Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's notes: This story builds on the stories "The price of peace", "Foundations of a city", "On the ice", "Spring talks" and "A bittersweet vacation". It would be extremely helpful to read those fics first.
The beginning of a dream
By Eva aka Pinkfox
"Forty-five… forty-six… forty-seven… forty-eight… forty-nine… fifty…" Suki lowered her arms and focused on her breathing for a few moments to slow it down. She had easily finished her sets of pushups, sit-ups, jumping jacks and now she moved on to her set of fifty squats. Having regained her breath, she went once more: "One… two… three… four… five…"
Piandao studied it all from the side, watching with interest when she finished the calisthenics and picked up the metal fans that were lying at to the side. Taking another deep breath to focus, she started to move with easy, supple movements, flowing around the yard like water.
Unlike many people he had trained, Suki was already an experienced and trained warrior and before he started working with her, he wished to determine her levels in both ability and knowledge. He watched with even more interest when she exchanged her fans for a katana and once more she started moving around the yard, only this time her steps and arm movements were sharper then with the fan kata.
"Do you wish to see anything else, Master Piandao?" Suki asked politely after she had returned her katana to the sheath.
"Do you have anything more to show me?" Piandao countered.
"You saw my acrobatics training yesterday… Then I believe you have seen the most important components of my training as a Kyoshi Warrior."
"Very well then."
Suki nodded back and started to stretch herself to finish the exercise routine of that morning. She had been training for two hours and she was hungry.
"Why do you wish to train with me? From what I have seen you are already a very capable warrior." Piandao asked when she finished her stretches and the two headed inside for breakfast.
"I have come to believe you can always improve yourself. When I lived on Kyoshi I believed I couldn't really improve anymore, but once we were in the outside world I learned there was a lot I don't know. I especially realized that when I faced with Azula and her friends. I know of your reputation, Master, and when you offered to train me I realized I would be a fool to say no."
"I can tell you that my style of sword fighting is very different from what you were taught with the katana. It will take a lot of work to adapt." Piandao warned her.
"I'm used to training hard… And though I learned the basics of fighting with a katana, it was never our focus as a Kyoshi Warrior. Our fans are our main weapons and the katanas will never be more than a backup. Another reason for me was that the katana never quite worked for me. I never seemed to flow as natural as the fans."
"That is very possible. A sword has to fit its master. Perhaps we can find out what style of sword is natural for you."
"I look forward to the challenge."
Half an hour later Piandao, Suki and Sokka were kneeling around the breakfast table and Fat brought out a breakfast of hot tea, noodles in a thick vegetable broth and dumplings filled with spicy meat. Sokka immediately attacked the food, dunking the dumplings in his broth and choking them down as if he was starving.
Suki rolled her eyes and ate much more calmly. She found the dumplings almost too spicy, preferring her noodles. Piandao was just as calm, ignoring Sokka's behavior. Finally Suki had enough and pulled out her fans, rapping him on the head.
"Ow…" Sokka sputtered as soon as his mouth was empty.
"You're taking away my appetite with your way of eating. I know Katara managed to drill some table manners in you, so please use them."
"Yes mother…" Sokka replied with an annoyed tone in his voice, but he started eating in a more civilized manner.
Piandao serenely ignored the bickering and waited till Suki was finished scolding Sokka before asking: "What does the training of a new Kyoshi Warrior look like? I got the impression it was fairly rigorous."
Suki swallowed before replying. "It is. We start training young and we continue to train hard a lot even when we are fully trained warriors."
"Would you describe to me how it goes?"
"Of course…" Suki gathered her thoughts for a moment before beginning. "We take in a group of trainees every three or four years. Girl between eight and ten eligible for being admitted. Something we take in someone a bit older or younger if they really want too and show promise… The first four months the girls still live at home with their parents and attend school in the mornings. In the afternoon they come for training. In the beginning they don't learn to fight yet, but they learn things like how to fall properly, basic acrobatics exercises as rolling, hand stands and the bridge and we start calisthenics."
Suki sipped her tea before continuing. "We also do games to strengthen their senses and their observation skills. After four months all the girls are evaluated. Some will stop, with others the parents don't agree and for others the program is simply too much. I estimate about half of the girls remain. Those girls move into the compound and though they continue school in the mornings in the afternoon they start learning unarmed combat and acrobatics while continuing to sharpen their senses. After another year of training weapon training is added with paper fans and wooden swords."
"When do they start training with real weapons?" Piandao asked, focused on absorbing all the information
"After they have been training for three or four years. The girls are tested and when they pass, they don't only receive metal weapons, but they also have the right to start wearing the make-up and armor. Generally they also stop going to school and training intensifies. They start sparring with each other and they also start learning all kinds of useful skills a warrior need. This varies from first aid to reading maps or from to find your own food to how to maintain your uniform. When deemed ready, each girl is tested individually and promoted to a Kyoshi warrior when ready." Suki finished her explanation, sipping her tea because her voice had become a bit rough.
The sword master nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. "Thank you for this information, Suki. It was most enlightening."
"You're welcome."
Piandao then turned to Sokka, who had been listening with as much interest as Piandao had been listening. "Did you find any more of the black stone around the impact site?"
"I found a few more chunks, though it isn't very much. But with what remains from the last time, I think it should be enough to forge a new sword." Sokka reported.
Piandao nodded approvingly. "We will take a look after breakfast. I believe this time you will be able to do far more on your own. You learned much long time."
Sokka's eyes gleamed excitedly. "Do you think I might be able to forge swords on my own one day?"
"If you really want to, I am sure that is possible. But it takes a lot more to forge a sword completely on your own…"
"I think I would like to learn one day, but I don't think this is the right time. I'm too busy in the outside world to focus on really learning how to forge a sword." Sokka replied after pondering his reply for a moment.
