Prince of the Fire Nation and Shadows
I hope you all find this chapter entertaining and don't hesitate to send me reviews if you have an idea for the next chapter. Also, should Osamu fall in love again? Will he be willing to move on from Temari? I am open to suggestions. Thank you.
Chapter 4: Ember Island and New Sibling
Osamu's life was hell. Or at least, that was how he felt with the new changes he was facing. Not long after Zuko and Osamu were born, Ursa gave birth to a little girl named Azula, after their grandfather like Ozai wanted, and she would stumble after her older brothers when she learned to walk. Azula would follow Zuko and Zuko would follow Osamu. Ursa found it adorable and Osamu found it troublesome. Osumu at one point had attempted to escape his siblings by speeding up his pace, but that resulted in the two also quickening their pace and tripping into him in the process. Behold! The domino affect. Azula and Zuko found the situation so hilarious that they broke down in giggles, while Osamu was less than amused.
"All of my little turtle ducks in a row!" Ursa had a picture of the moment painted and Osamu had to resist the urge to rip the thing to shreds.
Osamu had to admit that his new life wasn't a total drag because he was fond of his new siblings and sometimes would shove aside his laziness to play with them. He also never had to suffer the humiliation of wearing a diaper again when his mother deemed it time to potty train him and Zuko just two years ago. Ursa was afraid at first that it was too soon, but was shocked when Osamu picked it up in seconds and refused to even go near the diapers. Osamu even got Zuko to use the potty after getting tired of smelling the stink bomb every time Zuko followed him around. 'Now if I could only get Azula to quit yanking on my hair', Osamu thought with a groan as he massaged his sore scalp.
Osamu loved his two siblings and even had a softer spot for his new mother. Ursa was not a scary woman like his first mom and his wife Temari. Instead, Ursa was extremely loving, gentle, and devoted all her time to her children. As for Ozai, Osamu was still unsure about the man and still had a hard time accepting this man as his new father. The problem was that Ozai was too painfully different from his first father, Shikaku. Also, Osamu was wary of the man because he would not hesitate to kill his own flesh in blood if they dared to shame the royal family. Zuko would have been killed if it had not been for the pleas of his mother and the urging of the Fire Sages to be patient. He could still recall the firey rage that burned in those golden eyes the day he was reborn. Osamu only willingly attempted to go near the man of his own accord after the incident on Ember Island.
Flashback
The royal family enjoyed their family vacations to Ember Island. Zuko and Azula would happily build sandcastles on the beach with their mother and Osamu would quietly lay back to watch the clouds. Surprisingly, Ozai would join Osama and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere that seemed to surround them all on that island.
"Osamu, why do enjoy looking at the sky?", Ozai asked his 3 year old out of curiosity.
"I like to watch the clouds as they hover above our heads. They look so light and free without the worries and burdens of everyday life. They can take any shape they like, never have to take orders from no one, and they can travel all around the world at their own pace. I can't help feeling envious of them..." answered Osamu in a wistful way.
Osamu had expected Ozai to snort at him in disgust and walk away, but instead Ozai replied, "You truely are an old soul like your mother says. Instead of playing you enjoy listening to people prattle on about the history of the Fire Nation. You prefer reading scrolls over toys and you never cry when you fall, but soldier on as if it never happened. You are very independent and never cling to your mother like Zuko and find clever ways of doing things so you don't have to put in too much effort." Ozai gently smiled at Osamu and gently rubbed his head.
Osamu was stunned and before he could speak he heard his twin shouting in the distance. Both father and son turned to see little Zuko running off toward the direction of an eagle hawk who was attempting to capture a turtle crab for a meal. Zuko had quickly dashed forward to cradle the turtle crab protectively in his arms. Zuko had then turned toward the eagle hawk in victory until a sad frown began to cover his chubby face.
'Zuko realizes that the eagle hawk will go hungry now that he has interrupted his hunt and yet wants the turtle crab to live...Quite the delima for a toddler', mused Osamu as watched his older brother fondly.
Than out of nowhere a wave crashed in the exact spot Zuko had stood and dragged the small boy back with it.
"Zuko!", screamed Ursa and Osamu together with their voices laced with terror. Before Zuko could even blink, Ozai had leaped forward and dived into the crystal blue water. The current was strong and Osamu waited for what felt like eternity for his father to rescue his brother. When Ozai returned with Zuko to the shore they were swarmed by concerned guards that had arrived at the scene as soon as they could. Zuko had spent the rest of the day being nursed by their mother while Osamu did his best to distract Azula by reenacting the play Love amongst the Dragons with her.
End of Flashback
Osamu had considered Ozai the enemy ever since he threatened to kill his twin, but Ozai had acted like a different man that day, he had behaved like a true father. He was kind to Azula, he attempted to bond with Osamu, and he had saved Zuko's like. Ozai was attempting to be a good father and it was only fair that he tried to be a good son. After all, Osamu did not doubt that he had Ozai's favor at the moment and it would be in his best interest to keep it.
