As they depart from the harbor of the capital city, Shirou was shown to his room by Zhao's guards. It's nothing fancy with only a bed and a tapestry of Fire Nation's emblem. This will be the first time that he will go out of the capital grounds and while the prospect of traveling beyond the islands towards the colonies is tantalizing, he wanted to see his own country first.
It will be a 2-day voyage to the island of Shu Jing where Piandao lives, just enough time for him to be practicing magecraft. He stood up and opened the metal doors, glancing at the two guards.
"You two," he called out and the men straightened themselves up. "I would like to be left alone."
The two guards glanced at one another and replied to him. "We absolutely cannot do that, Prince Zuko."
He rose his brows at their words and sighed. "Look, we're all here in this ship filled with nothing but the best firebenders around us. No one will attempt to assassinate me or anything now, would they?"
He can feel that they're still uncomfortable by his wish, at one hand, they'll be facing the wrath of their captain. But if they don't respect his request, they might get on his bad side and you don't want to be there.
"No, of course not, Prince Zuko still… we must be on guard."
'It looks like there's no talking to these guys then,'
"Fine, just don't disturb me." the guards nodded and Shirou closed the door behind.
He took his journal, quill, some ink out and sat at the lone chair in the room. During his years of observation around firebenders, he had compiled a list of their traits and attributes. From what he had observed, the fires they conjured came from their own chi and they don't need to mutter an aria to do so. What's also interesting is that they employ martial arts in their bending.
'Maybe they can use other techniques like boxing to their styles.'
They seemed to also have inexhaustible chi and they are powerful during daytime. Aside from those, the sun is where they draw their strength most of the time. There's also this comet named after Sozin which he used against the Air Nation army that gave him and their army an edge against the nomads.
He promptly closed it and stood up to check for the two guards. It looks like they're conversing with one another. He took a deep breath and cleared his mind, a blueprint of a familiar weapon entered his mind. Motes of light begin to form in the palm of his hand with both Kanshou and Bakuya taking shape.
He did notice it is a bit weighty for his liking, nonetheless, it may have felt that way due to his new body. He immediately dismissed the weapon and resumed his writing until nighttime falls.
Shirou stretched his body and he heard a knock on the metallic doors. The cooks aboard the ship brought trays with them and an aromatic scent filled the room. It made him curious as to what it could possibly be.
"Prince Zuko," the head cook and his assistant bowed their heads down and he returned the gesture. "We're humbled by your presence and an honor to be the ones to serve you food."
"Yes, well, impress me then," said the prince and the cooks revealed the dish and it made him wince a bit. While the scent was scrumptious, the presentation could use some work as there is some kind of ooze coming out of the eye socket of the seafood. "This looks… appetizing."
The cooks grinned and began to serve him the dish with some weird combination of vinegar and sugar. He gulped and began to savor the dish, taking his time to analyze it, and to his slight surprise, he did like it.
"We do hope that it is to your liking,"
"You did surprise me," said Shirou as he took another bite from the coated fish. "Despite its appearance, the sauce blends well with the fish. I would have thought for it to be repulsive but I'm glad I was wrong."
The cooks' heart swelled with pride, it wasn't everyday you get to serve royalty especially those from the folks in the palace. They bowed their heads down as they needed to serve the meal of the others.
He was left in his crevices alone, enjoying the coated fish the cooks made for him, eventually retiring the night as well.
The next morning proved to be interesting as well when the captain called for his presence. Despite his desire to be left alone, he still complied with his request. He gets ready and left his room, his footsteps clang around the metallic floors of the ship. Along the way, mechanics worked diligently to make sure everything is in working order. Armored soldiers were on standby as well, saluting him.
He gave a smile to them as a sign of recognition and made his way to the bridge of the ship. From there, he found Zhao, his attention fixated on the vast waters ahead of them.
"You call for me?" said Shirou as the captain offered him a seat at one of the tables and one of his men took the helm. He sat across Zhao which has a pai-sho board on hand.
"Care for a little game, Prince Zuko?" he was surprised by his offer, nonetheless, it would be incredibly disrespectful to turn him down.
"Not really a good player but if you're fine with me then."
They began their game, gathering their pieces with the captain starting first. Shirou observed him moved a piece and a smirk formed on Zhao's face. The man exuded confidence over him and in his opinion, guys like him love to flaunt their power. Not that he finds it infuriating rather an observation on his part.
