Frantic fingers tugged crimson sheets around the body of a naked girl. "Koori," a voice whispered hurriedly, "Sunshine, wake up."
Holding her head, Koori woke hesitantly. Only one person called her 'Sunshine' and she stiffened after realizing that she was nude. Clutching the thin sheet to her chest, the slave turned to stare at Zhao's trusted Lieutenant.
Worried, grey eyes glanced at the almost naked girl. The Lieutenant watched her face pale and glow pink with embarrassment.
"You've been unconscious for a while," Leo muttered. "Did Zhao do this?"
As a response, Koori nodded.
"You're going to be okay," Leo whispered gently. Confused by his presence, Koori looked at the man quizzically. Seeing her expression, he explained, "We've been docked in the Fire Nation for a few hours. Zhao should be meeting with the Fire Lord soon, which means he won't be back for a while." He paused to glance at her bruised arm. "Before he departed, Zhao ordered me not to bring you a meal; I figured that you were in the midst of some sort of vile punishment, but I didn't expect to find you unconscious and…like this."
Koori groaned and she leaned forward, which exposed her pale back to the Lieutenant. His face reddened and his grey eyes glanced to the bathroom door. He turned quickly on his heel to stare at the wall.
"Could you, uh, get dressed?"
Still clutching the sheet, Koori stood from the mattress and wandered into Zhao's closet. She closed the door and lit her hand. Carefully, she grabbed one of Zhao's shirts and a pair of lacey black underwear. Knowing that Leo would still be embarrassed staring at her in just a shirt, she grabbed a pair of Zhao's leggings and tied the string tightly around her waist.
Koori exited the closet and Leo turned once more to face his superior officer's slave.
"I did bring you a meal," he said with a small smile. "It's on Zhao's desk. Just," he looked sad for a moment, "just don't tell him, okay?"
Koori nodded and smiled. He started walking away but the slave caught his shoulder. Looking into his steely eyes, Koori opened her mouth, "Thank you."
Shocked, Leo stumbled backward into Zhao's office. He landed ungracefully on his backside and clutched his head. Koori ran to him, concerned. "Ah," he grunted as he waved the slave away, "I'm okay."
Koori knelt on the floor beside the Lieutenant. "I'm so sorry," Koori whispered.
"Why are you apologizing? You've never done anything wrong."
The slave's lip twitched. "I'm such a burden to you; I always have been."
"You've never been a burden, Sunshine."
Koori chuckled at the nickname. "You haven't called me that since I was a kid."
Stiffening at the giggle, Leo smiled awkwardly. "I'm, uh," he said while reaching for his neck. He rubbed the skin until it turned pink. "I'm not allowed to call you that anymore; Zhao forbade it."
"Oh," the slave responded. "That's a shame. I always liked it."
Leo chortled. "I always did, too."
A few moments passed in silence until the Lieutenant stood. He brushed off his shoulders and sat down in one of the wooden chairs by the bookcase.
"Are you staying?" Koori asked.
"If you don't mind," Leo replied. "I don't want to leave that bowl behind in case Zhao comes back."
Immediately, the slave grabbed the bowl and started devouring the meal. After swallowing a decent mouthful of noodles and chugging the broth, Koori handed the dish back to the Lieutenant.
"Thank you," Koori said with a smile.
Leo returned the smile. "It's my pleasure." Holding the bowl securely in both hands, he paused before leaving. "Koori?" he whispered. The girl turned to face the Lieutenant. "I know that you've been with Zhao for a very long time…and I don't know how you've stayed alive for so long…but I just want you to know how much it means to me to hear your voice. After so long, this evening has been a pleasant surprise."
Koori's face reddened and before she could respond, Leo left Zhao's quarters. After hearing the lock click, Koori turned to face an evening of chores.
Steel boots pounded against the polished marble floor of the Fire Nation's Royal Palace. Coming to the end of the hall, two guards in glorious red uniforms paused before opening the curtain for the newcomer. Looking rather arrogant, Commander Zhao entered the throne room. He scanned the room quickly; he had been in this room before, but it was only for a brief tour immediately after he had been promoted to Captain for decimating his slave's village. He smiled briefly as he glanced at the beautiful wall of flames that separated the Fire Lord from his visitors. After prostrating before his fearless and ruthless leader, Zhao stood.
