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

Author's Note: Hello my wonderful readers! I put you guys weren't expecting an update this week, right? Well I had free time and I've missed my story so much. Thanks again to those who have reviews, sent me PMs and added this to their story alerts. I really hope you guys can take the time to write a review or PM, it does a lot for my self esteem :) So please read, review, and enjoy!

Chapter 14 – Headaches

As the weeks passed, Aang was able to push back his unease. He was busy with Ba Sing Se, minor Avatar missions around the world and of course his wedding. He was thankful that he was too busy to be part of the day-to-day wedding preparations. Apparently Iroh wasn't letting Azula off the hook so easy.

He watched Azula brush her long raven locks before bed. He smiled as she huffed about her day, "Every single detail has to be perfect, according to Uncle. All flowers and colors are starting to look exactly the same. The worst part is after I make a decision, if he doesn't agree he then changes it. When I point this out and ask to leave he says no because I must plan my own wedding!"

Aang kissed her forehead and chuckled, "Did I mention how much I love you and appreciate you for doing this?"

Azula raised an eyebrow, "No, but you might change your mind about how much you love me."

Aang took a step back, "Why?"

"Ty Lee is arriving tomorrow. Mai and I promised to greet her at the docks and indulge her in a girls' day. While I'd normally not take part in such an activity, it is the lesser of the two evils." Azula explained.

"So?" Aang asked wearily.

"Well Uncle doesn't like it if I'm not present during the wedding planning so I reminded him that I wasn't marrying myself. He expects you tomorrow after breakfast."

"Azula, do I have to? I have important things to do," Aang whined.

"Such as?" Azula asked.

"Uh…Avatar things?" Aang offered.

"Nice try. Besides we are almost done. You just need to finalize the dinner menu, seating arrangements, invitations, and a few more minor things," Azula said as she climbed into bed.

Aang groaned, "That sounds like a lot."

"Aang, you're late," Iroh remarked. He sat at his dinning room table moving around miniature chairs and tables, trying to arrange a seating chart.

"I'm sorry Iroh," Aang apologized.

"No matter, we have much work to do," Iroh said happily.

"Yay." Aang's voice held little enthusiasm.

In another part of the palace, Zuko sat reading a very distressing letter. He had the urge to burn it in his hands but instead he controlled his temper. There were a few more letters of similar nature next to him. He wasn't sure what to do. He decided to read the one from King Aarn again.

Fire Lord Zuko,

It is customary for people of our status to exchange pleasantries but by now I am sure you have received many a disturbing letter regarding Avatar Aang and Princess Azula's wedding and thus rather get to the point. I am not one to involve myself in such manners but seeing how I consider the parties involved close friends, I am afraid I have no choice.

I received word from the Mechanist before the letter from Oyaji's second in command, Goro of Kyoshi Island, arrived. Apparently this all started when the Mechanist mentioned the upcoming wedding to Oyaji and Goro. The Mechanist affectionately called the Princess Azula "Mother of the Air Nation". Goro asked him to explain the nickname. The Mechanist then said future air benders would be born from the Princess Azula, thus the nickname. Goro commented that Princess Azula could not repopulate the Air Nation alone. Oyaji then joked that she and Avatar Aang will have fun trying and his direct words were "besides, the Avatar would not take a harem of women". The Mechanist informed me he became nervous when Goro said "a matter such as this might not be for the Avatar to decide alone."

Fearing Goro would try something foolish, the Mechanist sent a messenger hawk to me that very night. It was a week later that I received the same message I am sure you received from Goro, asking we hold an emergency World Peace Conference. He claims this is for the Air Nation, yet no one from the Air Nation asked for this. From what I understand, he did not personally write to Avatar Aang or Princess Azula. Instead he has asked you to not only host the public humiliation of your sister but to also inform the Avatar of it.

I do not believe Goro's intentions are evil like King Kuei's. I believe he is voicing the concern many people have about keeping balance in the world, which cannot be done without Air benders. While I can understand the fear and concerns, I do not believe the world has the right to interfere with Avatar Aang's personal matters. He has always proven that the world's balance is of utmost importance and he will do nothing to jeopardize that.

I have sent similar letters to other world leaders. A conference is inevitable but I was able to make this a smaller affair. Only Bingwen and myself will come as representatives of the Earth Kingdom (aside from Oyaji and Goro), Hakoda and Arnook will come as well to speak for the Water Tribes. I am sorry I could not prevent this or be there when you speak to Avatar Aang. Please let Princess Azula know she has my support.

-Aarn

Zuko sighed. He knew Azula, Mai and Ty Lee would be back for dinner. He needed to talk to Aang before Azula found out. He called for a servant to send for Aang and Iroh.

Aang was gently pounding his head on the dinning room table as Iroh pretended not to notice. Iroh had finally finished the seating chart, picked a cake but was having trouble on what tea to serve.

"You can't go wrong with jasmine…" Iroh said.

"Great, let's pick that one." Aang said with a pleading tone.

"But this is my only niece's wedding. Jasmine doesn't sound special enough." Iroh debated with himself.

Aang let out a groan but was interrupted when a servant came in. "Avatar Aang, Prince Iroh, the Fire Lord requests your presence in his study."

"Yes! I mean, let's go," Aang exclaimed.

Iroh sighed, "And we were making such progress."

