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Chapter 3 - Chapter 3

Katara stares at the open doors, nerves tingling with warning. Something about this doesn't feel right.

"Why would the Fire Sages leave the doors open?" Sokka puts voice to their concerns.

Aang shakes his head as he peers closer into the darkened sanctuary. "They wouldn't. The doors can only be opened by a Fire Bender."

It is the Winter Solstice and they stand in Fire Nation territory.

"Actually, five Fire Benders are necessary to open the doors."

Katara's blood runs cold at the sound of that voice and the trio whirls to face the Fire Nation Princess who now stands in the hall behind them.

Azula neutrally observes their fighting stances with her own hands folded behind her back. It has the effect of drawing attention to her barely covered breasts. Fire Nation attire is more revealing to account for the hotter climate. Katara can only gape at the wide expanses of skin exposed over Azula's chest, arms and legs. Out of habit she glances at Sokka but frowns at the slightly glazed look in his eye as he also takes in the lines of Azula's dress. When she looks to Aang her frown turns into a scowl. The Avatar licks his lips as gray eyes focus on the thigh exposed by the split in the red panels of the woman's skirt.

"The Fire Sages have fled but fortunately, for you, I am a prodigy." Azula announces with a sense of satisfaction as she watches the path Aang's eyes take.

Seeing the men are distracted by the rich silk of Azula's dress..or rather the lack of, Katara asks, "Why would you help us?"

Azula meets her icy gaze with a resigned sigh. "Who says I'm helping? I only opened the doors."

It has to be a trap. Katara is sure of it.

Seeing the spark of concern in the Water Bender's eyes, Azula rolls her own. "Please. That would be too easy." She waves a dismissive hand towards her as she steps forward. "Are any of you Fire Benders?" Azula's eyes are smirking in Aang's direction. "Yet..that is."

A smile flits across the Air Bender's lips. "Why would you help me?"

Something about the inflection in his words sets alarms off in Katara's head.

Azula slides a step closer to him and shrugs. "I doubt Roku can tell you anything of importance so where is the harm?"

Aang nods sagely as if Azula's words were gold.

Katara isn't satisfied. "Then why?"

The Princess looks at her as if surprised she is still there. "I certainly don't have to explain myself to a peasant." For a moment Aang looks as if he will say something in her defense, but Azula glances over her shoulder at the dark shadows of the hallway. "Isn't that right, Zuzu?"

Seeing the prince step out of the dark puts the trio back on the defensive. However, Zuko's eyes are fixed on his sister's. "If you say so."

Azula gives a little laugh. "Oh Zuzu likes to rub elbows with the common people." Her yellow eyes bore into Katara's blue ones as she speaks. "He will make an excellent Fire Lord one day, don't you agree, Water Bender?"

Katara swallows back a retort and Azula's eyes dance with laughter.

"Zhao isn't far behind me." Zuko volunteers and Katara wonders at the sudden sneer on Azula's lips.

"Then you better hurry, Avatar." Azula's voice is almost that of a petulant child. "It would be best if Water Tribe were gone before he arrives." She says with a pointed look at the siblings. "We wouldn't want you to get hurt."

Katara's eyes flare with fury. "If you think I'm leaving Aang alone with you, then you are crazy."

A sharp intake of breath sounds from the Prince's direction and the air around Azula suddenly blazes with heat, forcing Katara and Sokka to take a step back with wide eyes.

Whatever retort Azula has dies on her lips as Zhao's arrogant voice chimes in, "Insulting a member of the Royal family is a serious offense in the Fire Nation." Fire Nation soldiers stand at the ready behind their leader.

Katara doesn't miss how Azula's head bows slightly and those amber eyes dart to Aang, nor does she miss how Zuko takes a step forward putting himself between Zhao and them.

Azula purses her lips in a scowl before fixing it with a false smile as she turns to face the Admiral. "Oh, I think we can let her slide this time. She is after all from the bottom of the world."

Zuko throws his sister a sideways glance and Katara notices how Azula's hands, once again folded behind her back, are clenched so tightly they are a pale white and the long nails dig into the soft flesh of her palms.

Zhao smiles or at least attempts to smile. With a wave of his hand, the soldiers behind him fan out. "How forgiving of you, Princess, but I will not allow my future wife to be insulted by a commoner."

Out of the corner of her eye, Katara notices the way Aang's head jerks up at this remark. Her eyes drop to Azula's clenched hand and for the first time notices the ring that adorns her finger. A large diamond sparkles in the torchlight.

Before Katara can ponder why Azula would hide it, the Princess' low words reach her ears. "Zuko, now would be a good time to get the peasants out of here."

