A/N: Had a psych online teaching session, got bored and started editing this instead. The writing is a bit over the place here, so I'm sorry about that. Not the most exciting chapter imo, but hope it brings some form of enjoyment.
4 Days Later:
Aang's POV:
As I stare blankly ahead of me, I can feel my muscles aching from how rigid my body is. At my tender age, I've been to more funerals than most people. But this time it's slightly different. The fire nation temple is packed. My parents' funeral was close to empty and well, the orphanage was full of kids no one would miss. But this is the Avatar. I don't know how many people Roku helped, but by the sheer number of people present, it's obviously a lot.
It kind of surprises me, I assumed Avatar work was more on the low down. But I guess you can be a helpful person without anyone ever knowing who you really are.
I swallow and look down. 'I knew he was though. Kind and patient. Firm with a strong set of morals. Understanding and wise. Full of advice. Now he's minutes away from being buried in the ground like everyone else I get close to.'
For some crazy reason I was given the second row to sit at, highlighting my closeness to the older avatar. But it doesn't feel right. 'Surely, his family and friends should be taking up the first few rows?' But in front of me all I notice is an aging woman with white hair and another taller, but younger woman beside her.
Hakoda is seated behind me with several other council members from varying other cities across the region. He's been trying to catch my attention, but I've stubbornly been avoiding his eye. 'I mean, how can I even think about another guardian when the one I had is lying two metres away from me in a coffin? Does he not care about his life at all?'
I bite the inside of my cheek hard just as one of the fire sages appears in front of a lantern to give a speech. It's a few moments later before I notice someone coming to stand beside me. A quick glance to my right has me almost dropping my jaw in shock.
"Zuko?" I hush in a whisper. The older boy spares me a look before looking ahead of him again.
"You asked me to come, remember?" He mutters under his breath. I stare at him.
"I did?" I echo back, unable to recall ever saying such a thing. 'Heck, I'm pretty sure I haven't even seen him since...what happened in the warehouse.'
"You were kind of out of it when I saw you the night you were admitted in the hospital. But yeah, you said something about not wanting to go to a funeral alone again." Zuko mumbles as the entire assembly of people gathered take a seat. A lump appears at the back of my throat as I slowly sit down. The words weren't something I actually remember voicing, but it was definitely something that plagued my mind ever since I was discharged from the hospital. I blink before looking away.
"Well, thank you." I utter gratefully, but my voice sounds scratchy to my ears. Even Zuko notices as he gives me a sidelong glance.
"How...are you coping?" The firebender asks quietly as some of Roku's life accomplishments are read out. I inhale deeply before flashing him a forced smile.
"Who me? I'm fine. This has just become a normal occurrence in my life, kind of like seeing your grandparents every few years." I joke with false gusto, but the scarred man just narrows his eyes at me.
"Cut out the pretence. You're not fooling anyone." The firebender hisses. But I'm too busy gazing at the torch of fire in the fire sage's hand as he leans forward to set the coffin alight. I'm pushing back my chair in under a second.
"STOP!" I yell before I can stop myself. Hundreds of eyes swivel to rest on me and I almost feel like shrinking into myself at the sudden attention. Even Zuko is staring at me in disbelief. The head fire sage quirks an eyebrow at me as he withdraws the torch away from Roku's body.
"Is there something you'd like to say?" He booms with a strong thick accent. My lips part as I stare at the open coffin.
"Does...do you have to set him on fire? Can't we just bury him?" I plead, but if anything the man's eyebrow rises even higher.
"This is a fire nation tradition. Of course, we have to. Besides, this is in accordance with the wishes of the family." The sage explains patiently. The old lady sitting in front of me turns her head to look at me. Curiosity is etched into her frail features as she scrutinises me carefully before stretching out a shaky hand to pat my forearm.
"My father always loved the traditions of the fire nation. But if you feel strongly about this..." She trails off with expectant eyes. I try to swallow, but the lump gets stuck halfway down.
"N-No. You're right. He...he would've preferred this." I stammer as I return to my seat. The old lady nods her head before turning her attention to the sage. She gives him another small nod and a moment later the coffin is set alight.
