I truly apologize for the long delay, but some bad things happened in my personal life, the illness of my grandmother hit me very hard and killed my muse. Also, all the work I do really caught up with me and i found myself too tired to do anything but rest after all my obligations. I won't bore you with the details, but suffice it to say, I'm at the tail end of a very stressful period of my life. But I am happy to say that I sat down for the last few days and got this finished for you, because your reviews meant the world to me during a very tough time in my life. Thank you so much for them, they were treasured.

So yes, back to Lu Ten, who has a lot more problems, many self induced. And good news, the next chapter is 90% done so you'll have it on January 26th, in honor of my birthday. And coming up is a really splendid arch I've pre-written and really think you'll enjoy.

Some shout outs, to Avo who is getting this story as my gift, to Rua my brilliant beta and to Cat's Eye Nebula's for her sharp eyes and excellent review. Thank you, you are entirely right.

Question: I have an Au of this fic (which will go completely AU) that discusses if Fong had taken the princes to Ba Sing Se? Anyone interested?

All the places I've been and things I've seen
A million stories that made up a million shattered dreams
The faces of people I'll never see again
And I can't seem to find my way home
-Five Fingered Death Punch

Far From Home

The water was icy cold and Lu Ten whimpered miserably as he paddled away. He wondered if Kesuk had heard the splash and had noticed his escape. If so, there was no indication from the ship as Lu Ten continued to paddle on his way to shore. He was exhausted, but the bracing cold water allowed him to keep his head straight and keep swimming. He missed Zuko already, but he had to keep on course.

Someday, this would all be an adventure that would be retold around the table. Zuko would be safe and sound, and everyone would be so proud of him for not losing his head under the pressure of being kidnapped. Grandfather would be so happy-he'd recall Dad from the front lines and Lu Ten would have months to spend with his beloved father. Everything would be perfect; he could almost taste the victory parade that would be held. As he spat the cold salty water from his mouth, he forced himself to keep going. He was going to rescue his cousin. The sooner he left, the sooner he could come home in triumph. He was able to keep his head above water only by forcing himself to keep his eyes on the shore. He would not fail, he would make sure that Zuko was safe.

He tried not to think of what could lurk beneath the waves and just continued to paddle his way to shore. He could almost see it through the salt burning his eyes. He just had to get closer. Every stroke of his hands brought him closer to his goal. He was going to save the day and be a true Fire Lord, just like his forefathers.

He had seen the base on the hilltop. Waiting for him would be troops who would kneel before him and cheer for him. He would be himself again; he would be Prince Lu Ten. He would be safe where no one could ever hurt him. Another stinging wave splashed him in the face and spurred him on.

Lu Ten was dead, Iroh was deep at the bottom of the barrel and nothing stood in the way of Ozai's ascension to the throne. He was unofficially the heir to the throne and no one could dispute his claim. His stupid brother was drunk and his father was asking for council. Things should have been wonderful but instead, his home life was miserable. The future Fire Lord was not happy with the turn of events.

Ozai bowed his head and tried to reason with his insane wife who couldn't seem to pull herself out of her grief long enough to sleep with him. How was he supposed to have a new son when his wife was selfish enough to wallow in grief? He had lost a son and he wasn't screaming in agony. "Our nephew and son died proudly without pain. We did everything we could, but we could not change the regrettable mistakes which lead to their demise," he said solomnly, holding a weeping Ursa. It was getting very tiresome comforting her. The plan had gone perfectly: Lu Ten and Zuko had died two weeks ago. Why was she still carrying on? He had lost family too and he had managed to stop acting like a bloody Waterbender. Iroh was drunk and barely able to function, the war cry of 'Remember the Princes' had raised morale and Ozai was now Crown Prince in all but name. Yes, losing Zuko was painful. He did miss him in a strange way, his big eyes and his happy smile had made him a joy to have as a child. He would have been a fine Fire Lord. It was regrettable that Agni saw fit to place Zuko within the blast and end his young life.

