A/N: Two chapters in one day! Nice progress, anyway welcome ladies and gentlemen to the second chapter! Specail thanks to my co-author and beta MaxGentlman 1.
Disclaimer: Nickelodeon owns Avatar, we just wish we did.
Enjoy!
Kai was bored, he could hardly be blamed though. Sure he was outside of the Fire Nation for the first time in his life, but he had also been stuck on a ship the whole time which, even with Azula there with him, got old fast. So after about a week, he wanted to do something.
"Azula, how do you deal with trips like this?" He asked, laying on the deck.
"You learn ways to occupy your time; come here for a moment." She said offhandedly. He stood and approached where she was pouring over a map.
"Now, what we know is Zuko and Iroh left the Northern Water Tribe, the first place they would stop would have to be on Earth Kingdom land, but there are a few places they could end up from that direction." Azula said.
"Yeah, but let's consider what else we know. First off, there is no way they left without injuries, and they may be near exhaustion. Plus, they can't have had too much properly prepared food to eat with that kind of journey. That means they would likely have to stop at one of the closer docks." He said, indicating the closer ones.
"Also, they would have been low on water as well, meaning that they were not at full health. They might need help recovering, and given how much uncle does like to relax from time to time, that means they would probably end up about here." Azula said, indicating a dock.
"Right next to a spa, where they could rest and recover before moving on." Kai said.
"We should be able to make it there by tomorrow. Kai, go have the Captain set course for this dock and then come back for a spar, we need to be prepared for tomorrow." She said, handing him the map.
He nodded and set off as she watched him go, 'I knew he would be useful.' She thought, smiling a little as she watched her little brother go.
Kai notified the captain, who immediately set a course for the dock. As he made his way back to Azula, he began to think. In spite of what his mission with Azula was, a part of him didn't want to see Zuko or Iroh dead. Sure he had always been closer to Azula than Zuko, but it was still his brother.
'Maybe there is someway I can get father to reconsider later?' He thought to himself. Even though he knew it was unlikely, it was still worth trying.
He was so lost in his own thoughts, he almost walked headlong into Azula, but stopped before he did.
"Kai, is everything alright?" Azula asked with genuine concern.
"Yes, sorry sister, just thinking." He said somewhat honestly.
The ship arrived on schedule, landing at the dock early in the morning. Azula and Kai made their way up the dock to the spa and after intimidating a couple of employees, found Iroh and Zuko's quarters. Unfortunately, they weren't there. Deciding to wait, Azula took a seat at a nearby table and Kai leaned against the back wall. About ten minutes later, Zuko and Iroh walked into the room.
"Look at all these magnificent sea shells I've found," Iroh said proudly, "I'll enjoy these for years to come." He said, putting a conch shell to his ear.
"We don't need anymore dumb souvenirs, Uncle, don't forget we have to carry things ourselves now." Zuko said in annoyance.
"Hello brother. Uncle." Azula said.
"What are you two doing here?" Zuko asked, glaring back and forth at each of them while Iroh simply looked calmly from one to the other.
"You know in our country, we exchange a pleasant hello before we ask questions. Really, have you become so uncivilized so soon Zuzu?" Azula asked, standing up and holding a shell as she and Kai stood across from Zuko and Iroh.
"Don't call me that!" Zuko shouted angrily.
"To what do we owe this honor?" Iroh asked.
"Hm, must be a family trait, each of you so quick to get to the point." She said, emphasizing the last word by crushing the shell in her hand.
Kai, seeing Azula's temper starting to build a little, decided it was time he took over the conversation a little, "We've come with a message from home; father has changed his mind, family has suddenly become very important to him. He's heard rumors of plans to overthrow him; Treacherous plots. He feels that family are the only one's you can really trust." Kai said and Zuko seemed stunned, but calmer, as did Azula.
"Father regrets your banishment; he wants you home." Azula said.
"We all do." Kai added. He knew that only some of this was the truth, but a part of him really did want them home, even though he knew his father wouldn't want him to.
Zuko, and Iroh stood in a stunned sort of silence, with Zuko simply staring at the ground before he turned to face the window and stare out at the view. Kai could see he was on the fence about it, wanting to believe, but not truly sure, but he also knew Azula was growing impatient.
