Zuko tossed and turned in his sleep. How could he sleep? His sister was alive and plotting. He worried that he would be too late when he arrived to the palace.
Agni. He prayed silently. I know my transgressions are plenty, but-but I tried so hard to make the best choices for the world. Please, I need help.
He could not remember the last time he had felt so torn. His awful teen years seemed so far away now. Without his uncle, he felt alone in this world.
M-Maybe I could ask Korra to travel to the Spirit World?
Yet, he feared what his uncle would think of his deeds.
I-I can't. He would be so ashamed of me. Of what I've become.
Finally, accepting the fact that he would not get any sleep, Zuko stood and dressed in a warm bedrobe, placing his feet into soft red, Fire Nation bedroom slippers. He did not bother to put his white hair into its topknot. With a deep inhale and exhale, he opened the door of his chambers.
"A-Asami, what are you doing here?"
The engineer gripped the knife she was holding in her hands, her eyes tightly closed and her head inclined.
"I was waiting for you to fall asleep," she spoke honestly.
Zuko gulped at the thought of being knifed in his sleep. Though he felt the woman had every reason to do so.
"I-I wish I could take it all back, but I can't. I told you that I've made many mistakes".
Asami's eyes met his, tears flowing down her cheeks, splattering against the metal floor of the airship.
"I have lost so much. It hurts, I am so tired of hurting". She confessed, dropping the knife.
Zuko stared at the weapon that was almost used to assassinate him. He briefly thought of doing it himself.
It would solve a lot of problems. He thought, shaking his head, looking back at Asami. Yet, the girl was gone. He had not noticed her flee the scene. He turned about, searching for a sign as to where she had gone. Exhaling, he walked towards the dining area of the ship. To his further surprise, Ty Lee was there cutting slices of cucumbers. Zuko hesitantly approached her.
I guess no one's sleeping at this hour.
"Ahem, should I be concerned for my limbs?" He asked, half-jokingly.
Ty Lee jerked her head towards him, rolling her eyes when she realized who was addressing her and continued to cut, more forcefully this time.
"If I wanted to kill you, believe me, it wouldn't be with a knife. I'll leave that for Mai," she grumbled placing the cucumbers in a teapot and setting it to boil.
She then retrieved some herbs from the cabinet and added them to her concoction followed by a teabag. When the kettle whistled, Zuko watched her pour herself a glass of the stuff, bringing it to her lips to blow before sipping.
"You always did have strange tastes," Zuko commented, attempting to lighten the mood.
The woman shrugged and took a seat.
"You're up late this hour. Trouble sleeping?" She asked.
Zuko's eyebrow raised. "Luckily, yes or I probably would have a knife to the back. You didn't have something to do with Asami's wanting to kill me?"
Ty Lee's eyebrows raised slightly surprised. Tightening her grip on the cup, she glared at him.
"No need. You do a great job with that, yourself. Besides either way you wouldn't believe me anyway".
With that she slammed the cup down, standing to leave.
"Ty Lee, wait, please!" Called Zuko after her, but the woman marched away.
Zuko growled to himself.
"It's ok, if it makes you feel better, Asami won't even look at me".
Zuko turned to see Korra behind him.
"Korra, you're up too?" He asked.
The avatar used her metalbending to slide a chair towards her and took a sit in front of him.
"Yep, Asami, Kicked me out the room. Figured I'd have a snack".
Zuko hung his head.
"I'm sorry I came between yours and Ms. Sato's relationship. That was pretty selfish of me".
Korra leaned forward with her knees apart.
"Not really, Asami needed closure. Don't worry, she's tough. It just hurts right now, but you did what you had to".
Zuko paced, rubbing his beard.
"I just wish I knew what to do. I wish Aang were here".
Suddenly realizing his words, he added. "I meant, well no harm intended Korra".
Korra shrugged. "None taken but seeing how you changed. Maybe she can too". She said.
Zuko shook his head quickly objecting. "No! You don't understand! Azula is a REAL monster. You think you have faced some serious enemies in your victories against evil, but-but my sister is…different. She's deceptive and cunning. A different type of evil. She will definitely kill you if you face her!"
Korra wrinkled her eyebrow.
"Ok, I know you're a little old and all and a hero during one of the worst wars in history, but I doubt your sister could take me down. I am the avatar afterall".
Bringing his finger to the bridge of his nose, Zuko tried to control his frustration.
So was Aang. He thought.
At a light grasp of his shoulder, Zuko locked eyes with a smiling Korra.
"Listen, I've learned a lot when I was recuperating. One of the things I learned was fighting should be the final option. Maybe we should try talking to Azula. Trust me, she doesn't have armies at her whim like Kuvira, there's any opportunity here, Lord Zuko. Now is the time to right all of the wrongs between you and your sister".
Zuko inclined his head hesitantly, thinking of Asami and Ty Lee.
"Yes, perhaps you're right. It's been a long time coming," he answered as he looked past the avatar to a nearby wall. "My mother would have wanted this as well".