In his weaker moments, Ozai had to admit, he missed his dear boy and hoped that he had died quickly and not suffered. He wanted to save him, but surely Zuko would want to die for his father. It would only seem right to allow him that honor. He was a good boy. He would understand and be happy to be sacrificed for his father's well being. In fact, Zuko was a proper son. He wouldn't have wanted to be saved if it meant hurting his father. When Ozai was Fire Lord, he'd build his little boy a beautiful shrine to his memory. He knew the Gods would show kindness to the little one, and grant him a peaceful reincarnation. Perhaps as a new messanger hawk, so Zuko could continue to serve his father wherever the new life found him. That would be wonderful.

Life currently was not so wonderful. His beloved Ursa lay on the bed, sobbing hysterically. "My love, he's dead. There is no point in weeping over him. Tears won't help him," Ozai said softly, taking her hand. "You haven't eaten in days. He's at peace, you should be as well." Zuko's death was regrettable, but she would be Fire Lady once he got rid of Azulon. She could bear him a new son, a better son if she would just stop crying and allow herself to pleasure him like a good wife should.

"He was my first born, my baby," Ursa wept, remaining motionless. "I should have been watching him, I should have been watching my poor nephew. How can I ever face what I have done?" she whimpered, completely overemotional for a simple loss of a child. Ozai wondered if telling her the truth would comfort her, but feared her intelligence wouldn't grasp the genius of his plans. It was best to keep it under wraps until she had regained her senses.

"Why don't we try for another one, my love?" Ozai asked, removing his outer jacket. 'It will take your mind off the problems and make things better. We can have more children to replace Zuko," he said, before realizing that he shouldn't have said the boy's name. Ursa just curled up into a ball. "I'm grieving for him too, you know. But you don't see me cauterwaling like a wounded bison over him." Suddenly, he realized that was not the reaction he wanted from his wife. Ursa's sobbing just grew louder and she turned her back on him. What a selfish woman, why couldn't he just use the harem like any other ordinary man? Why did he keep desiring her? It was shameful weakness in such a great leader who could have his pick of the royal harems.

"What do you expect me to do, husband? I lost our child and our nephew," Ursa wept, completely bereft. Ozai gritted his teeth and forced himself to pat her head. How emotional women were, they were weak and foolish and if he had any sense, he would replace her and have ten new sons. He hated her for making him believe she was the only one for him.

He was ashamed to admit how weak he was for loving her.

Lu Ten collapsed on the shore and dragged his wear limbs unto the sand. He was bleeding and exhausted and he knew his journey had only begun. He had so many miles before him. He could barely feel his limbs, besides the pain that reminded him that he was still alive, still on duty.

He shivered, drenched as he wished he could firebend. He was too soaked to dry himself properly and his inner fire was weak. He was so tired he could barely defend himself. He would have to find a place to rest and recover his strength. He could feel himself wishing he was back on the ship where he had food and a warm blanket. "You're a prince, stop whining," he ordered himself. If Grandfather could hear his thoughts, he would put Lu Ten to death for such weakness in the face of adversity.

He had to make his way to shelter. He had never paid attention in his survival classes, preferring to instead watch his buxom teacher talk. How he wished he would have known which root to eat, how to follow the tree moss to lead him in a certain direction. He could navigate the seas easily, but on land he was as helpless as a one-winged turtle duck. If he was ever restored to his place, he would be the most diligent pupil the palace had ever seen, he would memorize his survival lessons and never complain again.

As he lay there, he realized he was alone. It was a chilling feeling that made him want to weep. Lu Ten had never been completely alone before- he had always had servants around him to tend to his every need . Even now, he had always had his little cousin by his side to keep his mind off the isolation. Now, there was nothing but the silence and the waves crashing on the shore. There was no one in the world that knew where he was and for the most part, no one cared. He was all alone and he didn't even know if he could reach his goal. He was helpless, and he was nothing like his ancestors. They would have solved this already, they were true leaders of the people.

