Sorry for the long delay, but law school has eaten me alive and spit me out. This chapter was one of the harder ones to write, but I hope you will enjoy it. So yeah, Lu Ten is going to be in for a whole new life, and it's hilarious to watch the pampered princes live as cabin boys. This chapter is a bit more relationship based, before some major action will happen. And a commentary, Lu Ten is a bit of a brat, but he was raised to be one. I think he's a lovely kid, but I think the Fire nation shouldn't raise kids, they tend to screw them up emotionally and mentally.
As always, dedicated to the brilliant Avocado, who is incredible and wise and such a treasure to know. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Over the hills and far away,
for ten long years he'll count the days.
Over the mountains and the seas,
a prisoner's life for him there'll be.
--Nightwish
Over the Hills and Far Away
"Good morning, children," boomed a voice as Lu Ten's eyes blinked before closing again. Who had dared disturb the crown prince of the Fire Nation while he was resting so comfortably? He would have the unworthy slave imprisoned for this! Such disrespect to the son of Agni could not be tolerated.
"Go away and be grateful for your life," he mumbled, turning over in bed. That should scare the idiot away. He didn't mind being merciful if it meant going back to sleep.
"Very funny, Shaya. I know you're tired, but it's time to be up," a voice said as Lu Ten wondered who Shaya was? No one spoke to him by his first name besides his family. It had taken him until his fifth birthday to realize "your highness" was a title and not another name for himself.
All these thoughts congealed into rage as the warm blanket was yanked off his body, plunging him into the cold. Someone would be flogged for this, he swore it. And salt poured in the wounds.
Opening his eyes, he realized that he was not in his warm and cozy room, but in the most disgusting room in his life, facing a smelly savage who technically owned him. Waking up was a definite let down. "Oh," he said, forcing himself to sit up. He had to behave somewhat, he could not allow them to grow suspicious and guard them too heavily.
"Well, that's much better. You must have been having a quite a dream, young man. Go away and be grateful for your lives? Did you dream you were a young Emperor?" Hakoda asked, giving him another grin.
Lu Ten nodded bitterly. "In a palace made of sea shells," he lied pleasantly, wishing he was home where he could cart the fool off to the mines for annoying him. Being around other people was worrisome. He was so used to be along, hidden away where he would not be gawked and bothered.
"Sounds like a fine dream, but it's time for chores, Shaya. You can't lie in bed and sleep the day away," Hakoda said, poking him in the ribs and pointing to a bucket and a pile of dirty plates. "You can start by scrubbing the plates. Shinta's making breakfast, it will be ready soon and it's delicious today, sea porridge. He'll be needing them soon so you best hurry."
Lu Ten glared at him as he got to his feet. He had dreamed of being home in the palace and he had not wanted to get up and face the life of a slave on a ship full of savages. "As you wish," he replied softly, lowering his eyes to hide the wish to incinerate something close by. A sudden terror filled his body. "Where is my little brother?" he gasped. Could Zuko have been sold separately? Had he only dreamed of saving him?
"He woke up early and went for a walk. He's fine, shy little thing. Won't talk much but he loves to run around the ship and look into things," Hakoda said lightly. "You worry too much about him, he's safe with us."
Lu Ten took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. He had just told him to remain with him, and the kid had already broken orders! "I see," he said softly, as he pondered the tongue-lashing he would be giving the child. Aunt Ursa and Uncle really had to learn to give him some more discipline. "I just want him to know his place."
"He's a little boy, his place is to make mischief and get underfoot. I told you, you aren't slaves, you need to relax and get used to us here," Hakoda said lightly. "You are very hard on him. Lighten up, kid, or you'll grow old before your time."
Lu Ten stared at him. Boys were supposed to be underfoot? No wonder these people were savages. "Yes, sir," he forced himself to say.
"Come on, back to work," Hakoda urged. "Fretting about your brother will only make you more nervous. I know you are worried about him."
Lu Ten forced himself to breathe and not go for the idiot's throat. 'He's my family," he hissed, wondering if he should flee the room and find his cousin. Who knew what kind of trouble he could get into?
"After what you went through, I don't blame you for wanting him in your sight. But please, trust me and relax. I gave you my word; no harm will come to either of you. I want to help," Hakoda said softly. "We're your family now."
