It was nearing evening, and yet Avatar Aang could still make out the thin figure making her way up the steps of the Southern Air Temple. If those five years had done anything to her, it definitely made her a shadow of her former self. Setting aside his glider staff, Avatar Aang stood as he approached the pallid figure. He secretly made a mental note to make sure that he would try everything to get the old Azula back. From the look of it, the calm features that always surrounded Aang seemed to betray his taste; he preferred to have a woman with a bite.
All of those years of being peace-loving must've taken its toll, he chuckled to himself, as he remembered a certain waterbender to like it fairly rough. It was a fleeting thought as he quickly pushed it out his mind, turning his attention back towards Azula.
Nothing about the brown-cloaked figure could have given away that hiding within the cloak was the former fire princess, though Aang never really gave up the title of "princess".
"It's good to see you again, Azula," a light smile gracing his facial features. As expected, all the fire princess did was return a scowl.
"As if I had anywhere else to go," crossing her arms, staring towards the Avatar. Even after all the years, she still had an air of regality to her that she could never drop. Still there was an unmistakable limp as she walked over towards the Avatar.
"Azula! You're hurt! Let me heal you." It was a sincere offer, one that would have surprised the old Azula. But if she was even remotely surprised, she kept it under her stony demeanor.
"I don't need your charity!" she spat back, "It's not anything major…"
"You're limping, Azula. That's kinda major. Please, just let me heal you."
"Why must you be so insistent Avatar? I already said no! And to think you managed to get with that filthy waterbending peasant." She threw that one out as bait, seeing if he would bite. But Aang had a lot more restraint than that. Even though he had all but forgotten about Katara, the way Azula mentioned her still left a sting in him.
"Well, my job as the Avatar is to help everyone I can. I'm pretty sure you're included," that slight smile returning to his face.
Agni, he's persistent. The old Azula would have had no trouble batting away the annoying little boy. But something inside tugged on her to take him up on his offer though. She was pretty banged up after all. The prison break was not as big of a cakewalk as she thought it would be. She sighed, the old Azula would've stood her ground.
But she's not the old Azula.
"Fine, since you enjoy pestering me this much, I'll grant you this." Even when caving into the Avatar's request, she still wanted to maintain an air of authority.
Showing weakness was not her thing.
Instantly, Aang's face lit up as he swiftly grabbed Azula's hand, which for the first time, she doesn't return with a burst of blue flame. I guess this is for the best, as she resigned herself to her fate.
"Great! I already have a room set aside for you! Follow me!"
That goofy grin, the one she hated so much, was present on his face as he led her into the temple. And yet, she couldn't help but blush at the thought of Aang thinking about her. He was…thinking about me?
The old Azula would have not felt this way.
As Aang dragged her along the cracked temple walls, she tuned out what the Avatar was yapping about. She just assumed that it was some airbending nomad gibberish that she had no intentions of learning about.
They paused in front of a room. It was rather simple and small, with air nomad markings adorning the doorway and walls. Aside from the markings and the stone walls, it was fairly reminiscent of her cell. Azula had gotten fairly used to a simple living space, so she didn't really complain.
"So, you like it?" Aang stared at her expectantly, almost like a child asking their mother a question.
"It will do," she curtly replied.
Out from a waterskin pouch from his side, the Avatar quickly bent some water into a bowl on the bedstand.
"So, I guess I could start healing your wounds. Sit down on the bed and show me the worst injuries first." Aang motioned her towards the bed, which she reluctantly obliged. She sat down on the bed, removing her cloak and placing it on the table. She still had her loose prison garb underneath, which was much more revealing than she wanted for the Avatar. Slowly, she motioned towards her left ankle.
"My left ankle. I might have fractured it."
Silently, Aang motioned over to her left leg, creating two water gloves to check the ankle. As he rested his hands over her left ankle, a pale glow began to emanate from the area. Instantly, there was a cool sensation rushing up her leg, tingling her spine. A wave of relaxation washed over her as Aang pulled his hands off, leaving the ankle soothed and refreshed.
