Chapter II

"Prince Zuko."

Tap, tap.

"Prince Zuko."

Tap, tap.

"Your Highness, please."

Tap, tap.

"Prince Zuko!!"

"Hm?" Zuko ceased tapping his writing quill only to stare up at the face of his flustered tutor. Sighing, he leaned back in his chair awaiting his sermon. He was quite used to receiving them by now, particularly in the midst of class.

"Were you listening to a word I said, Prince Zuko?" The man raised an eyebrow at the teen, his slightly chubby cheeks flared in annoyance, reminding the boy slightly of an oversized toad.

"Well, you were speaking of the architectural advances of the-"

A sigh of exasperation filled the air. "Ten minutes ago, young master."

Zuko blushed and glanced down at his note paper, completely devoid of notes, or much of anything for that matter, excluding a small picture of a frog. "Well I-"

"Oh, well. It's obvious I'm not going to get anything else out of you today. I'll see you tomorrow. Remember your quiz on the Revolutionary Era two days from now."

"Of course," Zuko stood and bowed, thanking his teacher for his sympathy. Slipping out of the room with as much dignity as he could muster, Zuko shook his head, thinking of the events that had transpired the night before.

Slithering back into the palace was by no means easier than sneaking out, as Zuko soon figured out. The guests had begun leaving, forcing him to remain in the shrubbery until the crowd had dissipated. Back to back with the palace walls, he edged around the structure praying that he wouldn't be seen. Finally directly below his bedroom window, he cursed softly when he realized someone had closed it. Zuko began to panic heavily. Did anyone find out he was gone? How would he get in?

Grabbing a stone from the courtyard, he snuck farther down and tossed it lightly at a second story window. Zuko's heart dropped to the pit of his stomach when his signal was not answered. Throwing another rock nearly hard enough to crack the window, he waited with bated breath... Nothing. Cursing quietly, he vainly tossed another stone at the window and prepared to turn around when- "Ouch! Shit Zuko, what are you trying to do?" Lu Ten's head popped out from behind the mahogany curtains and out the window. He was rubbing his forehead in pain.

"Sorry," he whispered up at the silhouetted figure. "I'm coming up." Climbing the walls as quietly as he could, he could barely make out Lu Ten's tired, confused eyes glaring mildly at him. He stepped back, allowing Zuko to swing his legs through the window and bend back to slip gently into the room. Sighing with relief, Zuko cracked his spine into place as Lu Ten scurried to close and lock the evidential window. Drawing the shutters, his surveying eyes ran up and down Zuko's disheveled state in mixed amusement, annoyance, and curiosity.

"So, did you have fun tonight?" A skeptical eyebrow was raised.

"Yeah. Yeah, the fireworks were great. Like always," he shrugged indifferently, throwing himself lazily onto Lu Ten's comfortable mattress, which always seemed far more comfy than his own. Inhaling the sweet scent of the satin sheets, Zuko sighed and rolled over to face his cousin who sat on the edge of the bed next to him. They shared a small smile, keeping a mutual, silent agreement between the two of them. It always amazed Zuko the brotherly bond the two shared, despite how different their fathers were. Not to mention the discrepancy with which they were brought up, or the fact that Zuko's father had somehow wormed his way into being Firelord, henceforth replacing Lu Ten's rightful place with a boy that was deemed by society as far less fit.

"Was there any excitement while I was gone?" Zuko inquired, thumbing his own forehead firmly.

"Not really," the older man responded, beginning to fiddle with Zuko's undone hair affectionately. "One of the generals ended up with a face full of pastry pudding and his robes set on fire by the end of the ceremony. I believe it was Azula's doing. It was actually quite funny. Uncle Ozai flipped out though, but he still doesn't know exactly what happened. He might try to blame it on you, so be careful."

"Oh yeah, I pull stunts like that all the time." The words were dipped in sarcasm, accompanied by a rather fitting roll of the eyes. "Still, you're probably right. I wasn't even there and he'll find a way to blame me. I suppose it's better to be blamed for that than for him to find out the reason why I couldn't have done it in the first place."

