#yes that is a Kyoshi Warrior fan Ursa is using

[stardust948]

Late night Rivers in the desert sketches I did instead of actually working on the fic

[solatude]

ATLA Unpopular Opinions

I’ve had some thoughts about various aspects in Avatar: The Last Airbender. So, in order of least to most controversial, here we go:

Sokka looks better with his hair up. Sokka’s wolf tail is one of the more unique hairstyles in the show, at least for the guys. He looks so basic with his hair down. The wolf tail adds to his personality, his dramaticness, and humor. How can a water tribe warrior fight with hair in his face? Please also refer to his topknot in Book Three.

Sokka didn’t have as much pull as fans think he does. Pull, in this context, means to attract someone romantically/sexually. First of all, Toph is a child, so I’m not counting her because a 12 year-old crushing on a 15 year-old should be nothing more than that---a crush. Yue and Suki pulled him first, as he fell for them before they fell for him. Suki could care less for the sexist guy who insulted her on her own island; but teaching him the ways of the Kyoshi warriors, plus a kiss on the cheek had him blushing---HARD! He thankfully changed his mindset after that. Yue, while she barely had a choice, had accepted her role as princess and was prepared to dedicate her life to the values of her tribe in an arranged marriage. The amount of times she ran away from Sokka was both tragic and hilarious. But that only made Sokka want her more, she never chased him. To be honest though, he was probably the first guy who treated her normally, despite her status. I think she mainly wanted a friend, but was surprised to find a potential lover in Sokka. Plus he made her laugh. Ty Lee thought he was cute, but Ty Lee thinks everything is cute. That is all. If you wanna talk about pull, Aang had Zuko risking his life chasing him for three seasons (I’m joking, don’t think too deeply about that).

Azula and Katara are almost equal in power. I get that Azula is a firebending prodigy, but sometimes her skills are overestimated by fans and she’s made to seem as though she can overpower everyone. It makes perfect sense that she lost to Katara in almost every fight. Before meeting her, she’s only ever fought nonbenders, firebenders, and earthbenders. She never had experience fighting a trained waterbender, so her losing to Katara shows that even she has her limitations. Whenever she did win a fight against her, it was because she got help from her friends, brother, or subjects. Katara never hesitated to fight her, and being 14 years-old herself, allowed for an even exchange of combat. Let’s be honest, what bender would go up against Azula fearlessly except the one who’s element puts out fires?

Ursa was not a bad mother. Ursa was a victim of an abusive, arranged marriage. For context, Fire Lord Azulon wanted Ozai to marry Ursa because she was the granddaughter of Avatar Roku, and he felt that they would produce powerful heirs to the royal family. Ursa was forced to leave her village, family, and fiance behind for this marriage; because who would dare turn down the request of a Fire Lord? Ursa never really loved Ozai, but he never cared. He just wanted to increase his status and power. Ursa is often criticized for giving Zuko attention over Azula, while scolding Azula and not showing her any love. However, Azula was praised by Ozai, and as a result showed more of an obedience towards him. Ozai showed a great disdain for Zuko. Ursa was simply doing her best to show Zuko how much he mattered. He was living in his sister’s shadow, while being neglected by his father. I also really feel for Azula, because she was only valued for her firebending skills, and she probably had no emotional outlet that she trusted to help guide her. However, I do think Azula was too far along for her mother to really help her. Ursa encouraged Zuko to play with Azula; she genuinely wanted her children to get along like any other parent. I just don’t think there was anything she could say or do to encourage Azula to be less destructive and show remorse for her actions. She should have never called Azula a monster, but she was a woman filled with fear. She feared her abusive husband and the repercussions of speaking out against him, she feared the destructive tendencies of her daughter and the ways she hurt other people without caring for how they felt, and she feared for Zuko’s life for not living up to the impossible ideals of the royal family. Ursa was not a perfect mother, but she tried given the little power she had. Also, to be fair, we only see Ursa’s life from Zuko’s perspective in the show. Azula probably had many memories with Ursa but she most likely blocked them out to hold space for firebending forms and her father’s approval; one of which she never really secured.

