Crazy trouble with love part 9
Azula, Ty Lee, and Aang
Series: Avatar the Last Airbender
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"Ah, the beach, perfect, and if my math is correct then we should have a solid ten hours to spend here." Sokka said proudly as Appa landed.
"Works for me, gives me plenty of time to work on my tan." Spoke Toph jumping off the bison and onto the sand. "Gonna be a bit awkward with all the sand, but I can make it work."
"And I can't wait to practice waterbending." Katara said with a smile as she slid off the bison.
"With how far we are from any villages, we'll have plenty of privacy for that." Smiled Aang flipping off Appa with the air and landing on his feet.
"Yeah, nothing here but sand, water, and nothing else!" Sokka said with a grin. "This bay was a great idea!"
"Time for a vacation." spoke Toph before grabbing her bag and walked over near a large rock. "I'm gonna get changed, don't get any ideas on peeking."
"I'm gonna go explore, maybe there's a huge rock nearby I can jump off of!" Aang said with a grin.
"Ok, just remember to keep your head covered!" Called Katara as Aang made sure his headband was on tight before heading off. "I hope he'll be ok."
"Relax sis, it's Aang. We're far far away from anyone who might discover us, and even if they did, he can keep his arrow covered no problem. We managed to get out in one piece during that whole school incident after all."
"Yeah, I guess you're right.." She said with a sigh as Toph came back, frowning.
"Guys, I'm sensing a lot of people nearby."
"Seriously?" Deadpanned Sokka. "You're telling us this now?"
"Oh right, I should have told you an hour sooner, while we were high up in the air and far away from land." She said sarcastically. "And it's not like I could sense it through the sand that well, I only figured it out when I got closer."
"Well, it's like Sokka said. Aang is quick on his own, so we should trust that he'll be alright and try to use this day to relax." Katara said, slightly nervous but mostly calm. "I mean, it's not like there's anyone here who would recognize him, right?" She said as the camera panned up, showing a large beach divided from Appa and the others by a small cliff, the beach full of people in red on vacation.
All of them either cooking up lunch, playing volleyball, trying to get a tan, or simply having a fun time in the water. Among this group were four specific people, some could say four of the most dangerous people in the fire nation.
"We're here, the beach!" smiled Ty Lee with her arms spread out. "This is going to be so much fun!"
"For once I agree Ty Lee, this will be fun." Azula said with a smirk. "A day at the beach is perfect to relax, unwind, and help establish our dominance amongst the lesser folk."
"I could take it or leave it." Mai said plainly as she walked close to Zuko.
"I'd rather leave it." Muttered Zuko.
"Well you're welcome to leave Zuzu, me and the girls have a full day planned." Azula mocked as Zuko frowned and turned away.
"Fine, I'll find someplace far away to relax." He replied before walking off, silently relieved without making it too obvious.
"Great, now then, Ty Lee, Mai, we should go to the- wait, Mai, where are you going?" Azula asked as she turned to her friends, only to see the emotionless girl walking after Zuko. "Mai? Where do you think you're going?"
"Sorry, but I haven't seen Zuko for years and it will be awhile before he's free again, we're leaving to catch up." She said in monotone. "So I'm going to spend the day with him, not you, sorry. See you later."
Azula glared at the girl with Ty Lee chiming in.
"Relax Azula, give Mai some time with your brother. She does raise a good point."
Azula looked at the bubbly girl and rolled her eyes. "If those two want to waste the day away inside cooped up, let them."
"Great, and there's plenty of things we can do,we don't have to play volleyball like we planned, right?" Ty Lee said as Azula's eyes slightly widened.
'That's right, I almost forgot about that!' She thought before shaking her head. "We need three people though, and together we would have crushed those in our way with ease!" She spat.
"So what now Azula? Wanna go for a swim? Oh! Or maybe we could try and soak in the sun and get a nice golden tan."
"But I wished to crush those who would dare oppose us, like we did last time." The princess let out a huff and crossed her arms. "It seems we have no other choice but to find a third member if we're to participate."
"Ok, but where are we gonna find someone?" Ty Lee asked, cupping her chin. "If we wanna join the contest we'd need someone in half an hour."
"Well I suppose we could ask around and see if anyone wants to join us." Relented Azula. "But it must be someone worthy of working with me and who won't bumble it up."
"Ok, so who do you think is worthy? Do they have a good aura?"
"I don't know. If we were back in school it'd be easy to find a well trained girl to help, but it seems we have no choice but...to pick a commoner." she shuddered.
