The wind ruffled his hair softly as he trailed behind his mother and father. He mused to himself that he he fancied the fire nation in the morning-the rising sun really did captivate the fire and energy that was his home.
Those thoughts were broken by the hysterical hoots and the surpressed giggles of his mother. He knew that his mother would only show those emotions to Sokka or him; she was not very trusting. He knew enough of her past to know why.
They walked through the market and many eyes often trailed them. What an odd family they were. Azula, the tyranical princess of days past and Sokka, legendary key figure of the century-long war and their son.
But who was he?
Only the greatest firebender this world will ever know. He smirked to himself as he stopped at a fruit stand and eyed the delcious looking apples.
"May i help you sir?"
"Yeah, uh could I have-" He glanced up and his breath caught in his throat.
Meeting his blue gaze evenly where the golden eyes of the most beuatiful girl he'd ever seen. He felt his ears burn hot and he delibertly looked down at the apples again. "5 of these please." he continued, gesturing the apples lamely.
She giggled and selected 5 apples and bagged them. "You're Kuzon."
He looked up again, surprised. "Yeah, i am..how did you know?" He was used to bieng recognized once he introduced himself, but she already knew who he was.
"Not many fire nation have blue eyes and skin like yours. Or are with Azula and Sokka, legends of the one hundred year war."
She pointed and and Kuzon supressed a groan when he realized his parents where standing several yards away, observing him. His father was giving him a thumbs up while his mother had a small, sly grin on her face.
Kuzon tried to hide his blush as he turned back. "Yeah...well i guess it's only fair that i get your name too."
She smiled. "Ava. These are on the house, it's been treat enough meeting you."
Kuzon took the apples, spluttering. "No-really it's okay i can pay-"
"I know you can," She said, winking. "I said you don't need too."
Deciding that it was not worth embarrasing himself further, Kuzon turned away with a quick "Thanks".
He walked to his mother some fifteen feet away and stood next to her silently.
"Why did you not pay that girl?" She asked sharply, glancing at him with an eyebrow raised.
"It was treat enough meeting Kuzon, the son of Azula and Sokka, i guess."
"Those where her exact words?"
"More or less. Where did Dad go?"
Azula rolled her eyes and stuck her thumb back. "Some merchant is selling him some 'exotic' meats."
Kuzon smirked, knowing his father was probably spending absurd amounts of money on regular cow-pig meat. He stood, waiting patiently well his mother talked about something concerning Zuko and how he was yet again doing the whole 'Fire Lord' thing wrongly.
Kuzon was well aware his mother still, if only deep inside, wanted the throne. Kuzon himself had no desire to be in line for the throne, he was to free-spirited.
Suddenly, a large man pushed through the bustle of people and stomped over to them. "Azula the monster, in he flesh!"
His voic was accusing, angry and held in disbelief. Azula, although surprised, remained level. "Yes?" She snapped.
"I heard your idiot brother let you out of the loony bin years ago, but i never thought i'd see it with my own eyes."
He stepped forward and shoved his face close to Azula, who did not flinch. "You and your father took my father and brother from me, you swine!"
Before Azula could retort, Kuzon angrily stepped between them. "I suggest you shut your mouth before one of your superiors does it for you."
The man looked taken aback, and then laughed. "Ah, the famed bastard son of this monster and her water tribe man. Pray tell, who are my superiors?"
Kuzon grinned, allowing small jets of flame to leave his nostrils. "Me."
The man laughed and made to punch Kuzon, Kuzon caught the punch, twisted, and heated his hand so that the man's fist turned bright red.
Kuzon smirked as the man fell to his knees, whining in agony. "I am your superior. Your brothers and father died in the war because they were weak, just like you."
And he kicked him back. The man scrambled to fis feet, clutching his singed hand. "Insane! You're insane, just like your mother and grandfather!" The small crowd that had gathered sent murmers of agreement and Kuzon could see Ava covering her mouth in shock.
Azula and Sokka, who had returned upon realizing something was wrong, pulled their son back and tugged him away, racing off.
"'I am your superior?' Are you insane?"
Kuzon returned his uncles glare with just as much ferocity. "I was defending my mother's honor!"
