Katara was sure of one thing. When all else fails, one should cling to faith. The hope that the next minute, hour or day would be better than the last. The concept was on her mind as she braved to enter through the mirrored door Mai had opened for her. Katara noted the increasing silence and stillness she experienced from the moment she stepped into the temple Mai's family owned.

It had been as though she was descending rapidly towards an impending doom upon giving the goldpieces to a female priest in front of the statue of Agni. How did she not guess it would end here? Upon accepting the payment, the priest led her to another room where she met Zuko's omega, the ever-gloomy, depressing-attired Mai who took her further into the temple where the air seemed stifling. Katara could not discern if it was the smoke from the woman's cigar or something else that seemed to be constricting her throat.

Perhaps it was all psychological? She never told a soul about the visions she experienced during her travels with her alpha boyfriend, her brother and Toph. She had embraced her mother's presence during the most stressful of times, showering her with maternal love beyond the grave and keeping her on the right path. Perhaps this was one of those times, though the stench of innocent lives burned her nostrils instead of the warm, soothing smells of Southern Water Tribe cuisine that normally preceded her mother's presence.

Katara placed her hand on her abdomen, hidden beneath her hideous cloak. It was pure instinct, of course, just like her visions of her mother. Her body wished to protect itself from whatever was to come. Her feet moved on their own until she entered the room, the mirrored door closing with a quiet whisp of the stifling air. Instinctively, she glanced over her shoulder to check for Zuko's sighing girlfriend, realizing she had come in alone.

She felt grateful for this as she glanced about the room. Despite the mirrored door that she refused to look at again, she was amazed to find a room that seemed to have come directly out of a little girl's dream. Great attention to details in the design of large, meticulously painted golden emblems were along the four red walls. A vanity of pure gold sat in a lone corner with various items that made Katara's stomach churn before her sights set on a silver box in the corner of the vanity.

On the opposite wall to her right sat a large, white lounge chair with a golden end table that housed a plate of untouched cherries. Finally, ahead of her in the seemingly huge dream room, was a canopied bed, completely cloaked with red and gold tapestries hanging from the four bed posts. Two sconces lined the wall behind the bed with orange, dimly lit flames that made it possible for Katara to make out a figure seated cross-legged as if meditating.

That must be Ty Lee. Thought the waterbender, her lips feeling irritatingly dry.

She recalled the chi-blocking, the truth serum, and Azula's mating bite. To say that she was scared of the inevitable with the acrobat was an understatement.

I-I can't turn back now. Thought Katara, closing her eyes with a long, deep breath.

She allowed her body to approach imminent danger with steps across the white carpeted floor. The sitting figure did not move, though the waterbender could see her high braid and make out the small, pouting waistline as she decreased the distance between them. Sweat broke on her forehead, making Katara thankful for at least that source of water in case she needed to defend herself. She was unsure of Ty Lee's mental state, but with the fresh mating mark Azula held on her neck, she was sure the acrobat would not greet her with a hug as she had done in the past. No matter what Ty Lee had in mind, she was determined to keep the horrifying skill of bloodbending at bay. She would never forget the agony that she experienced from Hama.

She wasted no time in pulling back the heavy canopy to reveal the acrobat, who gasped in obvious surprise at the sight of her.

"Katara? I…What are you doing here?" She asked, catching herself by the palms on the mattress.

Katara was equally as confused as the acrobat. "I thought you wanted to see me, Mai-"

"Mai? Mai has no clue I'm here. I came on my own while she was away. The only person I told was Suki".

Before Katara could ask her when she last spoke to her former captain, a familiar chime began to fill the room, followed by a surprisingly gorgeous voice that made her knees buckle and her heart race, simultaneously.

"Leaves from the vine, falling so slow".

Katara felt time was slow as she turned on her heels to spot the twirling blue dragon inside the silver box, the melodious lyrics and chime creating a turmoil in her brain.

"Hi habitant in medio oneratique aeque alta ab aspectu nigerrima peccata animarum generibus dissimiles. Si eris satis cuncta videbis," said the alpha standing in front of the vanity.

Katara swallowed hard. Azula was stunning, fully garbed in her wardrobe from the war with her make-up aligned and her hair perfect. She knew she should follow at least one of her instincts, fight or flight. The princess was a horrible person, next to Ozai, a real psychopath. Yet, she could not turn off the part of her brain that remembered the too few "happy" times she shared with Azula before the fighting when Katara was in her element, being the natural, maternal spirit she was.

There was no greater sorrow than to recall happiness in times of misery.

"I must say, I did not expect you to come, My Moon," commented the princess, her eyes closed with a look of contentment on her face.

Katara held her head upon her legs, fingers playing idly with the woman's gorgeous, silky black hair.

"Neither did I," answered Katara truthfully, using her index finger to trace the alpha's eyebrow. After a brief silence, Katara asked innocently, "Has anyone ever told you that your hair is beautiful?"

"My Mother," Azula answered, barely above a whisper.

Katara caught her breath, surprise and slight uneasiness welled in her body. Their trip to Hira'a together had revealed many webs of secrets, treachery and lies surrounding the infamous Fire Family. The last time anyone last saw the alpha, she had run off into Forgetful Valley. Katara was curious to know more about what had happened to Azula while she was wondering through the spiritual forest alone. Those curiosities were not nearly as important as Azula's relationship with her mother, however.

Katara instead asked, "What was it like seeing your mother again?"

As if thinking of an intricate, Azula-style, politically correct answer, the princess opened her eyes, surveying the woman whose legs she was resting her head upon. It was their first-time meeting in their cave on Kyoshi Island. They had yet to touch the other, though they were liberated from their clothing and as comfortable in their nudity around the other as long-last lovers.

