Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or ATLA. They belong to their respective creator and so shall they remain until they said otherwise.
Beta: TheHumanwiki
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Waking up in a room when she distinctively remembered falling asleep outside, under a tree had Azula up and alerted instantly. It also didn't help her paranoia when she found herself stripped of her outer clothing and wearing a night gown.
Instantly Azula accused Zuma of doing this, but she quickly forsaken that thought as well. She didn't believe that he'll have the gut to do this after she nearly strangled him when he saw her only in her sleep gown back in Fire Nation. That would mean that someone else changed her…
"Oh! You're awake!"
She knew that voice. Turning to face it, Azula found herself peering into familiar large gray eyes for a moment before their owner lean back a bit, showing Ty Lee dressed up in her Kyoshi uniform, minus the makeup. The acrobat smiled hesitantly as she linked her hands behind her back and having the irritating effect of pushing her already impressive mounds out further. Azula had to retrain herself from reacting to it. Ty Lee's figure was always one of Azula's secret envy. "Well, what do you want for breakfast? By the way, it's not safe sleeping outside like that. You could catch a cold! Not that you ever did anyway, but just in case you know? Oh, and I changed you, so you don't have to worry about who did. Besides, I wouldn't let anyone else touch you."
"Ty Lee…"
"Yes?"
"What are you doing in here?"
"Oh…" The acrobat visibly deflated at the dark tone Azula asked her in. The Fallen Princess felt a strange sort of pleasure in seeing it, but it also annoyed her how her inside twisted at it. "Um… Well, I was hoping to see if you would like to eat breakfast with us…"
"Who are these… us?" Azula asked, though she already had a pretty good idea. The way Ty Lee smiled nervously told her everything she needed to anyway.
"Umm… With me and the other Kyoshi Warriors of course."
A snort made its way out of Azula's lips as she folded her arms. "Figures."
"You don't… seem happy…" Ty Lee said, and Azula almost bit out in sarcasm. Instead, she just shrugged and threw aside her blanket. Standing up, the Fallen Princess quickly located her duffle bag (which she figured was put there either by Zuma, Ty Lee, or whoever found her) and walked over, completely ignoring the acrobat's question about whether she needed help or not.
A swift rummaging produced the needed clothing, and Azula carelessly took off her sleep gown, exposing her bindings and undergarment. Once more ignoring Ty Lee's protest for such behavior, Azula quickly dressed herself, this time in a pair of loose gray pants, a brown and green robe, and some white socks. Tying a green sash around her waist, the Princess then produced a ribbon and a comb before looking around for a mirror.
She couldn't find one, and that brought a sigh from her lips. It meant she needed assistance in putting her hair in a manageable fashion for the day.
Her ember eyes traveled to a slightly hopeful Ty Lee, and for a moment, just a very small moment, Azula considered forgetting all her bitterness and let her do it.
Pride however stomped that down, and with a huff, Azula tossed the brush back into the duffle bag, ran her fingers down her hair to smooth out the occasional wild hair. With nimble fingers, she tied her hair into a low pony tails, leaving her bangs where they were: framing her face.
Once again, Ty Lee deflated visibly and said, "Um… right. I'll leave you alone. By the way, that Zuma guy? Yeah, he said to meet him by the Kyoshi Statue when you're finished with breakfast…" The acrobat said before she slowly made her way out of the room, her shoulders slumped and her head down. Compared to the usual cheerful and bright Ty Lee, this struck Azula as something new.
It also annoyed her that the sight of it made Azula angry with herself once more.
"Hmph." The Princess said as she shoved her foot into her boots and stomped out of the room, making sure to remember which one it was before walking out of the building.
It was probably just a phase anyway.
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She found Zuma sitting by the tall Avatar Kyoshi statue. Said statue was impressive, Azula had to admit. The woman also looked fearsome, with her sharp eyes and painted face, Azula had to wonder what it would be like to face this Avatar in battle.
