Chapter 2: Azula

"Come on, hurry up!" Sokka's voice rang across the grounds. Everyone was busy loading Appa and the war balloon with supplies.

"Why don't you do something?" Toph stomped her foot, shooting a bundle of who-knows-what onto Appa's saddle.

"I am," He held up his finger "I'm planning for our trip. Duh."

I rolled my eyes. The stupid water tribe peasant was no more a planner than a lion-bear. I'm surrounded by idiots. The only reason I came on this damn trip was to get answers.

"Hey, Azula!" Oh great, he's talking to me "Would you mind carrying this to the balloon. I mean, it is your stuff." I stood up, brushing dirt from my robes. Urgh, cotton.

"No, thank you peasant." I crossed my arms. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm royalty. You're not. Common sense says that you should do it for me."

His mouth dropped open. I saw his sister walking over to us.

"Excuse me? You're no more royal than we are!" She poised to attack. I smiled. She really thought she could beat me alone?

Holding out my hand, I shot out a column of blue fire at her. As expected, she shot a ribbon of water, distinguishing my flame. With my other hand, I quickly shot three more fire balls at her feet

"Azula!" Zuzu marched over, a disgusted look on his face. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" He grabbed my hands, locking me down.

"Teaching peasants a lesson!"

Katara panted heavily, a bubble of water still in her hands. The little blind girl held two boulders up, while Sokka took out his boomerang.

Finally, Zuzu sighed. He tied my hands with metal chains.

"Is that really necessary?" The avatar. He was the one who took everything from me and my father.

"Is that even a question?" Sokka grabbed his shoulders and shook him "She's gonna turn us into barbecue!"

Aang shrugged "I'm sure Azula will eventually get better."

No one spoke. Why the hell was he standing up for me? Is he feeling bad now that he realized what he has done to me?

"I don't need you pity!"

He shrugged, but said nothing.

"Okay, let's get going." Zuzu cleared his throat. I climbed into the balloon, almost falling over. Zuko climbed in afterwards.

"Aren't you going to go with your little friends?" The balloon rose up into the air as he shot fire into the oven thing.

He sighed "Look Azula, I'm not trying to pick fights with you or anything okay? You're still my sister."

"Yeah, and I suppose that's why you threw me into prison." I said sarcastically. He shook his head, a look of remorse in his eyes

We didn't speak. Things were too awkward between us. Ever since Ursa left, we were no more then enemies. Becoming Fire Lord had been my goal, and I was determined to destroy everything in my path to get there.

Hours passed with silence. My hands still bound, I looked at the puffy clouds. It shocked my how white and fluffy they were. For as long as I remember, the clouds were always gray.

Soon enough, it started to rain. I shuddered. Stupid cotton clothing. It was no warmer than being naked.

I felt a blanket draped over my shoulder. I looked up. Zuko was already walking away.

"Don't you want me to die. Or my bending gone? That way I'll never be a threat to your precious throne."

"You're my sister." He didn't look at me "I'd choose family over the throne any day."

I looked away. Over the years I trained myself to not show any emotion over anything. It was how I became strong. But there are some things that can't be helped. I felt my eyes water. Zuzu might have been banished out of the Fire Nation, but at least he had my mother's love. I've never been loved, and now he acts like I'm still his sister? Sure, father said I was his favorite, but in truth, I was only his tool. To gain favor from Grandfather Azulon. I was just another weapon of his.

The wall I have so carefully built around my emotions now has a chink. I blinked, trying to keep the tears away.

"Azula..." I felt Zuko's hand on my shoulder. I shook it off, hoping to fix myself before I fell completely.

"I'm sorry. Seriously. I wouldn't have put you in there if I could, trust me." His voice shook "The other generals threatened to launch war if I didn't. I just didn't want the people to hate you even more."

I didn't say anything. Tears were going to spill over if I did. I felt water drip onto my clothes. Zuko was crying. I've never seen him actually cry.

"I don't blame you if you really do hate me. But please, know I didn't do it to make you feel bad."

That did it. The dam inside me broke. For the first time in so, so many years, I cried. All the sadness and angedv I had kept buried deep inside came up. I buried my face in my arms.

He didn't say anything, just put his hand on my shoulder again.

"Get off." I muttered, turning away. I wasn't going to let myself be torn by emotions after so many years of hiding them.

"Why do you hate me so much?"

"Why?" I laughed. How can he be so dense? "Who did mom love best? Heck, who actually was loved? You, Zuzu."

"Are you kidding?" A look of disbelief registered on his face "You were always dad's favorite. He loved you, not me."

I laughed again. Stupid, stupid, stupid! "Ozai? He never loved me! I was his weapon to get the throne and take over the world!"

