Azula's Recovery - Avatar: TLA

9.3 - Azula

The next morning, Azula marched purposefully towards the dining room. She was exhausted after spending the entire night combing through records of all the noble-women and daughters that Zuko could possibly have a chance with, and writing a huge list.

Azula wasn't exactly sure what was going on with Mai and Zuko, but her traitorous self still wanted to see the two of them together. It didn't matter either way, she'd sworn to hunt down every single possible suitor and ensure that they were worthy of Zuko, and the position of Fire Lady.

She entered the dining room to see her family already seated. Zuko laughed with Noren while Kiyi showed her little flames to her mother, complaining that they weren't blue yet.

Azula barked a laugh, "Blue fire is very dangerous Kiyi. You need incredible focus, skill and drive to generate it, and even more of those things to control it. It took me many years, and lots of painstaking sessions practicing and burning myself and instructors."

"Oh," Kiyi's mouth formed a small 'o'. "Maybe I'll just...not do that."

Ursa's face had gone white with worry, but Azula was already sitting beside Zuko and shoving her scroll in front of her face.

"Hey!" He pushed it back, "What's this?"

"A list of any and all potential suitors."

"Oh..." he swallowed, "And, you are showing this to me because?"

"Because I'm going to be investigating all of them. I want to be sure that my future sister-in-law is worthy of being Princess of the Fire Nation. After all, that is my title too, I refuse to share it with some annoying, ridiculous bimbo. Anyway. Are there any you want me to cross off right away?"

Zuko gave her an annoyed look, "I'm not answering that."

Azula huffed, "Well I'll just have to look into all of them. All right. Next: what qualities are you looking for?"

Noren laughed and Ursa slapped his arm.

"Zuko! You didn't tell us you were getting married!" Kiyi shrieked, "Can I come to the wedding?"

Zuko turned a brilliant shade of red and Azula couldn't hide her smile. Teasing him never got old.

"No! Kiyi I'm not...not yet. We're just...thinking about it."

"But what about Mai? Weren't you going to marry her?" Kiyi crossed her arms.

Zuko groaned and rubbed his face, "Do we have to do this now?"

"Yes. Suki and I are leaving soon to begin our search. Come on, qualities. Now."

"I have some suggestions!" Ursa said excitedly.

"Finally! See Zuko, it doesn't have to be hard. Alright, go." Azula turned to her mother and pulled her pen up to take notes.

"Kind, but not a push-over, she needs to keep him on his toes," Ursa grinned, "and someone calm – I know how stressful being Fire Lord can be. You need someone level-headed and cool under pressure."

"Uh huh," Azula said as she wrote those things down. "Anyone else?"

"Pretty!" called Kiyi, "And fun, so we can play together."

"Mm-hmm, good choices."

Zuko groaned again.

"Family focussed?" Noren suggested.

"Yes! Excellent. Come on Zuzu, you're next," Azula poked him with the pen.

He huffed, "Uh...independent? Interesting? Someone I can enjoy being around..." His tone became wistful, and his eyes turned distant. Azula was ready to bet a good amount of money on what, or who he was thinking about.