Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Avatar: the Last Airbender!"
Author's notes: And on we go! Stay strong my lovelies :P
CharlieBarrow: You got top slot and you know why! :P
Maraghoul: For getting me out of writer's corners, I thank you :P
QueenTyzula: hopefully you'll be nudged to write some more! More Zuko ribbing just for you ^_^
Sanchez97: Thanks again, my staunch supporter of Zuko. At least it seems someone understood my viewpoint for him :P
Harley Quinn Davidson: Glad you're liking it!
My guest reviewers: Many thanks for your kind words.
Guest Red: The debates were interesting. Thank you for your thoughts.
"Stoking the fire"
Chapter fifty-one "Falling"
"Are you certain you want to do this? Your son told you not to leave," Noren said. Ursa threw a few more outfits on their bed. Her bags were halfway packed and she gave her husband a rueful look.
"Zuko won't punish me for going. He only wants to be in control. But he can't be in control of everything."
Noren sighed. He leaned against the banister of their canopied bed. "He's not going to like this. And he IS the Fire Lord."
"That's why you're staying to help smooth things over. And I trust no one else to watch over Kiyi, my love." Ursa's words were gentle. Noren sighed. She knew he didn't like that decision, but she knew she'd get her way. Noren was always good to her. If she had to go see to Azula, he would do everything to help her on the home front.
"Is Lord Iroh going with you?" Noren asked. Ursa nodded. She sat on one bag to close it and Noren reached to help tighten the fastenings on the satchel. Noren's calloused hands clasped hers as she rose to her feet.
"He is. Iroh has a lot of connections I'm going to need." Inwardly, Ursa couldn't say she was delightfully hesitant about traveling alone with the older lord. He had always been her friend at court, and a true man of his word, but in quiet moments she hoped nothing would happen. She wondered if something would without her husband and child at her side. She knew she could be faithful; she had been to Ozai, regrettably. And her heats were almost over with.
There was a knock and Iroh walked in at Noren's call. His robes were simple, and his topknot was without its royal ornament. He looked far simpler, and Noren had to wonder if they were going to be traveling without the aid of the royal standard. Iroh gave a bow of the head to Noren, and smiled to Ursa.
"Are you ready, Ursa?"
Ursa gave a nervous smile. "I think so. See, I learned from living in Hira'a. Only two bags." She pointed to the satchels. Iroh laughed.
"Kiyi's with her tutor," Noren said. "You both should say goodbye."
"Be relaxed," Iroh suggested. "We don't want her to be alarmed."
A distressed look crossed Ursa's face. Guilt slammed through her; she would be saying goodbye to her daughter without telling her she wouldn't be sleeping in the next bedchamber that night. She would be leaving her son and granddaughter….. Ursa straightened her spine and pushed into the sitting room, the two men on her heels.
Kiyi was practicing her characters, ink brush clasped firmly in her right hand. She smiled at her parents. "Hi Mom, Dad. Hi again, Uncle Iroh."
"Hi, sweetie. How are you doing?" Ursa made to look over Kiyi's progress. Her daughter offered up the parchment with a grimace.
"I'm told my brush strokes aren't decisive enough," the girl complained. Noren gently chided her and the tutor put in his two cents. Ursa met Iroh's eyes. His golden gaze was very understanding, but he gave a firm nod. Ursa leaned down to kiss the top of Kiyi's head.
"Well, you're doing a good job. I love you, Kiyi," Ursa said. Kiyi grimaced when her mother kissed her cheek as well.
"Aw, Mom. Okay, okay, I love you too."
The sentiment lifted Ursa's heart. She gave a casual goodbye and the three adults left the room. Ursa sagged, and Noren took her arm as Iroh led the way down corridors not oft used by the soldiers and Kyoshi Warriors. Their own carriage waited in a side courtyard. Iroh had one of Ursa's bags, and Noren the other. They deposited the bags on the storage area on top of the carriage, and their driver waited, holding the reins. Iroh had stowed his own bag up there earlier.
Iroh climbed into the carriage and waited for Ursa to say goodbye to her husband. He heard their whispered words and a moment later, Ursa was climbing in after him. Noren's sad face vanished as she shut the door gently. The driver gave a cry and snapped the reins. As the carriage took off, Ursa opened the window to wave goodbye. Noren lifted a large hand in sadness.
Ursa waved until the carriage pulled away around the bend along the side of the palace. She ducked back in and closed the window. "Zuko's going to be so angry."
"Well, we're the grown-ups. We have to see this path through." Iroh's eyes twinkled. Ursa gave a brave smile to him. By and by, she leaned against his stolid shoulder.