Silence slunk around the room, invading the deepest corridors of both teens' consciousness. Zuko frowned when he felt lack in Lu Ten's movements, twisting his head awkwardly to see the other. "Lu Ten?" He sat up gently, noting the concentrated, troubled look etched on the older man's features. "Lu Ten, what's wrong?" He put a hand on the other's shoulder, who in turn jumped slightly.

"I-I talked to father tonight," Lu Ten's head hung down, shadowing his expression. "I requested to join the line up in the next movement."

Zuko felt his blood turn to ice and his lungs constrict. Forcing out a choke, he replied through his dizziness, "You mean the attack on Ba Sing Se? You didn't tell me you were considering-"

"I wasn't sure if this is what I really wanted," he admitted, still staring at the floor. "But now... He still thinks I'm a kid, you know."

The younger looked away with a gulp, knowing that his cousin was right. Iroh was still insecure about allowing his son the freedom one would desire at such an age. After losing his wife, Iroh was insecure about a lot of things. "I'm sure that's not true Lu Ten. He's protective, that's all. He doesn't want to lose you. What exactly did he say?"

"He was angered at first. He insisted I stay home with the rest of the family and forget about it. Perhaps he doesn't like the idea of letting me go alone. If he weren't retired, it probably wouldn't be as difficult to accept. But he can't keep an eye on me there. I... I want to make him proud." Lu Ten's head dropped even lower. "I want to prove myself. Make a name, no, a legend for myself like he did."

"I know," Zuko whispered, hugging him from behind securely. "I know how it feels. But I think I can understand where he's coming from. I can't imagine you leaving."

"What?" Lu Ten spat, jerking free of Zuko's embrace and turning to glare at him straight in the eye. "You don't think I'm good enough either?"

He was surprised by the defensive rage burning in the other's eyes as he hesitantly responded, "No. It's a far more selfish reason than that. I can't imagine losing you, not even for a few months or years. You're the only person I can trust around here. I just don't think I can..." Realizing he was making an idiot out of himself, Zuko bit down on his lip and looked away, feeling the inner walls of his throat clamp around him.

Lu Ten's eyes portrayed shock and regret. Bowing his head toward his hands, he whispered a quiet apology. "I guess it wouldn't be the same would it? Me leaving and all... I'm the one being selfish. I didn't think much about how it would affect anyone else. But I still feel as though-"

"It's something you need to do," finished Zuko, a smile twitching at his lips. "I understand. Don't let anyone stand in the way of your destiny." His heart screamed at him to take the words immediately back and convince his cousin to stay, but he loved Lu Ten too much to try and impede him now. It seemed that he had indirectly screwed his older cousin's life up by simply living, taking his place. Yet Lu Ten never once showed him contempt, something Zuko cherished and felt he didn't deserve.

"I knew that if one person out of everyone would understand, it'd be you," Lu Ten turned towards him to return a soft smile before ruffling the younger boy's hair. "Now get back to bed before someone sees you've been cutting social events. Agni forbid we mingle with outside society without permission." A forced smile from Zuko was all it took for Lu Ten to convince himself he was making the right choice.

"Oh Zuzu!"

The world is out to ruin my thought process today. It's inevitable. Zuko glanced behind him to meet the impatient eyes of his younger sister. "Yeah, Azula?" He couldn't remember a time when he so dearly wanted to be exempt from his sister's mischief.

"Father has requested to see you in his office," she said with a smirk, brushing her hair back as she passed him, so the tiniest strand brushed daintily against his cheek. "Oh... By the way, he doesn't look happy about it at all."

Suddenly, mischief didn't sound so bad. His heart seemed to halt for a moment, refusing to beat while he processed this information. Zuko couldn't even talk to his father without scheduling an appointment! Would his father blame him for some obscure event he had no connection to whatsoever? Would he question him about Lu Ten's attempt to enter the military? Did he possibly know about his frequent late night excursions, unescorted around the city while he should be ballroom dancing and clapping mechanically to speeches? 'He doesn't look happy about it at all.' Well, it was difficult to recall a time when the Firelord looked too happy, so Zuko wasn't incredibly worried about that part. Indeed, Azula was merely trying to plant fear in his heart. It will not happen!

