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Summary: Sequel to "Trust, stupidity, what's the difference?" "Do you think we could have been friends?" Aang asks Azula the same question he asked Zuko once.
The same question:
Who exactly thought flying was soothing? Azula could safely say that it wasn't. The blimps that she'd piloted were much smoother in the air than this ridiculous beast. "Is there actually a point to this animal?" The firebender demanded, as she kept the blue and white bone made machete close to her person, "An imperial dirigible would be far more convenient."
The firebender had good reason to be cautious of this animal. As soon as she got close to it at the mental facility, watching the Avatar jump on its back and ready to follow suit, the blasted creature started growling and backing away from her till the monk and the waterbender both calmed the bison down. Apparently sky bison had good memories.
Two of the other four occupants on the sky bison's back glared at her.
"Appa has been the reason why were able to get as far as we did for all those months." Katara snapped, heat of anger in her eyes as she stared at the princess, "He carried our weight the whole time. Without him, we'd of never even gotten to the ships where your brother took Aang."
Azula's interest perked when she heard that. "So my brother actually succeeded in capturing the Avatar for a time? Impressive. Perhaps my brother isn't as hopeless as I thought. When did this happen?"
"Hopeless?!" Katara remarked defensively, "He's the Fire Lord now!" Azula squinted at the answer coldly, but still stared in question. Katara eventually supplied, "This was when Sokka and I first found Aang. We released him from the iceberg he was trapped in. I think when Aang's power was unleashed, Zuko saw from his ship and he came to our tribe. To protect the people in our tribe, Aang went with Zuko willingly. We went after them. Appa was the only way we were able to catch with his forces. If we had just used a boat, we would have been days away."
Azula glanced at the plethora of ashen fur surrounding the leather saddle they were on. "I suppose this beast has its purposes after all." She submitted, ignoring the huff from Katara. "A dirigible would be even faster still." She added smugly, smirking at the waterbender's now infuriated look.
The brown haired girl was about to say something, till her brother pat her gently on her shoulder. "Easy, Katara." Sokka put in carefully, "Ignore her, okay?"
Aang started talking before another word could be uttered, his voice much too cheery for this mission, "Katara, Sokka, you remember that? It feels like so long ago." He then laughed, "Remember when we first met Toph? At the tournament."
"Watch it Twinkle-toes," Toph cut it shortly, "You might find it funny that you threw me off the platform, but I sure don't."
Aang chuckled, "Sorry, Toph."
After a moment, the earthbender let out a nostalgic breath, "That does feel like a long time ago, doesn't it?"
"Yes, as wonderful as this flight through memories is," Azula snorted, "I prefer actually not having to listen to this prattle. Unless the four of you have something more important to discuss, then can you refrain from telling the world your life stories?"
The firebender's harsh remarks shut Aang up easily. The monk winced and turned away, staring ahead at the terrain. Toph wasn't so easily deterred, as to be expected.
"What's the matter, psychoflame?" The eartbender sneered, "Don't want us to get to the part where we beat you and you were chained up?"
Everyone was now silent and tense. Just when Azula was about to snarl in response, Aang yelped quickly, "Easy, Toph. I don't think we-"
"Stay out of this, Avatar." Azula spat, glaring at the earthbender, "I'd be careful what you say next, little girl. There's no earth up here and as far as I can tell, no metal either." A cold smile spread over Azula's features, "I however, only need my own chi and air for my lightning. Think about that for a moment before you decide to start a fight up in the air."
Out of the corner of her eye, Azula caught the movement of Katara uncorking her waterskin, the waterbender's eyes not once leaving Azula herself.
"I don't think now or here is the time for this," Aang called over to them, again being the voice of reason and snapping them out of their tempers, "Azula's right about one thing. We shouldn't be starting a fight up here. So can all four of you please stop it? I need to get Appa to Kyoshi Island. Can you guys calm down already?"
