Another apology for the long delay, but this chapter was truly gut-wrenching and I must say, it took me a lot to write, and I had to rewrite it several times. It was quite emotionally exhaustive to write because I had to reach down into a very dark place to write it. Special thanks to Avocado Love for her suggestions, this chapter was radically different before she gave her brilliant suggestions to it. And to Rua, who creates diamonds out of dust, thank you for challenging me and helping me make this chapter far better, I am so honored to have you on my team.
Apologies for the delay. 's glitch wouldn't let me upload.
Dedicated to Metalla whose thoughtful reviews have helped make me a much better writer. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and wanted you to know.
What Have You Done?
Would you mind if I hurt you?
Understand that I need to
Wish that I had other choices
than to harm the one I love
I know I'd better stop trying
You know that there's no denying
I won't show mercy on you now
I know, should stop believing
I know, there's no retrieving
It's over now.-Within Temptation
Lu Ten hated waking up in the mornings. It was a stereotype that firebenders rose with the sun;Lu Ten preferred to wake with the noon. Sadly, he had to be up early, as he was the prisoner of the Water Tribe. He would have to bide his time until he could make another daring and incredible escape. Till then, a prisoner's life for him there would be. It was enough to make him grumpy and no slaves were available to take his considerable wrath.
Still, it was amusing to wake up to his little cousin curled up next to him, sucking his thumb. He had to smile at that. "Wake up, Zu. Time for breakfast," he said, poking his cousin gently in the ribs. "Rise and shine."
"Too tired. Want to sleep," Zuko mumbled, turning over. "Will wake up later." That was odd. Usually, Zuko was bright eyed and bushy tailed in the mornings, ready to face the day with a smile. What had made him so sleepy?
"Come on, sleepy koala sheep. You need to get up. We have lessons to take care of. Don't you want to learn the seven Principles of Sozin? We can memorize them before breakfast if you try hard," he asked, before smiling at his question. All right, he would have rather slept rather than attend lessons as well. Still, he would have to take a firm hand with his cousin. "If you wish to be a good prince, you must learn your lessons."
"Learn them later. Sleep now," Zuko mumbled. Lu Ten rolled his eyes and decided not to press the issue. If his little cousin was tired, he needed his rest. A well rested Zuko was a happy Zuko. He brushed back Zuko's hair and smiled. He wished this adventure would end, but he enjoyed the time he could spend with his cousin. It was just the two of them, no duties or royal obligations to attend to. It was quite peaceful, for a cruel captivity.
As if on cue, the warm moment ended. "Hey, Shaya. Glad you're up. I need you to scrub the floor in the store room, it's getting dusty," Kesuk instructed, striding into the room without even knocking. "Your brother doesn't need your help sleeping, does he?"
"Doubtful," Lu Ten said, as Kesuk patted Lu Ten on the head, before handing him a bucket and rag. In the civilized war, that gesture would have cost him a hand and a head. Still, it was better than washing dishes.
It would be a fine story to tell, when he returned home. He would regale everyone with the horror of the future Fire Lord forced to scrub floors. They would marvel at his cleverness, hiding in plain sight within the enemy. Father would be so proud of him, and Grandfather would forgive his mistakes and everything would go well.
He walked out of his nice sleeping room, and walked into the largest room on the ship. The store room was a mess, and the floor was covered with dust. It should have been Shinta's job but of course, he had done a shoddy job of it. Lu Ten hated him less now, but he was deeply disappointed in his work. Shinta was a peasant, he was bred for manual labor. Why couldn't he do it right?
As he knelt down and began scrubbing, he wondered if servants felt as low as he did when he was forced to do such menial work. At least they had been born to such drudgery. He was a prince, born to command. This was soul crushing!
"Can we speak?" Hakoda asked, poking his shaggy head in. Lu Ten stared at him and shrugged. The savage looked especially nervous and looked as if he hadn't slept all night. "It's vital."
"I doubt I have a choice," Lu Ten drawled, leaning back on his heels. "What seems to be the problem?" He was in a rather bored mood and insolence was all he could muster. It was too early for outright rebellion but anything was better than disgusting chores.
"The problem is, you know who I am. But I don't know who you are. The clues have been there, of course," Hakoda began, lowering his voice as he stared down at him.
"What clues?" Lu Ten asked. He had given nothing away, he was sure of it. Perhaps the savage was thinking something else.
" It was easy for me to see you aren't some ordinary boy. You don't know how to perform a basic chore like scrubbing a floor or mending your own shirt, but you know martial arts," Hakoda continued.
"A lot of people know martial arts," Lu Ten said. "My dad was a bender as well, he taught me a few moves." He had been careful this time. He hadn't made the same mistake that he had made before. He had escaped the enemy once and he was going to do the same now. "I came from a wealthy family, I had servants." Keep lying and he would be fine. He had to keep Zuko safe.
"It's not just your ability to fight. I watched the way you walk, the way you shift your weight when you feel threatened. You were well trained. So I figured you were a wealthy young lord," Hakoda said, giving him a sad smile.
