Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Avatar: the last Airbender!" Not a dayum thing.
Author's Notes: And here we go with the Kemurikage! Big stuff coming up in store after this story…
Kudos to the readers and thank you for the likes and story following. If anything vibes well or not so well, don't hesitate to drop me a review ^_^
I apologize for my lack of creativity in naming this chapter. I feel terrible for being so lazy. But read on!
Maraghoul, my friend, credit to you for jogging my mind and the muse. Stay tuned for the horizon ^_^
To guest reviewers: just wait and see!
"Tempting Fire"
Chapter twelve "Kemurikage End Game"
The following morning, Ty Lee had left via the way she had come, the window. After a lingering kiss goodbye, where Azula almost didn't let her go, she had clambered onto the rooftops back to her room. The guards had certainly noticed the state of the window and had had it repaired instantly. Azula was not put at ease by these developments. She knew her comrades were out and very close. Her anxiety roiled without Ty Lee's steady presence. She was allowed to visit, but spending the night was not in the options Zuko had selected for her house arrest.
Ty Lee noted the darkening circles under Azula's eyes and was loathe to leave her each night. But she had to and she tried to cheer her lover. Azula could only watch her with anguished eyes and barely allow her to walk away from her touch.
She was locked in a box and if her once comrades touched her omega, she would burn the palace to the ground finding them. She longed to extend her protection over Ty Lee, even if she could more than handle herself.
A few days into this development, Ty Lee had opted to take her bath time with Suki and a few of the Kyoshi Warriors. As they undressed, her figure was complimented by Ying and Suki cast an admiring glance at her breasts and hips. Ty Lee blushed and ran her hands over her naked body. Her hands settled over the flat pout of her belly and lingered. It was a nice thought if it were so, but she didn't know how Azula, let alone Zuko, would handle a possible pregnancy. Politically, her body could cause a scandal carrying royal blood. She relished the thought of a chubby infant with Azula's dark hair and golden eyes, but blanched wondering if she could cradle a being far more helpless than anyone she encountered. Ty Lee's heart told her yes.
But she knew Azula's rages had to be tempered further. It didn't mean her possessive streak wouldn't extend to any children they made. And that thought warmed Ty Lee's heart drastically. She sighed and slid into the tub beside Suki.
"Looking a little fuller," Ying teased. Ty Lee blushed and bobbed down into the water. After their bath, she sidled up with Suki.
"Suki, do you mind if I ask you something?"
"Of course not," Suki declared. She ran a comb through her damp hair. "What's on your mind?"
"If things were to change…..in a big way," Ty Lee began in her simple way. "Would you still welcome me with the Kyoshi Warriors?"
Suki set her comb down and turned to regard her friend. "Ty Lee, no matter what happens, you're one of us. Why do you ask?"
"On Ember Island, I had an intense heat…." Ty Lee flushed. "And Azula was there to…." She let her words trail off and the huge blush on her pale face filled in the blanks. Suki put a friendly arm over Ty Lee's shoulders.
"No matter which path you choose, follow it with all your heart. No matter what happens, we're here for you," Suki vowed. Ty Lee put her arm around her friend, smiling in relief.
She had no idea what the future held, but she wondered to her loagy feelings. There had to be a reason for her growing fatigue.
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Azula walked to the courtyard, flanked by her usual retinue of guards. They watched her as she milled slowly, eyes scanning every corner and area. She knew the Kemurikage were out there. In fact, she felt she was being watched right this second. She hadn't found Ty Lee or the other Kyoshi Warriors that day yet, and it was making her nervous. Suddenly, she glimpsed a flash of green turn the corridor and she quickened her pace to catch up. She was suddenly and irrevocably relieved to note the Kyoshi Warrior was her omega and called out a greeting.
"Ty Lee!"
Ty Lee stopped and waved. Once she was near, Azula couldn't stop her trembling hands from clasping her elbows in her grip. Ty Lee gazed up at her in confusion, pretty face furrowing.
"Are you okay, Azula?" she asked. Azula's hands shook slightly.
"Will you please watch yourself?" she cursed lightly. Ty Lee nodded and stood on tiptoe to peck a kiss on Azula's lips. It was close-mouthed but very sweet. Azula felt her heart lurch at the smile on her lover's face.
"We're doing everything to look for these women, Azula. You know I can handle myself," she said lightly. Azula nodded, golden eyes going still. She wanted to wrap Ty Lee into her arms but there were so many soldiers around. Ty Lee took her silence for what she was thinking and led her around the corner quickly away from them. Out of sight momentarily, she wrapped her arms around Azula's waist, allowing her arms to slide around her shoulders. Azula's lips pressed a series of kisses along her temple, beneath her golden head piece.
