Even though Mai was Azula's friend, she and Zuko had been close for years, and now that they were the only two children on a ship full of adults that bond was even stronger. They were each other's closest confidante, ate and trained together, even shared a room.

But they were also thirteen years old and struggling with confusing new feelings, not to mention embarrassing changes to their bodies they'd sooner pretend didn't exist. Zuko became painfully aware of one of Mai's changes one morning when he woke up just in time to watch her getting undressed. She'd screamed, called him a pervert and shoved him out the door before he could even apologize.

"Trouble in paradise, Prince Zuko?"

Zuko frowned at the man standing above him. Captain Zhao always seemed to be looking for an excuse to give the children a hard time. Most of the time they shrugged it off as a symptom of his arrogance, but now was not one of those times.

"If you must know, Mai would rather I wasn't in the room while she undressed," he said sharpy. Zhao smirked.

"Ah, I see. You're getting to be an important age, after all...come, tell me all about it! I know I'm not your father, but I like to think we're close enough to share certain things," he said. Zuko bristled; while he trusted the captain with strategical decisions and combat methods, the details of his personal life and innermost (embarrassing) feelings were an entirely different matter.

"I'd rather not."

"Come now, Prince Zuko, I was once your age!"

"I..." Zuko refused to look him in the eye. "I saw something I shouldn't have and that's it. Can I go now?"

"Good morning!"

The prince had never been happier to hear his uncle's voice than he was at that moment.

"What seems to be the problem?" Iroh asked, casting a wary look at Zhao. He, unlike his nephew, did not trust the arrogant captain.

"The prince and I were just having a private chat, General Iroh," Zhao said.

"Right...Zhao, Lieutenant Jee would like to speak to you for a moment," Iroh said.

"Very well." Zhao smiled. "Perhaps we'll finish our talk later, then, Prince Zuko."

"Thank you," Zuko sighed with relief as the captain finally left. Iroh put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"What's troubling you so this morning, nephew?"

"Well...Mai and I kinda had a fight. Sorta. She got mad at me and kicked me out of the room after...well, I saw her."

"Saw her what?"

Zuko leaned closer, blushing almost painfully and whispering as though he were afraid the fish might hear.

"Her...y'know, boobs."

Iroh smiled knowingly.

"Aah, the perils of growing up. But it was an accident, right? I'm sure she'll forgive you!"

"Yeah..." Zuko sighed. "But what if she asks if I like what she saw? Either way I can't win!"

"That, I cannot help you with," Iroh said. "Growing up is all about trial and error."

Zuko nodded, absently touching his scar.

"I know. Boy, do I know."

Iroh's smile became sad as he gave the prince a comforting hug.

"I wish I could say it gets easier, I really do. You've had more than enough hardship in thirteen years..."

Zuko smiled a little.

"You know me, though, Uncle. I'm never afraid of a little hard work!"