Enjoy reading!
I use Translate, so I apologize for any errors.
I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender.
(P.S. The first chapter can be considered as oneshot)
Chapter 1 - Healing
Azula POV.
Her room was disgusting. She preferred to live in luxury, where she was served hand and foot. But now her royal quarters have been replaced by this small room. The former chambers were painted with the history of her country, her merits, and achievements. On the walls in the corridors were portraits of her father Ozai, Grandfather Azulon, great-grandfather Sozin, and others whose names she never knew. But she believed that one day her portrait would also hang in the hallway. And everyone who passes by will bow down and remember what a powerful Fire Lord she was. The servants who ran her errands, who were afraid to take an extra step without her permission, were replaced by guards and some employees who came every day to inject sedatives, bring food. At every meeting, she burned them at every opportunity. They were screaming in pain, and she was enjoying it. Previously, it was the royal chef who cooked for her, who could prepare any dish she wanted, and at any time, whenever she wanted. Now she was given just some porridge, bread, and water. Strictly three times a day. The once-huge balcony with access to the evergreen garden was replaced by a small grate that was too high to look out. Her royal chambers were bright, with torches hanging on the walls to emphasize her national identity. Here, the only light source was the same grating. So, most of the time the room was dark. The large, warm bed with blankets, pillows, and sheets was replaced by a cold stone bed. Her hands and feet were bound with chains to restrict her movements. Her once-well-groomed, beautiful coal-colored hair was now dirty and tangled. Her slender figure, which many girls could envy, became thin and plain. Her golden eyes dimmed. Her once sane and cold mind was shaken...
The lock rattled and the door opened, revealing the man she hated. The one who finally destroyed her hopes of becoming a Fire Lord when she found out that he had defeated the Phoenix King.
"Princess Azula.
"Why do you come here..."Avatar, " I spat, not using his first name, even though I knew him perfectly well, emphasizing his бесlack of humanity.
"You're a caged monster..." a voice whispered in my head.
This was the second time he came here. When he first came, she tried to burn him with her blue fire, but he extinguished it with a light breeze. He was clearly enjoying his life while it was rotting here. He was short, shorter than she was. Bald, with those blue tattoos and an arrow in the middle of his forehead. He looked like a skinny kid in his robes. His ears were too big for his head. His eyes were full of life and happiness, which annoyed her to no end. She would have loved to burn those eyes out, to have listened to his screams of pain and agony.
"I asked you a question, Avatar," I hissed, moving to the bars that separated them as much as possible.
"I want to help you," he said. – I think you're a good person at heart. It was Ozai who corrupted you, twisted your mind.
"You said that last time," I said sarcastically.
He sighed, and I was suddenly reminded of the Water Tribe peasant. About how she and my brother Zuzu fought me in Agni Kai.
"How's Zuko doing?" I asked, grinning. – Does he manage to be a Fire Lord? Or was it already deflated, as he usually did? My father always thought he was incompetent. Neither did Iroh. They're both weaklings.
"You are a monster who is not meant to be on the throne..." a voice whispered in my head.
"Zuko is a good Fire Lord, Azula," he replies, irritating me by being so calm. "Iroh opened a tea shop and now has nothing to do with the politics of the Fire Nation.
"How's the Water Tribe whore?" I asked, knowing that would definitely make him angry.
"Katara is not a whore! he shouted, his tattoos flickering for a second, making me feel a deep sense of fear for my life, but I suppressed it.
"Katara? Hmmm… That's the whore's name, isn't it?" - I said, grinning evilly. – You're too attached to that peasant girl!"
"It's not up to you to decide what..." - The Avatar paused and took a deep breath, apparently to calm down. – Why are you doing this, Azula?
"I think, Avatar," I said with venom in my voice, " you need to be more specific.
"You're a monster that kills people..." a voice whispered in my head.
"I just want to help you, Princess."
"I don't need any help!" I shouted. – You're just a mediocre kid who was just lucky enough to defeat Ozai! Your friends are trash! You are all nobody! I am a true Fire Lord! You must worship me!
Feeling a surge of strength, I swung and released a stream of fire at my "guest". He moved out of the line of fire as fast as the wind. I got angry and tried to create a lightning bolt, but it didn't work. I felt tears welling up, disappointed in myself.
