Its finally here...the day has finally come my dear readers. The time is now.

You all have no clue how long I've been wanting to do this chapter...it has been a long time coming and I think you all have been waiting for this.

Big thanks to HammerTide for beta reading this chapter along with actually co-writing the ending !

With that said, let's get it started.


Kazumi and Azula were actually taking a break from training today, the older woman saying that it was important to have days off so your body and mind can rest and recover. So that left Azula sitting in the living room as she read some random book she had picked off the shelf, Kazumi was outside tending to Serenity and Tira, since the two animals liked to play with their master from time to time and Kazumi liked to make sure that they got plenty of exercise.

So that just left Azula haphazardly reading some storybook about a stupid romance between a human girl, a boy who can shapeshift into a wolf man or something, and a boy who can drink blood. The story itself was ridiculous and was mainly just the two love interests fighting over who got to have sex with the main character. Who would ever write something like this ?

Deciding that she has lost enough brain cells for one afternoon, she went out into the hallway to the kitchen to grab a snack...but on her way there, she stepped on something while passing over the mat on the floor.

It was subtle, almost unnoticeable for the average person...

But Azula wasn't the average person and she did notice it. She tapped her foot on the floor and it didn't feel right...

She pulled off the mat and to her surprise it revealed a hatch of some kind.

I've been living in this house for months and I never noticed that...seems like this house has more secrets than it meets the eye.

Azula pulled the hatch upwards and saw that it had a short flight of stairs that led into what looked like a hidden section of the house. She took a look around to find that she was still alone in the house...and her curiosity had gotten the better of her.

She slowly descended into the hidden section of the house, doing her best not to make any loud noises.

She summoned a small fire into her hand to provide light as she reached the bottom and found herself in a wide and long hallway with multiple doors on both sides.

" Now this just got a whole lot more interesting..." Azula said as she walked down the hallway and picked a two sliding doors and opened it up.

She found herself in a large room that's design reminded her a lot of about a training room with tatami flooring...but what stood out to her was that at the end of the room stood two armor stands...

With a katana displayed in the middle of them. The lethal weapon standing out among the rest of the equipment.


" Come on, you two play nice " Kazumi chided her two animal companions as she sat by the lake.

They ran through their usual exercise routine of Tira and Serenity doing some light running, followed by Tira and Serenity doing some lighthearted playing in the dirt. Which mainly consisted of the two rolling around in the dirt while Kazumi watched from the distance to make sure neither of them got hurt or tumbled into the lake like they did on more than one occasion.

Though Kazumi was only paying half-attention as her mind was elsewhere...

Particularly concerning the ongoing dispute in her own mind on whether she should let Azula become a Spirit Navigator. The topic had been on her mind for days now and she's still no closer to an answer than she was before.

Her logical side was completely against the idea of bringing Azula on as a Spirit Navigator. Kazumi was no fool. She knew just how dangerous Spirit Navigating could be and one mistake either on her or Azula's part could result in the girl being hurt again. Be it physically, emotionally or mentally. And Kazumi's not sure if she has the heart to let Azula go through something like that...

But her other side...which she dubs her selfish side had other ideas.

As much as she wanted to deny it...Azula was essentially the perfect candidate to become a Spirit Navigator.

Azula had the skills, she had the fiery drive within her, she had the will to use her powers for a greater cause and she finally seemed emotionally and mentally stable enough for this line work.

Not to say anything about Kazumi herself...

And she did seem genuinely passionate about getting back out there to make something of her life.

Kazumi let out a sigh, as the two sides of her mind went back to conflict...but the two sides of the argument were not her only problem.

It was fear.

That same fear that it could happen again. That she slips up and something goes wrong that ends with Azula dead at her feet-

A sudden feeling of warmth came over her and she felt Tira slide her head onto her lap, clearly sensing that her master was saddened suddenly.

Kazumi patted her head, trying her best not to let those ugly emotions and memories take her over.

She decided that she needed to go lie down for a bit and headed back inside, telling her dear pets that she would be back soon with a snack.

But as she entered the house and was walking down the hallway...she saw the mat that covered the hatch that led down into the basement was uncovered and the hatch itself was left open.

" Oh dear..." Kazumi said as she quickly headed down into the basement.


Azula was enamored by the armor, the beautiful design of it showed a mix of flexibility for movement and personal protection for the wearer. The armor composed of a black breastplate , arm guards and bracers, shin guards and boots. All over a loose fitting robe with black pants and a hood...

