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I use Translate, so I apologize for any errors.

I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Chapter 3 - The Southern Water Tribe.

Azula POV.

We left the Fire Nation three days ago at dawn. Aang and I stopped at the Southern Air Temple for the night to have a proper meal and rest. After spending the night in the Temple (although I knew perfectly well that Aang hadn't slept at all in recent days), the next morning, that is, today, we flew to the South Pole. I slept most of the way, as almost three days on the road exhausted me. It was strange, considering that Aang and I had been traveling for several months relatively recently.

Half-asleep, I felt the cold wind get under my woolen cape, so I wrapped myself up more warmly. Even though I was a firebender and could warm myself with firebending, I didn't do it all the time, as it was tiring at this temperature.

A drop of water suddenly appeared on my nose. I opened my eyes a crack and saw that night was approaching, the sun had almost set, the sky was painted orange, the last rays of the sun were reflected off the ice. It was snowing all around. There were occasional glaciers and icebergs on the horizon, clearly indicating that we were nearing the Southу Poleу. I didn't really like ice, glaciers, icebergs and the like, because it wasn't very interesting to look at. It was just frozen water, what's so pleasing to the eye? A snowflake landed on my nose again, instantly turning into a drop of water. Feeling a little annoyed, I sneezed, and a small blue flame shot out of my mouth.

- Be well, Azula! - Aang's voice came from the buffalo's head. – Are you awake?

I wrapped myself tighter, then crawled to the opposite end of the saddle. I lay down carefully and rested my hands on the edge and my head in my hands. Aang sat in his air nomad robes and steered. Although he explained that he bends the air around him to maintain a comfortable temperature, it was still strange for me. It was strange to see that he was warm in such light clothing when I was cool in a cape.

- Did you sleep at all? - I asked as Aang yawned.

- Not really, - he said, a little irritated. – I couldn't.

- You need to sleep, Aang, - I said softly.

- I already told you, I can't sleep! - he growled, angry.

I was taken aback. Aang had never raised his voice to me before, let alone in that tone. I was silent, in a state of shock and some resentment.

- I'm sorry I yelled at you, Azula, - he said in a tired voice after a while. – It's just that all this stuff is making me nervous.

Even though he didn't give me the reason for his breakdown, I knew exactly why Aang was on edge.

- Aang, - I said softly, then climbed over the edge of the saddle to get closer.

I bit my lip, wondering if he'd be angry at my actions, considering how nervous he was right now. Summoning my courage, I decided to do it anyway. I carefully half-turned between his legs, so that my head rested on his neck, and wrapped my arms around his waist. I immediately felt that I was getting warmer. I snuggled closer to him, enjoying the warmth and comfort. I could feel his abs against my side. My full chest was touching the flat surface of his hard chest. My hands felt the muscles of his back. My thigh was almost touching his groin. But despite our position, it seemed that he didn't pay any attention to meet all, as if I wasn't there.

- Aang, - I repeated, lifting my head to look at him, - look at me.

He obediently lowered his head, looking directly at me. It was too close. His lips were so close. It beckoned to me. All I had to do was lift myself up a little, and then I could kiss him. We were literally breathing the same air. We looked into each other's eyes without breaking contact. I saw pain, despair, a little lust in them. But the main thing that was visible in his eyes was a silent plea for help. I remembered how we used to kiss. His lips were so soft and tender. I liked the taste. I wanted so badly to kiss those lips and taste them again. I could kiss Aang right now and he would respond. Right now, he was in such a state that I could do whatever I wanted, and he wouldn't fight back. Right now, he was like jelly. Do what you want and how you want. It was so tempting. He wouldn't have stopped this time. This time he was completely at my mercy… But no. I won't do that to Aang. I will not take advantage of his state of mind just to fulfill my (lustful) desires. I knew that if we had sex, there would be a lot of awkwardness between us. There would be a serious rift in our relationship. An imbalance. Aang would blame himself for being weak, for not being able to control himself and his body. I could always tell him that I liked it (I was sure I would have liked it), that I didn't regret what we did. But it would be bad for Aang. I know he doesn't want to have sex. He wants to make love. That he wouldn't do it out of lust. He would only do this to someone he loves. He would have done it with Katara. Someone he still loves.

I put my hand on his cheek and stroked it gently, trying to calm Aang down. His eyes relaxed, the haze of lust in his gaze fading.