Lu Ten nodded, liking the direction this was going. "Not a lord, but wealthy enough to pay you a handsome ransom if you returned my brother and I home," he said, breathing a sigh of relief. The oaf had not figured out his plan. He scrubbed the floor more diligently, trying to remind himself that he and Zuko were safe. "Is that all?"
"Yes, that would make sense. But then I had to wonder, why you were so cagey about revealing yourself. If you were a young lord, you would just tell me your name and tell me to return you to your family for a reward," Hakoda said, looming over him.
"My father would never believe you," Lu Ten whispered, scrubbing the floor as hard as he could. He could summon fire and then make a break for it, but who knew where Zuko was. What if Zuko was their prisoner, tied up and convicted of crimes of birth? Was his little cousin even alive? "He would never think some savage has his precious boys. He'd think we had drowned on the ship and you were trying to extort money from him."
"That doesn't explain why you refuse to try to find them. But you're afraid to say who you are, so I figured you were more than a mere noble born. You're someone important in the Fire Nation, aren't you?" Hakoda asked, as Lu Ten looked at the floor and shook his head. "In fact, the most important boy in the world."
Lu Ten forced himself to laugh. "A cabin boy slave the most important boy in the world? You flatter me," he said, his voice shaking. He could feel the world spin around him, but he kept scrubbing the floor. He had to keep moving, keep cleaning. "Come on, I'm scrubbing the floor at your feet. I'm not exactly a member of the Fire Sage council."
"Don't lie to me, I questioned your brother. He wanted to obey your command to tell no one who he was, but we caught him in a lie. Come on, the sooner you admit it, the easier this will be," Hakoda urged.
"My brother lies a great deal, I apologize. I have told you everything you need to know about me," Lu Ten said coldly, bending over his work. "I am just some ordinary boy from Ember Island who has work to do." As he scrubbed, he could feel his hands shaking with terror. How could Zuko have been so foolish than to speak to the enemy? He had warned him, Zuko had seen what Fong had nearly done to him.
"I will decide how much I need to know about you. Your brother said some interesting things and I am starting to believe them to be true. You lie poorly. He can't lie at all," Hakoda said in a firm tone.
"Please, it's just an idle fantasy. My brother likes to make up stories, ignore him. Do you really believe a five year old? He thinks the world of me, but even his love for me can't make me anything but your property," Lu Ten pleaded. He had to sound as unroyal as possible.
"Your highness, I think these games are amusing, but I think it might be easier if you stopped lying." Lu Ten tensed at the words that once was his name to the outside world and cursed his weakness. That life was another life and if he wanted to see it, he had to forget it for now. " You're Prince Lu Ten, the heir to the Fire Nation throne. He wouldn't say his own name, but your brother accidently said yours. That told us everything. I think you might want to stop lying and maintain what's left of your dignity," Hakoda said softly. "So, I have the honor of the throne prince as my cabin boy."
"I told you who I am, why don't' you believe me? The Prince of the Fire Nation is dead, everyone knows that," Lu Ten said, averting his eyes to hide his terror. He had to keep calm, Zuko's life depended on lying his way out of this mess. "I can't believe you think a pathetic fool like me could ever be someone as magnificent as the great prince Lu Ten. I'm unworthy of such a title."
"How do you know the Prince of the Fire Nation is dead?" Hakoda asked. "It's not something that would be common knowledge to slaves, would it?" Drat that savage bastard.
"It's amazing what slaves can know," Lu Ten whispered. "Please, I have to finish my work, or I'll catch it from Kesuk." Yes, use work to get out of being forced to sign his own death warrant. "Besides, I wasn't always a slave. I was of noble birth, I knew things. Let me get back to work. You do own me, after all." He hated saying that, but he knew it was something a prince would never say. Why couldn't Hakoda just shut up? "Might as well get a clean floor from it."
"On your feet," Hakoda ordered calmly, clearly convinced of the correctness of his beliefs. "I don't think the floor needs to be scrubbed as much as we need to figure out who you are."
Lu Ten's eyes filled with tears, but he blinked them back. "You have it wrong," he protested, but even he didn't believe himself. "My name is Shaya. I'm just an ordinary boy from Ember Island." He had tried so hard to escape his fate. How could he get so far and then be thrown back into the caldron? He remembered the Earth Kingdom, how eager they were to torture and kill them for existing. He could remember how narrowly he had escaped being hung from the masthead as some perverse trophy? Now how would they get home? He could feel his whole body shaking now. He tried to get a hold of himself and face death bravely, but he could not even imagine how he could face a new bout of torture. "I'm no one. Please…believe me."
"You know, I would say that lying is a good idea ordinarily when you are behind enemy lines, but I know the truth and you denying it isn't going to change the fact that you have been found out, your highness. I can ask your brother if need be," Hakoda said, putting his hand on Lu Ten's shaking shoulders and pulling him to his feet. The final blow would come very soon. "Now, for the last time, answer me. Who are you?"
Lu Ten stared up at him, trying to be defiant against his captor. He wanted his father to know somehow that he had died defiantly, and bravely like a true son of Sozin. He wouldn't allow Zuko to be tortured to reveal the truth, when the game had been lost already. "I am Lu Ten, son of Crown Prince Iroh and Princess Lien, Prince of the Fire Nation and heir to the throne," he said, refusing to drop his title despite complete terror. He was going to die now. He would die a prince.
