So um uh...good news:
I'm back.
Bad news : I'M BACK
And in honor of my 3 month break from this fic, I will be posting three chapters side by side as a means of compensating and hopefully getting the plot back on track.
Big thanks to HammerTide for beta reading this chapter.
Let's get it started.
Azula's training was progressing well if Kazumi had to say so. After getting used to the feeling of transversing, Azula had quickly grown accustomed to it and was already making great spades in mastering her spiritual powers. Kazumi carefully observed the girl as she performed two transversals in quick succession, moving from Kazumi's right to her left.
" Very good Azula, you've mastered the ability of transversals...but now I will teach you the more advanced techniques and uses for transversals " Kazumi explained as Azula paid attention " Transversals is an extremely versatile ability and it can help you in many different ways. But its obvious inherent advantage is its ability to allow its user to move from place to place quickly. As such, you must learn to transverse with your mind until it becomes second nature and you are able to perform multiple transversals in a short period of time "
Azula nodded " Okay, but how are we going to do that ? "
" Come " Kazumi gestured Azula to follow her toward the forest, they were both dressed in their training clothes and Kazumi didn't expect them to go that far from the house. They walked into the forest with Azula following close behind her.
" You see Azula, the point of transversals isn't just about to getting you to where you need to go...but it is also gives you the power to remain unseen and show only what you want people to see " Kazumi explained.
" To travel where others eyes cannot follow..." Kazumi says to Azula as Azula follows her, but Kazumi was slightly quicker to her feet before walking behind a tree. Azula follow suite yet instead the woman in white wasn't there, like as if she disappeared right before her eyes.
The sound of Kazumi's voice made Azula turn where a large boulder was, from the distance perhaps a few seconds away if you run, Kazumi appeared to her. "And it is I who decide if your eyes can follow " She says, the musing princess was wide eyed.
" Agni...that's incredible..." Azula said amazed.
" Glad that you think so...I'll show you how to stay unseen in a later session, but for now let's get back to the matter at hand " Kazumi said " Ever climbed a tree before Azula ? " Kazumi asked as she cracked her fingers as they stood under a big tree with thick branches that looked wide enough to stand on.
" I know the basics at least " Azula shrugged.
" Good enough. Come with me " Kazumi said as she started scaling the tree, remembering the skills that she had been taught.
Azula took a deep breath as she followed behind Kazumi, trying her best to keep up and climb the tree. Though it was obvious that she was having some trouble getting used to it.
" Make sure you have one hand on before you let go as you move up " Kazumi advised as she climbed " And don't rush it, last thing you want is to trip and break your leg. Speaking from experience "
" Noted " Azula took her advice and started climbing moderately better.
It took almost a minute before they reached the top, with Kazumi giving a hand and pulling Azula up onto the branch that was wide enough that they could plant their feet on it.
" Alright Azula...I want you to transverse from each branch to get to me, moving as fast as you can and allowing for as little hangtime in between " Kazumi explained putting a hand on Azula's shoulder " Watch "
Kazumi closed her eyes as she jumped from the branch and right before she envisioned where she wished to be standing in her mind.
She felt her whole body transmute time and space, as she stepped onto the branch that was a ways from the one she had just jumped from.
She didn't waste time as she performed another transversal and another and another.
Kazumi let out a breath as she stood on a branch with perfect balance.
5 consecutive transversals in the span of 5 seconds. Maybe 6 but still good.
Kazumi turned back to Azula who had been observing the whole scene with an observational look on her face, from the branch Kazumi had left her on.
" Okay ! Now try to perform the transversals in the same spots I did ! " Kazumi yelled since Azula was a fair distance away from her.
" Got it !" Azula shouted back as she took a deep breath. She had finally gotten the transversal part down but she hadn't quite mastered the quick teleportation bit yet.
Azula looked down at the ground below, at this height if she failed to properly transverse and fell...she wouldn't die assuming she didn't land on her head. At most she would probably break her leg like Kazumi said but that was no comforting thought.
Though honestly speaking, this was hardly the most dangerous exercise she has been through. Father had put her through much more life risking situations than this.
Azula took a deep breath as she made the first jump, focusing her mind on where she wished to be standing-
Once again feeling the strange sensation of having her entire body shifted to another place. She had to take a quick second to steady herself on the new branch she had just teleported to.
" Try not to let yourself have too much hang time in between jumps ! Try to already have the next position in your mind after the next " Kazumi advised from a distance.
Azula nodded as she performed another transversal, and another even quicker.
The fourth transversal was perfect but the next one-
She had the fifth destination in mind. It was in her head.
