Chapter 8: Aang's decision.
They were only a few hours from the ship, but it was now well into the night and the burden of carrying Aang for hours amongst such harsh terrain had exhausted the girls; they would have to camp out one last time.
"We'll camp here tonight. Tie Aang to that tree over there.." said Azula, her voice empty of emotion. Ty Lee and Mei dragged Aang, bound and blindfolded, to the tree and tied him up as tight as they could, triple knotting the rope, lest he escape. Without so much as a whisper the girls set up their small tents side by side, Ty Lee and Mei both watching Azula as they worked, wondering what was going through her mind and afraid she might just snap and go on a rampage. However, she set up her tent without anything happening in a very moppy way, as if she was suddenly tired and unmotivated, which was uncharacteristic for her.
"Sleep well girls...we're going to start moving early tomorrow." said Azula as she went into her tent. The two girls looked at each other.
"Well, that was strangely peaceful.." said Mei. Ty lee looked over at Aang, who hadn't said a word since he had been tied up.
"Very strange." said Ty Lee, "It's too bad things turned out this way.."
'What way?" asked Mei, who had sat down by the small camp fire.
"Uh, this way! It looked like..um," Ty Lee leaned and began whispering, "It looked like Azula's plan had worked. And well..."
"What? That she had fallen in love?" whispered back Mei. Ty Lee nodded.
"It just seemed so..right. I thought Azula would change.." Ty Lee moved really closed and whispered very lightly, "and change for the better."
"It can't be helped. Besides, with Azula you never know. She probably would have just gotten bored with Aang anyway." whispered back Mei. The two of them sat quiet for a while.
"Well. Good night.." said Ty Lee as she put out the camp fire.
"Yeah, I'm sleepy too." said Mei as she inched to her tent.
The girls had all gone inside, leaving Aang alone. Tied uncomfortably to the tree, tired and filled with heart ache, Aang began doubting himself and his feelings. Tears began to swell up as he realized the severity of his situation and the desperate position he found himself in. There was no way he would be able to defeat these three girls. And even if he could, he was disoriented and most likely would just wander and starve to death in the forest, should he even get that far. That didn't discourage him though from trying . He struggled for hours to try and loosen the ropes. He had counted out the possibility of airbending, since any blast strong enough to free him would instantly alert the girls, but more dangerously, since he was blindfolded he would not know which way to blast himself. For all he knew he might blast himself right into a thorn bush or over a cliff. Aang wiggled and shook around for hours but eventually exhausted himself and fell asleep. However, before he knew it, he was reawaken by a snapped twig; his ear twitching in the usual anime style. He was actually going to warn the girls before remembering what had happened and instead sat quiet, hoping that it might be some distraction that would be advantageous to himself. Aang was surprised when his blindfold was suddenly pulled off and none other than Azula who covered Aang's mouth with her hand.
"What I have to say is important. Don't speak loudly and wake the others." said Azula quietly. Aang nodded and Azula let her hand off his mouth.
"What do you want? Come to taunt me one last time? Or maybe you want me to kill something in your tent?" said Aang, forcing himself to sound angry. In truth, he was happy to see Azula and hoped that through some miracle, she would free him.
Azula, knelt down beside him.
"I won't pretend that I am not interested in your power Aang and that if I could, I would have just used you as a mere tool.." Aang was amazed at her sudden change of tone. Just hours ago, she had said basically the same thing with confidence and determination, compared to her obviously remorseful tone now and clearly having trouble saying such things, "But I want you to know, that I did really like you and if you want, I'll forgive and forget and ask you to do the same."
Aang huffed. "You told Ty Lee and Mei that you didn't really like me. You said I was just your puppet."
"I know. But I didn't mean it. I was...I was just unsure of myself at the time, but what do you think of my offer?" said Azula.
"Would you really trust me again?" said Aang. Azula fingered the remains of her bracelet (out of view of Aang of course).
