Blood is thicker than water
"Punch Harder!" As one the line of boys snapped forwards with their fists.
"Roar louder!" Once again the boys punched forward as one, this time accompanied by shouts ranging from the full blooded scream to the half hearted yell.
"Release your Rage!" Came the command once more. This was too much for a couple of the boys, who fell about laughing at their friends attempts to terrify the wildlife in the trees they were facing.
"And that is not at all how I want you to do it," concluded Jhong. Kozar and Tamas were rolling around with uncontrollable mirth as the other boys looked on, feeling rather foolish at what the events of the past few minutes.
"Pair of idiots," muttered Jhong as he watched the Prince and his friend, before deciding enough was enough and hauling them both to their feet.
"Come on guys, it wasn't that funny," groaned one of their classmates.
"They're only pretending to laugh so they didn't have to do it. I've heard Tamas roar before and it sounded like the mating call of your average Newtmouse," added another. The boys fell about laughing. There was a genuinely good spirit among them all, and now that Kozar was stuck inside except for his lessons, this was the only time of day that he looked forward to.
"Anyone who tells you that power in fiebending comes from the physique is wrong. A man who relies on nothing but athleticism will wear themselves out before their thirties. True power comes from the breath, I know of very few exceptions to this rule." Jhong had his class' attention again. They respected their teacher. More than that, they liked him. He was one of the world'd leading authorities on firebending. Impressive, seeing as he couldn't bend himself.
"What the hell is a Newtmouse anyway?" Whispered Tamas to the boy who had mentioned it before. Tamas was an extraordinarily gifted bender and slightly older than most of the other boys at twelve. He felt he could get away with more, and he was right. Jhong was not the disciplinarian that he appeared at first glance.
"Pay attention!" barked Jhong, working hard to conceal his smile.
"However, seeing as you're so smart Tamas, why don't you demonstrate a move for us," he challenged. Tamas grinned.
"Sure, why not," he replied, before ambling up to stand in front of the others. Kozar laughed at his friend's confidence. He admired him as well. If only he could meet Azula, that'd bring her down a few pegs. He grinned at the thought and continued to listen to Jhong.
"Now, Tamas, what I want you to do is…" He trailed off and gazed over to the far corner of the field. Two Imperial Firebenders were making their way over.
"I think it's time for you to go." He nodded in the direction of the young Prince. Kozar looked at his instructor, and then looked back at his friends before leaving to meet the Royal guards on their way.
"Nice get-up," he heard Tamas remark, but for once he didn't laugh. This was serious. He could tell.
Once they were out of earshot Kozar turned to speak to his escort.
"What's going on?" he asked nervously.
"I think it's best you hear from your Father." Replied one of them, and they refused to say another word to him the rest of the way home.
When they got back, it wasn't Ursa who awaited Kozar. It was his Father. This surprised him. Despite what the Imperial's had said, he had assumed it was his other would greet him. When they got close he saw a strange, faraway look in his Father's eyes. Is he upset? Thought Kozar. And then he was hit with the news.
"Your Grandfather is dead. Your Mother is gone." The words hit Kozar like a ton of bricks, his world shattered.
"Gone where?" he whispered. Ozai didn't answer, he turned and walked away.
Kozar ran up to the door of the palace and barged straight through. He raced through long hallways and up the steep staircases to find his Brother. No sign. He ran outside and saw him sitting alone by the pond, Gazing at the Turtleducks, his mind clearly elsewhere. He turned as Kozar rushed over to him. Tears welled up in the older boy's eyes. Oh my it's true thought Kozar. Seeing Zuko's tears confirmed what he hated to believe. Suddenly the two Brother's were hugging each other, the animosity of the past few weeks forgotten. It didn't matter now. Nothing did.