But it appeared she had imagined herself a little too close to the edge of the branch when she transversed-
And she didn't have the time to move herself back as she fell off the branch.
Her eyes met Kazumi just before she felt herself falling down and Azula didn't have the time to conjure up fire into her feet. So she closed her eyes to try and brace for the impact-
When she felt another strange sensation come over her and she felt her world come to a stop.
Azula opened her eyes to find herself floating mid-air with a green glow surrounding her whole body along with a green force going up and Azula can see Kazumi holding her left hand out to keep her from falling and at that moment, Azula's body started being pulled steadily up to Kazumi. Who as soon as Azula was within reach, grabbed and pulled her onto the branch.
" Azula are you okay ? Are you hurt ? " Kazumi asked worriedly.
" I'm okay Kazumi...just a little shocked is all "Azula said as she leaned up against the tree " I mistimed that jump along with my positioning..."
" But you were doing so well...and honestly this is partly my fault " Kazumi tried to cheer her up " I should have started you off a bit simpler when it came to transversing quickly "
" Its fine, this isn't even the worse thing I've had to do as part of training " Azula waved her off.
Kazumi was a bit perturbed at that but didn't press on " So would you like to head back now ? "
" Yes just...give me a minute " Azula requested " All that teleporting made me feel weak "
Kazumi smiled " Your mana is still low after performing multiple transversals, you usually need to rest for a while afterwards "
" Great..." Azula leaned her head back against the tree in exasperation.
" There are potions that can help you regenerate your mana faster and as you use your powers more and more, your internal mana should increase to accommodate for that " Kazumi explained " But that's for later, for now just rest "
Azula didn't have any disagreements as she leaned back against the tree, letting her body and spirit relax.
The two just sat there on the branch in comforting silence, Azula with her head against the tree and Kazumi with her legs hanging over the side of the branch. The only sounds noticeable are the occasional animal sound or breeze.
" What would you like to do after this Azula ? " Kazumi suddenly asked out of the blue.
Azula was taken off guard by the question that she needed a second to fully understand it " What do you mean Kazumi ? "
" I mean, I know you said you wanted to stay with me...but do you have any clue of what you intend to do at some point in the future ? " Kazumi asked softly.
That...was actually a very good question. One Azula hadn't taken much time to consider.
While she has grown comfortable living with Kazumi...does she really intend to spend the rest of her natural life living in the middle of this hellish forest ?
Her mind comes to an almost immediate no, but what else is there for her to do ?
She certainly can't go back to the palace, she won't allow herself to be imprisoned once again. And even if that doesn't happen, she definitely doesn't want to see her mother or deal with her new family. Too many painful memories there...and she's not sure she's ready to deal with them.
Then again, another part of her relishes the idea of seeing their faces when she shows them her new powers. But that part is small and fades away quickly.
She could take some time to travel the world, see what there is to see, she didn't really get a chance to do much sightseeing when she was serving father and hunting down Zuko and Uncle. Though with her face and status she would have to live like a fugitive and that would limit the places she could go...
Then again, she kinda already is living like a fugitive.
To put a fine point on it : Azula genuinely doesn't know.
" I...honestly don't know Kazumi " Azula answered, bringing her knees to her chin " I don't. I can't go back to my home and my 'family' ...too many bad memories and bad blood there. Maybe I can travel a bit, but I would essentially just be a wandering nomad hoping for the day she finds her purpose, so...to answer your question, I honestly don't know Kazumi "
Kazumi gave her a soft smile " That's alright...you don't have to know exactly what you should be doing or want to do all the time. Life has its ways of throwing a curveball and making you reassess your priorities and what's important to you "
Azula snort " You can say that again...but what about you ? "
" Huh ? "
" What would you like to do Kazumi ? I mean you've said you've lived in this forest your whole life and you were a former spirit navigator...but if I may be so blunt, it would be a waste of your talents to spend your remaining days cooped up in this forest "
It was Kazumi's turn to consider and think about her life up till now.
After her baby died...she had spent years wallowing in her grief and sadness. Coming close to letting it consume her completely. And she had also forsaken her duty as a spirit navigator and downright disgraced her ancestors by abandoning her duty.
She couldn't continue being a spirit navigator after that...not after what had happened.
But it would be a lie to say that the thought of one day continuing the Spirit Navigators had never crossed her mind.
It had...but she would restart it in a way that benefited the people and the navigators that served them.
But she wasn't sure if she had the heart to do it.
