Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar The Last Air Bender.

Chapter 9 - Secrets

He was alone with her again. Her crimson lips were pouting a bit as she drew in her sketchbook. Aang was itching to sit next to her and watch but he knew she would appreciate the space.

Azula pushed her sketchbook away and frowned. She was so bored. Zuko had promised her a spar but he had taken off with Mai. She turned her attention to the Avatar; he looked as bored as she felt.

"Avatar, spar with me." Azula stood as she motioned to an area away from camp.

Aang froze nervously. "Spar?"

Azula rolled her eyes as she quickly braided her long hair. "A friendly match."

Aang debated with himself. He was sure enough of his abilities to defeat Azula if she decided to go rogue but he knew it would be a hard fight. The challenge of it did excite him and besides, he was really bored. "Okay, Azula. A friendly match."

They both stretched their limbs. "Pick an element." He offered.

Azula thought for a moment and smirked, "Fire."

Aang held back a groan. He was a master but Azula was a prodigy. At least he wouldn't be bored. "Okay, fire."

They bowed to one another; Azula began her onslaught immediately. She held fire daggers trying to stab him. He blocked her arms but was met with a fire round house kick. Aang used a firebomb to blast her away.

She fell to the ground harder than she expected but was quickly back on her feet. Aang could see she was impressed with his ability. The moment was over when Azula went back to the basics and overwhelmed him with fire lashes.

Aang threw up a flimsy firewall that Azula easily jumped through. At such close range fire was fatal. Wordlessly they switched to hand to hand combat. Azula was fast and graceful. Aang couldn't land a blow.

Azula was growing frustrated. Realistically she knew the Avatar was hard to beat but she was smug in her ability to bring him down. After all, she had done it before, but he wasn't the same boy she had fought before. The Avatar in front of her was a confident and powerful bender. She decided to try and trick him with an elementary move. She swung her left arm as if she was trying to land a punch but instead brought her leg up.

Aang fell back and Azula was quick to pin him. Her smile was cold but he only grinned. He breathed fire into her face. She titled her head back but that momentary distraction was enough for Aang to overpower her. He was the one on top, her arms pinned above her head. She struggled to push him off but he was too strong.

"I win." Aang said cheerfully.

Azula huffed. Before she could say anything he was quickly off her and blushing. She was confused until she felt the crisp breeze on her chest and stomach. Her blouse was ripped, exposing her bra and flesh. With a shrug she tore the rest of the blouse off and tossed it aside.

"Don't act so modest Avatar."

Aang's blush deepened. "Sorry Azula. I don't want you think that I was staring. Not that you're not worth staring. I mean…"

Azula laughed; a real laugh. Aang frowned but soon he was laughing too. He had never heard the princess laugh before. It sounded like music.

"It's hot." Azula commented as she settled down.

"There's a lake with a waterfall nearby." Aang took her hand and led the way.

Silently they walked towards the lake with the waterfall. They both stripped down to their undergarments before jumping in.

Azula swam towards the low current waterfall. She climbed up a few stones to get directly under the waterfall. She stood up and let the cool water wash her clean.

Aang had compared her to a siren before but with the sunlight and water raining down on her, she was more like a goddess. He turned his attention elsewhere before she could catch him staring.

When Azula was done she swam towards him. "Next time, I won't let you win."

Aang grinned slyly, "Let me win? I won fair and square princess."

Azula snorted, "I've been out of practice."

Aang splashed water at her, "Want a rematch?"

Azula rolled her eyes before splashing him back, "How fair is that? I'm surrounded by an element you can bend."

Aang gently bended the waves, pushing her into his arms. "Don't you trust me?"

She hesitated, biting her bottom lip. His grey eyes were sincere. He didn't give her more time to think. Instead his lips softly touched hers. Azula's arms circled his neck, her legs around his waist. She deepened the kiss, pressing her body harder against his.

Aang ran his fingers through her silky wet hair. He could feel the rise of her body temperature even in the cool water. He broke the kiss and moved his lips down her neck, gently nipping her. She moaned in response as his lips traveled down to her breasts. He removed her bra. He slid his hands up and down her sides before removing her underwear and his own.

They sensation of their naked skin against each other was almost too much but Aang restrained himself from taking her right there and then. He took a deep breath and kissed her again. She sighed in pleasure; whispering pleading words into his ear. Aang growled with desire, penetrating her slowly.

