Shorter chapter with some back story on Azula and Aang. There are many prompts to explore and I doubt I will have finished this story by the end of the month, but I will give it my best shot. Enjoy! I felt the need to change the rating of this story to M, for safety. Again enjoy! Queen Ty


The walk across the breezeway towards her reserve seemed brisk, and rushed though Katara paid it little mind as she and the fire lord traversed past the palace gardens where Ty Lee, garbed in her Kyoshi Warrior getup and an elaborate braid had her back turned to them beneath the lone shade tree adjacent to the pond. Katara could make out someone lying in the young, contortionist's lap. Assuming it was probably the masked boy toy from the bar that the Kyoshi Warrior was so intimate with, she paid the two little mind as she avoided Zuko's hand while they walked.

"For what it's worth," started the fire lord, stopping at the waterbender's room. "I guess yours and Aang's relationship isn't at a total loss".

Katara bit her lip, looking away. She knew, very well, what the fire lord was hinting at. Though the night had been completely blissful and the spark between the former enemies was truly there, both agreed to not take their intimacy further. Naturally, despite their restraint, their raging hormones and help from the heavily alcoholic Ember Island Iced Teas, the two had taken the liberties to explore one another's bodies in very erotic ways.

Even this fact, brought a shameful blush along the waterbender's cheeks as unrequited lust coiled through her loins at the thought of her spontaneous "servicing" of the fire lord in his washroom followed by an intimate bath together that provoked immediate re-arousal from Zuko's member against her back that she had avoided mounting through untested, agonizing restraint and the more private idea that she had yet to experience that level of intimacy with anyone.

A horrible memory crossed her mind, provoking her to ignore Zuko's comment and make an off-handed one of her own.

"Well, some of us take pride in our innocence and wait until the right person comes to share it with them". She blurted without thinking.

Instantly, Katara wanted to kick herself in the mouth at the comment. Yet, the damage had been done as Zuko's face immediately fell.

"I understand," said the fire lord, quietly. "Ahem, well, I will call upon you all before dinner," he added, turning to leave.

"Zuko, wait!" Called Katara, grasping his wrist.

Zuko turned slightly. "I really need to go Katara. I think you have forgotten that I have a nation to run. I can't waste more time with trivial matters". With that, he looked to turn away again when Katara's longer nails suddenly drew blood from his wrists.

Angered at the gesture, the fire lord locked dangerous eyes with the waterbender. Before he could ask what the harsh move was for, Katara spoke low and bold.

"You should take a long look at your back door, Fire Lord".

The fire lord had swarms of questions to ask, yet at the sound of Sokka's door opening, the two took instinctive steps away from the other. Suki flashed a genuine smile in their direction.

"Fire Lord," she greeted with a tilt of her head. "Hi, Katara, I thought you guys were Sokka".

"H-Hi, Suki," Katara managed to utter out, guilt tolling through her body, nearly forcing her knees to collapse.

"Ladies, I'm sorry, I have important matters to handle. If you will excuse me, I'll call upon you all for dinner later". Without further words, Katara watched the fire lord leave with somber eyes following him.

"Do you need to talk, Katara?" Suki asked the back of the waterbender's head.

Katara was about to reject the offer, but chose to follow the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors into Sokka's reserved room. Suki shut the door behind them and gestured to two reclining chairs near a blazing fireplace. The blaze seemed to entrance the waterbender as she took a seat.

"Tea?" Asked the warrior. "I have a couple of hours before I join Ty Lee at our post so we can talk about you and Zuko if you want".

Surprise made Katara gasp, nearly dropping the steaming mug of tea into her lap. "How'd you guess?" She asked, nervously.

Taking a seat in an adjacent recliner, Suki tugged her green bedrobe closed in an attempt to cover the passion bruise along her clavicle that Katara had already noted. The bruise did not surprise her, unbeknownst to Suki, the waterbender knew long ago that she and Sokka were very much acquainted with one another's bodies. Of course, she was ecstatic for her brother and part of her wanted to ask Suki for advice. The woman was very much like a sister now anyway, even without the betrothal necklace of the Water Tribe.

