Time Skip: a Fortnight

Sasuke was keeping himself well away from the chaos erupting before him. In fact he stood within the farthest corner of the dojo, beside the most armored guard, holding himself as still as he possibly could manage. Just in front of his eyes stood his shirtless Father bending Fire and breaking training dummies with the ferocity of his kicks. Sasuke normally felt envy when his Father trained with Itachi as opposed to him, yet today he was glad to not be noticed or called. His brother was hardly keeping pace, the manner in which their Fire Lord was training one would think the Avatar themself were opposing him.

An adviser came in with twining hands, and a turnt down head, stopping short of a courtesy distance from his Lord. Baring weakness that Sasuke could readily tell bore wrongful news. The youngest son knew well; his Father was more then angry, the fire in his fists bore more heat then commonly found in his own. This was because his Fire Keeper, and Sasuke's own Mother was missing, and none could give cause as to why or how.

The only vague understanding their family held was from Itachi, and all he could offer was the knowledge that something had been planned by their kind hearted Mother yet certainly not disclosed unto him.

Madara had no tell of why his wife had left, and his ire foamed all the more deadly each passing day the Fire Keeper was not found. It was thought by few within the palace, that he had left out of irritation for the war -he was after all a known pacifist- those men and women brave enough to suggest such were made to walk across the burning coals by a less then pleased Emperor. Additionally Madara had made it blasphemy to even whisper that his wife was disloyal, and Sasuke had said a few choice words himself to those who spoke ill of his Mother as well.

Only the eldest son remained calm, though even that was a disillusion, and Sasuke having known and idolised his brother near all his life knew that inside Itachi was screaming. As much, if not more then their Father, and Madara was not faring well at all.

The most likely cause, all of them agreed was a kidnapping. Those who questioned the Empress's loyal tydings unto the Emperor were met with strict reprimand, and a punishment not to be forgotten.

Even as Sasuke had never before seen his brother lash out at someone defenceless, it had happened. A young serving hand had muttered a wrong unto their Mother, and Sasuke had watched as Itachi had backhanded her across the face. A sight that shook him still, and their Father was actually moved to comfort his eldest after he had apologized for his discourtesy to the girl.

Itachi had cried tears of sorrow that day, yet another thing Sasuke had never before seen.

Another adviser had suggested re-opening the Harem selection, an old tradition that Madara had forgone after having met his son's Mother. Nathless to say, it had not been a highly favoured option, the court and fellow Lords had all opposed it, in agreement with their Firelord's outrage at the discourtesy suggested. Sasuke had been hopeful this was because of how popular his Mother had been at court, and while that had been it in part: Itachi had said unto him that they had all opposed it because it was still within the mourning period and would be considered improper. Not simply because his Mother had been highly favoured.

Many young women and fertile men had been in favour of the idea, as only expected. Though neither he, nor his brother had been, certainly not FireLord Madara who had barely restrained from erupting in rage at the proposal.

The second Prince found himself stepping slightly back as his Father reared around to face him. "Sasuke, join your brother." Madara didn't speak loudly, though the gaze he bore was dangerous in the crimson intensity that only the Fire Lord could truly bring forth, anger, ripe and poignant. None would oppose it as it were, certainly not the second son in his caution. Albeit the first Prince was more brave then his little brother in his defiance of Madara. Both of them merely did as their Father bid, rather then question reasoning or decline out of lack of want.

"Madara, how long are you going to continue with this relentless search?" Naturally a search had been called for, seeking out the missing Fire Keeper. The chaotic Lord of Fire was being as relentless as he could spare to be without inflicting damage unto his Nation. All not yet aware of just how much their Lord adored his wife. "I know it pains you, as it does me, but Kurma is not-" A violent burst of fire seared through the air, and Sasuke watches it barely miss his Uncle's hair as he ducks from the vibrant red and orange smear. He flinched at the intensity, his Uncle Jiraiya meant well, but Sasuke knew that in his grief Madara could not listen to logic at the moment, it pained him far to much, even if the prideful man could not admit to it.

Itachi and Sasuke both knew what they were seeing: Their Mother Kurma had been the only one holding their Father Madara from insanity, and now with him gone there was nothing to fill the void he had left. An emptiness had bloomed, and Sasuke was now witnessing his father turn into a stranger.