"Ooh, let's pick a cute one!" Ty Lee cheered as Azula sighed.
"Cute does not guarantee victories. Skills do."
"Ok, but how do we find that out? We only have half an hour." She asked, tilting her head.
"We hunt, let's go." She spoke before walking off with Ty Lee following into the area full of teens while the camera cut back over to Aang who was on the other side, taking in the sights, making sure to double tie the back of his headband for precaution and taking in some of the fresh air.
'Wow, I guess we landed close to a town, I'm glad no one saw us.' he thought, trying to act natural with quick and brief greetings to anyone he passed by, silently wishing he could jump in and enjoy the water like everybody else. Unfortunately due to his tattoos, he was stuck with a long sleeved yet light shirt and pants, and sandals that covered his feet and fingerless gloves for his hands. 'At least I don't stand out too much.'
"Hey, did you hear about that volleyball game going on?" Called a figure behind him as he felt someone tap his shoulder.
"Volleyball?" He spoke up surprised before turning, and went wide eyed before jumping back quickly. "You!"
"Ah, good, I see at least someone here can recognize the crowned princess of the fire nation." Azula said smugly.
Aang instantly felt his fight or flight instincts kick in, but saw Azula cross her arms and not seem like she wanted him dead and continued.
"You see, there is a contest going on in the sport to further cement the dormant players across this beach. Seeing as how me and my friend here need three people to play, we have been neglected by our third friend and my brother, and require a substitute in order to play."
"Uh… and why do you want me? Do you need help finding someone?" He asked, trying to find any excuse to run away. 'Ok, so she doesn't recognize me. My disguise must be better than I thought, and she's looking at me right in the face.'
"We wish to see if you are capable and up to our skill." Azula said as Ty Lee nodded happily.
"Uh…. how?" He asked, getting a bad feeling.
"It's easy." smiled Ty Lee. "Just do what we do." She said as she took his hand and began to lead him to the beach. "C'mon, it'll be fun!"
"Uh, I'm not so sure I'm that all that good." He tried to fib. "I've never been one to play sports all that much, I'm….uh….more of a nerd, yeah that's it. Gotta love studying."
"Really? Then this will go quickly." Azula said with a sigh. 'Why did we grab him again? This is pointless, we're never going to find someone as good as Mai for our team.'
Soon the three came upon a crowd surrounded by a court while a stage had been set up. One teen walked up and cleared his throat.
"Welcome everyone! Today we'll be holding a little tournament! We'll be having several teams play against each other to see who's the best on the whole beach! Last team to make it to the finals not only gets bragging rights, but gets their own little feast too in their honor. All teams competing, step on up!"
"Damn it, we don't have time to find someone else or even test you." Curse Azula as she and Ty Lee dragged Aang towards the group of teams.
'Uh oh… ok, maybe this won't be so bad, all I have to do is lose the first game and they'll let me go, easy peasy.' Thought Aang as Azula went ahead to jot down their member's names before turning to him.
"Name?"
"Um… Kuzon!" He said, blurting out the first fire nation he could think of. "Kuzon Fire."
Azula jotted it down as the announcer went ahead to start sectioning off the teams and who would face who.
"First up is team fire nation elites vs the beach seals." He called as Azula perked up.
"That's us, let's go."
"This is gonna be great." smiled Ty Lee following her.
"Yeah… great…" Aang said nervously. 'Ok, all I have to do is lose the first game and they'll let me go.'
They took their position with Aang in the back with the other team ready as the announcer held the ball and stood between the courts.
"Now remember, I want a clean game, no killing, maiming or mutilation, got it?"
"Of course, we're just here to have fun after all." Smiled Azula with Aang and the other team getting a cold chill from the smile.
"Good, now then, Fire Nation Elites, you're serving first." He tossed the ball over to Aang who gulped. "Let the match begin!"
"Ok." He said as he tossed the ball up and lightly served it to the other side of the net. 'This is just a regular game… right?'
One of the guys from the seals ran over, jumped, and knocked it back towards Ty Lee who easily ran and knocked it up towards Azula who jumped up and slammed it back, hitting the ground before the other team could block it.
"Yes, yes! We will crush you into the ground until the very idea of resistance against us is enough to send you to an early grave." Chuckled Azula as her hand lit up with blue flames. "Our ball now, right?"
"Uh, yeah." The ref said as the beach seals paled.
"Hell no man, I ain't playing against them! This chick is nuts!" Whispered one of them.
"Yeah, we forfeit."
