Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Avatar: the last Airbender."
Author's notes: Forgive the light scenes. The last chapter hit my plot point hard and then some. Stay strong, my lovelies. And if I can ask the reviewers, hold your horses. Everything will be done when it's done. Have patience.
Maraghoul: for forming the story with me.
QueenTyzula: for the friendly nudges in your own stories.
CharlieBarrow: thanks for reminding me what to strive for before the goal. And for the lines and ideas you know you put there! Many credits for the suggestions for the Ursa and Azula scene.
AJ 24 Rulzz: Thank you for…the suggestions.
Harley Quinn Davidson: Stay tuned! A bit more to this one to go then the sequel.
Guest reviewers: lay it on me, what you like or dislike. Just know the story will be wrapped and loose ends tied off. And hopefully in ways you like.
"Stoking the Fire"
Chapter sixty-nine "The Voice Within"
Azula leaned her elbow across her upturned knee, gazing down at the courtyard below. Her brother was down there, talking to some of the household scribes about….something. He hadn't left for the capital yet and it was making her more than a little irritable. Ty Lee had indeed stayed with her, and they had been wrapped up in each other as intently as if it were still her heat. Azula relished the new connection even if thinking about what it meant made her slightly nauseous. She had told herself love was for fools long ago. But heck if that was what all this was.
But she only slept well at Ty Lee's side, and she felt sane after joining with her. Sex was a good exercise for her, but after their releases, tangled up in each other, Azula was startled how she wanted to keep touching her companion with gentle touch and kisses. While that aspect of staying here was going somewhat well, everything else felt caught at a standstill.
Zuzu may have locked Father up, but he still rode her mind when she let her guard down. Maybe sex with Ty Lee helped pushed his voice to a silent roar, but when the acrobat drifted to sleep ahead of her, Ozai's wheedling voice crept back in, nagging her for choosing a weak bed partner, for being weak herself. Zuko had been right in front of her and she had let him live, after all.
"But Zuzu can have it…it's too much..." Azula mumbled to herself. She frowned down at the ant-sized version of her brother below. Fire Lord Zuzu could have his own crack at the weight of the Fire throne. She was done with that.
Ozai made it seem that's all she should ever want, but she'd had a taste of sitting it for a few days. And it wore her defenses to a thread.
Sighing, Azula stalked off back to her bedchambers. Inside, Ty Lee was pulling the blankets and sheets taut, as if she were a bird preparing a nest for her. The gesture made Azula smile wearily even as Ozai cackled at the simple gesture.
'Pathetic,' he whispered. Azula scowled.
Ty Lee's heart thudded, noticing her lover, or whatever she wanted to call herself. Her heart sank slightly seeing the slight scowl on the princess's face. She got like that sometimes, not as bad as when they were younger, but still it was disconcerting to see. "Hi, Azula…did something happen?"
Azula blinked and made her face neutral. Ty Lee dropped a corner of the blanket and padded over. Her small fingers caressing her cheek felt too good and she gave a cautious half-smile. That seemed to cheer her omega who hugged her tightly. Azula sighed as her arms wrapped round her in turn. She set her chin on top of Ty Lee's head, and inhaled her sweet scent. She closed her eyes.
Ty Lee's chirping voice drowned out her father, so Azula held onto her just a bit longer. Ty Lee herself was pleased Azula came into her arms so readily. The past few days had been even pleasant between them, but there was a world of obstacles to overcome. Their future. Were they going to remain together? Would Azula want her to stay with her?
Fire Lord Zuko hadn't left yet, although Suki had told them he was making plans to. Lady Ursa and Lord Iroh were still present as well and Ty Lee knew she couldn't put off getting more help for her intended companion. Azula's mind needed to heal.
Trying not to feel like she was tiptoeing over egg shells, Ty Lee stroked her fingers over Azula's back. "Your lady mother is still here…. Do you think you'd sit with her again? I can go with you this time," she offered. The thoughtful look on Azula's face was so neutral, Ty Lee didn't know if she was going to be angry. She waited, holding her breath.
