Disclaimer - I do not own Avatar The Last Air Bender

Author's Note: Surprise my wonderful readers! I had some free time and I wanted give you guys an extra update! :) Just as an FYI, this story is nowhere near done. I have a few more arcs in store and I'm even thinking about a sequel. I really enjoy writing this story and I love that there are people who enjoy reading it. As always, sit back, relax, read and review!

Chapter 9 – Earth and Water

Azula found herself on Appa soaring through the sky. The couple of weeks on Ember Island had gone by too fast. However she had a lot of work to do at the Northern Air Temple, which was where they were headed. She also had a time frame of six months. She promised Mai she would be at the Fire Nation palace for the royal birth.

"We're here!" Aang said happily. He quickly grabbed her around her waist and jumped from Appa.

There was a small crowd of people waiting for them. Surprisingly it wasn't Aang who was swarmed by fans but Azula. Dulin was the first to greet Azula with a bow. "Princess Azula! It's an honor to see you again."

She waved away his formalities, "I know all of you have been practicing your fighting and bending." The group of teenagers nodded. "Good because I won't go easy on you."

"Princess Azula, please tell us about the conference." An eager girl of about fifteen named Atiya asked. The others began to murmur in excitement.

Azula gave them a hard look, "That can wait until after dinner."

The group groaned. "Oh stop whining." She led them to an open courtyard and began to stretch. "As all of you know, Dulin requested the Northern Air Temple take part in an exchange program. The Avatar and I agreed it would be an excellent way for you to see the world and help maintain peace."

She sat down on a bench as the group waited eagerly for her to continue. "King Aarn of Omashu had a similar idea for the students at his new university. Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe and Fire Lady Mai are also interested in the program. Now, before we can send anyone anywhere we need to establish some sort of formal education. I can't have you represent the Air Nation and not know how to read, write, or simple mathematics."

"Princess Azula, some of the adults here used to be teachers. Maybe we could set up something with them?" Dulin offered.

Azula nodded, "Someone bring me parchment and ink. I'll also need messenger hawks. Dulin, go find the people you said were teachers. We only have a few months to set this up."

Everyone rushed to do as they were told. Yes, vacation time is over, Azula thought to herself.

It was almost past midnight when Azula finally got to the room she shared with Aang. He was on the balcony meditating, "Busy day?"

Azula snorted, "It's going to be a busy few months."

"Try not to tire yourself out," Aang said with concern.

"Don't be ridiculous. I've fought in a war. Setting up a school will be nothing," Azula stated as she snuggled into the bed next to him. Aang decided it was pointless arguing with her. He kissed her goodnight but she was already fast asleep.

The next morning Azula rose with the sun. Her fan club was waiting for their morning sparring lesson. To her surprise, they remembered everything she had taught them. It was a good feeling knowing these kids respected her. There was no fear in the way they approached her. With them her past was never an issue.

After lunch, Aang called a temple meeting. He and Azula agreed the sooner they had a council the easier their work would become. The temple residents were buzzing with excitement.

Aang stood in the center of the courtyard. "I'm sure all of you know that Princess Azula and I returned from the World Peace Conference. Before we left many ideas were presented to us. The one idea everyone agreed on was setting up a council to help run the temple. When the air benders resided here, we had a council of elders. After much thought, I've decided a council of elders will not fit with our new nation. Also, position of council member will not be for life. Any council member is free to step down when he or she chooses."

The Mechanist spoke up, "Avatar Aang, how will we decide who is in the council and for how long?"

Aang smiled, "I'm leaving that up to everyone here. Of course I will help but this is your home and you all are Air Nation now. I trust everyone can work together."

After two days of meetings and voting, the residents had set up a council, needing only small amounts of help from the Avatar or Azula. The idea of voting and council rotation was strange to Azula, since she was royalty. However, she was proud to see Dulin take up a leadership role during the meetings. He was her star pupil. It was decided that the youngest council members would be 18 and there would be 10 members, one male and one female for each age group. That meant Dulin couldn't be a council member just yet but Azula had no doubt he would when he came of age.

Once the council was decided Azula and her fan club set to work on creating an education system. There were a few temple residents that were teachers back in the Earth Kingdom and Fire Colonies but a couple more would be needed. Azula had sent a messenger hawk to Mai asking for help. The Fire Lady was quick to respond with a promise of a couple of teachers who were interested in moving to the Northern Air Temple. The teenagers were excited to get new residents.

With Aang's permission and help, Azula was able to convert one of the larger wings into classrooms. The teachers from the Fire Nation would bring supplies but Azula decided to ask King Aarn and Sokka for help in getting more. This led to personal invitations to Omashu and the Southern Water Tribe.

"I'm going to need to borrow Appa for a few of weeks," Azula told Aang as she read King Aarn and Sokka's messages.

"You aren't going by yourself are you?" Aang asked.

"Why not?"

"I'll miss you," Aang said as he hugged her from behind. They had been so busy they didn't have much alone time.

"Then come with me," Azula said simply.

Aang smiled as he pushed her onto their bed and nibbled at her ear. "Is that an order, Princess?"

