Azula awoke to wetness on her toes. Squirming, she yanked her foot away from the dripping, only to feel a splash of dampness hit her forehead. Growling, the princess opened her eyelid, slightly. Scanning around, she recognized Mai's modest bedroom stylishly decorated to resemble the fashions of their homeland with its crimson walls and golden fixtures. Another splash nearly demolished the drowsy woman's false eyelash, making her golden glare search the bedroom for the source.
Eyes widening, Azula caught sight of the cracking, discolored ceiling. Hastily, she rose on her palms, stirring Ty Lee awake. The acrobat slept in a childish stupor atop Azula's leg, her mouth open, with the crimson sheets half-way off her naked body. Aang grunted between his snores on the other side of the princess. The memory of their anniversary shared with Azula's only friends brought a genuine smile to her face. It was a night she would always remember.
Shaking her thoughts away, Azula shook her fiancé awake roughly.
"Aang," she called. "Aang, get up!"
"In a minute, Princess," grumbled the avatar, swatting her hands away.
The crack in the ceiling widened, releasing more water from the unknown source. "Get up!" Yelled out the princess, making Ty Lee yelp and sit straight up in bed.
The sight of the half-asleep acrobat with her brown hair jutting out in all directions from relentless tugs of her signature braid was priceless. Azula would have laughed at being the reason for the young woman's current, horrendous state, if she wasn't worried about drowning.
Aang slowly rose, propping himself up. "What is it?" He asked, rubbing his eye with a knuckle.
Azula pointed up and his baby, brown eyes followed the direction quickly becoming fully alert. With swift movements, he managed to decrease the widening crack in the ceiling by pushing back the water. His face contorted with heavy concentration. Something was pushing harder.
"Quick, you and Ty Lee need to get out of here, now!" He ordered. "It is a lot of water. I'm not sure how long I can hold it".
The women shuffled for quick bed robes to throw around their forms before running towards the bedroom's exit. Halting at the doorway, Azula turned back to Aang, struggling to keep the roof from caving in around them.
"Come on, Azula, you heard him," said Ty Lee, tugging at the princess's arm. With a gentle pull, Azula wrenched her arm free. "What are you doing?" Hissed Ty Lee. "You're not a waterbender".
"Go make sure Izumi and Mai are ok. I'm not leaving my husband".
Ty Lee was about to correct her, but instead she smiled meekly at the princess's back. Darting out, she met Mai and Izumi in the gardens. Surrounding the mother and daughter on all sides were men and women of varying nations with very unfriendly expressions on their faces. Ty Lee searched for a hiding place to strike if necessary while Mai brandished her weapons in both hands. Izumi clutched her mother's dark dress, eyes low and reminiscent of her deadly aunt.
Ty Lee spotted a large cluster of shrubbery just beyond the group and took off in that direction. On her hands and knees, she peered at the scene.
"Surrender the avatar and the princess. You will remain unharmed," spoke a woman with dark hair, though her eyes and accent were clearly Water Tribe.
"I don't take orders well," hissed Mai. "Why don't you put that bending of yours to good use? This city is thirsty and you're wasting their water".
"Oh, we plan to," spoke a man at the woman's right. Ty Lee looked to him and quickly counted about fifteen people, though she could not see how many were dismantling the roof of Mai's home from its front. "The avatar's neglect is what led to this," continued the man. "He chooses to parade around with the world's oppressor instead of committing to his duties. The Red Lotus has been called upon to handle such transgressions".
A loud explosion from inside of the home caught everyone's attention.
No! Thought Ty Lee, watching the roof cave in on itself. She could not see a sign of Azula nor Aang from the dust and glass that burst from the collapse.
"Grab her!" Someone screamed, making Ty Lee reveal herself.
Several knives released from Mai's wrist as she attempted to flee. The waterbender took off behind the woman with her child in her arms. Ty Lee caught several vigilantes by surprise, paralyzing them one by one in their attempts to assist her.
"Mai!" She screamed out.
The knife wielder turned, eyes widening as sharp, ice daggers aimed for her face. In a breathless instant, the daggers burst into melted water droplets. Mai looked to her daughter.