Probably be very terrifying, unlike the current one.
As for her traveling companion, Zuma was sitting lotus style by the statue, hands folded within his sleeves and head bow. She had the distinct feeling that his eyes were closed too. Though as she approached, he slowly raised his head to stare at her, his blue eyes burning with an intensity Azula quickly became familiar with on the ship.
He was in his training mode. Oh, the joy. Just thinking about it made her want to cringe at the pain that was sure to follow.
"Did you eat a big breakfast?" Zuma asked, his face lighting up in a big grin, though his eyes still burn with the same intensity. Azula shook her head and said it was just enough to satisfy. The man nodded his head, stating, "Good, good. A full stomach is essential, but too much can be a burden." Standing up to his full height but keeping his hands within his sleeves, Zuma grinned down at the small girl in front of him. "Well now, let's find a clearing and we can get started once more on getting your condition back up. Those four days of intensive training and chi manipulation helped, but not as much as you like."
"So you admitted to manipulating my chi?" Azula stated more than asked as she copied his stance by stashing her hands into her sleeves. The two looked quite interesting with the way one grinned down and the other glared up.
"Why of course Princess. Chi manipulation has been proven to increase healing of the body. Water benders have been doing so to heal wounds for ages." Zuma explained with his tone still light, though Azula can tell that he was lecturing. "Stopping chi flow can paralyze the body as you know, but directing the chi to move in certain ways can stimulate the body to heal and recover much faster than simply left alone."
"And the massages?"
"That's just the bonus. I don't think you'll appreciate me poking your pressure points instead." Zuma explained further and his grin grew at the way Azula wrinkled her nose. She obviously did not favor getting her pressure points poked when she was sore. "Now then, like I said earlier, let us find a clearing and continue with our exercises."
"Hey, call it torments. You admitted to it yesterday." Azula exclaimed in anger and pointed an accusing finger at the man. The white haired man just laughed with a shrug and started walking toward the forest surrounding the village. "Hey, do not ignore me! I order you to stay! Zuma, are you listening? ZUMA?"
Laughter accompanied the angry Princess's shouting out of the village.
The two did not see a certain acrobat staring at them with sad eyes.
They also were not aware of a pair of brown eyes glaring at the Princess.
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An hour into the exercise, Azula, in the middle of another set of squats, said, "You know that I'm only listening to you right now because I need to get back in shape?"
Zuma, located beneath the shade of a tree in the same pose Azula found him earlier today only gave a shrug in reply. Then as if thinking better of it, he added, "Perhaps for now, perhaps you'll listen to me later, or perhaps not. Whichever the case, I intend to teach you what you need to know regardless of whether you wish to learn."
"So you intend to babble my ears off even if I'm not listening?" Azula asked as she stretched out her legs to try and get rid of the heavy feeling they had after the squats.
"If you insist on calling it that, then yes." Zuma replied as he lifted his head, his eyes burning in seriousness as his mouth set in a straight line as he said, "It may be best for you to listen, for what you learn may affect how your life turned out to be."
Azula snorted and said, "What gave you the qualification to teach me? I am a fire bending prodigy as well as a brilliant tactician. I do not need lessons in those subjects."
"Yes, you are a prodigy and a brilliant tactician, but you are a horrible human." Zuma called out, and Azula resisted the urge to snarl at him while he continued, "You may pride yourself in reading others, but you are horrible when it comes to knowing what you wish to do. As you are now, you have no purpose. Serving your father was your one true purpose, and now that he is not there, you are lost."
"You made it sound as if I don't know what to do with myself." Azula said, a smirk working its way onto her face to try and appear confident. The truth was that his words affected her more than she would like.
The honesty within Zuma's next replied truly shaken her. "You don't."
The statement was simple and short; to the point. The way Zuma said it though angered Azula because it made her feel like she was a stupid little girl once more. "You don't know me…"
"On the contrary, I know you better than you like to think." The blue eyes blinked once before a questioning glint entered them. "The question here is do YOU know yourself?"
