2\10\19: So I know it's been a while since I last updated this story and now I deleted a bunch of book three and posted this so let me explain. I haven't given up on this story or been too busy to work on it, the reason I haven't updated it in so long is for the same reason I deleted a lot of book three because I didn't like the pacing. So I've decided to rewrite book three and not post it until its completely finished. That way I can avoid having to do this again. This is part of the new chapter I rewritten that I just decided to post so I can write this update. You may also notice I changed the title of the story, let me know if you prefer it to the old one.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.

It was the break of dawn in the fire nation capital as sunlight crept over the jagged crater horizon signaling the start of the day down from the lowest servant to the highest aristocrat living in the city.

Even the princess of the fire nation was no exception to this as sunlight peeked into her room from behind her gigantic draped windows waking her sleeping figure lying in her bed.

Opening her golden eyes slowly, Azula closed them back down as she sat up slowly and stretched her arms above her head languorously.

Letting her arms fall down to her sides, Azula once again opened her golden eyes as she ran her fingers through her perfectly kempt hair cascading down like a waterfall.

Sliding her legs off the side of the bed, Azula glided her feet into her slippers before walking to her massive draped windows in her satin night robe.

Moving open the drapes, the sun shined through her windows illuminating her and her room in its warm light.

Azula's lips curled into a warm smile, before she turned around to get ready for the day.

Now that it was no longer shrouded in darkness it was clear to see Azula's room and how different it looked like now compared to a year ago when Mai had found her, even more so before that.

Decorated girlishly with stuffed dolls on the bed, paintings on the wall, and statuettes on the tables, at first appearance Azula's room looked surprisingly normal for an average teenage girl of her age and social standing.

Upon closer inspection however, that statement couldn't be any further from the truth.

All of the paintings, statuettes, and stuffed dolls in her room were all of the same one person and one person only: Zuko.

His likeness caught in every conceivable manner, emotion, and angle possible; there wasn't a spot in Azula's room where one could look where something of Zuko wasn't.

One might ask "Who would make these things and why?"

The answer was quite simple actually.

Before the incident with the dragon, the prince was quite the celebrity in fire nation and the heartthrob of many teenage girls, due largely in part to his fiery personality and charming good looks.

Naturally many sought to make a profit off this by creating items in his image.

Azula thought it was downright shameful and pitiful…

Regardless, she couldn't help herself and bought up every item she could find, along the way amassing a collection that was quite extensive to say the least.

Among one of her most prized possessions in this collection was a rare silver statuette of Zuko standing tall with a cool expression on his face that was actually made in the earth kingdom of all places.

Turns out he actually had a couple diehard fans over there too.

Only a dozen of these statues were ever made and she was only able to obtain it via the black market.

Her favorite and most common item in the room however were the stuffed dolls of Zuko.

They came in different sizes, from the hand size ones laying on her tables and shelves, to the medium ones about twice in size lying on the foot of her bed, all the way to the biggest one which was almost as tall as her at the head of her bed that she would often snuggled up with when she was going to bed.

Azula realized that some may see her room as a sign of having an unhealthy obsession with her brother, but in all honesty didn't consider it an obsession, nor unhealthy for that matter.

She just really loved Zuko and wanted to be with him all the time.

He was like the sun to her, his radiant presence filling her with warmth, happiness, and hope, illuminating this dark world that would be completely void and desolate without him.

"Okay, maybe she was a tad obsessed." She smirked fully dressed in her royal armor, looking into the mirror as she fixed her hair into a loose low ponytail with a golden ribbon holding it in place.

"Alright, she was off to see him." Azula smiled warmly one last time in the mirror, before walking toward her door.

"But, first she had to pick up his and her breakfast." Azula thought walking down the hall in the direction of the palace kitchen.

"G-Good morning princess!" a servant boy a little younger than her carrying a bucket greeted nervously in a bow as she walked in his direction.

"Morning." Azula greeted cordially.

The servant boy blushed staring at her from the corner of his eye as she walked by.

Coming up to the palace kitchen, Azula walked through the swinging doors as she was greeted by the head chef and his staff.

"Good morning princess." They all greeted nervously with a bow.

"Morning, what's on the menu today?" Azula asked.

