AN: I know I said no writing for a month but I had to get this done because the stupid plot bunnies wouldn't leave me be and I wanted to put something up for Thanksgiving. I know it's been a while and I'm sorry for the wait, but once again schoolwork got in the way. Also, thanks for the amazing reviews I really appreciate them! Just a quick heads up some things that Soza has been keeping quiet about will be hinted at in this chapter (mainly how the confrontation with her father about Zuko's banishment went) and yes as promised there is tyzula! So sit back, relax, and enjoy :) As always R&R
Azula strode through the camp, trying her best to ignore the workers setting up for the circus performance. The princess had no patience for the commoners, and it was only because of her that she was here in the first place. Azula found her thoughts wandering as an image of the acrobat flashed in her mind again. Before Ty Lee had run away, the two of them had been nearly inseparable. Well, it had been more like the acrobat following her around wherever she went, practically bouncing off the walls with her bubbly enthusiasm for everything. Azula wouldn't bother to keep her around if she wasn't so skilled in chi blocking...and she had her other uses. She was so lost in her thoughts that she walked past a girl in pink who was balancing perfectly on the tips of her index fingers before she realized who she was. Her heart quickened momentarily before she brushed aside the emotions. She took a moment to center herself, before approaching the girl with a cold smile firmly in place.
"Ty Lee could that possibly be you?"
The girl's grey eyes widened and she smiled broadly, "Azula!" Gracefully she twirled and bowed before running forward and embracing the princess. As they pulled away, she noticed a slight blush tinge Ty Lee's cheeks. Azula couldn't stop herself from smirking, but she kept a hold on Ty Lee's hands for a brief moment before allowing their hands to drop.
"Please don't let me interrupt your-well whatever it is you were doing." Azula raised her eyebrows as the acrobat smiled and promptly back flipped into another uncomfortable looking position. She mentally rolled her eyes. Ty Lee hadn't changed one bit. In fact, the acrobat was practically glowing with happiness. Azula was fairly certain that was going to change the moment the acrobat found out why she was here.
"I have a proposition for you." Sure enough the girl's face fell slightly before it lit up again with a smaller smile.
"My father has given Soza and I the task of hunting down the Avatar since Zuzu failed miserably. I would be honored if you would accompany us."
"Oh well I uh would love to Azula, but the circus is my home now. My aura has never been pinker!" Ty Lee tried not to look up at Azula, choosing instead to pretend to be preoccupied with bending her legs above her head. The truth was, part of her was dying to accept the prodigy's proposal, but she couldn't bring herself to leave the one place she felt accepted. She could feel her friend's eyes on her and heat rushed to her cheeks as she unconsciously moved into another handstand.
Azula wasn't surprised by the acrobat's refusal. In fact, she had planned on it. She gave Ty Lee a predatory smile and shrugged to show she was unfazed by her friend's remark. "Well I can give you time until tonight to think about it. Of course I will have to catch your show before I return to my ship."
The acrobat faltered and she flipped back onto her feet to recover. She turned away from Azula and raised a leg to stretch it out, her eyes betraying the panic she felt threatening to overwhelm her. "Um yeah sure…of course."
A slight pressure around her waist made her squeak in surprise. She looked down disbelievingly at Azula's pale hands that were encircled possessively around her waist. Azula smirked at the acrobat's reaction, taking the opportunity to lightly brush her lips against Ty Lee's ear, causing the girl to shiver. "Good. I can't wait to see your performance."
She released Ty Lee and stood back, amused at how red the acrobat's face had become. She turned to leave, satisfied with how things had gone, "See you soon Ty Lee."
Ty Lee stood frozen in place until the princess's footsteps faded. Slowly, she exhaled the breath she had unconsciously been holding before sitting down with her head in between her hands. "Agni, how does she always do this to me?" She muttered to herself.
-8-8-8-8-8-8-
"What do you mean you lost their trail?" Soza snarled, willing herself to stay in control as she rounded on the captain. It had been mere hours since her brother and uncle had escaped and the incompetent soldiers had somehow managed to let them disappear back into the Earth Kingdom.
Soza knew the moment Azula got back she was going to be blamed for their failure, and her one shot at rectifying their mistake was fading fast. She glared expectantly at the captain, who suddenly found the floor a lot more interesting than the furious princess in front of him.
