AN: This is a Book Two: Earth AU. It begins around the same time as Crossroads of Destiny but will go in a different direction. There may be some inaccuracies, but just bear with me. It is an Azula/Kuei story because there aren't enough of those to go around. I think they would be cute together; they would balance each other out. Also, in my story Kuei is an earthbender. This was inspired by an Azula/Kuei fic on AO3. Azula is 15. Everyone else's ages are the same.

I have not forgotten To Catch Lightning.

Summary: Azula wants to burn his chiseled face off! She wants to scream. She wants the world to stop spinning. She wants the assurance that her body is hers and that she most certainly will not physically react to everything he says or does.

Ironically, she's out of luck.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender.

CHAPTER ONE: THE STRANGEST ATTRACTION

She controls the Dai Li. She led a bloodless coup; a vast improvement from her fuddy duddy uncle! She impersonated the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors, which honestly didn't take much effort. She struck the Avatar down with slender fingers. She renamed Omashu in her father's honor. She is the youngest firebending prodigy in world history and she can't control the beating of her heart when he smiles at her.

"Bosco is probably getting restless. I usually read to him at this hour but, surely he will understand my desire to see to your needs, princess."

Azula once wanted to burn his chiseled face off! She once wanted to scream. She once wanted the world to stop spinning. She once wanted the assurance that her body was hers and that she most certainly would not physically react to everything he says or does.

Ironically, she's ran out of luck.

"Again with the bear?"

She knows she shouldn't put too much attention on this. She knows she has far more important things to handle and that time is of the essence. Her curiosity and her hormones will be her undoing. His attachment to that bear will probably be his.

Then again, she could be his undoing.

"I know Bosco is still struggling to warm up to you. Just give it some time. He'll come around, and you will too!"

And yet, focusing on his weird relationship with his bear is a lot easier than trying to calm her erratic heart.

She may have screwed up when she released him from prison.

Zuko is still eyeing her strangely for that.

Not that it matters. She is the crown princess of the glorious Fire Nation! She need not explain herself to anyone.

Guess that includes herself.

"You said you wanted to be involved in the political affairs of the Earth Kingdom correct?"

"Yes princess. I believe I have remained idle in the affairs of my city for far too long."

"Our city. I intend to help with that. That is the greatness of the Fire Nation. Allowing the lessers to learn from their betters."

Anybody else would've been offended by that statement.

Not Kuei.

He tilted his head at her, completely focused on her face.

Then proceeded to grin.

Not Kuei.

"You should be grateful that I'm so willing to lead you properly. That I have allowed you to remain a familiar face on the front line."

"I am. I'm very happy that you are here, princess."

Azula latched on to the inflection in his voice as he made that statement and glanced up in what could still be described as pure disbelief.

Though her subordinates knew how to answer to her demands, none of them had ever sounded so grateful.

She had never had anybody praise her like he does. Not even her father had expressed such joy at being around her.

Azula and Kuei had been in the library for the past two hours. She thought it would be important for him to understand the history of his country, her country, as well as any current trade agreements, legislature, economic statistics, labor wages for the citizens, property rights of the citizens, etc.

Kuei spent most of the time agreeing when prompted.

At least when he remembered to agree.

She was a pretty distraction.

No one bothered to tell him that the Fire Nation princess is so beautiful!

Perhaps this war could've ended earlier, had he have known.

He was shocked and intrigued when she took over his kingdom. She was barely five feet, over a foot shorter than he, rather petite, aside from her growing womanly curves and yet … she took everything.

Lately, he's beginning to realize that his heart was included in that.

His constituents would likely think he's gone mad if they knew how much he daydreamed about her. Every action, every step, every breath she takes makes him want to beg the spirits for mercy.

They chose to punish him for his blind eye to the perils of the kingdom giving it to a woman like her …

Kuei watches Azula.

Rich red lips move forming words he should be hearing, not seeing. Golden eyes strike near-fear and bold excitement into his body.

