I think about the day I got wrapped around your finger. I think about us.

"Azula".

"Mother? Mother, why?"

"I love you, Azula".

Light pecks on the nose and forehead stirred Princess Azula awake from a dream that she could barely remember, though Ursa's voice seemed incredibly real. Her eyes fluttered open to meet a sparkling of brownish-green ones smiling back at her.

"Morning, Mommy," came a horrible imitation of baby talk that definitely would not arise from the sweet baby boy before her.

The perfect, precious child blew a perfect spit bubble that burst onto his mother's face.

"Oops! Sorry," came the terrible baby voice again.

Azula gave a light chuckle, wiping her face with her forearm. "Let me guess, your papa taught you that?" She asked the baby.

"No," squeaked, "the baby," his tiny feet dancing on Azula's naked belly with the help of two tattooed hands grasping his sides to hold him upright.

Azula smirked at the arrowed head peering over the top of her son's mess of dark hair. Taking her son into her own hands, the princess feared she would smother him with her tight, loving hug. Zaheer purred in her neck, happily, leaving a trail of drool on it when she outstretched her arms to behold his face again.

"My prince," she whispered, softly. "My sweet, baby prince. I've missed you so". She could not help saying as she brought him to her chest for a second time.

Reaching for the child's father with her lengthy nails, she stroked his beard, beckoning him to join them. Taking the hint, the avatar leaned in to take the woman's lips in his, savoring a sweet kiss that shook his entire body. The funeral was set for tomorrow and Azula had chosen to stay in her room for the day. Though Aang enjoyed his time with his other children, he worried for his love and immediately took leave to join her in her bedroom. He also had some thrilling news to share with her.

Settling behind the princess, against the headboard, the two quietly lulled Zaheer to sleep with him cradled to Azula protectively and tattooed forearms, around the princess holding both his child and his child's mother. Aang kissed the woman's neck as she hummed a familiar song that he'd heard General Iroh sing the words to several times. The kisses turned to longing suckles as he felt unwanted heat form from watching the woman he adored cooing over their child. Azula moaned in response, turning to meet his lips.

"I can't thank you enough for our son," she whispered, breathless when they released.

The two watched Zaheer attempt to fight impending sleep, widening his eyes intermittently as they closed uncontrollably.

"Our prince," said Aang, softly. "He will be Prince Zaheer when we return from the earth kingdom. Zuko believes to be his birthright as first heir to your family's lineage".

Azula gasped. "Well, that seems appropriate," she said, attempting to keep the surprise out of her voice. "He is the son of the world's king".

Aang blushed. Saving the world from Ozai's reign of terror had definitely earned him a place in the world's history books, but he felt truly royal only when the princess looked at him with such admiration and love. He knew that she had no idea of how her facial expressions gave way to feelings and he would never reveal it to her.

"Prince Zaheer," said Azula, kissing the snoring baby's cheek.

She rose to lay the baby in a golden crib adjacent to her bed. After a soft stroke of his hair, she pulled the crimson blanket over his shoulders. Who would have thought that she would birth the kingdom's heir to the throne? Prince Zaheer, son of Princess Azula and Avatar Aang, it was so…unplanned, yet simply, brilliant. Royally beautiful.

#

Mai stared passively at the odd sight before her beneath long bangs. Izumi sat next to her in a similar, classy fashion as she had coached the child numerous times to do at home. Location was no excuse as her daughter was still a product of elite Fire Nationals and Mai was determined to instill in Izumi the customs and ways of noblewomen of her homeland should they ever return. Which, due to running into Azula and her avatar, she knew would be inevitable.

Omashu was the first of the former conquered Fire Nation strongholds to allow the enemy within its walls once again after the war. King Bumi was a hands-off ruler, who allowed his citizens the freedom to enjoy their lives and hard-earned wealth without the fear of taxes or uniformed protectors of the law. Though his citizens were happier than in most cities around the earth kingdom, his council was not as forthcoming and sought to undermine the aging ruler in any way possible.

Knowledge of the political atmosphere made the knife-wielder expect the messenger hawk that flew into the small teashop and perch atop the booth's chair behind Aang and his snoring girlfriend, whose head was slumped against his shoulder.

