Chapter 28: Mended

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Judging by the lack hostility today, Azula could say, that yesterday's little incident had warmed-up a few hearts or so. Kat..ara, as she was less hostile to her this morning, although she caught a few remarks directed at her, when she had turned around. But overall she had more free-reign, so to speak - the Avatar was practicing in the upper levels with Zuko, Zhan was practicing with Sokka, Ty Lee with Suki and Mai...was Mai.

"Hello?" asked Azula, as she climbed to the upper level, spotting Zuko and Aang practicing some fire-moves and Toph sitting nearby.

"Hey Princess!" said Toph, waving at her. "Looking for someone?"

"Just looking around," she replied, eyeing Zuko and Aang.

"Curious?" asked Toph, breaking the silence.

"Only about Zuko," she said. "Last time I saw him...well he has gotten better...a lot. More precise...and controlled."

"Yup, a great progress. Since when he joined," replied Toph.

"What about then?" she asked confused.

"When he joined, after Ba Sing Se - he was fine for a few days, until he couldn't bend anymore...or so I've been told," said Toph.

"You are joking, right?" she asked, Zuko was lacking in skill but never in a way, that he couldn't firebend anymore.

"Nope...he was distraught at first too, couldn't produce more than a spark...so I've been told. Neither could Aang, due to...personal reasons," spoke Toph. "But after they poked around some ancient ruins, they came back good as new...or better."

"Ancient ruins?"

"Some Fire Warrior...Sun Dancer~"

"Sun Warrior," said Azula, correcting Toph.

"Yeah, that's the one. After that, they could firebend," finished Toph, with her story.

"Seriously?!" asked Azula, still not a believer.

"True story. I think Zuko had a problem with his inner fire or drive to firebend," replied Toph. "I suggest finding an alternative source for firebending."

"Well...I joined and I can still bend fine," said Azula, twirling a few fireballs around her.

"Yeah...you're an enigma..." replied Toph. "Speaking of this, if I might ask - what is the drive of a firebender? Currently?"

"You're not going to like it..." said Azula, but Toph just waved on. "Well: rage, anger, fury - strong firebending, but danger of losing control. Pride, desire - wavering strength of firebending, but strong control. Mostly it has to do, with emotions, strong ones. What I just named, are the usual outcomes."

"And what emotion have you used?" asked Toph.

"...fury...pride...strong combination, with strong control," replied Azula, a little ashamed.

"Well you aren't furious...not how I feel it: rage, anger and those emotions are easy to detect. And Katara has been busting against you for days now, and you haven't fought back - so no pride.." said Toph.

"Yeah...great..." replied Azula, with a mouth-full of sarcasm.

"You aren't lacking in sarcasm though..." said Toph, thinking to herself from there-on. After a couple of minutes, she started to chuckle to herself. Then right after, she started to outright laugh at her. "Priceless..."

"What is so funny?" asked Azula, confused about Toph's sudden outburst.

"What...feeling...have you felt...during your stay?" asked Toph, barely holding back her laughter.

"Distaint?" said Azula, annoyed. "...anger...?"

"A certain boy...warm inside..." said Toph, chuckling to herself.

"What? OH!" realized Azula, going crimson at Toph' suggestion, of her still greatness in firebending. "This conversation is over."

"I couldn't believe my eyes, if I could see, but guess some emotions are powerful..." said Toph, as Azula left her.

XXX

'Of all the...aahh!' sighed Azula, thinking to herself - how could anybody stand that, blind earthbender girl, she was obnoxius, annoying and...kinda like her. "Oh nevermind."

As Azula was pondering, her thinking was interupted by several fireblasts, causing the mountain-side to shake.

"We're under attack!" yelled Azula, as she ran and repeated the warning. 'Not again!'

Clancing to her side, she could see multiple airships approaching, with a dozen of Firebirds joining the fray.

"Not again!" yelled Katara, seeing what was happening. Multiple fireballs hitting around them, as she dived for cover. Luckily, Aang had the idea of closing the large temple doors with his airbending, although they wouldn't hold out long - enough though, for all the people to gather up.

Toph and Haru creating an earth-tunnel to Azula' airship, farther away. "This path leads to the airship!"

"C'mon let's go!" yelled Azula, as explosions happened overhead.

"Appa hates tunnels!" said Aang, trying to pull the giant flying-bison into the tunnel.

"Well we can't barge into those things again! We barely escaped the last time!" said Sokka, hinting at the flying machines outside.

"We may be able to disable those warmachines, although it may require some teamwork. Between you two," said Zhan, pointing at Azula and Zuko, coming up with an idea.

"I'm...willing," replied Zuko, ready to trust Azula for once in his life.

"Alright. Take this," said Azula, handing a map to Hakoda. "I took the liberty of updating your map. Anything in a red circle is safe or low on troops."

"Thank you. Be safe you two," said Hakoda, hugging Sokka and Katara, before leaving with Teo, Haru and Chit Shan.

