A/N: hiiii. I hope you enjoy the chapter. Just btw I do NOT ship zhao and Azula. I added the arranged mirrage to stir up more drama for her. I feel like she is still very conflicted. She knows what her nation is doing is wrong, but she loves her people. Also, Ozia has raised her to view the world a certain way. Shit like that doesnt go away over night. In the last chapter you guys saw a different more open side of her. But, it's easy to be more open and a different person when your miles away from civilization.

BOOK ONE: FIRE

CHAPTER SEVEN: MASTER OF MANIPULATION

"HOW DARE YOU?!?" The bird spat at the young airbender. "You come to my library, seeking my knowledge, and lie to my face." Wan She Ton was enraged. The gaw of this child. Claiming he was the Avatar and then proceeding to steal from him. And, the worst part wass they had got away with it, though he knew not how. He didn't even know how they had find his library. Unless…

He realized it with anger, the girl must have told them. Firenation scum. He had trusted her. He had allowed her to leave with his scrolls. He had helped her. And she, she had played him. He was seething with angeer. He would get his revenge.

The cold steal of the knife stung as it cut deeply into her wrist. After slicing a fair cut, she put the knife down. She remembered what Hamma had told her about blood, that it was water. She remembered how she said it was possible to bend the water inside it on a full moon, but Azula had never been able to. She came to the conclusion that it was due to the fact that she coudnt see it. So, she decided to remedy this. She hated not being able to do what others could. Maybe, with a little extra practice she could figure it out.

This was why Azula had stayed in the village far longer than she was told to. She truly wanted to master this new art. All her past lives were against it, except for kyoshi. They all argued that controlling someone's will was unorthodox, which was true. But, Azula had always been controlling people. She was manipulative, bending people to her will.

She suspected this was why waterbending came so naturally to her, more so than fire even. It was the element of manipulation, using your opponent's force against them. Push and pull. And, what was manipulation if not being able to control someone completely. The idea enticed her, so she needed to figure it out.

Her past lives informed her that something had happened to the library, though they knew not what. And, they no longer knew where the airbender was heading. However, Azula didn't mind. She had decided about a new way of ending the war. In light of learning new techniques it had come to her. Much like Hamma controlled a body on the full moon, Azula wound control the fire nation. She would bend it to her will.

The main reason she decided this plan was power. She would admit it, power enticed her. Being the firelord, while that was the ultimate power. And, she could use it to end the war. She would punish every soldier who ever harmed an innocent man, woman or child. She would cleanse the world and her nation of these vile creatures. So, maybe revenge was her ultimate motivation, but she decided it didn't matter. She would make sure no innocent ever had to face the pain Sheru had.

But right now, she tried to focus on the task at hand. She focused on the blood pooling at her wrist. She focused on the water in the blood, and pulled with her hand. She noticed the deep red liquid move under her will, and began experimenting. She pushed and pulled on the liquid. And, it felt strangely easy. She could see and sense it.

Azula tried to focus harder, tried to reach deaper into her body. She reached for the blood in her veins and muscles and pulled. With a jerk her arm moved under her bending. She smiled. She knew it wasn't the same as bending someone elses blood, for you were also bending their will. However, it was a start.

Slowly she released her arm. She placed her hand on the cut, stopping the bleeding. Then, she focus on the water. Closing her eyes she focused on the cut, and on the blood surrounding her hand. The blood began to glow just as water did as she healed herself with her own blood. It was slightly different than doing so with water, and the glowing became red. However, the results were much better somehow. There was barely a mark left behind, and Azula had never been a healer.

Her lips curled up in a smile. Let the avatars think what they want, this was truly something.

Crash

She was drawn from her thoughts as she heard something fall downstairs. She dared not move, wondering what had happened. The sound was followed by voices yelling, though she did not know what they were saying. There seemed to be yelling. Azula just assumed one of Hammas guest had gotten into a fight, and being to lazy to go down decided to go to sleep. She could tell Hamma of her discovery tomorrow.

