Fractured Minds chapter 22

Disclaimer still applies I own nothing except the plots/ideas/situations that I placed the characters in and my ocs. I will let this chapter speak for itself.
Oh and my A/N will continue at the bottom of this and should you have concerns or questions, I do urge you to read it. As always I hope I don't disappoint with this chapter.

14 Forsaken sons: Lol no worries there. I wouldn't dream of forgetting about FM besides one of the reasons I started writing this was to see it finished. It shall not be forgotten by me anytime in the future. Trust me I am really looking forward to writing what I have planned next, its just going to take a while. Honestly I was worried about the last chapter with Azula's interaction with her children or Rook at least but it does help immensely that they are older rather than younger. There's more Azula and her kids screen time in this.

Five miles from Ba Sing Sei's outer wall…

The avatar had seen many things; all of them crazy and out of this world but nothing compared to the sight of the Titans fully assembled and geared up for battle. The three younger Titans along with Cyborg, Terra, and Toph were flying on Changeling behind them.

NightWing, Ty Lee, Suki, Sokka, and Katara were with him. Jinx and Starfire opted to fly ahead to do recon on the city. He still had a hard time believing that the Titans were form another world.

"It baffles me to no end why you refuse to let us help." He heard a tired sigh behind him and was surprised when NightWing spoke, "We won't need it."

"You're letting Toph give you a hand." He said, cursing his tendency to speak the first thing to enter his head.

"She invented metalbending and had a pretty strong argument. Plus Jinx would give me bad luck for an ungodly amount of time if I'd said no." He didn't know whether he imagined the shudder or if it actually happened. "I'm what keeps the world in balance or at least that's my job."

"These guys were definitely not in the job description. My team and I are capable of taking the brotherhood down; especially since they are acting rather odd."

Aang rounded on the older leader but just as quickly as his anger was there it vanished as NightWing began talking, "Ba Sing Sei is the capital of the Earth Kingdom essentially a fortified strong hold and let's not forget that they invaded the Fire Nation's palace. However since arriving and doing some recon of my own; I found it strange that the brotherhood hasn't launched anymore attacks.

They have two key cities under their control yet they have done nothing to forward their goal of world domination. So it stands to reason that the brotherhood is a red herring or a decoy."

"A decoy, no one stages the invasions of two major cities just as a diversion? Not to mention invading another dimension entirely." His confusion was written clearly across his face as his grey eyes bored into the mask NightWing wore.

"All fine points however we're forgetting another far more interesting point. General Shen is more than likely from our dimension. And the brotherhood is simply a decoy for the Titans while Shen obtains or completes his objective. That I believe is to kidnap one of his children and return with them to our dimension." As he finished Aang's mouth hung open as he had vastly underestimated NightWing.

"For this reason and a lot more I ordered Raven to remain on Kyoshi Island. It's why you can't help us re-take Ba Sing Sei. You and your friends," he indicated the other four people in the saddle, "are her back up in-case an attack on Kyoshi is launched without us there."

"But we're here in Ba Sing Sei?" NightWing shrugged at his question. "Exactly if Shen thinks that Raven is the only Titan on Kyoshi and with Zuko and Azula at odds with each other at the moment, it is the perfect time to strike."

"I doubt your team mate would appreciate being used as bait." He muttered under his breath. NightWing chuckled at that. "It was Raven's idea to begin with."

The avatar sighed and shook his head vigorously as he brought Appa in for a smooth landing, quietly he jumped down from his seat while muttering, "I'm getting too old for this."

Kyoshi Island infirmary; around the same time…

His resentment was justifiable but her having to constantly feel it was not. Her first douse of it was when she refused to let him anywhere near his sister and again when Lily and Roku didn't want to see him. She would not put up with him a third time.

"What'd they do this time, breath too heavily in your direction?" she hissed without bothering to open her eyes as he drew level with her.

"She's my sister and I've been a father to her kids for years; let me speak with them." He spat back, releasing a small amount of smoke from his mouth as he did.

"Over my dead body." This time as she opened her eyes to glare at him, he took a couple steps back. "My standing orders from Katara and Zen are as follows: Azula requires a stress free environment and lots of bed rest in order to get better faster. Letting you in to see and no doubt screech at her is not an ideal stress free environment."

