Zuko hesitates at the edge of the jungle. Zhao could be along any moment, but, Azula, or rather Aang, could need his help.
"Stay here and keep an eye out for Fire Nation ships." He says to the two pairs of blue eyes staring back at him.
"Oh, no." Katara snaps. "You aren't going in there and ganging up on Aang."
Zuko growls. "I told you I'm trying to help him."
She folds her arms across her chest and stares him down. The Water Bender is trying to appear threatening but it only serves to make her look adorable.
Zuko laughs and Katara scowls. "All you've done since we've known you is try to capture him."
He looks to Sokka but he has the same look on his face.
"Whatever," Zuko mutters. "Look, I'm going in to look for them. Stay here and try to not get captured."
He steps into the underbrush of the jungle.
"I'm going with you!" Katara calls out as she follows.
Zuko turns glaring golden eyes to her. "It's the jungle of the Fire Nation; not exactly full of friendly little penguins."
The jungles are known to play host to several predatory species.
Katara is as stubborn as the very block of ice she came from. "I'm a Water Bender. I can look after myself, Your Highness." She uses his title in jest.
The Prince growls as he turns and pushes deeper into the jungle.
"Hey, don't I get a say in any of this?" Sokka calls out from beside Appa.
"Yeah, don't get captured." Zuko calls over his shoulder as the jungle swallows him and the Water Bender up.
Ooooo
Azula doesn't struggle against him this time but she isn't exactly docile. Her nails dig roughly into his shoulders and her teeth are more piercing than normal. Fire Nation clothing does little to hide her charms and, for once, Aang is glad to not have to fight through the added layers she wore in the Earth Kingdom.
It takes little effort to push the skirt out of the way and sink inside the Fire Nation Princess. Azula gives a long hiss at the sensation as it has been far too long since he's taken her. She arches her back and wraps her long legs around him, pulling him as close as she can get him.
One tattooed hand is on her thigh digging into the soft flesh while the other is balanced beside her head. His gray eyes are intense on her golden ones as she meets him thrust for thrust. Nimble fingers work up his chest and she grabs a handful of Air Nation silk and pulls him down to her. Hungry red lips find his, nipping, licking and tasting.
The tension is coiled tight just waiting for the right moment. Pure instinct drives Aang to hook his elbows under her knees and pull up spreading her wider underneath him. Something breaks inside of her and he can feel it in the way her body reacts as she tightens and flutters around him. His name is a choked sob on her lips. It doesn't take much for him to follow and he can nearly feel the steam rising as he unloads inside of her.
His weight drops on top of her as he strives to catch his breath. Beneath his head, where it rests on her breasts, he can feel her pounding heartbeat and hear her ragged breathing. She pulls her nails from his shoulders where he is sure she has left her mark but she doesn't move to push him off her.
When his head clears enough for him to look up, her eyes are closed but she is smiling.
Oooo
"Katara," Zuko calls.
No answer.
"Katara, where are you?" He resists the urge to yell. There is no telling who or what else is lurking in the jungle.
Of course she would have to not listen to him and then get lost. Zuko shakes his head as he trudges along the small river he has found. Hopefully she has found her way back to Sokka and is waiting like she should have been in the first place. The girl is too young to be running around playing at saving the world. Zuko ignores the fact that the Water Bender is only one year younger than Azula. There is nothing youthful about his sister.
In the heavy underbrush, Zuko doesn't make a sound. Years of training have taught him to tread lightly and avoid detection. It's a useful talent to have when avoiding assassination attempts at the palace or sneaking up on unsuspecting Avatars.
At first, Zuko isn't sure of what he has heard. Azula isn't one to beg, but he would know her voice anywhere. The pleading sob sounds like the Avatar's name. Drawing closer to the water's edge he looks across the small river to the large rocks scattered on the other side. The delicate painted toes of his sister's feet pointing in the air are all he sees. It's not until the Avatar's tattooed head rises from between them that Zuko puts it together.
