Sunset
During the night, Masanori awoke. He was surprised to find Azula was gone. Quietly, he moved through the palace, searching for her. He had a nagging sense that it was hopeless; Azula knew every inch of these grounds, and if she did not want to be found, she would not be. But equally, he was sure he knew Azula better than anyone.
His efforts were rewarded when he searched Azula's childhood bedroom, but he almost wished he hadn't found her. She was seated-more like slumped-in a corner of the room, with a large jug by her side. "Azula," he said sadly.
"Hello, Little Boy," she slurred. "Come to join me?"
He knelt down in front of her. "Honey, how much did you drink?"
"Oh," she said dismissively, "this isn't drinking. I was just...toasting my dear, departed daddy." She inhaled. "I needed a drink to do that."
"Cat, he doesn't deserve your mourning."
She eyes met his. "How did you feel when your father died?"
That one hurt. "My father was nothing like-"
Azula placed her hand over Masanori's mouth. "That's not what I asked." She removed her hand. "Try again."
Masanori sighed. "Like I wanted to die."
"Mm-hmm." Her hands shook. Masanori took her left hand in his right and gently rubbed the back of it with his left. "I'm afraid, Masa."
"Of dying? Cat, we're both young and have a lot of life in us."
"I know that, rationally. No, I'm afraid that...if I mourn him, Zuzu and Mother will use it against me."
"That's ridiculous, Cat. Your mom and brother love you."
"But they don't understand me. I don't even understand this." She took a breath. "Do you know what that paper your cousin gave me said?"
"What did it say?"
"It said, 'You are Azula. You can do anything.' But I can't do everything, Masa! I couldn't change my father!"
Masanori held her tenderly. "Cat, only he could do that. That was his decision to make. You made it because you were stronger than him."
"What made me so deserving?"
"You were a child. What choice did you have?"
"I want to hate him, Masa. That would make it easier."
"We do what we have to, not what's easy." He stroked her face. "Don't let grief and hate block love, Azula. That's what Aang told me, and he was right."
"I'm trying, Masa. But...he had to die the week of my birthday."
"That is something he'd do."
"How dare he make me feel sorry for him! That pig!" Azula had opened the dam. There was no stopping her now. "When I saw him lying in that bed...he was never frail, Masa! He was always so strong and healthy. He never showed fear. But he was afraid then."
"He knew he was dying, Azula. Everyone loses some courage, then." He tried to smile. "He won't make any trouble in the Spirit World. My dad will kick his butt." He helped her to her feet. "And he won't ruin your birthday. I'll see you enjoy it whether you want to or not."
Author's note: I'm not sure what the ATLA term would be, but Ozai most likely died of pancreatic cancer.