Azula was angry. There were no two ways about it – she was just plain furious.
Her talk with Mai the day before had been satisfactory. She hadn't been able to persuade her to advocate for her, but she had learned where the young woman stood, and that was something. An hour after their talk, Azula's bookshelf had been filled with new books, as well. All in all, it had gone as well as could be expected, and the firebender had gone to sleep that night fairly satisfied.
But now – now, she was angry. She had gotten a message from the Fire Lord about an hour after breakfast, delivered by a servant girl with obvious Water Tribe ancestry. Azula could still recall that message word-for-word, even though she had scorched it to cinders moments after reading it. The Fire Lord has granted you two concessions. You will be allowed to go out for one hour at dawn to train each day, and you will be allowed one half-hour in the palace garden of your choice every afternoon. You are not permitted to speak to or to have any contact with Lady Ty Lee at this time.
Azula scowled. Not permitted, indeed. I'll show him! Her fists clenched. He's got no right to keep Ty Lee from me. She's mine. She's mine, damn it! She glanced out the window. The sun had set about a half-hour before, and full darkness had fallen. It was time. He's not going to win this round.
Calmly, she rose to her feet and headed for her washroom. It was the one place where her guards didn't follow her. She shut and locked the door behind her. Quickly, with light footsteps, she crossed to the open window and peered out. The garden outside was deserted. She didn't hesitate. She climbed out onto a ledge, swung down to hang from it by her hands, and let herself drop the ten feet or so between herself and the ground. The soft grass cushioned her fall. A moment later, she was swiftly gliding through the shadows, heading for the opposite end of the palace grounds.
This was really too easy. Azula smirked as she slipped past a few oblivious soldiers. She estimated that she had at least half an hour before the guards in her room became suspicious – that was more than enough time to get to where she was going and back again. Footsteps approached; she ducked behind a bush, and watched as a night patrol went by. Then she was on the move again, her feet swift and noiseless. For a moment, as she passed the gates that led out into the city, she paused. Then, shaking her head, she continued on through the palace grounds.
There – there it is. The firebender soon found the building she wanted. She slid along the wall, still keeping to the shadows, until she came to the third window from the end. Azula hesitated then, her eyes searching the area for guards. When she was satisfied that there was no one watching, she jumped up, stepping on a ledge partway up the building, and began to climb. The exertion made her slightly breathless, but it wasn't too bad. She pulled herself up skilfully until she reached the third floor window. As she had hoped, it was open to admit the cool night air. Quickly and silently she slipped through it, dropped down to the floor, and crouched there, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the darkness inside.
These quarters were much as she remembered them. She thought a few of the wall hangings had been changed, but the layout of the room was essentially the same. There were no guards. Noiselessly she crept across the room to the bed. Stooping over it, she suddenly clapped a hand over the mouth of its sleeping occupant, wrapping her other arm around the unresisting body.
Ty Lee's eyes flew open – Azula had to hold on tight to keep her from wrestling herself free. "Ty, it's me," she whispered, hearing the girl's muffled cry. "It's Azula! Shh."
The acrobat's body went limp in her arms. As Azula slowly released her mouth, Ty Lee uttered a few gasping breaths. "Oh, spirits, you scared me." The girl squirmed around to face her. A moment later, Azula felt Ty Lee's arms around her neck, and soft lips pressed against hers. The firebender returned the kiss hungrily. "What are you doing here?" Ty Lee whispered, drawing back a little. "I mean...I'm glad to see you. But we aren't supposed to see each other, 'Zula."
"They don't know I'm here. I couldn't stand it anymore," Azula admitted, weaving her fingers into Ty Lee's silken hair. "I had to come and make sure you were all right." She leaned in to place another tender kiss on the acrobat's forehead. "I miss you."
"I miss you, too," Ty Lee said softly, her hands curving up Azula's arms. "But...but this could be bad, couldn't it? I mean, we're not supposed to touch each other..."
"In that case, I won't tell if you won't." The firebender smirked. Then, before the girl could voice any more protests, she captured her lips with her own.
Fire seemed to erupt between them. Azula had intended to stay for only a few minutes – to steal a few kisses and then retreat back to her prison. But she hadn't expected Ty Lee to groan quite this way, or to throw back her head like she was doing, allowing Azula access to the soft skin of her neck and shoulder. The firebender kissed her way down Ty Lee's throat, hearing the girl's faint gasps of pleasure. The sounds sent shivers down her spine. "Az-Azula," the acrobat whispered, "we'll...we'll get in trouble..."
