The unforgiving sun and its oppressive heat didn't do wonders on Shirou's body. Right now, Fat had him run laps across the island that took about 2 hours, and by the time he got back, he was spent. He lay his back on the steps, catching his breath. Piandao's apprentice approached him and gave him a cup of cold water to drink.

"Thanks," he drank it all in one gulp. "Must say that's the most extraneous marathon I have to do since leaving the palace."

"I didn't even think that you'll be doing it," said Fat, taking a seat just below the prince. "The first time that the master made me do it, I nearly gave up."

"Is that so?" the apprentice let out a chuckle and gave him a pat to the back.

"Only you got this far under Master Piandao. The ones before didn't even last against me, the more fortunate left saying that everything they have done here has nothing to do with swordsmanship." Fat added and Shirou kind of agreed with it.

But at the same time, it is how the man does his teaching and the young prince didn't have any qualms about it. When it comes to formal training, this will be his first time, if he doesn't count the times that the King of Knights does so. As a sword, he felt the need not to go under training as he can simply trace one and just be as good as its previous wielders.

Then again, it will look too conspicuous for a kid to be so proficient when it comes to swordplay. His time here may take off any possible suspicions in the future.

"Work out a sweat, Prince Zuko?" Piandao came out with his jian sword strapped on his sides, noticing the disheveled look of the young man.

"Yes, it was certainly exhilarating but I can manage," he stood up and stretched his body once more. "So, what's next?"

The swordsman could hear the eagerness from Zuko's voice and he is grateful that the prince is taking his lessons seriously. Though he would call the boy an enigma of some kind, he cannot determine what exactly it was. Regardless, it will be interesting to see the Prince's growth in the future.

"Fighting styles, specifically, those involved with swords," Piandao stated and Shirou followed suit. "There are many styles that one can utilize to swords, we're not going to go all over them, of course."

"We'll be here all day if it does!" the prince quipped.

"Indeed, so to summarize this, I would like for you to familiarise yourself with every weapon here,"

They went over to the forge in the manor and the swordsman showed him a whole array of swords there. Varieties such as a Dao to a Japanese katana, all in exemplary craftsmanship from Piandao's hands. He took the dao and held both of them in his hands, feeling their weight on his palms. They have similarities with the married blades, though a dao is mostly used in conjunction with a shield. If he were to describe the married blades, they are in line with falchions albeit slightly thicker than a normal one.

He put back the dao and move to the next one which happened to be a talwar, a curve sword that has similarities to its Middle Eastern counterpart. This sword does not have that much of a curve like a scimitar at the lower end. Some talwars have a wide tip which increases their momentum when used to cut something.

His eyes caught a familiar sword type as he instinctively grabbed hold of a katana. With the exception of Kanshou and Bakuya, Shirou favors using them due to its edge profile, overall rigidity, and no secondary bevels. Pretty good for cutting and the point of balance is further in the blade aiding it. The grip is one of the best ones in sword design, being secure, it feels intuitive where the edge is.

Of course, it is without its faults; the way its heat is treated. Traditionally-made katanas are differentially hardened, meaning the edge is harder than the spine. This allows the edge to be very hard but makes it prone to chipping if it impacts a hard target with poor edge alignment. The curve of the katana is more a detriment than a benefit. See, its curve is so shallow that it doesn't aid it anymore in the cut like say, an Indian talwar, or some other British cavalry sabers. This means its point is offline in the direction of the thrust thus limiting its force.

Piandao and Fat saw the prince's scrutinizing gaze on each sword. Zuko is surely taking his sweet time to pick up one. Back when the former protégé chose the one he wanted to use, he had gone for a longsword. Fat found the cross-guard of the longsword offers much better defensive and offensive advantages that the katana misses out on. It also has two edges, the true and false edge, allowing for very tricky cuts that can come at angles one wouldn't expect when used by someone that knows what they're doing.

