Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Air Bender.

Author's Note: Welcome back my wonderful readers! I've got a couple of followers, which honestly makes my heart sore. I was nervous about writing this and just knowing there are people who enjoy it makes me feel like I'm on Cloud 9. Like I said in my last note, I am going to try to post twice a week. I'm also going to make my chapters longer. I hate when chapters are short and I have to wait days for another one! Like an true fanfic writer, I'm trying my hardest to keep the characters canon. Azula is the hardest because I'm trying to develop her into a normal human being. On a last note, I'd really appreciate some reviews. Not because I have a huge ego but just for some feedback. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 3 – Spirit Healing

Ty Lee began talking a mile a minute, her grey eyes bouncing with joy. "I made sure you had all the essentials, your favorite shampoo, perfume, lipstick. Oh and I threw out all the clothes that were just not you. Of course now we have to go shopping…"

Mai gave Ty Lee a glare meaning to shut up. Zuko cautiously approached his sister, "Welcome home Azula."

"You're enthusiasm is over whelming, Zuzu." She shot a look at the Avatar. "What's he doing here?"

Aang matched her intense stare, grey for gold. But quickly he broke into a goofy grin. "I'm kinda you're roommate."

"What?"

Mai rolled her eyes, "What he means to say is he will be helping with your recovery. His rooms are next to yours."

Azula frowned. She wasn't sure how she felt about the man who brought her father's downfall being only a few feet away. She slowly paced the room, inspecting everything. They bought her new furniture; a few art pieces graced her walls. "I don't need a baby sitter."

Zuko's eyes followed each movement she made, "He isn't your babysitter Azula. He's here to help you recover. There are rules you will need to follow. Aang will make the final decision as to whether you can come back to the real world or go back to the asylum." With that he left his friends and sister.

Azula's golden eyes turned to Aang, "This is going to be fun, Avatar."

He gave her a nervously smile in return.

Azula lay on her silk red sheets. Compared to the cot she had before, the bed felt incredibly big. It had been a busy day for her. She ran a manicured hand down her dark locks. Ty Lee had brought in a stylist to fix her hair, scrub her clean and give her a mani/pedi. Mai had stayed the whole time, but said almost nothing. The Avatar had lingered for a bit, but when he saw Ty Lee had a spa day planned he was quick to leave. He did say however he would stop by to visit tomorrow.

Azula sighed. She felt so confused. Why was she here? Did these people really believe she could recover? Or was this some form of punishment, dangling false hope just to snatch it away? More importantly, what did she want from all of this? At the moment, she wasn't sure. A few years ago she would have tried to become Firelord, but now that appeal was gone. She did still believe in the glory of the Fire Nation. She knew for a fact she did not want to let Zuko run everything without her. She was after all still a princess.

She let out a big yawn and sleep slowly claimed her. Whatever she decided, she figured she still had plenty of time to work it all out.

Like all fire benders, Azula rose with the sun. At first, she was confused by her surroundings but the memories of yesterday flooded her. A genuine smile crossed her lips. After six years of imprisonment she could finally train. She walked to her dresser looking for sparring clothes. Finally, she could shoot lightning! Once outside she began to warm up. Her muscles were sore faster than she wanted to admit, but it felt good to really move. Sapphire flames glowed in her hands. But before she could shoot lightning, the flames were gone. She stood in position and tried again. Nothing.

"Hey Azula! You started without me," a too cheerful voice greeted her. She turned around to face the Avatar. He wore his signature grin.

"I train alone, Avatar," she said as she turned her back to him and stretched.

"Eventually you will. But for now Zuko asked that I train with you. Honestly, it will be good for the both of us. I can get a little lazy with my fire bending. But don't tell Zuko that," he smiled at her. "Anyway, I saw that your flames were flickering."

She frowned at him, "It's not your concern. With enough practice I'll be better than before."

"The same thing sort of happened to Zuko once. We had to go on this awesome adventure, it involved dancing. But I don't think you'll need to do that. Some simple meditation and spirit healing should help." Aang motioned for her to follow him further into the gardens of her court yard.