Izumi clapped happily, sitting between Haru and Mai across from the couple, as the messenger hawk was sent away when Aang retrieved the rolled letter from its back. Mai watched over the rim of her steaming tea mug as the avatar scanned the letter, losing the color in his already pale face. Before she could, Haru asked, "Problem, Aang?"

Avatar Aang sighed, burning the letter slowly before sending the ashes out of an adjacent, open window. Kissing the princess's sweat drenched forehead, he spoke softly while gazing at her with eyes that Mai could only impossibly fathom as the purest, complicated love.

"She's gone through enough," said the avatar. "Why is everything she does blown out of this world? It was a mistake, geez!"

"She did burn down an entire restaurant," pointed out Haru, signaling for a refill of his tea from a nearby waiter.

Aang pursed his lips. "She wouldn't have done that without the cactus juice that YOU gave her," he hissed at which Haru shrugged, attempting to reach across Izumi to wrap his arm around Mai.

The woman cut her eye with a deadly glare in his direction, making the earthbender cough and pretend to stretch instead. Aang raised an eyebrow at the two.

"So, are you two an item?" He asked, passively stroking the princess's hand.

"Yes".

"No".

"Maybe".

"Never".

"One day".

Mai rolled her eyes, swatting at Izumi's elbows on the table. The girl removed them, giving a pout.

"We sleep together," she finally revealed, glancing at the child who had found interest in the candle setting displayed in the middle of the table.

Haru gave a smirk. "A lot," he mouthed towards Aang, who chuckled, shaking his head.

"I'm sure you two have some feelings for each other, right?"

Mai huffed. "He's sufficient. Izumi approves".

"Ha! I'm twenty times better than her angsty pops," announced Haru with a haughty laugh, immediately silencing at a look sharper than his bed mate's hidden knives, shot in his direction.

"And who might that be?"

Mai narrowed her eyes at the waking princess, stretching as she removed her head from the avatar and sat upright. After several blinks, the princess locked eyes with her former friend, obviously sobered from the cactus juice.

"No one of merit," responded Mai with finality.

"You refuse your princess answers?" Asked Azula smoothly, noting Mai's eyes watching as her hand slipped between her lover's fingers, intertwining passively on the table.

"Are you sure you are still a princess? Last time I saw you, you thought you were a spirit. Crazy much?"

The comment sparked the reaction she knew she would get when Azula's lip curled. Surprisingly, Aang's fingers tightened around hers instantly calmed the woman. The knife wielder was shocked. She assumed fucking the avatar had to be quite the experience, but obviously her old friend was very…different. There had to be more to this relationship. Could her old friend truly be in love? Was that even possible?

#

"Oh, Mai, Ty Lee needs help untangling her braid".

"Sounds pretty serious".

Mai found her other friend with her head stuck in a lady's fashion pamphlet, sprawled in her nakedness across Azula's bed. Braid intact of course which did not surprise Mai. She and Zuko had a universal pact. "Azula always lies" written on their foreheads dating back to their shared childhoods, before love, betrayal and heartbreak set them on opposite courses with their secret love child to remind the knife-wielder of what once was.

"I hope you don't plan on being in here when Fire Lord Ozai comes by. Zuko and Azula have their training in an hour". Warned Mai, choosing to stand against a wall with her arms crossed.

Ty Lee giggled. "I won't get caught, trust me. Azula and I have done this plenty of times. What are you doing here anyway?"

"Babysitting," snapped Mai.

Ty Lee gave her a pout. "Azula said a soldier told her about Prince Zuko going to visit their uncle in prison. Do you think he is a traitor, Mai?"

Mai rolled her eyes. She was growing quite irritated with the princess's paranoia. The incredible feat of killing Avatar Aang had done nothing to appease the woman, if anything it made her more emotional and erratic. It was only when she was high off of poppies that the younger girl actually seemed to relax and was actually fun to be around. Poor thing. Mai held some pity for her. Between her and her brother, she was unsure which would drop dead from a heart attack first.

