Chapter XVII
Silence dominated the devastated campsite, debris strewn about the landscape. The tents were all torn and soaked, their supplies resting in the topmost branches of the surrounding trees. A small fire crackled by Appa, who sniveled and hacked with a cold, the massive beast still soaking wet after the tidal wave had struck him mid slumber. There the rest of the company lay, everyone huddled in what dry items they could find. All eyes were closed, a restless sleep plaguing the group. Sokka sat bound between Ty-Lee and Mai, his body still unconscious. He had not demonstrated any signs of activity since Ty-Lee had knocked him out a few hours earlier. The worse was that they did not know who would great them when he finally awoke; the man, or the demon.
Back, away from the slumbering forms, brooding in the shadows, stood Zuko. He watched over the others with an obstinate glare, his eyes never blinking. His golden dualing swords sat strapped to his back, his raven hair sitting in a mess on top of his head. The events of the past week flooded through his mind, flickering across his golden eyes. Nothing was as it should have been. This trip, his friends, none of it. Somehow Joshua had known, had known they were coming here. That meant he had a leak at the palace, which meant someone within his own ranks was willing to betray him, which meant he did not have a firm grasp on his empire. It was not how he wanted to start the first year of his reign.
Shifting, Zuko snapped his fingers, an orange flame springing to life on his thumb. He looked at the glowing ember, turning it over in his hands. If he could just find Joshua, he could end this.
The sound of someone trudging through the woods gave him pause. Drawing his swords, he crouched down, creeping to the brush just to his right. He squatted down in the undergrowth, silent.
A dark figure walked out of the woods and toward the campfire. For a moment Zuko could not place the gait, then the figure stubbed its toe and swore.
Standing up from the foliage, Zuko walked to the person, sheathing his blades. "It's about time you got back. I was starting to think Joshua had gotten you."
Jack shook his head, looking around at the slumbering camp. "Got a little lost on the way back. Forest all looks the same in the dark."
Zuko narrowed his eyes, the action unseen in the blackness. "I guess it does."
"What the hell happened here? It looks like Azula threw another one of her parties," said Jack.
Zuko ignored the reference to their childhood, instead focusing on his friend's body language. Funny how he immediately wanted to change the subject.
"That spirit in Sokka, the one from the cavern. Turned out it was an ancient malevolent being bent on our demise. It tried to wipe us out with a tidal wave, but Ty-Lee had something else in mind."
The diamondbender chuckled, tisking with his tongue. "Got to look out for the non-benders."
Zuko watched his friend with a weary glare. For a split moment he could have sworn he saw someone back in the forest, a glint of eyes in the trees. However, a blink and they were gone, leaving him with an uneasy feeling.
"Toph make it back?"
"Huh?" Zuko blinked.
Jack turned to Zuko, raising an eyebrow. "Toph, she make it back?"
"Ya, she's over there," said Zuko. He pointed over to a little stone tent laying a ways away from the rest of the group.
Jack nodded his head. "Right then, I'm going to check on her." The diamondbender walked off, leaving Zuko to ponder the growing sense of dread in his gut. Slowly he slinked back into the foliage, shaking his head as he heard Toph yell at Jack for some odd reason or another. What was up with their group? Honestly, they were so chaotic, so dysfunctional, did they even deserve a chance to be together? During the war they had been united, standing firm together, but now they were always at each other's throats.
He sighed, missing the times when all he had to fear was Azula stabbing him in the back. At least she remained a predictable constant; her, and Mai.
A rush of blood overcame Zuko's cheeks as his thoughts turned to Mai. She was so sweet, so steady. She was always there for him, no matter what, staring at him with that apathetic glower. But that was the thing, it wasn't apathy. To everyone else it appeared so, but Zuko knew better. Really it was passion, pure passion, for all of her friends. She cared about them so much, but she hated to show it. She feared that if she let people knew what she really felt that they would be burdened and that she would be vulnerable, so instead she locked them all away behind a stoic countenance of ice. It came with growing up in the Fire Nation, you didn't show emotion. He knew that better than most, perhaps anyone. Still, it was a new time, a new era, maybe it was time for that to change as well?
