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Tiger Monkeys and Grudges – Chapter Forty-Four
Nearly an hour later.
Team Azula watched while their young friend diligently checked every nook and cranny in her bag.
Even going so far as to have Azula search through her hair and behind her ears.
Until at long last the princess scowled while she let go of her petite handmaid's golden hair.
"I-I didn't see anything else. That was probably the only one. If…she put too many it would have been obvious." Elle stuttered while her shoulders slumped under Azula's penetrating glare that made her feel as if she was a misbehaving puppy.
"How many secrets did I lose because of you!" Azula bellowed in a furious voice while she glared down at her crestfallen pet.
"Azula…Elle didn't do anything wrong. She's just a victim between power hungry people. Like you. All she did was give you a flower." Mai commented with her lips curved into a scowl while Azula still glared down at the girl.
"S-sumimasen Azula-sama…" Elle muttered in a beyond timid voice while the princess still towered over her with her red lips snarling down at her.
"L-look at it this way Azula. How…can someone that isn't even on…our Earth hurt us? There must be more to this than meets the eye! I really doubt that anyone has the ability to just…travel here so casually! At least the information didn't go to the Avatar or someone who could actively use it against you!" Ty Lee exclaimed with worried eyes gazing down at her sulking baby sister.
"Ty Lee that is a pitiful attempt at consolation and you know it." Azula snapped with her arms folded over her bust while she stared down at her saddened handmaid.
"I-I didn't mean to Princess…I-I am loyal to only you." Elle stuttered in a shaken voice while Azula grunted in aggravation above her.
"Quit your moping peasant. It's not like I am going to flog you for it." Azula grumbled with her cold eyes gazing away while she allowed her pet to grasp ahold of her armored belly.
"I…just don't want you to be displeased with me Azula-sama. You're…my home." Elle murmured in a sensitive voice while she pressed her face into the much taller woman's plated upper belly.
Only for her little amber eyes to widen in relief when a strong hand lowered into her hair.
While her big sisters never said a word when Azula pulled her face into her body with her fingers brushing through her hair.
"I'm not displeased with you. I'm…still your home." Azula growled in a foul tempered voice with her domineering eyes peering down at her little love interest while the girl clung to her looming body.
"I…would never betray you. Please know that…my princess." Elle insisted with her sweet loyal eyes peering up at Azula's sighing face.
"I know my pet. I know. You're…a good girl." Azula admitted in a grudgingly fond voice with her palm petting Elle's hair while Ty Lee smiled over at them.
They may be the strangest couple in the world.
But there no doubt in her mind that the two made a good fit for each other!
Elle sought reassurance and protection in Azula.
And Azula greatly enjoyed Elle's eagerness to please.
They made a pink couple. A very pink couple!
"I-I want you to know something Azula-sama." Elle began in a mousy voice while she craned her neck to meet her girlfriend's possessive gaze.
"What is it…Elle?" Azula sighed with her amber golden eyes taking on a subdued tint while she slid a finger under her quivering handmaid's chin.
All the while savoring how the girl trembled under her dominant gaze.
"I…want you to know that…even though we are polar opposites. And…even though I won't completely let go of my pacifism. Even though I would prefer it you didn't kill people in this war…and even though I don't like to see you…hurt people. I…will use this power for you…and you alone." Elle announced in a serious voice with her words taking all of her companions by surprise.
Azula stared down at her loyal servant with her amber golden eyes widening in a rare sense of shock.
While the two noblewomen gazed at their leader's back in revived worry for the young girl's wellbeing.
'Elle…why would you ever tell Azula those words? No matter how fond she becomes of you. She…is still Azula.' Mai thought with her eyes narrowing in fear for the innocent girl's safety.
The princess found herself unable to form the words of response while she gazed down at her little handmaid when the girl grasped at her hand with a gentle smile on her lips.
"Just this once…I will put aside my pacifism and face the Avatar with you. For you…because I love you…Azula-sama. Because you're my home." Elle informed in a loving voice with her hands clutching at the older girl's palm while strict eyes stared down at her in a stunned silence.
"Azula…. you can't be mad at a girl that devoted. Please don't yell at her anymore." Ty Lee requested in a soft voice while she also gazed at the younger girl with concerned brown-gray eyes.
"You…would do that for me…Elle?" Azula questioned at long last with a refined smile on her lips while she placed her other hand on top of her pet's two hands.
"In a heartbeat Azula-sama. B-because I'm…your g-girl." Elle stuttered in a lovestruck voice while she pushed her face into her mistress's belly.
And the princess's hardened face was softening ever so slightly while she began to gently trace a heated finger along her handmaid's petite hand.
"I…like you peasant. You're my favorite. Do you know that?" Azula purred in a subdued voice with her red lips curving into a smile while the girl hid in her belly.
Mai and Ty Lee could only gaze on in complete bafflement while they observed the touching scene.
It was so strange that when Azula called anyone else a peasant it was a cruel insult meant to destroy her victims' self-esteem.
But with Elle and Elle alone.
It had almost become a term of endearment for Azula.
"I…am?" Elle asked in a beyond hopeful voice only for a pleasurable shiver to travel down her spine under the older girl's dominant stare.
"Hm, of course. You are…my favorite person. And you…you are mine." Azula remarked in a controlling voice with a content smirk on her regal lips while she carefully grasped ahold of her dainty girlfriend's palms.
"Y-yours Azula-sama." Elle stammered in a spellbound voice while she found herself unable to look away from Azula's piercing amber golden eyes.
"That's my little peasant. Such a good girl. Ever loyal to your mistress. I will not forget such loyalty. I'll take care of you Elle." Azula commented with a sophisticated smile gracing her lips while she watched in delight when her handmaid happily pushed her head into her upper belly.
"Azula-sama…my princess." Elle murmured in a peaceful voice while she savored the sensation of a strong hand patting the back of her head.
"Yes Elle. Your princess." Azula concluded with another sigh while she patted her girlfriend's soft head.
All the while pondering just how her little girlfriend got here.
And 'where' the girl truly came from.
And if this woman…this Reiko was another enemy to deal with after she has secured her conquest over the globe.
Those were all undoubtedly important questions that she would find the answer to in time.
But for now, she supposed that Ty Lee had a point.
There is no sense in worrying about the enemy to come when she still had an enemy right before her very eyes.
It would be foolish to spread overspread her focus and allow the Avatar an opportunity to take the best of her.
One enemy at a time.
But once she sits as the ruler of this world.
Then she will find out how and where her handmaid came from, and then she will girl's brother, as well as this assassin Strados, and anyone involved in her girlfriend's detainment.
And if need be…this Reiko as well.
Indeed.
No one, hurts her Elle and lives to talk about it.
About twenty minutes later.
Team Azula was walking once more with Mai holding Ty Lee up over her shoulders while they watched Elle walk beside Azula.
After placing all of the items back in her backpack Elle slung it over her shoulder and they resumed their walk.
"Servant." Azula stated sternly with her words earning her a scolding glance from her friends.
"Elle." Ty Lee corrected with a huff while Azula never even turned to look at her.
"Yes Mistress?" Elle queried in an innocent voice with her words producing a gigantic smile on Azula's lips and a sigh from Ty Lee.
"It is illegal for you to walk anywhere on this island without one of us supervising you. For your safety I am removing your freedom and placing an indivisible tether on you. If you go further than a one hundred paces away from us. I will punish you severely. Is that understood?" Azula explained in a smug voice with a confident smirk on her lips while the two noblewomen shivered once more.
"You know Elle. Me and Ty Lee know some kind girls that would jump at the chance to go on a date with you…and I bet they would even be more than happy to give you a bit of dominance. What 'normal' people consider dominance. If you're ever interested. Just let us know." Mai informed in a deadpan voice while Ty Lee gazed on in humor alongside her.
"It is Azula-sama!" Elle cried out with a quick bow while her princess stared down at her in boundless approval.
"Or not." Mai stated with a shrug while Ty Lee still smiled at the two.
"Good girl. I want you to know…that I am…pleased to hear that they didn't experiment on you." Azula admitted in a proud voice with her fists grasped at her armored plating while she glared ahead furiously.
It was a terrifying statement that showed the difference in their worlds as compared to Elle's.
In place of a world of bending was a world of technology and cold hard science.
Not that slavery in a Fire Nation prison was any better though.
"A-arigatou gozaimasu." Elle mumbled with her thumbs twiddling before her while she eagerly padded alongside her much taller caretaker.
