Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Avatar: the last Airbender"! Nothing.
Author's Notes: I apologize for the lateness of the chapter! Hoping you readers enjoy :P
Maraghoul: As always, thank you for helping me form the chunks that make this story whole :P Dedicated to you in part of course.
QueenTyzula: The other tickler of my brain! Thanks for the funny messages and nudges of inspiration :P Glad to see it go both ways with our wicked Tyzula ways :P Azula baby mama throwdown to be continued :P
ReachableDig41: Heh, that's my guilty pleasure as well :P Only Ty gets to have Azula's baby! Glad you're liking it!
Harley Quinn Davidson: I agonized on whether Mai would keep it or lose it. I feel it will well help her relationship in the long run for the miscarriage to happen. Sorry to anyone who wanted her to have it! You want more Azula? You got it :P She was woefully missing last chapter. She needed sleep. Or something.
CharlieBarrow: Sorry to make you teary at work! Here's some Azula to lighten the mood :P
"Stoking the fire"
Chapter twenty-seven "Miscarriage"
Pure white drifted through the early morning sunrise. Azula paused in the snowy white field, breath steaming in front of her.
Lady Sachiko's fields were a lost cause with the early winter, but her ladyship was a smart keeper of her household. She had had her servants begin the harvest a few weeks prior, so her fields were merely frozen. The crops had already been gathered.
But Azula didn't care about any of those details. They were beneath her. She continued on through the edge of the white-frosted forest, bypassing frozen shrubs. The odd gopher-rabbit bounded out of her path but Azula ignored them. She didn't pause to reflect how she'd made it outside with the dawn when she didn't remember getting up. She continued on, forcing her leg muscles to waken.
Someone was out there. Azula paused, eyes slit as she focused on the odd snap-snap of a branch being stepped on a short distance away. One of the soldiers out for a walk? One of the household staff? Or an assassin?
Azula charged into the shrubbery, scattered icicles as she went. She caught flashes of red against the white frozen trees, and cornered the figure against an outcrop of three large oaks, bowed together. They effectively blocked any passage and the braided figure turned, brown eyes wide.
Azula's heart thudded so crazily, she thought she was going to choke on it. She scowled in the next instant, quashing any insane want or hope. "YOU'RE a long way from the capital. Lose your way to the royal bedchambers?" she sneered.
Ty Lee adjusted the sleeves of her fine red robes, befitting her status as a concubine. Azula tried not to notice how the sash lifted her full breasts up for attention. The princess tried not to swallow.
"I am. I came for you," Ty Lee said. The words washed over the princess in a crazy pattern. She blinked red rage out of her eyes.
"You made your choice. Get the fuck out of here," Azula snarled. She turned to back up on her heel. Ty Lee surprised her by walking closer. She looked afraid, but the princess knew the strength and knowledge in her small clenched fists. She turned and fixed the concubine with a look that commanded her to stop.
Ty Lee advanced.
"Get away from me," Azula commanded. Ty Lee didn't listen. She advanced, her hands pulling at the sash and fastenings of her robes. Azula's eyes darted down to the creamy pale flesh that was revealed on each step. She was startled how swiftly her body reacted, her shift happening in seconds, cock fully formed and throbbing against her trousers. She forced herself to back up. With Ty Lee invading her personal space, breath steaming in the cold, Azula was forced to retreat. She backed up until the wind was knocked out of her as she slammed into the trunk of a thick tree.
Ty Lee grasped her by the neck and pulled her face down to hers. Her round breasts were open to Azula's hungry gaze, pink nipples stiff from the cold. Azula's gaze darted lower; Ty Lee's belly was flat and her musculature was well defined. She was about to ask what happened to her pup when Ty Lee stood on her absolute highest height, on her tiptoes, crashing her lips sweetly against hers.
Azula's hands clutched Ty Lee's bare shoulders. She was going to shove her off of her, but Azula found her tongue parting Ty Lee's lips. She kissed her hungrily, hands grasping up and down her curves. Ty Lee murmured approval against her mouth, hips pushing against the protruding bulge in Azula's trousers.
