Author's Disclaimer: I don't own anyone belonging to "Avatar: The Last Airbender!" Not a thing.
Author's notes: More Azula, all the time! I am sorry for the repost. I was having a pow-wow with my nearest and dearest and some things must be addressed. Thanks for your patience, everyone.
CharlieBarrow: For all the messages and well-wishes for the story. Sorry I made you hate Zuko so much :P
Maraghoul: for forming this story's creation at the start :P
QueenTyzula: Not much Zuko! Well, just a tad. You're welcome :P
Harley Quinn Davidson: Hehe yes they did :P Enjoy.
Lill: And updated!
"Stoking the Fire"
Chapter fifty-eight "Blind"
Ursa peered into the bedchamber housing Azula. She was unrestrained and practicing a few firebending stances. She didn't produce any fire, as she was under close watch by two imperial soldiers and three healers, but Ursa was pleased to see her flexing her body.
Ursa was starting to relax when a gasp sounded beside her. She turned quickly to see Ty Lee gazing at her with wide eyes. Ursa grasped the woman's arm and the two went down the hall.
"Lady Ursa!" Ty Lee gasped. "What…I didn't know you were here…Is Lord Iroh here?"
Ursa blushed. Iroh had had a private meeting with Takumi's father, and waited in their bedchamber for her. She should have felt bad for the whole vacation of a trip, and what it could do to her marriage, but as she looked at her daughter, with Ozai's brother helping her, she couldn't find it in her to focus on Kiyi's father. She felt terrible, truly she did, but it would hit later. And when it did, more than likely hard.
"He is…..I'm glad you're here, Ty Lee." Inwardly, Ursa knew she had to ask about why she'd left Zuko but for now….. "You're close to Azula. How is she doing?"
"She was doing fine yesterday….but my lady…" Ty Lee led Ursa down the hall. "One doesn't know what she'll do if she knows you're here…."
Ursa couldn't say she wasn't hurt. But she tried to brighten. "You'll be there for her, won't you? Until she's well…"
Ty Lee looked very sad, but she nodded. "As long as I can…."
'As long as she'll let me.' Ty Lee's thoughts tried to be strong, but an underlining bleakness tinged them. But after the mind walking, Azula's spirits seemed to perk up.
Ying and Tsung left their bedchamber, faltered upon running into Ursa, and bent the knee immediately. Ty Lee flashed a hand quickly, signaling them to get up and Ursa smiled indulgently. It was a strain, given the circumstances of her second child. Ty Lee clutched her sleeve when Ursa let her go.
"Thank you, Ty Lee….thank you," Ursa said. Ty Lee felt guilty, as thoughts of Zuko flew through her mind. She banished his shy smile and turned back to Azula's bedchamber.
"Don't let her see you," Ty Lee whispered. Ursa nodded and rounded the corner. She went back down the winding corridors to her bedchamber and closed the door neatly behind her.
Iroh was stripped to the waist, doing sit-ups. His paunch wasn't as big as it had been in earlier years, but he was obviously trying to keep trim for her. He sat up, sheepishly, a line of sweat trailing down his jaw into his shorter beard.
"I wasn't expecting you back so soon," he said. Ursa handed him a cloth to wipe his face, and trailed an affectionate hand through his beard as he stood. The look of interest on his face pleased her.
"I bumped into Ty Lee. It does me good to know she's here. Why IS she here?"
Iroh clasped an arm around Ursa's shoulder. He pressed a kiss to her head. "She offered to help and I took her offer. One can never exclude a genuine offer of help."
"True…" Ursa knew her son was angry about that decision, but she couldn't force Ty Lee back to the Fire Lord. She had given him a child. She had done her work. "I just hope she can help."
Iroh had glimpsed Azula with Ty Lee during their random battles across the Earth Kingdom, and had seen them gravitate toward each other without words. It didn't make sense, but attraction seldom did sometimes.
"She can… Did you want to meet Takumi's father? We can take dinner in his room with him," Iroh suggested. Ursa nodded.
"I just need to relax. Help me?"
Iroh smiled and gently massaged her shoulders. Ursa sank to the floor, sitting back between his knees. His ministrations made her back arch wonderfully.
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
Azula had decided to take her garden time without Ty Lee. She had begged a few hours off, and Azula suspected it was to catch up on sleep. She had looked downright haggard, and Azula felt her heart lighten when Ty Lee looked grateful that she suggested that she take a break. Azula's tunic and trousers weren't pressed, but she felt more like herself fully dressed. Ty Lee wasn't there to help with her topknot but her ponytail wasn't as ragged as it had been.
Her stride was more confidant. The ulcers and bruises along her ankles were healing. Azula's mind went over the softness of Ty Lee's hands on her feet as she applied the healer's salves. The slight wounds along her arms and legs were healing and didn't burn anymore. She could feel in control again. Just as Azula descended the last of the stone steps of the staircase, she turned the corner and felt her world tumble irrevocably.
Ursa was there. Her mother, looking her age, face lined, her eyes widening as they met hers. She was here. Mother was here….. the thought was not comforting.
