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Secrets	By : Himitsu Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Het - Male/Female > Azula/Zuko Views: 24124 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar-The Last Airbender. I'm not making money from this.

Chapter List
- 1-Lies
- 2-Excuses
- 3-Friends
- 4-Adventure
- 5-Taste
- 6-Mean
- 7-Siblings
- 8-Sunrise
- 9-Choices
- 10-Night
- 11-Hurt
- 12-Plans
- 13-Slow
- 14-Time
- 15-Quarantine
- 16-Wife
- 17-Trip
- 18-Stay
- 19-Meeting
- 20-Family
- 21-Words
- 22-Love
- 23-Partners
- 24-Secrets
- 14
- 15
- 16
Quarantine
Transitive verb
1: to detain in or exclude by quarantine
2: to isolate from normal relations or communication
~Merriam WebsterZuko paced the hall adjacent to the royal family’s private hall. "The messenger had no other information other than she was in my bedroom. Of course she wouldn't tell him. Why would she want to meet in my bedroom? She's been back less than a day and she's already screwing with me. It must be a trap. She's playing a game with me. This bedroom meeting is to get back at me for leaving her today. I am not going to fall for her tricks." Zuko clenched his fists. His eyes burned with determination. “I can handle Azula”, he repeated as he marched toward his bedroom. Zuko saw Iroh. Iroh’s back was turned to Zuko, but Iroh’s slumped shoulders and lowered head spoke volumes. "What's wrong uncle?"
Iroh hesitated before turning around. He wanted to hide his worry before facing Zuko. Iroh placed a hand his shoulder. "It's Azula"
"What happened to Azula?"
"She was poisoned".
"What? When?"
"Someone poison the rainbow tea."
"I should've been there." Zuko pulled away from Iroh. He rushed to his bedroom. "Let me in." Zuko pounded on the door.
Lo opened the door. Zuko finally saw Azula. She looked as if she is sleeping. The sight of her peaceful face brought him some peace. Lo and Li said something about him waiting outside. Zuko ignored them as he walked by. He sat next to Azula on the bed and took her hand. It was warm. He figured that was a good sign. Then noticed the healer trying to hide bloody towels. Zuko did not see any cuts or bruises. The towels were too bloody to come from a bloody nose.
"Why was she bleeding?"
“Fire Lord Zuko, it’s,” the healer stared at Li and Lo.
Zuko turned to the two old ladies. "Why was she bleeding?"
"We are sorry for your loss Fire Lord Zuko". Their heads hung low.
"My loss"
"Princess Azula lost the baby."
"What baby?"
"Your baby." said Li
"That is what she wanted to talk to you about", said Lo.
“A baby”, he whispered. He stared at Azula. "Leave us". Tears streamed down the side of his face. The moment the others left Zuko lay his head on Azula's stomach and wept for their unborn child.
Azula awoke the middle of the night. Her eyes were heavy. She cracked them open just enough to see Zuko's face. His lips were moving. She wasn't sure what was going on, but she knew Zuko was holding her hand. She wasn't alone. Someone was there for her. Her eyes closed once more. A couple of hours later she felt a something cool and wet on her forehead. Her eyes open and she saw Zuko leaning over her. "Zuko" she said in strained whisper.
"Don't try to speak" he wiped her brow with a cool damp towel, "take this it'll make you feel better." He held the cup to her mouth. She took one sip and frowned. "Please Azula, you have to drink it all".
It hurt to swallow, but she decided not to protest because of the concern in Zuko’s plea. Zuko wiped her mouth when she finished. "Just rest", he kissed her on her forehead.
Azula gave into her wariness. She slept until noon the next the day. The sun was it's strongest at noon. Azula borrowed from its strength. Her eyes opened fully. Not seeing Zuko disappointed her more than she wanted to admit. Something didn't feel right. Azula knew something was wrong. She tried to sit up. Her movements woke Zuko. He'd fallen asleep while watching her.
"Azula let me help you."
She turned her head slightly to the left. He'd been next to her the entire time. The thought of him being there actually made her feel a little better. His arm wrapped around her, and he gently pulled her up. He used his free hand to grab and extra pillow to place behind her back.
