#ursa watching azula push zuko into the turtle duck pond:

[hyacinths-in-a-storm]

I think avatar would’ve been funnier if Ursa had at least one sibling.

[reinerispretty]

rotations. (zuko x f!reader) pt23

thank you so much for your support last chapter!! i super duper appreciate each and every one of you :) if you can, pls share!! but u don’t have to i will love u just the same WARNING THOUGH MINOR SPOILERS FOR THE COMICS IN HERE READ AT UR OWN RISK

pt1

pt22

pt24

“It’s my fault mostly, I think. I pushed him away when I shouldn’t have and I didn’t tell him why. Then today, everything seemed normal again.” (Y/N) laughed. “I guess I don’t really know what normal is for Zuko and I anymore.” 

Zuko had been gone for a few months. He had missed his own eighteenth birthday, as well as (Y/N’s) seventeenth. Sometimes he sent messenger hawks back home, indicating that all was well and he would return shortly, but that was the extent of his messages. Every time she saw a hawk fly into the palace, (Y/N) felt her chest tighten in anticipation of what Zuko would say. Did he find his mother? Would she be returning home with him? What had she been doing all of this time? (Y/N) didn’t like having more questions than answers. 

During Zuko’s absence, she and Ren became a lot closer. She had fun on the few dates they had gone on and enjoyed his company, but she wasn’t quite sure if she was ready to call him her boyfriend. After all, the first boyfriend she had broke up with her because of the boy she had loved her entire life who now had a girlfriend, so she didn’t have the best of luck in the boyfriend department. 

But there was also part of her that urged her to take a chance on Ren. He was kind and smart and loved to hear about her adventures, and he was the first person she had ever befriended that wasn’t in her immediate group. He was different than anything she had experienced before. He had never fought anyone if it wasn’t for practicing earthbending and he certainly had never feared for his life. He liked to drink tea and create tiny creatures for her using his bending. He was normal. (Y/N) liked normal. 

She had been walking the halls of the palace with Ren when she noticed the servants all begin running around. Confused, she stopped one to ask what was going on. Her reflexes immediately prepared for a fight, but calmed once she saw the excited smile on the servant girl’s face. “The Fire Lord and his mother are arriving!” 

(Y/N) would feel a little bit bad later, for leaving Ren behind, but in that moment she darted out of the palace and into the courtyard, where a large carriage was pulling up. She walked down the steps with her robes billowing behind her and ignored the servants hushed whispers about what a proper royal greeting was. She ran up to the carriage and flung the door open before the servants could. Zuko’s face appeared first, only inches from hers, and a smile slowly crept onto his features. She let him crawl out of the carriage before wrapping him in a hug. 

“Don’t ever leave for that long again!” She exclaimed, punching him lightly in the shoulder. 

“Ow!” He feigned hurt, rubbing his arm. “You could’ve come with me, you know.” 

“Someone had to keep this place running.” She rolled her eyes playfully before diverting them back to the carriage. Another man stepped out with a little girl who could be no older than five. (Y/N) looked at Zuko quizzically before the final passenger exited. 

When she was younger, (Y/N) thought that Ursa was the prettiest woman in the Fire Nation. She had been so different from the rest of the royal family. Her kindness exuded from her. Ursa had always been able to tell when (Y/N) was upset and talked her through some of the more difficult issues she had experienced with her parents. Despite being royalty, she had never treated (Y/N) any differently than her other children. She had been the mother that (Y/N) always wanted. 

So for those very reasons, (Y/N) could not help her eyes from welling with tears when she stared at Ursa’s face. She tried her best to hold back her tears so that she could speak. “I don’t know if you remember me, but--” 

“(Y/N),” Ursa said. “Of course I remember you.” And (Y/N) couldn’t help but throw herself at Ursa and wrap her arms around her. Ursa held her tight and stroked her hair like she used to when she was a child. 

She pulled away, wiping violently at the tears that streamed down her face. She gave the group a small smile. “Sorry, I really thought I’d be able to control myself better.” 

“(Y/N), this is my husband, Noren,” Ursa gestured to the man standing beside her. (Y/N) gave him a curt smile and a bow.

“Zuko has told us a lot about you,” Noren said. She looked back to see Zuko’s face turn a shade of bright red. 

