Zuko presses his hand against the cool wall and for a moment he imagines he can still hear Azula's voice. The screaming of epithets and curses has long since stopped. It is only the broken sound of crying he can hear now. Azula has always been the strong one, the determined one, the favorite. To see her so broken, so distraught, leaves him feeling cold inside.
Soft footsteps echo against the stone hallway of a long dead nation.
"How is she?" Katara's blue eyes are wide but not as innocent as they were the first time he seen them.
He just shakes his head but doesn't move his hand away from the wall.
The Water Bender sighs. "I can't get him to change his mind."
From the way she says it, Zuko knows it was a long battle. So far the Avatar has remained unmovable in his decisions concerning the Fire Princess.
"Thank you for trying." He murmurs softly.
Zuko is dead on his feet. For hours he has stood vigil over his sister's room. Hours of absolute hell listening to the most frightening woman in the Fire Nation scream like a wounded animal. Turning, he leans his back against the opposite wall and sinks to the stone floor.
All he can see are Katara's feet as he stares blankly at the ground.
"Maybe you should get some rest." Her gentle voice suggests in that motherly tone she has.
Zuko nearly cracks a smile. He must be doing well at this redemption thing if she is trying to mother him rather than drown him in the nearest body of water.
"I don't want her to be alone, even if she doesn't know I'm here. I just.."Zuko blinks against the fatigue. "I just want to know she's okay."
Katara doesn't answer but stands looking down at the once haughty Fire Prince. Whereas once she seen an angry bully out to capture her best friend, all she sees now is a brother concerned for his sister. She sits down beside him and he looks over at her in surprise.
Katara tilts her head and smiles. "I don't want you to be alone either."
Ooooooo
His request is met with a stony silence. Gray eyes meet his but then dart away just as quickly, anger sparking in their silvery depths.
Chief Hakoda resists the urge to frown.
Toph does frown. "Why did you bring her here?"
Aang glares at the sightless green eyes. "So I know where she is." He doesn't have to explain his decision to Toph or to Hakoda. Most definitely not to Katara.
"Yeah, but," Toph starts in that slightly confused tone she has. "You sealed her up behind a wall."
Aang narrows his eyes at his blind friend. "Azula is dangerous. No one is to let her out but me."
Hakoda speaks. "I know you have had problems with her in the past but is this really necessary?"
They have all heard the screams of the Princess. It was frightening and heart wrenching. Zuko had looked torn between anger and heartbreak. Even Katara had a look of sympathy on her face.
"Yes." The answer is cold and biting.
They don't understand what sort of person Azula is. She was out to kill and while this is about par for his life, something about it just rubbed him the wrong way. Knowing she is his enemy is one thing but having her actively try to harm him is another. For a time he almost fooled himself into thinking she had felt something for him, that he meant something to her. He was wrong and Aang hates being wrong.
"Well, we can't really travel with a prisoner of war." Toph shrugs. "Maybe we should drop her off at the Northern Water Tribe."
"Azula stays with me." Aang states firmly. He doesn't trust anyone else with her.
Hakoda sees there is more to this than what Aang is letting on and, knowing what he knows, there is good reason. "You're taking this rather personal, Avatar Aang."
Sharp gray eyes meet his and Hakoda can see a darkness in their depths. "Azula is mine to deal with and no one else's."
Oooooo
The hour is late when he finally makes his way to Azula's cell. He pauses at the sight of Zuko asleep against the wall opposite the sealed door and Katara's head resting in his lap. Not wanting to wake them, he lowers the stone wall quietly before slipping inside the dark room. The torches flare to life and the blue light falls upon the slender form of the Fire Nation Princess. She is asleep, having exhausted herself with crying and screaming. The walls bare evidence of her rage and her hands are bloodied for the effort. The diamond of her engagement ring sparkles in the light. He kneels beside her and gently pushes a lock of hair out of her face. Golden eyes flutter open and for a moment there is confusion before reality crashes back down on her.
She pushes herself up and her eyes flare with anger. "How dare you!" She hisses.
The look on her face should be enough to concern him but without her bending, Azula is harmless.
"You left me no choice, Azula."