… a woman who is way out of his league.

"Do you understand?"

"Yes I do. I really do."

Azula arches one fine black brow, before continuing.

"Governor Ukano should be informed of any territory disputes at the southwest border. He can relay that information to father. It is imperative that…"

There is a list of things that shocked him that the pretty princess has done. It's still growing.

Somewhere at the top of the list is the day she released him from jail."

"I don't understand. Am I to be set free?"

"That depends, how well do you follow instructions?"

"Oh I'm good at that. Very good."

"Good. I like to think I'm a reasonable woman. There's no need to chain you down if you are willing to follow the rules."

The emphasis she put on "rules" unknowingly aroused Kuei.

Azula didn't notice but, Kuei's voice grew huskier.

"And what are the rules, princess?"

Sapphire flames ignited in a slender palm, revealing ruby red lips and amber eyes. Kuei's breathe caught in his throats at how close the princess had gotten to him. Her face was merely inches away from his.

"One rule: Whatever I say GOES."

Kuei knew etiquette. He had been hidden from the world in his palace all of his life. There was nothing but time available to learn proper etiquette. But in that moment, all of his mannerisms, poise, and rationality, went straight out the window.

"Spirits! You're so gorgeous."

Silence.

Azula's eyes widened.

Kuei's eyes widened too as he registered what words left his mouth. He couldn't, however, help his smugness when he took note of her reaction. How many men in the world could say that they made Princess Azula of The Fire Nation blush?

Kuei lost all sense of self preservation.

Azula's lips fell agape. It was a very rare occurrence for anybody to render the princess speechless. Sure, there were men back home who complimented her all the time, but they often had an ulterior motive, the throne. They didn't sound anywhere near as breathless as he did. They didn't sound like they were worshiping her soul in less than five syllables.

Silence.

Azula sputtered.

"You… you … what are you … How dare … ugh! Dai Li!"

Seconds later, a quiet platoon of earthbenders appeared.

"Release him to his quarters!" She instructed the Dai Li, quickly turning away from the green giant.

Azula all but stomped away, still flustered by his commentary. She moved briskly before stopping.

Azula didn't realize it but, from that moment on, the relationship between her and the Earth king had changed forever.

The Dai Li unchained Kuei and he stepped out of his cell.

Kuei stretched his limbs pleasantly and turned to the still motionless princess.

"Is there something else, princess?"

His wide grin was still tattooed to his face and the teasing tone in his voice still present. It rubbed Azula the wrong way.

Or the right way.

She glanced over her shoulder almost seductively.

"If you please me,"she said, "then I will allow you to continue to rule and ..."

"... I won't have to kill you."

Any other man's ego would've been insulted.

Azula prepared for as much, but once again Kuei struck her speechless.

Any other man's ego would've been insulted.

Not Kuei.

" Princess. I'd be more than happy to."

Overall, despite the city's capture among other political atrocities, the princess hadn't really harmed him.

Aside from holding him at firepoint and throwing him in prison briefly, she hadn't done any real harm to his person.

But there is something that she is currently doing to him.

Emerald never looked better on Princess Azula. The colors of his kingdom clinging to her supple body drove him crazy.

"... this is why you should educate yourself on international trade. No king should be allowed to rule while ignorant of how taxation works in… Kuei? KUEI!"

Kuei blinked out of his trance.

"My apologies, princess I…"

"You what?"

Azula normally prides herself in being very calm and calculating.

"I was distracted. I can't help but admire your intellectual prowess and such beauty is none like I have ever seen. I am honored to gaze upon you every morning."

Kuei just might believe in love at first sight. Or at least awe.

Azula has been in emotional turmoil ever since he flirted with her when she let him out of jail. He watches her like a starving man.

It made her body so … uncomfortable?

It made her heart beat wildly.

It made Azula do something no one has ever seen her do.

Azula ducked her head down, allowing inky black tresses to hide her eyes briefly, before their eyes met halfway again.

It made her bashfully smile.