CHAPTER ONE
Lady Kira
Azula admires her best friend as she read a book. For a moment, she forgot her place. She shouldn't fall for a waterbender, not to mention, a girl waterbender. It was against the rules. Especially due to her status. Although the Fire Nation was definitely more powerful the the other nations, Azula couldn't help but desire Kira. Kira was sweet and kind, calm and patient. She listened to Azula's rants, she gave Azula advice, and she gave Azula her company. Being a princess could sometimes be boring. However, when Kira was by her side as Lady In Waiting, she was able to be happy, comforted even.
Just as Kira looked up to meet Azula's eyes, there was a knock on the door. Kira sighed before standing up, getting the door for Azula. "Yes," she looked at the Fire Nation soldier at the door. He was about to give a dirty look to the Northern Water Tribe girl, but then saw the princess.
"Princess, it's time for you to address the soldiers on the main deck and the captain would like to see you." He spoke over the girl, which made Kira roll her eyes. Most soldiers did this, while others respected her since she was basically Azula's right hand woman. Even Ozai, who hated the people of different nations and tribes, enjoyed being in the girl's presence over time, especially because she proved to be an asset. "Shall I get you a palaquin?"
Azula noticed the way that the soldier dismissed Kira, which upset her. "Yes, fetch the palaquin. But, first, let's you and I have a chat, shall we? You are aware that no one knows who you are, yes? But, everyone has heard the tales of the Water Spirit who has helped the Fire Nation in many small battles. This is the Water Spirit. Lady Kira, soon to be general when I am Fire Lord. Don't disrespect her again or you'll be fired and thrown into a prison." Azula stated as she walked passed him but stopped. "Well? Aren't you going to get the palaquin for Lady Kira and I?" She questioned, a sharp eyebrow moving up, Kira joining the Princess's side.
The soldier ran away quickly as the girls waited. "I hate when they disrespect you. You went through a lot to get here. Even Father likes you and has admitted to it, and he doesn't like any Water Tribe member." Azula said angrily. A small smile came over Kira's face as she placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Before she could say anything, the palanquin came, allowing Azula and Kira to enter. A short distance later, they were on the main deck where men were bowing for Azula.
As the curtains of the palanquin opened, Azula stepped out, followed by Kira. She looked around for a moment before giving a hand guesture for the men to stand. Her father told her to execute an order to the soldier as to not hold back when encountering Prince Zuko and her Uncle Iroh. "My brother and my uncle have disgraced the Fire Lord, and brought shame to all of us." She stated, stepping down the stairs. "You may have mixed feelings about attacking members of the royal family. I understand, but I assure you, if you hesitate, I will not hesitate to bring you down. Dismissed." Azula finished as she looked out at sea.
It wasn't long until the captain came running towards the girls frantically, a bit unprofessionally. "Princess, I'm afraid the tides will not allow us to bring the ship into port before nightfall." The captain said. Kira could sense the fear in his voice.
"I'm sorry, Captain, but I do not know much about the tides." False. Kira told her about how the moon would bend the water in the oceans, creating tides. That's how water benders learned to bend. However, Kira knew Azula was playing dumb to make a point. "Can you explain something to me?"
Kira looked over at the captain, feeling slightly sorry for him. The fear once only in his voice seemed to engulf him, filling his eyes. "Of course, your highness." He said, hiding the fear as best he could. Though, it was pointless.
Azula looked at Kira for a moment, returning her gaze to the water around the ship. "Do the tides command this ship?" She questioned, her gold hues looking back to him.
The captain faltered slightly, a confused look filling his aged features. "I'm afraid I don't understand." He fidgeted slightly, a movement barely caught by Kira's eyes. But, Kira always did seem to see the little movements that Azula created. The fear in even the bravest of warriors.
Azula inhaled deeply before responding to the captain. "You said the tides would not allow us to the ship in. Do the tides command this ship?" Azula turned her head more towards him, waiting for his answer.
The man looked at her slightly, frowning deeply. "No, Princess." The captain answered finally, a sense of remorse seeping into his raspy voice. His chin tilting down slightly. Kira felt bad for him.
