Hello Fanfic readers! Thank you so much for your reviews and as thanks I'm publishing two chapters. This chapter is going to reveal the father of Azula's child and the child's name. For all of those who are wondering in the future there will be a Zuko/Mai story revealing what happened to their son and other goodies that I don't want to spoil(teehee). Let chapter 2 begin!

I do not own ATLA but maybe if I keep writing I can work on Legend of Korra(okay that's a pipe dream)

Book 4: Air: Exodus

Prologue part 2

Azula's eyes were open, but were blurry from the sleeper darts injected into her earlier. She heard a humming of a lullaby as her baby cooed. Azula swore she saw her mother's face, "What man did you inject your venom into to get this baby?" said a hoarse voice.

Azula snapped herself out of the illusion and realized it was Mai holding her child. Before she could even think, she flew into a rage, standing abruptly, "Get away from my child you—"

Her anger was quickly interrupted by a sharp pain in her head; clearly she got up too fast. "Easy there psycho, believe it or not my husband wants to help you."

"I don't need anyone's charity. I'm here for one purpose and then I'll leave."

"Did you honestly think it would be that easy? I don't care about you at all, but Zuko is concerned. He hasn't heard anything about you for three years and he's been worrying himself sick. All he ever cares about is you and that rag doll that used to be your father."

Azula didn't ask to be worried about or sought after: she just wanted to deliver a message. Azula searched through their checkered past in her mind and she saw right through Mai's words. Suddenly, she was transported back in time when Mai told her 'I love Zuko more than I fear you'. Mai's words carried venomous envy and resentment. Like Azula had always done, she turned stoic and deflected Mai's statement, "Something in you has changed hasn't it?"

"Excuse me?"

"The way you look at my daughter longingly and singing, off-key might I add. You hate me because you don't have a ch—'

"If you know what's good for you, you had better not finish that statement!" said Mai threatening.

"I know your scheme: you can't have my daughter Mai!"

"I find that hard to believe that this child is yours. Don't women like you eat their young?"

"I'm taking my daughter and leaving!"

Despite the bravery in her voice, the attempt to rise from the bed lead to another fast and quick headache. The intense migraine caused her to squint. Her legs wobbled as she attempted to stand straight, but she fell to her knees. Mai, with all of her anger toward Azula, felt a strong pity. Mai moved the baby to its bassinet to help Azula onto her feet. Azula quickly pushed her away. "Don't touch me!" she hollered.

"Stubborn and prideful down to the end, fine, I'll leave you there," shrugged Mai.

She had enough of Azula this evening. Mai turned her attention toward the infant girl. Before Mai could take the baby from the bassinet, Azula, found within her, the strength of a raging dragon as if Agni himself inhabited her. She pushed Mai on the ground, who retaliated by delivering the same action more roughly. "Now there's the monster I know!"

Azula caterwauled and grabbed Mai and pinned her to the ground with her fist balled up. Mai grinned at Azula and fiddled with the dart in her sleeve. Suddenly, the Fire Nation guards entered the room surrounding the pair. Azula's eyes examined each one. She wasn't strong enough to fight all of them. The room was silenced when her daughter wailed once again. Mai took advantage of the distraction and shoved Azula across the room. The Royal guards crossed their spears in front of her, impeding any progress. Mai brushed herself off and advanced toward the bassinet once more wrapping the baby in a blanket, cradling her close. Azula with what little strength she had went to attack, but was held back by a myriad of guards. "Where are you taking my daughter? Bring her back!"

"She needs to be nursed and cared for, I'll see to it; as for you…well…enjoy the carpet."

"MAI…MAI!" Azula screamed with her last breath as she lay on the floor utterly defeated.

She couldn't stop Mai from taking her daughter. Silently, Azula knew Mai was right. Azula was in no condition to nurse. Azula in seeking her brother had forgotten that she needed help herself, though she would never ask. The Royal guards stood over Azula as she slowly pulled herself onto the bed.

Time had flown by quickly, since she left the safety and anonymity of the small earth village of Arun. She had presumed that she was a widow now. When she left, her husband Judel was too ill to make this journey. Her daughter Xiourong was all she had left in this world. Azula caressed her aching forehead. Her worst fears came flooding her mind. She caressed her chest, catching her breath. The door creaked sending the guards on alert. A young servant entered the chamber carrying a tray of tea and biscuits. She ushered the guards from the room indicating a yellow flame badge. The men nodded and exited the room. The young woman sat by Azula's bedside, "Please eat, you will need your strength." the young servant said with comfort.

