A/N: I wrote this all in one day and it shows :/ Sometimes it's easier to work with what you already have than like actually developing an original story.
The news of the fire nations success comes in the hottest day. There was to be a parade at the beach. Azula and Zuko were happy about that until they found out they had to participate in the parade. Gosh, they hate being on a pedestal. Forced to kneel and look grim all day. The looking grim part wasn't hard but sometimes the muscles of their faces cramped. The addition of heavy royal clothing on a hot day wasn't fun either.
What was worse was Azula's friends were at the beach with their families. They'd get to see the parade as it passed them and they'd probably wave. Happy and cool. Assholes.
There was to be food, fireworks, music, and much rejoicing. There would be a much grandiose celebration when the victors returned. Today they only had to sit in their palanquin and be paraded through the streets and then reach their beach fort. Azula has to go through have an hour of people cheering, which she likes but she has to do it in a kneeling position. The pillows can only help her knees for half an hour. Forty minutes in and she has to keep the pained look off her face. Zuko looks like he's about to start slouching and is pulling through with his will.
Eventually, they make it to the fort and step inside. Servants rush with giant fans and Azula almost snaps at them to hurry up. Her grandfather does snap at them. His old man knees were probably not feeling to good either. Her father and grandfather had quick respite before they were pulled into a war meeting and it was finally the three of them.
"We need to get out of here," their mother tugs on her collar.
Azula and Zuko nod. But how are they going to get out.
"I have an idea. Me and Azula are getting the hang of using fire to fly. We jump out of a window while-" Zuko is interrupted by his mother giving him a look.
"Or we could just go out the door," she hadn't said anything but she's upset about her bushes.
"I'm actually on board with Zuko's plan. If we have to make an exit might as well make it memorable," Azula chimes in and sides with her brother.
Their mother places her hands on her hips and gazes down at them. "Any other time I would've said yes but your grandfather is under pressure today and we don't want to be added on the list why he had a heart attack," she shakes her head and Azula's mouth drops.
"Grandpa has a heart?"
Zuko chokes on his saliva and their mother lightly chastises Azula.
"You both are awful. Must be in the genes. Let's go," she grumbles and shakes her head at them. "Didn't I raise you to respect your elders?" Azula opens her mom but her mother sends her a reproachful glance. "Don't answer that. Let's escape before something happens."
Azula wholeheartedly agrees. She knows Ty Lee is at the beach and Mai was dragged by her parents.
"My lady," a servant bow/walks over to them. "The firelord requests the presence of his grandchildren."
Zuko and Azula look at each other. They hadn't done anything wrong yet.
Their mother straightens her back. "Did he mention what for?"
"No, but he is waiting," he says in a groveling voice.
Their mother nods and looks down at them. "Stay quiet and docile. Listen to your father," she points at Zuko at the last part and he nods. "Look after your brother."
Azula frowns. Why do people make her her brothers keeper?
Azula doesn't know why she was summoned to. She can't think of anything she's done recently...besides explore the fire temple and maybe break into the vault. It's not like she was trespassing. She's going to be lying there one day. They were escorted into the war room and their father glances at them. The siblings both bow to the firelord and then are guided to their seats. They're not at the table but not in the background either. It's clear they're only their to observe and not comment.
"Spring will be here in a few months. Depending on the situation in Ba Sing Se I will decide on what we should do with the enemy of the state," the firelord says. "We don't have much time. I don't have much time. Ozai will go to Ba Sing Se to aid Iroh in destroying the rebels. When they succeed we'll send a small party to scout the North and send spies to sweep the southern water tribe. Make sure we didn't miss anything."
Azula tries connecting the dots. "He thinks the avatar is dead," Azula whispers into Zuko's ear.
"But the fire temple hasn't received any sign that the avatar has passed on," Zuko whispers back.
"Get better at whispering. Your lips. You're too obvious," Azula hisses. "The avatar has to be dead. If he's not he's close to it. It's been a hundred years. There has been no sighting of any old airbender. Great-grandpa destroyed the air temples and captured all the nomads that weren't there...most of them. Dad told me about the rumors of Ba Sing Se capturing roaming airbenders and locking them up somewhere secret and underground. Uncle isn't stupid. He'll probably move them to the secret base where grandpa is holding his airbenders."