Another day, another bout of cauterwailing. Ozai had been sure that after another day, Ursa would start to get better. He was furious to find that she was only getting worse. "Please, just try and eat something," he coaxed. The royal physicians had warned him about her melancholy and how it threatened to kill her. Unless she started returning to normal, she would lose her mind. "I don't want to lose you." He didn't, he blamed Zuko entirely for this mess. Couldn't the boy have died without causing this amount of problems? A sound of a bell tinkling only made it worse as she began to choke on his weeping. One of the servants was asking to enter. "Send them away, please."

Ozai needed a distraction and a large chalice of sake quite well. "Come in, whoever it is," he snapped, throwing his cloak over his wife to try and comfort her. Why was the universe punishing him for doing the right thing for the country?

"The princess wishes to see her mother," a quiet voice whispered, as a maidservant carried in a sobbing nightgown clad Azula. Ozai already made a mental note to invite her to his chambers to bathe him to settle his nerves. If Ursa was going to be selfish, he had to do what he could to keep his spirits raised. "She's been asking for her all day." His bright eyed little daughter looked miserable, red faced and mussy. It was quite annoying, why had everyone fallen apart just because Zuko and Lu Ten had been executed by the will of the spirits? He was the one left with a depressed wife and a useless daughter.

"Mama, mama," Azula chirped, still too young and useless to be of much interest to him but she was the only heir to the throne now. He would have to make sure she learned whining would no longer be tolerated. This little girl would have to become the next Fire Lord, unless a better heir could be sired. He would strike her but he figured that would set off Ursa even more. "Come, Mama."

"Keep her away from me," Ursa hissed, turning away. "I don't want to hurt her too. I killed her brother and her cousin, I don't want to end the royal family." She had gone mad with grief. This was disconcerting. Ozai had enough affection for her to want her to be his bride. He couldn't ever be satisfied with another harem wench, Ursa was his only weakness.

"Mama," Azula shrieked, holding out her arms. "Up, mama. Up." The fires around her flickered dangerously in her tantrum. How could this be possible? "Mama." Ozai's eyes widened as the fires flared around her, announcing her sheer power to the world. She was a vision of might. When she would grow up, she would be his perfect weapon and heiress, his powerful little princess who would be endlessly loyal to him and be the child to replace Zuko.

Agni smiled on him. His last remaining heir was a prodigy, just like the grandfather she was named for. He knew that he had done the right thing by making her an only child and killing off her stupid cousin. Azula was a flower who needed to be nurtured to achieve her true potential. "Daddy's here," he whispered, lifting up his little girl and holding her close. "Daddy's going to take very good care of you."

Agni always supplied the remedy for the illness. As Azula wrapped her tiny hands around his neck, Ozai smiled for the first time and stopped missing Zuko. Everything Agni did was for the best. The weaker child had been removed, leaving the stronger one to triumph. It was all for the best! "Daddy is right here."

Lu Ten was lost. After lying on the beach for a few moments, he had managed to run into the forest. It had been his first mistake. Cold and wet, he had ran through the bushes, feeling his heart racing in his chest. The sooner he got to his people, the sooner he could save Zuko and bring him home and keep him safe. Then he would hug him close and never leave him and he would make sure that Zuko never knew pain again.

Sadly, the forest didn't seem to be a place that made it easy to be a hero. Every step brought new thorns and branches intent on bloodying him. his shoes had fallen up and his poor feet were sore! The dense foliage had made it impossible to see much of the stars, which meant he couldn't even use constellations to guide him back home!

It seemed like he had been walking for hours. In the palace, he had been trained well but he had never had to shiver through mud and prickle leaves like some worthless servant. The world was beginning to face in front of his eyes as he continued to move forward.

A sudden streak of pain made his vision get sharper. He bit his lip to hold in the howl as a particularly ugly thorn sliced open his leg, ripping mercilessly into his flesh.

