Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Avatar: the Last Airbender." Nada thing.
Author's notes: More plot! We gotta get moving here! :P
Maraghoul: My friend my friend, all creds to the formation of this story will always go to you 😝 I appreciate you always.
QueenTyzula: The mentions of General Mak is a nudge to your current Tyzula story 😝 Enjoy!
CharlieBarrow: Thanks again for all the messages and nudges. Some future story stuff coming up is definitely thanks to you! Thanks again ^_^
Harley Quinn Davidson: Unfortunately for Zuko, the circle of retribution is coming round.
All my guests! Those without names, 'ZulaisbetterthanZuzu' and 'Red',….. not sure if you're all the same person or not, but thank you for the, erm, kind words 😝 I can be satisfied my story is doing something right to incite such a passionate response. Thanks for saying you liked the story itself, which can make me understand the harsher language concerning Zuko 😝 Hopefully you guys stay tuned to see what goes down.
"Stoking the fire"
Chapter forty-eight "Decisions"
"She won't allow herself to be touched, so bathing is out of the question. The healers don't trust her with a tub of water or a bar of soap right now," Iroh sighed. Ty Lee peered through the window of Azula's cell door. Her heart sank as she took in the disheveled princess. Her hair was an absolute mess and she really could do with a bath. Aside from the almost daily cleaning of her wounds, her body wasn't getting much maintenance. But she hissed anytime any of the orderlies or healers went into her cell. She tried to repel them with firebending, but even that was fritzing out.
"So, she has to be drugged, huh?" Ty Lee asked. Her fingers splayed against the metal cell door. Azula darted a glance to the corner of her cell and her lips parted. Apparently, she was speaking to an image.
"Yes. I was hoping that after mental diving, she'd be sufficient to at least care for herself. She's going to need a lot of help," Iroh said. Ty Lee cast him a look. Strength radiated in her brown eyes.
"I'll be right at her side. Just send the word when it's happening."
"Are you ready, though? Ready to leave the palace? Your child? Your life here?" Iroh asked gently. Ty Lee worried her lower lip between her teeth.
"I cast things off with Zuko. The poor fool thinks it's just a spat and he can win me. I admit, I did give him a lot of attention when I was with him….. I wish I were more honest then," Ty Lee confessed. "Was it wrong of me?"
"Love and affection are very difficult things to sort out," Iroh said sagely. "Even if you didn't love my nephew, you cared for his feelings. And when a pretty girl gives you so much attention, who can blame him for feeling the way he does?"
Ty Lee sighed. "I was just so comfortable. Azula was out there and I did nothing about her until nearly the attack."
"Are you certain you want to help her? You have a good life here," Iroh said. "Suki told me Zuko found you buried to your neck in snow. Is that any way to treat someone who you love?"
"Azula had her reasons," Ty Lee stammered but her heart hurt. It was cruelty in its simplest form and she ached when she dwelled on it. If Azula ever came out of her mind and they could spend more than one moment talking without attacking each other, that had to be addressed at some point. It was abuse, plain and simple and Ty Lee hoped one day Azula would own up to it. At this moment, it seemed unlikely.
"That's what most victims say," Iroh said gently. "Your actions toward Azula are admirable, my lady, but please take things as they come. And don't be surprised if your feelings aren't reciprocated."
Ty Lee closed her eyes and pressed her brow to the cell door. It was too cruel. She had finally told Zuko how it was, and took a step away from him and Azula may not even love her the same way after all. One step at a time…..
"At the very least, Zuko knows we're friends. And he's Izumi's father. I can count on him to care for her…"
"There is that," Iroh agreed. Footsteps sounded from down the hallway. Both tensed as General Mak made his presence known. The bearded man looked surprised to see them.
"The Fire Lord is on his way to inspect the prisoners," he warned. "What are you two doing near the princess?"
Mak was Zuko's right hand, so Ty Lee put on the charm as she and Iroh worked their way down the hall.
"Oh, you know, we have an interest, this and that." Ty Lee made herself giggle. She trailed a hand along the general's breast plate as she passed. "Don't work too hard."
Iroh met her gaze with a raised eyebrow. They rounded the corner. "Feminine wiles tend to do the trick sometimes, don't they?"
