Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar The Last Air Bender.
Chapter 7 – Full Moon
The Avatar said they were near the Fire Nation bazaar. Azula had never been to that open market before and was curious to explore.
"Zuko hand me that tent," Aang called out.
"What are you two doing?" Azula asked with one hand on her hip.
"What does it look like we're doing? Setting up camp." Zuko answered.
"I'm not sleeping outside. We'll be doing plenty of that in the Earth Kingdom. Tonight we will stay at an inn," Azula stated.
"Who made you the boss?" Zuko asked annoyed.
"Fine, you two cuddle out here. I'm finding a room. Coming Mai?" Azula said nonchalantly. Mai grabbed her leather bag and followed Azula out of the forest.
Aang and Zuko gave each weird looks. "You know Zuko, an inn doesn't sound like such a bad idea."
"Lead the way," Zuko said grumpily.
The rainbow of colors and smells were almost overwhelming. There were numerous stalls offering the widest rage of goods Azula had ever seen.
"Where do you want to stay?" Mai asked.
Azula took in her surroundings. At a distance a wide elegantly adorned building stood out. "We're staying there." Azula pointed with a manicured finger.
Aang and Zuko caught up with the girls, tugging the luggage behind them. "Did you find a place?" Zuko asked.
"Yes we are staying there." Azula pointed once again to the elegant building.
"It looks like a fancy place. Do you think they will have rooms?" Aang worried as he followed Azula.
"Of course. They wouldn't risk offending the Fire Lord by turning his company away."
At the front of the building was a gold lettered sign reading Bazaar Inn. A smartly dressed man came to greet the group. "Good morning. Do you have reservations?"
"Unfortunately we don't but I'm sure you could find rooms for Fire Lord Zuko." Azula watched as the man took in their appearance. His eyes lingered and Zuko's scar before recognition washed over him.
"Of course. My apologies. How many rooms will the Fire Lord require?" The man waved two boys to take the group's luggage.
"Four…"
Zuko cut Azula off, "Three rooms will suffice. Thank you."
"Very good. While your rooms are being prepared please help yourself to our dinning facilities."
Azula gave her brother a funny look but decided not to question him just yet. "I'm going to explore the bazaar."
"I'll go with you." Zuko offered.
"I'll meet you two there. I'm going get Appa settled in the stables." Aang opened his staff and flew back towards the sky bison.
The siblings turned to Mai. "I'll join you later." She walked inside the inn.
Azula wasn't sure where to begin. She led Zuko to a stall stocked with weapons.
"Maybe you could find a present for Mai." Azula teased.
Zuko rolled his eyes but picked up a small blade. Azula weighed a similar blade in her palm. She wasn't skilled with knives like Mai was, but she felt more comfortable keeping a blade on her person. "You're getting me this."
"As you wish princess." Zuko paid the merchant. "I'm starving." He could smell spiced meat coming from a small food cart. He dragged Azula and ordered two kabobs.
"You expect to eat out on the street." Azula eyed the kabob wearily.
"Oh come on Azula, don't be so stuck up." Zuko smirked.
Azula took the kabob and bit into it daintily. She was surprised by how good it tasted. "I'm assuming you and Mai made up."
Zuko ordered watermelon juice and handed a cup to his sister. "Yeah. We talked things out."
Azula laughed, "Just talked?"
Zuko blushed angrily. "That's none of your business."
"Lighten up Zuzu."
Zuko took a sip from his juice. "Thanks for the advice, about talking to Mai."
Azula shrugged, "It was common sense."
Two hours and a fed Appa later, Aang found Zuko and Azula at a perfume stall. Zuko was beyond bored and not bothering to hide it. Azula seemed to be enjoying his agony more than the perfume.
"What do you think of this one Zuzu?" Azula held up another perfume bottle.
"They all smell the same." Zuko grumbled.
A flutter of red silk caught Azula's attention. She walked to the stall and found hundreds of different colors of silk.
Zuko groaned when he saw Azula's attention move to the clothes. "Come on Azula, I'm going back to the inn."
"Then go." Azula picked up a dress made of a blend of red and orange silk.
"You can't stay out by yourself." Zuko answered protectively.
"I can take care of myself."
"I'll stay with her." Aang offered.
Zuko was surprised by Aang's offer but he wasn't about to look a gift ostrich-horse in the mouth. "Have fun."
Azula paid no attention to Zuko's retreating back or the Avatar's attentive gaze. Instead she handed her new lackey different articles of clothing to hold.
Aang obediently held everything she tossed at him. When he could feel the silk start crushing his form he asked, "Don't you want to try any of this on?"
"I suppose you're right." Azula took some of the clothing from him and stepped behind a dressing screen.
Azula tried on the red orange dress that had caught her attention earlier. It was light and low cut. She stepped out from behind the dressing screen to look at herself in the full-length mirror.
"The dress is exquisite, princess." The shop attendant admired.
Azula could see Aang trying to look in a different direction. "What do you think Avatar?"