"Are you comfortable?" He saw her shake her head indicating yes. He cupped her cheek. "How do you feel?"
Azula could see the sincerity in his eyes. She wanted to tell him she felt like something drained most of the life out of her. Then stomped on her body. Telling him that would show weakness. Miso had helped Azula in many ways, but admitting her weakness to those who cared about her was a still a work in progress. "I feel sweaty, " she responded in a raspy voice.
"Azula that's not what I mean. You've been through a lot. I want to know you feel."
"What happened to me, Zuko?” She barely spoke over a whisper. “The last thing I remember was..." Azula replayed the events in her mind. Flashes of images and sounds ran together. "Poison, I remember hearing that over and over. " She looked at Zuko. He looked more sad then concerned. She placed her hand on her stomach. "The baby"
Zuko wrapped his arms around Azula. " I am sorry. The baby"
"Zuko I need to take a bath."
"A bath."
"I told you I feel sweaty." She tried to pull away from him.
"Wait. I'll draw your bath." Zuko ran to the bathroom.
"I lost the baby. At least I won't have to have Zuko's child. I guess it was a failure after all. Of course a child with Zuko wouldn't make it. It's for the best. Now I won't that thing growing in my body. Zuzu would've gotten on my nerves. It's for the best", she whispered.
"Your bath is ready."
Azula moved slowly as she tried to get out of bed. Zuko ran over to the bed. She frowned at him. "I can do this."
"I know. " Zuko ignored her protest. He scooped her up in his arms. She didn't have the strength to fight him. She decided to instead to pretend to ignore the way carried her. He held her close and firm, but his touch was gentle. He placed her down near the edge of the bath.
"Do you need anything?"
"I need you to leave", she snapped.
After Zuko left, Azula struggled to take off her gown. She was slightly winded by time she lowered herself into the hot water. The big bathroom was quite, too quite. There were no distractions. One tear rolled down her cheek. "It was for the best." She hugged her knees. Another tear fell. She tried to hold back the tears. The pain was just too much great. She broke down. Azula didn't realize Zuko was in the room with her until he got in the bath fully dressed. He wrapped his arms around and held her as she sobbed.
Zuko held Azula in his arms. Holding her felt good. It was what they both needed. Her tears drowned out the voice in his head saying, “No, holding your naked sister." Zuko held her as long as she needed to be held. Then he helped her get dressed. Azula did not protest too much. The poison had taken its toll. She was weaker than she let on. She insisted on walking to the bed. It was struggle even while she leaned on Zuko.
The 20 feet from the bathroom to the bed wore her out. "Zuzu, I hope you aren't planning on coming to bed wet."
"No".
"Good". Azula closed her eyes.
Zuko dried off and quickly changed. He slid under the covers with Azula. Peace had returned to her face. "Azula", he whispered softly. She did not respond. He held her in his arms. "I'm never going to let anything happen to you. I promise to protect you always", he whispered in her ear.
Azula pretended to sleep through Zuko's promise. However, his words gave her more comfort than he'd ever know.
///////////
Zuko kept his promise to the extreme. Eight guards guarded the hall and the room. Li and Lo were turned away. Iroh was turned away. Ty Lee tried to visit but was turned away as well. The assigned healer was the only one allowed to see Azula while she recovered. Kira, the chief of security, oversaw their meal preparation. The server had to taste their food before Zuko would take it into the room. Zuko would only leave the room for few minutes. Azula didn't leave the room.
Azula and Zuko spent almost every moment together. Iroh handled Zuko's meetings and most of his duties as fire lord. Having someone he trusted in charge allowed Zuko to take care of Azula. Zuko liked Azula needing him. The care he showed her was sincere. He just wanted her to get better. They were closer now than they had been in a very long time. They had small disagreements ever so often. However, they never went to bed angry. Every night Zuko would wait until he thought she was asleep hold her in his arms.
