Chapter 38: Wedding

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Three years later

Three years had passed, three demanding years since the Hundred Year War - almost five years since Azula had meet Zhan in this very same palace. Now Azula was in for the greast challenge in her life: marriage.

She had been engaged for four years now and yet only now could they 'tie the knot'. The post-War period had been a slight work of its own:

- dealing with assassins against the new Fire Lord

- dealing with the Fire Nation colonies

- dealing with the leftover of Ozai' supporters

- dealing with Zhan

She mentally chuckled at that last part, Zhan was Zhan, always and no matter what happened. The colonies however, were a bigger problem, then they were thought to be - returning land isn't easy, when people had been living there for a hundred years; with their only crime being obediance to their nation or else. It had taken every last idea, trick, ouright threat of force and help from the Avatar to solve the colony problem between her brother and the Earth King. Egotistic idiots.

Yet in the end the solution was acceptable - the Fire Nation colonist wouldn't have to leave, and the Earth King didn't have to worry about the Fire Nation remaining in control of them: every last colony would become independent; a nation of their own, with people welcomed from every corner of the world. The Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom both helping to make them self-sufficient, until they can manage their own independence.

Now with those problems dealt with, Azula could focus on her own - namely reaching the altar, before she fainted from nervousness. Luckily some of her friends were around to help her...somewhat.

"Azula, you ready?" asked Katara, knocking on the door.

"No!" yelped Azula, still nervous.

"Out of the way!" replied Toph, kicking open the door. "You can't hide here forever."

"Yes I can!" said Azula, as she went back to check herself on the mirror.

"You look beautiful Azula, what are you scared of?" asked Katara, wearing one of her tribes cyan-colored formal robes for the occasion.

"Nothing!" replied Azula. "...sorry, I just got the shakes..."

"Relax Princess, you got a guy who would carry you to the clouds and over them," said Toph, even she had agreed to wear something 'formal' - a teal silk robe that complimented her slightly longer hair now. "By far he's as nice as Twinkle-toes, and he's an airbender."

"Still..." replied Azula, sitting down and taking a breather.

"C'mon Azula, me and Zuko' one wasn't that bad," spoke her now sister-in-law Mai, leaning on the doorway. "How worse could yours be?"

"Not helping..." said Azula.

"Relax Azula," replied Mai, helping her up and upto the mirror. "Just be yourself, don't trip and smile. Other than that - your fine."

Azula gave a slight smile as she eyed herself in the mirror - a long, red wedding gown; as customary of any royal wedding and her long black hair combed down. Yet she had bitter-sweet moments regarding this moment: none of her parents were here, Ozai was imprisoned and her mother was still missing.

"Somebody is coming, two of them. One is your boy and...the other I don't know..." said Toph suddenly, as she felt footsteps approach them.

"Zhan! It's bad luck to see the bride now!" said Azula, as she hid behind Katara and Toph.

"Relax. Not coming inside, but someone else is..." replied Zhan from behind the door.

"I'm not sure..." spoke a female to Zhan, a voice too familiar to Azula.

"Go...speak your heart out...she loves you..." urged Zhan on, as he opened the door to let a hooded woman enter.

"Does this old fool have a chance to speak to her little girl?" asked the woman, removing her to hood and showing her face - Ursa, her mother.

"...mom..?" asked Azula shocked, as she dropped the hairbrush.

"Uhh...we'll give you two some privacy..." said Katara, dragging Toph and Mai away.

"...you...you...your real?!" asked Azula, her hands shaking.

"Yes...I believe...I send two scrolls? Four years ago? I know it wasn't much, I should have told you more or if-" spoke Ursa, before she was cut off by Azula. Who had essentially dive-hugged into her mother's arms.

"Oh my goodness!" cheered Azula, practically in tears, as she hugged her mother. "...I...thought...you were dead...after your banishment..."

"I'm..can't forgive myself for what I did, Azula. Neither the fact, that I left you alone. I was weak then, I couldn't stand against Ozai enough to protect you, I'm sorry..."

"It's okay...I forgive you...I just wanted you to be here..." whispered Azula, as her tears flowed. "...will you stay?"

