Hi everyone! This chapter is from Saucy's POV.
Don't worry! This will only be a once every five chapters type thing. Enjoy and I'll be back next Monday with more delightful KS for you all!
Thanks again for reading I love you all!
Liz
Light from the Shadows Side Chapter 1
Sasuke
Two years.
Two years he had been stuck on this STINKING SHIP. The idea had been a good one, to accompany Zuko as he searched for the Avatar. Maybe find some leads on his brother, break away and find him on his own... except that it had been TWO GOD DAMNED YEARS NOW. Sasuke Uchiha was a noble from the Fire Nation, or an exiled noble at least.
His family had tried to stage a coup of the Fire Lord several years prior, when Sasuke was just 12 years old. That had to have been ten years ago now, even before Ozai took power maybe, Sasuke thought. In retaliation for their betrayal, his brother had killed the rest of the clan in some sort of bloodthirsty frenzy. He was not sure of the exact details, but apparently Itachi's loyalty to the Fire Nation was beyond that of his loyalty to the clan. The only thing Sasuke knew was that one day he came home to his mother slicing tomatoes and the next she was on the floor with his father in a pool of their own blood. He and Itachi were the only surviving members of the clan, and Sasuke was on a mission to eradicate Itachi's existence.
After the massacre happened, Sasuke waited for news on his own fate. A letter arrived for him saying to continue with school, and that he would be provided for. It was not as great as it sounded. Guards were with him or nearby all hours of the day. He was practically on house arrest. Six years later, when Sasuke was 18, Fire Lord Ozai had given him a deal. If Sasuke killed Itachi, his clan would be redeemed and he would be allowed to return to the Fire Nation and start rebuilding his family from the ground up, if not he would be permanently banished from the Fire Nation and never allowed to return. The first two years he was alone with no luck, and the last two years have been with Zuko… also fruitless.
The hardest part of it was that Itachi was a slickery mother fucker. Maybe if he had left directly following the event he might have had a little luck finding him, but as it was now ten years after the fact... where could he possibly be hiding? That's probably why the Fire Lord waited to tell me. Just to make it nearly impossible to find him. Asshole.
Sasuke hadn't heard a single mention of him in the entire two years he had been sailing around with Zuko. It seemed to become more of a wild goose chase with every waking moment. The Avatar hadn't been seen in a hundred years, yet Zuko set out every day on his quest with a burning passion to find him. He didn't have a fucking clue what he was doing, yet charged blindly ahead. That was Zuko's problem, he didn't think before he did anything. Half his vocabulary was 'restoring honor' and 'finding the avatar'. What he should have been doing, was finding some place to lay low, like the Earth Kingdom or a place in the world that was quiet and just living for a while until the Avatar resurfaced.
Though Sasuke knew that would never happen. The Fire Nation were not the kind of people to sit back and wait, they were the strike first ask questions later kind of people.
Damn the Fire Lord sure has a penchant for sending people he doesn't like on impossible missions for their 'honor' or in my case my clan's honor. Why did Ozai even take away Zuko's honor? What did he do? Knowing the Fire Lord, he probably sneezed out of line or something stupid like that.
At this point in time, they were on an icy sea in the South Pole. It was one of Zuko's crazier ideas, he thought that maybe the Avatar was hiding out in the middle of the wilderness, away from any and all society. Iroh actually agreed that it might be a good idea, and so there they were, floating in the middle of the sea near the South Pole. He hadn't seen a single person outside their party in weeks.
"Your move, Sasuke."
Sasuke was roused from his musings, to look up at the older man across the table from him. His name was Iroh, and he was one of the most powerful Generals the Fire Nation had ever produced. Sasuke had heard him called a has-been before, but based on his training with Zuko, that was definitely not true. The man had discipline down to a 'T' and if Sasuke was being honest, that was exactly what Zuko's hot headed temper needed. Iroh was playing him in a game of Pai Sho today, using his signature white lotus strategy. Sasuke had never beaten him.
He picked up white lily tile on the game board, moving it two spaces forward.
If I can get another harmony...
Iroh studied his side of the table. He moved a rose already close to the middle of the table, forward to spaces. It finished a harmony circle around the center tile. He had won the game.
"You focus on things that are not important, Sasuke. I've had that ring open for several turns, you could have taken out that rose tile any number of moves ago."
"Even if I had you always have some other move under your sleeve..."
His opponent laughed.
"You are correct! Again?"
"Sure."
They divided the pieces and started over. About an hour later, a bright light lit up the horizon. It seemed slightly ethereal, but they had gone after such things before and been disappointed. A fireworks show, the Aurora Borealis... among other mistakes and false hopes.
