Zuko spreads his fingers over the curling parchment flattening it out on the small table before him. Iroh hums in contemplation as Zuko rereads Azula's words. Sitting back he lets the paper slide through his fingers as it rolls back into shape.
"Azula always lies." The words are quiet but true. It has become a mantra of Zuko's over the years.
The flickering candle on the table throws shadows over the shabby room they have found while hiding in the Earth Kingdom. Iroh's forehead creases in thought but he doesn't speak. Zuko folds his arms over his chest and scowls at the offending scroll; the edges begin to smolder. Reaching out Iroh picks it up and unfurls it to read for himself. The wording is short, simple and the edges continue to burn away.
"I know of this place." Iroh answers finally. "It is rather unsavory."
"It has to be a trap." Zuko mutters.
"And yet the denizens will have no love for the Fire Nation." Iroh leaves the real truth unspoken. There will be no love for Azula.
Zuko ponders this searching for an angle that Azula will exploit. "Surely she won't be alone." Even as he says this, something tells him that Azula will do just that."Azula always lies." He repeats trying to quench his growing curiosity.
Iroh watches carefully as he sets the scroll down. The spark of interest is in Zuko's eyes. Azula asks only a short meeting with the Prince and makes no other guarantee other than she will be alone and Zuko will be free to go afterward.
"If she does arrive alone, then she will be at a disadvantage." Iroh points out as the remainder of the scroll disintegrates into a smoky mess.
Zuko's amber eyes burn in the dark of the small room. "Azula is never at a disadvantage."
ooooooooooooo
The tavern is seedy and noisy. Various fights are in progress and the drink flows freely. Zuko makes his way through the crowd avoiding the scuffles and women selling their wares until he reaches the back of the tavern. The hooded figure seated in the dark corner does little to acknowledge him. He sits across her at the table.
"You really are slumming it aren't you?" He asks wryly.
"Zuzu, my, how you've grown."
He frowns at the lilt in Azula's voice. "What do you want, Azula?" Zuko snaps.
Long manicured nails push the dark hood back revealing the yellow gleaming eyes of his sibling. "It's been so long since we've chatted. I thought it was time for us to catch up."
Zuko doesn't answer the teasing tone and instead stares her down.
With a dramatic sigh, Azula casts disinterested eyes around the tavern. "I've been summoned back to the Fire Nation." When he fails to react to her announcement, she glares at him. "Father is up to something."
The urge to scoff rises in his throat. He swallows bitter words and, instead, says, "When isn't he?" Zuko narrows his eyes. "Did you want a goodbye or something?"
Azula's lips quirk into a smile. "I've already said my goodbyes to anyone that matters." Her jab is met with stony silence. Tapping her nails on the dirty table before them, she leans forward. "I wanted to impart a word of advice to you before I do leave." Zuko mirrors her action leaning forward as well. "The Avatar is not the enemy."
With a huff, Zuko sits back, the force knocking his chair a few inches along the sticky tavern floor. "I don't have time for your games, Azula."
Before he can rise to leave, her hand darts out grabbing hold of his wrist. Zuko flinches at the firm grip of his sister's small hand. "It's not a game, Zuko. Aang is not the enemy." The words are insistent and rushed.
Use of the Avatar's real name gets his attention. "What do you mean?" The accusation leaves his voice.
Pulling him closer to her, Azula leans in. "He needs a Fire Bending teacher, Zuko."
Twisting his wrist out of her grasp, he scowls at her. "I must regain my honor or did you forget that?"
Zuko is unprepared for Azula's derisive snort. "Didn't anyone tell you that Father can't give you back your honor? He can't give you something he could never take away in the first place, Dum Dum."
Uncle has said as much to him but Zuko has stubbornly refused to listen. Seeing she has his attention, Azula continues "You will lose your honor if you don't help Aang."
"Since when are you and the Avatar on a first name basis?"
"Oh, I've been busy, brother."
There is more to the story. There always is with Azula. Something about her smile compels Zuko to sit down and hear her out.
