Still going. Here is chapter 26. Enjoy.
"Azula," Mai sighed, in a less than enthusiastic greeting, her eyes lazily focusing upon the princess.
"Hello, Mai," Azula responded with a sly and calculated smile.
The young women glared toward one another as a hidden world unfolded between them.
The pair stood within the confines of the great hall, locked in a battle superseding the bounds of the corporeal plane. Finely sharpened blades and dazzling sapphire flames focused upon their respective targets, laying waste to the once pristine walls of the royal palace. Despite their bloodied and burned bodies, the two foes face one another devoted to a furious and unseen battle of the psyche. Both imagined the result of the opposition's initiation of aggression, one savored its coming while the other prepared for its seeming inevitability.
"Would you two cut it out," a voice cried out in concern, drawing the two warriors from their hostile, intangible engagement; thus, breaking the deafening silence.
Ty-Lee looked toward both of the women, her face a portrait of concern swirled with hues of anger and fear.
Azula brought life to the stillness she and the Fire Lady shared.
"We're fine Ty-lee, but thank you for the concern," Azula said while maintaining eye contact with Mai.
"Is that so," Mai asked, her gaze still trained upon the newly returned princess of the Fire Nation.
"Well, my Fire Lady," Azula continued, "that's up to you."
Azula's smirk was confident and powerful. It alone caused Mai to stir in disgust, as all she could see were the memories of the manipulative monster that endangered everything she held dear.
"If that's the case, then no, we're not," Mai responded quietly.
There was no change in Azula's expression. If anything, the response seemed to encourage her. The princess merely responded with the tilt of her head and a casual shrug.
"Mai," Ty-lee began.
She was cut off by the Fire Lady's cold and uncompromising glare.
Azula chuckled.
The princess placed a hand on her hip as she turned towards Ty-lee, "Oh, don't worry, I'm sure-"
"You stop it too, Azula! You're only making it worse," the Kiyoshi warrior snapped.
The princess raised an eyebrow, "What exactly would you have me do to make it better?"
"I don't know," Ty-lee continued, "maybe you could try apologizing."
Azula closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath.
"Fine," the princess huffed.
Pursing her lips closely together, she began to approach Ty-lee.
The young woman with the painted face slowly raised her hands in defense, unsure of the motivations that fueled the movement of the princess. Her voice caught in her throat as a futile attempt to issue a warning failed to produce sound.
The Avatar caught her eye. He was calm, neither tense nor prepared to strike. He simply stood there, watching with a soft smile. Ty-Lee's mind raced to find an explanation for his calm demeanor as Azula paced forward. Surely, he would not allow Azula to harm anyone in his presence.
Against instinct and her better judgment, Ty-lee slowly began to drop her guard as she glanced frantically between the Avatar's calming grey eyes and the approaching embers of golden destruction. She winced and turned away as Azula's arm reached towards her.
Before she knew it, Ty-lee found herself in a tight embrace. Azula's cheek pressed warmly against her own. Ty-lee's eyes grew wide in confusion as her body could not help but to become tense and rigid. It was a new experience. Azula rarely gave hugs, and when she did they were brief and almost exclusively meant to comport with the customs of friendship. They were never genuine, at least, not until this moment.
She could feel the princess exhale against her skin.
"I'm sorry," Azula whispered into the Kiyoshi warrior's ear. "I've done a lot to hurt you, some of those things I'm still quite proud of. But, you were a friend, and I shouldn't have treated you so poorly. When," Azula paused, "when I lost you and Mai, things just seemed to…well, the point is that I'm sorry. I could have been…nicer."
Azula felt arms quickly constrict around her back, squeezing with an uncomfortable strength.
"I knew it, I knew it, I knew it," Ty-lee squealed.
"Knew what," Azula grunted, barely able to breathe let alone speak.
"That deep deep down, you were always a good person," Ty-lee gleefully yelled.
