The morning light gently shimmers through my window and into my humble cell on the second story. A songbird twitters softly as it grazes its morning flight from the tree limb outside. I softly snuggle against the embracing arms that are wrapped around my waist. I'm half awake as he nudges against my thigh as we bundle together under the disarranged satin sheets, basking in the warmth of one another.

I gracefully move my thumb over his bare head, tracing it in a circle at the top. His eyelids hesitantly open and we gaze into each others' stares for what seems like hours. "Good morning," I say, giving him a peck on the cheek.

"Good Morning," he groans, half asleep.

"Did you enjoy last night?"

"Yeah...Did you?"

"Yeah." We embrace each other in a kiss as we wrap our arms around each other, his thin lips smoothly coursing against mine.

Suddenly an abrupt presence flies through the window. "Hey, Azula. How are you...Oh."

I jerk forward, holding the covers as not to expose myself. "It's not what it seems!"

"Sure, sure." Ty Lee says, grinning. "Just wondering how this all happened."

"None of your business!" I shout, getting angry.

"Fine, I'll leave you two love birds alone. But it's almost seven, you're going to be needed soon."

"Get out of here."

"Byeee!" she says as she beams a huge grin and nimbly jumps through the window, onto the balcony, and over the rooftops.

I sigh as Aang pulls himself beside me, "We really should get going." he said.

"I know," letting the obvious disappointment become apparent in my tone.

He rolls out of bed, hopping to his feet, exposing his bare body. He clears his throat, "Azula..." he says with an embarrassed moan.

"Oh yeah...sorry." I say, giggling a bit. I turn away as he assumes his underwear that was torn asunder the night previous.

"You know, I think today is gonna be a good day."

"What makes you say that?"

"Don't know. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but it seems like a good day." I yawn and stretch my arms. It's then we both hear steps coming down the hallway. We glance a look at each other, and we immediately convey our two thoughts.

"Quick, hide in the closet!" I mouth as I point to it. He tiptoes over to the closet and quietly shuts the door. I bundle up in the covers on my bed, pretending to be asleep.

There's a soft knock on the door. I hear a familiar voice: "Princess, are you awake?"

"Yes, Senor Mendoza." I answer, "I am, but I'm not decent."

"Ah, then I'll let you get dressed." I walk over to my closet and pull back the doors, revealing the half-naked Aang, trying to nudge himself between some shirts. I hear Mendoza's voice stifled behind the door, "It's funny, it's been almost three years since I met you that day. Time does seem to get away from us all, doesn't it?"

"Yes, it does."I answer, as my arms go for my assorted clothes, making my way around Aang. He sees this a few times and then becomes bolder. He goes in and grabs me into a fierce series of kisses. I am repulsed at first, but soon I am swooning on my feet, accepting it with a degree of playfulness. He and I osculate in short sporadic spurts, giving our bodies over to our lust only to be disrupted in our carnality as I pull away to answer Mendoza's inquiries.

"By the way, have you seen your friend? I went to his room to wake him but he was not there."

I pull away, stopping Aang with my hand long enough to slip on my panties and don my bra. "No, I said, I haven't."

"Well, I'm sure he is just exploring as boys that age do. I'm sure it's nothing serious." In the three years I have known Mendoza, his accent is still as strong and pitched as the day I met him. Though it annoys me to no end, I would be sort of sad if he did reduce it. I would have one less thing to laugh at. "Have you tried the dinning room? He might be there."

"Yes, perhaps you are right. I will check there. Good day to you."

"To you as well." I hear his footsteps fade as he walks down the hall and takes the stairs to the main foyer.

Aang is already perching his arms around my slender frame. "When are you going to tell your brother about us?"

"When the time is right." I say as move my arms around his back. Our lips touch for one last tender embrace before we clothe ourselves again.

We go about the task at hand. I put on my normal attire while Aang tries to sort out his disheveled clothing articles strewn about the floor from last night's affair. I watch as he helplessly tries to get his legs through the length of his trousers via my mirror while I put on my makeup. When he slips and falls, I laugh. "Need any help?"

"Nah, I got this." He tries again with the same consequence. "Damn trousers. How do you people wear these things?"

"How should I know? I'm a girl."

"Oh, yeah..." He pauses to think, stopping momentarily on his endeavor. "So, how did your father's annual memorial service go?'

"It was the same as normal. We performed the ritual and, well, all laid flowers at his tomb and burned incense."

"Sounds like a party."

"Zuko always makes sure to have everything perfect."

"I would imagine, after his unexpected suicide right before the comet arrived."

"Strange...I never knew father was so tormented."

"He didn't really seem it, did he?"

"No, but sometimes, people hide their emotions so well that they forget who they are. And when they find them again, it becomes too much to bear."

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright. Everything seems alright since Zuko came back from the Earth Kingdom. He gave back the colonies and handed over concessions; including hostages. Anything for peace. His assignment out in that god-forsaken desert has changed him, though. Made him wiser."

"Your brother is a great man."

I sigh, "I know." By now he is fully dressed and is sitting behind me, nibbling on my tender ear as we both look into the mirror at each other.

He whispers softly in my ear, "But you know what? He has the greatest sister in the world." he lets the words trail as he caresses my neck with his tongue until he laps against the base of my shoulder.

"You're really sweet, but your collar is crooked,"

He smirks, "Yeah, that's Azula. Anal as always."

"Come off it," I breathe out as we both start breaking into laughter.

"Admit it! You are like this on everything!"

"Am not!"

"What about the other day when you hit me for no good reason?"

"You were peeping!"

"So?" he says, flashing his now-trademark sheepish smile. I give him that look, "the stare", as I call it. He shrinks away. "So, any plans for today?"

"No, but I was thinking of going to the market to go shopping? Wanna come with me?"

He looks down, "Well..." I give him the look again, "Sure..."