Hello everyone.

My hospitalization was pushed back to the week of March 9th. So, since I have the time. I am posting another update.

I want to thank everyone who has favorited, followed and reviewed my story since the last update.

And as always, I ask that you please continue to do so.

And I also want to thank everyone who wished me me well.

And without further ado please enjoy.

Acquiescence – Chapter Fifty-Eight

"What do you think you are doing! Open that door right now or you will rue this day until your last breath!" Azula boomed in a piercing voice as she stood glaring icily at Yoko's back.

Ty Lee also stood behind Azula staring at the older woman with furious brown-gray eyes.

"It was your servant's choice to jump in. And now she must wait three more minutes alongside House Lin." Yoko declared in a still defiant voice with her fearless eyes turning to meet Azula's murderous glare.

Only for her composed eyes to widen in surprise when a hot lightning generated near instantaneously on the monarch's well-manicured fingertips.

'How? How is she generating it so quickly?' The older woman thought with her hazel eyes never leaving the royal woman's cold face.

The chancellor took a fearful step backwards while the soldiers also backed away behind him as the lightning continued to spark at the young woman's fingertips.

"Watch yourself Governor Yoko. I don't give a damn if you make your threats against House Lin. But if anything happens to that girl. I will level this entire city." The princess snarled as she bared her teeth to the taken aback older woman while the acrobat shuddered behind her.

And just when Azula sunk into a stance to rupture the trap door she spun around in shock when a blinding flash of light emanated from the cave below.

The light shot into the air as she covered her eyes while her mouth dropped open in surprise.

"W-what is that!" Terak cried out with his sleeves shielding his eyes.

All the while Yoko squinted her taken aback hazel eyes as she gazed through the see-through barrier in confusion.

"Azula! I-it's just like before!" Ty Lee exclaimed with sisterly shock in her voice while she gazed out of the glass screen.

Nako blinked her golden eyes as she gazed out from behind her hands only for her eyes to widen to the size of dinner plates.

And to the great astonishment of everyone they watched as the large creature recoiled away from the small cave.

Thud!

Mai sat back with her jaw dropping while Ukano gawked at the sight beside her.

Elle still sat on a damp rock with her eyes closed in fright only to find herself opening her eyes not a moment later.

"H-huh? What happened? Did Azula-sama do something?" Elle asked in a puzzled voice as she gazed out at the large reptilian still recovering from being blinded in the eyes.

"N-no Elle. That wasn't Azula. That was you." The markswoman breathed with her shocked hands still grasping at the bars of the cage.

"M-me?" The blonde-haired girl squeaked in confusion while she scooted back in surprise.

"H-how did she do that?" Ukano pondered with awe in his recovering voice.

"Was that…your servant?" The older woman pondered with rare bewilderment in her stoic voice while she turned to her monarch's still taken aback face.

'How did Elle make that beast back away! Did she just blind it in the eyes? Or is it something more? Does this have something to do with her Component?' The princess thought with her crimson lips pursing in a thoughtful line.

And not a moment later she exploded the trap door with a lightning imbued fist before she effortlessly leaped into the water before.

Yoko and the chancellor exchanged a mutual glance of battlement before the governor finally relented.

Not even two seconds later Azula dropped into the water below with a splash.

Both House Lin nobles instinctively shrunk under the princess's cold stare before the monarch stepped into the water to retrieve her handmaid.

The royal woman stomped through the water while she approached her seated handmaid before she called out to the smaller girl.

"Servant!" Azula barked with her voice causing Elle to jump in fright.

"A-aah! Azula-sama! You scared me! I almost thought that you were a scary monster that was about to eat me!" Elle cried out only to gasp in innocent panic when her music player fell from her hip to the wet rock below.

The princess stiffened with a twinge of pink on her cheeks while she turned to gaze at the large beast through the corner of her eye.

Only to spin around in annoyance when the girl's music player started playing as soon as it hit the cave floor.

The young handmaid blushed when Azula turned to cast her an irate stare when Redbone started playing in the cave.

And despite the terrifying situation Mai couldn't help but sweatdrop as she leaned back with a sigh alongside her bewildered father.

"Come and get your love. Come and get your love. Come and get your love. Come and get your love." Redbone played while the crocodile shark gazed around with predatory yellow eyes.

The occupants above listened in confusion while the faint music echoed into the air just as a large grin began to appear on the acrobat's lips.

"Eh…is that music?" The royal pilot pondered with a tilt of her head while the governor gazed on with comical puzzlement in her eyes.

"Yeah! It's called Redbone." The brown-haired woman answered with a smile only to peer down in surprise to see the vast animal was relaxing under the music.

Azula could only slap a hand over her groaning face while Elle beamed up at her with an infectious smile.

"Do you see that Azula-sama! He likes Redbone!" The blonde-haired girl exclaimed with a sunny smile while her master turned to glare down at her.

"I could care less about what that creature likes! Turn that stupid music off!" The princess ordered just as she pulled her happy handmaid up by the collar of her shirt.

"I-it's not stupid. He has a good taste in music." Elle stammered only for her heart to race under Azula's domineering stare.

"Please! That garbage hardly qualifies as music!" Azula snorted in a snobbish voice with a roll of her regal eyes while Elle quickly grabbed her mp3 player.

"Millions of people in my homeland disagree with you Azula-sama! Redbone is a total classic!" The blonde-haired girl argued in an innocent voice only to gulp when her master began pulling her behind her.

"My opinion has more weight than all of those peasants combined! Now turn it off!" The princess bellowed with as she glared ahead while her pet pouted behind her.

"Y-yes princess." Elle mumbled like a disciplined puppy while Azula's lips began to curve into a smirk once more.

Only for her full lips to contort into a scowl once more when she laid eyes on the two nobles just as her friend finally kicked open the cage door.

Ukano was still staring between Elle and the large animal in disbelief as he shakily stood up alongside his daughter.

Mai flinched under Azula's callous glare but for once she was more terrified of someone other than her tyrannical friend.

That being Yoko and her ravenous executioner that was already approaching them once more.

And just as Azula raised her hand in blue fire to kill the creature before it could get any closer, she could only gaze down in aggravation when her servant tugged on her sleeve.

"N-no. Please don't kill the poor animal Azula-sama." The blonde-haired girl requested meekly as her girlfriend gazed down at her with an incredulous stare.

And the nobleman gazed down at the young girl with disbelieving tawny eyes before he turned to his daughter to see her just shaking her head fondly.

It was just astonishing to see that this seeming servant girl had somehow had such a deep impact on not only his aloof daughter.

But, their cold and ruthless princess of all people!

"You have got to be kidding me! It just almost devoured you!" Azula scoffed as she glared down at her serving girl's innocent face.

"As you did the armadillo bear. It's all a part of the flow. And I bet if he wasn't cooped up in this cruel cave, he wouldn't be so bad." Elle mumbled with her hands grasping her backpack while Azula rolled her eyes down at her.

Both members of House Lin just stared at the teenager in bafflement before the older man cried out in renewed fear.

"P-Princess Azula can we please leave this nightmarish cavern?" Ukano pleaded just as the creature lunged forward while his daughter grasped ahold of his arm to help him up.

"Fine! But I suggest you listen well Mai. Until the wars end you are forbidden to have contact with Zuko. If I should catch wind that you are into contact with him…" The princess remarked in a dangerous voice as she stared murderously at the other woman's rapidly nodding face.

"I-I understand Azula." Mai answered just as she leaped into the air with her father hanging onto her shoulder.

Mere moments later Azula herself bounded into the air with Elle adorably latched around her neck.

It was a stunning sight that had not only Ukano gazing on in marvelment but Yoko and the others as well as Azula gracefully sprang forth from the broken trap door.

Yoko stared at Elle with great shock in her eyes when Azula landed with finesse in front of the smiling acrobat and the skittish pilot.