"Uncle, do you know what this means!?"
Iroh turned to him, "What? I won't get to finish my game?"
I see he doesn't put much faith in such things either.
"Didn't you see that light on the horizon?"
"I've been rather focused on my game, Prince Zuko."
"AH!" He took a deep breath, "It means my SEARCH! It's about to come to an end."
Iroh groaned.
"That light came from an incredibly powerful source! It has to be him!"
The general waved his hand, "Or it could just be the celestial lights. We've been down this road before, Zuko. I don't want you to get too excited over nothing. Please, sit. Why don't you enjoy a cup of calming jasmine tea? Especially while I beat Sasuke yet again at pai sho!"
"I'll beat you one of these times, old man." Sasuke grumbled.
"Maybe you will, but you have not yet!"
Zuko exploded in anger at his uncle, "I don't need any calming tea! I need to capture the Avatar. Helmsman, head a course for the light!"
Sasuke took an offered cup of tea from Iroh and sipped it. The brewed liquid was quite delicious, as it always was coming from the old man.
"Are you ready to go down, old man?"
Iroh guffawed at him.
"We've been doing this for two years boy and you've never beaten me. What makes you think you'll start now?"
"Who knows? Maybe our luck will turn around."
…
That night, after a few long games of Pai Sho with Iroh, Sasuke was exhausted, mostly mentally, and ready for sleep. Zuko was still on the deck looking out for the Avatar.
As he left the cabin to go below decks, he overheard their conversation.
"I'm going to bed now," Iroh yawned, Sasuke could tell it was exaggerated and loud. "Yep. A man needs his rest. Prince Zuko, you need some sleep. Even if you are right and the Avatar is alive, you won't find him. Your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all tried and failed."
That's a little harsh, maybe? Then again, he is dragging Iroh around the world on this wild goose chase.
"Because their honor didn't hinge on the Avatar's capture. Mine does. This coward's hundred years in hiding are over."
Sasuke went below decks.
Maybe we will hear something from my brother too. Maybe this is our year and everything will turn around.
…
The next day, Sasuke 'volunteered' to spar with Zuko. He and another of the crew were his opponents. Iroh was sitting by the side of the ship and eating a bowl of roast duck.
"Again."
Zuko blasted fire from his hands at Sasuke and the guard, but Sasuke dodged the blasts easily, they weren't well aimed. Sasuke fought back with blasts from his own fists, but Zuko dodged. He backflipped over the two and landed behind them.
"Ha! Heeya!"
Iroh sighed and got up.
"No! Power in firebending comes from the breath. Not the muscles. Both of you need to work on this." Iroh glanced over Zuko's shoulder at Sasuke as well, "The breath becomes energy in the body. The energy extends past your limbs and becomes fire."
The man demonstrated, releasing a controlled plume of flame that burst in front of Zuko, but did not hit him.
"Get it right this time."
"Enough. I've been drilling this sequence all day. Teach me the next set. I'm more than ready."
Iroh put his hands back into his robes, "No, you are impatient. You have yet to master your basics. Drill it again!"
Zuko blasted the guard with a gout of fire.
"Grr-uh! The sages tell us that the Avatar is the last airbender. He must be over a hundred years old by now. He's had a century to master the four elements. I'll need more than basic firebending to defeat him. You WILL teach me the advanced set!"
Sasuke sighed. This meant that he would be forced to learn it as well, even if he had already learned far beyond these moves in the Fire Nation Royal Academy, Iroh's teachings put a whole new spin on everything and made him a better bender.
You really shouldn't give in to him, Iroh. It just lets him act like the spoiled rich boy he always was even before we were banished.
"Very well. But first I must finish my roast duck." The man began eating from the bowl he had earlier.
…
That evening Sasuke was relaxing on the ship. Zuko had insisted they not stop training until he could barely stand. Iroh had already gone to bed, and Sasuke was just about to join him. As they sat on the deck watching the icebergs pass by, a flare flew up on the horizon. The Prince had his telescope trained on the orange light and followed it to the ground.
"The last airbender. Quite agile for his old age. Wake my uncle! Tell him I have found the Avatar..."
"Tell him yourself."
"...as well as his hiding place."
Sasuke sighed. I am not his errand boy. I do not 'fetch Uncle' he can ask a crew member for all I care. I'm just going below deck to go to sleep. I'm not going to wake up Iroh.
As he walked down the stairs to their sleeping quarters, Sasuke passed Iroh's room, and did knock on the door before passing on to his own room.
There. If he doesn't go up, not my problem.
