Azure and Selenite

by SashaWeiss

Yue has lived her entire twenty years of life in the shadow of her duty to her tribe. When she learns that she's is to be married to Fire Nation royalty, what can she do but accept her fate? It could always be worse. At least, she wasn't marrying that fool Hahn. She'll do her best to make the most of her marriage. For her people's sake, both Water Tribe and Fire Nation.

A/N: Hello! So this is an old work that I had been writing almost a year ago. I opened it up last night and realized that I had almost finished with 'book 1'. I thought, well, instead of letting it sit here and gather dust... why not finish it up and put it out as a one shot. It concludes pretty well with enough left unfinished that I could return to it one day if I like. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. Honestly, super proud of this one. Enjoy!

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Duty. A weight heavier than the ocean itself. She was born to it, raised for it. She lived to serve her people and would die serving her people. Her life had been spent in preparation for the fulfillment of her duty. Now, as she watched the approaching Fire Nation ship, the weight of that duty had never felt heavier.

As the daughter of the chief, her life would never be her own. It would be given to the tribe, for the tribe. Even love was naught but a distant dream. Her marriage would be for the good of the tribe. Since she was born, eighteen years ago, her fate had been sealed. She had long ago accepted all of this.

But now the hour had come and she stood staring down the full force of her duty, watching as it rode the ocean waves ever closer. Her gut twisted with sharp emotions that she had thought to be long buried. She wanted nothing more in that moment than to turn and flee. To escape from the mountain that pressed upon her shoulders and stole her breath. Even the sharp cold air of the icy plains began to feel distant as blood pounded in her ears.

She couldn't do this. It was too much. Please don't ask it of me, she prayed. She gripped at the railing of the wall, to steady herself. Gasping for each breathe as the emotions tried to consume threatened to flow, her nose burned and her throat ached with the need to scream. Her nails scrapped against the her palms, aching to paint the inside of her mittens with crimson liquid. The taste of copper settled on her tongue as she clenched her jaw.

Drawing on the pain, Yue struggled to focus. She needed to get it together, this was her duty. She could do it. The moon-touched princess clung desperately to the thoughts, forced herself to summon up her last vestiges of strength. She was no longer a little girl. She was a woman. A princess who had prepared for this her whole life, she could and would survive this. Maybe... her betrothed wouldn't be so bad. Surely her father wouldn't marry her to an awful man?

With monumental effort she forced herself to stand straight once more. She closed her eyes and focused inward, counting each breath and measuring out the seconds. As her heart began to slow once more, she spoke, "I am a princess of the Water Tribe. I will fulfill my duty. As I have always done."

The words felt more real as she put them into the world. She uttered the mantra quietly, her fear fading faster and faster with each repetition until all that remained was determination. Her eyes opened to the sight of multiple Water Tribe boats approaching the Fire Nation vessel.

With a final breath, a steady stream of misty air flowing past her lips, the moon-touched princess turned towards the palace of ice and water. It was time to face her duty.

/-/

Silence sat heavy over the throne room, excepting the crash of the waterfall behind the gathered diplomats. All of the tribes leaders and important persons were gathered in the large chamber waiting to the sides of the room. Yue chanced a look at her father to find his pale eyes staring back at her. The heavy lines of his face were pronounced, more than usual. He looked to have aged ten years. It struck her then that this must be hard for him as well. Yue reached out and laid a gloved hand over her fathers. There were no words spoken, but the smile she offered seemed to alleviate some of her fathers burden.

His expression brightened just the barest amount. It was enough though, for Yue to find a measure of peace. As long as her father believed she'd be fine, that would be enough... it had to be.

Yue turned her eyes back towards the entrance of the room. The anxious air in the room rolled over her like a wave, but she persevered. She'd dreaded this day in particular for two years now, since the marriage contract had been struck. There was no stopping it now. She wondered about her betrothed, as she had done many times in the past.

What kind of person would they be? Was she doomed to a lifetime of suffering? Was there hope for the future? Was love truly as distant as it felt? Did they carry the weight of their duty as heavily as she did?

Yue worried at her lip as the doors to the throne room swung open. Years of practice maintained the straight face she wore to hide the whirlwind in her heart. Her eyes were locked on the Fire Nation procession as it was led in before the throne. Her heart felt like it would pound out of her chest. The strong red's and black's of the fire nation contrasted sharply with everything she'd ever known.

Until their marriage contract only a couple of years ago, these were colors that haunted all of the tribe. The hundred year war still lived on in the hearts of many, despite the cessation of hostilities by Fire Lord Iroh. Many of the faces around the room were of disgust or fear or anger. It hurt Yue to see and she prayed that the Fire Nation delegates wouldn't take it personally.

As the procession came to a stop, the column of bodies separated to leave an open aisle as three women approached the throne. A pair of older twin women were the first ones she took in. They were dressed in dark robes with their gray hair put up in complicated but regal fashions.

The woman between them was the one who stole Yue's breath. A young woman, about her own age, met Yue's eyes with an flat unreadable expression. Amber gold eyes held her captivated, even at a short distance, they stood out. The orbs almost glowed in the place's lower lighting. Her black hair was up in a tight top knot, with bangs framing her pale face.

The princess's mouth had gone dry at the sight of the woman. She knew immediately that this was her betrothed. Yue's immediate reaction to the realization was confusion. It wasn't unheard of, for a marriage between women, but to marry off royalty like this? She didn't know how her father would react, it could easily be perceived as an insult.

Vaguely she was aware of conversation taking place, but her attention was on her betrothed. Those deep molten pools held her gaze unflinchingly. Yue had heard stories of the princess Azula. A cruel but strong woman, infamous for getting a job done by any means necessary. The former crown princess, now reduced to being married off to bridge a gap. She couldn't help but wonder if the resentment the princess must feel would find itself directed at her.

It struck her then that silence had settled in the throne room and a light touch by her father pulled her from the trance. The last moment of conversation replayed in her mind and immediately embarrassment threatened to warm her cheeks. With practiced effort she managed to fight back the worst of it as she rose to her feet and approached her betrothed.

The twins to either side of Azula spoke in unison as Yue stopped in front of her. "Princess Yue of the Northern Water Tribe, it is our pleasure to introduce your betrothed, Princess Azula of the Fire Nation."

A beat of silence follows before Yue finds the strength to bow deeply towards her betrothed. She had spent many nights studying and practicing Fire Nation customs. She hoped that she wasn't making too much of a fool of herself. "It is a great honor to welcome you to my home Princess Azula. I pray your journey wasn't too dull."

Azula seemed to consider her words before replying, "The journey actually was a bit dull. Though, I feel I would be remiss if I didn't state that it was worth it for such a beautiful sight."

Yue let a small smile show. "I'm glad you think so, our city truly is beautiful. Truly though, it can't begin to compare to your own radiance."

Azula's smirk set butterflies in her stomach. The infamous woman stepped closer, eliminating the distance between them. A pale warm hand ghosts across Yue's cheek. "I wasn't speaking of the city, princess. The truest treasure of this nation has to be standing right here, in front of me. I have heard tales of your beauty, but they truly do no justice to reality."

Yue's composure shattered with a crimson heat across her face. "I-I have heard tale of your boldness Princess, but truly you don't work in half measures."

"I certainly don't, and on that point... I've brought a gift for you." She reaches into her shirt and produces a small box. Yue's breath catches as the black haired princess opens the lid. "It came to my attention last year that betrothal necklaces are customarily forged by the woman's suitor."

Inside the black box sat a small medallion attached to a dark blue ribbon. The medallion wasn't the customary blue of ice, but a dark golden metal. It was etched with the Water Tribe symbol for moon and inlaid with a single sapphire and ruby on each side of the symbol. Yue's stunned silence carried for a long beat. She wanted to speak, but Azula's composure began to crack first. The smirk giving way to a barely perceptible nervousness.

"I know it isn't made exactly to usual standard, but I tho-" Yue reached out and clasped her hands around Azula's, cupping the box and her hand. She could feel tears forming in her eyes.

"Did- did you really do this... with your own hands?" Azula worried at her lower lip before nodding.

"It... It took a lot of effort and time to make it perfect. I worked on it all year. Like you said I don't do things by half..." A pause settled in and Azula's sharp gaze fell on the distance before returning to Yue's own. "This marriage wasn't my decision, just as it wasn't yours, but I refuse to do anything but make the most of it. If we are to be wives, I will be the best wife."

Yue nearly broke then and there, as Azula placed her free hand against her cheek once more. The white haired princess's voice cracked as she spoke, "A-Azula... I... I hope that I prove worthy of your dedication. You are right... it is our duty, this marriage... But I will strive to match you step for step, I refuse to hold you back..."

The nervousness fades from the golden orbs replaced by an excited, predatory grin. "We'll be the greatest couple in the world. Together we'll dominate the Earth!"

Yue couldn't help herself and burst into giggles. Seeing the legendary Princess Azula so lit up at such a prospect was too much. Her giggles fell away quickly and a fond smile settled on her face. Azula's scowl faded as Yue nodded, "We will certainly make a good effort of it. Perhaps, my betrothed would like to aid me with her gift. My mittens don't make such things easy."

Azula obliged as a different smile settled over her face. She pressed against Yue's form and carefully looped the ribbon around her neck. Amber orbs stared into her own pale blue eyes. The pale woman's breath was hot as it ghosted over her lips. "Do you like it though? Truly?"

"Azula... I... I'll treasure it for the rest of my days. I've... never received a more precious gift. I wish I had something as precious for you." The gentle words soften the sharpness of the amber orbs. As the fingers tying the betrothal necklace stop, Yue moves.

Perhaps it was a dose of insanity or something else that drives her, but Yue found herself pressing a gentle kiss to the corner of Azula's mouth. She lingered for a long beat. "I hope that gift... begins to close the distance." The words were whispered against pale skin before she moved away. The warm red flush that filled her bride's face is matched only by the heat below her own skin.

Fresh out of bravery, Yue quickly retreated to her seat. A glance at Azula revealed the wide eyed woman watching her, with fingertips against the skin Yue had kissed. The moon-touched princess found her own fingers brushing the betrothal necklace at her throat. Maybe... this wouldn't be so bad after all.

/-/

The day of her marriage came and went faster than Yue could have believed. A mere two weeks after Azula's arrival they were married. The ceremony itself was short, as any Northern Water Tribe wedding is. The feast afterward was the main event. A massive gathering of the tribe's folk from commoner to noble all sharing in the festivities and meal. The party would often last until the late hours of the night. Yue's wedding feast was much the same.

The night was a blur of conversation with many well wishers and excited citizens, and even nobles hoping to ingratiate themselves to either Yue or her wife. Azula handled herself well, by Yue's estimate. She was polite and well mannered but unafraid to cut short anyone who overstayed their welcome, man or woman.

What really consumed Yue's thoughts were the days leading up to the wedding. She and Azula had spent hours upon hours together. Sometimes with Azula's advisors, Lo and Li, lurking, or her own father, or with both. She'd learned so much about the raven haired woman's life and nation in those short days. She had shared just as much about her own life. She felt so much less interesting in comparison to Azula though.

Life in her Tribe was dull as a woman. She had been allowed to sit in on the occasional meeting between the chief and his other advisers , but otherwise had been hiven few roles outside of crafts and household tasks. So much of her own spare time was spent in book and scrolls. Being royalty though, Yue was definitely one of – if not the – most well read soul in the tribe. The knowledge served her well in the time she spent with Azula.

The princess was also very well read, not to mention well trained. Azula had demonstrated her fire bending a few times for Yue. Well, more like Yue had been up early to watch her promised practice her katas. She was glad that she did though. Yue had never seen anything more beautiful in her life, she was certain of that fact. Watching the azure flames light the snow beneath the dark sky, the way Azula silhouetted with each burst of light.

One memory in particular stuck out, from the first time she watched Azula's practice. The other woman spent the first hour of her morning practicing outside the palace. Yue hadn't been the only one to watch, but she was the only one completely enthralled. She remembered that the others around would jump or shy away from particularly powerful blasts of flame. A trend that continued for every one of Azula's morning practices. The moon-touched princess, though, could only lean in closer. She felt drawn to the heat, as if the flames themselves beckoned to her.

After she finished, Azula's first action was to approach Yue. Pale eyes danced across the sweat soaked figure of her betrothed. Despite the arctic chill, the tight training clothes clung to the princess and hugged her form in all the right ways. Yue remembered the predatory smile on her betrothed's face even better than the exaggerated shape of her body.

"So, your highness," Azula's tone was sultry and dark. "What did you think of my show? Intimidating don't you think? Your tribesmen were certainly terrified."

Yue felt a sharp emotion swirling in her gut as amber eyes devoured her greedily. "A-Actually, my dearest betrothed, it would be remiss of me if I let you believe such falsities." Rising to her feet she approached the prodigy, internally proud of her steady gait. She stopped just shy of the other woman, meeting her wary gaze with a small smile. "Your fire is enthralling, not even the dancing lights in the sky can hope to compare. Truly I am blessed, my bride is not only the most beautiful woman in all the world, but surely, the most powerful fire bender in the world."

It was almost entertaining to watch her bride's flurry of emotions. She hadn't been so expressive since they'd first met two nights ago. Yue savored her bride's unguarded moment. From wary, to surprised, to absolutely stunned. The smaller woman's mouth was agape as her eyes danced, almost desperate seeming as she searched Yue for falsity. She'd found none of course. Yue had meant every word.

What she wasn't prepared for was the darkening of her bride's eyes as the words truly settled. Yue watched the amber orbs darken with blown out pupils and Azula almost vibrated with barely restrained energy. In a flash, the fire bender closed the gap, grasped Yue's fur parka and pulled her down a few inches into a searing kiss.

Yue had been utterly unprepared. A sharp breath of surprise fled her lungs before she melted into the kiss. For a first kiss, Yue felt it was better than most could dream of. It was a clumsy, almost painful kiss. Both of their inexperience bled through in the aftermath of bruised and sore lips, but Yue didn't notice in the moment. She was too busy wondering if she was a fire bender herself. The flame roaring in her stomach had certainly suggested so.

The kiss was realistically only seconds long, but it felt like eternity. Her noise of shock was capitalized on by the other woman. The sweet taste of her bride's mouth filled her own and Yue felt like she might faint. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her stomach was doing acrobatics. Another soft noise roiled from her chest and it only served to encourage Azula.

By the time they broke apart for breath, Yue's knees had buckled completely. It was a testament to her bride's strength that the woman kept her from collapsing in the snow. A whine of disapproval rose unbidden at the loss. Her eyes fluttered open to the sight of a panting Azula. The woman's face was red once more, though not from the effort of her training, Yue surmised. One of her brides arms had looped around her waist and her other hand found purchased on Yue's cheek.

"O-oh..." Yue gasped out lamely. She didn't have words. There weren't any that could do justice for the intense, fiery emotions flooding the veins beneath her dark skin. As Azula helped her into a seated position, that smirk of hers made its way back onto her pale face. Annoyed that she could compose herself so quickly, Yue pulled the frustrating woman into another kiss.

Yue slipped her hands out of her mittens and cupped Azula's cheeks. The woman's skin felt like fire beneath her fingertips. The contrast between her heat and the frigid air outside was stark. It was amazing to feel the effects of a fire bender's inner-flame. Reading and knowing about it's existence could never have prepared her for the way that the heat flowed off Azula like a bonfire.

