Chapter 8: Rose tinted glasses
He's not sure how long he's been in this cage.
The guards have made sure to give us as little water as possible.
He was dehydrated, he couldn't think straight anymore.
No one speaks. Everyone has given up hope.
He doesn't know if death would've been better than this, but it probably would have.
…ke…..up….
Everyone died because of me… because I was born with this curse…
w…ke…up
"I'll kill you…"
He can feel it. They're in the ocean. They thought this cage would be enough.
But he can sense the waves. The fish. The ships. The moon…
"What was that, rat?" He hears the guard say.
Hakku open's his eyes, no color in them, just pitch darkness.
"I'll kill all of you!" His voice carries the entire force of the ocean.
His hands reach out, they feel the pull of the moon. But he's stronger. The water is in his mercy.
So, he makes it rise. Rise as if trying to reach the heavens.
….wake up….
And then, it falls with power of mountain. The entire island erased from existence in a single swipe.
"Hakku, wake up!"
He's jolted out of his dream by a voice he's gotten used to hearing for months now.
"Are you okay?" It was Umi.
He's sweating and panting, his heart hammering in his ears.
Umi stares in concern, eyes narrowed. "That's the fourth time this week... I know you said you didn't want to talk about it but… you clearly need it."
She was right. The nightmares from his captivity were hunting him relentlessly. But he can't. Not after everything he's done. Everyone he's killed.
"I-It's okay, t-they'll pass." He tries to reassure himself more than anything.
She doesn't believe him, not after knowing him for months now.
She grabs his hand.
"I don't know what they did to you in that prison…" She looks into his blue eyes.
"But know that for as long as I'm in your life, I'll make sure they never get to you again."
His heart calms down. Since arriving in this beautiful village, she's been the beacon that gave him back his will to try to live again. Even after everything.
"….I love you, Umi." He says unconsciously.
Umi smiles the fondest and most reassuring smile he's ever seen.
"I love you too, Hakku."
Arriving back in the palace, Kaze quickly realized how much everything has escalated.
The hallways are now filled with nothing but soldiers and army officers, everything pointing to the war reaching a new stage.
All he wanted was to quickly make his way to see Azula, but he had to report to the Fire Lord first.
And so, he heads directly towards the throne room.
Entering past the fiery curtains, he makes his way through the massive pillars that line up a path towards the throne, where a single shadowy figure sits behind a curtain of fire.
"My lord." He kneels.
"Ah, Kaze. You're back." Fire Lord Ozai leans forward, venomous smirk on his face.
"I've read the reports of your achievements at the academy… It seems you've met all expectations so far."
"…Yes, my Lord." Kaze answers, already struggling to contain his hatred for the man.
"Good… I can already feel the tides of the war changing." Ozai tone drips with evil, then he stands up and walks towards the edge of the throne.
"You will make sure to serve your Nation, else I fear for the fate of you little family…"
Kaze grits his teeth, and bites his tongue, not letting any emotions out. "I will, my Lord."
Ozai grunts in acceptance. "Azula has been dying to see you again… Although she isn't at the palace right now."
Kaze looks up in surprise.
"She was just dispatched this morning to capture her disgrace for a brother and uncle…" Ozai starts walking towards the exit behind the throne.
"You are to catch up to her in the Su Oku River, both traitors are currently in a village by the waterfall."
"Do not fail me."
Kaze makes to set out immediately.
He takes one of the supply bags given to soldiers and heads out the palace.
Who knows how far along Azula is already, so he has to head over to the docks quickly and grab a speedboat.
He wanted to go see his family, but that could wait. They were safe as long as he played the part of Fire Nation asset.
He runs through the many streets and corners from his old home.
Nothing has changed the last four, almost five years. Roads where still uneven, streets where still filled with trash and murk, and the buildings still look one tremor away from crumbling. Good old Harbor City.
Reaching the royal plaza, he makes towards the army's exclusive deployment bay, which is separated from the rest of the First Lord's Harbor by a large wall with a watchtower.
Two guards block his way as he reaches the entrance.
"Stop! No one can go past here without proper authorization."
One of the advantages of graduating the Imperial Academy, and working directly for the fire lord, meant holding a surprising amount of authority over the Army.
He flashes his golden pin bearing the image of a phoenix, symbol of his immediate connection to the royal family.
Both guards stare with wide eyes before promptly moving out of the way.
"Our apologies, my lord. You, of course, may pass through." They bow before one of them shouts.
"Open the gate!"
