A/N: Life got in the way of my fic writing, but I promise that the next chapter will come much, much sooner. Enjoy! :D
The sun had risen and set three times since Azula was told of her imminent release. Chi-blockers had continued to do their jobs, as her threatening status hadn't been completely wiped clean. Ty Lee hadn't come back to visit, but on the second sunrise, she received a small, pink box of candies. While she unwrapped the garish ribbon and savored the sweets inside, she couldn't help but feel a sliver of affection towards the obvious sender of the gift.
Azula was finishing her treats on the third day when she heard a sharp rap at the door. "Come in," she said, swallowing the candy in her mouth and haphazardly smoothing her hair. Two guards entered, looking stoic and impressive in their full armor.
"We've been instructed by Fire Lord Zuko to escort you to the palace," the one on the left explained. "Come with us. And don't try anything."
"Your wish is my command," Azula smirked, standing up. She stumbled a bit – walking hadn't been a daily activity here. Composing herself, she strode over to the guards. They surrounded either side of her and grabbed her elbows, half-dragging her into the corridor. She winced at both the touch and the rough handling. "Watch it," she growled. "I used to be a princess, you know."
"Sorry, 'former Princess Azula'," the right one sneered. Despite his amusement, he motioned to the other guard and they loosened their grip. In Azula's new semi-comfortable position, she took the time to be aware of where she was. For the past year, she'd barely been out of her room, only exiting for the rare group therapy session. Now that she was about to leave this Agni-forsaken building for good, her mind was in a pleased state of disbelief. Luckily, even though she'd been through insanity and back, she knew how to keep a straight face and a level head.
When the exit doors came into view, Azula felt like her well practiced composure technique was for naught. She tensed in anticipation of the glorious, long-missed sunlight. Determined not to make a scene, she set her jaw and held her head high. The guards glanced toward each other again, nodded, and opened the doors.
Azula's breath hitched as she sunlight hit her body. It soaked through her faded crimson hospital garb, shot through her pores, and seemed to claw at her dulled chi with an intensity that she'd never felt before. She fought the powerful urge to break loose and lose herself in fire. The guards felt her twitching muscles, and re-tightened their hold. Azula glared at the ground, clenching her fists in shame and anger. She couldn't handle being under the blazing sun after a year of no firebending, and not being allowed to bend. Zuko probably knew this, of course, and was delighting in her agony. She let a near silent hiss escape her mouth, then lifted her head again so she could view her surroundings.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she saw her beloved country again. Granted, the view was from a dry island in the southern region, but it was Fire Nation nonetheless. Her toes scuffed against the warm dirt, and she closed her eyes at the sensation of something besides cold stone under her slippered feet.
"Lady Azula, we're nearing the airship. Are you ready to board?"
"Of course. I don't exactly have anywhere else to go." Inwardly, she was surprised. She was relatively certain that she'd arrived her on a ferry; she didn't expect the war zeppelins to catch on for civilian use so quickly.
The sun had barely moved when Azula and her guards reached the airship. She stared at it, blinking at the light reflecting off the metal bars. The build of the airships had changed since she last saw them – instead of openings for weapons and fire, the whole contraption was streamlined and more appropriate for passenger travel. There was no Fire Nation emblem on the side, just layered sheets of metal. Her lip curled a bit at the lack of wartime reminders. She knew that peace was something the less ambitious members of Azula's family had been working for relentlessly. But she didn't like peace. What use was she if she couldn't control and fight? In her distraction, Azula's foot hit the step leading up to the cabin of the airship. She tripped, and would have fallen if the guards hadn't caught her in time.
"Careful," the female one warned. Azula didn't reply, and strode up the rest of the steps with relative ease. When she entered the cabin, her amber eyes widened a bit. The décor was plush and luxurious looking, much unlike the former steel seats and stark, sterile walls. She was escorted to a chair of dark auburn leather, patterned with intricate sunbursts. The guards let go of her, and she gracefully collapsed into the chair. It was the most comfortable thing she had sat in for months.
