Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Avatar: The Last Airbender"! Nada thing.

Author's Notes: And baby fluffiness! Because we needs it right now :P

QueenTyzula: I think Mai will have more of a chance coming soon :P She certainly is wanting to be around the baby…. Heeh! I don't mind writing Azula's sexcapades cause it's fun to write :P That you dig it is icing too.

Maraghoul: I agree; play nicely with Mai, Zuko! She actually wants to be around his dumb butt.

CharlieBarrow: Ty Lee was in great health :P Birth went smooth. All's well! :P

Harley Quinn Davidson: Yup! This is the future Fire Lord :P We really didn't get the say in LOK who Izumi's mother is so….I took my stab at it :P

My guest: I think that's a good idea, at least for drama, but girls can inherit the fire throne. Azula was almost crowned in the show after all.

"Stoking the fire"

Chapter thirty-one "The Heir's Introduction"

"She's beautiful. She has my fire," Azula purred. Ty Lee pulled her robe close. The air around her seemed shallow as she pushed closer to her princess. Azula stood, straight and tall, in front of the cradle and peered in at their child.

"She looks just like her sire," Ty Lee agreed. She reached Azula's side and gazed down at the sweet infant sleeping. Her tuft of black hair almost stuck straight up and a chubby fist was pressed against her mouth. Azula's fingers were gentle as she traced the child's scalp.

"I was thinking she was beautiful…..like her mother…" Azula turned and slid an arm low around Ty Lee's back. She gasped, arching her breasts into Azula's torso. She was startled how good it felt to be held by her. Azula's lips were on her throat, kissing her and she turned her chin up, trying to reach her mouth.

The kiss Azula laid on her lips took her breath away, and even as Azula's hands were busy stroking her curves and drawing her against her, Ty Lee didn't care. She melted into her embrace, rubbing against the firm bulge between her thighs. Azula moaned and drew Ty Lee down to the floor beside the cradle.

Ty Lee slammed awake just as Azula was unlacing her trousers and she blinked rapidly, trying to acclimate to her surroundings. A snuffling sounded beside her and she craned through the dim light of early morning. Zuko was fast asleep on his back, Izumi cradled on his bare chest. His large hands held her in place and his head lolled to the side as he slept heavily. Izumi was fast asleep for a change, mouth moving against Zuko's skin. The small sounds the baby made went straight to Ty Lee's heart and she leaned close. She ruffled a hand along Izumi's back. Her red pajamas were tailored for her size and luxuriously stitched. Her bootied feet twitched in her sleep.

Even though the dream was fresh in her mind, Ty Lee's fingers on Zuko's cheek were gentle. He slit his eyes open carefully and peered around the room almost in a panic before he registered Ty Lee and the baby. His hands rubbed her small back softly. Izumi moved her mouth against his chest.

"Morning," he whispered. Zuko was clearly exhausted and so was she. Even though he had hired on two wet nurses to pick up the slack feeding Izumi when Ty Lee was bathing or unavailable, the two rarely gave those two women enough time to help. Cast as new parents, Zuko helped with his so-called daughter and Ty Lee was too attached to let the nurses help as often as they could have.

In their daughter's first week of life, their sleep pattern was thrown off with her demands. They woke every few hours to feed her, and only twice did Ty Lee allow one of the women in to take her place, and allow herself to collapse from exhaustion. Zuko of course, slept at her side. He had gotten the advice from his mother to let the baby sleep on his chest. It would bind the child to him chi-wise, and also form an emotional link.

Ty Lee doubted Fire Lord Ozai would have been that hands on with his children even as helpless infants. This had to have been learned with Kiyi's upbringing. But Zuko took the news happily and Ty Lee admitted to herself it was comforting to fall to blessed sleep beside him cradling her baby. Izumi clearly calmed between the two of them and she had Zuko's closeness to thank for that.

Despite herself, Ty Lee knew she was doing the right thing by letting Zuko have her child. He clearly would make a good father.

"Morning, Zu," she whispered. "How's my little Izumi?"

The baby woke and began to wail. Zuko patted her, checking for a wet diaper.

"I'll change her. Then, I think she's hungry," he said softly. He sat up carefully, baby cradled in his arms. Ty Lee fluffed her pillows and pulled her robe open as Zuko laid Izumi down to change. He spoke softly to the infant. Ty Lee watched them, heart softening.

When Zuko gave her the baby to feed, his eyes lingered on her naked breasts. Even heavy with milk, they had to be a sight and Ty Lee raised an eyebrow at him. Zuko gave an unabashed smile to her and sat at her side on the bed.

