Zuko might not have six siblings but he had Azula so he thinks he deserves compensation and honestly he does. Their mother wasn't there to make sure Azula didn't bother him.

"Play with me," she demands.

"No," Zuko doesn't even look up from his history scroll.

"Please."

"I rather loose my hand than play with you," he snarks and Azula sighs.

"Fine, come here," she says and brandishes his knife.

He looks up from his scroll in a startled manner. "Is that my knife! Uncle gave that to me. Give it back!"

She looks like she's deciding between sinking it into his arm or chucking it out a window, whoever gets hit with it be damned. She sighs and to show she has no ill feelings she offers it back. Zuko carefully takes it.

"Please. Ty Lee is at the doctors and Mai is on a family weekend trip. Play with me," Azula repeats.

He's sympathetic but their father told him to study. Then again Azula is a compulsive liar and could just want to humiliate him in a game.

"I'm sorry Azula but I'm busy. Play with the servants."

"I'm not you Zuzu. That's too pathetic," she huffs and he rolls his eyes. "Okay. How about this. I help you and you play with me. What are you reading?"

"The farmers revolt in Ba Sing Se," he says and Azula brightens up. He brightens up too because what's the point of siblings if they can't help each other out once in a while.

"Our tutors have already quizzed me on that," she sits on his table. "Here's what you need to know."

She helps him memorize the answers and questions. Then they go play.

Playing with Azula is a challenge. She's a kid and plays rough. Her bad reputation doesn't help her when accidents happen.

They're in the garden and she's showing him her moves. Zuko is politely paying attention and holding score cards.

"Check this out Zuko. It's a move Ty Lee showed me. We've been practicing," Azula rolls her neck and gets ready to sprint. She gets a good distance and then runs to the tree. For a moment it looks like gravity has no affect on her and then she jumps backward. There was a miscalculation in how far Zuko was to the tree. She smacks the shit out of him. Zuko goes down like a bag of rocks and Azula panics.

"Hey, hey. Zuzu. It was an accident," she says as he holds the top of his head. "Oh, come on! I know dad has hit you harder." He whimpers in pain and Azula cringes. "Look. I'll give you a freebie and let you hit me. Get up Zuko," she snaps and he looks up at her with brimming eyes.

"A freebie."

"Yeah, yeah," she says looking around. Their mother has an extra sense when it comes to Zuko being in danger. "Go ahead."

Zuko sniffs and gets up. Azula smirks. Zuko was not the most gracious warrior and she wouldn't put it pass him to stumble on a tree root. She drops her hands and tells him to give it his best shot.

"Zuko! What are you doing!" Tu Len shouts and Zuko misses her shoulder. Doesn't even graze it. Born lucky indeed. "You shouldn't hit your sister."

"Uhhh, no. You got it all wrong. There was a glow worm on Azula," he lies and awkwardly brushes her shoulder.

"Animals know better than to get close. Insects not so much," Azula shrugs. "Hi Lu Ten. Did the meeting end?" she asks as she runs to him and is lifted up.

"No. I drank too much tea and I hate it when the servants hold the pot."

"What's wrong with them holding the pot?" Zuko asks.

"Well, servants don't follow you in the field with one. Feel's weird even if they're not looking. I should head back," he says.

"Wait. Can you show me how to shoot lightning," Azula pleads.

"That's a little too advanced for you," he nudges her.

"Show us. Show us. Show us!" Zuko joins in as he puts Azula down.

"Oh no. I can't. I have to-stand back and watch," he says with the family smirk and they cheer. Azula gets Zuko and drags him to safe distance. She's seen dad do it enough times to know it's best not to get too close.

He charges up and moves his arms in circular motions before pointing at the sky and throwing lightning. They gasp in awe. He looks down at his nails. Lightning always makes them look strange.

"Teach me how to do that," Azula demands and for a moment he's taken back by her order. Prince's rarely take orders. Being an only child, he has a soft spot for the two kids. Zuko a soft and unsure boy, and Azula a confident child trying to run with the adults. Two different dragons that share the same blood.

He shuffles over and zaps her. She's too surprised to contain her yelp.

"Static," he chuckles. "I didn't learn how to do this until a few years ago where I had to grovel dad. You'll learn in time."

"Has father told you when he's going to teach me?" Zuko asks.

"Uncle is a private person. He'll teach you both one day. Lightning bending is only going to be taught to royals. It's too dangerous for other to be using it."

"Is that why they killed that sage?" Azula asks and Lu Ten frowns.

"How did you know that?"

"Dad told me," she lies. She had been very young but she remembers stumbling into the execution.

"Yeah. He betrayed my father and uncle. It's too bad. He was one of the few people uncle respected," he says. "I really should get back," he ruffles their head much too Azula's annoyance. "I'll see you two at dinner. Play nice," he waves and runs before he gets reprimanded.

"I still get my freebie," Zuko says sinisterly and Azula prances to the side as he goes for a punch.

"Congratulation. You missed twice. Do I get a turn?" Azula says and know Zuko runs away.

