Inferno

I'M BACK BITCHES. Yeah, took a visit to hell for about a year...or something =-= Ahem, well lovely to see you again my devil's :D I'm going to take this a lot slower, let the plot build up, throw a lot of drama and Aura training to become Fire Lady and shit...yeah xD So, please enjoy this, I hope I don't fall into writer's block again o-o I also decided that I'd just connect it onto this story so that it'd extend longer ^^

Alrighty! Disclaimer Aura c:

Aura: Righteo! DemonPie17 does not own Avatar: the Last Airbender and also screw this shit with Avatar: Legend of Korra, we roll our own way c:

Demon: Well said!

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Chapter 1

Marriage!?

Aura blinked, her brain not yet processing what the Fire Sages in front of her had actually said. She was in shock, not able to comprehend the fact that the Fire Sages wanted to her marry Zuko.

"Aheheh, that's funny! Don't play me like that, what is it that was actually needed?" Aura grinned, sweat trickling down her forehead.

Yet, the Sages only stared at her blankly, molten gold eyes pinning her on the spot. They didn't seem amused, but a few frowned in sympathy at her nervous and shocked state. One leaned forward, eyes piercing the dark room.

"Miss Aura, we are not joking in any form. The Royal line has to continue, despite your relationship with Fire Lord Zuko. You are our best choice, and at the fact that you are in a relationship with our Lord, it makes things even easier."

Aura seemed to quiver even more, her forehead shining with a sheen of sweat.

"B-But, we haven't even been together that long! I'm not sure if I'm ready for a committed relationship such as marriage! And not only that, but you want me to provide an heir!? You DO realize how that thing happens right!?" She began pacing the floor, eyes wide as saucer, voice frantic and her breath seeming to leave her lungs in an instant. The Sages looked at her with pity, shaking their head at her state.

"Miss Aura, you are our best option..", Aura froze, her body stilling.

"Just...give me a while to think about it.."

The Sages nodded, speaking, "You have till tomorrow morning.." Aura seemed to turn a sickly pale, nodding stiffly, she exited the large doors, which slammed behind her to make her jump. Her breathing began to pick up as she slid into a sitting position, back to the door. She pulled her knees to her chest, and with no other option, she began to cry.

Thick, hot, salty tears rushed down her cheeks in waterfalls, her shoulders shaking at the realization that even just after escaping the Temples to live a life, she was to be bound to this palace. She quivered more, falling on her side as strands of hair stuck to her damp cheeks, choked sobs escaping her lips. She shook her head from side to side, wiping at her eyes and nose roughly, giving a small sniff. She shakingly pushed herself into a sitting position, walking back to Zuko's room, which was the Fire Lord's Quarters. Knocking hesitantly on the door, it was opened by the Fire Lord himself, his small smile immediately dimming to be replaced by concern.

"Aura..? What's wrong?" Zuko stepped forward, pulling her into a hug, looking at her state in shock.

"The Sages need to speak to you about what they told me...it's urgent and mandatory..", another tear escaped her eye as Zuko brushed it aside. With a sharp nod, he gave her another hug, walking in large strides to the Sage's room.

The large double doors closed behind her as she stepped into the Fire Lord's Quarters with almost silent steps, taking a seat on the large bed, her weight sinking into the mattress. She stroked her hands over the red and gold silken sheets, trying to find comfort in the extravagant surroundings. But it only brought her that clenching feeling in her chest to remind her that she was to be bound here. Aura bit her lip tightly until she tasted copper, her eyes looking duller than before as they pooled with more tears, causing her eyes to burn. She clenched the sheets in her hands tightly till they wrinkled, holding back screams of frustration.

About ten minutes later, the gold and black double doors were pushed forward, slamming against the walls roughly, causing a chill to ripple through Aura. She turned her head to see a furious Zuko stalking towards her, his eyes bright with anger. He pulled her into a rough hug, stroking her hair as she relaxed into his embrace, realizing his anger wasn't directed at her.

"How can they just suddenly throw you into such a position? And after we just ended a hundred year war!? Have they no consideration to your position!?" He had let go of her, pacing in front of her as he threw his hands up.

"And not only that, but an heir!? I don't even think any of us are ready for such a thing!" Zuko's face was tinted with a blush at the thoughts of...oh Agni, he was NOT about to go into that topic.

Aura frowned, pressing her palms into her knees. "We've only been together for a short amount of time, I can't see how anyone would be okay with that.." Zuko let himself fall onto his back beside her on the bed, closing his eyes and letting a breath of smoke from between his lips, having conjured up some of his bending during his rant. Aura fell back beside him,wings tucking in to avoid smacking into Zuko as she made sure they wouldn't burn the sheets. Pressing a hand to his cheek, he hesitantly opened his eyes to see a small smile on her face, eyes twinkling with mirth after his slightly amusing rant.

"I'm sure we can make this work, we just need to give it time. Understand each other a little more, and focus on getting this world back on it's feet after the war. As much as neither of us wants to be put into such a position so early, we need to do what's best for this country. It may be hard, and we may get into arguments and find our differences, but that's what a relationship is all about. And, I'm sort of looking forward to this in a way...having a family of my own and a country to care for...", Zuko was staring at the girl beside him in slight awe at her maturity to this situation after her breakdown. With a small smile, he flicked her nose, causing her to clench her eyes shut, her nose scrunching up.

"Seems you're already getting into this huh?" He grinned, causing Aura to blush, a laugh leaving her lips. Zuko smiled at the beautiful sound, and after a moment, laughed along with her, taking her hands into his, they lay, sprawled on the sheets.

After calming down, Zuko looked at his partner with seriousness. He pressed his forehead to hers, and looking into her eyes, he asked, "Are you sure you're okay with being put into that position? Are you okay with being by my side...?"

At this, Aura looked back into his eyes with the same calming sense of seriousness. And with a smile, she spoke.

"Oh, I've been ready for this since I first saw you.."

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Well! That's the Pilot to this sequel that's extended onto the Original 'Daughter of Flames'. If you guys like the idea of this, please make sure to R&R!

Until the next chapter my devils~

-Demon