Katara was appalled at this other water tribe girl. She had the nerve to touch Aang. Like a viper she wrapped her arms around Aang's neck. That was the final straw for Katara. She wasn't going to just stand there when this girl was putting her hands all over Aang. She was going to put a stop to this now.
"Don't go with her." Azula commanded.
"Azula, I promise to come right back." Aang whispered.
Out of the corner of her eye. Azula could see Katara coming up from behind Aang. She was drawing closer and it was only a matter of moments before the secret was out of bag. All that was left was for Azula to reveal herself to Katara and show her that he was now hers. Just as if Azula was on the battlefield, this would be another victory.
"Hello water tribe peasant." Azula greeted
Katara watched as the girl's face suddenly appeared from behind Aang. Katara's eyes went wide as the girl's blazing gold eyes came into focus. finally the sight of the girls arrogant and evil smile. That unmistakable face, Katara would recognize it for the rest of her life. It was the same as it was on the day Azula had almost succeeded in killing Aang.
"Aang get out of here!" Katara shouted.
She instinctively grabbed Aang by the arm and pushed him away has hard as she could. Katara sent Aang flying back several feet. Azula smiled wickedly as Aang had finally been removed. This was the perfect opportunity to eliminate her competition. The tips of Azula's fingers were roaring with blue flames.
"I won't let you take him." Azula warned.
"Azula I'm not going to let you hurt him ever again." Katara threatened.
"Do you honestly think you can do anything to me girl?" Azula asked as she glared.
"I'll make you pay Azula." Katara said seriously
"Oh! Did it bother you to see the two of us together? To see how happy he was kissing me?" Azula said as she smirked.
Katara gritted her teeth and her tears began to form in her eyes. The image of the two of them once again played out in her mind. Katara clenched her fists tightly. Azula was right. It was bothering her. Knowing that the two of them were so close. So intimate with one another. There were so casual about it, Katara had to wonder if the two of them had already gone further.
"How could you? He's so pure and clean. And you're so dark and tainted." Katara said disgusted.
"The Avatar didn't think I was disgusting. He enjoyed it and relished in experiencing new things with me. He couldn't keep his arms to himself. His strong young hands felt so warm on my thighs and my breasts." Azula said cruelly.
"Shut up! I don't want to hear anymore Azula!" Katara shouted
Katara was through with words. She reached down and uncorked her satchel of water. And a water whip quickly took shape over her hands. As soon as Azula took a fighting stance Katara made her move. She dashed right toward Azula with every intent to harm her. Before the two could come into contact, Aang was up and stepped between the two of them.
"Both of you cut this out!" Aang yelled.
Azula's blue flame quickly died out upon hearing Aang's voice. Whatever battle lust she was experiencing quickly faded. Katara wasn't so easily swayed. She continued on with her assault. Aang simply reacted and repelled her back with a gust of wind knocking Katara on her back side.
"Why Aang? Why did you stop me?" Katara asked through tear filled eyes.
"I'm sorry I used my airbending on you. But I just couldn't let you two hurt each other." Aang explained.
"Azula is evil! Aang she almost killed you." Katara responded
"It's complicated Katara." Aang said sadly.
"No! She must be tricking you. There's no way you would ever want to be with an enemy." Katara said upset.
"There's so much more to it than that." Aang said nervously
Katara's heart sank with each sentence he spoke. Aang wasn't being manipulated nor was he conflicted. He simply wasn't the same person anymore. Perhaps the feelings he once had for Katara were also no longer the same. Unfortunately that caused her to hurt even more.
"What about you and me? Aang you wanted to be with me." Katara asked.
"Everything is different. I'm not sure how I can explain it." Aang said upset
"Aang you even kissed me on the day of black sun. Doesn't that still mean anything to you? Katara announced.
Azula quickly looked to Aang. She hadn't known that fact. In all the time the two had been spending together. Aang had failed to mention his romantic involvement with the water tribe girl. Especially one that was so current. Azula was even more frustrated than before. She needed to do something drastic.
"That's the problem. It meant everything to me Katara. You just didn't feel the same as I did. To you I was always just a cute little guy."Aang admitted.
"No Aang! It's just that….." Katara began to explain
"Things change and you are just going to have to accept that." Azula interrupted as she stepped forward.
Katara's eyes suddenly went wide. Something inside of her caused her to take up action against Azula. A torrent of water from the nearby lake sprung forth and collided with Azula taking her completely by surprise. Even Aang who had been standing beside them could do nothing to stop it. His attention turned to the now attacking Katara. Much like before Aang attempted to use his airbending to stop her.
Katara was ready for the attack this time. She easily evaded the attack and lunged toward Azula. Katara's right arm pulled back and a small cyclone of water formed around her arm. Without hesitation the water formation cooled into a sharp icicle. Azula stood herself upright though she was in no shape to defend herself. Perhaps she had pushed the water tribe girl too far.
Azula saw the approaching Katara and her ice blade. She closed her eyes ready to accept her fate. Though she would be ready to return the killing blow with one of her own. Azula began sending heat to her fingers however before she could, Aang had taken hold of her. He threw his arms around Azula and held her tightly.
"No! AZULA!" Aang screamed out.
"Aang!" Azula said as her eyes snapped back open.
Katara looked down at her shaking hands, there was blood on them. Katara looked up and saw that the person her blade made contact wasn't Azula. Instead her blade found its mark on Aang. Though he managed to move Azula and himself. Katara had still been able to make a deadly slice on the left side of Aang's back. Katara immediately dropped her ice weapon and fell to her knees. She looked over at Aang and saw that he and Azula had fallen onto the ground.
Aang and Azula laid motionless. Aang was still holding her tightly. He was laying on top protecting her. Azula's arms were also wrapped tightly around Aang. As she loosened her grip, her left hand moved passed Aang's back. Suddenly Azula's breathing became much heavier. Her mind had finally pieced everything together after what had happened. Azula looked to Aang with much concern. Before she could say a word her eyes locked onto Aang's. He stared at her and despite the pain he was in. He still managed to look more concerned for her.
"Azula are you ok?" Aang forced out through the pain.
"Aang! Oh Aang!" Azula said through tears.
"Azula are you hurt anywhere?" He continued to check.
"You fool stop worrying about me!" Azula shouted.
"Just doing my job and making sure the princess is safe." Aang joked
"Shut up! We need to get you some help." Azula said wiping her tears.
Azula picked herself up and immediately removed her robe. She did her best to tie it around Aang's waist to stop the bleeding. She looked at Aang nervously. She was about to tighten the robe and she knew it was going to be painful for him. Aang looked to her then nodded. He did his best to brace himself, but the pain still came. Aang screamed out startling Katara. She quickly made her way over to Aang.
Katara knelt beside him and reached her hand over to his chest. Azula quickly intercepted the touch and knocked Katara's hand away from Aang. Katara looked into Azula's eyes. The two of them were staring at each other through tears. Katara then turned her attention back to Aang.
"Oh Aang! I'm so sorry! I…I never meant for you…for you to be hurt." Katara cried out.
"Damn you girl!" Azula hissed.
Azula grabbed Katara by the robe. Her other hand was now bursting with blue flame. She was ready to end this. She had no reason to hold back any longer. Azula could finally be rid of this troublesome water tribe girl.
"Don't hurt her Azula." Aang pleaded.
"Ok Aang, I won't kill her." Azula complied.
Azula's blue flame retreated. But she gave a hard glance at Katara. Then her formally flamed hand came up and slapped Katara across the face. Azula turned away from her and back to Aang. Katara held her now red cheek. The sting from the slap was intense. She had never been slapped before.
To be continued.
