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Katara absentmindedly played with a small puddle of water near where she sat, inside the new igloo designated for the affairs of the Southern Water Tribe. The tribe had grown impressively since the end of the war: its population had tripled, and with it, the number of waterbenders. However, that growth had also brought an increase in meetings with leaders from other nations, now that the Southern Water Tribe held a greater presence on the political map.
While Sokka delivered a passionate speech to the committee, Katara barely paid attention. She knew she was far more useful in the healing hut, hunting or even fishing, but her role in ending the war had made her a key figure in these negotiations. Her mere presence made things easier—at least, that’s what her brother and father believed. And while it made sense, that didn’t mean Katara enjoyed these meetings.
Suddenly, a few words managed to catch her attention:
"...the Fire Nation... they’ll arrive in a few days to sign several agreements."
Katara stopped moving the water, focusing on the conversation.
"I don’t see why we want those ashmakers here," one of the elders on the committee growled with obvious disdain.
Sokka, remaining calm, looked him directly in the eyes. "Because we want to keep the peace and rebuild the Water Tribes," he replied. After a brief pause, his expression softened. "Besides, I trust this Fire Lord. Zuko genuinely wants to make things right."
The elder let out a grunt but said no more, making it clear that, at least for the moment, the conversation was over.
Sokka grinned widely and, satisfied, declared, "That’s all from me."
Hakoda, taking over, stood to close the meeting. "If there’s nothing else, we’ll conclude today’s session."
The committee members nodded and began to disperse, except for Katara, who stayed by her family.
"So, Zuko’s coming tomorrow?" Katara asked in a casual tone. However, that calm vanished when she noticed Sokka’s smile turned a bit nervous. "Oh no... What’s wrong? Did something happen to Zuko?"
Sokka quickly waved his hands, as if trying to dispel her worry. "No, no, not that I know of."
Hakoda, sensing the uncomfortable conversation about to unfold, quickly got up. "Well, I’ll go help Gran Gran, I’m sure she needs me." With that, he left before either Katara or Sokka could stop him.
Katara watched her father’s hasty retreat and then turned to her brother with suspicion. "Who else is coming tomorrow, Sokka?"
"Zuko..." Sokka sighed for a moment "...and Azula."
Katara froze, her eyes widening at the mention of that name. She couldn’t help but shout: "Azula?!"
Sokka, anticipating her reaction, had already covered his ears, but the impact was still inevitable. "Yeah, so..."
"And why didn’t you tell me this before?!" Katara interrupted, furious.
Sokka shrugged, wearing the expression of someone who knows they messed up. "Because... of this reaction."
"Sokka, she nearly killed Aang!"
"I know, I know," he replied, raising his hands as if trying to hold back the tide of his sister’s fury.
"Then why on earth are we letting her come here?!"
Sokka nervously scratched the back of his neck. "Because Zuko asked me to..."
Katara stared at him, incredulous. "Zuko asked you to let Azula come here?"
Sokka nodded slowly. "Yeah."
"Why? Have you forgotten how dangerous she is?"
Sokka suddenly stopped the torrent of yelling. "No, but Zuko asked me. He says Azula has changed, that we need to give her a chance."
Katara stood there with her arms crossed, but the fire in her eyes was still burning. She couldn’t understand how her brother could even consider something like this. But Sokka's eyes showed sincerity, a plea for understanding.
"Please, Katara."
The silence between them dragged on. Katara let out a long, heavy sigh, full of frustration.
'Why do I have to deal with his crazy older sister?' she thought. However, what she said was: "Fine... but if anything happens, it’s on both of you."
Sokka’s relieved smile grew into one of his big, goofy grins. Before Katara could react, he pulled her into a tight hug, squeezing her against his chest.
Zuko was the first to step off the ship, dressed in the imposing garments of the Fire Lord, but his regal demeanor faded the moment he spotted the Water Tribe siblings. With a wide smile, he pulled them into a strong, almost crushing hug. It had been far too long since he had seen them, and he wasn’t going to miss the chance to show just how much he had missed them.
Before Katara could even pull away from Zuko's warm and friendly embrace, her attention shifted to a figure approaching with slow but steady steps. Azula, with that same defiant look that had etched itself into the waterbender’s memory, was walking toward them with a disturbingly calm air.
"Azula."
Hearing her name come from the Water Tribe girl made Azula’s eyes light up, and a self-satisfied smile spread across her face.
"It’s been a while, Katara."
Unlike Azula, hearing her name from those lips sent an involuntary shiver down Katara’s spine.
Their respective brothers, fearing what might happen next, stepped in to separate them.
"Welcome to the Southern Water Tribe!" Sokka exclaimed with enthusiasm that bordered on exaggerated, trying to ease the tension in the air.
Zuko, oblivious to the brief stare-down between his sister and Katara, nodded with a smile. "It's good to be here," he added, grateful for the warm reception.
Everyone was seated in a circle around a small wooden table in the center of the igloo. The tension was palpable, especially with the glances Katara kept throwing at Azula. The Fire Princess, for her part, seemed to enjoy the situation, as if the emotions boiling in the air were nothing more than a spectacle for her entertainment.
Hakoda cleared his throat, trying to ignore his daughter's behavior, though he largely agreed with her. “First of all, I want to announce that your visit might have to be extended. Leaders from other tribes have been caught in a storm, and we don’t know when it will let up. We were informed just recently.”
