"It's weird being back here." Aang said. Katara and himself were currently flying over the fire nation, approaching the palace. It really was a beautiful sight to see. The cities were astounding but the landscape itself was also unique.

"Yea, we spent so long in the Earth Kingdom, I forgot how humid the air is here." Katara said

"Any place where I'm with you is a cool place to me."

"I'm disappointed that Sokka's horrible jokes rubbed off on you. Hopefully you don't pick up any more of his wonderful habits on this visit."

As if on cue Aang began landing Appa in the middle of a fire nation palace garden. Appa gladly began eating some of the plants as the pair slid off of him. They really hoped those plants were replaceable.

"If I'm remembering correctly Sokka's office was this way." It was pretty hard for Katara to forget the location given how animated he was when Zuko gave him the job. He was only second to the fire lord in the hierarchy after all.

They went around another corner that was only a few more turns from his office then froze, and on instinct hid behind a pillar. Azula was down the hall positioning guards for who knows what.

"Did she perform a coup in six months? How did she even get out of the asylum?" Katara whispered

"I don't know. Wouldn't we have heard about something that big happening in Omashu or Ba Sing Se? We didn't fly very fast but I'm doubting something that big happened in a couple of days."

"We need a plan, we might not be able to take her and the guards." Katara's voice carried a hint of concern. "You're stronger now but you might die permanently this time if she hits you."

Aang wasn't keen on reliving that event himself. Or rather redying in this case. "Let's wait until she's alone."

They followed her moves while staying hidden. Most of it seemed like boring stuff Zuko would be doing but she was always surrounded by guards. She didn't look crazy like when they last saw her, which was a major cause for concern. A focused Azula is a dangerous Azula. Finally after about thirty minutes they saw her wave her guards off and enter a bedroom. They wouldn't have much time to subdue her but they didn't have many options. Katara had a serious look as she took a deep breath and held up three fingers, counting down to zero.

At zero they busted the door open and the sight before them left them speechless. Azula was smiling while being held in the air by Sokka. The spit stringing between their lips made it quite obvious what they were doing. Azula didn't seem to care at all but reading her was like trying to read a blank piece of paper, Sokka stared at them like an idiot.

"Uh, hey. Didn't know you were dropping by."

After Aang calmed Katara down Sokka managed to convince them to wait in the royal dining hall and they would talk about things over lunch. Her last word's to him could be summed up as "You better have a damn good explanation for this."

Against his better judgment he walked hand in hand with Azula behind the servers putting the meals on the table. She didn't really leave him much choice. He wished he had the power to tell Azula no when he saw Katara's eyes. She looked like she was practicing the combustion man technique of making things explode with her mind. Surprisingly she did wait until the servers left before she started her tirade. Aang slowly sunk into his chair.

"What were you doing!? She's crazy, she's evil, and she tried to kill all of us numerous times. She DID kill Aang." She said while pointing at him. Aang smiled and waved at Sokka and Azula but stopped when Katara began growling like a bearpig.

Sokka actually became serious for a second and showed no fear, his tone was stern. "I would appreciate you not calling Azula crazy."

That actually knocked Katara off balance slightly. He was rarely that serious. He actually sounded like a big brother. She couldn't think of anything to say before he continued his statement.

"As for what I was doing, I was kissing my girlfriend."

Katara started doing some breathing meditation Aang taught her to control her anger, it didn't work. "On what planet would Azula even agree to this? Did she turn you to the evil side?" That made Azula smirk, she was enjoying Katara's postulations. Sokka, not so much.

"Azula isn't a bad person." Sokka said

"Sokka, the fire nation has changed you. Maybe you need to spend a few months in the South away from….."

Azula's eyes took on a hint of her insanity as she slammed a fist on the table. "He will stay by my side."

Katara quickly stood into a waterbending stance and pulled it from the bottle at her waist. Sokka waved his hands to let her know Azula wasn't attacking until she put up the water, she did still stand a ways away though.

"Talking about taking me away is a trigger. Bad idea. Bad bad idea."

Aang wanted to understand as well so he cut in. "What do you mean by trigger Sokka?"

He didn't know how to explain it since he didn't fully understand himself but he tried his best. "In short I'm a major anchor holding Azula to sanity. I promised I would not leave her side."

Aang was still lost. "How did you becoming her boyfriend help her regain her mind?"

Katara also had questions. "If you somehow made her sane how did you even convince her to enter a relationship with you? All she would see you as is lowborn scum that tried to chop her head off. Are you taking advantage of the state of her mind?"

Sokka acted as if her words were a fatal wound but he honestly did expect similar thoughts from all of his friends so he was somewhat prepared. He wrapped his hand around Azula's waist to signify that he wanted her to talk. It had to come from her mouth.

