All right, I'd like to wish everyone a happy and enjoyable premiere. Hotaru was very interested in seeing what Zuko's real sister is like. So far, she's terrified and so glad that they belong to Alternate universes. Aiiro is also horrified by her and has a bad feeling that things are going to get tougher for his Master. Well, we all know that no matter how (OMG cool, powerful, talented, brilliant) unique Azula is, I think I speak for all of us when I say Zuko for Fire Lord and creators, please, make Zuko's life get better and don't kill off Iroh! Although Azula is an amazing warrior who managed to be pretty sneaky as well as completely destroy her brother.

All right, there is a quote from Matti Shmuelivitch, who died a hero for his country and was hanged for fighting against tyranny, oppression and murder under a brutal regime. I named the water tribe warrior Matti after him.

I'd like to dedicate this story to a four very special people, because you all mean so much to me. (Nearly everyone who reviews will get a dedication eventually, and I adore you all) To Spleef, Cala, Superlazygal and ME, you are amazing people and I adore you. ME, write your email address in a review, I'd like to talk to you. Special thanks to Sarah Nev and Melodee for helping me with spelling and grammar. Now, without further delay, the story, which doesn't belong to me, but people much smarter. The person to get me to 300 reviews gets a special prize!

The Sound of Silence

Hello darkness, my old friend,
I've come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence.

--Simon and Garfunkel

"Your highness, are you paying attention?" Miss Hyun asked for the fifth time. Aiiro looked up from his writing tablet and sighed. He liked Miss Hyun; she was very pretty and kind. She was a fun teacher and she did not hit him like Teacher Fukida. She told wonderful stories about her family.

Some stories were sad, like her great-grandfather who was an alchemist captured by the Earth Kingdom. "Doctor Shaanar was tortured, but he would not reveal how to read his notes. His precious research died with him," she told him sadly. "He left behind mountains of parchments, but they were all blank. Doctor Shaanar died a bare footnote in history, when he should have been a hero."

Other stories were happy, especially the ones about her six brothers and the way they would tease her. "I am the only female and my brothers always threatened they would send me away and get another brother instead." Miss Hyun would giggle about how the seven of them would go on great adventures at their summer estate. They would explore caves, sleep in the woods all night and pick berries. Aiiro liked hearing about Miss Hyun's family, since he had no one left from his old life. He really did pay attention to these stories but the moment Miss Hyun returned to lessons, he still found his attention wandering.

Aiiro had gotten used to life at the palace. It was different from the world he had left behind. First of all, everything was made of metal, stone and wooden, not skin and ice. Aiiro had not enjoyed having huge walls around him but Master had explained that it was for his own protection. Aiiro had to admit the shiny metals and stone, the beautiful tapestries and the new toys were very nice, even if they were so strange.

Then there were servants. Aiiro had heard stories about servants in stories but having them was very different. It was interesting to see all these Fire Nation people who seemed to exist only to serve the royal family. Aiiro had offered to help clean and cook but the servants had stared at him as if he had sprouted a tail. They said that a prince should not dare do such menial tasks. The Water Tribe boy had always done chores back at home…well, at the South Pole. The palace was his home now.

Aiiro had not understood why this people took care of him till Miss Hyun explained to him the system of service. These people had jobs, like hunters or healers. Their job was to take care of the royal family, and in their eyes, Aiiro was royalty. Aiiro didn't know if he was a prince now, but if Master said he was then it must be true.

Aiiro had a set schedule every day. He would be awoken from his bed and dressed in fresh red clothing. A morning meal would be served and then Miss Hyun would study with him all day. Aiiro would then be returned to eat dinner with Master and spend some time talking before bedtime.

Aiiro supposed it was not a bad schedule. He had no chores to do and he had an endless amount of toys to play with. He had beautiful gardens to run in and he was never hungry. Aiiro did not know why he felt like he had a hole in his heart during those long hours when Master could not be around.

Today was like any other day. Miss Hyun was trying to teach Aiiro and the young boy was trying to find any excuse to have fun. If he had had his friends with him, he would have enjoyed the lessons so much more.The palace was too quiet. Back in the village, he would be penguin sliding with Yullik and the others.

