Return of the Princess

It has been 1 Year since Azula had left for her travels in the South Pole, Finding many things, and studying the Water Bending techniques, She figured one a few things that assisted in crafting her own firebending strategies.

After returning home and stopping at the port, men from the palace arrived with a throne which the four would carry to the fire nation palace. the throne would go through the Fire Nation Capital, and then to the palace. The Men would carry the throne into the palace where she would say, "Set me down here." The men obeyed, hopping off of the throne she wouldn't say a thing to the men, her guards would spot her and proceed to follow her.

Walking through the courtyard she would stroll through along with her guards, stepping through, the palace workers would try to speak with her by saying things such as, "Welcome back, Princess!" and, "It is an Honor, Your Highess." she would ignore them and continue walking towards the training Grounds.

Once she reached the training grounds she would turn to her guards. "Set me up four training dummies." the guards would nod, "Yes, Princess!" they would return with the four dummies. She knew it was time to test her new strategy. she slid up her sleeves to reveal containers, appearing to be filled with black powder..

Smiling, she would do an assortment of finger movements, the containers would slide up from their safety. she would then hold out her right arm, and then raise her middle finger higher then the other four, launching powder out of the container in a very straight line, then she would fire a spark, the spark was enough to ignite each of the specs of powder, causing a line of explosions towards the dummies, she would repeat these process for the other three, all the dummies would lie in smoking ruin, battered, burnt, and with chunks out of them. "Can't wait to test this on an enemy.." She would smirk, then slide the containers back up her sleeve. leaning against a stone pillar in the training ground hoping to encounter a sparring partner she could practice Chi-Blocking with.

The Ruckus in the area had Azula curious, she knew it was Hakota-Zai. After the Guard had stormed off, she kicked the battered and burnt training dummy out of the way, she wore the traditional Fire Nation royal breastplate and clothes of fine Hyacinth Silk with a golden trim at each corner.

She would chuckle when they Hakota entered, "a few tricks indeed." She would glance at the dummy that clearly wasn't destroyed with any physical or firebending attacks. "The trip proved successful. That isn't why I brought you here though." She would stroke her chin gently with her right hand.

Proceeding to explain, she would look at Hakota with a casual gaze, pacing around in a line, "You know I wouldn't risk bringing a trained killer like yourself to this palace without a reason, Yes?" She would stop pacing and look at Hakota, "I didn't exactly bring you here to rekindle old friendships either, Hakota." She would then nod, knowing he understood. "You know why I called you here, You have something to teach me. Your crimes have been pardoned and you are under my guards watch, So I'll ask you to behave while here, no running off and murdering my brother." She would nod at him. "I trust you can agree to that, With the agreement, you may live in this palace under the supervision. And with that, you are my guest."

She would watch him speak while he was bound, she would then think in her head, that perhaps she could expand upon his freedoms and rewards. "I can promise you will be fed, given a suite down the hall from mine, and in the end, you will come out a very wealthy man." She would say sweetly, trying to be more generous then she really had to, for the sake of it being her old friend.

She decided to tell him what his freedoms are, In a serious tone, she would begin pacing again and then start to say.. "You may have your own custom made garb to wear, whether it be armor or a simple robe, most people won't appreciate you walking around the palace in ... Those. Further more, you have Permissions. You may enter the City of the Fire Nation, and you have a pass that will be renewed every week that allows you to enter the palace, you may come and go from the palace as you see fit, However; you must tell me before you plan on leaving the Fire Nation, further more, you must tell me how long you are going for."

She would nod, "Now, Are you ready to practice?" She would say before removing his bindings from him, and removing the royal breastplate, leaving them in equal armoring, she would move backwards and take a stance.

She would grin at this decision of his to let her go first, knowing it was strategic. "Very Well.." She would come at him, opening slowly, she would increase her movement speed, and then attempt to jab at a few pressure points, hoping to take her teacher by surprise.

As Hakota took the hits like a champ, Azula would be in shock, had she actually struck her master? Did top his skills already? She appeared impressed with herself, egotistical even, she grinned as he fell paralyzed, or so she thought.

She would take her stance once again, when he sent the kick towards her feet she would succeed in tripping her, as she took the tumble she was surprised that he had fooled her so well, she fell to the ground, his masked attack took her in great surprise, hitting the ground she would look up at him, wide eyed.

"It Appears I have much to learn from you before I may achieve perfection." She would state bluntly, though appearing honored to train with her friend once more.

She nods and respectfully bows to him, however quickly switching moods, "I can show you around the palace now if you would like." Smiling an adventurous smile. "Its almost dinner time anywho, So it may be best if we get a start. What do you like? Chef's cook up anything I ask em' to, and now you aswell." She would say, telling him another permission he has.

She smiled, "Let us leave this room, it smells like black powder and smoke." He would see a palace maid, "MAID!" She would yell loudly, "Assure the training grounds do not smell like a used firework by the time I return, am I clear?" She would bow and say, 'Yes Princess.' and move towards the training ground to proceed the cleaning.