Instead of a forceful clash, their lips pressed together slowly, gently. Their skin almost ghosting across each other. It was simple but wonderful. Lacking any of the heat of the previous kiss, but the connection was tender and emotional. Azula had been stiff for the beginning of the kiss, but she slid down closer and closer against Yue's form the longer it continued.

As the Water Tribe princess finally ended the kiss, she couldn't help but nip lightly at her bride's lower lip. The mewl that rose from Azula then, she'd never forget. It set off a molten explosion of intense heat in her own veins. She was certain that she might faint.

Much to her chagrin, word spread quickly about their little show and her father and Azula's escort were quick to ensure that the pair were never allowed to be too close again. Yue was aware they'd broken custom and the rest of the men weren't exactly pleased, but the moon-touched princess didn't have it in her to regret the kiss. If she was going to be forced to marry, she didn't see why they couldn't find some enjoyment.

Despite her wishes the pair never shared another kiss, but that didn't mean there weren't anymore intimate moments. There were plenty of times that the couple would be out in the city or in the palace and Yue's hand would be captured by Azula's. Their fingers would bind together and the women would walk with shoulders brushing and leaning against each other.

They were small moments, but ones she found herself appreciative of. Despite that Yue couldn't be sure that Azula cared for the moments herself, or if it was for her own benefit that Azula shared in them. She just couldn't escape the haunting feeling that Azula was just putting on a good show for her benefit. The feeling lingered even after her wedding, especially as she was preparing for bed after the end of the festivities.

Yue was currently perched in her favorite chair and staring out the open window at the night sky. It struck her in the middle of changing that she should try memorize the stars as this would be her last night in the Northern Water Tribe. Her wife apparently had urgent business in the Earth Kingdom, so they'd be shipping out early the next day. Most of her things had already been packed onto the ship.

The sound of gentle tapping at her door drew the Princess's attention. She rose from her seat and pulled her fur blanket tighter over her blue dyed night gown. Yue padded across the floor and pulled open the door. She was surprised at the sight of her wife lingering in the doorway. Azula looked an ethereal dream, still wrapped in her wedding dress. Her cheeks were dusted in a light shade of pink, just above set a pair of darkened amber orbs.

"Greetings, dear wife," Yue curtsied, unsure of how to address her new wife. "What brings you to my room tonight?"

Azula worried her lower lip before lifting her hands and Yue realized that she carried glasses and a kettle. She'd been so busy staring at her wife's gorgeous eyes, that she'd missed the items in her hands. "I brought something that I'd hoped you might share with me tonight. To privately celebrate our new marriage. It's a Fire Nation delicacy."

"Of course, please come in," Yue took the cups to ease her wife's burden and led the raven haired princess to the window. "Take a seat if you'd like. I was... simply stargazing, I hope that's okay?"

Azula obliged and sat in Yue's chair. While the princess made herself comfortable, Yue placed her cups on the window sill and pulled up another chair. She planted herself just in front of the other woman with a warm smile. Azula's eyes were on the sky outside as she heated the kettle with her flame.

"The sky is so clear tonight. I suppose the moon clearly has a favorite and it seems to be you, wife."

"So it would seem," Yue agreed in a soft voice as her eyes fell on the pale glow of the moon. The light of the spirit was gentle, lulling the world to peace if only for the night. "I don't know why... it's always been something that's bothered me... Why save my life? What grand destiny must I have to fulfill?"

"Why does there have to be a grand destiny? You were a newborn when the moon saved you. You owe nothing to anybody." Azula's voice was fiery as she set the now steaming kettle down. "Anybody who says different will answer to me."

Yue couldn't – wouldn't – stop the smile that plastered onto her face. She looked at her wife to find an intense molten gaze boring into her. Her dark-skinned hand reached out and tangled with Azula's free hand. "I will be sure to direct any enemies to you, my wife."

"Good. I'd never live it down if anything were to happen to my wife."

Yue giggled at the pleased grin on her wife's crimson lips. "Truly, I doubt anyone would be fool enough to challenge the greatest fire bender in the world, or worse, her wife. Surely everyone knows Azula of the Blue Flame."

"It's true, my reputation does deter many, well everyone really." Azula retracts her hand and avoids Yue's pale gaze. She busies herself with the mugs and drink. "But some take it as a challenge, mainly foolish old men who think they're better than me because they're men and I'm not."

"Like Master Pakku? Your 'spar' with him was certainly a sight. I don't think I've ever seen him lose before." Azula offered her a steaming mug with a small smirk pulling at her lips. Yue generally had no tolerance for smugness or arrogance, but with Azula... it wasn't arrogance. She was one of, if not the, greatest fire bender in the world. Her confidence was earned, Yue wouldn't begrudge her that.

"It was a fun match. Maybe if he was younger, he could've made me really work for it. After all, age is the greatest equalizer. Technique and skill can only carry one so far in battle. It means little, if your body can't keep up."

Yue cradled the glass in her lap studied her animated wife closely. She wondered if Azula would even smile like this because of her. This past week nothing seemed to light Azula up like the talk or action of battle. The most beautiful part of it all was the genuine smile on the raven haired woman's face. A rare, true smile that she wore simply because she was happy. The moon-touched princess knew then; she was going to dedicate herself to bringing out that smile as often as humanly possible.

Pale hands wrapped around her own, starting Yue out of her thoughts. It struck her that she'd just been staring in silence for a long moment. Azula's expression had settled on something unreadable. "Yue, if you want, I'll come back lat-"

"No!" Yue exclaimed, Azula's eyes went wide with surprise, mirrored by Yue's own. "I didn't mean to shout. I just..." Yue paused and looked back out the window, too weak to face her wife. "I don't want to be alone tonight, I was just... I- um... You're so pretty, it's... distracting."

Her face felt like it would burst into flame at any moment. She worried at her lower lip and clutched tightly to the warm mug in her hands. Silence settled in as they continued to sit. Yue wondered if she'd upset Azula somehow. The fire benders hands were still in place and keeping her warm. Just when as she prepared to meet her wife's eyes, the other woman spoke.

"Do... you really think so? I don't feel it... sometimes. Before us, I made efforts you know... to date or whatever." That caught her attention. Yue looked over to see Azula staring out the window as well. Her face was bright red.

"You must've been a hit..." Yue mused softly. "Why... didn't you stay with any of them? I'm certain that you could've easily done so..."

Azula's reply followed a long sigh. "I- ugh... no one would date me. Anyone I approached seemed to find reasons to disappear and avoid me. To be clear, this was all before our contract was finalized... I just... wanted to have some experience going into this." Yue could see the amber eyes gloss over and tears threaten to fall forth. "I don't know what I'm doing. This is new and terrifying, and what if there's just something wrong with me?"

Yue leaned forward, the movement catching Azula's eyes. Instead of going for a kiss, Yue pressed her forehead gently against the other woman's. She stared into the pools of molten gold. "There's nothing wrong with you. My wife... we are duty bound. We are both princesses of our nations. I was destined for more since the day I was born and touched by the moon. You are the worlds greatest fire bender, daughter of the former Fire Lord and next in line for the throne."

"We are women of duty, of destiny. To most people we are untouchable, and unknowable. We appear larger than life and it makes it difficult to form connections. Who can understand our burdens, who can even begin to fathom the things we face and endure." Yue shifted and began to lightly brush away the tears flowing down her wife's cheeks. "You are beautiful and amazing, Azula, as radiant as the very sun, and I am grateful that out of all the people in the world, it is you that I've married."

"Why?" Azula's voice was shaky and cracking. "You barely know me."

"That would be true for anyone that I married, but... not everyone would be able to understand our struggles. I've seen it, in this short time we've known each other, you understand the hardships that I've faced, because you've faced them too." Yue leaned back with a warm smile, tears blurring her vision. "I... I don't feel quite so alone, anymore... I always thought I would be, but..."

Yue nuzzled into warm hands that returned the favor and wiped away the wet trails on her cheek. It hit her all over again, that the woman across from her was now her wife. She was married. The part that really struggled to settle in was that she was no longer dreading tomorrow. "We're married." Yue stated dumbly. Azula's trademark smirk returned to her face.

"Indeed we are... so wife of mine... What's next for us?" Azula's smirk fell as her eyes fell on the bed. "I suppose we should... consumate?"

Yue followed her gaze to stare at the bed. She didn't think that she was ready for that."Or... we could just cuddle? We've got the rest of our lives together... why rush it?" It was a good excuse she felt. Yue had a feeling they were both too proud to admit to their terror. At least, she hoped that she wasn't the only one terrified. The flash of relief on her wife's face seemed to agree.

"Well, no one would be surprised to hear that we both just fell asleep. It's been quite the day after all." Yue nodded along with Azula's logic, and in that moment she knew for a fact that she'd understood perfectly. They were both more alike than either would ever admit. After a beat of silence Azula cleared her throat. "So... what do you think of the hot chocolate?"

Yue tilted her head trying to understand the words. She wondered what a hot chocolate was only for a motion towards the cup in her hand to clear the confusion. She takes a cautious sip, watching Azula's eyes shine with anticipation. The moment the liquid settled on her tongue, it was over. Idly, Yue wondered if she could marry chocolate too?

Her wonderment must've shown on her face, because Azula's grin grew at least three sizes. "I knew you'd like it."

Yue took another sip before answering, "I love it. You're just full of amazing gifts Azula. I don't think the sea prunes could ever compare. I don't know how I'm ever going to keep up."

"How about we sit here for a little longer before going to bed and we'll call it even."

"Sounds like a plan, dear." The light blush on Azula's face was wonderful. Yue settled into her chair with a small smile. Things were certainly looking up, she felt it safe to say.

/-/

"...morning, my wife."

Yue shifted closer to the bundle of warmth sharing her bed. The fog of sleep stubbornly lingered making it difficult to parse the information supplied by her senses. Azula's words finally registered and Yue's eyes fluttered open. Her first sight was the pale flesh across Azula's collar bone. Her crimson night gown had opened during the night, revealing a large swathe of skin.

Yue studied every inch of the unblemished skin, slowly trailing her way up. After two weeks of sharing a bed she'd thought that she would be more used to the vision before her. She became aware of Azula's fingernails tracing her spine in slow languid strokes as she trailed her gaze along the raven haired woman's sharp jawline. Her eyes flicked up to see Azula watching her closely, a lazy smile on her lips. The sight mixed with the gentle scratch along her spine sent a shiver through Yue's body and she involuntarily arched into her wife.

Amber eyes darkened and Yue watched her as her pupils blew out. A soft noise escaped Yue's throat, it came out low and husky – as her vocal chords were still heavy from sleep. "Oh..." Azula breathed out in response and pressed her palm firmly against the small of Yue's back. The moon-touched princess reacted viscerally, practically wrapping around her wife. A throaty mewl rumbled out of her chest as Azula's nails scrapped her skin through her silky gown.

"Oh, spirits" Azula gasped out again as Yue trembled against her. "Yue... We're going to make land soon... We sh-should-"

"Azula, p-please..." Yue's voice came out in throaty moan. That seemed to drive Azula into action. Soft lips captured Yue in an almost desperate kiss. Azula shifted and suddenly Yue was on her back as her wife straddled her waist.

After weeks at sea, trapped in such close quarters with small kisses and secret moments in dark corners, they were both desperate. Yue was at least, she'd become a volatile bundle of hormones and desire. Each stolen kiss making her a bigger mess than the last. Maybe it was the knowledge that their relative privacy would be a distant memory soon that pushed her over the edge, Yue wasn't sure. What she was sure of, was that she needed Azula, and she need her now.

Her lips parted in a sharp gasp and Azula seized the moment of weakness. Her wife's taste filled her mouth and Yue melted. Her body writhed and she grasped at Azula's hips, clinging to her desperately as she drowned in the toe curling kiss. A molten fire burned beneath her stomach and her thighs squirmed wildly for every bit of friction they could muster. She didn't know how long the kiss lasted, how long their tongues danced, but it was over too soon.

As Azula pulled away, a whine of disappointment and need burst from Yue's chest. She leaned up chasing the soft lips desperate for more, but Azula pressed a hand to the center of her chest and gently held her down. Half-lidded pale eyes take in the sight of her wife. Raven hair fell around the pair like a curtain, blocking out the rest of the world. Molten eyes peered back through dark lashes and hot breath danced across her skin as Azula panted for breath. Yue tried once more for a kiss, and failed with another whine of displeasure.

The amusement flashing across her wife's face pushed Yue into more drastic action. She forced one hand off Azula's hips and glided it up along her spine before tangling her fingers into the raven hair. She grasped a fistful and Azula finally let out a sharp gasp. "Yue!" The moon-touched princess decided then that she needed to hear it again, the sound of Azula calling her name.

She pulled the woman down and trailed a flurry of kisses along her wife's jawline and down to her pulse point. Driven by instinct, Yue nipped at the soft flesh. With another heady cry, Azula trembled and collapsed against her. Pleased with this turn of events, Yue latched on the her wife's throat and sucked hard at the pale flesh. Azula's sharp nails dug into her shoulders as the woman spat a flurry of curses into the air. It lasted only seconds before Azula gathered a handful of Yue's hair and pulled sharply.

Yue disconnected from Azula's neck with a long desperate plea. "Azula, I need you. Please Azula. I-" Her hips bucked as teeth grazed the skin of her throat. "Ngh... hah- ah!" Her senses were sharp, but her mind was fogged, coherent thought nothing more than a distant dream. Her veins were full of liquid heat, the inferno of desire building below her stomach was consuming her. This was how she died, she was certain of it.

Even part of her was acutely aware of the woman atop of her. Her arms looped around Azula's body and her fingers dug desperately into the other woman's shoulder blades. "Azula, spirits, please. I can't- I need you." Azula lifted up and Yue desperately missed the contact. Her eyes fluttered open to the sight of dark but uncertain eyes.

"I... I don't know how," Azula breathed out. Yue didn't either but she was determined to figure it out. Yue reached up and untied the silk ribbon holding her gown closed. The white-haired princess took great pleasure in the way Azula was transfixed as Yue slowly pulled open her robe. The cool cabin air brushed against her sensitive flesh sending a shiver down her spine. When Azula seemed stunned, Yue took the initiative to repeat her actions with her wife's robe.

She inhaled sharply as she slowly pushed the robe off Azula's shoulders, leaving her completely bare. They both stared in silence, Yue greedily drinking in every inch of her wife's pale flesh. The skin was covered in a multitude of light burn scars but otherwise unblemished. She couldn't resist the urge to slowly brush her fingers over Azula's lightly toned stomach. "How... are you real?" Yue wondered breathlessly.

Azula made a choked noise and one of her hands flew up to cover her mouth. Yue looked up to find glossy eyes meeting her gaze. She knew in that moment, with more clarity and certainty than she'd ever known anything before, that Azula had been failed by the world. She reached up and cupped Azula's face between her hands. "I-I... you can't possibly-" Yue shushed the woman with a warm smile.

"Azula, you are every bit as radiant as the sun. I don't... I've never seen a sight as beautiful as the one before me now." She gently guided her wife back down and brushed the lightest of kisses across her lips. "If this is a dream, don't pinch me, because I never want to wake up." With another choked sob, Azula captured her lips in a gentle kiss.

Yue relaxed into the moment as her fingers ghosted up and down the length of Azula's spine. The kiss lasted only seconds before Azula propped herself up, her back arched as her eyes wandered over Yue's bared skin. "You're the true vision here, my wife," Azula's words were heavy and cracking. "I was stunned the moment I first laid eyes on you. I couldn't look away."

