A sense of danger

Ozai probably never imagined that, after he entrusted Azula with winning Kahn over, she would turn around and sell him out. Nor could he have imagined that Azula and Kahn shared a more unusual relationship than he thought.

Barring any surprises, that was the end of the matter.

That said, no one knew what Ozai might think in the future. Now that Kahn had entered his sights, trouble like this could only grow more frequent.

At last, for the first time, Kahn felt a genuine sense of danger.

Although he had always worried about living in a world of turmoil, he was, after all, in the Fire Nation Capital. Everywhere he looked, prosperity stretched before his eyes. The so-called troubled times and war were far too distant from him. Despite his constant reminders to himself, those concepts remained vague notions floating on the surface, never feeling quite real.

But the danger Ozai brought him was very real, putting him under even greater pressure than supposedly living in a world of turmoil.

Whatever else he might be, Ozai was the emperor of the most powerful empire in the world!

That immense pressure also gave Kahn immense drive. During this period, Azula, Zuko, and Iroh would always find him immersed in training.

"What's gotten into him?"

Zuko turned to ask Iroh.

Although Kahn had always been interested in learning Firebending and enthusiastic about it, this was the first time Zuko had seen him work so diligently.

Had something rattled him?

"Who knows?"

Iroh laughed it off.

Only Azula, Kahn, and Iroh currently knew that Ozai had taken an interest in Kahn. But the fact that even Iroh knew meant that Ozai's plan had died before it was even born.

They had not kept Zuko in the dark out of distrust, but because he lacked Azula's cunning and acting skills. If Ozai suddenly questioned him, he might instead risk exposing Azula.

At that thought, Iroh chuckled, utterly delighted.

Ozai wanted Azula to turn Kahn to his side, never realizing that Kahn had already turned Azula. He had lost both his lady and his soldiers.

And another thing...

Kahn, you really are something!

Inwardly, he gave Kahn, still absorbed in training, a thumbs-up.

Still, Ozai was indeed a problem.

He knew Ozai's nature all too well. Whatever Ozai wanted, he would seize by any means necessary. Whatever he could not have, he wished he could destroy. Obedience was only natural; resistance was an unforgivable crime.

If Ozai learned that Kahn opposed him, he probably would resort to extreme measures.

Of course, Ozai certainly would not dare play any tricks against Kahn right under Iroh's nose. That would not be wicked, but stupid. Yet Iroh could not stay by Kahn's side forever...

At that thought, Iroh looked toward the many empty rooms in the courtyard, considering.

It might not be out of the question.

Before Ozai took the throne, Iroh had lived in the Crown Prince's Residence as the Fire Nation Crown Prince. After Ozai's accession, however, Iroh lost that title and naturally moved out. Most of his household servants had been dismissed, so he simply dismissed the rest as well and left the Royal Palace alone, bag in hand.

But Ozai was too wary of him to let him go very far. He now lived in a courtyard residence not far from the Royal Palace, and his movements were essentially restricted to the city. He could not leave it at will.

It was effectively house arrest.

But he was no soft persimmon for others to squeeze as they pleased. He had willingly accepted house arrest because he and Ozai had reached certain agreements, securing him certain privileges.

For instance, although he could not leave the city, he could freely enter and leave anywhere within it, including the Royal Palace, even the Council Chamber and the Imperial Study...

Of course, he would not go looking for trouble in those places merely because he was bored.

I seem to have wandered off the subject.

In any case, I'm on my own now. What difference does it make where I live?

So he told Kahn, "I'll be living here with you from now on."

"Living here?"

Kahn was training when Iroh suddenly spoke. He froze for a moment, not quite processing it, then readily agreed.

"Of course. No problem."

After all, even without living there, Iroh already came almost every day to teach Firebending. If he had nothing else to do afterward, he would stay a while, sometimes not leaving until dusk. It was hardly different from living there.

And if Iroh moved in, learning Firebending would become even more convenient. Besides, sharing a home with a Firebending Master whose strength was unfathomable would give Kahn an incredible sense of security.

Perhaps concern for his safety had also played a part in Iroh's suggestion.

No, no, no, you don't have to leave that part out!

Hearing their conversation, Zuko said enviously from beside them,

"I wish I could stay at Kahn's house too."

Then he could play with Kahn every day, and they could learn Firebending from Iroh together.

But that was impossible. Never mind staying over-he could only occasionally come out with Iroh to play. The rest of the time, he had to obediently remain in the Royal Palace. As Ozai's only son, he had all sorts of lessons to study.

He was not like Azula, who dared sneak out without a care.

"That old man's going to live with you?"

Wouldn't that mean I'd have to run into him all the time?!

Azula had quite a few complaints about this. She had little liking for Iroh, because every time he looked at her, his gaze seemed to see right through her, which annoyed her immensely.

It had gotten slightly better lately, but she was not about to let it go. It was only because she could not beat Iroh yet. One day, she would teach him a lesson.

"Then I want a guest room too!"

Kahn gave her a strange look. "What would you need one for?"

Then he seemed to realize something and said in horror, "You're kidding. Sneaking out to play isn't enough-you'd actually dare stay out overnight?!"

"What the hell is it to you? Can't I use it for a nap?"

Azula rolled her eyes at him irritably.

You want to stay in my house, and you're asking what it has to do with me?

"Whatever. Suit yourself."

Kahn shrugged. His house was quite large, after all, so he had plenty of confidence.

And so Kahn went about his daily routine: attending classes, finishing classes, learning Firebending, reading at the library, and playing with Azula and Zuko. Ty Lee and Mai often came over too, and the five gradually became a little group.

There was no movement from Ozai, because war had begun. With more matters to attend to, he had no energy to spare for a nobody like Kahn.

Iroh, on the other hand, was unusually concerned about the war and began going out frequently. According to Azula, he had been heading to the Council Chamber every day lately. But she could not sneak inside, and she could not hear very clearly from outside, so she did not know much about the situation.

Judging by Iroh's expression each time he returned, things probably were not going well. Later, however, he seemed to grow accustomed to it, or perhaps numb, and gradually began returning to normal.

Whatever the case, time waited for no one.