Azula would lead him down a hall, "This is Military Wing we are in, Perhaps someday, if you impress Novai, you will end up as a tactician here." She would lead him towards a room and then open it. "This is where the generals have talked war since the beginning of the 100 year War, a room full of History, from Sozens Conquest of the Air Nomads, to Azulons Campaign against the Earth Kingdom, all the way up to.. Err, ...Azula and Ozai's plans to turn the Earth Kingdom into a bonfire.." She would be quick to get through that one, trying not to remind herself of what a shadow Azula the 1st left upon her.

Next they would arrive in the technology wing, "This is where the latest Fire Nation Weapons of War come from, Tanks, Airships, all that, their upgrades come from this room and this room alone." She would nod, and see they are building a new model of Airship at the moment.

She would then walk down the hall and arrive at an area that smelled very good, it was the cooking wing. She would swing open the doors and walk through, the chef would approach her, "Princess Azula! I think you'll like what we are cooking tonight! It is a new soup. The best critics in all of the Fire Nation tell us it is delicious..!" He would hand her a small bowl to test it, She would take a sip and then say, "Apparently your critics need a bit better taste in food.." she would sigh, "But it will do. Whip us up some ribs while you are at it." He would nod, "Yes Princess- Who is this tramp with you?" Azula would look at the chef, anger in her eyes. "Do not call friends of mine tramps, I do not want to make the mistake of burning the skin off of your face, are we clear?" the cook would appear scared. "Y-Yes Princess.. I just want to know.. Who is your new friends?..." She would smile, "His name is Hakota-Zai, an Old friend of mine, and my Chi Blocking teacher, you will be serving his food he asks for and filling his belly with your most tasty food, do you understand?" The cook would nod, "Y-Yes, a new master in the palace, this is most good." Azula would smile, "Now, get back to work. I don't want dinner over or undercooked, got that?" She would bark at him.

Azula would smile, "Palace workers are basically slaves, they know they have to earn their respect, not sucking up like that man, Hmmph." She would say in a lady-like voice.

Azula, happy to show her friend around the palace, would continue her tour of the palace. She would next come to an ornamented staircase, she would look up it, three guards would come down and look at Azula, before saluting, she would salute back, dismissing them. they would then take off their helmets and walk away, stroking the sweat from their heads, Showing a tad bit of restraint on the Hard Working and respectful.

After going up the stairs she would pause, "This is the suite floor, where all guests, royalty, and nobility stay, You will be staying on this floor." They would turn the corner to see two fire nation boys who looked to be of the age of 16 each, they would see you turn the corner first and say, "What are peasants doing wandering through the halls of the Fire Nation?"

Azula would then walk around the corner, and look at the two boys, hearing what they said, she would give them a death stair, they would appear scared. Without even having to say say anything, they would start backpedaling, she would look at her as if she threatened to have them hung "I-I'm sorry princess, I didn't you you had ties with this.. p-... Gentleman, y-yes, gentleman." She would walk away, slowly, as if very scared.

She would then snarl, "Hmmph, Sweet Kids, Huh." She would say sarcastically, Azula would then nod at Hakota, "The Tailor should have left a similar garb to your current one in your room, only with adjustments to make it more suitable for palace wear, she also had an old Earthbender battlegarb from the 100 Year war I asked for her to give up for you." Azula would then lead him to a door and open it, "This is your suite, Like it? Or want me to request you another?" The room would appear like other fire nation rooms, blood red and gold, with a matching bed, a dresser, bathroom, a window with a great view of the Capital. and a mint on the pillow.

Azula would be quite happy that he was pleased with his room, she would palm her chin for a second, before remembering to say, "If you need anything, the servants are basically slaves, they will do everything up to jump off a cliff for you.", chuckling after she would say this, she would then begin to leave the room, "Oh. I almost forgot, brother Novai is coming home soon, and we are going on a trip to Ember Isle, If you want to tag along and meet the o'mighty firelord, be my guest." She would lean against the door, awaiting a response.

She would nod, "Novai won't mind. And if he does, its easier for a sister to ask for forgiveness then it is permission." She would smirk, happy her friend is coming along with her on the trip. "Shall I leave you be be acquainted with your room, then?" She would say politely to her guest.

Hours later, she had left Hakota alone to get to know his room, she would send a maid up to call on him for dinner, the maid would knock on the door. "Mister Lee?" the quiet, shy maid would say. "Sorry for bothering you Umm.. It's time for Dinner..." The maid would say quietly. she would wait for him to come out, waiting patiently, standing up straight.

The maid would look up at him after adjusting her dress, she would then have a shy look on her face, "Well uhh... Its down the hall to the left.. I am uhh, very busy.." The maid would say, trying to say it very quickly, "Gotta deliver towels, thats it!" she would scurry off without another word.