"What? You can't just quit, the match just started." Azula frowned in annoyance.
"Too bad, we just did, we quit! Come on, let's go grab some food."
"Well….I guess the first round goes to Fire Nation Elites!"
"Ugh, that wasn't even a proper victory." Azula scoffed in annoyance.
"Don't be upset Azula, we still won." Spoke Ty Lee.
"Yeah, you didn't even need me." Aang said with a nervous chuckle. "Do you still need me to stick around or should I just go?"
"Of course we still need you, the tournament isn't over yet silly." Smiled Ty Lee. "Besides, I'm sure the other teams will give us a challenge."
"Hmmm, that's right, and I think now would be a good idea to work out a plan. Kuzon, I don't know anything about you, do you have any skills, can you bend, fight, anything?"
"Oh! Well...I….can be pretty nimble, does that count?" He said nervously as Azula narrowed her eyes.
"No, we have Ty Lee for that…" She said as she looked him over before her eyes flashed dangerously. "I have an idea."
"What?" He asked as Azula took a few steps back from him before suddenly shifting into a stance and throwing her first towards him, blue flames coming to life as they roared towards him. "WAH!" He cried as he reacted on instinct and got into his own stance before slamming his left foot down and raising his arms up, creating a wall of earth right before the flames could hit him. 'That was c- shit, I just bended in front of her!'
"Interesting." She smirked with Ty Lee wide eyed. "So, you can earth bend."
"Y-Yes." Aang said as Ty Lee slowly moved behind him as he made the wall fall down back into the earth. "I uh…. I came from the colonies."
"Wow, that's amazing."
"I...didn't wanna say anything since there's mostly fire benders here. I thought people would treat me differently." He quickly lied.
"I see, well then, I think you just became very useful Kuzon." She said with a grin. "With my bending combined with yours and Ty Lee's skills we are going to destroy this tournament with ease."
"Or, or, we could have fun and play fair." He suggested."
"Wow, you must have just gotten here, huh? Using bending is fair play." Ty Lee said with a smile. "So how did you learn to bend, huh? I taught myself how to find pressure points by reading scrolls, did you do the same?"
"Don't be foolish Ty Lee, of course he did. Every other native earth nation earth bender that came close to the colonies was captured during the war, he must have trained in secret." Azula said as she shook her head. "Thankfully for him though, the war is over."
"Yeah! That's right, complete and total secrecy." He said with a nod nervously. "So, uh… what did you mean by us using our bending for the tournament?"
"Simple, I can put them on edge while Ty Lee uses her acrobatic skills to get any shots that are out of our reach, while you give them a slight 'adjustment' on their footing." Azula said with a smirk. "If we do this right then our conquest of this tournament is assured!"
"Um…. isn't me moving their feet cheating?" He asked as he rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Wouldn't it be better if I um…."
"What, what else would you do, we can't throw rocks at them, and I don't know what else you're capable of."
"Playing fair is still an option." Aang protested as Azula shook her head.
"It is fair, in war you use every tool at your disposal." She glared which made Aang gulp. "If all you're going to do is complain, then put your talent to better use and focus."
"O-Ok…" He said with a nod. 'Ok, maybe this won't be so bad?'
And so with that, the three of them slowly progressed through the tournament, Aang of course trying not to trip up the other team too much, just moving the earth slightly so it caught them off guard and let all the hits to Azula and Ty Lee, with him 'accidentally' missing the ball each time it came down near him. Unfortunately for him one of the teams they were up against had the same mentality as Azula, and were all firebenders, though they were shocked when after they sent a flaming volleyball at what they thought was the team's 'weak link', he bended a large rock and threw it against the ball, spiking it hard enough into the ground that it took three people to pull it out again.
Suffice to say Azula was pleased with Aang smacking himself in the head for letting that happen.
'I'm trying to lose, stop doing so well!'
"Nice work Kuzon, that was awesome!" Ty Lee cheered happily.
"Thanks." He gave a smile while inwardly groaning. 'That's just gonna put more focus on me than I need.'
"Very impressive Kuzon, you must be quite the powerful bender." Azula said as she looked him over. 'Hmmm, perhaps I should make him our friend, while I may have the Dai lee their loyalty is shaky at best.'
"Eh, I'm still working on my form, it's not all that great." He said as he rotated his arms. "It's nothing too impressive."
"Yes, it is, I've defeated seasoned veterans that didn't have your skill." Praised Azula crossing her arms. "Tell me, have you ever had military training?"
