This is a monster of an update. Future updates will probably not be as long, but I delve a lot into the plotline and just decided to go with it. I really appreciate the reviews, likes and follows. There are some excerpts from "Cold Burn" to help with, as one reviewer noted, the interesting premise of this story. I hope you enjoy! Queen Ty.

Centuries of lords spanning further than man could recall held the throne of the powerful Fire Nation empire. Stories of great battles and bitter rivalries were commonplace in the history of a growing nation. Stories of lion-turtles granting power to humans and expecting balance were known world-wide. History is interesting, however. Fate is conniving and witty. The former fire princess knew this better than anyone.

It had been years since the former princess had traversed the halls of the fire lords. She always marveled at the meticulous attention to miniscule details in each painting that graced the corridor's wall. Each painter held a unique style that they incorporated into their paintings, telling the story of the subject with varying contour lines and fiery colors that one could only see with a skillful eye. The technique of painting is similar to breeding and cultivating plants. Some plants are made specifically for their beauty, to be marveled and sold to the highest bidder as a sign of wealth, power or love while others harnessed different properties such as the agent of death.

Ursa paused at the painting of Fire Lord Azulon. His was one of the more elaborate paintings in the corridor, reminding Ursa of the strong, powerful man that fell to the whiff of a deadly plant cultivated from her hands. The Mother of Faces had granted her peace of mind and eased her guilty conscience, yet Fate saw it fitting to remind her of her treacherous plot with her former husband. She had told herself that it was not solely her fault. She had created the poison, but ultimately Ozai used it, yet she blamed herself for her children, whom Ozai treated like that…vile.

She created them, but he used them…

Tightening her grip on her teacup, Ursa brought it to her lips, allowing the scent of chamomile to ease her tension and the liquid to warm her often cold body.

I should have used it against him! She told herself.

Laughter broke the air making Ursa cut her eye towards the throne room. Who would laugh at a time like this? Her middle child was awaiting judgement from people who had no idea who she was or what their family had gone through. She had yet to see Azula since arriving back in the temple and was reluctant to approach her with her original face. Zuko and Iroh had both stressed against doing so which truly hurt.

More laughter erupted from the temple. Ursa turned to see Zuko and his lovely girlfriend from the Southern Water Tribe approach along with her three children. Ursa smiled calmly at them before spotting the chubby boy wobbling ahead of his older brothers and sister. He looked strikingly different from the others. His hair was cropped and black as any Fire National, yet his eyes were large, deep brownish-green. She had not seen the child before and wondered if her son had already fathered another with the obviously very fertile water tribe girl before properly making her his wife.

"Mother," called Zuko, immediately wrapping his arms around the graceful woman.

Katara gave a strong hug of her own and a pleasant smile. "It is good to see you again, Noriko". Ursa chuckled as Katara's cheeks turned a deep red. "I mean, Madam Ursa! I am so sorry!"

The former princess laughed heartily before looking back at the toddler, now grasping her ankle. "Well, aren't you friendly?" She cooed, picking him up to get a better look at him.

The baby giggled, drool easing out of the corner of his mouth. Turning back to the young people before her, she stated, calmly. "Well, you two have been busy, I see".

This time, Zuko's face was almost as red as the corridor's walls. "No, no! He isn't mine. Well, not yet. He's Aang's and…"

Ursa bounced the baby on her hip, noticing the sudden pause instantly. "And? Yours, Sweetie?" She asked Zuko's girlfriend, confused.

Katara shook her head vigorously shuffling her children further down the hall to ready them for the nurses who would be watching them during the summit. Ursa shrugged her shoulders and continued cooing at the sweet boy in her arms. "Well, whoever this sweet thing belongs to is a lucky one! Your avatar friend is quite a catch". The older woman laughed aloud at her son's expression. "Oh, Zuko, I may be your mother, but I have been a woman longer, Dear," she added, playfully.

"He's your grandson, Mom".