Alas, but it would. His feet seemed to carry him slowly, as though he was resigning himself to a death sentence. As he walked through the deserted halls and up the spiraling staircase, the red banners on the wall seemed to darken and glare menacingly at Zuko, and the silence seemed deafening to the point where he insisted on stepping with additional force to drown out the quiet with his echoing footsteps. Reaching the large, elaborate door illuminated with a flickering golden dragon, he took a deep breath and knocked lightly three times, putting a good two second rift between knocks. He scolded himself for his hesitancy. He had nothing to be afraid of! It was his father for goodness sake.

"Enter," a deep, gruff voice called to the door. Unconsciously, Zuko pulled the handle of the door, which seemed to squeak with unnecessarily volume. He opened the door just enough to squeeze thorough before pushing it gently back into place. Walking automatically to the center of the room, he kneeled down on his right knee, ignoring the threatening discomfort eating away at his posture. A few silent moments passed before Zuko dared to look up out of the corner of his eye. He was surprised to find his father was not sitting at his large desk as was the norm for this sort of situation. No, there was no Ozai sitting quietly at his desk, staring him down with a fierce, calculating, and criticizing gaze. Raising his head fully, Zuko found the Firelord standing a bit to the left of his overflowing bookcase, staring out the window, his back turned towards his son.

After what seemed to be a full minute of complete and utter silence, Zuko spoke up softly, "You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Yes," Ozai immediately responded, turning to face the teen swiftly. "There is something we must discuss." Zuko was nerved slightly to find that there was no anger in his father's eyes, but a far more intense stare down than he could ever remember receiving. Seating himself at his desk, Ozai folded his hands properly upon his desk with refinance that seemed far beyond what could be expected for such an insignificant action. Feeling his knee begin to ache, Zuko locked his body in place, determined to get through this meeting alive.

"Of what age are you, Prince Zuko?" Ozai's facial features remained steady and stern.

Zuko blinked slowly, feeling confusion edge its way past his nerves. Wasn't expecting that. "Fourteen, sir."

"And you will be turning fifteen...?" Ozai patiently invited him to finish the statement.

"Within two months," Zuko answered confidently. Hopefully this pattern of simple questions could continue...

"And do you know what this means, Prince Zuko?" His father raised an eyebrow delicately, shifting forward in his chair.

So much for that. Deciding it was better to remain silent than give off a dumb answer such as, I'll be another year older,' Zuko shook his head slowly, focusing his eyes back onto the floor.

His father merely sighed, not with exasperation, but with acceptance. "It means," Ozai began straightening his posture. "It means that the time has come for you to consider a marital status. Being the heir to the main branch of the royal family, it is important that you are wed and produce a viable heir as soon as possible, lest the responsibility to the throne is placed upon your shoulders."

The knot in Zuko's stomach dissipated, replaced with a minor headache. Well, at least I'm not in any trouble. He knew this was coming, but he would've liked to put it off for a few years... Say ten or twenty. Either way, courting was going to be a stressful process for him.

"Noble families around the Fire Nation have already nominated their daughters for consideration," Ozai continued. "The vital process of making a decision will be your cousin Lu Ten's accountability to guide you through. You will begin interviewing the applicants in a week or so. I will summon you when you are needed. Until then, you are dismissed."

Zuko bowed his head before limping into a straightened position, relieving his right leg of his weight, and refusing to let his discomfort show. I'm gonna need a knee replacement, he thought bitterly, walking directly out of the office. Relieved, Zuko lingered in the afternoon light, stretching his tensed figure deftly. "Well that wasn't so bad," he said to himself, eying a single cloud against the pale blue sky.

"It wasn't?" A voice made Zuko jump slightly. He turned to face his sister, whose features were made up of pure disappointment. "A shame. From that look on his face, I was sure you were going to get it." She swung herself gracefully around a column before leaning against it with a smirk, folding her arms in her omniscient way. "So what did father need to see you for? He barely ever takes time to see you, so I assumed it was important."

