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Azula's Lost Chapters OR Azula's New Cook	By : DecieverGod Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Het - Male/Female Views: 13899 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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“Hehe… That’s so funny Lang.” Ty Lee laughed lightly as she returned home. Her date’s arm tossed casually over her shoulders. He was a tall, if perhaps a little lanky boy, noble, from the look of his attire.

He laughed back, smirking lightly at the ‘Kyoshi Warrior’ under his arm. “Haha… Yeah…” He released Ty Lee and sort of strolled out into the apartment. “So, this is where you’re staying?” Lang leaned out the window a little, staring out into the cold night. It was truly getting late, most households had extinguished their lights by now, though the air still hung with the scent of wood fires.

Ty Lee walked up next to him, half leaning around him to smile up at him. “Yep, just me and Mai, and our leader Azula, but they’re both probably asleep.”

“So…” He turned to her, wrapping his arms lightly around her and smiling down at her seductively. “We have the place to ourselves?”

She giggled. “Well… yeah… I guess.” And snuggled up into his arms a little.

The two took a moment to look into each other’s eyes, before Lang started to lean down, a hand on Ty Lee’s chin to guide her into his kiss.

And then Mai spoke up. “Well not exactly.”

Both teens jumped back away from each other. Lang was very careful to stash his hands behind his back. It was almost as if someone’s mother had walked into the room.

Of course Mai hadn’t actually walked into the room. She’d been laying out on the floor throwing sharp metal things into the wall in an attempt to lull herself to sleep. It hadn’t been working very well, although her dark robes did work marvelously to camouflage her in the dim moonlight.

“Oh Mai you’re up.” Ty Lee was the first to state the obvious.

“Despite my best efforts.” Mai wasn’t in a particularly cordial mood that evening, she didn’t even rise to great their guest. But then again, Mai was never in a particularly cordial mood. “Do you mind, you’re in my way?” She gestured toward Lang.

He looked around a little and after spying several daggers lodged in the wall behind him, and several more on the floor under the impact zone, he stepped aside. “Oh, not at all, my apologizes.”

Ty Lee looked around to make sure Azula wasn’t lurking in the shadows as well. “So does this mean is Azula up also?”

“Nawh, she retired early, not long after you left actually.” The dower girl tossed a knife between the other two. It sliced quietly through the air before landing in the far wall with a decided thunk. “Far as I know she’s asleep.” She tossed another projectile, fully aware that the Princess’s room happened to be behind the wall she was impacting.

Ty Lee remained blissfully unaware of Mai’s attempts to seemingly get herself killed. “So… what are you doing up?” She tried to step over to her date, but was waylaid by another passing dagger.

“Couldn’t sleep.” She answered tossing another blade. “Doesn’t this city ever shut up?” Even now, as late at night as it could really get, the city hummed quietly with commerce, albeit at this hour the commerce was often fueled by drunken criminals, it still hummed quietly.

Xin Fu tossed back the last of his drink, slamming the mug down on the table in front of him. Tatsuya sat across from him, with Master Yu at the ‘head’ of the small dining table the Earth Bender had been resting his feet on a few hours before. They’d ordered room service, for their ‘talk.’

“So, lemme get this straight… You’ll compete, for not a single crown, and give us all your winnings, if afterward we help you find, capture, and transport the Avatar out of the city?” Xin Fu leaned out on his knees sort of looming across the table toward the Captain. “And then we get the Earth Bender girl?”

“That’s the deal on the table.” Tatsuya sipped calmly at his tea. His day had taken a strange turn somewhere, and he wasn’t entirely sure how it’d happened, but somehow he’d ended up competing in a gladiatorial bender tournament under the sponsorship of the Earth Rumble, in exchange for the Avatar’s hide. He really felt like this was more the banished prince’s stick.

There was an upside. If he captured the Avatar he was certain Princess Azula would forgive his transgression & direct disobedience of her orders.

The downside was that, from the sound of it, he’d have to fight at least a half dozen Earth Benders, and maybe a Water Bender or two. The Earth Benders he wasn’t worried about. He could take a dozen of them on with nothing but his halberd and bending beside him, he’d do so before, and although it had earned him some scars, he was the one who’d walked away.

His worries lied with the possibility of Water Benders. He’d never actually fought a Water Bender. Heck, he’d never actually seen a Water Bender. He had no idea what to expect and no idea if he was going to be able to overpower them or not. All he had to go on was the other officer’s stories, and though he didn’t want to put too much stalk in them, they told of clever agile Bender able to turn your own attacks against you. Although some of that might’ve been the other soldiers trying to scare him off, they hadn’t exactly been friends.