" I'm the same as you Azula, I genuinely have little to no idea " Kazumi admitted bluntly " I've thought about restarting the line of Spirit Navigators more than once...but I'm not sure if I have the heart to do that "
" Why not ? "
" Well for one, I would probably restructure and restart the Spirit Navigators in my own views, which would certainly be disrespectful to my ancestors and what they've stood for...even if I've had disagreements in the past about them " Kazumi stated.
" If it makes you feel any better, I'm certain my ancestors would want to die again after seeing what my father and brother has done to tarnish their reputation " Azula joked.
Kazumi chuckled " Yes...I suppose..."
" I guess we're just two purposeless souls striding through life and trying to make sense of it all " Azula joked moving closer to Kazumi.
" Aren't we all ? " Kazumi retorted with a lighthearted smile " But in all honesty, you don't have to feel rush or worry about not having some incredible purpose or goal in life...sometimes it truly does just come when it comes "
" I guess...though if you ever wanted to restart the Spirit Navigators, I guess I would be your apprentice " Azula said softly " I mean, I kinda already am aren't I ? "
Kazumi was taken off guard at Azula's statement, while she had shared her powers with Azula...could the girl make it as a Spirit Navigator ?
The answer came back as a definite yes. The girl had the skills, training and cunning to survive as a Spirit Navigator.
Kazumi selfishly thought that perhaps she could restart the Spirit Navigators anew with Azula. If only for the briefest moments.
" I suppose you are..." Kazumi said with a smile " I'll teach you all about spirits and sealing techniques another time , for now I'd say its time to head back to the house "
" Sounds good and Kazumi ? " Azula turned to the older woman " Thank you...for sharing all this with me, it really means a lot..."
Kazumi smile grew at that " It is my genuine pleasure...now come on, I'd say its time for lunch "
The two quickly teleported back to the house, both with a better understanding of each other then before.
Zuko leaned back in his chair as he sat in his office as he tried to reign in the situation.
Ikem had been discharged from the palace's infarmy about a day ago and Kiyi couldn't be happier, nor could his mother be any fussier about telling Ikem to not strain himself.
But despite the good news, Zuko couldn't bring himself to join into the festivities.
Somebody had tried to murder Ikem. Not him, but somebody close to him.
This meant that whoever was targeting him...wasn't just stopping with him. His family's life was on the line too.
Ikem easily could have died had they not been so quick on the response and if he had died...Zuko didn't even want to think about the sort of impact that would have on Kiyi and mother.
And that also made him realize something else...assuming that Azula was still alive, then that would mean that she would also be a potential target for whoever is trying to kill him.
In short, they needed to find Azula and whoever was behind this. NOW.
" My liege, you called for me ? " A voice broke through his train of thought and he saw Captain Shin enter the room.
" Yes captain, please come in " Zuko invited the man inside.
" What is your will my lord ? " Captain Shin said in a tone of respect.
" I need you to head back to the Forgetful Valley to find my sister captain " Zuko said bluntly.
Shin hesitated for a moment before he steeled himself " Understood my liege..."
" Of course, you will have full command over who you wish to bring with you " Zuko explained.
" Actually my lord...I prefer if I were to continue this mission solo " Shin upon seeing the shocked look on Zuko's face continued " If this Fire Lady is still out there, then we can't risk losing an entire team of trackers to that forest. Its much better if we have a single adaptable tracker that knows the lay of the land and such. That way we can minimize risk while searching for Princess Azula "
" Captain Shin...are you absolutely certain about this ? You know that this could be extremely dangerous going alone " Zuko stated morbidly.
" I understand my liege and I accept them wholeheartedly. I cannot in good conscience allow my men to go through the nightmare that is that forest again " Shin said firmly.
Zuko's eyes softened at that, as he realized what sort of impossible task he had made these men go through these past few months searching for Azula.
"...Very well then Captain Shin, you are allowed to go proceed with the search of the Forgetful Valley by yourself " Zuko said " But you are only search the forest during the day and spend your nights at the village, no more camping out in the forest itself. With the presence of this Fire Lady, we can't be too careful "
" Of course my liege, understood " Shin nodded in understanding.
" You may take a few days to prepare and set off for Hira'a. You will be prepped with additional funds and equipment " Zuko informed.
Captain Shin bowed before leaving the room, leaving Zuko this own thoughts.
He really wished the rest of the Gaang was here.
Aang stared at the letter that Zuko had sent to him weeks ago requesting his aid in the search for Azula. Letting out a sigh as he set the letter aside, putting two fingers to his temple in thought. He wasn't kidding when he said he wanted to just hop onto Appa and get to the Fire Nation to help out Zuko with finding Azula. Whatever prior grievances the two may have had, Aang could not in good conscience just leave her to the whims of the Forgetful Forest and spirits knows what else.