Ooooo
Ever since their almost kiss in the Cave of Two Lovers, Katara has contemplated what it would be like to be something more with the Avatar. Aunt Wu's prediction that she would marry a powerful bender rings clearly in her mind and it's no secret that they have flirted and been more than friendly with each other. Sokka has been on guard with watchful big brother eyes, boomerang at the ready. But something has changed in the last several weeks and whereas Aang use to be open with her, he is now closed off and distant.
As his best friend, Katara likes to think that he could speak to her about anything, but any and all attempts to draw him out are rebuffed. It has left her feeling off balance and uncertain. Sokka's attempts have fallen flat as well, so now the Water Tribe siblings content themselves with moving around the small camp site and watching the unmoving back of their friend's head as he meditates on a rocky outcropping some distance away.
oooo
Air Nomads have always experienced wanderlust and this is no different. The impulsive need to just fly off into the wild blue yonder itches at his fingertips. No one could stop him if he did. No one should. He is, after all, a Master Air Bender; the Last Air Bender. It's almost his duty to fly off and follow his heart. But is it really following his heart if he were to chase Azula down?
He's not foolish enough to think this is love. Lust? Absolutely. However lust shouldn't feel like this. It wouldn't give him the desire to want to fly into the very heart of the Fire Nation, into Ozai's palace, and snatch Azula from her home, from her father's grasp, take her with him and then…then…then what? It's not as if they could build a life together. Azula won't be the one to help him bring back the Air Benders.
At times he thinks he should say something to his friends. Let them know just what is going on; why he is so remote. The words escape him though. Telling Katara and Sokka he's been carrying on with Azula, the very face of the enemy, makes his mouth go dry. So many times the words have been on the tip of his tongue but he loses his nerve and avoids it altogether. It's the Air Bender in him.
His hand closes around the ancient glider at his side as he stands. It's second nature to snap the wings open and with a quick push he is off.
He's not chasing her down. He just isn't ready to let her go.
Ooooo
Azula watches from the rear of the ship as the Earth Kingdom fades into the distance. Returning to the Fire Nation fills her with a sense of dread. She has yet to accomplish her task of capturing the Avatar but something tells her that Ozai has summoned her for something other than to account for what is taking her so long. There are countless reasons the Fire Lord would send for his only daughter; none of them good.
Perhaps it is for the best. Her task was to capture the Avatar, not whatever it was. Ozai would kill her on the spot if he were to find out exactly what liberties she let the enemy take with her.
She doesn't regret it though. How could she?
Azula isn't foolish enough to think her father actually loves her. Ever since Zuko's banishment, Ozai has been insufferable. His demands for perfection have only escalated. It hasn't always been easy but Azula has delivered, much to the begrudging satisfaction of the Fire Lord.
Azula wanted…no, she needed…something that was all hers. The Avatar…Aang… was that something.
From beside her, Ty Lee considers the small frown playing on the Princess' red lips but she doesn't draw attention to it. She knows when not to pry on the Royal's deeper thoughts. Something is going on though as the woman's aura has brightened considerably over the last several weeks.
"You should turn in. I will be along shortly." Azula's curt words are a dismissal.
Ty Lee flashes a cheerful smile before bouncing away. At the door, the acrobat glances at the princess standing forlornly at the stern of the ship before slipping inside closing the heavy metal door behind her.
It is nearly impossible to think with Ty Lee hanging around. Azula wants to sulk and she doesn't want witnesses to it.
Leaning over the railing she looks at the fast moving water below. Perhaps she should have disobeyed or at least put off returning so soon. Whatever awaits her, whatever her father has planned for her, won't be to her liking. Ozai sees her as a means to an end and nothing else. It's times like this that she envies Zuko. The Crown Prince, (or is that former Crown Prince?), has only one expectation to live up to and Azula has already had the Avatar in her grasp more than once. She smiles at the deeper meaning in her thoughts.