“Wait… I’m confused…” Master Yu rubbed at the base of his beard lightly, stroking it in thought. “If you want the Avatar…” He gestured to Tatsuya. “And we want the Bei Fong girl…” He gestured to Xin Fu. “Then why don’t we join together and take them at once? Why take the Avatar first?”

Xin Fu sighed. “Because… The Avatar’s the ultimate bender, and the girl’s no small feat either. We take one and then the other.” He grinned a little. “Smoky here,” He waved at Tatsuya, who didn’t appreciate the nickname. “Snatches the Avatar with our information, the Avatar’s gang, including the Bei Fong’s brat, chases after him, then, while they’re confused and without their greatest Bender, we swoop in and snatch up the girl.”

“But why don’t we just use the fake letter plan? It’s certain to get the girl to come alone; we could use it to…”

Xin Fu interrupted. “Because, I don’t want to be hanging from a ceiling for weeks on end, and besides, I’ve always heard about the amazing fights in the Battling Bender’s underground arena of Ba Sing Sei. As long as we’re here we might as well make some money and take in a show. Plus with Smoky here we’re bound to make a killing,” He waved to Tatsuya again. “We’ve got the greatest gimmick ever seen!”

“Do stop calling me that.” The Captain sipped at his tea again. There was a vein in his forehead that was ready to explode. Gan Jin, Zhang, Greedy Thugs and Pompous Masters. He was starting to actually look forward to this bending battle. At least there he could blow of some steam or fire as the case may be. At this point he’d almost welcome a fight.

“Although we should really dress you up some…” Xin Fu eyed Tatsuya a little, in a way in which he’d never, and hope never again, to be eyed by another man.

“Excuse me?” He raised an eyebrow at the gruff member of his current associations.

“Hmm… yes, you have a point Xin Fu… He simply can’t go into battle as he is…” Yu joined in on the eyeing, and that just made it all the more creepy.

“Back off. I mean it.” The Captain began to reach for his halberd.

“Oh relax would you, we’re talking about for tomorrow’s fight.” Xin Fu leaned back laying his arms over the back of the couch. “You can’t represent the Fire Nation like that.” He nodded to the ragged red clothes Tatsuya wore; he hadn’t actually changed since he left the Train.

Tatsuya relaxed and lifted his collar lightly, sniffing at his shirt just a little. Though he hated to admit it, the Earth Bender was probably right. He wasn’t fit to represent the Fire Nation dressed as he was. He was beginning to regret leaving his uniform behind. It would’ve been cumbersome to carry, and difficult to keep hidden, but it was still his uniform, the symbol of his connection to the Fire Nation, to princess Azula. He should’ve brought it with him… He looked down into his tea cup.

“I’ll ask around…” Master Yu rubbed his whiskers. “There should be someone in the city who can make a Fire Nation uniform overnight.”

“Better yet, maybe we can just smuggle Smokey’s in. How ‘bout it, where’d you leave it?” Xin Fu was becoming disinterested. He was more of the run up and beat on people, than carefully plan things kind of guy.

“No…” Tatsuya sighed. “It’s too far away…” He started slowly turning his tea cup around in his hands. He was starting to regret leaving. He’d never imagined the city was so tremendous. He’d seen it on maps of course, but he’d just, sort of assumed it was an exaggeration…

“Hmm… well that’s a shame.” Yu leaned back a little. “But maybe someone has an old uniform laying around, a trophy from the failed siege perhaps…”

“Doesn’t really matter as long as it’s red.” Xin Fu was clearly bored already. “Not like people will see much from the stands…”

“It matters.” Tatsuya looked up, cold, solemn. The sort of sober pale look that came of knowing something mattered truly and deeply, but not knowing why it mattered.

“Heh.” Now Xin Fu was interested. “Stop acting like you’re not a traitor kid.”

“I’m not a Traitor.” The Captain snapped back.

“Oh please. You may’ve come here after the Avatar, but I’m darn sure the ‘mighty’ Fire Nation wouldn’t send one little green kid after the only thing that could stop ‘em.” He smirked a little and leaned forward. “You’re a deserter aren’t cha? A coward who left cause he couldn’t cut it…” Xin Fun laughed a little. “Guess all Fire Bender’s ain’t as tough as they’re made out to be.” He laughed a little more.

Tatsuya fell silent. He wasn’t a traitor or a deserter… or at least he didn’t want to be. True he had abandoned his post, and left his armor and uniform behind. But he’d done it… Why had he done it? He liked to think, to tell himself, he’d done it to protect the princess. But she didn’t need protection, least of all form him. That was becoming increasingly clear with every day he failed to find her.