Sometimes at night, he wondered where his old friends were. He dared not ask what happened to the village because he did not want to know the answer. Aiiro had already figured out that it was best not to think of bad things during happy times. He never knew when the happy times would end. Yet, once in a while he would daydream about the village. He would wonder what happened to Sokka, Katara, Uncle Hakoda and all the other warriors of the village. He knew he was not supposed to pray to Sedna anymore, but sometimes at night in the moonlight, he would forget about Agni and worship the goddess of the frozen lands.

Also, there was a worse problem. As interesting as Miss Hyun tried to make it, Aiiro did not enjoy the mathematics part of his lesson. Sums were so very boring. "If there are ten squads of warriors, with eight warriors in each squad, how many warriors are there in total?" Miss Hyun would ask, while Aiiro would dutifully answer. It was like counting sea-prunes, how boring!

"Can't we listen to more stories about your family?" he had pleaded, trying to earn a reprieve from the mindless routine of the schoolroom.

"After you finish your lessons," was the firm reply of his teacher, her arms folded determinedly. "Now, off to your lessons."

Soon Aiiro was distracted by the sounds of shouts outside the window. It sounded like something far more interesting then sums was going outside the palace. He could hear jeering and cheering outside. It sounded like the festivals Miss Hyun used to attend with her brothers. "What's all the shouting, Miss Hyun?" he asked curiously, eager to break the monotony.

"It is nothing important, your highness. Back to work. Your patron, the Fire Lord wants you to be well educated," the tutor said, her voice growing tighter. She seemed a bit worried about something. Her amber eyes kept nervously flitting over to the window.

"I do not like sums. I wish to learn more combat. I want to be just like Master! He is a great warrior, you know," Aiiro said, folding his arms. He knew he should be more respectful to his new teacher, but she was the same age as Sokka or Master. She seemed far too young and nice to be a teacher.

"Your highness, I am well aware of his Majesty being a great warrior. He is the Supreme commander of our nation's armies. He is also our most wise lord who makes the laws that govern us. If you wish to be a good Water Chief yourself someday, you must pay attention to your lessons. Besides, your highness was commanded to study. Surely, you don't wish to disobey your guardian?" Miss Hyun replied, patting Aiiro's head affectionately. Her eyes were still concentrating on the window.

"No, Miss Hyun," Aiiro conceded. "Can't I just see what is going on outside? It would only take a moment. Then I'll be good the rest of the day," he pleaded, raising his eyes to her and giving her a look of sadness. Whenever he did that to Master, Aiiro almost always got what he wanted.

"I said no! What is happening outside is not something for children. Do you wish me to send a message to His Majesty that you are misbehaving?" Miss Hyun asked sharply, which was not her usual behavior. Aiiro had misbehaved before and she had always gently reminded him to obey. What was happening outside must be really interesting for her to be so anxious about it.

Yet, was it worth the risk? Aiiro sighed and bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Miss Hyun. I'll be good now," he said. He really did not want Master to find out he was misbehaving. Although Master had never punished him, Aiiro did not ever want to anger his owner. Master protected him and Aiiro had to make sure that it stayed that way. Master could throw him away if he got tired of him and Aiiro would have no where to go.

"I'm happy to hear that, your highness. I know His Majesty would agree with me. Now, if you finish your lessons to my satisfaction, we can go sit in the peach garden for a bit. We can pick some fruit and bring them to His Majesty," Miss Hyun said in a more gentle tone.

"Yes, Miss Hyun. Can we also ride a rhino?" Aiiro asked, bending his head over his work. He could still hear the shouting from outside the window.

"The polite form is 'May we' and yes, we may, my dear young student," his teacher answered sweetly, as she returned to her table.

Of course, Aiiro was not that easily distracted. After a few minutes when Miss Hyun was busy, the young pupil put down his brush and tiptoed to the window. Although Aiiro feared leaving the safety of his enormous new home, he reasoned it would not be much danger. Aiiro and Master had often sat on a balcony, looking over the city. Master would point out important temples and buildings, while Aiiro would marvel at the strange, terrifying and beautiful nation. What was the harm in one peek?