Although to the puzzlement of the guards, Kaze thanks them before proceeding.
The place was hectic with soldiers and sailors running from place to place. Some carrying crates of provisions, and others transporting prisoners in and out of ships.
If it wasn't for the fact that they were active members of the war, he would've found the energy from the port to be contagious.
But he shakes his head, he needed to concentrate.
He rushes towards one of the smaller speedboats that were currently ducked towards the outer edge of the area.
The boat can hold up to five people, with barely any space for supplies or anything. It was truly built for speed, and nothing else. He throws his bag inside before climbing up himself.
He starts the engine, a little technological marvel powered by steam.
And he blasts off quickly, away from the capital.
"I'm coming, Azula."
Azula was feeling almost inconsolable.
She had wanted to meet with Kaze right as he arrived back to the capital. But of course, her brother had to go and ruin everything.
She was now on her way to a silly little resort in some Fire nation village in some remote area of the Earth Kingdom.
She sighs.
She had to focus, she couldn't ruin everything she and Kaze have worked for before they could even get their plans in motion.
She needed a break. As fun as threatening the shaky little captain of their ship, she needed something else to truly clear her mind.
'Some lightning practice should help.' She thinks as she makes her way towards the deck.
As she exits, she sees Li and Lo already waiting for her.
"I'm counting on you two." She directs at them before walking past them.
"Yes, princess." The say in unison.
Azula takes a deep breath, separating the energies within her body and focusing them in her fingertips.
She moves her arms in circular motion, as sparks start crackling, trail of lightning forming as the energies try to reach out and reconnect.
Her heart is cold and her mind is clear, she waits until the energy in her fingers reaches a peak.
It's exhilarating.
She then lets go, lightning shining through the air with the deafening roar of a storm.
But as the energy leaves her body, a memory of a blade reaching for her throat before a timely blast of water saved her from her death flashes in her mind.
And her stance falters for a split second, single hair falling out of place.
"Almost perfect."
"Just a single hair short." She hears Li and Lo behind her.
"Dammit! I'm still not strong enough." She curses herself for still being tormented by that night's failure.
She realizes that she needed to see Kaze again, as if he might be the key to finally free her once more from her pain.
But no. She cannot always rely on his presence. She must become worthy of being by his side, and she had to achieve it through her own power.
She settles back into her stance, preparing to nail down her technique as much as she could.
The dinky little village she was standing on was honestly pretty nice. They were in the middle of a river, right next to a great waterfall. The loud crashing of the water bringing her temporary relief from her thoughts.
She was sitting in some little house her brother's and uncle had been staying, fiddling with some shells that were left on top of a small table.
Whatever they were doing, they seemed to be taking their time relaxing despite being supposedly on the run.
She sighs. Despite finally being able to cast lightning perfectly right before arriving, she couldn't keep Kaze out of her thoughts.
'Something's wrong with me…' She groans internally. She realizes that now that they should've been reunited, she finds herself missing him more than when he was at the academy.
But she's broken away from her thoughts, as two people approached the little house.
She schools her features, before settling for her usual confident demeanor. She can't wait to see their faces when they notice her.
They enter, her uncle carrying a large bag while Zuko looked irritated.
And of course, her brother and uncle somehow manage to ignore her, arguing over more stupid shells.
"Are you two blind?!" She screams, making them jump.
Zuko stood frozen at the sudden shout.
Turning to look at the source, his eyes narrow as he spots his sister sitting near the back wall.
'Is she here to bring us in?' He worries, not being surprised that their father would not let them run for longer.
But before he could say ask any questions, his uncle beats him to the punch.
"Azula!" He approaches her with warmth in his voice. "To what do we owe this pleasure."
He moves to hug his niece, which she seemed to gladly return. "Hello Uncle, it's been a while." She's smiling genuinely, something he wasn't used to seeing.
She then turned towards him, raising an eyebrow and smirking. She's mocking him, as usual.
"What's wrong Zuzu, has fugitive life already left you so uncivilized that you won't even greet your dear sister?" Her voice touching a nerve.
"Don't call me that!" He stomps towards her. "What are you doing here anyway?! Did father send you to capture us?!"
Azula smiles her usual smile. "Wow Zuzu, you've grown smarter." She giggles teasingly. "Well, if you must know…" She turns serious. "Yes, he did."
"And you seriously think we'll go in willingly?!" Zuko is fuming at this.
"Now now, nephew." Zuko places a hand on his shoulder. "Just listen to what your sister has to say."
