Posting Four Chapters this week.

Sam

Later that evening, after Geshna left, I finally was able to talk to Zuko.

"So that is why you wanted someone at the prison. They want to break out my father?"

"Yes, they wanted for you to kill them all, effectively making them martyrs." I said with conviction, "their theory was that if you 'slaughtered' (their word not mine) them then the Fire Nation people would turn their backs on you and welcome Ozai back as Fire Lord."

"That's why you didn't want me them killed." I could tell everything was starting to click.

"Yes, I couldn't let that happen." I looked down at my hands and then back up to Zuko, "I…Hirshu…when he took me to see your father, remember how he and the guard vanished?" Zuko nodded, "I think…they were planning something then. I think they probably wanted Ozai to kill me right then. But they didn't expect you to show up."

"Why do you think that?"

"Because, something Hirshu said to me, your father also said. Almost verbatim."

"What was that?" Zuko's brows furrowed. What happened that day still upset Zuko. He had forgiven me, but I could tell it still bothered him. Whether it was Ozai's actions or mine I wasn't sure.Probably a mixture of both I thought. It would be a long time before I forgave myself for my stupidity.

"He…he said what he would do to outsiders if they came to the Fire Nation." Zuko's brows furrowed again but this time in confusion, "much like what…happened." His expression hardened and he pressed his lips together but said nothing.

We hadn't gotten word yet what happened at the prison so we were both on edge. We didn't want to think about what would happen if they managed to free Ozai. We didn't have to wait long though, as someone rapped on our bedroom door. Zuko got up to answer it. I recognized Jok's voice. I got up, gingerly I might add, and walked over to stand next to Zuko. I took his hand and laced my other arm around his.

"We were able to find the bandits' accomplices and we took them all to the prison. What we didn't expect was there to already be a coup happening when we arrived at the prison. Turned out that two of the guards there were also supports." I could feel Zuko stiffen next to me. "They had successfully broken Ozai out but once we got there, we were able to quell it quickly. Ozai fought us to escape." Jok stopped and I could tell he didn't want to finish the tale.

"Jok, what happened?! Where is my father?!" Zuko asked impatiently.

"I'm sorry, but he did not make it, your majesty," he said quietly. "The guards were captured but he continued to fight his way out. He was remarkably strong for a man who has been locked in a cell for years. We attempted to arrest him again but once he got ahold of one of the men's swords, we had no choice but to take him down. I'm…very sorry for your loss, Fire Lord." Jok bowed, solemnly.

Zuko stiffened again and I looked up at him. His face was expressionless and I could tell he was processing what he just heard. I laid my cheek against his shoulder and squeezed his hand, reminding him that I was here. Zuko excused Jok and he closed the door. He remained rooted where he stood by the door.

"Hunny, are you ok?" I asked Zuko, concerned.

"He's…gone." he said in disbelief.

"I'm sorry, I'm sure you have mixed feelings about this."

Zuko stepped back and sat down on the foot of the bed and put his head in his hands. He was breathing heavily and I heard him sniffle. He was crying. I walked over to him and knelt down in front of him, sitting on my heels. I ignored my own body's protest and laid my hands on his thighs, rubbing them for comfort.

"My father. Died tried to escape his life of hell. The hell I damned him to. I always hoped deep down that he would find reform and be able to leave prison. I am such a fool."

"No, Zuko! Hoping and wanting something better for someone is not foolish. Despite everything he did to you, you still love him. He's your father. That will never change. That doesn't make you a fool, Zuko. That makes you human."

"It was because of me he was there to begin with. It was my decision to put him there. I should have found another way."

I took my hands from his thighs and I put them on either side of his face so he would look at me, "Ozai chose his fate, Zuko. He chose prison and ultimately, he chose death. That is NOT on you. That's on him." I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and held him while he cried into my shoulder. Once he calmed down, he pulled back.

I stood up and sat next to him, taking hold of his hand. After a few moments I started to hurt and I couldn't take it anymore. "I'm…going to lay down." I said, fighting a grimace. Zuko's eyes flashed to me, concern replacing sorrow. He slid off the bed, kneeling in front of me. He took my hand into both of his.

"Of course! Sam! This is ridiculous. I should be the one comforting and taking care of you! After what you've been through. Not you taking care of me! Are you ok? Do you need me to get Fen?"

"No, leave Fen to his own devices. Stay with me." I lifted our hands up and I kissed his fingers. "Zuko, I love you. You love me. We take care of each other." he looked at me and gave me a small, sad smile that did not reach his eyes. I scooched back and laid down on the bed on my back, gesturing for him to lay beside me. He laid down next to me on his side, facing me. He reached up and caressed my face with his hand. Then his face turned to horror. "What?!" I said, concerned by his sudden change of demeanor.

"How am I going to tell Azula?"

It was the next day and today was the day that I usually saw the women. I got up but quickly sat down on the bed. I was going to put on my normal clothes but Zuko insisted on his again because of how loose they were on me. Once he realized what my plans were though, he became indignant.

