Chapter 16: Sacrifice
(A/n: So I was trying to amass 5 chapters to give you, my loyal fans, a mass release but I couldn't come up with 5 chapters of content as quickly as I wanted. I do have some chapters amassed tho...
ps: it was my birthday on Wednesday the 30th :) and I'm having a party this Saturday so instead of trying to allocate the time for my chapters and leave you with nothing, I'll release one now and hopefully do a smaller mass release at another time.
So I'll keep trying to amass chapters and try to stick to 1 chapter a week from now on!
:) Enjoy! )
-------------------
I quickly make my way out of the house and I wisely decide to put on the new mask I've magically attained. Might as well finish my Anbu look with a mask.
The attack squad seems to have dispersed and left me alone after I arrived. Perhaps I wasn't their initial target?... or only one. I could be just one of the targets, but who else would Ozai want to eliminate? The Fire lord? He is too strong to be taken out by a single attack squad, even if he's old.
I kept pondering the thought while I made my way to the back of the courtyard. The best route out of the country has already been planned out. I knew I'd have to leave eventually so this was predetermined. The only thing in question was when.
Coming up on a back path, I see some royal soldiers marching someone down another hidden path. I stop my escape to take a glance but can't make out who is being escorted.
My curiosity is getting the better of me. It should be fine, the attack squad has dispersed and I don't feel anyone's presence.
--- Ursa POV ---
I'm being escorted to Ozai. I know it's him because these are royal elite guards, why he would use them to guide me instead of a more hidden method is beyond me. Is my husband getting careless? Or just fearless of the repercussions? The Fire Lord is still in power, so this doesn't make much sense…
"Beyond these doors…"states the guard in front of me as we open a passage. It leads into an enclosed room.
Inside is a simple chair and table with a hooded figure on the other side. The guards soon find their way out of the enclosed room with this hooded figure. Probably outside guarding the area.
'This doesn't feel very safe but can't let myself be shaken here'
"What do you want Ozai?" I guessed.
"...Of course you would have figured it out." Said the hooded man, now revealed to be Ozai as he takes his hood down. "Take a seat Ursa." His voice cold and unkind.
I look at the simple chair in front of him and do so. I'm not a bender. I'm not a fighter. I'm an herbalist. I can't fight physically but I can at least make it unpleasant to deal with me.
"Is there a reason why my great husband and prince to the Fire nation has dressed up like a street rat and brought me to this place?" the venom in my tone seems to not leave any damage on him.
"I haven't seen you so spirited in quite a while. Has the effects of your shock finally left you? If you keep this up…perhaps I might have another need for you yet." He said with a smirk.
'What does that mean?' His words leave me in suspense, and I don't like what he's implying.
"What more use could you have for a simple woman with nothing but her two kids?" I state simply.
"Why, more children! What else could you be good for?" Ozai said with an ever widening smile.
"!! What are you on about! The deal was an heir, that's what you wanted. I gave you two children and both are overwhelmingly talented. I'm sure Sasuke would be the best Fire Lord in the history of the nation!" I reason.
BANG!
'Flinch' I flinched at the sudden hit towards the table.
"That's the problem! He shows too much promise! His future will shine so bright that my own greatness is being overshadowed, and the boy isn't even a man yet! How can an 8 year old shine so brightly?" Ozai demands. His claims are pathetic, what father is scared of their son's growth?
"You're scared of your own son surpassing you? We as parents should let him become the best possible. How is his greatness a bad thing to you Ozai?" I reason with him. Can't let him get any bad ideas.
"Mhahaha scared? Of my son? Hahaha the only thing I, Prince Ozai, fear is the uncertainty of the Fire nation's future. My destiny is forever tied with this nation, and this nation craves its rightful place as this world's salvation. To elevate the savages of the world to our level and show them our brilliance!"
"BUT that BOY! He isn't feigning indifference, he IS! He has no desire nor want to advance the Fire nation's greatness. He has no want for familial affection, and only craves more power that isn't going to be used for his country but for himself! Such a selfish person can't be my heir…" Ozai suddenly takes a deep breath, calming down his anger.
"Bring him to me"
THUMP!
"!SASUKE?!" I stand up in rapt attention. The chair swinging behind me and falling on the ground.
All of a sudden a man in a professional library uniform shows up with Sasuke tied up, kicking the back of his leg in and putting Sasuke on his knees. Not much damage seems to be on his face but he is definitely hurt!
"What is the meaning of this Ozai!?" I berate him.
"Easy, my love. Under the Fire lord's orders, I must kill one of my children."
"!!" I'm shocked by the revelation. I would normally deny such a statement however for Ozia to use the royal guards now makes sense. He wouldn't be afraid of Azulan's backlash if it was his order. BUT WHY WOULD HE ORDER THAT!?
"Your confusion is easy to tell. He wants for me to feel the pain that Iroh feels for losing his own. How foolish. Mhaahaha, all this does is give me a reason to take this hindrance out of the way. He isn't usable, but Azula? She will make a fine puppet."
"You MONSTER!" I lung at my son and protect his body with my own. The librarian lets go of Sasuke's head that was forcing him to look down but still holds on to his bindings.
"Leave my children alone! Take me instead!"
----------------------------------
(A/n:
SASUKE WAS CAUGHT!? WTF some shinobi he is…oh wait. He never was one huh.
Ursa being a mom. Yknow how it is.
The Ozai we all know and love is doing his thing…being a great plot device. )