Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar
Note: Thank you to those who reviewed, followed, or faved!
Chapter Two
The sun was exceptionally bright. Azula was out on the training grounds first thing in the morning. Her guards were situated at the sidelines as the Princess drilled with Sifu Xing. She had tirelessly requested Zuko to summon a master for her to hone her bending after nearly three years of being dormant in the asylum and a year in the palace. Sifu Xing was an elderly firebender, powerful and fierce in his bending yet kind and warmhearted in his demeanor.
"You are truly a prodigy, Princess," he remarked good-naturedly.
Azula wiped the sweat off of her forehead with the back of her hand. Her hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail. She had been training with Sifu Xing for only a month following Zuko's overdue approval. Despite his annoyingly positive attitude, Azula respected the firebending master for his exceptional skill and found that he was the only person that came close to a friend.
"Of course, I already know this set," she replied flippantly.
"Yes, of course," he said, smiling. "There's nothing more I can teach."
"Well, you're not here to teach. You're here to spar," she turned her back to him, ready to exit the training grounds.
Suddenly, Azula felt an approaching heat darting straight towards her back. She turned at her heel, whipped around and brought both forearms to her front. The orange flames split in two and fell to either side of her before extinguishing.
"I see years of inactivity has done nothing to dull your reflexes," Sifu Xing said.
She smirked.
The elderly firebender delivered a low, revolving kick and fire swept the ground. Azula reeled backwards, failed to catch herself and fell over with a thud.
Sifu Xing helped her up. "I recommend you commit to more physical activities, Princess. Exercises of the body."
"Exercises? But my firebending is already returning to its former superiority and we both know it," she said impatiently.
"Oh you misunderstood," he started, "I meant exercises without bending. Your firebending is superb but you are out of shape."
She snorted, eyebrow raised. Had he just insulted her physique? Azula considered this. "Well, what are you waiting for?"
The Sifu took out a thick metal rod from a huge rucksack he had brought with him. It was about the same length as an arm. "Show me your stance."
Azula complied.
Sifu Xing placed the metal rod on top of her forearms. It was much heavier than it looked.
"Balance, Princess," he said.
The firebending master went back to his rucksack and Azula anticipated what else he'd have to put her through. From the corner of her eye, she spotted a boy in his signature orange Air Nomad robes walking past. The old master turned around and seemed to have produced a large piece of delicious looking pastry. Sifu Xing took a seat a few feet in front of her.
"How long do I have to stand like this?" she asked him, peeved. Her arms were already getting weary from the heaviness of the metal.
"Till midday," he replied with a smile, biting into the bread.
She wanted to protest but the same familiar lust for perfection was still instilled deep within her, so she endured.
X
"She's firebending now?" Aang shot. "Zuko, this is so wrong."
"Told you so," Mai blankly interposed.
They were in the Fire Lord's sitting room. The walls were covered in regal tapestries and portraits. Seated on crimson, posh cushions were Aang, Zuko, and Mai. Despite the immaculate jasmine tea he was presented with, the Avatar was less than happy with the current proceedings.
"Actually, I admit I was very…hesitant," The Fire Lord started, "but it was the healers that suggested she firebend again," he stated. "They told me that in order to maintain her stable mental state she needed to be active and she needed to return to a familiar routine."
"If that's the case then maybe you should run around while she shoots lightning at you," Mai told Aang.
"I promised something, Aang," Zuko confessed, disregarding Mai's attempt at jest.
"What's that?"
"Regardless of everything's she's done in the past, I promised that I'd take care of her unconditionally," he said softly. "I'm the only one she has left. She needs me right now. I know it may not be reason enough for you…"
Aang considered this for a moment before speaking, "That's very noble of you, Zuko," he said sincerely with a hint of admiration.
"It took awhile but she's truly changed, Aang," the Fire Lord said, "maybe you should spend a little time with her and see for yourself."
"Maybe," the airbender said tentatively, "I do believe there's good in everyone," he said, his innocent optimism clear in his voice, "and if you have this much faith in her…perhaps I should too."
Mai groaned in displeasure. "If the two of you get burnt to crisps, I wouldn't be surprised."
X
"I think that's enough for today," Sifu Xing announced.
Azula let the metal rod fall from her forearms. She was slick with sweat, her muscles ached and her legs were cramped from staying in the same stance for hours.
"That wasn't so bad," she lied, her arms heavily sore by her side.
The old master turned to his rucksack and took out a paper bag. "Here, Princess, a gift," he handed it to her with a huge grin.
Azula opened the bag and examined its contents. "Fire flakes?" she asked, eyebrow raised. The last time the Princess had some fire flakes was years and years ago when she was still a child. It was all so juvenile and she wanted to call him out on it, but at the last minute she managed to hold her tongue.
"It's my favorite!" the Sifu exclaimed, rubbing his belly and smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow, Princess Azula. Get some rest."
With a little bit of difficulty, Azula brought her hands to her front and bowed. "Tomorrow, Sifu."
X
Aang was frozen in the act of bringing a piece of torn bread to his mouth when Azula entered the dining hall. She was wearing a thin dress that went down to her shins and her dark hair was pulled back.
"Sorry I'm late, Zuzu."
"It's…no problem," he replied, a little confused. Azula rarely ate with her brother and Mai.
"So what's on the menu," she said, sitting on her seat diagonal Mai and across the Avatar. A servant girl hurried to set her empty table for her.
"How was training with Sifu Xing?" inquired Zuko.
"So-so," Azula replied dismissively.
