Soza's room was large and spacious with a Fire Nation flag plastered against one wall. In the exact center, was a large four-poster bed with red silk drapes hanging on either side. A dresser was next to the bed with scrolls piled on top of it. On the left side of the room was a desk with more firebending scrolls scattered all over its surface. One of these scrolls had been flung haphazardly on the bed when she had been informed of her last minute training session with the Firelord. Soza groaned in exhaustion and slowly made her way to the bed before collapsing face down on top of the scarlet sheets. If she had another session like that she was going to die. Every muscle in her body ached from exertion to the point where moving an inch was an effort. Still, she had work to do. Groaning aloud again, she forced herself to sit up and grabbed at the scroll she had discarded hours earlier. The firebender stared intently at the picture depicting a man creating an arc of fire using a sweeping kick and hurling it at his imaginary opponent with his fist. She made a mental note to practice the technique when she could move without yelping in pain. If she could perfect it before the next impromptu training session, her father would be pleased. Her brow furrowed at the thought of her father. He had been pushing her and Azula to perfect their firebending ever since Zuko had been banished.

"You will make up for your brother's failure," he drilled into their heads, "You will be the firebenders that people will look to when they think perfection."

Being a Princess of the Fire Nation meant perfection was the norm. Soza understood that there was no room for error and she thrived in this condition, much to the Firelord's delight. Winning the Firelord's favor was what Soza craved most. Her father had until recently reserved that for her sister, but he was beginning to notice her too. She had begun to practice harder than ever, training whenever she could. Even though she was a prodigy, she had stood in Azula's shadow simply because it had taken Azula less time to learn how to create lightning. Soza continued to stare absentmindedly at the scroll, lost in thought, until a faint knock interrupted her musings.

"Enter," she called, easing herself up from the bed to stand.

A servant entered and bowed low, "Princess, your father has requested your presence in the throne room immediately."

"Tell him I am coming," Soza commanded while turning away from the servant to look for her proper palace attire.

"As you wish Princess," The servant bowed again and left the room.

Soza's heart was hammering as she began searching her dresser for her clothes. What could Father possibly want with me? Did I do something wrong? Thoughts whirled in her head as she quickly stripped off her old tunic and replaced it with a palace robe. She glanced in the mirror at her disheveled appearance. She scowled at her hair, which had come out of its topknot and now was a tangled mess on her head. Soza expertly undid the ribbon holding her hair up and retied it, securing it with her crown that she grabbed off her dresser. Her hand brushed a pile of scrolls that had been stacked on the dresser, causing them to fall to the floor and roll under her bed.

"Shoot," she muttered before stooping to retrieve them. One of the scrolls had partially unrolled and Soza could just make out one word. Strategies.

She was supposed to have turned these in a week ago! The princess quickly snatched up the scrolls and sprinted out the door, which she slammed unceremoniously behind her. If this was another war meeting, Soza knew she was going to be punished for failing to turn the scrolls in on time. Much to her surprise and relief, only Azula was present in the throne room. She turned at the sound of Soza's footsteps, her eyebrows raised at the mass of scrolls in her hands.

Her cheeks flushed red from embarrassment, she muttered, "Strategies for General Wu and Taiko," Soza shifted the scrolls in her hands as Azula gave her an appraising look.

"Oh yes Taiko was wondering where those were. Here," she snapped her finger and a servant came running towards them.

"Take these to General Taiko and Wu. Tell them that Princess Soza sends her regards." The terrified servant nodded furiously while grabbing the scrolls and bolted from the room.

Azula smirked, "They always run."

Soza couldn't help smiling at this. No one in their right mind would walk away nonchalantly when Azula gave a command. At that moment, flames at the front of the throne room roared up, and Firelord Ozai's shadow could be seen flickering among the flames. He emerged ominously from the flames, glowering at his daughters. Soza couldn't help but flinch at the cold fury emanating from Ozai. Both princesses quickly prostrated before the Firelord as he seated himself on his throne.

"Well at least I can count on you two to be on time," his barely controlled anger made the fires around him burn brighter.

"I have just received word that the Fire Nation suffered defeat at the hands of the - " his knuckles whitened momentarily as he grabbed the armrests, "-the Northern Water Tribe. The Avatar was responsible for the annihilation of our fleet and we suffered heavy losses. None of this would have happened if it weren't for the traitorous actions of your Uncle."

Sheer loathing gripped Soza's heart at the news that Iroh, her own flesh and blood, had cost the Fire Nation a decisive victory in the War.

"Would you like us to dispose of Uncle, Father?" Azula asked maliciously, her tawny eyes glinting in the firelight.

"No, Azula, I want my brother dragged back here in chains," he slammed his fist down for emphasis.

"Your Uncle is a traitor and your brother Zuko is a failure. I have a task for you two."

Soza couldn't help but smile to herself. Finally they were going to be able to get out of the Palace.

"Find them wherever they are and capture them. I want them locked up where they will no longer embarrass me."

"Yes Father," the siblings repeated in unison.

-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-

Azula was thinking to herself as servants rushed around packing her belongings for her mission. She strode to her window, gazing out at the gardens as the last rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon. She could feel the inner fire within her grow dimmer as the sun's light became fainter. Tomorrow she would begin her hunt for her pathetic excuse of a brother and her idiot uncle. It was almost too good too be true. She did wonder why Soza had to come along with her. Her sister was useful, but she still acted too much like Zuko despite her superior skills as a firebender. Behind her, she heard a servant drop one of her bags, the sound echoing in her eardrums. Incompetent fools. She sighed dramatically before turning to face the servant who was mumbling apologies and scrambling to pick up the scattered garments.

"I-I-I'm s-s-sor-rr-y P-Pr-Princess," his terror made Azula chuckle to herself as she gazed at him with cruel, heartless eyes.

"Sorry isn't going to get my clothes picked up faster." Her hand shot out and grabbed the servant by the scruff of his neck, dragging him closer to her. The man whimpered and tried to avoid eye contact.

"I-i-it was a-a-an ac-ac-cident," he stuttered, beads of sweat rolling down his face.

"If you find it impossible to handle my things without dropping them, maybe your hands aren't that useful after all," Azula let a small flame dance on her fingertips, licking at the man's face as he screamed in pain and fear.

"But then again, you would be practically useless to me." She released the man, letting him drop to the floor sobbing.

"It w-won't happen ag-g-gain Princess,"

"Make sure that it doesn't," Azula snapped before turning back to gaze out the window.