The Benefits of Easedropping

Chapter 1: Setting the Scene

Zuko hid behind a curtain with his little sister Azula. They were easedropping on their father and grandfather's conversation.

Zuko listened with poorly disguised disgust as his father tried to convince his grandfather to take Iroh's birthright away because he was too emotionally unbound to take the throne and had no heirs left.

The curtain of flames around the firelord's throne flared up to the ceiling with Azulon's rage.

"You dare suggest I take my firstborn's birthright, after he has already lost so much? After he lost his only son?" Azulon snarled the words his voice as sharp as the Earth Kingdom knife Uncle Iroh had sent Zuko.

Zuko flinched and drew back like he was going to run but froze. If he moved he might alert the men to their easedropping. He settled in for an uncomfortable listening experiance.

"My brother is distraught with the loss of his son. He won't be able to take care of the Nation in his state." Ozai continued ignoring all the warning signs of an oncoming explosion.

"Iroh has lost enough! But your punishment is only beginning. To know the agony that Iroh is suffering you must pay. You will know the same loss as Iroh, by losing your own son." Azulon declared.

Zuko felt his heart clench in his chest. There was no way his father would agree to that, right? His father wouldn't kill him to get back in Grandfather's graces, would he?

"Of course, father." Ozai agreed bowing to hid a sinister smile. He had been waiting for a chance to get rid of his weak firstborn. Azula was a much better heir anyway.

Zuko's heart stopped for a second. His father had just agreed to kill him. What was he suppose to do? He couldn't just sit back and die though.

Zuko waited for his father to leave and then bolted his sister following him at a much slower pace.

"You here that Zuzu. Daddy's gonnna kill you." Azula taunted.

Zuko tried to swallow the lump in his throat. He swung around to face his sister. "Do you believe me deaf, Azula? Do you believe me unintelligent? Mom's right, you are a little monster."

Zuko fought back with the only means he had avaliable. His sharp wit and cutting remarks. And he knew they affected his sister who always wanted their mother's love but could never obtain it.

"Yes, I believe you both deaf and unintelligent, but how is that news? And why would I ever want mother's approval, she's weak, and I have father's approval and that's all that matters." Azula calmly hid her hurt. She knew her mother hated and feared her but it still didn't feel good to have it thrown in her face.

Zuko left Azula standing the hall, still justifying that she didn't need her mother's love.

Zuko ran to his room and calmly packed a few sets of pants and shirts in a small knapsack. He also put his duo dao swords and a pouch of money in the bag. He searched through his room packing some knick-knacks he didn't want to leave behind and the Earth Kingdom sword Uncle Iroh had given him. He stuffed the pack under his bed, running away would be a last resort if he couldn't find a way to stop his father from killing him.

"So what're you gonna do?, daddy's gonna kill you." Azula taunted mercilessly from his door. It was a good thing she didn't see him hide his supplies. He would have to get some foods that would stay fresh longer, salted meats, hard biscuits, nuts, rice, dry beans. And things to cook the foods with too: a small pot, water canteens, bowl and a set of chopsticks, a cup...

He could think of the rest later, when his sister was gone.

"What am I supposed to do?" Zuko sneered at his little sister. She used to be nice, when she was three, before she started bending.

"What's this about?" Ursa's voice said from behind Azula.

"Nothing." Azula said giving her mother an angelic expression that would've fooled anyone who hadn't known her.

"Father agreed to kill me to get back in Grandfather's good graces." Zuko inserted before Azula could say anything else.

"What." Ursa practically growled at the words of her son. "Why would he need to do that?" Ursa asked turning to Zuko because he was the more truthful of the two.

"He asked Grandfather to give Uncle Iroh's inheritance to him, because he had two heirs and Iroh has none left." Zuko explained.

Maybe his mom could do something he couldn't.

"Don't worry about it sweetheart, I'm going to go talk to your father. Azula, go to your room." Ursa ordered aiming the last part of her speech towards Azula.

Zuko nodded. If anyone could change his father's mind it was his mom.

But he would be prepared to leave anytime just incase. Better safe than sorry.

He laid down to sleep but only managed to drift into a light doze. His fears wouldn't allow any deeper sleep than that.

It was about midnight when he woke from his doze at the sound of the door openning. He didn't sit up but curled slightly so he faced the door and lifted his eyelid enough to peer out from underneath his lashes but not let the intruder see his eyes.

Once he recognized the figure of his mother he sat up.

"Mom?" Zuko asked.

"Zuko, my darling." She whispered running a hand gently through his hair which was just over shoulder length.

"Promise me something." She whispered. "Promise me that you'll never forget who you really are, and be careful around your father. Stick to your uncle when he returns. And remember, everything I've done, I've done for you." She whispers.

"I promise, mom." Zuko whispered tears streaming down his cheeks. His mom was leaving, her traveling cloak and what she said confirmed it.

"How can I find you?" Zuko asked. His mom's hand paused in there path.

"You won't be able to." His mother whispered. "I will find you when either the war ends, or you accede the throne. I promise you." She whispered feverantly. "I've stayed to long. I need to go. I love you, Zuko. When I leave I want you to go to the Dragonbone Catacombs, look up my grandfather. And remember it's your choice which grandfather you follow." Ursa whispered her urgent last message.

"I love you too mom. I promise. And I was already cautious." Zuko added reaching under his bed and pulling out his pack. "I packed just incase I had to run." He finished.

Ursa had tears in her eyes and she leaned down and kissed Zuko on the forehead before bolting out of the room like the guards were on her tail.

They probabily would be, later.

-T-I-M-E-S-H-I-F-T-

The next morning the palace was in chaos. Firelord Azulon was dead. Princess Ursa was gone. And Azulon's will indicated he wanted Ozai to take the throne and not his firstborn.

Azulon's funeral was held the same day as Ozai's coronation. His mother's funeral wasn't held and no one mentioned it.

Zuko withdrew into himself slightly. He couldn't talk to anyone in his family. Ozai wanted to kill him. Azula wanted him dead. Uncle Iroh had still not returned. So he throw all his extra time and energy into practicing by himself, without his family's knowledge.