The sun filtered through the curtains, waking the sleeping princess. She stretched, yawning in satisfaction. After getting dressed she climbed down the stairs. She would tell Hamma now, she decided. However, when she came to the kitchen / dining hall, she didn't spot the old women. Normally Hamma was up early, serving her guests breakfast. Something was off today.

There were very few people in the inn, which added to Azulas suspicions.

Hesitantly she walked over to a table at which a man was sitting. Azula knew him as Lee. he had been staying here almost as long as her.

"Where's Hamma?" Azula asked him in a demanding voice.

He poked his food slightly, not looking at her. "Heard they said she was a fugitive of ther nation. A waterbender. The soldiers tracked her head I guess. She's gonna be executed publicly like around noon." He said tiredly. That must have been why hardly anyone one was here. Azula cursed herself for sleeping in, it was almost noon.

"What kind of justice is that, she's not a waterbender but a firenations citizen. That's, crazy, what proof do they have." Azula spat angrily.

"They don't need proof," the man responded. "Apparently some admiral ordered it. He was coming through the area and heard some rumors I guess." he said absent midendly. Azula was enraged, how did some admiral come to her village and threaten her master. She quickly turned away from the man and headed for the town square.

Zhoa held a fireball in his hand. He didn't know if this women was truly the one, but the spirit had told him. And he believed him. For, Wan She Ton had helped him before. This is why he didn't give the women a trial. If she was who he though she was, they could not afford to wait that long.

"You have been accused and found guilty of crimes against our nation, and punishment for these shall be death." He refused to state what the crimes where, he decided no one should know the power this women possessed. Somehow she had managed to escape a high security prison by bending the blood of the guards, and he needed to end her. He raised his hand above hus head, preparing to release.

"Commander Zhao," a smooth voice spoke. He swore he recognized the voice, but her could not place from where. The voice wasn't loud, yet demanded respect. It sent shivers up his spine. He turned around, expecting to see, he did not know what exactly. But, it was not what he saw.

Instead of seeing a powerful warrior, he saw a girl. Her skin was dark, but not as dark as the water savages he fought in the north pole. Her raven hair cascaded down her back, ending midway. Her eyes where gold, one of the rarest colors to be found. Though she was wearing a simple tunic, she held herself with respect. The way her eyes bore into him seemed to demand he bow before he. It didn't sit well with him.

"Who might you be, the spawn of this wretched woman?" he asked, the fire still not leaving his hand. It would only make sense. She couldn't be a full citizen, her skin was far to dark. And, if she was the daughter of Hamma it would explain what she was doing here.

She blinked once, and then burst out in a fit of laughter. It wasn't fake, it was real, genuin laughter. And that bothered him even more. He was a admiral, he deserved the respect of everyone who was lucky enough to be in his presence.

Tears had collected in her eyes and she whipped them away. She silently scolded herself for her outburst. It was just so random. That he would think she was the spawn of a savage. She supposed she should cut him some slack. The only lasting impression he gave was through her brother's scare. She recalled how it was him Zuko had disrespected. And, her skin was much darker. So, she supposed she wouldn't kill him for not recognizing her.it didn't matter, she decided. He would know soon.

"Release that women." she commanded him. She didn't want to explain herself. Not until Hamma was safe. Though Azula would never admit it, she had come to like the savage. The way she did what it took to servive, no matter what. The fact that she was not above ruthlessnes. Agni, the women invented her own bending style.

"You have no authority to make such a claim. Claiming she's a waterbender. Truly ridiculous. I honestly thought you werre above this." Truthfully Azula knew it was in his power, and that he truly wasn't above it. However, she was above him. She had grown to like this village in the months she stayed here.how dare he come and threaten her home.

"Who do you think you are?" Zhao bellowed at the girl. How dare she. Some insolent peasant. She meant less than nothing. Didn't she understand this. She had no right to undermine his authority. The future firelord.

Azula laughed, this one much less genuin. "Why don't you come and find out." A grin spread across her face, it had been far to long since she had been in a real fight. Zuzu didn't count.

Zhao seemed to consider this. She seemed very sure of herself. How he would love to while that devious grin off her face. She had insulted his honor, and she would pay.