Ursa smiled widely, before seeing her son's forlorn face and completely understanding his words. "You said he wasn't yours, yet…"

Her voice trailed and she held the baby outward to get a good look at his face. He was quite handsome, yet very… Fire Nation despite his brown eyes. "The avatar and…Azula's?" She finally asked.

The fire lord nodded solemnly.

#

Kiyi finally found her mother on the balcony overlooking the capital. She seemed content with being alone, yet her royal brother had tasked her with summoning her mother for her big sister's summit.

"Mom," called Kiyi from behind.

"Yes, Sweetie?" Asked Ursa, looking somewhat startled when she turned to face her youngest child.

"Um, Zuko said it's time," she announced, watching her mother's face fill with a silent anguish. "Was she really that bad, Mom?" Asked the girl of a sister she had yet to formally meet.

Years ago when Azula and Zuko found themselves in Hira'a and were introduced as historians, Kiyi had been drawn to her big brother. He turned out to be amazing despite being the fire lord and she rather enjoyed her life in the palace of luxury. Her sister had disappeared for most of the years they had been in the capital, and she had yet to see the woman again.

"She was my daughter, Kiyi. Like you," said Ursa calmly.

The preteen had no clue what to say to this. Thinking it was best to change subjects, she did so. "Well, guess what".

"Yes?"

"The avatar said that he would take me gliding!" She piped happily.

Ursa panicked. She feared often of losing her youngest child and rarely allowed her out of her sight. With Azula's summit beginning, she worried for all of her children. She had been a terrible mother to leave the temple. Fear had driven her away, always fear.

"Only if it is ok with you, ma'am". Kiyi beamed when she saw Aang emerge onto the balcony with a handsome, though guarded smile.

Ursa gave a meek smile to him. He was fully dressed in his ceremonial robes for the summit. The robes were quite fitting for his well-developed arms, making him look almost godly. She could see what Azula had probably seen in him. He was quite the man with a very commanding presence.

"Well, you were careful with her before, so, ok," she said, sweetly.

Aang gave a respectful bow before advancing to stand next to her and lean over the balcony. She took a moment to look him over. He seemed to be lost in his thoughts.

"You know," she started, breaking the silence. "I could not have chosen a better father for my first grandson".

The comment made the avatar turn scarlet. Rubbing his neck, bashfully, he asked. "So, you have heard?"

"Of course, mothers know everything, Dear," she responded, confidently. "He has Iroh's features surprisingly as much as Azula hated her uncle," she added with a chuckle.

"She would be a wonderful mother," piped the young man, making Ursa cringe with guilt. "Wait…I mean…I didn't mean anything by that," he added when he noticed her discomfort.

Ursa shook her head. "It's not that, Aang. It's just that our family has seen so much pain. I-I don't want Zaheer to ever experience our…curse".

Aang nodded, understandingly. "You're my family also," he said, calmly. "I need your help, Ma'am. Azula…I think she is giving up. I can't seem to get through to her. I don't…I can't let anything happen to her".

Ursa was silent for several uncomfortable moments making Aang regret coming to her for help. No one seemed to see the woman he saw.

"You love her, don't you, Aang?"

"More than anything I've ever known," he said automatically.

Ursa felt a tear sting her cheek. Aang was a good man. He held a strong heart and she worried for him. Her daughter was lucky to have such a strong ally, yet she worried that her daughter would crush the man's soul. Azula never understood love. She was not like Zuko and the thought of that sweet baby with her disturbed daughter made her heart race.

"Azula, is…different. Guess I always knew she would follow Ozai. I just want to forget my…mistake with her".

Seconds after she spoke, the avatar's eyes flashed in sudden rage, making her take several steps back.

"She is the reason you're here!" He bellowed. "Why do all of you treat her like she means nothing? She means EVERYTHING to me!"

"I…" began Ursa, speechless. "She doesn't want me in her life," she spoke, fearfully.

"She NEEDS you!" choked back the avatar, gripping his staff, finally getting a grip on his explosive emotions. "Listen, you need to know some things about us and maybe you will understand. You and Zuko may have, but I won't give up on her".

