[ zuko doesn't know what to say. he doesn't know what to make of katsa speaking to azula. he doesn't know what to say to her questions. azula's dangerous. azula's not the same. azula hates me. azula always lies. ]

[ he opts for the truth, or as much of it he feels like giving. it's not like he doesn't trust katsa. he's simply never been a fan of airing his dirty fire nation robes to anyone. ]

She's ... [ zuko sounds stressed, unsure. ] She's a firebending prodigy. She can generate lightning, I can't. She's quick and smart and ruthless. She doesn't ... She only knows how to firebend well. It's all Father wanted from her. He looked down on me when I learned how to use a sword, because I wasn't good enough. [ a sharpness seeps into his voice that he makes the point of removing. ]

She's my only sister. But sometimes ... [ he isn't so sure if she's exiled him from her life, too. sometimes he hates her, because she doesn't act like his sister. sometimes he wants to hate her so much he can say he no longer has one. sometimes, he just wants things to go back to the way they used to be. ]

[ he pauses for a long time. he doesn't know why katsa is asking, but he has a feeling maybe she would be a better teacher than him. he's never been good enough, not when it comes to azula. ]

[ his voice is quieter but tense. ] You need to be careful, Katsa.