Hello Fanfic readers I know it's been a while but my personal life has been a series of ups and downs. Glad to be back in the New Year. I was going to reveal Judel's cannon parent in this chapter, but as you can see from the word count, there's way too much going on, in fact I had to edit. So the challenge is still open.

Judel's biological father is Fire Nation, who is his cannon parent? The person who guesses correctly receives a mention in my A/N.

Warning: Perspiration Advisory it's about to get steamy.

I do not own ATLA but I do own my vivid dreams and OC's

Book 4: Air: Exodus

Chapter 7

Her breath returned to her violently; she stretched open her eyes. She was surrounded by Judel, Aura and Ping with concerned faces. Azula attempted to sit up, but Aura held her back gently. "Don't move your severely injured. The healer will be here shortly."

Here? Where is here? "Where am I?"

"All will be explained later, just rest. Come Judel and Ping let's leave her."

"No," protested Judel, "I made a promise. I'll oversee her care."

"Alright my friend, but don't forget to rest yourself, this will be a long journey," said Ping.

Aura hugged Judel and exited with Ping. Azula weakly turned her face away. Seeing Judel was too painful. "That was some stunt you pulled back there. Why would you do something so foolish?"

"Your death is of no value to me, besides I was not going to leave on someone else's terms."

"You could have easily gone with Chan and start a coup to overthrow your brother. Why didn't you?"

"Chan is a weakling I wasn't going to marry him."

"Come on, the Azula I heard about could have easily double crossed Chan and taken the throne from Zuko. Why didn't you follow through? I think your changing."

Azula found the prognosis unsettling; she would rather be injured a hundred times over, but that wasn't all that was bothering her. Her father wanted her dead or alive to form a coup for his benefit, meaning she was to take the brunt of his enemies, while her father obtains all the praise; Ozai's loyalties lied with himself. "Trusting my father was a costly mistake."

"Like kissing me?"

Azula froze in place, crimson taking over her cheeks. She was rendered speechless. Judel smirked and climbed on top of her. He opened her mouth gently with his fingertips and kissed her deeply. She let out a small moan. "Admit it Azula you want me."

Azula turned her face away as his warm touch caressed her wound. "No…I"

"Say it Azula: say you want me."

Azula bit her lower lip, the sensations she felt in her body were making her crazy. She couldn't hold back anymore. He moved himself closer meeting his hips with hers; as they kissed the warmth irradiated over their bodies. Her blue breath met with his green. Her pain was quickly forgotten. She closed her eyes and caressed his soft locks undoing his top knot. The surge in her body made its way from her fingertips down to her toes. The blood rushing in her head made her dizzy with ecstasy. His lips left her and she searched with her heads for the imprint the phenomenon left on her. Azula opened her eyes and was met with golden orbs: her eyes shrunk in fear. "So my daughter lowers herself to water peasants."

Azula pushed her father away from her and stood up from the bed. "What are you doing here?"

"There is no reward in being his whore!"

"Don't you dare refer to me as that ! I swear I'll—"

"You'll what!" he glared.

Why did he have such crippling power over her? She said nothing and played the role of obedient daughter. Ozai rose from the bed and walked toward her. He laid a hand on her shoulder. "Why live life on the run when you can have absolute power. Zuko has stolen the throne, take back your birthright."

"N…No" she said lowly.

Ozai grabbed her by her throat "What did you say insolent brat?"

"All bets were off the moment you treated me like Zuko."

He punched her in the face and threw on the ground. Azula skittered to the nearest wall. Ozai followed closely dragging her back to the middle of the room. He punched her once more with his fiery fist. "Take back your birthright!"

"NO!"

Ozai punched her in the stomach and threw her across the room. Her body had stiffened, she was unable to move. He picked her up like a bale of hay and kicked open the metal door. He held her high above the turbulent sea. Azula with all of her might clung to her father. He reared his arms back to hurl her, when suddenly; he turned into a pile of white feathers. Azula collapsed on the floor; in front of her stood the Avatar, tattoos aglow. He offered his hand. She slapped it away firmly. "Get away from me I shall never be your ally."

He offered his hand once more. "I said get away!" she swatted at him causing a stray bolt of lightning to hit him. She held the Avatars lifeless body in her arms. The heavens darkened and opened up. A tall wall of water stood up and made its way to crash down on her. The Avatar disappeared from her hold. There was nowhere to run. Azula screamed in horror. The tides crashed down on her, shaking her body left and right; she was drowning. "Azula," called out a voice.

