The game of pain

Zuko x Mai
The game of pain

She did not know what happened to Zuko over the past three years.

From exile to Fire lord Zuko had seen the world from the common perspective. All that taught him well as he sat on the throne. Eyes of gold lit by a fire deeper then she would ever know. The few times he came back to see her he seemed evolved from his past self steps ahead of his sister where the soul was concerned. If it was her choice she would never leave his side for she would not give him a reason to. That was not her decision to make as she walked up the stairs to the palace. A walk in her eyes she did not deserve to make. Many years of being trained as an aristocrat's wife to be reserved in all her feelings and all her fire for the simple reason of not being proper.

Looking up at the palace doors they stood open and waiting. A part of her grinned as Zuko still kept in contact with her. Soon it was seconded with the sadness that their relationship was not continued. It would not be proper for her to do so.

Walking in to the meeting chamber she noticed he was not on the throne. Instead he sat on the cloth in the center of the floor. The map was replaced with a simple white lotus cloth, a gift from his uncle in Ba Sing Se. All of her family was relieved that in all the changes of the coup that Mai still held her position in the court. Taking her seat at the board she simply watched her ex as he rocked his head back and forth thinking. Upon beating his sister for the throne he begun to show more of his personality even making jokes as needed.

It wasn't long before the other nobles appeared, each filling in their predetermined seats. All things considered the meeting was quite boring. A group of rebels called for Azula in power while the earth kingdom wanted to buy another shipment of black opals. Aang and Katara were starting a new air temple and needed supplies. All given from the new lord to show that the peace was a sincere one.

Business being completed he adjourned the nobles with the exceptions of Mai, Ty Lee, Azula, and himself. Azula had to wear her power inhibitors and still had to be careful or she would find herself back in the prison. Over the time she improved enough to be released with the power inhibitors back as a noble in the court. From her view the years of making her father proud to being stripped of her bending sobered her rage to a somber self hatred. Watching from behind the scenes allowed a deeper understanding of her friends including their inner troubles.

For everything that her brother had learned, he was still oblivious to those of the female gender. This was obvious from the stares the two would give one another when the other was not looking. She never even knew Mai had emotions until she saw the hunger in her eyes. A hunger to take Zuko and make him only hers, and more were giving her brother that look nowadays. Power hungry or simply attracted she did not know for the bulk of it. Mai was pulled to him by something deep past all her honor, training, and sparring. Zuko had told her when she was still silent how much he cared about her. He still had to figure out how to verbalize his feelings her her. Leaving her twice, he believed closed the door to her. Azula would soon prove her brother wrong again.

Tomorrow would be Mai's birthday so Azula would bring a gift worthy enough of her friend. The meeting over she made her way back to the kitchen as her mind drifted back to a darker time.

Allowing her back in the palace was a big step for her. It only happened after she understood the consequences of her actions. Walking past the pictures of former lords the memory of her return from the chains of the shackles of the jail cell lightened two lines of flesh with fresh tears. Her cell had no windows keeping her in constant darkness. Soft taps against the stone every two heartbeats. Mai was the only person she knew to walk that slow. Closing her eyes from exhaustion she listened to her oncoming friend. Leaning against the wall she looked in the cell.

“Your brother said I could visit, Azula”, answered with silence she continued.

“Lord Zuko is doing well in his new position. Ty lee and I are both on his court. She has become lead physical consultant to the schools. I have been given position as Lead noble of our treasury.”

A moment more passed before she spoke again in a much softer voice.

“I still have not asked him about his plans for a wife. He needs one soon due to his position.. How can I..I am sorry you shouldn't need to listen to my troubles its not right, Zuko will visit soon, I hope you will be ok.”

“Mai just...tell him.......you love him.”

From the stairwell came another set of steps wit ha sharper set of taps against the stone. The speed of them identifying the fire lord.

“ Hello Mai” he stammered before turning to his sister.

“Azula, I have reached a decision on your punishment.”

Pulling her head up from her shackles she mournfully gazed at the pair with a small frown.

“ You will be on the board of nobles heading up the defense and only the defense of the fire nation, and you will have white stone bracelets to prevent you from bending.”

She ground her teeth and whipped her head from side to side in rage before yelling back.

“ NO!, I don't want to be a noble, I slaughtered and destroyed the lives of thousands and tens of thousands. How can I be a noble in a time of peace?!”

“ Simple, you know how to stop wars since your the only one with experience that started one. You feel guilty about what you done and I am giving you a chance to help set things right.”

Turning back he called to the guard to let her out but keep the bracelets on as she was in service of the Fire Lord now.