"Please….watch out for me," Azula murmured. Ty Lee nodded and leaned up against Azula's front. They kissed briefly, beneath the leafy bowers of a tree. When Ty Lee scampered off, Azula watched her go, feeling completely out of control. The day was bright and clouds dotted the azure of the sky. The stillness of the day was deceiving. Her old comrades were out there and they had no qualms about crushing anyone in their way.
And the Kyoshi Warriors were always in front of Lord Zuko. Azula flung her wrists and stalked back to the courtyard. Her erstwhile steps took her to the throne room, despite herself. The guards followed as she entered and flanked her. Zuko had lit the corners of the throne room with orange fire. The bright flames flickered high in her peripheral vision as she took in her brother kneeling on the throne above her.
Zuko cut quite the figure of a lord in his robes, but even the fine clothing couldn't erase the lines from under his eyes. "Taking a breather, Zuzu?" she asked.
Zuko flicked still golden eyes down to her. "Hi, Azula. How has your return been treating you?"
"Bored and bored. Why won't you let Ty Lee room with me? I think you know our status," Azula made out. She crossed her arms and leaned against one of the pillars. Her eyes slowly scanned the large room, searching for interlopers.
"We'll come to that, Azula. I'm just so busy. Planning a royal wedding comes with so many arrangements," Zuko complained. Azula raised an eyebrow at him.
"That's what advisors are for. Have them plan the she-bang and focus on the pleasurable parts due to you," she suggested. A smile quirked Zuko's lips. He was imagining Mai's pale body. He nodded.
"You may be right. Have you thought about what your future holds in store?" he wondered. Azula watched him.
"It involves Ty Lee, of course. With your generous permission." She couldn't keep the sarcasm from her voice. Zuko chose to ignore it.
"Of course. She is your omega," Zuko said. "I was just wondering if you were thinking of starting a family as well."
"The idea is….welcome," Azula admitted. The idea of Ty Lee round with her child was a strangely attractive notion. The thought swelled her ego and almost swelled her cock. She smiled softly. "Worry about your own legacy."
"I am," Zuko said. He yawned behind one hand. "If you need anything, please ask."
"I'll keep that in mind." Azula turned and flowed out of the throne room, the guards on her heels. She was led back to her chambers and after being locked in, she took off her boots and sprawled across the canopied bed. It would be more comfortable with Ty Lee, but for the moment, she was alone. Azula sighed.
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It was a few days before Azula was allowed outside of her chambers. That fact and Ty Lee's few visits told her something drastic had transpired. When Ty Lee did come, she looked worried as all hell, pale and tired to boot. It was the third day of strangeness when Ty Lee was let into her room, looking as if she were walking to the gallows instead of toward her. She tried to smile for Azula, but the princess knew something was terribly wrong.
"Azula, you're being summoned to the throne room. Zuko wants a word with you," Ty Lee said gently. Her careful hands smoothed the wrinkles in the sleeves of Azula's tunic. Azula clasped her hands at Ty Lee's elbows and leaned to kiss her.
"What's wrong?" she asked. Ty Lee smiled, but her heart wasn't in her eyes as it usually was.
"The Kemurikage attacked Zuko. He's okay, but several people were hurt in the scuffle. He wants to know what you know," Ty Lee said, gravely worried. Azula sighed, eyes closing.
"It's really not much. Let's get this over with," she said. Ty Lee slid her hand in the crook of Azula's arm and they moved with the guards.
"I'll be with you. Don't worry," Ty Lee said. Azula quirked a smile down at her. She was more worried for Ty Lee than herself, but the cheerful acrobat's presence helped pick up her weary soul.
It wasn't a private affair. Ty Lee steered her toward the throne room and Azula tried not to growl at the sight before her.
She straightened her posture, spine going rigid. There were rows of Fire Nation soldiers between her and the dais. Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors were lined up on either side of the dais steps. Azula was sorry to see Ying had a huge bruise on one cheek, heavy through her warrior's make-up. Several of the girls in green looked the worse for wear and some of the soldiers had various slings and splints hinting at various injuries. Azula regarded her brother solemnly.
Ty Lee standing at her side made the moment bearable. Barely.
Zuko looked down on her, anguish and a hint of regret in his deep golden eyes. "It's about time we settle things, Azula. You allied yourself with the women calling themselves the Kemurikage. You kidnapped several children, including our own sister." Zuko's hands tightened into fists on his knees. "And now they came for Mai and me. I won't allow those I protect to be terrorized. What do you know? Where are they hiding?"