"I think that did the trick. How do you feel?" That boy sure did have optimism.
"It's better. Thank you Avatar." It was the most genuine word of thanks she had given in a long time. Aang furrowed his brow slightly.
"Azula, I would really like it if you just called me Aang," he enunciated the syllables to his name in an almost teasingly manner.
She never found a need to address the Avatar that way. In her past he was always the Avatar, the target of her search, the goal that she was seeking. The person she had to kill. But he is trying to help me, maybe I should just give him this too.
"Thank you…Aang." The words almost felt foreign to her tongue.
Once again, the young boy flashed a great big grin. The small gestures never cease to keep him happy.
"Thanks, Azula. Is there anything else that needs healing?"
Azula bit her lower lip. There were a few others, but she was reluctant to tell Aang about them.
"Nope, that's it." Azula blurted out to Aang, almost a little to assuredly. Sure enough, Aang started chuckling.
"What's so funny?" she shot.
"Man, that's the worst lie I've ever heard you say. Even without earthbending, I can tell your lying!" he chuckled, much to the surprise of Azula. She cursed herself for being so callous, giving an angry glare towards Aang. Rotting away in a cell can really weaken one's intuition, and certainly, the boy's childish demeanor didn't help the situation at all.
"If you must know, they are in places that are off-limits to idiots like you!" She gave Aang the cold shoulder as she turned away from him, facing the wall.
Now it was Aang's turn to be taken aback. He blushed as he thought about the "certain places" that Azula must be talking about. The only other girl that he ever got this close with was Katara, and even then, they only made love twice. He gave a quick cough as he regained his composure, placing a hand on Azula's shoulder.
"Don't touch me!" was the only response he got, but he relented, his hand firm against her shoulder. If he wasn't going to try, who would?
"Please princess, I'll even close my eyes if you want me to." The mention of her title brought a shiver down her spine.
"Absolutely not! And stop calling me that!" she spat back at him. Like a wounded puppy, Aang flinched back at the vicious response. He should know better than to ask that… she thought to herself.
Slowly, Aang got to his feet and walked towards the doorway. At least he tried.
"Alright, suit yourself. I'll go make us something to eat then…" he responded resignedly. If asking her too much was bothering her, he might as well not ask her at all. With one more fleeting glance at Azula, Aang trudges out the room.
Normally in a situation like this, Azula would feel proud. She should feel victories in winning. But something was different here. Instead of pride, she suddenly was hit with something she had almost never felt, guilt. He's just trying to help! Her guilty side berated her. Her normally stony expression was replaced with one of troublesome worry. Why was she feeling like this? The old Azula would've called this weakness. Before her conscious side even had a chance to react, she called out after the Avatar.
"Aang! Wait!" Her voice felt needy, desperate. She even shocked herself with such an unusual display of desperation.
In a blaze of orange and yellow, Aang was back in the room, staring at Azula intently.
"Yes, Azula?"
"You…you can heal me…As long as you close your eyes…" was all she could muster, which was barely a whisper. She hated to have to resort to this. Aang was the only feasible healer that could help her at this point.
Aang, realizing the delicacy of the situation, cautiously scooted towards Azula. One wrong step, and a mad fire princess would be breathing fire down his neck. Azula was very scary when she was mad.
"Al-alright..." Aang bent the water out of the bowl, creating those healing gloves again.
"Wait! I'm going to…undresss first…Turn Around!" Why was she doing this? And for Aang no less!
The airbender quickly obliged, spinning around and facing the opposite stone wall.
Pulling at her skimpy clothing, Azula could feel nothing but completely vulnerable. She was rarely ever nude, even when she was changing outfits alone in her room. I am the fire princess! She always thought, having always worn some kind of armor or uniform. Slowly, she exposed herself to the chilly air around her, finding it much colder than she would have liked it to be. Gingerly, she laid down on the bed. Agni! This better be a one time thing! She hated herself for stooping so low, and also hated Aang for starting it.