"Of course I do. I am Princess Azula, daughter of Phoenix King Ozai and Lady Ursa, crowned Princess of the Fire Nation. What gave you the right to question me?" Azula declared while approaching the sitting. She stopped just in front of Zuma, glaring into his eyes and gritting her teeth at the calm expression on his face. Suddenly she wished that she was dealing with the idiotic Zuma instead of this insightful and dreadfully calm Zuma.
"I asked you who you are, not WHAT you are Princess." He replied. He ignored her question and replied without fear or concern.
She liked to think that it was because he didn't fear her that she reacted the way she did.
Without considering the possible consequences, Azula's arm flew back before her fist impacted Zuma's face soundly. The sound of flesh hitting flesh permeated the clearing they were in as well as the harsh panting of the Fallen Princess. After a few seconds, Azula grounded out, "Know your place peasant. You are not worthy to even be within my presence."
"On the contrary, I may be more worthy than you." Zuma stated as he turned his head back to regard Azula with the same calm expression. Seeing that face with the swelling that started to form on her face somehow made the Princess cringed backward. "Now are you finished with your fit? If so, go back to your exercises. We are not done for the day." Zuma said as calm as he was before, showing no other expression than that calm exterior. His tone of voice was like a teacher scolding a student, or a parent reprimanding a child only to send him or her back to their room.
With shock echoing within her body, Azula found herself doing just what he told her to do. As if nothing happened, the Princess started her next set of exercises, counting out each repeated move as they went by.
Ty Lee found the two like this, with Zuma sitting underneath a tree, one cheek swelling up and Azula doing push-ups, a shocked face still plastered upon her face.
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As she followed behind Azula like she did once before, Ty Lee couldn't help but worry for the Princess. Up until she found them, brought them back for lunch, and now simply following the Princess around, Azula continued to wear that shocked look on her face. It was like someone replaced the Princess with one of those brainwashed Joo Dee in Ba Sing Se, only this one was stripped of any and all free will.
The acrobat simply couldn't fathom about what could have shocked the Princess so.
"Hey, Ty Lee." Azula suddenly called out, pausing in the middle of the street to turn her face at the acrobat. Ty Lee nearly tripped on a rock before she quickly righted herself, staring back at Azula with big eyes and a confused tilt of her head. "What did your parents usually do when you were in trouble?"
"Hmm? Well, they –or mother really, because father was usually too busy- would scold me, and then tell me what I did wrong or tell me to go back to my room and think upon what I did wrong." The cheerful acrobat answered honestly, tilting her head to the other side innocently and blinked her large gray eyes a few times. "Other times they made me do chores as punishments. Depending on what I did with my sisters, they usually think of something for us to do. Of course after it all they would ask me what I did wrong, and usually I will tell them. If I don't know, they will tell me, and then they will tell me to not do it again. Why do you ask?"
"But why would you listen to them? I mean, why would you listen to them when they gave you punishments to do?" Azula questioned softly and tilt her head back to stare at the blue sky above. Ty Lee blinked once more at that as she poked her chin with one finger, her mind reflected over the question for a while before she smiled.
"I guess it's because I love them. They are my parents after all 'Zula. Children listen to their parents you know?" Ty Lee answered happily before her face dropped in sadness for a second. It was quickly covered up by a smile just a quickly.
"But why?"
As if finally understanding, Ty Lee made an "o" with her lips then grinned. "Because I respect them and love them 'Zula. I respect their authority and I love them because they loved me in return. Sure they have their flaws and sometimes they're too dictating for my taste, but they are my parents 'Zula. It's like I listen to big sis Mei Lee because she usually knows best what to do, or I listen to sissy Ming because she is logical and reasonable."
"But Zuma isn't my parent Ty Lee… In fact, he is a stranger at worst and an acquaintance at best. He isn't family and he isn't someone I'd know except for a few days ago."