Zhao speaks with a slightly accusing tone, "I should have expected a traitor to work against the Fire Nation but not you, Azula."

"The Fire Temple is sacred ground, Zhao. I do not want the blood of the unworthy shed here." Azula's tone is biting.

Zhao looks for the moment as if he is considering the truth in her words.

So focused is Katara on the standoff between Zhao and Azula that she misses what is going on right beside her.

Wife…Aang sees the ring and the way Zhao's eyes rake possessively over Azula's body. It's an unpleasant feeling that rises inside of him and he does his best to tamp it down. Jealousy is blinding and he can feel the ancient power working at his fingertips.

The others continue on, quite unaware of the mounting danger right behind them.

Zhao shrugs dramatically. "Then they will just have to come quietly." With a nod his men begin to advance.

Azula tenses, but, before she can react, one arm slides around her waist and a blue tattooed hand closes around her neck, pulling her backward. Everyone turns in surprise as Aang holds Azula's wide-eyed struggling form.

"That's enough, Zhao." Aang says, even as he ignores the looks of shock from Katara, Sokka, and even Zuko.

Zhao hesitates uncertain if Azula is really in danger or not. "Release her, Avatar, and your friends may live."

"Katara, Sokka, get out of here." Aang says evenly, not taking his eyes of Zhao, and trying to ignore Azula squirming against him. "I have to get inside."

"I'm not leaving you." Katara tries to not let her fear show.

A quick glance at Sokka tells Aang that he's uncertain so he turns to the other person supposedly on his side. "Zuko, get them out of here."

The prince's eyes are reluctant but Azula arches her back putting up more of a fight, forcing Aang to tighten his hold on her.

"You won't get far." Zhao says calmly even as he slowly advances towards them and his soldiers spread out. "I'm sure the Fire Lord will be more than happy to meet you all."

Azula makes a sound in the back of her throat and Aang grits his teeth, staring Zhao down. "Fire comes from breath."Zhao stops and nods uncertain where he is heading with this. "Breath comes from air."

Azula's eyes widen and she gasps. Nothing. Panic begins to set in and she fights against the arms around her. It's not something Air Benders are meant to do, not even as a last resort. Life, all life, is valued. Azula's struggles become stronger but Aang only tightens his grip as he stares Zhao down.

"Aang?" Katara's voice is filled with shock and worry. The same look is mirrored on Sokka's face.

Concern for his sister causes Zuko to pause but he also sees where this is going. Azula seems to think the Avatar worth following, although this is a twist he is sure she didn't see coming. Zuko tries to have faith though and grabs Katara's hand pulling her with him, yelling for Sokka to follow.

"You wouldn't." Zhao says even as he watches as Azula's struggles begin to flail and weaken from lack of air.

"Are you willing to risk it?" Aang says, ignoring the way the Princess goes limp against him.

Zhao stares at the unconscious woman before waving his men off. "Speak with Roku but I'll be waiting for you afterward, Avatar, and I expect my fiancée to be unharmed."

"I look forward to it." Aang's voice is cold as he pulls Azula into the sanctuary and the doors close.

Oooo

"Let go of me!" Katara demands as she pulls on the hand encircling her wrist.

Zuko ignores her protests as he leads them down the hall. "Where is the Avatar's bison?"

Sokka jogs to catch up with them. "Down this way." He turns down another corridor.

"Why are you helping us?" Katara spits the words. "Since when did you decide to do the honorable thing?"

Zuko turns glaring golden eyes to her. "Let's just say I realized my father can't restore my honor."

Before she can question the meaning of his words, Sokka's voice rings out in triumph and Appa's answering roar is music to her ears.

Ooo

Azula draws a shuddering breath as Aang lays her on the cold stone floor of the temple sanctuary but she doesn't stir. Gently he pushes her hair from her face and caresses her cheek. When he swipes the pad of his thumb over her soft full lips, unbidden memories of her wicked whispers come to mind. Azula shifts and lets out a small hum. The movement draws his attention to the ring on her finger glinting in the light of the temple. A cold feeling settles over Aang and he forces himself to break contact with her warm skin.

Fiancée.

Wife.

It shouldn't matter to him.

It shouldn't matter but it does.

Pushing thoughts of the Fire Princess out of his mind, Aang turns his attention to the matter at hand as the light of the solstice hits Roku's statue.

Oooo

Her head aches. There is a throbbing that reverberates with each heartbeat and it reminds her of the war drums of her father's army. Forcing her eyes open she frowns at the unfamiliar ceiling. It's not until she pushes herself upright that the fog is lifted from her mind and she remembers where she is and, more importantly, who she is with.