"No, I tried to stay out of the war for the most part." He said as he looked away. "Besides, if I did fight it wouldn't go well, the fire nation wouldn't trust an earth bender, earth kingdom wouldn't trust someone from the colonies."
"Hmmm, good point." admitted Ty Lee nodding.
"Yes, I do suppose that is for the best, but now with the war over you no longer have to hide, eventually we'll have to incorporate earth benders into our armies." Remarked Azula with a smirk. "I'd say you could make for a good example."
"I guess so, maybe one day…" he said, trying to dodge the question. "So… we've been playing for awhile, huh?"
"We have? I guess we got so wrapped up I didn't notice." Admitted Ty Lee wiping some sweat from her brow, with Aang glancing at her bare skin and went wide eyed seeing sweat trickling down it, making his face heat up. "This has been tons of fun though, right?"
"Yes, it is always pleasurable to crush your enemies." Smiled Azula with her hands on her hips with her looking around. "I'd say we have some time to catch our breath before crushing the remaining fools."
"Yeah…. I don't think I'm going to be able to stay around for the final game though." Aang said as he leaned back, making two girls pause.
"...excuse me?" Azula asked with a frown. "What do you mean you won't be able to stay?"
"Um, sorry but I have to go." he replied, breaking out in a nervous sweat.
"What? But we're at the last part and sooo close to winning." Pouted Ty Lee.
"Sorry, but I really have to go and meet back up with my friends." He smiled awkwardly. "They're probably worried sick by now."
"What about us, you have to finish this tournament with us." She pouted with Azula looking annoyed.
"I forbid you to leave, without you our team will be disqualified." She spoke, grabbing his shoulder in a vice grip.
'Oh no, is she going to try to burn me alive?!'
"You will stay. No questions asked."
"I-I don't kn-"
"GOT. IT?"
Aang shivered hearing the tone and slowly nodded.
"Good, glad you could see it our way." Smirked the princess while Ty Lee smiled. "You're valuable to the team, I'd hate to lose you."
"Yay! Let's go out there and kick some butt!"
'Which means I better hurry up and wrap this up. No way they'll be able to fall for this disguise much longer." He thought nervously. 'After this I'm never leaving the group's side again.'
"And now! For the final part of the competition!"
"Alright, we're up, let's do this!" beamed Ty Lee.
"Pull out all the stops Kuzon." Azula said as he nervously nodded. "Do whatever you can to ensure our victory, and you will be rewarded handsomely."
"Right, no problem." He said as Ty Lee looked at Azula in mild confusion.
"Psst, Azula, what do you mean by a reward?" She asked in a whisper.
"Well Ty Lee, I believe that I've taken a liking to Kuzon, he's strong, loyal, and he can follow orders, if he can secure us victory then I will offer him a permanent spot in our friend group."
Ty Lee gasped with wide eyes and covered her mouth before frowning. "You like him like that, don't you?"
"Perhaps I do, he is a valuable ally, and he will give our group a new edge." Admitted Azula bluntly making Ty Lee pout. "Why? Is there a problem?"
"I like him! I wanted to ask him out after this." She pouted.
"Oh really now?" Azula said as she raised an eyebrow. "Well, I am royalty, so I get what I want, and I think I would like him, but who said I liked him that way?"
"Oh please, it's obvious, you even want him to join our friend group, you've never wanted that from anyone else before, much less a random earthbender you just met!" Ty Lee pointed out. "And every single time a guy showed interest, you shot them down right off the bat."
"Because they were weak and worthless, Kuzon evidently isn't." Azula smirked. "If you have an issue with it, I'd be more than happy to duel over him, after we've won this last game."
"Plese, if I get close enough it won't be much of a fight." Ty Lee snapped back, both of them glaring at each other as they reached the volleyball court.
"Is everyone ready?" Called the ref with the other team nodding and looking ready. "Good, Fire Nation Elites, are you ready?"
"Yes!"
"Then it's time for the final match to start!" He called as he passed the ball to Azula. "Your serve."
"Good, let's do this." She smirked before tossing it up and spiked it over the net, causing the other team to quickly get it in time with one jumping up and hitting it back over Azula's head. "Ty Lee!"
"On it!" She called as she somersaulted over Azula before spiking it back over the net. This however got propelled back by one, using firebending to make it a small fireball which made her turn to Aang. "Kuzon!"
"I got it!" He called as he bended the sand to cover his arms before leaping up and hitting the ball. This managed to land on the other side, landing them a point.
