Second Chances

Not All Wounds Heal

The Kyoshi warriors had spent nearly as much time in the fire nation as they had at home on their own island. As soon as Zuko hit the homeland he sent for them. Despite his best efforts, he was scared, because not only had his father escaped but dozens of deadly benders too. The palace needed the extra security, and so did the rest of his nation. If there was anyone he could count on it was Suki and the gaang.
Aang arrived first on his honorable steed Appa, who gave a mighty bellow in welcome before touching down.
"Appa!" Kiyi yelled, running straight for the flying bison and leaping onto his face in a full body hug. Appa shut his eyes in a gesture of happiness. "How are you? You're not too tired from flying are you?"
"Careful Aang, she might make Appa love her more than he loves you," Sokka winced.
"Please, that could never happen. Appa is my baby boy," Aang rolled his eyes. "Isn't that right Appa?"
The flying bison in question snorted in agreement as Momo made himself comfortable on Aang's shoulder.
"It's good to see all of you, I just wish it was under better circumstances," Zuko sighed, shaking Aang's hand, receiving a punch from Toph, a fist bump from Sokka, and a brief hug from Katara.
"Me too," Sokka sighed. "I really thought we had him. You know? That we'd never have to see or hear from him again."
"Must be nice," Azula muttered making everyone jump.
"When did she get here?" Sokka squeaked.
"I live here idiot," Azula glowered, moving away from the wall she was leaning against and out of the shadows.
"Forgive her, she's a little...on edge," Zuko muttered, earning a sympathetic look from Aang.
"How can we help?" He asked. "We can always do a search. Try and minimize the damage of the other criminals."
"They won't be here," Azula shook her head, "they would have gone with my father. Most of them were his friends anyways."
"Your dad had friends?" Toph snorted.
"Believe it or not he is a person," Azula countered. "The word friend is very loose. It can mean a number of things."
"Fair point," Toph shrugged, letting out a yawn. "I'm tired. Let's take a nap before we try this search thing. Unless we all agree with crazy pants that it's not worth the effort."
"Azula," Zuko warned catching his sister by the collar of her shirt before she could lunge at the earth bender. "Just...go inside for now okay?"
"Try to be a little more sensitive Toph," Aang sighed.
"Sorry, old habit," Toph shrugged again.
— — —
"You're all skittish lately," Mai noted, having spent the past three days since the gaang arrived observing Azula.
"I'm fine," the princess lied, but even now the shadows of the hallway seemed to shift into familiar faces.
"Did you take your medicine today?" Mai asked, but to Azula's surprise it was in a much kinder tone of voice than expected.
"Yes. I have a routine now. I haven't missed a day in months," the princess glowered.
"That's what I thought. Things are getting worse though, aren't they? Ty said you can hardly sleep," Mai worried. Much to her surprise, Azula seemed to relax a little. Like she wanted an invitation to talk about her troubles.
"Yes but it's just because of him. That's all. The idea that he's out there somewhere it-it plays with my imagination." Azula whispered. "In ways I wish it wouldn't. I feel...I feel like I used to. Back when I was first getting better."
"Well, we know it's not something that will ever permanently go away. But at least we know that it's only worse now because of what's happened. That means it's not your lack of trying," Mai explained, rather uncomfortable and surprised when the princess took a seat next to her so their shoulders touched. "Something else is bothering you isn't it?"
"What gave it away?"
"You never sit this close."
"Sorry-" Azula began to move away when Mai stopped her.
"Don't be. I kind of like it. Don't tell anyone I said that though or I'll-"
"I won't," Azula promised, but her eyes continued to shift about the room and every so often her head would tilt as if she were hearing fragments of a none existent conversation.
"It's the Kyoshi Warriors isn't it?" Mai guessed. "You're afraid Ty will want I go back with them aren't you?"
"Given how awful most of her family is I wouldn't blame her for wanting to run off again with the family she made for herself. If she wanted to I wouldn't stop her," Azula admitted. "She likes freedom."
"She likes you," Mai insisted.
"I-I know," Azula nodded, but there was an unpleasant whisper in her ear saying otherwise.
— — —
"SUKI!" Sokka And Ty Lee both shrieked. Despite Sokka making it to Suki first, Ty Lee shoved him so hard to the side that he fell over and embraced the Kyoshi Warrior first.
"Hey! That's MY girlfriend. Get your own girlfriend!" Sokka pouted. "There's plenty of other Kyoshi warriors to chose from if you're that desperately single."
"Sokka," Suki laughed, pulling away from her hug with Ty Lee and helping him up. "Don't be so sad. I was saving the best for last. You."
"Really?" Sokka asked, his eyes and voice going soft.
"Always, now don't pout," Suki insisted, giving him quite the passionate kiss.
"Okay, I won't pout," Sokka decided, grinning from ear to ear like an idiot.