Azula sighed. Well, she did have a beef with her mother, may as well get it over with.
"I guess I'll have to," she murmured. Ty Lee brightened. The soft kisses she placed along Azula's cheek were comfort enough and Azula closed her eyes as they held each other. Ty Lee, for her part, was trying to know how to read the tumultuous days, and the moods of her alpha.
She wanted to tell her….she had to tell her about Izumi's true parentage. It was redundant to think that she was going to; actions spoke louder than mental words to placate the moment and if she focused on the whole mess, Ty Lee felt she could be sick.
Izumi was close to a year old. Azula hadn't known the truth since her first heat with her. And that mistake had to be corrected.
As Ty Lee made inane small talk, watching Azula look out of the bedroom window, she read every nuance and expression in the muscles around Azula's mouth. Not today. She was going to face her mother again. And that, in itself, was no small feat for the princess.
Ty Lee wanted desperately to ask Zuko about her daughter before he left, but she knew that would put a bad light in Azula's favor toward her. Feeling somewhat trapped by it all, Ty Lee could only transverse the path she had created for herself. She sighed.
"Now. I should do it now. Before I change my mind," Azula mumbled. Ty Lee nodded. She took the princess's arm as they left the bedchamber.
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"I feel like a child," Iroh groused. Ursa gave him a soft look. She was sealing a letter for her family in the capital, and pressing the wax into place with a plain seal made her feel more guilty than she should have been. Kiyi was being neglected day by day by her and her husband….she didn't know how she was going to face him.
"I do too. And it's my child that's ranting at us," Ursa murmured. Clear-cut words to the obvious hadn't been spoken, but it was all over Zuko's face whenever he ran into either of them. He was wrapping up his erstwhile investigation of Mountainside Manor, and to her immense relief, had left Azula where she was, free and unfettered by chains. As to the why of it, she had no idea. Fire Lord Zuko had apparently backed off and she could only be grateful.
Iroh flopped on a settee, crossing his ankles. He gave his companion a rueful look. "I tried to channel his temper over the years. I liked to think I was successful to some degree."
"You were the best influence for him….we have to imagine how this looks from his end. We go to help take his sister away, sure. Then he finds out we've fallen into bed together."
"It's not like I planned it," Iroh said wryly. Ursa knelt beside the settee and ran her fingers though his beard affectionately. It was growing back out to its full bushy length and she still liked to play with it when she could.
"I daresay that was my fault. But admit it, you were curious to be with me so many years ago."
Iroh nodded, eyes serious. "I think I have always lo-"
"SSh. Don't say it," Ursa said desperately. She couldn't bear to hear a love confession from the royal brother she had once wanted once upon a time and now had gotten. Noren, she had to think of her child's father. This wasn't fair to him. But looking at the hurt in Iroh's eyes told Ursa it wasn't fair to her either.
There was a knock at Iroh's new chamber door and he hastily climbed up to answer. Ursa tried to look non-descript. They hadn't done anything since being discovered by her son, but she didn't want to give off the wrong idea.
A servant was on the other side and she bowed, handing over a rolled piece of parchment. Iroh thanked the girl and carried the parchment to Ursa.
"Says it's for you," he murmured. The scroll wasn't sealed; Ursa unwound and began to read the characters. Darts of red pierced her cheeks as anxiety mixed with trepidation surged through her.
"Azula wants to see me again, "she said to Iroh. He gently laid an arm round her shoulders, squeezing.
"Do you want me to sit with you this time? I can lend you strength at your side," Iroh said. Ursa shook her head, smiling nervously.
"Still too new. I don't think it'd be good for Azula…she still doesn't like either of us, after all," Ursa said. She sighed. "Will there come a day my daughter won't look at me as if I'm going to do something awful to her?"
"Maybe one day. She's still a young woman," Iroh murmured. He sighed when Ursa laid her head on his stolid shoulder. "You can only go slowly."
"Wish me luck," Ursa said. Iroh winked and watched her go. His eyes unfocused on his surroundings and he thought on things. He could try to reach out to Zuko. If he still didn't want his company, he'd have to be patient and wait for another chance later.