But he couldn't just leave his students behind...even with all the time that has passed since he had received the letter, he still wasn't sure if he could leave his students behind to go help Zuko. Granted, his airbending school was still relatively small and confined to a medium sized house in the Earth Kingdom and Aang was considering moving his students to one of the former Air Temples to better help them get acclimated to the culture and lifestyle of the Air Nomads.
The Avatar leaned back in his chair in his room as he looked to the ceiling for an answer.
" Master Aang ? " A voice interrupted his search for an answer in the ceiling and Aang was brought back to the attention as he saw one of his students, Munji enter the room.
" Yes Munji ? What can I help you with ? "
" Nothing, I just came to ask if you were going to join us for meditation later today " Munji asked as she observed him curiously.
" M-Maybe I'm a little busy..." Aang confessed.
" Is there something that troubles you Master Aang ? " Munji pressed and Aang didn't have the heart to lie.
" Its nothing its just..." Aang let out a sigh " I got a letter a few weeks back from Fire Lord Zuko asking for my help and I want to go but I can't because I don't want to leave you guys behind "
" Why not Master Aang ? We can take care of ourselves while you go to help the Fire Lord " Munji argued.
Aang gave her a blank look " Maybe some of you can, but the others are still..."
" Green ? "
" Yes, that sounds about right " Aang shrugged " And even assuming I can go back right now, I still need to pick up Toph and I'm not sure if she'll leave her metalbending school to help us. Along with Sokka and Katara who are still in the South Pole..."
" So its not like you have any other friends you could just leave us with, huh ? " Munji mused.
" Yeah...no other friends..." Aang thought about it for a moment before an idea came to mind " Bumi ! Bumi can help ! "
Munji jumped in surprise " You mean King Bumi ? "
" Yeah, he's an old friend of mine and he was alive when the Air Nomads were still around so he knows our culture and practices. I can leave you guys with him to train while I go help Zuko " Aang said excitedly.
" Sounds good Master , should I tell the others to get ready ? "
" Tell them to start pack, because we're going on a road trip !" Aang said excitedly as he left with Munji to tell the others to pack up.
It took a half a day for the others to get ready for the trip to Omashu and another two days or so to actually make it to the city. Accounting for breaks that they had to take in between for Appa to rest.
Aang had a big smile on his face as he saw the city come into view.
" You guys are going to love Omashu and Bumi is so fun to be around ! " Aang said cheerfully as they started to make their approach.
Appa flew straight to the front of the palace, where it appeared that Bumi had already exited to see what was going on. Most likely sentries or guardsman spotted Appa flying overhead and alerted him to their presence.
" Aang ! So good to see you old friend " Bumi said happily as he approached the Avatar.
" Bumi ! Its good to see you too !" Aang hugged the older man.
" So Aang, I take it this isn't a social call ? "Bumi glanced at the group of monks standing behind Aang.
" Sadly no, I actually need your help Bumi " Aang said.
The Avatar gave Bumi the long run explanation on what had happened,with the King occasionally nodding every now and again.
" I see, I see...and you want me to take over the training of your students while you go and help your friend ? " Bumi asked for clarification.
" Yes, I understand if you're too busy to-"
" Nonsense Aang ! I have nothing but freetime most days and I would love to teach your students a thing or two " Bumi instantly agreed with a smile.
" Thank you so much Bumi ! " Aang thanked his friend " I need to go pick up Toph and the-"
" Hold on a second there Aang, you ain't leaving until you spend the night and have dinner with me ! " Bumi stopped him before he could say another word " And you must tell me all your airbending teaching stories "
Aang honestly wanted to depart right away...but he couldn't say no to Bumi.
" Okay, just one night " Aang smiled.
" Excellent ! We feast tonight boys and girls !" Bumi cheered as he guided them into the palace.
The night that followed was filled with laughs and happiness.
Okay, time for a bit of explanation for my 3 month break.
As you all might have recalled, I took a break mainly due because of college reasons and because I was having a hard time juggling updating this fic with my Rotsh one. But the main reason was because I needed to take a step back to reconsider the plot and really get an understanding of where I was taking this story. Like I said in my Note chapter, I had been much improvising all the way up to chapter 30 and I needed to take some time to figure out where my plot and story was going.
But now that I have returned and know where I'm taking this story...I can promise you all that the story will continue to be an interesting read.
:)
Big thanks to Ajax the Middle for actually making the suggestion in one of his reviews about Aang leaving his students with one of the White Lotus so that he can go help Zuko.
Which means that the Gaang aren't too far behind in appearing in this story.
With that said, join me in the next chapter of this trio update.
