Azula sighed deeply as she was sitting on a stone next to the local marked where Noriko was doing some shopping.
Well, at least Azula had clothes now which fit. Just one single pair of pants and a red tunic in ordinary cotton. That was all.
And then Noriko had bought cloth in similar colors to sew another pair because that was cheaper.
Apparently Noriko would usually sew the clothes for her family as well as the costumes for the theater… Seemed tiresome.
Lazily did Azula look across the road to see a little kid run full speed with a clay pot in her hands. The road though was bumpy and uneven. It was easy to see where this was going.
And yes, right on quo the little girl tripped, the clay pot flew out of her hands and then shattered on the ground while the girl landed in the mud.
The girl gasped as she looked up.
"Min!" A womans shouted as she came running for the girl. "Min are you okay?!"
The little girl turned her head to look up at the woman, water in her eyes. "Mom…" she whispered. "I… I'm sorry. I broke it. I'm sorry!"
Uff… yeah this probably wasn't going to be pretty.
"Never mind that!" The mother suddenly said. "Are you hurt?" she asked helping the girl up.
Azulas eyes widened and the girl sniffed.
"No… I'm fine."
"Thank Agni." The mother sighed.
"You… You're not mad?" The girl asked. "You just bought it!"
The mother smiled at the girl. "Of course not. It was an accident. What did we learn though? You just need to be more careful in the future."
"Uhu." The girl nodded.
"Beside… It's just a pot. It's far more important that you're not hurt." The woman smiled as she picked the girl up and finally walked away.
Azula looked after the pair, swallowing. That really hadn't gone the way Azula thought it would have.
"Zara!" Noriko suddenly exclaimed coming from behind and Azula turned around. "Look what I found isn't it pretty?" she asked showcasing a red silk ribbon with decorative flowers made from golden threats.
"It's fine I guess." Azula shrugged.
"I really shouldn't have. But I saw it and I just thought. It would look so good on you." Noriko beamed. "You got such nice hair!"
Azula blinked confused. "My hair?" she asked.
"Of course." Noriko smiled. "I'm way to old and plain looking for this kind of fine ribbon. Is it okay if I put it on you?"
Azula frowned slightly but finally turned around with her back to Noriko invited Noriko to arrange her hair.
Noriko beamed as she moved forward, then gently collected Azulas hair in her hands. "Oh it's so thick and soft. I'm jealous." she commented as she formed a knot on Azulas head.
"It's hair." Azula replied just as Noriko gently looped the ribbon around Azulas hair and then finally finished it off.
"There." Noriko smiled and Azula turned turned around to face the older woman. Only for Noriko to brighten up. "I was right! That suites you so much!"
Azula frowned deeply.
Noriko halted. "Did… Did I do something wrong?" she asked. "I hope I didn't overstep."
"Don't you already have a kid you can buy pretty things for?" Azula asked.
"Well yes." Noriko admitted. "I just thought…" she looked down then sighed deeply. "I'm sorry."
Azula looked at the woman who just stood there with a bowed head looking honestly ashamed, and suddenly a weird feeling came in Azulas chest. And it didn't feel good.
Azula chewed on her lip. "It's a very nice ribbon." she finally said. "Thank you… I guess."
And relief washed over Norikos face. "You're welcome." she smiled a soft kind smile… And it was honest. So was her soft honest eyes making Azula blink utterly confused.
"Well I better get back to the house." Noriko said lifting up in her basket. "So I can cut out cloth for your extra tunic before starting dinner."
Azula shrugged.
"Be home before dinner all right?" Noriko asked.
"What-ever." Azula replied.
"I hope you'll have a nice day." Noriko said sincerely. "If there's anything you need. Just say the word."
"Some quiet?" Azula suggested.
"Now now." Noriko held up a hand. "You may be a bit moody. But that's no reason to be rude."
Azula glared at Noriko.
Noriko sighed. "Take care. And don't wander off to far. You don't want to end up back in the forgetful valley." she said.
Azula rolled her eyes. "I wont." she muttered.
"Right… Good." And finally Noriko turned and walked away only to encounter one of her friends who looked at Noriko.
"Teenagers." the woman simply stated.
"I suppose." Noriko admitted in a shrug.
In the evening there was an awkward silence as the dinner table. Noren of course had been uneasy ever since Azula had arrived, and that mornings confrontation hadn't made it any better.
Azula was making a good show at never stopping glaring at Noren while putting food into her mouth, not looking at it.
Kiyi was wide-eyed looking up, trying to figure this out. But at least she wasn't using her fingers to eat the rice this time.
And Norikos eyes were darting all around the place. Then finally she cleared her throat. "So then Noren. It seems people are looking forward to this years audition."
"Oh yes." Noren looked up. Obviously glad to have any excuse to break this awkward silence. "There's a lot of new talent this year I think."
"That's wonderful dear. Do you have your eyes on anyone for our three leads?" Noriko asked.
"Not yet." Noren said. "That seems a little unfair to do even before the auditions have started. I do like to give everyone an equal chance."
"Mom why don't you play dragon empress?" Kiyi asked. "You would be so good at it!"
"Oh no I could never." Noriko shook her head. "I am not nearly pretty enough. Beside I am to old." she said. "She's supposed to be a young innocent maiden you know." she shook her head. "Me on a stage. Honestly can you even imagine?"
