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Book I: Water

Chapter XIII: Race to the Water Temple

Part II: The Return of the Prince

Kuzon woke up the following day with a groan as he stood up. He felt his right knee creak and pop as he tried to take a step. He groaned as something hot and burning shot up his leg. He closed his eyes, trying not to yell in pain, but it was to no avail. "Urgh!" It immediately forced him to sit back down on the bed.

Katara glared at him as she walked over with a tray of food. "Hey! What did I say about moving too much?"

He just groaned as he rested a hand over his eyes. "Sorry."

Katara shook her head, sighing, as she put the tray down on the table. She then sat on the bed and sighed. She smiled and shook her head, saying, "Hurry up and get back under the covers."

Kuzon sighed as he laid back in the bed.

Katara pulled the covers over him. She looked down at him. She smiled, "Oh Kuzon…what will I do with you? Why do you keep pushing yourself so hard? I ask that you lay down and let me care for you."

Kuzon closed his eyes and sighed, "I know. I'm sorry. I just feel exposed like this. If the Fire Nation burst in here…"

She then sat sideways on the bed and squeezed his hand. "I already told you, sweetie. I'd give up my life if it meant keeping you safe. Zuko and his ilk…" She then kissed him on the cheek and cupped his face in her hands, "I'd fight anyone I had to to keep you safe. You'd do the same for me."

Kuzon groaned and nodded, closing his eyes, "That I would."

She chuckled, "Let's see how your wounds are progressing." The waterbender then started unraveling the bandages on his arms and legs.

There were still several cuts along the left and right arm as well as bruises all over the legs."

She sighed, "My dad... did a number on you didn't he?"

Kuzon nodded, "Yeah. He's the real deal. I haven't fought that hard since I last fought Zuko." He then laid his head back, "I…uh…heard you guys talked today. I hope that went well. He seems to have a sense of honor." Katara smiled at him, suddenly perking up, "We're patching things up quite nicely. I check up on him every once in a while. Sokka's been talking his ear off. About you. About our adventures. About the war. It feels like we're a family again."

Kuzon chuckled, "Ah…that must be nice." His eyes then left her gaze for a moment.

She blinked, eyes wide in confusion, "Sweetie? What's up? Did I say something…" She suddenly gasped and covered her mouth. "Oh, sweetie. I'm so sorry. I forget how you get when it comes to your family."

Kuzon shook his head, sighing, "No. I'm sorry. I feel bad for getting upset with you. I'm happy for you. I am…it is just a rough topic sometimes."

She then frowned, shaking her head, as she took one of his hands into both of hers. "I appreciate it. It means more to me than you know, but…your pain is valid, too. Not being able to go back to your homeland…losing your whole family….I can't imagine how painful that is for you." She then grabbed his face and kissed him. She then looked him in the eyes, her eyes warm and comforting, "Ozai…Zuko…we'll make them all pay! Never forget…The people of the Water Tribes stand with you! I will do everything possible to ensure you get to Ozai in one piece!" She then kissed him on the cheek. "You just make sure that you end it. We can't have peace with either of them still alive."

Kuzon grabbed one of her hands and nodded, "You got it."

She smirked, "Good. Good." She smirked, "So, guess what my other news of the day is?"

Kuzon blinked, "What?"

Katara smirked, "I think Dad is starting to take a shine to you. He keeps asking if I'm going to bring you by his hospital bed." She tilted her head at him as she brushed a hair behind her ear, blushing a bit, "You up for that? I'll help you walk. His room is across from yours."

Kuzon gulped a bit but took a deep breath. "He's not going to kill me, is he? I remember you saying he didn't like me earlier and disapproved of our relationship."

Katara laughed as she again kissed him on the cheek. "Well…after you beat him in that traditional duel…I think his viewpoint changed…." She grabbed his face and smirked, "...of both of us, I might add."

Kuzon nodded, "Let's do it." She then helped him to his feet. "Okay, let's take this slow…"

Hakoda smiled as he saw Kuzon and Katara walking towards him, "Ah! You two finally came!"

Katara smirked, rolled her eyes, and crossed her arms, "I told you I'd bring him over, Dad."

Hakoda smirked back, "So you did. So you did." Hakoda then smiled at Kuzon, "Sit with me for awhile, won't you, son? I have Hakoda smiled at her. He then turned to Kuzon, "So tell me your story." Kuzon just nodded, "With pleasure.