Zuko shook off the thoughts and turned his attentions back to the little campsite. The forest was quiet about him, the pines barely shifting in an almost unnoticed breeze. A fresh, chill, odor rose from their needles, making Zuko dozy though he was chilled to the bone. At first he fought the urge to sleep, wanting to spend the entire night alert, but as time progressed and the night remained clam he gave in.
He spent the night drifting in and out of sleep, a careful eye always on the lookout for danger. However, as night turned into dawn, and the forest still slumbered, Zuko became more convinced that nothing was going to happen. Whatever it was Joshua was playing at by letting a demon possessed Sokka back into camp, it wasn't to stage a nighttime raid. Besides, if Joshua had really wanted, he could have taken them all out by now. Their bending was weak, they were tired, injured, and in unfamiliar terrain. Tactically it was the perfect scenario, but for some reason he still withheld, as if he was waiting for something else. A part of Zuko would like to think that it was his old friend in there, holding off against his psychotic desire to end them. However, Zuko had suffered through enough of life to realize that fantasies rarely came true. Joshua wasn't ever coming back, he was too far gone. It was kill or be killed.
The sound of someone approaching shook Zuko from his thoughts. He looked to the noise, poised and ready to strike.
"Relax Fire-Lord Tight-Pants, it's me."
Zuko let his fists drop, an embarrassed look spreading across his face. "Sorry Mai."
Mai came up to him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Have you been out here all night?"
Zuko nodded his head, a yawn escaping his lips. "I got a little bit of sleep, but I had to make sure that everyone was safe. I don't like the fact Joshua gave us Sokka back, he's up to something."
Mai snorted. "Of course he's up to something, he's always up to something. He never knew how to step back and just relax." As if to emphasize her point Mai sat on a stump, leaning languidly back on Zuko's legs.
Zuko stood there, not entirely sure as to what he should do. Mai seemed to sense his tension.
"You're not too good at it either," she said. She reached up a hand and grabbed his arm, dragging him down to a sitting position. She then leaned back between his legs, her head resting on his chest.
Zuko felt his blood pressure skyrocket as she lay against him, his heart thudding in his chest like a drum. He just sat there, his arms fixed by his side. What was he supposed to do? Surely he was supposed to do something right now.
Reaching up, Zuko tried to stroke Mai's hair, but it kind of turned out more as an awkward pat instead of passionate touch. It drew a chuckle from Mai.
"You are really bad at this aren't you?" said Mai, chuckling softly.
Zuko turned red, shifting nervously behind his girlfriend. "I'm doing my best okay?"
"I know baby, and that's good enough for me," replied Mai, sinking deeper into his chest.
Zuko felt his heart leap at her words. It was that feeling that only one other person could give you; the flip of your heart and dive into your stomach as they look at you, smile at you, brush their hand against you. They could make you blush hotter than fire with a single comment but turn you to ice with one callous glare. It was the only person you would trust with your heart, and you gave it into their hands free of charge or plea, save for handle gently. You and I would call it love and affection but those concepts were so foreign to Zuko that he did not know how to recognize them for what they were. To him it was simply a surprising and vexing feeling- though he did relish the strange tingling which spread through his body.
He allowed himself to relax as best he could, slumping a little bit and rubbing Mai's shoulders. A slight groan of approval came from Mai's lips, so he continued to massage her shoulders. As his fingers worked along her neck he began to slip his hands down her shirt. He rubbed his hands along her back as he tried his best to not shake from the exhilarating feeling of her soft skin against his. His hands dropped lower, and lower, then…
"Slow down Fire-Lord," said Mai, gently grabbing Zuko's wrists. "Why don't we go back to the shoulders?"
Zuko pulled his hands out from her shirt, glowing red. "Sorry," he mumbled as he stood up. Mai got up as well, grabbing him by the hand before he could stalk off.
"Hey, it's okay," she said, stroking his cheek. "You just need to slow down a little bit."
Zuko nodded his head. "Ya, ya, you're right."
"I usually am," said Mai, leaning in and placing a kiss on his lips. She walked away, slipping her hands back into her sleeves.
Zuko shook himself, watching as she walked off. He could not help himself but to steal a look at her, his eyes trailing down her body. A half smile crept across his lips.
