Chapter 12: Unexpected Gift

XXX

Since their little presentation, Azula could say, that her father had taken more of an interest in her and Zhan relationship than before. The fact, that she could create and bend white fire was a very BIG concern, most of which having to deal with questioning and more demonstrations. Luckily this time, she had Zhan with her this time.

The questions were mostly about: when she started, how far was she, how did she achieve this and so worth. The demonstrations involved more ludicrous presentations, private and supervised by fire sages. The sages were suprised, when they created white fire, and be able to bend it.

XXX

"Impressive!" said one of the sages, seeing Azula and Zhan bend the white fire around their fingers.

"Indeed," said firelord Ozai, observing the scene. "Yet, I'm confused. Why can't she create this on her own?"

The fire sages examined the scene closely, eyeing the closeness and their positioning.

"Their breathing, their movement, their position," mumbled one of the sages.

"This is unique," said another sage.

"It has to do with the flow of energy and their chi," said a sage.

"Hmm..." mumbled Ozai, trying to understand the motion.

"Both of them seemed to have an exceptionally powerful blood-line and are strong in their own regard. The Crown Princess being a prodigy in firebending, while General Zhu's son seems to be gifted mentally and physically. They seemed to be an opposite of eachother aswell... like creating lightning, but they let their energies flow around themselves instead. Their rhythmic breathing and close linkage allow's them channel and unify their energies...creating white fire," finished one of the five sages, their leader obviously.

"Interesting," said Ozai, gesturing for him to approach. "What of this unique firebending? Is it inheritable or a rarity?"

"On the contrary, M'Lord. White fire is considered the epidome of fire itself, a purity in itself...the purest from of fire. Those dragons who could bend white fire, were the strongest and most powerful of the dragons. It's almost unheard amongst the firebenders, not even the Avatar could bend it," he says whispering to the Firelord. "Inheritable? Well...they are capable of creating it. It might be possible that this bending, might pass on. But it's unknown at the moment, only time will tell."

"Excellent," replied Ozai, standing to his full height. "You're all dismissed, except you Azula. Lord Zhan, stay close, I would like to have a word with you aswell."

The fire sages left the chambers, as instructed, with Zhan following them outside. Mouthing a good luck, before exiting. Azula was left alone with his father, and by far she was nervous.

'What would father think of this?' Azula thought, waiting for his father to speak.

"This...is a very sudden and interesting turn of events," said Ozai, sitting down, keeping his voice formal and polite.

"Yes, father," she replied.

"I hadn't expected, the general' son to be this...changing," he said.

"Of course," she replied, keeping her eyes down.

"Tell me something. What would you say to arranged marriage with the General's son?" asked Ozai.

'What in AGNI!' screamed Azula in her mind, when she realized what her father said. 'What? Why-'

"My reasons?" he asked, seeing the blank stare on Azula' face. She slowly at his request. "This kind of unique inheritance can't be wasted on any other high-born. Both you and the boy have a strong blood-line, which shouldn't be weakend by any other."

'So that's fathers plan. He wants a strong heir or heirs,' she thought, a bit bitter that she was reduced to this.

'An arranged MARRIAGE?! Ohh...that would mean...'

Ozai was curious why Azula's mood had changed from blank to thoughtful and smirking.

"Yet, I'll need a word with him aswell," he added.

'Oh no...' realized Azula. She didn't know how Zhan would respond or what father ask or question him about.

"Call him in please," said Ozai, rising from his seat.

She nodded, then went outside, where he was leaning against the wall.

"What happened?" asked Zhan, seeing the shocked on her face.

"Trouble..." she gulped. "Good...luck."

He nodded in-kind, pushing through the curtains into the room. Azula held back, keeping an eye and ear on the soon to happen events.

She could her Ozai starting to speak, laying down his thought, before him. That was the problem with father, if he wants something, he gets it...just like her.

"You understand, what I'm implying?" asked Ozai, making sure he got the idea.

"Of course, M'Lord. If that's is-"

"Loose the groweling attitude boy. It doesn't suit you, neither will it suit me if this your personality," he interupted.

"As you wish, Firelord," replied Zhan, with more strength and pride, standing taller in his seat.

"Though your physically and mentally gifted, I'd like to know your...personal...agendas about the Princess," said Ozai, stopping infront of him.

"Personal?" he asked, moving in his seat, before looking the Firelord in the eyes. "I respect her...I adore her. She is a perfect warrior, beautiful as nature itself. A crown jewel, that should be loved in the world. Although I may be a non-bender, I'll say this: I'll block any rock hurled in her way. No savage will drown her, as long as blood flows in my veins. No assassin will choke her, as long as I draw breath. No traitors fire shall hit her...No blade shall touch her, while I live. If forced, I'll gladly give my life for her.

Azula could barely hold her gasp back after his speech.

'Oh...my...' she thought. His feelings for her ran deep, very deep. Such self-sacrifice and he wouldn't expect nothing in return, a smile crept on her face. One that was just natural, not forced or anything.

Ozai looked at the boy infront of him, hoping to spot any lies in his face. Ozai knew when someone was lying to him, her daughter being a great lier, not to mention the other tricky nobles. Yet his eyes held no glimer of dishonesty or lie. Either he was a greater lier than the Firelord himself, or he meant every word he said. Although Ozai expected the former, all the signs pointed towards the latter: he loved Azula, and would give his life for her. Well that eased his other problem, of getting them arranged.

XXX

An hour later, and Zhan was exhausted, from all the questioning. He understood wanting strong offspring, but this was a bit over the top, even for the Firelord but what could he do. He also didn't even know if Azula was comfortable with this...ah yes, his Wildflower. No matter what people, said, heard or gossiped. To him Azula was perfection...you don't call a perfect diamond unnatural...it's a beauty of nature...and so was Azula.

Although he had expected Azula to be listening behind the curtain, she was nowhere in sight, when he came out. A good hunch, told him she had returned to her room...that or the Training Grounds.

"Azula?" he asked, entering her chambers.

"I'm here," she replied, standing on the balcony.

"Though you might be listening?" he asked, knowning Azula, she had to known every little gossip and information.

"I was...during the first few moments," she said. "I heard what you said."

"Yeah...I'm cooked," he replied goofily.

"Not at all," she replied. "Though I was...suprised of what I heard."

"Yeah about that...are you sure about...this?" he asked, hinting at the arranged marriage proposal.

"Trust me. That came as a suprise to me aswell. Though knowning father, seeing something, that we did..." she said circling around him. "..He wouldn't allow an opportunity like this pass. I guess I should've seen this coming?"

"You sure about this? I wouldn't to anything that might hinder you," he said, worried about her.

"So I've heard," she said, pushing him on the bed, then sitting on his lap, her hair down. "You meant those words?"

"I taught you?" he asked, faking a suprise. "What do you think?"

"I think you're either a great lier," she said, messing with his hair. "Not. Or you're the most love-struck idiot, I've had the pleasure to meet."

"Guess," he said, pulling her closer. "You're stuck with this idiot, for the rest of your life."

"Don't you dare question my tastes. I am the great firelord and you-" she spoke in a mock tone, before getting interupted by Zhan kissing her on the neck. "Ahahhha...stop it."

"Whatever you say...Wildflower," he replied, kissing Azula on the lips.

XXX