Ty-Lee paced around. Today, she was allowed to enter the veranda. Her pink silk robe billowed around her soft figure. Her brown hair had a gold tint, and the sun burned the back of her neck.
These days, being the Phoenix King's wife did not give her the luxury of being kind to anyone, and as a former acrobat, she lived on three principles - to survive, to do whatever was necessary to keep Azula alive and to keep Kiyi from getting killed.
The turtle ducks floated around the pond near the tree she, Mai and Azula used to play around by. One duck - a tiny baby - blinked up at her, waiting for the stale bread she held in her hand.
As she fed it, the image of Azula throwing rocks in this same pond, came up like a terrible secret. She imagined the nasty little girl she had to call friend, and paired that child up with a terrified woman in a village, desperately trying to avoid her father's grasp.
"Your majesty," she looked up at Yuatak, who stood on the other side of the pond with a tight scroll in her hand. Ty-Lee fed the turtle duck until the last batch of crumbs left her hands. "A message from Princess Illah."
She snatched the scroll as soon as she reached it.
Ty-Lee read Kiyi's careful words. The girl always wrote and spoke deliberately, as though she wanted her voice to seep through the paper. Ty-Lee's hands trembled. She knew if she let go, she would faint. She rolled back the scroll.
"When will the massacre end?" she asked.
Yuatak's gaze were as worried as hers, but they kept a veiled look, and were careful of the palace mongers around them. "They plan to remain there until there is no one left. Azula will be taken in first, before they kill the Wolf and his people."
"Are you sure the Earth Kingdom agreed? Do they not do trade with the Water Tribe?"
"Positive," Yuatak said. "If I heard correctly, his majesty made a contract with King Kuei to hire half of his army just three days ago...and I would not be surprised if they infiltrated the village through trade before this deal was made. The Water tribe have yet to know they turned their backs on them."
"...where do you think Princess Illah and the others may be hiding?" Ty-Lee asked.
Yuatak shook her head.
"They aren't anymore...they are right in front of the villagers."
Arrluk did not find Bao in his hut.
"He never told me he would be out for this long," Bao's wife, told Arrluk, who saw that she seemed unaware of her husband's activities. "I am worried about him. He has not spoken to me in some time. Do try to look for him."
Arrluk nodded. "Thank you, Sultak."
Sokka neglected to tell him what would happen to Bao, but what concerned Arrluk more was the fact that Bao was never out of his house early in the morning. Arrluk kept walking around the perimeters of the village, watching the huts and people, checking the gates for any sign of hunters returning with game.
The first person Arrluk noticed, was a dark skinned man coming in from the border gates.
He did not know why he stared hard at him, but the young man turned, smiled, revealing bright golden eyes. It almost made Arrluk stop before him, for reasons he could not understand.
"Good morning," he greeted before the hunter nodded. "Have you seen Bao?"
The strange man blinked. "No."
The watchtowers were filled, and he approached the guards to ask if they saw Bao. All shook their heads, and seemed as confused as he that Bao would not be in his home at this time. The only thing to start doing, was to make his perusal of the village, checking all points on the shores. He hoped, that at some point, he would come across Bao.
The Eastern shores were the first he crossed. Waves crashing drowned out the panic growing in his stomach. Something kept eating at him.
"It's too late," he murmured, before stopping at a point.
Bao was the bone of their village, he was the man everyone counted on for guidance and strength besides the chieftain and his son. He must have changed his mind about Azula long ago, and given enough time for the ambush, the Fire Nation could have already started their trek to the Water Tribe.
Bao had escaped, that was why he was not at home.
Arrluk, suddenly looked to his left, beyond the shores. He walked, jogging on the deep snow until he was close to the waves lapping at near his boots.
"Oh no," he gasped.
Several Fire vessels parked on the shores far down. All black, perched near a mountain that could hide them. Arrluk kept walking, until he was close enough to trace the texture of the ships.
No one was inside.
Azula touched her belly. She could feel her brother's heated stare behind her, burning the back of her hair till she could not stand it.
Zuko would trace her every move anytime she walked about. He did not seem to notice Katara stepping in to check on her before sending him a sharp look that Azula tamed.
Sokka left very early in the morning and promised to get the village prepared for Zuko's introduction, and now, the sun already rose with him still not returning. The still silence in the village forced her son to shift inside her.