"I don't know. But I'm telling you now, because this is your last chance. Once we reach the ship, that's the end of this. I won't allow myself to be humiliated by you or lose stature." said Azula. She shifted her weight toward Aang.
"So, what do you say?" said Azula. Aang didn't know what to think. Was this some trick? He had to admit, he liked Azula too, but from what he gathered, she was fairly sneaky and cruel.
"First, let me ask you some questions." said Aang.
"No," Azula answered quickly, as if she knew it was coming, "What more is there to say? I've told you your options. Either you will stay with me or you will rot as a prisoner."
Aang could tell that Azula was use to getting exactly what she wanted, but Aang had strength of his own (the threat of jail did not affect him one way or the other) and many things in his mind didn't add up. She kept telling him of his power, but as far as he knew, he possessed nothing that would make someone like her look twice. Also the name she called him; Avatar. It rang out to him as being especially significant to himself and his past, to which he knew nothing about. But also running through his mind was the kiss he gave her back when they were waiting for his disguise, her sudden compliments in Sudra, his valiant defense of her against the Captain General and just the fact that he liked her. He had resolved to forget those things, but he couldn't let them go so easily and to his shame, they factored in, in his decision. He audibly gulped, and chose to stand his ground.
"You tell me you like me, and yet you've always treated me like a prisoner and servant. If this is all you're offering, then I'd rather rot!" said Aang. He saw that Azula was speechless so he continued, "I'm really sorry I ruined your bracelet and hurt your feelings, and I overreacted. I was just scared and hurt. But if you think I'm just going to sit back and be manipulated and forget that you've been telling me nothing but lies, then I think we are done here."
Azula didn't know what to say. Proud and Powerful, she actually hated herself for letting this kid have so much influence over her, yet she put her ego aside and responded truthfully, after making doubly sure that Ty Lee and Mei were in fact still a sleep, that is.
"I'm sorry too..." said Azula, Aang looked up, surprised, "I did what I had to do and had set my goals before I began to know and like you..." she blushed heavily and was trembling, so unused to ever admitting mistakes or her feelings, "you're the only boy to be nice to me or not be afraid of me...it was just different."
Aang responded, "I like you too Azula..but if you expect me to trust you, then you should trust me and tell me the truth! Who am I really? How did I end up with you here? And what were you planning to do with me?"
He looked intently at Azula, awaiting her answer. However, he soon realized something was definitely wrong. She was not moving at all and seemed almost like a statue.
"Azula? What's wrong? Are we under attack?" asked Aang frantically, afraid that the earth kingdom had found them again and were using some sort of magic. Azula made no movement what so ever and Aang looked around and could see that everything had frozen. Insects in mid flight, leaves in mid fall, and the whole world seemed tinted by a blanket of blue. Aang was afraid and shook in fright when suddenly, a man in fire nation style clothes appeared; an elderly man who was vaguely familiar to Aang.
"You know me Aang," said the man.
"Roku?" said Aang, both familiar and unfamiliar with the name.
"Yes. You are not yourself anymore. I have intervened to clear your mind and reawaken everything that has become lost to you." said Roku.
"What's happening? How did you freeze everything?" asked Aang, feeling slightly more comfortable.
"I haven't frozen anything. I am in your mind. I am you and you are me. " said Roku. Aang gave him a skeptical look.
"Riiiight...well, why didn't you just remind me before? Why wait till now to give me back my memories?" asked Aang.
"It was not my place to intervene. We are the same and yet different. This is your tale, your fate, not mine." said Roku. He walked closer to Aang, passing Azula.
"I am giving you back your memories so that the decision you make now is made with the full knowledge of who you are and your purpose." said Roku.
With that Aang felt a surge in his body. His memories had returned. Katara, Sokka, Toph, his air, water and earth bending skills, returned in full. It was an incredible feeling, as if he had suddenly become a tiger after having been an injured kitten. This was the power Azula was referring too. Azula...the memory of his fight with her and the fall from Appa also entered his mind.
