Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Avatar: the Last Airbender." Not a dayum thing!

Author's notes: Direct sequel to "Stoking the Fire!" How's it going, lovely readers. Good to see you again. First chapter to get our feet wet. This story more than likely won't be following a linear storyline. More like a vignette of events. But I hope you enjoy! We'll see where it takes us.

"Raking the Coals"

Chapter one "Settling into Rhythms"

A few weeks passed. With the arrival of three infants, the new parents were kept busy, so busy, that even with Kumiko and Zirin helping at all hours of the day, Azula had hired on two wet nurses to keep up with the feedings. Even if their world concentrated around three hungry mouths and three sets of healthy lungs crying, Azula didn't begrudge her current status. How could she? Her mate had whelped three healthy girls and her heart swelled with pride each time a warm body was held in her arms.

"Are you finished with her yet?" Zirin asked. The wet nurse at her side had just finished burping Nozomi and was changing her diaper.

"Just a moment, Lady Zirin. Oh, she's asleep. I can hold her…"

"Forget it. Princess Azula said I was to have contact with her children whenever possible," Zirin said. She carefully collected up the infant, cradling her neck. The baby scrunched her face and cuddled into Zirin's chest carefully, recognizing a familiar aura. Zirin allowed a rare smile, rocking her.

"Has she fed, Zirin?" Ty Lee called from the bedroom. Zirin slowly carried the baby in so as not to disturb her. She caught Ty Lee's eye. She was holding Kazumi and Aiko, one in the cradle of each arm, laying back as they breastfed. Azula sat by her leg, back stiff. She rubbed Aiko's back carefully as she fed.

"She just finished and is knocked out." Zirin said. Azula snuffed and held an elbow out.

"Hand her here, then…"

Zirin didn't complain. She carefully handed their daughter to Azula who's lips quirked up in a soft smile. She leaned to nuzzle her pup's black tuft of hair and gave a soft purr. The baby turned into her chest, small fingers reaching, recognizing her sire's scent.

The baby's small foot twitched and Ty Lee saw the swipe of yellow paint. She sighed tiredly.

"Did you have to paint them, Zula? We could have just given them different colored stockings….."

"Stockings can be changed. This way we can tell them apart for awhile." Azula was nonplussed about her choice. Each girl had been given a swipe of different color on the sole of their right foot. Aiko's was red, Nozomi was yellow and Kazumi was orange.

"Just don't tell them when they're older," Ty Lee sighed. The babies took their mouths off her nipples. Azula hurried to slide an arm under her mate and help her sit up. Zirin sat on Ty Lee's other side and took Kazumi. Ty Lee and Zirin burped the last two girls. The acrobat looked blasted exhausted, dark circles under her eyes and she kept yawning.

"Is the other wet nurse settled?" Ty Lee whimpered to her mate. Azula nodded. Black circles lined her eyes as well.

"You need to rest, Ty. You need to sleep. You can't keep pushing your body this way…"

Ty Lee frowned prettily. "You need sleep too, Zula. I know you get up with them every time they move."

"Let the wet nurses help. That's why you hired them," Zirin urged. "I'll be up to make sure everything is alright."

The grateful smile Ty Lee shot her way warmed Zirin's heart. "But what if….."

"They'll be fine for an hour or two. I'll be at your side. I'll get up if I hear any more commotion than needed for a changing," Azula promised. Ty Lee relinquished her children and sank into the mattress. Her eyes followed Azula and Zirin as they left, three babies in tow. When Azula came back, arms empty, Ty Lee's heart felt as empty. She curled around her mate when she climbed into the bed, shuddering.

"They'll really be okay?" Ty Lee whimpered. Azula pressed tender kisses across her face and throat, urging her to relax. She pumped her chi out in subtle waves.

