AN: Alright, I know this chapter may seem 'rushed' but trust me, we will come to fully learn more about Seiran and the other character that is introduced later on in the chapter. They play a major role in the sequel, and there are flashbacks to this time and different parts in their lives. So in the end, everything will come together! Ok, enjoy! And hey, thanks for the reviews!
The sand formed against the heels of his boots, forming his footsteps perfectly. The waves from the ocean sulked along the shore, the moon's reflection shimmering off the moving water beautifully. The night air was cool, crisp and filled with a sense of calming and peace…something he hadn't felt in a long time. It had been a week since he arrived and he began to wonder when things would pick up the pace.
With a heavy sigh he pulled his sword from its holster, raising it above his head and took a deep stance. His arm stretched outward as if egging on an unseen opponent as his other arm held the sword up high, pointing it towards the eastern sky. His eyes closed slowly, his breathing began to sync with the rushing tide and suddenly with a final breath his eyes shot open, the blade of the sword engulfed in fire and he began to slice the blade through the air. Attacking at anything and everything within a 15 foot radius.
From his hidden position, Zuko watched as this man…this man that Katara and Sokka had accepted into their home, their lives long ago bended a fire so brilliant that even he and his father would stand in awe. He watched as Seiran attacked each move with perfect precision and how deadly he seemed when yielding a weapon. He seemed dangerous, but that didn't frighten Zuko. What frightened him was the truth this man was holding back.
With a grip on his Dao swords, Zuko sighed heavily before emerging from his hidden sanctuary from the greenery. Drawing his swords while Seiran's back was turned; Zuko ripped them apart, thrusting them downwards towards Seiran's back only to be blocked by the fiery blade and two soul piercing eyes staring into his very own.
"Who are you?"
Smirking like a devil, Seiran pushed his blade forward causing Zuko to be forced back; both were staring intently at one another as Zuko's blades too were engulfed in white flame.
"Let's see how well you've been taught," Seiran sneered, pulling away from Zuko, "my Prince," he bowed mockingly and stood just as Zuko yell, charging at the young man before him.
The clashing of blades echoed along the beach, ringing in the ears of all those who heard. Fortunately only two souls were within earshot. Ozai and Sokka.
After hearing the commotion, both headed down to the beach to investigate and there they saw Seiran and Zuko dueling it out, their blades a blaze, their once calm and collect features lost, replaced with maddened, crazed looks of anger and hate…Sokka had never seen them like this, ever.
"It is just the calming before the storm," Ozai muttered aloud, watching the two young men attack one another over and over and over again.
Sokka looked over his shoulder at the Fire Lord, curiosity written across his features, "What do you mean?"
Simply shaking his head, Ozai sat down, beckoning Sokka to do the same, "When the time comes, I believe we shall both know the truth."
'What was this guy talking about?!'
"Your form isn't half bad," Seiran growled between clenched teeth, "it seems you aren't a complete failure after all," again his sword came down onto Zuko's, the prince glared at him through the combined flames of their swords.
With a swift kick to the gut, Zuko forced Seiran off him giving him time to recover and prepare for another blow, "Yours isn't half bad either," he sneered, their blades clashed again, each putting as much force behind them as possible, their faces dangerously close.
"So, you wanted to ask me something boy?"
Zuko's eyes widened for a moment before bringing his sword around, blocking another attack before executing one of his own, "Yes, I did."
Katara sat in the middle of the massive bed, her hands playing with the silk sheets as she waited for Zuko. Over the course of the past week he had been acting strangely. When he would come to bed, he would be late and would seem somehow distracted, as if his mind were elsewhere…she only hoped that tonight would not be the same.
'Where are you Zuko?'
"Fifteen years ago, I lost two elder brothers," the clanging of metal continued, "they were believed to be the reincarnates of the twins Ying and Yang," Seiran side kicked at Zuko, bending fire at the young prince, but Zuko dodged it quickly, "one night, they disappeared, never to be seen again."