"A very balanced and well thought out reply." Piandao complimented him. "I agree with you this is not to right time for you to learn. But I believe the day will come. If you are still on this path by then, I will be honored to teach you."
Sokka bowed from seated position. "I would be honored, Master Piandao."
Piandao simply nodded back. "Have you eaten enough? Then we will go look at your material." He turned to Suki. "Will you accompany us?"
"I will join you in a few moments. Go ahead." Her hand was pressed against her stomach in an inconspicuous way.
Suki had waited till Piandao and Sokka had left. Sokka had been enthusiastically describing what he had liked about his previous sword and where he thought a few minor improvements could be made. Piandao either explained a few techniques with might help with that or clarified why it was difficult to prevent something for occurring. Neither seemed to notice the pale tinge to Suki's skin.
Only when they completely had left the room, Suki jumped up and hurried to the closest bathroom before becoming violently ill. She knelt on the floor, shuddering and trembling. When she started to feel a bit better, she rose and rinsed her mouth.
"This is the second day." She muttered to herself. "What is going on with me?"
When she left the bathroom, she found a small tray standing nearby. On it was a place with rice crackers and a small bag. When she opened it, she found a handful of ginger candies. She took the tray with her, sucking on one of the candies.
That evening Suki retired early, feeling tired. Sokka entered only fifteen minutes later, a looking a bit worried. "Are you okay, Suki? You just left pretty early."
"I'm fine, Sokka. Just tired. I haven't trained that intensively the last few months and I have been working hard the last few days."
"Maybe." Sokka looked a bit doubtful. "I wish Katara was here. Then she could have checked you over if something was wrong…"
Suki smiled. "I'm really okay, Sokka. Maybe I'm coming down with a bit of cold or something. I don't know… I should just have taken you upon that offer to relax a little bit longer."
Sokka smiled back. "So I'm right once in a while?"
"Yes, once in a while you're right." Suki conceded. "Did you just come to check upon me?"
"Not just that. You forgot your desert." Sokka revealed a small bowl with strawberries.
"Strawberries!" Suki exclaimed. "You know I love those."
"That was why I was kind enough not to eat them all." Sokka teased her. "You're going to put on you night shirt and then I'm gonna feed them to you, one by one… nice and relaxed…."
Sokka looked up from where he was breaking the black rock in smaller pieces, studying Suki and Piandao. Piandao was demonstrating a diagonal cut with a wooden training sword in hand and Suki observed him closely, then copying his move.
"Parry… and cut… Parry… and cut…" Piandao directed Suki while watching her closely. "And now lunge." Suki stepped forward, the weight on her front leg. "And now hold." She remained in position, front leg bent and the back leg outstretched. "Can you feel what you are doing wrong?"
Suki focused on her own body for a moment, carefully testing. "I'm out of balance. With the weight on my front leg, my back leg is vulnerable."
"Excellent. Now, straighten you leg… That's it. Now lunge again. How does that feel?"
The Kyoshi Warrior did as she was told and lunged once more. "I feel much more grounded."
"Exactly. Now… parry once more for me." Piandao studied her movement closely. "You have to bring up your sword a little higher. Otherwise I can just…" He swung his sword, easily pushing Suki's sword away and touching her neck. "… do this. Understand?" Suki nodded and swung again, this time easily parrying her teacher. "That's it. Move through the entire sequence again… Parry… and cut… Parry… and cut… Parry… and cut… and lunge."
Suki moved through the entire sequence a few more times till Piandao gave the signal it was enough for today. She handed him the practice sword and bowed.
"Time for tea?" Sokka joined them, pausing his work.
"I think so."
"How did it go?"
"It feels good. It's a bit back to the basics, but I'm learning much." Suki explained.
"You are correct in that. When you know you basics, you will be able to adapt and improvise. You will be much versatile then someone who skipped the basics and only know a number of advanced patterns, but who has never been though to think outside them." Piandao explained.
"This is a different style from what you taught me, Master. Or am I mistaken?"
"You noticed it perfectly. There are various styles of sword fighting. I trained in many of them. The style I choose for Suki supports the way she has been taught to move and works the best with her strengths." Piandao explained.
Sokka nodded with appreciation in his eyes. "Thank you, Master."
"Now let's have some tea."
After the hot tea with some kind of spicy cookies, Suki once more had to hurry to the bathroom, emptying her stomach for the second time that day. She rinsed out her mouth and quickly popped in one the ginger candies she had found yesterday.
Sucking it contently, she headed to the kitchen and dug through some of the cabinets, avoiding Fat in the meantime. She took some rice congee that was still left from last night and an apple, knowing the plain food would settle her stomach.
Munching her apple, she headed back to get changed for their outing of the day. "If this doesn't improve in a day or two, it's time to visit the healer." She decided for herself.
Sokka smiled when Suki appeared. She had changed from her training cloths into a more formal silk outfit, the airy cloth flowing around her. When it was clear she would be representing the Avatar more than the Kyoshi Warriors in her current mission, she had followed Katara's example and worked with a tailor in Ba Sing Se to develop a wardrobe that would show that she was above the nations.
Instead of the full skirt, belly baring choli and half-saree that Katara favored, Suki had chosen for loose, flowing silk harem pants and a belted top with flowing bell sleeves that just hit her upper thigh in various shades of green with golden embroidery. It was formal, yet she was also easily able to tuck her fans in the belt and the outfit was loose enough to defend herself.
"You look good." Sokka complimented his girlfriend.
Suki glanced down her outfit and smiled. "Thanks. I still don't feel at ease in this kind of clothing…" She paused and surveyed Sokka appreciatively. "You look nice yourself… very nice."
