Author's Note: Now that you've met Kenzo, it's time for the what you probably came here for: It's time to bring Azula into the fold.


The meeting had already been double the expected length, and still going. Kenzo slipped in and out of any effective consciousness, the speaker droning on far longer than needed for a summary of a summary on a point made a hundred times before in other meetings. And a point thoroughly debunked by himself and Zuko, among their other allies. Still, the deadlock persisted. His head lolled forward on his palm.

"And furthermore, it is vital to focus on our nation's glorious history so that it may be repeated!"

Kenzo yawned. He tried to keep an open mind in any debate, but absurdity was absurdity no matter how you doctored it up.

"We would be remiss not to mention the might of the army Ozai created!"

Kenzo sighed. He looked over to Zuko, who was visibly bristling at the comment. He was making remarkable progress in keeping his cool these days, overall. Still, it was times like thse where he was tested to his limits.

"The great Princess Azula should still be considered a hero by this nation!"

Princess Azula. The name broke Kenzo out of his stupor. He'd been hearing Zuko, Mai, and the General stress over her quite a bit lately. Still not getting through to her, and they were out of new approaches from the physicians. Zuko would never outright give up on "saving" his sister, but hope was rapidly diminishing. A lost cause, in the opinion of most of the court.

Kenzo never bought into that idea. He'd never been allowed to meet her himself, but he still harbored that same certainty that she could absolutely be saved from her madness. No matter how many times he studied those same portraits this very educational system he fought to reform had forced him to memorize, he saw that same warmth. That same piece of her mother, that told him beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ozai's influence couldn't possibly be absolute. Perhaps he was simply mad himself. Or perhaps he was the only sane one left, when it came to the matter.

Zuko adjourned the meeting after the councilman finished, tabling the issue until tomorrow. They'd make their rebuttal yet again, perhaps this time with a change in the rhetoric. They couldn't possibly lose this battle with the support they'd gained so far. Still, it would be quite awhile until they won either.

Zuko retreated back home to Mai, while Kenzo returned to his own love. The librarian didn't mind him passing out atop his book selections. Nor did she pay any mind to the fact that each and every one he had pertained to the royal family. Nor did she bother to realize the page he fell upon was a portrait of the mad princess, and the note scrawled out near his hand read "tomorrow, for her future".


Zuko adjourned this meeting in much the same way as the last. Little progress had been made, but he was grateful for Kenzo's help in staving off an argument focused solely on Zuko's overt affections for Lady Mai. He might have told him as much, if not for Kenzo's completely out-of-character curtness in the greeting that preceded an outlandish request. Zuko recognized it, it was the same as the more cutthroat tactics of his friend that had helped so much in these tenser political battles. He proceeded with caution.

"You want what?" he asked, the two of them now walking in a hallway brightly illuminated by the mid-day sun, toward a secluded caucus room. The remainder of the day had been meant for a revising of either side's plans, but it appeared Kenzo had other things on his mind.

"I want to see your sister," Kenzo replied, resolutely. His jaw was tightly set, stance more than a little stiff. He always did do his best to impose himself physically when the opportunity arose, no matter how much he came up short. They stood inside the empty room in silence, Zuko eventually closing the door and pacing back out in front of Kenzo. He mused on the request for a good few moments before answering with a question of his own.

"And why would you want to do that?" he asked, his own face just as steely.

"Because I think I can help her," Kenzo elaborated, simple and blunt in his delivery. He moved not a muscle, rooted firmly to where he stood.

"What could you possibly do that the doctors haven't? That I haven't at this point? You don't even know her, you don't know how dangerous she is!"

"I know that she's capable of terrible things, and that she may also be capable of great things if given a second chance at life. Not so much unlike yourself, oh 'great warrior of the Avatar'" Kenzo countered, somewhat mockingly for effect.

"Azula is different, father has affected her more than me! I had Uncle!" Zuko argued, losing his resolve now. His arms swung animatedly.

"A guiding influence, yes. One who knew how to speak to you, who had the patience. I believe I can be the same." Kenzo returned, voice still steady and even.

"How could you say that?" Zuko asked, now starting to show earnest curiosity. Kenzo paused before answering, methodically.

"We share the same driving ambition," he said, as if tip-toeing though a herd of sleeping platypus-bears. "We both understand the deep need for perfection in our work...both demand the best out of ourselves and others. We both share a certain acidity in our tongues..." he continued, adding levity within his last statement. "I know where her mind is coming from, and I know where it's going. I have faced that darkness firsthand," he said, gravely serious. "And so I know what you and your uncle and all the doctors in this world do not...I know how to run right alongside her sprinting mind, and guide it along the path we wish for her,"

Zuko pursed his lips, now frozen in the middle of his pacing. His eyes remained fixed on Kenzo, not wavering an inch. Kenzo waited for his judgment.