Zuko rolled his eyes and glared at his parents, who were standing behind the chair Kuzon sat in. They were in the fire lord's study, and it reminded Kuzon of when he had been reprimended by the principal of the academy he once attended.
"Why didn't you two control your son?"
Azula shrugged. "Zuzu, he was justified. The man was going crazy. I will not punish him for standing up for his family."
Sokka too shrugged, though his was much more dramatic. . "I was buying meat, but it sounded like the dude was a nutjob."
Zuko turned away from the trio, seeming to hold his breath, and then sighed. "Sokka, come back later, we need to discuss matters regarding The Republic. Azula do as you wish, but leave us."
Sokka had to pull a very irratated Azula out of the office and Kuzon sat, staring at his uncle's back.
Finally, Zuko turned back. "I'm sorry. You were justified in defending your mother."
Kuzon nodded, patiently waiting for the inevitable "but."
"But," Zuko continued while Kuzon smirked, "What is not justified was telling the man you were his superior and that his family was weak."
Kuzon shrugged. "Idiots don't learn just from physical punishment. You need to put them down mentally as well."
Zuko groaned, shaking his head. "Kuzon, please listen to what your saying. You live on thin ice, you know that. Your mother was and is considered an insane war monger in this nation. She's not popular and you aren't liked by many people either. You are considered her devil spawn and it's not helpful that you are part water tribe."
Kuzon sighed, deflating. Zuko was right. "I'm sorry, uncle."
Zuko nodded, satisfied with his nephew's apology. "So, what are you going to do now that you've achieved master status?"
Kuzon looked up and shrugged. "I'm not sure. That's been my goal for so many years that i never really thought about what i'd do if i passed."
"It's always helful to learn more than one teqnique to combat."
"Aunt Ty taught me chi blocking, Dad taught me how to use swords and many traditional water tribe weapons, and Aunt mai taught me how to use throwing knives."
Zuko blinked, shocked by just how skilled this child was. He was also a little disapointed in how unhepful he had been in all this training. Fire Lord responsibilities were numerous.
Struck with a sudden idea, Zuko said, "Well, I suppose you're old enough to sit in on the New Republic Council."
Kuzon's eyes brightened, and his head shot up to meet the eyes of his uncle. "Really? But doesn't that meet in-"
"Republic City, yes."
"Wow! When do we Go?"
"Tomorrow."
Kuzon leaped in the air with excitment and ran out of the room as Zuko dismissed him. He had only ever been to The Fire nation and The south pole; he was not very well traveled.
The next morning Kuzon woke sleepy-eyed to his father shaking him. "Up And at 'em, sleepyhead!" Sokka shouted, his atypical morning enthusiasm shining bright.
Kuzon propped himself on his shoulders, rubbing his eyes. With a shock he realized the sun wasn't even up yet. "Dad, you're never this happy in the morning."
Sokka grinned and literally lifted his son up, throwing him to his feet. "I am when we 're going to Republic City." He shouted, opening the door and ushering his son, who had hastily thrown on his royal robes, through it. "The welcoming banquet is exquisette!"
Kuzon groaned, shaking his head. His father was truly obssessed with food, and he would only ever use a word like exquisete if it was truly amazing. . I suppose he did spend years of his childhood focused on a war He mused as they raced through the halls of the palace. He's free to pursue his own interests now.
They arrived out in the courtyard to see Azula, Aang, Katara, Zuko, Zuko's daughter Ursula and Aang's oldest, Bolin, all gathered around Appa the bison.
Kuzon deflated. "Mom's coming?" He whispered to Sokka as they approached. Sokka shrugged, "She insisted. You know how your mother is."
Kuzon knew exactly how his mother was. Although she would not admit it nor be obvious about it, she was very overprotective over what was hers, and Kuzon was at the top of that list.
He grumbled about overprotectiveness as he aproached avatar Aang and bowed respectively. "Thank you for bringing me to republic city on Appa, Uncle Aang."
Aang turned around from petting the bison and grinned at Kuzon. "No problem, Kuzon!" He turned to his son, who was only a bit younger then Kuzon. "Bumi, You remember Kuzon?"
Bumi grinned and shook Kuzon's hand. "How do you do, Cousin?"
Kuzon nodded at his favorite Cousin, returning the smile. "I'm good Bumi, yourself?"