Luckily, patience was his forte.
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Ursa waited, watching the doorway of the sitting room intently. She caught the tall form of her daughter pause and lean to kiss someone. She tried not to look too surprised, but she was shocked. Imagining her daughter had formed something with her old childhood companion was one thing, seeing it quite another thing. Her daughter walked in with a military stride, regarded her almost curiously, but much calmer than last time.
She perched on the edge of a chair, fists on her knees. Ursa cleared her throat.
"Thank you for asking to see me…"
"Ty Lee thought I should," Azula retorted. She sighed, looking away. "Fine. You know all of this is your fault."
"All of…what?" Azula's swiftly changing tactic made it hard for Ursa to keep up. Azula regarded her with unsmiling golden eyes.
"Father. Him banishing Zuko so I had to be the one left behind. I had to be his heir and you know what that meant," Azula ground out. "I had to do everything he wanted. And it was NEVER ENOUGH."
"I know what that was like…. " Ursa murmured. She longed to take her daughter's hand, but Azula's clenched fists told her not to try.
Azula's hard golden eyes glared at her. "You left. You got out."
"He made me! Azula, your father forced me to leave, he banished me…."
"It wasn't for me. It was for Zuko," Azula mumbled and the crux of that hit Ursa yet again. She swallowed.
"He was in danger from your father, yes…I had to save him."
Azula felt herself shrinking inwardly even as the edges of her vision grew fuzzy. "You couldn't save me though, could you."
Ursa remembered the precocious child that hung onto Ozai's every word, even being cruel to gain his attention and approval. She swallowed. Emulating Ozai's mannerisms hadn't saved Azula in the long run.
"I'm so sorry…."
"You keep saying that." Azula sighed. She turned her blurring vision toward the wall. Blinking, she kept the stonework in focus. "Who knows if you mean it. I mean, you found your precious Zuzu again. Me, not so much."
Ursa gave her daughter a sad look. "I mean it. Every word. I'm so sorry, Azula…."
Azula made to speak when a dratted servant edged in, holding a tray with tea kettle and cups. She smiled and set everything down. Azula watched her sullenly until she bowed and left.
"Tea." Azula muttered. She poured for herself and set the kettle down. Ursa sighed to herself and poured her own cup. That Azula had refused to pour for her indicated her distant thoughts toward her. She had to keep trying. It was only the second time.
"Thank you," Ursa said. Azula forced herself to swallow the hot liquid. She wished Ying and Tsung were pouring, and telling jokes with Ty Lee. She liked to listen to that. This was all too uncomfortable, and Agni could fuck the sky if he thought she was going to sit with this unpleasantness all day.
Even as her mother talked, Azula was dismayed to note her hearing go as fuzzy as the edges of her vision. Before she could attempt to wring out her ear with one finger tip, the deep timbre of her father's voice rang in her peripheral. Azula didn't turn her head to alert Ursa, but she did flick her eyes to the side. A cold line of sweat poured down her spine beneath her clothing.
"This woman again. Father was mad to search for her. Her bloodline only made you and Zuko. And what a disgrace that was," Ozai murmured, closer to her ear it seemed. Azula swatted around her neck, frowning to herself.
"Azula? Are you okay?" Ursa asked, concerned.
"Fine," Azula snapped. Ozai snickered beside her.
"Are you listening, Azula? You must listen to your father…." When Azula refused to say a word aloud, the harsh laughter reverberated in her head. She winced openly. "I've had enough of you! You WILL hear me!"
Azula gasped, clasping her hands over her ears, shoulders hunching. "No!"
"Azula?!" her mother shot to her feet, hovering, not knowing how to help. As she was reaching for her daughter, Azula raised her head. Sweat her plastered her bangs to her brow. She shoved Ursa's hands from her, panting at the exertion.
"Ty Lee!" she called. Ursa was surprised to hear a note of desperation in her voice. The sitting room door flew open and the acrobat rushed in, braid flying in an arc behind here. She fell to her knees beside the kneeling princess, and felt along her back. One of her hands smoothed Azula's bangs from her face as she peered intently at her.