"I'm a fire magic prodigy! I'm stronger than all of you, it's just that you're all too afraid of me to let me out and test your strength! – I was crying. "You're a monster, Avatar! You ruined my whole life! Go and have fun with your whore! You're a monster, not me!
The avatar just stared at me and said nothing. I was annoyed that he didn't say anything and just watched me cry, so I let the fire out of my mouth, hoping he wouldn't be ready for it.
"You're a monster that kills without a purpose..." a voice whispered in my head.
However, he was clearly prepared. He just walked away again, then looked at me again and left.
"I'm done for today," I heard from the other side of the door, and then the staff came into my room.
They shackled me with earth, then gave me a sedative, then left as if nothing had happened.
"I'm not weak! I'm not a monster! I'm not a monster! I sobbed as I fell to the floor.
"You are not a monster, my daughter. You never were" a voice whispered in my head.
"Shut up!" I don't want to hear you! I screamed, still sobbing. – I hate you!"
After a while, I began to feel weak and sleepy.
"You're a monster..." a voice whispered in my head.
"I'm not a monster," I whispered before my eyes closed.
Two weeks later, he came back. That full-of-life look and soft voice again. However, I now knew something. I could hear the guards talking about what he'd done to my father.
"Avatar," I hissed as he entered my cell.
"Princess Azula," he said, coming up to me.
"I don't understand why you're coming here," I said. – I hate you! And that will never change!
"You're just a monster to him..." a voice whispered in my head.
"I want to help you," he says calmly. "And I came up with something. Come here."
"The hell I'm going to get close to you, Avatar," I spat. – I'm not going to participate in your experiments.
"I'm not going to hurt you," he said, coming closer.
"Stay where you are, " I said, pulling away from him. – I heard what you did to Ozai! You took his bend! And you think I'm so stupid? You're just going to strip me of my fire magic! Don't come near me!
"I'll help you! You'll feel better! he said, taking a step toward me.
"He wants to destroy you, because you're a monster..." a voice whispered in my head.
"Stop!" I shouted from the corner.
"Is everything all right there?" - came a voice from the other side of the door.
"Yes, it's all right! The Avatar replied, approaching me again, but now I was at a dead end.
He raised his hands and held them out in my direction, then slowly began to bring them closer. I felt like I was being shackled in a rock that started moving towards the Avatar.
"Stop!" I shouted, but there was nothing I could do – the grip was too strong.
"You're a monster who doesn't deserve to live..." a voice whispered in my head.
"If you do, I'll get out of here and kill all your friends," I threatened, hoping he'd back down. – You'll see your whore die with your own eyes!
"Don't be afraid, Azula. I won't hurt you, " he said, ignoring my words as he placed one hand on my forehead and the other on my heart.
His tattoos flashed. I felt my fire magic gradually fade away. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I realized this. I tried to fight, but it didn't seem to distract him at all.
"H-he promised he wouldn't hurt me, I thought, not trying to hold back the tears. It was all just a game. He originally came here to take my magic away, but he decided to play hero with me first… I hate him..."
Finally, his tattoos faded, and he pulled away. The stone trap broke, and I fell to the floor, but I didn't have the strength to move, much less get to my feet.
"You're a monster, Avatar..." I whispered, as I was too weak to yell at him.
"I didn't take your curve, Princess," he said calmly. – You can still bend fire. I've only temporarily calmed your soul. Tell me, how do you feel?
I thought about it. I didn't really hear the voice that was in my head constantly claiming that I was a monster. My mind cleared, as if the fog that used to be in me had been lifted.
"Maybe, just maybe, he didn't lie and rob me of my fire magic… But I'm still too weak to test it..." - I thought.
My mind cleared… But I still think you've taken my curve away, " I decided, trying to keep my voice steady so he wouldn't think I was tired and weak from his actions.
"You're tired, Azula," he said, apparently sensing the falseness in my voice.
He opened my cage and walked over to me, then knelt down beside me.
"Don't touch me, Avatar," I spat, even though I knew I was defenseless right now.
He lifted me up, then laid me on my stone bed, despite my protests.