Sokka was wearing black pants and a deep blue knee length tunic with splits at the side. It was closed with black frog clasps in front and had a Mandarin style collar. "Thanks." Then he turned serious. "We've letter from Katara and Aang."
"How are they doing? Did they have a nice vacation?" Suki asked as they headed to the gate. Outside Piandao was already waiting. He had rented a small carriage for three of them to use. Sokka chivalrously assisted Suki in the carriage and let Piandao climb in first before entering himself.
Only then he replied: "They write the vacation was very nice, but they had to cut it short because of trouble in the Northern Water Tribe."
Suki rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised? And why do I have the feeling that Councilor Nanuq is behind much of it?"
"I am interested in the Avatar's and Lady Katara's perspective on the situation there. I have heard of unrest, but I am not exactly sure of the details." Piandao said after Sokka's quick glance at him, not willing to talk if he wasn't there.
"Aang writes that what is going on is much the same as what is happening at the moment in the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation. A group of people wish for reform, but another group opposes them strongly. Only the impact is much larger because it's one city and a very interdependent tribe." Sokka explained.
"What is it that they want to change?" Suki asked.
"That is the second problem. How much do you know about how the Northern Water Tribe is organized?"
"Very little. I only know what you and Katara told me about the weird separation between male and female water benders and that women don't have a voice in much of anything."
"It is a very rigid and stratified society. People are born in a certain position and remain there for the rest of their lives, though there are a few exceptions. Warriors, both benders and non-benders, and those who govern the people all are from the highest rank. The 'workers' are below them. The general teaching is that everybody is needed for the tribe to survive and everybody is worth just as much, but many people don't experience it that way. Especially when almost every male bender and man who could hold a weapon was called upon to defend the Tribe when the Fire Nation attacked a year ago. They want equal rights and chances. A small group of women is also starting to speak up, wishing for their position to change. They want the right to learn to defend themselves and to have a voice in the government."
Piandao nodded thoughtfully. "How are your friends handling things?"
"They've organized open forums where everybody could air their concerns. According to Katara it calmed things down quite a bit. They are now busy debating with the Council how to balance all the wishes. There is one Councilor who keeps makes trouble and he blocks every possible compromise."
"Let me guess… Nanuq." Suki snorted.
"Exactly… Katara writes she is almost at the point of challenging him for his position in the Council."
Suki frowned. "You mean they would have a water bending battle?"
"Yes. It is a very old law and it has not been used since the split between the Tribes, but it was never repealed. She's hesitant about doing it though, because it is not the way she and Aang want to deal with the issue."
"And it might set a dangerous precedent." Piandao commented.
"There is also that."
"Maybe she could try to be somewhat more sneaky about it." Suki commented. "She should try to get Nanuq to challenge her. It's not like he could ever win from her. He has that right, hasn't he?"
Sokka nodded. "He has… And I like you idea. You should write to her and suggest it."
"I will. And how is Aang dealing with everything?"
"In his usual way. He didn't go through the roadblock of tradition, but he went around it. He suggested the foundation of a kind of advisory body in which all ranks and groups would be represented which had the freedom to advise the Council whenever they wish. Since they don't have any direct power, it does not go against the law and traditions of the Tribes."
"And how was that idea received?" Piandao asked.
"Very well by most members of the Council. The same goes for much of the tribe's population. The only road block left is Nanuq and two or three of his companions. But they will probably cease their resistance when Nanuq would be out of the way."
The carriage stopped outside a large inn in Hokiya, the largest village on the island. The driver quickly opened the door and politely assisted Suki from the carriage before standing back to let Piandao and Sokka exit.
The owner of the inn rushed to meet them as they entered, bowing in the Fire Nation way. "Welcome to this humble inn. It is an honor to welcome the great sword master Piandao and two companions of the Avatar."
Piandao nodded back politely. "Thank you for your welcome. I believe the Cherry Blossom Hall was reserved for us."
"Yes, sir. Your guests have already arrived. If you will allow me…" The inn keeper bowed and preceded them to a hall at the back on the inn. He opened the door them. "Dinner will be brought to you at sunset and drinks are readily available inside."
The sword master thanked him once more and entered the hall, followed by Suki and Sokka. Inside fifteen men and women were kneeling around a large rectangular table. One end was free and it was there that Piandao went. He kneeled down and Sokka and Suki did the same each on one side of Piandao.
Suki unobtrusively studied the people around the table. Most of them appeared somewhere between their late teens and early twenties and all had the pale faces of people who worked inside. The group was fairly evenly divided in men and women. Most women were wearing kimonos in pastels, embroidered with flowers and brightly colored obis. Their hair was braided out of their face. The men wore tunics and pants in the same style that Sokka and Piandao were wearing in somber colors. All of them had a topknot with a small Fire Nation emblem on their headpiece.
"I know it is unusual for me to open this meeting, but today I wish to introduce you to two special guests. Sitting besides are Sokka, master swordsman and strategist, Companion of the Avatar, Headman and Great Wolf of the Water Tribes, Lord of the Order of the Blue Dragon and Royal Advisor to the Crown, and Suki, master warrior, Commander of the Kyoshi Warriors, Royal Advisor to the Crown, Lady of the Order of the Green Dragon, Special Friend to the Water Tribes and Companion of the Avatar. They are here today on his behalf to hear the voice of the Reform Movement."
Sokka spoke after Piandao. "We are honored to be here. We have heard much about your dreams to help the Fire Nation find a new path after a long war and we praise you for it. That is why we are here today. We have come to see how you might be able to assist the Fire Nation, but also how we can assist you… But first, please introduce yourself and tell a bit of your background…" He gestured to the woman sitting closest to him. "Why don't you start?"
"But what do you think that the Reform Movement's greatest problem is, Hotaru?" Sokka asked.