He gasped with pain, as he saw the deep wound, bloody and raw. He had studied some field medicine, but he didn't have time to clean it. He didn't even have time to rest!

He tore off a strip of cloth from his pack and tied the wound. It was better to keep moving and get help there. He would be back in the Fire nation where he would be tended to. He couldn't think of pain now. He would have to keep moving faster. His pain didn't matter, he had to save his cousin.. Every moment he wasted focusing on his pain added to the chances that Zuko would languish a prisoner forever.

Damn it, he would have to stop and rest. The blood loss was making him weak. As he tried to find a cave, he was terrified to realize he was getting dizzy. As he stumbled along, the sound of rustling made him turn. Getting to his feet, he formed a fire in his hand. He could do anything, he was a son of Sozin.

The low sound of a howl impeded his thoughts. Whatever it was, he didn't want to meet it in a weakened state. Without a second glance, he climbed up a tree and huddled there.

Down below, an enormous bourquipine walked under the tree, enormous quills sticking out as it snarled around. Lu Ten shivered with terror, wishing he was home. He knew that bourquipines didn't eat flesh, but those spikes would finish him off for sure. He would have to wait till morning now, for it to sleep before he could get down without being chased.

As the lost blood soaked through his pants leg, he could feel tears running down his cheeks. Time was running out! He had to get to soldiers for Zuko's sake.

And his own.

Zuko sobbed to himself as he realized he was all alone. As he watched his cousin disappear beneath the waves, tears swam down his face. Lulu would be very angry at him for crying, but he couldn't help himself. He just wanted his cousin to stay with him. He walked back to his room and curled up beneath the furs.

Why was everything going so terribly? Was it because he had been bad and ran away when he wasn't supposed to? He was very sorry and he would happily get punished, just to return home to Mommy and Daddy and Azula and have everything be all right?

He missed Mommy and Daddy so much. He wondered if they were looking in the palace for him, thinking it was some big game of hide and destroy and that he'd come out giggling from underneath a table? He hoped so, he wished this was all a game. The world outside of home was so confusing and frightening. He had been so scared when the ship burst into pieces and when they had been captured by the mean Earth Kingdom. He had never seen his cousin so sick! Lulu had thought he would die! But then of course, Lulu always had a plan and had taken him away, when more mean people had found them. Then the Water tribe scum had found them and everything was good now.

He didn't know why Lulu had to leave. He liked it here with the Water tribe garbage. They were very nice to him and always treated him nicely and even played with him. They were so nice, he bet Mommy and Daddy would like them too.

Even if they were savages and scum who didn't know he was a prince, they always gave him extra treacle. Maybe Lulu was unhappy because they didn't realize he was more important? The Water tribe trash treated them the same when Lulu was much more important and that was a very bad thing. Zuko had said it wasn't their fault because they hadn't told them they were princes. Since they weren't evil like the Earth monsters, they would bow and serve them if they knew the truth. Of course, Lulu knew best when he said not to say anything and Zuko knew just to hush when his cousin got that look in his eyes. He didn't want to get his cousin angry.

Though right now, he wouldn't mind getting scolded if it meant he could see his cousin again. He missed him terribly, he just wanted to hug him and feel all safe. The room they shared seemed so empty now - all the shadows on the wall becoming monsters of earth that would make him cry! He wanted his cousin to chase them away, but Lulu had told him to be brave. He would be so angry if he knew Zuko was crying like this.

He buried his face into his pillows and prayed to Agni to bring Lulu and him together. He just wanted everything to be all right again. "Lulu, come back to me."

Zuko had tried to stop crying, but he was so sad. He watched the shadows on the wall move around and curled up in terror. As the long moments passed, he heard the door open. "Lulu?" he whispered. Could Agni have answered his prayers?

""What are you crying about?" a voice asked. Oh no, Zuko had said the wrong thing to the wrong person. He knew how angry Lulu would be if he knew what had just happened? "Are you all right?"