"She's hungry," Zuko observed. Ty Lee smiled down at her daughter as she fed. One of the infant's small hands rubbed against the side of her breast. Her hand cradled the back of her child's head.

"She's so pretty," Ty Lee couldn't keep from being mushy.

"She is…" Zuko raised his eyes to hers as he lounged on his side on the mattress. A serious love shone in his golden gaze. Ty Lee's heart softened toward him, although the memory of her dream was still in mind.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Ty Lee was amused. She moved Izumi to her other breast, rubbing her small back.

"You're just beautiful. Have I thanked you for this child yet?" he asked softly. Ty Lee blushed.

"You have," Ty Lee said. Zuko touched one of the baby's small hands. His heart fluttered when her hand wrapped around his finger. Ty Lee wasn't surprised when Zuko leaned to kiss her softly. She allowed herself to be kissed, lips moving softly against the Fire Lord's.

Izumi unlatched her mouth from Ty Lee's nipple and moved her mouth against her breast. She hiccuped.

"I think she's done," Ty Lee said. Zuko fetched a spare cloth and took Izumi to burp. He settled the infant in his arms as Ty Lee got up to head for the washroom.

"Do you want to bathe together? I can have one of the wet nurses take her," Zuko offered. Ty Lee's body surged with renewed warmth at the suggestion but shook her head.

"I won't be long. Hold her a moment?" she asked. Zuko nodded. He began speaking to his daughter, oddly going over council meeting points.

Ty Lee scrubbed her face and brushed her teeth. She used the toilet and washed her hands. She found herself hurrying back to the bedchamber. The wet nurses were in the room, moving around and tidying up the baby's things. Izumi's cradle waited in the corner of the room (decked out with pink blankets at her insistence; several toys and gifts from the nobles were stacked by the cradle as well), but Zuko was adamant they let the baby sleep in a pair of arms this early in life.

"I'm here," Ty Lee smiled. Zuko beamed at her.

"Will you show her to the capital this week, Fire Lord?" one of the wet nurses asked. Zuko nodded as he gazed down into Izumi's inquisitive staring face.

"Yes…..and we should get Mai to hold her as well," Zuko stared at Ty Lee. She nodded. She touched Izumi's fist. Her hand clutched Ty Lee's finger.

"Well, then we'll need to get dressed, Zuko," Ty Lee said wryly. Zuko nodded. He rocked Izumi in his arms.

"We'll hold her, Fire Lord," one of the wet nurses offered. Zuko and Ty Lee tensed as the princess was handed over. Izumi just stared at the newer woman curiously.

"Call my manservant," Zuko suggested. "He needs to shave me quickly."

"Yes, Fire Lord," the other wet nurse offered. Ty Lee and Zuko helped each other dress and Zuko reluctantly went to the washroom with his man servant. He emerged, face smooth once more.

Ty Lee wiped a bit of cream off his cheek and took Izumi from the wet nurse. The ice and snow crashed crazily outside the window.

"We'll just walk her around. Hey, let's bring her to the Kyoshi Warrior's apartment," Zuko suggested.

Ty Lee grinned. Suki and Ying had, of course, been present for the birth and had been on guard at her location, but the rest of her sisters hadn't met her daughter yet.

"That's a great idea!" Ty Lee said.

Suki and Ying peeled from the corners of the main sitting room and flanked the couple.

"I agree. The other sisters in arms should meet the princess," Suki smiled softly. She clasped Izumi's small hand.

At the Kyoshi Warrior's apartments, the girls were up and dressed in their robes and make-up for the day, and all of them flocked around Ty Lee and her child.

"She's so beautiful!"

"Lord Zuko, she has your eyes!"

"Aww, so cute!"

Zuko, Ty Lee, Ying and Suki shared a knowing glance between them. Only they knew the truth. Them and Mai…

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"You can spend time with the Fire Lord's child. As Fire Lady, she's legally your child too," Lady Michi said. Mai sighed. She couldn't concentrate on her scrolls and helping Tom-Tom with his studies had lost its fun hours ago. She was noticeably agitated and she DID want to visit her husband and friend, and bond with her step daughter.

If Izumi was going to be Zuko's heir, she would have to get used to the baby. And what was more, she actually wanted to. After losing her child, the idea of becoming close to Ty Lee's baby hurt but it still held its own appeal.

"Maybe later…I will go," Mai promised. Her mother beamed. Tom-Tom stretched widely.

"Can we get a snack? Please?" he asked. Lady Michi nodded.

"Go into our kitchen," she suggested. The boy pouted.