"You-…fff-… I can't-…" He took a deep breath and tried to gather his thoughts for a second round. "What gives you the right to deny to me?"

"The moment I volunteered to protect your sister from established threats and unfortunately for you, your majesty, she feels threatened by you." Her sarcasm struck him full force and in a huff he went off to sulk in a corner somewhere.

She waited only long enough for the barest trace of his emotional wavelength to fade before teleporting back to Azula's bed. The aforementioned was dozing fitfully and was in exactly the same position or mostly the same as when the half-demon had left the firebender except that she was drenched in sweat.

'Something's wrong with her.' Her whisper was very much subdued and her tone had lost all its cheerfulness.

'Thank you Captain Obvious! Now if you'll excuse us-'

'Lay off Intelligence; I'm thankful Affection and Candy Cane did that and just because you are having a hell of a time with it, that doesn't give you the right to snap at her. In fact it doesn't give you the right to feel angry at all about it.' For one brief moment she felt at peace in Nevermore, still and silent as the non-existent wind swept across her mind. 'It was my body they jacked in-case you forgot.'

"Oh, Raven there you are. I was just going to start looking for you." An undercurrent of worry and apprehension layered her tone. "What is it Zen?"

"Well its Azula… she's contracted a rather bothersome infection that acts like a chi blocker and it only affects firebenders. It prevents them from regulating their body temperatures or their inner fire. If left untreated they die and it's very contagious." As she finished Raven drifted closer and grumbled about foreign diseases. However before she had moved an inch closer a wave of rising panic from behind damn near knocked her over.

"If you heal her it will do the same to you." Her fingers twitched nervously as she listened to the strange and unusual sounds issuing from Raven's mouth which gave the impression of things only said in less than stellar company. "I hope you have some suggestions on how to keep her alive then."

"That's easy you just have to sleep next to her and absorb the heat her body is giving off."

"Run that by me again." She wasn't quite sure what Raven's tone was or meant so with a small bit of trepidation she went in to doctor mode. "You remember when I helped your injuries along after Zuko 'questioned' you?"

At her nod Zen continued, "Waterbenders heal by coaxing the existing positive chi in the body into overdrive you could say. Positive chi is blank and when the body needs a boost of elemental chi it converts the positive chi to boost the existing elemental chi; the same can be done when the body needs healing chi to help further major wounds along. When I healed you I had to use my own positive chi to heal your wounds.

Your body doesn't allow the positive chi you have to remain blank because as soon as there is some available it's converted into frost chi that serves as a shield to keep your body from spontaneously combusting. From that I could tell your demonic heritage and genetics are fire based. But your only half-demon so to balance, the two body temperatures warring within you your chi keeps them both at about 75 degrees," Zen motioned for her to hold off the questions. "I'm not finished. In order to do this and keep both human and demon happy your chi is constantly absorbing fire chi or any chi that'd be considered heat."

"Even from other people and animals?" her question as she asked was subdued in both tone and volume. Zen's heart went out to her friend, "But not enough for them to notice or be adversely affected."

"Raven I-

"All I have to do is sleep next to her." Recognizing when to leave off a subject she nodded and left the two alone. "I'm sorry someone like you has to suffer so much, never finding all the answers."

As she exited the building she crossed paths with the Fire lady. Bowing her head respectfully as allowed by her station she hadn't walked more than a couple steps when the fire lady addressed her, "Can you please tell me how they're doing?"

Instantly Zen was tense and defensive, "I can. But will I, is the question."

She was shocked that anyone would dare question her, as fire lady she had as much power as Zuko did. A grin tugged at the corner of her mouth at the waterbender's audacity. "Azula and I have laid certain things to rest so to speak. As for Raven…she is responsible for opening my eyes to giving Azula the opportunity to show that she's changed. Despite learning who gave birth to Lil and Rook I still consider myself to be their mother."

"Lil and Rook are off playing with the gang of Kyoshi kids, and Raven is as well as to be expected. Azula never contracted Sun Spot as kid, did she?" The expression on the fire lady's face said it all. "So then she's dying?"

At this Zen's façade slipped and she cracked up. "The look on your face was priceless. I'm not apologizing for that. She'll be fine she's has a simple case of Dragon miasma." Narrowing her eyes at the giggling waterbender she calculated which knife would look the best lodged into her pretty blue eyes. A second later and for the second time in her life since mastering the art of throwing knives, she missed her target. "Tisk, tisk, lady Mai throwing things isn't nice."

