Chapter Text
Home is where you are
loved the most and act the worst.
- Marjorie Pay Hinckley
Azula has been pacing in front of the telephone for almost two hours. Something that she's been doing for 5 days since her son-in-law died, 5 days ever since she found out her granddaughter is officially an orphan kid. Her spy had informed her of it right after a certain Kuvira was defeated. She’s been panicking, uncertain of what to do in the situation. She had tried to grab the telephone and dial the number of the Sato estate several times. But as she reached for the dial, she always hesitates, and so she'd take her hands away from it.
At this point, Azula was already questioning herself. She conquered Ba Sing Se, almost took the then Avatar's life away, all in one day when she was just a 14 years old girl, and yet now her hands are trembling just in having to dial a number. But things have changed now. She had a daughter—a beautiful one, and it changed her life forever, it changed her for the better. Sometimes she would revert back to her old, misguided, unstable self. But then she would be reminded of who she really is with the memory of a pair of beautiful green eyes, eyes that still stares at her with kindness at the back of her mind.
Huff…
Huff…
Huff…
Heavy panting echoes throughout the room, drops of sweat were sliding on Azula’s forehead as she glared at nothing or no one in particular. It was just a wall she was facing, but in her mind, her mother was standing in front of her, closing the distance between them.
You’re a monster. The voice of Azula’s mom whispered to her ear. Azula’s response was to breathe a powerful amount of blue fire from her mouth. Before she knew it, her surroundings felt so hot and a fog of smoke started to suffocate her.
Soft fingers curled on her shoulders and shake her worryingly, dragging her out of her own world.
“Mom, It’s me.” A woman with beautiful pair of jade eyes said, followed by a warm embrace, and a gentle caress on Azula’s back.
Azula firmly squinted her eyes and the outline of the room she was in dawned on her awareness.
Fire. Everything is on fire. And she’s the cause of it.
Azula breathed more heavily and she tried to pull away violently from the figure embracing her with a push of her arms. “I’m a monster!” She exclaimed, pushing the body away more forcefully. “Get away from me!” The more Azula tries to break away from the arms clasped around her, the more the embrace tightens, and it suffocates her more than the smoke enveloping their surroundings.
“You’re no monster, mother,” A soft kiss landed on Azula’s sweaty forehead, a gesture of assurance that calmed her down and stop her from resisting. “Don’t let your mind trick you,”
A group of firebenders swoops into the room, eliminating the flames that are eating the wooden walls and furniture. The fog of smoke faded as the fire disappears, and the figure embracing Azula became more visible.
Fair skin, kind, jade eyes, raven hair that is presentably tied in a loose knot, and plump lips curved into a soothing smile. “I’m here, mom.” The woman said, kneeling in front of Azula.
“Yasuko…” Azula intoned, flashing a weak smile and caressing the smooth, silky hair of her daughter.
Azula’s heart quivered at the memory, and she remembered someone with the same eyes of jade, fair skin, raven hair, and plump lips. Asami. The perfect copy of her daughter and someone that needs Azula, needs a family, right now.
Azula has to do it. She has to be there for Asami. The reports of the spy she sent have been terrible. Her granddaughter has been barely eating ever since her father's death, barely sleeping, and has been overworking herself. "She manages to look presentable in front of other people, though," her spy reported. Even so, that's not good. Her granddaughter was more than that.
So today, well, today she was determined. So, with trembling, wrinkled hands, she pressed the dials.
The telephone rang for a good 30 seconds before a man answered the phone. "Good day, this is the Sato Residence, and this is butler Hashiro speaking. How may I help you?"
"This is me," Azula said. Of course, she thinks the butler should recognize her. After all, she might have frequently been calling for updates in the past years. But barely actually talking to her grandkid. "Give the phone to Asami," She didn't ask but ordered it.
There was a short pause before the butler finally spoke. "Ahh, yes. Princess Azula. I'm sorry, but the young lady refuses to accept any non-business-related calls right now," the butler's voice cracked at the end. "Have a nice day." Those were the butler's last words, then he hung up.
Azula gritted her teeth. That was infuriating, but she doesn't plan to give up now that she finally pulled the courage to call. So, with hurried fingers, she pressed hard on the dials again, entering the same number. The phone was answered longer than earlier, and before someone could even speak on the other line, she said, "Listen, boy. You're going to give the phone to Asami, or else I'll send someone over there to assault you right now!" She threatened.
"You don't have the right to threaten my employees. " A female voice firmly said. "They treat me more like a family than you do." The owner of the voice added. It has the same softness as Azula could remember, only it sounds a little more tired. Nevertheless, Azula's anger level reverted low upon hearing that voice. "Asami, how have you been?" she asked as if she wasn't threatening to kill someone a few seconds ago.
