Hey There,

Hope everyone's doing great! Chapter 29 is here and I can't wait to jump back into all of the fun with these characters. That last chapter got very HOT between Zuko and Mai. And even Azula was just a blast to write for, which carried over to this chapter, so it came together much quicker. I hope I can keep updating more often like this! Thank you to all of you for hanging in there and sticking this out with me. But that's enough of my yakky yak! Let's get started.

Special thanks to those of you who have placed this story on your favorite stories list or story alert list. Also special thanks to those of you who have favorited me as authoress, or placed me on your author's alert! That is all high praise and I can't thank you enough. Hope you're all still reading and enjoying!

Special thanks to the 8 artist who have contacted me about concept art for this story alone (I got offers for the other works too, but 8 PMs just about this story). If you've all really read it (and I hope you have), Thank you for reading, for your interest, and energy. But I can't afford to work with any artist right now. I have your contact info if that changes. Art is something I LOVE so very much and wish you all the luck in the world at making this life a little moe bearable with your gifts. Thank you all for the compliments and comments. Hope you're still reading and enjoying. Hope you're all having a GREAT day!

Special thanks to my reviewer: ZoyeZest (Thank you for reading and even finishing what I have posted so far of my story. I hope you're still reading and enjoying. I'm so thrilled my story inspired your art like that. Since my dream job from very young was to always be an artist. But I can just create better pictures with words than any other medium. I can't afford to collab with any artist right now or probably ever. But I will keep you in mind if that ever changes. Thank you for taking the time to reach out, and hope you're having a GREAT day!)

Standard Disclaimers Apply - I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender, Nickelodeon, Netflix, or the live action series Last Airbender. I am merely a fan borrowing all of this licenced things for my own twisted plots. Most will be returned unharmed.

Dedicated to my friend who's hopefully enjoying this football season as much as I am. Our teams have BOTH had their ups and downs, LOL! But it's all for you, girl!

"They Forgot"

Chapter 29 - Princessly Advice

((Mai's Perspective))

Like Zuko had guessed, the Elders have gotten so used to Zuko's kinder ways. That they've completely forgotten how obstinant and opposite the princess is from him. But Azula reminded everyone of those wrinkled old men right away "Who-was-the-princess" and "Who-was-just-old." Just as her brother had supposed she would and Kavin tried not to smile too big, as he watched her work her magic.

These are the same sages who keep praising Ozai's every waking moment as Fire Lord. Swearing how much better the world was in Ozai's hands compared to Zuko's. But the moment Ozai's offspring, who's more like him returns, they're all running scared. And STILL instead of just giving her what she wants are doing as she wishes. They're all trying to get Zuko to get her to see it their way.

And Zuko enjoys every minute of telling these old people, "It's her wedding, Azula always gets what she wants in the end. Now you can either help her do this, or stand in her way."

I've missed the effect she has on dumb people like this. It was hilarious, I found myself smiling as much as Kavin. Maybe even as much a Ty-Lee… But I really hope not.

I don't think it had even taken her a full hour of negotiation to have all of those aged sages whipped into shape. Finally hearing her every wish, demand, and preference. But it still took DAYS to get everything rearranged as the princess wanted. This princess that's living and breathing right now, and not some repeat of all of the dead ones before her.

It took a specific kind of crafting to get all of this figured out. Into a way that was both unique and new to this age of Fire Nation Princess and new-Azula… It was also a whole new age in the Fire Nation. But even I could tell that what Azula had envisioned was the dawn of this new era for herself. More than anything else and I really think that was so smart… And something she took so seriously.

Having grown up helping to plan so many of Azula's play-weddings. Back in the day with her and Ty-Lee… It's clear that while she's grown, changed, and so much better than she was… that she hasn't changed all that much. She still my friend I know so well.

She still had the same favorite flowers in mind, for her bouquet, for the decor around the ceremonial spot, the rows of seats aligned in the same zigzaging patterns, even the table settings, embellishments to the outside of the palace, and it's streets. The same music that she loved, and same songs that she despised. Same color preferences, she knew what worked and what didn't, for everything in her wedding. From her gown and Kavin's outfit to the invitations. Even some of the same foods were mandatory as those simpler times of dreaming up these things. It was funny.

