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At the age of thirty Zuko had done an invaluable amount of deeds for his country, nay, the world.

There were things he could look back on that he wished he could change of course. The Fire Lord of twenty four years wished he had been a better brother to Azula, perhaps then she would be standing by his side now.

He wished he hadn't been so blind and had joined Aang, his dearest and closest friend, much sooner than that day at the western air temple. That he could have come to terms with his inner turmoil and mastered lightning sooner than the age of eighteen.

But while time was an illusion no one had figured out how to traverse it, so they simply moved with it, ever forwards. Zuko didn't tend to dwell on them, but recently they had been plaguing his mind. He had also been dreaming of the Spirit Oasis at the Northern Water Tribe, a place he hadn't seen since he was sixteen and still chasing Aang for his honor. He had questions, and perhaps that was why he was so eager to join Aang to a diplomatic summit to the place that had been plaguing his dreams.

And now, he stood at the pond that held Tui and La, the spiritual center of the whole world. Zuko stared at the pool of water and closed his eyes in an attempt to meditate and find answers, instead, he found sleep.

Opening his eyes Zuko instantly bolted upright.

He was no longer surrounded by the spiritual warmth of the Oasis, and the soothing bubbling of its waterfall was strikingly absent.

No, instead he was surrounded by a well furnished and familiarly decorated room. There was an oak writing desk and hand carved chair, the walls were adorned with silks and Fire Nation banners. The most notable decoration was a map of the world that Azula had destroyed when he was ten years old.

This was his room from his childhood. Was he dreaming?

Suddenly there was a noise at the door and a servant entered breezily and gave a shallow bow, "Prince Zuko, I have been sent to ready you for your first Firebending lesson."

Zuko stared at the man and then slowly pulled the covers from his body. His legs were stubby compared to how long they were seemingly just hours ago. Casting a glance at his hand he took note of how soft and tiny it seemed.

A dream then. A dream of when he was seven and just about to begin his training. It made sense, it was a time when they were all still somewhat happy, before all the cracks swelled and shattered the royal family.

It was from all that dwelling on the past no doubt. If this was going to be his dream he might as well have fun right? Easing out of bed Zuko practically bounced towards the lounging chair that his new training clothes were resting on. With little help from his servant Zuko was dressed and ready for his morning session.

His mind reached back as he was guided to the Royal Training Yard. Zuko's first Firebending Master was a man named Hao. He'd been strict and formal as every Master he'd had before his Uncle Iroh had been. Master Hao had been dismissed when Azula had begun her lessons and complained that he was holding her back, she'd set fire to his robes and Ozai had finally cast the man out for incompetence.

His attention was brought back to the present when they reached their destination and the servant who had assisted him left. Zuko's eyes quickly found Master Hao, looking younger than he had ever remembered the teacher being. Resting his right hand palm out on top of his left fist, Zuko gave a respectful and shallow bow to the man who had begun his training all those years ago.

Master Hao nodded respectfully and began, "Now, young lord, I have been told you have not shown any special affinity for the greatest of the four elements because of this you have begun your training a year later than expected."

Zuko nodded and had to stop himself from rolling his eyes at the man's opinion on the element of fire. He also wanted to gag. Who starts a lesson by talking down to their student? Especially when he's a Prince. Not the crown prince mind you, but at this point he was fourth in line for the throne and that wasn't exactly something to sniff at.

Absently Zuko wondered if this is what was actually said in his first lesson or his dream exaggerating the memory.

"Well then, we'll begin with an assessment of your ability. Show me some fire, any amount will do." Hao instructed.

He couldn't help of think of Aang's little puff of smoke at the Western Air Temple. It was much the same for Zuko when he was actually seven. Not this time though. This was a dream and Zuko was a thirty year old Firebending master. So, inhaling slowly, Zuko allowed himself to feel the sun and transform his breath into fuel to ignite the energy in his belly. In a swift and smooth move, Zuko twisted away from his master and thrust out his right hand palm out, allowing the fire to escape.

Surprisingly, his dream world had not warped his abilities and it was as big as a standard fireball from an average level bender. It wasn't even as big as he was capable of pulling off at sixteen but it was something. Zuko turned to look at Master Hao. For his part, Hao was gaping at him like he'd sprouted another head. A strange noise reminiscent of the noises Sokka made when he was confused began escaping the Master's throat.

"Is there a problem Master Hao?" Zuko asked, confused. This suddenly felt a little too grounded to be a dream.

"Again!" Hao demanded after gathering himself. Zuko proceeded to obey and once gain felt like he was in a little too deep when Hao smiled, beamed like it was the first day of summer.

"We'll begin with basic stances!" Hao enthused, "Copy me, this is a horse stance!"

The man then spread his feet and squatted until his rear was parallel with the ground and his shoulders were squared, fists tucked into his sides.

Zuko took the same stance, but had to adjust his feet twice due to the size change of his body. Hao seemed to beam brighter as the Master came over to inspect his stance and only adjusted the positioning of his head. He was beginning to feel real fear at how logical and grounded this dream was progressing.

Hao proceeded to 'teach' Zuko a bow stance, as well as several hand pushes. Then the Master quizzed him quickly at the end of it all. Knowing his basics in and out thanks to his Uncle, Zuko found it more tedious than anything and had begun praying for the dream to just end.

Futility of course, he was beginning to realize this might not be as much of a dream as he had thought, perhaps a cosmic prank by some sort of Spirit that had found him sleeping by the Oasis. At the end of it all Master Hao, the man Zuko remembered being stoic and as strict as steel, seemed to be walking on clouds.

After about an hour and a half of'basic exercises there were stars in the man's eyes as he dismissed Zuko. Zuko for his part bolted from the lesson and ran to his rooms. This was far too long for a dream, it was far too detailed and real and Zuko was going to go spare if it continued. Once he was in his rooms Zuko found a bath being drawn for him. Of course.

On this day, when he was seven he had bathed and dressed only to be summoned into his mother's tea room. He'd been in a dark mood that day. Everything had been so difficult, Hao had been frustrated and looked like he was going to start screaming at any moment when it was over.

A small Zuko had been full of bruises from falling, slipping, unable to be light enough on his feet to catch himself. Princess Ursa had comforted him and brought him hope. But not today. He had performed perfectly, Zuko had flawlessly executed everything Hao had 'taught' him. There was suddenly a sinking feeling in his stomach as the servant that had drawn his bath vacated the wash room so Zuko could have privacy. It was obvious now, as he climbed into his warm bath, that he had to admit that this may be real. He may not have been dreaming all this time. The entire ordeal had lasted far too long and had been far too logical and mundane to be a dream. But how?

Did a spirit hear his dreams, his regrets? Why was he sent back to a time when the Balance of the world was devastated? Zuko closed his eyes and scrubbed off the grime for his training session. He was pragmatic, he knew his destiny, he knew his role in the universe. Foolish men wasted time wondering about what already was fully formed and solid, when they should be focused on what could be shaped.

For a moment focused on what seemed to be the truth. Zuko was once again seven years old. He was no longer thirty nor was he Fire Lord, so he had to do away with that mindset. Zuko was seven and had just excelled at his first ever Firebending lessons. Azula was five and still unsure of her role in the universe, his Mother was still with him, Ozai was plotting to take the throne, and Aang was twelve and frozen in a block of ice.

Zuko knew what was fated, he had until he was sixteen for Aang's awakening. He had until he was sixteen to change what he could. The first thing on his list was Azula. Of course, he had unintentionally already taken steps. After all, if she had a prodigy of an older brother she would look up to him wouldn't she? If her brother pleased their father, and kept her safe, gave her love and attention, then perhaps she'd have a chance. Zuko resolved to do it, to give Azula the best fighting chance he could. She was a product of Ozai's poison and she was just a child. Technically so was Zuko, but technically he also wasn't.

After all, 'The true heart can tough the poison of hatred without being harmed'. He would take it all, the toxin and the hate, he would weather it all if it meant he could save her. Resolved, Zuko got out of his tub and dried off before changing into his day clothes. If he was right, he'd be called by his Mother for breakfast, then he would be sent to his tutor Master Liu to begin schooling.

Zuko spent the time waiting for his summons, meditating on what was, and focusing on shaping the future. Who he would have to be for Azula, and he realized he would just have to be himself. The one from the future, that had confidence, poise, inner peace and thought of their father the same way one dwelled on spoiled milk that was in the galley of a ship.

As expected a servant entered his rooms with a bow and announced, "Prince Zuko, you have been summoned before your lessons."

Zuko opened his eyes and stood to face the man. Then proceeded to be knocked for a loop when the messenger continued, "Your father, Prince Ozai, wishes you to take breakfast with him in his sitting room."

The Journey to his father's sitting room is an unfamiliar one.

Zuko wasn't even sure that Azula had ever been invited to take a private breakfast with their father. The fact that he had been invited to after his display with Master Hao bodes well for the goal he has laid out for himself.

Even if he's had to swallow down bile twice on the way.In truth, he could see why Hao had seemingly rushed to Ozai immediately after their training session. When Zuko was actually seven and only sputtered out a puff of smoke and fallen on his but at anything more complicated than a resting stance, Hao had rolled his eyes and sighed to high heaven and proceeded to ask if he was actually serious.