Outside the window, Aiiro could see the entire city of Azar from over the wall. It was just as enormous as he remembered, with gigantic stone buildings that didn't melt and pathways called streets. He had never seen so many people living in one place. He had also never known there were so many people in the world.

The streets below the palace were filled with crowds of people yelling something. Aiiro shuddered as he noticed them. They looked so scary and angry, just as horrible as they had been when Aiiro had been chained with Master and Aang. Aiiro felt his heartbeat grow louder in his ears as he stared down at the road leading to the palace.

Coming up the road were barred wagons, just the one he had been tied into. He remembered the heavy chains binding him inside. He remembered the hateful shouts of the people. As the procession moved along, Aiiro got a better look at what is going on. Inside the prison wagons were frightened prisoners, huddled together helplessly. Aiiro was too far away to see who those prisoners were, but he could see some of them wore blue parkas. They were prisoners from the Water Tribe. They were at the mercy of the mob.

The hungry, cruel mob that thirsted for blood. They would find him, they would catch Aiiro and they would tear him to bits. Aiiro was not safe anywhere, they would find him too!

Images of eggs flying and hitting his skin, the cold slime creeping down into his very soul. He could feel the chains around his body, weighing him down like anchors and biting into his flesh. He was so hungry and tired and cold, he was all alone! They would lock him up in a smelly closet, they would put him a cage and pull him through the streets, and then the mob would get him. They threw eggs and stones at him; they wanted to hurt him just like they hurt everyone else in his life. "NOO!" he yelled, as he felt his chest tighten up.

"Your Highness, get away from that window!" a voice commanded. Aiiro vaguely remembered who the voice was, but he could not trust anyone! The pirates and the cruel people would catch him; they would kill him just like they had killed Aiiro's parents.

"Don't hurt me, please just don't hurt me. Don't let them get me," Aiiro begged, beginning to wheeze. He could not breathe as images of screaming friends and angry crowd filled his mind.

"Prince Aiiro, I won't hurt you! Please, calm down!" a voice pleaded, her voice shaking. Aiiro opened his eyes and only saw red everywhere. Red fire, red-clad people, like the red blood on the snow. "Someone get the Fire Lord!"

"I don't want to die!" He had to get away from everyone, before they caught him again. Anyone who wore red was the enemy. Aiiro was alone. No one could protect him.

Memories flooded his head, making him choke even more. He remembered being grabbed out of his bed and tied up. He could still hear the screaming and crying as his village was sacked. Keep moving and no one dies…stupid peasants…he's paying us to capture you, not feed you…take that boy, he'll do…I'll teach you some respect…the pirate's voices whispered in his ears. He remembered pounding on the doors of the closet, wondering if he would starve to death. He did not want to show fear but he had been so terrified. Would anyone save him?

He remembered seeing his master for the first time and wondering if the scarred boy would eat him. The chains were so heavy…Aiiro could not move. His whole body hurt. He just wanted to see his family again! Trying to escape? You had better learn your place… the guard had said when Aiiro tried to steal the knife. After that came the pain. Aiiro had cried, wondering how much more pain he would be forced to endure.

Then Master came and everything got better. Master had told everyone not to hurt him, Master had protected him. He was kind to him. Aiiro knew he was Fire Nation but there was something about him that made Aiiro feel sheltered.

Yet when he had finally started to feel safe with Master, everything had gone so much worse. Well, little boy, watch what I can do to your precious little prince… That cruel Fire Nation man, Zhao was his name. He was hurting Master! Aiiro had no idea why anyone would want to hurt his beloved Master, but that evil man was enjoying hurting him!

Beg me or I snap his neck in front of you…Aiiro was so scared, his breath was catching in his breath. He had nowhere to hide; the entire world was against him. He would never see his loved ones again.

A little child, you think you can stop me... Aiiro was powerless, no one could save him. He knew he could do nothing. The Fire Nation was too big and powerful to fight. It was hopeless.

Bravery will only get you more pain. I could kill you for what you did. I could beat you within an inch of your worthless little life…He was going to die! He had only been defending himself. He had not meant to get into trouble, he just had to do something.

