So sorry that this chapter came out later than I would have wanted ! I actually planned to publish days ago , but some stuff came up on my end and that ended up delaying some things by a bit.

Hope this chapter makes up for it.

:)

Big thanks to HammerTide for beta reading this chapter !

With that said , let's get it started !


Azula couldn't breath.

She didn't know why , it was almost as if her lungs refused to take in air.

Then she felt the cold wash over her...and then she felt herself hanging in some cold dark place.

It was almost as if she was underwater...

Like when that water tribe wench froze her and chained her to a grate...

Azula couldn't see ...but she tried to swim up...

Only to feel something pull on her leg ... as if some sort of black tentacle had reached out from the depths and was dragging her down into the abyss itself.

She struggled and pulled on her leg...but the grip was too strong...

And she felt more tentacles reach out and grab her arms and wrap around her head...

And started pulling her down into the depths of the abyss itself.

She struggled and fought...but it wasn't enough as she felt herself get dragged deeper and deeper...

She could feel her consciousness fade away...and in the back of her mind somebody's laugh.

Azula couldn't even scream.


Azula's eyes flashed open with a gasp for air and she practically sat up straight on her bed in surprise. She looked around and saw that she was thankfully not drowning in some deep dark ocean and was able to breath once more.

Azula let out a sigh as she realized it was just a nightmare after all...

It would seem that she was still not free from her nightmares...

Azula genuinely wondered whether she would ever be free of them...

She looked around her room and was genuinely grateful that she hadn't set anything on fire during her nightmare. Agni knows she doesn't want to relive the time Kazumi came in and found her room on fire once again.

Azula looked out the window to see that the morning light was almost upon them and figured there was no point in going to sleep once again.

She and Kazumi had a long day of training ahead of them...and she figures she might as well get started on breakfast.

She just hopes that today won't be another day of pointless meditating and trying to connect with her spiritual powers.


The sound of wooden swords being smacked against each other could be heard quite loudly from the front of the house. Where Kazumi and Azula were training with their swords.

Azula steadied her breath as she and Kazumi crossed their wooden blades together, both of them trying to knock the other off balance. Azula being forced to jump back to get some breathing room and also to keep herself from being overwhelmed. While the two weren't exactly sparring per say , they were both practicing sword swings and stances that Azula was still learning.

" Good job Azula...though you need to make your footwork consistent with your sword strikes to make sure that you can keep your opponent busy and constantly defending... along with making sure the force behind your strikes is as much as you want it to be" Kazumi advised as she got back into stance " Now please get into stance again..."

Azula let out a breath as she got back into stance.

They had spent the last few days trying to awaken Azula's new spiritual powers...only for them to make little to no progress whatsoever like before . While Kazumi had gotten Azula into a routine of practicing meditation...she still had yet to feel that same power flowing through her veins like it did during that night before.

So they had decided to take a break from that and went back to practicing swordsmanship for a while...

Probably for the best since Azula had grown increasingly frustrated at her own lack of progress with mastering her supposed spirit powers...

Azula charged at Kazumi and struck her wooden sword against hers ,the older woman easily blocking and defending against her attack but stepped back a bit to regain some ground. The two started exchanging blows once again , with the other being able to accurately defend against each other.

" Very good Azula , your reaction time has improved " Kazumi complimented as she parried another strike from Azula.

Azula felt a sense of pride at knowing that she could at least see the improvements in her own sword fighting ability. When just a few months ago, it had seemed like something that was once so foreign was now so familiar with her as it was with her bending...and it was hard to describe...but it almost felt as though her blade was becoming a part of her.

Or perhaps like Kazumi said in their earlier days , the sword became an extension of her own arm like it was with her bending.

She preferred sword play over meditation anyday...

They continued for a few more minutes with Kazumi giving advice mid strikes, with Azula attempting to take her off guard and subdue her...

All in all , it was infinitely more productive than any of their meditation sessions.

The two stop as they let out a tired breath , both working up a good sweat from the training session. Azula put her sword down on the grass as she sat down to catch her breath and bask in the cool wind for a while.

" Excellent work Azula, I'm seeing some real progress in your sword fighting abilities ..." Kazumi complimented as she cooled down from the workout.