"See, Mommy, Aunt 'Zula taught me that," the little girl beamed from her shoulder.
Mai gave a soft smile before sending a dagger at the shocked waterbender, nailing her to a nearby tree. The chaos died down when the woman grunted, head slumped forward from the impact. Placing Izumi on the ground, Mai approached the deadly stranger, ready to make her talk when Ty Lee approached carrying the burly man who had spoken to her atop her strong shoulders. His eyes were wide and fearful from his paralyzed state. Ty Lee dropped him with a hard thud and rolled her shoulders.
"Good thing I haven't stopped training since leaving the warriors," she announced proudly.
"Where are Aang and Azula?" Asked Mai. "I'm sure they would like a word with him".
Before Ty Lee could answer, another voice spoke.
"Safe, thankfully".
The three turned. Mai felt faint at the new blast from the past that had spoken.
"Zuko," she gasped, unsure of how to feel.
She and the fire lord glanced to the small child huddled next to her.
"Fire Lord," greeted Ty Lee, hoping to break the sudden tension.
"Good to see you again, Ty Lee". Turning his attention back to his ex, he bowed humbly. "Time has been good to you, My Lady," he complimented, making Mai's voice constrict.
"How did you find me?" Asked Mai as emotionless as she could manage.
"An anonymous tip flew in by messenger hawk," answered Zuko. "There was an interesting part that I needed to see for myself for affirmation, of course".
Mai's eyes lowered as Zuko stared at Izumi. "Where's Azula?" She hissed.
"Is she mine?" Asked Zuko. "She's mine, isn't she? It makes sense. The night before my father's war meeting. You've hidden her all this time, Mai? How could you? You know that kidnapping royalty is high treason".
"Not when she is my daughter. I wanted to protect her from you and your sister. Your family and the whole divine right to rule rubbish. I did not want that for her".
Izumi gazed her mother confused. Ty Lee would not look at anyone, suddenly taking a deep interest in her bare feet.
"It's just like Azula to reach out to you behind my back. That snake. She's just like your father. Her son can have the throne. He can enjoy the same fate as your grandfather!"
Mai had barely sputtered the words in a thoughtless rage before she felt her chest tighten, her breath caught, unable to release from her nose or mouth. Panicking, she dropped to her knees, eyes wide.
"Mommy!" Screamed Izumi, hysterical as Mai grasped her throat, choking in attempts to draw in air.
Zuko and Ty Lee looked to the powerful being responsible. Zuko was speechless. He had never imagined Aang's airbending ability to extend to this. Fear of his once good friend, made the fire lord brandish two hot whips of fire.
"Release her, immediately, Avatar," he growled.
Aang's fingers pulsed, his eyes flickering between pure white and normalcy. Next to him, Azula's eyes were narrowed as she watched Mai struggle. Katara appeared with the last of the waterbending attackers incased in blocks of ice. She gasped, unsure of whether to approach Aang with Azula at his side.
"Let her go!" Growled Zuko.
"Or what, Zuzu? Your beloved obviously has a problem with us. Let's put her out of her misery, shall we?"
"Aang!" Hissed Katara, fingers clenched.
Both the princess and avatar's head jerked in her direction, Aang's eyes flickering. Azula bared her teeth.
"Aunt 'Zula, please," begged Izumi, grasping her mother's shoulders in a hug.
It was then that Azula touched her lover's bicep. "She is not worth it," said the princess.
Aang released the woman instantly, turning away from the party almost shamefully. Mai collapsed grasping for precious life as Izumi cried into her neck.
"Our son has nothing to do with your hang ups. You should know who holds the real power, Brother. We don't take kindly to threats," said Azula.
The fire lord locked eyes with Aang. It was true, Aang was now a fully realized avatar. A threat if his sister held such power over the most powerful being on earth. As if reading his thoughts, Azula smirked at him.
"Can we just discuss this as adults?" Asked Katara. "These Red Lotus people were trying to kill you guys, obviously".
Aang turned to face the group as Azula surveyed the captives. The waterbender with Mai's knife jutting from her drenched, bleeding forearms groaned causing the princess to set her sights on the woman. With steady, elegant steps, Azula tightened the sash around her bed robe passively, licking her lips. The rush of interrogating captives burned her sleeping chi. The woman was lucky that she was handicapped, herself currently.
