy."
"During the meeting, I was the perfect prince. The son my father wanted. But I wasn't me."
"Why Mai?" Zuko yelled while avoiding a few blades flying through the air, "Why did you leave for Azula?" his voice was crackling slightly as every emotion, hate, fear, love and most of all a felling of abandon from the past three years came out in his voice and actions.
"Aren't you cold?"
"I've got a lot on my mind. It's been so long. Over three years since I was home. I wonder what's changed. I wonder how I've changed."
"I just asked if you were cold. I didn't ask for your whole life story."
"Zuko," she rolled avoiding the swing of Zuko's blade, "You really think I like Azula better than you?" her voice was still the same monotone he had known it to be three long years ago. To him, with her pale skin and dark hair and eyes, she still looked beautiful.
"For so long, I thought that if my dad accepted me, I'd be happy. I'm back home, now my dad talks to me. He even thinks I'm a hero. Everything should be perfect, right I should be happy now, but I'm not. I'm angrier than ever and I don't know why."
"Then why?" as a small knife grazed his shoulder he yelled in pain and fury, "WHY?" his voice was still echoing as a sword fell from his left hand while his hand clamped around the bleeding cut. With no answer he picked the blade up again and focused on the battle again.
"Zuko, leave her alone."
Mai was slightly speechless as Zuko's voice continued to echo around the room. The battle was frozen in action, Zuko still gripping his swords the blood slowly dripping from his open would onto the cold red marble floor blending perfectly with the crimson stone.
"I don't believe in auras."
"Yeah, you don't believe in anything."
"Oh, well, I'm sorry I can't be as high-strung and crazy as the rest of you."
"I'm sorry, too. I wish you would be high-strung and crazy for once, instead of keeping all your feelings bottled up inside. She just called your aura dingy. Are you gonna take that?"
"Zuko," she withdrew a blade from her inner robe, "Just remember." her eyes, normally cold dark pits were filled with understanding, hurt and something else he couldn't quite identify as she looked at him, forcing his own amber eyes too look at her.
"What do you want from me? You want a teary confession about how hard my childhood was? Well, it wasn't. I was a rich only child who got anything I wanted. As long as I behaved…and sat still…and didn't speak unless spoken to. My mother said I had to keep out of trouble. We had my Dad's political career to think about."
The blade threw through the air followed by a whispered line from the weapon's master. Zuko's eyes widened as the words hit his ears and the blades almost dropped from his hands in happiness and defeat.
"Stop talking to my girlfriend!"
"Zuko, what is wrong with you!?"
"What's wrong with me!?"
"Your temper's out of control. You blow up over every little thing. You're so impatient and hot-headed and angry."
"Well, at least I feel something…as opposed to you. You have no passion for anything. You're just a big "blah"."
"It's over, Zuko. We're done."
"I love you."
"You want me to express myself? Leave me alone!"
Zuko's sword slowly rose, hitting the blade and sending it hurdling to the ground, leaving a small nick in the spotless tile. A small smile flickered around his lips as the battle paused and the two people stared at each other.
"I like it when you express yourself."
"Don't touch me. I'm still mad at you."
"My life hasn't been that easy, either, Mai."
"Whatever- that doesn't excuse the way you've been acting."
"Still?" he asked trying to keep his voice as unhopeful as possible in case his greatest dream was dashed again.
"Orange is such an awful color."
"You're so beautiful when you hate the world."
"I don't hate you."
"I don't hate you, too."
"Forever." Mai's face had a brief flash of emotion, "But Azula..." she motioned noncommittally towards a far off door leading to the Throne Room.
"No, no... No, no."
"Then who? Who are you angry at?"
"I'm angry at myself!"
"But," Zuko was cut short as a blast of lightning flew towards him, his endless practice with his uncle kicked in, the swords dropped and the lightning flew into the tips of his fingers to his pool of chi and back out his other fingers. The lightning flew from his fingers and found the next target standing a few meters away. Mai fell gracefully as the lightning pierced her.
"I know one thing I care about...I care about you."
Zuko was taking deep breaths holding back his tears as his fingers slowly smoke with residual lightning. A cod voice now echoed around the room followed by cackling. Azula appeared from behind a pillar, examining her nails, "Dear, dear brother you seemed to have killed your old lover, and without even a good bye. But it's alright, you'll be joining her soon." Before Zuko could react lightning flashed across the room striking done the Prince.
A/N
and soon we will finally reach the end of our long journey, this story's only about 20 chapters long.