"Me too." Ty Lee agreed with an angered growl while she glared ahead.
"I concur." Mai stated with a colder voice while she gazed over at the naïve girl walking beside her.
Only for the princess to turn her head while she gazed down at boot tracks that curved up onto a slope above them.
"I told Zoi to wait for me before setting up camp." Azula spoke in a frigid voice with her handmaid padding up alongside her.
"Can you really blame them Azula? How long have we been gone? Four hours?" Ty Lee suggested with her hands on her hips while Azula turned to walk up the slope.
Just before Azula stopped when she noticed small etch marks in the trees that she began to follow.
"I don't care if it was a year! I expect my people to wait for me even if they starve! My will is absolute!" Azula snarled in a moody voice while she stomped along with Elle scampering after her.
The two noblewomen just rolled their eyes at their spoiled leader's back.
As the princess angrily punched a branch to pieces when it obstructed her walking path.
"You go Azula-sama! You dominate that tree branch!" Elle called out in a worshipful voice with her words earning her a pleased smirk from her mistress and an amused glance from her big sister's.
"Humph! This one understands that my conquest cannot be stopped!" Azula bellowed in an overly proud voice before swiping her bangs from her sweaty eyes with a huff.
Only to peer down through the corner of her eye when a delicate hand grasped ahold of her elbow.
She gave the girl's smiling face a stern glance before stomping ahead with her young girlfriend now tucked underneath her armpit.
"Azula-sama…" Elle murmured in a content voice while she held Azula's muscular arm with the much taller woman greedily pulling her in closer.
Until her face pressed into a clothed arm while her dominant girlfriend began to walk with her under her protective arm.
"Aww…" Ty Lee gushed while her spoiled friend rolled her amber golden eyes only to march on with her little sister holding onto her bicep.
"I have to say Elle. You met another woman before Azula…also royalty…and from the sound of it just as controlling. Why didn't you ask this Reiko out on a date?" Mai questioned with a small smirk while her leader's amber golden eyes lit up in murderous jealousy at the mere implication.
Ty Lee scratched her cheek in amusement only to look puzzled when the adorable girl shifted uncomfortably.
"Uh…there were many reasons. But one is the fact that Reiko is at least double my age." Elle answered while her three friends flinched comically.
Even the princess herself saw her line of reasoning.
"Huh…that would be weird little sister." Ty Lee quipped with a nod of agreement while Azula glared with glacial possessiveness in her amber golden eyes.
"So, it wasn't just slavery you were looking for. It had to be Azula that stripped you for your free will?" Mai asked in a deadpan voice while Azula's smile returned to her lips.
"Yep! No one else would do! Azula-sama is the only one that I trust to guide me for all of my days." Elle declared in a passionate voice with her head resting against her mistress's toned arm.
"Azula…" Ty Lee trailed off in a moved voice while her leader continued to walk with her little sister clinging to her elbow.
"Hm. You were searching for my dominance and my dominance alone." Azula purred with her supremely strict eyes peering down at Elle's lovable face hiding in her sleeve.
"T-that's so…Azula-sama." Elle stammered cutely with her big sister's gazing at her oddly while she smiled shyly up at her smirking princess.
"That's my Elle." Azula announced in an approving voice with her words taking all by surprise while the younger girl peered in delight.
"Y-your Elle?" Elle stuttered in a shocked voice while Azula rolled her elegant eyes down at her.
"Yes…you belong to me. So…that makes you mine. I own you." Azula stated in a possessive voice with her growling words causing Elle to eagerly nod her head.
Mai and Ty exchanged an astonished glance while they followed along after the two.
That was the first time that they had heard Azula call the girl…her Elle.
"I…am Princess Azula's…E-Elle." Elle swooned with a hand on her cheek while Ty Lee smiled at the two.
"So you are. And before I forget. Ty Lee's your jail warden from now on. If I am not around…and you defy me. It is now her job to punish you." Azula spoke in a sadistic voice while her handmaid now peered back at Ty Lee's appalled face.
"Jail warden Azula! I am not going to be my little sister's jail warden!" Ty Lee protested in an offended voice while Mai shook her head knowingly.
"Like I said Ty Lee. She'll run away from the two of you and into my arms." Mai teased lightly while Ty Lee took on a comically furious expression.
"You will be her jail warden Ty Lee! Or you will soon find yourself shining my two hundred pairs of footwear alongside her!" Azula exclaimed in a tyrannical voice with a smug smile on her regal lips while Ty Lee recoiled in delicious horror.
"N-no! Please Azula! Not…that. I'll… be Elle's jail warden." Ty Lee grumbled with her angry eyes glaring down at her boots.
"Understood Azula-sama! I will obey oneesan Ty Lee when you are not around." Elle agreed with a serious nod that only served to make Ty Lee sigh in defeat.
"You're…not really going to make her clean two hundred pairs of shoes and boots every three days…are you?" Mai wondered in a dry voice only for her leader to smile maliciously.
"Of course, I am. All two hundred. It's an important exercise in trust and obedience." Azula insisted in a beyond entitled voice while her two-childhood friends shuddered in pity for the poor girl.
"I won't let you down Azula-sama. Your shoes will shine as if they were sparkling glass!" Elle cried out in a loving voice while the princess smirked in gratification.
"You know Elle. I guess you'll never know if this…Reiko would have taken care of you without making you polish two hundred pairs of her shoes." Mai taunted in a composed voice while Elle still gazed ahead happily.
"Now Mai. I am just giving the girl what she needs. I strongly believe that the tiger monkey will only thrive in a rigorous environment where my will reigns supreme. Elle will only feel comfortable under my stern rule where she has no time to think about anything but Azula. This way she'll feel secure…because she will be continuously reminded that I am all encompassing." Azula explained with a charming smile while her childhood friends shivered only for Elle to contently tug on her arm.
"That's my best buddy. She cares about me." Elle stated with a blissful sigh while she bashfully peered up at Azula's simply divine face.
"Uh…yeah Elle. She certainly does." Ty Lee commented in an exasperated voice while she leaned on her friends' shoulder.
"It's for her own good." Azula added in a controlling voice with an arrogant smile before patting her blushing girlfriend's soft hair.
Elle giggled sweetly with the princess's hand in her hair while they strode up a slope.
Only for the group to pause when they heard the sound of wild animal activity in the trees ahead.
And before Azula had a chance to react Elle sprang from her arm while she glared on with irate amber golden eyes when the girl burst towards the tree line like a curious puppy.
"I wonder what's over here!" Elle exclaimed while her companions gazed after her in a bewilderment while her mistress called after her.
"Get back here Elle! You don't know what's in those bushes!" Azula barked in a seemingly uncaring voice with her lips pursed in a foul tempered scowl while her childhood friends observed in humor.
"Just let her explore Azula. We're right behind her if anything goes wrong." Ty Lee advised in a warm voice while she walked forward on her friends' arm.
Only for the princess to stomp her boot with her arms now folded over her breasts.
"I really need to start leashing her." Azula sighed with a shake of her head while the other two shuddered in pity for her little handmaid.
As she continued to step ahead, she heard her handmaid's joyful cries of delight that only prompted her to sigh once more.
And then she knocked the tree branches aside from her view before stomping into the foliage only to freeze in her step after she made her way into the clearing.
The two noblewomen also halted with their expressions softening to find their young companion playing with forest wildlife.
But they were not just any wildlife. They were…tiger monkeys!
"Hm. Well I see the tiger monkey has found her long lost family." Azula commented with a smug wave of her hand while the other two continued to gaze on fondly.
"Oh Azula! Cut it out!" Ty Lee exclaimed with a grin while Azula rolled her eyes back at her.
While they watched Elle kneel down while she reached out to touch a hopping tiger monkey while her three friends gazed after her in amusement.
"Hello! My name is Elle! What's your name?" Elle questioned with a joyful smile while the tiger monkey sniffed her hand.
Team Azula observed in varied levels of humor when the only response the girl received was a purr-like squeak.
"What are these animals called Azula-sama?" Elle inquired in an excited voice while her big sisters gazed on in humor when the princess's red lips curved into a gigantic smirk.
"Oh, those dear? Those are tiger monkeys." Azula answered with a fingernail curling up before her lips only to watch in concealed entertainment when her handmaid cried out in joy.
"Tiger monkeys! The princess says I'm a tiger monkey too!" Elle cried out in delight with a wide grin when the tiger monkey continued to sniff her hand.
"That's cute Azula. Don't you think so?" Ty Lee asked with a giggle while the princess scanned her fingernails in feigned boredom.