For someone so skinny, he's strong, I thought out of the corner of my mind.
It wasn't very comfortable because of the chains, but I wasn't on the floor anymore.
"Rest, princess," he said, and left the room, locking all the doors he had opened.
He came to see me almost every day for six months. I do not know what he did for so long in the Fire Nation, but I noticed that I began to be fed better, sometimes I was even given tea and some cookies. Sometimes the Avatar would bring some food with him and give it to me. I was suspicious at first, thinking he was trying to poison me. I asked him to try it so I could check it out. So, the food wasn't poisoned, but I still made him do it every time to check. Then I used to scream and curse at him and his friends, try to burn him by creating my own flame. But he just dodged my attacks, then chained me up and did his Avatar tricks. He once told me that my hair was beautiful and asked me why I stopped caring for it. In response, I said that he was an idiot if he thought I had the opportunity. He apologized and said he would take care of it next time. I raised my eyebrows and asked what that meant. In response, he just smiled and left. When the Avatar came another time, he brought a bag of water with him. When I saw him take out the water, I immediately turned the fire on it, which turned it into steam. In response, he only said that he would ask "Katara" to teach him how to get water out of the air. So, he learned, so the next time I vaporized the water, he just pulled it out of thin air. Then he chained me up and wetted my hair. My hair! I tried to wriggle out of his grip, but he ended up lathering them (I didn't know where he got the soap from, since it didn't seem like there were any pockets in his robes. Only then I saw that the pocket is still there, it just looks like the folds of clothing). I hissed and swore, but he just went about his business. Then he dried them with his air magic (I didn't forget to remind him of how pathetic and weak his people were, that they didn't belong in this world) and started combing them with his fingers. So, on each of his fifth visits, he brought water, soap, and washed my hair. To preserve my pride, I always told him what he should do and how, to show that I was a princess here and he was just a servant. He did what I told him to do in silence. I would grin and say that he was my lackey who didn't have a word of his own (however, I had to admit that having clean hair was nice).
At the end of our sessions, I was always afraid that he would take my magic away. But after a few hours of sleep, after his actions, I found that I could still bend fire. Also, the voice in my head began to appear less often.
"Avatar," I spat as the door opened.
"Hello, Azula," he said softly, holding a bundle in his hands. – I brought you something."
"I hope this is news that Zuko has been deposed, since he's an incompetent Fire Lord," I quipped.
"No, he's fine."
"Maybe your whore, whatever her name was… Katara! Maybe she's dead."
"I brought you your blanket and pillow from your room in the palace," he said, taking a deep breath.
"Why would you do that?"
"I already told you I want to help," he said.
"Why? As soon as I get out of here, I will immediately overthrow Zuzu, seize power, and not give up until you and your team are dead, " I clarified.
"You're better than this, Azula," he said, walking over to the bars and shoving a bundle inside my cell. – I want you to sleep better. This requires the appropriate conditions.
"Why don't you just bring a bed right away?" I quipped but took the bundle anyway.
"If I could, I'd bring it," he sighed. "But Zuko and my friendsюthink I'm too kind to you… However, okay. Come here."
"You don't order me around, Avatar," I reminded him, but I came over anyway.
He put his hand on my forehead and on my heart. I didn't admit it, but I was secretly glad that he came and got rid of the voice in my head. But of course, I wasn't going to show it to him. I had a clear idea, a perfect plan: to gain his trust and, in his moment of weakness, deliver the fatal blow. His tattoos flashed.
After a while, he pulled away, and I suddenly felt something else. It was small and weak, but it was something… Trust. My thoughts were completely calm. Absolutely. It was as if there had always been a storm in my head before, but now there was silence. My thoughts didn't run back and forth, finding no place. They went smoothly and consistently.
I glanced at the Avatar, who was just standing there looking at me, clearly expecting threats or something like that, which I always told him after our sessions if I had the energy.
"Why is he trying to help me? Didn't I try to kill him and his friends? I threatened to kill them all after I got out of here. But he keeps coming here and giving me my sanity back..."
"You can go now, Avatar," I said flatly, so as not to give myself away.
He was clearly surprised that I hadn't said something bad to him. After a moment, he smiled.
"See you next time, Azula," he said, then left the room.