Ty-Lee and I had both shared so many telling glances, when so many of our requests on Azula's behalf had been right. Or the same as she'd confirmed when we came to visit her about these plans and she was still at the institute. Even Zuko had guessed at several things correctly, very few things were different. And those few new things were usually due to the groom's wants and preferences… Azula was only willing to bend for her husband. And I can't say I blame her for that.

But the highlight for me, even though it was so terrible! Had been when these malicious elder's last stand had taken place. When they had once AGAIN tried to push their choices on the unwilling younger couple. By making them use a bunch of flowers they wanted for the chapel instead of the ones Azula wanted. It turned out that Kavin was deathly allergic to this one type of flower. And when he'd walked near a boutique of them. Kavin was almost suffocating just being near them. Just inhabiting the same enclosed space as these retched plants. Luckily Azula already knew about this allergy and realized what was happening. Kavin couldn't breathe to tell her.

I felt bad for Kavin, because by the time the vase was moved. And the pollen was stirred in the air. He was laying on the ground… could you imagine him having to stand in a space loaded with this type of flora? And these savage senile hecklers had the nerve to still try an argue with us and Azula. Like "The wedding will be outdoors, he should be fine." Like he wasn't almost dying in front of them.

They even acted like, "If this guy can't handle this we've got several more suitable husband choices for you, princess." Like 'nothing's set in stone or anything.' Like that was the real problem, here.

Azula had flipped out in true Azula style demanding. "Get that BLASTED weed out of here. Can't you see that my husband CANNOT BREATHE? Do you want my groom to not breathe? Or are you trying to make me a widow, so I can accept one of your so-called better groom suggestions?"

I had been worried about Kavin. Really I was… but I had also been trying not to laugh, as these old men were wide-eyed and stuttering and Azula had to scream. "GET- IT - OUTTA - HERE! Or - I - WILL - BLAST - EVERY - LAST - ONE - OF - YOU - TO - DUST!"

After weeks of those croakers working against our every move. Working everyone's last nerve, while they were at it… it was so satisfying to watch them cower and panic. As Azula seethed and lost control of her firebending. But Zuko hated those carpets and drapes anyways. He was happy to see them go.

I thought that since so many plans needed rearranging. Even though I had warned all of the vendors about the situation (Our Princess's wishes verses the Fire Elders wishes). I thought it would still take so much work to change everything over to Azula's actual wishes. In time for the wedding date they'd picked out for this summer. Even when I had done my best to guess at what Azula would want in the end. I just knew I was going to be the one handling all of these changes, in the end. Because I had been the one trying to make these plans for Azula since this whole second wedding idea had come to light.

But Azula wouldn't hear of me working my tail off for someone else's mistakes. And she wanted to spend some time, just us girls too. While she was here, in the place she grew up again. Where there were so many good and bad times. Looking at Ty-Lee and me, always brought back the happier times for the princess.

So that was how I spent my days, during her stay. Each morning Azula would check on the progress of the planners. Give them her goals for the day, and then we were off spending the rest of our time just us girls mostly. We'd always meet up with the guys around dinnertime and Azula always spent the rest of each night with her husband. And I would take this time to catch up with Zuko before it was time for bed.

I would every night pretend to be heading home when it got late. Swearing I had important things to do, before tomorrow, and even though this was all true. I really just wanted Zuko to talk me into staying… and he did each night. And those alone times with him, each night… they got me through these long days.

Then the same thing would start all over again the following morning. It was exhausting at times but I kept telling myself… it's just this week. Even though I knew I was lying to myself. And this was just the beginning of the marathon I would be running till Azula's fake wedding date.

But even more than exhausting, I have to say this whole routine was mostly really fun. Getting to spend all of those days with her, in a row like that. It's been years since we've gotten so much time together like this.