With a quick leap he is across the river and glaring down at the surprised faces of the couple.
"What in Agni's name are you doing?"
Azula rolls her eyes and Aang looks suitably scandalized.
"Really, Dum Dum, surely even you can figure it out." She says in a heavily annoyed tone as Aang helps her to her feet.
Zuko only watches as she dusts herself off and adjusts her clothes. Shaking his head he glares at the Avatar.
"How long has this been going on?" Zuko demands, disbelief heavy in his voice.
Aang opens his mouth to speak but Azula cuts him off. "It's none of your business."
"None of my business?" Zuko can only stare at her. "My baby sisteris…" He glares at Aang and nearly chokes on the word."With you and it's none of my business?"
Azula only shakes her head and shoves past him following the small river. "Even if you were to become Fire Lord one day, Zuko, you would not presume to tell me what to do and you, most certainly, will not start now."
Zuko follows in hot pursuit and Aang reluctantly follows as well.
"Oh, just imagine what Father would have to say about this or better yet, what about Zhao?" He taunts as he catches up to her.
Turning with a growl, Azula snaps, "As if I would care what he has to say about it."
Zuko smirks. "You don't think your fiancée's opinion should matter? Sounds like the start to a wonderful marriage."
He can't help himself. For so long Azula has always been the best, the favorite, and she has done everything she can to remind him of those truths.
Azula's dirty little secret is rapidly becoming Zuko's guilty delight.
The situation is tense and Azula feels the pressure. Clenching her fists, she stomps her foot and feels how the fire thrums under her fingertips. She takes one look at her brother's smirking face and the decision is made for her; the blue fire reflects in Zuko's golden eyes. He manages to deflect it and lash back with a red ring of his own.
From there it becomes a flurry of blue and red setting the jungle alight as the siblings finally let out some of the pent up frustration they have been carrying around.
Aang hangs back unsure of what to do. He has seen sibling rivalry first hand after having traveled with Katara and Sokka and, while the Water Tribe siblings fought, they were never actively trying to maim the other. This is not the case with the Fire Nation siblings.
Zuko curses as his pant leg catches fire and Azula laughs. "Careful with your words, Zuzu, she was your mother too."
The slight must cut deep because soon Azula is on the defensive as Zuko pursues her lashing out in virtual never-ending streams of fire. The Princess stumbles and nearly loses her balance on a slippery rock at the water's edge which gives Zuko the opportunity he was looking for.
Zuko easily outweighs her and when he throws her face down onto the rocky shore he puts his weight to the advantage and pins her arms behind her back and holds her there. Azula turns her head and spits out a flame that he quickly dodges, but it is enough of a distraction for her to slip from under him until crackling blue flames are hovering over his head where he kneels before her.
"Should I leave my mark like Father?" Azula's voice is quiet and deadly. The look in her eyes is serious and intense.
"Why not?" Zuko throws back carelessly as he stares up at her. "It's going to happen at some point; might as well get it over with now."
There is so much bad blood between them that it may be nearly impossible to cross to the other side. Still, Zuko can't deny that he feels somewhat protective of Azula. In the back of his mind he has always nurtured the idea that she was the only other person that could possibly understand what growing up the way he did was like. In a way he felt they were in it together. He knows it is foolish to carry around such childish ideas but sometimes Zuko wants to be naïve, somehow it just seems easier.
Slowly Zuko stands, but doesn't look away from her. The blue flame in her hand burns brighter.
"This isn't solving anything."The Avatar's quiet voice intercedes.
The look in Azula's eyes softens but doesn't go away nor does the blue flame in her hand. "The Avatar is right. We are forgetting ourselves, Zuko."
Zuko gives a short nod but doesn't take his eyes off her.
Azula always lies.
oooooooooo
Katara pushes through the underbrush and wrinkles her nose at the smell of smoke. She has been following the small river hoping it will lead her back to the sea or at least give her something to defend herself with if needed.