Ignoring her last comment, Zuko yawned with exaggeration and shook his head lightly. "Nothing too important. Courting stuff."

"I see," her smirk twisted into a disapproving frown. "What a waste of time."

He merely sighed, refusing to acknowledge her bait. I know the reason she thinks it's a waste. "Yes, well... hopefully it won't be a dreadfully long process."

Azula chuckled, replacing her smirk before walking off without another word. Zuko shrugged to himself. I'd better meet Uncle for training.

"Takumi! Two beef noodles to table three!"

"I got it!" Taki called, balancing three trays steadily between his arms. Setting down the bowls to the appropriate tables with a smile, he trotted back to the kitchen to receive the fresh order.

"You're working especially fast today, Takumi. Keep up the good work," the head chef complimented him, twirling his curly goatee thoughtfully. "Although, you do get off work in ten minutes... Are you working the midnight shift tonight?"

Taki thought for a moment, before nodding and picking up the trays. "Yeah, Hoshi is still on break. I'm going home to change, but I'll come back for dinner before my shift."

The chef grinned and ushered the teen out to fulfill the orders. When he was relieved of his duties, Taki practically bolted out the door. Dodging in and out of street congestion, he bounded up his apartment building stairs with all of the energy he could muster. Skidding clumsily through the door, he took a deep breath and sighed, practically feeling the reverberation echoing off the stiff, empty walls. The apartment was dark and cramped, sparsely furnished and devoid of any life, despite a bug or two crawling about the floor. Indeed the dreary, damp atmosphere was attempting to darken his mood, but it wouldn't happen, not today.

Intent on spending as little time as possible in the lackluster surroundings, he threw off his stained apron as he entered his small bedroom, drawing the shutters closed as he passed the window. Tossing the apron in the corner of the room, he fished through his drawers and pulled out a clean pair of black pants and red tinted tunic, pulling it over his fishnet undershirt. Brushing his fingers through his dark hair, he smiled reprovingly at his reflection in the dusty mirror. Laughing to himself, he bounded back to the restaurant in record time. Seating himself at the window seat closest to the door, he ordered a cup of strong tea and waited patiently as the sun began to set. Stirring a sugar cube mercilessly against the side of his cup, he smiled to himself cheerfully. It certainly wasn't everyday you met with a new acquaintance, and he wanted to make a good impression.

"Was that anything close to what it should have been, Uncle?" Zuko sighed relaxing his stiff arms with relief.

Iroh smiled encouragingly, pouring himself a cup of tea from the teapot beside him. "Actually, it was exceptional," he stated with pride, leaning forward in his chair to study Zuko's ending posture. "Make sure you keep your arms steady, but don't lock your elbows. It constraints muscle reactions." Iroh mentored Zuko in an abandoned training room, with high ceilings that seemed to reach for the inaccessible heavens. The bare red walls seemed to close in at times, creating a claustrophobic sensation in Zuko's mind.

Cracking his back gently he sat on the tiled floor next to his tea-indulging Uncle, silently waving away the cup of tea offered to him. Mutual stillness passed over them for a few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts. "It just doesn't seem like I'm progressing at all," Zuko muttered finally, rubbing his stiff left shoulder roughly. "It's taking me days to master new sets. I can't really understand it."

Iroh chuckled, balancing the teacup on his knee. "What's the rush, Prince Zuko? You're progressing just fine. Hopefully you aren't going to be engaging in combat too soon." A pained expression crossed over the man's face, before he brushed it away with a heartening smile.

"It feels like Azula is years ahead of my level," Zuko responded dully, allowing his upper body to fall back onto the floor. Shivering against the cold tiles he whispered, "She's years ahead of me."

Iroh shook his head, his face growing stern. "Azula is... a special case. She can simply learn the movements faster. She doesn't perform them any better. Lu Ten began learning how to firebend at your current pace. And look at him now! His abilities nearly rival my own at this point."

