And we have another chapter, where Hakoda finds out some interesting information about his adopted children. I apologize for the delay, but I had a lot on my plate as usual and I really wanted to make sure you got only the best. I am looking for summer internships and it's taking up all of my time. I also started a Young Justice series. But enough about me, this chapter is for my dear Beta Rua as well as my friend Avocado Love. You ladies inspire me far more than I deserve.
Crusade
The dragon fell upon the ground
'Twas then I heard a whimpering sound
A dragonling to his father clung
Who only fought to protect his young?
I heard my father's words deep in my heart
Son, know your enemy as I know, my son
-Voltaire
It was late and Hakoda was tired. The night sky was magnificent, with a tapestry of stars in a jet black sky but it was hard to appreciate the splendor when he felt like he was about to collapse from exhaustion. He wanted to return to his hammock and sleep quite badly, but he still had another hour left on his shift. Alone at night, he had too much time to think about his family and how much he missed them. Katara would be three years old already and Sokka, a little man of four. They would be giving Kya so much trouble and Hakoda ached to join it. How much he missed by going off to trade. Katara's first steps, Sokka's first word "blubber!" and who knows what he would come back to or if he came back to anything. The Fire nation raids were getting closer and his greatest fear was coming home to a smoking pile of ash. He would have nothing to live for without them.
He only knew these trading routes were what kept his tribe from going hungry through the long and dark winter, where little grew and the world was hibernating into a world of white snow. He was doing this for his family. He didn't have to like it; he just had to do it. And this time, he had managed to save two lives on the way.
He supposed he was a sentimental fool, having so many problems and taking on two more. He hadn't ever gotten involved with the slaves he had seen on his previous trip, but something about those two boys had broken his heart. He hadn't even meant to take in a child, let alone two. The tribe had enough mouths to feed without them. He should have turned away, chalked it up to fate and had returned with much needed supplies.
Then he had seen the poor little slave, holding on to his younger brother and pleading for his life. He could see the naked terror in the boy's golden eyes; it was an injustice that would break anything but a Fire nation heart. He didn't care that it was more money than they were worth, he couldn't see that brave little kid watch his brother die, and be turned into property. He would be haunted by the murder for the rest of his days. So he had bought them and adopted them as his own. And it had only seemed to cause him headaches.
It had been two days since Shaya had run away and the boy was still refusing to apologize. The little hellion had clamped his hands into a haughty fold and had stared him down. "I shan't apologize to anyone. I am not property," he had reminded in that shrill insolence that had made Hakoda want to dunk him in the nearest snow bank. All he wanted was a bit of contrition and instead, he had been forced to lock the boy up again. It was a contest of wills and Hakoda was painfully aware that his own crew had laid bets against him.
"Still up?" Kesuk asked, as he walked past him with a smile. "I can relieve you of your shift if you need to devise ways of making the kid behave. I figure a new mother can always use her rest."
Hakoda rolled his eyes. "I'm fine. And don't forget you weren't much better as a kid. Didn't you once run off into an ice field and need to get rescued?" he teased back, leaning against a mast. "Give them a chance."
"Oh, I am. The little monster called me a savage and I didn't snap at him," Kesuk said, and sighed as he stroked his scarred chin. "Maybe it's time to realize that not all leopard seals can be tamed. If it was just the younger one, I wouldn't be saying this. I think Shaya is better off with a family who can handle him. He hates us; you can see it in his eyes. How long before he decides to get murderous?"
Hakoda nodded. "I know but how can we take away a stable home from him? Shaya needs it if he's ever going to be tamed. We can't just dump him because he's hard to deal with. He has no one," he reminded, trying not to angry. Kesuk was right to think of Lu Ten as a threat. He certainly seemed like one, but he was also a child.
"With his attitude, I'm not surprised he has no one. Who would want him?" Kesuk mused under his breath. Hakoda's glare coaxed him to continue. "I know, he and his brother are former slaves. I know they've suffered. But how much time are we expected to give him before he toes the line?" he demanded.
Hakoda had spent too much on them; worthless workers that they were, but he didn't regret it for a moment a moment of his time with the children. Shaya and Hanzo were prickly little things, but they would someday become great members of the Water tribe. He could only imagine the explosion of temper that would result if he told Shaya that fact. Shaya had not been in his crew long but Hakoda already knew how to trigger a massive temper tantrum. "As long as it takes," he said softly. He motioned for Kesuk to follow him.