#

"Avatar! Unless you wish for an early demise, you will leave!"

"Yours?"

"He's dying…"

"I-I don't know how to save him. Is his father-"

"No one of merit!"

Ursa glared at the being behind the cage. Zaheer cooed in her arms as she stared at the terrible man who caused this. His ugliness and monstrosity on full display as he gazed at her with glinting, gold eyes. Kneeling down, she pushed the lit lantern in her other hand closer to the bars, noticing his eyes flicker at it before looking back to her.

"Come to lavish your treacherous tongue on me again?" He asked, with a shaky smirk.

He knew what she was capable of.

Former Fire Lord Ozai had not expected his ex-wife to return for a second visit. Obviously, she had more words for him. Or knew something…

"I had heard of only one child, a girl that you birthed for that peasant, Ikem," continued Ozai, observing the one-year-old with a snarl. "A boy, hmm, well I am sure he will be far superior than that weakling you created with me".

"How could you?" Ursa wanted to know, trying to keep her emotions under control. "Azula was your daughter too! You said you would never hurt them. I wish that vile was used on you instead of Azulon," she hissed, quietly. "You are a disgusting man".

Ozai laughed, haughtily. "Contradictory, hmm I'm sure you're just as disgusting for your new husband as you were for me. No? Well maybe next time you should bring him so we can reminisce on how I owned every inch of your pathetic flesh as well as your daughter's". Ozai shrugged passively. "Why do you suddenly care anyway? You left them".

Ursa's lips trembled. "She was pregnant, Ozai". The news made the former fire lord flinch for the first time, staring at the little boy in his ex-wife's arms with a new revelation.

"No, that…he…" Stuttered the man, pushing a weak hand through the bars. Ursa kept the distance between them. "Why would she? She should have rid herself of it!"

The fire lord was embarrassed. If others found out the true parentage of his daughter's child, he would be shunned. His faithful loyalists would turn from him. Ursa watched his face glower in waves of thoughts before she spoke again.

"The avatar told me everything Ozai and you should be grateful that he is not yours," she informed him.

"Then who? Azula was never a wayward woman like you!"

Ursa could not stop a tear from escaping her eyelid. "She was NOT a woman, Ozai! She was a child! And you did these things to her…used her. She will never look upon you again. His father won't allow it".

Ozai's eyes narrowed. "Who?" He asked again. Who will I have killed for taking what is mine.

"The avatar".

A shuriken appeared between them before Ursa could think. Fate has quite the personality.

#

"I-I never expected this…from you," she finally gasped, pulling him closer until he was forced to move within clenching, velvet walls.

Unable to think as the princess hungrily moved beneath him, Aang pushed inside slowly increasing his movements as Azula's gasps of pleasure rang higher in his ear. The avatar felt his control slipping fast with her touch as the princess's legs moved higher up his back and her nails scrapped his shoulder blades. She buried her face in his neck when the avatar's movements increased in pace. Their breathing shortened in tandem.

"Don't…stop," she whispered, almost pleading and Aang was pushed on by her vulnerable tone. "Don't, please…you feel incredible. I-I can feel your power".

The two former enemies cried out together as Aang lost control of his earthbending, causing the ground to shatter with the force of his hips, increasing into an all out pounding, making Azula tighten her grip on his shoulders with choking gasps. Shifting the princess's legs so her ankles met his shoulders, Aang clutched a swollen nipple with his teeth, making her grasp his head, screaming in his ear for him to take her more.

Next came his waterbending, sending the water from the lake encircled around them, drenching them with rolling waves between grinding hips. Their heads fell back simultaneously, fire exploding from their lips in blue and red shades.

"Ohhh…Spirits, Avatar!" Cried Azula as Aang took her in the air, their lips meeting as his eyes glowed white along with his tattoos. The princess was amazed as she felt him explode within her. The power seemed to breathe life instantly back throughout her weakened limbs down to the baby she had carried for several months without detection.