"Save me…please," she mumbled.

"AZULA," called the voice louder.

Azula awoke sweating heavily as if she were underwater. She felt someone holding her tightly, rocking her back and forth, and stroking her hair. She looked to see a very worried Judel. "You screamed so awfully."

For a moment she wished for both of them to stay this way, but then she remembered his state of shock when she kissed him. He was only in this room as her guardian. She pushed him away. "Don't touch me, I'm fine."

"Good, you're feisty."

"Get out of my cabin! What are you trying to do?"

"We were worried about you. I checked to see if you were alright."

"Remove yourself from my cabin or I shall deliver upon you a pain worse than death."

"Is this how you treat your friends?"

"You are my guardian, bound to protect me, isn't that what the powers that be order you to do."

"Well princess it seems you have quickly forgotten. I made a blood promise with you. That trumps any government or monarchy. Whether you like it or not I'm indebted to you, even if you hate me and never want to see me again."

"If only I would receive such an honor, to never be acquainted with a man like you for all eternity."

"Then why did you save my life and kiss me?"

"I'm the insane princess remember, my actions are unpredictable. Now that I have my senses about me I would never be infatuated with a mixed pretense of a firebender."

Judel's face sank, he was hurt deeply by her words cut in two. That was too far Azula if he was in love with you before he sure isn't now; might as well deliver the final blow. "The only man my loyalties lie with is Ozai; no man will ever take his place."

Judel went to speak, but dejected he took a deep breath. "I'll concede to your request but know this; both of us spilled blood on the dagger. No matter what happens I'm always here."

Azula was amazed; he was a true man, honorable to a fault. Azula felt this strange feeling in her heart and in the pit of her stomach that made her despondent. Was this what remorse felt like? No, impossible I regret nothing. He stroked her cheek with his calloused hand and turned her face toward him. Those eyes, they were so hypnotic. He came close toward her lips when the metal door opened. Aura looked at the couple and slapped her forehead. "Oh Agni, I have the worse timing."

Azula pushed Judel onto the floor. "You're just in time, Judel was just leaving."

Judel with a bruised ego left the room. Aura patted his back in comfort as he exited. Aura pulled a nearby stool to Azula's bed. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fi—, "she cringed at the pain in her right side; just great, first weak emotions, now aching in my ribs. She hated being here, but where was she? "The doctor will be returning shortly. That was a deep wound; the doctor had put you on strong pain killers. Honestly, if it weren't for Judel's dragon rage explosion technique you wouldn't be alive. We've been traveling on this ship for a week. These accommodations will have to do, until we find a suitable place to hide you."

Azula felt that disgusting emotion again; her stomach was causing a terrible commotion. Judel saved her life; the other realization came that she lost more time. Her head was spinning and she had to lie down to steady herself. Aura glanced at Azula as if she could see the gears turning in her head. "Your father Ozai wants you to restore his position as the Phoenix King and for you to usurp the current Firelord."

"It is advisable that we do as he says. We would be foolish to refuse his offer and I deserve to be Firelord."

"There are two problems with that princess, one, I serve Firelord Zuko, two, how can you trust Ozai?"

"My father has been the only one looking out for my well-being."

Aura shook her head. "I see now, this is my fault. I should have shared this story sooner, maybe you would have seen Ozai in a different light and we could have been at least friends. You and I princess share a history."

"All servants look alike."

Aura shushed Azula, who didn't take kindly to the action. Aura took a breath. "When I was fourteen my mother passed away and my father had to raise me. He was struggling financially and grieving, he couldn't make ends meet. Someone suggested that I could be an attendant to the Firelord. My father as much as it pained him, let me go. I was sent with a group of young girls, who found out we weren't going to the palace."

Despite the pain in Aura's voice, her eyes remained brave. "Instead we went to a brothel as prostitutes, under Ozai's command. Various men visited from political officials to royal ambassadors. One day I tried to escape, but Ozai got wind of it and he…"

Aura composed her quivering voice and looked to the ceiling as if her past had been in front of her. "He had men rape me and beat me bloody. He said I should count myself fortunate to be alive. He threatened that if I escaped again my father would be 'dealt with'"

"I found out I was pregnant and I gave birth to my son in that awful place. I quickly had to give him away. Being a benefactor allows me to take care of him even though I've haven't seen him since he was born.

