Chapter Text
“I’m not implying that your plan is no less than honorable Mr. Kaji, but you must remember how competitive Caldera Military School is. If you leave now, your spot will be given to another.”
“I’m very aware Counselor Inoue.”
“I’m just… Lu Ten, your record is incredible. Top of your high school class. High entrance exam scores. Not to mention your family’s impressive military background. Do you really want to throw all that away? Surely there must be someone else who can look after your cousins.”
Lu Ten hardened. The phone call from social services was still fresh in his mind.
“There’s not. With father away on active duty, I’m the only one of age who can look after them. If I don’t they’ll be sent to foster homes and separated!”
“I’ve heard the foster care has made great improvements over the years-“
Lu Ten stood. “Thank you for your help Counselor Inoue, but I must leave now to beat traffic. If you excuse me.”
He bowed then let himself out before his temper got the better of him. The nerve of that guy! Zuko and Azula were far more important than a military career! Lu Ten spent enough time away from them as is. It was high time he made it up.
~*~
The office was tiny. There was barely any room for the front desk, yet alone the few waiting chairs crammed in. Lu Ten stuffed his hands inside his pockets as he fault the urge to pace.
“Just finishing up some paper work, Mr. Kaji.” The desk worker assured him.
Lu Ten gave her a strained smile. “Right, thanks.”
“And since you have your trust fund as well as a Mr. Iroh Kaji’s funds, you won’t qualify for government assistance.”
Lu Ten chuckled. “Do I look like I need a hand out? I got this. Don’t worry.”
“Okay then.”
The desk worker all but rolled her eyes. Lu Ten bristled. If it wasn’t for Uncle tarnishing the family name, more people would treat them with respect they deserved.
“Well that takes care of everything. Sign here please. I’ll let them know to bring the children over.”
Lu Ten quickly signed the dotted line. Regardless of terrible situation and the worker’s rudeness, he was excited to see his baby cousins again. They were always so cute and energetic with their cute little games and cute little plays they loved to perform. The door noisily scrapping open broke Lu Ten out of his thoughts.
“Look who it is!” The escort gushed.
Lu Ten’s mouth fell open when he saw his cousins.
They were much taller now, as expected since they were no longer six and four years old. But now they looked utterly exhausted and stressed with dark bags under their eyes. Thick bandages completely covered Zuko’s left eye and disappeared under the black hoodie swallowing him whole. Azula’s hair was a tangled uneven mess with whole chunks missing. Both had dark bruises peaking from under their baggy clothes.
“Zuko, Azula, aren’t you excited?! Your cousin’s here to take you home!” The escort spoke again in an annoying peppy tone.
Lu Ten wanted to scream.
“Zuzu! Lala! It’s me Lulu! Don’t tell me, you forgot about me already?”
The nicknames caused them to finally lift their heads. A flicker of recognition crossed their eyes. Azula was the first to move, practically throwing herself against Lu Ten while crying.
“Easy there, little dragon. I got you.” Lu Ten rubbed her back as he fought off his own tears. He held out an arm for Zuko. “Come on buddy. Don’t leave me hanging.”
Zuko hesitated before accepting the hug. Lu Ten did not miss how the boy stiffened at his touch.
“The Kaji Cousins reunited at last!” Lu Ten picked them up and spun them around. “Rawr!!!”
Azula screamed.
“Put us down!!!” Zuko yelled, startling Lu Ten.
“Okay okay.” He placed them down. “Zuzu-“
“We’re not little kids anymore!” Zuko spat then stormed outside.
“He doesn’t mean it!” Azula said quickly. “We loved it! We’ll listen to whatever you say! I love spinning actually! I can go again if you want!”
Lu Ten raised his hands. “How about you wait by the car with Zuzu while I get the bags.”
"Oh..." Azula winced then straighten up. “I mean, yes! Whatever you say, sir!”
After Azula left, Lu Ten turned his attention to the workers who were looking him up and down.
“What happened to them?” he demanded.
“It says on file after Mr. Ozai Kaji was imprisoned for various charges, they were sent to foster care until a guardian was arranged.”
“Was one of those charges child abuse?!” Lu Ten hissed.
Uncle had always been a hard strict man. Lu Ten never liked how he treated Zuko, even in the brief interactions he'd witnessed. Then again, he had heard rumors about uncaring social workers as well. Lu Ten's blood boiled with anger.
“Or was it one of you low-class dross who touched them?!”
“Mr. Kaji, everyone at Bright Sparks Foster Care is vetted. We have no tolerance for such behavior.” She said calmly. “Also, we’re not permitted to disclose Mr. Ozai Kaji’s records.”
“Then explain to me how they got those bruises and why they’re so skittish?!”
“This is a hard time for a child. Besides, they were like that when they arrived.”
“You mean to tell me they’ve been here for a week, and you didn’t think to look into it?!”
“Mr. Kaji-“
“No. Call the police and tell them to add another charge to Ozai’s record!”
Two men in vets walked in from the back. “Sir, we’re going to have to ask you to leave or you will be escorted forcibly.” They flashed their tasers.
“I will after those dross do their damn job!”
“Sir, if you don’t calm down, you will be deemed unfit for guardianship and the children will return to our care!”
Lu Ten's eyes widened in shock before hardening again. He grabbed the siblings’ bags then marched out absolutely fuming. How dare they! He soon found the siblings curled up by the car. They sprung up as soon as they saw him; both alarmed and tensed. Lu Ten’s heart ache.
“How about we get ice cream on the way home? Unless, you two are too old for ice cream now.”
The siblings nervously glanced at each other.
“W-We’re not…”
“Excellent! Mark my words, a dragon is never ever too old for ice cream!”
Lu Ten placed the bags in the trunk as the siblings piled inside. Despite his easy-going appearance, he was furious. One thing was for sure, he’ll do everything in his power to keep his cousins safe.