"If all proceeds without a hitch, we'll be able to attack the northern water tribe in the summer. When they're in their weakest state. The walls of Ba Sing Se couldn't keep us out. Neither will their border or environment. They've isolated themselves but people will flee Ba Sing Se and try to flee there."
Azula nods. She'd love to go on a campaign.
The teenager and preteen got to watch the adults strategize. They pulled out a giant map of Ba Sing Se and the rest of the earth kingdom. General Zhao had his eyes on Omashu.
They listen for a long time. Azula refuses to show it but she's hungry. She's getting grumpy. The servants bring food but old people food. Her hunger leaves but she's still grumpy. They finally take a break and will reconvene in an hour. Azula drops her head on her brothers shoulder.
"That was amazingly boring," she whispers. "I think I lost a brain cell when general Zhao talked."
Zuko wipes the sleep from his eyes. "Where is the secret base? Where are they being detained? The airbenders," Zuko asks her and she shrugs. He shakes his head, looking doubtful. "Liar. Fine. Keep your secrets."
Azula wasn't going to tell him. It was a secret her father has shared with her. She wouldn't betray his trust that way.
"Why do you want to know?" Azula shoots back.
Zuko shrugs and Azula can see red bloom in his cheeks. "If my family were trapped somewhere and I was close to death, I'd use that time to rescue you."
Azula looks around, making sure nobody is hearing them. "Well, I suppose If I had nothing better to do, I'd rescue you too."
That was enough sibling love for the next decade or so.
As it happens their father quizzed them on the meeting later. Azula was left wondering why her grandfather wanted her presence there. It had only been recently that Zuko's new man voice had come in. Azula was still a child. A prodigy sure but still a child. It was dangerous to give confidential information to a middle schooler. She decides on asking Lu Ten what he thinks next time but who knows when that will be.
A few things happen between winter, spring, and the beginning of summer but in order:
Zuko asks if he can join his father to Ba Sing Se to help. Their father said he'd sleep on it. In the morning their mother informed Zuko he wouldn't be going. Zuko slouches but their mother continues.
"Your father needs you home. In the fall you'll be attending university," she looks like she doesn't know whether to be happy or not.
"University? I'm thirteen."
"You and Azula have always been given advanced lessons by your tutors. Azula is well ahead of her grade but at least one person in this family has to experience middle school."
She made that sound like a punishment. Azula doesn't think she likes being the normal one.
"The good news is that your uncle has asked me to look into potential...candidates for Lu Ten. Noble women. Once Lu Ten is married and continues the line you'll be given more freedom, Zuko."
Zuko smiles and Azula can't wait not to be the youngest anymore.
Her father promises to send something cool back to them, tells them to behave because he will know if they hadn't, and when Zuko tries to sneak into his war ship he's promptly thrown out the window.
Azula makes sure to tell Mai about him being thrown out the window.
Middle school being a punishment was true and Azula wasn't ready to get hit in the face with it. She's thrown out the hockey team (she won't admit it but she liked being in the team) because the students from other academies claimed they couldn't play against someone in the royal family out of fear they'd hurt her. The boys mostly said that part. The girls were cranky and looked forward to hitting her with a flaming puck. Azula was upset at the unfairness but was embarrassed when her mother came in and publicly threatened the coach. There was no way of coming back from that. Her mom succeeded in getting her back in the team but it disrupted the team dynamic and trust and gave Azula a bad image.
Sure she was a spoiled but it's not like her life was all cracked up to be. She took out her frustrations on her firebending training and her brother.
There were weird tensions and expectations too. Trends Azula did not understand and couldn't participate in because it didn't befit her status. Pet names.
"Hey honey," Ty Lee greets her one cold morning where Azula's brain isn't at 100%
Azula looks behind her to see if their classmate Honey is waving at them. No just other miserable looking students from other classes. Azula gives Ty Lee a questioning and tired stare. It's too early for her cheeriness.
"What?" She glances over to Mai who is resting her back against the school wall but her eyes are closed. Maybe she's sleeping while standing.
"Yeah. That's overused. Thought so. How about sweetie?" Ty Lee offers her empty hands but Azula is going to keep her hands in her warm pockets.
"Ty Lee I have no idea what you're talking about but you have to stop eating cupcakes in the morning."
Ty Lee sighs and drops her hands. "I'm practicing."
"...reciting for cooking class?" Azula wonders aloud.
