"Blue Sprit Awakens: Chapter 1—A Happy-ish Birthday (Part 1)

So, I am starting story number deux. Thanks to those who left comments in my first story Fortunately, Unfortunately and for the follows/favorites. You rock! This will be a multi-chaptered story and I am really hoping that as you read you will share anything that you see or like about it. I am really excited about my story because I get to use all of the sarcasm lines in my face to make this story work ;-) I had to break up the chapter into two parts because of all of the disheartening exposition-esque writing in the beginning and the fact that this chapter would have been excruciatingly long. It's necessary I think. Let me know what you think about the story good, bad, or indifferent. I just want to get comfortable writing and telling the stories I want to read. Haha! This is a Zutara story eventually. Actually, more like a Painted/Blue reincarnation situationship...

Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA, any of its characters, writers, its hopes and dreams, the Netflix live-action potential disaster, Nickelodeon, Viacom, a pot to piss in, really...that's kinda depressing.

A Happy-ish Birthday (Part 1)

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep… A low rumbling sigh and a slapped hand on the nightstand signaled the beginning of what was sure to be either one of the best days or the worst days of Zuko Sozin Azulon's life.

Life—that's a funny concept. It signals both a beginning and an end of a delicate dance depending on which side of it you're on. At the brand-new age of 16, Zuko wasn't as secure on which side of life he danced. In his tentative stint of living, he's already had two brushes with death and in all reality, he wasn't so keen on if he was actually living or merely surviving. Time had yet to tell.

December was the least auspicious month to be born as a child of fire in this world. It was just another of the many ways that Zuko's father, Ozai Azulon, was able to confirm his theory that Zuko was "lucky to be born" rather than "born lucky." Ignoring the twinge of encroaching sorrow ever-present and just under the surface of his mind, Zuko inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. Never give up without a fight. He was too stubborn to allow anything to keep him from staying on the proper side of living today. Sadness or no, Zuko had the tiniest hope that this day would be a pleasant or at least a tolerable birthday.

Zuko slid his cell phone into his hand from his nightstand and checked the time. 5:55 That's a pretty lucky number combination. He thought to himself. Just to be on the safe side, he did a web search on the number 555. "Hmm. says, 555 indicates that a change is coming. It could indicate a new period of personal growth or it could mean a physical change such as a house move or new job." he read aloud.

Don't I wish? I'm just not that lucky in life. He thought. "I could definitely go for a new place to live... a new parent, a new sibling, different DNA, a car, a new life altogether…" whispering his desires so as not to be heard by any waiting spirits or beings willing to jinx his day.

His prayer for this moment was to make it to the bathroom before his sister Azula beat him there. His sister usually monopolized the shared space up until the last minute before they needed to leave in order to be on time. Zuko was literally up at the crack of dawn just so that he stood a chance today.

This certainly wouldn't be the first time his sister would rush ahead of him, and more often than not, Zuko would be left standing in the hallway or trying to use the guest bathroom on the other side of the house to get dressed. It was beyond Zuko why their father demanded that he and his sister had to share a bathroom when they lived in a house that needlessly had more bathrooms than people. It was the worst sharing a bathroom with a diva. Especially when that diva was closer to a devil in a red dress.

"Good Morning ZuZu! You're up early." Azula quipped in a sing-songy voice. She looked back at Zuko with a wicked glint just as she slid into the bathroom and closed the door in his face."

"Azula no-o-oh-ho! Please. Come on! It's my birthday. Couldn't I have the bathroom first just this once—Why are you like this?" Zuko pleaded as he pounded on the white bathroom door. The sound of humming, a shower running, and clear ignoring was all that could be heard on the other side. A deep sigh filled Zuko's lungs as he forced himself not to bang his head on a wall. Obviously, someone out in the universe really hated him. Knowing his father was more than likely in his study, Zuko didn't dare go into the guest bathroom today. He was still recovering from the last time he disregarded his father's instructions. He shuddered when he remembered the pain. All Zuko could do was sit on the floor near the bathroom door and wait with dwindling hope that Azula would give him even a few minutes to fix his life. Zuko took the time to ponder his existence in the universe and his family while he waited.

Azula Azulon by most standards was beautiful even if cruelly so. Her angular chin was offset by her large almond-shaped eyes and winged lashes that touched the tops of her cheeks. She was never seen with a single strand of her deep brown silken hair out of place. Only garments from the top designers would ever grace her lithe and fit form. Her full lips always adorned in deep crimson gave nothing away of the sharp tongue and silver enchantments that manipulated the masses of their high school. Azula was athletic, popular and the queen of their high school. Azula was for all intents and purposes perfect in every way in Zuko's mind-His father's mind too. The only thing that would make her more perfect than she already was (in Azula's mind), was if her name didn't sound like a villain out of a Disney © feature film ™

Azula was feeling magnanimous today. The bathroom door opened only twenty minutes after she went in and she was fully dressed and flawlessly made up. Zuko jumped up immediately and stared at his sister as if he had seen an ethereal apparition or holy stigmata. He was still standing with his mouth agape while his sister strode by patting his cheek with her free hand. She remarked with only a hint of sarcasm, "Don't make us late for school today, brother. I'm feeling somewhat generous. It is your birthday after all. I'll meet you downstairs."Zuko continued to stare at his sister walking down the stairs before he quickly snapped out of his stupor. He didn't want to suddenly find himself being locked out again just in case his sister was not feeling as generous as she claimed.