"Yes! Great job Kuzon!" Azula praised with a grin. "Keep it up!"
"You got it." He said as he looked at the other team. 'Ok, so losing isn't an option, but if I can help them win I can get done with the tournament sooner and then disappear into the crowd.'
The next serve went flying right towards Ty Lee, who easily bent backwards and swung her leg up, knocking it back on a spin, with Azula jumping up and spiked it right back with her blue flames following it. This went back and forth, both teams showing an amazing array of skills, but it was clear which of the two teams were superior. Soon the teams were tied and Azula was holding the ball.
"You've fought well, but you were always fated to lose." Smirked Azula taking a crouch and tossed it up, then propelled herself up using her flames near her feet, before slamming her hand against it, hard. The ball shot down to the other side of the court like a burning meteor, the other team jumping to the side to avoid it. When it hit, it caused a loud boom that made everyone watching go silent while kicking up a small dust cloud.
"Um…. point to team Fire Nation Elites, that's the game, they win." The ref said as the crown began to slowly cheer.
"Yes, we did it!" Cheered Ty Lee jumping up and down with her hands in the air. "We won!"
"Yes, we did, we crushed our enemies to dust!" Azula laughed maniacally as Aang let loose a sigh of relief.
'We won, now I can leave.' He thought before finding himself hugged by Ty Lee.
"Thanks Kuzon! We couldn't have done it without you."
"T-Thanks, it was fun."
"Yes, it was, and we have you to thank for your help." Azula said as she approached them. "I'd say this calls for a toast."
"Yeah! Let's go get drinks to celebrate." Ty Lee said as Aang coughed nervously.
"I uh, I can't drink, and I should really get going now…"
"Come now, it only makes sense to celebrate a victory, besides, we mean non alcoholic drinks." Azula said as she shook her head. "Now come, we can have our drinks at my royal family's beach house."
"But I-" He started as he tried to protest, only for Ty lee to shush him.
"Come on, it'll be fun!" She smiled while grabbing his hand and started dragging him as they walked in a direction with him blushing feeling how soft her hand was.
"W-Well, um…. Maybe I can stay for a little bit." He said as he tried to stay calm. 'I can't exactly run away now, I'd look guilty of something, or they might follow me back to Appa!'
"Glad you see it our way."
They reached the beach house in no time, with Aang looking around and trying not to come across as too jittery.
"Come on Kuzon, the best place to relax is in the sitting room, Azula's family has the softest sofas and pillows." Ty Lee said as she tried to lead him away, only for Azula to stop them.
"No, the balcony is the best spot, it has a view over the entire beach."
"I'm sure Kuzon here needs something nice and soft to sit on after running around in the sun." Ty Lee said as she yanked him back.
"Ty Lee, I know my family's home, I know the best spot, and it's the balcony." Spoke Azula yanking Aang towards her. "Come along Kuzon."
"I-"
"No Kuzon, you want to relax on the couches as we drink, right?" Ty Lee asked as she sent a slight frown at Azula, who returned it in kind.
"Uh, well maybe we could all sit down. We did kinda really stretch our legs a lot, right?" He suggested as Ty Lee perked up.
"Yep, you're right! You heard him Azula, he wants to do what I want." She said a bit smugly.
"Yes, in MY house." Reminded Azula with a glare. "Fine, we can sit down in the sitting room."
"Thanks." Aang said as Azula took his arm and led him through the house.
"Ty Lee, go get us some refreshments, I'll show Kuzon around."
"What? Can't you get a servant to do it?" She pouted.
"There are none here at the moment." She said as she kept walking. "You know where we'll be."
'Damn it, how did I both win and lose?!' Thought Ty Lee puffing out her cheeks, but relented and went to grab the drinks.
"So, this is your place?" Aang asked as he looked around, subtly looking for escape routes.
"Yes, it belongs to my family. Me and my brother used to come here many summers when we were younger with our parents."
"Wow… wait, is your brother here?"
"No, he and my friend Mai are on a date, they're probably at some place dark and boring, like a cemetery."
'Which means Zuko can't see me and blow my cover.' He thought in relief before they stopped at a large room that had several couches, tables and chairs in it.
"Here we are, this is the sitting room, kind of obvious what it's for, isn't it?"
"Uh huh." He said as he sat down on one of the couches before finding Azula sitting right next to him.
"Feel free to stretch your legs, you've earned a chance to unwind." She said as she leaned back to relax.
"Thanks…." He said as he tried to scoot away to give her some space. "So….what's it like being a princess?"