She shakes her head as her hair falls around her shoulders. Her chest heaves with angry breaths and her fists clench in ire. He's ready for the sharp slap she delivers but grabs hold of her wrists before she can deliver another.
"Give it back to me!" The words are a choked sob.
"No."
Her arms are weak and ineffective but she struggles against him all the same. He tightens his hold on her wrists. Easily he turns her in his arms and holds her tight. She bucks against him trying to break free until his hand is at her neck.
"That's enough."
She freezes at the steel in his voice, remembering what those hands are capable of. Taking her breath on the day of the solstice has been forever imprinted on her memory.
"If your friends only knew what you were really like." Azula flexes the last muscle she has, her tongue. The same darkness that drew her to him like a moth to a flame is the same one that is twisting this already twisted situation into something worse.
His breath is searing hot against her cheek as he whispers. "You made me this way."
The cold in his words chills her blood and she looks up at the blue fire. When the Avatar took her bending, he took something else with him. She can feel it in the way there is a sort of calm inside of her.
"You bit off more than you could chew. Perhaps you should give it back." Even as she says it, Azula questions if her bending is worth the broken, twisted darkness that has plagued her for so long.
Aang laughs. It's an ominous sound. "Nice try, Princess."
When he pulls her from the dark room, she catches sight of Zuko asleep with the peasant curled in his lap. She had seen him earlier as she was carried down the halls and unceremoniously sealed away. Part of her wonders if he still hates her.
The hall is dark and winding. Without her Fire Bending, Azula can't see a thing and has to trust Aang to lead her. The air gets colder and heavier the farther they go. He pushes a large ornate door open to reveal a warm room bathed in light and steam. In the center is a sunken pool of clear blue water. Candles light the stone edges. It's so warm and Azula has been so chilled that she closes her eyes and lets the heat seep into her skin. Ever since she discovered her bending ability, she has not known what being cold was. It is a perk of being a Fire Bender but without it she realizes just how vulnerable she is. When Aang steps in front of her, she realizes what other ways she is vulnerable too.
She watches him with cautious eyes as he unbuttons the ruins of her dress. The smell of smoke still lingers even though the flesh has been healed underneath.
"What are you doing?" Her voice nearly echoes in the large stone room as the tattered remains of her dress falls to the floor.
She resists the urge to fold her arms over her chest when he doesn't meet her eyes.
When he finally looks up he answers, "I thought you would appreciate a bath and clothes that weren't burnt."
Azula wants to dig in and be stubborn but the warmth is so inviting so she moves around him and steps down into the large pool of water. She lets out a low moan at the feel of the warm water wrapping around her, heating her chilled skin, and melting away some of the muscle ache and tension she feels. Ducking her head under the surface, she soaks her hair, before rising back up. The water shifts around her as he slips into the pool behind her.
Azula tenses as she looks over her shoulder. "What are you doing?" She tries to not let her eyes drift downward over the muscled lines of his chest.
Amusement twinkles in his eyes."I need a bath too." The water shifts again and suddenly he is closer as he pushes against her back. Hot lips are already working on her neck, eager hands roaming over her body. Gently his fingers trace the rounded curve of her stomach but just as quickly the tender moment passes and he is turning her and backing her against the stone ledge.
Of course she knew this was going to be part of it. He takes her bending then he takes her for his own. She could be angry at him but she knows if the tables were turned that she would be doing the same thing. The thought of having the Avatar has her personal plaything sparks something deep inside of her. Something that almost feels like fire and she eagerly returns the kiss.
Even as he lifts her up onto the ledge and slips between her parted thighs, Azula wonders just how he will keep this from his friends, that is, if he even will try too. He may want to show her off as his conquest. Ego was not something she attributed to him but if he took what was inside of her then ego may be all they see.
Her body is malleable and molds so easily to his own. Her arms are behind her braced on the stone floor and he digs his fingers into her firm thighs as he thrusts even deeper inside of her. He wants this. He needs this. Aang hadn't intended on stripping her of her power and keeping her but as she wraps her legs around his waist, he can't think of a single reason not to do so now. Azula is his. The Fire Nation can't have her. Ozai can't have her. Long Feng sure as hell can't have her. Red lips part as she gasps his name. Azula is his and no one can change that.
