Sam
I wasn't sure what time it was when I felt someone shaking me awake. I looked over and saw Zuko standing over me. I looked outside and I could tell it was early - earlier than I usually got up these days.
"Come on, Sam. Time to wake up. Today is the day for Azula and she is already here at the palace. We need to dress official for this." I groaned. I hated dressing all official. I scrunched my nose and looked up at Zuko who laughed. "Come on, Sam." Zuko said, patting my bottom, "We don't have to wear them all day. Just for the official announcement. I think it will mean more to her if we looked official."
I stirred and started to rise. I swung my feet off the bed and sat up for a moment getting ready to stand. Zuko was so excited for this. I hadn't seen him this excited in a long time. He wanted it to be perfect and that included us looking the part. I stood up and looked over in the corner where I saw a dress waiting for me. I groaned again. It was stunningly beautiful - Yin, the seamstress, did a wonderful job, yet again - but it looked terribly uncomfortable. Zuko walked around the bed to stand in front of me when I realized he was already dressed in his official clothes.
I stood up and went into the bathing room to get ready and at the very least brush my hair. Zuko came over to the door.
"I can get Izumi up if you like. I can't get her dressed but I can get her cleaned up and her hair taken care of for you." I looked over at Zuko with my eyes wide. I was going to make a joke about his ability to ready a little girl until I saw the look of sheer joy on his face. He wanted to do this.
"Alright. Thank you, Zuko. When I finish here I'll be over to help."
"Sounds good, my love. Take your time." I nodded and he walked out. No way on Earth could he handle it. But I decided to not think about it and heed his advice. I took my time. It was something I didn't get to do often. I did my hair and brushed my teeth and headed out when I saw Nan standing there. Nan was my handmaiden but she rarely helped me get ready in the morning. She usually helped me with other things like keeping things orderly. She would also get Izumi's and my clothes ready for us each day. I could handle it myself but it gave her something to do.
I finished dressing and I walked out into the hallway. I wasn't sure how I was going to dress Izumi. I didn't feel like I could really move in this dress. I walked into the room and Zuko was there. He had Izumi sitting on the chair and he was working on her hair. Or at least trying to. It looked like her teeth were brushed and everything else was done but I wasn't completely sure how he managed to get the brush tangled in her hair.
"Ow, Daddy! That hurts." Izumi complained.
"I'm sorry, my Turtleduck. I don't know how your mom does this." Zuko said. I could tell he was fighting a losing battle. I cleared my throat and Zuko looked over at me, defeated. "I'm sorry, Sam. I'm not sure what happened." I laughed. I saw Izumi look over at me and I swear she looked relieved. I walked over and took over. It took a while to get the brush free but I eventually did and brushed through her hair. Zuko sat on the bed and watched as I worked on her hair.
"I'm sorry, my love. I tried." Zuko said, clearly disappointed in himself.
"It's alright, hunny. I love you for it." I said leaning over and kissing him. "Her hair can be challenging." Zuko scoffed clearly in agreement.
Once I had her hair brushed, Zuko left the room so I could dress her. Zuko had dressed her on occasion but he usually let me get her dressed. She looked at the dress and whined.
"Mommy, do I have to wear that? I like my normal clothes. And I don't want to wear this topknot." she complained.
"Izumi, Daddy wants this to be special for your Aunt Azula. So we all have to dress fancy. Once the meeting is over, then we can change into less formal clothes." I explained. Izumi wasn't made to dress formally except for special occasions. She did, however, have to wear her topknot to school, but could let her hair down at home if she wanted to.
"What do you mean special for Aunt Azula? What are we doing?" It occurred to me that she never knew that Azula was in prison. To her, Azula coming in cuffs and only coming so many days was normal for her.
"Aunt Azula is going to be free today."
"Free?" I realized I was doing a lousy job at explaining this to Izumi.
"We will talk about it with Daddy, hunny. For now let's get dressed." maybe I could somehow get Zuko to explain it to her and somehow let me off the hook. She didn't like that answer but realized that was all she was going to get. We finally got her dressed and we walked out into the hallway. Zuko was sitting on the bench waiting for us and he looked down at Izumi.