"So finally, I learn the truth of who you are. Did you really think you could hide this from me?" Hakoda said in a satisfied tone. "I would have figured out sooner or later." Shades of the Earth Kingdom, of the shackles and the cold cell, of the torture chamber filled his mind. "Now, I think you understand this does make things more complicated for me."
Lu Ten nodded dully. He had failed everyone, he was going to die painfully, all because Zuko couldn't keep his mouth shut. "What happens now?" he asked, almost afraid to ask. Zuko was only five, surely they wouldn't hurt him. The Earth Kingdom had shown no mercy to either of them.
"I haven't considered my next step. For now, nothing. You are still our cabin boys and you will still have the same duties," Hakoda said. "But for now you are no longer allowed on the deck without my express command. Since we are at port, you and your brother will be staying in the hold, and kept hidden. I think you understand why." Of course he understood. He was a prisoner again. "Am I understood?"
Lu Ten nodded again, barely able to keep on his feet. "Yes," he whispered. "What about my brother?" He could barely keep his voice steady to ask. He couldn't believe he had lost everything so badly.
"Good point. I'll have Bato bring him. No more chores, you two will remain here," Hakoda said, gently pushing Lu Ten onto the bench. "Stop looking at me like that, you should be grateful." Grateful for his life? Grateful that Hakoda didn't drown him?
Worse, how could Zuko have spilled such vital secrets? He had warned him, he had demanded and ordered him to behave himself. He had ruined everything. If they died, it would be the little brat's fault! Lu Ten had returned to care for him and this was how he was repaid?
A moment later, the target of his anger entered. "Hey," Zuko said brightly, holding Bato's hand. "Good morning!" It wouldn't be a good morning when Lu Ten was finished with the little blabbermouth. He was torn between beating him on the spot or pitching him overboard.
"I need to talk to my little brother," Lu Ten said, grabbing Zuko's arm and yanking him closely. "Please excuse us, we need to be alone."
"Hey, enough," Bato said, pushing Lu Ten away. "Is this the way you treat your brother? Play nicely." Bato was seconds away from getting Lu Ten's fiery wrath upon him with a vengeance.
Zuko looked up innocently. "What is wrong, Lulu?" he asked. "You look upset." He didn't even admit his crimes and fall to his knees in apology, but played the innocent to the very end. Shameless!
He waited till Bato was gone before grabbing his cousin's shoulders. "What is wrong? Hakoda knows who I am! You had a conversation with those savages! You told them I'm the prince! They know now," he hissed, trying to decide how he could save himself. How could Zuko be so stupid? Did he want to die?"How dare you disobey me? Do you want me strung up?"He was going to hang for this!
Zuko hung his head. "I'm sorry," he whispered tearfully. "I didn't mean to talk so much, I didn't realize he was tricking me!" How could he be so stupid? He had been told to remain close and keep his mouth shut, an infant could do it! "I'm so sorry!"
"Do you realize that because they know who we are, they could return us to the Earth kingdom? I told you not to tell anyone," Lu Ten hissed, his heart still beating in his ears. These savages had acted kindly, but they could turn them over to the Earth Kingdom at any moment or worse, kill them themselves. They were in danger now, their carefully made identities were destroyed and they were dead men.
"I'm sorry," Zuko whimpered," realizing in what trouble he was. "I didn't mean to, I'm so sorry!" He had completely failed in his mission to keep his cousin safe. Zuko could be dead right now; they could have tossed him overboard when they found out their identities. He would not lose his cousin; he would not fail his family. "Don't be angry at me!"
Lu Ten's hand itched to slap his stupid relation. He wanted to shake him till his teeth rattled; they were going to die unless Lu Ten thought of a way to get off this boat and away from these savages who wanted to destroy them. How could Zuko not realize the extent of treason? He had to be calm, he had to maintain control. His cousin was a stupid child and he was the future Fire Lord. "Zuko, they are our enemy. They are Water Tribe scum, they are not fit to even lick our boots," Lu Ten snarled through gritted teeth. "You mustn't trust them; you must listen and obey me if you want us to keep safe. I told you not to talk to them. What didn't you understand?"
"I said I didn't mean it," Zuko murmured, but he didn't look sorry enough. For someone who had destroyed everything, Zuko seemed remarkably calm. He didn't look ashamed of his mistake and pleading for forgiveness, but seemed more confused at his anger.
Lu Ten was beside himself with fury. Zuko's mutinous conduct was the final nail in the coffin. "You didn't mean to leave my side? How do you expect me to keep you safe when you wander away and babble our secrets to people?" he thundered, throwing his hands in the air. "These people are our enemy; you shouldn't be speaking to them at all! Don't you remember what happened to us in the Earth Kingdom ?" Lu Ten would never forget it.
"Uncle Hakoda won't hurt us. He's nice," Zuko said in a defiant tone, looking up at him with insolence. "So why are you so angry?" What had gotten into him? Zuko would have never spoken to him like this before! It was Lu Ten's fault for spoiling the little traitor, not enforcing proper protocol! If they survived this, he'd see his cousin sent to the military for a lesson in obedience! "Nothing is going to happen and you're acting silly."
