Azula stepped out of the bath and wrapped a towel around her small frame. The heat from the water had done its trick to release any tension left in her body, although there was still some slight unease. She could wash away any visible evidence of the exchange she had with her brother but the memories that burned fresh in her mind said otherwise. It unnerved her at how easily she had come undone in his presence…how much power he had over her. She may have played her part towards the end that she had full control over his will but in reality and much to her chagrin, he was the one who had control over her.

The Princess walked over towards her large sink, all her products she used for herself gleamed under the faint light. She gripped the ends of the marble counter, looking at herself in the mirror. There she was. The same person she had always been. Her looks hadn't changed much, only with more maturity in her features of being eighteen. Her hair was longer than it had been, lately only being pulled up in a half knot, while the rest flowed down her back freely. She had obviously grown more in several features from four years ago but she was still the same intelligent, prodigious, witty person she had always been…

Her eyes though…her amber gaze revealed more.

They betrayed how much she had struggled through since her childhood. How many accomplishments she achieved and how many failures she had faced. How much strength she possessed but underneath how fragile she was. Her intelligent gaze told her story. If one looked hard enough, they would be able to read her accurately. No one has though…no one ever dared got close enough…except Zuko…

[Flash back]

She eyed him warily as he placed a cloth over the low table that had been placed moments before in her room. She observed as he set cups down on either end of the table, filling them up with tea before taking his position once he was done, opposite her. She sat on her bed by the window over-looking Ember Island, one knee drawn up while her arms wrapped loosely around it. What was he trying to play at…?

They had only been talking for five months now. His visits to her had become more frequent since her decision on talking to him about their mother. It was a normal routine she had gotten used to. She would never admit it but she rather looked forward to his company. It made her feel as if someone…cared about her. It was something she lived off of nowadays as pathetic as that sounded, the only thing that kept her sane while keeping the hallucinations at bay. When her brother visited, her mind was temporarily silenced. It was peaceful not having any whispers echoing in her head all the time…or unwanted visits from her dear mother.

His voice snapped her out of her thoughts "Well, aren't you going to join me?"

Her eye brows rose in a skeptical look, not completely trusting the situation, her voice lowered "So…our therapy session has turned to that of family bonding now is that it?"

Zuko stared at her uneasily, not completely knowing what to say. He was well aware of the fact that she was very much unstable. Her doctors had informed him of the few outbursts she had from simple things that could set her off. Maybe having tea was not a good idea…she doesn't completely trust him…he may be moving too fast but then when was the best time to start?

"I just thought we could take a break from our usual routine…relax instead of fighting over the past…over mother." He kept his body posture calm and relaxed, although on the inside his instincts were set on fight or flight mode. His sister was unpredictable and that was what scared him the most about her. There were no outward signs as to what she would do next.

Her eyes blazed at the mention of their mother, her body going rigged, yet she did not move from her spot or betray the turmoil she felt inside. She had learned not to take her anger out on him through these sessions. He was the only one she essentially trusted through all this to talk about their mother, even though the topic itself sent many course of emotions through her. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths to calm herself…she did not want to ruin what she had with the only other human who seemed to care about her. Although that was her thought process, she couldn't help but be suspicious, deciding to question his motives further.

"You want us to suddenly start getting along is that it?" her voice betrayed the irritation and mistrust she felt. Since when did her brother want anything to do with her? Yes, he visited on a weekly basis and helped her through her memories of their mother but that was all. He essentially had no other purpose doing this. There must be something he is trying to gain… "Why are you really doing this?"

He avoided her gaze, fidgeting where he sat. This was going to be harder than he expected "I-I guess I just…" he sighed. He had no reason to tip toe around her. If there was anything Azula hated most, it was when people lied or tried getting on her good side. He needed to start being straight forward with her. That was the only way to gain her trust.

He returned his gaze back on hers. The confidence in them and determination mildly impressed her. He tried to keep his voice calm, but his temper made itself apparent through his words "I am tired of having to fight with you. Why does there need to be ulterior motives behind my actions towards you…?"

That was a good question. Why does there need to be? She wasn't about to give in just yet to his offer. She decided to counter his question with one of her own "It's how it always has been between us…you know that. Why should we start getting along now?"

He took a deep breath to gather his patience before revealing the truth "Because I want my sister back" She didn't know how to respond to that, prompting him to continue "There's no more reason for us to fight. With father locked away, we don't have that constant pressure to outdo each other or fight for the throne. I want to move forward from all that." His voice softened, his gaze looking away from hers "Aside from Uncle, you are the only close family I have left…I want you back home."

Azula tried seeking out some hidden motive under this…there had to be one. She found though that there was none. He was telling her the truth as hard to believe as it was. She didn't know how she felt about this and she wasn't sure she wanted to have a relationship with her brother. He was right though…why should they keep fighting? There was no point behind it…she wanted a real future, knowing he could provide that to her. And the one thing that stuck out in her mind was his last comment. It was what made her decision on her next course of action.