Lu Ten wished he could believe him. He had believed Teradion, but this man seemed different. It was impossible to trust someone who was his enemy and didn't even know it. His family, his real family would have the entire ship on their knees. "All right," he hissed, as he dipped a nearby rag into the bucket and hissed with pain as the water ate at his hands. What was in it, acid?
"Haven't you ever scrubbed a plate before?" Hakoda asked, looking at Lu Ten's reddened hands. "You're as delicate as a turtle wren."
"My father was a merchant and he didn't see the need for me to do servants' work," Lu Ten said bitterly, worrying where his brother was and how he would finish this task without having his hands burned off. "He had better things for me to do."
"So that's why you and your brother are so dainty and proper. Well, don't worry, we'll make men out of you yet," Hakoda boomed, slapping Lu Ten on the shoulder. It was savagery beyond his understanding. "This will toughen you up!" Lu Ten had a lot to add, but a sound from outside disturbed his wrathful thoughts.
Zuko toddled into the room, still dressed in those horrible blue furs and clutching a horrid little doll. "Hi!" he said, looking quite satisfied. "Good to see you up! Uncle Bato made me some new toys. He said he would take me fishing tomorrow."
Lu Ten's glare could have frozen sake in the middle of summer. "I'm sure Grandfather would approve of you wandering around the ship," he said crisply. The future viceroy of the Fire Empire could not be allowed to fraternize with savage scum; he couldn't become attached to them. It was too dangerous for him to forget that they were the enemy.
Zuko paled and nodded. "I'm sorry," he whispered, hanging his head. If Hakoda wasn't there, Lu Ten would have given him a good ear twist. It was far more merciful than what could have happened to them if they were found out or separated.
"Behave yourself, little brother," Lu Ten growled, still pondering how to get this through his cousin's thick skull. As de facto head of family, he'd have to think of something suitable and painful.
Hakoda watched the scene without understanding. "Hanzo, you all right?" he asked, patting Zuko's head in a manner which should have gotten the man's hand cut off. "You're behaving yourself just fine."
Zuko shook his head and was at Lu Ten's side in a second. "I'm really sorry," he whispered, taking his arm. "It won't happen again."
Hakoda was not looking happy. "What is he sorry for?" he demanded. "What is going on here and someone better start talking."
"Something between brothers, sir," Lu Ten said, giving his little cousin a tight smile. "He just doesn't like knowing he worried me. Nothing to be concerned about."
"All right. After breakfast, can you untangle rope nets?" Hakoda asked, still sounding skeptical. "That would be a big help, with your little hands."
Lu resisted the urge to throw something at the intruder and nodded. "Of course, sir." He did not have little hands. He had manly, strong royal ones that were of the normal size. It was these savages who were freakishly tall and ungainly.
"Good. Have the dishes brought outside as soon as you are done," Hakoda directed, striding outside. "Shinta has plenty of work to do. Something about being rude to a fellow brother. Thought you might enjoy that." Oh, if only he wasn't so angry at his cousin, he would have relished that information. "Speak to you soon."
Still, cousins come before vengeance. As soon as Hakoda left, Lu Ten grabbed Zuko's wrist. "Don't you ever go wandering around like that again," he hissed softly, pushing Zuko against the wall and towering over him.
"I am sorry," Zuko pleaded, wincing with terror as he stared at his bare feet. "Please forgive me."
Oh, now he wanted forgiveness. "Do you know how worried I was?" He should beat him for this. It was the responsible thing to do. He was Zuko's guardian, he had to keep him in line, make him understand his mistakes.
Zuko hung his head. "I just wanted a quick walk, I didn't talk to them. I just wanted some fresh air. I wanted to go with you, but you didn't wake up," he pleaded. "I thought I would come back and you'd still be sleeping and then you wouldn't know."
Lu Ten dearly loved his cousin but pondered if the boy was intelligent enough to be Fire Lord should anything happen to him. "So you would not only disobey me but trick me?" he asked darkly, raising his hand threateningly to administer a proper slap.
"No, I didn't mean that," Zuko pleaded, tears in his golden eyes as he threw his free arm around his cousin's waist and sobbed into his shirt. "Don't punish me, I'll be good. I'm so sorry."