"No. Prince Zuko loves his country. He would never betray it," she announced, signaling the end of the conversation with a wave of her hand.

Ty Lee shrugged. "Whatever, anyway, so I kinda told Azula how I felt about her today".

Instantly curious, Mai prompted her to continue. "And her response?"

Ty Lee beamed. "Well, I was going to ask you since you are so good at figuring out her hidden meanings and all. She said that I'm more fun with my mouth closed".

Mai wanted to give herself a facepalm. Her poor friend was too dumb to even take bold-face rejection. Azula was never loyal to anyone, but Ozai. Her friend was chasing a lost cause.

"So?" Asked Ty Lee with hopeful, doe-like eyes.

"Obviously, she is just saying she is madly in love with you".

Mai wanted to scream when Ty Lee flipped from the bed, sprinting clear across the room to scoop her friend in a bear hug, unabashed by her nudity.

Idiot.Thought Mai.

"So you two look pretty serious," said the knife wielder.

"We are," piped Aang with a bright smile.

"Who's her father?" Asked Azula, now rudely pointing to Izumi. Mai was unsure of whether to be upset by her rudeness or surprised that she did not object to Aang's affirmation of their relationship.

"In love?" She asked, ignoring the question.

Aang looked nervously at the princess, obviously losing her patience.

"Fine, Mai, I'll play your little game". She said, at which Mai smiled genuinely.

"We always tied at Pai Sho, remember Friend?"

Azula waved her hand. "I absolutely hate him. Our fucking is terrible and we created the most hideous child known to man".

Fortunately, Izumi had dozed off on the noblewoman's arm or the noblewoman would have been livid at Azula's crude language. Instead, she returned the smirk on Azula's lips with one of her own. Aang gave Haru a serious look.

"Hey Ladies, how about we take this home, you know, since the place is closing anyway. It's pretty late," Haru announced.

Both women agreed and left the teashop thankfully free of burn or knife marks. The avatar and princess followed Mai and Haru to a small home that was more welcoming than the pathetic hovel that they had first slept in when they arrived in Omashu.

"You are welcomed to stay as long as you wish. But please remember that there are children here and no one is going to change your sheets in the morning like you're so used to, Your Royal Highness," said Mai, rolling her eyes as she took Izumi to her bedroom.

Aang led Azula by the waist to their room for the night. "Come on, we need to talk about something".

Sensing the seriousness in his voice, the princess gave him her full attention as she sat on the bed and he closed the door behind him. Sitting on the bed Azula straddled him, removing his shirt and pushing his chest back so into a reclined position. Placing his hands behind his head, Aang explained the contents of the letter from the council.

"So…let me get this straight, they want to kick us out of this slum of a city like peasants, for what? That stuff was illegal anyway!" Hissed the princess.

Aang rubbed his chin. Azula adjusted her position, leaning on his side and kissed his cheek. His mind found it difficult to concentrate when her hand moved down his abdominals and disappeared beneath his trousers.

"I'm going to speak to the council," he managed to say. "I'm sure Bumi will listen even if they don't".

Azula flickered her tongue along his earlobe, her hand absently stroking him to hardness. "We've been here too long anyway. After running into Mai, I'm ready to board your smelly bison, asap". Aang moaned as her lips met his chest and kissed her way down. Her fleshy tongue made him jerk in response to her licking his erect nipple. "I say they can kiss your tattooed ass along with the commission to Republic City's infrastructure project".

"Azula…" Groaned Aang, closing his eyes when she placed hot, painted lips on his member before opening them and moving downward in one full, slow intake.

Mmm?" groaned the princess, sending shockwaves through the avatar's body when she gazed at him with molten, longing eyes.

"Don't stop," begged Aang, banishing the council's foolishness from his mind, instead moving his hips in a circular motion.

Azula obeyed, gripping his muscular thighs with her nails, nearly breaking skin, to keep him in place. Aang clenched his teeth to avoid filling the room with loud gasps. Azula worked him into a mad, silent fit, eyes challenging him on each pass.

Coming up for air, Azula smirked, deviously. "Feeling better?"

Aang shuddered from the loss of warmth. "Tease," he hissed playfully.