"I did say I would teach you a lesson, take the little beast to the wall and chain him up. Aiiro remembered the blinding pain, screaming for mercy and only wanting the suffering to end. They would torture him more if they found him. He could feel the chains around him already. They were squeezing him so tightly, like a metal snake.

Have you learned your lesson yet? The cold voice, the evil man, he was going to get him. Aiiro was in danger, he had to hide. He had to find somewhere safe. Where could he run?

I suppose it would be more fun to deal with a traitor. I prefer you in one piece so you can walk to the scaffold, but I'm sure we can make that walk just a little more uncomfortable…Stop hurting Master! Master was the only one who could help him! Without him, Aiiro was finished

Then that awful mob…Waterbending scum, they called him. Why did they hate him so? Disgrace…Water savage…Make them stop! He had done nothing to them and the crowd wanted him dead. Aiiro was sure they would have pulled him apart if they could. They were tossing things at him!

When they got to the palace, Aiiro had seen the heads of the other prisoners. They had no eyes, birds had eaten their flesh, yet they stared at Aiiro. "Soon, you will join us," they seemed to be saying. Aiiro knew seals couldn't live without their heads, and neither could humans. That was how he was going to die! The palace seemed to swallow everything in its size. Aiiro was next.

That horrible Zhao had made it even worse! …Leave the Water Brat here. I'll deal with him later.… Master being dragged away, saying goodbye. They were going to kill Master! He could do nothing to protect his friend! Now Aiiro was truly alone.

All alone. He was a penguin among tiger seals, with no one to help him. He was going to die. Aiiro felt his breath catch more and more as adrenaline coursed through his veins. He was going to get captured and killed. "Master, please save me!"

"What should be done with the rebels of Shyam, your majesty?" Simarik asked, handing the young monarch a piece of parchment.

Zuko studied the paper. There had been an Earth Kingdom rebellion a few months ago, in the occupied mining towns. The rebel Earth-benders, inspired by that annoying Water Tribe wench had been incited to have a revolt. That idiotic and inept Warden Baqir had completely mismanaged the mission. According to soldiers, he had allowed the Water wench to completely provoke insurgency on the ship without punishing her. Happily, the prisoners had done him a service by drowning the fool.

Colonel Nitta, another relative of Zuko's mother had put down the rebellion with excellent efficiency. "The Water tribesmen will be sent to the mines. There aren't many survivors left to the town of Shyam, according to this. I suppose they can be placed as galley slaves on captured Earth Kingdom ships. We can use them for spying missions," Zuko mused to himself. He tried to suppress a yawn. He had stayed up working on papers again and had barely slept in days. His life was devoted to his people. He would rest when there was stability.

"Brilliant, my liege. Shall I order the prisoners brought in?" asked Setau, his eyes narrowed with amusement. "I should like to see the ones who bested Baqir." Zuko could see the resemblance between himself and his cousin. They both liked poetic irony.

The other members of the council nodded agreement. "It would be amusing to see the mighty rebels who bested the fool," said Simarik with a grin.

Zuko nodded his agreement. "Just the ones that seem to be the leaders or the ones who smell the least. I have no wish for all of them to sully up my throne room. The Earth Kingdom ambassadors should be arriving soon, they don't need to see this," he commanded reluctantly. Zuko had to admit, he did not like seeing prisoners suffer very much. He just couldn't allow anyone else to know that. The war had to be won soon so Zuko could start doing some of the projects he had dreamed of doing. He wanted to found universities and schools, places where all Fire Nation children could have a fine education.

A few moments later, six prisoners were brought in, heavily chained and restrained by sword wielding soldiers. Most of them were full grown men, but Zuko was amazed to see one of the leaders of the Shyam rebellion was no older then he was.

As the prisoners were forced to their knees before the Fire Lord, Zuko watched the court smirk. Even the hand-picked advisors Zuko had selected for their moderation hated all other nations. He wondered how he would ever reunite nations that truly hated each other.