"What does this tale have to do with me?"

"When I was sixteen, a young girl of five, was brought into the brothel with her father. I had to explain to that innocent girl that I could never leave or see my family. Her father told her that she should be grateful that she is royalty and to never be so weak as to cry, because she can't push herself through training. That poor little girl cried so badly telling her father, she wanted to go home. He forced her to stay for one night. I comforted that little girl and she is the reason I successfully escaped."

Azula remembered the event clear as day, but she couldn't believe she wouldn't; her father cares for her. It seems she was the last to finally understand who her father was. His betrayal hurt the worse. He was her only hope left. Azula felt like an orphan. Aura put a reassuring hand on top of hers. "When I first met you, you were angry, indignant and rude. Now that I know you well enough, you don't have to be like…him."

Azula turned herself over in the bed: she had enough of this conversation. Aura sensing the hostility, immediately changed the subject. "We're going to be stopping at a small port, it will give you time to get some fresh air. Rest well and heal." Aura stoked Azula's hair and left the room.

Azula didn't care about anything anymore, not even herself. Azula forced her eyes shut as tears gushed from her eyes, for what was going to be another sleepless night.

Azula was alone on the deck of the ship late at night. She thought about everything that had transpired over the last three years. Who was Azula? She didn't know. What happened in that fifteen months in the mental facility? Not a clue. Why did Zuko give her diplomatic immunity? He perhaps had a hidden agenda. Her reunion with her mother revealed that she has a little brother, named Han-Lien and her mother used her to kill her grandfather. Her father, last of all, didn't care if she is dead or alive. What bothered her the most, her firebending was erratic. Azula didn't like the prognosis; she was changing, into what was the scary part.

Water, all Azula could see was water. She didn't miss life at sea. She reminisced for a while. She remembers her father ordered her to capture her brother Zuko and her Uncle Iroh, the traitors. She rehearsed a lie that would lure Zuko to be imprisoned. Karma seemed to be her best friend lately. How could she not see through her father's betrayal? The answer, she didn't want to see it. What would she do now?

When Azula had begun to heal, she practiced her kata's on the steel boat, aiming at the air, but once again no fire. What fueled her firebending? No submission to Chan, her father's betrayal. Yes that was it! Let it warm your belly. She let out a grunt, still nothing. This was pointless. She could firebend perfectly fine until she felt helpless. She winced in pain, that scar, like her, was not ready.

It had been weeks and still no sight of finding a suitable place to disembark. Judel had invited two other guardians from his sector Xing, who was a muscular fellow with crimson eyes that matched his uniform; he was stern and very serious. Then there was Hiro, who had long black hair and yellow-gold eyes. He was handsome and cracked a lot of jokes about everything: Judel was close to this fellow. Judel, Ping, Xing and Hiro were meeting often; probably some macho secret meetings of baring chest and flexing biceps. Upon the guardians arrival Judel's entire demeanor changed. His once happy personality was replaced with someone angry and sad. Something terrible must have happened.

Azula had been practicing her sets well into the night when she saw Judel staring at the stars. It seemed at night his eyes would glow so beautifully. She wanted to be by his side and hold him. No he deserves to be alone for trying to fool me. Hiro had approached Judel on the deck slapping him on the back. "How are you holding up my friend?"

Judel's eyes remained on the stars. Hiro pulled a scroll from his hip and handed it to Judel. "The master sends his condolences."

Judel opened the scroll and skimmed over it. Suddenly flames burned the scroll into nothing; ashes blew in the wind. Judel stomped off and Hiro looking concerned closely pursued. Azula from a safe distance watched when Judel came her way; his blue eyes fixed in anger: he brushed past her almost knocking her down. Hiro gave up following his friend and looked to Azula. "He's not himself; please forgive my friend."

"There's nothing to forgive: he's acting like a child."

"I see empathy is your strong point."

Azula let out a loud huff and walked away. Deep inside she was worried for Judel; she sensed that useless feeling again: she yelled at Aura about that vile word when she arrived in Binjwen. No matter, she allowed herself to pray that he would be alright.

