Chapter Three
"Uncle! Uncle!" Zuko called, walking into the Jasmine Dragon to the surprise of all the customers, who clearly recognized Zuko as the Fire Lord. What was he doing in a tea shop in Ba Sing Se?
"Zuko? Hello! How are you doing? It's so good to see you again? And… Jin, am I right?" Iroh asked. Jin smiled happily.
"You have a good memory… Zuko wanted to introduce me to you."
"Uncle, this is my fiancée." Zuko said, seeming happier than Iroh had ever seen him.
"Zuko, that's great. I love the ring you gave her. It's less traditional, but it matches your eyes perfectly, Jin, and is that my niece I see trying to hide?" Iroh asked, walking forward to hug Azula tightly.
"It's so good to see you again as well, Azula… I'm so glad to see that you're doing better. Come to the back, I'll make all of you some tea… Chamomile Lychee, I think would be good for this occasion. Have you gotten to see Ty Lee's school yet, Azula?"
"Yes, Uncle…" Azula said, blushing nervously.
"Ty Lee has been more forgiving to me than I deserve. She took me in, we're dating again, and I'm worried this is going to turn out to just be a dream, and that I'm still in the psycho ward."
"Well, it's possible that all life is just a dream. There's no guarantee that anything is real. We just have to live one day at a time, and take life as it comes at us. You seem to be bothered by something else, though, Azula."
"I-I've practically lost my Firebending, Uncle. It's not gone. But after I left the psychiatric ward, I found myself living on the streets. I moved to Republic City, and I only had enough Firebending to fight off those who would hurt me. I still am amazed that I survived this long."
"Ah… The same thing happened to Zuko. He went to visit the original Firebenders, the ancient Sun Warriors. You have to promise not to tell anyone about this, but I can take you there, and you can learn from the original source of Firebending."
"But, Uncle… You killed the last dragon, didn't you?"
"Well… Most people believe that I did. But there are two dragons left, Ran and Shaw, and if you are open and truly repentant for your crimes, they will teach you the true source of Firebending. It is not something that I can show you. Only they can truly teach you what you need to know.
"Uncle, I need to ask you… Are you angry at me for what I did to you in that desert town? I could have killed you. It's fortunate that I didn't, but what if I had?"
"I am not mad. You were confused at the time. I believe that everyone deserves a second chance." Uncle said with a smile, hugging Azula again.
He had plenty of money to get by, even if he closed the shop for a little while.
"Starting tomorrow, you and I will go to the Sun Warriors, and get you your firebending back." Uncle said with a smile. He had always wanted to be closer with Azula. He loved her, but saw how unstable she was. That was partially his brother's fault, well… Mostly his brother's fault. He had raised her in an overly stressful environment where she was loved only so long as she excelled.
"Is this… Normal, Uncle? Ty Lee just managed to fix my hair. Now, it's going to have sticky stuff in it forever."
"Oh, don't worry, Azula… The Sun Warriors will come and collect us soon enough. We just need to relax, and maybe take a nap until they come to free us."
"Oh, Uncle… What is it with old men and naps?"
"They're almost as calming as a cup of Jasmine Tea. Just relax, and before you know it, you'll be on your way to getting your bending back."
Azula sighed, scowling slightly.
"Okay. I trust you, Uncle… Wow. I never thought I'd hear myself say that."
"You have truly had a metamorphosis in your internment. I am happy for you. Tell me, Azula… Do you truly want to understand what the Sun Warriors have to teach? Are you here for enlightenment or simply to get your bending back?"
"Is there a difference between the two? I need enlightenment to get my bending back. So the two are inextricably linked."
"True… There is a correlation between the two. But there need not be a causation. You must seek enlightenment for its own sake. The benefit is wisdom and knowledge. The benefit to your bending is tertiary…"
"Uncle, you're speaking in riddles."
"Ah, the Sun Warriors! It's been a long time!"
"Good to see you again, Iroh… I would ask who she is, but her reputation precedes her. The Fire Nation princess, Azula… What could the Firebending prodigy want here?" The leader of the Sun Warriors asked.