"It is not cute. It is revolting." Azula snorted with a cold smile while Mai rolled her eyes at her.
"It's cute and you know it Azula. Isn't it Mai?" Ty Lee laughed while she smiled when a tiger monkey leaped onto Elle's back only for her young friend to smile brightly.
"It is." Mai agreed dryly with a small smile on her lips while Azula continued to as if she were above such things.
"They like me Azula-sama!" Elle squealed with childish awe in her eyes while tiger monkeys began to drop down to inspect her.
"I can see that servant." Azula sighed with tiny spark of fondness in her callous eyes while she watched closely to make certain that the creatures did not harm her pet.
Only to find herself staring on in genuine puzzlement when her little girlfriend began laughing happily when the other tiger monkeys began to climb on her.
All while Ty Lee giggled alongside her and even Mai managed a chuckle of amusement.
"This…this is one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen! This is…so wonderful Azula-sama." Elle declared in a voice of unending joy while her princess stared at her with perplexed amber golden eyes.
"Please! They are just tiger monkeys Elle! They are nothing more than furry little beasts!" Azula shouted with her arms crossed over her armored chest while she scowled at the scene before her.
"No. This is…just sublime. There…is nothing like this…back home in the Blue Zone. Nothing…nothing at all." Elle mumbled with her amber eyes briefly shimmering up in emotions while Team Azula listened closely to her words.
The three highborn women exchanged a brief glance before gazing back at their young companion once more.
They still knew very little of…Elle's Earth.
And this was the first time that they had heard Elle speak of any 'zone'.
Any thoughts that Azula had as to what that could be promptly vanished while her amber golden eyes squinted in disgust when one of the tiger monkeys licked her handmaid's cheek.
As Elle laughed sweetly once more while the animal continued to lick her face.
"That's disgusting Elle! Get that filthy little beast off of you or you will not be sleeping beside me!" Azula bellowed with her voice causing the tiger monkeys to tremble much to her delight.
"N-no! Please don't revoke my snuggle rights!" Elle wailed in a horrified voice while the tiger monkey continued to lick her face much to the princess's revulsion.
"Stop it Azula. You're ruining it for her." Ty Lee scolded while she lightly smacked her scowling friend on her shoulder pad.
"Ruining what Ty Lee? The girl getting a disease from one of these dirty creatures?" Azula growled with her boot tapping on the forest floor while Ty Lee sighed.
"T-that tickles!" Elle cheered with renewed laughter while the tiger monkey pressed against her cheek just when another perched on her other shoulder.
"She…looks so happy. Just let her enjoy it Azula." Mai stated with affection in her voice while she watched her little sister's face beam as brightly as the sparkling oceanside.
All of Elle's hidden sorrow and pain was briefly fading away in the simplistic joy that the girl gained from the forest wildlife.
"Humph. Well at least now we know that both species of tiger monkey behave much the same." Azula taunted with a haughty wave of her hand while the other two women stared on comically beside her.
"Azula…" Ty Lee answered with a smile still adorning her lips while Azula tapped her fingers along her armored biceps.
"They even hop about in a similar manner." Azula remarked with a finger under her chin while she watched the scene with a sliver of amusement in her eyes.
"I like tiger monkeys! We'll have to be friends! All of us! Maybe I can even visit you? I bet Azula-sama would be willing to give me a ride out!" Elle chirped with her amber eyes agape in wonder while the tiger monkeys still sat on her shoulders.
And another even clung to the back of her shirt!
The two noblewomen turned to the princess's annoyed face while they smiled knowingly at her as if to say that they knew that she wouldn't say no.
It was a beyond humiliating concept to Azula for the princess of the Fire Nation to utilize a war machine to transport a peasant to a remote island so the girl can frolic with filthy little beasts!
"No Elle. No, I will not." Azula sneered with her fingers grasping at her arms while she turned away to glare off into the distance.
Team Azula stood watching the innocent scene with mutual astonishment in their eyes only for their stomachs to begin to growl once more.
Ty Lee blushed lightly while Mai sighed as if she were saying that it was time to go get food.
Yet once more the one whose belly growled the loudest was Azula's herself.
The spoiled woman observed the frolicking animals with a hungry look in her amber golden eyes while her subordinates gazed at her in disbelief.
"No. Azula." Ty Lee protested with an adamant shake of her head while the other woman glowered back at her.
"It's food." Azula hissed with her starting to graze the hilt of her sword while Elle continued to roll about with her back turned to her.
"Are you really going to ruin her joy? Are you that low?" Mai pondered with her smile having given way to a frown while Azula scowled at the frolicking tiger monkeys.
"Just look at how much they like her. Those beasts have completely dropped their guard. If we just…" Azula snarled with a hardened look in her eyes while her childhood friends stared at her in disgust.
"No." Ty Lee responded in an unusually stern voice while she leaned on the other noblewoman's shoulder.
"There is an entire island of animals that you can hunt…and you would pick the ones lulled into harmony by Elle's presence?" Mai retorted with anger in her voice while her cruel leader continued to stare at the animals in aggravation.
"It's standard hunting practice to strike when your prey is under the delusion that they are safe. Just think about how easy it would be if she lured our prey in for us…all we would have to do is deal one swift blow." Azula insisted in a ruthless voice with her beautiful lips in a thin line while she glared at her pretty handmaid laying in the grass with the wild animals.
The two women just stared at their leader in revulsion that the thought had even crossed her mind.
"No Azula. Even though I am painfully hungry. I will not do that." Ty Lee spoke in an upset voice while the small blonde's giggles still filtered into the air.
"I really wish we could take a picture of this Azula-sama! If only we had a camera!" Elle announced in a peaceful voice with a soft smile on her lips while she ran her hand through a tiger monkey's fur.
The princess just grunted angrily while her two subordinates gazed at her in a pointed manner.
"Soft hearted fools!" Azula snapped with a scowl still on her crimson lips while she stared at the scene in disgust.
Or so that was how it appeared.
"What's a camera Elle?" Ty Lee questioned in a warmly curious voice while Elle smiled from where she lay in the foliage.
"It's a device that takes a still image of a scene that you want to preserve. Like…this one. And then…you can print a photo on a sheet of paper. Almost…like a painting but it's not a painting. It's…a copy of the image of the memory that you cherish…frozen in time. So, you can gaze at it anytime that you wish to recall your happy memory." Elle explained in a wistful voice while she laughed when she was licked on the cheek once more.
"Revolting." Azula muttered with a huff while the other two women gazed on with astonishment in their eyes.
"That…that sounds amazing Elle!" Ty Lee called out with her mouth open in awe.
"For commoners I suppose. I have no time for…such sentimental nonsense." Azula stated in a pompous fashion while she scanned her fingernails in a show of disinterest.
"Oh, please Azula. You love to act all high and mighty but we all know that you've expressed an interest in all of the devices from Elle's…Earth." Mai scoffed with her arms crossed over her bosom while the princess rolled her eyes mockingly.
"Maybe someday…we can all take a photograph together? As a family!" Elle suggested in an innocent voice with her words hitting all three of her companions in the chest.
Even Azula was struck by the girl's pure hearted words.
"We'd love to! Wouldn't we Azula?" Ty Lee assured in a delighted voice with Azula sighing heavily beside her.
"I suppose…if it would keep the girl from crying." Azula answered with an impassive shrug while Ty Lee smiled at her once more.
"That would be nice Elle. I would like that." Mai offered with her tawny eyes thawing at the sight of the younger girl laughing happily amongst the tiger monkeys.
But even so.
She couldn't help but ponder how she still thought this girl was too pure for someone like Azula.
Far too pure.
"As would I…so very much." Elle spoke with a serene smile while she wiggled when a tiger monkey leaped on her belly.
And then one perched upon her head while the two noblewomen chuckled alongside the comically repulsed princess.
"Servant! Let's go! I'm hungry!" Azula bellowed with a spoiled snap of her fingers while the other two women still smiled at the scene.
"B-but Mistress! The tiger monkeys and I are becoming good friends!" Elle protested adorably only to find herself gulping under a beyond domineering gaze that sent another shudder down her spine.
When Azula glared at her she…felt like her entire body was lighting up in delight.
There were no words to describe the joy that she felt when she stood under the princess's stern glare.
"By all means continue then…if you wish for me to eat your friends." Azula purred with a hand slowly trailing down her growling belly while she watched in amusement when her little pet gazed at her in horror.