"Can we go to the main kitchens? Maybe they made stuffed dumplings today," Tom-Tom said. The diet as of this winter was getting a bit plain and he wanted something sweet.

"Okay. Come on, kid," Mai said. She took up her brother's hand and they left the family apartments. Tsung and Yoshiko guarded the two and happened upon a happy scene in one of the open sitting rooms.

Lady Ursa was holding the princess, rocking her gently. Ty Lee and Zuko sat beside her, gazing at the child. It hurt how much Zuko really looked like Izumi's father. He was so attentive…..

Zuko noticed her before they could escape and hailed her. "Mai! Come sit with us?" he asked. Ty Lee straightened and gave her a nervous smile.

Mai couldn't find it in her to burst his bubble so quickly so she sauntered closer. Tom-Tom scampered up near Lady Ursa to look into the baby's face. Izumi was sleeping deeply.

"I won't take up too much of your time," Mai said evenly. "She seems tired."

Ty Lee smiled and touched Izumi's fist. "She'll be up before you know it, wanting to feed."

A twinge of hurt swept through Mai, despite herself. She nodded.

"I see….well, let's go, Tom-Tom," Mai said. Her brother gave Lady Ursa and Zuko a small bow and took up his sister's hand again.

"She's cute, doncha think, sis?" Tom-Tom was unabashed in his thoughts about the new baby.

Mai pursed her lips. "Yeah…she is."

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"Don't worry, Fire Lord. She's ready. She looks so cute!" one of the wet nurses cooed. She was holding Princess Izumi who was dressed in tiny red robes befitting her status. A red cap covered her black hair, as it was still freezing out. Zuko adjusted the sleeves of his fine lord's robes and nodded.

Ty Lee turned to the antechamber just outside of the palace balcony and adjusted her breasts above the wide sash of her robes. "I'm not leaking, am I, Zu?" she asked suddenly. Zuko turned to the side with her and suddenly settled a tentative hand along her round breasts through the clothing. Ty Lee blushed.

"Zuko, really!" she gasped. Zuko retracted his hand and gave a rakish grin. It was a very Azula thing to do and a very Azula look he had and it made her heart lurch. 'Oh, Zuko….'

"You're dry. Don't worry, this won't take all day, and I don't want Izumi out in the wind too long anyway," he said. Ty Lee blushed as Zuko leaned to kiss her cheek. The Fire Lord gestured and the wet nurse laid his child into his arms. Both finely dressed, they completed the perfect picture of the royal lineage and Ty Lee was glad she was dressed in her finest to help show off her child.

'Zuko's… not Azula's,' Ty Lee amended. It was a happy day for the capital and she had helped bring that about. She tried to take solace in the knowledge, without trying to wonder where Izumi's real sire was.

Izumi squirmed in her robes and gave a harsh cry. Zuko hummed to her and rocked her. His daughter instantly quieted and stared up at him with her golden eyes.

"There's my granddaughter!" Lord Genma called. Ty Lee and Zuko stiffened. Ty Lee slid her hand into the crook of Zuko's elbow and leaned into him as her parents sashayed up to dote on her child.

The two took the congratulations with ease as once again, both Ty Lee's mother and father wanted to touch and pinch her.

"She's too young to pinch." Zuko angled Izumi to the side deftly. Ty Lee's mother pouted and Lord Genma looked like he wanted to say something but Lady Ursa approached, her small family in tow.

Zuko looked relieved. "Mother!"

"There's my granddaughter," Ursa beamed. The same words sounded nicer coming from her than Ty Lee's parents. Kiyi cast a nervous look to the balcony.

"It looks cold up here," she commented. Zuko nodded.

"Can you make the announcement strong and at a brisk pace?" he asked Lo and Li. The squat advisors waited near the doors to the balcony, their robes doubly layered against the winter wind.

"Of course, Fire Lord," they said in unison. A shiver went up Zuko's spine but he gave a polite nod. The Head Fire Sage entered the antechamber and beamed down at the child.

Ty Lee played with her daughter's small hand until the rest of the entourage arrived.

Fire Lady Mai, her mother and brother took up the rest of the group. They were all dressed in their most luxurious robes. Tom-Tom held the hem of his long robe over the edge of his boots so he wouldn't trip. The look Mai cast the two of them was sad longing then stiff coolness.

Zuko watched her. "Stand with us, Mai?" His wife nodded.

It had been a few days since she had seen Izumi. Mai was startled how much her heart hurt when she gazed into the baby's face.

"Of course…." She murmured. Zuko held Izumi in both arms and waited as Lo, Li and the Head Fire Sage pushed out to the balcony to address the crowds below.