Seiran was getting tired of the prince's games, in a swift motion he threw his sword from his hand, taking a bending stance, waiting for the prince to do the same, "Where are you getting at?" he yelled.
Zuko twirled his swords in his hands artistically before stabbing them into the earth and slowly approaching Seiran, taking a similar bending stance, "One appeared to be of fire nation decent," he threw the first attack, "the other," Zuko sunk to the ground, narrowly missing Seiran's attack, "looked as though he were of the Water Tribe. His hair, white as snow, his eyes blue as the ocean and his skin," Zuko threw another punch, his fist slamming against Seiran's strong chest, but quickly he extinguished it, looking up at the young man before him, "course and dark like the sands."
For a moment they stared at one another, unaware of Sokka and Ozai's presence. Their breathing staggered out, their chests heaved as they continued to stare at one another, the silence was almost deafening.
"Wait," Sokka whispered, looking over at Ozai for conformation, "you don't think that Seiran…is your son?" his voice quivered, all this time, he never truly knew.
Tears pricked in the back of Ozai's eyes as he watched the two youths, catching their breaths. He was about to speak when Seiran's voice froze him completely.
"And what gave you the idea that I was one of these said brothers?"
Zuko sighed, falling to the ground landing gracefully into and Indian style sitting position, burying his face in his hands, "I don't know."
A look crossed Seiran's face, a look that Sokka always remembered whenever he or Katara were hurt or lonely, it was a look of sympathy and he truly now questioned if Seiran was Zuko's brother…come to think of it, they did look much alike, facial wise.
'Can it be?' Sokka thought, his hand cupped his chin as he continued to watch.
"Your majesty," Seiran knelt down, his hand resting on Zuko's head, pushing it backwards so that he could see Zuko's face, "I know losing someone is a painful burden, but I am not your brother," he continued, "I am sorry if I had lead you down a path of mistrust."
Zuko eyed Seiran for a moment. As his eyes dropped down Seiran's face, a black cord that was wrapped around his neck caught Zuko's eyes…especially the small pendant that was attached…it was Zuko's family crest.
"I guess you're a pretty good liar," Zuko mumbled as he stood, "but you don't have to lie to me, brother."
Seiran smiled, his hand reaching up to the pendant that hung loosely round his neck, tucking it back into his shirt, "I just want to know one thing," he heard Zuko say.
"What is it your majesty?"
"After all this time…why, why haven't you returned home?" Zuko asked, it was direct and to the point.
Turning away, Seiran looked out towards the ocean, the breeze flowed through his hair, "When I had joined Lord Hakoda in the war, I had heard of the Fire Nation's Warrior Prince. He was the perfect son, the perfect soldier, the ideal Fire Lord for when Fire Lord Ozai passed on. Before I had every intention of returning home, I had missed you, father," he chuckled softly, "even Azula," his laughter died down as Zuko approached him, "but I realized that if I or our brother should return, it meant that we would take away something that you had worked so hard to achieve."
Now standing beside Seiran, Zuko looked over at his elder brother, "And what is that?"
"To be Fire Lord," Seiran stated, his eyes focused on Zuko's, "If our brother or I should ever return publicly to the Fire Nation, your acclaimed birthright to the throne would be taken and everything you worked so hard to achieve would be lost. You would be merely a prince, one who could never truly decide the fate of the nation, nor the world."
"That's why you didn't return," Zuko mumbled.
Seiran nodded, "Yes, we both decided that if we could see you, watch you grow into a good man from the shadows and support you…then we would be happy."
"And are you happy?" Zuko asked softly.
From their hiding place, Sokka and Ozai eagerly awaited Seiran's response, "I am."
Zuko sighed, "And our brother?"
Seiran chuckled, turning over to Zuko, his hand running along his shaggy hair, "I'm sure he is," his hand traveled down to Zuko's shoulder, his grip was firm, "but you shouldn't rely on my word alone. You should ask him for yourself."