“Good things, I hope.” 

Ursa gestured down to the little girl at Noren’s side. “And this is Kiyi, our daughter.” (Y/N) bent down to Kiyi’s level and stuck out her hand for her to shake. 

“Hi, Kiyi,” She said softly. “I’m (Y/N), Zuko’s friend.” 

“Zuzu,” Kiyi said quietly, before hiding behind her father’s leg. The statement surprised (Y/N), because there was only one other person in the world who called him that. And she just so happened to be missing from this happy reunion. She looked at Zuko again and he gave her a slight shake of his head, indicating that they would discuss Azula later. 

“Who is that?” Noren asked, nodding his head toward Ren. (Y/N’s) eyes opened wide as she realized she had completely forgotten about him in the excitement. 

“Oh!” She exclaimed, running back to Ren to pull him toward the group. “I’m so sorry, we were walking around the palace before you guys got here. This is Ren! My--” 

“Her boyfriend,” Ren said with a smile, giving a bow to Zuko and his family. “It’s truly an honor to meet all of you. Especially you, Fire Lord, I’ve heard so much about you.” 

(Y/N) watched as Zuko’s pleasant smile turned into a deep frown. She took a step away to distance herself from Ren before putting a smile on her own face. “You all have been traveling for so long, why don’t I ask the kitchens to put a nice dinner together?”

“We’d love that!” Ursa said cheerfully. If she had caught on to the awkward moment, she gave no indication. “Will you be joining us, Ren?” 

“I’d rather this just be a family affair,” Zuko said. (Y/N) knew that tone. He was angry, but she didn’t know why. 

“No problem!” Ren said with a smile. He grabbed (Y/N’s) hand. “You can have dinner at my house, if you’d like.” 

“(Y/N) is family,” Zuko stared down at Ren disapprovingly. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” (Y/N) said, desperate to get everyone out of the tense situation. He turned to her and smiled once more before kissing her on the cheek and walking away. (Y/N) felt her face heat up, but she wasn’t sure if it was from flattery or embarrassment. 

At dinner, Zuko and (Y/N) walked Ursa and Noren through their past few years together, starting at Zuko’s banishment and finishing right before he left to find his mother. Kiyi sat quietly at the dinner table, playing with her noodles. 

“Does the palace still make fruit tarts?” Ursa questioned. Both (Y/N) and Zuko nodded. 

“They can make whatever you’d like,” Zuko said, but Ursa shook her head. 

“I’d like a fruit tart. If there’s one thing I’ve missed besides the two of you, it’s those tarts.” The servants left the dining room immediately to prepare the treat. “Fruit tarts are the reason (Y/N) and Zuko are such close friends.” 

“Oh?” Noren raised an eyebrow. “I’m sure that’s an interesting story.” 

“Not as interesting as you might think,” (Y/N) admitted. “I came to Zuko’s tenth birthday party and all the fruit tarts were gone, so he snuck me down to the kitchens to get some more.” 

“I still remember the look on Little (Y/N’s) face when she saw me catch them,” Ursa laughed. 

“As a nine year old, I found the royal family to be very intimidating!” 

“You don’t now?” Zuko asked, a hint of a playful smile at his lips. (Y/N) scoffed. 

“You’re about as intimidating as a turtle duck.” They all erupted into laughter. (Y/N) couldn’t help but think that this is what home felt like. 

---

On the rare occasion that (Y/N) couldn’t sleep, she liked walking out to the pond and sitting in the moonlight. It was one of the few moments when her life was actually peaceful and while she usually sat alone, she liked to pretend that Yue was sitting right beside her. 

That night, (Y/N) tried her hardest to get to sleep, but she couldn’t. Her mind raced with the days’ events. She was so excited to reunite with Ursa and meet her family, but she was also confused as to why Ren would so boldly put a label on their relationship when it wasn’t something they had discussed. She also couldn’t figure out why Zuko was upset. (Y/N) hated not knowing things, so she chose to walk down to the pond to hopefully clear her head. 

When she arrived, Ursa was already sitting by the edge of the pond. She noticed (Y/N’s) presence almost immediately and pat the grass beside her. “A lot on your mind?” 

(Y/N) sighed. “You have no idea.” 