"Azula!" Ty Lee begged once more only for her cruel friend to ignore her plea.
"N-no! P-please don't eat the tiger monkeys Mistress!" Elle cried out in a worried voice while Azula still eyed the tiger monkey on her head in disgust.
"Then come now! So, I can go find other food!" Azula ordered with a domineering snap of her fingers before placing her hands on her shapely hips.
"Y-yes Princess…if you say so." Elle murmured in a moping voice while she sat up with her amber eyes peering down at the peaceful forest animals still crowding around her.
"Hm. That's what I like to hear." Azula commented with a pleased smile once more just as she began to stride away while her two friends turned to follow her.
They watched Elle hesitantly stand up before offering a pat to the head of the one that was kissing her face.
"I'll be back! Don't worry! I'll visit you every day that I am here! And come back to see you even after I leave!" Elle assured in a tender voice with a jubilant smile on her lips before sprinting away while she waved over her shoulder at the small gathering of tiger monkeys.
The tiger monkeys observed her departure with innocent interest in their eyes before returning to their prior activities after their visitor vanished in the forest tree line.
Team Azula stood patiently while they all turned to watch their innocent young friend pad back over to their side.
And she was smiling even brighter than before they had stepped into the peaceful forest glade.
"Azula-sama?" Elle requested in a respectful voice after scampering to a stop before the much taller woman's side while amber golden eyes gazed down at her.
"What Elle?" Azula replied in a sigh while she stood with her fists on her hips only to watch in approval when Elle bowed before her at the waist.
"W-will…will you…take me back to visit the tiger monkeys tomorrow?" Elle stammered with a bashful twinge of pink on her cheeks while Azula's cold eyes surveyed her closely.
As the two noblewomen gazed at the scowling woman's back.
And Ty Lee even went so far as to lightly slap her hand on the other woman's armored back.
"Ugh. Fine." Azula grumbled just as she was about to turn away only to find a blonde blur latching to her around her belly.
"Arigatou gozaimasu Azula-sama! Arigatou!" Elle cheered in a heartfelt voice with her arms grasping her mistress's plated belly while she listened to the princess's stomach rumble in her ear.
But it didn't bother her any!
Not in the least!
"But…only if you stay on your best behavior! Is that understood servant?" Azula declared in a harsh voice with her dominant eyes glaring down at Elle's face pressing into her belly.
"Yes Azula-sama! I'll be the best girl I can be for you!" Elle cried out with her happy eyes peering up at Azula's stony face only to close her eyes serenely when a strong hand planted into her hair.
"That's my good girl. The only one I can count on." Azula remarked with a returning smile while she petted her petite girlfriend beneath her stern hand.
"O-ooh Azula-sama…I'm your g-girl." Elle stuttered in a loveable voice while she happily hid her face in the older girl's growling belly.
"You two are so cute together." Ty Lee chuckled with a bright grin while Mai observed the scene in amusement only for Azula to scowl back at them.
"Say that again Ty Lee and I will change your family crest to a cherry pit. And I will leave it to you to fill in the blanks as to what that will mean for your family." Azula spoke in a glacial voice with her small girlfriend still bending over with her little face buried in her belly.
Ty Lee paled in terror before wisely ceasing her giggles.
The last thing she wanted was to not only be sentenced to picking cherry pits.
But to have her entire family cursing at her in hatred while they labor beside her!
And then after what seemed like about a minute Azula carefully pushed Elle to her feet.
Elle pouted while she stared up at her princess's scoffing face with adorable amber eyes only for harsh golden eyes to send a shiver down her spine.
"That's enough now peasant. If you continue this exemplary behavior then I just might pet you while you do your labors." Azula commanded with her fists on her hips while her petite handmaid eagerly nodded her little head in excitement.
"Yes Azula-sama! On exemplary behavior!" Elle chirped with an ever-present smile before bouncing on both feet much to the amusement of her three friends'.
"Very good. Follow me now Elle." Azula sighed with a still pleased countenance while she wagered her fingers for her girlfriend to follow while she listened to her young girlfriend scamper after her.
"If my princess says follow, I follow!" Elle piped in a worshipful voice with her big sister's following after her while her older girlfriend smiled in approval.
And with that the foursome continued trekking up the forest slope while they followed the tree markings that Zoi had left for them.
The handmaid padded alongside her much taller mistress while the ruthless woman watched through the corner of her eye.
All the while keeping a stern eye out for any dangers that might threaten her servant's life.
Only for her amber golden eye to twitch in annoyance when her pet held a curious finger to her lip when they heard the sound of another small creature rustling in the thick foliage.
"Elle! No! Don't you even think about it!" Azula shouted in a cold voice only to groan when her pet rushed towards the bushes.
Ty Lee smiled while she gazed back at the stoic markswoman before they turned their heads to watch their princess already bounding in the air to apprehend their excited little sister.
"B-but Azula-sama! I want to explore! It might be more tiger monkeys!" Elle answered with childish awe in her eyes before she vanished into the thick foliage once more.
And not another moment later Team Azula heard the young girl shrieking in horror while they all whipped their heads around in unconcealed concern for their friend's safety.
The two noblewomen were already rushing after their leader.
While Azula furiously stomped through the forest greenery only to gaze down in disgust upon seeing what had caused her pet's screams.
Mai and Ty Lee slid to a stop behind the princess while they gazed up with unusual revulsion in their eyes.
It was a very, very big spiders' nest.
And the girl had just naively ran right into it!
"S-save me Azula-sama! H-help me!" Elle whined with her eyes widening in terror when a large spider scuttled down before her paling face.
Not a second later a blade a blue fire cut through the dense webbing while the girl fearfully took cover behind her mistress's much taller body.
"Foolish peasant! This is what happens when you blindly run into the brush!" Azula snapped with her controlling eyes glaring over her shoulder at her little girlfriend trembling behind her.
"S-sumimasen Azula-sama." Elle mumbled with her hands grasping at the back of her mistress's armor while she hid her face in Azula's sloping back.
"Azula! Look above you! You've both disturbed the nest!" Mai yelled with a deep grimace.
While Azula glanced up with unhidden repugnance in her amber golden eyes to see many spiders scurrying down the huge web.
Just when Elle started to pitifully scream out in terror behind her while her eyes twitched in aggravation.
Elle's piercing scream only served to cause her three friends to cover their ears in pain while they watched in horror to see that the yell only served to disturb the nest even further.
"Okay! That is not pink! It's so totally gross!" Ty Lee exclaimed in revulsion while she rushed forward on her good foot with her arm over her friends' shoulder.
"Elle! Cease that pathetic wailing right now!" Azula roared with her stern eyes whipping around to glare at her handmaid only to watch in unconcealed annoyance when her admirer took off in a maddened sprint past her.
"G-get me off this island! N-now!" Elle shrieked while her three friends watched her dart ahead with speed, they had not thought her capable of.
The three highborn women gazed at their young friend in slight bewilderment before Elle halted in her tracks when a spider dropped down on top of her head.
Without even giving it any thought Azula sprang ahead to kill the spider that was now crawling over her screaming girlfriend's face.
"Stay still so I get it off!" Azula barked in a furious voice only for her amber golden eyes to shimmer in impatience when her pet bounded through the bushes.
"Poor girl…she really…really doesn't like spiders." Ty Lee muttered with a sympathetic frown just before she knocked a spider from her shoulder in disgust.
"I-it's creepy! G-get it off me! G-get it off me!" Elle screamed in a terrified voice with her eyes agape in terror while she bounded up the rocky slope while she felt furry legs crawl across her neck.
Just when Azula and her big sisters emerged from the brush.
"Elle! Get back here!" Azula yelled in a voice of long since eroded patience while she clenched her fists at her hips.
Only for her amber golden eyes to narrow in anger when she watched the shrieking girl speed over the hillside above.
"I really hate this island." Mai stated in an irate voice while she braced Ty Lee's body weight before, they moved up the path as quickly as they were able.
All the while Azula jumped high above them with her swift footfalls rapidly closing in on her frightened handmaid.
And just when her frantic girlfriend nearly fell down to surely injure herself upon the sharp forest pathway.
Her amber golden eyes flashed with surprise when a familiar figure jumped out of the tree line.
And then the warrior's fist grasped ahold of the girl's shirt before Elle hurt herself on the dangerous pathway.
And without any delay Zoi tossed the spider from the younger girl's trembling neck while she carefully held onto the back of the panting girl's shirt.
