Out of all the meals Azula had shared with this family. This breakfast definitely was the weirdest one.

Something had changed… The dynamics had changed.

Kiyi was wide-eyed looking at Azula with a completely renewed interest. Her mouth just hanging open, and clearly she was one second away from bursting out saying something. Only held back by Noren who put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her each time she almost slipped.

Noren was the closest to his usual self. Averting his eyes away from Azula like he usually did, but even he seemed more at unease than usual.

The greatest outlier though was Noriko. Who constantly looked like she was going to break into tears at any second.

"So who died?" Azula finally asked putting a spoonful of porridge into her mouth.

"What… What do you mean?" Noriko asked.

"You've been crying. And it looks like you are going to cry again." Azula simply stated. "So… Did your pet die?" she asked.

"No. Ones dead." Noriko gasped. "Why would you…"

Azula lifted an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry." Noriko looked down.

Azulas eyes narrowed as she looked around. "You're hiding something from me." she observed. "What is it?"

Noren swallowed. "You gave me three days remember?" he asked. "Tonight. I'll tell you. That was our deal. And I will… We just need. Time to figure things out."

Azula sneered. "Or do you need time to figure out how best to lie to me?" she asked. "A fair warning. That wont work. I know people. And I know when they are lying to me."

That made both Noriko and Noren startle as they sat straight.

"Lucky for you I don't have time for this right now." Azula said as she elegantly wiped her mouth with a handkerchief. "I am going to present my new and improved love among dragons to the girls. I mean obviously it's not finished yet. But they'll get the idea."

"That's wonderful dear." Noriko smiled a nervous smile.

"Don't think this means I'll just forget this though." Azula said. "Noren is right. Three days was our deal. And tonight I will have my answers." she said as she stood up with her plate. Walked to the kitchen where she dumped it and then walked out the house.

Wide-eyed did Noren and Noriko look at each other and Kiyi gaped.

"I'm not going to end up mean like her am I?" Kiyi asked loudly.

"Sssh. Darling. Hush." Noriko whispered.

"I don't want to be a mean dragon." Kiyi sniffed.

"You're not going to… Noren say something!" Noriko tried.

"Huh?" Noren blinked seemingly coming out of his daze. "No! I find that unlikely. She seems to be taking after her father."

"Noren!" Noriko exclaimed.

"I… I'm sorry. I don't know." Noren swallowed.

"Is my brother that mean?" Kiyi asked.

"I honestly can't tell you. Because I don't know." Noren sighed deeply.

Only for tears to well up in Norikos eyes and she sniffed.

"No-Noriko." Noren stammered.

"I don't know what my son is like." Noriko gasped. "What he likes doing. His favorite food. Nothing." and her eyes squinted as tears fell down. Then she grabbed her head. "Think… Think! How can't I know?!" she asked. "What sort of mother am I?"

"Noriko." Noren reached a hand towards her only for Noriko to stand up and storm out, tears falling after her.

"Mom." Kiyi gasped and Noren swallowed.

"It's going to be okay." Noren assured. "Kiyi. Could you help me with the dishes?"

"Okay." Kiyi muttered.

"Thank you sweet heart." Noren sighed deeply. Really all he had been trying to do was to try and find something to distract Kiyi from all of this mess. And maybe himself from this tight knot that had formed in his stomach.

As Azula presented her new and improved love among dragons for the three girls in front of her there was stunned quiet.

All three girls were just sitting with wide open mouths and wide eyes.

"Isn't it so much better?" Azula asked in a wide grin. "Now the dragon empress get to have the killing blow! She saves the emperor!"

"Well…" Mai-Lin hesitated. "It is a pretty cool idea." she admitted. "But… Can't we stick to practicing the original lines for now?" she asked. "You know. For the audition of the real play?"

That made Azula halt. She froze. "What?"

"That was the first point wasn't it?" Raiku asked. "One of us might still get to act in the real play."

Azula gaped. "Our play will be a real play! You…" she halted then her eyes narrowed. "Of course you would all betray me like that. Figures."

"Huh?" The three girls blinked.

"Here I am. Offering you freedom! The chance of doing something great! Something better where we can make our own way." Azula stated. "And you just turn from me! Spit in my face."

"Za-Zara." Mai-Lin stammered. "It was just for fun right? Why are you acting like this?"

"You are traitors! All of you." Azula seethed. "Let me show you what happens to traitors!" and then out of no-where. Azula slapped Mai-Lin.

Mai-Lin fell down on the ground and there was a collected gasp from the other two.

"Now then. Have you learned your lesson?" Azula asked with narrowed eyes as she stepped forward. Towering over Mai-Lin whom was on the ground.

"DON'T TOUCH HER!" Makoto suddenly tackled Azula pushing her away and Azula gasped. "What's wrong with you? Why would you do that?!"

Azulas eyes widened.

"Mai-Lin are you okay?" Raiku asked deeply concerned as she was on her knees next to Mai-Lin who sniffed.

"You're turning against me." Azula gasped. "How dare you."

"You hit Mai-Lin!" Makoto shouted.

"You turned against me!" Azula shouted.

"That's bullshit!" Makoto shouted. "You're sounding like a complete nutcase!"

Azulas eyes widened. "You're calling me crazy?!" she asked. "I'm not crazy! You're the one who's crazy for not taking the glorious opportunity I'm giving you!"

"You're out of your mind." Makoto stated. "Shit… I was looking forward to it." she admitted. "Making our own play sounded like fun. But if this is what it's going to be like. Forget it."

Azula seethed.

"Come on girls." Makoto walked towards Raiku helping her pulling Mai-Lin back up. "Let's get away from here."

"HEY!" Azula shouted. "Don't turn your back to me! Do you know what happens to people who turn their backs on me?!" she asked.

Makoto turned her head and glared at Azula. "Stay away from us." she said and the three finally walked off.

Azula was stunned… Frozen to the ground. Then she seethed. "Fine." she said. "Fine! I don't need you! I don't need any of you!" She exclaimed. "There will be others and they will beg to be my friends. Do you know who I am?!" she shouted. Yet the girls just kept walking away. "I am Princess Azula! Heir to the dragon throne you ignorant brats!"

It had no effect. They just kept walking.

And then Azulas face twisted in pain as she turned and ran away.