"Oh you know, the norm, high expectations, training, more training, and occasionally father gives me special tasks, like when I had to track down my brother Zuko and the Avatar." She listed off casually. "It's a lot of work, and can be rather taxing, especially when I have to deal with fools who don't know how to follow orders."
"I see… so did you ever catch the avatar?"
"Oh I did more than that. I ended him." She smirked darkly with him trying not to make it clear he was sweating bullets. "It was easy, all it took was me to bend lightning and he dropped like a sack of bricks."
Aang swore he felt his scar itch and ache from the memory and tried to give a smile. "Boy, that must have been….something."
"Yes, it was." She said with a smile before turning her head to look at him. "You know, the whole world thinks my brother was the one to kill him, only you, me, and three other people know the truth. Not even my father knows."
"W-Wait, really? Then why would you tell me?" He asked, feeling a little jumpy. 'Does she know who I really am and wants to finish what she started?'
"Because I trust you, and I want to invite you into my little circle of friends, my closest confidants, and there is another reason as well~" She smirked while moving over closer to where their legs were touching with him gulping.
"And...what's that?"
"Well, that would b-"
"I got the juice!" Called Ty Lee, barging into the room with some cups on a tray and smile. "So, what did I miss?' She asked as she put the juice on the table in front of the couch Azula and Aang was on before sitting next to him, sandwiching him between the girls.
"Nothing Ty Lee, I was just telling Kuzon here about what happened to the avatar."
"Oh, how your brother killed him?" She asked, looking at Azula's face to see if she was talking about the truth.
"No, the real truth."
"Oh, really? Why?" She asked in curiosity as she made sure to scoot closer to Aang.
"Because I know he can be trusted, that's all." She said with a shrug, omitting what she had been about to say.
"Oh, ok, so does this mean you want him to be part of our friend group?"
"The answer is obvious." She said as she rolled her eyes.
"Great! He can stay with me at my apartment in the royal city!" She beamed with a grin.
"Wait, what?!" Spoke Aang and Azula with wide eyes.
"Yeah, that way he can stay close to both of us, but it's not like you can let him stay at the palace, right?" Asked Ty Lee with an underlying tone to it, making Azula narrow her eyes.
"Perhaps I could, I can pull some strings." She said as she put a hand on Aang's. "It would take some time, but I'm sure I can find room for him, until then he could stay with me in my private quarters."
"Oh really now?" Ty Lee said with a frown. "And you're sure your father would be ok with that?"
"I'm sure I could persuade him." She said casually. "It doesn't matter, either way he can stay at the capital with us."
'Oh we'll see about that.' Thought Ty Lee before smiling as she picked up the cups. "Well this calls for a toast to celebrate our win and new friend."
"Agreed, to victory over our new conquest!" Azula agreed as she grabbed a cup.
Aang grabbed his own and clicked it with theirs before they all took a sip, with Azula noting an odd taste to hers. 'What kind of juice is this? Did Ty Lee grab some spoiled juice?'
"So Kuzon, ever been to the circus?"
"Um, no, I haven't, are they fun?"
"Of course. I was part of one for a while." She sighed fondly. "I was an acrobat, and it was so much fun, but then Azula came and the universe began to give me some large hints that it was time to move on."
"The universe was correct. Thanks to her and Mai, we ran into a few issues, but overcame them without too much difficulty. She's also an expert chi blocker." Azula said as she subtly sniffed her drink, trying to figure out if it had gone bad. 'Doesn't smell rancid, it smells rather sweet.' She thought as she took another sip. 'Maybe it's just in my head?'
"Want me to show you how flexible I can be?" Ty Lee asked with a seductive grin, nearly making Aang and the princess choke on their drinks.
"W-What?" He asked in surprise as Ty Lee set her drink down and got on her hands, lifting her body up with ease before slowing moving her lower half forward to where it went over her head with the feet reaching the ground. "Whoa… how are you doing that?"
"Lots of practice. Sometimes I did it in my sleep. If you want, I could help you." She said as she stood back up.
"I-I might pass for now, I don't think I'd be able to do something like that."
"Aw, I don't think so. With enough time and patience I'll bet you could bend your body in all sorts of ways." She said with a smile. "You just have to start practicing, that's all."
"Yeah, which takes years." Azula let out sipping from her drink, feeling her body growing relaxed as she leaned back against the spot. "You'd have more luck trying to learn how to bend fire than get as flexible as Ty Lee."
