There are currently 9 chapters of this story written and posted to AO3, and I will get the rest posted here in the next few days. I am also working on chapter 10 and will hopefully have it posted soon.

Ursa knew her husband was ambitious. His desperation and lust for power dominated his mind, leaving no room for love. Most political marriages were loveless, but she had at least hoped her husband would grow to care for her and their children. However, upon meeting him it quickly became clear that there was no room for love in Ozai's heart.

Not even for his daughter.

When Zuko had found her, his face pale and his voice frantic, she knew without a doubt that Ozai would do it. He would sacrifice anything for power.

And she knew what she had to do- what she should have done long ago. Once the children disappeared down the servants corridor, Ursa hurried to her quarters, where she packed some clothing. After grabbing her knife from her bedside table, she set off for Zuko's room, only stopping to collect food and medical supplies. Time was not on their side. She had no idea when Ozai would follow through on the Firelord's orders.

But she was too late.

Once she heard the screaming, she broke into a run, bursting into the room to find her son thrashing under her husband's hands. Azula stood behind them, transfixed with horror as she watched her brother burn.

Ursa drew her knife as she entered the room, and in one fluid motion she brutally brought her knife pommel to the back of Ozai's head. He immediately collapsed onto Zuko, who was now eerily still.

Her heart beating frantically, Ursa pushed Ozai off and pulled her son into her lap, almost unable to breath with worry as she took in his injuries. Half of his face was melted, grotesquely oozing and still sizzling from the heat of Ozai's flames. The burn extended down his neck and onto his arm, no doubt from his attempts to push Ozai off of him.

"Is he dead?"

Slowly looking up, Ursa met her daughter's eyes. Normally so proud and sure of herself, Azula's eyes were wide and her body trembled.

"He's alive, turtleduck," Ursa whispered. She glanced back at Ozai, who was still slumped awkwardly on his side. Blood trickled from his head. He would wake soon. They needed to be long gone when that happened.

Pulling her pack closer, Ursa grabbed the bandages and began to wrap Zuko's burns as best she could. They didn't have time to apply burn ointment, or even to clean the burns.

Getting to her feet, Ursa carefully gathered Zuko into her arms before tugging Azula towards the door.

The trek through the palace was tense. Most of the servants were dismissed after dinner, but they still needed to stay in the shadows to avoid being seen by the guards stationed throughout the halls. Ursa led them to the kitchens, where they slipped through the back door used for food deliveries.

Escaping a guarded palace was easier than it should have been. But what really concerned her was getting to the docks and onto a ship before they were recognized.

Or before Ozai regained consciousness.

When Ozai woke, his head was sticky with blood and he could feel his heartbeat pounding in his skull.

And the children were gone.

He let two children escape him.

Cursing, he lurched to his feet, swaying dangerously as he stumbled out of the room. He needed to alert the guards before they got too far. They must be found before Azulon awoke.

He must prove himself as the worthy heir.

Azula did not pay much attention to the trek out of the palace. Time was behaving oddly again- moving in short, quick bursts that she struggled to keep up with.

As they crept through the halls, all she could do was stare at Zuko, who lay completely still in Mother's arms. The bandages that Mother hastily applied did little to hide his clammy, sweaty face and his shallow breathing. She could see the angry red burns peeking out the edges of his bandages.

It was her fault.

His screams still echoed in her mind, over and over, as she followed Mother out of the palace. The night was unsettlingly cold and foggy, as if even the spirits could sense their need for stealth. They followed the wagon path until it joined the main road to the markets and harbor.

Guards were pacing the streets when they crept onto the main road. Sticking to the shadows, Azula held tightly onto Mother's skirt as they waited for a guard to pass. She couldn't help but think of how out of place they looked with their fine silk robes. They would not be mistaken for simple peasants if spotted.

There were people hurrying through the streets- bewildered families getting harassed by the guards and ushered into their homes. Ozai had alerted the guards of their escape. Azula wondered what he told them, what lie he had woven to relieve him of the blame.

Mother followed closely behind a family for several blocks before sharply turning onto a side alley when a large group of soldiers came into view. But there was nowhere to go. More guards were stationed at the end of the alley, roughly handling a few straggling citizens.

Mother stopped abruptly. Azula could tell she was trying not to show her panic. She fought to keep her own panic down as well. The soldiers were moving closer.

"Princess Ursa?"

Startled, Azula spun around to see a man standing behind them. He quickly raised his hands up as Mother pulled out her knife.

"Princess Ursa, they are looking for you. You need to come with me." He said urgently, glancing at the soldiers behind them. "I have a safehouse you can stay in."

Mother's eyes narrowed. "Why would I trust you? I am sure there is an award for our capture."

The man rifled through his pockets before brandishing a wooden tile at them. "One who tends the flowers knows their secrets." Azula looked closely at the tile. There was a delicately painted flower on the front.

Mother looked at the man, bewildered. "I don't know what that means," she insisted. "And you can't expect me to believe you because of a strange proverb and a pai sho tile."

The man pocketed the tile before stepping closer to them. "You have no choice but to trust me." Opening a door to the building beside them, he began to usher them inside despite Mother's reluctance. "My only interest is in your safety. I am an associate of Master Piandao."

Mother's face relaxed slightly, and she pulled Azula with her into the building. Shutting the door behind him, the man quickly crossed the room to the opposite wall, where he pulled aside a tapestry of a field of flowers. Behind the tapestry revealed a small door, which he opened and gestured for them to enter.