Many a year ago, after their Late Uncle Izuna's death both Prince's had seen their Father turn into a vicious man. Their Mother had barely managed to sooth him from frothing into an uncontrollable rage. All who had been there at the time recognized the same violent anger surging forward now, except without the calming presence of the Fire Keeper insanity had taken its root, and none of the Royal Family could fathom a way to stop it from scorching the lands.

"You speak as if he is dead, if you'll care to remember: Kurma can fight, pacifistic or not. If, if, he was taken then his kidnappers must have faced a nasty surprise. You know well as I Brother. Even Izuna praised his skill in martial arts, and I seem to recall some choice words from you as well." The tall man hid his eyes with straggled white hair, not commenting on the truth. As in his mind his brother-in-law was all but found dead at this point, Jiraiya held his words in, not wanting to provoke his already riled elder brother.

Despite appearance, Jiraiya was younger then the Fire Lord, merely having aged the quickest -for reasons unspoken within the Royal Family.- The man was in fact a declared Master of Fire Bending, revered even by his own Brother for his skill. Even having been once considered a Sage; the highest title bestowed within all of the Four Nations, rare enough that there had only ever been three, Jiraiya included. Retired however, by his own words 'it was not a responsibility I should hold.' Now the man was a proclaimed pacifist. -Itachi had said that their Uncle had once a head of black hair just like their Father, Sasuke wasn't sure he believed that. Or that his Mum was actually a skilled fighter, but that was something else entirely.-

The quiet distilled spoke loudly of the dominating mindset paramount in each male.

What was clear, remained, that with the Fire Keeper gone the Uchiha family were lost on how they should proceed.

Finally, after the silence spoke loudly, Madara moved to speak. Grasping the attention of everyone within the room, concern clearly showcased. "We do not know the situation. So we shant jump to conclusions as to why he left or how. We need to understand what happened, therefore we will investigate possible leads as to Kurma's location or kidnappers.-" Before the grieving man could continue, a hesitating messenger arrived. Followed by a slew of twitching advisers in their pointed uniforms, trails of sweat seeping through their clothing seemed to permeate the air with a wretched stench.

"Lord Madara, word has arrived from the Far Temple!" Words ceased abruptly as the news registered to all gathered. Sasuke was ignorant in most things, the war especially at his Mother's request. However, he was smart enough to hear on occasion his Father order reports from the Far Temple, and anything related to be of the highest priority. Whatever the news was it could not be borne of good tydings considering the state of the men declaring it. The quivering messenger gave a shudder and spoke: "The Avatar has returned."

Nobody moved with the sole exception of the man having delivered the news. Sasuke looked to his elder brother for any indication of answers, yet Itachi remained as surprised as he. Their Father gave little hesitation in contrast to his sons, stepping forth and breathing with a bellow of smoke, a demand from where the news had come from. For if they had been born into the Northern Watertribe; luck would be a fitful mistress. Everyone about knew well, Madara was not a patient man, his ambitions had been put on hold due to the lack of information, Sasuke recalled well, his Mother had been the only one capable to sooth him when impatient and temperamental.

"Your Highness, we believe that the Avatar has not been reborn into the next Nation in the cycle." A pause.

"Are you saying that the Avatar remains an Airbender?" It was difficult to tell, Sasuke had no way of knowing if his Father was irate or pleased with the news brought. On one hand, the knowledge that the Master of All Four Elements remained alive was good. The bad, they knew not where they were, when they had awoken, how they had come about, or for certain if they remained an Airbender or had become a Waterbender in the time passed. Perhaps they had even mastered some or all of the Elements in their absence.

The Fire Lord turned about with closed lids, and a pinched expression. Out of the corner of his eye Sasuke saw Itachi tense, mounting his own nerves into something frayed, uncertain. When his eyes finally opened, the youngest son found cold fire resting on him, and that made a chill shoot through him. Saving him however, they moved to his brother, regardless of not showing intimidation, Itachi was held tight with stiffening muscles.

"Father?" Came his brothers smooth voice of reason, a peaceful tone.