And a single ominous mask over where the face should be, two eye holes that just barely let you see into the eyes.

While the armor was nice and even reminded her of her own armor back home, what really caught her eye was the blade.

The way it reflected off the light that came from her blue fire...it was beautiful.

She could tell that it wasn't made out of any regular metal, it almost felt...spiritual. Like she could hear it calling to her.

She reached out to touch the blade and her fingers barely grazed it-

" I hope the dust that gathered here isn't too disturbing "

Azula almost jumped if she hadn't immediately recognized the voice and turned around to see Kazumi standing there holding her own white flame, before she proceeded to light up the room by the lamp placements that were situated on the walls.

" Kazumi I was just um..." Azula struggled to think of an answer, but stopped when Kazumi held up a hand to stop her.

" Its alright Azula, I know you were just curious..." Kazumi let out a sigh as she approached her " Honestly I probably should have shown you this place earlier than have you find it for yourself "

" What is this place ? Some kind of secret section of your house ?" Azula asked.

" Essentially, yes. My ancestors built this hidden section of the house for the purpose of hiding our existence as Spirit Navigators " Kazumi explained in detail about her family's history " Since my family doesn't exactly go around announcing who we are to people and spirits , we prefer that people don't know we are Spirit Navigators for the most part honestly "

" I see " Azula nodded " So what is this place even used for ?"

" Many things Azula. Storage for artifacts, weapons, gear, armor and other things we have collected over the years. We also used a couple of these rooms for training purposes...and a few other particular ones " Kazumi pointed.

" So...I take it this is the armor of the Spirit Navigators then ? " Azula said as she turned.

" Yes...handcrafted to protect one from attacks from spirits "

" Okay, but what's up with the strange masks ? " Azula said curiously, the armor she could understand but what purpose did the mask have ?

" Its to protect our identities as Spirit Navigators..." Kazumi explained with a grim expression.

" Protect your identities ? "

"...It is imperative that Spirits do not discover what we look like...or our true identities..." Kazumi spoke slowly.

" Why ? "

" Because some are more vengeful than others...and if you do not take care of them, they will find you and they will make you pay..." Kazumi's voice held an edge to it. Azula recognized it very well...

It was fear.

" I'm sorry..." Azula apologized.

" For what ? " Kazumi said but she already knew.

A silence passed over them, the two just standing in silence.

" Come on Azula...let's head back up " Kazumi said as she left the room, Azula following after her.

They left the fire in the room to die out naturally.


It was sometime after dinner that Kazumi found herself on the roof of the house, she did this occasionally...when she needed some time to think for herself and she only wanted the moon as her companion. She just wanted to be alone right now.

So Azula found the hidden section of the house...perfect.

The girl has the attention to detail needed for a Spirit Navigator too. And she also has the will to become a Spirit Navigator.

Shut up. I saved Azula that night because she needed someone to help her, not because I was looking for an Apprentice to restart the Spirit Navigator line.

Oh sure, that might not have been your initial intention...but don't lie to yourself Kazumi. You love Azula like a daughter. The way you teach her. The way you look at her. The way your heart jumps in proud happiness when she comes to you happy that she has mastered a new technique that you taught her. Face it Kazumi...you want Azula as a daughter.

No...I...I can't...not after-

Why not ? Its time to be honest Kazumi...your birth daughter is dead and buried...but perhaps there might still be hope for you with Azula.

No...No...I can't...I can't-

" Hope I'm not interrupting some grand moment of introspection for you Kazumi "

Kazumi almost jumped as she heard Azula teleport beside her, the girl looking both very curious and somewhat concerned.

" Azula, I thought you had gone to sleep "

" Couldn't quite sleep...too much on my mind " Azula shrugged as she sat down next to Kazumi " I take it you have the same problem ? "

"...Yes" Kazumi nodded.

A silence washed over them, before Azula broke it.

" Are you mad about me finding the basement ? "

" No...its not that Azula..." Kazumi said shaking her head " Its just...I've been busy thinking about your want to become a Spirit Navigator "

" Ah, I see..." Azula let out sigh " I just want to understand Kazumi...what are you so afraid of ? "

Azula's question shocked her, what was she afraid of ?

She had dealt with the most horrific and terrifying of spirits that would drive normal men and women to the brink of insanity, she had been faced with death before and just barely escaped with her life...so what was she so afraid of ?

That was an easy question.

"I'm scared Azula...of losing you "

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Azula needed a minute to fully comprehend what Kazumi just confessed.

