Ch 1 responses:
CherishRedemption: Glad you're excited for a new chapter. I'll try to keep 'em coming.
Trich: That will probably take a while, but that's where I'm leading up to.
Scarviex: I'm glad it's interesting and that you can't wait.
Guest13: I really appreciate your reviews. I'm glad for your comments on how to make my writing better and things like that. I also like how you realize the things I'm trying to do in the story. I've never known a reader to decipher all the details and things I've added in a story. I'm also glad I've done a good job at keeping the characters in character. I honestly struggle with that sometimes, but glad I did a decent job with this one.
Quest: Not too sure about the pairings yet as Sokka is 9, Zuko is 10, and Katara is 8. Still thinking about that. I'm also still thinking of ideas for when Zuko's apart of the GAang so ideas are welcome.
Raxacoricofallapatoreous: First off Happy Birthday and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Thanks for giving me a reason to update this week :D
Guest: I'm glad it's interesting to you.
ArtilliaTheHun: Ah! I wasn't trying to make you cry! I'm glad you like it though and I hope this update is good
Ch 2 Story of the Banished Prince
Zuko later awoke to someone switching the cloth on his forehead. This time was when he opens his eye the man was someone different. A groan left his lips as his head felt like someone was walking around in it wearing concrete boots. His eye itched and he wanted the hot blanket off him.
"You're awake," the man said standing up. "I'll go get the Chief."
The man left Zuko all alone. He took a deep breath and tried to sit. Having been passed out for who knows how long made his body weak. His body was still recovering making Zuko struggle to sit up. A gasp escaped his mouth when his hand slipped and he fell back down on the soft bed.
"Careful there," a familiar voice said.
Zuko looked over to see the same man (Hakoda his mind supplied) walking over with a tray in his hands. The smell wafting from the tray was enough to make his stomach growl with forgotten hunger. Hakoda put the tray down before helping a struggling Zuko sit up. Lifting up the tray, Zuko's amazed to see actual fresh food, not like the stuff that the traitorous crew had force fed him. That gruel was the absolutely worst thing he had ever tasted in his life.
"The soup's still hot so be careful," Hakoda warned setting the tray on Zuko's lap and taking the empty seat beside his bed.
Zuko looked over the tray, hesitant to take the food. What if it was poisoned? What if it's just a trick? As soon as he goes to take some Hakoda'll just rip it away from him? Zuko stared at the food, his fear making his hands stop as he reached for the food. It wasn't until his stomach growled again, this time louder that he actually reached for the food.
Grasping a spoon, Zuko dipped it into the steaming liquid. Blowing on it, he stuck it into his mouth. An unknown flavor covered his taste buds, something he's never tasted nor could he identify. It was much different than Fire Nation cuisine, most of the food spicy and hot. This had no spice or hot flavor to it beside the steam rolling off the liquid. It held more comfort though, filling his stomach as he swallowed more. Zuko took a sip of the cup left by the bowl. It's simply water but refreshing all the same.
While he ate, Zuko barely notices Hakoda observing him from his seat. He made sure to drink every last drop of the soup, even going as far as to lift the blow to his lips and swallow the last few drops that fell onto his lips. Licking them, he set the bowl down and turned to Hakoda. A small, sad smile on his lips as he watched the small boy eat the soup like it's the last thing he'll ever get.
"Now that you've eaten," Hakoda gently started, moving the tray to the ground. "Do you mind answering a few more questions?"
Zuko looked away from him and down to his hands. They gently grasped the blankets covering him. A shaky nod of the head is the only response Hakoda got.
"Okay, just answer the best you can," Hakoda reassured him. "You're the Fire Nation prince correct?"
A simple enough question. Zuko nodded his head.
"Your name is Zuko right?" Hakoda asked another easy question.
Zuko nodded looking at Hakoda.
"How old are you?"
"Ten," was the quiet answer.
"You were banished?"
Another nod.
"And you were alone drifting until we found you?"
Zuko hesitates thinking if anyone could of possibly followed him before nodding.
Hakoda moved onto harder questions, "Someone hurt you, gave you those wounds, correct?"
Zuko doesn't look up, memories flashing through his head. Slowly he nodded his head.
"Could you tell me how and who?" Hakoda gently pushed.
Zuko opened his mouth, but then shuts it. How could he tell this man what happened to him? Something that he knew would haunt him, follow him in his dreams, force him to relive it all again. It already did. In his feverish dreams were nothing but the haunting shadows of those who harmed him.