A shiver of excitement shocked Yue's body as she shifted to help Azula's wandering fingers finish stripping off her blue night robe. A burning hand trailed along Yue's hip all the way to her chest where lithe fingers brushed over her sensitive flesh. Yue jerked with a sharp hiss of pleasure.

"Did that feel good?" Azula teased with another flick of her fingers. Yue made another sharp noise of approval as her hips bucked again. The fire that had dimmed between her legs returned with full force. Azula's blessed, magical fingers massaged her breast. Not to be outdone, Yue returned the favor. She gently caressed her wife and brushed her fingers over the most sensitive flesh. A dark moan rumbled out of the princess's chest.

"It feels like that," Yue breathed out as Azula buried her face in the crook of her neck. She squirmed as the woman peppered her throat and collar bone with wet kisses. The molten need in her core ached, frustratingly so. She didn't know how much longer she could stand the desperate flames. Deciding to trust her body, she summoned up her strength and pushed Azula onto her back. She followed, climbing on top of her wife. Her thigh pressed up against a slick heat as she did and Azula's body arched with a heady cry filling the air.

The princess's body seemed to move of its own accord, as she pressed down against Yue's thigh and her hips shifting with jerky unsteady movements. Azula breathed out her name in a desperate prayer, over and over. Yue nearly collapsed as Azula's thigh jerked up against her core. A flood of desire burst through her veins. "Azula, by the spirits!" Yue tangled her hands in Azula's raven hair and pulled her into a desperate searing kiss.

Yue pressed her thigh more firmly against Azula's slick core and the favor was returned immediately. Yue felt herself approaching a precipice, and her movements became more erratic and jerky. She was equal parts terrified and desperate for that final moment, to cross the threshold.

It happened as Azula arched and stiffened beneath her. The sound of her wife crying her name dragging her over the edge.

Suddenly, the dam burst and Yue's vision went white, stars sparking behind her eyes. Pure white-hot pleasure consumed her mind in waves. It felt like an eternity before she finally regained some form of awareness.

The first thing she noticed was Azula's voice murmuring soft words in her ear. She was collapsed on top of the woman, their sweat covered cheeks pressed together. She felt gentle fingers running through her white hair and more fingers tracing the length of her spine. Yue nuzzled into the crook of her wife's neck planting gentle kisses on the pale skin.

"Azula, my sun and sky... that was..." Yue let out a soft giggle. She felt weak, exhausted, like she'd just run a marathon. But it was a pleasant weakness, the ache all the more sweet for what had brought it about. "That was just... wow..."

"You screamed for me, Yue... I never... I never thought I'd enjoy the sound of my name more than from terrified enemies." Azula chuckled out the words breathlessly.

"Mmm... Glad I trump the screams of your enemies..." Yue muttered in playful tone, trailing kisses up the sharp jawline. "Did your wife fulfill her duties, my lady? Are you pleased with her work?"

"Ugh, don't give me any of that sass this morning woman." Yue giggled as Azula rolled them onto their sides and slipping toned arms beneath her head and across her waist. She stared into the fire bender's amber eyes as her wife continued. "I didn't even known I would enjoy the company of women, until you."

"Hmm... Maybe it's not women that you like," Yue teased with a small smile. "Maybe I'm just the exception to the rule." Azula's expression shifted to an impossible softness and even a little awe, Yue bit at her lip She shifted under the princess's gaze, catching her lip between her teeth. She didn't deserve to be looked at like that. She didn't know how to cope. Azula continued to study her in silence.

Unable to take the weight of the gaze – and terrified of what it might mean – Yue cuddled into her wife's naked form and tucked her head under Azula's chin. "Azula... can you talk to me... just about anything?"

The arms cradling her tightened as Yue worked to keep her breath and heart rate even and steady. "Have I told you what we're doing in the Earth Kingdom?" Yue shook her head lightly and shivered against the warmth of her wife. Azula pulled the fur blankets over their bodies. "Well, our first order of business is going to be gathering a couple of my old friends. I trust them, and they're strong enough to help protect you."

"Then we'll be co-ordinating with the Fire Nation loyalists to start sorting out the Rebellion. That's our official mission, though the real reason we're out here is..." Azula paused as her tone turned hard and bitter. "They just wanted me out of the palace and out of the way. I'm just the evil princess, a monster. That old fuddy duddy uncle... my own brother... even mother dearest is scared of me."

Yue shifted up and searched her wife's eyes. They were hard set and the grimace on her face would have the crew fleeing. Yue could see the pain there though. Deeply set and covered well, but there all the same. She caressed her wife's cheeks and let a small smile pull at her lips.

"Well, it may be a little selfish of me... but if they're too foolish to see how amazing you are, then I'll gladly keep you to myself."

Azula tensed beneath her. "Why would you want me? Why is this okay with you? I railed and fought for a year before I finally started to accept this fate. Are you really so tame that you'd just roll over and accept it?"

Yue narrowed her eyes at the woman holding her. She met the hard gaze of her wife steadily and spoke with a clipped tone. "You know exactly why I am here. My duty to my tribe has always come first. The exact same reason you are here Azula. Excuse me for trying to find some happiness in our situation." She shoved Azula's arm off and climbed out of the bed.

"Is that all this is then, trying to make sure I like you? Trying to keep me happy?" Azula spat her voice thick with venom. "Was any of what happened actually real?"

"I'll see you at breakfast my wife." Yue's voice was curt as she dressed herself in her favorite red dress. A relatively plain silky cotton fabric with golden trim and a slit rising just past one knee. "I need some fresh air."

"Are you really just going to run away?" Azula growled out. Yue paused at the door and met her wife's narrowed, angry eyes.

"I'm not running from anything. I refuse to fight you though, and I certainly won't stay here and let you shout at me." Yue paused and took a shaky breath. "I have given you more of myself than I have ever given anyone. When you decide that you are ready to respect that, to respect me. We can continue this as a civil conversation, not a shouting match."

Yue exited the room to the sound of Azula's angry shout. She wiped away a tear and gathered herself for the day. There was business to take care of and no time for weakness.

/-/

"So here we are, at... the circus." Azula's deadpan was just too cute, in Yue's humble opinion. It'd been a few days of hard travel since they'd left the ship behind. Traveling east from the docks of a small village a week south of Omashu, they'd finally arrived at a Fire Nation circus that one of Azula's old friends had been traveling with. "I've personally never seen the draw. I suppose it does the job for the peasantry."

Yue made a noise of excitement upon seeing the trainers struggling against a platypus bear. "Oh wow! I've only ever read about those creatures. And look, there's a little cub!" Yue turned her gaze to Azula to find the woman watching her with an amused expression. "It's decided, we're watching the show tonight."

"If you insist. I suppose our ostrich horses could use a break." Azula replied her amusement giving way to disinterest. Well, to any other it might seem like disinterest, but Yue was learning her wife's ques and hidden emotions. She could see the slight affection lingering in her amber orbs. "I believe we should focus on finding Ty Lee first."

"Of course my dear. I know you must miss your friend terribly," Yue noticed a pair of Fire Nation soldiers approaching the pair. She raised her voice so that it would carry farther. "Perhaps these kind souls would be willing to stable our mounts and provide us with directions?"

Azula dismounted and Yue waited for her aid in following suit. She'd gotten considerable practice, but she was still unsteady getting on and off the beasts. "Thank you, my sun." Yue murmured as she slipped off the mount and into her wife's waiting arms. Unable to resist, she placed a small kiss on the corner of Azula's red stained lips. "I'm grateful that I can always depend on you."

Azula cleared her throat and turned away, not before Yue caught the light dusting of pink on her cheeks. Yue smiled brightly as the soldiers stopped in front of them with deep bows. "Your Highness, we received your hawk. We are deeply honored to host yourself and your esteemed wife. If it pleases, we would stable your mounts and see them tended to."

"At ease, and yes, we would like for you to do so. Perhaps you would know the location of my associate Ty Lee? I'd rather not waste time scouring the camp. My wife and I are exhausted from the few days of hard travel."

One of the soldiers stepped forward to take the reins from them both while the other spoke. "Of course, Princess. Lady Ty Lee makes her camp just across from the show tent. She's usually practicing outside this time of day."

Yue offered a small bow to the soldier that took the offered reins. "Thank you kindly, for your aid. It is deeply appreciated." The soldiers eyes widened in surprise before she bowed deeply once more.

"I am grateful to be of service, my lady. We are blessed to be in you're presence."

"Yes," Azula agreed tersely. "You are. Any disrespect shown to my wife, will be treated as if it were to my own self. Please make sure that the message makes its way around camp."

The soldiers bow deeply and Yue offers a rueful smile to the pair as they bow once more.

"Please forgive my wife, she's grouchy from the long ride. Thank you once more, for your service." Yue turned towards the camp, hoping to hide the pleased grin that pulled at her lips.

The annoyed glare directed at her by Azula was just too cute. Somehow, she felt that Azula would find that thought disagreeable if she were to mention it. The temptation proved almost too hard to resist, if only to poke at her a bit more. But the thought of Azula's friend being faced with a grumpier Azula stayed her tongue. Yue offered a warm smile to her wife instead.

"Come on my sun, let's go find your friend." Azula studied her face for a moment before settling back into her usual untouchable demeanor. The former water tribe princess easily kept pace with her wife's even strides.

She idly stuffed her fingers into the pockets sewn into her dark violet pants. She'd never worn any before, but now considered them one of her favorite pieces of clothing, loose and comfortable while being maneuverable and stylish. The blue top she wore exposed the dark skin of her midriff and left one shoulder bared. She often caught Azula's wandering eyes and that was a huge perk, but the main reason she enjoyed it was the heat. After spending her entire life in the arctic chill, the rest of the world felt like it was baking. Every breeze that brushed over her exposed skin was extremely relieving.

Apparently, Azula had received her measurements a few months before arriving and had commissioned her quite the wardrobe. It had begun to truly set in just how sheltered she'd been her whole life. Her Azula had not just known who she'd be marrying, but had known so much about her down to the sizes needed for her clothing. Azula had been shocked as Yue spoke on her life in the Water Tribe, not just shocked but appalled. Hearing and seeing what life was outside of her tribe, Yue couldn't help but feel an ever growing bubble of resentment for her old home.

Azula coming to a stop pulled Yue from her thoughts. She followed her wife's gaze to a girl using a single finger on each hand to hold herself up. A long single braid trailed across the grass. "Ty Lee, could that be you?"

Brown eyes widened in surprise and with a gasp the girl exclaimed Azula's name. In a series of impressive movements, the lithe girl flipped around and offered a deep bow to the princess. She held the pose for moments before flying up to hug Azula. "It's so good to see you!"

Yue smothered the sharp sting of jealousy at the smile on Azula's face. She would trust Azula until she was proven wrong to. Azula motioned towards her as the hug ended. "Ty Lee, allow me to introduce my lady-wife, Princess Yue of the Northern Water Tribe."

Yue offered a respectful bow and put a smile on. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ty Lee. Lulu has told me a lot about you." She stiffened as the girl also pulled her into a hug. It was a comfortable embrace that Yue returned it politely.

She looked towards her wife who watched them with a small smile, one that reached her eyes. Yue easily spotted the fondness lingering there. It was a rare day to see such a genuine smile from her wife, in public at least. Smiling amber eyes met pale blue and Yue pulled out of the hug and tried to resist pulling her wife into a kiss. Instead she let Ty Lee take her hands

"It's a pleasure to meet you Princess Yue. I wish you the best in your marriage. It is my genuine hope that we can be friends." Ty Lee's bright smile was infectious and Yue returned it warmly.

"I pray that it will be so. Though," Yue leaned in close with a playful grin and lowered her voice. "I must admit, I am rather hopeful that you have some interesting stories about my wife. She's staunchly spared me any embarrassing stories of herself, though I can't say the same of you or Mai."

The mischievous glint in Ty Lee's eyes held promise. "Oh I have all the stories. You know Azula wasn't always the graceful princess you know now."

Pale hands slid between the conspiring pair and separated them. Yue smiled innocently as her wife eyed her, narrowed orbs taking the pair in with suspicion. "I'm afraid that I may have suffered a terrible lapse in judgment, bringing the pair of you together."

Yue just continued smiling and reached out to tuck a stray hair behind her wife's ear. "You're far to paranoid my wife. Perhaps a private meal and some tea would soothe your nerves." Azula's sputtering response and flushed face made the moon-touched princess giggle. She winked at Ty Lee.

The performer was obviously struggling to hold in laughter and tried to look innocent as Azula's annoyed eyes landed on her. Azula's expression finally softened and she let out a defeated sigh, "I suppose my dear wife has a point. A meal and drink would be most welcome. We can discuss my business then as well. If you would be so kind as to point us in the direction of more discreet quarters, I would be most grateful."

Ty Lee composed herself and with another graceful bow replied, "Of course Princess. If you'll follow me, we can see about proper accommodations."

/-/

As Yue sat brushing her hair, she could see Azula watching her in the mirror. The fire nation princess was laid on the bed of the spare caravan that had been prepared for them by the carnival ringmaster. The small room was draped in bright colors and finery, gauche would definitely be a fit word for the style. Though Yue did enjoy the eclectic space, and was grateful to have a real bed, even if for a night.

Golden eyes met pale blue in the reflection of the mirror and Yue quickly looked away. The air between them had been tense and awkward since their time together on the ship. It was easier to pretend away in the daylight, when there were public eyes. But in the privacy afforded by the night and the walls, their respective guards weren't as easy to keep up.

Azula had been avoidant of most affectionate displays and Yue had given her the space. The comments her wife had made and the way she spoke so bitterly of their marriage... Yue didn't know what to make of it. She had thought that things were going relatively well, but that had been false obviously. The more she thought about it, the more sense it made.

The great Fire Nation Princess Azula of the Azure Flame, reduced to a mere marriage of convenience. She had been poised to be the next Fire Lord and rule after her father, before his brother had usurped him only three years ago. The princess had been far reduced from what she should have been. Of course she would be bitter, Azula was nothing if not proud. Yue shouldn't have expected to be a match for that pride. Especially since the white haired princess would be a constant reminder of her wife's fall from grace.

Yue didn't have the same pride, the same struggle. No, for herself it was duty that chained her and drove her forward. Duty that would see her through this marriage, even if it were to be loveless. Her people needed the security and the trade that would flow from their union. She would see it to the end, for the rest of her days. She would make the most of her position and it wasn't all bad she supposed.

The world outside of her village had been so wonderful and strange. She'd had expectations and at least a passing idea of what it would be like, but nothing could have prepared her for the reality. Not to mention the circus! She couldn't help but smile at the memories of earlier that night. Watching the performance, all of the actors and the animals... it was truly an experience that she'd treasure.

Even having to stop Azula from doing something silly because she was upset with Ty Lee hadn't been enough to ruin the night. Honestly, it was very much something she'd expected from the raven haired woman. It might be stranger still that Yue found it endearing. Azula would do whatever it took to get her way, even if her poor people skills blinded her to much simpler paths sometimes. Yue supposed that they were a good match in that way.

Yue stiffened as lithe pale arms draped themselves loosely around her neck. She relaxed after the initial shock wore off and placed the hairbrush down, opting to rest her hands on her wife's warm forearms.