"I will let you know, Avatar, I will not be dancing with you," She said as she followed him. "What is spirit healing?" She asked when they finally got to a clearing in the garden. Firelilies, jasmine flowers and roses bloomed around the clearing. Azula quickly recognized this as her mother's quiet space. Whenever the Princess Ursa wanted to clear her head, she would always come and sit here. Of course she rarely invited Azula to this garden. Zuko however had sent many afternoons here.

"Spirit healing is something I've been practicing for a couple of years now. I first used it on Ozai. As I grew into my role as Avatar, I realized there were much more emotional and psychological wounds than physical ones as a result of the war. I've done small amounts of spirit healing on my travels to people who really needed it. But I've never tried it completely so you'll be my first." They both sat down on the soft grass.

Azula rolled her eyes, "Just what I need. To be the Avatar's experiment."

Aang just smiled at her, "I promise I won't hurt you. First, we need to meditate. It might take a while but once you can open your mind, I'll be able to get inside of you and start healing your soul."

Azula smirked, "You want to be inside of me, Avatar?" she asked teasingly.

Aang blushed, "Let's start. Close your eyes. Concentrate on your breathing. Let your mind empty."

After several minutes Azula opened her eyes. She did not like to be alone with her thoughts. She saw the fog again. There was no way she would let it near her. She got up and announced, "I'm done. I'm going to go eat."

"Azula you didn't even try. I said it would take some time," Aang whined as he grabbed her arm.

She shot him a dirty look as she snatched her arm back. "I am not a monk. I do not need to meditate or participate in "spirit healing". As long as I promise to be a good girl and not shoot lightning at anyone, Zuko won't care."

Aang's grey eyes looked deep into her golden ones. "What are you afraid of Azula?"

She almost slapped his face but decided to march into her rooms instead. She shut the doors that led into the court yard then slammed the door to her private chambers. She refused to cry and refused to admit her fear of the fog. Instead she kicked one of the chairs in her living area before running a bath.

Aang watched Azula storm off. He figured now was a good time to visit Appa in the stables. He grabbed a few melons from the kitchen and went to his friend. Appa greeted Aang with a big lick before he munched on the treats. "Hey buddy, at least you're glad to see me."

Aang began to brush Appa's fur. "Today was my first day with Azula. You remember her, the scary girl who used to shoot lightning at us. Anyway, she's not scary anymore. She's actually really pretty." Aang blushed and then stammered, "But that's not the point. I promised Mai I would help Azula get better. The problem is Azula won't open up. I know it was the first day but she seems so scared. I don't know how to make her open up. Any ideas buddy?"

Appa turned to look at Aaang and burped.

Aang began to wave the air around him away. "Good idea buddy! Maybe if I open up a little, she will too!" He hugged Appa before running into the royal kitchens again.

Azula was lounging in her study area reading a book before a knock on the door interrupted her. She threw her long legs over the chair and went to answer it. Aang stood in front of her wheeling a small cart with different varieties of food. His grey eyes grew wide when he saw what she was wearing, a loose red silk robe with a deep cut. He quickly looked away and pushed the cart in.

"What are you doing, Avatar?" She asked annoyed to be bothered.

"Zuko said you declined his invitation to dinner so I thought we could eat together."

"Now why would we do that?"

"To get to know each other," he stated as he laid out the dishes on her table.

This boy is a pest. She thought to herself. As she watched him set the plates, she corrected herself, he wasn't a boy anymore. He was about 6'2 now and muscular. Not the 12 year old punk she tried to capture years before. If only to herself, she would admit he was actually very good looking even with his blue arrow tattoos.

When she saw him grab for the tea pot, she quickly took it from him. "I'll make the tea." With rapid hand motions she made a blend from the leaves he had brought. She handed him a cup as they began to eat.

"Wow, Azula. This tea is good. It's almost as good as Iroh's," Aang said impressed.

Azula snorted, "You are here for a reason. What is it?"

Aang put down his chopsticks and looked at her seriously. "I know today was hard for you. I also know there is something that is frightening you. If you really want your freedom then you need to let me help you. It won't be easy but it will be worth it."

"As the master of all four elements and the mighty Avatar, wouldn't your time be better spent?"

He knew she would eventually ask why he was there. "Everyone deserves a second chance. Even you Azula." He picked up his chopsticks again and began to eat. Azula watched him for a moment before she joined him.