"So...Azula...is really my enemy?" asked Aang. Roku sighed.
"Do you think she is your enemy?" asked Roku.
Aang looked at her. "I don't know. I don't want us to be." he looked at Azula's hand and could see what was left of her bracelet, "Did she really like me Roku?"
"She does Aang. More than she has ever liked anyone before. Much of the hatred in her heart is cooled when she is with you and her feelings for you have shaken her own feelings about herself. But you have come to a crossroads. Azula is right; you have only two options now. You can abandon her now or choose to stay with her. She is proud Aang, and no matter how much love is in her heart, she knows herself well. She would never give you another chance after today." Aang couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"But the fire nation is conquering the world and it is the Avatar's job to return balance...how can I just go along with her?" said Aang angrily, as if Roku had forgotten. Roku ignored Aang's comment.
"Aang, you will return to the world soon. But before you do, know that the Avatar is not bound to any fate or the demands of this world. We are each an individual just as much as we are the same. It is ultimately up to you how you use your power and for whom you choose to use it for. You have the authority of the Avatar. Do what you feel is right." Aang looked up and saw that he had indeed returned to the world the same as suddenly as he seemed to have left it. Azula was about to respond to Aang's earlier question, and it seemed as though this is why Roku had given him his memories back at that time. So that depending on whether Azula told the truth or not, he would decide from that. But Aang had already made his decision. He now had his own plan. He would try to get Azula to become 'good.' Roku himself said that she was changing and her hatred was leaving her. If he stuck around long enough, perhaps she could be changed and even maybe join him and his friends on their journey! With such a powerful new ally, the possibilities could be endless. It seemed that Aang had learned much about manipulating people since he had met Azula and it was somewhat ironic to him that he was now doing exactly what Azula was trying to do, use love to change someone's allegiance, but it was for the greater good he thought and he promised himself, he would not hurt her.
"Azula...you don't have to answer," said Aang quickly, "I trust you will tell me when you are ready." Azula scratched her head. He sure was changing his mind a lot in the small amount of time they had talked, but she chalked it up to him being nervous, since she herself, usually calm and collected, was fairly shaky.
"So...does that mean you will stay with me?" asked Azula. Aang smiled and nodded, making Azula rush over and hug him.
"Thank you Aang." said Azula, who quickly began untying the ropes.
"You don't have to thank me Azula; but I do want to ask you for a small favor now." said Aang.
"What's that?" said Azula, a little worried.
"Well firstly, I just want to tell you that I seem to be remembering a lot bending tricks that'll be useful." said Aang.
"Excellent! We'll need that when we fight again!" said Azula.
"Actually...that's what the favor is about...I want us both to promise each other that we will listen to each other and take each other's advice in a fight." said Aang.
"That's not really a favor. Of course I would want to give you advice." said Azula, who helped Aang up.
"No I mean, that if I asked you to spare someone or to try a different approach, that you would listen to me. " said Aang.
Azula scratched her head again. Was this about the Sudra battle? Maybe he had wanted her to intervene somehow?
"Well, seeing as you seem to know what to do in a fight, I'd be happy to take any advice you could give." said Azula.
Aang smiled. That was important to him, lest Azula try and harm his friends, should they run into them.
"I hope you won't mind wearing my bracelet this time" said Azula, who presented a remade bracelet, albeit significantly lower in the number of beads it once had. Aang smiled and grabbed the bracelet and slipped it on his wrist; he was about to say how great it was when Azula kissed him on the cheek. Aang grinned goofily and rubbed his cheek, causing Azula to laugh.
"Sheesh Aang, I thought you would have been cooler about that after the big one you laid on me!" said Azula.
"I guess, I don't know, I wasn't expecting it." said Aang, trying to play it off now.