"I'm not the one that has a giant chip on my shoulder." Toph snapped, waving towards wherever Azula was (she couldn't tell, no earth to feel vibrations).
"I'm not the one that started the fight." Azula hissed, ignoring Aang's pleas, and feeling static gather around her fingers.
"There isn't any fight getting started here!" Aang yelled, standing up on Appa's head, holding the reins and turning to glare at his three friends and the princess, "You're all to stop this now! We're getting closer to Kyoshi Island and we don't need to arrive there already fighting. So could all four of you start acting like adults?!" He then glared directly at Toph, "Toph, please stop taunting Azula already. Stop reminding her of the Agni Kai, okay?" He looked at the princess, gaze softening, "I'm sorry for what you've been through but we're trying to help. Now could you just make this a little easier and let us get you to the island?"
The airbender huffed, appearing exhausted by his rant and turned and sat back down, continuing to stare at the water they were now passing over.
Everyone was silent for a few minutes.
Azula's static had left her hands and she sent a glance at Aang's back. She knew her brother was a fool, but it seemed odd that these four would take him in, even if they were probably just as foolish as her brother was.
She didn't know what possessed her, but before she could think about it and restrain herself, she remarked, "It doesn't surprise me Zuzu fit right in with you lot. He's ridiculous and weak just like you."
All three Katara, Sokka and Toph looked like they were about to rise to the bait again, when once more Aang's voice cut through their coming argument, "Azula, what do you think makes a person strong?" The airbender didn't turn back to the princess to hear her answer, just waited. Startled by the question, Azula was about to answer confidently when the Avatar continued, "You might be surprised by what really makes someone strong-what makes a person a hero. Zuko found what it was. That's why he joined us. You could too."
The firebender scoffed, turning away from the monk, scowling over Appa's large flat tail, "I have no interest in being one of you. Why would I want anything to do with you?"
She heard the Avatar exhale and start talking again, "Azula? I want to ask you the same question I asked your brother a long time ago." The firebender slowly looked back over at the airbender, now lifting an eyebrow. "If we weren't on different sides," Aang began, "I know you see us as enemies, but if we knew each other back before the Fire Nation was at war, before I got trapped in that iceberg, do you think we could have been friends?"
Azula didn't speak. Her eyes widened as she heard that. She wanted to sneer, to laugh at the monk and tell him how foolish he was, but no words came. She opened her mouth to say…well, anything really. To tell him he was an idiot, to tell him that she would never be friends with someone so worthless and pathetic, but she just couldn't summon anything in response.
"Hey, Aang," Toph laughed, grinning, "I think you just pulled off the impossible. She's speechless. What, psychoflame, no snide remarks or anything?"
Azula swiveled back, teeth grit together, temper now appropriately flaring as she felt electricity start to run up her arms and hands. Aang however acted as the interference again. "Toph, please." The airbender snapped and he looked at Azula again, "Do you think it's possible? Do you think…we could be friends now?"
The Fire Nation princess sat further back against the saddle's edge, glaring at the boy, static retreated back within her. Now she was ready. "What a naïve air nomad you are," She snickered, "If Zuzu was moronic to see the four of you as friends, then I think I can easily say that I'm blessed to not have ever been friends with any of you. So to answer your question, we'll never be friends. Thank Agni for that."
Katara fumed and looked like she was trying to get up to confront the firebender, but Sokka grabbed his sister, trying to calm her down. Aang didn't seem to take offense like Azula was sure he would. He just shrugged and turned back to the ocean where a small dot in the distance appeared, "We'll see, I guess."
He saw the little brown and green speck getting closer. "Kyoshi Island is approaching." He announced, smiling, "Princess, this will be your home for six months. I hope it helps you get better."
Azula snorted, "Spare me your condolences, Avatar. I'm tolerating this arrangement. Just like I'm tolerating you. Don't expect anything to come of this."
"How cheery and optimistic." Sokka drawled as Appa neared the island, a small group of people waiting gathering at the edge. All of the figures were wearing green, indicating they were Kyoshi warriors.
