Chapter 2

Control

"Run it again."

Zuko did as instructed. He punched and a flaming jet of fire flew from his fist. He quickly flipped into the air, lifting his leg as he did and a larger flaming jet of fire flew from his left foot. He landed on his feet, barely lifting his arm up to complete the move.

Iroh sighed and shook his head. "Sloppy." He said. "Run it again."

Zuko glared at his Uncle and fought the frustrated growl he felt rising in his throat. He sighed and repeated the movement, once again failing to complete the move completely.

"You're forcing it Zuko." Iroh said. "Run it again."

Zuko felt pure anger and frustration cloud his vision as he once again repeated the basic fire bending move. This time, the jet of fire flew wildly from his fist. The other Soldiers around him ducked out of the way, barely Iroh merely lifted his hand, extinguishing the fire without blinking an eye.

He stood up from his stool, his expression neutral. "I think that is enough for today."

"No!" Zuko growled. "We'll run it again."

"Zuko," Iroh stated calmly. "You must take a break. Rest. A man…"

"Uncle. I don't need to rest!" He interrupted. "We'll run the set again."

"That may be," Iroh said patiently. "But your opponents need to rest."

Zuko glanced at the other soldiers, surprised to see them looking tired and worse for wear. He sighed. "Fine," He said. "take a break." He ordered.

Iroh smiled. "Good decision Prince Zuko." He sat down on his stool. "Come sit with me and have some tea."

Zuko sat in the offered stool. "I don't want tea Uncle."

Iroh looked at him as if he'd grown two heads. "If a man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty."

Zuko glared at Iroh. "I don't want to hear any of your stupid proverbs today!"

Iroh looked unsurprised by his Nephew's outburst. He was used to it. Ever since Zuko turned sixteen, he'd become extremely sulky, moody and angry. Well, more sulky, moody and angrier than usual.

Zuko had literally grown up within the two years of being on this ship, bypassing him in height. Iroh had gotten a nice tongue lashing after trying to explain the affects of the hormonal changes he was probably going through. He never mentioned that again.

He glanced at his Nephew, who was staring out at sea, an angry pensive expression on his face. He could only hope that with aging and maturity, his Nephew will be able to survive this teenager's angst phase. He could only hope, because that piled on top of his other issues was for one explosive combination. Quite Literally considering the way he nearly singed off everyone's eyebrows.

"Nephew," He started, sipping for his cup. "You seemed to be heavily weighed down by your thoughts."

"I don't want to talk about it." Zuko answered quickly.

"Very well." Iroh murmured, not bothering to push the issue. He glanced back out at the sea. "It's a wonderful day today isn't it?" He didn't expect an answer. "We'll be reaching land in a matter of hours. I here there is a Fire Days festival happening, I wonder if they'll have rare teas."

Zuko sighed with an annoyed grimace. "Why am I so bad at fire bending?" He suddenly exploded.

"You are not bad Zuko." Iroh said calmly. "The potential inside of you is so great."

"Not great enough!" Zuko said harshly. Iroh tilted his head in surprise. He's never heard such self pitying words spoken out loud by his nephew.

He placed a comforting hand onto Zuko's shoulder. "Zuko, do you honestly believe that if I didn't think you had potential that I would still train you?" He continued without waiting for an answer. "Prince Zuko, you have great potential inside you. Your willpower and drive are the things that will aid you in becoming a Fire Bending master. You must be patient. Remember, Continuance is strength."

Zuko was quiet for a long moment and Iroh knew he was slowly soaking in his words.

"I think I'll have that cup of tea now uncle."

Iroh smiled, knowing that was as close to an apology he was going to get. He reached for another cup and his steaming pot of Jasmine tea. "We can continue your trainning tonight."

Zuko turned to his uncle, a confused expression on his face. "But my bending won't be as powerful tonight."

Iroh only smiled.

***********

Zuko followed his uncle through the Northwestern Earth Kingdom town, now Fire Nation territory. He tightened his fist in annoyance as a child bumped into him. "Watch it!"

The child, who was wearing a Fire Lord Ozai mask, lifted his mask smiled. "Happy Fire Days!" He said and skipped off.

He growled. "Uncle, how is attending this Fire Days Festival going to help me with my bending?"

Iroh ignored him and instead stopped in front of a Merchant's booth. "Aren't these masks interesting Zuko?" He reached for a red dragon's mask and paid the man. "Choose one nephew." He lifted the mask to his face and tied it around his head.

Zuko looked at him as if he were crazy. "No."

"Zuko," Iroh said, his voice muffled by the dragon mask he wore. "You and I both know what the Fire Days festival represent- or at least I know what it used to represent. You must choose a mask in respect to the spirits."

"I don't care about the spirits." Zuko answered and Iroh's masked face stared glaringly at him. Zuko glared back, shifting from one foot uncomfortably. He could already see the disapproving look his uncle was giving him from beneath that mask. "Fine!" He threw his hands up and turned toward the booth. His eyes scanned the different masks. He didn't know why his uncle was making such a big deal out of this. He didn't want to wear the stupid mask. He didn't- His thoughts suddenly stopped when his eyes caught something. It was a blue Oni mask. He stared at the mask, suddenly entranced.