"Hmm? I don't understand what the problem is 'Zula."
Azula shifted golden eyes onto Ty Lee's and elaborated, "I listened to him Ty Lee, that's the problem. I didn't have to but I listened to him. Ty Lee, I listened when he told me to return to my exercises. I understand if I listen to father, and to some extend I would listen to my teachers and mother… But Zuma? I don't… He isn't…"
"You said you would listen to your teacher right?" Ty Lee clarified, and when Azula nodded hesitantly she continued, "Does this extend to sifu or mentors? You know someone who teaches you basically?" When another nod came her way, the acrobat smiled and stated as if it was the simplest thing in the world, "Well, then that settles it doesn't it? You listen to Zuma because you think of him as a mentor."
Azula blinked. "That's ridiculous Ty Lee. He is nothing but a fool! An idiotic peasant! Why would I consider him to be my mentor?"
"But you do! Why else would you listen to him?" The acrobat asked innocently and she leaned forward. "I mean if you don't consider him to be a mentor, then why ARE you listening to him? He isn't your parent, and he isn't exactly teaching you anything so you can't call him your sifu right?"
"I…" Azula was speechless, and Ty Lee wondered if she should celebrate this occasion because Azula was rarely speechless, and never due to the acrobat before. That thought was crushed when Azula asked, "Why am I even talking to you?"
"Wha? But 'Zula, you were asking me a question and I'm just trying to help."
"Exactly my point. As far as I'm concerned you aren't worthy to even speak to me."
Ty Lee blinked as if she was struck by a blow. The Kyoshi Warrior took a small step back at the bitterness on Azula's face and wondered if it was something she said. "D-Did I say something wrong 'Zula? I'm sorry if I did."
"I don't want your apologies." Azula barked out before she stormed away, leaving a defeated Ty Lee behind. The acrobat stared at the ground, biting her lower lips and fighting back to tears that threaten to flow.
"You shouldn't bother with her."
Looking to her side, Ty Lee spotted Suki glaring at the retreating Princess's back with a big frown. The Kyoshi Warrior captain turned her brown eyes to Ty Lee's and repeated, "You shouldn't bother with her. She isn't worth your time."
"…But Suki, she is my friend." Ty Lee explained, hoping Suki would understand.
She didn't. "Friends don't treat each other this way Ty Lee."
"She's just lost and angry. I can help her find her way."
"She isn't lost. She is just the way she wanted to be. She wants to be the monster that she is."
The acrobat was a little angry at that remark, but she kept it in check in favor of trying to get her captain to see reason. "Azula may be scary and cruel at times, but you don't know her like I do Suki. She is just a little girl trying to find her way in the world. Azula was only trying to find her place."
"I don't believe that." Suki replied, though her frown softened at the sadness within Ty Lee's eyes. With a sigh, the captain massaged the bridge of her nose for a second before stating, "Look, I don't know Azula like you did, but from my own experience, Princess isn't exactly all bunnies and rainbow. I think she eat bunnies for breakfast and if she could, would burn rainbows for fun."
"Suki…"
"What I am saying is that perhaps I am wrong about her, but what she is doing right now isn't exactly making anyone happy. You deserved better Ty Lee."
That got a small smile onto the acrobat's face. "Thanks Suki… But I got to try. Azula is my friend. She is one of my best and only friends. Wouldn't you do the same if Sokka was lost and angry at the world?"
The captain had no answer to that, because she knew she would do exactly that. She only hoped that Ty Lee wasn't running to her own demise.
The chi-blocking acrobat was too bright and cheerful to befall that fate.
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Three days passed in similar fashions for Azula: in a blur.
She would wake up in the morning, get ready, and seek out Zuma for her body conditioning or chi manipulation session. Then she would eat lunch, and depending on what she did in the morning, she would either do more exercises or read something from the limited book supplies Kyoshi Island had to offer. Then before dinner, she would take a shower by the stream that was near the center of the island to wash away the day's grim and sweat. After dinner, she would meditate, trying to regain her bending without success before turning in for sleep.