Appa glided over the area, promptly lowering himself till he landed on the tiny peninsula sticking out of the island. All six of his large legs landed easily and Aang hopped off, gesturing for the others to follow.
"Great job, Appa!" The monk exclaimed, hugging the bison's head. Appa grunted low in response. Toph jumped down, grinning. "Ah, earth! Rock and earth." She picked up a small rock and crushed it, enthusiastic. Katara and Sokka landed next to her, laughing. Azula slid off till she was next to Aang in front of the large bison.
"Well, you've made yourself useful." The princess coldly stated, "Now run along. I think you've done enough." She turned her back to the Avatar when he spoke again, "Hey, wait. Aren't you going to say goodbye?"
Azula lifted her eyebrow again at this boy's gall. "I thought I already did." She snipped glaring over her shoulder.
"Well, bye to you too," Sokka said, glaring, "By the way, can you hand me back my machete? I'm pretty sure now that you're here, you don't need to be so paranoid about Aang taking your bending, not that he was gonna do that anyway."
Azula watched the Southern Water tribe boy oddly before tossing the machete at his feet nonchalantly. "Now off with the four of you." She remarked, glaring at Aang who was still smiling.
"Thanks." Sokka grunted, picking up the machete, "For a princess, you sure are rude. But I actually have someone I want to speak to here before I leave."
"Oh right," Azula answered, remembering who he was talking about, "My favorite little prisoner."
"It's good to see you again too, princess," a sarcastic woman's voice called behind the firebender. Azula pivoted around and faced the leader of the Kyoshi warriors, Suki standing before her.
"Oh, it's you." The firebender remarked dryly, "Come to make me pay for imprisoning you and your so called warriors?" Suki narrowed her eyes but apparently let the slight on her girls slide as she nodded over her shoulder towards the village, "Actually, someone wanted to come and greet you."
Before Azula could inquire further, a rush of green and brown ran past Suki and the redhead promptly moved out of the way, smirking. "Azula!" The said "rush" of green and brown cried lunging at the princess, startling her and making her step back, baring her teeth before the younger girl now in front of her practically jumped on the princess, hugging her around the neck and burying her face into Azula's right shoulder.
"Azula." Ty Lee mumbled happily, "I'm so glad you're here."
Azula remained motionless in the acrobat's arms, but didn't try to free herself from those arms.
Suki walked past them and embraced Sokka, allowing the excited Southern Water Tribe man to kiss her, hugging her as tightly as Ty Lee was hugging Azula.
"Suki," Sokka exclaimed, pressing his forehead against Suki's, "I'm so glad to see you." The Kyoshi warrior just smiled in response and leaned in, kissing the other warrior's ear. Azula looked back and saw this and rolled her eyes, disgusted.
"Ty Lee, enough already." She protested, now squirming in the acrobat's grasp.
Ty Lee didn't budge and she looked at Azula's eyes, her own grey orbs starting to tear up. "I….I was so scared that I'd never see you again." The brunette whimpered, water beginning to trickle down her face. Azula watched this and she felt something in her chest ache. She tried not to growl at the familiar feeling. It happened whenever Ty Lee got scared or upset, she didn't know why. It made her want to incinerate something when she felt it.
And this was why.
She stopped squirming and didn't say anything, just glared at the ocean to the left where they had come from and resigned herself to being subjected to such attention. Ty Lee smiled brightly and buried her face in Azula's shoulder again, getting the cloth covering it all wet.
"So, what is there that we should know?" Suki asked, giving a wary look to Azula, which was returned with a venomous glare from the princess.
"You mean aside from the usual, she's crazy part?" Sokka asked, letting out a pained gasp when Katara elbowed him. He seemed to be experiencing that a lot these days.
Aang walked up, smiling at Suki, "She's very scared and very untrusting, but just as long as she knows that she's not going to be hurt or anything and as long as you let her know that you trust her, then hopefully she'll learn to trust you too. Give her space and freedom to walk around the island. Just as long as she doesn't try to hurt anyone and doesn't try to leave the island, I don't think you should worry."