“I used to come here whenever I had something to think about, too. I’m here to listen, if you need it.” 

“I don’t know how much Zuko has told you about me, but before he left, our relationship was sort of...bad. We had become very distant from each other.” 

“Why is that?” 

“It’s my fault mostly, I think. I pushed him away when I shouldn’t have and I didn’t tell him why. Then today, everything seemed normal again.” (Y/N) laughed. “I guess I don’t really know what normal is for Zuko and I anymore.” 

“I think, for you two, normal is being together. Whatever that might entail.” (Y/N) stared at Ursa for a moment before turning to the pond to mull over what she meant. After a brief lull in conversation, Ursa spoke again. “How long have you and Ren been together?” 

(Y/N) shrugged. “A few months? We’ve gone on a few dates and I liked spending time with him, but today was the first day he had ever called himself my boyfriend.” 

“That’s good news, isn’t it?” The truth was, (Y/N) wasn’t so sure. She knew he meant well, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that today hadn’t been the best day to say something like that. 

“Maybe,” was all (Y/N) could say. She hated being like this. She thought she had grown into someone who was sure of herself. Now, her emotions were one scrambled mess. She couldn’t quite tell how she felt about anyone. “Why are you sitting out here?” 

“Being here brings back many memories. Some happy, others not so much.” Ursa smiled at her. “I’m sure you’ve come to realize the intricacies of palace life.” (Y/N) nodded. 

“Zuko and I have spent a long time trying to figure out who to trust.” 

“At least you know you can trust each other.” Ursa paused for a moment, as if she wasn’t sure if she should say what she was about to say. “I was very happy when Zuko told me you were still in his life. You were set on such different paths after his banishment. I’m glad he had someone like you to come back to.” 

“It took a while,” (Y/N) admitted. “A long while. But we got there eventually.” 

“I believe that the strongest relationships are held together by unbreakable strings. No matter where you go, you will always have Zuko.” Ursa punctuated her sentence with a yawn. “We should get to bed. I heard some servants whispering about a celebratory breakfast. And lunch.” 

---

Weeks passed and Zuko became increasingly happier in his position as Fire Lord. Having his mother around stepfather around was a nice treat and he was thoroughly enjoying getting closer with his half-sister, Kiyi. Even his relationship with (Y/N) felt like it was starting to improve again. The only downside to everything was Ren. 

Zuko didn’t like Ren from the moment (Y/N) brought him over, but he had tried to hide that from her. When Ren introduced himself as her boyfriend, Zuko felt an anger rise in him that he had never experienced before. Sure, he had been a little jealous when (Y/N) was with Sokka, but he knew Sokka was a good person at heart and would treat her kindly no matter what. He could trust Sokka with (Y/N). Every fiber of his being told him not to trust Ren. He wasn’t sure why, but his own instincts hadn’t failed him recently. So whenever he could, he would insert himself into their walks or conversations. He tried to play it off as friendliness, but he could tell that (Y/N) knew something was off. 

Zuko had been walking down one of the less-traveled corridors of the palace since his meeting had ended early. When he had a foggy mind, he liked to clear his head by walking around the expansive halls. He usually ended his walks feeling refreshed. 

Zuko was surprised when he heard voices coming from one of the rooms in the hall. He followed the voices to the very end of the hall, where the door had been left slightly ajar. Zuko peered through the crack in the door and saw Ren talking to his father, a very wealthy Earth Kingdom aristocrat. 

“How are things with the girl?” His father asked. 

“Very well! She and I spend all of our free time together when the Fire Lord isn’t around.” Zuko frowned. 

“And she’s falling for you?” 

“Definitely. She’s a giggly mess whenever I’m around. I plan on proposing by the end of the year.” 

This nearly sent Zuko to the ground. He hadn’t realized that (Y/N) and Ren were far enough along in their relationship to consider marriage. (Y/N) hadn’t even mentioned it to Zuko. 

“She has no clue what you’re doing, correct?” 

“Not one. When she’s not with me, she’s busy running around for the Fire Lord.” 

“Excellent,” Ren’s father drawled. “With her as an addition to our family, we’ll be able to get the Fire Lord to do anything we want.” 

“He’s practically in love with her. He’ll do anything she says, I guarantee it.” 