Azula chuckles. Alone in the garden she begins mimicking Lu Ten's movements. Only his movements. He was right when he said she was too young. Fire was passion, drive, and determination. Lightning was focus and fearlessness. Azula had all that but she has to get the positions right.

She practiced until it was almost time for dinner. The servants brought her to bath. Azula focuses on making the candles burn hotter. She goes through her candles fast enough to annoy her servants. A stubborn knot and too forceful tug made Azula's temper flare up and the young servant hisses as a blue flame licks her elbow.

"Huh," Azula says as the servants rush to put salve on the burn. She pinches the flame out. "You all can leave. Put my outfit on my bed," she orders and they make a hasty retreat. Azula breathes and focuses. A blue flame erupts for a second before turning orange. Azula licks her lips in glee. She might've been born lucky but luck can only take her so far. She needs to work harder and improve her endurance. She can't do anything if she's late for dinner and subsequently grounded. She dries herself off and puts her dress on before rushing to find Zuko.

She finds him dressed as well but their mother is fixing his hair. A flair of jealousy rides in her chest.

"Aw, you need mom to help you get dressed," she says.

"No," he blushes and gets up. He stomps out the door but not before glancing at the mirror.

"Azula," her mother starts with a reprimanding voice.

"Dad says you shouldn't pamper him or he'll become dumb and dependent. I don't need anyone's help."

"Girls are more responsible than boys," her mother says and cups Azula's cheek. "Zuko is under more pressure than other boys. His mistakes will be criticized. That's why you two should look after each other."

"Mom. I know we aren't allowed to talk about your past but sometimes it shows that you don't have an older brother," Azula snaps and then regrets it at her sad face. "I'm sorry but it's not fair." It's not fair she has to work twice as hard because Zuko is a failure of genetics.

The two join Zuko and then the others at dinner. It's less nerve wracking than tea time but barely so. The servants bring steaming hot food and as always, the Firelord must initiate when it's time to eat. Zuko and Azula scrunch their noses at the veggies on their plates. They didn't want to use uncle Iroh's tea to drown the flavor. Zuko glances at his father, suppresses his sigh and shoves the green vegetable into his mouth. Azula is thinking how she can sneak her vegetables into Zuko's plate but her mother and father give her a warning look. She plays the dutiful daughter and also eats.

Dinner is usually quiet unless they have guests but tonight Azula elbows her brother in the ribs. He winces and gives her an annoyed look. Her eyes flicker to her plate, then his, and then at their dad. A strange and rare understanding connects them.

"Mom," Azula starts trying to distract the adults. "Can you help me with my homework later. I have to do a family tree and talk about our roots."

"I would've thought we were already on the school curriculum," Azulon chuckles darkly.

"We are grandfather but that's why I need mom's help. The art teacher suggested I dig into my mothers side," Azula says and all the adults glance at Azulon. She senses Zuko make his move then.

"Your grandparents departed from this existence before you were born. Don't hurt your mother by talking about them," he says and Azula nods.

Her dad takes her out of art class. She has to spend it now in the library helping. Ugh.

She won't say it but she's glad when Ty Lee and Mai come back. During school lunch they clamor up to the school ceiling where Mai can practice throwing chalk at kids she hates.

"It's blue!" Ty lee gasps and even Mai eyes widen slightly. "Wow. It's so pretty Azula!"

Mai blows and the flame extinguishes.

"Hey!" Azula barks.

"Sorry, but I was about to start sweating," she says and Ty Lee leans away too.

"Yeah, careful you don't burn yourself out."

"I can only hold it for a few seconds. I need to get used to it more," Azula admits.

"What did your dad say?"

"Nothing. I'm not going to tell him until I can keep it going for a longer time," Azula clenches her hand. "I can't wait to prove my worth and go on a campaign. It's a secret so don't tell anybody."

"Promise," Ty Lee winks.

"Sure. Whatever," Mai shrugs.

"There! You three! Get down this instant," the headmistress shouts and Azula looks down.

"Ty Lee lost her shoe. We're looking for it," Azula lies and Ty Lee nods.

"Kicked too hard. Sorry!"

"Quickly and then come down. Maybe we should bring a latter."

The disrespect Azula has to go through.

They pretend to be looking for Ty Lee' shoe for a moment and then Ty Lee pretend to put it on. Ty Lee jumps down first, adding a spin, and sticks the landing. Azula goes next, she thinks about adding a spin, but then remembers smacking Zuko. She knows she can do it but doesn't want to risk hitting Ty Lee. She goes for a simple jump. They look up at Mai.

"Need me to catch you?" Ty Lee sticks her arms out.

"Where was that offer for me?" Azula jokes.

"Like you'd need my help," Ty Lee says with a giggle.

"I don't but the gesture would be nice," Azula says and Ty Lee takes her hand and squeezes. Azula feels herself warm again and thinks it's because of the effort to make a blue flame.

Mai ignores them and jumps down.

They get scolded. Azula gets punished by her dad later with reduced free time. Which is fine! She needed to practice anyways.