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Katara burst into the building that Sokka had previously indicated, slightly out of breath from the effort. She had arrived late, not out of laziness or oversleeping, but due to the difficulty of finding the right place. Republic City grew more every day, and she still hadn't gotten used to the chaotic blend of cultures, styles and the maze formed by its streets. For someone who had spent most of her life in the Southern Water Tribe, the constant hustle and bustle of the city was overwhelming. She admired her friends for their ability to adapt so well to such a complex environment.
As she crossed the entrance, a young assistant in the lobby smiled at her, bowing his head slightly in respect. “They’re expecting you, Master Katara. It's through that door.” He gestured firmly toward the end of the hallway.
“Thank you,” she replied with a quick nod, hurrying toward the indicated door. She knew it was a meeting with Sokka and someone else, but she hadn’t bothered to ask who that other person would be. However, when she opened the door and her eyes met with the unexpected figure inside, she froze.
Behind the large desk where her brother sat, there were two chairs, one of which was occupied by none other than... “Azula?” The word escaped her lips before she could stop it.
The princess of the Fire Nation was no longer the same person Katara remembered from the fateful Agni Kai. The Azula before her now wasn’t at all that broken girl. The Azula in front of her was an adult woman, whose presence radiated an unsettling calm and fierce confidence. Her gaze was that of a predator who had learned to control its instincts, though not lost them entirely.
“Well, look who decided to join the party,” Azula commented, eyeing her from head to toe.
Katara felt an immediate urge to wipe that smile off her face with her fist. “What are you doing here?”
In response to the reminder of her present, the firebender sighed heavily. “I ask myself the same thing.”
Before Katara could reply, she felt Sokka’s hands on her shoulders, guiding her toward the empty chair. “Thanks for coming, sis. Please, sit down. Let me explain.” His tone was calm as he sat down in his own chair. Azula watched her with a barely perceptible smile, and Katara had to make a conscious effort to focus on her brother.
Sokka looked at both of them, taking a deep breath. “Thank you both for being here. We need your help.”
“Our help?” Katara asked, puzzled.
“Yes, both of you,” he confirmed with a nod toward Azula.
“With her?” Katara’s voice rose, loaded with disbelief, almost disgust.
“Yes.”
“Does it have to be with her?”
Azula raised an eyebrow. “She has a name, ears and is inches away from you, you know.”
“We have a serious problem in Republic City,” Sokka continued, cutting off the argument before it could escalate. “There are two major organized gangs: the Fire Dragons and the Blue Vengeance.”
“Ridiculous names,” Azula scoffed.
“Look who’s talking” Katara shot back.
“Excuse me?”
Sokka raised a hand before the conversation grew more tense.“Their conflicts are affecting the entire city. From what we’ve gathered, the central issue is a lack of faith that peaceful coexistence between nations is truly possible.”
“Wasn’t that the whole purpose of the city?” Katara replied, frowning.
“Maybe it just wasn’t such a brilliant idea after all,” Azula responded with a half-smile.
Though Katara wanted to disagree, she couldn’t stop the doubt from creeping into her mind. Part of her wondered if the union of cultures could really work. “What exactly do you expect us to do?”
“To show them that coexistence is possible.”
Both women looked at him as if he had just lost his mind. Azula turned to Katara and asked with a mocking tone, “How hard did your brother hit his head as a child?”
Katara pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. “Sokka, of all the people on the planet, you thought of asking us to do this?”
“Well…”
“How on earth am I supposed to get along with her? How is anyone supposed to get along with her?”
"That's mean," Azula responded, pretending to be offended, "But she's right, why would we do this if you and Zuko are here?"
"Because they think we're an anomaly, and since we're already friends, it doesn't count." Sokka smiled at the two of them. "Plus, who better than you two?"
Both girls frowned simultaneously as Sokka pointed to Katara. "War hero, best waterbending master of this generation, and daughter of the Southern Water Tribe chief."
With a snap of his fingers, he turned to Azula. "Beloved princess of the Fire Nation for some reason, the best firebending master of our generation, and clearly someone who can't be bribed."
Azula raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the last description.
"If the two of you manage to work together," Sokka continued, "there's no better way to show the city that unity is possible."
Sokka looked expectantly at the two girls, who didn’t seem very convinced. "You just have to prove you can work together, not that you're best friends."
"And what exactly is the plan?" Katara asked, still skeptical.
"Go to the different districts and help out wherever you can, together," Sokka explained. An awkward silence followed.
"Is that really your whole plan?" Katara frowned, doubting him.
Before Sokka could reply, Azula broke the tension with an unexpected proposal. "What if we organize a combat tournament or something related to that? Each group sends their best fighters to face us. By seeing us work together, they'll see that unity is possible."
Sokka's eyes lit up at the idea. "That's brilliant!"
Katara frowned. "Your solution is to beat people up?"
"Your brother said it—we're the best masters of our respective elements. If they see that it's impossible to defeat us when we work together, they'll start to unite. And as they come together, we'll start to fight worse, teaching them that it works."