"You have no clue what is in store for you, Child" snarled the woman, breathing shallowing from excessive loss of blood.
"Azula, we don't want to call attention to ourselves," Zuko tried to intervene.
His efforts were futile as Azula approached the trembling woman. The waterbender avoided her soul-stirring gaze until the princess placed her forefinger under her chin, lifting it violently, making the woman see stars from the impact of the back of her head against the tree.
"I haven't been a child in a long time," purred Azula, leaning close enough to blow the hairs in the woman's nose.
The woman was bold to say the least, staring the princess directly in the eye though she visibly trembled. "You people have oppressed your own and the world for centuries. You will soon be as extinct as your precious dragons," she hissed.
"Is that so?" Asked Azula, moving her hand slowly towards the lodged knife as she spoke. "Tell me. What do you know about dragons, Water Peasant?"
"That they're extinct," snapped the woman.
Azula smirked.
"Azula!" Called Zuko behind her, grasping for his new five year old to shield her face from the horrific scene. Turning to the avatar, he spoke hastily. "Aang, you're just going to let her-"
The blood curling cry was followed by blood spilling from the young waterbender's eyes and mouth. Zuko gripped his daughter's head against his belly. Katara trembled in horror. Mai was stoic and unflapped as usual while Ty Lee nearly lost last night's dinner. Azula wiped her hands clean with the waterbender's gown.
"There is a lesson, here, Zuzu. That is how you send a message. Now, deal with your own issues," said the princess, taking her silent future husband's arm with her own. "And to answer your question, Mai. Obviously, someone else has a problem with royalty also. Keep an eye on your princess".
With that the two departed.
#
"Yip, yip," said Aang, concentrating on navigating Appa in the windy air towards Hira'a. "We should make it before nightfall," said the avatar to his noticeably silent fiancée. "Something wrong, Princess?"
"You nearly killed her, you know," commented Azula, from the opposite end of the saddle, stroking Momo's fur passively as he relaxed on her lap. "You bent the air from her body. I did not know that was possible".
Aang sighed. He had tried to forget the ordeal, though he knew that he would need to deal with the Red Lotus situation soon for Azula's safety. The fact that the knife-wielder had threatened his beloved son had forced his emotions to burst in light of the events. He had lost control, but Azula had actually killed in front of him and had done nothing to stop her. A part of him felt that it was due, yet the look Katara had sent his way made him shameful of his actions or lack thereof.
"I don't want to talk about it. It should not have gone that far," he said.
Azula caught the hint of bitterness in his voice. "Aang, those people were trying to kill us," she countered.
"No one's life should be taken, Azula. No matter the circumstance. It never solves things".
Azula pouted, crossing her arms. Momo squealed at her before flying off to land on Aang's shoulders. "Fine, it won't happen again".
Aang sighed. "I'm more worried about their motives. Have you ever heard of them? Do you think they will strike again?" He asked.
"I haven't. Though I'm sure Mai has an idea. How would they know to attack her home, her room, in particular?"
"They called me a traitor," Aang recalled. "They wanted to kill both of us".
"Exactly," agreed Azula. "What we stand for. Along with Izumi. Mai knows something. Why did she have the girl in the garden? Why was she willing to leave her home to us when she left for the Fire Nation? It does not make sense".
Aang felt apprehensive about Azula's allegations regarding her friend. "You know her best," he offered, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. "I'll feel better when we pick up Zaheer. Maybe we can take a real vacation with Zuko in the earth kingdom, now".
"He's threatened by you, you know?"
"What?" Aang asked, releasing the reigns to let Appa fly the course in calmer air. He slid back to Azula's side, gently placing the woman on his lap, facing him. "I doubt that," he continued. "Everyone was just upset about everything".
"He's going to leave her," said Azula. "Your waterbender and her three kids will be ousted now that Izumi's in the picture".
Aang would not give the princess the satisfaction of rousing him. He was reminded of the face theif, Koh as he kept his emotions hidden.