The two warriors peeked into the spare store room and smiled at the two little boys sleeping comfortably, their faces relaxed. Two nobles of the Fire Nation, on his ship. It hadn't been hard to figure out that the boys were gently reared; they had excellent table manners and they had no concept of hard work and chores. The older one was a Fire bender, as evidenced by the warmth of the water from their bath. He had taken his enemies' children as his cabin boys. They were more trouble than they were worth. Yet, Hakoda had sworn to protect them with his own life. He already could imagine what his crew would say if they knew how fond he had grown of his two wards. "Because they are helpless and we are strong."
Kesuk sighed. "If they only slept all the time," he muttered. "Though I suppose Shaya has his good points. He has stout, loyal heart." It was progress in his plan to giving the boys a true family.
"Never mind that, Shaya is the most devoted brother, I have ever known." For a kid who wasn't even old enough to fish on his own, it was shocking to see how Shaya doted on his brother like a mother. He had seen the older boy saving his food for his little brother and he could only imagine the lengths he would go for him. Even now, the little one had the lion-seal's share of the blankets and pillows, cuddled up like a penguin seal on his brother's chest. "Admit it; he has the heart of a Water Tribe warrior. He just doesn't know it yet."
"Maybe there's hope for him," Kesuk said reluctantly. Shaya looked so young. With his face peaceful, without a haughty sneer or a look of fierce determination, it was easy to see how fragile and juvenile he truly was. It was hard to believe this was the face of his future enemy. This boy would grow up to become the skull faced blank masks that terrorized everything in their path. How could such innocence be corrupted into such evil? "Try to think on how to talk to them. Make them see sense," Kesuk advised, before walking away.
Hakoda felt a paternal pride looking at him. He hoped his son Sokka would grow up to be as strong as this little boy who had endured all sorts of pain for his family. He was a prodigy in fighting, even without fire bending. He had watched the boy spar with Shinta on that first tiff and had been amazed by his skill. Shaya could land blows with perfect accuracy and his agility had him flipping through the air with a smirking ease. With such skill, Hakoda had to admit, he wasn't looking forward to the boy bending. He knew it would be lethal and he would have little defense. Shaya was only a boy, but he was hardened against everyone around him. He might decide to be foolish.
Perhaps he was being foolish, keeping two Fire Nation boys on the ship without a care in the world. He wondered why he was afraid to let them go. Perhaps he should just drop them at the nearest port and let them find their parents. They would be happier in the Fire nation, that much was obvious. They had obviously come from privilege, with servants and a family that clearly adored them. He could say goodbye in a moment and never need worry about them again. They weren't his children.
Yet, he needed to know they had somewhere to go when he said goodbye? How did he know that there was a kind and loving family waiting for them when they got home? He knew that they had been abused; there were bruises all over their tiny bodies. He would never forget those angry lash marks, and the look of terror on his older ward's face. It was terrifying to see the spoiled little boy practically insist he deserved to be thrashed like that. Who had done it? Hakoda had already sworn to even the score with his club and he was eager to exact his revenge.
Whoever it was, someone had hurt them horribly. There were shadows in Shaya's eyes that shouldn't belong to a child so young. How could he return them to people who whipped them? Besides, if they wouldn't even name their parents, how could Hakoda be sure they even existed? The Fire Lord was ruthless and it was possible that they were nobles who had been disgraced. They could be refugees from the cruel Abomination Azulon with no home to return to. He couldn't imagine what fate they would face at the hands of that monster. If his theory were true, their parents were worse than dead.
He was beginning to conclude that they were orphans and that he couldn't ever let them escape. They would never survive in the outside world alone. He couldn't sleep at night knowing that they could be recaptured into slavery or worse, imprisoned and maimed for stealing food. How could he let such little children starve or live in the cold? It was the right thing to do, Kya would understand.
In fact, this would not just be an act of mercy. The labor would be welcome. Shaya was a strong boy. He would be an excellent help around the camp, once he was tamed a bit. It would be wonderful for the women to have a young man around the camp, especially one as talented as Shaya, who could hunt and care for them properly while the older men were away. Some leadership would be good for the boy, and little Hanzo would be a new friend for Sokka. Sokka, who could use another brother, someone to give him some competition. In fact, two brothers would make his son a very happy boy indeed. He doubted Katara would agree, but he found the notion attractive.
Hakoda imagined the wonderful future ahead of his charges. They would lose their anger and someday be happy in the Water Tribe. They would call him father and they would forget their evil ways and they would become the sons he so craved. A family of six sounded perfect. He envisioned himself and his three sons hunting and providing for the family, as men should do, while Katara and Kya awaited them joyfully at home with a delicious dinner and a roaring fire. Hanzo and Shaya would have proper parents and would never fear being separated again. They would be happy together. It was an attractive dream, he had to admit. Soon, it would be a reality.
A second look made him realize that he had woken the younger boy, who was staring up at him blearily. "Is something wrong?" Hanzo lisped, half asleep. "You aren't supposed to be here."
