Author's Notes:

This chapter was written with the help of Rob, who goes by the name of CharcoalRav3n on and for whole Mu-Tan is modeled.

Names:

Mu-Tan – Mu was an addition that I used because I liked the film Mulan. Tan is Chinese for Charcoal. (Since the character is modeled after my friend, I felt like honoring him by adding the name in.

Ty-min - Ty is part of Ty-lee's name and I thought it was cool. Min is often attached for a girl's name.

Bao Li - Bao means treasure and Li is a common boy's name

Ling - means power.

ManYee - is my sister-in-law's name. Sh'e likely be annoyed that I used her name.

Shinzui – means mystery, can also mean spirit or spiritual.

Faelin – It is Gaelic for red, ruddy or rust-colored.

Amai – the baby's name mean's cute or adorable.

Kasai Hari – Kasai is one of several words that can mean fire. Hari means glass or crystal.

Ken and Fo-ji - Ken has many meanings, though I chose it to mean sword. Fo-ji is Japanese for forge.

Fong – is just a popular name, like Li or Lee.

Chapter 10: Mu-Tan's Zuko Observations: Part 1 (Rob: CharcoalRav3n)

The boy was rash and foolish in many ways, yet Mu-Tan still recognized the spark within him, that drive that would lead the boy to overcome all odds or die trying. He was raw and in desperate need of molding, a deft touch here and there, a guiding palm and the boy may just be good enough to be considered for the Silver Circle Guard.

Mu-Tan had just dismissed Zuko after setting him three tasks, learn another language, cook a fine elaborate meal without help, and prove skill in a craft or hobby. These were the basic building blocks of becoming a fine man educated in etiquette and able to fit seamlessly into all facets of society. Mu-Tan was also fully aware that these were the lessons of an assassin and he purposely set them so that the young prince would undertake them in that false belief.

He turned and looked at himself in the mirrored walls of the small dojo. He was getting old. He realized that it was as inevitable as the sunset and that it was slowly setting on him. The ancestor's shrine caught his eye and he stared at the painting of his young son taken from him in the prime of his youth. The pang of loss still twisted in him but his face didn't change from its stony mask. All the tears in the world would not bring him back, but if he could change the world, it would not happen to any others.

It was raining again and Mu-Tan let the patter of it help him into meditation. The young prince would go straight home tonight, but tomorrow, tomorrow would show how much dedication he had. Mu-Tan settled himself and centered his thoughts, silence may be golden but to Mu-Tan it is so much more, to him it is home.

An ear splitting crash echoed through the dojo waking Mu-Tan from his meditative state. He scanned the room quickly, an easy task with mirrored walls. Nobody there, he could feel that the gentle rain had escalated into a storm. Another crash and Mu-Tan realized that it was just thunder that had startled him. There was no use for it now, he was awake and his body yearned to stretch and be free. He donned the dark green and brown clothing he used at night and took to the rooftops like a puma-cat. He made his way across the city using his earthbending to secure himself on the slippery earthen tiles. He was in one of the poorer districts when he dropped to ground level.

Using the shadows, he slipped into its hidden depths and watched through a window as Zuko tossed and turned in his sleep. Many a night had Mu-Tan watched as the boy had nightmares giving Mu-Tan the feeling that Zuko was overly sentimental and plagued by past actions. The way he rescued the street urchin suggested many things as well. Was the young prince atoning for something? These were perhaps too many things that members of the Silver Circle Guard could do without. What was that? A movement inside...

Mu-Tan peered into the darkness of another room and was temporarily blinded as a flame flared into life. He turned and ran off into the night using his feet to guide him as he blinked away the spots in his eyes. Smooth well worn cobbles underfoot meant he was entering the market district, he found a small alley that he knew well as it provided good cover and he used it often. As the flame flared briefly in Zuko's house he saw that the Dragon of the West was looking straight at him. Iroh had lit a flame purposely to let Mu-Tan know he was there, was he slipping or was the old dragon's teeth still sharp?

The next day dawned bright and true, the ground was still waterlogged from the night's storm, spreading a carpet of diamond dew across the ground. Mu-Tan dressed in his common clothes and headed off to the market district where he bought some fresh flowers for the shrine. He saw some clothes that were silver and blue in color and considered buying them for Zuko. No he must not get ahead of himself or the boy, only time will reveal his abilities.

Back at his dojo Mu-Tan drilled himself through every kata he knew and fell into the meditative state that came with concentration. By the time he had finished he was sweating and he went out the back of his dojo where there was a spout that came from a water tank that he used to shower. The water was particularly brisk from last night's cold downpour and it sharply brought every nerve to life as he washed. Night was beckoning and he dressed and quickly took to the rooftops. He would watch Zuko through the days starting tomorrow, but for now he was watching the boy at his house where he was most himself. No social barriers and no walls...