"See you next time, Aang," I whispered before lying down on the covered stone board that was my bed.
He was gone for almost a year. My voice in my head came back with a vengeance. Her hair was dirty and disheveled again. Sometimes I would run my hands over them to remember how clean they were. I started to burn the guards and employees with my fire again. My food was once again scarce. They started giving me sedatives again. They wanted to take my pillow and blanket, but I threatened to tell the Avatar (I would complain to the Avatar about being mistreated when I insulted and humiliated him myself, which is ironic). They seemed to take the bait, as they didn't try to take it from me again.
I thought that I wouldn't be able to feel calm in my head anymore, that I'd have to listen to a voice saying I was a monster forever. That the trust felt in the Avatar for a brief moment was just an accident. A mind games.
I didn't admit it to myself, but I missed him. It seemed like I was used to him coming to me almost every day to calm my mind. Although I shouldn't have been bored, I had no right to do so. I was disgusting to him. But I couldn't help but remember his soft smile and voice. The way he tried to take care of me for the first time in a very long time, to do something good for me.
I thought I wouldn't see him again, but one day he came back, catching me off guard (I, a fire magic prodigy, was caught off guard, this can't happen in theory, it's just ridiculous).
"Hello, Azula," a very familiar voice greeted me, but I couldn't identify it, so I turned my head to look at the open door of my prison.
A young man of about fourteen stood in the doorway. He wore loose robes of red, orange, and yellow. His robes accentuated the color of his pale skin. He was broad-shouldered like a boy, and his arms weren't built up, but they were still muscular. His face was still childishly cute, but it was already taking on adult features. His chin began to sharpen. Her cheekbones were a little more pronounced. Her eyes were still bright with joy and happiness. His tattoos...
"Avatar," I spat, not intending to let him know that I missed him. "You left me."
"I'm sorry, Princess," he said as he entered the room. – There were problems with the colonies, and the Avatar needed to intervene, " he shrugged, then looked at me more closely. – How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," I quipped, starting to get mad at him for acting like he'd never disappeared.
"I know you're lying," he said, coming close to the cage. "Come here and I'll help you."
I bit my lip. I wanted to go over to ease my mind, but I didn't want to show him that I needed it so badly.
"I don't want to see you," I decided to say, trying to buy myself time to think about my next move.
However, he didn't say anything, just cuffed me with earth and pulled me towards him. I was angry that he was treating me like this.
"I'm not your toy, Avatar! " - I exclaimed and let the fire out of my mouth, intending to burn him, but once again he just walked out of the line of fire.
He took a deep breath and his tattoos lit up. He put his hand on my forehead and on my heart, doing what I'd wanted to do for so long. My mind was clearing again. My soul was calming down again. But I didn't feel the same way I did at our last "session."
"I hope you're feeling better," he said, walking away.
"Don't think that changes anything," I hissed.
"I won't be able to visit you that often, Princess," he confessed. "I'll see you tomorrow, but then we'll have two consecutive sessions every month.
"You're leaving me? They're giving me another sedative! My food is scarce, and they treat me like dirt! "
"But you don't like them very much either, do you?" - he retorted. "But, okay. I'll tell them to feed you properly. But you should treat them better. I want to fix your soul, Azula. To do this, you need to work from both sides. I'm doing my job. And you? " - he asked, leaving the question hanging in the air as he left.
"You want me to forgive Mai and Tai Li for betraying me?!" I screamed in anger.
"I'm not asking you to forgive them right away, Azula," he explained with a sigh. – I'm just asking you to look at the situation from their perspective. Try to understand why they did it.
"They chose Zuko over me!" That's all you need to understand! I thought we were friends, but they just betrayed me! I felt tears and tried to hide them.
"Don't cry, Azula," he said, hugging me. "They didn't mean to offend you. Tai Li was just trying to stop you from killing Mai.
"I didn't mean to kill her," I sobbed and snuggled closer to him, resting my head on his shoulder.