The avatar brought them back to the shattered ground slowly. Groaning as he fell atop the gasping firebender beneath him. The two laid together, attempting to catch their breath when thoughts of their transgression made them jolt awake and push away from the other instantly. Aang clutched his chest as he thought of his pledge to Monk Gyatso and…Katara…

"No," he said breathlessly, desperate for air.

His eyes stared in horror as Azula hurriedly clothed herself. "No one needs to know about this, Avatar. Trust me, I am the perfect keeper of secrets". Pushing back wet strands of her hair from her soaked face, she added, "You saved my child. I am eternally grateful. But, I have…someone".

Aang nodded. "I understand. Please…Katara can't-"

"I know. And neither can Zuko…" She paused.

Aang thought on this. "Let me take him. I will have to tell Katara, but she will understand. She knows I love her".

Azula raised an eyebrow. "You trust her? Are you really that much of an idiot?"

Teeth clenched, Aang answered calmly. "I love her and yes, I trust her because…because trust lies at the core of love".

Avatar Aang shook the memory from his head as two servants bestowed his neck with gold jewels of the nations and gave him his staff. The yellow ceremonial outfit was now much more fitting on his form, since he last wore it to Zuko's coronation. He looked himself over in the mirror as another servant trimmed his beard. He thought on the princess, whom he had not seen since she was taken from her room. The princess had been distraught when she left and said very hurtful things that Aang knew she could not possibly have meant. Her actions just did not fit her words. He could not afford to lose her.

"All rise for the honorable avatar," announced a fire sage.

Feeling a push against his back, Aang emerged from the throne room into the Fire Temple's court. His eyes instantly found Azula's upon entering. Garbed in a red, flowing gown and rubies dripping around her neck, he swallowed at the sight of her. Her hair was not in its usual topknot, but styled around her face in a manner that showed off its length and fullness.

He raised his head high as he ascended the judges' stand, chest jutting out under her gaze. He wondered what she was thinking. Even as he sat in the middle of the council bench, her eyes never left his.

I am here for you. He tried to communicate through his gaze.

Azula felt weak upon seeing the presider enter the courtroom. Just hours before, they were together, unable to keep their hands off of the other and now he was her…judge? Of course she should have expected that he would have a role in such a worldly matter, yet it did nothing to ease the sting of betrayal on her heart.

Why didn't he tell me? She wondered.

The hearings rambled on about destruction and order following under the fire lord. The princess observed her judges, particularly the one in the fitted, yellow uniform, for their reactions to the charges against her. Numerous counts of manslaughter, pillage, torture, maiming were just to name a few.

She could not help the smirk on her face as they recounted her acts in her youth. She had to admit that she was pretty heartless in her prime. Soldiers were nothing, if not expendable and she commanded with an iron fist because she was not expected to. As a woman surrounded by men in the courts, she had to become cold and heartless, she had seen what happened to the weak like Ursa and Zuko. Most teenage girls were like Mai and Ty Lee, boy obsessed and worried about their looks and makeup. She had a nation to help hold together. Her father had placed great weight on her shoulders and all in the name of love, she committed the most heinous acts she could think of to please him. Many of which she could not remember.

Looking to her palms, she could envision the blood of so many staining them. How could she hold her son with these hands? The son that the avatar saved. She could vividly remember the day she had learned about her pregnancy. She was ashamed and unsure of what to do. Ozai was stripped of his bending and thrown in a cage. After Zuko's weak side came back full force, he ordered a "dignified tea party" between the two. Azula had been frightened and angry when she saw her father. She knew at that very moment that she could not give birth to the child.

Her escape into Forgetful Valley had given her the perfect opportunity to end it all and she almost did, she was holding her dying son in the spirit world when she saw him…her savior.

"D-Did someone do this to you two? You know, push you into the lake?" He asked.

Azula shook her head, taking her golden eyes off the child to meet his. "I did this after I saw her".

"Your mother?" Asked Aang, knowing the answer.

"I couldn't bear to see her. She-she left us with him," sniffling, she held the child close. "She left me with her…responsibilities as fire lady".

