Azula hated these social gathering events. Oh the dresses were nice, the food was lovely, and the entertainment was usually spectacular, but the company was positively stale. As a princess of the Royal family she was expected to mingle with her peers, to lead and inspire the new generation of would-be nobles and forge lasting relations between them and the Crown.

Unfortunately for Azula, she was still a child. A gifted and unusually perceptive child yes, but that didn't make her any less beneath the attention of the haughty adults that sauntered the manse, sipping fine wines and nibbling on panda-shrimp cocktail dipped in tomato relish and talking about political matters with each other.

No she was forced to spend time with the other children because her mother said so. It'd be good for you to spend time with others your own age, forge friendships and bonds that will last you throughout your entire lifetime. Her mother had said, then going off on a spiel about how important friendships and even rivalries were in the development of youths. Azula scoffed at that, as if anyone could even hope to match her.

She tried of course, as any good daughter would have. And it was hard; half of them were too dim-witted to even engage in anything resembling an intelligent discussion whilst the others were just too timid, afraid of somehow offending the princess and getting their heads chopped off by the royal executioner. But somehow she managed to make two friends, Mai and Ty Lee, both of whom also happened to be attending the Royal Academy for Girls like Azula.

Across the hall her mother and father were talking to the host of the party, Kiro Hokka, a man with multiple chins and a massive belly. He often wore perfumes and scented oils to mask his rot, but the sweet smell mixed with his odor caused Azula to almost physically gag when she had met the man earlier. And the way his eyes roamed over her, ugh.

Her mother was beautiful as ever, garbed in rich flowing crimson silk, trimmed in gold

Ozai, her father, stood beside Ursa. He was a tall man, broad of shoulders and powerfully built. His face severe, and his pale, golden eyes held a cruel glint to them. Much like Azula's own. Together, Ozai and Ursa looked truly like descendants of Agni, gods amongst mortals.

Azula searched for Zuko, only to catch a glimpse of him talking awkwardly with Mai as the girl stammered and fluttered her eyelashes at the prince.

Azula rolled her eyes and grabbed a panda-prawn from a maid before making her way towards the garden for some fresh air and a change of scenery, one where she was pretty sure was devoid of lovesick girls and oafish boys.

The luxurious estate belonged to the Hokka clan. Their patriarch was Kiro, who threw this lavish feast in an attempt to garner more support and prestige among the other nobles so he could instate one of his sons as a governor in one of the newly founded overseas colony. The ploy was as blunt as a komodo-rhino, any man with half a brain could easily see through it. But Azula gave credit where credit was due, it was quite effective, considering the moods of many nobles in the ballroom.

The gardens were magnificent, flora from all over the Fire Nation and even the Earth Kingdom were planted and grown here. Under the glow of pale moonlight and orange crescent lanterns, it was akin to one of the paintings done by the great masters during the Warlord eras long past. It's beauty was only marred by the drunken party guests that stumbled through it, spilling wine and sake over the ground. It was so large that a small grove of mango trees grew near the back of the garden, just near the edge of the cliffs overlooking the Jade Sea.

Armed guards were stationed near the walls, though Azula thought them hardly necessary considering that the gathering had some of the most powerful firebenders in the land in attendence. Though it did give the place a modicum of power and style.

As she strolled through she was greeted by nobles and servants alike, well, those who hadn't succumb to their drinks that is. Azula curtsied in return as befitting someone of her station. She looked around and noticed that there were no children, only adults. She sighed quietly, perhaps she would be able to enjoy this leisure stroll in peace.

She was halfway through the mango grove when she heard humming. She looked around, no one was in sight- the weak-minded usually avoided groves of trees at night due to superstition, and the sensible ones avoided it because of the spiders. Azula followed the source of the humming until it lead her right under the tallest and thickest mango tree, its trunk easily three to four men wide. A boy sat on one of the upper branches, legs dangling pleasantly, staring at the moon as he hummed a tune. The movements of his leg caused a small bunch of mangoes to fall down on her. She narrowly dodged them as they plopped onto the soft ground.

"Hey you! Watch it! Those mangoes nearly hit me!"

