Chapter Text
To say Katara was worried would be an understatement. Sokka wasn’t sleeping, he was hardly eating and she was pretty sure he hadn’t taken a breath of fresh air in days. She understood why he was upset, but this was getting dangerous. Even Ty Lee left the room to take some walks, socialize and be out on deck. Sokka refused. He kept a dutiful eye over Azula as she rested and continued to silently beg Yue, La and Agni that she would fully wake up.
The only reason he wasn’t fainting or suffering from health issues was because Hakoda and Katara dragged him out to eat after he tried to go multiple days without real food. The group had been with the Southern Water Tribe warriors for about two weeks or so. Sokka only spoke about the invasion once and it was to say that he hadn’t given up on it but he still didn’t go to any strategy meetings. Hakoda would come and sit with him though and fill him in on everything he had missed.
The only mission Sokka had joined them for was when they captured a Fire Nation ship. He fought like a madman then returned to Azula. Katara continued to remind him that a ship would be better for Azula in the long run. It would be a better place to heal her. That didn’t stop Sokka from being anxious and asking why she wasn’t fully waking up.
Fully waking up as in she had yet to open her eyes all the way and speak normally. So far, she had blinked her eyes and been in a fever-like state when she did. She mumbled a few sentences then fell back asleep. The most movement she managed during that state was kicking her legs or twisting her body to one side. Sokka had been with her every single time and reported it all to Katara. The one time he hadn’t was one he was sure Azula didn’t want anyone to know about.
Sokka had started to drift off when he heard Azula start to mumble in her sleep. Her left arm was almost destroyed but her right arm, still fully functional, was flailing around.
“Father…please…don’t! Please! I’m sorry!!” Sokka stood up, “… can be useful…dad…Sokka…Sokka!!”
“I’m here.” Sokka put a hand on her right shoulder, the one that wasn’t damaged, and she looked up at him.
“Sokka?”
“I’m here. Ozai is gone. He can’t hurt you.” He wasn’t prepared for her to wrap her arm around him and bury her face in his neck.
“Can you stay?” She asked.
“Of course. I won’t leave.”
“Thank you.” She pulled her body a little closer to his and let herself drift off after getting his assurance.
And Sokka kept his word for three weeks.
——————————
When Azula opened her eyes, she was greeted by the dim light of candles and the smell of sea water. It took her eyes a few seconds to adjust to everything but when they did she saw Fire Nation flags and symbols all over the place. Her heart began to race as memories of fire and her father’s scowl filled her mind. But…hadn’t Sokka helped her? Did they not get away? Did they get captured? Did she get captured? She heard the door opening and, instinctively, went into a firebending stance but when she tried to move her left arm pain shot through her body causing her to fall.
Sokka entered the room with a bowl of rice that quickly slipped out of his hands when he saw Azula on the floor.
“Azula! You’re awake!”
“Sokka?”
“Hey. Come on. You need to get back in bed.”
“What’s-What’s going on?”
“Do you remember Ba Sing Se?” She nodded, “You’re recovering from that. You’ve been out for a while.”
“How long…?” She asked as he helped her back to the bed.
“Three weeks.”
“Three weeks?!?!” She quickly sat up and pain rushed through her left arm.
“Don’t put any pressure on your arm. Katara will kill me if you injure it any further.”
“What happened?”
“You said you remembered.”
“I do but I want to be sure that what happened actually happened.”
Any hint of Sokka’s usual humor was gone when he spoke, “You and I yelled about you siding with Long Feng and you threw me and Ty Lee in prison. When Toph freed all of us, I didn’t feel right about leaving you with your father. The way you and Ty Lee talked about him and with you being a non bender now…I knew something was going to happen. He had a fireball in his hand and he was going to-”
“Burn me.” Azula whispered, “He was going to give me a scar like Zuko. Zuko! Where’s Zuko?!”
“…He and Mai went back to the Fire Nation.”
“Mai?”
“She was scared for her family.” Sokka explained.
