Chapter Text
Azula sprinted through the streets of Ba Sing Se, being branded as a criminal had her doing this a lot, and the Earth Kingdom police didn’t seem to like her any more than the Fire Nation ones. She briefly looked back to see the soldiers run around the corner of the thin alley. The brief aversion of her gaze made her slam face first into a boy. She fell back onto her ass, looking up at him, then looking to the tall women behind him with horror as she saw who it was. Her mother.
The guards caught up to Azula finally. “We’re sorry for the inconvenience Madam Ursa, please step back so we can take it from here. This woman is suspected to be an international criminal, she’s highly dangerous.”
Ursa recognised her daughter quickly, she hadn’t kept up with Fire Nation politics since the war ended, but Azula’s scared look let Ursa give the girl the benefit of the doubt that this was all blown out of proportion. “This
girl
is Minh, she’s a girl from my orphanage, has she actually done anything wrong? Or are you harassing her for having a lookalike?” She asked.
Azula was stunned, even more so when the boy seemed to corroborate her story. “Yea! Let her go! She hasn’t done anything!”
The guard seemed to second guess herself, “Well, we’ve been following her around for a few hours now and she was just caught stealing a loaf of bread.” Azula was still gripping the loaf, though it was all dirty from hitting the floor with her.
Ursa looked down at the loaf and sighed, she rooted into her purse and held out a few golden coins. “If I pay for the loaf, will you let her go?” She asked.
The guard looked between her fellow guards then back at Ursa, “Do you have any identification papers for her?” The guard asked,
Ursa shook her head, “Her village was burned down by the Fire Nation in the war, she didn’t have time to take her papers with her while she was fleeing, did you Minh?”
Azula quickly stood up and faced the guards, “No, I didn’t.” She said.
The guard relented, taking the money, “I suppose we can let her off for a warning this time, but we won’t be so lenient next time, so,” The guard turned to Azula, “Don’t make this a habit.”
Azula quickly nodded, “Thank you, I... I won’t do it again.” She gave a little bow and watched the guards leave. Once they were out of sight let out a sigh of relief, though her respite was short lived as she heard the familiar scolding voice of her mother.
“Resorting to petty theft, are we now, Azula? This is a big step up from stealing mochi from the kitchen cabinets.” She said.
Azula jumped a bit, turning to face her mother and the boy with her, who was holding several shopping bags. “I don’t exactly revel in the experience.” She replied.
The boy looked up to Ursa, “You know her?” She asked.
Ursa nodded, “Let's go home, I’ll explain later.” They started to walk, Azula didn’t think to follow until Ursa followed her. “You too, Azula. We have a lot to talk about.” It was a long, quiet walk. Ursa walked in front, Azula trailed behind, the boy did too, seemingly out of curiosity,
“So, you’re Azula huh? I’m Jet. What’s Ursa to you?” He asked.
“She’s uh, she’s my mother.” She said, nearly making Jet drop the bags. She rolled her eyes, “You’re gonna swallow a fly if you don’t close your mouth.” She chastised.
“Play nice, Azula.” Ursa warned.
Jet was shocked, “So, you’re like, a princess then? Why’re you stealing loaves of bread from a stall in Ba Sing Se?”
Azula finally threw the dirty loaf in the bin. Ursa sighed, “Don’t go poking at people’s pasts Jet, unless you want them to start poking back. We’ve talked about this.” Jet went quiet, Azula didn’t answer. They were quiet until they reached the large building.
Walking in, Ursa was flooded with kids of all ages. Azula was a bit overwhelmed by it all, and it wasn’t even aimed at her. One of the little girls pointed at Azula, “Is she our new sister!?” The girl asked.
Ursa laughed a bit, before unloading the groceries onto the kids to put away. “I’ll introduce you all later at dinner, go and put these away for now.”
Jet sighed in relief as his arms could finally rest. They all walked into a quiet room, Ursa closed the door behind them. Azula sat on a large comfortable chair, Ursa did the same, Jet chose to stand. “You’ve made quite a living for yourself.” Azula commented, looking around at the mansion. “Upper ring of Ba Sing Se? You’re nearly better off here than you were back home.”
Ursa sighed, “It’s nice to see you haven’t changed much.” She said.
Azula scoffed a bit, “I’ve changed plenty, clearly so have you, when’d you decide to be a mom? Was it right after you left? Or did you wait a few days just to pay respects.”
“Azula please. I did my best.” Ursa said, “You weren’t an easy child to parent.”
Azula leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “You’re not meant to give up just because it’s hard, if I were a mom-”
Ursa cut Azula off, “But you aren’t a mom Azula, and you don’t understand the circumstances I was in, and I hope you never have to.” Azula was a bit stunned by the bluntness. “If you think I didn’t care then I don’t know what to tell you, I’m sorry I couldn’t be what you wanted me to be, I don’t know what you did to get here, but you're welcome to stay here for as long as you want to.”
“What's the catch?” Azula asked, suspicious.
“Stop stealing things, don’t get in trouble with the law. If you want something just ask for it.” She said.