"Thank you for this momentous opportunity, Fire Lord Ozai. I am honored."
Behind the wall of fire, the Fire Lord moved. Zhao watched the man stand and the flames disappeared. In awe, the Commander stared as his leader walked down a small set of stairs. Ozai stopped directly in front of his awestruck Commander.
"Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule, Commander Zhao," Fire Lord Ozai replied with an unnaturally composed voice. "I hear that you've done a great deal for our nation over the past few years. It is truly an honor to meet a youthful and ambitious man such as yourself."
Unable to hide his glee, Zhao smirked awkwardly. Remembering why he had been summoned, Zhao gestured to a massive table on the opposite side of the throne room. Together, Zhao and Ozai walked directly to the structure. Ozai sat on a small red cushion at the head of the table while Zhao carefully scanned the map of the world.
The map in the throne room was very peculiar; the map housed the location of every Fire Nation naval and land-based force. Tiny metal Command Towers littered the coastlines of the Earth Kingdom. Zhao's blockade, marked with small iron ships, was clearly visible surrounding the watery border of the Fire Nation. On the interior of the Earth Kingdom, copper, steel, and gold pieces marked individual armies, battalions, and komodo-rhino cavalries. Zhao sat alongside his leader and readied himself for the most meaningful meeting of his life.
Zhao gestured to the Norther Water Tribe. "For years," he started, "I've been researching methods about our resilient neighbors in the north and I think that I've finally discovered a method to thwart the savages in the Northern Water Tribe."
Ozai extended his hand to interrupt the Commander. "Before you continue," Ozai grumbled, "what news do you have on the Avatar? The Fire Sages that you delivered to my doorstep spoke about the boy and your brief encounter."
Slightly puzzled, Zhao grinned. He had been tracking the Avatar through his limited resources, but admittedly, the boy was hard to pin down. And honestly, it was easier to track the banished Prince who was following the young airbender with a violent fervor that Zhao hadn't anticipated. If Zuko managed to capture the Avatar, Zhao's ultimate plan was to outrun the traitor and steal the prize off his ship. "I've been rather busy protecting our nation, Your Grace. The Avatar is just a vanity project."
Ozai leered at his Commander. "Vanity project?"
"The protection of the Fire Nation and the expansion of your rule is priority, correct?"
Ozai's hard and hazel eyes studied Zhao and after a time, he said, "Perhaps I was wrong about you."
Perplexed, Zhao asked, "You want me to search for the Avatar? What about your son?"
Ozai chuckled. "I tasked Prince Zuko with hunting the Avatar as a way of distracting him. I never anticipated that two years into his banishment, the Avatar would return. Zuko cannot return to the Fire Nation. He is a smudge that needs to be burned from our history."
"Perhaps our ambitions go hand-in-hand," Zhao whispered with a charming smile.
"Explain."
Zhao readied himself. "The Avatar has already mastered airbending. According to the cycle, he needs to learn waterbending next." Zhao's eyes flicked to a small island where he knew all of the living Southern Waterbenders were held captive. "The Southern Water Tribe is benderless, which means that the Avatar will need to travel north for a teacher."
"The Northern Water Tribe," Ozai muttered. The Fire Lord grasped his bearded chin. "Interesting; but they've managed to stay out of the war for the last hundred years, how do you plan on invading them?"
Quickly, Zhao moved most of the metal ships from around the map to the edge of the Northern Water Tribe. "I suggest a massive invasion force. With it, we can crush the savages in the North and capture the Avatar at the same time."
"It will take time to prepare."
"Yes," Zhao confirmed. "And we will have to wait until the Avatar makes it to the North before we attack; otherwise, we will only gain the Water Tribe and we won't have the boy."
Ozai looked visibly uncomfortable. "I want you to capture the boy before he makes it to the Water Tribe. I don't want him learning another form of bending. If you can do that, I would be very pleased."
Zhao smiled. "If you're worried about the boy learning another form of bending, I can assure you that waterbending won't be a problem after the invasion."
Confused, Ozai stared at the map. "How do you plan on dealing with the waterbenders?"