She was...scared of losing her ? Her ? The crazed princess who everybody in her life had walked out on when it became too troublesome or she drove them away ? Whose own mother thought she was a monster ?

Kazumi was scared of losing her...

" Kazumi..."

" I never did tell you how my daughter died...did I ? " Kazumi said and waited for Azula to shake her head before continuing " It was years ago... I had just given birth to my daughter, my little Shami...and had just taken over my role as Master. My mother had passed into the Spirit World sometime prior, so it was just me and little Shami at the time..."

Azula stayed quiet as Kazumi told her tale...not even realizing that she had started holding the woman's hand as she told the story.

" I was sent out on a mission to a nearby village that was having trouble with dark spirits...it was supposed to be a routine job that I did everyday, nothing I hadn't handled before but..." Kazumi face looked downcast " I was arrogant Azula. I let the spirits get the drop on me and they broke my mask...I managed to banish them all before they could escape...except one...and I hadn't even noticed that malevolent spirit followed me , I was too b-blinded basking in my v-victory..."

The former Spirit Navigator's voice cracks and Azula can see that this is clearly an old wound that she hasn't opened in a long time.

" Its okay Kazumi...you don't need to say anymore..." Azula says, holding the grip she had on Kazumi's hand as if pleading her to stop.

The older woman looked into her eyes, though Azula could see that tears threatened to pour, but Kazumi didn't allow it. She wanted to show to Azula that she was strong "She died in my hands before I even realized it..." Kazumi says, her eyes now downcast as if just recalling the image of that event, opening the wound once more, recalling her daughter's beautiful face, a face just like hers with spirited eyes.

Now dead and glassy...staring up into nothingness...the fire having long died out...

And she could hear in the back of her head, her daughter asking why ?

"...When you see something so precious,something that you would lay down your own life for and you see the light in their eyes turn dark, never to be ignited again...no power or treasure of all nations can take away that pain..." Kazumi said as she then put her hand on Azula's face with a pleading motherly look in her eyes "And I would be damned for eternity if I ever lose you, Azula"

Azula's eyes widened, she didn't realize that Kazumi have already been viewing her as she did to the older woman. She wanted to accept, to say yes that she wants to be her heir, she wants to scream to the top of her lungs that perhaps this is what she wanted, to be with her, that they don't have to pretend anymore.

Am I a daughter to you, Kazumi ?

Azula spoke in her thoughts, and from the looks of it, the Dragon Lady was all too ready to say: Yes.

"You don't have to do this, Azula..." She says and from that, the prodigy was a bit confused "You don't have to do what what my ancestors and I did. Our traditions can end with me as I would never wish for you to ever experience what I did " She adds, holding Azula's hand tighter as if giving her the time to think about it.

The prodigy contemplated, the revelation of what happened to Kazumi's daughter lingered in her mind.

She lost what mother so readily let go.

Azula spoke in her mind, she knew now that she shared much of Kazumi's grief, that they understand so much of it , that it is better to stay here forever and just let go from the past. But it's not as easy as she thought it would be, as Azula looked at the spirit navigator in the eyes, her amber ones mirroring her dragon like eyes. Like she wanted to ask if she was able to let go...

To let go of all the grief...let go of all the anger...let go of all the sadness...was it even possible ?

"...Were you ever able to move on and let go, Kazumi ?" Azula asked and adds "I want to know. Please don't lie to me "

Kazumi's answer barely took a second to be given.

The older woman shook her head and answered " Never. It is impossible for me to let go, Azula" She says and adds "There was never a time I haven't thought about my past and what happened. What I could have done, what I should have done, but all that thinking did nothing...as it was all in the past and I couldn't do a damn thing to change any of it..."

"...How did you learn to handle it ? " Azula asked quietly.

Kazumi paused before she answered.

" I didn't...I just learned not to go insane, but I never moved on because I could never move on from what happened to my daughter"

Especially when it was my own fault that she died in the first place...

Kazumi thought and did her best to keep the memory down in fear of breaking down in front of Azula.

Azula nods, no matter how much she meditates and pray to not shed tears, Kazumi was right. She can't move on even if she tries to. Her past would be better off confronted than what she is trying to do; forgetting about it and pretending it doesn't exist. After all, she was still a princess, a disgraced one now that her former brother so readily put her in the asylum to be forgotten, but a princess nonetheless, a princess that no matter how small has loyal subjects that wished her to be the heir, even if she herself would accept the reality that she would never be it.

