Summary: AU, spoilers from "The Search, pt. 2." This is only a theory that has not been confirmed. Here, we have a string of vignettes about a strange relationship. Kiyi always wanted a bigger family, and she got her wish. With that, Azula now gets to display her top-notch sisterly skills and her touching way of dealing with children.

Anyway, my theory is that the couple the Gaang meets in the second part of "The Search" is Ikem (now known as "Noren") and Ursa (with faces changes and all that jazz), and their daughter, Kiyi, is Zuko and Azula's half-sister. Kiyi isn't an OC.

In this AU, the Gaang learns the husband and wife's true identities after speaking to the Mother of All Faces. I'm assuming that both Ikem and Ursa have a bit of amnesia about their former identities (the location is called Forgetful Valley), but they eventually came to terms with the revelation, and their old memories begin returning.

Also, Ozai is Zuko's biological father in this. And Azula is rather unhappy with wearing pink! No more! (I have nothing against the color, but it's just not Azula.)

Rating: I don't know. This fic is pretty tame compared to my . . . past endeavors, but there are references and instances of abuse. It isn't graphic, but I do think that it is harsh in terms of the emotional damage inflicted.

Pairings: None besides the canon ones, which are hardly ever mentioned.

[Rest]

Azula hates children. Even when she was a child, she hated children. Zuko's insipid whining (not that much has changed in that regard) did not help matters. Azula had despised being a child because, yes, Father did allow her an exorbitant amount of freedom, but she hadn't gained the ability to rule. She still had to follow rules of etiquette and maintain herself under her father's steady eye. She had not been independent yet. Far from it. Her "playmates" at the academy had been stupid little mites, jabbering about topics of no import to Azula such as companionship and marriage.

And, though Azula does not believe in a "beautiful destiny" (unless it involves burning down the Earth Kingdom or ruling over the world – only burn half the world though, so you won't have to rule over complete ashes) or the spirits, it sometimes seems as if there's an invisible force trying to keep her chained. Strange, since there is also a mandate that she has inherited the right to rule over those lesser than her (read: everyone).

A few hours ago, at the "reunion" (implying the royal family had once been united) dinner, she was in a lively home. Azula stuck her nose up and refrained from speaking beyond the occasional jab – just enough to ruffle Zuko as he glowered indignantly at her. He then shook his head or attempted to patronize her with kind words. Every single person besides Azula seemed content or rejuvenated. There was babbling and smiling and hugging and kissing all around her, and it made her want to burn something and watch it crumble to ashes. Preferably Zuko, or the Avatar, or the waterbender, or that repulsive little urchin with her doll. Well, everyone. Everyone was a good start.

In the forest, Azula cannot sleep. She registers every movement in the shadows, her eyes flickering toward every faint sound. Her back is to a tree, legs crossed and hands clenching the fabric of her pants. Across from her, the other traveler is curled into a quivering ball. If Azula had been laying down, she would have rolled on her other side.

They cannot stay still for long. Soon, they'll continue forward.

Yes, she hates children – especially this child who played with her dolls and blinked brightly, peering on and clapping at Zuzu's every word. Oh, how unlike Ozai he is. Not a cold memory of threats and bruises on the wrist. As a child, Azula would mentally goad her mother for being so idiotic when she confronted Ozai, as if Ursa was asking to be abused. A part of Azula tells herself that she often denigrates her mother for being too docile – too submissive – and then turns around and berates her for speaking her mind. If her mother had been a complete imbecile, she'd be dead. One had to maneuver carefully when their lives were usurped by matters of the throne. If anything . . . Ursa had been both perceptive with an admirable dose of courage. But Azula won't think of it any longer. She cannot.

Her father is not perfect, of course. If he were, he wouldn't have rejected Azula when she was by far the most competent strategist he had. She had dismantled the Earth Kingdom in a bloodless coup. Though he had possessed the nation's best interests and was by no means a soft-hearted fool like her brother, it serves him right to be where he is.

When Azula was at the dinner, she curtailed many of her biting remarks. She reminded herself that this was all a misguided attempt to "save" her by stripping her of who she was.

If Zuko is to be believed, the fool that she is, Ursa still has an Avatar's blood inside of her. To an extent, Ursa and that other peasant's daughter had that lineage, as weak as the link was. Azula's blood had been paved with fire. (Zuko was a failed start.)

A vague plan formed in her mind as she sat at the table, not touching her food. It was asinine and had a slim chance of working. There was a heavy amount of risk to the point of it being nonsensical, and Azula did not like being stupidly reckless like some people in the general vicinity she could name. She was precise and certain in her strikes, though many of her past plans took a great deal of initiative and, well, risk. She was unaccustomed to failure though.

She lowers her head in contempt and looks at her half-sister with narrowed eyes. She isn't even half of what I am. I'll change that. I'll crush everything that she is.

"Get up." She stands over the child imperiously. Her voice has a stern edge, something like steel. The girl whimpers and stirs. Azula watches impassionately.