"Oh there's so much to tell you," Ty Lee jumped up and down looking at all of her old friends. "Also my family is here! You can meet all of them. Come on!"
It wasn't long until she was giving everyone a tour and dragging Suki about by the hand giving the other girl barely any time to process everything.
"You guys are SO COOL!" Ty Woo grinned, nearly as excited as Ty Lee. "Tell me all of the crazy stories you have. All of them!"
And while the rest of the Kyoshi warriors enthralled Ty Lee's more pleasant family members with daring tales, Ty Lee ventured off with Suki.
"So, what's happened? I got some of the story from Zuko but there's only so much you can safely put in a letter," Suki worried.
"Well, I wasn't there so I don't know what it was like first hand but Zuko said there was a lot of carnage," the acrobat frowned. "Basically the entire prison is empty now. Not a single soul in sight."
"Did someone help him? Like Az-"
"No!" Ty Lee interjected. "She wouldn't do that. She's not like that anymore. She's as scared as Zuko is but she won't admit it."
"I see," Suki nodded. "Does anyone have an idea where he is?"
"Azula said he's looking for a lion turtle. She thinks there's another one besides the one Aang ran into. That the others protected it," Ty Lee explained.
"She knows this how?"
"Dreams."
"Right," Suki nodded, but that didn't ease her suspicions. She didn't trust the princess. Not like the others. Unlike them she hadn't seen what a recovered Azula looked like.
"Anyways, before Zuko actually makes you do any work, maybe we could go into town? Just the two of us! Have an adventure or something. There's lots of new places and shops. Things have really bounced back now that the war is over and everything," Ty Lee looked expectantly at her friend.
"Oh alright but don't tell Sokka. He'll be jealous," Suki joked.
"I won't. Scouts honor," Ty Lee promised. "Let me put some proper shoes on and I'll meet you at the gates."
"Alright."
With that, the acrobat ran off down the hallways in a blur of pink. She spent a few minutes rummaging around her own room before venturing to Azula's. "Have you seen my nice shoes? The ones that don't slip off my heels on the  older portions of cobblestone?"
"Why?" Azula asked, startled by the acrobat's appearance.
"I'm going into town with Suki," Ty Lee explained.
"Oh," Azula nodded, her eyes distant, "they're by the night stand. I think."
"Thanks!" Ty Lee breathed, slipping them on with ease and vanishing as fast as she had appeared. While Azula was still somewhat in a daze trying to fight off the shadows, she peered out the window to watch the acrobat tugging at Suki's arm excitedly. It made her stomach twist but she ignored it.
"What a shame. She's so easily...distracted."
"Stop," Azula muttered to herself.
"You know it's true. Nothing keeps her for long. Not even you."
"Shut up." The princess snapped, closing her eyes tightly and opening them again. The shadows continued to move and for a moment she thought she saw the boy. The one she'd killed all those years ago staring blankly back at her.
"If you didn't feel like talking you could have said so," Kiyi muttered. Azula turned sharply to see her sister looking rather glum by the door.
"No, Kiyi it's not that," Azula sighed, rubbing at her eyes. "I'm sorry. What-what did you want to talk about?"
"Just that I wanted to go into town too. Could you go with me?" Kiyi asked hopefully.
"I-I can't," Azula swallowed tightly. "Maybe Tom Tom can go with you."
"Tom Tom isn't as fun as you!" Kiyi protested.
"You'll only find a way to hurt her. You know that don't you? That's how this works. That's how this always works. Look at her. She's not much older than I was." The boy shook his head in dismay.
"Go away," Azula growled.
"Okay," Kiyi whimpered. "I won't bother you again."
But Azula didn't really notice her sister leaving, she just glared back at the boy's lifeless eyes as if that could fix things.
— — —
Only that wasn't the worst to come. At least he hadn't shown up yet. Not in full form. But that arrival was only inevitable. Because Azula couldn't help watching Ty Lee go about laughing and playing like she was a kid all over again with Suki. It made her angry and she knew it was wrong but the voices kept feeding her lies she couldn't ignore. But she never lashed out at them. She couldn't bring herself to do it.
"Hey," Ty Lee smiled, plopping down beside Azula in a dark corner of the gardens.
"Hi," Azula rasped. Dark circles framed her eyes, and she looked paler than normal. As the acrobat took her hand she flinched before settling down.
"You're hiding," Ty Lee noted, settling her head on Azula's shoulder. The princess was shaking from head to toe, but she still managed to press a light kiss to the top of her acrobat's head.
"He's looking for me," Azula whispered, closing her eyes and feeling the sting of tears. "He hasn't left since last night."
"'Zula," Ty Lee worried, taking the princess' face in her hands. "How long have things been this bad?"
"I don't know," Azula shook her head, unable to keep from crying, "but it won't stop. I'm scared. What if this is how I am now? What if-"
"Don't say that," Ty Lee insisted. "You should have told me."