It was readily apparent that the teenager was no ordinary servant.

Mai arose behind Azula with her father as they stared back at Yoko in unconcealed fright while she briefly gazed over them with frigid hazel eyes.

"And now I will accept your offer of vassal house." Yoko announced in a victorious voice while all but Azula stared back at her in shock over her gall.

"You have some nerve playing this sick game with us." The markswoman hissed only for her leader to silence her with a strict glare.

"Now you understand who you are dealing with. If you ever cross me again…I will feed your entire family to my pet crocodile-shark. Including Tom Tom." The older woman declared in a perfectly composed voice while the nobleman hastily nodded in understanding.

"Yes, Governor Yoko. House Lin understands." The older man agreed with his head hanging low while his daughter slumped in renewed shame.

"Who is this girl Princess Azula?" Yoko questioned as she folded her hands behind her back while her gaze focused on Elle once more.

"This is my-" Azula responded only to be cut off by Elle standing on her toes to place her hand over her mouth.

The royal woman glowered down at her handmaid's chipper face while the acrobat laughed at her expense.

"My name is Elle Turner! I'm a foreigner! And I have the Avatar's greatest weakness running through my veins!" Elle cried out as she puffed out her chest while Azula nearly fell over in anger.

A great many soldiers nearly fell on their face in shock over the girl's blunt declaration.

Mai and Ty Lee stared at Elle with a look of protective concern in their eyes.

And Ukano's mouth dropped open in bafflement as he gazed down at the seemingly harmless girl with questioning tawny eyes.

And that was to say nothing of Terak and Yoko's reaction.

The conniving politician stared at the teenager with wide golden eyes as his brilliant mind already began to put the pieces together.

Now it all made sense.

Why Princess Azula allowed this girl such freedom to talk and behave as she did!

"The Avatar's weakness?" The older woman repeated with complete surprise in her usually calm voice while the small blonde nodded rapidly.

"That's me! I am Princess Azula's secret weapon!" The blonde-haired girl chirped with a bright smile while her master's eyes twitched in aggravation.

And the matriarch of House Song just stared at the young girl with building confusion in her hazel eyes.

She couldn't help but ponder if Zoe has interacted with this girl.

"Her secret weapon you say." Yoko stated in a curious voice while Azula's callous golden eyes never ceased penetrating her skull from behind the handmaid's head.

"That's right. Now look…I understand that you've got all the reason in the world to be angry at Mai. But your daughter has already agreed to let it go in exchange for three years as your vassal house. Would you be willing to do the same?" Elle pondered as she walked forward while Azula furrowed her brows as she watched her closely.

In that instant Mai's bruised face took on a moved expression while she closed her eyes with Ty Lee's gentle hand on her shoulder.

The acrobat found herself unable to resist grinning at their adopted sister with limitless love in her eyes.

And the head of House Lin couldn't help but be astounded that this young girl was going to such lengths to speak up for his daughter and all of his house.

That was all it took for Yoko's gaze to take on a colder stare once more while she too took a step forward.

The matriarch was so incensed by the query that she didn't even pay heed to her monarch's authoritative glare.

"You are Princess Azula's servant are you not?" The older woman asked in a glacial voice as she stared down at the small girl approaching her.

"I am!" The blonde-haired girl replied with a happy countenance while her girlfriend rolled her eyes out of her sight.

'Foolish peasant! If you are going to try to act intimidating you should try to drop the smile.' Azula thought with a snort of blue fire escaping her nostrils.

"Whether you are a servant for Princess Azula or a servant to Lady Mai it is not your place to tell me what to do. A well-liked servant is still a servant." Yoko commented in a tone of superiority as she now loomed over Elle's much smaller frame while Ty Lee now cast her a protective glare.

"My apologies Governor Yoko but as I said I am from a foreign land and I don't agree with such narrow-minded thinking." Elle remarked with her hands grasping at her backpack straps while all but her friends gazed at her as they thought her insane.

"You tolerate this backtalk princess?" The older woman inquired with an edge to her voice while the pursed her lips into a thin line.

And naturally both Mai and Ty Lee almost wanted to laugh at the fact that Yoko found Elle disrespectful.

"It is not your place to question my training methods Governor Yoko. The girl is fully trained to my liking." The princess snapped in a hardened voice that bordered on parental.

"I am a servant by choice. I find life serving Azula-sama quite satisfactory. And I am in possession of your greatest enemies' weakness. So, you're just going to have to deal with it. Just like Zoe did." The blonde-haired girl retorted with her neck craning to meet the statuesque matriarch's now infuriated gaze.

The princess and her two childhood friends gazed at their young friend with stunned eyes to see that the girl was growing even bolder.

The pilot could only blink in confusion as she shook her head.

What is that girl doing!

If she had any sense, she would keep her head low and refrain from provoking her superiors!

All the while Azula watched with her golden eyes flickering in surprise as she felt a familiar sensation travel down her spine.

A sense of satisfaction to see that her young girlfriend was growing stronger by the day.

'I am proud of her…that's it isn't it? I am proud of my Elle.' Azula thought with her beautiful lips entrenching in the barest hint of an approving smirk.

"My daughter might find have found this amusing but I do not. Go back to your masters…all three of them. I don't take orders from servants." Yoko declared in a rigid voice only for her eyes to narrow into slits when the girl grasped ahold of her shirt.

The two noblewoman both directed the matriarch a distasteful glare over how the degrading manner that she spoke to their little sister.

And just as angry over how she referred to them as her "masters".

Only for their anger to ebb away into returning surprise as they watched the petite girl stand defiant under the governor's angered stare.

"You'll just have to deal with it. Because this servant is the Component that brings the Avatar down! This servant doesn't have to fight for House Song if she doesn't want to!" Elle exclaimed in an emboldened voice with her kind eyes narrowing ever so slightly while Azula watched in growing marvelment.

No one said a word while they all stared speechless at Yoko's furiously bewildered face.

And slowly but surely Mai and Ty Lee gazed at one another with small smiles forming on their lips.

While Ukano gazed between the girl and his daughter in disbelief.

"Who do you think you are brat? Do you have any idea who you're talking to? I am the highest noble in all of the land!" The older woman demanded with her jaw clenching in her fury while she glared down at the small girl's pitifully defiant face.

"I don't care! I have not only Azula-sama but the backing of an emperor in my homeland! I might look weak! I might be small! I might be a servant! But I am someone that you should be wary of!" The blonde-haired girl shouted in an uncharacteristically incensed voice while the matriarch stood seething above her.

Even Elle's highborn friends stood gazing at their young companion in astonishment.

And just as shocking was the fact that this was the first time that they have heard the girl mention this 'Rieko' as someone on her side!

And Yoko looked so furious that she looked as if she wanted to break Elle's neck!

"You watch how you speak to your superiors! I will not tolerate such disrespect from a lowly serving girl!" Yoko yelled in an infuriated voice while she violently slapped Elle's hand from her expensive robe.

As soon as the noblewoman so much as even touched Elle's hand.

The princess's golden eyes narrowed into a terrifyingly protective glare while her beautiful lips creased into a displeased scowl.

A puff of wrathful flames escaped her lips as she released a possessive snarl.

And her two highborn friends took on defensive combat stances with sisterly anger in their eyes.

Only to find themselves completely taken by surprise when their small friend angrily lunged at the looming matriarch.

"If you ever try to hurt my big sister again, I'll come after you! Do you hear me! You stay away from Mai!" Elle roared with rage in her voice just as a spark of golden light flashed before the speechless noblewoman.

The spark of light flickered in the air while Yoko gazed down with widening hazel eyes.

One by one everyone gazed at the scene unimaginable shock to see the scrawny girl emit a strange power once more.

The three highborn women stood awestruck over their young friend's uncharacteristic display of fury.

