Chapter 2

Commencement

The Agni Kai arena is almost sacred ground to the Fire Nation and has been for centuries. It is where the great men die and the foolish are put in their place. Where a mix of flesh and blood and flame collide creating a world of deadly splendor to the observing eyes. The only real sport worth playing. For it determines who the better fighter is and who the weaker fighter is. It is certainly not a game any civilized culture would dare practice. But this is not the peaceful and tranquil Water Tribes, this is the Fire Nation.

Citizens and even some Fire Lords occasionally tried to get rid of the old primitive sport, but it never happened and so the duels still go on, the blood still falls, and the crowds continues to roar. It's become a tradition, a right of passage almost, every fire bender wants to prove their better than the rest, or maybe they just really hate someone and want a chance to burn their face off. Whatever reason it is not illegal, though morally it is terribly wrong, to challenge someone to a death match.

The arena in the palace, is not just any arena, it is the arena. The very place history has taken place. The fate of the country is often decided here. There is no such thing as democracy in this nation, decisions are made by muscles not brains, which was an advantage for those clever thinkers such as the recent princess. It seemed like just yesterday when she watched her father humiliate his son in front of every important figure in the country.

The room was a long rectangular shape, a raised platform stood in the center the warm sunlight poured down on it. The ceiling was held up with tall columns that lined the room. A large tapestry hung on the wall with the Fire Nation emblem on it. Surrounding the platform were rows and rows of rising benches, though most stood to cheer instead of sit. She heard that in the citizens' Agni Kais there were people walking about selling Fire Flakes while people watched the fight. Because you know you couldn't watch someone's face be melted off, the veins oozing blood as the fire cooked the muscles until they were tender, without your favorite snack right?

She slid her hand across the smooth tan stone observing the crimson stains on the platform from the numerous deaths that happened there. She felt no pity to the losers who weren't good enough to defend themselves. The large canvas was painted with dozens of black marks from the fire that flew through the air wildly as a fight turned into something interesting to watch. The stench of perspiration still filled the stuffy room, who dare burn incense in such a masculine territory? So the foul smell of a thousand years of armpit stuck to the walls as much as the blood stains stuck to the floor. One couldn't help but feel nauseous being in here. Somehow she kept her cool.

Not long ago it would be unacceptable for her to be in this room, simply because of what was between her legs, or what wasn't between her legs. Her idol the first woman to dare entire this room had certainly proven her worth. The men had an uproar the second she came in, she simply ignored them and walked right up to the platform and won her fight. Oh Azula spent hours when she was little reading about that fight which showed the male fire benders their place. Surprisingly the men began to find women who could fight were a much better deal than those who could just sit around and whine. And even better those women who were exceptional fighters usually turned their backs to the men lining up to marry them, because they were lining up for those poor neglected women forced to marry those men. Wasn't history exciting?

But the past would be nothing compared to things she would do, the morning of her inauguration would be the brightest in Fire Nation history. It would be even better if she had a Fire Lady beside her but…at the moment that was a bit of an issue. Hopefully that would be taken care before she got the throne. It would be utterly embarrassing to be the first Fire Lord without a Fire Lady. Maybe she'll just force someone to like her, it worked once until the girl figured out the princess' weakness for nude girls. And she would not be the first Fire Lord who couldn't control their wife either.

For the past minute or so her fast pace had gradually slowed until she came to a complete halt. She had been staring off into space for quite some time, blocking out the silence with her inner voice mumbling on about silly things because she had honestly nothing else to do, that it took her a moment to realize there were footsteps coming towards her.

"You look lonely." Zuko said from behind her in an ungrateful tone. He folded his arms and gave her a disapproving expression even if her back was facing him. "You wouldn't be so lonely if you talked to Ty Lee." He added.

Azula merely shrugged and looked down at her sharp nails pretending like she didn't care. When really her body was aching to see the acrobat, her heart felt almost sore without hearing or seeing the slightest bit of Ty Lee. "I have talked to her, in Ba Sing Se and rest of the miserable time I had to spend with her. I'm home I can avoid her, why not get away from her?" she replied coolly.

