Chapter Text
Azula was nine when she first met him at the birthday celebration gala of Fire Lord Azulon. The son of an important admiral, Admiral Hayashi. The boy's name was Kaito, Kaito Hayashi. His father was loyal to Prince Ozai. Even then, Ozai was making connections. He used his perfect daughter to build bonds with sons and daughters of important people, people who could convince Fire Lord Azulon to make Prince Ozai Fire Lord.
Azula was forced to spend the night, mingling with the poor sod. He had black hair and striking golden eyes, courtesy of the Fire Nation. She'd much rather spend time with Mai and Ty Lee, fooling around, playing mean pranks on the servants. However, Father said it was unbecoming of her. So she restrained herself. The boy was bearable. He was silent like Mai. He showed proper respect. He even gave her a golden jasmine flower hairpin. He said, "Your Highness's beauty is calm and sharp, similar to this hairpin." He was really like a dog, licking her shoes. She liked it. So she entertained him, longer than she liked, but he was relatively good company. I didn't see him again until after the incident.
Not to mention, Father was pleased with her, he said Admiral Hayashi was fond of the bond between the princess and his son.
Unlike Zuko, who made a fool of himself. He tripped over his shoes when he walked towards the daughter of Colonel Wang. Colonel Wang was a supporter of her fuddy-duddy uncle, Father was convinced that the man could be swayed to his side, perhaps with Zuzu's apparent lack of charm with his daughter.
After the party, Father took Zuko aside and left a burn on his arm. Hidden away by the long sleeves of his outfit. Mother found out, and she argued with Father the whole night.
It was annoying.
Mother looked at her funny when she told her about Zuzu's ugly crying face after Father burned him. As she walked away, I heard her mutter, she truly is her Father's daughter.
I was Proud. Father was the greatest fire bender. Father didn't look at me funny or ignore me when Zuzu was hurt.
Father was fair.
Kaito watched Azula leave. His voice seemed to call out, "Bye."
He wasn't sure if the words made it out of his throat or not.
But deep down, he thought, "Stay...please."
She didn't.
Azula felt Kaito's gaze on her back as she left. "what a menace." She thought, annoyed.
Something Zuko did made his eyes go cold. She wondered what she looked like in his eyes.