“And Zuko has always wanted father’s love. Father has no other heirs without me so he probably said whatever Zuko wanted to hear.” She stayed silent for a minute, “Ty Lee?”
“She’s here. Everyone is. She’ll be very happy to know you’re awake.”
“Can I talk to her?”
“Of course. Do you want me to stay or leave?”
Stay. She wanted to yell at him to stay. She didn’t remember much about the encounter, but she knew Sokka had stabbed her father for her. He didn’t attack Ozai because he was the Firelord or with the intention of bringing the war to an end. Sokka stabbed him because he hurt her.
But Sokka had every right to hate her now. She had bet on the wrong horse, exactly like he had warned her about, and she almost died. She had betrayed him. Even though he was trying to keep a happy face, she could see the feelings of anger and sadness in his eyes and in the way he talked.
“Leave.” Was the answer she gave.
“Okay. I’ll send Ty Lee in.”
—----------------——
The wind was hitting Zuko hard while he leaned against the railing of the ship. It was warm though. They were back in Fire Nation waters and expected to return to port in the morning. After Ba Sing Se, his father had to be taken to a healer immediately but Ozai had told them that Zuko was now crown prince and he had been treated as such. Once he and Mai got time alone, he told her what happened. Mai knew that something else had to have happened to Azula to get Sokka to attack Ozai like that. She just hoped that somewhere Azula and Ty Lee were okay.
“You seem cold.” Mai whispered.
“I’m just thinking.”
“You’ve been doing a lot of that since we set sail.”
“There’s a lot to think about. Azula, Ty Lee, my father.”
“Hey. Azula and Ty Lee are fine. They’re survivors.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I know I am.” She offered him a kiss on his cheek, “We’ll see them again. For now, you have to be ready to face the Firelord.”
“I know.”
“What will you tell him about Azula?”
Zuko sighed, “The truth. There’s a chance she could still be alive. Katara is a healer and she showed me water from the spirit oasis. There’s a chance she could have used it on her.”
“Zuko. If your father knows that Azula is alive. He won’t stop hunting her and Ty Lee for treason. If he just thinks Ty Lee is alive then he won’t go after her until after the comet.”
“If I lie to him then I’m putting you and myself in danger.” Mai raised an eyebrow, “I’m serious, Mai. I’m trying to help you. I’ve made up my mind and you can’t change that.”
“Alright. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
————————————
News of Azula waking up spread like wildfire around the ship. Sokka told Ty Lee, others overheard and within five minutes everyone knew. Azula was still confined to her bed though, per Katara’s orders, so people were coming into her room. Once Katara had finished healing her, Ty Lee knocked on the door.
“Can I come in?” She asked, peeking her head through the door.
“Yes.”
“I’ll give you two some time alone.” Katara brought the water back to her pouch, “I’ll send Sokka in in a few minutes.”
“Katara?” Katara made no move to respond to Azula’s call and instead simply lifted her eyebrow, “Thank you and I’m sorry.”
“You’re welcome.” Once she had closed the door, Ty Lee grimaced.
“That was cold.” She whispered and Azula fell on her back, her hand covering her face.
“I messed up.”
“Yeah.”
“I betrayed everyone.”
“You did.”
“Father has taken over Ba Sing Se because of me.”
“That did happen.”
“Are you just going to agree with everything I’m saying?”
“If you keep saying facts. Look, I can’t say people aren’t mad but they brought you here, didn’t they? Katara kept healing you whenever she could. Toph defended you to some Water Tribe warriors a few days ago. People are mad but they’ll come around as long as you don’t do something like that again.”
“Not like I could.” Azula muttered, grabbing her left hand then dropping it, “I really am useless now.”
“Your arm will get better.”
“Yeah, probably in a few months. By the time I’m ready to fight again and be useful, Sozin's Comet will be here!”