After almost three weeks of Zuko's protection Azula was a little stir crazy. She was tired of seeing the same four walls. Azula also wondered why no came to visit? She expected Li and Lo to come at least. She'd hope Ty Lee would have visited. The only one who seemed to care about her was man lying next to her.
"Zuzu, I need something to wear. I want to go outside."
"Are you sure you're up to it?"
"Of course."
"Fine, I'll make the arrangements."
"Arrangements, what kind of arrangements? I just need something to wear. I can go to my room and pick out something."
"No, I'll take care of it. Just wait here."
Less than 15 minutes after Zuko left Azula decided she'd go to her bedroom. She opened the door just as Zuko returned. He frowned and she frowned in response.
"I made arrangements for us to have lunch outdoors tomorrow."
"I want to go out today."
"Tomorrow at lunch time will be better. Chief Officer Kira will have time to do a complete security sweep. Additional guards need to be assigned. Plus, I have a meeting in the morning. Don't worry I am going to have Uncle Iroh stay with you until I return."
"Zuko, I am not prisoner."
"No, you're not." He placed his hand her cheek. "I'm only doing what I need to do to protect you. "
Azula read the sincerity in Zuko's eyes. Physically she wasn't strong enough to fight, and she wasn’t in the mood to argue. "Fine". She hated being weak. Azula had the strength to walk, but that was it. Fighting and fire bending were way beyond her physical state. She and Zuko knew it.
///////
The next morning birds were singing louder than usual, much to Azula's annoyance. The cheerful tune woke her in a grumpy state. She realized Zuko was not lying next her. It was the first morning she'd woken up without him next to her since the poisoning. The big bed felt lonely without him. The room felt empty. Worry started to creep in, much to her surprise. She didn't like not knowing where he was or how long he'd been gone.
"What's wrong with me? He's probably just in the bathroom. Zuzu wouldn't just leave me." She hugged his pillow. "He wouldn't".
Zuko came in carrying trunk. "You're awake". He kicked the door closed. "I thought you'd still be asleep." He placed the trunk in the corner.
"Even if I were you'd waken me with all that noise."
"I brought you some more clothes. Now you have something to wear outside." He sat on the edge of the bed beside her. "I have to leave for my meeting soon." Zuko brushed a stray strain of hair from her face. He took her hand. Their eyes locked. His face inched closer to hers. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Zuko jumped off the bed. "That must be Uncle Iroh". Zuko almost tripped over his feet getting to the door.
"Good morning Fire Lord Zuko." Iroh walked by Zuko. "Good morning Princess Azula".
"Uncle your timing is perfect as usual", said Azula with a hint of sarcasm. "Zuko you can leave my babysitter is here."
"Azula"
"Zuko"
"Fire Lord Zuko, go to your meeting, Princess Azula and I will be fine." Iroh watched Zuko leave. He put on a happy face before he turned to face Azula. "Princess Azula"
"Uncle I need to get dressed. Then we'll go outside."
"You want to go outside."
"Yes, I am challenging you to a game Pi Sho. There is a table in the south garden."
//////
"Security Chief Kira bowed before Zuko. "Fire Lord Zuko, everyone has cleared except for the server who served Princess Azula the tea. A man called Kanzo .The sever, that served Princess Azula, had been working at the palace for less than a month. He wasn't supposed to serve the tea. There was small kitchen fire. The server used the time to take the tea out to Princess Azula."
"Where is he?"
"We don't know."
The flames behind Zuko's throne grew six feet high. "What do you mean you don't know?"
"He lied about who he was and where came from. The real Kanzo still lives and works at a restaurant on Amber Island. Everything about him was a lie. No one has reported seeing him since he served the tea. I have my best men out looking for him. Everyone thinks the fake Kanzo stole a piece of jewelry. A reward has been offered just as you requested. We will find him."
"Security Chief Kira, make sure the people know if they hide or aid him in anyway they will be prosecuted for treason." Zuko turned his attention to Col. Yar. "Do you have anything to report?"
She bowed. "Fire Lord Zuko, everything is fine on Hearth Island. There have been no reports of any incidents, strangers, or anything thing alarming. I received reports from the guards following your mother's tour*. Nothing strange has happened at any of the her acting troupe's performances."