Azula didn’t buy it, but it was better than sleeping on another doorstep and getting kicked in the ribs as an alarm clock. She let out a sigh, “Fine.” She agreed. “I’ll stay a few nights.”
Ursa smiled a little, “Good, I look forward to catching up.” She said, standing up. “Now, I’m going to go put dinner together, Jet, be a dear and make Azula feel welcome, show her around.” She left the two alone.
“Come on then,” he said, prompting Azula to stand up. “I’ll show you around the house.”
“You seem a little old to be in an orphanage.” Azula commented, as she followed him out of the room. She looked at his scruffy beard and long hair.
“I’m only 17.” He remarked. “But, I’m not an orphan… anymore. Ursa adopted me, it’s on the books. So, I’m not leaving anytime soon. I help out with the kids and the business part of the orphanage.” The pair was shadowed by a group of small children peeking around corners.
“Business side?” Azula asked, as she was shown the kitchen and large living area.
“We don’t have an income, and rents expensive, so we basically live off of generous donations, and government grants. I do the bookkeeping, calculate how much we need and how to get it each year.”
“How do you get donations?” Azula asked, as she was shown where the bathroom was, and Ursa’s study.
“Mostly at balls at galas, rubbing shoulders with the nobility and stroking their egos enough for them to make it seem like a generous donation will make them better than their counterparts. Pit ‘em against each other, start a bidding war, cash the cheque.”
“That’s pretty underhanded.” Azula commented.
“Says the Princess of the Fire Nation.” He replied, showing her to the bedrooms. “Older kids sleep in this room, there’s a spare bed down the end so that’s where you’ll be.” He said.
Azula nodded, walking into the large, empty bedroom. She sat on the bed, the only one without any sheets on it, finally taking a breath. Jet sat on the one opposite, presumably his. “Can I ask what your damage with Ursa is?”
“She was a bad mom, what else can I say?” Azula said.
“I’m sorry but I can’t believe that, there must be something else?” He insisted.
“She played favourites, heavily, and I wasn’t the favourite. So, I’m a bit put off, yea.” She said.
Jet looked sympathetic, “I’m sorry that happened to you.” He said, before seeing a girl about their age walk in.
“I thought Ursa told you to stop bringing your girlfriends to the orphanage to impress them.” She said, jumping onto the bed adjacent to Azula.
“She’s not my girlfriend, this is…” Jet hesitated, he didn’t know whether to say Azula’s real name or give the fake one.
“Minh, My name is Minh, I’m going to be staying for a little while.” Azula said.
The girl shrugged, “Alright, don’t say I didn’t warn you about Jet though, the man knows no bounds.” She joked.
“Hey! I don’t go near girls in the orphanage, mixing business and pleasure is just unprofessional.” He insisted.
“Regardless,” The girl continued, “Name’s Hanna.” She said.
“Pleasure.” Azula said.
“Anyway…” The girl jumped back up. “Mom says dinner's nearly ready so, come down to the dining room.” She said, before leaving the room as quickly as she entered.
Jet stood up, Azula followed, “Did Ursa adopt her too?” Azula asked.
Jet shook his head, “No, but she’s the only mom most of these people have ever known so, they get attached.”
Azula nodded, as they descended, Ursa came out, stepping out of the kitchen, into the now empty hallway. “Jet, dear, go set the table please.” Jet nodded and left the two, Ursa turned to Azula. “The kids are going to ask questions so I just wanted to ask what you wanted to tell them?” She asked.
Azula thought for a moment, “Well, I told Hanna that my name is Minh so… I guess we have to play stranger for them then.”
Ursa nodded, “I’ll let you control the narrative, just be sensitive of the little ones, don’t go into gruesome detail.”
Azula nodded as they walked into the packed dining room. Azula had seemingly been saved a seat right next to Ursa, who sat at the end of the table. On Azula’s other side was Hanna, and opposite her was Jet. There was a loud constant murmur among the kids.
Jet grabbed quite a bit of food, a lot of meat from the plates in the centre of the table, Azula took quite a bit too, she had been hungry for quite a long time. Everyone got a bit of a giggle at how big of a bite she took, stuffing her face with food. “What?” She asked, as everyone looked at her.
Jet explained, “Everyone on their first day always ends up taking a ton of food and stuffs their face.” He laughed a bit. “It’s like a ritual.”
Azula shrugged and kept stuffing her face, only really caring about just how hungry she felt in the moment. Everyone seemed to wait for her eating to calm down before expecting to explain herself.
Azula got the message when she noticed the dozen kids staring at her, she choked down a glass of water. “My name is Minh.” She didn’t give a second name to stay vague and avoid scrutiny, “I’m from Omashu but I left after the Fire Nation took over and have sort of just been drifting since then.” She said.
“Wow, that was like, over a year ago? Must’ve been tough, how old are you?” Hanna asked.
“15.” Azula answered, truthfully, “But I’m turning 16 in a few months.”
Hanna nodded, “Damn, you’re crazy strong.” She complimented, “You should be a Kyoshi Warrior or something, I hear they’re expanding out to the Greater Earth Kingdom.”