Azula slid to a stop while the two noblewomen approached from behind her only to stare up in distaste at the woman standing beside their terrified friend.
Most curiously enough the captain was now wearing a new red short-sleeved shirt with her toned arms showing burn marks from the earlier explosion while she gazed down at them with icy golden eyes.
"P-please! Get it off…" Elle whimpered in a traumatized voice while the older woman stared down at her in puzzlement.
"Calm yourself. I got rid of it." Zoi assured with her grip only loosening after she pulled the shorter girl to her feet.
"Zoi! I told you to wait." Azula spoke in a callous voice with her arms crossed over her breasts while her cold eyes honed in on her handmaid's gasping face.
Elle wheezed for air with a hand over her chest while Zoi turned to gaze down at her in increased bafflement.
It not only astounded her to discover that her powerful princess was fond of this young girl.
But her astonishment only grew when she took note of the slight flicker of concern in her leader's amber golden eyes upon seeing the girl rasp for air.
"I-I need my…" Elle wheezed with her arms struggling to get her backpack off her shoulder only for Zoi to react quicker than she expected.
Zoi tore the backpack from her shoulders with merciless precision before patiently holding it out for the panicking girl to open while Team Azula watched in shock.
They were still having a hard time processing that a woman who was willing to torture her enemy for weeks and cut down enemy soldiers like butter was surprisingly compassionate to her allies.
As long as they don't get on her bad side.
"Her inhaler. Get her inhaler." Mai instructed in a grudgingly restrained voice while Zoi briefly met her gaze before holding the open back for Elle's fumbling hand.
"Where is it? In this compartment?" Zoi questioned with a raised brow while Elle's hand speedily grasped ahold of the small inhaler before holding to her lips in a frenzy.
Azula stomped up the pathway with her stern eyes glaring at Elle when her handmaid took several frantic puffs of her inhaler.
"Don't drop anything in that bag. Her only memories of her mother are in there." Ty Lee remarked with a worried frown while Zoi offered her a stunned nod while she gazed down at Elle's pale face.
'She's…very sick.' Zoi thought with her eyes softening just a tad while the shorter girl turned to watch the princess step up behind her.
"None of this would have happened if you had just done as I told you! You can't just mindlessly run into every bush without looking checking your surroundings first!" Azula snapped in a foul tempered voice with her toned arms folded over her chest while she glared down at her rasping girlfriend.
"Azula! Let Elle get her breath before you berate her!" Ty Lee exclaimed in a sisterly voice while she approached from behind.
"S-sumima-" Elle coughed only for her words to die in her throat while the warrior still held onto her backpack with her golden eyes observing her in bafflement.
"Simple minded peasant." Azula scoffed in a haughty voice with her boot tapping on the rocky outcrop while Elle shrunk even lower under her domineering glare.
While the younger girl regained her breath the four highborn women waited for her coughs to die down.
Elle gasped at a slower rate while Azula loomed behind her with suppressed concern in her callous eyes before temporarily turning her attentions to her most skilled soldier.
The other woman gazed back at her before answering at long last.
"The Dai Li brought a small pack of supplies up and some injured. They are bringing the rest of our people up as we speak. I had injured people to feed so I moved ahead of you. And I likewise told the others to continue onward while I hunted for dinner." Zoi responded in a composed voice while Azula's terrifying eyes burned through her skull.
Whether it was because the princess was concerned for her injured or simply because she was exhausted.
For whatever reason, the princess chose to let it slide.
"Let us hope that you find something more appealing than canned fish!" Azula complained with a huff while she loomed over her exhausted pet.
"Well…volcano sac spiders weren't exactly what I had in mind…but I hear that they aren't half bad roasted over a campfire." Zoi spoke with a shrug while she smiled when the other four gazed at her in complete disgust.
"Oh…now I feel woozy." Elle whined with Ty Lee patting her back gently while she shivered in fear of the giant spiders.
Azula just stared at Zoi with an incredulous countenance just before the warrior cast her a small smirk.
"That was a joke Princess." Zoi sighed with her aloof eyes watching Elle calm herself before the girl put her inhaler back in its compartment.
And then she zipped up the bag for the younger girl before gently handing it back to the now relaxing handmaid.
"A-arigatou gozaimasu…Zoi." Elle murmured while her three friends observed the interaction with varying feelings in their mixed gazes.
That was the first time that any of them had heard Elle speak to Zoi beyond when she stood up to her earlier today.
"Ah. No need to thank me. I will not have it said that I let Princess Azula's girlfriend suffer grievous injury on my watch." Zoi jested with her hand patting the now blushing girl's shoulder while the princess glared daggers at her.
"You will not breath a word of this to anyone…understand?" Azula hissed with her hand reaching out to grasp Zoi's shoulder once more while the warrior winced in understanding.
"Breath a word of what Your Highness? I don't see anything." Zoi answered smoothly while Azula's amber golden eyes still narrowed back at her.
"Good. You had best see to it that it stays that way! Because your name will be on my list! All of you will! And if anyone betrays my confidence…I will draw ten random names! And kill whoever I draw…regardless of stature." Azula snarled with her glacial gaze glaring about while her childhood friends shuddered in terror.
Mai and Ty Lee swallowed after exchanging a mutual glance of unease before gazing back down at their innocent friends adorably reddened face.
They could only hope that Azula was just spouting hot air to terrify her people into staying silent.
"Understood Princess! I will not breath a word of your little lover to-" Zoi assured only for a mighty fist to impact with her jaw while the princess stared down at her with murderous amber golden eyes.
"Be silent Zoi!" Azula barked with a furious finger pointing down at the smirking woman just as she guided Elle's bashfully blushing face along under her armpit.
"Of course, my princess. You'll be relieved to know that I found a nice camping spot up ahead." Zoi announced with a returning stoicism to her voice while Team Azula listened in relief.
Only to turn to their young friends unusually repulsed countenance.
"I-I'm not camping near that…that infestation!" Elle cried out with her hands grasping the straps of her backpack while Azula groaned in annoyance once more.
"You'll camp where I say you camp servant." Azula snorted in a controlling voice only to be taken aback when her petite girlfriend adamantly shook her little head.
"A-absolutely not! I will not sleep anywhere near that! I won't stop to rest until I am certain that my sleeping area is monster spider free!" Elle protested before she turned away from her princess's stunned face while Zoi observed the interaction in shock.
The three noblewomen gazed at the scene in mild amusement while the princess's lips creased into a wrathful scowl.
No doubt not appreciating the public challenge to her authority.
"No. You will not! I am your mistress and I say we're camping up ahead!" Azula ordered with a finger thrusting in Elle's unusually disgusted face.
"Go ahead and camp there! But I won't! I'll camp alone if I must! But I am not sleeping by this!" Elle shouted with a finger pointing back up at Azula's beautiful face while the older girl's nose exhaled a small puff of flames in her anger.
"Azula…just work with Elle." Ty Lee pleaded with a sigh while Azula released a furious growl above the smaller girl.
"You…will do as I say pet." Azula declared in a supremely domineering voice while the others watched in amusement when the tiny girl folded her arms in defiance.
"Azula-sama, do you still want me to clean your boots and scrub the sweat from your armor? Do you also wish for me to scrub your body from head to toe? Cook your dinner? Massage your feet? And your bottom? And the rest of you too?" Elle asked in a brave voice while her big sisters observed in approval when her mistress glowered down at her.
"Humph! I don't wish it I demand it!" Azula shouted with her fingers sweeping her sweaty bangs from her eyes only for her ire to skyrocket when her pet jabbed her finger against her belly.
"Then camp somewhere spider free or you won't get anything! N-not one thing if I have to sleep near those…those repulsive monsters!" Elle insisted with her little arms folded over her youthful chest while Azula watched her turn to walk away in disbelief.
And the princess's rage was only fueled by her two childhood friends' chuckles of approval.
"You tell her Elle!" Ty Lee called out with a grin while Mai chuckled softly beside her.
The petite girl smiled in returning shyness while the incensed princess began to stomp after her with her fists tightening at her hips.
But the most infuriating thing of all was not Mai and Ty Lee's laughter.
Or her handmaid's defiance.
No.
It was Zoi's amused smirk.
"Well…Princess…it looks like you just got told by your boss." Zoi taunted with a knowing smirk while the princess spun around to glare a hole through her end.
As Elle padded ahead of them while flames began to ignite at Azula's fingertips.
"I am the master here Zoi. I am the master of every last one of you. We camp where I say we camp. Is that understood girl?" Azula demanded in a beyond strict voice just as she strode up behind her tiny handmaid while the much shorter girl continued her pathetic sulking.
