A/N: Waah, I can't believe I've been neglecting this project for so long! Aagh! Well, before I get to what may be the final scene (Azula/Zuko, I just love their dynamic together), I'll finally post this Azula/Katara scene. I wrote it a long time ago. I didn't release it before, because I felt it was missing something, don't ask me what. I really like the craziness Azula channels in this one, but something just felt odd about the thing as a whole. After a long time, I gave up on trying to rewrite the damn thing and it just kind of hung in limbo. I got around to it this weekend and made a few edits, but this is still pretty much what it was originally.

Hmm, I wonder if I could think of something to do with Iroh as well… I sort of already have something with Suki in a different story, but it's more of a drama thing than this slightly humorous sadism I'm providing here (not that Azula didn't mess with her in my earlier fic 'Imprisoned'). Hm, we'll see…

"Well, well, well. Who do we have here?" Azula asked with the natural curiosity a cat might have for something small, furry and tailed. "Ah, I remember you… that look of shocked horror back in Ba Sing Se when I shot the Avatar in the back… priceless," she said as she gingerly strode around the pillar separating the two girls, dragging her taloned hand across it, before she added, "And shooting the Avatar was fun as well."

"You… you monster!" Katara managed to utter, each syllable vibrating with a seething hate she was unaccustomed with. "Can't you see what you're doing? To people, the world, everything? How can someone be so full of hate and…"

"Me? Full of hate? Maybe you should take a look in the mirror. You came here to do… what exactly? Talk? The thought of punching this smug smile off my face never crossed your mind?" Azula asked, running her fingers tenderly over her painted lips, curved upwards with a primal joy.

"I – we – this ends here! Aang will defeat the Fire Lord, and then… then -"

"Yes? Do tell… Is it just me, or am I picking up a hint of uncertainty? You're probably worrying 'How can he beat the Fire Lord at his strongest, when he couldn't even beat that mean old Azula', aren't you?"

"Aang won't lose… he can't," Katara replied softly, taking hesitant steps backwards as Azula slowly advanced on her, ready to pounce.

"Oh, unconditional optimism is it, great rebuttal. Good thing this war doesn't depend on you talking, otherwise… this would have ended so long ago, and I wouldn't have had any fun at all," Azula said, her smug smirk spreading even wider, revealing perfect teeth, that reminded one of a shark nearing its unsuspecting prey.

"Shut up, you have no idea how strong he is now… he'll win, and restore balance," Katara said, stopping her retreat.

Azula stopped her advance too, but not because she was feeling threatened or anything, she merely loved lulling her prey into a false sense of security. Her smile widened even further as she recalled hitting the Avatar when he was at his strongest, so sure he would win, only to fall victim to an unsuspected bolt of lightning. It was so delicious…

"You really have a thing for the little bald kid, don't you? I'll be sure to have father send whatever's left of his smoldering remains to you, so you can give him a proper, teary-eyed farewell," Azula said, her muscles tensing up for the predicted outcome. Why was this so easy?

"Enough!" Katara yelled, whipping out a snake-like tendril of water from the water skin she always carried around. Using it like a whip she brought it around in a spinning lash towards Azula's face, desperate to beat that smug look off her face.

Azula swiftly raised a blazing palm to catch the water whip, steam covering her abnormally messy hair and face. From beyond the mists, Azula's shadowy figure taunted, "Temper, temper my dear. What did I just say about you and your temper? Well, not much really, merely made an observation on the hypocritical talk you were giving me… funny how similar we all are, deep down, even when we are on opposite sides of the war. You'd think at least one of us would have the moral high ground, but alas… all it boils down to is petty slapping. And all I had to do was imply something bad happening to your boyfriend. But here you are, with my adorable brother Zuzu… Mmm, isn't he just delicious, a real hoot! HAHAAHAA!"

Azula jumped at Katara, her other hand poised to strike the girl, burning with a globe of blue fire as well. Katara raised her hand, water leaping forth from her water skin to repel the attack. The pair was shrouded in mist as the elements collided. Katara could barely see her own two feet.

"What? No giant 'no' this time? Could it be… that you don't have a problem with that? Maybe you and your boyfriend the Avatar aren't as close as you'd like to think… My brother is handsome, if you like scarred freaks… but that's not the point I'm trying to make here. Tell me, how jealous are all the other girls and boys when they see you with the Avatar? That little trophy around your neck? All the power in the world, wrapped around your little finger? Exhilarating isn't it? I might have underestimated you… you little power hungry harlot…"

"It's not like that!" Katara shouted desperately, eyes spinning, in search of a shadow in the all-covering mist.

"Of course it isn't," Azula said, turning her mocking tone to maximum. "I just wuv him so much! I never look at other guys! I only have eyes for him! Hahahaaa! You crack me up!"

"Will you just shut up?!"

"Hmm, that Avatar sure is important to you, and yet, here you are, with my darling Zuzu. So much for fidelity. Hihihii. Poor boy doesn't have a clue, does he?" Azula's voice drifted through the thick vapors, it felt like it was coming from everywhere. Katara's head spun around frantically, searching for the source. "How tiresome… all of you are so alike, so predictable, so… in love. I'd feel sick, if I weren't having so much fun at your expense."

The following cold laughter came from behind Katara. She spun around, just in time to see the blue flash, as azure flames rolled down on her.