Damn it, how was Lu Ten ever going to be a Fire Lord who was obeyed when he couldn't even punish a child half his age for blatantly disobeying him? "I'm your prince, I am the one you must obey. You know that. 'I told you to remain by my side. If I am sleeping, that does not give you the right to defy me. You know better and I know that you will never do that again. Otherwise…" Lu Ten left off the threat. He was the head of the family now, he had to keep Zuko in line, but the thought of punishing him after all they had gone through made him sick. He had to do something. He had to make sure Zuko understood what happened. "We'll talk about it tonight," he finished, patting his cousin's back. "I have work to do and you need to think about what you did."
Zuko nodded. "I'll be good, I promise," he whimpered sadly, as he reached in and began helping with the cleaning. "So, did you have a good sleep?" he asked, changing the subject.
Lu Ten ignored him and focused on his painful task. He was tired and hungry and he didn't know how long he would be able to survive this slavery, if Zuko kept running off his mouth. "Just sit and play," he muttered, wishing he had more answers.
A few days ago, he was in a beautiful palace, with servants waiting to do his will. He would be well rested and bathed, surrounded by the people who loved him. He would be happy and not have to worry about his life.
He was being foolish. A prince did not fear pain or suffering or death, but only sought his duty. His duty was to protect Zuko and bring him home safely. Doing slave's work was shameful, but it kept them both alive. He had no reason to complain. Someday, he would get his vengeance. Every scrub of pain would only make the triumph sweeter.
"Are you done with the dishes, slave boy?" Shinta demanded, stomping into the room, his thin face twisted in hatred. "We can't wait for your sluggishness, people are hungry and you're keeping them waiting!"
"You want it done quicker, do it yourself," Lu Ten snapped, not looking up. "I'm working as fast as I can." He had so much he could add, but he had no interest in this yokel. He was a prince doing slave work, he had enough suffering.
Shinta looked at Zuko, sitting on the bench playing with the doll. "Hey, lazybones, aren't you going to help out?" he asked insolently.
Zuko stared up at him quizzically, having never been spoken to like that. "I'm not supposed to talk to you," he said softly, swinging his legs.
"Why not? You're old enough to do a little work. What are we feeding you for, you little penguin seal?" Shinta asked, handing him a dishrag. "Come on, a big boy like you must want to do something and all those nice dishes need to be cleaned. You can make a game of it." Was he trying to sound fraternal? What a pathetic gesture.
"I don't want to wash dishes. I want to play with the doll," Zuko said, and looked away. "You are dismissed." Damn it, couldn't that boy learn to act humble?
Shinta rolled his eyes and crossed the distance between himself and Lu Ten's little cousin. He grabbed Zuko's shirt furiously. "Did you just dismiss me?" he demanded, lifting poor Zuko up and giving him a shake. "Have a little respect; you're the youngest person on the ship now."
Lu Ten glared at the savage, trying to avoid firebending in his rage. How dare this piece of water filth touch a prince of the Fire Nation? "Put my brother down," he said coldly. "Or I will make you." In a better country, the hand touching Zuko would have been cut off and mounted alongside the scoundrel's head.
"Kid, you're a bit small to be making such big threats," Shinta said, giving him a haughty smirk. He mistakenly thought the extra height and weight would be an asset. "I'm not going to hurt him. I just think he should do his fair share of work around the ship." Zuko squirmed in his grasp, silently pleading with Lu Ten for help.
Lu Ten smiled dangerously. He had been in a bad mood and now he would have something to take it out upon. "I am not making threats," he said, rising to his feet and sweeping into a fighting stance. "I am merely informing you what will happen. My brother doesn't do labor."
"You talk big for a little boy who should respect his elders," Shinta said, continuing to smirk. "I can see where he gets his insolence from." He pushed Zuko back onto the bench and turned to him. "I'll be happy to teach you a lesson too."
The smile faded a second later. It felt so good to let loose all his aggression. Lu Ten moved quickly into striking distance, before the oaf could blink. With a knife hand, he easily hit his solar plexus, knocking the wind out of his enemy. Shinta doubled over in pain, his eyes wide.
Oh, his punishment wasn't finished yet. A swift kick to the ankles and Lu Ten had knocked him to the floor. Pulling a bone knife from Shinta's belt, Lu Ten pointed it at his throat. "I am a man of my word," he hissed. "Shall I leave my mark?"
"I doubt that will be needed. I think you already have," a voice said. One of the older men was standing in the door, smiling. "Put the knife down, you've won the fight."