Azula stopped enjoying the hateful stares from the waterbender and turned her attention to her brother, frowning. He, however, kept his eyes fixed on Hakoda. “I hope everyone’s all right,” the Fire Lord commented.
Though Zuko didn’t need to look to feel his sister’s gaze on him, he knew exactly what was on her mind. With a casual air, he added, “You know Mai is doing and will do a great job.”
Azula didn’t bother hiding the annoyance in her reply. “That’s not what I’m worried about, and you know it.”
“Then what is it?” Zuko asked innocently. Everyone’s eyes shifted to her, expectant. Azula clenched her jaw and decided to drop the matter. “It doesn’t matter.”
With an elegant turn of her head, she looked ahead again, while Katara allowed herself a slight smile, satisfied with the visible frustration of the princess. Azula deliberately ignored her and focused on Hakoda. “Could we be provided with a copy of the requests to address while the meetings are suspended?”
Hakoda looked at her, surprised by the initiative. His eyes quickly sought Zuko’s, as if waiting for confirmation. Azula, aware of the slight, took a deep breath, applying the self-control techniques she’d learned through her therapy sessions. Zuko, for his part, gave a sincere smile. “Anything I need to review, she will too.”
Hakoda nodded, standing up to retrieve the scrolls. Sokka, springing into action, stood up to help his father; after all, he had written most of them.
Meanwhile, Katara continued to watch Azula. The Fire Princess’s gaze didn’t waver, meeting the challenge. Neither spoke, but the atmosphere grew more and more tense. Zuko, feeling nervous, fidgeted with the edges of his tunic, trying to avoid the discomfort he felt in the air.
The scrolls soon found their way into the hands of the Fire Nation siblings. Zuko untied one and slid it slightly toward his sister so they could read it together. The first requests were reasonable: resources and labor to help rebuild the Water Tribes, allowing for faster and more efficient recovery.
However, one request caught both of their attention. The ink was still fresh, suggesting it had been added recently.
“The Princess Azula shall issue a public apology on behalf of her father and for the acts committed by both her and the forces of the Fire Nation.”
Sokka was the first to break the silence, aware of the impact those words must have had on the two siblings. “Zuko helped us win the war, but your nation never formally apologized. And who better than the reformed princess to do so?”
Zuko shot a worried glance at his sister, fearing what that provocation might trigger. However, what he found was something completely unexpected: a surprisingly calm Azula. With a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, she said, “I suppose that’s fair, isn’t it?”
The looks on everyone’s faces—from the members of the Water Tribe to Zuko himself—widened in shock. Sokka was the first to react. “And... that’s it?”
Azula raised an eyebrow, her tone hardening, returning to her military posture. “Is there some kind of hidden clause?”
Sokka stammered, clearly confused. “No… no, not at all.”
Azula, with dangerous calm, turned her sharp gaze on everyone present. “Then how shall we proceed?”
Katara’s disbelief rang out before anyone else could respond. “Really?”
Azula ignored the comment, focusing on Hakoda. “Can we gather the tribe tomorrow?”
Hakoda, still processing the princess’s response, nodded. “Yes… we can gather everyone tomorrow.”
Azula turned to her brother. “Anything to add?”
Zuko, still stunned by his sister’s behavior, shook his head, unable to form a coherent response. Azula nodded once more and, taking the scroll in her hands, announced, “I’ll review this more thoroughly in my cabin on the ship. I assume you all want to catch up.”
Without giving anyone a chance to respond, Azula left the igloo, her figure quickly disappearing into the cold night of the tribe.
Sokka was the first to break the silence. “That was…”
But Katara didn’t hear the end of her brother’s sentence. Without hesitation, she followed Azula outside.
Azula had nearly reached the ship, eager to forget where she was for a while, when a voice made her stop.
"What are you playing at?"
Katara's tone caused the two guards stationed at the entrance of the ship to immediately tense, ready to defend their princess. But with a simple flick of her wrist, Azula signaled them to stand down. Without a word, they obeyed, leaving the two of them alone.
For a moment, Katara wondered if she should’ve thought things through before confronting her. But there was no turning back now.
The firebender’s defiant eyes locked onto Katara. "What do you want?"
Katara didn’t back down, neither in her stance nor her words. "I don’t believe for a second that you regret anything."
Azula let out an arrogant smile, a barely noticeable gesture but one that ignited Katara’s anger even more.
"How can you be so cynical?" demanded the waterbender, stepping toward Azula. The Fire Princess didn’t flinch; she simply responded with calculated coldness. “You want apologies to bury the hatchet. I want to get this over with. What difference does it make?”
Katara paused, processing what she had just heard. "Then what’s the point?"
"Nothing," Azula looked directly at her. “The only thing that truly matters are the rest of the points—the actions.”
Katara stared at her, surprised. The Fire Princess stepped closer, dangerously closing the gap between them. Azula’s makeup was flawless, a result of years of practice. “Am I wrong?”
Katara focused her gaze on Azula’s eyes, no longer scrutinizing her face, and in a low voice replied, "I guess not… but I still don’t trust you."
Azula smiled, and with a movement as swift as it was unexpected, she tapped the tip of Katara’s nose with her finger. "I don’t expect you to."
Katara barely had time to react before the princess pulled away, spinning on her heels as she began walking toward the ship again. But before entering, she turned her head slightly, casting one last glance at Katara.