Azula laughed a bit at the irony, but shook her head. “Maybe, I don’t think so, I’ve had enough of fighting people for a little while, I want to take a breath for a minute before I go again.”
Hanna nodded, “Understandable, well, I’m definitely gonna join! When they get a charter in Ba Sing Se, I’m gonna be the leader!” She declared.
“Oh yea?” Jet responded, “Like you could take down a baby lion-monkey.” He teased her.
“Shut up! Not all of us are former vigilantes.” She glared.
Azula enjoyed the domestic bickering, it was nice.
Dinner came and went, the plates of food were all emptied by the end of it, not a crumb. “Minh, could you help with the cleanup please?” Azula nodded at Ursa’s request, picking up a stock of plates, they were alone again, in the kitchen. “You smiled a bit, during dinner. It’s nice getting to see you smile.”
Azula started to rinse and scrub plates and bowls, handing them to Ursa to dry. “They’re funny kids.” She said.
“You know, you’re a kid too, they’ve been through similar situations as you, you don’t have to act so tough. Can I ask how you got here?” She asked.
Azula seemed to hesitate but nodded. “After the war, I was a bit… off.” Azula started, “Zuko left me, my friends left me, father was leaving I…” Azula felt Ursa’s hand on her own, it was strangely comforting. Azula wiped her tears on her sleeves. “I was seeing things, I saw you, in a mirror. I felt like I was going crazy and I was off my game, so, Zuko beat me in an Agni Kai, which he totally cheated in by the way, and he threw me in a fucking asylum for a year and kept me locked in a wheelchair and a straitjacket for a year.” Azula dropped the plate, thankfully into the sink only a few inches so it didn’t break. She was full on crying now, Ursa hugged her tightly, caressing her head.
“Oh baby…” She whispered, holding her close. “It’s okay, no ones gonna lock you up here.”
Azula took a minute to regain her composure, “He only let me out if I agreed to look for you, so, I agreed, and bolted the first minute I could. I’ve been on the run for a few months now, and then I bumped into you and Jet.”
Ursa let out a sigh, “I’m sorry he did that to you, ‘Zula. I would’ve never guessed he was capable of… of something like that.” She said.
“You’re on… my side?” Azula asked, dumbfounded.
Ursa nodded, wiping her daughter’s tears. “Of course, Azula. I’ve always wanted the best for you.” She reassured.
Jet spoke up, “if it’s any consolation, I hate Zuko too.” He laughed, causing Azula and Ursa to jump. “You missed a plate.” He said, dropping it into the sink.
“What’d I say about eavesdropping Jet?” Ursa scolded.
“Sorry, sorry, I just didn’t know a good time to interject.” He said.
Azula sniffled, wiping her eyes again. “How much did you hear?” She asked.
“Pretty much all of it.” He said, “You know, he nearly got me killed, inadvertently. He infiltrated the city and tried to tell me he wasn’t a firebender!”
“Deep breaths, Jet, you’re getting mad again.” Ursa soothed.
Azula smiled a bit. “I’m glad I at least found someone to complain about him with.” She joked.
Ursa gently pushed Azula away from the sink. “Go on, I’ll finish the dishes tonight.” She said, “Get her some sheets and pyjamas, Jet.” She instructed.
Jet nodded. “Yes ma’am.” He said.
Azula quickly hugged Ursa before she left, “Thank you.” She muttered, before letting out a sigh, and following Jet up the stairs.
Jet got Azula a pair of loose fitting, light green pyjamas, handing her a pile of bedsheets too. “These are yours, get your name sewn into them so whoever's doing the washing knows who's who's.” Azula nodded, as they walked into the bedroom. Azula scanned it, about a half dozen kids, from 13, up to 17, Jet, who was the oldest, Azula and Hanna coming in second.
She made her bed, sitting on it. It was still too early to go to bed, but too late to actually do anything. There was a drawer either side of Azula’s bed. One was Azula’s, the one on the end, the one between the two beds was Hanna’s.
Hanna and Jet were both on their beds too. Hanna was talking, “I think I should send a letter to Kyoshi Island, you know, I think I could be a good candidate for setting up a group of Kyoshi warriors.” She said.
Azula let out a laugh. “Maybe you should let a professional do it, do you know any martial arts?” She asked, “Kyoshi warriors have a really specific fighting style.”
Hanna deflected, “I don’t know anything, per se, but, I’m willing to learn! They can send scrolls or a teacher for me and then all that's left is marketing, right!?” She suggested.
Azula shrugged, “I can help you? I know some martial arts, and I know how to draft a letter. If you want?”
Hanna’s eyes lit up like a flame in the night, “Really!? You can? That’d be great! Thank you so much, Minh! You’re so cool!”
Azula shook her head, “It’s nothing really.” She said, “I’ve been looking for an excuse to sharpen my skills again after so long.”
Jet smiled, he was glad Azula was settling in. It wasn’t long before the trio turned in for the night. It was the first good nights sleep Azula had had since before the war ended. She was comfortable, almost happy, if momentarily, she didn’t want to leave, not for a long time.