Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar The Last Air Bender.
Author's Note: Hello my wonderful readers! I want to say thank you to all of you who have taken the time to review my story and send me messages, it really motivates me. I am so excited that you share my enthusiasm in having The Princess and The Avatar become an epic. I wasn't sure how people would respond but your excitement is my drive. So the story is going to start shifting a little. The gang's kids are starting to grow up which means that some scenes are going to focus on their thoughts, feelings, etc. But not to worry, this story is mainly about Aang and Azula. I'm fast forwarding time to two years after Chapter 17 took place. The kids' ages are as follows: Kanbe (Mai and Zuko's son) is 6; Airi (Aang and Azula's daughter), Shiro (Suki and Sokka's son), and Kya (Katara and Haru's daughter) are 5; Tenzin and Aki (Azula and Aang's twins) and Lin (Toph's daughter) are 3. So please read, enjoy and review!
Chapter 18 - New Hope Army
Kanbe took a deep breathe before taking his stance. His small legs stood firm as he raised his arms. He set off quick flurries of kicks and punches, before he got to the end of the set he almost tripped. Quickly he righted himself but he knew he had failed.
"Better, but not perfect," Azula stated.
"I apologize, Aunt Azula." Kanbe kept his eyes downcast. He wanted nothing more than to impress his aunt, the best fire bender in the world.
"We've done enough for today. Keep practicing and we will try again tomorrow," Azula dismissed him. Kanbe bowed and headed to his room.
Azula walked back to her suite. She hadn't intended to become Kanbe's fire bending instructor. She believed the task would fall to Iroh, but he said he was getting old. Zuko was too busy as Fire Lord to dedicate the necessary time. Kanbe had asked her when he first saw her spar against the Avatar. He had declared his aunt the best fire bender of all time and said he would learn from no one else. Azula had agreed on the condition that another instructor, of her choice of course, be hired to take over when her other responsibilities became pressing.
She opened the door to her suite to find her children tackling her husband to the ground.
"Mother's here!" Airi pushed herself up.
"Hey Azula, how was training with Kanbe?" Aang asked.
"It went well. What did I miss here?" Azula surveyed her living room noticing the mess her family made.
"Just some air bending practice." Aang explained.
Azula picked up a cushion with a burnt mark, "And this is?"
"Aki did that. Uncle Iroh said she's a little fire bug, just like you and Uncle Zuko were," Airi offered.
Azula bit her bottom lip. She wanted to start training Aki, but Aang had made her promise to wait a year. "Airi get ready for dinner. Avatar help me with Tenzin and Aki."
Aang picked up the twins and led them to the nursery, "I almost forgot, Zuko sent a message for you. I left it on the nightstand."
"I'll look at it later," Azula said as she changed Tenzin into a new robe.
"The messenger said it was important. I can handle the kids, we'll see you at dinner," He gave her a kiss on the lips.
She walked to her dresser and picked up the message. She furrowed her eyebrows at what she read.
Zuko stared out the window of his bedroom. Azula stood next to him contemplating what to do next, "I hate to say I told you so."
"No you don't," Zuko replied.
"I guess I don't. Either way we have a problem in our hands," Azula reminded him.
"I know that. I'll set up a meeting with my advisors. We'll have to tell Aang," Zuko said cautiously. He knew Azula did not want to involve her husband, but what choice did he have?
She clicked her tongue; "We don't want to be late for dinner." She walked to the door, not waiting for him to follow.
Zuko rushed to keep up. When they arrived to the dinning room everyone was already there. Azula studied Zuko's face as he watched their family. His jaw hardened in determination. She knew his thoughts because they mimicked her own. They finally had a family they loved, that loved them back and they would be damned to lose them.
"I'm not going to lie, it's nice having a night off. There's so much we can do," Aang whispered in her ear. His hands wandering up her robes. Airi and the twins were having a sleep over with Iroh, which gave their parents much needed alone time.
She swatted his hand away, "I have something serious to tell you Avatar."
Aang looked disappointed, "What is it?"
"Zuko and I will have a meeting with his advisors concerning the Fire Colonies."
His grey eyes expressed surprise, "What about the Fire Colonies?"
"Our intellgence has learned of a potential rebellion," She traced circles on his arm, pressing her breasts against his chest.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Aang stiffened trying not to fall victim to her touch.
She nibbled at his left ear delighting in his shiver, "There was little to report. Zuko doubted the rumors."
Aang took a deep breath, "You didn't doubt them but you didn't tell me."
"I believe we established that."
Aang was trying hard to keep his composure, "When are you going to start trusting me?"
"It didn't involve you at the time, Avatar. It was Fire Nation business," she let her warm breath fall onto his neck before walking into their bedroom.
He followed her, "I'm the Avatar. The threat of a rebellion, even just a rumor, is my business."
She didn't answer him as she paid extra attention to unwinding her hair. He quickly rushed over to her and pinned her against the wall, "You will not keep me in the dark anymore, Azula." He was breathing hard as anger and desire boiled his blood. Her topaz eyes reflected defiance but his grey hues would not relent. He kissed her hard which she eagerly returned.
He tore her undergarments off, pushing her dress up her waist. He pushed his pants down enough to quickly penetrate her. She dug her nails into his back drawing small amounts of blood. He bit her neck and shoulders as he trembled against her. She groaned with pleasure, breathing hot air against his ear. They breathed heavily against one another before she pushed him off her.
Azula smirked behind the curtain of orange and red flames. Sitting on Zuko's right hand side brought back memories of war meetings with Ozai. She could feel her husband's disapproving stare. This was the first time Zuko had the princess publically sitting at his right hand. Aang wasn't sure of the message it would send to the court.
