Hey Y'all I'm so sorry that I haven't updated. I did plan on it but 2020 kinda had me a bit distracted. I'm on break right now so I had time to write out another chapter! I hope you enjoy!

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Broken Not Evil

Zuko wasn't sure how much time passed as he watched his sister's chest rise and fall. It was a bit shallow but it was still there. He had to figure out what happened. If there was one thing that was certain, it was that Azula never let mere mortal pain stop her. There had to be something else going on. His pulse raced as he tried to think of what would cause her to react the way she did. He had to find Toph, she knew everything about Azula these days. He gingerly pressed his lips atop her head and quickly left in search of the master earthbender.

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Anag left Zuko in search of Katara. Feet barely ghosting the ground as he rushed through the twist and turns of the palace. His eyes landed on her in the garden playing with the turtle ducks. She's so beautiful. He wished he could sit and watch her play with turtle ducks for eternity. Elegantly swirling the water and creating slides for the little creatures, she was such a talented water bender. He's reminded how lucky he is to be with her.

"Aang!" Katara let the water fall gently back into the pond and rushed over to him. Swooping him into a hug. "Where have you been?"

Aang suddenly remembered why he had come looking for her. "I was with Azula"

"What? Why!"

"Katara I was trying to talk to her, get to know her more." Aang leads them toward a bench.

Katara breathes in deep and sits with him. "Okay, We did agree to give her a chance, but Aang we still need to be cautious around her.

Aang nods. "I understand your concern, but Katara she wasn't aggressive. In fact she wasn't even cold or closed off to me. Just kinda grumpy and a little annoyed. Though I was asking a lot of questions, so that's understandable. Plus it probably doesn't help that her ribs are broken which is why i came to get you. Which by the way must hurt a lot, but she kept answering my questions, She wasn't really mean at all, just grumpy and irritated. Which again I kind-"

"Aang sweetie. As much as I love your rambling, you're skipping over some things. Why did you come get me?"

Aang straightened his back. "Oh right! Azula's hurt. We wanted to see if you would heal them!"

Katara's face paled. "Of...Of course I'll heal her! Lead the way already!"

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Zuko liked to think he knew his friends. Which is why it came to no surprise to him when he found Toph tossing rocks in a training courtyard. His feet seemed to thud as he crossed over to her. He stilled at the edge of the court and watched as Toph trained. After a few minutes Toph stopped and strolled over to him. "What's up sparky?"

"Azula's hurt, her ribs are broken."

"What! Why didn't you stop me!"

"It's not like you can heal them."

"Let's go get Katara then you idiot!" Toph fist slammed against Zuko's shoulder.

Zuko winced and rubbed the sore spot. "Aang's already gone to get her."

"What about Aang?" Katara and Aang walked in hands intertwined.

"We were talking about Azula" Toph said.

Aang nodded and they made their way through the halls of the Fire Nation palace. They stopped at the princess's doors and Zuko slowly went in and checked on her. After a few moments he returned.

"Okay" Zuko said as he shut the door. " She's asleep for now, we'll let her rest. Does anyone know how she could have broken her ribs?"

Thick silence filled the hall. "I think I may have done it." Katara said sheepishly.

"What?"

"It wasn't on purpose! I went to find Toph and Azula was pinning her to the ground. I may have caused more damage than intended when knocking her off.

"That would explain why she was so tense today." Toph muttered.

"And it would explain why it affected her so much."

"Wait, What do you mean?"

"Azula was really out of it when I found in the hall with Aang. She was completely lost inside her head. She… actually told me that she thought her ribs were broken."

Toph perked up. "She struggles in her sleep, too." Everyone turned to her. "What we're friends!"

Zuko rolled his eyes. "Right."

Katara fingers curled tighter around Aang's hand. "Are you saying she's afraid of me?"

"It makes sense. You're the only one to ever really defeat her." Zuko said.

"But, she was insane! She wasn't herself!"

"That doesn't matter to her." Everyone turned to see Mai approaching. "None of you have even the slightest idea of how Azula's brain works. Well..Beifong might, but regardless none of you saw what made Azula. Her biggest flaw is her quest for perfection. It causes her to place blame where it doesn't belong."

"What do you mean?" Aang asked.

"She blames herself for her insanity. She;s supposed to be perfect at all times, so when life isn't it must be her fault. She takes all the blame for everything that goes wrong in her life and it crushed her. I suspect she is still struggling to accept her imperfections and since Katara has already defeated her once. What's to stop her from finishing the job?"

Blood flushed from Katara's face. "I wouldn't! If she isn't hurting anyone I would never hurt her!"

"We know you wouldn't. You like to have morals. Azula however, has never believed in the morals of others. To her everyone will cross the line when pushed."

The air rushed from their lungs, a solemn silence fell over them.

" That's horrible," Katara whispered.

Everyone nodded.

They hear a groan come through the door. Zuko grabs Katara and guides them into the room.

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The room is dim. Katara is pulled along by Zuko before she can even see the contents of the room. Another moan reaches her ears and Azula has her full attention. The princess is twisted in her sheets. Her face is gnarled. Carefully Katara feels her burning forehead and cheeks. Azula jerks away from the touch. "She;s feverish. I need water." Zuko nods and leaves to fetch water. Slowly Katara's hands feel the edge of the bed and find purchase on a corner of the bedding. She delicately lifts the bedding and snags on one of her legs. Ice floods through her as she glances at Azula's face. No change. Her gaze is fixed on Azula's face as she skillfully lifts her leg and sets it back in place. No change. Carefully grabbing the fringe of Azula's sleep shirt she lifted it up to expose her torso. Air left her lungs in a gasp. Azula's entire left side was purple and the right was blotched with green. She shifted her sight as the door opened revealing Zuko with the water basin. His eyes scanned over Azula and his frown deepened. Katara called the water towards Azula despite the tightness in her chest. She began to heal.

Azula jerked forward, eyes splitting open. A weak scream poured out her mouth followed by cerulean flames. Arms shooting up Katara instinctively brought the water up to defend herself.

"Azula stop!" Zuko yelled as he dissipated her flames. He grabs her wrist to stop her thrashing, but the action seemed to cause her to fight more. The door slammed open as Toph hurried in. She sat on the bed next to Azula and put a hand on Zuko's arm and shook her head. He let go and she grabbed one of Azula's hands and put it over her heart. Katara felt her pulse quicken. Azula would broil someone when she was lucid, but when she was feverish, exhausted, and in pain? There was no telling what could happen! Hushed sobbing rang in her ears. Her heart stopped. Was Azula...crying? Chest tightening, she listens to Azula's tears and watches Toph comfort her. Zuko meets her eyes, his frown sending wrinkles across his face. Toph calmly rubs a hand across Azula's back as she whispers things into her ear. After some time (How long Katara isn't sure) Azula calms, but still clings to Toph sleepily. Toph whispers one last thing to her and Azua leans into her. "Stay." is all she says before her eyes close. Katara's heart pounds out of her chest as she starts to heal again. Everything is peaceful for the rest of the night.

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Thank you for reading! I'm sorry if there are any errors I only read over it once. I will read over it again the day after Christmas. As always please leave your thoughts in the comments, just keep it respectful. Happy Holidays everyone! I hope y'all are doing well.