"I'm going to create some cover. So you guys better act fast," said Toph.

"Okay. Here's what we're going to do..."

XXX

Outside the temple, multiple war machines hovered or flew above the mountain-side, bombarding the place with fireballs in an effort to coax out the group. Soon enough, a bison flew out, an earth shield infront of it, to shield it against any attacks - until they passed the ships.

"Azula...fire!" yelled Zhan, as they passed the ships. From the bison, Azula soon unleashed several, precise lightning bolts aimed at the warships' engines - effectively disabling them.

"Ready?" asked Azula, from Zuko.

"Ready!" replied Zuko, as they combined their firebending - unleashing a combined wave of fire. Essentually creating a blazing wall infront of the chasing planes; and causing them to crash as they flew through the fire, smoking.

"Yeah! We showed them!" cheered Sokka.

"We?" asked Azula, playfully.

"Okay you two," replied Sokka. "How did you know that would work Zhan?"

"I designed it and know its weaknesses," he replied.

"You what?!" asked Katara suprised.

"Uhh...It's on my list of idiot things, I have done in my life. Alright," said Zhan, suppressing any further questioning.

Soon after leaving the temple, the group soon reached an out-of-sight land, near the northern Fire Nation peninsula on an uncharted beach. Setting up their camp and planning for tomorrow, with night soon approaching...

"Wow, camping... it really seems like old times again, doesn't it?" said Aang, looking at the various people around him.

"Kinda...I haven't done any close, friendly gatherings since Ember Island," added Azula.

"If you really want it to feel like old times, I could, uh... chase you around a while and try to capture you," said Zuko jokingly.

"You must restore you honor? How desperate, foolish and pathetic..." said Azula, speaking in her old tone, with a sudden suprise from everyone. "Haha...gotcha!"

"AZULA!" came a voice, sounding close to her father' tone.

"Aah!" screamed Azula, jumping into Zhan' lap, until she realized who made the voice. "Got you!"

"Not funny!" said Azula, while everyone around them laughed...expect for one person.

"Ha, ha!" laughed Katara, obviously sounding distaint and not happy.

"To you guys!" said Sokka, raising his cup at: Azula, Zuko, Zhan, Mai and Ty Lee. "Who knew after all those times you people tried to snuff us out, capture, maim and destroy, today you'd be our heroes?"

"Hear! Hear!" said everybody, raising their cups, except for Katara - who angrily left.

"What is her problem?" asked Azula.

"I don't know. You should ask her that," replied Sokka.

"Maybe..." said Azula, thinking for a sec, then rising up and following.

"What?" asked Katara, when she heard footsteps and saw Azula. "Oh it's you."

"I thought we had gotten beyond the angry part, or is there something else wrong?" asked Azula.

"There is nothing...ugh..." sighed Katara, she was being to angry again and it wasn't doing her any good. "I just need some time to process this..."

'What is your deal?' thought Azula, as Katara left - something else was still bothering her. So she'd have to consult his next of kin, of advice relating to her mood.

"Oops, wrong tent!" said Suki, bumping into Azula.

"Uhm...do you need to talk to Sokka as well?" asked Azula.

"Nope, not me!" replied Suki, making a fast exit.

'What is everyone's problem?' thought Azula, going inside and getting the shock of her life. "Oh goodness' sake!"

"Well, hello..." spoke Sokka, until he saw Azula covering her eyes - which prompted him to spit out the rose, he had in his mouth. "Uh, Azula! Why...how...um...hello...?"

"I don't even want to know," replied Azula, half-covering her eyes. "I got a question, regarding your sister."

"Katara? She got annoying again?" asked Sokka, sitting in a more normal way.

"Not exactly or...I don't know. I'm wondering, if she still doesn't like me here or still hates me?" replied Azula.

"Nah, she doesn't hate you. Katara doesn't hate anyone. Except maybe some people in the Fire Nation," spoke Sokka, then realized his mistake. "No, I mean, uh, not people who are good, but used to be bad. I mean, bad people. Fire Nation people who are still bad, who've never been good and probably won't be, ever!"

"Stop. Okay, I get it - is there something she might hate...regarding me or the Fire Nation in general?" asked Azula.

"Well there is...no...maybe...nope...how about...no, that is fixed..." thought Sokka, out-loud.

"Anything from her past?" asked Azula, breaking the self-mumbling. "My uncle went depression, when his son died. Did something like that happen?"

"Yes, there is something...but it's not a day I like to remember," replied Sokka sadly, then started to tell the story about their mother's death.

XXX

As Azula listened to the story, she couldn't help but feel sorry for Katara. As far as she would go, nobody should see their mother taken away - and that would explain the hostility towards her and her group...but it also gave her a lead and an opportunity to fix this.

"From what you're telling me and I have remembred, these attackers sound like the Southern Raiders. Did they have sea ravens on their flags?" asked Azula.