"Since when is Dragon miasma simple." She seethed while showing no visible signs of emotion. Zen gave her an appraising look, "Do you know exactly who Raven is? Because you couldn't possibly comprehend why Azula's infection is simple unless you do. She'll be fine Mai trust me and if you can't or won't then trust Katara. She's the one who helped me figure it all out before she left."

Unknown location Kyoshi Island…

"Everything is set brother. Mallah has just confirmed the last placement of the charges, Plasmus, Warp, and Psimon are due back in the morning, the good general has finished upgrading his robots, and lastly but certainly not least your wench has integrated herself seamlessly within the village." He spoke swiftly so his brother wouldn't start pacing, Shen hated it when Slade paced.

"When will the operation begin?" his rapid fire question felt almost like a physical blow.

"Azula's infection won't enter stage four until noon tomorrow and end stage won't happen until sunset the next day; it's set for when she reaches the end stage." He answered speaking just as swiftly as before with minimal fidgeting.

"My, my, my, Shen it seems my sending you here was beneficial to you. Your blood lust has increased tenfold as well as your lust. We rendezvous in 56 hours. And Shen if you don't have one of the children, I'll will label you as a special project." As the communication cut out Shen shivered at his brother's tone. I think death would be an improvement from his special projects.

"General Shen, is your Intel truly correct?" The wheezing papery voice of the living mummy general was like sandpaper on glass to his ears. "Yes Immortus, Raven is rather taken with my former bedfellow and the offspring. She will do everything in her inhuman abilities to protect them but with her emotions clouded, she won't register the danger until it's already too late."

This seemed to placate the living fossil. "And by then Immortus we'll all be long gone both from this island and this dimension."

His grin threatened to out shine the setting sun as he watched it sink below the ocean. In two days his assignment would finally be over and they could initiate the final phases of their master plan.

Kyoshi Island Infirmary; early morning…

'And just when I was starting to like sleeping all morning.' She grumbled as she tried to get a feel for her emotional climate today.

'Sifu you and I both know you prefer it this way. There's also the matter of Raven to consider…she's once again curled around us on this glorious morning.' A shudder past through her mind at the emotion's tone, she'd have given anything to have met with another emotion, even Affection. 'Getting chi blocked by Ty again would be preferable to this, are you positive there's no one else available?'

The stern-ness emanating from the suddenly still emote made the firebender extremely nervous. 'Sifu. I'm under orders to interact more with you.'

Surprisingly the emote managed to hold her own under her mistress's glare. 'I already told them there was no point. I even said, she's never listened to me before why would she start now.'

Placated for the moment the firebender released a breath it come out sounding more like a hiss than anything, 'It's not that I never listened, I wanted to believe me but happiness that won't get my neck broken is new for me. I need time to get use to this. Be sure to tell Fire lord Intelligence that.'

"They're a pain in the ass aren't they?" her question would have made her jump a foot in the air. But Azula remained still as best as she could. "How did you…?"

"You were growing more and more agitated as the seconds ticked by, I know of only one emotion that's normally the cause of aggravation for me. Pink clad, sugar high, and doesn't ever take a breath while talking up a storm; Happiness." Her answer served to remind Azula about one of her many talents. "Do they ever tire of wading into our life and causing problems?"

"They're supposed to cause problems that is what emotions do, as much as we wish they didn't. No one can help what they feel. It just isn't healthy to ignore them especially in my case." Azula held her tongue and was rewarded a few moments later as she continued, "My emotions have always been dangerous even now despite that fact that I am no longer connected to my father in any way, shape, or form. But that still leaves my powers, the more I feel the more destructive and unstable they become."

"It's kind of like fire in a way. A firebender's emotions can determine how controllable the flames they produce are and the drive they possess can affect how hot or big the flames…" It can't be that simple…can it?

Before she could confirm Azula's theory about fire and her abilities, Zen entered the room they had been moved to yesterday. "I see you both slept well."

"Indeed." They said at the same time surprising the waterbender. "Alright then let's get the show on the road. So Zuko can badger me with a million questions."

"Raven you're going to have to get up." Zen would've had better luck asking a firebender to bend water then get the half-demon to leave Azula's side. "No."