"N-no. I won't." Elle stammered in returning shyness only to cough once more while her mistress scowled down at the back of her head.
"Would you rather deal with Elle screaming all throughout the night? Or would you rather walk a little further to sleep more soundly?" Mai inquired in a pointed voice while Azula glared at her over her shoulder.
Only for the young girl's voice to plea to her once more.
"Please Azula-sama. Those spiders…scare me." Elle murmured in a meek voice with Azula stepping up alongside her while the regal woman gazed down at her in grudging concern.
"Ugh. Fine. I suppose…in recognition of your undying loyalty…that I could walk further." Azula sighed with a dramatic wave of her hand while her childhood friends rolled their eyes only for a blonde blur to assail her arm.
The powerful princess stiffened with her cold eyes expressing her reservations about showing affections in the presence of her most skilled soldier.
Not that it deterred her handmaid any.
"Arigatou gozaimasu Azula-sama! Arigatou!" Elle cheered in a joyful voice once more before she adorably nuzzled her older girlfriend's toned bicep while the captain observed in unhidden amusement.
"But the massage had better be worth it! Is that understood Elle!" Azula barked with a finger snapping in her little handmaid's brightly smiling face while she allowed her girlfriend to hold onto her arm.
"Yes Azula-sama! I won't disappoint you!" Elle exclaimed with a chipper grin while she pressed her face against Azula's strong arm while the older girl huffed above her.
"See to it that you don't peasant." Azula scoffed with a flick of her ebony bangs while her red lips curved into a smirk once more.
"Aww!" Ty Lee cooed with a cheerful smile while Azula rolled her elegant eyes as they continued up the pathway.
Only for the captain's smooth chuckle to cause the mighty princess to turn around and glare at her with dangerously narrowed amber golden eyes.
"It's good to know that there is someone I can go to for appeals should you disappoint me." Zoi stated with an aloof nod while Azula's friends flinched when the wrathful woman stared a hole through her forehead.
"Don't you have something better to do than pester me! I thought you were supposed to be gathering dinner!" Azula bellowed in a thunderous voice with her icy eyes glaring at her soldier's stoic face.
"I was Princess. But I heard…Elle scream for help. So, I abandoned my kill to save her from would be death…or so I thought." Zoi commented with a shrug while the young blonde blushed in embarrassment.
That was also the first time that the legendary soldier said their young friend's name.
"Thank you…again Zoi." Elle mumbled in a shy voice with her big sisters eying Zoi's slightly smiling face in suspicion.
"As I said…Elle. It was nothing." Zoi assured with her hand on the hilt of her blade while she began to stride ahead.
"Your service is appreciated…now if you will excuse us." Azula remarked in a moody voice with her amber golden eyes glaring ahead only for her ire to increase when she caught a hint of anger in her warrior's eyes.
"Of course, Princess. I have but one question for you…three months?" Zoi announced in a colder voice with her golden eyes flashing in obvious displeasure while the four other girls froze in their tracks.
Ty Lee could only stare at Zoi with unnerved brown-gray eyes over how dangerous and persistent the warrior was proving to be.
Even so bold as to continue to press and push on Azula's waning nerves to sentence Mai to a horrible fate!
"You…spied on me!" Azula hissed with her eyes agape in great anger while her handmaid listened in puzzlement just as she rounded around to glare at her stoic soldier.
"Oh no. I heard a rumor amongst the locals. Something about Mai's uncle and a few months. How…disappointing." Zoi spoke with a seemingly uncaring shrug before she slapped her hand on Mai's shoulder while the noblewoman stared at her in loathing.
"I suggest you watch your step Zoi. You are treading on thin ice." Azula warned with her merciless eyes glaring at her captain's impassive face.
'Damn you Mai! You stupid fool! If it comes between the Song clan and the Saolin clan…' Azula thought with her brilliant eyes shimmering in rage while her eyes flickered between the two faces.
"Mai's uncle Azula-sama? What's this about a few months?" Elle questioned naively with her amber eyes peering up at Azula's glowering visage while her mistress glared back at Zoi.
Team Azula was more than aware than Azula was going to painstaking lengths to prevent their young friend from finding out that Mai would be sentenced to imprisonment.
No doubt the princess was well aware that it would send Elle into an inconsolable fit of tears.
Something that bothered all three of them.
Even if Azula was too proud to say so aloud.
"Oh, I understand. Perhaps…Fire Lord Ozai might see it differently. What say you Saolin? Shall we take our case up with the Fire Lord? I have no doubt that a fine…orator such as yourself just might persuade him that you are right…and I am wrong." Zoi declared with a small smirk while Mai stared at her through the corner of her eye.
And Ty Lee tensed while she gazed back at the other woman's terrifying stare that somehow seemed to rival Azula's own.
Azula clenched her fists at her hips in her anger while her ruthless eyes never left her violent subordinate's murderous face.
And once more she was loathed to admit that Zoi was right!
If she fails to rule in Zoi's favor then her captain will just speak to her father in her place.
She has no doubt that her father would grant her Mai's head without any hesitation.
"How many years did you get for putting your sword through General Shoren's heart? That's right…none. Go drop off a cliff Zoi-" Mai retorted only for her eyes to widen when two strong arms began to choke her before her livid leader's own eyes.
And just when Ty Lee cried out in fright a boot slid underneath her foot before she unceremoniously dropped to the ground on her ass.
In but an instant Ty Lee was on the ground gazing up in anger and shock to see Zoi brutally crushed Mai's wind pipe while her lifelong friend rasped for air.
"Oneesan! P-please don't hurt her!" Elle cried out in a panic while her mistress stared at the scene with narrowing amber golden eyes.
"Zoi! Defy me and you will get nothing! Cease this at once!" Azula roared with her sweaty eyes staring angrily at the other woman's enraged face while Mai thrashed in Zoi's stranglehold.
"Just like you did to your assassin? I am the Fire Nation's greatest warrior! And one way or another…I will have my due!" Zoi snarled with her predatory eyes glaring at Mai's paling face while she crushed the other woman's neck.
Within mere seconds Ty Lee sprung up to chi block Zoi only for the lethal warrior to block her swing with her right arm.
Just when Mai drove a hard boot into Zoi's unprotected stomach.
Zoi slid a few inches backward while the princess watched the transgression with her teeth ground together.
While her handmaid's innocent cries continued to only serve as fuel to her rotten temper.
"S-stop! P-please don't fight!" Elle stammered in a fretful voice while her big sisters stared back at her in guilt only to tense up when Zoi charged forward.
"Zoi!" Azula ordered in a furious voice when the vicious soldier slammed her boot into Ty Lee's belly.
"Stay back Ty Lee!" Mai called out after drawing her blade just before she barely blocked a bloodthirsty swing from Zoi's sword.
And just like that Mai and Zoi clashing blades on the rocky slope while Azula's irate amber golden eyes followed their every move.
Ty Lee knelt on the ground with her eyes widening in worry while sweat dripped down her heated cheek when Mai backpedaled on the defensive.
Only to find her back slammed into a large rock while she panted for air with Zoi's sword very nearly cleaving into her throat.
The exhausted noblewoman just barely rolled out of the way of the assault just when a boot made contact with her stomach once more.
"Mai! S-stop!" Elle pleaded in a heartfelt voice while her girlfriend gazed down at her with anger in her stern eyes.
"I will not say it again Zoi!" Azula shouted in a ruthless voice while blue fire burned at her fingertips while Zoi jumped forward with a maddened gleam in her eyes.
It was as clear as can be that even when Zoi was worn out and injured that the warrior still had the ferocity to overpower Mai.
The two were both worn out and injured, and yet despite the captain being the more injured of the two she still had the upper hand!
'She's…she's a monster! Doesn't she ever tire!' Ty Lee thought with her eyes agape in shock.
"Get up you sack of shit! No one insults my honor and lives to tell about it!" Zoi yelled out in a passionate voice with her teeth grinding together when her swing was shakily blocked by a hidden blade.
"Honor? What honor! You don't have any honor!" Mai growled with her tawny eyes bravely glaring up at the infuriated soldier's face only for a savage kick to send her soaring to the ground.
All the while Ty Lee and Elle watched in horror when Zoi encircled around the downed woman like a bloodthirsty lion.
"Stand up! I won't have my kill stolen by a sharp rock!" Zoi announced with a narrow of her furious eyes while Mai blocked another swing with her teeth gritting in her frustration.