"I'm here, Azula. What do you need?" Ty Lee murmured, almost too low for Lady Ursa to hear. She clung to her companion's hands, fingers squeezing tightly. Azula was happy to hear only Ty Lee's voice, not her father's, and her vision steadily strengthened. Ty Lee kissed the back of her hand and she gave a shaky smile to the omega.
"You. Just that," Azula muttered. Ty Lee's smile was wide and soft.
"I'm here," Ty Lee said again. Azula clasped her hands and looked up into the omega's face, a strange look on her face. It took Ursa a moment to recognize it for peace. Azula rarely looked at peace that she hadn't known what to call it until just now. She couldn't help but notice the connection between them in Azula's expression. It was strange, but a memory of Azula as a child, and also Ty Lee, came rushing back at the noblewoman.
Zuko and Azula had fallen to a fight, as most siblings were wont to do. But the pushing and shoving had come to punches and kicks and the two had staggered apart, being pulled bodily away by their friends. Mai had walked shyly beside Zuko who seethed to hold his tears back, his left cheek twice its normal size and puffing from a blow Azula had given him. When Ursa had gotten the story, in hitches as Zuko cried and from a silent, shy Mai, she had gently left the two in care of a servant and had stalked to the gardens to collect her daughter. She intended to punish them both, and not knowing who had started the fight, it would seem fair as both had participated in it.
Ursa still remembered the hurt in her heart as she wanted to console each child, and wondering how bad were the scrapes and what to tell Ozai. That part hurt worst of all despite seeing bruises on her children's pale flesh. When she had rounded the path into the royal gardens, Ursa found the two girls by spotting a flash of pink, which was Ty Lee's tunic, in the bushes. Pushing through, Ursa had been shocked to see Azula crying for about the first time since she'd been a toddler. Tears spilled down her cheeks, her eye was darkening to a lovely purple, and Ty Lee had her tiny arms wrapped around her.
"It's okay, 'Zula, you won't get in trouble. Zuko wouldn't tell!" she insisted, chubby hands petting Azula's back. Her princess had been almost sobbing into the girl's shoulder, tiny body shaking. It was having seen that rare moment of vulnerability that convinced Ursa not to punish either child. She had merely fed them sweet dumplings in the kitchen and doted on them all afternoon until their father came back to the royal bedchambers. By then, Azula and Zuko had been cleaned and re-dressed, and were getting on as well as they could.
Ty Lee was focused on Azula, watching the fear and dread drain from her face. She pressed a few soft kisses to Azula's temple, inhaling her special scent, and feeling her chi relax. Azula turned her chin up and caught her lips. They kissed shortly and sweetly. When they separated, and Azula's mind was much more clear, she remembered their company. Settling a strong arm around Ty Lee's shoulders, she sneered at Ursa.
"Problem, Mother?" she retorted. Ursa blinked.
"It's fine," she said. Ursa then registered what Azula said and she wanted to smile. As Ty Lee's chi circled around her daughter and soothed her, she reflected this was a good respite for today.
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"I'm leaving now. The imperial soldiers are staying for Azula," Zuko growled. Iroh sighed. He smiled brightly for his nephew, but Zuko was having none of it.
"Please don't be mad at me, nephew. I know you know," he said quietly. Zuko flinched as if struck. He adjusted his tunic and made to stride away. Iroh clasped his arm gently, preventing him from going. "We didn't do it to hurt you. I know this comes as a shock."
"Yeah well, tell that to Mother's husband," Zuko snapped. He shook Iroh's grip off. "I'll see you at home. If you can pry yourself away from her."
Iroh was the one to flinch this time. "Of course, Zuko…."
Zuko gave a curt nod of the head and stalked off down the hallway. He growled full out at Takumi who materialized, and kow-towed to the stone floor. Zuko couldn't leave this place fast enough. Suki peeled form the wall and joined him at his side. The other Kyoshi Warriors were waiting in the courtyard for him.
"The carriages are ready," Suki said. Zuko nodded. He ran a hand through his bangs.