Zuko sighed greatly and stared at the floor for a moment. "Why do you have to be so damn proud? She still loves you." Probably the only one too, He thought. "If you can't be together then you should at least try to still be friends you know." Azula turned around a bit angry now.

"What are you my mother?" she snapped. "Like you know anything about love, for spirits sake Zuko you make Mai miserable." Her brother was offended at first but he straightened once again proving was taller than her.

"Nice way to push the pressure onto someone else. Maybe you're just scared to admit you miss her." Zuko challenged. Azula's eyes narrowed. He was a bit smarter than he had been when he was banished. Still no match for the master. A playful smile came across her.

"Impressive Zuzu but you're no match compared to the power of the princess." she joked and a small laugh escaped the both of them. It seemed so strange to make each other laugh again. The last time it happened it was when they were young when they didn't really have a clue about how cruel life could be. An even longer time since it was Azula who caused the laughter. A brighter memory in their past that was always nice to remember Zuko thought.

But as usual Azula never let a happy moment last too long. She turned to platform staring at the space between it and the ceiling in awe. Her hands rested on her sides as she recalled the last Agni Kai to take place in this room. The worst time in Zuko's life, was the happiest of Azula's. "Father sure did teach you didn't he?" she chuckled darkly.

She watched as her brother lowered his head mumbling under his breathe, "Notaverynicethingtosay." His voice sounded a tad bit squeaky and she wondered if she might have actually gotten him to cry. Oh if he did, there'd be no honor for him whatsoever. And the little respect she did show him would turn to dust. But like all sensitive boys he would run off to his room the moment she didn't look and cry his heart out.

"You're aren't crying are you?" she teased. And Zuko lowered his head even more wiping his eyes shaking his head rapidly trying to deny it.

"I just got something in my eye." He said tying to brush the question off. He sniffled briefly and stood up straight again. Shrugging he looked at her to give this one last try. "Would you please just talk to her? For all our sakes?"

"Would you please just sleep with Mai for all our sakes?" she sighed as she crossed her arms. "Grow a pair Zuko and do it, Mai's practically begging for it." Her brother's face was going red from embarrassment and his fists tightened. He opened his mouth to protest but she interrupted as she often did. "You do it, or I will."

"How dare you?!" He squeaked. "She is mine Azula, you won't-you CAN'T touch her!" he said as firmly as he could but Azula just laughed at him. His sister turned around and started to head for the entrance of the arena.

"Well then," she let out a deep breath. "Don't be surprised when she moans my name and not yours." She couldn't help but smile after saying that. Zuko stomped after her about ready to slap her, because if he punched her she might accidentally kill him with her lightning bending. They were suddenly stopped as the voice of a certain acrobat could be heard from outside of the arena. "Shit!" she hissed and scrambled to get away from the door but he held her back. "Let go."

"You two need to talk." He said and before she could burn him to bits, he shoved her out of the room and into the plain sight of Ty Lee. Azula tripped over her feet trying to gain her balance again. The second she looked up she was grabbed into Ty Lee's arms.

"I've been looking for you for three days straight!" The acrobat whispered into her ear instead of shouting it to the palace with joy like she usually would've. "I can't believe you didn't say anything to me." the girl loosened her grip but didn't let go of the princess' neck. For a moment the two of them leaned in for an embrace but then…oh yeah…they broke up. They jolted away from each other laughing nervously.

Azula looked at Ty Lee from head to toe cherishing the sight as much as she could without showing it. "You uh…" she hesitated to say you look beautiful because what friend would she be if she did? "You look…clean." Ty Lee giggled and her cheeks went pink.

"Thanks?" the acrobat replied not sure how to respond to that. In that split second of silence when the two of them just stared at one another as if they were strangers, she had a day dream. She saw it every time she got her eyes on Azula, the princess' disrobed body, nothing but the thin damp strips of her bindings to hide her goodies from the acrobat's sight, small pearls of sweat crawling tiredly down the well toned fire bender, that lustful look that was permanently glued to her face aiming directly as Ty Lee. The acrobat had to bit down on her lip at this point for it only got better once the princess started to-,

"Ty Lee are you okay?" Azula waved her hand in front of the acrobat three more times before she finally caught the girl's attention. The acrobat gazed up at Azula and she stood there like a dead fish for another second or two before she couldn't control her actions any longer. She crushed Azula's lips and the princess backed away, Ty Lee refused to separate. Azula hit the wall knocking down a painting as the acrobat attacked her mouth.