Bloodbending is overrated and unnecessary. Some fans claim that Katara should have had a more positive reaction to becoming a bloodbender. However, it was never in her character to be so controlling, especially against another person’s will. Bloodbending is also not as useful as it’s made to seem. Since one can only bloodbend on a full moon, you would have to wait an entire month to even utilize the skill. That’s extremely inconvenient and because you have to wait until nighttime, it’s even less practical. How often does Team Avatar fight during the night compared to the day? They would be sleeping if anything. Also, when your team consists of an agile airbender, a master waterbender, a powerful earthbender, and a weapons strategist, plus Appa and Momo; why would anyone need to bloodbend? Most of the Gaang’s enemies never required that level of power in order to be defeated. Bloodbending is also VERY niche. If this is allowed, should bonebending be allowed since there are minerals in bones? Should soundbending be allowed since sound is produced from vibrations? I admit it’s a really cool ability, but it’s not that important in the grand scheme of things. Also, speaking of Katara...

Katara gets too much hate. I’m not sure if it’s the surge of new fans since the Netflix debut or the repressed thoughts of old fans but lately Katara’s character has been mercilessly criticized. It’s been said that she brings up her mother too often, and that she’s overly emotional and selfish. First of all, Katara was eight years-old (and Sokka nine) when her mother was murdered. During the run of the show, only six years have passed since then, as she’s 14 when she finds Aang. She lives with survivor’s guilt due to her mother lying about who the last waterbender was so that Katara wouldn’t be taken prisoner. Unfortunately, the firebender soldier Yon Rah wasn’t taking prisoners that day, implying that he was going to murder her. Katara mentions her mother only a handful of times, usually to relate to another character who lost someone close to them in an effort to empathize (Aang, Haru, Jet, Zuko). People forget that she saw her mother’s dead body after running to get help. It was definitely wrong for Katara to tell Sokka that he didn’t love their mother the way she did in the Southern Raiders episode, and she definitely should have apologized. But, she was right. Sokka was shown to be closer to his father. She was in extreme emotional pain and instead of being comforted, she was criticized by Aang and Sokka for wanting revenge. How many times has Katara sacrificed something for the sake of others? She barely had a childhood considering she took on a maternal role in her tribe after her mother’s death. She had to deal with Sokka’s sexist comments, she had to suppress her talent for waterbending, and she felt isolated and alone because the one parent that was alive left to fight in the war. When someone needed encouragement, Katara was always there to encourage them. When someone needed help, she never hesitated to assist them. She often put herself in harm’s way if it meant someone else didn’t get hurt. For a 14 year-old girl in a war torn world, she is immensely brave. How many times has Zuko gone on and on about his honor, or lashed out at his Uncle for a seemingly small reason? How many times has Sokka talked about meat? Or Azula and her speeches about controlling and manipulating people? Toph and her rebelliousness? Even Aang’s laid back attitude turned into carelessness every now and then. Every character has a crutch that they attach themselves to, but Katara isn’t given the grace that other characters have been given. Yes, Aang lost his entire nation, and Katara would never know what that felt like. However, Aang wouldn’t know how Katara felt either. Aang was in the presence of children his age and was able to travel around the world to make friends (i.e. Bumi from the Earth Kingdom and Kuzon from the Fire Nation). He was taught to be less detached, so his idea of family is very different from Katara’s. He never witnessed the dead bodies of his people firsthand, though he did see Gyatso’s skeleton later on. Katara grew up in a world ruined by war. She had little to no friends, and the one person she was closest to left her life very early. Her tribe was VERY small and I doubt she had a lot of people to talk to. She had never left the Southern Water Tribe before, so it’s very likely that she was going to stay there her entire life had she not met Aang. She’s been accused of not allowing Sokka to feel sad about their mother, but why should she? It’s not Katara’s job to burden the weight of Sokka’s emotions, especially about their mother. She cannot force Sokka to open up about his feelings, that is something he must do at his own free will. Sokka hides his pain behind his masculinity. He’s protective because he feels guilty about not being able to do anything to help his mother. He doesn’t even remember what she looks like, he could only picture Katara’s face in her place. He felt even worse when his father left and he, understandably, couldn’t go with him. Sokka is not upfront about how he feels, but Katara should not be blamed for that. Overall it may be said that Katara was a flawed character that has recently been more scrutinized for her flaws than acknowledged for her strengths. We can do both, but there’s been an imbalance. She successfully revolted to free Haru’s father as well as other prisoners of the Fire Nation. She guided her friends out of the Si Wong desert despite the obstacles that stood in their way. She healed Aang and Zuko when shot by lightning, ultimately saving their lives and the lives of many other people who have been physically hurt by someone. She even washed Sokka’s underwear and sewed his pants. We can cut the girl some slack if she wants to talk about her mother, can’t we? She’s the glue that holds everyone together. Katara’s emotions make her a stronger fighter. Her trauma has shaped her into someone determined to master waterbending and has allowed her to be more empathetic to those around her. But she shouldn’t have had to go through all of that. She was forced to mature faster in order to survive. Katara can sometimes be arrogant, misguided, oblivious, and doubtful, yes. But she is also resilient, brave, selfless, and generous. That is the duality of her character. She is NOT to be disrespected. After all, as she said to Sokka in The Painted Lady, “I will never, ever turn my back on people who need me!”. And she hasn’t.