“One of your arms being…injured,” Ty Lee really didn’t know the correct term. Her arm wasn’t missing but it was also almost dead because of the nerve damage Ozai had done to it, “doesn’t mean you’re useless. Toph’s blind and she-”
“Has earthbending. If she was blind without bending, like me, then she wouldn’t be able to fight.”
“You don’t know that. You still have your dominant hand. You can still use a sword or learn to throw knives.” Azula didn’t respond, “Azula, I know this is hard but the team can help you. I know chi blocking and can teach you. Sokka knows how to use a machete so I bet he would love to-“
“Stop.”
“What?”
“Just stop. I don’t want solutions. I don’t want to hear about how I’m not useless. And I definitely don’t want to hear about how people are still helping me!!” She screamed, “Especially Sokka.” This was added in a much quieter voice.
“Okay.” Ty Lee whispered, “Take the time you need but we are still here if you need us. Someone will probably come in soon to check in on you.”
Azula rolled over on her side so that her back was facing Ty Lee. Only returning to her back when she heard the door close.
———————————
An hour later, Katara entered. When Azula told her to leave Katara simply rolled her eyes and told her to stop being so stubborn.
“I need to heal you.” She said, “Sokka would get mad if I didn’t.”
“Sokka told me a bit about what happened,” Katara looked at her, “in terms of how I got hurt, but you’re the healer so…”
“You want the good news or the bad news?” Katara asked.
“Bad news.”
“Your nerves are damaged. I can heal it but it’ll take a few weeks and, in that time, your arm will be numb, weak, in pain or burn.”
“What’s the good news?”
“It can be fixed. This could have been so much worse. If your father did the same damage to your face or managed to hold onto your shoulder for just a little longer, I don’t think I would have been able to help.”
“I guess that’s good.”
The door opened again and a man came in. He had short brown hair, pulled back in a ponytail, a beard, dark skin and was wearing Fire Nation armor but one look at his blue eyes told Azula he had Water Tribe heritage.
“Everything okay in here?” He asked.
Azula shifted. Did he not trust Katara to be with her? What threat could she possibly pose?
“We’re fine, dad.” Azula had to think Katara’s words over for two reasons. One, this man was her father, meaning he was Sokka’s father. That fact alone would make her nervous but it was the second reason that was really adding to her fear. Katara’s tone. She had snapped at her father. At the chief. If Azula had spoken to her father in that tone she could expect a new burn or no food for the rest of the day.
“You must be Princess Azula.”
“I’m no princess.” Wait. Was it impolite to correct the chief?
Hakoda only nodded, “I’m Hakoda. Katara and Sokka’s father.” He offered her his right arm which she took with her own. Thankful that she had listened when her tutors told her about the Water Tribe and their greetings.
“She knows who you are. I just called you dad, didn’t I?” Azula widened her eyes at the girl. What was she doing? Was she trying to get him mad? Why wasn’t Hakoda reacting? Katara was being disrespectful. Maybe he’d deal with her in private. Her father did that sometimes.
“I suppose you’re right. Sokka wanted me to tell you that there are some Fire Nation ships up ahead. We might need you.”
“You think there will be a fight?”
“Hopefully not, but if there is-”
“Yup. It’s my job to fix it.” She mumbled.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I need to finish with Azula. Once I’m done, I’ll head up.” This whole conversation was going to make Azula’s heart explode. How was Hakoda allowing this much disrespect? Did Katara get more leniency because she was a waterbender?
“Alright.”
Once he was gone, Azula spoke to Katara, “What is wrong with you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You were disrespectful.”
“No. I wasn’t.”
“Trust me. You were.”
“Fine. Maybe I was but he left us, he abandoned us, to go fight in the war. I know it’s stupid to be angry about that but…it still hurts.”
“I get that.” Her brain was screaming at her. She was vulnerable enough without bringing up her mother.
“What do you mean?”
“My mom.” Katara’s eyes grew, “She left me and Zuzu behind when we were young. I think I know why but it doesn’t change the fact that she still did it and she didn’t even say goodbye.”