Lu Ten obeyed, smirking as he placed the knife into his belt. "A spoil," he said sagely. "To remind him to never touch my brother again."
Shinta sprang to his feet in a fury. "Give it back, you little brat," he roared. Lu Ten would enjoy cleaning the floor with him again.
To his shock and dismay, there was no further battering of the yokel. The older man yanked Shinta away and smiled at Lu Ten approvingly. "Yeah, I can tell you know what you're doing," he said softly. "That was a sweet move, care to teach it to me?" he asked, clearly impressed.
Lu Ten was shocked but nodded. "It's not that hard," he managed to spit out. "This one telegraphs his moves from a mile away. You must limit your movement and keep your arms closer to your body. Make sure your opponent is left in surprise."
Shinta scowled. "I can't believe you're impressed by this little slave demon," he hissed angrily. "He isn't one of us, Yakone. He doesn't belong."
"Say that again and your father will have you scrubbing the floor on your knees till you beg for mercy. He's half your size, stop bullying him, little cousin," Yakone said harshly, stroking his beard thoughtfully. If he were not Water tribe scum, he would actually be a good person. It was good of him to help out. "You challenged him and he won the knife, fair and square. I wouldn't go around challenging people who can obviously defeat you."
Shinta glared. "I don't trust him. How do we know he won't slit our throats in our sleep?" he demanded. "Look at his evil face."
"Well, if he does, I know he'll slit yours first," Yakone said coldly. "Run along before I drag you to your father by the ear." Now Lu Ten was sure he had an enemy for life. "All right, can we try that again?" he asked, his voice much more respectful now. "Stop me if I'm doing anything wrong, Shai." Apparently, these savages found violence an effective bonding means. How primitive they were.
Lu Ten looked at him for a long moment. "Sure," he said finally with a smirk. "Come at me." Yakone obeyed and Lu Ten delightfully knocked him off his feet, enjoying getting some form of revenge. "Could see it coming a mile away." He enjoyed being able to talk back to his captors without fear.
"You're the best warrior I've ever seen," Yakone said softly, looking amazed. He got to his feet and tried to imitate the hold Lu Ten had used. "That was incredible, I will sleep with one eye open now. You could kill us all in our beds." That wasn't such a bad idea! "How old are you again?" he asked.
"Twelve," Lu Ten said haughtily. "My dad had me trained quite well. He wanted me to know how to defend myself." And someday, to eradicate Water trash like Shinta from the face of the earth.
"And the little one…does he fight too?" Yakone asked, giving Zuko another pat on the head. "He has such a good teacher, my friend."
"He's a good warrior. Still needs to work on his stances, but when he reaches my age, he'll be ready. For now, I'll do the fighting for him," Lu Ten said, giving what he hoped was a genuine smile.
"You'll be well taught, Hanzo. Your brother is amazing. You must be very proud of him," Yakone said, giving Zuko a kindly smile and patting his head. "I hope you are strong as him someday."
Lu Ten nodded and Zuko smiled back, looking happy to have permission to speak. "I will be," he chirped, taking Lu Ten's hand. "And maybe even better," he added, earning himself a poke in the ribs. "Well? I will be!"
"That's the spirit," Yakone said approvingly. "And don't let Shinta bother you too much. He's used to being the spoiled little one of the ship and I don't think he appreciates the competition."
Lu Ten shrugged. "I don't wish to be competition," he said softly. "I want to go home with my brother. Perhaps…perhaps you could talk to Hakoda and convince him to drop us off at a port. You can see, I can fight, I can defend my brother." He was begging Water scum to be freed. His dignity was destroyed, how could he ever face his family again?
Yakone knelt down and shook his head slowly. "Sorry, Shai. You're the best fighter on the ship, and if it were you alone, I'd let you off myself. But your brother is a liability. He'll slow you down and if he's in danger, you will have to join in. I imagine that's how you feel into slavery into the first place. You could have fought to get free but you wouldn't leave him behind," he pointed out, shrewdly for a Water tribe yokel.
"I can handle it," Lu Ten hissed, wishing he could do something besides beg and plead. "I'm strong and I'm smart."
"I know you must want to get home, my young friend. And we will find a way of getting you to people who will care for you. But you must have patience," he said, giving him a gentle pat on the back. Lu Ten doubled over with pain, as the idiot had accidently touched the bruises from his time under Fong. "Are you all right?"
