"You act so differently around those three girls," Mai stated as she had her arms crossed.
It was currently another date that Zuko had to do with a selected girl, "What are you talking about?" He asked as he kept his distance.
"You've also had this anger inside and you were never afraid to hide what you felt. What exactly changed you?" Mai asked as she was interested in who the prince was.
Zuko remained quiet as he remembered the time he had encountered the Avatar and saved him while wearing the blue mask. His primary goal was to save him, and then turn him in.
But, as his mask came off, his identity was revealed and the Avatar was conflicted. He remembered how they were in a base, "You should just run off, and go find your friends," Zuko commented as he stood up.
"And what about you?" Aang asked him concern for the prince.
"I recently was told to come back to the palace," Zuko shrugged not interested on the conversation between the two.
"Don't you think that would be the perfect time to turn me in?" Aang asked confused.
"Something doesn't feel right," Zuko admitted as he placed his mask on, "I better not see you again," Those were the last words he ever said before he dashed off into the woods.
"I'm still the same person," He scoffed towards the girl as she didn't look convinced. She brushed the idea off as she turned around to face the prince.
"You aren't the guy I fell in love with,"
He stopped dead on his tracks as he crossed his arms "Mai, why are you even in the selection?" He asked.
"You know why," She answered honestly without any hesitation. He was taken back but with that confirmation, it was enough, "Also there was a small chance that we could have been together,"
Zuko sighed as he looked directly at the girl. The girl he remembered when he was young, he remembered the countless times Azula would force the two to play, "Do you want to go home?" He asked truthfully as he placed his hand by his neck.
"I can't," Mai answered.
He stayed silent for a moment hoping to see a reaction from her, but nothing. She still had that 'dead' look in her eyes and showed no tone in her voice.
She walked closer to him as she placed a hand on his cheek, "I do love you," She admitted as she placed her lips onto his.
He was caught off guard but didn't do much to stop it or pursue it. He waited for her to pull away, and when she did he grabbed her hand, "I'm sorry Mai," He gave her a sincere smile before she shook her head and went inside her room. He shrugged it off as he headed back into his room where he laid in bed.
That kiss felt nothing to him, and it made him realize if all kisses were like that. He never did really kiss any girl until a couple minutes ago. If he hadn't been worried or traumatized as a child he wouldn't be so mature. He wouldn't have to grow up quickly after all he was banished from his home when he was thirteen.
He had to admit that he was confused about what to do. He didn't see his purpose on being back in the palace, he didn't see the purpose of this selection if he wouldn't be Firelord til his father resigns. But, now he knows that Azula might be threatening Mai to continue and this made him angry that he couldn't say much about it. The Firelord always showed his favoritism towards his sister. He knew that if Azula had assigned Mai to do such a thing it would be for a good cause. There was the remote chance the two planned it, and he has Azula watching it and reporting back to him.
Iroh, despite being the general had different views that were opposite of the Firelord. His uncle wasn't listened to or respected as he once was but instead had only a title. His brother had done that just so he wouldn't be able to overthrow him from the throne.
But that never stopped Iroh as he always had emphasized his viewpoints onto the prince but, not once, did Zuko listen to his uncle until the news of their return. Iroh had advised the prince that it was odd how out of nowhere the Firelord demand for their return. Zuko assumed that just the news of the avatar being discovered was good enough for him to get his honor.
His uncle had told him otherwise, and Zuko was in denial until he saw how the Firelord didn't welcome him home but instead had ordered he be sent into his room. Ever since the day he arrived, he snuck out and began to find out what the man had planned for him, but found nothing.
He always had this view that the avatar was the only way to regain his honor but the moment he arrived home he realized that there was no way to get that, and his father had made it clear. Zuko had finally decided to throw that mindset and goal away from his brain.
A week after their arrival, the Firelord had talked to his brother and soon then the selection idea was announced by Iroh who also had plans for the prince.
"Your Highness, the Firelord is waiting for your arrival at the meeting," Zuko heard a voice from the opposite side of the door.
