Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kuzon was not having a good day, heck he wasn’t having a good week. A watching vigil for a smaller noble house wasn’t his idea of a good time, but it was his duty and his turn after all. Kiki had been a wreck the last time she had too, and he always hated seeing his twin cry. 3 days with little sleep and now a two day trip home. He would have stayed and rested but the new moon was in 4 days and he wasn’t keen on cutting it close getting home. It was safe to have a few days to spare. Well, it usually was, if you can avoid ambushes.

Three panther yokai got the drop on him as the sun was setting. Tired and his strength draining with the setting sun, Kuzon tried to fight off his attackers. One was able to get a good hit in to his side before he was able to break free and make a run for it. In the dying light Kuzon was just able to make out the cliff in time to stop himself from falling. The panthers were close on his tail.

“Oh poor little puppy. Are you hurt, we only want to play.” One growled out as it stepped out of the treeline.
Kuzon growled, trying to keep up a strong front. He was losing blood and his vision was already going dark around the edges.
A panther lunged at him, going for his injured side again, he was able to dodge but lost his balance. Falling over the edge and to the sea below.

‘Shit’ was all he could think as the icy cold water swirled around him, cutting him down to his bones with the chill. Kuzon tried to swim, tried to find the surface, but the cold crippled him. The blood loss was draining him of what strength he still had. His lungs screamed for air as the blackness invaded his sight. He was sinking, his flame sputtering, threatening to go out.

Suddenly, it felt like he was thrown from the water, air rushed into his starved lungs. Coughing, gasping for breath, Kuzon tried to blink away the dark spots dancing across his vision. An oasis with a small wooden shrine surrounded by towering walls of ice. ‘What is this place, it seems familiar.’ A man in blue was moving toward him. Still acting on instinct, Kuzon swiped at the man with claws and flames, a warning to stay back.

The man stumbled back with a cry of alarm. Kuzon struggled to his feet, as more men entered the oasis through a small wooden door. The only exit, outside of attempting to scale the walls of ice surrounding them. The men were coming closer, Kuzon could feel himself swaying on his feet. If he was quick I might be able to make it to the door. Before he could make the mad dash, the water from the oasis surged toward him. Tendrils of freezing water wrapped around him and dragged him back to the water’s edge.

“No!” Kuzon screamed, clawing at the streams, kicking out licks of fire for them only to be quickly doused.
“Calm yourself, and hold your claws and fire. It is not time for those flame hound.” A deep voice that seemed to be coming from everywhere at once said. A creature of water held Kuzon in his grasp. The men, 3 of them, were bowing before the creature.
It spoke again, “Kuzon of the Northern lands, you are required to aid the tribe of your ancestors. I leave you in their care until the task I have for you is complete.”
Water coiled tightly around one wrist and then the cold water turned frigid, it burned in only the way extreme cold could. As soon as it started it was over.

The creature was speaking again but the pain and blackness overtaking Kuzon’s senses made it too much work to comprehend. He felt himself lowered down, one of the men taking him and supporting him. Sagging into the strong hold, Kuzon succumbed to his body’s desire to finally blackout. Kuzon really wasn’t having a good day.

Chief Arnook, often went to find peace at the spirit oasis. Peace was the last thing he found when a boy emerged from the waters of the central pool. Moving closer to see if the boy needed aid, the chief cried out in alarm when the boy attacked, black flames licking at the space between them before going out.

‘A firebender! In the heart of the Northern Water Tribe. How did he get here?’
His shout had brought the two guards stationed outside running to his aid. The boy had been able to stagger to his feet, he was posed ready for an attack but Arnook could see how shaky the boy’s stance was. He was injured, badly it would seem, in the middle of enemy territory.

The firebender was readying himself for... an attack, a mad dash to escape? Before he could act however, water shot from the pools and waterways around the shrine, coiling around the boy and holding him fast. Arnook was shocked, neither of the guards were benders. He searched for the mysterious bender as the captured firebender struggled, more fire lashing out at the water holding him.