Iroh should be banned from the Earth Kingdom. It’s not an unpopular opinion that Uncle Iroh is a war criminal, but I just don’t think he should be allowed anywhere near the Earth Kingdom; either temporarily or permanently. Yes he played an instrumental role in Zuko’s redemption, with tea in his left hand and wisdom in his right. However, that does not excuse his invasion of Ba Sing Se. He laid siege to the impenetrable city for 600 days. Surely hundreds, maybe thousands of innocent people died under his commands. He broke the lower ring, home of the poorest members of the Earth Kingdom. The only reason he stopped was because his son, Lu Ten, died in battle; not aware that many citizens also died as a result of his actions. How many children’s lives has his army taken away? How many sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, aunts, uncles, and grandparents have died under his siege? Not only does he get to establish a business and earn money, he is elevated to the upper ring of the city; meanwhile an entire population can barely afford food and stable jobs. I understand that is was for plot purposes, but It’s a slap in the face to allow him to thrive in the city after Aang defeated Ozai. His wanted poster should be everywhere, not just for supposedly betraying the Fire Nation, but also for crimes against the Earth Kingdom. The very least he could do was shut down his tea shop and hand the building over to a family who may need it, and establish a tea shop in the Fire Nation. I’m not saying Iroh couldn’t be redeemed for his war crimes, but it definitely would take more than what was seen in the show for him to be forgiven for them.

Anyways, let me know what you think. This took an ungodly amount of time to write.

[is-that-another-soulmate-au]

Did I still write out a part one of the curly haired! Kyoshi Warrior! Zuko AU aven though I should be sleeping now? Haha, yep. Enjoy

When Zuko was only two years old Azula was born, she was born healthy and strong unlike him. Azulon immediately showed great distaste for his grandson and Ozai was ready to disown and possibly end Zuko. Walking towards Ursa who happened to be holding him he let a spark from in his hand. However Iroh stepped between him and the child. The elder brother seething with anger at Ozai's behavior "you will not touch Zuko, if you are so quick to disown him, then he will be my son instead. I will not let you harm him."

"Step aside Iroh" Azulon demanded

"No." Iroh snapped back "Ozai, you can take my place as the crown prince, I will leave with Lu Ten and Zuko."

"You would release your place as the heir for a weak link?" Azulon scoffed

"Yes. I would."

After that day Iroh took Lu Ten and Zuko and fled the nation in a ship with a small crew, namely a chef Luin, the captain Uzami, the helmsman Junney and two deck mates Lee and Chit Sang. Uzami and Chit Sang were the only other fire benders on the ship with them.

They sailed for a good two weeks before finding the island of Kyoshi. They anchored the ship and took some time off of it to relax on the beach, Lu Ten collecting some water from a small river nearby to bathe Zuko who was rightfully very fussy. When he got back Iroh had set up the 'bathing bowl' as Iroh had called it. "Hey Pa, do you think this will be enough water for Zuko?"

He reached Iroh and Zuko and Iroh simply nodded. While bathing Zuko the older boy sang to him to calm his cries. Dressing him was a hassle like always, but after he was dressed Lu Ten distracted him with the many shells he found on the beach and some shiny rocks "oo! Look at this one Prince Zuzy!" Lu Ten said as he revealed a small green stone to Zuko who reached out to grab it

"What are you doing on our island?" A booming woman's voice came from the edge of the tree line making Zuko jump and hide in his older brothers arms. Lu Ten only flinched at the voice but turned to see a group of women in battle ready uniform.