I got so comfortable, having Azula around again. That I even did the unthinkable… and considered talking to her about Zuko and I. Which I never do, no matter how much Ty-Lee or Azula hint usually. Because Ty-Lee will blab, and all the Kiyoshi warriors will suddenly know my business in great detail. And endlessly tease me, plus the Fire Lord. And Azula shouldn't want to know what's up, since it's happening with her brother. I mean, if my brother wasn't so much younger than me. And still having trouble talking and NOT switching into indiscernible baby talk in his classes at school. I wouldn't want to know what him and his girlfriends were up to. I know I wouldn't.

But after the moves I'd pulled the other night (wearing his shirt and leaving it open). Putting myself out there in hopes of taking our relationship even further. When that had not gotten the desired reaction… I was at a bit of a loss, what would it take to finally drive Zuko so crazy that he finally caves on this? And Azula had to convince her therapist that she was more than a patient, and I'm pretty certain Kavin didn't make her wait till their wedding night either… Bottom line I think I could greatly benefit with some of Azula's happily married lady advice.

So when we were alone (because Ty-Lee was flirting with four different guys working inside of the spa. All fighting over her too) Azula and I were both enjoying facial masks, slicing fruit over our eyes and laying in the warm sunshine in silence. Until Azula broke the silence asking. "Why are they all fighting over her. I'M the princess here."

"She is single, ya know." I reminded, with a hoarse voice. I'd almost fallen asleep it had been so peaceful here. And even though things hadn't happened the way I wanted them to. Zuko had been keeping me up the past few nights. Getting away with nearly everything besides what I'd wanted most. Which was just to finally make love with the person I love more than anything or anyone.

But Azula's feisty little snap brought me back to the here and now. And even made one of the fruit slices slip off of my left eye. "I know! But it was even like this at the height of our single days, Mai. BEFORE we were both so decidedly taken by our men… I don't get what the appeal is? She's not SO different from us."

"Everybody knows you're taken now and rumors are probably circulating about your falling outs with the Fire Elders too. People may just be afraid of you again." I'd pointed out. It wasn't a bad guess.

But I don't think Azula even heard me, even though she'd said. "Well, they shouldn't have forgotten how terrifying I can be - EHHH! What IS it that draws them ALL in! Is it that doe-eyed stupid look on her face that makes them all want to help her? Do they think she's really all that innocent? She's NOT! Is it all of that baby oil she's using to make her all shiny? Do they think she's here alone, and think she's sad? Or is it that string bikini that makes them all want to bang her?! I can't tell! This is just making me angry!"

I voiced, "The bikini probably doesn't hurt."

But the princess boasted, "Well, I bet if Ty-Lee had been given the task that I was! Using seduction tactics to convince the love of MY life that he was all mine. That she wouldn't have pulled it off as well as I did."

I repeated, "Seduction Tactics? Do I even want to know what that is?"

She pat me on the hand and said, "Oh Mai! Someday, maybe not today. But someday you will want to get laid. And probably have to resort to similar tactics just to get my dumb-dumb brother to even realize you'd want something like that. You have my sympathies too, because I think he's gonna be way worse than Kavin EVER was about it."

I willed my face not to burn the hardened facial off of my face blushing underneath of it. I somehow managed to ask her, "What if that day has arrived and Zuko is dragging his feet?"

You have to understand, I never share things like this. With ANYONE, usually.

Not even Ty-Lee or Azula for blatantly obvious reasons. In Ty-Lee's case, I know she'll blab any little thing I say to her Kiyoshi warrior friends. Then not only will all of them know this detail, no matter how big or small. But the repercussions won't just effect me when I'm around. But they'll come back to Zuko too, more than me, and he'll hate that.

In Azula's case I feel just wrong telling her things between me and my fiancee. It's her brother! Enough said! As far as I'm concerned, but Azula is also married, happy, and I'm desperate. So while it was still just her and me. I did ask her, "What would you recommend?"

Even though I was a little afraid to hear what she might say.

At first she pulled the fruit off of her eyelids to look me in the eye. When she'd asked, "Are you serious?"

And I'd tried to make it detached from what we were really saying each other right now by adding, "Hypothetically, of course."

And Azula caught on to this game as quickly as any other. Saying, "Right… Sure… Well, hypothetically speaking what has this 3rd party female in no way related to us. Actually tried on her target male of choice to ensure banging each other?"

