Like A Disaster

By Kyatto

Chapter Two: Fear of Dying

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This wasn't Azula. Azula was strong and relentless, stood tall and proud. The girl before me looked like a beggar bedeviled with leprosy. Her hair, which was once long, flowing, and beautiful – the perfect shade of umber – was a matted and scraggly mess. Her skin was so filthy it was the color of rust. What really got me to me were her eyes. They were blank and empty, haunted. It seemed as if her soul had gone. I couldn't bear it. I had to save her!

-;-

"Azula!" Ty Lee cried out when the kiss had broken. "Azula, it's me… Ty Lee. Speak to me! Please remember me!"

"What are you aiming at, Mom?" Azula glowered. "Ty Lee is dead. Which is what you should be."

"No, Azula! No!" The other girl tried to pull her even closer, which was difficult to do with the bars separating them. "I'm not dead! Don't say such things!"

"She betrayed me…" The princess growled, trying to break free from Ty Lee's grasp. "I gave her everything! And she betrayed me! I knew Zuko was going to, and should've suspected Mai, but her? How dare she ever consider herself my best friend!"

"I'm sorry, Azula! Look at me!" She jerked her back. "I'd never betray you! You were out of control! I couldn't let you hurt anyone else!"

"Lies!" Azula screamed, thrashing so hard it nearly snapped Ty Lee's wrist. "You're the monster! You!"

Ty Lee knew she was not going to get through to the princess like this. This was no place for proper interrogation. She didn't want to know what sort of awful things was done to her friend to make her get this way. Judging by the crimson gashes all over her body and various scorch marks she could only assume how badly Azula had been hurt. The girl's body was shaking her voice cracked; there wasn't an ounce of real strength left in her. So Ty Lee could only do one thing.

"I promise, Azula," she said softly as she tugged the other girl back towards her. "This will be the last time. I promise you."

Before Azula could answer, Ty Lee snaked her arms around and hit her in all the right spots. Azula collapsed to the ground in a heap, immediately passing out. Ty Lee could hardly believe Azula could no longer even manage to keep consciousness when her chi was blocked. She really was gone. No guards had followed her, so she felt around for a loose bar. No one ever really bothered to keep up with maintenance on the lower cells. There was a couple she was easily able to shift out of place. It gave her enough room to squeeze in, grab Azula, and pull her out without harming her further.

Now Ty Lee had to plan. Most of the guards she had knocked out would be back up again and looking for her. How could she manage to keep them at bay while holding onto the princess? She only managed going down because she had both hands at the ready. More than half of them were firebenders. They could easily take her down. Was another prison sentence really worth it? She looked at Azula who was slumped against her shoulder. There was hardly anything to her anymore. A few years ago this young woman had been a source of strength for the Fire Nation – for the world. She was clever, and beautiful, and capable of anything. So sturdy like the walls of Ba Sing Se. But then, Ty Lee supposed, even the walls were capable of crumbling after all. There was no way she could leave Azula like this. She had gone far too long without her. So she had to do whatever it took to get her out. She would succeed. For Azula.

The next several minutes were a blur. Ty Lee had slumped Azula over her shoulder and took off at a fast pace. She charged up the stairs and through the corridors. Whenever a guard tried to stop her she thrashed and flailed and swung her fist wherever it would go. There was no way she would give up. Azula did not belong at a place like this. No one- not the guards, not the law, not even her father, was going to keep her down. She was Ty Lee, one of Azula's most trusted allies. There was no more room for failure. She had to get her honor back.

-;-

We're almost there, Azula! I can see the gates! Look at me, Azula! Not even the strongest of firebenders can knock me down! If only you knew. You would be so proud, I know it. I will get you out. We will make it. I will not fail you. Not again. I went so long without knowing if you were alive for dead. Even now, I can't forgive myself for what has become of you. It is all my fault. I'm going to fix it. I need to regain my honor and redeem myself in your eyes.

