Jet follows at a pace behind her, careful to avoid detection. No one pays him much attention though and she is too busy weaving through the crowd to notice. It has not been easy to track her. The Princess is adept at stealth. The woman intrigues him more and more. Having her will be sweeter than he imagined it could be and vengeance will finally be his.
The road curves to the left and he loses sight of her. A flick of black catches his eye as the tail of her cloak whips around a turn. The alleyway is narrow and dark. For days he has followed hoping she would make just such a mistake that would allow him to make his move and, at last, she has done just that.
Jet slips around the corner and starts to close the distance between him and the rapidly moving figure in black. When the alleyway suddenly turns again, he speeds up eager to catch up to her and pounce. He turns the corner to a dead end of nothing and blinks unsure. The wall is high, too high to be scaled in a few seconds. There are no doors or windows to provide an outlet, not even a barrel or box to hide behind. It is if she has just vanished. Jet lets out a curse at being so close only to lose out and he steps up to the forbidding stone wall, running a calloused hand over the rough stones.
"Don't look so disappointed."
Jet spins to face the elusive Fire Nation Princess.
"H-How?"
Azula shrugs her shoulders. "Far be it from me to be sharing secrets."
Jet cocks an eyebrow at this. "Seems you were sharing more than that with Hakoda."
For days she had been in Hakoda's tent, rarely leaving and, while Hakoda stayed in Bato's tent at night, it did not escape Jet's attention of just how much of the Chief's waking hours were spent one-on-one with the Princess.
Full lips smirk. "Chief Hakoda was an excellent host."
"Yeah, I'm sure he was." Jet snaps. "Why did you leave then?"
The smirk slips away. "I certainly did not want to overstay my welcome."
There is so much to that statement, so much she doesn't say but Jet wants to know.
"I can't help but notice you didn't come out to greet your friend."Azula's golden eyes narrow at him but she doesn't respond so he continues. "You know the one you said I would have to worry about, the Avatar.
She looks away from him and he knows he has her. Jet takes the chance to close the distance. When she doesn't push him away he backs her up against the wall, trapping her with his body, arms on either side of her preventing her escape.
"Let me guess, you and he had some sort of falling out." He says in a low voice as he breathes in the scent of her.
Long manicured nails dig into his chest where her hands brace against him. She doesn't push him away but only turns her head to avoid his lips. The skin of her neck is soft and enticing so he nips at it eliciting a stifled moan from her.
The heat of her hands burns through his shirt as she slides her arms up around his neck and he pushes her against the wall more, letting his fingers grasp at her waist. He pulls at the shoulder of her voluminous dress exposing more porcelain skin to his lips while his other hand slides over her slightly rounded stomach hidden under the heavy pleated fabric of her dress. Stepping back Jet frowns down at Azula.
Golden eyes are bright and shining in contrast to the flush on her cheeks. The cleavage of her dress rises and falls with her quick breaths.
"Something wrong?" She murmurs breathlessly.
Jet moves his hand against her stomach again not quite believing it. "You're…"
Before he can say it, she presses one finger against his lips making a shushing sound.
"Now, now. Let's not be vulgar about it." Azula purrs to him as she presses closer.
Jet is so stunned she easily turns him until his back hits the wall but she doesn't pull away. Instead Azula presses her lips to his and after a second's hesitation Jet responds to the kiss. He never thought he would be against a wall in an alleyway in Ba Sing Se while the Fire Nation Princess devours his lips in the most seductive manner. It leaves him breathless and dazed. Crimson lips trace his jaw line until his ear tingles from her hot breath.
"Consider what you know carefully, Peasant. Is your vengeance worth the retribution of the Avatar?"
Azula pulls back and Jet meets her gaze.
"Avatar," he repeats breathlessly, "It's his?"
His mind is racing with the implication of her words.
With a tilt of her head she smiles. "How rude to refer to my son as an 'it.' If we were in the Fire Nation, then that would be punishable by death." A sharp nail traces down his jaw pressing into the soft skin of his throat, coming to rest over the pulse point beating furiously fast. "But seeing how close you and I are, I can make an exception."