“I’m sorry.” Then she swiped her water off her shoulder quickly making Azula hiss in pain.
“I-”
The ship suddenly rocked to the side, making both girls fall. Katara quickly helped Azula up and brought her back to the bed.
“Stay here and stay hidden!” She ordered as if she was speaking to a young child.
“Which is just about how useful you are.” Her brain supplied.
—-------------------------
The turtle-ducks were still there. Zuko suspected father would have had them all killed by now but there was a mom and a few babies still swimming around. He grabbed a small piece of bread and sat down, offering some to them. They quickly swam over and ate right out of his hands. He had missed this. He’d met a few turkey-ducks and turtle-seals but they could never hold a candle to a turtle-duck as far as he was concerned.
Mai’s family was still stationed in Omashu, but, since he and Mai were a couple, he was able to get her a temporary home in the capital so she didn’t have to return. She was very thankful for that. The only thing, or person, she missed was her brother but she had already sent a letter to her mother to check in on him.
Once Zuko finished feeding the turtle-ducks, a baby curled up in his lap, a servant came running out to the pond.
“Prince Zuko,” He bowed, “the Firelord requested an audience with you.” Zuko nodded which the servant took to mean his job was complete and hurried off for his next task.
“Come on. Go back to your mom.” A gentle nudge was enough to get the baby up but he didn’t seem to want to move, “I’ll visit you later.” He set the baby next to the mom then turned to walk inside and up to the throne room.
His body seemed to be on autopilot. There were specific protocols for entering the throne room, and they were different for everyone. Somehow, Zuko remembered what the prince was supposed to do and managed to make it inside, bow and thank his father for the audience without getting burned and banished again. He thought that was pretty good.
“I am proud of you, Prince Zuko. I am proud that when your loyalty was tested by your traitorous sister and uncle, you did the right thing and joined me. I am proud that you have secured a fine relationship with a girl who knows where her own loyalties must lie.” Something else was coming, “There is only one problem. We know the chi blocker is alive and with the Avatar, but your sister’s condition is unknown. When she betrayed us, I was forced to burn her as a punishment. A burn that she could have survived with aid. Tell me. Do you know of any way that your sister could still be alive?”
The words were on the tip of his tongue. All he had to do was tell his father about Katara and the spirit water. He’d be happy, Zuko would have a secure spot as the crown prince and Mai would be safe from any suspicions. But something was preventing him from speaking up. Memories of playing tag with Azula in the courtyard, of them comforting one another when mother or father was too much, of Azula telling him she was worried about her first day of school, of Azula yelling at bullies who stole his tsungi horn.
“No. The Water Tribe has medicine but nothing that could actually help Azula. She probably died a traitor from the burn.” Ozai’s golden eyes glared at him.
“Good. You chased the Avatar for months, do you have any idea where he could have gone?”
“He probably fled to the Northern Water Tribe.” He honestly had no idea where Aang was but he knew Azula was probably with him, “Though he does plan to-“
“Yes. I know about the invasion. I will discuss that with you later. We will announce Azula’s death and betrayal in the morning. There is a war meeting tomorrow night that I expect you to be at.” Zuko nodded, “Good. That is all.”
Zuko waited until he returned to his room before falling on his bed, hoping he made the right choice.
—-------------------------
Azula wanted to leave her room when the ship started to rock back and forth. She knew there was a battle going on but she couldn’t tell what exactly was happening or who was winning. Then the fighting stopped. There was a red cloak in one of the drawers that she grabbed and put on before venturing out. If they had been boarded, it would be best to try and remain hidden.
“Azula?” Sokka.
“Sokka.”
“What are you doing?”
“I heard the fighting.”
“Oh! Don’t worry. We won. The universe was actually on our side today.”
“That’s good.” The stood in silence for a few moments before Azula spoke up, “No one has told me anything about what we’re doing. Do you-we-still have a plan?”
“Kinda. Without Ba Sing Se we can’t launch a full invasion, so we’re getting a small group of allies from around the Earth Kingdom to attack on the Day of Black Sun.” She nodded, “What do you think?”