Katara still had her doubts, but Sokka seemed more convinced than ever. "That's it! That's a great plan," he concluded, standing up from his chair. "I trust you both."
Before Katara could respond, the door to the office burst open, and an assistant entered with an urgent expression. "Mr. Sokka, we need you to—"
Sokka nodded quickly and turned back to the two women. "You two organize that plan—it's a great idea, and I'm sure it'll go fantastic."
“But—” Katara barely had time to start her reply before Sokka disappeared through the door, leaving her alone with Azula. The waterbender sighed deeply, trying to contain her frustration.
“We should train before trying the plan, to get used to each other’s fighting style,” Azula suggested.
Katara turned to look at her, frowning. “Why are you doing this?” she asked, her tone carrying more curiosity than distrust.
Azula raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. “Because it’s the logical next step,” she answered, as if she didn’t understand why the question was even necessary.
Katara wasn’t satisfied. She had heard from Zuko everything his sister had gone through in recent years, from the fall of Ozai to her efforts to rebuild her life. Zuko had confided in her many times, seeking advice, and while Katara knew Azula's path had been full of obstacles, she couldn’t shake the doubt that loomed over the situation. “Why are you helping Sokka and Zuko?” she insisted, her gaze fixed on the firebender.
Azula looked away, a flash of irritation crossing her golden eyes. “Why does that matter?”
“It matters,” Katara retorted, stepping closer. “If we’re going to do this, we need to at least trust each other a little. I need to know this isn’t some kind of evil plan or game of yours.”
Azula watched her in silence until, finally, she shrugged lightly. “I guess that makes sense,” she admitted, leaning against the desk, now face-to-face with Katara. The princess was a bit shorter, and Katara couldn’t help but feel a small sense of satisfaction at her slight height advantage, childish as it was. “I lost a bet, so I’m stuck doing this.”
Katara blinked in surprise. “A bet? You’re not doing this to help your brother?”
“Zuko asked me over and over,” Azula replied, sounding slightly bored, “But honestly, I didn’t think much of this project, so I refused.”
“And then he made a bet with you?”
“No.” Azula smiled, almost amused, as she noticed the confusion on Katara’s face. “I never said the bet was with him.”
Katara blinked, processing the new information. “Then who was it with?”
“Mai,” Azula answered, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “She got tired of hearing Zuko beg me and decided a bet was the best way to settle it.”
Katara’s confusion deepened. “What did you bet on?”
“Is that relevant?”
Katara crossed her arms, not intending to back down. “We’re talking about trust, remember?”
Azula let out a low huff and turned her head, as if she didn’t want to waste time arguing. “I’m not sure how sharing the details of a bet I lost is going to strengthen our trust.”
The evasive tone only fueled Katara’s curiosity. She decided to play on Azula’s ego, a strategy that, though risky, might yield results. “Let me guess... you don’t want me to know that you lost something probably really easy?” she hinted, with a barely noticeable smirk.
For a moment, Azula looked at her, surprised. Katara could see the spark in her eyes. But instead of responding with hostility, Azula raised a hand and, with an almost playful gesture, tapped the tip of Katara’s nose with her finger. “Nice try,” she murmured, her voice taking on a teasing tone. “But I don’t throw tantrums. Let’s keep talking while we eat. I’m starving.”
Katara blinked, bewildered by the unexpected gesture. She felt a faint warmth on her face where Azula had touched her, and although she wanted to press her question further, she knew the conversation had ended for now. Without saying anything more, she watched as Azula headed for the door with a casual ease that bordered on indifference.
As Katara followed her, she touched her nose, still feeling the trace of the firebender’s touch, wondering if that small gesture had been a mockery, a challenge, or some kind of strange beginning of understanding.
Katara had visited Republic City a few times, mostly to meet with Zuko or Sokka. These visits typically ended at the same restaurants her brother frequented—places where the food was safe, and the atmosphere was predictable. This time, however, everything was different. Azula didn’t bother asking where Katara preferred to eat; she simply started walking with a determined stride in a particular direction, as if she already had a destination in mind.
“Have you been here before?” Katara asked, quickening her pace to catch up.
“No.”
“What?” She moved up beside the princess, frowning. “Then why are you walking like you know where you’re going?”
Azula didn’t slow down for a second. “On the way here, I saw a restaurant that caught my attention. I want to try it.”
Katara looked at her incredulously. “But you don’t know anything about the place?”
There was no reply. They arrived at a restaurant with traditional decor—deep reds and gleaming golds—with a small Fire Nation flag waving at the entrance. Through the large windows, they could see diners enjoying steaming, vibrant dishes in a lively, noisy atmosphere.
“I don’t think it’s that hard to guess I’ll like it,” Azula said with a confident smile as she glanced around.
Katara stared at her, crossing her arms. “And I don’t get to decide? I thought, since we have to work together, we could at least agree on something as simple as where to eat.”
