Okay, so this is my first fanfic, so please be kind. Its Maiko and based before Zuko was banished. I plan to have five parts. Hope you like it!

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He hated these stupid parties. His mom always made him go. She kept telling him he should talk to one of the noble's daughters and ask them to dance. Who knows, he might meet someone he'll like. Zuko never did. All the girls he ever met were shallow and only danced with him because he's royalty. He's only ten. He shouldn't even have to think about girls yet.

So there he was, sulking at the table. He glanced over at his sister. She always had a group of girls surrounding her. They admired her, wanted to be exactly like her. He couldn't figure out why. She was mean and annoying and stupid, just like the girls with her. The only two who she actually liked were Mai and Ty Lee, who were equally annoying. They were at the palace all the time.

Ty Lee was always loud and a complete airhead. She liked everything fluffy and cute, and would never shut up. She probably admired Azula more than anyone. Mai, however, was her complete opposite. She was usually quiet and polite except when she would do Azula's bidding and throw mud at him, usually hitting him square in the face.

"Those girls look pretty tonight. Don't you agree?" Zuko's mom, Princess Ursa, interrupted his thoughts.

"Sure," was his only reply. He knew what she was trying to do, and he wouldn't give in. Not this time.

"Come on, Zuko. How many of those girls have you actually talked to?"

"Well, they're talking to Azula, so I'm pretty sure none of them are my type. When is this over anyway?"

"Oh, you still have a while," Ursa said with a smirk on her face. "All I'm asking is you dance with just one of them. Please?"

Zuko sighed. He knew this was coming sooner or later. It's only one dance anyway. He'd just have to be with one of them for a minute or two, then his mom would stop bothering him. "Fine. Which one would you like me to ask?"

"Hmm. Ask one of the girls who comes over here a lot." She glanced down at him, eager for his reply.

Zuko raised an eyebrow. "You want me to ask Ty Lee or Mai to dance? Are you crazy?! I don't want to dance with them!" He would never hear the end of it from Azula. Besides, they wouldn't dance with him. Azula probably told them stuff like he's diseased, or has cooties or something equally stupid.

"Oh, come on Zuko. Would it kill you?"

"It might."

Ursa had a stern look on her face. "Zuko, they are both very nice young ladies. I don't understand why you're making such a fuss out of this."

"I'm not making a fuss out of this," he said with arms crossed.

"Well, then ask one of them to dance."

He looked over at their 'clan' they had. Finally, he sighed and muttered, "Fine. I'll ask one of them to dance."

"Good. Now go get 'em." She gave him a little shove in their direction.

Zuko had to keep reminding himself, 'It's only one dance.' When he got within ten feet from them, he realized Azula wasn't there. That would make things a lot easier. But which one was he going to ask to dance? Ty Lee would most likely babble on the whole time about clothes and the color pink. Mai would probably not say anything the whole time leaving an awkward silence.

As he approached Mai, he heard giggles erupting from the group of tween girls and rolled his eyes. Why did they have to giggle? Why couldn't they just stand there and not say anything. Right as he thought this, he heard whispers and heard his name mentioned a few times. He had to hurry and get this over with. He offered his hand to her, "Umm, Mai, would you like to dance? With me?"

She looked up at him and to his surprise, a polite smile formed on her face. "Of course." And took his hand as he led her away from the 'clan' and onto the ballroom floor. He took her right hand in his left and placed his right on her waist as she placed her left on his shoulder. She wouldn't look him in the face and he noticed her cheeks were a light pink. The silence was killing him. Part of him wished he had Ty Lee's chatter instead.

"So, um…where did Azula go?" He asked hoping to start some conversation.

"Oh, some kid asked her to dance. He's a huge jerk in my opinion, but I guess he's good for her." Did she just say a huge jerk would be compatible with Azula? He never heard anyone, other than himself, talk against Azula, especially one of her friends. Mai must've noticed his surprise, from the shocked expression he was wearing. "I mean, Azula's one of my best friends, don't get me wrong, but I dunno, sometimes she could just be really, well, mean." Zuko was still in utter shock from what he just heard. Mai immediately hushed up and looked away again. As he was about to say something, someone interrupted him.

"Wow, Mai. I'm surprised. Dancing with my brother. I can't believe you'd sink so low," Azula sneered. Mai took in a deep breath and looked down at her feet.

"Go away Azula," Zuko said. When he thought she was nowhere to be found, here she was. Ruining his life as always.

"Geeze, Zuzu. I'm just talking with one of my friends. You don't have to be so pushy." Zuko rolled his eyes.

"What happened to your boyfriend Azula. Did he ditch you?" Azula uncrossed her arms and stood straight.

"No, I ditched him," she stated angrily.

"Why?"

"Because he's a bad dancer and kept stepping on my feet." At this, Zuko started laughing and even Mai had to stifle a giggle. "Shut up Zuko!" Azula turned to Mai. "I'll see you when you're done dancing with your boyfriend." Azula stormed off. As Mai was staring at the ground, yet again, Zuko studied her more closely. She was pretty, even for being friends with Azula.

"Why are you so quiet all the time?" Mai looked up at him.

"I don't know. I guess I just have nothing to say."

"I don't believe that. I think you have alot to say, you just don't want to say anything." Her eyes shot up to his questioningly. Right then, the song ended. He bowed respectively to her as she returned the bow. "Thank you for sharing this dance with me."

"It was my pleasure Prince Zuko." He looked at her and smiled.

"I guess I'll see you around then, if Azula doesn't burn you to a crisp." She smiled at this.

"Let's hope not." And with that, she walked away and rejoined the group of giggling girls.

Zuko walked back over to the table where he found his mom talking to one of the general's wives. He sat down after the lady left.

"So, Zuko, how bad was it? I see you didn't get killed." Ursa raised an eyebrow.

"Fine, you win. It wasn't that bad." Ursa smiled as Zuko's father came over and asked her to a dance.

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Wow, that was longer than I expected. Well, I hope you enjoyed. Please tell me what I should improve.