Flames flicker along all four sides as I watch the man who became a mentor to me burn to ash. Burning and burning. Like how he saved me from the burning before. Smoke. Screams. Explosions. Devastation. Death. My chest tightens and my lungs constricts. I'm on my feet again, sprinting out of the Fire temple in desperate need for air.
"Aang!" I hear Zuko and Hakoda shout, but I'm roughly pushing the doors open and run to the nearest tree as I try to get the air back in my lungs. I rest my palm against the trunk as I wheeze loudly. I bend so far forward that I nearly topple over, but my heart continues to pound aggressively against my ribcage and I punch the tree to try and distract my crippling sense of panic and anxiety. Hands appear on my shoulders behind me, massaging the spine of my scapula in an attempt to soothe me.
"Hey, you're alright." Hakoda reassures softly. But it only serves to remind me that Katara still hasn't woken up from her coma. My breathing catches and I find myself choking on my own saliva. Large hands pat the base of my spine as I keep spluttering and finally, I vomit up my breakfast. Immediately a hand goes out to rest against my forehead before the man starts tutting.
"You have a bit of a fever. Are you still taking your antibiotics?" Hakoda asks gently as he spins me towards him. The vomiting has somehow helped slow down my racing heart as I finally meet the man's eyes. In them, I only see kindness and concern. The urge to vomit returns as I pull away from him.
"You're not my guardian." I croak back instead which makes the man sigh as he leans back slightly.
"Would you rather have a random person be your guardian?" Hakoda asks pointedly. I bite back the yes that sits on the tip of my tongue and opt to stare at the ground. "Aang, I want what's best for you. And nothing has to change. Monthly check ins would still be fine if that's what you'd prefer. You don't have to live with us if you don't want to. Although, I would personally prefer if you did." The councilman explains gently, but my gaze on the grass becomes a glare as I press my lips tightly together.
"What about what's best for you? And Sokka and K..." I falter on the waterbender's name. Sokka refused to tell me why it was taking her so long to wake up. He knows something, but refuses to tell me. Hakoda's features softens as he bends slightly to meet my eyes.
"Katara will be fine. There was some medical complication, but she's in the clear now. She'll wake up any day now." Her father reassures softly, but still my throat constricts.
"I'm not going to risk losing anyone again." I grit out.
"No one will know. Just the four of us." The older man insists. I don't answer. I hear him sigh again before he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a letter. I spot the Fire Nation Crest immediately. "Roku told me to give you this if anything happened to him." The councilman murmurs as he presses the letter into my limp hand. My breathing picks up again as I stare at what must be Roku's last words to me. 'Spirits. I'm not ready for this.' I think to myself, but my hands are working on its own accord to open the envelope and removes the folded letter from its confines. Roku's handwriting greets me at once and I almost feel like the world is tipping around me. I close my eyes briefly to push away the bout of vertigo and re-open them to read the letter.
Dear Aang,
If you're reading this, I suppose my time has come. I pray that you're reading this many years from now, but as I sit here and write this before I come and find you, my instincts tell me this is likely not the case. If my instincts are correct then all I can say is I'm sorry.
I've seen the struggle you've faced and how your past haunts you till today. The last thing I've ever wanted was to put you through all that again. I suppose that might be why I never offered for you to visit for the holidays, in fear that you'd become too attached and get hurt all over again. But from our Skype calls I can see that I was foolish to think that I could stop your attachment. Your heart is too big to not latch onto those close to you. So, I will say it again. I am sorry. Sorry I had to leave you. Sorry I didn't try harder to prepare you for your coming life as the avatar. Sorry that I died. And most of all I'm sorry that I won't get to see you grow past your pain and into the strong young man I know you'll become.
But I want you to know that I'm proud of you. That I'm honoured to have finally met my successor and what a worthy successor you'll be. This I know without a doubt. My advice to you is work hard, train under master benders who are passionate about their element, but who will also become your friends. Life as the Avatar is hard, be cautious who you share your identity with and never stay in one place for too long. The Avatar State is a tool that you will control in time. Air Nomad culture is the perfect source to master it. The councilmen are reliable allies, but remember that your work as the Avatar is a lonesome job. Having said that, don't let it stop you from living your life. You're still young, find what means the most to you and cherish it.