Hakoda smiled. The little one had been warned not to speak too much, and Shaya kept him on a short leash. But with the elder brother so exhausted by chores; it was a golden opportunity to speak to the younger one. "No, just came in to make sure you are all right. Hush, we don't want to wake him," he said. "He looks tired." He did look tired from running away. Hakoda intended to work him hard to keep him busy. For a kid like Shaya, chores kept his very clever little hands from engaging in another foolish plot.
"He is," Hanzo said brightly. "I have to make sure he gets his sleep. I take good care of him." He smiled down at his big brother. "I keep him safe. And he keeps me safe." Shaya returned the gesture with a soft sigh as he slumbered peacefully, looking so content and carefree.
"Of course you do. You are an excellent brother," Hakoda complemented him. "He is very lucky to have you make sure he sleeps." It was clear that Hanzo was also keeping Shaya sane, considering the terrible stress the older child had endured. His love for his younger sibling had forced the boy to go on beyond what would have broken a hardened warrior. Without him….Hakoda feared he would have truly succumbed to despair.
"Mommy says sleep is very important." His face saddened at the mention of his mother, but brightened a moment later as he smiled at his sleeping sibling. He cocked his head and brushed a feather off Shaya's nose. "She says you need to be nice and warm and well rested to become a great warrior. I'm going to be a great one, you know. Just like my father."
"Well, she's very right. Sleep is important and you should have plenty of it. But since you are up, can I interest you in a snack? I have some leechee nuts that I was saving for a special occasion," Hakoda offered, knowing just how to bribe a child. "I would hate for it to go to waste."
Hanzo shook his head. "I'm not allowed to leave," he explained gently. "Lulu will be angry." He called Shaya Lulu, a strange nickname if he had ever heard one. "He doesn't like us to be apart, ever."
Hakoda sighed. Shaya had a strong hold on the boy, something that seemed almost supernatural. "He left you a few days ago, didn't he?" he reminded, before realizing what a low blow that was.
"He won't do it again," Hanzo said defiantly. "He will take me with him next time he leaves." His eyes widened as he clasped his hand over his mouth to put the words back in. it didn't come as a surprise, Hakoda had been wondering what the boy's next plot would be.
"Of course he will. Well, too bad, they are really delicious and Shaya would never know," he said, feeling like a terrible father, tempting a child to disobey his guardian. "But if you want to stay here…I could just eat them myself."
Hanzo considered for a moment and then de-tangled himself from his brother, careful not to wake him. "I won't tell if you won't tell," he said with a mischievous grin. He was truly an adorable child; he could tell why he evoked such protectiveness in his big brother.
"You have a deal," Hakoda said, leading the little boy outside into the moony night. Shaya stirred for a moment before nodding into a deeper level of sleep. Hakoda was not afraid of the kid, but he wouldn't underestimate him either. Shaya had darkness in his eyes that made him a bit worried. He could only imagine the anger that would result of anyone else taking to his little brother. "I think you are such a good boy, you deserve a treat."
"Yes, I do," Hanzo chirped, obviously spoiled at home. "I'm very good. Everyone says so." For a former slave, he seemed extremely self confident, as he would expect of a noble born boy.
"And such a big boy. How old are you?" Hakoda asked, trying to start with the basics. He had to tread carefully; he knew that Hanzo was taught to lie. He was going to have to hunt information carefully.
"I'll be six next spring," Hanzo said pleasantly. "Next year, I get to go to school just like…Shaya." He sounded very proud, even if he hesitated at the name of his elder brother.
"And how old is he?" Hakoda asked, eater to finally know the truth. . The boy kept claiming he was twelve, but Hakoda chalked it up to another lie. Shaya may have spoken like an adult and had the training of one, but his slight form dated him to around eight or nine.
"He's twelve. His birthday was last month, there was a really big party with cakes and dancers and lots of presents. Everyone came, even Grandfather," Hanzo chirped, not realizing how much information he was spewing innocently. Hakoda resisted the urge to whistle? That little boy really was twelve? He would have to grow quite a bit to reach a proper height. "There were fireworks and Mama even let me stay up to see it." Fireworks? Well, he had been sure they had once been wealthy and this confirmed it. So they had been exiled less than a month ago. This was giving him a definite timeline.
"It must have been a beautiful night. Do you ever go star watching where you come from?" Hakoda asked, gently teasing out information. Without Shaya's scowling in the background, it was easier to talk. He had so many more questions but he would save that for a later date. Right now, he had to just tease the information gently. "I do that quite a bit."
