Appa came to a land with a soft thud against the sand, a low bellow escaping the beasts lips as he stretched his limbs.
"You're getting out of shape, Buddy," commented Aang as he slid off of his animal companion. Looking up he made a small ball of air to help Azula descend to the ground as well.
"Such a gentleman," the princess commented, "Careful, I may start getting used to this treatment".
Before Aang could comment, his eyes widened as Azula suddenly lurched forward, giving a squeal the gust of air that caused the action. Had she been less adept, her face would have met the sand from Appa's bending at that moment.
Turning angry eyes in the animal's direction, the princess lit her fists, yet the action did not have the same effect as ten years ago.
"Hmph, not afraid of fire anymore, I see," commented Azula, regaining her composure.
Aang chuckled lightly, placing his hand on the woman's hip. "I don't think he's afraid of you anymore," he said. "Maybe just a little annoyed that you're here and not Katara".
Azula allowed the fire to dissipate before turning to meet Aang's eyes.
"Well, he needs to blame you then. I was minding my business at home, before you arrived".
Aang's eyes could not help stealing at a glance at the woman's bosom, slightly exposed from her torn dress. He knew better than to do this. The fire princess was alluring, capitvating, and he just could not help himself. There was a selfish side to the monk that he was often ashamed to admit to anyone, even himself. Despite their history and the scar that was forever chiseled into the middle of his back, he selfishly wanted the princess all to himself.
Azula did not notice him staring at her or, at the very least, she did notice and enjoyed it as she balled her dress and stepped away from him and Appa towards the tiny beach house.
"Do I need to change? Or are we going to continue?" She asked, giving the avatar a wink over her shoulder.
Aang bit his lip. Stroking Appa softly, he led the massive bison, following the woman as if entranced.
"Give me a moment," he replied. "Appa needs to eat. He has seven stomachs".
Azula gave a nod and disappeared inside of the beach house. Aang led the bison to the back of the house where the forest met the sand. The bison grunted when he released his reigns as if to stop him.
Aang felt in his whole heart that the bison understood his inner conflict.
"It's just something about her, Buddy," he told his pet. "I just have a feeling that something good will come out of this".
Ursa held her only grandson close to her bosom, a tear streaking her cheekbones before falling and disappearing into his hair.
"Nana, stop it!" shrieked the boy of eight years, half-heartedly struggling to pull away. When he finally was let go from the woman's grasp, he gave a huff, adjusting his topknot pouting as his older cousin and newly crowned princess of the fire nation gave a haughty laugh. "What are you laughing at?"
Izumi smirked from where she sat on a towel in the sand next to her regal mother, Fire Lady Mai. The royal family were enjoying their much needed vacation at the request of the fire lord, who had chosen to stay at the palace.
Ursa called for an attendant to bring them more ice cream, at which Zaheer immediately took a seat back next to her.
Ikem gave a warm smile as he shared his ice-cream cone with his wife. "Have you started firebending yet, Son?" He asked the boy who was looked up at him in surprise at the question.
Before the boy could speak, Izumi gave another haughty laugh. "He can't!" the princess announced regally. "Aunt 'Zula thinks he's a non-bender".
Turning angry eyes at his cousin, Zaheer growled, "No, she doesn't! Mother says I'll be the strongest bender ever! I'm an heir to the throne!"
"Hush, Izumi," scolded the fire lady, giving her daughter a disapproving eye at her bullying. Looking back to Zaheer, she smiled softly at him. "Your uncle was a late bloomer also".
"Yes," added the elder former fire lady, Ursa. "And with your bloodline, it is only natural that you will be just as strong. Have you ever considered studying airbending?"
Zaheer looked up to his grandmother, who smiled warmly at the vanilla ice cream sprinkled on his nose. "Why would I do that?" He asked. "Mother is a firebender".
Ursa nodded. "Yes, but your father is--"
"No one of merit!" It seemed as though the beach had been shocked into silence at the voice booming from behind them.
"Mother!" Called Zaheer, nearly dropping his icecream as he scrabbled to his feet, running towards the princess at full speed. He was instantly a baby again as he lept into his mother's strong grasp, enjoying her warmth as she snuggled him close to her neck.
"I've missed you, My Love," she whispered in his ear. "You are my everything".
Zaheer closed his eyes, finally dropping his sweet treat on the ground. His mother was finally home from Republic City after leaving for half of the year to assist the avatar.
"Well, quite the surprise," came the fire lady's voice. "How was Republic City?" Azula carried her son the rest of the way back to where the family sat.
"Quite relaxing, surprisingly. The fire lord will be impressed with the new factory powered by lightning benders. It will illuminate the city for years to come".
"Wow!" Zaheer yelped as they came to rest on the sand. He sat in his mother's lap, not wanting to leave her warmth, despite how babied he looked."Did you train them, Mother?" He asked.
Azula gave him a kiss on the forehead. "Not alone, Dear. The avatar has picked up some new skills lately".
"He's a lightning bender now?" Inquired Ursa at which Azula nodded. "So you two must have spent quite some time together".
Ursa chuckled at her daughter's grimace. "Oh come now, Azula. How long will you wait to tell the boy?"
"Quiet, Mother," warned Azula, placing her head on Zaheer's. "I'm sure Zuzu told you about our agreement in the matter. I'd hate to break a promise".
Back then Zaheer had no clue as to his mother's meaning. He also had no clue that the famous, all powerful Avatar Aang was his father, though the entire royal family knew the well kept secret. It would come to cost them when the boy grew up, however.
His bastard status had earned him a place in the royal army, trained by elite nonbending masters, such as Piandao to become one of the deadliest and most feared fighters in the world. Zaheer came to resent his status and treatment from his royal family. His mother had little say in the matter when his uncle and the avatar declared that he was too dangerous to stay in the royal palace. Zaheer was infuriated with royalty and the idea of kings and queens, making his transition towards anarchy an obvious next step when he entered his teen years.
Now he sat in chains after attempting to dispose of Avatar Korra. His lover and friends were dead. He had no choice, but to dwell on his past as he ventured into the spirit world from his cage. He often searched for his mother in the spirit world, presuming she was dead after all these years, hoping to gain some of the humanity that he had lost.
One day, he found a temple in the spirit world. He had ventured so far that he had reached an area that he was unfamiliar with. Thinking that he might find what he sought, he entered it.
"What?" He asked aloud at the two figures that occupied the place.
He recognized both as his mother and the former avatar, much younger than he recalled, yet they were completely lost in one another. Zaheer chose to remain in the shadows to watch the scene before him.
"Do you think we did the right thing not telling, Azula?" Asked Avatar Aang as he held the princess in his arms.
He heard his mother's sniffles in the man's arms, his eyes widening in shock at a gentle kiss she placed on his chest.
"He is our son, We tried our best. I don't know if it was right".
When the airbender awakened from the spirit world, he was unsurprised to find the new avatar standing before him in his prison. Blinking several times, he knew the truth instantly.
My father. He thought. After all this time. Mother, I will fix this.
At the bruised avatar, he readied himself to speak to her. "I figured you'd show up sooner or later".
