I am so sorry this chapter took a long while but I had a hard time writing this chapter because it was longer than some of the usual chapters. And if it wasn't obvious enough I was trying and failing to write a training montage in a written story-form.
Also what do you all think about me cross-posting this story on AO3 ? I would probably have to take a break to move everything there but its something I have been considering for some time.
By the way, today marks exactly 1 year since I started writing this story. I actually wanted to post on this day to celebrate with you all.
:)
Big thanks to HammerTide for beta reading this chapter and providing important feedback and critic.
With that said, let's get this chapter started.
As promised, the day after they finished cleaning up the basement, the real work finally began.
The two of them standing near the lake where Kazumi was giving her explanation on what was going to transpire.
" Alright Azula, the real work starts now " Kazumi explained " These next few weeks I will be giving you instructions, lessons and knowledge about spirits and how to handle them. Additionally, I will also be teaching you on how to use a wider variety of weapons and I will even be teaching you about some firebending techniques that my family developed to aid in fighting off spirits. Hope you're ready to train like never before "
" I have been through intensive training and I always passed with flying colors " Azula said with a grin. Father always made sure that she consistently kept up with her firebending and studies. So she doubts that whatever Kazumi has planned would wear her out much.
" Glad to see you're enthusiastic " Kazumi smiled " For now, let's begin with some physical training shall we ? "
They both picked up their practice wooden swords and started sparring, the older woman going a bit harder than usual but never actually going for any hard hits that would seriously hurt Azula. It just made the former princess all the more driven to improve and get better since she was at long last an official spirit navigator.
And she was not going to fail at this. Not when Kazumi put so much faith in her.
Kazumi trained her in the ways of the sword for at least 2 hours by her count, sparring while giving helpful tips on her technique and stance. Even demonstrating how to perform them more accurately and efficiently.
After taking a short break for some water and a snack to fill their stomachs, they got right back to it, but this time with a new weapon in mind.
" With sword training out of the way, let's move on to another weapon I think you will like..." Kazumi smirked as she showed Azula the weapon.
The chain-blade.
Okay, it wasn't exactly the same chain-blade she saw in the storage room yesterday, it was a practice replica that was made out of wood and rubber.
Azula partially felt offended at this, but she understood the necessity for starting out with a practice replica instead of the real thing. To avoid the very real possibility of getting her face slashed.
Then again she was already deadly enough with just her firebending so maybe it wasn't so bad.
" The chain-blade is a beautiful and magnificent weapon...requiring both accuracy and elegance from the user to be used effectively in combat " Kazumi explained as she twirled it around " Its not exactly a whip per say nor a blade. It is both one and the same. You must be able to balance the two "
Azula watched Kazumi twirl and maneuver the replica practice chain-blade with tempered skill and touch.
" Allow me to demonstrate " Kazumi handed the practice chain-blade to Azula, who looked at her mentor in confusion.
Her confusion was quickly dissipated as Kazumi produced a real chain-blade from her long white sleeves and decided that a demonstration was in order. And kindly told Azula to step back as she began.
The Spirit Navigator twirled the chain blade in the air with careful precision and grace, never letting the blade fly out of control but keeping it well within her command. Every twist, every turn, every move she made with the blade was calculated and predicted. Kazumi performed several stances and techniques that spoke of true skill.
Spinning the blade around to slash at a supposed enemy, with enough force that could cut them in half.
A move that reminded her of a scorpion, where she would thrust the blade directly into the head of an enemy.
And a full 360 degree spin of the blade that surely would have cut everything around her, Azula was even sure the grass was cut slightly after that one.
Azula was enamored by the sight, it reminded her of Ty Lee when she was practicing her dancing with those ribbons...only this was much more majestic and interesting to her by a longshot. The way Kazumi moved and controlled the blade, the way each of her moves were calculated and thought out, the simple precision, accuracy and grace in her form...
Made Azula all the more inclined to learn.
When Kazumi finally finished her little demonstration, she turned back to the princess with a smile " So ready to learn ? "
" Yes, please "
Kazumi went slow with her since this was a new weapon she was learning how to use and started off with the basic.
