Ember Island

Chapter 7

"Ember Island gives everyone a clean slate."

Une set proudly with one leg crossed over the other in front of the many men who judged her merely on her appearance. She gave her report and defended her charge's actions with deathly precision. No argument could be made that she could not refute. She smirked as they whispered amongst themselves. She would have her way and that was that.

~x~

Ty Lee rummaged through the kitchen, slamming cabinet doors when nothing was found. Azula watched silently from the doorway, smiling as Ty Lee grumbled about the lack of food, her presence unknown to the acrobat. The acrobat opened the last cabinet in the kitchen, which was no small feat considering how big the kitchen actually was, and groaned. "What kind of chef, er whatever, leaves for spirits only know how long with nothing in the kitchen to eat?" she grumbled, placing a hand on her stomach as it growled. "I know, shut up." Her expression brightened considerably. "Azula!" she yelled as she turned, finding the princess at the door with her arms crossed over her chest. The acrobat blushed in embarrassment "Oh, hi Azula."

"Ty Lee." The princess addressed with a slight smirk.

"There's nothing to eat." Ty Lee stated, her blush receding as she walked to her lover.

Golden eyes bore into grey as the smile softened. "I noticed."

Ty Lee's smile widened as she placing both of her hands on Azula's still crossed arms and leaning up to kiss her gently. "I was thinking that we could go out to the market to get something. And you know, maybe have lunch or something."

A perfect black eyebrow lifted. "I'm sure the guards would love that."

"Who would tell them?" her answer was a disbelieving look. "Oh, come on. Please, Azula." The princess remained silent. "We'll just walk out and if the guards stop us I'll come up with something. I just don't want to go alone. It could be fun, like in the old days."

"We're not that old." Azula pointed out cynically.

Ty Lee scowled, which was only cute to Azula and made the princess smile. "Details, details. So, what do you say?"

Azula sighed in mock exasperation, "Oh, alright." Her lips turned up into a smile as Ty Lee bounced like a child, clapping her hand together. "I assume you have some plan?" she asked just to continue to be pessimistic.

Ty Lee stopped bouncing and frowned for a brief moment. "I thought we'd walk out. They won't say anything."

Again a black eyebrow lifted at the sure tone the acrobat was using but didn't comment and decided to simply trust Ty Lee. Oddly enough Azula found that trusting her lover was far easier than she imagined trusting anyone would be.

~x~

Azula chuckled softly to herself. "Come on Azula, it wasn't that funny." Ty Lee chided lightly, though a smile donned her lips as well.

"I thought that guard was going to faint. Did you see the look on his face?" the princess took her acrobat's hand, even though they were almost to the market. Red painted Ty Lee's cheeks for a second at their intertwined hands. "Is that how you get whatever you want, with kindness?"

Ty Lee nodded, squeezing the hand that held hers. "When I was younger someone once told me to 'kill them with kindness.' I find that it works, so why stop?" She shrugged with a happy childish expression.

Azula nodded that she understood, though she would never be able to kill someone with kindness. But, if she tried it on her brother he might have a heart attack, which would be amusing if nothing else. "So, what are we going to buy?"

Ty Lee shrugged again. "I don't know. Zuko usually gives me money to buy food but since Une's been cooking I haven't spent any of it. I have a lot stock piled. Why, did you have something in mind?" The princess examined the tips of her long black hair, left down because she didn't feel like putting it up. "Oh." The acrobat stated, examining the split ends. "You need to get your hair trimmed." Azula scowled at her lover, which earned her a smile. "We can do that. We even have enough to make a day out of it!" Ty Lee exclaimed, swinging their hands. "We can go to the spa and get everything: facials, manicures, all of that. What do you say?"

Azula chuckled when Ty Lee's stomach growled, causing the acrobat to blush and place a hand on her stomach. "I think we should eat first."

Ty Lee smiled bashfully, "I think you're right."

