Chapter 15: Wander
The sun was dipping below the horizon as Aang flew away from the Southern Water Tribe, the cold air biting as the sky darkened. His mind was crowded with memories of Katara—their first kiss after the failed invasion, her comforting him after being struck by lightning, the way she had always been there as he mastered waterbending. Those memories, once a source of warmth, now carried a sharp edge, reminding him of the tension between them. Appa's heavy breaths snapped Aang back to the present, the two of them weary from the long journey.
Eventually, the island came into view, a faint outline against the early dawn. Below, Aang noticed new stone structures—clearly Toph's work. He had expected to be away longer, but here he was, feeling both mentally and physically drained. Landing in a nearby clearing, he dismounted Appa and collapsed, catching only a few restless hours of sleep.
His rest was abruptly interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Up on your feet, Twinkle Toes. I gotta get back."
Aang groaned, blinking as Toph stood over him, arms crossed. "Back? Already?"
Toph shrugged. "Yeah, I told you I'd help out for a few days, but I've got a lecture I need to attend tomorrow. Worked most of the night building what you asked for,what little is left you two can handle."
Aang rubbed his eyes and stood, scanning the stone structures. "Right… thanks, Toph. It all looks amazing."
"Glad you think so. You're gonna fill the cistern before I leave, though, right? Worried it might leak and want to check."
"Of course," Aang replied, stretching out the fatigue in his limbs.
Toph led him around, showing off the completed work. She had integrated a set of steps into the housing structure itself, leading down toward a small dock area that could be used for supply deliveries. It was clever, practical, and perfectly hidden from prying eyes. Aang used his bending to fill the cistern, which was connected to the fresh water Toph had reached with a well nearby.
As they finished, Toph turned to him. "So, what's the deal with Katara?"
Aang's face fell slightly. "It didn't go well. She… needs space. She's upset, and I can't really blame her."
Toph nodded thoughtfully, her expression neutral. "Yeah, I get it. She's got her reasons."
"Yeah," Aang sighed. "She does."
"You want me to reach out? I could—"
Aang shook his head. "No. I don't want her to feel like I'm sending people in to fix things. I need to respect her space."
"Fair enough," Toph agreed. "Let's get going. I want to catch the last ferry back to Ba Sing Se."
They gathered their things, and before leaving, Aang approached Azula, who stood at the entrance of one of the new stone structures.
"I'm heading back to Ba Sing Se to drop off Toph. Do you want to come?" Aang asked.
Azula considered it but shook her head. "Some time alone might do me well."
Aang gave a nod. "Alright. I'll be back soon."
Azula watched silently as Appa lifted off into the sky, disappearing until the horizon swallowed them. For the first time since her mind had cleared from the drugs, she was alone. The silence felt heavy, suffocating. She wandered around the stone buildings, her hands tracing the rough surfaces. She had helped Toph hang the doors and install the windows, learning slowly but patiently alongside the earthbender.
She checked her surroundings, ensuring no one was watching, then tried to firebend. She moved through her stances, concentrating. But nothing came. She tried again, with more force, more desperation. Even the simplest of moves, ones taught to children, yielded nothing.
Her knees buckled, and she sank to the ground, staring blankly at the trees beyond the clearing. A single tear slipped down her face as she touched the scars on her body, scars not just on her arms and legs but in other places that carried memories of years of abuse. The marks felt deeper now, as though they had carved into her very spirit. She was broken.
Azula wandered aimlessly around the area, feeling the weight of dark thoughts pressing in. There was a part of her that considered poisoning the cistern. She knew the island's plants well enough to do it. But she closed her eyes, shaking her head violently, as if to clear away the thoughts.
"What the fuck is wrong with me?" she muttered.
She descended into the small, shadowy room beneath the surface, its walls cold and unwelcoming. It was the kind of space she had once thrived in—secluded, dark, and hidden. But now, it felt empty. Like her.
As she leaned against the wall, her thoughts echoed in the silence.
Who am I now?