Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or its characters.
"Sweetheart, wake up. We need to leave."
Zuko's head bobbed slightly as his mother sat him upright.
"Huh?" He was confused. "Leave where?"
"Home, sweetie. There you will meet my family too." Ursa smiled reassuringly, packing a few things in his room. They needed to hurry.
"What about dad?" He groggily got out from under the covers and rubbed his eyes. Why were they leaving?
"Your father is a bad man, Zuko. That's why we are leaving." She handed him a cloak.
"What about Azula?"
"She's coming too, we just need to go get her. We must hurry, Zuko." Ursa quickly tied Zuko's cloak for him before handing him a small bag. They wouldn't need much in her home village.
Zuko and Ursa snuck towards Azula's room, trying to avoid as many guards as possible. The sleepy boy almost knocked over a few things here and there, but they eventually managed to make it to the princess' room.
"Honey, come in the room. We don't want any guards to catch you." Zuko nodded and listened to his mother. He watched her as she crept closer to Azula's bed. His heart was beating faster than it ever had his whole life. What if Azula attacked? What if-
Footsteps echoed through the hall.
"I saw two figures go into your daughter's room, Prince Ozai."
"Then I will deal with the offenders personally. Matters of the Royal Family are to be handled by me."
The footsteps were getting closer and closer until the voices were right outside the door. Ursa still hadn't managed to rouse her daughter. The princess looked down at her daughter regretfully and bent down to give Azula a small kiss on the forehead. Quickly, she grabbed Zuko's hand and crept out the window as the door began to creak.
Azula blinked the sleep from her eyes and sat up as Ozai and an unimportant guard entered her room. Well, this was odd. What could have father in such a fit that he would enter her room at these hours?
"Azula," Ozai's voice filled her ears. It had an edge to it that she couldn't quite place. "Is there anyone else in here?"
"No, father."
Deciding now was the best time to act innocent, she looked up at Ozai and mustered the best polar bear pup eyes she could.
"Who are you looking for? Was I in danger?"
"It seems that your treacherous mother has fled the palace with Zuko." Ozai's voice grew sharper and a sneer graced his lips. "I was concerned that she would try to take you as well. She's always valued weakness over strength."
Did mom really love Zuko more than her?
"Remember Azula," her father began "you are strong and powerful. You are my daughter. Weakness, such as Zuko and your mother's, will never be tolerated. Do you understand?"
She nodded and Ozai stared her down.
"Never forget who you are, Azula."
He turned with a grand flap of his robes as the guards rushed to shut her door.
Azula was left alone in darkness.
A/N: Thank you so much for reading! Please review and tell me what you think so I know whether or not to continue this story.