Empress Of The Old World {Legend Of Korra}

What Trauma?

"I thought the spirit world was supposed to be calming," Azula huffed, as she rolled over on the grass to look over at Sukara.

Sukara just laughed and didn't answer her. She could tell that the fire bender was bored but she couldn't help but agree with her uncle that she needed some peace and quiet to let her mind wander.

"What are we even doing anyway?" Azula continued, "how is this supposed to make me better? Or a better person? More good like Zuko."

"I don't think anyone is trying to change you Azula," Sukara told her, opening one eye to see that she was leaning over her, Sukara couldn't help but smile. "I think they just want you to not be in pain anymore."

"I'm not in pain, I feel fine," Azula sighed, rolling back over so that they were laying next to each other again, "and even if I was, how is laying around in the grass going to help with that?"

"It's not," Sukara said simply, turning her head so that she was looking at Azula.

"What?!" she exclaimed, "then why are we here?"

Sukara chuckled and turned her head back to look at the sky, "it's not about healing at the moment, it's about recognising the problem. You're stuck thinking that you had this perfect life and everything was great. You need to realise that that isn't true."

"You've been talking to Iroh, haven't you?" Azula snapped, getting herself up from the floor, "he doesn't know what he's talking about. He wasn't even there most of the time."

"So it was all perfect?" Sukara asked, sitting up, "all you have are happy childhood memories?"

"Well no but--" Azula started.

"But nothing Azula," Sukara said, getting frustrated as she stood up, "your parents failed you. Your mother did her best but it wasn't enough, not for both of you. Your father was abusive and your mother left you, that doesn't hurt?"

"My mother didn't leave me, she left Zuko," Azula spat, her anger clearly consuming her, "she was never my mother, not really."

"But she should've been," Sukara said firmly, placing a hand on Azula's shoulder to stop her turning away, "she was your mother too, you deserved protecting just as much as Zuko."

"Stop it," Azula whispered just loud enough for Sukara to hear. Tears pooling in her eyes.

"I won't," Sukara told her, her tone softening, "you didn't deserve the pressure they put on you. You were just a kid."

Azula couldn't hold it in any longer, she allowed herself to cry, she turned and grabbed a tight hold of Sukara just under her arms. She let out soft sobs into her chest as Sukara placed her arms around Azula.

"It's gonna be alright Azula," Sukara said gently, "you'll feel better through it in time."

"Better?" Azula said, getting defensive again. She pushed herself off of Sukara and stood back, "you made it worse!"

"No, you can't heal while hiding," Sukara said, reaching out for Azula.

"Will you stop acting like some ancient guru," Azula told her, moving herself out of reach, "how old are you anyway, like 24?"

"Something like that," Sukara chuckled, "give or take a few thousand years."

"Huh?" Azula asked, confused, wiping the tears from her face, "like 5 thousand or something?"

"Try 20," Sukara chuckled again, "it's a long story."

"Then so is mine," Azula half joked, "it's long and complicated and far too difficult to explain."

"Alright," Sukara smiled, she took a breath to begin the story but Iroh came to join them.

"It is time to go to Azula," he said calmly.

"Not yet," Azula pleaded, "Sukara was just about to tell me a story."

"You can hear it next time," he said with a small smile, "thank you for having us again."

"It's always a pleasure," Sukara smiled back, "you know you're welcome any time."

"I might join you two for that story when we come back," Iroh said, laughing to himself, "I'll bring some nice jasmine tea."

She gave him a bow and waved them both off as they left the spirit world.