CHAPTER RATING: T (Language, Violence)

A/N: No more promises. I'm almost done with it all. But I can't resist, I need to publish these as I finish them.

Old habits die hard.

Published on: 12/31/2019

Chapter 18: Sunrise Interlude

The sun peaks just above the horizon while Appa carries them into the sky. Azula bathes in the warmth of the sun and the freedom of the air. Her eyes move across the fire-stained emerald landscape and notice a dark silhouette.

"Aang is doing better, he'll need to rest for a bit longer. Where did you want to go?" The Avatar's girlfriend asks.

"Over there." Azula points to the silhouette that caught her eye. "Appa." She looks down; the sky bison turns his head up to acknowledge her. "Yip. Yip." She tells him and he roars in acknowledgment.

"I'm impressed." The Avatar's girlfriend says. "Usually Appa only listens to Aang."

"I learned quite a bit from the Avatar." Azula grins and caresses Momo's head in her hand as he lands on her shoulder. "This is the least I can do for my family." Azula nods, then turns towards the Earth Kingdom Palace. "Especially after all that has happened."

"Your family? Where are we going?"

"To visit my cousin." Azula answers and picks up the incense and fire lily she purchased.

…

"Don't get too close," Azula commands Appa. "I can walk." The Sky Bison grunts in confusion; the lemur raises his eyebrows. The Avatar's girlfriend speaks up.

"Why? Appa can land by the tree just fine."

"Please, I haven't done this in a long time. Let me do it alone." Azula pleads and averts her gaze.

"If that's what you want. Appa, land below the hill, Aang can rest while we wait for Azula."

The Sky Bison groans in acknowledgment.

"Thank you." Azula nods.

Appa lands with a soft impact onto the emerald grass. Azula clutches the fire lily and incense in her hand and heads up the hill.

…

Aside a lone tree there is a grave with a picture of her cousin, Lu Ten; sat in front of it was a small bowl.

"I can see that Uncle was already here," Azula whispers to herself as her eye catches the burned incense sticks and a White Dragon flower. "now, I can pay my own respects." Azula kneels down in front of the grave, places her Fire Lily next to the White Dragon flower, and lights her own incense with two sparks from her fingertips before placing them in the bowl.

Azula closed her eyes and took in everything with the moment.

The wind pushed at her back.

The sounds of rustling leaves above her.

The warmth of the sun on her cheek.

And the silence of the world around her.

With a deep breath, she sang.

"Leaves from the vine. Falling so slow, like fragile, tiny shells, drifting in the foam."

"Little soldier boy," A familiar voice came from behind her. "...Come matching home."

Azula turned to see the visage of her Uncle through her own tears that began to form when she heard his cracking voice.

"Brave soldier boy," They both sang as he falls to his knees and wraps his arms around her.

"...Comes matching home." Azula hugs him tighter, and buried her face into his shoulder, letting her tears soak into the robe he wore.

"I'm so sorry for what I've done, Uncle." Azula's voice cracks. "Please forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive, Azula." Iroh brought his hand to her cheek and wiped away the tears that ran down from her eyes. "Thank you for visiting my son today. I cannot express how much this means to me."

His smile that she had only seen during her childhood brought warmth to her heart.

"Let's go check on your friends, shall we?"

…

"Iroh!" The Avatar's girlfriend shouts and waves from the bottom of the hill. Azula keeps her head down, but watched from the corner of her eye as her Uncle smiles and waves back.

"You've made great friends." Uncle Iroh says.

"She and I aren't friends, Uncle." Azula whispers back. "She hates me."

"And yet, you saved her in Ba Sing Se."

"Well, what was I supposed to do? Let her get killed? That demented Queen would have taken my life too!"

"Yes, yes. And yet...You saved her." Iroh turns to her and placed a have in her shoulder. "Despite how you feel towards her, you saved that girl's life. Whether your believe it was for you, or for the Avatar, it matters not. Just know that I am proud of what your have done."

"..." Azula bowed her head. "Thank you, Uncle."

The Avatar stumbles to his feet with the help of his girlfriend.

"It was an pleasure seeing you again." The Avatar bows.

"I can say the same, Avatar. Thank you," he turns to Azula. "For looking after my niece after all this time."

"What will you do now?" The Avatar asks.

"There's been an uproar in the Royal Palace." Iroh rubs his chin, nodding and smiling as everyone else turns away. "But I will manage. I have a very important tea house to look after."

"Well then, best of luck to you." The Avatar bows again and enters the saddle of his air bison.

"Goodbye, for now, Iroh." The Avatar's girlfriend bows and climbs the saddle.

"I'll visit if I ever get the chance again, Uncle." Azula bows, then feels the warmth of her uncle's embrace.

"Take care of yourself, Azula. Thank you for today." He whispers. "Don't get into too much trouble now."

"I'll do my best." Azula replies with another warm hug before joining her 'companions' on Appa.

A/N:

I dreamt up this scenario all the way back in April of 2018. Literally wanted to have this moment in the story, even before I knew what was going to happen in Ba Sing Se.

I hope it was enjoyable.

Thank you for reading.