Chapter four:

Facing the flames

Ty Lee and Katara talked about the palace lockdown, a severe problem and roadblock in their plan. Apparently Zuko had found out from a guard. "This is a really bad thing, Zuko knows about Azula's "escape" and now he'll be searching all over the place for her. I don't know what he plans for her now but I know it won't be anything good." Katara said sternly, looking over at the ex-princess, who now had a fearful expression in her amber eyes. "Zuko…wants to kill me?" Azula asked, directing her gaze to Katara.

"No, I never said he'd kill you." "But you implied it." "But I never said he was considering that." This argument was ended by Ty Lee and a knock at the door. All three girls held their breath, anticipation hanging in the air. "Open up! We need to investigate!" a gruff mans voice came from the other side. Ty Lee nodded to Katara and both helped Azula into a camouflaged room. "J-just a moment, I'll be right there! I'm kind of changing right now." The guard waited impatiently for a few minutes.

"Why hello there, did you need anything?" Without answering, the guard shoved his way into the guest room, pushing Katara aside roughly. Looking around, the guard turned and left, eyeing the two girls suspiciously as he left. Katara shut the door and locked it. "Well, that was a little too close if you know what I mean." Ty Lee nodded in agreement as she went over to the emerging Azula.

"I can't stay here anymore. It's too dangerous for everyone if I do." Ty Lee looked stunned. "No, 'Zula, you can't leave. Please, you have to stay with me, my auras never been pinker." Ty Lee said, using the words she had when they were younger. Azula's eyes widened for a moment and then closed. "Ty Lee, I can't stay…you saw what happened. Zuko is ordering anyone who sees me to take me down. To kill me on the spot…or anyone who is affiliated with me. I can't do that to you." Azula said, pulling Ty Lee into a hug, burying her face in her hair. Katara looked at the couple with a small smile on gracing her lips.

Ursa sat down in the courtyard, memories of Zuko coming to mind. They fed turtle-ducks here everyday, they played and laughed…while Azula was stuck inside with Ozai, training until she was on the brink of unconsciousness. Ursa needed to reform her relationship with Azula, she let her down and Azula was only a child back then, causing pain to siblings was what they did, right? Ursa sighed, what was she to do now? Tell on Azula and cause her more pain or abandon Zuko for Azula? It was decisions like these that Ursa didn't like.

Azula sat with Ty Lee resting in her lap underneath a great tree in a secluded field far from the palace. Aang had offered to bring them here and Azula took the offer with gratitude. She needed to be away from the chaos happening in her old home. Azula sighed and Ty Lee looked up at her.

"What's wrong, 'Zula?"

"Nothing, Ty...nothing is wrong, I'm just tired."

"'Zula, you can't lie to me. I know when something's wrong."

"Okay, fine, you caught me."

"So, what is it?" Ty Lee was hanging onto Azula's neck, her arms lightly supporting herself as she settled back into the princess's lap. "My mother…she didn't even come by, not once. So, I guess I'm still a little disappointed at that. But, it's something else," Azula paused and looked into Ty Lee's eyes. "I guess my brother wanting me dead has me worried. I never expected him to go this far. I knew he hated my very existence…but still…"

Azula looked up at the clear blue sky, the sun reflecting off of her golden eyes. Ty Lee leaned up and kissed her lightly on the corner of her mouth. Azula's lips curved into a smile at the contact. "But, then again, there's always a good side to things." "Yeah, and what's that?" "You, Ty Lee, I have you." Azula said as she tackled Ty Lee to the ground.