"It's usually too late past my bedtime. I have to go to sleep at sundown. Mama doesn't like it when I stay up late. She likes to tell people what to do," Hanzo said primly. "But she's a good mama. The best mama in the world. I miss her a lot." His eyes filled with tears and he looked to his bare feet, clearly bereft. "I think she misses me too."
"Yes, I imagine she does," Hakoda said, priming the pump. He was ashamed to admit he was using the child's grief against him, when he should have dropped the question entirely. Was his mother even still alive? It didn't' seem very likely, or Shaya would have named her. "Does she sew nice clothing for you?" If she was truly a lower class woman, she would have done so. But if she truly was a high ranking lady, than he would have his answer.
"Sew? That's for servants," Hanzo said derisively. He looked up at Hakoda with a confused expression. Yes, they were definitely nobility. So then why were they poorly treated or sold into slavery? A jealous stepmother who wanted them out to make room for her own children? Perhaps the children of a mistress who were becoming annoying, or the children of a childhood sweetheart?
"Of course, silly me. I forgot," Hakoda continued smoothly. "So, you have a lot of servants at home?" He patted Hanzo's and tried not to miss his own son. What kind of person could sell away such a delightful child? Had they been sold to repay debts? That might make sense, if it wasn't so abhorrent.
"Of course. Doesn't everyone?" Hanzo answered airily. "Well, you don't and that's strange. You should get some. They make everything much better, they keep the palace clean and the food cooked and well…why don't you have some instead of making Shaya do it?"
"Hmmm, you're right. I'll have to get some very soon. So, what kind of things do you like to do?" Hakoda asked. His theory about disgraced nobles was making more sense. It would explain Shaya's reluctance to mention the true identity to anyone.
"I like to play with my toy soldiers and go rhino riding. I also like to go boating," Hanzo explained, swinging his arms merrily, his skips jaunty. "That's how we got far away. We were supposed to turn back at the cove, but Lulu was a bad boy and didn't obey Mama and that's why we're going to be in trouble when Shaya gets us home."
It came as no surprise that Hanzo was trying to escape but the rest of the information was intriguing. "Why?" Hakoda said, wondering what kind of story this was. Either Hanzo was making up tales or this story was a lot more interesting than even he had imagined. He forced himself to keep an even tone and not scare the poor child. Hanzo was so vulnerable, at the mercy of the world. He needed a gentle hand to make sure he wasn't frightened.
"I'm not supposed to talk about this. Lul-Shaya is going to be going to be so mad at me, "Hanzo whimpered, his face turning white. "I want to go back to bed." Now he had changed the name back to Shaya twice. Hakoda had already believed that their names were false and this confirmed him.
"And what would happen if Shaya found out?" Hakoda asked, pressing on the information. Kya would have his head if he knew how he was manipulating a small child, but it was for the greater good. He had to figure out these children's secret or he would be unable to protect them from whoever had left those stripes on poor Shaya. He watched Hanzo's body language shift to fright.
"He'd be really mad. He says I have to stay with him and be good," Hanzo explained as he looked up at the night sky. His shoulders dropped as he tried to turn back. "And I have to listen to him." His voice had gone shrill with fear.
"Because he's your brother?" Hakoda urged, feeling even worse by the moment. He really shouldn't be doing this, but he needed to know who these strange boys were. He needed to know how to protect them or he would have lost his honor as a man. No one would be allowed to hurt them again. Kya would understand.
"Because I'm his second in command," Hanzo said firmly. "Or I will be when…" he turned away. "I'm not supposed to talk about this. He'd be really angry. You need to stop asking me questions." He seemed so confident, talking back to adults. Hakoda had heard that nobility had left the rearing of children to subservient maids who spoiled the children. This was making more sense. "Please."
"Why would he be angry?" Hakoda asked, stroking Hanzo's hair and trying to keep him comfortable. "I'm not going to hurt you, you know that. We're friends. And Shaya won't hurt you, no matter how angry he gets. You are the most important in the world to him, you know that."
Hanzo's chin was in his chest. "I'm being bad," he whispered. 'I want to go back to my room." A look of terror filled his face. "I'm being very bad. Shaya will be looking for me and he will be so angry if he wakes up and I am not there."
"You shouldn't be afraid. Did you think he would allow anything bad to happen to you? Just because he'd be a bit cross with you doesn't mean you should stop confiding in me. I know Shay…LuLu doesn't trust me, but I swear to the Moon itself, I will not hurt you. Did something happen to LuLu that made him mistrustful?" Hakoda asked. "I know you aren't supposed to talk about it, but I want to help you and I need to know what happened. Can you be brave for me and help me make sure it doesn't happen again? You want me to know who the bad guys are so I can protect you. Otherwise…" he trailed off. He was a terrible man and he knew it. "I promise, I'll make sure the people who hurt him suffer badly. But you need to help me protect him so they can't hurt him again. Was it the pirates?"