During it all, Ty Lee would try and strike up a conversation with her, and Azula would just ignore the acrobat all together, leaving her sad and defeated for an hour or two before she bounced back to try again. Occasionally she would try to do little things for the Princess, only to be met with the same cold shoulders.
Ty Lee even tried to sleep together with Azula in the same room one day out of old time's sake, only to be roughly tossed out of the room with the door slammed in her face. She was almost in tears that time, and she had to bodily restrain Suki (short of chi blocking) from marching into the room and tore Azula a new one (or get burned).
There were of course questions about why no one was burned yet considered the Princess was almost constantly in a foul mood. Of course, people quickly dismissed that train of thought due to fear of provoking a reaction.
During one of the days, Zuma made a comment to Azula once, stating, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. A wise saying; yet wouldn't keeping your friends closer be wiser? You can't always keep track of your enemies nor can you always predict their moves, can you? But you can always depend on your friends because you would know them better."
She did not think much of it of course, because immediately after he started on a rant about how the Island's noodle tasted a little too bland and that they should add more spice to it, or even better, a thicker stew brewed from the bones of a live stock. She simply chucked it up to it being Zuma.
Then there was Suki. Azula wasn't sure what to make of the captain or her squad of warriors. They mostly leave her along, and other than Ty Lee, Azula rarely see a hint of them. She wasn't stupid to think that they weren't keeping an eye on her, and to be honest, Azula was impressed by their ability to be stealthy.
It was her glares that bothered Azula. It was like Suki was judging her, and Azula was sure that she WAS judging her. It shouldn't bother her, because Azula was used to being judged.
But the captain's glares still bothered her, especially when she appeared by a distraught Ty Lee's side, just after another episode of cold shoulders. She accidentally voiced this concern to Zuma once, and the man simply stated, "Perhaps it is because you cared about her opinion in regards to your actions against Ty Lee."
Ha, what a ridiculous notion.
All of it was ridiculous. Next thing she knew, she'll be having her uncle's voice in her head.
Life is like a river; it flows without a real direction. Sometimes it'll stop at a pond, and other times it'll merge with a lake. There will be areas dotted with rocks, or there will be a water fall to plunge down. And sometimes it'll merge with other rivers, entwined together only to separate later. But know that it'll go somewhere eventually. Oh great, now she was hearing her uncle. Blasted insanity and blasted mind.
Still, as she sat on the same cliff she was on the first day, Azula pondered if it was worth the hassle to steal a ship and just sail away. Perhaps she could convince some fishing boat to take her to another island, or better yet directly to the main continent. Hell, she might even consider going back to Fire Nation and deal with Zuzu's anger than stay on this island.
Because on this island, there was nowhere to go, meaning that Ty Lee would always eventually find her or Zuma would follow her, spouting nonsense one moment and deep philosophy the next.
Like this situation at the moment, where the two were right by her side. To be more specific, Zuma –in his gray outfits- had somehow convinced Ty Lee –in her Kyoshi uniform with makeup- to learn Pai Sho from him and play a few games if she was up to it. It baffled her how the hyper acrobat could actually sit and listen. More so was the fact that she could play quite well.
"It was a brilliant play Lady Ty Lee. It appears that it would not be wise to underestimate you." Zuma commented joyfully, a big grin on his face as he collected the pieces to stash them away. Sat opposite of him on the board they somehow managed to move there, Ty Lee blushed prettily at the praise though a grin just as large occupied her face. It seemed she had taken a liking to the buffoon. "Perhaps we can enjoy another game tomorrow?"
"That sounds good. Hey 'Zula, did you know that Pai Sho was such fun?" Ty Lee replied before scrambling over to sit next to Azula. When the Princess didn't reply, Ty Lee shrugged before plotting on. "I mean, who knew something like Pai Sho can be so fun? I mean it was kind of hard, and it needs a lot of thinking at times, but that's part of its charm right?"