"No silly. For when we have a boyfriend," Ty Lee says like its the most obvious thing in the world and Azula groans internally. Great. Fun. Is she even legally allowed to date? She knew there were things like official lovers and royal harems but that seemed more like adult stuff. She knew her older male relatives had them but she's never given serious thought since it looks like a boys only club.
Middle school dating looked like something awkward and intricate she had to participate in. Azula hated being awkward. It was a game but there was a level of seriousness in middle school dating. It was serious without being too serious. It was experimenting. Azula liked experiments but liked knowing the rules of the game too.
"We're seeing what cute pet names we like."
"I am not a pet and the boys academy isn't that close to our school," it's too early for the drama of middle school.
Ty Lee shrugs, smile never leaving her face. "Still. It's fun. The other girls are doing it. The older girls walk home with their boyfriends. Right sunshine?" Ty Lee calls out to Mai but Mai only frowns. "I think sunshine fits her."
"I don't like honey or sweetie," Azula says after thinking about it. She doesn't like being compared to food.
"Cutie?"
"No."
"Darling?"
"Gross. No."
"Babe?"
"Ew," Azula scrunches her nose.
"What? Babies are cute and you're cute."
"I am not a baby."
Ty Lee is starting to look as frustrated as Azula. "Princess?"
Azula narrows her eyes and Ty Lee shrinks. Yes. She's called princess when the other kids are upset with her. At least Ty Lee doesn't say it in a condescending manner. "I accept that but only if it comes in a awestruck manner."
Ty Lee squeals and hugs Azula. "Oohhh. Thank you. I bet you'll get yourself a prince charming."
Azula gags. As far as she knows the only princes in her area are related to her.
She gets her period before she gets her first crush. As like most things in life she receives pain before she receives pleasure. She absolutely refuses to move the first day she gets it. Zuko is no help. Dummy can't even bandage cuts and he refuses to even enter her room. He still believed in cooties. Jerk. Her mother is more helpful and they're both glad Ozai is in the earth kingdom.
"Are you sure I'm not dying?"
"I'm sure."
"I feel...not so good," Azula is in too much pain to be articulate with her words. Ow. "It feels like their are earthbenders messing up my insides."
"Mhmm," her mother tries to massage the pain away. Azula winces and wishes Ty Lee was there. "I got my period when I was about to turn 12 too. Some girls grow up faster."
"Growing is painful."
That causes her mother to laugh and Azula smiles through the pain.
"I'm happy."
Azula's smiles disappears and she gazes at her mother. Eyes muddled with pain and confusion. "You're happy I'm in pain?"
"No. Just happy. To be here for you, I mean," she finishes awkwardly.
How is Azula supposed to respond to that. "I'm happy too? You can be here for me when I'm not in pain," she grumbles and shifts. Ow.
"I know. I'm sorry. The pain will pass. The physician will be back with herbs that will help."
"How long will I be in pain?"
"Maybe for a few days."
Azula shuts her eyes. A stab on pain hits her back. "Can I cuss?"
"No."
"Crapping dog of an idiot!" Azula hisses as she tries to ignore the pain. "I regret not tormenting Zuko more," she whimpers.
He does visit her later that day but he's behind Ty Lee and Mai.
"You lied to me! You said it was nothing!" Azula hisses at Mai. She was older.
Mai shrugs apathetically. "I suppose I have a better pain tolerance."
Now that hurt and if Azula could she'd reach over and smack her.
"Zuzu," Azula greets him and he pokes her side. She grits her teeth.
"Karma."
"I hate you. I want a refund for a better brother."
"I'm older! If anyone should get the refund it's me."
Ty Lee steps in. She sits on the bed and Azula clamps her lips as the bed dips and her insides protest.
"I think I can help."
"Please!" It's a testament on how pained Azula is that she has to plead for relief.
Zuko chuckles and smiles over to Mai. Azula is in no position to tease them but she stores the memory of Zuko's attempt to do casual talk on a girl that has a crush on him. Ty Lee places her hands on Azula's stomach and starts pressing down. It has the opposite effect that Azula was hoping for and she bites her teeth and resolutely glares at the girl. A few seconds later and Azula can breath. The pain and cramps are gone and Ty Lee's small hands feel nice. Then it's back again and OW.