"What are you thinking about that has you smiling so fondly?" Azula questioned, meeting Yue's gaze in the mirror. The white-haired princess shifted backwards pressing her back flush against the silk covered form and slotting her head under Azula's chin.

"I was thinking about you, and earlier, at the show." Yue response was in a soft voice, as she studied her wife's sharp features. She didn't think she'd ever get used to the dangerous beauty of the other woman. Everything about Azula was sharp, her features, her wit, her tounge, even her bite. Life had tried everything it could to make a weapon out of the woman she'd married.

"Ah..." Azula worried her lip and made to turn away. Yue had to whirl in her seat and quickly catch a pale hand to keep her wife from making for the door. Stubbornly, the woman refused to turn around. "I suppose you must think I'm a monster now too."

Yue couldn't suppress the scoff the bubbled out. Azula tried to pull away, but the dark-skinned princess refused to let her escape. She pulled her wife into a hug and pressed close to the other woman's back. "How could I think of you as such, my wife? I believe you don't quite understand me, dearest."

"Why? Everyone else believes it. If the people in my life don't hate me, they fear me. Why would you be different? You even said, that this, us, was merely you fulfilling your duty." Yue could feel Azula's prim nails pressing into her forearms, followed by the splash of wet tears. "Why am I so weak around you..."

"Oh Azula... I've yet to see you weak. There's no weakness in tears." Yue nuzzled against the side of Azula's fair skinned throat. "Especially in front of your wife. That's what I am you know, your wife. It's a privilege that I have, that no other ever will, to see you in ways that no one else ever will be allowed to. You want to know who I see?"

Azula let herself be turned around, but hid her face behind a curtain of raven dark hair. Yue reached up and brushed it to the side, cupping her wife's face in the process. She gingerly brushed away the small stream of tears and continued speaking, "I see a woman, a regal woman, a strong woman. The loyal and graceful princess of her nation, but also the mistreated and abused woman spurned by her family. Azula, you aren't a monster, not even close. You are driven, resourceful, shrewd, and even, at times, ruthless. Everything a leader should be."

Yue paused to pull Azula into a firm embrace. Her wife easily fell into the embrace and buried her face in the crook of Yue's throat. "I think you're amazing. I mean, look at the way you wield your power and wit. I love watching you in your element, the way you take charge of a room, how you're very presence effects those around you." Azula lifted her head at that statement, wide amber orbs meeting darkened pale eyes. "You've been a disservice by your family Azula. You have the makings of a great leader, but the trauma and mistreatment have left you scarred. What happened earlier... Those weren't the actions of a monster, but of someone who didn't see any other way."

"I don't think anyone has believed in you the way you deserve, treated you with the love you deserve," Yue's breath hitched as Azula's hands found perch on her waist. "And I will be beside you from now on, to help you when you can't see another way."

She didn't have to prepare as red stained lips captured her own in a heated kiss. She melted into her wife as their lips danced with desperate passion. A high pitched whine escaped Yue's chest as Azula's taste flooded her senses. The noise seemed to affect Azula greatly, if the way her nails began to dig into Yue's skin through her nightgown were any indication. Yue caught her lover's tongue between her teeth, drawing a dark mewl out her wife.

With great reluctance, Yue escaped the kiss to catch her breath. She pressed her forehead to Azula's and stared into the dark orbs that seemed to bore into her soul. "Yue..." Azula gasped out, "I'm so sorry. I don't... usually apologize, so I have no way to accurately expression how much I wish to make things right after that morning on the ship." Yue carefully wiped away the tears that threatened to flow from her wife. "For days... I've tried to put it into the proper words to express my regrets and explain myself, but I can't. So I have nothing more to offer than this apology and the promise to strive for better."

"Azula, I just... I don't want to be a weakness to you. I don't want this, us, to be something that you loathe. I don't want to be something you loathe. I..." Yue's voice caught in her throat. "I know you must hate me, hate what you've been reduced to. If I could change things for you I would. You deserved so much more than to be married off for convenience. This... you don't have to do this... to pretend for me."

A heavy silence settled in the room, it was stifling, almost suffocating. Yue felt like she was on the edge of breaking, drowning in her own fears and sorrow. Then Azula spoke, her voice was soft like a breeze over water, "I wanted to hate you... to hate everyone and everything for this fate. I was the pride of Ozai, I was the Azure Flame, reduced to a currency, used for marriage and sent away." Red lips kissed away Yue's tears. "Then when I first laid eyes on you... everything changed... I thought that I surely was dreaming."

A fond smile settled on Azula's lips. "It was when you kissed me, right there in that throne room... that it hit me... This, us, was right. We were meant to be. You were meant for me and I, you. It was, is, terrifying and confusing... but I never meant for that to hurt you."

"I don't want to hold you back Lulu... You're amazing, destined for a greatness that I can almost reach out and grasp. I want you to have, and be everything you've dreamed of."

"Yue, my moon... If greatness is truly in my future, then it is by your side. I don't... I can't do this alone. I'm so tired of being alone. If you can forgive me, I'd keep you at my side for all the challenges to come."

"Of course, you wonderful silly woman. I am yours and I will always be yours. Besides, you have the most wonderful kisses." Both women burst into giggles. Yue nuzzled into Azula's neck and murmured, "I want you to know that I did mean all of it, that morning. I had been so scared, but being with you was like that... it was perfect."

The arms that had held her in a loose embrace tightened and Azula pressed her face into Yue's hair. Yue cuddled into her wife's powerful form with a noise of contentment. She had missed this, missed being held. They'd spent so many nights distant from each other that Yue felt like a starved animal. Every touch food for her soul.

"Azula... will you just hold me tonight?" Yue asked, her voice soft and vulnerable. "I've missed this so much, missed you so much."

"Of course... I've missed you too."

/-/

"You know, Yue..." Ty Lee's voice pulled the Princess from her thoughts. "I've never seen Azula like this before... well, before you. Her aura has been so bright and she's seemed... genuinely happy."

Yue considered the performers words as the pair sat on the back of their cart watching Azula perform her early morning katas. It was a reassurance to hear she supposed. Even after their reconciliation that night, Yue had still held a share of self conscious worries. Though knowing that one of Azula's closest friends could tell there was a change meant that maybe she shouldn't worry so much.

"I'm truly glad to hear that," Yue replied with a warm smile. "It would be a lie if I didn't admit to being happier myself. This whole marriage has been one surprise after another."

"How so?" Curious brown eyes held the Princess's gaze.

"Well, when I was first engaged, at best I felt resignation. I would do my duty to my tribe, my people, even if I was in a loveless marriage with a terrifying Fire Nation Prince." Yue scoffed a little at the thought. Her own people were so closed minded that marrying another woman had never even been a possible consideration. "And no one ever thought to inform me about Azula. I found out a little later after Azula had arrived, that essentially everyone but me had been aware of who I was betrothed to."

"So you didn't even know you were getting married to Azula until she showed up?"

"Yes, that is the gist of it. In my tribe, women are considered lesser and treated rather poorly compared to the rest of the world. Everything about my marriage was kept from me." Yue idly ran her fingers over the wooden surface of the cart, watching the trail her fingers left in the light coating of dust and dirt. "It was terrifying as they day came... I watched the as the Fire Nation ships approached and nearly fainted. It's one thing to know what you have to do, but when you can literally see the hour of doom approaching... it was hard."

"That's rough," Ty Lee hummed out. "It must have been quite the shock to see Princess Azula escorted in."

"That's certainly one way to put it," Yue chuckled at the memory. "I was completely at a loss. It may sound crazy but... the moment I laid eyes on her I knew she was my betrothed. I remember thinking, 'this is the woman I'm going to marry. This is who I am going to spend the rest of my life with.' It's actually kind of embarrassing because... I just stared at her. I fell into the golden depths of her eyes and nearly drowned." Dark-skinned fingers brushed over the betrothal necklace around her throat.

"What happened next?"

"Well, I... I greeted her and she presented me with the most thoughtful gift I had ever received. The most feared woman in the Fire Nation had spent a whole year forging a gift with her own hand and flame for me. She put on her cocky facade and seemed so cool about it that she almost convinced me that this was nothing to her. That all of this was just another easy conquest for the great Princess."

"But there was one moment, when I saw the spark of uncertainty in her eyes and it was enough to give me hope. That this, that we could be something more. So I gave her the most precious thing I had to give, a kiss. My first kiss." Yue felt warmth flood her face at the excited squeal from the girl at her side.

"That's so sweet and cute! Oh man... I wish I had been there. I bet you anything that Azula was stunned. Oh I can imagine her face now, all wide eyed and mouth hanging open." Ty Lee snorted and devolved into further laughter. "Please, tell me I'm right." Her mirth was so infectious that it swept Yue in as well.

"Oh yes, that is exactly what happened. She was rendered entirely speechless, I was worried I had broken her for a moment."

Each time Yue thought to have recovered, a conspiratorial look would be shared with Ty Lee and they'd devolve once more. Azula finally seemed to notice their hysterics and approached. The sight of her red-faced wife, soaked in sweat with the tight fabric of her clothing clinging to her pale skin, was enough to sober up the dark-skinned princess.

"What has the pair of you in stitches over here?" Azula wondered before taking a long swig from a water skin. Yue took a second to greedily drink in the sight of the lightly toned stomach and shapely form of her wife. Suddenly she found herself cursing the fact that they'd not shared an intimate night, since their last morning on the ship. The lack of privacy being enough to dissuade any uncouth behavior.

If she had her way that would be changing this night. After a week of long travel from the circus they had finally arrived at Omashu, formerly named New Ozai to the Fire Nation. The name having been stripped and dismissed following the deposition of the last Fire Lord. The Earth Kingdom city had been captured some years back during the hundred years war. According to Azula, following the cease fire, the Fire Nation had backed out of the city, only to be shortly asked to return. Apparently the reagent of the city had been condemned as senile and incompetent by the people and the city quickly devolved into a mess without a form of leadership.

Several factions developed and the city fell into chaos. Following a extended absence of contact, or aid, from Ba Sing Se, the arguing factions could only agree that things had been better with the Fire Nation presence and formally requested the return of their former governor. The Fire Lord had been all too happy to oblige. Omashu had only recently announced its secession from the Earth Kingdom rule and was now in the process of formally entering into the Fire Nation.

This seemed to have made it a base for a splinter cell of the Rebellion. The current governor had been hard at work trying to sniff out the cell, but had so far been unsuccessful. His daughter however, seemed to have made progress. Apparently a letter that Mai had sent to the Fire Lord was what had sparked him to give Azula this mission. She had requested the aid of the Princess in rooting the traitors out and stomping out the embers of rebellion.

A nudge to her side pulled Yue from her thoughts. She realized that she'd been blatantly staring at her wife. Crimson heat flooded her face as said woman reached out to wipe away a sliver of drool from the corner of her mouth. Dark eyes met her pale gaze with a mixture of mirth and that same cocky mask.

Yue caught the hand that caressed her cheek and pulled it to her lips. The moon-touched woman refused to be cowed by her own wife. She held a sultry gaze as she pressed a kiss to the pads of each finger, each a silent promise. It pleased her to see her wife's composure cracking with each kiss, golden orbs darkening with desire. She could hear the hitch in her lovers breath with each press of her lips. With a final kiss to her palm, Yue released Azula's hand.

A surprised squeak escaped her throat as her wife covered the short distance in a flash. Instead of a burning passion though, Azula melted her with a surprisingly gentle kiss, her lips soft as velvet against Yue's own. Yue's hands found themselves splayed against Azula's slick, muscled stomach as she leaned into the kiss. "You're a dangerous woman..." Azula muttered darkly against her mouth.

"I'm your dangerous woman Lulu," Yue corrected in a throaty whisper of her own. The grip Azula had found on her hips tightened, sending a shiver down the darker princess's spine. If it wasn't for Ty Lee clearing her throat to interrupt the moment, Yue might've taken her wife then and there.

Azula put a slightly more proper distance between the pair and clasped Yue's dark hands between her own. "Are you ready to go stamp out a rebellion?"

Yue couldn't resist a teasing her wife one more time. With a wink she replied, "I'm certainly ready to watch you do so."

The almost feral grin the Fire Nation princess returned spread gooseflesh across her skin. "I'll be sure to give you a show, my moon."

/-/

The city of Omashu was a paradox, everything about the city was a reminder of home despite being so very different. It's existence was like nothing Yue had ever seen. The massive hills that the city was constructed upon loomed as high or higher than the great walls of ice surrounding her home. The way it layered up the hill side, evoked the similar construction of her own home. It left Yue slightly uncomfortable to consider.

She had read about the great stone city of Omashu, but looking at it now, it would be a falsity to claim it as such. The city was now host to an impressive blend of steel and stone. The massive stone gates leading into the city had been replaced with steel. Even the city's defensive walls had been completely reinforced except for decorative stone work the capped the massive ring.

Azula had spent the few hours that they had yet to travel delving deeper into the current political, social and economic situation of the city. It was her belief that Yue's new position as princess consort of the Fire Nation necessitated her education on all relevant matters of state. Luckily, despite being sheltered from all such matters in her home tribe, Yue had an excellent memory and a drive to absorb as much of the knowledge as possible. She was determined to fulfill her role at Azula's side, above and beyond any expectation.

Azula began with the explanation that original plans for the city had consisted of great forges to be built for the purpose of providing war machines, but were canceled with the ending of the war. A couple of factories were formed still, but for the production of more civilian products such as cookware, furniture and even construction material. Thanks to the surrounding Kolau Mountain Range's rich supply of various metals, the city's economy was currently in a proverbial golden age due to the exports it now produced. The high quality crafts were sought after from the Fire Nation capital to the Northern Water tribe. Yue could personally confirm that she had seen the imported goods with increasing regularity.

A more important note, at least to Yue, were the exports to the Southern Water tribe. In return for the goods sent at a greatly discounted price along with supporting water benders and other bodies from the North pole, the South Pole shipped out many commodities, including whale products and even ice were considered highly desirable luxuries in both the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom. This was executed under the treaty formed as a joint war relief effort to aid in the ruined tribe's recovery. The treaty itself stemmed from both the Fire Nation and the Northern Water tribe, with the cooperation of Omashu. Just one of the many consequences of the engagement between Azula and Yue.

Another note would be the recent surge in population of the city. Mostly from refugee's of the war hoping to find opportunity and aid, as well as Fire Nation citizens emigrating to what is perceived as a symbol for the future prosperity of the three great nations. Even in spite of the continued seclusion of Ba Sing Se on the greater world stage.

After a few minutes of questioning, Azula seemed content with Yue's knowledge of the city. She turned her attention to filing her nails, while Yue distracted herself by studying the decorative masonry atop the wall.

As they finally reached one of the three massive gates that served as the entrance to the city, Yue couldn't help but stare up at the massive structure in awe. "It's all so much..." The words escaped her in a breathless rush, even as the gates slowly began to swing open.

"Just wait 'til you see Captital City. I've traveled for a while and still haven't seen anywhere quite as majestic." Ty Lee hummed out from the front of the cart. "It'll be nice to visit home once we're done here, I suppose."

"Perhaps you would like to introduce Yue to your sisters as well. I'm sure they'd get along famously." Azula's voice was light and teasing as she carefully filed her nails. Ty Lee just huffed in reply.

"Princess Yue would probably get along with anybody," Ty Lee waved her hand dismissively as they traveled through the open gate. "My sisters especially, they'd start fawning over her immediately. Trust me, princess, you don't want it. Mai will agree with me."