Hanzo shook his head. His voice trembled as he spoke. "The bad people in green. The earth hurt him. They made him cry and bleed. They took him away all good and when he came back…he was so cold and sick. I tried to warm his hands, but they were so cold. They made bad marks on him, and they wanted to kill him. He said goodbye to me….he was crying. He didn't want me to see it, but he was crying. He's not supposed to cry. He's supposed to be so strong…but they chained him up like a wild rhino and…" he trailed off, his voice breaking into sobs. "I don't want to talk anymore."
"I'm so sorry, my dear boy," Hakoda whispered, his hands clenched in rage. He could not imagine Earth Kingdom allies treating innocent children like that. "I don't think anyone should be allowed to hurt you like that. And now I understand why you're so scared. You have every right to be."
"I don't understand why," Hanzo sniffled. "Lulu is the best in the world, everyone loves him. Why would people want to kill him?" he wept. "We didn't even do anything to them but they just wanted to hurt us. I hate them. When I grow up, I'm going to burn them all up." There was anger in him that scared Hakoda. This child already knew too much about violence. "And my soldiers will make them suffer." He had soldiers?
"What happened to your brother was terrible. I can't imagine how terrible it must have been for you to have to watch what happened to him, but you must know he is safe now. I am a big strong man and I will protect you." Hakoda soothed kindly.
Hanzo nodded. "My father is strong too. He'd protect me. He would make sure no one ever hurt me. I think you would like him," he
"You're lucky to have your family with you. I have a son and daughter. Sometimes they're bad and torment each other, but most of the time they are good friends." He hadn't seen his family in months. It was painful even thinking about them, not knowing if they were safe. Hanzo said nothing and continued to stare at his shoes, clearly unwilling to talk more. "I miss them a lot." Hanzo nodded, clearly thinking about darker matters. "Do you sometimes do bad things to your siblings?" he continued, changing the subject. "I bet you are a little terror to your family. Do you like to make trouble?"
"I am no trouble at all. I am the best boy in the world," Hanzo said thoughtfully. "Though my sister is a very bad girl, she cries a lot. I don't like her very much. I miss my Mama." He talked a lot without his older brother scowling at him. Hakoda would have to separate them more if he was to learn anything about the outside world. With his much more vocal sibling serving as a mouthpiece, Hakoda forgot how much the younger one must be suffering.
"You must miss your home terribly," Hakoda said, patting the boy's shoulder. "I can't imagine it's easy." As much as she would disapprove, he wished his wife was here. The little boy needed a woman's touch.
Hanzo's little shoulders drooped in sadness. "I miss home very much. I don't want to tell Lulu though, it would make him sad," he explained softly, his voice shuddering with tears. "He's so sad. He doesn't like to tell me, but he's really very upset. He wants to go home and make everything right."
"You care a lot about Lulu, don't you?" Hakoda said softly, trying to be comforting to this poor little boy who clearly ached for his family. "I know he cares a lot about you." That was an understatement. The boy was furiously devoted to a younger sibling; it was what had forced Hakoda's hand to save him. He wanted to help such a brave and caring young man.
"Yeah. He is great. He always plays with me when he can and he always takes me on adventures. He taught me how to ride a komodo rhino and how to swim," Hanzo said with obvious love in his voice. "He always plays with me and he says I am his favorite. Why are you asking?" His brother's training had started to break through and he was getting suspicious.
"I'm just curious about him; he doesn't much like to talk about himself. So, does he ever tease you?" Hakoda asked, trying to soothe the worried boy. "Is he ever mean to you?" Most siblings had a rocky relationship, what made these two so close? Usually younger brothers were competition for birth rites.
"He is really nice to me most of the time. He's very important, all the crowds cheer for him, but he lifts me up when they do so I can see too. He says that they cheer for him, but he cheers for me. I just don't like him as my teacher when he is teaching me school stuff," Hanzo said, complicating the story. Why would crowds cheer for Shaya? What made him so special?
Hakoda asked his question in a different way. "What don't you like about him? It sounds like he is a very good teacher." This dear child was surely not destined for a career in spying, but he was quite adorable. He would make a good warrior, he had a good heart and he was brave. "He is a very good warrior. Better than anyone of his age I ever met. I figure he would have a lot to teach you."
"He's worried I'll forget everything while I'm with you, so after we go to bed, he teaches me. He yanks my ear if I don't pay attention," Hanzo sniffled sadly. "I like everything about him but that. I wish he would just forget about teaching me things I don't like. He says he can do everything and that he always knows best. He gets mad if I ever question him and makes me stand in the corner. Mama says that's normal and that I have to do what he says."
