Okay, So I've decided to write this fanfic because A lot of people got mad at me on my previous stories that I never went all the way with Azulaang, obviously a lot of people ship Aang and Azula and they read my previous fics thinking that I would eventually pair them together after all the teasing, and yet I end up separating them, and since I felt bad for doing it multiple times, I've decided to give the Azulaang shippers what they want.
An entire story that eventually will end with Azulaang.
This is chapter one, I hope you like it and don't forget to review please :)
Zuko was standing at the palace garden with Mai, the war has just ended, every one went home and left them to lead the firenation on their own, Zuko found it really hard but he managed to make things right, except for one matter, and that's concerning his sister.
"After all this time, we're finally going to fix her.. I'm glad." Mai said, even though her voice was deadpan, but Zuko knew her enough to know that she was excited for what they were about to do.
"What I'm glad about the most is that you don't hold grudges against her anymore." Zuko responded to his girlfriend.
Mai snorted, "Eh, I can be forgiving sometimes."
Zuko chuckled, "Believe me, I know that better than anyone." Zuko retorted, and that made Mai smile.
they were silent for a moment looking at the sky again which made him think again of his ill sister, even though Zuko was trying to push the memory away, but watching his sister crying and losing control was most painful to him, at that very moment, he forgot all about their messed up relationship and just saw her as a confused little girl, who was desperate for love, in her mind, she didn't get it from her mother, and definitely didn't get it from her father, even Zuko was just trying to avoid her most of the time, so she decided to seek power, something she thought would make up for the love she didn't receive, and losing that power made her go completely mad, as in her mind she lost everything.
But Zuko was trying to tell her that she didn't lose her brother, he desperately wanted to comfort her the moment she lost her sanity, he wanted to tell her that he's here and that he would still love her no matter what, because they are connected by blood, which can never be changed, but even more so, because Zuko understood her more than anyone else, and yet he kept the information to himself, he didn't help her or even ask someone to help her, which made him feel all the more guilty.
Zuko knew in his mind that he can never help her, but he can ask someone who can.
Avatar Aang has been roaming the world alone ever since the war ended, his quarrels with Katara didn't end up on a good note, and so the pair separated, Katara and Sokka decided to go back to the southern watertribe and help their father rebuild the city, meanwhile Aang decided to help the rest of the world, going here and there, helping everyone in need, proving to everyone that there's hope, and reassuring the world that peace can be achieved if we work together, Zuko has always admired Aang even when they were enemies, but the fact that he changed the world in just two years was more astonishing than anything an Avatar has ever done, even more astonishing than the fact that he defeated the firenation in less than a year.
Zuko knew for a fact that a person with Aang's mindset could definitely help Azula, and so he didn't waste any time, he wasn't just standing with Mai at the palace garden to look at the pretty flowers, he was waiting for someone, his friend, The Avatar.
Finally, they saw Appa soaring the sky of Caldera City, Zuko smiled the widest as he hasn't seen Aang for sometime, he wasn't even sure if Aang would come that fast, but as soon as the avatar received the messenger hawk, he replied almost instantly and said that he's coming to the firenation to help Zuko with the matter, Zuko didn't even explain in his letter what Aang is going to do in Caldera City, but Aang took the decision to come hastily anyways,
such a great friend to have. Zuko thought.
Appa landed smoothly on the palace garden, Zuko and Mai came to receive him.
"Hey, Boy.. How are you doing?" Zuko said to Appa, who in return licked him and groaned, "Ew!" Zuko said with disgust, that's a part he hasn't missed about Appa, which made Mai laugh, "I'm glad you find it amusing." Zuko said to Mai, frowning.
"Most amusing." Mai replied, as she continued laughing.
"Don't worry.. It'll wash out." Zuko heard the most cheering voice he's ever heard, which is the voice of the Avatar himself, he looked up to find Aang on top of Appa's head, and with a swift move he landed on the ground beside Zuko and Mai, Aang then did a motion with his hand and removed Appa's saliva off the firelord,
"And done." Aang said as soon as he was finished.
Zuko smiled widely, not just because Aang removed the saliva, but because right up to that moment, he hadn't realized how much Aang has grown, he's 15 years old now, and almost as tall as him, he was very proud of the boy.
"It's good to see you, buddy." Zuko said as he extended a hand for Aang to shake.
Aang chuckled at him, and then he took him by surprised as he hugged him tightly, Zuko was surprised at first but then he returned Aang's hug with one that was just as tight,
"It's good to see you too, Sifu Hotman." Aang said.
"I told you never to call me that, but I'll let it slide this time." Zuko responded.
They broke the hug, and Aang noticed Mai at the side, "Mai!" Aang shouted as he hasn't seen her in forever, he saw Zuko in conferences here and there, but with Mai it's different.