"Elle…I…" Mai spoke in an immensely moved voice with her mouth open in awe while she swallowed the lump that was in her throat.

It's going to be really hard to be away from this kid.

Even if it was only for a few months.

Ukano just gaped at the girl with fatherly appreciation in his eyes.

And Ty Lee's small smile had now changed into a giant grin.

Nako could only blink with total bafflement in her eyes.

Terak observed the scene with taken aback golden eyes while he continued gazing on in awe.

Just what is this girl?

What sort of power does she possess?

And Azula's reaction was the most profound of them all.

Her mouth dropped open in surprise before she closed her red lips.

And her red lips soon curved into a proud grin.

'That's my girl. Be proud of yourself.' The princess thought with an approving smile on her full lips while she gazed at her young girlfriend's back.

"Or maybe I'll throw you down t-there!" The blonde-haired girl cried out only to find herself shivering under a heartless hazel glare.

Mere seconds later she took a fearful step backwards when the matriarch's arms began to quickly rotate as lightning began to generate at her fingertips.

Mai and Ty Lee took a horrified and astounded step backwards as their little sister now backed away under Yoko's dark stare.

It was a complete shock to see that the head of House Song could bend lightning!

But the momentary shock soon crumbled in fear for Elle's safety.

The chancellor's surprise soon gave way to sadistic amusement while a smirk now grew onto his lips.

Only to find himself gasping in disbelief when a red blur leaped past him with speed that he could barely follow.

"It appears that you need to be taught a measure of respect! If the princess isn't going to teach it to you then I will-" The older woman yelled out only to trail off when she found herself gazing back into golden eyes that were even more frightening than her own.

And then she grunted in pain when her left hand was pushed back at a torturous angle while two lightning imbued fingertips were now being held up to her shocked neck.

Azula's callous golden eyes glared back into Yoko's widened eyes while she exhaled wrathfully in the startled noblewoman's face.

"A-Azula-sama." Elle stuttered in a timid voice once more as she gazed up at Azula's tall robed back with appreciative amber eyes.

The audience stood speechless while their Crown Princess painfully restrained the surprised matriarch of House Song.

And both Mai and Ty Lee soon found themselves smiling fondly over Azula's openly protective behavior.

Their friend was cold and cruel.

But there was no doubt that the fire princess had fallen for their innocent little sister.

"You'll not only tolerate it! You'll embrace it! She's here to stay!" The princess bellowed in a cold voice with fire spewing from her lips while the older woman took a surprised step back.

That very moment when Yoko understood that Elle was no average servant.

Yoko grimaced as she stepped back with her hazel eyes shifting down to the much shorter girl behind Azula's back.

And then she gazed back into the princess's furious eyes just as her arm was bent even further backwards.

It was painfully obvious by the way that Azula was practically salivating to spill her blood.

'Is this servant…Princess Azula's…' The older woman thought with a look of contemplation in her eyes while domineering golden eyes gazed back into her own.

The declaration took all but Mai, Ty Lee and Nako aback.

"A-arigatou gozaimasu Azula-sama." The blonde-haired girl spoke in a voice of reverence as she bent over in a bow with an arm over her bandaged chest.

And she remained in her bow while everyone but her big sisters stared at her in surprise by her respectful curtsy.

"And if you ever try to generate lightning near her person again, I will skin you alive!" Azula hissed in a merciless voice while she watched in satisfaction when Yoko quickly nodded her head.

"Yes…Your Highness." Yoko agreed before she finally found herself released from Azula's hold while she rubbed at her reddened wrists.

All the while gazing at the small girl still bent over in a polite curtsy behind her monarch.

Azula then straightened with fists falling down to her womanly hips while she protectively shielded her dainty handmaid behind her back.

Her strict golden eyes darted around the room from Ukano to Terak's surprised faces then back to Yoko herself.

As if she was daring them to question her choice in companion.

"Listen well Yoko. The feud between House Song and House Lin is over! As your sovereign I declare it so! House Lin shall spend an agreed upon three years as the vassal house of House Song! From this moment onward I will handle the remainder of Mai's punishment!" The princess announced in a voice of absolute authority with her fists planted on her hips while she gazed about the chamber.

To her delight she watched all parties involved drop into a low bow of acknowledgment.

Ukano sunk into a bow with his head bent as he sighed under his breath beside his bowing daughter.

Beside them was Ty Lee and to her right was Nako.

Terak had hastily followed suit.

And Yoko now knelt on the ground on one knee before the princess's pointed boots.

And most pleasing of all to Azula was the sight of her little admirer bowing on the floor behind her.

"You bow your head just like that Yoko. And you'll cow just like Ukano. And from this moment forward you will obey. Is that understood!" Azula remarked in a controlling voice with her callous eyes glaring down at Yoko's bowing back.

"It is my princess." The older woman spoke with her now calmed eyes gazing down at the floor while Azula shifted on her feet above her.

"And you see to it that you get used to this one here. She is my most loyal servant. And if you have any desire to form any sort of political pact with me. You will treat her well. Otherwise…next time I won't be so merciful." The princess commented with her domineering eyes gazing down at the kneeling woman while she felt her handmaid press her face into her pantleg.

"As you decree Your Highness." Yoko stated with a small trace of anger still in her eyes that she wisely squashed when Azula's dominant eyes gazed down at her.

"You should really try to me more appreciative Yoko. When there were no supplies to make Zoe an arm sling…she gave your daughter the shirt off her back." Azula informed with a scowl on her regal lips while she gestured to Elle's bowing form behind her.

"You did that for my daughter?" The older woman asked in a taken aback voice while stared at the young girl with surprised hazel eyes.

"I-I did." The blonde-haired girl answered in a still intimidated voice while the matriarch's eyes flashed with a newfound gratitude.

"And you chancellor. I want you to spread word to the other eight noble houses that I punished House Lin under suspicion of treason. And that if any other house should follow suit in sympathizing with the enemy…I will wipe them from the face of this Earth!" The princess declared in an all-encompassing voice as she turned around with her fists still on her womanly hips.

"It shall be done my princess." The chancellor assured in an amicable voice as he knelt gazing up at his monarch.

Both Mai and Ukano said nothing while they knelt beside each other.

The markswoman felt a spark of anger to hear that Azula in part subjected her and her father to such a terrifying punishment solely to send a message to the real treasonous house.

But she knew better than to say as much aloud.

"And lastly but most certainly not least. What you think you saw from this girl today…you did not see. Not a word of what you saw will escape this room." Azula spoke in a powerful voice as she pointed down at her prostrated handmaid while her small audience of nobles gazed at her intended in understanding.

A moment of silence passed over them before the monarch turned her merciless gaze back to her kneeling subjects.

"Because if I should receive word that even a single one of you has betrayed me…" The princess trailed off in a menacing voice as her ruthless eyes swept about the sweating nobles.

The young handmaid bowed with a bashful smile on her lips while she pushed her face into the much taller woman's heel.

In that very moment blue fire sparked from Azula's fists while she glared hard down at her kneeling audience.

"I will execute every last one of you! Regardless if you betrayed me or not! Is that understood!" The princess snarled in a terrifyingly callous voice as her dangerously narrowed eyes glared from one intimidated face to another.

"Yes princess!" The group of nobles agreed as one while they knelt with their faces against the floor while the royal woman stared harsh down at them.

"Good. This meeting is hereby adjourned." Azula concluded with a lazy wave of her hand as she watched all of her subjects rise to their feet.

And then she turned her callous gaze to her pretty handmaid standing up behind her.

Only to find her scowl giving way to an approving smile when her pet bent over in yet another respectful curtsy with her arms tucked in at her sides.

"Azula-sama." Elle spoke with a content smile on her lips while she curtsied her smirking master.

Only for her bashful smile to widen when she felt a strong hand pat her head.