They had reached dry land in a small earth village of Arun. Judel, Ping, Xing and Hiro walked ahead of Azula and Aura, who both wore cloaks until they had reached a small house. Once again the quarters were slightly confining. Aura and Azula had the master bedroom and disrobed. Aura brought out some clothes and makeup from her baggage. Azula had gone to the washroom and splashed some water on her face. She had looked in the mirror for the first time in months. Her chest was fuller, her face was rounder; she was becoming a woman. Uncertainty took over her features; she had to leave the shack sooner or later. Aura combed Azula's hair with her hands. "Listen, I have to warn you, we have to meet our contacts at the Bamboo Inn and today is the Avatar Festival; they reenact what happened between your father and the Avatar."

"Should that bother me?"

"Ozai is the epitome of self-serving megalomaniac, but he's still your father. I thought I would give you a heads up."

"Your sentiment is appreciated."

Aura pulled Azula to the small room and sat her in the chair; my how things seem to have not changed. Aura pulled out makeup. She laid out a luxurious dark emerald green dress on the bottom with embroidered gold cherry blossoms branches. On the top was a lighter green. Aura moved to the front of Azula and applied a pale face powder, then she moved to her cheeks adding a light pink, her eye shadow was avocado; she applied a small amount of blush. She fashioned her hair in an earth kingdom noble, top bun with baby's breath cascading on the right side. Aura took one last look circling around Azula, displaying a big cheesy grin; her smile almost reminded her of Ty Lee. Aura gave her the thumbs up. Azula winced at first before the mirror, hoping she wouldn't see a clown. When she opened her eyes fully, she glanced at the image before her. She was pleasantly surprised to see that she was a young woman and a beautiful one at that.

Aura and Azula had disembarked from the ship and to Azula's surprise she didn't see Judel. The man named Xing, approached her sternly as if he were a general preparing to speak with his soldier. "You there A─"

Aura sneered at him in the worse way, covering his mouth and whispering harshly, "Her name is Alana."

Xing smacked her hand away and focused his attention on Azula. "Judel will no longer be your guardian. You will report to me from now on."

Azula was taken aback, for starters she didn't like this man Xing at all, she wanted to see Judel again to…she didn't even know why, but she couldn't stand being away from him. "Has my guardian forfeited his position?"

"That is none of your concern, I will escort you through the city to the Bamboo Inn and that is final!"

Azula went to speak except he cut her off with a dismissive hand and pointed in the direction they were going. Azula was so annoyed, she wished she could breathe fire at this man, reluctantly; she followed Xing.

There were paper lanterns adorning every post. The children laughed, giggling, holding sparklers, some wearing mask while others cried for candy. The sounds of the brawny earthbenders sparing each other in games could be heard from miles away. Lines of patrons waited to ride the ostrich-horses, who seemed less than happy to oblige. A man was dressed in a Phoenix costume cawing. There were storytellers in one booth, performing a shameful moment for the Fire Nation, with puppets. Azula paid careful attention to this scene breaking away from Xing. "I am Ozai Phoenix King this village is full of turncoats, who will be destroyed," shouted the puppeteer, "I will turn this city into ash!"

Cardboard flames collided with the cityscape as the audience of children jeered. A puppet of a villager come onto the scene, "You will reap what you sow," cried the voice.

Just then the Avatar puppet flew onto the scene in his nomad uniform wearing an orange cape with the letter "A" on his chest. The crowd cheered loudly. "For your bad deeds, I the Avatar, will spare your life and take away your powers so you can never hurt anyone again."

The puppeteer made whooshing sounds as the puppet Ozai shook and trembled, "No!" screamed puppet Ozai, who was imprisoned in cardboard.

"Hooray!" the children applauded.

The puppet Avatar was now on the scene. "Remember children, evil never wins!" said the puppet Avatar as he flew away. The crowd roared clapping their hands.

Azula thought this portrayal of what happened was absurd; her father would never be beaten so easily: he didn't just destroy traitors arbitrarily; he needed to cleanse the earth of those who would not keep his command. Azula caught herself. Aura was right, she was loyal to her father even though she knew he didn't take an interest of her life or death. What he was doing didn't make any sense. She would gamble her life on the thought that her father had an ulterior motive. Azula caught herself again. Her life was changing each moment yet she enjoyed the anonymity of being a stranger. She never had such clarity and peace of mind. She was forming a relationship with Aura, even the bloat Ping was agreeable lastly, Judel, how could she forget about his sapphire eyes and messy topknot. His soft lips produced such words of comfort. His smile made her feel alive. Azula couldn't deny it any longer she was fond of Judel, she had to make amends and tell him that she was wrong. Azula smiled to herself fanning her face. "Lost in your thought?" said Judel causing Azula to jump back.

