[center][h1][u][color=yellow]Kohaku[/color][/u][/h1][/center]

[h3][center]Well... shit.[/center][/h3] 

Kohaku had greatly underestimated how far Ozai would go to keep up the appearance that Kohaku, ahem, [i]Zuihou[/i] was his legitimate child and heir to the throne. With Zuko banished, that technically put "Zuihou" next in line, assuming Zuko didn't earn his title back. To be fair, there was no definitive proof Kohaku [i]wasn't[/i] his legitimate child anyway, so it seemed Ozai was just running with it... in spite of all Kohaku's efforts to take advantage of their dubious birthright.

Kohaku didn't want the throne. Getting the throne would absolutely derail the timeline and, quite frankly, sounded like way, way too much trouble and responsibility. Zuko was the best choice and Azula... well at least she [i]wanted[/i] the job and was actually meant to exist in this world.

Kohaku took a deep breath and chanced a glance in Azula's direction. Had they not been mentally bracing for it, they might have flinched. Azula was already glaring at them sideways. At first there was a hint of surprise, followed by betrayal, and lastly pure jealousy and anger. Only "Zuihou" had been labeled Crown Princess and Kohaku knew full well that being granted the position of Colonel, even if it was overseeing the legendary Yuyan Archers, was not enough to satisfy her. Even if in turn "Zuihou" was being denied any military rank at all.

Kohaku knew full well what Ozai was doing. He was praising and snubbing both of them in turn. Azula given rank, but denied royalty, while Kohaku was subtly being reminded that they were inferior to Azula in bending prowess. No, more than that, Ozai wanted Kohaku to surpass Azula, or at least try.

It was a not so subtle jab that Kohaku fully recognized for what it was. Ozai would push them until he got what he wanted, or one of them failed so utterly that they weren't worth his time anymore... like Zuko. Once only one remained, they'd get everything they ever wanted, or so Ozai wanted them to think.

[hr]
[center][u]3 Years Ago[/u][/center]
Kohaku was standing near the exit to the palace. After a short wait, they saw Zuko approaching, flanked by two guardsmen. A bandage obscured half their brother's recently disfigured face. As they drew near, Kohaku stepped into their path and looked at the guards.

[color=lightyellow]"Give us a minute."[/color]

"Forgive us, but Lord Ozai has ordered us to escort him to the docks immediately," one of the guards replied, attempting to steer the banished prince past Kohaku.

[color=lightyellow]"And you will. [color=gold][i]In a minute,[/i][/color]"[/color] Kohaku [i]informed[/i] them. The guards flinched, glanced at each other, and then walked past the siblings to wait by the door just out of earshot.

[color=red]"I... can't talk long. My banishment has already begun. I don't belong here anymore..."[/color] Zuko mumbled dejectedly, unable to meet Kohaku's eyes.

[color=lightyellow]"I was there,"[/color] Kohaku reminded him coldly. [color=lightyellow]"You didn't fight back."[/color]

[color=red]"It... it wasn't supposed to be father, it-"[/color]

[color=lightyellow]"Excuses. I would have fought back. [color=gold][i]You[/i] should have fought back,[/color]"[/color] Kohaku berated him, brow furrowing with frustration.

[color=red]"I-I wouldn't have won! I didn't stand a chance. I-I didn't-"[/color]

[color=lightyellow]"Excuses! Why did you even bother speaking up in the first place then!? What, do the troops' lives only matter to you until father tells you they don't?! And you know father [i]wanted[/i] you to fight back, so make up your mind! [color=gold]Do you care what he thinks or don't you?![/color]"[/color]

[color=red]"I was scared, OK!? I... I didn't want to fight him! H-he-"[/color] Zuko took a step away from their younger sibling. Despite that, Zuko seemed like the small one in that moment, shrinking back from them. Kohaku was already the same height as it was, despite being the younger, but in that moment almost seemed to tower over the elder.

[color=lightyellow]"And there it is. You sure you're the eldest? Because you seem more like a baby to me,"[/color] Kohaku scoffed at him. [color=lightyellow]"Some big brother you turned out to be, abandoning me here."[/color]

That seemed to hurt Zuko the most. With the state he was in one would have thought he couldn't wilt any further, but suddenly he looked more broken than ever before.