A few moments of silence followed before a face appeared, framed by a mop of spiky yellow hair. His eyes were strikingly blue. They seemed to glow under the slight shadow of the branches. And his cheeks, were they whiskered?

He gave her a sheepish smile, "Sorry about that, didn't realize someone was under me."

"It's fine, whatever." huffed Azula as she dusted herself off, checking if any bugs had attached itself to her person. "What are you doing up there anyways? Shouldn't you be inside with the other children?"

"Could ask you the same thing."

"I asked first." she said, crossing her arms. The two locked eyes and stared each other down before the whiskered boy relented.

"Sitting in this tree, admiring the view, eating some mangos. You?"

"Standing under it, narrowly avoiding death-by-mango."

"Then I you'd better come up here. Less chances of being hit by falling mangoes if you're above them, no?"

Azula pondered the invitation for a moment. On one hand her father would disapprove of this, and on the other she was itching for some adventure. Her explorative side won out in the end.

Cracking her neck from side to side, she took a step back before running at the tree, using her momentum to run up the trunks before back-flipping off of it onto one of the branches, and from there jumping up to grab the branch next to the boy.

Said boy whistled, his mouth full of mango, "That was impressive. Where'd you learn that?"

Azula grinned as she pulled herself up, "Self-taught."

"Resourceful." he sliced off a piece of mango and handed it to her. Azula wanted to refuse as she had already eaten, but saw no harm in taking one bite. She plopped it into her mouth. It was sweet and succulent, nearly melting on her tongue before even chewed it.

"That's one good mango." she remarked.

"I know right? The Yangchen isles are famous for these. My dad visited this place just for these babies." He laid back against the trunk, pointing out towards the sea, "See over there?"

Her eyes followed to where his fingers pointed towards. The tree was high enough for them to peer over the garden walls for a clear sight of the ocean, where the moon hung high above the waters, pale and beautiful as ever. Massive fish the size of small houses leapt out of the water, their scales shimmering in the dark with a rainbow of colours. She recognized them as elephant-koi, docile fish that swum in the waters around Ember Island.

"Elephant koi become bio-fluorescent during the mating season," he explained matter-of-factly. "Hoping to show off their colour patterns to attract a mate. It also makes them easier for predators to catch, so they always migrate in large schools back to their nesting grounds in the southern Earth Kingdom."

Not the most interesting thing she'd ever heard, but still pretty cool. She didn't know such tasty fish could glow in the dark. "How do you know so much about animals?"

He shrugged, "My mom loved animals. That's how my parents met actually; they were elephant-koi riding- which you should try one day, it's pretty fun- when their mounts jumped right into each other, and bam! They were in each other's arms. Dad said it was love at first sight for him."

"And your mom?"

He laughed, "My mom thought he was the biggest loser in the world and punched him in the face for crashing into her."

"Setting aside, that does seem very romantic." Azula giggled, following his lead and lazing back against the cool trunk. The mesmerizing scene and her full stomach was beginning to make her feel lethargic. For the first time she wondered why someone would kill such beautiful creatures, until she remembered the taste of the first time she ate one at Ember Island with her family. The memory almost had her salivating. Mmm...

His laughter brought her out of delicious daydream, "I guess not. But you have to admit; makes for a wonderful story."

He resumed his humming and she listened, both watched the koi. She listened to the hymn. It was familiar, something her mother used to sing to her, yet she quite couldn't place her finger on it."

"The Fox and the Dragon! That's what you're humming." she exclaimed excitedly after a few minutes, pleased with herself with deciphering the origin of the song.

He gave her a smile, "Yup. My mother used to sing it for me when I was younger."

Azula smiled fondly, "Mine did too." and as soon as it came, the smile was gone, "She stopped though."

"Why?"

Azula shrugged, "I dunno." she said, examining her nails, "Maybe she got bored and decided she didn't like singing late at night."

She was lying of course. Azula knew very well why her mother had stopped.

"You're lying."

"What?" shocked disbelief flashed across her face for an instant before recomposing into her arrogant back to it normal. "How do you suppose?" she said, hoping to sound as nonchalant and unperturbed as she looked.