"Congee topped with pickled vegetables." The head chef said nervously as one of his staff presented the dish on a silver platter in front of Azula.

Taking a spoonful of the porridge and bringing it to her mouth, Azula pulled back her hair and blew on the steaming food elegantly.

Everyone blushed watching her as she then took the spoon and put it slowly in her mouth.

Everyone watched anxiously as she chewed slowly before finally swallowing.

"Delicious, Zuko's going to love this." Azula complimented with a smile.

"You're too kind princess." The head chef bowed relieved with a smile along with the rest of his staff.

"Would you like us to carry it for you?" One of the staff asked as they added a second dish to the platter.

"No, that's quite alright." Azula took the platter off of the servant.

"I hope you and the prince enjoy your meal." The head chef bowed reverently.

"I'm sure we will, see you at lunch." Azula said as staff members held open the swinging doors for her as she walked out.

The look on the head chef's face along with his entire staff was filled trepidation as soon as the swinging doors swung back closed.

Turning the corner down the hall to Zuko's room, Azula spotted the two guards Bo and Chonglin posted outside Zuko's door bantering with each other per usual.

Azula smiled inwardly at their behavior, they may act like goofs with one another, but they were good men who took their job very seriously.

Over the past year and a half she had grown to trust them and them her.

She was confident in their loyalty to her and Zuko if Ozai ever made a move on Zuko's life.

Noticing her coming, the two cut their chatter as they stood at attention.

"Good morning, princess Azula." They greeted formally as she stopped in front of them.

"Morning, Bo, Chonglin." Azula gave them a soft smile as they opened the door for her and she walked in.

"Best part of the day." Bo said to Chonglin closing the door behind Azula with a smile.

"You're only saying that because you're not married." Chonglin quipped with a smirk.

"I'm married to that smile." Bo said with jesting pride.

"Tch, yeah right." Chonglin chuckled.

Walking into Zuko's room, Azula noticed his bandaged body lying under his covers on his bed.

She smiled weakly.

He was sleeping still, she could tell by his breathing, his chest rhythmically rising up and falling down.

Proceeding quietly, Azula made her way over to him.

Placing down the tray with their still hot breakfasts' on Zuko's nightstand deftly, Azula took a seat in her chair beside his bed.

She would usually let Zuko sleep for an extra five minutes after walking in.

It felt rude otherwise.

Although on some occasions Zuko would already be up when she came in.

That would usually be a cause of concern for her though.

It meant that he had trouble sleeping the night before, a common problem for people with complete visual impairment.

Today however that didn't seem to be the issue, so she would just wait.

Even if…

Azula frowned.

Seeing Zuko unconscious like this made her feel uneasy.

It reminded her of that day with the dragon when she had to say goodbye to what she thought was going to be the last time she saw Zuko on the operating table.

And the year he had spent in a coma.

"Just the thought of losing Zuko was unbearable…" A tear rolled down Azula's cheek as she bowed her head.

"Az…" Azula heard Zuko's voice.

Even though Zuko couldn't see, Azula wiped her cheek quickly and put on a big smile before lifting her head up.

"Hey, good morning, Zuko. Did I wake y-" Azula stopped as she realized Zuko was still asleep.

"Did she imagine it?" Azula wondered.

"Az…" Zuko spoke again blearily.

"He was sleep talking." Azula thought to herself amazed as she watched him turn a little in his sleep.

"I…love you…Az…." Zuko spoke sleepily.

Azula blushed a bright red as she watched his chest slowly rise and fall, proof that he was still sleeping.

Another tear rolling down her cheek, a smile formed on her lips as she stared at Zuko lovingly.

Did he always look so pleasant sleeping?

Consciousness returned to Zuko as he gripped the sheets underneath him to confirm he was really awake.

Sliding out his hand to his sides, Zuko began to set out to scoot himself back into a pile of oversized pillows that he usually sat propped up against.

It must have been early, Azula wasn't here yet, Zuko thought to himself as he continued to work his way back.

Rather than feeling tired however, he felt well rested, in fact he felt like he actually overslept.

Just about fully seated back, Zuko abruptly became aware of something on his bed.

He froze.

Ever since he had lost his sight, he noticed his other senses had become keener.