Azula responded by hurrying to mount him when his hands stopped her in a powerful grip on her hips.

"Our fucking is terrible remember?" He reminded her of her very words.

Azula's eyes narrowed. "Of course you did not take that little comment to heart," she said with a shrug. "I was merely playing a game with my old friend".

"Mmhmm," Aang remarked, placing Azula on the bed next to him.

Baffled, the princess began to stutter uncharacteristically as he stood. "W-Wait…why…where are you going at this time of night?" She demanded to know.

The avatar shrugged. "Just going to take a stroll. I do have the meeting in the morning and since you despise sex with me, perhaps we should sleep apart".

"This had better be a joke! You can't just leave me! I-I am your princess!" She growled. Swallowing a chuckle, Aang wiped the smirk from his face with his hand while his back was turned to the squealing princess. "Get back in this bed, NOW!"

"Hmm…" He said simply, adjusting his trousers.

"Aang!"

"On one condition," said the avatar turning to the face the scowling princess.

"Yes?" She asked, one eyebrow arched.

Instead of speaking, the avatar placed a red betrothal necklace with a black ribbon on the nightstand. Azula's eyes widened.

"I…I can't. I'm not…"

"You are my princess?" Azula nodded. "Well I intend to make you my queen," finished Aang with a smirk.

Before she could speak, they were incased in a ball of air with Aang's bending. Azula blushed from the loud gasp she gave when the avatar aligned himself instantly.

"Don't worry," assured her love, "No one but I can hear you, My Queen".

The princess shivered as his breath tickled her neck. Her body felt light, though she was able to push the avatar onto his back once again. "You love this position, huh?" He noted with a smirk.

Instead of a verbal response, Azula watched her boyfriend give silent cries below her. She felt more powerful than the man she was riding with ease. She gripped his shoulders as she worked him in varying patterns. They were finding a rhythm when Mai briefly crossed her thoughts during the pleasure.

Mai is a fool to think she can hide a princess. She thought, hissing as Aang came up to suckle her breast. Pushing him back onto his back, she rode him faster, making his eyes roll to the back of his head in bliss. Then, again, Zaheer would be next in line for the throne. Maybe it is for the best.

Azula yelped when Aang suddenly overpowered her, flipping them over, taking her calves in his hands. He pushed inside so deeply that she forgot the world instantly when she was filled completely on each thrust. Wrapping her arms about his muscular neck, she whined like a child into it, clenching desperately from the increased pleasure as his tattoos began to glow and his lips found hers. the power was so intense, and overwhelmingly intoxicating. Who needed cactus juice when she was free to make love to the world's godly king? Azula kissed the deity with all of her being, basking in the love radiating around her.

"Great day for a trip, huh, Azula?"

"Be careful how you put my luggage on that shaggy beast of yours". Azula responded, passively. Ignoring Ty Lee's "mean" comment.

She had caught herself staring at the avatar. My how he'd grown in a year's time. She was never one for ballness, but the stubble on his chin was cute.

After the mothwasps and Ursa's hidden identity, the princess and the avatar spoke alone for the first time when he joined her around the campfire for his turn in the nightly "watchdog" rounds. Her other babysitters chose to keep a safe distance during their rounds. Even Zuko was notably distant. Aang had been the only one to actually sit next to her in the woods.

"Actually, no," answered Aang, relighting the small campfire. "I was just cold".

"I could have done that," announced Azula, haughtily.

"Yeah, so why didn't you?"

"You did,"

"I saw you were cold".

"I'm not helpless".

"Not at all".

"People think that I am. I see the way they all stare and whisper. But I have the letter. I am sure Zuko told you. I have a destiny".

"Destiny is a funny thing".

Azula was shocked awake, unsure if she had heard Aang's words correctly. "W-What did you say?" She asked, regally.

Aang's hips moved in a slower pace. "I want to make you mine forever," he said, breathlessly, kissing her neck with one leg hoisted over his shoulder. Azula shook at his deep thrusts, so close to her peak, she felt the rush of pleasure, barely hearing Aang whisper in her ear. "Will you-"

"YES!" She cried out, not caring what was said. She was there, basking in uncontrollable ripples from her lover as he pulsed inside her. He was close also.

