Azula couldn't hide the smile on her face as she removed the helmet Yang lent her and she fixed her hair. "You know," said Yang. "I've never seen you genuinely smile before."

"Father always ensured I behaved how royalty should in his eyes. Confidant, reserved, never showing my emotions to anyone. Not even myself. When I was sick, I had… I guess you can say visions of how I could've been had Mother not allowed Father to get his hands on me. I was happy. But hindsight is always 20/20." Azula messed with one of the bangs that always draped her face as they walked to the entrance to the currently closed club. "I… I will have moments where I will slip into old habits. If that happens…"

"I'll be sure to knock some sense into you." Yang punched the palm of her hand with a grin.

"Well considering that is all you're good for."

"Hey!"

"Sorry. That and acting as a lifesaver with your ample features." Azula smirked at her and Yang scoffed before pushing her lightly.

"So you can make jokes."

"I can. My jokes have always been more mean spirited and targeted to specific features you may find irksome. Like your temper."

"Why?"

"Making you feel smaller than myself was something I did to feed my ego. Ruby wasn't affected by anything I said to her along those lines."

"Ruby sees the best in everyone. She probably thought you didn't mean anything you said."

"It was annoying and…"

"And what?"

"Ruby reminds me of my mother, Ursa, that way. I always thought of it as her hiding what she truly thinks and feels."

"Not everyone is hiding something."

"Something I'm slowly starting to accept. My trust in people has been dulled significantly since most people only treated me a certain way because I was a princess."

"Well, now you've got people to treat you as equals." Yang wrapped her in a one-armed hug and Azula struggled in her grip.

"I do not want to suffocate in your oversized milk bags! Let go!"

"Just for that, you get a bigger hug!"

"Spirits, let go!"

"Oh crap," exclaimed a thug who was on a smoke break and started running to the doors. Azula threw one of her fans and smirked as it embedded in the door beside the man's face.

"Now, where are you going, I wonder?" The thug turned around, face pale as Yang let Azula go. He gulped as he stared into pairs of golden and red eyes as Azula pulled her fan from the glass. "Is Junior in?" He nodded, sweat dripping down his face.

"Thanks," exclaimed Yang with a smile as her eyes shifted back to lavender in color while Azula led the way in, leaving the thug to slink to the ground as he tried slowing his beating heart. "Boo!"

"Gah-hah," exclaimed the thug as Yang scared him before he ran from the club. Screw Junior! Those two were scary!

"Nice to see I'm not the only one with a scary streak," said Azula.

"When it suits me." Yang went to the bar and scrounged through the bottles under the shelf. "You want anything before we go confront him?"

"Don't bother with that. They're all watered down swill anyways."

"You're right!" Yang smirked as she took a top shelf bourbon and brought out two glasses as Azula sat at a chair as two thugs entered from the back and spotted the two who put the fear of the gods into them with just one appearance.

"Hello, gentlemen. One of you be a dear and fetch Junior, would you? And don't worry. This is going on Radiance Aiden's tab."

"Gav," said one of the thugs.

"Yeah, Tre," asked the other.

"Why do we work here again?"

"We're waiting," said Yang as she poured both of them a drink. Azula emphasized her comment by lighting the top of her drink on fire with a finger. Gav and Tre bumped into each other as they scrambled to the back.

"To being scary," said Azula as Yang clinked their glasses together.

"You've had alcohol before, right?"

"Occasionally. I would either have a single glass of Fire Wine during Father's war meetings to keep up appearances. Or I would sneak a drink from his private sake."

"You stealing from your father?"

"It's not like he ever drank it. He saved it for when the Fire Nation would win the war. He never was one for pre-celebration ceremonies. Felt it was better saved for victory rather than to diminish the mind before a major engagement." Azula smirked as Junior rushed into the bar area followed closely by Gav and Tre.

"Blondie," said Junior as he schooled himself, slightly. "Creepy. W-what are you two doing here?"

"Creepy?"

