The house they reached were in the outskirts of a small town, with distaste did Azula look at the small humble wooden building with warm light coming from the windows. And of course that was where Noriko was headed.
House looked to small for a family of skunk-mice as far as Azula was concerned.
Just then Noriko slid open the door. "I'm back." she called and then a loud scream of a child sounded.
"MOOOOM!" the shout sounded as a little girl came running and crashed right into Noriko embracing her tightly.
Noriko chuckled slightly. "I'm all right. See?" she asked.
"You got all weird all of a sudden." The little girl sniffed. "Just standing up and saying you needed to go for a walk! Dad was freaked out too! What were you doing."
"Well… We do live close to a spirit forest. I think maybe they called for my assistance to help this young woman." Noriko turned to look at Azula and then wide-eyed the girl looked up at her as well.
Azulas mouth twitched in a small sneer.
"Wow." The girl blinked. "You're really dirty." she commented.
And Azulas eyes widened.
"Kiyi!" Noriko exclaimed. "Be nice! This poor girl must have gotten lost, and in the forgetful valley of all places! She needs help so be nice."
"I was not lost." Azula seethed.
The girl looked up at her. "Did you know where you were going?" she asked.
Azula hissed annoyed.
"That's a no right. So you were lost." Kiyi concluded.
Azula was fuming. "Listen here you little…"
"Noriko!" A man suddenly cut in and Azula looked up to see a middle aged man of slender build.
"Ah Noren." Noriko smiled. "Young lady this is my husband Noren, and Kiyi my daughter." she presented. "Please come inside. Are you hungry? I can fix you something if you'll like."
At that Azula held her hands over her stomach, she couldn't remember the last time she had eaten and suddenly she just felt it.
"The poor dear was lost in the forgetful valley." Noriko whispered as if that would have any chance of preventing Azula from hearing it.
"That's terrible. Please come in." Noren asked as he stepped aside.
Azula hesitated but then finally took a step inside, then lifted her head to face Noren directly.
The moment she did there was shock and surprise on Norens face, an immediate recognition and he gasped.
Azulas eyes narrowed… So at least one of these fools could recognize their own princess. Norikos and Kiyi's faces were both blank, but this guy knew. Azula could tell.
"Noren go heat up some dinner." Noriko then said. "I'll fetch some clean clothes for the young lady. Please forgive me dear, I wont have anything your seize. I'm afraid you'll have to use some of my clothes even if it's going to be a little big."
Azula steadied her face. Too big used clothes really wasn't a thing she was keen on, but there was something strange about this house. About this family.
They looked so sickeningly normal and humble, but it wasn't right. Something was wrong. Thus Azula allowed Noriko to guide her to a bed room where Noriko found water and towels for a quick wipe off of the worst dirt and a long soft dress.
Azula didn't say a word as she took off the rags and reached for the wet cloth only for Noriko to gasp in shock.
Annoyed did Azula look at Noriko only to realize that Norikos eyes were watering and Azula frowned annoyed.
"Dear child. Do you need to see a doctor?" Noriko asked. "I can go fetch him. It's no problem I.."
Azulas frown depened. Doctor? Why? Then she looked down at her own frame and saw how it was simply covered in dark brushes, she was black and blue all over, as well were they scrapes and her ribs were clearly visible behind the tight skin.
"Huh." Was all Azula could say feeling oddly removed from her own body.
"That must hurt a lot." Noriko whispered. "Are you okay?"
Azula shrugged. "I had worse." she simply stated and Noriko gasped. Then she swallowed as she picked up a second wet cloth and moved forward, just about to touch Azula. "Here… Let me."
"Don't touch me!" Azula seethed as she jumped back. "Don't ever touch me!"
"I'm sorry!" Noriko held up her hands. "I just… I'll leave you alone." she said. "Here's soap, to wash your hair if you want… And… I'll go make a bed ready for you." she said as she backed away and then finally ran out.
