AN: Thank you so much to sinking like stones, SquishyBijou, dove-white-stripes, A Kingdom of Isolation, korrasarmyy, candycoatedmonster, jonissbouquet, xkii22, zulfi, astraphobic kisses, illegalsweaters, mouse, GlamorizedLevis, Tyzula-Forever, goldenfriedtofu, DearLemonLima, Guest and bubblybunnybabe.

And super thank you to my beta electric gurrl!

Chapter Ten
Name

Azula

I woke with someone beside me. It felt unusual; it was my first time in years.

I also woke with a killer hangover. By killer, I mean it made me want to die.

On top of my malaise, I did not remember getting into bed with Mai, but I did not necessarily regret it either. Remorse was an unknown concept to me, even when I knew I would only love one woman for the rest of my life. That woman was not the one naked in my bed.

Before I could start thinking about the repercussions of having sex with Mai, I dragged myself out of bed, drew the navy curtains to soothingly block out the light, got dressed, drank the remnants of three water bottles and went to the bookshelf. It boasted an impressive collection of my favorite books.

No one could know about each and every novel I loved but someone very close to me, and there were not many people who had that credential. I glanced over my shoulder and wondered if Mai did it out of guilt or someone forced her at gunpoint.

After running my finger across the books, stopping at one or two titles, I landed on Red Dragon.

I smiled to myself. Yes, this was someone who knew me deeply. Red Dragon for the Blue Dahlia. It was not as sophisticated as my other favorites, but it was good. The killer was disappointing. Then again, all were in fiction. They killed for deep and insane reasons. There were romanticized serial killers on television and movies, yes, but most murderers killed because they thought they have to.

But me? I killed because I wanted to.

"Did you pick these out?" I asked Mai as I heard the blankets rustle. Slowly, I sat down and opened the book.

"Yeah. Why does that matter?" Mai asked, sitting up and holding a sheet over herself.

"It's sweet of you," I remarked. "I always liked horror and thrillers, but I never liked the paranormal. Ghosts and monsters and aliens never captured my attention. When I was younger they actually scared me. I liked the slasher movies and books because you can fathom that. You don't know if a ghost is about to come up behind you, but you know if a human will."

"Not if that human is really fast or quiet, or you're not very attentive," said Mai.

"Well, yes. That's why those people die, but even the cleverest person can't expect an alien to burst from someone's stomach, and how can you run from something inside of your nightmares or able to fly through walls?"

"Yeah; good point." Mai shrugged. If she was disappointed about last night, she did not show it. "You can run from humans. That's a plus. But usually the killers seem to think ahead about that."

"Obviously. I don't like reading about the killers, though. I was always much more interested in the minds of the detectives. The people hunting them down. Their minds are so very strange to me, and so very fascinating. I suppose I am the detective now."

Mai made a noise somewhat like a laugh. "You're the detective now?"

"My purpose is to catch the copycat killer. That's what the detectives do, not the murderers," I coolly explained, smirking at her wrongful condescension.

Mai asked, "Well, any ideas, Madame Detective?"

"I was thinking about how I started. When I began, I was about fifteen and I was… sloppy. My father even caught me." I sucked in my cheeks, thought for a moment, and then set down the book. "I wonder if every killer makes mistakes when they start. Even prodigies aren't good at things immediately. Do you think someone who emulates would be a natural talent, Mai?"

"I have no idea." Mai had never killed before. I remembered that from last night, drunk as I was. It was so funny to know, but did not surprise me either.

"I don't think so. I think my copycat probably fucked up at some point in the past." I turned away from the window but my migraine stayed intense. "Ty Lee told me something interesting. This person knew a trademark I never disclosed. It would have to be someone who saw the bodies up close."

Mai started getting dressed; she seemed interested at last. "Did you tell the police that?"

