Beta Read by APigInRollerSkates. A huge shoutout and thanks to them!
Ursa is a bonafide herbalist, and she prides herself on her work. Mastering each and every herb that she has in the royal garden. Tending to the plants and doing the work herself while ignoring the servants' gazes. The herb she used when she cooked congee for Azula has a special property that can replenish energy faster while being safe for children.
It has been months since they received any significant news from the siege of Ba Sing Se, at least that is what she heard from her father-in-law. Ursa was worried about her brother-in-law and his son, Iroh and Lu Ten. Iroh is pleasant company in the palace and Lu Ten is a big brother figure for both Zuko and Azula. Still, even if Iroh is a terrifying firebender, he has a soft spot for her, maybe because of the death of his wife. Her passing isn't discussed that much in the palace, so as to not arouse the Crown Prince's ire.
Ursa suspects he is the only one that shares Zuko's ideology, that the war needs to end, and it shall end at Ba Sing Se. Although, her son is adamant on his belief that this war will continue to eat at the Fire Nation.
What Zuko said months before about a hunch that he has distressed her greatly. To her, Zuko almost feels like a mature man trapped in a child's body, but she honestly doesn't know why. Ursa could see his childlike innocence from time to time, but she can also see some deep regret that sometimes slips in when Azula and him are talking.
How could a boy that is only just twelve, with his only experience of the outside being the city and Piandao's mansion, have any deep regrets? Maybe the lost book Samidare really did impact her son in a significant way. The power of narrative isn't lost on her, as tales and legends can imprint a person with their messages and morals.
That's why she is so curious about the book. Ursa asked the Royal Librarian if there is any record of a book called "Samidare" and found that the book doesn't exist. The Royal Library is second only to the legendary Spirit Library. Even an archive date would suffice, yet there was none. Could her son be lying to her?
Such thoughts were washed away when fire sages rushed through the garden to her. Ursa could see that their faces are solemn and they are carrying a sealed scroll. "Your Highness, Princess Ursa, a message from His Majesty Fire Lord Azulon."
Immediately, out of pure knowledge of etiquette and instinct, Ursa kowtowed to the scroll. "His Royal Majesty, Fire Lord Azulon, solemnly announces that a tragedy has struck the Royal Household. The Crown Prince's son, His Highness Prince Lu Ten has passed away in the valor of battle. The Royal Household is expected to undergo a period of mourning for two weeks. May Prince Lu Ten gain peace with Agni."
Ursa's head bowed deeper to the floor, not out of reverence, but out of shock. There is no way that the wonderful man that is Lu Ten just dies, far away from the cutthroat nature of the Royal Court. Her thoughts were loud, denying the fact that Lu Ten passed away, worrying that this may be what Zuko was referring to weeks ago. A feeling of impending doom towards the family?
The deep feeling of loss and her son's words echoing her mind ate at her, and she didn't notice that her fears turned into tears. For her, for Zuko and Azula, for the family, and especially for Iroh. No parent deserves to see their offspring pass before they do, especially only a few years after the Crown Princess passed away. Iroh has lost so much and even for her, this is too much.
The fire sages didn't leave her with any pleasantries, which she appreciated, and left her to her own thoughts and grief. Ursa did not even hear the sound of the ōgane as her mind was full of fear.
The sky is a bit grey. Itachi knows that this kind of weather does not bring good news. Weather cares not for the feelings of an individual, that is true and tested, here and anywhere. But it doesn't hurt to associate such trivialities with the human condition.
Itachi is training his shurikenjutsu mixing it with firebending, replicating his Katon: Hōsenka Tsumabeni (Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson). However, unlike the technique, infusing the kunai with just firebending is not working. As he concluded, while Chi can be powerful, Chakra is more potent and can be more so refined into multiple uses.
He also had a thought, if Yang Release converts his Chakra to Chi, can he bend other elements as well? Carefully looking around, he noticed that he had no eavesdroppers, Mai, Ty Lee, and Azula included. From his readings, the traitor Avatar Roku trained Airbending first, however any records of the Airbenders are only skewed in mysticism of their art and condemning their preemptive buildup of troops to invade the Fire Nation. No mention of their techniques are found.
