To say that having a pacifist airbender, a bossy earthbender, a chaotic firebender, and a happy nonbender all in one camp is easy, you would be wrong.
The past week had been very interesting as the two siblings that had naturally held the little group together were now in Ba Sing Se. Aang would like to say his time with Azula was going well and she was growing more comfortable around him, and it really was. However…it was when Azula was with anyone else that things started to go south.
Toph provoked Azula easily, saying this and that about the Fire Nation or about Ozai, or Azula's mother. Azula retaliated in kind, poking the specific buttons that would make Toph twitch.
With Ty Lee as an addition to the camp, there was a new type of tension. Neither she nor Azula would talk to each other. Ty Lee tried to hide it with her bubbliness as she talked to Aang and Toph, but she would go quiet whenever she sensed Azula near her. Azula just avoided them for the majority of the time, retreating to her tent or by the cliffs. There was mistrust between all four of them, and Aang didn't really know how to handle it. It was like trying to add Zuko to the gaang again, but this time, Azula didn't really want to be included. It seemed like she didn't know how.
At least it was easy to keep tabs on everybody. They were close to a village to gather food and they moved from place to place, making their way along the cliffs, taking in the beautiful scenery. Everyone, for the most part, stuck together, never going too far from the camp. Someone was also always keeping tabs on Azula. Aang was responsible for her now, at least for a little bit, and he didn't want to lose her or make her feel alone. She needed to feel a part of the world, not separated from it.
One night, after everyone had retreated to their own bedrolls, Aang couldn't help but notice Ty Lee's sitting form on the other side of the fire. With light feet, he flitted over to her side, sitting cross-legged beside her. Ty Lee jumped a little at the disturbance, seemingly lost in her thoughts, but she smiled widely at him. "What are you doing up so late?" She asked quietly.
Aang smiled invitingly. "I was going to ask you the same thing." He paused, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Are you doing okay? I can't help but notice how you seem a little distant."
Ty Lee rubbed at her cheeks, like she was wiping away tear streaks. "Oh, don't worry about me. I'm doing great!"
Aang looked at her searchingly.
Ty Lee's shoulders slumped. "Things just feel a little weird right now, with 'Zula…and not seeing Mai for so long…"
Aang nodded in sympathy. "Yeah, I feel the same with Katara being gone and things just being different. It's weird when things change, isn't it?"
Ty Lee wiped at her nose, sniffling. "It's hard to know what to expect…I hurt Azula so bad…I don't know if I will ever know her again, even though she's right here." She glanced up at Aang. "Does that even make sense?"
"Friendships change. Look at me and King Bumi; we're technically the same age and we are still good friends but it's not the same. I don't get to play with him anymore." Aang shrugged. "Sometimes I think things change for the good, even when it feels like things have become worse." Aang had a sudden idea. His eyes lit up and he leaned close to Ty Lee. "I need your help with something, okay?"
She nodded, hiccupping a little.
Aang whispered into her ear with a childish grin, practically bouncing with his new idea. "How does that sound?" He asked excitedly.
Ty Lee looked at him with her eyes narrowed, looking a lot like Mai when she did it. Then her expression melted into warm butter, her eyes turning into crescent moons. "I would love to do it!" she whispered back with the same excitement
"One of my friends has asked about the prophecy you foresaw," Aang explained. "I was wondering if you could clarify it for me; you said something about a phoenix rising?"
Avatar Asa smiled a warm smile, her eyes however were red-rimmed. "I saw the beginning of a new era, symbolized by the rising of phoenix. After the war fills the world with anger and fear, there will be a new era of peace."
Aang tapped his fingers on his knee, his teeth gritted. "Yeah, one problem with that. There's this old firelord that was Zuko's dad and he kinda called himself the Phoenix King…Is he the one who is supposed to bring peace?"
"I did foresee a man named the Phoenix King, but I don't know, I'm sorry." The Avatar grimaced. "I only saw images and I was given an impression of what would happen."
Aang deflated before blowing up like a balloon as hope refilled his chest. "What images did you see, if I may ask, except for the war and phoenix like you mentioned."
The Avatar hummed, putting a finger to her nose as she thought. "I saw one pair of blue arrows, a starburst shaped lightning scar, a fox mask, and I believe I saw the face of the phoenix. It was peculiar as the side of its face-"
"Aang?" called a voice and Avatar Asa dissipated with the swish of the wind.
"ARGHHHH!" Aang whirled around on the intruder, glaring. "WHy did you do that!"
Toph was not impressed. She had her hands on her hips, looking in his general direction. "Azula's missing."
Aang's jaw fell open. He scrambled up, grabbing his staff without a thought. "What do you mean she's missing?"