I have one final request from you if you're still under 18 when you read this. I know you'll vehemently resist the idea of having further guardians. But I urge you to allow Hakoda be your guardian. He is a loyal friend of mine and I know he'll look after you well. He has known you since you were 8 and I know he has done his best for you thus far. Please. Heed this one request from an old man like me.
On that note, I leave you with one more saying. Don't be afraid to love again. Love has a way in putting the broken pieces together again. It makes the scars fade and the bad memories distant.
Look after yourself Aang.
Your Guardian and friend,
Roku.
I'm sliding down against the tree to stop myself from collapsing as I clutch the letter firmly in my hands. 'He knew something would happen to him. I mean, I know he was old, but he knew he'd die soon and this letter really were his last words to me.' A weird sort of choking sound exits my throat as the world spins around me once more. My grip on the letter slackens and I clutch the back of my head to stop myself from banging it against the tree trunk behind me.
"Jeez, he really isn't taking this well, is he?" I vaguely hear Zuko mutter to Hakoda.
"It's hard to keep going through that sort of pain more than once." The councilman murmurs back. I swallow harshly and re-open my eyes to find Hakoda crouching in front of me while Zuko stands behind him with a deep frown etched into his face.
"I'm fine." I mumble as I fold up the letter and tuck it into my jean pocket. The councilman offers me his hand and with a quiet exhale I take it and he pulls me up.
"It's ok not be fine." Hakoda voices lightly as he keeps his hand in mine. "I'm still finding it hard without Kya despite it being a few months now." The man voices empathetically as his eyes become sad. And I know he's saying that to cheer me up, but it just lodges another ball of guilt in my gut.
"I'm sorry." I whisper. He looks up at me, only to frown.
"That isn't what I meant-" He starts, but I shake my head, and give him a strained smile.
"I know. Ok, I'll accept you as my legal guardian, but I don't want Katara or Sokka to know." I request, but the man purses his lips.
"I don't think this is something I should hide from them. They were already upset with me for not telling them about you to start with." Hakoda refutes, but I slip my hand out of his.
"No. They can't know. It's bad enough they now know I'm the..." I trail off, leaving him to fill in the gap. "...the less information they know about me, the safer it is for them." I insist firmly. Hakoda scrutinises me carefully before scratching his beard. Before he can give me a response, I throw in another condition. "And I won't be living with the three of you. I've got enough money to buy a flat after graduation. I plan to move in next week." I add. This makes the man pause as he drops his hand to his side.
"I don't know Aang. This will really hurt them. Not just the secrecy, but also cutting off your friendship with them. Especially Katara. They deserve to know." The councilman explains patiently, but I'm shaking my head stubbornly.
"Jeez, do you not even care that you'll hurt Katara?" Zuko chips in coolly as he stares me down. I know what he's trying to do and I hate to say that my heart does skip a beat at hearing her name. But I never ever want to put her in such a position again. Her screaming is still fresh in my mind. The smell of burning skin as the fire whip tarnished her perfect chocolate skin. Never again.
"I'm doing this to protect her." I grit out. But the firebender snorts loudly.
"She doesn't need the protection of a little kid." He sneers cruelly and I can feel my hands clenching as I take a step forward. He meets me in kind until our faces are just inches apart.
"Both of you cut it out." Hakoda orders sternly, but Zuko just leans forward and drops his voice to a quiet whisper.
"What she needs is having you around." He utters by my ear. My lips press together so tightly that they pinch white as I try to think of a quick retort, but he continues on. "Your selfishness is going to break her. That girl is in the hospital because she cared about you and now, you're just going to run away like a coward?" He hisses. White hot anger flushes my cheeks as I glare at him. His words hit a little too close to home.
"At least this time my cowardice will actually save someone." I choke back, only for Zuko to shove me roughly backwards in the chest.
"You aren't saving anyone! You're going to make things worse." The firebender retorts viciously as Hakoda grips his shoulder.
"Zuko stop." The councilman orders. Angry tears blur my vision as I stare up at the firebender.
"You just don't get it. You don't know what it's like to keep losing everyone that comes into your life." I mutter achingly. The scarred man opens his mouth, but before he can say anything someone else calls his name.