The ship rocked along with the waves and he has yet to move a single tile of his own. The man seemed to take delight in his contemplative silence and he decided to spoke about it.
"Pardon if I'm taking this too slow for your liking. General Iroh saw this game as a way of assessing your opponent."
The man snorted involuntarily, clearly bemused by his sardonicism and he lacked a response to it. Instead, he glanced at the eyes of prince who was fixated on the tiles and after a second or two, Zuko made his move.
"Of course, it's perfectly understandable, though if I may ask… how do you see yourself in a few years now?" Zhao inquired and Shirou looked at him then back to the board, thinking of the first move
He never really thought of it too much as there are more pressing concerns right now. He'll likely get betrothed to some random girl in the nobility though Ozai would try to oust him instead.
"Hmm… serve in the military maybe? Run charitable work? I dunno, never thought about the future, to be honest." came his reply and the ship's captain broke down in laughter though none of his men joined him.
While laughable at least, Shirou didn't mind it one bit as he saw Zhao's tiles. The man's sense of humor and his lackadaisical attitude towards him is at least bearable. He placed the tile on the board and go for the offense.
"I simply cannot see you be present in the front line along with other benders. You'll prove to be more of a hindrance than anything." said the captain as he began to go on the defence.
"Still, wouldn't you agree that there should be an outlet for my 'love' towards our nation?" Zhao has his eyes fixed on Zuko whose voice heightened to glee almost. He doesn't know whether to praise the young prince for his enthusiasm or foolishness for suggesting such.
"That's checked by the way," the prince laid out his last tile, forming a pattern of lotus on the board. The captain was quiet though it didn't betray the disbelief in his eyes. The prince slowly moved his hand away from the tile and watched as the captain's lips slightly turned upward because of the off-board blunder. Even with the waters tested and the bait was taken, there was little room to do anything but to humor an intrigue.
"Are you familiar with the moniker of 'Grand Lotus'?"
"I'm afraid not, Captain Zhao," replied Zuko and his opponent snorted, a sound that offered more complexity than amusement.
Wistful eyes watched as the prince's tile that toppled his opponent which happened to be a white lotus one.
-0-
From the deck of the ship, Shirou could see the islands of Shu-Jing in the distance. Unlike the capital, there are fewer homes and no factories are running as well. Nature seemed to have a hold of the islands and to be honest, he found it nice to have a change of pace.
Their ship landed in the docks and while there isn't much of a crowd to welcome them, he found it to his liking. They already gathered the attention of the nearby townsfolk due to the towering ship that Zhao brought. He was about to gather his things when the guards came out, carrying his bags. Not only that, they also bring out a palanquin.
"I'm not riding that," Shirou refused but the captain wouldn't take it.
"Unfortunately for you, it's standard procedure, you should know this, no?" Zhao mentioned.
"Of course but we're going to attract unnecessary attention here. I would like to be on low profile during my stay and the crest of the Royal Family is a giveaway already," he explained.
"Do you prefer the company of common folk, is that it?" he questioned and there's a short pause from the prince before he answers.
"You can say that and besides, I have enough of people attending to my needs back in the palace. I want to do things on my own."
His opinion of him upped… just a little bit. While he is fuming inside when he lost that pai-sho game yesterday, he was impressed that Zuko kept his cool in the match. The same couldn't be said to him though.
"I am not risking my position just so you can go alone."
"…Fine as long as we don't use some kind of fancy transportation."
Zhao agreed to his request and send word to have the prince be accompanied by some guards. Though what came out in one of the ship's hull are a bunch of komodo rhinos with their riders. So much for the unnecessary attention and he approached one of the beasts.
Was this supposed to be his ride? There's no one at it so he approached the beast and it huffed at him.
"Don't even attempt it, Prince Zuko. You'll only agitate it even further." Zhao commented, instructing one of his men as to where exactly Piandao's estate is.
"Alright, men! Let's move out!"
Their arrival garnered the attention of most Shu Jing's residents. Shirou, who is now riding a komodo rhino with the help of the captain's men observes the many stands around the island. It was a busy and lively port much like in the capital and their presence caused a buzz among them.