"You disobeyed me! You are supposed to do as you're told like a good prince, not act like some rebellious slave!" Lu Ten hissed, choking on his rage. Zuko would have never spoken back to him before! "I gave you an order, to stay by my side and remain quiet!" Zuko should have obeyed without question, why should he have to explain anything to him? "How hard could that be?"
"I don't have to listen to you. You aren't in charge anymore," Zuko said with an angry smirk as he pulled his hand away, clearly to walk off disrespectfully. "Stop acting like you're the boss." Then, it happened.
Lu Ten didn't remember how it quite happened. One moment, Zuko had been standing in front of him and the next, he was clutching his cheek. He hadn't actually decided to slap his little cousin, it just happened. Weirdly enough, he didn't regret it. Zuko deserved what he got! "Lu Ten!" he whimpered, completely betrayed.
"How dare you speak to me this way? I'm not just your cousin, I'm your future Fire Lord and you must obey me without question," he whispered, completely enraged. Didn't Zuko get what could happen now? How dare he defend these barbaric outlanders? "Do you understand?" It was the only way to keep him safe! He couldn't protect Zuko if the kid kept talking to people and revealing secrets? "You need to be taught a lesson. You are guilty of treason!" He was crown prince. He could show no mercy to traitors, no matter who they were. He was Agni Incarnate, the future Fire Lord. His will was the will of the Gods. Slapping Zuko had been justice.
"No you won't!" Zuko said tearfully, holding his hands up. "You aren't the prince anymore; we're cabin boys in the Water Tribe. You can't punish me anymore." He didn't look penitent and humble, Zuko was defiant against his rightful lord.
Lu Ten paled with rage and tried to figure out how to avoid strangling his cousin. "What did you say to me?" he said, wondering if spirits had possessed Zuko to say such terrible lies. It was treason to the Fire Nation and to all that was good in the world.
Zuko stared into Lu Ten's eyes insolently, squaring his tiny shoulders with no shame for his disgusting behavior. "Uncle Hakoda said I don't have to listen to you anymore. You have to listen to him and he's going to be mad if you hit me again. You are not my prince," he hissed with a cruel smirk. "You're just a kid like me."
"Stop it," Lu Ten hissed. Of course they were princes. They had to be royalty. There was nothing else in the world they could be, they were born to be the Lord of the world. Without that, who were they?
"I don't have to listen to you. No one does!" Zuko sniffed, obviously wanting to pay him back for the slap. "Hakoda says we're never leaving, so you aren't ever going to be Fire Lord."
"How dare you?" Lu Ten felt as if he had been the one slapped. He was a prince, he was the heir to the throne, they couldn't take that away from him. "You traitor, how dare you turn your back on our people?" he demanded. "You're supposed to be my second in command."
"So call the guards," Zuko snapped back. "Send me to the dungeons, after you finish scrubbing the floors like a servant!" He was obviously enjoying hurting his cousin. "That's all you are! A servant!"
Lu Ten tried to calm down. He had to catch his breath or he would explode from his anger. "Shut up, before I make you," he threatened, his fists balled as he longed to strike his cousin again. "I'm ashamed of your behavior. You're a horrible brat!"
Zuko rolled his eyes. "If you're nasty, I won't be your cousin. I don't have to like you anymore. I don't have to do anything I don't want to anymore, and if you're mean, I'll tell Hakoda and he'll lock you up. So you better be nice to me or I'll make you sorry. You aren't the throne prince anymore!" he hissed. "You're just some ash-face!"
Lu Ten felt something snap inside him. "You're just a pathetic child, I'm sorry I even brought you on this trip. You are just a burden. When we get back, I'm going to tell Uncle and you're going to get a good belting! I'll make sure you are sent to the room for years. I'll make you sorry!"
Zuko clearly didn't get the message as he formed fireballs in his hands. "I hate you!" he shrieked, getting to his feet and throwing a tiny ball of flame at Lu Ten. "I'm going to make you sorry!" What had happened to his cousin?
Lu Ten growled as he knocked his cousin down with a leg sweep. Kneeling down, he quickly pinned Zuko's squirming body under one knee and pulled his wrists above him. "I am your prince and believe me, you don't want to fight me in an Agni Kai. I could hurt you very badly right now. I'm giving you an order! Say you're sorry!" Zuko had to love him. He couldn't do this to him.
Zuko just stared up at him in shock. "I'm sorry," he whimpered, just repeating back what Lu Ten was telling him. "You're hurting me!" He didn't look so confident now, he was getting what he deserved. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it!"
"You deserve to be hurt. In the Fire Nation, where we come from, what you said is treason. I'm the crown prince, I am the future Fire Lord, I won't be questioned, I will be obeyed," Lu Ten repeated, unable to control himself as he shook his cousin. "Especially by you! If we were home, you'd be dead for speaking to me in such a manner! You would have your head chopped off and your body quartered, you traitor!"
"Lulu, stop!" Zuko repeated, but he still wasn't listening. He still didn't get what he did wrong and Lu Ten would not let him go till he did. He pressed his knee harder into Zuko's legs to keep him still. "I'm sorry. Lulu, please!"