"Xing is supposed to be watching you, apparently you can't follow orders. We have to go to the Bamboo Inn to meet the others unless you want to get lost again."

He was speaking so abrasively. Azula was angry and walked several feet away. Judel immediately rushed by her side, grabbing her by the arm. "Don't you walk away from me!"

Azula snatched herself away. "I refuse to be seen with the likes of you!"

Judel groaned and threw his hands in the air and walked away agitated. "What is your problem?"

Judel glared at Azula and continued on his path without a word. Azula shadowed him down to a wooded area. Judel lit a nearby tree on fire, watching it burn. "Stay back!" Judel warned.

"What kind of guardian abandons the person their supposed to be protecting?" barked Azula.

"I'm not your guardian, leave me alone!"

Judel's demeanor tensed up even more. His now beautiful eyes were fixed in angst. The small flame on the tree now nearly engulfed it. Azula had never seen him like this: she stepped closer. "Judel," she said gently from a safe distance, "Something isn't right about your behavior."

Judel let out a laugh that alarmed Azula. "Now you care about my feelings."

"Stop whining like a child. Discard your pathetic empathy. You're a guardian not a worm!"

Judel turned toward her, the fire behind him growing. He stretched out his hand next to the tree absorbing the flames. He sneered at her with such malice; Azula was sure she would burn to cinders. Azula stepped forward confidently grinning. "You want to start a fight princess, I'll be happy to oblige you."

Finally, Azula thought now things were getting exciting. Judel took his stance, his hands blazed a bright orange. Azula smirked, waiting for him to make a move. Judel created a smokescreen and stepped backwards. Azula appeared behind him delivering a blow to the back of his head. He stumbled forward, holding his head, squinting in pain. She dealt another blow propelling him forward. He fell to the ground. Azula walked close to him as he struggled to get up. "That's all you can do? You're weaker than I thought."

With that statement, he blew smoke in her eyes. She groaned in pain. He lit surrounding trees on fire. Azula wiped her eyes trying to use her water skin, but was knocked to the ground. Azula took the chopsticks out of her hair and stabbed him. Judel though he bled grabbed her by the dress. She tried to push Judel, but he was too strong. He released her and threw her down, "Not even worth it," he mumbled walking away.

Her hair smelled of burnt wood: her makeup was a smudged flesh tone and pink. Now Azula had had it, he attacks her, which was bad enough, but now he declared that she wasn't worth the fight. She was insulted. Azula rose from the ground. Judel was nursing a superficial cut; he felt a waft of guilt, he sighed heavily turning to Azula, who was now standing up straight like a warrior ready for battle. "I am Azula crowned princess of the Fire Nation: how dare you question my value?"

Judel rubbed the back of his head, before he could form an apology, Azula rushed toward him. He prepared to face Azula head on when she defied gravity running sideways on the trees. He sprinted in the opposite direction absorbing the fire from the trees once again, creating a diversion. She wasn't going to fall for the same stunt, she paused, patience. From the top of the branch she spotted him trying to sneak by. She threw her fan as it cut into the trunk with its razor sharp edge; Azula from behind, kicked Judel in his ribs. She mushed his face into the ground with her foot. "I don't even have my firebending and I can defeat you!" Azula mocked.

Azula was surprised when Judel hoisted himself up causing her to fall back. She got up ready to clash, only to have him pin her to the tree with his forearm. They both breathed deeply staring at each other, their bodies unable to bare the ecstasy mounting within. Judel grabbed Azula by her waist and kissed her deeply. Azula pulled her face back and stared at Judel's ragged appearance, he was primal, and his blue eyes sparkled in the full moon. She drew him in close caressing her lips with his. It was a kiss different than the one she experienced with Chan; it was a wanton, passionate, uncontrollable force that couldn't be denied. She was unsure of how her body knew what to do, however her instincts led her to undo the ties of his jacket. He kissed Azula's neck as she let out a moan, the electrical sensations pulsing through her body. His touch was warm and soft. Azula's hand clenched the bark as the wood crumbled in her hand. Judel brought her closer as their knees began to weaken, they crumpled to the ground. He pinned Azula's arms above her head and licked circles around her ears and neck. "Azula," he expressed lovingly.

