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The Last Woodbender Chapter 36 (Tales of Azula)
🕑 Added 2023-11-14 20:17:47 +0000 UTCShe thought it must be nice and all to live a life that is not driven by war. She knew, however, that it couldn't be helped. Even these people around her, who seem unfazed by what's happening around them, are compelled to live a life they have no control over.
Soon enough, she berated herself for even acknowledging the idea of it. Her forefathers waged war to spread glory; these ungrateful peasants should be thankful.
She found it strange how time flies by so fast when a person is in deep thought. The next thing she knew, the train swept across her vision at full speed before it came to a complete stop. Finally, it was about time she left this place.
Azula went in and could not believe what she got herself into. She hated everything, the crowdedness, the filth, the stench, and the humidity inside the train. She couldn't even get a seat for herself, so she had no choice but to hang onto the rails provided for the standing passengers. She nearly wanted to back out, but she fought against the thought.
"All in good time, Azula." She told herself as she seethed and sucked in some air through her teeth in an effort to keep herself calm.
It took her thirty hellish minutes before she arrived in the Middle Ring. This was as far as she could go technically. Because obviously, one should be able to obtain an invitation from the Earth King himself in order to gain access to the Upper Ring. What now? It's barely two hours before noon; she's sure she still has plenty of time left to observe and contemplate.
Later, she found herself wandering aimlessly into the city's labyrinthine alleys. What is she even doing? What is she going to get out of this?
Azula had to admit that it was very uncharacteristic of her not having a concrete plan. Father wouldn't be too proud. Perhaps this was a temporary escape from her duties in the guise of a covert mission. After her relentless pursuit of Naruto for the past few days, and most especially after the failure that was "The Drill," she simply needed to convalesce. After all, it was just one day; how badly could it hurt her progress?
She took a short break and slumped her back onto a nearby bench as she eyed every single by-passer that came into her sight.
They were pathetic, all of them. They have nothing better to do in their lives except to wallow in such drivel. Two couples were by the fountain, putting their affection for one another on full display. It was disgusting, to say the least.
She rolled her eyes at those kids with their pestering laughter as they played tag. Lastly, a cabbage merchant was crying over his wasted produce scattered across half of the plaza; now that was funny. It'd be lovely to burn them all and then take pleasure in hearing their agonizing screams.
On the other hand, as much as it felt foreign, it felt amusing to her to absolutely do nothing. "Is this what 'normal' looks like?" She scoffed at the very question she imposed on herself. Perhaps "normal" is one way to put it. Seeing through the nuances, however, it's all chaos falsely portrayed as mere tranquility.
Still, she felt a slight pang of anxiety, which she deemed as an overall normal reaction of her body. It's clearly because wasn't used to any of this. She always has to be one step ahead of everyone, only not today.
Finally being able to muster up some initiative to move from her idle state, Azula got herself to try some street foods from a lowly stall. She plainly wondered herself why plenty of these commoners are very fond of it.
It smelled pretty decent at best, she noted. Does it look pleasant? Quite not. With a slightly disgusted look on her face, she swallowed before telling the vendor in a commanding tone, "I want two sticks of... whatever that is."
"Sure, that would be four gold coins."
Azula tossed the coins carelessly as she grabbed her snack and went on about her business. It didn't take long enough when a kid suddenly bumped her and spilled some drink on her clothing.
"For Agni's sake!" She cursed under her breath.
"I'm... I'm sorry!" The young girl apologized and looked like she was about to burst into tears. Azula gave her a death stare as she thought about what this girl's punishment was going to be. Tear up the doll she's holding into pieces? Burn it? A few seconds later, a middle-aged woman came towards their way. Great, it must be her mother. Isn't it her job to look after this insolent child? What was she even doing?
"My apologies for my daughter's behavior, I-"
"It's... fine." Azula cut her off and conceded to just letting things slide instead of attracting public attention by getting vexed over a minor inconvenience. Although she swore, she could've zapped lightning at both of them.