"No. I was saving it as a bargaining chip, but someone liberated me from prison before I could use it. I don't even remember everyone who saw the bodies, but I know a few definites. My father is locked up. I have no idea what police worked on the case save for their chief, who can't actually see, but would have received the detailed reports. You never did. The two people who had suspicions I took care of before they could say or do anything. I don't know what people discovered the discarded corpses but if they paid enough attention to detail, they might. Zuko and Ty Lee did. They both knew about it."

"Didn't you write a list of suspects?"

"I wrote it before she told me. My options for suspects were based on motive and how insane or obsessed they seemed when they visited me. I should have put more time and thought into it but I honestly didn't care. So, Mai, do you think we should tip anyone off?"

"That's your choice. I have no investment in finding the killer or whoever kidnapped Izumi, whether or not those are separate people."

"Separate people?"

"I forgot how drunk you were. I suggested to you that maybe the killer didn't take Izumi. They didn't stop killing after she was abducted. Another body could show up at any time. No one ever said that Izumi was really taken by the copycat."

I laughed for no decent reason. "Sometimes you are smarter than you look. I might subscribe to that idea. Although, the copycat has more motive to take her than anyone else."

"Zuko's a politician. If you want a list of people who would want to kidnap his kid, pick up a phone book."

"If we're going down this path, we should consider the possibility that it isn't just one person at all. Have you noticed how many people are here? How many others aren't? I have a fan club."

"Are we actually going to try to solve this?" Mai looked stunned. I liked it when I elicited expressions from her.

"Yes. I need you to do something for me. Find someone here who can access the police files."

xxx

In the stairwell, I finished my preparations to meet Ty Lee.

"I'm not coming with you," said Mai. I stared at her for a moment; I didn't think anyone had ever denied me like that.

"Are you scared that I'll make you do something bad?" I mockingly crooned.

"No. I'm scared that you'll leave me behind to get arrested. I'll stay here and find you someone who can access police files."

"That's fair." I touched the segment of my finger where wedding rings once dwelled. "I'll be back with my wife."

"Good luck," said Mai, and I thought perhaps she meant it.

How odd.

Maybe she was not as in love with me as I assumed.

xxx

As I drove, I thought about the theories Mai and I dreamt up. The brand was the most important lead, in my opinion. That narrows down the possible suspects to a much smaller pool than any other detail of the murders.

The shape of the brand that was concealed from the public was one Japanese character—is if I count the copycat—美. It means beauty. I used to draw it on notebooks and the likes, and it meant nothing more than an adolescent doodle. That had nothing to do with my name, so it was less interesting to the public. I earned my slang title from blue paint and blood red flowers posthumously wound in hair or around wrists or even in lapels of men once or twice and, of course, the Chelsea smile.

My trademarks were silly. They came from when I was a girl and was fascinated by the noir—particularly the Black Dahlia murder—I always had the flowers around. The bodies were artwork in my mind, and the fire that I used to kill left quite ugly corpses.

So I decorated them.

It had no real significance other than habit. Teenagers make art based on bands they love or stupid movies or other obsessions they almost always outgrow. I kept doing it into adulthood.

The cause of death was always being burned alive. Usually, someone would die of smoke inhalation before the flames consumed them. In my opinion, that was quite merciful, especially taking into account how I treated my prisoners before I killed them.

None of those details had importance to me, but, to whoever was able to see the bodies and emulate my work, it was like a tribute to a god.

I arrived at my destination before I could put more thought into who might have known that I burned a teenage doodle into the skin of countless people.

xxx

Ty Lee was waiting for me at the abandoned shed where we used to lounge around as teenagers, just as I anticipated.

She was remarkably easy to manipulate, and I knew that she still burned with desire for me. I was her first love, and that mattered to someone like her. Maybe it did to me too, but I was never a romantic or even very good with… flirting, or things like that.

"I am so glad you came," I said, emphasizing the semi-sexual phrasing. It made her blush. How cute. "Let me make it clear that I do not have Izumi, nor do I know who the copycat is. I am looking for both of them, and you can help me. I assure you that I will do more than your husband and his new mistress."