Azula wanted to bite off a smart remark, but Ty Lee's sharp fingers in the crook of her arm made her assess her words.
"If they've planned anything new, I know nothing of it. I've only seen two of them since being arrested," Azula admitted. Zuko straightened his posture and frowned at her.
"When! Where?" he demanded. Ty Lee gasped beside Azula. She ran a hand through her bangs.
"They broke into my room after Ty Lee did. Oh, don't give me that look, Zuzu, you wouldn't allow her to room with me and she wanted to see me." Azula could almost see Ty Lee's smile in her peripheral vision. "They asked if I would join up with them."
"And what did you say?" Zuko asked lowly. His gaze was hard. Azula flicked one hand, remaining nonchalant.
"I told them where they could stick their offer. I know who and what you are Zuko, but even that won't keep me from a decision without considerable warmth." Azula's eyes turned to the side and took in the blush on Ty Lee's face. She'd all but announced to the soldiers in the throne room who she was bowing out for but the expression on her omega's face was the only one she cared about. Ty Lee's brown eyes flooded with tears and a smile was on her painted lips. She nodded to her. Azula felt lighter and warmth flooded her heart. Was this what feeling free was like?
"I suppose a thank you is in order," Zuko perched his chin on one hand. Ty Lee was loyal to the throne and the Kyoshi Warriors. That she had gentled Azula's plans and rage to settle for a life with her spoke volumes of her. And even if asked, Ty Lee wouldn't have come with Azula for the Kemurikage. Azula had chosen and it was Ty Lee.
Azula turned back to Zuko, hand touching Ty Lee's waist. "Accepted. I believe I've proven my loyalty. At least limit my house arrest to involve Ty Lee."
Zuko waved a hand, giving consent. Suki approached the dais and whispered something only he could hear. He sighed, pinching his nose between two fingers. "Officially you still must be on house arrest. After my wedding, I'll lift it completely. The nobles and advisors will be too busy with the pomp and ceremony to worry."
A slow smile spread across Azula's lips. "Why thank you, Zuzu. Get married soon, already."
Zuko gave a smirk of his lips at her. "You may leave."
"I believe I will," Azula led Ty Lee out of the throne room and the guards flanked them back to her chambers. Inside, Ty Lee clung to Azula's back, burying her face into her shoulder. Azula's hands patted her back softly.
"Did you think Zuzu was going to do something to me? He's not a monster," she made out. Ty Lee shook her head but her trembling body betrayed her.
"Thank you, Azula. When all is said and done, let's live together," Ty Lee looked up, tears in her eyes. Azula's eyes were unnaturally soft. She gave a small nod in consent.
"Zuzu can have the throne and all the mess that comes with it. As long as you're there…." Azula found the stretching sensation in her heart was enough to make her dizzy with fear. But Ty Lee's hands on her back kept her anchored to her love.
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"They have to be around here somewhere!" Ying yelled. She and Ty Lee were on the rooftops, searching the one hidden passage Ty Lee had explored in her youth looking for Azula. Inside the stone corridor, Ty Lee began pressing on every stone, searching for more hidden ways. Ying held the lantern up and pressed random stones with her free hand, but to no avail.
"There's gotta be another passage. We know that woman isn't going to talk," Ty Lee cursed. One of the cloaked Kemurikage women had been captured by the Kyoshi Warriors. When her mask and hood had been taken off, she was nothing more than a fat girl with pooched lips. A fat girl who had glared at them after being taken down and into custody. Suki was interrogating her now, but as the moon rose high in the darkened sky, Ty Lee and the others moved quickly, hoping to flush out more of the remaining women.
"I think we might need some help," Ying admitted as they came to an end of the stone corridor. Ty Lee sighed.
"You don't have to tell me," she complained lightly. Ying shook her head.
"No, I mean, we need Azula."
"How do you mean?" Ty Lee perked. Azula was locked up in her chambers, and she did give answers to Zuko, but what help could she offer to finding her past comrades?
"I mean, this," Ying gestured to the hidden passageway they were in. "You said Azula used to hide in passageways like this when you played as children."
"Yes…." Ty Lee's brain worked this over and she could see where Ying was going with it. "She would hide up here for hours before we found her."
"Well, I think she should show us these passageways. Suki has to let us get her out," Ying explained. Ty Lee nodded, and both exited the passage to the edge of the rooftop, the cool night breeze striking them.