"Come Elle. Let's go." The princess ordered with a fond smirk on her regal lips before she turned to walk away while her pet bounced after her.

"Yes princess! Wherever you go I will go!" The blonde-haired girl cried out as she paid no mind to the stares that she was receiving from her master's subjects.

"Servant girl." Yoko called out with her arms at her sides while Elle paused behind her companions.

"Her name is Elle." Ty Lee remarked as she leaned on her crutch glaring back at the matriarch's strict face.

"Y-yes?" Elle pondered from beside Azula while she gazed back at Yoko's composed face.

"Thank you for helping my daughter." The older woman stated with a stoic countenance while the group paused in surprise.

Only to resume walking not a moment later while Elle smiled back at Yoko before she turned around to rush after Azula.

That was when the princess cast the matriarch a final parting glance just as she set her palm on her handmaid's petite shoulder.

"This girl belongs to me. I am her master. I own it all…even the power that runs through her veins. I expect you to remember that the next time you meet this one." Azula called out with her callous golden eyes forming a soul piercing stare while Elle smiled radiantly under her palm.

"I understand my princess. I will remember that." Yoko responded in another bow while Azula turned to walk away with Elle under her hand.

"See to it that you do." The princess spoke in a possessive voice before she resumed her walk with her little handmaid eagerly padding after her footfalls.

And then the six walked through the vast palace with three out of six of them making it a point to move as quickly as possible.

All the while the two members of House Lin turned to the young girl with gratitude flashing in their eyes.

That was when Ukano cleared his throat.

All but Azula turned their head while Elle found herself gazing up at the older man's softly smiling face.

"Thank you, young lady. For what you did for my daughter. House Lin is in your debt." Ukano declared as he placed his hand on Elle's shoulder while the blonde smiled up at him.

"Debts aren't necessary! I was just helping my big sister." Elle insisted as she beamed up at Mai's softening face.

And Ty Lee found herself grinning down at Elle while she walking alongside Azula.

The proud princess just glared at Mai through the corner of her eye when the noblewoman slid an arm around her handmaid's neck.

"Really kiddo. Thank you." Mai stated with a sigh while she held her arm over Elle's neck while the small girl turned red under all of the attention.

"Anything for you oneesan!" The blonde-haired girl exclaimed as she walked with a grin under the older female's protective arm.

"But seriously Azula…they could have died if Elle hadn't jumped in after them." Ty Lee commented with a returning scowl while her friend and her father shuddered over the reminder.

"Please. I could have killed that creature at any moment's notice. It is just an oversized beast and nothing more. Size isn't everything." Azula snorted with her hands on her hips while all but Elle stared at her incredulously.

"That's easy for you to say Azula. Considering that you weren't locked in that cage as its food." The markswoman muttered with a trace of anger in her eyes while her father shivered in agreement.

Only to find themselves backing away when Azula spun around to cast them a terrifying golden glare.

"You should be down on your knees kissing my boots in appreciation! You got off easy and you damn well know it! You should be grateful to Zoe that she is so forgiving! If you had tried that little stunt on me, I wouldn't rest until you burned at the stake!" The princess snarled while the others trembled as she approached the intimidated noblewoman.

"I-I get it Azula." Mai assured only to find herself sweating when Azula leaned in to glare into her eyes.

"Then shut up and fall in line. I have had it with your defiance. You should likewise consider yourself fortunate that the chancellor's little scheme worked in your favor." Azula remarked as she scowled back at Mai's now disbelieving face.

"That bastard tried to feed Mai and her father to Yoko's pet." The brown-haired woman protested angrily while her spoiled friend rolled her eyes back at them.

"It was either that or a civil war. Thanks to the chancellor's ploy Governor Yoko's rage was abated enough to let Mai's slight go." The princess scoffed before she resumed her walk while the others exchanged a grudgingly thoughtful glance before they resumed onward.

"That's right Azula-sama! Size doesn't matter!" Elle cheered with her chest puffing out in a show of innocent pride while her big sisters sweatdropped over her infectious cheer.

"In your case it does. You are so scrawny that we have to take great care not to step on you." Azula taunted with a smug smile on her full lips while her childhood friends cast her a disapproving glance.

"Azula…" The brown-haired woman sighed only to find herself smiling once more to see that their small friend took it as praise.

"And yet it was the smallest member of the party that saved the day! I defeated the crocodile thingamdo!" The blonde-haired girl cried out with her hands on her hips while she adorably imitated her master's pose.

"Crocodile-shark." The princess corrected with a roll of her eyes yet even so she couldn't help but gaze down at her servant in approval.

Elle had great power.

She just needed someone to show her how to use it.

And there was no one more qualified than her.

"Whatever Azula! Elle still won!" Ty Lee shouted in a supportive voice with a hand on Elle's head while the others still marveled over the girl's power.

"I really mean it Elle. If there's anything I can do to repay you." The markswoman spoke with her tawny eyes softening down at her little sister's bright face.

"Well! I don't know oneesan…. maybe a snuggle would do the trick?" Elle pondered with a finger under her chin while Mai chuckled over her.

"Childish peasant. You are so predictable." Azula sighed with her hands still on her hips while Elle smiled up at her.

"A snuggle?" The older man asked in a baffled voice as he hurriedly made his way out.

"I don't usually do snuggles. But for you…I'll make an exception." Mai stated with her hand on Elle's shoulder while the younger girl beamed in delight.

'I still can't believe that such an odd girl…is the key to defeating the Avatar.' Nako thought with bewilderment in her golden eyes.

Only to sigh in relief a moment later as she gazed at her monarch's clearly pleased face.

If nothing else she should be thankful that Azula was letting them go without punishment.

"Azula-sama?" The blonde-haired girl inquired as she walked between her big sister and her older girlfriend.

"Hm?" The princess responded as she turned to gaze over her shoulder at her handmaid's thoughtful face.

"I don't think it's fair to keep that poor crocodile shark in captivity. I think you should set him free." Elle commented with a finger under her lip while all but Azula gazed down at her in horror.

"Fine. I'll see what I can do." Azula agreed with a wave of her hand while all but Elle recoiled in terror.

"Really!" The blonde-haired girl exclaimed with her mouth open in joy.

"A-Azula!" The brown-haired woman cried out in mortification.

She wasn't sure if she should find it horrifying or adorable that Azula literally didn't have it in her to tell Elle no.

Ultimately, she decided to settle on a mix of the two.

"Of course. I'll see let the poor dear go. In the Earth Kingdom." The princess purred with a malevolent smile forming on her lips while her subordinates shuddered behind her.

'Leave it to Azula to turn a naïve request into something much more horrifying.' The markswoman thought with a groan while she strode beside her adopted sister.

"That's my princess! She's the kindest person in the whole world!" Elle chirped with a grin while everyone gazed unconvinced at Azula's smirking face.

"I truly am. My perfection is a divine right. It is truly a harsh burden to shoulder…being so flawless in a world full of lesser people." Azula huffed as she scanned her fingernails with a conceited smirk upon her lips.

The two noblewomen just sighed as they exchanged an exasperated glance yet all the while knowing that it was pointless to debate their friend's colossal ego.

And neither did anyone else in their party.

That is aside from their smallest member.

"Do you see that Nako! It's just like I told you!" The blonde-haired girl cried out as she walked closer to the nervous pilot.

"Eh? It is?" The royal pilot answered in a wary voice while she sensed their monarch's eyes bearing down on them.

"Mhm! Such titles of status like royalty and nobility have no meaning!" Elle announced with a chipper carefree smile while Nako suddenly trembled in fear beside her.

And just like that all members in the party halted.

While the three nobles shivered as they turned to Azula's now merciless face.

"Hey! S-stop trying to get me killed. The princess likes me and I would prefer to keep it that way!" Nako complained with a gulp while Azula glared down at their backs.