"I'll make up for it, I'll buy you new clothes." The woman told her apologetically.
Well, Azula supposed the offer wasn't that bad. She accepted it instead of roaming around in Ba Sing Se with her soiled clothes.
"I am Noriko, what's your name?" The woman introduced herself as they made their way through the bustling streets.
"Azu- Azuki."
"You don't look like you're from here." The lady remarked.
Azula arched an eyebrow. Do they know something? Is her disguise not enough? She thought of an answer quickly.
"It's because I'm from the colonies. My father's a soldier." She lied confidently.
"Oh, I see. We came from the Fire Nation as well, we're from Hira'a. We're here for a short vacation." Noriko told her.
Hira'a. As far as she recalled, it's a remote provincial town situated in the northeastern Fire Nation. It actually surprised her that someone actually lives up there.
Later on, they finally arrived in the business sector of the city. Several shops and stalls appeared sporadically like shrooms on a marsh. Picking out a decent-looking store even came out to them as a daunting task.
Alas, after taking every turn and every corner, they finally found one.
"You can choose whatever you want, we're really sorry for bothering you." Noriko insisted.
Azula nodded and started looking around inside the boutique, keen to find the most expensive item to see the look on their faces. She smirked at the thought.
"Oh..." Noriko chuckled nervously. "Is that all?" She asked.
"I guess it will suffice." She replied with a sigh as she handed the 200 gold coins worth of garments to Noriko.
Noriko smiled kindly as she proceeded to the counter to pay, and then Azula changed into the dressing room afterward.
"You look... beautiful," Noriko commented. Azula was dressed in an emerald green halter top with a pale-yellow, chiffon skirt that brushed just past her knees. She also had a headband that matched the color of her skirt as she wore her hair down.
"Thanks..." She thought it felt awkward to receive a compliment from a total stranger. "I have to be on my way now." She insisted as she stepped out of the shop.
"You take care, dear!" Noriko said and waved her goodbye.
Well, that was entirely strange, she thought. That "minor inconvenience" took a huge chunk off her day. The sun was nearly setting. She thought of many things to keep herself occupied and entertained so that this day she kept for herself wouldn't go to waste.
First, she watched several street performers make a fool out of themselves. Secondly, she bought more street foods since she wasn't able to enjoy them earlier. Lastly, she took a stroll in the public gardens as she watched the sun completely disappear into the horizon.
The next thing she knew, it was storming. She rushed and luckily found cover in a nearby inn.
"Azuki?" Great. She knew that voice. She turned around and faked a smile. Why did they have to be here, of all places?
"Hello, Ms. Noriko." She greeted.
"It looks like the storm isn't going to stop anytime soon. Why don't you spend the night here with us? We have an extra room to spare." Noriko offered as Azula was visibly growing annoyed.
"I can pay for my own room, thank you." She boldly responded.
Down on her luck, the innkeeper said that all the rooms were taken for the night. She clenched her fists and almost wanted to threaten him that she was the Fire Nation Princess and that she always gets her way done. However, that wouldn't be too wise of her.
"We're you able to get one?" Noriko cut her off from her thoughts as she asked from behind.
Agni swore she hated this woman for being too nosy, for eavesdropping, and for prying off of people's business like it was hers.
"Well I'm pretty sure you already heard everything, so no."
Noriko didn't react to the hostility in Azula's voice. Instead, she smiled, "Well, my offer still stands. Looks like you have nowhere else to go with that huge storm out there."
Having run out of options, she hated to find herself spending the night with this woman and her bratty child.
Noriko prepared some dinner for them while Azula grumpily sat on the couch. Her eyes wandered around the seemingly cozy and warm hotel unit despite the rain pouring down hard outside.
"Dinner's ready!" Noriko announced. "Kiyi, would you be so kind as to prepare the plate and utensils on the table for our guest?"