There was a huff on the phone as if her granddaughter couldn't believe what she had just said. "Do you even care?" Scoffed her grandkid. "I bet you're happy now. You never like my father, after all. I'm not fine, but I will be. Don't call anymore—" there was a clear threat that Asami would hang up without hesitation by the tone of her voice, so Azula had to speak up right away.
"Listen, Asami.” Azula interrupted, “I know I haven't been entirely a good family to you but let me try again." Azula heaved a sigh as she recalled the words of her older brother, Zuzu: You have to sound sincere, Azula. Speak the words from your heart so you can convince her.
She started fidgeting as she continued her words, hoping that she would sound convincing enough. "Come live with me here at the palace. We can start over again if you would only give me a chance." Azula did as she was told, something she's barely done before. She was Azula, after all. And The Princess Azula is always in control (at least back then) but spirits, now she's nervous as she waits for a reply. She really might have become pathetic of a woman, after all.
"...all you ever do is hurt me—"
"Which I never intended to. You know I keep trying and trying." Azula interjected again, trying so hard to stay calm. At this point, she dearly wishes her granddaughter would comprehend where she's coming from and would just grant her request. Asami may have had a firm resolve on almost everything she said, but she was very understanding and forgiving. She was, after all, the daughter of Yasuko, one of the kindest princesses to ever grace the fire nation. And Azula was clinging to that.
There was a heavy sigh on the other line, followed by a question, "How do I know you're telling the truth, that you're not making a fool of me this time?"
"Come stay with me here at the palace and let me prove it by my actions."—was Azula's immediate response. She tried to put as much determination she could muster into those words.
There was a sigh again that seemed too long for a sigh that Azula thought Asami would definitely hang up. A minute passed before she got the answer she was waiting for. "I'm going to attend Aunt Izumi's birthday party. You're gonna have to wait for my answer 'til then."
Izumi's party would be two weeks from now, but that's okay. That will do for Azula. She'll just have to hope Asami will say 'yes' to her 'til then. "Okay…" The edges of the old fire princess' lips curved to form a smile for a rare moment, and she said, "I'll be waiting, Asami." with a hopeful tone.
There was a weak "Alright" over the phone, and then their conversation ended. But there was a lingering bit of joy from within the depths of Azula's heart as she placed the telephone down.
Azula had just started making her way towards her room from the hallway when she felt the presence of someone. With all the sneaking she did as a kid and an adult back in the days, it didn't take long for the old fire princess to pinpoint the location of that someone.
She narrowed her eyes at the far corner of the hall. There was a silhouette silently trudging its way in the opposite direction as hers by the enormous windows. The other end of the hallway leads to the throne room where Fire lord Izumi is currently in.
Now, now. Who could you be? Perhaps an assailant? Azula's eyes glimmered in sheer excitement at the thought of being in action. She formed a fist in her right hand, only lifting her middle and forefinger and pressing them close together. There was no hesitation in the way she moved, slowly but surely following the silhouette while being unnoticed.
Azula was just about to strike with her lightning when a vase exploded in between her and the shadow. The shot was precise and destructive in that it tore a tiny hole with cracks on its surrounding in the sturdy wall. It came from outside, penetrating through the windows. It alerted both Azula and the man behind the shadow. But before they could even make a move, another shot was delivered. This time, it was clearly aimed at the silhouette. The man behind the outline didn't seem to expect the attack. He was thrown with his back on the wall. So hard was the impact that the decorative frames hanging on the wall fell to the ground, its glasses shattering into pieces.
A woman swoops in through the window right after. She has long, black hair with eyes of amber, and she was wearing what looks like a metallic glove on her right hand.
"Doka, this combustion glove is wicked!" She exclaimed, raising her gloved hand victoriously in the air. Another woman jumped in from the window. She's got black, wavy locks reaching just below her armpits, with bangs that are almost covering her eyes.
"I don't think you should be using that inside the palace, princess Irah. It can cause quite a damage." The woman named Doka said bleakly as she turned towards the now unconscious trespasser, frowning at him and gazing at the doors of the nearby throne room.
Azula narrowed her eyes and exclaimed, "Irah! What are you doing?!"
The said Princess Irah turned her head to Azula, her eyes widening in shock, "Grandma? What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in your room at this time!" She said, walking towards Azula and the unconscious man. "I had some guards fetch and protect you and grandpa Zuzu. We've been infiltrated, and we're here to save the night!"