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Like everything else happening in his life as Fire Lord, Zuko got another nasty surprise spilled into his lap later that evening. Zuko had been given yet another letter, delivered by Noren. With Kiyi tugging at his arm, Zuko broke the seal and read, his chest tightening with dread.
It was in his mother's hand, and confirmed she'd chosen to betray his decree as well. She and Uncle had left for their secret facility to over-see Azula's treatment. And they had disobeyed his order of house arrest. Was no one loyal anymore?!
Zuko wanted to scowl, but Kiyi was smiling up at him, waiting for a good word from her big brother. Zuko made himself smile for her.
"I'll be speaking with you later, Noren," he murmured. The grey-haired man took that in stride. He blinked and inclined his head politely.
"As you wish, my lord."
Zuko gave him an unreadable expression and bent to hug Kiyi.
"Can we do more firebending training tomorrow?" she asked. Zuko nodded, but his mind was whirling. He gave his half-sister's father a subtle scowl and left for the royal apartments. Two Kyoshi Warriors flanked him as always, but Zuko was too angry to make small talk. He'd have to have a little talk with General Mak about the security of his prisoners. But first….
Mai looked up as her husband entered their apartments. She was burping the baby who had just had a feeding. The wet nurse bowed and went to her small room to give the royal pair privacy. "Do I need to ask?" she asked sharply. Zuko gave her a scowling pout. He handed her his mother's letter and took up Izumi into the crook of his arm. He leaned into the sofa, cloak streaming.
"I SWEAR everyone is stabbing me in the back!" he complained childishly. Mai read the characters and darkness descended into her mind. No wonder her husband was in a mood. First Ty Lee had left with Azula, now Lady Ursa and Lord Iroh.
"Oh, Zuko," she said. Zuko scowled, rocking Izumi. The baby gurgled up at him. Her bright shining golden eyes placated him momentarily.
"What am I doing wrong? Am I the worst Fire Lord that his own family won't obey?" Zuko griped. Mai leaned against his side. Her hand settled on his thigh.
"You're doing what you feel is right. Have you gotten any hint of where they went?"
"I intend to do my own searching. Azula openly mounted an attack against my rule. She can't be allowed to prepare another retaliation."
"She's far gone right now, Zuko. I don't think she can," Mai said. Zuko flashed her a troubled look.
"What am I supposed to do? Twiddle my thumbs and just hope she doesn't attack me again?"
Mai leaned her head against his shoulder. "No, not that…"
"It's just all so hard…" Zuko brooded. Mai looked up into his face. She cupped his cheek.
"That's the life we've landed into," Mai said. Zuko's down turned mouth pursed into a pucker when Mai kissed him swiftly. "I'm so sorry, Zuko."
"It's not your fault, Mai." Belatedly, Zuko realized he'd been saying that a lot over the past year.
Still, Zuko was surprised when Mai turned his face to hers. Her lips parted against his as they kissed.
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"She'll come out of it, by and by. Her last dose was so long ago, after all." The bearded healer finished taking Azula's pulse and sat back on a stool by her bed.
The princess was strapped wrist and ankle to the bed's four posts and Ty Lee sat on the other side of the mattress. Ying and Tsung had brought her lunch after they'd picked out their chambers. Ty Lee had picked the one next door and the two Kyoshi Warriors had one further down the hall. It was strange to see them without their regular robes or make-up, but Ty Lee couldn't risk an errant servant blabbing that Kyoshi Warriors were staying at Lord Takumi's estate.
The young lord himself was out of view. He must have had instructions from Lord Iroh, for after showing the young women chambers they could select; ones that were fully furnished with all the trimmings of a grand estate, he had excused himself to his study. Ty Lee figured she'd have to have a conversation with him later. But not now when Azula could open her eyes at any moment.
Two more healers were comparing notes on their medicinal satchels across the room. Their beards were long and white. They harrumphed, adding to Ty Lee's inner anxiety. She knew they were firebenders, as were a great many of the team of healers that resided at Mountainside Manor, and all to help in case Azula decided to attack.
She wouldn't…would she? Watching the almost serene sleeping expression of the princess told Ty Lee that was impossible, but she knew Azula. Intimately and then some. She'd seen her irrational fits of anger over the years, and her rage at having been found by Ty Lee was unreal to witness. Harsh words from Azula resounded in Ty Lee's memory.
"Bury them. Sit on them if you have to….."
The cold words and the cruel reality of being shoved into a shallow pit and half buried with slush and dirt pained Ty Lee's heart to dwell on. She kept her hand on Azula's pale arm. Her fingers twitched in her sleep and Ty Lee swallowed. Fear settled into the pit of her stomach.