Azula would have no problem in turning him over to her father either. This she is reasonably sure of. There aren't any deeper attachments. She refuses to rely on anyone else. Azula has learned from an early age that she can only count on herself.
However, when a familiar shadow passes overhead obscuring the moonlight, Azula can't deny the smile it brings to her face.
Ooooooooooooo
Ty Lee presses her ear to the door striving to hear inside. Her room, like Mai's, connects to Azula's stateroom but the door has been locked and barred. Muffled sounds filter through but the words themselves are nearly lost to the metal barrier. She thinks she can make out a word here and there: more, now, harder; all of them in Azula's breathy voice. It doesn't take a big stretch of the imagination to guess what is going on in Azula's bedchamber. The only question is who.
oooooooooo
Mai leans against the wall, tossing a shuriken from one hand to the other and sighs in resignation. The rhythmic thumping sound coming from beyond the wall ensures she will not sleep until Azula decides to. Briefly she wonders if she should find Ty Lee. The acrobat may have an idea as to the identity of Azula's midnight visitor but Mai dismisses the thought just as quickly. Azula is not one to permit gossip and speculation.
Not for the first time her thoughts drift to Zuko and the shuriken is deeply embedded in the Fire Nation tapestry hanging on the wall.
oooooo
Inside the bedchamber, Azula weaves a web of utter seduction. Surrounded in luxurious silks and deep reds, there is a heady scent of incense in the air. Azula braces her hands on the headboard in front of her as she slowly lowers herself feeling him sink deeper inside. His hands hold onto her hips with a tight grip that is sure to leave a mark. The moonlight filters through the windows highlighting the pale skin of the man underneath her.
A light sheen of sweat glistens on her skin as she arches up letting the tendrils of her long hair fall down her back. Aang seizes the opportunity and sits up to taste the heated skin of her neck. Tattooed hands burn just as hot over her bare skin and Azula can see the spark of a Fire Bender in his gray eyes. With a quick twist he is the one on top, pushing her into the soft bed. Sliding his arms under knees he spreads her legs wider and delves deeper inside her warm sheath.
This isn't where Aang should be but with Azula so hot and eager it is difficult to convince himself otherwise. Sharp nails rake down his back and his name passes her lips more than once. The way she trembles underneath him and her eyes flutter shut draws him in deeper. This isn't where Aang should be but there isn't anywhere else he would rather be.
Oooooo
"Maybe he got lost." Sokka offers with a shrug.
Katara refuses to meet his eyes and instead stares up at the nighttime sky. Two days ago they watched Aang take off and for two days they have waited for him to return. The Fire Nation is everywhere and the threat of capture is very real.
Appa rests easy, as does Momo. Sokka eventually drifts off on his bedroll beside the fire.
Only Katara doesn't sleep. She tries. The thin blanket does little to warm her so she stays close to the fire. The bedroll is a poor substitute for an actual bed but it's been so long since any of them have slept on a real bed that it has become a long forgotten memory.
Tossing and turning, she strives to close her eyes but worry keeps them open. For weeks, Azula and her friends have been one step behind them and it has made Katara edgy and nervous. She can tell Azula is toying with them. Each skirmish left Katara unsure as to what the point of it was because Azula doesn't seem serious about capturing the Avatar. If nothing else, Katara and Sokka have been able to hone their battle skills and managed to put Mai and Ty Lee on the defensive more than once. She wasn't sure how Aang was faring. Azula predictably went after him with a vengeance and it wasn't uncommon for Katara to lose track of them completely as she fought her own battles.
However, it has been a week since they have seen any sign of the Princess. In that week, Aang's mood has soured considerably. The waiting is perhaps the hardest part and now that he has disappeared they can't leave but they can't exactly stay. Eventually, Katara drifts off to a troubled sleep.
Oooo
The sun has barely been up long enough to melt the frost on the ground when she hears the gentle woosh of air. Throwing off her blanket, Katara scrambles to her feet. For a moment blue accusing eyes meet surprised gray ones and the next she is rushing to throw her arms around him. Relief floods through her that he is back and alive. His laugh, a deep sound, reverberates against her ear as he hugs her back, pressing her deeper into the soft silk of his shirt.