"Yes, Mom!" Kiyi excitedly obliged.
Noriko finally placed the dish on the table and asked Azula to join them after Kiyi was done preparing. It was quiet at first until Noriko spoke up to break the awkward silence.
"How old are you, Azuki?" She asked.
"Fourteen." Azula replied.
"Well what does a young Fire Nation teen doing in Ba Sing Se all alone by herself?" Noriko questioned further.
"I believe it's nothing that concerns you, Ms. Noriko." She politely replied and forced a smile on her face.
"Please forgive me for asking such questions, it's pretty unfortunate that my husband isn't here with us to restrain me from that." She apologized as she joked lightly with a soft chuckle.
"Mommy, I like Azuki's eyes and her hair, they're very pretty! Can you buy me a doll that looks like her?" Kiyi interrupted.
She smirked; she was definitely certain that the kid wasn't wrong about it.
"She really is beautiful and of course, I'll buy you one, sweetie!" Noriko leaned on and pinched her daughter's cheeks playfully.
"Well, It's time for dessert. Azuki, would you want to try some mochi? It's Kiyi's favorite."
Funny enough, as a kid, it was her favorite, too. During one sleepover with Mai and Ty Lee, she forced Mai to steal some from her mother just so she could stuff her face with it.
"Yes, I'd like some. Thanks." She answered.
The night went on, and as much as it was hard for her to admit, she actually felt lighter around these two people. It wasn't as bad as she thought. It was a miracle, indeed, to see herself engaging in a casual conversation with Noriko when Kiyi already fell asleep. It felt nice to have someone to talk to where the very aspect of the war was not involved. For a day, she was among them, for she surprisingly found solace in the triviality of life as it is.
"So, Azuki, do you have a boyfriend already?" Noriko jokingly asked as she gave Azula a slight nudge with her elbow.
Azula's face turned red while she laughed at the very idea of it, "What? No! Of course I don't..."
"Well, then good for you! A lot of young teens these days are so worked up on getting in a relationship that they fail to prepare for their futures... It's a shame..." Noriko commented.
"I know but... how do you get in one anyway?" Azula found herself asking out of sheer curiosity.
"Hmmm... it's hard to tell, really. As far as I know, my husband Noren made the first move and I just said yes. That took him years of courtship, by the way. Later on, we just somehow made things work. So judging by that, both people need to put in the effort." Noriko explained.
"Well, I guess it's that complicated, huh?" Azula concluded.
"Yes, everything is at first. Eventually, you'll learn to work your way through. Just trust in the process." Noriko smiled reassuringly and placed a hand on Azula's shoulder.
Well, she presumed that her advice wasn't that stupid, so she took it. More minutes passed, and Azula actually quite enjoyed Noriko's company. Aside from relationships, they talked about good college courses, myths circulating around Hira'a, makeup, and a ton more. It was almost like they had a normal mother-daughter relationship if Azula even knew or realized what that was.
"Thanks, Noriko. I..." She didn't know if she should continue, but she went on with it anyway. "I appreciate... talking to you, it felt nice. I'll be heading to sleep now."
Azula wondered if this is what it truly feels like to be "normal" by all means. She simply wondered if this is what having a real family feels like. What is even a "real family" by definition? She wondered where her mother could possibly be at this point. Is she still even alive? Is she even thinking about her own child?
Before Azula could foolishly get her feelings out of hand, she managed to stop herself. She has plenty more things to think about. "Enough with this nonsense." she thought. Her one-day trial is over. She'll be back on the battlefield tomorrow, more prepared and stronger than ever.
As always, Azula rose with the sun on the next day. She briefly meditated before preparing her belongings for her departure. She went out of the room and saw that Noriko was already up early in the kitchen. She thought she could go without leaving a trace, but she guessed she was wrong.
"Just in time! I prepared something for your trip." Noriko smiled as she handed out a wrapped bento box to Azula.
For a moment there, she froze.