Much later in life Zuko had learned that a sputter of smoke was actually a promising sign, that the more common result of asking an untrained child to Fire Bend was at most a lightning bug sized spark. But that wasn't what was expected of a member of the royal family. Azulon had been a prodigy, so had Iroh. Ozai was a close contender for the title and Azula had ended up on a whole other level. The First Fire bender in a century to have blue flames.

Zuko though, he had first shown the signs of being a Fire Bender at the age of five, then at the age of six had displayed no promise in the eyes of his Father. Ozai had begun his lessons late in hope of a year being enough to magically repair whatever 'defect' Zuko had possessed.

When he was seven his sputter of smoke had confirmed his family's worst fears, he was going to be a strong bender, but nothing to brag about. Not in a family that was supposed to be blessed by the divine right to rule. But today's display, it spoke of something else, it spoke of power and potential that had until now been untapped. It also implied that Zuko could poses a duplicitous nature. Zuko would have to innocently convince Ozai that he hadn't intentionally hid his abilities, all while pretending to be thrilled at the man's attention finally gracing him with favor.

It seemed the work of moments to be escorted into Prince Ozai's sitting room. Zuko was brought before the man's sitting table and left there. With as much respect as he could grudgingly muster, Zuko bowed to his Father. The room itself was done similarly to how it would be in the future.

Ozai seemed to level a gaze at hims steadily before speaking, "Sit Zuko."

Swiftly, he obeyed and sat on the only other pillow at the short table. It seemed they were being served fish soup with rice.

"Master Hao has told me of your first lesson." Ozai began, before taking a sip of his tea. Zuko took a sip of his own, it was ginseng. Zuko did not answer, he would not fumble nor would he fall during this interview. If he was really seven he'd have been confused, but Zuko knew what this was. Ozai was reassessing, he was a predator who had long ago decided to eat it's own cub, but the cub had suddenly clawed back ferociously and violently enough for the predator to review whether or not its offspring should be consumed.

"Tell me, has your Cousin been preparing you for your lessons?" Ozai's first question was inelegant. Then again, something about the man always had been.

"Cousin Lu Ten?" Zuko did his best to seem confused, "No Father, I did ask him but he's too busy with his own training."

It was an artless confession but Zuko felt like this was pivotal to his mission. He was only supposed to be seven after all. Ozai's eyes weighed him and he continued to watch Zuko eat before asking, "Did you enjoy your first lesson then?"

"It was fun." Zuko smiled, as best he could at the man given the circumstances and his own feelings. He had much practice with politics in his later years and it was coming in handy right now.

"It was a bit easier than I expected, but that's probably because we're just starting. I think Master Hao was going easy on me."

By the end of the session Ozai seemed satisfied but still curious, he said nothing of course before he sent Zuko off to repeat mind numbing lessons on history and literature.

While eating breakfast with Ozai was a game changer, the rest of the day seemed rather normal for his life when he was at that age. Zuko knew there were most likely things being set into motion in places a child could not see, but in the end he could not change those things. No, the greatest upset of his life happened the next morning.

The first upset was the fact that he was still seven. A final confirmation that this was real. The Second happened after he had dressed as before and joined Master Hao at the appointed time, only to find Ozai also in the training grounds, he was sitting on a rather elaborate lounge chair and being shaded by a servant who was laden down with the size of the umbrella they were forced to hold..

At the sight of him Zuko had to bite down his distaste. Once again he bowed to Master Hao, then his father. He wasn't a fool. Ozai was confirming all that had been reported to him blatantly, no doubt in an attempt to see if he could make Zuko flinch. But Zuko was strong. Stronger than anyone currently in his life knew. Everything he had was achieved through blood, pain, tears, and clawed out from the dirt. He'd carved his name in history with split nails and his teeth.

Hao ran Zuko through the drills from the day before and the man- no - he was a boy now, accomplished them with ease and a steady heart. The Master then gave him new stances and forms, ran through them, combined them with those from the day before and Zuko danced through them all like he was born to it. All without sparing his father a look.

Finally Hao declared, "You will run through the forms I call out as before, but your Father has asked you to display fire for these."

Zuko nodded and stubbornly refused to glance at Ozai. Hao ran a simple set and Zuko did the same as the before, this time letting the power of the sun run through him. Finally as he reached the end and calmly achieved his resting stance, Zuko finally looked to Ozai's place at the edge of the training field.

Prince Ozai looked at his son and did something Zuko knew for a fact the man had never done in his whole life. Ozai smiled. It was a slow and small upturn of lips that in Zuko's entire memory had only ever been reserved for Azula.

If he was actually seven, Zuko would have felt a heady rush of delight at pleasing his father, but he wasn't actually seven. So instead he felt rather smug and a small voice in his head said 'Eat that for dinner and choke'.

Prince Ozai stood then, and said, "Keep me posted on your lessons Hao. I look forward to updates."

The man promptly left with no flowery speech or compliments. Hao looked like he'd died reincarnated as a King before regaining control of himself, "Now this does not mean you can slack off Lord Zuko! This means I will be drilling you harder and expecting more from you than we originally expected.

"I'll have to rewrite your whole program!

The day before Azula had been in schooling for most of the day. At five she was learning to write and read. After lessons she tended to nap, she was only five after all. Before, Zuko had basically avoided his sister. She was small and curious about everything in the universe, all the while hanging around her Nanny's skirt and setting fire to things everywhere she went.

Now though Zuko sought her out. When his schooling ended her nap normally did as well. She was then allowed an amount of playtime in the nursery, Zuko normally spent this time before dinner pestering Lu Ten or his mother.

Instead, Zuko crept through the palace and found Azula's nursery as well as the girl and her Nanny. The woman assigned to the Princess' care was the Daughter of a General, her name was lost to him as he had always simply called her 'Ma'am'. She was a Fire Bender who was unremarkable, and useful in that she could put out the little fires that Azula tended to start.

As he entered she seemed frazzled, but instead of asking what had bothered her, Zuko's breath caught at the sight of five year old Azula in all her precocious glory.

She was small as far as children go, and her eyes shone with a spark not many others possessed. The girl was in the midst of what looked like a crime scene. One of her stuffed Platypus-Bears had his head ripped off and her Rabaroo plush was full of red finger paints.

Ma'am seemed to have heard him enter and cried out, "Oh! Prince Zuko!"

All color drained from the woman's face as Azula smiled at her brother and said, "Kia murdered Ao because he cancelled their wedding."

It was all so ridiculous that Zuko had to laugh. Bubbling from his stomach and out through his throat he laughed until there were tears in his eyes.

After a moment to pull himself back in he said, "Well if it was a proper Agni Kai then really it's just and fair, he lost his honor the moment he broke a promise."

"Of course it was!" Azula sounded offended as only children could, "She's a Princess!"

It made sense why Ma'am was so frazzled, those toys were practically royal artifacts and Azula had torn them and covered them in paint.

"Ma'am," Zuko began turning to the Nanny, "If you go get something to clean the paint I'll sit with Azula until you get back."

The woman seemed torn, finally Zuko sent her a leveled look, "Go get something to clean. My mother will be here soon, right?"

Her eyes widened and finally she rose from her place and left to get cleaning supplies.

"Now as great as this is," Zuko began, once again smiling at the ridiculous scene, then at his little sister, "How'd you manage all this with her around?"

Azula rolled her eyes and dropped the Rabaroo, "She fell asleep and I got bored so I took some of the paints from the chest."

Zuko laughed again, "Well since she's already going to get in trouble, do you want to go to my room for a little bit? I can show you some of the Firebending forms I've been learning."

Easily the girl's eyes brightened, "Yes! But, can we go to the yard?! I want to see fire!"

At first he was just going to just show her forms but Zuko's heart said 'Screw it' because he was practically kidnapping his sister already.

"Sure!" Zuko smiled, "You've gotta promise to stand where I tell you though, I've just started and I don't want to burn you."

Azula enthusiastically nodded and hummed her assurance.

Happily Zuko took her hand and began to abscond with her. To ensure that they wouldn't get in too much trouble he kept an eye out, and when he spotted one of the palace guards that were stationed near his sister's Nursery he told him, "My mother will be looking for us, tell her I'm taking my sister to the courtyard."

The guard gave an unsure, "Uuuuuuh.... Yes sir?"

Zuko nodded then continued to escort his sister to their destination.

The courtyard was a place of relaxation and grass that featured a water fountain at the center. It was one of several, but the others were referred to by different names.

Upon reaching their destination, Zuko sat Azula on the fountain and informed her, "Now you just sit there OK? I'll let you try to copy some moves after I'm done but stay there till I'm done."

Azula nodded, and sat as still as she could as she practically vibrated happily, after all, at her core she was a fire bug. Easily he demonstrated the most basic forms he could, but, he added as many little fancy twists and flares he could with his fire. When he was finished she announced, "It's my turn now!"

"No fire for now though," Zuko urged, "I've had lessons but you haven't and I don't want you to get hurt."

He knew for a fact if he let her use fire at this age she'd probably burn down the entire palace and just watch it while giggling as if it was the funniest thing that had ever happened. And while helping her burn down their house would be fun, he'd save it for something smaller scale. Maybe Ember Island.

Azula looked at him for a moment, really looked and then nodded. She hopped off of her perch on the fountain and followed Zuko's instructions and moves. Of course, she was a prodigy, so the small girl of five caught on quickly.