"Did you miss me?" He rests his chin on the top of her head.
Katara nods not trusting her voice to not snap at him. She breathes deep but instead of the comforting scent of a thunderstorm she smells something haunting and familiar. She stiffens in his arms.
"Where were you?" Her voice doesn't tremble.
She feels him tense against her.
"I had something to take care of." He says as he lets her go and steps away.
Katara watches him walk towards Appa, eyes carefully appraising for new injuries. Finding none, she follows intent on dragging the story out of him.
The bison groans in greeting as Aang strokes his large nose and Momo chatters from his perch on Appa's head.
"Azula." Katara spits the name out as she stands hands on her hips, ocean eyes glaring.
Aang is careful to not look at her. He knows his eyes will give it away so instead he focuses on his pet, even though it feels like his heart will batter out of his chest."What about her?"
Katara makes a frustrated sound. "Did she hurt you? What happened?" His fights with Azula never go well. The Avatar always returns bloody, bruised and looking exhausted.
Aang draws a deep breath. Katara is under the impression that he battled the Princess.
"It's nothing."
"Azula is not nothing, Aang."
"I managed to get away and lose her. It's okay."
She wants to trust him and when he turns earnest gray eyes towards her she finds her anger melting.
"Next time, don't go alone. I don't know what I would do if something happened to you." Her words are soft and revealing.
Katara sees the hesitation in his eyes and it leaves her feeling more lost than ever.
Oooo
Ozai's yellow eyes gleam in the morning light. The steam rising from the cup of tea perched at his lips only adds to the mystique of the Fire Lord. Azula resists the urge to fidget under her father's stern gaze.
"Your efforts in the Earth Kingdom have failed." The voice is light, teasing, not at all accusing like the words themselves are.
Azula forces a smile."The Avatar is proving elusive." He's not elusive; she just wasn't done playing yet.
Ozai sets the tea cup down and regards her with his unwavering gaze. "If my most capable daughter is not able to capture the Avatar then that traitor will surely fail." Zuko's name has not passed his lips since the Agni Kai.
Azula shows no reaction to the venom in the Fire Lord's voice when referring to her fallen brother. Affection for her sibling will only earn her the scorn of her sire and there is no advantage to that.
Ozai continues, "He has been removed from the line of succession."
She doesn't blink, doesn't move; doesn't dare breathe in the face of this news. For years her father has resisted taking this step as a woman has never yet ascended the throne of the Fire Nation and her father refuses to acknowledge any of the bastards born of the concubines…which leaves only one path.
The silence hangs between them with only the twittering of the birds in the air and the quacking of the turtle-ducks in the distance. Ozai's eyes never leave hers.
"It is time for you to marry." The words leave her feeling cold inside, colder than the night her mother disappeared, colder than the night her brother was banished. "Marry and secure the future of the Fire Nation."
The words hang heavy with implication: marry and bear children, the heirs to the throne, the ones that will continue her grandfather's work. Azula has known that despite her bending, despite her intellect and her ambition, that this was her father's true intent for her. Zuko so easily could have had their father's love if he had only played along. Azula, just by the misfortune of being female, serves no purpose to the Fire Lord other than the ability to lie on her back.
The fury must show in her eyes as Ozai's own are alight with amusement. "I have already chosen a suitable husband for you. Tonight he will join us for dinner."
Azula refuses to blanch at the announcement. She tamps down the rising anger and desire to show Ozai just how worthy she is of ruling in her own right. Even if Zuko had somehow managed to rise to the position of Fire Lord, he would never have dared to presume he could order her life, her future, like this.
She doesn't ask the identity of this future man: her soon-to-be lord and sire. She knows she doesn't need to ask. Her father will only reveal his plans in time and for his own purposes. Azula does what she knows is expected of her and bows her head to the Fire Lord's wishes.