Ying sidled in with a tray of tea and the healers set to on the cups eagerly. Ty Lee waved hers away. Tsung came with, and leaned against one of the posts of the bed.
"You need to drink something, Ty. Please." The tall girl's words were gentle. Ying flashed her a look of love and Ty Lee swallowed. She settled her gaze on Azula's colorless lips as they parted in sleep.
"Later. In abit." Ty Lee was being foolish and everyone knew it. Tsung sighed.
"Of course…."
"Oh, she's waking," one of the healers noted. Ty Lee's breath hitched. Azula's face was twitching and her ankles were flexing, moving against the taut restraints. Ty Lee sat straight-backed but fear pooled in her belly. She took her hand from Azula's arm and waited, not blinking as she stared at the princess's face.
Her golden eyes fluttered open and she blinked, staring hard at the bearded healer on her right. She swung her head to the left and met Ty Lee's eyes. Ty Lee swallowed hard, throat darting.
"G-good afternoon," she said. Ying was concerned to hear the stutter in her best friend's voice.
Azula blinked rapidly, her gaze still serene. Just as suddenly, her features flashed with the violence of a thunderstorm. Her fists clenched and she arched her back, pulling at the restraints.
"What did you do to me?!" she screamed. Ty Lee's face fell. Her lower lip trembled as tears filled her eyes.
'Zuko, what have I done?' she thought. But she'd set him aside. Ty Lee swallowed and gathered her courage.
"We brought you here away from the prison. So you could heal…."
"What am I healing? Your damaged heart?!" Azula barked. Derision coated her words. Ty Lee's face fell further.
"Azula, I'm here for you. I'll make things right…."
"You may as well turn back the clock and reverse time," Azula snapped. She snapped her wrists hard and her eyes burned fire into the healers hovering on her right side. "Can't I use the chamber pot or did you rather I piss the bed?!"
The healers scrambled to unfasten her wrists. One of the men held his fists in a ready stance, in case Azula decided to attack. The princess staggered once on her feet and almost fell. It alarmed Ty Lee. Azula grunted and shuffled to the corner where a chamber pot awaited its room's occupant.
"Can I get alittle privacy?" she snapped. Tsung and Ying did exit and stand outside the room's door, but the healers remained, especially the firebenders. Ty Lee blushed and turned her face to the side as the sound of rapid urination filled the air.
Once Azula had finished and was fastening her trousers, Ty Lee faced the wall face in a hot blush. She knew Azula hadn't squatted; was she shifted already? Azula stalked back to the bed with a bit of her old swagger, and the healers gestured. Azula gave the firebenders an unreadable expression, but sat on the bed. She leaned back against the pillows as the men refastened her restraints.
Azula huffed, a small plume of blue fire leaving her lips. "I'm starving. How long was I out?"
Her question was directed at Ty Lee but it was Ying that spoke, as she and Tsung re-entered. "Three days at least, princess."
Azula scowled over that. Her belly growled audibly. "Hello? Food?" she demanded imperiously.
Ty Lee nodded to the healers and one of the grey-beards parted from the group to head for the kitchens. Azula stared at her with an unreadable expression.
"You once followed me to the Earth Kingdom. Now I'm chained up before you. You must be happy about this."
Ty Lee frowned prettily "No, I'm not, Azula…. We just couldn't have you hurting anyone."
Azula gave a lazy smile and exhaled a steady stream of fire. One of the healers extinguished it quickly with a clenched fist. Azula bobbed her head to the side and gave him an unreadable look. It was frightening how cold it was.
"You went to a lot of trouble to get me away from Zuzu. Was he that scared of me?"
Ty Lee swallowed. "He…had no idea we'd take you. He didn't authorize it."
That seemed to surprise Azula. She stared at Ty Lee, then laughed. "Oh, Ty Lee! You really stuck it to your lover now! Zuzu's gonna be so pissed at you."
Ty Lee swallowed, feeling hurt. "I imagine he would be….but we're not together anymore."
Azula blinked, but didn't comment on that. It hurt Ty Lee that she wouldn't believe that. The healer returned with a silver tray. A few steaming bowls and dishes were on it. Azula craned toward the tray. She shoved back, trying to sit up. Ying moved to help adjust her pillows and Azula frowned in warning at her. Ty Lee gestured Ying back and helped Azula sit up. Her wrist restraints had been loosened somewhat so she could get more traction.
"Spicy flaming noodles with pork-chicken," Ty Lee said, as she uncovered a large bowl. Azula reached for the bowl, but her restraints caught and held. She hissed.
