I've got a Maiko oneshot in the works, but enjoy this since I finished it first

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"C'mon!"

Zuko looked at his mother in confusion. "What?" He mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

Ursa handed him a bag. "Get up and dressed. We're leaving."

"Where are we going?"

"I'm not sure. Just hurry. Meet me by the turtleduck pond."

Zuko got out of bed as his mom hurried out of the room. He was confused, but he wasn't going to question his mother's directions. He scrambled to get ready. He then waited by the turtleduck pond. He was anxious, though he wasn't sure why.

His mother arrived, two bags over one shoulder. She held Azula, who was still sleeping, in her other arm.

"Why didn't you wake her up?"

"She would be loud."

"How is she still asleep?"

"I slipped something into her tea before she went to sleep. She won't wake up for another couple hours at least." Ursa glanced down at her her daughter. "Now, Zuko, we've got to go."

"Why are we leaving? When are we coming back?"

"We're not."

"What?"

"I made a deal with your father. I'll tell you more later. We just have to get out of here first."

Zuko nodded. They walked for a long time. He wasn't sure how long. They stopped after about an hour because Ursa needed to rest.

"I can carry something for you, Mom."

"If you would take the bags or your sister, it would be great," His mother admitted, handing him a piece of bread and a canteen of water. "Just a little of that water, Zuko."

Zuko nodded. "I'm tired," He admitted.

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Why do we have to leave?"

"I'll tell you when we get further out, alright?"

"Alright?"

Ursa smiled at his questioning tone and ate her own food. When they were done, they grabbed their stuff. Zuko handed his mother his bag and picked up Azula. He readjusted her until he got her into a position that was relatively comfortable for him and they started walking.

Zuko tried to focus on forest ahead of him, but he was distracted by Azula's breathing. Her breaths were warm and wet against his neck and he didn't like it at all. He tried to ignore it and kept walking.

His arms grew tired and Azula felt like dead weight, but he didn't complain. After another hour, he and his mother switched carrying jobs.

"It'll be easier once she wakes up," Ursa told him. "But I knew she'd be whiny, and that would make her loud. Not to mention that she would complain nonstop. Thank you for not doing that even though you must want to."

Zuko nodded, but simply asked, "You said we weren't going to go back home. Is that true?"

Ursa gave him a hard nod. "Yes, it is. You won't have to deal with your father's cruelty anymore, I made sure of that."

"How? What HAPPENED? Are you gonna tell me?"

"Yes, I promise."

"Alright."

The sun was peaking out over the horizon by the next time the stopped. "The sky is really pretty," Zuko said quietly.

"Isn't it?" Ursa smiled. She started a fire and pulled out some food for breakfast. As she made some porridge, Azula finally started to stir.

The nine year old rubbed her eyes. "Wha- where am I?"

"The woods somewhere." Zuko's nonchalant tone got a look of confusion from his little sister.

"Why aren't we at home?!"

"That's what I've been asking for hours now."

Azula pouted and glared daggers at her mother. "Where are we? Why aren't we at home? Where's Daddy?"

"We're a few hours out from home. Your father is there. We're not there because we were dismissed."

"What?" Both children asked.

"What the h*ll does that mean?!" Azula exclaimed.

"Young lady, watch your language!" Ursa scolded. "And it means that we won't be living at the palace anymore, and I will no longer be considered part of the Royal family."

"So... you and Dad separated?" Zuko asked.

"Yes."

"Why are we with you instead of Dad? I'd rather be with Dad!" Azula exclaimed.

Ursa sighed. She'd expected a response like that from Azula. "I know you would. But you're here, ok? You're gonna have to live with it." 'I can't see you become even more like your father,' Ursa added mentally.

If looks could kill, Ursa would've been six feet under. Azula's arms crossed and she stomped her foot. "I DON'T WANNA BE HERE! WHY'D YOU MAKE ME COME?! DADDY WOULDN'T MAKE ME LEAVE! HE WOULDN'T!" She whirled around and tromped off behind some blackberry bushes.

Ursa sighed. She didn't know what to do. She never did with the little girl. Azula always avoided her. Though she hated to admit it, she hadn't really minded it, and started purposely keeping her distance from her daughter. If Azula didn't want to be around her, then ok. The girl scared her mother. The resemblance between her and Ozai was worrisome, and Ursa wasn't quite sure how to counteract it.

Zuko, seeing his mother unresponsive, took matters into his own hands. He marched towards the bushes. "AZULA! DON'T SAY THAT! YOU'RE BEING MEAN! MOM WAS BEING TOO NICE TAKING YOU- why are you crying?"

"I AM NOT!"

"Yeah, you are-" A loud slap cut him off. "HEY, DON'T HIT ME!"

Ursa groaned and got up. "Azula, don't hit your brother." She rubbed her face. It had been five minutes and Azula was already exhausting her.

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO! LEAVE ME ALONE, YOU STUPIDS!"

"Azula, we don't speak that way!"

"SHUT UP AND LEAVE ME ALONE!" Azula's voice cracked.

Ursa took Zuko by the shoulder. "Let your sister have some time to herself."

"But she's being mean!"

"Zuko." Ursa said sternly, leading her son away. When they were out of earshot she said, "Darling, she's angry because she's sad. She's homesick. She wants your father, and she doesn't know when she'll get to see him again. It makes her sad."

"That's why she was crying?"

Ursa nodded. "Just give her time, ok?"

"Ok,"Zuko mumbled. "But I don't understand why she misses Dad. I don't."

"I don't miss him, either. But Azula was always close to him. She probably feels like you would if I was gone."

Zuko went quiet. "She must feel really sad then."