"I have a bit of deciphering to do, but I think that I've located the Moon and Ocean Spirits. Waterbenders draw their power from the moon. And I plan on ending the moon…permanently."
Ozai smiled as he stood from the table. "This meeting has been very interesting, but I still want you to try and capture the Avatar before he makes it to the Water Tribe."
"My resources are very restricted," Zhao complained.
"In time," Ozai said while waiving his hand. The Fire Lord turned and returned to his throne and soon, the wall of crimson flames returned. "Track the boy, Commander Zhao. Find him and bring him to me."
With that, Zhao stood, bowed, and left the throne room. In the hall, he paused to stare at the portraits of the royal family. Zhao examined the picture of Ozai, Ursa, Zuko, and Azula. He sneered at the image of the young Fire Nation Prince and stalked off.
Finally returning to the familiarity of his ship, Zhao calmed down. He placed his calloused hand against the steel of the conning tower and took a deep breath before entering.
Lieutenant Leo was at his side in an instant. "How did it go?" the Lieutenant asked.
Irritated by the Lieutenant's ever-present existence, Zhao responded, "It went well. However, the Fire Lord wants me to concentrate my efforts on the Avatar."
"Really?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Zhao sighed. "I need to figure out a better method to track the airbender. Do you have any suggestions?"
Leo shrugged his armored shoulders. "We should have a few days until we bypass the blockade. Perhaps you can think of something by then?"
Zhao nodded. "I'm going to my quarters. Refuel the ship and set a course for the western coast of the Earth Kingdom. The last I heard, Prince Zuko tracked the Avatar to a small village where he was thwarted by pirates."
"Actually," Leo interrupted, "the Avatar was spotted in the storm we just passed through last night."
"Excellent. But we should still go to the Earth Kingdom; the boy seems to brag about his Avatar powers wherever he goes and word travels fast."
"Of course." Leo turned to walk up the stairs.
"Lieutenant?" Leo stopped on the third stair. His hand shook on the railing because he knew what Zhao was about to ask. "How's Koori?"
The Lieutenant turned his head and hardened his gaze. "I wouldn't know."
Grinning evilly, Zhao nodded and walked up the stairs, bypassing his subordinate. The Commander exited the staircase at the fourth flight and walked down the hall. He paused at the door and withdrew his key from his breastplate. Door unlocked, he walked in to find Koori scrubbing the floor of his office. She stopped cleaning when he entered and she placed a pale palm on the surface of the steel. The metal steamed briefly before drying.
Not looking up, she whispered, "Good afternoon, Master."
Zhao shut his door and glared at his slave. "You're awake."
Amused, Koori snorted. "Depending on your definition of that word, sure."
A calloused hand reached down and grabbed the girl's hair. The slave winced and golden eyes looked at her Master. "Keep it up with your smart mouth and you'll get it worse."
"I'm sorry," Koori pouted.
Zhao released Koori's hair and stepped past his slave. He sat down on his desk chair and leaned back. Clasping his hands behind his head, he rested his feet on the desk. "You wouldn't happen to know a way to track the Avatar, would you?" he asked nonchalantly.
Koori stared at him for a moment and stood from her position on the floor. Walking to the bookcase, she withdrew a text and dropped it onto Zhao's desk. The slave's fingers flicked through the pages rapidly until she stopped and turned the book around. "There you go."
Confused, Zhao glanced at the book and his eyes widened. He leaned forward and grabbed the book greedily. "Yuyan Archers?"
"If you want trackers, they're the best in the world."
"Yes, the Yuyan Archers are the best in the world, but they're at the Pohuai Stronghold and I don't have the rank to get them away from Colonel Shinu."
"You could ask," Koori urged. "Nicely."
Zhao's eyes narrowed at his slave. "Nicely?" The word was foreign and tasted bad when he said it, but it was an idea—and it was a very good idea. His gaze softened when Koori returned to her work. Hands behind his head once more, he looked at the ceiling. "Pleases and thank yous have never been my forte."
Water splashed when Koori threw her cloth into the bucket. She grabbed the handle and trudged past Zhao in silence. After dumping the water into the tub, she placed the bucket under the sink and returned to Zhao's office. He hadn't moved and the slave sat on the floor by his desk.
"How was your meeting with Fire Lord Ozai?"
