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ACT III
SETTING: Outside the palace, still noon with several guard walking around in the courtyard. Zakku was the first to be dismissed. Zenti was still talking with Azulon, while the nobles had already left as well. The wind picked up slightly and it is a bright day. Zakku is walking in the courtyard, heading towards the main gate, glancing over to some nobles, who seemed to be laughing about something as the whispering together, glancing occasionally at Zakku. He smiles slightly as he stops for a moment, looking like he is going to walk over to them.
?? - You remind me of a noisy puppy…
(Zakku pauses and then turns to who was speaking. The man who spoke is a little distance away, leaning against a column. He is wearing black robes and his face is hidden.)
ZAKKU (Glances around)- You talking to me?
?? (1) - That's right.
ZAKKU (Walks over)- A puppy? And what makes you say that?
?? (1) - 'I will never forsake my country,' blind loyalty, like a dog. A flirt with no intention for a serious relationship and probably is one because you are trying to make up for the attention you never go-…
ZAKKU (Narrows eyes)- Really?
?? (1) - You're not a very complicated guy, Zakku Fenir…
ZAKKU - It's really not surprising that you know my name…however; I would like to know y--
?? (1) - They'll come for you…you should run.
ZAKKU - Wh—
?? (1) - And they will keep coming till they find you…
(Zakku stares at the man, who then stands up fully and begins to walk off.)
?? (2) - You were a fool to come here… (Another man comes walking towards Zakku however he was talking to the other man. Zakku looks at the two stepping back slightly.)
?? (1) - A fool? Perhaps.
?? (2) - You should leave…I might not be able to kill you here and now, but if you stay, I will…
?? (1) - I understand, old friend…. What purpose do you have here?
?? (2) - You know I can't tell you that.
(The first man turns walking away as second looks at Zakku.)
?? (2) - Hey kid…
ZAKKU (Glances to the one leaving then back to the man talking to him)- You going to introduce yourself, or are you going to be like you oh-so friendly 'friend'?
?? (2) - Sarcasm will get you to very little places…my name isn't important. However, we have been watching you.
ZAKKU (Questioning look)- Who is 'we'?
?? (2) - No one important. Don't think too hard on it kid. (The man takes off his hood.)
ZAKKU (Not believing)- Really?
?? (2) - Really. (Zakku stares at the other man's face. He has seen the face before, but he can't recognize it.) My leader seems to have an interest in you.
ZAKKU - Why? I am just a guy who wants to serve his nation, nothing special about that.
?? (2) - True. I can't understand it myself. You don't look all that tough…In fact; I think I could beat you easily.
ZAKKU - And what makes you think that?
?? (2) - The way you look, talk. You seem like you have potential but, you are far to unfocused to really use it…
ZAKKU - Let me guess… I am too fidgety, too unserious. You barely know me, so, who are you to judge?
?? (2) (Laughs)- Is that what you think I see? Hell no. You act that way, but I can see that you are quite the opposite.
ZAKKU - Is that right? Then tell me, what am I like.(Zakku looks away towards the gate where he can see Zenti, talking to his friend Uingu.)
?? (2) - You are a kid who doesn't understand why misfortunes keeps happening to you. You are sick of it. Sick of being the kid, who has to put up with the worlds crap. The dog-like mask you put on is to hide the fact that you are not, under normal terms, 'normal'. People, who couldn't understand the pain and suffering you have gone threw in the short time of your life, can not understand why you are different. (Zakku turns to look at the man) The fact of the matter is, you just want someone to see and accept you… You come off like a fidgety puppy that is willing to do anything for the promise of becoming normal.
(Zakku says nothing as he stares at the other man.)
?? (2) - Well…? Am I correct?
ZAKKU (Walks a little ways along the path.)- Perhaps…(The man follows; Zakku goes to a porch-like area. He looks over to the man as he leans on the siding.)… Exactly, how do you know me?
