As the sun rises above the ocean the young fire nation warrior sat at the edge of a cliff facing the welcoming warmth and fresh sea air. She had her eyes closed and legs crossed. She was in deep thought and mediation. But her mediation stopped she quickly opened her eyes and turned around.
"That's strange" she quietly spoke, she couldn't have sworn she heard whispers. "Probably just the wind" she thought
She slowly got up and stared walking back to her make shift tent then she heard it again the same whispers. "What in spirits name is that?" she asked
Getting bothered by this noise she shifted into defense mode waiting for something to happen. Then she saw something move within the trees. Azula ran after it trying to see what it was that was making those whispers.
Then she finally spots it, it was a person crouching down hugging their knees to their chest. But there back was facing towards her. She slowly moved in to get a closer look.
"Are you the one making those noises?" she asked/demanded
But it didn't give an answer. Azula stepped closer to this person very slowly and with much caution. She could tell it was an older woman, but what puzzled her even more was her hair style. The length and the way to was put up reminded her of her mother.
"Who are you?" she asked and still didn't get an answer she got bolder and walked towards it "Hey I asked-"
As soon as she was about to touch this woman's shoulder it quickly turned around and lunged at her showing its black skeletal face with no eyes making a loud shrieking sound.
"!" the firebender quickly moved back only to tripped by a rock then everything went black.
She slowly opened her eyes and sat up looking around "Where-Where am I?" she asked looking around.
"This place seems familiar" she said as she slowly stood up looking around then she knew. It was the fire nation palace she grew up in and this was the garden that she and her friends used to play in. Then she heard children giggling. She turned around and spotted two kids playing around.
They were dressed in royal fire nation clothing just like her and her brother was when they were little. It was strange because the children playing were a boy and a girl as well. Then she heard a different laughter it was more mature and feminine. She looked off to her left and saw a woman sitting under the tree laughing at the children playing.
Azula looked at her, she couldn't really see her face but this woman's laughter reminded her of Katara. She was about to ask something till the sky color changed from sunny to black and red.
"Children get inside quickly" as soon as she said that fire fell from the sky, the woman quickly went into action and started waterbending a shield blocking every hit.
Azula looked around, never in her life has she seen this kind of tactic before from the fire nation. Then a loud explosion was made, she looked to her right and saw fire nation soldiers charging in and storming the palace.
"Long Live Fire Lord Ozai!" "Down with Fire Lord Zuko in the name of Ozai!" some troops yelled.
Flames started spreading everywhere around the palace. Azula stood in fear not knowing what to do then she heard a womanly battle cry. She turned to see the waterbending woman taking out soldiers left and right.
"Men take her out now!" someone yelled
Out of the corn of Azula's eye she saw Yu Yan archers taking aim at the woman. Azula's fears kicked in and she started running towards the woman feeling the need to protect her. But it was too late one arrow pierced the woman's chest and two more into abdomen.
"No!" she quickly ran to the woman but as soon as she made it everything went black again.
The scenery changed and she was suddenly standing inside the palace. Inside her special training room where she and her father had their so called sparring matches.
"Face me Azula" a cold harsh tone spoke up "Face me now Azula" it said
She knew that voice but at the same time it sounded different, as soon as she turned around a large muscular hand shot out from the darkness and wrapped around her neck then slowly started to lift her in the air.
"Do you want to know what I am? Do you what to know why I'm here?" she couldn't respond back she was busy struggling trying to breath. "I am the thing you fear, I am the thing that tortures your soul, and I am the power you crave. In fact I am your everything and I will always be in your mind keeping you in your doubts" Once that was said it showed his face.
Azula eyes widen in fear seeing the face of her father. But his eyes were different. There was no whiteness just black and his pupils were the color of blood. He laughed darkly at her then grinned.
"Do you think someone really loves you hm? Who would want to love a worthless girl such as yourself." He leaned in close to her ear and whispered "You'll never be loved, and you will never rise above." Then he let go of her neck letting her fall into an endless pit of darkness only hearing his laughter.
Azula quickly sat up breathing heavily. She looked around realizing she was in the forest again, and then the pain came in. She groaned deeply rubbing the back of her head she looked at her hand to see if there was any blood. There was none.
