Avatar Chapter 5

I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender

It had been a little over a month since Ty Lee made the choice to stay in the Capital, and every day she became more confident that it was the right decision. Of course being Azula's attendant was not the most exciting job, all she did was do whatever her princesses told her; write this down, deliver this message, get my tea.

Which, now that Ty Lee thought about it, was no different then what she usually did with Azula but that was not the point. The point was that Ty Lee actually felt happy, and she had a good feeling that Azula was happy to, most of the time.

Here in the Palace she felt like her own person, she was recognized as not just one of seven identical sisters, but instead as Princess Azula's right hand. It had been strange at first, almost terrifying that she was seen as herself, not simply part of a set. She now had responsibilities, power and, what did Azula call it… political influence.

Ironically the attention she got made her want to simply fade into the background at first, it was a dose of reality and a good example of the phrase the "grass is always greener". But the saving grace was that Azula was one everybody really wanted to get close to, she was simply there.

Ty Lee did not recall Azula getting this much attention in school, but being made crown Princess and later heir to the throne apparently changed that. Speaking of her "boss" she was currently sitting to her left as they both listened to Li, or possibly Lo, Ty Lee was embarrassed that she if all people could not tell them apart.

"Now Princess, remember that when speaking to one you wish to bring to your side you" the sister on the left stopped "must always do so with dignity and refinement" the sister on the right continued without so much as pause. "On the condition that it is a formal discussion, where my reputation and status are on the line" That was Azula, who looked pleased with her addition.

"Correct Princess, there are many circumstances where more", "Unorthodox methods are preferable". The way the Li and Lo finished each other's sentences took a while to get used to, but Ty Lee found them to be very interesting people to be around, for a variety of reasons.

The one she found most surprising was the informality they displayed towards Azula when not in public, calling her by name without a title, commenting on her state of dress, they even had no hesitation with critiquing Azula's Fire Bending forms or study habits.

The two of them being Azula's, and now her, teachers was probably the main reason but still, to Ty Lee's knowledge there was no one Azula took direct criticism from without retaliation, save one of course.

Ty Lee had been nervous learning from them at first, the first training session with Azula after the paralysation fiasco was with them present in the corner, and an entire jungle gym of bars, ropes, rings and beams.

Off to another side of the large training room was a number of manikins, which Ty lee noticed included many with various body parts labeled, chi paths etched in and vulnerable areas pointed out, the rest were heavily armored in a verity of styles which had to be for Azula.

Azula told her the Li and Lo collectively knew about almost everything there was to know about combat, warfare, politics, etiquette and even spiritual matters. They apparently knew about the Chi blocking arts and would be the ones instructing Ty Lee to use them properly, just they had taught Azula the art of Fire Bending.

From then on, almost every morning over the past month she had joined Azula in the training room, where her Princesses would practice her forms, attack targets and even spar with other Fire Benders, which Azula truly enjoyed. The "victims" as Ty Lee thought of them were less enthusiastic as they were both thoroughly crushed every time, and humiliated by the knowledge that they lost to a twelve year old half their size.

For her part, Li and Lo would either together or individually instruct her on the mechanics and forms of Chi blocking. They were indeed knowledgeable, they told her that for Chi blocking to be effective, especially against benders, she would have to quick, agile and accurate.

The first thing Ty Lee learned was that attacking the Chi network in a person was dangerous, while even Li and Lo did not know of the most ancient techniques it was rumored that were those who could kill a man with a single tap. A person must be sure of every strike as a mistake could mean the difference between an enemy collapsing or shrugging it off and striking back.

When learning that's she could have killed Azula with her attack Ty Lee nearly burst into tears, she nearly swore to never use Chi blocking on any one close her, no matter the reason. Her fear was somewhat alleviated when they assured her that killing someone through the Chi network was something only one with decades upon decades of experience could pull off. To even paralyze someone was something that took hundreds hours of training, her strike on Azula had been a very lucky hit that would not have been effective if her Princess had been defending.

Aside from the Chi blocking, Azula had apparently told Li and Lo of her acrobatic abilities which they decided to see for themselves. She never though training could be so much fun as she swung, jumped and twisted from a bar, to a hanging ring, onto a beam with a single hand and so on.