Ty Lee watched Azula's frustration. Her loose black hair fell around her pale face and her heart thudded. Even so far apart from each other, her feelings still packed a wallop.
"Here…"
Azula stared in surprise as Ty Lee held up a few noodles with a pair of chopsticks. She sighed and opened her mouth. Ty Lee carefully placed the noodles into her mouth. Azula slurped the tail end, and chewed. She swallowed hurriedly.
"I'm starving," she ordered. Ty Lee fished up a piece of pork-chicken and fed it to her quickly. Azula chewed with relish. She ate as quickly as Ty Lee could feed her. After she could survive on what she had and after apparently deciding that enough was enough, Azula spit out the last mouthful Ty Lee fed her. She made sure it landed on Ty Lee's arm.
Ty Lee blinked, withdrawing the chopsticks. She set them on the tray and covered the steaming bowl with its lid. "Do you want some water?" she asked timidly.
Azula stared at her. Ty Lee took that for a yes. She held up the goblet and Azula leaned forward. She took a few shallow sips carefully, and then drank heavily. She pushed Ty Lee's wrist away when she'd had enough.
"Get out," she said. Ty Lee's lip quivered. Ying settled her hand on her friend's shoulder and squeezed. The pair packed up the meal tray and turned to leave. Tsung was the last to go.
"You know, Ty went through a lot to get you away from the prison. You ought to thank her."
Azula scowled at the tall woman. "Who the hell are you to say that to me? Get lost, peasant!"
Tsung sighed and stalked out. The healers remained, going over their tools and eyeing Azula. The princess blinked tired eyes as her vision blurred, turning the men into double their number. She exhaled slowly to try and hold onto herself.
It was a real effort now.
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"Careful, Ursa!"
Ursa hopped over a rain puddle on her way to the carriage. Iroh waited in the door, and reached out to help her hop up without further incident. Ursa bundled into the carriage. She giggled when Iroh barked an order up to the driver and threw himself in after her. He collapsed on the bench beside her and Ursa found herself leaning into his stolid strength.
"Thanks, Iroh," she said. The wide smile the older man bestowed on her turned her stomach in knots. She was reminded yet again they were alone without her children or husband to interrupt. She honestly didn't know what to think about that.
"We'll stay at an inn tonight. May I suggest we not use our real names since we don't look the part of royalty?" Iroh pointed out their simpler robes and lack of hair ornaments. Ursa nodded. She gave a sly look.
"How about I be Megumi and you be Night?"
Iroh snickered. It was a reference to a very old game they'd played in the palace early into Ursa's marriage to Fire Prince Ozai. After bantering one night over playing a word game, Iroh retorted she may as well change her name since she liked to cheat so much. Ursa had picked Megumi out of thin air and called Iroh as dark as the night itself, his mood was so sour. It had only made Iroh laugh. It was an inside joke of sorts ever since, until Ozai caught wind of it and ordered the silliness stopped. Ursa had hated that her once husband would find even a game with another insubordination.
But now, in the rocking carriage that wound through the forest, Ursa could laugh about the reference with her oldest and dearest friend from the capital.
"I AM as dark as the night, eh? Very well, my Lady Megumi. You'd best mind your name, young lady!"
Ursa swatted Iroh's shoulder playfully. "Oh, Iroh!"
"What's that? I'm Night, my lady," Iroh teased. The pair laughed. Iroh looked out of the carriage window.
"Two more days to go, my lady. Then we'll be there."
"Where ARE we going?" Ursa asked. Iroh stroked his beard.
"Mountainside Manor. I've known the family that owns the estate for quite some years." Iroh didn't let on that Takumi's father was a middle level member of the White Lotus. He sighed.
Ursa's gaze grew serious. "I wonder if she's woken up yet…"
Iroh laid a hand gently over hers and squeezed. "There are a few healers of the mind there. They'll have begun their work."
Ursa gave him an anguished look. "Will she really allow herself to be helped?"
"That's up to Azula. At least she has friends who want to help," Iroh said, referring to Ty Lee. Ursa nodded, but her mind was confused. Being at odds with her son was one thing; but leaving him to care for his sister? Ursa didn't understand Ty Lee in the slightest. She only hoped she was helping as she had promised she would.
As the carriage continued on, Ursa rubbed her belly. Iroh looked at her.
"Are you unwell, Ursa?"
The older woman gave a shaky laugh. "Oh, I'm sure it's nothing really. My stomach's just cramping."
"I'll order you a soothing tea at the inn. We'll get you settled," Iroh said gently. Ursa smiled. They talked idly as the carriage bounced and jounced along.