"Zuko?!" I watch as Zuko stiffens up immediately before slowly turning around to face the woman who was standing in front of us in the temple and beside the elderly woman who convinced me to have Roku's body cremated. Being able to see her face, I can tell she takes pride in looking after her appearance, but that's not what catches my eye. No. It's the way she gazes at Zuko as if she found a missing piece to her heart.
"M-Mum?" Zuko breathes out as he turns to face her properly. I blink twice and snap my eyes back to the woman, looking for any of Zuko's features. But it's hard to find any, he has always looked so much like his dad.
"What...what are you doing here?" Ursa queries as she crosses the distance between them and wraps her arms tightly around her son as if she hadn't been missing for years. I look away.
"Me? What about you?! How are you here?! You disappeared years ago!" Zuko hushes back as his mother pulls away slightly.
"I couldn't stay after I learnt of your father's motives. Believe me, I wanted to take you and Azula with me, but Ozai wanted to keep you both as his insurance in case I ever reported him." The middle-aged woman explains with sad eyes, but the firebender shakes his head in disbelief.
"If you couldn't report him then why didn't you stay with us? Or you could've at least told us where you were going!" The younger man retorts angrily. Ursa gazes at her son, her eye straying to the raging red scar on his left side.
"He was worried I'd report him regardless. He was going to kill me if I stayed." Ursa pleads as she stretches out a shaky hand towards her son's face, but Zuko remains frozen. "He did this, didn't he?" She croaks painfully as her thumb brushes against the marred skin. "He said he wouldn't hurt either of you." I hear her mutter under her breath as tears line her eyelids. I find myself swallowing harshly at the undeniable amount of love and care in her voice.
"You weren't there to protect me, Mum." The firebender whispers as she pulls him in for another hug.
"I know, it was a cowardly thing from me to do. I'm really sorry. I just couldn't be a part of what he was doing. Orphaning a child was where I crossed the line." Ursa explains and immediately my stomach drops to my feet. 'Great, I was the cause of someone else's family being torn apart.' I think bitterly as Zuko glances over to me. Hakoda picks up on the shift in the air and steps forward.
"I don't believe we've met?" The councilman starts, prompting the mother to drop her arms from around her son as she squints her eyes up at the water tribe man before she clicks her fingers in recognition.
"You're one of the councilman of our city! I recognise you from the local news." Ursa says as she stretches out her hand to meet Hakoda's in a handshake. The man smiles unsurely.
"I suppose that would be me. So, did you know Roku then?" The councilman asks as he withdraws his hand back. Zuko's mother flickers her eyes briefly to her son before chewing her lip in hesitation.
"He was my grandfather." She discloses and I almost drop my jaw in shock just as Zuko does a double take.
"He was your what?!" He splutters. Ursa throws him an uneasy smile before returning her gaze to Hakoda.
"I never met him though. He left when my mother was a young girl and never kept in contact. My mother was still heartbroken to hear that he had passed away though. She would always regale me with fond memories of when she was little." Ursa utters with a touch of nostalgia.
"So, you knew nothing about him?" Zuko questions in disbelief which makes the woman chuckle uncomfortably.
"I still don't. Only knew he had a very important job which meant he couldn't spend time with his family. My mother did say he was a phenomenal bender though. But that's about it. She herself doesn't know much about him and the only one who did was his wife who died a long time ago now. I suppose his history will remain a mystery, but it's good to see what a positive impact he had on the people around him." Zuko's mum says with a small smile. The three of us share a look before plastering strained smiles on our faces.
"Yeah, he did." I murmur, earning the woman's attention, but before she can undoubtedly ask me who I am, Zuko jumps in with a question of his own.
"So, the woman you were with is your mother? My grandmother?" The firebender asks with furrowed eyebrows, which elicits a nod from the woman. "How come you never told me? Or why have we never met her?" The scarred man queries with clear confusion. Ursa shifts in discomfort as she plays with the end of her hair.
"Once I married your father, he didn't want me to have any contact with my family. Told me that I was his new family. And fire nation custom always teaches us women to respect our husbands, so there wasn't much more I could do about it. But now that you're here, you can meet her! She's been wanting to see you for years!" She bursts with brimming levels of joy. But Zuko frowns at her.
"I think before I meet her, you need to see Azula. Your disappearance didn't just affect me." The firebender utters quietly. His mother stiffens slightly as she gives him a weary look.
