Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned-The Mourning Bride, Wiliam Congreve

Years had passed since Aang had visited the Fire Nation after assisting the fire lord with his "spirit" problems that turned out to be Azula playing pretend, inadvertently gaining her high praise from her brother. Of course, the fire lord and the avatar had spoken at various times, such as during the Water Tribes' scuffles and meetings with King Kuei regarding Yu Dao's transformation into Republic City. Not everyone agreed with their well-intended attempt to create a capital for the four nations, that was to be expected. The task was deemed idealistic, even by the fire lord, yet Aang was nothing, if not persistent.

He was met with admiring cheers from Caldera's citizens as he reigned Appa to land at the foot of the palace. Choosing to leave Katara home with their year-old new son, Tenzin, Aang ventured into the city the world had once hated, completely alone. The first royal face he encountered did not express the same open enthusiasm as her citizens, however.

Aang bowed low to the woman, looking up with a sly grin and wink in futile attempt to thaw the ice cold gaze she gave.

"Get up, Avatar," commanded High General, Princess Azula, lip curling in pure disgust. "The fire lord will see you in the throne room. Your glider," she added, outstretching her hand.

Aang looked her over, confused. Looking about, briefly before registering that she meant the words. Tightening his grip on his precious gift, she had once singed, he shook his head.

"Azula, come on, is this really necess-"

"Your glider, Avatar!" Growled the woman. "It's General, now and yes, it is absolutely necessary as no one can be trusted these days".

She unleashed the words in the unintentional ways of a woman scorned. Aang realized this when she did, casting his gaze down in guilt while she quickly cleared her throat and corrected her tone with her citizens present.

"Keep it. Come along, I'll take you to Lord Zuzu".

Aang gave a soft chuckle, following. "Haha, you still call him that, huh?" The look Azula cast his way, made him swallow the laughter.

"How's your wife and new child?" She asked him in a lowered tone when they were away from the public.

Aang tried to smile, despite the bitterness in Azula's voice that she could not hide.

"Good, thanks for asking".

The walk to the throne room seemed much longer with Azula at his side, silent and scathing. Aang briefly recalled her dangerous fingers striking lightning down his spine, caressing his hair when he tasted her, wrapping about him when she tasted him. The memories of summer vacations were not lost in his mind, yet the princess should not have been surprised. He was married when he began his trysts with her and was married still. Something had changed her, however. He had a difficult time understanding women as he had little experience before Katara, but he understood the heartbreak of chasing a lost cause.

"Zuzu told me after last summer," she admitted, suddenly, breaking the silence. "Congratulations".

Stopping at the door, she gestured for him to continue through the entrance where the fire lord was waiting.

Aang paused before entering, unsure of the right words to say. Nothing seemed to fit.

"Azula…I…" He stammered. His heart's strings pulling at the sight of Azula's head hung in sorrow. Her shoulders sagging tiredly.

Only he had been allowed to witness the foreboding princess in such emotional turmoil, each time he left her to return to his public life as the avatar with Katara by his side. He stretched out an arm, but was seized instead by the collar with sharp nails, a ball of blue flame aimed for his face when his back hit the wall. Looking down at the shorter woman, he awaited his fate, without struggle. A part of him knew he deserved her cold, broken glare and trembling bottom lip.

"Congratulations, Avatar!" She spat. "You've proven me for a fool to trust you, congratulations! Congratu-"

"Azula!" The fire lord bellowed, surrounding the couple on three sides with Imperial Firebenders, his mother with him.

Ursa's eyes darted from her daughter to the avatar.

"Release him!" Called Zuko, unsure what had gotten into his sister lately.

Ursa's eyes hardened towards the man, however. A mother's instinct had noted her daughter's cold, shell-like state in the last year that could only be attributed to the grief one pays for the price of love. Azula blinked her tears away, hoping Zuzu had not seen them. She took off in a dash towards the only man who ever cared enough to pretend to love her in Capital Prison Towers.