Lost in the screams of pain is a chapter story,
All the stories are about fragment's out of Zuko's and Iroh's lives.
Zuko and Mai are celebrating their first anniversary. Their happiness will be short-lived, Zuko makes a big mistake. Ozai has a plan.
Iroh is sixty-two,
Ozai is forty-one,
Zuko is thirteen,
Azula is eleven,
Mai is twelve.
Lost in the screams of pain,
Chapter 6: Deception.
The relationship between Zuko and his uncle had grown since the past two years. The two trusted each other like true family does. Zuko and Ozai, on the other hand had a complex relationship.
Zuko never knew how to communicate with his father and his father didn't understand his son. Ozai tried to understand but Zuko had a very different way of thinking.
Ozai has a very different relationship with his daughter Azula. She was more like her father; they had the same opinions and interests. Azula and Ozai were very close lately. Zuko and Iroh knew that fact, they sometimes talked about this but they didn't knew that Ozai had a new vision, a vision for another heir to the throne.
Veranda,
Princess Azula and Fire Lord Ozai sat in the veranda, they had a discussion about the future, the family and their past.
Ozai glared outside the window and noticed his son who was standing next to his older brother. They were training some new fire bending sets and watched at some papers and scrolls.
Princess Azula stretched herself and tried to see what happened outside. "What are they doing?"
"Hmm, training." Ozai muttered while he nipped his tea.
The girl sat on her knees, she observed her brother and grinned. "Oh no, Zuzu is learning his stupid tricks."
Ozai leaning on one arm and studied his son. "What kind of tricks?"
"Well, I've found some scrolls in his bedroom. He's making his own fire bending moves; uncle was so excited about it." Azula explained while she rolled her eyes firmly.
Ozai nodded. "I didn't knew that, he's doing much better."
Azula frowned. "Better?"
"Yes, it seems like he found his way." Ozai muttered.
"But Zuko can't be a good fire bender!" Azula replied hesitated.
Ozai glared over his daughter. "I've said, he's becoming better. I didn't say he's good."
The young princess nodded fast and smiled.
"There is still a long way to go, I can't forget the times when Zuko has disappointed me and our Nation." Ozai whispered. "But, he's still young and he still has a chance to show him worthy."
Azula grinned at her brother's back and knew that he would fail his father's last chance.
The garden,
Zuko had just finished his last training and Iroh inhaled deep, relaxed. He looked around for a bit and enjoyed the nice weather. "Fancy a walk?"
The young Prince looked uncomfortable at his uncle. "Hmm, I-I don't know..."
"Come on! It's a very nice day, you would enjoy it Prince Zuko!" Iroh smiled.
The boy began to wobble. "But, I can't… I'm sorry."
Iroh crossed his arms. "Other plans, young man?"
"Well yeah, Mai is waiting on me." He whispered while his face started to blush.
Iroh couldn't help but he needed to giggle. "Well, hurry up then."
"Okay, I'll see you later!" The young boy ran to his room to refresh himself.
Iroh smiled widely, he was so happy for his nephew. He had just one good friend and she's now his girlfriend for one year. Well, Iroh always kept an eye on the two. He didn't want that Zuko made the same mistakes as his own son did. Zuko approached his fourteenth birthday within four months and Lu Ten lost his virginity at the age of fourteen. Iroh knows that Zuko is a different kind of boy but hormones are unpredictable and Mai isn't yet thirteen.
Mai was waiting at the fountain, she stared at some little flowers. Iroh walked nearby and he was very discrete.
The girl looked up when she heard her boyfriend. "Hey, you're late!"
"I know! Sorry…" He came closer and kissed her on the cheek.
Iroh stoke his beard. That's very innocent.
"I have something for you!" The girl said enthusiast.
Zuko smiled. "What is it?"
"Close your eyes!" Mai giggled.
Zuko closed his eyes and touched his nose from the nerves.
"Okay, hands on your knees." She laughed.
The boy began to blush. "What are you doing?"
"Wait! Don't be so impatient!" She said with a more demanding tone. "Okay, open your eyes."
Zuko opened his eyes quickly and felt something hanging around his neck. "A necklace?"
"Do you like it?" She whispered.
The boy looked at it. It was a small necklace, made for young man. With a small square plate out of gold. "I LOVE YOU FOREVER." The boy read out loud.
Iroh watched at the scene and became emotional.
Mai smiled at her friend. "And?"
Zuko took her hands and moved closer. "I promise to love you forever." He whispered into her ear.
Iroh moved closer wanted to hear what they say.
The girl stared into the boy's eyes and stood on her tips. She held him by his strong arms and moved her lips closer to his.
The boy stared into Mai's eyes, he had never felt this before. That urge to kiss her, to touch her, and to love her. He closed his eyes and prepared himself on that first time to kiss her.
"AARGGGHHH"
Zuko and Mai stood nailed onto the ground, Mai pinched hardly in his arms. Zuko glared in shock to the man who had fell out of the bushes.
Iroh looked eye widened at the two kids, he didn't know what to say. He stood up quickly and removed some leaves out of his hear. "Well, what-euhm-what a nice day today. Isn't it?"
The two young kids nodded quickly still holding each other.
"Prince Zuko, loose that young lady." Iroh demanded.
Mai watched up in shame. "Will you tell this to our parents?"
Iroh bowed a bit. "No young Lady Mai, this remains among us." The man smiled a bit and knew her parents very well. They were very old fashion and hard on her. Mai is still a child after all, what does she knows about sexuality? Kissing and hugging is very innocent for her and probably for Zuko too.
"Thank you sir!" She whispered.
"Are you mad at us?" Zuko asked.