"As long as you wish," replied Ursa, hugging Azula.

"Azula? Are you alright, I heard crying and-" asked Zuko, before his words were lost as well.

"Hi!" waved Ursa, at the shocked Zuko with Azula still around her.

"Um...I should-"

"Get over here!" interupted Azula, pulling his brother into their family hug.

"Oh you two...you've grown so much..." said Ursa, hugging her kids. "My boy is the Fire Lord...and my little girl getting married. I wish I could've been here."

"You can be now! But...mom...one question. Why did you leave?" asked Azula from her mother.

"It's a long story, but I'll keep it short," replied Ursa, sitting down. "Ozai wanted to kill Zuko, I stopped him in exchange for making a poison to kill Azulon and...my banishment."

"I never knew..." said Azula, teary eyed. Zuko quiet at not mention their mother' leaving to her. "I thought you left, because you didn't love us."

"That's a lie!" replied Ursa. "One Ozai likely created - I loved you both, Zuko was weaker then and left alone...Azula...I'm sorry. Ozai wouldn't let me near you, even after your trainings...and when I could speak to you...I acted more as a teacher and ...rather than a mother to you..."

"It's okay..." sniffled Azula. "I was a bit of a trouble-maker myself."

That joke broke the ice, as everybody laughed to their hearts content.

"I wasn't there, when you needed me. So I'll be here, if you want me," said Ursa.

"Yes, yes, yes!" chuckled Azula, happily hugging her mother.

"Happy and all but..." said Zuko, indicating at her dress.

"The wedding! Of course," remembred Azula, returning to the mirror. "Mother...any advice?"

"Yes..." chuckled Ursa, being able to 'help' her daughter like she was supposed to. "Calm down, be happy and be yourself."

"Okay, but two more things: how is he? Suitable?" asked Azula.

"Dear, that's for you to decide, not me," replied Ursa, suprised at Azula for asking her approval. "Yet in my opinion, he is the best thing to ever happen to you."

"What about...after...in bed?" whispered Azula, into her mother' ear. "I'm clueless there..."

"Oh..." realized Ursa, her face a little red at her daughter' question.

"Well...that's one place I can't offer anything..." whispered Ursa, other than a few words that made Azula red in the face. "...even still...relax...and feel it...don't be afraid...trust eachother."

"I will," replied Azula, hugging her. "Let's go!"

XXX

Azula was red as the colour of her nation as she slowly walked towards him. The red veil luckily hiding her flushed face, otherwise she would have fainted by now from the stares. One step, second, third and fourth - good so far. Everybody had come to see her: the Avatar and his trio of friends, Mai and Zuko in the front, Iroh behind them, looking his happy self, Zhan' mother was close-by with her own husband; even Ty Lee whose eyes were puffy-red from tears of joy. Yet nearby, arriving next to Iroh, sat her mother which made everything...perfect for her.

"My...dear...you look lovely..." muttered Zhan, as Azula stepped up next to him.

"...thank you...for finding her.." whispered Azula, as the Fire Sage began the ceremony.

"Two weeks of meditating was worth it..." he whispered back.

"...I know...thank you..." she replied, starting to cry in her own wedding; as the Fire Sage spoke through the ceremony. Finishing soon as they turned to face eachother.

Zhan lifted the veil from her face, and saw the prettiest girl in the Fire Nation stare back at her, the tears making her look more loveable.

"Love you...always..." he said, then kissed her on the lips.

"I love you too..." replied Azula, kissing her back.

"Well I love you more..." said Zhan, lifting her up bridal-style and spinning her around, as the gathered guests gave a cheer of approval. Their lips still locked through it all.

"Sap!" chuckled Azula, as she got spinned around.

"Throw it and see who gets lucky next..." said Zhan, as he stopped and waited for Azula to throw the bouqett.

"Sure..." chuckled Azula, as she threw the flowers, up and high - and flying right into Toph' hand.

"What!" asked Toph suprised, as she felt the object land in her palm and she soon realized what it was. "You did that on purpouse, Azula!"

"Maybe..." laughed Azula, as she was spun around. Being the happiest in her life - a new life ahead, a new future, her future...their future.

XXX