Azula gave her an amused look. “Of course you can decide,” she said in a soft voice, as if speaking to a small child. “You can decide to come in here with me... or find me later after you’ve had lunch wherever you prefer.”
Katara felt her patience wearing thin. “Aren’t we supposed to be working as a team?” she exclaimed, trying to keep her voice steady.
“And that’s exactly why,” Azula replied, pushing the door open and walking in without hesitation, “I’m giving you options.”
With those words, she disappeared into the restaurant.
Katara stood at the entrance, gritting her teeth. “I hate her,” she muttered under her breath. But even so, after taking a deep breath, she followed her inside. If they were going to work together, this small challenge was only the beginning.
In front of Katara was a steaming plate of noodles accompanied by turtle duck thighs, the spiced aroma overwhelming her senses. Azula, who had made her decision in the blink of an eye, had already ordered, while Katara scanned the menu with visible confusion, decided to imitate the firebender and order the same thing to keep it simple.
She grabbed a few noodles with her chopsticks and prepared to take the first bite. The dish looked delicious; maybe following Azula’s lead hadn’t been a bad idea. However, the way the Fire Princess was watching her, with an amused look of curiosity, didn’t bode well.
Just before Katara took her first bite, she noticed Azula make a subtle gesture toward the waitress. It might just be for some extra sauce, Katara thought. Not giving it much importance, she brought the noodles to her mouth, but the moment the intense, fiery flavor exploded on her palate, her eyes filled with tears. She barely managed to swallow, feeling the spice numb her tongue and burn her throat.
“What the hell is in this?” she gasped, fanning her mouth with her hand to soothe the heat. Across from her, Azula was smiling, a look of pure satisfaction on her face.
“A bit of spice to add flavor,” she replied casually, taking a bite of her own and swallowing it effortlessly. “Though, to be honest, I find it a bit bland.”
Katara pushed the plate away in disgust just as the waitress returned with a glass of milk, setting it down in front of her. Without hesitation, Katara gulped it down, the relief in her burning mouth immediate. The waitress then took the spicy dish away and replaced it with something less intimidating.
Azula watched as Katara drank the milk almost desperately, her smile widening as the waitress gave her a discreet wink before walking off. “But the service is impeccable.”
“How on earth can you eat this?” Katara wiped her mouth with a napkin, shooting Azula a deadly glare. “Why didn’t you warn me?”
Propping her head on one hand, Azula looked at her with amused nonchalance. “Because it was far too entertaining watching you suffer.”
“You’re evil.”
Azula shrugged. “I think that was made pretty clear a long time ago, don’t you think?”
Azula’s smug smile was unbearable, and Katara felt the urge to wipe it off her face. Without thinking, she formed a small sphere of water from Azula’s glass and launched it at her. But the princess had quick reflexes; she leaned to the side, easily dodging the attack.
“You’re making this truce very difficult,” Azula said, feigning indignation.
“You’re the one who tried to poison me!” Katara accused.
“I just ordered my food. You chose to copy me without asking.”
“How was I supposed to know anything about Fire Nation food? Why would I need to?”
Azula raised an eyebrow. “And is that what you’re going to tell the Blue Vengeance?”
Katara froze, surprised. “Wait, this is about the mission?”
Azula took a bite of her new dish, chewing slowly before answering. “Bingo.”
“Then why didn’t you say so from the start?”
“Because, honestly, it’s much more fun watching you get mad.”
Katara took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. "You're impossible," she muttered through gritted teeth.
"Really?" Azula replied, feigning surprise. "And here I thought we were having fun."
Katara looked at her skeptically. "I know we hate each other, but this... this was unnecessary."
The firebender tilted her head, "I don’t hate you."
Katara let out a dry laugh, pulling her new dish toward her. It looked much more modest, without the intense colors of the previous one, which seemed like a good sign. "Of course not."
"Why would I hate you?" Azula's eyes glinted mischievously. "Because you defeated me?"
Katara paused, surprised by her bluntness. Azula’s smile remained, but there was something softer in her gaze, almost sincere. "Then, why wouldn't you?"
Azula held her gaze for a moment before answering. "In reality, only two people have ever beaten me, and you’re one of them. If there's anyone I should respect, it's you."
"And who’s the other?"
"Who would've thought you'd be so nosy," Azula said with a mocking gleam in her eyes.
Katara took a bite of her new dish. This time, the flavor was pleasant and mild, allowing her to actually enjoy the meal. "I’m surprised that the mighty master firebender with blue flames who tried to kill us multiple times respects me."
"You should add more flattering adjectives to that description," Azula replied, a hint of pride in her smile.
"Really?"
"I’ve been told I’m also drop dead gorgeous."
"Yeah, sure. And modest too." Katara rolled her eyes, but her expression softened when she noticed Azula holding a napkin where the waitress had left a note. Upon reading it, Katara made out: "Don’t worry, I can handle the spice if you want." A pang of irritation hit her, though she wasn’t entirely sure why.
