A maiko story...
Hmm... let's see if this works shall we? This is my first maiko, entitled Too Late and actually introduced me to many of the fabulous people I know today. Here it is, there may be some errors but please enjoy!
All Standard disclaimers apply, just so you know
It was dark in his cell but Zuko had grown accustomed to it after countless days of being confined. Time was meaningless to him now, he stopped keeping track after the 127th day. It figured that his sister finally caught him, she always was more talented. He had heard from the guards that she was Fire Lady Azula now, their father was dead but he wasn’t sorry. The Avatar and his comrades left after defeating the Fire Lord, they assumed that Azula was a changed woman since she helped them defeat him but he knew better. She wanted power and now that their father was gone, she had it, she always did have a hidden agenda. But here he was, imprisoned in a cell thanks to his supposedly reformed sister.
Zuko had gotten used to the many noises of his chamber, water dripping onto stone, rat’s claws as they scraped across the floor, and the gentle patter of bugs as they scuttled around him. Suddenly, his head snapped up as he heard an unfamiliar sound, the clicking of a lock. Zuko’s heart leapt to hear the noise and only one thought was on his mind, freedom. He was suddenly blinded as the room filled with light causing his golden eyes to narroAw into slits. The rats scurried away and all was silent save for the steady drip of water on rock.
It took him a while to fully adjust to in the light but finally his eyes adjusted. Finally, he saw his savior and his blood ran cold. It was Mai, one of his sister’s friends and one of the people who sent him to his imprisonment. Her jet black hair was styled in an elaborate bun, her pale skin was adorned with a slight blush and her dark eyes gazed at him as if searching for something though what, he didn’t know.
“You’re a mess”, she concluded after a tense silence.
“Gee, well being cooped up for who knows how long wasn’t the best for my hygiene”, came his biting reply, something the long period of solitude hadn’t been able to erase.
“Well your high and mighty, I’m sorry your stay wasn’t all you had anticipated” came a sarcastic quip. She smiled slightly but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Really though,” she began softly, “I’m sorry about all of this, you didn’t deserve to be here.” Zuko noticed something different about her. She lacked that certain spark that used to draw him to her even when she hid behind his sister and her friend.
“Mai” he breathed, “why are you here?”
“Don’t you know Zuko?” she said, “I’m here to set you free”.
Chains clanked as together as they fell to the floor and Zuko felt air fall onto his raw chaffed wrists and ankles. Rubbing them gently he looked up at Mai. She seemed lost in thought but he had to know something.
“Why” he asked suddenly. She glanced up at him, her eyes dark with hidden emotions.
“Why not?” she responded. Outwardly she was as cool as ever but inside she was in turmoil. She had been in love with the prince since she was a little girl but she had helped put him into a cage, what would he think of her now. If she told him about her feelings there was no telling what would happen. If the Fire Nation Academy taught her anything it was that emotions were weakness, they betrayed and confused you. No, it was better if she kept it to herself. Besides, she had seen him with the Avatar and his friends, she saw how his eyes followed the young waterbender. Then again, why wouldn’t he, she thought to herself. Katara was pretty, confidant, and talented, everything she wished she was. All her skills were brought about by hard work, she had always been quiet and she didn’t really want to think about her appearance.
Mai’s thoughts were interrupted as Zuko shifted uncomfortably, he had never really liked long silences. Mai’s gaze immediately shot to him as he asked, “how long have I been here?”
“431 days” was the short reply, Mai didn’t tell him she had been the only one keeping track. Zuko was silent as she continued, “you lasted longer than Azula expected, it seems she underestimated you again.”
Silence reigned again until he asked, “what about you?”
The question took her by surprise but she didn’t show it as she shot back a suspicious, “what about me?”
She saw his fists clench as he said, “how long did you think I would last in here?” unto which she replied, “however long you wanted to stay”. That answer silenced him and together they sat on the damp stone, mulling over each other’s words. It was an odd sight, one a lady, the other a banished prince, one in silks and robes, the other in rags but at that moment, they felt the same. Abruptly though, Mai stood up, her clothes were getting wet.
“Zuko”, his name was drawn out as she spoke as if hesitant to draw his attention but when he looked up she was as stoic as ever. The calm silence was gone as she spoke again, this time her tone was cold, her voice clipped as she said “Azula decided to let you free”.
“For what price?”
“You are to be exiled, you cannot return to the Fire Nation or its allies or else you will be taken back into custody.”