“You care what I think?”
“Your arm got injured, not your mind. You’re still a master strategist.” Azula allowed a blush to fill her face.
“Thanks.” He really had no idea how much she needed to hear that, “I think it’s a good plan but…”
“But what?”
“Mai knows that our group knows about the solar eclipse. She could have told my father.”
“Did you tell him anything?”
“I don’t know any details of your plan but I did tell him about a solar eclipse.” She messed up again.
Sokka sighed, “Then we’ll have to work around that.”
“Sokka, I-I’m so sorry. I really am. I know there’s nothing I can say-”
“Not right now.”
“What?”
“I can’t forgive you right now, Azula. You betrayed all of us. I can’t forgive that…not yet at least.” He didn’t notice her eyes go wild.
“Of course. I understand that.” She really did, so why was she freaking out?
“I need to get back to my room.” She made it back to her room but fell to the floor rather than returning to her bed.
—-------------------------
“Azula?” Her eyes snapped open when she heard her name. After a few minutes on the floor, she did drag herself back into bed.
“Katara? Sokka?” The door opened and a woman walked into the room. She removed her hood and Azula quickly realized who she was staring at, “Mom.”
“Oh, my baby. What did he do to you?”
“Stop it! You wanted this to happen. You wanted me to fail so your precious Zuzu could become the Firelord.”
“Azula. I never wanted that. I wanted you and your brother to be safe and you had that. A perfect life in Ba Sing Se with that nice Water Tribe boy. I can’t understand why you just threw it away.”
“I know I screwed up! I KNOW! Sokka actually cared about me and I messed it up.”
“Have you told him this?”
“He hates me.”
“I think you should talk to him.” Ursa told her, “Even though you betrayed him-” Something in Azula snapped. She grabbed the pillow off her bed and tossed it at her mother with one hand.
“I KNOW!” Her scream was enough to get two Water Tribe warriors in the room.
“Are you okay?” One of them asked.
“Leave me alone!” She yelled, swinging her hand as if she expected fire to come from it.
“Crazy princess.” One of them muttered.
Once they had left the room, Azula allowed herself to collapse onto the bed. Tears found their way down her face as she curled up on her uninjured side. She was going crazy. The perfect way to end this day. She had no friends, no bending, one of her arms was useless, and, on top of all of that, her mind was starting to go too.
Then her room opened again and Hakoda poked his head in. Her heart started racing as she quickly wiped the tears from her eyes.
“Chief Hakoda. To what do I owe this honor?”
“I wanted to talk to you.”
“Me?”
“My son and daughter told me about Ba Sing Se.”
“Sir, before you hit me or attack me, please know that I regret my actions at Ba Sing Se. I thought that delivering the city to my father would make him proud but he disregarded me the second he got the chance. I know that in no way excuses my actions, but I beg,” She’d never begged before in her life, “that you can find a way to lower my punishment. No meals sounds fair.”
Hakoda’s eyes were wide and filled with worry by the end of her speech. Had she done something wrong? She’d never had to beg before but she’d seen prisoners do it when her dad took her to the Boiling Rock.
“We don’t have time to unpack all of that.” She heard him whisper, “Azula, I’m not going to attack you or take away your food. We don’t do that. I was going to say that they told me about the reasons they wanted you to be okay. In Ba Sing Se, Sokka had fun teaching you to swim. Katara liked having someone to talk to who seemed to be going through similar challenges. Aang sees good in you. I’m pretty sure Toph just wanted to see what kind of destruction you could do. They’re mad, yes, but they will forgive you. I would suggest starting with smaller gestures though than starving yourself. Maybe make dinner?”
“Thank you.” She whispered.
“And I don’t know what kind of father would do this to his children, but you’re safe now. Ozai won’t hurt you ever again.” Why was that such a relief? She started smiling then chuckling a little then laughing, “Are you okay?” A nod.
“Thank you and I will find a way to make things right.”
