A Chance at Redemption

Chapter 7

Authors note here- I know it's been so long since I updated! Ahhh 4 years have gone by and I'm so sorry for not writing. I have been in college and just completely lost inspiration for writing, ideas are so hard to come by and I forgot about this altogether. I just want to say thank you for everyone who is still coming across my story and wanting me to update, that has been a HUGE part in why I'm even returning!!! I do admit I have not planned the whole story yet, but I'm brainstorming ideas to write about and I hope that you all enjoy the new chapter. It's been so long so I have to refresh my original idea and I just hope you all enjoy! :)))
Also I don't have a beta writer so if I make mistakes let me know!

———————————————————————————
Kalina awoke to piercing gold eyes staring at her intently. As she rubbed her eyes, she remembered the confrontation she had with the princess the night before. It wasn't so hard for her to grasp, being of mixed descent- but for the princess? Not so much.
"Good morning," Kalina said, wincing as her arm was still badly hurt. Azula did nothing to show she heard the greeting besides look down towards the makeshift bandage Kalina was holding. Assuming she wouldn't be getting help, Kalina walked slowly towards the water source near Azula's camp to wash off her arm. It was a bit embarrassing, wincing as she took of the bandage to wash her purple and red arm. The good thing is, she was getting some feeling back. The water felt refreshing as her skin started gaining some color. And at least she wasn't bleeding anymore. Putting the bandage back on, she turned around and saw the princess eating some dried berries. Carefully, Kalina sat a foot or so away from Azula, and asked, "can I have some?"
Azula hardly looked up, seemingly in a mood after the day before. Her trust was already thin, but the situation just made her even more aloof than usual. Azula said nothing, and kept eating. After a few seconds she said, "if you want some, go find some. I don't intend to share what little food I have left with some peasant." Kalina frowned. Not unexpected, but still harsh. She might need a new approach to this, if they were going to survive together.
"Ok." Kalina tried to mirror Azula's demeanor as she walked away to find some food. Thankfully, today wasn't so hot and there were hardly any spiderflies to fend off. A walk in nature was refreshing; a nice way to forget the whole situation that was happening. Injured, scared, lost- Kalina's parents were probably so worried for her. Her mother, from the northern water tribe, left about 10 years ago to study at Ba Sing Se university. There, she went traveling throughout the colonies when she met her father, a man of fire nation descent. Unlike many men from the fire nation, her father fled from the capital to make a life in the Earth Kingdom, away from the war. After a year, they ran away together to live in a small village in the outskirts of the Earth Kingdom. They were happy, and had Kalina soon after. But, as Kalina was out venturing a few miles too far from home, she slipped down a large cliff and got lost in a forest. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find the way out. It seemed like the forest was almost mystical, keeping her there. It was only a few hours later when she encountered that angry man, probably a criminal on the run from the authorities. Or was he part of the old Fire Nation regime? Kalina didn't know. Then the Fire Nation's former princess, Azula is here... now that is still a big mystery. While she thought about all these things, Kalina picked the small, red and purple berries off of their leaves and ate them.
After about an hour of thinking, exploring, and eating her fill, Kalina walked back to the camp. The sun was rising, so she assumed it was midday. A memory of her father appeared in her mind, "when the sun is at its peak in the day, firebenders are at their strongest." Quietly, Kalina wondered if she would ever hear her parents speak to her again.
Her sadness ebbed away as she felt energy fill her body. The sun was getting hotter, so she sat under the rocks and moved her blanket of poorly threaded leaves to the side. Azula was heating a fire on some grass to boil water held in a curved rock as a pot, carefully balanced on top of more rocks. Azula didn't make any movements to indicate she realized Kalina was there, and it seemed she was in deep thought. She decided it was best not to talk to Azula, and just keep her in quiet company until Azula spoke to her. Whenever that was.
After washing her face, changing her bandage, and trying to wash some dirt off of her clothes, it seemed the water was finally ready to drink as Azula carefully picked up the rock and poured some of the water into a hollowed piece of tree bark. Even though she was covered in dirt, unkempt and hair disheveled, and stuck in the middle of a forest, her royal blood shone as bright as the sun in the way she carried herself. Her hair was in her high bun, her legs were crossed and her posture was perfect. Kalina imagined her in the royal palace in this same situation, but instead of under the hot sun she would be pampered by servants in elegant robes, shining red and yellow like the sunlight. Getting curious, and really wanting some water, Kalina tried to get Azula to speak to her.
     "My dad is from the Fire Nation. Since you wanted to know." Kalina looked at the water, clear and reflective. She could see Azula in her head, pondering what she had just said. Even though she didn't say anything, she felt she got some attention to her words, so she kept talking.
     "You asked where I'm from, and I'm from the Earth Kingdom not too far from here. I know it doesn't really make sense, but my dad left the Fire Nation about 10 years ago to the colonies. He was working there during the war... he met my mom, who is from the North Pole. That's why my name sounds like I'm from the water tribe. I'm no spy or anything, I'm just lost. Just like you."
     The silence was deafening, but it was a good sign. It meant Azula was thinking. She didn't move, not for what felt like an eternity. Kalina didn't dare look at her, but she jumped a bit as she heard Azula place the wood down beside her. Kalina held her arm and kept staring at the water, hoping to see some movement, some sign of reaction from the princess.
     "I'm not lost." Azula said, rather coldly. It sounded almost sad... Kalina wasn't expecting that response. She just sat, wondering what to say as Azula spoke again, "I'm not lost in this forest. If I wanted to, peasant, I could get out at anytime. But I choose not to. I know what I'm doing and what I want. I don't need to be sympathized with by you... whoever you are. I don't care where you're from, and you're just an annoyance. Like my brother."
     Kalina felt a bit hurt at those words, the meaning beneath them not fully realized. She didn't know much about the history of Azula and Firelord Zuko, but she does know full well the Agni Kai between them and their hostility afterwards. She heard of Azula being placed in a mental institution soon after, her mental state deteriorating. Although it was hushed news, as the world lost attention with the Fire Nation Royals and focused more on the Avatar and healing the world, Kalina did hear many unflattering things about Azula after her defeat. She knew she was treading on personal matters, so she decided not to say anything. She noticed Azula's eyes were hard set in the distance, jaw clenched and her demeanor seemed closed off. Kalina silently apologized for making her angry and tried to wait before asking if she could have some water.
     "Um... do you have any more of that wood? To use to drink? I'm really thirsty." Kalina tried her best to be polite and move on from this tense situation, but Azula seemed in her own world still. She seemed even more annoyed at this question, and Kalina regretted even saying anything.
     "Didn't you just hear what I said? I don't care what you do. Surviving like this is enough for me, I don't have time to babysit. If I wanted to do that I would have stayed with Zuzu and my replacement."
Azula turned away and began to walk over to the underpass, needing some time alone. Kalina, again was confused by her words. Her replacement? Was she running from a new member of the royal family? Was she feeling sad? Kalina didn't know, but she decided to not take things personally. Azula was complicated and this situation is complicated. Taking a deep breath, Kalina walked to a tree and began to look for big branches to tear off and hollow out. This is going to be a difficult arrangement for the both of them.

———————————————————————————