At that a cloud of sadness seemed to enter Norens eyes as he looked down at his plate.
"How about you Zara?" Noriko asked. "You may be a little young for the role. But perhaps you could try out for a smaller role? It might be fun."
Azula snorted. "No." she simply stated.
"Zara wouldn't be a good dragon empress anyway." Kiyi stated. "She's a dragon all right, but not a pretty one. She's a mean one."
"What was that?!" Azula exclaimed.
"Kiyi!" Noriko gasped.
"Say that again you little brat." Azula seethed.
"Zara! We don't speak like that in this house." Noriko exclaimed her voice louder.
"You're not my mom." Azula snapped.
"See! She's a mean old dragon!" Kiyi exclaimed pointing at Azula.
"Oh I'll show you who's a mean old dragon!" Azula exclaimed as she stood up, raising a hand.
"That's enough!" Noriko managed to grab Azulas wrist before she managed to slap Kiyi. "Zara! You can call me what-ever you want. But don't you ever dare to touch my daughter. Do you hear what I am saying?"
Wide-eyed Azula turned to the woman, now seeing a pair of familiar golden eyes burning in anger.
"SHUT UP!" Azula pushed Noriko away. "See I knew it! You're all full of lies!"
"Zara." Noriko breathed.
"That's not my name!" Azula exclaimed. "And you're not my mother! GET OUT OF MY FACE!" she shouted as she turned around and ran out the door.
"Zara…. I mean young lady!" Noriko called after her. "I mean." she was just about to run after Azula as Noren put a hand on Norikos shoulder holding her back, shaking his head and Azula ran outside.
Outside Azula stormed towards the shed and then hissed as she slammed it with a fist. Stupid! Stupid fake people! Everyone was so fake!
What was this dumb place?!
People trying to pretend they were just living an ordinary family life? Oh how very wholesome.
"Azula…"
Azula looked up to see a figure standing in front of her. A teenage boy with a scarred face, wearing old worn out robes. And of course, he just had to look so damnable sad.
"What do you want?" Azula asked in a snort.
"You're hurt." Zuko said in a sad voice.
"I can take care of myself." Azula said. "Like I always have."
"He hurt you." Zuko whispered and Azulas eyes widened.
Then she seethed as she turned her head away. "Not like you were there to stop him." Azula had to halt… that wasn't true. The second before Ozai would have burned all of Azulas face. Zuko had jumped in, and taken the blast for her.
But why… Why…
"Zara.."
Azula looked up. Zuko was gone, like he had never been there to begin with. And instead it was Noriko, with Kiyi standing in front of her.
"I believe Kiyi has something she wants to say." Noriko said as she pushed Kiyi in the back. "Don't you Kiyi?"
Kiyi looked down then finally mumbled. "Mm Sorry."
"You're sorry for what Kiyi?" Noriko asked.
"For calling you a mean dragon." Kiyi pouted.
"And that wont happen again. Will it Kiyi?" Noriko asked.
"No." Kiyi muttered.
"Okay then. And Zara. You didn't mean to hurt Kiyi did you?" Noriko asked.
Azulas eyes narrowed.
"Zara listen." Noriko said. "I want you to know you are safe here. There is one rule though. You cannot raise your hand against my child. Do you understand?" she asked.
"And what are you going to do if I do?" Azula asked.
"It would pain me." Noriko said. "But I would have to ask you to leave. I would though much rather not have to do that." she said. "Please Zara. I want to help you."
"Why?! Why do you want to help me?" Azula asked.
"I want to help because you need help." Noriko said. "And… I want to learn to know you. I feel like I should. Zara." she tried. "Please. Let me help you."
Azula seethed then finally crossed her arms and looked away. "fine!"
"Okay then." Noriko said. "So what do you want to say to Kiyi."
Azulas face winched.
"It's not that hard." Noriko encouraged.
"I'm sorry all right! Geesh!" Azula exclaimed.
"There. That wasn't so hard was it?" Noriko asked. "And I trust this wont happen again. From either of you."
Azula rolled her eyes and Kiyi pouted annoyed.
"Now let's get back inside." Noriko said as she turned around, the two girls trouncing after her.
"Little brat." Azula muttered.
"Mean dragon." Kiyi replied in an equal mutter.
And Noriko groaned as she turned around to face them. "Seriously?" she asked.
"She started it!"
Both Azula and Kiyi shouted pointing at each other.
"I don't care who started it! You both need to behave!" Noriko exclaimed. "Zara! You should be able to behave better than Kiyi! She's five!" she exclaimed. "And Kiyi! Zara is our guest. She has nowhere to go and needs our help. Be nice to her!"
The sour face on both girls exactly identical as they grimaced.
"If you don't cut this out right now, there will be no moon cakes for you two tonight!" Noriko exclaimed and sighed. "And I bought them as a surprise too."
"Moon cakes?" Kiyi asked.
Azula frowned… That was it? That was her big punishment? Denying them treats?
"With sweet bean paste?" Kiyi asked.
"Yes with sweet bean paste." Noriko said. "Now come inside. I'll make us some tea and we'll have our moon cakes."
Kiyi smiled a little sheepishly. "Okay." she said and finally waddled inside.
Noriko looked at Azula who threw her hands up into the air.
"Fine!" She exclaimed and finally walked inside too, stomping her feet as she went.
Noriko could only blink as she looked after the girl, and then sincerely hope that not all teenagers were like that.