And I may have confessed our latest activities… only to have the princess turn to me and insist. "You mean to tell me you've lain in bed with Zuko with SCANT coverage and STILL he resists you?! What is he and ACTUAL statue, now?"

I reminded her "Shush!"

But she was in mid-freak out, "What is a statue or a saint? What IS he thinking?"

But my shushes were all too late, Ty-Lee had heard enough of what Azula had said to be right here now asking. "What's this about Scampi clogs and Action?"

Azula didn't hesitate, "Mai wants to bang my brother and he's pulling for sainthood."

I smacked Azula's arm and told her through my teeth, "Don't tell her that! If Ty-Lee knows all of the Kiyoshi Warriors will know too. And it'll get back to Zuko."

Ty-Lee claimed falsely, "Contrary to popular belief, I can keep a secret, and I don't tell them everything."

"Really? What about Suki's last three surprise parties you ruined? Or Katara's last three surprise dates for Aang you also spoiled." I (Mai) brought up.

But Ty-Lee swore, "That wasn't ALWAYS me, some of the other girls have looser tongues than me."

Azula cornered Ty-Lee anyways and said. "Well, you're gonna keep this secret or suffer the consequences. Got it?!"

"Yeah yeah, now spill the goods, why won't Zuko do it already? I kinda thought you already had." Ty-Lee asked as she lie down full length in the lounge chair next to Azula. But both stared at me expectantly.

So I repeated what Zuko had said was his reason. "He said, that after waiting this long and wanting this whole time we've been together. He says he is gonna need more than a single night or a few nights close together to get it all out of our systems. He said if it had happened the night before your arrival Azula. That he would have locked that door and let no one in for days. That he would have missed your entire week-long trip just being with me. That he won't even be the Fire Lord when it happens, it'll just be him and me… and he wants to plan it better. Give us more time to be together in that way… Before we have to be around anyone else. Just us and he said too, that he's messed up too many things between us. But he won't mess this up."

And Ty-Lee was waving herself with her hand. "Whoo!"

Azula looked at her like there was something wrong with her and asked her, "I'm sorry would you like to go jump in that ice cold pool over there or can you pull it together?!"

Ty-Lee said, "Yeah! I'm good! But Wow! Didn't know boss man had it in him!"

Azula's opening comment about her brother's words was, "Well, I didn't think he had any of that in him either."

Ty-Lee still fanning herself practically bounced outta her seat. "Mai always brings that out of him."

Then Azula pointed out, "But he's also contradicting himself. Because if it's something that you both want and it's not happening. Then he IS messing it up! Listen to me, doing my husbands work for him here!"

I had to admit, "Maybe he's not messing it up. If it's this important to him then maybe I'm being unreasonable… it's just-"

"No!" Azula cut me off. "You put yourself out there Mai. He's too dumb to see that he's rejecting you by denying you."

"But it could just be that I'm wrong too." I admitted. "Maybe we're not ready… maybe he just doesn't desire me as much as I want him."

Ty-Lee spoke up then and insisted, "That's can't be it. No way he doesn't want you. That's NOT it!"

I would have asked them, 'How did they know that.' But frankly, I don't think I was ready for their answers. So I just remained quiet. Hoping this would be the end of it.

But of course, it wasn't and Azula went on to reason, "The way that I see it, Mai. You have two options here. You can take my brother's dumb-dumb FAT-headed ideals. And wait this out like a hooded sister nun. Or you could turn back into the merciless girl I used to know and resolve to change his mind. The same way that I HAD to change my now husband's mind."

When she put it like that there was only ONE option…

Changing my future husband's mind even though he has a rock-hard dead set against this! But more than anything we had to make certain that Ty-Lee would keep this secret if no other I tell her.

This whole thing could turn out to be a bust if Zuko knew there was any foul-play. Or that I'd sought out help from his sister. Either one could set this whole new game on ice… and I've been having way too much fun with these new boundary lines we've just established too…

If Zuko were to cut me off, and stop coming to bed or something. I think I would have to get out my knives for whoever ruined that. EVEN Ty-Lee… Or Zuko himself! Everyone has their limits.

