Though I would have loved to simply sit back and enjoy the sight of a deserving man being burnt to a crisp, unfortunately I had to perform a rather important task that the princess seemed to have forgotten during her haste to fulfill her side of the wager.

For while this demonstration would undoubtedly enhance Azula's reputation for cruelty, though no one could say that the soon to be deceased captain didn't deserve punishment for his action, it would also serve to diminish the already tenuous relationship that existed between her and the two girls she called her friends.

And as I utilized my unique skill set to rob the mismatched pair of both their sight and hearing, a nifty little trick that I should have used during our confrontation with the Avatar and his friends, I took a moment to consider the nature of each girl, and why they willingly chose to follow someone with little to no moral compass.

Mai was probably the easiest, and the most boring to comprehend. The eldest child of a family of social climbers, who probably had to put up with the standard parental disappointed of being born with the wrong gender, it was clear that the only reason why she chose to stick around was because it provided her a degree of excitement in her otherwise boring life.

However, the knife thrower would probably second guess her decision to follow Azula if she ever got to witness just how much of a daddy's girl the princess truly was. While Ozai held both the loyalty and respect of his people, I sincerely doubt that this would continue if they were to discover the lengths the man would go to in order to seize power.

And since Mai was still at that age where idealism had yet to be smothered by the cold hard truth of reality, better to shield the knife thrower from the true nature of her friend until her services were no longer required.

The pony tailed acrobat however, she was perhaps even more amusing than Azula herself.

To think that she could somehow influence a child of Ozai to adopt a more carefree lifestyle. Its clear that she's spent far to much time hanging upside down.

However, her bubbly nature aside, I am rather fascinated with her abilities.

Unsure if she actually possesses the ability to see other peoples auras, for she does not strike me as being the spiritually gifted type, but her combat style is similar to mine.

At least on a basic level.

For while she is unable to manipulate the flow of another person's chi without touching them, or for that manner use her internal energy in a manner that is similar to a fire bender, she nevertheless has, or at the very least appears to have, a deep understanding of the same teachings that I had gone through before my mother deemed me ready to learn our people's more advanced knowledge.

For if I was to use my powers to increase the flexibility of my limbs instead of just strengthening them, I would be able to easily match the girl's acrobatic prowess.

And as for her fighting technique, I have not seen in person, but from what I've managed to gleam from both her childish babbling and the snide comments of her friends is that each strike is designed to temporary paralyze a key body part of her opponent.

Makes me wonder how she managed to learn all this, for I know for a fact that my family, and the ones responsible for our situation had ruthlessly purged any knowledge about my people. In fact, if it wasn't for my ancestor's tendency to hoard all forms of written information, it is more than likely that my skill set would be much less refined than it is now.

Which would indicate that most of Ty Lee's fighting skills was of the self teaching sort.

Something which I could use to my benefit.

The girl's loyalty was still with the fire nation princess, though I am uncertain as to why this is, but that doesn't mean I can't extend an offer of help in the form of training. For I have seen countless times the hopeful expressions that come over those who are presented a chance to refine their self taught techniques with the wisdom of a learned master.

And considering that some of my teachings require a more hands on approach to properly learn them, with a fair amount of them using the aspects of pleasure rather than pain, I am confident that I will find a more than willing pupil once I make the offer.

Must remember to adopt my more reasonable persona once I restore both her vision and her hearing. Otherwise I will have scared off a potential avenue of amusement whose flexibility can be put to more….entertaining uses.

But, might as well take advantage of the duo's temporary blind and deafness. For I am uncertain how they would react if they got to see me enjoy the spectacle of a man being burnt to a crisp.

In hindsight, I should have probably also robbed them of their ability to smell.

For while I am somewhat used to the stench of overly cooked people, the downside of being in the employ of a sadistic and intolerant fire bender, I doubt that the same could be said for the daughter of a public official and a circus performer.

….

As she watched her flames consume the incompetent captain, Azula spared a quick glance around her in order to judge the reactions her little demonstration had had on her audience.

For the most part, she was pleased at what she saw.

The rank and file was rendered speechless by not only her prodigious fire bending skills, but also the methods in which she chose to utilize it.

And the officers, either achieving their ranks due to either familial connections or through the more admirable method of hard work, were sufficiently terrified enough to ensure that they would do whatever she asked with twice, maybe three times as much effort as they had before she decided to remind them of the consequences of incurring her disfavor.

However, while she was pleased with the fearful adoration of the common soldiery, as well as Qin himself, the reactions of Mai and Ty Lee, as well as the man responsible for pushing her into this, was less than satisfying to her.

While confident that she would be able to keep her friends under her control with the occasional display of savagery, which would serve to remind them that she could just as easily turn her prodigal talents on them as their enemies, Azula had expected to see Mai currently sporting a look of mild revulsion, and Ty Lee to have a look of horror upon her usually cheerful face.

Instead, both girls were wearing expressions of fear and confusion that had little to do with her lesson.

But judging from Ketsueki's clenched fist and amused expression, had everything to do with him.