"Stop this right now or I will kill the both of you!" Azula bellowed with her amber golden eyes trembling in anger when the two continued to duel against her order.
The two noblewomen ducked and slashed at one another while the warrior all the while glared down into the other woman's sweat stained tawny eyes.
"There is no escape for you! There is no haven for you! No matter how the princess rules! You will never be safe from me!" Zoi shouted before slamming Mai against a boulder once more while the gloomy noble pushed back on her blade with a mighty grunt.
"I could say the same to you! You're not invincible Zoi! You have to sleep too!" Mai snapped with her hand shakily pushing back on the sword while Zoi seethed like a vengeful dragon.
Only for a spark of yellow fire to escape from the captain's fists that sent her flailing backwards in surprise.
The explosion from the firebending rose into the air while Azula stared on at the scene with a slight twinge of surprise in her cold eyes.
'Did her bending just get stronger than when she used it earlier?' Azula thought with curiosity in her stern eyes while Mai now sat leaning back into the damaged rock face.
And then Zoi stood over her with her blade in hand while she glared down at her panting opponent.
"No. But I am stronger than you. And I have loyal soldiers at my disposal who will obey any order I give them! As long as it doesn't involve the Crown Princess coming to harm!" Zoi exclaimed with her blade pointing down at Mai's bruised face while the other woman tried her hardest to hide her fear.
The implication sent a shiver down the spine of all but Azula.
"A-Azula. Aren't you going to help Mai?" Ty Lee questioned in a frightened voice while Azula pridefully scowled at her before turning her attention back to the two feuding nobles.
"If I tell my men to take you in the woods and beat the shit out of you! They will! If I tell them to poison your food! They will!" Zoi insisted with her enraged golden eyes never ceasing in staring down at the other woman's paling face.
"Zoi!" Azula commanded only for Zoi to tense up in anger.
"But take heart Saolin. I wouldn't do that to you. That would be far…far too quick. I am going to do things to you…that even our noble princess could never fathom. It will not be swift. I will make you wait years. Until you've forgotten about our grudge. And then just when think that it's over…" Zoi explained in a menacing voice with her violent eyes widening in her rage down at Mai's unnerved face.
The horrifying statement had Ty Lee gazing at the somewhat taken aback princess for backup.
It truly sounded like something that Azula would do.
It was no small wonder why Azula was so fond of Zoi!
"I will have your head all the same. In the meantime, I'll just take my anger out on your traitorous lover." Zoi concluded in a vengeful voice before spitting in contempt at the other woman's feet.
Only for a small blonde blur to jump between her sword and her prey while Ty Lee stared on in sisterly fright.
And for the third time in one day Elle selflessly held out her arms to shield Mai while the older girl stared at the younger girl's back with a moved emotion in her stoic eyes.
"P-please stop Zoi!" Elle begged in an emotional voice with her amber eyes peering up into Zoi's golden eyes while the warrior observed her in mild bafflement.
"Elle…." Mai spoke in an appreciate voice with her hand on the girl's shoulder while Elle quivered under Zoi's icy gaze.
It was clear as can be that she would be long dead by now if this young girl had not accompanied them to Shantu Island!
As soon as her young girlfriend had stepped in between the two warring noblewomen Azula's eyes took on a truly monstrous shimmer once more.
Just as she was opening her mouth to shout an order for her soldier to back away from her handmaid.
She could only gaze on in disbelief when the warrior sheathed her blade before she even had a chance to speak.
And then the captain stared down at the small blonde with her brows furrowing inquisitively at the younger girl's face.
"This isn't over… Saolin." Zoi stated with a fist balling up before her while Mai met her glare only for Elle to take a bold step forward.
"Elle!" Ty Lee called out while Elle approached Zoi just as she would Azula.
As Zoi continued to stare down at her with imposing golden eyes.
And Azula finally began stomping over with a fed-up expression in her cold amber golden eyes.
"If you two test me just one more time…" Azula trailed off in a murderous voice until she came to a stop with the back of her small girlfriend's head now pressing against her still growling belly.
Only to find her attentions grasped by her petite pet when Elle still gazed imploringly up into Zoi's confused eyes.
"I-isn't there anyway you two could…talk about it? And come up with a peaceful resolution that doesn't involve anyone dying?" Elle requested in an innocent voice only for her mistress to roll her eyes above her while the captain gazed down at her in seeming amusement.
And even both of her big sister's cringed over how naïve the suggestion was.
Yet even still Ty Lee couldn't help but smile fondly in the gentle girl's direction.
"Talk about it? Of course, let's talk. She tried to push me down a pit of landmines and my own Crown Princess is too damned biased to even give a shit. Just because…it wasn't her." Zoi answered in an increasingly bitter voice while her disappointed eyes fell on her leader's scowling face.
"You dare Zoi." Azula hissed with her teeth baring in her anger when Zoi had the nerve to chuckle mockingly.
"Why even waste my breath? I am starting to wonder why you even inspired me in the first place." Zoi commented with evident disdain in her voice while she turned to walk away which left Azula to gaze at her back in disbelief.
Zoi's resentful words were not subtle in the least.
It was crystal clear to all that Zoi was only a hair away from leaving Azula's service if she didn't offer up Mai's head on a silver platter.
And just when the princess was about to snap out an order once more.
She could only glare down at her pet when Elle tugged on her sleeve to request her to stay silent.
A notion which only prompted Azula to snort out a puff of blue flame in her ire while she watched Elle pad after Zoi when Zoi began to walk away.
The two noblewomen stared after their little sister with worried gazes when the handmaid gently grasped ahold of Zoi's shirt.
The captain halted before she turned to gaze down at the much shorter girl once more with her eyes softening ever so slightly.
Once again all of Team Azula could only be astounded by the affect that Elle's sweet personality had even on the most malicious of killers.
Time and time again Elle showed that she could get even the most ruthless of people to hear her out.
"Isn't…there a way that the Saolin clan can pay you back…and the both of you put your grudge behind you?" Elle inquired in a timid voice while Zoi blinked in puzzlement while she allowed the girl to hold onto her sleeve.
The girl had good intentions but she was just too naïve.
"Such a foolish peasant." Azula grumbled with a roll of her eyes while her two-childhood friends gazed at her in disapproval.
"The Song clan is richer than even the Saolin clan. We have no shortage of gold. There is no amount of gold that will make up for her…offense." Zoi responded in a calmer voice while she observed the smaller girl chew on her lip in deep thought.
The girl seemingly reflected over the matter before she peered back up at her once more.
And to the great surprise of even Azula. Zoi almost seemed to be considering Elle's innocent words.
"Is…is there a non-financial punishment…that doesn't involve death or the loss of…limbs that would mend…my oneesan…trying to kill you?" Elle pondered in a genuine voice with a finger under her lip while Zoi gazed down at her in astonishment.
It was obvious that even though Elle may be naïve.
That even the young handmaid understood the gravity of Mai's crime.
Only for everyone including Azula to gaze on in surprise when Zoi burst into a belly shaking laugh while Elle's shoulders slumped in fear that she was being scorned.
Only for a strong hand to pat her shoulder while the girl's two adopted big sisters stared at her with protective eyes.
"I like you Elle. You've got a good heart." Zoi replied with a nod while Elle broke out into a bashful smile only for Azula to stare at her with possessive amber golden eyes.
A gaze that quite clearly said 'mine'.
"A-arigatou." Elle stuttered with a slight blush while her big sisters blinked at the scene in amazement.
And then the merciless soldier took everyone by even further surprise when she voiced her next words.
"Now that you mention it…there just may be something…that your…big sister can do for me that won't involve the loss of even one finger…" Zoi revealed with a hand under her chin while the other markswoman listened in rising humiliation.
Ty Lee shuddered from where she sat while her childhood friend gazed up at the warrior in rightful distrust.
But they already knew that Mai's fate was sealed judging by the way that Azula's red lips curved into a pleased smile.
Alas it seemed to be lost on Elle.
Judging by the way the young girl cried out in innocent delight while her big sisters sighed fondly when the solder smirked down at her.
"I am so happy to hear that Zoi! This is good news!" Elle chirped with a bounce in her step while she grasped the straps of her backpack.
And Mai could only shudder in anticipation of whatever gruesome torture the captain had in mind.
"Of course, it is. I will have to think on it for a few days…before I settle on a…particular punishment. When I do…I will be sure to let you know…seeing as it is clear that you are the boss around here." Zoi quipped with a slight smile while Azula's smirk gave way into an offended snarl.