"Well if the shoe fits," said Yang with a smirk, making Azula scowl at her.

"We're looking for the Malachite Twins, Junior."

"Uh…" he cleared his suddenly dry throat. "They're not here, right now."

"And where are they?"

"They're uh… visiting their mother in Mistral."

"And when will they be back?"

"Sometime next week. They don't exactly have passports."

"Then when they return, have them contact me. I assume you have Radiance's information?" Junior nodded as he swallowed. "Then have them contact her when they return. We know one of them is a hacker and require their services." Azula blew out the flames over her drink. "It's been pleasant, Junior. I expect to do business with you again in the future. Oh, and we'll be keeping the bottle." Yang smirked before putting the top back on the bottle as Azula downed her drink in one gulp and they walked out. Junior released the breath he hadn't known he'd been holding and glared at his two 'hired help'.

Azula made it precisely ten steps towards the motorcycle before going into a coughing fit, making Yang pat her on the back. "Stronger than you thought," she asked. Azula nodded as she clutched at her throat. "Come on, let's get you back to Beacon." Azula nodded as she got her coughing under control.

Radiance looked at the door from Azula's bed as she Zane and RWBY waited in RWBY's dorm. "Here they come," she said.

"Finally," said Zane as he came off the wall he was leaning on, idly messing with a knife he kept in his sleeve.

"How'd it go," asked Weiss as soon as the door opened.

"You're all drunk," exclaimed Azula as she hung off Yang's arm, pointing at everyone in the room; face flushed and speech slurring slightly.

"She had one drink," said Yang.

"You let her drink," exclaimed Zane.

"It was just bourbon!"

"You realize alcoholic beverages are more potent because modern technology allows for better fermentation processes, right," asked Weiss.

"Well now I do." Zane shook his head as he massaged his temples and swatted Azula's hand away from poking his cheek, trying to remove his mask after she stumbled to him.

"Ruby," said Radiance with a grin. "Record this for me, please."

"But you can't see," said the silver-eyed reaper.

"Doesn't mean I can't lord this over her in the future! And JNPR should see this as well!"

"The Twins are in Mistral right now," said Yang. "They'll be back in a week."

"Great," said Zane. "So this was all for nothing."

"Not for nothing. We get to see this." She pointed to Azula who was petting Blake, making the normally silent girl blush from the feeling.

"Good kitty," she said with a drunken smile.

"Please make her stop," said Blake.

"But this is gold," exclaimed Radiance with a grin as she had Ruby record the Firebender's behavior. Azula grunted as she fell onto Blake's bed as Blake used her shadow to escape.

"I'm leaving," said Zane. "Let me know when you're going after L."

"See ya," said Yang with a grin. Zane grunted as he walked past her and made his way to the café he worked at.

(Tantra Tiger Tea Shop and Cafe)

"How is my niece," asked Iroh.

"Awake," said Zane. "And drunk."

"Drunk?"

"Don't ask." Zane looked at him. "She's different. Not as… hostile."

"I had hoped that Ursa would've served as a good example for Azula as she grew up. I had not anticipated that my brother's hold over her was as strong as it was. If I had the chance to redo things in my former life, one would be how my brother raised his children. They could have lived happy lives."

"And instead they ended up hating each other," said Zane. The masked boy sighed. "Sometimes it feels that way with my own brother."

"Your brother does not hate you anymore than you do him, Zane. One squabble does not breed as much hostility as Azula and Zuko had for each other. They were pitted against each other for years. You had one fight and are currently not speaking with one another. With time you will mend your bond with one another. But for now, you must let your anger ease and simmer down."

"I hope you're right, Sensei." Zane shook his head before facing his instructor. "What are we learning today?"

"How to properly brew gyokuro tea!" Zane sighed before walking to the back of the shop.

"I'll grab my apron." Iroh smirked before pulling out the only thing the Spirits allowed him to take with him. A Pai Sho tile with one side being the White Lotus and the other a blue flame, an alteration made by the Spirits when they sent him here years ago.