Ooooo
When they finally leave the warm pool, Azula is beyond exhausted. Her legs are shaky. Her thighs ache. Her neck has been nibbled until its red. She shivers in the cold of the hallway and lets the Avatar pull her closer. He is warm, so warm that she could sink into him and just sleep. She lets him lead her back to her cell. The sleeping forms of Zuko and Katara are long since gone. Azula lets out a sigh of relief when he leads her past the door and towards the courtyard. The sounds of chatter and laughter filter into the hall and the sunlight seeps in.
When they step into the outside air, most of the chatter stops as the gang watches them with eager eyes. Aang's hand is still firmly in hers as he pulls her forward towards the small fire the others sit around as they eat. She sits and meets the curious blue, green and golden eyes, thankful for the voluminous folds of the dress that serve to hide the Avatar's dirty little secret.
"Princess Azula, it is good to see you again."
She smiles with genuine warmth. "Chief Hakoda, always a pleasure."
Katara's blue eyes look from her to the Chief, curious as to the underlying connection between the two. Suki is quick to hand her a bowl of something that looks suspiciously like stew and rice. It's warm and Azula is starving so she decides to not be picky. There is little conversation as they eat their meager meals. When her bowl is empty, she asks for more. Her question is met with blank stares.
"That's all there is." Katara answers.
Azula blinks at her. "Why didn't you make more? This is hardly enough to call a meal." Already she can feel her stomach aching.
Katara huffs. "That is all we have, Azula. That was the last of our food."
"Then buy some more." Azula bites back at the woman's stupidity.
The others simply watch the back and forth between the two women.
"With what exactly? Not all of us are spoiled princesses with more money than heart."
Azula flicks uncertain eyes to Zuko. On his face she can see the truth of the situation. With a quick turn of Azula's wrist, a small glint of metal lands in the Water Bender's lap.
"That should feed us like kings for a month." Azula announces with a lofty air.
Katara stares at the diamond ring with wide eyes. "Your engagement ring?"
"Since my fiancée's untimely demise, it would seem unnecessary." Azula shrugs as she turns the bowl around in her hands. "Besides, it's not as if the Fire Lord will be rushing to set up any more unwanted betrothals."
Her attack on the Fire Lord at Ba Sing Se had surprised more than a few. She risks a glance at the man beside her. His eyes are filled with questions as well but there is a glimmer of triumph shining in them.
Handing his bowl to her, Aang says as he stands "Here, I'm not really that hungry." And with that the Avatar walks away from the comforting warmth of the fire and the curious eyes around it to think about what he has just heard.
Ooooo
He could ask. He most likely should ask. But if his history with Azula is anything to go by, then asking will only give her an opening to manipulate him. Aang's has been exploited enough by her already and he isn't eager to set himself up for another fall.
It's not as if Azula is exactly herself anymore though. The lack of Fire Bending, the lack of freedom and now the lack of her crown all serve to strip her of any power she once possessed. Aang isn't sure if having a declawed Azula is really what he wants. All he does know is that is exactly what he has.
She isn't docile. She isn't tame. She still holds a power over him that he is careful to keep her from knowing. Let her think he despises her. Let her think he is only taking what he wants. It's partly true.
Katara's voice is humming in the background of his thoughts. It isn't until he hears his name that he finally gives her some of his attention.
Guilt washes through him at the gentle smile and kind eyes.
"Aang, did you hear a word I said?" She asks with a twinkle in those blue depths. The wide eyed look tells her all she needs to know and she smiles again. "I was asking how much rice do you think we need?"
He looks from her to the eager merchant. Katara is quietly asking him how longer they will be at the Air Temple before moving on. Aang is quite simply out of answers.
"At least get a week's worth."
Katara gives a nod as she turns to the merchant to haggle prices. Aang tunes it out. He never had a talent for it or rather never had a need for it. Air Nomads didn't exactly use money.
Looking around the marketplace, he watches the townspeople as they mill about trading goods. It is a rare moment in which he can forget about the war and what lies ahead. He wanders away from the good natured argument that has broken out between the Water Bender and the merchant.
