𝓐𝓬𝓬𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓒𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓷 {𝓐𝓣𝓛𝓐}

Part 9: Mother's Touch

Azula hates the early hours and equally so, she despises waking up early.

Why wouldn't she when her blankets and pillows are made with the finest and softest of feathers? When her sheets are of the softest of silk? While others could only dream of such luxury while she indulges in them every night.

Oh if only she could sleep in for a little bit. To sink within these heavenly sheets for a second more. To drown in her warmth with her favorite pillow in her arms.

In the end, could one truly blame her for throwing things at the pesky maids that rip her away from bliss?

They can be so rude sometimes.

But as per your request, she had been waking up early for your training. The maids were already on standby with a wash bowl so she could wash the sleep away.

Groaning loudly, she made her way to the training grounds.

Today marks the thirtieth day since her training with you began. She missed the days when it was you who woke her up, not some cowardly servants. But she knows that to achieve greatness, there must be some sort of sacrifice.

Things might not be ideal as of right now but she knows that in the near future, when she has mastered her bending, there will be more leeway to spend time with you.

Reimbursement as they say.

Rounding a corner, she saw you. Sweat has already formed and you were stretching your legs. You seem to have just came back from your warm-up run.

With a smile, she runs up to you.

"Good morning, Azula." she eagerly greets you back before handing you her ribbon. She doesn't like physical touch, especially when someone touches her hair. But for you, she'd make an exception.

For as long as she could remember, it was you who had always combed and did her hair. As plain as they can be, style wise, your fingers simply feel different from the others. Despite your background and your fame of being one of the best fire benders, you are gentle. Your fingers massaging her scalp, parting and combing her hair before tying them up.

She especially likes your hand right after you've bended. They're nice and warm and the heat seemed to have made your palm not only warmer but also softer. She likes them on her cheeks, in her hands, and her nape.

She stood there in front of you, with her back facing you as she hummed your tune. The tune of which neither of you knew the words to. It's the tune where you hummed to her to put her to sleep or to calm her down when she was much younger. She enjoys it even now.

Her eyes closed as she felt your fingers scratching her scalp.

Once you were done with tying her hair up, you placed your hands on her shoulders. "Now that your hair is taken care of, let's get to training." You straighten your back and took your place next to her. Legs shoulder lengths apart, arms bent at the elbows, and hands in fists. Azula was quick to copy the stance. "Good." You nod your head. "Today, we will be going over form, core strength, stability, and balance. All while practicing the breathing form I taught you last week."

And so, the two fell into your daily routine. You would show her the forms and explain what muscle groups she should feel tension in and what areas she should flex. Once your demonstration is over, she would follow suit. Copying every move you have done, moving slower to get inspected and judged.

The only correction you do tend to fix is the angling of her head. She tends to bring her chin up as if looking down on her phantom opponent. Every other day or two, you correct the same thing, either by pushing her head or pulling her chin down.