…
The next day was hectic. Zuko had the crew members roused to a frenzy. They all thought they might actually go home soon. Sasuke knew better. Zuko always fucked things up somehow. He had the easiest life you could imagine! The Fire Lord's only son, first in line to the throne. Everything was handed to him. Sasuke didn't even really know why Zuko was here. He knew that the scar had been caused by some accident but had been told very little else.
Sasuke was forced to be dressed up in full battle regalia along with Zuko. A breastplate, shoulder guards and helmet are fitted to him.
Zuko was next to him as they were being helped into their armor.
"Today is the day. We will capture the Avatar and return home."
You get to return home. Not me.
The two stepped out onto the deck of the ship and waited. The bow of the ship hit the ice, a shrieking scream filled the air as the metal slid against the ice. Sasuke watched as the tiny village they were raiding shook. The little people were scrambling for shelter and weapons.
Where were the men?
Several feet into the ice, Zuko stopped and went below decks. The bowsprit of the ship fell down in a steamy release. The sound of metal grating on metal filled his ears. Sasuke accompanied Zuko as they stepped down the gangplank to meet the villagers, along with a few of their guards.
A young water tribe boy charged Zuko. Sasuke itched to respond, but Zuko coolly and expertly disarmed the boy and kicked him in the face, sending him sprawling on the ice to the right of the ship. The rest of the villagers cowered in fright.
Was that really their only defense?
Zuko walked forward a few steps to address the village, "Where are you hiding him?"
The crowd did not respond. Zuko grabbed an old woman and showed her to the villagers.
"He'd be about this age? Master of all elements?"
Nothing. It was almost comical.
Great, another dead end.
Zuko shoved the old woman back to a girl that had been standing next to her. The prince shot a gout of flame over the villager's heads. He was frustrated. The civilians backed away.
"I know you're hiding him!"
The little water tribe boy came up again, this time from his resting place on the ice, he charged Zuko with another cry.
Idiot. The key to a sneak attack from behind is silence!
Zuko turned in annoyance. He dodged the boy's charges and flipped him over his head. He shot a blast of flame at the boy, but he rolled out of the way, throwing his boomerang at the prince while he did. It seemed Zuko was caught by surprise, as he barely avoided the weapon. He turned to the boy in anger over the near miss.
"Show no fear!"
The statement came from a tiny boy in the crowd holding a spear he then threw to the teenage boy trying to defend the village. He caught it and charged at them yet again. Zuko broke off pieces of the spear shaft with his wrist guards. After the head of the spear was shorn off, he grabbed the spear, jabbed the boy in the forehead with it several times, then broke it in half and dropped the pieces on the ground.
Water Tribe boy fell to the ground and rubbed his forehead. Zuko stood glowering over him. The boomerang the boy had thrown just a minute before returned and slammed Zuko in the back of the head. It knocked his helmet off kilter. Zuko began to spit fire out of his hands as he hovered menacingly over the boy.
Some...thing flew up to them, and knocked Zuko right off of his feet. The prince landed with his ass in the air. Sasuke fought the urge to laugh at him. His helmet landed on his behind in a deliciously suggestive manner. The village kids cheered as the newcomer joined them. He had rode a penguin into the scene and carried a staff. As the boy got off, the penguin waddled away.
"Hey Katara. Hey Sokka."
The boy Zuko had knocked around responded, "Hi... Aang. Thanks for comin'."
Zuko got back to his feet and assumed a fighting stance. The newcomer was at the ready with his staff.
Was that the Avatar? He couldn't possibly... 112 years old and looks like he's just a boy? Impossible.
Sasuke walked up with the rest of the guards to try and surround the boy, but he blew them back with a blast. He and the rest of the guards were blown back. Zuko held his ground, shielding his face from the wind.
"Looking for me?" The boy questioned.
Zuko was incredulous, "You're the airbender? You're the Avatar?"
The villagers the boy had talked to, a boy and girl his age gaped at him,
"Aang?"
"No way."
Zuko circled around the boy, Aang.
"I've spent years preparing for this encounter. Training. Meditating. You're just a child!"
"Well, you're just a teenager."
He's not wrong.
Zuko fired blast after blast. Aang spun his staff and dissipated the flames. It may have blocked them from him but it didn't protect the villagers. Aang stopped and stood his ground.
"If I go with you, will you promise to leave everyone alone?"
The prince straightened up and nodded. Sasuke stepped forward and bound Aang's hands. He took the staff and handed it to another guard.
The little water tribe girl burst forward from the rest of the group as they led Aang away.
"No, Aang! Don't do this!"