"100 yuan the prince will pick the katana," Fat commented off-hand, seeing the prince comparing the Dao and the katana.

The swordsman raised his brows at the words of his protégé. He's not really a gambling man per se, not even doing so with his 'friends', nevertheless, it wouldn't hurt to indulge once in a while.

"Before we do this, what makes you think that he will pick the katana?" he asked.

"It's my observation on our battle that he wanted to finish it as soon as possible," he then continued. "If his style were to go in such, why not choose it? You can draw and cut it in the same motion."

"Is that so?" Piandao hummed at the words of Fat, his thoughts held some truth as well. "I think he's contemplating with the use of dao."

"Dual wielding, huh?" the swordmaster pondered.

To wield two swords requires a lot of coordination and muscle memory to do. Having any companion arm will allow a wielder to defend with one weapon while attacking with the other. If the companion arm is not a full-length sword, though (e.g., a dagger or a buckler), then it can only offend the opponent at fairly close range.

Two full-length swords essentially allow a swordsman to pick and choose which weapon will defend and attack, giving them more options in terms of attack angles without losing the power of having separate defensive and offensive arms. When facing multiple opponents, a dual wielder with two full-size weapons is harder to surround, because they can attack and defend equally to both sides.

"Here, I think I will use these,"

"Hmm... are you certain of the weapon you pick?"

"Well, it's not like I'm going to fully rely on dual wielding. I guess you would call it a warrior's intuition as to why I pick this?" he was just so used to two-handed weapons back in his previous life that it came naturally to him.

"You must be confident with your ability to handle them," Piandao remarked and the prince only stammered at his words. "I believe you owe me that hundred yuan, my apprentice."

Fat begrudgingly hands over the yuan to the swordsman, confusing him a bit though if he were to guess, some kind of betting happened. Probably cost the apprentice a few of his money.

"Let us see if you can truly hold on your own with those," Piandao mentioned and Fat agreed, throwing a set of practice swords at the prince's feet.

"Spar with Fat and show to him how you can manage with them."

He gave a nod of agreement as he picked up the makeshift swords with the apprentice doing the same. Both combatants bowed down in acknowledgment as they began to square off against each other.

The large man advanced with ferocity and surprised Shirou with a cross, a movement in which the attacker crossed one leg over the other to change directions mid-attack.

The unexpected use of a cross, which happened to be a move used in fencing caught him off guard. Just where did the apprentice learn such? He may have acquired such from Piandao or something that the man invented for himself. To learn such ignited something from within the prince as he met Fat once more.

Shirou immediately engaged the man's blade with an envelopment, a maneuver that swept the opponent's sword through a full circle. Fat, however, counter-parried, a move made in the opposite line to the attack and by doing so knocked the other sword of the prince away.

"Wanna continue, Prince Zuko?" the apprentice sent a teasing smirk at him. Such provocation only fueled his desire to fight back against his opponent. The prince picked up his sword and move into position.

"You know I am."

They bout off again and Piandao, who watched from the sidelines had a look of pride.

-0-

The act of waking up didn't do wonders for the young Azula. She didn't have any problems waking up early first in the morning, in fact, due to her rigid training, she can do as such. But after a grueling day of firebending which also includes the advanced sets, her body screams for rest and just lay beneath the soft sheets of her bed.

After consuming several cups of tea which was miraculously prepared by her mother, Ursa, she felt a bit refreshed. Her mother knows her tea well but it pales in comparison to what his tea-loving uncle makes. She's not gonna say that in front of her, of course...

Right now, she's about to leave and attend classes in the Royal Fire Academy for Girls. It was a stroke of miracle that she was allowed to be in here, considering that she gets the best teachers in the palace. Except that incompetent firebending teacher that came before her father.

Bidding goodbye to her mother who sees her off, Azula along with her royal retinue head off towards the academy.

