Chapter 10

'I want to try something.' The princess said. 'Step aside, will you?'

I nodded and took a seat on the large tribune.

She did a few simple moves, basics I could tell. But instead of creating an orange flame, she created a blue one. She breathed deeply and was able to gain a beautiful, large blue flame. But as soon as it came it disappeared.

'Damn it, Agni work with me.' She cursed.

She tried again, this time she could hold the blue flame, but as she tried to move it, it disappeared again. I looked at her, trying so hard. I enjoyed her failing each time, but I would not laugh out loud, I would be dead if I did. She made progress, but it was very hard, even for the princess.

We went to her room after she was drowned in sweat. I helped her wash and I made her lunch. But she didn't want any, she was a little bit pissed. She grabbed a book and began to read. I cleaned up my kitchen and cleaned her room.

'Kozakura, what did you do? I mean when you were in your village. I want to know what the lower people do in their spare time.' Azula spoke.

'I would play in the woods with my friends, or play with my dolls.' I answered.

'I see.' she said sadly.

She looked so sad just right now, I wanted to hug her and make her feel comfortable, but I didn't. Instead I bowed and sat down, waiting for her to speak up.

Someone knocked on the door. The princess mentioned me to open the door, so I did. A servant bowed and walked inside.

'Princess, your mother would like to talk with you.'

'Where?'

'She would like to talk to you in the garden.'

'I'll come.' the princess said.

The servant left and Azula searched for a nice dress in her closet.

'I hope I don't need to feed those stupid turtleducks. Mother loves those annoying creatures.' she muttered.

I laughed, I couldn't control myself for a moment.

The princess gave me a little smile. 'Help me put this dress on, will you?' she demanded.

I helped her and we walked to the garden together. The Firelady was waiting for her daughter on a bench in the shadows.

'Mother,' Azula greeted, she said it like it was an abuse.

'Azula, I would like to talk to you. Take a seat.'

Azula sat next to her mother and looked straight into her eyes. I stood behind the bench and greeted the Firelady's servant, a plump woman with dark hair and a lovely face. She smiled at me and she reminded me of the people in the village that always gave me sweets.

'Azula, why were you acting so strange? Is there a problem?' the Firelady asked.

'No there's not, mother. Why don't you just leave me alone, I can solve my own problems.' the princess sneered.

I didn't understand why the princess acted like this. She was talking to her mother! I wouldn't dare to talk to my mother like that.

'Azula, I'm your mother. How can I not care about my daughter? So tell me, why were you so upset?'

'Why don't you just go mind your own business?' Azula spoke.

'Young lady, I've had enough. You should calm down, take some bread and feed the turtleducks. Maybe than you'll calm down. I'll see you at dinner.'

The servant handed the princess the bread.

'Oh, I forgot to tell. Ty Lee will be joining us for dinner, her dad has some business tomorrow morning.' Than the Firelady walked away.

The princess was again pissed off.

'Kozakura, let's feed those stupid turtleducks.' she said while an evil smirk appeared on her face.

I bowed and followed her to the little pool in the garden. A mother turtleduck was swimming with her little turtleducks. They looked so cute. As soon as they saw the princess they swam away, but than they saw the bread. First one brave little turtleduck swam to Azula, soon everybody followed. When they had gathered in front of Azula, she whispered: 'Stupid turtleducks.' And threw the whole bread on the turtleducks.

I clasped my hands for my mouth. How could she do that? That was so cruel. The turtleducks finally came up from under the water surface and began quaking loudly. Mother turleduck swam towards the princess and tried to bite her in her ankle.

'I wouldn't do that if I were you.' she said while she drowned the turtleduck.

'Princess!' I screamed.

She released the duck whom, thank the high spirits, swam away fast with her children.

'What is it, Kozakura?' she asked sweet and kindly, but I knew better.

'I'm sorry princess, but that poor little turtleduck…'

'Has had some bread and a nice bath. Now let those beasts be and come with me. I have to dress nice before Ty Lee comes.'

I was shocked. I followed her, dressed her and did her hair, but it wasn't me who was doing it, it was my body, my spirit was somewhere else.

When we were done we walked to the main entrance, Ty Lee had just arrived.

I bowed while the girl ran to the princess and hugged her. 'Azula!' she greeted.

'Hello, Ty Lee.' the princess said while she gently pushed her friend away.