Zuko was honestly no slouch when it came to appearances. He was usually a victim of AMTM (Azula's malicious time mismanagement) when it came to using the bathroom for personal grooming. On those fortunate days when his father was out of town, Zuko would risk running across the house to a guest bathroom with everything he needed in his arms to get dressed for the day. He did his very level best to leave the bathroom as clean as it was before he went in. Most times; however, Ozai always knew when he had been in the bathroom and Zuko was duly punished for his disrespect. Zuko suspected that his sister would see evidence of his cleanliness (e.g. still wet hair, brushed teeth, proper body odor) and report to their father about his disregard for house rules. Still, he'd much rather not go to school smelling something like full metal testosterone, angst, and overnight sweat. The benefits far outweighed the risks in Zuko's opinion.

Zuko looked into the full-length mirror in the bathroom to check his appearance. His sweater accentuated his broad muscular shoulders he inherited from his father and his jeans bespoke of the fit and toned legs hinted underneath. He mussed his deceptively soft, shaggy dark brown hair that hung in his face and covered his left eye. It really didn't matter, since he couldn't see out of that eye anyway. A large burn to his face ruined his sight years ago leaving a grotesque and disabling scar. The scar that marred his left eye was thick, ochre-colored and leather-like. It covered almost a quarter of his face and his left ear which was shriveled and small. The tightly pulled skin narrowed his eyelids into a permanent squint and he was missing his brow and eyelashes.

Despite the scar, Zuko had a handsome profile enhanced by his intense golden eyes and most people didn't notice the scar because they were usually trying to get away from his scowling and grouchy disposition. He didn't care much for people since most let him down on a regular basis with two exceptions: his best friend Sokka Kuvira, and his uncle, Iroh Azulon, his father's brother.

Zuko checked the time on his phone and saw that he had five minutes before he needed to get to the car his father sent for him and his sister daily. As Zuko rushed down the stairs, he saw his sister making her way for the door with her laptop bag on her shoulder and purse tucked neatly under her arm. She didn't bother to check and see if her brother was behind her. "If he makes it, he makes it" was her motto. Zuko looked longingly at the kitchen knowing he didn't have time to grab anything to eat or drink. He snatched his backpack from the coat rack near the door and ran out behind Azula so that the driver didn't leave without him. Looks like breakfast will be at school today. Zuko mused.

The ride to school for the teens was only fifteen minutes by car, but when one rides in intentional silence it can feel like an hour. Zuko gazed out the window watching the brownstone townhouses blur by while wondering what his sister had planned for him. It was only too easy for her to find a good way to wound him deeply and he wanted to be mentally prepared so that her barbs wouldn't ruin his day. His sister's graciousness with the bathroom today was highly suspicious and he knows the day is just getting started.

Azula only spoke to Zuko when her words had the power to stir up chaos or had the desired effect on him. He didn't want to be lulled into a false sense of security. For Azula, knowing that it was Zuko's special day, not saying anything was much more effective in accomplishing her goals. She knew her brother was unsettled at best and somewhat suspicious at worst. She would save her words for when they counted most. Before long, the limousine arrived at the labyrinthian and imposing structure the teens called high school.

Ba Sing Se High School (BSSHS) wasn't a typical high school in the least. This was the ONLY high school in all of Ba Sing Se proper and every student regardless of where they lived within the walled city attended. Most students arrived by bus, foot or monorail. A few fortunate students from the middle and upper rings of the city arrived by car. Students who excelled at the high school despite station or rank would be accepted into Ba Sing Se University on scholarship and had an opportunity to greatly improve their station in life if that's what they needed or desired. The high school was a grand social experiment and for many, it was a blessing. Of course, because of the nature of high school, cliques abounded, and gangs were prevalent, but no one dared cross the lines that their principal Long Feng Hua laid down in the sand.

It was rumored that some students who dared show a hint of rebellion were 're-educated' at Lake Logai and never seen or heard from again. Only one student, Jin On-Ji, shared that she saw a former classmate who had gone through the re-education program at Lake Logai at a restaurant, and he didn't recognize her when she spoke to him. She remarked that he didn't even know who he was. Needless to say, Jin On-Ji was removed from study hall that day and never seen again.

The official story was that Jin had come down with a contagious and mysterious ailment and had to be 'quarantined'. She was to undergo private study outside of Ba Sing Se High. Every student worth their salt knew that she was actually going to be 're-educated.' True to story, Jin On-Ji was never seen or heard from again. Students dared not challenge Long Feng or speak ill of him or anything regarding BSSHS in his presence or anywhere else in the school after that for it was also rumored that Long Feng Hua employed a secret student task force named the Dai-Li to spy on students and apprehend those that were in need of 're-education.' It was at this illustrious institution of higher learning that Zuko would have to attempt with all of his will and might to survive the day while hopefully avoiding his sister.