"You are young to be a rebel," Zuko spoke up, as the guards allowed the prisoners to face their captor. He supposed the same could be sad for him; he was young to be ruling as well.

"You stole our lands, our people and our hope. What choice do we have but to rebel?" spat the green-eyed youth, his long brown hair falling into his eyes. The chains weighed him down, bending him nearly in half like an old man.

"We need those mines. You wouldn't sell it to us. So we had to take them. Now, perhaps we can show mercy to you. If you are willing to cooperate, of course," Zuko said, moved by their plight. He had no need to be heavy-handed if he could return their dignity. It had worked so far with Zhao. Zuko was aware that the blaggard was most likely scheming but at least Zuko had occupied him with other goals to keep him busy. That and round-the-clock guards kept Zuko's peace of mind in tact.

"You killed my father! You took him away from me for five years and stuck him in a smelly prison for fighting for his home. I spent years all alone without a father around. You robbed me of that! I don't need your pity. Where was your pity when your brave Colonel Nitta burnt our towns to the ground? He massacred thousands of men, women and children!" the youth replied, his green eyes simmering with fury.

Zuko was instantly nauseous. He was well aware of the cost of war, but he still hated to hear about it. He would be having a ceremony celebrating Colonel Nitta's achievements at tonight's banquet. He was well aware of the amount of blood lay in the cost of a victory. Being Fire Lord was complicated.

"Watch your tongue, peasant when you face Agni's anointed one," Setau growled, flames dancing around his finger tips. His face was darkened with hatred. "You can so easily lose it."

"You are going to kill me anyway. What have I got to lose?" The youth asked defiantly. "Agni's anointed one has left us with no hope. You destroyed everything, you took our mines away, you took our homes away, you robbed of our freedom, you thugs without honor…" he continued until one of the soldiers stopped him with the a spear butt to the stomach. The boy doubled over in pain. Zuko waved the soldier away; he did not need to see this.

"And what are Water Tribe warriors doing so far away from the poles?" Zuko questioned, changing the subject as he stared down at the prisoners. None of the Water Tribe men seemed eager to talk. "Are you collaborating with the other kingdom?"

'The idea for which we are all fighting, for which we left our homes and our families, for which we took up arms is to free ourselves from the constant threat of slavery and death. This will be done, even if you imprison and execute all of our warriors," one of the younger men said defiantly. "Deep down, you know we aren't criminals. Deep down, you know the aspiration of the Water Tribe for freedom will never be suppressed! Not by murder! Not by torture, not by slavery and not by hanging us!"

"Matti, don't give him the satisfaction," whispered another one of the warriors, looking defiant.

Zuko sighed, knowing he would have to torture them for information quite soon. He debated how to go about this properly. He supposed he could have one of the Najwa interrogation masters deal with them in another location. Zuko was well-aware of the talents of the Najwa, young Fire Nation women trained in the arts of torture, espionage and interrogation. None of their victims had lived long enough to provide confirmation of their impressive talents, which was testimony unto itself. "This is your last chance to speak freely," he forced himself to say.

"Where are our children and families?" suddenly spoke up another one of them, a tall, broad-shouldered man with dreadlocks who looked mildly familiar. Had Zuko ever seen him before?

"Your children?" Zuko repeated, confused. It took him a moment to remember that he had kidnapped the Southern Water village that protected Aang. He had not given the Water refugees the honor of his interest in quite a bit. Considering how cruel that action had been, it should have been on his mind. He would have to remedy that as soon as possible.

"According to information, the pirates of the Moon Blade captured a group of Water tribe members under your instructions. Where are our families?" asked the man again, his voice cold.

"They are under my protection and are safe. I have not mistreated them," he said, glad Hotaru was not in the room. He somehow doubted Hotaru could say the same thing, considering the fact that she had split open that Water boy's back. Speaking of which, what had happened to the girl and boy with the Avatar? He had never bothered to ask.

Before the prisoners could respond, the attention of the court was taken by a commotion going on outside. "It's an emergency!" someone was yelling, over the voices of the guards.

"What is going on? Show that person in," Zuko growled, wondering what was going on. He did not like the word emergency. Fire Lords did not have emergencies; they had major crises where lives hung on the balance. He had not been Fire Lord a month yet, could his good luck have run out already?

