Sunrise

During the night, Azula quietly got up from her bed. She did not want to disturb her husband. Oddly, she didn't want him to wake up at all. She silently made her way through the palace corridors to her childhood room. She remembered the secret unlocking mechanism and slipped in, lighting a fire in a wall sconce. She sat down in front of a large box and opened it.

She wasn't aware of how much time had passed when the door hinges creaked. She turned quickly. "Amaya? What are you doing up?"

The little girl closed the door behind her. "I'm sorry, Sister Dragon. Are..." Amaya shuffled a bit. "Are you gonna tell Mommy?"

"No. I'm good at secrets. But only if you tell me why you're here."

"I couldn't sleep. I don't like it here."

Azula looked back into the trunk. "I know that feeling," she said. "It's this place. There's...a lot of bad memories."

Amaya sat next to her older sister and leaned against her affectionately. "I'm worried about you, Sister Dragon."

Azula was caught off-guard by that. "Whatever for? I'm fine."

"After dinner, when we all went to see the turtle-ducks, you kept away a lot." Amaya's eyes lit with memory. "Like that one turtle-duck baby that kept away from its mama." Azula's face became hard and sulky. "Aw," Amaya said with anguish, "now you're mad at me again."

Azula had Amaya sit on her lap. "Not you," she said. "Just those bad memories again. Look here." She pointed at the trunk. It was full of mementos and old toys from when Azula was little.

"Ooh, I like toys, Sister Dragon."

"Why am I not surprised?" Azula's words contained both exasperation and affection. She paused. "I'm going to let Roka have most of them. But you can have some, too."

"Thank you, Sister Dragon."

"It's not charity. Some of these were gifts from people who loved me, but I wouldn't accept. Maybe this way...someone will enjoy them."

"Okay," Amaya said simply.

"We'll talk about it in the morning," Azula said. "I'll take you back to your room."

"Wait, please." Amaya seemed suddenly withdrawn. "I'm here if you and Roka...need me."

Azula gave Amaya a light kiss on her head. They went back to their rooms.