"You have nothing to worry about Nako! She might look a little scary but deep down inside she's a big softie!" The blonde-haired girl shouted with a wide smile while the pilot recoiled from her touch in horror.

The two noblewomen mustered a laugh at Azula's expense while the prideful woman glowered down at the young handmaid's back.

"Care to repeat that?" The princess demanded in an intimidating voice with her fists planted on her hips while she loomed over the two peasant girls.

"Y-you're crazy Elle. You're a dangerous person to be around." The royal pilot sputtered with her words causing the two noblewomen to sweatdrop.

In a strange way Nako had a point.

"Don't tell anyone Nako but secretly…" Elle murmured as she leaned into Nako's ear while the poor pilot gulped with Azula bearing down on their necks.

All the while Azula glared down at the two girls with narrowed golden eyes that only widened in anger when she caught what her handmaid was saying.

"I'm the master and she's the servant. But don't tell her that. She doesn't know." The blonde-haired girl whispered with a playful smile while her big sister's chuckled behind her.

And the royal woman grasped at her biceps while she ground her teeth in anger that had the nobleman backing away.

Suffice to say Ukano was astounded by how fond the princess and her team were of this young girl.

So much so that the girl was even allowed to talk openly in front of the Crown Princess herself!

"Twenty-five floggings for the both of you!" Azula bellowed in callous voice as she narrowed her eyes down at her handmaid's happy face and her pilot's now terrified countenance.

"But I didn't do anything!" Nako protested with a gulp while the two noblewomen gazed at her in sympathy.

"And now you've just earned twenty-five more for attempting to speak to me as an equal!" The princess snapped with a scowl while the acrobat sighed alongside her.

"Yes princess! Fifty floggings for the both of us!" Elle agreed in a joyful voice while Nako stared at her as if she had just spouted a third arm.

"You are really weird Elle." The royal pilot commented with a sigh while the younger girl just smiled back at her.

"Are you mocking me servant?" Azula questioned with a snort while she leveled her pet in a beyond strict glare.

"I suppose so! But I've mastered the art of Azula-sama's flow! All you have to do is humor her by agreeing with everything she says and bow when she tells you to! If you do that, she won't find out that we're actually the bosses around here!" The blonde-haired girl quipped in the terrified pilot's ear just when the torches above them suddenly exploded in blue fire.

"Rebellious peasants! Prepare to be punished for this disrespect!" The princess yelled out with her golden eyes narrowing into a penetrating glare while the acrobat giggled beside her.

"Quick! Run Nako!" The blonde-haired girl cried out just as she scampered away with the terrified pilot running alongside her.

"Ty Lee! Mai! Go catch those miscreants!" Azula ordered with a thrust of her finger while her two childhood friends gazed at her in amusement.

"I don't feel like it. I need to change into a fresh pair of clothes and get out of this wretched palace." Mai remarked in deadpan as she walked beside her baffled father.

She really couldn't blame him for being so confused.

It was truly perplexing to witness the affect that Elle was having on Azula.

"Please do. You smell like a wet possum pigeon." The princess snorted in a pompous voice with her cruel words causing her friend to turn red in the cheeks in her anger.

"Azula!" The brown-haired woman scolded while the two members of House Lin quickly began to walk away.

"What! They smell revolting!" Azula complained with her arms crossing over her breasts while Ty Lee cast her a pointed stare.

"A change of clothes would be good." Ukano muttered with a sigh while his daughter still gritted her teeth in anger.

"Yeah well. You're one to talk Azula. Considering that you didn't smell so fresh on our little camping trip." The markswoman grumbled as she stomped off while her father quivered in returning fear when the princess's golden eyes burned a hole in her back.

"What did you just say!" The princess growled in a glacial voice only for the acrobat to sigh as the two vanished around the corner.

"Come on Azula. It's only fair. You started it." Ty Lee reminded as she began to walk beside her controlling friend.

"I didn't smell. I bathed every day in the river." Azula scoffed in a haughty voice while she ran a well-manicured fingernail through her hair.

"Look Azula…about earlier." The brown-haired woman began nervously while her royal friend glared at her through the corner of her eye.

"Save it Ty Lee. I am through with your lectures." The princess spoke in a colder voice only to find herself relaxing ever so slightly when the acrobat touched her shoulder.

"I don't want to leave your side Azula. And I'm sorry if I said anything that would have put that thought in your head. Okay?" Ty Lee stated in a softer voice with her kind eyes gazing back at Azula's now taken aback face.

The princess opened her mouth for a brief moment before she closed her lips while she gazed back at her longtime friend with a more pleased countenance than before.

"Fine. I accept your apology." Azula replied with her fingers curling around her bicep while she turned to glare off at the nearest wall.

Only for her scowl to increase when she felt the acrobat slip her arm around her shoulder.

"The last thing I would want is for us to be apart!" The brown-haired woman exclaimed just as she hugged her stiffening friend.

"Humph. You can let go now Ty Lee. I already have to deal with my servant constantly clinging onto me. I don't need you getting clingy like the tiger monkey." The princess declared in a spoiled voice while her friend giggled at her from over her shoulder.

"We should really take Elle to the beach tomorrow Azula. It would be a great way to show off your strength to Elle in front of all the other beachgoers!" Ty Lee announced with a wide grin while Azula's lips curled up in a thoughtful smirk.

"Perhaps Ty Lee…perhaps." Azula answered in a contemplative voice while she scanned her clenched fist with a refined smile on her regal lips.

"It will be so much fun!" The brown-haired woman shouted with a cheerful countenance while the royal woman smirked in agreement.

"Of course, it will Ty Lee. We don't usually take servants with us to the beach. But now we have a worshipful pet peasant to wait on us hand and foot while we bath in the sun." The princess boasted with a smug smirk while she took delight in how the acrobat nearly fell over in surprise.

"That's…not what I meant Azula." Ty Lee stated flatly with her hands falling to her sides while she walked beside her arrogant friend.

If nothing else Elle would get to see the beach.

Even if Azula was too busy working her to death for the poor girl to get anything out of it…

Zoe sat in a chair with her hazel eyes gazing up at the ceiling when she heard the door open behind her.

She lazily glanced over her shoulder only to find herself unsurprised when her mother gazed back at her.

"You seem displeased." Yoko commented as she seated herself in her chair while Zoe stared back at her.

"I wonder why that might be." The captain stated as she leaned back while her mother sat opposite of her.

"You have been gone from home for an entire year and you already want to leave." The older woman quipped in an observant voice as she reclined with her hands folded in her lap.

"My home is on the battlefield." Zoe remarked with her bandaged hand grasping at the arm of her chair.

"Your home is Fire Mountain." Yoko retorted with her hazel eyes forming a narrowed stare while her daughter gazed back at her.

"What is it that you want mother?" The captain questioned in a knowing voice while her mother eyed her intently.

"You know what I want." The older woman answered only to find herself scowling when her eldest turned away.

"And my answer is still no. I have no interest in your seat mother. Give it to Sia." Zoe declared with a wave of her hand while her mother stared back in poorly concealed mortification.

"She may be my daughter but I will never cede Fire Mountain to a nonbender." Yoko remarked with a stony countenance only for her hazel eyes to narrow in anger her daughter abruptly stood up from her seat.

"It was good seeing you mother. But I really have to go." The captain announced as she arose with her back turned to her angered parent.

"Why won't you just do your duty to your house?" The older woman demanded with her fists clenching on the tabletop.

Only for hardened eyes to meet her daughter's defiant glare when she turned around to stare down at her.

"I am doing my duty! My duty to my country! Do not preach to me of duty and honor!" Zoe shouted as her fist pounded the desk while a small crack appeared in the wood as a result of her abuse.

