CHAPTER ONE

A/N: What I said at the beginning in the last chapter was wrong; it wasn't "For the past three years". Please take note that what I meant to say was "After the war ended". Sorry if anyone is confused.

"Separation makes the heart grow fonder."

That was what Toph had said to reassure Aang that everything would be alright, that by letting Katara settle in the South Pole, he wouldn't be losing her. Now, three years later, Aang, single and not involve in any romantic relationship at all, could've laugh in derision at Toph's words. But for the most part, he could've laugh at himself and at his naivety. What an idealistic fool he is – was, he quickly corrected himself – and never again, he swore to himself, will his head be filled with such silly notions ever again. What a fool he was back then, thinking a long distance relationship would last.

It was mutual; their decision to break up was their choice, and they chose to remain friends and to keep in contact, though they never wrote to each other very often, and when they do, it was very brief and very detached. It had a devastating impact on both of them, because one of the things keeping them sane and going strong is their relationship but they knew deep inside that it was for the best. Now Aang could concentrate on world peace whilst Katara is able to teach the little waterbenders in South Pole and finally had the comfortable, normal life that she claimed she wanted.

He knew that he still had feelings for her, and those feelings ran really deep, though he also knew that they can never be together; they were walking different paths and fulfilling different purposes in their lives. Besides, he snorted, she has already moved on. Last he heard from Sokka, she was involved in a serious relationship with some Water Tribe warrior. Being older and much mature than he used to be, Aang kept quiet, trying to be happy for her…and failing miserably. He loved her but he knew that she would be happier and safer with the other guy. He's sure he didn't want to mess that up for her, no matter how much it hurt him.

Time passed and soon Aang was approaching his sixteen birthday. Two weeks before that auspicious day, Zuko sent everyone in their little gang a letter, stating that he wanted to celebrate Aang's transition to adulthood in the Fire Nation capital, and since it was the first real reunion with all of them together, he absolutely wouldn't take no for an answer. Aang was delighted and honoured that Zuko decided to throw him a party and he couldn't wait for the big reunion.

Also…

Aang was dreading – and looking forward to – seeing Katara again.

Xxx

A ribbon of light streamed through a small crack in the stone wall. It was the only source of light and warmth in the otherwise cold, pitch dark cell in which Azula was currently living in.

It had certainly been humiliating to be subjected to such a lowly cell such as this, especially since she used to be Fire Lord, but at least the conditions in her prison were…bearable. Rats weren't running around the area, the toilet was reasonably hygienic and she was able to have three hot meals a day but still, for a Princess of her standards, this was an all time low.

She was sure she would have suffered in a terrible jail like her father's unless she pretended to be insane and gain the sympathy of her gullible brother and his so-called noble friends. A cruel smile graced her lips.

She could not believe that her brother fell for her act of insanity, really believing that she was so overwhelmed with power that it drove her to madness. The poor boy truly believed her, and she had him eating out of her hand. She knew that she was terribly outnumbered and her father's ambitious grand plans were only going to fail, so she did what she thought best: feign her lunacy and stay awhile in prison, and when the time is right, she will break out of her cell and stay hidden, until the time comes for her to regain her dignity, honour and kingdom.

"Then why did you see your mother in the mirror?" a voice inside her head nagged.

She had thought about that too, pondered about it in the long hours of imprisonment and she wondered if she was truly mad. Then, she laughed to herself. She must have been so into her acting, that her mind must have been playing tricks on her so she dismissed the issue. She certainly did not see her mother in the mirror; she certainly did not want to see her. She hated her mother, whose affections for Zuko was clearly displayed, while Azula herself was cast aside. She had always been alone, and sometimes she coveted half the attention her mother paid to Zuko.

She felt hot tears coming to her eyes, and she swallowed it back down her throat, making it sting a little. She mentally kicked herself for momentarily feeling sorry for herself, for putting herself in such a vulnerable state of mind for it seems as though whenever she lets her guard down and actually begins to trust someone, she would always wind up getting hurt, take Mai and Ty Lee for instance. It's the same thing with her mother. Her mother did nothing but chastise her and see her as a monster and whenever Azula tries to be nice and stay out of trouble, she never notices the effort Azula is making to get close to her.

Azula never admitted it, but she hated those few moments in her life when she ached to be loved by her mother, those precious few moments where she actually regretted doing all those horrendous things. To her, yearning for her mother's love and affection is pathetic.

Swallowing yet another fresh new wave of tears, she did not need her mother's love.

So what if she was never loved by anyone in her entire life? She will be feared. Revered. Respected. Nations will bow down to her and her own father and brother will crawl and snivel at her feet. The Avatar and his little gang will be shamed and they too, shall beg her for mercy. Banishing all previous thoughts about her mother, she smirked to herself. If she was able to take down Ba Sing Se by the age of fourteen, she was certain she would be able to conquer the world by the time she is fifteen.

"Princess?" a familiar voice said.

She turned around and saw one of her faithful followers, Xiao Yan. She is merely a maid that has been assigned to look after Azula, visiting her everyday to bring her good food and other things that she might need. Azula knew that she was her ticket out of here. Thus, after months and months of trying to win her sympathy, she managed to convince Xiao Yan that she was the victim in this whole ordeal and that she was truly the one who wanted world peace. "Hello, Xiao Yan. How is your grandfather? Is he well?" Azula queried in her sweetest, most sincerest tone.

Xiao Yan blushed at the thought that Azula, such a powerful princess – well she used to be anyway – would be so kind enough to ask about her grandfather.

"He is well, Princess," she said in a small voice.

"Good. That is good to know. Have you done everything I asked you to do?"

"Yes, Princess. Everything is in order."

"Splendid. Thank you."

For once in Azula's life, everything is turning out to be fine.