Azula felt the urge to forcefully shove the overenthusiastic young woman off of her. However, it would not be the most prudent course of action, at least not in front of the Avatar and Mai.
The princess resigned her fate to Ty-lee's ability to show restraint. Fortunately, the Kiyoshi warrior released her grip, allowing Azula to catch her breath.
Azula pulled away from Ty-lee, but found the girl's hands grasping her shoulders.
Azula wrestled against a frown as she stared into the young woman's brown eyes.
"Um, Ty-lee," Azula started.
"Wait," Ty-lee interrupted, "I'm sorry too."
Azula blinked. The frown won.
"Excuse me, what" the princess questioned.
"The Boiling Rock," Ty-lee whispered.
"You can't be serious," Mai interjected. "You're going to apologize? For that?"
"Yes, I am." Ty-lee answered, looking towards Mai. "But I'd do it again, because I can't stand the idea of you two hurting one another. That's in the past. We're all here now and we should focus on getting along again."
Ty-lee centered her attention on Azula as she spoke, "Azula's willing to apologize for what she's done, right?"
Azula provided Ty-lee with a terse smile before delicately removing the Kiyoshi warrior's hands from her shoulders. The princess faced Mai as she began to speak.
"We've been through a lot together, both good and bad. You're most likely not going to accept an apology for trying to kill you or having you locked up like a common criminal. I'm not even sure I can say I'm sorry for that. But, what I can give you is my sincerest regret for striking down Zuzu. He's your lover after all, and just happens to be my brother. It was a lapse of judgment, one that won't happen again," Azula explained.
Mai did not break her focused gaze on the Firebender.
"I promise," Azula added with a twisted grin.
"Azula, save the apologies for Zuko. I don't need them. I just want you to know that if you try to harm him ever again it will be the last thing that you do. Am I clear," Mai stoically inquired.
Azula held her grin, "Crystal."
The two remained locked in a contentious gaze for a few moments before Azula found a hand upon her shoulder. It was a familiar and relaxing touch.
The Avatar stood by the princess as he delivered a warm, wide smile to Mai.
"You can trust her," he stated unequivocally, in an airy manner.
Mai directed her attention to the Avatar, "I don't know what side of her personality you think you've uncovered, but you should know, it's all for show. She's going to use you for as long as she needs you, and then you'll be discarded. Just a heads up."
The Avatar continued to smile.
"I trust her," he said plainly.
"Yes, well, I don't. You'll know better soon enough," Mai responded.
"With all due respect, my Fire Lady, given the proper amount of time I'm sure you'll be the one who is surprised. Who knows, you two may actually be good friends again," the Airbender replied cheerfully.
"Doubtful," Mai said, scanning both the Avatar and Azula. "Let's get going, the sooner this whole process begins the sooner it'll be over."
"Of course," Azula added.
"Guards," Mai called out in a lackadaisical manner.
Two rows of royal guards made their way from the sides of the hall and arranged themselves between the Fire Lady and the princess.
"Azula, let me make this clear. Don't test me," Mai warned as she began to lead the procession toward the throne room.
The princess looked at the Avatar who provided her with an encouraging smile.
"Zuko's a little stressed with the whole Yu Dao situation, but I can promise you that he'll be glad to see you again…even if he doesn't show it," Aang clarified.
Azula smirked, "I'll be the judge of that, Avatar. I know my brother well enough to make that distinction on my own. But thank you."
"No problem princess," Aang replied.
She gently placed her hand upon his as it lay on her shoulder.
"You can remove your hand now, Aang," she said with a coy smile.
"Sorry," Aang apologized as he quickly removed his hand and placed it behind his back.
His cheeks began to redden.
"I guess I'll see you later tonight," Aang said while nervously rubbing the back of his head.
Azula placed a finger on her chin, considering the Avatar's plans as if she were weighing it against other options.
"Only if Zuko doesn't have me thrown in the dungeons," she mused to herself. "Or if Mai doesn't find the need to kill me."
Aang grimaced.