?? (2) (Stands next to Zakku)- I knew your father, Zerru.
ZAKKU - I see…were you a family friend?
?? (2) (Stares at Zakku)- Yes… he was my best friend…
ZAKKU - Not many people have the guts to say that…
?? (2) (Shrugs)- I'm an honest man…he was my friend and good one at that. If there are people who judge me, then judge me for the truth. I will not say a lie about Zerru. You look a lot like him. The way you hold yourself up is quiet a lot like his.
ZAKKU - Really… (Quiet for a moment)… What was he like?
?? (2) - Brave…I envy the strength he had. He was a proud person…not extremely so, he was proud about his life. (Turns, leaning against the siding) I can see that you have a lot of the pride he had...
ZAKKU - Pride…
?? (2) - ...I saw you when you were only the age of a newborn…I doubt you'd remember me. But, it was the last time I saw Zerru…. about a week after you were born, they went into hiding soon after. I am pleased to see that you are alive. I thought you were lost when Uingu's regiment executed your parents.
ZAKKU - Sometimes… I wish that they had.
?? (2) - Survivor's guilt…It is quiet normal to have that feeling.
ZAKKU - Is that so…
?? (2) - Yes. Guilt is a thing that hinders your abilities… If you allow it to remain in your heart, it will destroy you.
ZAKKU - It's as if you think that I don't know that…Hell, I know that for a while. I accept it as a feeling I will have the rest of my life.
?? (2) - I see…
ZAKKU - Really…I doubt it (Stands up fully and starts to walk away)… You might think that you do…but you don't. (Zakku continues to walk away.)
?? (2) (To self)- Hmmm…(Watches Zakku walk away; Enter Uingu next to the other man.)…That kid…there's no denying it…that is Zerru's son.
UINGU - How did he escape? Xizzen would have found him, would he not?
?? (2) - I am positive that Xizzen would have found him…How he escaped…I do not know. What do you think needs to be done?
UINGU - This minor inconvenience is nothing… It would have made it far easier to train him as a child and raise him as a full-fledged Organization member but he is still a possible use. If he passes the Fire Lord's Trial, persuade him to join the Organization.
?? (2) - Is he really that important?
UINGU - Kanani, I will not and cannot tell you everything. If this child managed to get into the organization, I want you to be his teacher.
KANANI - Me…I cannot.
(Kanani turns away as he begins to walk off towards the inside of the palace to possibly talk with some of his old friends. Uingu fallows.)
UINGU - If this has anything to do with those you have trained, I do not want to hear it be you excuse. It isn't a suggestion, Kanani; you will train him to be a killer, to be the greatest swordsmen even.
KANANI (Pauses; Nods weakly)- If you so will me to do that, I will not refuse. My loyalty is to the Organization first and not to my own selfish wishes. You wish me to train the boy, then I shall do so, but you will be the one to bare the sin if I fail to train him as you wish.
UINGU (Bows head; Seems indignant)- Very well, Kanani…(Kanani stops looking at Uingu)…but remember our deal…
KANANI (Slightly irritated)- Of course I remember! (Grabs Uingu by the collar of his uniform with one hand.) And if you bring up that ever again, I will take my chances of finding her…and with this sword (With his free hand he grabs a heavy two-handed sword.) I will end your days, and you will not have to worry about our 'deal'.
(Two guards that are wearing similar uniforms as Kanani draw their swords placing them to his neck. Kanani releases Uingu and the guards lower their blades.)
UINGU - …Go on then, Kanani…Do as you wish…(Kanani turns walking off) but the deal you have made you must complete. You know it, I know it, and nothing you can do will change the fact of what you have to do. (Kanani leaves from sight) You may wish to deny it…but you will raise the boy to be a monster, or you will never see her again…hehe… You'll never see her again anyways, but you would have delivered to me the single most greatest tool. (Starts to leave with his guards) Soon, Kanani Yuki, your insolence will receive its punishment