We were sitting on my "bed". Our relationship has improved over the past 2 years. We switched to " you "and I called him "Aang" now. I didn't try to hurt him anymore. How could I have done that? He was the only one who visited me, even though his friends thought I was a waste of his time (he once admitted that his friends didn't want him to come here (I was glad he didn't listen)). He showed me respect and concern. I let him hug me and feel sorry for me when I felt really bad, because I craved any physical contact that was nonviolent (I told him how the workers forcibly drugged me with sedatives so I wouldn't annoy them. He talked to them, so I don't need it anymore.)). My voice was almost gone in my head, except for the occasional voice that would pop up and tell me I was a monster.
Usually, Aang would come, and we would have a "calm session," as we called it, and then we would just chat. I really appreciated it, because как sometimes I felt a little lonely. He told me about his life in the Temple before it was frozen. Like him and his mentor (Gyatso?) they baked fruitcakes and threw them at the elders (I laughed heartily, probably for the first time in a very long time). He told how his friends turned against him when they found out that he was an Avatar. Now I didn't tell him that his people were pathetic and worthless, because after listening to his stories, I found them cheerful, that they spent their lives in joy and happiness, which I missed so much. He also talked about his adventures with his new friends. He literally idolized a girl named Katara (only later did I remember that it was her I called a whore). He told me how beautiful she was, how kind, sweet, strong, and gentle she was, that he was so lucky that she loved him too... it annoyed me, of course, but I could see the way his eyes immediately lit up with light and love when he mentioned her, so I kept my mouth shut. In turn, I told him about how I had become friends with Mai and Tai Lee. About teasing Zuko and Mai for liking each other. In general, I talked about my childhood. At his request, I told him what I was doing after my father started giving me individual assignments. About burning down an entire village just because they didn't have any portraits of Ozai. How she burned her family for not bowing to the Fire Lord when he came to see the city. I confessed to all my misdeeds. And Aang helped me repent of them. He asked me about my mother, but I flatly refused to talk about her, so he didn't bring it up again, for which I was very grateful...
"Understand them, Azula," Aang said softly, stroking my hair, " Mai was just protecting Zuko, whom she loved. And Tai Li defended Mai because she was afraid, you'd kill her. They couldn't have known you wouldn't do it.
"I understand," I said after a while. "Thank you for helping me see this."
"Please, Princess," he said. "By the way, I brought something for you!"
He set me down on the blanket, then got up and picked up his bag. He pulled out a rectangular package.
"I've been thinking for a long time about what you said about being lonely when I'm not around and you don't have anyone to talk to," he began, opening the package. – So, I brought you some books to read. These are the old legends of the Fire Nation. I doubt you've ever read them, because even I haven't heard of them, and I was born a hundred years ago! he chuckled.
"Thank you, Aang," I said, taking the proffered books. – I'll definitely read them."
"I'm happy to help you, Azula," he said back, and I smiled softly.
I went over and stood on tiptoe to kiss him on the cheek (he was now a head taller than I was), but he backed away.
"I'm sorry, Azula, but no," he said softly.
"I understand," I said, taking a step back.
Inwardly, I was annoyed. It was too perfect. I wouldn't mind if he had at least one flaw, but maybe then I wouldn't like him...
"Let's have another session, then I have to go," he said.
I knew he wanted to suspend himself, but I couldn't blame him. I put us in an awkward situation.
"Yes, of course, Aang," I agreed, sighing inwardly.
Today was the day when Aang was supposed to come with Zuko to see what condition I was in and decide if I could be released. I had too many thoughts in my head. Part of me was immediately angry when I heard about Zuzu's arrival. Another part of me tried to suppress it, because I was tired of being in this prison. I hadn't seen real sunlight in years, just the rays that came through my bars. I wanted to get out and really start living. Not for revenge, not for murder, but for yourself. After listening to Aang talk about how he lives there, in a world where everyone can be happy, I couldn't help but think that maybe there is a place for me to be happy...
The door creaked, alerting me to my " guests." I sat down on the bed and put my hands in my lap, waiting for my test to start. They walked right into my cell, which surprised me. That is, there was no grating between us. They were right in front of me, and I could reach them if I wanted to.
"Hello, Azula," the current Fire Lord greeted me. – Aang said you were making progress.
"That's right, Zuko," the Avatar said. - Her mind is back, and her soul is strong.
"I hope so," he said, and then looked at me. – How are you feeling, Azula? Are you no longer the mad princess?