Deciding to humor his Uncle, Zuko nodded and pulled on a fake smile. Iroh was certainly lying. Azula wasn't just a 'special case'. She was practically a combat genius, not to mention her insatiable perfectionism. Closing his eyes, Zuko focused halfheartedly on his breathing. It was obvious his Uncle wanted to avoid talking further about Lu Ten anyway.

"It's late Prince Zuko," Iroh murmured through his teacup. Smacking his lips, he directed his aura of false cheeriness towards his nephew. "You should get rest while you're still young."

"Thank you, Uncle," Zuko said back with equal fake happiness, bowing slightly. Without another word, he left the chambers, replacing his discarded shirt lazily. He shyly passed by the corridor guards, keeping his head down as they bowed deeply before him. Eying the lack of light outside with disdain, he quickened his pace towards his chambers, untying his hair as he walked. It was getting late, after all. It certainly wouldn't do for him to be behind schedule.

"Taki? Can I get you something to eat?" A waitress tapped her polished fingernails against the wooden table expectantly.

"Oh, no thanks," Taki smiled at her. "Not yet. I'm waiting for someone."

The young girl's eyes opened wide with surprise, before giggling profusely. "Finally got yourself a girlfriend then?" Her mouth curved suggestively, her foot tapping against the granite floors.

"Nah, just a friend," Taki shrugged, slipping another sugar cube into his third cup of tea.

"Of course, of course," she shrugged back and trotted off to the next table. Taki shot a half amused glance after her. What would be the purpose of a relationship? All a girlfriend does is want, complain, spend your money, or make you spend your money on her. Taki shook his head directly at his thoughts. I've been feeling a little selfish lately. I think I'll keep my affections for myself.

"Hey," a gentle voice called from above him, breaking the silence once again. Pulling on an automatic smile, Taki glanced up to see the one he knew as Kazuki, who returned the smile with a shy one of his own. Zuko tugged unconsciously at his right sleeve, biting his lip in an attempt to resist the urge to say something stupid.

"Hey there," Taki replied with understanding to the younger teen's anxiety. "Sit down and chill. Did you want some tea?"

"Just water for me, thanks," Zuko replied, sliding himself tensely into the chair across from Taki. As Taki waved the waitress over, he mentally prepared himself. Must keep in character... must keep in character. I am Kazuki, not Zuko. Character, character, character. The waitress set the glass of water down, staring at him with what seemed to be a disappointed, grudged look on her face.

Receiving a questioning glance, Taki smiled reassuringly at him. "Don't worry. You didn't do anything wrong. She's just frustrated by the fact that you're not a girl."

Zuko decided not to question the statement, sipping his water innocently. He shot straight at the first conversation topic that prodded at his mind "So, you say you work here?"

Taki nodded, setting down his tea with renewed enthusiasm. "Yeah. It pays well enough, it's pretty fun, and it's the only place around that hires teens. I somehow convinced the manager I wouldn't blow the place up with my mere presence."

Zuko laughed quietly. "Impressive. If the government knew they were paying you under the table, they'd shut this place down."

Taki nodded and said just as cheerfully, "Yeah, the head cook is a great guy. He sticks up for me most of the time. He understands I don't have much of a choice. After my parents died, I had to support myself. He's the one who offered me the job when I dropped out of school."

Zuko nearly choked on his water, his heart sick at the other's plight. "I'm- I'm so sorry," he stammered, wiping his mouth indignantly with the back of his hand.

His smile didn't fade as he watched Zuko shift nervously. "Don't worry about it. It doesn't matter much anymore. Enough of me, though. What about you? Parents, siblings?"

"I live with my father and my younger sister," he answered, swerving away from the greater of details. "My father's pretty strict, but he isn't around much. My sister..." Zuko's expression turned to disgust. "She's the spawn of a demon."

"That bad, huh?" Taki laughed at his reaction, lifting his teacup to his lips with amusement.

"Only a thousand times worse," Zuko clarified, his body began to relax, arms resting lazily on the table. "Being the younger, favored sibling really does wonders for her ego. I'm surprised she can even fit her head through the door."