"Our four kids will be fine," he said, coolly.
"I have opened my womb once, if I recall correctly. And yes, my son has his father to protect him along with me once I have my bending back".
Aang swallowed. "I have a duty to all of my children, Azula".
Azula shrugged. "Yes, I guess you're right," she gave a dramatic sigh, tracing the tattoo along Aang's broad chest and brick hard abdominals, moving the thin, orange sash over his shoulder away.
As if coaxed, Azula's red bed robe slid off her own shoulders, revealing a fresh, purplish bruise along her neckline slightly hidden by the black ribbon of her betrothal necklace.
"You still have it on," Noted Aang with a gorgeous smile. "It's beautiful on you".
She touched the pendant. "Perhaps I should remove it". She suggested.
Aang's smile vanished. "Why?"
"It is not fitting. Obviously, your duties are more important than making me your wife," she snarled. "The Red Lotus made it clear that their very existence spurred from your choice to be with me".
"I can do what I want. I am the avatar," countered Aang.
"Then prove it!" Demanded Azula. "Prove you are a god among men! They should cower at your feet. Can't you see? They want to replace you. Even Zuzu knows your power, yet he can do nothing about it. With me as your wife, I can make them respect you as they should. Who are we to listen to them? We can take the world, together if we wish".
Instead of allowing the avatar to speak, she kissed him with intense passion, groaning when she felt him harden against her flat, exposed stomach.
#
"Mai please, Azula and Aang were just upset," said Ty Lee from her perch on the sofa in the King Bumi's remodeled guest room. "You shouldn't have said that about Zaheer".
If looks could kill, Ty Lee was sure she would have visited the spirit world long before she expected to. Mai glared at her before turning calmer eyes to Izumi sitting between her mother and her father along with Katara and her rug rats. Of all the kids, Izumi and Katara's eldest, Bumi, hit it off quickly. They instantly began bonding over rock candy and fire flakes with sprinkles.
They were all awaiting King Bumi and his council to discuss the matter of The Red Lotus along with apologizing for any more of Aang and Azula's havoc wreaking the past few days in Omashu.
"Aang is dangerous with Azula, Zuko. You saw it, yourself!" Growled Mai.
The fire lord did not speak though he did squeeze Katara's hand gently when she grasped his for comfort.
"I don't know my sister's intentions". He spoke. "She does not want to be fire lord. She made that clear to me before".
"Azula always lies," reminded Mai.
"Even if she did want it, Aang would not allow it. It is not her destiny".
Mai's eyes narrowed at the waterbender across from her. "Speaking of destinies," she said. "Now that Izumi is here, I would think she would be next in line for the throne".
Zuko winced visibly. Ty Lee bit her lip, looking between the three. "The Red Lotus is targeting the royal family. Could they be part of the New Ozai Society?" She asked.
"It's possible given what happened with my mother," Zuko pointed out. "Her death was an accident, I'm told".
Mai crossed her arms. "And you want your daughter to be a part of this mess?"
Zuko shook his head.
"Izumi won't be hurt," said Katara. "Zuko and I can make sure of this".
"Oh, you're fire lady now?" Asked Mai, knowing the answer. She still had a copy of the daily news release sent from her homeland even while in Omashu for the past few years.
Katara's face fell. "Well, um, no, but-"
"Then you're speaking out of turn. Tell me, have you educated yourself in the ways of our nation, Katara?"
The waterbender's face scowled immediately.
"Only the ways of tyranny that were forced down my throat!" She growled, shocking Mai with her surprisingly easy mean streak.
"Before or After Zuko?" retorted Mai.
Sleeping with your sister's waterbending twin, hmm, Zuko?
"That's enough, Mai!" Zuko spoke, regally standing to emphasize his point.
Mai analyzed her nails, undisturbed by his display. "I'll let Zuzu explain to you of your place now that he has his heir. I will be on the balcony until the king comes".
With that, she floated away. Ty Lee hurried to catch up with her. "Mai, I-I don't like seeing you like this. You are reminding me of…Azula," said Ty Lee remembering the woman's sudden decision to execute the waterbending Red Lotus member, vividly.