" First off, Azula you want to start twirling your blade around so that it can gain some momentum for your strike "
" Alright..." Azula did as instructed starting off slow, doing similar twirls like Kazumi had done and it seemed like she was gaining some-
POW !
"Ow !" Azula yelled as she recoiled at the force of the hard rubber blade hit her face. The older woman quickly helping her.
" You okay ? "
" Yeah, just...damn " Azula cursed.
" Its alright Azula, this takes a while and you need to be patient " Kazumi advised in that motherly tone " Now let's start off with the basic again "
The princess took a deep breath, she couldn't allow one slip-up to get her down. Back to work.
This continued on for another few hours, which mainly focused on Azula just getting the twirling aspect of the chain-blade down. Azula starting to feel a bit more grateful that Kazumi started her off with just a regular practice chain-blade than a real one, since she was certain that she would have slashed her beautiful face had she been using the real thing.
By the end of it, Azula lied back on the grass feeling tired...but good.
It felt great to actually have a purpose again and this time it was with a woman who actually cared about her.
" Tired Azula ?" Kazumi asked with a smirk.
" You kidding ? I've been through worse than this..." Azula replied with her own smirk.
" Good. Because tomorrow we have a long day..." Kazumi explained " With the other side of training..."
Azula raised an eyebrow, what exactly was Kazumi talking about ? Oh well, she would find out tomorrow.
After the physical side of training came the more educational side of her training: Learning.
They were both currently in the hidden section of Kazumi's house in the room that they had cleaned which was designated the 'Library'. The room itself held dozens of books and even had a board that Kazumi could use to elaborate her points on,
" First thing, you need to understand Azula is that not all Spirits are exactly the same. There are many different types with different powers, abilities, motives, which domains they draw their powers and hail from" Kazumi explained in detail " While I will explain to you the finer details of each spirits later, if you want a more simplified version of a spirits that you are likely to encounter they can be divided into three groups " Kazumi held up a three fingers for emphasis.
Azula paid close attention since she was sure that this information was going to be important.
" The three main groups are as follows, Light, Dark and Grey spirits " Kazumi lowered each finger " Light spirits are usually benevolent and gentle spirits, typically mortal souls that have unfinished business in this world and need some help from us in order to move on. There also cases where they are lost spirits from the Spirit World that somehow made it into ours that need to be returned "
Azula processed at the information, sounded simple enough " So how exactly do we deal with these spirits ? "
" They are usually the most diplomatic and like I said just need some help to move on from whatever is keeping them in this world. Nothing too difficult "
The princess nodded in understanding, urging Kazumi to continue on.
" The second kind of spirits you will likely encounter are dark spirits " Kazumi's face took on a grave expression as she talked about them " Malevolent beings that care not for those they hurt and only care for their goals being achieved. They are the most dangerous and they have a variety of different abilities that they can call on to hurt you, violence is almost always necessary when dealing with dark spirits "
" Sounds like a pain in the ass " Azula said crudely.
" They are. Some more powerful Dark Spirits even have entire cults dedicated to worshipping them and fulfilling their masters ambitions " Kazumi said like she experienced them, which she probably did " Though there are a select few dark spirits that aren't necessarily evil or malevolent...at least not all of the time "
" So how do we deal with them ? " Azula asked but what she was really asking. How do we kill them ?
" Banishing techniques and papers, that can be used to banish the spirits back into oblivion " Kazumi explained " The swords and weapons we have can also be used against the spirits of the dark "
" Wait...you mean, we can actually cut through spirits ? " Azula said a bit excited.
" Oh, yes I have experienced it many times before and I can attest to the fact " Kazumi said with a smirk " You didn't actually think all the swordplay was just for show did you ? "
" Nice..." Azula complimented " So how about the last kind ? "
" Ah, yes the Grey Spirits..." Kazumi had a more tired look on her face as opposed to the more anger one she had just now " These spirits are without the doubt the trickiest to handle. Not because they are necessarily more powerful than the other two I just mentioned, but because their motives are usually indiscernible at first glance and hard to understand "
" How so ? "
" Let me put it this way...Grey Spirits are neither good or evil. They won't burn down a village for no reason but they will also won't hesitate to help someone. They will do both if it suits their objective, which can make their motives hard to figure out and understand "
So spirits themselves can be complicated...great.