[color=red]"Yeah. I guess I am,"[/color] Zuko responded in a hollow voice. [color=red]"Sorry."[/color] With that, Zuko made to drift past Kohaku, but only made it a few steps. He was suddenly halted in his tracks as Kohaku's arms wrapped around him from behind. [color=red]"Wh-wh-"[/color] Trapped in Kohaku's grip, he couldn't find the strength to pull away.

[color=gold]"If you're gone too long, you'll eventually forget what this hug feels like,"[/color] Kohaku told him in a whisper. [color=gold]". . . so come back before that happens."[/color] Zuko had nothing to say this time. There was nothing he [i]could[/i] say as his breath caught in his throat, only managing a small, choking gasp.

Finally, he managed, [color=red]"I'll... try."[/color]

Meanwhile, Kohaku lifted their gaze to see the two guards trying to covertly observe them. Kohaku's tender expression quickly corroded into one of pure venom, causing the two to quickly avert their eyes and go back to standing stiffly at attention. Hopefully they'd be smart enough to keep what they'd seen to themselves. If not, Kohaku had ways of making them regret it.

[color=red]"I have to go,"[/color] Zuko said, reaching up to pry Kohaku's arms off.

[color=gold]"I know."[/color] Kohaku relented and stepped away. There was nothing left to do at that point but watch their big brother walk away. It... hurt more than expected. Kohaku didn't expect the guilt that hit them at that moment. For years they'd known this was coming. For years they'd subtly worked to make sure that never changed. Could they have really stopped it? Maybe not. Had they tried?

No. Not really. The excuse that it was meant to be did little to soothe the pain in that moment.

[color=lightblue]"Did you have a nice goodbye?"[/color] Kohaku could probably [i]hear[/i] the smirk. Much like Kohaku had been waiting to intercept Zuko on his way out, they found Azula waiting to intercept them on their way back. Of course she was. Really, Kohaku would have been disappointed if Azula [i]hadn't[/i] taken the opportunity to twist the knife.

[color=lightyellow]"You know, if you hurry, you can catch up. I'm sure he'd love for you to wish him well."[/color] Kohaku was sure he [i]wouldn't[/i].

[color=lightblue]"Hmph, why should I care what that loser wants? It's his own fault this is happening!"[/color] Watching a young Azula spew the most venomous words was always... an experience. Unfortunately, considering Kohaku had basically just finished telling Zuko pretty much exactly that, they couldn't refute Azula's words -- not and feel good about it. Ozai was a cruel bastard for orchestrating it, but even so... Zuko had made the wrong choice.

[color=lightyellow]"Please, Azula. Can't you see I'm upset? Shouldn't you be comforting me right now?"[/color] Kohaku made a show of sniffling sadly. Azula mouth hung open, seemingly in shocked disgust. [color=lightyellow]"All these years, I've tried to be good to you, my dear, little sister."[/color] Kohaku went so far as to wipe away a tear that didn't exist. [color=lightyellow]"Barely a year older, but I did my best to look after you... like that time you soiled yourself and cried, and cried, but mother wasn't near enough to hear you, and so I took it upon myself t-"[/color]

Azula's eyes shot wide, [color=lightblue]"Th-that... did not... did... not happen..."[/color] Venomous little thing or not, for the time being Azula was still a little girl whose pride and ego were a weak point Kohaku could exploit.

[color=lightyellow]"The point is, dear sister, I was always there for you. Why can't you be there for me now?"[/color]

[color=lightblue]"Did you [i]not[/i] just see what happened to Zuko? Father would not approve of such w-"[/color] Well if Azula was going talk about what "just happened" to Zuko, Kohaku would just take that extremely literally. Kohaku forced their little sister into an obnoxiously smothering embrace.

[color=lightyellow]"Oh my, dear, little sister, unable to form a single independent thought."[/color] Kohaku gave her a condescending pat on the head. [color=lightyellow]"It's OK. If you won't comfort me of your own free will, you'll just do it of mine."[/color] Kohaku let out an amused sigh, literally feeling the temperature begin to rise as Azula's temper began to burn away. [color=lightyellow]"You know the worst part?"[/color] Kohaku asked, voice breaking a little.