He leaned closer to her palm, coaxing a smile from her. His little feet kicked often, and could ram her shin if they could, but Azula could feel nothing but an overwhelming joy, knowing that for now, the little one was safely tucked in her belly.
"He looks like your father," Katara muttered.
Ever since Zuko returned, it was as if their old days back stabbing one another were a distant memory. Azula smirked at Katara's strange perusal of her brother, who fiddled with a whale bone in his hands.
His furs were dry on a rack in the corner, and he only had his tunic, pants and boots on. If Katara were not here, she may have gone to look for Sokka herself, but she knew Zuko would probably do something he'd regret.
Azula smiled. "Yes, but he took more after our mother."
"I always like hearing about your mom. I've heard some of your people who come here say you are as beautiful as she was. Too bad you were just as bad as your father though."
"Hush," Azula whispered. "I'm smarter than my father."
Katara scoffed. "A very smart villain who makes my brother cry in the middle of the night."
Azula's face burned. "Why won't you ever let that go?"
"And forget walking in to you riding my big brother on the furs?" Katara laughed. "Not if it helps me get you to-"
The flaps drew apart. Shocks of cold air snatched their attention. Zuko dropped the whale bone. A young boy panted harshly, resting his hands on his knees. Azula recognized him the moment he looked up. Palu was the village messenger, and a known go betweener between she and her father in law.
"Princess...Chief Hakoda wants you at the council meeting,"
Katara's hand held Azula back as Zuko rose. Azula spotted him staring at Palu, who took one look at him and doubled back. Zuko looking like the younger version of their father would not do him good in the village, at least for now.
"He is with me," Azula said to assure the frightened boy. "Now tell me why Chief Hakoda wants to see me. Is there anything wrong?"
Palu still trembled, watching Zuko, who backed away. "Ships...Fire Nation...Arrluk made a pass around the village after he reported to Sokka, and he found ten ships on the Eastern shores."
"Ships?" Katara asked. "Fire vessels?"
"Yes," Palu said, forcing his body to stop shaking. "Nobody was in them."
Azula sent Zuko a sharp look. He did not return her gaze, but stood, rooted down on the spot.
"How long did he say the ships may have been there for?" she asked.
Slowly, Zuko fiddled with the whale bone in his hands. The air stopped. When he caught her staring, he did not shift. He returned a scowl, the same type she would see anytime he was truly annoyed.
No. Zuko could not have possibly led the Fire Nation here and infiltrated the village alone, he would not do such a thing. Katara caught the exchange but Palu, the little boy, looked too frightened to speak..
"Come," she said, before he stepped forward. Azula dragged him over to sit near her lap and put her arms around his shoulders. This boy's heart raced. "Breath deeply...what did Arrluk say?"
Palu looked up, "...Arrluk said they could have been here for weeks...Princess Azula, my father goes to the East for trade…we haven't seen him in days."
"Your father will be fine," she lied, knowing the implications of empty parked Fire Nation vessels in the Eastern part of the land, but she could not afford to get this boy more afraid than he is.
Her little trick worked when Palu calmed, with her hand right on his chest. Katara helped, touching his shoulders. "Tell the chief that I will come to the council meeting with my brother."
Palu sent Zuko a look. "There's one more thing…"
"What is it?" Katara asked.
"Bao has been summoned…by the council, but when Arrluk went to go find him, he wasn't at home. Is he in trouble?"
The women froze, exchanging quiet looks before Azula turned to the little boy.
"Let's find out."
Azula's entrance to the council chambers did not go unnoticed. The top of the communal igloo loomed ahead like a terrible sign.
The watch towers were packed. She could feel it from a mile away. The guards watched her from above, with sharp eyes only for the brother she has not seen in years. Villagers caught the urgency, and stood to bow as she passed them by to walk inside.
Katara placed a hand on her shoulder and whispered, "Everything will be fine, just stay as calm as you can."
"Thank you."
She watched Katara walked away, and waited for Zuko to tag along. The communal guards stepped aside. Their bows did not put her at ease. Councilmen rose, hands clasped in front of them as she walked ahead in time to find Sokka with a grave look, standing beside Chief Hakoda.
"The people of the tribe asks that your brother be seated behind the council," the chieftain said.
She nodded. "Of course,"
Zuko followed suit, and walked all the way to the back, ignoring the looks from the council. She did not know why she did it, but she followed their stares, and noticed that Zuko had his furs back on. The more he walked, the more she heard something clinking. She looked away, finding a councilman, who lead her to the platform in front of the chief.