Azula being too fatigued to protest lifted herself up as much as she could. The young woman attended to her by putting a pillow behind her back. She nibbled on the biscuits and slowly sipped the tea, which made her think of her Uncle Iroh. She hadn't realized she missed the old man's wise ramblings. The young woman interrupted her reminiscing, "In a matter of days you will feel like yourself."

"I need to meet with the Firelord." insisted Azula.

"After the small outburst, I doubt it will be any time soon. At the present time, you must only think of getting well," replied the young woman with a smile.

Azula remained impatient. Her mission stood stubborn in her mind. For now she would consider her health for her daughter's sake. The young woman stroked Azula's hair, to pull back a hand full of knots and dead ends. "Your hair could use some brushing. A princess should be bathed in milk and honey and her hair should be washed with oil." The young woman clapped her hands. Twin chubby girls entered the room. "Uma, Zima please draw a bath for our guest."

"Yes Mistress," said the girls in unison before exiting.

It had been years since Azula had a royal bath. She hadn't acquired these luxuries since that fateful day of the coronation. It had seemed like yesterday. She lost control of the empire she thought was her birthright. She had been a military perfectionist ruling with power and fear. Things had changed so drastically since then. As Azula sat in the bath she felt relaxed like a child. They brushed her disheveled hair. With each caress of her strands they giggled uncontrollably. "She has such beautiful hair sister."

"Yes, she is beautiful herself Uma."

Azula became conscious of the fact that she had missed the old withered bags Lo and Li. Being around these girls was insufferable. The old Azula would have choked these young ladies for speaking about her beauty and banish them for their incessant chortling. As a farewell, she would follow up with a relentless assault about how poorly they both look. The new Azula didn't have the strength to object to the servants, who were pampering her.

After her bath and grooming, they gave her fresh burgundy garments and fashioned her hair with a small top knot and the rest was down. The perfectionist in her disliked the style. Being proficient in hairstyling, she undid the ties and brushed her hair gathering each strand upward. She affixed a red ribbon to make a whole top knot letting her bangs drop. She looked in the mirror and recollected that day six years ago, butchering her signature bangs, the hallucinations of her mother, and the final fight between her, Zuko and the water peasant. It all seemed surreal that she was back in the kingdom she vowed to leave. Her amber eyes welled up with tears. The young woman who attended to Azula previously, entered the room. "Good news princess! The Firelord has prepared a feast. You are the guest of honor."

Honor? That word seemed strange to hear after she fought so long to gain its meaning. What was her brother planning to do? Would he execute her after the feast? Was her daughter safe? Too many questions came teeming through her head to keep track of. She brought herself to reality, taking one last look in the mirror making sure every fiber was in place. Azula turned to the young woman. "What's your name anyway?"

"Forgive me; I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Ursa."

"Is that some sort of joke?" snorted Azula.

"No, it is my name from birth."

"You will no longer have that name, change it!"

"I am aware that I share the same name of your m─"

"Never mention that woman's name in my presence!"

"If you would like, you can call me Lora."

"That will be satisfactory."

Azula was stricken with awareness; she was acting like a princess. She no longer had rights, but she couldn't help herself. It was the palace that made her this way. It was all a masquerade to conceal her fears of her daughter growing up without a mother, like she had. Azula was never one to apologize even when she was wrong. Instead she would cover her rudeness with changing the subject. "What's Mai done with my daughter? Is she still alive?"

"The infant is recovering well. She has the spirit of her mother. You will see her tonight after the feast."

Azula breathed a sigh of relief, at least if they were going to kill her tomorrow; she got to spend her last moments with Xiourong.

Lora escorted Azula to the dining room. Azula walked on the cherry carpet looking up at the walls and was instantly disappointed. Any semblance of her forefathers had been removed. The Fire Nation symbol was replaced with an orange and yellow flame that looked less menacing than the black one. They had reached the large rosewood doors that opened with a loud creak. Azula had her head down hands clasped in front. All attendants stood up. When she lifted her eyes up the shock overtook her.