Taking a sip of her tea, Suki shrugged, passively. "A girl just knows". Leaning forward, she asked in a hushed voice as if others were listening, her hand gripping her tea mug. "Did you sleep together?"

Flushes of blood filled Katara's face. "Yes, but not really. We explored some, but I-I couldn't hurt Aang that way…" she confessed, her voice trailing as she looked to the toasty fireplace.

Suki breathed, heavily, leaning back in her seat. "Well, it's probably for the best. Zuko's not really the commitment type. Guess it is a family trait".

"Yeah," Katara muttered, bitterness oozing in her tone.

There was silence for a moment before Suki finally took a leap of faith and asked. "You're still not sure about Aang, huh? I mean with the Azula thing".

This time, the tea mug Katara held found a shattering resting place past the warrior, painting the far wall.

"I don't know WHAT to believe, Suki! I should have drowned that girl when I had the chance! She's—She's horrible!" Her hands were against her face now.

"She's Zuko's sister. He would be devastated if something were to happen to her. They have a connection".

Katara sniffed. "Yeah, I noticed," she hissed, wiping her face with her palms. "He's the only reason she has her life. He obviously cares along with…Aang," was her low answer.

"It's not in you to take someone's life, anyway, Katara. Besides, it seems like Aang is just fine about it," Suki pointed out, hurrying to grab a broom to sweep up the broken shards on the floor. "Plus, Azula has Ty Lee and-"

"What?" Asked Katara, eyes bulging from their sockets.

Suki gave her a puzzled look. "What's what? Aang? Or Azula and Ty Lee?"

"Ty Lee? As in boy magnet Ty Lee?"

The Kyoshi Warrior nodded once. "Yeah, they've been together for some time according to her".

The waterbender's head was swimming now. The wicked woman seemed to have a knack for manipulating bubbly, trusting, innocent people. She had struck up something of a friendship with the friendly acrobat, but the topic of Azula never crossed their conversations.

Does she know? Wondered Katara.

"No," Suki answered before she could ask aloud. "At least she hasn't said anything. Look, Katara, honestly, we're adults now and these things happen. Aang really loves you. This morning he was so worried about you. I thought he was going to flip when he came here. He and Sokka should be back soon. Maybe you should tell him how you feel?"

"About the fire lord or Azula?"

"Neither. Maybe you should just talk about you guys. It's a start. Maybe you can remember why you love him. Believe me, Zuko's got his hands full with the fire nation and Azula. I doubt you guys will ever form a real relationship. I think you're just heartbroken right now".

Katara sighed deeply. If she was totally honest with herself, she found it almost impossible to forgive her boyfriend for the damage done in their relationship. The fact that Azula was back and nesting with Ty Lee meant the old bat would probably tell the fire lord about hers and Aang's secret love child. Zuko would be furious as she had been and demand the child for sure. The baby boy was much better off away from his insane mother. Yet, would the fire lord allow this? Katara was not sure as Zuko did not have children of his own.

Perhaps we could change that. She thought, vindictively before guilt seemed to punch her in the gut.

"Hello?" Called Suki, waving a hand in the waterbender's face. "Are you ok?"

Shaking her head, Katara stood abruptly. "You're right, I need to talk to Aang. With Azula back, his—OUR baby is danger. Where is he?"

"He and Sokka went off looking for you".

Feeling a slow roll of her churning stomach, Katara left the confused Kyoshi Warrior leader staring after her.

#

"You're lying," Zuko hissed from his position on the ground.

Azula shrugged despite the look of death that the fire lord was sending in her direction. "Believe what you will, Brother. Obviously, your waterbender didn't give two turtleducks about sleeping with you last night. Vengeance, perhaps? Ice Princess wants a taste of revenge against her avatar?"

Picking up a nearby pomegranate, she cracked it open effortlessly and scooped out a handful of seeds. With her nails painted a royal purple, the princess squeezed the seeds dry in her palm.

"The remainder of my proposition," she said, examining her stained hand. "That waterbender and the avatar stole my child. He needs his mother. You, of all people, would understand".

Zuko softened momentarily at the thought of their mother and younger, half-sister. Kiyi was full of life and love in Ursa's parenting. He had sometimes envied the girl as he watched her receive the life he had always wanted with their mother.