His eyes caught the sight of a certain animal that was caged and he stopped the caravan to see it. A messenger hawk, one of the many ways to send in letters all across the nation though he had to properly train it first. He immediately paid the price for it and rode with his caravan.
They began to approach the hills that lead up to the estate of the master swordsman. The prince got off his mount and saw the gigantic doors ahead of him.
"You did very well for escorting me here. You may return to the captain and give him my regards."
The guards nodded at his words and depart back to the port. Shirou began his hike, carrying his only bag and the hawk he bought. As he drew closer, his thoughts ran on how he would introduce himself to the master. He stood in front of the large gate, decorating the manor and he notices the giant white lotus symbol.
"Must be a big fan of pai-sho, huh?" he commented and knocked on the doors, waiting for someone to open it for him.
…
After a while, no one seems to be at home at the moment. He knocked yet again and called out from outside.
"Hello! Got a student who wants to learn from the best or something…" he settled his things down, waiting for someone to respond. He suddenly heard the doors being opened and a man peered out from it.
"Can I help you?" he asked.
"Oh, yes, is this where the swordsman Piandao lives?"
The man looked at him for a few seconds, trying to assess him for some reason. Perhaps this man was Piandao's servant or one of the swordsman's successful students? Who knows?
"Yes, and I assume that the prince would like to be under the grandmaster's tutelage? I must warn you that he doesn't take kindly to arrogance and entitlement."
Shirou merely nodded at the man's words and the doors opened. The grandmaster's manor rivals those of the nobles back in the capital city. His garden was properly tended to and reminded him of his home, the one which he actually owned. He also caught sight of the forge at the east side of the manor.
The man ushered him inside the wide space of the home. He invited him in what seemed to be the living room and he sat seiza style. He was offered some tea in which he gratefully accepted.
"The master is currently dealing with certain things but he'll be back here soon. Please refrain from touching anything."
"I won't," the man left him alone, his eyes darted to the weapons that hung from the walls. He can say that all of them are well-crafted and made to last long in battle. The scenery outside the veranda is also captivating with the mountains at the back and the raging sound of the waterfall below.
Shirou felt the presence of another person in the room and a man came in, wearing a black robe with a straight jian sword at his side. It was sheath on his side and his hair is tied with a knot. The prince stood up and bowed in acknowledgment to the master and the man did the same.
"Fat told me that you want to study under my wing?" said Piandao and the young prince was slightly confused by the name.
"Fat? That's…" he didn't bother to hide his chuckle at the oddity of the name. Regardless, he composed immediately. "Peculiar for a name."
"Don't let him catch you snickering like that. He already has enough people reminding him of the name."
The swordmaster led him outside where his butler awaits with some wooden swords in his hand. At that moment, Shirou understood what the man wanted even before he spoke.
"Show me what you have learned, Prince Zuko then let's go from there."
Fat threw a wooden sword at the ground and he picked it up, gripping its handle. A nod was exchanged between the butler and the swordmaster.
"Here I come!" Fat declared and Shirou answered his call.
"Let's do this!"
It wasn't a declaration of war or anything but merely a response to his opponent. In that instant, Fat leaped forward with speed against the young prince and his sword connects with the other. With a grunt, Shirou took several steps forward, pushing against the force of his opponent and with no hesitation. The sword that he held was swung down.
Wood against wood, they clash and the prince was being pushed back by his bigger opponent.
"I must say, you're the first one to last this long against me. Many of the young uns' before you would have yielded."
"I'll take that as a compliment, sir."
There was no pity or hatred from Fat, only the will to overwhelm Zuko. He had learned it the hard way when he first came to Piandao. Since the start of the mock-up battle, their swords clashed about ten times.
Shirou, on the other hand knew that he was at a somewhat disadvantage. He could only do so much against Fat and he's still getting the hang of his new body. Unlike his old one which is tempered to fight against inhumane enemies, the new one has yet to experience any of those. Nonetheless, he will have enough time to train and prepare his body more.
Their thirteenth clash, silence still enveloped the field. Their weapons didn't shatter though small chunks of wood are on the floor, the prince and the butler displayed an equilibrium that the swordmaster can call elegant. At first glance, Fat had the upper hand in terms of physique. Nevertheless, he can tell that Zuko has done a pretty good job of keeping up with his apprentice.
"I've seen enough," Piandao announced and the two combatants disengaged.
The young prince folded his hands and bowed down to his opponent and Fat did the same.
