Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Mask of the dragon. Enjoy the 900-word chapter. I don't own Avatar, Nick, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Bryan Konietzko do.
(Fire Nation Royal Palace.)
"Your lying!" Zuko yelled as Azula frowned. She had told Zuko Ozai didn't love them. "He spends more time on you then the rest of us!" Zuko screamed which caused his younger sibling to look away, tearing up.
Azula was aware her older brother didn't know Azula hated and feared Ozai. The man only doted on her because of her fire bending talent. It wasn't out of any potential concern or affection; her brother just didn't believe it.
"Why would he threaten to hit you when you woke him up?" Azula questioned her brother. "Or the time he practiced fire bending near you?" Azula asked her brother and shook her head.
"I…" Zuko started to say before they heard soft footfalls. Both knew it was the stride of their mother. Azula sat down on the bed before looking at her brother.
Azula knew her brother didn't know what to think at the moment. Azula knew sooner or later Zuko would find out just how horrible Ozai was.
"MOM!" Zuko yelled as he ran to their mother's side. 10-year-old Azula was far to focused on her own thoughts. Azula hummed before her mother tapped her on the shoulder.
"Yes, mom?" Azula asked, it wasn't mother, it wasn't 'Ursa' to her.
No, Ursa was 'mom'. Just like Iroh was 'Uncle'. They cared about the kids, Ozai cared about himself. Anyone else could screw off and die around him.
"This is Sachi. His father wanted you to play with him." Azula heard from her mom. Azula raised her eyebrow and titled her head before looking at the boy.
His slightly spiky black hair didn't seem that different from most Fire Nation hairstyles. Azula thought on the meaning of the word.
Sachi was the name for a descendent of the sun god. It was not a very commonly used name… Then again? A 12-year-old shouldn't know that. Azula was very smart for her age when it came down to it.
Azula hummed and leapt off the bed while smiling. Zuko crossed his arms as their mother turned to him. Azula smiled and knew Zuko would turn out fine. Their mother would never let Ozai near him.
"Hi… P-Princess." Sachi stated hesitantly. He fiddled his fingers before Azula cocked her head to the side.
"I'll leave you two to play." Their mother stated before Azula hummed.
"Mai and Ty Lee are in the garden, mom." Azula pointed out. "I'll be there soon." Azula said as their mother turned and left with Zuko, he'd be 13 soon. Azula knew he'd grow out of the last of his child like views soon.
"Uh…" Sachi said as Azula hummed and went back to smiling again.
"You can call me Azula." Azula stated which caused Sachi to blink in shock. "Only the servants and soldiers call me princess." Azula said while frowning at this.
Azula didn't like people bending over backwards to please her. She wasn't her father. Things had become so much worse in the Fire Nation since Sozin died.
"Oh, o-ok." Sachi stammered out while Azula patted him on the head. Sachi leapt back which caused the princess to laugh.
It was then she poked him in the forehead with her pointer and middle finger. She giggled and ran out of the room.
"Come and chase me!" Azula stated, finally able to throw away her mask at the moment. Sachi blinked and watched as Azula rushed away.
Sachi hummed and then smiled and ran after her. Azula ducked out the door and into the garden. Azula leapt off the railing and landed near the lake.
Ty Lee and Mai noticed her. Sachi ran up right to her and poked her in the back of the head. Azula hummed and rolled her eyes.
She was old enough to know Sachi wasn't trying to bug her. Azula looked around for her mother and spotted her on the other side of the campus.
It was then her heart dropped into her chest… Ozai, the man was talking to her mother. Azula knew she couldn't afford to drop her mask or Ozai would take his fury out on them.
"I'm really sorry for this." Azula stated to Sachi. He was about to speak before Azula pushed him into the pond. She then grasped a bit of dirt and chucked it at Ty Lee.
The girl teared up and ran off. Mai was smart enough to know Azula hated pretending to bully them. She had no choice though. Azula pretending to be the monstrous sociopath her father wanted kept her friends and family safe.
As soon as Ozai left. Azula helped Sachi out of the pond. Ty Lee and Mai walked over. Azula could only hug her friend and turn to Sachi.
"My dad is a monster… I'm sorry for pushing you." Azula stated which caused Sachi to nod and blink.
She looked over at her frowning mother. Azula had to tell her mother why she did this.
Author notes
Phew, another chapter done! I want to point out that Azula in this story is a lot like Zuko at times. She is snarky, kind, and caring usually. Sachi means descendent of the sun god in Japanese. Next chapter will be in 1-2 weeks and will show the Agni Kai everyone knows so well. It will also show some flashbacks between Azula, her family and Sachi. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!