Zuko realized that that was the real reason why Ren wanted to be with (Y/N). He didn’t care for her at all, he simply wanted to use her connection to him to further his family’s political advances. The anger inside of him burned hot and bright, and it took everything in him to not send a fireball at them right then. Instead, he walked away. 

When Zuko found Ren and his father again, they were on their way out of the palace. “Wait!” Zuko called out, running down the steps to catch up to them. His guards followed him like shadows. Ren and his father turned around and bowed at him. 

“Fire Lord Zuko,” Ren’s father said. “To what do we owe this pleasure?” 

“I would like to inform the two of you that you are no longer welcome in the Fire Nation. From this moment on, you are banished from our land.” 

“What?” Ren asked, his jaw dropping in disbelief. Zuko turned to face him. 

“I heard all about your little plan to marry (Y/N) to get me to do your bidding. I knew I didn’t like you from the first day that I met you. I didn’t know until today that there was an actual reason.” 

“You’re insane,” Ren spat, just as his father said, “This is all a misunderstanding.” 

Zuko set his jaw and raised his chin high. “I know what I heard. I am Fire Lord Zuko and I will not tolerate conspiracy, regardless of who perpetrates it. For this reason, you are banished from the Fire Nation.” The guards seized the two men and dragged them off of the palace grounds as they shouted curses at Zuko. 

---

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[netflixbingger]

I’ll Find You - Part 1

Chapter 1: Zuzu To The Rescue - Prince Zuko x Reader

Summary: Y/N and Zuko were thick as thieves growing up. Of course at a young age the idea of romantic love isnt really thought about, but from a outsiders perspective it is clear as day that Y/N and Zuko’s friendship will blossom into something much more. As the two grow with one another, they are slowly pulled apart to become enemies. Soon Y/N finds herself amongst the Avatar, but can she put aside her longing feelings for Zuko and fight for what is right? And can Zuko prove to her that there is still good within him?

Word Count: 1,408

Notes: Hi Guys! I know this idea has been written a few times within the Zuko fandom, but I couldn't help it... I’m a sucker for reunited friends turn into lovers :P This first chapter is just a short drabble to show the type of friendship that Zuko and Y/N had as little kids. I think its important to see the friendship at different ages to show their personal growth. 

You tried to control your breathing, tried to steady the airflow leaving your mouth in heavy pants. You were anxious, gripping the grass below you like your life depended on it. You felt like you had been running for miles only for him to continuously find you. But not this time, you won’t allow it. Your eyes strained to see through the bushes, but you were still able to make out the running figures of your friends trying to find a spot to hide. Thinking you were safe from his clutches you let your body fully collapse to the ground. After a few minutes you were beginning to regain your breath, but you froze as you heard a crunch of leaves behind you and an ominous voice that followed, “I told you, wherever you go, I will find you.”

Slowly clenching your eyes shut you turned around to face your seeker, Prince Zuko. His hair was pulled back from his face as tiny beads of sweat were beating off his mischievous brows. He wore a playful smirk as he began to corner you in. Kneeling down to level with your eyes he slowly reached his hand out and lightly tapped your nose. “Tag, you’re it” he chuckled before turning away and disappearing behind the bushes. Damn it, you hated being it ; it was almost impossible to catch up with Ty Lee, she was always twirling around and showing off her athletic abilities. Mai was always so well hidden that no one ever found her, she’d make it through the entire game without being caught once. The game of tag always ended in bickering back and forth between your friends, especially when Azula played. She never played by the rules and would throw threats if you came close to finding her. The only person that played the game honestly was Zuko; he stayed in territory and never used his “stunts”, at least not with you.

Sighing, you got up from your sitting position on the grass and stepped out into the field. You looked around aimlessly hoping to find one of your friends. You’d throw an occasional remark into the air hoping to catch a chuckle, but the garden remained silent. After a few minutes of walking the perimeter of the pond, you placed yourself underneath the trees preparing to give up. But as you leaned back on the rough bark, you heard a set of giggles. Immediately looking around, you were confused when you discovered you were alone. It was only when you heard a “shush” that you realized the noises were coming from above you. Quickly looking upward you were surprised to see 3 of your friends sitting atop the tree branches. “Come on guys,” you yelled crossing your arms, “You know I can’t climb well!”