"That is the first time I've trained with someone proficient with swordplay. I do hope that we get to spar like this from time to time."
"Hoho," the man let out a chuckle. "I look forward to those then."
"Why don't you take your belongings to one of the rooms at the down left corridor?" the swordmaster also noticed that the sun was about to set. "Once you arrange your things, join us for dinner."
The young prince bowed down and head off towards the building, leaving Piandao and Fat.
"He's a natural," his former protégé commented. "Doesn't waste his movements at all."
"Indeed, he is calculating and adapts quickly. It'll be interesting how he progresses throughout his stay here." Piandao added.
-0-
For the first two weeks of his stay with the renowned swordsman, Shirou learned a lot but not about fighting. As Fat had put it, a warrior's worth comes not from his strength but also mental fortitude. He was task to do things that he already knew and learned back in the palace.
One of them was to do calligraphy and while he never directly questioned the ways of the man, he wondered what the significance of it. Nonetheless, he had done what he asked for and finished it. The other was to do a painting of the waterfall and the accompanying scenery with a twist. He was to memorize and draw it down. Granted that he wasn't a skilled painter, his work was decent as Piandao stated…
Right now, he's about to write letters for his sister, Azula and to his mother, Ursa. He knew that while there's some strain in the relationship between mother and daughter. The young prince hoped that with his absence, the Fire Lady will turned her attention towards his sister.
For the longest time, the woman's infatuation leaned towards him when his sister shown signs of being… rebellious. In fact, he wanted most of Ursa's attention to be directed to his sister more so than him. He didn't need that much to begin with but out of all the people in the castle that she can have a comfortable conversation with, she always goes for him.
Being excluded from their small talks may have spark something inside Azula, causing her erratic behavior. Shirou believes that with him out of the way, the girl can finally get their mother's attention.
He lowered the wick on his lamp as nightime arrived in his room. He may be the only one left awake but he wasn't so sure regardless, he wanted to concentrate on the letters. He hung his head down, grabbing the small quill, dipping it on the stored ink, and writes down everything he has done here.
He wrote a letter for each of them even his father whom he didn't get along with well. The prince then put them all on a canister, securing it with a white tie.
"Don't tie it with a white one," the prince was startled by the sudden appearance of Piandao whose about to retire for the night. "Use a red one if that message is urgent."
"Oh, um… it's not really that important. Just some letters for my family." Zuko explained.
The swordmaster hummed in response as his student tied the canister to the back of the messenger hawk. The bird flew away from the manor and into the dark skies.
"Do you missed them?" he asked.
"A little bit yeah especially my sister. She can be a bit handful at times." the prince replied, reminiscing the times that Azula being… herself.
"Sounds like your close," the master noted and the young man didn't deny it.
"You could say that, anyway, what plans do you have for me? We've been doing stuff that really doesn't pertain to swordplay?" a frown formed in Piandao's face and Shirou feared that his words may have earned the ire of the man. "Please do not mistake my words for impatience or anything!"
"Hush, Prince Zuko," the man chided and offered him to seat at steps. The prince sat next to the man and he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder. "When I first saw you fight against my apprentice, you've shown great prowess."
"Thanks, that means a lot to me."
The swordmaster ponders whether the prince has a particular style that he utilizes? So far from what he observed, Zuko doesn't favor any known sword style that he knew of, perhaps the prince just needed to learn one?
Maybe it's time to teach him a thing or two about sword styles.
-0-
It was a bit surreal for Azula not to have her brother around. It's been almost two weeks now since the young prince went to the islands of Shu Jing. Due to his inability to firebend, Fire Lord Azulon has him be taken under the wing of the renowned swordsman, Piandao. As for her, she continued her training with their father, Ozai, and when he found out about her flames, the man was ecstatic.
This led to her training exercises being more intense than ever before. She never had any problems with such, it allowed her to focus on her firebending.
"Hiya!" Azula cried out, letting her breath billow out of her lungs with her foot down in a slicing motion. A flurry of blue flames sprung out, illuminating the dimly lit room and filling it up with smoke.
She didn't stop there as she began to lash out her flames, unleashing a flurry of kicks to her imaginary opponent. A mental image of her elder brother wielding a polearm with a mocking smirk showed up. Never stopping, she lashes out against the visage of Zuko with her flames, letting it consume whatever it is in front of her.