"You were with Suki," Azula replied, unable to keep the venom from her voice. "I didn't want to get in the way."
"Suki's just my friend Azula," the acrobat explained, wiping away a few of the princess' tears.
"She's not just a friend."
"You're lying," Azula whispered.
"What? No!" Ty Lee frowned. "I love you."
"She's trying to convince you, Azula. She's trying to deceive you. Don't fall for it. You're smarter than that. I raised you to be smarter than that."
"Why?" Azula asked. "I hold you back and you know it. It-it makes sense to like someone like her. I've been nothing but a burden. I don't need you to take care of me. You shouldn't have to take care of me."
"You're not a burden," Ty Lee insisted, but Azula couldn't focus on her not when he was standing across the way. Judging her, hating her, and seething.
"Go away," Azula choked out, her eyes squeezed shut as tears fell down her cheeks. She wanted him gone. Gone for good.
"Okay," Ty Lee sighed, barely hiding  her hurt, "I'll respect your space."
But Azula didn't notice she left until well into the night. She'd sat there seemingly in a trance waiting for her father to leave so she could be free of that stupid corner in the garden. But he wouldn't go.
She was tired though, dehydrated, and starving. She hadn't been able to keep anything down for some time now and she was starting to get desperate. Prepared to fight back if need be, Azula rushed from the garden, her hands two bright blue torches in the night.
There was only one safe haven she knew of. All the while as she walked briskly down the halls, she could hear his footsteps behind her. He wouldn't let her go that easily. But that was okay because Azula was nearly there. Her hand settled on the door knob when suddenly she was shoved against the door itself.
On instinct, the princess lashed out. She hadn't fought back all those years ago but she would now. She wouldn't make the same mistake twice. But swift jabs sent her into a heap on the floor and the painful angle which she hit the ground made her cry out.
She'd underestimated her father this time. She wasn't going to win. "Please... just leave me alone."
"Azula? Suki?" Ty Lee stood in her bedroom doorway looking mortified and confused. Then she spotted Azula in a heap, crying and gently rocking back and forth muttering to herself all the while. "'Zula-"
"I thought...oh Kyoshi I thought she was up to something. She seemed so intent on-her hands were lit and I-I didn't mean to upset her," Suki stammered. She'd never seen the princess so unhinged before. It was mesmerizing and frightening all at the same time.
"It's okay," Ty Lee assured, kneeling down beside Azula. "Hey there little lady. It's me."
"Ty?" Azula asked, eyes trying to find something to focus on that was real.
"Yeah. I'm right here. See?" The acrobat carefully took Azula by the shoulders and sat her upright. Then she gently took the princess' face in her hands. "It's me. Good old crazy acrobat me."
This earned some semblance of a smile from Azula, but she still clung to the front of Ty Lee's pajamas like it was a life line.
"I didn't mean for you to leave earlier. I wasn't talking to you. I don't-I don't want you to go." Azula cried, head bowing in defeat.
"I'm not going anywhere," Ty Lee promised, vaguely aware that Suki was still there but too worried about Azula to care. "No matter what he's telling you I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying here. It's just good to see my friends, that's all."
"I'm tired Ty," the princess rasped. "I just want to sleep."
"I know. You can stay with me tonight. I'll stay awake with you if I have to."
"That didn't help last time," Azula whispered, managing to ease her sobs for a moment.
"It's worth a try thought, right?" Ty Lee asked. "Will you try to get some sleep? For me?"
"Yeah," Azula nodded slowly. "Just because you asked."
"Good girl," the acrobat smiled, wiping away Azula's remaining tears and kissing her gently. "And don't be mad at Suki. Okay? She didn't know."
"So it wasn't-"
"It wasn't your dad. Just an overzealous person I happen to know," Ty Lee laughed, making eye contact for the first time with Suki since this all had started.
"You're-with her?"
"Oh, uhm, yeah. I-i should have mentioned that when we were out in town it's just..."
"No, no," Suki smiled, "I'm fine with it. Kyoshi fancied both parties. I just...feel like an idiot now. For...you know, beating up your girlfriend."
"Payback for all those other times," Azula muttered, nearly asleep on Ty Lee's shoulder.
"I suppose," Suki laughed. "Well, goodnight. Just...promise me this stays between us? I don't need Sokka knowing I messed up."
"He's an idiot," Azula mumbled.
"My idiot," Suki countered, already heading down the hall and eager to escape the unfortunate situation she had created.
"Come on," Ty Lee smiled, helping Azula up and half carrying her into the room. Azula was quick to fall asleep and she never once eased her hold on the acrobat. She wasn't letting her go even in sleep. It made Ty Lee incredibly sad. Not because Azula cared about her enough to want her there, but because even after all this time Azula was so afraid of losing people she loved.
The acrobat supposed that maybe certain wounds didn't heal or scar, they just became smaller versions of a larger injury. There but not as painful until agitated. Then they reminded you why they existed in the first place.