Aang kept his eyes from lingering on her ample breasts. The dress did look good on her. The mixture of orange-red cast a subtle glow off her skin. "You look great, Azula."
The dress wasn't practical for their travels but she decided to indulge herself. She paid the shop attendant and handed her bag to the Avatar.
They walked past the stalls to the inn in silence. At the front desk an attendant handed an envelope to Azula.
She sighed annoyed. "Zuko and Mai won't be joining us for dinner."
Aang giggled at what the message implied. Azula rolled her eyes at his immaturity. "I'll see you in an hour for dinner, Avatar."
The inn's common room was large with fur rugs covering the floor. The hour was almost midnight and few people sat chatting, playing chess or reading. Azula sat alone in front of the fireplace. The Avatar had been quiet at dinner and excused himself before dessert.
She had thought of going to bed early but instead she had decided to observe the people downstairs. Despite the late hour, she felt wide-awake. The fire was warm and the background noise of the common room offered more comfort than the silence that awaited her in her own room.
Aang waited until he thought his friends would be asleep. He felt guilty for his silence during dinner with Azula but tonight was a full moon. He didn't know how to explain the emotional pull a full moon had over him. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice Azula sitting in the common room. Azula, however, saw him leave the inn.
Perhaps she was bored, but whatever the reason she decided to follow him. She kept a safe distance but the precaution was unnecessary, he never once turned to look behind him.
They walked through the woods until they reached the shore. Under the full moon, the sand glistened white. The waves of water looked like black velvet, pushing and pulling. Aang stripped down to his underwear before walking into the black water. At first he let the waves push and pull him. Slowly he began to bend the water.
Azula could sense she had intruded on something private. She lingered, admiring his bending. She never doubted the superiority of fire but she couldn't deny the beauty of water. Reluctantly she walked back to the inn.
Azula was the first one at breakfast. Mai and Zuko came shortly after looking happy, well as happy as Mai and Zuko could look. They were half way through breakfast when Aang came down.
"Late night?" Azula asked knowingly.
Aang yawned, "Couldn't sleep."
Zuko sighed as he put down the letter he was reading. "We're going to have to make a detour. Uncle sent a hawk with a message about the first Fire Colonies meeting. He said I should meet Sokka at Master Piandao's castle for full details."
Mai patted his arm sympathetically. "It's only for a night. Besides it's on our way."
"Well the sooner we leave the sooner we get to Wubin." Zuko stood up and walked to the front desk to pay for their stay. Azula followed Aang to the stables while Mai checked on their luggage.
"I'll fly the sky bison Avatar." Azula climbed on Appa and took the reigns.
"I don't know Azula, you and Appa aren't exactly friends." Aang patted Appa as the sky bison fidgeted uncomfortably.
"In your state you'll fly straight into the ocean. If the beast plays nice so will I."
Aang opened his mouth to protest but yawned. He looked at Appa pleadingly. "It's only for a couple of hours buddy."
Appa grunted, which Azula took as a yes. "Maybe next time you won't spend all night water bending."
Aang smiled as he made himself comfortable on the saddle. "Next time you can come out and join me instead of hiding."
A few hours later Aang woke up feeling well rested. Zuko and Mai had taken over the back of the saddle, cuddling and whispering to one another. Aang stretched and moved closer to Azula.
"Thanks for taking over. I can handle it from here."
Azula scooted over but kept her seat next to the Avatar. She pulled her sketchbook out from her leather bag. They sat in silence for an hour as Azula added finishing touches to the cliffs she had drawn earlier.
"You'll like Master Piandao's castle. It has a tall tower, a lush courtyard and it sits on a cliff over looking Shu Jing."
Azula only nodded. Aang decided to continue chatting. "If you like drawing architectures then you'd really like the Air Temples."
"It's my understanding that few outsiders have seen the Air Temples."
Aang grinned, "In the old days but things are different now. I could take you, after we find your mother." Aang blushed realizing what he just offered. "Only if you want to go of course."
Azula smirked, "I'll think about it, Avatar."
Zuko watched as Azula and Aang talked quietly. Mai had fallen asleep on his shoulder and he didn't want to disturb her. He didn't like how close Aang had moved next to his sister. He especially didn't like how Azula leaned into Aang when she spoke.
He knew all about the breakup between Aang and Katara a few months earlier. The last thing Azula needed was to be his rebound while she was healing. He almost laughed out loud when he realized what he was thinking. Aang meant nothing to Azula, he doubted she would ever see any many worthy of her. Besides, Aang liked sweet girls, which Azula was not.
Most importantly, Azula and he had agreed they would begin to discuss her marriage prospects after they found their mother. As Azula's older brother and Fire Lord, it was Zuko's responsibility to present her to the court and arrange a favorable match. Azula had long ago understood what her title meant and the responsibilities attached to it.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading my wonderful readers! Please please please take a minute to review. Knowing there are people who want to keep reading is what motivates me to write more and post faster.