"Don't worry, Katara, it'll be okay." The guard in front of Sasuke on the gangplank shoved Aang further into the ship. I mean I can see why they hold such a grudge, this boy is the entire reason they haven't been home in two years... but really though? He's just a boy, he doesn't deserve this.
"Take care of Appa for me until I get back."
"Head a course to the Fire Nation. I'm going home."
Sasuke sighed at Zuko's words. Yeah. You get to go home. I on the other hand do not. They walked up into the ship, the bowsprit closing behind him.
They left the village. Before they got too far, they brought the Avatar out onto the deck of the ship. Sasuke was opposite the Avatar with Iroh and Zuko. The prince held the staff in his hands.
"This staff will make an excellent gift for my father. I suppose you would know of fathers, be raised by monks. Take the Avatar to the prison hold. And," he gave the staff to Iroh, "take this to my quarters."
Iroh took the staff and Zuko walked past them. Immediately after he was gone, Iroh passed the staff to him.
"Hey, you mind taking this to his quarters for me?"
Sasuke took the staff and handed it to another guard. It was almost hilarious. No one liked following Zuko's orders. He followed Iroh into the cabin of the ship.
"What do you think of a celebratory pot of tea?" The old man heated up the pot setting on the floor with his hands. Sasuke sat down across from him at a low table.
"Please."
Iroh handed him a cup and looked at him over the rim of his own cup. His eyes were calculating.
"How do you feel about this?"
Sasuke placed his cup on the table and remained silent for a moment, thinking about his reply. Iroh was in no rush.
"Well. I'm happy for Zuko and all..."
His sentence was cut off by a crash inside the belly of the ship. What now? A guard popped up on the quarterdeck and shouted,
"The Avatar has escaped!"
That didn't take long.
He looked up and saw fighting on the deck. The Avatar is none of my concern.
Sasuke sipped his tea with Iroh. The man didn't get up to assist the men on the deck either. He was waiting for Sasuke to answer the question.
"As I was saying… I feel fine with Zuko finally completing his mission. But the thing is… do I really think he'll be welcomed back by his father? No. No I don't. And to be honest, I still haven't found my brother, and I wouldn't be able to return with you to the Fire Nation."
"I see."
The man set down his cup of tea and they thought in silence.
Sasuke watched the scene play out behind Iroh. The deck hatch opened and the Aang airbended himself out onto the deck. He opened his glider threw it into the air and jumped after it. He caught it and was about to make a clean get away when Zuko jumped after him in pursuit. With desperation, Zuko caught the boy's foot, and drug him down.
The boy turned behind him and looked at something that was approaching. From his vantage point, Sasuke could not tell what. Zuko took advantage of his turned back to aim a fire blast at Aang. Just before the fireball hit, Aang used his staff to block the blast. He spun the staff and used to float around the deck, avoiding Zuko's attacks. He touched down on the edge of the deck, almost falling overboard. He regained his balance and deflected three more attacks before his staff was knocked away. Aang managed to dodge a few more attacks before he was knocked overboard.
The ship rocked and Sasuke saw a giant whirlpool of water begin to form in the ocean beside the ship, forming a sort of inverted tornado around Aang's legs. His tattoos were glowing white and the look on his face was determined. Sasuke glanced toward Zuko, who was backing away from the fearsome opponent. Coward. Aang landed on the deck, then bent the water around him in a circle. He released it and it expanded outward in a shockwave that blasted Zuko and the guards on the deck either overboard or into the side of the ship.
Sasuke couldn't help it. His jaw gaped at the sight. Holy shit!
The Avatar's… animal? landed on the deck and the two water tribe teens jumped off to retrieve Aang. Sasuke stayed where he was. No way am I going to get thrown overboard in this mess.
The boy, Sokka? He picked up Aang's staff and they walked back to the bison. Sasuke watched as the crew started to get back up. Katara picked up a stream of water from the deck and the guards pulled back slightly. She tried to whip the guards with it, but instead froze her brother in place on the deck.
He chipped at the ice with his boomerang. The crew moved forward once again. Katara picked up another stream while facing the other direction. She repeated her movements and the crew was frozen behind her. Katara ran to climb back up on Appa.
Sasuke finally picked up the tiniest bit of their conversation.
"I'm just a guy with a boomerang; I didn't ask for all this flying and magic."
The bison animal thing flew off the deck and took them with it. Iroh got up and decided to check on the status of things on the deck. Sasuke went with him.
As he saw the animal flying off, Iroh rubbed his eyes, "huh?" He saw that Zuko was barely hanging on to the ship and rushed over to help him.
"Shoot them down!"