Azula’s sly chuckle responded, “Oh, just add it to your list”

You clenched your jaw trying to hold back the amount of insults you could throw her way. “Just come on down, this isn't fair and you know it.” You didn't have the willpower to stop your foot from stomping on the ground as you tried to hold in your tears. Happy to see Mai begin to descend down the tree, you were left disappointed as she was shortly stopped by Azula. “Oh, don't cry about it. I never said we were going to play fair, besides it's good practice! See this as a climbing exercise,” she smirked, “Come get us.”

You pushed the sleeves of your dark crimson dress away from your hands as you stepped closer to the tree. You wanted to climb up there and prove Azula wrong, but the moment your hands touched the bark you chickened out. How did they get up there? Your thoughts were soon disrupted as you heard the mean whispers between the 3 girls. Staring upwards once again, you threw an angered glare in their direction. But your annoyance disappeared as you heard the comforting voice of your friend Zuko from behind you. “Azula, cut it out”. Suddenly you were no longer mad and upset, but instead a sense of pride filled your body as the boy defended you.

However that pride quickly dispersed as the chuckling above continued, “Oh look, Zuzu has come to save the day.” Azula and Ty Lee laughed at your and Zuko’s reddened faces, both blabbering on how Zuko always had to come to your rescue.

“Azula, get down from there.” The stern but soft voice seemingly appeared from nowhere and ended all comments. You didn't need to turn around to know who it belonged to, Ursa’s voice was a sound you could never forget. 

Ursa was basically family to you, she and your mom were close with one another, best friends even. Your mom would tell you stories of her and Ursa as teenagers and how they would explore the nations together. Your mother's friendship was the reason why you were so close to Zuko, and even to Azula at times. You were introduced to the two siblings a few years ago when your family moved from the colonies into the city. As soon as Ursa got the news of your mother's move she was quick to invite your whole family over. Your parents intended on forging a friendship between Azula and yourself, but they were surprised when you formed a stronger connection with Zuko. The two mothers would chuckle at the awkward exchanges in the beginning, but both soon hoped for a future marriage as they watched your friendship grow. 

There was no denying that you were a pretty girl. Even at the age of 9 there wasn't any doubt that you would grow into a beautiful young lady, suitable for Zuko’s hand in marriage. Ursa had never intended on arranging any type of relationship between the two of you, but she was rather hopeful as she watched you grow with one another. There was a spark between you that was undeniable. Even Firelord Ozai was able to see the chemistry between the two young children, but he refused any talk of courtship until your firebending skills improved. He believed that the future rulers of the Fire Nation needed to be strong and ruthless, no signs of weaknesses were allowed. So, as he watched you and Zuko play with the turtle ducks instead of practicing your bending, he began to despise the idea of his son's friendship with you.

“Alright little one, time to head in, say your goodbyes,” Ursa’s soft voice spoke as she watched your and Zuko’s faces fill with shock. Zuko was quick to turn towards his mother, pulling gently on her sleeve. “But moooom, can’t they stay just a little bit longer?”

“I'm afraid that isn't up to me Zuko. Y/N’s mother needs to go home, it’s getting dark out.”

“What about a sleepover?” the young boy exclaimed with a slight crack in his voice.

“Zuko, Y/N slept over last week, now come on,” Ursa firmly grabbed onto Zuko’s hand as she stared within the trees. “Azula, please climb down from there.”

Your mother chuckled as she watched the exchange; tugging on your hand, she began to pull you from the scene and towards the door. You waved your goodbyes at the boy and threw him a toothless smile as Azula jumped from the trees with grace. Brushing off the dirt and twigs from her clothes, she yelled, “Don't worry Y/N, I’m sure Zuko will be able to play dolls with you tomorrow!”

Your eyes widened as Zuko angrily whispered,”That was one time!”

As your mother laughed at Zuko’s words, you couldn't help but blush with embarrassment. Your friends’ bickering slowly dimmed as your mother dragged you further out of the palace. It was times like these where you wished your family lived closer to Zuko’s home, lucky Mai got to stay almost all night as her walk home was less than a minute. But as you pulled further into the city, you held your head high and stared at the forming stars above. You couldn't help but smile at the thought of Zuko gazing at the same stars that were painted in the sky. Giggling to yourself in glee, you told your mother of the fun you had with your friends and how excited you were to see them again tomorrow. And maybe Azula was right, maybe you would get to play dolls with Zuko tomorrow!