"I wonder what it is, you will have to face, Azula. And if you will ever be ready to face it."

(Beacon Academy)

The next day, Azula growled as she sipped at the coffee Weiss made for her hangover as Radiance had Ruby show Team JNPR and Velvet the footage they recorded of her. Nora cracked up as Pyrrha and Velvet tried to control their own amusement at the display. "Shut. It. Off," said Azula with barely contained embarrassment and anger.

"Not yet," said Radiance. "This is the best part."

"I… am Catbug," exclaimed the recording of Azula, making the girls lose control of their laughter. Ren chuckled softly to himself as Jaune nervously moved behind Nora as Azula growled louder.

"That's enough," shouted the real Azula. Ruby jumped and turned off the recording before hiding her scroll. Azula rubbed her temples as her shouting made her headache worse. "Had I known your alcohol was stronger than my home's I wouldn't have drank at all."

"Well that's your own fault, isn't it," asked Velvet with a slight giggle. Azula glared at her slightly before taking another sip at her coffee.

"Keep laughing, Little Rabbit. I'll be sure to make you pay in the future."

"You don't scare me, Sapphire."

"Sapphire?"

"Because of your flames."

"Sad to say but…" Azula held up her hand and dark red flames appeared. "Recent changes to my mental stature have changed the color of my fire. It will take me time before I can bring its blue hue back."

"Well Sapphire is still your nickname for me." Azula smiled slightly at her before finishing her coffee.

"Present time," exclaimed Ruby with a smile as she and Yang shoved the still unopened presents in front of Azula on the table in the dining hall as well as a freshly made cake, not made by Ruby. Azula blinked as Ruby shoved a small box into her hands.

"Must I do this now?" She looked at Ruby and found her staring expectantly with eyes wide with anticipation. Azula sighed. "I'll open them later, Ruby. And I doubt a cake is for break…"

"It's always a good time for cake!" Azula rubbed her temples and glared at Ruby for shouting. "Sorry."

"Fine. I'll have one slice if it means you stop shouting." Ruby smiled and cut Azula a slice of cake.

"What's going on over here," asked an arrogant voice behind them. Azula noticed Velvet recoil slightly behind Yang, knowing exactly who was just speaking.

"It's of none of your concern, Winchester. This cake is to celebrate my birthday. Leave or I'll burn you."

"Oh, come on." Cardin placed his hand on the table in front of her and Jaune backed away slightly from the leader of Team CRDL. "You can give us one slice! We're friends after all. Right, Jaune?"

"R-right," said Jaune.

"Is that so," said Azula before she jabbed a knuckle into pressure points in Cardin's side. Cardin shouted as his body fell limp on the ground. "It's funny, Winchester. You may have become friends with Jaune, but I don't remember extending the same conversation." Azula pressed her foot on his pelvis and Cardin groaned as she kept her spot in her seat. "I am suffering from a migraine at the moment, and your presence is making it worse. Also, there's something about you I find excruciatingly annoying. But, I'm not unreasonable. Since you claim to be a friend of Jaune, I will give you a slice of cake." Azula dropped the slice onto Cardin's face and increased the pressure from her boot while glaring at the rest of CRDL. Cardin whined in dog tones before Azula moved her boot and smooshed the cake in his face. She turned to CRDL. "You should take him to the infirmary. He may need some major medical treatment." Azula moved her boot back and slammed the heel on him. Cardin shouted in pain and CRDL dragged him from the mess hall.

"That wasn't called for," said Pyrrha.

"I don't know what you mean, Pyrrha." Azula looked at her after cutting herself another slice of cake. "I was simply being kind. I would think a 'friend' of your leader would deserve nothing less, wouldn't you agree?" Pyrrha held her gaze for a moment and looked away. 'That and Velvet was getting equally as uncomfortable. I need to speak with her about that.' Azula coughed as she swallowed the cake and pulled out a long piece of blonde hair before glaring at Yang who chuckled nervously.