- I'm scared, Azula, - he whispered, closing his eyes and covering my hand with his. – I'm scared.

- Tell me what you're afraid of, - I said just as quietly, still stroking.

- I'm afraid to meet Katara. I'm afraid if I see her, I'll breakdown, - he whispered. – I still love her, Azula… I do not know what to do...

- I can't give you any advice on that, because I've never felt the pain of a broken heart, - I said. – But I can promise you one thing, Aang. I promise I'll be there for you no matter what. I'll help you when it hurts too much. I won't let you break down.

- Thank you, Azula, - he whispered.

- I'm just paying back a debt, - I said, hugging him. – But you still need to get some sleep.

- I'd like to, really, - he said, lifting his head back to look ahead. - But I can't.

- Then promise me you'll get some sleep when we get to Southern Water Tribe. You need sleep, Aang.

- All right, Azula, I promise, - he said. – You don't really need to stay awake. I know you don't really like looking at glaciers, so you can go to bed. I'll wake you up when we get there.

- Can I stay here? - I asked shyly.

- Only if you don't do anything stupid, - he said after a while.

- I'll be calm, - I promised. - You're just so warm, - I snuggled closer to him, as if to prove it. - It's cold up there.

- Then you can stay here, - he agreed with a sigh.

I smiled and kissed him on the cheek, then rested my head in the space between his chin and collarbone. My breath brushed his neck, making his skin crawl. My eyes rested on the scar I'd left on him about three years ago. I kissed the spot carefully, afraid of hurting it, knowing it could be very sensitive at times.

" I'm sorry about this, " - I repeated the mantra in my head, something I'd been doing ever since I'd burned him.

I closed my eyes and let myself fall asleep, grateful that Aang had let me settle down here.

I felt myself being shaken, so I opened my eyes a crack.

It was night. The sun must have set a long time ago, as the stars were shining brightly and the full moon was shining, which gives all the waterbenders great power (but it still doesn't compare to the power that Sozin's Comet can give the firebender, I think). Now the entire horizon was covered in glaciers. And where there were no icebergs, there was water. Snow was falling slowly, as there was practically no wind. Come to think of it, it was a very romantic situation. A couple of lovers under the starry sky share kisses, the heat of passion grows between them. Oh, if only it were like this...

- Azula, wake up, - Aang whispered, shaking me slightly. – We're almost there.

I moaned, not wanting to wake up, so I snuggled closer to him.

However, I suddenly felt pressure on my hip, so my eyes flew open, and all thoughts of sleep were forgotten. I grinned, because I knew exactly what it was. Carefully, so that Aang wouldn't notice, I lowered my hand to his groin and gently ran the tip of my finger over his erect cock under the fabric, pressing lightly on the head. The avatar groaned at the action, his manhood twitching under my touch.

- Ah-Azula...- he groaned when I did it again, much more slowly this time. - Please stop.

- Why are you excited? - I asked, but I pulled my hand away.

- It's kind of affected by the full moon, - he explained. – I'm a waterbender, and when the moon is full, my bending power increases. It also affects my blood. The power of the full moon literally flows through it. I'm getting kind of wild.

- Why haven't I seen this before? We spent a lot of nights together, didn't we? - I asked.

- When the moon was full, in case you hadn't noticed, you usually slept pretty soundly. I would go to some spring of water and train.

- Every full moon?

- Yes. It's actually kind of refreshing, - he admitted, and then we fell silent.

I fully turned around. Now I lay back against his chest, still feeling his arousal. For fun, I rubbed against the spot a little. He groaned again, and I giggled.

- Azula, - he said warningly.

- What? - I asked innocently.

To my surprise, Aang just didn't say anything. I thought that he had decided that it was just not worth having a conversation, but the next minute I saw two large spheres of water rise up on either side of us. I knew immediately what he was playing at.

- Aang, - I pleaded, snuggling closer to him, away from the icy water.

- I'm listening, Princess Azula, - he said.

- I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I won't do this again, - I quickly apologized, not wanting to feel the icy water on me.

- I'm glad, - he said simply, lowering the water back into the ocean.

