Cold Flame

Chapter 22: Redeemed

A/N: This is it, the final chapter of Cold Flame, even though it took me two years to complete it, it is definitely something I am proud of.

So please enjoy this last chapter and thank you all so much for reading! It's been a pleasure.

Iroh

The Firelord is a caring and peaceful leader, and even to the ones that caused him the most grief and put him in the most danger, he still treated with dignity and respect. Zuko learned a lot during his time in exile and during his time fighting alongside the Avatar. His heart was too big to give family a pauper funeral. Citizens from all over the nation came out dressed in formal clothes, holding candles while soldiers lined up and held the nations Flag as the procession moved on through them.

That fateful day ended in both tragedy and celebration. Ozai was gone and Azula had been redeemed. Zuko and Ursa were torn at the loss but proud that the monster in their beloved sister and daughter had finally been released at last.

The procession came to an end at the center of the Capital where a great stage had been set up, royal custom required a public funeral first and then a private one for burial later in the day.

"Friends," Zuko addressed the crowd, his voice just barely cracking. "This is a day that will be remembered for generations to come. The death of the former Firelord comes with many mixed feelings of joy and sadness. For those that were born and lived through the better part of his reign have my deepest sympathy. You followed a man that lead you into a world where your pried fueled our great nation. Though I did not always agree to the terms of my late Father, he was a leader, a brother, an uncle and a father. No matter what, he always meant something to someone." With a heavy sigh he looked to the ground, after a moment or so he looked up to his people and continued. "But he is not the only one we are honoring today. The Former Fire Nation Princess, my dearest sister, Azula, who could not be with us today...She was sent on a journey some time ago to reform herself and become a new person and I am proud to say that she has been redeemed after taking down my would be assassin. With out her help I would have met an early grave and for that I will be forever thankful and in debt to her. Her courage and selflessness have earned her the title of Fire Nation Princess once again!"

The crowd erupted in a wave of applause and cheers at this news, if only my niece could bear witness to what she had accomplished.

Ty Lee

What she had always deeply wanted was finally done, she won the love and adoration of her family and nation without the use of intimidation.

Zuko spoke so highly of the celebrations that would be had over Azula's heroism, but I still cried. How could I not? To have to watch as the one you love slips away...

"He's awake!" Ursa cried out, I only just barely heard it in my sleep. To me, I was still running from Ozai, looking above me I could hear Ursa's muffled cries. I didn't even realize that she was no longer with me in the dream. The only thing I have trouble with in weaving is the ability to get out of the dream state. So I just kept running,and eventually made it to Azula's bedroom. She was kneeling by the shattered glass that once made up her mirror and she was struggling to put the pieces back together.

"Azula!" I ran to her side immediately and took her wrists, forcing her to look up at me, she had been crying and dropped the loose pieces that were in her hands. "You'll hurt yourself."

"Ty," She sobbed, seemingly ignoring what I had jus said, and continued to reach for the broken shards. "I need you, I need you to help me..."

Before I could answer her, my entire world began to shake and I could hear someone yelling for me to wake up. The shaking became more violent and by some sort of reflex I grabbed a hold of Azula and tried to wait it out. When it became too much my body lunged forward and I was in the servants quarters again with Ursa and Katara. Without a moments hesitation I was off the bed and running to where I knew she would be...but when I found her it was too late to help her...I saw him go towards her with the sword while Zuko held her. When it cut through her, he seemed to react faster than she did. It all happened so fast, and that's when she went down. Ozai cornered Zuko in and thats when everyone started to spring into action. Sokka and Aang pushed by me and then out of instinct I ran after them with the intent of getting her out of there as quickly as possible.

"Be alive..." I prayed just like before in the desert.

Then a miracle happened, in her dazed state on the ground she managed to reach for the other sword and swing at her father's leg and then with what little energy she seemed to possess she lunged on top of him and stabbed him hard. Her teeth gritted as his blood was spat into her face. I must have still been moving because as she started to fall limp against her father's chest I grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her back so she was leaning into me. The instant that her eyes met mine she gave me a full smile, her eyes still drooping, nearly closing completely.

"Ty...Ty..." She said, laughing a bit as her chest rose and fell harder than it should have been.

"Hush..." I said, holding back my tears, as I wiped the blood from her face then continued to stroke her cheeks with my fingers lightly. "It's ok my love, I'm right here...I'm right here for you...it'll be ok...it will..." I felt as though I was lying to her and to myself in saying that. The blade had gone right through and she was losing blood fast.

Zuko scrambled to his feet and got out of the way as Katara made her way to us. She tried to pull Azula from me but I cried and lashed out at them all. No one would touch her, if this was her last moment together, it would be only us.

My wish was short lived because Mai pulled me away as Suki pulled Azula from my grasp. They held me back while Katara, Aang and Ursa tended to Azula. They took her to the bed and I just sat on the ground and tried to fight off my ow captors.

"Ty Lee let them work! We're trying to save her you idiot!" Mai said with more emotion than I knew she possessed.

"Please Ty Lee," Suki pleaded. "They're going to do all they can..."

Zuko and Sokka covered Ozai's body and together they lifted him up and carried him out of the room. I eventually surrendered into Mai's oddly welcoming embrace and she rubbed my back in comfort while I cried.

"Our best friend is dying Mai!"

"I know..." She choked a bit but never stopped her motions. Mai would never sugar coat anything for anyones benefit, especially this.