Her words sink in a moment too late and when Jet flinches at the sharp slice, he thinks it doesn't hurt as bad as he thought it would. Azula doesn't pull away from him either but holds up the weight of his body with her own as the stones under their feet run red.
Jet's head lolls against her as he weakly grasps at her shoulders. Deciding he won't get out of it this easy, Azula takes hold of his jaw turning his eyes to hers.
"This is mercy." She hisses, eyes blazing and fierce. "It is more than you deserve but what can I say: motherhood seems to have softened me."
He slumps against her and slowly she lowers him to the ground in an almost tender fashion. She holds tight to his face as she watches the light in his eyes fade to nothing.
Azula steps back and considers the dead body of the Freedom Fighter. Holding out her hands she looks at the blood staining her skin.
She smirks as she gently caresses the taut skin just over the tiny being nestled inside. "What would your father say to this, Little One?"
Oo
"You must release your earthly attachments, Aang, or you will never be able to reach the Avatar state."
Aang closes his eyes against the creaky voice of the Guru. For days he has been letting go of what holds him back and opening chakra after chakra.
"You must let go of what attaches you to this world."
Azula's amber-flecked eyes stare up at him. His hand is fisted in her hair pulling her closer as her legs wrap tight around his waist and she arches into him.
Not for the first time he growls in frustration. "I can't do it."
Guru Pathrik purses his lips together in thought as he stares at the young Avatar. "You must or else you will not be able to control the Avatar State."
Aang sighs. "I know. I'm trying. It's just…"
Pathrik finishes for him. "You are deeply tied to this woman." Aang nods but doesn't look up. "She must be very important to you."
This is not the first time this woman has come up in their sessions and the agitation the Air Bender displays is a strong indicator of the nature of their relationship.
"She isn't who I thought she was." Aang says leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, resting his chin in his hands.
The Guru contemplates this. "She isn't who you thought she was or she isn't who you want her to be?"Aang looks up sharply and Pathrik knows he has hit upon it. "Many times we try to make someone fit into our idea of who they should be but we ignore the person they actually are. This only leads to heartache."
Slowly Aang nods in agreement. "Yeah."
Pathrik gives him a gentle smile. "Then it is time to let go of who you think she should be and with it your attachment to this world."
The Guru's words make sense and Azula would be the first to tell him that his duty to the world comes before any allegiance to her. The Princess always had a rather pragmatic way about her. Aang draws a deep breath, closes his eyes, and feels the ideal of Azula slipping away into the great beyond.
Oooo
Azula dips her hands into the fountain, feeling the cool liquid flow over her fingers before she traps it in her hands and splashes it on her face. Opening her golden eyes she looks down at her reflection.
"Azula, you must take better care of yourself." The voice is gentle and chiding. She avoids looking at the golden eyes that stare back at her from the water's reflection. "It is important to eat and rest, especially now." Azula closes her eyes against the voice of a woman long gone.
"Why can't you leave me alone? Like I care what you have to say?" She whispers through gritted teeth.
"Because I love you." The voice replies patiently.
Azula glares at Ursa's reflection. "So you keep telling me."
She pushes herself back from the fountain's edge with a huff and pinches the bridge of her nose with her fingers trying to avoid the nasty headache that is throbbing just at the edges.
"Are you okay?" A soft nearly timid voice inquires. Azula opens her eyes to the green ones staring back at her. The woman shrinks back from the appraising golden glare but offers a gentle smile. "If you are ill, my mother is a healer."
Azula looks her over carefully. The woman is dressed simply in a green and white dress, a clay jar at her feet filled with fresh water. Many of the residents of the Lower Ring gather at the fountain for water.
"She is?"
The woman nods eagerly, her eyes are wide and trusting. "Yes, she's one of the best. I'm Song by the way." Absently, Azula rubs her stomach, a gesture which doesn't go unnoticed. "She's also an excellent midwife." Song offers shyly.