"She's mine," he told his men. For some reason he felt he was inclined to prove something to her. He let the fire leave his hand, and released the old women into the hands of his men.

Azua rolled her eyes, what a dumb move.

She saw Zhao advance towards her. His hands were held ready to defend or attack. His feet skimmed the ground, moving in circular motions. She mirrored him, waiting for him to make the first move.

She noticed the signs instantly. His muscles began to flex, and his legs slowed their motion. Azula's feet became lighter, readying herself for the attack. However, Azula waited. She waited until his hands began to rotate. She waited until his fire was aimed. In one fluid motion she ducked out of the way. He released another ball of fire, which she easily side stepped. She could tell her was angry, and what could she say, she had a certain affect on people. She had him right where she wanted him.

He continued to release a deluse of fire balls at her. She used her airbending training to effortlessly doge out of the way. Sometimes she ducked, and sometimes she jumped over them. When she was feeling it she would even simply side step. Either way, all his attacks hit air. This seemed to anger him further. And, it was that anger that kept him going. She knew it wouldn't be long until he burned himself out.

Azula knew she could simply reveal herself, however this was much to fun. Watching his face become red like the flames he threw. He looked asif he may actually explode. She supposed she shouldnt enjoy int this much, but she couldn't help it.

He lifted his leg, kicking a wall of flames her way. It drew closer, and she felt the heat of the flames against her skin. Knowing she couldn't dodge it, she spit it down the middle, dispersing the flames harmlessly.

His eyes widened at the relization she was a firebender, but that didn't stop him. Infact, it seemed to make him all the more angry. He released attack after attack. The fire always midded her, or it was simply blocked. However, that didn't stop if from doing damage.

His stray fireballs would sometimes find a building, setting the house aflame. Azula could see the terror in the eyes of the people as the fight continued. A ball of flame missed her and was sent hurntling at a child who was watching the showdown. Azula was able to suppress the fire before it hit him, however she relized her fun was over.

She turned back to Zhao, a new determination in her eye. "It's time to give up and release the innkeeper." She hadnt meant to enrage him, but he didn't know this. Her words sent him into a rage.

She saw him galler his chi, opening his arms widely. And, with great force he brought them together. The flames that erupted were hot, destroying everything in there path. The people were far enough away that it wouldn't reach them, but the heat would. She could see his soldiers step back, pushing the children back with them. She was enraged that he would even risk the lives of these people.

She mirrored his move, hands coming together. Flames erupted from her fists, the first she had produced the whole time. They were blue, hotter than his flames. The heat was so intense the burned whiter than other flames she had produced. Her flames devoured his easily, and once the arange was gone she dissipated her fire.

The commander (admirals?) she didn't know, anyway, his eyes were wide with shock. It took him less than a second to realize who she was, and he instantly fell to his knees. His soldiers got the message, quickly following his act. She knew they didn't know who she was. Very few people knew the color of her fire. However, they followed his example.

"Next time when I give you an order, be sure to follow it." she said, walking over to Hamma. The soldiers quickly gave her the women. Hammas eyes were not shocked like theirs, but knowing. Azula had guessed she knew of her identity, for the women was smart. Not only she was wise. This was why Azula knew she did not have to threaten her to remain quiet.

"I will be returning home with the admiral," she decided. It was time she faced her father. It was time she formulated a real plan that didn't consist of waiting. "I will make sure that you are compensated greatly for the inconvenience Hamma."

After untying the women she stepped back. Azula then did something that surprised even her, she bowed. In the fire nation it was an ancient way of showing respect, and as a princess she needn't show respect to many people. This was not lost on Hamma, as her eyes wided. "Thank you for the stay."

Azula then turned to the commander. He was no longer bowing, instead staring puzzled at her. She rolled her eyes. "Ready to take me home.?"

Darkness cannot destroy light anymore than light can destroy darkness. One cannot exist without the other.

A/N: hope you enjoyed. I will try to update tomorrow and monday but I start school again on tuesday. The only hard classed I have are AP chem and Honors World, so it should be easier than last semester. But still, I may update less.