Sennin of the Four Nations

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Naruto x Harem?

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''Normal Speech''

Inner Thoughts, Dialogue, Musical Lyrics, or reading passages from books and scrolls.

(Quick Notes and Messages or Echoes.)

(Dark over lapping echoes)

''Boss Summons, Demons, Dark beings speaking, Possessions, Demonic/Angry characters speaking as well as extremely Dark spells and Magic.''

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Story Start

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As Mai silently waited for Zuko to arrive, she began reflecting on the nature of their relationship. How much she really knew of him, how much chemistry she had with him. Upon seeing how Naruto and Azula acted, though, she began second guessing herself. She thought she knew what love was, but she had never been in a relationship before, had never take time to explore her emotions. Laughing and smiling were two things Azula never did before Naruto came around, and that had Mai wondering just what she had with Zuko beyond a few memories and a crush? After all, her parents' parenting style had done its job of stunting her emotional development in that department.

Mai may have been spoiled, like many other wealthy girls, but she found little comfort in material needs. Her life style had been very controlled. Her voice was never heard, as expected of a proper lady. She was required to be quiet, like a doll, as her father's career meant everything to her parents. Year after year, her father would climb the ranks of the Fire Nation hierarchy. Day after day of being told not to speak until spoken to and being informed that one wrong action could ruin the family had taken its toll on her so had being rewarded for her 'obedience'.

"Are you even listening to me, Mai?" her mother's voice droned in her head. "Marrying into a good social position is important. You should be concerned about it.'' Mai's mother droned on and on about clothes and hair and makeup and young men.

And, of course, when her younger brother Tom-Tom was born, her parents had the son they wanted, fussing over him and practically leaving her to her own devices until they needed her to make a good impression for the royal family, or something of that nature.

It probably would have been a lonely experience if it wasn't for the man she called Sensei. During those moments where he took her under his wing Naruto did everything he could to make her smile. He took to training her and as a result she grew into a pretty skilled individual being one of the few people in the Fire Nation to have the rare skill of using multiple different weapons. Unfortunately he had left before her brother had been born leaving her to a rather boring life with training being the only thing to keep her preoccupied the past few years.

She was so lost in her thoughts she didn't even notice Zuko arrival until he was practically in front of her. Their meeting was rather silent for the most part, as it was obvious neither of the two had much experience in this sort of thing.

''You look...nice.'' the fire bender complemented awkwardly.

''Thanks.'' Mai replied. She was wearing fancy green robes with gold trimming, with her hair pinned up by twin ornaments, and light make-up; the last part courtesy of Ty Lee, who would not leave her alone unless Mai allowed her to help her in some way. ''You're not too bad looking yourself.'' she wirily commented. ''Do you know where everyone else is at?''

''Azula and Naruto are training and the spirits only know what Ty Lee and that Earth Bender are up to.'' he responded in a rather hollow tone.

Mai sighed, knowing that Zuko was probably still feeling guilty about what happened with his uncle. A girl's voice broke through her ruminations. "Lee," she called and approached Zuko. ''Why did you ditch me at the celebration?'' she asked, visible annoyance on her face that only tempered upon seeing Mai. "Who's this?" the girl asked Zuko, pointing to Mai.

"Oh, hi, Jin, this is just my friend from …the circus. Yeah, she's the knife thrower." Mai couldn't help but frown. 'This Jin girl again.' she thought in annoyance. Whoever this Jin girl was she clearly liked Zuko.

"Really?" Was all Jin asked, her eyes roving from Lee's flushed face to the girl, whose gaze flickered on to her at the same moment. She shook her head and her face fell. ''Maybe, I just thought you would be truthful to me for once.'' she said as Mai raised an eyebrow in interest. ''I...I don't want to alarm you two, but that Naruto guy has already told me a few things.'' she admitted with a wince as Zuko angrily swore and Mai covered the bottom portion of her face and sighed.

''Where the hell does he get off...?''a few more colorful exclamations left Zuko's mouth as Mai led Jin away to the side.

''So, you like Zuko huh?'' Mai asked as Jin nodded with a blush.

''I can understand why he lied, I just wish he could have been one to tell me,'' she admitted as Mai nodded in understanding. She thought it was weird Naruto did this considering he wasn't one to stick his nose in just anyone's private business, but she was definitely going to have a talk with him later. No matter how smart or powerful he was, there was still a limit to how much one had a right to mettle in someone else's life, especially if said person was a friend or precious to someone he was involved with. ''I'm surprised you're talking with me and not trying to skewer me,'' she thoughtlessly admitted before becoming flustering and hastily adding, ''Not that I think you're some crazy knife chick or anything it's just...''

''To be honest, part of me does want to use you for target practice,'' Mai casually admitted with that dark humor of hers, resulting in Jin gulping and looking nervously. ''But, then again, it isn't like Zuko and I are together. I had a crush on him a few years ago and that was it. We're only here together on a date to see if anything is there. You should come along if you wish.'' she casually suggested as Jin's eyes widened.