"I will not tolerate this disrespect Zoi!" Azula growled in a callous voice only for her petite handmaid to smiled up at her most skilled soldier.
"Don't tell Azula-sama…but sometimes I am." Elle whispered in a hushed voice with a sunny smile while Zoi tilted her head in amusement.
And despite the severity of the situation Ty Lee couldn't help but giggle at her leader's expense.
A burst of azure flames flared to life behind the chipper handmaid while Azula now stared at the girl's back with her eyes narrowing into slits.
"A pet does not tell her master what to do." Azula snorted with her nostrils exhaling angrily only for her beloved handmaid to giggle innocently.
"This one has a way with words Princess. You should consider appointing her as your spokeswoman." Zoi advised in a comically serious voice while the young girl puffed out her chest with a bright grin on her lips.
"What? Is that a joke?" Azula scoffed with a blink of her cold eyes while she gazed at Zoi in puzzlement when the soldier shook her head.
"Absolutely not. Sometimes an amicable face will go further than brute force." Zoi answered before she began walking up the path once more while Elle smiled as widely as can be.
"Perhaps tonight we can talk about our differences over the campfire! Who knows! Maybe you'll even become friends!" Elle chirped with a joyful hop while Azula released an amused snort only to be surprised when Zoi turned to peer back down at her.
"Elle…I know you mean well…" Mai protested with disgust in her eyes while Zoi offered her a cold smirk.
"Maybe Elle…. maybe." Zoi chuckled before they watched her walk up the path and vanish into the forest once more.
A newfound sense of awe for Elle's peaceful methods was being felt by all of Team Azula.
Even the usually warm-hearted Ty Lee.
The princess could only gaze at her pet in unhidden amazement when the girl scampered back over to her side.
Azula gazed down into loyal amber eyes while her handmaid beamed up at her with a radiant expression.
Only for a stern hand to lower into golden hair while the two noblewomen of Team Azula watched with softened eyes when laughed sweetly beneath the princess's petting hand.
"Good girl Elle. You are a good pet." Azula purred in a pleased voice with her girlfriend blushing under her strong hand as the other two women gazed at her oddly.
"I-I am so happy that you think so Mistress." Elle mumbled in a timid voice with her older girlfriend's powerful hand patting her golden head.
"Yeah…thanks Elle! You're such a sweetie!" Ty Lee called out in a sisterly voice with a broad grin on her lips.
She could only smile even brighter when her adorable little sister swelled with a prideful puff of her chest with every word of praise that they offered her.
"Thanks again kid. I owe you three times over." Mai sighed after shaking standing before she helped the wounded Ty Lee onto her shoulder once more.
Azula's amber golden eyes glared at Mai with a terrifyingly ruthless glimmer that was not lost on the other two women.
But it seemed that somehow the princess was avoiding rebuking her out of a puzzling desire to keep Elle smiling.
"It's no problem oneesan! I would do anything for you!" Elle offered with a jubilant nod only for her blush to increase when Mai patted her shoulder.
Only to take Azula and Ty Lee by surprise when she pulled Elle's smaller body into a gentle hug before she smashed the smiling girl into her upper belly.
"I…won't forget that Elle. I won't." Mai assured in a softer voice with Ty Lee grinning down at Elle while the adorable girl hid into her robed body.
While the princess furiously tapped her boot with a deep scowl on her regal lips.
"I…love you oneesan." Elle muttered in a sweet voice with the much taller noblewomen smiling softly down at her.
"Mai! Get my girlfriend out of your stomach! My belly only!" Azula barked in a beyond spoiled voice with her greedy eyes glaring at Mai's bruised face while the other women rolled her eyes at her.
"I love you too Elle." Mai answered in an affectionate voice with her words provoking a colder glare from her leader and an excited grin from her baby sister.
"And I love you just as much! You're so…cute!" Ty Lee cooed in a gushing voice before she reached over to ruffle Elle's hair while the smaller girl beamed up at her.
"A-and I love you Ty Lee." Elle stammered in a bashful voice with Ty Lee's hand patting her hair while the noblewoman grinned down at her.
"Ty Lee! Mai!" Azula demanded with her fists on her hips while she narrowed her eyes at her sighing friend's faces.
"Yes Azula. We know. Your belly only." Ty Lee sighed with her hand still patting the younger girl's golden head.
But even so Azula's lips curled into a smug smirk after hearing those words.
Yes, there was no doubt about it…
This one has truly earned her place on her team.
And in her heart.
AN:
Alright so before I get to my afterword allow me to take a moment to respond to the reviews.
Thank you so much for your praise Agent Banana. It means a great deal to hear that people appreciate my story as much as I do writing it in my free time.
I drew inspiration from several vengeance obsessed characters in various media in my creation of Naoki. I actually created the concept for her character about two years before I started writing this story.
She's a person who has been tormented and tortured into becoming a ruthless killer. And now all that remains is her desire for bloodshed. But just like with Rieko we won't be seeing her for awhile.
Carre, it's ironic that you say that you can visualize my story as an anime. Because I am a very imaginative person, and I have spent so much time writing this story that the scenes tend to play out in my head like an anime!
And I will apologize firsthand that I will not be able to answer most of your questions. But I will try.
Regarding those historical events that you mentioned. Azula, Ty Lee and Mai won't likely hear about most of that from Elle. At least not in book one.
You see, Elle is a thirteen-year-old girl who has missed out on almost three years of her education. So, if I have her talk about too many historical points it will start to seem like she is a living wikipedia. And I don't want it to seem like she is a historical expert when most of her knowledge came from a few books in her home library.
Another reason for that is that it would likely take a whole chapter just to tell Team Azula about those events. And I have way too many plot points to cover as it is.
However, we MAY get to some of that stuff later on as Elle grows older and she resumes her education. And yes, Team Azula will eventually go to Elle's Earth.
And yes, Elle is a shield of sorts against Aang. As for what and why, and what is the true purpose behind her power. We'll just have to wait and see.
And while I realize that everyone wants to see Felix die. He is a bigger character than those two bullies that Elle encountered back in chapter seven. He'll be involved in several arcs. He may die in the end. As he is someone beyond redemption. But not before he makes the wheels of the plot spin for us.
As for what land Rieko rules, and how large is her territory, and what part of the world Elle grew up in. I can't answer any of that right now. There is going to be a big story that takes place on Elle's Earth and I don't want to give away any details.
I apologize, but you'll have to wait for the details to unfold to find out. ;)
Part of my reasoning is that some of that is still in the works and there is going to be a twist or two concerning Elle's Earth. And I don't want to spoil that.
It is important to keep in mind that Elle is a thirteen-year-old girl who is running away from her past. She has very little desire to return home, and she is happy for the first time since her parents were killed. She doesn't want to face the past. So, she makes it a point to avoid talking about it. As we have seen before with Felix and Strados.
With that said, just be patient. This is a big, big story. I am currently working on chapter sixty-three. And book one will cap out at around 90-100 chapters. And likely just as many more in book two. And that's not even counting book three.
We'll get there eventually!
Now...regarding this chapter.
Once more we see that Zoe is a dangerous force to be reckoned with. Even though she is more injured than Mai. Her strength and stamina is too much for Mai to handle.
Zoe is truly a beast of a fighter, and as Azula noted. For a brief moment her firebending seemed to get stronger than it was against Team Avatar. This is because Iroh was correct in his deduction regarding Zoe.
She preserves her stamina by only using her bending when necessary. That way when her opponent starts to think that she is nothing more than sword and muscle they receive a sudden burst of firebending when they least expect it.
However, lucky for Mai and Azula, Elle is here to save the day.
Zoe was rightfully enraged to see that Azula wasted no time in throwing her own assassin down the cliff, and then Azula shows her hypocrisy by telling her to calm down in regards to Mai.
Zoe was very close to cutting ties with Azula and leaving her service but as Elle demonstrated to Azula. Sometimes, an amicable face will go further than brute force.
And now Elle has to attempt to mediate the 'dispute' between both parties in the hopes that her oneesan will walk away with all of her limbs in tact.
This will open up an interesting door to explore as it finally gives Elle and Zoe a chance to interact and possibly form a friendship despite the captain's rightful hatred for Mai.
Also, over the next five or so chapters we'll get to learn more about Zoe's past, and things like why didn't join Azula's hunt for the Avatar six years ago.
But, that's about it for now.
Stay tuned next time for chapter forty-five! Wounds and Encampment!