" So you get what I'm saying Azula ?" Kazumi asked to make sure that Azula got the idea.
" Light spirits are generally good, Dark Spirits are generally bad and Grey Spirits fall somewhere-ish in between " Azula summarized.
" Yes, very good " Kazumi seemed impressed " I don't want you going out there without the proper knowledge...so I hope you're ready for a lot of studying "
" Kazumi, I grew up literally being forced into reading books on economics, history, socio-political conflicts and more. I can handle this and more "
" Good to know..."
Their next lesson took place outside, Kazumi bringing out various powders and other odd devices Azula wasn't familiar with.
" Spirit Navigators made use of various powders and bombs to cover our tracks if we ever need to retreat " Kazumi held up a small ball before throwing it into the distance, Azula watched it create a large smoke cloud.
" Impressive...smoke bombs ? "
" Useful distractions for when we need to make a quick getaway and its good for covering your tracks " Kazumi explained with a smile " We also employ explosive powder for a more...blunt approach "
Azula loved the sound of that...
" For example-" Kazumi held up another bomb , but it was a different shape this time, it was bigger in size and looked more brittle than the casing from threw it into the lake and Azula was curious on what exactly she was-
BOOM !
Azula almost jumped back at the explosion in the lake, causing water to fly up into the air, barely missing them.
" Agni... that was an explosive ? " Azula said in amazement. Why did they not have these in the military ?
" Indeed...why don't you try a bit Azula ? Give the fishes a bit of scare " Kazumi said as she handed another bomb to Azula.
Azula grinned as she threw the explosive into the lake.
BOOM !
She was loving this more and more.
The former princess was certain she was growing more enamored every time she saw Kazumi's white flame, even more so since they started firebending training.
At the moment, Kazumi was teaching and instructing Azula on the firebending katas of the Spirit Navigators. Which Azula managed to do flawlessly, since they seemed to be based on some advanced firebending techniques she had already learned, with some minor deviations here and there.
" Excellent work Azula, with fire like that you'll send the dark spirits cowering in fear " Kazumi congratulated her with a smile with made the former princess happy " By now, your fire should be adjusted to affect spirits " Kazumi explained as she did a firebending kata.
" My fire? " Azula questioned as she replicated Kazumi's form " What do you mean ? "
" When I shared my powers with you Azula, it did more than just share some of my abilities with you...it also affected your flame so that it would be effective against dark spirits " Kazumi said, before turning her head with a slight smile " You didn't think the white fire was just for pleasant visual affect, did you ? "
" No..." Azula definitely did, but she kept that to herself " So should I expect my fire to turn from blue to white ? Personally I kinda like the blue "
" As do I...but no, it shouldn't change color...at least I don't think so ? " Kazumi said with uncertainty " My fire has always been white due to my bloodline as a Spirit Navigator, so it naturally passed down to me. I don't know if it will change yours over time "
Azula as if testing the waters, blew a blast of fire to the sky...and it was still beautifully blue.
" I honestly hope it doesn't change...I like it since its my own fire " Azula muttered.
Kazumi reached out and touched Azula's cheek " And I hope it doesn't change either, it is what helps make you...you Azula "
Azula's felt her eyes widen at Kazumi's gentleness but didn't move away. She enjoyed it...even if she will never admit it.
The next few weeks passed by fairly quickly, Kazumi kept her to a schedule. Each day consisted of a mix of physical training and learning more about spirits, their weaknesses and their different types. There was other training too such as stealth and infiltration training, learning how to use smoke bombs as a means of covering their escape. Kazumi even took her to several different places around the forest to give her a better environment for some of her training.
All this hard training honestly reminded her a little of her training back at the palace, when she was still being groomed to be the heir to the Throne. Only difference here being that Kazumi was an actually caring teacher that wasn't trying to mold her into perfection.
Azula laid back on her bed after a long day of physical training, she could sense that any day now, they were bound to go out on one of those spirit hunts that Kazumi told her so much about. Where they would either guide a spirit to peace or a banish a dark spirit to oblivion, both worked for her, she just wanted to finally get out of this forest and get back out there again.
