August 86AG

When Ursa had to wean Zuko, the baby had been stubborn about it. She had to use hot sauce to get him to stop relying on her breast for food. She hated hearing his cry when the spices overwhelmed him, but it was time for him to start getting his nutrients from food like a big boy.

Azula was the opposite. She wanted food even though her mother thought she would still benefit from nursing.

The younger princess had snuck into Azulon's chambers two months before and gotten a taste of big kid food. Now, she was hooked.

"It's time to eat," Ursa offered her breast to her baby and Azula turned her nose.

Ursa guided the baby's head, but Azula was resistant. She had to use her fingers to guide Azula's mouth, and Azula reluctantly fed from her mother's chest.

Ursa thought Azula was just being finicky that one day, but each day became a struggle.

"Why won't she nurse?"

"Maybe she's ready to eat food," Ozai told her.

"But Zuko nursed well past his first birthday."

"Not all babies are the same," Ozai didn't think anything of it.

Ursa consulted with the doctor. "Would it be wrong to wean her this early?"

The doctor shook his head. "She should probably get a combination of breast milk and food, but she's ready to start eating. I would recommend soft foods as she's just learning to chew."

For dinner, the chef made Azula mushy tomato carrots. Azula was suspicious. She reached for her brother's plate of sliced komodo chicken and roasted tomato carrots.

"You need soft food," Ursa told her.

Azula pouted.

Ursa spooned a bite of the mushy tomato carrots for Azula but she wouldn't open her mouth.

"Zuko, tickle her,"

He did as his mother instructed and when she opened her mouth, Ursa snuck the food in. "See, it's yummy."

Azula did not appreciate the mush or being tricked. Ursa tried to feed her just to be denied.

"Maybe she'll eat it if she sees you eating it," Ozai suggested.

Ursa tried that and took a bite. "Oh that's gross!"

"Yeah, she's really gonna eat it," Ozai rolled his eyes.

"It's good," Ursa lied.

Azula wouldn't budge. She preferred her mother's breast to mushy tomato carrots.

When Ursa wasn't looking, Azula snatched some of the chicken off her brother's plate and ate it.

"MOM! She's eating my komodo chicken."

Azula gobbled it up before her mother could stop her. She was too young to understand, but Azula would eventually realize that Zuko would always snitch on her.

"Maybe she just wants chicken," Lu Ten offered.

"She's too young."

This battle with Azula and her mushy vegetables went on for a week. Iroh had an idea. "Maybe if it was the only food she got, she'd start eating."

"Stop nursing her?"

"Only until she eats."

Ursa tried it. Azula didn't get the nursing she expected for breakfast and lunch. During dinner, she tried to steal some cow pig from her brother.

"No, Azula. You will eat your mushy fire peas."

"NO!" It was the first word Azula spoke, and she would learn to say it to her mother often.

Lu Ten chuckled. "She's throwing shade!"

Ursa folded her arms. Two could play at this game. "Eat your fire peas."

"NO!"

"You won't leave the table until the bowl is empty."

Everyone else finished his meal and left.

"Will you eat them now?"

"NO!" She actually didn't know the word yes, but her opinion was still no.

Ursa demanded, "EAT YOUR PEAS!"

Azula picked up the bowl and threw it at her mother, emptying it and covering her in mushy fire peas. Ursa was furious.

She picked up the fussy baby and stormed over to her husband. "Look at what she did."

"Your covered in peas," Ozai laughed.

"She threw them at me."

"Maybe she doesn't want to eat them."

"Princesses do not throw food."

"She's one. She doesn't know any better."

While Ursa cleaned herself up, Ozai took the baby to the kitchen. "Can you cook some komodo chicken and cut it into baby-sized bites."

"Of course Prince Ozai."

Azula happily ate her meat. She learned that she would rather eat with Daddy than Mommy. She also learned that if she didn't like her dinner, she should throw it at Ursa.