"You aren't sorry enough. If duty doesn't teach you respect, suffering will," Lu Ten thundered. "I am going to make sure such terrible treasonous thoughts never pass through your mind again. I am still the prince. Don't you ever speak to me like that again! I'm your future Lord. I'm still a prince. I am your future Fire Lord!" This was not his cousin, this was some demon in human form, sent to torment him. "You do not get to throw me away."
"I'll be good now," Zuko wept, his cheek swollen. "I'm so sorry, Lulu. Please stop!" His eyes widened as Lu kindled a flame into his hands. "Don't do this!" he pleaded, wide eyed at the flame, too frightened to move.
"Know this. I am your future Lord and Master. You will obey me without question. The Fire Nation is the greatest land in the world, it is our fatherland, it is our birthright and these savages are not your family. These savages are not your people, they are worthless barbarians who we will conquer. Do you understand?" Lu Ten demanded, the fire still close to his face. "You owe them nothing. You owe me and our grandfather everything. "
Zuko was bawling now, looking up at him with fear. "I'm sorry," he babbled, obviously more concerned with being smacked. "I'll be good!" Oh, now he was finally groveling as appropriate. Well, it was too little, too late!
Lu Ten was even more irritated. Did he have to resort to force to keep his cousin in line? Didn't his cousin trust him enough to make the right choice? "No, you aren't sorry! You aren't even listening to a word I'm saying," he said, tears streaming from his own eyes. "Why are you doing this to me? Why did you betray me?"
Zuko nodded dumbly, obviously not comprehending a word. "Yes," he whispered, choking on his own tears. "I mean, no, I mean I'm sorry. It's hot. No more, I'm sorry."
"I'm not going to burn you, you little weakling. I am just making you remember what happens to traitors. They are burned eternally in Agni's belly and I will not see that happen to you," Lu Ten pleaded, shaking. Grandfather would kill Zuko for this. He had to convince Zuko to stop, to scare him out of ever doing something like this again. "Unless you want the Fire demons coming to claim you in your bed for being so bad! Do you want them to eat you up for being such a traitor?"
Zuko's eyes bulged with terror. "No," he whimpered, finally listening and comprehending the danger of the surroundings. "Don't let them eat me!" Stupid boy would believe anything, even a savage's lies. He needed to be taught his place.
"Then don't ever question me again!" Lu Ten snapped, bringing the fire very close to Zuko's face. "You're lucky I don't find a cane and give you what you really deserve! But I am going to punish you for this. " He would have to punish him for this, it was his only choice. He hoped it would work…his cousin couldn't turn traitor. "I'm going to give you the hiding you deserve." His cousin would be a traitor unless he stopped this. It was his duty. "And if you ever commit treason against your prince again, I will make sure it is the last thing you ever do." Would he actually have the strength to kill his cousin?
"No, you won't." A sharp pain interrupted Zuko's just punishment. "Release him," Hakoda said in a cold tone, twisting Lu Ten's ear. "Now." How did he get in here? How could such a clumsy oaf be so silent?
Lu Ten shook his head, too angry to care that his captor had caught him firebending. "He is my brother, I will do with him what I please. He needs to be punished," he snapped. He was the heir to the throne, it was his job to discipline his people and that included his family.
Hakoda harshly yanked Lu Ten off. "I don't like bullies. He's half your size and you're halfway to killing him, he can't even fight back," he snapped, dragging him to the bed and shoving him onto it. "Stay there. Move and I'll see how you like being pinned down and frightened." Lu Ten glared as Hakoda picked a sobbing Zuko up. "It's all right, kiddo. He won't hurt you anymore, you're fine," he soothed. "Did your mean brother give you a scare? I'll make him apologize, I promise. You know he loves you and he'll be very sorry for what he did."
Zuko had wrapped his arms around Hakoda's neck and was bawling into his furs. "He hit me!" the little tattle tale sniveled. "I did what you told me to do and he still hit me. Why did you make me tell?"
Lu Ten couldn't prevent the smoke coming out of his nose. "You told him to do this," he shouted furiously. "You're the one who brought discord to my family!" No wonder Zuko had behaved as such, he had been told to do so. "You destroyed him, you made him into a traitor. Why did you do this?"
"Well, we can't have that. You're a good boy, you don't deserve to be punished," Hakoda said, carrying him out of the room and ignoring Lu Tens shouts. "He's going to stay in here and think about what he did."
Lu Ten was still the future Fire Lord, he was not going to be told where to go. "Bring him back," he ordered. "He's still my brother and I will treat him as I see fit. You've done enough to him." It was Hakoda's fault that this was all happening. He had corrupted Zuko, and turned him against his own people. If he could, Lu Ten would have attacked the Water Tribe savage and made him suffer.
Hakoda looked over his shoulder. "You are on dangerous ground, my boy. I would suggest you sit down, tame your temper and wait for me. Otherwise, I will make sure you get what you deserve. You're not the only one around here with a bad temperament and I would hate to have to restrain you," he commanded. "You're going to be punished for this. How much depends on how angry I am when I return to discuss it with you. Consider yourself confined to your bed until further notice."
