Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar The Last Air Bender

Author's Note: Hello my wonderful readers! In celebration of passing my exam I have decided to give an extra update! I've received so much positive feedback on this story that I just couldn't help myself. Bonus surprise! I started a new story called A New Beginning (Azula and Aang forever!)! I had a plot bunny itching to get out so I gave in. I'm going to post it sometime tonight. Anyway please read, review, and enjoy!

Chapter 15 – Love Is Never Wrong

Aang replayed the conversation with Azula in his mind. He had done this every day for the past two weeks. He was angry at himself for letting her think he could ever be with anyone but her. Yet he didn't know how to explain to her that he needed to find a way to explain to the world leaders and the world that he would keep the balance of all the elements. He wanted to explain to her that he needed to let everyone know that eventually the world would balance itself out.

He let out a heavy sigh. It was his nature to evade problems and run from trouble. If he kept running though, he would lose the only person he ever truly loved. He felt lost. He needed to find a way to win Azula back. He needed to find a way to put the world at ease. He knew he was running out of time. His friends wouldn't let him continue his hiding out in the Southern Air Temple forever.

Azula was huffing from her intense fire bending session. She was glad that spring was finally here so she could train outside. She tried not to think that her wedding was supposed to be in a few weeks time. Right on cue she saw Mai and Ty Lee approaching. They did not like to leave her alone for too long. Ty Lee had even moved into Azula's suite.

"Don't you two have anything better to do?" Azula asked annoyed.

They ignored her and waited while she finished stretching. The three of them made their way back to Azula's rooms. It had become routine. Azula was expected to have breakfast with her family. She was then given a couple of hours alone to train. After training Mai and Ty Lee walked her to her rooms and waited while she bathed. They played with Kanbe until lunch. After lunch they sometimes honed their hand-to-hand combat skills, read or mercifully Zuko would ask for her help with his workload. After dinner with the family Azula wrote letters to her students, answered questions from the Northern Air Temple or just let Ty Lee chat her ear off before bed.

She knew they were worried about her. She could appreciate their concern but it was getting on her nerves. She considered going on a wild rampage to justify their concern but decided against it. She doubted they would let her out of the asylum twice.

Aang was done brushing Appa's fur. He had avoided meditating the whole day. He knew he would eventually have to. He decided to sweep the courtyard first. As he swept, a powerful gust of wind swept across the courtyard. Aang took it as a sign to meditate. He sat down cross-legged and began his breathing exercises.

She and Zuko sat on opposite sides of the room. Azula was frowning at the document Zuko had given her, "I'm not sure I understand what the problem is."

Zuko shifted, "I had hoped we could keep the incident between you and Aang within the palace walls."

"Katara, Sokka, and Toph are his friends, what did you expect?" Azula asked nonchalantly.

"This is diving us, Azula. Whatever Aang decides they will take his side," Zuko explained.

"You are over dramatic Zuko," Azula said exasperated. For once, Zuko hoped she was right.

"I never said what he did was okay Zuko. I just said that he needs our support," Katara said calmly.

"Oh yeah lets support the jerk that left my sister," Zuko said with sarcasm.

This had been going on for the past hour. The second the Avatar's friends arrived they had holed themselves in Zuko's study. Azula was growing tired of it.

"We all know he is hiding in the Southern Air Temple. Let's just drag him back here," Toph suggested.

"It's not that easy. The last time he ran away it was to think. When he came back he was able to end the war," Katara said logically.

"I can't believe you are defending him Katara!" Zuko yelled.

"He's my family Zuko!" Katara yelled back.

"Yeah well Azula is my family!" Both Zuko and Katara were knocked down with earth bending.

"Enough! This isn't your fight! This is between Twinkletoes and Princes Hothead. Which if you haven't noticed, has left," Toph said as she threw herself down onto a chair.

Zuko and Katara looked around the room. Toph was right; Azula was gone.