The chief and his warriors were shocked as the waterbender made himself known. From the center pool rose the form of the Ocean Spirit himself. La brought the struggling boy closer to him, as the northern water tribe men kneeled before one of their great spirits. La spoke to the boy of a task he had for him before a tentral of water wrapped tightly around his wrist. The boy screamed before going limp in the spirits hold.

“Chief Arnook.” La spoke, Arnook stepped forward as the spirit beckoned. Lowering the limp form of the firebender to him. Arnook took the boy from the spirit, he was still conscious but wouldn’t be for long as his eyelids fluttered.
“There is change coming soon, and this boy has a part to play. Until then I leave him in your care.” La said as the water retreated back to their waterways and the spirit himself returned to his eternal dance with Tui.

That had been two days ago.

To say the boy, Kuzon as the spirit had called him, was in bad shape was an understatement. As Yagoda had put it, he had been attacked and practically gutted. It had taken her and two other master healers to put the boy on the mend. He had not awoken since. The two warriors who had witnessed the great spirit, Yutu and Kallik, had volunteered to act as his guards once he was moved to a guest suite in the palace.

The council was not too pleased with the current events, and they made this well known, loudly.
“What did La mean by “the tribe of his ancestors”? He is a firebender, he can't be one of ours. Even if he was a war child, no ashmaker has been in our waters for 60 years and none of our people have been taken.” Panuk said chewing on his pipe as several other council members nodded in agreement.

Arnook, as well as others who had actually seen the boy, weren’t so sure. The boy, pale with inky black hair, screamed Fire Nation but he had a braided lock of hair, white as the full moon, tied off with two beads. One blue and one red. Not to mention, his blue eyes. Arnook had seen them clearly before Kuzon had passed out. There was water in his blood few would deny that.

“He could be from our sister tribe, or even the Foggy Swamp.” Toklo suggested
“I doubt it.” Master Pakku stated. “If he was from the south why would he attack our Chief when injured instead of seeking aid. Not to mention those strange weapons he carried, I’ve never seen anything like those strange claws.”

This was true, the only weapon found on him was a strange set of retractable clawed gauntlets. Beautifully made, engraved and well maintained. Arnook wouldn’t be surprised if some of the weapons smiths were drooling over them at the moment. Come to think of it, Kuzon had few things on him, no rations, or provisions. Just his gauntlets, a small journal, and a bone necklace with a metal charm in the shape of a flame.

The council continued to bicker and throw out theories until finally. “Enough.” Chief Arnook called out above the chatter.
“We shall know nothing for sure until the boy, Kuzon, awakens, and we can ask him. For now he has been put under our care by the ocean spirit himself. For now, I think it would be best to continue business as usual.”

Several of the older members seemed happy with this call, before Arnook could call for the next order of business the chamber door opened. Yutu and Kallik entered.
“Chief Arnook… we have some bad news.” Yutu spoke slowly.
Arnook felt a cold fear settle in his gut. Had the boy succumbed to his injuries? If so what would the ocean spirit do?
“What is it?” Arnook replied, trying to remain calm.
“The firebender has gone missing Sir.” Kallik spoke up when his companion took too long to reply for his liking.
“Missing?”
“Yes, we went in to check on him, but the room was empty. The window was open, and there were a few footprints moving along the ledge for a little ways.”
“Did someone take him?” Toklo asked, worry in his aged voice.
“We don’t think so, there was only one set of prints and they looked to be his size.” Yutu said quickly.
“We must find him quickly, a loose firebender in the city can cause panic.” Panuk said as he stood.
“Not to mention if he undoes Yugoda’s work in healing his injuries, none of us will hear the end of it. Pakku added.

“Very well, Yutu and Kallik continue searching the palace and the grounds. Panuk, Pakku round up some of your warriors and waterbenders to start searching the city. It shouldn’t be hard to find an injured teen dressed in black in a city of ice and snow.”

Chief Arnook had the feeling the spirits were laughing at him even as the words left his mouth.