"Is she...still the way she was before?" Ursa whispers and to my surprise Zuko's face hardens at the question.
"She is, but that doesn't change the fact that she's still your daughter." The scarred man retorts sharply, prompting the woman to sag her shoulders.
"Trust me, I know that. I love her very much, but sometimes..." She starts, but Zuko cuts her off.
"There's no buts in love. Yes, she can be twisted and mean, but that shouldn't change how you see her." He utters seriously, surprising both me and his mother. 'I've never heard Zuko sound so defensive of his sister before.' I think to myself as Ursa gazes at her son for several moments before a soft smile crosses her face.
"You're right Zuko. You've really grown up. Makes me really proud." His mother murmurs as she reaches forward to play with his hair. For the first time I spot a real smile on Zuko's face as he catches his mother's hand in half embarrassment.
"Come on Mum, let me take you home." The firebender voices gently and I can't help but realise how much the older boy loves her.
"Alright. My mum wanted to stay after the funeral for a bit anyway. I'll introduce you and Azula to her later." Ursa murmurs as she wraps and arm around Zuko's side. I watch as they start walking away, but the firebender pauses for a moment to glance behind him at me. I give him an encouraging smile.
"Go ahead. I'll catch up with you some other time." I say with a wave. Indecision plays on his features before he nods his head and steers his mother out of the temple gardens. I gaze at them for several moments longer than I should before dropping my eyes to the ground.
"Aang?" Hakoda probes quietly. I close my eyes briefly before turning around to face the man.
"I still don't want Katara or Sokka to know." I insist, picking up our conversation from before. The councilman sighs heavily as he massages his forehead.
"Ok. You're legally entitled to that wish. And I will allow you to live on your own in whatever accommodation you have arranged, but I will require monthly visits from you." Hakoda bargains. I nod my head in agreement and go to shake his hand to seal the deal, but he opens his mouth again. "I can't promise you that Sokka won't find out though because he does help me with my papers from time to time." He adds. I frown at that before biting my lip.
"As long as you can assure me that he won't tell Katara." I press. In response the man takes my hand and shakes it.
"That I can do." Hakoda utters, but something in his face has me uneasy.
"What?" I ask quietly.
"Your need to protect my daughter has me wondering if there's more between you two." The councilman discloses. I feel my heart tripping up at both his observation and the fact that Kuzon said something similar.
"We're just..." I pause, the word 'friends' is on the tip of my tongue, but I know the moment that I admit that aloud, to her father no less, will make it harder to detach myself from her when I disappear. "... flatmates." I finish lamely. Hakoda quirks an eyebrow in disbelief.
"If I am to be your guardian Aang, there can't be any secrets between us, especially if it concerns my own daughter." The councilman voices firmly. I lick my cracked lips and shake my head.
"It's nothing..." I trail off at his pointed look and stare at my feet. "...Katara may have some feelings for me." I mumble as I feel my cheeks becoming too hot. The older man hums as he strokes his goatee. I flicker my eyes up at the sound to find him scrutinising me.
"And what about you?" He queries nonchalantly. I bite the inside of my cheek. 'Am I really having a conversation that I've been avoiding for the last several weeks? And with her dad no less.' I release the soft fleshy part of my cheek to swallow.
"She means more to me than I thought she would when we first met. But to define it, I don't really know." I finally say. And I know that if Toph were here she'd be wearing that smug look on her face as she tells me that I'm lying. 'But to admit something to oneself is to desire it. And to desire it is dangerous.' Hakoda stares at me for the longest minute and I can tell he seems unconvinced by my answer.
"You understand that because of her feelings for you, your disappearance will really hurt her." Katara's father reminds seriously as his stern blue orbs drill into me.
I gulp at the obvious tone of paternal protectiveness. It serves as another punch to the gut that I don't have anyone like that. Zuko has the love of his mum. Katara and Sokka have the love of their father. Even Toph on some level has the love of her parents. 'Parents always puts the needs and interests of their children first. Before any stranger, regardless of what favour they're willing to do for you, even if it includes becoming your legal guardians.' The lump in my throat returns, forcing me to nod my head while I try to find my voice.