-;-

It felt like days but what was only hours before they reached Ty Lee's family home. It was a large manor surrounded by fields on the edge of the city. It had its own team of elite security. She was a part of one of the most influential families in the country. Her father, Shan Yu, was the warden of the Asylum, and her mother Izayoi ran one of the largest rice farms in the world. Obaba, her elderly grandmother, helped take care of her and her sisters at home. It was expected of the girls to grow up to be diplomats to hold positions of power. Some of them would inherit the farm, while others were off to join the military. If they didn't want any of that, they would be homemakers and wives. That was just how things should be. The girls seemed fine with that idea of life…except for Ty Lee. She always thirsted for more. For a life that was anything but ordinary. Perhaps Azula sensed that when she chose her out of dozens of other young girls to be her friend.

She reached the gates and looked up at the guard tower. The guards both did a double take before they recognized her and allowed her entrance. The walk to the main house from the gate was not far. Ty Lee was never so happy to see her home in her life. She could smell her grandmother's special home medicines and spiced tea. Out of all the people in the world, even maybe Azula and Mai, Ty Lee knew she could always trust Obaba. The woman was wise beyond her years, and had been through many husbands. Her stories always included warnings about the dangers of men and how foolish they were, that girls were the only creatures she could put trust in. It was Obaba who first noticed her talents and advised her to run away to put them to better use. Part of her guilt for running away came from the fact she had left her sweet grandmother behind.

When she reached the door she was so excited she couldn't wait to be inside. She expected her grandmother to throw open the door and rush out to pull her into a loving embrace. What she wasn't expected was for her sister to be there instead. Standing there, arms folded across her chest, with her eyes narrowed in disdain. Normally her sisters were uncaring and much too lazy to bother with something like opening the door. That was always a "granny job". Did they really miss her as much as her father said they did?

"Well look at what we have here," the girl said airily. She was not much taller than Ty Lee, her equally long yet straight chestnut brown hair hung over her shoulders in two woven ponytails. She wore typical Fire Nation silks in various shades of red; her lips stained the color of cherries and smoky shadow around her eyes. "If it isn't the freak."

"I'm sorry!" Ty Lee giggled. "Is this not my home? It must be the circus because there's a clown in front of me!" Hanging around her new friends was paying off. They gave her the courage to develop wit.

"Very funny," she rolled her eyes. "I guess I should be polite. Welcome back, Ty…. or whatever. What on earth do you got hanging over your shoulder? Is your circus talent slaying mooselions?"

"I'm afraid not, Su Lee," Ty Lee shrugged one shoulder. "I brought someone home with me."

Su Lee squinted and shielded her eyes with her hand to get a better look. "Wait…is that… Ty Lee, you didn't! You idiot! Is that the princess? I'm sending a letter to Dad right now!"

"No don't! Please!" Ty Lee shouted, so startled she nearly dropped Azula. "She's hurt! She needs help!"

"I don't ca-" Su Lee was cut off when Obaba patted her shoulder. "Wha-? Granny? Granny look!"

"I see," Obaba smiled. "Welcome home, Ty Lee. It's so wonderful to see you."

"Granny…" Ty Lee fought the tears that were welling in her eyes. It had been so long, but her grandmother was still as serene as ever. The older woman was not quite as tall as her granddaughters, but made up for her lack of height in being very buxom. Her long stormy gray hair was piled high atop her head in a tight bun, with thick choppy bangs swooped to one side. Obaba was the most beautiful old woman Ty Lee had ever known.

"Su Lee, go call the other girls, I'll help Ty Lee and her guest get settled," Obaba said in a very warm tone, but her eyes showed she meant business. "Please come inside, my dear. Your room has been left untouched. I made sure of it."

"I don't know what to say, Granny," Ty Lee said softly as she followed her grandmother to her room. "I'm so…"

"First things first," Obaba smiled. "Let's get some of that weight off your back. I got some fresh herbs that should help Azula. Would it be alright if she rests in your bed?"

"Of course!" The younger girl nodded. "Anything to help her. Wait…you're not going to tell Dad, are you? Please…!"

