A/N: This is my first time writing this kind of story so I'm nervous.

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender.

I didn't know what to make of him at first. Sure, they told me he was young but not this young. He is just a boy, not yet a man in my humble opinion. But he is the new Fire Lord and to me, a job is a job so I'll just suck it up and do as I'm told. I've been in this job long enough that I know that my silence is the key to get paid well so I just pretend not to know a thing and do my work. Their issues aren't my business anyway.

Fire Lord Zuko, the bringer of peace. He helped the avatar to end the Hundred Year War that ironically, his ancestors started. It is the fifth year of his reign and today, he is visiting a former Fire Nation colony.

I observe him from a distance; this is usually the easiest part of my job. To my employer's luck, this is the one skill that I'm proud of. I can melt into the shadows unnoticed and I'm an expert in watching people. I learned to read them from an early age so I can predict their move before they make it. That's why I'm highly valued.

Perfect, cold, and stoic. Those are the traits of the Fire Lords that came before him. Oh, I know. Of course I do. They conquered us after all. They have this proud baring. It's like their stance alone is telling the people that they are better than everyone. Shoulders back, chin up, and a blank face. The typical Fire Nation royalty. I thought that the new Fire Lord is like that but unfortunately for me and my boss, we are wrong.

Unlike his ancestors, his face is not flawless. Many will say that his first oddity is his scar. Instead of covering it up, the kid carries it proudly. There is a story behind it. I know. But now is not the time for gossip. I'll ask around after the job. It's the least thing I could do.

Fire Lord Zuko's party is small, just a couple of people and most of them are girls. Well, he is a young man after all. You do you, buddy. I don't know if he's brave or just plain stupid. Who goes in a hostile territory with just a bunch of people who most of them look like they're the once that needs protecting? I snorted at that thought. The dumber he is, the easier the job for me.

I slink into the shadows unseen; I need to wait for the right moment to strike. The alleys of this place are small and confusing; you can't get out if you don't know the way and that's why it's great for running away. The sun is near to setting and the Fire Lord still has a long way to go.

This is what they call the slums. The people here are poor and society just pretends they don't exist. There are trashes everywhere, prostitutes to the side, and hungry men and women all around. Not the ideal place for a Fire Lord to walk. Mind you, but this is the fastest route to his destination and he is already late. Beggars can't be choosers, ha.

He walks purposely, just looking ahead. Probably couldn't wait to pass this rotten place. But he suddenly stops and to my surprise, stoops down to help a beggar. He takes off some of his layers and covered the shivering old man with it. The kid bends his head close to the man and I can see that he is speaking to him. After a moment, he called one of his guard and they help the man. I think he told the guard to get the sod to a doctor because they left after. The bulky guy carrying the weakening thin man out of sight.

Well, well, well, a naive child. I mocked him in my mind. That's one more thing he differs from his cursed line, I think. I'm sure that the previous Fire Lord would never so much as take a step in this rat whole but this one does. His father would have burned the man for not paying attention to him but the new Fire Lord helps him instead. Too bad, this teenager seemed nice and harmless. It almost saddens me for what I'm about to do but a job is a job, and my stomach is pestering me for a while now.

So the moment that he stops near a slightly darken alcove, I struck. I come at his blind spot, my dagger aiming for his back. No matter the kindness he showed, he is still one of them and I needed the money. I don't remember when was the last time I ate somethin' and I'm already thinking about my luxurious meal after this job. I'm sure that they would pay me well. I took out the freakin' Fire Lord for goodness' sake. I can imagine all the food I'm going to have. Hmmm.

So here I am, imagining my meal and that's the first of my many mistakes. Had I paid attention, I would have noticed that my target sensed me coming and sidestepped to get out of the way of my knife. He quickly span and the next thing i know is that my dagger got knocked out of my hand and my wrist was twisted painfully. I'm on the filthy ground, strong callous hands are choking me and the Fire Lord is looming down on me.

His golden eyes are searing in to my soul and when he speaks, his raspy voice chilled my blood. "I've been watching you; I heard your footsteps from a mile away. The snobby nobles forgot that I know how to live outside the palace so I know if I'm being followed, especially when it's this obvious."

It is when I realized that this is a man who can easily kill me without using his bending. A man, not a child and certainly is not like his ancestors before him. So I hope and I pray that in contrast to his cruel family, he'll give an assassin like me mercy.

A/N: What do you think? Please leave a review on your way out!