"Let's get out of here," he cursed. The Kyoshi Warriors and he filed into the two waiting carriages and within ten minutes, they were off, chicken-horses pulling hard at their leads.
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Azula watched from a stone balcony high on the third floor. Ty Lee had her chin tucked over her shoulder from behind, so she didn't mind the omega's catching sight of Zuko this time. And he was leaving. Good.
Ty Lee's thoughts were with her daughter. She wished she could tell Zuko to tell Izumi she loved her, but Azula wouldn't let her out of her sight, let alone near the other alpha. She didn't blame her for her deep-seated sense of anxiety, but still, she was a mother.
'And Azula is her sire. TELL HER!' Ty Lee's inner conscious harped. Ty Lee grimaced behind Azula's back, rubbing her cheek into her shoulder. Her inner morals really did sound like a harpy bitch sometimes. But she WAS right. She did have to tell Azula. Zuko was going. Azula would be more relaxed. Tonight?
Ty Lee inhaled raggedly and made herself calm on the exhale. Her hands soothed over Azula's waist as she held on from behind. She could feel Azula's chi ping around and fixate on her touches.
"Oysters with dinner? I'm craving the extra kick," Azula purred. Ty Lee's guilt made her stomach lurch, even as thoughts of intimacy made her slightly excited.
"Thought you didn't need help in that area?" Ty Lee gave back. Azula turned her head and Ty Lee could see a smirk from the angle of her profile.
"You do make me hard," Azula promised. The surge of confidence in her tone made Ty Lee glad. She couldn't help feeling badly, and didn't feel she should be able to indulge with her alpha without telling her about Izumi first.
But, like many people, fear held her tongue and made her dread doing the right things. Ty Lee had cast off her position and if Azula forced her out after knowing the truth, Ty Lee would be truly alone and she loved her. She couldn't bear to think of more hatred surging in Azula's golden eyes leveling on her. Despite her inner conscience telling her she'd deserve it if so.
Ty Lee focused on her desire, knowing that when Azula was with her, the heated moments stretched to small pockets of happiness. She ran her hand over the waistband of Azula's trousers, teasing her. "Just from this….and this…" her clever fingers ran low and traced the bulge between Azula's legs. The alpha turned, pressing her clothed shift hard into the omega. The kiss she started heated up quickly and Ty Lee was gasping as she was pressed against the stone wall.
As Azula pulled her to the ground, Ty Lee held on to her tight. Who knew how many more moments she'd have left with Azula once she learned the truth of what she'd done….
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"I've never seen Suki so mad," Ying muttered. She and Tsung lay around in stages of fugue on the carpet of their new bedchamber. The reaming from their leader in private had been bad, and Suki had let them leave off to be there for Azula and the Fire princess, but the look in her eyes made them feel like they were making a bad decision.
"She wouldn't keep us form our final resting place in the Kyoshi Warrior cremation plot, would she? We served, same as her. She can't keep us out," Tsung fretted. Ying rolled over and swatted her leg.
"We're young; we're not in any danger of dying yet," she said ruefully. Tsung still looked worried.
"My mother's interned there. Same as my great-aunt. All of the Kyoshi Warriors since Avatar Kyoshi are there. It just wouldn't be fair…."
Ying rolled over and peered down into her lover's face. Stroking the side of make-up-free face, she leaned down to kiss her.
"I was thinking….if you wanted it one day, we should ask Granny Win Lei about that one secret spot. To you know where…" Ying said softly. Tsung's heart pattered quickly. A secret entrance to the Spirit World had been achieved by Avatar Kyoshi, and after rescuing her wife from bandits, had taken her there to heal. When they had come back to the physical world, well….
"You didn't say you wanted a baby so soon," Tsung said. Her eyes were wide. Ying grinned at her.
"You can't shift, beta. It'll help us when we want that step…."
"I do want it…." Tsung admitted. "You should be my wife first…."
"Tsung!" Ying pounced on her. They rolled on the carpet, laughing.
End for now
End notes: whew! Like it, do that review thing. Stay strong my lovelies. And hold your horses, will ya?
Most sincerely, pen
12/01/2017