"You're doing amazing!" Zuko smiled at his sister, "I'm sure when you start training next year you're going to do great."

Azula smiled back and his heart suddenly ached. Their parents would find them soon so Zuko decided to chase their activities, "let's play a game."

It took a moment of convincing but she finally agreed, "What's it called?"

Zuko happily grabbed two sticks from the tree and handed her one, "I haven't named it yet, but I'm the evil blue spirit that's going to destroy your town!"

He then pointed to the fountain in the middle of the yard, "If I can touch the center of the fountain with my stick I win! But if you can keep me from it before mom gets here you win!"

Azula frowned, "How do I keep you away?"

"If you poke me," Zuko explained, "You're able to banish me and I have to go all the way to the edge of the yard again."

The girl contemplated the rules then nodded, "OK!"

He went easy on her of course, he was a master swordsman so any skirmishes they had Zuko made sure to occasionally let her poke him, but he also ensured he was the winner of the game just before their mother found them.

Zuko had dipped and dodged his sister's stick and tapped the fountain's spout just as their mother shouted over the din of their laughter, "And what exactly is that you two are doing?"

The two froze and Azula stared at their mother unsure of what to say, Zuko though knew this would happen, "We're just playing mother, Azula's Nanny had to clean a mess so I kind of took off with her so we could play."

Ursa sighed heavily, "It's almost dinner time you two! Go wash up Zuko! I'll take your sister."

"Yes mom." Zuko replied easily and led Azula once again by hand to their mother before suddenly and decisively kissing her on the head. Azula squeaked in surprise and Zuko ran before any questions could be asked.

For the entire meal they ate Azula kept glancing at him and Zuko couldn't help but smile at the little girl. Almost distantly he noticed that Ursa was watching them carefully and warily.

There would be time to unpack that later, Zuko knew that one day like this wouldn't be enough. He would do his best to make all her days like this if he could.

He didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the fact that at the age of seven he was declared a prodigy. At eight he was already starting lessons beyond basic Firebending.

Ozai had smiled, no, glowed at his quick development. It would have made Zuko sick if he wasn't so smug over the fact that he was pulling off what amounted to the greatest heist in history.

He knew who he was.

Azula, at the age of six began her bending lessons and was also declared to be exceptionally gifted. Ozai was so completely smug over having fathered two prodigies actually announced they would be going to Ember Island for a week in the summer.

Azula was of course ecstatic, her mind was expanding and since she'd started bending Ozai had turned his eyes on her as well. She was a smart girl of six and understood that when she did well he sung her praises, just as he sung Zuko's.

Zuko made sure to play with her every chance he could get, and now that they were both bending, their little capture the flag style game with the fountain no longer used only sticks.

It was funny in a rather horrifying and unbelievable way that he was eight again, everything had already become so different, but his heart held fast to his goals as he danced around the fountain and defended it from his little sister's attacks of fire.

With a quick jab he poked her side and laughed, "I banish you evil spirit!"

"NOOO!!" Azula cried out in frustration, "That's the third time already!"

"Keep up, Little Dragon!" Zuko laughed, "You'll capture the town!"

"Or you'll get me again and I'll lose." She moaned as she practically dragged her feet over to the edge of the yard, "I think you like poking me with a stick!"

Azula was a prodigy, but still a child, Zuko had thirty years on her and she probably wasn't going to catch up anytime soon. He would never let her win. It was vital to his plans, she would never follow him or put any reliance on him if he showed any sign of weakness.

"It's my job to bully you." Zuko rolled his eyes like it was the most obvious thing in the world, "I'm your older brother!"

In reply the Princess just stuck out her tongue.

"Children!" His mother's voice called out as the customary end to their game came earlier than expected, "Your Uncle, Prince Iroh has returned from his latest tour a whole two days early!"

Zuko felt a thrill of excitement course through him as Azula rolled her eyes, "He's back already?! Didn't he just leave?!"

Ursa frowned at the girl and said, "Wash up, now. Your best clothes should be out already."

The tone was level and it was something Zuko was slowly growing to hate. His mother was a woman he loved. She had shown him such unconditional care , and it seemed foreign to him that she could feel any other way. Of course, in his memories, she had always scolded Azula for her behavior but as far as Zuko could tell his sister had asked a simple question.

It was artless and a bit inappropriate but she was six and her Father also happened to behave the same way.

Azula frowned at the tone of their Mother's voice and Zuko ran by, then as had become his custom, kissed Azula's head. Vaulting himself over the rail easily, he then bolted to his room as his mother shouted after him to stop running.

Since Iroh was returning, Zuko wasn't surprised they were to be dressed in their finest. Since the Crown Prince was returning that meant they would all be dining with Fire Lord Azulon.

Zuko's grandfather was as much of an enigma now as he was to him the first time he'd done all this. Azulon spoke only to the adults and seemed to only care for Lu Ten and Ozai besides his obvious favoritism towards Crown Prince Iroh. In his heart Zuko felt that the Fire Lord thought of Ozai's children as spare parts to be used only in emergency. There was nothing he could really do about it though. He always knew his family was full of monsters, now he could just see it more clearly than ever before.

Zuko dressed and headed to meet with his Mother and Azula at the entry room to their section of the Palace. When the two ladies arrived Zuko easily slipped next to his sister and took her hand.

Affection was something he'd been constant with when it came to his little sister. It was important to him that she knew he cared. Ozai had put Azula under such intense heat and pressure to succeed the first time around, she had become a diamond. Ursa had mostly ignored her unless it was to tell her to 'behave' or act 'nicer'. Now Ozai's scrutiny was focused almost completely on Zuko and Ursa's attention was much the same. The only person who seemed to pay Azula any real mind was Zuko himself. So their growing closeness was now extremely vital.

Once Ozai joined them the man then led the entire family towards the main dining hall. Azulon, Iroh, and Lu Ten would already be there.

Entering the hall Zuko caught sight of Lu Ten first, he was an occasional fixture around the Palace, but he was now an officer and was preparing for orders. Zuko knew he would be assigned to the Siege of Ba Sing Sei. His first foreign assignment under his own Father's command. That was later though, now, Iroh had returned gloriously from his latest assignment.

Zuko took his seat and listened patiently to Azulon hail Iroh's welcome as was customary. Finally, when dinner began the adults began to converse, Iroh of course was eager to catch up with his family, letters only did so much.

"So!" Iroh smiled, "I hear both my niece and nephew have begun their Firebending lessons! I hope to see what they can do while I'm home!"

Ozai smirked, of course, this was one of his favored subjects after all, "They have both been declared prodigies, first by Master Hao, then when they proved too much for him, again by Masters Kuyou and Lee."

"Ah!" Iroh beamed brightly at that, "You must be proud! I know when I got news that Lu Ten had reached Captain and would be shipping out with me on my next assignment I could hardly contain my joy."

Zuko saw his cousin Lu Ten smile and attempt to hide a blush at the praise, as for him, he had to hold back a snort as Azula indiscreetly rolled her eyes at it all. It was posturing, at least on Ozai's part, and at six his little sister already saw through it. At the end of dinner he and Azula were ushered out by their parents and handed over to the servants to be put to bed.

That night Zuko thought of his Uncle and wondered how to form a bond with him, even if it wasn't as strong as it was before, he was full of love and respect for the man. In any life, Iroh deserved it all. Alas, Zuko was only eight , there was no way he could possibly save Lu Ten.

The best he could do was love Iroh in another life, his real Father, maybe in this life too.

Zuko knew his routine. He knew just as well as he'd know the one in his other life. In the morning he did Firebending, then he ate breakfast with either Ozai or Ursa and Azula, depending on whether or not he was invited to sit with his Father or not.

Then he did his studies, only to go and kidnap Azula for the rest of the Day. Be it for a game of 'Spirit Slayer', as Azula called it, or even for a stick sword fight. There were plenty of activities and games they played. While Azula did like tea parties in which they gossiped and Zuko mocked their Father's praise of them, she was also determined to show she was just as rough and tumble as Zuko. Zuko didn't mind this at all.

It would change soon, in the spring she would begin schooling at the 'Royal Fire Nation Academy For Girls'. There she would finish her schooling as well as learn Etiquette and meet Ty Lee and Mai. Before, Iroh had signed him up for a Sword Master to help him make up for what he lacked. Ozai had allowed it. Now though, Zuko knew he would have to ask for those lessons. It would seem odd that he knew swordplay if he didn't. He'd just pretend to be a prodigy there too. It would probably be no surprise.

So, yes, things would change, but the routine would ultimately be the same. On this day though it was broken. Master Lee had set him to task with far more advanced moves than Zuko had ever done at the age of eight . They too were familiar but it was still intense on his much smaller body. But this was his life now. This is what he had to do.

During the half way mark for the session Zuko noticed he was being watched. Of course, Ozai watched him occasionally, and so did his Mother. But this wasn't either of them. No, this was someone far more familiar and dear. He revealed himself at the end of the lesson, clapping dramatically and walking out of the shadows.

General Iroh was wearing a bright smile and day clothes as he announced his presence and said, "I see why they say you are a prodigy, even I had trouble with such moves when I was your age."

Zuko couldn't help himself, he smiled and could feel all the love he'd ever held for the man threatening to bubble forth, "There are some that are harder but If i work at it I usually get it."