Trying to navigate the unfamiliar territory of motherhood has been difficult as it is not something Azula had really planned for, which is surprising given her tendency towards control. She could use the knowhow of someone more experienced than she aside from the illusion of Ursa haunting her waking moments. Azula isn't one to trust but she reminds herself that, for now, she isn't Azula. "My name is Asa."
"Asa," Song tests the name on her tongue. "Mother is free now if you want to see her."
Azula finds herself nodding and shouldering the small pack that holds all her world's possessions.
Ooo
The dwelling is quaint. A vase of pink flowers fails to cheer up the dingy mud walls but Azula focuses her attention on the cabinet of carefully labeled jars of herbs as the older woman gently presses on her stomach.
When the woman makes a humming sound, Azula demands. "Well?"
The sharp tone draws a raised eyebrow from the midwife. Azula silently curses her impatience as she needs allies. Dropping her gaze, she mumbles an apology hoping it doesn't sound as weak as it feels.
The woman only smiles and pats her hand. "That's okay, dear, first pregnancies are always difficult."With a groan she pushes herself to stand. "Everything seems to be coming along quite well, but you could stand to eat some more. You will stay for dinner."
Azula opens her mouth to protest but Song cuts her off. "We have more than enough so don't you worry about it."
A large bowl of soup is set in front of her and before Azula can consciously think about it she is eagerly spooning the warm liquid into her mouth. The other women seat themselves as well with their own bowls.
"Are you a refugee as well?" Song asks as Azula polishes off the rest of her soup.
The Princess carefully sets the bowl down. "Something like that."
She isn't running away from the Fire Nation armies but they would be a most unwelcome sight this early in the game.
"Is your husband fighting in the war?" Song's mother asks with a kind smile.
Of course they would think she was married. Being with child and unwed is frowned upon in any level of society. She looks at the large diamond on her hand. Zhao may be gone but at least he had decent taste in jewelry. It serves its purpose now.
"Yes." She answers simply as she tears a piece of bread off and pops it into her mouth.
"My husband was taken by Fire Nation forces. I have not seen him in years." The woman replies sadly.
Forced conscription has been a common tactic to bolster troop levels. Typically such "recruits" are used for missions with a low survival rate. Azula wisely says nothing.
Song seeks to lighten up the somber mood. "The Avatar will end the war and Father can come home. It's only a matter of time."
This has been a common statement in her travels. News of the Avatar's return has boosted the morale of the war-weary people.
The old woman merely nods her head in agreement but remains quiet with downcast eyes.
Song turns her smiling face to Azula. "How long has your husband been gone?"
People are always seeking to put labels on things. Calling what she had with Aang a relationship is nearly laughable. Somehow letting the Avatar under her skirts at the first opportunity doesn't seem to fit with society ideas of love. Quick tumbles on the nearest flat surface are hardly the basis for something serious. Aside from her few brief words on the Winter Solstice, they haven't spoken about any sort of future after the war. The reality that there may be no future at all sours her already sour mood.
Azula looks away from the friendly eager face and swallows the caustic words in her mouth. "Long enough."
The look of utter betrayal in his eyes still haunts her dreams at night. When they do see each other again, and Azula has little doubt about that eventuality, she is sure betrayal will have turned to hate, and she will find herself under a well deserved attack.
Song doesn't relent in her cheery mood. "Do you have family to help?"
Azula shakes her head but doesn't speak. How can she? If her father were to know then she would be fortunate if all he did was beat her bloody. Ozai would be well within his rights to kill her and erase the shame she would be bringing to their house.
The alternative wouldn't be any better. Ozai could, upon learning the paternity of the child, force her to carry it to term and then use the Avatar's own son against him. There is no telling just what sort of reaction that would elicit and Azula is reasonably sure it would not be a good one. Aang may be a gentle Air Bender but there is something darker lurking under the surface. It was part of his appeal to her in the first place.
Zuko would be slightly more understanding about the situation but her brother is a man without a country. Even if he could get past their rather contentious history, then Zuko would have his hands full of his own problems, much less taking on a reviled sister and bastard nephew. There would be no help there even if he felt inclined to do so. Azula doubts he would.
It's the baby's fault she decides when unbidden tears wet her lashes.
