AN: If you haven't heard the song, please look it up and listen to it it will help you understand better. This is my first story on here so cut me some slack. OH! I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Careless Whisper

Scene: 6th Annual Post-War Celebration. Fire Nation. Palace Ballroom. Head table with Azula, Katara, Suki, and Toph.

If she could describe this evening in one word, that word eventless.

Why do they have to carry on with this dreadful gathering year after year? The war is over…whoop-e-doo.

She sits there with the "war-heroines" as the people of Fire Nation, Earth Kingdom, and Water Tribes danced and fooled about.

I wonder if…no…he wouldn't be here…*sigh*…

She ponders on about him. The conversation at the table weaken as they were carried away one by one by their significant others. First, Suki and her husband of 4 years, Chief Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe. Next Fire Lord Zuko came to get his wife, Fire Lady Katara. Azula didn't support this relationship but it's working out for the better; she is carrying the next heir to the throne, plus she had little say in the matter. Toph just left, incoherently vocalizing her dislike of these parties. Azula looks around, sighing once again. She glares at the dancing couples with a grimace look on her face. Yes, she was jealous. They look so in love. Complete. Happy…this saddens the renewed princess of three years. She has become close with them all at some point since her release. Some more than others…

~*~…"Time can never mend, the careless whisper of a good friend"…~*~

He pulled her in a dark corner of the palace. He loved surprising her with his spontaneous burst of wanting. She went effortless in his arms, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders as he lifted her from her feet, her back to the wall. His warm tongue danced in her ear carelessly whispering words of empty promises. Neither cared. In the moment nothing else mattered but them. Trailing sweet kisses down her neck to collarbone, she moaned heavily. She could never get used to this. She didn't want to..ever. The warmth of his lips release its suction as he went to gaze into the depth of her golden eyes…trail the length of her frame, he leaned in to kiss her lips, eyes still open, lost in a trance in her orbs. The kiss grew more and more passionate as he sees a vision of them dance around in his mind. He never wanted this to end…and she thought the same thing.

~*~…"Something in your eyes, calls to mind a silver screen"…~*~

The band comes to an end of their current selection, starts another not seconds after. The beat and rhythm was familiar to her. It sooth her mind bring up past memories she'd never forget.

He always wanted to go on some type of adventure. Guess his free spirit would never die. Not that she wanted it to. It made her feel giddy. Like a child again, before she was taken up under her father's care. They were sent to the ship docks to retrieve Katara's brother, his wife and their newborn. He bobbed and weaved through the crowds, looking back every once and a while to make sure he didn't lose Azula. He never did. He would find her not far behind with a huge smile and devious look in her eye. She had something in plan for him for taking off like he did. To onlookers, they look like two lovebirds at play with each other. They paid them no mind. Some even smiled their way. Love like theirs was rare. She suddenly came to a stop. She'd lost him. Azula twisted and turned looking for her mate. The band on the side a street begins to play a song, Dance of Forbidden Lovers. She liked this song and drew closer to see a crowd forming around some dancing citizens. An arm slid around her waist bringing her in the middle of the dancing pedestrians. He found her swaying to the gentle beat. They looked at each other smiling. They twisted, turned, dipped, and twirled around the street, lost in this magical dance of theirs. Slowly they came to a stop and as they kissed the crowd cheered around them. They knew their romance would blossom soon. Some took gave money to those who betted on their love.

She looks down at the engagement ring on her left hand, almost bringing tears. Who knew they would be such good friends? Her love and her fiancé. She closes her eye, trying to push back the haunting memories of her love. She wished to be free of this hold he had on her. It was for the best.

~*~…"I feel so unsure as you take my hand and lead me to the dance floor"…~*~