By the time she arrived, her caravan had garnered attention from the nobility. This had been an occurrence since she enrolled here and she loved every second of it. Everyone bows down in recognition of her position as the princess of the Fire Nation. She was royalty and being treated as such.

As she arrived in her classroom, no one dared approach her except for these two.

"Hey, Azula!" the ever bubbly Ty Lee greeted the princess.

"Ty Lee, still the cheerful one, aren't you?"

"You know it, speaking of which, I heard that Zuko was out of the palace? Is that true?"

"Yes," Azula confirmed. "but not in the way you might think. My good for nothing brother was sent to Piandao's estate to train with the way of the sword."

"Hmm... come to think of it, he's not a firebender," she never actually saw Zuko conjure flames, only seeing him playing with swords around. "I hope he turns out fine after his training."

"He better be, it was an order from grandfather himself. If he fails, he might be killed or something."

Ty Lee's face scrunched up at the thought of it. She knew how power was important to the Royal Family and the absence of firebending from one of its members could mean trouble. She saw Zuko on multiple occasions practicing with different weapons whenever they play on the castle grounds.

"You shouldn't say something as horrible as that," the two girls heard another familiar voice from the sidelines.

"Please, Mai... I'm just jesting, in the worst-case scenario that Zuzu fails, he will be joining cousin Lu Ten." said the princess with a smirk.

"Doesn't make it more or less dangerous."

Azula knew that the gloomy girl here harbored feelings towards her brother but not to this extent. Just what did Mai see in Zuko? She was morbidly curious and she can think of one or two reasons but that's it.

"Then pray to Agni that he comes back more than half the man he was before." she waved Mai off and the girl returned to her seat, feeling a bit agitated by the words of Zuko's younger sister.

Their classes began and their first subject was calligraphy. Despite her lack of enthusiasm in such, there will be consequences if she skipped out. And so there she was alongside the other girls of the nobility, writing down 'Hail Fire Lord Azulon and glory to the Fire Nation' in stylized scripts. Now she could at least understand why Mai hated this, just imagine doing calligraphy everyday, it would definitely suck.

The education that they get, leans towards loyalty in its students through political indoctrination, strict discipline, and nationalist teachings. Students in certain schools began the educational process as soon as they began firebending, or for non-benders, as soon as they began to walk. Subjects including history, music, etiquette, warfare, and firebending were taught to the students by various teachers.

Most of these are also being taught to her and Zuko back in the palace. Her being here was more or less recommended by Ursa as she was worried about her being an outcast. Which is quite ironic, she's a princess, others would try and mingle with her as much as possible. Then again, the friend/s that she made here followed her and others were just too afraid or intimidated by her.

The lessons in the academy for the whole day had gone by without any hassle. Even as she returned to the palace with the carriage, she now sported a massive headache which doesn't make sense. Thankfully, she won't have to spend a training session with Ozai as she's consumed both mind and spirit.

Wearily, she made her way back to her room – only to find her mother waiting for her. A gracious smile formed in her features as she had waited for her all this time.

"Azula, dear..." her mother softly called out. "You look tired."

"Yes, dealing with idiots gets rather tiring," she complained.

"I see," Ursa lowly muttered, stopping herself to remark her daughter's words. She's dealing with a child and must be delicate with her. "Why don't we spend the rest of the noon in the gardens over a cup of tea?"

"Okay, and while we're at it, let's go for a round of pai-sho."

"Alright then, I'll prepare the tea itself, wait for me there."

Azula quickly called for her servants to fetch her some clothes to wear. After slipping into something comfortable to wear, she made haste back. From afar, she can make out the silhouette of her parents who seemed to be talking.

"Ozai... your daughter needs to rest, just let Azula be." the young princess heard her mother plead and it prompted her to hide behind a pillar.

She took a peek and found Ozai gripped Ursa's wrist enough for her mother to show discomfort. A tight knot formed in her heart at the sight of it.

"She's neglecting her training and as far I'm concerned she needs one urgently!" the prince roared.