~x~

Azula set back from her second meal of the day and watched Ty Lee as she ate her lunch as if she had never eaten before, unable to stop the smile that came to her lips. For the first time in a long time the princess felt relaxed and clean. She had been grateful for the treatment, more so than she thought she would be. The spa on Ember Island was renowned throughout the Fire Nation but it was nothing compared to the treatment she use to receive in the palace. Even knowing this the princess only felt pleased, like years of dirt and grime had been washed away. Her skin and nails were smooth and flawless, not that they weren't that way all the time but now Azula truly felt like they were. Her hair was trimmed and they even styled it in a top knot. It was long enough now that all of her hair was pulled back – making her appear somewhat masculine but she didn't particularly care – she'd pull her bangs down later.

Her thoughts drifted to the woman in front of her. She couldn't help but wonder where she would be if Ty Lee wasn't in her life. Mentally she grimaced at the conclusion to that thought; forgotten in a lonely dark cell to small for her to even stand in.

"What are you thinking about?" Ty Lee interrupted, drawing Azula's attention to her, the acrobat having pushed her empty plate to the side and was examining her princess with her chin in her hands.

"You," Azula answered honestly and then said something she had never said before, "Thank you for today."

Grey eyes widened in surprise before softening with a gentle, warm smile. "You're welcome. I'm glad we can do this." Ty Lee rounded the table and set next to her princess, cuddling up to her side. The acrobat's grey eyes bore into Azula's in a moment of rare seriousness. "Not too long ago I was sure that I would never get to be with you, even in the little ways like now. I didn't think you'd get better or if you did that you wouldn't forgive me."

Azula's smile faded instantly as one of her hands moved to Ty Lee's hair. "You have me now and you have been forgiven."

Ty Lee nodded. "I know and it makes me so happy. I can't even describe how happy being able to do these things with you makes me."

Azula swallowed. "I have nothing to give you, Ty Lee but…" She paused, hesitant in expressing the subject that'd been weighing on her mind for some time now. Gently, Azula pushed Ty Lee back – just enough to look her square in the eyes. "But I would…"

"Hey." A male voice interrupted, making Azula curse under her breath as said male and his friend set in front of them. "We didn't see you leave the other night."

Azula's golden eyes glared at Chan and Roun-Jian, who obliviously smile at them. She had never hated someone as much as she hated the two men sitting in front of her at that moment. Ty Lee forced a chuckle at the pure hatred in Azula's aura. Whatever Azula had been about to say, something very important considering the nervous colors that flared in the princess' aura, had died the instant the two men called out to them. Grey eyes glanced over to the princess, who looked like she wanted to kill someone – fry them to a crisp. Yes, the mood had defiantly been destroyed.

"We had prior engagements." Azula answered curtly, crossing her hands on her lap and giving off the image of an innocent, demure woman.

Ty Lee chuckled at the image her princess was giving off, knowing full well that Azula was anything but an innocent demure woman. At any moment the princess could strike them down and they wouldn't even know what hit them, she was sure of that. "That's too bad." Chan said, his eye brow wiggling a little as his teeth sparkled in the sunlight. "We could've had real fun."

Azula's golden eyes turned to Ty Lee, who was trying her best to stop from laughing. A devious smile donned the princess' lips as she remembered what kind of 'fun' she and Ty Lee had experienced that night. The image of Ty Lee gasping her name, covered in sweat, her toned body trembling and arching against her own with pleasure came to her mind. "Oh, we had fun." Azula admitted, Ty Lee's hand over hers telling her that Ty Lee's thought were taking a similar path. "I hadn't been to a social gathering in ages." She covered up smoothly.

Chan smiled, his teeth sparkling as he brushed back his hair. "We are known for having the best parties on the whole island."

"The whole island?" Ty Lee exaggerated.

"That's right." Roun-Jian finally spoke up, flicking his long hair out of his face with a jerk of his head. "We'll probably be having another one pretty soon."

"Is that so?" Azula questioned, the interest showing in her features completely fake.

"Yeah, after the princess' war trial ends we'll more than likely be throwing a party." Chan responded, earning him confused and concerned looks.

Azula turned to Ty Lee who only shook her head in the negative. "War trial?" the princess asked.

"You haven't heard?" Roun-Jian asked as if he couldn't believe it. The princess and her lover shook their heads in the negative. "Princess Azula's trial for her deeds against the other nations during the war is being held as we speak."