The older teen laughed, brushing his hair back with his fingers and giving it a scruffy look. "I've never had a sibling so I wouldn't know the feeling. But I can imagine what it's like to have someone constantly upstaging you. It must be terrible."

Zuko nodded, removing his arms from the table as the waitress (who seemed to have a far better attitude towards him at this point) set two hot bowls of ramen down for him and Taki. Zuko thanked the waitress before unwrapping his chopsticks. "Nevertheless, at least I have people that look out for me. I don't think I could survive on my own." He said this with slight admiration in his eyes, looking directly at Taki, who grinned and dug into his ramen eagerly.

The teens slurped contentedly from their bowls. Zuko twirled his chopsticks absently, trying to think of the last time he had been able to eat so gracelessly. He looked up to see Taki grinning goofily at a sautéed mushroom before tossing it into his mouth. "You certainly... smile a lot," Zuko pointed out between swallows.

"That I do," Taki nodded wisely, eyes closed in thought. "Smiling is an easy way to be happy." He swirled his noodles about the bowl, stabbing a small vegetable within the broth. "I've also been told it's a great way to get other people smiling and happy."

"You do have a wonderful smile," Zuko agreed carefully. I wonder how much of it is genuine. The boys finished their ramen simultaneously, breathing sighs of warm satisfaction. "So, what do you do on your spare time?" Zuko shrugged the question out as he waited patiently for the tab.

"I-I like to write," Taki said hesitantly, as though embarrassed by it.

"Really?" Zuko asked interested. "Writing what sorts of things?"

"Poems, short stories, analytical essays... all sorts of things. What about you?"

"I train with swords," he said casually, drumming his fingers against the table. "My cousin taught me a lot of what I know. He's sort of my brotherly figure." He blushed faintly. Something prevented him from saying he was a firebender in addition.

"That's good," Taki reassured him. "I never really got into combat much. I suppose it's like a weak reassurance that I'll never be drafted into the army... Hopefully."

"Oh? Do you have objections to serving your country?" Zuko laughed, slapping on a teasing smile.

"Guess I'm more of a pacifist than anything," he answered after a moment. "I don't..." His voice trailed off distinctively. "Well, whatever. Even if I am sixteen, if I stay out of everyone's way I should remain invisible." To illustrate this point, Taki slid down in his seat, so his tip of his nose was touching the table. His eyes wavered back and forth, eying the world suspiciously.

"That's a cute look for you, Taki. Tell me, does the table smell that nice?" The young server girl returned, relieving them of the dirty dishes as Zuko tried to contain his laughter. "Your total comes to five silver pieces and two bronze." She winked at the boys before trotting off to the kitchen.

Zuko reached across the table and grabbed Taki's hand firmly before he could reach for the change jingling in his pocket. "I told you I'd pay, didn't I?" Zuko asked as he raised an eyebrow. "I wanted to repay you for what you did for me." Taki looked surprised for a moment, but nodded his consent with a smile. A shiver jolted down Zuko's spine, curling his blood chillingly.

Zuko tossed the change onto the table before letting go of Taki's hand. Taki chuckled out loud at the generous tip the other boy had left his waitress friend. Cool kid.

"Guess I should let you get back to your life," Zuko said leaping up and draping his cloak around him tightly. "See you later?" He reverted back to his shy reluctance slowly.

"I hope so," Taki said with a final smile. "I'm around here for the majority of the day. Stop by for lunch whenever you like."

"Thanks... I will," he said a bit more confidently, edging towards the door. "I'll see you soon then, Taki."

"Yeah," he nodded, watching the other disappear into the looming darkness. "I wonder if I'll see him again," he whispered to himself.

"Takumi! You've got graveyard shift! Now take these to table seven, or I'll have your head on a platter instead!"

"You got it boss," Taki called back towards the kitchen, grabbing an apron hanging beside the door. Rubbing the drowsy feeling from his eyes, he worked diligently through the night, his thoughts focused on a single person.