K, so it turns out that I don't have the time to write this story before I leave for Australia for two years. So if anyone feels like completing this for some reason, PM me and I'll give you the plot details I had planned out (I guess I overstated it when I said I had no idea where this was going..). If no one responds within two weeks, I'll post the CliffsNotes version of this fic.

Here's what I was able to put down for chapter 2 before I got bogged down with other stuff.

KUZON'S CHOICE

CHAPTER TWO

As the dining hall came into view, Kuzon reflected on the many ways to terrorize his older sister. He settled on doing something to her hair. Hakana obsessed over her dark brown locks, spending hours each morning making sure there wasn't a strand out of place.

Kuzon's gleeful anticipation of his sister's reaction must have been apparent on his face, for he could feel Kanoda's heavy hand on his shoulder, restraining him. "Kuzon, you know it's never worth it. She's an expert at fighting dirty. Have you forgotten what happened the last time you dueled a master?"

/

Kuzon could feel his cheeks flush as the memory came forward from the dark recesses of his mind. It had been Hakana's sixteenth birthday, and, attempting to play the part of the loving younger brother, Kuzon had promised to do a week's worth of dishes for her. What's the worst that could happen, he'd thought as he signed his name to the parchment detailing his pledge. The worst he could figure, she would fill the sink with leftover sea prunes, so he'd have to endure their stench as he worked. But Kuzon had vastly underestimated his sister's ability to inflict pain without actually twisting the thumbscrews.

Hakana had gone through the motions, giving him the obligatory 'Thank you,' and 'It's wonderful,' belying her true intentions. Kuzon expected her to expend the gift the next time the dishes fell to her. However, nothing happened. She did her share without complaint, whistling all the while. Month after month, her week came up, Kuzon prepped himself for an extra round on dishes, but Hakana never broached the subject.

/

/The above fragment was written, then I realized that this would become far too long a flashback, so I decided to cut it down.

Kuzon could feel his cheeks flush as the memory came forward from the dark recesses of his mind. It had been Hakana's sixteenth birthday, and--

No.

He would not relive that torture.

Kuzon answered his brother's query with a glare, "I will never forget."

"See that you don't," Kanoda replied with a knowing look. "I don't want to wake up in the middle of the night because of your shrieks again."

"Did you really have to bring that up?"

"Just stay out of trouble."

"And if I haven't quite learned my lesson?"

"Then just keep this round low-profile."

Kuzon sighed. So much for cutting his sister's hair in her sleep. He'd have to come up with something else. "Fine."

"Good. Now let's go get some of those sea prunes!"

The wind was picking up, so Kuzon focused on getting indoors instead of responding to Kanoda's gibe. As they passed Monk Gyatso's statue, Kuzon again marveled at the condition the statue was in, over a hundred years later. There were no blemishes, no faded spots. Dad kept it in pristine condition, tending to it personally every week since before Kuzon could remember.

No sooner had Kuzon passed the threshold of the temple than he was ambushed by three small children. "Uncle Kuzon!" they shouted out, leaping out of the shadows and barreling into him.

"Oh no, I'm under attack!" Kuzon cried out with a grin. "

--

So yeah, this is all I'll be able to do for this story, so please PM me if you feel like finishing it.