Then she noticed night fall was coming in. She got up and looked around one last time then quickly walked away going back to her campsite.
"Xorshiid?" she called out within moments he landed on her shoulder "I think it's time to leave now. There's something off about this area." She stated
Then she turned around and started gathering her things and getting the small war balloon ready. Hours have passed by the time she was done. As they sailed away Azula looked at the full moon.
"I think I know where our next stop will be at. We're heading to Ember Island Xorshiid. At least it's a place I'm familiar with." She said sitting down while the balloon floated towards their destination.
Miles away across the vast ocean, there were two more people going to a different destination. A young woman was resting while a young man was holding onto the reins of the flying bison. As minutes passed the firebender finally spots what they have been looking for.
"There! See those Sea Raven flags?" he asked after throwing the telescope for her to look through "It's The Southern Raiders."
"Let's do this." She said feeling the adrenalin rush come up again
Appa quickly dives under water after Katara waterbended an air bubble around them. A couple of soldiers were out on the ship having a conversation when suddenly a water like tentacle shot out of nowhere and wrapped itself around one of the men and threw him over board.
All the men ran to the ship side to see what had attacked their friend. On the other side of the ship Katara and Zuko appeared up from the water. Then in one quick motion Katara created a huge wave taking out the rest of them men off the ship. As soon as Appa landed on deck they saw one last man there. With all her anger and sorrow she quickly shot the man off the boat before he could attack properly.
They quickly ran into the ship, one solider tried to do a sneak attack on them with a sword but Zuko prevented it by pushing him back into the room knocking him out. Then he closed the door and slipped the sword into the door handles so the enemy wouldn't come out.
Quickly running up to the captions door Zuko spoke "This is it, Katara. Are you ready to face him?"
She didn't say anything. Words could not express what she was feeling right now. She took off her face cover then with all her power she shot her water towards the door causing it to burst open. The captain sees this and quickly attacks but his attacks were quickly blocked by another firebender who quickly shot back in return.
"Who are you?" he asked/demanded
"You don't remember her? You will soon. Trust me." Zuko stated and started attacking again.
The captain moved quickly to the side avoiding the attack. Then as he raised his arm to send back his own attack it stopped. His arm couldn't move and it was shaking.
"What?" his arm moves around wildly as he tries to struggle against this unknown power "What's happening to me?" he asked as his helmet fell off
It was Katara using the full moons power and her technique to bloodbend the human body. Zuko turned and was shocked at the young woman's power. But he quickly snapped out of that state and returned to business.
Zuko looked back at the controlled man "Think back. Think back to your last raid on the Southern Water Tribe."
"I don't know what you're talking about. Please, I don't know!" he said
The young prince quickly kneeled down beside him slamming his hand on the ground "Don't lie! You look her in the eye and you tell me you don't remember what you did." She said pointing at Katara.
She then slowly stood up straight and bloodbended the captain to sit up. Katara and the captain both look into each other's eyes; one filled of anger and one filled of fear. She looked closer into those eyes. They weren't the same ones she was looking for.
Her eyes widen "It's not him." she quickly stopped her bending and let the captain fall back on the ground "He's not the man."
"What? What do you mean he's not? He's a leader of The Southern Raiders! He has to be the guy!" Zuko stated as he watched her walk away. Then he quickly grabbed the captain shoving him against the window and pulling one arm "If you're not the man we're looking for, who is?"
"You must be looking for Yon Rha. He retired 4 years ago." The captain informed
Zuko looked back at Katara as she continued to walk away. With eyes watered and with a determined face to find this man.
As time passed morning came and the young fire princess had already settled. It was their beach house on Ember Island. She placed all her belongs from the war balloon into her old room. She slowly looked around the old home with Xorshiid on her shoulder.
"This place is still kind of depressing" she said looking out at the ocean on the large balcony that they had.
She watched the sea for a moment then sighed "I hope Katara is doing alright with my brother. I wonder if she found whoever took her mother?" she turned back around and headed inside.
Her stomach rumbled making a loud noise "I guess it's time to eat." She stood there for a moment decided what to do. "I think we should head out change clothes and find a place to eat at." She said looking at her hawk "Come on Xorshiid let's get out of here and get some real food"
And with that they took off out of the beach house and headed to the nearby town to get a different set of clothes and something to eat.