Azula spared the girl a briefest glance before returning to stare out at the vast ocean. Ty Lee blinked a few times, traded a look with Zuma that Azula couldn't quite decipher from the corner of her eyes, and switched tactic. "Hey, 'Zula, would you like to watch me train with the other Kyoshi Warriors?"
Ha, like she would want to watch them dance with fans.
"Err… How about I do a dance for you?"
She was not in the mood to see Ty Lee twirl around and contort her body.
"…How about we go get something to eat? I'm a little hungry and I think I can eat an entire chicken. How about you 'Zula? Are you hungry? Do you want to eat something? I could ask the chef to make some fire flakes. He makes some of the best fire flakes 'Zula, and it's really a surprise because he is from Earth Kingdom. You have to try some."
"The least you can do is giving her an answer Princess." Zuma chimed in, his tone light and cheerful as he leaned back against a tree. His nonchalant attitude bugged Azula more than she would liked, and combined with Ty Lee's insistent talking and her own urge to talk back, Azula snapped.
Jumping onto her feet, Azula turned around the exclaimed, "You want an answer? Fine! I want you all to leave me alone!" The Fallen Princess glared at the two with burning hatred and clenched fists, her teeth gritting so hard that it was almost audible. If she had her fire bending, she had no doubt that she would be breathing blue fire.
Zuma and Ty Lee just stared at her with wide eyes, head tilted to one side as they blinked a few times. Then Ty Lee asked, "But 'Zula, wouldn't that be boring?"
"Yeah Zula-chi, that would be boring." Zuma said in the same ignoring innocent that Ty Lee said hers. It further drove Azula's anger to new height.
"No, it won't be boring. In fact, I would PREFER if you two would leave me alone. What would be even better is if you two simply disappear altogether!" Azula howled and shouted with as much venom as she could muster, which turned out to be quite an amount as Ty Lee took a step back in fright and Zuma narrowed his eyes. "What make you think I would like the company of a fool and a traitor, huh?"
"But 'Zula, I'm your friend." Ty Lee said meekly. She whimpered when Azula turned her full fury upon her. "'Zula… you're scary."
The black haired girl frowned grew even deeper as she snarled even more. This time, she had a deep satisfaction to see Ty Lee's eyes grew wider and she took another step back. "Friend? I don't have friend. All I have are back stabbers and useless people. You are all worthless to me, the whole bunch of you." Her piece said and done with, Azula stomped away from the cliff side, ignoring Ty Lee's calling or Zuma's intense eyes. She simply walked into the forest without looking back.
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"Don't worry about her. She's just working out certain things at the moment." The man Ty Lee had come to know as Zuma stated with a shrug, completely unaffected by the harsh things Azula spouted out just a moment ago. In fact, he seemed to expect it. "I would figure you're used to this by now?"
The statement that was really a question jotted Ty Lee out of her small sad trance. The acrobat pondered it for a moment before she shook her head no. Zuma just tilted his head to the side waiting for an explanation. He didn't have to wait long.
"Azula wasn't always like this. There are times when she was pleased, content." Ty Lee started off softly as she dragged herself to kneel next to the large man. Zuma nodded as he rested an elbow against the Pai Sho board and propped his chin up with a hand. It looked like he was setting in for a long chat. "Azula was not a happy girl growing up, you have to understand that. She may try to hide it and I think she fooled Mai pretty well, but she was always… I'm not sure. Sad? Empty? Expectant? Jealous? How do you describe a girl that wanted things that she most likely will never get from the source she was looking for it from?"
"Stupid? Idiotic? Blind?" Zuma supplied automatically, but he quickly held up his hands to ward off Ty Lee's surprisingly harsh glare. "Hey, I just answer your question. Honest!"
