Destiny Altered (READ DISCLAIMER)

12 - Reunion

A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while, but my whole country has been without power for the last 3 days so it's been hard to get some internet. But I managed to get it, so here's the next chapter I know y'all been waiting for.  Enjoy!

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ast and present seemed to meld into a single moment, as we both finally understood what had brought us together, and why I had to be the one to defeat Azula in order to help her find herself again. Gazing into impossibly depthless amber, I knew that our destinies had been entwined for lifetimes.

I was so overcome with emotion that I couldn't stop myself from reaching out to touch her face. She lifted up her own hand and lightly placed it over mine. Everything I had been looking for and everything I needed was right here.

A sharp knock at the door abruptly broke the spell, and we both turned to see Lazu enter the room. I quickly dropped my hand from Azula's face, but she promptly took hold of it, interlacing our fingers, not wanting to sever our connection.

"Princess Azula, I've just received word from your mother, Princess Ursa," he explained, handing her the scroll he was holding while eyeing our clasped hands. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

I couldn't stop myself from blushing at the comment as I inwardly cursed my tendency to redden so easily. Azula smirked at me before taking the scroll with her free hand as Lazu excused himself, leaving us alone once more.

She fidgeted with the paper in her hand for a few moments, just staring at it, not breaking the seal.

"Aren't you going to read it?"

"What if she doesn't want to see me?" she asked. Her insecurity about her mother still surprised me at times. She used to hide everything so well behind that mask of invincibility.

"She wants to see you," I said, rubbing my thumb along the back of her hand. "Trust me."

Reluctantly letting go of my hand, she broke the seal on the scroll and unrolled it. She read and reread the words several times before speaking. "She's coming tomorrow. She says she's looking forward to seeing me," she said, almost disbelieving the words that were coming out of her mouth.

"That's great, Azula!" I exclaimed.

"Can you be here tomorrow?" she asked, looking up at me.

"Of course. I'm here everyday."

"You know what I mean. I want you to be here during her visit," she said, the tone of her voice slipping into the one she did when giving orders.

"Are you sure it's not something you want to do alone?"

"I probably should, but I don't know if my mind is strong enough yet. But I can't keep putting this off. Like I said earlier, I need to face her. I've never run from anything in my life. The difference now is that I'm not afraid to ask for a little help," she said with a wry smile.