'Do you know why I can stay here longer?' Ty Lee said enthousiastic. 'My father has found a man that might be worthy for my oldest sister, Ty Daia. Maybe my sister is going to marry!'

'I hope it's a wealthy and powerful man.' the princess said.

'And he should be very good-looking and nice!'Ty Lee added.

'Good evening, Firelady!' Ty Lee shouted.

Azula and I both looked aside, the Firelady was walking towards us. Ty Lee danced to the Firelady, her pink hem waving while she spun around.

'Good evening, Ty Lee. How are you doing?'

'I'm fine ma'am, thank you.'Ty Lee answered.

'Dinner is ready. Come with me girls.' the Firelady said.

The princess told me to eat something in our room and walked away. I did and made sure I was waiting outside the dining room before they were finished. When they came out Ty Lee was busy babbling and the princess just acted like she listened.

'Servant,' Azula greeted surprised while ignoring her friend who looked very mad because she was interrupted.

I bowed and tried to hide the smile on my face.

'Let's play hide and seek in the garden!' Ty Lee said enthusiastic again.

'You can't play with two, that's just boring.'

'Than we ask Zuko to join us!'

An evil smile crossed the princess' face. 'Yes, let's do that.'

Unfortunately, Zuko didn't want to play. After Ty Lee whispered something in the princess' ear they came to me.

'You will play hide and seek with us.' Princess Azula said.

'You'll go search for us after you have counted till twenty.' Ty Lee added.

I was very happy, finally I could play again. I hadn't played this game since I arrived in the Firenation.

'You can count, can't you?' the princess asked a little bit less enthusiastic.

'Yes princess' I answered.

I counted next to the biggest tree in the garden. When I was done I walked around, trying to find the princess and her friend. They were nowhere to be found and I doubted the fact that they were still in the garden. Just when I walked back to the tree someone laid a hand on my shoulder and turned me around.

'How dare you? Shouldn't you be with the princess? You are an unworthy servant! You should be punished for lolling around, and I will!' Lady Ryoko said while she raised her hand to hit me.

'Lady Ryoko, I wasn't. I was playing hide and seek with the princess.'

'Yeah sure, and my husband is the earth king, you liar!'

Just when she was about to hit me someone said: 'Stop it lady Ryoko.'

The princess jumped out of the tree and was followed by her friend, who landed gracefully after a spin in the air.

'The servant isn't lying. Will you leave my servant alone please, we want to continue playing and you've just given away our hiding place.'

'I'm so sorry princess.' Lady Ryoko said while she released me. She bowed down. 'Dinner is almost ready, forgive me for interrupting you.'

'We'll wash ourselves than.' The princess said while she walked away. Her friend and I followed, leaving the woman who had almost hit me alone.

Lady Ryoko, she seemed so nice, but actually she was what the princess called a bitch. I had never used the word before, because I didn't know the meaning of it. The princess has used it quite a few times, so I had asked about it. She said it was a nasty word, a word to be used on a mean woman or girl. The princess knows a lot of these words. It is very common for a child in the Firenation to curse, at least I think. The prince also curses a lot and just once or twice has the Firelady told her children not to curse. In the Firenation, or maybe just in the palace, do you have to speak politely, but you are allowed to curse. I can't understand the logic in it, guess you have to be Firenation to do so.

I helped the princess and her friend getting ready for dinner. The night passed quickly. I was allowed to sleep in my own room. I woke up early, because of my training with master Hikaru. Because I was very good in defending myself, he decided to try something else. He showed me how to make an attack from my defending pose. The hardest thing was getting force into it. An enemy would be unbalanced for a few seconds, but no harm was done. Again he told me to train and I thanked him.

The princess' other friend appeared just after breakfast and because she hadn't eaten, I had to make her something. I followed them around all day, I was like a shadow. Everybody knows it's there, but no one pays attention to it. The day went by slowly, this time I had to sleep in the same room as the princess and her friends, but I was allowed to sleep on a mattress this time. I was lying awake, excited about tomorrow, the day of Agni. Maybe the man behind the wall would appear tomorrow.

Wow, that wasn't really as soon as I wanted it to be… Sorry…My computer crashed and I'm very busy at the moment, that's why. byebye for now

BTW typing with a huge lollypop in your hand is harder than it seems…

Nightcrimson, I know, you're right, but I couldn't make Kozakura younger than eight (because of the chores and stuff) In this story Ursa will leave just before her son is banished at the age of thirteen. Azula is two years younger than her brother. I hope this solves things for you and other readers.