Lu Ten took a step forward and crossed his arms. "I'm not going to let you take my brother away," he said desperately. "You've corrupted him, tricked him, but he's my brother! He's all I have in the world and you can't take him from me!" He trembled with fury, feeling out of control. His hands had begun smoking again, this time becoming short bursts of fire. He suddenly had no care for the consequences of his action.
Hakoda turned around, one arm still holding Zuko. He towered over Lu Ten, but he was still the enemy. The prince could show no fear. "Do you need to be restrained?" he asked softly. "This is your last chance. Sit down and get yourself under control or I will be forced to tie you to the bed. I don't want to do it, Shaya. You are very important to me, and I am scared you will hurt people." He was lying to him, he was going to kill him. They were true enemies and Hakoda would hurt them like everyone outside the Fire nation would.
Lu Ten shook his head, wondering if he should start firebending and hope he didn't hit his cousin. "You won't take him away from me, you won't destroy him. You won't make him into a traitor, you won't stop us!" he snapped, feeling out of control. He knew he was asking to be punished, but he couldn't allow his honor, and the honor of the Fire Nation to be slighted. "You Water Tribe Savage!"
Hakoda sighed. "So be it," he said sadly. "Hanzo, I want you to go to the kitchen and wait for me," he directed. "I need to deal with your brother." Zuko clung to Hakoda, not moving from his secure perch of treachery.
Zuko had to know what monsters they were being forced to remain with, it wouldn't work if he left and was spared the sight. "Afraid to let him see what a savage you really are?" he demanded, taking another step forward. "Show him what you plan to do to me? I'm not afraid of you! You know who I am, I fear nothing! No matter what you do to me, I am not going to let you steal him. He should know what kind of people he claims to love."
Hakoda shrugged and put Zuko down. "You can stay here, or come with me. It's your choice," he said gently. "I won't make you go anywhere you don't want to."
Zuko clung to Hakoda like a barnacle. "I want to stay with you," he whimpered, driving a dagger into Lu Ten's heart. "Please don't leave me with him." Zuko hated him, he didn't even want to be around him. How could this be possible? His cousin had become a complete savage.
Hakoda nodded. "That is settled. You will sit back down and think about what you've done," he ordered, scooping up Zuko into his arms. "Do you understand me?
His cousin didn't even want him. His cousin had rejected him, had gone completely native. How could he ever return home with a cousin who was a traitor? His knees almost gave out at the thought that Zuko had rejected his royal blood. "Yes," Lu Ten whispered as he sank onto the bed and curled up into a ball. He was losing Zuko and his own future. He had failed his family. Maybe he deserved exile. If he couldn't even lead a five year old, he would never lead his troops properly. Lu Ten heard the door slam and the footsteps walk away. He finally allowed himself to cry in peace. At least they weren't in the hands of the Earth Kingom, or he would have been dead already, but he was still in a bad place here. Zuko was beginning to forgot who he was.
Rocking back and forth, Lu Ten tried not to sob. He was weak and foolish and deserved to be in enemy captivity. He should have sailed back when he knew Zuko was on board. He should have listened to Aunt Ursa and not sailed beyond the cove. Worse, Uncle Ozai had given him his trust and now Lu Ten had gotten his son kidnapped. Now even his own cousin hated him.
He was still Fire Nation. He took a deep breath and kindled two flames in his hands. He fed his anger into them, forcing himself to grow calm. He was the master of the Flame, the sparks merely extensions of his finger tips. With a mere breath, he could make them dance at his command. He was still Prince of the Fire Nation. He wasn't just a cabin boy. He was the prince. His father was the prince. His mother was a princess. His grandfather was the Fire Lord. He was Prince Lu Ten. He was the future Fire Lord. He was a firebender. He was…himself.
"My name is Lu Ten, son of Prince Iroh, son of Fire Lord Azulon, son of Fire Lord Sozin, son of Fire Lord Raijin, son of Fire Lord Azarya, in right line to Agni," he whispered, to calm himself. "My name is Lu Ten, son of Princess Lien, daughter of Prince Temujin, son of Prince Karzai, son of Prince Hakhan, son of Fire Lord Azarya." He was of the purest blood. He was born to rule. Someday, every knee would bow before him and his father.
Hakoda walked back in, still looking quite put off. Lu Ten turned away, refusing to face him. "Well, I managed to calm Hanzo down. You really scared him," Hakoda began. "Care to fill me in on what the kid did? His cheek is swollen, you really beat the tar out of him. What did he do to deserve your royal wrath?"
"Family business. You aren't family," Lu Ten snapped, focusing on the flames in his hands. "And I'd keep away if I were you. Fire moves a lot faster than people." He wouldn't mind setting him on fire. It was better to die than to endure what would happen to Lu Ten for being a Fire Nation Prince.
"It's a wooden boat in the middle of the ocean. Light one wrong flame and you'll drown," Hakoda pointed out in what he must have considered what a helpful tone. "So I think you'll stop bending before you get us all killed, including Hanzo. You do care if Hanzo lives, right?" Lu Ten growled but relaxed his hands to end the flames. "Good. Now we can talk together and perhaps settle problems without resorting to violence."
"I don't wish to talk with you," Lu Ten hissed, looking away. "You have ruined everything. If you had a shred of decency, you'd send my brother and I back to our families and not keep us as your captives!"