Azula stood over the flat top as five sandwiches cooked in the kitchen of the fire palace. It was not long before he came to his usual stool sitting across from the stove. Waiting for the sandwich he pondered how to get Mai to drop her facade. A plan's final details coming together in both of their minds silenced the usual conversation about the annoying nuances of the other nobles. He continued his day walking through the halls looking for somewhere private enough to hatch his plan. Taking a left from the meeting hall he went in to the hall of the fire lady somewhere he wouldn't usually check. Door after door he entered only to find closets, guest rooms, even a small kitchen for midnight snacks before an empty storage room. Calling over a nearby maid he smiled giving her a quick list of items and directions. The room was far enough away for anyone to hear and large enough to hold everyone and everything needed. Content about the day he walked out in to the hall and back to his room. From the door he moved to the bed for a nap only to find his sister behind the door. Despite not having her bending she was still able to surprise him.

“ Whats this all about, Azula?”

“Just showing the fire lord what I was getting for my friend”, tossing a velvet bag on the bed he opened it to find a special pair of silver cuffs more associated with more liberal lovers then jail use. A black wooded panel fell from the bag and picking it up he found out his plan would get some major assistance.

Pleasantly shocked by the approval of her brother she soon began her explanation before leaving the same way she entered. Night and day was all that separated everyone from their parts and it was going to be good she mused.

Very rarely did anyone ever celebrate her birthday, but when someone did there was always good memories. Azula was nice enough to celebrate with a gift and some drinks at the palace. The sun was making its way just over the horizon as she made her way back to the palace. Both doors were already open expecting her as she soon saw her friend standing next to her Zuko. Soon the trio was joined by Ty Lee after they made their way to the drinking chamber in the cellar. Down the stairs from the meeting hall the room was used for a more personal party of the lord and his circle. As more alcohol made its way into Mai the more her carefully crafted values failed. From the first dozen drinks she had begun to laugh openly. Zuko stood up halfway through his second dozen pleasantly buzzed after being summoned by a noble's secretary. Leaving the women he handed something barely noticed to his sister.

Ty lee's present was first wrapped in bright pink polka dots. Unwrapping the cotton candy colored paper until the light raspberry sarong and matching two piece made Mai happily blush as she thought of someone on to show it to. Azula was next to give their gift after eight more drinks, wrapped with parchment she handed the small dark box over. Pulling the cover off she held the pair of shiny cuffs.

“Ooohh kinky padded handcuffs, maybe me and Mai can break them in” a smiling Ty lee questioned.

Both girls looked to the acrobat with a raised eyebrow before Azula noted how there was other plans....

Pain radiated under his clavicle languidly falling down his chest. Eyes burst to see the drunk Mai with a knife at his chest. Delicious pain shot through soon followed by the cool wet flesh of her tongue licking following the trail on the lightly bleeding wound. Blinking down the noblewoman wore a half lidded grin with fresh blood on her lips making his heart race as he wondered what he unleashed with his plan.

His sense were going for a fight already as the simple feeling of her nearby was wreaking havoc on his resolve. Pulling at the chains in mock horror as he tested her, growling in anguish as she continued her assault on his neck. Every once in a while she would nip his chin before continuing on as before. Looking down she noticed his obvious arousal with a smile.

“Mai …..please more”

Power overwhelmed her in a heady and lustful mix. Gripping the lord's erection he moaned as she rolled it softly in her palm as he was bucking against his shackles for more of her feathering tease. Leaning in for a kiss he felt the power behind her heart. Firm lips smelling of alcohol on his, fruit, and her own arousal. She broke the kiss before whispering

“ If you ask nicely Zuko,... you can have some more..”

Undoing the sash her hand held him softly while the other rested on her knife. He felt her fingers slide up and down in slow circles making him gasp in pleasure. Standing back she tossed the knife in to the far back corner before she plucked the few buttons left on her kimono. Showing her taped chest with a lustful stare he looked to the ground seeing the edge of the tape fall. Mai's globes soon came to life leaving the blushing fire lord in front of her. Sauntering up she was absolutely stupefyingly sexy like the most devilish demon. Pushing the board he was soon on his back before she was on top of him holding him between her thighs before beginning to grind cloth to cloth. Arousal dampening as she writhed back and forth against his erection.

“please me ..or”, she moaned just before shimmying her hips to his mouth capturing his head between her knees.

Zuko did not need or hear any threat as he darted his tongue within her peach tasting the little juice it produced. Whatever she was saying he was not hearing as only the sound of moans were muted as she bucked in to his mouth. A sudden flood of fluid drowned him as her legs locked around his head. Thrumming energy soon lashed from within touching every part of her belly in the warm glow of sex, love and booze. Panting from the orgasm and enjoying the afterglow a rumble of tumblers soon freed the once prince's arms before he wrapped them against the slumping form. Before sliding from the board to the floor he whispered to her still smelling of her fresh orgasm.

“ Happy Birthday Mai.”

Rolling on top of her lover, her response with wide eyes.

“ I want...it ..again”