The old woman coos and pats her hand gently. "Now, don't you let it get to you, Asa. You aren't alone in this world. You just need to have faith that things will work out."
Song chimes in with a warm voice. "Stay here tonight. It's getting late anyway and the streets are no place for a woman."
Azula looks up at the open trusting faces of the women and nods. As the women eagerly bustle about making a spot for their guest by the fire, the princess ponders the future before her and, not for the first time, the tendrils of doubt begin to creep in.
Ooo
The journey to Ba Sing Se is uneventful, even if it is slow going without Appa around. Katara squints up at the large city walls. It leaves little wonder to why the Fire Nation has been unable to capture the city.
As if reading her thoughts, Zuko speaks, "My Uncle laid siege to the walls for 600 days but never breached them." Even in the Southern Water Tribe the failure of the Dragon of the West made itself known. Zuko continues with the same solemn tone, "No doubt my father has something up his sleeve." The sarcastic tone on the word 'father' intimates the disgust the Prince feels for his sire.
She casts a sideways glance to the man walking beside her. The hood of the cloak is pulled down, shaggy hair falling over his face covering the scar. Katara barely even registers it anymore. It has begun to blend in much like the Prince himself has begun to blend into the group dynamic as well.
"Maybe when we speak to the King we can come up with a way to hold the Fire Nation off." Katara supplies hopefully.
"Maybe." Zuko agrees, the doubt heavy in his voice. "You don't understand just how far my father is willing to go."
Katara gives him a disdainful snort. "Please, I've seen it, Zuko, or did you forget." Her mother's death doesn't have the same sting that it used to have when she would speak of it with him. It has become more of an ache that just won't go away.
His voice is strained as he replies quietly, "I didn't forget."
She knows he didn't. She never lets him but she does feel guilt about throwing it in his face now that she knows he lost his own mother as well.
"I just mean," Zuko strives to explain, "that Ozai won't stop at anything to get what he wants. He won't care that Ba Sing Se is filled with refuges already fleeing the Fire Nation."
None of it will matter to the Fire Lord. He wants to see the city as a pile of ash, a monument to his glory, and a warning to the rest of the world of what is yet to come. For days Hakoda has been drilling just this message through to them but he has yet to tell them the name of his source.
"All we have to do is hold them off long enough for Aang to get back."
From the corner of her eye she sees the golden glare aimed her way. "Do you really think that is all it takes? For the Avatar to finally get it together?"
The frustration in his voice is there for many reasons. Aang has irritated Zuko at every turn. It's not that the Avatar has done anything directly to annoy him, aside from the rather unpleasant demonstration of his relationship with Azula that Zuko tries very hard to not think about. But it doesn't help the Avatar's standing in the Prince's eyes that one very enticing Water Bender seems to think the Avatar walks on water, which he has literally done so thanks to some crafty blend of Air and Water Bending. Smoke seeps out of Zuko's mouth.
Katara hisses in low words at him. "Aang went to master the Avatar State. That's all he needs to stop the Fire Lord once and for all."
They walk in silence, both stewing over their own frustrations.
"If it were that easy, then why would the Avatars before him go through the trouble of mastering the four elements?" Zuko asks thoughtfully.
It isn't that Aang hasn't been a dedicated student. There is a determination to master the four elements that has put Zuko to shame and, if anyone has fought long and hard to understand Fire, then it is the Prince that had everything to lose if he didn't.
"I'm not saying he shouldn't master the elements but that he doesn't need to in order to stop your father." Katara answers in the same tone.
Zuko gives a humorless laugh. "Don't be so naïve, Katara. Ozai won't be that easy to stop."
He doesn't forget about the wild card of Azula. She seems to have fallen off the map after she assisted his escape from Zhao's ship. Part of him worries that she may have been found out. Another part of him is just grateful they have not crossed paths again. Azula is on no one's side but her own, that much she made clear.
"Maybe, maybe not." Katara retorts. "But Aang won't have to do it alone because we will be there to help."
Zuko turns slightly to look at the optimistic spark in her eye and he wishes he had just a fraction of her faith.