Chapter 7-
"Let's go home."
With the trial over the members of the Gaang and the world leaders not including Zuko headed out for dinner. Zuko was left with Azula and a couple of guards. The guards took the straight jacket and chains off. Azula rubbed her wrist at the feeling of freedom. Azula hated chains like anyone would but she hated them mostly because it reminds her of what happened and what she lost. How she failed.
It doesn't matter now. She was free. Of course she would have to spend time only in the palace but that's pretty much how her life was during the war. Go on a mission. Succeed gracefully. Return home. Receive some half-hearted thanks from her father and stay in the palace till she had her next job.
At least she was able to go back to her room, if there was anything Azula was proud of it was her room being the biggest only rivaled by the Fire Lord and it was bound to be much more comfortable than the cell she spent in. Azula spend plenty of time in her room and most of it brought back tragic memories. It doesn't matter now she tried to tell herself.
She gets to go home. Free-ish. This trial had gone well, she had gotten exactly what she wanted. The only thing that was quite a bummer is she would have to spend time with the avatar and his group of misfits watching her like a child.
Well, she is a child but that's beside the point. Whatever, she thinks, it will give me plenty of time to mess around with them. Plenty of ways to make their stay as miserable as possible . Azula wasn't going to kill anyone hopefully. She was just going to have some fun.
Her time at the asylum didn't 'help' her come to terms with her problems, simply made them worse and more aware. She hates her mother and father. She doesn't love her brother necessarily but she does care and he is family she supposes so she guess that's it's ok that they might get a semi-normal relationship. Like any good sister she would make his life a bit harder with insults and cruel jokes but nothing more.
She didn't need to be firelord but she did want to serve her nation. How? She wasn't quite sure, but maybe she would be able to work her way up to a royal advisor. With her status as Princess returned, Zuko would undeniably have to grant her some power in court and day-to-day operations. Things to think about she guesses. Right now all that matters is getting to the palace, her home, and her room.
Zuko was heading back to the palace with Azula. He wasn't quite sure about these plans but he supposes it's better than his sister rotting in prison or breaking in a mental hospital. The two royal siblings walked from the courtroom where they were greeted by the royal palanquins. Only one of course since no one knew that the princess would be returning to the palace. Azula glared at Zuko with a raised eyebrow at the fact that Zuko clearly didn't think she would be winning this trial. He really did have so little faith in her.
Zuko hated to admit it he was quite spoiled he was the firelord and former prince after all.
The Fire siblings hadn't said a word to each other since the trial and either wanted to break the silence. It was nice. Some quiet. But all good things come to a end quite quick in the royal family. So with that Azula asked, "Well after you gracious Fire Lord." Sarcasm thick in her voice.
"Really? I would have thought that you would want to.." Zuko said confused, "Oh, your being sarcastic aren't you."
" What gave it away ? " Azula rolled her eyes.
"You know we use to be close Azula. We were best friends but dad ruined that. He made us hate each other. He pitted us against each other. It wasn't fair to you or me. We never got to just be kids, you know."
Azula thought about the truthfulness of that and agreed...but also knows the blame can't be laid at Father's feet entirely.
"It was mom's fault too, but yeah I know."
"Mom? How was it mom's fault ? "
"Never mind Zuko it doesn't matter."
"Well it sounds like it matters. What's wrong why do you hate mother so much. What did she do-?"
"I SAID IT DOESN'T MATTER OK!"
"Yesh, sorry geez."
They continued moving in silence before Zuko broke it again.
"Hey, when we get to the palace make sure you are nice to my friends, they are giving up a lot to be here to watch you."
"I recall all of them pretty much saying they had nothing to do with their sad pathetic lives." Azula scoffed.
"Just be nice."
"No"
"Be civil"
"Absolute not"
"Fine! Just try not to kill them."
"I make no promises."
"You are impossible."
Azula just smiles. It always a good time if she can make little Zuzu angry.
"Lets just go home."
The siblings looked at the single palanquin. Zuko stepped ahead and sat inside. Azula furrowed her eyebrows and walked next to him until they got to the palace.
Protest were high after hearing what had gone down in the trial. News in the fire nation traveled fast and with it so did the groups of people ready to shun their former crown princess. Zuko and his guards decided to take a back alley to the palace to avoid any violence. Once they got to the palace, the Earth King was gone along with Chief Arnook. Both leaders decided that it would be best if they didn't share a home with the wicked princess out of fear of assassination attempt while they were asleep. The Gaang and Chief Hakoda were gathered in front of the palace ready to great the royal family.
"Zuko glad you made it back ok, there were protest on the streets and we got worried." Aang said.
Both Azula and Zuko made their way up the steps and faced the Gaang.
"Thanks Aang, I'm glad to see that you all made it back as well." Zuko replied
"And I'm glad to see that you are ok as well Azula." Aang nodded to her respectfully.
"Yes, yes I'm fine now I will be going to my room." Azula waved her hand dismissing the Avatars words of kindness.