The young woman in the soft green kimono didn't hesitate to answer. "The lack of unity. Everybody has his or her own ideas how the Fire Nation should be reformed. We don't show a united front to the outer world. The Phoenixes do. They give one clear view of how the land should be run and people know where they stand with them. They have one leader who is their face, even if he is a bully.."
"But that is bullshit, Hotaru…" One of the men protested. "It is our strength. Everybody is able to have a voice. That is what makes us different."
"Maybe for us… Dinkar… for those who can see that. But for the people who have no work... Who struggle to feed their children… Do you think they care if they have a voice? They want to have food… Ideals are beautiful, but they don't feed people… You can't keep hammering away on your ideas, like you pet topic about who should rule the Fire Nation." Hotaru shot back.
"How can we help the Fire Nation find a new path if we don't find a firm base for our idea's to stand on?"
"How do we help if we keep talking all the time and doing nothing? If we come up with decent solutions that actually help people the chance is much larger the current leaders will listen to us and the common people to support us."
One of the other men spoke up: "I think Hotaru is right. We've been talking for two months now, but we haven't been able to send a decent proposal to the governor of the island. I admit, Dinkar, that ideals are important and that we should work out what our ideals are. But that shouldn't stop us from actually contributing."
"Thank you, Takumi." Hotaru spoke and Dinkar also nodded.
"Dinkar, since you believe a common base is so important, why don't you put something concrete on paper for the next meeting. We will discuss it then. We have been talking about this long enough that you know the points that we have in common. Don't try to put only your own ideas in that piece of paper." Takumi efficiently tabled that issue. "What were we talking about the last time that needed to be done?"
"We were discussing how to rebuild the cotton industry on the island. There is too much damage to the mills, but we haven't received any supplies to fix them. Also we were talking about how to relieve the court house since there is a large pile up of cases." Another young woman named Anuradha spoke. She quickly looked through the scrolls before her. " The last thing was some concern about the returning soldiers. We were going to discuss those three issues today."
"Can you summarize the two issues for our guests?" Takumi asked.
"Of course." Pulling out a scroll, Anuradha quickly outlined the issues on hand: "The first problem is with the factories shut down, people can't work and don't earn money. The raw materials are here, the workers are there, but the machines can't work since they can't be powered. And the issue at the court house is basically that people are getting all fed up and argue and complain about all kinds of small things. Then something happens and they sue."
Suki leaned forward interestedly. "Have you come up with any solutions so far?"
Takumi coughed. "Hotaru suggested looking at alternative sources of power instead of using steam engines. But someone objected that was taking a step backward and that we shouldn't allow that to happen."
Sokka cocked his head. "It sounds like a very reasonable solution to me. What kind of power sources were you thinking about?"
"I was not trained in anything technical and I am not even sure it is possible, but for hundreds of years we used windmills and waterwheels as power sources." Hotaru explained.
"And who spoke about this being a step backwards? Why would that be so bad?" Suki asked.
Everyone looked at Dinkar. "I merrily wish not to fall back to the old age." He quickly defended himself.
Suki frowned and studied him closely. "I get the feeling that is not all, Dinkar. What is your real objection against the cotton mills?"
He sighed. "You are very sharp. I'm worried about the health risks of restarting the mill. Too many people are already suffering from brown lung disease."
"Brown lung disease?" Sokka asked confused.
"Inside the mills there are small bits of cotton floating around and when you breathe them in, you damage your lungs. In the end it will kill you." Takumi explained.
"Is there any way to prevent it?"
"There is a special kind of mask you can use." Dinkar mentioned reluctantly. "But most workers refuse to use it since it's so uncomfortable."
"How available is the mask?"
"There is a large supply of them. Why?" Takumi asked.
"Then you could include in your advice to the governor that people should be urged to use the masks. Or they could become compulsory." Sokka explained.
"I might have another idea for powering the mills." One of the others mentioned. "Many of the returning soldiers are fire benders. They could heat the kettles of the steam machines. I know that is the way they did it on the airships."
The other people at the table nodded in agreement. "That is a possible idea." Someone agreed.
"I like the ideas very much." Sokka concluded. "But now comes the most important and difficult step. If you offer advice, you also have to suggestions necessary to implement it. How would you put those plans into practice?"
"And we mustn't forget to substantiate it ideologically." Dinkar interjected.
Takumi sighed. "I don't think the governor is going to be very interested in why we give the suggestions or on what they are based. Unless it's some economical principle."
"He is right, Dinkar. They just want a solution that it useful. They don't care about the why." Sokka explained. "You can use ideals to guide the solutions you propose, but they are not the best way to convince someone to use them."
Dinkar subsided and Takumi spoke once more: "Now, how could we make this reality?"
After three hours, not including dinner, the meeting was finally finished and the hall emptied quickly. Anuradha was still gathering her notes and Takumi and Hotaru were talking about the proposal that they would write for the governor. Dinkar sat at his place, tapping his chin and making notes.
Takumi approached them hesitantly. "Hotaru and I were planning on visiting a tea house nearby. You would be welcome to join us if want to."
A mysterious smile played around Piandao's lips as he asked: "Which tea house were you planning on visiting?"
"The Red Lily." Takumi asked confused. "Why? Is that a problem, Master Piandao?"
"No Takumi, it is not a problem. It is just that is showcases a part of our culture where my guests are not very familiar with. Let's me explain for moment."
"Very well." Takumi returned to his talk with Hotaru.
"What is so peculiar about the Red Lily?" Suki asked.
"Because that teahouse is a part of the 'flower industry'. A kind of former courtesan entertains there."
"Courtesans?" Suki frowned. "You mean it is some kind of bordello?"
"No Suki, it is not." Piandao thought for moment on how to explain it further. "In the Fire Nation there is a huge industry of entertaining men and more and more also women."
