Azula sat calmly by the pond, staring nonchalantly at the water as it rippled in a silent dance. Luckily, she had escaped the hub bub and craziness that was her home right now. All of the servants were charging past, preparing for the night's festivities. Azula found the irony in her father's birthday being the same day as the most feared holiday in the Fire Nation calendar, Death of the Dawn.

According to her mentors, Lo and Li, the night is in commemoration of those loyal Fire Nation citizens who had lost their lives to other nations before her great grandfather, Sozin, brilliantly decided to unite the nations.

"So, why do we wear disguises? And hold parties?" Asked the child.

"Spirits will not harm those who hide from them". Said Lo or Li. "To honor the spirits on this day, one must honor them with festivities and respect them by concealing their faces".

Azula pursed her lips. "I'm not afraid of a spirit!" She grumbled.

"There you are!"

The young firebender nearly jumped at her friend's voice.

"Watch it, Ty Lee, the spirits will get you if you don't put on your disguise," she said when the girl tumbled next to her.

Ty Lee shook her head, boldly.

"Uh, uh! My mom said they can't if I'm married. He would have to be the most powerful firebender!"

Azula's eyebrow raised at the comment. Why hadn't she heard of this?

"Well, you're only ten, so you can't get married, yet," she pointed out.

Ty Lee thought on this, pouting.

"Hmm, guess you're right".

Of course. Thought Azula, proud she had burst whatever bubble her friend was in.

"Oh, well, guess I'll just dress up as a bride to trick them".

Before Azula could tell her that was the dumbest idea ever, the acrobat had cartwheeled away past her looming mother. Azula glanced at her mother, dressed in a brown cloak with a hood.

Hmm, guess she'll be a peasant tonight. She thought. Fitting.

Her mother, wearing a nervous look at the sight of her daughter, quickly replaced it with a sweet smile.

"W-why aren't you getting dressed, Dear?" She asked the nine year old.

"I didn't know what I wanted to wear".

Ursa chuckled nervously. "How about your purple platypus-bear with the pink horns and silver wings that you wore last year?"

Azula grimaced at the idea. "Definitely not. I have a better idea, anyway".

She stood, walking past the woman towards her father's room.

#

Ty Lee twirled lively in her mother's wedding dress. Though it was way too big for her, she had managed, with the help of her mother, to pin it just right to newly forming curves. Her golden mask shimmered brightly as she switched partners effortlessly. Though dancing was forbidden most days in the Fire Nation, Death of the Dawn was an exception as it was seen as proper homage paid to the spirits. She bowed humbly to one dance partner and was about to sneak another sugar cake when a different masked partner about her height, though slightly petite for a boy offered his hand.

"Sure!" She exclaimed, beaming.

The boy swept her into his arms and attached his hand to her back. Noticing the boy's odd outfit, that was obviously too big for him, Ty Lee leaned over his shoulder to ask, "What is your outfit, Cutie?"

"Can't you tell?" Asked the boy back, though his voice sounded strange, as though it was forced.

"Uh, a soldier?" She asked.

The boy swung her into a ballroom twirl and did not answer.

"Azula!" Yelled Ozai from his place high above the crowd. "Where did you get my groom's wear!"

Shocked, both girls ran out of the room. When they reached the pond, Ty Lee giggled like she would never stop. Removing her mask, Azula gave a smirk.

Ty Lee stopped abruptly. "You have to cover your face! The spirits will get you!" Yelled Ty Lee.

Azula shook her head. "Not if I am married, remember?"

The ten year old's face lit up as she pinched her friend's cheek. Surprisingly, Azula leaned in for the pinch, her face slightly flushed.

"You're so cute!" giggled Ty Lee.

Azula was about to comment when a masked Zuko ran into the yard.

"Azula! Where's mother? I've searched everywhere!" He asked panicked.

The girl shrugged, irritated at the interruption.

"I don't know, maybe the spirits took her".

"Huh?" Asked Zuko with an inquiring eyebrow.

Azula sighed, grasping Ty Lee by the waist possessively.

"Well, she was walking about with her face uncovered and she's not married to the most powerful firebender," grinning at her friend, she added. "She's taken".