"You're hurting me!" her mother exclaimed.

She never really saw her father handle Ursa like this so it comes as surprising to her.

"I will allow you to pamper her for now but know this, her routine will be intensified to offset this!" Ozai stomped out of the scene, leaving his wife in pain.

The Fire Lady grimaced at the behaviour of her husband and sat down at one of the wooden chairs. How she managed to be with her husband for this long will be an enigma to hers. She quell the tears that were about to come out, Ursa doesn't want to be a mess in front of her daughter.

"Mom..." she heard the voice of the young Azula though she noticed that her voice was timid. Surely her daughter didn't catch wind of her conversation with her father?

"Azula," said Ursa in a somewhat worried manner.

The young princess gulped, staring at her mother's face which was full of concern. Now that she's focused enough, her mother's soft features were truly tantalizing. To see those contort in pain stirred something inside of her.

"Mom, can we... postpone this sometime later?"

Ursa looked at her with utter confusion. "How come, dear?"

"I just feel like doing training for now," she replied.

Not waiting for her mother's reply, Azula left the garden with Ursa's hand outstretched towards her. Regret washed over the Fire Lady even as she watched her daughter turn around the next corner. She was aware of where the girl would be and that alone ate her from the inside.

It's like her attempts to dissuade her daughter towards her fail miserably everytime. Ursa sat back at one of the chairs feeling devastated more than ever. How she wished that Zuko were here to comfort her at least.

-0-

"So, what are we doing for today, Master Piandao?" Shirou inquired.

For today's agenda, the swordmaster invited him to check out the folks of Shu-Jing. They stood amongst the busy plaza of the island, surrounded by the calls of local merchants. The fine silk they offer is eye-catching and the smell of spices caught the prince's nose. He will check them once he has free time but he must attend to whatever it is the master needs him to.

"We're here to simply unwind," Piandao declared.

"Oh... is that so?"

"Are you that surprise, young prince?"

"No, actually if we're here to unwind, I will take up on your offer."

Shirou began to take a look around at the stalls carefully observing the numerous items up for sale. Mind that he didn't bring any yuan with him thus he wouldn't be able to afford anything here. When he was sent here, he only brought his change of clothes and journals, money aside, he's gonna have earned it by himself.

"Hey, kid, do I know you?" the merchant asked, thinking that he may have seen the boy in the papers.

"Hm? I assure you that this is the first time we've met." came his immediate reply and the merchant gaze scrutinized him even more.

His inception to this world wasn't that big of a deal, at least those outside the castle walls. His uncle Iroh was the next in line to the throne and his cousin, Lu Ten would succeed his father. The masses outside wouldn't care much whether the second prince of the Fire Nation had children of his own. Though, it is a big deal to his father that he must be a firebender at birth.

Sometimes, thing wouldn't go their way like you wanted to.

"Well, if you're new here then I must warn you that disappearances have been occurring here in Shu-Jing."

"Really? I didn't know that, just got here about a few weeks ago," said Shirou.

"That's why you must be cautious! Listen to your elders!" the old man chastised.

"I get it, but thanks for the tip."

He left the stall and began to wander around, unsure of his destination but the elderly man's word did pique his interest. Since he has a whole day ahead of him, he may as well gather information about it.

What better way to do it than to ask his teacher about it thus he searches for Piandao's whereabouts.

Shirou found the swordmaster who was in the middle of a conversation with some of the island's residents.

"This is the fifth time that someone got taken away from their sleep!"

"We can't let this go on any further!"

"The soldiers aren't doing anything to keep us safe."

Their cries caught the prince's attention and he joined his teacher.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"There you are, young apprentice," Piandao acknowledged. "It is about the latest case of disappearances happening around the island."

"I did hear about it from a merchant... does anyone know who the perpetrator could be?"

The residents looked at each other and turned their attention towards him.

"We believe that it may be a Spirit who's behind it."

