Chapter 60: Chapter-61
"Why did you bring her?" He growled angrily. He had more than enough reasons to be angry, perhaps not to the point of wanting to kill her like before, but enough to want to exact some form of revenge.
"She's trapped just like us, we couldn't just leave her... it wouldn't be right," he replied, his determination unwavering. "Even she couldn't escape from here alone. She might be ruthless in combat, but survival is a different matter."
"You're too kind." Mai found it difficult to consider Azula a friend. Their families had been friends, and she had only visited Azula occasionally when they were younger, often just as an excuse to see her older brother, Zuko.
To be honest, Mai never trusted Azula. Her temperament and demeanor were always cause for concern. As bitter as she might be, Mai wasn't surprised that Azula had been willing to let Ty Lee and her die just to fulfill a request from her father.
With their conversation winding down, they regrouped around the campfire where some pieces of meat were cooking.
"We have rations for maybe five days," Mai calculated their meager supplies, including water and food. Even with what the Uzumaki had, their rations wouldn't last long. "We have enough water for a week... and no." "We don't know how long we'll be stuck here."
"At least we'll always have light," Ty Lee pointed out, indicating Azula, who could conjure a fireball with just a snap of her fingers to illuminate the long, rocky corridor.
"Do you have any plans?" Mai blinked in surprise at Naruto's question. She hadn't expected him to ask for her input; she had assumed he would take charge of finding a way out. "I'm not great with navigation, especially in mazes like this," she admitted with an awkward smile, scratching her head.
It was a nervous tic that reminded him a lot of Ty Lee.
"Legends say that this cave predates the construction of the walls of Ba Sing Se. It was built by earthbenders over hundreds of years. I'm not sure how many tunnels there are or how extensive this place is. I'm even afraid to speculate whether it's possible for us to find a way out," he confessed, maintaining his composure despite the uncertain circumstances.
"And what about the legend, Mai?" Ty Lee raised her hand and jumped a little where she was sitting to get the attention of her companions. "Don't you think the legend of the two lovers can help us now? Maybe there's a ritual or a secret in that story that can assist us."
"Don't be childish. A tragic romance story won't help us here. We have to be proactive and not follow instructions from a story that not even the most illiterate fool would believe."
"What does 'illiterate' mean?" Ty Lee asked, looking confused and turning her gaze toward Naruto.
"Don't know."
"It sounds like something related to the butt..."
"Yes... the word 'ANAlphabet' sounds like a very bad insult."
"Anal? Mai, that was very rude of you!" Ty Lee scolded her friend, pointing angrily as Mai maintained a blank expression.
"Idiots," Mai sighed and rubbed her forehead, resigned to dealing with the two of them.
"Anyway..." Azula drew the group's attention as she carefully began to untie the knots on her wrists. Little by little, she began to dismantle her armor, letting the metal plates fall at her feet. "Yes, I'll be in here for days. At least I'll be comfortable."
Naruto shifted uncomfortably in his seat, unable to help but notice as the Fire Nation princess was left wearing only a thin black cloth skirt that clung to her body, revealing her still-developing figure. The cave's heat made wearing armor impractical, or at least that was Azula's excuse. Naruto's shyness caused him to avoid looking at her, much to Azula's disappointment. She quickly regained her composure.
"We have to start moving," Mai stated, breaking the tension. "The sooner we get out of this place, the better."
"Whatever you say," Azula responded carelessly, tossing her armor aside.
"Good!" Ty Lee, despite her lingering headache, stood up with a jump, only to stumble and fall face-first onto the rocky ground. "Ouch..." Her senses were still not fully recovered, and her headache persisted. "Hmm?" Surprised, she felt hands help her up.
"Don't worry, I'll help you," the golden-haired boy said with a kind smile. He leaned down, offering his back to the circus girl. Without hesitation, Ty Lee jumped onto his back.
"You shouldn't overexert yourself," advised Mai, who was concerned. Just a little over an hour ago, the boy had dealt with a muscle tear. She was surprised that he could even walk, and now he was carrying his partner on his back, along with the bag of groceries.
This guy was either a stamina monster or just too stubborn and proud to admit he was tired.
"I could do this all day," he replied with an indelible smile on his face, holding Ty Lee on his back as he began walking towards the dark tunnels of the cave.
Mai sighed, choosing not to argue with him. She took one of the items he had been carrying. "You don't have to do everything yourself... Naruto," she said with a softer expression, walking alongside the boy, who returned her smile.
"Thank you, Mai!" Naruto's cheerful demeanor puzzled Mai. It was hard for her to believe that he was so nice and noble. Just a few minutes ago, they were enemies wanting to kill each other, and now he was carrying her best friend on his back and helping them escape the cave. He was indeed a very strange boy.
Staying behind the group, Azula illuminated their path with her right hand covered in fire. She couldn't help but feel annoyed by the way the boy interacted with her two escorts.
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