"I am your destiny." A voice whispered.

He frowned and reached for the mask. "This one."

"That's strange." The vendor said. "I didn't make this mask." He shrugged and took the offered money with a smile. "Happy Fire Days!"

Iroh smiled as Zuko tied to mask behind his head. "Excellent choice Zuko. You know it is told that the Oni is ancient spirit of a dual nature. Both good and evil. It is legend that there are two sides to the Oni: one side is leaning toward evil and the other is that the evil is trying to become good. Most similar to us mere mortals. To some, the Oni spirit represents good health, safety and peace. To others, it represents greed, maliciousness, evil. It is up to the thinker to draw their own conclusions."

Zuko followed Iroh through the crowd. He knew he shouldn't care, but he felt compelled to ask. "What do you believe?"

Before answering, Iroh paused at another merchant's booth. He peered at the lovely trinkets. "The question you should ask yourself is what do you believe?" He looked up at his nephew.

Zuko sighed and rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Uncle will you stop looking at this crap and teach me some fire bending!"

Iroh moved away from the Merchant's booth. "Haven't you noticed that we've already begun!"

The pair made their way through the crowd, and Zuko growled as he was bumped into and pushed to and fro.

"This is ridiculous." He hissed. "If these people knew who we were , they wouldn't bump into us this way."

"But they don't know who we are." Iroh said. "Which is one of the other points of this great festival."

They both stopped in front of a stage, where a fire bending street performer stood entertaining and dazzling the audience with his fire bending.

Zuko, however, was less than impressed. "This is my lesson? Uncle this is ridiculous. A waste of fire bending making such stupid shapes!"

"Zuko!" Iroh said sharply. "Watch."

Zuko turned back to the stage, watching as the performer formed a perfect dragon.

"How do you think he's able to manipulate and control the fire this way Zuko?" Iroh spoke softly. "You see, true fire bending power does not come from ones size or strength. It comes from the breath. Self-restraint and breath control are the key basic elements of fire bending. You see Zuko? He has complete control of his breath."

Zuko watched the performer closely, noting how relaxed he seemed. His breathing was so slow. Quite the opposite of himself. He was always so out of breath. He glanced back at his uncle and nodded his head once.

Iroh placed his hand on Zuko's shoulder. Let's try to run that set one more time shall we?"

Standing in the middle of a clearing, Zuko held his hands together as he watched for his uncle to attack. He took a deep breath.

Iroh moved first and Zuko quickly and easily completed the basic set. He flipped into the air and landed onto his feet. He quickly brought his left arm up, blocking his uncle's attack. Next he brought his fist up and a long controlled stream of fire flowed from it.

Iroh easily extinguished the fire with a grin. "Excellent prince Zuko!"

Zuko merely nodded. "Am I ready for the advanced set?" He asked calmly.

Iroh nodded with a grin. "Tomorrow. But tonight, let us celebrate the festivities with some tea."

Zuko fought the urge to roll his eyes. He knew his uncle was proud of him and wanted to celebrate. He wouldn't take that away from him. "Fine." He said. "But we aren't staying long."

**********

Zuko carefully placed the Oni mask onto the table beside his meditation alter. He slid his boots off next and instead of taking off the rest of his clothes, he collapsed face first onto his pallet.

"Zuko." A sing song voice said. "Wake up Zuko."

"What?" Zuko's eyes fluttered up and he stared blearily up at the shadowed figure standing above him. His eyes widened as the figure stepped into his line of vision. The figure was bathed in black robes, the only thing visible was the strikingly blue Oni mask staring down at him with that frozen smile.

"Who are you?" Zuko asked angrily. "What are you doing in my quarters?"

The figured just stared down at him.

Zuko, feeling uneasy shifting on the mattress. "I asked you a question!"

"I am you." The figure said.

Zuko frowned. He heard the words in his mind. "What are you talking about?"

"You shall see her." The voice whispered again.

Zuko growled and reached for the mask. His eyes widened as he revealed the shadowed figure's face. The face staring back at him was his own.

Zuko's eyes snapped open and he quickly sat up, panting. He glanced over at the Oni mask he had worn the night before. He shook his head. Stupid dreams. He should not have let his uncle convince him to drink those three cups of Fire Sake.

He looked up as someone knocked sharply on his door.

Iroh peeked his head inside. "Good morning nephew. I've come to tell you that we've been graced with a visitor."

************

"Uncle we should be preparing to head out to the eastern waters," Zuko complained as he followed Iroh off of their ship. "we need to continue our search. We don't have time to be wasting our time with these pointless meetings."

"I see your exile did little to temper your mouth."

Zuko froze at the sound of that familiar voice. He didn't bother to hide the distain in his voice. "Commander Zhao."

Zhao smirked. "It's Admiral now. Haven't you heard?" He asked with a laugh. "Forgive me, of course you haven't what with the very little to no communication you have with the Fire Nation."

