Another "what if" scenario inspired partially by SkyWarrior108's works.

You will go with your brother on his journey, to ensure his realization that there is no redemption for his foolishness. Azula happily accepted the task, telling her father he had nothing to worry about, but in reality she was just happy for the excuse to leave home.

To be the Fire Lord's favorite child was a double-edged sword. He praised you, trusted you, constantly told you how proud he was of your abilities. But he used you, and the praise was only a reminder that if you slipped up even once, you would pay dearly for it. And Azula had slipped up enough times to wish her father didn't care about her at all.

As she removed her tunic, she ran a finger over one of the "payments" on her left shoulder. Father went easier on her than he did on Zuko, but it still hurt. I hate you, she often found herself thinking, then felt guilty because he was Father and she had to love him.

"Azula?" The door swung open and she screamed, throwing a bedsheet over her half-clothed self.

"Zuzu, you idiot!" she yelled. "I'm naked here, are you some kind of sick freak?!"

"No!" He looked ashamed of himself (good, she thought) despite his defiance. "Uncle wanted me to tell you we're docking in the next town to pick up supplies, and to ask if you wanted anything in particular."

"Fine. I don't need anything, now get out," she muttered, but Zuko didn't move. Then, he grabbed the sheet from her hands, fixing his gaze on her bare shoulder and frowning.

"I thought you were his favorite." The kiss left by Father's whip was unmistakable.

"I am. It was an accident," she lied, but unlike all the other times she'd been able to trick him, he wasn't falling for it. He ran his fingers softly over the scar, and she flinched. "Stop that!"

"How long, Azula?" Zuko asked, his face gentle and heavy with concern, and she wanted to cry. Zuko, the brother she tormented and abused and hated and wished had never been born before her, looking at her with those eyes.

"Once, but only because I deserved it," she insisted. "I was rude and spoke out of turn and I said some nasty things about his hair. I-"

"Don't." Zuko slipped his robe off and wrapped it around her shaking form. He embraced her, and Azula's tears spilled over.

"I hate him," she cried. "All I ever wanted was to make him happy and he was never satisfied."

"He's always been like that. All he wants is power, and he'll use anyone he can to get it," Zuko said. "But it's okay, Azula, we're not there anymore. We're far away from him, and we have Uncle...he'll make sure nothing bad ever happens to us." He kissed the top of her head, something he never did. "And I'll make sure nothing bad happens to you."

Azula sniffled, burrowing her face into the warmth of his chest. For the first time since she was a toddler, she knew for sure that Zuko was indeed her big brother, and that he loved her.

"Thanks, Zuko."