"Aww, that's adorable Zuzu," said a voice behind him.
Zuko turned, shocked. His sister stood behind him leaning up against a tree, looking at her nails.
"I knew you liked Mai, but my aren't we getting a little touchy" said Azula. She walked up to him, smirking. "Be careful brother, it does not suit the title of Fire-Lord to have a child outside of wedlock."
"Is there ever a time when you don't have to be condescending?" asked Zuko, irked.
Azula shrugged her shoulders. "Is it really be condescending when it's right? Because I'm always right."
"Ya, and I guess going bonkers and banishing everyone from the palace was the right way to go about things as Fire-Lord, maybe I should follow your fine example little sister," retorted Zuko. It wasn't very kind of him but there were simply times when you had to lay into someone, especially when it was your bratty little sister. Doubly so when it was Azula.
Azula frowned, his words biting into her. "Well…I…"
"What's the matter sister? Getting caught up in your feelings of ambivalence? I thought you didn't hold anything towards me," said Zuko.
"I don't!" snapped Azula, shoving her way past Zuko with a huff. She stormed off towards the lake, her knuckles turned white as she clenched her hands in fists by her sides.
Zuko turned and watched her, feeling a mixture of gnawing guilt and gleeful satisfaction inside of him. True, he did take pleasure from ruffling his sister's feathers, but he was better than that. It was the older brother thing, he had the responsibility to do the right thing, to look after her and help her, even when she didn't want it. He was going to have to go apologize now and he knew it.
"That's what I get for opening my big mouth," he muttered to himself. However, as he walked over to speak with his sister a great commotion arose from camp. He turned around to see Toph and Jack struggling with a bound Sokka as they forced him to sit down. Sokka refused to yield and continued to stand against them, his eyes pitch black as he easily resisted the two warriors. Eventually others hopped in, trying their best to bring Sokka back to the ground. It would have looked quite amusing, akin to children trying to tackle a man, but the fact that Sokka stood against a man twice his size and barely flinched made Zuko very uneasy.
Zuko started to make his way over there, pondering the possibility of having to physically harm Sokka. Just before he reached the group, however, Ty-Lee jumped in and landed some nerve shots on Sokka's legs, crippling him. His legs wobbled for a moment like two unstable pillars, then came crashing to the ground.
"Good job Ty-Lee" said Jack.
Sokka glared up at the circus performer, vehement. "Pink whore," he spat.
Ty-Lee took a half step back, hurt by his words. Zuko came up to her, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, it's not him" he said. Ty-Lee merely nodded her head, her eyes wide. Zuko walked up to Sokka, or Torment, as it seemed that the spirit was indeed in control of his friend.
"Morning Torment" he said "you still feel like murdering us all today?"
"Please, if I wanted you dead you all would be," hissed the spirit. Somehow, though, the threat did not come off very believable.
"Well we're still alive which means you have other plans for us. I would like to know what those plans are," said Zuko.
Torment shrugged his shoulders. "Perhaps I can tell you, perhaps not"
"What do you want?" asked Zuko, cutting to the point.
"I want Joshua's body dead and this one all to myself" said the spirit. You would think that such a ludicrous demand would be met with a smirk or just a simple laugh at the absurdity of it, but that was not what occurred. Strangely there was no immediate protest to the demand, as Toph and Jack both stayed silent and Katara was not present. Even Ty-Lee, as kind hearted as she was, did not pipe in, rather staying behind Zuko with her shoulders slumped.
"Why do you want Joshua's body dead?" asked Zuko.
Torment snorted. "Answers come second, not first. Kill the boy and leave this one to me then you will know what it is you wish."
Zuko crossed his arms. "As nice as that would be I see no reason to give in to such demands," he said "You're rather tied up at the moment, and I dare say you won't being doing much for a time."
"Be careful to heed me boy," said the spirit "I won't be so lenient as I was last time"
"Oh, so that's what you call it," chirped Toph "You see, we call it getting your butt kicked when Ty-Lee pegs you with a bunch of nerve shots, but hey, whatever makes you feel better about it"
Torment frowned, turning to the earthbender. "And what do you call it when you have a hopeless love for one far better than you?" he asked.