Chuckling at her petulance the waterbender shook her head and whistled, two extremely hyper children rushed into the room. "It's a good thing I brought back up then."

Lil and Rook were drenched and each wore happy go lucky grins. "Elephant Koi surfing is really fun."

"Or it was until that nasty Unagi comes along and tries to drown Rook." She couldn't help but giggle at Lil's tone. "If two people ask nicely I may be inclined to provide this nasty Unagi with a distraction."

"Please Raven." Rolling her eyes at them she said, "I can't very well say no. Run along and I will be with you two in a moment." As the two vanished from the room she smiled faintly. "That's surreal how comfortable around children you seem to be."

"Lots and lots of practice firecracker. After a particularly trying mission involving toddlers, my dislike of children lessened; even more so after learning that not many children were wary of my aloofness as their parents seemed to be." Both Azula and Zen cast her appraising looks as she donned her black cloak and boots. "I shouldn't keep them waiting too long or they'll come back to bodily drag me to the bay. I'll be back soon."

After she'd gone Azula and Zen effortlessly fell into their daily routine, one that had started back at the tower. The check-ups then had been to monitor Azula's weight gain and food intake; she'd done well with that. Now though, the check-ups were to keep infections out of Azula's blood. "Incredible there is no trace of your infection and the wound is healed over nicely. The skin's tough and smooth."

"That's not surprising; I've always scared well even burns. But that specific infection was unusual." Azula's musings sparked some distant memory in Zen's mind. "Why's it unusual?"

Azula's expression was condescending to the waterbender and in the next second it was gone. "Kyoshi is hardly the north pole."

"Of course! How could I have forgotten that?!" Zen exclaimed and then thought better of something. "Don't answer that. Do you think this is what NightWing was talking about?"

"Could be; I mean contracting an infection that's virtually impossible as it's a defense mechanism for untrained fire benders in colder climates, could very well be the funny business that Wing said to keep an eye out for." She had a point; NightWing did say to suspect the tinniest inaccuracy they came across. "I suspect whatever Shen is planning will happen any day now."

Absentmindedly Zen agreed with Azula and continued with her examination. The waterbender was no stranger to war but that was before she had people that she cared about to lose. Losing Anton was bad enough. I don't think I can go through that again. Simply thinking of her best friend hurt a lot. "Well everything checks out. I give you a clean bill of health Azula. I strongly recommend that you take it easy for the next two weeks and try to avoid as much stress as possible."

"Too late for that." She muttered as Zen finished. "I mean it and no lighting either. It could wreak havoc on your recovering system."

"I think she was talking about me and that will be all Healer Zen." His voice burned with an intense sharp heat. It was exactly the sensation Zen got when she wrapped her hands around a hot mug of tea to warm up her frigid fingers. "I-

"That's an order from your sovereign, leave now." Zen turned to pierce the fire lord with her best death glare and then stalked out of the room. "Raven will hear about this Fire Lord."

Despite his best efforts he gulped at what the waterbender had said. Get a grip damn it! You are not going to be cowed by her any longer. With his inner pep talk over Zuko directed his gaze to the room's other occupant, their eyes met and as fiery determination clashed; he looked away first. "It's good to finally see you."

"Zuzu you were a pathetic liar when we were younger and you're a pathetic liar now. What more could you possibly want or take from me that you haven't already?" She fought to keep a deadpan tone like Mai had taught her all those years ago. "I'm not even bitter about the crown even though you have no right to it."

He growled in frustration and forced himself to take a breath before speaking. "Why must you make every last thing that involves us so difficult?"

"I have to get me kicks somehow and you make it far too easy brother dearest." Her tone dripped poison and lies as easily as he drew breath.

"I'm tired of fighting you; I'm tired of being at odds with each other. I just want my little sister back. The one that didn't laugh at me but made me laugh the one that beat up anyone who was mean to me not the one who beat me up. The one that mom love-"

He barely registered her move and was cursing his lax awareness. "You won't finish that sentence if you want to keep your face as pretty as it is."

Her eyes bored into his for a little longer before she removed her hand from his throat. Once his feet were back on the ground he attempted to rub his now, sore throat. "That woman never loved me and If she ever did, I sure as Agni never felt or saw it. I hold no illusions about that and it is hazardous to your health for you to."