"…Well, alright, maybe she is. She's probably the dumbest genius I'd ever see." Ty Lee conceded as her shoulders sagged. Then as if a switch was flipped on, she simply start spilling it all. "I mean, Fire Lord Ozai… excuse me, Phoenix King Ozai was not someone who seemed capable of love. His aura is all… wrong I think. He is just so cold! Azula wanted that kind of man to love her as Lady Ursa loved Fire Lord Zuko. She was always jealous of her brother in that sense. It's sad in a way that she keeps trying to outdo her brother in any and all things she could, but in the end she only made her mother adore her brother all that much… Well, no, that's not right. I should say Azula only accomplished in making Lady Ursa comfort Fire Lord Zuko more because he needed it, and she didn't."
"I don't know if you're right. I personally never met Lady Ursa. I only heard that she was banished for something." Zuma said and then he tilted his head for Ty Lee to continue.
The girl did. "Well, I don't know what happened either, but she's just GONE one day. She disappeared. It hit Zuko pretty hard, and while Azula may not show it, I KNOW it hit her just as hard. Do you know that Azula is a pretty good actor?"
"So I'd seen."
"Well, she can't hide her auras! She was sad and lonely! She wasn't very close to Zuko at first, and then Ozai encouraged her to stay away from Zuko. That was just mean! I can't imagine one of my sisters encouraging me to stay away from another… Okay, I can, but it's all playful teasing. Ozai was serious." Ty Lee paused as if to gather her thoughts before she continued softly. "Azula did what he asked. He showed her recognition. She, in her loneliness mistook it for affection. I always wanted to tell her, but I was scared of her. She was cruel even as a child. The years she spend under her father's teaching only made her more monstrous… but she's still that little lonely girl all that time ago seeking her mother's love you know?"
"Mm… you didn't confront her because you're scare?"
"…You don't understand. Azula never hesitate to burn anyone. Mai and I stayed as healthy as we are now because we learned very quickly how to step around her temper. She's like a mine. One wrong step and you get burned… That makes me wonder how come she hasn't start shooting fireballs at me already. Do you know?" The acrobat asked with a raise eyebrow, but when Zuma just smiled a strange smile, she pouted. "Oh fine, don't tell me… Still, where was I?"
"Azula and burning."
"Oh, right. Anyway, like I said, Azula was cruel and terrible as a child. Mai stayed partially because of her obligation to try and gained the Princess's friendship, and partially because she wanted to stay with a girl whose family is almost as… strange as her own. Me? I stayed because she was lonely. I thought that she would change if I become her friend… well, it didn't turn out so well now did it?"
"Not really. I just say she's really stubborn."
"Stubborn as they come." Ty Lee agreed quickly with a frown, her lower lip jotting out further in her pout as she folded her arms underneath her breasts and made them more prominent. "She hardly listens to anyone. She listened to Ozai, and occasionally to Lady Ursa, and sometimes to the teachers when she wanted. She didn't listen to her nannies, and she certainly never listened to the servants –it was discouraged you see, something about servants aren't worthy, humbug I tell you. Some are really great, and you just have to listen to know."
"Let's try to keep this on Azula please."
"Oh, of course. As I was saying, Azula never listen. So obviously she wouldn't listen to two noble girls who seemed to be there only for her status to further their own parents'. I mean really, not only was Azula stubborn, she's also very distrustful for some reason. Paranoid much?" By now Ty Lee had started to frown more and started to wave her arms enthusiastically. It was like everything just kept on coming without stop. The dam was broken, and it won't shut.
"Very."
"Well, so there I was, trying to get Azula to loosen up, but NO! She was all for daddy dearest's love when it didn't even exists. Mai was kind of fed up with it, and I think that helped her made her choice on Boiling Rock. That and she really loved Zuko, which is really cute by the way and very sweet. Oh, right, stay on topic. Anyway, I think I got a little fed up too, but hey, you learn to be patient when you have six other sisters living with you. So I stayed by her side all those time, and I tried to get her to open up, but it's all about daddy dearest. She never does anything for herself! It's… unhealthy." By now she was basically shouting, and she had to admit, it felt good to rant. For once it was she who was doing the ranting, not Zuko or Azula or any other generals she came in contact with. It was all pure Ty Lee goodness.