Only a giggle came out of him as he effortlessly dodges her blue flames. Her mind raced on how many kicks and punches she has to do to land a hit on him.
'Seven, eight, nine, and ten!'
The instant she completed the final strike, her arms swing in another circular motion to complete it. Absolute clarity and shutting everyone else away from her mindset. Her concentration bore into the scorched mark at the room's end. The walls of the dojo were strengthened to withstand the power of her flames. Still, they shook against it.
Azula raced for her breath, immediately pull herself together, and turned back to face the dais. She fervently bowed down, silently praying for the approval of her father upstairs.
Ozai, with his ever imposing presence filling the room, is silent. It was all that the princess could hear… that and the fast beating of her heart. Somehow, she knew what her father would say but deep down she hoped that it is not what she thought it would be.
"Again," the man commanded.
She hung her head down completely and bit her lip. She had executed the exercises perfectly! She just knew it! Just like what she did for the past 2 hours. Still, she did not voice her frustration towards him as she forced her legs. Azula didn't show her displeasure, remaining impassive, and gave a nod to her father.
Even with fatigue settling in her and wobbling legs, she assumed in her battle stance once more. She advanced yet again to the scorched marks- an ever graceful yet powerful display of kicks and punches. As her fists go again into another circular motion, Zuko appeared in front of her.
'Still trying to earn his favor, Zula?'
That was the first time that the girl heard her brother call her as such and it somehow irritated her. She gritted her teeth, ignoring the words of her sibling as her flame infuse fists found their mark. She wobbled slightly and saw Zuko closed his eyes becoming uninterested in her lack of response.
"Do it again," Ozai repeated but there was a tinge of sharpness to it, noticing the slip-up his daughter made.
And so, she made a repetition of her exercises and as time goes on, Azula noticed that she began to do mishaps. Her slip-ups culminated with her unable to do a proper landing and she laid on the ground, catching her breath.
She didn't dare to move or even stand up. Even her breath was held, knowing the spectator above has seen it all. Abruptly, she heard the sound of a seat being shuffled and footsteps away from the dojo. The man didn't even glance in her direction and the princess forced down a gulp. Out of the corner, she noticed the figures of her two new advisers.
Li and Lo, the two elderly women who have vast experience when it comes to Fire Nation politics. Their wrinkled faces showed a tinge of disappointment on her performance but it matters not to her. They're not firebenders… just like her stupid and good for nothing brother.
She instinctively glanced at her left to the empty benches where spectators could rest and watch.
'It's not like I'm expecting Mother to be here or anything…' she lowly muttered.
The princess closed her eyes and went straight to her room, even with her already tired body that screamed for rest she cannot afford to do so. She still has studies that needed her attention. Azula entered her private chambers expecting some decent change of clothes but found none. With a look of anger than ever before, she stomped out of her room only to bump into someone.
"Watch it, will you!?" she yelled indignantly. "Others are living in this…"
Whatever insult that she had on her mind got thrown out of the window when she face Ursa. Her soft expression bore on to her daughter and the woman noticed how disheveled she was.
"Let's get you to some clothes." she offered and somehow this gesture of kindness threw her off.
"…No, it's fine. I could do it myself, I'm just about to call some of the servants and fetch me some water." Azula said, masking her embarrassment.
"I will get them for you. Wait for me in your room." she went on her way to the kitchen and the stunned child doesn't know what to do. The princess returned to her room, her heart racing for some unknown reason. She cannot afford to lose her cool here and yet there is a slight tinge of uncertainty in her.
What is she going to do to have her mother's attention? Do her exercises once more? No, she mustn't… the last time she did so, Ursa taught that her flames are odd.
How could she? It was the first in recorded history that someone of her caliber to manifest blue flames. The Fire Sages mentioned that it was the most powerful only second to the now-extinct dragons. Why does their mother-daughter relationship have to be so complicated? She wished that their interactions would be just as smooth as Zuko does.
The princess so engrossed in her thoughts didn't notice Ursa's presence. The woman had brought her some water and some linen. She sat near the girl and softly blew air to her ears, causing her to shriek a bit.
"M-Mother!" she turned around with her face all flustered. The woman couldn't help but giggle at her reaction. Not even Zuko elicited such, only smiling at the very least.