Before Azula could free herself, she could feel Ty Lee's hands at her waist, unlacing the fabric. She hissed when her cock was released, standing out against the cold air. Ty Lee dropped the rest of her robes and clutched Azula's shoulders. Azula gaped at her, gripped the firm thighs of the concubine and lifted her. She backed her up against the nearest tree, pressing her up as she sought the right angle to push in.
Azula yelled as Ty Lee pushed down against her, hilting her completely. A flock of pidgeon-doves took flight, startled. The woman's gasps against her ear spurned Azula on. She gripped Ty Lee's hips and slammed into her as hard as she could.
Just as her release was being pulled from her pounding length, Azula's eyes slit closed as she hissed against Ty Lee's neck. Their combined gasps filled her ears until Azula slammed awake. She was on her back in Lady Sachiko's son's room, the elaborate canopy of the bed pulled half closed. Her blue fire had gone down to embers during the night and the room was dark.
Azula grunted, shaking herself fully awake. She flung the covers off of her waist and stared down at herself in disgust. Her dream had aroused her shift to happen while she slept and her cock bobbed upward, asking for attention.
Azula was ready to just dress and ignore it, but the pounding along the length made her brain see red. If she didn't take care of it, it was just going to drive her up the wall that day. Azula slid a hand down her flat belly and took her cock in hand. She hated that the hot vestiges of the dream were what she thought about as she forced herself to orgasm.
After taking care of her problem, Azula swung long legs off the mattress and stood up. She collected her clothing and dressed, opening the bedchamber door to call for a servant for breakfast and for help with her topknot. Azula let the servant girl comb the snarls out of her long black hair and tie it back into its customary topknot. She went searching for her fire hair ornament and slid it into place. She ate standing, and stalked out through the corridors. The random soldiers she encountered guarding the lady's manor snapped to attention. She strode out to the snowy courtyard.
The leather tents were dusted with a fine white layer, but Azula didn't care. She took a wide stance and applied her voice to the quiet morning.
"GET UP! EVERYONE!"
Men and women poured out of the tents, adjusting armor and pulling tunics and cloaks closed. Azula clasped her hands behind her back, her feet wide as the soldiers lined up, waiting for her command.
"The days may be cold, but we won't grow lax. Form the position Bow to Agni's Will….now!" Azula yelled. She tapped one boot as the men and women fell back on their right legs, left leg extended straight in front, fists raised. The position made the neck slightly vulnerable, which was why the form was named the way it was.
Azula nodded. A smirk pulled the corner of her lips. "Unleash your fury," she commanded. The lines of benders turned and extended their fists, streaming fire up against the white flakes drifting down from the sky.
Azula smiled.
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Zuko opened his eyes and regarded Tsung as she quietly moved around the bedchamber, setting down the capital post and bringing another bouquet of flowers. She found a spare empty vase in the room and set the bouquet inside; she went in search of water. Zuko gave a wry smile. The Kyoshi Warrior could have opened the window and gotten a few handfuls of snow. THAT water was aplenty.
He had Mai moved to the royal apartments later the night she had miscarried. He didn't want her in the healer's chambers where she had bled out her child; plus the chambers smelled of sour herbs. All the best to bring her someplace familiar.
Several nobles had sent their condolences, as well as the wall of flowers that was currently in their bed chamber. Zuko tried to read Mai each card, but she only listened through one before curling up on the bed. Zuko had begged leave of his council and they were surprisingly understanding. They urged him to comfort the Fire Lady.
So Zuko ate, and slept with his wife; he even helped Mai bathe as the days went by. He received Ty Lee for another visit, and she had squeezed his hand privately, but he was first and foremost at his wife's side. He was so glad Ty Lee understood, and she really wanted Mai to recover. Her body would recover. Whether her emotions would was another matter.
Mai stirred and Zuko slung a careful arm over her waist. After she'd miscarried, her stomach had receded down to almost normal levels at an astonishing rate. It was as if she'd been pricked with a pin and the air had slowly leaked from her. Her breasts were still somewhat round, but the fat of the pregnancy was almost gone. Zuko's heart lurched as she moved closer toward him, burrowing under his arm. He pressed a kiss against the side of her head.
