A/N: And here we are with Chapter 4. Want to thank everyone who has been reading for far; a special thanks to everyone who has left a comment on here. It's always so exciting to see reviews popping up in my email. It's a real motivator.

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Summer soon set into a simple autumn and Zuko found himself trudging back into Caldera Private School for Boys. He kept a tight grip around the strap of his bag as he looked at the formidable building. It loomed over him, daring him to step into the harsh environment. He gripped his bag tighter, keeping his head low as he hiked through the crowds of school children. He wasn't used to so many students milling around.

Gazes found him quickly, and followed him with each step. Zuko pressed on, the not so hushed muttering matching the beat of his steps.

"Isn't that Prince Zuko?"

"I heard the kid was the avatar."

"How old is that kid? He's so short!"

"Is he even old enough for classes?"

"That's the kid who's supposed to bring prosperity to our nation? He looks like he's still in his nappies."

Zuko was out of the court yard and pushing his way down the halls to his class room. It took him far too many wrong halls before he finally found the hall for second form students. Getting to the classroom, he found his name on the seating chart – groaned inwards about being placed in the front row right before the teacher's desk – and quickly placed himself in the seat. The other students were bustling around, making friends amongst themselves, but kept a gap between them and the prince. That was fine with Zuko – it wasn't, but he'd tell himself it was.

His classmates may not be eager to interact with him, but they did nothing to stop their gazes. Zuko could feel so many stares on his back as he fiddled with his books.

"He was in my class last year," a young boy muttered to his left. "He's kind of weird."

"He's the avatar," another voice added. "That's what I heard my dad say."

"Really? Isn't the avatar supposed to be all tough? He's puny."

"Your one to talk Katzu."

The door to the room swung open, their teacher marching into the room. The boys stood, bowing respectfully at their teacher as he stopped in front of them.

"Good morning class," the man started, "I am sensei Sadaaki. You will refer to me as Sir or sensei. To disenchant any of you problem makers, I will not tolerate any disobedience or disrespect from this class. You are all in second form, you will have either learned proper behavior by now, or I will be sure to teach it to you. Do not expect any special treatment."

Zuko felt the threat pass over the class. When the man's eyes traveled to Zuko, the young prince dropped his gaze not wanting to disrespect him on the first day.

"Let us begin with our Nations pledge."

The students turned in unison to the portrait at the back of the class. Zuko looked into the painted stare of his grandfather, as he clasped his hands into the traditional Fire Nation salute and bowed at the waist.

"My life I give to my country," Zuko spoke among the other boys. "With my hands I fight for Fire Lord Azulon and our forefathers before him. With my mind I seek ways to better my country. And with my feet may our march for civilization continue."

"Be seated. Take out your calligraphy text. We will review your knowledge on the traditional forms."

Zuko followed the instructions, ignoring the ways eyes continued to rest on him throughout the class.

Class moved along easy. The additional sections they covered that day were easy for Zuko to follow, and before he knew it, the day was ending. It was rather uneventful, especially since Zuko hadn't had much chance to interact with his fellow classmates. They continued to keep a wide breach between them and him.

Dinner that night, his mother encouraged him to make friends. He vowed he would.

From there, class moved with the same style as the first day. Sensei Sadaaki went immediately into discussing their lesson for the day. Zuko set his mind to it, looking to prove himself. When they were instructed to break into group work, Zuko was alarmed when everyone had already matched. He was placed among two boys, who did their best to include him, but it was clear that the pair of friends weren't too excited about the addition.

The day ended.

The next day began.

That day ended.

A week passed.

Two weeks passed.

A month into the term and Zuko had only associated with his classmates when forced to. None seemed too eager to really associate with the prince and Zuko couldn't understand what he did wrong. He didn't understand why no one liked him.

"Fire Lord Azulon knew the dangers facing his troops and moved the forces being commanded by General Akihito; our Lord's younger brother…." Sensei Sadaaki dragged a rod across the map, showing the movement of ships.

Zuko was only half paying attention. They were discussing history, and as always whenever the royal family was brought up, eyes would linger on Zuko.

"The Water savages initiated the attack on our nation, but General Akihito was prepared…."

He took notes, but his hand didn't seem to want to write. Something inside him was filled with unrest as he wrote word for word.

"…General Akihito was strategic, using the very water against the malicious and unproved assault of the enemy…"

It didn't happen like that. It wasn't unproved. It wasn't our attack.

Zuko stopped writing. The voice had seemed to whisper inside of his ear.

"…the avatar set out to slaughter young, noble Fire Nation troops patrolling in our own water…."

The stares went deeper into his back.

"…General Akihito was able to save three ships of soldiers and beat back the advancing naval ships, by sacrificing his own freedom. He, along with the twenty other soldiers aboard his ship, were taken as prisoners of war of the Southern Water Tribe. Fire Lord Azulon soon after received the news of his brother's capture as well as the threat of his death from the chief of the Southern Tribe."

It was an excuse. The excuse they needed.

"Fire Lord Azulon moved for diplomacy in the retrieval of his brother…."

He threatened death.

"He did not wish for war and unnecessary casualty …."

To reign fire upon our shores.

"…savages did not abide by rules of warfare. They drowned noble Fire Nation soldiers…"

To burn our children.

"Fire Lord Azulon was faced with no choice but to initiate war…"

To rape our women.

"…General Akihito survived, but would die of his wounds two months after…"

To subdue our benders.

"The Great March for Civilization…"

He brought with him death.

"Stop it." Zuko growled, digging his palm against his closed eyes. Silence set over him. "You're lying."

"Excuse me, Prince Zuko?"

It took a second longer than it should have for Zuko to realize who had spoken. A rod slammed against the top of his desk. He looked up, sensei Sadaaki staring him down. "Is there something you would like to discuss with the class?"

"No Sir!" Zuko stuttered out. "I'm sorry."

"You think I am lying to the class?" Sensei Sadaaki's thick brows furrowed. He spoke calmly through grinding teeth. "That you know our history better than those who study it?"

"No sir!" Zuko was shaking now. Every eye was upon them. Zuko could already hear the whispers that would be shared. "I meant no disrespect."

"Meant it? Maybe you did not, but you are still disrespectful child. It is not just me you disrespect. But you bring disrespect to the late General Akihito. You bring disrespect upon Fire Lord Azulon. You bring dishonor upon on troops."

"No sir!" There were tears in the corner of Zuko's eyes. "I would never disrespect our Fire Lord. I would never dishonor our nation. I apologize for my outburst. I just…. I don't know why I spoke."

A snicker was heard in the corner of the room. Sensei Sadaaki drew his glare towards the sound, silencing it. He removed the rod from Zuko's desk, snapping it behind his back. "Since some of you do not seem to be taking the history of our great nation with the respect it deserves, you will each be spending your free break today copying the entirety of chapter eight. You will be spending every break from here on in this room until every one of you has the chapter copied perfectly. Are there any objections?"

No one fought against the punishment. It was wiser not to.

"Excellent." Sensei Sadaaki turned back to the map. "Now, to continue with our lesson, unless there are any more objections."

The glares on Zuko's back burned with such an intensity that he worried one of them might accidently set him on fire. Worried someone one might purposely set him ablaze.

When he returned home after school that day, it was meet to the anger of his father.

"Follow me."