Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender and am making no money from this story.

Alone

Azula watched her father place the osenko in front of her mother's portrait and urn. Gradually, every one of the visitors would do the same. Her nostrils flared with the sting of unshed tears. If Zuko were here he would never let her live it down if she started crying. But he was still in the hospital and Uncle said it would be a few days before he could leave. Only he wouldn't be coming home. Last night she heard her father and uncle arguing.

"I want him gone, Iroh! I don't care what you do with him but he is not coming back here."

"Ozai, think about what you are doing. It was an accident. Hasn't he been punished enough? Don't make him leave the only home he has ever known."

"What home! My home has been destroyed! My wife… Ursa…" Agony colored every word. "I never want to see that… boy again." Her father's voice was low and had a frighteningly hard tone to it that she hoped to never hear for a second time.

"Your home is being repaired as we speak but if you do this, you will never be able to repair your family."

"What family! My wife is dead!"

"But your son and daughter are not! They need you now. Don't push them away... push him away."

"Save it, Iroh. Take him with you when you leave. I'll send his things."

She heard a door slam and then silence.

Azula loved to tease her brother, loved to torment him, but she also just… loved him, even though she never told him. Zuko was kind, funny, and… and… and… her lip quivered, the tears she had worked so hard to restrain breaking free to trickle down her cheeks.

Oh, god… please don't take my brother from me too… daddy won't talk to me and I am all alone…

She felt someone take her hand and press a tissue into it. Awkwardly, she swiped at her face before looking up at her companion. The boy standing there smiled gently and said nothing. His green eyes were kind and had a hint of sad understanding in them. She remembered suddenly that long ago he had lost someone too. He took her hand again and just held it firmly in his before turning to watch the sorrowful procession to the shrine.

And she realized with surprise that she didn't feel as alone as before.

Fin

A/N: Osenko – Incense sticks used in Japanese funerals. They last 12hrs

And yeah... that is Haru at the end.