When she finally jumped down the sisters seemed impressed, the one the right, she though it was Lo, whispered something into Li's ear and they both giggled. Worried, Ty lee asked what was wrong but they assured her it was simply a joke not suitable for children, that confused her and Azula and neither of them had spoken of it since. As mature as they both seemed Ty Lee knew they both understood that certain things were best revealed when they were much older.

So over the past month she had steadily learned and practiced with Azula under the twins, it was incredibly hard work as Azula tended to keep at it until she was as close to perfect as one could get, and then more so.

None the less Ty Lee enjoyed their joint training sessions, watching Azula's blue flame was an experience she knew very few got to enjoy, the poor sparing partners of the Princess probably did not get to appreciate it when it was flying at them.

Li and Lo did not just teach the martial and bending arts, they were also the ones that were teaching Azula the finer points of politics, negotiation and governance now that she was twelve and allowed to participate in the running of the government, hence the current lesson.

This was what most of Azula's, and hence her time was spent doing as there was much to learn about being a royal. Ty Lee herself could not follow most of things being discussed, she was never really the type of person able navigate the intricacies of the Fire Nation sociopolitical landscape.

Ty Lee smiled as she congratulated herself for being able to use some of the more complicated language she heard people use, "Ha, take that 3rd year speaking course, I CAN use words with more than three syllables!"

"Happy Ty Lee, you find this dreadfully boring most of the time, has something entertained you?" Azula's voice broke Ty Lee from her mental celebration and she looked to see her Princess and the twins looking at her.

Embarrassed, she tried to explain "Uh, I am just enjoying the atmosphere, this room as a very good… learning essence" Ty Lee knew that was lame, even for her. Azula raised an eyebrow and was about to speak when "You are very observant Lady Ty Lee, this room does indeed", "promote mental discipline and focus" the twins replied one after the other.

Ty Lee was surprised, and Azula looked confused which was a rare sight indeed. Azula composed herself and spoke "Li, Lo what do you mean by that, who can't possibly suggest that the room itself helps me learn."

"In a sense Princess, this study is designed to help a pupil reach the point where they are most receptive to knowledge and ideas", "it allows the body, mind and spirit to interact in a way that allows you to understand and ingrain the lessons more effectively" Li and Lo spoke as if they were explaining the weather.

Azula looked sceptical "Forgive me, but I find it hard to believe that architecture, design and aesthetic decoration will determine how well I learn." Ty Lee never thought about it before but now that the twins had pointed it out she looked at the auras of the twins and Azula, all of which were normal expect for a thick band of silver around their heads.

She knew that color signified that the mind was receptive to ideas, intuition and knowledge, it was such a smooth and powerful shade she started to think back to other times she had seen it that strong.

Li and Lo were still trying to convince Azula "My dear in this world you must be aware that there are things that cannot be seen, heard or touched" "yet they affect you just as a powerful flame or wave of water would" Azula looked uninterested and unconvinced, Ty Lee knew her Princess was a stubborn one, so she tried her hand.

"I think their right Azula, your aura is a radiant silver in here" Azula looked at her with a surprised and disappointed look that caused Ty Lee to shrink back, Azula was again about to speak when

"My my Li, could it be that our princess has found an even brighter diamond in the rough then we thought" "I do believe your right Lo, the young miss may indeed have more to offer than we had predicted, how exiting"

Ty Lee was startled by the praise Li and Lo were giving her, and scared by the look Azula was giving her. "You cannot be serious! You two actually believe her claim that she can see the "auras" of people, it is almost as absurd as talking about the "learning essence" this room has!"

Azula was livid, Ty Lee suspected more by being interrupted twice now, but she did not take it too personally as even if Azula did not believe that she could see her aura, it was currently green enough to tell Ty Lee that her Princess was more jealous than anything, what of she had no idea.