"It's okay, son," Hakoda comforted. "Take your time."
Zuko took a deep breath and shakily looked up at the man resting a comforting hand on his back. Something no one has done since his mother had vanished one night. His father isn't the kind of person to show emotions he deemed weak and that included love or showing any signs of actually caring. Okay maybe he cared about his sister but not him. Never him.
"I-I w-was b-bani-ished," Zuko shakily started to talk. His voice still rough from his screams of pain. "H-he burnt me, t-then sent me on a-a boat. The- the crew. They- they hurt me. Cut me, starved me, broke my leg. I was k-kept in a cell, like an a-animal."
Zuko was close to tears as he recalled all the horrendous things the crew did to him. Hakoda soothing rubbed his back as a few tears slip down his cheeks.
"How did you escape?" Hakoda asked.
"A man," Zuko responded quicker this time. "He didn't hurt me, but put me in a small boat once the others left me on deck to freeze. He lowered it down and the ship sailed away. I drifted in the ocean. I looked up at the sky. I saw the moon and hoped- I prayed to any spirit to- to take the pain away. To send me somewhere I would be not treated as I had been, maybe even loved. I passed out after that."
Zuko looked down at the blankets during the last part of his explanation, embarrassed of what he hoped- no prayed for.
"You prayed to find some place to be loved?" Hakoda just couldn't help himself to ask.
Zuko nodded adding on, "Some place to love me, where I wouldn't be second best, not unwanted."
"Who are you second best to?" Hakoda pressed.
"My younger sister, Azula," Zuko said a bite spitefully at first. It seems to die in his throat though as a sadder tone sets in.
"Who burned your eye?" Hakoda finally asked. A question Zuko hoped he wouldn't ask. "You said he did it. Who's he?
"H-he," Zuko stuttered avoiding Hakoda's eyes. "H-he's Fire Lord Ozai, m-my father.
It was silent for a moment. The news of his father hurting him setting in. Saying was harder than Zuko would ever admit. His father. His father was the reason Zuko was here and not at home. His father didn't want him. His father would never want someone as weak as him.
"Zuko, this is my last question," Hakoda said bending down to look him in the eye. "Why were you banished?"
Tears start to pour from his eyes. Banished. No home for him to return to. No one who cares for him any more. That was all ripped away when he stood up to that general.
"I went to a war meeting," Zuko sniffed out, wiping his eyes. "My uncle let me come if I stayed quiet. An old general wanted to send a division of all new recruits to be slaughtered by the earth kingdom."
Hakoda paid close attention listening. Zuko took a deep breath.
"He said it was for a diversion," Zuko continued. "I- I couldn't let that happen, so I stood up to the general. I was then ordered to do an Agni Kai as I had offended the general. What I didn't know was I had insulted the Fire Lord as it was his war meeting. So when I turned around at the Agni Kai, it was my father there not the old general.
"I begged. I begged for forgiveness," Zuko cried, more tears falling down his cheeks. "I said, 'Please Father!' I told him I only thought of the Fire Nation's best interest. I apologized. I was terrified. I knew in my heart that he wouldn't forgive me nor show mercy. He never did to anyone else. He told me to fight for my honor." Zuko scoffed at the word. He didn't know the meaning of honor anymore. "I tried to get him to stop, but he only commanded me to 'rise and fight'. I couldn't fight him. Not my own father. I told him, 'I won't fight you'."
Zuko had tears pouring out of his eyes as he quickly tried to wipe them away. Hakoda tried to sooth him, but he pressed on. The feeling of needing to get the story out strong in his chest. He felt that if he didn't he would burst, breaking even more. Normally he wouldn't be one to talk to others, anyone besides his mother or uncle, but after all that had happened… he needed an outlet for it all. No one had ever listen liked this before.
"I was so terrified and scared," Zuko pressed on. "I cried. But he only told me, 'You will learn respect, and suffering will by your teacher.' He burnt my face then. In front of everyone. He burnt me then banished me. I barely had any time to get it treated before I was tossed on the ship, into a cell."
Zuko's body shook with sobs as he recalled the memories. He was pulled into another embrace. Hakoda holding him tightly as if it would help the pain he was feeling. Zuko's head pounded with all the tormenting thoughts running through it. The main thing Zuko finally realized was he was safe. Hakoda wasn't going to hurt him. He was finally safe.
