So yeah this is my first story yeah! I'm just going to say right now that since yes, it is my first story I am going to just throw out a chapter and check how well-received it is. Criticism really will be appreciated though and I'll like to thank everyone who read this story. I am also going to just outright say that I do not think this story will be a particularly long one. Updates will also be kind of sporadic cause I am currently in college and I really don't have much time to spare.
Edit: accidentally deleted it and had to reedit everything so troublesome zzz
Zuko POV
As I saw father stride out of the room, I approach the door slowly. Opening it quietly, I see momma holding a bundle of cloth near her chest and curious I walk up beside her. Sitting on an unoccupied stool, I peer over and stare at my new sibling. A new-born baby not even one day old, what was its purpose? why did it exist? For a few seconds, I felt a cold feeling in my chest. Did father not want me anymore? I always knew he thought of me as a failure. Did momma even want me anymore? Guiltily, I admit I was actually very afraid of what she represented, and for a few unforgivable seconds I resented my younger sibling, I hated it, for replacing me, for taking away my parent's time from me. That is, until I saw it open its eyes and stare up into mine, both the same shade of golden, signifying our royal descent.
"Her name is Azula Zuko. She's your new sister." Momma looks and sounds so tired but also happy why?
"Azula? That's a nice name…" I replied softly, continuing to gaze mesmerised into those golden orbs.
As I continue to stare into innocent golden eyes that seem to shine. My sister than did a small action to completely shatter all the resentment I currently held for her. While looking up at me she smiled and did that small gurgle thing all babies tend to do. It was in that moment, I knew, no matter what happened, I would always love and protect her, just like what momma had been telling me to do these past months.
After all it is the job of the older ones to forever protect their beloved younger siblings.
3 years later Azula's POV
Zuzu has always been there for me… outside of those times father or mother called him out, Zuzu has always been there for me. I saw father and mother every now and then but never as much as him. So, I love Zuzu more than anyone in the world. I never really talk to father, cause he told me that 'as a child of noble birth I could not be allowed to show any weakness'. I never really understood though and Zuzu later told me it just meant that when I wanted to tell someone the things I was scared of I should tell mother instead of father. I never really did though. Zuzu is all I need! He even lets me go to his room to sleep when there is that big boom in the sky!
Zuzu is the best brother ever he was there when I did all my first. Firsts words, first steps, when I had started crawling, laughing, when I had started anything actually. His always been there but he wasn't there when I first did the pretty lights. It's actually cause of him. When we were younger Zuzu first showed me the pretty light and even than it was so pretty! I figured out how to make my own pretty light a few days later. It isn't as nice as his but they still shone in the dark and provided such a warm and nice feeling. Holding out my fingers where the pretty lights danced on they seemed to jump and pulse and they were so pretty. I haven't shown Zuzu the pretty lights though cause I always forget oops. B-b-but it can't be helped okay it's just Zuzu always tells me all these nice stories and sometimes we go out and play together and its always so fun and I just forget. So today, while Zuzu was in some 'class' thing, I was playing with the pretty lights to distract myself just like every day while waiting for him to come. Then the door slammed open.
"Azula!" surprised I threw my hand at the door and then the light wasn't in my hand anymore and then I heard Zuzu screaming and he was hugging me and the pretty light was everywhere, then the maids rushed in and everything was a blur and I really can't remember what happened next. Just that Zuzu was in the 'sick' room with mother and I was sitting outside with father.
"Firebending at the age of three Azula? That's very impressive maybe you can do better than your brother. He didn't manage to do it until he was about four."
"Thank you, father…" Zuzu once told me that we should never disagree with father cause he doesn't really like it and disagreeing will just lead to me getting scolded. Which reminds me that Zuzu is in that room because of me. Why did the pretty lights hurt him though? They have never hurt me. This pretty light is called fire? Zuzu could use it, right? Why didn't he stop it then? He was the one who showed me how to use the pretty light.
"Since you are able Azula you can start your firebending training tomorrow with your brother."
"Thank you, father…" father really doesn't know me as well as Zuzu cause after what I did why would I even want to use such a thing again.
3rd person POV
A tiny head peeked through the door overhearing what sounded like the ending of a lengthy tirade.
"Don't be so careless again Zuko." Ursa's face looked worn out and sullen as she chided Zuko. He had a slightly guilty face as he replied.
"I won't be mother… I promise."
"Oh you, what will I ever do with you, you always were such a careful child and then you go and do this, with Azula so close too."
"I-I'm fine mother it was an honest accident it will not happen again." At this point Zuko's normally pale face was slightly flustered. Ursa noticing Azula's entrance gave her a small smile and while beckoning her over stood up from her seat and proceeded to leave.
"I guess I'll give you both some time to settle this between yourselves. I am so sorry that Zuko did that while near you Azula, are you feeling okay?" Ursa's face was a cross between exasperation and worry and Azula had no idea how to handle it.
"I am fine mother, Zuko is the one in bed not me." Azula replied.
"Worrying about your brother even now… how could you, after he nearly burnt down your room, you will have to stay with him for the next few months while we construct a new one okay?"