'Ironic.' Thought Aang before finding Ty Lee on his lap and rubbing his cheek, making him blush as she smiled.
"I wouldn't mind being your personal teacher~" She whispered into his ear as the avatar heated up, trying to keep himself calm. "You'd be surprised how far the body goes with enough practice~"
"I-I-I-I-I-" He stammered, unable to process what was happening.
"Hey, what are you up to?" Azula questioned in a less than threatening tone while drinking over half her juice.
"Oh, just having some fun with your new friend and my soon to be roommate at the capital~" She hummed happily.
'Why do they think I'm going to go with them to the capital?!' Thought Aang getting more and more warm. "H-Hey, maybe I could go outside for some air."
"Nooo, stay here." Azula said as she stood up. "Your princess commands it!"
"You heard her Kuzon, stick around a little longer~" Ty Lee said with a smile. "We're having fun, right?"
"Well, yeah, but-"
"Good, then there's no complaints." Azula nodded with a smile. "I knew there was a reason I liked you, you always listen to me."
'If only she knew how wrong she was.' He thought as he tried to keep his head clear. 'Ok, I'll just stay here for a bit longer, all I have to do is keep my tattoos covered, not let them learn who I am, and then sneak out later.'
(Later)
"Woo! I feel out of this world!" Cheered Azula holding up her cup while swaying on the table, Ty Lee and Aang watching this with surprise.
"Did…. did you drug her?" Aang asked as he looked over at Ty Lee.
"What? Of course not, that's silly." She waved her hand. 'Wow, I had no idea Azula was weak to a little alcohol. I only meant to make her relax, not unwind THIS much.' She thought as she decided to make sure to keep an eye on her friend… and to ensure she never learned that she was the one who got her drunk.
"Ok… then is this norma-wha!" He cried as Azula grabbed his hand. He got yanked up onto the table with Azula wrapping her arms around him.
"This guy… THIS GUY… I think I love him Ty Lee, I wanna… I wanna bring him home!" Azula chuckled while rubbing her cheek against Aang who went wide eyed.
"S-Say what?"
"Azula, no, you can't!" Ty Lee said as she got up. 'Wow, she has NO filter when drunk, huh?'
"Course I can, as princess, I decree it!" She let out with her finger raised, only to sway back and forth and let go of Aang, and fell off the table and onto the floor.
"Azula!" Ty Lee cried as she raced to her side. "Please be ok, please be ok!"
"Hehehe, nighty night~" Azula slurred before she closed her eyes and began to snore.
"Phew, she's not hurt." She sighed in relief. "For a second I thought we accidentally killed her."
"Huh? Why would that be my fault?"
"Well to be fair you could have grabbed her." She said with a shrug as she put Azula over her shoulder. "Speaking of which, could you give me a hand, we should probably take her to her room to sleep this off."
"I still don't get why she started acting this way." He remarked before moving over and helped lift part of the princess up with Ty Lee leading the way.
"Me either, it's a real mystery." She lied as they carried Azula through the house.
"So… where's her room?"
"Just keep following me." She said as she led him into a large bedroom that was dominated by a massive mattress. "Here we are."
"Ok, let's get her in bed." He said as they began to gently place her down. "So… this might be a good time for me to go, my friends must be worried sick."
"Awww, do you have to?" Ty Lee groaned. "Can't you just stay here with me… and Azula?"
"I'm sorry, I haven't seen them all day, they don't even know where I am right now."
"Oh alright, but let me give you something before you go, a token of thanks for your help."
"Oh, thanks, but that's not really ne-" He started before she planted a kiss on his cheek. His eyes widened as she pulled back with a smile.
"Have sweet dreams~" She purred happily. "I can't wait to see you tomorrow~"
Aang went slack jawed as he found himself walking out of the room and down the stairs, not realizing he was outside until he was walking down the shore back over to the spot where he and his friends had landed.
"Aang! There you are, where have you been?!" Called Katara spotting him as he shook his head and snapped out of it.
"H-Hey guys, sorry, today was kind of crazy, Azula and Zuko are here…"
"SAY WHAT?!" The group cried.
"Yeah, t-"
"Do they know you're alive?!"
"No, bu-"
"Good, then we need to leave, now!"
"Great, just when I thought we could actually relax." Groaned Toph who looked like her skin was darker than usual.
"Hey, we don't have time for fun, today was supposed to be about Aang training for the day of the black sun, but then he ran off, so now we have to leave before the whole invasion plan is ruined." Sokka said with a frown.