"Nothing," he choked sadly, turning over in his furs. Lulu had said to say nothing and that was just what he did! He just hoped his cousin was proud of him and was coming back with Mommy and Daddy.

"Did your silly brother leave you alone in the dark to get some snacks?" Bato was nice, but he wasn't right about this and nothing would make it right. Lulu was gone and Zuko didn't know where he was. All he could do was cry harder. Lulu said the savages would be angry if he cried, but they seemed to only get nicer. "Seriously, it's nothing to cry about. He'll be back in a minute." Zuko only cried some more. "You do know where he is, right?"

He knew he couldn't say anything or Lulu would be in trouble. He was a runaway and bad things happen to runaways. They got beaten and put in the dungeons, which Lulu said was a terrible place for terrible people. "What's up with the little one?" Hakoda asked, entering the room as Bato picked up Zuko and cuddled him close. "Did Shaya and you have a fight?" he asked gently, rubbing his head.

Zuko looked up with wet eyes. "Can't tell you," he finally managed to gasp. He had to tell them something and saying nothing was like saying something. "I don't know. He said I don't know." He wanted Lulu back so that his cousin could tell him the right thing to say. He didn't know how to talk to them without his help.

"You don't think…" Bato asked, patting Zuko's back. "He wouldn't have. He loves his brother too much." There was a lot of anger in his voice and Zuko was terrified. Had he said the wrong thing now?

"You're scaring him. Hanzo, my friend, did Shaya run away?" Hakoda asked softly. Zuko buried his head in Hakoda's shoulder, refusing to answer. He couldn't say a word, even ifhe wanted to see his cousin come back. He had to be a good prince and say nothing, even if they got angry at him.

"He couldn't have gotten far, he couldn't leave the ship unless he jumped off," Bato said darkly, inspiring further howls of terror from Zuko. What if Lulu drowned and Zuko wasn't there to save him? "You need to tell me the truth, because there are bad things out there that will want to hurt him. I am not angry with him, but I need to find him and bring him back so he is safe. You want him to be safe, right?" he asked.

Zuko didn't answer. He was supposed to say he didn't know anything, but what if Hakoda was right and something bad happened to Lulu because someone didn't help him. He knew his cousin could do anything, but the world outside the palace was scary and who knows what could happen to him? What if the Earth scum found him?

"It's rough seas, he could have drowned already," Bato said darkly. "We'd never be able to know." Zuko's sobs only grew harder at that piece of information. Lulu wasn't allowed to die-he had to be Fire Lord and rule everyone in the world and make everything all right.

"No, Shaya knows how to swim. He isn't stupid enough to jump off a boat, that much we know. It's only two miles, a harm swim but he can handle it. He's quite safe, we just need to bring him home." What if Hakoda had Lulu whipped for running away? It would all be his fault. "This isn't your fault, Hanzo. We're going to find your brother, I promise," Hakoda said, giving him a warm hug. "He can't have gotten far. Go lie down and rest."

Dawn had come slowly. Lu Ten had been sleeping fitfully in his tree throughout the shivering night. He had been too weak to firebend much and he had to preserve his strength as best as possible. He wouldn't survive another night like this, he had to get to the soldiers. His leg wound had clotted closed, but still ached. He was covered in mud so it was hard to tell where the blood began and the dirt ended.

Running down the tree, he raced through the forest. The base had to be around here somewhere, the soldiers would be on patrol, surely one of them would investigate and find their lost prince, wandering around like a helpless child. If he wasn't so grateful for their future rescue, he would have them flogged for allowing a child to sneak up on them. He shouldn't have been able to get this close to the base without notice.

A footprint was clear in the mood up ahead. Lu Ten smiled, a footprint meant civilization. He was almost there, he was going to be safe and warm soon.

Another step disturbed his thoughts as a sickening crack sounded through the air. Lu Ten found himself upside down, staring at the world from an uncomfortable angle. He couldn't firebend upside down: all the blood rushing to his head made him dizzy and confused. This wasn't a Fire Nation trap-all their traps were made of metal. He knew this trap, but how was this possible? "Don't move," a familiar voice said. "Shaya."