"I know." Suki interjected. "It is still said in Ba Sing Se that is how Ozai financed his war."
Piandao smiled and shook his head. "I had not heard that one before. And that is why I called it the flower industry. Yes, brothels certainly are a part of this, but there are also different establishments. Many of those have evolved to become a general place to go out for a night. In the Red Lily teahouse there are women who dress in an ancient style of costumes, are trained as musicians, dancers or singers and entertain their customers, mostly men, with their arts, conversation or games."
"And these women are not forced to prostitute themselves?" Suki asked in a whisper.
"No. Not with the new rules that Fire Lord Zuko instituted. It might have occurred in the past, but not anymore." Piandao explained.
"I would like to join them." Sokka said. "A chance to talk a bit more informally might be good."
"You are right." Suki sighed. "My apologies, Master. I was very disrespectful. But… I've a huge problem with prostitution. I have seen the shadow side of the profession too often." The look in her eyes was far away.
"It is understandable, Suki. I share your opinion and I am familiar with the problems. But I have visited this teahouse before and I am sure nothing like that goes on there. Otherwise I would not go there." Piandao eased Suki's mind with a few words. He turned to Takumi. "We will be joining you."
"We are honored." Takumi turned to Dinkar and Anuradha. "Will you also join us?"
Anuradha put her last scroll in her bag and stood up. "I am sorry, but I have a late night shift this evening. But I certainly would like to join the next time." She bowed politely to Piandao, Suki and Sokka and nodded to Takumi and Hotaru. "I hope you have a nice time." With those words she left the inn.
"He Dinkar, you still awake?" Hotaru called out to the last person at the table.
Dinkar startled. "Huh, what?"
"I am asking if you will be joining us at the Red Lily."
"Oh, of course. Let me gather my things." He scrambled quickly to gather the scrolls in front of him and joined them. "I'm ready."
"Thank you." Sokka accepted his tea from the elegantly dressed woman, wearing a very colorful kimono with long swinging sleeves and even more colorful obi with long ends that dangled down her back. " So tell, Dinkar… You mentioned something about a difference how the Fire Nation should be ruled."
"Dinkar," Hotaru hissed. "You are not talking about that in public."
"Why are you so worried, Hotaru?" Suki asked, having caught the fear in the young woman's eyes.
"I just don't want any of us to get hurt." She quickly glanced around her.
"I don't believe we have anything to worry about, Hotaru. Fire Lord Zuko relaxed the rules." Piandao said gently.
The young woman sighed. "My apologies. Old habits die hard."
"It's perfectly understandable. I can't imagine what it must have been like." Sokka spoke compassionately.
Dinkar coughed once. "My idea's are not about dethroning the Fire Lord as some of our movement wish. I just think it is a bad idea for governmental power to be handed to the Fire Lady. Lady Mai has proven herself loyal and she has the best interests of the Fire Nation at heart, but what of the next Fire Lady? She could do a lot of damage and no one might know her sympathies until it would be too late."
Sokka nodded thoughtfully. "You do make a valid point. But this threat has been there for many years. How was this prevented in the past?"
"Careful screening of the family. Sometimes a baby was selected and raised in the palace so that they were absolutely sure of her loyalties. But it didn't work always. A few times there has almost been a coup. The current Fire Lord died with the Crown Prince too young to take the throne. The Fire Lady would act as regent and try to take over, installing one of her own male family members as Fire Lord." Dinkar explained briefly.
"And how do you think this could be prevented?" Suki asked, keeping the doubt out of her voice. She found is a bit far sought.
"The next Fire Lord and Fire Lady will be brother and sister. Then we can be sure of their loyalties and they can share power equally. It would also prevent a part of the tensions between siblings about who will be heir and who will not."
"But how would the throne be inherited? They cannot exactly mate and produce children together." Sokka asked, turning the idea over in his mind.
"Both the Fire Lord and the Fire Lady could take consorts. I have no idea what their titles would be… They just wouldn't have any official power in the governing of the Fire Nation. The most logical choice of heirs would be the children of the Fire Lady because we can be sure of their blood line. If she doesn't bear a daughter and a son, the offspring of the Fire Lord would be next in line." Dinkar outlined his idea.
"It is certainly a very different idea. But how practical do you think it would be?"
"It is merrily an idea. I don't foresee it becoming reality anytime soon. I think it could be an alternative plan if a dangerous situation like in the past threatens us once more."
"Why don't you write it down?" Sokka suggested. "I will pass it on to the Fire Lord or the Avatar. You never know when either one might make use of it."
The three Reform Movement members looked at each other and back at Sokka. "Surely you must be joking?" Hotaru sounded absolutely astonished.
"I'm not joking. I believe it is an idea with some merit in certain circumstances and it at least deserves to be part of a collection of emergency plans or something like that."
"Both Fire Lord Zuko and Avatar Aang like to think outside the box." Suki explained. "They draw much from ideas that seem weird at first."
Finally Dinkar shrugged. "I will put something on paper and give it to you the next meeting."
"Excellent plan." Sokka clapped him on the shoulder.
"I had a very nice time." Suki thanked Hotaru.
"The same… And I hope to see you on our next meeting." Hotaru replied with a huge grin.
"We'll be there."
A few meters away Sokka was talking with Dinkar and Takumi. "One moment before you leave, Sokka."
Sokka looked a bit confused, but stepped to the side and Takumi followed him "What is it?"
"I believe I owe you an apology. When we were talking about the definition of a warrior this evening… I went too far when I said all warriors were just brainless fighters…"
The Water Tribe man sighed. "It was in the heat of the debate, Takumi. I have said some things I am not too proud of myself in my early debates."