Tonight Zuko was preparing a meal for three as Mu-Tan observed the old lady from next door was invited in. So he had taken the necessary steps to learn to cook a meal. This was encouraging. Civilization began when we started cooking food over a fire and refrained from eating it wild. The real surprise of the night came when the boy, who would be Firelord was handed a baby. Although awkward at first, he cradled the child as though it were his own. Mu-Tan shook his head, this boy was full of so many contradictions he couldn't quite work out who he was. Was he capable of what he hoped?

The next few days went by fairly uneventfully with Zuko trying his hand at masonry, and woodworking, even jewelry-making and then glassblowing... and failing. Kasai Hari, that old Fire Nation refugee, told Zuko of the twins that owned the forge and their need for a firebender. Another failure but once again Mu-Tan could see the drive that forced this young boy onwards. Zuko had also tried his hand at Pai Sho and Mu-Tan was not surprised to see the boy failing at that as well. But Zuko had picked up playing the flute and seemed to have a knack for it. Music is food for the soul, but it is also a language in and of itself.

Mu-Tan's frustration at the boy's failures turned to surprise as he saw that the prince would not be deterred. No matter how many mistakes, no matter how many times he failed to grasp something, the boy stood up dusted himself off and tried again. What was it that drove this young man with such fury to carry on? Despite himself Mu-Tan started appreciating the boy as more than a potential apprentice... and more as... a son.

Lately during his spare time, Zuko was mostly to be found in the run down warehouse district that had been recommissioned by the government for housing. Mu-Tan slipped into the damp basement that Zuko always haunted and leaned against the earthen wall. Slowly the wall engulfed the man until only his eyes were visible. True to his name though, Mu-Tan's eyes were as black as charcoal and impossible to spot on the wall's dark surface. Zuko entered the basement and Mu-Tan watched in utter horror as the boy started practicing his firebending. He would risk it all for this?

Just as he was about to reveal himself and reprimand the prince he was entranced by the flame's dance. The last time he had seen a firebender doing these moves so precisely was back during the six hundred day siege. His grim memories were cut short by a shout...

"I must not let that happen. I must remember what my destiny is and keep my focus. I must never forget who I am. I am Zuko, son of Ursa and Ozai and heir to the Fire Nation!" Zuko yelled to himself as a wreath of flames leapt up around him. Silent tears ran down the boys cheeks as he clenched his fists so hard that a trickle of scarlet blood appeared between his fingers. He quieted himself and started the exercises again. Mu-Tan slipped backwards through the wall and out into the cool air.

The words 'Son of Ozai' rung through Mu-Tans ears as he headed home. His original plans for the boy were to have him on the side of the Silver Circle Guards so that when the Avatar completes his destiny and destroys that power-mad Firelord, they would seat one of their own on the throne. The war would end once and for all and the rebuilding of the White Lotus Temples and eventually the resurrection of the Silver Circle Guards could commence. The life of an assassin for hire, a mere mercenary was not one for him and he grew tired. Now, however, Mu-Tan's feelings for Zuko were changing. In that boy he saw strength and a flame that could not be bent to anyone's purpose. He harbors such strength from an inner moral code and set of ethics that Mu-Tan wondered who set them in the boy. Emotions warred inside Mu-Tan and he found himself savoring the turmoil. It had been so long since he had felt... anything...

The next day, Mu-Tan dressed in his finest clothes and set off to the markets where he had seen Zuko heading. Walking amongst the others in their finery Mu-Tan blended in to perfection, sometimes the best place to hide is in plain sight. He followed the boy as he fingered several scrolls and books on forging or flute music. The boy was indeed industrious and in his spare time was still training.

Mu-Tan deftly stepped sideways as a girl fled past him from a merchant that was calling her a thief. It was that little girl again, Ty-Min was her name and Mu-Tan had found no bond or link to Zuko in either of their pasts. She was hiding behind Zuko as the merchant ranted and raved over a stolen peach. What's this? Zuko had an imperious air about him and was deceiving the man with an impeccable choice of words. Had some level of etiquette rubbed off on the boy?

Mu-Tan left the prince and headed back home. Out of all the things he had seen this simple deception to gain what he desired, and in public no less, was the most heartening. There was hope for the boy. Mu-Tan passed a restaurant that he liked to frequent when he had time. He decided to go in and have a celebratory dinner of sorts. He ordered the most expensive meal on the menu which consisted of a cut of Sabertooth Moose-lion so tender it melted in his mouth. It was garnished with Fire-lilies, a plant that only grows in the Fire Kingdom and is all but unknown outside it. Such decadence was not par for the course for Mu-Tan but he felt today was a turning point in the prince's growth.

