Azula awoke, everything became clear to her now. The room that she stayed at was modeled after her bed room back in the imperial palace. And that she was there to heal her mind after her fateful Agni Kai with her brother who is now Fire Lord. A title that she longed and competed for was no longer important, even trivial. Instead she feels relieved that it was no longer her on the throne but someone else. She immediately realized though, that she was alone again.

Someone knocked on the thick padded door to her room, and slowly opened. Evidently can only be opened or locked from the outside, since there was no door handle for her to use.

Why in the world would someone bother knocking on the door for? thought the gamer. I'm a prisoner and has no exclusive right to privacy or such formality.

Maybe it's Zuzu again to yell at us, the artist thought nervously.

Whoever it is, I'm no mood to put up with any fools, thought the sadist.

The door opened ajar to reveal Fuyumi who peered inside, and smiled brightly when they made eye contact. She opened the door wider to reveal that she is balancing a breakfast tray in one hand, while the other was holding the door handle.

"Good morning Azula," Fuyumi said cheerfully.

It's Fuyumi! delightfully thought the artist.

"Good morning Fuyumi," Azula croaked, her throat dry from all of the crying from last night. Fuyumi exposed her back to Azula, as she hung a blanket over the door to prevent anyone from peering in through the peephole, as a matter of courtesy for Azula. But Azula instantly saw it as an opening.

Good, thought the sadist. If I overpower her I can easily escape.

That's assuming that Zuko didn't post any guards to keep me here, the gamer thought pointedly. But if I could Firebend...

NO! the artist mentally cried. Fuyumi is my friend! I can't hurt her!

Don't be so naive! She's most likely working for Zuko! the sadist shot back.

No, Azula's right, thought the gamer. I can't tell who is friend or foe. Fuyumi may be able to help me escape. I can't be too hasty.

And I won't use my Firebending on my friends! Ever! mentally added the artist.

Fine! the sadist thought exasperatedly.

After changing, Azula sat at the table and placed a breakfast napkin on her lap that was provided. Fuyumi sat opposite of her and Waterbended the warm tea into four tea cups, each with their own table settings and breakfast dishes. Azula also noticed that there was enough food for four people, not two.

"This is a lot of food for you and me," commented Azula.

"That's because you have a couple of visitors," Fuyumi smiled, betraying a hint of wariness.

"Not Zuzu again," said Azula exasperated as she took her napkin and lightly pounded the table with it, as she stood up. Turning away from the table she walked over to and sat at the barred window sill. She sat at her usual perch, drawing her knees to her chest, looking out into the outside world that she was now yearning for. Though her personalities are more or less reunited, each had their own memories and habits that were her own, she could remember everything that they each experienced.

"It's not who you think it is," Fuyumi said, trying to assuage her childhood friend as she stood next to her. Oblivious to the subtle changes that made a great impact on Azula's mental health.

"Who? My uncle? He never visits," Azula asked in surprise. "Though it would be fun to see him, he is as fat as those fat buddha statues," she giggled to herself grinning as she imagined her uncle stuffing himself with food.

"No," Fuyumi eyes widened slightly in surprise and restrained a giggle herself. "I called on Mai and Ty Lee. They're just outside." She gestured to the door, which drew wider, revealing Azula's two best friends. Ty Lee smiling nervously, while Mai was averting her eyes to some corner of the room. Azula noted the way Ty Lee was keeping a tight grip on Mai's wrist to keep her from running away. Azula slowly rose to her feet, her voice caught in her throat.

"Hi...what are you doing here? I mean...It's nice to you guys again," Azula said pensively. I will never my Firebending on my friends, she thought.

"We wanted to see how you're doing," Ty Lee quickly said dragging Mai along with her, who began to dig her heels into the carpet. Despite her best efforts, Ty Lee betrayed a hint of guilt.

"I hardly think that this is a social call," Azula folded her arms across her chest and shifted her weight. She could not help but be always amused by her bipolar friends.

"It's nice to see you too," replied Mai sarcastically.

"We've heard that you've taken up drawing again," Ty Lee promptly interjected to change the subject.

"Yes I have. I can show you some of my drawings. Here, have a seat." Azula gestured to the table.

Fuyumi and Ty Lee accepted the offer as they sat down. But Mai kept her distance from the empty chair in front of her. Instead she scanned the room reproachfully as Azula fetched her sketchbook and scrapbook from her desk. Ty Lee took the scrapbook and quickly became engrossed in it. Azula stared at her trying to read her expressions as Ty Lee flipped through the pages. Ty Lee noticed her gaze and was a little uneasy. She began to feel nervous, which attracted Fuyumi's attention.

"Is everything alright Azula?"

Azula hesitated, "No. No, I mean...do you like it?" she asked Ty Lee.

"I love it," Ty Lee grinned back with her signature perkiness.

Fuyumi took the sketchbook and studied the old pictures and flipped through it until she reached the newest ones. She furrowed her brow and flipped the pages back and forth, as though comparing them. The older ones were of animals that were fragmented and the pictures were unfinished. As Fuyumi flipped further, she noticed a marked change. The pictures were fuller and more vivid. Fuyumi felt a presence and looked up to see Azula staring intently at her, she was like she was ten years old again.

"What is it?" asked Fuyumi.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes," Fuyumi smiled warmly. "Who am I talking to right now?"

"What do you mean? You're talking to me."

"Well, am I talking to playful Azula, or the other Azula?"

"Both. I'm-I'm better now. I realize now that I was sick and I needed to heal. And this is a hospital, not my real room. And that Zuko is Fire Lord now, not father."

"Good! That's good it shows that you're getting better!" Fuyumi clasped her hands onto Azula's. "You just need some more time to heal."