The sight that greets her though is unexpected. Once-gray eyes and blue arrows radiate a white light. He is seated in a meditation pose in the middle of the sanctuary before the statue of Roku. The lifeless eyes of the prior Avatar are aglow as well and Azula realizes she is in the midst of something beyond her understanding. Tentatively reaching forward she traces the blue arrow of his arm. The glowing skin is cool to the touch but exudes unnatural warmth.

As she looks up, she sees the solstice draw to an end as the sun fades plunging the temple into the darker orange light of the torches once more. One glowing tattooed hand grabs her wrist in a tight hold and eerie white eyes focus on her.

Oooo

They hesitate.

"Why aren't we moving?" Zuko growls impatiently from Appa's saddle.

Katara shoots him a dirty look. "We are waiting on Aang or did you forget he's still in there with your sister?"

As if Zuko could forget the sister that has plagued his every step and spoiled anything that was ever good in his life. "The idea was to get the two of you out of harm's way. Your Avatar seemed to think it was a good idea."

Katara has little recourse for this. Aang's behavior is shocking to say the least. While she has not been a big fan of the Royal siblings, she isn't sure what to make of Aang using his Air Bending to take the air from Azula's lungs. The panic in the Princess' golden eyes had sent a twinge to Katara's softer side.

"We can't just fly off and leave them." Sokka cuts in. "We just have to wait for Aang."

Zuko scowls but resists the urge to say what is on his mind. Trying to let go of his anger is difficult. Uncle Iroh has lectured him for years. It never seems to get easier.

His thoughts turn to Azula. When she approached him in the Earth Kingdom, something seemed different about her. Her suggestion to join the Avatar had struck a chord with him. He was certain she was setting him up for something but seeing her here and seemingly helping the Avatar as well makes him curious about just what his sibling is up to.

The ground beneath their feet shakes startling them. Appa gives a whine and Momo clings tighter to Katara's shoulder. When the first spurt of lava makes its way out the roof of the temple, any lingering resistance fades away and Appa pushes off the unsteady ground. They don't fly off though but rather circle around watching in horror as the Fire Temple is torn apart from the inside by a volcano of magma. Soldiers can be seen fleeing from the temple's entrance but the two they look for aren't to be seen.

The side of the temple is blown wide open and that is when Katara catches sight of the multicolored robes she was looking for. Appa sees it as well and dives in with a roar as the temple begins to crumble into the angry sea below.

Oooo

Azula is fighting against him but Aang is determined that this is one battle the Princess won't win. Grabbing her around the waist and pinning her arms, he pulls her towards the gaping hole in the temple wall. Even as she struggles against him, yelling curses and threats, he tries to gauge the distance to the water below. If the fall doesn't kill them then the jagged rocks will. The temple's foundation shakes underneath them and he can feel the tremors that are pulling it away from the rock wall. In a matter of moments they won't have a choice about jumping to a nearly certain death.

A roar and flash of white fur draws his attention and Aang laughs in relief. Azula freezes in her contest against him and stares with wide eyes at the beast flying towards them.

"Hold on" is all the warning she gets before she is Air Bended through the air.

The landing is anything but soft and Azula finds herself sprawled face down in the saddle and the heavy weight of the Avatar on top of her.

It only serves to enrage her more.

"Get off me!" She thrashes against him until Aang rolls off her.

Azula isn't content with this though and pursues him with strikes and curses. Aang puts his arms up to block her hits but with a growl of frustration he grabs her arms.

Zuko and the Water Tribe siblings stare wide eyed as the Princess and the Avatar tussle against one another. Errant kicks fly hitting more than one innocent bystander so Sokka guides Appa down to a small island nearby. The great beast touches the ground and Azula strikes out with a well placed kick, effectively winding Aang. Taking the opportunity she scrambles out of the saddle and onto the sandy beach below.

Aang isn't giving up this easy but it is little more than anger that propels him to follow the fleeing Princess. He gives into instinct and stomps the sand hard sending a ripple under her feet knocking her off balance. A bit of Air Bending closes the distance and he quickly has the Fire Bender pinned underneath him. Her arms are stretched above her head and her kicking legs are trapped between his own. Aang digs his heels into her thighs and Azula gives a shriek of frustration.

Zuko drops down onto the sand easy enough but just watches in fascination. Katara follows trying to make sense of the sight. Neither is sure if they should get involved.

"You almost killed me." Azula seethes through clenched teeth, arms straining to break free.

Aang tightens his hands around her small wrists. "You weren't in any danger."

Azula drops her head to the sand and strives to catch her breath. "You weren't the one unable to breathe."

It was a low move on his part but it worked as he was able to elude capture, speak to Roku, and, most importantly, get Azula away from Zhao.