"Sleep, darling. Then we'll see them again," Azula promised. Her own eyelids weighed heavily, and she hoped she could last long enough to get her mate to sleep. Ty Lee cuddled against her collar bone, lips trailing along her skin as her breathing deepened. Soon she was snoring and Azula made her body go limp. When Ty Lee's hand settled along the small of her back, the princess purred and arched into her mate. She latched onto her comforting warmth as sleep finally claimed her.

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Ty Lee was dreaming of the babies feeding when she twitched from deep sleep. Her eyes opened suddenly, and the near darkness of the room filled her with panic. She relaxed, when her noticed her nose was bumped up against her mate's collar bone. Ty Lee ran a hand up between them and touched the underside of her wife's breast. Heat flooded through her despite herself, but before she could decide to let things get interesting, one of the babies cried from the living room. Ty Lee gasped as her nipples began to leak. She gently tugged at her mate's shoulder, urging her off her.

"Zula….they're hungry…" she whispered. Azula mumbled in her sleep, lips smacking. Her mouth ran along Ty Lee's collarbone and one hand clumsily forced her robe open, lips seeking out her breasts. Ty Lee gasped, heat flooding her middle. Azula tasted trace drops of the milk leaking from her nipple and latched fully onto it. Ty Lee's hands ran through her hair, firmly, trying to wake her. "Azula!"

"Hmmmuht?" Azula mumbled, sounding grouchy. She slit her eyes open and blinked in surprise up at her mate. Where her mouth was, and the round orbs in front of her slammed desire through her and Azula was shocked how quickly she shifted, tenting out the front of her robe. She sighed, unsure if she should or could continue. Ty Lee decided for her, giving the side of her head a firm swat when her lips formed around one pink nipple and began to draw out more milk. "Damn!"

"Sorry, 'Zula," Ty Lee winced. She carefully tried to untangle herself from Azula's arms but leaving the warmth her body gave off was torture. Azula even gave out a tortured mewl, curling on her side, bulge prominent between her thighs. "I didn't mean to…"

"It's not your fault," Azula promised. She gave a long exhale, rubbing her cheek into the mattress. "I'll get them…."

"I'll get up…."

Both parents adjusted their sleeping robes and happened upon Zirin and the two wet nurses feeding and changing their daughters. Aiko was falling asleep after a burping, so Zirin opted to cradle her. One of the women was unfastening her tunic when Azula took Nozomi from her.

"Ty Lee is awake," she insisted. Ty Lee was handed Nozomi, who kissed the top of her head, waiting as Azula prowled after the other wet nurse. She was finishing a feeding with Kazumi and after swirling her chi round her infant and assessing she was well, Azula came back to Ty Lee.

"Let's go in," she suggested. The women hired could flash their tits as was needed, but Azula's possessiveness was amped up to eleven after the birth. She didn't want anyone but herself to see her mate's breasts while feeding. Zirin barely got a free pass on accident as it were.

Ty Lee cast a mournful look at her other children but relented. When Azula had her set up in their bed, robe open and feeding, she sat beside her mate. One hand descended on Ty Lee's thigh and rubbed warmly. Ty Lee gave a happy sigh when Nozomi finished, bringing her mouth off of her nipple. Azula took the infant to her shoulder to burp as Ty Lee covered herself.

"You're so good with them," Ty Lee admitted. Azula gave her a quirked smile as she rubbed the infant's back. Nozomi belched and she cradled her in the crook of her arm.

There was a knock at their bedroom door. "Come," Azula called.

Zirin carefully entered, keeping her eyes averted. She cradled Aiko in the crook of her arm, a letter held out with the other hand.

"This came by post…. Pretty fancy set up," Zirin said. Ty Lee beamed, holding out her arms. Zirin carefully slid Aiko into her arms and Ty Lee smiled down into her sleeping daughter's scrunched up face.

"Who's it from?" Ty Lee asked. Azula took the letter and deftly slit the wax with her nails, slowly unfolding the parchment and letting it unfurl on the bed beside her thigh. She read it over again, eyebrow raised high.