Zuko balled his hands into his fist he meant to step forward, but stopped when his Uncle cleared his throat.

"Admiral Zhao has invited us onto his ship for tea. He wishes to share in his fleet's victory in the Northern territory of the Earth Kingdom."

Zhao smirked. "Yes. Perhaps you can amuse me with your exploits of searching for the Avatar's ghost." He turned to walked back toward his ship.

Zuko followed behind, breathing out angrily, fire flew from his nose.

*******

"Obedience without question. Loyalty to the Fire Lord and his nation."

Zuko's eyes turned away from the banner that hung high in Zhao's office. He half listened as Zhao droned on about his victory in the Earth Kingdom village. His eyes strayed to the strange girl that served them tea. Her skin was so dark. Her eyes were so blue. He had heard description of Water Tribe Peasants but he'd never seen one of them this up close before. He watched as she poured his uncle and Zhao some tea, his eyes tracking her movements as she left the office. He looked at Zhao, who was staring angrily at him. He glared back.

"It looks as though the Fire Nation is well into it's way of winning this war." Iroh commented. He glanced between his nephew and Zhao a confused expression on his face.

Zhao looked away from Zuko and grinned. "It has been said by summer's end the Fire nation will be victorious. But, I predict it will be much sooner than that." He stood up and moved over toward his map. "I've received very promising information. I am planning a siege of the Northern Water Tribe."

Iroh's raised an eyebrow. "Hmm." He said. "No Attack on the Northern Water Tribe has ever succeeded. As I recall, the last attack was more than eighty years ago."

Zhao smiled as he turned to face them again. "All that is going to change. I plan to lead my naval on a massive attack on the Northern Water Tribe the same way I destroyed the Southern Water Tribe!"

Zuko fought the urge to roll his eyes.

"Once I gather the rest of my intel, It will only be a matter of time before I can organize a full attack."

"That is very ambitious Zhao." Iroh said softly. "But, if I may ask, what intel?"

Zhao's smile turned deviant. "Intel that will literally bring every water bender to their knees."

Alarm bells went off inside Iroh's head.

"I want you to join me." Zhao stated as he stared at Iroh. "I'll be writing history for destroying that water tribe civilization in just a few months time."

"Join you?" Zuko shouted with anger. "No!"

Zhao glared at Zuko. "Surely you don't expect your uncle to hold your had for the rest of your life?"

He looked at Iroh. "General Iroh, you are the great Dragon of the West! I'm sure Prince Zuko is man enough to go out on his fools errand on his own." He looked at Zuko as he said his next words. "Staying in exile with this disobedient shameful fool is just… well foolish."

"I'll show you foolish!" Zuko growled, fire daggers in both hands. He paused when Iroh placed a hand on his arm.

"Zuko!" He admonished. He looked at Zhao. "I will consider it Admiral Zhao."

"What?!" Zuko shouted. "Uncle!"

Zhao smirked sinisterly. "A wise decision to consider."

Iroh nodded once. "We must go." He looked at Zuko with a serious expression. "Let's go Prince Zuko."

Zuko had to practically be shoved out of Zhao's office. His eyes, although angry, his eyes once again caught that of the Water tribe slave, who stood outside the door of Zhao's office, a broken expression on her face. They eyes met once and he looked away from the strange feeling he felt.

"I can't believe you're considering joining Zhao!" Zuko shouted as soon as they were clear of Zhao's large vessel. "How could you!"

Iroh sighed. "Zuko, calm yourself." He said. "I am not considering joining Zhao on his ridiculous campaign. I was only being polite." Iroh felt guilty for putting that look of despondence on his young nephew's face. He placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder. "Nephew-"

"Zhao doesn't deserve politeness." Zuko cut in calmly. He looked away from his uncle to hide the relief he felt.

They both continued walking back toward their ship.

"He probably doesn't." Iroh said softly. "Admiral Zhao is extremely ambitious, arrogant, and cruel. These three traits can and will eventually destroy a man such as himself."

"Lets just get away from this place." Zuko grumbled. "I need to continue my search."

"Of course nephew." Iroh answered. He gave a sly glance at his nephew. "I did notice you staring at the Water Tribe girl. She was quite lovely."

Zuko glared despite the red blush that was forming on both cheeks. "Uncle!" He said. "She's a slave!"

They made their way onto their ship.

"Sadly yes." Iroh said. "But she was still quite lovely."

"Uncle!"

*********

Katara quickly made her way into her room. She could barely see where she was going because of the tears that were currently blurring her vision.

Once she reached her room, she collapsed onto her pallet, silent tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Be strong." She heard her mother whisper. "You must be strong."

She sat up and reached under her pillow for the necklace her mother had given her. She ran her fingers across the pendant. She closed her eyes and drew strength from her mother's words as they whispered in her mind. She opened her eyes again, a determined expression on her face.

Zhao was going to attack the Northern Water Tribe, and she knew somehow, someway, she was going to stop him.

TBC

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