"Actually it's probably over by now." Chan interrupted, looking up at the sun. "I heard she went totally insane at the end of the war."

Ty Lee watched in concern as Azula's hands balled into fist under her hand. "I'm sure that's a lie." Azula responded, training her expression to remain neutral.

Chan laughed. "Have you met the princess? She was nuts before the end of the war. It wouldn't have taken much to push her over. She probably got what she deserved."

Azula managed to stop her growl. But surprisingly it was Ty Lee who spoke violently in her defense. "You don't know her. She's three hundred times the person you are! But you wouldn't know that. You met her once at some stupid party a hundred years ago." Ty Lee's voice rose as she stood and slammed her hands on the table, Azula to stunned at her uncharacteristic behavior to be impressed. "Just because she and her friends ruined your little social thing and probably got you in trouble with your daddy is no reason to wish insanity on her. You bastard!" Ty Lee huffed and grabbed Azula's hand. "We should go."

"Ah…okay," was the only response Azula had time to think about as she was pulled from the table.

Chan looked at his friend. "What do you think that was about?"

Roun-Jian only shrugged.

"Ty Lee." Azula called as she was pulled further into the bustling market place. "Ty Lee hold on a minute." The acrobat ignored her, still fuming. "Ty Lee, stop!" Azula finally demanded, pulling hard on Ty Lee's hand to stop her.

Ty Lee stumbled backwards at the sudden force on her hand. Without another word Azula pulled her lover down an empty ally, stopping only when no one could see or hear them. She turned to her lover. "Those guys were jerks Azula." Ty Lee stated, her eyes red with unshed tears. "You shouldn't listen to a word they said."

"I won't." Azula assured, placing her hand on her lover's cheek and drawing her closer. "Thank you for defending me." She kissed the acrobat lightly. "It meant a lot."

Ty Lee giggled, "What else was I suppose to do? They were saying bad things about what's mine."

Azula chuckled, kissing the woman she loved again, "Of course. Let's finish shopping and then go back."

Ty Lee nodded and allowed herself to be pulled back into the crowd. "Did you know anything about your trial?"

"No." Azula answered honestly, her hand never letting go of Ty Lee's. "No one told me anything."

"Don't you think that's something you should be at?"

The princess shrugged. "I'm sure Une's taking care of it for me. She hasn't let me down yet."

Ty Lee nodded as she let go of her lover's hand only to wrap her arms around Azula's arm. Golden eyes smiled down at Ty Lee's behavior, though the princess' features remained neutral. "I love you." She whispered, making Azula smile very slightly.

"I love you too."

~x~

Propping her head in her hands Azula watched her lover sleep, moving a strand of brown hair from her angelic face. The sun had just set but they had been in bed for a good three hours, two of which Ty Lee had been sleeping. Azula had assured her acrobat that she would fall asleep soon after but that hadn't happened. The outcome of her trial still weighed heavily on her mind. It was true that she had heard nothing of what was to happen to her. But nothing short of banishment came to her mind, though she had no idea where she would go. Neither the Water Tribe and especially not the Earth Kingdom would want her anywhere near their borders.

She brushed her knuckles against Ty Lee's cheek, watching her lover smile. If she asked, she wondered if the acrobat would go with her, wherever it was she was suppose to go. She wondered if she should ask, if she even had that right. Of course these doubts wouldn't stop her from asking. So really the point was moot but that didn't stop her from wondering. Ty Lee mumbled happily in her sleep, turning on her side and cuddling up to Azula's warm presence. "Would you come with me?" Azula whispered as she leaned down to place a butterfly kiss on her lover's temple. She gasped lightly when grey eyes fluttered opened. "You were awake?"

"Not for long." Ty Lee answered honestly with a slight yawn as she set up, the red silk covers slipping from her exposed torso.

"How much did you hear?" The princess questioned.

Ty Lee ignored her as she stretched. Azula remained where she was, her golden eyes roaming over the toned form. The acrobat smirked, purposefully making her stretch last longer than it needed to as her hands reached skyward. The instant her hands lowered she leaned over, pushing Azula to the bed and falling on top of her. She cupped her face and kissed her thoroughly. "That's how you kiss someone." Ty Lee remarked as she pulled back.