"Did we come here for that?" she asked, nodding toward the note.
Azula raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. Katara realized the other woman had smiled more in these few hours than the waterbender ever would have expected. "Jealous?"
Katara flushed, more out of indignation than anything else. "Why would I be-"
"You're really cute," Azula interrupted, leaving her completely disarmed.
Katara’s eyes widened, her cheeks flushing even deeper. "What…?"
Without another word, Azula incinerated the note between her fingers and returned her focus to her meal. "After this, we can head to my hotel. They have proper facilities for training."
Katara nodded, still a little flustered by the sudden change in conversation, unsure of how to feel. She focused on her own dish, but couldn’t help glancing at Azula out of the corner of her eye. The ease with which the firebender devoured the cursed dish, with almost insulting elegance, sparked her curiosity, along with a grudging bit of admiration.
"How do you do it?" Katara finally asked, unable to resist.
Azula looked up, her amber eyes glinting with a playful spark. "Firebenders handle their spice," she replied smugly. Without hesitation, she grabbed a bottle of sauce from the table and poured it generously over the already fiery noodles. "And I happen to be a very good firebender."
Katara watched as the thick red sauce spread over Azula's food, turning it an even more dangerous shade of crimson.
"Do you learn to endure the heat as children, like learning to throw fire?" Katara quipped with a touch of sarcasm.
Azula let out a soft laugh. "Maybe," she answered, taking another bite without flinching. "Spice is an acquired taste, like discipline. Some learn it out of necessity... others, like me, perfect it."
Katara tilted her head, studying Azula with interest. There was something in that response that made her think it wasn’t just about the food. The firebender spoke with a calmness that felt almost dangerous, as if controlling pain—even something as simple as spice—was something that defined her.
"Well, I’m not sure if it’s something I want to perfect," Katara muttered, remembering how the fire in her mouth had almost brought her to tears. "But I’ll admit, you have a... particular way of handling things."
Azula flashed a sharp smile, her eyes narrowing with a mischievous gleam. "It’s always about how you face challenges," she said. "Whether it’s defeating your enemies or simply enjoying a spicy dish."
For a moment, Katara didn’t know how to respond. Azula, with all her arrogance and skill, seemed to be revealing something more than just the act of eating. There was a hidden lesson in her words, Katara was almost certain of it.
Finally, Katara let out a resigned sigh and picked up her chopsticks again. "I guess I’ll have to learn to endure it,"
Azula watched her. "That’s what I wanted to hear," she remarked softly, a smile playing on her lips before taking another bite of the infernal dish as if it were nothing.
While Katara was staying at her brother's apartment, Azula had casually mentioned that she preferred lodging in a hotel during her stay. Katara immediately understood why when she stepped inside. The hotel was enormous, and everything seemed luxuriously expensive, with an air that only royalty could afford. "I guess being the Fire Nation's princess has its perks," the waterbender thought.
The girl from the Water Tribes stood momentarily in the center of the lobby, looking around for some sign to guide her, when a young man who appeared to be a hotel staff member approached her with a polite smile. "Master Katara, right?"
Katara blinked, a little surprised. "Yes, that's me," she replied, still trying to adjust to the grandeur of the place.
The young man nodded courteously. "Princess Azula informed us of your arrival. Please, follow me. I'll take you to your room."
Without saying a word, Katara followed him through the hotel corridors. Finally, the employee led her to a dark wooden door with ebony details, which he knocked on with an elegant gesture before disappearing.
Azula quickly opened the door. The princess was wearing a fitted top and loose pants, clearly workout clothes, and seemed completely comfortable in her own space. Katara forced herself to remember they were there to train, but her brain seemed to have other plans. She couldn't help but let her eyes trail over Azula’s body, noticing how the light clothing accentuated her figure. Her heart involuntarily sped up, bringing back feelings she hadn’t experienced since her breakup with Aang.
"If you like, I have more outfits like this for you," Azula offered with a smile, her voice ringing with slight amusement.
Katara’s face immediately flushed, a deep red that rivaled the Fire Nation’s flag. "I… um… no, that won’t be necessary," she stammered. The waterbender cursed internally at her lack of control, knowing it was likely due to not having been with anyone in a long time, and Azula was clearly…
Before she could add anything else, Azula stepped forward with an unexpected yet familiar gesture. She lightly touched Katara’s nose with the tip of her index finger, a soft touch that made Katara feel the warmth of the princess’s hand once again. "Then let’s not waste any time," murmured the firebender.
With that smile, Azula turned and started walking down the hallway, likely heading to the training room she had mentioned the day before. Katara stayed still for a moment, trying to collect herself. She took a deep breath, reminding herself that her purpose here was to work and train, nothing more. ”This nonsense will pass," she told herself. "It’s Azula. Yes, she can be… like that, but she's also arrogant and has a terrible personality."
