"I'm your big brother, Lala. That means I'm going to love and protect you forever. So I promise to be a good big brother, ok?"
"Mother, tell Uncle thank you, and that Azula doesn't like dolls." To Azula he said, "Here Lala, you can have my knife if you want it."
"But don't you want it?"
"I think you should have it more. Read the inscription."
"Made in Earth Kingdom."
"Other side."
"Never give up without a fight. Well that's obvious!"
"Yeah, but it applies to everything, not just combat." He grabbed her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "If you ever feel like giving up on yourself, don't. I'll always be by your side, so don't give up on me either."
"Zuko, would you like to feed the turtle-ducks with me?"
"Okay Mom. Come on, Lala."
…
Azula chucked her loaf at the turtle-duckling.
"Azula! Why did you do that?"
The duckling's mother came towards Azula, but Zuko stepped in front. His ankle got bit.
"Ow ow ow."
Azula sent a spark at the bird. It went back into the water.
"Zuzu? You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm okay. But you're not feeding them right. Here, take mine, and tear off little pieces for them, see?"
Zuko demonstrated for her with their now shared loaf. After watching for a minute, Azula joined him in feeding the ducks. They both smiled.
Zuko watched Azula practicing her Katas, waiting 'til she finished to ask her.
"Azula? Can you please help me with my Katas?"
She looked at him, confused. "Don't you already know them?"
"Not as well as you do. I know I'm older-but, maybe you could tutor me?"
Azula smiled and puffed out her chest. "Don't worry big brother, Sifu Lala is here to help!"
…
After being reprimanded (their father caught Azula helping him) Azula pulled her brother to the side.
"Come to my room tonight. We'll practice there."
"But father told us not to."
"And I'm telling you we'll do it anyways. I said I'd help you. You can count on your little sister."
"I don't want you getting in trouble again, though."
"Which is why we're not going to tell anybody...but on second thought, we should meet in your room. I'm not as clumsy as you."
Zuko smiled and rolled his eyes.
Uncle Iroh looked away, but Azula would not. The person who'd always loved and been there for her was facing down their father. And, dear Agni, a fireball.
"ZUKOOOOOO!"
As soon as Zuko collapsed, Azula had vaulted onto the arena, running towards him. She slid on her knees. The damage was bad.
"MEDIC! I NEED A MEDIC!" she yelled.
Azula tried to stay calm. "It's okay. It's okay Zuko. I'm here. Lala's here." He was screaming, and crying. His face was bleeding, and so very red. Azula, for all her control, was herself beginning to cry and panic. Until she saw in peripheral her father's feet.
"What are you doing, Princess Azula?", asked her father.