Toph cracked her knuckles, moving to strike Sokka's smirking face, but Jack held her back. A fight broke out amongst the group as people began shouting and grabbing at each other. Zuko managed to break it up, shoving everyone back. They all stared at each other for a moment, on edge.
"Alright, alright, everyone go get some space," said Zuko "and someone send me Katara."
Jack said he'd fetch Katara, and the others grunted and walked away. Zuko was left alone with Sokka, or Torment, whichever you preferred to use.
"Not easy leading a band of fools on their merry march," said Torment.
"It's better to be a leader of fools than of evil doers," replied Zuko, looking at Sokka. "At least the good guys always win."
The spirit closed its mouth and got quiet, glaring at Zuko. Zuko ignored the caustic stare and instead sat down, leaning his head back on a tree. Every part of him cursed this trip and his decision to come here. Everything was simply falling apart. Maybe they weren't meant to be a group anymore?
The thoughts departed his mind as Katara approached, followed by Jack. She turned and snapped at the man, telling him something or another which made him turn around and walk away. Zuko rolled his eyes.
"You know" he said as she came up to him "it would be a lot easier for us if we decided to get along, but that's only my suggestion."
Katara sighed, pinching her nose. "I know, I know. It just hasn't been easy of late and my first response to everything is to snap at someone, especially him"
"Just don't let it get the best of you," said Zuko.
"Ya, ya, okay." Katara looked at her brother's body and crossed her arms. "So what is it you wanted?"
"I thought you were going to get the spirit out of him last night with the full moon" said Zuko.
"I tried, but I still don't have much of my bending back. I guess I haven't lost enough blood" replied Katara.
"I can fix that right quick," said Torment, his eyes still closed. There was a mischievous grin on his lips.
"Oh will you ever just shut up!" snapped Katara.
Zuko grabbed her by the arm. "Hey, calm down"
"I'm sorry, it's just…disturbing when your brother's body talks about wanting to rape you" said Katara, looking askance at Sokka.
"Yes but it would be oh so enjoyable," replied Torment, peeking his eyes open.
Katara shook but said nothing, turning to Zuko. "I can't get it out of him yet so I don't know what you want me to do?"
"I want you to get some room and focus on your bending, okay? We need that spirit out of Sokka as soon as possible."
Katara nodded her head. "I'll do my best." She went off towards the lake, no doubt searching for a nice quiet spot to focus her energy.
Zuko looked about at the camp, at the remnants of what was supposed to be a joyful reunion. Where the tents should have been set up sat crumpled earthen blocks which Toph had managed to erect. Their fire pit was now a small pool, the logs they had been sitting on a few nights before now washed way up in the forest. It was all a wreck, a total disaster. Zuko could not help but feel that it was a sign of his performance as a leader. Everything he planned or tried to bring into fruition resulted in destruction and chaos. Give it a couple of years and he would probably drive his people into the dirt and leave his nation vulnerable to foreign attack. He would go down in history as the usurper who ended a golden era of imperial rule with ruin. His mother would be so proud.
Looking up, Zuko noticed Torment staring at him. It irked him the way the spirit looked, all condescending like. It reminded him so much of his sister that he even started to wonder if Azula was possessed by some spirit (though a part of him knew it would be too good to be true).
"What?" he asked.
Torment shrugged his shoulders. "Just admiring your work."
Zuko blinked, wondering if the spirit could read his mind. "Oh ya? And what work would that be?"
"The way you divide people against each other; make former allies turn on one another. It really is a treat to watch a master at work," replied Torment.
Zuko stood up and walked over to the spirit, staring into his pitch black eyes. He started to circle him, recognizing only Sokka's body but feeling the spirits presence in every twitch, every breath. It was unnerving.
"You think I'm the one dividing my friends?" asked Zuko.
"You are their leader aren't you? You're the one who's trying to bring together those who cannot."
Zuko halted, behind Torment. "What do you mean by that?"
Torment shrugged his shoulders. "Exactly what it sounds like. That you're trying to unite people who cannot be united, and that by doing so you are dividing the very ones who stood together in the first place."
"That's…that's not true," replied Zuko, unsure of himself.
Torment, sensing Zuko's hesitance, laughed. "Oh the boy who would play to be king. You lead your people to their own destructions, you will unite fire and water only to find that neither shall remain."
