Side Effect

Pov: Azula

It's been two weeks since the incident and I watched Kai's recovery every day. It was uncomfortable to see him in such a fragile state, as I felt terrible, mostly because of the memories that were jumbled in my head.

For the first time, I was afraid to even confront Ozai; it was difficult to explain how I had someone else's memories in my head, so I preferred to lie, telling only a half-truth. I knew that Ozai was an expert at detecting lies, so I thought it was feasible to hide part of the truth

What worried me in the first few days was the possibility that the injuries would be permanent. If he didn't recover, it was possible that Ozai would rule Kai out, but fortunately, the doctors said he was improving rapidly.

It was strange to be in the shoes of two lives, and in a way, I felt wiser. Maybe my personality had merged with Kai's.

In my opinion, Kai was very special and didn't realize how much he could grow. But the truth is that I wanted to be there for him and, for the first time, I felt I didn't have to pretend, and we literally saw each other's lives.

During the days I waited for Kai to wake up, I studied in his room and kept watch in case he needed help. Feeling responsible, I had to return the favor. 

As for my training, I can say that I've made a significant leap forward, learning the secrets of the Sub-Double: Sun Fusion. However, I didn't have the courage to try it because the memories of the technique are not pleasant when you make a mistake. To be honest, I can say without fear that I acquired my spiritual sensitivity to the world, I felt the balance of the world very well, as well as the evils that make it up. 

After a long day, I decided to pay the sleeper a visit, but he still didn't seem to change. I sat down in a chair beside him and began to watch him. 

As the minutes passed, I remembered his meditation habit. Incredibly, it wasn't just to calm his mind, but to focus on releasing his chakra points, something Katsu said was important for every individual, although he often fell asleep in the middle of the process. 

I tried to replicate this chakra release by getting into a pose that was comfortable for me. To be honest, I'd spent a lot of the last few days just focusing on Kai's memories, it was almost irresistible not to see and feel everything that someone else had experienced in their life.

To my disappointment, I can't take a significant step forward even by copying the process in my mind, perhaps there is a limit to how far I can go with someone else's memories. 

Without realizing it, a long time had passed in this attempt at meditation, which induced fatigue and sleep in Azula, who unknowingly ended up in the realm of dreams.

When I regained consciousness, I looked up and noticed that there was no one in the bed. I was immediately startled and looked around the room for Kai.

- Where is he? I ask myself. 

I go to the door and see two guards staring down the hall. When they notice my presence, they bow as usual.

- Did you see anyone else enter or leave besides me? - I ask in a firm tone.

- No one but you, Princess Azula. - one of the guards replies. 

- How could you not have seen anyone? Kai is not in the room! - As soon as these words came out of my mouth, one of them couldn't contain his curiosity and leaned in to see the empty room. 

The guard panicked, confused by the disappearance of a person who was in a coma. The other guard, noticing his companion's condition, did not fail to repeat his action by peering into the room and repeating his despair.

- Put out an alert to every guard in the palace, if you find anyone suspicious, don't hesitate to question them. - I gave the order at the same time I started running around the palace looking for Kai.

The alarm was sounded and within minutes, all the palace guards and soldiers on standby began a frantic search for any sign of an intruder or an unconscious Kai.

Nearly an hour into the search, Azula was losing hope and feeling guilty for allowing herself to sleep.

As she walked through the corridors, she smelled something good, like fish being grilled. It reminded her that she hadn't had breakfast, but she quickly dismissed the thought. Curiosity got the better of her, though, and she couldn't help but check the place out before she left.

When she opened the door, she noticed some maids standing in a circle, looking ecstatic for some reason. I approached, unable to contain my surprise to see Kai cooking.

Kai was chopping vegetables while keeping his eyes on the fish roasting in the pan, as if putting on a show.

Azula approached cautiously, making her presence clear. The women around Kai were alarmed to see their princess in a place where she didn't belong. While Kai gave Azula a friendly glance, he went back to concentrating on the kitchen.

- Why are you here? We've been looking for you for almost an hour! - I shouted angrily.

- Good morning to you too, I just got hungry and decided to cook something. - Kai shrugged, picked up a tomato and started cutting it quickly and precisely. 

* Sigh* - Why don't you go back to bed so the doctors can make an assessment... hmmm. - As I approached, Kai shoved a spoonful of food he hadn't finished preparing into my mouth.

- Is it salty or does it need more salt? -Kai asked, ignoring Azula's last question.

- No, it's just right. - I answered subconsciously, impressed by the taste.

- Then stop filling me up and sit down in the chair, today the food is on me. - Kai ordered, still with a smile on his lips.

Obeying his order, I sat down near a counter to watch the culinary show that was taking place. After a few minutes, while everyone was tasting the food Kai had prepared, I was satisfied to be honest, it was rare that I could eat something like that, because my diet was strict. 

- Kai...- I try to start a conversation, but I get a finger over my mouth, which immediately silences me. 

- I'm fine, in a few days I'll be as good as new. Now let me enjoy my moment of peace. - Kai concentrates on his plate again, making it clear that he's not going to listen to Azula's plea.

Azula didn't know it, but Kai was processing the memories he had collected from her, just needed some time to clear his head. He himself thought he might be suffering from an identity crisis, but his spiritual experience had made him rethink his thoughts during the night and decided not to dwell on the past.

- Tell me, what day is the meeting in the war room? - Kai asked, putting more food on his plate.

- The Fire Lord and his generals will meet this afternoon. - I replied, still worried.

- I see. - Kai was silent for a minute. -I need your help to get to the meeting.

I scowled and slammed my arms on the counter in indignation at Kai's rash attitude.

- I won't let you! You just woke up from a coma!

- That's why. If I stand there, I might encourage Ozai to kick me out. If I didn't show up for the meeting, I could be in serious trouble. 

I was conflicted, as much as I felt new emotions towards Kai, I knew very well how radical my father could be. 

Azula didn't realize it, but the mix of memories gave her an unbiased view of her father. Which left her at a crossroads. Understanding the situation, she looked up seriously and decided to agree to Kai's request. Besides, it will be a fun opportunity in the future.

- For starters, your hair! - I grabbed his white lock and pulled it down gently.

- Not my hair! Anything but my hair! - Kai shouted, his voice echoing through the palace corridors.