Avatar The Last Airbender: Water and Fire [ON HOLD]

Chapter 4 - Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation

Helping a Lost Soul

A few more weeks passed and Azula's condition improved. She ate and drank normally and was beginning to gain weight again. It was good, she was becoming healthier and if my judgement was correct... happier too. Every time I went to visit her, she'd speak to me about her thoughts and feelings, and I'd listen. When she was unsure or wanted someone else's opinion, she'd ask me questions. It was good communication and she was really beginning to open up.

Zuko's coronation was only a few more weeks away. His hair was now shoulder length, and I was quite sure that in no time at all it would be long flowing. I imagined him, standing on the balcony of the main palace tower. He'd look out below, where all the people would be standing, cheering, waving, smiling. He'd be a hero in their eyes. They'd be his people, his nation, and his responsibility. When he becomes Fire Lord, the world will change for the better. I just knew he was born to be a leader as hard as his life was in the past.

"Mi Li, what are you thinking about?" Azula asked with a mischievous grin, "Is there, something, on your mind?" she giggled. "No, Azula, I'm just a little tired," I smiled back. "Hmm, well you know, you're not a very good liar," she said, tipping her head to one side as though she was proving her point. "Fine, so I'm not great at lying like you are. Well, what do you want to know?" I said submissively. "Silly, I can tell you're thinking about someone, people have that certain look when they do," and she giggled again.

I decided there was no point in lying; Azula was great at lying and just as good at detecting it, I couldn't escape. "Very well, don't laugh though. It's not a special thought anyway. I was just thinking about how Zuko will be crowned Fire Lord in a few more weeks. That's all," and that was true. "Well, you're not lying. But I do beg to differ, when you said it was nothing special," she paused thinking. "Do you like my brother, Mi Li?" she asked me with a very suspicious tone, while staring at me intently.

"Well, I think he'll make a great Fire Lord, and so for that I do like him," I looked confidently at Azula. She just broke into a laughing fit, "Ha ha, well, I must say that was a very good excuse. But I suppose I won't push you any further, don't worry Mi Li, I'm just teasing," and she gave me a little hug. I smiled back. I hadn't had this kind of conversation with anyone before, it definitely felt strange.

"Anyway, I've been wondering Mi Li, how it is that you know so much about the royal family? I mean I know you've lived in the palace for a long time, but you seem to know everyone so well. I can't make any connections at all. It's almost like you were there, every time something major happened in our lives. It's like you know me better than I know myself, it's like you've watched me my entire life. I don't know what to make of it. And I know so little about you. How is it possible?" she gave me a questioning look, obviously she wanted an answer.

"Well, you don't know much about me because before this turn of events, you never really cared enough to get to know me. I was a servant, nothing special, so it wasn't your concern who I was or what I did," I said, hoping to avoid having to answer the other question. She rolled her eyes, "Well that's obvious, I know that now. I was pretty snobby before things changed. But how is it that you know me inside out? But it isn't just me, it's like you know every other royal in this palace like the back of your hand. Fact is, you're a servant, and I hate to say it but... you're not supposed to know more than your daily chores in the palace. Thing is, you seem to know all the secrets in this palace. How?" she was really interrogating me now.

I really had to think this through; could I trust her with my life, what would she do if I told her my history? I took a deep breath, "Well, let's just say it's a long story," I looked at her and smiled. Then she chuckled, "You're not getting away with it that easily! Tell me, I want to know," she demanded, crossing her legs and sitting upright on the floor with her head in her hands like she was ready to listen to a bedtime story. I sighed, she was very persistent!

"Fine, I'll tell you. But first I need to know what you would do if you found out," I paused searching for the word, "... if you found out that I was an enemy," I spoke slowly. She held a confused expression then said, "Some enemy you are! Anyone as generous and wise as you couldn't be an enemy of mine. But if you say so, I won't hold anything against you. You've helped me, and for that I'm in your dept. I owe you one," she said smiling, not maliciously, but with a genuine, and kind countenance.

"I'm glad. But I'm still afraid how people will react when they find out, so you have to keep this to yourself. Please," I said with seriousness in my voice. "You have my promise, Mi Li. We're friends now, you can count on me," she held out her pinkie, which I locked with mine. The deal was sealed and I believed I could trust her. God! I prayed that I did not make a mistake now. I looked around. I got up to look through the little barred window to make sure Han wasn't listening. He was sitting by the lift, half-asleep. I supposed that he wouldn't be able to hear us.

I told Azula everything, all of my history; my travels, my parents, my abilities, my adopted parents here in the palace, and more importantly... my role in watching over the royal family. As I told her my story and the facts unravelled, she began to understand my reasons for keeping everything a secret. "But there's no need to anymore. Mi Li, the world is at peace once more and the Fire Nation has changed. Zuko will change its laws and the way it is governed, you'll be safe. You don't have to hide anymore," she said confidently, pausing for a moment.

"The crimes you were charged for no longer apply. Your parents escaped hoping to find freedom. That is no crime!" she argued with a passion. "I suppose you're right Azula, but I think I know betrayal all too well. I don't feel that the time is right to tell anyone else about myself," I told her, shaking my head. "Then I know who you can trust. The Avatar, he'll understand! You can go to him," she optimistically suggested. I considered it for a moment, "You're right, I can trust the Avatar, anyone can," I agreed, nodding my head approvingly. Though, I was still doubtful about the reception. Maybe I'm an eternal misfit.