She forced herself to follow quickly, mentally repeating: "We’re just here to train. We’re like coworkers. And that’s it." Yet, the warmth of that touch on her nose refused to fade, a constant reminder that maybe, just maybe, it was more complicated than she wanted to admit.
Katara was tying her hair into a ponytail while watching Azula, who was stretching with an almost hypnotic focus. At one point, the princess looked up and caught her staring, her eyes briefly scanning Katara from head to toe, as if it were casual. The waterbender almost convinced herself she had imagined it, but the faint blush that colored Azula’s cheeks gave her an unexpected boost of confidence. At least, it seemed like she wasn’t the only one feeling a spark. Although, of course, neither of them would act on it… after all, it was Azula. Nothing good could come from that.
“Do you know what a horse stance is?” Azula asked, interrupting her thoughts as Katara walked towards the center of the room.
“A what?” Katara replied, frowning.
“The horse stance is a fundamental stance and can be found in all four of the elemental bending arts,” Azula explained without judgment, noting that the waterbender didn’t know it. “The equal weight distribution on each foot makes the horse stance a very stable position. It's fundamental for firebending but can apply to any type of bending.”
Azula approached Katara and began positioning her in the stance. “This stance isn’t just about developing strong legs but also the mind. Holding it requires a lot of mental discipline.”
The simple touch of the princess made Katara’s skin tingle, but she forced herself to stay composed. “Makes sense,” she said, swallowing hard.
Azula smiled slightly, and with a swift movement, she finished adjusting Katara into the correct position. The waterbender immediately felt the strain it took to hold the stance and looked at Azula with a mix of horror and determination when she saw her smiling with that amused expression that both irritated and fascinated her.
“If it burns, you’re doing it right,” Azula commented.
“What kind of torture is this?” Katara grumbled, struggling not to break the stance.
“Hush,” Azula retorted, her eyes never leaving Katara’s posture to ensure she didn’t slip. “You’ve got five minutes left.”
“Five minutes!?” Sweat droplets began forming on Katara’s forehead.
“Oh, please. It’s a trivial amount of time,” Azula replied nonchalantly. “I’ve been doing this since I was young.”
Katara knew there was an implied challenge in those words, a taunt pushing her to rise above. She wasn’t going to let Azula have the satisfaction of seeing her give up. “Fine, start counting, princess,” she replied with a defiant tone.
Azula raised an eyebrow, visibly surprised by the response, but began counting silently. She watched Katara’s posture closely, correcting her occasionally. Azula knew most people couldn’t last that long in such a position, but she also knew that Katara wasn’t “most people.” After all, she had been the one to defeat her in the Agni Kai.
When the five minutes were finally over, Katara collapsed onto the floor, exhausted but with a proud smile on her lips. She was panting heavily as she covered her face with an arm. “Not bad for a first day,” Azula commented, smiling approvingly.
Katara moved her arm away and looked at the princess. “I’m not easily intimidated.”
Azula extended a hand, and Katara took it, allowing her to help her to her feet. “No, I suppose you’re not.”
Once on her feet, Azula assumed an attack stance, her eyes gleaming with determination. “Now, let’s start with the katas. Keep up with me if you can.”
Katara had practiced some firebending katas with Zuko before, but what she saw in Azula was entirely different. Every movement of the princess was fluid and elegant, a display of grace and strength that even surpassed what she had seen in the Fire Lord himself. Azula wasn’t just good; she was extraordinary.
Katara found herself mesmerized by the dance of movements, watching in admiration the precision of every gesture. Azula stopped her motions with a mocking smile on her lips. “I don’t mind you staring, I completely understand, but it kind of defeats the purpose of training together, don’t you think?”
Katara’s blush deepened instantly, and she hurried to reply, “I just wanted to watch closely to imitate you. Don’t be so full of yourself.”
“Of course,” Azula responded with a laugh. “Then you can do them now, right?”
They stood staring at each other, both with an air of challenge. Katara had no idea where to start, and Azula, clearly, knew it. Finally, the princess relented a little. “Even if it’s hard, try it. Just copy me.”
Katara felt the urge to punch her but decided to be mature and focused on following Azula’s movements. While she didn’t match the princess’s perfection, she didn’t give up, and after a while, she began to master the more basic katas.
“Not bad,” Azula admitted.
“As if it were that hard,” Katara replied, trying to sound confident.
Azula’s laughter echoed through the room, and Katara realized the princess was smiling a lot more than she had expected. And, surprisingly, she liked seeing that smile; she liked hearing that laughter. “Who would’ve thought?” she mused.
“Now it’s my turn,” Katara said, adopting a different stance. “Get ready.”
Azula nodded and began mimicking her, her precise movements reflecting each of Katara’s gestures with surprising ease. Seeing this, the waterbender decided to increase the difficulty, which only caused Azula’s smile to widen as she continued to keep up.
“Did you already know these katas?” Katara asked, surprised but not stopping the motions.
“No, but they’re surprisingly similar to lightbending.”
Knowing this, Katara increased the difficulty, and gradually, the training turned more into a dance than a session.