"Im sorry, we were only stopping to rest and wash up a bit, we wont stay for long, scouts honor"

"To hell with your scouts honor!" The leader shouted

"To hell!" Zuko said and Lu Ten glared at the woman

"Please dont teach him swears, he's only 2"

The group of women couldn't help but giggle at the baby boy now marching around singing "to hell! to hell!"

"What are you doing here?" The leader repeated her question

"We fled our nation about 2 weeks ago to save prince Zuko here, and we just needed to stop and properly wash up." He paused and looked at Zuko marching around "his dad was going to... end him... because his younger sister happened to be stronger than him." He frowned "he's never really been fond of him though so I'm not surprised, when he was born sick Ozai wanted nothing to do with him" He stood slowly and bent to pick Zuko up. "Im sorry we trespassed on your island, we meant no disrespect. We will lea-"

"No. Stay." The leader interrupted him "if I'm not mistaken by your clothing and you calling that child Prince, you were fire nation royalty?" He nodded "and you fled to save this little two year old who would have been killed simply for being sick... stay for a while and rest properly. We have some empty rooms you can stay in. How many are with you?"

"Imcluding me? There's eight, we have a small crew but theyre like family to my Pa and I."

"Lu Ten! Hey Lu! Junney says you need to- whats going on? Oh the Kyoshi warriors" Iroh gave a small Bow "Lu, Junney says you need to clean up Dishes Uzumi is taking a break to have a... uh I think she called it an existential crisis on the beach."

The women laughed at the elder man's confusion while looking over his shoulder to see this woman in full chef's uniform laying starfish in the sand just staring at the sky silently.

As the years went on Iroh and Lu Ten ran a small Kitchen with Uzumi supervising. Junney and Lee happened to love training with the Kyoshi warriors while Chit Sang helped build new homes and a small campsite area with benches and a small stage like platform.

Zuko ended up training with the Kyoshi warriors as well, his hair being tied into a high ponytail as a way to tame his curly mane. He'd practice his bending with the fans they gave him. However one day when he was 13 he made the mistake of bending near a weakened tree, catching a large branch on fire and not having enough time to dodge it as it fell ontop of him. He screamed out to any of the village members who might be near as the burning branch pinned him down, burning his left eye, and most of his left side and arm. By the time Suki had found him and gotten the branch off he was already burnt and passed out from the pain. She dragged him back to the village crying out "Help! Somebody help! Please! Zuko's hurt!" Her face was stained with tears. As soon as she got to the edge of the village the warriors took him from her hold and carried him to the healers. She ran after them but Iroh stopped her with a hug

"He will be alright little Suki, just be patient." He said as he held her. He didnt wake up fully for a good two days but when he did he screamed until Suki rushed in and held his good hand

"Zuko, zuko you're okay"

"Suki? What happened? The- the branch? It fell- I-"

"Zuko, hey, youre okay Zuko, I got the branch off of you and you're safe now, you're okay"

"My face hurts"

"Yeah, well, a flaming branch pinning you down is gonna leave some damage"

"Is it noticeable?"

"Yeah, but I think it makes you look fierce"

He managed a small smile that day. It took him a good year after the incident to gain his fighting and bending abilities again due to his sight and hearing loss on his left side. But when he did he was even stronger than before.

He ended up practicing his bending on the beach with someone nearby, either Iroh, Lu Ten, Junney or Suki if she wasn't busy. He would bend without the uniform on during practice, instead opting for casual high waisted pants. He used his warrior fans to guide the flames and strengthen them.

The first time Suki saw him bending with the fans this way he heart stuttered. That was the moment she formed a crush on the curly haired firebender.

Three years spent training as a Kyoshi warrior with flaming fans, he felt confident in his defenses. So he and Lu Ten set out one day to practice their bending out on the beach. Zuko not being afraid to trip because he could always stick the landing.

Lu Ten fired a large blast at Zuko and in response he took his fans and jutted them forward fast halting with just an inch between them, sending the blast back at Lu Ten who stumbled back. "Hah! 3 to 1 Lu Lu!"

He was about to help his older brother up but was sent flying over him by a sudden gust of air, however he was quick to respond and landed with his fans at the ready to defend. But, the Kyoshi warriors had already captured the three people who had attacked him.

