Azula sat on the ragged edge of a cliff, staring at the tranquil seas. It seemed so peaceful, as if the world outside the island didn't exist. It was as if they were in their own little bubble where there was no war going on. She found herself actually enjoying the time she spent with her brother, Ty Lee, and Mai. Of course, she would never admit it to them.

She smirked at the memory of them crashing the party and promptly thrashing the house of that boy. She has already erased his name from her mind. He wasn't worth the space in her brain. A weak, spineless coward like that should be happy that she has graced him with her presence. Idiot. She shuddered at the memory of his lips against hers, cursing herself for her momentary lapse of judgment. She doesn't need him. She doesn't need anyone. Needing others is a weakness. That's what father always told her.

She remembered the conversation she, Zuko, Mai, and Ty Lee had earlier that night. She recalled how Zuko said that he was angry. Well, she was angry too but she was strong enough not to show it. She refused to let her emotions get in the way of logic. She sighed at the memory of her admitting to them that her mother thinking she was a monster hurt her. She wouldn't let them know how much though, because what good would it do? It wouldn't change anything. Maybe they would see her as a human capable of feelings. Does it even matter what they think?

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the sound of footsteps approaching her.

"Zuzu," she acknowledged, not bothering to turn around.

He was shocked that Azula knew it was him without even looking, but then he remembered that this was Azula. Of course she knows.

"Azula," he replied, "What are you doing out here this late?"

He plopped down next to her, taking in the peaceful atmosphere and breathing in the cool fresh air.

"I could ask you the same question," she shot back.

"I asked you first!" he responded childishly, making her smirk. She had always enjoyed annoying her brother.

"If you must know, I just came here to think," she replied.

"About?"

"Things," she answered vaguely, "Now it's your turn. What brings you out here at this time of night?"

"I came here to think too."

"About?"

"Things," he responded.

They sat in silence until Zuko decided to speak up.

"About what you said earlier…about mom…" he trailed off.

Azula scoffed, "It's not a big deal, Zuzu. We all know it's true anyway. I'm a monster."

The casual way in which she said it made Zuko feel a strange need to tell her otherwise.

"I don't think you're a monster."

He saw something flash in her eyes, and just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.

She gave a mocking laugh, "Oh, Zuzu. You're so naive. After everything I've done, even after I tried to kill you on more than one occasion, you still don't see me as a monster?"

"I know that you wouldn't have killed me," he stated simply, "You've never killed anyone before."

"What about the Avatar?"

"I know that you know he's not dead."

She smirked at his perception. Well, she did make it obvious to him that she knew the Avatar was still alive.

"Still doesn't change the fact that he would be dead right now if that water tribe peasant wasn't with him."

"Okay, well, other than that incident, you've never killed anyone, nor have you ever attempted to."

"What are you talking about? I tried to kill you and uncle!"

"I know you wouldn't have," he said with a knowing look, making her blood boil.

"I would have!" she replied, getting agitated. She stood up, clenching her fists in anger. She has always been impatient, just like him, he thought. Maybe it was worth a shot.

He stood up too and repeated more confidently, "I know you wouldn't have, because deep down inside, you care."

She scoffed crossing her arms, "No, I don't."

"Yes, you do. It's just…way deep inside that you barely even feel it," he said with a shrug.

She rolled her eyes, not bothering to deny it.

He took it as a cue to continue, "Contrary to what father always told us, caring doesn't make you weak. In fact, in its own way, it makes you stronger."

"Are you calling father a liar?" she asked darkly.

"Open your eyes, Azula! He has always lied to us! I know you're not stupid enough to believe everything that comes out of his mouth!"

"Shut up!" she screamed, shooting a blast of blue fire into the ocean.

Silence hung between them.

"You think I don't know that? Of course I know that he's always lied to us! He told you he loves you and then proceeds to banish you. Is that what he calls love? He told me he loves me, but he treats me like I'm not even human. I'm just a weapon for him, a tool to conquer the world. But you know what? I don't even care."

"I see the way he looks at me whenever I fail to meet his expectations. That's why I always strived for perfection. Unlike you, I can suck it up and reach it."

He ignored the blatant insult to his flaws, not taking the bait, "Why do you still stay then?"

"Don't you see? He's the only one I've got. No one cares about me. No one loves me. Not even our own mother. Ty Lee and Mai only follow me because of fear. Not because of love. At least Father won't leave me," she ended with a whisper.

"Do you really believe that?"

"Of course not. He'll just throw me away if I fail. That's why I won't."

"Azula…I'm planning to join the Avatar."

She paused at hearing that, "I can't say I didn't expect that. What I didn't expect was you actually telling me."

"Wait…you knew?"

She ignored the question, "I could have you arrested for treason, you know?"

"I know."

"Then why did you tell me your little plan?"

"I don't know," he responded carelessly.

She sighed, "I'm not going to."

'Being on this island is making me soft,' she thought angrily. 'Is there some kind of spell here that I should know about? I need to leave as soon as possible.'

He smiled, as if he already knew she wasn't going to have him arrested, "Come with me."

Azula quirked her eyebrow at that, "And why would I do that, dear brother?"

"Because you have no more reason to stay. You said that father is the only one you've got, that he's the only reason why you stay, but I'm here for you. I'm not gonna leave you. You're my sister, and even after everything that's happened between us, I still care about you. I'm only going to say this once, but I do...love...you," he shuddered at his last sentence.

"Gross," she replied, but the slight twitch of her lips indicated that she was quite pleased with what she just heard.

"So are you in?"

"I suppose. There are some problems though. Do you think the Avatar and his posse would even agree to let us help them? What about Ty Lee and Mai? We can't take them with us. They'll be considered traitors, and I don't want to put them through all the trouble just because of your poor decisions."

"Hey!" he responded indignantly.

"I actually haven't thought that far ahead," he added, rubbing the back of his head.

"Ugh, you're such an idiot, Zuzu," she said, with the tiniest hint of affection in her voice that she would vehemently deny if asked.