Regaining control, she flipped them once again, making Aang lose control of their air bubble as she rode him like a wild eel-hound until he unleashed. The two panted as they came down from their high, legs intertwined and kisses exchanged.

"Yes, marry me, Azula. I am serious," said her boyfriend.

Marriage? She had always despised the idea of marriage. Her father described it as an alliance. She was to be married off to probably some Northern Water Tribe boy for the sake of overthrowing the kingdom. Yet, when Aang said the words, her stomach flipped. She really wanted this. But how could she when the world hated her? She would ruin the avatar.

"You must have had some cactus juice yourself," she said lightly in his ear, immediately closing her eyes so that she could not see the hurt on his face.

#

A different child's fingers against her arm jarred Azula back to the present, Izumi retracted her hand with a shy smile. "You're really pretty," said the little girl, softly. "Like Mommy".

Azula smiled back at the small child from where she sat on Mai's loveseat in her small, Earth Kingdom home. The child's mother was preparing tea while her "bed mate" rekindled the dying flame in the hearth with more wood.

"A little help, please, Princess?" Asked Haru, stepping away from the rearranged logs.

Azula nodded, outstretching her hand. Instead of her signature flame, a puff of black smoke flickered, making her blush. "Ahem, excuse me," she apologized. "Guess, I'm a bit rusty". Standing, she took her signature bending stance and shot two fingers towards the hearth. A larger…puff of black smoke emerged.

"What?" Azula gasped, looking to her hands as if they were foreign.

"Sex-ahem-bed mating with the avatar seems to have weakened you, Princess," said Mai with a chuckle, handing the woman a mug of steamed tea. "Izumi, why don't you try?"

The child beamed, happily, scrambling to her feet. Azula watched the child take a stance with horrible posture, making her lip curl. "Your arms are too far apart," she commented, bitterness in her tone. "You'll set the house on fire. Two fingers for precision and grace. Fists are erratic and amateurish".

Izumi nodded, using two fingers, she sent a brilliant, golden flame to spark the logs.

"Perfect," approved Azula, making the girl blush, happily. "A true prodigy, perhaps. It runs in the family". Noticing Mai's smug smile, she added. "Shame on your mother choosing to keep you from your true destiny. Oh well, she reminds me of someone".

Mai scowled, taking a seat in a reclining chair next to the loveseat. Sensing the impending catfight, Haru used his earthbending to slide Izumi into his arms. "Hey let's go chase Momo," he offered at which the little girl agreed, leaving the old friends.

Did he take my bending somehow? Azula wondered, ignoring Mai's glare. He weakened me! She told herself in disbelief.

"Obviously, you have some things on your mind, Princess. I'm all ears like in the good old days".

The women sipped their tea, simultaneously. Azula decided to deal with Aang and her lost abilities when he returned from his meeting with King Bozo.

"Proditor," she hissed in the old language of their nation. "Puer, quod debes".

"Speak plain," spoke Mai, though she understood every word. "I am not a traitor and I owe my child a regular life. A safe life. Look at what happened to you, Your Highness".

Azula's jaw twitched and Mai nearly choked, feeling some guilt.

"You're enjoying this," commented Azula.

"Not at all," said Mai. "I did enjoy seeing you on cactus juice. Thought you were done with intoxicates".

"I have no idea of your meaning".

"Plenus stercoris es," spewed Mai. "That man is too good for you," she added, truthfully.

"Optime," answered Azula, with perfect enunciation.

"Exaudi me, qui pater est, filius?"

Mai's eyes narrowed. "Can't you tell? Can't you see the family resemblance?"

Azula's fingers smoked angrily. "You've been hiding her all this time? A royal descendant!"

"She's better off, Azula. Obviously being a princess is not all it's cracked up to be".

Azula breathed, harshly. "Zuko is not Ozai," she managed to say softly. "I'm done with this. My son will be fire lord with your daughter hidden away. He will be a ruler to rival the gods".

"An oppressor," grumbled Mai.

"What?" Growled Azula back.

