I know that I've already got several ongoing stories, but this idea has been bugging me for a while, so I finally decided to type it into a story. This will just be a little side project that I'll update at random, but most likely once a week like my other stories. As I'm sure you all know, I'm an Azula Sympathiser so this will be a slow-burn semi-redemption story for her. So, Izanami is another one of my OC's and she's Azula's friend that will help her along the way. I hope that you guys enjoy Taming the Dragon!

The only thing I own from this story is Izanami, everything else belongs to Bryke.

Chance Meeting

Izanami was seven when she first met Azula. It was during one of the summers that their family spent at Ember Island when she met the ember-eyed girl who gleefully tormented her brother. The sight made Izanami laugh, but it also made her heart heavy as she missed her older brother, Kazu who was off fighting in the war. This was her first summer without her brother and she missed him greatly.

For the most part, Izanami watched the other girl from the far. She wanted to go ask her if she could play, but there was something holding her back from doing so. Perhaps it was the way the other girl so carelessly pushed her brother in the sand as she mocked him. Eventually, Izanami's mother goes to talk to Azula's mother, and it's not too long before the two girls come face to face.

"This is my daughter, Izanami," her mother, Hikari introduced her.

"And this is my daughter, Princess Azula," the other woman introduced.

Izanami's eyes widened at that, realising that she was standing in front of Princess Azula and Lady Ursa of the Fire Nation. While she might've been young, Izanami certainly knew her Fire Nation history.

"Azula, why don't you play with Izanami?" Lady Ursa suggested.

The girl, Azula eyed her up and down before giving a response, "She seems more fun than Zuzu."

"What's a Zuzu?" Izanami asked.

Azula rolled her eyes, "My sweet brother."

Izanami giggled, "That's a funny name."

"Alright, girls. We'll let you two play now. The two of us will be over there," Hikari said before walking off with Lady Ursa.

"So, you're a princess!" Izanami exclaimed, slightly in awe.

Azula nodded, "Yes, I am. The best, in fact. What was your name?"

"Izanami," the girl replied.

"That's too long. I'll just call you Izana," Azula said.

"You can call me whatever you want. Let's go play now!" Izanami exclaimed, grabbing the other girls hand as she did so.

The two girls ran to a further part of the beach, but close enough so that they could still see their parents. They mostly did the usual beach activities, consisting of sandcastle building competitions and trying to beat the water before it got to them. Azula kicked Izanami's sandcastle over when she realised that the other girl had out-done her, only for Izanami to return the favour.

This girl is not that bad. Azula thought to herself.

"Do you like it here, Izana?" Azula asked as the two sat on a tall rock that overlooked the ocean.

"It's nice. Mommy and daddy bring me here when daddy doesn't have to work. It's usually funner when my brother is here though," Izanami said, adding that last sentence sadly.

"Is he as annoying as mine?" Azula asked.

Izanami giggled, "I'm not sure. My brother is my hero though. He's off fighting in the war. I want to be just like him."

"I hope I get killed if I ever become like Zuzu," Azula muttered, causing Izanami to laugh.

"I'm sure your brother is just as great as mine," Izanami said.

"You would be wrong," Azula said, glaring as she saw a familiar face come running towards them.

"Azula! Mother wants you and Izanami to come back now!" Zuko yelled to his sister from down below.

Azula scowled, "Tell mother that I'll come back when I want to!"

"We should go then, if your mommy wants you to," Izanami said.

"Why?" Azula asked.

"We're supposed to listen to our mommy's! I always listen to mine, and my daddy," Izanami replied.

"I'm sure your mother isn't as annoying as mine is," Azula muttered.

"Come on, Zula. Let's go," Izanami exclaimed as she dragged the other girl away once again.

Normally, Azula would've protested against being dragged against her will and being called something other than her name, but she simply let Izanami drag her towards their parents who were waiting for them near the shore.

"Azula, did you have fun playing with Izanami?" Ursa asked her daughter.

"It's Izana, mother. And yes, I did have fun with her. She's much better than Zuzu," Azula replied.

"Hey!" Zuko exclaimed.

Izanami giggled, "Zuzu's funny."

"My name is Zuko, not Zuzu!" Zuko cried, exasperated.

"Prince Zuko, stop embarrassing yourself in front of our guests. Admiral Masaru, Lady Hikari, would you care to join us for the rest of our trip?" Ozai asked.

"We would be honoured to, Prince Ozai," Masaru replied.

"If you don't mind, we will leave Izanami with our servants, so she can play with Zuko and Azula," Ursa suggested.

"That would be splendid," Hikari said.

Izanami would spend the rest of her vacation with Azula, with the two leaving Zuko out of their fun much to his chagrin. Azula seemed to like Izanami, which made her happy since it was usually difficult for her to find friends. The other girl was even able to take her mind off her brother for a brief time, which made Izanami even more happy instead of worrying if whether or not her brother was okay.

The rest of their vacation was short lived, and it eventually came time for Izanami and her family to leave Ember Island and return to North Chung-Ling. While the adults said their final words, Azula and Izanami said their goodbyes as well.

"Will I ever see you again, Zula?" Izanami asked sadly.

"If you come to the Fire Nation Capital you will," Azula replied.

"I'll try and convince mommy for us to move so we can be friends! I'd like to be friends with you, Zula," Izanami exclaimed.

Azula nodded in agreement, "That would be nice. I hope I can see you again, Izana."

"Me too, Zula! So, we can be best friends!" Izanami exclaimed.

"Iza, come along now. We must be going," Hikari called out.

"I'll miss you, Zula," Izanami said as she hugged the other girl.

"I'll miss you, too, Izana," Aula said.

With one last wave, Izanami ran back to her parents before bidding the Royal Family farewell. Izanami stayed focused on Azula, waving at her as their boat left the beach. She had enjoyed what little time she had with the other girl and was sad to say goodbye.

But little did Izanami know that this wouldn't be the last time she saw Princess Azula.

Sorry that it was short, but I wanted to save what else I have for the next few chapters. The first few chapters will be before Azula actually enters the picture except this time, she'll have Izanami with her. North Chung-Ling is actually Fire Fountain City from the Runaway with the giant statue of Ozai. Its name only got changed once Ozai was Fire Lord. If you guys liked this chapter, please favourite/follow and review for more! Check out my other works too since I've got a lot of those.

Now for some translations; Izanami is the Japanese myth name of the wife Izanagi that means 'female who invites', Kazu is a Japanese name meaning first, Hikari is a Japanese name meaning light and Masaru is a Japanese name meaning victory.