Eight year old Azula stumbled back as the impacted of the fireball was to much for her tiny body to handle. She Quickly opened her eyes only to receive a quick jab to her left side. The small child fell to the ground with a silent "oof". She looked up wide eyed at the man towering over her.
"I have told you before Azula to never shut your eyes during practice." Azula struggled to ignore the throbbing pain in her side and stood up forcing herself to bow.
"I understand father. It will not happen again." Ozai nodded and waved her off for a quick respite before the second session. Azula, standing straight, walked into the fire nation palace.
Azula's ten year old brother, Zuko, had just left his chambers. He glanced over to see his younger sibling struggling to get to her room. Zuko took note of the way she was staggering and shook his head. Walking over to confront her, he saw the glassy look in her eyes.
"Azula? Are you alright." Azula looked up at him and nodded letting out a small sniffle.
"Mhm, I just want to go lay down." She let out in a raspy voice. Zuko's brows furrowed together. Walking up to his sibling,; he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"He hurt you again didn't he?" Azula shrugged. Zuko took her hand and led her into his room. Azula curled up in a ball on her brothers bed and made a small whimper. Zuko pulled a small box out from underneath his bed and sat next to her.
"Let me see it." he ordered. She let out a sigh and with help from her brother, got into a sitting position. Zuko gently lifted her shirt over her head revealing a small red t- shirt. He grabbed the ends of the shirt and slowly rolled it up so it stayed over her chest. Azula focused on something on the floor allowing Zuko to wince at the purple and yellowish softball size spot right in the center of her ribs.
Zuko grazed his pointer finger down her side. Azula clenched her jar shut and shut her eyes.
"That hurts Zuzu!" Zuko stopped and reached into the box.
"Sorry, had to make sure your ribs weren't broken." He explained pulling out a ice pack. Azula scoffed.
"Don't be ridiculous." She said crossing her arms but regretted it as pain shot through her side. She set her arms back at her side and made a small hissing noise. Zuko placed the cold substance on the injury and began rapping a bandage around her stomach to allow it to stay there.
"It's not like it hasn't happened before Z" He reminded her as he finished securing it around her slim waist. She stayed quiet and he helped her lay down. Zuko pushed back and et next to her. They sat in silence for a while.
"We have to tell someone." Azula's head quickly turned to him.
"No!." Zuko shook his head.
"Azula, Lu ten isn't even trained like this. We have to at least tell uncle Iroh. You are going to get seriously hurt. Azula sat up.
"No Zuko you promised!" Zuko shook his head.
"It's not fair." Azula cocked her head at his statement. "I should be the one getting injured and training not you." Azula glared at him.
"What's that suppose to mean." It was Zuko's turn to glare.
"I'm the older brother. I'm suppose to be protecting you and getting hurt for you. Instead, you're the one getting pumbled." Azula looked in front of her.
"Your helping just by being here to talk to me about it. You're the only one I can tell." She leaned over and hugged him.
"You'll always be my big brother zuzu."