The guards opened the curtained doors with great flourish. A second later, one of Aiiro's nursemaids ran into the room, falling to her knees before the throne. "Prince Aiiro, he's sick," Lady Ehma exclaimed, her eyes frantic. "He saw the mob outside the palace and he got frightened. Please, your majesty, he's pleading for you. He won't let anyone get near him," she beseeched, her long brown braids flopping about helplessly.

"Aiiro!" Zuko leapt to his feet. "Council dismissed!" His blood ran cold at the nursemaid's words. What could have happened to Aiiro? The mob could not have seen him and besides, Aiiro was Fire Nation now.

"Aiiro? That's a Water tribe name. That's the name of the son of my wife's cousin," one of the Water Tribe men spoke up, his face creasing with worry. "Is he hurt?"

"Hakoda, quiet. It won't help," another said softly. "It's probably not him. Most likely some Fire Prince who needs his nose wiped."

"If it is our Aiiro, then I can help him. Please, your majesty, have mercy on a child. If you do have my cousin, then let me speak to him. Don't keep him locked up all alone. He needs his family," Hakoda begged, finally showing some fear in his bearing.

Zuko ignored the terror beating in his heart. He now understood what Aiiro had most likely seen. Zuko was holding his ward's biological family as prisoners. If Aiiro saw what his Master had done, he might hate him. Zuko could not allow that to happen! "Refer all important matters to my uncle. I'll deal with the prisoners later," he called over his shoulder as he swept out of the room, eager to protect his little ward from more pain. Perhaps he could be more lenient with Aiiro's tribesman but they had to be kept away from Aiiro.

He was running as quickly as he could, which wasn't fast enough considering he was loaded down with royal regalia. "Get a healer!" he called to Ehma, who was following him closely. Zuko had always marveled at Aiiro's coping ability. Had he overestimated the child's resilience to all the terror he had undergone? Had he failed Aiiro?

It seemed forever to arrive two wings down to Aiiro's schoolroom. When he arrived, the other servants were milling about nervously, unsure what to do for their young master. Zuko's eyes quickly found Aiiro. The poor child was a frightened heap of terror, huddled in the corner. He was wheezing as he tried to curl up into a ball. "Don't hurt me," he kept pleading desperately, getting more hysterical as he heard Zuko's footsteps. "Just don't kill me."

Zuko knelt down next to him. The child tried to scoot away but Zuko captured the struggling child in his arms. "Aiiro, it's me. It's Pr..Fi…it's Master. Calm down, no one is going to hurt you," he soothed as Aiiro tried to escape.

Aiiro shuddered in Zuko's arms, still struggling to breathe. "Master?" he hiccupped, looking bedraggled. "The mob!"

"Hush, it's going to be all right," Zuko whispered, enveloping Aiiro in a warm embrace. "Everything is fine. There is no mob in here. It's me. It's just me. You are safe. Just breathe," he instructed gently.

Aiiro kept sobbing and shuddering through every breath. "I can't breathe," he whimpered, as he gasped for air. "I'm scared." The boy would still not stop shaking.

Zuko was panicking himself; he had no idea what to do. "Just breathe with me, Aiiro. Feel me breathing? Nice and deep. That's how you need to breathe. If you are scared, just listen to my voice. I will not let anyone touch you. Everything is all right. You are safe. You are protected. I am here," he kept repeating, as he coaxed the boy into breathing properly.

Aiiro wheezed again, his small body racked with sobs. "I can't!" he coughed as he tried to relax.

"You can and you will. Look around you. Everyone in this room is here to help you. I am here. There is no reason to be hysterical," Zuko said in a firm voice as he cradled the trembling Aiiro. "Everything is fine. I am holding you."

"Your Majesty?" a voice spoke up. Healer Niu was behind the monarch. Her elderly features instantly set Zuko at ease. The woman was a miracle worker, the best physician in the entire kingdom. "I need to examine him."

Zuko looked back at Aiiro, who shuddered and shook his head. "Please…no," he begged through his gasping for breath, clutching Zuko for dear life. He was still so frightened. Zuko motioned for the healer to back away.

