Family Affairs

[Max]

Feru sighed and gave a simple nod. "I will be there." He replied simply and patted her head absentmindly. His mind was now concentrating on whether or not he would be able to make something for Mother. He shook the thought away, deeming it a weakness as he thought about trivial things. Of course, Aunt Azula said he was to be a good little son and get his mother what she deserved (he thought he heard a sneer from her, but she was smiling, so obviously he had imagined it), but she also said that his family was weak and needed to overthrown so that a strong leader could emerge - therefore family connections were pointless. He sighed to himself.

Sometimes Aunt Azula could be so confusing.

Feru decided that he would at least get Mother something, or else she would continue to expect something was wrong with him. He already caught some of the guards following him at night, no doubt Mother was beginning to wonder where he ran off to.

[Backabuth]

Korin kept to himself during the walk back to the summer house. Feru and Misora talked almost nonstop, mostly Misora, but the sound of voices irritated him. It had been his duty to keep his siblings out of trouble and he had failed. Misora was now going to have an Agni Kai with Admiral Zhao's son. He had succeeded in one thing. Feru had seemed like he was about to get into a fight with Zhao's son right there and then, but Korin had guided them away before anything got to heavy. Father would be proud. Korin smiled slightly, then noticed that they had made it to the courtyard of the summer house.

Korin stopped a passing-by servant. "Can you tell Father that I am on my way into his chambers?" The servant smiled, nodded, then hurried away. Korin followed his siblings into the house, then continued on his way towards Father's chambers.

[StillettoMai]

Misora smiled and gave a little cheer when Feru promised to be there. She gave both her brothers a quick hug before running off back to her room. She needed to get ready to fight in a few hours. She knew it was important to have a clear mind for the battle.
The young princess put away her treasures--Feru's lock of hair and the pouch of sand--and pulled her hair back in a high ponytail, then sat cross-legged on the floor. She breathed in and out, focusing on calming her mind so she could think clearly. Her eyes were closed. She allowed herself a little smirk.
That bully's probably gonna chicken out at the last minute, she thought, shaking her head slightly.

[Max]

Feru sneered once his siblings had left him alone. The sneer was mostly meant for Korin who had requested to see Father. Envy and hate boiled within him as he recomposed his face to an expressionless doll. Walking along the outer patio of their home, a glint of darkness glittered in his eyes as he awaited to see the pompous Zhao child burn.

***
It's time. Ash breathed out once more as his brain echoed his cousin's voice.
"All right. I'm coming." Ash got up from his meditation and went to grab his cloak/coat. Slipping on his gloves, he made sure that no one noticed his deformity. Nodding at his cousin, who smirked at him when he wasn't looking, went towards the Fire Lord's summer home.

[StillettoMai]

Misora stood from inside her room, knowing it was time. She made her way outside to the courtyard that was set aside for it. For a six-year-old, she was showing surprising maturity in this situation. This was her first Agni Kai, her first serious fight. She practiced some firebending, sending blue flames out, close to walls, between a few bushes, landing them precisely when she meant to and not causing anything the slightest bit of damage. And she waited for her opponent to show up.

[Max]

Feru was seated at the banquet table in fine Fire Lord attire as he awaited the match. He had told Mother about the Misora's Agni Kai and she nearly yelled at him for allowing her to do so. Feru secretly had rolled his eyes at his mother, but feigned an apology. He assumed that Korin was informing Father about it about now, for they were both still absent from dinner.

Rolling his food around his plate, Feru wondered when the skimpy kid would show up. He wanted him to suffer already. Feru watched as Misora entered the courtyard. Some of the nobles that were there applauded lightly for her and then continued to gossip and converse with one another as they awaited for the opponent. Feru held back a yawn as he watched Misora practice.

***
Ash entered the summer home and noted a celebration was occurring. Hao (OOC: I'm finally naming the dude lol) followed nervously behind him. Hao had tried to excuse himself from the battle, but Ash's suspicion was rising against him, so Hao had no chose but to follow.

