"Alright, just keep HER away from me." Naruto said, jerking her head in Mai's direction and emphasis for good mesure, hoping Azula bought his fib.

Azula, being the cruel person she is, took the bait, nearly the whole rod.

"Now why would I do that?" Azula laughed as she basicly threw Mai back in the cell and locked them in and left with Ty Lee.

"Moron, she bought it." Naruto snickered, Mai looked at him. He wanted this to happen?

"When you were doing all that to me, Something was bothering me about your expression. I've seen it frequently and even felt it myself. It was the cold dead look of loneliness…you've lost someone close to you and your hurting inside from it. I know its not my bussiness, but I'm not an idot. If you want to talk, I'll listen."

"SHUT UP!" Mai covered her ears, Why? How? How did he know what she felt? What bugged her most was that he was right on target with it, like his words were hitting every single sore spot in her body, With every beat of her heart she felt a small constricting pain throughout her chest. So that was why he tricked Azula, Naruto wanted to help her. Mai fought back furious tears. How dare he do this!!!

"You DON'T know a thing about me!"

"I know being alone sucks more than I'd like to." Naruto said with unmistakable honesty and sadness.

"Why you..." Mai's mask was starting to come off, she seemed sad and angry at him. She was more than ready to pull out one of her throwing blades and yet something stopped her as soon as she saw his face...those eyes. Those beautiful deep sea-blue eyes that seemed to see right through her, they made her feel like she was drownding in comfort and yet she saw a pain she knew too well. He didn't toy with people's hearts, that was forever beneath him. He was telling the truth. He truly DID know how she felt inside. Mai felt her heart crack, he wanted to help her so much that he was willing to druge up all his own pain and suffering, the pain that could have made him go mad, the pain that could have made him a monster. Just for her to have a shoulder to cry on. Mai felt a smile tug at her lips, glad he was willing to be there for her, and a small voice in her head told her Ty Lee had been right, this kid was cute. He'd make a wonderfully entertaining plaything, she could feel it. The question now was do they share feelings or dose she clame him as her toy right away?