Neither of them had enjoyed training this much in a long time.
Over the next few days, Katara and Azula continued training together, gradually adapting to each other's fighting styles. However, as time passed, the hours dedicated to training began to dwindle, replaced by long conversations that stretched beyond what was planned. Against all odds, they had found an unexpected comfort in each other’s company, a space where they could talk without reservations, exploring topics ranging from their memories of the war to their deepest thoughts about life.
What Katara had initially thought was just a fleeting attraction had transformed into a whirlwind of butterflies in her stomach, and before she realized it, she found herself seeking Azula’s closeness more often. Luckily for her, the Fire Nation princess seemed to be feeling the same way.
That afternoon, neither of them bothered to go to the training facilities. Azula invited Katara to share a cup of tea in her room. Katara gladly accepted, following the princess to the room’s sitting area—a luxurious space with elegant furniture and a large window letting in the warm light of the sunset. They settled on the sofa near the window, forgetting about their cups of tea, which sat warm and neglected on the table beside them.
Katara sat with her legs tucked under her on the sofa, while Azula, leaning against the backrest, enthusiastically recounted an anecdote from her childhood about how she had managed to convince Zuko that turtle ducks were endangered. The waterbender became lost in Azula’s expression, watching how her eyes sparkled with a warmth that, years ago, would have terrified her, but now only stirred the constant fluttering of butterflies inside her.
Suddenly, Azula stopped talking. Katara, absorbed in her thoughts, didn’t notice until she saw the princess’s furrowed brow.
“Am I boring you?” Azula asked, her tone dry but tinged with disappointment.
“What? No!” Katara quickly responded, snapping her attention back to the conversation. “I was… I just…”
Azula’s expression remained unchanged, and without thinking, Katara took Azula’s hands, surprising the firebender with the sudden gesture. “Really, I could listen to you for hours. I mean it! It’s just that…” Words began to fail her as the warmth of Azula’s hands traveled through her skin, momentarily disconnecting her ability to think clearly. “We need to…”
Azula looked at her with a mix of curiosity and caution, feeling Katara’s grip tighten and noticing the blush blooming on the waterbender’s cheeks. “Are you okay?” she asked, her voice softening.
“Plan our plan to help… that,” Katara stammered, trying to regain her composure.
Azula nodded, though she couldn’t hide the flicker of disappointment in her eyes. Before she could pull away, Katara freed one of her hands and, with a firm yet gentle gesture, placed her palm on Azula’s cheek. “Come on, I know you already have the perfect plan in mind. And after that, maybe we could celebrate together.”
“Do you trust me?” Azula asked, a slight smile curling her lips.
“Incredible, isn’t it?”
“Well, it’s the logical choice.”
Katara gently squeezed the princess’s cheek, laughing softly. “Who would’ve thought? You are so silly sometimes.”
As she leaned toward Azula almost by instinct, her hand still on her face, Katara suddenly realized how close they were and, in a panic, pulled back abruptly. In her attempt to move away, she lost her balance and slipped off the sofa, landing clumsily on the floor.
“Ow,” she groaned, rubbing her head with a pained grimace.
Azula’s laughter filled the room, a loud and genuine sound that made Katara forget all about the pain. Seeing her laugh like that, so freely, the waterbender couldn’t help but smile fondly.
Katara frowned, ready to protest, but before she could say anything, Azula slid off the sofa and sat down on the floor next to her. Moving close enough that their shoulders almost touched, the princess murmured, “Before you break something, let’s lay out the plan from a place where you can’t fall any further.”
“Are you worried about me?” Katara asked teasingly.
“Incredible, isn’t it?” Azula replied, her eyes gleaming with amusement.
It really was.
The first step of the plan was clear: head to Republic City's main park. Why there? It was the epicenter of the dispute between the two rival gangs, the territory both of them craved to control, and therefore, the place where most conflicts occurred. If they were going to resolve this situation, they had to be at the heart of the problem.
"They say they're going to put up a statue of Aang right over there," Azula remarked. "Your brother is in charge of the project."
The two girls were sitting on a bench, waiting for the day’s crowd confrontation to begin.
"Does that align with the Air Nomad ideology?" Azula asked with genuine curiosity, raising an eyebrow.
Katara shrugged, gazing out at the park. "I guess it’s not very traditional, but Aang is a war hero and the Avatar. It’s more of a symbol like a reminder the Avatar is still looking out for the people."
"And you?" Azula replied, a small smile forming on her lips. "Wouldn't you want your own statue? You're a war hero too, aren’t you?"
Katara pondered for a few seconds, her eyes drifting toward a group of children playing nearby. "Honestly, no. I'd like people to know what I did and maybe recognize my name, but I prefer it when people don't know me and just see me as Katara, nothing more."
Azula nodded, though the smile didn’t fade from her face. “That’s a shame. You’d make a much better statue than the monk.”