"That's a fine silk robe you have there, young man. Clearly you have good taste." An old woman calls to him from behind stacks of multi colored fabrics.
"Thanks." He quenches his natural inclination to say more. Drawing more attention to the fact he is Air Nation can't be good. As it is, wearing the hat to cover the arrow is bothersome enough.
"Perhaps I could interest you in some fine silk for your wife." The woman offers holding up a bolt of shimmery red silk and nodding in Katara's direction.
Aang throws a confused glance at her before it clicks. "Oh, no, she's not my wife. Katara's just a friend."
A friend who would be heartbroken to hear him refer to her as just a friend.
The old woman gives a surprised "Oh? But there is someone?" Aang doesn't answer so the woman takes the opening. "Perhaps the young lady would like something warm for the cold weather."
The winds whipping around the Western Air Temple are chilling so the ones not gifted with the ability to Fire Bend huddle in their robes and blankets around the fire. Azula has the benefit of neither her bending nor a warm fire and only the thin silk of her dress to protect her from the cold.
"She doesn't sew." Aang answers as he ponders it.
It's not as if he is sure what domestic talents Azula does possess but he's sure that the Princess of the Fire Nation has never even held a needle much less sewed a single stitch.
"Ah, a woman of breeding then," The woman surmises. "My cousin is a fine tailor and has a shop across the way. I am sure he has something she would appreciate. Just tell him I sent you."
Ooo
Sokka glares at Katara as he eyes the bags of rice. "Do we really need this much?"
"We have lots of hungry mouths to feed and Aang said to get enough for a week."Katara smirks in reply. "So get to loading it on Appa."
Zuko scowls but says nothing.
Sokka says enough for them both. "Yeah and where is he by the way? Why do we have to do all the heavy lifting?"
Katara rolls her eyes at the whine in her brother's voice. "I'll just go find him. I need to pick up a few more things anyway."
With that she turns her eyes on the grumbling help and makes her way back towards the marketplace.
Sokka calls after her. "How much more do we really need? Appa can barely fly as it is!"
Without turning around she yells in reply. "Mouths, Sokka! Lots of mouths to feed!"
Oooo
The tailor's shop is large with many racks of ready-made clothing. She finds him in the back part of the store staring at a robe hanging on a dress form.
Wordlessly she steps up beside him and eyes the object of his attention.
"Fur is warm, right?" He asks without looking at her.
Air Nomads held such a respect for life that even their clothing choices reflected it.
She reaches out and runs her fingers over the snow-white fur lining the inside of the soft red leather robe.
"Very. We use it in almost all of our clothes in the South Pole." Though Katara has to admit the fur never felt this soft or the leather this fine.
Aang finally turns to look at her, his eyes are calculating and intense as he carefully looks her up and down causing her to shift uncertainly.
"What?" She snaps uncomfortable at the sudden attention.
He isn't bothered by the tone of her voice. "Try it on."
A woman hovers by carefully watching and waiting.
She looks at the robe in confusion. "Okay, but why?"
He doesn't answer but only nods at the woman who eagerly jumps in taking the robe off the form and stepping behind Katara to help her into it. The buttons in front are intricate but the saleswoman quickly does them up as she points out the finer points of the design.
When she steps back, Katara smoothes her hands over the front of the robe. "It's a bit long."
"Oh, we can alter it as needed." The woman helpfully supplies carefully watching as Aang appraises the fit.
He reaches out tugging at the waist of it and Katara tries to not react to his touch as he slides his hand over her hip as he steps behind her.
"I'll take it just like it is."
The saleswoman bobs her head in response. "An excellent choice. Shall I wrap it up for you?"
"Yes." Aang answers.
Katara frowns even as the woman undoes the buttons and slips the robe off her shoulders.
When the woman slips away to package it, she voices her confusion. "I told you it didn't fit. It's too long and too big."
She couldn't help but notice how loose it fit over her chest and stomach.
Aang barely glances at her. "Azula is taller than you."
He leaves out the other comparisons in their builds.
"It's for her?" Katara tries to keep the anger out of her voice.
From the look on his face she knows she has failed.
