Author's Note:Whenever you're wondering when/if this fanfic is going to be updated, etc. you can always check my profile. I update that whenever I can to let you know.
Summary: Zuko makes a lot of mistakes, but he always repents for them. But sometimes mistakes are irreversible.
Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender isn't mine, though I've read the spoilers from Dongbufeng and I'm quite excited.
Zuko entered the chamber his wife and son were occupying. He saw his son kneeling in front of the table playing and his wife sitting on the couch, her back to him. He warmly greeted his son and walked over to Azula and wrapped his arms around her from behind, giving her a kiss on the cheek. She was unaffected by the display of affection, and he knew that she was off in her own world again.
Zuko blamed himself, because if it weren't for him spilling the beans then his sister wouldn't have suffered. He was wrong to think she had it easy, and despite the wrongs she did she would never be punished. Dead wrong. Of course he was wrong! Ozai was relentless--to everyone family included, and he was foolish to think that his favorite child would be spared. If he couldn't spare his own wife, uncle, and son then what made the daughter any different?
After he fed his beloved to the wrath of their father, when he saw her again she was different. She didn't scream or yell or try to kill him for betraying her; she didn't try to destroy the Avatar and his friends when Ozai was murdered; she didn't do anything when the Fire Nation ceased the madness of the Hundred Year War. That was not Azula. That was not the Azula anyone knew.
And Zuko hated himself because their son would never know his real mother--the woman who had the power to make a nation fall to their knees. The woman whom he hated and yet fell for at the same time. Though despite Azula's change in personality, he could never fully abandon her because no matter what form she took he loved her. If he could, he would turn back time to give their father the painful and agonizing death he deserved. "Azula," he whispered. Azula finally turned to face him, and smiled. Her eyes however, lacked the flame they once held and Zuko tried his very best not to start crying.
"He tortured her relentlessly, Zuko." Ty Lee had explained to him when no one else would. "The healers say not even the greatest waterbender could reverse what happened."
Azula looked at him trying to figure out why his expression changed. It wasn't out of the norm that he would always look like that, but despite not knowing what he was feeling it didn't seem right. He didn't know it, but she needed him. He was the reason she returned from the dreamcapes that ensnared her. She reached for his cheek, gently caressing the flesh with her hand, hoping that he would be comforted by the small gesture because she didn't know what else could change that expression on his face--the look in his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he told her. He always said that. Strange. Why was he sorry? Whenever she would ask, though, he would look away and remain silent so she learned eventually not to reply that way.
"There's nothing to be sorry for," she answered with a smile.
Zuko looked down at her and thought, if only she knew.
A/N: I couldn't decide whether Azula was lobotomized or just electrocuted repeatedly that it was damaging to her brain cells. So I left it vague. Also this was inspired by mondaisenshi's fanfic along with a Heroes episode. XD