"Why?" the word echoed through the room.

"Why not?" was the only answer Zuko could think of. "All the doctors agree that it would be completely safe for you to come live in the palace with me."

Azula closed her eyes and sighed. Zuko prepared himself to hear a rational, annoyed explanation of why his idea was a terrible one. No matter how old they were or how much their relationship and they themselves changed, one thing would always remain the same: they would disagree, argue, and bicker about anything and everything, 'til one of them was proven right.

"Everyone in the Water Tribes and in the Earth Kingdom hates me, and the only people in the Fire Nation that want me to get out of this hospital are the same fools that would love to beat you to death and crown our father as Fire Lord again" she said in that calm, yet firm tone that was so familiar to her brother. "I'm not stupid, Zuzu. I know that the fact that you and the avatar decided to spare my life and allowed me to keep my bending abilities must have infuriated hundreds of people all over the world. How do you think they'll react if you decide not to keep me locked up in here anymore?"

"Most people didn't exactly love me either, Azula" he said "If Aang and the others had not been there to support me, i probably would have never become Fire Lord at all. They haven't forgotten whose son i am, or the things i did before i joined the avatar, and i'm sure many of them still don't like me. But they know i'm not going away, and i've proved to them that this isn't a bad thing."

"Good for you, Zuzu" she deadpanned. "Unfortunately, i'm pretty sure your friends will oppose this too. They know about every horrible thing i've ever done to you, and i think it's safe to say that your attempts to convince them i've changed were... less than successful."

Zuko blushed. The few times his friends had interacted with Azula had been very important, yet unbelievably awkward, and he felt extremelly uncomfortable whenever he thought about it.

"They know i want to you to come home. They know i need you. They'll help me make sure no one starts any trouble" he hoped that would be enough to convince her things were not going to be as hard as she was expecting.

Obviously he was wrong.

"Then they're crazier than i am" she replied, turning her back on him.

"Don't talk like that." he warned her, trying his best to keep himself calm.

"I'm just saying that allowing your sadistic, psychotic little sister to go home without any real punishment is not the brightest idea you've ever had."

"Don't talk like that, Azula! I don't wanna hear this ever again!" his words and tone startled her.

Zuko sighed in defeat and sat on her bed, burying his face in his hands for a moment. "I didn't mean to scream at you. I'm sorry." he looked at his sister, who seemed worried "Just don't talk like that again. Please."

A heavy, uncomfortable silence surrounded them, almost as oppresive and cruel to him as the memories in his mind. Azula, his little sister, the great prodigy... broken. Chained up, screaming and crying after their agni kai. Terrified of people no one else could see and begging that voices no one else could hear would be silenced. Losing faith in herself. Hurting herself in any way she could. Cutting herself, refusing to eat, trying to reject the help of doctors and healers. He never wanted to see her like that. He never wanted to be reminded of that.

... allowing your sister to go home... without any real punishement...

Having her life being brought to a halt and being locked away from the rest of the world at the age of fourteen wasn't a punishment? Spending her first two weeks at the hospital tied to a bed so she wouldn't hurt herself or others wasn't a punishment? Feeling so hopeless that she wouldn't sleep, eat, or talk wasn't a punishment?

"I'm sorry too." she said, walking towards Zuko, and sitting next to him. "I'm just... worried."

"I'm not gonna let anything happen to you" he promissed.

"That's not what worried about" her eyes met his "What if i'm not really recuperated yet? I got better just to get worse again twice before. How can i possibly be sure you'll be safe living in the same house as me?"

She's afraid to lose control again. Of course that was her main concern - how can i be so stupid?

He took her hand in his "You're being too hard on yourself. You haven't hallucinated at all in a year, and you haven't risked yourself in any way for months. All your doctors agree that it would be better for you if you came home with me, and they said you can come talk to them at any time if you ever need help to deal with anything. I know this is scary, but i can't stand seeing you here anymore. It's been six years, Azula. You've suffered more than enough to pay for what you did, and you deserve to get out of this place."

His sister was silent again, but Zuko felt more confident now that she had told him what the problem really was. He knew she could face it. He knew Azula could overcome anything, she just didn't want to do it alone - nor should she.

"Everything's gonna be fine, Azula" he reasurred "I trust you. You're not the person you used to be."

She took a deep breath before finally speaking up "Fine. I'll go home with you." She started to tear up, but for the first time that day, she smiled.