A/N: Hey, guys! Happy Avatar Appreciation Week! If you guys don't already know, Avatar Appreciation Week is a week-long celebration of the anniversary of Avatar the Last Airbender and Legend of Korra. Each day of the week has it's own prompt starting from February 21st (today as I'm writing this) until February 28th, 2015. This year is actually the 10th anniversary of the Avatar franchise. I really wanted to give these prompts a try, but we'll see how I do.

Each chapter will fulfill a single prompt and will be either Avatar the Last Airbender, Legend of Korra, or both. So basically, expect eight chapters of this. The chapters will probably jump around chronologically, and each one can stand on its own as a one-shot or drabble.

That being said, enjoy! And Happy Avatar Day!

February 21st, 2015

"Dear..."

A pen touched the paper, barely illuminated by the light of the candle.

Dear Lu Ten,

It is over now. Ba Sing Se is ours. Did you ever even set foot within the walls, or was it all an empty boast in your letters? Somehow I have my doubts after all these years. Didn't you used to brag about how you would be the first Firebender to enter the city? Mother keeps reminding me about those days for some reason. I'm not even going to pretend to understand her sentimental reasoning. She's a fool just like you.

Well, it doesn't matter now. I have sat in the Earth King's throne, watching his Grand Secretariat kneel before me. You couldn't even tear down a wall in six months while I have dismantled an entire kingdom in a matter of days. Tell me, cousin, how does it feel knowing that I have taken your city away from you? To have snatched my birthright away from you and from Zuko in one single day? What do you think mother is going to say about that?

Don't fret. I haven't done anything to Zuzu...yet. I have him at my mercy, but he's safe for the moment. I could easily have the Dai-Li cave in those catacombs whenever I feel like. One snap of my fingers and that would be that. What would you be willing to do to have me keep him alive?

As if you could do anything to save him now. You're dead.

Perhaps mother's sentimentalism is contagious. I think I'll keep Zuzu around to play with a little longer. Maybe I'll even take him back to the Fire Nation with me. As if mother would ever let me sleep at night if I killed him so early in our game. That wouldn't be very fair, now would it?

For now, the game will continue even though it's clear who the winner is going to be.

Love,

Azula

A pair of painted lips curved upwards into a predatory smile. Perfectly manicured hands took the letter and neatly folded it with absolute precision. Golden eyes stared down at the parchment as it abruptly erupted into bright blue flames. It took only a few seconds for the last of the paper to crumble away into glowing ashes, but the smoke continued to rise, drifting lazily out the open window.

Azula couldn't help but remember Long-Feng as he groveled at her feet.

"You have beaten me at my own game," he whispered towards the floor, head bowed in defeat.

Her eyes had narrowed then, filled with scorn at the idea of being on the same playing field as this commoner. As if a mere peasant could ever offer her a real challenge. Her own peers fell laughably short of her own prowess, so what hope did Long-Feng have? Even compared to someone like Zuko this man was nothing but a worm.

"Don't flatter yourself. You were never even a player."

She stood finally as the last of the smoke emptied from the room. With an air of calm and poise, the Fire Princess reached out and pulled the window closed with a very audible SNAP. She spared a moment to make sure she had locked it as tightly as she could. There was no need to let anything else back in.

"I think it's time to pay Zuzu a visit," she said to herself. "I've kept him waiting around long enough."

A/N: Short, sweet, and straight to the point.

What did you guys think? Did I do Azula justice? I know she can be a tough character to portray, but I really wanted to challenge myself by trying something different. I was never quite convinced that the Fire Princess was completely unaffected by Lu Ten's death. The kid was scheming even way back when, so it wouldn't surprise me if all of her conquests were just games she carried with her from her childhood.

Well, that's my headcanon, anyway. Anyway, if you guys liked it, feel free to leave a review. Thanks!