"Itachi, you are your Mother's' son through-and-through. I know well what he would tell me, always remaining a peaceful man. My son, I know you do not disagree with that ideology." Something built within the youngest Firebender at that moment, more then mere understanding. A dread that he had never before faced, but became poignant and dangerous in his gut. His brother had long since been a peace loving man, as learnt by their Mother, it had only been challenged truly in Itachi's coming of age. Yet their Father had never directly mentioned, nor fought against their Mother's beliefs. The steering quake in his gut turned violently into a bolts of electric energy.

"Madara, what are you thinking here and now?" It was his Uncle who spoke, and the interruption was very welcome. "It is not Itachi's fault that Kurma was- is pacifistic." Sasuke watched his Father move, a sigh coming from him swiftly as he crossed his arms and faced his only remaining brother.

"This is true. However, a Father must teach, and my sons are ignorant as it is. Hence it is time for a lesson unto both of them, and a harsh one must it be." Something told Sasuke to flee, though he knew it was impossible, this was the Fire Palace and escape did not exist less the Fire Lord wished it too. Red eyes faced him suddenly, those of his stern Father. "Sasuke, you haven't passed your coming of age yet. You will duel, an Agni Kai, against, your Brother." In a list of persons he could not fight, Sasuke put his elder brother at second, only behind his Mother, and just above his Father. A fact that the young prince was near certain his Dad remained aware of.

"Papa that's not-" Even Itachi seemed adamantly against the proposal, using a nickname not frequently spoken. Silenced by the harsh glare Madara shot him though.

"I thought that may be your choice." The child Firebender witnessed something akin to a thrill run up his Uncles' back, and knew that all was not as it seemed. The purpose of his Father's words were not as plain as they appeared. "Then Sasuke: Your challenge of age will be to find and bring me the Avatar. Consider it a reclaiming of your previously lost honour, after having refused our duel." That made all present take a step backwards, it was cruel, and while Sasuke knew his Father well, being so harsh in this manner had never been in his conduct among those with blood relation. The young man found himself stepping away in fear.

"Father please I…" With nothing to be said in response, everyone merely stared.

Itachi spoke next, no longer maintaining a calm demeanour. "Why such an unlikely task?!"

"Your brother finding the Avatar will cement his place as a future Fire Lord in the minds of the people. At the moment, they do not wish him to be Crown Prince." Sasuke blinked at the words, because his Father had just told a falsehood. Naturally the eldest born was to be the next Fire Lord, he himself, was the youngest, the second borne. Yet, watching his brother, it seemed to be an expected response. Which jolted him into action.

"Itachi? Big brother, what is Father talking about? You are the Crown Prince." Madara spoke in place of his elder brother, who kept his back away, keeping his eyes strayed, not looking at his sibling.

"No Sasuke, your brother denounced the throne."

"What?.. Does Mom know?" No one gave a response, which gave enough of an answer. It had never been in his sights to be a Fire Lord, that had always been his brothers destiny, and he had always accepted that fate. Their Mother had long worked to make sure that no resentment would be borne from that fact. As he had been more then slightly aware it was possible. Stories told of their Uncles trying to kill each other in moments of peace, merely for the sake of the throne. Their Aunt Itama a general at war, murdered by her own brother, as she had been the next in line to the crown before their Father had been. Mother had been around during that bloodsoaked time, and in experience, warned never to follow such a path.

It had not conceptualized in his mind, for the simple fact that it would break heavy on his Mother, not borne in a place where it was common. No matter the experience in witnessing his brothers-and-sister-in-law shed each others souls. Sasuke and Itachi both had been amazed upon hearing such tale that their Uncle Jiraiya had survived, that their Father had. Was this Itachi's manner of keeping peace and affection between them? If so, he had solved for nothing. He had no resentment buried underneath for his brother, pride hidden perhaps, but no harsh thoughts.

One thing Sasuke knew in certainty however, desiring the throne or not: The people wanted Itachi to be the next Fire Lord. He had been groomed in such a manner, shown before the civilians as the Crown Prince, his coming of age had been extravagant and extremely difficult for that very purpose.

Now without the Eldest Prince as next in line that burden would fall upon his shoulders, and Sasuke knew that. He peered at his Father who wore no expression.