"I… Apologize for coming here uninvited. But… Well, perhaps you could get me out of this sticky mess? Ty Lee is never going to let me hear the end of this? 'Oh, Azula! Your hair! This gunk will never come out!'" Azula mimicked in a fairly accurate impression of Ty Lee's voice.
"Get them out of there, and bring the Aardvark-Dogs! So, are you just here with your niece, Iroh?"
"Uncle, you know these people? Hm, will the wonders never cease? I thought you guys died out centuries ago, around the same time Uncle killed the last dragon…"
"Hey, I'm not that old… Okay, I'm pretty old… Hahahahahaha!" Uncle said, taking the warrior's hand and helping to pull himself out of the gunk.
"Azula used her limited firebending to burn away some of the gunk, and struggled until a warrior pulled her out as well."
"Fire Princess… Why are you here!?" The lead warrior repeated.
"My… My firebending… It isn't exactly gone, but it's weakened. I've spent a while up to now on the streets… Long story… And I could only use the barest amounts of fire to fight off attacks."
"We will take you to our masters, and they can decide whether you are worthy to learn the secret of true firebending… Your brother and the Avatar were the last people to come here. We get visitors every once in a while, but… We were surprised by their visit, and even more by yours so shortly after…"
"Really? You must measure short differently than most people. That had to have been at least three years ago."
"We don't get a lot of guests…" The chief said dryly. Azula nodded. Sounded like her stay in the sanitarium. Not getting a lot of visitors was to be expected.
"Are these stupid vermin almost done?"
"Aardvark-dogs are more closely related to…"
"I don't fucking care what they're related to! I just want this sticky crap out of my hair!" Azula shrieked. The Sun Warrior leader drew away quickly at her vitriolic outburst.
"You will carry a piece of the Eternal Flame to the top of the mountain, and offer it as tribute to the dragons, Ran and Shaw, who, if they are pleased, will show you the true source of Firebending. They will inspect you, seeing your heart, your soul, and your ancestry. I can't say that they would be too pleased to know that you were the one who tried to destroy half the world."
"I-I can accept that." Azula said, trying to keep her fear under control. She was scared. She knew that there was every chance she could die, and she wasn't ready to die yet. She hadn't really lived yet. Her whole life had been under the crushing expectations of her father, the disappointment of her mother, the fear of her friends, and she wanted to change that. So, she had to survive this.
Azula took a deep breath, walking up the hill, which quickly became steeper and steeper, until Azula was gasping for breath, stopping every so often to get her wind. Finally, she made it to the top of the hill, and found the Sun Warriors waiting for her, along with Iroh, who smiled at her.
"Now, you will go up the stairs, and allow the Dragons Ran and Shaw to judge you. If you succeed, you live. If not, you die."
"Can I stop for a little while and catch my breath?" Azula asked.
"No!"
"I… I see…" Azula muttered, glaring at the Sun Warriors, but obeying, and starting up the steep stone steps for the top, never letting her eyes off of her flame. If she did, she was sure she would either incinerate herself, or let it die.
By the time she was halfway to the top, she was gasping for breath, the high altitude making it difficult to catch her wind. She was feeling dizzy, the world beginning to spin around her. She was sure that she would collapse, and fall all the way down. How far was it down? Half a mile? Regardless, she'd be dead. Nobody would be there to break her fall. Who would care enough? She wasn't even sure her uncle, who had taken her here, would care enough. She had tried to kill him.
Suddenly, doubt and self-loathing flooded her mind. She didn't deserve the secrets of true firebending. She wasn't good enough. Ran and Shaw would never approve her. They would almost certainly kill her. She would be separated from Ty Lee forever, and even if they did approve her, how could she be a competent firebender when there was so much fear in her heart. Once, she was fearless, the powerful, indomitable princess. Now, what was she? She barely deserved to call herself a street urchin.
Finally, she started moving again. If she couldn't have firebending, she might as well let them kill her. What point was there in living without her greatest talent? She made it to the top, and offered the flame. Something came to her mind, though. Those images of the dancing tribal members. She was too weak right now to dance. Hadn't Uncle said something about performing the dance? It didn't matter. She held the fire up, her arms quaking, aching.