"Your family of oppressors. Zaheer will join their ranks. Taking freedom at a whim. At least Izumi will never be the face of a nation of destruction!"

Azula's teeth clenched, fists balled. If only she had her bending, Mai would be smoldering within seconds. She chose to use her words, rising from the love seat, "Izumi could be a face of change, but you're afraid. The Mai I knew would never allow fear to stop her".

"You're one to talk!" Yelled Mai after her back as the princess left the house.

In the backyard, Izumi played cheerfully with Haru, reminding Azula of her baby prince waiting on her to return home. If Aang had actually taken her bending, how could she protect their son? Surely there were others who resented their family's history of oppression as Mai put it. The knife-wielder had spoken with such disdain, despite being a descendant of nobles always in allegiance to the throne.

M-Maybe I could change the face of our legacy? She thought. That was Father's legacy anyway, but the world loves this…hope…maybe there is some…hope..

She thought on her words to Aang before he left. He had proposed to her and in her passion, she had agreed, only to retract it later. Yet, she had really wanted it. Her body burned with anger and love for that beautiful, powerful man. The world's king. Deciding against waiting any longer, Azula took off for the palace, bidding Haru and Izumi goodbye.

#

Aang chomped down on green rock candy as the royal council spoke on the progression of Republic City. He wished Zuko had chosen to take on this boring affair. He was the better listener anyway and Aang could only think of his girlfriend's rejection of his proposal. What more did he have to prove to her that he was on her side?

"Omashu's citizen's will greatly benefit from commission to work in Republic City". Announced a lanky, gray-haired council member.

Aang nodded about to speak when the doors flew open, revealing the fire nation's princess in a brilliant, short black dress that made him lick his lips before noticing the shining, red pendant with black ribbon wrapped about her neck that matched her six-inch heels.

The betrothal necklace! He thought. The necklace had been forged in the Fire Nation before the couple left. He had only hoped to one day see the princess in it and the sight made his eyes water.

"Princess Azula! You are not welcomed in Omashu!" Shouted a different council member, signaling a swarm of soldiers to gather in the room.

"Stop!" Commanded Aang. "She is my fiancée. If she is not welcomed, neither am I and you can kiss your commission out the door!"

The council of four men and one woman were stunned as Aang flew to the princess, grasping her waist and locking their lips in front of them. King Bumi broke the silence with a shrill laugh. "Congratulations, Aang!" He exclaimed. "I always knew part of you loved the bad girls," he cackled before chomping another candy.

Aang blushed as Azula moaned in response to the kiss. They detached and the avatar rubbed his nose, feeling dizzy.

"On behalf of the avatar, you all are pardoned for our poor accommodations in this despicable city. King Bumi, you obviously understand the position of your nation best, yet your council has done nothing to improve the lives of your people. They constantly override your judgement and outwardly disrespect the avatar? Perhaps, you need a moment to mull it over and remind them of their place". With that she led the avatar away by the arm speaking in a lowered tone. "We need to talk".

#

Azula led the man into Bumi's bedroom. Aang could not keep his eyes off her beauty.

"I cannot bend. Can you explain this?" Asked the princess, coolly propped against a wall.

Aang shook his head before thinking of Zuko. "Zuko lost his bending after-"

Azula's eyes flickered, dangerously. "After what?"

"After he joined us. He found his…destiny".

Aang cringed, thinking Azula would strike him out of anger. When she did not, Aang approached with caution. Reading her thoughts, he added, "Your destiny is to be my wife, Azula. I can help you regain your bending, but you have to trust me. I promise to always honor you. I will treat nothing less than a…queen".

The princess bit her lip. Her destiny. She thought on her story, the pain, the hurt, the betrayal. She had been abused, manipulated and used over and over until she had lost all feelings. Until now.

"Aang, I'm not…I'm". She was speechless.

"You're Princess Azula. The mother of our prince and the love of my life," said Aang, taking the betrothal necklace in his fingers.

Their lips met. Azula felt her knees buckle. Love, unbidden love. She was indeed Princess Azula and she had conquered the avatar in a way she had never imagined. The feeling was absolutely, royally beautiful.