“If you’re as smart as Sokka says you are. I have no doubts.”
—--------------———
Mai visited Zuko’s room a little after dinner. He had eaten alone and in his room which felt weird. The servants didn’t stick around to watch him eat so he had essentially eaten by himself in a dark room. When he asked, the servants said that Azula had eaten almost every meal alone. Mai’s arrival did serve to brighten things up though.
“How’d it go?” She asked, laying on the couch with him.
“He welcomed me back and told me he was proud. Then he asked me about Azula.”
“What did you say?”
“I said she was probably dead.” Mai smiled and kissed his cheek.
“You did the right thing.”
“I hope so. Katara should be able to heal her but…depending on how bad the burn is and where it is I don’t know how much spirit water will be able to help.”
“Azula and Ty Lee are survivors. They’ll be okay.”
“That is definitely true.”
—-------------------------
The Gaang headed into the ship’s kitchen to find it fully stocked with different foods. Most of it was Fire Nation food, but there were soups, bread, meats, and some vegetables. Azula was standing over a pot of stew with her hair up in a top knot and her left arm in a sling. She was still wearing the random set of Fire Nation clothes they found on the ship when they took it over.
“Did-Did you cook?” Katara asked.
“I tried then proceeded to burn everything. So I asked your dads friend and he helped me.”
“Helped?” Ty Lee asked.
“…Did 90% of the work.” Azula amended.
Everyone took a seat at the table, admiring the food, “It’s not much, but hopefully it’s a start?” She was looking at Sokka when she said that, sitting down next to him.
“It’s a start.” He confirmed, offering her a warm smile.
—----------------------------
After dinner, Suki pulled Sokka to the side. He thought they were walking back to their rooms together until she began to talk.
“Never thought I’d see the day when you’re staring at the Princess of the Fire Nation like a love struck fox pup.”
“What? I’m not-”
“Relax. It’s okay. You like her.”
“She betrayed us.”
“And you still like her. Sokka, it’s okay. You two seem cute together and I don’t want to get in the middle of that.”
“Suki, you’re amazing, you’re so strong, a great leader, and-”
“I’m not Azula.” She said, “One more time, it’s okay if you like her.”
“But she betrayed us. Doesn’t that make me a bad person if I still like her?”
“No. Especially because she clearly regrets her choice. I think she knows it was a mistake and she’s trying to make up for it.”
“I can’t-”
“You don’t have to forgive her right away. It would be insane if you did but, if you like her, keep an eye on her.”
“Thanks, Suki. I’m sorry things didn’t work out.”
“I’ll be okay. Can I give you one final piece of sort of girlfriend advice?” Sokka looked at her with a confused expression, “Tell your dad about your bending.”
“No!” The fact that he had been able to hide it for so many weeks was not an accident. Whenever he needed to bend, he had the ship dock and went out of sight. If he sneezed, he did it in a separate room because he knew fire would come out. He stayed in his bed for a few hours after waking up so people wouldn’t think he was awake at dawn. He acted like hot food and flames still hurt him the same way it did everyone else.
“He won’t care.”
“He might not but the rest of the tribe will. If I tell them…they could kick me out.”
“They won’t. I think people will be shocked at first but they won’t kick you out. It’s best to rip the bandage off anyway. This way you’ll have control over how your dad learns rather than it happening on the battlefield or something.” He rested his head against her shoulder.
A long breath escaped his nose, “Can I come live on Kyoshi Island if they do?”
“Of course. Does this mean you’ll tell him?”
“Yes.”
“Good. You’ll have to tell me how it goes before you leave.”
“Leave? Are you not coming with us to the Fire Nation? Is it because of Azula?”
“I’m not going but it’s not because of Azula. I was talking with some of the men and we got news that the Kyoshi Warriors are about to be moved. I need to help them escape.”
“Alone? You can’t-“
“The thought of them alone in prison for these past few weeks has been torture. I have to at least try and help them.”