#
Why does this hurt so bad! Thought Asami as she stared at the only photo she possessed of her family.
Her mother's image began to blur as her eyes welled with heavy tears. Careful not to ruin the priceless painting, she used the back of her hand to wipe her eyes.
You've been gone so long and yet you were just like me. You did not have your parents either.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Glaring towards it, Asami slammed her fist on her desk.
"Korra! I am not opening that door no matter how many times you knock! And if you even think about metalbending-".
"It's me, Asami," said a soft voice definitely not belonging to Korra.
Asami placed the picture on her desk in a delicate manner and walked towards the door, opening it.
"Hi," said Ty Lee weakily.
The girl looked exhausted. Asami immediately felt terrible for her.
"I'm sorry, I thought you were Korra. Come in, Ty Lee or should I call you something…different?"
The woman let out a shy giggle.
"It's fine. You just met me. No need to force anything".
Asami returned the warm smile, returning to her seat at the desk. Ty Lee followed close behind, taking a seat atop the desk.
"I-Is that-that's her isn't it? Yasuko, your mom, my ba-" Ty Lee stopped, looking away, biting her lip and fidgeting with her fingers.
Asami picked up the picture and gave it to the girl's shaking hands.
"You want to see it? I mean, she was your baby, right?" She watched as Ty Lee bit her bottom lip.
"You believe me? You don't think I'm crazy?"
Asami shrugged as Ty Lee took the picture. "With all that's happened recently, I guess anything can happen".
Ty Lee's eyes welled as she stared at the picture. "I-I never imagined really losing her. I had hoped…" Clutching the picture to her chest, she heaved for several moments. "She was our miracle baby. I loved her so…"
Asami leaned forward, wiping away the tears from eyes with her thumb.
"I'm sorry," she managed to say.
Ty Lee smiled meekly, looking into the engineer's green eyes lovingly.
"Don't be. She had you. She will always live on through you and your little ones someday".
Asami let out a half-chuckle.
"Well, if what you said was true about Forgetful Valley, maybe there's a chance. I really can't see myself being with anyone other than Korra, but if you didn't catch it while we were being arrested, Korra and I are kind of over so it doesn't look like any kids will happen".
Asami looked towards her hands as she thought of Korra. She betrayed me. She was unsure if hers and Korra's relationship would ever be the same after that.
Ty Lee moved her chin with a forefinger to lock their eyes, giving her a sincere smile that made Asami feel warm.
"She loves you. I can tell," she said, kindly.
Asami turned away. "Great way of showing it! She betrayed me! It was wrong. I-I have always been by her side. Through everything".
"I did the same to Azula," Ty Lee revealed. "Actually, we've both done our share of things to one another, but trust me, I am desperately in love with her and everything I have ever done was to protect her. Even if it cost us our happiness. I always knew that we were meant because we always found each other when we needed to the most. The universe has its ways".
Asami nodded. Though she did not believe in a "universe" per se. Ty Lee was quite convincing and she felt the woman had a genuine heart. Sighing, Asami accepted a hug from the woman before she left her chambers for the night.
#
This coop must be swift and decisive.
Azula took a deep breath as she studied her notes of demands for Zuko's daughter. It had been a while since she had any authority within her nation. The feeling was exhilarating. She had not realized how much she missed it. Yet with things being so different now, she had to study extra hard to get to know this world. It almost felt foreign now.
"Hmm, so the earth kingdom is broken. They are allowing the people to select their leader instead of continuing with tradition".
"Pathetic," groaned the impatient Fire Lord Izumi. "The people do not need that much power".
Azula agreed. The divine right to rule is within the royal lineage that founded a nation, though, this would make reconquering the earth kingdom a piece of sweet sugar cake.
"The earth kingdom has always been foolish with their talks of hope and such," she replied, carefully choosing her words. "Might I suggest a different approach?"
Izumi adjusted her glasses on her nose. "Go on," she beckoned.
"Though your kingdom is broken, you still have the advantage as the only nation still intact with a pure bloodline," Azula wanted to spit as she spoke. "The Water Tribes have been at odds for centuries, the Air Nation is still weak and the earth kingdom is still in shambles. You will need ambassadors to form alliances with each of them. Pit them against one another".
Izumi raised her palm for Azula to stop. "Are you suggesting another war? Like my grandfather's siege?"
Azula calmly folded her notes. "Of course not, just talking. What would it hurt? The Fire Nation is basically non-existent in their eyes anyway. You should capitalize on this. Obviously the only divine right to rule lies in your lineage. The world needs a proper, hmm, voice".
Izumi and Azula exchanged dangerous looks.
"Hmm, the avatar will not stand for that," she stated.
Azula smirked.
"That's where I come in. Allow me to speak to the avatar personally. As a well as your father. You will be briefed on the outcome".
Izumi was obviously hesitant.
"Ok, fine. I am busy at the moment either way. Besides with the way you handle yourself, you seem like a well-seasoned general".
Azula smirked. "Interesting. So there you have it. Relax and catch up on some sleep. Allow me to handle everything".