"Guess you weren't kidding when you said certain things wouldn't change," said Radiance.

"Of course it wouldn't. Only my worst aspects have diminished. Being ruthless to those I cannot stand will never change. Not unless I somehow end up sharing a mind with Ruby. And now that I've said that, I shudder to think what goes on in her mind."

"Hey," whined Ruby as the former princess smirked, making the others chuckle slightly.

"I find it odd how we can identify your sense of humor now," said Weiss.

"It at least proves I have one," said Azula. "Unlike yourself."

"Hey!"

"She's kind of right, Weiss," said Nora. The heiress huffed and crossed her arms as Azula finished her drink, a can of green tea and looked at the can in her hands.

"I swear, you people know how to utterly ruin the taste of tea," she said.

"What do you mean," asked Blake.

"I think she's referring to the metallic taste tea has when drank from a can," said Ren.

"Thank you, Ren," said Azula. "At least the shop Zane works at knows good tea. It actually reminds me of home. When I was a child and actually happy."

"It does," asked Weiss. Azula nodded.

"My memories of those times are few, but I do remember a time when I actually got along and looked up to Zuzu. Then everything changed when my Firebending awakened and Father labeled me the 'prodigal child'."

"Well," said Velvet. "Now you have a new home and can make new memories."

"You sound almost as optimistic as Ruby, Little Rabbit."

"Well a little optimism never killed anyone." Velvet hugged Azula and smiled. "I need to meet up with my team. Care to spar a little later, Azula?"

"That would be preferable to these buffoons."

"Hey," exclaimed Weiss and Nora.

"I'm getting tired of beating them." Velvet giggled before walking away.

"Are you going to tell her," asked Radiance.

"Tell her what," asked Azula.

"Your startling revelation, of course," said Weiss. "We've seen she's a good friend to you." Azula set down her plate and sighed.

"I don't know. I chose to tell you all because I can easily keep my eyes on you, making sure you didn't tell anyone else. I can't do the same thing with Velvet."

"Nice to see you trust us," muttered Blake.

"Trust is earned, not given away like candy." Azula sighed. "I'm still trying to find my own path. You all know I don't trust easily. I need time to adjust, and while I wait for the Malachite's, would all of you mind helping me…"

"Act like a normal teenager," asked Yang. Azula sighed and nodded. "I got you! Gives me a chance to bring out Drunk Azula again!"

"Ruby, would you mind terribly if I burned your sister in her sleep?"

"Don't," said Blake. "I sleep under her and don't want to be burned myself."

"By the way, Blake. I was wondering if you knew any places that serve decent fish around here? I'm sure you've found the fish served here at school as distasteful as I do." Blake looked at her with a quirked eyebrow. "You'd be paying, of course. I don't have a lien to my name at the moment."

"…You'll be paying me back after we deal with L."

"Of course." She looked at them and glanced at the cake. "Are you expecting me to eat this myself and get as fat as Cardin's ego?"

"Nope," exclaimed Nora and Ruby with matching grins as they took their own slices of cake.

"Azula," said Zane as he walked over. "A word." Azula nodded and stood up before following him out of the dining hall.

"Make this quick. You're expected to clean up after everyone when the cake is done."

"I am not your…" Zane growled as Azula smirked at his agitation. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Oh, immensely. Now what is this about?" Zane sighed before kneeling before her. Azula smirked slightly.

"I, Zane Ro'Meave, swear my allegiance to you, Princess Azula of the Fire Nation. From here until you deem otherwise, my life is yours."

"Is that the oath of allegiance for warriors in this world?"

"For knights. And yes, it is."

"A bit showy, isn't it?"

"It's traditional."

"Also, your life is mine? It's like you want to be a butler."

"Would you take this seriously?!"

"I would. If my title mattered here. Or anywhere, for that matter. If I had lived, my title would've been revoked, and my claim to the Fire Throne as well."

"Be that as it may, you are still a princess by birth. As is tradition in my family, a knight must swear allegiance to a noble or royal we respect."