"They did not go back into the village like we had believed, but we have soldiers posting wanted signs in all the nearby villages, Princess. If they show themselves, they will be captured." He glanced up, expecting that the princess would be satisfied with his answer, only to be met by a pair of cold golden eyes.
"And you expect me to be pleased with this?"
"Well, Princess I - "
"I will not be satisfied until I see both of those traitors thrown into a prison cell! If you don't find them soon you will not only have to deal with me, but my sister as well."
The captain knew then he was as good as dead. One princess was bad enough, but the two of them together was just terrifying. "My apologies, Princess. My men and I will redouble our search."
"That would be a good idea." Soza said coldly. "I'd start that now if I were you."
"Y-yes Princess," stuttered the man before hurrying from the room.
-8-8-8-8-8-
Balancing high on the tightrope, Ty Lee watched the tiny faces below her, but only one mattered. Her princess. Her heartbeat quickened at the thought, her concentration momentarily lapsing and she wavered for a moment on top of the tightrope. Ty lee had always adored Azula. Her confidence, her beauty, and the way she made her feel so safe. She missed that she thought as she tried to shift her weight onto one hand. Accepting the prodigy's offer was tempting, but she knew if she did she would be leaving the circus forever. Was it worth it? She frowned as she moved gracefully into a full split balanced precariously on a single index finger. Five months ago, before she ran away she wouldn't have hesitated. She had used any excuse to be near Azula, a fact that was not lost on the firebender. It hadn't taken long for Azula to discover Ty Lee's infatuation with her, and being Azula she had found a way to twist it to her own advantage.
Ty Lee knew she should feel angry for being manipulated, but she had been surprisingly content. She was finally free to show Azula how much she cared for her, and all she had to do was follow the prodigy's every order, which she would have done anyway. Things had changed though. Now she had found a place she could call home and had everything she ever wanted. Except Azula. The acrobat shook her head angrily. Thinking that wasn't going to help her at the moment. Part of her was worried that the princess would be furious at her refusal. The fact that she was so calm now was making Ty Lee paranoid, and she kept waiting for her to do something. The Azula she knew wouldn't take no for an answer, and she always got what she wanted in the end.
-8-8-8-8-8-
Soza knew something was wrong with her. She was having a hard time controlling herself at the moment and she was fairly certain Uncle's meddling with her chi had something to do with it. She had taken to pacing in her room to try to calm down, but she was having little success. Disjointed parts of her dream and the confrontation kept popping up in her mind making it difficult to concentrate on anything else. After yet another image of a dead Zuko flashed in front of her, Soza cursed and shot a stream of fire into the air. Even now, after she had accepted he was a traitor, she couldn't stop feeling bad for Zuko. Wasn't it enough that she had the reminders of the pain he had caused her permanently burned into her skin? Out of habit she brought her hands to her back, and flinched as she felt the familiar scars running from her shoulder blade to her waist.
For some reason, her father had chosen to keep her humiliation private, unlike her brother's. Until Azula had brought it up earlier, she had been so sure no one else had known about it. She let her hands drop from her back and focused instead on fixing her hair, which had fallen loose around shoulders. If Azula had known for so long, why was she just bringing it up now? Soza frowned as she tightened her ponytail. Maybe it was best not to know. With a final glance in her mirror to make sure she looked presentable, Soza placed her crown securely on her head. A princess of the Fire Nation stared back at her from the mirror, a blank mask hiding the conflict inside.
-8-8-8-8-8-8-
"What an exquisite performance." Ty Lee smiled faintly at the compliment as she took the dead roses from Azula.
"Thanks Zula. I'm glad you liked the show." Azula smirked at the slight blush slowly spreading on Ty Lee's face. Well this is going to be easy.
"So have you thought about my offer?" The acrobat cringed and dropped the bouquet of flowers.
Her hands trembled with fear as she bent to pick it up. "I'm not sure. I still feel like I belong here, " Ty Lee squeaked.
She flinched and closed her eyes, waiting for Azula to lash out at her, but the Fire Princess smiled. She had a different plan for the unsuspecting acrobat. Ty Lee tentatively opened an eye and was surprised to find Azula chuckling at the fear plastered across her face.
"Did you think I was going to set you on fire or something?"
Ty Lee gaped at the princess as if she had grown a second head. "You're not mad?"
The princess shook her head amusedly, "No of course not. Why would I be?"
The acrobat was speechless. She had been so sure Azula would be furious. Azula chuckled as she sat down on the couch and gave the acrobat an appraising look.