"What are you DOING here?!" Azula hissed. Her eyes slit, fists clenching and steam rose from her hands. Mother had left, leaving her with Father, and after he had banished Zuko, making her his heir, her world had been crushed beneath his will. It all started with Mother!
Ursa looked horrified. She wanted to flee, remembering Ty Lee's words, but the damage was done. Azula had seen her. She reached forward, hands grasping. "Daughter, I'm here….I promise I won't leave…"
"No! You….CAN'T…." Azula hissed, and her breath fled her lungs as sheer blackness swept her vision. Her eyes, wide, were unseeing. She couldn't even separate shadow from light, it was all gone. Panicking, Azula sank to the stone floor, her legs folding out from under her. She could faintly hear her mother scream for help, but Azula slowly tried to crawl away. The blackness sucked at her limbs and her head hit the floor.
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
"She just rounded the corner! I didn't mean to!" Ursa sobbed. Iroh put his arms around her, patting her back. Azula was still unconscious, the healers assessing her chi and pulse.
"It's not your fault, my lady," Ty Lee said generously, but she couldn't help feeling conflicted. Azula had been doing so well now this…
"She'll be alright, Ty…. She was walking better and the garden was helping," Tsung whispered. She couldn't get her friend to smile, however.
Azula had no way to know the frenzied words over her prone form. She was dreaming again, but it certainly felt real. Azula glimpsed the Avatar high up again in the spiritual mountain scape. He waved encouragingly. Azula smirked at him and shouldered through a curtain hovering in midair, surrounded by nothing.
Inside, Ty Lee was naked and waiting for her. The private chamber was very compact, round and decorated with a fire pit and several pillows and blankets strewn around. Azula shouldered into the small area and was pleased when Ty Lee stood, chin brushing her shoulder, to help her undress.
"It always calms me when you're here," Ty Lee was saying. Even as she said this, her breath hitched with excitement and Azula could see her nipples strain, erect. She could make out the tell-tale sign of her clit between her legs, yearning for her touch. Azula's shift slammed into being, straining as Ty Lee's hands unlaced her, reaching into to grasp her heated length.
"Aren't we always yearning to be one, my love?" Azula was saying. Ty Lee turned into her arms, happy, as Azula kicked off her trousers. Fully bare, she leaned into Ty Lee, their curves rubbing into each other. Azula's strong hand clasped the back of her neck and pulled her into a heated kiss.
"Because you belong here, with me…in me…" Ty Lee's eyes sparkled. Azula pressed her to the pillows, but before she could climb on top of her, her eyes snapped open.
She couldn't see. Azula moaned, feeling the familiar press of the bed beneath her. She was unrestrained, but her hands reached through midair, feeling nothing. And seeing nothing was even worse. A familiar voice sounded beside her, and suddenly, Azula could warm hands touching her.
"It's okay, princess, we're here," one of the Kyoshi Warrior's familiar voice rang out. Then it was Ty Lee assuring her.
"Right here. We won't leave you," Ty Lee promised. Azula sobbed with relief, as darkness swam before her open unseeing eyes.
"I can't see!" she admitted. Ty Lee's soft hand was against her face. Azula turned into her touch, reaching.
"It's okay. It will come back, princess." The quavering voice had to belong to one of the healers. Azula gave a snarl of a sob, trying to fight her tears.
"When?"
"It could be self-induced hysteria. She really should be able to see now," one of the other healers murmured. Azula tried to sit up, shoving hard at the mattress beneath her.
"Don't you think if I wanted to see, I would?!" she yelled. Ty Lee's soft hands touched her arm again. Azula sank into the bed.
"It will come back, Azula, they said it would. We won't leave you," Ty Lee said. Azula's tears, pricking the corners of her eyes, were oddly grateful.
She was in darkness but she had been promised company through it. Ty Lee had once left her for Zuko. But she was here now.
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
Ty Lee sighed. It was morning the next day and the breakfast tray had been delivered. She ladled up another spoonful of jook and brought the spoon to Azula's mouth. The princess was propped in a sitting position, her legs straight in front of her.
"Jook," she said helpfully. Azula's mouth opened and she carefully spooned the liquid into her mouth. Azula sucked it down and chewed thoughtfully. She swallowed and wiped her mouth with the back of her tunic sleeve.
"Water?" she asked hopefully. Ty Lee held up the glass, and carefully brought it closer. She put Azula's hand over the glass, letting her get a grasp on it. Azula leaned up to sip, and she only spilled slightly. She sighed as she leaned back against the pillows. Her golden eyes stared straight ahead.
"Is there any more to eat?" she asked tentatively. Ty Lee said there was and ladled up another spoonful.
She urged Azula to open at the right time, and fed her carefully. Ying handed her a cloth napkin and Ty Lee gently dabbed Azula's lip with it. Azula blinked, but didn't fling her away.
"Do you ….want to go for a walk? Or lay down?" Ty Lee asked softly. Azula blinked. She felt something tickle her nose and pushed a lock of hair out of her face.