It's a solid week of OW and discomfort. Azula has a deeper appreciation for Ty Lee and all the older women in the girls life that forced her into learning how to relieve pain. They spend more time than usual together and at very close quarters. On the last day Azula no longer feels pain but she enjoys Ty Lee's touch too much to protest. It's calming. She chalks it up to being touched starved. Her family wasn't exactly touchy.
On Azula's birthday she's forced to go to school. She gets small happy birthdays from Mai and Ty Lee and her teammates. It's in lunch that things get fuzzy weird. Ty Lee gets her a cake, the three girls share it, and Mai gives her a box of strawberry flavor sticks. Azula isn't going to share the box of strawberry sticks. Azula didn't want to share but then Ty Lee takes one and Azula is thinking about challenging her in agni Kai.
"Azula. Let's do the don't get embarrassed challenge!" Ty Lee waves the stick in her face. Azula leans back.
"The what challenge?"
"Don't get embarrassed challenge."
"That's a long title...I love embarrassing people. How do you play?"
"Hm. We uh. Mai, come here."
Mai groans and continues eating her cake. "Don't make me do this again," Ty Lee's pout has no effect on her.
Ty Lee sighs and faces Azula again. "I take this end. You take that end. We nibble on it until we meet in the middle. First person to pull away or break their piece loses."
Azula's game. She's excellent in them.
"What do I get if I win?" She's going to play but if she can get something out of it then she's going to get it.
"You'll experience embarrassment for the first time in your life," Mai supplies and Azula snorts.
Mai. When did you develop a sense of humor? Whenever you're ready Ty Lee," Azula shrugs.
Ty Lee takes it between her lips and Azula follows her example. Their faces were close. Azula can see Ty Lee's pink lips and small nose and half-lidded eyes. Azula bites the stick and loses a second into the game. Ty Lee blinks at her with wide eyes and Azula feels weird, a strange mixture of good and bad weird. She pushes through with bravado.
"I wasn't ready. Let's do that again," Azula squares her shoulders and Ty Lee has this oh-oh expression. "It's a simple game. I got it."
She had it. She had the stick between her lips and was focused on winning. Her focus went out the window when the distance between their lips dwindled. Azula felt something akin to panic. She felt a lot of things. She can feel Ty Lee's nervous breathing. Don't panic. She panics and her end of the stick lights on fire. Mai bursts out laughing.
"The tension!"
"Shut up, Mai!" Azula snaps. She refuses to look at Ty Lee when they're both blushing hard.
"That was fun!" Ty Lee gives Azula her box of strawberry sticks.
"Are we going to ignore the fact that Azula lite it on fire!" Mai questions as the bell rings and Azula growls.
She very much wished she knew how to bend lightning.
"You should try this game with your crush Mai," Ty Lee picks up her half eaten food and throws it away.
Azula is still embarrassed but- "you didn't like the cake?"
Ty Lee gives a bashful shrug. "I have to watch what I eat now that I'm in gymnastics."
To her horror there's an adult celebration for birthday. Twelve is an important age. First step into adulthood or whatever. It's an adult birthday. Nobles show up and give her stuff. Azula loves stuff but she's tired of being polite and nodding her thanks. The party is more for her mom to talk with the other noblewomen. She feels her stomach jump uneasily every time they mention their sons and how each day she's becoming more beautiful. Despite their smiles and excited tones Azula doesn't like what they're implying.
She feels slightly better when she receives letters and presents from her family. She straight up ignores her uncle's letter and gives it to Zuko as an early birthday present. She takes the Iroh's gift, it's in a box, and prays to the spirits. She's not surprised when she pulls out a doll.
"Here. Give it to charity," Azula hands it to her mom.
"You're keeping it."
"You make it so hard to do the right thing," Azula shakes her head and pockets her father's letter. Her mother and brother stare at her. "What? I don't read your mail."
She opens Lu Ten's present. It's a scroll and rock candy? She unrolls it and laughs. He poorly drew himself bending lightning. Every step and motion. She should've told him she got his moves down. She opens her dad's present and her eyes widen.
"Nice bling," Zuko comments and she lifts the crown. "It's way too big for you."
"And heavy," Azula grunts.
"It look like an earth kingdom style crown," her mother surmises uneasily.
"Heavy is the head that wears the crown," Azula grins. "Of course it's going to be heavy. I think this is real gold. Impractical in a fight. Useless bling. The firelord's crown. Stabby, shiny, won't cause my neck to creak."