"I'm sure she'll be up for it," Ty Lee agreed. They dropped down to the courtyard and dashed off to find Suki. She was with the captured woman in an adjoining sitting room, guards and Lord Zuko beside her. Ty Lee gave a grin to Zuko and stopped before Suki.
"Ying and I had an idea how we might find them! We need Azula with us," she said. Suki started but it was Zuko that spoke next.
"How will she help?" he wondered. Ty Lee nodded to him.
"Remember the passage I showed you and the Avatar?" she asked. Zuko nodded.
"I think there's more to that first passage than you found out. You did find the way to the Royal Family Graveyard, but I think there are more hidden ways in there," Ty Lee explained. Suki shook her head.
"I don't know, Zuko. It could be risky. What if she was feeding you lies earlier?"
"That's what I'm worried about," Zuko confessed. Ty Lee frowned.
"You know she won't leave me. She all but told you. Please, let us try this," she begged. Zuko was ready to deny her but the fervent look in the omega's eyes softened him. He nodded.
"Very well. But take more Kyoshi Warriors with you. And watch her at all times," Zuko said. Ty Lee smiled.
"Thank you, Zuko," she said. Zuko smiled. Suki sighed.
"Take Yoshiko and Tsung with you," she ordered. Ying and Ty Lee nodded and they gathered their sisters before approaching Azula's chambers.
"Fire Lord Zuko has given orders to allow Azula out with us. We have need of her," Ty Lee explained. The guards looked at each other. Before they could refuse them, Ying brought out a piece of parchment with Zuko's crest pressed into the top.
"To ensure we're not lying," she said. The guards took the quickly scrawled decree and unlocked the heavy wooden door.
"Bring her back soon," they ordered. Ty Lee nodded and she pushed the door open. Azula was awake, even though the hour was drawing late. She was still clad in her trousers and red tunic, boots laced up to the knee. She appeared to be waiting, sitting cross-legged at her Pai Sho set. She quirked a brow at the girls in green who padded in.
"Ty Lee," she greeted her lover. "To what do I owe the pleasure of everyone's visit?"
"Zuko asked if you'd come out and help us search the passageways. Will you help us?" Ty Lee asked. Azula nodded, standing quickly. Her hair was still tied back in its formal topknot and the tense way she moved forward indicated her pent up energy. She was ready to leap into action.
"Yes. Are you talking about our hide-and-explode passageway?" she asked. Ty Lee smiled, eyes softening.
"The one you hid in for hours? Yes. Show us where it all goes. There has to be more than the way to the Royal Family Graveyard," Ty Lee said. Ying nodded. Azula smoothed her tunic and moved with the Kyoshi Warriors out to the hallway. She smirked at the guards waiting at the door.
"Don't wait up for me," she teased. Ty Lee took her arm and they moved out to the courtyard. One at a time, they leaped up onto the lower ledge of the rooftop and moved up to the open passageway, a dark corridor in the middle of the stone work.
"You're right, Ty Lee. There are more passages than this one," Azula said. She moved in first, Ying behind her elbow, holding her lantern up. "I always counted to ten…" she moved ten more steps and stopped. Twenty feet off from the end of the steps that lead to the Royal Family Graveyard, she turned to the wall beside her left. Her fingers traced the stones close to her cheek and Ty Lee watched curiously as she jabbed at a specific one. Low grating met everyone's ears as the stones gave way, opening to another yawning dark corridor.
"This one loops back into the palace. Right by the kitchens, if I recall," Azula said smoothly. Ty Lee smiled at her in the dim light.
"So the Kemurikage could be there," she said excitedly. The sooner they dealt with everyone, the sooner they could live in peace.
"Could be," Azula admitted. "I did show them some of these passages."
"Ready, sisters?" Ying asked. Ty Lee, Yoshiko and Tsung nodded. Azula cupped her palm, holding a ball of fire for light. The Kyoshi Warriors didn't bawl her out for firebending and followed at her elbow. The passage twisted and turned more often than not and they came to a halt at a door. When they opened it, sacks of flour, rice and other foodstuffs came into view. It was a store room in the royal kitchens and everyone eased out quietly.
A flash of black clothing flapped from the edge of the store room to the corridors and Azula started. She put an arm in front of Ty Lee instinctively.
"Stop!" Ying called from behind her. Azula winced and led the charge. The Kemurikage blasted a stream of fire at them and Azula sprang forward, absorbing the fire in her chi and coiling it around her lithe form. She heard Ty Lee's gasp behind her, but she knew the girls were protected. She moved the fire quickly around her and shoved it back at the cloaked girl. The Kemurikage darted, barely dodging in time. A nearby stack of folded linen caught flame.