Azula snarled, "I don't need protection. I can handle myself." She boasted and crossed her arms. Indeed, it was true. Despite her old age, Azula can still move like no rheumatism ever bothers her. "That man you almost blew with that glove of yours was making its way towards the throne room. Do you know his intentions?" She asked curiously to the young fire princess.
Irah's face was carved with worry at the inquiry as she approached the unmoving body and kneeled on one knee, staring at it for a few seconds before answering. "It means the same reason as before, grandma." Irah turned to Azula with her forehead creased and stood up, stepping close towards the old fire princess. "The revolutionists have made another move to overthrow the Fire lord. It seems they only sent their most expert assassin but we still want to make sure." Irah said, lifting her shoulder in a half shrug. "Two attempts to kill my mom in just a year!" The young princess exclaimed and tapped Azula's shoulder with her ungloved hand. "I'm afraid we're not safe even here in the palace anymore."
"Tsk," Azula grunted, shoving away Irah's hand on her shoulder. "Those bastards!"
Irah shrugged and said, "We’ll need to lock down this place and question all our staff. I’m afraid there might be someone in the palace that let him in.”
A group of guards came rushing behind Azula minutes later. “Tie him up and make sure he doesn’t escape. I’ll interrogate him later." Princess Irah ordered as the guards scurry to secure the fallen assailant. "Those bastards are cowards for sending a single assassin, they underestimated the power of princess Irah!” The princess articulated.
“We better prepare, grandma.” Princess Irah placed both her hands on Azula’s shoulder this time, her vivid amber eyes meeting with Azula’s faded ones. “Those revolutionists won’t stop until they crush every single person with a royal bloodline.” She clutched Azula’s shoulder and continued, “I just got word from grandma Kiyi, their place has been attacked as well, but they manage to stay safe.”
Azula’s eyes widened, and her heart throbbed fast because of worry. “Asami! I just called her. What if someone tries to harm her too?!” With that, Azula attempts to march back to the nearest telephone, only for her arm to be grabbed by Princess Irah’s gloved hand.
“We’re not going anywhere!” The young princess contended with gritted teeth. “We need to be with grandpa Zuko and my mother. Asami can handle herself, and she lives in a secure place with plenty of hideouts.” Princess Irah assured Azula and started dragging her where the old princess was supposed to be headed.
Opposite them, the large double doors of the throne room swung open, revealing Fire lord Izumi with princess Irah’s bodyguard, Doka, by her side. Azula hadn’t noticed Doka heading towards that room, but she wasn’t surprised. The lass literally moves like she’s walking on air, barely making a sound.
“Mom!” Princess Irah paused her dragging of Azula and turned her head to Fire lord Izumi. “Are you okay? Were you hurt?”
“I’m alright, honey.” Fire lord Izumi guaranteed as she kept up with her daughter and the others. “But I demand to know what’s going on. I heard several explosions, then Doka came crashing in the room!”
“Someone tried to harm you, your highness. I recovered unusual weapons from that guy.” Doka said, raising a small bag where the weapons must be.
“When did you do that?” Azula questioned while keeping up to their running. She only really noticed Doka stare at the body and nothing more.
“You just have to be quick under these circumstances, your highness,” Doka said, turning to another hall. “This way, your highnesses.”
After several more minutes of dashing through hallways, they reach Zuko, accompanied by armed royal guards of the palace.
“Father, are you okay?” Fire lord Izumi asked Lord Zuko with genuine concern. She closed the distance between them and gave him a hug. Lord Zuko responded by giving Izumi a kiss on her forehead while caressing her hair and saying, “I’m alright, Sweetie.” Azula rolled her eyes at what she saw, but in the deepest part of her heart, the scene made her long for someone, for her dear daughter.
Ahh…Yasuko.
There was an aching throb in her heart as Azula voicelessly called for that name. Her daughter was the sweetest girl in Azula’s life, and the old fire princess could not help but clutch on her clothing, on the spot where her heart lies, at the painful memory. Talking to Asami and seeing Izumi hug her parent brought back once again the memory of one of her most precious treasures. And it only pains her knowing that Yasuko will never be able to embrace her and that Asami, the lovely little princess that can give the closest warmth to the one that her daughter gives, probably resent her that she won’t even dare come close to Azula.
Azula suddenly felt weak at her painful thoughts that she thinks her knees might give up. So, she clung to the arms of the one nearest to her, Doka, in an attempt to stand firmly. The bodyguard looks at her with sympathy in her eyes “Everything will be alright, your highness.” Doka assured, flashing a barely-there smile to Azula.
The small gesture was appreciated, and Azula slowly nodded, “I’m going to make sure of that,” Azula mumbled, thinking of the ways in which she can ensure that everything will be alright for her remaining most precious treasure.