Iroh nodded at them, "Will you join me and Lu Ten for breakfast? That is, if you don't usually take it with one of your parents."

"Father hasn't sent an invitation today, I usually have it with Mother and Azula otherwise, they're used to me not showing up though." Zuko replied easily, "Since Father's invitations are usually unscheduled."

The man chuckled then patted him on the back,"Well, I'll see you when you've cleaned up then."

Happily Zuko nodded and bowed respectfully before dashing off to change. Going to his Uncle's rooms for breakfast was something he'd done a million times in his previous time. When his mother was banished and Iroh returned from war to retire, Zuko would take breakfast with him regularly. Then when he was banished, they ate almost every meal together.

So, finding Iroh's rooms would have been easy on his own. But, since this was a completely knew time line, Iroh had sent a servant to retrieve him. This was just as well. Entering his Uncle's rooms, Zuko was met with the sight of Iroh and Lu Ten, then immediately filled with a sense of painful nostalgia. He had never eaten with the two of them together, this would be a new memory to cherish forever.

Respectfully, Zuko bowed and entered when he was greeted. He sat easily and took in the meal before him. The standard light breakfast of rice and baked fish, Zuko inhaled the aroma and found a hint of the Jasmine tea that was being served in the air.

"How are your lessons going, Zuko?" Iroh opened the conversation and began eating happily.

Zuko took a sip of his tea and replied, "My training is going so fast I can barely keep up, my school work is so slow It makes me want to fall asleep!"

Both Lu Ten and Iroh laughed at his reply. It was Lu Ten though who spoke next, "I felt the same way about it all when I was your age. Then again, I wasn't nearly at the level you've been training. I'm sure the time you get to spend running around before dinner is a relief."

Zuko nodded as his mouth was full of rice. Iroh raised an eyebrow at the comment, "Lu Ten, does Zuko not spend some of that time with you?"

"Well..." Lu Ten trailed off, "He's been pretty scarce for sometime now. Then again I've been pretty busy and may not have had time to play anyways."

Zuko's cousin then turned to face him, "What have you been doing anyways? I've heard some of the Palace guards complaining that you set fire to the drapes in the Sky Room the other day."

At that Iroh released a guttural laugh, Zuko rolled his eyes at the question and replied, "It was an accident. Me and Azula were playing and the curtains may have gotten singed..."

It was a strange thing, most of the things he got up to never happened before, he was such a well behaved and quiet kid vying for his mother's approval and Azula had become a spoiled hellion. Now the two of them had seemed to find a healthy in between for now.

"You two remind me of my childhood." Iroh smiled, "I am so happy to know you have turned your eyes to your sister Zuko. I was almost Lu Ten's age when my brother was Azula's so I know an age difference between siblings is not ideal, but to hear you have taken time to play with your sister is heartening."

A wave of pride flooded through him to hear that his uncle approved of what he was doing.

"She' only six but she's old enough to play most games." Zuko replied easily, "Azula's great at them too."

Iroh nodded and finally cut to heart of the issue, "I am also happy that your Father's previous favoritism for her has not clouded your opinion of her."

Zuko wanted to say 'of course it hasn't!' but even his own mother's opinion had been altered. He was only an eight year old boy. So instead he said, "Well it did make a difference...."

The boy could see that Iroh's curiosity was piqued, leading the man to question, "How so?"

"How do you tame a dragon uncle?" Zuko asked almost innocently and Iroh's eyes widened in comprehension. Lu Ten, seemed puzzled by the turn of the conversation and just sighed as Iroh finally just laughed once more.

"Prince Zuko!" Iroh smiled brightly when he reigned himself in, "Ask me for something! Anything you wish for, up to even my son's right hand."

Lu Ten's eyes widened at the offer, after all Zuko was eight and Iroh was eccentric. It seemed a loaded offer that could easily go wrong. In the past Zuko would have asked for a rain check and then asked his father what he should request. Ozai no doubt would have demanded Zuko ask for Lu Ten's right hand itself. A little further forward he would have asked for the right to just go home. Because yeah, three years at sea being banished really sucked.

But again, Zuko was only supposed to be eight and there was no way this version of him was going to ask his Father about this. And, he wasn't banished so there was that too. Figuring there was also no way Iroh would tell Ozai about the offer either, he decided swiftly to just get his biggest 'current' issue solved.

"An Apprenticeship with Master Pian Dao." Zuko happily requested, "I wish to learn the art of the sword and knife. I fear my abilities as a Fire Bender will make my Father deny my request."

Lu Ten then relaxed so thoroughly Zuko was afraid the young man was going to turn into a puddle and melt away.

"It shall be done." Iroh declared, "A fair request might I say nephew."

Zuko would not ask for more. Not when he knew Lu Ten's fate, not when he knew the throne would most likely be his at the end of it all.

Zuko stood practically immovable. His back was to the fountain in the yard and he was facing a trio of girls that he had once feared to even think about facing alone. The fact was though, they were seven and he was probably far more terrifying to them at this point. In his left hand he held a long stick and his right was readied for any bending Azula may toss at him. Zuko examined the three girls and noticed Ty Lee seemed to be trembling and Mai looked like she'd rather just give up now. Azula though, she looked ready to pounce and rip out his still beating heart. Then again that's how she always looked when they played this game. She hadn't won yet after all.

"Three, two, one, GO!" Zuko shouted and all three girls rushed him.

Ty Lee was easily the most agile out of the three and Zuko had a rather fun time dodging and attempting to poke her and 'Banish her with the stick'. But, it was still not exactly the hardest thing he'd ever done. It was exceedingly hilarious though.

Of course the boy had to keep an eye out for Azula's fire which had increased in power, but was no real obstacle on it's own. Mai sort of just hung back and did her best to slip through any cracks he might leave.

Together the trio would be an unstoppable force against most nine year old boys. But Zuko wasn't actually nine so, while he got a decent workout playing this with them, it wasn't a very difficult feat for him. He had to stamp down the really morbid side of him that thought his actual nine year old self would have killed to just hit these three girls with a stick.

He had banished all three of them at different intervals leading to them all ending up isolated anyways. Absently he felt eyes on him. Their Mother had been busy with correspondence when Azula had gotten home with her two friends, their Uncle was once again off to war. Ozai, was in a war meeting. But that was not supposed to last all day. So it was most likely him. The man watched them a lot, probably with pride at his son beating up his seven year old little sister and her two friends. Prince Ozai was a creep like that.

Zuko happily obliged his silent request for a show. Easily he let Azula gain on him a bit, in order that Ty Lee and Mai could return from their banishment and Zuko could face all three of them once more. When the other two returned he danced around them and Azula's fire. In quick succession he was able to jab all three of them at once.

Of course Azula gave out an angry hiss and pouted at the turn of events. Zuko, who was having a better time than he'd ever had growing up before, gave out an unadulterated laugh, "One more 'Banishment' for each of you and I win the whole game! I thought you said if you all came at me you'd win Azula?"

It was said happily, teasingly, he was smiling and doing his best to convey that he was not being malicious. Just an older brother teasing his beloved sister. He was rewarded when she relaxed and rolled her eyes before saying, "You're so annoying!"

The girl's eyes flickered to place behind him, no doubt to where Ozai was standing. Observing.

"Well maybe if you caught up you'd be less annoyed." Zuko teased and then jabbed Mai with the stick as she came behind him. Easily he spun and dodged Ty Lee, then gave her one last poke as well.

Azula then charged him, happily she laughed, "Fine! I'll show you how close I am!"

The younger girl gave a large blast of fire that Zuko swirled then dispersed before intercepting her with a flame powered kick. Azula of course blocked and tried to send one last burst of flames at him before lunging towards her goal.

A valiant attempt for a girl who was just out of nappies.

Zuko easily twisted, banishing her flames, then thrust out his stick at her as she flew past and successfully did the same to her.

Crying out, Azula landed just short of the fountain and complained with a healthy dose of disbelief, "You're crazy!"

"You're just slow Little Dragon, you'll get faster." Zuko smiled at his baby sister before offering her a hand up.

Azula rolled her eyes and took the proffered help. Easily he held her hand and walked her over to Ty Lee and Mai who had taken seats at the edge of the yard when they had been taken 'out' of the game. Both girls look a bit worse for wear with leaves and twigs in their hair. Absently he noted that Mai seemed to be nursing a sore side from where he jabbed her a bit too hard with his weaponized stick. It was a bit hilarious so he obviously gave at least a quiet chuckle.

Zuko turned his gaze over to his father who had been watching from the walkway that overlooked the yard. The Man looked back and smiled his smile that was more of a smarmy smirk before speaking out, "Zuko, my son, come with me."

Breezily Zuko turned to the girls and nodded in farewell before running and vaulting himself over the rail and landing on the overlook,falling in place next to Ozai with ease.

He could see the curiosity in Azula's eyes but Zuko had began growing used to this. Ozai would occasionally pull him from 'Play Time' to drill him on his bending. He used to do the same with Azula when she had been around ten .

Later, when Mai and Ty lee left, Zuko would just tell Azula what Ozai wanted, they would drink tea and laugh about it then. For now Zuko followed the man silently.

"You spend a lot of time with Azula and her friends." Ozai observed and Zuko was surprised by the sudden conversation but recovered quickly.