"Hakoda," Lu Ten gasped, his voice cracking with fear. "What are you doing here?" Was he actually valuable enough for all this effort? Surely, Hakoda wouldn't have spared the effort for a single runaway slave. He wasn't worth that much at market!

"You will be silent, and you will come with me," Hakoda hissed angrily, gathering Lu Ten's flailing hands together. "One word out of you and I swear I will make sure you regret it." Thick leather thongs wrapped around his wrists, biting into the flesh and making his hands tingle.

"You're hurting me, stop," Lu Ten pleaded, realizing with terror that he had just pleaded mercy from a savage. Why was he speaking to him in such a manner? He trusted Hakoda not to hurt him. He trusted a savage with his life, and the life of Zuko. He had truly gone mad. He had sought comfort from his enemy, treason against Azulon himself. "Please. I'll come quietly." He would do anything to see his little cousin again.

"I wish I could, but you lost that right, my boy. I think it's best we make sure you don't do anything stupid again," Hakoda said darkly, continuing to bind him. "You have lost my trust and now I will have to bind you. I warned you not to run away when we met. Now, stay quiet, unless you want us both dead." If Lu Ten could just make enough noise, he could get the attention of the Fire nation soldiers. He would be able to be freed from bondage and once Hakoda gave back Zuko, Lu Ten could send them on their way.

Before he could answer or decide what to do, a rough gag was tied around Lu Ten's mouth, ending the conversation. "You have a lot of nerve, running off like this," Hakoda continued angrily. "I trusted you and you have betrayed me." He cut the rope and plunked him over his shoulder, like a sack of potatoes, leaving him helpless. "I have a feeling you and I will be having a long talk tonight about your actions. I always thought you were a wonderful little warrior, even when you were spitting insults. But this, what you have done? It's unforgivable," Lu Ten didn't understand, but he had no idea what constituted evil to a savage. What was worse was the disappointment that Hakoda was hurting him. Why did he believe Hakoda would stop when asked?

As Lu Ten starred over Hakoda's shoulder he could feel the tears slipping down his cheeks. He had been so close to freedom, so close to getting to the Fire Nation and home and freedom and father and everything he ever held dear. How could he be recaptured so easily? He was supposed to be the son of the Dragon of the West. It seemed to take forever for him to get back. Hakoda spent the journey in complete silence, allowing Lu Ten to simmer in his shame and defeat. He had been recaptured. He had failed his mission. The son of the Dragon of the West had been caught like a runaway slave and dragged back…

No, not as one. He was a runaway slave. He knew the law; Hakoda had paid for him fairly and he belonged to him. He had stolen himself. What would happen to him now? He knew what happened to runaway slaves-he had sentenced more than a few himself and he was quite sure he was going to suffer terribly for his rash actions. He trembled, realizing how effortlessly Hakoda had lifted him. He just hoped he could take his punishment without crying out. He just wanted to his family proud. He had just been so close!

As Lu Ten stared up at the face of the fort, he felt his gagged mouth fill with bile. The dawn had shed new light on the flag on the fort. It wasn't a welcoming red flame. It was an Earth Kingdom insignia.

Lu Ten had almost walked into a trap. A few more feet and he would be back in chains, awaiting a horrible death.

Worse, he would have damned his cousin to the same fate. Hakoda had saved their lives again. He doubly owed a savage everything in the world. That is, if he survived what punishment was awaiting him. No matter what, Zuko was safe. That was all that mattered.

Zuko stayed at the bridge of the ship and looked out into the sea. They had docked to find Lulu, but he needed to find them first. If he was back before they found him, they wouldn't punish him. He couldn't see his cousin hurt, he had to get to his cousin. Closing his mouth to take a deep breath…he jumped overboard.

AN-Promise, next chapter is in two weeks! And yes, it was a lot of characters, but I felt it was important to show the confusion.