Zuko glanced at Xania. Around her neck on a chain was the golden ball she had received five years ago, the day she realized she was a fire bender. Zuko had always wondered what was inside the orb, but he dared not ask Xania. She seemed unwilling, or unable, to talk about it. He had never seen her open it, although it was hinged and had a slot for a key of some sort.
Kuem called Zuko out of his reverie. "Zuko, not to sound unhappy at your return, but, why have you returned?" Kuem nervously adjusted the onyx bands that were upon the wrists of his muscular arms. These, too, were a gift from Ozai, on the day Kuem had first fire bended. After receiving them six years ago, Kuem was never seen with out them.
"I'm not sure." Zuko answered suddenly. "Many things brought me home, I suppose. When Uncle Iroh fell ill, I knew we had to return, to seek medication. But also, the Avatar has eluded me many times. I feel weary from chasing him. And now that he has mastered three elements, he must be coming here to master fire." Zuko sighed. "He has to be coming here! So many times, I was so close, I had him in my grasp! But each time he escaped. It's hard to bear such failure."
"Zuko! You aren't a failure! Now that you're home, everything shall return to normal, you'll see!" Xania cried, with a youthful optimism best suited for the eight-year-old girl she had been, not the thirteen-year-old she had become.
Zuko smiled at this reminisce of Xania's old, happy self. He hadn't seen that side of her for over three years, since before he left home. "I have missed you," he said. "All of you. But I couldn't return home so shamed, don't you understand? It hurt me, but it had to be done. I was banished, an outlaw." Zuko explained, trying to apologize to Xania, who had seemed so upset earlier.
"I understand, brother. I know. Our father's presence in our childhood has been anything but happy. I don't fault you, anymore." Xania replied, forgivingly.
"But what will Lord Ozai say of your return?" Areen questioned plainly. He had always been a thinker, not a fighter. He wasn't even a fire bender, and had rarely been to the 'forbidden' throne room of Ozai.
"I don't know." Zuko said. "I hadn't planned ahead this far."
"I will speak to him," Ozanna suddenly spoke up.
"It will work, it has too," Saila said, her eyes flashing. "We all know he listens to Mistress Ozanna better than anyone." She sighed, seeing looks of amazement and disbelief. "Well, at least better than anyone else on Zuko's side." The others nodded in silent agreement.
"We will speak to him tonight." Ozanna declared.
"Come in," a thick voice called as Ozanna hit the heavy knocker upon the ebony door. She walked in to see Ozai, standing as usual, eyes flaming in his terrifying way.
"Ozai, I have some news." Ozanna said. Ozai nodded, and Ozanna continued. "Our son has," Ozanna paused nervously. "Our son has returned home."
"I know," Ozai said in a harsh whisper. This was a good sign. If he spoke any louder, it would have been an early indication of his famous rage. "Commander Zhao has told me."
Ozanna winced at the sound of Zhao's name. He had never been popular with her, Xania, or Zuko. "And," Ozanna whispered.
"I will allow him to stay," Ozai continued. Ozanna glanced up hopefully. "That is, if he can prove himself."
Ozanna let out the breath she had been holding. She should have known there would be a catch. "I see." She said, relieved.
"I will see our son tomorrow." Ozai said. His voice rose slightly when he mentioned Zuko. "You may leave."
Terror and relief flooded through Ozanna as she backed away. Zuko was safe, for now.
Ozanna hurried back to Xania's room, where the others were eagerly waiting her return.
"He seemed neither happy nor angry," Ozanna said truthfully as she walked in to Xania's room.
"And?" Xania cried impatiently.
Ozanna sighed. "He said he'd discuss it with Zuko tomorrow."
And that was all that could be said.
The Fire Nation Palace: Four Years Earlier"One, two, three!" Xania called out, kicking and ejecting a line of flame into the air. Steps away stood Kuem, punching furiously and casting out an inferno. A circle of fire encased Saila as she willed it. Areen at on a bench behind them, recording their progress.
The fire-bending training arena was made up of a circular track behind the palace. Sand was everywhere, and there was an Agni-Kai arena near by. Training took place for Xania and the others nearly every day. Today only Zuko hadn't join them. He said that today he would prefer to stay inside, even though he held as much bending ability, if not more, as the rest of them.
General Iroh had recently begun observing their lessons. An experienced fire-bender name Wenm taught them. He was twenty-years old, and was even considered a challenge for Uncle Iroh in battle. He drilled them furiously, and was an excellent teacher.
"Now, synchronized patterns!" He yelled, as the three students performed an intricate drill of kicks, punches, slides, and fire.
After the drill, Kuem stopped, panting. He rubbed the bands on his wrists and sunk down next to Areen on the bench, were Saila and Xania joined them.
"Where is Zuko?" Saila asked.
"Dunno. Probably off sulking somewhere." Kuem said.
"Yah, the prince probably won't been seen for a year!" Areen said.
"Huh?" Saila asked. She had been away in the famed City of Smoke the past three weeks, having recently returned, and didn't know the latest goings-on of the palace.
"Oh, you know how he's so sure he's mastered the basics?" Xania said. Saila nodded. "Well, he challenged a soldier to a little practice-duel three days ago. It didn't go exactly as he planned."
"Meaning he lost." Kuem put in.
"Poor Zuko," Xania said. "He'll be all shaken up in his abilities now. But, I mean, he's only twelve, and there's only so much a kid that age can do."
"Yah," Areen said, going through his charts. He snapped his fingers in frustration. "He was doing SO well, though."
"Now he won't train for who knows how long." Kuem said.
"Oh, Zuko!" Saila said. "Why did he go and do that?"
"The Fire Lord," murmured Xania.
"What?" Saila.
"Well, he was called into our father's throne room two days before he challenged that guy. I bet that had something to do with it."
The others nodded. But Zuko did not come back to practice.
Zuko stood in his room, gazing at a mirror. Why? He thought. Why had I been so foolish? Why am I being so foolish now? No one even saw the battle, least of all him. But why do I feel so angry? He demanded of himself. But no answers came, because there were none.
That soldier, Duyn had been his name, was an oaf. A complete oaf. Zuko should have beaten him.
"But I couldn't," Zuko said aloud. "And I don't know why!"
"I do," a cold voice said behind him. Zhao, Zuko's hated rival, entered the room. "You know why you lost. You're an upstart prince, no boy has ever been in duels before," Zhao stressed the word 'boy.' "Your father is most displeased."
Zuko, who had been clenching a fist tighter and tighter, felt his blood run cold at the mention of his father.
"Zhao, I think you had better leave. Now." Zuko finally managed to say. Zhao left without argument.
"Zuko!" Xania gasped in surprise as the Prince walked toward her and the others on the training field. "You're back!"
He smiled. "You say it like I've been absent a year, not only two days."
"Well, after," Xania paused. "After the duel, I hadn't expected to see you out here."
He walked closer to her, and, in a harsh whisper, said, "Father's angry. I don't know how long it will be until I'm summoned."
Xania suppressed a shudder, but couldn't help gasping. "Talk to Mother, or Uncle Iroh, or Wenm! They'll tell him how good you are!" She cried in desperation.
"No. I'm going to face him on my own," Zuko said boldly. But his blood was running cold.