"Aang's a monk," Zuko pointed out, as he focused back on his sister looming over him. "He wouldn't sleep with you, Azula. I'm not a fool".

A wicked laugh came from her painted lips. "And Ozai's our father. Did that stop him?" She asked, making Zuko seethe in rage and disgust. "Listen," continued the princess. "You and I, both, know the cost of trust. Your avatar abused his trust as easily as he forgot his pledge as a monk when he was with me. I am quite experienced, you know. Whether by choice or not is another discussion over tea".

"You're lying. Where is the child then?"

"Ask your waterbender".

"You killed Aang?"

"I gave YOU your opportunity to be with the peasant!" Azula spewed. "You should be grateful and for the last time, NO! I found the chain when I was meeting up with Ty Lee. Obviously, you have more enemies than the lowly, mad, former princess". Her voice cracked against her will. "I only want what's m-mine. Your avatar saved me. I do not wish to kill him…again".

Zuko stood at that moment, hurrying to the crumbling woman.

"I don't want sympathy. I just want my life back. I am barely twenty and…tired, Zuzu". With strong arms, Zuko wrapped his sister into a tight embrace, surprised to hear muffled sobs against his shoulder. "I'm so…tired. Father…he did…".

"I know," soothed the fire lord. "I'm sorry, Sis. You'll never have to worry about him again". He promised.

#

Forgetful Valley seemed to span for thousands of miles as Aang took Appa full speed above the valley of looming trees in search of his best friend's sister. The fire lord, Katara and Sokka were spanning the forest on foot while the avatar chose to take the search to the skies. The sun had long set when Azula took off for the formidable forest, endangering herself at the sight of Ursa in false form.

Aang knew he needed to find the young firebender soon for the world's sake. She was coming unhinged again and he was afraid to see the repercussions of Fire Lord Zuko's decision to release her from the mental hospital. He also felt a longing to continue helping her towards recovery as best he could.

"Finding Ursa may bring that peace. And not just for himself". Iroh's words replayed in his head as he lowered his flying bison towards seemingly the middle of the forest.

Hopping off, Aang sent Appa to find food while he continued on foot. Stopping at a serene lake, Aang noticed a floating Fire Nation uniform in the middle of the lake. Fear crept into his being as he quickly dived into the water and swam towards the body dressed in the clothing. Black hair splayed across the water, Azula's eyes were closed in a peaceful manner. Aang feared he was too late. With a strong arm, he grasped the unconscious woman by her waist and bent the water like a torpedo towards land. With the light air, he came to a soft land on the grassy bank with the princess in tow.

Thinking fast, the avatar checked the woman's pulse for any signs of life. Her pulse was nonexistent and her aura was rapidly diming. There was strongly another line of chi slightly emitting from the fallen princess as well.

What do I do? I can't let her die here. He thought.

Taking a seat with his legs crossed, the avatar ventured into the avatar state. Upon opening his eyes, he yelped at the sight of an angry, blue dragon speeding towards him. Leaping out of the way of its snapping jowls, Aang was surprised to hear Azula's powerful voice call to him.

"Avatar! Unless you wish for an early demise, you will leave!"

Aang extended his arm and touched the dragon's tail shakily, closing his eyes tightly. After several moments of silence, a baby's cry filled his ears. Upon opening them, he witnessed a naked Azula holding a child in her arms. Tear-filled eyes met his.

"Please, Avatar," begged the young woman. "He did nothing wrong".

Aang gasped, taking cautious steps towards her until he caught a view of the little baby cradled to her chest. Its spirit was waning fast along with its mother's.

"Yours?" Asked Aang.

The girl chuckled, lightly. "No, your waterbender's," she jest, making Aang clench his teeth. "Of course, Avatar". She sounded very similar to her regal self, though her eyes were bloodshot. "He's…dying".

Confused, Aang looked over the baby boy, his cries growing weaker. "I-I don't know how to save him". He confessed, uneasily. "Who? Is his father-"

"No one of merit!" Snapped Azula immediately. "If you can't save us, please leave".