"That is fine mother" Azula replied outwardly but inwardly cringed 'how can he stand the sight of the little sister that nearly killed him.'
"Well than, I will be making my departure, remember to apply the cream Zuko and remember to take better care of yourself" with her words said Ursa departed from the room.
Azula POV
"Why did mother say that?" my heart was beating hard in my chest. I knew Zuzu would never forgive me,I had hurt him after all and the back of his forearms were burnt red. "I'm the one that started the fire that nearly burnt down my room why did you take the blame for it." At least I thought so but Zuzu shouldn't have forgiven me right? so why did he take the blame for it?
He looked back at me nonchalantly and then smiled, "foolish little sister, it is the burden of the elder brother to always support his younger siblings." He stopped bringing a finger to wipe some tears I had accidentally spilt. "Don't cry Azula, your big brother is here to protect you, no matter what." He looks at me with a gaze so gentle, so forgiving I-I can't take it! I try to find any reason to condone my actions and remembered one of the lessons Zuzu taught me long ago.
"B-but you lied Zuzu! You told me to never lie to you or to anyone! You told me it was bad so why did you do it!" they were falling freely now, I could feel them, sliding down my cheek and onto Zuzu's warm hands which were still wiping them away. I couldn't let him take responsibility for my own faults couldn't let him get into any trouble after protecting me.
"Sometimes Azula, sometimes, we have to lie to protect the ones we love. Firebending is an art and it is such a beautiful one. You know I am even a little jealous that you can use it so early on in your life. You have more raw talent than me Azula and I believe that with such talent you can go on to be a firebending master. I believe that you can be the greatest firebender of all time Azula, if you just put your mind to it." My heart stopped, it hurts so much to see him in pain like this and even than instead of thinking for himself he tries to protect me. I feel so happy that I have pleased him like this but sad he had to suffer for me to see it. "You know Azula, if you really want to repay me it's not going to be a very hard thing to do…"
"Anything brother I'll do it I will even give you the comb I like a lot ju-"
"Just do your best and become the best firebender in the world okay?" I smiled. That was fine, I could do that. I would become the best firebender in the world better then father or uncle Iroh or grandfather Azulon or great-grandfather Sozin. Yes, I would be better than all of them, I would be perfect. Just for you Zuzu, just for you…
Zuko POV
Looking at the young girl sleeping on my bedside I released a tired sigh. With that innocent face and look you could never tell that just hours before she had nearly burnt down her own nursery on accident. I could hate her I really could for causing such an accident and nearly taking both our lives. Moreover firebending the flames away from us while in that nursery was not easy and I had even gotten light burns on my back and forearms as a result of that incident. However, it was my fault that I had startled her and I could never really hate her for anything, even that time when she broke the new pen set i got from mom, get angry at her yes easily, but i always forgave her, for that is the job of the older brother.
flashback
When I was four and Azula two I had been learning how to read with the royal tutor when he was called out by the fire lord grandfather Azulon. For what reason I do not know even until now, so while I was alone in the library I managed to find a scroll on firebending and what I found out shocked me.
The scroll said, that to firebend was to have a strong will and desire, for fire, unlike the other elements is unique, in that it is generated by the body instead of from the area around us. Fire is unique because unlike the other elements that already exist, it must consume to exist. To evoke fire, one must have will and direction, to have a desire to wield the fire for a purpose, for it is our own emotions that feed the fire that generate it for us to either protect or harm to bask in its light on a cold day or cook food for my family.
The textbooks had lied, hate or anger was not the only way to generate hot flames.I could use any emotion as long as it was strong enough, no as long as I was determined enough, for as long as i desired it to work it would all work out. This time, instead of trying to use the weak hate I felt for the peasa- the commoners of other nations I summoned up the huge amount of love I felt for my younger sibling.
'I must grow strong for Azula… if not for myself for I need that power to protect her from anything.'
flashback end
That was the first day that I had firebended so well, where I was congratulated by father for the first time for being a prodigy, for being able to firebend flames…
Of pure white…
Ok yeah so if you are wondering why Zuko had classes and Azula didn't its mostly because in Ancient China women were considered to be inferior to men you know kind of like what happened to Katara when she went to the North Pole, blatant biasness.
Also, I'm posting an omake check chapter 2 for the details.
Please review if only to help me by criticising it. XD
OMAKE
Ursa's POV
I was beginning to be afraid that Zuko would not accept his younger sibling, after all even though he is my baby boy I must admit he is still young and slightly immature. I knew that in these last few months Zuko has always felt slightly upset because I had less time to spend with him, especially in the last two or three months, when I knew Azula could come at any time. From my room in the infirmary, I could see him every day as he walked around the courtyard. I'm so sorry Zuko but I promise I will make it up to you after I'm out I told myself every day. However, looking as how his eyes shifted from childish hatred to ones of wonder while gazing at his sibling I knew. It was wrong to ever doubt my baby boy, after all even at such a young age he is able to empathise with others. Such a wonderful boy can't possibly hate his sister. And I close my eyes reassured of the beautiful bond that they are sure to share. After all, even through all those lonely days, seeing how his face lit up when seeing Azula, I am sure, he would never wish his sister was not born, just to get back those days when it was just me and him