"I'm done. You can turn around…But keep your eyes closed!" she snarled at the airbender. "If you so much as peek, I will gouge out your eyes!" That was a threat the old Azula would have used, but this time around, she still meant every word.
"Okay Azula. My eyes are closed," turning and slowly walking over toward the bed. Azula noticed that he was being extra careful not to trip. He didn't want to have any…accidents
He leaned over the edge of the bed feeling for her soft features. He makes contact at her hip, slowly exploring the region to get his bearings. Almost instantly, she flinched slightly. One false move, and I'm as good as dead, Aang thought.
She didn't notice it initially, but she too had closed her eyes. But she chose to keep them closed; she wanted it to be surprising.
When his water glove touched her hip she felt a shock go through her system. On the one hand, it was unlike anything she had felt before, but she didn't want him to stop, because it just felt so…good. Maybe this is what I was missing out on, recalling how she always refused to partake in the royal harem, where men were always present to cater to her every sexual whim. But instead, she refused all the offers, even at the insistence at her father. Even Zuko joined in once for his 14th birthday, a memory that Zuko would all but like to forget. Azula, being the loving sister she is, loved to taunt her brother about it.
She cringed as Aang slowly made his way up her hips and onto her belly. Aang paused on top of her belly, playfully drawing circles with his finger. His hands may have felt cool against her skin, but inside she was on fire. She felt the tingling sensation tear up and down her back and chest as Aang made those rings around her belly. Almost instinctively, she let a moan escape her lips.
Instantly, Aang backed off, leaving Azula wanting more. Clearly, the young Avatar did not know when a girl was enjoying herself.
"Do you…want me to stop?" he paused, still keeping his eyes shut.
This may be so wrong, but at that his point Azula didn't care anymore. She needed more, and Azula always gets what she wants.
"No…keep going… my rib… is fractured…" she gasped between breathes, trying to recover from Aang's last little dance on top her belly.
Almost on cue, Aang returned to his task, repositioning his hands right under her rib. She twitched slightly, flinching from his movements as he slowly dragged his fngers upwards towards her ribs. He painstaking traced his hands over her breasts, forcing another moan out from her mouth. This time though, Aang continued on with his work.
For a monk, this airbender sure knew how to work with his hands.
After a few seconds of feeling around, Aang felt the offending rib, the second to last one on the left. As he moved his arm over, his forearm grazed her nipple, causing her to flinch to the sensation that pulsed through her body. A slight whimper was all she could use for a response.
Even though the Avatar was still oblivious, Azula was having the time of her life.
Instantly, a cooling sensation filled her chest cavity. It only lasted for a few seconds, as Aang quickly patched up the few remaining minor injuries. As gingerly as he stepped in, he pulled his hands off her body.
"I… think I'm done…" he paused as he slowly stood up again and turned around, "You should get changed."
Azula's mind was a haze of lust and feeling. But the Avatar's words quickly snapped her out of it and she quickly tried to give him a logical response, even though her mind was thoroughly jumbled.
"Umm…I'll get changed… You…should make something to eat…I'm starving"
"Good Idea. Just be out when you're ready."
In a blink, Aang dashed out of the room. Slowly regaining her senses, Azula sat up on the bed and quickly put on her outfit again. At least the Avatar knew when to give some personal space. She shook her head as she shifted off the bed. Whatever that was, that was really good.
As she stepped out her door, she glanced across the hall into the other room, which was presumably Aang's room. It was very similar, if not identical, to her room. She quickly redirected her attention towards the end of the hallway, where the eating hall was located. I wonder if a back massage from him would feel just as good… , but she quickly threw that idea out. It was time to focus again as she made her way down the hall into the dining hall.
To her surprise, a whole set of plates was laid out on the table, each filled to the top with food. Upon closer inspection, she noticed that there was absolutely no meat on the table. Although she was slightly disappointed, she couldn't complain, her growling stomach needed food. She did miss the taste of komodo chicken though.
"It's all vegetarian. I hope you don't mind." The smile returning to his face. "I baked a fruit pie especially for you."
"Thank you Avatar…umm Aang."