Unsure of what to do, the avatar sat with the princess and her child until their time was to pass. Guilt filled him as he thought on how to save them. Looking at the child, his heart melted with the thought of such an innocent child unable to breathe a single breath of life.

"D-Did someone do this to you two? You know, push you into the lake?" He asked.

Azula shook her head, taking her golden eyes off the child to meet his. "I did this after I saw her".

"Your mother?" Asked Aang, knowing the answer.

"I couldn't bear to see her. She-she left us with him," sniffling, she held the child close. "She left me with her…responsibilities as fire lady".

Aang feared the woman's meaning, but he also felt a strong sense to hold the woman in her final moments. Maybe it was the only time she had been held in her life. Taking a leap of faith, the avatar wrapped his arms around Azula and her child. Surprisingly, Azula leaned into the embrace. Aang's heart leapt at the gesture as golden eyes flickered to his own.

"I never had a choice, did I, Avatar?" She asked, softly.

"Yes, of course, you did, Azula. You—you still do".

A light chuckle rung in his ears, followed by a soft palm on his face. "My father did not think so".

Horrified as he thought on her words, Aang felt an overwhelming urge to protect the firebender, yet she was fast disappearing along with the baby boy. Unsure of what else to do, Aang dove for the firebender's lips in a final kiss, sending them both back to the physical world, naked and panting, legs intertwined.

Aang felt heat between his legs that both shocked and mesmerized him. His eyes opened in time with a gasping Azula's frame below him. Holding himself upright with his palms on either side of her head, the avatar panted in disbelief.

"Wha—what happened?" He asked, suddenly very aware of the fire lord's gorgeous sister beneath him.

Nails scraped his upper shoulders and legs trembled around him, making Aang instinctively roll his hips. He had never experienced such pleasure before. Azula purred below, unable to form a usual retort.

"I-I never expected this…from you," she finally gasped, pulling him closer until he was forced to move within clenching, velvet walls.

Unable to think as the princess hungrily moved beneath him, Aang pushed inside slowly increasing his movements as Azula's gasps of pleasure rang higher in his ear. The avatar felt his control slipping fast with her touch as the princess's legs moved higher up his back and her nails scrapped his shoulder blades. She buried her face in his neck when the avatar's movements increased in pace. Their breathing shortened in tandem.

"Don't…stop," she whispered, almost pleading and Aang was pushed on by her vulnerable tone. "Don't, please…you feel incredible. I-I can feel your power".

The two former enemies cried out together as Aang lost control of his earthbending, causing the ground to shatter with the force of his hips, increasing into an all out pounding, making Azula tighten her grip on his shoulders with choking gasps. Shifting the princess's legs so her ankles met his shoulders, Aang clutched a swollen nipple with his teeth, making her grasp his head, screaming in his ear for him to take her more.

Next came his waterbending, sending the water from the lake encircled around them, drenching them with rolling waves between grinding hips. Their heads fell back simultaneously, fire exploding from their lips in blue and red shades.

"Ohhh…Spirits, Avatar!" Cried Azula as Aang took her in the air, their lips meeting as his eyes glowed white along with his tattoos. The princess was amazed as she felt him explode within her. The power seemed to breathe life instantly back throughout her weakened limbs down to the baby she had carried for several months without detection.

The avatar brought them back to the shattered ground slowly. Groaning as he fell atop the gasping firebender beneath him. The two laid together, attempting to catch their breath when thoughts of their transgression made them jolt awake and push away from the other instantly. Aang clutched his chest as he thought of his pledge to Monk Gyatso and…Katara…

"No," he said breathlessly, desperate for air.

His eyes stared in horror as Azula hurriedly clothed herself. "No one needs to know about this, Avatar. Trust me, I am the perfect keeper of secrets". Pushing back wet strands of her hair from her soaked face, she added, "You saved my child. I am eternally grateful. But, I have…someone".

Aang nodded. "I understand. Please…Katara can't-"

"I know. And neither can Zuko…" She paused.

Aang thought on this. "Let me take him. I will have to tell Katara, but she will understand. She knows I love her".

Azula raised an eyebrow. "You trust her? Are you really that much of an idiot?"

Teeth clenched, Aang answered calmly. "I love her and yes, I trust her because…because trust lies at the core of love".