Beauty in the Beast (Zutara)

Chapter Eighteen

                Silence loomed over Zuko and Mai much to Ty-Lee's displeasure. She loved hearing the two's dry banter and found it quite complementary to her peppy attitude and Azula's calculated demeanor. Now, it felt like half of the group was missing, despite them being with the group the whole time.

Mai was walking by Ty-Lee instead of at Zuko's side, where she normally was. And there was a hollowness to Zuko that was completely unlike him. Her eyes darted back and forth between them as they spoke noting they never spoke directly to each other. Whatever had placed a rift between them, they were making sure to be subtle about it.

But not subtle enough.

If she could pick up there was something wrong between the two dry witty teens, she knew for a fact Azula had noticed. Azula watched the two of them, her eyes shifting in conversation, or the lightness in her tone when addressing one to the other, her golden eyes narrowing in for any change between them, unconscious slips of their body language, anything she could use for later. That was the thing about Azula; she could twist things in her favor with even the smallest amount of ammo. It was as admirable as it was terrifying.

Mai sighed once the two of them were alone, as Azula had started to flex her power in the school system and as working on cliques one by one. Ty-Lee bit her lip, her steel eyes watching over her gloomier than usual behavior.

"Something's bothering you." Ty-Lee delicately stated. Her hand wrapped around Mai's fingers lacing them with concern. "I won't tell Azula. I just want to help if I can." Mai gingerly took her hand away and looked away.

"Don't worry about it." Mai responded trying to keep the ice out of her tone. She knew Ty-Lee wasn't the issue; the other girl was.
"You wouldn't be able to help anyway." She sighed playing with her fingers.

"Hey." Ty-Lee rubbed her arm. "Even if you don't think I can fix it, and...maybe I can't...it's still not healthy to bottle everything up. I'm here for you. Please just talk to me." Mai scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"What's that gonna do?"

"Let you vent?" Ty-Lee offered.

"And what good is that?" She countered watching her bubbly friend ready to answer. "If you even mention chakras, this conversation is going to be over."

"I wasn't going to—"

"Save it." The raven-hair interrupted. "There's no point. What's done is done. And there's nothing you can do about it." She got up resisting the burning in her eyes as she steeled herself.

Don't cry. She coached herself. She'll never leave you alone and...this isn't worth your tears. She mentally groaned hearing footsteps trailing behind her, not bothering to give her attention.

"Mai, where are you going?" She asked gingerly.

"Home." She bit at her stopping the pink clad girl in her tracks.

"There's no point in being here right now." Ty-Lee watched her friend go her hands clasped together in worry watching her aura become greyer and greyer.

~~
Mai sighed to herself knowing Ty-Lee didn't deserve the anger thrown at her.

I have to keep myself together. She mentally scolded herself.

This is getting ridiculous. At this rate, Azula's going to start getting herself involved and no one needs that. A cold chill raced down her spine at the thought of her friend intervening.

No, that wouldn't be good for anyone. As she traveled down the hallway to make her way out, she overheard the soft grunting sounds of others and the dull thuds of contact being made. Turning the corner, she noticed Zuko waiting by the door. Her heart skipped a beat as she shifted her gaze to the floor, not wanting to face him. She dared herself to take another look at him, noting his fixed gaze inside.