"But don’t you dare bother or interfere with me tomorrow. Then, this will be over sooner."
With Katara's gaze fixed on her, Azula disappeared into the ship.
Still rooted to the spot, Katara touched her nose, bewildered by what had just happened. "What the hell?" she muttered to herself, incredulous.
The brush of her own finger reminded her of Azula’s touch, and to her own confusion, she felt heat rising to her face. Involuntarily, her cheeks flushed red.
“Damn it,” she whispered, as the blush betrayed her own thoughts.
The next day, Hakoda had gathered the entire tribe in front of the grand meeting hall. Murmurs and whispers filled the cold air as the members of the tribe exchanged anxious glances. Everyone knew why they were there, but their eyes were not on the tribe chief—they were focused on the two Fire Nation siblings, and more specifically, on Azula.
Azula stood impassive next to Zuko, her stance firm and her gaze sharp. Despite the heavy anticipation surrounding her, her face remained unreadable. The Fire Lord, on the other hand, was tense, well aware of how delicate the situation was.
When Hakoda finished his formal speech, emphasizing the need for cooperation and the future of the agreements between the tribes, it was Azula who stepped forward. The crowd, which had maintained a hushed silence until that point, stirred as she advanced. With a calculated look, Azula took her place at the center, facing everyone.
She took a deep breath, letting the cold air fill her lungs before speaking.
“I know that my mere presence here brings painful memories to many of you. Whatever the reason, just by being here, I understand that.” Her voice was clear, each word carefully chosen. “I’m not here to justify my actions, nor those who fought by my side or gave me orders.”
A murmur spread through the crowd, but Azula did not falter. “I take responsibility for my part, and for that, I offer my apology.”
The tribe fell silent, expectant. No one had imagined hearing those words come from the Fire Nation princess.
“However, we all know that words of apology won’t erase the harm caused. That’s why I’m not only here to apologize, but to take actions that can truly repair that damage. We came here with the intent of making right what the Fire Nation has done, and we aim to do so through fair agreements.”
She paused strategically, her eyes scanning the members of the tribe. “But due to external circumstances, we don’t know when those agreements will be signed.”
The murmurs of unease grew among the crowd, but Azula raised her voice, cutting through the noise. “So, while we wait for these agreements to be finalized, I offer my help in any tasks that require assistance and where I can be of use.”
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, and some exchanged glances of disbelief. No one, except for Zuko, seemed to have anticipated this declaration. The Fire Lord remained still, though his eyes gleamed with a faint hint of approval.
Azula continued, dropping the final piece of her ‘plan’. “And to that end, I place myself under the guidance of Master Katara, who, from what I understand, is one of the tribe's pivotal figures.”
The shock was clear on Katara’s face. She hadn’t expected Azula to involve her in this way. The Fire Princess flashed a malicious smile, a spark of challenge flickering in her eyes. This was, without a doubt, her small revenge for their confrontation the day before.
Katara felt the attention of the tribe shift onto her, everyone waiting for her response. But she wasn’t about to let Azula win. Not this time. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, returning Azula’s gaze with equal intensity. “Whatever you think Azula can do, tell me,” she proclaimed firmly. “And I’ll make it happen.”
The crowd began to gather around Katara. As they did, Azula, satisfied with the outcome, slipped away from the scene with a barely perceptible smile on her lips.
Katara took hours to gather all the requests from the tribe. Many wanted Azula to perform absurd tasks just to humiliate her, while others saw an opportunity to exploit the skills of a seasoned firebender. In the end, the list was long, and Katara held it with a mix of satisfaction and doubt as she made her way to the Fire Nation ship.
With determined steps, she walked up the ramp and stood in front of the two guards stationed at the entrance. “Where’s Azula’s cabin?”
The guards exchanged glances before pointing to one of the first doors. Katara headed toward it, knocking firmly.
She waited a few seconds with no response. Frowning, she knocked again, this time harder and longer. The silence persisted. Just as she was about to knock a third time, the door swung open abruptly, revealing a clearly annoyed Azula.
“Well, you’re loud.” Her voice, though calm, dripped with irritation.
Azula’s hair was down, something Katara wasn’t used to seeing, and she wore a much simpler robe than the one from that morning, similar to what Zuko had worn during his firebending training with Aang. Something about the simplicity of the outfit made her seem surprisingly... approachable.
Katara was taken aback by the princess’s more relaxed appearance, and before she realized it, her eyes trailed up and down, analyzing every detail. Noticing this, Azula shot her a sly smile.
“I thought you came to torture me, but it seems your intentions might be... different.”
Katara’s face immediately flushed, heat rushing to her cheeks. Embarrassed and irritated at being caught, she roughly pulled out the list of tasks and handed it to Azula, practically shoving it at her.
“Here you go, princess. You’re starting by cleaning fish.” The words came out sharply fueled by her discomfort.
Azula’s expression changed instantly. The sly smile disappeared, replaced by a look of utter disgust. It was clear that the task didn’t sit well with her. “Wouldn’t it make more sense for me to help with the fishing? I can generate lightning, after all.”
Katara smiled triumphantly. She had managed to unsettle her, and now she was going to savor every moment of it. “No, no, I think cleaning fish will suit you just fine. Let’s go, we don’t have all day.”