-•-

A week went by. Zuko and Ursa bonded even further. Azula, however, pouted the entire trek. She stayed relatively quiet though. At least she wasn't whining constantly. They finally came to a village and Zuko perked up as they walked into the town.

"Hi!" A woman greeted them. I haven't seen you around."

"We've been traveling. Is this Hira'a?"

"It is."

"Good. I'm here to visit family."

"Well, I hope you find them easily."

"Thank you! Come on, children."

Zuko happily trotted alongside her, whilst Azula dragged behind. "So are we really gonna see your family, Mom?"

"I hope so."

"Aren't you excited, Azula?!" Zuko exclaimed. "We might get to meet our other grandparents!"

"I don't want to meet our peasant grandparents." Azula muttered.

"That's not nice," Zuko frowned.

"It wasn't nice of Mom to drag me along, but here we are!"

"Yes, it was!"

"No, it wasn't! I don't wanna be here! I wanna be with Dad!"

"I know you do, but you're going to have to live with it," Ursa reprimanded. "Regardless of what you think, I'm only doing what's best for you."

"I highly doubt that."

Ursa pinched the bridge of her nose.

Suddenly, Azula exclaimed, "Look, Mommy! Look at the play!"

Zuko and Ursa turned towards the stage. "It's Love Amongst the Dragons!" Zuko cheered. "Can we go watch, Mom? Please?!"

Ursa smiled slightly. Her children looked so genuinely excited and happy for the first time in a while. How could she say no? Even Azula was looking at her, a Cheshire Cat smile decorating her features.

"Alright. You two can watch while I go see if my parents still live here."

"YAY!!!" The two kids bolted into the crowd and a nearby elderly couple chuckled at them. "How adorable," The woman smiled.

Ursa made her way to her old house, where she received the heartbreaking news that her parents had since passed. She thanked the woman for informing her and walked away, holding back her tears. But then Zuko and Azula ran over to her. The play had ended, and they were telling Ursa how much better the Hira'a troop was than the Ember Island Players.

A man walked up to them. "Hello! My name is Noren. I'm the director of the Hira'a Acting Troupe."

"So Grandma Guchi-"

"I took over when she retired."

"It's nice to meet you, Noren."

"It's nearly afternoon. Perhaps I could treat you and your children to lunch."

"That's very kind of you. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Ursa."

Ursa's face registered her shock. "I'm certain I haven't introduced myself."

"Oh, I-"

There was suddenly tension. Zuko looked anxious, while a smirked started to form on Azula's small face.

"I don't know what kind of game you're playing. Thank you for offering. Good day." She took her children's hands and turned away.

"Wait! Don't walk away yet! Let me explain! When we were six, you kicked me in the stomach and pushed my face into the dirt."

Ursa stopped mid-step and the kids stared up at her incredulously. "Did you really, Mommy?" Zuko asked.

"Shhh," Ursa breathed. "Ikem?"

"The one and only," The man said with a small smile. "So, may I treat you to lunch?"

Ursa smiled. "Of course."

"Glad to hear it."

Azula blinked. "What just happened?"

"I dunno," Zuko replied as their mother followed the man, still gripping their hands. They were lead into a house, where they sat down.

"So these two are yours?" Ikem asked, disbelief registering on his face.

"Is that so hard to believe?" Azula muttered.

Ursa elbowed her.

Ikem chuckled. "I can't believe it's been so long. How old are they?"

"Zuko is eleven and Azula is nine."

"Wow. Just wow."

"Mom, you know this dude?" Zuko asked.

"OH!" Ursa laughed. "Yes, I do. Zuko, Azula, this is my childhood best friend Ikem. Ikem, these are my children, Zuko and Azula."

"I thought he introduced himself as Noren." Azula arched an eyebrow.

"You're a observant one, aren't you?" Ikem asked.

Azula nodded. "Always have been. Now, why'd you lie?"

"It's a long story."

"We've got time." Azula's arms crossed.

"Named for her grandfather, I assume?" Ikem asked.

Ursa nodded.

"Does she live up to her namesake?"

"I would say so."

"Bummer."

Azula glared at him. "How dare you-"

Ursa clamped her hand over her daughter's mouth. Azula looked at her indignantly. Zuko giggled.

Ikem smiled at him. "You find this funny?"

"How could I not? 'Zula looks ridiculous."

"Are you not fond of your sister?"

"Not especially. She's mean."

Azula shrugged. "He's pathetic." Her words were hardly legible through their mother's hand.

"Are they always like this?"

"Always. They can't get along for more than half an hour, I swear."

"Ah. Why won't they play nice?

"Miss Superiority Complex over here."

"That would explain it."

"Ouch! Azula, did you just bite me?!"

Azula turned away, her expression haughty.

Ursa whacked the back of her head. "We do not bite. You aren't an animal."

Azula ignored her and zoned out of the conversation. She was startled into reality by being forced to stand by her mother. "Earth to Azula. We're leaving."

Azula nodded. Her confusion grew as they walked towards the woods.

"This is a very spiritual forest," Ikem warned. "Stick together. It's dangerous."

Ursa's grip on Azula tightened. She was terrified that her daughter wouldn't heed Ikem's warning and run off. "What are we doing?" Zuko asked. "What's this about spirits and new faces? That doesn't make any sense!"

"Trust me, ok honey?"

"Alright." Zuko gulped. His gaze was focused on the trees ahead of them. To say he was terrified was an understatement. Part of him wanted to run screaming all the way back home to the palace. But he knew his mother would never do something that would put him in danger without a good reason. So he decided to trust her and tromp into the forest.

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Part Two is in the works!