Azula week, day 2- motherhood.
"You are such a loser, Zuzu!" laughed the little girl as her big brother fall on his back.
"Shut up, Azula!" screamed the prince, blushing.
"Why, what will you do to me? You can't even firebend." she teased him.
"Sure I can! I can firebend just as good as you can!"
"Oh, yeah? Prove me, then!"
Zuko looked stressed. Azula smiled. She knew he doesn't want to do this, but he will, and when he does, he's gonna make such a fool of himself.
"I-I..." he looked around, looking for a rescue.
"I knew it." she laughed. "You're a cowered."
"I'm not a cowered!" screamed Zuko, blushing even more. "I'll show you!" he stood up and breathed in, entering basic position. He moved, punched the air, and all that came out was a bit of smoke.
Azula laughed again. "You are such a weakling, Zuzu!" she jumped forward, rising her hands. A single flame came out from each of her fingertips, and she smiled, sending the fire swirling around her terrified brother.
"Stop it!" he screamed, getting away from the fire.
"But I don't want to." smiled Azula, narrowing the flame circle.
"Azula, quit it!" he pled. "You'll lose control!"
"No, I won't." she said, and it was true. "Maybe you can't control such fire, but I can. You're just weak."
Someone gasped behind her. "AZULA!"
Azula sighed and turned, facing her furious mother.
"Why is she so powerful? It's not fair!" screamed Zuko, hitting the bed with his fist.
Ursa kept quiet, letting her son express his anger.
"Really, mom, why?" he cried, and turned toward her, tears rolling down his face. He was as handsome as his father, with his silky black hair and beautiful golden eyes. But the prince had another thing in his eyes, thing that was never there in his father's- his eyes were full of kindness and sorrow. "Why? Why is she so mean? What is wrong with her?!" he screamed.
"Zuko, don't talk about your sister like that!" said Ursa. "She's only jealous of you."
"What is there to be jealous of, mother?" he asked, his eyes filling with new tears. "She's right, isn't she? I am weak. I can't even firebend without messing it up. I'm nothing but a failure."
"Zuko, look at me." he raised his beautiful golden eyes again. "Never call yourself that. Never. You are so much more. You are a good person, and your heart is kind. You are my son, and the prince of the fire nation, and I promise you that one day you'll also be a great firebender. You are special, and you should never forget that. Let me handle your sister." he smiled at her, hesitating. "You really think so?" he asked.
"Of course I do. You're my son." smiled Ursa. "Now go to your bed. I've got some stuff to do."
"You hate me."
"What?" Mother turned around.
"You hate me." repeated Azula, stopping the tears. "You think I'm a monster."
"Azula!" cried mom, kneeling beside her. "Why would you say such a thing?!"
"Because it's true!" screamed Azula. Mom hate her, she knew it, she saw it in her face every time their eyes met! "You never loved me, you always liked Zuko better! You hated me from the moment I was born, because I was strong!"
"Azula, I never hated you."
"You're lying! You always lie! You never loved me and you never will! You only care about Zuko!"
"Azula..." started mother quietly, but Azula didn't listen. "You always go to him first! You always treat him and hug him and help him like he's special. You always smile at him and encourage him and never does so to me! It's unfair!"
"Azula, I..." started mom, but Azula turned away and ran.
Mother was lying. She always did. She never loved Azula, because Azula was proud and strong. She feared Azula, because Azula was powerful. And wanted to hate her for it. She wanted so much, but couldn't.
Ursa couldn't get the words out of her mind. The way Azula spoke, the way she looked at her...
"Sweetie?" she opened the bedroom door. No answer came. "Sweetie, are you alright?"
No answer. Ursa opened the door fully and entered. The princess lied in her bed, sleeping. She looked so peaceful, so gentle, and her cheeks were wet and glittery from tears.
"Oh, Azula." whispered Ursa, looking at her daughter. "I always loved you. And always will."
She knelt next to the bed, and kissed the girl's forehead. "You are my daughter, Azula. And I love you."