Azula in her rather deadpan voice explained everything. "Sokka is the only person who came to see me within the asylum. Despite my numerous attempts on his life he was kind enough to see me as human. His kindness helped me regain my mind from the visions. I could tell he had feelings for me while I was not in my right state of mind but he would not intentionally make a move. If he showed any sign of affection that could be interpreted as out of line he severely scolded himself. I forced him to accept our new relationship status myself."

Katara's guard dropped and her eyes bulged "So if anything…."

"I am taking advantage of him, yes. He is a very worthy suitor. It is also very enticing that he does not fear me in any capacity."

Sokka moved his hand to her hair and ran his fingers through it. "Honestly once you get use to it the evil outbursts are kinda cute. It's just how she talks. Also sometimes she uses how evil people think she is to make jokes. It's hilarious."

"I'll take your word for it." Katara said while rolling her eyes. "Still...why her? Sokka you had so many options for women, especially with your current position. Why choose the one that tried to kill you not even two years ago. The one that did kill my boyfriend."

"She has a lot of amazing qualities but you're probably asking about why I was initially attracted. Really I couldn't tell you. I just felt this pull to her. I couldn't get her out of my head, I kept thinking about how beautiful she was and how much I enjoyed the conversations we had. When I realized I had those feelings it was too late and I had already given my word that I would not leave her side. It got to the point where it hurt to be without her."

Aang and Katara knew the exact feeling he was talking about but couldn't believe it. Aang was a rather nice person so he didn't say it, but Katara did. "Sokka...is Azula even capable of feeling that? Toph couldn't sense anything while she was lying. She could just be using you to regain her position."

Sokka peered at Aang and it seemed as if he agreed, although he was more apprehensive in passing down swift judgment. It was beyond irritating.

"Azula, please hold my hand."

"Yes Sokka."

Sokka closed his eyes and took deep breaths that Zuko had taught him. Apparently he had learned it from Iroh. Getting angry wouldn't serve any purpose so he tried to calm himself. It almost fully worked. When he opened his eyes they were narrowed with a strong sense of focus.

"It's a little scary how much he looks like Azula." Katara and Aang thought simultaneously

"Have either of you ever tried picturing life from her perspective?"

"No but-" Sokka cut them both off. He didn't need to hear excuses.

"I get it, she killed Aang. A few people have come close to killing him including Zuko. She was seconds away from killing me at least twice that I can remember. She had no choice. Ozai burned his first born son just for being weak and not fighting back. What do you think he would have done to Azula? Tell her it's ok to fail?"

"Zuko made us aware of how bad things were in the palace. Azula could have always come to us like he did." Aang said

Sokka drew Azula closer and she smirked. She loved it when he got like this. She didn't need protecting but she certainly did in his eyes.

"Are you aware that her father beat her every time she failed to perform a new firebending skill after Zuko left? Are you aware that if she outright refused his orders he could have thrown her into a terrible prison or worse executed her? Are you aware of how ridiculous the odds looked from an analytical standpoint? A group of teenagers taking down a nation that had been sustaining a war of three different fronts for one hundred years is laughable at best. It only started looking like a realistic venture at the tail end of the war."

Katara and Aang sat silently looking at their plates.

"Azula is a human being and I will not sit here and listen while you act as if she is some unchangeable unfeeling evil beast like her father. She was just as abused as Zuko. Nothing you say is going to convince me to leave her side."

The breathing exercises were no longer working. Sokka excused himself from the table and made a quick exit. Azula stood and looked at her would be jury and found it amusing that they could not even meet her eye. She took a guess as to where Sokka would be heading to calm himself and also excused herself.

Sokka was staring at the moon from the highest palace balcony. He wasn't sure if Yue was doing it just for him but every time he stared at night it had a rather dramatic calming effect. At first when he looked all he felt was pain but this way the entire world got to see her beauty for eternity. The thought brought a smile to his face.

"Staring at another woman for this long hm? And here I thought you were a gentleman." Azula had snuck up behind him. He didn't jump too much since he had begun adjusting to how light on her feel she was.

"I am a….wait how do you even know about that?"

"Zuzu had a chat with me about conversational topics to avoid with you. Ex girlfriends was at the top of the list. Specifically your first since she became the moon. I have no idea why he felt the need to do such a thing."

Sokka had a mix of surprise and confusion on his face. Was Zuko acting as a wingman for his sister? That's just weird.

"Don't worry about it too much Azula. Just be yourself."

Azula withdrew a little but Sokka noticed. He pulled her in front of him and hugged her from behind. She was situated between him and the balcony. "Stop doing that Azula."

"People fear the real me. I do not wish to scare you away, I forget you love all of me. Apologies."

Sokka brushed one side of hair behind her neck and kissed her collarbone. "You can ask if you want Azula, I'm not going anywhere. You also certainly are not while I am holding you."

"Oh no, however will I escape this powerful man's firm grasp." She paused while they both giggled, knowing she could escape easily. "I am wondering why you feel the need to look there. Her curves are better than mine with her being a circle and all but I think I hold a certain appeal over her."