Waterbending and earthbending are the only ones that are documented in great detail. This is not because of a fascination for the art, but so firebenders can easily counter their strengths.
Finding out if he could bend different elements would've been easy with the paper test. Even still, imbuing chakra to paper which would turn wet or go up in embers is not the same as bending. Bending is much harder, as one must discover it through technique or accident and the actual application is far different from hand signs. The first time he used bending was just by observing Ozai and Iroh and imitating their techniques using the Sharingan.
Itachi imitated waterbending by going to a nearby pond. Waterbending is slow and fast, it almost has a melody in each and every move. He raised his arms slowly pouring Chi gently into his hands but nothing came out. He tried again and still the water is still. With no luck on sight, he moved to Earthbending.
Earthbending is fast and powerful, like a beating drum when soldiers are being led to the battlefield. The most fundamental technique according to his studies was planting the foot on the ground and having the earth rise from above. He did as the text is told and still nothing happened. Until he meets someone who can actually Earthbend or Waterbend, he cannot truly say whether his Yang Release only converts Chakra to Fire Chi.
His musings however were interrupted as he saw Fire Sages bowing while their hands were hidden on their robes with the leading sage carrying a crimson scroll with threaded gold. The fire sages bowed to him, "Your Highness, Prince Zuko, a message from His Majesty, the great Fire Lord Azulon."
Has his new grandfather gotten sick? Normally he would have them all summoned to the throne room to announce something important. Having the Fire Sages convey such a message is something unimportant to him or he is unable to do so with his words. Itachi read their faces, and as usual the faces of the Fire Sages harbor no feelings, but he could feel their mood is somber. Itachi then kowtowed to the scroll.
"His Royal Majesty, Fire Lord Azulon, announces that His Highness, Prince Lu Ten, has died in the valor of battle."
Once Itachi heard those words, he drowned out any sound that's around him. How could Lu Ten die? How could he perish in battle, shouldn't he be protected by the Fire Nation Elite Guard? This is eerily similar to how he heard of Sandaime Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen's death at the hands of Orochimaru, not letting any of his ANBU get close to one of the former sannin.
But Itachi understood quickly, of course, this would inevitably happen. His world is hellbent on war after all, and he is on the side of the aggressor. Itachi didn't know how to feel about this, but he did know he is even more adamant to see an end to this war. He knows he was born on the wrong side of it. He is still loyal to Konoha and the belief in the Will of Fire, but those two things don't exist in this world.
He soon noticed that the guards left him to his thoughts. Does he feel bad that Lu Ten suddenly died? Yes, but he harbors no brotherly or friendly feelings toward Lu Ten. Ever since he was born he only closely associated himself with his own close family. Still, memories of his best friend, Uchiha Shisui, burned in his mind. Memories of him committing suicide just to preserve the peace of the village.
Itachi only fears what this death may lead to. He is already preparing Azula with techniques that are unconventional to the traditional Royal Family Style Firebending, using Taijutsu, and his own training. But he knows this wasn't enough. In this new world, even with the best healers and the medicine of the Fire Nation, no one can do an eye transplant if he passes away.
From the corner of his eye, Itachi saw Ursa and turned his head to her face. Her eyes bloodshot and her mouth quivering, deciding whether or not to try or to keep her mouth thin. Her hands then swiftly landed on his shoulders and quickly she hugged him.
"I should have listened to you." Itachi felt her tone quivering but he felt no dampness on his cloth. Ursa then faced him. "I should have told your grandfather about your feelings last month, Zuko. If I did, Lu Ten would-"
Itachi just gave her a dispirited smile. "Even if you could have, Mother, Grandfather Azulon and Uncle Iroh are adamant on this siege. No one would believe my words, they believe that the spirits have long left our family a century ago."
"But-"
"There is nothing we can do, Mother," Itachi sighed, "It has already happened, nothing can bring back Lu Ten and nothing is your fault in regards to his passing."
Ursa remained silent and seemed to be contemplating, Itachi then spoke again. "Thinking about 'what ifs' is not going to help, Mother. But it doesn't mean that we have to stop mourning for his passing. All we can do now is pray to Agni for his soul."
