Throne of Ashes (Avatar: The Last Airbender Fanfic)

School

"I don't want to go to school without Katara," Zuko sighed. "Playing with her waterbending is very different than—we can't play with my firebending like that."

"No, but you'll make friends as you attend the academy," Minato said, stiffening, and then—

Zuko flinched, watching Minato lose it in the school's overly strict uniform, then stepped away, his mouth opening.

"I really hate this! I don't like the uniform, but I'm supposed to attend as your bodyguard!"

Zuko's mouth twitched, then he said. "Are they really uncomfortable?"

"You haven't noticed?" Minato said.

"It's tight like the rest of my clothing, and I'm always wearing stuff like this."

"I'd ask how you manage, but it's obvious that you're managing because it is normal for you, even though for most people, this isn't normal!" Minato said.

"You need to behave!" Hama said, sending out a water whip right next to Minato's ear, making him jump. "You can't let anyone know you're a Waterbender, Minato."

"Well, now that I've gotten that over," Minato said, rubbing the back of his neck, shall we be going? Crown Prince Iroh said they'll also have an adult guard nearby."

"Alright," Zuko said, following after, finding it quite strange that things were going so well for him. He glanced over, grimacing. "Yeah. Those don't look right on you."

"Hey. I need to look normal and not stand out, Prince Zuko."

"But you look uncomfortable. Maybe you won't be the only one?"

"Well, apparently, I won't be the only one, as there are students there that are from the colonies, and that's where I'm from." He took a deep breath. "I was even made to remember where in case anybody asked."

They continued walking, with Zuko turning his head and catching sight of the adult following him, only for them to lift an eyebrow as if he weren't supposed to notice them. He turned to Minato. "Am I supposed to notice the other person?"

"Hmm," Minato turned his head. "Well, I wasn't expecting to notice them, but now that I think of it, they're to keep their distance so as to not bother the other students at the school."

"If I'm going to cause trouble for the other students by being there, why am I attending the school?"

Minato remained silent, frowning, then said. "I think, Prince Zuko, you are going, in part because of its tradition and in part because you are considered deserving of attending."

"But father never let me attend. He always said I was too slow and that," Zuko felt his head spinning, his mouth pressing together remembering Ozai constantly correcting him on everything, from posture to his calligraphy, yet if there was one thing he knew he did better than Azula, it was his calligraphy. "He still told me my penmanship was horrible, no matter how many instructors said mine was good and hers bad."

"I think he wanted Princess Azula to be the image of a perfect child, and he didn't want to see you as capable of doing anything right, but honestly, these aren't my words, but me repeating something that I heard Prince Iroh say."

They drew close to the high walls of the academy, splitting off in two different directions. Zuko let out a deep breath, unsure of which one to take even though Minato stepped forward without hesitation, nor did any of the other students heading to class.

"Prince Zuko!"

Zuko watched as heads snapped around, his mouth opening as all of the students started walking. Minato stepped back closer and held out a hand.