"I will not let you down, I will bring you the Avatar." While unwanted, this was not a choice for him, and the second prince was highly aware of his situation. As he straightened from his bow, he got a glimpse of a smile from his Dad before it disappeared as he turned around. Something had begun to shift within the raging heart of the Fire Lord and all could see it, certainly the intrapping weight of missing his Empress had begun to weigh on him, but not in the normal manner of grief. This was more, and Sasuke saw that plainly. And in looking to his brother and his Uncle he knew they were aware of it as well.

Sasuke found himself sighing, in something near defeat of self. As it was odd, loving his Father or not didn't seem to matter because this war was too complex to understand. He understood that his Uncle did not believe in it, retired general or not, war hero or not, the man considered it a wasted could admit that he was not in complete disagreement with his Uncle, as his Mother had thought much the same. Itachi however, seemed to know more of why it was necessity, why their Father clung to it as if it were life itself. It had never been disclosed unto him, though Sasuke felt as if Itachi and Mother were the only ones who knew. This war belonged rightfully to his Grandfather Fire Lord Tajima, as he had been the one to start it. Though Fire Lord Madara had the will and drive to continue it, for a reason not spoken of.

"Uncle." He choose now to know, as it was the best option. His Uncle had been there along with Mother all his life, and knew his Brother better then even the Empress had. Would anyone know, it would be his Uncle Jiraiya. "Why does Father fight this war? The man gave a sigh, much like his own. While his brother shook his head resolutely.

"Your Mother never wanted you to know. I always wanted to respect his wishes on the matter. So did your Father matter-of-fact, then again, your Father was always rather subservient when it came to Kurma's wishes." Although it seemed exceedingly obvious to the rest of the Nation that Father was the all powerful one within the Palace, everyone inside the Uchiha royal family knew better. The Fire Keeper held the most hailed word to the family. Sasuke was almost certain that Mother hadn't known himself, as Father was always so very rigid with him about.

"Uncle-"

"You're going to be late for your lessons Sasuke."Itachi interrupted him, though he had no intention of listening to his brother and go to class, with his Uncle right before him it wasn't something he could ignore. The classes he had were Fire Nation history, and not something Madara would allow skipping, though the man wouldn't allow him to skip any sort of lesson. So the second son left the training room, a loss in his step, as usual now, their Mother used to be in charge of teaching them, lately it was merely an old general.

As he left Itachi and Jiraiya looked to each other. Red eyes glaring into onyx black, not nefariously, but concern did grace them. "I wish I could cheer him up, but Sasuke…" As the youngest among them all, Sasuke was the most affected by the Fire Keepers disappearance, as he had been the one relying on their Mother the most. There was no doubt that the Fire Lord was in turbulence, but he was also a grown man and capable of handling loss far better then a pubescent teenager.

For a moment the retired general thought, before an idea struck him in memory. "You know Sasuke is learning Fire Nation History right?" He got a slight nod of head from his nephew. "Well, your Mother wa- is an excellent dancer, knew several traditional Fire Nation dances, very old ones. Before you were conceived, Kurma would dance for Madara on top of the table in the most elegant display I ever saw. Your Mother was a true beauty when dancing, and it just so happens I know someone who could teach your brother some of his moves. It would probably cheer him up." That caught the first son's attention rather fast, he hadn't even been aware that his Mum was a skilled dancer, it had never been displayed.

"I'd like to watch them dance as well." It was answer enough, Itachi knew that his brother would enjoy anything that had a memory of their Mum. "Who are they anyway?" Perhaps he had been to young to remember, but he had not seen his Mother teach anyone besides him and his brother, often times he was too busy seeing to the day-to-day lives of the people to even do that.

"A young woman named Karin, she was Kurma's student in a way. Your Mother would teach her when time permitted, they had a complicated history, one that I was never made aware of." He paused a moment in thought, a very short recollection knocking at his head. Had he not met a young woman near Sasuke's age -of the time- many years ago? A noble girl as he recalled, near certain he knew of her he made haste to find her along with his Uncle. Both eager to see her performance -as taught by his beloved Mother,- and to see if his assumption of her identity proved correct.