Azula was pleased with herself; Zuko could see that. She sat on the Earth King's throne smugly as if she had been there for years, upright and regal. A born leader…

Zuko however was merely standing at the side of the throne, still mulling over his decision, and how it would affect his life. He had betrayed the people that had trusted him. Well, he had betrayed the person. Katara probably didn't (and now never would) trust him. But Uncle Iroh…

Uncle had been the only person to stick by Zuko after his banishment. He had put up with Zuko, and tried his best to do what was right for him, no matter what. Uncle was the only member of the family to accompany him after Zuko had been banished. A small voice in Zuko's mind asked if it was really worth betraying him. The answer came back as a resounding yes.

By assisting Azula in taking over Ba Sing Se, Zuko would finally earn his father's respect, maybe even his love. He would be welcomed back into the Fire Nation and assume his rightful place in line for the throne.

Uncle would understand eventually. He'll see that everything that I did was for the greater good, Zuko thought, although a small part of him still couldn't comprehend how betrayal was the key to happiness.

As Zuko had been thinking, five members of the Dai Li had entered the room, dragging along with them a sixth. The sixth looked incredibly agitated, and was sweating, his eyes darting frantically around the room.

Each member bowed to Azula, then to Zuko. Zuko nodded in return, wondering who the sixth man was.

The other agents had to force the sixth man to kneel in front of Azula, roughing pushing him to the floor, and keeping him there.

"Princess Azula, this scum betrayed you to the Avatar and his friends. He is a traitor to the Dai Li." said one agent, spitting on the floor next to the man. Zuko surveyed the traitor with interest, as did Azula.

"I take it that you heard my speech earlier today?" She asked, in a neutral voice, that had a hint of danger in it.

The traitor nodded, seemingly incapable of speech.

"I see." Azula said. She stood up from the throne.

"So that must mean that you heard what I'd do to those who betrayed me?" She continued. Again, the traitor nodded. Azula looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Yet you still chose to betray me. You are either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid. As you got caught and are now cowering in front of me, I think I'll choose the latter option."

The traitor, to Zuko's disgust, began to whimper pathetically. Azula noticed this, and shot the man an expression of pure distaste, before allowing her expression to return to one of thoughtfulness.

"I suppose I should be grateful. After all, if you hadn't chosen to betray me, then Zuko wouldn't have joined us and we may not have been successful in our coup." She said, beginning to walk slowly up and down the platform where her throne was. She stopped and bent down so that she was very close to the traitor's face.

"However, I hate traitors." She said in a low, yet perfectly audible voice.

Straightening up, Azula turned back to her throne, carelessly waving her hand behind her.

"Take the traitor to the dungeon. I shall deal with him later."

The Dai Li agents had just began to drag the man to his feet when Azula paused. Zuko could see the cruel smile on her face and knew what was coming next.

"Wait a moment." Azula said. Whipping around, she pointed her fingers at the traitor, a shining beam of lightning shooting from them and hitting the traitor squarely in the heart. So deadly accurate was Azula's aim that the man was dead before he hit the ground.

Blowing on her fingers lightly, Azula smiled at the agents.

"Why do later what you can do now?" Sitting back on the throne, Azula waved her hand carelessly again.

"Dispose of it."

Zuko had to stop himself from shuddering. It. The man Azula had just killed in cold blood wasn't even worth naming anymore. Don't show emotion. Emotion is weakness. Zuko scolded himself, repeating the mantra that his father had tried to drill into Zuko when he was younger.

Zuko watched the agents take the body away, whilst Azula examined her nails. They were, of course, flawless.

"Nice aim." Zuko said, unsure of what else to say. Azula stopped looking at her nails to turn to Zuko.

"Thank you." She said sincerely. Zuko nodded, again finding nothing to say.

Azula smiled up at her brother.

"It's good to have you back with the Fire Nation, Zuko." She said softly.

"I never left." He replied, looking straight ahead.

A/N:

Azula's a bitch, right? I know the story doesn't sound very Zutara friendly right now, but trust me, it'll get better J

Thank you to my reviewers, you're the best.

Suggestions, comments and advice are welcome, so please review.