Ursa grimaced at the fire lord in his mind. He also knew his uncle would not approve of his actions as of late, if the teashop owner was here. He told himself that he was doing the correct thing by taking up with the mother of his only child.
Said child was being groomed by several servants under the supervision of Lo, Li and her mother when the fire lord entered the royal hair washing room. He caught Mai's eye taking in his form from where she sat with her head back, long, dark tresses being lavished with sweet, smelling shampoo. Izumi was seated atop a golden stool at her mother's right listening to the ancient twins' lessons on proper princess etiquette, most of which she already knew from her noble mother's coaching.
"Hi, Papa!" Greeted Izumi, warming his heart instantly.
The child had accepted her father the moment they entered the others' lives. Her father had never imagined he could make such a beautiful being. Even with her gorgeous mother, the fire lord worried that his scar would somehow pass to his offspring as it seemed to be a lasting impression. He had chosen against Katara's sincerest attempts to rid him of it for that reason.
Katara. He thought, shamefully. She will never speak to me again after what I've done. He had to admit it bothered him. He could understand why the waterbender would leave. She had been hurt, yet again by someone she loved. Zuko understood heartbreak more than anyone. He felt like an idiot. Katara had treated him with nothing, but kindness. She had kissed his stress away and brought out the better man in him.
"Something on your mind, Fire Lord?"
At Mai's voice, he shook his head and walked to her side, kissing Izumi on the forehead. The child looked up at him with twinkling, golden eyes that reminded him of his late mother so much that he was forced to look away.
#
The city of hope was bustling with activity when Ty Lee and Katara made it by airship to earth kingdom soil. Katara had been thrilled to see the towering brick and mortar skyscrapers and cobblestoned roads from the airship's railing. Hurrying into the interior of the airship, she found her companion curled up on a dining table not far from her room. In her excitement, she bent a cup of cold tea, splashing the woman's face to waken her.
Ty Lee sputtered, flipping off the table with two fists raised and an odd look. "Azu-" she stopped, mid-sentence, blushing when she realized it was the waterbender's face she saw instead of the woman she had passionately dreamed about.
"We're here," said Katara with two of her three children, clinging to her clothing while Bumi held unto her shoulders.
Ty Lee giggled at the sight while Katara attempted to maneuver her legs to exit. Ty Lee freshened up, donning plain brown pants and a pink shirt that covered more of her form than she cared for. Placing her feet in pink sandals, the acrobat emerged from her room in time to see the city's lights illuminating the skies as they made landfall calmly in the harbor.
"Send Suki my love, Cuties!" Called Ty Lee to the small crew, who had graciously escorted them to the new city.
"Bumi!"
Ty Lee's head jerked to see Katara and Aang's eldest son sighing contently as he released a golden shower into the ocean for several moments too long.
"Ew!" Squealed four-year-old Kya.
#
Crystal blue ripples of water covered the slightly tanned, stubbed and tiny toes that Azula had her eyes fixated on, navigating their way through small mounds of white sand. Attached to the tiny toes were fat, short legs, completely bare with hints of the grains impressed in the skin. A red tutu drenched and clinging to a tiny bathing suit, reflected the sun's powerful rays in the clear, orange sky above the baby girl's thick, curly, black head of hair.
Azula waited for the sweet child to stumble into her arms from where she sat on the shoreline, just far enough to keep the threatening waves at bay. She focused her eyes on the little girl's face, just as the sun's rays were beginning to show plump cheeks and the hint of a double chin, hiding all other features of the child when the man she loved scooped her up and began to march back towards the ocean.
"Avatar!" Azula called to him, knowing it would gain the attention she wanted.
Instead, Aang reacted by venturing further into the water's depths, oblivious to her shouts. Azula felt panic rise when the water was above his shoulders, the baby's head completely covered far longer than she was comfortable with. Instinct overwhelmed her as she chased her lover and their daughter, ignoring anxiety increasing with each step into the element she despised. Forcing herself to push through the endless waves crashing into her chest, she found herself close enough to touch her child's beautiful, soft hair before losing her in a combustion of flames along with her lover.
Azula fell backwards, reaching for anything to gain her footing. She was drowning! Aang and the baby were gone. Where was her son? Her family, her-
"We have arrived, Princess".