Li spoke "Now Princess, there is no need to be angry with your attendant that temper of yours has to be controlled" Lo continued "Remember what we and Ozai have taught you"

Azula visibly deflated at the mention of the Fire Lord, Ty Lee defended her without much thought put in "She's not all that angry masters, she's more, uh, jealous and, um, well frightened now"

The Princesses eyes widened and her aura went wild, Ty lee mentally cursed "Flame it all, I had to go and mention she was scared didn't I, stupid, stupid!" Li and Lo looked as if their point had been proven, they then looked to Azula and frowned; Li rose up and went to the Princess while Lo came to her.

"Worry not my dear, you have not wronged Azula she simply does not trust that which she cannot completely understand, an important trait in a ruler" Ty Lee looked over and saw Azula and Li having a hushed conversation. "More importantly, despite looking very simple there is much more to you we gave you credit for, that is not something that often happens.

Ty Lee debated on if being called simple was a bad thing, but Lo seemed more interested on the things about her that were not simple. "Tell me dear how long have you been able to see auras? Azula implied that she has known about your ability long before today"

Ty Lee thought about it "I think was able to see them when I started at the Royal Academy for Girls, but I didn't know what they meant they were just a jumble of shapes and colors." Lo nodded and spoke "You obviously know what they mean though, do you not."

Ty Lee nodded "Sometimes, I started reading some old scrolls about what all the different colors and symbols meant a few months ago, I can understand most of the things I see"

"Is that so, what does my aura tell you now?" As Lo asked she closed her eyes and Ty Lee was astonished, her aura was actually changing before her eyes from a rainbow of colors into a solid white mass.

"Wow, um, oh I'm sorry, I've never seen an aura only one color before, and white can mean a whole lot of things" Ty Lee was a little discouraged that she had no idea what Lo's aura meant or how she had changed it at will.

Lo seemed satisfied however "Very good deer, and do not worry you are still young and have much to learn, I simply wanted to make sure you have the sight, pure white is tricky one to pick up and can be hidden by more expressive feelings" She opened her eyes and her aura retuned back to the multitude of colors Ty Lee was familiar with.

"Now it seems that we will have something of substance to teach you while the Princess is in her lesson's, and though it will take time I think she will come to appreciate your gift"

Ty Lee was excited that she was going to learn from someone, well two someone's, who knew what they talking about but she had a feeling in the pit of her stomach that her work load and responsibilities were going in to increase.

She looked to Azula and saw her sitting there patiently, on the outside she was the picture of regal perfection, back straight and eyes forwards. Her aura was calmer now but it still seemed troubled, Ty Lee was disheartened by the knowledge that she was the cause and yet she had no idea what to do about it.

This did teach Ty Lee something however, unlike herself not many things could frighten Azula but Fire Lord Ozai was apparently one of them. It solidified her own decision that staying here wasthe right choice, if she had left than Azula would be left all alone in the Capital with the one man she feared.

"Don't you worry Azula, I'm definitely not going anywhere, and even if you are scared of your dad we can be scared together" Ty Lee was happy, over the past month she had seen more sides of her Princess then most people ever would, and as a result she had started to come to a realization.

Azula was her friend, she was the smartest, most beautiful and most perfect girl in the whole world to Ty Lee. She had admired and looked up to her Princess practically since the day they met at the academy, she was mean and downright cruel at times but she always apologized to her, in her own unique not really apologizing way.

But as they got older, and now that Ty Lee had been by her side, constantly, for a month she had seen more of Azula, she was still the scary Fire Nation Princess but she was also the girl who was afraid of her friend leaving for the circus. And the more time she spent alongside the Princess, the more Ty Lee realized she did not just idolize her, she actually had a full blown crush on her.

The revelation should have shocked Ty Lee but she simply accepted that she had finally stopped kidding herself, Azula was her friend but Ty Lee's feelings for her had always more than that. She should have been surprised that she was attracted to her female friend but honestly Azula was just like the fire she created, in drew Ty Lee in and it did not matter what gender she was.

Ty Lee took a deep breath and accepted that she was a hopeless romantic. She once again looked at Azula and simply admired her for who she was. "You're my best friend Azula, I don't know if you will or even can feel the same way I do but I will always love you, my pretty, smart, perfect Princess… Zula"