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Azula opened her eyes. No one was in her room. The dratted healers were absent, as well as Ty Lee and her two precious friends. She flexed her fingers and sat straight up abruptly. Her limbs weren't restrained to the bed's posts. Azula gave a dark grin and almost jumped up to her feet, leg muscles only quaking slightly.
Someone was going to pay for being lax with her. She idly wondered what Ty Lee was doing. The memory of pushing inside her firmly during that surprise heat wound through her mind. The hot clinging warmth that made her cock ache to be held in….. Azula scowled and tugged at the lap of her trousers.
She couldn't afford a shift, not right now. She had to go. Azula turned and stalked across the chambers, bare feet slapping on the stone. She opened the door…..
…And fell into darkness.
Azula's limbs arched as she plummeted, seamlessly into the void of her being. When she hit the ground, the air was knocked out of her. Her cheek was pressed into the bare dirt of the vast Earth Kingdom. She coughed, kneeling up and spitting sand out of her mouth.
When Azula blinked, she caught sight of Mai and Ty Lee standing a short distance away. Mai wisely held a red parasol overhead, and Ty Lee twirled it playfully. Azula knelt up and brushed the sand from her torn clothing. Her appearance must be horrendous. But she wasn't really here, was she? Gazing at her companions in their manner of dress and temperament nagged Azula's mind. They were still on their campaign in the Earth Kingdom, a few years ago. Ty Lee still smiled broadly at her, and Mai wasn't trying to leave her for Zuko's side.
"We thought we lost our princess," Ty Lee was saying. In the memory, Azula had adjusted her belt and sauntered up to banter with her. Mai had rolled her eyes and Ty Lee's giggles had echoed on the dusty wind. Now, they remained several feet apart and no matter how fast Azula walked, she couldn't seem to get any closer.
"What in all Agni's hell?..." Azula mumbled. She blinked, and her bare feet shrank in size. Azula blinked and she was younger, half her usual height. Her imperial tunic and trousers were elaborately stitched and she walked with pride and a touch of her father's arrogance.
Azula pulled back a handful of curtains and walked under the fabric into a sitting room. Seven girls with brown hair and matching braids sat in idle positions as they awaited their parent's orders. Azula scowled and in her memory; back then, she had faltered for once, looking from one identical face to the other. Her gaze settled on Ty Lee's familiar brown eyes, wide with concern. The young girl swung her feet back and forth in the large chair she was in and Azula stalked closer. She touched the girl's arm.
"Come on, let's play," she ordered. When Ty Lee turned toward her sisters in question, Azula yanked on her elbow. "Not them, just you. Come on. I'm Azula."
"I'm Ty Lee," the girl had said. Azula frowned in her mind. She blinked again and she was no longer a child. Her hands passed up and down her body, assessing herself. Her figure was back, and so was her musculature.
Even if it had been a memory she walked through, she preferred not to be a child again. Azula sighed raggedly. She was in a stone corridor that she recognized as the royal palace. She pushed through a door, wondering what was up this time, when she tumbled into a scene of longing.
Ty Lee was sprawled naked upon a wide bed, pale limbs spread. She was touching herself, wrist working fast as she rubbed her clit. High-pitched moans wound out of the omega's throat. Azula swallowed. Her shift throbbed to existence within two seconds and all too quickly her arousal was pushing out the lap of her trousers, taut and encased in constricting fabric.
Azula looked rapidly around the chambers. They weren't the royal apartments, but still she was wary. Ty Lee and the familiar surroundings of the capital meant Zuzu was nearby, ready to fuck up her mood as always.
"Where is he?" she growled to the woman pleasuring herself. Ty Lee's eyes snapped open. But she didn't cower or hide from Azula's questioning stare. She sat up and gestured.
"I've been waiting for you."
Surprise thrummed through Azula's blood as lust stirred through her body. Her arousal was good and hard now and pointed the way for her ginger footsteps toward the bed. Ty Lee took her hand and led her onto the mattress. And Azula couldn't find it in her to repel her.
Just as their lips met, Azula blinked. She was falling again, lightly this time. Her mind screamed even as she stared curiously into the dark void she was falling in.
When Azula hit the bottom, her mother was waiting for her. Azula backed up, sweating, from the light reprimands her painted lips gave. She didn't get far. Azula crashed back into a tall figure. She turned and the blood drained from her face.
"So, there you are, Azula." Her father's pinched expression was absolutely devious.
Azula's mind screamed loudly even as she bowed her head toward him.
End for now
End notes: And onward my lovelies! You like the story, smash that button and do that review thing. Stay strong!
Most sincerely, pen
7/07/2017