As the cart rolled over the steel road, Yue was entranced by the truly magnificent scale of the city. There were so many levels to the city, almost like a massive nesting doll. The sheer amount of people who had to be living here felt almost impossible to truly grasp. There were so many homes and businesses and... it was all just, so much to take in.

Especially the Fire Nation style palace which stood as the center piece of the city. Likely intentionally placed to draw the eye and symbolize the city's new allegiance. "Is that palace our destination?"

"It would be yes." Yue looked over to find soft amber eyes staring back. "This is the point where I must request that you never find yourself alone. If I'm not with you, then Ty Lee will be. I must insist against anything less. We don't know how deep this splinter has embedded itself and your safety is of the highest concern."

Yue reached across the cart and laid a hand over her wife's. "You don't have to convince me Lulu. I understand how dangerous this could be. I swear that I will stay close to you both at all times."

"Don't worry Zula! I'll be sure to keep her safe." Ty Lee flashed a bright smile over her shoulder. "That's what I came for after all. I know how much she means to you."

Yue watched as a series of emotions sped across her wife's features followed by a long beat of tense silence. "Thank you, Ty Lee. It... It means a lot to me that you're doing this. I-I know it must have been hard for you to leave the circus."

Silence settled once more as Ty Lee sat straight facing stubbornly forward. She steered the cart towards the stables. Yue and Azula stayed behind, near the road, as Ty Lee went to stable the ostrich horse.

"It's strange to enter a place and not have everyone be at my immediate beck and call." Azula leaned into a relaxed Under usual circumstances, there would be quite the welcome for a Princess of the Fire Nation."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. For instance, I wouldn't be riding in something as undignified as a ostrich horse pulled cart. Generally we transport with the use of palanquins and a large escort."

Yue shifted and idly fingered at her betrothal necklace. "That sounds hard to get used to. I've never been treated like that. The closest I've been was using boats to get around the city, but that is just the way we all get around. As you are aware, I suppose."

"True, but I do enjoy listening to you talk. You have a very nice um... voice." Azula's cheeks flushed pink and she avoided Yue's gaze. A pale finger twirled her bang, a nervous habit that Yue had noticed.

Yue couldn't resist giggling at her wife's awkwardness. She stepped closer and linked her arm with Azula's, then rested her free hand on her wife's forearm. "You're absolutely adorable Lulu. I'm glad you like my voice."

"Oh, would you look at that! Ty Lee is returning. Well we should be off!"

Yue tossed her head back, laughing gleefully as the pair took off at a brisk pace.

/-/

"Please, tell me you're here to kill me," The dark haired woman spoke in a cool tone as the trio approached. They had just arrived at the palace to find the lone figure leaning against the base of the stairs that lead inside. Yue released her wife's arm and stepped back to observe the conversation. After a short beat, both women chuckled and Azula stepped forward to clap the other girls shoulders.

"It's good to see you Mai. It's been far too long." The princess stepped to the side letting Ty Lee lunge forward and encompass Mai in a tight hug. The latter seemed surprised even as she returned the embrace.

"I thought you ran off to join the circus? You said it was your calling."

"Well, Azula had a very convincing reason for me to step away." Ty Lee replied in a bright tone. She stepped to the side and motioned to Yue. The moon-touched princess stepped forward and bowed politely as Azula introduced her.

"Mai, this is my wife, Yue of the Northern Water Tribe. Yue, this is Mai, a childhood friend of mine."

"It is a pleasure to meet you Mai. Lulu and Ty Lee have told me much about you," Yue offered a shy smile.

Mai bowed deeply and replied, "The pleasure is all mine Princess Yue. On behalf of my family, I would like to formally welcome you to the city of Omashu." Yue's face warmed and she shook her head quickly.

"Please, Mai. There's no need for such formality. You're one of my wife's dearest friends. Just call me Yue." Mai's eyes flickered to Azula, who was watching the exchange with a calm mask. Though Yue knew she had been nervous about this meeting.

The impassive woman studied Yue for a long moment before stepping forward and offering her hands with the barest smile. Yue took her hands lightly. Mai's pale fingers were cool to the touch and reminded Yue of home. "I didn't think I'd see the day that Azula would suffer any form of nickname. She must be absolutely enamored with you."

Yue giggled as Azula's mask slipped and her cheeks were lit by a light dusting of pink. The white-haired princess winked at Mai and replied, "It's a privilege reserved for wives. Besides, she isn't the only one enamored, Azula is something special. I'm a very lucky woman."

"A-anyway, I believe we have business to discuss," Azula interjected trying to act as though her face wasn't currently crimson. "Business pertaining to a certain letter?"

Mai released Yue's hands and stepped back. Confusion settled on her face as she looked at Azula. "I'm in for whatever you need, but I don't know what letter you're talking about."

Azula's eyes narrowed into sharp slits and her eyes darted across the area. "You mean to say that you did not send a discrete letter to my uncle about certain unsanctioned activities within Omashu?"

"No, I have no clue about anything of the sort." Mai crossed her arms, hands sliding into her the sleeves of her robes. Yue could sense the dangerous aura exuding from the three other women. "But I would like to. Why don't we have some tea in the privacy of my chambers. My parents are currently out at a lunch date with some other nobles so we can talk in peace."

"Of course. That sounds like a wonderful idea. Please lead the way." Azula made a sweeping motion towards the palace. With a respectful tilt of her Mai started for the palace, followed closely by Azula. Ty Lee linked arms with Yue and the pair brought up the rear of the small procession.

"Remember to stay close to me, alright Yue? This whole situation has trap written all over it." Ty Lee's bubbly charm even seemed toned down with the gravity of the situation.

Yue gently patted the acrobats hand and in a soft tone replied, "I haven't forgotten. I'm more than certain that Azula will be able to handle any situation. Staying out of the way seems to be the best thing I can do right now."

"Well, I wouldn't say that. There's a difference between staying out of the way, and staying out of harms way." The pair shared a conspiratorial look. "I'm sure that we'll find some way to be of use."

"Ooh... I think you and I are going to be quite the troublesome pair." Yue murmured through a smile. She could see Azula glancing back at them. With a small wave and smile to her wife, Yue earned a small smile in return.

"Azula... you really do mean a lot to her," Ty Lee observed quietly, her tone struck Yue as almost... wistful. "I wish... that I could say the same for myself."

"You don't think Azula cares for you?" Yue glanced to the side and found a sadness settled in chocolate eyes. "What makes you say that?"

"Well, Azula never seemed to care about anyone really. It was like we were always there to be playthings or something... She never really respected us and walked over everyone." Ty Lee frowned. "She's always been cruel and ruthless. I still... I still care about her. She has her moments, but I just never felt like she truly cared for us. Earlier in the cart... that was the first time in our lives that she ever thanked me, for anything."

Yue offered a gentle squeeze to Ty Lee's hand and they continued the walk in silence.

/-/

"Are you sure about this? I would remind you once more that Azula will be less than pleased when she finds out." Mai's cautious urging didn't fall on deaf ears, but Yue was determined to see her course to its end.

"Are you going to inform my wife of our true purpose today?" Yue questioned as they approached the stone manor.

"I told you that I wouldn't." Mai's deadpan response had the white-haired princess send a pointed look her way.

"Then you don't have anything to worry about. I will handle Azula," Yue replied with finality and stopped outside the door. She turned to face the other woman and met her tawny gaze. "I refuse to sit around while you all do the work trying to sort out this mess. In my tribe there is a saying, 'No man is a failure, who has friends.' Azula is wonderful and very good at what she does, but what she isn't very good at is making friends. As a princess, a wife, and an equal in my marriage, I will do what I believe to be necessary to protect my family."

That wasn't a lie. Azula had been working tirelessly for almost two weeks on gathering information and preparing to deal with the traitors. She came to bed every night exhausted, but never did she falter. While Yue was basically useless, essentially stuck sitting around while the others worked to solve the problems. It took all of a single day of that before she began to look into ways that she could help. This had been her best conclusion.

Mai held her gaze steadily, before looking away with a heavy sigh. "Alright, that's good enough for me. Protecting one's family is something I can relate to." Yue was very aware of the shared sentiment, it was after all why they were there in the first place. With another long sigh, she reached for the door knocker. "Let's get this over with then. You remember everything we discussed?"

Yue's firm nod of affirmation was all Mai required to slam the door knocker against the large wooden door. Taking a deep breath, Yue gathered herself and settled into the graceful and strong stance that she'd practiced for years. It was time to be a princess in more than just name.

She smoothed out the high quality silk robes that had been part of the wardrobe prepared for their marriage. They were similar in style to Mai's own clothing but with a color blend of blue, violet, and red. A representation of a union that had not been seen in a hundred years. The effects her marriage had on the greater world still continued to surprise Yue. The noble family that she and Mai were meeting over tea had been one that had felt the ripples deeply.

Following the announcement of Yue and Azula's marriage contract, the Fire Nation noble Amora of the Sei'naka clan had announced a marriage arrangement to Gomeng, a descendant of the old king Bumi's first cousin. By Mai's account the couple had been secretly courting for many years and fear of the Fire Lord's retribution was what kept them from conducting an official marriage.

The door swinging open drew Yue from her thoughts. At the entrance stood a well-kept man who looked to be approaching his forties. He was dressed a high quality green and gold tunic typical of a Earth Kingdom nobleman. He greeted the pair with a deep bow. "Princess Yue and Lady Mai. We are honored to welcome you to our humble abode. I am Gomeng, and my wife is currently seeing to the final preparations for tea. Please come in and allow us to make you comfortable."

Mai returned the deep bow and Yue offered a respectful curtsy. The pair entered, then followed after Gomeng after he shut the large door. Yue took the opportunity to speak as they walked, "The pleasure is ours truly. We are most grateful that you agreed to host this meeting, and you have my sincerest apologies that my wife was unable to attend. She is currently tied up in very important business and I couldn't in good conscience pull her away. Believe me, I wouldn't wish a grumpy Azula on anyone."

Mai snickered quietly at the comment and Yue had to fight down a grin. Gomeng seemed unsure as to how he should react as he motioned the pair into a rather impressive room. A decorative table sat close to the ground and was surrounded by four cushioned mats, two on each side of the table. The corners of the room were supported by smooth marble pillars with green and gold accents decorating the walls and drappery. A single large window provided an excellent view of the mountainous horizon.

"I do not mean to put you in an uncomfortable position," Yue amended as she took a seat beside Mai. "I can personally attest that tales of my wife's foul disposition are somewhat exaggerated."

"That is truly a reassurance to hear," A middle aged woman spoke as she entered the room. "Princess Azula is not far in line to the throne and the last Fire Lord wasn't exactly a ray of sunshine. As we are all aware." Yue examined the woman as she set the tray down and took a seat across the table.

Her dark black hair was peppered with silver streaks and pulled into a top knot with an elegant golden hair piece sporting the crest of the Fire Nation on either edge, though she wore an elegant Earth Kingdom tunic. She had dark amber eyes and sharp features typical of her heritage. "You must be Lady Amora. It is an honor to make your acquaintance." Yue offered a respectful bow of her head, followed by Mai.

"Good to see you again Lady Amora," Mai added with a polite smile.

"You as well young Mai," Amora replied as her husband took his seat beside her. "Princess Yue, it is the greatest honor to have you under our roof. My husband was simply beside himself when he learned that we had missed your arrival to the city."

"Oh, it is no trouble. Our arrival was rather discreet, please do not trouble yourselves unduly."

"Goodness Princess, the rumors do you justice. As polite as you are pretty." Yue's cheeks warmed at the compliment from the older woman. "I'm sure you and Princess Azula get along famously." With a snap of her fingers, another younger lady entered the room with a tray.

"Ugh, they're so sweet together, it's sickening," Mai spoke with a shake of her head.

"It's good to hear that you and Princess Azula are getting along." Gomeng stated with a kind smile. "I can only imagine how nervous you must've been, being engaged to Princess Azula. She has quite the reputation."

With an awkward laugh Yue accepted a small ceramic glass of tea. She offered a polite tilt of her head and a muttered thanks to the serving girl before addressing Lord Gomeng. "Well, you are half right. I was absolutely terrified, but I had no idea who I was engaged to. All I had been told was that I had been engaged to a Fire Nation noble."

The shocked faces across the table was all the urging Yue needed to explain, "Things are very... different for women in the Northern Water Tribe. I was expected to do my duty and was told nothing more than what was absolutely necessary." She paused to sip at her steaming tea, the spiced blend warmed her throughout. "You can imagine that my experience since leaving home has been... enlightening to say the least."

"By the spirits," Amora shook her head with a pitying expression. "It must have been quite the culture shock coming out to the wider world then."

"I am working to adjust. It's definitely a difficult process, however. Some things still don't seem quite real." She paused and considered her next words. "That being said... My marriage has been much more than a pleasant surprise. I've received not only a wonderful wife, but a great duty."

"Indeed," Lord Gomeng nodded along as he cradled his tea cup. "First a Princess of the Northern Water Tribe and now a Princess of the Fire Nation. Truly auspicious, but a most solemn burden nonetheless. Many eyes are on you, my lady. Your marriage is a symbol to many."

Mai leaned forward and added, "Not just a symbol, but also a threat. Between Ba Sing Se and the Rebellion, they stand to lose much from the princesses union." Yue took a steadying breath. They were finally getting to the heart of matters.

"Very true... The alliance between the Water Tribes and Fire Nation must have Ba Sing Se in quite the tizzy," Amora spoke thoughtfully, her finger circling the rim of her tea cup. "If I may be frank, the Rebellion seems to be the much more relevant threat at the moment. There are quite a few Fire Nation citizens that were unhappy with the end of the war and the ascension of Fire Lord Iroh."

"The Rebellion is exactly why I requested this meeting," Yue stated folding her fingers together. "Princess Azula has been dispatched to deal with a splinter cell that has taken root in Omashu. My wife has been working tirelessly this past week to root out the traitors, and... we've come across some rather uncomfortable information."

Amora and Gomeng shared a look. Yue watched quietly as a silent conversation seemed to be shared between the pair. The moment passed with a sigh from Lord Gomeng as resignation seemed to settle into his features. Amora looked over her shoulder to the serving girl standing in the corner and with a motion of her hand the woman approached.

"Princess Yue, Lady Mai, I would like to introduce you to our daughter, Kyirin." The woman stopped at her mother's side and bowed deeply. Yue smiled warmly and tilted her head in return.

"I wasn't aware you had a daughter Lady Amora," Mai spoke up as she studied the dark haired girl. Yue thought she detected a hint of curiousity.

"That's because no one knows. I made sure to hide my pregnancy and we sent her away when she was just a young girl." Yue heard a heavy sorrow in Amora's voice. "We had very legitimate fears about her safety you see, so she's spent many years training as a Kyoshi warrior."

Yue looked over the other girl once more. She didn't seem a warrior type on the surface, but she'd be the first to admit that she didn't have an eye for that kind of thing. The hardened dark eyes that met her gaze spoke volumes though, enough at least. On closer inspection, she obviously resembled her parents. Her face shape had all the sharp edges of her Fire Nation heritage, but she had the build of her father; taller than Yue by at least a head, but still fairly stocky, likely made more pronounced by her warrior training.

Gomeng spoke next, adding, "We were finally able to offer for her to return home shortly after we married. Once things seemed to be safer and settling down.."