“That’s all?” he was surprised. Azula loved to make him suffer but this was a miracle, now he could leave. He never wanted to come back anyways, not after all this had happened. “Who did all of this?” Zuko wondered aloud.
“I did” it was Mai, so it seemed that he had her to thank for everything. But why, he thought to himself, he had basically ignored her and she was Azula’s friend, nothing made sense. His thoughts were interrupted as she spoke.
“What, no thank you? I would have expected better from a prince, even if you are a banished one.” He started to splutter out an apology when she silenced him. “Forget it,” she said, “just think of it as repaying you back for saving me all those years ago. You ruined my favorite dress but I believe it’s the thoughts that count no?” She smiled slightly and her gaze softened as she recalled the memory. Zuko on the other hand was surprised she remembered.
Before he knew it he was swept into a narrow hallway, guards flanked him and Mai led the way.
“Am I to leave today?”
She continued walking but shot over her shoulder, “No, I am to help you assemble provisions. Also, Azula would like to speak with you before you depart. You are to meet with her tomorrow morning.”
“Oh”, what else could he say. Everything was planned out and after tomorrow, he could finally be free. Mai proved to be an asset in buying everything. She whisked him around the city first buying provisions, then clothes and finally to a barber.
“We can’t have you go out with that mane on your head,” she muttered mostly to herself, “we have to have you at least look civilized.” As Zuko sat in his chair and watched his hair float down to the floor he was reminded of a time not long ago when he had to cut his own hair, declare independence from his home. That time it had been necessity, this time for vanity. After, they whisked off to other shops for any other equipment he might need. Zuko never realized how tiring shopping could be and was about to ask if they could stop when a servant came running up to him and Mai.
“My lady” he began bowing low, “Fire Lady Azula wishes for you to speak with her before your departure.” Another quick bow and the servant ran off towards the palace. Ma made to follow but was halted by Zuko.
“You’re leaving?” She surveyed him calmly but he saw fear in her eyes. It seemed like an eternity before she breathed, “yes” and with a rustle of silk, she was gone.
He didn’t know why it bothered him so much, he really didn’t know her that well but her leaving just seemed wrong. Besides, he thought to himself, I never got to thank her. He rose from the bed he had been sitting on and headed out the door, he had to find her. Locating a nearby servant he asked if she could lead him to Mai’s room.
“I’m sorry sir,” she replied, “Azula has ordered that no one disturb Lady Mai the night of her departure.”
“Please,” he said “it’s important, I need to see her” it was an order. So quietly she led him to Mai’s room and knocked timidly.
“I thought no one was to disturb me?” Mai’s voice came through the door.
“Please milady,” began the servant, “there is a Zuko with me, he says it’s important.”
There was silence until the door slowly opened as Mai looked at them. “Alright then, thank you, you can leave now”. The servant scurried off and left them standing in the doorway.
“Where are you going?” he blurted out, he hadn’t meant to say that. It was supposed to be a quick thank you and then leave. They stood silent in the doorway, she didn’t invite him in.
“I’m going to a city in the southern Fire Nation” she said. “I’m going to be married.”
“What?” he spluttered, he wasn’t expecting that. “But you’re barely 17.”
“Do you think this was my idea?” she hissed, “do you think I want to be sent off to some city to marry a man I don’t know?” she was beginning to tremble as she continued, “but it is as Azula wishes, I must obey. Besides, I don’t think she would know much of love matches, but she says he’s a good man. She’s only looking out for me.” It was as if she was trying to convince herself this was marriage was a good thing. Zuko wasn’t convinced.
“Can’t you see?’ he stated angrily, “Azula is only using you to gain more power, she doesn’t care for you. If I know anything about my sister is that Azula always lies, whatever she says to you is for her own advantage.”
She was starting to cry, he didn’t mean to make her cry, curse his mouth. But even still her voice was steady as she said, “Zuko, don’t worry about me. You will be free tomorrow and you can go find that water tribe girl and her friends, stay with them and forget me. I’m only a pawn to do as others wish, I don’t deserve remembrance.” He didn’t realize she was getting closer to him until she was pressed against him. He was frozen as she ran her fingers along the side of his face, trailing the edge of his scar. He was frozen as her lips ghosted over his in a butterfly kiss. “
“Zuko,” she whispered, “that water tribe girl may have you, but I’ll always have the pride of having you first. With that she stepped away and closed the door.