The comment made the butterflies in Katara’s stomach flutter even more. It was amazing how a compliment, no matter how unusual, could affect her so much. Determined to play along, she responded with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "And you? Do you want a statue too?"
Azula blushed slightly but struck a thoughtful pose, bringing her hand to her chin. "It would be a statue worth admiring… as long as they don’t mess up my face."
Katara laughed, but their conversation was interrupted when, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a group of Water Tribe members approaching from the right. At the same time, Azula spotted some Fire Nation members coming from the left.
“Well, I guess our non-existent statues will have to wait,” Katara said, calmly standing up.
Both sides were about to clash, but a flash of blue light sparked through the air, exploding between the two groups and stopping the conflict before it could begin. Everyone turned toward the center of the park, where Azula stood with her hand raised, still smoking from the lightning strike.
"Before your usual show begins, my companion and I have a proposal," Azula declared firmly. She stepped forward, and Katara wasted no time moving to her side, backing her up with her presence.
"It’s possible to work together, side by side between our nations," Katara added, her voice ringing with determination. "In fact, it benefits everyone."
The crowd immediately began to boo.
Boos echoed through the crowd. Azula raised her voice with authority, her tone cold and sharp. "Silence!" The command cut off the protests instantly. "If you don’t believe us, we’ll prove it. Form teams and come attack us. We’ll show you."
A representative from each group stepped forward. A young man from the Water Tribes asked suspiciously, "Who do you think you are?"
"I’m Azula, princess of the Fire Nation," she replied, her tone icy and haughty. "And she is Katara of the Southern Water Tribe."
A boy from the Fire Nation gang laughed mockingly. "Sure, and I’m the Fire Lord."
Azula shot him a look of disdain and, with a subtle flick of her fingers, sent a small but brilliant blue flame flickering past the boy’s face, close enough for him to feel the heat and for his whole group to witness the precision. The boy paled, though he stood his ground. "This is Republic City," he stammered. "Here, monarchy means nothing."
"That’s not what I was trying to prove," Azula replied with a defiant smile. "Form whatever groups you want and face us. They don’t have to be from your own gangs, though I imagine your pride will make you do exactly that."
Wounded in their pride, the members of both factions began organizing themselves. Some teams were large, others just duos, but all were determined to prove their worth.
Azula stretched out her arms and gave Katara a warm smile. "Are you ready?"
The other girl grinned confidently. "Let’s go kick their butts."
The two fought in perfect sync, their movements so harmonious it was as if they had been training together for years. Covering each other’s backs, they amplified one another, every strike flowing seamlessly into the next. However, no matter how coordinated their actions were, the insults from the gang members kept coming, and every minor mistake turned into a reason for mockery. The violence seemed endless.
Katara felt frustration bubbling up. They wouldn’t change these kids' mindsets with brute force, and the fight would only spiral into a vicious cycle of resentment and harm. As Azula covered her back, the waterbender took a moment to look around, searching for something, anything, that could turn the tide. That’s when she noticed a girl from the Fire Nation, standing off to the side, exchanging furtive glances with a boy from the Water Tribes. Neither of them dared to hold eye contact for long, but the tension was clear. An idea sparked in Katara’s mind.
Azula had just taken down the closest opponents when Katara grabbed her arm and quickly pulled her aside.
"This isn’t working," Katara declared firmly.
"Well, at least we’re having fun, right?" Azula smiled, but when she saw the serious look on her companion’s face, her brow furrowed. "What are you thinking?"
Katara subtly gestured toward the pair she had noticed earlier. "Trying another strategy."
Azula followed Katara’s gaze to the two kids, noticing the awkward exchange between them as their comrades were on the verge of fighting. "You want to play matchmaker?"
Katara shook her head, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the edges of her tunic. "I think it’s better to show them this is possible."
"Show them what’s possible?" Azula was still lost, her frown deepening.
"That… well, this."
Azula looked at her, still confused. "I’m not following."
Katara didn’t have time to explain. A shrill yell pierced the air, signaling another fight about to break out. Without a second thought, Katara grabbed Azula’s hand and raised a wall of ice between the two gangs, blocking any incoming attacks.
"Enough!" Katara’s voice rang with authority, silencing the chaos. "All of this is unnecessary. If you don’t want to fight together, fine, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find common ground. There are ways to build something together."
"Yeah, right! Talk to these damn ashmakers?" spat the Water Tribe leader, sneering with disdain.
"Yes, I have," Katara replied, her jaw tight. "I’ve been talking to one, and it’s been an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything."
"Are you sure?" the boy retorted with a sarcastic smile. "Looks more like you’ve just been rehearsing for this fake show."
Katara’s face flushed with anger, and her hand, still intertwined with Azula’s, tightened its grip. Azula noticed, feeling the waterbender’s pulse race against her skin.
"That’s enough," Katara muttered through gritted teeth, and without thinking further, she gently pulled Azula closer, placing a hand on her cheek. "I’m going to kiss you now, okay? Don’t hate me for this."
Azula barely had time to nod before she felt Katara’s lips on hers.