He raised his brows as he opened it and saw a soldier, "He asked for me?"
The soldier nodded as he escorted the prince to the meeting room. He was confused but somewhat excited to go and stand by his side.
Their arrival came as the soldier hanged back and gestured the prince to enter. The prince did and saw all top-ranked men sitting as they looked towards his direction. His eyes stopped as he saw his sister sitting next to the Firelord.
"Zuko, take a seat, we already wasted time," The man stated as he began to speak.
Zuko sat down as his uncle was sitting next to him. He looked at the map that was spread out, "I do believe that if we enter through these islands we would be able to reach the last of the Earth Kingdom,"
Zuko looked at the map, and seeing that his uncle wasn't fond of the idea, "Those islands are sacred and shall not be destroyed by our troops," Iroh stated as the Firelord glared at his brother.
"I do believe that it is sacred, but for the best interest of this nation we should be fine going through the island," The man stated as he kept his golden eyes staring at his older brother.
"We shall not," Iroh slammed the table and grabbed everyone's attention.
Azula rolled her eyes, "Father, I don't understand why you invite this old man when he isn't even apart of this war," She exclaimed as Zuko sent a glare towards his sister.
"I hate these," Katara mumbled under her breath as she was currently looking at the Guzheng. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she gave it another try.
Around her, all the girls were familiar with the instrument. Katara was mostly struggling and it caused her to be annoyed and ready to leave the room. She had stopped asking Suki for help and kept looking at the old women. Li was hovering the other girls, Jin was currently being praised at how her piece was sounding perfect.
"Li, If I may," Everyone heard a male voice that was unfamiliar. Katara looked up as she met eyes with the man in charge of the nation. His golden eyes moved a different direction as if he hadn't noticed her.
Li raised her hand stopping everyone from playing, "Your Highness, is there something you need?" She asked looking up at the tall man who turned his direction at the girls.
"I just wanted to see who the chosen girls are," He stated nonchalantly while he paced slowly around the room, "The prince is going to choose one, and I want a sense of who,"
All the girls felt nervous from his appearance, Katara, on the other hand, felt anger. The anger that has been with her since she was a little girl. She wanted to attack him, and it pained her how close he was towards her and she couldn't do anything. "Also, I have a request of a girl who has a brother," He looked directly as Katara as he approached her.
She remained still and quiet. What has Zuko told him? She wondered.
"I was told that your brother is a soldier, and I would think it for the best if he joined the soldier in the palace," He suggested with a fake tone as if he only wanted to show to the public eye how great of a man he was.
"I wouldn't know where he is, your Highness," Katara managed to answer as she knew that it was true. He was out there traveling with the Avatar.
"Li? May I borrow this young maiden for a bit?" He asked while the old women nodded her head. He turned around and began to walk away. Katara followed him but kept her distance, when she turned her head back at the girls; Suki seems happy.
The two walked outside of the room, and he stopped in his tracks, "My son has taken a liking for you, and he was able to convince me if we have your brother as one of the soldiers we could make allies with the Water Tribe people," He explained.
Katara was surprised, "We don't know anyone from the tribe," She answered with no hesitation.
He shook his head, "It won't matter if you know anyone, but seeing your brother might convince them to stop these conflicts and join my reign," He explained as she took a step back. She was doubtful if he controls the water tribe; they win the war. "Your opinion wouldn't matter much since your brother is currently being looked for, and you can thank the prince for that," A smirk crawled up on his lips before he dismissed himself.
As he walked away, he knew that she could be used and then thrown out when she wasn't useful. The minute the WaterTribe joins them, he would make her disappear and brainwash the new soldier.
The waterbender wanted to hurt him on the spot, she could with what Hama taught her but she knew Aang wouldn't approve of that. The one thing that angered her was that Zuko had been the one who got that idea into the Firelord's head. How could he? It was silly to think that he wasn't opposed to the whole war, because if he did: Could he have stopped it?
She looked back in the room where all the girls were currently at, and she knew that any moment they would be dismissed to their rooms. With no hesitation, she headed back into her room. That night she would go on a small field trip.