"Still, if I want to be serious… if I want to help the Fire Nation to find a new path, then I cannot make that mistake from our past… to put people in a box. That doesn't work."
Sokka smiled. "Good… But about tonight… just the heat of the debate." He bumped him in the arm friendly. "I could say a few things about bookish scholars or something if I really wanted to be mean."
Takumi smiled. "You might defeat me in a fair fight, Sokka, but I still have to find someone who can defeat me in a battle of words…"
"An interesting challenge…" Sokka turned his head when Piandao called. "Until next time." He clasped forearms with the young Fire Nation scholar and hurried towards the carriage.
"Are you ready, Sokka?" Piandao asked as they stood before the large oven that was used to melt the metal for the blade.
"I am." Sokka nodded determinedly.
"Before you start, I have to remind you of one thing. Each sword that a man forges has its own character. Don't try to make this sword in a copy of the one you lost. Let this sword be its own. The sword you had was a sword of war. This sword will be a sword of peace." Piandao searched Sokka's face. "Do you understand what I am saying?"
"Yes Master."
"Then you know what to do." Piandao gestured to the small mountain of coal with its shovel, the bellows and the smelter with the pieces of space rock within it. "When the time has come to pour the metal into the mold I will be here to assist you."
"Thank you." Sokka pulled his tunic over his head, revealing his naked torso. With quick gestures he lit the oven and went to work, adding coal and working the bellows so that the fire would be hot enough.
Suki watched from the sideline, her eyes roaming over the muscles that bunched and relaxed as he worked. A smile played around her lips and her eyes were glittering as she took in the sight of her boyfriend.
"Are you ready for training?" She vaguely heard the words, but they didn't really register. She just kept watching.
"Suki?" Piandao tapped her on the arm and startled eyes turned towards him.
"I'm sorry. I didn't hear your question."
The sword master smiled. "I am guessing you had something else to look at. You seemed to enjoy the sight."
The Kyoshi Warrior glanced quickly at her boyfriend and her face flushed red. "Uhm… uhm, I think I did…" She took a deep breath and collected herself. "What were you asking, Master Piandao?"
"I asked if you were ready for training."
"Are you sure he doesn't need our assistance?" Suki asked, once more quickly glancing at Sokka who was putting even more coal into the fire.
"It is going to take at least an hour and a half before the fire is hot enough to put the smelter into the fire and then it will take the whole night before the metal is ready to be poured. So we have plenty of time for training."
"I'm ready."
As they headed towards the training area, a thought occurred to Suki. "Master Piandao, do I need to make my own sword also?"
Piandao hesitated before answering her. "I am not sure yet what your path is. For Sokka it was clear that he was going to walk the path of a sword master very soon. And so it was important he forged his first sword himself and just as important that he forges this sword… So the sword can truly become an extension of his arm… But your path is different..."
"In our training as a Kyoshi Warrior we learned that our fans should be a part of ourselves, like an extra hand." Suki thought for a moment. "I don't think I see myself doing that with a sword… I don't see myself as a sword master in the future. I use the title of master warrior, but that is because of my skills with the fan and unarmed combat."
"And those skills are just as valid as every other part of the warrior arts… Your sword skills will only one facet of the diamond, not the whole. A fitting sword will come on your path… I can promise you that."
After training with Piandao she went back to her room to freshen up. She rummaged in her bag for a clean towel, washcloth and her soap. Pouring some water in the basin Suki quickly washed herself. She hung to towel and washcloth to dry and returned the soap to her bag.
Then she dug around for her bag of Women's Root. Taking the brown leather bag in hand she searched for a cup and put in one scoop of the powered root with the measuring spoon that came with the bag. Adding some water she stirred until the mixture was a muddy brown and downed it in one gulp. Shuddering at the bitter taste she quickly downed another cup of water to wash the taste out of her mouth.
Returning the bag to her gear she suddenly came across another larger bag. She frowned and pulled it out. The flap wasn't closed and the belt and the soft absorbent pads she used when she had her moon time fell out. Muttering softly she gathered her supplies and wanted to return them to her gear when she stiffened.
Suki looked down at the bag, frantically counting in her head. "I haven't used those in all the time I was here… But we have been here over three weeks… And in Ba Sing Se… the last week I was there I was supposed to… I cannot be…" She muttered softly to herself.
Suddenly she felt herself become dizzy and she sunk on the floor. "I have taken my Women's Root every day… And I have missed moon times before… Like when I was in the Boiling Rock… I simply cannot be…" Her head shot up. "My nausea... But…"
When Suki didn't appear for dinner and when Fat reported he hadn't seen her all day, Piandao went to look for her. Sokka was still hard at work. He found her at the edge of his garden, tucked away in a corner behind some rocks. "It is dinnertime. You must be hungry." He stated gently. His eyes roved over her face, taking in her red rimmed eyes and the dried streaks of tears on her cheeks.
"I am not really hungry, Master Piandao. I can find something in the kitchen later. I should have let you know earlier. My apologies…" With a lot of effort Suki managed to keep her voice level.
Piandao looked at the young woman for a moment, searching her eyes and seeing the fear there. "You seem upset. Is something wrong?"
"I am fine, Master. I just lost track of time." Suki pinned her eyes firmly to the ground, knowing she would tear up again if she looked into those kind grey eyes.
He easily sank down to the ground in comfortable kneeling position. "I do not appreciate it when my students lie to me, Suki. I want you to tell me the truth." Piandao told her kindly, but firmly.
"You do not need to concern yourself with me, Master… Certainly not on this matter…"
"You are my student, Suki. That means you are my concern. Tell me what is wrong."
Suki was silent for a long time, gathering her courage and finally forced herself to meet his eyes. "I realized something today… Something I am not yet ready for…" She started hesitantly. "I'm not quite sure where to start…"
"Why don't you start at the beginning? That is usually the best place."