Azula flipped him over and she straddled him, "Of course it is, Avatar." He let out a low growl before he ripped her clothes off.

The journey from the Air Temple to Omashu wasn't too long, which Azula was grateful for. As she entered the city gates with the Avatar she released this was her first time in the Earth Kingdom as a guest and not an invader.

"We are definitely going to ride the mail carts, "Aang said excitedly.

Azula raised an eyebrow, "You can do that. I will occupy myself with more dignified behavior.

"King Bumi did it." Aang argued. Azula ignored him as they walked up the steps of the Omashu University. She admired her surroundings. The last time she was here she didn't really have a chance to appreciate Omashu's beauty.

King Aarn was waiting for them, "Princess Azula, Avatar Aang, welcome to Omashu."

Both Azula and Aang bowed slightly before King Aarn waved away their formalities, "I hope you aren't too tired from your trip. Since you will only be spending a few days in Omashu I figured we'd start here." He eagerly began to give them a tour.

Aang tried his best to not look bored as they walked the vast halls. Azula was fascinated, though she kept a calm facial expression. There were so many departments and so many more people walking around.

King Aarn happily explained the projects each department was working on. "Our doors have only been open for two years but my goal is to have this university rival Ba Sing Se's. We are lucky that we have professors from the Fire Nation and Water Tribes. Ba Sing Se can't boast diversity like we can."

He led them into a room with boxes piled neatly against the wall. "These are the materials our students have put together for you, Princess Azula."

Azula opened one of the boxes and found a variety of books, "This is very generous of you and your students King Aarn. I thank you."

King Aarn smiled happily, "Think nothing of it Princess Azula."

In too short a time they were back on Appa heading towards the Southern Water Tribe. Azula had enjoyed her time in Omashu. She had sat in some of the lectures and talked with students and professors. She never thought herself an academic when she was younger. She was a quick learner and easily passed all her classes but she never took an interest in what she was studying. She wouldn't claim to be as passionate about academics as King Aarn was, but she saw how important a solid education was for the children at the temple.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the Avatar wrapped a coat around her shoulders. "It's going to get cold soon."

"I can raise my body temperature. Or did you forget I was a fire bending prodigy?" Azula asked as she put her arms inside the coat sleeves.

"If I ever did forget, I'm sure a lightning bolt to the head will remind me," Aang said jokingly.

Azula gave him a small smile that promised much worse than lightning bolts. Ahead of her she saw the Southern Water Tribe. She had never seen so much snow in her life. It looked so fragile, but she knew looks could be deceiving.

Appa flew over the high standing snow gate. The arctic air bit at Azula. She thanked Agni she could easily raise her body heat.

"Hey Azula! Watch this!" The Avatar happily yelled as he jumped off Appa and bended the snow to wrap around him. He looked like a snowman.

Azula tossed blue fire balls at him. "Not the best armor."

Aang laughed, "I taught myself that trick when I studied under Master Pakku. Oof!" He fell forward from a snowball to the head.

"Sneak attack!" Sokka yelled as more snowballs came at the Avatar. Aang was quick to make snowballs and throw them back. "Azula help!" Sokka yelled. Azula had taken a few steps back. She had no interest in looking like a fool.

Aang and Sokka weren't going to give up that easy, "Come on Princess! You aren't scared of snow are you?" Aang teased.

Azula huffed, "Watch it Avatar." Foolishness be damned, she made a snowball and threw it at Aang as he laughed.

"Yes! You're toast Aang!" Sokka cheered as he joined Azula's assault.

Chief Hakoda had prepared a feast for his guests. Azula was impressed by the variety of Water Tribe cuisine. She even enjoyed the sea prune soup, which Aang avoided.

She was happy to get under the thick fur covers. After a long day of traveling, snowball fights and the big meal she was exhausted. Aang was gently massaging her neck. "You throw a mean snowball Azula."

Her eyes were closed as she began to drift into sleep. "I did warn you."

Aang lied down next to her. "I'll get you next time."

Azula answered with light snoring.

"They don't have classroom settings like in the Earth Kingdom or Fire Nation. Instead the kids go to different parts of the village to meet their instructors. Over there is where the water benders train for fighting and over there are the healing huts," Sokka explained to Azula as he gave her a tour. She could see the Avatar teaching the younger water benders his snowman trick.

She had to admit that she was impressed with Sokka's help. He had arranged scrolls for her to take back. He, Mai and Katara were even commissioning books on Northern and Southern Water Tribe history. Sokka promised once it was ready he would have copies sent to her. Azula hadn't realized how close Mai was with the Water Tribe siblings. The Avatar explained to her that while Zuko was smoothing things over with the Earth Kingdom, Mai had been a big benefactor to helping rebuild the Water Tribes.

They walked towards Appa. Azula was glad to see Aang had taken care of loading their luggage. "Ready?" he asked.

Azula nodded as she climbed up. Sokka and the other villagers were waving goodbye. She was glad to be flying back to the Northern Air Temple. "Appa, yip yip!" She said before the Avatar could.