Chapter Text

Being out of one’s element is never a good place to be. Kuzon was at home in the grand halls of grandfather’s fortress or the dense forests and mountains his family tended to live in. Open tundra and vast oceans left him few places to hide. Lucky for him few people looked up, so as long as he kept to the rooftops he could move rather freely.

But to where? The city seemed to be surrounded by a glacier on 3 sides and nothing but open sea before it. Going out on the ice was suicide and the ocean was just as likely. If Kuzon was where he thought he was, he had to escape and soon. The water tribe held no love for anyone with fire in their veins if half of Granny’s stories were to be believed. And if those stories were true then he was days away from any other landmass, and that was by boat. He would drown if he tried to face the sea on his own.

Peeking around a rooftop to look down into what seemed to be the main harbor Kuzon watched as men carried crates onto one of the larger ships. Maybe he could stow away until the next landfall. Then what? How to get back home...He would need someone who could open a portal for him. The Fire Prince might be an option, he probably had a way to contact Sibyl, she could easily get him home. It was a long shot, Zuko hadn’t made contact with anyone in nearly 3 years, not since his banishment. Finding him would be difficult but not impossible. It was barely a plan, but it was what he had to work with.

Getting onto the ship was almost too easy, finding a place to hide away was a bit more difficult. The cargo hold would be ideal once they were out in open water, but while people were loading said cargo it was just asking to get caught. The galley, it turned out, had rather high ceilings for a boat of this nature and Kuzon was able to hide away in the raters in a dark corner. Once below deck quieted down, Kuzon was able to sneak down into the hold, and found a small hole he could bunker down in.

Minutes turned into hours, something was wrong. They should have left by now, the crew seemed just as confused as Kuzon if their muttering was anything to go by. Something was keeping the boat in the harbor. A sinking feeling settled in Kuzon’s gut. The ocean spirit, did he have something to do with this? What did he want from him. He knew nothing about this world aside from a few old stories from his grandparents. What would a spirit want with him, a half breed who hadn’t even set foot in it’s domain before he was forcibly dragged into it.

Commotion could be heard topside, and was coming closer. He might have to risk a swim after all if anyone found him here. Maybe we would luck out and find a piece of driftwood to make a raft once he was out to sea. ‘Calm down Kuzon, you're just freaking yourself out. They will probably get some waterbenders to force the ship out and then you will be one step closer to getting home.’ The hatch opened and 3 men entered the hold, moving crates and barrels around. ‘Shit.’ Kuzon thought.

Pakku had better things to do than try to hunt down a runaway firebender. Leaving the boy in an unlocked room was something he had told Arnook was a bad idea, but even he didn’t think he would have gone out the window. His team of waterbenders had been searching store rooms near the armory when some commotion down at the harbor was reported. A cargo ship heading for the northern Earth Kingdom was stuck in the middle of the bay. There wasn’t anything it was caught on; it simply wouldn’t move, despite the best efforts of the waterbenders on and off the ship.

Now that was odd, may as well see. If the ocean spirit truly did bring that firebender to their door then it would stand to reason La wouldn’t let him leave so easily.

Down at the bay sure enough smack in the middle was a lone ship, benders on all sides trying and failing to lead it out into open water.
“Have that ship brought back into port, I believe I might know the issue.” Pakku ordered a dock hand on duty.
Just as he had expected when the ship made for port there was no resistance.
“Search the ship, and let Chief Arnook know I believe we found where his special guest has run off to.”
Half an hour later Pakku could feel a headache coming on, how hard could it be to find one teenager on one ship? Arnook had arrived, with Yuku and Kallik trailing behind, not long ago and it took all of his self control not to groan when his Chief asked him where the boy was.

“Somewhere on that ship, Sir. La was keeping it from leaving. We just have to find where he hid onboard.”