"That does sound annoying." Hakoda laughed at his ward's dictatorial abilities. "Who does Shaya think he is?" he asked, wondering how a child knee high to a whale-walrus managed to be so imperious and demanding all the time. He looked up at the vast sky and wondered if Shaya had ever looked up at the stars in wonder. The boy seemed so serious all the time, did he have any fun?
"The future Fire Lord," Hanzo supplied helpfully, giving him a resigned look as he looked up at the sky, his expression filled with interest. "The living Agni and Master of all he surveys, of course."
Hakoda laughed heartily. "Good one, he does act like he thinks he's royalty," he said, before noticing Hanzo was quite serious. This was not good. Could Shaya actually be royalty? Things were making sense and not in a way that pleased him.
"Of course he can, just not yet. Grandfather is in charge now," Hanzo said with another shrug of his tiny shoulders. Hakoda had a terrible feeling that this was definitely confirming his worst suspicions. He kept praying the boy would say he's lying. "He just likes to hear me recite his name in the list."
"Yes, I'm sure he would," Hakoda said, feeling nervous. He couldn't have the prince of the Fire nation on his boat. For one, it would be a terrible danger to his entire people. For another, he had this issue with emotionally destroying children and forcing a child raised with servants to cook and clean would definitely count as that. "So what does he make you recite?" he continued, trying to dredge further information from the child.
"Well, the names of the Fire Lords, Sozin, Azulon, and then Iroh and of course, what he loves to hear, Lu Ten," Hanzo said, before paling. "Not that he is Lu Ten. His name is Shaya, of course. But if he was Lu Ten, he'd like to hear it." The weakest attempt of a cover up in history. But now, everything made chilling sense.
Hakoda nodded, trying not to panic. He had the prince of the Fire Nation, the son of the Dragon of the West on his ship. This whole thing had bitten him in the blubber with the teeth of a rabid, hungry coyote-seal. Kya had always warned him that curiosity killed the cat seal. "Okay, you didn't tell me the truth, don't worry. I figured it out all by myself, without you," he assured him. Now he knew why the boy was so secretive and protective of his identity. The little boy he had begun to consider his own was a monster, the grandson of Fire Lord Azulon. He was a symbol of everything evil.
Hakoda could feel his fists clenched as he imagined the pain and suffering the boy would cause. That haughty smirk would be the last thing the world saw before he crushed it beneath his little heel. "The throne prince of the Fire Nation?" he asked softly, torn between laughing in sheer horror and pitching the boy overboard. Shaya…Lu Ten, Prince Lu Ten was sleeping on his ship, sleeping comfortably while the world suffered under his hand. It was a disgusting injustice.
Hanzo hung his head. "Please, don't say anything. I'm not supposed to tell you the truth about that. Lu Ten...Shaya said you're a savage and you'd kill us if you knew who we were," he said. "But you won't kill us, right?" He looked so worried at that that Hakoda felt his heart melted. Of course Shaya…Lu Ten would want to keep his identity secret, he practically came with his own ransom notice. The son of the Dragon of the West would pack a payoff of a kingdom. He would be tortured by anyone outside his people. He realized with shame that he had been planning the very things Hanzo had feared. "Please."
Hakoda was suddenly grateful Hanzo wasn't the brightest star in the sky and lied so badly. "I won't harm a hair on your head. And this will be our little secret. I know Lulu told you that everyone outside your people hates you, but it isn't true. You can trust me. I will protect you and your brother with my life," he lied, forcing himself to choke down the hatred bubbling inside him. "Thank you for telling me the truth." He hated the idea of lying to his crew about something so valuable. He just knew that silence was the only refuge for these strange little guests.
Hanzo hugged him. "Thank you for not hurting us. You're a good savage. I like you," he said pleasantly, his voice full of love. Hakoda ignored the insult and enjoyed the moment of friendship with his greatest enemy. Yet, he could not stomach the fear he know felt, standing before the younger prince of the Nation. To stand before a Fire bender, knowing that someday, Hanzo would rejoice when he died, knowing that someday he would commit the ship to the fire and its horrors without a moment's hesitation or remorse if he did not surrender to him was not an experience much less cruel because Hanzo today was too small to hurt them today. His hands shook from clenching so hard.
"Could you do me a favor, Hanzo? I need a pillow from the supply room," he said softly. Hanzo didn't need to know what the pillow was for. "I'll wait for you in the sleeping room." He needed to process this information before he let his anger slip in front of the child.