Additionally over the past year and a half he had been constrained to this bed so naturally he knew how everything on it felt.

But he had been too tired to notice it before, now though he was fully awake and aware.

Pressing down on the bed with his palms, Zuko tried to gauge what it was by the amount of resistance he felt.

It was something heavy, long too, almost the length of him.

Was it a person?

Zuko's mind instantly jumped to the conclusion that it was Azula.

But if it was Azula why wouldn't she have woken him up?

Furthermore, what would she be doing lying in his bed?

Zuko contemplated for a moment calling out her name.

If it was indeed a person then they were surely laying down and probably either asleep or unconscious.

So, on the off chance that this person sleeping next to him wasn't Azula then calling her name would be a mistake.

Just calm down and feel it out.

Zuko took a deep breath quietly.

He could sense now the person's presence and no ill will coming from it.

Rather it felt familiar…good…loving…

Suddenly a scent caught his nose confirming what know already knew.

That smell, it was Azula's perfume!

…It was her!

Zuko slid his hand slowly over to where he felt the body.

There was only one way to find out…

Reaching what he could tell was hair; Zuko ran his fingers through it.

It was definitely Azula. Zuko sighed in relief.

Wait?! Did she and he sleep in the same-…?!

Zuko shook his head with a blush at the thought of him and Azula sleeping next to each other.

He needed to try and remember what happened yesterday.

He remembered talking late last night with Azula as usual… and then her reading him a book… after that he remembered he started to feel really sleepy….

Zuko turned a deep red.

Did she…?

Zuko imagined Azula climbing into bed with him.

No, he remembered she wished him a goodnight and he distinctly remembered hearing the door close.

So did she come in here after he was asleep and…?

Zuko was only ever able to smell her perfume this strongly in the morning when she applied it so more than likely not.

So that means she came in here to wake him up, but fell asleep on his bed for some reason.

Well, when she woke up he was sure she would tell him why.

Catching another scent with his nose, Zuko could smell something good coming from the direction of his nightstand.

Struggling as he leaned over, Zuko had to make sure not to wake Azula as he felt around until what he came across a warm bowl.

"Okay here's where the hard part came." Zuko said inwardly.

Lifting the porcelain bowl full of congee barely off the nightstand, Zuko's arm shook wildly as he struggled to carry it over to the bed.

Just then Azula stirred in her sleep as Zuko could feel his side touching her hair.

Only a bit further...

Suddenly, Azula reached her arms out around Zuko's waist in her sleep as she snuggled him close.

Zuko was forced to drop back down the bowl of congee on the nightstand as he had to use his hands to keep himself from falling over the side of the bed.

Pushing himself off his hands, he leaned himself back against the pillows, breathing heavily.

Tilting his head down, he could feel Azula's arms were locked around him tightly and her face partially on his lap.

Zuko blushed.

"Jeez, what am I going to do with you?" he spoke softly as he brushed the hair out of her sleeping face.

A warm smile came to this face.

She was always working so hard for his sake.

Bringing him his meals, training, keeping him company, it was nice to see her just resting for once.

Azula smiled contently in her sleep as Zuko continued to stroke her face gently.

"How different would things be if that day never happened?" Zuko frowned in thought.

Sure he wouldn't be confined to this bed and blind, but he and Az, that wouldn't be…

Looking back on it, all those years Azula tormented and mistreated him was only because she thought he hated her…that the world hated her…that she was incapable of being loved….

"But, she was wrong."

He loved her, from the moment he set eyes on her as a baby.

And it wasn't just because she was his sister…it was because she was her.

Someone he came to love no matter what.

And as she had grew into such a wonderful person…

"So did his love for her."

As she began to wake up, the feeling of pleasure overwhelmed Azula and her senses.

She felt so good; she wanted to remain like this, she thought smiling as she instinctively squeezed her arms tighter around what she was snuggling.

A small moan coming from what she just squeezed caused her eyes to shoot open.

And in that moment her memory came crashing back to her.

She had been admiring Zuko sleeping, and in a moment of lapse in judgement she decided to lie next to him just for a minute.

Which meant not only had she fallen asleep on his bed next to him…

But the person she had her arms wrapped around right now was...

Azula blushed nervously as she slowly looked up.

