Chapter Text
Zuko had been on his own for years now. He had done well enough, settling in a smaller colony, not really knowing what to do, one that was far from the Fire Nation, closer to Ba Sing Sei, which was probably a bad plan, but it was not as though he had many options going for him if he had been honest. Furthermore, they did not ask questions, and did not press him. He watched out for the younger kids, taught them as best as he could when it came to bending, ignoring questions as to how he knew those sorts of things, letting the rumors of his disappearance float about, but trying not to react to them whenever they did crop up.
Surprisingly enough, his Father did not really express the severity of his wound. He knew that his Father knew it would scar, but he never mentioned a scar when he asked for information on the missing Prince. Probably thinking he was dead already, dying of the severity of his wounds, not that he knew that the FireLord cared all that much considering he was banished. Zuko was not one to be that careless, though, and had taken to covering the top half of his face with a black strip of ribbon, the holes in the cloth allowed him to see, but for the most part kept the severity of his scar hidden quite well.
He had stayed in the smaller town for about three years before the ruckus happened. He did not know what had cursed him into thinking he should interfere, but he had not really thought about it when he saw the younger orphan boy either. He had been secretly training the younger children as best as he could, but at the same time, there were always instances, mistakes, and some got caught. He knew that for the most part, the FireBenders in the region were lax. They did not particularly care too much, but anyone that was of suitable age and was capable of bending, no matter the element, HAD to be registered. For one, it was a law in the Fire Kingdom, one that had been implemented a long time ago so that training could begin quicker. Zuko knew, however, with the war, anyone that had been seen firebending was likely to be drafted, and so that was why he had taken to training the young benders, teaching them enough control to hide their flames as best they could. Inwardly, he was both grateful he could interfere, having not normally ventured this far outside of the direct parts of the village, but also cursed himself at the same time. He should not really get involved.
"What happened?" Zuko asked, pulling the young teen behind him, ignoring the small band of people who had their fists clenched and looked about ready to fight the Benders at the slightest provocation. As though acting in such a manner would not cause one side to break into a full on battle. The four seemed rather surprised that someone had come to help, and were watching him carefully as Zuko hid the young Orphan teen with his body. He stared into the eyes of the Benders, daring them to defy him. He was a royal, not that anyone knew it, but there were certain things that were a part of his upbringing that were hard to curb.
"We saw the boy bending." The Soldier said gruffly. Zuko hummed curiously. He glanced back at the boy.
"How old are you?" He demanded.
"F-Fourteen, Sir," The boy played his part well. Zuko thought, having quickly caught onto what Zuko was about to do.
"Fourteen?" He glanced towards the Soldiers. "I assume this is one of the Orphan boys?" He questioned. The soldier nodded. He did not venture near these parts, and his training was always kept hidden, they came to him, not the other way around. These Soldiers were newer as well, which definitely helped.
"As per the Fire Law, he needs to be registered." One Soldier said simply.
"As per the Fire Law?" Zuko scoffed. "What age are most registered into the Nation as a Firebender?" He questioned.
"Six?"
"No, seven." the second soldier scolded. "I told you this not too long ago, you keep forgetting."
"Seven? And this boy is fourteen? Are you saying that a new bender is capable of hiding their bending for...what...seven years without any single soldier, or anyone in the town knowing about it?" Zuko questioned. "Unless, of course, you are saying that the townspeople, who have been obeying every new law that the Lord gives so far, for years, and the previous Soldiers, whom died serving the Nation, would dare lie to the FireLord about the benders who have been registered from this town."
"Of course not!" One hastily spoke. "That...That is not what we meant."
"Is it? Or are you saying that by some miracle, a seven year old, had been able to hide one of the most volatile elements on their own for seven years? Without fail?" The Soldiers began to realize what Zuko was saying and they huffed. "Perhaps next time calm your emotions so you don't accidentally flare your bending without realizing it, and then blame it on another. You do know the punishment for falsely identifying a Bender to be Registered, I assume?" The two paled drastically.
"What about the others." Zuko glanced back towards them.
"What about them?" He asked, turning back to the Soliders.
"They claimed to be Benders as well."
"Okay, and? Did you see them bend?"
"Well...no...we did not."
"Then I wouldn't continue your streak of incorrectly identifying benders, if I were you." The soldiers huffed but knew better.
"Very well, but we will be watching him."
"Go ahead." Zuko shrugged idly. They walked away, and Zuko waited, holding up his hand when one of the mystery group was about to speak, he closed his eyes, feeling the source of the Benders fading slowly. He opened his eyes after a few minutes. Turning on the teenager, he grabbed him by the jaw to force him to look at Zuko in the eyes.
"What did I tell you about bending in sight?" He hissed, his eyes flaring.
"Not to," The teen said softly, shuffling shamefully on his feet.
"What made you do something like that in sight of soldiers no less?"