Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar The Last Air Bender.

Author's Note: Hello my wonderful readers! I want to say thank you to the great readers that reviewed and to everyone who added this story to their alerts. Now, things might seem a little slower in this chapter but I promise it's necessary for the big stuff that's about to happen. Sit back, relax, read, and review!

Chapter 8 – Ember Island

The next couple of days of meetings went a lot smoother than the first. Azula was pleased to be having dinner with King Aarn. He seemed very open to the idea of exchanging students between his kingdom and the Air Nation. Sokka and Mai were also at their table, nodding in agreement to the idea.

"Princess Azula, have you plans of opening a university in the Air Nation?" King Aarn asked.

Azula laughed dryly, "The Air Nation isn't large enough for a university. Fire Lady Mai has given me suggestions for a more structured education and formal schooling, which I plan to carry out within the next year."

"It would be great to send some of those kids to the South Pole. There are so many new things being built. It would be a great learning experience," Sokka said.

"If we want to keep the peace, I believe these exchange programs will be the biggest stepping stone," King Aarn said as everyone nodded in agreement.

Azula was proud of herself. She had made an ally with a powerful Earth King. Not only that but she was making progress with most of the other representatives, except of course for the ones from Ba Sing Se. With Sokka's help, both Water Tribes agreed to help her with the exchange program.

Azula's thoughts were interrupted when she felt the Avatar's hand on her shoulder. He smiled brightly at her before turning his attention to everyone else. "Are you guys going to grab seats for the entertainment?" he asked.

King Aarn nodded, "I've always enjoyed the fire bending performances. It would be a treat to see someone bend lightning though." He gave Azula a wink.

She rolled her eyes, "Not tonight. I wouldn't want to scare all of these nice people."

Sokka laughed, "Then try smiling more often. Ow!" He whimpered as he rubbed the arm Azula punched.

It had been a very long time since Azula saw a Fire Nation performance. Mai and Zuko had outdone themselves putting the show together. There were Fire benders, belly dancers, and a magician. But it was the grand finale that stole Azula's breath. Fireworks of different colors and patterns lighted the night sky. These weren't ordinary fireworks though. Specially trained fire benders manipulated the fireworks to look like dragons flying, fire benders fighting, and much more. The last time Azula saw a show like this was with her mother, father and Zuko.

Thanks to the Avatar, Azula had the best seat in the palace. To be more precise she was on the tallest palace roof. "I've been thinking, we should go to Ember Island with Zuko and Mai," Aang said as he rubbed the small of her back.

"That actually sounds like a good idea," Azula agreed as she kissed him. "Let's just hope we survive the rest of the week."

"It's only two more days and then everyone will be gone."

"Good. If I never see that smug bastard Kuei again it will be too soon." Azula stated.

"I actually…um…wanted to talk about what he said during the first meeting," Aang stammered nervously.

Azula saw where this conversation was going and she did not want to have any part of it, "He's an idiot. Just forget it."

"I just don't want you think that I don't lo…" but Aang didn't finish because Azula pressed her fingers to his lips.

"Not now Avatar."

"I want to talk about this Azula." Aang protested.

"Well I don't." Azula decided to climb down the roof herself. Aang quickly grabbed her and air bended them down in silence. "I'm sleeping alone tonight," she stated.

His grey eyes penetrated her, "This conversation isn't over." He walked away to his own rooms.

Alone in her bed Azula replayed their conversation. In the safety of her own mind she could admit she wanted to hear him say he loved her. She allowed a small glimmer of hope that she really wasn't just his bed warmer. She also wasn't fool enough to think their relationship would be consequence free. In the safety of Fire Palace they could act as they wished, but the outside world wouldn't like. If he loved her then did that mean he put her above his Avatar duties and the world?

The last two days of meetings were so busy that Azula and Aang came to a sort of truce. Neither one brought up their fight and instead focused on wrapping up the meetings and getting ready for Ember Island. At the last meeting Azula had arranged dates for when the Northern Air Temple students would start their exchange program. In less than a year Dulin and his friends would spend a month in Omashu, a month in the South Pole and they would finish with a month in the Fire Nation before setting back home.

Azula was very pleased with how quickly she was able to make the arrangements. There was still much planning to do but she decided to worry about that after her vacation.

She was in her rooms getting ready for Zuko's private dinner party. Most of the guests had left yesterday when the meetings were officially over. Only the Fire Lord's close friends remained. Azula was deciding on an orange/red robe with a dark gold sash or a red gown. Iroh walked into her rooms, "What a beautiful robe," Iroh said pointing to the orange/red one. "I don't think I've seen a robe that color before."

Azula tossed the red gown onto her bed; "I had the royal tailors create a special dye for me."

"Mixing your two nations, how very clever Princess Azula," Iroh complimented.

Azula snorted, "I'm Fire Nation, Uncle."

Iroh smiled, "It's okay to be both."

She didn't have time to read into his words, "Was there something you needed Uncle?"

"I wanted to say thank you for the tea. I also wanted to tell you that I've decided to stay in the palace."

"You're moving back? What about your home in the Earth Kingdom?" Azula was curious.

"Since I'll be a great-uncle soon I figured it was time to come back home. "

Azula gave a dry laugh, "Zuko and his big mouth. He must have told everyone by now."