Although I was genuinely afraid that he would throw cold water on me, I couldn't help but enjoy the situation. For me, it was a game that we sometimes played with each other. Knowing that he won't give in to me makes the game more interesting, and the stakes are higher. I put pressure on him, put us in compromising situations, and he confronted me, sometimes even counterattacked. It made our bond stronger. It showed us how much closer we really were to be able to joke around with each other like that.

However, once I seriously suggested to him that we - do each other a favor. - It wasn't sex, so I thought it was normal. But he refused.

- So, when will the city appear? - I asked.

- We're about to get there, Azula, be patient.

- I still remember that you promised me you'd sleep when we arrived, - I reminded her.

- I remember, too, Azula, - he said, then smiled. - Princess, look ahead.

I turned my head and saw the lights of the Southern Water Tribe. At first, I thought that the fraternal tribes would be similar, but I was completely wrong. Here, the walls were much lower, and they were made of ... earth and ice? The cabins were close together. There were no icy rivers flowing through the city like in the North. The city square was visible, with one of the largest buildings standing in the center. I think it was a Council House, a Chieftain's House, or something like that. The square itself was brightly lit. There were a lot of people who were just walking around, enjoying the night.

Below us, the buffalo roared loudly, and Aang laughed.

- We're here, buddy. It's been a while since we visited this place, huh?

I decided not to say anything as I continued to stare at the approaching city. However, I have a simple question.

— Is this where you woke up after a hundred years of freezing? -

- Yes, Azula. It's actually quite nice here. There is a special, one might say royal entertainment here.

- Really? What's it?

- Oh, I won't tell you yet, Princess, - he said, grinning. - But I'll show you, and we'll have fun. You'll love it, believe me.

- Okay, I'll trust you, - I said, and then we fell silent.

After a while, we started to decline. By this time, after the roar of the buffalo, people had gathered in the square, watching us. They parted so we could land.

I saw three of the crowd come forward to meet us.

One of them, the youngest, was clearly dressed like a warrior. Gray-gray suit with white fur and a gray pattern on the sides. On his belt were two knives and a holster for... a boomerang? He had a bag slung over his shoulders and another holster, but it was already for his sword. It was pleasant on the face. His skin was a dark shade. His eyes were a deep blue. He had a short, pointed beard on his chin, and his hair was pulled back in a ponytail.

To his right was an older man of about the same height. From what I'd seen of the Northern Water Tribe, his clothing clearly indicated that he was a tribal chief. They were embroidered with a white pattern that flowed all over his clothes. At his belt was a sword and a small blade. Some of his hair was pulled back in a ponytail, while others were loose. He had a short beard on his face. Looking closer, I noticed that the eye color was also dark blue, not to mention the similarity of facial features. Were they related?

The last one, the oldest in appearance, had a long white mustache and beard. The hair on his head was white. His clothes were almost all white, with only some blue drawings. It was the waves and the moon. His skin was lighter. He was clearly not related by blood to the other two.

- We need to say hello, Azula, - Aang said suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts.

- Okay, - I said.

First Aang got up behind me, then he gave me his hand and helped me up, too. He put his arm around my waist, and I put my arm around his neck. It was a normal procedure for us. Then he bent in midair and gently lowered us to the snow.

- Avatar Aang ... Princess Azula? We didn't expect you to arrive alone.

- At the time of receiving your invitation, I was in the Fire Nation, acting as an advisor to Fire Lord Zuko on certain matters. I found out that Princess Azula had never visited the Southern Water Tribe, so I figured since I was going here, why not bring her along. So here we are.

- Excuse us, but we can't help asking about the Princess' condition, - the old man said.

- Princess Azula is completely sane, Master Pakku. No need to worry.

- Then welcome to the Southern Water Tribe, Avatar Aang and Princess Azula, - the chief greeted, then turned to the Airbender. - Avatar Aang, are we going to start solving cases right now, or do you want to take a break from the road?

- Actually, Chief Hakoda, I'd like to take a break from the road. And tomorrow we will discuss solutions to your problems.

- Comment accepted, Avatar Aang, - Chief Hakoda said. – Actually, that's where we say goodbye for today... do we need to settle the matter of your home or...? -

- Or - Aang said, and the Chief smiled weakly, but still.

- All right, - the man said. - Master Pakku, let's go.

After that, two left, and one, the youngest, stayed.

- Warrior Sokka , - Aang greeted, then walked over to the boy with his hand outstretched.