With the trio tied to the statue of Kyoshi the warriors questioned them with Zuko beside them "why did you attack Zuko and Lu Ten?" Suki demanded

"They're firebenders! Why are you defending them!?" The blue clad boy shouted, huh hes kinda cute

"Maybe because they came here 14 years ago and have done nothing but help us? They're part of the village regardless of their bending." Suki smirked

The interaction ended up being not only accusatory to the trio but discovering that the bald one was the avatar, who's name he learned was Aang. Who, upon hearing Zuko's story took a liking to. As did the blue boy, Sokka, but his sister however was stand offish, Katara.

[fangzeronos]

Fanning The Flames Ch. 1

It’s been almost twenty years since the end of the Hundred Year War. Living in the Earth Kingdom with her children and family, the former Fire Nation Princess Azula was happy. She snickered as she heard the sounds of feet running on the cold floor, and she smiled softly.

 “What did your mother and I tell you about running in the house, little ones?” she asked.

 “Sorry, Mommy,” a young girl’s voice said. She and her sister walked around to Azula, both of them hugging their mother’s legs. “Mommy, can you tell us a story?”

 “What kind of story, Ursa?” Azula asked, kneeling down and looking at her daughters. “Hm? Which story do you want to hear?”

 “You and Mama!” the other girl said with a smile.

 “Me and Mama? Oh, that’s a fun one,” Azula said, kissing her daughter’s head. “Ursa, you and Mai go sit on the couch and I’ll be right there to tell you all about it. Without the adulty bits that are too spicy for your tiny ears.”

 Ursa giggled and nodded. “Come on, Mai!” she said, taking her sister’s hand and running for the couch, climbing up and settling in.

 Azula smiled softly, walking over to the couch and sitting down. Mai climbed up into her mother’s lap, her golden eyes sparkling as she snuggled against her mother. Ursa wiggled under Azula’s arm, wrapping her own arms around Azula’s, ready to listen.

 “Your Mama and I, hm? Well…that is a long story,” Azula said. “We met a long time ago, back when she was Kyoshi Warrior and I was…an undisciplined and obnoxious Princess who thought the world belonged to her. But, after Uncle Zuko and Katara stopped me, I got my mind right after your grandfather’s manipulations. And that’s where Suki came in, giving me a second chance…” ________________________________________

 Twenty Years Ago

Kyoshi Island

 Suki and Azula stepped off of the airship surrounded by several other Kyoshi Warriors. The Warriors split off and took off for their houses, sounds of laughing and cheering filling the quiet island’s air. Azula wrapped her arms around herself, her bag on her shoulder as she walked down the path with Suki, biting her lip.

 “I shouldn’t be here,” Azula said, looking at the former Captain of the Guard and her brother’s right-hand woman. “Anywhere but here, Suki.”

 “You need a relaxing place to keep yourself centered. You’d never get that in the Palace or with Sokka and Katara. Kyoshi knows you’d never get it with Toph,” Suki said. “Besides, this gives us a chance to get to really know each other, ok? Outside of trying to kill each other.”

 Azula nodded, looking around as she walked beside Suki. “It’s so calm.”

 “Yeah, until the Unagi attacks,” Suki said with a smile.

 “Unagi? Attack?”

 “Oh, yeah. It happens about once a week. Aang and the others took it down the last time I was here. Who knows, you may get lucky and get to see it,” Suki said, walking up to a house and pushing the door open. “Mom?”

 Suki’s mother, Shei, walked in from the kitchen, hooking a towel on her hip. “Suki!” she said, running over and hugging her daughter. “You should have let me know you were coming home!”

 “Surprise,” Suki said with a smile, hugging her mother back. “Mom, there’s someone I want you to meet.” She stepped back and moved back to stand beside Azula. “Mom, this is—”

 “Azula. Princess of the Fire Nation,” Shei said in a hushed voice, her hand moving to her belt, fingers wrapping around the hilt of a dagger. “What is she doing on this Island, Suki?”

 Azula backed up slowly, her hands in front of her. “Ma’am, please—”

 “Answer me, Suki!” Shei snapped.

 Suki sighed, stepping between Azula and her mother. “She’s here because I asked her. She’s not like she used to be, Mom. I promise. She just got out of the hospital again a few days ago and I thought coming to Kyoshi would help her relax. Please, you have to trust me.”

 Shei removed her hand from the dagger slowly, narrowing her eyes. “One slip-up, Princess, and I will not hesitate to put this in your chest,” she said. “Understand?”

