Set Sail

On the docks of one of the Fire Nations ports, a large military ship could be seen.

As the ship's crew scurried about, preparing for their journey, Azula and Ash found themselves perched on the hull, conversing.

"I want you to teach me all your techniques." Azula demanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

A chuckle escaped Ash's lips, his amusement evident in his eyes. "You truly have no shame, do you?" He remarked, "Why would I make you any stronger than you already are?"

Azula scoffed, but a mischievous smile danced on her lips. "I am your wife, after all. You wouldn't want me to get hurt, would you?" She retorted, her tone dripping with mock innocence.

Ash's smile widened at her words, a glint of playfulness in his eyes. "Indeed, you are MY wife," he replied, "Aren't you?"

An irritated frown tugged at the corners of Azula's mouth. 'The way he says it irks me. As if I actually belong to him... Fool,' she thought to herself, her pride stung, 'I'll use your knowledge and become stronger than you. Then I'll properly deal with your insubordination later on.'

Nonetheless her expression softened slightly as Ash continued, his next words piquing her interest. "I'll teach you on one condition."

Azula's suspicion was evident in her narrowed eyes as she regarded Ash. "What is it?"

Ash's lips quirked into a playful smirk. "Just a simple hug for 30 seconds." He replied casually, shrugging his shoulders.

Azula raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "That's all?" 

Ash simply nodded.

Without hesitation, Azula awkwardly spread her arms and wrapped them around his back, mimicking the gesture she had seen countless times but rarely experienced herself. Ash reciprocated the embrace, his arms encircling her waist.

However, as they stood there, Ash couldn't help but notice Azula's awkwardness. "You know," he began, "in an intimate embrace, the woman usually wraps her arms around the guy's neck, while the guy holds her around the waist."

Azula's just sneered silently, "Hmph."

Ash immediately noticed this reaction, a rare hint of embarrassment hiding under her cold expression, "Is this your first relationship or something?"

An indignant huff escaped Azula's lips, ignoring his question as she begrudgingly adjusted her stance, following his instructions. She tentatively placed her arms around his neck, while Ash's arms found their place around her waist, pulling her closer.

Their eyes locked onto each other, similar to earlier this morning.

Azula's gaze held a mixture of defiance and curiosity, as if daring Ash to challenge her, yet also silently questioning his intentions. For a moment, it seemed as though they were suspended in time, the tension between them palpable in the air.

However, Azula's walls quickly rose once more, her mask of indifference firmly in place. Without a word, she broke their gaze, her gaze drifting downwards as she laid her head against his nape.

For Azula, this closeness was unfamiliar territory, yet something about it felt quite familiar.

'Now I remember... This feels like when Mother used to embrace me as a child, I guess all hugs feel like this.'

But even as the memories flooded back, Azula's heart remained steadfast in its resolve. She pushed aside the fleeting nostalgia, 'However, even mother saw me only as a monster, just like how Ash see's me. The only reason he's even interested in me is because of my position...'

Snap!

Her reverie was shattered by a sudden flick on her forehead, jolting her back to the present.

With a sharp intake of breath, Azula recoiled, her hand instinctively flying to the point of impact as she shot a glare at Ash. "What the hell!?" She snapped, her voice tinged with irritation.

But Ash's expression remained calm, his demeanor unruffled by her outburst. "Y'know, thinking too much isn't good."

Azula's lip curled in a scornful gesture as she waved her hand impatiently. "Whatever," She muttered, "I hugged you for 30 seconds, now you have to teach me."

Ash ignored her statement with a knowing expression, as he softly grabbed her chin and guided her head upwards, face to face with him.

Azula remained composed as her once annoyed expression, turned smug, "Don't tell me you want a kiss now?"

Ash rolled his eyes, before looking at her intently, "No, actually I'm trying to emphasize that I am on your side. This disdain you have with me because I hurt your pride in that fight, is trivial, you need to understand we're on the same team."

Azula noticed the genuine look in his eyes, and kept calm, but inwardly her thoughts were tangled.

'How the hell am I supposed to deal with someone like him? I've never met someone who can't be controlled by fear, other then Father obviously. At first I was just planning on playing along, but as I've thought before, marrying him is nothing but beneficial for me. Perhaps I can have an ally who's not controlled by fear...'

