Zuko stood, like all the other soldiers around him, in full battle armor. Looking out at the faces of his fellow warriors, he could not help but wonder which of them would not survive the day. Zahani came to stand next to his cousin and he, too, was prepared for battle.

"Scared, little cousin?" he said, watching the battle preparations, but stealing a glance at the younger man nevertheless.

"A true warrior knows no fear," Zuko replied brazenly as he drew himself up to his full height and turned to look his cousin in the eyes. Zahani looked back at Zuko, shaking his head sadly.

"And who told you that, young prince?"

"My father," Zuko replied, and there was a distinct pride in his voice as he spoke. Zahani sighed.

"And you still believe all your father has ever taught you, Zuko?"

"My father is a great leader, Zahani, and the king of a great nation."

"Maybe," Zahani said, nodding, "but has he been a good father to you?" Zuko's eyes blazed with indignation, but only for a moment. Slowly, his eyes dropped to the ground, but he said nothing. "Listen to me, Zuko," Zahani said quietly, "you're at an age when you have to decide for yourself what to believe, and what to do with the power you have. You have great power, Zuko, and with time and training it will only grow. But what you do with that power is up to you. I'm going to tell you something my father told me once; 'What makes a good leader is not the lack of fear, but doing what is right in spite of it'." Zuko looked up at his cousin stubbornly.

"I'm not afraid," he said.

"Then you are a fool," Zahani replied, and there was no trace of levity in his voice.

"What?" Zuko exclaimed, and a burst of flame surrounded his hands reflexively. It was Zahani's turn to draw himself up to his full, and considerable, height.

"You heard me, little cousin," he said, his voice softening, "you are a fool if you deny that you are afraid. If you are afraid, then you lie to yourself and that is something a leader, a man, should never do. If you are truly not afraid," he continued, his eyes sweeping the warriors surrounding them, "then perhaps you do not understand what is at stake." Zuko simply stared at his cousin, at a complete loss for words. Zahani swept past Zuko to a group of older warriors where his father was standing.

"Excuse me for a moment," Iroh said to his men and he made his way over to his son.

"Is anything wrong, Zahani?"

"I hope I didn't interrupt, father…"

"Of course not," Iroh said, walking away from the group, Zahani walking alongside him.

"It's just…I worry about Zuko, father," the younger man said, "he is still very young and I don't know if he is ready for this." Iroh nodded.

"I understand your concerns, my son. Zuko has much to learn and is quick to anger. He is my brother's own and I sometimes fear what that means for him." Zahani was silent for a moment, then shook his head in frustration.

"I don't understand it, father. It just…" Zahani paused, seeming to choose his words carefully. "It doesn't make sense to me. I know he's your brother and the ruler of our nation but…how could he do that to his own son?"

"I don't know, Zahani," Iroh said sadly, looking at the younger man, "I've asked myself that countless times."

"What I can't understand is why he still wants his father's approval so badly after what happened." Iroh simply shrugged.

"He is fifteen, and wants to prove that he is worthy. To his father, and to himself." Zahani sighed.

"It's a good thing he has you, father." Iroh smiled.

"Why do you say that, my son?"

"Because," the young man replied, looking into his father's eyes, "you can show him what a father really is." The two men then embraced, briefly but fiercely.

"Come," Iroh said, "let's get back to the others. There is still a battle to fight."

Author's note: Wow, this story is kind of taking on a mind of it's own….I love it!  More to come soon, all…