"You'd be surprised," Ty Lee admitted. As the two left the prison, Zuko wound through the inner corridors toward Azula's cell. He was greeted by General Mak who bowed.
"Can't say she's ready, but I'm coming in for the questioning," Mak said. Zuko sighed.
"Let's try," he said. The two men entered the cell. "I will have every lord's name who conspired against me."
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"Lord Shun! Surrender!"
The skinny lord peered through the slats of the windows of his front sitting room. His servants were barricading the front gate in his courtyard, but several imperial soldiers were climbing the high stone wall to get in.
"This is intolerable!" Shun complained. "By what right do you have?!"
"By command of the Fire Lord!" A new voice blared on the other side of his window. Some of the soldiers were gaining entrance to his home. The screams of the servants echoed in Shun's ears. He clapped his hands over the sides of his head.
"I-I've done nothing wrong! Get off my lands!" Shun shrilled. A few of the imperial soldiers forced the sliding door open and charged after him. He was hauled off, screaming, and taken into custody.
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"Whoa, did I come at a bad time?" Ty Lee asked. Mai pulled a sheer silk robe around herself and belted it.
"Just helping the nation by relaxing the Fire Lord. Don't blame a wife for wanting alone time," Mai said flippantly. She smiled despite herself as she leaned in to kiss Izumi, secured in her sling around Ty Lee's shoulder.
"Zuko's coming? Aw geez…." Ty Lee ran a hand through her bangs. She turned serious. "I'm glad you're both doing better, but don't hate me…"
"Ty, it's okay. Really," Mai said. "I know you love Azula. Hell, Zuko knows it. And if he doesn't, he sure as heck knows it now."
Ty Lee bit her lip and rocked her daughter in the crook of one arm. Izumi watched them both. "If things were to…..take off and I depart the palace with her, you'll take care of Izumi, won't you? Promise me."
"Of course, Ty. I'll do anything for my girl," Mai said. She did a mental flip as she processed that. "Wait, what's going on?"
"Nothing I can reveal yet…." Ty Lee bit her lip. Her eyes swam with unshed tears. "Can't have you telling the Fire Lord at this time."
"We'll take care of our daughter," Mai promised. "And as for distracting Zuko…..I'm good at that. You're not the only sexy woman in his life."
"You're the only woman," Ty Lee promised. "I swear. I have to do right by Azula….just forgive me if I disappear suddenly."
"I'll hold down the fort," Mai promised. She laid her long finger in Izumi's bunched up fist. "Do what you have to do."
"You're just glad you get Zuko all to yourself." Ty Lee took the moment to tease her oldest friend. Mai blushed.
"Well, there is that…."
"Go on, Fire Lady…" Ty Lee swatted her lightly on the shoulder.
"Get out of here. Just put the baby in a basket in our room if you should disappear so suddenly," Mai said. Ty Lee nodded.
"I feel so guilty… Mai, I don't what will happen. If so much time passes, you'll tell Izumi about me, won't you?"
Mai grew serious. She slid an arm around Ty Lee's waist. "All this won't take years….you'll have your daughter back again before she understands what's going on."
Ty Lee pressed her face against Mai's shoulder. "Thanks, Mai."
Mai's hand patting Ty Lee's back attempted to be reassuring; secretly, she was horribly worried for Ty Lee's well-being. She had a feeling Lord Iroh was behind some of the planning, and he wouldn't let anything happen to Izumi's mother, but still….it WAS Azula that was at stake. Who knew what she'd do.
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Azula smiled. She tapped one boot on the rocky terrain. Dust seeped upward from the movement. The sun was high overhead and she walked with a rigid imperious stance. Rows of Fire Nation soldiers stood at attention before her. They'd only been in the Earth Kingdom a few short weeks, and Azula had decided to split off from the main forces to follow pursuit of the Avatar with a smaller company. She cleared her throat. It was so satisfying to see men twice her age snap to attention at the small gesture.
"Soldiers of the Fire Nation," she began. "To fight for my father is to have honor. To fight for me shows good taste. Keep your vigilance for the Avatar as you scour the land. Make your ancestors proud. For Fire Lord Ozai!