" Thanks..." Azula smiled a little before remembering how little progress they were making on her spiritual abilities . Her expression quickly changed to sour at the thought of that " My sword fighting prowess is going much better than my spiritual powers..."

Azula looked at the ground in discontent as she said that.

Kazumi gave her a sympathetic look as she sat down beside Azula " You have to understand Azula , these kinds of things take time...you can't expect to see progress straight away..."

"I know that ..." Azula admitted.

That doesn't make it any less frustrating.

Azula thought in her head but didn't say out loud.

Kazumi could understand Azula's frustration and irritation , she had said so herself just a few nights ago...and she knows that their continued lack of progress hasn't helped at all. But Kazumi was unsure of what to do at this point , she had run Azula through all the meditations and even had her drink some tea that was said to bolster one's connection to the spirit world...

Although...there may be another way she hasn't thought to do...

" You know Azula...there may be one other method to help you get in touch with your spiritual powers..." Kazumi said which caught Azula's attention.

" Really ? What is it ? " Azula sat up straight at the mention of it.

" Well...it involves meditation but at night ...and in a specific location..." Kazumi explained " To be precise , inside of a cave..."

" Meditating at night in a cave ? Why would anybody do that ? " Azula raised an eyebrow at Kazumi.

" It is said that people who have been blessed with the powers of the spirits are stronger during the night...it is also when our connection is strongest than during the day..." Kazumi explained " We've been doing all of our meditation during the day ...but maybe we should try at night for once..."

" Okay...but why the cave ? " Azula couldn't help but ask.

" ...My mother said that the darkness of a cave can help one get attuned to their spiritual powers..." Kazumi said with hesitance " Though she also warned that it could be dangerous at the same time... but it may be your best bet for getting in touch with your spiritual side..."

Azula thought about it for a moment...on the one hand ,she doesn't like the idea of meditating inside of a cold dark cave...

But on the other , she is reasonably angry at her lack of progress and decides she has nothing to lose from trying.

" I think we should try Kazumi..." Azula nodded " If it doesn't work we can just find some other way..."

Kazumi took a deep breath " Okay ...Azula we'll go later tonight after an early dinner"

" Sounds good " Azula nodded.

She just hopes that their trip is successful at least...


As agreed they were set to go to the cave after she and Kazumi had a light dinner. Nothing too heavy but just enough to fill their stomachs. Kazumi did say that the cave was quite a way from the house and it would be a bit of a walk there.

Azula sat in the front of the house as she put her boots on and was wearing the same clothes she wore when Kazumi first shared her powers with her . It was the most appropriate clothing for this kind of trip.

" Are you ready Azula ? " Kazumi asked walking up to her, dressed in more appropriate clothing befitting the trip they were about to make.

" Yes , I'm ready let's get going " Azula nodded standing up.

Kazumi nodded and they were underway from the house to the cave Kazumi spoke of. Walking into the Forgetful Forest with Azula walking next to Kazumi who led the way through the dark and quite frankly creepy forest.

Azula had noticed right away that despite how relatively peaceful the forest was to them with no wild plants or animals attacking them...she still could not shake off the creepy or strange feeling she got when she walked through the Forest. The forest was completely dark for one , sans the small white flame Kazumi had conjured to provide them some walking light.

But besides that the forest was dead quiet , she couldn't even hear the sounds of plants or animals moving about. The small white flame gave very little vision to their surroundings, though Azula doubts she would be able to see better even if it was a little brighter. Because the tall trees and bushes were obscuring her from seeing farther into the forest.

" Something wrong Azula ? " Kazumi seemed to have notice Azula looking all around them.

" Nothing just...how do you even know where you're going in this forest ? " Azula couldn't help but ask " Its so dark and I can barely see anything..."

Kazumi let out a hum of amusement " Try living in this forest for your entire life and you'll steadily learn how to navigate the forest with your eyes closed"

Azula wasn't sure whether Kazumi was joking or being serious...

She was inclined to believe the latter with how skilled Kazumi is.

Their walk continued for around a half hour or so. Neither of them feeling particularly tired enough to stop , though Kazumi was polite enough to ask at least but Azula shook her head and urged them to continue on...though Azula was still reasonably paranoid about the shadows that surrounded them, as if there was some horrifying monster that would leap out and attack them.

