-The eastern Air temple-
Pathik and Katara raced into the small shelter after hearing loud screams. Inside they saw both Xi'an and Azula covered in sweat, delirious and both babbling incoherently in their sleep. Taking two cool towels, they wiped down their heads. Both were running a high fever ,though Azula was hot and sweaty Xi'an almost felt cold to the touch. Removing his over armor and over shirt, Katara found out why. His wound wasn't healing right, in fact it was infected badly. Taking great care not cause him any unnecessary pain, she cleaned it out and touched it finally allowing it to close right and heal.
Pathik closed his eyes, gently touching each on the head. Katara looked in awe as the guru softly calmed the two down with out saying a word. As he took deep breaths, they both calmed down settling into a more peaceful sleep
"Are they going to be okay?" Asked Te
"They will be fine, Te" said the Guru said kindly " They just need to let their fever run it course.
"Azula has a high fever and your brother has chills" said Katara "They just need rest now"
Making sure everyone else left first, an idea came over the girls. Before leaving they quietly moved the the two beds together, melding them into one. Azula still asleep, instinctively rolled over and laid her head on his bare chest.
"You think this is a good idea?" asked Ye
"You heard Katara. She has a fever and he has the chills. Put them together and maybe they'll cancel each other out" explained Te covering both with a blanket
"That is the stupidest thing I ever heard"said Ye
"Humph"
Let just hope they dont hurt each other" said Ye
"If they do, I'm telling everyone it was your idea" said Te
"What?"
Leaving the small shelter, they joined the rest of the group. Sitting back down around the fire, the group went back to Kang telling Xi'an's story
"So what happened next"asked Aang sympathetically "how...did he...
"Survive?" asked Kang "I don't know but he did, though barely. He was the only one who did"
"How do you know that?" asked Zuko
"Because I was the one who found him..."
-Chapter 17-
-Healing and Secrets- pt2
"Lo pan and his soldiers left soon after" said the Ghost Xi'an "We dont know if they thought we were dead already or if they left us to die a slow painful death. Somehow we survived, spending the agonizing night clinging on to life, with death and destruction all around us"
As the sun rose over the the destroyed town, an old man raced into toward it. He had seen the smoke and spurred his ostrich horse, galloping to help out. Entering the town and seeing the destruction that was left, he knew there was little he could do.
"Hello!" he yelled out "Is there anyone alive?
A small weak almost pathetic moan came came from nearby. Rushing over he found a young boy, with a massive burn on his back.
"Who did this all this kid?"
"Fire nation" said Xi'an before passing out
Taking pity on the poor boy the old man gently lifted him on the the saddle of his ostrich horse.
"Don't worry kid, Kang's here" said the old man "We'll get you patched up"
The view changed from the burning destruction of Hong to the inside of a familiar house...Sho's. Cleaning his burn and rubbing a medicated salve on his back, Sho softly cooed trying to comfort the poor boy as he whimpered in pain.
"I'm sorry to come calling so late Sho, but I didn't know who else to take him to" said Kang
"That's why I'm here" said Sho "Poor thing, does he have any family?"
"I don't think so" said Kang shaking his head "The whole town was burnt to the ground"
"What of your daughter?" asked Sho
"Everyone's...gone" said Kang sadly "He's the only one left"
"I'm so sorry Kang." said Sho
"What will be done about the boy?" said Kang quickly changing the painful subject
"Until we can find his family, he can stay with me and the girls" said Sho
"Are you sure? He has the odd eye, you know how the villagers will act" said Kang
"I don't believe in that stupid superstition" said Sho "Besides he needs someone"
"All right then "said Kang "I'll be back in few days to check up on him"
"Your going back to Hong aren't you?" said Sho
"Yeah"...said Kang painfully walking toward the door "The townspeople need a proper burial"
Azula noticed while the old man put on a brave gruff face,his eyes showed that he was racked with grief on the inside. As he left a pair of 3 year old twins, woken up by the noise, made their way cautiously toward the unconscious boy.