"Is that the reason you tackled him?" Hakoda asked. "I find that hard to believe it's my fault. What really happened? It's because he told me, isn't it?" How stupid could the savage get? Yes, of course that was the reason!
"What do you think?" Lu Ten snapped. "I don't have to answer to you, unless you plan to torture it out of me. I'm not afraid of you." Lu Ten would not go down cringing, he would rather die quickly than be subjected to further abuse.
"Will you quit the melodrama? You are just being guarded, you haven't been thrown into a dungeon. I am in charge and I think I deserve an explanation for what just happened!" So, Hakoda was going to keep him himself for ransom, force the Fire Nation to give painful concessions to keep him alive! "Why are you so freaked out? I'm not going to hurt you, but you need to start talking."
"You aren't my master," Lu Ten snapped, folding his arms. This was his entire fault, how dare he pretend he cared? "You've destroyed my life, I hate you. I owe you nothing but my scorn, you Water Tribe savage."
"What did you just say to me?" Hakoda asked, his anger obviously rising from his tone. "I think you might wish to rephrase that. You are a child and will speak to adults with respect while on my ship."
"Do what the blazes you want to me, I don't care anymore. This uncle act is getting old, you aren't our family. I'm the prince of the Fire Nation, your enemy. You're our jailer and Hanzo won't believe you forever," he spat, his chin high. "And someday, when I'm Fire Lord….just wait and see what will happen to you." He would burn every single miserable ship to the ashes and spit upon them.
Hakoda had his hands on Lu Ten's shoulders and gently yanked him to his feet. "Are you quite finished threatening everyone around you?" he asked. "Because making empty threats is really immature. You know you're powerless on this ship. "
Lu Ten stared up at his captor defiantly. "It's not a threat. I'm the future Fire Lord, I'm a future God!" he said bitterly, wishing he could attack Hakoda without risking drowning. "Where I come from, people speak to me on their knees and they don't rise unless I say they can!" Home, where things made sense, where Zuko knew his place and didn't question what was reality, where servants obeyed his will, where everything was right "And when I get home, I am going to have you and everyone you know and love burned alive for what you have done." At home, where it was civilized, Lu Ten could have snapped his fingers and had Hakoda's head chopped off.
Hakoda tightened his grip. "You may be a god to your people, but on my ship, you keep your hands to yourself. And that goes especially to those smaller and weaker than you," he thundered, pinning Lu Ten effortlessly. "You ever raise your hand to your brother again and I will make sure you regret it. Is that clear?" He was so much taller than Lu Ten. "I don't want to use your nations' methods but I will do anything to protect your brother, even from you."
Lu Ten glared up at him. "Quite understood. I'll be a good little prisoner, I promise," he muttered sarcastically. "Otherwise, you might kidnap me and keep me on a smelly ship and refuse to return me to my family." He was less brave than he sounded. He knew that the blows would come soon and he dreaded them, but he would not back down to a savage who had destroyed his family.
"Watch your tone, you are really asking to be dealt with. Calm down and talk to me, please. What did he do to you that you felt he deserved that?" Hakoda ordered, still holding Lu Ten's arms to his sides. "All he did was talk to someone who cares about both of you. You are children and you need my help. Being honest with me is a good thing, you know."
Lu Ten shook his head and squirmed in his captor's grip. Being honest meant exposing themselves to being publicly executed for the crime of existing. "That's between me and him. He disobeyed me and he needed to be punished," he said. "I'm going to be his future Fire Lord someday and he will learn respect for me." So far, Hakoda hadn't contradicted him about becoming a Fire Lord.
"By beating it into him?" Hakoda demanded angrily, shaking Lu Ten slightly. "A little five year old talks back to you and your first response is to frighten him into doing what you say? Have you ever tried talking to him and reasoning with him?"
Lu Ten glared up at him defiantly. "He got off easily. If he wasn't my brother, he would have been executed at home for what he said. And he's lucky I didn't thrash him for what he did," he hissed, wondering why he was feeling so much anger towards Zuko, when it was Hakoda who was turning him against the true way. "But he will apologize to me for what he did."
"All right, if you insist on being punished, I surely won't stop you from throwing yourself to the wolves. I am offering you one more chance, you can explain what happens or I can punish you. It's your choice," Hakoda said in a firm tone.
Lu Ten steeled himself and closed his eyes. He had been beaten before, he doubted he would suffer too badly. "So be it, I am not afraid of what you will do to me," he murmured. "I'm not afraid of you."
"If that's how you want to have it. So, what do you think I should do with you?" Hakoda said, letting go of Lu Ten's shoulders. Lu Ten forced himself not to be afraid. He was a future God, he feared nothing. His knees only shook out of exhaustion.
"The usual, whatever you barbarians do to your prisoners," Lu Ten answered, holding his head high. "Beat them, starve them, lock them up. How should I know your primitive customs?" He was well aware he was digging himself in deeper, but he didn't care anymore. "But…don't turn us over to the Earth Kingdom."