"Get away from him," Zuko snapped, sounding desperate. "Don't hurt him!" His poor cousin, what if Zuko started firebending?
"I'm fine," Lu Ten hissed, as he tried to convince himself that was true. He had mostly healed up, but certain spots were still a bit sensitive when touched. Sensitive enough to make him want to scream. "It's nothing. I pulled a muscle a few days ago and I just need to rest. A bath would help."
"All right," Yakone said. "Come along, we do keep some water, but it's cold. I'm not sure that would help you."
"We don't mind," Lu Ten said softly. "It will be quite refreshing." He needed to relax and take his mind off the pain in his body. "We are used to cold baths."
"All right, grab some rags and follow me, young men. I'll have Shinta finish your chores, that boy needs to learn some manners," Yakone said softly, leading them out the door and down into the belly of the ship. Lu Ten looked around and tried not to attract further direction. He kept his hand clamped on Zuko's shoulder, just to make sure the boy didn't bolt or do anything foolish. Lu Ten had half a mind to put his young cousin on a leash but decided that would be hard to explain.
Down the stairs, a small room with a tub awaited them. Happily, the tub appeared to be clean, and free of Water tribe illness. "Inside. Pull the bell if you need anything," Yakone said, closing the door behind him.
Lu Ten smiled and took a deep breath. Blowing gently, he watched the steam begin to form. He touched the water and smiled. "Come on, Zuko. The temperature's just right. I heated it myself. It's time for us to act like humans again."
"I don't want a bath, I'm not dirty," Zuko mumbled. He never liked being scrubbed, even by Auntie. Still, he would become ill if he didn't get some of that dirt.
"Come on, it's nice and warm. I don't have soap for you, but I insist you keep clean. I won't have us return home, smelling like animals," Lu Ten said, pointing to the tub. The lie had worked nicely, they were in need of a hot bath. "I'll give you a back rub."
"Only if you come bathe with me," Zuko said. "You are as smelly as me." Lu Ten only hesitated a few seconds before nodding. He did need it and it was intended for him to help his pain go away. "Yay." Zuko laughed as he stripped to his loin cloth and hopped in. It was the first true happiness Lu Ten had heard out of him.
Lu Ten stripped down to his own loin cloth and hopped in beside his cousin. The water felt heavenly on his sore body, bless Zuko for thinking of this. "This was a brilliant idea."
"I told you so," Zuko said, before dunking himself under the warm water and coming up again. "Now I'm nice and clean."
"Well, you're wet and cleaner. Now, raise your arms," Lu Ten directed, picking up one of the rags. "I want to make sure to get all the dirt from those horrible furs. They might have fleas in them." He couldn't imagine how those savages lived in such filth. No wonder they were losing the war, they were little more than animals in human form. They needed culture so badly.
"You sound just like mama," Zuko noted with a giggle. "Are you going to check behind my ears for dirt?"
Lu Ten laughed, laughing for the first time since they had left the palace and had gone into a forced exile. "I just might.' What he wouldn't give for the scented baths of the Fire Nation palace, jasmine soaps and silk towels to rub his skin, hot oil to soothe his hands and hot stone massages to relax his aching muscles. "A young prince must look his best, even when in the presence of savages."
"I'm just glad you aren't mad at me anymore." Zuko said happily. He had taken up his favorite place, snuggled up to Lu Ten with his head on the older cousin's chest and having his head stroked. "I wish I was a waterbender so I could make the water move and splash you and you wouldn't be able to stop me." He splashed some warm water onto himself and sighed with contentment.
Lu Ten glared at him. "You were blessed by Agni to be a firebender, the noblest creation he ever placed upon the world. I don't want to hear such blasphemy again." His cousin was still feeling too close to these wretches and that was beginning to be bother him. Why couldn't Zuko see how worthless Water Tribe culture was?
"I'm sorry," Zuko said quietly, turning his face away. His lips trembled as he looked like he was going to cry. Why did caring for children have to be so complicated? "Are you going to kill me?" he asked, as he stared at his hands. His voice had gone low and sad.
"What kind of silly question is that?" Lu Ten asked, giving his cousin a flick of the nose. "How could you ask something so…idiotic?"
