A/N: Thank you so much for your reviews, your feedback is very much appreciated! I'm still studying abroad, so I won't be able to upload very regularly, but I've written a bit extra so you can expect a quick update!

I'm not sure yet if Mai and Ty Lee or going to show up and if there's going to be romance. The story's going to write itself, I guess.

For this chapter, one character might seem to act weird, but I want to remind everyone of the scene between Zuko and Katara in The crossroads of destiny. The reason Katara had so much problems with Zuko after he had joined their team, was because he had broken her trust once before. With Azula, she never had that.

Last but not least: Azulaweek 2018 has started! Every day a lot of people will update a story centered around Azula. Mine you can find on this profile.

Enjoy!

The Fire Nation had become a small dot, barely visible and miles away from them. Azula took a deep breath before resolutely turning her back on it.

This was bad. Really bad.

In front of her, almost a small dot as well, was the flying bison of the Avatar. Azula looked at it, lost in thought, before she recollected herself and turned her attention to her brother.

'How are you feeling?' she asked.

Zuko only groaned.

Worriedly, she knelt down next to her brother. There wasn't enough space to lie down, so he had to sit. She wished she had something she could give him - a blanket, some tea, anything that could take his mind of the horrible situation they had found themselves in.

'Does it still… hurt?' Azula asked.

'Yes.'

She hesitated. 'Do you mind… if I take a look? I know I'm not a healer, but...'

'Sure,' he muttered, keeping his eyes closed.

Azula crept closer. 'Don't move,' she warned him, before she leaned in. The skin was red and swollen. Directly around his eyes was were the core of the flame had hit him. The skin had a deeper shade of red.

Azula sat straight again. 'Can you open it?' she asked.

His normal eye opened completely, his burned eye only a few millimeters. 'No.'

Azula had wanted to check if he could see with his eye, but that didn't seem to be possible. What if his eye would stay like this? She didn't have anything to treat his wounds. Azula bit her lip. Their options were ridiciously limited…

'Does that mind I won't be able to see anymore?'

'I don't know,' she admitted. 'The skin is very swollen now, so that's why you can't open your eye. Only when it had healed, will we know for sure.'

Zuko's healthy eye closed again and Azula stood up to make sure she could still see the Avatar.

'Azula?' Zuko asked.

'Yes,' she muttered, looking at him again.

'Why did you do it?'

There was a short silence. 'How do you mean?' Azula asked. 'You're my brother… I won't let anybody hurt you. Unless it's me.'

She had hoped that would earn her a small smile, but Zuko stayed silent. He did open his eye, looking at her. 'You've always cared more about father.'

'That's not true.'

Zuko looked sceptical.

'I was jealous of you,' Azula said. 'Because mom loved you more than she loved me… but I never.. did not care about you.'

Zuko hesitated. 'I didn't think you would help me.'

Azula grimaced. Of course he hadn't.

'I thought… I thought you wanted me out of the way.'

Azula sat down again. 'You know, my entire life, people have thought I wanted to be Fire Lord. Even I thought that and when I thought I had lost my chance to become Fire Lord, I broke down. But being away changed me and I only realised it after I had returned. I realised… I only wanted to be Fire Lord because people had told me I wanted it or that I should want it. It was never my choice.'

She felt Zuko's hand trying to find hers. 'Thank you,' he said softly. 'For saving my life. For fighting father.'

Azula flashed him a smile. 'I'm happy I did, big brother.'

Zuko's eye closed again. 'It hurts… I had never thought he would do that.'

Azula squeezed his fingers.

'You did, though,' Zuko said.

'I feared it… but I had never thought he would do it inside the palace.'

Zuko's voice sounded shaky. 'My own father tried to kill me…'

Azula didn't know what to say.

'Why?' Zuko asked, still sounding as if he could start crying any moment. 'I know I'm not as good as you…'

'That's not true.'

'He told me that,' Zuko said. 'He told me he had only banished you because he feared you - he said he had killed grandfather. No - he had mother do it. That's why she had to leave.'

