Rise from the Ashes (Tyzula)

Chapter Thirteen: Healing

A/N: Hey all! I worked on this as much as I could since my last post, and, here it is. So, I know I put a trigger warning in the story details, but I'm just going to go ahead and add another one because this one talks about Azula's abuse. I feel like sometimes people just throw abuse into a character's backstory to add spice or something ridiculous and just move on after one mention, but that's not what I ever intend on doing. It's serious stuff in Azula's past she has to work through, and it's important not only to the development of her character, but also the fic as a whole. 

I'll get working on the next chapter as soon as I can; you can look forward to more bonding time between our fav Fire Nation gals. I'm going on a trip out of the country for two weeks though so I will say that you're going to have to be patient with me on that. Sorry for the wait but I'm going to try as much as I can! :)

Hope you are all doing well! 

Best, 

JM

The flight there was quick, as her uncle's tea shop was in the upper ring and Azula happened to be very fast when she wanted to be. She wasn't necessarily in a rush, but she didn't want to waste any time and desired to return to her girlfriend and daughter as soon as possible. She flew just above the clouds to shroud herself from view, discerning that people might be a bit more than confused by the sight of someone flying.

She landed safely behind the back of the shop, vying to walk around to the front rather than make a dramatic entrance and draw attention to herself. Being the princess of the Fire Nation that had been missing for four years would draw enough attention on its own.

She pushed through the doors to the shop, a small bell above the door dinging to announce a new customer. In unison, everyone seemed to turn to her, their eyes popping out of their heads. She ignored them, walking straight towards the counter. Iroh, who was bent down beneath the counter to retrieve something, did not immediately see her. "Hello, welcome to the Jasmine Dragon! What can I g-" He stopped mid-greeting when he straightened up to see the woman standing in front of him. Immediately, a wide smile broke out on his charming face. "Azula!"

"Hello uncle." She greeted kindly, showcasing a smile of her own. "I was wondering if we could talk, if you're not too busy of course."

"I would love to." He said with a nod before turning to look over his shoulder. "Haitao, Xiu, would you mind taking over for a bit? I'm going to step out." He asked, looking at his two employees. To their credit, when their eyes landed on Azula, neither looked like they were going to piss themselves. The boy, Haitao, had slightly wide eyes with a prick of fear, but recovered and controlled his expression after overcoming the shock.

The girl didn't seem too phased, instead giving Azula a respectful smile as she bowed to the princess, the boy scrambling to follow the action. "Of course, we've got it covered." Azula returned the smile gratefully.

Iroh took off his apron and moved out from behind the counter, leading the way. "Come, I live just upstairs." Azula did as he instructed her, following him up the stairs. His apartment was quaint but charming, almost a reflection of his own personality. There were framed ink drawings on the walls and beautiful paintings, three closed doors on three sides of the square floor plan of the apartment, and homey furniture in the entrance room with an open archway into the kitchen. "Sit, tell me what's on your mind." He asked gently, taking a seat on a green chair.

Azula sat across from him in an identical chair on the other side of the coffee table. She sighed, not knowing where exactly to begin. "I came to you for some advice and guidance." She bit her lip, thinking about how exactly to proceed. "I... I trust that Zuko informed you of my hallucinations while I was in the institution?" She asked, Iroh nodding in confirmation. She was glad that he didn't express an immediate reaction and instead gave her the room to continue. "Well... I still get them. They haven't stopped. They've decreased over the years, but are starting to come more frequently. I see my mother." She admitted quietly, looking at the ground. "I want them to stop, but I don't know how to make them. I have no control over them, and I feel her presence almost constantly. It's suffocating. I want to get rid of these hallucinations; of her. I don't want to feel that way anymore, Uncle." She confessed heavily.