Azula's Recovery - Avatar: TLA

13.3 - Zuko

Zuko sat with Azula in a small pavilion in the gardens. A tray of steaming tea and sweets were laid out in front of them and the siblings sat in silence as they waited for their guest. Zuko noticed that Azula had dressed in her finery today, with a deep black robe with red detailing and a golden crown glittering on her head. 

He supposed it was another form of armour, a reminder of where she was now. A princess, an adviser, a sister, a daughter, a friend. Zuko didn't blame her for wanting to feel stronger. He'd seen her face yesterday, seen all her hurt, fear and rage flash across it as she stood in front of Uncle. Zuko loved his uncle, but he knew that Azula did not. She'd never really told him her feelings about him before, but he knew what his father thought of Iroh, and he was willing to bet that Azula had been taught to feel the same way. 

Her gaze was fixed on the table as she was lost in thought. She'd come to him last night after dinner, asking for help with arranging a meeting between her and uncle. Apparently, she and Kaya had spoken about him and she had decided to try and talk with him. 

Zuko was proud of her for taking the step, but he was a little nervous. Azula's last few...reconnections with her mother and friends had been fiery, or they'd involved her wanting to run for the hills. Today though, she seemed angry, focused. Zuko knew that Uncle had been a master firebender in his prime, but he was getting old now. After three years of only serving tea, Zuko wasn't confident Uncle would be in the best shape to defend himself against Azula if things went bad.

"Hey, what are you thinking about?" Zuko asked her. 

"Huh? I'm just...trying to think of what I should say. I've got nothing." Azula huffed.

"How about I just do the talking at first, and you join in when you feel comfortable?" 

Azula scrutinised him, but then nodded. 

"Good morning Zuko!" Uncle entered the pavilion, excited to see his nephew when he noticed Azula too. 

Zuko and Azula stood to greet him, bowing quickly. Uncle returned the bow, sitting beside Zuko. 

"Good morning to you too, Azula," Uncle said carefully.

"Uncle." Azula's back was completely straight, as she stared him down. 

Zuko broke the silence, "Tea?" He picked up the teapot and began pouring them each a cup.

"Thank you."

"Thank you."

Azula and Uncle said it at the same time, and while Uncle laughed a little, Azula scowled. 

Iroh looked at Zuko quickly, the 'what is she doing here?' look all over his face.

"Uncle, Azula and I were just talking about our stay in the Southern Water Tribe. It was incredibly beautiful down there, though very cold. I used the fire-breathing skill you taught me though, and I taught it to Azula. She, of course, was a natural." Zuko smiled at her, and she nodded her head in thanks, before sipping her tea. 

"That is wonderful to hear. I'm glad it helped." Iroh seemed to be relaxing more, but Azula did not.

Think Zuko! 

"You know Uncle, while she was away, Azula created a new way to practice combat-bending. We all really missed it, so Azula, Katara and Toph invented a new way to do it." Zuko started, before looking to Azula.

Her eyes went wide, but she regained her composure quickly, "Yes. It's rather fun."

Zuko moved his hand in a 'go on' motion. 

"There are two teams, with a waterbender, earthbender and firebender on each. Their goal is to knock their opponents off the back of the arena. It's a true test of skill."

"Interesting. And with a team like yours, I don't suppose you've lost any games?" Iroh said with a smile. 

Azula couldn't hide her smugness, "Of course not. Katara and Toph are excellent partners. Though it's a shame we don't really have all that much competition." Azula smirked at Zuko.

Zuko rubbed his face, "Yeah I'm the Fire Lord, I don't have time to try and beat you girls. I know where I stand. I'll just keep in your good graces so you fight for me, not against me."

Azula huffed a laugh. 

"It seems so much has changed since I was last here. It is nice to hear laughter in the palace again. It was so quiet for such a long time." 

A somber hush fell over the three of them at Iroh's words. 

Azula cleared her throat, setting down her cup, "Uncle. I wanted to meet with you today to..." Her eyes flashed to Zuko before she sat up straight again. "I apologize for hunting you down, and trying to kill you. A lot has changed though, and I hope...that you would forgive me. That we could move on."

Azula looked back down at her tea, leaving Zuko and Iroh in a stunned silence. 

Iroh reached across the table, patting her hand, before pulling away again. "All is forgiven, my niece. But I fear you are not yet ready to move on."

Azula looked up at him stunned, "What do you mean?"

Iroh gave her a small smile, "So much has changed for you child. You've restored many of your relationships, found family, love and friends. But you have yet to face the person responsible for so much of your struggle and heartache. Only when you face your fears and conquer them will you be free."

Azula's eyes narrowed, "I'm not afraid of anything."

Iroh shook his head, "Then you are lying. Fear is a constant, it finds us all. But it is up to each of us to decide what we will do about it. Will you fall to it, or face it and overcome it?"

Zuko's head turned between them as he took in Iroh's words. Who did Uncle think Azula was afraid of?

The answer hit him like a blow to the chest. Father. But why did Uncle think Azula was afraid of him? She'd never seemed to be afraid of him before, she'd always been his little golden child. And now whenever she spoke about him it was with the utmost disgust.

"You're talking about Ozai? But..." Zuko trailed off as he saw the steely look in Azula's eyes. 

"Very well, I'll go see him. I can't imagine what good it would do me, but I'll do it to show you that you're wrong. I'm not afraid of him." Azula's voice was harsh, cold. 

Iroh studied her for another moment, "Very well."

Zuko was still reeling, trying to figure out what had just happened. Had Uncle convinced Azula to go see Ozai? Zuko loved his uncle but he really wasn't sure that putting the two of them in the same room was safe for anyone. And Azula had changed so much, she'd healed and grown and become an amazing sister and friend. Zuko supposed it was selfish, but he didn't want anyone to ruin this.

But the look in Azula's eyes...she had to do this. Zuko just had to be there for her when the time came.

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Hiya! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, please vote if you did!

I wanted to let you all know that I found an old fic I wrote for Miraculous Ladybug and Chat Noir, so if you're interested, you should totally check it out!

Love you all and see ya later!