"I can't stay here for much longer. Zuko will come for me. Once he finds out that I've recovered. I'm not sure what he'll do. But it's good to see you all," she said finally, smiling weakly.

Mai sent a sharp glance at Azula, frowning as she studied her friend. Her face softened as she said, "yes, it's good to see you too Azula."

"We just want to let you know, that you're not alone. You still have friends," said Fuyumi.

"Thanks," Azula smiled weakly but it was genuine as she unconsciously fiddled with her fingers. A habit that she once had a child until her father made her stop. Ty Lee got up and hugged her, followed by Fuyumi and Mai. Overwhelmed with emotion, Azula cried softly.

Later that night...

Azula awoke from a terrible sound. The screeching, piercing, ear-splitting sound of metal being bent against its will. When she sat up she saw a figure in black robes, wearing a painted white mask, sitting at ease at the window sill. The bars that once barred his way were bent like a something large had been thrown out the window. His stormy grey eyes gazing into hers.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Azula asked deliberately as the man stood up and walked toward her.

"A friend. If you will have me," the man removed his mask to reveal his face, then bowing dramatically.

"Takashi..."

"Princess," Mao took her hand and gave it a chaste kiss on her fingers, causing her to blush.

"Am I dreaming?" Azula whispered.

"No."

"Then take me with you."

Mao nodded and gently pulled her hand as she rose from her bed, at the window sill. A Giant Air Bison peered at them when they came within its view. The bison smelled Azula as she came into its view, after smelling her it gave her a sloppy lick.

Azula scrunched her face when she got licked. After wiping her face with her hand she petted the bison. "My, aren't you friendly?" she smiled.

As they began to ascend into the night sky with the sanatorium disappearing from view, a thought occurred to her.

"May I do something before we leave?" she asked Mao.

"You want to see Zuko?" he asked. Mao's question surprised her, it was as though he had read her mind.

"Yes."

Mao steered them towards the imperial palace. They landed at the courtyard where she had her fateful Agni Kai.

"Do you know where you're going?" asked Mao.

"Yes. Knowing Zuko, he's probably at his bedchambers. There is a balcony, big enough for your Air Bison to land on. When you see me, then my business is done here, and then we can leave."

Mao studied Azula quietly for a few moments.

"I won't hurt my brother, if that's what you are thinking."

Soft golden eyes gazed into stormy grey.

"Make it short. We can't linger here. Your brother and I are not exactly on good terms."

"Thank you."

Azula leapt off of the Air Bison and crept into the palace. She walked quickly and silently relieved that none of the decor or furniture had changed since she was last there. But there were no palace guards posted to stop an intruder, such as herself, which she found very odd. In fact, she encountered no one as she crept towards his bedroom. Opening the door casually she found her brother meditating, just as he always does before going to bed. It was a habit impressed by their father. His hair was unbound like a wild mane, that partially covered his eyes which were closed, surrounded the circle of candles around rising and lowering as he took long deep breaths.

"I thought I made it clear that I was not to be disturbed in my bed chambers," Zuko said without looking up. Azula immediately felt nervous, she thought for a moment of running out to the balcony, where Mao was waiting to whisk her away into the dead of night. Clenching her teeth and rolling a hand into a fist in front of her chest, she took a step forward. She would not turn back, not after coming this far.

"Hello Zuzu," she said as friendly she could. Her artist persona felt timid and wanted her brother to be nice to her like Takashi. Her gamer persona thought it was a polite, tactful gesture, judging it best to set a neutral, friendly tone. Her sadist persona thought it was pointless, since his temper would get the better of him. Zuko's eyes shot open, with a look of shock and surprise for a moment, and then his face contorted into blind rage.

"What are you doing here? How did you escape?" Zuko demanded, rising to his feet, the candles erupting into flames, and extinguishing themselves as the wax was burnt out.

"That's right! I escaped from that glorified prison that you sent me to!" Azula shot back, immediately feeling her temper rise. This was not what her artist persona wanted. Her gamer persona thought of her next course of action, and the various scenarios of how this would all play out. Her sadist persona immediately thought of her next come back line. "I knew that once you found out that once I was cured, you would lock me up forever like you did with father!"

"You were always were like him! Both of you are monsters and should be locked away for good!" Zuko yelled, his words words stabbing Azula in the heart making her feel like a small child once more.

"Mother always did love you more," Azula's voice said in a low voice, with her eyes downcast.

"That's right! In fact it should've been you who should've disappeared, not her!" Zuko stepped dangerously close to her.

Their eyes locked together. Brother and sister. The prince and the monster. The beloved and the outcast.

"At least I know who cares about me now," Azula said turning away to exit to the balcony. The warm humid summer night greeted her, would she ever again feel the warm embrace of her homeland?

"Where do you think you're going?" demanded Zuko as he walked after her. He reached out to grab her but then a very large shadow flew over him, and a Giant Air Bison softly landed next to Azula. Mao offered a hand as she grabbed it, immediately noticing a unpainted white mask that sat next to the rider.

"Anywhere but here," said Azula as she put the white mask over her face. With a flick of the reins they took off.

Zuko's blood boiled and threw a particularly powerful fire blast at them. But the Air Bison flicked its mighty tail, sending a powerful gust of wind that knocked Zuko off his feet, deflected the blast, and propelled itself away from the palace. Zuko rose to his feet watching the Air Bison gain altitude.

The guards who heard the shouts finally ran up to Zuko.

"My lord! Are you alright?"

"I will be, when I see Azula in chains," Zuko replied darkly as he watched a silhouette disappear into the clouds of the night sky.