Slipping - The story of Azula

Chapter 4 - Freedom

The next few hours, she packed the few belongings she had and was given one last examination before they let her out of her straitjacket. As she stood up and walked for the first time without aid, she felt unbalanced and had to catch herself from falling. She had taken for granted the feeling of stretching her arms and walking. It felt so good to be free, almost worth submitting to her brother.

"How does it feel?" Zuko said wearily, still uncertain if his decision was a good one. He had not thought of the possible violent repercussions of letting Azula out.

Azula looked at her brother and a smirk formed across her face. She raised her arms into a fighting position like she was about to challenge Zuko to a fight. Her pointer and middle finger clenched together, and a flame appeared on her fingertips.

"Azula, you haven't bended in years, you don't actually think you can take me?" Zuko raised his arms warningly and the nurses stood their ground, blocking Azula from both sides.

Azula clicked her tongue, "Oh, Zuko, you really think so highly of me don't you. Don't you remember? 'Azula always lies'" She begins to laugh maniacally and she sends a burst of fire straight to his head. Zuko quickly ducked before it could hit him, but behind him on Azula's dresser, was a candle which had been lit from the flame that missed Zuko by near inches.

Zuko's eyes widened, "You almost killed me!" The nurses rush at Azula and are quick to restrain her, but upon seeing that Azula had not tried to fire any secondary shots or resist, he signaled to the nurses to stand down. He looked behind him and rolled his eyes, "C'mon Azula, that's not funny. This is serious."

Azula drops her arms and begins to laugh, "Since when did I ever take you seriously? That was the most fun I have had in 3 years. Thank you, Zuzu, for being such a good sport!" She walks over to her brother and pats him on the head, her mouth still curled into an evil grin. As she goes to exit the room, she leans over the candle, "Mhmmm, smells like roses."

Zuko grumbles at his sister's performance, but he knows that these next few months won't be filled with a little of Azula's pesky tricks. He follows her out.

"You are very active for someone who hasn't left her bed in 3 years," Zuko said while running to catch up with her.

"Yeah, well turns out laying in bed for three years was what I needed to relax," She said to Zuko sarcastically. "Where to now, Fire Lord," She jokingly bows down.

"Stand up," he rolls his eyes again at her antics, "Out this way. The royal guards should be waiting."

She smiles at Zuko and skips out of the waiting room, waving a mocking good-bye to all of the hospital staff.

As she is leaving, she takes a glance in the mirror in the waiting room; she sees her mother. Azula stops dead in her tracks. Her mother doesn't say anything, but only gives her an approving nod.

Azula's breath caught in her throat. Her mind raced with confusion and anger. She felt the familiar sting of tears threatening to spill over, but she blinked them back fiercely. "Go away," she whispered to her reflection. "You can't ruin this for me!"

Zuko noticed her hesitation and turned to see what had caught her attention. "Azula, are you okay?"

Azula tore her gaze away from the mirror and forced a smile. "I'm fine, Zuzu. Let's go."

Zuko eyed her warily but didn't press the issue. As they walked out of the hospital and into the awaiting carriage.

The ride to the palace was silent. Azula stared out the window, her thoughts drifting back to the vision of her mother.

When they arrived at the palace, Zuko helped her out of the carriage. The royal guards flanked them as they walked through the grand hallways. Azula could feel the eyes of the servants and guards on her, whispers trailing behind her like ghosts.

As they approached her old room, Zuko stopped and turned to her. "Remember, Azula, you're not a prisoner here. You're family. But you need to follow the rules."

Azula nodded absentmindedly, "Yeah, yeah, I got it."

Zuko sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I mean it, Azula. This is a second chance for you. Don't waste it."