Still staring at the ceiling, Zhao responded, "It didn't go exactly as I anticipated."
Koori nodded. "You've mentioned tracking the Avatar, which is something you've only really seemed to care about when you wanted to anger Prince Zuko. I suspect that our leader suggested you take a more enthusiastic interest in the airbender."
"Correct."
"Does that displease you?"
Zhao's hazel eyes glanced at his slave. She was staring at the wall, sitting cross-legged on the floor close to him. He reached down and rubbed her cheek with his thumb and knuckles. Hazel and golden irises met. "No, but my insignificant access to resources does. And it puts a bit of a damper on my invasion plans."
The pair sat in silence for a while until Koori stood. "Before the storm last night," Koori whispered hesitantly. Zhao watched her carefully. "I wanted to ask you something."
Remembering how Leo had interrupted with news of the oncoming storm, Zhao's head bobbed. "What did you want?"
Koori's face reddened. "I wanted to see if you and I could spend some more time together—outside of this room?"
Surprised, Zhao questioned, "Like how?"
Koori's face brightened and she reached for Zhao's hand, which was still pressed against her cheek. Soft fingers clasped Zhao's hand gently. "We used to go for walks. You used to take me to a few meetings. I rather enjoyed our outings."
"You were younger then. And you were easier to conceal."
Disappointed, Koori released Zhao's hand. "I suppose you're correct."
Rolling his eyes, Zhao released Koori's face and pinched the bridge of his nose. "But I suppose we can try."
Thrilled, Koori beamed at her Master. She leaned forward and kissed Zhao's side-burned cheek. Standing once more, she walked to Zhao's bookcase, withdrew another text, and returned to sit cross-legged beside her Master. Zhao returned his hand to the back of his head and continued to stare at the ceiling, deep in thought about his ambitions.
Koori woke the next morning before Zhao. Naked, she stood from the bed and stared at her captor. While asleep, Zhao looked calm, peaceful, and happy, which made him look unusually handsome. Upset with her thoughts, Koori walked into the bathroom for a quick and cold shower.
While lathering her black hair, the curtain pulled back and Zhao entered the tub. Blinded by soapy suds, Koori felt his strong arms wrap around her waist. She pressed her back against Zhao's chest. Cool water pounded against her face and hair, which sloshed the suds down her alabaster back. Zhao's large fingers wound through her hair, dispelling the suds until Koori could open her eyes.
The slave smiled at Zhao's determination to rid her hair of shampoo. Heartily, she laughed and Zhao turned her around. His lips pressed against her forehead and her wet fingers rested against his chest.
"Good morning," Koori giggled.
Zhao pulled her close; her breasts were pressed tightly against his chest and he took a deep breath.
"The water is cold," he stated as he extended his hand to block the stream.
Blushing, Koori nodded. "I prefer it that way," she lied.
"Don't lie to me," he grumbled. He removed his hand from the stream and the cold water cascaded onto his slave's back. Startled, Koori gasped and pressed herself tighter against Zhao's chest.
Pleased with how his morning was starting, Zhao released his slave and grabbed his soap. Lathering a washcloth, he traded places with his slave and started washing. Zhao thoroughly washed himself and quickly turned to Koori. Soaping the cloth once more, he greedily lathered his slave.
After the pair rinsed, Zhao turned the faucet and the water dripped slowly from the tap until it stopped entirely. Koori reached for a towel while Zhao inhaled. As Koori patted the beads of water from her skin, Zhao's skin steamed until it dried. Stepping out of the tub, Zhao walked to the mirror and practiced fingers wound into his brown hair until he fashioned his short locks into a topknot.
Koori wrapped the towel around her body and stepped from the tub. Black hair plastered against her back, she exited the bathroom and started laying out Zhao's armor. Zhao dressed rapidly. After securing his boots, he grabbed his slave and kissed her forehead gently.
"Leo will be in with your meal by the afternoon. As usual, do your chores first."
"Of course. Have a lovely day, Master."
Grinning, Zhao turned and exited his quarters. He walked up two flights of stairs where he greeted his trusted Lieutenant. "I have a heading," Zhao stated.
Surprised, Leo nodded. "Where are we off to, Sir?"
"The Pohuai Stronghold."