"Fire Lord Ozai!" The men and women called. The soldiers cheered. The corner of Azula's mouth quirked upward. She couldn't pretend it were her name she wanted to hear chanted. Her father did far too much delegating from the throne room. He hadn't left the palace for a military campaign in years, and she was far more attuned to his soldiers than he was.
'One day, old man, one day….' Azula's brooding thoughts were cast aside as her companions came on the scene. In her memory, Ty Lee had waved, grinning and Mai only glowered. Azula smiled and sauntered closer. She liked how the acrobat's eyes trailed up and down her fit form. She DID cut quite the figure in imperial red.
"That was great, Azula," Ty Lee had gushed. "Real inspiring. Are we really branching off from the main forces?"
"Seems pretty extreme," Mai sniffed. Azula crossed her arms, eyebrow raised high.
"We will. General Mak sent over a new carriage device that won't require chicken horses to pull. We'll be traveling in style and speed to capture the Avatar."
"I love surprises," Ty Lee grinned. She gave the princess a sultry wink that Mai sighed obnoxiously at. Azula raised an eyebrow at her. Her flirting was bordering on scandalous and she had to walk with wide strides to make room for the growing shifts the acrobat in pink caused.
Just now, Ty Lee was pulling back the curtains of Azula's palanquin. "One last palanquin ride before we all go solo….I'm riding with Azula, Mai. Come here, princess."
Azula was smiling widely as she approached the palanquin. Ty Lee scattered the pillows and helped Azula lean on her elbow and get comfortable. Azula ran an idle hand up and down Ty Lee's thigh, skirting the edge of the fabric of her pink flowing pants as the curtains were closed by the palanquin bearers. The blush on the girl's face was very assuring.
"Working with the princess has its advantages," Azula murmured. Her other hand worked Ty Lee's top opened. The acrobat leaned on her back, her eyes wide with surprise. When Azula opened her top, she smirked at the pink erect nipples that met her gaze. "Care for me to show you?"
Ty Lee's hands clasped the back of Azula's neck as she leaned her head down and kissed her breasts. She took a nipple into her mouth and sucked gently. The two got comfortable as the palanquin swayed along. Ty Lee arched her back and curled her leg around Azula's hip, pulling her against her. Azula smirked as Ty Lee blushed beneath her as her shift began and swelled to attention.
All too soon the palanquin was set down and Azula raised her head, disappointed. Ty Lee was sucking on her throat, hands tight against the small of her back and helping roll their hips together. The friction was delicious even through their clothing.
"Sonuva…" Azula cursed. Ty Lee turned her lips toward her and kissed her.
"Guess the ride's over." Ty Lee made pouting look good.
"I needed a soak anyway," Azula sighed. She climbed off of Ty Lee and adjusted her clothing. She'd need a private moment to attend to the problem throbbing between her thighs. Ty Lee followed the princess past the drapes of the palanquin and set her feet on the ground. The giant metal carriage was waiting their arrival and Mai was already milling around the entrance of it.
Ty Lee leaned up on her tiptoes to graze her lips besides Azula's ear. "Meet me in the bathing area…."
Azula's face erupted into a fiery blush as Ty Lee kissed her earlobe. The hand trailing along Azula's stomach as she passed could have been insubordinate, but Azula found she'd let it pass.
"Are we leaving soon?" Mai called to Azula. Azula adjusted her stance and gave her a smirk.
"After some personal preparations. Go and find your chamber onboard if you're impatient," she commanded. Mai gave a curt bow.
"Fine."
Azula's steps led her quickly to the camp's elaborate bathing area. The finest soaps and bath supplies had been sent from the Fire Nation and several folded clean towels awaited the next occupant. Azula was already undressing, and kicking off her boots when she noticed the bare curves in the heated water. Ty Lee was already naked and waiting for her, idly rubbing soap across her arms and torso. Her body was open to Azula's heated gaze, high round breasts, flat belly. Her thighs parted and Azula's cock throbbed at the sight of the treasure between.
"Azula…" Ty Lee said, surprise in her voice. Azula stalked forward around the tub area, fully naked. Her cock jutted out between her thighs and the acrobat climbed out to meet her. Azula grasped her elbows and dragged her close, taking her mouth in a bruising kiss. Ty Lee whined into her mouth, hoisting one leg high around her waist. Azula picked her up off the ground and lowered her to the pile of towels and clothing on the hardwood floor. Ty Lee lay back, breasts bobbing as she waited for her princess to enter her. Her parted thighs were damp and she tucked her feet high along Azula's sides.