"It's more about spending time with Azula. Her friends are alright, but I like to use the time we play as a sort of training so we know how to work together." Zuko was being partially honest, but it was the most he was willing to give. It was what Ozai would expect. He didn't actually think the man would care beyond that honestly. And if he did? Tough luck.

"Perhaps you should have a morning set aside to train together. Once a week perhaps." Ozai stated, "It would help her accelerate to your level."

Zuko wanted to scoff and say 'she's seven, what do you even expect?' but Ozai had always had a dangerous habit of comparing his children. Now though it was Zuko who was male and older who had turned out to be more advanced. Ozai had never shown disdain for Azula in this time. At best he'd shown a casual interest. At worst he'd been bored by her antics.

Why would he care what his younger daughter got up to? Especially when he had a prodigy of a son who was intelligent, clever, and while Zuko was never malicious, Ozai could no doubt see that he possessed a self control that hid his monsters inside.

Zuko had long come to terms with the fact that he could be as much of a monster as Ozai was, but he only let that out once in his life. It was long after the war. When his friends had been staying with him and an assassin had come creeping in the night to do away with the Avatar as he slept.. He had never felt remorse for his actions, that he had killed in the defense of the people he loved. Zuko knew who he was, and he kept his monsters on a tight leash. Acknowledging them and showing them respect was key really.

Ozai escorted him to the Royal training grounds and sat down on a prepared area that was much like the first he had set up when Zuko was only seven. Easily Zuko ran through the drills that Master Lee had 'taught' him in the past week. He jumped and spun keeping himself grounded and his fire in control. Zuko's breathing stayed steady and if the past few years did anything for him, it really helped him review his basics as well as expound on them.

Ozai watched silently as always as his son danced across the yard, flames spinning tightly and smoothly around him. Part of Zuko wondered what the man saw when he looked at him. A weapon? A worthy and divine successor? He would never know his Father's mind and was rather pleased he never really would. It was probably a rather dingy and empty place really.

In the end the entire display was short and as Zuko transitioned back into his resting stance Ozai finally spoke, "Do you think Master Lee has advanced you quickly enough?"

Zuko thought over the question for a moment, "He's kept advancing me steadily enough. I've only worked on this for three days, tomorrow he's teaching me the next set."

"Three Days?" Ozai came nauseatingly close to crowing at the news, "Keep this up and you'll be a master at thirteen."

If Zuko actually rolled his eyes whenever he felt the need to be around Prince Ozai, he had the distinct feeling they'd have already rolled out of his head by now.

"Yes Father." was Zuko's simple and more respectable reply. With that he was dismissed and the boy was determined to find his sister again. Mai and Ty Lee had no doubt left by now it was nearing the evening and they would need to get home a respectable amount of time before dinner. Alas fate had other plans as he bounded down the halls towards his sister's nursery turned play room Zuko was waylaid by his mother.

Princess Ursa came from the opposite direction down the hall, the moment she caught sight of her son she smiled, "Zuko I've been looking for you! You weren't with your sister when her friends left."

"Father called me to check in on my training." Zuko replied happily and his mother's face was suddenly pinched tight. It was a common reaction from her when she'd found he had been spending 'Quality Time' with their father. Honestly he understood perfectly the distaste.

"I see, well would you like to have tea with me before dinner?" Ursa's face relaxed as she offered it.

He had to stop himself from saying, ' no I was planning on having tea with Azula' because this was his mother. It was less of a question and more of a 'let's catch up'. After all, he'd spent much more time with Azula lately.

"Can Azula come?" Zuko asked and couldn't help but feel a bit sneaky. How could a woman say no to spending time with both her children? Azula deserved it.

"Of course, let's go get her." Ursa kept smiling but now it seemed a bit more forced than before.

The two went and retrieved Azula, easily the girl slipped her tiny hand into her big brothers and Zuko felt a surge of happiness well up at the action. They followed their mother obediently to her rooms and practically bounced into place at the table they all normally took breakfast at.

When they were all set, tea was served and Azula asked, "So, what did Dad want?"

Finally Zuko was able to roll his eyes, he put on his customary and semi-mocking voice in imitation of Ozai and said, "Zuko if you keep this up you'll be a master by the time you're fourteen! You're so amazing and strong!"

Instantly Azula dissolved into a fit of giggles at the mocking imitation.

"Zuko!" Ursa sounded scandalized and the boy in question shrunk back. He'd almost forgotten his mother had never heard him and Azula at tea time.

"That is enough. He is your father, show him respect." The woman sighed, her face was worried and her eyes were wide in shock.

Azula frowned at the scolding but Zuko just replied, "Yes Mother."

He would have to make sure only to talk to Azula like that in private. Suddenly he was hit with a realization. It was the face she had pulled when he'd spoken in his silly voice. Princess Ursa was more worried about Ozai's influence on him than Zuko had expected. What with all the time the man spent dragging Zuko around for demonstrations.

Ozai invitations to breakfast had increased to three times a week. The man had even taken to having him show off to visiting dignitaries and their wives. Of course his mother would begin to examine him warily for any and all influence from his father.

The thing was, Zuko was Ozai's son. While he wasn't evil, Zuko had an awful sense of humor he'd inherited from the man. For example, after the war he frequently joked with Aang about kidnapping him. They'd both made jokes about their past animosity, to the point that sometimes people got uncomfortable.

Now, Zuko was comfortable with himself and was going to happily make jokes about burning things to the ground if it made Azula laugh. He wasn't serious, that just how he was. It was a part of himself he'd had to mostly repress when he was young in order to please his mother. After all she thought it was fine to laugh at Iroh joking about burning Ba Sing Sei to the ground, but the moment Zuko joked about burning down a shop, then suddenly he was the one out of control. Of course this was a double standard that came from the fact that Ba Sing Sei was an Earth Kingdom city and the shop was in the fire nation. Zuko was 98 % sure Ursa would have been fine with him making that voice if she thought he was mocking the Earth King or some other such figure.

Zuko was willing to mock everyone that was stupid rather equally. It had made Aang laugh. Hell it made Sokka, Katara, and Toph laugh too. But now he was in the Fire Nation and mocking his foolish Father. So he'd have to limit that or else he'd get in trouble. Oh well, at least Azula saw how stupid it all was. Probably because she wasn't really under the man's scrutiny much. Before she'd have died before mocking him. She'd been scared of what he'd do if she disappointed him then. Ozai had been willing to kill, and eventually ended up burning the face of his first born son. What would he be willing to do to his perfect second born if she showed any sign of weakness or failure? It was chilling just to think about.

This time though, Azula was as perfect as before. He hoped that the comfort of Ozai's apathy towards her would never change into the poison of his disapproval.

"Dad says he'll think about letting us train together once in a while." Zuko changed the subject, "So that we can work as a team better when we're older."

Azula's eyes brightened, "OOH! I can't wait to learn team moves!"

"Hold on Little Dragon!" Zuko laughed, "He just said he'd think about it!"

The girl rolled her eyes, "Of course he is going to let us!"

That Ozai would give Zuko every advantage he could was left unspoken.

"She's been bragging about learning Chi blocking." Azula announced as Zuko arrived at the Royal training Yard. His lessons had run long and when he had asked after the location of his sister, Zuko had been informed that her friends had arrived and they were not at their normal location.

"Is she going to teach you?" Zuko fell easily into conversation with his eight year old sister. Looking over the other two girls he found Ty Lee had plastered on a rather forced smile and Mai was no longer looking at Azula but the target boards at the side of the yard that were from Zuko's knife throwing lessons.

"No," Azula pouted, "She said she can't because she's only started! I mean really!"

The Princess rolled her eyes and looked at Ty Lee, "My brother gave me a Firebending lesson right after his first one ever!"

"That's because he's a genius!" Ty Lee sounded nervous and looked to Zuko briefly as if keeping her eyes on a feral animal before turning her attention back to Azula, "You're not asking Mai for knife throwing lesson!"

"Because Zuko said he'd show me later!" Azula bragged, "He's just started with real knives!"

The statement seemed to catch Mai's attention as her eyes suddenly snapped to look at Zuko.

"I'm only just learning about where to hit! I don't even know any moves!" Ty Lee sounded like she was desperate for the conversation to end, "They won't move me up till I memorize all the important spots!"

Azula pouted at the turn of events and made known her displeasure, "You better try harder! I don't want to learn when I'm ten just ‘cause you're no good."

Zuko bopped his sister lightly on the head and said, "Azula, not everyone can get everything as quickly as you."

Then he just leveled an even stare at Ty Lee, "You'll teach her when you get it down right?"

There was a steady beat of silence before Ty Lee nodded a bit too enthusiastically. It was funny, he had always been Azula's older brother, but the level of nervousness Ty Lee and Mai had exhibited around him had never been common the last time around. Mai a little, she'd had a crush on him, but now she never even looked at him if she could help it.

He was so used to holding himself with quiet dignity as Fire Lord that he'd never shaken it, perhaps that intimidated them? If it was anything else he couldn't figure it out.

"Well then" Zuko began, seeing as the conversation had been settled, "What did you guys plan on doing today, Little Dragon?"

"I don't know why you call me that!" Azula sighed, failing at sounding put upon, "You're not much bigger than me."

"Anything but that 'Spirit' game" Mai finally said, "I'm tired of getting poked with a stick! I got bruises last time!"

The dark haired girl made a noise of disgust and Zuko laughed, "Just because you three are sore losers!"