"Even so at least I am doing my best. I can't make them get along," retorted Zuko.
"A leader's job is to unite!" snapped Torment. "Foolish boy don't you understand? It is not their failure which you see but your own. Do not seek to lecture me on the principles of kingdoms and the powers held in their crown."
Zuko stopped, peering at Torment. Was he becoming agitated that Zuko was doing such a poor job?
"How would you proceed then?" asked Zuko. "If you are so wise and sagacious please, do teach me."
Torment smiled. "Humility is the first step of wisdom. Always remember that there is someone out there who knows more than you, accept this, and you will never be in want of good counsel."
Zuko felt a tingling in the pit of his stomach. It was foreboding and grim, warning him to flee and leave this creature far behind him. However, there was something else, a draw. It was as if he could smell power flowing off of Torment, just waiting to be tapped into. He couldn't just pass this up could he? If he had the chance to become a better leader and safeguard his people should he not take it? It was his duty to perform everything within his power to bring affluence to his land, even if it meant making some small sacrifices amongst his friends.
Unwilling to pass up such an opportunity Zuko decided to play the willful student. He dipped his head and submitted himself to his fate. "Then please, teach me."
"You learn quickly boy. But be weary, if I am to help you, you must help me."
"And how would I do that?" asked Zuko.
"Joshua's head on the ground before me," replied Torment. "Do this and I will be your counselor until the nations of the world are a footstool to your feet."
"If I do this for you, kill my friend and end his life, you must assure me of one thing," said Zuko.
"And what would that be oh exultant Fire-Lord?" asked Torment.
Zuko leaned in close to the spirit, his face inches away from Torment's. "You must take another host."
"But I find pleasure in this one," retorted Torment, reclining back. "There is no reason for me to change."
"Oh on the contrary," said Zuko. "I cannot be seen counseling with a water-tribe boy. My people will assume that I am being corrupted by his primitive ways. I must have a man of my own customs speaking in my ear."
Torment laughed, the sound deep and frightening. "You learn quickly child. Still, this body has so much power, so much potential, it would be shame to give it up simply for appearances."
"Take another host and you will never lack in possessions or women," said Zuko. "Every night you will have a new virgin for your pleasure, just leave my friend be."
Torment's eyes grew wide and ravenous at Zuko's offer. "Surely you have outfoxed me this time Fire-Lord. It would seem that you are not so naïve as I once believed. You are a man I can be in service to."
"Do we have a deal?" hissed Zuko.
Torment stroked his chin with his tied hands, a smile spreading across his lips. "We do my lord. I shall be your advisor, and you shall be my king."
"Fire-Lord," corrected Zuko.
"Just don't forget to bring me Joshua's head," said Torment. "Without this my spirit cannot be fully freed to travel to another host, and my power shall not be fully mine."
"You'll have it soon enough. Heck, I'll have his body stuffed and put in your room as a nice reminder of my loyalty to my friends. But first you give me counsel. How do I lead my friends to come back together?"
"First rule of leadership; you are their leader not their friend. You do not allow them to act outside of your will because you know what is best for them. Even if they hate you let them be begrudgingly united in their hatred to obey you and follow in your prosperity."
"What keeps that hatred from making them turn on me?" asked Zuko.
"Results," replied Torment. "Their hatred will turn into respect as you produce wealth and greatness for them. They cannot argue with the results of triumph."
"And slaying Joshua would be the first sign of triumph, wouldn't it?"
"Indeed it would boy. So perhaps that should be your focus now instead of me," said Torment.
Zuko looked at him, weary. "What assurance do I have that you won't try anything, to stab me in the back? What's keeping you from working with Joshua this whole time?"
"That's just it, you don't know. This is a gamble young lord, you must make a decision. Will you take the risk, will you roll the dice on me and wisdom, or will you cower and pass up your chance for greatness?"
"I am already great," replied Zuko. "But I shall be far greater than any other Fire-Lord that has come before me."
Torment smiled. "A most sagacious decision, my Fire-Lord."