The healer reached into one of her kimono pockets, and removed a small bottle of clear fluid. "This is a sedative. Hold it under his nose and let him breathe it in. It will help him calm down. I can examine him better then," the elderly healer said softly, as she opened it.

Zuko nodded. "Aiiro, you heard the healer. This is going to make you feel better. It will make you feel sleepy and peaceful," he explained, taking the bottle and positioning Aiiro so he could breathe in the fumes.

"If I go to sleep, they will get me," the small boy fretted as he struggled for breath.

Zuko tightened his grip on his ward. "How often do you need to hear it? I am not leaving you. You are completely safe. No one is going to get you. Now you are going to breathe this in and rest. That's an order, do you hear me?" he said firmly, unsure what else to do.

Strangely enough, that seemed to reassure Aiiro, who took a deep sniff of the sweet smelling liquid. "All right, Master." His blue eyes bored into Zuko's own eyes, searching for security. "You'll keep me safe." Zuko nodded, trying to forgive the irony of cuddling one Water tribe member while holding his nation captive. He was only one man; he could only do so much.

Within a long tense moment, Aiiro's eyes had glazed over. "Everything looks so strange, Master. I feel odd too," the small boy whispered as his eyes began flitting close.

"You are fine. I'm right here. Close your eyes and relax. There is no danger," Zuko said, as he placed the bottle down and supported Aiiro with both arms. He gently rocked him back and forth, eager for the traumatized child to find some rest. Finally, Aiiro's breathing grew deeper as he lost consciousness. "I would never leave you. You are mine," he kept repeating, soothing the poor child into rest. He had to keep him safe.

As soon as the child was asleep, Zuko glared up at Aiiro's staff. "How the hell did this happen?" he asked, finally resorting to swearing in his frustration. How could his strong little Aiiro have been reduced to a nervous wreck? "When I had breakfast with him, he was fine."

Aiiro's tutor, Hyun stepped forward out of the shadows and fell to her knees before Zuko, pressing her forehead to the floor. "It was my fault, your majesty. Prince Aiiro heard the prisoners being transported and got curious. I scolded him and told him to mind his studies, but I didn't have him leave the school room. I thought if I didn't make a big deal over it, Aiiro would lose interest. For that mistake, I have no defense." Her voice shook as she spoke, but she forced herself to keep her tone level.

Zuko bit his lip. He had a pretty good idea of what memories were brought back at the sight. Aiiro had hinted many times of his terror of the common masses, but now everything had been brought to a head. "What happened after?" he asked shortly.

"When I returned to work on my notes, he must have sneaked over to the window. By the time I heard him screaming, it was too late. I tried to talk to him, but he just broke down. I went to get Healer Niu and have returned to face whatever punishment you deem proper for failing in my duties," she ended softly.

Zuko was murderously furious. It would be easiest to say it had been all Hyun's fault! He needed someone to blame for all the sorrow Aiiro had to go through and anyone would be the scapegoat. He understood that this was no one's actual fault but he had to admit, he knew the biggest culprit was him. He was the one who had Aiiro kidnapped and thrust into this inferno. "Rise. We'll discuss that later. First, I need to have this damage undone," he growled off-handedly, as the schoolmistress cowered under his fury.

"He will be all right, your majesty? He's so young, he should recover?" Hyun asked, raising her eyes up. They were filled with tears. "He's just…so innocent and fragile. He deserves to be happy."

Zuko understood entirely how she felt; he hated seeing poor Aiiro so miserable himself. "He needs to be protected. He has been through a lot," he said, smoothing back Aiiro's hair.

"More then any child should go through, your majesty," Hyun agreed, reaching out a hesitant hand to touch Aiiro's shoulder, before remembering her place and withdrawing. "He's a very special little boy."

Zuko nodded, staring into his foster child's pale face. Healer Niu coughed and indicated she wished to examine her patient. Zuko pulled away, unwilling to let anyone touch him. "I'll carry him to my chambers myself. You can examine him there," he said. The Dragon Turret faced the inner gardens, a sight that would not traumatize the poor child. Zuko would not allow Aiiro to be hurt again.