For some reason, I was annoyed by his question, I didn't even understand where it came from.
"I'm perfectly calm, Zuzu," I said sarcastically.
"Don't be silly, Azula," he growled back.
"What about it, brother?" I asked, grinning. – What will you do? I don't think you've gotten any stronger.
"Azula -" my brother began, but the Avatar put a hand on his shoulder to stop him.
"Zuko, calm down," he said softly. – We didn't come here to fight.
"Oh, you're being stopped by the Avatar itself," I said with venom in my voice, and Aang turned his head to me, clearly not expecting it.
But I didn't care anymore. I was fired up and I wasn't going to back down. All my peace of mind was thrown in the trash.
"You're still weak, Zuzu," I said in a slow drawl. "Father was right, you were just lucky to be born..."
"Azula," - Aang said softly, moving closer to me, trying to touch me and calm me down.
"Don't you dare touch me, Avatar!" - I exclaimed, and a blue flame came out of my mouth.
He clearly wasn't expecting this, which is why he didn't have time to completely redirect my fire, so some of the flames fell on his neck. His eyes widened in pain, and he clutched his neck, hissing. He fell to his knees, also lowering his head. I saw his eyes fill with tears.
Zuko and I stood there in shock. I was the first to come to my senses, realizing what I'd just done.
"No, no, no! I couldn't, no, I would never… I wouldn't hurt Aang," - I thought, panicking.
But right in front of me was the fallen Avatar, tears streaming from his eyes. A few years ago, I would have rejoiced in his pain and enjoyed his tears, but now I was horrified by what had happened.
"I just injured the only person who cared about me. He was gentle and gentle towards me… And how did I repay him? Struck out when he least expected it… But he didn't have time to react, because he trusted me, and I betrayed his trust...!"
"Come on, Aang, let's go," Zuko said, holding up the Avatar. "Show me your neck."
Aang removed his hand from his neck, and I saw what I had done. I covered my mouth with my hand, and more tears came from my eyes. The right side of his neck looked very bad. The skin was red and peeling. There was blood in places. This will definitely leave a scar.
- "Come on, maybe it's not too late to fix your skin," Zuko whispered, clearly not wanting to be overheard, but I did.
The avatar just nodded, and then they left the room, Zuko closing the doors first. But I wouldn't even think of running. I was terrified.
"H-he didn't look at me once… I hurt him, I thought. Why am I angry? Why couldn't I just shut up!" - I sobbed, falling to the floor, not wanting to get up.
"I hurt Aang… How could I..."
"You're a monster, Azula… You hurt someone who cared about you… Monster," - I heard a voice say in my head.
"I-I won't give up… I will not give in to anger and anger… I will not let what Aang has done for me go to waste... even if he never comes to me again, I will try to improve further ... if he does… I will have prayer for forgiveness..."
Aang was gone for six months.
While he was gone, I read the legends he gave me. One of them told a love story. How a brave firebender saved a girl from a monster. She was in danger of a painful death if a savior did not appear. But even after the rescue, their journey was hard. There were new enemies at every turn. Be it bandits, pirates, or even malevolent spirits. During their adventure, a warrior and a girl fell in love with each other. At one point, the firebender even sacrificed himself to save the girl. But in the end, they survived. They married and had five children. They created their own nation where everyone could be happy. This is how the Fire Nation came to be.
I didn't really believe in this legend, but I must admit that I liked the story of love. I imagined that the firebender was Aang, and I was a girl in trouble. I wasn't even surprised that I thought of Aang that way. Any girl would have fallen in love with him. He was beautiful, gentle, kind, so caring… But he was with Katara. And even though I was angry inwardly that Aang was busy, I would never ruin his relationship so we could be together. Waterbender made him happy, and I was ready to give up on him.
Also, as I promised myself, I didn't give up, and I continued to struggle with my mind. When I heard the voice, I remembered everything Aang had told me. I flattered myself that I wasn't a monster, or Aang would never have tried to help me. But if he helped, then he saw something good in me...
I didn't believe he would come back to me after what happened, but he did, making me so happy to be there...
"I did this to you..." I cried as I watched the soft, pale skin of his neck give way to a hard red burn scar that covered almost the entire right side of his neck, also extending a little lower.