"Morning, sleepyhead." Zuko said facing her with a smile, having sensed she was awake.

Azula's face turned piping red as her lips quivered mortified.

She was so embarrassed that she could just….just….

Azula let out a high pitched shriek as she shot up to her knees shocking Zuko.

"What?! What happened?!" Zuko shouted confused.

Just then Bo and Chonglin came busting through the doors.

"Princess, we heard the prince scream what happened?!" Chonglin shouted concerned looking around with Bo.

"Me?!" Zuko shouted offended.

"Nothing, nothing happened." Azula blushed nervously fixing the hair out her face as she slid off Zuko's bed with her eyes downcast.

"Nothing? Why'd they hear screaming then? And why was she on the prince's bed…?" Bo thought staring at the blushing princess's face as she sat down in her chair.

"We're sorry for disturbing you then your highnesses." Chonglin bowed before he put his hand on Bo's shoulder gesturing for him to leave the room with him.

As soon as the door closed, Zuko let out a small sigh.

"Jeez, Az, I didn't know you could make that noise." Zuko said amused.

When he didn't hear a response from her his expression then turned serious.

"Az, is everything okay?" Zuko asked concerned about her strange behavior as he turned to her.

Frowning with still a deep red blush on her face, Azula bowed her head nervously.

She didn't know how to respond….

For in truth she didn't know the answer to that question herself.

Or to be more precise, she didn't know what caused her to lie next to him while he was sleeping.

If she answered yes, she would be lying, but if she said no, she would be unable to tell him what exactly the matter was.

So she said nothing.

Azula based this decision off of what she thought would cause Zuko the least amount of worry and strife.

If he asked question again she would just try and change the subject.

Her decision backfired however, as Zuko spoke his next words.

"…Did you scream, because of me?" Zuko asked apprehensive.

Azula's eyes widened horrified.

Idiot…

She had been a complete idiot!

She had failed to take in consideration that Zuko was blind…

Her silence to him must have been…been…deafening!

"So of course he would assume the worst." Azula thought before raising her head back up to Zuko.

"No, Zuko, no, I swear my screaming had nothing to do with that!" Azula assured with fervent sincerity.

"Okay, okay, I believe you." Zuko said with a small smile.

Azula bowed her head back down with a look of bitterness.

"She would make sure she punished herself for that one later…." Azula thought, gripping her forearm.

"So if it wasn't my charming good looks, what is it that made you scream like that?" Zuko asked blithely.

Azula frowned as she raised her head to look at him.

He always made light of his condition with self-deprecating jokes, but deep down she could tell that was just to try and hide how much it really bothered him.

"I…I was embarrassed…" Azula looked away blushingly.

"Of what, Az?" Zuko asked gently.

"Please don't make me say it…" Azula covered her face with her hands.

Zuko smiled at how cute she was when she was flustered.

"Because you fell asleep next to me and woke up hugging me?" Zuko asked with a smile.

"Mhmmm." Azula answered bashfully hands still covering her face.

Putting his hand over her arms up to her face, Zuko gently pulled them down as Azula looked to see Zuko giving her a smile.

"You have nothing to feel embarrassed about… but if it makes you feel better I felt a little embarrassed too." Zuko said with a faint blush.

Azula was taken back as her cheeks turned even redder before she put her hands back over her face.

She let out an embarrassed groan.

"Sorry." Zuko laughed.

Just then his stomach grumbled loudly.

"Oh my gosh, breakfast!" Azula panicked removing her hands from her face.

"It's alright." Zuko said amused.

"I'll heat it up right now!" She said reaching for his bowl and placing it in between her hands.

"It'll be just a few seconds Zuko!" Azula said frantically as the congee began bubbling.

"Az, slow down or it's going to-" Zuko warned as the congee began bubbling rapidly in Azula's hands before erupting all over her face.

"Explode…." Zuko finished.

Azula with a face full of congee blinked open her eyes.

It had exploded before it had a chance to heat up.

Reaching out a hand, Zuko used his finger and swiped off some of the congee off Azula's face before bring it to his mouth.

"Not bad…" he commented.

Face full of surprise, Azula let out a stifled giggle, before breaking out into a full blown laugh.

Zuko joined along with her.

The fire siblings day although off to an irregular start was just beginning.