He wasn't falling for it, "I can spot out liars a mile away, and you," he pointed at her, "Are a liar. So why won't she keep singing to you?

Azula's fell silent, judging whether or not it was a good idea to tell some random boy in a tree about her family issues. But then again, who better than a complete stranger?

"It's not the lullabies that have stopped; the hugging, kisses, and even sometimes she wouldn't even talk to me." she expressed, "And she always looks at me with these eyes, like she's disappointed and afraid of me at the same time."

Azula was glad they were up so high in this mango tree, as no one could hear or see the tears running down her cheeks. The boy reached into his pocket and handed her an orange handkerchief embroidered with a swirling pattern.

Accepting it gratefully she used it to dry her eyes. "Well, do you want her to keep singing to you?"

"Yeah." she said honestly, "I do."

"Then you should ask her to." He said it as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. "Besides, all mothers love their children no matter what. My mom once said that a mother's love was more powerful than anything that exists on this world, or the next. It lasts forever, and that nothing could break the bond between a mother and her child."

He said it with such conviction and intensity that Azula was beginning to believe it too. Hope sprung from her chest. It was a strange, but pleasant feeling. "Y-you really think so?"

"Of course I do, believe it!"

Azula didn't respond, though a small smile crept up on her face, a genuine, peaceful smile that she hadn't worn in a long time.

Azula didn't know whether it was the food or the honeyed milk or just the late night, but she was beginning to get drowsy. She stifled a yawn as summer breeze wafted through the trees, rustling the leaves. Up here she felt like she was in a different world, away from the politics, uncaring adults, societal pressure, her father. She almost wished for it to never end.

They stayed like this for a while, enjoying each other's company as the boy hummed and the Azula listened.

"You'd make a good monk, you know." she mumbled, breaking the trance.

"Why do you say that?" he grinned.

"Your presence is so soothing, and you're good at getting people to tell you about their problems. Maybe you should shave your head and start preaching about the Eternal Sun." she joked. At least it was her attempt at a joke- Azula wasn't known for her sense of humour.

The boy laughed at it anyway. "I don't think my dad would be happy about that. He wants me to follow in his footsteps."

"Why? What does he do?"

Before he could answer they were interrupted by her handmaiden, "My lady! My lady!" cried out Yumeko frantically from somewhere in the gardens. "Oh Agni where could she have gone, prince Ozai will have my head for this!"

She continued calling out to her, to the annoyance of both party-goers and Azula alike, seeing as how the aide earned a few boos and 'shut it's from the garden. Azula groaned and opened her eyes. She knew just how unrelenting Yumeko could be, and she was one of the few servants who did not fear Azula.

"I should get going. Yumeko, my maid, is calling for me." dropping down into a mock-curtsy, "It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Likewise."

And with that she leapt off the tree, landing lightly on her feet despite it being over twenty feet drop. Taking one last glance up the tree, she went off towards the direction of Yumeko's voice.

"Princess!" exclaimed the handmaiden, rushing towards the Azula, "There you are, I have been looking everywhere for you! The royal palanquin is waiting for you, to take you back to your father's ship."

Azula nodded, letting out a yawn. Agni she was sleepy.

As if echoing her thoughts Yumeko grinned slyly, "Ahh, someone's tired, ready for a good night's rest princess? You have a big day tomorrow! The tour of the Yangchen isles has only just begun!"

Azula drowned her out as the woman listed off all the fun things and important people her family would have to see. As they entered the back into the residence, a tall, yellow-haired man stepped out. He was clad in a standard fire nation armour, though the golden trim and flowing cape marked him as a high-ranked officer. A golden dragon insignia was pinned on his left breast.

"Excuse me, have you seen my son? He's about this tall, three stripes on either cheek, wearing red robes, a pendant like mine and- oh! And he's also got my dashing good looks!"

Azula stepped back from the strange man while Yumeko stepped forward, hearts on her eyes as she looked up to the handsome stranger. Before either could say another word Azula decided to end it before Yumeko could embarrass her, "He's in the mango tree near the northern wall watching some elephant-koi."