"From the Avatar and company. Apparently, he's marrying the Water Tribe peasant and we're invited to the ceremony and events presiding it at the south pole. Damn. I hope since he's such a big name figure it'll take awhile to plan," Azula said.

Ty Lee patted Aiko's back. "Don't tell me you want us to go. We have the babies."

Azula gave her a wicked grin. "If Zuzu went to the trouble of getting us invited, I'd say we owe it to ourselves to go. The babies will go with. And I doubt it'll be anytime soon. Bet our pups will be crawling or walking by the time the peasants get everything in order."

"It's gonna be cold," Ty Lee pointed out. Azula shrugged.

"I'll keep you warm."

"Did Ying send for anything today?" Ty Lee asked Zirin.

The woman shrugged. "She's due any day now. I doubt she would leave her home."

"Could you check on them tomorrow morning?" Ty Lee asked. Zirin nodded.

"I will, Ty Lee."

Azula had helped buy the beach house their friends lived at and it was just a few sand dunes away. But with Ying ready to give birth, she and Tsung were holed up, nesting and awaiting the birth of their own child. Azula had ordered the midwife who had delivered their pups to camp on the Kyoshi Warrior's property to await their day as well. Ty Lee hoped the woman was well compensated for camping out in a tent on the beach for a few weeks.

Azula nuzzled her daughter's head gently, letting the pup tuck against her chest. "Let's rest then give them another bath…. Can you bring in Kazumi?"

Zirin went to the bedroom door and called out to the wet nurse. She came in and gently eased Kazumi into Azula's other arm. Azula leaned against the pillows beside her mate. It stung Zirin's heart to see the two parents share a soft kiss as they eased back, children in their arms. Who knew if that would ever happen for her. Even Ying and Tsung were mated, married and ready to have their own child. She sighed raggedly in her head.

"I'll go….." Zirin eased herself out of the room and the comfortable scene that so far had eluded her so far. She glowered to herself. One of the wet nurses, a pretty thing really, nice tits and all, asked if she was okay.

"Do you need anything, Lady Zirin?" she asked timidly. Zirin forced a neutral look on her face. She knew this woman's child had died in the birthing bed, which was why she had milk available.

"No. Sachi, was it? No, don't concern yourself. Just rest," Zirin ordered. The woman bobbed a bow and went in one of the guest rooms where the other wet nurse was. They shared the room while they were under service of Princess Azula's children, after all.

Zirin sprawled along the sofa, glaring at the ceiling above her.

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"Suki sent us a letter, darling," Ying said. She read the parchment, unfurling it across the swell of her belly. The child within rapped up randomly and she winced, trying to ease the pain on her lower back. Her wife dashed over and helped adjust her legs. Ying sighed when she sat before her and took her feet in hand to rub.

"What does it say? She's already sent her congratulations. She could have come in person." Tsung was slightly stung at the aloof way their leader held their current life status. It hurt terribly, and after giving years of service in the Kyoshi Warriors, Tsung admitted she expected more.

Ying arched her back sighing as Tsung rubbed her feet. "She's coming. With the warriors. To celebrate the birth of our child."

Tsung looked surprised then laughed. "Well, take back everything I said."

"All is forgiven, my love," Ying said. "But WHERE are they going to room?"

"It's the beach for half of them," Tsung said airily. "Not enough room in here."

"Suki'll love that," Ying giggled. She eased back on her pillows and winced.

"Is she kicking?" Tsung loved it when the baby kicked. It had taken to doing so when she talked to Ying's belly. Ying nodded, wincing.

"It could very well be a boy."

"I bet it's a girl."

The two gently argued, and Ying quieted as her wife rubbed her belly.

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"Izumi, watch me. Watch Dad," Zuko said. He snapped his fingers gently to get his child's attention. His princess was over a year and a half old, talking and walking steadily, and had already started firebending, to his and Mai's dismay. She had set a chair on fire and if they hadn't walked into the room at the time, serious damage could have been done.