"Azula doesn't have anything to keep her warm." He answers with all the patience of a monk as he pays the woman who tries to not seem interested in their disagreement.
Katara bites her tongue until they are outside. "She has her bending. Surely that's enough."
Aang shakes his head. "It's not the same, Katara."
Silently she fumes beside him as she trails him to other vendor stalls.
"It's a bit expensive don't you think?" She seethes quietly with her arms crossed over her chest.
The price alone could nearly feed them for a week.
"And we have more than enough food and money left over to see us through. Besides, it was her ring." The patient tone of his voice is grating.
"It was Zhao's ring. Not like she had to do anything for it." Katara snaps angrily.
Aang tenses beside her. "She had to be engaged to him." He bites back at her under his breath.
"Oh, please, as if she shed a tear for him." It isn't in Katara's nature to be so petty, but this is rubbing her the wrong way.
Having seen what she has of Azula has told her more than enough. The Princess is cold, callous and calculating. On more than one occasion she has hurt those closest to Katara and if given the chance she will again.
Katara hasn't been able to figure out Aang's part in this either. The harsh treatment Azula has received at his hands since her capture has been surprising. It's not that Katara thought the woman deserved better but rather that Aang would treat her better. Sealing the Fire Bender behind a wall and leaving her was nearly enough to make Katara speak in her defense.
With a huff she follows him as he continues to peruse the various offerings of the merchants. The Avatar is not one to be distracted by jewelry but the way he leans closer at a golden necklace gets her attention.
Deft fingers trace the symbol on the surface and Katara recognizes it from the symbols embedded in the stones around the temple.
"Why an Air Nation symbol?" Aang asks the old man in the booth.
"When the Avatar defeats the Fire Lord, balance will return to the world and the Air Nation is surely to be reborn." The man states proudly.
A soft smile plays on Aang's lips. "I certainly hope so."
Regret pools in her belly and Katara looks away from the optimism that has been gone for so long from his gray eyes. With a nod to the man, Aang turns away and Katara follows. She catches up to him and threads her arm around his pulling him to face her.
"I'm sorry." She looks up at him."I just don't want you to get hurt again."
Aang doesn't answer but just pulls her into a hug that she eagerly returns.
Ooo
She doesn't sulk. Sulking would be saying Azula has won something over her, even if the Princess doesn't know it. Suki knows something is amiss and sits beside her watching with careful green eyes.
"Out with it."
Katara huffs in annoyance. "Out with what?"
"With whatever is bothering you."
Katara doesn't answer but does glare across the courtyard.
Suki follows her gaze, seeing the woman in rich red leather trimmed in white fur. Azula for her part is unaware of the attention being paid to her by either the women or the Avatar seated not too far away with the others. Instead she focuses on the book borrowed from the Air Nation library. The careful glances Aang sends Azula's way is very telling of something but Suki isn't sure what. Hakoda and Sokka trade jokes and stories much to the amusement of the others as they sit around the fire unaware of the interplay around them.
"So he bought her something to keep warm in." Suki tries to explain away the expensive purchase. "It is really cold here."
Katara shakes her head but doesn't respond. She knows it is more than Aang just being concerned for Azula's well being. She can see it in the way he looks at the Princess. The careful apprising glances mean something.
A decision is made and she can tell it in the way Aang quietly extracts himself from the circle and crosses to Azula's side. Katara watches as he touches her shoulder, brushing back the hair there, drawing her attention from the book. No words are spoken but she sees the way Azula snaps the book shut in irritation as she stands. Despite her obvious agitation, Azula allows Aang to guide her into the temple with one hand on her lower back.
"Hey, Katara, do we have anymore of that moonpeach juice?" Sokka's question distracts Katara who slips into mother mode rifling through their supplies for the item.
Suki keeps her attention focused on the mysterious couple though. Before they disappear through the doorway, Suki sees the way Aang leans closer to Azula whispering in her ear as his hand slips around her waist pulling her closer.
Her eyes dart back to Katara who thankfully hasn't seen the obvious intent in the Avatar's touch. The right thing to do would be to say something but when Suki meets Zuko's eyes across the courtyard she realizes she isn't the only one with an idea of what is really going on.