He wants me home…

Slowly, she lowered herself down to sit across from him, folding her legs underneath her. She met his amber gaze, noting the way they widened in obvious surprise at her choice but then they shifted to reveal something else…it made her uneasy the moment she recognized it. It was not something she was used to being given from others and there was only one word to describe what she saw: Love. It was that affection that sent her heart beating faster…the attention on her made her feel as if the whole world was watching, seeing underneath the barrier she put up around herself. She huffed in annoyance to cover up how much it affected her. Unable to keep eye contact, she looked away. What is wrong with me…? Ever since he started visiting, I have been nothing but anxious around him. Why does he, of all people, make me feel this way…?

Not many words were exchanged between them. They both drank their tea in silence. Strangely enough it was comforting…much to Azula's surprise. She expected it to be awkward but she was happy to discover it wasn't. If this was all she had to worry about then she could get used to it.

They did not end up having their therapy session but she did not mind that at all. Taking a break from facing the past was a better idea than she gave Zuzu credit for. It was nice to walk away from routine for once…to actually get along with her brother.

When they finished, she watched him clean up the table, deciding only moments after that she would help him. She stood, reaching down to pick up the kettle when he took her hand, gently stopping her. She flinched, turning to glare at him, when she found his face only a foot away from hers. She couldn't stop the heat rising in her face, coloring her cheeks a slight pink. He, of course, was oblivious to this. Her voice shook slightly as she tried her best to save face, "Let go of my hand Zuko…"

He didn't pick up on the slip up in her diminishing façade, although he did let go of her hand "Let me clean up. I appreciate the help but I want you to go relax. Please"

She didn't argue, as she wanted to put as much distance between them as possible. She positioned herself right back on the bed in her room, calming her heart down by forming blue fire in the palms of her hands. It was the one thing she found soothed her the most. He's just your brother! There's no reason to be so nervous around him! The flame flickered with her conflicting emotions and thoughts. She hated how flustered he made her feel with the slightest glance or touch. She was not supposed to be this weak around him. Emotions served no purpose except to reveal your secrets to the world…and yet, as she watched him finish gathering the rest of the tea set, she found that she didn't mind these moments of vulnerability…slowly the flaring blue flame calmed down, moving gracefully. Although they caused her to be a fool and stop her straight forward thinking, making it a maze she could scarcely get through quick enough, it was pleasant. These unknown feelings were not all bad if they left her feeling satisfied by the end of his visits. She let the flame die down gradually…along with the frustration that turned into her final resolve. She decided that she would explore these feelings in question. She needed to know what they meant for her…and him.

He turned towards her and gave her a soft smile, his gaze betraying his unease around her still, but he was visibly more relaxed. Happy she concluded. "I'd better get going…I have a meeting to attend to. I'll see you next week same time."He reached for the door knob, turning it; only to halt from actually pushing the door open as his sister's words stopped him in his tracks.

"Thank you Zuzu"

[End Flashback]

The prodigy smiled at the memory, her features softening. She laughed quietly to herself. I must truly be a fool…I should never have let my curiosity get the better of me. She pulled away from the sink, drying her dark hair by heating the air around it using her Bending before brushing it. She could have had the servants attend to her but right now she desired to be alone.

As she brushed her hair, she once again let their evening play through her head. Every touch, kiss, and action had been perfect. The power struggle between them had made their heated exchange that much more desirable. She had fought to resist giving into him first but realized that it was inevitable. She had, for too long, desired his touch. To test the boundaries that should never have been there. She had revealed her true self that she always hid behind a mask to him. No one should ever have that much power over her, especially Zuko. The worst part is…I let this happen…yet I don't regret any of it.

She went to her wardrobe, getting dressed for their usual dinner. It was sure to be interesting. Who knows what might happen tonight…a devilish grin spread across her face, a gleam of mischief dancing in her golden gaze. If I know Zuzu as well as I do…I won't have to do much of anything. Azula knew her brother was horrible at keeping secrets. Even more than that, he was a terrible liar. If Mai asked the right questions, she knew he wouldn't be able to save face. All I have to do is guide the conversation.

Once she was done getting her appearance to perfection, pulling her hair up into a half knot, she made her way to the double doors that closed her room off to the rest of the palace. Secrets were a common thing here in the Fire Nation Royal Family. Some darker than others…the shadows seemed to creep up around her, causing slight doubt into what she was about to do. She shook her head and walked through the doors, down the hallway leading directly to the dining room. Once she made this decision, there was no going back, she knew. She realized though, as she walked down the marble hallways, eventually coming to the entrance leading into the dining room that her decision-his decision-had long since been made even before she came home.

She peered into the room from the shadows in the hall way, noticing Mai was already there. The girl sat patiently, observing one of her shuriken knives, waiting for both her and Zuko to show up. Oh, tonight was sure to be one to remember indeed. Her amber eyes then caught ones that mirrored hers from across the dining room. Azula met his gaze, feeling many different surges of emotion she had yet to identify, run through her.

Fate, she thought, was a funny thing.