Sokka spoke completely non sarcastically. "I love your dry humor Azula. Anyway, since she became the moon looking at it calms me. We only had a short time together but I really think we shared a deeper connection. I swear she's just doing it for me with her spirit powers."

Azula looked at the moon for a few seconds and felt nothing. She peered back at Sokka with a fair amount of skepticism. His eyes were closed and he appeared to be in deep thought. She then heard him whisper out two words. Please Yue.

"Try now."

Azula looked upward once again expecting nothing, surprisingly she felt different. She couldn't quite explain the feeling but it was quite pleasant. "You do realize this means your first love has watched us kiss and things a little beyond that dozens of times now correct?"

"Can we not think of it that way? Makes things kinda weird. I like to see it as she's guiding me through life and enjoying me finding happiness and peace."

Azula had not forgotten why she had come here, but was saddened that she had to break his currently elevated mood.

"While I did enjoy the show, are you sure it was wise to speak to your friend and sister in such a manner? I thought their blessing would be important for you."

"Azula, if their blessing was important I'd have asked for it before I even kissed you. Katara didn't ask for my blessing before dating someone that was one hundred and twelve years old. I didn't expect them to be happy about it but they were extremely rude to you and I'm not just going to sit there and listen."

"So you take no stock in their words? They couldn't possibly know what you know about me. Given their level of information they have right to fear me."

Sokka moved his arms from her waist to her neck and held her tightly. "I didn't expect them to be psychic, but they don't get to judge you when they didn't even attempt to understand you or your struggles. They literally had access to the person that witnessed the majority of your life first hand and never thought to ask."

"I did attempt to and succeed in harming them several times."

"So did Zuko, yet we let him into the group and helped him become fire lord. The truth is Katara, and sometimes Aang, like to see things as black and white when in reality the world is gray."

Azula could not think of a response so she simply stood enjoying his embrace. She had never really thought about things in good and evil, or black and white. She simply did as she was told and attempted to achieve the best results for herself and those around her. Was it even her place to attempt to change their minds about her personally? Sokka did not seem to believe so, however everything was not up to Sokka.

Azula left Sokka alone roughly an hour ago. He needed her but he also needed time with his thoughts. Knowing him he was likely trying to calm himself then form a plan of action to get his friends to like her. She had her own plans. She sent out a servant a few minutes ago to fetch them and bring them to her study. Technically it was hers and Sokka's but he usually used their room for planning. She readied herself when she heard footsteps approaching, then a bald smiling head appeared inside of her door.

"Hey Azula!" Aang said, chipper as usual.

"Hi." Katara greeted her almost silently and never met her gaze. They both took seats on the couch while she was seated at her desk.

"Not that we don't want to talk to you and all with the whole scary chasing us thing, but why did you want to see us alone?" Aang said.

"I wished to inform you that I will not hurt Sokka."

Katara was still hurt over her brother's words earlier but spoke her mind, albeit apprehensively. "Zuko has a familial attachment to you so he may be more willing to accept a change. All we've seen is you being manipulative, destructive, and callous. How can we trust you? How can we know you're not twisting Sokka to your benefit due to his position and influence?"

"I see brains runs in the family, of course my Sokka did get the lionturtles share of it." Azula found immense joy at the sight of Katara trying to contain her rage at the insult, likely because of how Sokka spoke to her earlier. "You can trust me because I am still with him despite the fact that he no longer provides a benefit to me."

Aang spoke since Katara was still practicing her breathing. "He's adviser to the firelord and only second to him. How could you really say he provides no benefit?"

"That is true, he is only second to the firelord and has his ear for most decisions, but I am still the crown princess. If something were to happen to zuzu before he has any heirs the position would transfer to me and Sokka's position of power...well." Azula held her hand palm up and blew into it to demonstrate her point.

"That...actually makes sense." Aang found it terrifying how Azula could weave so many threats and implications into small statements. "You could still be using him to improve your image."

"That is also true, we do make a powerful couple and having someone so humorous close does make people less fearful of me. That's as far as that goes though. To the people of the fire nation I am simply a fragile wounded princess who was abused by my father. My image could never be better."

Katara finally calmed herself. "Then what is your angle? It's just us here and Sokka wouldn't believe us so you can just say it."

"My angle is I feel strongly for him. I do not care that he is essentially a midborn due to his position in the southern water tribe. I also do not care that he can not further my ambitions for power. He is the first person in life to show me true kindness, affection, and love. I will repay him tenfold."

"That was...surprisingly sweet Azula. I didn't think your feelings ran that deep." Aang said

"However,"

Katara and Aang felt the hairs on their necks become on edge. Her old tone and expression were mimicked exactly. This was the Azula they knew.

"I will not allow Sokka to be removed from my side. I would do anything for him. He is my love and hopefully betrothed to be. Anyone who would come between us will suffer severely." Azula picked up an old book and with striking quickness turned it to ash in a mass of blue flames. Her golden irises flickered with the flames as she looked deeply into their eyes.

"This meeting is over."