Sasuke lined up with Zuko and Iroh and they worked in unison to launch a massive bolt of fire at Appa. The fire didn't even reach them. The Avatar airbent a wave back at them that sent the fireball into an ice wall right next to the ship. It caused a massive amount of ice to avalanche onto the ship. They weren't going anywhere for a bit.
Iroh stood next to him.
"Good news for the Fire Lord. The nation's greatest threat is just a little kid."
Zuko approached them, he was livid, "That kid, Uncle, just did this." He gestured at the obvious damage.
"I won't underestimate him again. Dig this ship out and follow them!"
The guards remaining that hadn't been frozen were using controlled firebending to thaw out their fellow guards. Zuko realized his mistake.
"Eh… As soon as you're done with that." Zuko walked back into the ship.
"We're so not actually going to be able to follow them. We have to get the ship repaired."
"Yeah…. Try telling my nephew that."
"No thanks."
Iroh chuckled.
…
The ship needed repairs. Their trip back to the fire nation took a week and a half. Mostly because the ship was damaged badly, but also because the distance was so great to get it back to the Fire Nation.
Sasuke walked down to the pier with Zuko and his Uncle. Maybe being back here I may hear something about my brother.
"Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible. I don't want to stay too long and risk losing his trail."
"You mean the Avatar?"
Sasuke slapped his forehead with a palm. Zuko turned on the old man and angrily told him, "Don't mention his name on these docks! Once word gets out that he's alive every firebender will be out looking for him and I don't want anyone getting in the way."
"Getting in the way of what, Prince Zuko?"
Sasuke turned in surprise at the voice behind them.
"Captain Zhao." The words were bitter on Sasuke's tongue. This had been the man that suggested the idea of killing his own brother to redeem the clan all those years ago. It had been that suggestion that had had him promoted to Captain.
"It's Commander now. Sasuke and General Iroh," He bowed to Iroh specifically, "great hero of our nation."
"Retired general."
"The Fire Lord's brother, son and his good friend are welcome guests any time. What brings you to my harbor?"
Lie.
"Our ship is being repaired."
Iroh gestured to their damaged vessel. It was much smaller than the rest of the ships docked on the pier and was in way worse shape.
Zhao glanced at the ship, "That's quite a bit of damage."
"Yes…" Zuko started nervously, "you wouldn't believe what happened." He gave a sort of sideways look at Iroh, "Uncle! Tell Commander Zhao what happened."
Iroh's eyes widened as he blinked in response to the question.
"I'd love to, but you know how my stories are, they ramble on and on. Sasuke is a much better story teller. Go ahead boy."
Sasuke sighed.
"We were training in the middle of a pack of icebergs. What better place to practice firebending then your natural opposite? There was an accident, I missed him with one of my fireballs, hit the iceberg next to us and it landed on the ship. End of story."
"Were you at the North or South pole? You must regale me with all the minute details. Over a drink?"
Zuko stepped in, "Sorry, but we have to go."
Zuko turned away to leave, and Sasuke was about to join him, but Iroh put a hand on either of their shoulders and stopped them.
"Prince Zuko, Sasuke. Show Commander Zhao your respect." The old man turned to Zhao.
"We would be honored to join you. Do you have any ginseng tea? It's my favorite."
Sasuke sighed as he gave in to the old man's wants. Zuko released angry fire from his fists as he turned to follow Zhao and Iroh down the dock.
Zhao took them to some tent and started discussing war with them. It was all quite boring to Sasuke, but he pretended to be interested and nodded at the right times.
"… And by year's end, the Earth Kingdom capital will be under our rule."
Iroh was inspecting a receptacle for weapons in the corner while Zuko and Sasuke occupied the chairs in front of Zhao. The Commander put his hands on the desk in front of the two.
"The Fire Lord will finally claim victory in this war."
"If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool."
Oh my Lord. Do you seriously need to run your tongue like that? Please learn to keep your mouth shut, you are so stupid. Sasuke shook his head disappointedly. Not enough that Zuko could tell what he was doing though.
Zhao took a seat in front of them on the edge of the desk.
"Two years at sea have done little temper your tongue… So, how is your search for the Avatar going?"
A clank rang in the background as Iroh accidentally knocked over the weapons he had been examining. The conversation came to a halt.
"My fault entirely." He was embarrassed and sheepishly backs away. Zhao watching him move.
"We haven't found him yet."
"Did you really expect to? The Avatar died a hundred years ago—along with the rest of the airbenders."
"Yeah, you're probably right."
"Probably? Have you found some sort of evidence that the Avatar is alive..?" Zhao was eager now. He had caught Zuko's tiny slip up and was going to exploit it.