Katara watched Azula from a distance, fascinated, though she tried not to admit it. The Fire Princess had spent the entire day completing every single task on the long list she had been given, and she did it without complaint. She wasn’t the friendliest person, that much was clear, but she didn’t whine or throw any tantrums either. Katara had expected some kind of outburst, but, to her surprise, Azula remained focused and quiet.
What had started as an opportunity for people to mock her quickly turned into something else. As they saw Azula carrying out each task, several of the villagers who had initially looked at her with disdain began to change their attitudes. Some even went as far as thanking her, treating her like one of their own. And the most surprising part of it all was that the firebender, far from mocking them or showing her usual superiority, seemed genuinely interested in the culture of the Water Tribe, without passing judgment or making malicious remarks.
Now, the task Azula was performing involved carrying heavy crates from one side of the tribe to the other. While most people had to work in pairs to lift the weight, Azula did it alone, easily carrying what took others twice the effort. Her physical prowess was evident, and Katara, without realizing it, couldn’t take her eyes off her.
She was so absorbed in the sight of Azula working with such efficiency and strength that she didn’t notice when someone approached from behind and closed her mouth with a finger. Katara jolted, quickly turning around to find herself face-to-face with her brother.
“What...?” she asked, confused, her brow furrowing.
Sokka gave her a mischievous grin. “You were drooling while watching her,” he said with a chuckle, noticing how Katara’s face instantly flushed. “I think someone has a little crush.”
“I do not!” Katara exclaimed, indignant. “And especially not on her.” Her tone was sharp, but the anger seemed more directed at herself than at her brother.
Sokka nodded, though his expression made it clear he wasn’t convinced. “Sure.”
Katara clenched her fists, frustrated. “But do you remember everything she’s done to us?” she asked, trying to find a solid reason to justify her feelings of rejection.
Sokka looked at her seriously for a moment. “Yeah, of course I remember... but if we could forgive Zuko, why not her?”
Katara stayed silent for a few seconds before replying, “She almost killed Aang.”
Sokka looked at her with a mixture of understanding and patience. “Zuko tried to, too. Multiple times, if you remember.”
“Yes, but he... it’s not the same,” Katara responded, though her argument sounded weak even to herself.
Sokka threw an arm over his sister’s shoulders. “Maybe, but Zuko trusts her. And from what he’s told me, her life hasn’t exactly been easy.”
Katara didn’t respond. Instead, her eyes returned to Azula, who had now tied her long hair into a high ponytail to avoid distractions as she organized the rest of the people working with her. She was taking control, directing the villagers with an efficiency that even Katara had to admit was impressive.
“Katara,” Sokka said softly, watching his sister’s expression. “If you like her, it’s okay. You don’t have to justify it.”
Katara let out a sigh, her gaze still fixed on Azula. “I’m not so sure,” the waterbender murmured.
Sokka smiled slightly, giving her a pat on the shoulder before walking away. “Well, you have time to figure it out. But don’t punish yourself for what you feel.”
Katara watched him leave before turning her attention back to Azula, who continued with her task, completely unaware of the internal storm she was stirring within the waterbender.
‘What if Sokka was right?’
The days passed, and the tasks people asked Azula to do became more and more ordinary. What had started as an attempt to put her in uncomfortable situations quickly turned into something more useful for the community. The villagers began to appreciate her efficiency and the respect with which she completed each job. While the Fire Princess never showed much warmth, her dedication and competence gradually earned her the approval—if not the affection—of many.
That day, Katara decided that Azula was going to help her.
Early in the morning, she made her way to the Fire Princess's cabin on the Fire Nation ship. When Azula opened the door, her face showed slight surprise, which quickly faded as she listened to Katara’s proposal.
"Do you know how to heat water with your firebending?"
Katara’s question seemed to offend Azula, but she nodded with an air of confidence. "Of course I do. I’m not-"
"Perfect. I need you to help me in the healing hut. There’s a group of elders who could benefit from hot water therapies while I treat their joints."
Azula raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by how simple the task sounded. "And that’s it? After all the work I've done so far, I expected something more... elaborate."
"That's just the start." Katara couldn’t help but smile, which caused a small smile to appear on Azula’s face as well, who replied without much thought, "I think that’s the first time you’ve smiled at me for real."
The comment caught Katara off guard, and her smile vanished immediately, prompting a brief laugh from Azula. Before Katara could respond, Azula tapped her nose with a finger, just like she had done days ago. "You should do it more often."
Once again, Katara felt her face flush with a deep blush. It was happening far too often when Azula was around, but instead of responding, she simply followed her, maintaining an awkward silence.
When they arrived at the healing hut, Katara removed her parka and hung it on a hook. While she did so, Azula scanned the space, her eyes taking in every corner of the cabin. Her movements were calculated, always paying attention to each detail. Finally, she turned to the waterbender, her brow slightly furrowed.
"How do you need me?"
The question took Katara completely by surprise. "What?!"
Azula scoffed, impatient. "How on earth do you expect me to help if you don’t tell me what to do?"
"Oh, right... that pool over there... that— that one."
Azula gave her a strange look but followed her instructions, giving Katara a moment to breathe and collect herself.