"We're not sleeping together again, Ty," joked Mai, smoothly.
Ty Lee sucked in her cheeks. "I'm serious! You were really rude to Katara".
Mai shrugged, clutching the balcony's rails with murderous eyes looking towards the direction Azula and Aang took Appa upon leaving them behind to clean up their mess. Just like the good ol' days when it came to the princess.
"Did you not see her ex-husband nearly kill me! Yet, she wants to play nice like the avatar is so innocent to Bumi. Plus, she is Water Tribe, herself. Zuko is already known in the capital as a traitor. He would be dethroned the instant he marries that woman".
"Do you want to marry him, Mai? Do you love him, still?" Asked Ty Lee, propping herself atop the rails without fear of the possible plummet to a sure death below.
Eyes wide, Mai snarled. "You idiot! This is not about me or love, for the matter! This is about OUR nation! My daughter's legacy. If Zuko does something stupid, the nobles will be up in arms, you know this! Then Azula will be next in line along with those monsters' son. She showed us all that she has not changed. This is about saving our freedom, Ty".
Ty Lee bit her bottom lip.
"What?" Mai inquired at her silence.
"Don't get upset, ok".
Mai rolled her eyes. "Spill it, Ty".
The acrobat wrung her hands, breathing harshly. "Well, do you remember Kei Lo?" Mai nodded. "Well, he and I started dating a little while after you dumped him…" She paused awaiting Mai's further unflapping.
"Go on, that doesn't surprise me. Patsies like him are just good for a fuck or two".
Ty Lee chuckled. "Yeah, he's no Azula or Aang, but he's not bad".
"Ok, is that all you had to say?"
Ty Lee shook her head. "No, it seems after you broke up with him, he blamed Zuko, and he wasn't too happy when I…um…I kind of said Azula's name by accident".
A roar of laughter took the acrobat aback. Mai held her chest to calm herself. "I-I'm sorry…You are helpless, Ty," she said, with a final chuckle.
Ty Lee shrugged, carelessly. "Hey, I was in the moment. Anyway, seriously, Mai. I-I think he is communicating with your dad again, somehow. That's why I came to Omashu, undercover with the circus. Suki was going to keep an eye on him while I looked for someone he is associated with named Xai Bau or something".
"Xai Bau? The Northern Water Tribe war lord?"
"Yeah, I guess," said Ty Lee.
"Ty, this is serious. Obviously, Kei Lo has a lot of international support. We need to protect Zuko and my daughter".
"What about Katara," asked the acrobat.
"She's Water Tribe, Ty".
"Southern," pointed out the acrobat.
Mai rolled her eyes, done with the conversation. "A traitor. I don't trust her. But I'd rather have Azula's support if we are facing a former war lord".
"How?" Asked Ty Lee fidgeting with her fingers.
"Easy, the princess is too stubborn to come on her own. If Kei Lo plans to seek her out again, let him. She will know his affiliations with my father and me. Patience is key when it comes to Azula. I'll let her come to me".
#
The couple was still in the midst of lovemaking when dusk changed the clear skies orange. Azula rode her lover backwards, her arm snaked around his neck with her head hanging over his shoulder. Aang slowed Appa with a gentle tug of the reigns. Momo had flown off in search of his next meal, letting the avatar know that they were nearing the former Princess Ursa's homeland. Bringing Appa down just outside of the small town, Aang let go of the reigns to finish Azula off, gaining dominance with the princess on all fours.
He placed a hand over her mouth to stifle her screams from his faster thrusts. "Shh," he reminded her. "You don't want someone to catch me dominating the great Princess Azula, do you?" He asked.
Azula chuckled. "Never," she moaned into his palm. "Harder," she begged. "Harder, take my breath away". Aang stood on the balls of his feet, pounding her until she bit his hand, fluttering around him, completely spent.
Leaning forward in Appa's saddle, the princess breathed out, happily. "Go on, I don't want to see that place again," she said, curling into a ball.
Aang nodded and placed a blanket over her shoulders. Azula was asleep before he had finished dressing into his traditional Air Nomad garments. Kissing her sweaty forehead, he grasped his staff and entered the gates of Hira'a.