No soon had those words left his mouth that a commotion could be heard from within the ship. Yelling, and cursing could be heard along with a fair amount of loud crashes. “Seems to me they found him.” Yuku commented as a black blur came into view on deck. It was somewhat impressive watching the boy easily elude 5 grown men, 3 of which were benders who were trying and failing to freeze the kids feet to the deck.

Pakku found it odd that he had yet to see any of this so-called black fire the teen could produce. A few times it looked like the boy was pinned down only to just as easily slip from the ice. He must be raising his body temperature to keep the ice from freezing in time to catch him. Clever use for what many would consider a parlor trick. It didn’t stop the boy from being corralled toward the bow of the ship.

“Easy kid.” One of the men on deck said as the teen was forced to the railing with nowhere to go… except over it would seem. Everyone was shocked to see the boy without hesitation, jump the railing and into freezing arctic waters. It was up to debate what was more shocking, Kuzon jumping or the Ocean practically spitting him back out on the docks, at the feet of Chief Arnook and Master Pakku.

The boy looked about ready to attempt a second jump into the water when Pakku froze him to the ground. “Enough of that. You have caused enough problems today.”
Kuzon remained where he was. Guess he wasn’t too keen on outing himself as a firebender in front of a large crowd. So the boy had some sense after all. Arnook stepped forward.
“You are going back to the palace, will you cooperate or do you need to remain restrained?” The chief asked.
The boy remained silent for a moment before he relented. Pakku let the ice melt and pulled the water from his clothes. Yuku pulled him to his feet and the group made their way back to the palace.

Kuzon was pushed back into his room, to be met with an old woman waiting inside.
“Oh good they found you. Most of my patients with injuries such as yours I don’t need to tell them not to go running around on rooftops.” The woman says as she stood and moved toward him. “Now let's see the damage you did to yourself while running around.” She motioned toward a chair set up near a basin of water.

“Who are you?” Kuzon asked as this woman moved around the room.
“ Oh I guess you were unconscious the last time I was treating you. I’m Yagoda, the head healer here. Now come come, you really shouldn’t be moving around so much.”
“I’m fine really.”
“I’ll be the judge of that. Now stop stalling.” Yagoda said, patting the seat.

Kuzon sat down, as Yagoda pulled water to her. “Now lets see the damage.”

To say Yagoda was shocked would be an understatement. Yesterday this boy had near life threatening injuries, but now... perfectly healed. Not even a scar remained.
“I told you I was fine.” the boy grumbled like any put upon teenager.
“Well I guess you are.” Yagoda replied, chuckling despite her shock. “That will be all for now I believe but I still want you to rest, no more rooftop walks for a few days please.”
“Yes ma’am.” Kuzon felt like he was being scolded by Granny, she reminded him a lot of her actually.

Yagoda gathered up her supplies and put the room right, ready to leave before glancing back at the boy. He seemed lost, that was the best way she could describe it. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say the boy was confused, one could even say scared. Waking up in an unknown place after being attacked. It’s not a wonder he tried to run as soon as he could. Having been around enough teenage boys, raising 3 herself, Kuzon was easy for her to read.
“Anything I could get you dear?” Yagoda asked, placing the chair back in its proper place. Kuzon hesitated for a moment before asking for candles. An odd request she though but simple enough to do.

“I’ll see what I can do, now rest, healer’s orders.” Yagoda nudged him toward the bed as she turned to leave, almost missing the small “Thank you” as she closed the door behind her.

Chapter Text

In and out. The candle flame rose and fell with Kuzon’s breath. Calm came in the wake of the familiar exercise. Master Yagoda had brought a few candles for him, and he had been left alone for several hours now. He could smell two guards outside the room. They were different from the two who he thinks are the normal set. The two who had been with the chief when he was brought back to the palace.

In and out. What was he going to do now? He was trapped if escape by sea was out of the question. The ocean spirit wanted something from him, but what? Spirits could never be upfront with what they wanted. Kuzon could feel a headache coming on. Breath, in and out, let the tension flow and disperse. Like heat from a fire.
“Shit, stop messing with the torches!” One guard yelled through the door.
Kuzon growled, just when he was getting to a decent mindset.
“If you stopped interrupting me, I would have been done by now.”