There was a lengthy silence as the two ate their food in silence. She did have to admit though, the vegetables were pretty tasty. The fruit pie was equally as enticing, as she scarfed down most of her food. She hadn't had a decent meal like that in years.
"That's not very lady-like, don't you think princess?" a playful grin on Aang's face
"Oh go to hell! And stop calling me that!" she snapped, in between wolfing down mouthfuls of food.
"If you insist, A-zu-la" repeating her name in a sing-song voice. Now he was just messing with her, she levels a scowl towards the Avatar.
"Do you have anything productive to say? If not then shut your trap!" she shot back. She wasn't one to play child codding with the Avatar.
"Actually I do. I was planning to go do some clothes shopping for you tomorrow. Want to go incognito with me?" that playful grin still plastered on his face.
"Is that a date then? Are you asking me out?" This time, it was Azula's turn to play games.
The question elicits its intended response, leaving a flustered Avatar trying to sound out a response.
"No! Why… would it be? Ahehe…" the red color still flushing his cheeks.
"Ah, so you mean I'm not good enough for you? I see how it is." trying to sound as threatening as possible, leaning forward from her chair. She raised an eyebrow at him, seeing what he would do next.
Aang didn't even need that. He was already caught, hook, line, and sinker. The deeper shade of red that painted his face only seemed to worsen his condition.
"Ahhh… I …uhhh… That's not what I meant!" his eyes shifting nervously.
Now it was Azula's turn to laugh, a much darker laugh in that case. It was the kind of laugh that was dark and sinister, an almost ill omen. She eyed the Avatar closely; time to let this little fish go.
"Relax Aang. I was only joking. I'll see you tomorrow then; I need to get some sleep."
And with that, she stepped out of the dining hall, leaving a very confused and flabbergasted Avatar behind.
"Hey Gramps! What's cookin'?"
As a friend of the Avatar's, Toph was always welcome at the Jasmine Dragon. Particularly, she enjoys spending time speaking with Iroh, who always had a good story and some great tea to go along with it. The blind earthbender made her way to the back room, where Iroh was hard at work with a new concoction.
"Greetings Master Toph! I was just creating a new tea mix! Care to try it out?" Iroh slowly turned around, holding a teacup in his hands. Inside was a pale pink liquid that Toph could smell was very exotic. Taking the cup, Toph took a quick swig of the liquid.
A faint sweet taste greeted her lips as she gulped it down. While there was no aftertaste, the tea left a very sweet tingling sensation throughout her body.
"Man! That was some good stuff Gramps! What's it made from?" taking another drink from the teacup.
"It's actually a very rare flower that's rumored to be a powerful aphrodisiac…" stroking his beard, as if in deep thought.
There was a quick choking sound followed by a gagging noise from the earthbender.
"Oh? You don't like it?" Iroh asked inquisitively, still stroking his beard in thought.
"Jeez Gramps! Give me a warnin' next time!" Toph shouted, pointing accusingly at Iroh, who could do nothing but chuckle at the poor girl's predicament.
"I call it The Lover's Delight," Iroh replied with a slight chuckle, placing a hand on the earthbender's shoulder, "Anyways, there is someplace I must go, and I think you should come with me." his voice quickly changing to a more serious tone, his brow furrowing deep seriousness.
"Well what is it? Spill the mung beans!" Toph stamped inpatiently.
"Caldera City. We have to meet with Fire Lord Zuko." Iroh stated matter-of-factly.
"What's so important that Sparky's gotta call the Gaang into action?" Toph asked eagerly, smacking her fist into her palm for emphasis.
"It's about Azula. She's escaped."
Author's Note:
I do believe I was in a half-vegetative state while writing this shebang. Hooray for subconscious writing?
As requested, I tried to make this chapter a little bit longer :)
Since I must've been either half-dead or currently have a misguided sense of logic, Azula comes as pretty OOC here, try to bear with me here
In other news, Hideaki Anno is a major troll (only those who are currently following the Rebuild of Evangelion series would know what I am talking about)