"What are you doing, Sam?" Zuko came over to me trying to take the shirt out of my hand.

"I have my meeting today with the women, Zuko. I'm not going to miss a session." I held onto the shirt, not letting go as he pulled.

"No, Sam! You have a perfectly valid excuse to miss it. It's only been two days since…" Zuko trailed off, "just rest. Look, you can't even stand for any length of time. How are you going to sit in a hard chair for three hours?" He had a point. But I had a duty to the women. I would have to push through.

"Zuko, the sooner I get back to normal, the easier…all of it will be for me. Please, just trust me," I said. He looked skeptical, but didn't protest and released the shirt.

I decided to have my meetings with the sisters. They said they heard about what happened to me and expressed genuine concern. I was grateful for their caring about me. Our sessions went like normal for them.

Azula, would be different. She would be brought here, but instead of meeting with me this time, she would meet with Zuko. He needed to tell her about Ozai, if she hadn't already heard. He at least wanted to comfort her if she needed it. I sat outside the room, just in case I was needed. By him or Azula.

Azula

Today was the day I would meet with the outsider. She always insisted on these ridiculous meetings. Talk about my feelings. Blah blah blah. I didn't need to talk. I needed freedom. I would be much better off that way but my "dear brother" decided to keep me locked away. Out of sight out of mind I thought. I was escorted into the room. Where I expected to see the outsider, I saw Zuko. What was going on? He looked solemn. I wasn't sure what it was, but something happened. Of course, I had to keep my facade up. "Never show vulnerability." That's what father always says.

"A meeting with my Fire Lord? For what do I owe this DISpleasure?" He didn't react. I always liked getting a reaction out of him. He was so easy it was almost not fair.

"We need to talk." he said. I rolled my eyes.

"What about? You want to talk about my feelings too, Zuzu?" I sat down in front of him. He slid the chair closer to me. I started to get worried. "Zuko, what is going on?!"

"Azula…something…happened yesterday."

"What, did your outsider wife have an accident? Is that why she isn't here?" he shot me a glare, but not his usual glare. It was something else. I wasn't sure what it was. It was almost like what I said affected him. But not like it normally did. It genuinely upset him. Despite this, I snapped at him, "Stop wasting my time, Brother. What is it you have to say?"

"Azula," he paused, closed his eyes for a moment. He opened them and trained them right on mine, "Father is gone."

Gone? What did he mean gone? Moved to another prison? Moved out of the Fire Nation? Released? Of course not. I knew what he meant. Admitting it was something I wasn't ready to do. He looked at me, concerned. I kept up with my charade. No vulnerability here. I decided to play dumb.

"Stop messing around, Zuko. This is a sick game, even for you." He looked taken aback.

"Azula, he attempted to escape prison yesterday. He fought his way through and when he got his hands on a weapon, the guards had no choice. I'm…sorry, Azula. I know you were close to him."

Close to Father? Did he actually think I was close to Father? He was watching me closely. No, Father wasn't dead. He couldn't be dead. He was too strong. Too stubborn. He would never let anyone kill him. He was the greatest firebender alive. Then it dawned on me, he wasn't anymore. The avatar made sure of that. Sometimes I feared he would do that to me. Who am I without my firebending? Nothing. My firebending was the only reason my father loved me. Did he love me? "Ugh! Shut up, shut up, shut up!"

Zuko didn't respond to my outburst. He'd seen them before. He sat back, his arms crossed over his body, watching me, intently. Waiting patiently for me to say something. My eyes slid from Zuko to nowhere in particular. I needed to think for a minute. I didn't even know how I felt about this. I would…never earn his approval now. I would never make him proud. I would always fall short. I closed my eyes and I felt tears welling up. The next thing I felt were arms around me. My eyes shot open and Zuko was kneeling next to me, hugging me and I could feel his tears soaking through my thin shirt. I thought about saying a snide remark but I didn't. I didn't want to admit it, but I needed this. I rested my head on his, crying with him.

"Are you going to hold a funeral for him?" what a stupid question to ask. Of course he wouldn't. He hated father. But, to my surprise, Zuko nodded.

"I decided something small. You, me, Sam, Iroh." Ugh. The outsider. I forgot about her for a moment. Then something dawned on me. I never thought it would, but here I am. And I don't know how I feel about it.

"Zuko?"

"Hm?" he murmured.

"Can I…talk to Sam?" Zuko looked surprised and his mouth dropped open but he quickly closed it. I also realized it was the first time I said her name. My eyes went wide with my own surprise. Had I said that out loud?

"You WANT to talk to Sam?" he asked me.

"Well, if you're going to make a big deal about it, don't bother!"

"No, I'm sorry. I'm just surprised, is all. Yes, I will have her come in." He walked over to the door and she walked in. She had been just outside. She must have predicted I would want to talk to her. How did she do that? Always knew what I was going to say or need?

