Azula watched the avatar practice fire katas with her brother from the safety of the pillars just beyond the training grounds. Neither of them knew she was present, giving her the free range to observe their movements. Assuming it was the extra splash of bourbon she had added to her morning tea, she could not stop herself from watching the avatar's body move in such fluid motions.
It's almost like they're dancing together. She thought in intrigue.
It was likely that they were as Zuko had lifted the dancing ban that had been part of their nation's laws since she could remember. In the post war times, it was not unusual to see gypsies and commoners shuffling their feet to the tunes of heavy acoustics and drums. Yet, the trainings ground had no such things. The men, particularly the one Azula was staring down like the scorching sun, had a tune of their own. Zuko's was reminiscent of the kingdom of old. Azula was reminded of the classic Agni Khai drums whenever her brother fought, making it easy to predict his movements.
Aang, however, with such light feet, yet magnificent power held a rhythm that was altogether different.
Their stances were different. Despite knowing all of the fire forms verbatim, she had never seen this one. Bringing the laced cup to her lips again, keeping her eyes on the tattooed bald man, she felt a burn travel down further than the alcohol when he released a hailstorm of blue fire.
Zuko fell face forward on the sand. Eyes wide, he stared at the avatar in awe.
"What? Aang how...how did you?" He stuttered. "Did Azula teach you that?"
"You learn fast, Avatar".
Aang smirked and kissed her again. She dismissed the pain from her mind when she wrapped her arms about his neck and held on.
She enjoyed the chase almost as much as she enjoyed being captured. Six years of chasing her had proved worthwhile to him also. It all led to this moment. She relished in being burned with his fire, despite his reluctance to train with her. He was in love with her and Azula saw it clearly, despite her little knowledge of the emotion.
If only she could reciprocate. If only she could give herself to him completely. It was more than just sex. She wanted him to engulf her. Such power needed nurturing. Who else fit the task? Surely not his beloved waterbender. She would only serve to douse the fire within him, weakening the man where Azula could make him strong.
The waterbender could love, unlike Azula. A fact that she knew she could not compete with.
"You don't mean that," came the cracking voice of denial from man in her bed.
Of course she did, she meant every word.
"I know you love me. I...if I can't have you. Who?" His anger was not unexpected, but useless. There was nothing he could do about it. She could not love him. He was taken...and so was she. The fire in his eyes spoke otherwise, however.
"There is nothing you can do about it, Aang," she told him.
"No, it just happened one day," Aang said solemnly, helping the fire lord to his feet.
Zuko dusted himself, unaware of the looks between his sister and his best friend.
"Well, she won't like being outdone," said the fire lord with a chuckle. "I won't tell her if you don't. Pretty sure it will ruin our wedding night".
Azula's reaction was unusually slow, her cup shattering as it hit the concrete paving as she ran towards her brother turned fiance and her former lover.
"Aang, stop!" She cried, but it was too late.
Azula dropped to her knees beside her brother. The avatar's body still smoldering from the final blow was mere feet from her.
"Agni khai," she said softly, holding her tears. "That was your plan?"
Aang said nothing and when Azula looked up, he had disappeared in clouds of dust, leaving her with her dying brother's body in her arms. Azula felt her heart shatter like the golden tea mug, unsure of which man it burned for.
This is an old excerpt from a story I had began a while ago about a love triangle between Zuko, Azula and Aang. QTZ