Suki seemed surprised by the claim. "You're taking the fact that she held a machete to your throat very well, Aang." Sokka said dryly, receiving another startled stare from his girlfriend.
"Wait, she what?" Suki demanded.
"Zula." Ty Lee whispered, looking at the firebender worriedly, tugging the princess's shirt.
"It's alright," Aang said, shaking his head, "It's okay. Like I said, she's just scared." He looked at Suki, made sure their eyes met so she understood, "She thinks everyone is going to hurt her. When she had the machete to my throat, she thought she had to. It was to make sure I couldn't take her bending away. She's just afraid."
"What did you say, Avatar?" Azula asked dangerously, eyes fixed on Aang and she looked like she was about to lunge at him.
Aang glanced at her, eyes showing no fear. "You're afraid." He repeated casually.
The firebender growled, edging closer with Ty Lee still wound around her, this time the acrobat's fingers were getting ready to hit Azula's points to keep her chi from flowing and burning the airbender.
Suki, Sokka, Katara and Toph were all tensing and getting ready to defend Aang from the dark lightning bender.
Aang, once again, seemed unaffected by Azula's wrathful stare and hissing. "You don't have to be so defensive, Azula," He said calmly, "I know you have more than enough reason to be scared. But it's going to be okay. We'll heal you. You'll learn to trust again."
As Azula apparently was at a loss for words and stopped moving towards the Avatar, Ty Lee now at ease against the princess, Aang turned back to Suki and continued, "We'll be back every now and then to check on her. See if there's any progress made. After six months, we'll take her to the South Pole. But for now, try to be understanding."
And again, it was as if everyone and everything in the premises were frozen, unable to act on their intentions or what they were about to say-all caused by Aang.
As Aang climbed back onto Appa, nodding to Suki in acknowledgement, Katara watched him admiringly and climbed up too. Toph joined them. Katara called out to Sokka, "We'll come back for you in a week."
"Alright." Sokka called, smiling and waving, "Bye, Katara, Aang, Toph. I'll let you know if our princess goes nuts again."
"Sokka." Katara scolded, though she smirked.
Aang starting speaking from where he was perched on the sky bison, "Azula, when we see each other again next week, I hope you feel a little better. I hope you feel some peace here. And you say that there is no chance that we ever could have been friends and ever will. Just be honest, are you sure about that?"
Azula glared away from the monk, gritting her teeth in her constant anger. Aang just shrugged, nodding. He moved the black reins quickly. "Yip yip!" He called to his beast.
Appa let out a groan and lifted himself off the ground floor and began to soar off the shore of the island. The large white bison disappeared into the sky, enveloped by the puffy clouds above.
"Well isn't this wonderful?" Azula sneered, "The Water Tribe peasant is staying with us. As if today couldn't get any worse."
"Don't insult him." Suki grunted sharply, provoking a smirk from the firebender before Ty Lee started tugging on the princess's arm, walking backwards. Azula looked down at the acrobat and saw that the brunette was trying to get her to follow her into the village. The firebender grunted resentfully, but followed as the circus performer led her into town. She heard two pairs of footsteps behind her, telling her that the Kyoshi warrior and the water tribe peasant were right behind them.
The firebender exhaled angrily. This was her prison. For now. As she walked, the Fire Nation royal glared at the edges of the island where there was sea…..but also boats. Immediately Azula forced back the impulse to smirk. Yes, she would escape. The boats here were her ticket back to the Fire Nation…..to make Zuko pay for all he had stolen from her and their father.
She would escape, and the Avatar, the two water tribe peasants, the blind Earthbender, Ty Lee, the Kyoshi warriors, Mai, Iroh and Zuko would all pay, screaming in agony. She would laugh as the blood left their limp, cold and carrion bodies.
She would escape, but right now, she would maintain a façade of neutrality.