"You look deep in thought? Is something the matter?" Ursa urged, leaning ever closer to her daughter.
"You should have known what I'm thinking right now…" she murmured, trying to get some distance but her mother didn't allow her to do so. The woman hugged the young princess and despite her attempts of getting out of her embrace, she was unable to.
"I know that these last few days I haven't spent that much time with you, Azula," Ursa whispered. "For that, I apologized, it's just that your father puts you through so much training that I never find the right opportunity to ask you out."
Azula kept her mouth shut, wanting to say the words she wanted to convey.
"Mother… I…."
"Lady Ursa," one of their maids peered out from the doorway and the young princess couldn't help but sneer at the servant. The maid gulped down when she saw the glare of the girl. "Umm… a messenger hawk deliver letters for both of you…"
"Who is it from that you need to interrupt us?" the princess asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"It came from Prince Zuko." Ursa didn't expect to hear news from her son at this time.
"Why don't you open yours, mother? I still have studies to do." she left the room in trepidation and didn't look back at her mother's outstretched hand. She suppressed the emotions in her heart when Zuko's name came up.
-0-
Azula spent half of her day studying under Li and Lo about the history of the Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribes. Though most of the time, her mind was preoccupied with the missed opportunity of being with her mother, no thanks to Zuko's letter. Thus, she was with both elderly all night that she had eaten dinner with them.
The young princess roamed the hallways back to her room even as the cold winds bite through her dress. She ignored it for the most part as most firebenders have resistance to such… still she yearned for a different kind of warmth.
Azula shook that thought away and made haste towards her room.
She plumped on her bed and gazed on the ceiling. This day has been stressful for the young girl, from her training blunders with her father and the missed opportunity to be with her mother.
From the corner of her eye, she caught a folded piece of paper near the nightstand and her eyes furrowed. She rose and picked it up and found the neat, energetic handwriting of Zuko. The princess clicked her tongue when she recognized it immediately. She was about to incinerate it to ashes but was unable to.
If she was to burn it, she might as well read whatever it is that he wrote.
'Dearest Azula,'
'Even his opening sucks…' she mused and continued to read the rest.
'How are things on your end? I do hope everything's fine, are you getting along with Mother? Surely you have, seeing that I'm gone for now. Father's not putting you in extraneous training, does he? If he does, don't be afraid to ask for a break or something! You're still a young girl after all,'
'Still, a worrywart, aren't you, Zuzu?'
'But if it's you, I guess I shouldn't worry that much. The master taught me a lot of things here and I even fought his one and only apprentice granted there was no clear winner. Looks like I'm starting my journey here.'
Azula heard mostly rumors about the famous swordsman, Piandao, on how he bested 100 firebenders. Even Fire Lord Azulon tried to recruit the man for the war efforts but he got declined and to deny royalty means death. She really doesn't know the big deal with the man, those firebenders that fought the swordsman are incompetent if they can't take him out.
'I cannot wait to explore the world outside of the Fire Nation, just wishing that you're here with me so that we can learn together.'
Azula was already satisfied with being here under her father's tutelage besides, what good will it be for the princess to go out there? But the prospect of leaving the palace has its own allures.
'I'm going to end this letter of mine short. I hope I'll hear from you or Mother, even Father would suffice despite his dislike of me. Take care of yourself, Azula.'
The letter ended there as she put it back in the stand and her plan to burn it passed her mind completely. Somehow, she just didn't bother doing so after reading Zuko's letter, even after everything that transpired between them, he's always thinking of her well-being first. Azula doesn't even know how to respond to such…
She lay on her bed and let fatigue take over, pulling her to the world of dreams.
The 'false maiden' went down with a loud thud on the ground and a sense of satisfaction washed over him. But he's not out of the woods yet, surrounded by her faithful guards, he must now get out there while he still can. He gripped the guns he got and was about to open fire when suddenly…
"To be rejected by you is such great sorrow." his target whom he thought was dead now rose to her feet, removing the bloodied veil that hid her beauty. "Still, it doesn't mean that we have to part ways here, am I right?"
"You are not the same woman that I knew of many years ago. She's gone now and you're nothing more than a false puppet." he venomously replied.
At that point, he knew that he must stop her at all costs…
A/N: Azula is probably the hardest part to write in this, now I know why we don't have an official comic about her redemption!