Meanwhile not too far from Ember Island a young woman faces the man who took her mother away.
"She lied to you. She was protecting the last waterbender." Looking off to the side with eyes closed
The old man looked at her in surprise "What? Who?"
She looked back at him angrily "ME!"
Katara stretched her arms out stopping the rain drops about them and started to form a water dome around then. Zuko took off his cover and looked up in amazement seeing the dome expand more. She looked at the man with full hatred then with one fluent motion she sent all the water down on him turning it into ice spears.
The old leader of the Southern Raiders quickly covered his face in fear. He waited for the pain to come but nothing happened. He slowly put is arms down and was surprised to see the ice spears that were coming straight at him were just floating.
The strong waterbender slowly placed her arms down closing her eyes letting the ice spears turn back into water soaking the old man instead.
"I did a bad thing. I know I did and you deserve revenge. So why don't you take my Mother? That would be fair." He said kneeling down
She opened her eyes looking at him with pity "I always wonder what kind of person could do such a thing. But now that I see you, I think I understand." she walked a bit closer to him "There's just nothing inside you. Nothing at all. You're pathetic and sad and empty."
"Please spare me." He pleaded
"But as much as I hate you...I just can't do it." She said closing her eyes getting control of her hatred.
Katara lets a tear slid down her cheek then starts to walk away. Yon Rha looks at the ground and starts to cry quietly. Zuko looks at him feeling pity for him as well then walks off following Katara both leaving behind the man crying in the rain.
Time passed on and the sun was setting. Zuko dropped off Katara on Ember Island right by his father's old summer home. She sat on the pier letting the tips of her feet lightly kick the water. She heard Appa coming back so she didn't even bother to look around.
"Katara! Are you okay?" He asked worried
"I'm doing fine." She said calmly
"Zuko told me what you did." Rubbing his head "Or... what you didn't do, I guess. I'm proud of you." He said smiling
"I wanted to do it. I wanted to take out all my anger at him but, I couldn't. I don't know if it's because I'm too weak to do it or if it's because I'm strong enough not to." She said with her eyes closed
"You did the right thing. Forgiveness is the first step you have to take to begin healing." The young monk stated
Katara stood up feeling upset "But I didn't forgive him. I'll never forgive him." Then she looks at Zuko and lightly smiles "But I am ready to forgive you." She said walking over to him then gave him a hug.
As she walked towards Appa she sees her brother and everyone else. She lightly smiles and hugs her brother.
"You ok?" he asked
"Yea I'll be fine. I just need some time to cool off more" she simply stated
He looks at his sister and walks up to her "Well I just want you to know I'm always here for you Katara" then gave her a big hug
Katara tearfully smiled and hugged her brother back tightly "Thank you"
The night sky came in as everyone settled into the Fire Lords summer home. Katara asked Zuko if he knew where Azula's room was at. He told her it was on the other side of the house then he explained that his room was on the right side of the house, his parents had the center of the house and Azula had her room left side of the house.
She thanked him and walked off. Once she got into the room she looked around smiling knowing that this was her lover's old bed room. She placed her belongs down and started to settle in, she placed her fire nation clothing on the bed and started to comb her hair changing it back to the other hair style.
Azula was walking back to the beach house wearing different clothing and munching on an octosquid on a stick she got. She would give a piece to her hawk every now and then.
"You know you're starting to get fat, maybe I should put you on the fruits and seeds diet" she said looking at her pet. Xorshiid looked at her as if he understood then spread out his right wing and hit her in the face. "Hey I'm just being honest, and put your wing away or you get no more of my food"
Now that he understood and quickly placed his wing back. She smirk in victory but suddenly stopped in her tracks. She noticed the lights were on at the beach house. She knew for a fact she didn't turn then on before she left. Her curiosity got to her and she started carefully and quietly making her way towards the house.
Once she got closer to the house she heard a loud roar kind of noise. She looked over some rocks and saw a flying bison eating on some hey. "If the Avatar's bison is here then that means everyone else is here. I better sneak back into my room and leave before anyone notices I'm here."