"Do you want me to stop?" the firebender murmured, running the tip of her tongue lightly across Ty Lee's collarbone. Ty Lee didn't speak; she just tangled her fingers in the princess's black hair, pulling her up for another searing kiss. Throwing caution to the wind, Azula thrust her hands into the neck of the girl's robe, pulling it open to her waist. Then she attacked Ty Lee's collarbone with her mouth, nipping and kissing with fervor. The acrobat moaned. Her nimble fingers began to fumble at the neck of Azula's shirt, untying knots and pulling laces.
This is stupid, Azula. You need to get out of here, and get back to your room before they find out that you're missing! The firebender gasped against Ty Lee's shoulder as her shirt fell open. She intended to push away from her, to apologize and explain and go, but she found herself pushing the acrobat down instead, her hungry mouth latching onto hers once more. Any thought of consequences fled. All she could think about was how smooth the girl's skin felt under her hands, how good her hair smelled, how very soft her lips were against hers – and how much she wanted. She could feel Ty Lee's hands sliding up her sides and across her back. She groaned, lightly brushing her lips along the young woman's jaw. Then she lost all track of herself, conscious only of Ty Lee – her intoxicating touch, her taste, her soft moans and sighs.
She didn't know how long she had been there before she finally came to herself again. The moon was shining in the window, bathing the room in gentle bluish light. Azula dropped a gentle kiss on the cheek of the young woman in her arms. "I have to go," she whispered. "They can't find out I'm gone."
"Okay." Ty Lee's eyes were half-closed. She smiled in sleepy satisfaction, her hand moving up to cup the side of Azula's face. "I love you."
"I know." The firebender kissed her again. "I love you, too." Then she pushed away, feeling about on the floor for her discarded clothes. The acrobat watched lazily as Azula dressed. Fastening the ties of her shirt, the princess leaned back over her drowsy lover and stole another kiss. She wished that she could stay here. "I'll see you later," she said softly.
"Be careful, 'Zula," Ty Lee whispered, clinging to her. "I don't want you to get hurt."
"I'll be careful," Azula promised. "And I'll come back soon." She brushed her lips with hers one last time, then tore herself away. She didn't dare to look back, for fear that she wouldn't be able to leave. She slipped out the window and skilfully clambered down the side of the building.
It was a bit trickier sneaking back across the gardens, since the moonlight now illuminated things. She moved smoothly from shadow to shadow, her eyes and ears alert. Three times, Azula had to dodge a night patrol. I wonder if anyone's noticed I'm gone? She doubted anyone had. Considering how her brother had reacted to her, she thought he'd probably lock down the palace if he noticed her missing. A smug smile curved her lips as she slipped to the wall underneath her bathroom window.
Getting up was more difficult than getting down had been. Azula leaped up and caught the ledge with her hands, then tried to pull herself up. Her arms shook; she managed to get halfway up before her strength gave way, and she fell back to the soft turf. She was panting for breath. A wave of dizziness washed over her as a sharp pain knifed through her chest. Gasping softly, Azula sat down against the wall and waited. Slowly, her breathing slowed back to normal. Gods, am I even going to be able to do this? Azula looked up at the ledge, her brows lowering. I will not be conquered by a mere wall, she vowed, rising to her feet again. I'll just have to do this more quickly, I guess. She took a deep breath, then jumped and caught the ridge of brick a second time. With a burst of strength, she dragged herself upward, throwing her right leg up and onto the ledge.
Success! Azula lay panting for a while. She knew she was exposed there – any guard passing by could easily see her up on the ledge. Before she had really caught her breath, she struggled to her feet and inched along the side of the building to her window. With a sigh of relief, Azula ducked through it into her bathroom.
By some miracle, the door was still closed and locked. She breathed another sigh as she began to disrobe. I have to at least be wet. Have to make this look good. She quickly dunked her head in the washbasin a few times before throwing on her robe and toweling her dripping hair. Then she moved to the sink and carefully began to remove her makeup. As she did so, she heard the heavy footsteps of a soldier outside the door – a mailed fist knocked loudly. "I'm coming," she said irritably, still dabbing at her face. "Don't rush me!"
"Apologies, your highness." The booted footsteps receded, and Azula felt a rush of triumph. She took her time wiping off the last remains of the powder on her face. Then she calmly unlocked the door and headed for her bed as if nothing had happened.
The imperial guards stood silently; neither one of them so much as twitched as Azula slid her legs under the covers. She smiled to herself as she lay down, resting her cheek against her cotton pillows. Her eyes slid shut. She could still feel Ty Lee's skin against hers; the memory of the girl's soft moans made heat flare up in her face. I'll go back soon, she promised herself. The very next time I get a chance, I'll go back. With a sigh of contentment, Azula fell asleep.