She didn't need to beg too much….. Azula leaned down, settling her hips between her thighs, and rubbed her throbbing erection against pink glistening folds. Ty Lee's high moan of satisfaction resonated in Azula's ears and filled her world as she sank in to the hilt. Heated silk…..the most agonizing fit… Azula grunted, eyes rolling back as she pulled her hips back, withdrawing partially, and thrust back in. Ty Lee gripped her back with desperate fingers, holding on as Azula set a harsh surging rhythm.
After what seemed like one minute but could have been several, Azula could feel her end approaching, and far too quickly. The flexible acrobat spurned her on in ways no one else had. Her cock pounded with heaviness and ached to let go. Ty Lee buried her face in the crook of her shoulder, whining against her. Sweat poured from Azula's brow as she kept her rut in tandem, aiming to push her loyal friend over. Ty Lee's sudden gasp and high scream filled Azula's mind. Bright lights flashed behind her eyes as she came harshly, hips pumping hard. The sounds Ty Lee made against her throat soothed her ears and filled her world. Azula groaned as she pumped hard, release streaming inside her partner…..
Azula leaned down and kissed her deeply. Ty Lee's legs rubbed along her back.
"Who was helping you? Who?!"
Azula blinked and in the snap of an eye, the surrounding terrain of a memory receded back. No! That was happening still, wasn't it? Or had it been so long ago?
"Ty Lee…." Azula muttered. She blinked rapidly as the stone walls of her cell came back into view. Barely; the edges of her vision were still fuzzy and unreadable. She scrubbed a wrist across her eye, wincing as the rough edge of a bandage on her arm scraped across her eyes.
"She's not going to hear you. She barely responds to anything…." Another voice said to the first. Azula tried to focus on the two shapes in front of her, but her vision kept failing. She sobbed in fear as she tried to steady her wide golden eyes.
"It's not her! It's not her!" she hissed under her breath. The two blobs sighed and conversed with each other.
"No more torture, my lord. We have to ride out this spell."
"I worry it's not just a spell….."
As the two blobs left her, Azula sighed in relief. She pulled her knees up to her chin and wrapped her arms around them. The chains clanked as she did so.
She must have dozed off for when her eyes snapped open again, the orderlies were back, their large hands holding her in place and bending her fire away from them.
"No!" she screamed, feeling the tell-tale prick of a needle against the inside of her arm. It pressed in and whatever was in the needle was injected into her blood stream. Lethargy danced through her limbs and Azula slumped down. True darkness took her, obscuring her blurred vision with a blanket of sheer black.
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"Ty Lee, are you ready?" Iroh asked. Ty Lee finished packing her bag and slung it around her middle. She was wearing a modest imperial tunic and trousers, her braid pushed over one shoulder. Izumi wriggled in her basket and Ty Lee regrettably picked it up, balancing the wicker against her hip. Iroh's eyes were very sad as Ty Lee looked down at her daughter, murmuring softly to her.
"She'll be alright. We'll all watch over the princess," Iroh murmured. Ty Lee gave a watery smile, but it was an effort. She sighed raggedly.
"I'll miss her so much. Please tell Zuko it's to help Azula not to get back at him." No matter what Zuko had done, he had done right by her. She hoped her actions wouldn't be cast as treason against the crown. She sighed and handed a folded piece of paper to Iroh. She hated that she was digging at Zuko and effectively dear johning him yet again.
Ursa stepped into the room making Ty Lee almost jump out of her skin. Ty Lee regrettably handed the baby's basket to her. Tears threatened to slide out of her eyes as she did so. Ursa touched the noblewoman's shoulder gently.
"Thank you for offering to help. I don't know why you want to, but we'll help soothe Zuko," Ursa said. Ty Lee scrubbed her eyes with her wrist.
"Thank you, my lady."
"We should hurry," Iroh insisted. Before Ursa could take the princess away, Ty Lee held her finger out. Izumi latched onto it, golden eyes bright. The ache in Ty Lee's heart deepened. Her eyes blurred with her tears. She had to comfort herself that she would be by the child's sire's side, helping her.
