I'm very much team Zuko, but I really loved this look into Azula's mind. I feel like you have captured her character perfectly. Both children really were failed by their parents, only in different ways, and sadly they probably won't ever truly understand one another, at least not for a long time. I've never read The Search, so I can't comment on how it compares, but I really loved your take on Azula.

You’re writing style is wonderful, and I love it, but I have to disagree. Zuko was just as much of a victim as Azula was. He had a part in Azula’s descent into madness, yes, but that “part” he played was being unobservant enough. Which happens. Often. Example being families who don’t notice their loved ones sinking into depression until it’s too late. Not forgetting the crucial fact that Azula always talked him down and belittled him unprovoked ever since they were little. You addressed that issue as her using Zuko as her “outlet” in this fic, but that doesn’t change the fact that she still tormented him and hurt him. Kids always fight, especially siblings. And I don’t know about you, but if I were a child and has a sister who constantly taunts me (and not in the normal way of taunting, more like the serious kinds of taunts like “Dad’s gonna kill you!” and SMILING AS YOUR DAD BURNS HALF YOUR FACE OFF) who also expresses little to no empathy (when she casually talks about how if Iroh died Ozai can finally ascend the throne), I’m not gonna be that caring to her either, seeing as she doesn’t even express care for me in the first place. You mention that Zuko didn’t really care for his sister, but Azula didn’t show care for Zuko either. In fact, she even provokes him all the time for no reason. With that in mind, how do you expect Zuko as a child to be so magnanimous and be a wonderful older brother to someone who’s a horrible younger sister to him? That’s absurd. Azula doesn’t even show remorse and outright tries to kill her brother. You see Zuko actively trying to kill Azula? No. However, one can argue that she turned out that way because of Ozai, but that’s the thing. They were both manipulated and abused by Ozai, in different ways, but it’s still abuse. Azula was favored by Ozai while Zuko was disgraced by him. Granted, Ozai didn’t really care about Azula. He used her, but he spoiled her and praised her and approved of her. Ursa favored Zuko, and neglected Azula, but she still loved her. She favored Zuko because Ozai mistreated him. As a result, Azula thought she didn’t love her, and was hurt. That was a big part of Azula’s spiral into insanity, and that’s exactly what it should be. Blaming Zuko for Azula’s descent into madness is just blaming one victim for the predicament of another when really, the blame is all on Ursa and Ozai. They were the bad, no, horrible parents, they were the ones who caused Azula to become crazy. End of story.

On the one hand, I can completely understand what went down. And you're right, author-san, that Zuko had a big role to play in how she turned out. Although I would argue that it's hardly unexpected with how f**cked up Zuko was during his childhood. I mean, it's not the obligation of siblings to fulfill a parent's role. Yes, Zuko could've been a better brother, and he could definitely have shown her more love or affection or even just some empathy, but children rarely can wrap their head around the things that aren't obviously apparent. Watching any episodes of Zuko's childhood, he wasn't very observant and he was horribly soft, so he took all of Azula's barbs and jabs at face value and never wondered about the reasons behind it. Which, he was a kid. It's understandable. So I would still argue that blame still falls on Ozai because he's such an abusive asshole to both kids, and Ursa because she coddled Zuko and cast Azula out to dry. Treated one too softly and the other like a monster.

So yes, Zuko wouldn't understand. But Azula probably will never understand Zuko either. That ship has long sailed.

You have enlightened me.
Ursa's favourite was Zuko
Iroh's favourite was Zuko
Ozai was a madman whose idea of perfection was himself
This makes so much sense.
(By the way, now you've made me greatly dislike Zuko)

That is so true-ish

O-O ... Woah. Intense.

I have the exact same issue with my big bro and little sis. *shrug* it happens.

I love your writing style! :D.

Very nicely written, much alike the content. My only concern would be that we have here a study of post-breakdown Azula about herself... which is not in the viewpoint of Azula! This should not have been written in third person, and the wasted potential of a good ol crazy inner monologue is just too much to let it slip. Id consider a rewrite, you could even make it compatible with the Search trilogy if youre at it, but thats none of my business.

This was a great read and I loved how you portrayed Azula and her thoughts on Zuko. I do admit that before, when thinking of Azula losing her sanity, I thought of Ozai and Ursa but you're definitely right about Zuko taking part in it too, so thank you for that.

This is exceptional. I have no criticism. Nicely done.

I remember reading this before I had an account. And just reading it again, I still enjoyed it. I think you portrayed Azula very accurately. Well done.

Interesting. And very realistic.

Hmmm… Y'know, I always thought that EVERYONE had a role played in her insanity(?).

Zuko: for saying 'Azula always lies' & isn't he yelling at her? Plus theirs his outlook on life. Cause not everything is black & white, as someone really important once said.

Ursa: She didn't really show any great love to her that much from my observations. Zuko was her FAVORITE. And don't you just get crush when your OWN mother doesn't even take the time to SIMPLY talk with you?!

Ozai: she was never 'excelent' enough for him.
Always had to be the 'perfect' child. Always having to live up to expectations while your other sibling ,who is OLDER , doesn't have ta do all of the things placed on your shoulders and is the favored one of your mother. Cause a mothers type of love can never be replaced.

Iroh: he has a favorite. Did he ever really talk to her? Sure, he showed pity but I don't think she'll ever really accept that.

This is quite an apt study of Azula. I enjoyed it as I always enjoy your work.
Now, to the corrections:
The transition between the first and second paragraph is a bit rough. In the beginning, I thought that Azula was talking instead of a third party- due to the use of the "zuzu" nickname. Perhaps you should make that more clear.
Secondly, the use of parentheses in your story is a bit excessive. It tends to render the flow too choppy, making me want to skip those parts entirely.
Otherwise, it's great. :) The comment about Zuko being an outlet for his sister, it gave me one of those "that's so true" moments.

You should create some spinoffs to this one, Azula's perspective is really fascinating here ...

I kind of wish it wasn't completed, though that isn't something that can be fixed.