Just when she thought that her one-day trial already ceased yesterday, all those thoughts and feelings resurged back to her like turbulent tidal waves. Is she finally experiencing what she has read in several works of literature? About a mother sending off her child to school with a packed lunch? About a mother who really cares?
The moment she felt her chest tighten, she quickly drove away those thoughts. She gently took the bento box from Noriko's hands and bowed respectfully. She smiled, "Thank you for everything. I'll be leaving now. Say goodbye to Kiyi for me."
"Oh, I almost forgot. She wants you to take this." Noriko searched through her pockets and handed out a small porcelain doll that could fit in one's palms.
Azula took it and observed it in her hand. She chuckled, "Tell her I said thank you."
"Goodbye, have a safe trip." Noriko patted her on the shoulder.
"You too, goodbye." She smiled.
She had a long day ahead of her. Little did they know that they just hosted the Fire Nation Princess. She thought that they should be thankful for that. Although little did she know that in a span of a day, she wasn't a princess, but she was someone's daughter, her mother's daughter. Funnily, that was just the universe's way of putting things together in place.
She spared Noriko her last glance. But when she turned her head back, she almost saw Ursa. Agni, she wished it was Ursa. At least this person was able to tell her goodbye when even her own mother couldn't.
Will she ever meet them again? It was highly unlikely. But who knows? Who knows?
Night
Azula was scouting for information when she heard people talking in what seemed a private place.
"You know, Lee... you're really cute when you smile."
"I am? I mean, uh, thanks. You're... really cute, too."
Azula's smile showed tenfold; she hid behind something, and she could see Zuzu having his way with a girl Azula didn't recognize. Azula looked away; she wasn't in the mood to see her brother having his way with a girl, but Azula still decided to stick around. She wanted to see where Zuzu lived.
Mai will be heartbroken, Azula thought with a smile. She couldn't wait to tell her friend what she had seen. She could almost imagine Mai throwing a fit, usually, her friend was near-emotionless, but Azula knew how to get under her skin, and talking about Zuzu was a good way to do it.
Eventually, Zuzu returned back to a tea shop; Azula had to admit that she felt stupid for the first time in her life; her uncle drank tea like he sucked air; she felt like she should have known that they were here, yet, somehow she hadn't been able to.
The same night, Azula got in contact with Mai and Ty Lee; she had prepared a plan to talk with Zuzu and hopefully have him under her fingers. She knew Zuzu probably knew where the Avatar was, and Azula knew that Naruto should be near whenever the Avatar was.
The mere thought of Naruto got her excited. She felt a fire spread in her, a warm fire, the thought of his blue eyes looking back at her, his power, and the way he handled himself. If Azula didn't know any better, she would be convinced he was either a high lord or a Prince. Azula still remembered their little talk and couldn't wait to continue it. His intense eyes made her lick her lips; the thought of him working for her, she knew no one would stand in her way.
After explaining that she had seen Zuko kissing a girl, Ty Lee would usually clap cheerfully, but this time, even she knew not to do that as Mai's face somehow got even more pissed; Mai looked pissed all the time, that was her default expression, but right now, with the way her face turned slightly red from rage, Azula almost expected her to burst into flames despite not being a firebender.
"What's your plan, Azula?" Mai asked with rage in every word. Azula smirked deviously before telling her what the plan was; once the plan was shared, Azula knew tomorrow would be an important day.
Tomorrow - Naruto
After Aang left in search of Zuko and Iroh, Naruto wasted no time in taking action. He spotted three Dai Li agents near their home and immediately decided to tail them. Naruto maintained a safe distance for an entire hour, ensuring that the agents wouldn't detect him. Throughout this time, the agents seemed engaged in aimless wandering, occasionally intervening in minor altercations. However, Naruto's patience paid off as he observed the agents suddenly veering around a corner, heading towards a seemingly ordinary wall.