Azula shook her head and tried to keep herself calm, she didn't need to add intense paranoia to her list of mental problems.

It took another couple of minutes but they finally arrived...stopping in front of the large entrance of a cave of some sort. The mouth of the cave was very wide and she couldn't see deeper in with how dark it was.

" Well...this isn't ominous at all..." Azula said a little snarky.

" I promise you there are far more ominous places then this , come now..." Kazumi joked as she took the first step into the cave with Azula following behind.

Because of how dark it is , Azula summoned her own blue flame to give them a bit more light and some much needed visibility.

" There are other places like this in the forest , that spirit navigators of the past used for training. If you would like we could go to some of them later if you wish " Kazumi mused out loud as they walked through the cave.

" Another time I suppose , for now let's just get this done " Azula said and Kazumi nodded.

They walked for another minute or two before Kazumi came a stop. She seemed to survey the area around them and Azula looked up to see some stalagmites sticking out of the ceiling of the cave. She was briefly concerned about the stone spikes falling on them , but they seemed to be firmly rooted in place in the ceiling.

No,what caught her attention was instead the sound of something running...is that water ?

" Okay...this seems like a good spot to start meditating " Kazumi interrupted Azula's train of thought as she pointed at a specific spot in the middle of the cave " Sit here and begin..."

Azula was about to walk forward when Kazumi held up a hand and pointed at something " Be careful Azula , there's an underground stream in this cave ...and its pretty deep..."

Azula followed Kazumi's finger as she walked closer a bit and her flame allowed her a bit more visibility , that there was in fact some kind of underground stream in this cave...and she couldn't quite see the bottom on account of how dark the cave is.

" Just be careful of where you step and you'll be fine..." Kazumi had a soft smile on her face " I might have fallen in once when my mother first took me here..."

Azula smirked a little at Kazumi's story before she sat down and began meditating.

She took a deep breath and allowed all the troubles of the world fade from her mind.

" Very good Azula...now channel the power within you"

Kazumi's voice was soothing and calm..and it helped reached within her.

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Azula breathed in and out , practicing the breathing techniques that Kazumi had taught her about meditating...

What must have been only a minute or two felt like hours...before Azula felt something deep within her.

Something burning, something strong, something...powerful.

It was burning within her.

" I ...feel something..." Azula said slowly.

" Yes , grasp at it Azula...and bring it under your will..."

Azula took another deep breath...and if it were possible she could feel her own consciousness reach out to that power and grasp it-

" Hehehehehehe..."

Azula's concentration was broken by the sound of laughter...

It wasn't especially loud...but it echoed throughout her mind and the cave.

" Kazumi did you hear that ? " Azula said , suddenly standing up and looking around her in surprise.

" Hear what Azula ? " Kazumi said looking surprised at Azula's sudden break in concentration.

" The laughter ! I could have sworn I heard-"

Azula's voice died in her throat...as she saw a figure standing behind Kazumi...and walked out from behind her.

It was her...

Her younger self.

Standing there with that smirk on her face.

" Surprised to see me again ? Don't be...you can never escape from who you really are " Her shadow self said to her mockingly.

Azula's eyes widened as she took a step back " No...this can't be-"

" Real ? Let's be honest , we started losing track of what's real and what isn't a long time ago..." Her shadow self shot back.

Kazumi took a step forward looking at the young girl worriedly " Azula what's wrong ? Are you having a hallucination-"

Azula stopped paying attention to whatever Kazumi was saying...when her shadow self suddenly charged at her.

" NO STAY AWAY !" Azula shouted as she sent out a blast of fire at her shadow self and jumped back...

She had completely forgotten about the stream Kazumi spoke of ..and didn't realize it until it was too late.

" AZULA !"

She heard Kazumi scream out at her...before she fell back into the stream and was dragged down into its depth.

Azula panicked and flailed ...unsure which way was up or down...

It was all too dark , too cold , she can feel the chains on her wrists dragging her down...

She tried to scream but all that came out were gargles...

As she felt drift further and further from consciousness...

Is this how she died...?

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No No No No No No No No !

I WILL NOT DIE HERE !

Azula shouted in her head...it wasn't determination that was fueling her...

It was her rage.