Spirits, he was aware of their existence... at least in books that were given to him by one of the Fire Sages. He has yet to encounter one as those Spirits dwelled in a realm separate from theirs. It was akin to the Reverse Side of the World where mythical creatures found refuge.

Except for this time, the spirits in question have crossed the dimension out of volition.

"Do we even have proof that spirits are the ones at fault?"

The crowd fell into silence unable to answer Piandao's question.

"Well, we just have to see it for ourselves now, don't we?"

The swordmaster suggested something that the residents didn't take kindly.

"No! We can't let any more victims fall in the hands of this kidnapper!"

"Even the soldiers that were posted here aren't doing a stellar job of keeping us safe." one of them complained.

"Master Piandao, you have to help us!"

The swordmaster closer his eyes, contemplating his decision. All his life up until now, he hadn't dealt with spirits as the opportunity didn't arise. Would he face one? It depends on the situation in which he or others may face danger.

"Alright, I will lend my sword for the sake of the island residents."

Collective cries of joy erupted from the grateful masses as they shake hands with Piandao.

"Do we know who or what spirit we're dealing with here?" Shirou inquired as he wanted to see a spirit firsthand.

"According to first-hand reports, the perpetrator comes when the evening fog settles in."

"Interestingly enough, the ones who were kidnapped are children."

Those immediately raised alarms in the prince's head, spirits taking kids for what purpose? Though if memory serves him correct, there's a story that Ursa often tells him about a spirit doing the same thing as this.

"Can we talk to the family whose kids are missing?" Piandao asked and the residents agreed.

Shirou joined the fray, sticking close to the swordmaster. His thoughts went back to the kidnappings and who they were up against. He didn't rule out that it maybe a human whose behind it. He simply can't comprehend why a spirit would do such. Is it hatred or something that the residents of the island had done in the past?

"By the way, Master Piandao... who is this young man you're with?" one of the residents questioned.

"He's an aspiring student of mine," the swordmaster replied.

"Is it fine to bring such young one to matters such as this?"

"It is good," came Shirou's reply. "I would like to involve myself."

Whether it was out of obligation as royalty or the keen sense of helping, he wanted to see it. Also, the thought of seeing spirits in person may help him understand this world even more.

They arrived at one of the homes where they found the form of a woman crying.

"This here is Sae, her younger sister was one of the kidnapped victims."

The grieving girl looked up at the swordmaster, wiping the tears she has in her face to pay respects.

"Master Piandao, my sister... Makoto... the Kemurikage took her during her sleep," she said in between sobs.

Shirou recognizes the one that Sae mentioned. The Kemurikage, spirits of the women whose children were taken by the warlords before the establishment of the Fire Nation. Grief overcame these poor souls and they returned to exact vengeance on the warlords by taking their children away. To bring the same suffering to these tyrants was their way to get back at them.

"I've heard of that spirit before," he interjected. "My mother often used to tell us about the Kemurikage to scare us off to sleep. Didn't expect it to be real though."

"Tell us what exactly happened."

Sae calmed down and recall the events of last night.

She tucked in her little sister to sleep and to ensure her safety, she opted to be in the same room as hers. The disappearance of other children prompted her to be more vigilant around Makoto. With her sister dozed to sleep, Sae decided to grab some water to drink and left the bedroom.

When she returned, that's when the spirit got hold of Makoto, escaping outside through the windows.

"If something were to happen to h-her... I d-don't know w-what I w-would do..."

Tears overflow Sae's face yet again and Shirou couldn't help but sympathize with her plight. He get down on his feet and lent a hand to her shoulders.

"Do not worry, we'll take your sister back along with the other kids. Be assured of it."

"No, young apprentice, you will stay here and watch over the residents." Piandao declared and it irked the young prince for a bit.

"But I want to help in the search and rescue efforts." he reasoned out and that's when the old man took him outside so that there's won't be anyone who might listen. "I can applaud you for your bravery but this is a spirit we're talking about, Prince Zuko."