Azula watched her with a mix of curiosity and amusement before nodding and moving toward the pool to start heating the water, following orders without further comment. While Katara tried to regain her composure, she glanced at Azula out of the corner of her eye. Seeing Azula focused and in control—the same control that had made her so dangerous in the past—unnerved her, but in a different way now. She saw her acting with purpose, without the arrogance that used to accompany her, and for the first time, Katara allowed herself to accept an uncomfortable truth she had been trying to deny until that moment: she had a crush on Azula.
The realization hit her like a splash of cold water. Her breath quickened, and a feeling of panic flooded over her.
"Shit," she muttered under her breath, more to herself than to anyone else.
Luckily, Azula was busy controlling the water's temperature and didn’t seem to have heard her. Katara took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions inside her. ‘This can’t be happening’, she thought, ‘not with her.’
With the growing population of the Southern Water Tribe, the number of births had also increased. However, the number of masters available for the children had not grown at the same rate. During whale hunts, all the adults were busy, leaving Katara as the only waterbending teacher, almost full-time. Today was one of those days, and with so many eager children ready to learn, any help was welcome. Although the idea of having Azula as an assistant seemed risky, Katara decided to give her a chance.
When they arrived at the class site, Katara didn’t have to introduce Azula. The children quickly swarmed around her, their eyes filled with curiosity. ‘Too much curiosity,’ Katara thought, fearing how the Fire Princess might react to the overwhelming energy of the little ones.
Fearing how Azula might treat the kids, Katara quickly moved to intervene, but just as she was about to pull them away, Azula raised a hand, signaling her to stop.
"Let’s all sit together, in an orderly fashion," Azula said in her characteristically authoritative, yet surprisingly calm tone. "That way, I can answer your questions while looking you in the eyes. How does that sound?"
To Katara’s surprise, the children nodded excitedly and obeyed without hesitation, sitting in a circle around Azula. ‘Who would’ve imagined?’ Katara thought, watching in disbelief as the princess sat on the ground with them, fully immersed in her new role as an impromptu teacher.
"Now, raise your hand, and I’ll answer all your questions," Azula continued confidently.
One child immediately shot up his hand, waving it excitedly. "Go ahead," Azula said with a small smile on her face.
"Can you breathe fire?" the child asked, his eyes glowing with anticipation.
Azula nodded, and with a slight tilt of her head towards the sky, she exhaled a burst of blue fire that shot up into the air. The display was as impressive as it was unexpected, and the children began to clap enthusiastically, their faces lit up with wonder.
Another girl timidly raised her hand, and when Azula gave her permission, she asked, "Why is your fire blue?"
"The temperature of my fire is much higher than that of a normal firebender, creating a cleaner combustion," Azula explained, casually raising two fingers. "Training and talent."
Katara, watching from a distance, couldn’t help but feel a spark of curiosity. She had never stopped to think about the reason behind Azula’s blue fire. She had always assumed it was something innate, maybe luck, based on the comments Zuko used to make about his sister.
The next child was quick to follow. "What about lightning?"
With a nonchalant gesture, Azula raised her hand, generating a small spark of lightning that crackled between her fingers, electrifying the air. "Same thing," she responded with the same confidence, as if controlling lightning was the most natural thing in the world. The child was mesmerized, barely listening to the explanation as his eyes followed the dancing lightning in Azula’s hand.
Katara let out a small smile, unable to help herself in the face of the children’s fascination and Azula’s ability to keep them captivated.
But then, an unexpected question came from a little girl who had her hand raised. "Is it true that you’re a princess?"
Azula nodded with a slight tilt of her head. "Yes."
"Does that mean you’re going to marry a prince?" The girl looked at Azula with a mix of admiration and hope.
Azula’s face immediately twisted with disgust, as if the mere thought was repulsive. "No."
The girl seemed a little saddened by this, so the princess added with a slight smile on her lips, "But I’m not ruling out marrying another princess."
Katara’s eyes widened upon hearing those words, and her heart skipped a beat. Azula, without missing a beat, shot a quick glance in her direction, as if searching for her reaction. Katara felt the heat rise up her neck, knowing that Azula had noticed her surprise.
A small hand shot up again. "Can I be your princess?" asked the same girl with a smile.
Azula laughed at the girl’s boldness. "I’m flattered," she replied with an unusually gentle tone in her voice, "but I think you’re a little young for me, don’t you?"
"But when I grow up…" the girl insisted with determination.
Azula shook her head, amused. "Even then, you’d still be too young. I don’t date people much younger than me."
The girl looked disappointed, but before the sadness could settle in, Azula added, "But I’m sure, when you’re older, you’ll find someone who’ll want you as their princess."
The conversation, which could have been awkward, ended in a sweet, natural way, with Azula gently convincing her not to date people too much older. Meanwhile, Katara’s heart pounded harder. ‘If she’s older than Zuko, then… my chances…’ A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she watched the Fire Princess calmly and patiently respond to the children’s questions—something she never would’ve imagined.
Katara silently watched as Azula held the flames with precise control while Gran Gran patiently explained the recipe. It was almost surreal to see the Fire Princess involved in something so mundane, helping with village tasks as if she'd been doing it her whole life. After a week of living together, the villagers had grown almost as accustomed to Azula's presence as they had to Zuko’s. That very afternoon, Gran Gran had invited them both for dinner—something Katara would never have imagined possible not too long ago.
Zuko approached Katara with a slight smile and nudged her gently. "I told you she had changed."