Jack sat on the beach looking out over the still water. It shimmered with the sun like crystal, reflecting its rays in dazzling display. The fresh odor of the pines wafted over him, bringing with it the refreshing smell of the cool morning. However, there was nothing calming or relaxing about their current situation in camp. Besides that, he had to deal with the odious conversation which he had with his old friend from the night before. His decision rattled inside of his head, making his hands shake. Had he chosen correctly? Was it fair for him to do this to the others when he had a chance to change things? They deserved to be free and happy, away from his past nightmare. Still, did he have the right to choose for them?
The boy folded his hands, closing his eyes. He breathed in and out, trying to keep himself calm, but to no avail. He was too flustered to be calm, and the situation around him didn't help. A stipulation, that's what he needed, a stipulation.
Jack stood up and turned around only to swear quietly to himself. How was he supposed to have a stipulation if he didn't know where Joshua was? He was just going to have to wait until later tonight, then he'd make his demand.
So, that left him with all day to mess around and do…well, nothing. Shaking his head, Jack sat back down in the sand and sighed.
"You seem rather worked up hon; something troubling you?"
Jack didn't bother looking up as Azula came over and glowered over him, her arms crossed.
"Couldn't find anyone else to bother?" he asked.
"Well, I just finished having my daily exchange with my precious brother, so I figured I would find some more desirable company."
"I'm so honored," replied Jack, putting a hand to his chest in an act of feigned humility.
"Please, I am in no mood for such trivial banter," replied Azula, sitting down next to him.
Jack turned to look at her, the tone of her voice throwing him off. The normal pretentious lilt which resonated in her every syllable was somehow missing. It was so strange, like a flame without heat; it disturbed him.
"What's up Azula?" he asked.
"The sky is up street rat," replied Azula. "You mean what is going on with me."
"Yes, that is what I meant," Jack said, feeling his patience already being tried.
"Aside from recovering from my tortuous experience with Joshua, which I'm doing quite well thank you for asking, nothing is going on with me. I am perfectly fine."
Jack looked at the girl, looking over her battered and bruised body. Her left eye was black and swollen, her lip split, her head marred with bruises and bumps. She was wearing a new set of clothing but Jack was certain that if he could see her skin she was just as disfigured and battered as the rest of her.
"Azula, something's up. Come on, we've known each other for too long for this."
"I have no idea what you're talking about street rat," replied Azula, looking down at a broken fingernail.
Jack ground his teeth. "You know, someday you're either going to have to let someone in or you'll find that everyone has left you." With that Jack moved to leave. However, before he could go Azula reached out and grabbed his shoulder, impulsively. He hesitated as he looked back at her, her eyes sparking with desperation.
"Please…don't…don't leave me," Azula said, her eyes begging.
Jack sat back down, startled by her reaction. "If you want me to stay you have to give me something."
Azula laughed. "Go figure, I ask for aid and in return you look for an advantage from me. I guess it is fitting."
"No Azula, I'm not looking for an advantage. If you want me to stay, if you want me to help, you have to tell me things, you have to let me in," said Jack.
"I suppose that is how it works, is it not?" replied Azula.
"Yes, yes it is," said Jack. "If you want my help you have to let me know what's going on."
Azula sighed, looking away for a few moments. She kept quiet so long that Jack started to think that she had changed her mind, but before he left she spoke, her voice soft and low.
"I know nobody likes me, it's quite obvious, and to be honest I don't blame you guys. I don't even like me. Still, for how terrible I am to you, and despite the fact you all loath me, you guys still come after me, you still protect me, why?" Azula turned and stared Jack in the face, her eyes full of emotion. "Why do you do that? Why can't you just leave me alone to suffer and rot?! Do you take pleasure in dumping burning coals on my head leaving me to writhe in the agony of my conscious? Do you wish to drive every moment of peace from my being so that I am restless with doubt and insecurity? Do you want my bones to corrode and my mind to waste in the fires of my guilt? Why must you do this to me?" Azula looked at him so utterly desperate, her eyes brimming with tears. Each syllable shook with emotion as she made her plea, so desperate for peace that Jack thought she would get to her knees and starting begging him to end it all for her.
"Azula, we're not trying to torture you," Jack tried.
"Then why do you keep doing this to me?" replied Azula.
"Doing what?"