“Heh, what’s the matter Fire Boy?” Xin Fun leaned forward a little more, practically face to face with the Captain. “Hit the nail on the head did I?” He laughed. Tatsuya hit him in the face so hard the couch flipped on its back. Xin Fun grunted and stormed to his feet. “Why you little!” He summoned a large boulder from the floor. Tatsuya snatched up his halberd and jumped to his feet.

Master Yu threw half the stone table into the chests of each of them, knocking both of them against the wall behind them. “Calm yourselves.” He stood up. “You were kind of asking for it.” He said with a smirk leaning a little toward his associate, even as Xin Fu dusted himself off. Tatsuya stayed doubled over. “And you.” Yu walked over to him, his hands in his sleeves. “Save your strength for tomorrow.” He smirked a little and opened the door to the hall, and two very half asleep Earth Benders who felt a little like they’d been forgotten about.

The Captain got to his feet. “Tsk. A soldier is always ready for battle.” It was one of the tenants of the Fire Navy.

“Right. Well, just try and act like you haven’t abandoned your country, for whatever reason.” Xin Fu patted him on the shoulder as he walked out.

“The room is paid for the night… ” The two left, “Sleep well…” Closing the door behind them.

Azula listened to another muffled thunk penetrate the gentle hum of Ba Sing Sei at night. She really felt she should do something to stop Mai from throwing daggers at her wall. She really felt like it was keeping her up, and then if she stopped it she’d be able to enjoy a peaceful night sleep and wake well rested and able to summon a creatively sinister plan for finding the Avatar from the depths of her consciousness. She just wasn’t entirely sure she could trust her feelings.

And that was why she laid there, awake, staring at the ceiling, listening to the rhythmic knife strikes of her dower friend, and the muffled laughing of her cheerful companion, and said companion’s date’s muffled attempts at being suave, or whatever he was saying.

She sighed a little, just lying in her barrowed bed, letting her mind slowly turn on its own, without direction or encouragement. She just listened to her own thoughts, and tired to understand where they came from.

She really didn’t care for the color green. It was one of the first thoughts that came to her mind. It wasn’t so much that she hated it, or didn’t like the color itself. Truthfully a nice lush plant or forest was quite appealing to the princess. The Fire Nation had many lush tropicanas, and though she’d never spent much time there since her mother had died, she’d always liked the garden.

And their house at Ember Island. Azula actually smiled a little. She didn’t know why. She didn’t have any particularly good memories attached to Ember Island. She’d been far too young whenever they’d visit to properly remember any of them.

But still. Something about the idea of Ember Island made her smile.

Perhaps it was the local…

No, she’d never actually been much one for beaches. Though thinking back now, she couldn’t actually recall every going to one. Not even after summer session ended when she was in school…

Everybody else had gone places… why hadn’t she?

Well that was obvious, because there was no reason to go.

It wasn’t like going to a beach was that important, all people do there is talk with their friends and make fools of themselves in an attempt to court each other. And there was no reason for her to do something as pointless as that. She was the princess of the Fire Nation; boys were practically falling over themselves to court her.

But then… what if she wasn’t the princess? This thought troubled her slightly.

She’d always thought of herself as, Princess Azula, daughter of Fire Lord Ozai, second in line to the throne of the Fire Nation and one of the greatest Fire Benders to ever live.

What if she was just… Azula. She wasn’t sure she knew how to be, Just Azula.

Of course this whole line of thinking was silly. She Was Princess Azula.

And she always would be.

Until of course, her father died.

Again the princess was given pause. The thought of her father, Fire Lord Ozai, dead. It was an eventuality of course, but… She’d never really thought about it before. Not seriously at any rate. He’d always just seemed… Well, indomitable. He was the Fire Lord, he was the one who was going to conquer the world, and nothing was going to get in his way. Oh she admired him for certain. He was powerful, probably the most powerful man in the world, and he wouldn’t let anything get in his way, not even his own father’s wishes.

She still remembered… The night her mother had ‘vanished.’

Azula rolled over onto her side.

She didn’t want to remember… She didn’t know why, she understood his reasons… or at least she thought she did…

It was simple really. Grandfather was old, kill him in his sleep, and claim his dying wish was to make you Fire Lord. Who would doubt you? Iroh wasn’t there; nobody had known where he was… And after all, the country needed leading, Ozai probably would’ve ended up leading it until Iroh was found anyway, making him Fire Lord just meant his rule was longer, and he was clearly the better choice.