As she spoke she stepped away from him and sat on the edge of the abandoned bed. "That girl you speak of is lost and I don't care to try finding her; as far as I'm concerned she died when my firebending showed itself."

"Then it's all my fault." He whispered unaware that she could hear him.

"If you want to blame anyone for this creature," she indicated herself when he looked directly at her, "blame mother and father."

"I suppose I could do that. Any ideas on how to find him?" he asked hoping to catch her in a lie. Her laughter reached his ears followed by her words, "He won't trouble this world anymore. As inter dimensional traveling is difficult at the best of times. There's also the small matter of Raven driving him to permanent insanity."

Spirits! I was hoping she'd had a hand in his escape and that this 'nice act' was all a-part of some grand master plan. No matter I'll catch her in a lie at some point and then… He wanted to fist pump the air but restrained from doing that. A waiting game would be a challenge for him but he would wait no matter how long it took. "One problem I no longer have to worry about I guess."

The two siblings fell silent with neither one knowing what to say to the other. As it reached another dimension of uncomfortable Zuko heaved a sigh. "Listen Azula I had no idea that Chen was that depraved when I sent you to Crescent Island and I can't say anything that will make it hurt less. But what I can do is re-instate your rank and title. Once this colossal mess is done with and Chen is addressed he will die for his crimes against the princess of the Fire Nation."

He inclined his head and turned on his heel to exit the room. He wasn't expecting any kind of thank you so it was all the more unbelievable when her whispered reached him, "Thank you Zuko." Set and match; now we wait. I will uncover the lie here and mark my words Azula, you're going down. And if it means I have to give you your power back to do it then so be it.

Little did he realize his thoughts were the same as Azula's were as she watched him walk out the door. 'Foolish Zuzu you're too easy to spot. We will overcome whatever he's playing at.'

All she could do is nod in agreement with Intelligence. 'Although I will enjoy being a princess again however long that will be.'

Her thoughts were interrupted by the return of Rook and Lil, followed by Raven who was sopping wet. "How was the Elephant Koi surfing then?"

"Really tame after Raven started surfing the Unagi. So naturally we had to give it a shot too." They answered in unison as the half-demon shed her cloak and boots.

"Naturally, and?" She queried with a small touch of annoyance building at being held in suspense.

"I stayed on for a couple minutes." Rook said to her prompting.

"That's only because I tired her out for you." Lil spat at him but before a full scale argument developed Raven rounded on them. "If you two don't want to catch something go dry off and get out of your wet clothes."

Azula couldn't help but giggle at the two as they scurried off to do as Raven bid them. "I don't know what you find so amusing. After all you get to help me warm up." At this Azula's throat constricted in anticipation or was it fear, she couldn't tell. Her mouth was as dry as fire flakes as Raven drifted closer to where she sat. "But only if you feel up to it, Firecracker."

She jerked slightly as Raven had whispered into her ear. She licked her lips and decided that two could play at that game. "With you I feel up to anything, Corbeau."

Her breath literally burned with an intensity that threatened to overwhelm Raven's control and at the last second she managed to prevent any windows from shattering. "If I'm too, warm you up, properly, I will need to see what I'm doing."

At this Raven was immeasurably glad that she'd done away with the skin tight spandex and replaced it with body armor of her own design; having been able to complete it when they'd stayed at the Tower. For the moment it had the same consistency and shape of your average run of the mill t-shirt and jeans. She leaned in close making Azula lean back to accommodate her and as Azula's back met the surface of the mattress she heard, "Undress me then."

Not needing to be told twice Azula grasped the end of her shirt and in one smooth motion relieved her of the offending piece of cloth. Not expecting the rush of cold air on her skin she sought the only source of heat in the room. The result of this had the two pressed together. The heat radiating off of the firebender was equal part inner fire and equal part blood rushing through her body. Ooh she is freezing.

With that thought she changed their positions in the blink of an eye and violet orbs met gold as she leaned down to capture pale grey lips. As lips met she nipped lightly at Raven's bottom lip willing them to part. Raven refused the request prompting a ragged whimper to escape her mouth, "Please,"

Raven's body was wracked with violent shivers at her pleading and as her lips parted a half-hiss, half-growling moan was swallowed by the firebender's mouth and tongue. Mere seconds later and the firebender pulled away to catch her breath. The loss of close proximity with the firebender caused her to shiver violently like before. Her shivers drew the firebender's attention and she moved in closer once more. Rather than resume the heated battle of dominance with their tongues the firebender blew her super-heated breath onto Raven's throat and was about to give the same treatment to the rest of her exposed flesh when the gem at the base of Raven's throat halted her movement.