"By Agni Zoe why do you continue to insist on thrusting yourself in one threatening battle after another?" Yoko inquired in a frustrated voice while Zoe turned to face the door.

"You damn well know why." The captain answered as she placed her hands in her hair before the hair tie flew down onto her scowling mother's desk.

And just like that her short hair hung freely behind her as she turned to gaze into her mother's angered hazel eyes.

"For glory." Zoe spoke in a tone that brook no argument just as she stormed for the doors.

"Zoe! Get back here! We aren't finished yet!" The older woman yelled out as the torches in the room took burst to life as proof of her fury.

"You have only one heir mother. And it isn't me." The captain concluded as she briefly gazed at her enraged mother over her shoulder.

Before she opened the door and slammed it behind her.

Never even stopping when the older woman furiously called out to her.

About forty-five minutes later.

The princess's group sat waiting for Elle to finish her shower on a balcony that overlooked the palace gardens

Azula sat beside Ty Lee and across from them sat a freshly washed Mai.

Beside Mai sat the still nervous Nako.

The pilot had yet to become used to spending time with nobility and royalty.

"Did your father leave already?" Ty Lee asked as she fiddled with her braided hair while she watched her friend nod in response.

"Not that I blame him. But he did say that I was welcome to bring Elle to visit Ash City anytime I wanted." Mai answered in her usual deadpan while Azula glanced back at her with annoyed golden eyes.

"No. You are not permitted to do so. The girl is my pet. Not yours. She stays with me at all times." Azula remarked in a supremely egotistical voice with a haughty smile on her lips while her two lifelong friends sighed.

And the pilot just wisely kept her mouth shut.

"Uh but she's our little sister Azula. I just have to take her to see my family sometime!" Ty Lee exclaimed with excitement in her voice while Azula rolled her eyes back at her.

"Family? As in all seven of you?" The princess snorted with a trace of amusement in her voice while the acrobat sunk back in a pout.

"Meanie. You know I don't like being part of a matched set." The brown-haired woman complained while her spoiled friend just sighed as she scanned her fingernails.

"Matched set?" Nako asked in an awkward voice while she shifted when the three highborn women turned to gaze at her.

"Ty Lee has six identical twins." The markswoman responded dryly just as the pilot nearly fell out of her seat.

"S-six?" The royal pilot blurted out with blinking golden eyes.

"Each of us adopted a special hobby to tell us apart from the rest! Ty Lin plays the flute! Ty Lat is a swimmer! Ty Lao is a dancer! Ty Liu plays the harp…and uh Ty Lum makes origami! And Ty Woo insults people! And I specialize in acrobatics!" Ty Lee explained with a grin while all three women gazed at her in confusion.

Even Azula rose an inquisitive brow while she studied her friend incredulously.

"Wow. That's confusing." Nako stated with her mouth open in puzzlement while Azula just sighed heavily.

"Ty Lee. That has got to be the most convoluted family story I have ever heard." Azula spoke flatly while her lifelong friend still smiled back at her.

"Maybe so. But it's how we tell each other apart." The brown-haired woman replied with a carefree shrug.

"Nako." The princess began strictly as she turned to the pilot only for the poor woman to sit up in a panic.

A detail that had both noblewomen gazing at the girl in pity.

"Yes princess?" The royal pilot responded in a noticeable voice of admiration that earned her a smirk of approval from her monarch.

"Tomorrow we are all going to the beach. I hereby command you to come with us." Azula ordered to the surprise of all three women present.

"G-go to the beach with you?" Nako repeated in a dumbfounded voice while the two noblewomen gazed at Azula in shock.

"Refuse me and I will destroy you! You will be struck down into a defeat so profound that you will never again rise above the ashes of your shame and humiliation!" The princess declared in a terrifying voice with her golden eyes now narrowing back at the other woman's terrified face.

Mai and Ty Lee just sweatdropped while they sighed over their friends demented behavior.

"Azula! That's not how you ask a friend to go hang out with you." Ty Lee exclaimed as she offered the scared woman a comforting smile.

"The Great Princess Azula does not ask! She commands!" Azula scoffed as she lounged back upon her posterior the acrobat sighed in defeat.

"I-I'll go to the beach with you princess! Just please don't kill me." The royal pilot agreed with sweat dripping down her brow while the markswoman snorted in amusement beside her.

"Well the solution is simple then Nako. Do as you are told." The princess remarked with a smirk while she pointed a finger in the direction of the intimidated woman's nodding face.

"Wait! Does that mean that…we're friends?" Nako queried in an awestruck voice while all three highborn women gazed at her oddly.

"You wouldn't be sitting with me if you weren't." Azula snorted as she rolled her elegant eyes once more while she eyed the pilot with a flicker of fondness in her cold stare.

"What? No! Of course, I'll be friends with you princess!" The royal pilot exclaimed in delight while the acrobat leaned over to pat her shoulder.

"Welcome to the team Nako!" The brown-haired woman yelled out while the pilot flushed in appreciation.

"T-thank you Lady Ty lee." Nako answered in an awkward voice only for Ty Lee to kindly shake her head.

"No need for formalities. Just Ty Lee will do." Ty Lee assured as she leaned back into her seat while Nako gazed at her uncertainly.

"I…won't get in trouble if I call you by name?" The royal pilot requested with a small trace of fear in her voice that prompted the acrobat to frown in sympathy.

"No! Most certainly not. Isn't that right Mai?" The brown-haired woman asked as she turned to her apathetic friend.

She could certainly see why Nako would be worried.

All things considered Nako struck a figurative gold mine when she saved Azula's life.

She has no doubt that the pilot doesn't want to lose all of the honors that Azula has given her.

"I'm not much for titles. But I can't say the same for Azula." Mai answered in monotone while she still gazed about with unhidden fear in her eyes.

"Yes well. I am. Continue to serve me faithfully Nako and perhaps one day you will have the honor of calling me by name." The princess commented with a sophisticated smile while her two noble friends rolled their eyes outside of her line of vision.

"R-right princess. I will do just that." Nako stuttered in a moved voice only to turn her head when she heard a door open behind them.

They had all expected to be greeted by Elle.

Only to find themselves gazing at Zoe as she stepped out onto the balcony.

Mai visibly tensed as soon as she saw the woman that she despised.

"Why isn't your hair in a top-knot? And where is your tie?" Azula taunted with her boots propped up on a stool while she watched Zoe stand over her.

"Gone. It's not me. I just came to let you know that I am departing for the city." Zoe informed in a curter voice than usual while Azula rose a curious eye brow.

"You seem irate. What's wrong? Aren't you enjoying being home?" The princess questioned in a smooth voice while the armored woman slid her cloak over her shoulders.

"Not particularly…House Lin." The captain stated as she turned to gaze down at the seated woman with observant hazel eyes.

"What?" The markswoman snapped in a hateful voice while the soldier stepped closer.

"I am astounded that you are alive. The crocodile shark always gets through the cage by the third minute." Zoe quipped with a taunting smile while Mai spun around to glare at Azula's unsympathetic face.

"A-Azula!" The brown-haired woman exclaimed while her royal friend just scoffed.

"Oh please! Mai and her father escaped with all of their limbs attached." Azula scoffed as she waved a hand before her face.

"Only because of Elle!" Ty Lee growled with a boot tapping on the floor while Mai just scowled down at the floor.

'It's just another reason to be thankful for Elle's devotion.' Mai thought as she gazed back up at Zoe only to frown when a hand was lowered before her face.

"Out of the kindness of my heart…I have decided to forgive you for your cowardly murder attempt." The captain announced to the surprise of the others as she gazed down at the suspicious woman.

"I find that hard to believe." The markswoman muttered as she eyed the older female warily.

"It's the truth. I am more forgiving than my mother. Vassal house has abated my bloodlust." Zoe assured with her hazel eyes staring down at Mai's doubtful face.