"It's not your fault, Azula," he soothed, rocking me in his arms. – You're just too nervous. Everyone has it.
"But not everyone hits their... friend like that," - I said. – I hurt you, and I apologize for that.
"I have nothing to forgive you for, Azula, because I've never been angry," he said, and then he pulled back a little and looked me in the eye. – But are you ready to forgive yourself?"
"I don't know… I'll try, " I muttered.
"Try to do it," he said. – Let's have a seance, we haven't had one in a long time.
"Okay," - I said, a little disappointed as she left his warm embrace.
As usual, he put his hand on my forehead and on my heart. I felt my fire magic go out again, but I wasn't afraid of it anymore. I trusted him completely, completely.
I was in love.
One day, he came to me tired. I was beginning to worry that something was wrong with him. He said everything was great, that he was fine, but I could tell he was lying. The soft light in his eyes faded, his joy-filled eyes dimmed. His smile was strained, and his tongue was slurring, making him often twist his words.
"Aang, I can tell there's something wrong with you," I said softly, putting my hand on his thigh. – You can tell me everything, I'll never judge you."
"Thank you for your concern, Azula," he said, looking at me with a sad smile. "But it's okay. I just had a rough week."
"I understand if you don't want to talk about it," I said. – I'll listen to you when you're ready."
"Thank you," he said, giving me a genuine smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. – We need to have a session, because it's your day soon."
"My day..." I whispered, smiling. – I won't let you down, Aang, I swear.
"I believe you, Princess," he said. "Let's get started.
"Hooray! I did it, Aang! I did it! I did it! " - I cried out in joy with tears in my eyes as I hugged Aang, who was waiting for me in my room.
This time I was taken to another room, where Zuko, one of the employees, and a blind girl named Toph were present. Only when she spoke did I remember that we had met on the Day of the Black Sun. It's been so long.
Zuko and the employee asked me various questions, and the girl nodded after I answered. I never once felt angry or angry. I was completely calm and also calmly answered. At the end, to my great surprise, Zuko came over and hugged me, telling me that I had passed the test. That he was glad his sister was back.
"I'm so proud of you, Azula," Aang said, hugging me back. – You're healed. I'm so proud of you.
"I could never have done it without you," - I reminded her. – If it wasn't for you, I would still be broken. I would rot in this prison and never see the light of day again. But you helped me, you found something good in me. You brought it out and suppressed the evil part of me. I'll be forever grateful to you for this, " - I said with tears in my eyes.
"I was glad to help you, Princess," he said, and there were tears in his eyes, too, though not as much as mine. – You've come a long way. From the lost girl to the girl who can become happy. You deserve it. Now, it's time to leave. It's time for you to go home.
«Home,» - I thought with tears in my eyes as we broke our embrace and left the room.
I looked back at my room. Previously, it was dark and completely unattractive. I remembered how angry I'd been, how I'd insulted Aang and his friends, how I'd threatened him and tried to hurt him. It was so long ago.
Then it started to get cozier thanks to Aang. He brought me my bedclothes from my room to help me sleep better. He gave me a wooden cabinet where I kept my books, so I wouldn't be so lonely. I've read them all. Although my favorite was only one. I even had a lamp so I could read whenever I wanted. He turned my dungeon into a nice little room. I remembered how he had broken my metal chains, and I threw my arms around his neck, thanking him for freeing me from them. He told me that I had behaved well and that he trusted me. I promised that I would never betray him. I remembered how I'd foolishly burned this wonderful man who'd taken care of me, leaving a scar for the rest of his life. But he didn't leave me like I expected. Instead, he came back and continued working with me. Healing me.
Looking back to that fateful day when Aang first entered my prison cell, I realize that everything that happened before I actually met him was like a bad distant dream...
So here I am, looking at the now empty room as the guards have already taken everything out. I stand free, ready to live. Ready to be happy.
Aang touched my shoulder, and I looked up at him. He was my hero. My firebender. He smiled softly and held out his hand. I smiled back and took his hand. Aang pulled me along, telling me to move. I nodded and we went.
"I'm going home," - I thought with a smile, feeling happy.