The avatar wrapped his arms around Azula and her child. Surprisingly, Azula leaned into the embrace. Aang's heart leapt at the gesture as golden eyes flickered to his own.

"I never had a choice, did I, Avatar?" She asked, softly.

"Yes, of course, you did, Azula. You—you still do".

A light chuckle rung in his ears, followed by a soft palm on his face. "My father did not think so".

Horrified as he thought on her words, Aang felt an overwhelming urge to protect the firebender, yet she was fast disappearing along with the baby boy. Unsure of what else to do, Aang dove for the firebender's lips in a final kiss, sending them both back to the physical world, naked and panting, legs intertwined.

#

"Well?"

Azula shook the memory from her mind. People were standing now, LAUGHING! A crowd of familiar and unfamiliar faces surrounded the princess. Her eyes locked with the only ones that seemed to matter, however.

"What happened?" Azula asked the bald judge in a hushed tone.

Aang held out his palm to help her stand as Zuko approached them with her lover's ex.

"Congratulations," said Katara, genuinely. "It is hard to believe that we were the same age that whole time".

Azula gave her a nod of thanks before strong arms nearly knocked the wind from her chest. She stiffened for a moment before bringing her arms up to wrap around her big brother with closed eyes before quickly pushing the fire lord away. To her surprise, the young ruler's eyes were bloodshot.

"Zu Zu!" She hissed in a low tone. "We're in public! How dare you make such a scene? It's unbecoming for a fire lord".

Zuko chuckled, using the back of his hand to wipe his face. "I don't care, Azula. I just want to put all of this behind us and start over".

The prodigal firebender agreed whole-heartedly. She was tired of living someone else's destiny for her. She just wanted to enjoy her freedom with her son and, hopefully, his father. The thought made her eyes narrow.

"Ok, so what now? Where's Zaheer?" She asked her brother, hastily. "Am I to be treated as a domesticated animal again or will I see my son?"

A warm arm across her shoulder made the woman shiver. She could not help leaning into Aang's chest. He made her feel safe and whole.

"I was telling your brother that my family could use a vacation from the Fire Nation. We're leaving tonight, Azula, after your celebration," he informed. "Just you, me and our son".

Azula felt as if she were floating, she wanted to kiss the man in front of everyone, but showed great restraint by instead giving her best, soft smile. Aang's eyes flashed, knowingly.

#

"Are you ok, Katara?" Asked the avatar, noticing his ex-wife against a corner wall during Azula's celebration.

Katara gave a small shrug. "I don't know. I mean, I do love Zuko, but we, well our children. I don't know how to explain this to them. Bumi is barely five, Kya and Tenzin definitely wouldn't understand right now. I guess, I can understand why you would want the princess. She is gorgeous and…" Her voice trailed as she gazed at the woman of the party, being showered with praise from high generals and other members of Zuko's court. Giving tidbits of advice to the fire lord as they made their rounds.

"I know how you feel for her and Zaheer, but I just don't want you to forget us," she admitted to her ex-husband.

Aang sighed, understandingly. It was difficult to keep up with all of his responsibilities, not only to the world, but to those he loved most as well. He looked to where Katara's gaze lingered. Azula's golden eyes fell on the two for a moment before she looked away and continued entertaining the highly esteemed nobles surrounding her and her brother.

She worked the crowd with her charisma and could charm her way in any situation, it seemed. Aang knew that the world would grow to love her as her nation adored her.

"She did not plan this, Katara. Neither did I," he told the woman next to him. "I will never forget what we had and I know Zuko will take good care of you. We were kids who had no idea what we were doing during or after the war. Our marriage may be over, but we have three children to show for it and I will never forget that".

Katara nodded. "Thank you, Aang," she said, wrapping her arms about his neck and taking the young father by surprise.

"Hey, watch it, I may get a bit jealous".

Aang chuckled as his good friend approached with a kimodo chicken on a stick. "So, if you're going to take on my sister, you will need to try one," he offered the air nomad.