"Nope. Nothing."
"If we had found anything worth mentioning, don't you think we would have shared that by now?" Sasuke asked the Commander.
"Well I should hope so." He looked back at the prince and rose from the desk. "Prince Zuko, the Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. IF you have an ounce of loyalty left, you'll tell me what you've found."
"We just told you we haven't found anything. It's like you said. The Avatar died a long time ago. Come on, Uncle, Sasuke, we're going."
Zuko got up and tried to exit the tent but was blocked by guards. They crossed their spears in front of him. Another guard walks past him to deliver his report to Zhao.
"Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed. They confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar in custody, but let him escape."
Now now… that is just not true. One thing he did wrong, was leave the Avatar's being held in the 'capable' hands of his crew. They're the ones that let the Avatar go. Not Zuko. Zuko fought back as hard as he could against the Avatar. There was no failure here today. We have found a human being that has eluded the world and the war for 112 years.
"Now, remind me… how exactly was your ship damaged?"
Zuko looked down in defeat.
…
Sasuke and Iroh were allowed to stand off to the side as Zhao interrogated Zuko. The poor kid broke down right away and told the truth.
I have got to work on his lying skills under pressure. As it is he is pathetic.
"So, a twelve-year-old boy bested you and your firebenders?"
He laughed, "You're more pathetic than I thought."
Zuko gritted his teeth, "I underestimated him once, but it will not happen again."
"No, it will not; because you won't have a second chance."
What? Zuko was just as surprised. "Commander Zhao, I've been hunting the Avatar for two years and I…"
Zhao turned on him in anger, flames erupting from his hand as he swept in an arc directly in front of Zuko's face.
"And you failed!" The commander towered over Zuko, threatening him.
"Capturing the Avatar is too important to leave in a teenager's hands. He's mine now."
Zuko launched himself at Zhao in frustration and anger. He was restrained by the two guards behind him.
"Keep them here."
Zuko kicked over a small table that had been sitting near them, it broke into pieces as did the tea cups and pot on it. Iroh watched calmly beside him before speaking.
"More tea please?"
…
Several minutes later, the three were still in the tent, silent. There would be no more talking. At least Zuko had finally gotten it through his head to shut up. Zhao reentered the tent, a grin on his face.
"My search party is ready. Once I'm out to sea, my guards will escort you back to your ship and you'll be free to go."
"Why? Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?" SHUT UP ZUKO YOU WILL GET YOURSELF KILLED YOU IDIOT.
"You? Stop me? Impossible." The really astounding thing though, is how much pleasure this grown man gets out of taunting a child. Zuko is only 16, what are you doing Zhao?
Zuko stood defiantly.
"Don't underestimate me, Zhao. I will capture the Avatar before you."
Iroh stepped forward. He was tired of his nephew's nonsense. "Prince Zuko, that's enough!"
"You can't compete with me. I have hundreds of warships under my command, and you… you're just a banished prince. No home. No allies. Your own father doesn't even want you."
"You're wrong. Once I deliver the Avatar to my father he will welcome me home with honor and restore my rightful place on the throne."
"Please. If your father really wanted you home, he'd have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar, but in his eyes you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation. Don't even get me started on how he feels about your friend here."
Zhao glanced at Sasuke. His eyes were filled with a pompous gloat. I know you're the one who put me in this mess, Zhao. Believe me, you will get your just desserts.
"That's not true."
"You have the scar to prove it."
"Maybe you'd like one to match!"
Zhao smiled, "is that a challenge?"
"An agni kai. At sunset."
"Very well. It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you. I guess your uncle and your pathetic excuse for a friend will have to do."
Iroh was worried for Zuko, "Prince Zuko, have you forgotten what happened the last time you dueled a master?"
"I will never forget."
The three were silent for several minutes before they left to make their way to the Fire Nation arena. It was a simple structure, a four-walled area with fires at each corner. There was one large open gate. This is not going to end well. The only chance Zuko has is using Zhao's arrogance against him. There is a slim to none chance for Zuko. Damn it, he's ugly enough as it is!
The sunset poured in from behind them. It was a glorious day, the hues of the sky turning red, orange and yellow. The duelists kneeled at opposite ends of the arena, each with a small shoulder wrap on their backs. Iroh and Sasuke were standing with Zuko at his end.
"Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons."
"I refuse to let him win."
He stood up and the shoulder wrap fell to the ground.
Iroh and Sasuke backed out of the arena and took a seat in the observation area beside the duelists.
"This will be over quickly." Zhao was over confident.