Chief Hakoda listened intently as Kuzon recounted the details of his past and the reasoning for his vendetta against the Fire Nation.

The man's face turned to stone as he turned away from the young Avatar, and he sighed, "And here I thought we Water Tribesmen got the worst of it with the First War. I'm sorry for your loss son."

Kuzon just nodded with a cold look. "That...is why I'm driven to end this war. Sozin may be gone now but his grandson Ozai continues his legacy." His voice got more harsh, "I'm putting an end to the Royal Family. I'm freeing my people from their control once and for all."

Hakoda grinned, "I see. I see." He stood up, "I got to say kid. You seem like the real deal. Mind if the Water Tribes get our pound of flesh?"

Kuzon blinked and crossed his arms. "Our goals align. I don't see why not."

Hakoda grinned, "Good. We have ourselves a deal then."

The two then shook hands.

Hakoda grinned, "Let's get you fitted for your armor and wolf's head."

Throne Room, Fire Nation Islands

Zuko felt himself sweat as he stood in front of the curtain. The Fire Nation flame stood before him, almost inviting him in.

He blinked.

Mai squeezed at his arm. "Something wrong Zuko?"

He let out a long sigh, "I…don't know if I can do this. It's been years."

Mai smiled and kissed him on the cheek, "Stop worrying. You're the rightful Prince. You deserve this." She sighed as she leaned in, "Someday…you will be sitting on the Burning Throne…and I will be right at your side. We'll go to fancy dinner parties, socialize with the other royal families, and rule the Fire Nation together."

Zuko turned to her and blinked, "You sure have all that planned out."

Mai smirked to herself, and she cuddled his arm. "Oh, trust me, Zuko. I have your entire campaign planned out. You are my meal ticket to the top, after all." She held out the curtain for him and smiled, "Now go. I'm right behind you. Let's not keep your father waiting."

He nodded as he walked past her.

Zuko sat at left of his father. Mai was right next to him with a hand over his.

Fire Lord Ozai then raised a hand, "Close the doors."

Two guards in Fire Nation armor closed the doors with a loud thud.

Ozai tapped his fingers against his throne. "I have called you all today…Representatives from the Royal Houses and the Military Tribunal…I have called this meeting today to make a grandstanding announcement." He then turned to Zuko with a smile.

It sent a nervous shiver down his spine.

"My firstborn…the rightful Prince of the Fire Nation...Zuko…has returned."

Everyone in the room let out an audible gasp.

Ozai continued, "He found the Avatar, has dueled him in two Agni Kais, and in doing so, has redeemed his honor to our beloved motherland."

Ozai then turned to Zuko again, "Stand up and be recognized as the rightful Prince, Zuko."

Zuko then felt his body freeze up. A part of him still felt conflicted about everything. His hunt for the Avatar had consumed him. He hadn't expected to be accepted home so quickly.

Luckily…Mai took his hand and squeezed it, trying to steady him. She smiled and spoke in a low whisper, "Hey. Remember what we talked about. Be strong. Show strength. Don't let your father see you sweat. You can do this."

He turned to her and nodded, whispering, "You're right." He then stood up from his seat and took a deep breath. He had to stay cold and calculated. If the other royal families sensed weakness in him, that would spell a significant amount of trouble for him and his father. It was of the utmost importance to keep himself composed. He gave all of them a cold glance, intending to intimidate them.

The shivering smiles and frowns on their faces indicated he was successful.

One of the Royal representatives then stood up loudly, protesting, "Impossible! You banished him! That has to be a stand-in!" Zuko glared back, "You want to risk challenging me to find out?"

Seeing the cold look in his golden eyes, the man immediately reeled back in his seat.

Ozai just grinned maliciously at the man. "Well, Bao Chin? Will you challenge my flesh and blood? You have the right."

Bao Chin shivered a bit under his robes. He focused his eyes and growled as he looked away. "No, my lord."

Zuko just nodded and said nothing.

Fire Lord Ozai then sat on his throne and smirked to himself. The boy has grown strong in his resilience. This honors me greatly. Perhaps he is more worthy of the Burning Throne than I realized. "Let us begin the war meeting."

Iroh just gazed longingly at Zuko and shook his head. Oh…Zuko. This is all a folly. Ursa wouldn't have wanted this for you. He then wiped a tear from his eye.

This one was a bit shorter but there is more to come!

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