"Very good, very good indeed."
Kuzon smirked at his cousin's exagerated etiquette, knowing he was acting this way ironically. He turned to Katara and was immediatly embraced by her.
"Kuzon! You haven't been over for dinner in months!"
Kuzon squirmed out of her grip and rubbed the back of his head.. "I've been training, Aunt Kat."
"Yes, I could tell! Congratulations on your new title!"
He allowed a small smile to fall on his lips. "Thank you."
He turned to his mother, who was standing off from the group, clutching her bag. "Mom, let me take that." He offered, lifting her bag.
She allowed him to take the bag from her, she was glaring intently at something. He stood next to her and followed her gaze to see that it was Katara that inflicted her rage.
"Mom, please just try-"
"You do not have to call that woman your Aunt."
"I know i dont have to. I choose to."
She turned her glare on him, making him shiver a little. "Let me rephrase that; I don't want you to."
"She's been nothing but nice to me from day one."
"I hate her."
"I Know. But you love Dad."
"They're different."
Kuzon huffed, knowing his mother was not too be consoled and he tossed her bag onto the saddle and leaped up onto it himself. Azula casually followed him and sat in between him and his father.
As they leapt into the air, The g-forces on their body casued them all to groan a little. Azula stayed calm as they did however; she was actually quite afraid of flying on this beast. But she would never reveal this weakness.
Zuko, despite the numerous times he had been on Appa, was a little more obvious. He was clenching the side of the saddle so hard that his knuckles were white.
"Aww Zuzu's afraid of heights." Azula teased, smirking at her brother.
Zuko glared at her, cheeks turning red. "Shut it , Azula. You were never even invited."
Azula just shrugged, inspecting her nails.
Kuzon too smirked at his uncle. I'd say you were pretty high-up in the fire nation uncle, but i see that you'd rather not be."
Everyone in the saddle laughed, Azula even allowed a small chuckle. Zuko just glared and looked out at the sky. "He's definetly you Son." Katara said to Azula, trying to be friendly. Azula just glanced at her and turned away.
"C'mon, Zuko, you have to lear to have fun or you'll never get obver your fear!" Aang said, standing on Appa's head and turning to face them.
"I'm not afraid, just drop it." Zuko hissed.
Aang ignored this as a mischevious look crossed his eyes. "Watch!" He jumped into the air, allowing himself to fall. He spun his staff in the air and the wings deployed.
Kuzon watched wide-eyed as Aang flew through the air. He felt a feeling in his gut at watching this and he knew he couldn't resist.
His mother observed the look in his eye and frowned. "Don't you dare-"
But it was too late. Kuzon leaped up and jumped as well.
The freedom of the air gave him an amazing feeling as he sretched hjis body like a torpedo, plummeting rapidly through the air. He sent a small gust of fire in one direction, and laughed as he spun around.
"WOOOOOO!" He emerged from below the clouds and his breath caught as he saw the entire Fire Nation capital, the palace as small as a toy beneath him. He looked upwards to see Aang plummeting rapidly above him; clearly trying to catch up to him so he could catch him.
He folded his body and spun so that his legs faced the ground and strectched out again.
With a mighty woosh a a torrent of fire exited his feet and fists, slowing his decent until he was hovering in the air.
Aang's look of panic changed to that of one of joy. He laughed and did circles around the firebender, who spun around on his rlame tornado.
Kuzon laughed and whooped loudly; it was not many that got to experience this. Aang angled his glider up and with a gust of wind, shot back towards Appa who had emerged from the clouds.
Kuzon shot more fire from his limbs and began rocketting around, spinning his body as a beuatiful tail of blue fire followed him. He could hear Bumi, Aang and Sokka cheering him on as he circled around the bison, and he could also hear Azula and Katara's shouts of protest.
With a final whoop he sailed above the bison, around fifteen feet up, and stopped the flames. He fell and landed in the middle of the saddle, bending his knees as he hit.
He jumped up and gave another whoop as Sokka, Bumi, And Aang clapped.
He turned to see his mother stnding on the saddle, glaring at him as her long brunette hair flapped behind her. Her makeup was slightly stained, as if she had been crying.
He grimaced as his Mother and Aunt began reprimending him. He mused silently that at least he had put them on the same side for now.