Giving a look of disgust, Aang waved the food away. "Uh, yeah…I think I'll pass".

"Well, I definitely won't!" Squealed Katara, snatching the food with a kiss on the fire lord's cheek before hurrying away from the men.

"So, my mother told me about your plan," said the fire lord, smoothly.

Aang stood erect, surprised. "Uh, she did? Whoa, well, ok, so does that mean I have your blessing?"

"No," said Zuko. "Azula is still unstable. You've witnessed it yourself".

Before Aang could respond, two Imperial Firebenders approached their lord with heads bowed.

"Yes?" Asked Zuko, regally.

"It's your mother, Sir. There was word from the prison".

Aang tuned out the soldiers, watching the woman he loved receive the news from a different set of guards. Azula froze, eyes wide.

"Former princess Ursa was killed in a coup during her visit. We do not believe she was involved, but just in the wrong place at the wrong time".

Aang barely had time to process the movements as he swung his arm in time with the fire lord. The soldiers revealed their faces along with two large bursts of flames. Imposters! Zuko managed to wrestle one of them down as Aang opened the earth beneath their feet to trap the other attacker.

"Aang! It's fine! Go help my sister!"

The avatar's head jerked in Azula's direction. Azula ducked beneath a rage of flames from her attackers, sending two balls of azure fire towards them. Aang quickly lifted both arms as the imposters advanced towards the princess, causing both men to fall from the shifted earth. With quick movements he trapped the men in two mounds of stone and hurried to his princess's side.

"The revolution CANNOT be stopped!" Cried one of the false soldiers, yanking off his helmet. "The true fire lord-"

A lightning flashed the panicking room leaving the man charred and making his partner's eyes bulge to the steaming princess next to the avatar.

"Princess, please, mercy! Your mother's death was an accident. The baby-" Life vanished along with his words.

Aang turned in horror. Azula stomped away, making a clear path through scrambling and shocked guests towards the exit. The party-goers hurriedly allowed the princess to pass, her eyes low and dangerous.

"Stop her, Katara!" Cried Aang, fearing for the princess's mental state.

The waterbender was helping party goers who had been injured in the panicked stampede for the one exit. Katara looked around for Zuko, then found his little sister approaching her brother. Both siblings communicated with their golden, sorrowful eyes before disappearing together from the fire temple in the direction of Capital City Prison.

#

Ozai was pacing his cell when the fire lord appeared alone before him.

"Well, I was expecting your sister. Where is she?" He asked, smoothly.

Zuko glared at him. A pale tattooed hand stopped him before he could open the bars of the cage.

"You!" Growled Ozai, eyes livid towards the avatar.

Aang glared in the man's direction, yet managed to control himself. Looking to his friend, he spoke softly. "Zuko, please. Your mother had Zaheer with her. We know her…fate, but my son…Ozai will know. Besides enough blood has been shed today".

"Not his!" Growled Zuko, pulling away from his friend. "NOT HIS!"

Ozai laughed, gripping the bars. "Why don't you two just kiss and wish your problems away?" Looking past the men, in a nervous manner, he asked again. "Where is your sister?"

"Far away from you," assured Aang. He and Zuko had managed to convince Azula to wait outside of the prison with Katara in hopes that someone would attempt to leave with Zaheer.

"You don't know me, Boy," said Ozai, obvious disappointment in his voice. "You may have taken my bending, but if you were smarter, you would've taken my life. Then we wouldn't be in this…predicament, hmm, Zuko?"

Zuko flinched noticeably and Aang felt a wave of guilt in his spine.

"He knows I am right. I have never been one to spare the rod with my…children".

Aang's collar was jerked and he was suddenly face to face with a livid Zuko. "Wait! Zuko you don't-"

"Why didn't you just kill him like I told you to do? Now my mother-"

The singe of a shuriken flew towards both men's heads before lightning silenced the room. Aang jerked his head to see life leaving Ozai's body in a rapid pace. Breathing in short bursts from the torn hole in his chest, Ozai gripped the bars of his cage as he slumped over.