Finally, she heard a loud roar, and the two dragons came out, twining around her, and then twisting up in the air, breathing fire down. Suddenly, Azula abandoned all pretense of control, and cowered, covering her head… For a minute, she felt nothing. Looking up, she saw an amazing array of colors that didn't seem like any she'd seen before.
The technicolor fire was pure, unadulterated beauty beyond anything she'd ever seen. She found tears of joy filling her eyes as the secret of firebending found its way into her mind.
"It's beautiful… Like pure energy." Azula whispered, kneeling with the newfound knowledge.
It was truly transcendent. On her way down, she felt her energy returning. She could feel her lungs filling properly. Was the thin air a test? Were they testing her dedication? Her resolve? Either way, it was a harsh test that, for the first time she had feared she wouldn't pass.
Always the perfectionist, always the genius, success came easy to her. But just now, she was sure she was about to die. It was the most terrifying moment of her life. As she stepped back amongst the Sun Warriors, she looked at them, a new respect for peace, and for people in her eyes.
"You have been tested, and you have passed. But we ask that you never reveal our secrets to outsiders."
Azula nodded, and leapt in the air, twisting and shooting the same blue flame that she had always had. She then twisted in the other direction, and shot lightning. She was able to use fire again. This was great. She looked at Uncle, hugging him tightly.
"Thank you, Uncle. I'm so sorry for all that I said and did to you." Azula muttered, blushing shamefacedly. Uncle laughed.
"Oh, Azula… You don't need to apologize. I was never angry. I was sad that you were so lost. But it warms my heart more than any fire to see you now, having found yourself, and living happily. I don't believe that anyone is beyond redemption. One just needs to find one's own path to that redemption."
"What about father?" Azula asked uncertainly. Iroh's eyes narrowed. His younger brother was a difficult case. So indoctrinated with hatred from such a young age that even Iroh wasn't sure.
"I don't know. I wish I could give you a definite answer. But your father should not worry you. You need to do what's right for yourself."
"But I want to see my father." Azula said, seeming hesitant. She had always striven so hard to please her and Zuko's father, and had always been the favorite. But now, she would have to ask Zuko. It was a strange situation.
"Zuzu… You're still in Republic City?" Azula asked, as Ty Lee let Azula into her house. Zuko was sitting there on the couch with Jin, drinking tea.
"Yes. Ty Lee invited us to stay for a little while. We can't stay long, but maybe for a few days. We wanted to wait to see how your trip with Uncle went. And don't call me 'Zuzu!'"
"It went well." Azula said, creating a ball of flame in her hand, then closing his hand to put out the fire. Zuko smiled, seeming proud.
"Can you still use lightning" He asked. Azula nodded. "But not indoors. Zuz… Zuko… I want to ask a favor of you. I know I'm asking a lot, but it's important to me. I need this… For closure."
"Okay… If it's within my power, I'll do it." Zuko said, seeming taken aback by Azula's earnestness. Azula sighed.
"I need to see our father, assuming he's still alive."
"He was alive the last time I checked, and the guards haven't said anything about him dying… But Azula, why on earth would you want to see the man who turned you into… Forgive me… What you were?"
"I need to see him… For closure. I need to talk to him one last time. Ty Lee… W-would you…"
"Yes." Ty Lee said, taking Azula's hand tightly. Azula blinked a few times.
"But, I didn't say anything."
"I know what you want, though. You want me to go with you. I need to get you a proper haircut first, though. I did an alright job, but your hair just was too damaged to really fix on my own.
"I know some people in Republic City. She's always done my hair. I think she'll make space for you. Her schedule is quite packed, though, so don't jerk her around."
"I… Wouldn't dream of it." Azula said. Ty Lee smiled, and took Azula's hand, hurrying out the door.
"You and Jin can stay. Azula and I need to go, though. We'll be gone most of the afternoon, if not into the night." Ty Lee said, pulling Azula along.
"Hinata… I have a favor to ask of you…" Ty Lee said politely, walking into the hair salon. The woman looked up, smiling brightly at Ty Lee.