"I... understand. And I'm truly sorry for the hurt I'll cause her in advance. But Roku said that the life of an Avatar is dangerous. He even left his own family behind to protect them. And I'm willing to do the same for Katara and Sokka. Even if it will sting in the short term." I explain and with a sigh the councilman claps his hand against my shoulder.
"Alright then, I respect your decision. I know you just want to protect both of them." Hakoda reassures, before frowning. "Are you alright? You look a little pale." The man utters as he leans in to eye me closer. I step back and wave my hand in front of my face.
"Fine! I think I'm going to head back in and catch the rest of the funeral." I excuse and turn my back on the man just as the tears slide down my cheeks. 'I forgot how much it hurts not to have anyone to put you first.' I realise as my throat clogs up.
Zuko's POV:
Despite the elated joy I feel to actually have my mother back after all these years, anxiety crawls up my insides as I twist the key in the lock to open the door of our house. I step in first and immediately seek out my sister who I find sitting at the dining table going through a stack of letters. She looks up when I draw closer.
"About time. This is your company. You're meant to be doing the paper work, not me. " Azula mutters as she drops the letter in her hand onto the table. "What was so urgent that you had to leave this morning?" The firebender prodigy queries with a quirked eyebrow.
I lick my lips as I wonder how on earth am I going to tell her the news. My relationship with my mum has always been great, but to Azula, Ursa has always been like her Ozai. I take in a deep breath as I gaze at her.
"I went to a funeral and while I was there, I found someone." I say and step to one side to reveal our mother. Azula immediately pushes her chair roughly back and it topples to the ground with a loud thud as she stares at the woman who gives her an uneasy smile.
"Hi sweetie, I know it's been a while." Ursa starts, but my sister punches a hand into the table.
"What is this?! Why are you here?!" Azula yells as her stare becomes a heated glare. Our mother flinches, which if anything grills up the young prodigy even more. "I said why are you here?!" She screeches. I take a step forward and put my hands out in front of me.
"Azula, she's our mother." I try to explain, but she's isn't having any of it.
"A mother doesn't abandon her children for years without a word. A mother doesn't play favourites and a mother certainly doesn't look at the daughter like they're a monster." Azula spits as her hands flare up with her signature blue flames. I gulp. 'Ok, so I wasn't quite expecting it to become this dramatic.' I think to myself worriedly as I spare a glance to my mother's horrified face.
"I didn't play favourites..." Ursa argues, but even to me her conviction falls flat.
"Oh, don't lie to yourself Mother. You know as well as I do that you treated me as the spawn of the devil." My sister jeers with that furious glint in her eyes.
"Your actions nearly killed a child, how did you expect me to feel?" Our mother finally retorts with wide eyes. Azula chortles.
"There it is, all you needed was a push." The firebender voices smoothly as she moves away from the table and approaches us. "You treated me with disgust ever since that incident." My sister utters flatly.
"Can you blame me?" Ursa whispers. My heart drops at her silent confirmation. 'Azula was right? She wasn't just being dramatic about it?' I realise sickly.
"It was an accident and I was a child. You were meant to love me, but instead you despised me because I never showed any remorse or emotion over it. So yes, I blame you." Azula grits out with clenched fists. "Besides, you loved me less than Zuko way before that incident." She continues with flashing eyes. Our mother shakes her head.
"T-that's not true!" She stutters, but my sister releases a harsh bark of laughter.
"He was your perfect, obedient little boy while I was your unfeeling little monster. Admit it Mother." Azula jeers. I glance down at Mother's shaking hands and wonder whether I should let this go on for any longer.
"You don't understand. I love you, but every time I looked at you, I just saw your father and it scared me. He didn't reveal his true nature to me until we got married and even that was all so quick. He manipulated and treated me badly. Seeing you like him from a young age was a punch to the gut." Ursa tries to explain, but my sister sneers at her.
"Because you never wanted to spend time with me. Who else was I going to turn out like?" Azula retorts. "You know what? It doesn't matter. I didn't need you back then and I certainly don't need you now." She hisses as she spins on her heels to take a seat at the dining room and continues to sort through papers. I flicker my eyes to my mother, but her attention is sorely on the firebending prodigy.