Her brother settled himself on her right, hands clasped behind his back. Azula watched a unreadable expression on his face, but turned back to her husband and father-in-law.
Sokka spoke first, "Princess Azula. We will prepare for your leave to the Fire Nation tonight."
Azula blinked. "What? When did you decide this, Sokka?"
Her husband's neck tightened, and she spotted the reddened gaze he sent her. She stepped forward, but not close enough. "Please. Why now?"
"I don't want to put anyone in danger...so I am ending my marriage to you."
A fellow council supporter, shot up from her seat, but guards kept her back. "What is the meaning of this Chief Hakoda?"
The council flew into a train of whispering and murmuring, but more were silent than not. Azula stood firm, ignoring the deep wound forming in her heart. She kept her eyes on Sokka, who looked as if he was going to collapse.
Just when she saw him walking to her, she walked up, ignoring the guards who tried to hold her back but were stopped by Chief Hakoda.
She stepped up to Sokka, who met her halfway.
Azula lowered her voice. "Sokka, I understand...but please, don't end things this way. I know I should leave..I will leave for the good of the people, but would ending our marriage-"
She trailed off, when Sokka took her by the arms. She could spot Chief Hakoda silently watching them from the side. The look Sokka gave her was kind, grave, and the type she always dreamt one would give her.
The was when, she felt someone watching her and looked over Sokka's shoulder. Zuko had that look again, with his arms folded and golden eyes off into a distance.
"Azula…" Sokka murmured, low enough for no one to hear. "The Earth Kingdom made a deal with the Fire Nation three days ago."
She blinked. "What?"
He did not say anything else, but looked over her. She took this moment to follow, watching all the councilmen. She did not know why she never noticed in the beginning, but right in front of Zuko were two rows of councilmen, but only the ones on the first row wore traditional furs of the tribe.
The ones in the second row, wore furs for foreigners and most - looked either Fire Nation or Earth Kingdom. She counted, watching them. Their numbers, over a hundred, were more than that of the real councilmen in the communal igloo.
Her brother wore the same furs they did, and still did not utter a word.
"Azula…" Sokka whispered. "Look at me."
She looked up to him, feeling him grip her arms as her heart beat. "I love you."
"I love you...but let us have a discussion first," she whispered against his lips. "I want to assure that they don't harm anyone here…"
Azula connected the dots. When she was informed that Bao was called to the council, it would be at the time when Sokka found out too late - just when Arrluk tried fetching Bao, who was not at home. Arrluk then made the discovery of the empty Fire Vessels right after, confirming that Bao escaped the Water Tribe before the council could get him.
Her brother did not come on his own - he came with the Earth Kingdom's part of the deal.
"Zuko," she said, pulling her hands away from Sokka's. "Were you apart of this?"
Zuko walked around the igloo, ignoring the glares of the councilmen in the first row who began to stand. He kept his pace until he was a few feet away from Azula, right in front of the entrance into the communal igloo. No longer did she see the brother she believed was better than him - she saw someone else.
"I think you should listen to your husband if you value his word so highly."
"Fine," she replied, "but let us do this without anyone getting hurt."
"Of course," Zuko said.
No. Azula knew her father. This exchange would not be easy. She saw her father in her brother, staring back, while lying through his teeth.
"Why did you do it, Zuko?" she asked.
Zuko blinked. "Father is the Phoenix King now, and he gave me a chance to regain my honor when you refused to leave here the first time. Unlike you, I took my chance."
"You're still as stupid as the day you were born," she said. Azula knew she struck a nerve, as she always did. "Father banished both of us. He burned half of your face off and sold me!"
Loud steps echoed in the igloo. All the imposters rose, drawing out their weapons. Sokka stepped in front of her, drawing out his dagger as they were surrounded by Zuko's forces. She felt Chief Hakoda's presence behind her. Azula could not even fight with the thought of her child within her, putting her at a high risk.
But they were surrounded, and if she did not act fast, the village would perish.
"Azula, you built a nation for the very savages father rules...you can't say I'm the only stupid one." Zuko said.
Azula was stunned, then shook her head. "Zuko...mother would be very disappointed."
"Now!" Sokka roared.