She quickly took off going to her room, as she approached her bedroom window to sneak in she heard movement. Crouching low and staying quiet she peeked in through the window to see who it was in her bedroom. Once she saw who it was she grinned evilly "This is too good to be true, it's the perfect time" she thought.
Very slowly she lifted half of her body up and rested her abdomen on the windowsill. She smiled taking a bit of her food watching her lover get undressed. "A dinner and a show. What more could I ask for." She thought as she carefully watched.
Katara was almost fully undressed until someone spoke up "You know this would be a lot more entertaining if you do a little dance with that too"
Without thinking the young woman grabbed her hair brush and threw it at the person by the window "GET OUT YOU PERV!"
She heard the person fall out the window and land hard on the ground. She then quickly wrapped a blanket around her body and walked over to the window to see who it was.
"Ah shit that hurt. Hope that doesn't leave a mark" Azula said slowly sitting up rubbing her forehead.
Katara looked down at her lover a bit surprised "Azula?"
"Damn it woman you almost killed me!" she said still rubbing her head
The young woman crossed her arms over your chest "Serves you right for scaring the shit out of me! Again!"
"You threw a brush straight at my face while I was" she stopped and noticed something was missing in her hand "wait where did my?" she turned her head and there she saw her hawk eating the rest of her food "Damn it Xorshiid that was my food!"
"Stop shouting before my friends walk over here. And what were you doing peeking into my room?" she asked
The firebender looked back at her and stood up "Your room? Excuse me but this is my room, this is my house and you are my woman so I get to do whatever the fuck I feel like doing."
"Hey calm down and watch your language or you get nothing for two months." Her lover threatened
"Two months! That's forever" the fire princess said walking over to the window
Katara turned around walking away from the window "Well then I suggest you calm down and come inside quietly"
"Fine" she mumbled
As Azula made her way back into the room through the window she couldn't help but stare at her lover again who took off the blanket and started getting dressed into fire nation clothing. Then she sat at the edge of the bed waiting quietly.
"How long have you been here?" her waterbender asked
"Since this morning" she said rubbing the back of her neck then she noticed her lover staring at her "What?"
She blushed and looked away "Nothing you just look nice"
"I couldn't wear my armor out here I stick out like sore thumb. So I got some new clothes" she stated
Azula was wearing a maroon tight sleeveless shirt over the shirt was a red vest with the touch of gold color along the edges. She was wearing loose pants that stopped below the knee. Her jewel was simple two gold bands wrapped around her biceps both with the fire nation symbol on it. Even her hair was different, it in a somewhat high ponytail but her bangs were still in front.
"Well you look handsome" she said finishing getting dressed
The firebender looked at her raising a brow "Handsome?"
"Do you want me to call you cute? Or pretty?" the young woman smiled teasing back
She stood up and grinned "You could call me sexy. And yes I know I am" she said crossing her arms over her chest acting proud about it
"You're such a dork" she said walking over to her lover
"A sexy dork" the prodigy said wigging her brow seductively
Katara rolled her eyes and smiled wrapping her arms around your lover's neck "yes you are but your all mine" then she leaned in kisses her deeply
After the kiss they smiled then Azula got an idea. "Hey come into town with me. We can have a bit of fun and go out to eat."
"This late?" the young waterbender asked a bit surprised
"Yea it's the beach and young people love to party. So come on lets go." She said taking her lovers hand.
Katara blushes and smiled "Well ok."
The young firebender jumped out of the window first then she helped her lover out of the window. Then they quietly walked towards town. The walk was nice and a bit romantic as fireflies started to pass by them or landing somewhere on them. Once they got into town the first place they stopped at was a fine restaurant.
Katara was a bit shocked by how much her lover ate, she asked why she ate that much. The young firebender lamely explained that all great warriors have great appetites. The blued eyed woman didn't believe it very much but she thought it was cute seeing Azula eat happily.
After that they walked around town watching all the side shows that were happening, sometimes they would even play interesting games to win money. As time passed they decided to leave town and walk along the beach talking about the games they played. Then they quietly made their way back to the beach house and snuck in through the window.
They just simply changed out of their clothes and slipped under the covers. Azula wrapped her arms around her lover. And they both went off into a deep sleep.