'That can't be right,' Azula said after a few seconds of shocked silence. 'He must've lied.'

'He was about to kill me,' Zuko said bitterly. 'Why would he lie?'

Azula didn't have an answer to that question.

'If only I had been a better bender…'

'Then father would've banished you, instead of me,' Azula said.

'But he wouldn't have tried to kill anyone. He only killed me because he thought I would be a terrible Fire Lord.'

A tear rolled over his cheek - it appeared the burned eye was incapable of trying. Azula hesitantly let go of her brothers hand and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

'It's not your fault,' she said. 'He's just… a bad father.'

Zuko hesitated.

'I know you don't want to believe that just yet,' Azula continued. 'But trust me, it was all his fault. And, for what it's worth... I think you would've made an amazing Fire Lord.'

'You're just saying that to make me feel better.'

'I don't.'

Zuko looked at her with his good eye.

'Really,' she assured him.

Zuko produced a weak smile before closing his eye and resting his head against her arm. 'Where are we going?' he muttered.

'We're following the Avatar,' Azula said.

Zuko's eye flew open again. 'What?' he whispered.

'The girl he's with… she's a healer,' Azula said. 'Someone needs to check on your eye, Zuko.'

'But she hates us.'

'She does,' Azula admitted. 'But if we explain our situation, they are the good guys, after all. They're supposed to help us out.'

She carefully let go off her brother to check if they could still see the bison.

'Does that mean that the Fire Nation is bad?' Zuko asked. His voice sounded weak - as if it came from for away. He was probably very tired.

'Not the entire Fire Nation,' Azula responded.

'But father is?'

Azula nodded. 'Yes.' It was the first time she had said so out loud. Treason. Even though their situation was very problematic to say the least, she couldn't suppress an ironic smile.

'Go to sleep, Zuko,' she said, looking at her brother. 'I'll take care of things. You need to get some rest.'

Only after he had fallen asleep, Azula realised where they were going. She suddenly remembered her conversation with Ty Lee and Mai. If only she could know they were okay...

It seemed as if she was about to visit the Air Temples after all, only without her two best friends. What would have happened if they hadn't stopped in that stupid little village, she wondered.

Azula was about to say something to Zuko, when she saw he was sleeping. She was happy - it meant he wouldn't feel the pain anymore - until she realised something was wrong.

Azula frowned and knelt again next to him. 'Zuko?' she asked hesitantly.

His breathing. Something was wrong. She came closer to listen to it. Azula was no healer - she couldn't exactly tell what was wrong. But something was wrong - for sure.

She placed her hand on his forehand. He was burning up.

'Oh no,' she whispered.

Their situation had even gotten worse.

It had been a very smooth landing. Azula would've praised herself if she hadn't feared her brother was dying.

She didn't know if it was that bad, to be honest. She only knew he had practically half of his face burned off - a wound that seemed to be infected, seeing as it was swollen and he had gotten a fever.

She eyed the temple where her former enemies were. In their eyes, she still was their enemy… she had taunted them only yesterday! But she had to talk to them, for Zuko's sake.

Azula carefully lifted her brother over her shoulders before climbing out of the balloon. It was probably better for him not to travel long distances… She hesitated before carefully putting him on the ground. A few meters from him, she built a small fire. Hopefully, it was enough to keep animals on a distance. Not that there seemed to be anything around here.

Azula took a deep breath. She knew the Earth Girl would be able to sense her presence, so she stuck her hands in the air as she walked in their direction.

'Someone's coming!' Toph exclaimed. They all jumped up, looking frantically in every direction possible.

'It's… I think it's the scary princess,' Toph said. She frowned. 'Why would she be here?'

'She must have followed us!' Katara said, opening her pouch and preparing to attack.

'Is she alone?' Aang asked.

'I guess so… someone is staying behind.'

'Only two people?' Sokka asked in surprise. 'Isn't that a little too bold, even for her?'

'She's coming alone?' Aang asked.

Toph nodded.

When Azula appeared, she had her hands raised in a sign of surrender. 'I'm not here to fight,' she said before anyone could attack her.