“Okay. Promise me you’ll be safe.”
“I’ll do my best, but that means you have to stay safe too. If all goes well I’ll return to help you with the invasion.”
“You girls on our side? The Fire Nation won’t stand a chance.” Suki laughed a little at his words, “I’m gonna miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too.”
—-----------------------------
“Dad?”
Bato and Hakoda looked up from where they were standing, “I’ll give you two a minute.”
Once Bato was gone, Sokka began to talk, “A few months ago, we were fighting Azula and her friends in this run down town. I don’t know what happened but that night I had a vision of Yue and La. They told me that they had a plan to end the war and it involved Azula and me. The next day, when I woke up, I had firebending but it was Azula’s firebending. She’s a nonbender now and I’m a firebender.” To prove his story, he opened his hand and revealed a blue flame.
Hakoda stared at it then Sokka for a few minutes making the boy nervous, “Dad? You-you won’t kick me out of the tribe, right?” His dad didn’t respond, “Dad? Right?”
Hakoda shook his head, not so much as an answer to Sokka, but more so to snap himself back to reality, “Can this be reversed?”
“I don’t know. We didn’t find anything on how to reverse it.”
“How do you feel about it?”
“Honestly, when I first had it I was too scared to use it. In Ba Sing Se, even when I was with Azula, I had to hide it. But in those few hours that I could use it with her…it wasn’t bad. She showed me how to properly bend and it didn’t seem all that scary anymore.”
“And now?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t been using it because I didn’t want anyone to see me bend.”
“Try bending.”
“What?”
“Try it. Anything you can remember.”
Sokka thought back to the moves Azula had shown him. He decided on a smaller move that wouldn’t require as much fire: the dragon-wasp technique. He took a breath then stepped forward, using two of his fingers to release a direct line of fire. Keeping his footing was first and foremost so that’s what he did. There was no target meaning that Sokka was mainly firing into the air. His blue flames showed up very brightly in the night sky. Once he was done, he turned to his father.
“How do you feel about it now?”
“It’s not so bad. It’s mine now so I should learn how to control it but it doesn’t seem like something I have to do anymore. I was so scared before that I’d hurt someone but fire isn’t that scary.” As he said this, he created a small blue flame in the palm of his hand and stared at it. Hakoda only smiled at him, “I’m not getting kicked out of the tribe, right?” He repeated.
“Of course not, son. I would never banish you for something like this. Even if this ends up being permanent. I love you and I always will.”
“Thanks, dad.”
———————————
Azula looked over herself in the large mirror. Her hair was done up into a perfect top knot, courtesy of Ty Lee, and she was wearing a red two piece, also courtesy of Ty Lee who had purchased the clothing for her. Her top had sleeves that went about an inch down her arm. Her skirt started at her waist and went all the way down to her ankles. If this was everything then Azula would think she looked pretty good. The only problem was that her arm had been forced into a sling. Katara ordered it there while she was healing it. All in all though it wasn’t a bad look. A knock on her door got her attention.
“Come in.”
Sokka peeked his head in, “Hey. We’re about to get on Appa. Are you…wow.”
“Wow?” Azula smirked.
Sokka quickly started blushing, “No. I didn’t mean you were wow. I just meant that outfit…on you…is wow.”
Azula allowed herself the smallest laugh, “Thanks. You were saying?”
“Oh! Right. We’re about to leave on Appa. Are you coming?”
“You’re letting me come?”
“Katara still needs to heal your arm but Ty Lee wants to give you another chance. She, and Aang honestly, really do think you have some good left in you.”
“Then I won’t make them regret it.”
Sokka smiled, “Good.”
The two made their way to the deck and boarded Appa. Katara, Ty Lee, Aang and Toph were already ready to go. Sokka was ready to assist Azula up but the girl just walked up Appa’s tail and onto the saddle. Sokka climbed up and, with that, they had everyone.
“Ready to go home?” Ty Lee asked.
“As I’ll ever be.”
“Appa, yip-yip!”