Though that reminded Azula of her problem...she needed a way to cover her identity. While the common people may not know exactly what she looks like, fire nation guards and military might still recognize her if given the chance. She was glad that the Spirit Navigators had masks she could wear to hide her identity, but it wasn't like she could wear it all the time.
It makes her wonder if Zuko even bothered to send anyone after her, when she fled the Forgetful Forest to at least search for her and bring her back home.
Or maybe he just wrote her off as dead for the sake of political convenience.
She tries her best to ignore the anger she felt in her heart at that thought...that she wasn't even worth the search to even confirm that she was dead.
No. Don't think about that. He is nothing to you now. Nothing but a bad memory and part of your past.
Azula's thoughts were cut off...as she felt her left hand burn and she knew what was coming as a surge of spiritual power came to her.
She had felt this whenever she gained a new power from Kazumi's Apprentice, she was typically asleep most of the time it happened but this it was different...it felt more familiar.
The surge of spiritual power flowed through her body as she felt herself gain a new power.
It left as quickly as it came and Azula was left gasping for breath at the sudden shift.
Her hand was still glowing with a ghostly energy around it and she knew what she had to do.
In no time at all, she found herself in front of the door of Kazumi's room and just a few knocks, the older woman came to the door surprised at her sudden arrival.
" Azula ? What is it ? " Kazumi asked, not at all looking drowsy as if she hadn't been sleeping.
" K-Kazumi I just...gained a new power..." Azula showed her glowing hand to the Spirit Navigator.
Kazumi carefully took Azula's hand into her own, as she closed her eyes and her own hand started glowing...
Within a second, her eyes opened once more and they showed surprise.
" A-Azula you've...gained my Semblance power..."
The princess didn't know why...but she could tell that this was a big deal to Kazumi.
" Okay, so explain it to me again how this power works Kazumi ? " Azula asked again as they stood in front of the house.
Obviously they couldn't do anything about Azula's gaining of a new power last night so they opted to wait until morning so Kazumi could give her a proper explanation.
" My Semblance power allows me the ability to change my appearance at will..." Kazumi waves her hand toward the back of her head and in an instant, her long black hair changes to a brownish color " Such as changing hair color..."
This time Kazumi waves her hand across her face and this time it wasn't just the fact that her silver light gray eyes had changed to an ocean blue color...but that Kazumi's entire face had changed !
" Incredible..." Azula muttered in surprise.
" The effects are permanent but you can always revert back to your original appearance anytime you wish " Kazumi's hand glowed and she reverted back to the original beautiful face that Azula had become familiar with. Along with her hair returning to its original black color.
" This power...is amazing " Azula muttered.
" It is indeed useful for hiding our identities " Kazumi smiled.
Azula wasn't completely listening as she thought about the potential...
This power is exactly what I need to secure my identity, if I can change my face to a totally different one...than I could safely leave the forest without repercussion or fear of getting found !
It was almost too perfect.
" Okay, how do I use it ? " Azula asked.
" First, Azula you must envision what you want your new 'face' to look like...imagine it in your mind as you bring the power to your hand and wave it across your face..." Kazumi explained.
It felt ironic that she would literally be choosing a new face today...similar to how mother chose to take a new face and forget about them.
But this was different. She was changing her face, yes...but she will never forget.
The princess pushed those thoughts aside as she took a deep breath as she tried to envision the face that she would want. She wondered if she should simply base her face on some random commoner she saw, but thinking back on it, she can't perfectly remember their faces so that would do no good.
But then the thought came to her mind...about Kazumi's beauty, how it rivalled-no trumped her mother's by a longshot...she wanted to look like that.
And so she did.
She pictured Kazumi's beautiful face, her silvery light gray eyes and she felt the power flow through her...
She could feel the magic changing her appearance, filling her veins like a fire...it felt good.
Azula ran her hand across her face as she could feel the power work its magic, this went on for maybe a few seconds or so, before it stopped.
When it was finished, she opened her eyes and looked at Kazumi.
" So...how do I look ? " Azula asked with some hesitation, though Kazumi didn't quite speak, her face was stuck in amazement.
Kazumi was completely speechless.
The face that Azula had created...it resembled hers in so many ways, that she thought she was looking at a younger version of herself.