"Why would either of those things happen," the Avatar asked in concern.
Azula simply shrugged, "Things happen."
"Azula," Aang began to admonish.
"Relax, I'm joking. I'm going to behave," she explained, addressing his concerns, "probably."
"Like I said, I trust you," Aang affirmed with a laugh.
"Good," Azula said as she turned from the young monk to join the procession that traveled to the Fire Lord's throne room.
Ty-Lee joined suit, catching up with Azula to walk by her side. Aang could see from the princess's body language that she still held reservations about her old friend. He believed that those wounds would heal. It was simply a matter of time.
"So, she seems like she's the same as ever. A little less insane, but more or less the same," a voice called out from behind him.
Aang turned around to find Katara stepping from behind a pillar, arms crossed and brow downturned.
"Hi Katara," Aang greeted the young woman.
"Is it really safe to have her here," the Waterbender continued.
"Yes, it is," Aang stated in a resolute manner.
"I don't trust her at all," Katara replied, "and I'm not sure I trust your judgment either. However, I know if worst came to worst, you could take care of the problem."
"What do you mean," Aang asked.
"If you have to, I know you can take her bending away," Katara said.
"Katara, that's not going to happen, and I'm not going to do that to her. To be honest, I hope I never have to do it again," Aang whispered.
The Waterbender shrugged, "Anything can happen, just be prepared for the worst."
"You, Mai, and Zuko will all be surprised. She's changed," Aang reasoned with a small smile.
"We'll see," Katara said.
"Yes, you will," Aang replied.
Katara laughed to herself, "This is the same person that attempted and succeeded in killing you. She's driven and power hungry, don't be so sure that she won't try to remove you and Zuko from the equation."
Aang sighed, "You didn't trust Zuko for the longest time, so I don't know why I expected you to trust Azula so soon."
Katara approached the Avatar. Carefully, she grasped his forearm, raising it before their eyes. The faint traces of a large burn hid beneath the skin.
"It's difficult to see, but make no mistake, you and I both know it's there," Katara presented through clenched teeth. "We know what she is capable of, and no matter what you say, I know we both fear what she might be planning."
"Maybe," the Avatar said as he drew his forearm away from the young woman's grip, "but there are things you haven't seen, she has changed. You don't have to trust what I say. Let's let her actions speak for themselves."
Katara's nose crinkled as her eyes narrowed upon the Avatar. She felt a flurry of anger, dejection, and condemnation play within her chest.
"I see a lot more than you think," Katara stated, contempt lacing her voice.
Aang began to open his mouth to respond, but the Waterbender continued.
"She's using you. Manipulating you with affection," Katara whispered. "Manipulating us."
"Katara, stop," Aang said forcefully. "You don't know what you're talking about. You're misinterpreting –"
"I'm not misinterpreting anything," Katara yelled. "I've watched you two, and I've seen how you are around her."
"Let's not do this right now," Aang said as he looked away from her deep blue eyes.
"Yeah, you're right," Katara laughed as she shook her head. "Let's wait until she's shooting lightning again!"
"Katara," Aang said as he reached out.
The Waterbender backed away, stepping outside of the Avatar's grasp.
"Aang, if you're not careful and she starts something, you won't have to worry about Mai handling it," Katara said as her fingers curled tightly into her palm.
"What are you saying," the Airbender inquired.
Katara simply gazed into his pleading eyes before turning to walk away.
"Katara," Aang exclaimed, "Wait!"
The young woman did not respond to the Avatar as she continued through the great hall. The Airbender did not follow. He allowed her to slip between his fingers once more.
I'll /try/ to get the next one out by the 23rd. That's a tentative date for now. Also, something dawned on me that I hadn't realized. Aang and Katara had the lover's tension going on between them for less than a year. They didn't officially start anything until after the Tea Shop kiss…so yeah, with the altered and deviated storyline going here…well, let's just say "I got this." (still a crack pairing, but it's fun). Until next time. Later!