"So, Lady Mai."
She didn't turn around. Zhao was the last person any of them had expected, much less wanted to see again, and his comments to Zuko only served to make her hate him more, as if it were possible.
"Come now, there's no need to be shy," he said. "I know we haven't seen each other in two years, but-"
"Screw off," she snapped. "I don't want anything more to do with you, and what you said to Zuko was out of line."
"Lady Mai, I don't see why you insist on following the banished prince around like a puppy. You're a noblewoman of such high standing, and if you want to catch the Avatar you should be working with someone better...someone like me."
"I said I don't want anything to do with you, Commander," Mai snapped. He reached for her upper arm, and she jerked away from his grasp. "And any part of you that touches me, you're not getting back."
He glared darkly at her, grabbing both her arms in one swift motion and pinning her to the wall. Fuck, she thought.
"Then you're my sworn enemy as well, and I'll have to take you as a hostage until Prince Zuko gives up his silly little plans," he growled. "Now, if you don't come quietly with me-uhhh!" He suddenly grunted in pain as her knee made contact with his groin. "You little wretch! Fine, if you insist on being difficult then so be it!" He began to conjure a fire blast, but Mai was already several steps ahead of him, a knife in each hand.
It was a close match; she was smaller and more agile, but he was a talented firebender and faster than she gave him credit for. But by the time Zuko and Iroh heard the commotion and came running, she had him cornered.
"Mai! Are you all right?!" Zuko called. She smirked, dropped her knives and put on her most convincing Helpless Girl Mask.
"Oh, Zuko, it was horrible! You wouldn't believe the things he said to me!" she said breathlessly, running to his arms. Zhao shot her a dirty look as she gloated silently at him from Zuko's embrace. Iroh shook his head, going over to pick up Mai's knives.
"Commander Zhao," he scolded, "picking a fight with a young lady? You're more lacking in honor than I thought."
"But she-I was just-" Zhao sputtered. "We were having a discussion, and she attacked me!"
"Never you mind." Iroh shook his head. "Come, Prince Zuko and Lady Mai. It's getting late."
As they left a smouldering Zhao behind, Zuko laughed.
"Nice touch with the helpless girl act," he said. "But did he actually..."
"No. If he had he'd be bleeding from several places," Mai said.
Iroh sighed.
"You would both do better to learn to ignore him from now on."