Just a little Maiko fic. See, I told you I was pro- Maiko! In Mai's POV of course. A little practice for writing in the first person.

Set in Stone

It was one of those days when Azula hadn't dragged Ty Lee and I off to go hunting the Avatar. I was happy to be left alone in my house, even for just a day. I was glad, nearly jumping up and down, but I kept my composure.

I slid off my bed, and opened my dresser drawer. I moved around some robes and throwing stars, and picked up a small item. It was a rock, but it was one of the most special gifts Mai had ever received. She could remember the day she got it, back before Zuko had gotten his scar..

Mai had been sitting near the pond, feeding the turtle ducks. She had opted out of the game Ty Lee and Azula were playing, which included Azula shooting fire at them, and they had to dodge it. Azula claimed it was to help us defend against a firebender if we ever needed it.

Suddenly, Mai could hear movement behind her. "I don't want to play that game! Is that you, Azula?"

"I certainly hope not." A boy's voice came.

"Zuko?" Mai asked turning around.

"Hi, Mai." Zuko sat beside her.

"What are you doing here?"

"I live here, remember? What about you, shouldn't you be playing with Azula and Ty Lee?" He smiled.

"I prefer not to get burned, thank you very much."

"Me too. I hate scars."

Mai smiled for only a second, before it vanished. "You should smile more, Mai."

"What's there to smile about? Not much can make me smile." Mai replied earnestly.

"I made you smile."

"That's different." Mai replied defensively.

"Oh, really? How so?" Zuko asked.

Mai shrugged, causing Zuko to laugh. "You're different, Mai Lièyàn." Zuko said.

"Different?" It was Mai's turn to ask.

"From most girls." Zuko said, taking some bread and tossing it in the pond. "I like that."

"Thank you, Prince Zuko."

"Don't call me that. Friends call me Zuko."

"Thank you, Zuko."

"Oh, I got you something! Close your eyes." he said.

"Zuko, that's so childish."

"Just close 'em! And hold out your hand."

Mai sighed, but followed his instructions. She felt him put something in her hand. "Now, open your eyes."

Mai did, and looked at her hand. She raised an eyebrow. "A rock?"

"Not just any rock, look at it closely."

Mai did, and noticed it was in the shape of a heart, a smooth heart. "Now you have my heart. No matter what, I'll be with you."

Mai smiled once more. "Mai, we're eating lunch, come on!" Azula's voice rang from the distance.

"I'll catch you later, Mai Lièyàn." Zuko waved before leaving.

Back in the present, Mai lay on her bed, her hand clasped around the heart rock she'd kept for so many years.

"Zuko.." she said softly.

"Now you have my heart. No matter what, I'll be with you."