"Aang gave you a compliment how can you be so rude and not care." Katara turned around as Azula walked past her.
Azula simply ignored the words of the water witch and strode inside the palace. As Azula walked down the halls of the palace she noticed the way the servant cowered and ran when she walked by. She always loved the way people would fear her. She noticed the change of decoration on the walls and the removal of the ancient painting and war tapestries. She also loathe the fact that the former fire lords portraits had been taken down. 'Who does Zuko think he is to talk down the holy works.'
'He's the fire lord silly.' A voice stuck Azula's mind.
It wasn't her voice
It was the voice of
Her mother.
'No not again.'
'I thought I got rid of you'
'Oh Azula, you can't get rid of me sweetheart.'
'I love you and I will always be here for you.'
'No shut up. Just shut up.'
The voices had stop about a month ago. The she had been making progress. Hadn't she. They deemed her sane. Sane enough to go on trial. Was it a lie ? No. She couldn't fall again. Humiliate herself like she had the day of the comet. She just had to make it to her room. Then she would be able to lay down and everything would be fine. It had to be. Just get to your room.
Azula started speeding up, her pace was steady not to draw suspicion from the guards or servants. After stumbling a bit she reached the door of her old room. She whipped the door open and froze at the sight. Blue everywhere. Water tribe clothes scattered along the ground and desk. Water tribe weapons in the corner and a luggage trunk with the water crest imbedded into its lock.
If this wasn't enough to drive Azula over her breaking point the mirror in the back was. Azula lunged into the room angry fire blazing in her veins. She looked around the room furiously when the realization dawned on her, one of the water tribe savages was staying in her room.
Princess Azula of the FIRE nations room was inhabited by snow brats. This was infuriating.
How could Zuko do such a thing !? Azula's room was her safe space. Where her father could not get to her. And she was free to cry and wept about her mother. But now, now it was a water tribe waste. Azula was practically lit ablaze she could feel fire rising in her lungs, she could feel the smoke coming out of her mouth and nose. Azula was like a volcano about to erupt and burn everything in sight.
Azula walked farther into the room to see the broken mirror at the back of her room. The memory of seeing her mother and cutting her hair fresh in her mind. Azula's bang had grown back since then but weren't nearly as perfect as they were before. Azula was far from as perfect as she was before. She had always had much pride when it came to her hair and seeing the mirror just brought the fact that she had lost control into the light.
It had been a year and Zuko hadn't replaced it. If the room had been empty this might have been a good thing, it could have meant Zuko had the respect to stay out of his sisters room even while she was away. But the fact that there hadn't only been guest but foreign guest in her room boiled her blood. As if the palace didn't have 20 other guest bedrooms he could have used !
The volcano erupted. And the room lit ablaze in azure flames.
The cloths and trunk were lit in blue flames while the drawers and wardrobe were just out of reach of Azula's outburst though they still had small amounts of ash and smoke on them. Azula grabbed the water tribe box that sat on the desk next to her a threw it as hard as she could at the non broken part of the mirror. In a matter of seconds the glass fell.
It just so happens that as this scene was unfolding a young maid was coming to clean the room. When she saw it lit ablaze with the princess standing in the corner she let out a scream of utmost fear and ran down the hall dropping everything in her hand causing Azula to notice her.
Azula saw the girl running and put out the flames so the whole room or worse the palace wouldn't burn down. As the flames went out and Azula regained control of her mind and emotions she saw a bundles of colors form at her door. There her brother, the avatar, the earth bender, the Kyoshi warrior, and the water peasants (all 3 including chief hakoda) stood with either shocked, scared, or angry expressions on their face. All except for her brother who held a face much to her disdain. The face of disappointment.
5 minutes earlier in front of the palace.
Azula had walked inside mere seconds ago.
"Not very social that one is she." Hakoda of the water tribe said.
"Being raised by an evil fire jerk will do that to you." Zuko replied. "And don't worry I have a feeling she will become much more talkative soon."
"Wonderful." Sokka sarcastic said.
"I just don't understand how she can be so cold." Katara said.
"You and me both." Suki agreed.
The group chuckled slightly when Toph started, "Well I'm going to head to sleep I'm beat."
"Yeah me too." Said Sokka and Suki
The group turned to go inside when Zuko stopped.
"Oh fire flakes!" Zuko shouted in a panic. "I think I forgot to mention to Azula that her room is currently being occupied by the Chief."
"AHHHHHHHHH" the scream of the servant so perfectly placed.
"Oh no!" The Gaang said running to Azula's room.
The group made it to the door to see Azure flames die out and smoke coat everything including Azula in the room.
Azula turned to the group and stood up straight. With a small smile she purred,
"No one said I was getting a roommate."
"WHAT IS THAT MATTER WITH YOU!?" The o so famous words that Azula always heard from her mother. But this time it came from the water peasant, the Kyoshi warrior, and her brother.
