Author notes: Another chapter done. First, I'd like to apologize to those that have been anxiously waiting for this chapter. It has been busy in my life and I've only been able to write til now. It's midnight now so this chapter will be short. I think... Anyways I'm putting in some references to the legend of Korra let's see if you can catch them. Anyways it's late so if you notice grammar errors please PM me or write them in the comments. As I read every single one. Hope you like it. WATCH OUT FOR THE LEMON.

Chapter Seven

Healing Begins

(Azu POV)

I was sleeping restfully for one of the first times this week. If asked I would deny it relentlessly. I didn't know if it was due to the emotions that I locked within myself finally being released, or the fact that the whole ordeal was just too exhausting. Whatever the case, it caused me to have a dreamless sleep. So, I wasn't pleased that someone decided to wake me up.

There was a loud knocking which I found strange, the Time Spawners would just come and go as they pleased. I stared at the door expecting them to walk in even after they finished knocking. The knocking paused a moment before it began with a little more volume.

I didn't know what to do at this point. I thought of yelling at them to go away, but only the blue and tan one knew that I was pretending and I'd like to keep it that way. However, the person at the door was determined to keep knocking until I gave some type of response they wanted. I debated over my dilemma when a soft and caring voice filtered through the door calling out to me.

"Azu? Azu are you sleeping?" the voice sounded a lot like the Time Spawner that I met yesterday, or was that two days ago?

I was before you kept knocking and woke me up, I thought angrily.

"Azu? Look if you're mad at me that's fine, but I'm trying to give you your privacy. I have a homemade dinner for you. I found out the nurses here didn't feed you. Honestly, what kind of nurse doesn't feed their patient. I could water smack them in the mouth right now." The once pleading voice swiftly changed to one of anger at the action aforementioned.

I was surprised in continuous silence at the girl's anger towards the other Time Spawners. I thought this girl worked for them. I thought she was on their side. I'm surprised that she isn't. Before, I knew what was happening my mouth opened and lightly called out to the girl.

"Come in," my voice rasped out in a gruff tone from no real use within the last six months. Disregarding the last time, we 'spoke' of course.

"Oh okay, I'm coming in now." She opened the door revealing herself for me to see. She now wore a red skirt with rust grey pants underneath with a small tunic hugging her upper body. Her hair once pulled up was now hanging loose with only a small top knot.

She carried a tray of food, and I felt stomach cry out in joy at the thought of something to eat.

However, I was not interested in the food at the moment. No, I was staring intently at her. I wasn't sure what bothered me that she was no longer wearing blue clothes or if I liked the new look that she was adorning.

She must have caught me staring because she smiled as a small blush dusted her cheeks, "I thought that familiar colours would help you relax around me, more than something like another nation's colours," she explained.

I nodded my head at the logic in the argument. However, I couldn't help frowning at the colours for some odd reason.

"I like blue. It suits you. Reminds me of a blue openness that I saw in my dreams," I spoke absentmindedly.

"Really? Then how about tomorrow I wear my normal blue dress? I can bring an extra dress for you to change into as well. Would you like that?" she paused unwrapping a steaming bowl to ask.

I didn't really know how to respond it was as if she truly cared. But that can't be, I'm a monster I don't deserve care or companionship. No, I deserve to rot in this place, that's what happens to monsters. They get put down if they're spared then they are chained and put-.

"AZU, snap out of it!"

I was interrupted by the blue one yelling my name. She looked at me with stern eyes. I couldn't believe her. How dare she interrupt me. Me?! Doesn't she know I'm the monster everyone fears? I could kill her before she even blinks and yet she thinks she can order me around? Let's she was she does when I-

I froze when I felt tender hands touch my cheeks. I watched her with confusion most likely evident on my face. I look into her eyes that are looking into mine. The blues within her eyes were unending. I could see endless amounts of emotions. It was like her eyes pulsed with energy. I was drawn to them even if they weren't drawn to mine.

No, hers were drawn to my lips. Her hands, which were still holding my cheeks, began to softly rub my jaw muscles. She leaned in her breath was hot on my neck, my lips quivered in anticipation as to what she'd do next. I closed my eyes acting on instinct and began to feel a cool wetness flow over my lips.

"There! Now your lip isn't longer bleeding."

My eyes shot open to see her hands glowing before she shook them off and leaned back. She went back to preparing her home cooked meal still talking to me even if I was only half listening.

"You need to be more careful you could have caused a scar. Anyways I healed you up nicely. I'll come tomorrow with two dresses you can choose whether you want to wear it or not then. However, Azu," She looked at me with honest and sincere eyes that shone with seriousness.

"I want to help. That means whenever you're upset talk with me. Do you understand? I'm going to be honest with you Azu. I don't know if you know this, but if you can cooperate with me. Then I can get you out of here. I can get you to see both of the blue openness that are out there. I didn't know if I could help you. Considering our history, the chances are low, but I know you better than almost anyone. Every time we fought, I learned something new about you, you were like a puzzle that kept getting bigger with each piece added.

"I'll tell you this now. Seeing the person that intrigued me the most during the war end up like this is heartbreaking. That's why am here, I'm-We are going to repair you from the bottom up. I'll be able to learn more about now due to your... current situation. So Azu, will you take my hand and head towards a better tomorrow are you going to stay in this pit until the second you die?"

She reached her hand out to me, silently yearning for me to grasp it. I hesitated a moment before grasping it as hard as I can. I want to see the openness. Just once more, if she can make that happen so be it. I can amuse myself with her until she lets me see the openness.