Azula stiffened and immediately he knew why. He whispered gentle words into her ear, hair and neck. His arms were tight around her as he thrust slowly. She began to relax and soon was begging him to go deeper and harder.

Amber eyes met grey; she was taken aback by the tenderness they held. She felt completely safe in his arms, another new sensation for her.

They screamed out together. She let her head fall to his shoulder as she caught her breath. Aang could feel her heart racing against his own. As he held Azula in his arms, Aang knew he was absolutely in love with her.

He pulled her chin and gently kissed her. She sighed with content, letting him lead her back to the grassy shore. As she stood he marveled at her beauty again. She turned to look at him, waiting. He wanted to tell her everything that was in his heart but he bit his tongue and instead said, "You're beautiful Azula."

She graced his ears with her musical laughter before kissing him.


It was after dinner when Mai and Zuko returned. Azula and Aang sat on opposite sides of the fire. The scene was innocent enough but Zuko could sense something was off.

"How was your outing?" Azula asked Mai.

"It was fine."

"What did you two do all day?" Zuko asked.

Azula ignored him and went back to her sketchbook.

Aang watched as Azula made no attempt at talking to Zuko. "We sparred and swam in the lake."

Zuko's anger melted away, "Sparred? Azula I'm sorry I forgot."

Azula shrugged, "I was upgraded to a better opponent."

Zuko let her jab slide. "I'll make it up to you."

"I know you will."

Zuko wasn't excited about what his sister would demand for his slight. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something but he was too tired to think about it. Instead he wished everyone a goodnight and retired early.

Azula and Aang stayed outside until the fire died down. Mai had stayed with them and chatted lightly about the nearby village. Eventually she retreated into the tent she shared with Zuko.

Azula closed her sketchbook, "It's getting late. Good night Avatar."

Aang nodded, "Good night princess."

Azula was in the habit of setting her tent up away from the immediate circle of the camp. She valued her privacy and tonight privacy was especially important.

Like a shadow Aang entered her tent. He slid inside her sleeping bag putting his arms around her waist.

"Did Zuko see you?"

"No. He and Mai are asleep." Aang eased her worries.

She nodded and snuggled closer. The feeling of safety resurfaced. To herself she could admit that it was addicting.

"We're going to tell him eventually, right?"

"Eventually." Azula answered evasively.

"So how do you feel?" Aang was worried he had hurt her.

"Peachy. Go to sleep Avatar."

Aang smiled before kissing her forehead, "Goodnight Azula."

It had been a very long time since anyone showed Azula genuine affection. She remembered the Avatar's sweet whispers as he held her in the lake. Before Zuko and Mai had come back to camp the Avatar had held her in front of the fire demanding nothing but her presence.

His light snoring was lulling her to sleep. With pleasant thoughts and the security his arms offered she closed her eyes, drifting into a happy slumber.


Ever since she was a child, Mai was expected to be quiet. Her parents often praised her obedience. "No child is as well mannered as our Mai." Her mother would brag to whatever nobility or politicians entered their home. No one could disagree.

It's easy to forget the adumbration furniture casts on the walls and so to Mai was easily forgotten. In this manner she learned how deep her parents' political ambitions were. It was also in this manner that she unintentionally became a collector of secrets. A petty person could have gained much from exploiting all Mai knew but she hated secrets.

It was this hate of secrets that kept Mai from questioning Azula and Aang's growing relationship. She wasn't blind to their longing glances, their lingering touches or any of their other subtle exchanges. She just had no desire to hold another secret within her.

Whatever development happened between Azula and Aang, it was obvious Aang was the most affected or the worst at hiding it. He was more attentive of the princess, asking how she slept, what she wanted to eat, bending cool air her way during the midday heat. Sometimes Azula dropped her guard but mostly her attitude made it seem the romantic feelings were only one sided.


Azula was happy to sleep in a real bed but the house this bed was located in made her uneasy. In fact the whole mining village put Azula on edge. The Fire Nation had hurt this village and it's people deeply. The presence of Fire Nation nobility, even if they were friends of the Avatar, was not happily received.

Aang played his role of peacekeeper well. Haru and his parents welcomed Azula, Zuko and Mai into their home.

"Father believes it will set a good example for the rest of the villagers." Haru had explained.

"Your Father is wise." Zuko complimented.