---------

Tell me your thoughts below!

Also, special thanks to @shaynawrites23​ + @pph0le​ for all their help with this story!

[bellatrixobsessed1]

Royal Family Week Day 1 - Drifting

@idonthatemaiko

I probably won’t be doing all of the days for this one as I’m also doing femslash feb, but I wanted to have a go at this as well.

Summary: Iroh can only watch as the family tears itself apart. 

They were all drifting.

Drifting apart in a way he couldn’t stop.

He was only a child but even he could see it. The rift that was growing so steadily.

It grew when father yelled at mother.

When mother hollered about how he was turning his daughter into a monster.

When father yelled back that she was making a weakling of her son.

Zuko pressed his hands to his ears, hating that he had heard his father say such things of him. Hoping that Azula would never hear what Ursa had said of her.

It grew when mother took him to the turtle duck pond.

When she very actively excluded Azula.

Azula was much meaner to him that night, pushing and shoving him and mocking him for being unable to defend himself. And it grew some more when Ursa caught her doing so and sent her off to bed with a harsh scolding.

He could see it in Azula’s eyes that she blamed him.

It grew once again when Ozai took Azula off for firebending lessons.

This time the rift’s growth was his doing. Perhaps in the same way Azula resented him, he resented her for being the sole attention of father. He called her a freak and a weirdo for her blue fire. Who had blue fire anyways? It was just her. She was the odd one. She was scary and mother knew it.

And further still they drifted at the dinner table.

They soon argued openly about how the children were being raised.

Zuko got to hear about how he was a disappointment and ‘a priss of a boy’.

And Azula got to hear about how she was a demon child with no ability to display compassion.

Zuko got to hear about how he was useless and better off dead.

And Azula was reminded that there was something wrong with her and that she couldn’t be fixed.

For it they had taken it upon themselves to fill those roles. Azula became every bit as cold and cruel as Ursa claimed. Zuko, himself made a point of shaming father at every chance he got. For it Ursa and Ozai argued more.

For it, Zuko and Azula mimicked them.

The rift was spreading fast and there was a clear divide. It was Ozai against Ursa. And then Ursa against Azula and Ozai against Zuko. And then it was Zuko against Azula.

Iroh was an outlier.

A spectator on the side, shaking his head sadly at how far the family had drifted.

[firelxrdsdaughter]

what if ursa took both her kids with her the day she vanished? what would their lives be like!!

@fairyveil

I’ve thought about this a lot actually! So...here’s a scenario :D

Azula glares down at the slop that she’s being forced to eat, pulling a face as she pushes the rude wooden bowl away across the table and crosses her arms over her chest.

“Azula, eat your breakfast.” Ursa’s voice is weary, long suffering at the hands of her daughter.

“I don’t want this stuff again. We’ve had it every day for the last month! If we were home then I wouldn’t have to eat the same stupid thing every day!”

“Ugghh!” Zuko sprawls himself out on the pillow beside her, looking exasperated, red in the face. “‘If we were back home’,” he mimics. “You know what else happens every day? you say that like a thousand times!”

Zuko glares at Azula.

“Can’t you give it a rest already,” he demands.

“Maybe if mom told us why we’re out here in the middle of nowhere. Why we’re not allowed outside. Why we’re not allowed to practice fire bending or to go into town and at least look around!”

“That’s enough, both of you! You’re giving me a headache,” Ursa says tightly. “It should be good enough that I said it must be so, young lady.”

“I want dad,” Azula grouses under her breath, hunching in on herself and hugging her knees to her chest.

“If you think you would have gotten any more out of him, then you don’t have an accurate picture of your father,” Ursa tells her daughter, brow drawing downward, “and he certainly wouldn’t be nearly so generous as I’m being about it.”

Azula stands sharply from the table, hands balled into fists at her sides.

“I hate it here! I hate that I have to spend every waking moment with you and Zuko! I want to go home! I want to eat fire flakes and sit at the turtle-duck pond and learn new fire bending moves! I wanna go home!”