It had taken much longer than Aang was used to, but he had finally entered a meditated Avatar state. He knew when a past life wanted to talk to him, and he assumed Avatar Roku had some harsh words in store for him. He walked around the spirit world, "Okay Roku, I'm here!"

His yelling earned him dirty looks from a meditating monkey but Aang ignored him and kept walking. Near a tree he saw a tall man standing. As he approached he noticed the man was wearing Air Nation clothes likes his, "Excuse me, have you seen Avatar Roku?"

The man turned around. He had a friendly smile that reached his honey brown eyes, "Avatar Aang, I've been waiting for you."

"Who are you?"

The man bowed, "My name is Atsuo. I am one of your past lives."

Aang bowed back. Aang recalled seeing this man but he had so many past lives it was hard to keep track of everyone's name. "Avatar Atsuo, why have you called me?"

Atsuo motioned for Aang to sit down, "You are going through a hard time Avatar Aang."

Aang became excited, "So you have a solution for me?"

"No, but I can tell you a story," Atsuo said with a smile. He ignored Aang's eye twitching. "I grew up in the Northern Air Temple. During my lifetime, the world was at peace. It was an easy time to be Avatar. I travelled the world many times, never staying in one place for too long. It wasn't until I was eighteen that the monks of my temple asked me to return for my first, how should I put this, mating."

Aang tried not to blush. He wasn't overly familiar with his people's bedroom customs.

"I was paired with a nun of my age from the Eastern Air Temple. As monks we are taught to look beyond the physical but I couldn't help but notice her beauty. I had seen many women in my travels but none stood out like Maeko. I won't go into detail of our first night together, but I will tell you that I knew I loved her. I found myself visiting the Eastern Air Temple more frequently than was necessary. For two years we were able to hide our love, but like all secrets, it came to light.

We were both called before the Council of Elders. We were given a lecture on the importance of letting go of earthly detachments. I was reminded of my duty as Avatar. I was so angry. People all over the world were allowed to marry and love, but we were not. Maeko was sent to the Western Air Temple and my visits there were always closely monitored."

"So you gave up?" Aang asked.

"Yes Avatar Aang, I did. I continued my duty as Avatar. I understand our situations vary but take this lesson from me, love is never wrong."

Aang sighed, "I've messed up so much Avatar Atsuo. I ran away from Azula. What's worse is she thinks I would betray her. I don't know what to do."

Atsuo put his hand on Aang's shoulder, "You are not the first man to make a mistake, and you won't be the last. The solution is within you Avatar Aang."

Aang opened his eyes to find himself back in the courtyard of the Southern Air Temple. He took a few deep breathes before standing. He knew what he had to do.

Azula broke off pieces of bread for Kanbe to feed to the turtleducks. He chattered in his baby talk and pointed happily at the baby turtleducks eating. Inside her suite Ty Lee and Mai were arranging lunch when they saw the door open. Ty Lee was quick with her jabs and Aang was on the ground.

"Ow!" Aang said trying to bring back the feeing in his legs.

"What are you doing here?" Ty Lee asked with venom in her voice.

"These are my rooms. Where's Azula?"

Mai gave him a dirty look, "She's busy. Does Zuko know you're here?"

"No, I came to talk to Azula," Aang said as he tried to stand on wobbly legs.

Azula walked into the room with Kanbe. Her eyes met his grey hues. For a moment she said nothing but then her face turned cold, "Ty Lee, outside visitors are not allowed in the private rooms of the royal family."

"Azula please just listen to me," Aang pleaded as Ty Le grabbed him by the collar and threw him into the hallway. The door was slammed shut. Aang sighed, he knew it was a long shot to think Azula would see him right away.

He made his way to Iroh's suite. He was shown inside but was dismayed when he saw Zuko sitting down, "Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence."

"Aang!" Katara threw her arms around him. Toph gave him a friendly punch in the arm that was harder than necessary.