"Sure didn't make it clear when we got here." Katara muttered under her breath as everyone reluctantly got on Appa, who was covered in sand.
"Well….I….let's just go." Sokka sighed as Aang took Appa's reins.
"Ok… Yip yip." he said as the flying bison took off. 'I hope Azula and Ty Lee don't get too upset about me leaving, as crazy as today was I did have some fun.'
(Later)
"Ugh….my head is killing me…" Azula groaned as she stumbled out of her room. "Ty Lee…. where are you, what happened?"
"Morning Azula, you just wake up?" Called the peppy girl who was eating a bowl full of eggs. "Glad to see you're up."
"What happened to me, how did I end up in my bed?"
"You got tired after last night, so me and Kuzon put you in your bed." She said before grinning. "Right before you dozed off you professed your love for him, remember that?"
"I what?!" She cried as she racked her mind as the events of last night flooded her mind. "Ugh… what was I thinking?"
"It's alright, it's only natural." She said with a shrug. "I really like him too, I think at one point we were arguing about who he'd stay with at the capital."
"We already were." Grumbled Azula going to the kitchen to grab something to eat. "And he can stay at the capital when he leaves with us, when will he be coming back?"
"I don't know, all I know is he had to leave to meet back up with his friends, but I told him I'd see him tomorrow." She said with a shrug. "I'm sure he'll be back, he said he had fun with us last night.
"Well when he does show up I'd be more than happy to show him the other wonders of the beach." She said with a smile. "And I think I'll make my offer official this time, and get a clear answer from him."
"I doubt that'll work." Ty Lee muttered to herself with a smile. 'I made my claim to him pretty clear.'
(Timeskip)
"Princess, reports show we are under attack."
"Of course, this is the 'secret invasion' they've been planning." She said irritably. "Now go out into the halls and instruct the avatar to my location if you see him, got it?"
"Yes princess."
'Ugh, let's just get this over with, I still need to organize the search parties, none of them have found Kuzon Fire.' She thought in annoyance while propping her head with her hand. 'Maybe killing the avatar again will calm me down.'
BOOM
'And speak of the devil.' She thought as she sat up. 'He and his group is inside the building, it should only be a matter of time until they reach this roo-'
BOOM
"Like now." She said as the door was kicked in, sending up a could of smoke.
"Fire Lord Ozai, I am here to stop you!"
'And there he i- wait, why is his voice familiar?' She wondered as Aang stood there with his staff ready, only to look confused and caught off guard.
"Azula? What are you doing here, where's the Fire Lord?"
"You….Your voice. It sounds just like this one boy I know of." She said as she stood up, abandoning the speech she had prepared as she began to move towards him. 'That face…. No, it couldn't be….'
"Don't change the subject. What are you doing here?" He asked as she narrowed her eyes.
"This is a trap, father is far away and safe during the eclipse, but that isn't important." She replied walking down towards him. "Your voice, stature, and even face remind me of a boy named Kuzon." She said as Aang paled.
'Crap, does she know? No, that's imposibl-'
"Kuzon? You mean the fake name you used in that one town?" Sokka asked, thinking of the time Aang infiltrated a school.
"YOU!" Yelled Azula with wide eyes and realization, picturing Kuzon right over Aang and seeing it was a perfect match. "You…. you….. YOU!"
"Guys, what is going on?" Toph asked in confusion.
"YOU were Kuzon the entire time?!"
"Y-Yes?" He said nervously.
"WHY?! HOW?!" She roared, wishing she had the ability to use her bending as her face went red in a flurry of emotions.
"Uh Aang? Mind filling us in?" Katara asked as she looked warily at the raging fire bender.
"Um… when we were at the beach they pulled me into a volleyball tournament and then we hung out at her beach house with Ty Lee, and…. Some things happened." He admitted with a blush.
"What kind of things?"
"He used some kind of avatar powers to seduce me and Ty Lee and to cloud our minds, that has to be why I didn't recognize you and said those things!" Azula declared, shaking her head. 'Yes, that has to be the reason!'
"Seduce?!"
"It's not like that! I tried to leave, you and Ty Lee wouldn't let me, and then you started yelling about how you loved me and wanted to keep me in your room!"
His group all went slack jawed with Azula turning bright red. "L-Lies and slander!"
"But it's tru- ok, we're getting off track here!" Aang said as he shook his head. "What are you doing here instead of Ozai?"
"Like I said, this is a trap to keep you busy until the eclipse is over!" She yelled before lunging at Aang with her nails out. "You're going to pay for making me feel this way!"