Ash and Hao was escorted towards the courtyard and there, Ash's eyes widened as he recognized his opponent.
"YOU CHALLENGED THE FIRE LORD'S DAUGHTER!!?!?" Ash hissed and shouted at Hao. Hao shirked backwards.
"I had no idea, cousin! Honest! I didn't see her, she attacked me from behind and and..."
"Agh!" Ash growled out and entered the arena.

Ash bowed before Misora and the Royal court. "I, Ash Zhao, am acting as substitute for Hao Zhao, who is injured. Is this acceptable?" He asked Misora, who he knew was of great skill in firebending. He didn't have a chance, but he still couldn't dishonor his family.

[StillettoMai]

Mai sat at the table, near to her children's places particularly to keep an eye on Feru. She was still angry at him for letting Misora fight in Agni Kai that night. She was only six years old for crying out loud! Little girls shouldn't be fighting fire duels! She managed to keep a calm expression as Misora came out and started practicing. Her face was nearly blank, but inside she was fuming, and mixed with it were feelings of anxiety. Mai knew Misora was an amazing firebender, but that didn't stop her from worrying over her little girl.

Misora heard a shout from behind her and turned. She saw some blonde guy with the bully who had challenged her. The blonde guy was mad, too.
When the blonde guy introduced himself and told her that she would be fighting him, she had to hold in the urge to light the other guy on fire. That coward! He wasn't hurt. He just wanted to avoid a fight with her. So he was making this other person fight. She glanced back at her mother and Feru to see what they would say. Mai nodded at her, to say "it is acceptable."
"I accept," Misora said, though her outrage was clear in her voice. Her violet eyes blazed at Hao the whole time, though.

[Backabuth]

Zuko had been about to leave to go talk to Feru when Korin stepped into his library. Zuko smiled at his son wondering how Mai and him had made such a handsome man. Korin bowed, then returned his father's smile.
"Father. I've come to get you for, uh, dinner. But I also wanted to tell you of our adventure at the beach."
Zuko nodded slowly, noticing for the first time how Korin seemed so tense all of the time.
Maybe it's the missions I send him on...
Zuko wandered over to his couch and took a seat.
"Take a seat, Korin. I'd like to hear all about it. Then we can go eat, hm?"
Korin nodded, smiling slightly, then took a seat, sitting on the edge of the couch.
"So, we went to the beach and then all of the sudden there was this guy behind us insulting us. Misora stepped up and started insulting him back and then before I knew it she challenged him to an Agni Kai."
Korin flinched, flinging his hands up to cover his head for the blow that never came. Zuko just blinked a couple times, then got up and sat by Korin, placing his hand on Korin's shoulder.
"Korin, I have never hit you and I don't plan on doing it any time soon. It's alright."
He stroked his chin for a moment, pondering the situation, then sat up straighter, more alarmed.
"I mean, I am upset and I must talk to Misora, but I don't believe we have any time do we...?"
Korin shook his head, inching towards the door.
"We'll be late if we sit here...any...longer...." Korin trailed off as Zuko got up, then got up himself.
"Let's go then."

Zuko took a seat next to Mai as he and Korin came out of the summer house. He smiled at her as he sat down, but worry was written all over his face. Misora and two young men were standing out on the Agni Kai platform. Korin went and sat by Feru, eyes on the blond haired man the whole time.
"Who's that?"
He turned to Feru, questioning with his eyes. Zuko placed his hand on Mai's.
"She'll do fine."
Zuko was comforting himself more than he was his wife.

[Max]

Feru hid his irritation well as Ash Zhao was now taking Hao's place. He breathed in deeply, controlling his temper, for he really really wanted to see Hao die. Saying nothing, he silently fumed.
"Ash Zhao. He claims that the man Misora challenged is injured." He glanced at Hao, who seemed like he was ready to run away from everyone. "I think he tricked his relative to fight Misora, what a pitiful coward. Its no surprise that he's Admiral Zhao's offspring." Feru commented with a sneer."