A gong sounded. Both men faced each other in a fighting stance. Zuko fired the first shot which passed harmlessly to Zhao's left. He fired again and missed again, this time on the other side. He fires several more fire blasts, each time either missing or being blocked by Zhao. The satisfied grin on Zhao's face was disturbing. Zhao crouched forward and shot flame at a point on the ground close to Zuko's feet.
"Basics, Zuko! Break his root!"
Zhao fired several volleys at Zuko, alternating between hands. Zuko blocked them all, but was slowly forced back. On his last hit, Zhao used both hands and knocked Zuko over. The attack sent him skidding back into the dust. Zhao took a flying jump at him. Zuko tried to get up, but Zhao fired right at him. The prince rolled just in time, and as he got up, he swept Zhao's feet out from under him. Sasuke's jaw dropped. Go Zuko! This is your chance! Go! Go! Go!
Zuko landed on his feet. He advanced toward Zhao, using his feet to produce small waves of flame that rushed toward his opponent. Zhao was caught off balance and wobbled slowly backward. Sasuke looked away for a second at Iroh, who had his fists clenched in hope, a smile beginning to spread over his face. He looked back to the fight, where Zuko had finally laid out Zhao flat on the ground with a blast of fire. He rushed up to him, prepared to deal the final blow.
"Do it!"
Zuko released a blast that shot off to the side of Zhao's head. He stood up and dropped his fighting stance.
"That's it? Your father raised a coward."
"Next time you get in my way, I promise I won't hold back."
Zuko turned and started walking away. Zhao got up and howled with anger. He unleashed a whip of flame at Zuko from his foot. Sasuke watched as the fire approached the boy, but it was extinguished. Iroh had moved between them to stop the dishonorable attack. The three remained frozen for a moment before Iroh hurled Zhao back into the dirt with a flick of his wrist.
How did he get there so quickly? I didn't even see him get up!
Zuko wanted to avenge the insult but was stopped by Iroh.
"No, Prince Zuko. Do not taint your victory."
Iroh looked down on Zhao with condescension written deeply on his face.
"So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat. Disgraceful. Even in exile my nephew is more honorable than you. Sasuke as well." Zuko looked at Iroh in surprise at the comment.
"Thanks again for the tea. It was delicious."
Sasuke got up to follow them as they left. Just outside the arena, Zuko stopped Iroh.
"Did you really mean that, Uncle?"
"Of course. I told you ginseng tea is my favorite."
They left the arena behind and walked back to the ships at the harbor.
Zuko and Iroh had put the orders in for repairs that morning. Unfortunately, the second the vendors found out who he was, it seemed everything took twice as long as it should have. They ended up spending at least a week at the harbor and by the end of that week, and trail the Avatar may have left was gone. Zuko was irate.
"Those ship workers took way longer than necessary. Probably on Zhao's orders…"
"Well… don't get ahead of yourself… but… I think you're probably right."
He had gone on a tantrum after that. Zuko shut himself in his quarters and refused come out.
…
They were drifting in the middle of the ocean. The sky was filled with stars, and everything was peaceful. Peaceful and quiet. Zuko had chosen to meditate at that moment. It gave everyone on the ship a much needed rest from the hustle and bustle that was Zuko after the Avatar.
It didn't last long. An enraged shout echoed from below deck.
Great. Iroh must have given him the news.
Sasuke rested his head back against the cool metal of the ship and breathed deeply.
…
One night they were dining in Zuko's quarters, their cook had gone out and procured them a fish of excellent quality. The cook seemed to have too big of a smile when he walked into the room.
"We've heard news on the Avatar! Here is your fish. He's on Kyoshi Island!"
Sasuke waited for Zuko to burst out, but instead he remained calm and questioned the cook.
"Tell me, where did you hear this information?"
"Well, while I was out buying the fish! The merchant told me a little girl from Kyoshi Island had told him that the Avatar was on Kyoshi Island."
"The Avatar's on Kyoshi Island!" it was then that Zuko stood and rushed out of the room.
"Uncle, ready the rhinos. He's not getting away from me this time."
Iroh stayed seated at the table across from Sasuke. He was debating whether or not to leave the fresh fish at the table and follow Zuko.
"Are you going to finish that?"
Zuko came back to the table and grabbed the plate of fish.
"I was going to save it for later!" He stormed back out of the room with the plate.
Iroh sighed and rose to join his nephew. Sasuke was also disappointed in not getting to try the fish the cook had made for them.
…
Just a day or two later, they arrived at Kyoshi Island. It was quite small. An excellent place to hide, really. Sasuke joined Zuko in the hull of the ship, mounted on a rhino. The helmsman let down the bowsprit and the three rode the rhinos out of the ship. Sasuke was on his left, another guard on the right.