Zuko's eyes widened, his head whirled around seeing if he could see his older brother, "He's here?! Where?!"
A dark chuckle came from the trees above them, Seiran and Zuko looked overhead to see a shadow figure of a man, lounging on a thick branch, one leg stretched out to the length, the other dangling lazily, his golden eyes piercing brilliantly, "You always knew when I was around didn't you brother?"
The said brother jumped from the trees, landing in a crouched position before Seiran and Zuko.
As he stood, his hair danced in the wind, it was the same length as Seiran's only it was black, his eyes were gold and his skin was fare, much like Zuko's. In fact, he looked much like Ozai did when he was a younger lad.
Seiran chuckled, his hand never leaving Zuko's shoulder, "How could I not? You're as subtle as a platypus bear."
The other twin wore a scowl as both Zuko and Seiran laughed, Sokka was about to do the same when Ozai's strong hand latched down on his mouth, silencing him from giving away their location.
"Sure I am," the other brother smirked, his bangs now covering the left side of his face, "but that's not the reason you called me out now is it, brother?"
Seiran silenced himself; Zuko did the same soon after and watched as the other twin, his elder brother approached.
"Zuko," Seiran began, "I'd like to reintroduce you to Ensei, your other elder brother," Zuko looked upon Ensei, seeing the uncanny resemblance he shared with Seiran, not to mention his father.
"A pleasure to meet you, again, Zuko," Ensei said as he approached, his hands grasping hold of his younger brother and pulling him into an embrace.
Zuko held onto Ensei tightly, tears began to spill down his face. SO many different emotions engulfed him, everything seemed to happen all so suddenly and yet…far too late.
"I'm so happy to have you both back in my life," he whispered, pulling away to wipe his tears.
Ensei laughed heartedly, his arm wrapping around Zuko's shoulder, "Though you may not have known it, Seiran and I were always checking up on you as often as we could."
Zuko looked to Seiran for conformation, which he received a simple nod, "We came to see how you, father and Azula were doing as often as we could."
"And it's just as Seiran said Zuko," Ensei began, "if we returned to the palace, everything that you have worked so hard for, shall be in vain. You would be striped of the birthright to the throne and to be honest, Seiran and I do not desire that fate for you…nor do we really desire to rule a nation come to think of it," Ensei mumbled, leaving Seiran to smack his palm against his face and Zuko with a small smirk on his lips.
"So, even though you've returned in my life, you won't return publicly to the Fire Nation?" Zuko asked.
Seiran nodded, as did Ensei, "If we can continue to love and support you from the shadows as we always have…well," they both looked at one another, then at Zuko, "that's enough for us."
"Besides, Lord Hakoda and his children are my family now as well," Seiran began, his hand running over his heart, "they will always have a special place in my heart," he looked up over at Ensei, then at Zuko, "they are my family now."
"And Master Piando," Ensei began, "is like a father to me, he raised me when he found me," he too looked over at his twin, then over to Zuko, "he is my family now."
Zuko understood. For the greater portion of their lives, both Seiran and Ensei both lived and loved other people, perhaps more than their own real family…but, as long as he knew they were alive and well and still wished to play a role in his life, then he was alright with that.
"But that doesn't mean you aren't our brother anymore," Seiran said.
"Yea, you'll always be little Zuzu to us," Ensei continued, as he forced Zuko into a headlock once more.
That's were Azula got the name…or maybe when they 'came to visit' they heard her call him that and saw his reaction…big brothers.
Soon after hearing his two elder sons reveal themselves to Zuko, Ozai sighed a relieving breath and removed his hand from Sokka's mouth, "I am content," he whispered softly as he stood, looking down at the young Water Tribe Prince.
"So…so Seiran is your son, as well as that other man?" he inquired.