"You told me that you were going to have me raped by a komodo rhino and now you expect me to shake your hand?" Mai demanded with anger in her voice while Nako nearly fell out of her seat.

"W-woah. Remind me never to anger you Zoe." Nako stammered with a shudder while Ty Lee still glared at Zoe.

"I was angry but that's all gone now. Come. Give me your hand." The captain insisted as she pulled the glaring woman to her feet by the wrist.

And Azula watched with curious golden eyes as Mai quickly took a nervous step backwards.

"What sort of idiot do you take me for? Let go of my hand!" The markswoman complained with her tawny eyes narrowing at the other noblewoman's face.

"And now we're going to put that behind us." Zoe instructed in a serious voice while Mai furrowed her brows in frustration.

"Really? No komodo rhino?" Azula asked in a smug voice while Mai spun around to stare down at her in anger.

"Shut up Azula!" Mai snapped with reddened cheeks while she ground her teeth together.

"Your assassination skills leave much to be desired. As can be said of your marital candidacy. But even so. I have decided to forgive you." The captain explained with her hand gripping the other woman's own while tawny eyes glared back at her in humiliation.

All the while the princess snickered in laughter in the background while the acrobat just gazed at her in disapproval.

"Don't mock me Zoe." The markswoman replied in an increasingly aggravated voice while the other woman still gripped her hand.

"I'm not mocking you. I just want to ask you one thing. Do you still think that I deserve to die in such a shameful manner?" Zoe questioned in a searching voice while Mai stared back at her in surprise.

And Azula now gazed at Mai through the corner of her eye as if she were silently telling her not to mess this up.

The noblewoman of House Lin hesitated for a brief moment while she gazed away from the soldier's hand.

All the while recalling Zoe's compassion for their dying allies.

How she assisted Nako on the climb.

How she was quick to share the liquor stores with the soldiers.

Zoe's surprising appreciation for Elle handing over her shirt and giving hers to Elle in return.

Which was not to mention the woman's equally surprising kindness to the people of Fire Mountain.

"No. I…don't. I cannot say that you deserve to die…and I no longer wish to kill you. I…apologize for the assassination attempt. But not for saving Zuko." Mai answered in turn while Zoe gazed back with a flicker of surprise in her hazel eyes.

"Very well. I accept your apology." The captain declared to the astonishment of all present as she released the stunned noblewoman's hand at long last.

"But that doesn't mean that I like you." The markswoman growled as she took a step back while the soldier now narrowed her eyes back at her.

"My sentiments exactly. Piece of shit." Zoe spat at her boots while the others sweatdropped when Mai did the same.

"Cunt." Mai hissed in a voice of loathing only for Azula's voice to cut through the air like a whip.

"Enough!" The princess bellowed with her volume causing the pilot and the acrobat to flinch.

"Ah. It's going to be so wonderful…lording over you for the next three years to come." The captain purred as she reached out to pat the once more frightened woman on her shoulder.

"Joy." The markswoman snorted as she backed away while she eyed the soldier in still present unease.

Just before she plopped back down in her seat while she folded her angered arms over her breasts.

"What's gotten into you?" The princess pondered in a slightly inquisitive voice while her most skilled soldier shifted on her feet.

"Nothing. Nothing has gotten into me. I just wanted to tell you that I'll be waiting for you outside of the palace gates." Zoe answered in a somewhat evasive voice before walked away before the puzzled monarch could comment further on her behavior.

Azula just leaned back in her seat with a sigh while she gazed off into the distance.

Her lips pursed into a scowl while she crossed her arms in her lap.

"Just what is taking that girl so long?" The princess complained as she tapped her boot while the acrobat frowned.

"Maybe you should go check on her Azula? She's still healing from her injuries." Ty Lee advised with a hand waving in the air while Azula pridefully scowled back at her.

"You expect me to go check on a peasant?" Azula asked in a snobbish voice while her two friends rolled their eyes at her.

"You already do it every day." Mai stated with a small smirk while she turned to her leader's frowning face.

"Whatever! I'll go 'check' on the tiger monkey. If only because I have chores that I want her to do…" The princess trailed off with a finger twirling through her hair while she strode off without another word.

It wasn't until that the door closed shut behind her that the three remaining women turned to share a knowing look with one another.

It was plain to see to all three of them that Azula was falling for Elle.

She was just too proud to admit it.

Azula stepped into the servant chamber that Elle had been granted to wash up.

She turned her head in annoyance when she heard the sound of running water in the bathroom ahead.

"How can that girl still be showering? Elle!" The princess grumbled as she stomped towards the bathroom with her fists on her hips.

And then she placed her hand on the door with a sigh.

"Servant? Are you in there?" Azula questioned with just a sliver of concern in her strict voice before she pushed the door open.

Only for her golden eyes to widen when she heard heavy breathing coming from inside the show.

Without even so much as a second thought the princess sprinted for the shower door.

And nearly tore the door off its hinges.

Only to find herself staring down in unconcealed concern to find the girl sitting naked on the floor of the shower.

And most worrying of all was the fact that her handmaid was unconscious!

The small girl moaned with her wet hair pushing into the wall of the heated shower just when two strong feminine arms grasped ahold of her shoulders.

"Peasant! Wake up!" The princess shouted with a slight loss in composure as she shook her moaning pet's small shoulders.

Not even a second later she scooped the tiny girl into her arms while her callous eyes narrowed in renewed anger when her gaze briefly swept over her handmaid's scarring wound.

The girl mumbled with her head against her shoulder while she quickly carried her girlfriend out of the steaming shower.

"Wake up little peasant." Azula ordered with building panic in her voice while she shook her pet's shoulders.

And for the briefest of moments her mind flashed back to how she felt when she was gazing down at the girl bleeding in her arms.

The princess plopped down on the cot with her posterior sinking into the bed while she nudged her girlfriend's shoulders once more.

"Elle! Wake up dear!" Azula commanded in an unusually apprehensive voice with her mouth open in concern.

Her heart began to race in familiar fear that something terrible had befallen her sweet serving girl.

Only for her eyes to widen in relief when the girl finally opened her eyes.

"Azula-sama? What happened?" Elle murmured in a tired voice with the back of her head against her master's breast while Azula's golden eyes furrowed in confusion.

"What do you mean what happened! I came in to…because I have work for you to do and I found you unconscious in the shower!" The princess exclaimed in a colder voice with her strict eyes still peering down at her pretty handmaid's blinking face.

"Oh? I was? Sumimasen Azula-sama." The blonde-haired girl spoke softly as she blushed when she felt her girlfriend's arm slide around her naked back.

And then she peacefully sunk into her master's protective arms while she quivered when the older female growled in her ear.

"Are you feeling alright little handmaid?" Azula questioned with her fingertips brushing against her pet's cheek while Elle leaned into her neck.

"I just feel a little sleepy. Whatever I did in that cave…made me tired." Elle admitted in a sheepish voice while she felt Azula's palms cup her cheek.

"Tired? Whatever am I to do with you peasant?" The princess sighed as she gazed down at her naked handmaid with a fond smile on her full lips.

She couldn't deny that it felt quite nice to hold her naked handmaid in her lap.

"I…don't know but a kiss would be nice." The blonde-haired girl mumbled in a bashful voice with her amber eyes peering up into confident golden eyes.

"A kiss? You wish for your master to give you a kiss?" Azula purred just as she fell down onto the cot with her blushing girlfriend in her toned arms.

"T-that's so master…may I…please have a kiss?" Elle pondered in an innocent voice only to find herself blushing even deeper when Azula's much taller body crawled atop her.

"Oh, very well…I suppose that I could allow it." The princess sighed as she traced a fingernail along her serving girl's shivering cheek just as she leaned down to exhale in her pet's face.

"O-ooh Azula-sama…" The blonde-haired girl stuttered in a still sleepy voice while much taller woman straddled her nude body.