The way he said those made it seemed that the swordmaster knew a thing or two about them. Shirou let out a sigh of exasperation and looked at his teacher, deciding that it's better not to pursue the matter at least for now.

"Okay, I'll gather the soldiers and keep them vigilant."

Piandao wore a satisfied expression, happy that the prince isn't that much of a blockhead from what he initially thought. This matter of spirits crossing over the human realm isn't that unheard of but mostly rare. As someone who had experienced firsthand battling one in the past before he...

"Are you good, Master?"

Shirou noticed that the swordmaster has been quiet for a bit. Upon hearing the prince, Piandao shook those memories away. It wouldn't serve them any use for this situation.

"Yes, I'll have Fat accompany you just in case you go back in your promise."

The old man heard Zuko clicking his tongue, earning a chuckle from him. But for now, he will gather those who volunteered for the search and rescue efforts. The search will likely be in the thicket located on the other side of the island.

-0-

As evening rolled around the corner, Shirou along with Fat roamed the streets of Shu-Jing. With some soldiers tolled behind, the prince took the opportunity to talk with them about doing more patrols. The sight of a member of the Royal Family was enough to put them all in attention.

He just wished that they were just as attentive to the locals before his arrival. Then, none of these kidnappings wouldn't happen. With lanterns in hand to illuminate their surroundings, the prince wandered his eyes around. He can see that some homes are lit up and a few residents guarding their front porches.

"Everyone's on edge, huh?" Shirou noted.

"There is a spirit that kidnaps children, who know when it might attack." Fat acknowledged.

Piandao and some of the more capable folks went to this place called Myrlwood.

"You think everyone's gonna be fine?"

He couldn't help but at least worry about the man and the residents. There's simply no telling what may happen while they conduct their search from there.

"You worry too much about him too much, young prince." Said his fellow apprentice.

"Aren't you? I mean, they're trying to locate a spirit, of all things inside a forest."

Fat let out a chuckle at his words. "The master is fully aware of the dangers ahead of him. He will make sure that everyone is safe."

"You sound so confident with his skills." Shirou couldn't help but notice.

"Well, of course. This is not the first time Master Piandao face a spirit."

This is certainly new news for him. As far as everyone knows, the swordsman was known to have bested 100 firebenders when his grandfather tried to force him back into the army.

"I didn't know that," he admitted.

"Only a handful of people knew and even then, the master didn't brag about it. I, up until this day am a bit skeptical of those stories." Fat confessed.

"See to believe it, right?"

"You can say that... but don't tell the master about it. Seems that the story is a bit sensitive from what I thought it would be. I did try to ask him about it but the only response I got is that it was a... legacy of a misspent youth."

It certainly piqued his interest. Whoever or whatever this spirit Piandao fought may have changed the man to what he was today.

"Got an idea of what spirit it was?" he asked.

"Don't know the name of it but Master Piandao said that he was called the 'Blademaster'."

The name itself certainly lacked inspiration in Shirou's opinion. "The aforementioned spirit resides in Fociaugh Hollow."

The prince nodded, realizing how little he knew of the man that is Piandao. Granted that the swordsman gain notoriety in the Fire Nation to say no to his grandfather. You simply don't say that unless you want your family's name to be smeared for the rest of your life.

He looked upwards and noticed that the sun was about to rise and Shirou didn't see its rays up until now. They have been patrolling the place and the Fire Nation guards that he took with them have been yawning. He's not gonna call them out for it now since nothing happened.

"Looks like they return."

The band of Shu-Jing residents returned alongside Piandao though, from their forlorn looks, they were unsuccessful with their search.

"No good, huh?"

The swordmaster shook his head. "The mist impeded with the search, we were only able to scour the near entrance of Myrlwood. Venturing deeper into the forest would be ill-advised."

"The forest would be a good place for a spirit to hide," said Fat and turned towards Zuko. "You said that your mother told you stories about the Kemurikage. Did she say anything particular about it?"