"Saving me! Helping me! Extending your sympathies to me! Why can't you…" at this point Azula stopped, letting out a shuddering breath as she tried to keep herself under control. "Why won't you repay me for what I've done? Why won't you kill me?"
Jack looked at his friend, a smile tugging at his lips. Of all the years he had spent with this girl never before had he seen her so honest, so bare, like a babe laid out before him. She truly was terrified and helpless from what she was suffering, and it was all because they had lent her aid when she wasn't deserving. Funny what got to someone wasn't it?
"Azula, we don't want to kill you, I don't want to kill you, because I care about you, we care about you."
"But why?" asked Azula. "Why do you choose to care for me even when I'm so horrid to you? This whole time I knew that your friend was possessed with a spirit and yet I said nothing, letting him go on his rampage and destroying his ties with all of you. I've murder and tortured, tormented you across the nations, subverted my way into palaces and capitals. I've struck down the avatar, lied, cheated, stole, and slew anyone standing in my way including your friends. I've done so many terrible things, how could you ever choose to care for me?"
"Because caring for someone isn't about whether or not they're worthy of it, because none of us truly are. Caring for someone is choosing to look after that person no matter what they do. It's about wanting the best for that person at the cost of yourself," Jack said.
Azula sat stunned, dumbfounded at what he had just spoken. "You truly want that for me? You really think that way about me?"
Jack shrugged his shoulders. "Well ya, that's how I feel about all my friends, and the others feel the same too."
"And why would they feel that way about me?" asked Azula, skeptic. "There's no reason for them to want my healing, my success."
"Everyone deserves another chance Azula," Jack said. "They understand that you've never had anyone there for you and they want to give you that chance."
"They…they do?"
Jack nodded his head. "They really do. But be careful, they won't extend it forever. Eventually you'll push it too far, and there's no coming back from something like that."
"Then what do I do? How can I…let someone in as you say, let someone help me?" asked Azula.
Jack looked into her eyes, staring long and hard. Part of him immediately assumed that this was some ploy or feign to get at something. After all Azula's behavioral process was simply doing what was in her best interest to advance her own agenda. She was as sly as fox and as cunning as a serpent; she never did anything without an ulterior motive. However, she seemed to be sincere, so adamant about her plea. She was on the verge of tears, withering away before his eyes in a heap of agony and pain. He had seen her fake it before and this just wasn't it. Therefore if she wasn't faking it then she was truly reaching out to him for aid. He wouldn't disappoint.
Jack spent the next three hours sitting on the beach speaking to Azula, explaining to her what it meant to truly care about someone and look out for them. How to invest in people and let people get to know you simply for the fact that you wanted to be close to someone. At the end of it all Azula sat still, pondering everything he had said.
"You…you really think there's a chance for me to make things up?" she asked.
"I wouldn't necessarily say it's making things up, rather it's more like acting underneath grace," replied Jack.
"What do you mean acting beneath grace?"
Jack thought about it for a moment, tapping his chin. "We extend grace to each other by caring for each other after our mistakes and failures and giving those who've hurt us another chance; you respond to that grace in either positive or negative senses. To respond properly is to respond to that grace in a positive manner."
Azula chuckled. "You always have to turn things into some philosophical point don't you?"
"I can't help it if everything that comes out of my mouth is the words of wisdom incarnate," replied Jack. The two laughed at this, relaxing next to each other and enjoying each other's company. Jack could not remember the last time that it was like this, but he relished the feeling. There was no assurance that it would come again.
"How's your bending?" asked Azula, finally changing the topic.
Jack held out his hand and called the water from the lake. It slithered towards him like a small garden snake, shaking and tenuous, but still it came to his fingers.
"Coming back," he said. "Amongst other things."
Azula smiled at him, opening her mouth to speak. However, before she could say what was on her mind they were interrupted.
"You've two been out here quite a while. When you coming back over to camp?"
Jack turned to see Aang standing behind them. His arm was in a sling from where Sokka had stabbed him and his face was haggard but still he seemed to keep an optimistic air to him.
"We'll come back when we wish avatar," snapped Azula.
Jack touched her gently on the shoulder, trying to calm her down. "Something up Aang?"