"New mistress?" Ty Lee asked, acting so startled. I did give her the benefit of the doubt by wondering if she really was that oblivious.

"Don't tell me you don't notice him and Chief Beifong. I am blind to romantic tension and I can see it," I remarked. She showed no surprise, and so I decided she was aware.

"You're not going to pull out a knife and force me to come with you?" Ty Lee softly asked.

"No. I am not going to force you to do anything. I want you to choose me. You are very indecisive—I have shopped for shoes with you—but I believe this decision is worth putting some thought into."

"I don't know." Ty Lee ground her shoe into the gravel.

"Yes, I figured. I want you to get into this car. No threats, no violence, no blackmail. I am just asking you to do it."

Ty Lee squeaked, "Maybe I shouldn't've come here."

"You are probably right about that, but I am not in the mood to debate it. Get in the car or don't get in the car." I crossed my arms.

Ty Lee stared at me, twitching a little bit. She was cute when she was nervous.

"What happens if I get in?"

"That is for me to know and you to find out. Choose."

Ty Lee took a few steps back and I thought she might run and leave. A smirk flickered on my lips when I saw her walk forward and get into the passenger seat. She was trembling, of course, but she made the right choice.

I did not take rejection very well.

xxx

After about twenty minutes of silent driving, I pulled over to the side of the rural road and Ty Lee reached for her seatbelt. My hand rushed out and stopped her, squeezing her hand and pulling her back. I could see the fear in her eyes, but there was no need for it.

"I want you to call my brother," I whispered, handing her phone back to her.

"Why?" Ty Lee asked, shaking my hand away. I allowed it, because I was polite.

"You are going to explain to him that I have kidnapped you, and that he will never see you again. You are going to inform him that I am going to kill you, and that it is his fault."

Ty Lee opened her mouth and then closed it. She dialed Zuko's number and I wondered why she did not resist. Maybe she knew that I was not going to do it.

"Hi, Zuko," Ty Lee whispered.

"Put it on speaker," I ordered and she did it, setting it down on her lap. I looked away from it, because I wanted to look.

"Where are you? We found a body and a note," Zuko hoarsely demanded. He was loud and there was interference on the other line.

"I'm with Azula," Ty Lee said flatly. She was clearly scared and I did not blame her. "She kidnapped me."

"That's what the note said. Where are you? I need to find you. Tell me where you are."

"Zuko, I can't. She made me call you. I'm supposed to tell you something."

"Tell me."

"I'm supposed to tell you that you'll never see me again, and…"

"I'm gonna save you. Don't say that."

"I'm not done," Ty Lee said, her voice forced. "I'm supposed to tell you that she is going to kill me and it's your fault."

I ended the call before the conversation could spiral out of control.

Zuko

I got off the phone with Ty Lee and sank to the floor.

This was not happening. This was not happening. This was not happening.

It could not be like Katara. Not again.

"She won't kill Ty Lee," Chief Beifong said confidently. I glared at her before I remembered she could not see it.

"I wouldn't define my sister as having a heart," I spat.

"Did I say it was out of love? No, Ty Lee is her best damned bargaining chip. Killing her right off the bat is too stupid of a move for Azula," Toph said, sitting down. "I'm more worried about the fucking FBI."

"Why?" I asked. I couldn't believe she was trying to change the subject, but I was curious.

"Because they've decided to take control of the investigation, and I'm not okay with that. Azula is my responsibility. I caught her. She's the reason I became chief." Toph clenched her fist and I instantly could tell that this was too personal for either of us. We both had too much of a relationship with Azula.

"Maybe they're the right people for the job," I said.

"Maybe you should shut up," Toph grunted.

"Save Ty Lee. I don't care about your ego; I care about my wife and daughter." My voice was shaking and I didn't even care. Nobody would be strong in this situation.

Toph pursed her lips.

It didn't take a rocket scientist to know she was thinking about the fact that I slept with her last night.