This chapter is going to focus on Osamu attempting to bond with his grandfather, Azulon, and how he discovered he could bend shadows like he does with fire. The best chapter I have written yet and than the next chapter will continue where I left off with the sibling rivalry. Please enjoy and keep sending me plenty of reviews so I get better. Thank you. (Note: Is anyone interested in any of my story ideas on my profile? I would do them myself, but I have not improved enough as a writer and have schoolwork to focus on. Please! Will someone out there consider taking one of my ideas and bring it to life with their mad writing skills?!)

Prince of the Fire Nation and Shadows

Chapter 6: The Fire Lord and Shadow Dance

Osamu could honestly say that firebending lessons were troublesome and his tutors were a total drag. The art of firebending was too aggressive for Osamu's taste and he did not care for its' general lack of decent defensive moves. Osamu did his best to learn and modify the style to his liking. The only problem was that it required a lot of effort and left him bone tired, but he knew it would be beneficial for him in the far future since the Fire Nation was bent on world domination. He needed to know how to defend himself and stay on his father's good side.

As for brother and sister, Azula was thriving and proved herself to be a prodigy. She was a natural and truly enjoyed being a firebender, she gladly helped Osamu create new stances and moves to better fit him. Zuko was slightly above average and had trouble keeping up with his talented siblings. Luckily, Osamu had experience teaching young children and was able to help Zuko slowly catch up.

Anyway, today was Zuko's and Osamu's birthday which meant no lessons for the day. Unluckily, his mother insisted that they all dress their best and attend the party being held in their honor. This also meant that they were going to visit their grandfather, Fire Lord Azulon for the first time, which explained the big party rather than a small gathering of friends and gifts like Osamu would have preferred.

Zuko was rather excited and asked questions like "What is grandfather like?" or "What kind of gifts are we going to get?" or "Can I get a sword?" The last question resulted with their father giving Zuko a stern look and stern "No". It was no secret that Ozai highly valued firebending and was not impressed with other fighting skills he found inferior.

'There is no way I am sticking around,' Osamu silently thought. 'I think I would rather avoid such a pointless display and take a well deserved nap. Maybe watch some clouds in my favorite spot in the garden or play that Pai Sho game Uncle sent me...'

After giving Zuko his gift, a studded dagger with flame designs (it was okay to give the kid a weapon since he was allowed to play with fire), Osamu slipped away as soon as they arrived with his new game safely tucked under his arm. But as soon as we was making his way down the hall he bumped into the devil himself: Firelord Azulon and his guards.

'Ah, irony. We meet again.' Osamu hid the fustration on his face as he observed the most powerful man in the Fire Nation, the very man he kind of hoped to avoid. He was a lot older than Osamu imagined, but he knew that looks could be deceiving and underneath was a powerful bender willing to take down anyone who dared to question his authority. The ancient man possessed sharp gold eyes that seemed to assess Osamu in an attempt to measure his worth.

"Are you Zuko or Osamu, boy? Speak up!", ordered the elder in a strong and commanding voice.

"Osamu, Fire Lord Azulon..." Osamu answered with a polite tone and not with his usual bored drawl but still flat.

Fire Lord Azulon was a hard to impress and Osamu managed to that in a few seconds. Not many had the guts to face Azulon without flinching or trying to butter him up with flattery or avoiding his eyes (besides his two sons). Azulon had at first dismissed the idea of attending his two grandson's birthday celebration, he had a war to win and they were his least favorite son's spawn, and yet he could not resist attending out of curiosity of the one called Osamu. He heard rumors about the genius child who was a gifted bender and scholar. Many gossiped about how the boy acted like a mini adult and how we would spend hours in the library. The Pai Sho board brought a small smile to his face since the game was his heir's, Iroh's, favorite. So far, Azulon liked what he saw. The boy lacked the arrogant and cruel gleam in his eyes that his father wore and was not trying to suck up to him in anyway. No, the boy was observing and analyzing him while keeping his face blank.

"Please. Call me grandfather. Have you come to escort your grandfather to your party, Osamu?", he asked amusedly as he watched Osamu's face morph into one of confusion and shock at his grandfather's change in demeanor. "Why don't we play that game inside? "

They entered side by side and the room went silent and people bowed in respect to their Fire Lord. Some wore expressions of shock that Lord Azulon actually came. Ozai and Ursa, along with their other two children, approached the Fire Lord and bowed to the man in respect before greeting him.

"Father, we are honored that you have made time to attend the twin's 9th birthday celebration. I see you have already meant Osamu."

The day was not a total waste like Osamu had predicted. His grandfather spent a few hours playing Pai Sho with him, promised to bring the greatest sword master in the Fire Nation to train Zuko, and tolerated Azula who made it obvious that she was not impressed with what she saw. Their mother had a stern talking to her after the party was over.

"Regardless of your feelings for your grandfather, you must show him respect. He is the Fire Lord and our leader", her mother lectured. "You should follow your older brother's example. Now off to bed."

Azula snorted, but left without a fight after her father patted her on the shoulder. Zuko soon followed and Ursa went with him to tuck him in. Ozai's annoyed stare followed then until they disappeared and then his gaze came to focus on Osamu.

"You have made quite the impression on your grandfather today."

Osamu shrugged and gave his usual lazy look. "He and I just played the same game all day. We never even really talked."

His father merely smirked. "The fact that he acknowledged you at all is impressive. That is something we can use to our advantage, Osamu."

"How?", asked a Osamu pretending to be puzzled. He had some idea of what his power hungry father was after.

"I'm sure you already have some idea, but I will tell you more another time. Anyway, I have yet to give you your present." His father waved at the numerous scrolls covering a gold table. "All of these scrolls contain the history and glory of the Fire Nation. From battle tactics to ancient old customs can be found in these scrolls."

Osamu was both surprised and pleased. He thanked his father and carried the scrolls back to the safety of his bedroom. Osamu was so pleased with having more intel about his new world and learning new battle tactics he had to resist pumping his fist in the air with excitement. His shadow, however, had no problem expressing his joyful feeling for him. Osamu's shadow was throwing it's fists in the air with triumph and then returned to mimicking Osamu. This shocked him beyond belief. His shadow never did that before. Not past life or present.

Osamu attempted to make his shadow do it again and for an while not a thing happened. Osamu sighed and decided to give it one more shot before he gave up. Instead of making his shadow move he manipulated the shadows of the objects surrounding him.

"I can shadow bend...", he whispered to no one in particular.

Extra: Osamu Has a Fever

"Your burning up, Turtle duck!", exclaimed Ursa as soon as her had touched Osamu's forehead. "You are not leaving this bed, young man!"

'Who said I was going to...', thought an annoyed and sick Osamu. 'Can you turn down your volume?'

A while after his mother left, Azula suddenly bursted open his bedroom doors and ran foward to present the bowl she cradled in her hands.

"I heard you were sick so I made you some soup, Osamu! I made all by myself!" Azula shoved the bowl forward so Osamu could see and her eyes glittered with pride.

Osamu peered over at the contents of the bowl and saw his death. The poisonous looking liquid was purple and bubbling with a horrible scent that had his stomach churning.

"Eat up, Osamu!",chirped a beaming Azula. Osamu wanted to refuse, but then he noticed the cut marks on her fingers and the food stains covering her clothes. She had obviously worked hard and Osamu was touched by the gesture. He knew what he ha to do...

In the end, Osamu suffered great stomach ache and faced the horrible care of Nurse Azula.