More alarming than learning of her abilities as a bender, was the very nature of her fire. Izumi's fire was blue, much as her sire's was. Seeing the cascading blue fire licking away at the chair had drummed dread through Zuko's belly, even as he retracted the flames. Luckily, no one had seen, and he had gotten his daughter's attention to not firebend unless he were with her.

Izumi had nodded, clapping her hands in delight.

Now, Zuko held his palms on either side of his daughter's, guiding her to let the fire flow between her hands. Zuko gently wove his chi through Izumi's guiding the streaks of fire. 'Calm', he urged her. 'In one place'… between their hands. Izumi's little brow tensed, and she sucked her lower lip in a look Zuko was recognizing as her "concentration" face. Her flames were blue, but Zuko gently held the backs of her hands in his palms.

"Very, good, 'Zumi," Zuko said. His child beamed happily, and his heart thudded with joy. Zuko gently washed his chi through hers, gaining her attention. "Can you make it like mine?"

Zuko lifted his hands above the child's pudgy ones and let a stream of orange flame dance between his palms. Izumi watched, golden eyes rapturously watching the fire. She grunted and pushed her pudgy palms out. Her blue flames slowly eroded to orange. That would be the better term, Zuko reflected. Her eyes held a serious tone, and not as much joy as she had a moment ago. Zuko felt bad about that, but he praised Izumi, raising her spirits.

"You're doing so well!" he complimented his child. Izumi grinned. She carefully let her flames go out, following Zuko's example, and stumbled over on chubby legs to hug his calf. Zuko reached down and gently stroked her black hair. "Good job."

"Da!" Izumi beamed up at him. Zuko bent and picked her up, swinging her to his shoulder easily. Izumi's giggles echoed in his ears and he felt at peace. Almost.

"What's she doing a good job at?" Mai asked. She came out of their bedchamber, and watched Izumi hanging over her husband's shoulder. She giggled and reached for Mai.

"Ma," she urged. The look of possessive joy that swept across his wife's features made Zuko's heart thud crazily. He had done this. His decisions had ended badly in some ways, but in the end, he had given his wife a child.

"Oh, so you want your mama?" Zuko urged. Izumi stuck her fingers into her mouth and sucked. She nodded. Mai strode forward and held her hands out. Zuko eased Izumi into her arms easily and leaned to steal a kiss when she was occupied. "Her bending."

Mai gave her husband a neutral look. She kissed Izumi's cheek as the child's arm wound round her neck and tugged at the collar of her robe. "How's… that going?" She honestly hoped her husband could keep Izumi's natural talents at bay as he said he could.

Zuko nodded. "She can make orange flames now. I showed her, and she could do it. Right, 'Zumi?"

"Owange," Izumi agreed. She babbled a few incoherent words and hugged her mother's neck. Mai tutted and bounced her.

"Well….that's good. Are Aang and Katara settling in?" she asked. Zuko nodded. The invitations had gone out worldwide, and apparently his friends wanted a quiet trip before the real wedding planning set in. He couldn't blame them. They had arrived earlier that afternoon and took the time to rest alone.

"You can talk to Aang anytime. He won't mind," Zuko said softly. Mai watched him, her eyes sharp with pain and tears for an instant. She turned to the living child in her arms babbling 'Ma' to her. She could almost agree it didn't matter her unborn child had died. She had Izumi, and no matter what Zuko had done to get her, she was theirs. Even if Azula knew…..Azula….. Mai blinked hard, to keep tears back.

"I will. When he's settled and has free time. He is the Avatar," Mai shrugged. She softened when Zuko's hand settled on the small of her back. He gently rubbed her back. He let out a sigh of relief as his wife pressed into him. Izumi giggled between them, happy.