"Spirits," Ty Lee cursed. Her eyes were wet. She felt terrible, like her heart was breaking. Just as bad as when Azula fled the palace and she sought comfort in Zuko. She would see her daughter again. She had to!
"The carriage is waiting for you," Iroh murmured. He led the crying noblewoman down side corridors, bypassing the imperial soldiers, and Kyoshi Warriors. "I made the liberty of trusting your two friends to go with you…."
Outside a side entrance a carriage waited. A driver sat on top in the driver's box, and he held the reins of the chicken horses who were pawing the dirt and waiting to be off. When Iroh opened the carriage door, Tsung and Ying peered out at her. Ty Lee almost collapsed in relief. Beyond them was a long leg; Ty Lee was startled to see Azula, bound by hands and feet and utterly unconscious. She had to be drugged, Ty Lee noticed with regret, for a small stream of drool poured out of her parted lips. A bearded healer sat in the seat opposite her sprawled form. Ty Lee looked to Iroh curiously.
"The driver knows where to go. It will be a three-day journey. If need be, let the healer drug her to keep her unconscious," Iroh suggested. The bearded man clutched his satchel of tools and gave a weak smile. He cringed as Ty Lee moved across Ying and Tsung and settled in the seat beside Azula. She pulled the comatose princess across her lap, one hand smoothing back her loose hair.
"Thank you, Iroh. I can't thank you enough," Ty Lee said. Iroh gave a wry smile.
"I may visit the manor to lend my help where I can. Take care of yourself, my lady."
With those words, the lord closed the door of the carriage. The driver gave a cry and let his whip fly. The chicken-horses took off at a trot then a run and the carriage swayed back and forth.
Ty Lee pressed her face against the wall of the carriage, and held the prone princess. She sighed as her hands settled along Azula's shoulder and face. She hoped, as before, that Zuko would forgive her actions. She had to go with Azula. She had to.
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Zirin watched the carriage leave from the rooftop, and she frowned within the cowl of her hood. She would get the site location from Iroh and Ursa during their nightly meeting. The last time they met, Zirin had to look away as the old lord took her hands in his. Get over the theatrics, and say it. As Zirin clambered back over the other side of the roof, she glanced into the courtyard below. Two servants trailed along, whispering together and a shock of recognition swept through Zirin.
They were Azula's plants; wearing the imperial tunic and carrying baskets of linen as if they were truly part of the palace staff. Cold rage burned through Zirin and she trailed them along the edge of the roof. Where were they during the assault? Did they try to aide Azula's coup at all or had they written the princess off? Probably more the latter and the audacity burned Zirin up in more ways than her bending.
The two women were giggling together, but quieted quick enough when Zirin dropped in front of them from the roof.
"So. Found a merry new job to keep you company?" Zirin sneered her lip in disgust. The two women set their baskets down. They adopted waiting stances; they weren't benders and Zirin was not afraid of their show of bravado. More's the pity for them they couldn't firebend. They were going to pay for not helping.
"Zirin! I thought all of you were thrown in jail," one of the women sniffed. The other clenched her hands into fists.
"You thought wrong," Zirin stated. "Funny how on the night of the coup I didn't see hide nor hair of you both anywhere. Were you really that afraid to strike with us or did you have other plans?"
The women scowled. "Azula lost. And we don't have to explain ourselves to you."
"We COULD just holler for the soldiers to come collect you. We may pick up a nice little prize for stumbling across the missing Kemurikage," the other laughed. Zirin glowered at them.
"Try calling now!" she yelled. Her firebending blazed up and caught the clothing of both women. They fell to the floor in a flurry of orange fury, limbs twisting as they tried to beat out the flames. Their screams were horrible. Zirin stayed a few more moments, amping her bending, ensuring their bodies were taking the full brunt of the fire and the heat. Once the bodies stopped flopping, she ran to climb up a stone wall back to the roof. Back up high, she raised a fist, pulling her fire back.
Two charred bodies remained smoking in the courtyard. Zirin smiled grimly and walked further along the roof top.
End for now
End notes: And more plot! Sorry nothing sexy in awhile. We gotta get through some stuff to get to that 😝 Like it, smash that button and do that review thing!
Sincerely, pen
6/15/2017