"Forgive me Fire Lord Zuko for interrupting" the guard kneeled before Zuko.
Zuko recognized the guard from the prison tower. "What is it?"
"I have an urgent message." The guard handed Zuko a scroll.
The message had one sentence. "Zuko, we need to talk before it's too late." Zuko knew the message was from Ozai. Ozai hadn't requested to see Zuko in years. Zuko was always to the one to go to him. If his father wanted to see him it wasn't for a social reason.
"Security Chief Kira, I expect more than excuses at our next meeting. Col. Yar assist Security Chief Kira with any thing he needs. Meeting dismissed." The others left the throne room. Zuko sat staring at the message. "What do you want?"/////
It was a beautiful day perfect weather and a blue sky. The sun seemed brighter. The sunlight felt wonderful to Azula. The exhaustion she felt from the walk to the south garden was worth it. It had been weeks since she been able to bask in the sun. Of course she didn't let Iroh see her exhaustion or exuberance. She closed her eyes and soaked in the sunlight.
"I must admit Princess Azula I am surprised you wanted to play Pai Sho. I always enjoy finding a fellow player. Fire Lord Zuko does not enjoy the game."
Azula opened her eyes. "That's because Pai Sho is a game of strategy. Zuko doesn't like anything he's not good at. I on the other hand," Azula made the first move.
"Enjoy a good game of strategy." Iroh placed his piece down.
////Ozai eyed his son. A crooked smile cracked his face. His amber eyes burned with same ferocity he had as fire lord.
"If you have nothing to say I'm leaving." Zuko turned.
"How is Azula? I hear she was at death's door."
Zuko hesitated before turning to face his father. "Azula is fine. I am taking care of her."
"That's good to know. I was worried. "
Zuko's eyes slanted. He tried to read his father's face. Ozai masked what he was really feeling. It was a trait he forced on Azula. "There's no need to worry. I am handling it."
"How?"
"It doesn't concern you."
"It does. She's my daughter. Someone poisoned her." Ozai read the shock on Zuko's face. Azula's poisoning was supposed to be a secret. Even the Aang and the others didn't know. "You don't even know who or why, do you?"
"You know who poisoned her. Tell me!"
"I don't know. There is a spy name Sosuke he can find the person responsible. "
"Where can I find him?"
"You can't. Sosuke was a proud Fire Nation officer. My father used his skills many times. I even used him to ensure your mother was lady she claimed to be. Sosuke retired before you were born, but he's still the best for this kind of work. He cut ties with the Fire Nation military after you became fire lord. Let's just say he's no fan of yours. Sosuke is like a ghost you'll never find him. I, on the other hand, know how to contact him. He will meet only with me, which means"
"You can't expect me to set you free."
"We'll call it a furlough. I'll be back in my cell soon enough. "
"No"
"Zuko, which is more important keeping me behind bars or finding the one responsible for almost kiling Azula? Everyone knows she's alive even the person who tried to kill her. That tea was meant for the both of you. Do you think they’ll just give up?"
Zuko tried to mask his surprise that his father knew about the poisoned tea. "I'll take you as a prisoner to see Sosuke."
"Fine, but I am going to need a few things first."
"What?"
"I'll need some new clothes. A bit of fresh air will help. One hour in the yard a week isn't enough. I think two hours a day will suffice for now.”
"Fine"
"Good, Sosuke is expecting me in 11 days. It'll take us a few days to get there."
"How many days to get where?"
"I'll let you know after we leave. It should take us no more than four days to get there."
"We leave in seven days."
////////Iroh moved a tile. Azula countered. The two went back and forth. Iroh knew after the first move Azula was a much better player than Zuko. He expected her to be better, but he had no idea she would be as good as she was. Originally, Azula just wanted to come outside. Her motives soon changed. She wanted to win. She knew Iroh was good but she didn't think he was better than Ozai. She realized she wrong. Iroh was a much better player than Ozai. They'd been playing for over an hour and neither one of them had the advantage.