A low growl of frustration emits from Ursa’s throat. Before she can say anything, however, the girl has turned on her heel and marched from the small main room of their cramped little house and back into the single bedroom that houses all three of their cots for sleeping on, crammed together to its very edges.

Azula slides down the wall of the bedroom, hugging her knees tightly to her chest, her breast hot and tight along with her face. She buries it in her knees.

“Mom…Why aren’t we allowed outside?” Despite his low tones, Zuko’s voice drifts back to Azula where she has secluded herself. She hears their mother’s responding sigh.

“I know you’re old enough to understand that your dad wasn’t a nice man, Zuko.”

“I know.”

“…I took the two of you out from under him. I don’t want you to go outside or practice your fire bending because I am afraid that someone will see. I’m afraid that they will tell someone and news will reach back to Caldera and your father. I’m afraid he will find us.”

“…I don’t…Understand? What does that mean?”

“Your father and I — I did something bad, my love. I took the two of you with me because I couldn’t bear to leave you behind, but it wasn’t your father’s wish that I leave with the two of you.”

“You disobeyed father?”

Azual feels the shock that is evident in Zuko’s voice. Her gold eyes widen, staring at the folds of her trousers while she remains hunched, frozen in place.

“It was to save you…And perhaps because I was being selfish, too.”

“Mom is…is what Azula said about dad to me…true?” Zuko’s voice is even quieter. Azula must strain to hear it.

There is silence following his question, and then the shifting of fabric as their mother stands, or Zuko. Azula can’t be certain. The silence remains.

Her chest heaving, the girl feels her knuckles beginning to ache with how hard she is holding onto her legs with her fingers. She loosens them, and the white splotches gradually dissipate while she watches.

Dad didn’t want them to go away. She should be at the palace right now. She should be home and happy. She should be allowed to practice fire bending and eat what she wants to eat and she should be enjoying father’s praise.

She should be a princess. Mother has made them into worse than commoners.

Silently, Azula stands once again, hesitating in place for only a moment before she’s crossed to the window that sits on the opposite side of the room. She slides open the shutters and climbs up the wall nimbly to the ledge, balancing there for a breath before she’s dropped to the ground outside.

She shakes out her leg after the landing, rolling her shoulders before she looks about herself at the secluded clearing that their mother has chosen to keep a home in. She looks up at the sun’s position in the sky. It’s East. The Fire Nation is West.

Azula turns West and plunges into the trees.

~

Coming to civilization takes a great deal longer than Azula had expected it to. She stumbles into the fringes of a town two hours’ jog and brisk walk later. Her stomach grumbles, twisting up painfully. She presses a small hand to it, mouth pulling into a thin, unhappy, line.

She should have eaten the slop before running away.

Azula wanders into the streets of the dingy town, looking around her with wide eyes. Her feet scrape the dirt road noisily but she pays them no mind. She also barely acknowledges the looks that she gets as she passes through the crowds of people that go about their business. There are more than a few stalls of food set up for the day.

She has no coin but that won’t stop her. What’s theirs is hers anyway.

The girl reaches up when she sees a ripe peach, taking it so casually that no one seems to take notice at all. She takes a large bite of the sweet flesh of the fruit. Juice sticks to her cheeks and dribbles down her delicate chin to drip on her tunic.

No matter. She’ll get a new one when she finally gets home. She wipes her face with a swipe of her sleeve.

Azula’s attention continues to be caught by the goings on around her. The town, despite being a backwater, is bustling with life. The people are so different in the Earth Kingdom to the Fire Nation, she thinks. Not nearly as clean. Not nearly as noble. They are certainly far beneath her; dust under her boots.

“Hey, kid!” A large hand takes hold of her, locking over Azula’s arm and dragging her backward.

“Ow! Let go!” She tries to wrench free. He squeezes tighter, a tower of muscle above her.

“You look familiar. Where’s your parents?”

“I’m not supposed to talk to strangers,” she answers curtly, “my parents are at a fruit stand let go of me!”

“Az — Aiko!”

Azula’s head snaps around at the familiar voice. Zuko. She scowls at him deeply, but the man that’s caught her is squeezing her wrist so hard that her hand has begun to tingle. She needs to get away now.

“See? that’s my brother!”