"Didn't you hear us? You should be happy, excited, grateful even. We've just given you great news." Azula said, sounding just a little irritated by his lack of reaction.
"I'm sure your brother just needs a moment to," Iroh started, but Kai, sighting his sister's mood, cut him off, "Uncle, please don't interrupt." He said in a voice that was much more calm than he was sure Azula's would have been.
"I still haven't heard a thank you. We aren't messengers; we didn't have to come all this way." Azua said, expectantly looking at Zuko.
Zuko just stood silent as he looked out the window. Walking up behind him, Kai put his hand on Zuko's shoulder.
"I know it's a lot to think about. If you make up your mind, Azula and I will be waiting on the ship. It was nice seeing you again." Kai said, walking out the door along with Azula. After they were out of earshot, Azula spoke.
"Nicely done, Kai, especially that bit about seeing them again; you actually had me believing you." She said, patting his shoulder.
"Yeah, thanks." Kai said halfheartedly. What Azula didn't know was he meant what he said. While he did always prefer Azula's company, Zuko was still a good friend of his when growing up along with Uncle.
"Anyway, we'll return to the ship and wait for them." Azula said.
"What if they don't come?" Kai asked, even though he could probably guess the answer.
"What else, we'll torch the forest looking for them." She said as if it were obvious.
"Of course." Kai said, nodding. He had a feeling that it wasn't going to come to that, for better or worse. He and Azula knew how to manipulate people, and they had hit all the right points; it was unlikely Zuko would not come to them, the problem was Kai was not sure if that was the best thing.
Later that night, Zuko was walking about carefully but excitedly. After all, this time, he was about to head home.
"We're going home after three long years Uncle, it's unbelievable!" He said happily.
"Yes, it is unbelievable. I have never known my brother to regret anything; he stands by his own decisions." Iroh said.
"Didn't you listen to Kai and Azula? Father's realized how important family is to him; he cares about me." Zuko said stubbornly.
"I care about you, and I know my brother well enough to know that if Ozai wants you back, it might not be for the reasons you imagine." Iroh said carefully.
Zuko paused to think for a moment, "If it were just Azula coming and saying all this, then I might see your point; she can be deceptive. But with Kai here too, it seems genuine. Kai would never manipulate or deceive, he's never been like that..." Zuko started before Iroh cut him off.
"That is true, but you must remember he has always been closer to Azula than anyone, and he has been around her alone for three years, Zuko. People can change." Iroh said calmly.
"No, you're wrong, you don't know them or how father feels about me. You don't know anything!" He said, wanting so bad to believe he could go home.
"Zuko, I only meant that in our family things are not always what they seem, no matter how much we want them to be."
"Really, because I think you are exactly what you seem: a lazy, mistrustful, shallow, old man who's always been jealous of his brother!" He snapped, saying it all very fast before stomping outside to breath and leaving Iroh alone with a sad look as he watched the door close.
The next morning as the sun rose over the horizon, Zuko made his way down the hillside steps to the docks. He stopped for a moment and spotted his siblings' boat in the distance. He took a deep breath and sighed before continuing.
"Wait for me." Came Iroh's voice behind him. Turning around, Zuko saw his uncle dressed and a bag packed on his shoulder.
"Uncle, you're coming with me?" Zuko said, glad to see that he was coming.
"You can't leave without me. Besides, family sticks together, right?" He said with a smile, putting his hand on Zuko's shoulder. Zuko smiled at this before continuing down the steps.
"We're finally going home." Zuko said. As they made their way to the ship, Iroh glared down at it, as if it had something to hide.
As they made their way down the dock, there were guards along both sides of the dock leading to the ship, Iroh eyed them with suspicion. When they reached the end, they looked up the gang plank and found Kai and Azula waiting at the top.
"Brother, Uncle, welcome." Kai said in a pleasant tone, bowing to his family members, who bowed in return.
"We're both glad you decided to come." Azula said as the guards on the dock lined up behind Zuko and Iroh.
"Are we ready to leave, your highnesses?" The captain asked.
"Set a course for home, captain." Azula said.