"Here I was thinking that I should come here to comfort you, and yet here you are comforting me." Ursa sadly spoke. "Your Uncle lost so much, his wife and now his only son. Who knows what will happen next?"
Itachi paused for a moment. "The loss of lives will only lead to more sorrow, which will yield broken and vengeful men and women."
Ursa's face grimaced. "Zuko, your Uncle did this for our lives, for you and your sister to live in peace!"
"Peace, Mother?" Itachi coldly stated, making Ursa flinch in shock at his tone. "Peace? Then what is the cost? How many more lives is the Fire Nation willing to give for this peace? For almost a hundred years no peace has been achieved, no dialogue exchanged, only in the swathes of force did this war ever truly manifest." He paused. "Is this the price of peace that Uncle, Father, and Grandfather want to achieve?"
Ursa gave no response and Itachi was sure that he never gave a cold face to his mother before. "Forgive me, Mother." Itachi bowed to her. "The tense atmosphere seems to have gotten to me. I will accept any-"
He didn't finish and was interrupted by his mother who hugged him very tightly. "Don't. My son, I understand." She then pulled away and faced him. "Just don't say this to anyone else. Don't even utter it, please."
Itachi closed his eyes for a moment. "That I can promise, Mother. But understand that if any harm comes to our family, I will not hesitate. I will do what I must."
Itachi read quietly in his room as the announcement of Lu Ten's death made the entire Imperial City go into lockdown, including the Royal Palace. The talk with his mother still lingers in his mind. He left his mother there as they hadn't spoken after that, clearly she was shaken by what happened. It could only be seen by those close to her. To the servants and others, she showed only an emotionless face.
Still, the somber atmosphere lingered throughout the afternoon. The Fire Priests roamed about as he heard from a talkative servant that his Grandfather, Fire Lord Azulon, locked himself in the Throne Room, not letting anyone come. A typical reaction seeing Lu Ten is a sociable man, almost as sociable as Shisui.
Back then, Lu Ten tried to make friends with him when he visited, joining him with his Uncle when he was learning advanced firebending techniques. But seeing another Shisui, his best friend, in another form was just too much. He distanced himself so as to not get attached. He was so focused on his drive to kill himself that he didn't have time to grieve for the passing of his best friend, Shisui, and his love, Izumi.
He wondered how Azula would react to what happened. It didn't take him long to get his answer as Azula stormed into his room with a face of boredom and also, hurt. He knew that Lu Ten wasn't the cause of this. Plus, ever since that night when Azula barged into his room, she can make a face of stone or a mask of indifference easily.
Gently, Itachi closed his book and faced Azula. "Is something the matter, 'zula?"
"Nothing." Azula muttered while she sat on the bed and let out a huge sigh. "It's not like you will pay attention to me too, go back to your reading Zuzu."
Itachi chuckled at what she said and knelt in front of her. "Yet you barge into my room like that? I know that something is bothering you, 'zula. Besides, how will I continue my readings if my pesky little sister is here to constantly nudge me to play with her?"
The corner of Azula's mouth smirked for a bit. "Alright. Mom just approached me earlier and asked me if everything was okay. I told her that I was okay. I don't know why, but she was surprised by me and told me that Cousin Lu Ten is dead. Like what, am I a dumdum to her? Of course I know! Those creepy old guys came into my room and basically shouted it at me! But I'm not sad about it, it's not like he hung out with us that much. I remember him pestering you, though you don't seem bothered."
"I was busy with studying at that time, 'zula." Itachi replied.
"At your age, like what six years old?"
He nodded. "I want to be able to protect myself and those who I care about. He tried to hang out with me. But I... I just couldn't." Itachi realized his face turned to a grimace that gave away too much emotion and straightened his face.
Azula however caught this. She raised her eyebrows, morphing her face into concern. "Umm, should I be the one consoling you, Zuzu?"
"No need." Itachi gave a fake smile that didn't convince Azula, but she left it alone. "So, what did you tell mom?"
"Well I just told her that we should put up a strong front so that when anyone looks at us, they would be inspired to not get sad, you know? Just go on with their daily life," Azula paused again, "Then mom scolded me as usual, told me that I should be sad and he was a great cousin to us. Like I didn't even hang out with him and now I'm supposed to feel sad?! Basically telling me to just sulk in my room. And then, when I went to train, of course even the training rooms, OUR training rooms were closed."
