TWO weeks went by quicker than either of the royal siblings had thought possible. Azula hadn't exactly been the nicest person in the world, but she hadn't been intolerable, either. 'If anyone deserves the "not as big of a jerk as you could have been" award, it's her.' Zuko thought. He wished Katara was there so he could make the quip aloud.

Azula didn't hate life back at the palace. It felt nice to be the one in control again. She had spent hours every day since she arrived sketching up plans for how the palace and staff could be improved. Well, as improved as they could get under Zuko's new rules. She hadn't shown these ideas to anyone though. She wasn't going to admit that Zuko, while incompetent, wasn't the worst Fire Lord the world had ever seen. She would have made a better one, but that went through the window years ago.

Zuko wanted to throw her a birthday party. She thought he was ridiculous. In recent years, her birthday passed without her knowledge. Before that, it was made a big deal of only because she was the Princess.

Her father didn't see it as a very important event, and taught her not to either. "The only birthday that should be celebrated with this level of enthusiasm is the reigning Fire Lord's," He had told her before he was even on the throne.

After Ozai had been crowned Fire Lord, Azula's own birthday had slowly become less and less relevant. By the time she had turned twelve, she was lucky if Father even acknowledged that it was her birthday at all.

She didn't understand why Zuko wanted to celebrate it so badly- it was probably something he wanted to use to his advantage. How, she didn't know. But she knew from him that it was her birthday this very day. So she was seventeen now. Exciting.

Maybe he wanted to celebrate in an attempt to get Mai to show up. He was clearly still pining after her. It had grown no less disgusting over the last couple of years. The joke was on him, if that was the case. No one would want to go. Heck, SHE didn't want to go. Though, she got the feeling that she didn't have a choice in the matter.

Zuko and his family- well, she supposed they were her family too, though she didn't really think of them as such- were excited for whatever agni-forsaken reason. She understood it with little Kiyi, who would run around the palace telling everyone how excited she was. She supposed that birthdays were rather large events for someone so small. But she couldn't care less about them.

A knock interrupted her thoughts. "Yes?" She asked, annoyed.

"It's Zuko!"

"Of course it is," She muttered. "Come in."

The door opened and her brother entered the room. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, Zuzu. You?"

"Well enough. Happy birthday! Are you excited for tonight?"

"No."

"As blunt as ever," Zuko said to himself. "Why not? You like being the center of attention."

"I like it when I deserve it. I didn't really do anything noteworthy. I survived another year. Goody."

"Can't you just ENJOY this?" Zuko was exasperated.

"Not genuinely. I can fake it if you want, though. I'm good at that."

"You used to love your birthday."

"Yes, when I was a naive child."

"You're still a child, 'Zula."

"That's debatable."

"Just... pretend to be happy. And behave."

"But I don't want to do either of those things!"

"Too bad."

"C'mon, it's my birthday!"

"Are you serious?" He deadpanned.

Azula smiled. "You're the one who wanted me to be excited."

"Fine then. Be all gloomy."

"I will, don't doubt it."

As Zuko went to leave, an unexpected person ran in. "I've been looking everywhere for you, Zuzu!"

"Zuzu?" Azula raised her brows at her brother and half-sister.

Seeing his sister's smirk, Zuko countered. "It was cute when you called me that when you were little."

"Mmm-hmmm."

"Now you're really never gonna stop calling me that."

"I never planned on stopping in the first place."

Zuko mock-glared at the tiny brunette. "Kiyi?! How DARE you?! Now that nickname will never go away."

Kiyi giggled. "Don't worry! I'll help you!"

"Thanks!"

"I wasn't talking to YOU, Zuzu!"

Zuko looked shocked, and Azula laughed. Zuko was even more shocked. He hadn't heard Azula laugh- genuinely laugh- in years. Kiyi, who had seemed nervous about Azula on entering the room, looked more relaxed.

"Let's never let him live it down." The older sister said decisively.

"Never ever." Kiyi agreed. She gave both of her siblings a quick hug before bolting out of the room.

Azula stared after her. "Did she really just-"

"Mmm-hmm." Zuko replied. He hoped she wasn't going to be angry at the unapproved physical contact.

Azula shrugged. "Whatever."