"Good to see you again, Aang." she said, as the both of them hugged.
The hug lasted for almost three seconds as Aang remembered that Mai didn't like close proximity unless it's Zuko.
"You don't know how glad I am to see you, guys.. It's been a while since I've seen a close friend." Aang said, with a hint of sadness to his voice.
Zuko felt so bad for the boy, he was forced to mature so early, he didn't get to have the normal childhood that every child should have, but then again none of them had.
The firelord put his hand on Aang's shoulder, "Well then I'm happy to have sent you that message, you deserve a break, although what I called you for can't exactly be called a break but.. at least you'll be close to some of your friends, right?" Zuko said.
"Oh boy.. I know conversations that start like that, they usually don't end up being comfortable for me." Aang said sarcastically.
"Yeah, you won't be so comfortable, I assure you." Mai said under her breath, but Aang heard it anyways.
"What?" Aang questioned.
Zuko heard it too and so he decided to step in, "Nothing! Let's go inside, shall we? we've prepared a nice meal for you.. only the best Tofu you've ever tasted." Zuko said taking Aang by the shoulder.
The Avatar got so excited, "Yum. I love that you always remember my taste."
"Of course.." Zuko said, and then he looked back at the servants, "Take Appa to the stables, guys.. We've prepared a meal for you too, boy.."
Zuko stopped in his tracks as he remembered something, "Hey, Wait a second.. where's Momo?" He asked.
"Monkey Feathers! I forgot that he was sleeping in the saddle." Aang retorted.
Zuko then continued walking with Aang as he said, "We prepared a meal for him too, take him with Appa to the saddle." he told the servants as he kept walking with Mai and Aang until they reached the palace and then the dining room.
They all ate their fill, Aang was very satisfied with the tofu, he found it very delicious and obviously the kitchen workers did a great job with it so the avatar remembered to thank them, Zuko and Mai ate too as they discussed normal matters, even though Aang asked here and there about the matter Zuko summoned him for, but the firelord insisted that they would discuss it over tea after they finish eating.
Finally, the company finished eating, and they moved to the office of the firelord, where he saw with Mai and Zuko on the chairs. Zuko started, "First of all, Thank you for coming here so urgently, Aang.."
Aang nodded and said, "Always happy to be there for a friend."
Zuko smiled, "Much appreciated, buddy.. and I'm sorry to say that I didn't summon you here for a matter that concerns the firenation, I summoned you here for a personal matter."
"As I said, I'm happy to be there for a friend, and you're not just a friend, you are my firebending master and someone that has my utmost respect." Aang reassured.
Zuko found the confidence to continue after Aang's words, "Thank you, Aang.. I have the same for you.. The matter I called you for concerns my sister, Azula." Zuko said.
That made the avatar freak out, "Did she break out of the asylum?!" Aang asked.
"No.. No, nothing like that, she's still in the asylum.. it's just that.. I feel like I'm responsible for everything that's happened to her." Zuko said.
"Don't say that, Zuko.. you have nothing to do with whatever has happened with Azula."
"I knew from the start that she was troubled, Aang.. I didn't help her or even seek help for her, I understood her better than anyone, and yet I didn't even bother to help her, it's something that disturbs me to this very day and I want to make amends." Zuko said, looking on the verge of crying but he took ahold of himself.
Mai looked at him sadly as she knew how the matter troubled him, and so she was hoping that Aang would have the solution too. Aang looked very sad for his friend as well, the guilt he was bearing was unimaginable,
"I'm sorry you feel this way, Zuko.. I still can't see the connection but if making amends is the way to make you feel better then I'd be glad to help anytime."
Zuko's eyes glowed up, "That's precisely what I called you here for, Aang.. I want you to help Azula regain her sanity."
The Avatar was shocked by this, "What?"
"I know it might feel weird to ask this of you, but I know that Azula's very soul is hurt, deep inside her, she's hurting, Aang.. I couldn't save her because I don't have the spiritual means for it, but you.. you are the most spiritual person I've ever met.. you can help her, Aang.. Please.. Save my sister." Zuko said, his eyes pleading.
Aang was in a tough spot, he wasn't ready at all to heal someone spiritually when he needed spiritual healing himself, the things that he's been through hurt him, he had this nagging feeling that this would end up no different, but he had to do it for Zuko.
The spot that Zuko put him in wasn't something he was prepared for, but it's not like he's ever had the choice to do anything before.
He didn't know for sure and so he kept thinking, he asked the firelord to give him a day to think, and so the firelord gave him just that.
What's he going to do? How can you save someone when you need saving yourself? Aang asked himself as he kept thinking on the bed at night.
Thanks for reading, hope you've enjoyed this
and don't forget to review please :)