"You respect me?"

"I think I will come to. From what I've seen of you, you're an experienced leader, a talented fighter, and a master tactician from the sparring matches I've seen. Any knight would consider you an excellent liege."

"Well then. I accept your fealty, Ro'Meave. But know this. Betray me in any way, and I will kill you. Your life is mine, after all."

"Of course, Your Grace." Azula smirked.

"You've no idea how much that pleases me. Come on, let's get back to the others."

"Of course."

"And get me some good tea. I can't enjoy my cake without it. And do make sure you're not the one to make it. I want tea. Not the hot water you tried to pass as tea at the shop."

"I will make sure about that…" Azula smirked as she noticed he was trying his hardest not to seem agitated.

"And while you're at it, find yourself a change of clothes. One suiting of a butler."

"I AM NOT YOUR BUTLER!" Azula chuckled.

"And there's the reaction I wanted. Do try not to be formal around me. I need a sense of commoner normalcy, not royalty, if I'm to change. I actually do want to change. Father's way broke me. I'll never be able to think like my mother. I need my own way."

"Then I'll help you to the best of my abilities, Azula."

"Thank you." Azula stepped back in and felt water splash over her head as a bucket fell on her and the sound of Nora and Radiance laughing echoed in the dining hall.

"When did they do that?" Zane looked at the bucket and noticed steam pouring out from under it.

"Ah, shite," said Radiance. "She feels angry…"

"Maybe you should run. She's literally steaming."

"You have three seconds," said Azula as she pulled the bucket off her head. "To GET OVER HERE!"

"Run," exclaimed Nora as she bolted for the back exit.

"I cannot see, you traitor," said Radiance. "I need you nearby to guide me with your thoughts!" Zane shook his head as Azula chased after them.

(Tantra Tiger Tea Shop and Café)

Iroh tended to his pot of ginseng when he heard the bell to his shop ring. "Welcome to the Tantra Tiger," he called. "I'll be right with you. I'm just finishing up a pot of ginseng!"

"Take your time, old man," said a voice from the front. "It's not like anyone is willing to come into this dump in the first place." Iroh frowned before making his way to the front of his shop and seeing a tall man with red hair in a white coat and black bowler hat alongside a short girl with pink and brown hair and matching eyes in white knee high boots and a white coat with pink cuffs over a brown shirt and black pants.

"I'm sorry. But I don't serve criminals in my shop. You should find service elsewhere, Mr. Torchwick."

"No need to be rude, now! I just came to see what this place was like! It has a sort of… rustic look. Not my cup of tea, though, pardon the pun. What do you think, Neo?" The girl made a gesture of thinking for a moment before sticking out her tongue in disgust. Iroh looked at the girl and noticed the gesture was more for the sake of her companion than actual opinion. The wizened man sighed before walking over to them.

"I know why you're here. You think I will comply with your demands and pay a 'protector's fee' I've heard the other shop owners speak about. You've been taking up more and more territory from what I understand."

"Well aren't we perceptive! That's right, old man. And you'll find my prices are very… FAIR!" Roman exclaimed as Iroh simply knocked the man off balance while disarming him all at once. Iroh examined the cane in his hand before offering it to Neo who took it gingerly as she processed just how quickly he had taken Roman down.

"Allow me to save you your time and breath. I will not pay your 'protection fee', Mr. Torchwick. I'm not as feeble as other old men. Now I suggest you go." Torchwick glared at Iroh before scrambling to his feet and taking back his cane.

"You will regret not taking my offer, old man. Come on, Neo!" Torchwick left the shop and Neo moved to follow when Iroh stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and was met with a kind smile.

"You know," he said as he handed her a small box. "I much prefer the black hair and green eyes you normally come in here with." Iroh went back to his kitchen. Neo blushed lightly at being recognized and opened the box she was given. Inside was a few bags of chamomile green tea and a few small cookies, her normal order. She smiled before leaving the shop after her boss and friend.