She trips over herself when the man lets go. Azula falls hard into the dirt of the road, her peach gone and now inedible. Zuko’s hands are on her a moment later, helping her up from the ground, brushing her off. He looks suitably furious with the strange man who’d taken hold of Azula.

“Why don’t you mind your own business,” he asks of the man, venomous.

The man spits at their feet and then turns away, stalking back down the road with his arms swinging loosely at his sides.

Azula waits all of ten seconds to shove Zuko away viciously.

He grunts with the force of the blow to his chest, offence flickering over his features. Then he’s turning red again, his fists clenching at his sides.

“We’re going home. Now.”

“I am going home, yes.”

“No. You’re not going back. We’re going to our new home with mom. She’s worried sick! You just disappeared on her and she feared the worst.”

“She should be afraid,” Azula answers sharply, “I’m gonna tell dad exactly where you two are as soon as I get back to the Fire Nation, and he’ll come and get you.”

“Azula keep your voice down!”

“No! I’m going home to the Fire Nation,” she shouts in defiance.

A shadow falls over them. Azula quails and then turns slowly to look at the figure shrouded in shadow by the sun directly over his head.

“Well, well, this is a surprise. Who would have thought I’d find my little niece and nephew out in the middle of nowhere. What are you two doing here?”

Azula would know that voice anywhere.

“Uncle!” Zuko rushes forward to wrap his arms around the old man. He’s barely recognizable, Azula thinks. His beard is full and thick, far too long, and he’s grown thick about the middle too. He isn’t the warrior who left home near to three years ago.

“Hello, little nephew. And princess Azula,” he looks at her with those discerning eyes, and Azula’s heart flutters as she looks away.

“What are you two doing out here all alone? Where are your parents?” Uncle sets down the patched, heavy looking, satchel he’d had slung over his shoulder, his free hand on Zuko’s back as he looks between them.

“Mom’s…On the other side of the village probably,” Zuko supplies for him. “We’re out here looking for Azula.” He shoots a pointed look at her.

Azula sticks her tongue out at her brother meanly.

“Hmm…I see. And your father?”

“Back at — back in Caldera,” Zuko answers. “Please uncle, if you come home with us then we’ll explain everything but…”

“Of course…Let’s find your mother and go back to where the three of you are staying. I’m certain there is much that I have missed.”

~

When they do find mother Azula is surprised that she doesn’t receive a slap. She stiffens as the woman throws her arms around her and squeezes tightly, burying her face in Azula’s loose hair before she stands and greets Iroh with surprise.

Azula finds herself satisfied for once to have her bowl of bland old Earth Kingdom food in her belly, curling up on the floor beside the table when she is done and staring blankly at the far wall that separates the small bedroom from the rest of the little house.

“I see,” Iroh says, setting his own bowl aside and looking grave. Mother has told him her story. “So my brother will be looking for you three. My father too, no doubt.”

“Perhaps, but he would likely have had to tell the Fire Lord what his plans had been, if he were to involve him…” Ursa glances at Azula. The little girl can feel the force of her gaze on the back of her head. “I’m at a loss…for what else to do.”

“No…you were right to leave, I think,” Iroh tells her calmly. “This way, my brother does not have direct access to the children, and has had his feet put to the burning coals…But that also makes him dangerous.”

“I know.”

“I have…made new ties recently, here in the Earth Kingdom, on my travels. I think it is very possible that I would be able to get you and the children to a place that is far safer for you than here. A place where my father and brother cannot reach.”

“But that would mean — “

“Yes…Ba Sing Se.”

Azula’s interest piques at the mention of the city. The same place that her uncle had been unable to break through to the heart of. The same place where his son had died.

“Oh, Iroh…” there’s a pause, and a sound like a sharp breath, and when Azula turns to look she sees that her uncle has begun to openly weep. She looks at him askance, confused and somewhat revolted by the display of emotion. Why are all of her family members so emotional?

Mother has reached across to him, her hand gentle against his wrist. Sympathy is written plainly on her soft features. Azula’s lip curls.

Zuko’s hand is at her shoulder a moment later, and when she turns to look at him he shakes his head, looking stonily forward at their mother and their uncle. Frown deepening, Azula settles back again, and tolerates her brother’s presence at her side as he, too, settles in.

It is a long while before Iroh can speak again.