Azula still wouldn't face him, which created more of an effect for fear to set in. "And, if I were to have you thrown overboard, would the tides think twice about smashing you into the rocky shore?" Azula let her voice sound thoughtful, but both the captain and Kira knew that she knew where she was going with this.
Gulping slightly, the man tightened his eyes close. "No, Princess." He looked up for a moment as if praying before letting his head fall again. It was obvious that he thought he was going to get thrown overboard.
A quick moment passed by that must've felt like forever for the captain. "Well, then maybe you should worry less about the tides, who already made up their mind about killing you and worry about me, who's still mulling it over." Finally, she turned to him, her cold amber eyes soaking him up.
Bowing, the captain nodded. Kira couldn't tell if it was a respectful nod or grateful nod. It was probably both. "I'll pull us in." The man then ran back to where he could steer the ship. Azula followed him with a sharp look, glaring at his retreating figure.
"It seems like we need to work on your kindness, Princess." Kira approached Azula, a slightly calmer look falling onto the princess's face. "I think you scared him."
Azula held back a laugh. "Fear is how you know your message is clear and followed thoroughly, Kira. Besides, I am nice to you. Is that not good enough?" She questioned with a teasing gaze in her amber eyes. A gaze that caused Kira's heartbeat to speed up.
Catching her breath from hitching, Kira smiled a bit. "I suppose that's true. For the most part." She joked back, causing a smile to appear on Azula's lips as they retreated back to the palanquin. The moments where they stayed in comfortable silence were stolen by the needs of being princess and her father's right hand. Besides, they only had a small break before evening came and Azula had to train more.
Once they reached their room thanks to the palanquin, Azula removed her armor. Then, Azula took Kira's hand, leading her towards the bed. There she held the girl. It was a common occurrence and something both girls took comfort in.
"Sometimes, I wish I were Fire Nation." Kira said softly turning to face Azula, a cold hand moving to cup Azula's warm cheek. "Or, at least a man."
Azula gave Kira a kind smile, one reserved for Kira only. "Kira, you're perfect the way you are. You're brave and special. You're so special that you, a water tribe girl, earned a spot on my court. You were hand picked as a child and trained by one of the last water benders from the Southern Water Tribe. You are perfect to me." It was these moments that the girls enjoyed. But, didn't know how to continue after. Was it supposed to be a confession of feelings?
Instead of going through long confessions, the girls lived obliviously in denial that they could ever share feelings for each other. It was something that they both wanted to discuss, but didn't know how. One girl was a basic Water Tribe girl, the other was a Fire Nation princess. It was a difficult matter of the heart.
Evening soon came upon them and Azula went to main deck to train. Kira joined Lo and Li, close family friends to the royal family and teachers to Azula. Kira watched patiently as Azula began bending lightning. She smiled proudly at her. It was a water bending technique that Kira taught her in order to achieve the lightning. The execution was beautiful and powerful.
But, while Kira thought it was amazing, Li and Lo thought differently. "Almost perfect." Lo commented, followed by her sister. "A hair out of place." Li added.
This caused a groan to escape Azula's lips as her eyes widened in anger, her brows furrowing. "Almost isnt good enough." She stated harshly. Moving some hair from her face, Azula continued to practice. Her moves quick and precise. Kira watched intently.
"Azula, remember what I taught you." Kira stood up, walking to the fire bender. Gently, she took Azula's hands, guiding her. This caused Lo and Li to smile, they remembered their female lovers in the past. "In order to successfully execute this move, you must move like a water bender." Letting go, Kira bender some water. Azula watched her, entranced by the beauty in front of her. Her cheeks warm from the earlier touch. "You must flow, not just strike. Let the energy move alongside you."
Releasing the water in the ocean, Kira went back to Lo and Li. Azula breathed in before following Kira's instructions. Then, she proceeded to carefully flow with the energy building up in her finger tips. Lightning flowing within her. The bending execute with perfection. Kira grinned as Lo and Li looked at each other, nodding. "You are dismissed." They said in synch.
Azula smiled, looking over, seeing the ship stop at shore. "Kira, please keep everything running smoothly. I'll be back shortly." Azula said. Kira approached her, nodding softly. It was time to see her brother.