"No," Zuko said, letting the word fall unceremoniously from his mouth with its weight. "Family and medical personnel only. I expect you to abide by these rules until I deem she's ready for outsiders."

Kenzo curled his lip, never having been denied so quickly since arriving at the capital. The frustration gave his emotions more hold than he'd ever normally allow, and he could not stop the words that came next. "Yes, best of luck in your exercise in futility. Her wasted soul is on [i]your[/i] hands as much as your father's, now."

Zuko's rage brimmed and overflowed, flames beginning to flicker in his hands.

"Out!" he roared, shooting his arm up to point at the door and barely keeping a flame from bursting forth.

Kenzo turned abruptly and left, slamming the door shut. He heard the rush of air bursting from the heat of the flames that hit the structure as soon as it closed behind him.


The next several days passed by with familiar repetition, save for the suffocating tension between what were supposed to be the two staunchest and most united supporters of the reform.

Lady Mai did her best. She tried to reason with either of them, tried to keep them focused on the matter at hand. She was met with success in that regard; the two continued to maneuver the stalemate as well as could be expected by working off each other' so well. Yet the bitterness remained, both too skilled at holding grudges and too stubborn to concede. The frustration tested even her legendary resolve.

"Why does it matter so much to you, Kenzo?" she droned, twirling a blade in her hands as in she hasn't in too long, seated upon a large rock. Kenzo had stopped to kneel by a pond and pet the newly hatched turtleduck chicks, having agreed to a walk through the gardens with the Fire Lady.

"I told you, and I told him. I believe without any doubt that I can [i]help[/i] her. The way no one else has been able to yet." Kenzo didn't bother to look back at her, focusing on the chicks.

"Yes, I know that Kenzo, no one ever doubted your conviction, no one ever does..." she pressed, knowing him better than he realized. "But why does it matter that you help her? What is she to you?"

Kenzo froze, his hand like a statue's hovering just above a chick. It ran to its mother, squawking merrily. "That's actually a good question, I suppose," he answered. He rose to stand and face her. "No surprise coming from you, naturally."

Mai prompted him to continue with nothing more than a peculiar look, letting him know his flattery was no more effective than usual. Kenzo looked down and tapped is foot in a mindless fidget. He looked back up to give his answer.

"I think I see her as a potential inspiration." He let the words hang, trying to gage Mai's reaction. She waited for him to continue, giving nothing away. "Or, I see her as a potential inspiration. We've had so many good people gifted back to us from the dark edges of humanity by the care and patience of others, not the least of which includes your husband, your acrobat friend...and yourself."

Mai nodded a little.

"Doing the same for Azula...would fully confirm what I believe about the best of people. The very same belief that compels me to be idealistic in the first place, and challenge the barriers of the old guard alongside Zuko. So...it's the final proof I need, for myself if nothing else. And one undeniably exciting challenge, if I had the chance." He finished.

"Not a surprise, coming from you, that you want a challenge with some fuzzy, lofty goal," Mai deadpanned, putting the knife away in her sleeve and getting up to continue walking. She stopped at the sound of Kenzo's voice continuing.

"But it's more than that. One more thing."

Mai looked back. He appeared more sheepish, breathing harder as he clenched and unclenched his fists.

"It just...it just seems a shame, a terrible shame, to let such a beautiful and talented girl...who I just know has so much of her mother lurking beneath her surface, somewhere...it just seems such a shame to let her waste away like that. The world is in too short a supply of girls like that to begin with, you of all people should know." He flashed her a grin. She returned only a subdued smirk, better than usual.

"I'll talk to Zuko again...I think he might agree with you more than either of you realize..."


That night, in the deepest of the royal chambers, Mai did indeed state Kenzo's case to Zuko again.

"It's all fine that Kenzo thinks that, and that's exactly what I want too!" Zuko stated with full exasperation, dressing and undressing for bed.

"Then why won't you let him try?" Mai poked, already laying upon the bed in her gown.

"Because how could he possibly do any of that, when he doesn't know her at all? He'll just get himself killed, or hurt her worse!" Zuko argued, climbing into bed beside her. She reached out to hold his face and train it upon her gaze. Zuko stiled himself immediately at the contact.

"Did you ever stop to think...that maybe that's exactly what she needs?" she asked pointedly. Zuko bended the torches out, letting the moonlight frame his wife's face. It only enhanced her words further.

"What-what do you mean?" he asked.

"An outsider. Maybe that's what she needs, someone totally different from the past that's haunting her." Mai explained, still holding Zuko's face and stroking it gently. "I know you want to protect her, more than anything.," she said softly. "But she won't last long like this...she needs to be brought out of it. If I know her at all still..." Mai trailed off, voice catching in her throat as she momentarily looked away from her husband. "she'll respond to a stranger with a silver tongue like Kenzo as well as anybody, at this point."