"Hmh…" Katara barely paid attention, her eyes still fixed on Azula, fascinated without knowing exactly why. But at that moment, Azula noticed Katara's gaze and, with a small smile, returned it. Katara quickly turned her head to look at Zuko instead. "I guess... you're right."
Zuko seemed about to say something more, but before he could, Gran Gran's firm voice rang out. "Everyone, sit down!"
Obediently, they all sat around the cauldron. Hakoda began serving the food, starting with Zuko and Azula. The two Fire Nation siblings looked into their bowls with curiosity.
"What is this?" Zuko asked nervously, eyeing the gelatinous texture of the meal.
Sokka, who was enjoying every second of their discomfort, grinned from ear to ear. "Sea prunes, a delicacy."
Zuko swallowed hard, trying to hide his disgust. The slimy texture of the sea prunes made his stomach churn, but he didn't want to be rude. Just as he was about to muster the courage to try them, Azula’s voice cut in.
"Not bad," Azula said nonchalantly, taking another spoonful as the rest of the group stared in disbelief. "Though it could use a bit more spice."
Zuko looked up, surprised, watching his sister eat the meal with ease. The others, especially Sokka and Katara, were left slack-jawed.
"I'm not as weak as Zuzu," Azula added with a mischievous grin, clearly enjoying their bewilderment.
The silence was broken by an explosion of laughter. Katara, caught up in the moment, let out a laugh and, between giggles, said, "Spirits, Zuko, I never thought I'd say this, but you should learn from your older sister!"
Azula immediately frowned. "What? What are you talking about?"
Katara, confused by her reaction, replied, "It was a compliment."
Zuko and Sokka's laughter grew louder, amplifying the awkwardness. Katara, even more puzzled, raised her voice, her cheeks flushing. "What’s so funny?!"
Azula looked at her seriously, visibly irritated. "I'm not the older one."
"What?" Katara looked her up and down, incredulous. "But aren’t you... at least, what? Twenty-something?"
Zuko's laughter intensified, and Azula, annoyed, conjured a small lightning bolt in her hand and shot it at her brother to shut him up. "No."
Katara, still trying to process the situation, stared at Azula in shock. "How old are you?"
"Two years younger than Zuko."
Katara paled instantly. "But... Zuko’s Sokka’s age, and if you're two years younger than him... that means... you’re my age!"
Azula opened her mouth to respond, but seeing Katara practically unravel before her eyes at this newfound revelation, she decided to remain silent. Meanwhile, Zuko, barely able to contain his laughter, wiped tears from his eyes, clearly enjoying the spectacle. Azula shot him a warning glance, but he continued chuckling under his breath.
Suddenly, Katara leaped up and, before Azula could react, grabbed her face with both hands. "You can’t be my age!"
Azula blinked, startled. "And why not?"
Katara, visibly upset, tightened her grip. "Because I thought you were way older than me!"
Hakoda and Gran Gran watched the scene unfold from their seats, exchanging amused glances as they continued savoring their dinner. The tension between the two young women was palpable, and Katara’s descent into confusion was oddly entertaining to witness.
"And what’s your problem with that?" Azula asked, as best as she could with Katara still gripping her face.
"Because now it’s... I mean, it’s entirely my fault... not because you were too old for me." Katara's voice trembled with confusion, and her cheeks grew more and more flushed.
Azula, increasingly baffled, looked at her. "Katara, what are you talking about?"
The mere sound of her name seemed to snap Katara back to reality. She quickly released Azula, her face burning red, grabbed her parka, and dashed out of the igloo in a whirlwind of nerves, mumbling something about needing to go home.
Silence fell over the igloo, broken only by the crackling of the fire.
"Is... is this normal?" Azula asked, trying to compose herself after the chaotic exchange.
Zuko, still amused, gave her a meaningful look. "You should go talk to her."
"What, so she can insult me more about my age?"
"Agni, Lala, just do the math."
Azula glanced between the two brothers, who returned her gaze with playful smirks. Suddenly, Zuko and Sokka stood up in unison, grabbed her by the shoulders, and gently shoved her toward the igloo’s entrance. "Go!"
Their synchronized actions made it clear to Azula that she had two choices: retreat to her quarters and forget the whole ordeal, or go find Katara and figure out what was really going on.
With a sigh, Azula opted for the latter, wondering just what kind of emotional chaos she was about to step into.
The spiral of thoughts Katara was lost in shattered as she heard soft knocks on the door of her igloo. With a heavy heart, she got up, already suspecting who it might be. "Sokka, I really don’t want to talk about it."
But the voice she heard when she opened the door took her by surprise. "First, I’m the older sister, and now this. I preferred it when you were trying to kill me too."
Azula stood there, leaning against the doorframe, observing her with a mixture of curiosity and frustration. Katara remained silent, unsure of what to say. She hadn't expected to see her there.
"Can I come in? Or are you going to tell me I’ve got Ozai’s goatee?"
"What are you doing here?" Katara finally asked, perplexed.
Azula sighed and crossed her arms. "Our brothers think it would be good for us to talk." At this, Katara lowered her gaze, uncomfortable. "Besides, I thought we were starting to tolerate each other. I want to know what I did wrong because it's clear we’re not on the same page."
The honesty in Azula’s voice disarmed Katara, who stepped aside and motioned for her to come in. Azula glanced around the igloo with curiosity while Katara, visibly nervous, sat on her bed and gestured for Azula to sit beside her. Azula hesitated for a moment but eventually joined her.