Iroh's hand hovered over several of his tiles. Deciding which tile to move became more and more difficult as the game progressed. He read the intensity in Azula's face. "Did you know that they say Pai Sho was invited by the spirits? I'll tell you about it. It started wh-"
"No need I know the story."
"Oh,” sighed Iroh. He moved his tile.
Azula moved her tile. The move surprised Iroh. He hid his reaction by sipping tea. Azula had identified the strategy he was using. He'd have to change his game plan once more. Luckily he saw Ty Lee. Iroh quietly thanked the spirits.
"It's Ty Lee". He waved to her.
Ty Lee rushed over. She smiled. Iroh smiled. Azula frowned. Ty Lee gave Azula an unexpected hug. "Azula, you're out of quarantine." Ty Lee released Azula. "Azula you look" she noticed Azula's aura. The bright centered light was no longer there. Her eyes met with Azula's. Ty Lee quickly tried to mask what she was really thinking. "You look good for someone who has been in quarantine for so very long. I can't stay." She backed away a little. "I'll come by and visit later or you can send for me if you feel like talking".
Azula heard the concern in Ty Lee's voice. She knew Ty Lee knew about the baby. "I'll see you later."
Ty Lee smiled and left. Iroh sensed there was more going on than what was said, but he didn't want to push. "It's a lovely day, Princess Azula".
"Tell me about my quarantine."
"Well, Fire Lord Zuko, thought it would be best if the details of the situation were limited to a very small group." Iroh moved his tile.
Azula placed her tile. "It was Zuko"
"That was an interesting move. I haven't seen a move like that since I played with my brother." Iroh leaned back. "He and I used to play for hours. I remember"
Azula sighed. Her uncle was avoiding the topic. Now she’d have to listen to one of his stories. If she were going to learn the truth about her quarantine it would have to come from Zuko.
///
"I can't let Azula know about this. She'll demand I take her with us. I'll have Sokka, Ty Lee, and Katara to keep an eye on her. I’ll take Aang and Toph along with a small elite team of Fire Nation officers to escort my father. Hopefully, this isn't some escape attempt. If he tries to escape we'll take him down. This Sosuke person better be worth the trip. It's been weeks and we haven't gotten close to finding out who poisoned Azula. I should go and make sure everything is ready for our lunch. I don't want to take any chances. She's looking forward to finally going outside."
Zuko decided to take a short cut. It was past their normal lunchtime. He was already late. Azula saw Zuko from a distance. At first she was angry. All she could think about was the quarantine. She thought Zuko was the only one to care what happened to her, but the truth was he isolated her and lied. The closer Zuko got the more her anger faded. Zuko isolated her, but he also cared for her. He took better care of her than anyone else had. She knew he ignored his duties as fire lord. For once someone had placed her before the needs of the Fire Nation. Why did he? Was it because he was trying to be a good big brother? Maybe it was because he felt guilty for ditching her before she was poisoned. Was it because she lost the baby? Azula wasn't sure.
Azula placed her tile, but her mind was focused on her questions about Zuko. The move left her vulnerable. Iroh took advantage. He placed his tile. Azula focused on Zuko. His eyes were locked on her instead of the person he was talking to.
"Princess Azula it's your move."
Azula picked up her tile. Something was off. She knew Iroh setup something, but she wasn't sure what. Azula tried build a defense.
"Azula", yelled Zuko. His face tightened.
"Hello Zuzu". Azula placed her tile. It was a good move not great one.
Iroh was too good of a player not find an opening. Iroh made his move. "Looks like I win."
"What?" Azula snarled.
"Uncle what are you two doing?"
"We were playing a friendly game of Pai Sho."
"That's not what I mean", snapped Zuko. "How could you bring her outside? I told you watch her. She was not supposed to leave our bedroom."
Azula's ears perked up after hearing Zuko refer to his bedroom as "our bedroom". "Calm down Zuzu. You didn't think you could keep quarantined forever." Azula read Zuko's I am caught face. "It's time for our lunch". Azula stood. "Let's go Zuzu."
A/N:

Ursa is an actress according to The Search Trilogy
Thanks for reading the chapter.
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Secrets