Azula smiles. "Thanks uncle." She starts pacing around the room. "No. I don't expect you to do that. In fact, I'm banking on the opposite."
Zuko stares dumbfounded.
'What is she plotting?' He can't help but distrust his sister after having to suffer living with her for so many years.
"It's easy. You and uncle simply attack me and my crew right as you're boarding the ship." Azula smiles as if she said the most obvious thing in the world. "Then you'll run away and resume your chase for the avatar or whatever. It doesn't really matter, as long as you stay away from the Fire Nation."
Zuko is still skeptical. "Why would you help us? What's in it for you?" His voice still betraying anger.
"If I take you two back, father will quickly have you executed and…" She then gazes at the floor, taking a deep breath. "And I don't want to lose any more family than I have to… So please, just do what I say. I mean, you were already planning on going on the run anyway." She returns to her usual attitude.
Zuko is speechless.
His usually ruthless and deceiving little sister was worried for them?
He knows he hasn't really been in her life for the past four… No, five years. But, this change in personality is sending his mind to spin.
"It's been three years today, hasn't it…" Azula brings him back to reality.
"You really just had to open your stupid mouth and get yourself banished right the day you came back."
Her words aren't mocking, she just seems… sad.
"Azula…" Zuko doesn't know what to say.
So, Iroh decides to help them out.
"So! Azula." He startles both of them.
"What exactly is your plan?" He moves to put a hand on both niece and nephew.
"Well, it's simple." Azula smirks. "I'll somehow let slip that we're taking you as prisoners. Then you guys retaliate by taking down my soldiers, who'll be standing by the water. Nothing you two can't handle, I'm sure."
"And how do I know you aren't lying to us?" Zuko is still having a hard time believing his sister wants to help them. "What if this is all a lie to get us close to the ship?"
"Because I'm putting myself at risk." Azula's responds in turn. "I'll basically let you two go while putting very little fight. And, to be honest, I'm not completely sure my captain will buy that you two could somehow best me… No offense, Uncle."
"None taken." Their uncle responds, while moving towards the entrance of the little house. "Let's head down to the ship, no time like the present after all."
Zuko is still skeptical, but if uncle trusts her, he'll have to trust her as well.
Reaching the village, Kaze sighs with relief that Azula's ship was still docked at the harbor.
'Made it in time.' He jumps out to the water and propels himself towards the shore, making sure no one sees him.
He makes his way through the trees surrounding the river, staying in the shadows. Going up a hill, he jumps to cover as he hears a series of footsteps going back down.
He takes a peek, and a breath catches in his throat.
It was Azula. And she was breathtaking.
Her hair was longer, tied up in an elaborate top knot held by an ornate headpiece. Her face was sharper, with high cheekbones and a defined jawline. Her eyes look refined, yet confident, as if she could pick you apart with a single look.
He had found some of the girls at the academy relatively attractive, but even then, the image he had of Azula at the time pretty much trumped everyone.
And now, as he takes her in, graceful posture, precise movements, and regal air, he can't help but find himself blushing.
He wasn't ten anymore. He would turn fifteen in a couple of days in fact, and he knew exactly what all of this meant.
As if sensing the heat on his face, Azula's brows furrow as she turns around.
For the first time in five years, blue eyes meet golden ones.
He sees the surprise in her face, mouth gaping at his hiding figure. The two people behind her, Zuko and who he guesses must be Iroh, stare at her in confusion. She scrambles for a second before regaining her composure, cheeks betraying a hint of red.
He was honestly relieved that he had a similar effect on her as she had on him.
They maintain their gazes for a second longer, as if the world stopped and only the two of them remained. Then she nods towards her ship down at the docks, before getting back into step, heading back down the hill as the two people accompanying her follow behind her, puzzled look on their faces.
He thinks for a moment. Azula had wrote to him that she would try and help her brother and uncle get away if she had the chance. And now that she had it, she would have to make it seem like they had managed to escape from her.
He heads back down through the shadows, his own plan forming in his head.
Kaze is currently hidden underwater nearby the ship.
Using a water bubble to keep himself breathing, he moves as close as he can to the action.
"Oh Zuzu, you don't know how happy father will be that you decided to join us." He hears Azula say, climbing up to the deck of the ship. Zuko and Iroh trail behind her.
The dock is lined up with a battalion of soldiers, setup perfectly for them to be thrown down to the water.
He waits until they are just about to step on the ramp to the ship, and he jumps out, propelling himself through the air and freezing both supposed 'prisoners' to hold their hands in place. But Kaze made sure of one thing.
