Prince of the Fire Nation and Shadows
Chapter 2 Twin Princes of Fire
Today was a special day in the Fire Nation. Princess Ursa had just given birth to twin baby boys. First Prince Zuko and Prince Osamu. Ursa could not hold back the swell of pride and happiness she felt in her heart at the sight of her infant sons. She would not feel so alone anymore and quietly pondered how each one reacted to being born in the world. Zuko had came into the world crying and Osamu had followed behind without a sound which had concerned her at first till she learned that he was perfectly healthy. Both babies looked so alike, but already were so different in personality. She held them both in each arm, lovingly cradling and rocking them, as she patiently waited for her husband, Ozai, to arrive.
Ursa could not help being concerned for her two infants. Ozai was cruel and ruthless, qualities she did not want passing on to her sons. She tensed as she heard a knock on the door. Ozai and the Fire Sages had arrived. Ozai was a tall and imposing man. He also had dark hair that went past his shoulders, possessed a light-skin complexion and gold eyes.
At his approach, Ursa wore a nervous smile. She looked up at Ozai and shifted both babies to face their father. "Our sons. The first one is Zuko, the oldest, and Osamu, the younger twin. Do you approve of their names, my love?"
Ozai lips curved up to form a pleased grin. "They are fine names, but our next child must be named after my father. It will surely please him to have a grandchild carry his name." Ozai's grin suddenly fell from his face when he took a moment to observe Zuko. He and the Fire Sages exchanged looks for moment before he said, "Zuko lacks the spark in his eyes..."
Ozai's impassive stare remained focused on Zuko for what felt like eternity. Sweat began to drip from her face and she stole a quick glance at the Fire Sages. Their faces looked concerned and nervous before the silence was finally broken by Ozai himself. "He might not be a bender at all." Ozai's face barely concealed his contempt. "He will bring nothing less than shame to the royal family. I will not stand for it! Osamu at least shows the spark in his eyes! I shall cast the mistake from the palace walls!"
Ursa and the Fire Sages began at once to try and make Ozai see reason. Ursa cried that Zuko was his son and begged that he be allowed to live. The Fire Sages assured Prince Ozai that Zuko might be a firebender and to be patient because he was still too young for them to tell. Ozai finally gave in and allowed Zuko to live. Everyone was too busy feeling relieved to notice the look of horror on Osamu's face.
Osamu (Shikamaru)
Despite his sudden death, Shikamaru was given a second chance at life and so far it had been a drag. It had taken him a few minutes to overcome his shock of being reborn. One moment he had died and the next he was coming out of a place he refused to name. 'Why couldn't I have been reborn a cloud? A cloud just gets to drift on through life without a care in the world'. Being in a strange place he had no knowledge of was bad enough, but being a newborn babe made it worse. Yet, one could gather a good amount of intel just by listening, even as a defenseless babe.