Ty Lee shook her head clearing the day dream from her mind to see Azula's confused expression. She swallowed deeply before slowly backing away. "You know." She chuckled. "I uh…I have to go." With that she practically ran down the hall before she did something she would regret.

Zuko, just as bewildered as his sister, stepped out of the arena and stared down the hallway. Both noticing Ty Lee was acting a bit strange. He sighed and turned to his sister who simply gave him a blank look. "You see what you do to people when you sleep with them?!"

"What?" Azula said acting as if she didn't do anything wrong. "I make they're lives better." She grinned before heading down the corridor.

It was a peaceful transition from day to night. The pale blue sky exploded into several colors which all settled and decided a deep azure was good enough, the spirits decorated the sky with small twinkles of light and tiny clouds. The hot and humid summer air thinned as the chilly breeze came in from the west. The vicious heat of the Fire Nation had become somewhat bearable now.

The city streets weren't completely abandoned there were a few people still wandering the streets. During the day it would be busy and often over crowded as everyone strived to meet the Fire Lord and his families' needs. She liked it when there were less people around, it gave her a chance to get some personal time. Especially if she was trying to get those images out of her brain.

She let her feet lead her down the clean street lined with pale buildings with bright red roofs, knowing she'd get lost and have to ask someone directions but luckily for her it wasn't hard to find the palace since it towered over the city. It would be so easy to get lost here, every building looked just like the ones beside it. If only the architects were a bit more creative, and liked pink then maybe she'd be able to find her away around the city.

Suddenly she heard movement from one of the rooftops behind her. Curiously she looked behind her, but there was nothing on the houses, if there was it was invisible. Not caring too much she continued down the road which ended and she came into the center of a crossroads with four different streets on each side.

He had been watching her ever since she left the palace gates waiting for the right moment to strike. To his joy she hadn't spotted him and she didn't really respond to the noise of his boots slipping on the flat shingles. He eyed her as she took a step forward to head down the same road. This was the perfect opportunity to make a move.

Jolting to life from his hiding spot, he carefully sprinted down the spine of the rooftop towards the crossroads. Skidding to a stop he saw she had only gone a few steps. He made a swooping motion with his arm. Golden flames easily flew from his arm, strong and hot they hit the ground and fire sprouting everywhere creating a wall of fire. The acrobat's path was blocked.

Ty Lee stepped away from the flames but not in fear. She simply turned to go down another road. Again he stopped her with a wall of fire. Before she could even take one step out of the intersection he blocked the other paths. Inhaling deeply, but she couldn't hear him over the cackling fire, he compressed the walls of fire. Each getting closer to the acrobat ready incase her with their heat.

The black clouds flowing from the flames blocked most of his view but he knew the flames were getting deadly close. The toxic air must've gotten to the girl by now, for he couldn't see her standing anymore. He made the flames move faster and watched as the fire was about to barbeque Ty Lee.

Ty Lee choked on the air which was thick disgusting black smoke. She lay there on the stone, the flames so close she could feel the outermost surface of her skin turning crispy. She closed her eyes tight as the scorching heat rose to higher temperature, it burned badly, every part of her making was screaming. The beads of sweat coming down her forehead were evaporated before they got a chance to slide down her skin.

She could feel the flames draw back gathering their strength before the big weenie roast. But then in her pain she felt the flames break and a breath of air shot through. The next thing she felt was someone shielding her from the fire as it tried to consume them in its belly but the fire bender wouldn't let it. With a quick swipe of their arm the fire bender sent the fire retreating. Ty Lee tried to see who is was who had saved her but her eyes were so blurry from the stinging of the remaining smoke.

A gentle palm cupped her cheek she knew from the softness that her savior was a woman. Immediately she knew who it was and gave in to her body's request for a nap, knowing she was safe. The fire bender picked up the unconscious Ty Lee and looked up to spot the man responsible for this. She gave him a glare of hate before turning away and heading back towards the palace.