Through the tall glass doors, they could hear the twins address the populace.

"Behold, a good omen in the midst of this dreadful winter! The Fire Lord's daughter, Princess Izumi has been born! She has arrived as an auspicious sign of warmth and prosperity to come….behold, your princess!"

At those words, Ursa and Noren pushed the doors open and flanked the parents and Fire Lady Mai. Zuko, Mai and Ty Lee walked to the edge of the balcony, ahead of their family members. Zuko's strong arms cradled his daughter. Izumi shrilly cried out at the cold wind. Zuko flexed his chi and warmed her. The baby quieted, looking perplexed at the sudden warmth.

Ty Lee smiled down at her curious stares, and tucked her hand back into the crook of Zuko's left elbow. Mai, as the Fire Lady, had Zuko's right side. Zuko couldn't help flashing her a smile. Ty Lee smiled back.

The crowds below cheered loudly.

"Izumi! Izumi! Princess Izumi!"

As Zuko and Ty Lee beamed at the people, Mai cast a sideways glance at Izumi. The infant was staring back at her.

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"Post from the capital," one of Lady Sachiko's servants announced. The ancient lady tutted and leaned into her sofa.

"Read the more pertinent articles," she commanded of the girl.

"The official articles say the Fire Lord's child has been born. A princess," the girl read.

Sachiko gave a harrumph. "Bet all the capital is loving that."

"They are," the girl said. "There's a private note for Princess Azula…"

"I'll take that," Zirin said. She had been walking by and heard the last statement. Their Kemurikage hiding out in the palace had to have sent it. It would be good to hear their progress. Zirin scanned the characters in the parchment, knowing Azula wouldn't hurt her for wanting to find out what was going on. She made a startled sound, and reread the note.

"That idiot!" Zirin growled. She knocked at Azula's borrowed bedchamber door.

"Enter," Azula said. Zirin pushed in. The princess was up and dressed in her finest tunic and trousers as usual. The fire was stoked high in the hearth and she sat before it, staring into the blue flames. "What's that?"

"Note from our girls in the palace. Xie Ming tried a bold move to take out your brother. Zuko and his uncle killed her for it," Zirin said darkly. Azula took the note and scanned the characters, eyebrow raised high. She laughed with amusement and crumpled the parchment. She tossed the ball of squashed paper toward the hearth.

"She always was a fool," she declared. "Cheer up, Zirin. The soldiers have been drilled and the ice didn't fall today. Maybe we can march earlier than expected."

"That would be good," Zirin agreed. She paused near the hearth. "There was more news from the capital."

"What now?" Azula wondered. Zirin cast a glance at the large canopied bed. A naked servant was sleeping heavily on her stomach. She raised her eyebrow at her princess but let it go.

"The concubine had the child. Your brother has his heir. A princess," Zirin said lowly. Azula blinked once, twice and rapidly. Her hands fisted the arms of the overstuffed chair. She inhaled deeply and exhaled raggedly.

"Zuzu must think he's safe," Azula drawled. "He's not." She rose to her feet.

"Where are you going?" Zirin demanded. Azula had already done her daily stroll through the icy forest.

"The woods. Don't come with me," she snapped. Zirin handed Azula a cloak.

"For Agni's sake, please dress warmly," she pleaded. Azula huffed and flung the cloak around her shoulders.

"FINE."

Azula stalked through the house, ignoring the bowing servants, soldiers and Kemurikage. She ignored the calls and bows from the courtyard and made for the icy fields nearby.

Ice broke off as her boots crunched along the frozen grass.

Azula had already come out here today, but she would come out again. She was THAT personally distraught.

Back among the icy trees, Azula paused and stared up at the snowy branches above. She closed her eyes as snowflakes slowly fell down onto her upturned face. She turned and touched one of the wide barks of a nearby tree. Her fingers caressed the ice and then clenched into a fist. She slammed that fist against the tree again and again as sheer red took over her vision. Spurts of blue fire sparked and lit the tree and Azula stopped after several moments, panting with rage.

She inhaled, controlling her chi, forcing the flames out of existence. Safe from the flames, she sank against one of the trees and sat down heavily, long legs sprawling. Azula regarded her right fist, which was beginning to swell. Flecks of blood dotted the back of her knuckles.

Ty Lee had had Zuzu's kid. She was so far out of her reach. Azula leaned her head back against the tree and closed her eyes. Tears ran down her cheeks.

End for now

End notes: Baby announcement and presenting time, and more shared dreams! Like it, smash that button, do that review thing :P Stay strong, my lovelies ^_^

Sincerely, pen

3/1/2017