With a small chuckle he looked past the men at his attacker, the shuriken lodged in her stomach. "I could always count on you, My Prodigy," said the fire lord, his voice raspy. "I always owned you".

"Azula!" Cried both men, hurrying to the fallen princess.

Azula had eluded Katara and witnessed Ozai's attempt to turn the men against one another and cowardly assassinate them both while they were not watching him. Like an idiot, she had thrown herself in the line of fire, taking the full brunt of the knife while aiming a deadly bolt for the former fire lord. Her aim had been perfect. She watched her father take his last breath of air before his eyes dimmed forever.

Closing her own, she allowed the avatar to wrap his arms around her as Katara flew into the bloody scene.

"Quick! Katara can you do something?" Asked Zuko, pressing his hand to stop the excessive blood from leaving his sister's body.

He could not believe that she had sacrificed herself like that. Looking to Aang, his body tensed as the avatar clutched Azula's head to his chest, his tattoos flickering intermittently.

"It is going to be ok, Aang," assured his ex-wife, removing the water from her pouch and covering the wound.

"Is…he dead?" Azula managed to croak, wincing as Zuko and Katara cleaned up the gash and wrapped it with cloth from the fire lord's tunic.

"You were so stupid for that!" Aang choked. "Why did you pick now to be so stupid, Azula? I could have lost you!" Tears were streaming from his face as he spoke.

"Agreed," said Azula weakly. "I guess my luck has not ran out. I have never done something so stupid in my life. Perhaps Zu Zu should put me back in the nuthouse. You'd better make it worth it, Avatar".

#

Azula watched her parents' pyres burn with her brother, his new fiancée and the avatar at her side. Zaheer slept peacefully in her arms. Azula looked away from the scene, closing her eyes as she breathed in his small patch of sandy, black hair.

I always thought my mother, a coward. She thought. Yet, she saved you.

Ursa had managed to get Zaheer to a trusted guard after fighting off Ozai's loyalists. A non-bender, the woman surrendered herself to slaughter to give the guard enough time to leave the prison safely with her grandson. The story had shattered Azula along with the fire lord. Both had dealt with their mother's abandonment in various ways, yet felt the same sorrow as they faced the world without her.

I promise I will be the mother she would want me to be to you. Promised Azula to her son. A kiss on the princess's forehead from the man she almost gave her own life for sealed the deal she made with their son in her heart unbeknownst to him.

"You all are welcomed to live with us," offered the fire lord, after the ceremony. "We could be one big family. Mother would want that".

Azula looked to her quiet, half-sister. The princess knew the look well. The child felt lost without her mother even though her father was by her side. Ursa's untimely demise would take years to recover from.

"Well, we have some traveling to do," announced Aang, his hand around Azula's hip, possessively. "I have business to take care of in Republic City and I want Azula with me".

Azula felt her heart tremble. She had almost forgotten that Aang was the world's avatar also. There were still "revolutions" like her father's loyalists in all of the nations. This would make danger commonplace in their life. Looking to her slumbering baby, she outstretched her arms towards her half-sister. Shocked the girl carefully took the boy.

"Take care of him for me until we return, ok?" She tasked the blossoming, young lady.

Kiyi's eyes gleamed happily. Azula knew she would make the perfect aunt. Turning to her dreamy avatar, she grasped his chivalrous elbow and was led away from the palace towards his massive bison.

"Remember Appa?" Asked Aang, helping her atop the bison's saddle carefully before blowing a gust of wind to position himself at the reigns.

Azula rolled her eyes. "Of course, his stink was in my clothing for weeks," she informed him.

The bison grunted and gave a small hop that sent Azula flying head first into Aang's back.

"Hmph! I hope he knows I'm NOT a vegetarian," she hissed, wrapping her arms around Aang's shoulders.

The avatar laughed and snapped the reigns. "Hey, Buddy, calm down! She's going to be around for a long time".

The statement brought a soft smile to the woman's face and she buried her head in her lover's neck as they lifted into the air.