Azulas eyes narrowed, then she hissed but grabbed the cloth as she started to clean herself.
Outside Noriko gasped, then she leaned herself against the closed door. Lifting a hand to her face as Noren slowly approached her.
"Noriko?" Noren asked. "Are you… Okay?"
Noriko sniffed as she lowered her hand, only then to realize the tears dripping from her face, then she wiped them away with her sleeve. "Yes dear. I don't know what came over me I just." she swallowed. "That poor girl." she whispered. "I wonder what happened to her."
Noren swallowed, but kept quiet.
"And what do you think she was doing in the forgetful valley?" Noriko asked. "She asked me about Ursa."
At that Norens eyes widened.
"You would know more about her than me right?" Noriko asked. "You lived here your entire life. Maybe you.."
Noren swallowed. "It's like I told you." he said. "Ursa was taken away by fire lord Azulon to marry Prince Ozai. They say she came back to look for Ikem. But neither has been seen for years."
"Ursa…" Noriko breathed.
Noren was quiet, painfully so. His eyes looking filled with regret.
Noriko though was glancing to the side. "I'm such an awful person." she whispered.
"What?" Noren asked honestly surprised. "Why would you say that?" he asked.
"That girl." Noriko swallowed. "I see her and I… I feel something. It's like… I know her and it's my job to protect her. I feel it in my chest. I am supposed to take care of her!" she said. "But… She scares me. Those eyes." she shivered wrapping her arms around herself. "They remind me of something… But I can't remember what… I… I can't remember what." she sniffed as she grabbed her head.
"Noriko!" Noren rushed forward grabbing her shoulders. "Relax… breath." he asked. "It's going to be okay. It's going to be okay…"
Just then Kiyi walked in to the room, dragging her stuffed gorilla bunny after her as she looked up. "Mommy?" she asked. "Mommy are you hurt?"
"No sweety. No." Noriko assured as she rushed forward. "Mommy is just a little." she swallowed. "Sweet heart listen." she said. "Our guest she… She's hurt. Badly. And she needs help. But also… I need you to be careful okay?" she asked. "Just stay close to me or daddy."
"Why?" Kiyi asked.
"I…" Noriko halted. "I don't… I…"
She closed her eyes, and it was like a voice from a distant pass, a horrible dream.
"Well at least you're pretty."
Noriko hissed as she held her head.
"You have one job. You are to produce me heirs. That's all you need to concern yourself about."
And then suddenly, a couple of strong hands grabbing Noriko. Holding her down… And she wasn't allowed to fight back. She wasn't allowed to fight back as that looming shadow was over her. Her hands pinned to the ground under her.
And those eyes. In shining amber, burning like fire as the rough voice reminded her.
"Do not forget… You belong to me."
And Noriko fell to her knees as she screamed.
"NORIKO!" Noren shouted and Kiyi cried.
"Mom… Mom what's wrong?" Kiyi asked.
"I… I wont let him hurt you." Noriko gasped as she grabbed Kiyi. "I wont let him hurt anyone else! Not again. Not again." she cried as she clutched to Kiyi.
"Mom… What are you talking about?" Kiyi asked confused and Noren swallowed.
"Dad… What's wrong with mom?" Kiyi asked with tears in her eyes.
Noren closed her eyes then gently picked Noriko up and guided her away. "Come on love. You need to sit down. Relax." he said. "I'll make a bed ready for our guest and warm dinner." he said. "I'll make a cup of tea. It's going to be okay."
Noriko refused to let go of Kiyi and he swallowed as she shook all over her body.
Inside the bedroom Azula had gone quiet… the words still playing in her mind.
"I wont let him hurt anyone else. Not again. Not again."
Azulas eyes watered as she was shaking.
"I wont let him burn you."
…. What was wrong with people? Why were they like this? And why… Azula sunk to her knees as she grabbed her face.
What was this god forsaken place?!