Chapter seven:

Love it tough

Ursa tried to reason with Zuko, to make him see the light and not kill his sister. She didn't even deserve the death sentence. Usually to get that sentence, it was a death for a death and Azula hadn't killed anyone at all. Zuko couldn't find reason though, he still insisted on killing his younger sister. "Mother, please, this is for the best." "No Zuko, it's not. We can all live as one happy family without people dying." "Then you don't see my reasons." That conversation ended with Ursa being escorted out of the throne room.

Azula was strong enough to be up and about but not enough to travel. "Hey, Azula, could I…uh…see you in my room for a couple of minutes?" Katara asked, twiddling with her fingers nervously. Azula thought for a minute then nodded in agreement. Following the waterbender quietly, they came to her room and shut the door behind them. "So, what did you want to talk about?" Azula asked in a questioning tone. "Well, I just wanted to know if you were okay, that's all." Katara lied, looking away from Azula's gaze.

"You're lying. You forget, I can tell if someone's lying or not." Azula said skeptically, raising a fine eyebrow at the girl. "Okay, well, maybe it's something else too." Katara said, looking away. "What do you really want?" "This." Katara said quickly, leaning into Azula and lightly pressing her own lips to the others. Azula's eyes widened and she was hesitant to pull away.

This is wrong…I'm with Ty Lee…Azula thought to herself, closing her eyes. Finally, Azula pushed Katara away. "I'm sorry, I can't…I'm with Ty…" Azula looked sad; she didn't want to hurt her feelings. "I understand…I'm sorry too. Just know that I'll still love you and admire you from afar." Katara said, giving Azula sad smile before turning to leave. "I'm sorry, Katara."

Azula walked out of the inn and ran into Ty Lee. "Hey Ty." Azula said, pulling her girlfriend into a warm embrace. "What's wrong, 'Zula?" "Nothing much…I'm just having some trouble." "What kind of trouble?" "Just trouble Ty, nothing big."

Yeah right, nothing big…a love triangle, like that isn't big trouble Azula thought to herself as Ty Lee brought herself closer to her lovers face. Their lips met and a warm surge spread throughout Azula's body. They separated, Ty Lee smiling at Azula. "Thank you, Ty, I needed that." "Sure thing, 'Zula." Azula said nothing but hugged Ty Lee and looked over at the figure standing nearby, Katara. A twinge of pain shot through Azula.

Fire Nation palace:

"What should I do Mai?" Zuko asked as he paced back and forth. "Don't ask me, I thought you thought I was useless." Mai said expressionless, folding her arms tighter. "Mai, I need help!"

"Well, don't look at me!"

"But-!"

"No 'buts' Zuko!"

"But Mai!"

"I said no!"

The conversation was ended by Mai silencing Zuko's persistent begs and pleads. With conversation over, Mai strode out of the throne room and began walking towards one of the palace's many courtyards. When Mai came to one courtyard in particular, she stopped in front of a tree, engraved into the bark were three names; Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee.

Fire Nation Village:

"But Azula!"

"I said I'm not in the mood to talk right now!"

"But why not?"

"Because I'm not Ty…I'm just not."

"But…"

"Shush!"

"Why…"

"Shut it!"

"Not?"

"I said no!" Azula yelled, snapping towards Ty Lee who suddenly became very upset. "Fine, if that's the way you want it then don't talk to me for now. I'll be with Aang." Azula crossed her arms and stubbornly turned her back on the acrobat. "Well then, I'll be with Katara!" "Fine!" And with that, Ty Lee slammed the door behind her as she left the room. Azula uncrossed her arms and had a look of guilt and insecurity as to what she just did to her lover. "Ty Lee, I'm sorry." Azula whispered as if Ty Lee were still there.

Ty Lee found Aang meditating at a nearby river. He wasn't in the Spirit World, which was good because Ty Lee needed interaction with someone with as much wisdom as Aang. She would've normally gone to Iroh but he was in Ba Sing Se. "Hey, Aang," Ty Lee began, not wanting to bother the young hero but needing a response. "Oh, hello Ty Lee. What can I do for you?" Aang said, turning to face the pink acrobat as he paused his meditations.

"I'm having some…problems."

"I can tell."

"It's about Azula…"

"Did she snap again?"

"No, it's…" Ty Lee wasn't too sure if Aang would come down with a case of homophobia, not that he seemed the type to do so but still, Ty Lee couldn't be too sure. Aang looked at Ty Lee expectantly.

"Well…it's about love problems…with Azula…"

"Ah, I see."

"So, you're not shocked?"

"Nope."

"Not even disgusted?" "Nope. Why would I be?"

"Well, it's just…it's two girls and…" "Not surprised, disgusted, mad, grossed out, nothing. I think that if you find true love within a person than you should follow your heart, Ty Lee." ""Thank you Aang." Ty Lee said with a smile as she closed her eyes, contemplating on what she'd do to make up to Azula.