"Doesn't seem to be much point right now, Ty Lee." Before Ty Lee's heart could harden, Azula coughed. "…..Thank you."
Ty Lee's smile was wide even though Azula couldn't see it.
8
8
*8
8
8
8
8
8
"Stand up…fight me!" Ozai sounded as harsh as ever, in the memory and in his mind. Zuko groaned and rolled over, sweating. Even though it had been years, and he was taller, stronger, a master at firebending, AND he was the Fire Lord, Zuko still dreamed of the day he received his scar.
He had been horrified, stricken with fear when it was his own father ready to face him in Agni Kai. Zuko misunderstood, and thought it was a play at his loyalty. He had bowed immediately, pressing his brow to the mat.
"I'm not going to fight you!" Zuko's words were high in his ears. "I am your loyal son…."
"Then suffering will be your teacher!" Those words would never leave Zuko's mind. Before he could experience the shadow of the pain that had happened after that moment, he woke, sitting up and flinging the covers off him. Sweat streamed down his pale torso as he heavily breathed, one hand stealing to the scar across his eye. He was the Fire Lord and he was in bed in the Fire Lord's chambers. His lady wife was beside him…Mai…
Mai woke when he chose to curl around her back. She shifted, bare feet flexing against his shins.
"Zu?" she murmured.
"Nothing. Nightmare," he murmured against her head. Mai's breathing slowed as she fell back asleep, but her hands clutched his. Zuko could only silently wish Ty Lee well, but if she was with his sister, he didn't know whether to pity her or despair.
8
8
8
8
8
8
8*
8
8
"The Fire heir must always strive for perfection." Ozai's voice was needling in Azula's memory. She was thirteen, balancing on one foot, without a waver in her stance. Eyes closed, she could almost ignore him and focus on staying upright. Then a sudden stream of fire surged her way. Eyes snapping open, Azula made a quick back spring, and crouched, fists at the ready in front of her.
Her father was smiling, but it was not a kind smile. "You learn well from your peers."
The trick HAD come from Ty Lee. Azula waited, her red lips pressed together. "I do, Father."
"Come at me, then."
Unlike her brother, Azula didn't hesitate. She flipped forward and danced round her father's strikes, fire flinging in all directions. They were on equal footing it seemed, until Ozai glimpsed a niche in her arrogance. He exploited it and Azula went down. Instantly, she bent the knee, head lowered. As she waited, not daring to look up, a cold line of sweat trickled down Azula's spine inside her tunic. Would suffering also be her teacher?
Her father had finally cleared his throat. Azula could see his boot tapping on the cobblestones just out of her peripheral vision. "Rise, Azula."
Azula rose. There was a small smile on her father's lips that could mean anything. Azula wasn't so naïve as to think her father cared for her. He needed her after Zuko's banishment, but it was a far cry from love. Azula was jaded to wonder if love ever existed.
"I am at your service, Father."
"GOOD. I've had reports from our siege against the North Pole. The Avatar may be in the world again. Find him, and end him."
"I will, Father." Excitement had built in Azula's blood. Not just for the chance for glory, she would excel at THAT, but she knew what was coming next.
"Take as many resources and soldiers as you need. Any strategy for victory I will consider well played. You are dismissed, Princess Azula." Her father's voice had been haughty. It couldn't match the huge smile in Azula's head.
"Yes, Father." She would be free, to win a victory and ensure her father's reliance of her position as heir, and also, she would be apart from him. AND she could pick her companions. He had pretty much said to. And Azula knew where she'd stop first…..
Azula groaned. She felt her lids separate, but still, there was only dimness. The best she could focus on was true gray instead of sheer black. She grunted, as sheer panic swept through her being. A figure shifted beside her.
"Azula?"
Azula knew Ty Lee's voice anywhere. She shifted her ankles, certain the restraints would keep her legs tethered. Her limbs flailed freely, however.
"I have to….I have to make," Azula hated how hesitant and quavering her voice was. A new set of hands helped her rise to her feet.
"I've got you, princess." Azula recognized the voice of one of the Kyoshi Warriors. What was her name? Tsang?
"That will be sufficient, Tsang." Azula tried to keep her tone authoritive. The woman sighed.
"It's Tsung, princess."
Ty Lee took her other arm and the two helped Azula transverse the dark room. Ty Lee helped Azula unlace and aim for the chamber pot. Azula jumped as Ty Lee's hand settled over her bare hip. She was only glad she was able to shift to at least pee without having to bend and possibly wet herself. Azula blushed. She couldn't see, but Ty Lee certainly could see her formed shaft.
Azula patted Ty Lee's hand away, and readjusted herself as she laced up. "I've got it."
"Of course, Azula." Ty Lee's words sounded soft to her ears.
"Let's get her back to the bed," Tsung suggested. Azula took their arms as she stumbled along.
End for now
End notes: Yes, I'm changing the past ending abit. I hope you stay tuned. Like it, smash that button, and do that review thing :P
Most sincerely, pen
9/3/2017