"Though I wasn't sure about coming back until a year ago. I'm glad I did." Kyirin's voice was heavy with disdain. She knelt at the side of the table between Mai and Amora before continuing. "Things have been starting to get bad here. I've been keeping my ear to the ground and the Rebellion is getting bolder. I believe they have managed to get agents into the city guard, what's worse is that I believe there are earth-benders working with them."

"Earth-benders working with the Rebellion?" Mai seemed extremely skeptical and Yue could admit to sharing some of that skepticism. "I can't decide what's harder to believe, earth-benders wanting to work with the rebels, or the rebels accepting earth-bender aid."

"If this cell was directly under Ozai, I would be more inclined to agree. However, I've managed to learn that the disgraced Captian Zhao has been leading the Rebellion forces here in Omashu." An ugly sneer pulled at Kyirin's lips and even Mai seemed disgusted. "As I'm sure you are aware, Lady Mai, the man is snake. There is no honor in him. As far as the earth-bender forces, the answer is much simpler. Many are still upset with the course of the city and wish to remain as part of the Earth Kingdom. It isn't unthinkable that they would work with the rebels if it were to run the Fire Nation out."

Silence settled as Yue and Mai digested the information. Yue didn't like the amount of sense that Kyirin was making. She didn't know this Zhao, but she could see the course that the melting pot in the city was poised to take. Complete chaos and the removal of all loyalist Fire Nation citizens. If it were to succeed, the amount of damage it would do to Fire Lord Iroh's rule was devastating. Not to mention the harm it would do to the citizens of the city. Especially after the two groups turned on each other once the loyalists were gone. It would be a bloodbath in the streets.

Yue met Mai's worried gaze with a reassuring smile. She knew Mai was worried about her family. "I don't think he'd been doing this if he knew," Mai muttered out. "He's always been dedicated to the country. They're using him."

"I know Mai, I won't forget my promise." Yue replied in a soft voice before looking back at Lady Amora and Lord Gomeng. "I am eternally grateful for the aid and information you have so readily provided. Though, there seems to be something that Kyirin has yet to discover and it is what has brought us here today."

"I regret to inform you that Governor Ukano has been working for or with the Rebellion forces in the city." Yue paused to give her hosts time to process the shocking information. Lord Gomeng looked to be pale as a spirit, and Lady Amora had gone red and seemed absolutely furious.

"Y-you can't be serious!" Lord Gomeng exclaimed eyes darting between Yue and Mai. "This is madness!"

"I truly wish that it was, but the truth is what it is." Yue replied calmly, followed by a quiet sip of her tea. She could see the pair finally starting to calm down over the rim of her cup.

"That fool Ukano- don't look at me like that Mai you know it's true." Amora bit out with a sour look on her face, red stained lips curled in disgust. "Your father has always been a fair bit short sighted, but even I had thought he would know better than this... I suppose that my only question now would be, why tell us? What are you hoping to gain Princess Yue?"

Yue sat her cup down and clasped her hands together, resting them on the table. "Omashu is a beautiful city, and it's people more so. It is also a symbol, a testament to the fact that we can once again live in peace and coexist, something that the world desperately needs in the wake of the war. It is my goal to see that the city continues to flourish. Following our recent findings, it is obvious that Ukano is no longer fit to lead this city."

"I have spent the better part of the past two weeks working closely with Mai. We've combed over every noble house in the city searching for an adequate replacement. It was our conclusion that you, Lady Amora and Lord Gomeng, would be the ideal candidates." Yue kept a straight face even as Lord Gomeng began choking and sputtering on his tea. She gave him a moment to regain his composure before continuing, "My wife has been too busy working to suss out the traitors to pay much of any mind to the fallout that would follow once we finally move against the resistance and remove the Governor from his position."

"I felt it best to address the issue beforehand. Rather than leave the city fall once more into chaos, or have the city weakened until the problem could be addressed by the Fire Lord. Lord Gomeng is a close cousin of the previous King Bumi, who is still well respected in many circles. Lady Amora, you are just as respected in Fire Nation circles I am told. Not to mention that you are both rather popular in the city and Mai's assurance that your household is a trustworthy one. Lastly, but not least, as a couple you embody the spirit of Omashu."

"Princess Yue, you honor our family and our home. This is however, much to take in at once." Gomeng and Amora both bowed their heads. "I must humbly request some time to discuss this with my wife in more depth before a decision is made."

"Of course. I expected nothing less, as you said it is a heavy choice." Yue replied with tilt of her head. "Though, I must insist on receiving your answer by nightfall tomorrow. Things are progressing at a rapid pace and Azula will be ready to act soon. We must see to preparations before the time of reckoning comes."

"We'd best leave you to it then," Mai spoke before rising to her feet and aiding Yue up. Their hosts were quick to follow suit. "Azula will be missing us soon and she'll be foul enough as it is."

Yue had just stepped away from the table when Kyirin approached. She leaned in a deep bow until she was parallel with the floor before speaking, "Please allow me to accompany you to the palace. Regardless of my parents decision, I would like to speak more in depth with Princess Azula about the information I've managed to acquire." She straightened out and met Yue's gaze. "I would like for nothing more than to be of service to you Princess Yue. The honor you have brought my family demands nothing less."

Yue looked at Mai who just shrugged in return, as if to say 'whatever you think is best.'

"I would be delighted to have you along, Kyirin." The former Kyoshi Warrior bowed once more and Yue reached out to lightly touch her shoulder. "Please, there's no need for all of that. Now, come along. We have a busy day ahead." Yue turned to the noble couple and offered one more small bow. "I wish you both a wonderful evening and thank you again for the tea. Rest assured that no harm will come to your daughter while she is in my care."

Their exit was swift and in short order the trio found themselves on the street, heading for the palace. Mai was the first to break the companionable silence. "Azula's going to be so upset."

"As you've said, multiple times already," Yue sighed with a rueful shake of her head. "I shall repeat myself once more as well. Let me worry about Azula. Everything will be fine."

/-/

Tap. Tap. Tap. Yue sat straight backed and tall as Azula paced on the other side of the dining table, the only sound being her shoes against the polished floor. Her ranting shouts had given way to silence some minutes ago and the woman refused to look at Yue.

Gratefully, her wife had the whole floor of the palace cleared of servants and any other soul, before she had started shouting. Instead of returning the heated words Yue weathered the storm in silence. She'd met Azula's furious gaze with a patient determination. It felt best to let her blow off the steam and wait for her wife to calm down. The pensive look on her wife's face meant that she had finally started to actually consider Yue's actions.

They'd returned what felt to be barely an hour ago. Yue had introduced Kyirin and Azula had listened in stoic silence as Kyirin laid out the overall information she had gathered. Once she finished, Yue had told Azula of her plans for Kyirin's parents. Afterwards, Azula had calmly ordered the floor cleared of any living soul, eyes locked on Yue's the entire time. They sat in tense silence until their privacy had been ensured and Azula blew up. Tap. Tap...

The Fire Nation Princess came to a stop. With a shuddering breath, she met Yue's gaze. The hurt etched into Azula's eyes was a blade to the moon-touched princess's heart. She suddenly wished that the anger was back, she'd take the rage and anger over the pain on her lover's face. Azula knelt directly across from Yue and made as if to speak several times, but words didn't seem to come. The knife dug deeper into Yue's heart with each failed attempt.

When words finally came the white haired woman shattered. "The worst part of all of this... is that you didn't talk to me," Azula's voice was cracked and sore. "Even if you were certain that I would deny you... you should have came to me."

"Azula, I-"

"I have been completely open with you," Azula continued as if Yue hadn't spoken. "I have made sure to include you in every discussion and kept you informed through every part of this investigation. It was the respectful and right thing to do. You are my wife, a princess of this nation, and in just as much danger as I am. This effects you just as much as it does me. Because it isn't just me, or just you, anymore."

Azula paused and gathered herself, Yue could see the tears threatening to overflow in her wife's amber eyes. "I thought... that there was more trust between us, Yue." The sound of her name in the hurt and hollow tone truly set in how badly Yue had failed her wife. Azula's amber eyes diverted to the table, as if her wife hadn't the strength to even look at her. "If you had come to me and talked about it. Even if I had disagreed for worry of your safety and you went ahead behind my back... that would have been better than this. I wasn't even given a chance. You just... assumed the worst... and I don't... I didn't expect that from you."

Azula finally broke and with a thick sob, tears began to flood down her face. Yue moved with a speed she wasn't aware she possessed. She was around the table in an instant and pulling her wife into a desperate hug. She pulled her wife close as she sobbed into Yue's shoulder. "Azula, I swear that it wasn't like that. Spirits, I never thought the worst of you."

"Then why?!" Azula cried even as her fingers grasped at the fabric of Yue's robes. "Why didn't you come to me? Why didn't you trust me?"

"I... I just wanted to help..." Yue's chest constricted as the words flowed out. The hardest part was facing the truth of her words, even as she spoke them. "You, Ty Lee, and Mai... You've all been working so, so hard. You've run yourselves ragged every single day. While I sat here at the palace doing absolutely nothing. I had never..." Yue swallowed thickly as her voice broke and she tightened her embrace.

The weight of her wife's tears drove her to speak through her internal turmoil. "At home, it was expected of me, to essentially do nothing. I was just there to continue my family line and have another chief in line after my father. So I never felt like I was useless. Then I married you and my entire worldview shattered. Everything I knew about the way the world was supposed to work was turned on its head. Truly, I am thankful for that every single day."

Azula had lifted her head and met Yue's gaze even as tears still dripped down her face. Unable to take the weight of her wife's gaze she pressed her forehead to Azula's and let her eyes drift shut. "I have never in my life felt as utterly... useless," Yue spat the word out with a mixture of venom and desperation. "As I have watching you work yourself into the ground day after day, and be completely unable to help. I felt like I was drowning in helplessness. It was claustrophobic and awful and I couldn't breathe!"

Azula's warm hands cupped her face and her thumbs brushed away Yue's angry tears. She was angry at herself, at her tribe, at the world, everything except for the woman right here. Her dark hands copied her lover's actions, the heat dancing beneath the pale skin of Azula's face helped to ground Yue. She managed to continue the explanation of her actions, praying that it would be enough to steal away her wife's pain.

"I should've talked to you, I should've came to you. I just... I couldn't... Azula, I couldn't take it anymore. I needed to do something, to aid you in anyway I could possibly find. I wanted to prove myself, to show you... No, to show myself... that I could be more than a tool, more than a currency. I needed to know that I could be more than..."

She grasped desperately at the fabric over her wife's shoulders and pressed the top of her head to the middle of Azula's chest. It took all she had left to admit to it, to her hardest truth. It was too much to look into those vulnerable amber eyes. "I-I..." She struggled but the words wouldn't come. They were trapped in her chest, fighting to stay trapped in her heart. "Argh!" Yue cried out as white hot anger bubbled in her veins. "I want to be more than my fucking womb!" Something broke in Yue at that moment, with the admission of her deepest pain.

She was vaguely aware of the hollow, empty cry of devastating sorrow and rage that burned her lungs and scratched her throat. She was so deep, drowning once more. Only now, it was in the unfamiliar emotion of hatred. She hated her tribe, that her only value had been a stepping stone for another. She hated the world, that it had left her trapped in that awful place. She hated her father, that he watched and knew and had the audacity to feel guilty. She hated herself, that she was too weak to be more. She hated herself, that she blamed others for her pain.

In that desperate moment, she hated. The hatred bubbled and broiled like a syrup. Soaking everything she was in searing white heat and venom and... and...

The suffocating feeling was gone as fast as it came, leaving her weak and wracked with sobs. Her sides hurt, her chest hurt, she couldn't stop the hiccuping sobs that left her a mess. As her senses slowly returned, the moon-touched princess became aware that Azula had wrapped her up in a loose embrace. The pair were rocking gently back and forth and Azula was rubbing slow circles into her back.

Yue's eyes opened to the sight of her tears flooding onto the fabric of her wife's pants. She released Azula's tunic and her fingers were stiff and sore from the strength of her grip. She paid no regard to the state of her robes as she used the silken fabric to wipe at the flood of tears. Yue lifted her head and met Azula's soft golden eyes.

"I'm sorry, for hurting you Azula, for not coming to you." Hiccups and sobs cut between her words, but she needed to get them out. "I won't do it again. I... I..."

"It's forgiven," Azula's voice was the gentlest that Yue had ever heard it. "All of it is forgiven, and I need you to know that you made the best decision. Not in lying to me, but in everything else. It was a shrewd and forward thinking move. One that could save many lives and make this whole process much easier." A smile pulled at Azula's lips. "I am not only impressed, but also... proud. Proud of you and proud to have you. I stand by my statement, we could totally dominate the Earth."

That drew a laugh out of Yue's lips, however weak it may have been. She shook her head and hugged her wife. She nuzzled into a pale throat even as she struggled to escape the hiccups left behind by her tears. "Azula..." She began in a soft voice. "I'm so happy that I married you."

Azula returned her hug and pressed soft kisses to the side of her head. "I can't see myself with anyone else. You've ruined people for me."

Yue's response was a muffled, "Good."

"Now, I think it'd be best if we get the girls, go to our chambers and share some hot chocolate."

"Spirits..." Yue breathed at the thought. "That sounds wonderful my wife."

"Good. Then here, let me just..." She lifted Yue's head gently and pulled a cloth from the table. Yue allowed her wife to wipe away the tears and clean her face of the tear trails. "Alright, you're all set my dearest."

"Oh wait, you forgot something."

"What?" Azula's confusion gave way to surprise as Yue leaned in and captured her wife's lips in a soft kiss. The white-haired princess lingered for only a moment before a hiccup pulled her away.

"That. You forgot that."

/-/

Almost a week later, found Yue walking once more to the Sei'naka household. Instead of Mai, she was accompanied by Kyirin, and a small group of soldiers, handpicked by Azula. She was on her way to secure the future leaders of the city, but also Azula had wanted her away from the palace as she finally made a move against the Rebels. Starting with deposition of Mai's father. Things were expected to move quickly after that.

Her wife had meticulously laid out precision strike plans on every known Rebellion safe house. It would be enough to cripple their resources and scatter any missed pockets. In ideal circumstances, Zhao would be incensed enough to try challenging Azula directly. Her wife was particularly hopeful that he would be fool enough. The memory of the vicious grin that graced those red stained lips still had Yue's heart skipping a beat.

"Are you well, my lady?" Kyirin's concerned words put a smile on Yue's face. She looked over at her companion and nodded.

"Of course, I appreciate your concern." She paused a moment before releasing a sigh. "I must admit that I am nervous, while I have faith in Azula and the others..." Yue faltered and worried her lower lip between her teeth.

Kyirin made a soft noise of acknowledgment, "You're worried for their safety." The statement was accurate and Yue had no drive to argue.

"I know my wife can handle herself, but it is still my job to worry."

"The best thing you can do to help is remain safe." Kyirin spoke, likely hoping to assuage her concerns. " Knowing that you are well will make all the difference for the Princess."

"That's why you're here Kyirin. Azula was more than pleased with your performance in the spars, not just that but you've proven your competency. I think Azula respects you more for that than your skill in battle." Yue flashed the woman at her side a smile. "I know that I am glad to have you at my side."

