A/N: Well, here's the new chapter. Good news, I had someone submit an OC to become a freedom fighter! Thank you Wolf Fang X1, for the submission.
Remember guys, I need three more characters. Feel free to submit, and I will give credit to anyone that does. Thanks again!
...
Seventeen. What an age.
Senshi has managed the trials of being teenager, including, but not limited to, puberty, girls, angry boys, a clingy sister with a brother complex, and an overly-protective mother. His father had decided that he no longer was required to watch over Azula, but Senshi knew that Ozai just wanted Senshi to be his personal soldier, and as things were when he was her guard, Azula wouldn't allow Senshi to leave the palace without her.
Another problem that Senshi had with the progressing years was a certain brown haired, pink wearing acrobat. As Ty Lee grew older, so did her iron hard grip on what she wanted. The fact that he asked her to help become an acrobat like her self, only drew her closer to him. Incase you missed the hint, I'm going to tell you what she wanted: Senshi. As flattering as it was, the silver-haired prince didn't want to get too affectionate with any woman until his military term ends, incase he dies. But, that's not something to be worried about.
A couple of months ago, the royal family received word from a messenger hawk that Prince Zuko found the Avatar. Unfortunately, not long after, they received another messenger hawk stating that the Avatar escaped with a couple of children from the Southern Water Tribe. But that was a few months ago, and Fire Lord Ozai had a new mission for him.
Senshi walked jovially down the halls, admiring the many portraits of past Fire Nation royalty. He was wearing a larger version of the bodyguard suit he'd worn when he was Azula's guard, but this one had a white Fire Nation symbol on the breastplate. His sword was a little bigger, in the attempt to keep up with his growth. The blade was a few five inches longer and the handle was three inches longer. He stopped at a young servant girl, whom was washing the floors.
"Would you like some help with that?" Senshi asked kindly. The girl looked up. When she noticed who it was, she scrambled to her feet as quickly as she could, bowing at the waist. Senshi laughed slightly.
"Didn't you hear? I'm not really the prince." Said Senshi. "I'm merely a loyal fallower of the great Agni. What is your name?"
The girl looked around nervously. She pointed to her throat and shook her head, shrugging.
"Mute?"
The girl nodded.
"Can you sign?" Senshi asked. Another nod. "I can read it." Not having school and surpassing his teachers in combat, Senshi had a lot of free time on his hands. He hoped to fill up this free time with his imminent deployment into the war.
The girl gave the sign for gratefulness. Senshi smiled, asking if she wanted his assistance with the cleaning. She shook her head, signing that cleaning was not for royalty.
"I'm not true royalty." Senshi argued. "I was adopted. Please allow me to help you. What is your name." (A/N: Just so you all know, Senshi is not being desperate. He's just too damn nice.)
The girl shook her head again, but made the sign for the name Natsuko. Senshi smiled.
"That's a nice name. Are you sure you don't want my help?" The girl nodded, waving Senshi off, returning to her work. Senshi shrugged and continued his walk. Later, Natsuko could be found signing to all of the other servants about how Senshi, the "Silver Prince" had stopped to offer his assistance.
Senshi continued his walk, whistling a tune that he heard from somewhere. Senshi found himself in the Fire Lords throne room, bowing before the man.
"Ah, Senshi. You seem to be in a good mood today." The Fire Lord observed.
"I'm just anxious for my first mission as a Fire Nation soldier, father." The teenager said.
Ozai smiled at the boys willingness. "Very well, I'll get straight to the point. We have received word that the Avatar is hiding out in the Northern Water Tribe. You are to rendezvous with Admiral Zhao, and attack during the day. We fire-benders draw our power from the son, while water-benders draw their power from the moon. I want you to squash their resistance, mercilessly."
Great. More killing. Oh well. If Fire Lord Ozai wants it, then Senshi will do it.
Senshi bowed to the man. "When do I leave, Sire?"
"Within the hour." Ozai replied. "I suggest you say goodbye to everyone. My daughter is upset with me over this."
Senshi smiled. Ursa will be easy to deal with. A couple tears and a hug is all she needs to get rid of her empty nest syndrome. Azula, on the other hand... Yeah, Senshi better tread lightly with her,
TWENTY MINUTES LATER
"Father better have a good reason for sending you away like this." Azula said as Senshi entered the room. She knew it was him because he's the only one that is brave enough to enter her room without knocking.
"Yes, he does." Answered Senshi. "Besides Zuko, I'm the best swordsman father has at his disposal. They need me."
"That's no excuse to have you go to die!" Azula yelled. She caught her emotions and calmed down again. Senshi sighed.
"Who said I would die?" Senshi asked her. "Nobody can kill me."
"You're being arrogant again." Azula said. She smiled, enjoying these moments she has with her favorite brother. "Come, Ty Lee and Mai wish to say goodbye." Senshi blinked.
"Mai wants to say goodbye to me?" Asked Senshi, slightly confused by this. He'd always thought that the emotionless girl hated him.
"Are you kidding?" Azula asked. "You're one of the few people to actually take interest in her throwing. Besides Zuzu, of course. She considers you one of her best friends."
Well, that's a revelation.
WITH TY LEE AND MAI
"Don't leeeaaave!" Shouted Ty Lee, as she ran to give Senshi a hug. Senshi, having trained with the girl long enough to be able to dodge her affections, hopped over her easily. Upon the landing, Senshi began to handspring away, creating a distance between them. Senshi landed beside his sister.
"You really must quit attempting to entice her." Azula said with a smirk. On the inside, though, she was cursing Ty Lee for her constant passes.
"I'm not enticing anyone!" Senshi complained. "She just won't leave me alone!" Ty Lee giggled.
"You're to cute to leave alone." The acrobat said, fluttering her eyelashes at him.
Mai sighed. Suddenly, three knives flew from her sleeve. Senshi was ready for it, though. He quickly threw his own knives, and with an audible CLANG! they collided with Mai's in mid air.
"You've been practicing. Good." The girl said.
Ty Lee pouted, puffing out her cheeks in a cute way.
"All he does is practice!" She complained. "Why won't you go out with me?"
"I have my reasons." Senshi answered, prepared to run if needed. Azula sighed.
"I suppose you want to spend time with my dear Sensen before he leaves, correct?" Azula asked. Ty Lee smiled.
"Oh yes." She smiled deviously.
"Oh no." Senshi whimpered worriedly.
FORTY MINUTES LATER
After Ty Lee had finally finished with the poor boy, Senshi realized that it was time to leave. Before he could board the raft, Azula grabbed him into a tight hug.
"No matter what happens, you promise that you will come back to me, understand?" She asked.
"Yes, sister. I understand." Senshi answered. Azula looked around to make sure that no one was watching. Satisfied, she turned Senshi so he faced her.
"Quit calling me sister." She said, before leaning up on her tiptoe, pulling him into a soft kiss. Senshi was caught off guard by this, but kissed her back all the same. Azula broke the kiss, looking satisfied.
"That was... Unexpected." He said, not knowing what to do next. Azula laughed a genuine laugh.
"I've wanted to do that for a while, now." Azula said. "Now go. And remember, you promised." Senshi bowed.
"Goodbye, Azula." He said, boarding the ship. Azula stayed on the deck, watching her love sail away, a small tear going down her cheek.
"Goodbye, Senshi. I love you." Azula whispered to the wind.
...
A/N: Shorter chapter than usual, but this was more for the opening to the first ark of this story. I kind of feel bad for what I'm planning on doing to poor Senshi after all the good things that's happened to him. It's kind of like buying someone a car, and then having the engine removed.
R&R!