"Hm. You like that? Being on the bottom?" Azula cooed with a charming smile on her lips while her warm hand slid down on Elle's gasping cheek.

"I-I d-do master." Elle sputtered with a lovestruck blush on her cheeks when Azula's face loomed in her line of vision.

Only for her cheeks to turn an even deeper shade of red when her girlfriend's other hand suddenly groped her naked ass.

"You belong to me little lady." The princess spoke in a purr as her hot breath washed over her girlfriend's quivering cheek while her lips lowered over her handmaid's waiting mouth.

"I-I belong to you Azula-sama." The blonde-haired girl mumbled in an abashed voice only for her overwhelmed eyes to widen when her girlfriend's full lips crushed against her own.

She sunk back into the cot with Azula's dark hair hanging over her eyes while the powerful woman smashed her lips into hers in a breathtaking kiss.

The handmaid lay there with her heart racing a mile a minute while the princess effortlessly led their passionate kiss.

Only for Elle to gasp in wonderment when Azula's lips teasingly began to slide off her own.

"Mhm. Mine….my pet." Azula remarked in softened voice with one hand still on her handmaid's lovely ass and the other on her trembling cheek.

"My dominant…my protector." Elle whimpered as she shyly pressed her face into her girlfriend's growling cheek while Azula's nose nuzzled the side of her face.

And then her cheeks flushed once more when she felt Azula's nostrils release a puff of air against her cheek.

"If there was something wrong…you would tell me…wouldn't you?" The princess pondered with her lips against her serving girl's cheek while she held onto her young girlfriend's cheek.

"I would Azula-sama." The blonde-haired girl muttered as she closed her eyes while strong arms snaked around her naked back.

"So be it peasant. I will take your word for it. But see to it that you don't forget who owns you." Azula stated with a possessive smirk while she pulled the naked girl into her arms until her handmaid's face was in the crook of her neck.

"Yes Azula-sama…as you…command." Elle yawned as she hid her face in Azula's neck while the older female released a pompous sigh over her.

"Just…be sure that you stay in good health tiger monkey. If you don't…I will have to punish you." The princess sighed in a smooth voice with her warm breath brushing against her serving girl's forehead.

"Wakarimashita…Azula-sama." The blonde-haired girl agreed in a heavy yawn while she began to breath peaceably in her girlfriend's neck.

Not a moment later Azula rose an inquisitive brow she heard the sound of soft snoring emanating from against her neck.

The royal woman snorted as she rolled her elegant golden eyes while she held her palm against the back of her handmaid's blonde hair.

"I didn't say that you could go to sleep tiger monkey." Azula grumbled with her fingernails running through her Elle's hair while the younger girl snored into her neck.

But even so.

She couldn't help but make a mental note in her brilliant brain that this power easily drained her girlfriend's chi.

Perhaps…it was indeed worth consulting that sage in the Forgetful Valley after all?

Her mind was already made up.

After Fire Mountain…

To the Forgetful Valley it is then.

AN:

Alright, so most of you are probably wondering about Elle's power and how it worked on the crocodile-shark.

There are many rules to her power that I am setting in place that restrict it's use. Some, that I cannot reveal now. And there are some purposes behind the Component that I also cannot state now because it would spoil the plot.

But basically, the user of the Component has the power to puncture the Spirit World when they are in the Component State.

The Spirit World is intricately connected to the world of Avatar, this means that Aang is not the only one with a connection to the Spirit World.

There are ancient animals and spirits that hold a deep connection to the Spirit World. And just like the lion turtle that we saw teach Aang energy bending. The crocodile-shark has some level of connection to the Spirit World.

What Elle essentially did was activate her power in fear for Mai and her father's life. The crocodile shark was knocked by by the release of her chi.

The release of Elle's power created an accidental barrier, and when the creature got too close it was startled by the otherworldly nature of her power.

Now, this doesn't mean that Elle can one shot sea monsters left and right.

It simply means that when a user of the Component is in their activated state that beings with a connection to the Spirit World hold a desire to steer clear. Because they can sense on an instinctual level what Elle is capable of.

And kind of like animals being frightened of fire, beings of the Spirit World hold an inherent fear of Elle. Because even though she is a pacifist and she means well. The nature of her Component frightens them.

The Avatar is one with the Spirit World, whereas the Component is not.

This also means that just like the lion turtle that crocodile shark may hold some sort of sentience. But we'll have to wait until later before we see it again.

And we also saw that Elle is growing bolder. Not only did she jump in to save Mai and Ukano, also also stood up to Yoko.

Elle's character growth happens slowly, but having her grow stronger and more confident is one of the primary focuses of book one.

As for Yoko, we also saw the difference between her and Zoe. Zoe, does not look down on commoners, as she has mingled with them her entire life. Yoko, is much more traditional. In a way Yoko is much like Ozai. But she is more pragmatic, kind of like Tywin Lannister.

What Zoe considers amusing Yoko considers infuriating.

And yes, some of you may be surmised by Yoko can bend lightning too.

However, like I said, Yoko is more of a traditional firebender like Ozai and the high generals. Whereas Zoe and Azula are taking their bending down a more innovative path that steers away from tradition.

Azula's lightning bending in Smoke and Shadows was definitely superior to any other lightning bending seen before. This includes Ozai and Iroh too, as Azula is the only one shown to be able to generate it instantaneously.

Azula generating her lightning before Yoko could react was a moment that I intended to showcase how she has surpassed her father. And it serves as a small taste of the eventual clash between Azula and Ozai.

And as we learned, Yoko did indeed intend for Mai and Ukano to die in the cave. But thanks to Elle they get to walk away with their life.

Azula would have intervened if Mai was about to die. But that doesn't change the fact that the creature always gets through by the three minute mark.

But even so. Yoko still got what she wanted. Mai now fears Yoko more than Azula and she will be too terrified to ever cross the woman again.

And Chancellor Terak came out ahead as well.

But despite Yoko's cruelty, we did see that she now holds gratitude to Elle for helping out Zoe back on the isle.

And Elle also earned Ukano's gratitude. Despite her status as a serving girl, she is moving up in importance among the Fire Nation high nobility.

And we also saw Zoe and Mai shake hands. The torment isn't over for Mai though. Because Zoe is now her superior. Which is something that we will get a taste of later on.

Additionally, we saw a hint of why Sia left so quickly. Yoko won't leave Fire Mountain to a nonbender. Yoko treats Zoe as the ideal daughter, and Sia as a disappointment. This causes Sia to feel disdain for her house and it makes Zoe angry because it drives a wedge between her relations with her sister.

Zoe has no interest in governing Fire Mountain, and that displeases Yoko.

We also saw that Zoe is willing to obey almost any order that Yoko gives. But as soon as she hears their mother disparage Sia she storms out in anger.

This serves to illustrate that Zoe's family life is in shambles which only serves to further motivate her to return to the glory of the battlefield.

And Azula and Nako are officially friends, albeit humorously. In the coming chapters we'll see how poor Nako reacts to being friends with a sadistic princess that threatens to kill her if she declines to go to the beach.

And lastly, we saw again that Elle's power takes a toll on her energy. In the following arc we will get to see her begin training to use her power at will.

And in chapter sixty we are going to touch more on her health problems.

After almost losing Elle. Azula is being more affectionate with Elle. And as a result, when they are alone. We will see their relationship take on a more romantic turn while Azula learns to express her affections for Elle.

Anyhow, that is about all of the action that we will see in this arc. The rest of the arc, is mostly going to focus on Azula, Elle, Mai and Ty Lee bonding.

And we'll get lots of ElZula fluff in the coming chapters while they are in Fire Mountain.

That's all for now though!

Stay tuned for next time.

For chapter fifty-nine! Of Fugitives and Poison!