"She was in her tent sulking again this morning, but when I came back from the village she was gone and it gets worse," Toph huffed. "Ty Lee's gone too."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner," Aang fussed. Then he paused, his expression brightening. "Wait this is great!"
"It is?" Toph raised her eyebrows, hands on her hips.
"Ty Lee is talking to Azula like I asked her to!" Aang jumped in the air, twirling in excitement. "Wait did you see where they're going?" his voice suddenly switching into a serious tone.
Toph smirked. "You know I can't see you, right?"
Aang blew a rush of air at Toph's face, making her laugh as her hair flew everywhere. "Grab on." Aang popped open his staff open and pushed off into the air. Toph held on tightly as they soared through the air. Even after some practice flying, Toph looked a little sick.
"They-they're just outside the camp in one of the-the-the caves," Toph managed to get out.
"Where?"
"If you would put me down, I would be able to point you in the direction," Toph said irritably.
"Oh," Aang said apologetically. "Sorry, about that." He quickly landed, letting Toph down slowly.
She stomped her feet on the ground before pointing southeast from where they had landed. "They're over there, follow me."
Earlier that morning
"Azula, I think we need to talk." Ty Lee hovered beside her old friend near the campfire. No one else was awake yet except for the princess who was staring morosely into the fire.
Azula didn't bother to turn around, shrugging. "I'm sorry, were you talking to me?"
Ty Lee pressed her lips together. She was being brave, why did Azula have to make this so hard. "Yes, I was talking to you."
"Are you here to apologize?" Azula said with a dry tone, still staring into the fire.
"I'm here to talk about your health. Aang has said you've had some problems-" Ty Lee began, but Azula cut her off.
"I think we should have a tea party and poison the tea water, wouldn't that be a grand time?" Azula said, her voice raised and high. She glanced over at Ty Lee sarcastically. "Sorry, it's just the voices."
Ty Lee's face crunkled. When she and Mai had betrayed Azula, she had been scared of Azula. The Azula that she knew from childhood had grown and changed into something she could hardly recognize. There was never one moment that pointed to the change, it was as if Ty Lee had woken up and her best friend had changed to a point of no turn. Ty Lee came to help because she hoped that maybe Azula could return to being the friend she knew and loved, not this lost person. "I'm taking you shopping with me," Ty Lee declared.
Azula raised an eyebrow, looking Ty Lee up and down. "Excuse me?"
Ty Lee put on her charming smile. "Come one! It will be fun." She pulled on Azula's arm, hauling her up. Azula had obviously not been expecting as she stumbled to catch up with Ty Lee's stride. She tried to pull out of Ty Lee's grip, but not even when she had firebending was she able to deter Ty Lee from whatever she wanted to do.
There was an earth nation village near where they had set up camp, and Ty Lee pulled Azula along with her as she went from stall to stall in the market.
Okay, the plan was to get Azula to feel comfortable and calm. That was a large favor to ask of the princess, but maybe if Azula was calmer, and felt safer, she would be more susceptible to Aang's help. Well, that was the plan.
"Look at this!" Ty Lee pointed to the little stall of carefully molded clay figures.
Azula had her arms crossed. "Looks stupid."
Ty Lee smiled apologetically to the merchant selling them. "I'll take one, please sir."
They walked past several little shops ranging from fresh produce, to baked goods and jewelry, and all Ty Lee got out of Ty Lee was a deeper frown. Then came the weapons booth.
"Finally something useful." Azula went carefully over the stall, combing through the different weapons.
"You really miss your firebending don't you," Ty Lee murmured, watching Azula closely.
Azula paused for a second before continuing her combing.
"Do you think there's something that's blocking it? Like some of your thoughts?" Ty Lee mused.
"I don't know," Azula said, disinterested.
They moved onto another booth, one of interesting decorations and festival items for the coming summer solstice.
"You said you hear voices. Who do you hear?" Ty Lee pressed on.
"You're quite transparent, you do know that, don't you?" Azula frowned.
Ty Lee smiled gently. "You can tell me anything, Azula. It won't change my look of you."
Azula huffed. "You mean it won't change that I'm a monster."
"You hear your mother's voice don't you," Ty Lee whispered, concern etched in the wording of her sentence.
Azula stopped what she was doing, as if she was frozen in time. There seemed to be a whirl of thoughts passing through her mind. Ty Lee could almost see it in her eyes, but she could definitely tell by the change in color of Azula's aura.
This was not the original plan. Ty Lee blinked, catching the unguarded look on Azula's face. She hadn't meant to cause unnecessary pain for her old friend. Yeah, she didn't exactly trust Azula, but Azula surely didn't trust her either. There had been a change and a betrayal, but that doesn't mean things couldn't return to what they once were.