"Azula..." Ursa trails off when Azula doesn't even acknowledge her. Ursa takes a few shaky steps towards her daughter. "I was wrong. So very wrong. I should never have treated you like that. You needed a mother and I just didn't do a good job of being one." Mother apologises regretfully, but the younger woman doesn't even spare her a glance as she continues to sift through those papers.
"Mum, maybe you should..." I start, but I'm quickly cut off.
"No!" She protests loudly, catching me by surprise and making the prodigy pause in her movements, but she still doesn't look up. "I'm not leaving until I fix things." Ursa utters desperately as she reaches Azula. "Not until I tell you how sorry I am for making you feel like that." Mother whispers.
Then she reaches forward and does the last thing I expect. She hugs Azula. The younger woman instantly stiffens up at the contact and half of me worries that she'll burst into flames. But she doesn't. She just sits rigidly as our Mum hugs her from behind.
"I'm so so sorry. I've always been proud at how sharp and gifted you were. I just let my feelings towards your father cloud my judgement. You deserved better." Ursa murmurs tearfully as she digs her face into Azula's shoulder. Nothing happens for several moments, but when I see my sister raise her hand, I'm instinctively taking a defensive step forward. But instead of the drama I expected, Azula simply pats our Mother's arm.
"No need to be so pathetic." I hear her mutter, but the smallest twitch of the corner of her lips has me smiling. Mum must've noticed it too as she clings more tightly to the bending prodigy.
"I love you just as you are." Ursa voices with such conviction that it stuns not only me, but Azula too. My sister swallows as she lets her hand drop from Mother's arm.
"Thank you." She breathes out so quietly that I almost miss it. She clears her throat a second later. "So, when are you planning to leave?" My sister queries nonchalantly, but I start grinning at the question.
"Never. If you'll don't mind me staying that is?" Mother asks meekly as she withdraws from Azula. The younger woman is silent for several moments before releasing a heavy sigh.
"It's not like I can kick you out of your own house." My sister mutters, in her way of saying yes. Mum's lips wobble for a moment before she wraps her arms around her daughter once more.
"Thank you, sweetheart." I hear her whisper. Azula rolls her eyes at the affection, but strangely doesn't protest. When my sister looks my way, she scowls from what I assume is the broad grin on my face.
"Mother, could you please tell Zuko that smiling that much will break his face." Azula requests roughly which finally prompts the older woman to gaze my way.
"Zuko, no need to make your sister feel uncomfortable." Ursa chides, but her eyes are soft as she stretches out an arm towards me. I don't hesitate in closing the hug. One of Mother's arms remains wrapped around Azula's shoulders as she hugs me. I'm just about to rest my hand on Azula's shoulder, until she shoots me a stink eye.
"Touch me and I'll break your arm." The firebender grits back. I immediately drop my hand to the side as I glare at her.
"Way to go and ruin the moment." I utter under my breath. Before my sister can respond, Ursa sighs heavily.
"Ah kids." She mutters, causing both Azula and I to snort.
"Mother we're adults." The younger woman stresses, only for Mum to smile at her with a knowing look.
"You're still my kids." Mother replies simply, rendering Azula silent. She turns her back to the both of us, but not before I spot the small upward turn of her lips. 'Maybe we can finally heal from all of this.' I think hopefully as I watch our mother take a seat beside Azula on the dining table.
"Are you really just going to watch me?" I hear her mumble as she puts down one of the letters in her hands. 'Maybe.' I silently repeat as I roll my eyes at her brash attitude.
"I haven't seen my daughter in nearly a decade. Agni knows I'm going to watch you. Both of you." Mum murmurs fondly as she glances my way to give me a soft look. I give her a smile. 'After all those years. All that time searching for her. She's finally here.' I think to myself as a ball of emotion gets stuck in my throat.
A/N: Welp that plot line is pretty much tied up now XD I've got one more scene with Zuko in mind, but other than that the bulk of his story is done, unless I decide to change something. I don't think Azula's resolution with her mum has been done well, so I apologise for that. I didn't want to drag it out but instead it came out rushed :P I hope it's passable anyway. Next chapter is an interesting one I'd say. We're so very close to the end of the story. I'd say there's prob 2 more chapters left. Maybe 3. And then we're done! But for now, prob no more updates till July, unless I get bored again XD Hope everyone is keeping well & see you all later :)
29/5/22