She sighed and let the silence linger for a moment. "Am I wrong Zuzu? Is mom right?"
Itachi then gave a fond smile. "You are right, 'zula. But you are also wrong." Azula was confused but he continued. "You are right that we should present a strong front so that the people of the Fire Nation can look to us for strength. However, you told her this at the wrong time. Mother is grieving, and she needs time to process Lu Ten's passing. Just imagine if I die, Azula, and someone tells you to just get it over with and you didn't have the time to fully process what happened, how would you feel?"
Azula frowned. "I'd tell them to just get out of my face or I'll burn theirs." After realizing what she said, her face flushed in pink making Itachi snort.
"See?" Itachi touched her shoulder and noticed that she leaned into it. "When someone we care about passes away, we grieve. There is no sane human being that will not grieve for their loved ones. And when we grieve, we don't let anyone tarnish their name or let people forget what good they have done."
"But I didn't say anything about Cousin Lu Ten!" Azula argued back. "I just told her to present a strong front, that's it!"
Itachi again gave her a nod and he gave a sigh. "Also, you should know it may have been because of me that she was like that, and for that, I apologize."
"What did you tell her?" Azula asked.
"I told her about a hunch that I have."
"A hunch?" She repeated and Itachi nodded.
"A gut feeling that something would happen. I had it when we received those presents and I told mother about it when you were playing with your dagger. I just knew something would happen but when? Good or bad? I did not know." Itachi leaned back with his arms planted on the bed.
Azula just shrugged. "Could be a coincidence, Zuzu. I can tell you that wooahh~" She wiggled her fingers in front of his face. "Something bad is going to happen~! And...BAM! Of course, it would happen. Something bad has to happen eventually."
Itachi chuckled. "You might be right, but if there is one thing you can trust 'zula, it's your gut instinct. Anyways, getting back to what we were talking about before, what mother did was wrong. She shouldn't have told you off like that."
Again Azula gave him a shrug. "I'm used to it by now, I mean, it doesn't mean that it doesn't still hurt when she still does it. Unlike you who gets praise all the time, she just scolds me. I can't even remember the last time she was just proud of me." Itachi could feel some resentment and jealousy in her tone and turn to her.
But Itachi didn't reply, which she seemed to appreciate. "What are you planning to do now anyway?" Azula asked him. "The training grounds are closed and the entire city is on lockdown. I can't even pester my minions to entertain me."
"Minions?" Itachi smirked. "Not friends?"
"Well, technically they are!" Azula huffed. "They just have to entertain me from time to time. Can you believe that Ty Lee has so many sisters? She introduced them all to me and I can't stand it! So what are you going to do?"
"Maybe make a new game?" Itachi suggested but Azula just rolled her eyes.
"Oh please, as if you are not going to make it so advantageous for you. The makers of Pai Sho would have your head already if they were alive!" She then chuckled and Itachi just fondly smiled.
"It's not." He replied. "It's basically a game about battle. I want to call it Shōgi."
"Game of Generals?" Azula asked with curiosity. "What, is Pai Sho boring for you now?"
"Not in the slightest." Itachi spoke gently. "It's a game about how you will capture an enemy leader and give them a final blow, ending the battle outright without leaving anything for negotiation. The opposing army might have their troops destroyed or intact. It depends on how the opening moves go. You can also capture the enemy, and turn your enemy to your side to fight for you."
Azula listened in silence as Itachi described the rules and each piece on a board. Shōgi was a popular pastime game in the Hidden Leaf, and as far as he knew, there were no known origins as to where the game originated. The Nara Clan were especially adept at the game, with the head of the clan, Nara Shikaku, a grandmaster of the game.
He studied tactics with the game while playing against his old father. He planned to do the same with Azula, teaching her about tactical training, planning, and when to pick a fight. The two went to his desk as he listed the game's pieces to the ears of a curious Azula. The pawn, rook, bishop, lances, knights, the generals, and the king, stroking each character on paper. "The goal of the game is to capture the enemy king and leave no escape routes." He explained as he wrote 王. "And a checkmate is made, ending the game."