Azula blinked open her eyes surveying her surroundings. A nightmare. She told herself. Just nightmares. She had very few of them while she was with Aang, reminding her of how much she missed his arms around her to soothe her when she did experience them every now and then. Using a fist to clear her hazy eyes from the industrial smog contaminating the air, she remembered meditating with her fiancé for hours to gain peace of mind whenever she experienced a mindboggling dream.
This dream disturbed her, greatly, however. It had felt so...real. She could smell the clean, Oceanside air, feel the love in her heart for her unborn as clearly as the child pressed against her ribs. Looking down, she realized Zaheer was no longer in her arms.
"My baby!" She gasped, looking to her escort.
Zaheer slept peacefully in Yakone's arms. Azula clenched her teeth wishing the man was replaced by fiancé. He was the one, who should be enjoying these moments with their child. She snatched her baby from the strange peasant, waking the child.
"You're welcome," Yakone said with an arrogant grin. Pulling out a thick cigar, he looked to Azula. "May I?" She nodded, revealing an azure thumb to light it.
Yakone made a point of staring directly into the woman's eyes as he leaned over, cigar between his teeth. He inhaled smoothly, turning the cigar to a bright orange. Azula grimaced, moving her hand, cradling her child to her neck. Yakone blew out a thick cloud of smoke through the open window.
"I understand the effects of bringing life into the world on a woman". The waterbender commented, passively.
"Do you, now?" Azula asked, sarcastically.
Yakone hurriedly stepped from the vehicle to hold the door open for her. Azula nodded once at the royal gesture. The driver of their carriage unloaded hers and Kiyi's luggage, along with Zaheer's small bag of provisions, trailing the princess and his boss at her side.
"Your apartment is on the top floor," commented Yakone as Azula eye-balled the extravagant building.
No word of thanks left the princess's lips. Instead, she spoke sternly. "Make sure the bison is fed and cared for. I will need him to search for my...husband".
Yakone's jaw burned from his clenched teeth, though he managed a handsome smile. Glaring at the princess as she strolled away, his eyes narrowed to the cooing baby boy over her shoulder. Innocent, green eyes stared back at him with a pacifier between his lips. Yakone stared until the two disappeared upstairs with his assistant.
There are many ways to get your attention, Princess.
Tenzin, the five-year-old, youngest of Katara's clan giggled loudly. Katara shook her head. "At least he's potty trained," Ty Lee tried to cheer her up to no avail.
Bumi zipped his pants and ran back to the group with prideful strides. "Wow! This is Republic City, huh? Bumi's here to take over!" He proclaimed fists on his hips, his little, eight-year-old chest jutting out.
His sister rolled her eyes dramatically, pulling her mother's dress. "Mommy, will we get to see Uncle Sokka?" She asked, eyes hopeful and large with her fingers clasped together. "And Zaheer? Isn't he here with our other mom?"
Katara's eyes widened in surprise. "She's NOT your mom, Kya! Don't you EVER say that again!" She growled before catching herself.
The little girl bit her lip as tears welled in the corners of her eyes. Ty Lee nudged Katara's arm and signaled for her to take a walk for a few moments. Katara sighed, taking her sons with her. When the three were out of earshot, Ty Lee knelt in front of Kya.
Placing a hand on the child's shoulder, she gave a small smile.
"Your mom is really upset about some things, right now. I think she'll be better if you and your brothers were on your best behavior until we see your dad". Kya nodded, wiping away her tears. "There you go, that's a big girl".
"I miss Daddy," she said, plainly. "But...he always plays with Tenzin. I...I can bend too," the little girl confessed.
Ty Lee felt tears bubbling to the surface. She swallowed hard to contain. Crying in front of a seven-year-old could not possibly help matters.
"Maybe you could splash water on him when you see him," she suggested.
Kya giggled sweetly before her face turned serious. "D-do you think he forgot us? We never see him anymore," That was it. Ty Lee could not capture the tear that escaped her eyelid.
She shook her head. "I don't think your father would ever do that".
Kya nodded.
"Come on, I think your uncle's waiting for us".
The little girl's eyes brightened. Ty Lee grasped her hand to take her to where police chief Toph Bei Fong stood with Sokka on the harbor. Bumi, Tenzin and Kya nearly toppled the man over in a triple embrace.
"Where's your boomerang, Uncle Sok-Man!" Yelled Bumi.
Ty Lee watched the family reunion before greeting Toph with a strong hug.
"It's good to see you, Pinky," grunted the police chief.