Aang had to reread the letter twice before he was convinced Zuko wasn't drinking cactus juice. "This is ridiculous. The world thinks I shouldn't marry Azula?"

"Not the world, just some busy bodies," Zuko replied.

"I think you are both missing King Aarn's point," Iroh said.

"Which is what? People are worried I won't do my job?" Aang asked as he put the letter down.

"He is right in stating that Goro is voicing the fears people have about the balance of the four bending elements. It won't sit right with people if the fate of the Air Nation rests with Azula," Iroh explained.

"Why because of her history?" Aang was growing angry.

"No, because she is only one woman. How many children can one woman have? How many of those children will actually be Air benders?" Zuko said hotly.

"Do you agree with them?" Aang asked.

"Of course not! She's my sister! If you even thought about having a harem, I swear to Agni…"

"Zuko calm down! You know very well Aang would never betray Azula. The question is how do we break this news to her? The leaders will want answers to take back to their people," Iroh tried to calm everyone down.

"This is not going to be fun," Zuko said dryly.

"Look on the bright side. I won't have to do any wedding planning for a while," Aang said semi sarcastically.

"He looks adorable. I'm getting that one for him," Ty Lee cooed as she made Kanbe model another outfit.

"You've bought two dozen outfits for him already. He's just going to grow out of them," Mai pointed out.

Azula was trying on gold earrings. She admired her reflection and handed them to the shop attendant to place with her other purchases, "There's no point in reasoning with her Mai. She's always wanted a baby to spoil."

"That's right. And once you and Aang give me another niece or nephew, I'll have two babies to spoil," Ty Lee said with a wide grin.

Azula snorted, "You are getting ahead of yourself. Now hurry up Ty Lee, we still have to get ready for dinner at the palace."

Ty Lee cartwheeled to the cashier, "I'm ready! Oh and you two have to wear the new dresses I bought for you! Can they change here?" Ty Lee asked the shopkeeper.

"Of course my lady," the shopkeeper said as Ty Lee handed him two packages.

Azula and Mai followed the shopkeeper to separate dressing rooms. When they emerged they found themselves wearing identical pink fitted dresses.

Ty Lee bounced up and down with joy. "We match! Oh we are going to look so lovely for dinner!"

"If you think I am going…" Azula started but was quickly cut off by Mai.

"We should get going." Mai gave Azula a look that made it clear to just go with it. Azula decided she felt too tired to argue.

Aang normally would have cracked a joke about Azula wearing pink but he was lost in thought. Zuko hardly touched his dinner and Iroh was surprisingly quiet. Mai finally broke the silence when she asked, "Is something wrong?"

The men looked at each other before Zuko answered, "I received a disturbing letter from King Aarn."

Azula looked up alert, "Is it about my students?"

Aang shook his head, "No, the students are fine. It's about us."

Zuko took out King Aarn's letter and handed it to Azula. She betrayed no emotions as she handed the letter to Mai and Ty Lee. "Well, it looks like we are the talk of the world, again."

"This doesn't bother you?" Iroh asked cautiously.

"Why would it? Aang will kindly explain to these world leaders to keep their noses out of our affairs and that we will see them at the wedding." Azula explained calmly as she went back to her dinner.

Zuko relaxed a little "You're right. Once Aang reassures them that the world won't go up in smokes, they will have nothing to worry about."

With that, the tension in the room evaporated. Mai however didn't miss that Aang was silent through out the rest of dinner.

"How were the wedding plans with Uncle?" Azula asked back in their bedroom. She undid her topknot and let her hair flow down her back. She sighed with fatigue.

Aang watched her, "It was fine."

Azula arched her eyebrow, "Fine? Wedding planning with Uncle is never fine. Are you still upset about the letter?"

Aang let out a sigh, "Sort of."

"We have a simple solution for that," Azula reminded him.

"It's not that simple Azula," Aang said with a hint of agitation.

"Why not?" Azula asked confused.

"People are worried about the balance of the four bending elements. Azula, I'm the last Air bender. Telling them to stay out of our business isn't going to put them at ease," Aang said while pacing the room.

Azula's eyes narrowed, "You are entertaining the idea of a harem of women?"

"Azula…" Aang began.

"Get out, Avatar," Azula said coldly. Her head was spinning, she didn't know if it was from the anger, the fatigue or both.

"You aren't even listening to me!" Aang yelled.

Azula shot lightning at him, which he narrowly escaped. "You can leave in one piece or in pieces Avatar, you choose."

Aang opened his mouth to speak but closed it when he saw the murderous glint in her golden hues. He left the room and made his way to the stables. He quickly jumped on Appa, flying into the night sky.

Azula was numb. She wanted to burn her rooms down, to shoot lightning into the sky. But at the same time she wanted to just sit there and do nothing. She deiced neither option was really an option and stood. She could feel her body wanting to give out on her but she dragged her feet to Zuko's study.

She didn't knock. She sank into a seat in front of Zuko's desk, "He left."

Zuko was confused, "What are you talking about?"

"The Avatar. He left." Azula said slowly.

Zuko frowned, "Why?"

"He said telling the world leaders to stay out of our business wouldn't put them at ease. He said he was the last Air bender," Azula shook with rage as she repeated his words.

Zuko smacked his desk, "Are you kidding me? I swear once I get a hold him he is going to wish he never escaped from the ice berg!"

Azula watched her brother rant and pace. If the situation wasn't so serious she could have admired her brother's protectiveness towards her.