Aang shifted on his feet. "Nothing really, it's just, well, I guess that I just want everyone to be happy and together again. It just seems that ever since the war has ended that we've been drifting away, and I don't want that to happen."
"Sometimes once a common cause is achieved the natural disparity between people is noticed," said Azula. "You're simply noticing that outside of a joining goal these people you call your friends really have nothing to offer you in regards to aid and companionship."
Aang's countenance fell at her words. Jack gave Azula an elbow this time, trying to make her shut up. She glowered at Jack but seemed to catch the drift, as she lightened up.
"Then again I don't know much about friendships, so I guess I wouldn't really know what's going on."
Aang didn't seem to buy whole heartedly into it but he did offer a smile. "Don't worry, everything's going to be fine. We'll solve this just like we solved our other problems during the war."
"That's the spirit Aang," said Jack. "Now how about we all get back to camp and see what we can piece together hmm? Maybe we'll make a nice hot meal for everyone, have a good old time just like we used to." Jack stood up, offering his hand to Azula. She smirked at it at for a moment, moving to smack it away, but she thought better of it and took it instead, letting him help her to her feet.
"That's a good first step," Jack said as he walked behind Aang. Azula smiled and followed behind. The trio spent the next hour or so organizing and cleaning up the campground as best they could. It was an arduous process as their supplies was spread throughout the forest. That, and half the time Azula had something to complain or moan about. However, they managed to get some work done. They got the tents all hung up to dry and cleared the debris away from the fire pit. They salvaged what gear and supplies they could then made a big roaring fire, setting some sizable dry logs around it. Jack then went about preparing a meal while Azula tried to be friendly to Aang. It was rather comical; Azula would try to ask Aang a normal question in an attempt to ease the tension and get to know the boy. Aang, however, was so skeptical of what was going on that he gave her no straight answers, instead peering at her with side long glances.
Azula, growing frustrated with the wall she was hitting, ground her teeth. "What's your favorite color?" she tried.
"I like all the colors. They're all just fine. Why do you need to know?" replied Aang.
"Because I'm making formal conversation, now tell me what your favorite color is or I'll burn the answer out of you!" demanded Azula, holding up a fiery fist.
Aang covered his shining dome with his one good arm and ducked out of the way, no doubt waiting for Azula to strike him. However, they were interrupted by a shrill whistle from the fire. Jack looked over at Azula, shaking his head.
Sticking out her tongue, Azula crossed her arms, sitting back down on her log. "Sorry Avatar, it seems I let myself get a little out of hand. How about we try this another way shall we?"
Aang sat back down, but this time in a seat further away from the psychotic bender. "And what would that be?"
"Quid pro quo," Azula said.
Aang simply stared at her with a blank face. "Uhmm…excuse you?"
Azula's eye twitched. "You mean you don't know what that means?"
"No," said Aang, inching back further.
Azula looked like she was going to snap again. However, she took in a deep breath and calmed herself down, forcing a smile to her face. "It means something for something. As in I tell you something, and in return you tell me something."
"Oh, okay," said Aang, still not convinced that Azula wasn't going to hit him.
"Good, then why don't I start as a sign of good faith," said Azula.
"Wait," Aang interrupted, much to Azula's ire. "How do I know that what you tell me is true?"
"You'll just have to trust me," replied Azula, her knuckles creaking in a fist.
"But I don't trust you," Aang said, "that would be crazy."
"That's it!" cried Azula, standing up once more. She was stopped once more, however, by Jack whistling at her.
"Now, now, Jemnile. That's no way to act. Now Aang, will you please answer a few of Azula's questions? I promise she won't lie to you in response to your questions," said Jack.
"Okay, if you say so," replied Aang.
Azula sat back down frowning, very displeased with the current situation. "Fine. What do you want to know?"
"Uhm…what's your favorite color?"
"Blue," said Azula.
"Huh, really?" asked Aang.
"No, I just felt like lying to you for the sake of doing it," snapped Azula. "Of course it is you dolt! Don't question the veracity of my statements!"
Aang shrunk back, obviously uncomfortable with speaking to Azula. "Okay, I won't. Your turn."
Azula put a strand of hair back in place, breathing out a sigh. "Good. Now then, what is your favorite color?"
"I don't know. I like all of them."