Cloistered

The Fire Sages had another temple now on another island, something the filthy little earthbender had helped to build. Azula hated it, though logically, she realized it was a decent enough place. The ocean breezes were pleasant and cool and carried with them the scent of wildflowers that grew everywhere in great abundance.

Fire was everywhere too; the sages were all accomplished benders and trained daily in beautiful stone courtyards. Azula was permitted to watch, not participate. That privilege would come only after months of good behavior. Their idea of good behavior and Zuko's idea, was not hers. But the princess, and Azula still thought of herself as such no matter how many indignities she suffered, had no choice but to go along with the rules. She was outnumbered and isolated and still recovering. Azula was extraordinarily bright, bright enough to realize that she had suffered a breakdown of sorts. Everything, pressure, abandonment, betrayal had come crashing down on her like so many huge boulders. Slowly now, she was casting them aside. And soon enough she would be healthy again.

The prodigy would bide her time and not cause any trouble. When her full strength was returned to her, Azula would strike.

I won't stay here the rest of my life. I don't care what Brother says. I don't care what those chanting, mumbling idiots say either. One day I will take them all down and then I will be free again.

She had no idea what would happen then or where she would go. But freedom provided opportunities. Here, imprisoned like some common street rat, Azula could do nothing.

Maybe I'll travel to the Earth Kingdom, gather an army of some kind, then march on Capitol City. Once Zuko is dead, I will be the rightful heir once again.

The princess didn't think of the money that would be required for such a venture. She didn't contemplate the possibility that people might be happy with Zuko as Fire Lord. Would there even be people willing to follow her? Could she share her identity with anyone and survive? But fantasies were not required to have statistics or probabilities. They were fantasies.

"Dreaming again, Princess Azula?" One of the Fire Sages approached cautiously. None of them felt entirely comfortable around her, even after three months.

Her instinct was to scowl, to throw back a brilliant retort. How dare he imply that she wasted her time dreaming? Princess Azula did not dream. She planned and calculated. She strategized and analyzed. That insult would not go unpunished.

The fifteen year old kept her rage in check and played the meek little girl instead. Giving the Sage a weak smile, she nodded. "I was thinking of better days with my family, days in the future, after I've been healed."

"There's nothing wrong with dreaming, Azula, nothing at all. Sometimes it's our dreams that give us the strength needed to persevere."

Do your dreams include losing your ugly face?

"Yes, High Sage. I'm certain that you're right."

"Good, good; now how are you feeling today, Princess Azula? The Fire Lord has written and asked for a full report. Aren't you fortunate to have such a caring brother?" The old man stared at Azula like she was a broken doll, one that would never be what it once was.

"Oh, yes, Zu-Zu," Azula couldn't resist using the nick name. Even though he couldn't hear, the feel of it on her tongue still pleased her, "is the best big brother ever. He's always looked out for me."

Traitor, imbecile, loser, sentimental fool

"Family is important, Azula, blood. We must treat our families with dignity and respect and show them care. Don't you agree?"

"Once I get out of here, I'll do just that."

I'll show Zuko something, all right. I'll show him my blue fire, up close and personal.

"Let's not push things, young lady. You've got a long way to go and in the end it is the Fire Lord who will decide what happens to you."

The princess clenched her fists at her sides, careful to hide them beneath the fabric of her loose robes. "Of course; he is my lord, after all." The words were poison in her mouth and it was all Azula could do not to heave.

"It's time to go back now. Come along." Several other sages joined the High Sage and together they accompanied the girl to her room.

My prison.

She hated the feel of their hands on her. Her skin twitched and crawled as though she were covered in snakes or worms or some other creeping type creature. Azula hated the sound of the door closing and the lock sliding into place even more.


A/N: I tried to show how messed in the head Azula is by having her think, on the one hand, that dreaming is for losers, and on the other hand, have her actually dreaming about her escape...no real, solid plan, just fantasy. She's all over the place.