It was then that I got a good look at her. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. She had been beaten. Badly. Her face was a dark black and blue and she walked gingerly. Zuko had hold of her hand, helping her walk. I wasn't sure what happened to her, but whatever it was, it must have been bad. With his help, she sat down in front of me, wincing. He kept his hand on her back and looked at her questioningly. She waved him off. It was then I noticed all of her fingers were bandaged. He must not have been in agreement with her meeting with us today. By the look of her I couldn't blame him. I looked up at her face and she was looking at me. I was losing my nerve.

"Hi, Azula. I'm sorry about your father." she said simply.

"What…happened to you?" I asked. She shifted nervously.

"I…had an accident." she said. So that's why Zuko had reacted so strongly to my comment. A strange feeling came over me. Did I feel guilty for my comment?

"Looks like more than an accident." I said, sarcastically.

"Is that why you asked me in here? To talk about my non-accident?"

I shifted nervously, but didn't say anything. I didn't know where to start.

"I was attacked, Azula." she finally said.

"By whom?" I couldn't believe it but I was concerned. Strange feeling. Wait. Did this mean I actually cared about her? I felt dirty.

"Some…people."

"Why?" she stiffened. She was trying to decide if she wanted to tell me.

"Supporters of your father." I furrowed my brow and looked at her, coldly.

"So I guess you're not all broken up about his recent demise."

"I am not happy about it, if that is what you're implying."

"Why wouldn't you be? I heard about your 'meeting' with him a few weeks ago." I paused and looked at her and spoke quietly, "what did they DO to you?"

She deliberated again but decided to divulge the information, "they beat me. Pulled out my fingernails," she held her hands up in demonstration. I winced. "they…assaulted me." she didn't define it, but I knew what she meant.

"They did that…in the name of my father?"

"Yes, Azula. They did. Under his direction, actually."

I looked at the ground. I knew my father could be mean and dismissive but…this? Then I remembered what he used to do to outsiders. There were only a couple who came to the Fire Nation, but they weren't here for long. Then a thought occurred to me.

"So he was planning on breaking me out too then." it was a statement, not a question. Sam looked at me and sympathy covered her face. "No, you're wrong! My father loves me! He is proud of me! He would never leave me there!" Even as the words were out, I knew they weren't true. Sam didn't respond. She let me work through my feelings. I cried, I raged. I screamed. Finally, Sam spoke between my sobs.

"I'm sorry, Azula. I know how much he meant to you."

"You don't know anything. My father was nothing when he lost his firebending! He was just a flea!" She looked at me, considering.

"Are you worried that will happen to you?" How in Agni's name did she know that?! I was convinced she could read minds. She's a witch. I knew it!

"What makes you say that?" I snapped.

"Because your identity is your firebending. And after Aang removed his bending, I'm sure you feared the same."

I started to get angry. I lashed out, "I knew it, outsider! You ARE a witch! How are you getting into my mind?!"

"I'm not a witch, Azula. Believe it or not, I have gotten to know you. But you need to know, you are more than your firebending."

"What would you know? Father hated Zuko because his firebending was primitive! He always praised ME because I'm a prodigy. I always needed to be perfect for him. If I wasn't…" I trailed off, not wanting to say it.

"If you weren't, you were afraid he would scar you too." I looked up at her and nodded.

"Azula, tell me about yourself."

"What? You just told me you know me."

"I know. But tell me. Tell me about yourself? If you were to meet someone for the first time and they asked you to tell them about YOU, what would you say?"

"I would say I am princess of the Fire Nation. I am a firebender who can bend lightning. I'm a prodigy. The apple of my father's eye."

"Go on."

"And…and…" that was all I could think of? She was right.

"What about you're intelligence? You're strength. You're stubbornness. You're impulsiveness. You have a quick whit but also a quick temper, which you share with your brother. You fiercely love your family. Zuko. Ozai...even your mother, although it's hard for you to admit. You care about people, even though you don't show it." I sat, shocked at Sam's words.

"You…you really think that? You think…good things about me?"

"Yes, Azula, I do. None of those qualities have anything to do with firebending. You are a person, first and foremost. You are Azula. Firebending is just a skill. It doesn't define you." I would never admit it to her, but she was good, "your identity has been so attached to firebending, you can't see who you really are. Your father forced you to be a firebender before anything else. But you are so much more than that, Azula. I see it. Your brother sees it. Now, you have to see it. And it will be hardest for you more than anyone."

I sat, mulling it over. I was silent for a while. Sam was quiet but she eventually spoke.

"I think that's enough for today, Azula. You have a lot to think about. If you need to speak to me again before our next session, tell your guard and it will be arranged. Again, I am truly sorry for your loss." She stood up slowly, clumsily. I thought she would fall. She stumbled towards the door and Zuko came in, rushing towards her. I saw it in his eyes. He loves her. He took hold of her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist, helping her walk out the door. He summoned the guard. I stood up and walked over to him and waited for him to escort me out.