Over the rustle of leaves she hears the sounds of raging fires and harsh words. She would know the voices of those Fire Benders anywhere and it only serves to spur her forward. When she breaks through to a small clearing, her blue eyes widen at the burnt jungle. The land is black with ash and some of it is still burning, sending up plumes of black smoke. In the middle of the destruction stand the three people she was looking for.
Upon seeing the blue flame in Azula's hand anger rises up in Katara and the water of the nearby river reacts.
Azula gives a shriek as the cold water snaps the flame in her hand. The counter is effortless but effective as she spins and blue fire sends the Water Bender scrambling for cover behind a wall of ice. Sharpened icicles melt in a flourish of heat and a wave of water quenches a crack of azure.
Katara is seeing red, literally, as Zuko knocks her to the ground, his red tunic being the last thing she sees before she hits the jungle floor hard. She isn't any match for him in hand to hand combat, that much she has figured out, but she still fights with every fiber of her being. Zuko manages to pin her down and hold her wrists even as they try to squirm out of his grasp.
"I knew it! I knew we couldn't trust you!" She yells, even as she twists against him.
Zuko's only response is to drop his weight on her torso nearly knocking the wind out of her. It has the effect of quieting her screams as she struggles to draw a deep breath.
Seeing Katara is subdued for the moment, Zuko risks looking at how Aang and Azula are faring.
ooooo
Azula is furious and the accompanying screech is nearly deafening but Aang doesn't let go as he holds her from behind trying to keep her from closing the distance to Katara. Azula is a fighter though and, with a twist, she hip-tosses him to the ground but Aang doesn't let go and Azula finds herself dragged down as well. A well placed elbow effectively frees her and she rolls to her feet, intent on her target.
Zuko is holding the peasant down and for a brief moment Azula considers eliminating two pests in her life. However, Zuko could still serve a purpose so she grounds her stance and carefully aims for the blue crushed under the red. The lightening surges through her body, begging to be released. Azula holds onto that feeling for a beat longer than she should, savoring the way it electrifies her skin. The feeling is not unlike the way she feels when touched just right by a certain Air Bender but this is something that is all her own.
Before the lightening can build to that critical point of release, Azula's field of vision goes white and a gust of air knocks her back disrupting the energy and disorienting the Princess.
Oooo
Zuko sees Azula's intent. The look in her eye, the stance she takes and even the way her two fingers are raised tell him this will not end well. The Avatar is nearly too far away to stop her and Zuko knows he and Katara are sitting turtle-ducks. Uncle has tried to teach him the counter to lightening but the technique is untried. Besides, there is no way Katara would be able to do the same.
Just as the spark is at the Princess' fingertips a giant white ball of fur drops right in between them. The large tail flaps and blasts her back with a gust of wind. Zuko has never been happier to see Sokka than he has at this moment and he laughs in relief.
Katara doesn't see what is so funny and struggles against the Prince's weight holding her down.
Sokka raises an eyebrow at the sight. "What are you doing to my sister?" He yells, hand going for his boomerang.
Realizing how compromising the situation appears, Zuko releases her wrists and rolls to his feet. He holds his hands out in a placating gesture. "It's not what it looks like."
Sokka's eyes narrow at him. "What does it look like, Prince Zuko?"
Katara stands up shaking jungle floor debris from her hair before she remembers they weren't alone. "Where's Aang?"
She dashes around Appa's head, expecting the worst. Zuko is close behind her. She stops just short of Appa's other side and blinks in confusion.
Oo
Azula is seeing red, literally. The red liquid is trickling down the blue-tattooed arm that is blocking her vision. His hand presses harder against the gash on her forehead trying to stem the blood flow. She feels nauseous, dazed, and just plain annoyed as she tries to weakly bat his hand away from her head.
"Hold still. You're hurt." Aang's voice is soft in her ear and she gives into the tiredness and slumps against him.
"That great furball of yours," is as much of an insult as she can muster with her vision swimming the way it is.
"Appa didn't mean to hurt you but you were about to shoot Zuko and Katara with lightening." His tone is just this side of disapproving.