 Azula nodded softly. “Yes, ma’am. I swear, I mean no harm or ill intentions. Suki’s telling you the truth. I’ve been in and out of the hospital for the last several years thanks to my mental state at the end of the Hundred Year War and my father’s machinations. Suki offered to help me and being away from the Fire Nation was the best option in her eyes.”

 Shei looked at her daughter who nodded. She bit her lip and looked away, hands clenching. “Last time Fire Nation Royalty was here, your brother burned down half of the village. It’s hard for us to trust anyone from the Fire Nation. If Suki’s vouching for you, it’ll have to be enough,” she said. She turned back toward the kitchen, putting her hand on the doorframe. “Dinner’s in two hours.” She disappeared behind the curtain, leaving Azula and Suki to themselves.

 Suki sighed, putting her hand on Azula’s arm. “Come on. I’ll show you the spare room,” she said. Suki looked at the young woman, biting her lip when she saw Azula was staring at the entrance for the kitchen, her eyes glazing over. She got concerned, stepping in front of her and breaking her line of sight. “Azula?”

 Azula gasped, shaking her head out and backing up a step. “What—where—”

 “Azula, where are you right now?” Suki asked, setting her bag down and taking the Princess’s hands. “Azula, where are you?”

 Azula panicked, looking around before finally feeling Suki’s hands in hers. “Kyoshi…Kyoshi Island,” she said softly, licking her lips softly. “Kyoshi Island…”

 “Where did you go, sweetheart?” Suki asked, putting her hand on Azula’s cheek. She remembered the healers in the hospital telling her that touch and questions would help ground Azula after an episode, and it was clear she had just had one, judging by the sweat building on Azula’s face and neck. “Azula?”

 “I…I saw my own mother. Telling me I wasn’t…wasn’t anything but a monster. I was that five year old girl again, wanting praise from my mother but being met with disgust,” she said softly, reaching up and wiping her eyes softly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

 “It’s ok,” Suki said, smiling softly. “Come on. We’ll get you settled in and then we can look around the Island.” She took Azula’s hand and led her upstairs, nudging the door to the guest room open. “Well, it’s not a Fire Nation suite, but it’s cozy enough.”

 Azula looked around the room and smiled a bit. “It’s fine. It’s better than my room in the hospital,” she said, walking in and setting her bag on the floor. She sank onto the bed, sighing as she did. “Suki…can I ask something?”

 “Of course,” Suki said, sitting beside Azula. “What’s on your mind?”

 Azula sighed softly, rubbing her hands together before she looked at Suki. She had two big questions on her mind, and one would be a longer answer so she opted for the quicker one. “How in Sozin’s name did you get Ty Lee to join the Warriors? That girl complained for years about being part of a “matched set” because of six identical sisters and then she comes to my cell in the prison wearing Kyoshi robes and makeup. How did you pull that off?”

 Suki giggled and smiled. “She said that when you three impersonated us and got into Ba Sing Se, she felt like the armor and makeup would be fun to do all the time. I guess she’d bonded with some of the other Warriors while she was in prison after betraying you with Mai at the Boiling Rock, and she came to me after the War and asked if she could be part of the Warriors. We put her through intense training and crazy tricks, but she proved herself.”

 Azula smiled a bit and nodded. “I think it looks good on her. Almost like she was made for it, or it was made for her, one of the two.” She rubbed her arms, biting her lip. “Why….why did you really offer to help me? After everything I did to you—”

 Suki out her hand on Azula’s, giving a gentle squeeze. “Because I’d like to think that, if the situations were reversed and you were the Earth Kingdom girl raised with love and affection, and I was the Fire Nation Princess who was manipulated and used by the people that were supposed to love her, in the end you’d do the same and help me get back to myself and find the person I should be,” she said. “And, in all honesty, you needed a friend that wouldn’t judge you. Not when I know that everything that happened to you was your father’s fault.”

 Sitting silence for a minute, Azula nodded before she leaned over and hugged Suki. “Thank you,” she said softly. “Other than you and Zuko, nobody wants to really give me a chance. All they see is the broken fourteen year old that tried to burn the world down. I hate being that person…I hate that being the only thing people know me as. I want to be better, and…if being here can do that, I’ll take what I can get.”

 “I’ll be here every step,” Suki said, hugging Azula back and rubbing her back softly. “I promise. Nobody’s going to fuck with you while you’re here. Not if they want to keep their tongues. You’re my guest, in my home, and my Island. Anyone that doesn’t like it can step to me.”