It was just… She’d always sort of wondered… back in the back of her mind… the bottom of her heart… Would her mother have done the same if Azulon had ordered for her death? Of course he hadn’t, so it didn’t really matter… but… if he had, would their mother have protected her the same as she had for Zuko?

And if she had… would their father have born as much of a grudge against her as he had Zuko?

Azula held no illusions that her father had blamed Zuko for their mother’s disappearance. Whatever had happened, and Azula had a few ideas, it was clear that their mother had done something that she shouldn’t have. And that she’d done it to protect Zuko from their grandfather’s wrath. And that Ozai had carried that wrath for the years between then, and his fateful duel with Zuko.

Azula remembered that day as well… She smirked. Zuko had finally been put in his place. He had finally been shown that the Crown Prince was expected to behave a certain way, and that when you didn’t behave that way there were consequences.

There were always consequences. Zuko was just too dense to see them. He always just did what he wanted, said what he felt. It didn’t matter to him whether it was proper, or what the consequences of his actions were, or why those consequences were there. He always just… acted anyway…

Azula curled up a little. She was jealous of him for that. She’d never admit it on pain of death, but she was. No matter the consequences. Zuko always just acted, he did what his heart told him to… It didn’t matter to him whether that path was the right one, or whether or not he was strong enough to see it through… He never thought ahead. He never worried, or plotted, or schemed, or, anything.

And he was weak for it. He’d never achieve greatness that way. Father had as much as said so when he’d murdered their Grandfather. If you wanted something, you had to find a way to take it.

You didn’t just try and take it, because that way would never get you win. If a fruit was out of reach, you didn’t just jump again and again until you were tired. You found some way to it, some way to get what you wanted, some way with which you would be certain not to fail. And once you found that way, Then you acted, once your victory was assured. No one ever rewarded effort. They rewarded victory, and if you could win, than you didn’t deserve to, than you were weak.

It was simple…

It was simple…

Tatsuya wasn’t sleeping either.

He’d turned out all the lights, righted the couch, undressed, and was lying out in the bed, staring at the ceiling.

He wasn’t a traitor… He only had the Fire Nation’s best interests at heart… But… the Fire Nation’s best interests were to have him at his post, ready to rally the troops once Princess Azula sent him the signal.

Who knows… She might have already sent the signal, and was waiting on the arrival of the Fire Nation armies… She might’ve already sent the signal… and been captured when the armies didn’t arrive… It could be his fault she was captured… it could be his fault she was…

He rolled over onto his side, staring out a window at the twinkling cityscape.

It wasn’t true… He hadn’t betrayed her. He’d only done what she would’ve wanted him to… And yet… His own words still rang in his ears. ‘I will do all that I can to support you from outside the city princess, I promise.’ I promise… he’d promised her he’d support her form outside the city… He’d lied to her…

No, that wasn’t betrayal… He’d said that then but circumstances had changed. A full month had past, longer now, with no sign of contact from the Princess. She could’ve been captured, or injured, or discovered and hiding, or any number of things… It would’ve been irresponsible not to investigate!

Of course… he’d had other options. Sure he had no authority but he’d had her seal. He could’ve requested all the spy reports from within Ba Sing Sei. As easy as it was to get in, they were certain to have a few spies in the city at least… He could’ve… He should’ve…

Tatsuya flipped over, face the dark wall.

He should’ve stayed outside… He should’ve listened to her… But he Didn’t Betray her!

He may have acted poorly but… that didn’t mean he was traitor, or a deserter. He was the very opposite of a deserter! He was risking everything for the Fire Nation! He was entering into a duel in which the combatants were allowed to murder each other, in an attempt to local and render aid to Princess Azula of the Fire Nation!

But… if he actually captured the Avatar… and got him outside the city… He’d have no way of contacting the Princess. She could spend months… years, scouring the city for him. Until she gave up or was captured… and the Princess never gave up…

And then there was the fact that there was no way in the world he could actually capture the Avatar! He was what, one man, with mediocre Fire Bending and a long sharp metal pole. The Avatar was a demi-god! Master of at least two elements now, possibly three. There was no way he could defeat him, or if he somehow managed to, in prison him. Murder him maybe, if he was lucky, but doing so would win nothing. It would just start the cycle over again, buy them a few years. And perhaps the Fire Nation would win when the comet came, but the Avatar would still be there, for the people to rally behind, to lead them against the Fire Lord.

He shouldn’t have left… but he didn’t Betray her.

He didn’t.
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Azula's Lost Chapters OR Azula's New Cook