His Flame: A Zuko Fanfiction

His Flame: Chapter Three.5

Hey Bumblebees!!! Feel free to throw something at me for not updating in yonks *hangs head in shame*
This chappies book recommendation is The Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson- printed

///Third Person POV\\\

Firelord Zuko and King Boomi are in the throne room again, discussing the conditions of the peace treaty between their nations when thundering footsteps and bouts of laughter draw their attention to the large open door. A flood of children charge past the doorway, carrying a struggling person between them as they laugh. A young child from the back of the group detached himself from the rest, bowing at the king with a cheeky grin as the captured person yelps and tilts back, almost of the grip of the other children.

"Don't drop me!" The young boy turns guiltily and runs back to the group.

Zuko stares after them in amazement, momentarily speechless before flicking his head back round to the king. Boomi laughs, snorting on his throne.

"I think we'll finish there today, Firelord. You'll want to get ready if you plan on participating." Zuko furrows his eyebrows in confusion.

"Participating in what?" The king leans forward and wiggles his eyebrows.

"My daughter is taking her class today, which means that she will accept challenges afterward to show her students how to use the moves that she teaches them. People from all over the city come to test their skill. Will you be testing yours?"

///Kai's POV\\\

Toward the end of the lesson, the edges of the training courtyard begin to fill with people. Most of them are simply spectators eager to watch today's challengers, but some of them watch her from the front of the growing crowd, clad in fighting gear as they wait for their chance to fight. A few familiar faces shine out from the challengers, regulars who simply enjoy the experience, but none of them have ever beaten me. I clap my hands the signal my students to stop their paired battles and they all turn with excited expressions.

"Right you lot, clear the space." A few cheers sound as they move to the edge to clear a space but they go quiet when I turn to face my challengers. I smile, genuinely happy for the first time in days. "So who wants to go first?"

***

Four fights later the crowd has thinned, the courtyard sweltering in the midday heat. Taking a moment to take a sip of water, I notice people moving to clear a path for someone as they move toward where I stand. The snorting laugh betrays who it is. I turn to face my father with a grin as he reaches me, pulling me into a surprisingly strong hug for someone his age.

"I bring a peace offering," he declares in a humor filled voice. I raise an eyebrow at him, curious as he swings his arm out to gesture back in the direction he came. "A chance to take out some anger." The Firelord stands behind him, dressed in a wrap around tank and loose training trousers similar to mine but in red. He waves awkwardly at me and I freeze, anger and fear welling inside me. It's his son. He's the one who...who... I nod slowly at my father, all emotion vanishing from my face. Clenching my fists, I make a move toward the open training space but father's voice stops me.
"No bending, Kai." Turning my head o face him, I shrug, dropping into my stance and focusing solely on the Fire lord. The scarred man steps out opposite me, his stance unfamiliar. A fire benders stance. I lunge forward, eager to finally make someone pay for what was done.

Dun dun duuuuun! Any ideas as to what happened? Comment your thoughts and we can see how predictable I am. Love you bumblebees xxxxxx -Nina