"Certainly not!" Obaba scoffed. "Do you think I'm a fool? I know what they did to her, the poor girl. No one deserves to be put in such a place. Those men. Know not the right way to treat a lady. For shame."

"Thank you, Granny…" Ty Lee beamed. Obaba unlocked the room and she immediately rushed in to set Azula down on her bed.

Obaba lit several candles and went to fetch her box of herbs and wraps. Ty Lee sat on the edge of the bed and brushed the hair away from Azula's face. With her eyes closed and lips parted slightly, she resembled a sleeping child. Something innocent and pure – something good. In that moment she saw a glimpse of the girl she remembered. The Azula who was still her best friend. She would do anything to have that again. Despite all this, and all that could happen as a result, she knew she made the right choice.

"Here we are," Obaba announced as she set down the box and opened it. "Good thing she's asleep, some of these sting a bit. I know she was never one to handle pain without a fight."

"Will she be okay?"

"Knowing our Azula?" Obaba smirked with a knowing look. "What do you think?"

"It was so awful, Granny…" Ty Lee said softly, looking at the floor.

"Tell me all about it," the old woman nodded. "I'll listen while I tend to her wounds."

"It all started not long after I ran to the circus," Ty Lee explained, still not lifting her head. "Azula came to me, telling me she needed me for an important mission. The Avatar was alive. She wanted Mai and I to help track him down as well as her brother and uncle."

"I've always quite liked Iroh," Obaba smirked. "He would've made a much better Fire Lord than Ozai. He has such a sense of humor about him."

"I know, right?" Ty Lee smiled for a moment at the thought of the old man. He was always very kind to her. "Anyway, well things were great while we were hunting them. Well, not great for them, but great for us! We got to travel all over the Earth Kingdom and fight all kinds of people! I even got to meet the Earth King and play with his bear! But then Zuko changed his ways and left his uncle to join us. Well, join Mai…really…"

"Those two are inseparable."

"Even then," she laughed softly. "Things back at the Fire Nation were fun too. We all hung out, just like old times. We even went to the beach together. Then something happened…Azula knew something. The Avatar… we thought we'd defeated him. But she knew… he was alive. He had come during the eclipse. Then Zuko left to join him and his friends. Azula tracked them and we found her brother at the Boiling Rock. He was there with this one cute guy…Sokka…yeah. Suki's guy… and a couple of other prisoners, including Suki, who is my friend now."

"This is quite the story…. Tell me what happened next?"

"Then Mai came…to save Zuko," Ty Lee sighed. "She told Azula she loved Zuko more than she feared her. I didn't know what to do. It made Azula so angry. She was always so afraid of losing her friends, especially after her mom disappeared and then her brother left for good. She was about to hurt Mai. I couldn't let them hurt each other! So before anything could happen I blocked Azula's chi and Mai and I tried to escape. The guards caught us and Azula demanded we be thrown in prison forever. Bright side though, is that I became friends with the Kyoshi Warriors, who were also trapped there. We're all good friends now! I'm with them now that the war's over and everyone was freed. But still…I feel so guilty. Azula is my best friend…and I betrayed her."

"You did the right thing," Obaba told her soothingly. "You stopped your friends from hurting each other. That's the sign of a true friend."

"I know but…" Ty Lee sniffed, trying to keep from crying. "You should've seen her, Granny! At the Asylum! She wasn't her anymore. She was gone! They must've done something terrible to her!"

"She's been through so much, my dear…" Obaba told her, finishing up the last wrap around Azula's torso. She shifted so she could place a comforting hand on Ty Lee's knee. "Her mother vanished when she was young. Her father continued his quest for power, putting a lot of pressure on her and her brother. Then Mai, her dear friend, telling her she cared more about her boyfriend than her? That does hurt, my dear. What did I tell you? Men ruin everything!"

"Granny!" Ty Lee squealed then dissolved into laughter. "It's not Zuko's fault and you know it! Well, her imprisonment was…but not…"

"Don't be so hard on yourself, my dear," the elderly woman shook her head and smiled. "The princess never dealt with stress well. She was long overdue to break."