"WHATS THE MATTER WITH ME?!" Azula flamed. "NO ONE TOLD ME MY ROOM BECAME AN INN !? "
"THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU BURN THE ROOM DOWN." Sokka yelled after her. "See Zuko she's crazy she should have stayed in that hospital where she couldn't hurt anyone or destroy anything."
"Thanks for the input Sokka I'll definitely think about it is there is a next time." Zuko said lazily, clearly not in the mood to deal with it.
"What your letting her get away with this. She just burned all of my dad's stuff how can you defend her." Sokka.
"I'm not defending her I'm just trying to say that she must have been surprised that's all, look I'll replace everything."
"Zuko that's not good enough my dad doesn't have a place to sleep and what if there was something priceless here."
" Perhaps I should remind you all that you are standing in the LITERAL palace of the Fire Nation " Azula cut in angrily, looking at Zuko " And Zuko, I don't know if you perhaps lost some brain cells since we last met but did you forget that we have 20 GUEST BEDROOMS THAT YOU COULD HAVE USED INSTEAD OF MY ROOM !? "
"...Oh..." Zuko said after a moment " Alright, that's on me then..."
" That still doesn't excuse you burning my dad's stuff " Sokka grumbled.
"I know everyones riled up about this but please calm down we just need some sleep and we can deal with everything in the morning." Aang tried to step in.
"No Zuko we can't even take our eyes off her without her burning something down. Next time it will be a person and I won't have it." Sokka cut in.
"What do you suggest I do ? "
"How about at night when we all go to sleep her room has to be locked, and she has to be chained to the bed in someway."
"WHAT?!" Azula yelled. Everyone took fighting stance. "I WILL NOT BE LOCKED UP LIKE SOME GROUNDED STEP CHILD. HOW DARE YOU EVEN SUGGEST SUCH A THING."
"AZULA!" Zuko snapped "Just hear him out."
Azula turned back to the the boy fuming with rage. The others simply watched as Sokka came up with a plan.
"At night she will be locked in her room. She will be chained to the bed by one of her feet and given an anti bending drink every night. Suki know how to make them so she can help out if she wants. If she need to use the bathroom she can call for a palace staff to unchain her but their will be guards in her room while she is unchained." Sokka explained "And in the morning when we are all awake to watch her she can be free."
"Ha. Zuzu you can't actually be considering the foolish plan." Azula laughed.
"You're right I'm not."
"But Zuko-" Sokka argued.
"I'm not considering it because I think I is a perfect plan." Zuko nodded "Azula we will do this for 2 weeks and if you become any bit less violent then we will disregard this routine, ok."
"For tonight we will let Azula remain free with the locked doors and windows. Tomorrow once we are all rested we can put this plan into full motion."
Azula just scoffed and rolled her eyes, "I can't believe this is happening in my own house." "I don't remember father ever letting snow savages push him around."
"THAT'S RIGHT AZULA! I'm not like father and I never will b, e do you understand! Know you can get ready for bed cause this conversation is over."
" Oh ! Are you sure ? Because you certainly didn't have a problem leaving me to ROT IN AN ASYLUM FOR A YEAR !" Azula shouted back to the surprise of Zuko " You have any idea what they did to me ? They kept me restrained at all times, keeping me chained up like an animal ! I will not let that happen in my OWN FUCKING HOUSE !"
Azula turned heel and back to them " If you're all going to be whinny about it, you may lock my room, but YOU WILL NOT chain me. Not again..."
" ...Fine"
" Good. Now get the fuck out " Azula said spitefully.
Their group was effectively kicked out of the room, as the Gaang turned to Zuko.
" What the hell was that ? " Sokka asked.
"I-I have know idea. I've seen her act like that before , during our Agni Kai. It was terrifying." Zuko replied truthfully.
"Zuko your sister is insane. How did she get cleared from the hospital? " Suki asked.
"I have know idea. But I am going to try to find out what her treatment was whilst she was there. There might be some more to what she was saying about the asylum "
" For now we should try to get some sleep." Zuko turned to Hakoda and bowed, "I'm sorry for my sisters action, but you will be moved to one of the guest bedrooms , I will pay for everything and anything in that was destroyed."
"It's fine, it was not your fault Zuko nothing in their was anything more the travel supplies. Thank you so much for the offer anyway. I must warn I will be gone first thing tomorrow. I am sorry to leave so early and I am saddened to leave my children but there is business I must attend to in the water tribes. Also it is quite unnerving to be in the same home as the person who tried to kill my children countess times." Hakoda admitted. "Thank you for your hospitality and I'm sorry that your sister is this way." Hakoda responded with a blank face. He then turned and left heading off to his sons room.
The Gaang of children held their spots for a short second. "Well goodnight I guess." Sokka said shortly.
"Yeah good night." The rest of the group replied still a bit distraught from the scene they had witnessed. The kids walked off heading to their rooms for sleep.
In the morning before anyone woke up, Chief Hakoda was gone.