"Mhm, what else is there?"
Upon hearing that, it was like the fire was dosed out by a bucket of water, and Ty Lee deflated with a sigh. She blinked big gray eyes at the man and said, "…Um, this is very weird you know? This is the first time I got angry at Azula…"
"First time for everything I say." Zuma said with a shrug before he reached to his side of a can that Ty Lee had noticed him always wearing, but never asking what was inside. Setting it on the Pai Sho board, Zuma then reached into his sleeves to retrieve two tea cups. Ty Lee blinked at that as he opened the can and then poured out some black tea in each.
Cold black tea, and according to General Iroh, some of the worst type you could drink.
Then as if reading her thoughts, Zuma grabbed the cups and breathed. Then the cups started to steam. "Tea?"
"…You're a fire bender? I always thought you're a water bender instead, what with the tanned skin and blue eyes you know?" Ty Lee blinked at that before accepting a cup out of good well. Zuma just shrugged with a mysterious smile then sipped his tea. "…This feels good. Ranting I mean. Maybe that's why Zuko does it so much?"
"Maybe." Zuma answered lazily, and Ty Lee had to smile at the man. With his figure hunched forward lazily and one hand on a small cup of tea and the other still propping his head up, Zuma made an interesting image. The addition of the diminutive Ty Lee kneeling and nursing a small cup of tea in front of him only further added to the entire visual affect.
"I like you. You're a very good listener. Most people would get bored of me very fast."
"Hmm…"
"I don't know why. Was it because I talk too much?" The girl wrinkled her nose at that, wondering if it was because she talked too much at times. She was the most hyper out of her sisters.
"I wouldn't know. I talk a lot myself." Zuma answered as he took another sip. "Azula personally told me that." That was said with a teasing smile that got Ty Lee to returned one of her own.
"…You're a very funny man."
"What can I say? I'm just that awesome. Now drink your tea and shut up. The sunset is almost upon us."
Ty Lee laughed, and she took a sip of her tea. "Mm, it's good." It was the truth too, not just courtesy. It warmed her in a way that her sisters and Suki and –once upon a time- Mai and Azula managed.
"Well, tea is always better shared with friends."
"True… You are a very strange man."
"I know. I'm just that awesome."
"You said that already."
"…Oh, so I did. Now drink your tea missy before I make you do pushups."
Ty Lee giggled, and Zuma grinned bigger. It made her feel like everything will be alright for the moment.
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Not too far away, Azula pushed off from the tree she was leaning against with a blank expression. She had heard everything that Ty Lee sprouted, and as much as she tried to deny it, Azula simply couldn't lie to herself at this moment.
That was why she was even angrier. This time she didn't know who to place it on though. She wasn't sure if she should be angry at her mother for always paying attention to her precious Zuzu. She wasn't sure if she should be angry at Zuzu for always hogging mother. Or was she supposed to be angry at father for only using her as the perfect little weapon that she was?
Maybe she should be angry at Ty Lee for never stopping her from becoming that way or Mai for being the perfect little shadow and never voicing her opinion. Or maybe Zuma for his strange methods or maybe at herself for even listening and getting mad over it.
Whatever, she didn't care anymore. She didn't even know why she cared in the first place.
She'll just be that perfect little monster everyone was so familiar with.
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Author's corner:
Just want to say that TheHumanWiki helped a lot idea wise. He is a very good... wall? Well, good idea bouncer in general I suppose I should say. Give him a try if you have some ideas you want a second opinion to. He might just surprise you.
Until next time.
APH, signing off.
PS: REVIEW PLEASE XD!