Chapter 3

The courtyard was silent. After all it's not everyday that a 'peasant' dismantled a noble, even if they were both just children. It was too absurd.

While others had a look of shock, a certain girl had a face of curiosity and amusement. Being friends with Mai, Azula knew her personality. Most importantly, she knew that for Mai to have a friend that she kept a secret, that meant that there was something special about him. Not to mention the fact that the only other male she knew was Zuko...but let's not go there.

He intrigued her. A nobody from the slums, who had nothing to his name had beaten a noble who has been trained at the academy, not to mention that he was more physically appealing than most if not all male nobles she had seen so far.

The uncaring cold eyes with which he viewed the world sent a shiver of excitement down her spine.

Mai simply stood by the sidelines, somewhat worried. She knew that he could easily beat the students here. She figured it out a long time ago. Every move that Sasuke made was always intentional and controlled. He hadn't told her that he had been training but they both knew that she was aware of it, she just never brought it up...but that wasn't what worried her.

He had beaten the son of a noble. One doesn't simply do that and walk away with no consequences. She was the one who convinced him to come and now he might be in trouble. She couldn't think of a way to get him out of the upcoming mess. Before she could go far into her thoughts, she saw something that made her sigh heavily.

Beside her, Ty Lee looked like she could barely hold herself seeing as how her eyes literally looked like hearts as she took in the figure of Sasuke. The other girls weren't looking any better.

She sighed heavily at the state of her friend and could only take put her mind back to the current situation.

'Sasuke...'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just as he was debating on whether to just knock him out or make him suffer even more, he jumped backwards a few meters, easily dodging a blast of fire.

Both Sasuke and everyone looked at the culprit. A boy of about ten years old with his palm stretched out and and furious look on his face, indicating that he was the one who fired. His clothing was similar to the other students, showing that he was also a student.

"What the hell are you doing to my brother!?" He asked in rage.

"H-h-han?..." the boy at his feet stuttered out with desperation and fear mixed in his voice.

'Brother?' Sasuke looked between the boy at his feet and the one snarling at him.

'Come to think of it I see the resemblance.'

They were almost the same. The only difference was that the one beneath him was younger and chubbier.

Not in the mood to deal with all of this, Sasuke leveled a glare at him which made him flinch.

"Don't interfere." He spoke with the same cold tone and expression he had used with his apparent younger sibling.

He didn't seem to listen as he rushed to Sasuke with his arm cocked back with flames licking his hand.

'They really are brothers.' Sasuke thought with a deadpan as he effortlessly dodges the 'attacks'.

His opponent threw a flamed kick which he ducked under. This was followed by another punch that also evaded.

His rage seemed to build up even more. He stood in a stance with his arm cocked back but didn't move. Slowly but surely, flames licked at his fist, growing stronger each second. The students gasped at this.

This was going to be bigger than the previous blasts of flames. Much more different. He finally finished charged towards Sasuke with the flaming fist, intending to land a big hit in his face.

His hopes were dashed as Sasuke literally slapped his forearm away just as he was about to fire, redirecting his aim and blast. Sasuke didn't stop there. He spun on his heel, sweeping opponents feet with a low roundhouse kick, knocking him to the ground.

Han moved to get up only to be met with a fist about two inches from touching his face. His face twisted in fear...the same look his brother had a minute ago as he looked into Sasuke's intimidating eyes.

Now the entire academy was silent. No words could be produced. This time he had also beaten an upperclassman. This time even Mai looked surprised but not too surprised.

While they were looking on in awe or fear, whichever it was, Sasuke on the other hand had far different thoughts. He had half a mind to kill these two right here and right now.

He only left them alive because of one thing, witnesses. That and he didn't want to give Mai nightmares. He got off the scared boy and walked towards Mai who had a concerned look.

Azula seemed to smirk as she took a step forward which caused Mai to inhale sharply. Sasuke, to her relief and mild concern, ignored Azula, opting to walk past her without even sparing her a glance.

Her face seemed to freeze as she was ignored. A small smirk grew on her lips. At first she thought he was a nobody from the slums of the fire nation, which wasn't exactly wrong, but now it's even more interesting.

He had one thing that was heavily desired in the fire nation. Talent. Maybe that's why Mai kept him hidden for so long.

'But not anymore.' She thought deviously.

"Let's go, Mai." Sasuke said as he slowly walked past Mai, but unlike with Azula, she followed him, walking side by side.

As they walked towards the exit, he suddenly looked somewhat exhausted which was caught by Mai.

"Are you okay? You seem exhausted." She said concernedly.

"I'm fine. Is everyone in the academy like that. What a drag." He said as he slouched a bit. Mai stifled a laugh at this. He had developed a habit of being somewhat lazy sometimes which never ceased to amaze her.

They walked out of the academy but not before Sasuke gave a discreet glance at the building in the academy overseeing the courtyard.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In that building overseeing the courtyard, a shadowed figure watched the events play out with an intrigued expression.

"Did nobody tell you that it's rude to spy on someone." A childish voice said from behind him, startling him.

He turned around and lo and behold, the same boy he had been watching was now standing before him. He quickly looked back to the courtyard only to see that he was no longer there.

Suppressing the slight fear in his heart, he spoke.

"Remarkable. That you are able to best not one but two of my students without being trained yourself is nothing short of remarkable. What is your name?" He inquired, with a disarming smile that would work on most children. Most.

"That is none of your concern." He said steely.

The figure eyes hardened as he held back his slight anger at the disrespect he was shown. He had full confidence he could kill this child if he wanted after all, he's not even a bender.

"I want to make you an offer." He started. Sasuke's eyes narrowed at that.

"You will become a student of this academy and swear fealty to the the fire nation-"

"I refuse." He was interrupted by an immediate rejection but that only made a smile grow on his face.

"You didn't let me finish. Either you attend this academy or you'll be arrested on the charge of assaulting the sons of a noble." He smirked devilishly.

'I win.' If he won't come willingly then I'll have to use force. After all no child wants to be arrested. His smirk falters as the child doesn't respond and walks towards the door.

As he opens the door the figure speaks again making him pause.

"If you walk out that door, the deal is off. You'll be wanted all over the fire nation. You're already struggling to survive...don't make it worse." With those words he believed he had won. Unexpectedly, Sasuke turned his head towards him with a smirk.

"You're welcome to try. Send all the soldiers you want...they'll all fall by my feet."

With that, the walls and window disappeared from view. The figure was now in a pitch black room. He looked around frantically.

'What...!!!'

He suddenly began to feel extremely hot. Fire benders are resistant to heat but they are not immune. He heat he felt was unbearable. He felt his skin melt and peel at the same time. He screamed in pain as his felt his inner muscles and organs melt.

Never had he had such a painful experience. He felt his eyes melt into a puddle below his feet. Hot iron digging into his palms and feet pulled him into the air, hanging by the hot chains that pierced his skin.

Despite his eyes being melted, he was able to see something that will scar him for life. Looking up, he saw a single red eye with three tomoe pattern gazing down at him. The pain and fear seemed to increase as he gazed upon it.

With the last thing he saw being the eye, he passed out. The surrounding dissipated and what could be seen was the headmaster of the academy passed out on the floor, with sweat flowing out of his entire being. No one else was present in the room.