Born to be wild

"Kozar." Called Ursa'a kind voice

"Come on Kozar, it's not like you to- oh my goodness!" She exclaimed. The Prince raised his bleary eyed head, still half asleep

"Wha-"

"You're covered in leaves and dirt, you didn't go out last night did you?" Her voice was more concerned than angry. Kozar bowed his head.

"Yeah I did." He paused shamefully, then added "Please don't tell Dad." She sighed, but agreed anyway.

"Okay I won't tell him, but you must stop these little incidents, you cause more trouble than Zuko or Azula ever did, and they had their moments." She gazed into the distance while Kozar looked on unsure, but she broke the silence with some interesting news.

"Kozar, it's very important you behave, your Father is going away for a while on a quest. While he's gone you might start your firebending lessons, and I need you to settle down and try hard to control your behaviour. Remember what Uncle Iroh says?"

"Firebending requires discipline and control, without those you will harm others and yourself." Kozar recited.

"That's a good boy, now hurry and get dressed, Daddy wants to speak to us as a family."

"OK mum." Ursa smiled and left her youngest son to get ready. She thought of all the times she had found him covered in mud or blood, she didn't even ask for details anymore. Her train of thought was interrupted by the sight of a couple of servants taking the cloak of a tall broad shouldered man. She didn't approve of Lieutenant Zhao. He was arrogant and disrespectful, she quickly walked by to avoid talking to the man. At least once Ozai has left he won't be stopping round so often.

Kozar rushed downstairs, nearly tripping over a servant carrying a tray of bread and fruit into the breakfast hall. Once in he sat down next to Zuko, trying his best to ignore Azula's false smile on the other side of the table.

"Hey Kozar, did you get told off by mum for leaving the house again?" She asked in a falsely sweet voice.

"I didn't leave the house." He replied, however he wasn't a good liar like his sister, and looked down as he said so, rather giving it away.

"Oh really, just to warn you though, I don't expect Dad will stand for much more. You're already his least favourite." She grinned triumphantly.

"Dad might not be here to stop me soon." He shot back angrily.

"What do-"

"Stop bickering you two." Ursa was using her bossy mother tone, Kozar found it very hard to take notice of, it just didn't suit her at all.

"Okay you three, I have some bad news, unfortunately your Father has..."

Kozar found his attention wandering to the sight of his Father and a familiar looking man entering the room. They had their heads together and were in a muttered dicussion which broke off as they reached the family.

"Ah Ursa's telling them, that leaves us free to go to my study and discuss matters." the two men went off, as they disappeared Kozar felt all the worries of the previous night coming back to him. He glanced at his siblings who were still listening to their mother, then got up and left the room to follow his Dad and his friend. He walked up to hid dad's study and pressed his ear to the door to listen to the two men who were having a heated discussion.

"Inexcusable Lieutenant, a disgraceful mistake. It could have cost us everything." Ozai's unmistakable menacing voice could cut through steel when he was angry enough.

"How could you forget to code the letter, what if you had lost it. I trust you still have it." The Lieutenant, who Kozar now recognised as Zhao paused before responding.

"I destroyed it as I felt there was no more use for it." Ozai didn't seem to notice anything amiss.

"Lucky for you. What if Iroh had got wind of this. Or even my Father. I just don't understand how you could do this."

"Well there is no harm done at any rate. I won't make any more mistakes I promise."

"I should hope not, for your sake. Anyway this will be put on hold until I come back. Iroh has a couple more years to live. I bid you good day now Lieutenant." Kozar dashed round the corner and hid himself as the door of his Father's study opened. The young Prince paused for breath, then processed what he had just heard. He hadn't understood much of it, but he knew this: Ozai was plotting to kill Iroh to seize the throne.