Azula could feel the villagers' eyes on her as Haru gave them a tour of the village.

Despite the villagers discomfort with the notorious princess, Haru took an opposite attitude. He questioned Azula about life in the Fire Nation, the palace and especially fire bending.

"The first time I saw fire bending outside of fighting was when Zuko and Aang performed a dragon dance." Haru recalled.

Azula raised her eyebrow at her brother. "I'm not familiar with the dragon dance technique. Zuko, you and the Avatar must demonstrate it for me."

"No one wants to see that." Zuko remembered how much of a hard time everyone gave him for doing the dance with Aang.

Mai looked at Zuko curiously. "I wouldn't mind a demonstration."

"Come on Zuko. It will be fun!" Aang said encouragingly.

The Fire Lord's good eye twitched in frustration. "Fine."

Aang and Zuko took their positions. They moved through the set gracefully and precisely. The fire was an extension of them rather than a weapon. Their fists came to a close at the end and the small gathering of villagers clapped.

"Very impressive." Azula complimented.

"I've heard the most impressive fire bending is done by none other than you, Princess Azula." Haru said.

"You've heard correctly."

"Would you mind providing a demonstration?"

Azula thought a moment. She didn't like the casual tone Haru took in asking for a demonstration. She had only provided those to the Fire Lords of her past and teachers. But if Zuko, the now reigning Fire Lord, could provide one for the villagers than she must as well.

"Stand back." Everyone did as Azula instructed. She warmed up with simple stretches before calling on the sapphire flames. The audience couldn't keep up with flurry of kicks and arm sweeps. Her bending drew a larger crowd. Slowly they could make out the arches Azula drew as she slowed down. She didn't come to a complete stop but Zuko knew right away what she had planned as a grand finale. Her right arm shot straight into air releasing lightning.

The close range of lightning left behind a metallic smell. Once everyone was over the shock of what they witnessed there was thunderous applause. Azula smirked as she turned to Haru, "I'm sure this met your expectations."

"You exceeded them princess." Haru smiled at Azula.

He hadn't been completely truthful in wanting to see Azula bend for the sake of bending alone. A few days earlier Katara had sent him a letter filled with distress over Azula. She worried that Azula would be a danger to her friends and she asked he look for any signs of threat. She wasn't too happy that Sokka hadn't been more diligent when he ran into the group at Master Piandao's castle. All Sokka had to report was Azula seemed tame and the Avatar rarely left her side.

Haru considered Aang a friend and Zuko an ally but he wasn't especially close to anyone in the group. He had heard the horror stories that surrounded the princess but the young woman he saw before him didn't fit the profile. Clearly she could be a danger if she wanted to. No one could doubt that after the performance she gave. He wouldn't describe her as tame. There was still fierceness in her amber hues she could not hide but at the same time she was passive.

He knew Katara wouldn't be satisfied with his report. He wondered if he should confirm what Sokka said about Aang rarely leaving her side.


Haru's mother had cooked a feast for her guests. After dinner the group and Haru sat outside and caught up.

"I never imagined the South Pole could be so cold." Haru recalled.

"It's called the arctic for a reason." Aang teased.

"Yeah but still. I liked visiting Toph's school better. That one student, the dark one, creeped me out but they are making real progress. They even gave me some tips on becoming a metal bender. Have you guys had a chance to continue traveling?"

"I haven't. This is my first real outing since the war ended." Zuko said wistfully.

"Up until now, most of my travels were Avatar related." Aang offered.

Azula knew they were purposely avoiding her. Everyone knew why she hadn't travelled.

Sensing her mood souring, Aang squeezed Azula's hand gently. He let go when Zuko stared daggers at him.

Aang held back a sigh. The conversation continued around him but his thoughts were back at the lake with Azula. He itched to pull her to him and kiss her. They hadn't had a chance to be openly passionate like on the lake again but they were able to sneak in late night rendezvous. Zuko made it hard for them with his growing suspicion. Aang had asked Azula numerous times to just be honest with Zuko but she always answered evasively.

He didn't know why she was so stubborn. Azula didn't seem to care what Zuko thought so it was a mystery to Aang why she insisted on secrecy.


Author's Note: Thank you for reading my wonderful readers! I've recently updated my profile and have some new info (I'm on twitter and tumblr!) so please check it out. Also, please don't forget to review! It really makes my day and helps motivate me :)