The ceiling broke. The front row councilmen, most from the North, forced the ice down on the imposters. Azula floated in a cloud of snow white smoke. Light broke behind her before a red explosion tore through. She screamed Sokka's name, but another explosion hit! Blue flames almost left her hands but Hakoda grabbed her hand and pulled her back. Sokka's body disappeared in the snow clouds.
"Sokka!"
Hakoda grabbed her shoulders. "You must follow me!"
She could not move when Hakoda dragged her through a broken wall behind them. A war broke outside. Azula could see fire bombs and slabs from the mountains flying above the communal igloo in the main square of the village. She and Hakoda slipped through the back and ran on the snow, their boots crunching down until they reached a tiny alley, where a small group of villagers resided.
They were ambushed, and the enemies got in the moment Zuko came into the igloo. The Fire Nation snuck in from the East, and slowly integrated themselves into the villages before it was too late. Villagers ran in a frenzy, with mothers and fathers snatching their children from the huts.
Villagers searching through the huts for their loved ones drowned out the war torn noises above them. Hakoda got her out of the alley. The skies opened up above them. She could see Arrluk pushing the boat into the sea.
"Sokka had this set up for you," Hakoda said. "We did not anticipate traveling early but you must leave with Arrluk!"
"But what about-"
Another explosion tore through the quiet shores. Azula saw the black dots over the mountains running to the right side of the mountains. They were not close, but she has fought long enough to know how fast they could get to her.
"Go!" Hakoda shouted. "We will find you!"
Azula hopped on the boat, grabbing Arrluk's hands to guide her down. Katara fluttered up in her mind. Where was she? The single dot among seven other dots on the snow capped mountains jumped. Arrluk just started to row, and Azula let go of Hakoda's hands when she saw blue flames shoot down underneath the bender's feet.
Wait.
"Look out!" Azula screamed.
Hakoda just turned as the bender flew close, and unleashed a firebomb right over him, blowing up the snow around his bloodied form. The boat tipped over at the force. Arrluk's body clashed against hers and they fell into the waters! The shock of the ice cold water tugged her down.
Holding her breath, she blinked up to see Arrluk's foot was trapped. Azula kicked her feet to swim up, grabbed the rope held his ankle.
White bubbles shot inside as someone jumped in the waters.
Azula removed the rope to release Arrluk's ankle. The new swimmer's light eyes found her. Her traditional Fire Nation top knot that made Azula grab Arrluk around the shoulders, before she kicked as hard as she could!
The flames that propelled from her feet in the waters forced them over the farther part of the shores! It was too cold, and the flames she put forth were not strong enough. They crashed farther away from Hakoda, and near the same alleys he took her out of. She had to find Sokka before getting to the others!
"Princess Azula!" she heard Arrluk's voice.
"Follow me!" she shouted.
Another blue bomb blasted the snow between them, creating a terrible snow wave that almost covered her whole. She caught a glimpse of the swimmer, who landed in front of her. When the snow dwindled, Azula found Arrluk's body, half bloodied in white, buried under the snow.
"This would have been a lot more easier if you gave yourself up the first time," the girl said. "But good came out of it - I became father's heir, and you are now my sister."
The girl's hair plastered over her darker face, and her golden eyes gleamed under the sunlight. For a moment, the girl froze, but Azula made a stance and the girl snatched the golden pin from her hair, putting it in the pockets of her fur.
"I have no sister," Azula said.
The girl narrowed her eyes, before stepping up close. Azula heard enough about a girl like this to know who she instantly was.
Princess Illah of the Fire Nation.
"When I met brother, he told me all about you when the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom met at a trade post to begin the mission," she walked closer, forcing Azula to inch back. "...he spoke of how you were the greatest fighter in the entire nation and the star of your people-"
Azula struck!
Illah ducked under the blue fireball. The former princess felt an ache, but she could not focus on her child now. She needed to find a way out, as fast as she could. She whirled around to throw another firebomb to use the snow to hide. Screams tearing out from the other side of the village, forced her to run harder, not looking back.
The enemy pounced from her left.
"Too late!"
Something exploded on the side of her head. Azula fell on her knees. The ringing in her ear muffled out the screams in the village. Her heart thumped, and her hand trailed up over her stomach. The gray skies above her were tainted in orange flames trailed by smoke, tearing through the skies.
Illah's face peered over hers as she crouched down. "Sleep well."
Note - Bear with me, I really need to get this story finished but a lot has happened. Thank you to all who have been encouraging me along the way. If you point out any errors, feel free to let me know. I will edit as soon as possible.