The ice is deliberately as fragile as he could manage without it looking too suspicious.
He meets Azula's slightly taken aback expression before it changes almost instantly as she catches on to his scheme.
"Kaze?!" Zuko seems aghast at his sudden appearance before his face contorts in anger. "Azula! You lied to us!" He says a little to convincingly.
'Don't tell me he thinks we're serious.' Kaze muses. Guess he hasn't changed… At least Iroh seemed quicker on the uptake.
"Oh poor Zuzu, don't tell me you actually thought father wanted you back home." Azula says in mock pity. "He thinks uncle a traitor for the failure in the north, while you a disgrace for failing to catch the Avatar."
"Guards, bring them in!" Azula orders, looking right at Iroh, as if giving him a signal.
With speed and technique no old man should have, Iroh strikes down six guards with ease after melting through his icy constraints.
Kaze pretends to bend a wave of water at the narrow walkway in order to hit Iroh. But it conveniently only manages to take down the guards directly in front of them, giving both Iroh and Zuko a free path to escape, with only him, technically, to stop them.
But Zuko seemed to still not catch up at what was happening, instead making his way up the deck to attack Azula.
'Okay, this is not funny anymore.' Kaze walks towards the general who was dealing with the remaining guards.
"It's an honor to finally meet you, General Iroh." Kaze catches his attention once the last guard is sent to the water below. He'll have to make sure to fish them out later.
"Oh? And you must be Kaze." His demeanor turns kinder, as he regards his niece's recently appointed retainer. "My niece has nothing but good things to say about you." He settles into a firebending stance, knowing they'll have to keep up the pretense.
"Azula has also told me much about you." He pulls water and bends it so that it starts orbiting in a ring.
He then let's his guard out for a second and gives him a genuine smile. "She said you helped her get through these last few years…" He nods at the older man in gratitude. "So. Thank you!"
Iroh nods back, as both shift into their respective stances, moving to strike with their respective elements.
Silent understanding between the two settles in the air, as Kaze sends the orbiting water into a high-speed jet, while Iroh produces an imposing blast of orange flames.
As they both collide, the impact manages to create a blanket of steam, reminiscent to his fight with Azula, that provides enough cover for Iroh to make his escape.
"I'll go get Zuko." He whispers as they pass each other. "You just make it as far up the river as you can."
Iroh nods and proceeds to leave.
Now only one thing left.
He propels himself by jumping into the water below, before bending the water to send him towards the deck.
There he notices Zuko and Azula trading blows through the cloud of steam.
Well, more like Azula was playing with him while shouting insults.
"You really can't help being dumb can you Zuzu. I should've known you would react like this."
Zuko's strikes are desperate, while Azula counters and dodges every single one.
"First you get yourself banished, then you make me miss my reunion with Kaze…" Azula's vein looks right about to pop. "And now you're ruining my entire plan!"
She dodges under a badly placed strike, grabs him by the wrist and kicks him hard on his stomach, sending him flying right to Kaze's feet.
'Guess that's my cue.' He says as he freezes and picks up Zuko.
He jumps out the ship into the water, swimming skillfully, aided by his bending, towards the nearby trees he hid right before this entire mess.
He makes his way through the forest, before going up the river where he hopes Iroh was able to escape to.
When Zuko comes about, he's shivering.
"What the hell was that?!" He screams into the air, his pride wounded at being defeated by his sister.
"You need to calm yourself. It is because of your brash attitude that you almost messed with your sister's plan to let us escape." He hears his uncle talk by the riverbank.
"She lied to us! She had Kaze ambush us from behind!" Zuko still doesn't understand.
Iroh sighs at his nephew. "She said she would give us an opening to strike while she herself risked her own cover… It seems that boy, Kaze, only helped make the ruse more believable. I'm sure you noticed those ice constraints to be especially easy to break through."
Zuko grumbles at his words, realizing that everything he said made enough sense.
He sighs in defeat. "…You're right… It's just-!" His voice starts picking up in frustration. "All my life, Azula has done nothing but lie and make my life miserable! I-I just have a hard time coming to terms with her suddenly changing this much…"
"Nephew, I understand what you're saying but…" He walks towards Zuko, who was now sitting with his hands on his head. "But your sister has gone through a lot these past years you have been separated. My brother's influence set her up on a path of hatred and anger. But, we spent a lot of time together while you were at the academy." He smiles fondly. "And it seems someone very special made his way into her life… Someone I know has helped you out as well, if I recall."