" That's weird. Why does he speak so formally? Aren't they friends (even though Sokka's sister left Aang)? So why do they communicate so coldly? "

- Come here, you little bald head, - the warrior said with amusement, pushing Aang's hand away only to give him a hug. - Long time no see, buddy.

- It's good to see you, too, Sokka, - Aang said, returning the hug.

I stood off to the side, feeling out of place. Aang was one of my few friends, and when he wasn't with me, I felt lonely. And considering that Avatar had a lot of friends, it wasn't unfamiliar to me.

- Azula, meet Sokka. I know you've met before, but it was under different circumstances, - Aang said.

I held out my hand uncertainly, not quite sure what to do. However, Sokka quickly grabbed and shook my hand (in a strange way. This is probably what it looks like in the Southern Water Tribe). In my opinion, it was a little too strong.

- Aang's friend is my friend, - the warrior said.

- I agree, - I said.

- Sokka, where he lives now...

- Katara? She left your house, if that's what you mean. Do you want to live there?

- Well, the house was built to live in, Sokka, - Aang said.

- But it was built for...

- Sokka, - the Avatar said warningly. – I haven't slept in over two days. So, let's save all this talk for later.

- Okay, - the warrior retreated. - Shall I show you out?

- No thanks, Sokka, - the airbender said. - I'll see you tomorrow.

- Okey. Goodnight! with that, the warrior left.

- So, are you really going to take me to the house where you and Katara lived together? - I asked.

- It doesn't matter, Azula, - Aang said, then turned to the beast. - Appa, fly to our house. The princess and I will walk.

I took Aang's hand, and we started walking. It even seemed to me that at some point I saw familiar eyes that stared intensely at me, shimmering with cold blue.

- How far away is your house? - I asked as we walked.

- It's right on the edge of the village. We didn't want to be the center of attention, so we lined up there.

- If you didn't want to be the center of attention, why didn't you just build a house outside the walls?

- Azula, we are both powerful waterbenders. We just bent the wall if we wanted to get out, - Aang explained.

Finally, we came to the house. Outwardly, it was a very simple house, nothing elegant. Next to it was an extension that was clearly intended for Appa.

We went inside. It wasn't very pretty on the inside, but it was cute. Aang went into the living room, where there was a sofa and two armchairs with a fur blanket, and lit a fire in the stone stove, where there was coal.

- Whose fur is this? - I asked, knowing that Aang wouldn't use the fur of dead animals.

- It's Appa's fur. Every two seasons it has a molt. We collected the fallen fur and used it for the house, - he yawned. - Okay, I'll go to bed, and you can do whatever you want, but don't make the strong fire here.

- I know what you're doing, Aang, - I said, crossing my arms.

- What?

- Don't pretend, Aang, - I said seriously. – You're just trying not to think about Katara!

- Of course, I'm trying not to think about her, Azula! - Aang exclaimed, starting to get angry again. – I came to the place where she saved me! It was here, in this damn place, that I met her! And fell in love! So, I haven't visited this place since the breakup! Because I always think of Katara! And what happened to us! I don't want to feel the pain again... - he sank to his knees, burying his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking with sobs.

I was surprised at how quickly he went from anger to tears. I felt guilty about bringing it up, so I walked over and sat down next to him.

- I promised and I will keep my word, Aang. I'll be there when you're hurt, - I reminded him. – And I know for a fact that you need sleep right now. After that, you'll feel better.

He just nodded, and then we got up and headed for the nearest bedroom. There were some other doors, but I thought I'd look at them later.

We went into the bedroom. Moonlight streamed in from the window. I noticed that the room was separated from the outside environment by a kind of transparent plate inserted in the window. I'll ask about it later.

I led Aang to the fur blankets, then we lay down. I decided to go to bed with him so I wouldn't leave him alone. I 'd dealt with his nightmares before, so I knew how to help him and what not to do.

- Azula? - Aang called out to me question ingly as I lay down next to him and covered us with a blanket.

- Go to sleep, Aang, - I said softly. – I'll be right there, just like I promised.

- Thank you, - he whispered, and I kissed his forehead.

Soon enough, I could hear his breathing slowing down and becoming calm. I was about to fall asleep myself when I heard the front door open and close. I knew who it was.

"Well, it's time to talk," - I thought, and then I carefully got out of bed so as not to wake the Avatar and headed for the living room.