"Who is he mommy?" asked Ye
"He will be staying with us for a while, you two will be nice to him wont you?"said Sho "Te, dont poke him with a stick!"
"Just checking to see if he's alive"said Te "What happened to him?"
"A very mean man hurt him" said Sho gently stroking his hair
"Is he gonna be our new brother?"asked Ye
Azula grinned softly as Te's eyes brightened cheerfully. Jumping around excitedly she raced over to the injured boy
"A new brother? Really?" Ye said "So whats your name?"
"...Xi'an" said the boy weakly before closing his his eyes again. Clasped one hand was his father's warrior's necklace and in the other a tattered piece of cloth ripped from one of the soldiers
The scene changed again to a year later, Xian was about 10½. He was with Kang hunting in the nearby forest. Vice elder Fung demanded that the little "freak" contribute to the village and earn his weight. Despite Sho's very vocal objection, she was overruled. Kang suggested to Elder Kun that the little boy become the main hunter of the village despite his young age. There was a method to his madness, as long as he brought in food they had no reason to banish the boy.
"Okay, lace your arrow and draw back your bow " said Kang softly as Xi'an did so "Now take your aim nice and easy, just like I taught you. When your ready take your shot "
Xi'an aimed right at the neck of a large bull fox-antelope. Kang was very adamant about making sure to make the kill as painless as possible. Taking a deep breath he released the arrow, dropping the animal very quickly. Xi'an was very selective of what he hunted, never families of animals nor just female or juveniles. Just the large bulls.
"Not bad" said Kang starting to field dress that animal for transport back to the village "Your getting pretty good at that thing"
"I had a good teacher" said Xi'an shyly
"Ahh shaddup" smiled Kang mussing up Xi'an's hair "No need to get all mushy"
A low growl came from the forest. Just as the two hunters looked in the direction of the sound. A big armadillo-bear burst out of the woods challenging for the kill. Xi'an shot an arrow at it but it just bounced off. Despite his new found hatred for bending, Xi'an dropped into a earth bending stance, blasting a large wave of earth at the charging animal. The bear hopped over it slamming Xi'an hard into a nearby tree. As the bear circled back to finish off the little hunter. It was blasted by a barrage of stones being flung by Kang. The bear realizing that the taking the kill was too much trouble,it snorted in disgust and left. Xi'an was in bad shape for the slam in the tree reopened parts of his back scar.
"So that's why you yelled at me for taking on the moose lion" said Azula
"Well that and your snooty attitude at the time" said ghost Xi'an "Though, if Kang and I knew what was about to happen next, we would have let the bear eat us "
"Yeah? Why is that? " asked Azula
The scene shifted to Sho's home. It was an almost funny scene given the situation , alternately working on stitching Xi'an back and yelling at Kang.
"What were you two thinking!" said Sho " I knew Xi'an isn't ready for this responsibility yet! But does anyone in this place listen to me? He could have been killed"
"Sho, you know how this village is" said Kang "Every boy above the age of ten must pull their weight in the village"
"It's funny how the Vice Elder's son is exempt from such a rule" said Sho finishing up his back "Okay, it's time for you to get to bed okay?
"Okay Aunt Sho" said little Xi'an "Goodnight Kang"
"Goodnight kid" said Kang as Xi'an went to his room
"Sho" said Kang "The village is talking, they say that Xi'an is a bad luck and a blight on your house"
"So let them talk" said Sho "What is it Kang? Are you agreeing with them?"
