Survivor
Ursa looked out the window from where she lay in the bed, taking several deep breaths to steady her breathing. Although the summer sun blazed brightly outside, the inside of the private infirmary reserved for the royal family was cool and calm, with none of the sign of the struggle that had happened only moments before.
The struggle… It had still been hard, and painful, the labor lasting much longer than it had the first time around. Still, compared to Zuko's… She closed her eyes, giving one final, deep sigh of relief. Everything had gone perfectly this time. Her baby was healthy, had shrieked loudly, and was still crying as the physician finished cleaning it on the other side of the room, already demanding warmth and attention. And it had been born on the eighth day of the month- good luck! Surely, this time, everything would be alright…
Still, she had to see, to be sure… They had almost lost Zuko so many times in those first months of his life, from one thing or another. If she could just see for herself-
"How is it?" she asked, sitting up.
The physician smiled as he turned around, wrapping the baby securely in crimson cloth. "It's a girl, just as beautiful as her mother. And as strong as her father." He crossed the room in a few small steps, and handed it to the prince who was waiting in a corner.
This time, Prince Ozai had demanded to stay in the room, to oversee everything personally. Up until now, he had been watching his wife alone, making absolutely certain that she was alright. But as the baby was handed to him, he took it in his arms, looking down at the little face curiously. His features softened as he looked down at her, staring at the golden eyes that stared back at him with such innocent uncertainty. "She's perfect. And she truly is beautiful."
"He was right about her strength, too," Ursa said, smiling fondly as she looked up at her husband. "Zuko was a calm baby, but the entire time I was carrying her, she almost never stopped kicking wildly. She's a fierce little one." Her smile softened as she watched the tender look on Ozai's face. "Just like you."
"Just like her grandfather," he said, half-distracted. "If it had been another boy, I was going to try naming him after my father. As it is… I'm sure we'll think of something." He looked back towards her, holding out the little form with a smile. "Here- you should get a chance to hold her."
She reached up to accept her daughter, then started at the sound of yelling outside. Zuko's nursemaid was running in a moment later, her eyes frantic, her hair disheveled, and a very pale-looking young toddler in her arms, coughing feebly. "I ran as fast as I could," she said, worried tears starting to form in the corners of her eyes. "I'm sorry, but he's having another attack!"
"Again?" the physician asked, moving forward to take the weak child from her arms. He shook his head gravely. "That's the second one this month. I had hoped he was getting better, but…"
Ursa was getting up immediately, despite being tired, worried eyes moving towards her son. "Zuko," she whispered, pushing the covers to the side, already moving away from her husband and daughter as she strained to see how badly he was doing.
Ozai watched the scene with slightly worried eyes for a moment, then turned back to the little girl struggling in his arms. She really was a strong little child- already, she seemed to be trying to escape the red blanket, determined to be free and on her own. He chuckled quietly, shifting his hold around her so that she wouldn't fall. "Azulon, Azu… Azula." He held her closer, smiling down at her as he said the words. "My dear, strong, lucky Azula…"