 Azula smiled softly and nodded. “OK,” she said. “Thank you, Suki. Really.”

 Suki smiled. “You’re welcome,” she said. “Get settled in. I’ll go try and talk my mom down and then we’ll go look around the Island.”

 A few hours later, after a tense dinner with Shei, Suki walked with Azula through the village. The princess was looking at everything, biting her lip as she watched people pull away from her, children being yanked back to their parents or older siblings. She knew it shouldn’t hurt and that she should expect it, but she also knew she couldn’t help the feelings in her chest as she watched the cold reception.

 “Suppose it’s my punishment. Years of incarceration, a few years in and out of a hospital, finally getting the right dosage of medication to help me balance my emotions. Everyone’s still scared of me. I don’t blame them. Like Suki said, if situations were reversed, I’d probably be afraid of me too,” Azula thought.

 “You’re lost in thought again,” Suki said with a smile, nudging Azula’s shoulder softly. “What’s wrong?”

 “Trying to reconcile the reception I’m getting. I don’t blame them. My problems are as legendary as my grandfather starting the war. I don’t blame them for hating me and pulling away and hiding. I’d do the same if I were them,” Azula said with a bit of a shrug. “It’s alright. I’ll just be glad when it’s over. Soon enough I’ll become invisible.”

 Suki nodded. “It’ll be ok. Lot of the time I feel invisible in the Fire Nation,” she said.

 The two made their way toward the shoreline, Suki reaching down and pulling her sandals off, letting her feet hit the sand. Azula followed suit, wiggling her toes in the sand, giggling a bit at the sensation before she covered her mouth.

 Suki looked over and smiled, cocking an eyebrow. “Did I hear—”

 “You tell anyone what sound I just made, and I’ll kick your ass,” Azula said, shoving Suki into the sand.

 Laughing, Suki hit the ground and rolled, popping back up. “Well, well. The Princess can have fun. New information.”

 “Fuck you,” Azula said, rolling her eyes and walking down toward the beach with Suki. The two walked the sands, Azula enjoying the sea breeze. She closed her eyes and took a breath, feeling like a weight was off of her shoulders.

 Suki smiled softly, watching Azula and feeling a tug in her chest. “What the hell? Odd…haven’t felt that since Sokka—oh, shit. No, no, no! Suki, no. Do not fall for another Fire Nation Royal! Zuko already broke your heart, you do not need that again. Just masturbate like a sane woman,” she thought.

 Sounds of feet running on the beach caught Suki’s attention, seeing a villager rushing for them. “Fire Nation Bitch! Suffer in hell!” the man yelled, lunging for Azula with a knife in one hand, a club in the other.

 Suki felt like time had stopped, shoving Azula to the side as the knife penetrated her stomach, the club coming down on her shoulder. She felt the bone break and the blade in her flesh, and she hit the ground, blood seeping from the wound.

 Azula hit the ground, sliding in the sand some before she watched Suki get stabbed and hit with the club, hitting the ground. “SUKI!” She leapt up and tackled the attacker, knocking him onto his stomach before she wrenched his arms back. “Someone help!”

 A few people rushed over, one man kneeling beside Azula and wrapping a sash around the attacker’s wrists, binding him. “Mahu, what are you doing?!”

 “Fire Nation bitch needs to die!” Mahu yelled, thrashing as two others rushed to Suki.

 Shaking his head, the man dragged Mahu to his feet. “My name’s Rahin. Princess, you’re not hurt are you?” the man asked.

 Azula shook her head. “I’m fine, but Suki—” she started, looking over as the others tried to stop the bleeding. One of them reached for the knife, but she ran over and stopped. “Don’t take the knife out. You do, she’ll bleed out. Don’t do that yet. Get her to a healer! They’ll know what to do.”

 “Let’s get the Captain to Moya. She’ll know what to do,” one of the men said, three of them lifting Suki up slowly.

 Azula followed them after picking up Suki’s shoes, heart thundering in her chest. Suki had taken an attack meant for her. Suki shoved her out of the way, taking the knife and club to the stomach and shoulder. Nobody else had ever taken an attack for her, not in her entire life. She felt sick, confused, and disoriented. She stopped when they did, the three disappearing into the healers huts. She sank onto a bench beside the door, wrapping her arms around herself tightly, tears falling down her cheeks.

 “Spirits, let her be ok,” she whispered. “Please…don’t let anything happen to her…”