Azula hisses against the sting as he adjusts the pressure on her forehead. "I wasn't going to shoot Zuko." She would have gladly shot Katara though. "She had no right attacking me." Her voice trails off as her eyes flutter closed.
"Azula?" Aang resists the urge to give her a shake and instead adjusts his hold on her to look across the burnt clearing. "Katara!"
The Water Bender hesitates. She knows Azula is injured, but something about seeing the woman in Aang's arms brings up unpleasant feelings.
"She's hurt." The inflection leaves no room for argument and she closes the distance.
As Katara draws closer, she sees the blood and the concern in those gray eyes. Kneeling, her breath hitches at the sheer amount of the red liquid that is coating his arm and the jungle floor.
"Head wounds bleed more." She offers and not for the first time she wishes she knew more about Water Bending as Gran Gran often said they could heal injuries such as this. "All we can do is keep pressure until the bleeding stops."
Zuko leans closer. "How bad is it?"
Aang pulls his hand back enough to show the two-inch cut and more blood oozes out of the wound before he clamps his hand back over it.
Zuko growls and shakes his head. "Uncle told me about something the soldiers would do when they were hurt in battle."
"If you think it will work, then do it."
The Avatar's demand draws a scowl from the Prince.
"Like I need your permission." Zuko is still put out by his discovery of exactly what Aang was doing with his sister.
Eyes of cold slate stare him down. "Now."
Katara looks back and forth, uncertainty on her face and even Sokka who now stands over them knits his brow in confusion.
Zuko doesn't reply but only nods his head and Aang moves his hand again. The blood flow speeds up before Zuko gently places a finger on the cut. Smoke rises and the smell of burnt flesh fills the air as he cauterizes the wound sliding his fingertip along the edges of the gash.
Katara turns her head scrunching her nose at the smell but he ignores her and continues until the blood flow stops. When he is done the skin is red and shiny. Zuko can't help but compare it to his own scar.
"She's not going to like that." Zuko says quietly.
Aang brushes his fingers against it. "It's better than the alternative."
"I suppose I should be thankful you kept her alive, even if you did fail to return her undamaged." Zhao's voice rings out in the small clearing.
They are instantly on their feet as Fire Nation soldiers seemingly melt from the jungle and surround them in greater numbers.
Zhao spares a glance at Azula's prone form, noting the scar. "What a pity. I may have to ask the Fire Lord to increase the dowry." He turns his attention back to the group. "Take the Princess to my quarters. Capture the Prince and Avatar. Kill the others."
Fireballs begin to fly and are met with simultaneous bursts of air, water and a wall of fire. The plaintive roar of Appa and the chattering of Momo add to the chaos as the Fire Nation closes in.
In the midst of it all, Azula begins to stir. The smell of smoke always has that effect on her. Carefully she pushes herself up and expert eyes assess the situation. It is clear the Fire nation is winning and Azula can't afford to be on the wrong side, not when she is so close to her goal.
Sokka scrambles onto Appa's head grabbing the reigns. He is nearly knocked from his perch as the giant beast turns smacking his tail and effectively taking out one line of soldiers. Zuko and Aang seem to be holding their own against the rest, for now. However, Katara is the weak point with her underdeveloped Water Bending and, as Azula rises to her feet, she appraises the girl's weak stance and smirks.
Even with a whole river at her disposal, Katara feels ineffective. The power is there but she just doesn't know how to control it. Water whips fly, hitting their intended targets but not enough to slow the soldiers down. She twists and dodges, scurrying around their flank but the ground before her splits suddenly with a sapphire fireball.
"Not so fast, Peasant." Azula sneers. "You aren't going anywhere."
Katara can only gape and blink at her. "Why?"
"Let's just say it is not in my best interests if you escape."
With a flick of Azula's wrist, more fireballs fly at the ground as Katara ducks and dodges trying to avoid them. It isn't until she trips and hits the ground, that it occurs to her that Azula was just herding her away from the others.