Striding back angrily, he looked into the room holding his greatest enemy's child. The crown prince of the Fire Nation lay sprawled out in boneless sleep, his face relaxed. He looked so young for twelve; he was far too young to be the source of the world's suffering. How many innocent people had Lu Ten put to death? He searched the boy's sleeping features, trying to find the evil in it. Without those yellow eyes open, he looked like a Water Tribe boy. His features were so delicate and gentle; he looked as dangerous as a baby penguin seal. Yet, the moment this innocent child would find his way home, everyone Hakoda knew and loved would be worse than dead. They would be constantly targeted; search parties would be combing the waters and dire punishment promised to those found with them. They were a danger to the crew.
He should kill the prince. He could do it right now. It wouldn't even hurt the child, Hakoda would be quick. There would be no pain. A single movement of the pillow and he would end the future of the Fire Nation forever. Then it would be Hanzo's turn. He would wait for both of them to sleep and then there would be the final solution for the terror that the Fire Nation had unleashed. Yet…knives...
Perhaps slitting his throat would be kinder. He didn't want them to suffer needlessly. He could throw their bodies overboard and say they escaped. No one would question his choice, even if they would be sad for the deaths. It was better than returning them to the Earth Kingdom for shame and torture. The crew would rebel if they know the crown prince was on this boat, sweeping their floors and insulting them cheerfully. They would turn him over to the Earth Kingdom without question; his loyal crew hated the Fire Nation and could show no mercy, even to children. Although he wanted to agree with them, Hakoda would never let those children be tortured to death for being born. Killing them would spare them a far worse fate.
As he considered the method of execution, he imagined five year old Hanzo, a tiny limp body who had not even tasted the beginnings of life. He would have to live with the knowledge that he had murdered a child who couldn't even lift a finger to defend himself. No, he couldn't kill him. The boy was a baby, barely out of swaddling clothes. He could be hidden, he was harmless. He could be saved. How could he face his crew after he had become a horrible murderer who killed a baby? He would have to raise him as his own, and spare him. It was the only moral choice he truly had.
Shaya….Lu Ten might have to die, though. A seasoned young warrior like him would present a constant threat. Lu Ten would only grow more dangerous as he got older, he would never be able to be trusted. He would betray anyone to get back to his bloody throne. He would poison the children; he would risk the safety of the village. Any threat to the tribe had to be eliminated, and a Fire Nation prince was definitely a threat. No matter his personal feelings, he had to do what was right. His people relied on him to be chief. He would not let them down. He would have to do this and live with the guilt for life. His hands shook as he looked down at his sleeping prey. It must be done.
"Are you angry at me?" Hanzo said, handing him the pillow. It was the one he had planned to use to smother the boys to death. He shuddered as he took it and gently put down for a chair for the little prince. "You look upset." Still, how could he kill Hanzo's beloved brother? This wasn't a seal pup that could be explained away with a story about how Fluffy went off to the Great Seal Bay far far away. Hanzo would pine for the rest of his life for the center of his life. A little palace dweller that had been clearly raised to worship his older brother as a God, he would never survive the loss in such an alien environment. Even if he eventually got over his death, Hakoda feared the day that the child found out who had executed Lu Ten. That would be a terrible day indeed. He wouldn't be able to lie to everyone forever and that day would come.
"No, I am just a bit surprised." Hakoda said with a shaking voice. He could not ever tell this little boy what evil thoughts he had been planning. "Finding out that your friend is a prince is a big surprise." He sighed as he pondered how much he was deluding himself. He leaned over Lu Ten's sleeping form and brushed away a soft strand of hair from his captive's face. He would never have the stomach to stab the boy in the back. It was too late, he cared for him. He had damned himself and his crew, and he was too weak to be able to do anything, but stubbornly steer everyone towards disaster. They were dragons but they were baby hatchlings and they needed his help. He would not end their lives, they were innocent and helpless. His honor required their protection. He released the breath he had been holding and tried to relax.
"Why? I'm a prince and it's really nice. Everyone has to do what you said. You're like a prince too. All of us have to listen to you," Hanzo said, giving him a shy smile. "So it's not so different."
"I guess not….Hanzo. So, after your beloved brother, you inherit the throne," Hakoda asked. If anything happened to Lu Ten, the weight of a bloody empire would be on those five year old shoulders and Hanzo would become the evil despot he would fear.
"We don't have the same Mama," Hanzo said. A bastard child, it was incredible how kind a prince was to a child who couldn't even inherit the throne. "Lulu's Mama went to Agni last year, so he lives with my Mama and me and my sister Azula. Dad goes off to war all the time, but he come visits. So it's really nice," Hanzo explained happily.
"So you're one big happy family," Hakoda said, wondering how crazy this family could be to make the crown prince live with the family of the woman who betrayed his mother. He supposed the same crazy family that had committed genocide on an entire people. Everything was beginning to make so much sense; Shaya's training and haughty manner was very royal indeed. No wonder the boy seemed so prissy and selfish; he was a spoiled prince who expected to be a God someday. He had been weaned on cruelty. But that didn't explain where the lash marks had come from, who had dared whip a royal prince?
