𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐍 𝐋𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐘 [𝟏] 𝐙𝐔𝐊𝐎

before

    UZUME WATCHED WITH A FOND SMILE as Azula cartwheel in the grass. Her amber eyes danced, and observed the way Azula's pretty black hair framed her face while her hands touched the soft grass. Giggles filled the air, the group of 4 playing in the once before silent garden.

    Uzume let out a soft gasp when Azula fell, unfortunately ruining the routine she had been doing. She knelt down by Azula's side, and took the other girl's hands into her own baby soft ones.

    "Are you okay?" The soft, young girl spoke. Azula looked to Uzume who'd been caressing her hands and nodded, face soft as she gazed into the shorter girl's eyes. Uzume's eyes darted across Azula, the younger girl thinking she was properly beautiful.

     Their staring contest was then interrupted by another girly voice.

    "Watch this Uzume!" A girl with a high braided ponytail then went on to copy what Azula had been doing, sticking the landing. Uzume's smile grew, chubby cheeks almost making her eyes disappear, "So cool Ty Lee."

    Azula's mind had begun to wonder. Was Ty Lee trying to make Uzume like her more then Azula? Why did Uzume think it was cool? It clearly wasn't.

    Azula took her hand from Uzume's and stood abruptly. Her soft face morphed into one of malicious intent as she pushed Ty Lee to the ground, laughing. Uzume looked up at Azula from where she was kneeling in surprise and began crawling to the other girl on the ground who had called Azula's name. Mai sat at the root of a tall tree, looking at her friends with disinterest, though deep on the inside she was smiling, happy with the sunny day.

    The group's attention was then moved from Azula to the slightly older boy walking over with his mother.

    "Azula, Zuko will be joining you and your friends to play." Their mother, Ursa, spoke. Azula at first didn't mind, until she saw the way her best friend's face began to blush, "No way," She shook her head, "He's going to ruin our fun."

    Zuko's smile faltered at his sister's words, really just wanting to play with Uzume.

    The soft little girl spoke up, brushing her shoulder-length brown hair behind her ear, "Come on Azula, let him join. We'll have someone keep count for how many points each team has." Uzume gave Zuko a pretty smile, making him blush.

     Much like Azula, Zuko craved Uzume's attention. The young girl was nice and pretty, Fire Lady material for when he gets older. She spent most of her time with Azula, but Zuko was planning on changing that.

     Uzume was just happy to be there, honestly.

     Azula let out a huff and crossed her arms, anger filling her eyes, "Fine, we can do target practice," Azula stood on her tippy toes, pulling an apple from the tree Mai sat under, "Now what you do is try to knock the apple off the other person's head," Azula made Mai stand up in front of a fountain and placed an apple on top of her head, "Like this." Azula aimed at the apple and shot fire at it, causing it to catch on fire. Zuko began to panic and fell on top of Mai while trying to knock the apple from her head, causing them to fall into the water.

    Azula and Ty Lee began to giggle while Uzume forced an amused smile onto her face. "Aw, they look so cute together." Ty Lee exclaimed in the middle of her giggles. Uzume felt a wave of sadness fall over her. The shy little girl reached out to hold Azula's hand, seeking comfort. This caused the other little girl to smirk, "Don't you think so Uzume?" Azula asked, now looking at her.

    Uzume quickly nodded, not wanting Azula to see her sadness and use it against her. There had been many times Uzume had expressed something, only to be shot down and teased by Azula. Azula then turned her head to her wet brother and friend in the fountain. Zuko made eye contact and saw the evil glint in her eye as she gestured her head to her holding the hand of the sweet Uzume.