"Izumi! You look beautiful! And such a proper, little lady." Zuko complimented her. She blushed and thanked him. Zuko, Izumi and I walked down the hallway. She walked between us and we each had ahold of a hand. We walked into the throne room and everyone was there. They all looked at Izumi and made a big fuss over her.
"Zuko, you look so handsome!" Ursa said as she came over and stroked his cheek. He reached up, took her hand and kissed her fingers.
"Thank you, Mother. You look beautiful, as always." Ursa smiled at the compliment. Zuko then spoke to everyone. "I think it would be best if you all waited in the other room until the official verdict is over." Everyone murmured understanding and filed out of the room. Izumi went out with them. She looked back at us, still confused.
"Zuko, we will need to figure out how to explain this to Izumi. She was asking about it and I didn't know what to say."
"Yes, I guess she would be confused. Azula like this is all she's known. We will but first, let's get through this." Zuko said and turned to the door. "Guard bring her in." He bowed and stepped out. I looked over and Zuko was pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Zuko, it will go well. I promise. Don't worry." I said and took his hand. Azula walked in and she knelt at the throne. All prisoners had to do this. I knew Zuko hated it that she had to but I also knew he was glad this would be the last time. He finally spoke but to the guard.
"Guard, help Azula stand please." The guard looked at Zuko in surprise and confusion. It was only then that it occurred to me that he had no idea what was going on. Despite this, he obeyed his Fire Lord.
"What is going on, Brother?" Azula asked.
"Azula, we need to talk about your current situation." Zuko said. Azula's head shot up and she suddenly looked nervous.
"What do you mean 'my current situation'? I have not caused any trouble. Please, Zuko, don't take this away from me!" Azula said. Pleaded. I looked over at Zuko who looked surprised at her reaction. He quickly regained composure.
"No, Azula. That is not what I meant. You have been participating in the work release program for a year now. You have continued working with Sam and she has been communicating very closely with me about your progress." Azula looked over at me and she looked annoyed, almost angry. Hurt even. I realized that she thought I had betrayed her confidence. I squeezed Zuko's hand and looked at him pointedly to communicate I wanted to say something. He gave me a quick nod.
"Azula, He doesn't mean it like that. I would not and will never tell Zuko or anyone else what you share with me in our sessions. That is between you and me. The only thing I communicate with Zuko is your progress towards next steps in your journey to recovery." I had to clarify. I didn't want her to think I had betrayed her trust. After I said this, Azula's face softened and recovered her composed demeanor. I nodded to Zuko to continue.
"She has told me that in the last year, you have made great strides in your progress. After careful consideration and a lot of discussion between Sam and I, it has been determined that, starting today, will be the last leg of this journey." Azula's brow furrowed in confusion and she cocked her head. Zuko looked over at the guard, "Guard, please remove Azula's cuffs." Azula looked at Zuko, wide-eyed. The guard removed the cuffs from Azula's wrists and ankles. "Thank you, you are dismissed," Zuko said to the guard. He looked confused during this whole exchange but I think he eventually figured out what was going on. He didn't question Zuko. He obeyed, and left the room.
"What are you saying, Zuko?"
"I'm saying, Azula. You're free." Zuko said simply. Azula's mouth went agape and her eyes darted trying to comprehend what Zuko had just said. Zuko looked passed Azula. He smiled and gave a nod. I followed his gaze and it was then that I realized Ursa was watching the whole thing. She and the others filed into the room behind Azula. She didn't see any of them. She was still reeling.
Ursa walked up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Azula jumped then looked over at Ursa and her eyes filled with tears. Since Ursa was coming regularly to see Azula, their relationship was slowing being mended. Azula and Ursa faced each other and Ursa placed a hand on Azula's cheek. She pulled her into a hug and embraced her daughter. "I am so proud of you, Azula." Ursa said, "many people didn't think you could find your redemption but you proved all of them wrong. I have never been prouder of you than I am in this moment." Ursa said, her own tears pooling in her eyes.
Iroh walked over to Azula and laid a hand on her shoulder. She looked surprised. Iroh pulled her into a hug as well, "Ursa is right, my dear. You have surpassed all expectations. I am proud of you, my niece."