In actuality, she looked forward to her frequent sessions with the Sifu. It was refreshing and it was, more than she'd like to admit, helpful. Even though that morning's exercise was incredibly exhausting yet uneventful, she was excited for what tomorrow's might bring. Azula held a high opinion of the old master and appreciated his show of wisdom and firebending prowess.
Aang watched as Azula hungrily gulped down a goblet of fire whiskey before even touching her food. She caught his grey eyes with hers and asked, "Want some?"
"No thanks," he replied with a hesitant, close-lipped smile.
She shrugged and drank some more.
After an awkward dinner with her brother, Mai and the Avatar, Azula headed straight to the palace garden. Her guards situated themselves near the pillars. The air smelled sweet, the fire lilies were in bloom this season. She sat by the pond, a glass of scotch in hand. Fortunately, the annoying little turtle ducks were elsewhere at that moment. She gazed at her reflection in the water and tucked the hair that escaped her ponytail behind her ears.
"Are you stalking me?" she asked smugly.
"Uh," he stammered, "No. I was just─"
"You've been gawking at me the whole night," she turned around and faced him.
"I wasn't 'gawking'…" the Avatar said, rubbing his forearm.
"It's okay, no need to be shy about it," she turned her back to him again and took a small sip from the glass, relishing the taste. Aside from the training grounds and her room, Azula also found peace in this garden. It was especially lovely at night.
"How are you, Azula?" he started awkwardly after awhile, approaching the seated Princess.
"Oh, you're still here?" she jibed.
"Yes, I'm still here," he inched closer, "How are you?" he asked again.
"I'm just splendid," she said with a sardonic snort.
"I didn't expect to see you at dinner tonight," he said, taking a tentative seat beside her.
"Well, I figured Zuzu would want better company than Mai," she said simply.
"I was there too," he replied with a grin and a light nudge to her ribs.
"I've forgotten about you," the golden glint of her eyes momentarily spared him a sideway glance.
His eyebrows knitted together. "Oh."
There was something very unsettling about the Princess. Of course, this was the girl who took him straight out of the sky, who shot the life out of him. He could see no signs of the insanity that everyone said plagued her. Maybe she was truly cured from her mental illness. Despite this, she was entirely different from the Princess Azula he once knew and feared. This girl before him was less hostile, less antagonistic, and quite docile. The fire that burned so deeply deep inside her was extinguished. Gone with her failed dreams, her unfeasible goals, and her withering ambition. He could tell that this shell of a person was defeated, vulnerable and lonely.
Aang felt a strange, unwarranted pang of guilt with the realization that he was the one who had done this to her. He swept away her father's empire and rid her of all that she had ever wanted. She was supposed to be crowned Fire Lord. That was what she was groomed for all her life. It was impossible to make up for taking something like that away, maybe even insulting to mention it at all. The only thing he could offer her was his friendship.
"The moon sure is beautiful tonight, huh?" he began amiably.
"I suppose," she replied dispassionately, not even giving the moon a passing glance.
"You know, she's a kind woman, the moon. One time I was─"
"Do you want something from me?" she asked passively, only a tiny hint of impatience in her tone.
"Um, no. Not really?"
She shot him with a cold, condescending gaze.
"I guess I don't," he shook his head, growing uncomfortable, "…have a good night, Azula."
"Good night," she replied, back turned to him again.
X
"Excellent as always, your highness," Sifu Xing exclaimed, praising her remarkable firebending. "Now, let's go back to the weights shall we?"
She wanted to groan in displeasure but nodded instead.
Sifu Xing brought out two metal spheres, smaller in size compared to a watermelon. He walked over to Azula and placed both spheres on each hand.
"Stance!" he yelled, "Keep your hands eye-level this time."
She did as she was told. "Till midday?"
"Till midday," he nodded amiably.
Similar to the previous training session, the old firebender took out a delicious looking pastry from his bag and sat on the ground in front of the Princess.
Her arms were getting sore quicker than last time but like the day before, she endured.
Midday came and Sifu Xing walked over to Azula. Her arms felt like mush and she was eager to hand the spheres over.
"You can keep them, Princess," he said with a genuine smile. The heavy metal spheres fell to the ground with two thuds, barely missing the Sifu's feet, causing him to jump. "Oh, you'd rather not?"
"No, it was just getting too heavy," she admitted, a little embarrassed.
He let out a throaty laugh. "That's alright."
"So for tomorrow, I was thinking…" she began, determined.
"Actually, Princess, I have some…bad news."
"What?" she asked, eyes narrowed.
"I won't be seeing you tomorrow,"
"That's alright," she replied, "The next day then."
"I won't be here the next day either. This is our last session,"
She didn't let the shock and disdain show in her features. "Is this the future Fire Lady's doing?"
"No, Princess," he replied softly, "It is of my own choosing to leave the Royal Estate."
"And why's that?" she asked scornfully.
"I have to go back to my home," he said eyes downcast, "You see, my family needs me, my wife─ah I'm sure you wouldn't want me to detail my whole life story."
"Fine," she said, careful to mask her unhappiness. This was her only friend in the world leaving…. The feeling was a familiar stab.
"I'm sure you will find another master," he said lightheartedly.
"I'm sure," she replied with an unreadable expression. "Alright then, goodbye."
"Goodbye, Princess Azula," he said with a smile. "It was an honor. This will not be the last time we meet," he bowed.
She nodded.
He turned to leave, "Oh I've forgotten," he threw her a paper bag filled with fire flakes just like yesterday. "And Princess, do not neglect your weights!"
Note: Leave a review guys! And again, please be patient for the romance.
