The History of Renko: Book 1 Emotions (Avatar, boyxboy)

Chapter 5: The Wants of a Prince

Several hours before the explosion, eighteen-year-old Prince Kuzo of the Fire Nation could be found wandering around Zaofu. He could be found if you knew who you were looking for. He was tall and pale, just like his father and father before him. His dark hair grew in spikes when it wasn't gelled back and partially covered his unusually blue eyes.

He frequently disguised himself to wander and explore wherever in the world his father took him and to his father's dismay-escape the royal guards.

He was walking through the financial district, not far from the art district, with his hands behind his head. His black and red windbreaker provided some protection from the spring winds. Better yet, it protected him from being noticed.

It was the lunch hour and throngs of people walked and biked across the city squares and plazas. Open aired cafes were filled with customers, eating or chatting. It was all so normal.

Kuzo kept walking. At times a normal life was all he wanted. The ability to sit at a café with friends and talk about nothing. That, or an excuse to be away from his father and his "princely duties". More than that, he wanted some excitement. It was so boring having to stay in and around the palace, listen to politics, and act as the "jewel of the Fire Nation". Fire Lord Zuko had such a better life traveling the world with the Avatar and helping to end the Hundred Year War. Why couldn't he have that?

At sunset, he was going to this underground joint in the arts district. Apparently, raves happen there frequently and the spirits knew he needed a break. First, he had to be present for the unveiling of the 200th anniversary of the United Republic. The Fire Nation and the United Republic built a statue to represent it. Then, his father wanted him at the ribbon cutting for a new Fire Bending academy in Republic City. Now, he just got done with meeting the new president of the Earth Federation.

Before he headed back to the Fire Nation, he wanted some fun.

Eventually, he sat down at a place called The Three Suns Café. A cute waitress came by to take his order.

"I'm sorry but you just missed our breakfast times. Would you like the lunch menu instead?" she asked.

He leaned back in his chair with his hands behind his head. His biceps bulged in his short sleeve shirt.

"A Fire Juice would be great," he asked with all his charm.

She blushed. "That's an um very strong drink sir. Can I see some ID?"

He grinned. "Do I look under eighteen?"

Her blush grew. She took off inside the café, presumably to get his liquor. He was relieved he didn't have to show any ID. He couldn't have his identity known.

As he waited, he people watched. All the normal people with their normal lives pattered about. A few couples walked by and he got a little jealous. To be with someone: boy, girl it didn't matter, was something he desired. It got lonely in the palace.

The waitress came back with a red bottle and a shot glass. She sat them down on the table.

"Why don't you join me?" Kuzo asked with a sensual smile.

"Oh I don't know..." she answered with a blush. "I still have work."

"Surely you can take a break?"

She sat down. "I guess a short one."

Kuzo poured a shot. "So what's your name?"

"I'm Lin. What's yours?"

"Lee. I'm in town for a rave hosted by the Spiderfly Boys. Know anything about it?"

"Well," Lin began. "It's at this warehouse in the arts district down by the Bridge Statue."

"The Bridge Statue?" he asked. "What's that?"

"It's a statue depicting a human with a spirit wound around him. It's a silver plated monument to represent the relationship between Humans and Spirits."

He nodded his head in understanding. The sun was beginning to set. The rave would start soon. He pushed the still full shot glass over to his guest and grabbed the bottle by its neck. In a few gulps, he downed the entire bottle and burped a stream of fire.

"Thanks," he said as he got up and laid some money on the table. He turned towards the nearest subway station and set off.

The sun had already set as he looked for the statue Lin described. Someone walking by caught his attention. It was the son of the new president. Senko? Denko? He couldn't remember, but as he saw his face he realized that he was pretty cute. The glasses made him look a little geeky but he had a nice physique under his clothes. Kuzo would've gone to flirt with him but someone else was there. They disappeared around a block.

A couple minutes later he saw the statue down the road from where he was. As soon as he took a step, however, he saw an explosion go off at its base.

It quickly became engulfed in fire.

{bqH