She wondered if Kazumi would hate her for using what she has learned and gained to confront the people of her past. To use it against Zuko and show him that she is not the broken girl he carelessly threw away. To show to her father that she is not some disposable tool that he left behind when she outlived her usefulness.

After all, she still is Fire Nation Princess Azula at heart.

But would her master approve of her own treacherous thoughts ?

"Kazumi, I still want to be better...I want to become like you, to help people...But would you hate me if I use what I learned to confront my past ?" She asked, her head bowed, avoiding the older woman's eyes as if ashamed for even asking.

The former Spirit Navigator gently lifted Azula's chin and made her look up to her.

"I would never, I want you to do what you think is best for you. Don't ever make the mistake that I did, Azula "

The princess felt her heart lift at hearing that...Kazumi really did love her like a daughter.

Might as well make it official then.

" Thank you for saying that...and I still want to become a Spirit Navigator " Azula said firmly.

Kazumi lightly smiled at that, seeing that same fire and determination in Azula's eyes like she once did with her own daughter.

No going back now.

" Very well then Azula..." Kazumi put a hand on the girl's shoulder and another cupped her cheek.

" I formally welcome you to the Spirit Navigators "


YES ! YEEESSSSS ! ITS FINALLY HAPPENED PEOPLE !

Azula has officially become a Spirit Navigator...I think I'm gonna cry from how far my little fire hazard come in terms of development. Where at the beginning she was a hallucinating paranoid princess and now she has finally managed to achieve a fine balance of her mental and emotional health. Brings a tear to my eyes.

By the way, the Spirit Navigator armor is supposed to look like the Nobushi Armor set from For Honor with the additions I mentioned.

And for the mask itself, it looks exactly like the one in the new cover image does.

With that out of the way, let me just say that Azula becoming a Spirit Navigator has always been my plan since I took over this fic from HammerTide and I am happy that we are finally here.

Now we can get to the real action of the story, which will be happening very...very soon.

With those cryptic words, let's answer some reviews shall we ?

To King's Snake:

I'm glad you like my story, I agree that I also enjoy reading stories about her redemption.

I have to agree that is an issue with my writing, I try my best to avoid repetition of the characters names when I can or do like you suggested where I refer to them by the titles or the names of each character's profession. Since it is pretty much of an eyesore to see multiple of the same character's name going down while you're reading the chapter. I notice that comes up as a bit of a problem for my writing.

Or since there is literally only Azula and Kazumi in a scene, I just write the dialogue and don't bother with describing who's saying it. Since I think you can all make an accurate enough guess on who's talking.

Thank you for pointing this out ! I'll try to avoid it in the future. And thank you for the good wishes of health and strength ! I definitely feel like I need it some days.

To Lady Xian:

Thank you so much for your kind words ! I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far.

I definitely agree that Azula needed an actual parental figure/guidance and somebody who actually cares about her and listens to her problems, instead of just using her as an overly glorified tool to get what they want. Azula never really had anybody in the same vein Zuko, not even Ty Lee or Mai ever really got her out of her shell. So it is definitely good that she's found somebody who loves her for who she is.

And yes, I am very much enjoying Azula actually exhibiting healthy child/teenage behavior.

:)

Well...I guess you could say she's more or less adopted Azula in this chapter when she's officially made her a Spirit Navigator and part of the family.

Actually let me just run you through what her adoption process essentially has been up to this point;

Kazumi: You mine now.

Azula : Okay.

XD

But in all seriousness, I hope this chapter has helped you see exactly why Kazumi is so damn hesitant to bring Azula in as a Spirit Navigator. Not because she doesn't care about her, but because she's genuinely terrified of going through that same loss again. Kazumi has her own demons, fears and trauma to work through. And like she said in this chapter, she never really 'got over' the death of her first child.

But perhaps Azula can help her see the light.

In all fairness to Ursa, her nightmare regarding Azula isn't so much her thinking the absolute worse of Azula, but more like her inner fears and insecurities about what Azula may become because of her. And she truly does

I don't want to spoil their reactions to when Azula sees them again...but its going to be a fun one I can assure you that much.

Yeah, I really do feel bad for Shin, he's pretty much the 'only sane man' in this situation. And I'm not even gonna pretend that he doesn't stand a chance against Kazumi.

How Kazumi will handle him however...is yet to be seen.

Once again, thank you so much for your kind words and I hope to continue entertaining everybody.

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

Angel Out.