A/N: So. Here's chapter 4. It's probably not as good as quality, but I've been kinda rushing, sorry! Ch. 5 will be up probably Tuesday. Please please please review. Ooh, and thanks to bendergurl123 for continuously reviewing :) I appreciate it!

Disclaimer: I do not own avatar, its script, or its characters. -sigh-

Chapter Four

Eight Years Later

I walked across the courtyard with a dignity only royalty would have. So much has happened in the past eight years. I married Ozai, half out of love and half out of fear. I still trust my friend Wu's words. Even though Ba Sing Se has withstanded the attacks from General Iroh, the city lives in fear of another attack. They might not be able to defend themselves successfully a second time. Most of their able bodied young men have gone off to fight in the war, so the city is not well defended. It's a miracle they survived a hundred days of siege.

I sat on the marble bench next to our pond as seven-year-old Zuko stared into its icy depths. I tossed bits of yesterday's baguettes into the mouths of the hungry baby turtle ducks. Zuko is a mirror image of his father, but his heart is the total opposite. Ozai has grown cold and hard by fame and politics. Azula on the other hand, seemed to almost relish other people's pain. In my mind, it almost confirmed my worst suspicions. I gazed warily where Azula was playing with her friends, Ty Lee and Mai. Azula's gold eyes darted around calculatingly, even though she was only six. I tried not to image what she might become later on in life… "Mom, do you want to see how Azula feeds turtle ducks?" Zuko exclaims, breaking my train of thought. Zuko picked up a whole loaf, and pelted it at one of the baby ducks. I was shocked. "Zuko! Why would you do that?" The mama turtle duck glared us and darted towards Zuko. She bit his leg and refused to let go. "Ow! Ow ow ow ow!" I calmly removed the turtle duck and gently tossed her back into the pond. The turtle ducks swam away. "Stupid turtle duck! Why did she do that?" Zuko mumbled. "Zuko. That's what moms are like. If you mess with their babies… GRR! They are going to bite you back!" I said playfully. I grabbed Zuko's hand and led him inside.

After freshening up, I led Zuko towards the outdoor pathway that led to the study, so he could read about some ancient firebending techniques. On the pathway, Azula ran up to us. "Mom, can you make Zuko play with us?" It was the "make" that startled me. "We need equal teams to play a game!" Azula fluttered her eyes. "I am not cartwheeling!" Zuko yelled. "You won't have to. Cartwheeling is not a game. Dumb dumb." Azula sneered. "Besides, we are brother and sister. And it's important that we spend time together! Don't you think, Mom?" Maybe being around Zuko will do some good for Azula. "Yes, I think that it's a good idea to play with your sister. Go on now, just for a little while." Zuko jumped over the gate and jogged over. I went into the study and immersed myself in my favorite childhood novel; The Great Hunt by Charles Greenberg, published by Earthbounds. It was a bit risky, but I was feeling rebellious. Someone walked through the doorway, and in startled panic, I threw my book on the floor. Luckily, it was only a messenger. He looked oddly at me, and then gave me a scroll and a box. It was labeled; to Ursa, from Iroh. Inside the box were gifts for Azula and Zuko. I quickly scanned the scroll (a letter). It was news from the warfront. Iroh was advancing Ba Sing Se! I've been worrying this day would come. My family and dear Wu's lives were in danger. But I managed to keep a straight face (the maid just arrived) I figured Zuko and Azula would want to hear about this. I headed outside to fetch them. "Zuko! I was just coming to get you. Uncle Iroh had just sent us news from the warfront." Then I noticed that he was trailing water all over the marble. "Zuko, you're soaking wet." He replied with a quick "GIRLS ARE CRAZY" He stomped into the study. I collected a reluctant Azula, then reopened the scroll. He made a few remarks about the boldness of Ba Sing Se (something he did right) and then made a few crude jokes about burning the city to the ground. Zuko and Azula burst out laughing. I managed to choke out a few. I read on; just explaining the gifts. Azula received an Earth Kingdom doll. I had one as a young girl almost identical to it. I jumped back as Azula clutched it and it burst into flames. I managed to keep a straight face, but panic rose in my stomach. She was turning into a monster. And I would give every effort to keep her from becoming like her father; cruel and destructive. Tears pooled in my eyes as Zuko drew out a pearl dagger. It looked exactly like the one my father kept in his dresser, just in case. "Never give up without a fight." Zuko read. The words gleamed on the dagger as if they were alive. In that moment, I planned to do just that.