Shirou pondered Ursa's words about the spirit and where it originated from. The spirit was not one entity but one of many souls of women.

"If memory serves correct, the Kemurikage could be the amalgamation of the women whose kids were taken away by force. I have a theory so hear me out..."

Piandao, Fat, and the residents lend their ears at him.

"Maybe the residents have done something to upset them?"

The men murmured amongst themselves before responding. "Look, kid, we Shu-Jing folks have been living here in peace. We couldn't possibly think of anything that could incur their wrath!"

Shirou rubbed his temples, the people of the island have been nothing more than ordinary. All of them seemed to be upstanding folk as far as he can tell.

"This may be just a case of a spirit that wanted to mess with us!"

"Yeah, he's right! What else could it be anyway?"

"We must drive it out once we find our children so it wouldn't bother us!"

They nodded in agreement and the prince could only scratch his head. He glanced at the swordmaster. "We need to look more into this matter, Master."

"Indeed, but in the meantime, we must amped security. I trust it that you talked to the soldiers posted to the island while I'm gone?"

"Yes, and I ordered them to be extra vigilant, not that they don't have to," said Shirou.

"I would also extend that warning to you, young man," Piandao warned. "Don't do anything reckless now, you hear me?"

"That... came out of nowhere."

The prince couldn't help but noticed, but the master got his eyes on him. It will be hard to move around if that were the case.

"I'm just saying this for your good. You are inexperienced when it comes to dealing with spirits."

"I know that but..."

His train of thought was interrupted when Sae came into the fray, possibly expecting the return of her sister.

"Where is she?"

"We're sorry but the forest is just too dangerous for the group to venture in." the swordmaster apologized.

"N-no..."

Despair filled whatever hope the girl has for the safety of Makoto. She too was aware of how eerie Myrlwood was that no one dared to enter it. Due to its unknown fauna and flora, the place could have been the perfect spot for the Kemurikage to hide.

"Look, I know the situation seems to be out of hand but..."

Shirou's voice was cut off when the girl slammed her fists to the ground, causing a fissure to show. Taken aback by the strength Sae had shown, he momentarily backed off. Upon noticing what she did, the girl stood up in apparent surprise and ran off on her own. Whether it was out of frustration or something else, the prince wouldn't know.

"Master, we have to do something about this and fast! The situation will only get worse than it already is."

"I am aware of the situation, but going in there, at least without a plan will only put us to danger."

The prince expressed his dissatisfaction at the swordmaster's word. Nevertheless, he cannot deny that going into uncharted territory without any knowledge before entering will only go downwards.

"There should be an old scroll, detailing the routes in Myrlwood hidden in my library. That will do for now." Piandao declared.

"Better than do nothing here, I guess."

Shirou looked in the direction where Sae went and couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Every minute they spend here, the probability of Makoto and others being alive is slowly dwindling.

"Young apprentice, please do see Sae herself. I have a feeling she might go on her own to the forest and we wouldn't want to add her on the list."

"Got it," he replied before he follow where Sae went.

-0-

In one of the many clearings of the island, outside of prying eyes, the ground shook and the earth rumbled. It was one of those days that she felt frustrated being unable to do anything in her current situation. Sae didn't hold it up against the man he was one of the few people who helped her settle here.

Being a refugee of the war, Sae and Makoto were displaced from their homes in the Earth Kingdom. She abhor the Fire Nation since she was a kid and still is until now. Though, it only extended towards the militarism of the nation itself.

As the sun rose from the east, the path towards Myrlwood was a few clicks from where she at.

She can always go in there alone but suffice to say... she was also scared of it.

"Thinking of going in there?"

With her heels in tow to the ground, a chunk of rock was hurled towards the direction of the voice from behind.

"Whoa!"

Shirou dodged out of harm's way, surprised by the rock that was thrown at him. This is the first time he encountered an Earthbender up close and they made it so easy to control their respective element.