But her expression hardened immediately after, 'No. Loyalty can be guaranteed through fear, why should I use something like trust? The cons far outweigh the pros.'

Azula focused back on the present, returning a smile of her own, "Of course I know your on my side, just like how I am on yours."

Ash looked at her for a few seconds, before releasing her chin, "I'm really being genuine Azula," With a sigh, he continued, "and your here acting like a two faced bitch."

Before Azula could even say anything, Ash stepped away and sat at the front of the ship in a meditative position.

Azula herself was frowning deeply, 'Tsk. Can he read thoughts? How the hell does he know what I'm thinking.'

In reality, Ash understood Azula more than she understood herself, he wasn't a fool, he knew perhaps he was doing something stupid by attempting to help her.

And for now, he would continue to do so, however if he believes she's a lost cause, he'll be gone in an instant.

Taking note of his defenseless back, Azula got an idea, as she slowly pulled back her fist.

'Gotchu now!'

With a burst of strength, she shot her finger forward, shooting out a small stream of blue fire, enough so that he wouldn't be actually hurt.

But just as the flames were going to connect, he abruptly hopped to the left, still in his crisscross position.

Azula furrowed her brows at this, 'How could he even dodge that? He has even more abilities!?'

After a moment of tense silence, Azula couldn't resist breaking it, her voice sharp with irritation. "What are you, some kind of wizard? Dodging fire like that."

Ash chuckled softly, his eyes still closed as he maintained his meditative pose. "Just a little trick I picked up."

Azula glared, feeling a twinge of frustration at his nonchalant demeanor. "Well, you could have told me."

His chuckle grew, though it held a hint of amusement. "Why should I?"

Despite herself, Azula felt a reluctant smirk tug at the corners of her lips. "You're insufferable." She muttered.

Ash finally opened his eyes, turning to look at her with an entertained look, "And you're a firebending prodigy." 

Azula rolled her eyes, though she couldn't hide a flicker of satisfaction at the praise. "Flattery won't get you anywhere." She retorted, crossing her arms defiantly.

"Who said I was trying to get anywhere?" Ash replied with a smirk.

****

Currently at the Northern Water Tribe, its towering ice structures glistened in the moonlight against the backdrop of the night sky. Within the heart of the city, a grand banquet was underway, illuminated by the soft glow of torches and the gentle cascade of waterfalls adorning the walls.

At the forefront of the festivities sat a table marked with intricate ice carvings and shimmering decorations.

Seated at the center was a bald-headed boy with bright blue eyes, flanked by a young Southern Water Tribe girl and a boisterous Southern Tribe warrior. They were none other than the Avatar Aang, accompanied by his friends Katara and Sokka.

Surrounding them were members of the Northern Water Tribe, their faces alight with joy and anticipation as they partook in the ceremony to welcome the Avatar and celebrate the coming of age of Princess Yue. The air was filled with laughter and music, the atmosphere alive with the spirit of celebration and unity.

With a man standing at the front, he spoke loudly, "Now, Master Paaku and his students will perform!"

At his words, Master Paaku and his students began their waterbending display, their movements fluid and precise.

They manipulated the water with skillful precision, forming intricate patterns and shapes that danced in the air.

Aang and Katara watched in awe, their applause joining the chorus of others in the audience.

Meanwhile, Sokka leaned in to speak to Princess Yue, his expression animated as he spoke awkwardly, "So, uhhh... Your a princess, huh?!.. Y'know, back in my tribe, I'm kinda like a prince myself."

Katara scoffed from beside him, "Ha! Prince of what?"

He retorted as he glanced at her annoyingly, "A lot of things. Uh, Do you mind, I'm trying to have a conversation here!"

Katara had a mocking smile as she bowed, "My apologies, Prince Sokka."

Sokka then gazed back toward Princess Yue, as he said, "So it looks like I'm going to be in town for a while..." He seemed fiddly while continuing, "I'm thinking maybe we can do an activity together?"

Princess Yue, amusedly tilted her head, "Do an activity?"

Sokka just stared at her in an awkward daze, before looking back down at his food, immediately grabbing it, and stuffing his face, as he coughed nervously.

Katara abruptly slid in from the side with a playful smile, "Very smooth~"

Defeatedly sitting back, he decided staying quiet was the best method for now.

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