Ozai nodded, "It appears that way. You've heard the same words as I. I have no more knowledge than you my son," his hand rested on Sokka's shoulder, "but do not let this newly discovered truth harm the relationship you have with Seiran. As he said, you, Katara and your father have earned a very special place in his heart," Ozai smiled and it made Sokka wonder how much his next words tore him apart, "you're his family now. Take care of him?"
He nodded, "I will Fire Lord, I promise."
"But Zuko," Seiran's voice caught Sokka's attention, "everything that has happened tonight, cannot leave this spot. If word were to somehow leak of our return, everything shall be thrown into chaos."
"DO you understand?" Ensei asked.
Zuko nodded, "I understand."
"When we leave this beach, I am only Seiran, elder brother to Katara and Sokka. You are Prince Zuko, brother to Azula and son of Fire Lord Ozai," he continued.
"And I," Ensei began, "am just a passing stranger," he sighed, looking over at Seiran whose eyes were narrowed.
"What? Why can't you come with us?"
"My job gives me no rest for many breaks," Ensei covered, "besides, if I came back with you, your friends would surly see the resemblance Seiran and I share and as we said, we cannot be discovered…not until the time is truly right," his hand grasped hold of Zuko's shoulder once more, "take care of yourself little brother and remember, I'll always be watching," with that he hugged Zuko goodbye and before Zuko really had a moment to recuperate, Ensei was gone.
"Come, everyone must be worried. We've been gone a long time," Seiran suggested, his hand now on Zuko's shoulder, leading him up the sand path.
Sokka waited for several moments, waiting for Seiran and Zuko to pass him. When they finally did he sighed heavily, stumbling his way out of the brush.
'Oh man,' he thought to himself, 'all this time and I didn't even know…I didn't even suspect…' things were far more complex than they were before but he took Ozai's words to heart. Seiran had accepted him, his sister and his father as his true family, though he would always see Zuko as his brother. Sokka knew that everything Seiran was carrying inside him must pain him and he knew that he had to let Seiran know that he would be there by his side no matter what his choice would be in the end…only problem was how to tell Seiran he was spying on him and Zuko and that Ensei guy without Seiran wanting to rip his head off.
'To tell Seiran or not to tell Seiran…that is the question,' he thought to himself, 'it's a difficult decision.'
"Sokka?" hearing his name…especially from the owner of a certain voice caused Sokka to practically jump out of his own skin.
Standing there, Seiran stood, his arms crossed and a very calm look resided over his features, "What are you doing out here so late?"
Sheepishly laughing, Sokka shrugged his shoulders, "Hehe, nothing, just needed some fresh air!" he stretched out his arms, sucking in the night air, "Yep, ahhh, good air! Well, goodnight!" with that he darted past Seiran like a bat out of hell, leaving Seiran in his wake, a smirk on his face.
Creeping through the house, Zuko made his way to his room, his hand rested on the handle, his head sloshed against the door.
This entire week had been quite the rush for him; he had always dreamt of finding his elder brothers…but this, this was madness. It had only been a week since Seiran had entered his life and already he had discovered a truth that he had hoped to have learned long ago. Fate had a funny way of working things out in the end. Not only did he learn of his brother Seiran, but also his brother Ensei had been there all along, watching over him even to this day and he finally was given the chance to meet them again.
With a contentful sigh, his hand twisted the handle, revealing a beautiful scene before him.
There, lying in the middle of his bed, fast asleep was Katara. Her tan skin glowed beautifully in the moonlight that poured into his room; her curled locks trickled around her like a pool of water and her face, beautiful and serene. She was a true vision.
As silently as he could, Zuko lifted the covers up over their bodies, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into him, receiving a gentle moaning response, "What took you so long?" she asked groggily.
Smiling into the base of her neck, Zuko kissed the tender flesh beneath his lips before answering her, "Nothing," his eyes trailed out the window and up at the moon, "nothing at all."
So there we have it. You now know who Seiran and Ensei are. But, why now are they being introduced and how are they part of the overall bigger picture??? Read onward and you'll find out!