"My apologises your highness. While I have no doubt that your friends are already familiar with what you can do, I believe that they have yet to develop the stomach to witness something like this. So, I took the liberty of temporarily robbing them of their sight and hearing while you performed this little task. I trust that meets your approval"?

Narrowing her eyes in irritation, Azula was prevented from making her displeasure known thanks to the unexpected interruption of one of the less intelligent soldiers.

"Little Task? You mean to tell me that you're the one responsible for Ako's death. You twisted bast…Grkkkk".

…

Revelling in the terrified expressions that were currently being directed my way as I robbed the rather rude lieutenant of his ability to draw a breath, I kept my tone even as I turned to face the murderous royal.

"Begging your pardon princess, but since it appears that some people are too stupid to properly learn the lesson you just gave, may I have your leave to deal with this sad excuse for an officer myself"?

Loosening my chokehold just enough to let the unfortunate solider take a gasp of much needed air, I allowed myself to grin as I got my answer.

"Hmmm. I suppose I can allow this. Though only under 2 conditions".

Raising an eyebrow to show that I was willing to listen to these conditions, though I fully intended to kill the man either way, I adopted a thoughtful expression as Azula listed her demands.

"First, I would like you to maintain Mai and Ty Lee's current status until we are back to are quarters. Those two will do whatever I tell them to, but I have no wish to coddle them at this time since we have much to do. And secondly, while I do not care if the lieutenant survives your demonstration, ensuring that it is neither quick or painless would be most satisfactory. Cause after all, as a high ranking agent of my father, to critze your actions would be similar to criticizing those of the Fire Lord. Something which should always carry heavy consequences".

Deciding not to point out that she had already done so on numerous occasions, and fighting the urge to mention the banished royal who carried a permanent reminder of Ozai's displeasure, I nodded my head in acceptance of these conditions. An act which managed to, amusingly enough, inspire equal, if not greater feelings of terror in the surrounding soldiers than the princess's roasting session.

For while the act of incompetence did not always result in lethal consequences, though in my mind it should be, insulting the most ambitious, power hungry, and ruthless tyrant the Fire Nation had ever seen was.

And thanks to my position, and that fire proof scroll that bore Ozai's signature proving that I was acting on his orders, I got to enjoy the position of judge, jury, and executioner.

A task that I was always happy to fulfil.

"Fair enough your highness. However, I must ask if you want to witness what I am about to do. Its one thing to perform brutal acts in front of the rank and file. Quite another to do so in front of royalty".

Receiving a mere wave of dismissal from the now smirking royal, I turned my attention towards the unfortunate lieutenant with a look of mock pity.

Though I suspect that he will soon be receiving more genuine looks in a moment.

For what I was about to do to him was the first lethal trick my mother taught me on a living person.

(Flashback)

"My son, can you tell me why out of all the bending arts, firebending is the hardest to truly master"?

"Because a fire bender has to create his own flames"?

"A correct, if incomplete answer my darling Kuro. Though fire bending requires great control over one's breath, the bender's body must be adequately conditioned in order to properly control their inner power. For if it is not, then the amount of time they can effectively pose a threat is greatly diminished. Which is why water benders and earth benders tend to have greater amounts of stamina".

"Because their just manipulating what is already there rather than create it from nothing"?

"Precisely. Which is the primary reason why the Earth Kingdom, and to a lesser extent the Northern Water Tribe, have proven to be more resilient than previously expected. And what is the best way to neutralize such a threat my son"?

"To rob them of their ability to access their element"

"Very good. However, since we are discussing how to manipulate something that is already there, now would be the best time to teach you how to turn an enemy's chi against them".

"But mother I already know how to do that".

"That you do my son. But I was referring to a technique that was more…lethal in practise. For since we possess the ability to manipulate another person's chi as well as our own, it is quite easy to use said ability to cause someone to experience either an instant death, or prolonged suffering. Which is why for today's lesson, I've brought us a live specimen to practise on".

(End of Flashback)

Pushing aside that rather fond memory of my mother, I concentrated on the fearful lieutenant and raised my hand.

If either I or Azula had been in a merciful mood, I would have simply ensured that the life giving liquid that flowed through his veins came to a complete stop. But since I had the go ahead to prolong his suffering, I decided to do unto him what the more brutal Earth Kingdom Generals tended to do to their traitors.

And while I lacked the ownership of 4 ostrich horses, though I suppose komodo rhino or a mongoose lizard would have served just as well, I was still able to use my abilities to force each of the lieutenant's limbs to be pulled from his body.

Last time I did this trick, my victim managed to remain amongst the living for around a minute after I had robbed him of both his arms and legs. But since Ozai's daughter has conditioned me to extend his suffering, I shall strive to extend his suffering for as long as possible.

For as my mother taught me, it's always best to give into the demands of a lady. Especially when said lady's hobbies happen to match up with my own.

…

And Gonna stop here :)

Orignal plan was to have a longer chapter, perhaps finally get to the view point of the GAANG….but figured, might as well give you all a Christmas present :).

This chapter was a tad sadistic, however I believe I managed to successfully capture Azula's personality. Especially when it comes to Mai and Ty Lee.

Reviews are always wanted, flames are not.

Til next time.

And Merry Christmas