So secrets secured, threats made, and promises sealed. Azula even tipped me off to ways of starting off very small and just always upping the anty. Not only did this end up teaching me things I could use tonight all the way up to our wedding dates we've been considering. Which are all a little over a year from now….

But Azula ended up sharing so much more of her own journey seducing Kavin too. Suki joined us for some of those stories as well.

I had no idea the planning, the creativity, or the thought that Azula had put into such things… I had only seen her utilize these sorts of 'stratagies' on battlefields. I'd never seen it used for anything else till now.

But it was all so very helpful, inspiring, and don't tell Azula this. But it also helped me so much just hearing how many times she'd gotten turned down or resisted too. I've always thought she and Ty-Lee were both so much more beautiful and desirable than I was… It helped me hearing they weren't always met with success either.

Azula had even warned, "Hey, this isn't just useless intel either. Along this twisted road paved in both naughtyness and good intentions. You're gonna learn what you like and don't. As well as what Zuko likes and doesn't- Bla! That sentence put a weird taste in my mouth! Ah! But that's what's gonna happen over time…. Maybe don't tell me every thing, at the same time as I wanna hear SOME things, Mai. Talking with you like this has been too fun."

I found myself admitting, "It has." I've never dived this deep with any of them before. But it had been fun. And it wasn't like just me and Azula were talking either. Ty-Lee was sharing some of her tactics as well. And Suki even showed me a few tricks I never would have thought of that even had Azula's approval…

So when the four of us had reached dinner time, which is when we usually go our separate ways. Some visiting dignitaries insisted on drawing out their meetings with the Fire Lord and Avatar out till nearly midnight.

So I'd eaten dinner with Kavin and Azula. And after hearing so much more detail today about his romantic takedown. It was very hard not to blush, sitting near them. But somehow I'd kept my complexion moot till the end. Or almost the end…

But Azula informed him just before the desserts could be passed out. Point blank, "Kavin, I have been sharing stories of our seductive tactics towards one another with Mai today-"

I know I'd made an involuntary sound, like I was somehow saying 'no' while I was being strangled!

But I keep forgetting Kavin's a shrink… talking about stuff like this is somehow NORMAL to him. And even though this was the first time Azula had brought it up (around me, anyways). Kavin had fired back immediately.

"Aw! Good! I was picking up on a severe amount of unresolved tensions between you and my Fire Lord in-law. And the crackling there didn't seem to be bad. Did my wife's conversations aid any of these snags to entanglement?"

Who talks this way? Do all therapists talk like him?

I'd said quietly, " … I don't know yet… We'll see… I haven't seen my fiancee since this morning."

Then he'd said kindly, "Well if you ever need to talk more about it. She's always here for you, and so am I, Mai. We are to be family after all, always consider our door open to you."

I thanked him and excused myself, to see if Azula's suggestions had helped at all. But I doubt the newlyweds even noticed my departure… or that they were still in a room full of people.

Zuko strolled into the Fire Lord's Private Sleeping Quarters, a little after midnight. He looked wrecked and tired. So I didn't dare toy with him that first night. I let him have this last night of peace and honest rest. But I promised myself that from this night forward. I would do everything in my power to change his mind and tempt him in every way till I do.

He'd held me just right, his kisses were so soft and warm, even as he slept… And he'd kissed every inch of skin he found. And I'd made sure he didn't find a short supply.

I need him…

I know I do!

He needs to know that… so I will leave him in no doubt.

And keep trying till we get there… even if it's when our wedding night gets here and I've still been unsuccessful.

I will never stop loving him and I won't be happy till I've tied myself to him in everyway. This part was even more important to me than my wedding day. I needed this intimacy with him to be on point, and at the forefront. I would keep trying till he finally gave in.

Even if it was our wedding night when that finally happened and was that first time together.

He would give in… and I couldn't wait to reach that moment.

I mean I could, but I just really didn't want to. So I will do whatever I can to change his mind.

Wish me luck in this endeavor.

That's all folks!

Well, for this chapter anyways. But the next one will be posted soon and I hope this was a nice little break for everyone today. Hope you're having the BEST day! Please review if you can, I would love to hear from you! Till next time, Take Care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85