The next night however did not please Mu-Tan as much. Zuko had cornered a cloaked woman and seemed to be threatening her. This did not impress Mu-Tan at all. What was his reasoning? There were other ways to sate ones lust. Mu-Tan was almost happy when the lady kneed Zuko in the groin. As Zuko limped off, Mu-Tan walked over to the cloaked woman and pushed her into an alleyway from behind. He told her not to turn around or he would kill her.

"What do you want with me?" She asked.

"Who are you?" Mu-Tan's voice was neutral and lifeless.

"My name is Faelin. Please I have nothing of value. The box I carry only contains lanterns."

"That boy you were just talking to, what is he to you?" Mu-Tan was struck not verbally but physically as Faelin slammed her head backwards in the hope of breaking her captor's nose. Mu-Tan was too quick and all she managed to do was throw her hood off her head and release her vibrant red hair. The violent shock of crimson hair is enough to throw anybody off but what really caught Mu-Tan's eye was the dark honey brown tattoo that made its way down her neck in intricate coils.

She was a priestess of the White Lotus! He quickly let go of her and leapt to the rooftops where he made a hasty retreat to his house. What was going on? How did Zuko know a priestess of the Order? This didn't make sense and Mu-Tan hated not knowing every facet of everything, especially in the area in which HE lived. This would have to wait until the next evening; meditation was required to still his mind.

The following evening, Mu-Tan watched as Zuko took yet another group of people under his wing and organized some squatters into fixing the ramshackle warehouse they lived in. So many responsibilities, Mu-Tan preferred there to be no attachments. Zuko was heading home when Mu-Tan saw that the little girl, Ty-Min, was running toward Zuko. He picked her up and headed toward her house. Zuko placed the girl on the ground and headed inside the house drawing his blade. After a short time Zuko walked out of the house holding the girl and a small bag. Mu-Tan dropped to the street and cautiously entered the house after Zuko was gone down the street a ways.

Before he had even crossed the doorway he smelled the blood and knew what awaited him. There on the floor was the mother of the urchin child. Her hair matted in the pool of blood she was laying in. He walked over to the body and arranged it in a more dignified manner, then found a sheet nearby that he covered her with. He would pay for her funeral tomorrow. What was Zuko getting himself into? The boy was an enigma to Mu-Tan and one that constantly fascinated him.

This new turn of events needed more observation. He watched Zuko at the house with the little girl. The Dragon was always so close that he dared not be seen again. Their last meeting was one of tragedy. Mu-Tan was not sure what the current sentiments were. And again, Mu-Tan was rewarded with seeing how Zuko handled himself around a child. Yet, at the same time, Zuko was creating responsibilities for himself. Mu-Tan then thought, this might actually be a good thing. If this prince did make it to the throne, he would have a strong desire to care for his people and see them grow, but not in the way that Ozai and previous Firelords have. This indeed could be a good thing. Upon hearing the flute come to life within the walls, it became apparent where Zuko's morals were coming from. That was a lullaby that a mother usually sings to her child. So Zuko retained something of value from his mother, coupled with the guidance of the Dragon of the West.

The next night was much the same as the previous. Yet Mu-tan spied that the Blue Spirit was going to come out. So, the anger over what has happened to Ty-min has come to boil. This could go very well for Zuko or vary badly. Fong is a very large and powerful gang. Even the Dai Li was sometimes concerned. But then, Fong was sometimes on the Dai Li's payroll.

He was about to vanish into the night to be sure he brought Zuko home alive or hopefully even stop him from this foolish course when he heard the Dragon's voice speak very firmly to the prince.

"No Zuko. This is not the way. I am not letting you do this. There is a little girl in there and she is your responsibility now. You are staying right here." There was no way around it. The Dragon of the West was not going to let Zuko out. And that was that. "The situation will be handled, Zuko. But not by you. There are other ways to do things. They are no longer your problem. She is... not that she is a problem. But she is your prime concern now. Don't just leave her."

Once Zuko was settled in the chair to sleep, the Dragon of the West stepped outside to tend to some of the small potted plants there. Mu-Tan started to melt into the shadows when he heard the Dragon speak. "It is my day off tomorrow. I will make tea and play Pai Sho... if you will join me." He looked right at Mu-Tan. Nothing escaped this man, he was truly as his name... a dragon... an old and sometime grouchy one it seemed by the serious tone in his voice.

Mu-Tan stepped into view and bowed to Iroh, then disappeared again into the shadows. Indeed. It was time to talk. Time to take Zuko in and start his training... especially now that there was a priestess alive... and here in the city. That still irritated Mu-Tan. He had seen the girl for several years around here. And never did she show any indication that she was either White Lotus or a priestess. Not even his White Lotus informants here in the city knew. She would seriously need a guard, and not an old one. This was definitely something to consider. So now, Zuko's training became Mu-Tan's priority. He will address it right after he is done teaching a class on basic forms in his dojo to some noble sons from the Upper Ring.