"Hey, sweetie! Who is this lovely young woman?" Hinata asked, smiling at Azula as well, who smiled awkwardly back.
"This is Azula… My…"
"Well, Azula… You got here just in time! Well… Almost in time. No doubt you came to get something done about that hair…" Hinata said, tutting.
"You look like you had such gorgeous hair, once… Is it lack of care, or was it a particular event that damaged it?"
"I… Well… I used to meticulously care for it… But… I… Well…"
"She's been away for a while, including spending a lot of time outdoors, and hasn't really had a chance to care for it.
"This is unacceptable. For you, sweetie…" Hinata said, winking at Ty Lee. "I can make room for her. Do you mind if we get another person to do it? I'm booked for six months."
"Not at all."
"Great! Yu! Take care of this young lady!" Hinata ordered. A young man came over and pulled Azula to a seat, pushing her head back, and washing her hair before shampooing it and conditioning it.
"I promise, dear… You'll feel better in no time…"
"Now, do you know what kind of haircut you want? I need to shorten it significantly. Your hair's been damaged something awful, I tell you what. Maybe a nice bob… No… That would be wrong for you. Ooh, your face is so angular… The hairdo has to fit the facial structure. I know popular hairstyles from all three Nations."
"Um… There are four Nations."
"Yah, but the Air Nation mostly has shaved heads, and there's only one Airbender left, thank you very much. Did you want a Fire Nation hairdo? You are the Fire Nation princess, right?
"Yes… I actually never thought about my hairdo. I'll just leave it to you."
"You need something beautiful to suit your face… And your eyes… Ooh…" Yu shivered. "You seem like you could cut me right open with those eyes."
"Is he always like this?" Azula asked Hinata, raising an eyebrow. Hinata sighed, laughing, and nodded.
"He's… A bit flamboyant. He means well. Is he making you uncomfortable."
"I suppose not. Is your constant string of rhetoric really necessary, though?" Azula asked, her frown deepening. Yu looked down apologetically.
"I guess not. I don't see too many women as fierce and beautiful as you, though. Let's see… I think I can make this work… I can't keep it as long as it is now. Your hair simply has too much damage. But I can work with this." He said, moving his hand and snipping off a little bit.
When he was done, he spun the chair around and faced her to the mirror.
"How's this look?" He asked. Azula looked at herself from several angles, looking critically at the hairdo. It was short. It only went to just above her shoulders. But he had done an amazing job.
"It looks perfect. How much do I owe you, Hinata?"
"Oh, that one was on the house. Ty Lee has been teaching my daughter Chi Blocking, and it's really helped her self-confidence. Besides, there's no excuse for a pretty woman like you to have such a mess on your head. Have you considered getting your nails done here?"
"I can get those done by Ty Lee… I do need to get them looked at again, though." Azula said, looking at her nails, which had become somewhat ragged from the climb up that rather mountainous trek.
"Are you sure? We have a little time left." Hinata said. Azula sighed, and held out her fingers. Yu smiled, and looked at them closely.
"Hm… They aren't that bad. They just really need to be cleaned, filed and lacquered." He said, taking hold of her left hand, and clean each finger individually with a brush. When he was satisfied that they were clean, he did her right hand, then began to dry them off, and file them with a nail file, using an exceptionally light touch.
When he finished smoothing out her nails, he looked at the various nail polishes and lacquers.
"Did you have a preference in terms of nail polish? I can just put clear polish on. Or, we can paint them red… Did you have a different color in mind. It looks like your nails used to be red."
"Red is perfect. That's what they've always been." Azula said. Yu nodded, and began painting them, paying meticulous attention, and when he finished, he told her to sit and let them dry.
After about ten minutes of drying, Azula stood, and thanked them. She had no money to pay them, but Ty Lee seemed to have taken care of it, having tipped Yu for his help.
"Thanks, Hinata, Yu… Have a good day. We'll be out of town for a while, so one of my assistants will be teaching Chi Blocking classes."
"I understand, Ty Lee… Enjoy your vacation." Hinata said.
