Chapter eight:
Help me, Katara!
Azula walked around a little while, searching high and low for Katara until she found her in a small meadow with a stream flowing through it. She was practicing waterbending and when she saw Azula she aimed a line of water towards the princess. "Still mad?" "Gee, how could you tell?" Katara asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I'm sorry, okay? I was with Ty Lee before you. I love you too, you know." With these words Katara ceased her attacking. "Well, I thank you for the unneeded shower but I have matters that I need help with."
"What kind of matters?"
"Matters involving you."
"Me!"
"Yes, you. You saw me and Ty Lee and I saw you watching….and I guess I want to say that I'm sorry you had to see that." Katara looked somewhat happier now that Azula had been the one apologizing. "I forgive you, Azula. Although I do deserve some payment." "What payment-?" Azula didn't finish her sentence before Katara tackled her to the ground in a heated kiss. When they broke off, Azula was left in a half daze.
"Katara…that was...I'm speechless…" Azula panted, looking at Katara
"I know…just don't say anything then." Katara replied, giving Azula a smile that only she could do too; a smile a predator would give its prey.
"Not now, Katara. I need to talk to you about Zuko's Elite squad. He has intentions that I can only compare to Ozai's intentions. I need you to talk some sense into him. We can go back to the Fire Nation and talk to Mai…er, you and Aang can talk to Mai while Ty Lee and I will stay outside of the palace walls, got it?"
"Sounds like a plan. But what if Zuko doesn't agree?"
"Then I'll turn myself in…I don't want people getting even more hurt because of me." Azula said, her attitude had changed considerably since Katara had last seen her. A stuck up, spoiled brat she was…but not anymore. Now Azula cared about others, the ones she loves. "You okay, Katara." Azula said, when she noticed Katara staring at her with a spreading blush on her face. "W-what? Oh, it's nothing Azula. I was just thinking." "About what?" "Nothing in particular, just the past." Azula shrugged and looked out at the sunset.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"What?"
"The sun setting. It's just lovely…" Katara nodded in agreement, the soft oranges, pinks, and purples reflecting off of her vibrant blue irises.
They stayed like this for a moment until Azula broke the peaceful serenity.
"I'll face him. That's my decision. I'll face Zuko once and for all, in a fair fight, and I'll surrender to him."
"What?"
"Katara, I have to. It's the only way Zuko will stop his lockdown on the palace. I can't keep on like this. The guilt…it's eating away at me." Katara could only stare in awe and adoration at Azula's words. "If you must, then do what you need to do. Save your nation, Azula." Azula nodded, her face set in pure determination. Parts of the old Azula were returning.