Trying to ignore headache 1 and 2 outside thankfully soon became a mute task when Kuzon smelt the other guards returning. Hopefully now he could actually get through a short meditation. Centering himself again as the guards changed… and then they started knocking. “Gah I give up.” Kuzon flopped backwards as the door opened. One guard poked his head in, Yuku if he remembered correctly.

“What?” Kuzon asked, turning his attention to the ceiling.

Yuku entered, coming to a stop when he was back in his line of sight.

“Chief Arnook, wants you to come to dinner.”

“Why?”

Yuku shrugged, “I think he wants to talk, maybe he thinks dinner might be seen as a calm environment?”

“Maybe I don’t want to talk.”

“You could just eat then. Come on kid, you haven’t had an actual meal in at least two days. What do you have to lose?”

“I feel like I shouldn’t, but I am hungry.” Kuzon sat up and the two headed for the door.

Kuzon had expected the chief and maybe a few guards at this dinner, but the girl and warrior were unexpected. The chief must have seen the curious look he was giving the two and saw fit to make introductions.
“This is my daughter Princess Yue and my heir Warrior Hahn. Please come and join us, Kuzon.”
Chief Arnook gestured to the seat across from him at the small table.
The northern princess was pretty, and reminded him painfully of Kiki. If she styled her hair in pigtails, add a streak of black and change her eye color to gold and Kuzon would bet his own mother would have trouble telling them apart.

Hahn on the other hand could be classified as conventional attractive, if he would stop making a face like he had been sucking a lemon for the past week. Well he seems like he would be fun to mess with. But given he was the chief’s heir might not be wise on the self preservation front. This place was weird, Kuzon knew firebenders weren’t welcome in the north. And yet he was being treated like an honored guest, minus the guards that followed him. Yuku and Kallik had taken up post with the rest of the guards.

Chief Arnook cleared his throat. “Kuzon, I would like to say first that you are safe here. The ocean spirit put you in our care for the time being and we take this task seriously. We however ask that you give us the same cutoisy.”
“You and your people will not need to fear attack from me as long as I remain unprovoked. How does the old saying go? Let sleeping dogs lie.” Kuzon replied easily, inclining his head to the chief as he spoke.
So the ocean spirit must have a task for them as well, keep him safe so he can do what La wants later. Joy, a babysat errand boy, big brother would be laughing his tail off
when he finds out.

The chief seemed pleased with his response and the princess relaxed just a bit next to him. Princess Yue began serving tea while servants brought out food. It smelled delicious, all four served themselves, Kuzon taking only from dishes the others also ate from. They might have a spoken truce but Kuzon still didn’t trust some lone kitchen staff to not try to poison him. It wouldn’t do much, but still some discomforts are easily avoidable.

Chief Arnook watched Kuzon, taking note that he only ate from dishes that he, Hahn or Yue ate from. The boy didn’t trust them. Not a hard thing to believe. But this behavior was one of someone who expected to be attacked, or at the very least developed habits from past experiences. Who was this boy and where did he come from?

“I am curious, Kuzon. You were in a poor state when La brought you to us. How did that happen?” Arnook asked, trying to break the uneasy silence.
“What’s there to tell? Wasn’t paying attention and was ambushed. They got one lucky hit in, lost my footing too close to the edge of a cliff. Next thing I know I’m in the ocean only to be spit out in that pool surrounded by ice.” Kuzon replied.

“Ambushed by who?” Yue was interested to hear more on the topic.

“Panthers, their clan has been warring with mine for generations at this point. They don’t think highly of my grandfather for accepting half breeds as legitimate heirs. Attacked me thinking I would go down easy when I’m alone and away from his stronghold.”

“Didn’t really prove them wrong, if they got the drop on you.” Hahn interjected, looking rather smug.