"I realized something," were Azula's words before rising to push the waterbender unto her back, her nostrils widening to inhale the omega's heat from her legs spreading instinctively to invite her in.

Katara bit her lip in anticipation, her walls begging to be stretched like she had witnessed Ty Lee's. She had to have Azula at that very moment, though some part of her managed to ask through her hazy mind, "What?"

Azula's look was predatory, making Katara pant in need. She knew better than this. What would become of them once she and Azula took this step? Her mind raced as Azula's smirk widened as though she were reading the omega's thoughts. Katara shivered as Azula seemed to set fire to her senses. Her chi was completely wrapped in the alpha's dominant pull, making the waterbender moan longingly, wrapping her arms and legs around the firebender, pure instinct unleashing in waves she wouldn't control if she wanted to.

The alpha's eyes did not move from hers as Azula descended, the tip of her cock coming to rest at the omega's entrance, pushing just enough to make Katara want to scream. It was maddening, thrilling, frightening, all feelings she found difficult to handle alone, but all together she knew no greater feeling than now. The woman seemed to know exactly what to do to drive her crazy. Moving was futile as Azula had her pinned by the hips, watching her writhe, hardened nipples beckoning for her to taste them, at which she took the liberty to. How the alpha managed to keep herself propped up on her palms, just out of reach, but close to suckle each peaking mound with her ruby, red lips, was beyond the omega.

Katara could do nothing, but beg at this point, which she was not ashamed to do. Beg she did when Azula lavished each breast before relieving her by sinking into welcoming warmth with the ease of an expert, splitting Katara until the tanned beauty nearly screamed the small village awake. Before she could release the bellow, however, Azula's lips found hers and caught the scream in sync with breaking her innocence, making Azula groan in her mouth, eyes rolling backwards from the effect the action had on her. Her hips stilled. Katara clenched tighter, squeezing the alpha's shoulders to urge her on.

Azula responded with gentle thrusts, eyes filled with concern for the waterbender. Katara smiled sweetly up, stroking the princess's shoulders to let her know that she had no more reservations about it. Instead of her usual smirk, Azula's eyes were warm and wide. Bending over, she kissed the omega's neck, pushing her entire length as she fell into a rhythm that Katara later learned was called a rut.

Closing her eyes, Katara worked herself against the alpha's rut, running her fingers through lengthy tresses as she mewled. Azula pulled back when her knot formed, though she kept a pace Katara could handle and enjoy. Without the knot and future intakes of kajihana, neither woman had guessed anything would result from what, Katara could now admit in hindsight, was the first and only time she and Azula made love.

Future meetups never amounted to the passion Azula showed on their first night together. The feel of Azula's arms around her waist made Katara warm as they laid on the cave's cold ground, wrapped around the other.

"What did you realize?" Katara asked, remember their earlier conversation.

Azula gave a genuine smile that made Katara's heart somersault in her throat.

"You can't control the heart".

Katara reflected on her words as she watched Azula make a show out of inspecting the tools on the vanity. She specifically took a sick interest in the scalpels and forceps, turning them about in her palms. "You know," she said, placing the tools back and turning to face the two omegas at the other end of the room. "You are more likely to die than be successful with this stuff".

Neither woman spoke so Azula continued, "Though you should for even thinking about taking a life that has done nothing worth the reaping," turning a deadly eye on Katara, she asked, "Surely the Southern Water Tribe does not allow such practices?"

It was not a question. Azula knew her enemies better than her friends and undoubtedly had read about the legalities in Katara's homeland more than once. Katara knew there was no use in trying to get the procedure done any place other than the Fire Nation, as women here were known to have more options than the earth kingdom and both water tribes. She had enlisted Suki's help to find the place. Azula gestured for her to join Ty Lee on the bed. Katara obeyed, hoping this was all a really bad dream that would end nice like they always did when she dreamed of Azula.

Taking a set of forceps in hand, Azula ventured close, smirk sinister as she neared them. Stopping at the edge of the bed, the alpha gazed over both omegas, licking her lips in obvious desire.

"What a shame I can't have both of you," she remarked, tapping Ty Lee's knee with the tool, absently. "Though, decisions…decisions. They are so difficult, right, Ty?"

Katara felt the acrobat's hand ease behind her back, stopping at her spine. Panic arose in the waterbender before she could swallow it down. She managed to side eye the omega, surprised to see the same smile she always managed to keep on her face.

"It must be," answered Ty Lee. "Though it can't be more difficult than the ones Katara and I had to make".

Katara managed to hold a hiss when she felt a pinch on her back, thankfully not chi-blocking, but a warning gesture. Azula's smirk dropped her eyes nearly popping from her head. The princess seemed unable to speak as her bottom lip trembled.

"My…no you, you wouldn't," gasped the woman, pleading eyes intent on Ty Lee's.

Katara could not take the look, blurting, "No, Azula…I wouldn't do that to you".

She felt Ty Lee's angry eyes on her within seconds of speaking. Azula also stared at the waterbender, a wash of relief on her face. Katara knew it was not healthy. She also knew that it was unlikely she would get out of this mess without hurting Aang. Ty Lee had been an unexpected obstacle that kept her from Azula. She had to take the opportunity to take the acrobat's mate for her own.

She had yet to tell the avatar about her unplanned pregnancy as the truth was too difficult to accept at the time.

She was not completely sure which alpha sired her pup.

"These dwell among the blackest souls, loaded down deep by sins of differing types. If you sink far enough, you'll see them all"-Dante's Inferno quote translated to Latin above.