Author's Note: Hey, guys! (I guess that's become my official greeting...) Anyways! I'd just like to say that I'm thankful for all the reviews of Maya! Also, I just finished writing the first Book! Meaning, I'll probably be uploading way more frequently. So look forward to more chapters more often! You guys are awesome! - Fira
Thirty-three
It had been about a week since the storm, and Zuko and Maya were still being oddly nice to each other. It still made Maya feel a little awkward, but she was happy nonetheless. It gave her hope that perhaps Zuko wasn't as mean as he liked to think he was. He was even nicer to Uncle, who took it as a sign that things were going to change soon, whatever that meant.
Everything was going well for them, except for the fact they had no idea where the Avatar was. Ever since the storm, they had all tried in vain to pick up on Aang's trail, but it had been impossible. Then, something worse happened. They got a visit from Zhao. More specifically, they got a visit from a few crewmembers on Zhao's massive ship. Apparently, he'd been promoted to Admiral, which meant that now he had even more money and resources.
It all happened a little after breakfast. Uncle was playing pai sho with Maya, who was still terrible at it, but getting a little better with each game, and Zuko was standing behind Maya, arms folded across his chest, watching. After approximately ten seconds, he grew bored and turned to look out the window. That was when he saw the giant ship come up alongside them and block out the sun, as if Zhao was trying to do whatever it took to make their lives miserable.
Maya, who had noticed the shadow slowly encompassing the room, looked up. "Who is that?" she asked, when she saw the ship out the window.
"What do they want?" Zuko said at the same time. It sounded as if he knew who it was.
"Who's they?" she said.
"Who do you think?" he replied.
She sighed. "It's Zhao, isn't it?"
"Yep."
"Great."
Uncle suddenly clapped his hands together. "Maybe all they want is to play a nice game of pai sho?"
"I hope that's all they want," Maya said.
A few minutes later, there were three angry-looking men in uniform standing together in the little room. The man in front was holding a scroll, which he rolled open and showed to Maya, Uncle, and Zuko. It was a picture of Aang. "Admiral Zhao has requested that all information regarding the Avatar be delivered immediately to him. Anyone who is known to have held back information will be punished."
"Admiral? Zhao has been promoted!" Uncle exclaimed. "Well, good for him."
Zuko folded his arms across his chest. "I don't have anything to report to Zhao."
After a few more clipped words, the three men left. Everyone looked around at each other and gave sighs of relief. After another few minutes, the giant ship was gone, and there was once again light in the room. Maya was happy that they were gone, but when she smiled at Zuko, he did not smile back. With a sigh, he walked out of the room.
Maya and Uncle looked at one another. Maya wanted to go and talk to Zuko, but before she could even get up, Uncle stood and said, "I'll go." She nodded and watched him leave.