Thank you to those who have faved/followed/reviewed so far! If you like this story, check out my other works since those have more consistent updates. This chapter takes place right before Azula's arc begins as we see a little more insight into Azula and Izanami's relationship. Also, that makes Azula 14 and Izanami 15.
A New Phase
When news broke out about the Avatar's return to the world, the Fire Nation was put into panic mode upon realising that their greatest fear had now become a reality. The Avatar had returned. Izanami could see the changed that news brought to Azula, as she became more intense in her training – not that she wasn't before. But it was different now. Azula wasn't training to be perfect, she was training to kill.
Since Azula's fire had turned blue, she bended with a passion and precision that Izanami had never seen from her before. Azula's fire was beautiful, no doubt. But it was also stealthy and deadly. As the days went on, Azula seemed to put more focus into mastering lightning generation. The thought of lightning never really bothered Izanami before, but seeing someone with perfect control of it was scary. If you found yourself at the end of spectrum or made any wrong move, you'd be done for.
Just now, Azula was practicing lightning generation on the outskirts of Caldera City, with her mentors Lo and Li, along with Izanami who was there to watch. The crackling sound of lightning was enough to send shivers through Izanami's body, and she wasn't sure if she would ever get over that. Azula's firebending had improved greatly and she was pretty much a master. Izanami was pretty sure that her skills could even rival her fathers, who was considered the most powerful firebender in the world.
Once Azula finished her movements, only her fingers were outstretched as the lightning left her body and exploded in the sky, leaving a trail of dust behind.
"Your stance is perfect," Lo commented.
"Your movements are just too ragged. You need more control," Li added.
"I'll show you control," Azula hissed.
Again, Azula moved her arms around like arcs as she conjured the positive and negative energies around her before bringing them together and unleashing them in one strong and decisive display of technique.
"Much better," Li praised her.
"I think that is enough training for today, Princess. Li, how about we go for some tea?" Lo suggested.
Li nodded, "Let's go."
It wasn't long before it was just Azula and Izanami left on the training ground. Izanami hesitantly approached her friend, not really sure if she was about to throw another bolt of lightning or not. When Azula didn't make any other movements, Izanami approached her with confidence.
"You never cease to amaze me, Zula," Izanami praised her friend.
Azula turned to face her friend, "If only Li was so easily impressed as well."
Izanami shrugged, "Well, I can never really tell those two apart and they might as well be the same person, so it doesn't really matter."
Azula rolled her eyes, "Yes it does. Their opinion matters to me as it is their advice that allows me to better myself. Without them, I'd have no one to train me."
"You'd have me," Izanami said.
"What do you know about lightning generation, Izana?" Azula asked.
"That it involves lightning…" Izanami trailed off.
"You're a teacher in the making," Azula said sarcastically.
"At least you'd be able to tell who I am," Izanami joked.
"Unfortunately," Azula teased.
Izanami laughed, "It's nice to see your sense of humour, Az."
A comfortable moment of silence surrounded the pair of friends until Azula asked, "Was it really that good?"
Izanami nodded, "It was. Ozai would be proud of you."
Azula scoffed, "He's hardly ever proud of me."
"What makes you say that?" Izanami asked.
"The only time he's ever proud of me is when I succeed in something. If I fail, well… I'm pretty much Zuzu," Azula muttered.
Izanami gave her friend a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. It upset Izanami to see Azula get deflated like this when she truly was one of the greatest firebenders on the planet. But Izanami knew that her opinion wouldn't matter and Azula would only believe it if it came out of her father's mouth.
"Zula, you're incredible. You amaze me on a day to day basis. You've surpassed me in every form of bending there is! If Ozai isn't proud of you, then he doesn't know what being proud is," Izanami comforted her friend.
"You mean that?" Azula asked.
Izanami nodded, "Every bit. Now come on, let's head back before the guards have a meltdown over our absence."
"Wouldn't you like to see that happen?" Azula asked.
Izanami laughed, "Maybe. But it's not worth having your father's wrath."