The silence between them grew heavy until, in a surprisingly soft tone for what Katara had come to expect from the Fire Princess, Azula spoke first. "Why does it matter so much to you that I’m older than my brother?"
Katara averted her gaze, uncomfortable. "It’s not that it mattered... it’s just..."
"What?" Azula pressed, raising an eyebrow.
Katara swallowed hard, struggling with her words. "I thought that if you were older, you’d see me as a kid. And that would make..." Katara bit her lip, clearly embarrassed, before continuing, looking at anything but Azula. "Whatever it is you make me feel... disappear."
Azula blinked, startled by the confession. "What?" she blurted out in a sharp tone, clearly confused.
Katara turned to look at her and saw how deeply Azula blushed, her mouth slightly open, unable to form a coherent response. "You... me... you...?"
The Fire Princess was visibly overwhelmed by the revelation, and Katara, unable to hold back, burst into laughter, breaking the tension in the air.
Azula, embarrassed and annoyed, quickly tried to stand up, but Katara grabbed her arm, pulling her back down. "I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who's a mess at this."
Azula, still processing what she had just heard, frowned. "Well, for someone who likes me, you sure spent the day insulting me."
Katara looked at her with a small smile, watching a playful pout form on the Fire Princess’s lips. Without thinking too much, she let go of Azula’s arm and, in a much gentler gesture than before, cupped her face, caressing her blushing cheeks.
The flush on Azula's face deepened, but she made no effort to pull away, encouraging Katara to continue.
"Now that I know you’re my age, and it seems like this isn’t just in my head..." Katara let her gaze slowly drift down from Azula's eyes to her lips. "Can I kiss you?"
The question made Azula tense up, clearly overwhelmed, but since Katara hadn’t let go of her face, she could feel the princess nod almost imperceptibly.
"Cool," Katara murmured with a smile before leaning in slowly.
Azula closed her eyes, anticipating the contact, and within seconds, Katara's lips gently brushed against hers. Feeling Azula’s warm breath on her skin sent a shiver down her spine, and for a moment she hesitated, but seeing Azula with her eyes closed and a blush on her cheeks made her move forward.
The first kiss was soft, almost timid, as if they were both exploring unfamiliar territory. Katara pressed a little more, her lips fitting better against Azula’s.
Katara's hands, which had been firmly holding Azula's cheeks, slid gently to the back of the Fire Princess's neck, tangling in her dark hair, pulling her closer.
Azula, initially still, began to respond with equal need. Her hands gripped Katara's waist, pulling her in tighter, almost desperate to feel more of that contact.
Katara’s lips moved with newfound confidence, taking control of the rhythm as their bodies began to sync. The intensity grew when Katara slid her tongue forward, soft but determined, seeking Azula's, eliciting a small, muffled moan from the princess that only fueled the passion.
Finally, when they both began to run out of air, Katara pulled back just enough to catch her breath, her lips barely parted from Azula's, both of them breathing heavily. The Firebender slowly opened her eyes, and when their gazes met, a small smile formed on the Fire Princess’s lips.
"I guess the insults were worth it after all," Azula whispered, her voice trembling but laced with humor, making Katara chuckle softly.
Unable to resist, Katara stroked Azula's face once more, her fingers delicately tracing along her jawline. "Maybe... but you don’t have to stop kissing me to tell me that."
Azula absentmindedly played with Katara's hair as the waterbender snuggled closer, enjoying the warmth that radiated from the firebender. In the midst of the comfortable silence, a question crossed the princess’s mind.
"Why did you think I was older than you?"
Katara looked up, smiling before she replied, "You seemed more mature… and you were always wearing makeup during the war."
Azula let out a soft laugh. "Are you telling me you’re not more mature than your brother?"
Katara pondered for a few seconds, "Touché."
Azula gave her a satisfied look, but then her expression softened, her tone turning more reflective. "Although I have to admit, I did wear the makeup to look older. After all, I attended all of my father’s meetings… a room full of military men who would never take a little girl seriously."
"That’s… sad." Katara propped herself up on an elbow, so she was face to face with Azula on the pillow. "Well then, I’m glad I completely ruined your makeup."
Azula raised an eyebrow. "Is it really that bad?"
Katara grinned and nodded.
Azula averted her gaze, a little embarrassed, and then, in a softer tone, said, "Could you…?"
Katara didn’t need any more explanation. With a gentle wave of her hand, a small sphere of water floated up to Azula’s face, carefully wiping away the remnants of her makeup. The Fire Princess kept her eyes closed until, unexpectedly, she felt Katara’s lips lightly press against hers in a brief, delicate kiss.
"How is it possible that you’re just as beautiful without makeup as you are with it?" Katara murmured, brushing her nose against Azula’s.
Azula smiled, slowly opening her eyes. "The raw material is pretty good."
Katara feigned surprise, placing a hand on her chest in an exaggerated gesture. "I can’t believe it… You're a dork!"
Azula frowned, clearly offended. "I am not such a thing."
"Yes, you are."
Azula opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say anything more, Katara wrapped her arms around her, pulling her close. "It’s not a bad thing," Katara whispered in her ear.
Azula felt the warmth of Katara’s body against hers and smiled. "No, I suppose it’s not."
Katara began to gently trace a path up and down Azula’s back with her finger. "So… Mai and Ty Lee are our age, right?"