Azula felt Judel's bare chest, he smelled of amber and hickory. She wrapped her arms around his back as he cupped her breast with his strong hands simultaneously kissing her neck. That's when she felt warmth on her fingertips. Judel lifted himself off of Azula. She was confused at the wide smile on his face. She regarded a single blue flame in her palm. "Your firebending is back,"

"And you're the source," Azula said while seductively kissing Judel. She gazed in his sapphire eyes and rubbed his cheek, "Judel I..I care deeply for you what I mean to say is…" Azula played with the satin fabric of Judel's jacket.

He grabbed her hand and placed it on his lips, "I love you," he said boldly.

The words surprised Azula; he shared her feelings, "As do I." Azula placed his hand on her chest, "Judel we don't have to go to the Inn tonight."

"What do you mean?"

"I want to stay here with you, we could stay here," she said blushing.

"In the middle of the forest?"

"They won't notice we're gone. I want this tonight."

Judel looked in Azula eyes indicating she wanted more. Judel got up and closed his jacket tightening his tie. He walked to the edge of the tree. He ran his fingers through his hair. Azula was upset feeling she was pushing the envelope. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No"

"You didn't mean what you said."

"No, I meant what I said, I do love you."

Azula wiped the remainder of the makeup from her face. She felt humiliated; the man she was intimate with was now a few feet away, not meeting her gaze. Azula felt utterly defeated, it was fate, she was sure of this. All she's done was adding up to this. "I understand now; you hate what I am."

"I didn't say that!"

Azula had to hold herself together: she failed at every turn. Azula wanted so badly to rewind where her and Judel had been embracing; her insecurities began to leak out one by one. "You despise me and what I represent. You take pleasure in exploiting my feelings for you."

"Azula—"

"All of you people think you can use me and I won't protest. Well I have news for every one of you, I am no one's pawn or play thing. I came into this world with no love and that is how I shall die!"

She didn't know why, but tears streamed down her face, she was strong enough to survive many things, not having Judel's love crushed her. Judel held her tight in his arms. He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes dotingly. "Azula I love you and would do anything you asked me to. I just don't want you to think that proving your love means giving an intimate part of yourself. I'm here for you mind, spirit and body."

Azula rested her head in his arms. Judel kissed her forehead. "After all you've been through I don't want to leave or disappointed you. I just want you to know that being with me is taking a risk."

"What do you mean?"

Judel sighed heavily, this was the moment of truth. He made Azula face him. "Azula you must promise me that you will uphold our blood promise."

"Don't be foolish, what does blood have to do with anything?"

"I'm serious Azula, what I'm about to tell you is both shocking and disheartening."

Azula looked at Judel knowing immediately he meant business and she couldn't live without him. "Alright, I swear to keep our sanguineous contract."

Judel looked at her suspiciously and sat her down near the tree. "Me, Ping, Hiro and Xing are a part of a group called the Jaw-Long. We search for ancient relics, prophecies and theories. There was an ancient temple that we found on our voyage that had an inscription."

"What did it say?"

"The Avatars body will be aglow, creating a map. The Fire Nation and Water Tribe unite: water and fire is air, marking the airbenders return."

Azula within was shocked, but she kept her face stoic. "That's impossible the fire sages said they were all dead except for Aang."

"They searched for air nomads, not surviving descendants."

"Well that certainly is unexpected; cacophony is will abound in the Fire Nation. My grandfather Sozin must be rolling in his grave. Is this the reason for your dreadful mood?"

"That's another reason entirely," he said staring off into the distance, "What I'm saying to you is, I pledged my allegiance to the Jaw-Long, I may not come home alive, my family could be tortured or killed. I couldn't live with myself if something were to happen to you."

"I have royalty in my blood and I'm experienced military strategist, better than my own father; I will survive. Besides, I won't have you stolen by some wench."

Judel smiled and fiddled with something in his pocket he held in his hand a necklace with blue laced ribbon and an amber and blue carving in the middle with a flame and a wave representing water in the middle of it. "This is my biological mother's most precious jewel to me. It represents the perfect balance of fire and water. It would be my honor if you would wear it, as my wife."

Azula stared at the necklace in astonishment. Her journey had brought her many things, heartache, drama, disappointment and shame. Three years ago she would have looked down on a man like Judel, who was considered lower class water peasant. She never dreamed that love without ulterior motives was possible. Judel cared for Azula and the woman she now was. She was overcome with emotion and shook her head yes hugging Judel tightly. It was the first time Azula felt true ardor; the consequences way outweighed what she wanted all along. For the first time, Azula was happy.