"So it's basically what Uncle failed to do, capture the Earth King." Azula surmised and Itachi nodded and grimaced. "Don't worry, Zuzu. One day, I will be the one capturing the Earth King and presenting him to you. And you can say, a check... ummm whatever for the Fire Nation."
"Oh?" Itachi questioned as he chuckled for a bit. "And why would he be presented to me?"
"Well, cousin's dead." Azula deadpanned. "And we have never heard of Uncle Iroh's wife before. If Uncle becomes the Fire Lord, you will be forced to become the heir to the throne one day. And leaving me with being married to an old noble who I don't even care about while being a "proper lady" as mom just keeps forcing me to do." She sighed. "I can see it in your eyes, Zuzu. You want to become Fire Lord one day and finally end this war."
Itachi nods as he gently lets down the brush on the inkstone. "You see through my metaphor, 'zula."
"It's pretty obvious." She smirked. "The way the game ends is how you want wars to end."
"As it should be." Itachi grimly stated.
"But that's not how it ends... is it?" She sighs. "After all, your game is just a game. Those Earth Kingdom peasants will refuse to surrender even if their King is captured. Great thing the Avatar is dead, or else those dumdums will get ideas."
"With Cousin Lu Ten's passing the situation would be grim, morale would be low." Itachi sighed and closed his eyes. "And if there is one thing that an overextended army needs is a hit to their morale. The siege is lost."
Azula looked at him with a shocked expression but soon realized his meaning and nodded with acceptance and a thin line on her mouth. Even with a vast quantity of power, resources, the Fire Nation will have to withdraw. Itachi is quite surprised that children are still not being deployed as soldiers even during the hundreds of years of this conflict taking place. But he hasn't seen the front, and maybe the Earth Kingdom is using them just to keep his Uncle from capturing the entire city.
The two then discuss the mechanics of their new board game into the night and Itachi has to have it made from a skilled woodworker. Still, the war's situation lingered in his mind. For almost a hundred years this new world has been in conflict and the brutality of it is muddled with propaganda. However, he knows what war is as he has already witnessed it.
In time, with his training, Azula will be capable of not meeting the same fate as Lu Ten. He still wants her to live in a world of peace. Itachi knows that this is a farfetched dream because, in the eyes of every Fire Nation citizen, even his sister, peace is only achieved with the fall of anything that isn't Fire Nation. With the Avatar dead, Itachi thought deeply about a way to end this war; all endings in his mind ended the same.
Bloodshed.
...and done! Wow, a year huh? I really apologize for the delay of this chapter as this chapter, in my opinion, is quite delicate for the next chapters. I have done rewrite after rewrite and even consulted my beta reader in regards to the Zutachi and Ursa conversation and the direction of the story. After months and bouts of fever and flu, together with my beta reader APigInRollerSkates this chapter is finally finished! KAMPAI!
This chapter is really really hard to write as it now deals with certain events that I cannot rely on sources and I have to use pure imagination. Making Itachi interact in this world while staying in character is also quite hard but for me rewarding for readers and me. With you all, I am also excited about what would happen in the next chapter and so on and so forth.
When I have free time I will work on the next chapter since I am now currently enrolled in Medicine School and even the first weeks is already hard but I will see if I will persevere and deliver you guys a satisfying chapter that all of us can enjoy!
Also, if it is not obvious enough I am currently also playing Shogi, which is Japanese Chess at lishogi dot org! It's fun, hard but really fun! I also want to put it into this story but in a way that makes sense narratively, especially Itachi's view on war. If you want to learn again the above site is a good resource, hidetchi on youtube is also a good source if you want to get good at it!
As I have said before and I will say it again and again. If you have any ideas regarding this story or if there is something you want to discuss with me, please, don't be afraid to reach out on the reviews or pms whether it's something you like or don't like about the story! I'm open to any kind of criticism except flames which obviously do no good.
So what do you think of this new chapter guys? If you have any suggestions, constructive criticism, or kind words, please I urge you to leave a review! It helps and motivates me to write another chapter of this story. If you have any criticism please also reach out to me or leave a review as it helps me improve as a writer! Any flames are unwelcome.
Thank you all and have a beautiful day!