"Well, Lulu fights with Mama a lot. He keeps saying she isn't his Mama and she can't be it. That makes Mama sad because she really likes Lulu," he explained. Could General Iroh have married his mistress and tried to legitimize his children? Then why would Hanzo's mother try and be kind to Lu Ten, who clearly resented the woman who had so, insulted his own mother? If Lu Ten died, her own son would be in line for the throne and that would have been a more attractive prospect than trying to be kind to a boy who could most likely exact vengeance when he ascended the throne? "Everyone else does what Lulu wants. All his tutors hate him. He plays tricks on them but they can't punish him. When he's Lord, he said he would throw them into the sea."
Hakoda rolled his eyes. He couldn't imagine growing up so coddled and spoiled was very healthy for a child, especially one as intelligent as Lu Ten. He needed discipline and affection, not fawning. "So he doesn't like to behave?" he asked with a sigh. Those stupid parents didn't deserve such bright and wonderful children to destroy.
"He never does. Everyone is scared of him. It's wonderful, everyone bows to us. It's okay that you didn't bow though. You didn't know we're princes," Hanzo said primly. "But yeah. He had one tutor he didn't like tied up by the beach when the tide was coming in, until Mama told him to stop. Lulu thought it was very funny, and said he wasn't going to drown him. Mama was very angry," he explained.
"I imagine she would be," Hakoda said sourly. Somehow he doubted that was what the worst of what the prince had been allowed to do. "I don't think that was very funny, and I would be very upset if someone did something that cruel on my ship."
"Only Mama can make him behave. But you mustn't tell Lulu that you figured it out. He'll be so angry at me and he'll smack me and he'll yell at me and it will be all your fault," Hanzo said with a pout.
"Well, you tell Lulu that he is forbidden to hit you. He isn't in charge, I am and I have ordered him to be nice to you," Hakoda said haughtily, imitating Shaya…Lu Ten's haughty sneer. "And you tell him he better listen to me." The boys he had been planning to adopt were princes of the Fire Nation. No matter how many times he repeated it mentally, it still felt disgusting and wrong to him.
Hanzo looked confused. "He won't like hearing that," he said softly. "He doesn't like anyone telling him what to do, besides Grandfather, of course. Everyone has to listen to Grandfather." He sighed visibly, clearly quite lost in his own memories. "I miss my family very much. I am glad I have Lulu here. Without him, I'd be very alone. I "
Fire Lord Azulon, the monster was this innocent child's grandfather. How could something so terrible produce someone so lovable and kind? "And what happens if you disobey your grandfather?" he asked worriedly, wondering if he treated his family any better than he treated anyone else.
Hanzo's eyes widened fearfully. "Very bad things," he whispered. "The last time Lu Ten…" he whispered, shuddering visibly at the mere thought of his tyrannical grandfather. "He cried a lot."
Damn it, the bastard was the one who had beat Shaya…Lu Ten and left those awful scars. He would never let Lu Ten return to such a monster, it was too cruel. He could only imagine what Hanzo would be in store for as he got older. "Well, I won't make him cry, but I will make sure to discipline him. He'll learn to like it. He's a child, I'm an adult. He must obey me," he said, trying to sound more confident than he was. What if the Dragon of the West found out who was holding his son and decided to take him back by force? Sh…Lu Ten's father would show no mercy to the crew.
Hanzo looked up at him. "He's going to be really mad in the morning," he said. "At home, he'd throw you in the dungeon." What power was handed to such a little boy? Lu Ten had the ability to point his small hand and have people tremble in his wake. It was such a burden on a little boy, far too much responsibility. It was charming to note that the boy seemed to have a sense of responsibility for those who depended on him, it spoke well for him. "Or chop off your head." That was a frightening image.
He had to make sure the crew never knew such a secret. The boys' life depended on it. "Don't say a word about this until I have a chance to talk to your brother. I want him to make sure he knows he's safe on this boat. I give you my word, Hanzo. I will never allow any harm to come to you or your brother. I know why you two have to be frightened, but you have nothing to fear from me." Still, he had to admit he didn't even believe himself.
AN-That was intense. And next chapter, Lu Ten has a lot of explaining to do and loses the person he loves most. Hakoda will be resorting to drastic measures. A sneak preview.
Lu Ten whispered. "I won't run away. Just don't hurt my brother. I will do anything you ask, just please don't take him away from me." Without Zuko, he would never be able to go home with his honor or sanity intact. "I'll not give you another moment's trouble."