Zuko lifted his finger to his lips and smiled, the first time in a long while.
All Standard disclaimers apply, just so you know
It was dark in his cell but Zuko had grown accustomed to it after countless days of being confined. Time was meaningless to him now, he stopped keeping track after the 127th day. It figured that his sister finally caught him, she always was more talented. He had heard from the guards that she was Fire Lady Azula now, their father was dead but he wasn’t sorry. The Avatar and his comrades left after defeating the Fire Lord, they assumed that Azula was a changed woman since she helped them defeat him but he knew better. She wanted power and now that their father was gone, she had it, she always did have a hidden agenda. But here he was, imprisoned in a cell thanks to his supposedly reformed sister.
Zuko had gotten used to the many noises of his chamber, water dripping onto stone, rat’s claws as they scraped across the floor, and the gentle patter of bugs as they scuttled around him. Suddenly, his head snapped up as he heard an unfamiliar sound, the clicking of a lock. Zuko’s heart leapt to hear the noise and only one thought was on his mind, freedom. He was suddenly blinded as the room filled with light causing his golden eyes to narroAw into slits. The rats scurried away and all was silent save for the steady drip of water on rock.
It took him a while to fully adjust to in the light but finally his eyes adjusted. Finally, he saw his savior and his blood ran cold. It was Mai, one of his sister’s friends and one of the people who sent him to his imprisonment. Her jet black hair was styled in an elaborate bun, her pale skin was adorned with a slight blush and her dark eyes gazed at him as if searching for something though what, he didn’t know.
“You’re a mess”, she concluded after a tense silence.
“Gee, well being cooped up for who knows how long wasn’t the best for my hygiene”, came his biting reply, something the long period of solitude hadn’t been able to erase.
“Well your high and mighty, I’m sorry your stay wasn’t all you had anticipated” came a sarcastic quip. She smiled slightly but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Really though,” she began softly, “I’m sorry about all of this, you didn’t deserve to be here.” Zuko noticed something different about her. She lacked that certain spark that used to draw him to her even when she hid behind his sister and her friend.
“Mai” he breathed, “why are you here?”
“Don’t you know Zuko?” she said, “I’m here to set you free”.
Chains clanked as together as they fell to the floor and Zuko felt air fall onto his raw chaffed wrists and ankles. Rubbing them gently he looked up at Mai. She seemed lost in thought but he had to know something.
“Why” he asked suddenly. She glanced up at him, her eyes dark with hidden emotions.
“Why not?” she responded. Outwardly she was as cool as ever but inside she was in turmoil. She had been in love with the prince since she was a little girl but she had helped put him into a cage, what would he think of her now. If she told him about her feelings there was no telling what would happen. If the Fire Nation Academy taught her anything it was that emotions were weakness, they betrayed and confused you. No, it was better if she kept it to herself. Besides, she had seen him with the Avatar and his friends, she saw how his eyes followed the young waterbender. Then again, why wouldn’t he, she thought to herself. Katara was pretty, confidant, and talented, everything she wished she was. All her skills were brought about by hard work, she had always been quiet and she didn’t really want to think about her appearance.
Mai’s thoughts were interrupted as Zuko shifted uncomfortably, he had never really liked long silences. Mai’s gaze immediately shot to him as he asked, “how long have I been here?”
“431 days” was the short reply, Mai didn’t tell him she had been the only one keeping track. Zuko was silent as she continued, “you lasted longer than Azula expected, it seems she underestimated you again.”
Silence reigned again until he asked, “what about you?”
The question took her by surprise but she didn’t show it as she shot back a suspicious, “what about me?”
She saw his fists clench as he said, “how long did you think I would last in here?” unto which she replied, “however long you wanted to stay”. That answer silenced him and together they sat on the damp stone, mulling over each other’s words. It was an odd sight, one a lady, the other a banished prince, one in silks and robes, the other in rags but at that moment, they felt the same. Abruptly though, Mai stood up, her clothes were getting wet.
“Zuko”, his name was drawn out as she spoke as if hesitant to draw his attention but when he looked up she was as stoic as ever. The calm silence was gone as she spoke again, this time her tone was cold, her voice clipped as she said “Azula decided to let you free”.
“For what price?”
“You are to be exiled, you cannot return to the Fire Nation or its allies or else you will be taken back into custody.”