The trio of girls made grumbling noises so Zuko looked at them slyly, "We could sneak out."

"And do what?!" Azula frowned, "You're ten ."

"Find some public school kids and play whatever games they are." Zuko grinned and raised his brows. Really at this point he was just stealing Aang's life experiences. But he had the advantage of knowing exactly what Azula wanted in the deep recesses of her soul. Even if she herself didn't even know it now.

"That's crazy!" Ty Lee practically squeaked then covered her mouth startled at her own outburst. Once again she took a quick glance at him. Honestly, you'd think he tortured them by chasing them with knives or something.

Mai closed her eyes and said, "If you guys are doing that I'm going home. It's not worth getting in trouble over."

"Zuko!" Azula was nervous, but there was an edge of excitement to her voice, "What if we get caught?"

"Then we better be back before Mom usually comes to get us!" Zuko reasoned, "How bout this, we can go to the HinSing Academy it's only a couple blocks outside of the wall."

"OK!" the Princess finally relented and smiled, "How do we get out?"

"I'm gone!" Mai announced and began making her way towards the path that led back into the palace, no doubt to find a servant to escort her home, "You can come too Ty Lee."

"Yeah, I- I can't." Ty Lee frowned, "It's too much, I don't think your parents would let me over again if we got caught."

The girl then bounded after Mai before Azula could even try to argue.

"Cowards." Azula scoffed then turned her bright eyes onto him, "Look like it's just us."

Zuko smiled down at her, "Yeah."

Sneaking out was easy. Zuko had done it a million times with Aang as an adult. Modifying their escape plans to fit two Firebending children was a piece of cake. The two of them were in their play clothes, so they would simply look like the children of some well off merchant or something. They were still too young to be touted around in more public circles, so it would be easier to escape any questions about who they were.

Azula's hand was tightly wound with his own as he led them down the block to where he knew the children of HinSing tended to play after they were let out. It was a wide stone field that farmers let their beasts of burden rest as they did their supply and stock runs. During the evening it was empty and the children of the Academy would flood it and play soot ball along with many other sports.

When they reached the field and Azula saw all the other children her face lit up like it was her first Solstice Festival.

"Lets play soot ball! We'd dominate!" Azula crowed. Zuko took her hand and led her to an area of kids that looked about her age that were gathered to play the game in question.

"Need two more?" He called out to them easily, "My sister saw you were putting a game together. I'm Lee, she's Lo."

The girl who seemed to be leading them all looked them up and down and smiled, "Yeah, I'm Lin. The Twins Ran and Koko had to go home early.

"You go to HinSing? I've never seen you before."

"We're home schooled and our parents live a little closer to the palace." Zuko did his best to sound convincing, "Lo sees you play sometimes and wanted me to bring her."

Lin seemed satisfied with the answer, she was after all, at most ten years old. She then turned to Azula, "You're on my team Lo, you play left and that guy,"

She pointed to a burly boy with a topknot, "Is playing right. Lee, you can play center for Bo's team."

Gesturing over to another boy with her left hand Lin shooed him off. Zuko gave Azula's head a light pat before running off towards the boy Lin had called 'Bo'. He was tall, lanky, and had cropped hair cut.

"Lin sent me to play center for you." Zuko informed him and offered a hand, "I'm Lee."

"Nice!" Bo crowed, "I had no idea what to do when Koko left! You new?"

"I live that way." Zuko gestured towards the palace. Bo nodded.

Zuko took his place as center for Bo and his eyes found Azula's. His sister looked for the first time like someone had ignited the sun inside her. Ablaze with joy. Her eyes found his and she beamed so brightly it was blinding. Zuko could feel his heart swell. Someone whistled and it was glorious chaos.

They were lucky they had put Azula and him on separate teams. It would have been a slaughter if they hadn't. As it was he and Azula were spinning and leaping about, their Firebending twisting and guiding the ball to their respective team's goals.

Their flames were notably larger and more tightly wound than any of the other children's. It wasn't their fault. They were kids. Zuko and Azula were being raised as child soldiers, these kids had lessons probably four times a week and were most likely at the entry level.

"There is no way you're ten !" Bo screamed ecstatically when Zuko made a rather showy display of twisting flames with his feet and kicking the ball into the opposing goal.

Zuko simply smirked and said, "My sister Lo is eight "

Which led to even more chaos as Azula's team began showering her with praise over how absolutely amazing she was. Azula's eyes found Zuko once more. They were wide and looked glazed over, almost as if with tears.

He smiled.

In the end they did not get caught. No, they snuck back into the palace with about twenty minutes to spare, so Zuko took that time to break out his practice knives. He returned to the Training yard where Azula was waiting patiently and announced, "Ok, "I'm going to demonstrate a couple but you have to stand back or you might get turned into a boarcupine."

With a small laugh Azula rolled her eyes, "You're not even bad at throwing knives! I hear Dad talking about how great you are all the time."

Suddenly her smile that had been so fixed on her face since their game of soot ball had fallen.

"Does he say anything to you Azula?" Zuko's voice was etched with concern but she just shook her head.

"No he just likes talking about you I guess." She replied, "Now hurry up or I won't get a turn."

With a quick nod Zuko threw two knives slowly so his sister could see the motions, "You need to use your whole arm but guide it with your wrist OK?"

The girl nodded, he then offered her a blade and proceeded to show her how to grip it before stepping back and saying, "Alright Azula go ahead."

He felt eyes on them, and figured it was their mother and she had come to get them. Instead of looking back he kept his eyes on his sister. She took a steady breath and threw her first knife.

Zuko watched as it flew through the air and made a solid thunk as it hit the target. It wasn't in the center but the location was impressive for a first throw. He was about to say as much when Ozai's voice suddenly came from behind them.

"Giving your sister lessons Zuko? Does she not get enough when you train together on the first of the week?"

Ozai's voice was filled with something Zuko hadn't heard in entire lifetime, disappointment. The man examined Azula's work, "You have yet to catch up to your brother when bending, it does not do to waste your time with skills that you do not even excel at."

Zuko had to bite back a snarl. Azula was just where she should be, just where he had been when he was eight in this life. On top of that, the fact that she had hit the board at all was so impressive. Yet, Princess Azula cast her eyes down.

Oh he had known. A part of Zuko had always known Ozai had picked on him simply because he had to pick on someone. His words were not as cruel as they had been to Zuko, no at this age he had told Zuko he had been lucky to be born. Ozai had convinced himself that this was him trying to help Azula improve.

It was cruel.

"It's my fault." Zuko suddenly announced, "I promised her I'd teach her what I was learning. I thought since I started a secondary skill around her age it would be useful."

Ozai looked him up and down and nodded, "Well if you want to teach her during your playtime I suppose that is fine."

There was a beat of silence as Zuko went to retrieve his practice knife from the target and put his things away. He almost didn't notice that his Mother was also there, hanging back and waiting for their Father to get them.

For the first time ever they had come to retrieve them together.

Zuko grabbed Azula's hand and guided her to her room. Their parents had left them at the end of the hall and Zuko finally spoke when they reached his sister's room, "Don't listen to him OK? The fact you even hit the board on your first throw was amazing."

If he was older and If Aang wasn't so bent on leaving Ozai alive, Zuko would have happily thrown Ozai into a volcano at the moment.

Azula frowned, "No it wasn't, you hit it closer to the center your first time."

He then rolled his eyes, "That's because you're eight and I didn't start knife throwing until a few months ago. It's all been swords."

"It doesn't matter how good I am, does it? Dad likes you better and that's it. Mom doesn't even like to look at me either...." Azula's voice was small and it wobbled with the sadness of a child who felt like she belonged nowhere.

Zuko did his best to reason with her, "Dad's just blind to how great you are and Mom just doesn't get you... It's not your fault."

Finally he wrapped his arms around this frightened little Princess, "If it helps, I love you more than you know. You're the best little sister I could ever ask for."

In one moment, Zuko's years of work finally paid off as Azula's tiny arms clutched him back and she whispered, "I love you too."

"We've gotta stick together, Little Dragon." Zuko soothed, and began to stroke her hair. She was eight and Ozai was wrong. He should have known the man's apathy combined with Ursa's own trepidation would end up making Azula feel isolated and alone. More so than he himself ever had.

"No matter what?" She asked, the fragility in Azula's voice broke his heart as he replied,

"No matter what."

Zuko tore a loaf of bread in half and handed one of the pieces to Azula. They both wore their play clothes and sat gingerly at the edge of the turtle duck pond in one of the Court Yards. He could vividly remember how Azula fed turtle-ducks in that first life. But now things were much different. She was a whole nine years old and there was change on the horizon that only he, and perhaps Prince Ozai, were aware of.

Azula looked at the half loaf and sighed, "Why can't I just toss the whole thing in?"

"Because you could hurt a turtle-duckling." Zuko laughed, "Besides, it's a complete waste of food if you do it that way."

The princess sighed again, put upon, and began tearing pieces off of bread and throwing it haphazardly into the pond.

"Azula." Zuko couldn't help but smile at her antics.

She looked at him expectantly like she was expecting a lecture. Zuko pressed forward, "How do you tame a Dragon?"

Azula's tiny face scrunched up, "Catching it and showing it who's in charge? Like those people at the circus and their PlatypusBears."