"I see, my apologizes." Azula smiled, placing her newly manicured hands around Ty Lee's wrists that had yet to release her face.

Ty Lee leaned down again till her forehead touched her lovers'. "You're forgiven." She kissed her once. "Now, listen to me." Grey eyes bore into golden ones. "I would follow you till the ends of the planet, even if you didn't want me too."

"Why would you do that? You have nothing to gain from leaving with me." The princess remarked.

The acrobat groaned, nuzzling her head under Azula's chin and wrapping her hands around Azula's arms to rest on her shoulders before answering. "Haven't we already talked about this?" Azula remained silent and Ty Lee sighed. "I'll have you, I don't need anything more."

The princess exhaled heavily, she couldn't remember a time when she felt as happy as she did at that moment. Unconsciously, she knew Ty Lee would never leave her but it still felt oh so good to hear her say it. Azula ran a hand through Ty Lee's unbound brown hair, watching it slide through her hands like silk. "Ty Lee,"

"Hm." The acrobat answered, the smile on face felt against the skin of Azula's neck.

"Would you…" a knock came to the door, "fuck." Ty Lee giggled. "Who is it?" Azula demanded, unable – and not really trying – to stop the growl that came out with her tone. Une's familiar chuckle was heard from the other side of the door as it was opened. "I said who is it not come in!" Azula growled as her doctor entered the room, the princess covering herself and Ty Lee with the silk covers.

"I heard what you said." Une informed, crossing her arms defiantly. "Regardless, get dressed. Your brother has something to tell you."

"Is it about my trial?" Azula questioned, amused at the surprised look on her doctor's pale face. Une sighed, not even bothering to ask how the princess had heard about her trial. "Why didn't you tell me?"

The pale water bender shrugged, "I wanted it to be a surprise. Now get dressed."

"If you want me to get dressed then leave." Azula remarked, throwing a random pillow – which was dodged easily – at her doctor.

Une chuckled again but left the room, at which point Ty Lee jumped up and hurriedly put on a robe and waited patiently – kinda, seeing as she was bouncing on the balls of her feet – for Azula to do the same. When Azula had tied a belt around the waist of her robe Ty Lee grabbed her arm but allowed Azula to lead the way out of the room. Une met them on the other side of the door, looking more smug than ever before. Azula didn't comment on the look as the water bender led the way to one of the living rooms where Zuko, and only Zuko, set.

The Fire Lord's golden eyes looked up as his sister entered in only a robe. He almost smiled at the image of her, with her hair slightly messed up and the robe slightly wrinkled. He couldn't remember ever seeing her look less than perfect and this knowledge only reinforced his decision. Zuko sighed when she set in front of him, out of the corner of his eye seeing Ty Lee – in the same messed up style of dress – give the princess a thumbs up and a warm smile before Une ushered her away. "She seems to care a great deal about you." He said.

"You seem surprised." She answered back, her tone cold and making him scowl. A long silence stretched out between them. Eventually, Azula rolled her eyes, crossed one leg over the other and remarked. "I know my war trail was held today." again the surprised look amused her, but she didn't let it show. "What is the outcome?"

He sighed, looked her square in the eyes as he leaned forward and pressed his hands together. "After much deliberation I and the rest of the world have come to the conclusion that you are excused of all your past crimes and are welcome back into the palace."

The shocked expression on her usually neutral features had him swallowing a chuckle. "What?" She questioned, almost completely sure she was dreaming.

"You've been pardoned." He repeated with a warm smile. "Une was very…" he paused, looking for the correct word, "determined, I guess you could say. I almost wish you were there to see just how hard she fought in your defense. She had the answer for everything. I was amazed at her reasoning for your actions. But she had some good points and it was decided that you are pardoned." He stood and she followed, still not sure that she wasn't dreaming.

"I'm not dreaming, am I?" she asked and he chuckled, moving to pat his sister on the back.

"Hardly." He answered, the hand that was patting her back still lingering on her shoulder. "Welcome back. Tomorrow servants will gather your things and you can move back into the palace. That is if you want to."