The Kyoshi Warrior nodded and started again. "I came to my room this morning to wash up after training. When I was looking through my bag, I realized I hadn't needed certain things for some time while I should have needed them." Suki paused for a moment. "I have been ill a few times the last week and I threw up…" She glanced up at Piandao
"I know. Fat noticed and informed me."
"That is when the puzzle pieces clicked… I realized there is a chance that I am…" Suki sought for words once more. "I realized that I am possibly with child." She finally said. "Despite the fact that I use…" The blush covered her face once more and she aimed her gaze firmly at the ground once more.
"Despite the fact you use Women's Root." Piandao finished her sentence easily. "I know of cases where the Root didn't work."
"I know. And I am not sure what to do now…" Suki finished her story. "I mean, I know I need to talk with Sokka when his sword is finished and I need to see a healer to confirm my theory, but…"
"You are not sure what to do if you are really pregnant." Suki nodded and Piandao gently covered her hand with his. "What are your main concerns?"
"I don't know… There is so much going around in my head…"
"Suki, if you put a problem in words, it becomes tangible… something you can deal with and not something that floats around in the back of your head… You can face it as a real warrior would."
She nodded once more and collected her thoughts. "I'm worried that I'm not yet ready to be a mother… I'm still only sixteen… What?"
Piandao's eyes twinkled as he smiled kindly. "Many people would also say you shouldn't be able to stop a war at sixteen… Or to talk down high ranking functionaries from all over the world during negotiations… You figured out how to do that… Why wouldn't you figure out how to be a good mother… if you are pregnant…"
"Maybe… but this is a lot more to be responsible for…"
"But you don't have to carry that responsibility alone. That is the way it goes. Sokka will stand by your side and even if he would not you still have many friends who would. I am guessing if you went to Kyoshi Island the child would have a gaggle of enthusiastic aunts who would love to look after him or her. Or that if you wrote Lady Katara, she would freeze the whole Northern Water Tribe Council to the wall and hurry here. She would go back and unfreeze them later."
Her lips twitched in a small smile at the image of Katara sticking the Council to the wall. "You are right. And it would not be the first time for a child to be raised within the Kyoshi Warriors."
"Now, what else are you worried about?" Piandao inquired.
"I promised Aang I would help to rebuild the world… To heal the wounds the war has wrought upon everyone… How can I do that when I'm burdened with a child? I can't travel around or…"
"Suki… think for a moment…What do you think the Avatar would say or do when you tell him you're with child? How would he react when you tell him you have to break your promise? Do you truly think he would tell you he never wished to see you again?"
Suki had to smile once more as she pictured Aang before her when she told him the news. "No… he would be excited about being an uncle or something, I guess… I think he would tell me I didn't break my promise and that there are many ways I can help. I just would have to find a new way of helping…"
"Was there anything else?"
Biting her lip, she finally aired her final fear. "But how is Sokka going to react? I mean…" Tears sprung into her eyes once more. "I assured him I would not end up with child, since I used the Root." A soft sob escaped her.
Realizing they had finally arrived at the heart of his student's fears, Piandao didn't say anything. He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her the space to let out her turbulent emotions.
With great care Sokka removed the smelter from the oven, the metal inside it almost glowing in fiery shades of deep yellow, orange and even trances of blue and brown, just like the dawn that just started to color the horizon. Piandao was standing beside him. "Go ahead. The metal is perfect. Pour in to the mold."
Carefully he tipped the hot smelter and the metal flowed into the mold, filling it quickly and evenly. When the metal had cooled enough to be removed from the mold, but was still glowing red hot, Piandao took over. It would take a lot more time for Sokka to become competent enough to hammer the blade in exactly the right way. When the blade was properly formed, Piandao quickly dipped the blade into the water and pulling it out just as quick. The blade had quickly cooled to a deep, shining black.
The sword smith nodded, looking satisfied. "After breakfast I will begin to teach you how to fit the sword to it hilt and how to sharpen the blade."
"Thank you, Master." With great care the blade was placed upon a work bench to cool further.
Suki was already at the breakfast table when they arrived. She kissed Sokka on the cheek and elegantly knelt down beside him. "I missed you last night." Leaning closer, she whispered: "The bed was very cold without you in it."
Sokka couldn't the silly smile that came over his face and whispered back: "I'll be back tonight."
The smile didn't quite seem to reach Suki's eyes when she answered him. "I look forward to it."
Piandao pretended he hadn't noticed anything and staunchly continued eating his broth. When both teens were calmly seated once more, he asked: "What are your plans for today, Suki?"
"I am not sure yet, Master Piandao. I will probably do some light drills and I have some paperwork to go through."
"Paperwork?" asked Sokka confused. "Did we get any letters or something?"
"It is some Kyoshi Warrior business on which Mikoto wants my opinion. The Earth King has requested for us to train a group of Earth Kingdom soldiers in our fighting skills. We are still debating if this is a good idea." Suki explained quickly. "And I want to write a few letters."
When they were finished Sokka and Piandao were gone quickly, ready to finish Sokka's sword. Suki remained behind in the dining room for a bit, thinking about last night. Piandao had just stayed with her while she cried, patting her hand occasionally. When she had 'finished' he had guided her inside, gotten her some light dinner and ordered her to bed, telling that after a good night sleep the world often looked very different.
"Master Piandao asked me to give these to you."
Suki startled when Fat suddenly spoke to her. In his hand he was holding a small bag with more of the ginger candies she had been using against her nausea. "Thank you, Fat." With those words she accepted the bag and headed to her room to get to work.
For three days Sokka and Piandao worked together to finish his sword. After a demonstration of how to use them, Sokka had been handed a set of files and wet stones and he was now polishing the blade, making sure the flat was perfectly smooth and the edges were sharp enough. Piandao occasionally stopped his work on the hilt to check how Sokka was doing.