His first clue should be how she suddenly stills and relaxes underneath him. His second clue should be the warning shout from Zuko. Full red lips erupt in blue flames and it is only by the grace of his Air Bending agility that he is able to avoid being burned too badly. Azula's tactic works as he lets go of her arms and dodges the flames. The Princess quickly bounds to her feet and makes a dash for the thick jungle in the center of the island.

"What was that?" Sokka yells.

Zuko grimaces. "There's a reason my Uncle was called the Dragon of the West." Not many Fire Benders are as adept at their bending to be able to control the Breath of Fire. Azula has managed to not only control it but wield it like a fine tuned weapon. Azula is, as always, in a class of her own.

"Aang," Katara calls as she rushes towards him.

He bounces to his feet and eyes the scorch mark on the shoulder of his robes. Katara's wide blue eyes see it as well.

"She could have hurt you." There is a tremor of anger in her voice.

Azula could have but didn't.

Gray eyes focus on the dense jungle. "Stay here." Katara isn't the only one experiencing anger.

Before she can even ask he is disappearing in the same direction of the Princess.

Ooooo

Azula is in a blind run. She has never been to this island but, given its size and lack of strategic location, she is doubtful the Fire Nation has paid it much attention anyway. All she is focused on is putting as much distance between her and one very irate Avatar.

This is a situation that has rapidly spun out of control and she isn't sure how to regain the upper hand. Her lungs burn and her throat aches. The sound of rushing water nears and she finds herself on the edge of a deep blue pool river of water. Dropping to her knees, Azula scoops a handful of the cool liquid and takes a tentative sip. The water is fresh and clean so she eagerly drinks until her thirst is slaked.

The rustle of wind in the underbrush is all the warning she gets before she finds she isn't alone. He isn't even breathing hard and she just glares.

"Isn't it about time we found something better to do with our time?" Azula bites out harshly.

The air around them begins to chill as his eyes darken. "You should have told me." His voice is deep and menacing.

Azula smirks. "I hardly think I need your permission to marry." Her tone is snide and dismissive.

With a shake of his head, he closes the distance moving faster than a person should. Too late she scrambles backwards but is unable to avoid his hands entrapping her own.

"I could care less what you do with Zhao, Princess," He snaps. "The comet, Azula. The comet the Fire Lord plans to use to end the war. The comet your grandfather used to start it."Her golden eyes stare daggers at him as she pulls and twists in his grasp. "The one used to kill my people. " Easily Aang turns her and pulls her backward against him. "Why didn't you tell me about the damn comet?"

Hearing such harsh words from the Avatar shocks her and she stills in his arms. "You think I should be sharing strategy with you?" She laughs and it's a bitter sound. "I may share things with you that I don't share with anyone else, yet that is, but I most certainly will not be betraying my nation for you."

"The Fire Lord will use that comet to destroy the other nations. That doesn't bother you? Are you really that cold?" Aang's voice is filled with accusation.

Azula leans her head back against his shoulder to look at him from the corner of her eye. "Stopping the Fire Lord is your job, not mine." She avoids revealing her true feelings about Ozai's plans.

His grip loosens enough for her to slip free and she puts a few feet of distance between them before turning to face him again. "What? Did you think that I changed sides just because we had sex? You're good, Avatar, but not that good. " She gives a laugh. "You really can't be this naïve."

Azula is doing what she does best and that is keeping people away before they get too close.

Aang ignores the jab at the more physical aspect of their relationship. "I have to stop Ozai before the comet arrives. I'm just now learning Water Bending!" The frustration he feels is coming to the surface.

Azula rolls her eyes. "Oh, please. You've mastered the four elements a thousand times before. Why would this time be any different?"

He fixes her with eyes the color of an ocean storm. "Because I'm the last Air Bender."

There has never been a time in written history that an entire nation was obliterated, save one member. The pressure is overwhelming, not just to defeat the Fire Lord and save the world, but also to save his people.

He can see a shift in her eyes as the cold façade falls away and she stares at him with the same eyes that have locked with his countless times in more intimate moments. He sees her vulnerability and he knows she sees his. So much is at stake, not just for them but for everyone.

It's an internal war that Azula wages more than anything. The desire to follow her heart battles with the desire to earn her father's love. So much stands to be lost by so many. The words that flow so easily from her lips in the heat of passion now stick in her throat. She sees the hope in his eyes when her lips part. Her pink tongue darts out wetting them, belying the nervousness she feels. Breathing deeply, Azula closes the distance between them and, as her arms wrap around his neck, her lips whisper words in his ear that bring the Avatar to his knees.

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