"You?" she questioned.

"Yes, never expect for you to be an Earthbender... I was asked to watch over you," he followed the woman's gaze towards the misty forest. "Master Piandao said that he has info about Myrlwood in his library."

"Is that so?" Sae let out a sigh and felt that an apology is needed. "Sorry for the sudden attack, you just surprised me that's all."

"No worries, I didn't expect for someone such as you to live here... of all places," Shirou replied.

"You don't look surprised..." Sae noted.

"Should I be? I knew others can bend elements and all that-"

"That's not what I," she chose to halt her thoughts about him. "Nevermind, I was planning to but now that Sir Piandao has something about Myrlwood, I will accompany him."

"Save your sister from the grasp of the Kemurikage and the others. Let me join in as well."

Her eyes widened at his declaration. Sae knew that the residents especially the families of those missing will join but for some unknown stranger to care.

"...Thanks, never thought that people in the capital would give a damn to us. Let alone a noble like you."

"Not all people from the capital are bad if that's what you're thinking. Besides, I'm curious about this spirit myself," he admitted with his hand under his chin but he shook those away. "Perhaps it is time we return to town, you need rest judging by the bags you have."

Sae didn't bother about it much, knowing that Makoto is still out there, sleep eluded her.

"I will once I find her."

She went on ahead of him and Shirou followed suit. Gone was the woman yesterday who wept her younger sister's disappearance. What stood before him was a whole new individual more than ready to save her family.

'I hope that fortune favors you, Sae. I will do whatever I can to save them as well.'

-0-

Her faithful guards have him surrounded in every direction. It isn't that he had a plan in mind, shoot her in the head, defeat anyone who gets in his way and that's it. What he didn't take into account is her being alive after being shot.

He clicked his tongue, trying to formulate a plan of escape.

"Come now, why don't you follow your sister's lead and stop resisting?"

"What are you talking about?"

To answer his question, one of the hooded figures stepped forward and removed it. The familiar visage of his eldest sister will haunt him for time eternity.

"Fuji-nee... no..."

His serious demeanor was now lost, unable to grasp the fact that his guardian was here of all places. The holy woman leaned closer to her face and caressed it.

"You risk life and limb just to hunt me down, only to falter at the sight of your sister... how disappointing."

"Unhand her!" he demanded and the holy woman took out a knife from the sleeves of her dress.

"I know I am, what good is there in a world that only ever lets you down... why don't we end it all right here?"

"No! You can't! Taiga!"

Out of desperation, he fired a shot and effectively disarmed the woman with the knife. Impressed by his bravado, she let go of his sister and summoned an orb of darkness in the palm of her hand. She flung it at him and he was forced to take the brunt of her attack.

Flung and now backed against the cold walls, he slowly looked up and stared at the holy woman.

"Permit me to make a suggestion. If you so wish to save your sister... why not follow me?" she then offered her hands to his. "What do you say?"

He gazed at the lifeless eyes of Taiga and back at hers, he didn't care anymore about killing her. For now, he must ensure Taiga's safety no matter the costs... even if that means... surrendering to her will.

"Loathe though as I am to serve the incarnation of evil such as you... so long as you keep my sister out of this. I will serve you."

With both of their hands' meeting, the holy woman felt ecstatic more than ever. The feeling of dominance over others especially him brought nothing more than pleasure to her core. How she will enjoy breaking him until he becomes nothing more than a husk of his former self she sees now.


A/N: This chapter more or less focused on Shirou's time with Piandao and his first encounter with a spirit. The Kemurikage, for those of you who don't know, was featured in the Avatar comic: Smoke and Shadow. The story will mostly focus on his time before meeting the Gaang... I think.

That and his relations with Azula as well.

I would like to hear your thoughts on what element would suit Shirou. Note that it will not affect his magic whatsoever and I don't have any plans to give him for the duration of the story.