"Oh I want to." Azula admitted, surprising her brother at how honest her statement sounded and how much emotion she put into it. "But what will I do?"

He sighed, that was a subject he really did not want to get into. So, he rubbed the back of his neck and answered, "After you get settled I was going to offer you the position of my personal advisor."

A perfect dark eyebrow lifted. "I thought Uncle and Mai were your advisors."

He sighed again. "They are but Uncle opened his tea shop in Ba Sing Se and wants to go back to it."

"You would trust me with such a position?" She asked, becoming increasingly suspicious.

"Would you just shut up and accept it." Une's annoyed voice came from the other side of the doorway, her form mostly hidden by a wall. "He isn't like you; he trust people easily." She accused, making Azula scowl. "But he doesn't have the tact you do and tends to be blunter than a spoon and easily angered when dealing with politicians from the other nations. As such he's terrible at delicate negotiations. If things continue as they are the Fire Nation with become impoverish and another war may be started, however unintentional it may be. You were breed for that kind of thing." She waved her pale hand dismissively, though Azula's scowl had turned into a smirk rather quickly. "And despite everything he still wants to have some sort of brother sister family…thing."

Azula nodded, though her doctor couldn't see it. "Alright then," She bowed to her brother, despite how painful it was for her to do. "I accept your offer."

He bowed back out of courtesy then when they both straightened he added. "Of course our deal still stands."

She scoffed and rolled her eyes, he just had to ruin the moment. "I figured as much." She stated as she walked to the door and turned to Une. The water bender looked at her charge for a brief second before the young woman bowed to her. "Thank you." Azula expressed which only earned her a smack on the head with a rolled up piece of paper. "Hey! What the hell was that for?" She yelled, ignoring her brother's chuckles as she glared daggers at the water bender.

Une chuckled, "You're not rid of me yet, child. I'll be around until you are comfortable in the palace once again and I am satisfied that all is well up here." She gently poked the princess' forehead, almost getting her hand burned off.

"Fine." The princess scoffed, "Where is Ty Lee?"

"Probably with Mai." Zuko answered as his expression suddenly lightened. "Have you met your nephew Lu Ten? He's one and half now."

Azula thought for a moment, though you couldn't tell she was thinking seeing as she was only staring at her brother, before answering. "I've seen him once." She admitted. "But I did not stop to be introduced." She decided to leave out the part that she thought it was stupid to introduce herself to a child who more than likely couldn't comprehend what she was saying and her general dislike of children altogether.

He smiled and motioned for her to follow. "They're this way." He stated, passing Une towards the other end of the house.

Une chuckled when Azula did the most childish thing she had done since before her mother left, she stuck her tongue out at her doctor. "Very mature." Une commented, not moving to follow, and earning a rather crude hand gesture that made her laugh again.

Azula followed her brother to one of the sunrooms, the rays of the moon illuminating the room is silver and blue. Zuko went to his wife and set next to her, kissing her softly as he did. The princess stopped at the door, observing her lover cradle the one and half year old boy in her lap, his small head leaning against her chest and for a second Azula thought that maybe children weren't so bad. The acrobat's grey eyes turned to her as Ty Lee handed the boy to his mother and promptly bounced over to Azula, embracing her hard. "Mai told me everything. Congratulation!" She congratulated in a whisper as she pressed her lips against Azula's.

"As if there were any doubt." Azula replied, running her knuckles against Ty Lee's cheek.

Ty Lee smiled, very aware of how much doubt her princess actually had and how relieved she truly felt. "Of course." The acrobat agreed. "Aren't you happy? We get to go back to the capital tomorrow."

Azula only nodded, choosing not to speak for fear of her real emotions coming out. She was so very glad.

~x~

Azula set on the beach watching the sun rise dressed in her new royal Fire Nation attire, which looked just like the outfit she use to wear when she was a general for her father only bigger to fit her taller stature. The servants had started putting her few possessions away to be shipped to the capital not long before she made her way to the beach, her journal in hand. She had written a little in it but the rising sun drew her attention and now her mind was wondering.