~*•°•*~
In the weeks to come, Izanami would continue to sit and watch Azula train just like she always did. Part of the reason why Izanami was so keen to watch her friend train was to learn new ways to better herself, but most of it was just the sheer fascination that she got from watching Azula train. Azula trained with a passion and determination unlike anyone that Izanami had ever seen.
At the same time, Izanami had grown content with her life in Caldera City. She was able to see more than she ever could and continued to enjoy the privileges that came with being best friends with the Fire Lord's daughter. Above all that, Azula was her friend just because she was her friend and for no other reason. Although the direction her life was heading in would soon change on one particular day when Azula was called into her father's throne room.
"What did your father want to speak with you about, Zula?" Izanami asked once Azula joined her in the courtyard.
"You're aware of the failure at the North Pole, correct?" Azula asked.
"Yes…" Izanami trailed off.
"As it turns out, my Uncle fatso is now a traitor for joining forces with the Avatar at the Siege of the North while Zuzu has been declared a failure after not succeeding in capturing the Avatar. I'm not surprised since Zuzu has always been a failure and I always thought that uncle fatso would turn traitor eventually," Azula explained.
"What does this have to do with you?" Izanami asked.
"Father said that they have disgraced him and brought shame to all Fire Nation citizens. As his daughter, it is my job to fix their mistakes," Azula answered.
"By doing what?" Izanami asked.
"Father now wants me to track down Iroh and Zuko and bring them back to the Fire Nation, so they can face their punishment for what they have done," Azula replied.
Izanami's eyes widened, "Really?"
"Yes. I will be leaving shortly," Azula said.
"But Azula… They're your family…" Izanami trailed off.
"Do you think that matters to me? They might share my blood, but what power do they really have? If father wants me to bring their sorry backsides home, then that's what I have to do," Azula snapped.
"But, do you want to?" Izanami asked.
Azula shrugged, "It's not like I have anything to do. Besides, it gives me time to put my skills to good use."
"I can't believe this," Izanami muttered.
What surprised Izanami the most about this situation was how Ozai was so quick to discard Iroh and Zuko, even though they were his family. Azula's eagerness to complete this task also concerned Izanami, but really, she shouldn't be surprised since Azula was always keen to please her father.
"Izana, can I ask you something?" Azula suddenly asked.
Izanami raised her eyebrows, "What?"
"W-would you like to join me?" Azula asked.
"Join you?" Izanami repeated.
"On my mission. You wouldn't have to do anything if you don't want to. I could certainly use your company," Azula explained.
Izanami was stunned, "Wow, Azula."
"I understand if you do not wish come, since that would mean leaving your family behind. I'll give you some time to think about it if you need to," Azula said.
"Say no more. I'd be honoured to join you on your mission," Izanami conceded.
"Really?" Azula asked.
Izanami nodded, "Azula, we're best friends. Anywhere you go, I go. Besides, without you, what else would I have to do around here? And like you said, who would you have to keep you company."
"Is that your final decision?" Azula asked.
"Definitely. I'll stand by you no matter what, Azula," Izanami replied.
Azula gave a small smile that almost went unnoticed by Izanami, "Well, then. I'll let you prepare for our departure."
Although Izanami would never admit it, she did have her reservations about leaving the Fire Nation Capital. Izanami already hadn't seen her brother in over seven years, her father was always in and out of their lives, but Izanami was mainly hesitant about leaving her mother behind, who was her only support network. But deep down, Izanami knew that Azula would need her support along the road and as her best friend, it was her duty to help her. Izanami might've been apprehensive about leaving the Fire Nation, but it's what she had to do.
And although Azula would never admit it, Izanami knew that her friend would do the same for her.
It looks like Azula and Izanami are about to leave the Fire Nation and you know what that means, the action is finally about to begin. In case you haven't realised it, Azula will be slightly OOC in this story at times. I will try my best to maintain her usual demeanour, but for the purpose of this story, Azula's human side will make an appearance every now and then. If you're liking where this story is going, leave a review and check out my other works too. Until next chapter.