She hesitatingly brought her fingers up to trace the glittering gem. As she finished she heard, "Chakra gem they're used as tools as well as markers for those who've shown a mastery of mediation where I come from."

"How many…" her voice trailed off and her pulse raced even faster, "The fun is in the discovering, Firecracker."

Rapidly filling with a new found energy the firebender explored Raven's body in eager anticipation of discovering the exact number of chakra gems she had. She ran into an irritating and in this instance unnecessary cloth boundary. "Take it off; I simply do not have the patience or the strength of will not to destroy it." Chuckling at the firebender's reaction to her bra, an unusually deep carnal need flared painfully between her thighs at that. She worried briefly if she was coherent enough to oblige the firebender's reasonable request. Her effort was rewarded swiftly with liquid fire around the suddenly bare flesh. "Firecracker…don't…s-s-"

The rest of what she was going to say broke off as she felt the firebender's teeth bite the hard and agonizingly sensitive flesh gently; the only sound from Raven was an unintelligible hissing moan. Finding the sound mesmerizing the firebender softly grasped the neglected supple flesh to the right and began to massage it with nimble fingertips that held an unnatural heat; drawing out that spine tingling sound. "So far I've located two gems…"

The breathy words were lost as the firebender's mouth and fingertips switched positions. "And if you don't find the other tw-"

"Three," The firebender's lips press teasingly to the gem and just as her patience was at its breaking point. "Four." This time the kiss set her toned abdomen's muscles quivering and the painful sensation lower down reached inhuman levels. As the firebender hooked her thumb under the waistband of Raven's jeans she jarringly found herself in exactly the same position that she had been in prior to Lil and Roku's departure; while Raven, clad in her black cloak once again, was opposite her and partially blocking the doorway. What in the Avatar's name?!

"Zen sent us to collect you two for, and I quote 'dinner to celebrate princess Azula's re-instatement as a member of the imperial army'. She could have just said family dinner." They grumbled together as they walked into the room.

After getting a feel for the room Lil added, "Refusing to attend is not an option."

"Hmm seems princess Azula failed to mention that tidbit of news." Scoffing the flustered and extremely uncomfortable Azula said, "Must've slipped my mind or I was simply too distracted to bring it up."

"The feeling is mutual princess and with me it's disastrously annoying that I got as distracted as you did." Her eyes locked with Azula's and was satisfied to see that Azula understood clearly that she wasn't the only one worked up. "Lil, Rook, we'll be along shortly."

Roku and Lil cast two equally bewildered looks in their direction before shrugging and exiting the room.

"Don't start Firecracker."

"But I-"

"No."

Azula huffed, "Fine but just remember you started it."

A smug grin pulled at the corners of her mouth, "I know but you were the one who was up for anything that involved me."

Azula's retort was swallowed up by chilling shadows.

A/N cont.

Okay several key points to keep in mind.

I know that with something as traumatic as rape and torture, Azula shouldn't be as aggressive as she is in the scene above. However I will point out that Raven gave her the option to say no which she didn't. Also Raven was strictly hands off and I did it like that for a couple reasons; not only would Azula most likely freaked out but Raven needed to keep a hold of her powers. And on that note I will only say this, her and Jinx had a hell of a time with that little snag in their relationship.

My next point is that Azula has relived Raven's memories, meaning that Azula knows she can trust Raven not to force her into anything that'd cause the atrocious memories to re-surface not to mention that Azula's repressed those memories (or at least Fire Lord Intelligence has those locked in the dungeons...). If that doesn't convince you about the M rated portion of this chapter then this might; Raven and Azula have an established connection between their minds and the result of that is intimate knowledge of each other.

Feel free to voice any theories about what Slade and Shen are planning once they have one of the children or both; as they will possibly hit the mark or not and neither which I will confirm or deny.

Lastly Corbeau is french for raven. Which brings up numerous questions and also is a hint regarding a delicate topic for Azula.

TTFN