''I...I couldn't,'' the girl replied with a shake of her head.

''Nonsense...Mr. broody is going to need someone to keep him in line if things between us go south.'' the pale skinned girl replied. This Jin girl was shorter than her, had a warmer complexion and hazel brown hair with softer features than her. With her bushy brown hair, she was the type of girl guys would go for, like Ty Lee, she thought, underestimating her own appeal, with her ebony tresses, lovely complexion and tall slender form.

Zuko of course didn't take as well to Mai's suggestion of juggling two girls on a single date; maybe the fact it wasn't the sort of thing he expected her to do made it difficult for him to handle. Then there was the awkwardness of his lies being revealed and that he wasn't sure how he felt about either girl.

"You finally seem to be enjoying yourself." He turned away completely. "I've missed seeing this side of you." Zuko softly spoke.

Mai felt a long-held tension leave her body. Zuko cared and hadn't forgotten her. He had thought about her over the years. What did that mean, though? With Jin having left for the time being to freshen herself up, that left the two of them alone to talk.

"Well, a lot has changed since the days when I used to throw mud in your face. And I can't help but wonder just what I want to do with my life." Mai could see herself being with Zuko. She could feel he wouldn't designate her to the role of just a wife. He was too kind-hearted a person, having suffered at the hands of his cruel father, to not be, but that wasn't enough anymore. Zuko's actions may have helped them down in the catacombs, but it showed he still clung to his honor and the traditions of the Fire Nation. What will become of her if she decided to be with him? He had seen and lived in the world for over three years and wanted nothing more than to return to the Fire Nation, to return home.

But Mai wanted more than that. She wanted to be free, to express herself and see the world, and she knew trying to get Zuko to submit to what she wanted would only result in resentment growing between them. Many times, she had been drilled on what to do and what not to do for a happy marriage and to avoid the mistakes that people in her generation seemed to be committing in a growing alarm.

"You kept it?" she asked wonderingly as Zuko pulled out that heart-shaped rock she had given Zuko shortly before his banishment.

The prince smiled shyly, pink tingeing his cheeks again. "It reminded me of you," he stated simply.

They sat like that, side by side, at the fountain. Neither spoke. ''We'll be leaving in a few weeks.'' Mai stated bluntly. She knew that simply killing Ozai would not bring an end to the war. They needed to get his supporters, and those who held similar ideals in a single swoop. It's always easier to fight an enemy with a face attached to them so easy that sometimes you forget the enemies that often hide in the shadows."

Zuko nodded. "I know, Mai," he said sadly. "I don't even know what to do. I'm almost afraid to go home. It's what I've dreamed of for three years, but now I don't know how my father will react to me, and my uncle… I hurt him…the way he looked at me…." she said as his hands clenched on his knees.

''He sided with the enemy Zuko.'' she calmly stated. ''I know it must be hard, considering he's been your companion for all these years, but we all have to take responsibility for our choices. This world is changing and we'll have to change to keep up with it or be left behind, and unless you push away those doubts that hang inside your heart, you'll never be to move on in life. You have to go home and put those doubts to rest Zuko.''

''You're right...'' he admitted as he softly breathed.

''And that is why you should choose Jin,'' Mai said as Zuko's head shot up in alarm.

''What?''

''The Fire Nation is your home Zuko, but it's never felt like a home to me. Its been like a prison. I still don't know who I am. I don't know what I want or what my dream is. I need the time and the opportunity to find myself and follow my heart, and I can't do that if I'm confined to the Fire Nation. I hope you understand.'' she said. She swiftly placed a kiss on Zuko's forehead. ''Thank you Zuko and I'm sorry. When this war is over I need to see what's out there for me.''

Zuko wasn't sure what he felt at that moment. Well, maybe rejected, for one, and a little heart-broken. ''I-It's just us huh?'' Jin's voice pervaded through the silent night's air. When Zuko looked up, he was awestruck. Jin looked absolutely stunning in the moon's light. She didn't wait for an answer as she sat by him and rose up her hand. Zuko pulled away slightly as Jin's gentle hand hovered over his scar. ''I couldn't imagine a father doing this.'' she said as her face fell slightly.

''What happened to him? Your father I mean.'' he asked. Jin pulled away and looked down at the ground.

''I-It's my fault. " she said as with a motion of her hand she lifted a few rocks causing Zuko to look on in surprise. "Up until a few days ago, all Earth Benders were expected to join the Dai Li. When I discovered I was an earth bender, I was too young to realize the gravity of the situation and I wanted to show everyone. I was so proud and had no idea what would occur if I showed off my bending ability. The Dai Li showed up to take me away, but my father made a bargain. His life and servitude in exchange for mine.'' tears began to stain her cheeks. ''The last time I saw him was eight years ago.''

This was a result of Long Feng doing his best to make sure that no uprising would occur and he would retain control of the city. The incentive of being paid for information on unregistered benders made sure the unsavory sorts did their dirty work for them. With that, Zuko sat there and listened to Jin open her heart to him still unsure just what to do where his heart was concerned.