A handsome young solider bowed before the Fire Lord, "Fire Lord, I am Agent Adil, leader of the Yu Dao Project."
Zuko nodded, "Give your report Agent." Adil nodded before turning to face the rest of the advisors. "Two years ago my team was assigned the Yu Dao Project. To put it simply, we were there to confirm or deny the rumors of the presence of a rebel group wanting to separate the colonies from the Fire Nation. Not only were these rumors true, the group, whom call themselves "New Hope Army", are well organized."
The advisors began to murmur but Adil quieted them down. "Gentlemen, well organized does not make them our match. They have no idea that I have my agents within their ranks. But it's important to keep in mind that they are gaining support. The people feel the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom do no represent their identities, beliefs, or customs. The New Hope Army is using this popular belief to further advance their goal, which is to create a nation separate from the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom."
An older man snorted, "That is ridiculous. How do they plan to win a war against the Fire Nation army?"
Adil smiled, "They have set up camps in the countryside which are designed to train new recruits in combat. They have benders on their side and a couple of the higher ranking officers come from wealthy families giving them the funds needed to purchase weapons."
The environment in the room grew somber. Azula resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "If I may, Fire Lord, I believe the sooner we send an army to squaish this New Hope Army, the better," a middle aged commander stated. Many of the older men nodded in agreement.
"Hold on gentlemen. I do not believe this would be the best course of action. Sending an army and removing the New Hope Army would only make them martyrs amongst the people. This situation must be handled with care," Adil countered. Aang nodded in agreement.
"What is your suggestion, Agent Adil?" Aang spoke for the first time.
"I believe a representative should be sent to negotiate with the colony leaders and the New Hope Army leaders. This will show the general populace that the Fire Lord has their best interest at heart while the New Hope Army only wants to usher in a new war," Adil suggested.
The advisors began to argue amongst themselves, some agreeing, and some disagreeing. The curtain of flames roared to greater heights bringing silence to the room. "I've heard enough. I will summon you when I have made a decision." Zuko curtly dismissed his advisors. Only Aang and Azula remained behind.
"What an interesting meeting. Brings back old memories, right Zuzu?"
Zuko grunted, "Not the time Azula. Aang what do you think?"
Aang looked at Zuko thoughtfully, "I agree with Adil, you should meet with the colony and New Hope Leaders."
"They're right, big brother." Both men looked at Azula surprised. "The sooner we send the message that the Fire Lord is trying to make peace the more support we will have when this ragtag army tries to attack."
Zuko raised an eyebrow, "You don't think we can negotiate with them?"
Azula laughed coldly, "Of course not. These people want to govern themselves, they won't settle for anything less." Zuko and Aang eyed her uncertainty.
"Okay, raise your hands like this." Kanbe demonstrated for Aki. She followed his instruction and let out a small flame.
"I did it! Yay!" Aki clapped her hands together.
Airi smiled at her younger sister, "Good job Aki." She switched her attention from the fire bending lesson to her younger brother. Tenzin sat quietly playing with an air ball. She kept glancing at the courtyard enterance, hoping her parents would walk through. She was used to them attending meetings but this time her parents seemed mad at each other. During breakfast she noticed the hard looks they shot each other. Kanbe said his own parents had seemed upset as well but he didn't pay much attention.
"Airi, watch this!" Aki broke her sister's thoughts. "Look I'm an old man!" Aki brought her long black hair to her face, creating a fake beard, which she stroked pretending to be in deep thought. Everyone but Tenzin laughed.
Airi sent a mini air blast to Tenzin, earning herself a scowl. "Stop it, Airi."
"Oh come on Tenzin, have fun" Aki teased. Tenzin only huffed and went back to his toy.
Airi focused her grey eyes on the courtyard entrance again. She smiled widely when her father walked into view, "Daddy! I missed you!" She sprinted quickly into his arms.
"I missed you too Airi." Aang hugged her tight before setting her down. Soon the other children were clinging to him. Azula, Zuko and Mai weren't quick to give hugs like Aang was.
"Daddy! You were gone forever!" Aki exclaimed.
Tenzin rolled his eyes, "No he wasn't Aki."
"Well it felt like forever!" Aki defended.
"I'm here now. Let's play hide and explode before we have to clean up for dinner." Aang suggested as the children around him cheered.
Azula and Zuko watched the children play. "He's a natural with them."
Azula nodded, "He always was."
"It's hard to believe that's the same man who keeps the balance of the world," Zuko said with a soft smile.
Azula nodded, "That's his duty."
Zuko looked at her seriously, "Is he on our side?"
Azula smirked, "I should be offended by that."
Azula gently pushed a stray strand of hair from Aki's face. "Sing us a song Mommy." Aki whispered sleepily. Airi nodded in agreement, suppressing a yawn.
"I've already read you a story, it's time to sleep." Azula reminded them.
"Just a quick one," Airi begged.
Azula relented, "Okay, just a quick one." She softly began to hum a tune, "Sleepy moon, sleepy stars yawn awake as the sun goes down.
Twilight says goodbye as the midnight maiden graces the sky.
Dream spirits will walk the night, planting good thoughts.
Little princesses, it's time to close your lovely eyes."
The girls were asleep as Azula quietly walked out the door. Aang sat in the common area reading. "Tenzin's already asleep?"
Aang smiled, "He said he was very tired but I could read him a story tomorrow night." He set his book down as she rested her head on his shoulder. "Azula?"
"Yes?"
"Have you and Zuko met already?"
Azula smirked, "Don't you trust I would tell you if we did?" Aang said nothing, which made her laugh. "You told me not to leave you in the dark. I am nothing if not an obedient wife."