"Well, no! Come on don't ruin your day by this one little incident, do something together!" Iroh replied enthusiast.
"Will you teach me some more tricks with your knife?" Mai asked Zuko while she pulled his sleeve.
"Yeah! We can throw some apples out of the trees!" The boy yelled while he started to run.
Mai ran after him and laughed.
Iroh shook his head and smiled widely. I should have be a bit more tact fuller.
The next day,
"Let me in!" Zuko demanded, he didn't understand why they won't let him in?
"What's wrong nephew?" Zuko was happy to see his uncle, maybe he could help.
"The guards won't let me in!"
"Why should you go? Such meetings are very boring Prince Zuko."
"I want to learn as much as I can!" Zuko said with great honor in his voice.
"Okay then, but do not speak! Those men have very long toes!" Iroh said warning.
"I promise." Zuko couldn't help; he walked inside with a big smile and too much enthusiasm.
The war meeting itself was very confusing for Prince Zuko. Most of the topics were unimportant into his eyes. War, traps, weaknesses, attics. Zuko found that accessory.
What about our economy? Social system? Future? The boy thought, that were more important topics in his eyes. He wanted to suggest but he couldn't, he was new and he needed to be silence.
Suddenly a general talked about the 41st division.
Zuko looked up and listened.
"A dangerous battalion of their strongest earth benders and fiercest warriors, so I am recommending the 41st division." General Shyu suggested.
"But the 41st is entirely new recruits. How do you expect them to defeat a powerful Earth Kingdom battalion?" An old general replied.
Prince Zuko nodded, agreed with the older General.
"I don't. They'll be used as a distraction while we mount an attack from the rear. What better to use as bait then fresh meat?" General Shyu replied coldly.
Those words shocked Zuko inside. He jumped up, he didn't really thought about what he did. "You can't sacrifice an entire division like that! Those soldiers love and defend our nation! How can you betray them?"
Iroh heard his nephew's words resound into the room. His heart froze; he looked up with his mouth open. Never expected this, his nephew has always been a protector towards those he loved. Iroh had never expected that his nephew would stand up, before his father, before the supporters of war, to support the weaker of our nation. He had never expected that his boy would have the guts to stand up and speak like a real Fire Lord does.
The room became warmer and warmer; Prince Zuko turned and watched at the thrown. Fire Lord Ozai stood up and came out of the wall of flames.
"Prince Zuko! You dishonored General Shyu, me and the whole Fire Nation!" Ozai shouted out.
"But I," Zuko tried to say something, Iroh pulled at Zuko's sleeve.
"Be silence Prince Zuko! You're making this situation worse." Iroh advised him.
"You have to fight for your honor. So you can restore your reputation." Ozai came closer.
"You have to fight an Agni Kai, tomorrow morning."
The older generals looked eye widened at the boy, they all had an own opinion about this. Iroh was certainly anxious.
"I will." Zuko responded and turned away.
Zuko's room,
Zuko had returned to his room. He wasn't fully aware of how bad his situation was. The boy tried to prepare himself for the Agni Kai but he didn't know what to do. He looked around and thought about his challenger.
Why should I have to prepare? The general is an older man. I can handle an older man! Zuko sighed when he thought deeper. Should I harm an older man? I cannot do that! That poor man, but if I don't he will. Zuko didn't know what to do. If he gave up, he would be punished. He knew that!
Suddenly someone knocked at the door. "Come in!"
It was Uncle Iroh. "What have you done nephew?" He said anxious.
Zuko watched with debt in his eyes.
"Don't you even understand the gravity of your situation? You've dishonored an older general in front of the Fire Lord!"
Zuko began to understand bit by bit what he had done. "I didn't mean to!" Zuko turned his head away of his uncle and sat down on his bed.
Iroh knew that Zuko didn't mean to disrespect an older. But Iroh knew how his brother is. He knew that his brother would punish him. He would punish his son for this little mistake. Even the generals wouldn't want to see an Agni Kai for this little mistake. He's only thirteen years old.
Zuko was still looking away from his uncle. He was confused. "What now?"
Iroh took the boy closer and wasn't really sure what to tell. "I can tell you how an Agni Kai works?" Iroh suggested.
"Uncle, have you ever fight an Agni Kai?" Zuko looked at his uncle and waited for his answer.
"No, but I witnessed some." Iroh whispered. "Never forget to fight in an Agni Kai! When you give up, it's over!" Iroh advices the boy several other things. Like how an Agni Kai area looks like, how you enter it and what the rules are.
"Go to bed early." Iroh said when he stood up. "A good night rest is important." He walked to the door and looked to his nephew.
Iroh watched carefully to the boy. "I will see you tomorrow morning, when you're dress up!"
"Thank you uncle, thanks for everything."
Iroh went away to his room, he was nervous and he couldn't understand the situation very good. He knew how an Agni Kai worked and feared the worse. Agni Kai's are cruel and for betrayers.
The man paused and leaned against a pillar. Zuko isn't a betrayer; he didn't earned an Agni Kai. His opponent has the right to hurt and embarrass him. My nephew doesn't deserve this.
Iroh rubbed in the face of despair. I know my boy, he has too much compassion. He can't hurt somebody.
He sighed and leaned his head back against the pillar, looked to the sailings. What after the Agni Kai? What if he loose? They can kill him, banish him out of the capital city or out of the Fire Nation. The man hit his head several times against the post, heard his son's voice in his head.
The word his son spoke to him in the spirit world. He had warned his father for Ozai and he's words are true, but Iroh can't do anything. His brother has the power and he's a fallen general, a disgrace.
"I swear to Agni, I will follow my son to the end of the world! I will care for him in good and bad times, he's my second son!" Iroh whispered.