"Granny…" Ty Lee bit her trembling lip and pulled her grandmother into a tight embrace as she finally let out the tears that were building. "I'm sorry. I missed you so much… I know the other girls are awful to you. I couldn't be here to make you smile."

"It's alright, my little Ty," Obaba stroked her back soothingly. "Just thinking about you being somewhere happy and free was enough to keep me content. Your sisters are spoiled. It is to be expected that they would be disrespectful. I'm so proud of you. Your differences make you strong. You deserve a friend like Azula and all the glory that goes with it. I love you so much."

"I love you too," Ty Lee replied, hugging her tightly. "I wish you could've come to the circus with me. It would've been so much fun."

"I'm glad it brought you joy," Obaba smiled as she pulled away to get a good look at her granddaughter's face. "By being you, you've brought great honor to me and this family. More than you would ever know. But now, your job is to Azula once more. You have to help her become herself once more. I will aid you in any way I can. I promise you."

"Granny..."

"Sorry to interrupt such a touching moment," Su Lee came in, with a few of the other sisters – Wei Lee, Kai Lee, and Mau Lee – trailing behind her. They all looked equally displeased to see their sister and grandmother having a moment. "This came for you. Tell your boyfriend to send a smarter bird."

"Boyfriend?" Ty Lee blinked as the messenger hawk left the other girl's arm and flew to her, carrying a scroll. She pulled it out of the pack on the bird's back and opened it. "Oh…"

"What's it say?" Obaba asked.

Ty Lee –

Did you make it home in one piece? I hope this letter gets to you. I've been unable to go to the post so I had to borrow Hawky. No offense to Sokka, but I don't trust that bird at all!

We got word here that Aang and Katara would be arriving at the Fire Nation soon to visit with Zuko and Mai. You haven't seen them in a while, so I thought I should let you know to visit them. It would be almost like old times! Sokka and I would be going, but a factory in the Northern Tribe has some sort of issue going on so we'll be heading up there to help sort it out. We send you all our best!

Tell your family we say hello! The other girls wish you well too!

Suki

"It's a letter from Suki," Ty Lee replied, and then looked at her sisters. "My good, female friend."

"Whatever," Su Lee rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Come on, girls. You'll get freak germs on you." The others followed her down the hall.

"Any important news?" Obaba queried.

"The Avatar and his friend will be meeting with Zuko soon," Ty Lee explained. "I'll probably join them."

"While you're there, you should find a healer," Obaba told her. "I can help with her external wounds, but only a waterbender with healing abilities would be able to help her mind and spirit."

Ty Lee thought for a moment. Where would she find one of those in the Fire Nation? She thought back through the months spent tracking the Avatar. Wait, it was mentioned that someone had water that… Katara! That was right! Katara had healed Zuko too! She could help! But would Katara be willing to go home with her and heal Azula of all people? Katara was a forgiving person, but not that forgiving.

"I know your sisters are unkind to you," Obaba said to her while giving her another hug. "Just be yourself. They can't get to you if they see that you are happy. They envy your freedom, Ty Lee. They'll never win so long as you're cheerful."

"Thanks, Granny," Ty Lee beamed.

-;-

We made it, Azula! You'll get better in no time! If only there was some other way… Granny is right though. Only a skilled healer can help you fully recover. But can we trust Katara? I know you've done some terrible things…but you're not all bad. I know you better than that. I just want you back, Azula. I want you to know me again.

-;-

That night Ty Lee lay nestled against Azula in her bed. Her arm wrapped around her, holding her close. She wasn't sleeping soundly. Every so often she would squirm, twitch, and babble nonsense quietly. It upset Ty Lee so much to see her like this, but what else could she do? All she could do was comfort her until she could get some more help. If only she knew what Azula was thinking, or a way to tell Azula what she was thinking. The princess meant so much to her, she just had to get better. She pressed a kiss to the back of Azula's neck and hugged her tightly. They would get through it. She would start first thing in the morning.

-;-

End of Chapter Two.