Zuko stared at her, reaching up to hold her hand in his own upon his face. He exhaled deeply and slowly. "Okay...I'll-I'll let him try,"

The royal couple held each other close through the night, reassuring one another that they'd be there come whatever may with the princess.


Kenzo walked through the corridor, confident in his stride. Nearly jovial, jubilant. The guards hid their annoyance well, if they had any. Iroh looked pleased. Zuko did not bother to hide his nervousness. Mai kept her typical restraint. Kenzo thought back to yesterday...

"Fine, you win." Zuko had found Kenzo back at the library, hunched over yet another book. That was all he had said to him outside the council chambers since their argument. He nearly flipped over his book in surprise as he looked up.

"I win...what?"

"Azula. You may see her tomorrow. But I'm escorting you personally, to monitor the whole visit."

Kenzo tried to subdue his exuberance, succeeding only marginally.

"Remember, nothing too personal. And don't talk about bending. And especially not waterbending, and-"

"I think what my nephew means is, you will do fine as long as you stick to your usual charm with the young ladies, Kenzo," Iroh said, in his typical fatherly manner. He pated Kenzo on the shoulder.

"We're here, sir," one of the guards reported, having arrived at the door of the unmarked cell. It was as deep into the palace prisons as possible, isolated and beyond contained for her own safety as well as others.

"Okay...allow the Councilman in.," Zuko ordered, nerves creeping into his voice. Kenzo gave him a reassuring smile as he passed by through the door the guard had opened for him with a loud clang of a lock falling into place. A look that said 'thank you' as much as anything. The door shut behind him with an ominous thud.

The cell was dark. Only a small hole of light shone through. There were spaces for torches to be placed. A table and two chairs...a Pai Sho board with the remains of a game most assuredly played with the General by the looks of the White Lotus tile's location. Kenzo could make out burns marks all over the padded walls of the cell.

In the darkest corner was a heap of a fairly petite looking girl, back turned to him. She barely looked like she was breathing. He black hair cascaded around her with no rhyme or reason. Kenzo breathed in deeply, wincing at the stench of old burns.

"Hello, Azula," Kenzo greeted, just loud enough to be heard by her in the corner. She stirred. "I'm new, we haven't met yet. She stirred more and began to rise, turning toward him like a creature from a ghost story. He refused to flinch at the sight of her tortured face. "May we sit? I just wanted to get to know you better." He gestured toward the chairs, waiting for her to move first. She shuffled over and dropped her body into the chair, eyes fixed upon him neurotically.

Kenzo slowly moved over to sit in the other chair, which sat extremely low. "My name is Kenzo. I work here at the palace, on the council."

Azula snarled silently.

"I know you probably don't like the council very much. I don't either, often. We don't need to talk about them," Kenzo said with a dismissive wave of his hand. Azula's face subsided.

"I'm more interested in talking about you Azula," he continued, watching her reactions carefully. His own expression was frank but genial. "I've heard a lot about what people are telling you to think, and what people tell [i]me[/i] to think about you..." Azula began to breathe harder. "But I'd rather hear you yourself tell me what's going through your head right now."

Azula locked eyes with him, in the most terrifying way he'd ever experienced. He did not run, nor did he call for Zuko to come in under the signal for duress..

"Failure...insolence..." Azula hissed, voice barely above a whisper. "Nothing but lies and injustice! My throne is stolen by weaklings, my world is crushed by a peasant! I ought to die and the world should come with me!" She finished her statement with a shout and ignited blue flames within her hands. Kenzo remained very still, not calling for help yet. She stared him down with the flames before extinguishing them after several impossibly long moments. Kenzo leaned in and rested his head upon his fist.

"Seems awfully hard to be you, to be truthful," he said, earnestly. "But I think you're making it harder on yourself than it has to be. I see a lot of good in you, I don't think you should die yet."

"And what do you know? You weren't there. You're a coward, one of my brother's slaves! I shouldn't even let you in my presence, you should be banished! Away with you!" Azula shrieked.

"I think you're running away from a fight, I didn't expect that," Kenzo pushed. Azula heaved with anger.

"How dare you call me a coward? What fight can you possibly present me?"

"An interesting intellectual one. Whether you are worth saving and you should live, or whether you are beyond hope and should die. I've debated it before." Kenzo postured up and clasped his hands upon the table. "You seem like the type to enjoy a good battle, even if only a battle of the minds. Let's battle it out then, over how much you deserve to live or die."

Azula regarded him with shocked curiosity, relaxing in her seat and posturing her own self as well. "As you wish, council rat. I shall crush you with the weight of the truth."

Kenzo gave her a bemused smirk. "I look forward to it, princess."

Later, when Kenzo had finished with her after several hours and twice as long as the record for any one of her previous visitors managing to talk to her, Kenzo would swear that she smirked back, just barely. It was all he needed to immediately request more visits. Zuko reluctantly conceded.

It was, after all, perhaps the best and only remaining way to help her. Kenzo couldn't wait for next time.