She did not live through the war , fought the avatar , survived in an asylum for a year , just to die in a fucking stream in a cave.

Her rage rose up ...and she felt the power surge through her body.

Without thinking properly she aimed it upwards towards what she thinks is the surface of the water...

Before she knew it...she felt a wind that doesn't exist in this world.

And she was out of the water...grasping at the edge of the floor and trying to pull herself up.

" Azula ! Oh my agni !" Kazumi shouted quickly going over to her and pulling Azula out of the stream and into her arms.

Azula let out breath after breath...her lungs finally taking in air again...and she looked up to Kazumi who was looking at her with worried eyes.

" Azula are you okay ? Are you injured ? Were you-"

Kazumi was cut off when Azula suddenly hugged her, wrapping her wet arms around Kazumi's neck...as she let out tears.

" K-Kazumi...I was so scared..." Azula admitted as she cried.

The older woman didn't say anything...as she wrapped her arms around Azula and held her close.

Azula's cries echoed throughout the cave that night...


Kazumi's house was deathly quiet. Granted it was late at night and that was usually to be expected...

But she did not like the particular reason for why it was so quiet this night.

It had been a few hours since they came back from their trip...and Azula had locked herself in her room and avoided her after she received a change of clothes that Kazumi had given her.

Kazumi smacked herself on the forehead ...she should have known that it was a bad idea to take Azula to that cave...the darkness and shadows had a way of playing tricks on your mind and for someone like Azula ? It was guaranteed to trigger a hallucination or panic attack.

Agni knows she's experienced more than a couple in her own lifetime.

Stupid stupid stupid...

Kazumi admonishes herself in her head...yet she knows it does little to help Azula. Deciding that she has more important things to do than loathing herself , she heads for Azula's room and gives a gentle knock on the door.

" Azula ? Are you awake ? "Kazumi asked.

She got no response...though she did hear the sounds of somebody moving about in bed.

"Azula I'm coming in..." Kazumi warned before she opened the door.

She could see Azula lying on the side of her bed...she was very silent but Kazumi could tell that she was awake.

Kazumi slowly approached her and sat down on the bed " Azula...are you okay ? "

Still no response. But it was clear that she was not okay.

" Azula... what did you see in your hallucination ? " Kazumi changed the topic " Did you see your mother again ?"

"...No... I didn't see mother again..." Azula finally replied after a moment , sitting up straight to face Kazumi.

" Then who did you see ? "

Azula seemed to hesitate for a moment before answering.

" I saw...myself ..." Azula admitted " I saw...some kind of ...shadowy version of myself...or who I used to be...she was laughing at me Kazumi..."

" A shadow version of yourself ? " Kazumi said shocked.

" Yes...I've had other nightmares and hallucinations about that shadow...and I can't seem to get it out of my head..." Azula said sadly " Just like how I can't escape my past..."

Kazumi didn't say anything...as she gently grasped Azula's hand in comfort.

" I don't think any of us can Azula...but all we can do is learn to live the best we can..." Kazumi said sadly.

The two sat there in comforting silence for a moment before Azula spoke again.

" Can you...stay with me for a while ? I'm..."

Scared.

That word went unsaid by Azula but Kazumi understood.

She knew what it felt like to be afraid of the shadows.

" Of course Azula..." Kazumi said as she gently ran her fingers through Azula's hair.

She waited there with Azula in comforting silence , occasionally speaking ...until Azula eventually drifted off to sleep...

Kazumi knows she should have quietly tucked Azula into bed and be done with it...

But as she watched Azula's sleeping face , so calm and gentle...

She pressed a soft kiss on her forehead as she pulled the covers over the young girl.

" Goodnight Azula...may your dreams be free of nightmares tonight "

Kazumi said before she left the room , questioning whether she did the right thing or not.

She didn't notice the small smile on Azula's face as she left.


I hope you all enjoyed this chapter because I sure did.

:P

But all jokes aside , I really wanted to make it clear that while Azula has grown out of her insanity and has gotten better she's still dealing with her own inner demons and such. But she's grown much more comfortable and relies more on Kazumi for support than being the main driving force of her healing.

Hope you all enjoy where I'm taking this story.

:)

With that said , I'll see you all in the next one.

Angel Out.