The Monster's Hurt

Sozin's Comet

Azula blasted fireballs at Aang as mercilessly as her father would. He jumped and dodged each of them, but she could tell he was growing weary. She didn't let up, each ball of flame growing larger. The searing heat warmed her body and came off her finger tips with ease. Each movement was executed perfectly and still she had missed Aang every time.

She finally summoned something a little more accurate, the graceful circles to call lightning to her fingertips then pointed them at the Avatar. A flash of blinding light exploded from her fingers. The Avatar dove out of the way, disappearing into the bushes. "I doubt there'll be any bushes to hide behind Avatar." Azula crooned, crossing her arms over her chest. She'd won again.

"I'd be concerned if you didn't have us for back up," Azula studied her now mostly broken nails. Once sharpened to a point, now with short jagged edges. She'd have to have Ty Lee help her manage them; it bothered her.

Aang groaned, flopping onto the ground. "What am I gonna do?" He whined, covering his face with his hands.

"I know you're scared Aang, but if you don't do this now there won't be a world left to save anymore." Zuko replied, holding out a hand to help him up.

"Aang, you don't have to do this alone," Katara said, joining Zuko just in front of Aang.

"Yeah! If we all fight the Fire Lord together we've got a shot at taking him down." Toph added.

"They're right, our combined forces should be enough to take down the Fire Lord." Azula said calmly, scanning the group.

"Fighting the Fire Lord is the hardest thing we're ever gonna do together, but I wouldn't have it any other way." Aang beamed, looking over the group with pride. The group piled in for a group hug, even Ty Lee sloping her way into it. Azula was flanked by Zuko and Mai on either side. She pretended to be interested, but the feeling of being left out tugged at her.

Katara suddenly looked up, "Come on guys, being a part of the group also means group hugs."

The trio exchanged looks, hesitant to involve themselves, but Appa made the choice for them, nudging the gang over with his nose so that they fell on top of Mai, Zuko, and Azula. Azula immediately recanted her desire to be involved in a hug with these sweaty teenagers, but she couldn't help the smile that crossed her face. As the Gaang began to laugh.

...

Azula and Katara watched silently as Zuko taught Aang lightning redirection. They had settled into a new normal, there was no outright animosity, but they kept conversation to a minimum. Azula certainly had no problem with that. The closest they would get to friendship under these circumstances was begrudging mutual respect.

Azula filed her nails into a flattened shape, they weren't long enough to be sharpened yet. Perhaps she should keep them flattened. Katara's voice interrupted her thoughts, "Is there nothing we can use against Ozai?" She asked. Azula could feel Katara's gaze on her.

"He doesn't have any major weaknesses no." Azula replied flatly. Her father was an excellent firebender and he didn't have any emotional weak points to expose. "He's arrogant, but rightfully so and entirely merciless."

Katara stiffened next to her, she didn't think she could get any more tense. "Even with you?" Katara asked, directing her gaze to Azula again.

Azula scoffed, "It's not me you have to worry about." She nodded to Aang, "He's powerful, but he always pulls his blows." Katara met Azula's eyes, it was as if Azula had just confirmed her worst fears.

"It must have been tough, having to live with him." Katara was reaching out, like Sokka had. She supposed they all knew how sick their family was. She hated how vulnerable she felt.