"Lets play fire nation vs. earth nation! I'm fire nation!" squealed an eight year old Zuko, running up into the yard "'Prepare to die Earth Nation scum!'" Zuko leaped into the air, landing inches away from the face of his young best friend, who didn't even flinch. The young Ashayna sighed instead. "Do we have to? I hate fighting and you're always so brutal," she whined
Zuko rolled his eyes. "It's fun! You be sneaky and run around and I try to catch you and pin you down with my fire whip."
"But it hurts!" sniffled the seven year old Ashayna, rubbing a red spot from previous games.
Zuko shagged his shoulders, going over to his friend and helping her up. "Come on Ashayna, lets go play on the roof of the eastern end of the palace," he suggested instead.
Ashayna smiled thankfully. Zuko smiled back.
"Come on! I'll race you!" the little Zuko screamed as he started running.
Zuko raced into the pavilion and across the eastern palace's yard. He heard Ashayna's little foot stomps behind him as he laughed, flinging himself into the building. And right as it seemed like he was going to make it to the stairwell and win the race to the roof, Zuko found himself face first into the floor, hitting his forehead with a soft thud that resonated throughout the room.
The eight year old groaned and rolled over, hearing and recognizing the cruel laughter. "You're so stupid. It's sooooo easy to trip you, you oaf," came the high-pitched taunts of Zuko's little sister. At six years old, Azula was able to hurt Zuko in ways he wouldn't dare to hurt her. Azula cackled as Ashayna neared.
"Leave him alone Azula," Zuko's best friend said as she started to help him up. She was abruptly stopped by a sharp push from Azula.
"The big baby can get up by himself," the squeaky Azula exclaimed, stepping over Zuko territorially. Ashayna, frustrated and wanting to play snapped into a fighting stance.
"Sugar head is going to hurt me now?" Azula taunted Ashayna. With a cry Ashayna pushed Azula up against the wall. Zuko scrambled up, his head pounding.
Azula looked momentarily surprised before putting on a cool face. "Be careful what you do. You don't want my dad getting angry at you," She warned
"Don't listen to her. Daddy won't do anything. Serves her right," Zuko snapped back, feeling safer with Azula pinned up on the wall.
Azula sent a death glare to Zuko, quickly quieting his bravado. Ashayna pushed her harder against the wall. "Leave him alone you nasty little prat! He has me now and you can't do anything to hurt us," she warned Azula.
Ashayna let go of Azula, grabbed Zuko's hand, and together ran up the stairs for the sanctuary on the roof. Azula picked herself up.
"Not if I can help it," the young princess grumbled.
Zuko awoke and stood by his window. He could see the whole earth capital from his position. Silently, he wondered where Ashayna was right now, seeing as he made her go home before sunset so that Azula wouldn't notice her presence. The prince shuddered to think what would happen if Azula found out that her childhood enemy was back in the city.
He feared for Ashayna's life.