I've not forgot about my other story but this one just kinda popped out. If you haven't noticed by now then please note that these chapters are not in chronological order but I do hope that adds to the charm.
When Azula first lays eyes on him, she arches an eyebrow in disbelief. This is the man that the Fire Nation is hunting? The man her brother has been chasing? The Avatar her father fears even if he is too proud to admit it?
He seems to be about the same age as Zuko though he stands taller. His shoulders are nicely broad and she can't help but notice the muscle definition. It's a warrior's physique and Azula has always been a sucker for a good warrior.
So Azula decides to put him to the test and launches her attack with a barrage of blue flaming discs. He counters with discs of air that split her flames in two. She cocks her head intrigued but not impressed. Her next attack involves flames flaring form her hands and feet as she does a complicated jump spin kick with a surprise twist at the end that snaps the flame back into a hook.
She can't repress the grin on her face when he manages to avoid and evade the searing flames before countering with gusts of wind that have her flipping backwards out of the way. Landing in a crouch, she sees the light in his gray eyes and recognizes it for what it is: curiosity.
Azula feels her blood heating up and she knows it shows in her amber eyes because she sees the same spark in his gray ones. Drawing a deep breath she launches herself at him and flames flare at her fists. She is known for her aggressive, straightforward approach and it pays off more often than not. Zuko has often found himself on the wrong end of her fire.
The Air Bender hits the ground hard but recovers quicker than he ought to, quicker than Zuko ever did. A sweeping kick lands her flat on her back and she is momentarily stunned. She is stunned just enough to give the Avatar the advantage and he is on top of her. It becomes more of a grappling match than anything as each battle for control.
Locking her legs around his waist she rolls them so she is on top but he has more strength in his arms than she does and it becomes a contest of wills. Azula can't explain why she doesn't just strike and get it over with. His strong jaw line is a perfect target and she could easily knock him out from her vantage point. That would almost be too easy though. For his part he is striving just to restrain her wrists so she swings her leg around and twists her arms out of his grasp.
Azula is rolling away, scrambling to her feet but he is soon on top of her again. She hits the ground hard with his added weight on her back and it knocks the air out of her. His forearm comes into view as he wraps it around her neck but he doesn't tighten it. It's more there to just let her know he could. She doesn't relish being in a chokehold at the moment so she just lies there.
They lay like this both gasping for breath, each of his exhales ghosts across her ear and neck. As the burning need for air begins to ease, she becomes aware of how he is pressed against her, his front to her back, hips aligned, his legs intertwined around her own. It nearly makes her shiver at the sensation of being this close to another person. She gives an experimental wiggle but he only tightens his hold on her.
She gives a little laugh. "I think you're enjoying this too much."
He laughs in reply but his other hand reaches out to cover her one free wrist that is stretched out in front of them. "Maybe, maybe not."
Azula flexes her fingers, feeling his hand tighten around her wrist for her trouble. "Now what?" She asks as she arches slightly back into him. She is probing this strange situation. No man ever dares to touch her like this. Romantic encounters were not exactly allowed or encouraged so her only experience has been in battle
Though she can't say she has ever had a battle that ended with her opponent on top of her. Not that there was ever an opponent before that she would have let be on top of her but she pushes that thought away. Azula isn't weak, just curious.
His deep voice snaps her out of her thoughts. "That depends, who are you exactly and why were you attacking my friends?" No doubt at this moment Mai and Ty Lee are making short work of the Water Tribe peasants. However, she can't be certain of it as they have become separated from the others during their own battle.
She raises her head so his chin comes to rest on her shoulder more. "Azula."
"Something tells me there is more to it than that." He replies playfully as he pulls her outstretched arm towards them.
"Princess Azula, daughter of the Fire Lord. I believe you know my brother Zuko."
He lets out a sigh as he grabs her wrist with his other hand, holding her in place. "That's unfortunate." There is genuine regret in his voice that she swallows thickly against.
"No need for it to be. It's just a title, right, Avatar?"
"Aang, my name is Aang." His now free hand slides down her side causing her to momentarily jump at the sensation.
"What are you doing?" The words come out faster than she means for them to. Azula's not panicked just surprised.
Aang doesn't answer though as his hand continues its journey, grazing the side of her breast down her side and coming to rest on the belt at her waist. Before she can react, he pulls on it and rises up using the leverage to flip her onto her back. Quickly moving to straddle her waist he leans forward hands pinning her wrists on either side of her head and looks at her.
Her father would beat her for letting him take such liberties. He would beat her for just lying here under the enemy while he drinks his fill of the sight of her. But Ozai is an ocean away right now so she pushes thoughts of her father out of her head and focuses on the man in front of her.
"See something you like, Avatar?" Azula asks wryly.
One hand gently caresses her face, tracing the line of her jaw. "I already told you, Princess, my name is Aang." He leans forward just a barely imperceptible amount and she thinks he's about to kiss her.
But he stops. In the distance she can hear the sound of clashing metal and splashing water.
"Please understand that the Fire Lord has to be stopped." The truth shines in his eyes and he really does believe in his cause.
Gently so as to not alarm him she reaches up, sliding one hand over the fabric on his chest, appreciating the feel of muscle underneath.
"Please understand that the Fire Lord can't be stopped and I have to do my duty to the Fire Nation and capture you." Azula fists her hand in the front of his shirt.
He smiles in response. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to do, Azula."
She glares at him but uses her hold on him to pull him closer. "You don't understand. How could you understand? I have to do what destiny is telling me to do."
Aang lets her pull him closer. "Do you really think that I am your destiny?" His lips curl into a smile at the double meaning in his words.
Azula answers his smile with one of her own and closes the distance to press her lips to his. She's not experienced at this, not one bit, but it's a quick peck and nothing more. Still it sparks something inside of her and she sees it did the same for him.
"One way or another it might be." Her voice holds a threat in it. "I will bring you to face the Fire Lord."
Aang nods and says in a wise tone. "I will face the Fire Lord one day, but not today, Princess, and not because I am your prisoner."
The sounds of the others grow louder as they draw near and the moment passes.
They hear the slight whistling sound in the air at the same time and he ducks dropping on top of her. The small thin blade sails over them and lands a few feet away and the battle is back on.
She uses her hold on his shirt to try to roll them but he breaks free and is on his feet. Azula rolls to her own feet just in time to avoid a water whip aimed at her head. More knives fly driving him back. She casts a glance in his direction before turning towards the Water Bender and unleashing rings of fire.
It becomes a flurry of blue flames, discs of air, blue water, flying knives, and the pink blur of Ty Lee in the middle. A roar from above stops everything as a large lumbering white beast drops almost on top of Azula. That is if a giant gust of wind hadn't knocked her back at the last moment. She lands on the ground, sitting up to see Mai and Ty Lee doing the same. The Water Tribe peasants climb aboard; one of them grabbing the reigns. The Avatar catches her eye and with a brief smile he is bounding up into the saddle.
The white beast whisks them away into the sky.
"Mind telling me what that was about?" Mai implores in that monotone voice of hers.
"Yeah, Azula, what was going on?" Ty Lee chimes in, eye wide and curious.
Standing up she dusts herself off and ignores their questions. "Let's go." She snaps as she leads the way back to their mounts. "He won't get far."
AN: This chapter takes place when Azula is on the hunt for the Gaang and before Toph or Zuko joined them.