"None of those animals are really tame I don't think." Zuko replied, "I mean, think of how often we hear of them going on rampages or biting their handlers."

"Fine," Azula frowned, "How do you tame a Dragon?"

"You find it when it's young." Tearing a portion of bread from his half of the loaf an gently tossing it into the pond, Zuko began, "You feed it and give it care and love.

"By showing it the attention and giving it protection, then when it is older, you respect it and it will respect you. No one can truly tame a Dragon, but you can be its friend."

Finally he looked to Azula and found her completely focused on him, her amber eyes wide.

"Did uncle tell you that?" Azula did not frown, nor did she scoff, it was a question born of open curiosity.

"No," Zuko replied truthfully, he had learned from the Sun Warriors after all, "That's how Fire Lord Sozin and all the great Benders who had dragons would do it. I read about it once."

The silent contemplation was broken by a servant entering the courtyard and announcing, "My Lady, your friends Miss Mai and Miss Ty Lee have arrived to see you."

Azula looked to Zuko and he nodded for her to go ahead. She cast him a smile before racing of to see her friends. Zuko did not always encroach on her time with them, he was getting older and so were they. Azula no longer felt the need to have him around all the time. She was nine now after all. Zuko continued to feed the turtle ducks until his half of the bread was gone, then absently he picked up Azula's half and began working on that.

He was halfway done with the abandoned half when his Mother entered the courtyard, "I'm surprised you're not with your sister."

Zuko tossed another piece, "She didn't want me to go. I think her friends are scared I'll light them on fire again."

He could not see her face, but he could figure that Ursa's expression was tight and sorrowful. That's how she looked at him now. Like she wished he was someone else. Zuko knew he wished she was that gentle boy he used to be. But he hadn't been that since he was really eleven.

No, he had struggled and fought his way through life. Now he was gentle and kind, but that was beneath the tempered steel of his own resolve. He could not let that kindness show. Not now. Not if he wanted to save Azula. He was so close.

Besides, setting his sister's friends on fire was the least of his planned crimes.

"Zuko, please tell me you didn't actually set them on fire." Ursa's voice was almost pleading, but it was level.

"Then I won't." Zuko looked back at her, then decided to have mercy on his poor mother's heart, "I put them out, it was an accident. Ty Lee just got too close when Azula and I were practicing."

His Mother closed her eyes and finally sat beside him, drawing a long breath. She said, "Was Azula helping you feed the turtle-ducks?"

"You mean: Was teaching her how to feed them the right way?" Zuko had to stop himself from laughing, "Yes I was."

Ursa's jaw tightened and Zuko knew that she wanted to say something. Something like 'There's something wrong with that child'. But Zuko wouldn't have it and the woman knew it. He'd talk back to her, be disrespectful to his own mother if it meant speaking up for Azula.

He'd long since sacrificed his mother's love for him in his quest. It was surprisingly easy. She meant well, but really, she was just as much at fault for what happened to her children as Ozai Of course Zuko loved her. She was his mother. But he loved a version of her that no longer existed, the version who had come home and tried to right the wrongs she'd done to them. This version of Ursa was in the midst of doing them.

They sat in silence as Zuko finished feeding the bread to their pond's residents. It was no surprise how still the whole affair was. Ursa no longer knew how to talk to him. So afraid she was that Ozai had got his claws into the boy.

When the bread was done, Zuko gave a respectful bow, and left his mother by the pond. He had better things to do than sit in stilted silence.

He almost didn't realize what day it was. The day had been so different from the original.

Zuko was in the library when Azula found him, she bounded in and grabbed his hand, "Ty Lee is trying to show me up with her acrobatics! Show her how much cooler you can move!"

With a chuckle, Zuko put a marker in his book and let his sister drag him into the Court Yard with the fountain they had so frequently used in their old game.

"What do you want me to do?" Zuko asked for clarification. Ty Lee looked at him like he was a Dragon and started to creep behind Mai.

"Show him Ty Lee." Azula practically demanded.

Ty Lee, who was dressed in all pink, swallowed hard and came forward. She was obviously wary of the whole situation. The girl was practically shaking. Getting into position, Ty Lee nervously sprang forward, did two somersaults, ending with a twist and landing perfectly on her feet. Zuko raised an eyebrow at the ordeal. He could do it of course. Aang and Ty Lee herself had made sure he could move like that later in his life.

Part of him was kind of completely blown away by the fact that Azula was showing him off, but he put that aside for later. Heaving a put upon sigh, Zuko took a stance where Ty Lee had begun and moved. He gave himself enough momentum to flip three times and end with a twist just as Ty Lee did.

Instantly he could hear Azula crow, "I told you he's just as good! Maybe even better!"

"Whoa!" Ty Lee squeaked, her tone was far from impressed, "That's terrifying."

Zuko turned, looked at her, and felt completely incredulous. The feat itself wasn't exactly impressive, "How is me being able to somersault terrifying?"

Azula began laughing with gusto and Ty Lee looked like her entire life was a lie. Mai just stared at her feet. He never got an answer though, because his mother entered the area and announced, "I was just coming to get Azula but it looks like you're together after all. Your Uncle Iroh just sent a letter from the war front!"

Finally Zuko knew what day it was and felt his stomach sink at the thought of it. It felt too soon, but he knew it wasn't. Mai and Ty Lee were ushered out and sent home. A letter from Iroh was something worth clearing their days for. They almost never got correspondence. Most of what Iroh sent was reports for Azulon to go over. After all, his son Lu Ten was there at the siege with him.

It seemed as if hours passed as they were settled to listen to their Mother read the letter that their Uncle had sent them. She lovingly read each word carefully as Azula and Zuko looked over her shoulders at what their uncle had written.

"If the City is as magnificent as its wall, Ba Sing Sei must be something to behold. I hope you all may see it someday. If we don't burn it to the ground first!" Ursa read, and then, laughed happily at the joke. Azula too joined in the laughter. Zuko could only force a smile this time.

“Until then, enjoy these gifts. " Ursa continued as two servants entered, they were presenting two boxes.

"For Zuko, a pearl dagger, from the General who surrendered when we broke through the outer wall. Note the inscription, and the superior craftsmanship." There was a smile to the Princess' voice as she read the words.

Zuko lifted the dagger from the cushion it rested on. Gently he cradled it, like something precious. An old friend. Deftly he pulled the blade from the sheath and without even reading it he quoted the inscription, "Never give up without a fight."

It was quintessential to the people of the Earth Kingdom. The words were in his very soul.

"And for Azula, a new friend. She wears the latest fashion for Earth Kingdom girls." Their mother finished reading and Azula frowned at her gift.

The girl hadn't played with dolls in years and while Zuko knew Iroh had wanted Azula to at least try to hold onto a shred of innocence, he also knew the girl wouldn't appreciate it.

"If Uncle Iroh dies, then Dad will be next in line to be Fire Lord right?" The Girl's words were the same, but the tone was completely different. It was tinted in a level of wariness.

"Azula!" Ursa scolded in her soft way, "We don't speak that way! It would be awful if Uncle Iroh didn't return."

Zuko frowned but recovered easily and replied with a joke, "Azula, just because he'd rather run a tea shop than his own country doesn't mean Uncle Iroh is going to die."

"I just can't imagine his Royal Tea Loving Kookiness on the throne!" Azula rolled her eyes and laughed, "A tea shop though?! It would have stupid name too!"

"Like the Jumping Dragon." Zuko supplied and watched as Azula lost herself to a fit of giggles.

"Both of you!" Ursa continued in a reprimanding tone, "Iroh is Crown Prince and your Uncle. He just gave you two very sweet and thoughtful gifts! You should show him respect. Besides Fire Lord Azulon is a picture of health."

Azula huffed and held out her doll defiantly before setting its head on fire. Zuko watched the display and walked over to his sister. Gingerly he grabbed the doll's head and put out the fire before yanking it out of her grip.

Zuko then dangled his dagger in front of her face, "Wanna go train with this for a bit?"

The girl's eyes widened happily and Zuko could see Ursa as she shook her head almost sadly as they raced to the training yard. Once there Zuko took one of his smaller knives and pinned the doll to the target. He could feel eyes on them, and wondered if their mother had followed them. A quick swivel of his eyes told him he was correct.

Quietly he whispered, "Sorry Uncle."

Because what they were about to do was pretty rude, and Iroh's absence meant he didn't know how much Azula had grown into her own. Nevertheless, he needed Azula to know he supported her and loved her as she was. Backing away from the target the doll was pinned and Zuko handed Azula the pearl dagger.

"You want the first go?" He smiled at her happily. Azula was a bit less bloodthirsty and conniving now than she had been before, but he had a feeling she would still enjoy a good rampage now and again. It's just who she was.

Azula seized the weapon and pulled it from its cover, weighed it in her hand and then threw it straight through the doll's head.

"Nice!" Zuko crowed happily.

"Thanks." Azula sighed, finding contentment in their activity, "How come you got a knife and I got a stupid doll? Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean my head is full of rocks."

"The last time Uncle Iroh saw you you still played with Dolls." Zuko replied, "And just so you know, I wouldn't have let you throw knives at her if you hadn't already burned her head."

"Why not?!" Azula laughed, "She's practically made for it."

"Because it was a gift." Zuko replied as he went and pulled his dagger from the target, "I guess it didn't serve its purpose if you didn't like it though."