"We have you surrounded!" Tsung yelled. She and the other Kyoshi Warriors drew their blades and crouched. Azula saw the Kemurikage's movement before she actually went forward. She was already running toward Ty Lee, tackling her heavily out of the way as a wall of flame surged toward the Kyoshi Warriors. There was a scream of pain as one of the others girls, Yoshiko?, was caught up in the flames. She threw herself to the ground and beat the fire out. Ty Lee gaped up into Azula's pale face. The Princess was on top of her, knees pressing uncomfortably into her sides.
Knowing Ty Lee was safe, Azula whipped her head to the left. Brave Ying had charged the Kemurikage and had managed to tackle her. Tsung finished putting Yoshiko's robe out and joined the tackle. An unskilled battle of fists and flailing legs surged across the floor. Azula stood and stalked closer. She grabbed the Kemurikage by the scruff of her robe and tore her hood and mask off.
This woman was another of her old comrades in the institution, head half shaved in a willful matter. She glared daggers at the fuming princess.
"Where are the others? Start talking unless you want to eat fire," Azula growled. She held a dagger of blue flame in her fist and brought it up to the girl's cheek. She bravely smiled back, eyes livid with rage.
"Zirin and the others won't be caught. Did you think I wasn't here on purpose?" the girl laughed bitterly. Ty Lee leaped to her feet and charged to the door of the store room.
"Zuko!" she called, eyes flashing with fear toward Azula. Azula dropped her old comrade and sprang to run after Ty Lee. Her lover was very fast when she got going and they made a head long charge toward the royal apartments. They charged into the Fire Lord's chambers and found Zuko, unconscious and clad in his bed robe, at the feet of two Kemurikage. Seeing Ty Lee flip to the side out of her peripheral vision, Azula cupped twin balls of flame and stalked forward.
"HANDS. OFF."
One of the Kemurikage raised a hand as if to call attention to a speech, when her shoulders were hit by Ty Lee's pinched strikes. Her cloaked arms sagged at her sides and the other girl knelt, still trying to carry Zuko off. His hair was loose out of its top knot and his head lolled back as he was tugged.
"We mean it!" Ty Lee yelled. She delivered a kick to the first girl's leg, immobilizing her. Arms sagging limply, she fell to one knee. Azula blasted a stream of fire toward the last girl, barely missing Zuko. Ty Lee winced at how close it was. Azula charged and the other girl met her in a firey dance.
Ty Lee tied up the other girl's wrists and knelt beside Zuko. She laid two fingers against his neck, relieved to feel a pulse though it was faint. He must have been drugged but he was fine. Turning her head, Ty Lee saw Azula swell with power as she slammed a fist lined with fire against the last girl's face. The mask shattered, revealing a skinny girl with short brown hair. She fell and Azula hauled her up by the scruff of her robe.
"Where's Zirin? Where are the others?!" she demanded. The girl laughed.
"Wow, you turned on a dime. I never would have expected it of you, Azula!"
Azula let her robe go and then punched her in the face. Ty Lee looked down at the sprawled Kemurikage and met Azula's eyes. Her lover was coming down from her battle high and her golden eyes scanned her. Ty Lee touched Azula's hands and the stern golden eyes softened. Azula allowed her arms to wrap around Ty Lee and draw her close. Her face pressed into her lover's throat.
"Fire Lord! Are you alright?" voices rang out in the hall. Ty Lee parted from Azula and made sure the Kemurikage were secured.
"He's okay! He's just unconscious," Ty Lee told Suki who surged in, worry on every feature. Suki knelt and they stayed beside Zuko who was coming to. Azula crossed her arms and waited.
"What happened?" he wondered. Suki smiled with relief at him.
"Your sister and Ty Lee captured the Kemurikage who were trying to take you," she said. Zuko accepted her help up and cradled his temple with both hands as if warding off a headache. His eyes fell on his aloof sister.
"Thank you, Azula," he said. Azula swept her gaze to her old comrades, tied up and mangled on the floor.
"Two more left, Zuzu," she said. "And I think I know where they could be."
Zuko's eyes hardened.
"Where?" he demanded.
Azula's red lips pulled into a smirk.
End for now
End notes: Finally coming to a show down! Action is not my forte so these are getting hard to write. Stay with me til the next time! I hope it's not coming out of left field for Azula to help the Kyoshi Warriors. Her lover is one of them and love makes you do the whacky, apparently. Review, review.
Sincerely, pen
7/15/2016