024 Bedtime Stories

The world finds a new way to remember Princess Azula of the Fire Nation.

Gone is the conqueror of Ba Sing Se. The one who had been Fire Lord for a day. The one who sat on her father's left, with ambitions of crushing hopes and burning down entire continents. In her place, the world would remember Princess Azula as the hero of the Fire Nation, the one who freed it from its own downfall. The trainer of the lightning benders who would later give bright light to the world. Princess Azula is now known to be the best firebender in the world, better than her brother. Princess Azula is now loved, and not feared.

And throughout it all, it is Ty Lee who holds her hand.

In her heart, she keeps the memories of the exuberant Riko, the taciturn Sakura, even the apathetic Kazumi and the Azula that had been wrong, that had hurt herself the most above everyone.

And everyday, she thanks them too.

…

.

"Do you think Kazumi would be a good name for her?"

The little girl who stopped wailing as soon as she was cradled in Azula's arms, crooned as though in approval. Mai and Zuko's daughter was born at the end of winter, at the end of the anniversary Azula still dreads to this day. She had drawn the baby closer, breathed in. Kazumi. Beauty. It was a fitting name for such a beautiful creature. Azula whispered something into the infant's ears, traced her nose on the small head and she must have imagined it, but Ty Lee was sure that her niece smiled.

"I do not think we should go for that." Azula had said aloud, the tone in her voice startling Ty Lee. There was that certain smile in it, the one she remembered from the days when Kazumi thanked her for trying to bring the three of them back together. She sounded happy. Azula sounded happy. She raised the infant slightly up in the air. "Kazumi is a memory. The past. But this one. This girl. This is a new beginning."

Ty Lee leaned closer, put her chin on her girlfriend's shoulder as she wrapped her arms around her form. Azula pressed her lips on her cheeks and continued. "How about we name her after the spring that is coming? How about Izumi?"

"Fire Lord Izumi does not sound too bad, isn't it?"

….

.

Princess Izumi, a precocious child of four, leaps into her Aunt's arms. "Would you stay for a looong time?" the young monarch inquires, eyes sparkling with such innocent glee, such open admiration. Her arms lazily wrapped around the excitable princess, the older princess smirks.

"I guess I would. Do you want to see your gifts Izumi?"

"Duh!" Their niece huffs, breaking away with a sharp grin. "Of course!"

Azula brandishes something that makes Ty Lee laugh out loud and Izumi grumble in frustration.

"What?" Azula is clearly confused. Her eyebrows are raised in askance, eyes drawn on Ty Lee who cannot resist giggling at her wife's expense. "Seriously?"

"It's a doll, Auntie."

"So?" Azula retorts, inspecting her present. "It's the new Republic City fashion."

She had been exceptional indeed, this one. In a few years, Azula would be Izumi's firebending teacher, her master in more fields than one. In the future, she would be her adviser, the words of wisdom that came with experience. But for now, Auntie Azula is that dear, eccentric but pretty cool aunt who seems to be always away and yet never forgets to visit on her birthday.

….

.

New beginning means several things for them. But in a gist, Azula and Ty Lee just try to make new memories and new ways to remember old ones because life could just easily be taken away and if they start regretting things again, they would never move forward.

They lie each night that they are together for the end of this year's winter, under the fur blankets. Azula has already tied ribbons, has already whispered how her year had been in the heavens that never failed to listen. They would wake up drenched in sweat. They would probably wake up uncomfortable after being tied around each other so much. But Ty Lee loves Azula's warmth better than her coldness and she is willing to take everything, if it means she could stay.

With her.

Forever.

"Tell me about it again…" she whispers, inching impossibly closer, combing her fingers to the slightly damp hair. "Tell me, Azula."

"That bedtime story, once more?" Amused. Azula shifts nearer and Ty Lee welcomes it.

"I'd never get tired of hearing it."

Because each time it gets better and better.

If embellishments and sugar coating is what it takes for Azula to remember things differently, then so be it. The past, it has become who they are. The past, however painful made Azula the person that Ty Lee would willingly go to hell with. The past is what makes the future certain, what makes Ty Lee sure that she would never have to betray her ever again.

Azula is smiling and the words come out automatically. "Kazumi's life started at sixteen…."

(END)

Merry Christmas, everyone. I hope you enjoyed it. I did. it is always fun to see any story end, especially one that just came out of nowhere. I would like to thank those pips who took the time to read and review. I did not really expect much but it is nice to see that some people do like it enough to say hi. It is one of my very introspective works so far and it is fulfilling to see it end happily since I had been pretty cruel with my other works.

I would take a much needed break from this fandom so enjoy your holidays Tyzula fans (was it already established what we are supposed to be called?) and am looking forward to what you have in store in spring.