"Are you going to stand there gawking at me all night?" Ty Lee mumbled a quick apology and placed the roses on her dresser before sitting down on the couch next to Azula.
As soon as she sat down, Azula moved closer to her until their legs were barely touching. A rush of desire coursed through Ty Lee as she stared at the princess, who was smirking as if she knew exactly what Ty Lee was thinking. Ty Lee's eyes met Azula's and she barely surpressed a gasp as she found herself being swallowed by the intensity of Azula's gaze. How long had it been since she had seen that glint of desire? Too long she thought. She felt Azula shift imperceptibly on the couch, further closing the small gap that remained between them. Ty Lee's heart was hammering as her eyes shifted to gaze at the firebender's red lips that were moving closer. She really was beautiful.
Azula's lips crashed against her own and her gasp of surprise was muffled as the Princess's lips moved against hers, rough yet soft at the same time. The acrobat tried to fight the urge to respond to the kiss by halfheartedly pushing against Azula's chest, but it was useless. Azula could feel the acrobat relax in her grip and she knew she had won. Her hands roamed over the curves of the acrobat's body pulling her closer. Ty Lee let out a moan as Azula's tongue danced in her mouth, sending shivers down her spine. A part of her was screaming at her that this was wrong, but it was quickly being silenced by the need to lose herself in Azula's touch. As suddenly as Azula had grabbed her, she let go. Ty Lee growled in frustration and tried to pull the prodigy to her, but Azula just smiled and pushed her hands away.
"If you really want me, Ty, you're going to have to come with me." Ty Lee froze and stared at Azula. She had planned the entire thing, and the worst part was Ty Lee knew she couldn't refuse.
"You're using me again aren't you." It wasn't a question; it was a more of a defeated statement.
"Yes I am." Azula shrugged. She felt momentarily guilty as she saw the hurt in the acrobat's eyes, but she brushed it away, "but that doesn't change things. I know you and you can't stay away from me forever. You always come back." The acrobat bit her lip and looked away, the truth of Azula's words ringing in her ear.
She wanted so badly to walk away, to prove Azula wrong. I don't need her. She knew it was a lie. She was always going to need the princess, she couldn't help it. No matter how many times she tried to run away, Azula would just step in and bring her back. Ty Lee sighed and turned around to face the princess.
"Well then, I guess we shouldn't keep Soza waiting." Ty Lee muttered as she pushed herself up from the couch.
-8-8-8-8-8-
In the time it took them to make it back to the ship, Ty Lee had gone back to her normal overly enthusiastic self and was chattering incessantly about how wonderful it would be to see Soza again. No matter how many times Azula snapped at her to shut up, the acrobat would smile even wider and go on as if she hadn't been interrupted. When Ty Lee finally saw Soza waiting for them at the top of the gangplank, she rushed ahead and seized the girl in a hug, forgetting in her excitement to bow. Azula had rolled her eyes at that, but frowned when she saw the look on Soza's face. Her sister was carefully avoiding making eye contact with her, and she suddenly noticed that there were a lot less guards on deck then when she had left.
"What happened?" Soza's jaw tightened as she finally extricated herself from Ty Lee's hug and turned to her sister.
"They escaped. The guards were careless and let slip that they were prisoners." Azula's eyes flashed with fury. Her plan had been foiled by her own guards! Further proof that she was right to form a smaller team.
"It doesn't matter. Father has given us a more important mission anyway. We can let these imbeciles deal with the traitors for now." Soza's eyebrows furrowed with confusion.
"What new mission?"
"You mean you don't know? Ooh Azula can I tell her? Please?" Ty Lee squealed jumping up and down in excitement as she gazed imploringly at the princess.
Before Azula could respond, Ty Lee continued on, "We're going to capture the Avatar! Won't that be fun?"
"Yeah I suppose it will be," Soza frowned, "but do you even know where to start, Azula? No offense, but we have no idea where the Avatar is at the moment."
Azula smirked at her sister before handing over the scroll she had received from the Firelord. "Of course I know where he is."
Soza gave Azula a questioningly look before unrolling the scroll. Her eyes widened as she scanned the message, and realization dawned on her face.
"The Western Earth Kingdom Mountain Range? But that means he's headed for - "
"Omashu." Azula finished, determination gleaming in her golden eyes. "And I believe there's someone there who would be more than happy to join our little group."