"No" said Kang "He's a good kid, I like him. I'm just letting you know whats going on"
"Well thanks, but you let me worry about that " said Sho "I'd like to see them try to take him from me"
"You really mean that dont you" smiled Kang walking toward the door
"I do" said Sho "The girls and I have gotten quite attached to him"
" I find it hard not to like the kid" said Kang
"Even an old grouch like you? said Sho
"Even an old grouch like me" smiled Kang "We got enough meat for a few weeks but If it's alright with you I'd like to take him out again when we need to get more"
"We'll see" said Sho
As Kang left Sho heard a loud commotion from Xi'an room. Walking in she saw her two 4 yr old girls attached to each of Xi'an's legs
"You're not going anywhere!" said Te
"You're staying right here!" said Ye
"Hey let me go!" said Xi'an
"What going on here?" asked Sho noticing a modestly packed rucksack near by
"Xi'an tried to leave!" said Te "We're not gonna let him!
"If you go away" said Ye "I wont like you anymore!"
"You two let him go and get to bed"said Sho
"But.." They both argued
"Girls!" said Sho "Just let me talk to Xi'an okay?"
"Okay" said Te
But you better be here in the morning, big brother!" warned Ye
"or Else!" said Te
As the girls left the room Sho sat on Xi'an's bed. Next to her was a small rucksack filled with meager possessions.
"Come here" said Sho as Xi'an sat next to her "Do you want to tell me whats going on?"
"I overheard You and Kang talking" sad Xi'an "The Village hates me and they say I'm a burden to you guys. I dont want to cause you any trouble so I thought it was better if I left, but then the little brat-girls caught me"
"Xi'an look a me" Sho said gently turning his tear stained face to hers "You're not a burden on me , so dont ever think you are. I know I cant replace your parents but I want to you to know that you are part of this family now, and I love you as if you were my own, okay ?
Little Xian nodded softly as Sho pulled him into a gentle motherly hug
"But what about the villagers?" said Xi'an
"They'll come around " said Sho "If they dont well it's their loss"
Sho kissed her adopted son on the forehead
"Sounds like pretty much a happy ending" said Azula
"Not really, the rest of the Village pretty much hated us." said Ghost Xian "If not for Kang and Sho who pleaded to Elder to allow us to stay, we would have banished that very night I arrived . The odd eye was considered very bad luck. And though we tried to win them over by making ourselves useful by hunting for the entire village, we were still spat on, blamed for anything bad that happened. If the crops didn't come in, It was the odd eye's fault. If more than one of the villagers got sick, it was the odd eye's fault. Though we tried to leave many times after, as you saw the twins can be very convincing as was Aunt Sho. They said they needed us. Honestly I'm not sure that was true,we think we needed them more they need us. They were our family now and we didn't want to abandon them"
The memory slowly faded away. Azula and ghost Xi'an found themselves in an endless bamboo jungle.
It had a sense of unnatural creepiness about it that just made the fire princess shiver.
"Where are we now? What memory is this!" gasped Azula
"It isn't a memory" said ghost Xian "Its where we keep HIM contained.
"Him?"
"The very worst parts of us, Guilt Fear And Anger mixed into one!" said Ghost Xian
Crashing through the trees landing nearby were two versions of Xi'an, beaten very thoroughly. A low growl echoed through the dark woods slowly erupting into a loud roar. Grabbing Azula's wrist, Ghost Xi'an pulled Azula behind him, racing through the dark underbrush.
But the action was in vain, there was no escape. A giant dark shadow leaped over the two, tripping the two, sending them crashing apart. Azula got to her feet, and found herself alone in the the vast Jungle
"Princess Azula" a dark malevolent voice called out " Your presence is not welcome here"
Descending from the treetops, was a yet another version of Xi'an. This one more feral and beast like,with glowing blue white eyes and fierce sharp fanged teeth. He was a hulking monster that towered over Azula. What intimidated her the most was not his size nor fearsome appearance. She had beaten many, much more powerful than Xi'an. No, it was something else.
She prided her self at reading her enemy just by looking at their eyes for just a hint of weakness, she knew all too well that the smallest crack in in the most powerful armor could be exploited to the fullest. The slightest hint of hesitation or fear was all that it took.