"Now, little Water Bender, I am sure Father will adore adding you to his collection though I assure you, pretty little things such as yourself do not last long."
It's the last thing Katara hears before Azula pounces and her world goes black.
Ooo
Zuko sees the eruption of blue from the corner of his eye and turns in time to see Katara go down. Azula stands over the girl's still body with a look of satisfaction he has come to dread on his sister's face. When she meets his eyes, Azula shrugs at him as if to say 'what did you expect.'
Azula always lies.
He knows this.
He knows better than this.
Never trust her.
It cuts at something deep inside of him and with a roar he breaks through the line of soldiers, knocking them to the ground and drives straight though to his sister's smirking face.
Do not attack in anger, Iroh's words come to him too late. He sees his mistake as Azula spins and Zuko is struck down in a violent cascade of fire.
"Really, Zuzu, did Uncle teach you nothing?" Azula pouts as she kneels over him. "Father will be so glad to see you again. Why, he may even welcome you with open arms." She traces a sharp nail over his scarred cheek and laughs.
Zuko mutters a curse and Azula strikes. Zuko's vision fades to nothing.
"Bravo, Azula." Zhao says as he steps up behind her. "I certainly didn't believe your little plan would work but the Fire Lord will be so pleased to have his son returned to him."
Azula looks up at him over her shoulder. "Now if only your men can capture the Avatar."
Zhao looks over the field as a whirlwind slices the ranks and sends his men scattering. "That may prove challenging."
Azula stands. "Must I do everything?"
"Really, Azula, what are you bringing to this relationship?" Zhao taunts.
"You may be surprised, Darling." Azula's words are laced with sarcasm as they both watch the advancing Air Bender.
Ooooo
Both Katara and Zuko are down; both taken down by Azula. Aang knew this could happen. He knew not to trust her but as expected as her betrayal was, it still cuts deep, especially after her earlier revelation. He knows the pretty words she whispers in his ear only last as long as he does. At the heart of it all, Azula is still his enemy.
The monks taught him to reign in anger and rage but it is difficult to listen to the teachings of men long since dead when faced with the very real threat of death himself. The winds twist and whirl violently building up an awful energy until he releases it and it sends the remaining soldiers sprawling in different directions. Using the momentum, he propels himself towards the last two enemies left standing.
Zhao's eyes widen in surprise as the Avatar is suddenly in front of them and blasting him back with a powerful gust of wind. Azula looks nonplussed as she just merely tilts her head at him.
"I take this to mean you aren't coming along peacefully." Azula says in a mocking tone.
Aang never thought it possible to feel hate for her. "You've only been playing a game with me."
Azula pretends to weigh both sides. "What did you expect? With you and Zuko out of the way, I will be Fire Lord and the Fire Nation will rule over all others. You should be happy for me."
Aang shakes his head. "Did you mean any of it?"
Her smile is wistful. "You truly were the best I ever had and I regret this has to be how it ends, that is unless you surrender. I'm sure Father won't mind if I visit you every now and then before your execution."
"I can't believe how foolish I've been." He shakes his head.
"We all have our moments."Her golden eyes scan the field behind him noting the soldiers that are starting to gather before turning to look at Zhao as he tries to stand and shake off the attack. Her voice drops to a conspiratorial tone. "You only have time to save one of them. I suggest you chose wisely."
Aang can only stare at her. "What in the Spirit's name is all this about, Azula?"
Her eyes blaze as she steps closer, delicate hands grabbing the front of his robe. "Take Katara and get out of here. Leave Zuko to me."
Anger surges though him and he pushes her away. "Don't touch me, Azula. I'm done playing your games."
For a moment there is a flash of hurt on her face before she sneers. "Don't worry, Avatar. I got what I wanted as did you."
Shaking his head, Aang drops beside Katara and scoops her up. A careful bit of Air Bending puts them in Appa's saddle and as they lift off, Aang sees the spark of regret in Azula's eyes.