The attention to detail...the same eye color...it was like looking at her own daughter.
It made her wonder if this is what her little Shami would have grown up to look like.
As if Shami herself had reincarnated in the form of Azula...
" Kazumi ? " Azula interrupted her thoughts and her tone spoke of slight worry and fear. That she may have upset Kazumi by trying to replicate her beauty.
Instead the older woman pulled her into a hug, which surprised her to say the least.
" I love it Azula...I love it..." Kazumi whispered.
Azula didn't say anything...but smiled and returned the hug.
Neither of them had to say anything, they both understood perfectly.
It was official, Shin was dead.
Or rather he would be by the Fire Lord's hands if he returned empty handed.
He had been scouring the forest for Agni knows how long and still had found no new leads or clues on where or what even happened to Princess Azula. It was official, his luck as a tracker had run dry entirely and he wasn't going to get another drop anytime soon.
Shin now had to consider the possibility that either Princess Azula had already fled the forest to who knows where else...or she was dead by that Fire Lady's hands.
He hated himself for knowing which one was more likely.
But how is he ever going to explain to the Fire Lord ? He had insisted on going back on this assignment alone, but now he's thinking that he may have made a mistake in making that request. But he didn't want to burden the others when he was more than capable of doing this on his own.
And so Shin thought( for not the first time) if it was time to hang up his bow and retire.
He looked out his window at the light peering through it and thought about it for a few minutes.
Well...maybe he could go get some things from the market tomorrow.
He can think about how he can explain his failure to the Fire Lord then. Hoping that he doesn't get incinerated on the spot.
Azula woke up as the sun rose after another good sleep of no nightmares or ghosts from her past. It was odd. She had grown used to never having a good night's sleep back then because she would have frequent nightmares, be it about the asylum or her past. But now they don't seem to happen anymore...perhaps they were gone for good now.
She shrugged it off and got to her morning routine, making her bed and doing her stretch. The usual by now.
Strangely enough, getting used to a new face wasn't especially difficult per say...
Though Azula had to admit that it was strange seeing a different face in the mirror in the morning when she was getting ready...
She held up a hand to touch her face... the same silver light gray eyes staring back at her... it felt natural. Much better than before.
She hadn't thought about it at the time but...she really did look a lot like Mother didn't she ? That was the one thing Azula got from her mother, her beauty and looks if nothing else. And now it was gone, replace simply with the face that resembles the beauty of another woman.
Perhaps it was fitting in a way, that she now wears the face that bears a striking resemblance to the woman that has been a more mother to her than her own birth mother ever was. It was almost poetic if she believed in such things.
Azula took a deep breath as she moved it away from her mind, she didn't want to be thinking about mother this early in the morning.
They were taking the day off to rest and have Azula relax her body from all the training they were doing. Azula won't deny that she loves Kazumi's training regiment much more than father's, who's whole regiment basically consisted of training until perfection. She remembered once that Father forced her to redo her katas for several hours straight until they were perfect. Her whole body ached that day and she did it again the next day too.
But Kazumi had told her time and again that she didn't need to be perfect...she could just be...
It felt strange but in a good way.
After getting dressed, she left her room and went to the kitchen to find Kazumi already seated at the table, having breakfast.
" Good morning Azula, I was just about to get you. I already made breakfast " Kazumi greeted her.
" Good morning to you too Kazumi, sorry my morning routine took a little longer than expected..." Azula said as she sat down and began eating.
" Its alright...so how are you adjusting to your new face ? " Kazumi asked.
" Honestly? I didn't think that hard on it yesterday but...my face resembled my mother, it was just about the only thing we had in common but now that its gone..." Azula let out a breath " I just feel glad if nothing else..."
" You're beautiful Azula no matter what face you wear..." Kazumi said, gently touching Azula's hand.
" Between you and my mother, I think you're prettier " Azula muttered.
Kazumi was surprised before she smiled. A small and petty part of her feeling happy that Azula thinks she's prettier than her mother.
The two continued eating, while exchanging some light conversation when Azula noticed something about Kazumi's clothes. They weren't the usual casual clothes that she wore around the house, they looked more akin to those she would wear when they were making a trip into the forest.