“That’s all?” he was surprised. Azula loved to make him suffer but this was a miracle, now he could leave. He never wanted to come back anyways, not after all this had happened. “Who did all of this?” Zuko wondered aloud.
“I did” it was Mai, so it seemed that he had her to thank for everything. But why, he thought to himself, he had basically ignored her and she was Azula’s friend, nothing made sense. His thoughts were interrupted as she spoke.
“What, no thank you? I would have expected better from a prince, even if you are a banished one.” He started to splutter out an apology when she silenced him. “Forget it,” she said, “just think of it as repaying you back for saving me all those years ago. You ruined my favorite dress but I believe it’s the thoughts that count no?” She smiled slightly and her gaze softened as she recalled the memory. Zuko on the other hand was surprised she remembered.
Before he knew it he was swept into a narrow hallway, guards flanked him and Mai led the way.
“Am I to leave today?”
She continued walking but shot over her shoulder, “No, I am to help you assemble provisions. Also, Azula would like to speak with you before you depart. You are to meet with her tomorrow morning.”
“Oh”, what else could he say. Everything was planned out and after tomorrow, he could finally be free. Mai proved to be an asset in buying everything. She whisked him around the city first buying provisions, then clothes and finally to a barber.
“We can’t have you go out with that mane on your head,” she muttered mostly to herself, “we have to have you at least look civilized.” As Zuko sat in his chair and watched his hair float down to the floor he was reminded of a time not long ago when he had to cut his own hair, declare independence from his home. That time it had been necessity, this time for vanity. After, they whisked off to other shops for any other equipment he might need. Zuko never realized how tiring shopping could be and was about to ask if they could stop when a servant came running up to him and Mai.
“My lady” he began bowing low, “Fire Lady Azula wishes for you to speak with her before your departure.” Another quick bow and the servant ran off towards the palace. Ma made to follow but was halted by Zuko.
“You’re leaving?” She surveyed him calmly but he saw fear in her eyes. It seemed like an eternity before she breathed, “yes” and with a rustle of silk, she was gone.
He didn’t know why it bothered him so much, he really didn’t know her that well but her leaving just seemed wrong. Besides, he thought to himself, I never got to thank her. He rose from the bed he had been sitting on and headed out the door, he had to find her. Locating a nearby servant he asked if she could lead him to Mai’s room.
“I’m sorry sir,” she replied, “Azula has ordered that no one disturb Lady Mai the night of her departure.”
“Please,” he said “it’s important, I need to see her” it was an order. So quietly she led him to Mai’s room and knocked timidly.
“I thought no one was to disturb me?” Mai’s voice came through the door.
“Please milady,” began the servant, “there is a Zuko with me, he says it’s important.”
There was silence until the door slowly opened as Mai looked at them. “Alright then, thank you, you can leave now”. The servant scurried off and left them standing in the doorway.
“Where are you going?” he blurted out, he hadn’t meant to say that. It was supposed to be a quick thank you and then leave. They stood silent in the doorway, she didn’t invite him in.
“I’m going to a city in the southern Fire Nation” she said. “I’m going to be married.”
“What?” he spluttered, he wasn’t expecting that. “But you’re barely 17.”
“Do you think this was my idea?” she hissed, “do you think I want to be sent off to some city to marry a man I don’t know?” she was beginning to tremble as she continued, “but it is as Azula wishes, I must obey. Besides, I don’t think she would know much of love matches, but she says he’s a good man. She’s only looking out for me.” It was as if she was trying to convince herself this was marriage was a good thing. Zuko wasn’t convinced.
“Can’t you see?’ he stated angrily, “Azula is only using you to gain more power, she doesn’t care for you. If I know anything about my sister is that Azula always lies, whatever she says to you is for her own advantage.”
She was starting to cry, he didn’t mean to make her cry, curse his mouth. But even still her voice was steady as she said, “Zuko, don’t worry about me. You will be free tomorrow and you can go find that water tribe girl and her friends, stay with them and forget me. I’m only a pawn to do as others wish, I don’t deserve remembrance.” He didn’t realize she was getting closer to him until she was pressed against him. He was frozen as she ran her fingers along the side of his face, trailing the edge of his scar. He was frozen as her lips ghosted over his in a butterfly kiss. “
“Zuko,” she whispered, “that water tribe girl may have you, but I’ll always have the pride of having you first. With that she stepped away and closed the door.
Zuko lifted his finger to his lips and smiled, the first time in a long while.