Katara finishes healing and she and Zuko leave the room. Outside Aang is pacing waiting for them to return.
"What happened? Is she okay? I heard screaming!"

Katara grabbed him in a hug. " She is fine for now and Toph is with her."

Aang squeezed back and nodded. Zuko walked past the two further down the hall.

"Go to bed you two. It's late and we'll need to check on her in the morning."

With that they all parted ways. Zuko makes his way down the twist and turns of the palace and to the door of his chambers. Slowly he opens the door to find Mai still awake sitting in an armchair. "What are you still doing awake?"

"I was worried. How is she?"

Zuko looked at her in surprise. "She is doing much better physically, but I think you were right about her fear of Katara."

Mai stood and gave him a hug. "Of course I was right. I always am."

"I didn't think you'd care this much."

"She was my friend once upon a time and while I don't think we will ever be the same, but Izumi loves her to much for me to hate her forever."

Zuko chuckled. "She does adore her aunt doesn't she?"

Mai nodded and slipped into bed. "Yes indeed. She wants Azula to join her for tea at least once a week."

Zuko slips in beside her. "I know Azula enjoys spending time with Izumi almost as much as we do."

Mai turned towards him. "She has changed so much. I can't imagine Azula even looking at a child much less wanting to go to tea with one."

"I know, she is a different person now."

"Let's hope the others can see it."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I didn't mean to hurt her like that!" Katara broke as they entered their room.

"I believe you! But I'm not the one you need to convince!" Aang exclaimed

Katara moved to the dresser and pulled out a nightgown. "How do I even talk to her Aang? I have to apologize to her, when she hasn't said anything about what she did to us?"

"To be fair Katara we haven't really given her an opportunity to do or say anything."

"Okay yeah, but I don't know how to be in the same room as her, much less talk to her!"

Aang titled his head. "Just like you would anyone else. She seems to have really changed! I was talking to her earlier and she is so different from before."

Katara lays down "Yeah I know. There is just something about it that I can't seem to get past."

Aang joins her in the bed. "That's understandable, but we have to try. You don't have to like her, just try not to accuse her of plotting to kill Zuko and we should be good."

Katara laughs. "I think I can handle that. Goodnight honey."

"Goodnight sweetie."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Azula's breath tickles her neck as she wakes up. No clue what time it is, she slowly turns toward the source. Setting a hand against her forehead tells her that the fever had broken in the night as they slept. The sweat she was covered in clued her in as well. Toph had never been worried about another person as she worries for Azula. It's a weird feeling. She always seems happier when she is with Azula and she never wants to be away from her for too long. Don't get her wrong she still likes her solitude, but she never minds sharing with Azula. It's just something she can't quite put words to. Beside her Azula stretches out, but quickly curls into herself with a groan.

"Are you okay?"

Azula jerked. "I..I feel a lot better than yesterday. What happened last night?"

Toph sat up. "You told Zuko your ribs were broken and Katara came to help heal you."

Azula stood up, marched over to the looking glass and lifted her sleep shirt. "Well it certainly looks better."

Toph moved to stand beside her. "Why didn't you tell me you were hurt?"
Azula paused. "I….I didn't know how."

Toph tilted her head "What do you mean? You just tell me."

Azula glanced at her in the mirror "I don't know how to just tell you!"

"Just like that you just tell me. Just say that you think your ribs are broken, so that I can help you!"

Azula froze. Help me? Azula had never thought of it like that before. "Why would you want to help me?"

Toph threw her hands in the air. "Because I care about you! I don't know how to get you to believe me, but I care about you more than anyone else!"

Azula stiffened. Thoughts raced, her heart beating so hard it felt like it might break out of her chest. "I don't understand."

"What don't you understand?"

"I don't understand why you would care."

Toph stood in front of her. "Because you're you and I like you."

Azula stood frozen in place. "You-" A knock interrupted her. "Who is it!"

"The Fire Lord requests to know if you are to join him for breakfast, your highness."

Azula sighed. "Yes we will be there shortly!" She turned to Toph. "Get dressed we need to assure the others I am fine."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Barging in the dining room Azula sat in her usual seat and Toph followed after and sat beside her. "Good morning Zuzu"

Grimacing, Zuko responded. "Good morning Azula. How are you feeling today?"

Azula glanced at Katara before answering her brother. "Remarkably better today. No sharp pains."

"But you still have pain?" Katara cut in.

"Yes but it's nothing."
"It's still painful! Even dull pain can be indicative of something needing to heal."

Azula rolled her eyes. "Well as I previously stated I am not concerned with it and I would like to move on."

Katara went to say something, but Aang put his hand on hers and shook his head. Katara pursed her lips and looked away.

Zuko cleared his throat. "In light of recent events I thought I should tell you that Sokka and Suki are coming to the Palace tomorrow afternoon."

Azula glared at him. "And when was this decided?"

"Weeks ago."

"So why am I only hearing of it now?"

"Well…I…I didn't think to tell you."

Azula clenched her jaw. "How you have not run this nation into the ground I'll never know." With that she left.

Toph gestured to Zuko. "Did you tell Sokka and Suki that Azula is at the Palace or will they be just as surprised?"

Zuko nodded. "I sent a messenger to meet them on their travels to inform them of the situation."

Toph gave a nod and left to follow Azula.

"How do you think Suki will react to Azula's release?" Katara let out once the door shut.

Mai spoke up "Not well I imagine."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Toph found Azula in the garden. She was sitting at the pond's edge and watching the turtle ducks swim. Sitting beside her Toph placed a hand on Azula's arm. Azula pulled away. A frown pulled at her face. "What's wrong?"

Troubled laughter fell out of Azula's lips. "She's going to kill me."

Tensing up she asked "Who?"

Azula stood and turned to face her. "You know who! The one I stole a sacred uniform from AND imprisoned alone from anyone she knew!"

Pursed lips formed on her puzzled face as she tried to think what to say to that. "Suki won't be happy you're out. I won't lie to you there, but I don't think she'll kill you." Standing she grabbed Azula's hands. "Zuko sent a messenger to tell Suki that you are free and that you live here now, so she won't be surprised to see you."

"Oh joy she'll come ready with a list of wretched things to say and do to me. I may deserve it, but it doesn't mean I must enjoy it."

Toph frowned. "You're different now. It may take a while for the others to see it, but they will."

Hands thrown in the air Azula let out an exasperated sigh. "How much of a beating must I endure until they do?"

Toph sat silent unsure of the answer.