"Well…I was just thinking…. Grandfather killed all of his brothers and sisters and cousins to make sure they didn't steal the throne," Zuko whispered. "When you become Fire Lord, will you kill me because I say the wrong things?"
"Of course not. You would never be capable of plotting against me. They were guilty, but you are innocent. So why would I ever harm you?" Lu Ten asked with a nervous laugh. "Even if you say something foolish, I'll just tell you to be quiet."
"But you could…if you wanted to. If you were like Grandfather…if you became Fire Lord, you could kill anyone you wanted," Zuko whispered. "What if you ever got angry with me, like you did today? If…I had walked away back home…" he trailed off, having obviously determined that Lu Ten would not easily forget today's earlier transgression. "I'm afraid when you're angry."
So, the little rascal finally understood how terrible he had behaved and was worried. "Of course you are, you shouldn't make me angry. You know you should do as you're told, but nothing will ever make me hurt you. If you would have disobeyed or lied to me back home, I'd have clapped you in chains or beaten you but I would have forgiven you," Lu Ten comforted him. "And a Fire Lord can't kill someone. He has them executed. Killing is wrong. Executing someone is justice, little cousin. A Fire Lord only punishes the guilty," he said, stroking his back.
"But Grandfather had you…" Zuko began, pointing at Lu Ten's shoulders. That was a memory Lu Ten did not enjoy relieving.
"I deserved it. Grandfather was right. I thank him for his mercy in allowing me to apologize and keep my head. Upsetting him is treason," Lu Ten hissed through gritted teeth. "We will not discuss it."
"But…you wouldn't ever execute me. No matter what I did. You looked so angry today, I never saw you so angry at me," Zuko whimpered, his small hands rubbing away tears. "I thought you'd throw me overboard."
"This is not about me being angry, it's about keeping us safe. You know we're in enemy territory. Why did you walk off with them? You know how dangerous it is. Have you forgotten what the Earth kingdom nearly did to us?" Lu Ten asked.
Zuko hung his head. "No…" he whispered, his chin quivering. "But these people seem nice. Maybe they will help us! They are better than the mean people who had us before. We can trust them."
Lu Ten rubbed his shoulders. "I know they seem nice, but it's not true. They hate us. They hate us because we're Fire Nation and if they knew who we were, they would sell us back to the Earth Nation," he said gently. He wanted to be angry, but he understood what his cousin had done.
"But why do they hate us?" Zuko asked. He was so innocent of the world; it was charming to realize that. "We're bringing them culture, we're making them normal. They should be thanking us for helping them." He was so innocent. Just because it was good for people didn't mean people had to admit it. These stupid yokels would rather suffer in lack of knowledge than admit life was far better under the rule of Agni.
Yet, how to explain it to Zuko? "Because they are savages, Zuzu. You know that. They are primitive and ignorant and they don't appreciate our kindness," Lu Ten explained patiently. "That is why you must not trust them, why you must be careful around them. They're idiots, but dangerous ones."
"You're right," Zuko finally said, though he still looked confused. "But…they still seem so nice. Besides Shinta…they almost seem normal. Are you sure we can't even trust Yakone?"
Enough was enough, Zuko had to learn to obey him! "I meant what I said last night, Zuzu. We're still princes. We may be captives, but I am still the heir to the throne and future Fire Lord. You may be my cousin, but you're also my subject. You must obey me. You know that. Since Dad and Grandpa aren't here, my word is law. And disobeying me is treason. And you know what happens to traitors."By the look of worry on his cousin's face, he had just proceeded to frighten him again.
"I'm not a traitor to you," Zuko whispered sadly, biting his lip. "I just don't understand things and when I ask, you yell at me. Things don't make sense anymore and you keep losing your temper."
"Zu, a lot of this is my fault. I give you a lot of freedom. Within reason, you can say whatever you wish to me. You don't get punished if you don't instantly obey me, even though you should be. You don't have to call me by title and you act like I'm a normal brother, instead of your future Lord. And most importantly, you know that I would do anything for you," he began softly. "In fact, I think I spoil you."
"Spoil me?" Zuko asked.
"I only punish you when you risk your life. I don't punish you for talking back to me. And you know I only get angry because I worry about you. I don't want them to hurt you. But I would never kill you, because you're my best friend. Everyone else…they care about me because someday, I am going to be their master. But you, you're my cousin. You'll stand by me no matter what. I know you will never stab me in the back. You'll be loyal to me, right? You'll never give me a reason to doubt you. "
Zuko nodded. "I will," he said, taking his hand. "I swear, I will be the best cousin in the world." He lay back on Lu Ten's shoulder.