She gave me a smile to me before opening the lip of the container. Allowing steam flavored air that made me focus only on the small bowl before. In the bowl was a meagre meal barely able to feed a small child, but to me, it looked like a feast. The meals from the other Time Spawners food was often cold and bland by the time it got to her.

However, this meal was filled with warm steamy broth with green noodles, (A.N. seaweed noodles, but Azula doesn't know that) and a small fillet of white cooked fish. In the broth were a type of grain and various vegetables such as carrots, celery, leeks, potatoes, and scallions. A sharp pepper like smell with the hints of lemon could be smell from the small bowl making its way to me.

"Would you like me to help you or do you want to eat on your own?"

"Give it to me," while I tried to make it sound as rude as possible, it came out more like begging.

She simply smiled before grabbing one of my hands and brought it towards the bowl. I wrapped my fingers around the bowl, and we held the bowl together before my other hand wrapped around the other side. It was so warm I could feel the heat coming from the bowl. Actual heat, not some lukewarm thing that left her more chilled than warm.

However, that warmth wouldn't last for long. For when I moved my hand away from hers, the bowl shook from my exhaustion which caused the bowl to fall from my grasp. My first real meal, since I could remember, was now going to be food for the elephant rats. Tears stung the corners of my eyes as I watched it fall. I knew it was silly to cry over a meal, but I couldn't help it. Now I was never going to taste it, and I'll never be given food from her again. It happened once before about a week and a half.

It was a week ago when a nurse brought me a dumpling and I dropped it. That accident caused me to only get a small sliver of stale bread to eat every other day. It was about this time that I noticed no splashing sound. I looked up and my eyes widened when I saw all but the bowl floating in the air.

The girl bent and picked up the bowl and allowed the contents of the bowl to once again be placed inside. She moved to sit next to me holding the spoon out to me. I grasped the spoon in a white-knuckle grip to keep from dropping it. I moved the spoon awkwardly as I sipped at the glorious broth brought to me.

I began to sob tears of pure joy. It was the single most delicious thing since I existed. It was warm, something that I forgot about. I haven't had a warm meal for what felt like years. The other Time Spawners stopped giving warm food after the first week, only giving a flatbread that I could tell was laced with something. It was one of the reasons I ate only when I had to and threw up the rest. It sickened me.

But she was different, this Time Spawner, it seemed she actually cared? Why it mattered so much confused me, but I could think about that later. Right now, my only concern was the food before me, I had to eat it before it was taken from me. It was mine and no one was going to take it. Not even her.

"Hey, hey slow down there's plenty where that came from. Eat more slowly. This is just yours no one is going to eat but, be careful your stomach might not know how to react to what you're putting in it."

"Mhhmm," my only reply.

"Of course, I know it's good, but it'll go to waste if you eat so fast you throw up right?"

"Mmm."

"Don't think I won't take away the bowl if you start eating too fast. Slow down or don't eat those are your choices." As one can imagine, I choose to eat slower, slightly. After ten minutes of me eating my fill, I, unfortunately, ran out of the soup. It was disheartening, to say the least, she must have noticed.

"I'll make more for you tomorrow... I have a few things planned tomorrow, but for now, get some rest. I'll be back tomorrow with some breakfast. Also, you can have this," she handed me a fur skin that was white with black dots. The fur was thick, it was so soft, "It probably gets cold all the way down here. I figured you might like it. Anyways, I'll be going now. I'll be here around midday that should give you plenty of time to catch up on sleep. Have a goodnight Azu."

She walked out but not before flashing me a smile before the door shut softly and quiet shuffling signaled her leave. I held the soft fur to my face and breathed in deeply. It smelt of ocean salt and a natural smell that I couldn't quite place.

I wonder if she has a name? If she doesn't, I want make it up. I come up with good ones. Though it reminded me a lot of the person that gave this comfy blanket. It smells like her. It smells good not as good as food but, I think it's my new favorite. I wrapped it around myself as best as I could and buried my face in its soft embrace. I was asleep before I knew it.

(Katara POV)

I had made it halfway up the stairs before I stopped to try and keep the tears at bay. I knew Azula was bad it just never accorded to me how bad. She could barely feed herself and when she did eat, it was like she hadn't eaten in days. I didn't realize just how emotionally taxing this endeavor would be. However, I made a promise, and I intended to keep it.

After I composed myself, I continued on my way up the cracked stone stairs. Within the cracks, bioluminescent moss grew to provide the light needed without the need for fire. This place had two levels the more dangerous patients, like Azula, were kept within the lower sections, away from the others.

They were kept from the sun to keep their firebending to a minimum. Obviously, they underestimated Azula's prowess if she was able to produce fire like she did earlier today. Though from what she remembered Azula was a genius, it made sense that she'd be different from the others.

I had a plan to help Azula, but she needed to want to get better. Until then I could only help as much as she'd allow. For now, I had to tell Ty Lee the state of her former friend. She'd be devasted what had come of her but relieved that most of Azula's illnesses were small. They could all be healed with some warm food, rest, and healing sessions to help put energy within her body.

Tomorrow was a new day. I just hoped Azula was ready for such large changes.

How'd you all like it? Did you all catch the references? Hope you like the scene of Azula's interest in Katara beginning to take shape. Anyways I'm tired it three AM and I work at 9. Night. Don't forget to PM or comment on grammar mistakes. Thanks for reading this chapter of Her Voice Whispers Back.

Peace (^_^)7.