"Whenever you want," Zuko urged her. He was seriously thankful to Aang for being such a great guy. That he could help with meditation techniques to release grief was more than a plus.

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"Zuko, Mai, thanks for having us," Katara smiled. She and Aang came into their private apartments, giving slight bobs of bows. Their outfits were simple but elaborately stitched. They looked every bit the happy engaged couple and Zuko was happy to see it. He waved a hand, dismissing the attempt at bows. He and Mai had retired for the day and were in their casual robes. Izumi was in a bright red pair of pajamas, wriggling happily on a blanket on the floor.

"Anytime," Zuko said.

"Wow, Izumi's gotten so big. Look at her!" Aang said. He knelt down and held his hands out. He was surprised when Izumi climbed up along the side of the sofa and took careful steps toward him. Aang gusted a small stream of air to steady her stumbling steps and Izumi squealed as she glided forward on the blast. Aang caught her and swept her up to his shoulder. Izumi's pudgy hands reached up to touch his face, grinning. Aang had begun growing a beard and the wispy strands of hair along his chin fascinated the baby.

"Thanks, Aang," Mai said. Aang gave Zuko's wife a gentle look as he bounced the baby.

"We're really here to take a break from the planning commotion. Katara's gran has it all settled and Hadoka told us to take a reprieve while the getting was good," he explained.

"Well, Gran-Gran has her heart in the right place. But it IS going to be a huge event. So many people all over the world are coming," Katara said. She frowned prettily. "I'm starting to get a headache already, so Gran offered to help plan most of it. Dad is setting us up in the new palace for the day, but still, there's too much to do."

"Guess it won't happen for some time," Zuko said. Katara flashed him a wry smile.

"With us taking so many vacations too, I guess it'll be set in winter. Sorry, guys."

Mai shuddered and Zuko rubbed his neck. "Extra fur coats. Got it."

"We're going to freeze," Mai complained lightly. Aang laughed.

"The benders will be fine. Sorry, Mai. We'll keep you warm."

Mai's lips curved into a smile. "I know."

"Anytime you need to start, go ahead. I know where my betrothed goes," Katara offered. Mai, for a moment, wished so many didn't know of her heart's grief. Bad enough her husband did, but Aang and, of course, his fiancée as it seemed the Avatar couldn't keep anything from her. Did that mean she also knew about Izumi?...

Mai cast a worried look to her child. Izumi laid her head on Aang's broad shoulder, fisting the fabric of his yellow tunic. When Izumi grinned, she looked so much like her mother. But in her contemplative moments, she looked more like her sire….

"Thanks, Katara…."

"Let's go meditate now," Aang suggested. He carefully handed Izumi to Zuko. Zuko's smile was soft as the baby laid her head against his chest, sighing.

"Katara can stay here abit. Go on," Zuko said.

When Mai was lead to the private sitting room of Aang and Katara's guest suite, she was ushered to a cushion on the floor. She sat cross-legged, adjusting her robes around her. She had never thought of Aang in any ways of attraction, but alone she couldn't help but note the broad shoulders that pulled at the fabric of his tunic as he set his own cushion down. Aang plopped opposite and scratched the side of his jaw.

"I suppose this is all too much to ask for…." Mai began. Aang gently laced his chi in soothing waves around the Fire Lady's.

"We all carry grief with us, in varying degrees and varying stages of our lives. But it is an attachment to suffering. My goal is to help you ease yourself away from that suffering," Aang said gently. Mai was astonished. His grey eyes were bright with hope and his deeper voice was encouraging. She could almost believe it.

Mai sighed. She closed her eyes and followed Aang's breathing examples. "I wish… just… that my baby…."

Aang gently laid a hand over Mai's.

"I know," he said. "And I will do all I can to ease your pain, my lady."

"Thank you, Aang."

End for now

End notes: And we've begun! Like it? Feel free to smash that button and do that review thing. Stay strong, my lovelies.

Most sincerely, pen

2/09/18