"And that's why someday, when I'm Fire Lord, you'll sit at my right hand. Legends will be told of my rule, and of my brave and wise and loyal cousin who was my viceroy, my truest supporter and my greatest friend," Lu Ten whispered in Zuko's eat. "And you are not a traitor, my dear little Zu. Right?" he urged, softening his tirade.
Zuko shook his head. "I'm your Daimyo. Anything you say, I have to do. We're going to conquer the world, right?" he chirped. He was a good kid, it wasn't his fault that he didn't know what to do. It was Lu Ten's own fault for not looking after him properly.
But Zuko had to understand that this was quite serious. "Good. Because all my orders are to protect you and the kingdom. I will keep you safe," Lu Ten finally vowed. "The next time you disobey me, I will punish you." And he'd be weak and hate himself forever. Zuko crying made him feel sick, even if it was for his cousin's own good.
"It won't happen," Zuko chirped, pressing into Lu Ten's shoulder. "I will be very good. Better than any prince ever was!"
"Yes, you will. I know you will. Just remember, these people are evil and you will be fine. That Shinta…I am going to enjoy giving him another drubbing," he mused softly. He had a lot of plans of how to humiliate that special little foe of his.
"If he knew you were the crown prince, he'd treat you a lot better. He'd be normal and bow before you and beg you not to have him killed," Zuko noted, finally showing the family's good sense. "And you would have sent him to the dungeons in chains."
Lu Ten laughed and patted Zuko's head. "I don't need to be a prince to make him bow before me. Did you see how badly he fought?" he asked haughtily. "Azula could have defeated him."
Zuko giggled. "He's a peasant, of course he would lose." He warmed Lu Ten's hands happily. "Everyone would lose to you."
The door opened suddenly. "I came down to check on you," Hakoda said, as Lu Ten tried to cover himself. He was used to servants seeing him undressed, and Water Tribesmen were even lower than servants. He had no reason to feel ashamed. "And…to talk." Lu Ten could feel Hakoda's eyes linger on the livid bruises.
"I…" he began, wondering where all his lessons in rhetoric had gone. "I don't wish to discuss it."
"You're a strange little boy, Shaya. Where I come from, when a child is given an order by an elder, he obeys immediately or faces the consequences. Perhaps it's an upset stomach?" Hakoda said warmly. The threat was quite clear. Talk or lose meals. Filthy savages who should be strung up like fish! "Now, shall we talk?"
"What do you wish to know?" Lu Ten asked, but he already knew Yakone had squealed like a turtleduck. It was his own fault for trusting a savage who was evil!
Hakoda knelt down and took Lu Ten's shoulders, bringing him to his feet. "I see the bruises are fresh. I imagine they came from the slavers," Hakoda said angrily, keeping his voice down for Zuko's benefit. "I should have killed them for what they did."
"It's over now. They can't hurt us anymore," Lu Ten said softly. And when he returned to his rightful place, he would have them tracked down like wild animals and spitted on stakes alive for their crimes against the royal family. He shied away, feeling ashamed. He hated being so inappropriately dressed in front of his enemy.
"No, they can't. Hanzo, would you do me a favor? Go ask Bato to give you my medicine bag?" Hakoda directed. Zuko hopped out of the tub, sopping wet and didn't even bother to wipe himself off. Lu Ten sighed as his cousin ran to obey, obviously realizing that this was not going to be good. Zuko slid his tunic on over his head and ran out the door, leaving his poor cousin alone.
"All right, now we can talk. What happened to you?" Hakoda asked sternly. "And I would advise you not to lie to me. I'm your father now and all I ask is your honesty."
"I'm fine. The bruises will fade in a few days," Lu Ten said, turning away. He only realized too late what was making Hakoda so nervous. "If you don't mind, I must get dressed and attend to my chores."
"You have lash marks on your back, Lu Ten," Hakoda said softly. "Those are from a few months ago, and I don't think you were with the pirates that long. I don't suppose you can tell me what happened."
Lu Ten turned back around and glared at him. "I don't think it's any of your business," he said, rising to his feet. "My home life is my own affair." He had a fine home, he was treasured by his family.
