Azula didn't stay at the house for long. Instead she walked into the town… Which was indeed just that. A small town hidden away behind the trees.

It was so plain and conventional that it seemed almost painful. So this is where her mother had been born.

Odd. Now that Azula thought about it. She had never really thought much about her mothers past. She had assumed that Ursa came from some noble family or something, and had of course been arranged into marrying her father. Obviously.

But judging from this town, it did not look like Ursa had had the status to be married to a Prince of the fire nation. Even if he was only a second Prince at the time.

So why would Azulon himself come here to pick up a peasant girl for his second son to marry?

Azula had been very young when Azulon died. Only eight years old. But she remembered the old coot.

The old gass bag had never tolerated anything else than perfection and would be highly critical of everyone and anything.

He was paranoid too, and would frequently send servants to prison under the mere suspicion of plotting against him.

So why her?

Azula tried to go over Norens words again…. The way he had described Ursa. As a happy person.

Yeah, that wasn't Azulas mother at all. If there was one word Azula would use to describe her mother it was sad.

She always had that sad look in her eyes. And fear of course.

She would only be happy under two different circumstances. Either when she read out loud theater scrolls for Azula and Zuko.

Or… When she played with her precious Zuzu.

But even then Ursas smile would be thinly veiled barely hiding her sadness…

Ikem? Was she maybe thinking about this guy Ikem? Her original fiance? It couldn't be this place could it?

Ursa had won the lottery! She had come from here and brought to the fire nation palace to become a Princess and Fire lady! What would she have to be sad about?!

"Don't hurt them!"

Azula froze as she heard the voice, as clearly as if it was next to her. Her mothers voice ringing down the hallways of a palace and then a slap that followed as well as a scream.

Azula swallowed… If Ozai had slapped her. She probably deserved it. Like Zuko..

"I'll do better father! I promise!"

Azula back then already knew what was coming and didn't know why Zuko even bothered. He had failed in his forms and the hand came crashing down sending the boy to the ground.

And there was the ring… The arena… the fire.

"Pain and suffering shall be your teacher!"

Azula had been happy then. Because Zuko was finally getting what he deserved, she would get rid of him at last.

It was Zukos fault after all! He just had to be perfect. That's all he needed to do. And Ozai would be merciful.

Azula covered her ears as she tried to make the shouts go away, then walked through town as she mumbled.

Barely did she notice that she was walking past a stage, it looked kind of old and worn down. That though didn't stop a group of people from standing on it as they chatted eagerly.

Azula halted and then she turned to look at it… Wait. This was their theater company? This old outdoor stage?

…. That was pathetic.

The group standing on the stage were all women. Suddenly one turned to Azula and she gasped making Azula frown. "What?" she asked.

"Are you here to audition for the play too?" The woman asked. "Oh no then I wont have a chance. Look at you you're so pretty. You would be perfect for the dragon empress."

Azula rolled her eyes. "There's no way I would ever play the dragon empress. She sucks."

That got her the other womens attention.

"What do you mean?" Another woman asked.

"I mean come on." Azula commented. "She just sits around. Waiting for the dragon emperor to safe her from her curse. The dragon emperor is pretty pathetic too for letting himself get cursed by the dark water spirit but at least he does something." she said. "He picks up a sword and slays that creature."

"Hmmm." The first woman tapped her chin. "You may have a point. She does just kind of sit around doesn't she?"

"But it's romantic!" A third girl said. "That's the point. True love is what breaks the spell and gives the emperor the strength he needs to defeat the dark water spirit."

"I'm pretty sure it was his sword that did that." Azula stated pointedly as she jumped up on the stage next to them. "At least the final battle is pretty cool." she said as suddenly she took a stands with an imaginary sword in her hand. "My body may be mortal. And my bones may be broken. But my spirit you shall never vanquish. Face me! Water Spirit! Feel my steel upon your body. And feel the wrath of my will as you breath your last breath!"

Suddenly a big "oooooh" came from the girls and they all clapped their hands.

"She's good." One whispered.

"Of course I'm good." Azula snorted casually wiping hair behind her shoulder. "Any performance I do will be flawless."

"Are you a pro?" A girl asked.

"Please. As if I would waste my time on theater." Azula snorted.

"You should totally consider it." The first girl consisted. "I heard that sometimes the dark water spirit can be played by a woman since the gender isn't really that important for that character."

"There is no way I am ever putting on the dark water spirit mask." Azula simply stated shuddering slightly by the mere thought of it.

"Oh. Zara! There you are." Noriko came walking with a basket over her arm.

"Mrs Noriko!" The girls all cheered.

"Hello." Noriko smiled kindly. "You made some friends Zara? That's wonderful."

"No." Azula replied dryly.

"She's with you Mrs Noriko?" A girl asked.

"Well… I happened to find the poor girl in the forgetful valley last night." Noriko admitted. "She's staying with us for a bit. She was lost."

"I was not lost." Azula stated sourly.

"Then… What were you doing in the forgetful valley?" A girl asked. "Do you know how lucky you are? Normally when people get lost there they never come back!"

"Clearly that's not true." Azula said. "I was there last night and Noriko was in there last night finding me. We are both here! So that's clearly a bunch of bulls."

"Zara that language." Noriko gasped.

Azula rolled her eyes and looked away.

"Well I'm glad I found you." Noriko said. "I wanted to go find some clothes for you. Perhaps you want to come so you can pick out something you like."

"What-ever." Azula muttered as she jumped down from the stage to stand beside Noriko.

"My. You really are a teenager." Noriko commented amused.

"I am between the age of thirteen and seventeen. Brilliant observation." Azula snorted.

"My I hope Kiyi wont get as difficult when she reach that age." Noriko blinked.

"What?" Azula asked.

"Nothing." Noriko smiled kindly. "Now I so happen to know the local dress maker. We are good friends. I am sure she'll have something you'll like."

"I hate dress's." Azula stated.

"Oh." Noriko blinked. "So… Pants and a tunic?"

"Something that don't get in the way when trying to run, jump and fight. Yes." Azula stated.

"So.. You're a bit of a tomboy?" Noriko asked.

"I'm a soldier." Azula replied in a snort.

"Yes… Of course. You were at the front lines." Noriko said. "Ahem." she cleared her throat. "Listen. Just pick the things you feel comfortable with." she said. "If you happen to like one of the dress's that's fine. And if you don't, that's fine too."

Azulas eyes narrowed.

"Is there something you would like for dinner?" Noriko then tried.

"Food." Azula simply replied.

"Right." Noriko sighed deeply. "Is there any food you would like?" she asked.

"Food that isn't poisonous." Azula said.

Noriko closed her eyes as she inhaled a deep breath then looked up again. "Okay let's try this." she said. "Chicken, beef or fish?" she asked.

Azula frowned a little. "Fish." she finally said.

"Okay then. Rice or noodles?"

"Rice." Azula shrugged.

"Leeks, spring onion or carrots?" Noriko asked.

"All of them." Azula said.

"Great." Noriko beamed. "Fish with rice and vegetables it is. Is there anything I should stay clear from?" she asked.

"I hate nuts." Azula informed.

"Got it." Noriko smiled. "See this wasn't so hard."

Azula groaned deeply. This woman was annoying.