The airship was slowly starting up, and the gentle hum of the fire powering it calmed her like nothing else could. Her eyes began to close, and she didn't fight the wave of sleep that washed over her.
Azula woke when the sleepy rocking of the ship began to slow. She blinked blearily, and stretched out of her curled position. The movement resulted in cramping muscles, and she winced in pain. Her months in bed had done nothing for her physical health. Or anything else, for that matter. When her pain faded, she walked over to the window across from her, peering out. The sprawling capital was located under her, looking majestic as it had when her father ruled. A rare smile of true happiness was brought to her lips. She had missed her home city more then she'd thought possible. It certainly was a sight to see, even though some once sparkling buildings were slightly charred and dusted with ashes from past battles.
Footsteps resounded from behind Azula, and she turned to face the female guard that had accompanied her from the mental hospital. "Yes?" She said, curtly.
"We're landing soon," the guard replied, her voice containing a softer quality than it had earlier.
"Thank you for informing me. Will we be setting down on the royal palace grounds?"
"Yes, a designated spot for airships has been constructed." Hm, Azula thought. Another thing she'd missed. She wondered if Ty Lee had convinced Zuko to paint the palace pink.
Her fears were quelled a few minutes later when she caught sight of her old home. A blaze of pride and nostalgia burned through her as the airship continued its descent. She couldn't wait to set foot on the warm marble floor again and breathe air heavily laced with the familiar scent of woodsmoke. Her lips curved up into another true smile – these non smirky expressions of happiness had been more numerous the past few days then they'd ever been. She hypothesized that this was an improvement; perhaps the physicians had helped her.
The airship touched down while Azula was heading back to her seat. When the cabin made contact with the ground, it jarred everyone in it, causing Azula to fall at her chair. "Ow," she murmured, rubbing her newly bruised shin. The guards stepped towards her and began to help her up, but she swatted their hands away. "I don't need your help," she bit. "I'm perfectly capable of walking by myself."
"We're sure you are," the male one said. "But if we let go of you, we'd be disobeying the Fire Lord's direct orders."
Oh. Oh. So Zuko had assigned her forced escorts. It seemed that his trust in her was spread ancient-scroll thin. She resisted the urge to unleash a firestorm of curses under her breath, realizing that would do nothing to get her in the guards' good graces. Sighing, she allowed herself to be picked up. "If I'm going to be seeing you two often," she said, "I should at least be allowed your names."
The female guard nodded. "I'm Miya, and this," she gestured to the other guard, "is Sheng Li."
Miya placed a fist under her outstretched hand and bowed, with Sheng Li quickly following suit. They received acknowledgment through a barely visible movement of Azula's, and took it as a sign to disembark the airship. The guards began walking, headed towards the cabin door. Miya opened it to reveal a side entrance to the royal palace, gleaming sienna and ruby in the light. The former princess couldn't believe she was back after what seemed like a lifetime. Her chi was pulling at her again, the urge to bend nearly overtaking her other senses. But, of course, Zuko's lackeys were stuck to her like cherry-thistle burrs. She wondered if he assigned them to keep her in line, or if they were only there to cause her immense frustration.
A small noise of discontent escaped her throat. Miya's hazel eyes darted towards her, and Azula forced a grin. "Just a bit uncomfortable, is all," she said, not completely lying. Miya faced forward again and continued walking. Azula shut her eyes tight, then opened them. She didn't remember being this indignant. Panic gripped her as she wondered if the physicians had changed more than her state of sanity. She didn't feel any different, but she supposed she wouldn't know. A chill ran through her sun warmed body. If they had done anything besides fix her affliction... well, she wouldn't think about that now. It was time to allow herself happiness, seeing as she was an arm's length away from the palace's gold trimmed doors.
There were more guards at the entrance, of course. Zuzu was not one to be lazy with precautions. Sheng Li leaned over to one of them and whispered something, presumably about the status of their 'prisoner'. The entry guard barely nodded, and moved with the other to pry open the large double doors.