"Good morning, Mai," he said gently. Mai's eyes opened sleepily. She burrowed against his shoulder, rooting against his bed robe. She yawned.
"Don't see much good in it. But thank you…. for staying," she said wryly.
Guilt slammed Zuko's heart. He squeezed her waist gently. "I'm not leaving you. If you need me, I'm staying."
"…Then don't go," Mai said. Zuko nodded.
"Shall I call for breakfast?" he asked. He helped Mai sit up against the pillows. She sighed.
"Yes…."
After Zuko spoke quietly to Tsung in the sitting room, he came back to the bed. He helped Mai sit up and picked up one of her silver combs. Mai sighed as he gently combed her long black hair in gentle passes. Zuko was relieved when her chi fell in relaxed waves. Her left hand clutched his thigh as she leaned between his spread legs.
"Mai…. I know you're still hurting, but I want to tell you I'm sorry…." Zuko murmured. Mai shifted uncomfortably against him. She leaned forward, her hand going to her flatter stomach.
"I have a lot to be sorry about us… I wanted it and I didn't want it. I just wanted to hurt you," she muttered. Zuko set the comb down and slid his arms around her waist. He leaned to kiss the side of her throat.
"I'm sorry because maybe it's a blessing. My sister didn't need a foot hold to our throne," Zuko said as gently as he could. Mai slid out of his lap and turned toward him, angry. Zuko waited, blinking.
"Dammit, Zuko! You're going to tell me this was a blessing?! Damn you!" Mai cursed. Zuko cupped her cheek with his large hand. Mai's lip quivered as he gazed into her hurt eyes.
"Of course, I'm sorry you're hurt. You're my wife. Believe that I love you, Mai. Maybe I could have loved the child too….." Zuko's eyes brooded. He sighed. "But we've hurt each other enough as it is. Too much," he admitted. Suddenly, he knew he could tell Mai. Not right this moment, but soon; that day at the very least. He wanted it to be that day, but he needed a moment alone to bring Ty Lee up to that level. He knew the cheerful acrobat would be on board and Zuko's heart lightened considerably. Yes, it could work out, and the three of them would handle it.
Without trust, there could be no love. And he wanted to trust Mai with everything. She had made her point clear abundantly. As his wife and partner, she wanted to help carry his burden and worries. She could handle the burden.
"You've stayed away from Ty Lee long enough. Aren't you dying to get back to her?" Mai sniffed. Zuko slid across the bed and wrapped his arms around her. He sighed with relief as she slid against his shoulder, arms going around his back.
"I love you, Mai. I'm staying," he promised. He needed to talk to Ty Lee, but he was helping his wife get over this tragic event. He used to go to her without worrying about annoying his already angry wife after she'd dropped the news he'd been cuckolded.
But Mai needed comforting. And he wanted to make her life less stressful. He had caused her enough grief as it was.
'We'll tell her. Later…tonight, maybe tomorrow. We'll lay it out. Mai will keep it secret.' Zuko's heart leapt with joy. There would be anger, but Mai WOULD understand. He could tell.
As his wife cradled her chin on his shoulder, he picked her up by the waist and deposited her on his lap. He pressed a gentle kiss against her temple. Mai turned her face to his.
"Zuko?"
"Hmm?" he asked. Mai ran her fingers down his scar, her gaze softer.
"We can go back to how things were…. We really can now, can't we? My child's gone…."
"I didn't wish that to happen. I wanted you to have whatever you wanted," Zuko said. But deep in his heart, he was oddly relieved.
"Please make it better," Mai looked so vulnerable, and oddly angry. She turned her face away, pale skin reddening. Zuko carefully touched his mouth to hers. The hot and angry kiss Mai pressed on him made Zuko's heart leap. He softened the kiss and Mai slung her arms around his neck.
Zuko smiled against her lips and parted his mouth. Mai drank in his kiss as it was long enough for that touch of intimacy between them.
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Ty Lee managed another visit to Mai's chambers and even received a few neutral words. Zuko looked somewhat hopeful, and despite her day's loneliness, Ty Lee was glad for him. It didn't mean she didn't miss Zuko. As she was nearing the eighth month of pregnancy, she was far too exhausted for sex, and she wondered if Zuko would come near her again now that it seemed Mai had left the door open for him.