"Excellent work, Sokka. The blade is finished." Piandao complimented him a few hours later. The hilt is almost ready and I will show you to the fit the two of them together."
"Thank you, Master." His eyes glittered with excitement at the idea of finally having his own sword again. "May I ask a question?"
"Of course, Sokka." Piandao lifted his eyes from his work, expectant eyes on his student.
"Are you going to forge a sword for Suki? I can tell that the katana she usually uses is not really suited to the style you have been teaching her. But she also told me she is not to learn the art of forging a sword."
Piandao studied his face for a moment. "I might forge a sword for her, but I am not sure yet. It depends on how she progresses… Not in how fast or how good she becomes, but which path she chooses to walk in life… Why are you asking?"
"If you are going to make a sword for her, I would like to assist you… if that is possible… In the Water Tribe we have a saying that if you make something for one you love, a part of you is always with that person to help him or her. I'd like a part of myself to be with Suki when she is in battle…" Sokka spoke hesitantly.
"That is a very honorable thought and I will certainly keep it in mind." Piandao assured him. "Now, are you ready to fit the hilt and the blade together?"
Sokka had to fight to restrain his excitement. "Always…"
"I present to you: your new blade." Piandao offered the sword to him and Sokka accepted it with a deep bow. Suki and Fat were watching from the side.
The Water Tribe man removed the sword from its sheath and twirled it around in his hand, feeling out its balance. "It fits my hand perfectly. Yet it definitely feels different from my first sword."
"Like I told you, every sword is unique and has its own character. You are a different person now and the times are different, so it is also a different sword." Piandao explained briefly for Suki's benefit.
"Ready for a spar, Suki?"
Suki had to fight to restrain her laughter at her boyfriend's antics. "Why don't we save that till tomorrow? Let's have dinner first. I believe it was ready."
"You are correct, Commander." Fat who still standing beside her, confirmed.
Sokka looked pensive for a moment. "I believe I am hungry also." Suki bopped him on the head as she headed inside.
Suki was sitting cross-legged on the bed when Sokka entered. She only wore a simple slip that she used to sleep in and she was brushing out the snarls in her auburn hair. Her lips threatened to break out in a smile when Sokka approached her from behind and kissed the back of her neck. "You look beautiful this way."
"You always say that." Suki teased. "Maybe you need some new additions to your repertoire."
"Are you not satisfied with my 'repertoire'?" He was now kneeling behind her, his hands stroking her neck and shoulders.
"I surely am. But one can always improve." Suki relaxed into his touch, her mind quickly drifting away from what she had to do.
Small kisses were being peppered over her shoulders and neck and arms were wrapped around her waist, unerringly finding her sensitive spots. She arched her back, wanting to feel more. "You are enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Very much…" Suki purred. But suddenly she stiffened as Sokka's hand brushed her lower belly, immediately reminded of what they had to discus.
Sokka had noticed her reaction and his hands stilled. "Are you okay?"
Suki took a deep breath to center herself. "Now that your sword is finished, I've something we need to talk about."
"Can't it wait?" Sokka's hands started to move again, but Suki gently pushed them away.
"No, this can't wait…" She heard Sokka take a deep breath and he settled back against the headboard, pulling her with him and cradling her in his arms.
"You seem upset…"
After taking a deep breath once more, Suki started to speak. "I've something to tell you… And I don't know how you're gonna react…"
"You're afraid I am going to be angry or something?" Sokka's eyebrows lifted unseen by Suki. "You know you can tell me anything…"
Suki grabbed his hand. "I am afraid I might be pregnant." She just threw it out in one, blunt sentence.
Sokka froze behind her and didn't say anything. Suki twisted around in his arms so she could see his face. He kept blinking, apparently trying to take in what Suki had said. "Sokka?" She asked hesitantly.
Finally her boyfriend shook his head firmly and spoke, his voice surprisingly calm and logical. "Why do you think you might be pregnant? And how… you use that special root, don't you?" Noticing the nervousness and fear in her eyes, he immediately pulled her even closer, tucking her head securely against his chest.
"I have missed one or two of my moon times and I have been sick several times the last two weeks." Suki explained briefly. "And how…" She shrugged. "I don't know… It's said that the root sometimes doesn't work…"
"And what do you want to do now?"
"I don't know Sokka… I guess I need to visit a healer to see if they can confirm I'm really pregnant or not… Otherwise I don't know…"
Sokka took that one in and was silent for a long time. His hand kept up the soothing strokes on her back. "I don't think it would help much to make plans while we're not even sure you are pregnant. But if you are Suki, I'll take care of you and the baby. It might not be what we had planned, but I'll love you both."
Suki felt her eyes become wet at his sincere words and a few tears slipped from her eyes, falling on his bare chest. "Suki? Are you crying?"
She sniffed. "A bit."
"Why?" Suddenly her earlier words occurred to him. "You said you didn't know how I was gonna react… Were you afraid I was gonna be angry?"
"I don't know what I was afraid of…. I was just scared and nervous…" Suki struggled to find the words she needed to explain.
Sokka simple kissed her forehead. "Tomorrow we'll look for a healer and then, if necessary, we'll start making plans…" A thought suddenly occurred to him. "Master Piandao knows, doesn't he?"
"He does. He found me in the garden a few days ago when I put the pieces together and calmed me down a bit…"
"Then we can ask him for a healer tomorrow who we can trust… But what do you want to do tonight?"
"I just want to lie here, in your arms. I feel safe here." Suki nestled closer, listening to his heartbeat she could hear in one ear.
Sokka gently touched her lower belly, imagining a child inside there..."Then we do just that…"