'Well, we should really get some sleep, I want us to reach the ship by tomorrow and we'll be off home soon after," said Azula, "Your sleeping bag is over by the camp fire...good night." said Azula who walked back to her tent, constantly looking back at Aang. Aang smiled at her until she finally went into her tent and he readied himself for a good night sleep. He stared at the stars and thought about Katara, Sokka and Toph and wondering what their reaction would be to his crazy scheme. He hoped they would be impressed with his diplomatic skills and be amazed at how he had turned their greatest enemy into a loyal and loving friend. At least, if things went according to plan, but Aang did not even consider it a possibility that things could go wrong. Their love and Azula's agreement to listen to him reassured him that Roku's trust in his decision was not unfounded and he drifted off to sleep with thoughts of happiness.
The rest of the night passed without incident and in the morning, Ty Lee awoke and sauntered outside her tent to greet the sun, as was her usual way to start the day, when she was startled to see their prisoner free from his binds and sleeping right there in front of her. Sneakily, she grabbed a large wooden stick and was about to bash Aang good when Azula came out and in the nick of time saved Aang from a most unwelcome wake up call.
"Stop Ty Lee! It's ok." said Azula grabbing the stick and throwing it away. Ty Lee was shocked.
"Really? How did that happen?" said Ty Lee. Azula shrugged.
"I don't know really...I don't know what really convinced him, but he said we can forgive and forget and just go on." said Azula.
Ty Lee nudged Azula with her elbow, "Are you sure he wasn't just saying that?" said Ty Lee, completely skeptical, "I mean, he seemed kind of over you just yesterday."
"I don't think he's lying. And besides, he's no real threat to us." said Azula, remembering her place and trying to put Ty Lee back in her's, "that's enough of this though. He's here to stay and unless I say otherwise, you will treat him as though nothing had happened."
"Oh. Yeah, of course. I'll tell Mei." said Ty Lee going over to Mei's tent, giddy as a school girl. Azula crouched down to Aang and awoke him with a nudge.
"Come on, it's time to start moving on." said Azula. Aang awoke with a smile.
"You got it. Just give me a minute..." said Aang. Azula rolled her eyes, "I was hoping for a little more enthusiasm."
"I'm plenty enthusiastic...it's just the burden of love...it's a heavy burden...I'm tired, you know?" said Aang in a playful voice.
"Oh? I hope it's not too heavy." said Azula with a smirk as she lit Aang's sleeping bag on fire, prompting Aang to quickly airbend himself out of it and on to his feet.
"Hey! What am I going to sleep in now?" said Aang.
"We are going to reach the ship today...you won't need it anyway. Now come on, enough playing around. We are still in danger you know." said Azula as she patted him on the back and began taking down her tent.
"Uh..right, danger. We'll I'm ready for anything," said Aang putting on his disguise hat.
"That's good. Because I expect anything could happen." said Azula, "and we'll have each other's back."
"Yep, Azula and Aang, best friends, a fearsome duo if ever there was one...which reminds me, you promised to listen to my advice in a fight remember?" said Aang as he finished preping himself and went over to help Azula finish her tent.
"Yeah, I remember..jeez, I'm guessing you learned something since, well you know, Sudra." said Azula. Aang smiled and giggled to himself.
"Oh, you could certainly say that." said Aang, Azula looked over at him and wondered what he was talking about.
"Well, we'll see what you got when the time comes, I guess." said Azula. Ty Lee and Mei, who had begun taking down their respective tents looked on in amazement. Who were these crazy love birds, and what had had done to the bitter airbender and the hateful and evil princess?
"That must have been some talk last night for all this to happen." said Mei, Ty Lee nodded.
"It certainly seems fishy. But, I think it's an adorable fishy!" said Ty Lee.
"Adorable? Well, we'll see how long this lasts..." said Mei, "who knows what Aang is thinking and well, I don't want to know what Azula is thinking." Ty Lee laughed.
With their tents packed and everything ready to go, Azula and Aang lead the way on the final stretch to Azula's ship and the whole mood of their travels was upbeat.