Kyirin seemed to stand a little taller at her statement, and Yue fought down her amusement. It wasn't a lie. The information that the warrior had managed to obtain, as well as her bearing general bearing, had pleased Azula enough that she had taken more than a passing interest in the woman. Her wife had arranged multiple spars to gauge the Kyoshi warrior's capabilities.

Like all of the island warriors, Kyirin had shown remarkable proficiency with the katana and retractable shield of her predecessors. However the sect that she belonged to had left the practice of fan wielding in favor of hidden weaponry and subterfuge. She had nearly won against both Mai and Ty Lee with the use of surprise flash bombs and hidden throwing weapons. However, she had still lost due to Ty Lee having previously disabled her shield arm.

The final piece of information that had convinced Azula to assign her as Yue's permanent guardian was the secret that the warrior had revealed solely to both Princesses. Kyirin was an earth-bender. Apparently it was her most well kept secret. One that not even her parents had been aware of. She discovered the talent on Kyoshi Island and they had another bender in their sect that had trained her in secret.

Kyirin's verbal reply drew Yue from her thoughts. "If I may speak frankly Princess Yue?" A glance back revealed her small entourage following at a respectful distance, so Yue gave a nod of approval. "I am grateful that I have been able to serve you. Despite previous concerns I held, after actually meeting you, they have been dashed. Many are afraid that the Princess's Water Tribe consort would be weak or worse."

"I can confirm that the feelings were similar in my tribe." Yue admitted in a soft tone. "Many were worried that I was being handed off to a tyrant and felt that we were weak for agreeing to the marriage. Even Azula and I had our worries before we were actually wed. Tell me though, now that you've witnessed me yourself, what are your thoughts? Be honest, there's nothing to fear here."

Kyirin's lips turned up in a smile. "I know. You handle criticisms gracefully. I hate to disappoint, however, as I can honestly say that I have none of my own. You have shown to be more than a match for Princess Azula, and proven handily that the Fire Nation will be, not just stronger, but better by having you as a leader."

Yue felt a warm glow of pride in her chest. It was one thing to hear from her wife, but another to hear from a relative outsider. "I'm... I'm glad you feel that way. I want to nothing more than to serve my new nation well. It is my genuine hope that we can bridge the gaps left by the war. Peace and unity have been a long time in the coming. With the Avatar's disappearance, the duty falls to us, the leaders of our nations to work for that peace, to come together and make the world better."

As the last words left her lips, a flurry of movement ensued. To Yue, time seemed to slow to a crawl. Kyirin grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side as she lifted her other arm up. The retractable shield expanding out as she did. Before the shield finished expanding, a crossbow bolt colided with the metal and bounced away in a flash of sparks. Yue could see the Fire Nation garbed assailant leaning around the corner of a nearby alley.

As time began to flow once more more of the rebels appeared from the surrounding city, at least fifteen by Yue's estimate. They were a majority mix of Fire Nation dressed soldiers with only two Earth Kingdom soldiers. Her own guard of six had quickly circled herself and Kyirin in a protective wall of bodies. Both groups stood in a tense standoff as one member of the rebels took off his concealing helmet. Kyirin growled out a very quiet, "It's Zhao."

The brown haired man had a dark grin on his face, framed by well kept mutton chops. "Well, well, well... if it isn't the Princess's darling little toy. It must be my birthday."

"Zhao! Put an end to this madness. If you stand down now, there may yet be some clemency." Yue spoke even as Kyirin murmured in her ear.

"Princess, we have to get you back to safety."

"Madness? Clemency?!" The man laughed loudly. "Nothing about this is madness, girl. I am the great Zhao! I will bring your head back to Fire Lord Ozai, but not before I turn this wretched city to cinders. Then they will all see the truth, the light! They'll turn on that traitor Iroh and the great Ozai will return to his throne! History will remember me as the one who put him there. The great hero Zhao!"

"There's no way we're escaping this," Yue retorted under her breath, while doing her best to look as if she were listening to the ranting mad man. She held her herself with the grace demanded by her station. She would not be cowed by traitors and rebels. This was nothing compared to the fury of her wife.

"The men will die to get you out of here. You're safety is paramount, my lady." Kyirin's reply stung, because Yue knew her guardian was probably right. Their situation was already grim and getting away would be difficult. If all of their foes were benders, escape was unlikely... but not impossible. On the other hand, the enemy leader stood just paces away.

"We can't afford to let Zhao escape here. Azula chose these men for a reason, they will not fail. Nor will you." Yue then raised her voice as the enemy fell quiet and spoke, "You're not a hero Zhao, but a traitor. You've abandoned your Nation, your pride, and your people! Ozai was a coward, who murdered his own father! A coward who ran instead of facing the Dragon of the West in Agni Kai! That's the man you serve, that you claim as your false Fire Lord. All of you gathered here stand as traitors!"

"Silence yourself you uppity girl!" The man's face had turned crimson. "You know nothing! You are nothing!"

Something kindled in her spirit, a feeling that she was unfamiliar with. It was warm and comfortable and powerful: the strange sensation gave strength to her next words.

"I am Yue, blessed of the Moon, Princess to the Water Tribe and Fire Nation, and wife to the Azure Flame! To raise arms against me is to raise arms against each of these!" She turned slowly, looking at each rebel surrounding her group. "I offer each of you one more chance, stand down and turn yourselves in, and I swear that there will be clemency. But if you continue this fools errand... Then there shall be no mercy."

There were uncertain glances shared by a few of the enemy soldiers. Yue could see that her words were getting through to at least a couple of them.

"Don't listen to her you fools! Remembe-"

As soon as Zhao began shouting, his eyes flickering between his subordinates, Yue gave a single order, loud enough for her soldiers to hear.

"Attack."

The enemy group were unprepared for the sudden assault. Several fell to flame and stone before they even had a chance to react. The battle then pressed out as the men put more space between themselves and Yue to limit the danger of missed attacks connecting with herself. Kyirin remained at her side, dark eyes surveying the battlefield. Yue held a steady gaze on Zhao, who had initially fallen backwards. A clear route between himself and the pair at the center of the carnage remained.

His amber eyes were wide and wild as he watched his men fall, one by one. Finally he looked at Yue and met her steady pale gaze. Coward. She mouthed the word and his eyes widened as crimson once more flooded his face. His lips parted in a roar of anger. He scrabbled to his feet and rushed her with a blast of flame. As Kyirin made to move, a burst of wind split the flames down the center. Yue's lips pulled into a grin as a small form landed between the pair and Zhao.

The feeling in her heart swelled at the sight of him – the boy in monk robes, decorated with the blue tattoos of the old Air Nomads. She knew exactly who she was looking at. Kyirin had placed her self at the ready, between Yue and the new arrival. Yue reached out to place a hand against her guardian's shoulder. "It's okay Kyirin. That boy is – the Avatar."

"You miserable child!" Zhao roared, he attacked relentlessly with flame after flame. "I am Zhao! I am destined to destroy the moon, to destroy the Water Tribe! I will not fall until it is done!"

The Avatar almost effortlessly blew aside and countered every blast of flame. Around them, the fight had mostly ended. All of Yue's soldiers were standing, a couple had suffered minor injuries but were otherwise fine. Most, if not all of the rebels seemed to be alive still, but trapped in various stone structures. The victory was theirs, and Zhao finally realized it. He held his battle stance and hateful amber orbs locked onto Yue's gaze.

"This isn't over!" He shouted even as he turned to flee. Only to be knocked over as a giant beast descended to the ground causing a mild quake in the area. Yue had only ever read of such creatures, as they were considered to be extinct. Standing on top of the endangered Sky Bison were two people dressed in Water Tribe clothing.

The boy was the first to speak, a smirk on his face as he addressed Zhao. "Oh, were you going somewhere?"

As Zhao made to run another way, a tendril of water wrapped around his feet. The rebel leader slammed face first into the hard metal of the road. Yue looked to one of her earth-bender soldiers and motioned towards the defeated man. With a nod of understanding, he trapped Zhao in a solid encasement of stone. The man continued to rant and rave out various obscenities and threats, and the water-bender girl spoke up over him.

"Could you get his mouth too? This kind of language is just uncalled for." Yue nodded her assent and Zhao received a stone gag. "Thanks!"

The Avatar turned around and smiled brightly at the pair. Yue stepped out from behind Kyirin and bowed deeply. "Avatar, it is an honor to make your acquaintance."

"The honor is all mine, Princess Yue!" The bright reply gave her pause. "Your father sends his regards."

"My... father?" Of all the things she'd expected to hear, that wasn't one of them.

"Yeah! See we've spent about the last month in the Northern Water Tribe. we were searching for a water-bending master to teach us. Master Pakku was ended up being our sifu." He motioned towards the young woman, who had approached them with the other boy by her side.

"Hello, I'm Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, and this is my brother, Sokka." The boy in question stared at her with wide eyes and a slight flush to his cheeks.

After a moment of silence, Katara jabbed his side with her elbow and he sputtered out a mess of words,."Hi, I'm Sokka. It's- um- you're... I mean um..." Sokka cleared his throat and tried again, "Hi. Sokka. Southern Water Tribe."

"Very nice to meet you, all of you." At Kyirin's quiet urging, Yue glanced at the captured rebels her men had been gathering together. "If you'll excuse me for a moment, I must deal with this."

As she walked over, she could hear Kyirin introduced herself to the Avatar. With a deep breath Yue centered herself and took on the cool mask she'd witnessed many times from her wife. She took a moment to examine the unmasked prisoners. Most were young men, barely over twenty at the oldest. She shook her head and stepped up to Zhao. His dark eyes burned with hatred.

"I pity these poor fools who followed you. Look at all of these young men," Yue's voice was soft as she forced his head towards the line of prisoners. "Most of them will be tried and found guilty for treason, just as you will be. Death is your future, and theirs. This... didn't have to happen. It's a tragedy and for what? Was it worth it?" She released his face and stared into the hateful, but terrified orbs. "I pray that the next life has mercy for you, I sincerely do. Because my wife certainly won't."

Yue stepped away from the prisoner and looked to the First Lieutenant of her small company. "Take them directly to my wife. Give a report on any who disarmed and inform her that I requested a lighter sentence. I will be continuing on to gather the Lord Gomeng and Lady Amora."

"My Lady, I don't mean to overstep, but are you sure it's safe?" The man questioned, a nervous expression on his face. "Princess Azula..." He trailed off, perhaps too nervous to finish the thought.

Yue waved the men into a march and spent a moment in thought. "Tell my wife that I am unharmed and will be in the company of the Avatar," She felt a playful smile tug lightly at her lips. "There is no need to worry for my safety, or your own. I am grateful that you and your men were here. You've done well. I wish to offer all of you a place on with us, when we depart. I would be honored to have such skilled protectors around."

The Lieutenant practically fell to his knees in a deep bow. "Princess, I would be beyond honored to accept your most gracious offer. I will ensure that the others are made aware of the offer as well." Yue nodded with a calm satisfaction.

"Thank you Lieutenant. You are dismissed." The man stood quickly and with a smart salute, turned on his heel and took off after the rest of the men. Yue turned away after a moment to find Kyirin waiting patiently with Avatar's group. With a nod of acknowledgment, Yue began to approach and Kyirin was quick to meet her.

"I take it we are continuing to Mother and Father?" Kyirin questioned, earning a soft affirmation. "As you command, my Lady."

Yue stopped in front of the Avatar and his friends. "Would you care to join me? We have some rather important business to handle and I would like to speak about the current goings on here in the city."

"That sounds like a good plan to me!" Sokka exclaimed with a bright grin. Yue couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head fondly. Despite the brave face she put on, Yue reached behind to grasp the fabric of Kyirin's armor.

"Please stay close..." She spoke just over a whisper. The gentle hand that pressed to the small of her back was enough to help ease her nerves.

"I'll be right here, my Lady."

/-/

A cool breeze ruffled through Yue's hair, shifting her white braids. The chill brought with it flashes of her home. Thoughts of days spent reading, and nights spent staring at the moonlit sky. Nights very much like the one she was living in, with the pale light of the full moon dancing across the night. The gentle shimmer of distant mountain tops and thick clouds of fog held her gaze.

What made this night, every night recently, special, were the days leading into them. Where once she was wasted and trapped with only the stories and knowledge beneath her fingers as an escape, she now lived those fantastical tales. A woman of two worlds, blessed by the spirits, and heir to a nation. Just that very day she had played a successful and key role in the suppression of rebel forces that sought to bring ruin to not just her home, but the world at large.

Now, in the cool dark, it all felt so much larger than life and Yue found herself feeling small. For all of her accomplishments, they were simply another in an unknowable string of victories and failures that had preceded and would follow. Everything felt so much more insignificant in the face of that. Movement to the side pulled her from the melancholy thoughts.

She saw Kyirin, finally stepping forward to join her at the railing. Yue watched as the dark haired woman leaned on the railing and surveyed the scene before them with dark eyes. Eyes that glittered with the light of the stars.

"We saved this city." The woman's voice was as soft as the breeze. "Somehow, everything we did... it was enough."

"I.. Yes, you're right." Yue agreed after a moments silence. The words that she feared to acknowledge sat like a stone on her chest. "Kyirin... I-" It was too hard to speak so she didn't. The pair settled once more into a silence.

It was there, watching her faithful guardian, that she realized her melancholy, the dark thoughts plaguing her, had no merit. What they had managed to do, the way they had managed to do it, those things mattered. Every choice and action they had made rippled into something truly mind boggling. If there were even a moment of change in the events, all of it could have come down in a hail of fire. Maybe the world they'd created with their success would be one that was better than the day before. Maybe that was enough to make it all matter.

Kyirin turned her dark gaze on Yue and the concern etched in her brow strengthened the Princess's heart. "I almost died," Yue breathed out, the words were colder on her tongue than the arctic air of her home. "If it wasn't for you... I would be..."

"I would do it again, and again. Even if I had to take the bolt in your place." Kyirin replied with a firm resolve. She turned her gaze away, back towards the endless night. "All I want, is to do what's best for the world, for my family and my nation. I am of clan Sei'naka, and when we have a duty, we see it through. No matter what it takes, even to our final breath."

Yue understood, better than anyone. When she had faced down Zhao, all she felt was terror. She wanted more than anything to flee back to safety and whether the storm. But duty... her duty compelled her ever forward, no matter how hard it was to continue. A blessing and a curse.

"What... what do you want, Kyirin? Not Kyirin the Sei'naka, or the Kyoshi Warrior. Not the daughter or the guardian. Just you..."

Yue watched the corners of her lips turned up in a slight smile. The woman seemed almost rueful. "That's the thing isn't it? Just me..." Kyirin shook her head and met Yue's pale eyes. "Those things, they are me. I'm defined by them. There is no Kyirin, without Sei'naka, or the Kyoshi." Silence followed along with a question in the dark eyes of the taller woman.

"I see..." Yue replied in a quiet voice. She couldn't bear to hold Kyirin's gaze, as the selfish need she had been trying to avoid boiled over. "Once Azula and I finally arrive at the Fire Nation, it will be expected that I have a lady-in-waiting, a majordomo of sorts. Azula likely has some thoughts on the matter already. If... I asked you to stay with me... would you?" Yue balled her hands into fists. The anxious nerves ate away at her.

"If you were to ask me to do so, I would say yes." Kyirin's voice seemed tinged with humor. "It would be my honor to accept, were you to ask."