It didn't stop Sokka from throwing his boomerang - which was hit off course by Aang.

'Then why are you here?' he yelled, pointing his glider in his direction. Toph had to admire that the Fire Nation stayed calm.

'My brother. He's hurt. Badly. If he doesn't get help…' She wasn't able to finish her sentence. If her brother died, what would happen to her?

'Why would we help you?' Sokka said harshly.

'I'm not asking you to help me - I'm asking you to help my brother.'

'Why didn't you get help in the Fire Nation?' Aang asked.

Azula sighed. It seemed as if she was at a loss for words.

'Tell the truth,' Sokka said threateningly.

'After the eclipse was over and I ran away, I went to the room where my father was hiding,' Azula said. 'When I got there, he was about to…' She had to swallow.

Toph frowned. She knew the Princess was a master of deception - she had proved as much yesterday - but her distress seemed to be genuine.

'To do what?' Sokka asked, but Aang and Katara seemed to understand.

'He was the one to hurt your brother?' Aang asked.

Azula nodded.

'No, I don't believe that,' Sokka said. 'It's a lie Aang, a trick!'

'It's not,' Toph suddenly said. 'I can only sense one other person - and he seems to be in bad shape.'

Azula now looked at her. 'He is,' she said. 'Please help him… if you want, we'll leave you alone after that, but…'

'Why would we help you?' Sokka asked, still glaring angrily at the Princess.

'You heard her. If you don't help him, he'll die.'

'And why would that be a bad thing?' Sokka asked.

'Sokka...' Katara said

'Wait,' Aang said suddenly.

Sokka glared at him. 'You can't possibly believe…'

'Let her talk,' Aang said. 'The story is not over yet, is it?'

Azula shook her head. 'It's not,' she whispered. 'But…'

'If you want us to help you, you have to tell us everything,' Aang said. Azula sighed and nodded, even though she probably realised Katara and Sokka weren't prepared to listen.

'My father told me to leave the room, to let him kill Zuko,' she said. 'He promised me I would be heir to the throne if I let him. But…' Everyone was now listening intently, even the two Water Tribe sibling.

'... I just couldn't do it,' she finished her sentence.

'Why not?' Sokka asked harshly.

'Because that moment confirmed what I had suspected for a long time. My father is a horrible person - and not suitable to reign. Not even the Fire Nation.'

There was a short silene. Aang let his glider down. 'I don't trust you,' he said. 'At all. But we will help your brother.'

Azula nodded and smiled sadly. 'That's all I ask for.'

'What. No!' Sokka exclaimed. 'She… she's the enemy! Because of her, our father is a prisoner and. and…. she took Suki prisoner!'

'In my defence, you were attacking my country and my home,' Azula said, raising one eyebrow.

Sokka gritted his teeth. 'Well… maybe you're right, but it doesn't mean I'll forgive you. And besides, that's not the reason why you imprisoned Suki.'

'I could've killed her,' Azula said. 'But I didn't.'

Sokka lost his temper. 'You…. monster.'

Toph now noticed some changes in the Princess. 'I trust her,' Toph said suddenly. She felt the Princess looking at her again. 'Let's go find your brother,' Toph continued. 'He needs our help.'

Azula walked fast. She didn't want to leave her brother alone for longer than necessary.

Zuko was still asleep - or unconscious. She noticed a few of them gasping as they saw his face.

'His father did that?' the Water Tribe girl whispered.

Azula nodded.

'How do we know it wasn't you?' the Water tribe boy asked.

Azula turned her face to look at him. 'Because I would never hurt him.' She found his hand again.

His pulse seemed weak.

'Please,' she said, looking at the Waterbender this time. The girl didn't hesitate as she sat next to him.

Azula watched with fascination as the girl bended the water from a pouch she carried on her hip. The water turned blue as it covered Zuko's eye.

Azula wasn't sure how long they sat there. She kept looking at her brother's face, willing him to wake up…

When she removed the water, the wound seemed to be months old. The swelling was gone - but the scar was still there.

