Note – I found myself reorganizing the parts until the chapter was the way I wanted.

To Lose or to Gain: Iroh's Child
Progress

"It's not fair!"

Ursa found herself used to Azula's animosity towards her older brother, yet every single time still exasperated her. The way Azula acted wasn't normal, yet in the back of Ursa's mind she knew Azula was quite aware of how much her behavior hurt Zuko; the pleasure her daughter took in the plight of others suffering was something that Ursa did not enjoy. Worse, she saw Ozai take the same pleasure.

Looking at her daughter, Ursa wasn't sure what to say and do; she simply knew something was wrong with the child she couldn't pinpoint, unless one counted Ozai purposefully grooming Azula into the kind of person Ursa now saw in front of her. Her inaction led to Azula acting by speaking her mind.

"Zuzu already got special attention from you, though I can't see why you treat him so well. It should be me being favored by Uncle Iroh and grandfather."

The reason for Azula's current bout of jealousy honestly was honestly Ozai's fault. In fact, there was no getting around the fact Azulon ignored the child Ozai labeled a genius and instead favored the unfavored child. Instead of learning her father overstepped, Azula was instead formulating in her mind the idea she'd lost out on something which should rightfully be hers, or her birthright instead of Zuko's.

The concept of birthright, however, never honestly thrilled her, given the fact her own supposed birthright was how she ended up married to Ozai. Hearing from Azulon himself the fact she'd been wronged by the choices made for her because of her birthright. As such, she found herself sitting near her daughter, having returned from the play presented to her and Zuko, not understanding why Ozai or Azula coveted such a thing.

"He's not special at all."

"Well, I'm expected at tea with your brother."

Azula rolled her eyes. "He's not my brother, remember? Father had to give him up as some sort of punishment, though I don't understand how losing someone as lame as Zuzu is some kind of punishment for father. It sounds more like a punishment for uncle, meaning grandfather must have lost his mind."

"We don't talk like that, remember?"

"It's not as if he can do anything."

The manner in which Azula underestimated her grandfather was appalling, yet even this apparently stemmed from Ozai's grooming of the girl. Thoughts drifted towards her own current predicament – of the child and secret she carried. Azulon's assurances didn't alleviate the anxiety Ursa felt regarding the future of her children. More specifically, she wanted to do something about her current predicament, to have some kind of power in her hands.

She's not sure how she might do this.

"I'm expected at tea." Ursa watched her daughter glare at her, making her wonder if she'd said the wrong thing. Despite knowing Azula was likely to act in an antagonistic manner, her daughter's behavior remained unpredictable; many times it depended on the girls mood.

Azula rolled her eyes. "Whatever. It's not fair."

Ursa let out a deep breath, choosing to ignore Azula for now and instead headed out for tea with Zuko. She arrived, finding her son sitting at the table. The look on his face felt much like the look she'd seen the day she'd watched the play with him. "Zuko, is something the matter?"

Her bright sunshine and warmth looked up, putting a smile on his face. "I'm fine."

Zuko looked away, indicating it wasn't fine. Ursa glanced down at her stomach, thinking what she might do in her current situation. A thought crossed her mind. Ursa looked up. "Zuko, there's something I'd like to tell you."

"Is this about the baby."

Ursa's eyes blinked. "Wait. Did your grandfather tell you?"

"I guessed."

"How…"

"Grandfather told the person who remade my Tiger Monkey toy that he might need to commission him again soon." Zuko continued looking away, yet he didn't seem at all thrilled at the prospect of having another sibling.

"My apologies."

"What for?" Zuko looked at her, the confusion evident on his face.

"For underestimating you like he does. You're smart, very smart, yet quite aware of…" A thought regarding her secret crossed her mind, making her pause in her thoughts. She didn't want him finding out, yet quickly brushed the thought away. "You're quite aware of things around you."

She watched her eldest look away. "I guess."

"Does having a new sibling bother you?"

"Is it my sibling?"

"Of course. Why would you think otherwise?"

"Because…" Zuko took a deep breath. "Uncle Iroh's my father now."

"That's true." Ursa let her mouth twist into a smile. "You, my dear one, are the first person I've personally decided to tell about the new baby. Ozai and Azula don't yet know, but your grandfather figured out on his own. This will be your sibling, but I hope you'll finally get the chance of being an older brother like you want, like you should be. I don't want it to be like how things are with you and Azula, but I think you'll be a much better older sibling that her."

He didn't respond. She wasn't surprised, yet let out a deep breath. Zuko glanced up, a smile fluttering across his face. "Grandfather said I might be able to help pick out a gift for the baby."

"That would be delightful."

The smile faded, his eyes drifting back to his lap. "I don't trust Azula."

"Zuko?"

"I don't want her to hurt the baby, but I can't be there to protect her like I would be if…"

"Your grandfather promised the baby would be protected."

"I trust grandfather."

"That's good. He is a very wise man Zuko. I don't agree with him on everything, but he also doesn't expect me to agree with him on everything. He's treated me, as did your grandmother when she was alive, like a daughter in their household since I came here." She watched Zuko frown.

"Wait. What do you mean by that?"

Ursa's eyes blinked. She'd never told either child how she came to be with their father. "It was an arranged marriage."

Zuko glanced at the table. "I don't want to be in an arranged marriage. I don't want to marry at all."

"You might think differently about it – marriage that is – once you're older."

"Girl's are weird. They do crazy things, but I don't understand them at all."

"I don't think utilizing her sister and her friends as examples of how girls act is a good idea. Azula is…" Ursa sighed, pressing her hands together. "Azula is Azula."

"Yeah. I know."