Iroh chuckled, "He's excited to be a father. I'm excited to have little ones running around the palace again."

"Mai's only having one baby," Azula reminded him.

Iroh gave her a mischievous smile, "Yes but she and Zuko aren't the only ones who can give me great nieces and nephews."

Azula looked at him seriously, "Don't start."

Iroh shrugged, "You can't blame your old uncle for trying."

Azula sat next to Suki as the Avatar and Sokka had a fruit pie eating contest. "I'm not sure if I am disgusted or amazed."

"A little of both," Suki answered.

"I win!" Aang yelled happily through a mouthful of pie.

"No fair!" Sokka sulked as Suki went over cheer him up.

Aang swallowed and turned to Azula, "Aren't you proud?"

The Princess rolled her eyes, "This is what the great Avatar wants me to be proud of?"

Aang smiled, "This is what Aang wants you to be proud of."

Azula knew what he was hinting at, but was grateful he decided to get more fruit pies and drop the subject.

Azula hadn't been on a ship since she tried to capture the Avatar. The salty air filled her lungs. The cool breeze blew her loose raven locks back. Water would never be her element, but looking at the beautiful sea calmed her. They were almost to the island.

"Remember when we used to come as kids?" Zuko asked as he stood behind her.

"Yes. We would beg Mother and Father to let us live on the island," Azula reminisced. They stood in silence watching the waves hit the ship. Both wondering how different their lives would have been if maybe their parents had given into their wishes.

She was sun tanning with Mai while their men played in the water. The summer palace hadn't changed much, which brought comfort to Azula. So much in her life was different; it was nice to have her childhood vacation home stay the same.

She felt cold water go down her chest and heard Mai shriek as Zuko and Aang laughed. The Avatar was bending a ball of water. Before he could toss it on her she shot his feet with mini lightning sparks.

"Hey!" he yelled while laughing. She saw Mai go after Zuko and advanced towards the Avatar.

"You'll pay dearly for that," she promised. Aang smiled and bended water into octopus arms that he used to gently whip at her ankles and rear end.

Azula couldn't dodge all of his attacks but she was able to shoot fireballs at his octopus arms. Just when she thought he was done she saw a huge wave of water come towards her. She couldn't run away because the Avatar grabbed her and brought her into the water.

She didn't feel the rush of water fill her nose and mouth. Instead the Avatar held her as he bended the water around them. She could see the fish swim around them. She could even see the coral reef under her feet. The Avatar let her explore before taking them back to the surface.

They sat on a more secluded part of the beach. The sun was high in the sky. Azula closed her eyes and let it dry her.

Aang admired Azula in her red bikini. She looked like a siren waiting for a ship of sailors. Aang laughed to himself thinking how beautiful yet dangerous she could be. He reached for her hand and pulled her onto his chest. "Azula?"

"Yes?" She murmured.

"I love you."

She pulled herself away to look into his eyes. "Why would you say that?"

Aang was confused, she sounded upset. "Why wouldn't I? It's the truth."

She shook her head. "Let's drop it."

"No, Azula. I know you don't want to talk about this but we have to. I'm not asking for a deep conversation. I just want to know that you feel the same way I do," he said passionately.

Her golden eyes never left his. She wasn't an emotional person. She had never asked for love. She could easily tell him she didn't want a relationship. There was the most powerful man on Earth waiting with an open heart. However she didn't see the Avatar. She finally saw Aang, the man who helped her, who waited for her, who would love her. "I love you too, Aang."

Just like he said, he didn't ask for more. Instead he kissed her passionately as their love consumed them with a blazing heat.

Mai had insisted they have dinner at an outdoor restaurant. Zuko and Azula had protested saying people would recognize them but the pregnant woman got her way.

"I don't see how Aang and I got dragged into this. She's your wife," Azula grumbled at Zuko while she picked at her food.

"Think of it as family time," Zuko said sarcastically.

After dinner the four of them went to watch a local play. The story was about a beautiful fire nation princess that fell in love with a volcano spirit. The spirit would only show him self to her at night, because that was the only time he didn't have to guard the lava from spilling over and destroying the nation. One night, when the princess gave herself to him, the spirit forgot to leave before sunrise. He was able to stop the volcano from completely racking havoc but damage was done.

Everyone blamed the princess. As punishment, the Fire Lord banished her across the nation to a high tower. She could see the volcano but was forbidden from leaving her tower. The spirit had no clue as to his princess's whereabouts. Since he could only search at night, it took him two years to find her. When he did find her, he was able to help her escape. But the volcano was too far away and the spirit wasn't able to reach it before sunrise. In order to keep the volcano from erupting and to save her love, the princess threw herself into the volcano. It was said that Agni took pity on the lovers and allowed the princess to become a spirit of the volcano.

Azula was impressed by the actors' performance. Never had a play caught her attention like that. "Is the story true?" She asked Aang.

"It might be. I've never met any volcano spirits." Aang answered.

"This play was much better than the one we saw together," Zuko told Aang. Both men laughed.

"You mean the one where a girl played Aang and Zuko was in love with Katara?" Mai asked.

It was Azula's turn to laugh, "I'd like to see that."'

Both men shook their heads, "Absolutely not. Besides, they stopped performing it when I became Fire Lord," Zuko said smugly.

Azula just rolled her eyes as they walked back to the summer palace.