His hand fell. "I'm sorry." Hearing that, my tears flowed again. This time, they didn't stop. My brother slowly put his arm around me. I shrunk away. Never have I ever been hugged. Not even by my mom.

"It's okay," He stroked my hair. I felt like a little kid again "You have me. I'll always be your big brother."

I didn't answer. What could I possibly say? My brother, who I fought in an Agni Kai and struck lightning at, now says he'll be there for me. Despite all the times I've tried to kill him, he had spared my life.

Maybe my heart of stone will actually learn to accept. Maybe.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

The avatar flew by the balloon on his bewitched flying contraption.

"Hey Zuko! We're going to camp now! Appa's soaked."

"Got it!" He waved his arm. Then we started getting lower and lower. I held on. The balloon hit the ground with a hard thump. Zuko jumped out of the balloon, and held his hand out to me. I hesitated. Was I really ready to change who I am?

"I don't bite."

I took his hand. I'll try.

"Hey! I got meat!" Sokka waved two fishes in the air. I followed my brother towards them. Can I be friends with my lifelong enemies?

"Here." Aang handed me a roasted fish. He smiled brightly

"Um, thanks." At least I know now that someone actually likes me. Well, accepts me. I sat farther from them. They were still unsure about me, I could tell.

"Zuko," I muttered quietly. He whipped around. "Can you, um, untie me? I can't really eat." They shared an unsure glance.

"Well, why not?" Toph said loudly "It's four plus Sokka against one."

"Why 'plus Sokka'?" He stood up, a grumpy look on his face.

" You can't bend."

"I can! I'm a food bender!" He took a huge bite of his fish "See, I make food disappear! I can make it reappear too, but it's a bit more difficult."

"Ew, no thanks."

"I'll just untie her. She won't do anything." Zuko reassured them. Why were they all talking about me like I'm not here?

I felt my hands loosen. I flexed my fingers. They were all staring at me.

"What? Can't I eat in peace?"

"Well, everyone stop staring!" Sokka announced "We don't want her royal highness feeling uncomfortable!"

I bit back a sharp retort. Instead, I stuffed my face with food. Prison food isn't tasty. At all. Something called in the distance. I looked up.

"What?" They stiffened.

"A messenger hawk." I pointed up in the sky.

It headed towards Zuko. He caught the bird and took the message. I saw his brows scrunch.

"What does it say?" Toph asked.

"The generals are against Azula coming along."

"That's just silly. We're going to look for your mother!" Katara spat "What's wrong with them?"

I held my hand up. The nation can't afford to launch into war again

"I'll go back. Mom... she probably wouldn't want to see me anyways."

"NO!" She was standing up for me? "The stupid generals can eat dirt. Ozai forced you to do half the things you did during the war."

That wasn't true. I wanted the throne.

"Besides, she's your mom." Sokka murmured "She'll want to see you after all these years, no matter what."

I hung my head. Would she? If I was her, I'd be ashamed.

Zuko put his hand on my shoulder. "Your coming with us. They can't stop us."

With that, we went to sleep. My eyes wouldn't close.

"Aang?" It was the waterbender "Do you trust... her?"

"I don't know." He muttered. "But I think everyone deserves a second chance. What about you? You were helping her case."

"I was, but only because I think she should see her mom. I don't know if we can trust her. She's Ozai's daughter..."

I covered my ears, not wanting to hear any more. I should've known they were going to treat me as father's daughter. It didn't matter how hard I tried to fix myself, they would never trust me completely.

A feeling of unease grew in my stomach. I closed my eyes, trying to sleep.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

I was surrounded by fog. I waved my arms, trying to see.

"Azula..."

"Who's there?" I snarled "Come out!"

A familiar but distant face appear. I dropped my arms.

"Mom." A sad, pitying look was on her face. Pitying me. Without another word, she turned away and disappeared. I didn't chase her.

This was obviously a dream. I mean, come on. I fell asleep in the forest, and wake up into nothing. Then mom appears in her Fire Nation royalty garbs. If she escaped and left, wouldn't she sell the silk clothing to get money?

"What are you trying to tell me?"

No one answered. I realized that mom probably didn't want me to come and find her. She doesn't want to see me, her no-good, evil daughter who tried to kill her precious son.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

I woke up. The night was extremely dark. A blanket was placed on top of me. Zuko. I still hadn't apologized to him for trying to kill him. I took the blanket and wrapped up some fish and one of Sokka's knives inside. I'll give it back eventually. Now, something to write with.

The messenger hawks note was laying next to the embers. I took it and used the ashes to write. I tucked the note next to my sleeping brother. His scarred face was visible in the dim light of the dying fire. Why hadn't I done something to stop Ozai from burning his face? Too late now.

With a final glance at them, I turned and ran. They'll be much better without me. Besides, I have my own destiny to fulfill.