Zuko remains silent, going over everything that's happened ever since that boy arrived out of nowhere.
It's thanks to him that his bending managed to flourish, that he found a new source of pride in his blade mastery, and it seems… it seems he managed to bring his sister back to him, after all these years…
Then a memory flashes in his head. A memory he's subconsciously suppressed for how much pain it brought.
"You must protect your sister in my place, Zuko. And know that I love both of you more than anything else…"
Zuko takes a deep breath as he stands up and pulls out a knife from inside his clothes.
"Thank you, Uncle… I-I'll trust Azula." He places the blade at the base of his lone ponytail. "And I'll make sure to keep my promise."
He severs his last connection with his previous life, as he moves to a new chapter along with his uncle.
"Don't worry, Prince Zuko…" His uncle speaks up as he picks the blade himself. "I know with certainty that there is nothing you cannot achieve. And I'll be there with you to the very end."
Azula was walking up the river, hoping to catch Kaze as he was coming back.
It was getting dark. The sun was settling in the horizon, bathing the flowing river and the surrounding forest in deep oranges. She reckons it's probably a beautiful sight, as the sky seems to turn to a unique shade of pink and purple. But that doesn't matter right now, her mind is focused on a single thing.
She then sees him for the first time in his entirety, not hidden between trees, not having to imagine how he looked through his letters.
He changed so much, and yet, he was still the clear image of the boy who saved her life all those years ago.
His face was slimmer, the roundness of his youth replaced by a sharper jawline. Although there were still hints of the innocence of the child she raced through the palace halls.
He was taller, broader, and he carried himself differently, where once his body seem to barely contain his endless amounts of energy, he seemed somehow calmer, his steps more precise and confident. Probably her influence.
His darker skin glowed as the sun touched every feature on his moving figure. And that's when she realizes how even after all this time, his eyes were the exact same that promised to remain by her side.
The blue orbs she spent five years seeing in her sleep still sparkle in a way that threatened to swallow her entire being. And as he makes his way closer, his wide smile which always managed to outshine the sun made her heart skip a couple beats.
He was handsome. He was beautiful. And he finally came back to her.
"What took you so long?" Azula asked as she made to close the distance between them.
Kaze raised an eyebrow in mock offense. "You try to carry your hardheaded brother all the way up the river."
Kaze then laughs, as he wraps his arms around her, squeezing tightly.
"I missed you so much, Azula…"
Her face sinks into the crook of his neck as she returns the hug in equal fervor.
"I guess I noticed your absence for a little bit…" She teases, not letting the world see the happiness that was taking hold of her face.
"Oh really? Your uncle told a different tale." He says with a chuckle.
Azula's face glows a bright red. "What?! What did he-" She looked up to find him grinning victoriously.
He was teasing her, again.
"You're a dummy…" She narrows her eyes and pinches his back with her sharp nails, before sinking once again into his body.
Kaze sinks his cheek into her head, smiling with all his affection.
"You've gotten so beautiful, Azula… I almost thought I was dreaming when I saw you by the hill."
She giggles, embarrassment back in her hidden face. "I guess you've become pretty easy on the eyes yourself…"
"Not to mention…" She looks up to him, head rotating a little too much for her liking. "You've gotten tall. Like annoyingly tall."
Kaze laughs heartily. "Oh, don't worry Azula! Between the two of us you're still definitely the more intimidating." He's smiling again. Azula could stare at it for an eternity.
Kaze then notices Azula take a deep breath, as her face shifts into an anxious look.
"D-Do you…" She stumbles out, making Kaze stare in worry. "Do you remember our promise?"
Kaze smiles fondly at her, making all her worries sink away. "I thought about it every day at the academy… And I plan on keeping it."
"Good, because I plan on keeping it too." Her face dropped every barrier, like that fateful day by the pond, as she smiles the most beautiful smile Kaze's ever seen.
"Wanna make it official?" Kaze stares intently.
Azula raises an eyebrow, playful smirk on her face. "What do you have in mind?" She traces a finger over his chest.
Kaze just smiles, as he leans down, while Azula moves to meet him in between.
The sun stands by the horizon while the moon starts peeking from the other side.
Both celestial bodies casting their own effects towards the sky, meeting in a stunning clash of color.
Despite everything that has happened, and the steep battle they have ahead of them, at least for now everything is forgotten. Time stands still and the world stops moving.
Just two people who've battled everyday against their circumstances.
Their lips meet, every bottled emotion transmitted through this gentle, yet passionate contact.