***
Ash inclined his head at Misora and then when Fire Lord Zuko entered, he turned and bowed towards him and then to Misora again.
Exhaling, Ash took his position. His legs were firmly planted on the ground and his right hand was in front of him as he readied himself for an attack.

[StillettoMai]

OOC: and now the fun begins!

Mai never took her eyes of her daughter, barely nodding as Zuko told her she would do fine. She had no doubt Misora would do well, but that didn't change the fact that her little girl had gotten herself into a fight. She took her husband's hand and gripped tightly, the only way she showed how nervous she really was. Her face betrayed no emotion, but she was battling her maternal instincts to drag her child off that platform and away from danger.

Misora took her stance, getting ready to fight. She waited until the signal to start was given. Then she instantly kicked a line of blue fire directly at Ash.

[Backabuth]

Korin had to smile at that. It was times like these that he felt sorry for ever being a jerk to Feru. Feru was his brother, after all, and at times he was really cool. Glancing at his brother, Korin gave him a grin. "I think that maybe after the match we can teach him a lesson in the art of pain."

Zuko's heart leaped as the match began. If anything, he didn't even want to be here. He would've yanked Misora out of the match as much as Mai would have if she could have, but to do so would dampen Misora's reputation and Zuko did not want to interfere with something Misora wanted to do. But he couldn't hold back his emotions from his face, though, as the fight began. He didn't want his little girl to get hurt. That was all there was to it.

[Max]

Feru turned towards Korin, a real surprise look in his face. Did Korin just ask him to do something with him? Its been forever since they did anything together. He was so taken aback by the statement that he was practically speechless. "Really? Just us?" His past innocence returned to him momentarily at the thought of just him and Korin doing something together again. No Father. No Fire Lord. Just them, as brothers.
They can't be trusted Feru. They're too blinded by their weakness. Azula's voice piped into his mind.
Immediately, Feru's expression turned stone-like as he remembered his duty to his people. "I suppose so." He responded after a moment with a stoic face as he glanced back to the match.

***
Ash saw the blue flames and quickly blocked it with his right metallic arm, negating the fire with his own emission of flames. The blue flames and his red ones collided and burst into the air, causing a recoil to develop. Ash again shielded himself with his right arm and skidded backwards.
Groaning with agitation, Ash rushed through the fire. Slicing through the smoke, his left leg was outstretched as he was doing a windmill kick to chase the smoke and flames away. Taping briefly onto the ground, he lept again and swept another windmill kick, adding a scorching flame to it.

[StillettoMai]

Misora saw the blocks he was performing, waiting for him to attack. When his second windmill kick sent flames her way, she cartwheeled to the right. (ooc: lol, she hangs out with Ty Lee sometimes.) She moved toward Ash, then stood on her hands for a second, kicking blue flames at him, before getting back on her feet.

[Max]

Ash gave out a short gasp as he was surprised by Misora's acrobatic abilities. The girl was six for crying out loud! He ducked down, avoiding most of the flames. He was hit by some, but luckily, they hit his right arm.

Standing firm, Ash twirled around and shot out some more flames to distract the Princess. He had a frustrated look on his face as he charged towards her, intending to bring the fight closer. He hated that he had to fight a six year old, but knew he had no choice unless the Fire Lord intervened.

Behind him, Ash had not seen Hao's deception as the cousin made a malicious grin as he watched Ash fight in his stead.

[StillettoMai]

Misora saw the flames, but didn't let herself get distracted by them. She instead focused on Ash as he rushed her. She had seen her flames hit his arm, but it didn't seem to be any worse for wear. She shrugged it off, thinking that maybe he was concentrating hard enough that he didn't notice the pain. She got almost close enough to touch him, then gave a sidekick that sent fire rushing at him.
Misora noticed Hao standing back, grinning. She thought it strange that his arm was in a sling when it was perfectly fine a few hours ago.
I don't care if he's injured or not. Once I'm through with this, I'm gonna show that bully what I think about him.