"I want the Avatar alive."
The three marched toward the village. No one was outside, all the villagers had shut themselves inside the cabin structures. Most of the houses were simply wood with thatched rooves.
"Come out, Avatar! You can't hid from me forever!" Zuko tilted his head and spoke to them, "Find him."
Sasuke rode further into town with Zuko and the other guard, all on their rhinos. There was really nowhere else to go, the village was only a single strip with some offshoots, an earth building at the end and the village leader's home.
A flash of green caught his eye. Before he even saw them a woman attacked him. She sliced the rhino with the fan, causing it to buck Sasuke off. Three other warriors attacked him. Sasuke didn't know where to look, they were everywhere. A larger version of the warriors opposing him was further away attacking the other guard.
It couldn't possibly.
The grey hair was unmistakable.
He looked quite different in the uniform all the warriors wore, but the mismatched eyes and grey hair were indisputable.
Kakashi Hatake.
Next to him was a small pink haired girl. They fought in unison, one fluid motion in two bodies. An earthbender! She threw large rocks at the other guard as well as her fan warfare. What an interesting tactic… He always was good at working with others on the battlefield…
The warriors had taken advantage of his distraction and had bound his hands. Honestly Sasuke didn't care much at this point. If there was anyone that could know something about his brother or how to find him, it would be this man. He had been Sasuke's personal mentor in the Academy, a prestigious military professional, a close friend of General Iroh, and was the only person Sasuke trusted after the massacre of his parents. The rest of the Fire Nation seemed oblivious to the cruel acts that had occurred against his family, but not Kakashi. Even if they hadn't talked much about it, there was something about him…
Sasuke was brought back to the present as one of the warriors put her fan to his neck. The sharp edge could slice his throat in a moment.
"Don't move, pretty boy, or I'll be forced to slice that pretty white skin right open…" One of the women whispered in his ear. It was strangely threatening as well as seductive. Sasuke swallowed at the threat and the fan dug into his neck. He felt a rivulet of blood slide along the skin of his neck. It was pointless to struggle, so he waited.
Zuko had knocked out the lead warrior, and his captors noticed. The fan at his neck disappeared as the girls left to attack Zuko. Sasuke sent a small flame up the ropes keeping him hostage and burned right through them. He shook off his bindings and found his rhino along with the others further down the street. The other guard had been defeated by Kakashi and his companion. Sasuke watched as Zuko took out all of the warriors. It was just a little impressive. Even his old mentor and the pink haired girl were hit, just not near as badly as the others.
"Nice try, Avatar! But these little girls can't save you."
"Hey! Over here!" Sasuke looked up and Aang was waiting for Zuko on one of the rooftops of the village.
"Finally!"
Sasuke's attention was brought back to Kakashi and Sakura. Zuko was fighting the Avatar again, and honestly he would probably lose. Again. The pink haired girl was attending the wounds of her fellow warriors. An excellent warrior and medic. You don't see that every day.
He looked up and saw Aang flying toward the shore of the island. Sasuke was currently holding the reigns of all three rhinos, an excuse he gave himself to not follow the Avatar for Zuko. Further down the shore a statue of Kyoshi was on fire.
God damn it Zuko. It's not cool to burn historical monuments.
Zuko saw that Aang was making a getaway.
"Back to the ship! Don't lose sight of them!" Sasuke responded by leading the rhinos back to the ship. They were well trained beings, and followed him easily. Out of the corner of his eye, two flashes of green passed him.
Kakashi and the girl.
He desperately wanted to follow, to ditch Zuko and try and hitch a ride with the Avatar, but for some odd reason, that probably wouldn't work out in his favor. Or Kakashi's. For him to be in such good cahoots with an Earth Kingdom town, he had to be undercover, and Sasuke wasn't about to blow that for him.
Sasuke was tying up the rhinos when he heard it, the torrential downpour. It completely drenched all the flames in the town, Zuko and the other guard. Sasuke chuckled to himself.
…
Unfortunately, while they had successfully followed the Avatar for a while after Kyoshi, the Avatar took a turn inland, and they were unable to follow. Their route went along the shore a little ways, to a town that the Fire Nation had taken over. They stopped to restock their supplies there. While purchasing their food , a merchant told them all about what was going on in town, how the earthbenders that refused to stop bending were taken to an off shore prison, and how everyone else was forced to be miners. It was a little sad, but Sasuke didn't have time to care about the Earth Kingdom town. All he wanted was to talk to Kakashi.
For the first time in a long time he felt his brother was one step closer.