“Would love to see how you would fare in a 3 on 1 fight with them human. Five minutes I would say… if I was being generous.” Kuzon’s voice took on a darker tone, torches along the wall flickered with black fire.

“You want to fight ashmaker?!?” Hahn jumped to his feet, temper flaring.
“When and where?” Kuzon practically hissed, blue eyes flashing dangerously.

Arnook signed, thankful he only had a daughter and teenage boys were not a constant in his life. “No one is fighting, so I suggest you two both calm yourselves.” Shooting a glance to each teen. Hahn slowly returned to his seat, his glare not leaving Kuzon though. Kuzon seems to ignore the other teen entirely as the torches flickered back to their normal orange color.

“Chief Arnook, may I go back to my rooms?” Kuzon asked, clearly fuming.
“I think that would be for the best.”
Kuzon was up and heading to the door before Arnook was even done speaking, his two guards following close behind.

Kuzon stormed down the corridor in the general direction of his room. Torches he passed flaring black for a moment or two. ‘Idiot, who does he think he is?’ Kuzon thought before 'the next chief of the northern tribe, of course he's arrogant.'
That headache was coming back with a vengeance.

Coming to a stop in front of a large window overlooking a courtyard. A thin sliver of the moon hung low over the sea. The new moon was close, tomorrow even. It was like his blood was frozen in his veins, the last thing Kuzon needed was these people to know what happened to him on new moon nights.

"Hey kid? You okay?" Yuku asked, a firm hand falling to his shoulder. Kuzon twitched not expected the touch. "Yah just peachy, why wouldn't I be."
"Just seem a little pale is all… hey how about we get you some fresh air."
"Yah air sounds good."

The guards lead him to an ice garden of sorts. The cool air and be able to wonder around was doing wonders for his nerves. Pacing the garden helped Kuzon clear his mind, find a calm he hadn't had since he woken in this world. So calm in fact he didn't notice when the Princess walked up behind him.

Turning around he nearly jumped out of his skin.
"Geez, Princess you could warn a guy."
"My apologies." Yue replied, trying to hide a giggle.
"I wanted to apologize for Hahn, he really shouldn't have called you that." She went on taking on a serious tone, princess mode had been activated it would seem. Kiki and even Shen did the same thing; they had to play up the noble role when other rulers came to the stronghold. There were perks to being the second son.

“It’s not your fault, you’re not your brother’s keeper.” Kuzon offered continuing his pacing.
“My brother?” Yue seemed confused as she took to walking beside him.
“Yah…” Kuzon stopped turning to her.
“Ohhhh, I see the confusion, Hahn isn’t my brother.”
“But he’s your father’s heir?”
“Yes.” Yue replied simply. Moving ahead of him.
“Hold up, Hahn isn’t your brother but he is the heir to the chief position?”
“Yes, who else?”
“Oh I don’t know, You possibly…” Kuzon striding forward to catch up with the princess.

Yue just laughed, a light polite laugh. “Now you’re just being silly.”
“Silly!?!”
“Well yes. A woman chief, have you ever heard of a thing?”
“Heard of it, seen it, have an Aunt who is one.”
The princess stopped short, Kuzon would have run into her if he wasn’t paying attention. “You really do come from a strange place.”
“Yah, really strange… well your company has been pleasant Princess and I would think it is getting late. I wish you a good night.” Kuzon gave a short bow to Yue before turning back to Yuku and Kallik were waiting.

“Wait a moment please, I would like to invite you to come with me out in the city tomorrow. A proper tour if you would. Yue called after Kuzon.
“That sounds nice actually. I would be happy to go with you.”
The smile Yue gave him was painful in how much it reminded him of Kiki.
Would he ever see his sister again? Kuzon must had spaced out for a moment.
“Kuzon? Are you okay?” Kallik asked.
“Yah, I’m fine, just tired. I will see you tomorrow Princess.” Another bow to Yue and Kuzon left the garden.

A tour of the city would be helpful. If he knew the city better maybe he could find a place to hide and wait out the new moon night. Maybe things wouldn’t be so bad.