However there was none of that in the eyes of this new Xi'an. Just unyielding anger and unshakable hatred. It was a look that was impossible to read and it bored into her very being. Who did he hate so much? The fire nation? Lo Pan? Her? Himself?
"Let me help you Xi'an" said Azula
"Help me? HAHAHAHAHA, that's rich! " the Evil Xi'an laughed "Because I like you, I will give you a head start..I suggest you take full advantage of it, for it wont be very pleasant when I catch you "
Knowing that a dense jungle didn't favor a fire bender in a fight, Azula ran, hoping that it didn't have to come to a full on fight with him. Giving Azula a full 10 seconds, the beastly Xi'an stalked silently after...
"Come on hurry up! Yeeesh you're so slow!" teased the child Azula as she hopped over a tall wall with relative ease. Using a nearby tree, Xi'an hopped against the wall, jumped against the tree and landed on the top of the wall in a flashy display of agility and skill. Child Azula was impressed and a little jealous
"Humph, show off" said child Azula with a hint of a smile
However her smile disappeared as she looked on the main training courtyard. Taking a seat next to to her, Xi'an noticed a slightly older Azula about 9 going through her advanced fire bending training. And again he noticed her two ancient fire bending masters going over her forms with an increasingly critical eye.
"AZULA! The form is incorrect..." Li started
"...your foot is an inch off to the side" finished Lo
"That has got to be annoying" said Xi'an
"It was" sniffed the young Azula "nothing less from perfect was allowed. Soon nothing but perfect was what i expected from myself""
"Well that too" smiled Xi'an "But I was talking about them finishing each others sentences. If Ye and Te did that, I'd go nuts "
The child Azula tried to glare at the young hunter but was only met with a warm smile. Somehow though, she felt better because of it, like everything was going to be okay.
"Well they must have been pretty powerful fire benders to demand such perfection" said Xi'an
"Actually they weren't fire benders at all" said Azula
"Your kidding? That's like...A person with no legs trying to teach you how to kick" said Xi'an
Azula giggled at the image. No wonder the others liked him so much...Well except for Her.
Again her laughter was cut short when she saw her mother and brother by the turtle duck pond laughing and smiling.
"After a while I resented my brother and mother. I still loved them I think, but mom loved Zuko more than me and Zuko rubbed it into my face more and more. And so annoying or not, I used Li and Lo to form me into utter perfection, fit for my fathers love.
"I'm sure your mother loved you just as much, Azula" said Xi'an rustling her hair
"No she didn't!" snapped the little fire nation princess slapping Xi'an's hand away "Have a look for yourself"
He saw scenes of Ursa trying her hardest to discipline Azula. Not that she didn't have it coming, Xi'an noticed that Azula had went from a kind loving child to a very cruel and sadistic...Monster. But still in her own way she still cared about her brother, she just was able to turn it off like a switch...
The vision switched over to a very familiar night to Azula...It was Zuko's Room
"Dad's going to kill you" said Azula in a sing song voice with a cruel sneer " Really, He is"
Xi'an stomach turned as Azula cheerfully talked about their father killing Zuko, just as easy as someone could talk about a sunny day. He turned to the child Azula who looked down at the floor as if ashamed.
"Stop it, you're lying." said Zuko fearfully "Dad would never do that to me."
"Your father would never do what to you?"said Princess Ursa hearing all the commotion "What is going on here?"
"I don't know." said Azula sweetly
"It's time for a talk, young lady " said Princess Ursa dragging Azula out of the room
"I was just telling Zuzu for his own good" whined Azula
"Tell him what Azula ?" demanded Ursa "Tell me now!"
"I told him that Dad was going to kill him" said the young girl
"What! Why would you say something like that" said Ursa
"Because it true! Ask Dad your self" said Azula "Dad always said Zuko was weak anyway"
"YOU...YOU UNFEELING MONSTER!"