That was a day that I thought would never end...Katara must have spent hours using her water bending to heal Azula, when it all seemed useless she just kept going. When Azula would stop breathing Aang would pump more air into her chest and they would just keep going. The Zuko came in and some how used his own bending to close the wound and stop the bleeding completely. They never gave up on her, not the way I did. How selfish was I to act the way I did before? She was dying in my arms and I was allowing it to happen. My clothes were drenched and stained with her blood and I didn't even care so long as her last moments were spent with me...I felt awful after that and couldn't even approach the bed where she continued to fade away.

"Ty...Ty..." Her weak voice called out for me hours later during her intense healing session.

"Don't move Azula, you'll reopen your wound." Katara warned her gently.

"Ty Lee..." She moaned again with more persistence this time.

"You should go to her." Ursa said from above me.

I glanced up at her and she had her hand held out to me. Quickly I looked away and shut my eyes, willing her to leave me be. She did no such thing and knelt down in front of me. Hooking her forefinger beneath my chin she turned my head to face her. Tears instantly trickled down my face and she wiped them away.

"She needs you, darling." She sighed when I couldn't respond. "You wanted to spend the rest of your days with her, well, she seems to want that as well. Please don't disappoint her, you know how she can be when she's disappointed." With that statement she smiled and I accepted the help up.

Slowly I approached the bed and sat by her side, taking her cold hand into my own I rubbed my thumb along her knuckles. She acknowledged me after a moment or two and looked up at me with the same smile as before.

"You're here..." She said weakly.

"Yes."

"You're late."

"I know," I laughed, remembering this conversation from before. "I'm sorry."

"I waited...forever..." She whined, mocking my voice, even when she's near death she finds a way to pick on me. "Ty...?"

"Yes?"

"We're home..." She said, gripping my hand a little. "Home...is where you are."

"Sleep now my love..." I leaned in and silenced her with a soft kiss on the lips.

I helped bandage her up and she slept peacefully for the first time since I've met her. That day had been a nightmare...

"What are you thinking about?" She asked from behind me, breaking me from my thoughts and gently winding her arms around my midsection.

"What are you doing out of bed? Katara said you shouldn't move around so much! It's only been a week, you need your rest!" I said in a worried tone as I turned to face her.

"Her healing sessions have worked just fine, now don't worry so much." She said weakly. The wound in her back and side were heavily bandaged. She winked at me and said, "Remember, I was born lucky."

"You're lucky to be alive!" I rested my hands on the sides of her face and stroked the hair that had fallen forward. "Please, please try to get some more rest."

"Ok," She decided to be compliant for once and kissed my cheek and started off back to her bed.

I turned to her, suddenly overcome with worry and gently slung my arm about her shoulders and helped her walk. It was a close enough call the first time and I would not have it again.

"Ty Lee, I'm fine." She insisted but one glance at the stern yet worried look on my face made her change her tune right away. "I'm sorry."

It's true, she was only ever able to say that to me sincerely for the longest time in our lives. She's changed so much since the war, at least to everyone else, to me she's still the same, only a bit softer around the edges.

Azula

I won't lie to you, that day was a nightmare, but it ended in a dream. Ty Lee stayed by my side and even stayed behind with me during Ozai's funeral. I was in no condition to go, obviously. Sleeping came easy after a while, and being in such a deep sleep, I am able to ignore any pain from the surface.

"Oh I like this..." I said inspecting my once torn up back and side.

Dreams can be controlled if you want them to be, so it seems, and in my dreams my body was in perfect condition. No pain, no scars, no blood and best of all no...interruptions.

"Azula..." Ty Lee broke me from my thoughts and I looked to her, she was as beautiful as ever. She was wearing a dark pink nightie and nothing else, her design of course, she approached me and without a seconds hesitation I was kissing her hard. My tongue demanded entrance and she gave in immediately. It was like every other time, we competed for dominance. I don't know who pushed who first but we were suddenly tumbling against the bed. My mouth left hers and latched itself onto her neck and I sucked hard, marking her as I had done many times before. She moaned and gripped tightly onto my back and shoulders and held me closer to her. I looked up at her with a smirk and she made her move to flip us over so she would be on top. Her new found strength always finds a way to surprise me but I always loved that about her. The battle was nearing its end between us as she now had the upper hand. She trailed fiery and wet kisses down my body until she reached where I needed her most. My breath quickened with anticipation and I panted heavily trying to speak. She silenced me right away as my entire body went into shock as she quickly enters me and heat washes over my body, her movements aren't awkward, she knows what she wants and how to get it from me, and not too long after she starts to love me do I give her exactly what she wants...I cry out her name in pure ecstasy and my lungs fill up with much needed air and then I let out a huge blissful sigh.

With her...I feel so much...more than I ever thought I would with anyone. What she does to me can be the best and it can be the worst and anything in between. At its best though, it's when all lines and circumstances melt away, and I no longer know where she begins and I end...and as I come down from my high I realize that I don't care about any of that. My throne, my nation, they all come second to her.

Ty Lee is my saving grace, my path to redemption and my damn sanity. With her I am so much more than what I am, and what I was once portrayed as. Because of her, I have my life back, and then some, and I intend to spend the rest of that life with her.

Soon the dream comes to an end and I wake up for a moment to see her laying beside me, arms draped lazily around me. With a smile I press my lips to her before leaning more into her embrace.

"Good night Ty..."

The End.