Ty Lee sighed. She turned a scroll over in her hands, reading in her private sitting room. Ying was at her feet, rubbing them softly. They had grown quite swollen and Ty Lee sighed in appreciation. Ying hummed under her breath. Ty Lee gave her friend a soft smile. She could barely see her over the roundness of her belly.
There was a knock at her door and Ying rose easily to her feet to answer. "Lord Zuko!" she said in surprise.
Ty Lee tried to sit up straighter, but her belly got in the way and she wound up floundering in place instead. Zuko rushed over to her, kneeling in front of the sofa. He helped adjust her position.
"Hi, Ty," he said, smiling wryly up at her. Ty Lee clasped his hands, using them to sit up straight.
"Zuko. Is Mai okay? How are you?" she asked genuinely. Zuko squeezed her hands gently.
"Better. Much better. Mai asked me if things could go back to how they were. I think… I think it's time to tell her the truth," Zuko said. He placed one hand on Ty Lee's belly to emphasize what he meant. Ty Lee started, floundered and laid her hand over his. On cue, the baby began drumming up a hard kick, beating up against Zuko's hand.
He laughed, and rubbed her belly gently. Ty Lee rubbed the back of his hand.
"I hope she can keep this a secret. It's to help you," Ty Lee fretted. Zuko took her other hand and knelt before her, smiling hopefully.
"I think it'll be okay. She'll understand. She may be angry…."
"Zu, I think she's going to be. We could have told her sooner," Ty Lee worried. "But it WILL help in the long run…"
It would help Zuko's marriage, that was for sure. Eventually, the hurt and anger would be released and then Mai could help them raise her child.
Ty Lee's heart lurched. What place would she have? Would Mai take her child completely from her? But Zuko swept his chi carefully over her in gentle waves, soothing her.
"It'll be okay, Ty. I told you you'd have a place with us. I meant it," Zuko said. What that would mean physically was still undecided, but maybe Mai would learn to share. 'Heck, maybe they both secretly have a thing for each other,' he thought wryly. 'Sure would make things easier.'
Ty Lee smiled down at the Fire Lord and squeezed his hands in hers.
"What are you smiling about, Zu?" she teased. Zuko coughed.
"Oh, nothing. When do you want to tell her? Should we arrange to have dinner?" Zuko suggested. Ty Lee nodded.
"Yes…. let's do that. Although, knowing Mai, let's keep all the sharp cutlery from her. And perhaps drop this after the meal. We don't need to be wearing it, after all," Ty Lee suggested. Zuko laughed.
"Of course. Is there anything I can do for you?" Zuko asked. His earnest golden eyes pierced Ty Lee's heart. She wondered if all three of them would get along, but that would really depend on Mai. It wasn't the first time a Fire Lady had to share her Fire Lord with another. Would the three of them be a couple in raising her child? It was a strange notion.
Ty Lee had always thought any partner she was with would want to marry her and solely focus on her. But the Fire throne dictated its own wants and needs and she had to go with it.
"Maybe after we sort things with your lady wife," Ty Lee said pointedly. Zuko squeezed her hands and slowly let go. He rose to his full height, still smiling.
"We will. We'll make it right, and we'll raise the baby," Zuko smiled. His hope made Ty Lee's heart settle. She settled her hands on the swell of her belly.
"Zu, you've become optimistic. That's what I love about you," she complimented. A flush of joy spread over Zuko's face.
He bowed at the waist to her. "I'm going back to Mai. I'll broach dinner with her. Wait for a summons later, and I'll send Suki and Tsung to bring you both."
"Thank you, my lord," Ying smiled. Zuko smiled back.
"Okay, Zuko. Make sure she's feeling well," Ty Lee leaned back into the sofa smiling.
As Zuko left, she couldn't find it in her to think about Azula at that moment. Zuko was so happy. They were going to settle things right and everything would work out.
She would have to settle on what she needed to eventually do later. It was snowy out, she was heavily pregnant with the heir, and the Fire Lord was happy.