Kohaku's unsteady voice must have given Azula pause, as she actually ceased struggling for a moment, [color=lightblue]". . . what?"[/color]

[color=lightyellow]"Everything,"[/color] Kohaku took a deep breath... and smirked, [color=lightyellow]"everything I said was true."[/color]

[color=lightblue]"UGH!"[/color] Azula tore herself free of Kohaku's grasp, her face shifting between three different shades of red. If Kohaku had to name them, they'd be shame, rage, and embarrassment. Azula was growing more ruthless and conniving by the day. Before long it would be difficult to mess with her like this, so Kohaku was relishing it while they still could.

Kohaku let out a small laugh, [color=gold]"See? Thanks to you I'm already feeling better."[/color]

[color=lightblue]"Good for you..."[/color] Azula seethed.

[color=gold]"That's what family is for, right?"[/color] Kohaku smiled. [color=gold]"You're my little sister and I'll always love you."[/color]

Azula's mind seemed to lock up for a moment, [color=lightblue]"Wh-"[/color] In her sudden stupor, she was unable to stop Kohaku from their hand tenderly on her head again. 

[color=gold]"Remember that. I'll always be there for you. Just say the word."[/color] Azula just stared dumbstruck for a moment, but finally snapped out of the shock brought on by the sudden change in tone, quickly slapping Kohaku's hand away.

[color=lightblue]"What is the world is wrong with you, Zuihou!?"[/color]

Kohaku just tilted their head in confusion, glancing around.

[color=lightblue]". . . Kohaku. . ."[/color] Azula grumbled under her breath.

Kohaku smiled again, [color=gold]"Guess I'm just feeling a little sentimental today."[/color]

[hr]
[center][u]Present[/u][/center]

[color=gold][i]'Well played, old man, but I'm stubborn, too.'[/i][/color] Kohaku managed to keep a straight face even as Ozai rapidly and without hesitation kicked out the foundations of everything Kohaku had been building over the last decade. [color=lightyellow]"I understand, father. I'll make sure to properly earn the generous reward you've offered."[/color] Kohaku had no idea if said land was actually something Ozai would ever actually grant, but... Kohaku certainly wouldn't turn it down if it materialized.

With that, the two siblings left the room.

[color=lightyellow]"If you keep glaring at me like that I might [i]actually[/i] burst into flames and then what would you do?"[/color] Kohaku smirked wryly at Azula.

[color=lightblue]"Oh, what a tragedy that would be were our beloved [i]Crown Princess[/i] to suddenly combust,"[/color] Azula sniped back, her voice cold, but Kohaku could detect the tension just beneath the surface. 

[color=lightyellow]"My poor, dear sister. Still can't form an independent thought."[/color] Kohaku shook their head sadly. Azula's mouth just hung open silently for a moment. Seeking to seize the moment, Kohaku reached out to pat her on the head, but Azula quickly side-stepped it.

[color=lightblue]"I don't have time for this."[/color] Azula turned on her heel to walk away.

[color=gold]"I'll miss you,"[/color] Kohaku called after her. 

[color=lightblue]"I won't."[/color]

[color=gold]"Well, if you change your mind... I'll come running. Just say the word."[/color] Azula's stopped walking for just a moment, her fist clenching... but then the moment passed and in the next she'd turned the corner and was gone.

Kohaku sighed, lips curling into a frustrated grimace, [color=gold]"What an absolute pain in my ass,"[/color] they muttered, referring to nothing specific and just sort've everything in general. They'd been naive to think that determination and a positive attitude would change everything. [color=gold]"And who the fuck is Zouren?"[/color] The fact that they [i]didn't[/i] recognize that name gave them pause.

There shouldn't have been many names they didn't recognize, meaning this Fire Sage was some form of anomaly or another. 

[color=gold][i]'Welp. Can't avoid it. Might as well get this over with. Ozai did say he'll make me stronger...'[/i][/color] So with that, Kohaku made to go find the Sage.