Noren walked up to her and gave her a hug. "I look forward spending more time with you, Azula." He said simply. She smiled shyly and thanked him.
Then it was Kiyi's turn. She still was against Zuko's and my plan but she respected it. She stood back and watched the exchanges between everyone and she looked surprised. She slowly walked up to Azula, clearly nervous. Azula looked at her. It took a moment, but she finally recognized her.
"Kiyi, thank you for being here. I'm sorry I was so mean to you when you were little. I hope you can forgive me." Azula stepped forward and took Kiyi's hands into hers. Kiyi smiled.
"Of course, I can can forgive you, Azula. I…I would like to get to know you, if you don't mind." Azula looked surprised. She was still take aback by someone who actually wanted to get to know her. Personally. Although she had made great strides, Azula still had some work to do. I did realize that she may not get over all of the trauma inflicted by her father.
Izumi had made her way up the stairs to us on our thrones and sat down on Zuko's lap. Zuko had told me when he was young, he was always forced to bow to his father. Zuko was determined that this was never be the case with Izumi. Zuko stood up with Izumi in his arms and I stood as well. We descended the stairs to join our family on the floor. I walked up to Azula and took her hands into mine.
"Azula. I can't effectively express what I'm feeling right now. I am so proud of you. You have come such a long way and have become someone who her family can be proud of." I stepped forward and kissed her cheek. I stepped aside for Zuko to approach her. Zuko stood smiling at her. He set Izumi down on her feet, walked over to Azula and embraced her.
"I'll admit, Azula. When Sam first decided to work with you, I was skeptical. But you have proven to me and everyone here that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. I have never been so proud of you in my life. Congratulations on your release." Zuko said. He placed his hands on either side of her face and wiped her tears away with his thumbs. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Zuko's waist as he placed his arms around her.
"Thank you, Zuzu. The credit goes to Sam. She is the one who believed in me when no one else did. Even myself."
"No, Azula. I just gave you the tools. You did all the work. Don't sell yourself short or undermine your accomplishments." I chimed in.
Before I could do anything, Izumi walked forward and up to Azula. She reached up and tugged on her clothes. Azula looked down and saw Izumi looking up at her, nothing but love in her eyes. Azula knelt down to be at eye level with Izumi.
"Aunt Azula, I love you." Izumi said. She didn't understand what was going on but she decided to do the only thing she knew how - express her love for her aunt. Izumi stepped forward and wrapped he arms around Azula's neck. Azula reciprocated and wrapped her arms around Izumi.
"Azula, I had your old room prepared for you. Go on and get some better clothes on. Then we will head out to the dining hall for lunch." Zuko said. Zuko stepped up to her and offered her his arm. "I'll walk with you." She accepted his arm and they walked out.
I turned to Izumi, "What do you say we change into something more comfortable?" Izumi's eyes lit up at this.
"Yes, Mommy! Let's go!" She grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the throne room.
"I'll see you all in the dining hall. We will meet there in about an hour." I said before I was pulled out of the room.
Izumi and I went to her room and I helped her change out of her clothes and into her normal clothing. I could tell she was relieved. I took her hand and we walked over to my room where I would change into my informal clothes as well. I started to get undressed when Zuko walked into the room. He looked very pleased.
"I don't think that could have gone any better, Zuko. I'm proud of you. You wanted to make this special for her and I think you succeeded in spades." I walked over to him and put my arms around his neck pulling myself to him.
"It was your idea to make it special. The credit all goes to you." Zuko said. I craned my neck and we both kissed.
"Ew! Mommy, Daddy!" Izumi said. I looked over at her and her nose was scrunched in disgust and was covering her eyes. Zuko and I chuckled. I pulled away and finished changing my clothes. I took Izumi and left the room so Zuko could change his clothes.
When Zuko came out of the room, we went to the dining hall to wait for everyone to arrive. Once everyone was there we all had dinner as a family. I looked over at Zuko and I honestly couldn't remember the last time he looked so happy. I reached over and took his hand and smiled at him. This was the first time we all sat down together and I silently hoped this was the first of many.