"I didn't realize you guys would be here," Aang said.

"Yeah well what did you expect Twinkletoes? You run off a few weeks before your wedding and think we will sit back and do nothing?" Toph said as she picked her teeth.

"Does my sister know you're here?" Zuko was clenching and unclenching his fists. A very small part of him was relived that Aang was back but he was still angry for what he did to Azula.

"I tried to see her, but Ty Lee escorted me out," Aang said evasively.

"Yeah right she probably kicked your butt," Toph said gleefully. Aang's silence confirmed her acquisition.

"Aang, it's been three weeks. Zuko was able to hold off the world leaders' meeting but everyone is going to want to know what you've decided." Katara reminded him.

"I know but I have to talk to Azula first," Aang said with determination.

"Good luck with that," they all said at the same time.

Four days since the Avatar's return had passed and Azula refused to see him. He had tried everything from gifts, letters and waiting outside her door to no avail. He was pacing the guest room Zuko had assigned him trying to think of new ways to see Azula. He was interrupted by a knock on the door, his heart leapt in hopes it was Azula but quickly dropped when he saw it was only Mai.

"Hey Mai."

"You weren't at dinner," Mai commented.

"I didn't think Azula would want to see me."

"She wasn't there either. Actually, she hasn't had the energy to attend dinner for a week now." Mai remarked casually.

"Is she okay?" Aang asked with concern.

Mai shrugged, "She's cut back on her training and even asked Ty Lee to move back into her own rooms."

"Something's wrong. Mai I have to see her."

"She should be in her rooms. Everyone else is with Iroh playing an extreme game of pai sho," Mai informed him.

Aang smiled, "Thanks Mai."

He rushed across the palace to Azula's rooms. He was worried about her and he would not take no for an answer any longer. He pushed open the doors and found her lying on the love seat. She opened one eye and sighed, "Get out Avatar."

"No Azula. I know you aren't feeling well and I know I hurt you but please just listen to me. If you want me to leave after then I will," Aang pleaded.

Azula sat up and pointed to the sofa across from her, "Make it good, Avatar."

Aang smiled widely and sat down, "I know from our last conversation it sounded like I was thinking about having the harem of women. But that's not what I mean at all. It's true I'm the last Air bender and to keep balance the world needs more. However impregnating dozens of women isn't the solution. But I can't just tell the people to mind their own affairs. I needed a way to reassure them that everything will be okay. I should have explained myself better. I shouldn't have stayed away for so long. Azula I am so sorry. I can't live my life without you."

Azula said nothing as she let the words sink in. In her heart she knew Aang would have never betrayed her. "How do I know you will never do this again? You can't just avoid your problems."

Aang took the seat next to her and held her hand, "I will never run away from you again because I can't lose you. I'll make it up to you Azula."

Azula gave him a curious look, "How do you plan to do that?"

Aang thought for a moment, "I'll finish all the wedding plans with Uncle Iroh."

Azula held back a smile, "Yes, that should be punishment enough. Uncle changed his mind about the cake and had about fifty new tea blends made and can't decide which one to serve."

Aang groaned, "I can't wait."

The next morning Aang could not wake Azula for training. She threatened to turn him to ashes so he went to train alone. At breakfast Azula only ate her fruit. "Azula, Mai said you haven't been feeling well. We can do a healing session if you'd like."

"I'm fine Aang. I just need to rest. I trained harder than I should have while you were gone," Azula said tiredly.

"Indulge me please," Aang said kissing her forehead.

Azula sighed, "Fine." Aang led her to their bed and made her take off her outer clothes. She put her head on the pillow and closed her eyes.

Aang's hands glowed as he started at her head. As he made his way down to her shoulders he could feel her sore muscles. He healed the muscles as he made his way down but stopped at her stomach. Azula opened her eyes when he stopped, "Aang?"

He opened his eyes and quickly took her in his arms, "Azula, you're pregnant."