Hopefully they would remain that way once Mai knew.
Ying settled at Ty Lee's feet and continued to rub them. Ty Lee sighed.
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Azula was agitated. She had moved the soldiers out to the frosty fields outside of the manor walls to continue training, but the cold surroundings only nagged her to remember the dream she had had that morning. Ice and fire intertwined and blood surged between her legs, stiffening her formed cock. Azula took wide strides to mask the protrusion, but she was upset that merely being out in the cold caused such a reaction in her.
"Again! The Dragon's Fury…. again!"Azula snapped. She clenched a steaming fist and shoved one man back by the sternum. He went sprawling across the snow on his backside. "Has your fire frozen solid?!"
"No, my princess!" soldiers called. Azula strode through the firebenders, mind awhirl. If Ty Lee were to show herself, she was afraid she would be tempted to force her up against one of the ice-covered trees, same as had happened in her lust-filled dream.
'Not like she'd be begging for it….she's taking care of Zuzu's needs,' Azula sneered in her head. She suddenly wanted to kill something. Or at the very least maim it.
"Princess? Are you alright?" one of the women soldiers paused at her elbow. One of the men grabbed her elbow and walked her away, gently shaking his head at her. Azula watched them from the corner of her eyes.
"We're going for a mile run! Let's go," Azula commanded. The soldiers formed up by two's beside her and began jogging through the slowly falling snow without complaint. Azula adjusted the folds of her cloak and shoved the hood back. She tilted her head back and let the flakes collect along her face. A slight flush of her bending melted them from her skin.
Azula opened her eyes and began jogging beside the soldiers. If she had to work off her frustrations physically, so would everyone else.
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"I'd understand if you weren't up for dinner," Ty Lee said. Ying stood at her elbow as the concubine shook out her cloth napkin into her lap. Her belly protruded and she shifted uncomfortably in her chair.
"Zuko seems to be beside himself. I'm guessing you two want to tell me something," Mai guessed. She started inwardly when Zuko and Ty Lee shared a knowing look across the table.
"Yes, something like that," Ty Lee said tentatively. Zuko served everyone a healthy helping of the spice noodle dish that came for dinner. He had asked for a simpler menu, but there was still a healthy amount of fire flakes and other spices in the dish.
"Let's enjoy the moment. It will help everything, Mai. But….. you won't be glad we've kept it from you," Zuko said, looking like a troubled boy. Ty Lee wished she could touch him. Mai leaned in her chair, regarding her husband curiously.
"So, it's news I want, or at the very least news I'll need, but I won't want to hear it? Boy, you two are taking the cake for cryptic," Mai said dryly. Ty Lee smiled nervously. and drank from her water cup. On cue, the baby began kicking rapidly and she gasped in surprise.
"Sorry…. it's been acting up," Ty Lee said almost apologetically. Mai's eyes softened surprisingly toward her friend.
"How is that in your control?" she asked, but her golden eyes were filled with longing. Ty Lee's eyes drifted down Mai's flatter middle despite herself.
"I guess it isn't," Ty Lee agreed. Zuko's gut lurched. He hoped the almost pleasant exchange between the women would hold. It was a lot to hope for. He had a feeling that anger was inevitable.
Well, Agni was prone to anger and rage in his fire. Zuko would endure. Uncle had taught him to be hopeful. He would have to be.
"Here's to surviving the winter with friendship and warmth," Zuko offered. He lifted his wine glass. Mai lifted hers slowly, but she clinked it to his. Ty Lee stood with Ying's help and extended her arm across the table.
"I'll drink to that," she gave a flare of her old smile. The water in her cup sloshed when she touched it to theirs.
The tentative smile she shared with Zuko clashed with the warning in Mai's eyes. The three drank together and slowly ate. The small talk was small and the moment extended.
Until the fireworks, that was.
End for now
End notes: Sorry so short! I've been trying to keep my promise of an update once a week. If it's late, I'll try to keep it around every ten days. Sorry about that if it happens ^_^;; I truly love this story and have it planned to the very end so never fear I'll run out of stuff to write about. Like it? Smash that button, do that review thing ^_^
Most sincerely, pen
2/4/2017