'I'm afraid the scar will stay like that,' the girl said. 'I can't do anything about it. But at least, he won't die.'

Azula placed a hand on his forehead and found that his fever appeared to be gone. She looked at the Water Tribe pea… at Katara. 'Thank you,' she whispered. 'I don't know what I would've done without him…'

'Where will you be going now?' Aang asked her.

Azula shrugged. 'Away from the Fire Nation,' she said.

'To the Earth Kingdom?'

Azula suddenly hung her head, overcome with guilt. 'I…'

'What's going on?' Toph demanded. 'You seem to be scared - and you weren't scared when we were about to kill you.'

'I wasn't…' sputtered he Avatar - Aang.

'My father,' Azula muttered. 'He plans on destroying the Earth Kingdom.' She grimaced.

'What?' Katara and Aang exclaimed.

'I might be able to stop him…' Azula muttered. 'If only we could find my uncle…' She looked at Zuko again. 'First, Zuko needs to get better.'

'He's better, isn't he?' Sokka muttered.

'We can't let them go like this,' Katara suddenly said. 'I can have a few more healing sessions with him - they have to stay.'

'What?' Sokka exclaimed.

'Toph trusts her and I don't think she would hurt her own brother like that. It's enough for me.'

Sokka's mouth fell open. 'But… Suki!' he protested.

'People change, Sokka,' Katara said.

'Not her!'

Toph and Katara exchanged glances.

'Aang, you can't allow this!' Sokka exclaimed.

Azula looked at the air nomad now. 'For what it's worth… I could be your Fire Bending teacher,' she said. 'I know you don't like me, but you can't deny I'm good.'

Aang looked at her intently. 'Okay,' he eventually said. 'But as soon as it turns out you've lied about something…'

Azula nodded.

'How do we get Zuko to the camp?' Katara asked.

'We could make a carrier…'

As they discussed, Azula stood up and picked up her brother.

'That will work as well,' Aang said.

Zuko was still sound asleep after Azula had placed him on the bed Aang had showed her.

She noticed everyone was still looking at her. One wrong movement and she would be attacked by three different elements… and a boomerang.

'What's the last time you've eaten?' Katara asked.

Azula grimaced. 'Before… you know.'

'We have some soup. It's not ideal, but…'

'Thank you,' Azula said. She had eaten a lot of horrible food during her time as the Banished Princess. She was sure she could handle this.

'I still don't like this,' the… Sokka muttered, but no one responded.

As they sat down around the campfire, Azula was startled by an animal that jumped on her head.

'Momo likes you,' Aang said. He smiled at her for the first time. Azula smiled back hestitanly.

'What is it?' she asked.

'A lemur,' Aang responded. Azula carefully reached for the animal, petting his fur.

'He's … soft,' she said.

'He's our friend,' the Ava-, Aang said.

Azula smiled. The animal stayed on her head as she ate her soup. Truth be told, she didn't like how this very much, but she tried to be on her best behaviour.

After she had finished her meal, Momo crept on her lep. 'Hello,' Azula said, not really comfortable with the strange creature.

'He really likes you,' Katara said

'Well… he's very cute,' Azula said.

'I bet you didn't have any animals in the palace,' Sokka growled.

'My father didn't allow it.'

She carefully stroke his fur. Sitting around the campfire reminded her of Ty Lee and Mai. She hoped they were okay.

'Are you alright?' Toph asked.

Azula nodded. 'I just… my friends who stayed with me when I was banished. I hope they're okay.'

'They probably are,' Aang said.

Azula nodded.

That night, the animal stayed by her sight when they all went to bed. She had checked on Zuko - who was still sleeping - and now tried to get some rest. Before she could drift off, she heard Aang say: 'Momo seems to like her.'

'He's just a stupid animal,' a voice that belonged to Sokka growled.

Aang stayed calm. 'Animals have very good instincts… better than humans. If he trusts her, that's enough for me. At least for now.'

A small smile appeared on her face as she closed her eyes again.

A/N: Please review, I love reading your thoughts!