"Um...yes...they did..." replied Sokka, recalling that sight.

"Well then, thank you for the info. I think I might be able to help your sister with this," said Azula, getting up and leaving. Then poking her head back in, when Sokka started to rise. "Also, an advice - lose the rose and pose, it's creepy..."

As Azula made her way back to Katara' tent, she had the annoyance of realizing, that the waterbender had gone asleep. Guess she had to do this tomorrow.

XXX

In the morning as Katara woke-up and did her usual morning routine; she noticed she wasn't the only awake.

"I thought you were a heavy sleeper?" asked Katara, from Azula behind her.

"Not this time," replied Azula. "I know what's bothering you."

"What are yo-"

"Your mother..." said Azula out. "I know who took her and I can help you find them."

XXX

"What's with them?" asked Zuko, as he got out of his tent. Seeing Azula and Katara wearing some weird black tight-clothes.

"I heard Azula talk about it during the night...she wants to help Katara, with her mother' problem...or something like that," said Zhan, walking next to him. "You can go and help them."

"Actually...no. Motherly stuff is what Azula has lacked as well, maybe this journey could help her too," said Zuko, as they saw Azula and Katara leave on Appa.

"Can I ask you something?" asked Zuko.

"Sure," replied Zhan.

"My sis...Azula, does she miss our mother?" asked Zuko.

Zhan sighed, at that question - having felt her pain on that topic. "Miss her? Azula was saddened beyond anything, at the treatment and her leaving. I know Azula acted how she did - she just wanted attention, yet got it from the wrong source. No matter who you are or how you grow-up, a mother's love is something you should never be denied."

XXX

Azula was asleep - dreaming again, yet not a nightmare but a sad one. She could see her mother running in her dreams, as Azula tried to catch her - not letting her leave this time.

"Mother!" yelled Azula, waking from her dream. Seeing Katara still up and flying Appa. "You should get some rest. We'll be there in a few hours."

"Oh, don't you worry about my strength. I have plenty. I'm not the helpless little girl I was when they came," replied Katara, dark lines across her face. Azula listened silently as Katara spoke, more to herself she figured - it was kinda sad listening to the story. War and all, but it affect you more, when you knew the victims. "...I ran as fast as I could...But we were too late. When we got there, the man was gone. ...And so was she..."

"Maybe she was captured?" asked Azula, hinting at a chance.

"Yeah...until we found her...burned beyond recognition...and her necklace clutched in her hand..." said Katara, in a sad, teary and anxious tone.

"I'm sorry, for what has happened to you, Katara," replied Azula, going quiet, until they reached their destination.

XXX

A day had passed since Azula and Katara had left, hopefully the trip would be beneficial for both of them. As long as he had known Azula, which wasn't long or a lot, he had come to care about her.

As far as the day was going, he also hoped that Azula' idea of mending bridges would succeed. He was currently sketching another idea or plan into the dirt, trying to find a way to enlarge his flying machine - having beaten Sokka in a fist-fight earlier...and after hearing his complaints out, giving him some fighting tips to try out later. Ty Lee was practicing with the Kyoshi girl, her cheery attitude could get through anybodies armor, literally and figurely speaking. Leaving Mai with the earthbender Toph, one freedom incarnate - judging by her attitude; the other freedom incarcarated - a perfect match, in his opinion. Luckily, he wouldn't have the chance to see this pairing come to fruit, as Azula and Katara had returned.

"Katara? Are you okay?" asked Aang, meeting Azula and Katara on the beach.

"I'm doing fine," replied Katara.

"Azula told me what you did. Or what you didn't do, I guess. I'm proud of you," said Aang, proud of Katara.

"I wanted to do it. I wanted to take out all my anger at him, but I couldn't. I don't know if it's because I'm too weak to do it or because I'm strong enough not to," said Katara, still doubting her actions.

"You did the right thing," replied Aang. "Forgiveness is the first step you have to take to begin healing."

"But I didn't forgive him. I'll never forgive him," said Katara sternly. Then her face calmed, looking at Azula. "But I am ready to trust you."

"...thank you..." replied Azula, hugging Katara suddenly, who returned the hug - both girls returning to camp then.

"There is my girl," said Zhan, as Azula had returned, both giving eachother a kiss. "Missed me?"

"Maybe..." laughed Azula, as they took a walk around the campsite.

"How was it?" he asked about her trip..

"Rough..." she replied honestly. "Katara...she was inches away from killing him...and she had reason..."

"How bad?" he asked.

"Attack her village...shatter her trust...and family...kill her mother..." said Azula, each sentence as hard as the next.

"They did?!" he asked suprised.

"Yeah...the 'last waterbender'...burned...makes me hate even myself..." replied Azula.

"Hmm..." mumbled Zhan, thinking about something.

"Something wrong?" asked Azula.

"No just thinking," said Zhan. "I hope you never have to see that."

"Yeah," replied Azula, leaning against Zhan.

XXX