Ty Lee clung to Azula's side, leaning her head on her shoulder as if there wasn't a very clear border drawn between them. "Look over there!" she pointed and grabbed a flower crown and placed it on Azula's head.
Azula huffed, but didn't pull away. "No."
"I think it looks cute," Ty Lee defended.
"Definitely not."
Ty Lee paid for the flower crown with a no-nonsense attitude. "Oh stop fussing." She batted Azula's hand away, making sure that flower decoration stayed in her hair. It looked impossibly cute, setting off Azula's eyes.
They took a little longer, grabbing something to eat before going back to camp. It was still early in the day, Ty Lee mused. Aang was probably up, but he had been up long before the sunrise, going off in the woods to do something. The earthbender would probably not be up for another several hours. That's how the past few days had been going. Wake up to Azula meditating with Aang, breakfast, lunch, dinner with a few other meditation sessions and that was the end of the day. Ty Lee wasn't sure what Aang had planned for her, but she was glad she got to steal Azula away for a moment and pretend like things were normal again.
"Let me show you something," Azula said abruptly, jolting her head in one direction. She let go of Ty Lee but turned towards the forest, assuming that Ty Lee would follow her. A little thought in the back of Ty's mind warned her of how dangerous Azula could be, but she waved that thought away. To earn back trust, she was going to have to trust Azula first.
Azula led her to a cave not too far away from their campsite, stepping inside. She sat down, her legs crossed and her hands open, resting on her knees. Ty Lee joined her cautiously.
Ty Lee watched carefully as Azula breathed in and out, not really saying anything. She was about to speak up when Azula held out her hand, a small, little yellow flame curled up in her palm. It stayed there dancing before puffing away with the wind.
Ty Lee sucked in a gasp. "Since when!" she asked excitedly.
Azula blinked her eyes open, looking drained. "I've been trying, but I only get a small little flame. I hate it," she spat.
Ty Lee reached out, brushing her fingertips against Azula's wrist. "But this is amazing! You should be happy that it's coming back!"
"You think I should be happy with a small little stupid flame?" Azula asked, arching an eyebrow. "It's stupid."
"Why did you show me? Does Aang know?"
Azula shook her head, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth. She didn't look at Ty Lee, but Ty Lee desperately wanted her to look at her. This was a big moment. It was also super scary, though now that Ty Lee really thought about it. Azula with her firebending back? She would be locked away for sure within a blink of an eye. Maybe that's why Azula looked so vulnerable.
"I don't want to show him." She glared at Ty Lee, her former sour mood returning. "You can't tell anyone about this."
A promise with Azula was like a death sentence, but for some reason, whether foolish or not, Ty Lee accepted the promise. "Do you want me to spend some time looking at your chi paths? Maybe that's what's blocking your full power?" Ty Lee mused, tracing her hands clinically across the points on Azula's arm.
Azula shivered away, tucking her arm close to her chest like a scared child. Then the haughty look returned, covering her face like a mask. "No."
Ty Lee laughed, her voice tinkling. "Okay, I'll look at it tomorrow."
Azula scowled, but didn't correct her.
"What are you guys doing here!" Aang ran into the cave, his eyes wide-eyed and spooked. He looked between them, his eyes hovering over Ty Lee. She smiled at him.
"Azula was just showing me how she meditated." She held up the basket of goods from the market. "We also went to get food."
"Why didn't you guys tell us?" Toph said suspiciously.
"Oh I didn't want to bother you guys?" Ty Lee replied cheerily, dusting herself off as she got up. "Azula and I had a nice time, I think." She smiled over at Azula.
Azula was back to her scowling self, but she looked at Ty Lee differently from before. Ty Lee couldn't put her finger on it, but it was like Azula was shrouded in a different light. Must be her aura, Ty Lee decided, choosing to ignore the little flecks of light dusting the inside of the cave.
Aang looked very excited before deflating. "You should have brought me along!"
"Oh that would have been a joy," Azula said dryly.
"You make everything a joy, Firecracker." Toph smiled in Azula's general direction, her grin turning maniacal.
Hello Readers! I changed what this chapter was going to be about to focus on Azula and Ty Lee and get them more comfortable with each other. I hope you enjoyed a little look into what is happening over in camp Aang. I'm going to need to take a break for a little while in terms of updating because I just don't have enough time with university to also work on this story or even have time to edit the chapters (this chapter is a little more rough than I would like it to be). I will try to come back before the end of the year with more Mai and Zuko, do not worry. Please leave a comment, favorite, or follow if you would like, and until I write again, TTFN!