Yzma was giggling in delight as she wrote out Kuzcos discipline slip and pinned it to his jacket...it was the final revenge that she has been waiting for and in her disguise as Principal Amzy she knew it would only be a matter of time before the Throne was hers.

Humiliated at having to wear a pink slip on his front Kuzco headed home on foot. The walk seemed extra long and Kuzco shuttered at seeing the disappointed look on Pachas face. He brightened for a moment as he came in sight of the house, maybe he could explain things to Pacha, maybe he tell him what really happened and he would believe him. But then his stomach lurched as he realized what his teacher had said was correct, he has a poor track record of telling the truth, especially to Pacha. Kuzco looked up, just his luck; Pacha was standing there in the doorway. The look on his face told him that he must already have received a visitor explaining what happened. Kuzco held his breath.

"Hey Pacha...I have something I've gotta say. "Principal Amzy said I was to give you this...it explains what happened today at school." Kuzcos fingers trembled as he held the pink note out to Pacha.

"And if you would just hear me out I can explain what happened, and you will see that I was not in the wrong, it was Kronk who sits BEHIND me mind you that asked me if I wanted to cheat, I politely told him no, and then I got in trouble!…I swear I'm telling you the truth Pacha." Kuzco waited and held his breath as he watch Pacha scan the note and his eyes closed and he sighed.

"Kuzco...why do you try making things worse...if you would just be honest I would understand. Why is it so hard for you to just do the right thing? I guess I was wrong, I thought maybe I could get through to you, but now I guess you will just have to learn the hard way."

Kuzcos eyes widened.."w-what?..what are you saying Pacha, listen…I AM telling you the truth...no for really I am this time! I know I have a poor track record but..."

"Kuzco, Why cant you just admit your mistakes…don't you know if you would just be honest with me that I would try to understand?

"What?..what are you talking about...I am!….Pacha I swear I didn't try to cheat...and I am NOT just saying it...Pacha you have to believe me..if any one is lying its the principal!"

"Why would the principal lie, what reason would she have for doing that…I'm sorry Kuzco but trust has to be earned." Pacha turned his back and sighed. "Kuzco I really wish I could believe you bu,t you have given me no choice." Kuzcos heart suddenly froze in his chest.

"No, Pacha...please" Kuzco squeaked. But he knew he had lost. Pacha wordlessly turned and gently took Kuzcos hand and started for the woodshed.

Kuzcos whole life flashed before his eyes, this was it. He would not have been so upset if he had actually deserved this...but the injustice of it all made him feel completely and utterly destroyed. The woodshed was in site now and Kuzco felt his legs grow weak. Pacha hadn't said a word and Kuzco wanted so badly to break the silence but was afraid that whatever he was going to say would make thinks worse for him. They reached the door and the dismal inside looked worse that Kuzco could have imagined he looked to the left and saw a simple leather strap hanging on a nail he watched in horror as Pacha picked it up.

"I'm sorry Kuzco, I hate that it has come to this but you are going to have to learn that their are consequences to your actions. Pacha looked down at the young man and noticed something unusual. This was not the haughty emperor that pushed and ran over anyone in his way, there was deepness in his young eyes and for the first time in his life, a look of innocent helplessness, the look of someone truly wronged. But having no to way to prove it. Pachas thoughts were suddenly broken by the pounding on the woodshed door.

"Pacha, Pacha, its me Malina! Kuzco isn't lying!"

"Malina?" Kuzco choked out.

"What?" Pacha turned and opened the door to see Malina out of breath, had she run the whole way?

"I just came from Principal Amzy's office I overheard Yzma talking to Kronk congratulating him on setting Kuzco up. she was trying to get Kuzco in trouble so you would kick him out and she could gain the throne!"

Pacha stood stunned.

"I was there Pacha when Kronk was trying to get Kuzco to cheat. Kuzco didn't cheat, he turned him down even when Kronk was offering him his answers." Pacha turned to Kuzco who was nodding his head up and down and giving a sigh of relief inadvertently leaning back on a pile of wood and toppling over the back with a loud crash.

-------

The sky was filled with stars you could hear the distant call of a llama calling to its mate...Kuzco leaned back on his rock looking up at the fireflies buzzing overhead.

"Family, yes…I am defiantly not used to it...but I feel I know what its foundation is...Trust...trusting that those in your charge are looking out for your best interest even if it doesn't seem like it at the time, building a trust with those members by never lying to them so that way they have a reason to believe you when its important, and that's something that doesn't come quickly after its been broken."

Kuzco rolled over on his stomach and looked to the house that he was calling home, it wasn't a palace...but it was home, and the people standing in front and the children playing in the yard was indeed his family.

End