"Mai’s a bit older, but yes, Ty Lee’s the same age as us."
Katara sighed, tilting her head as she thought. "I can’t believe we fought in the war when we were just kids..."
Azula settled more comfortably on top of Katara, closing her eyes for a moment. "No, I guess not."
After a few seconds of silence, Katara spoke again, in a playful tone. "But do you know what bothers me the most?"
"What?" Azula asked, curious.
"I thought I was taller than you, being younger."
Azula snorted, amused. "You’re not taller than me."
Katara’s smile widened. "Yes, I am."
"Do you want to prove it?"
"No," the waterbender replied firmly.
Azula raised an eyebrow. "No?"
Katara smiled. "I think we have better things to do." Katara’s hand, which had been calmly tracing Azula’s back, began to slowly move downward. "Don’t you think?"
Azula let out a soft sigh, abandoning the argument completely as Katara’s touch shifted.
The storm had subsided, so the negotiations were about to conclude. Azula, for days now, had stopped sleeping in her cabin on the ship to spend the nights in Katara’s igloo. Everyone in the tribe knew, but no one seemed to object, especially after all Azula had done to help them. Neither of them thought it would take long to reach an agreement with the other tribes, so the bubble would soon burst.
Katara felt that this brief refuge of intimacy was about to fade. The bubble of tranquility they had created was soon to pop. She knew it, and that’s why she focused on savoring every moment with Azula, but it seemed the princess had other plans.
When they both entered the igloo, instead of giving in to the passion that had marked their recent encounters, Azula went straight to sit on the bed, a gesture that confused Katara. The waterbender watched her for a moment before Azula patted the empty space beside her, inviting her to sit.
"We need to talk."
Katara sighed, sad that she had hoped for one more day before everything ended. "I guess we do."
Azula nodded, her face calm but her tone filled with determination. "I've been thinking... I think I can arrange things to spend a few weeks here every now and then. Mai is doing an excellent job and knows how to keep Zuko in line, and once the Fire Nation is more stable, I don’t think there’ll be any problem with me living here for certain seasons. I can still help from a distance, read documents, coordinate-"
Katara, clearly surprised, interrupted Azula before she could continue. "Wait, what?"
Azula was startled, unable to read Katara’s expression. "Oh, did I misread the situation? Is it too soon? I thought that..."
"Are you saying that... you plan to arrange your life to come live here?" Katara asked, still processing what Azula had just said.
Azula blushed, embarrassed. "I... "
Katara didn’t respond with words. Instead, she took Azula's face in her hands and kissed her, firmly, urgently, as if trying to dispel any doubt or misunderstanding left between them.
"No, I’d love for you to do that," Katara said when they broke apart, her breath a little uneven. "I just didn’t expect that... I thought everything would be... different?"
Azula looked at her with a mix of confusion and sincerity. "Why? If I like you and you like me, what’s the problem?"
Katara watched her for a moment, with a playful smile. "I didn’t know you could be so assertive."
Azula let out a light laugh. "Years of therapy help," she said, smiling as she heard Katara’s soft laugh. "Plus, being the eldest gives me a certain maturity."
Katara nudged her gently, laughing. "You’re never going to let that go, are you?"
"Nope," Azula replied with a smug smile.
"Dork."
Azula wrapped her arms around Katara, pulling her back, making Katara fall on top of her, both laughing. The waterbender hugged Azula tighter, enjoying the feeling of being like this.
"So, would you really rearrange your life to be here?" Katara asked, in a softer tone.
Azula smiled, genuinely. "I like this more than I ever could’ve imagined."
"Just the tribe?"
"Don’t be greedy. I’ve told you I like you in many ways."
"It never hurts to hear it again," Katara teased, playing with a strand of Azula’s hair.
Azula smiled, with a teasing look. "In the end, you really are like a little girl."
Katara pinched her arm, making the fire princess laugh. But then, a thought crossed her mind, and her expression changed. "Wait a minute... When’s your birthday?"
"In the summer," Azula answered, not thinking much of it.
Katara suddenly sat up, staring at her. "Azula."
"What?"
"I was born in the winter. That means... I’m older than you."
Azula blinked, incredulous. "Wait, what?"
Katara couldn’t help but laugh. "I can’t believe it! I’ve spent weeks worrying about being too young for you, and it turns out it’s the other way around!"
"It’s only a few months," Azula said, somewhat defensively.
Katara ignored her, dramatically putting a hand on her forehead. "I’m the cradle-robber... What’s Gran Gran going to think of me?"
“Agni.” Azula rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small smile Katara’s antics brought to her face.
"But would an age difference really be so bad to you?" Katara asked, more seriously now.
Azula seemed to think for a moment before responding. "My grandfather Azulon married my grandmother when she was barely eighteen and he was already around thirty or forty... It always seemed... gross to me. He was a grown man, and she was just a young girl. I don’t want to live something like that."
Katara looked at her, surprised by the sincerity of her response. She kissed her softly, tenderly, their lips barely touching. "You’re full of surprises, you know that?"
“Good or bad ones?”
Katara smiled. "I just kissed you, what do you think?"
Azula looked at her intensely, her lips curving into a playful smile. "I think you should do it again."
Katara raised an eyebrow. "You shouldn’t boss around your elders."
"Maybe not..."
Either way, Katara kissed her again. Once, twice, and over and over again.