"You aren't keen on making it easy on yourself. But I have no intention of hitting you, kid. I don't think it would serve any purpose. And you aren't going anywhere, you're still members of my tribe. I am merely going to have your brother returned to my tribe as soon as possible," Hakoda explained. "I will separate the two of you and make sure you never have the chance to hurt him again."
Lu Ten's eyes widened. "No," he breathed. It was the only thing besides being handed over to Ba Sing Se that he feared. He couldn't let Zuko suffer for him. "Not that. You can beat me, you can starve me, but why are you punishing him? I'm the one who is in trouble, why are you taking it out on him?" he pleaded, his voice shaking. "He needs me!" Lu Ten had to bring him back to the proper path, to stop him from becoming a traitor.
"Who said anything about taking it out on Hanzo? I just don't think he's safe with you and therefore, I am making sure you will never hurt him again. You knocked him to the floor and held a fire to his face," Hakoda said sternly. "I don't see why I should allow you to be near him."
Lu Ten dropped to his knees, ignoring the feeling of humiliation. If he needed to abase himself for Zuko, he would do it gladly. "Please…don't take him away from me. I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry for hitting him, but he's my brother, he's everything in the world to me. I…I beg you, please don't separate us," he whispered, hanging his head. "I would never hurt him."
"Do not kneel to me, it's foolishness. You aren't a slave. But I advise you to stop lying. You scared him till he begged for mercy. How can I ever trust you, especially when you refuse to tell me what happened?" Hakoda thundered, pulling Lu Ten back up and carrying him to the bed. "You may love him but you are dangerous to him and I will not be responsible for what happens the next time you lose your temper on someone weaker than you. I thought you had learned from Shinta's behavior how I deal with cruelty to children."
"My brother needs me," Lu Ten begged. "I'm all he has, I'm what's left of his family." Zuko was turning into a savage before his eyes. He had to get his cousin to become the prince he had to be. "Please, he's all I have. I know it looks bad, but you can't keep us apart. He'll pine away without me. Please don't punish him for my mistakes."
"I'm not doing it to punish him, I'm doing it to keep him away from you. You could have killed him," Hakoda snapped. "And if you ever intend to see him again, you will toe the line and learn to behave yourself. You aren't a prince here, and you will learn your place."
Lu Ten nodded quickly. "Tell me what to do," he begged. "I will do anything you tell me." He would do anything to be able to see Zuko again, and he'd kill the savage if he had to or humble himself to his knees, face to the floor to beg for his cousin's life.
"You will conduct yourself appropriately and do your chores without complaint. You will scrub every floor on this ship. You will clean every net, rinse every dish, and clean the furs downstairs. There are ropes to be mended and there are supply rooms that need to be swept," Hakoda snapped. "I expect it all done, without question."
"Yes," Lu Ten pleaded. "And then you'll let me see him?" He would do it a thousand times if he could see his cousin. He would do anything to get his cousin back. "Please, I'm all he has."
"I know, but you forced my hand, Shaya," Hakoda said, pushing Lu Ten gently away. "You need to learn to control your temper and I think giving you a way of channeling your rage is just the way to do it. Take a rest first," he said softly. "You're no use to the crew like this. I want you calmed down without any bending before you can leave this room."
"I don't need to rest, I need to talk to my brother," Lu Ten pleaded as the furs were laid over him. "Please, just bring him back and I promise, everything will be fine. He needs me." And Lu Ten needed him.
"You are confined to the room. I want you to rest up this morning. If you need anything, you will knock on the door. Someone will bring you out and bring you to me. If you dare try to leave this room without permission, you'll be tied down or locked in the hold," Hakoda said sternly, as he laid a heavy hand to keep him in place. "And you won't see your brother again for a month."
"Understood." 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."
"I'm glad we finally understand each other. I'm going to go calm down," Hakoda said in a firm voice. "I think you have a lot to think about it. I knew you had a temper but seeing you act that way? I'm ashamed of you and I know your family would be too. That's not the way a prince should act."
Lu Ten waited till he was alone before curling up into a ball, breathing hard. He wanted to cry, but he was just too frightened to do anything but wonder what tomorrow would bring. His cousin was a traitor. His Zuko had become the enemy. He knew the law, he had memorized it.
"If anyone rebels against the Fire Lord, the Fire Lord has Agni's permission to impose capital punishment on him. Even if he merely decreed that a citizen travel to a certain place, and he did not; or if he commanded him to stay under house arrest, and he left, he incurs the death penalty. If he wishes to kill him, he may do so, as it says, 'Any man who rebels against your word rebels against Agni himself,' and must be killed to protect the general welfare."
He knew the lesson. But seeing his cousin turn traitor…he knew he could never ever fulfill it on him. All he could hear was Zuko's taunts and feel the anger leave his body, turning to disgust and sorrow. "I'm still the prince," he whispered, sobbing into his pillow. All the anger and fury melted into sadness. He didn't want to hurt his cousin. He had no choice. He had done what was right. He had acted as his grandfather would have acted. And he had still failed.
As his tired eyes closed, Lu Ten gratefully succumbed to an uncomfortable but welcome sleep. When he slept, he wasn't a failure anymore.
AN-Yeah, that was interesting to write. So now Lu Ten is truly alone and Hakoda knows. Next chapter, Lu Ten gets deeper into trouble.