"Aren't you excited?" Ty Lee's welcome voice asked as the acrobat set beside her, moving over so that she could lean against the woman she loved. "We get to go home."

"Very." Azula answered calmly, feeling the rays of the sun fuel her inner fire.

A comfortable silence enveloped them for a while. "I was wondering," Ty Lee started, drawing her lover's attention again, "about the deal you made with Zuko before we came here. Actually I was wonder how it all went down. No one would say anything to me when I woke up."

Azula sighed deeply, not quite sure how much she wanted to reveal to her little acrobat. Then she decided that with Ty Lee it was okay to leave nothing out. "You know why I was there that morning don't you?"

Ty Lee nodded, "Aang was going to take your bending. Zuko said you were too dangerous with it."

Azula pulled Ty Lee closer to her by the acrobat's slim waist. "Yes, that's what I was told. I barely remember any of what happened before we were attacked by the fake guards. I know you tried to protect me." She kissed the top of Ty Lee's head. "And that you were injured in the process." Ty Lee tensed. "I don't know what happened or how I did it but I managed to get out of my chains and completely incinerate the guards who attacked us. They were nothing more than a pile of dust and whatever drugs they were giving me to make me complacent were burned from my system."

Ty Lee gasped. "Is that even possible?"

Azula smirked and shrugged, "Apparently."

"Wow," Was Ty Lee's clearly impressed reaction. "No wonder Aang didn't want to take your bending, your will was probably stronger than his at that point."

Azula chuckled and agreed. "No wonder." Exhaled heavily she continued. "After that, I was bound again and taken to Zuko's private study. As a 'reward' for saving his life and that of his friends I was allowed to keep my bending."

"And the conditions?" Ty Lee inquired, making Azula momentarily proud that Ty Lee had assumed there were conditions instead of assuming that Zuko had simply let her off the hook.

"The condition being that if I ever tried to harm him or any other member of his family, which of course excluded me, my 'reward' would be stripped from me and I would be banished from the Fire Nation with no chance of redemption. He then informed me that I was far too dangerous to be allowed to stay in the palace so he would place me somewhere to continue to recover."

"Hm." The acrobat responded. "That…hm…I don't know what to say to that." She admitted.

Azula's golden eyes turned to her lover. "You don't have to say anything."

"I feel like I should say something." Ty Lee whined lightly, tugging on Azula's sleeve and making the princess chuckled.

"How about: everything turned out for the best." Azula offered.

"Oh, that's good." The acrobat remarked then coughed in her hand before continuing. "So, I guess everything turned out for the best."

Azula laughed at her acrobat's antics. "Sometimes."

"Sometimes what?" Azula only shook her head. "Sometimes what, Azula?"

Warm golden eyes turned to meet happy grey. "Sometimes I don't know what I'd do without you." Her voice lowered to a whisper, her hot breath sending shivers down Ty Lee's spine as it rushed over her ear. "Sometimes I think I wouldn't be alive without you."

"Azula?" Ty Lee questioned uncertainly, turning slightly so that she could read her lover's aura – seeing the calm blue mixed with a tint of love and flaring with nervousness and uncertainty that did not show in the princess' features.

"Ty Lee." Azula paused, forcing back the lump in her throat as she removed her hand from Ty Lee's waist only to grasp her hands. "I want you to marry me."

Grey eyes widened in utter surprise, of all the things Azula could have been worried about that was it? The very last thing Ty Lee had expected. She'd given up on marriage long ago. "What?" She asked, tears forming in eyes.

"Marry me." Azula repeated. "I want you with me, forever."

Ty Lee took one of her hands from Azula's to cover her mouth for in disbelief, but that was the last thing on Azula's mind as her eyes remained locked with Ty Lee's. "You're serious?"

"Very."

"But what will the Fire Nation say? What will the world say? Two women marring is unheard of."

"Screw them." Azula answered, surprising herself at how honest the words were. "I don't give a damn what they think. As long as you're with me it doesn't matter. Just say yes."

"Yes." Ty Lee laughed through her tears. "By the spirits, yes."

Without warning the acrobat jumped into Azula's arms, pressing her lips to her fiancé's.

TBC

A/N: Only one more chapter left. Yay! I think.