"Honor..." Yue breathed the word out with an unsteady voice. "If I don't ask, you could remain here. Be with your family and live a good life until the day comes for you to take their place as leader. This city would be yours. If you came with me, it would be as a servant. Admittedly, it would be a prestigious post, but still one of a servant. It wouldn't be right to ask you to leave your home behind."

"Princess Yue, this isn't my home. My parents sent me away when I was a young girl. I never grew to connect with this city. On Kyoshi island, I trained and grew and lived, but it was neither was it ever my home. I always knew that I would leave it behind someday, my heart has always been with my nation." The warrior stood from the railing and turned towards Yue.

The Princess copied the gesture, her head tilted back to meet Kyirin's warm gaze. "I've always served others, be it my family, or the village, or my nation. If I were to choose for myself, I would continue to serve. There is honor and peace for me in the role of servant. " She motioned towards the palace interior where the preparations for the feast were almost complete. "From the Avatar to the lowliest maid, we all serve in some capacity. Even yourself and Princess Azula, serve the nation as rulers and leaders."

As she finished speaking, Kyirin slipped to the floor in a bow she had only seen from Ty Lee when they'd first found her. The earth-bender was on her knees, face almost touching the floor and palms flat down. Yue took a steadying breath, she knew where this conversation went from here.

"There is an old proverb that I stumbled across, once upon a time. 'Duty is heavier than a mountain, and death is lighter than a feather.'" Yue owed the woman a life debt, not only that, but she had proven herself to be loyal, skilled and intelligent. Kyirin would be a good companion. "I would ask of you, that you take the role of my servant, companion and protector. That you stay by my side until you are released, or the grave calls, from now until duty's end."

"On my honor and my life, with the moon and ancestors as witness, I shall bear this burden. Your kin shall be my kin, your blood my blood. Until I am unbound of my oath or the grave calls, from now until duty's end."

Yue blinked at the mixed traditional oaths; Fire Nation, Water Tribe, and another that she didn't recognize. Determining to ask about the strange custom later, she bid the other woman to rise. As she did the sound of another voice carried over the night air

"How touching," Azula's teasing drawl had Yue's head snapping to the side. Her wife had leaned against the inside of the doorway to their room. Yue first noticed that the princess was still dressed in the heavy shirt and pants that were worn under her royal armor. Her arms were crossed and red lips pulled into a playful smile.

Yue felt a weight that she hadn't realized she'd been bearing lift from her shoulders. She hadn't seen Azula except in passing as they had returned with Kyirin's family. Oh how she had missed her wife dearly.

"Leave us," Azula's order was a simple one, punctuated by her wife stepping out of the doorway. Kyirin hesitated by turning her gaze to Yue.

The white-haired princess nodded her assent and stated, "Go be with your family. Enjoy the feast."

After a formal bow to each princess, Kyirin glided through the doorway. Yue waited by the railing as her stomach started twisting with anxiety. She watched as Azula hovered near the doorway, her features passive, as her golden eyes swept over Yue's form.

Suddenly feeling self-conscious, Yue smoothed out the elegant fabric of her robes and quietly wished that her hair wasn't loose. She gnawed at the inside of her bottom lip as the scrutinizing gaze took her in.

"Are you well?" The question only worsened the tension gathering in Yue's stomach.

Yue's voice cracked slightly as she replied, "I-I am unharmed, yes."

Her wife's eyes almost glowed as she walked forward, under the night sky. Yue wondered what Azula saw as she stared into her eyes. The molten depths seemed to search her very soul as warm hands clasped Yue's chilled fingers.

"But, are you well?"

Yue's jaw quivered with the effort to hold back the heavy emotions that she'd been suppressing since the attack. She managed to crackle out, "It is my duty to be so."

Azula stepped closer eliminating almost all the space between the pair. The corners of her wife's red stained lips turned up almost imperceptibly. A soft breath of surprise escaped Yue as the smaller woman leaned up and pressed crimson lips to the corner of her mouth. Pale fingers glided along her jawline, before slipping behind her neck and loosely tangling in white hair.

"I'm so proud of you," Azula breathed against Yue's dark skin. "So, so proud."

A knot formed in Yue's throat and her lips began to quiver. She fought to hold back the tears, though her voice was thick as she stuttered out, "W-Why? I was useless. I was just in the way."

Azula shook her head, her raven hair bouncing slightly.

"No, my moon. You made a hard decision, stood strong and acted. You served your nation – our nations – well."

"But... I-"

Azula cut her off with another kiss to the other side of her mouth. "I'm not just proud, Yue. You went out and completed the mission. Not just that. You took command of your soldiers, and led them to victory. Do you have any idea..." Azula paused and tightened her grip on Yue's hair.

"O-oh!" The white-haired princess gasped. A sharp thrill of pleasure tore through the anxiety in her stomach. "Lulu..."

"Spirits... Yue, do you have any idea what it does to me?" Azula pulled her further down, her hot breath ghosting over the shell of Yue's ear. "Knowing what you've accomplished. Knowing that I'm married to such a strong, smart and brave woman. I've seen so many lesser men crack like fragile eggs, in situations easier than you faced today."

All Yue's worries were forgotten as her wife pulled her into a searing kiss. She melted like chocolate, practically falling against her wife. Yue had forgotten how needy she's been. Despite her determination to find intimate time with Azula when they'd first arrived, nothing had actually happened. They'd been so busy with the rebellion that both women had been too exhausted for anything else.

"Azula, I need you," Yue gasped out as her wife moved to nibble along her jaw line. "Spirits, I need you."

"Good," Azula almost growled in her ear, a dangerous sound that made Yue's core burn. Yue gasped as a calloused hand began to loosen the silken bindings of her robes. "For weeks, my moon, have I lusted after you in silence. With every glimpse of you bringing me back to that one precious morning on the ship. A moment that I had ruined with my foolishness."

"Lulu... O-oh!" Yue gasped out as her robe was shifted open, baring her chest to the night air. "W-wai- Hah-ah..." Yue cried out pathetically as red lips wrapped around her most sensitive flesh. Her dark hands grasped the wooden railing on either side for support, as her knees began to weaken. Her wife sucked and nibbled and filled the moon-touched princess's mind and body with burning, searing pleasure.

Azula's powerful hands found purchase on her waist as the princess released Yue's sensitive flesh with a pop. Yue's gasps and pants filled the silence of the night. Dark amber eyes seemed to devour her, as her chest heaved with each gluttonous breath.

"I've imagined this night, for what feels like a thousand times," Azula's words were soft, but no less effective. Yue's heart skipped and a sharp blade of desire pierced her lower stomach. She had become slick, almost dripping in such a short time. Her wife certainly was not the only desperate one. Her wife's hands glide down her arms until she grasps Yue's wrists in a gentle grip.

Yue couldn't do more than follow the slow steps her wife took backwards, towards the door. Despite the true height difference, Yue felt so small in such wonderful ways under Azula's burning gaze. As they stepped into the room, Azula released her wrists in favor of pushing down the fabric of Yue's robes.

"I've imagined tonight at least a hundred different ways," Her wife's voice is dark and deadly. "All the different ways I would have you screaming my name." Yue can't withhold the sharp whine, forged in desire and need. She shivered from the chill and anticipation as her robes fell, leaving the moon-touched princess completely bare. Azula's eyes drank her in greedily as Yue took her wife's hands in her own.

Yue slipped out of her shoes and took slow, careful steps backwards, towards their large bed. She loved the way her wife couldn't stop staring at her naked body. Spirits, it made her feel so good. She felt powerful and loved and so incredibly wanted. As her thighs brushed against the mattress hit her legs, Yue sat on the edge of the silken sheets and large mattress, fit for a ruler.

"Stay right there," Azula's command came from a cracking, thick voice.

Yue was happy to comply as Azula closed the distance and brought their lips together. The familiar taste of her wife filled her senses. The white-haired princess slipped her hands under the heavy shirt on the fire-bender's shoulders. She basked in the almost burning heat of her lovers inner-flame as her fingers glided over Azula's bared skin. Between the passionate dance of their tongues and her own explorations, Yue needed.

Yue pulled out of the kiss to beg for her wife, only to gasp and whimper as calloused fingers gently prised apart her thighs. "Lulu, what are- O-oh Azu- Hng-ah!" Slender fingers dipped into her soaked core. Yue dug her fingers into the flesh of her wife's waist and her body trembled with the force of her sudden pleasure. "Lulu, by the Spirits. My sweet wife. Hah ah hnn!" She nearly doubled over at the intensity of her wife filling her. Her hips bucked and writhed under the ministrations of her wife.

"My moon, you're so wet for me. Dripping and writhing for your wife," The raven-haired princess spoke with an awed tone. A deliciously dark and awed tone. The desperate, heady pleasure building in her core spiked and grew, like a dam about to flood.

"Yes!" Yue cried in agreement as she looked into lidded amber orbs. "All for you, my wife. My sun. Ah! I'm- Hah-ah- yours. Lulu! I'm going to- I'm-" Azula's lips swallowed her next words as Yue's world went white. The dam between her legs shattered and broke and pure, distilled pleasure flooded through every inch of the moon-touched princess's body. Her mind went blank and a peace akin to meditation settled for a moment of eternity.

As her senses began to return, she realized that her thighs had trapped her wife's hand. "Oh, Lulu..." Yue gasped out as she shifted her hips. The full feeling was so wonderful and she was still so needy for more. Azula's dark eyes were wide and her lips were parted in surprise. Yue pressed her hips into the hand between her legs and gasped and moaned. "My love... the things you do to me."

She watched with satisfaction as her wife's throat bobbed with a thick swallow. "Azula," Yue gasps with a firm voice. She reached up with a still trembling hand to capture her wife's chin. She summoned up every bit of regal bearing that she could, with her wife's hand still driving her mad. Her steely eyes met with Azula's dark and desperate as she commanded, "You're going to strip. You're going come onto this bed. Then I am going to have my way with you."

A depraved but lovely idea came to her as she grasped her wife's wrist and brought the soaked digits to her lips. Azula's eyes widen even farther followed by a sharp intake of air. Yue basked in the sound of her wife's throaty dark moan as she wrapped her lips around her lovers finger. The white-haired princess let a soft moan bubble out as the tang of her own taste filled her mouth. She swirled her tongue around the slender digit before releasing it with a soft pop. She wasn't the only one trembling now.

"Yue... my wife," Azula's breathless gasp was fueled by Yue pulling on the fabric of her shirt.

"Off. Now," Yue wouldn't be asking again. She captured her lower lip between her teeth as she watched her wife quickly begin stripping out of the clothes. "You aren't the only one who's been studying, my love. Certainly not the only one who's been dreaming about this moment."

"Spirits above..." Azula breathed out as she stepped out of the last of her clothing. Yue could see her struggling to stay standing. "Yue... watching you as you tipped over the edge..." Fair-skin filled her vision as Azula climbed onto the bed, straddling her lap. Yue wrapped her arms around her wife, practically melting from the intense heat her wife radiated. She tilted her head back, to capture red lips in a slow gentle kiss. "I've never seen anything more perfect." Azula's admission danced over her mouth in a hot breath.

Yue dug her fingers into her lovers shoulder blades and raven-hair was flung backwards as Azula's head tossed back. Yue latched her lips onto the side of Azula's bared throat and sucked hard. A breathless cry fled Azula's throat even as Yue felt her lovers core dripping onto her legs.

It didn't take much effort to force her wife onto her back. They maneuvered until Azula was comfortably supported by pillows and watching her through lidded eyes. Yue sits at her feet, eyes trailing over Azula's naked form. Spirits above, she's the most beautiful woman to walk the Earth. All perfect curves and toned muscle and soft flesh. Yue smiles, a sharp, predatory thing, as Azula squirms under her scrutiny. She stalks forward on hands and knees, trailing wet kisses along the inside of her wife's shaven legs. She could here the hitch in her lovers breath as she climbed those perfect legs.

By the time Yue had reached her goal, Azula was panting and her thighs struggled to close. Yue tsked and pushed the muscled limbs apart farther. "Yue..." Azula whispered her name with cheeks and nose flushed. Judging by her expression, Yue could tell that it was a mixture of embarrassment and desire. Yue smiled warmly and leaned up to press a gentle kiss to the corner of her wife's mouth.

"Lulu, you are beautiful and wonderful and powerful. Today, you are a victor, a conqueror," Yue nipped at her wife's jawline between words. "Shame and fear has no place in this bed, in our bed. I am yours and you are perfection." The moon-touched princess continued lower, her lips ghosting over Azula's chest. "A gift from the very heavens and I shall worship you appropriately."

Azula sucked in a sharp breath and her fingers tangled into Yue's white-hair. Yue's eyes finally fell upon her wife's dripping folds. Bared and open, just for her. She leaned in as the musky scent filled her senses. A month ago she would have never been so bold, maybe even a day ago. But today Azula wasn't the only victor, conqueror. Yue felt a changed woman, as if all her shyness and shame had faded into nonexistence.

Her lips pressed hot kisses around her wife's folds. She loved the way Azula bucked and squirmed and gasped. The fingers in her hair tightened and pulled. A low noise of pleasure passed between Yue's lips even as she took her first taste of her lover. Oh... Oh!

A flood of obscenities flowed from her wife as Yue lapped greedily at her lover's pleasure. Thighs wrapped and tightened around her head and Yue looped her arms around the powerful limbs. Her fingers reached around to dig into the inner flesh of her Azula's thighs. Her wife's hips moved and shifted, pressing into her face with wild abandon.

The movements quickly became jerky and unfocused. She felt Azula's body tense and arch with a near scream of her name from those red lips. The fingers in her hair pulled painfully and the thighs locked around her head. A fresh wave of arousal filled Yue's mouth and her own core.

Slowly, Azula's tense muscles began to relax and release the moon-touched princess from their iron trap. Yue climbed up Azula's panting, trembling body and was met with a series of passionate kisses. "Yue, by the Spirits," Azula breathlessly chuckled between the kisses. "I've never felt anything so wonderful..." The kisses pause as a sincere emotion settles in amber orbs. "My moon, Yue... I..."

Azula cleared her throat but her words still came out hoarse and watery, "I... ugh... this is so hard... These words scare me, Yue. I've never heard them and believed them. But you have to know, I need you to know... that... I-" Yue let her fingers gently brush across Azula's brow until her warm flushed cheek was gently caressed in her hand. "I love you, Yue. It's terrifying and I don't know how to do it... but I do. I love you."

A choked sob escaped Yue's chest and she covered her mouth with her free hand. She collapsed against her wife as tears began to flow. She nuzzled into Azula's throat with a sobbing, wet laugh. "I love you too!" She cried the words out with another joyful laugh. Her wife's powerful arms wrapped around her form and held her tight. The moon-touched princess never felt as alive as she did hearing those words. "I love you Azula. My sun and sky. My entire life I've dreaded my marriage, but then here you are and I love you so desperately much. I would bring the heavens low for you. I would flatten mountains. I love you so much."

Yesterday was difficult and tomorrow would be more so. But that night Yue didn't care. She survived, she had won and she was happy. She was in the arms of the most powerful fire-bender in the world, the strongest woman alive, and that woman loved her. Whatever life wanted throw their way, she dared it to try. But tonight was hers and Azula's and she was happy.

-Fin-

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A/N:Hello again! Thank you for reading this little story. I hope you enjoyed my take on this absolutely adorable couple. Please don't be afraid to share your thoughts. I tried to do justice to the characters and feel like I was pretty successful. Thank you again, for reading and farewell!