If Ursa truly is nothing but weakness, then what are you? Azula asks herself doubtfully. Even if you hardly resemble her, she is still part of your heritage.

She's inside me. No matter what, no matter how far I run, she's here. And now, she's here twice. It sounds like a concession, and Azula can't stand it.

(All she has ever wanted is the throne – and, for a moment, she nearly had it again. She had it and her mother under her burning palms. Azula had once relished the feeling of the cold, golden arms of the Earth Kingdom throne. She still dreams of it at times and wakes up with a bitter, metallic taste in her mouth.)

You did everything right. They were all the fools.

(But you miscalculated.)

No, they can't possibly fathom what I think – except her. Mother. She always saw right through me.

[No Way Out]

Zuko spoke about family, dignity, healing. Love. He did it in that condescending, infantilizing way, even when he was more of a child than Azula ever was. She hadn't even been allowed to relieve herself without supervision in the institution, and poor, honorable Firelord Zuko was apparently the one to be pitied for deciding not to keep her caged like an animal.

The obnoxious little mite – now known as her half-sister – was clapping excitedly as the Avatar did some banal trick involving his airbending skills and a napkin. Azula curled her lips in disdain. He was the most powerful being in the world, and he wasted time playing with children.

This –Kiyi – is Ursa's perfect daughter. The non-prodigy who just arranges dolls and spouts nonsense. No wonder this child gravitates toward Zuko.

(It's taken this child an eighth of my efforts to conquer the Earth Kingdom to conquer your heart, Mother.)

Ah yes, Azula could kill Zuko. However, as appealing as that thought is, Azula imagines that the Avatar won't find the charred corpse and determine that it was just as tragic accident; no doubt he would be mildly hesitant to embrace the claims of a random lightning strike.

Ursa and Noren-Ikem had gone to Forgetful Valley and were slowly recollecting everything. When the truth came out about this couple's identity, the woman who was truly Ursa hugged both Zuko and Azula, and Azula had stiffened and refused to respond in any form. You'll see me as a monster. You've already found a new daughter to dress up like a pristine, vapid doll.

Ursa had always seen Azula for who she was. Regrettably, her mother was perceptive. She'd discover the truth eventually. She and Zuko would conspire to lock her back into that institution.

When Azula set her plan into action, as everyone else slept, she had to let her hair fall loose. Perhaps she'd tie it up in another, less obtrusive style later, but she had to be quick. She sneaked into the couple's bedroom and rifled through the wardrobe. She'd be far more willing to wear the man's muted clothes than the feminine garments. (I suppose some things never change, Azula thought sourly.) Sadly, or perhaps fortunately, these mundane items were far more favorable than the clothes her buffoon of a brother had secured for her, the attire Zuko had believed she would "like." She moved through without sparing a glance to either of the occupants of the bed.

As silent as a wraith, she retrieved food and other supplies. She even took the Water Tribe peasant girl's thermos to store with water. Stealing. Just like a beggar, she thought distastefully. This was a regretful means to an end – not because of any guilt, no. In fact, the comforting thought of killing everyone under this roof never abated. Rather, going into the world with nothing would be disastrous. As much as Azula loathed to admit it, no matter how superior she was to others, she had to eat and drink. She was only human – a better, more capable specimen, but still a human nonetheless.

[An Adventure]

The dinner a few hours ago had been wonderful, a flurry of colors and talking. She was excited to not have just one sibling, but a brother and a sister. She'd been begging her mom and dad for a little sister ever since her fifth birthday. I'll give her all my dolls, please? Please?

Even little Kiyi? her mom had asked with a gentle smile, setting her small daughter on her lap. Mom had laughed and said, I'll think about it. Maybe the pelican-stork will come by soon.

And then here they are. (Must've been a big pelican-stork.) Kiyi had asked Zuko if they would stay, and if her big sister would ever like her.

In the night, after everyone else had gone to bed, Kiyi's new big sister asked her to go on an adventure, saying that Kiyi's parents approved. Azula smiled coldly and said that she was only joking about her past comments, and Kiyi was happy that she might have two siblings to love her instead of just one. She'd always wanted a large family, and her big sister was just . . . she could make blue flames, and that was new. Cool. There weren't many benders in the village.

She'd been told to be quiet, to be considerate and not wake anyone up. After she put her share of clothes in the bag, the girl said, "I need to bring Kiyi!"

[Sisterly Bonding]

She hates me. What did I do wrong?

Kiyi has to carry the supplies. The bag begins to feel like a boulder. Kiyi doesn't complain when the bottom of her feet start to blister. it doesn't take long until Azula's frigid enmity begins to sting. Azula does not ask if her little sister is hungry or tired, and Kiyi is afraid that she'll simply drop and be forgotten. Or maybe being lost and forgotten is preferable to this.

Back at home, Kiyi told Azula that she was pretty, and her big sister's mouth had gone straight. That seemed to mark the beginning of the end of their thirty-minute amicable relationship.

Azula promised adventure. Maybe, after awhile, she'll finally like Kiyi, and that soon they'll all be together as a happy family.

If Mom and Dad said it was okay . . .