Hakoda took his wrist gently. "Shaya, if someone is hurting you, you need to tell someone. You're a wonderful kid and you don't deserve to have this done to you. You couldn't have gotten this from an injury, I know that."
Lu Ten growled angrily. "How would you know I am not clumsy?" he demanded. "Maybe I just fell badly. Just fell down some stairs, you know."
"Someone held you down and beat you, those are lash marks. You really got a severe job of it, you must have passed out from the pain," Hakoda explained, gently tracing the marks with a finger. "I can imagine you're fairly insolent, but no one deserves what was done to you."
Lu Ten shook his head. It had hurt a lot, but he had deserved it. "It's better if you didn't get involved." He was oddly touched that this stranger cared about him enough to protest Grandfather's discipline methods, but no good could come from protesting. This was what happened when the heir to the throne failed to carry out his duties properly.
"I can protect you, Shaya. I won't let you go back to people who hurt you. If I don't do something, I'm afraid what will happen to you," Hakoda explained. "Do you think that if you just try harder and behave more, the person will stop beating you? There is no excuse to ever treat you this way, no matter what you did."
Lu Ten refused to look him in the eye. "For your own sake, please don't ask me any more questions," he whispered. He was fine, this was normal. If Grandfather felt he deserved it, then he did.
"That isn't the answer. Can you at least tell me what you did to deserve being thrashed like this?" Hakoda asked worriedly.
Lu Ten nodded. "I mouthed off to someone I shouldn't have," he said simply, remembering the fury of his grandfather when he had dared question why his father couldn't just spend time with him. He had only asked once and had been called ungrateful and disobedient. He had learned his lesson quite quickly. "Disrespect isn't tolerated where I come from. The marks faded in a few weeks, and they don't hurt anymore. You don't have to worry, it's fine." He wouldn't repeat the mistake. "It was my fault, I deserved it. Please…don't ask me anything more."
Hakoda put his hand on Lu Ten's chin and raised it to force him to look up at him. For a moment, Lu Ten was ashamed to admit he felt afraid at the sight of the savage looming over him. "I see you need more time. It's all right, I am patient. But I will know the truth, my friend. Sooner or later, I will find out who did this to you and punish them for their crimes," he said softly.
Grandfather was no criminal! "And do what? You said it yourself, I'm insolent. I am not upset about it, so why do you care?" Lu Ten hissed. "I promise you, I deserved what I got." He couldn't imagine their culture understood the ideas of honor and discipline, of nobility and of being forced to conform for the good of others.
"Because this frightens me. There is no point in denying it. It's only going to get worse, Shaya. The beatings will not end, no matter how much you try to toe the line. If he does this to you, he won't stop unless you get away from him," Hakoda explained. "So, is there anything you wish to tell me?"
"No," Lu Ten said, facing the floor. He could say nothing without making the situation worse. How could he inform him that this was a royal decree? "I can only say it was just.'
"This person who did it…if you go back to him, he might do it to your brother. If you don't speak up, Hanzo's suffering would be your fault," Hakoda said harshly. Lu Ten bit his lip. He would protect Zuko as best he could, but if Grandfather decreed he be punished, it would be right and just. Grandfather was always right, it was treason to believe otherwise. He would just put a pillow over his head to drown out the screams. His fondest hope was Zuko would never earn himself such treatment. "Doesn't that scare you?"
"I hope my brother will learn from my foolishness," Lu Ten said softly, bowing his head. "I promise you, I was not ill treated." Grandfather had done nothing but given him what he had deserved. Why was this savage reacting so poorly to it?
"Well, you're wrong. He will never learn from your mistakes, because you're never going back to them," Hakoda said softly. "That much I can promise you. They will never be able to hurt you again. You may be convinced you deserve such a vicious punishment, but I'd like to meet the person who says so. I'd see how he likes to be treated with such cruelty."
Lu Ten forced a look of calm to his face. He would never consent to stay here as their prisoner. As soon as he could, he would return home. "I hope you two get to meet," he said softly, bowing his head. That would be something he would look forward to seeing. "I'll introduce you myself."
In chains.
AN-I know Lu Ten is being stupid for hating the Water Tribe members, but he is a bit too proud and prejudiced to admit he needs them. But there's a lot more plots coming and next chapter, Lu Ten finally starts swinging his fists.