Easily he tossed the weapon and impaled the doll's stomach, Azula watched and replied, "Do you think Dad will be Fire Lord?"

"Azula!" Zuko gently hushed her with his tone, "Don't talk like that any more, the wrong people might hear you and think Dad is planning something awful."

Her eyes widened but she nodded, "I'm just- Uncle Iroh is never here, he's always off fighting. Lu Ten is too now and I just get thinking... When I think of the Fire Lord I don't think of Uncle. I think of Dad and I don't think I like it."

Zuko couldn't help but think that Azula had always been smarter and more observant than many people had given her credit for. Perhaps she really was a 'people person'.

Zuko counted down the days for the next letter. He knew it was coming and its contents were eating him up inside. When it did come he was still not ready. His mother's face was broken as he had remembered as she shed a tear before Zuko and Azula whom she had gathered, then declared, "Iroh has lost his son, your cousin Lu Ten, did not survive the battle."

Azula's gasp at the announcement was like the firing of a canon in a silent room. Zuko swallowed and grabbed her hand.

The rest of the day he did his best to keep busy, after all it wasn't over yet. He ended up sitting in the library while Azula complained to him that he was a stuffy weirdo. They were silent for some time when she finally said, "I heard Mom talking to Dad, Uncle's coming home."

Zuko let the words seep into him, "I figured he would. I couldn't see him staying to take Ba Sing Sei, not when his only son died."

"Do you think Grandpa will be angry?" Azula frowned, "Dad said a 'Real General' would have stayed to burn Ba Sing Sei to the ground."

"He is a real General, Azula." Zuko replied, "Grandpa will probably understand. As much as he likes Dad you know what he's like with Uncle."

Azula nodded and accepted the knowledge for what it was. It was then their Mother joined them and announced, "Your father has requested an Audience with Fire Lord Azulon, best clothes! Hurry."

His sister sprang to her feet and glanced at him, Zuko rolled his eyes making her giggle. The boy then closed his book before tapping her on the head gently and saying, "Yes Mother."

Zuko rushed to change and met with his parents in their front room. Azula took his hand casually as they were led to the Fire Lord's throne room.

Azulon's throne was singular. There were many dais that formed a path before him. The throne itself was elevated to the height of a full grown man and fire that was lit by Azulon himself burned in a row before and behind the throne he sat on. It was a throne built for intimidation and striking fear.

All of them got on their knees and performed a dogenza before their Fire Lord and patriarch. After a suitable amount of time all four members of their family rose and Azulon spoke.

"You sought an audience?"

"I wish to show you the progress your grandchildren have made before we begin." Ozai replied. Azulon gave a wave of his hand to allow it.

Prince Oza smiled and asked, "Children, how was it that Grandfather Azulon was able to take Li Tsu?"

Zuko replied easily, "While they were heavily fortified, with a wall and moat.

"His armies were able to infiltrate the city by draining the water and using the emptied underground aqua-duct network. The city fell in one night."

"Correct my dear son." Ozai replied, before once again asking, "How was it that Great Grand Father Sozin managed to win the battle of Han Tui?"

"Because even though his armies were outnumbered, he carefully calculated his advantages. The enemy was downwind and there was a drought. Their defenses burned to a crisp in minutes." Azula answered just as smoothly.

"Correct." was the only praise Ozai gave. Then the Prince addressed Zuko directly, "My Son, would you show Grandfather the new moves you demonstrated to me?"

Zuko fought the temptation to groan like an actual child. The work he put in never seemed to end. He rose and inhaled deeply before approaching the Fire Lord's throne. Once he was a safe distance away from his family he sprung into action. It was funny he supposed that it was him that Ozai had called upon.

He executed his newest set flawlessly and when he reached his resting pose spoke, "Respectfully I would ask if Azula could aid me in demonstrating the new team sets we've learned."

If he was going to show off, might as well do it right. Zuko really didn't care what anyone else in the room thought. Azula bolted up and bounded forward to join her brother. Zuko smirked at her and they danced. They did their best work together. No matter what lives they were living. When they had finished they both took their places once more.

Ozai was obviously pleased when he praised them and said, "They are truly prodigies. Just like their Grandfather for whom my Daughter is named."

Zuko resisted the urge to offer his sister a high five. Not because he respected Azulon, it's just that he was small and his bending power was still that of an actual eleven year old. Really, he'd be ready to fight pretty much anyone at this point if it wasn't for that fact. Azulon finally spoke again, Prince Ozai, Why are you wasting my time with this pomp?! Just tell me what you want! Everyone else go!"

With his hand he dismissed them, Ursa rose and Zuko followed suite. Azula took her brother's hand as they made their way out of the chamber. As expected, just before they left the room, Azula tugged on Zuko and dragged him behind the curtains that lined the walls of the Fire lord's throne room.

Zuko noted that Azula must have done a lot of creeping around when they were young. She'd make a good spy master really. The first time, Zuko had not stayed for the entire conversation that was had. But now he knows he must listen to it. To steel himself for what was to come.

"Father", Ozai spoke, his voice was soft, almost submissive, "You must have realized as I have, that with Lu Ten gone, Iroh's bloodline has ended."

Zuko swallowed thickly, Ozai was such a fool if he thought he would get what he wanted so close to the tragic event.

"After his son's death, my brother abandoned the siege at Ba Sing Sei and who knows when he will return home." Ozai continued, "But I am here Father and my children are alive."

"Say what it is you want!" Azulon demanded roughly.

Ozai stood then and approached the throne, "Father, revoke Iroh's birthright."

Finally the man fell to one knee, "I am your humble servant, here to serve you and our nation. Use me."

With that Azulon stood, the flames around his throne grew with his disbelief and rage, "You dare suggest I betray Iroh?! My first born?! Directly after the demise of his own beloved son?!"

Azula grasped Zuko's hand tightly at the turn of events as Azulon continued, "I think Iroh has suffered enough. But you? You're punishment has scarcely begun!"

The flames of Azulon's throne grew so bright they were almost blinding as he declared, "Your punishment shall fit your crime! You must know the pain of losing a first born son! By sacrificing your own! Only then will you be free of guilt from your treasonous request!"

Zuko could feel his blood run cold. It was true. He was expecting it to be. It still was a horrifying thing to actually hear.

"Father!" Ozai's voice had an almost pleading edge, "He is a gift and far beyond blessed. To spill his blood would be a tragedy for our line."

"Then it is a suitable sacrifice." Azulon reasoned, his voice laced with bitter anger, "Was not Lu Ten as beloved by his father?!"

"Yes." Ozai could only agree, with that Azulon dismissed him with, "Before dawn the task must be done!"

Quickly, the siblings rushed from the room, their hands bound together tightly like the links of a chain. Upon reaching Zuko's room they finally released each other. Azula was the first one to speak, "He can't do it! We can't let him!"

"How?! I'm eleven!" Zuko replied, he knew exactly how, she just needed to hear them, "Grandfather barely cares that I exist and Dad would do anything to please him right now!"

"You have to tell mom!" Azula concluded and finally Ursa entered.

"Tell me what?" She pressed and Azula looked between the two.

"Dad's going to kill Zuko." The girl declared, her voice was thick with fear and Ursa's eyes widened before she grabbed her arm.

"It's time for a talk!" Ursa frowned and pulled Azula away. Zuko could only watch it happen. There was no way he could sleep knowing what was about to occur.

In the end he was still awake when his mother entered his room in her cloak. Her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of him. Zuko sat on top of his covers, his knees curled up to his chest and his chin rested atop them.

"Zuko."

He looked up to see her in the dark. Framed only by the gentle light from sconces burning low in the hallway beyond his bedroom door.

"Zuko you must listen, my love." Ursa pressed, "Everything I've done was to protect you."

Her voice was practically pleading as she approached him. He hadn't actually expected her to come. Not with the relationship they'd had now. Gently she placed a hand on his cheek, "No matter how things seem to change, never forget who you are."

"Are you saying goodbye to Azula too?" Zuko asked, "Because If you're not you should."

"I don't-"Ursa began in confusion, she obviously wasn't expecting to find him coherent. She had not planned for him to respond in any way.

"She knows you think she's a monster." Zuko explained as calmly as he could, "But she's not. She's scared too. Just like us. It's why I'm always with her, I want her to know she's loved."

His mother swallowed and there were tears beginning to form at the corners of her eyes.

"I know who I am." Zuko declared, "But I don't think she knows who she is yet."

Ursa then kissed his forehead gently and left him.

He waited. Staring at the moonless night through his bedroom window, Zuko breathed and remained quiet. Shadows stretched, dancing around his room as the night went on and when he was sure the commotion had died down, he slid off his bed as quietly as an assassin.

Finding Azula awake caused his stomach to stir and sour. How long had she sat there? What dark thoughts had kept her awake?

"Zuko?" Azula asked, her voice was barely awake and confused.

Zuko immediately went to her and wrapped his arms around her, "I'm here."

Immediately Azula clung back, "Mom was here."

Zuko had to swallow the emotion that was threatening to come up, "What did she say?"

"She said that she loved me." the little girl replied and finally Zuko's tears fell.

"Was it true?" Azula asked, "Does she really?"

"Only she knows Little Dragon." Zuko replied, choking back his tears, "But I know one person who loves you for sure."

"I love you too." Azula replied and it sounded like she was crying.