Giggling, Ty Lee gave a wink at the councilman of Republic City, who blushed slightly. The women left Uncle Sok-Man to watch the kids to help Katara finish unloading the luggage. As they walked, Toph was quick to get to the point, as usual.
"So, heard that Aang has gone public with Princess Nutcase recently". Ty Lee affirmed the rumors. "Hmm, interesting, word on the beat is that Azula's messing around with crime boss Yakone and Aang's gone missing," she added. "Do you know what that's about, Pinky?"
"Um..." Ty Lee scratched her jaw, nervously.
"Come now, don't lie to old Toph. You and Azula have been friends for years. Is this all some big plot for the throne? She has a son, right?"
The acrobat was silent, glancing to where Katara was out of earshot, but venturing closer with the luggage. Turning back to Toph, she spoke, "Toph, I think you should ask her those questions when you see her".
Toph sucked her teeth. "So no answer outta you, huh?" Ty Lee shrugged. "Hmm, well, I think I can show you something that will change your mind when you get to Sokka's place.
Ty Lee raised an eyebrow. She had things to do once she dropped Katara and her children off. She could not afford to be seen hanging out with the police chief, yet she was curious about whatever Toph was talking about.
"Fine, if you say so," was her answer.
#
"Place him there," Aang heard, recognizing the voice of Long Feng, immediately.
He was pushed into a chair with metal restraint attached to the arms and headrest. No time was wasted restraining his wrists and neck. "Make sure he is comfortable".
Aang smelled the scent of sewage and heard the scurries of small creatures with his keen sense. From the echo of Long Feng's voice, he guessed that they were underground somewhere. It was not long before the disgraced, former advisor to King Kuei snatched off the man's hood, leaning down to look him in the eye. Aang remembered the man well. Jet's murderer. He had wondered briefly what had become of the freedom fighter, but cared less and less as he and Katara grew closer. At one time, he regretted feeling almost happy about Jet's premature demise. The man surely would have attempted to take Katara from him. Though... their own marriage did not end well, anyway...
"We meet again, Boy," hissed Long Feng, calmly, waiting to meet Aang's gaze before continuing. "Time is so funny. I dreamed of my revenge against you and your princess for quite some time".
Aang huffed, eyes low and full of lethargy. "You have me," he stated. "I will do anything you ask as long as you leave Azula and Zaheer out of this".
A hearty laugh left Long Feng's lips. The man rose to his full height, hand over his chest. Pointing to the avatar, he looked to the triad members surrounding him. "Well, will you look at that. The whorish princess birthed a son for you, how could I forget. Don't worry, when we're done with her, your son will be well take care of".
Aang shook violently, helpless to bend the platinum bondage. He breathed deeply preparing to blow fire through his mouth in attempt to escape.
"I wouldn't, if I were you," said the elder man. "You see, she's already in our hands. Your cooperation keeps her alive, Avatar. Simple as that. Let's just hope she is just as cooperative for your sake and your son's".
Aang let out a strong sigh, letting Long Feng know that he had won. A smirk appeared on the earthbender's face. The avatar was proving a challenge with his strong morals and willpower. Twisting his mind would be the former advisor's most famous accomplishment to date. He was nothing if not determined to overpower the man. Age had slowed his physical abilities, but time in captivity had honed his secret craft. He was confident he could break the avatar and in turn, his lover, whom he was dying to get to.
Not a day passed that he did not think about how his power had been stripped from his feet by a spoiled, royal child.
"Don't flatter yourself. You were never even a player".
Time was funny. Much like the walls of Ba Sing Se, Princess Azula's hardened outer shell was intimidating and dominant. Long Feng had been quite surprised to learn of her relationship with the avatar through his benefactors. He had never imagined anyone sleeping with her and living to tell the tale. Only the great avatar would have been able to accomplish such a feat. He realized that the princess's true downfall was in her own mind.
Everything has a weakness. He reminded himself. The princess's mental state was quite fragile, according to Yakone. The girl was even having trouble with her bending. Breaking her piece by piece would be sweet. He sent his men away. He wanted to be the one to do this. Revealing a single, green crystal from the underground catacombs of Ba Sing Se, he watched Aang's eye's glow intermittently in attempt to protect himself. Long Feng's smirk only widened.
"This will be painful for you, Avatar. You will not like this, but afterwards, you will be invited to a tea party".