Their kiss was passionate, intense, and overwhelming, leaving them both speechless and forgetting why they were doing it or who they were. Azula’s eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly closed them as the warmth of Katara’s lips consumed her. Neither of them cared about the reasons behind the sudden impulse; for that moment, the world around them ceased to exist. The sounds of the chaos faded away, and there were no fights, no sides—just the synchronized beating of their hearts and the shared heat between them.
When they finally pulled apart, breathless and their faces flushed, a stunned silence fell over the park. Both gangs seemed frozen in time, unable to process what they had just witnessed. Then, almost magically, the applause started. At first, it was hesitant and scattered, but it quickly swelled into a roar. They had captured everyone’s attention, and on some level, the gesture had worked. Not because everyone suddenly believed in reconciliation, but because the boldness of their action had struck a chord in those young hearts.
Some of the gang members began talking among themselves, following the example of the two kids Katara had noticed earlier, who were now speaking with a mix of shyness and hope. Their comrades followed suit, and little by little, the tension began to dissipate.
Katara and Azula, still recovering from the intensity of the moment, exchanged a glance. Without even realizing it, and with their worlds still turned upside down, the two girls had managed to plant the seeds of peace—or at least, they had begun to do so.
The two girls walked away from the park once the tension between the rival gangs had eased. However, the tension between them remained palpable, growing with each silent step they took. Neither had suggested where to go, but their feet seemed to know the way, leading them inexorably toward the hotel where Azula was staying.
When they finally reached the entrance, they stopped. Until then, their gazes had avoided each other, but at that moment, as if drawn by an invisible force, their eyes met and locked. Katara felt a warmth rise through her body, still feeling the lingering sensation of the firebender's lips on hers. "I'm sorry if—"
Azula interrupted her, her voice slightly higher than usual, revealing a hint of insecurity she rarely allowed herself to show. "Do you... do you want to come up?"
Katara blinked, surprised by the direct question. "Do…do you want me to?"
Azula rolled her eyes, though her blush betrayed her attempt at indifference. "I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t."
A soft smile formed on Katara's lips as she saw Azula's attempt to hide her nervousness. Without saying anything else, she reached out to cup the princess’s face, just as she had done in the park. Her fingers brushed Azula’s skin with the same tenderness, and she leaned forward to close the distance between them with a kiss, this time gentler and deeper, which Azula quickly returned.
"I’d love to," Katara whispered against Azula’s lips.
Somehow, they made it to the room without even realizing they had crossed the lobby. Their steps were guided by a shared impulse, as if the air itself was pushing them forward. Fortunately, the hotel was quiet, and as the door closed behind them, the outside world faded away, shrinking to a small, warm space where all that mattered were the shallow breaths and the rhythm of their hearts, beating in perfect harmony.
Two days later, Katara and Azula found themselves in Sokka's office, accompanied by Police Chief Toph Beifong and Fire Lord Zuko.
"Apparently, you two did an incredible job," Sokka said in a tone of surprise. "There haven’t been any more riots in two days. Though, you could’ve given me a heads-up about all this."
Katara and Azula exchanged a knowing glance, both smiling almost mischievously. "We were... busy," Katara replied without offering any further explanation.
"Busy..." Zuko repeated, raising an eyebrow, clearly confused by the response.
"Zuzu, shouldn't you be off ruling a nation?" Azula quipped, her usual mocking tone coming through.
"Yeah, Zuzu," Katara added with a small grin.
Zuko crossed his arms, looking at them with a mix of exasperation and resignation. "This partnership has been useful, but I get the feeling we’ve created a monster."
Azula and Katara exchanged another glance, sharing a smug smile before turning toward the exit. "You owe us one," Azula said with a self-satisfied tone as they began to walk out.
"Wait, what? Where are you going?" Sokka asked, confused.
"We’re going to enjoy Republic City a bit more," Katara answered, turning her head to look back at her brother.
"You know, you can have a lot of fun in this city," Azula added, flashing a grin.
Katara chuckled, playfully bumping her shoulder against Azula’s. With laughter and exchanged glances, the two girls exited the office.
Those left in the room stood in silence for a moment, until Toph broke the tension. "They’re definitely banging."
"WHAT?! No!" Sokka and Zuko exclaimed in unison.
Toph raised her hands in mock surrender, though an amused grin spread across her face. "Just reminding you, I can feel heartbeats. When Katara said they were 'enjoying the city,' her heartbeat sped up. Which means Firebitch seems to know what she's doing pretty well."
The boys groaned in disgust, trying to shake off the uncomfortable mental image the earthbender had left them with.
"So, yesterday they didn’t show up because..." Sokka began, hesitating to finish the sentence.
Toph grinned wickedly. "Sweetness wasn’t lying when she said they were enjoying Republic City, huh?"
Both boys immediately clapped their hands over their ears, desperately trying to erase the conversation from their minds, while Toph burst out laughing, thoroughly enjoying their discomfort.