He lifted Aiiro up and left the room with the rest of his retinue. As the group was walking back to the other side of the palace to the Dragon Turret, Zuko was performing mental flagellation. How could he have let this happen? Zuko should have been more careful, he should have consulted Uncle on how to care for children. He noticed now that Aiiro had lost a lot of weight, he was even lighter then Zuko remembered. How could Zuko have missed so much information? He should have been more careful with him.

As he passed through one of the outside halls by the throne room he saw the prisoners being corralled together as they waited to be questioned by the Najwa. The Water Tribe man named Hakoda was at the edge. Zuko had forgotten that they would be there. He should have taken another route.

Hakoda's eyes widened when he saw the small person in Zuko's arms. The young monarch could only imagine what was going through the captive's mind as he saw the Fire Lord clutching a child. "That's Aiiro!" he exclaimed. "What did you do to him? He's just a child! You killed him!" The guards restrained the prisoner before he could take a step forward. "Murderer!"

Zuko raised his chin and continued walking, ignoring the prisoner. His first priority was Aiiro's safety. He was glad the child was sedated and completely oblivious to other events. "Aren't you going to do something?" one servant asked. "I suggest cutting out his tongue."

Zuko stared down at the helpless lightweight in his arms. "Cancel the interrogation for today. You can begin tomorrow. Have the prisoners taken to the dungeon and given a warm meal," he whispered back. For Aiiro's sake, he would show mercy for now. He could feel his good luck shattering already.

Devdan stared out the window of his palanquin, at the enormous buildings rising up over his head. "So this is the big bad city of Azar. Somehow I would have expected it to look more like the underworld and less like a version of Ba Xing Xe," the youth said, stretching out a long limb over his head. It had been a long journey and the young Earth Kingdomite was eager to enjoy himself again with a nice hot bath.

"Will you be serious, younger brother? We are on a mission from his Majesty, High King Venkat of Ba Xing Xe. This isn't some pleasure expedition," snapped the older youth with anger in his brown eyes.

"Gramps made it clear what he wanted, Prince Kalyan. You don't need to worry so much. Though I think you enjoy worrying. I barely get to see you smile. Do you even have that ability?" Devdan responded, winking roguishly.

"The future High King has no reason to smile, assistant, when our nation is at war. Now if you don't quiet yourself, I shall order you gagged." The older youth puffed himself up angrily.

"Can I have the gag around my eyes and ears too? Then I can take a nap," Devdan fired back.

"Devdan! We are here to secure the future of the world. Now that the Avatar is lost again, matters have been brought to a head. If we cannot secure peace before midsummer, that infernal comet will give these blasted burn-addicts the power to break down the walls of our city. Do you want that to happen?" Prince Kalyan demanded, his brown eyes colder then the winter soil.

"That's the eighth time you've made that speech today, Kali. Surely, I hope the future High King won't be as long-winded all the time. You're the heir. I'm the spare. So spare me your pompous speeches."

Prince Kalyan glared at his brother furiously. "How dare you! I am your future King. You know, the one who actually has some responsibility? You are such an idiot sometimes. Don't you even care about your people? The one whose taxes go to financing those little pleasure expeditions you so love to take!" Kalyan demanded.

"I know my duty. I've done it a hundred times already. The Fire Lord is a mere child, he's sixteen and he's spent the last two of them banished. He and his sister will not be a problem to manage," Devdan said with a cruel smile as he closed his eyes. Little chips of rock rose from the floor and whirled around his fingers. "In fact, I look forward to meeting them both. I think it will be enlightening."

He smiled as each rock exploded.

AN/What do you think of the new character? Anything else you want to see? H Next chapter, more Zhao, more Zuko and Aiiro time and Devdan meets the royal family. A dear reviewer of mine gave off the following comment on my story. "Well, look at your hero. Zuko is the kind of guy who's just begging for redemption, and you turn him to the dark side. Even when he gets that second chance, he carries it out in such a way that he is convinced of his goodness, even as the world is coming under his heel." Tell me if you agree.