Another chapter up, and I hope you like it!

It Needs

Lu Ten liked to be alone. It was pleasant to sit in silence, with a hot cup of ginger tea and watch the sun set over the mountains. With all the problems weighing down on his head, he needed the time to just clear his head and enjoy the peacefulness.

The war in Omashu was getting bloody. Hundred were dying and insurrection was in the air. His advisors were calling for more brutal action, but Lu Ten was starting to think this war would never end.

The poverty in the nation itself was staggering. There were no workers left, the army kept taking them for war. Factories were running on the labor of the elderly, wounded and sick. Children were growing hungry, as their mothers labored endlessly to try and find work.

He had dreamed of being a Fire Lord who brought peace and joy to his people. Instead, he was failing miserably. Worst of all, he was failing Zuko miserably, breaking his promise.

Lu Ten sat on his bed, trying to hide his sobbing. He hadn't meant to burn Baby Zuko, he had just lost control of the fire puppet. Uncle Ozai slapping him to the floor had hurt terribly. Hearing Baby Zuko screaming in pain had been even worse.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…" he whimpered. He had been locked in his room with no dinner. "I promise, I'll never do it again. I promise, I'll never hurt Zuko."

"Cousin Lu Ten, may I speak to you?" a honeyed voice asked. Azula was standing nearby, holding a plate of honey-cakes. "I thought you might be hungry."

Lu Ten stared at his small cousin warily. "Thank you," he said coolly, wondering if the food was poisoned. He didn't trust the little viper at all.

"I…miss my mother. She used to make me honey-cakes. Do you think she'll ever come back?" Azula asked softly, sitting down next to him on the grass.

Lu Ten was taken aback. "I hope so." He wondered if she really did have a heart.

"Everyone's dying. Grandfather, Father, Mother, Uncle. Will Zuko die too?" Azula asked, actually sounding empathetic for once in her life.

"I hope not. I hope to Agni not. He's very hurt," Lu Ten whispered, wondering how much more failing he could do.

"He won't play with me anymore," Azula said mournfully, picking up a cake and toying with it.

"I know," Lu Ten confirmed, wondering if there was a prize for being the word Fire-Lord ever.

"I…was hoping you could play with me a little," Azula whispered, looking sad.

"Play with you?" Lu Ten asked, wondering if the child had been drugged. Azula's idea of playing had been torturing small animals.

"Maybe if Zuko sees us having fun, he'll join us," Azula continued, crumbling the cake into the grass carelessly.

Lu Ten considered her idea. He didn't like the idea of getting close to the she-demon, but perhaps…perhaps he was wrong about her. Anyway, he had no new way of reaching Zuko. Maybe his sister could reach him. "All right. I promise, we'll spend time together."

AN-Remember, twists are my specialty. This story has a lot more to go, so don't think I'm going soft.