Feeling a surge of caution, Naruto intently narrowed his eyes upon witnessing the agents successfully open a door with Earthbending within the wall. With masterful precision, the agents confidently walked through the door before it effortlessly closed behind them, melding seamlessly into the surrounding structure. Naruto swiftly emerged from his concealed position and sprinted towards the wall that had just concealed the agents from his sight.
Seeing it from up close, the Wall seemed like any other wall, with nothing special, but as Naruto placed his hands on the surface of the wall, he could sense the wall was hollow inside, and there was something there that Naruto could detect, but Naruto wasn't sure what it was, yet.
Naruto took a deep breath, gathering his focus and determination. With utmost precision, he gently positioned the tips of his fingers near the solid surface of the wall, their proximity so close that it seemed as if he could feel the wall's texture through the subtle warmth emanating from his skin. As he exhaled, a surge of controlled energy surged through him.
Naruto executed a one-inch punch to strike the wall. The impact of his fist meeting the unyielding surface reverberated through his entire being, causing shockwaves to ripple across his muscles. In an instant, the wall disintegrated, shattering into countless shards resembling delicate glass fragments.
With the barrier shattered, a revelation washed over Naruto as he gazed into the newly exposed interior. Hidden behind the now-obliterated wall lay a small, concealed room that seemed to have been deliberately concealed from prying eyes. Intrigued, Naruto advanced further, realizing that this secret chamber was merely a passage leading to an underground tunnel.
As his eyes adjusted to the dimly lit tunnel, Naruto couldn't help but feel a resounding sense of curiosity and anticipation.
"I probably shouldn't do this." Naruto murmured under his breath before jumping down.
Aang
"Thank you so much, young men," An old lady told Aang as he helped her carry a few heavy items to her apartment. Aang wondered why she was even walking around with that kind of bag but decided not to ask questions.
Aang had been trying to find where Zuko was, but after searching for an hour, Aang ended up walking around the streets until he found the old woman who needed help.
"No problem," Aang said with a blush of embarrassment, his cheeks turning a rosy shade as he spoke. Feeling a rush of adrenaline, he swiftly made his way towards the window. With a swift leap, he propelled himself outside. As he descended, he expertly utilized his Airbending techniques to create a cushion of wind beneath him, slowing down his fall gracefully. Touching the ground with a light thud, Aang quickly regained his composure. His mission to find Zuko and Iroh remained at the forefront of his mind, driving him forward. Just as he was about to continue his search, he heard a voice behind him.
"You must be the Avatar," a voice called out, jolting Aang from his thoughts. Feeling a surge of curiosity mixed with apprehension, he swiftly swiveled around to face the source of the statement. Standing there, towering over him, was a complete stranger.
This enigmatic man possessed a distinctive appearance, with a head that was predominantly bald save for a peculiar patch of hair that covered half of his shining scalp. Accentuating his facial features were a pair of meticulously groomed pointy mustaches and an equally pointed beard. Aang's initial unease subsided when he noticed the man's attire—it was unmistakably Earth Kingdom garb.
"Who are you?" Aang questioned warily, still keeping his distance from the man he didn't recognize. The man smiled at Aang before clearing his throat and respectfully bowing.
"Where are my manners, forgive me, Avatar Aang. My name is Long Feng."
Fun Question: What do you think about the upcoming Live Action TV Show?
Comments
Dracolich
I wonder if in your world, Noriko is the same she is in the comics. She could be, or she could simply be a kind mother that gave a hurt teenager a small glimpse of what she missed. I think this was a very important event for Azula, and will help her recover from her own mental scarring. I'm still shipping Azula with Naruto and Toph even if it's unlikely.
Drinor
Well, everyone has their own flaws. Azula’s character will go on quite a journey in this Story.
GrouchyGritic
Another great chapter. Poor azula I feel so bad for her😭 comics did her dirty. It’s like the creators forget the crimes Zuko and iroh did especially iroh didn’t he say he missed the siege of earth kingdom or something like that