"Ahh yes, the annual elephant-koi migration. A sight to see indeed. Well, I'll leave you two to it. Thank you for the help."

And with that he made his way to the mango tree.

Azula shook her head, "What a strange family." she muttered under her breath.

Ursa walked through the halls of the ship in her nightgown. Ozai was still out, no doubt discussing political and military matters with the other noblemen. She had left soon after her children, not wishing to stick around as the men played cards and talk. High society was so troublesome.

She opened the door to her chambers. Ozai had scarcely slept in the same bed as hers after the incident. And not that she minded, she despised him with all her heart for what he did and threatened to do. She sat down in front of her dresser and began combing her hair. A pointless task, considering she was about to sleep, but it did help deal with her stress.

Ursa would have left long ago were it not for Z- her children, she reminded herself. Azula was hers too, no matter how much she was like her father.

Suddenly knocking could be heard from her door.

"Who's there?" called out Ursa.

No one answered. She thought she misheard the noise until a little voice spoke out from behind the doors, "It's me, Azula."

The woman relaxed and went to open the door. Her daughter stood outside, dressed in a pink nightgown similar to her own. Her head was slightly lowered, but her eyes looked up with an nervousness Ursa had never seen in her own daughter.

Azula seemed to be deciding her words carefully, "I may have some trouble sleeping."

The woman studied her, searching her face for any hidden motive behind this late night meeting. Was it a practical joke of some sort? An ulterior motive? "I can have the servants bring you a glass of warm milk, if that will help you." Her voice was hard like steel, communicating to her daughter that she wasn't in a mood for nonsense.

The child shook her head and didn't say anything. Ursa sighed impatiently, "Azula is there something you would like to tell me?"

The little girl mumbled out something unintelligible.

"I'm sorry what was that dear?" said Ursa as she crouched down so that she was able to hear her daughter better.

Azula's eyes stayed cast down towards the floor, "I want to hear about the Fox and the Dragon." she murmured. "That song you would sing me when I was younger."

Ursa shook her head, "I don't think Yumeko or any of the other servants know that ballad, it's pretty old and only popular on the island where I came from."

"I don't want Yumeko or the the others. I want you to do it." she pleaded. "Please mom? I missed you."

And as if a dam had broken loose, Ursa was doused head to toe in guilt, shame, and self-loathing. Ever since the incident with Ozai and his subsequent cruel treatment of Zuko, Ursa had become more distant and withdrawn from her youngest child, opting instead to comfort and protect her son from Ozai's cruel insults. Azula herself had only made it worse when she followed her father's example, belittling and taunting Zuko at every turn.

Ursa had truly viewed her as Ozai's child then, as Zuko was hers. Yet she forgot that like Zuko, Azula was still a child. A vicious, vindictive child maybe, but still a child, and bereft of a mother's love. Small wonder she clung so closely to Ozai and his teachings- he was the only one who showered with with attention and praise.

A single tear rolled down her cheek. She had failed in her duties as by favouring one child and neglecting the other.

Putting a pained smile on her face, Ursa cupped her daughter's cheek and then pulled her into a tight embrace. "Of course, love." Her tone was now soft and soothing, "I'll sing you the Fox and the Dragon, Little Jing's golden ball, and any other songs you want. The night is ours."

Ursa felt her shoulder become wet as Azula sobbed. Breaking off from the hug, she looked into her daughter's eyes. A marvelous amber colour, they were Ozai's eyes. How such beautiful eyes could belong to someone so evil, Ursa would never know. But as much as Azula was like Ozai, she wasn't. Those teary eyes in front of her still held glimmers of youthful innocence and childlike wonder. And Agni be damned if Ursa was going to let him corrupt it.

A/N- This should really be at the top, but I do not own rights to Naruto and ATLA. First story in a long while, writings still a bit messy and sorry to you guys who actually read till the end because the format is funky. I did the original draft on google docs but then edited here, and that didn't seem to go very well. Hope you guys like it! Constructive criticism would be extremely appreciated, I'm looking to improve. Even if you think its small, share it please.