-SLAP-
Azula's lip trembled as she held her cheek but she willed herself not to cry. She wouldn't give her mother the satisfaction. Instead she just looked at her mother hateful eyes.
"Azula...I...I didn't mean too" Princess Ursa stammered " I'm sorry, come here"
"Stay away from me! I HATE YOU! YOU AND ZUKO BOTH!" screamed Azula running to her room.
Ursa watched sadly as her daughter ran to her room. She walked to the the royal chamber, her husband would have some explaining to do...
"And that was the last time I ever saw my mother" said child Azula "That night grandfather Azulon died and my mother disappeared"
"She killed him?" asked Xi'an
"It was ruled a natural death, but most suspected that she did it to protect Zuko " said child Azula "It was always for Zuko, everything for Zuko. "
A quick flash of her memories showed many of the worst that Azula had done, looking joyfully as she watched her father burn Zuko's face, acquiring Ty lee's help with a little "convincing", chasing down the avatar, using a cheap fire blast on her uncle, capturing Suki, Invading Ba sing se, blasting Aang with lightning, Trying to stab Sokka and playing with his head, Sending her friends to jail to rot, blasting her brother with lightning... nothing but visions of a cold cruel manipulative young woman with an unquenchable thirst for power
"Alright enough!" said Xi'an "Enough!"
The memories stopped leaving only empty blackness.
"You must hate me now, don't you?" asked the child Azula sadly "after seeing all that I've done I wouldn't blame you if you did. You must think i'm a monster too!"
Xi'an thought about it. He had every reason to...but he couldn't. That Azula was not the same girl he found on the rivers edge, not even close. The little part of Azula was proof that she had a kind soul if just a small one.. The cruel one seemed to be just a brittle mask hiding a sad little girl. While it didn't excuse any of her actions they at least explained them
"Are you that person now?" asked Xi'an "Are You?
"No I'm not" she said softly "I don't want to be that person anymore"
"Then no, I don't hate you" said Xi'an tousling child Azula's hair
"Oh please, don't make me gag" said a very condescending voice
The pitch blackness was lit by a huge wall of blue flame. Looking around, Xi'an realized he was now in in a throne room. Sitting on the throne was none other than the perfect Azula, in full battle armor and her hair tied up with nay a single hair out of place. Crossing her legs she looked down upon the young boy with a mixture of disgust and malice.
"Hello, little one" said the princess to her younger counterpart "Do you mind telling me why you've been parading this peasant trash around my head?"
The child Azula hid behind Xi'an not daring to speak. He could feel the little girl shiver, which confused him. Was she afraid of herself?
"I...i wanted him to help us" stammered little Azula
"WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I NEED ANY HELP!" perfect Azula roared making the blue flames in the room burn brighter. "I HAVE NOTHING TO CURE! Or maybe...you brought him here to kill me? Is that it?"
"N...No I just wanted him to help us get better... so you wont be so mean" said the child Azula fearfully "And I wont be so scared"
"HAHAHAHA! You actually trust him? " laughed Azula bitterly "You truly are the foolish side of me"
"He cares for us..." the child Azula stated
"Silence!" said the perfect Azula coldly "So Xi'an, you 'care' for me, do you? I can't exactly say that I return the emotion., in fact I quite despise you. I know that as soon as I let my guard down, you would just as soon betray me just like the others had. So instead you WILL fear me"
"I'm not afraid of you Azula" said Xi'an
"We'll have to change that now ,wont we? " the cruel fire nation princess venomously.
Leaping from her throne, she sent Xi'an off his feet with a strong kick to chest, slamming him hard into nearby pillar
"I'll deal with you later!" she growled at the child version of herself
Spinning around she sent a blast of blue hot fire in the direction of where Xi'an landed causing the pillar to explode. When the dust cleared the young tracker was nowhere to be found. A sinister smile grew over cruel girl's face, he would at least make it...Fun...