"You heard the princess. Raise the anchors, we're taking the prisoners ho-" The captain cut himself off after he realized what he had said. Azula just glared at the captain for his slip of the tongue. "Your highness, I..." He said, looking back at Zuko and Iroh with worry.
Iroh and Zuko's eyes leered before Iroh spun around and kicked the two guards behind him off the gang plank, followed by a few other guards who tried to attack him. Zuko knocked the captain off the plank and looked at Azula and Kai with contempt.
"You lied to me!" He yelled, pointing an accusing finger at his brother and sister.
Kai opened his mouth to try and explain at least a little, but Azula beat him to it, "Oh come on Zuzu, it's not like I've never done that before." She said as guards stepped around them to attack Zuko.
As Iroh dealt with the guards on the dock, Zuko leaped up and blasted the two guards off of the ship as he landed across from his siblings. Azula turned to face him first as he conjured dagger-like flames from his hands.
Iroh ducked two blasts of fire before knocking two guards off the dock before seizing a third in a choke hold, "Zuko, let's go!" He called out, throwing one man into the ocean.
Zuko was busy though, he was slashing and blasting at Azula like that was all that mattered was hitting her. He was having no success and as Iroh ran to try and stop him, Kai cut off his path.
"Uncle, please, I would rather we not do this." Kai said, prepared to attack and defend none the less.
"You leave me little choice." Iroh said before attacking.
-With Zuko and Azula-
Zuko kept slashing at her with his fire daggers and no matter what he did, it didn't seem to matter. Azula dodged, having not even lit up a fireball yet in defense. At one of his more wild swings, she grabbed his arm and used his momentum to toss Zuko away.
"You know, father blames Uncle for the loss at the North Pole, and he considers you a miserable failure for not finding the Avatar. Why would he want you back home? After all, he already has two great children, why else bring home the failure if not to lock him away so that he can no longer embarrass the family?" She taunted.
Zuko saw red and leaped at her with two flaming kicks, his attacks wilder and less fluid.
-Kai and Iroh-
Kai dodged his uncle's shot, sending a crescent shaped kick of fire at the old man who moved with a speed that one wouldn't expect, dodging and sending two blasts at him.
Kai was forced to spin himself in midair and send two rows of fire at Iroh, who slid to the side nearly off the dock, but held his ground as Kai landed.
"I must admit, you have improved greatly since I last saw you." Iroh said calmly.
"I had a lot of practice." Kai said before firing a couple more shots at Iroh. Iroh dodged around the shots and ran at Kai. Kai attempted to hit him but he managed to dodge his shots until he spun around and delivered a hard kick to Kai's gut, sending him off the side of the ship.
-Zuko and Azula-
Zuko was throwing everything he had at her in his blind fury, but she barely broke a sweat at his attacks. She got bored of this fight and grabbed hold of his wrist and kicked him away from her.
As he got up, he saw Azula charging a lightning strike in her fingers. When the bolt was fully charged, she aimed it at Zuko with a calm expression on her face and fear on his. Before she could fire the shot, Iroh grabbed her tightly by her fingers, guided his index and middle fingers down his shoulder, into his stomach, up his other arm and fired the bolt at a nearby cliff side, causing it to explode. He then threw her off the boat and into the water.
"Come on, Zuko!" He yelled as they ran off the boat and up the dock.
-Later-
After recovering from the fight, drying themselves off, and firing the previous captain literally setting him ablaze, Azula and Kai went to the spa in search of Zuko and Iroh. After finding they were long gone, Azula went to a high porch on one of the houses, pulled out a wanted poster with Iroh and Zuko's faces on them, and addressed the spa workers.
"If you or anyone are caught associating with these two traitors, you will face the full wrath of the fire nation. Do I make myself clear?" She said in a commanding voice, scaring the crowd of people. After she made her point, she joined Kai as they made their way back to the ship.
"So what do we do now?" Kai asked.
"Have one of the guards prepare a messenger eagle, I think it's time we see some old friends." She said with a dark grin on her face.
A/N: So, that's chapter 2! Hopefully you all have a feel for Kai's dynamic with his family a little better now. We also hope you liked it and we'll see you next chapter!