"Go down the stairs, they won't find you here. I have no doubt they will be conducting home searches for you soon. I will do everything in my power to protect you and give you safe passage once the coast is clear."

Mother stopped in front of the man. Despite her kind face, she looked cold and threatening as she met his eyes. "If you endanger my children, I will not stop until you are dead," she snarled, holding Zuko close to her.

The man smiled. "I would expect nothing less of you, Princess."

Descending down the stairs, Azula lit a fire in her palm to light the way as the man shut the door behind them. She felt trapped in this small room, at the mercy of this strange man.

Hours later they heard muffled voices and footsteps above them, and they could do nothing but hold their breath and pray that they wouldn't be found- or betrayed. But nobody came, and eventually the footsteps faded away.

Mother took the time to rewrap Zuko's bandages and apply the burn cream. They had no water to clean the wounds. Azula can't make herself look. He doesn't make a sound, and doesn't stir once. If it wasn't for his quick, shallow breaths, she would think he was dead.

He could still die. The burns were extensive, and deep. If they didn't get him proper treatment soon then infection would set in.

She fell asleep after a few hours. When she woke, she could sense the sun had risen. Mother and Zuko were still there- the strange man had not betrayed them to the guards.

They were eating their breakfast of dried fruits when the door above them opened. The man descended, looking worn and exhausted. Azula could make him out more clearly now. He wore simple robes, not those of a peasant but of merchant quality. He was short and sturdy, and his rounded face sported an enormous beard.

Mother stood up, standing in front of Azula and Zuko, who was still unconscious. "Who are you?" She demanded. "Why would you risk helping us?

"I am Hinato," the man bowed. "I am a member of the Order of the White Lotus, and I have no interest in harming you or your children."

"The Order of the White Lotus?" Mother asked. "The pai sho tile- it had a white lotus on it."

"Yes," Hinato smiled. "That is our symbol, our way of recognizing each other. It was foolish of me to assume you were aware of us, I apologize."

"And you know Piandao?"

"Yes, he is a close friend of mine, and a member of the Order as well."

"If you really are here to help us, then you must get water and bandages for my son. He was badly burned."

Hinato, looking concerned, took a step towards Zuko, but Azula stepped in front of him, staring at him coolly. He stopped short, chuckling to himself.

"Of course, Princess. I will be back shortly."

Mother, looking exhausted, slumped to the floor next to Zuko.

"Are you sure we can trust him?" Azula wasn't sure what to think. Hinato could have other motives, waiting for the perfect opportunity to betray them. And he provided no proof for his association with Master Piandao.

Mother smiled, pulling Azula into a tight hug. "Azula, turtleduck, I know Piandao. He is a trustworthy man who would not associate with Hinato if he wasn't just as honorable. We are safe for now."

It quickly became apparent that Ursa was missing as well.

Ozai paced in her quarters, cursing to himself. So she had taken the children. But to where? The only place to go was the docks, to flee on a boat.

He ordered the guards to alert the harbor. She must be stopped before she boards a ship. When they received word that there was no sign of her or the children, he ordered them to search the wretched huts that surrounded the docks. They would not escape this island.

He will not let his chance for the throne slip away.

Azula could barely bring herself to look at him. It was her fault that he was hurt. She should have done something once Ozai entered the room. She should have defended herself. She could have done something, anything, instead of standing there and letting her brother get burned for defending her.

Zuko did not wake, even after three days of hiding in the hidden room. Hinata came down every few hours with fresh food and water, as well as bandages for Zuko. He developed a fever, and she did her best to keep him cool and comfortable. The most difficult task was calming him down during his nightmares.

Sometimes he would scream, or cry, clawing at his face and tearing at the bandages. Azula would have to keep herself from sobbing as she helped Mother restrain him to keep him from hurting himself.

She, too, would have nightmares. Mother never csmr and Azula can only watch as Ozai burned Zuko until he was nothing but ashes. Then she's the one screaming and thrashing under their Father's fire. If it wasn't for Mother, Azula would have let Zuko die. They would both be dead. These nightmares revealed her own weakness. Each time she would jolt awake, scrambling to see if Mother and Zuko were alright- if they were breathing.

She swore she would protect them- and she failed. She cannot fail again.

They made for the docks after four days of hiding. Hinata's ship was small, but that was to their advantage. They crept out of the harbor in the dead of night, slipping past the patrolling ships and sailed east. It was midday when they reached the cluster of eastern islands. Their destination was an estate on the outskirts of Shu Jing.

Hinata led them on foot to the gates surrounding the estate. They were ushered inside by a tall man who introduced himself as Fat. As they were led deeper into the estate, Azula couldn't help but notice the same flower from Hinata's pai sho tile decorating every tapestry, every door. So much for a secret society.

There was a man facing away from them at the top of the stairs. He turned as they approached, and Azula instantly recognized him.

"Welcome, my friends." Master Piandao smiled. "Your journey has been long, you may rest here as long as you need."

"My Lord," Ozai forced through gritted teeth. "There has been no sign of them."

The fire surrounding the throne flared higher as Firelord Azulon stood. "I gave you a simple order, Ozai, but it would seem that something as simple as killing a child is beyond you."

Ozai seethed with anger at the Firelord's words. "My Lord, I was in the process of following your orders when my wife betrayed me. She is to blame for this-"

"You were overpowered by a nonbender and two children!" Azulon snarled. "You are not deserving of being my heir, let alone my son. You have lost your honor, Ozai, and you will not regain it until you find them."