" Kazumi, are you going somewhere ? "
" Oh yes, I plan on going into Hira'a to get some supplies from the market " Kazumi explained.
Hira'a...the place where her mother was born and where she fled to after she abandoned her and chose to forget about her.
Hearing that place's name made Azula remember that she originally wanted to go back to Hira'a to work out a plan of action when she first arrived at Kazumi's home, but was unable to at the time because of the rainy season. But the rainy season had been over for a good long time now and that made Azula wonder how long she had actually been with Kazumi. Six months ? Eight? A year or more maybe ? She didn't know and quite frankly she didn't really care, so long as she was here with Kazumi.
Actually what was her original plan after going back to Hira'a going to be ? She's certain she didn't really have one at the time and was just making things up as she went along. Not like her usual self who liked to plan things out meticulously and perfectly. Granted she was working mostly off of survival instinct and was still paranoid and not thinking straight at the time. Another thing to be happy about that she stayed with Kazumi who helped her get better.
" Wait, you go to Hira'a to get supplies ? " Azula asked in surprise.
" Of course, how else do you think we've managed to stay so well stocked all this time ? " Kazumi said " You can only survive off of the bounties of the forest for so long before you need to get some proper supplies. I usually go earlier in the morning while you're still asleep, which is why you've never seen me come back "
Azula shrugged, she could accept that explanation.
" Are you going soon ? "
" Yes, although..."
Kazumi thought about her idea for a minute. While Azula had been well and good in the forest...perhaps it was time for her to get back out there. If only as a practice run.
" Azula would you like to go to the market with me in Hira'a ? " Kazumi asked suddenly.
The former princess blinked, being taken off guard at the sudden question. Did she want to go with Kazumi to Hira'a ? And possibly bring up bad memories ?
On the one hand, she didn't have to worry about potentially getting recognized on account of the fact that she has a whole new face now...on the other, she would be going back to that village. Where she last saw her mother before fleeing into the forest. Was really ready for that ?
It took her about a minute to come a decision:
No. She would not let a few bad memories of her mother interfere with her present life. She would not let this perturb her from going with Kazumi.
And she supposes some time outside the forest should do her some good.
" Yes Kazumi, I would like that " Azula nodded.
" Good. We'll go after breakfast " Kazumi smiled as they made their schedule.
Perhaps things would be okay.
You all have no idea how long I've been waiting to get to this chapter. The chapter where Azula changes her face to look like Kazumi's daughter is an idea that was suggested by Hammer back when I started including Dishonored powers into the story.
I'll leave it to you all to decide whether this is a good thing or a bad thing.
I love being cryptic with readers, it so much fun.
:P
Now let's answer some reviews shall we ?
To gimenaguzman9:
Yeah, Iroh really is to blame for Zuko's resounding lack of knowledge or expertise on how to manage a country. If he really cared about the Fire Nation, he would have taken over the reigns instead of just saddling Zuko with everything. I think he just wanted to fulfill his own self serving self righteous quest in a BS attempt to redeem himself and Lu Ten's name, but all he's ended up doing was put an inexperienced kid who was clearly not prepared to lead an entire nation and is now failing spectacularly.
Though I feel like Zuko deserves a bit of slack here, he's clearly way out of his depth and doesn't know what else to do but follow the stupid teachings of his uncle. And even he acknowledges how bad it is that he's taking out Azula's policies.
I doubt that even with a few hard knocks from Azula, there would be much neurons or braincells left inside that thick skull of his for her to knock alive.
In all fairness to Mai, there's only so much that she can do to really sway Zuko. She doesn't really hold any sway in the FN in terms of politics, so the best she can really do is advise him. And we will see how well that goes later.
No spoilers...but let's just say that when Kazumi does meet them, its not going to go well.
To Hello:
Like I said in the beginning of this chapter, I have considered cross-posting this story to AO3. Though if I did do that, I would probably have to take a short break to move all the chapters there.
So I wanted to hear all of your thoughts first before making a decision.
To rem:
Thank you so much for saying that ! I'm sorry that my update schedule tends to be a bit inconsistent for this story. But I do try to update as much as possible.
:)
With that said, I will see you all in the next one.
Angel Out.
