Book 2 Chapter 14
All's Fair in Love and War
"Now where on earth could Ursa be?" Zuko said impatiently.
"Right behind you father" the middle aged, tall, slender woman said in a voice that captured everyone's attention, including the help. They stopped serving food to bow their heads in honor of the Fire Lord, and then continued with their tasks.
"Mother, it's good to see you" Iroh said getting up and walking over to her. He kissed her on the cheek and accompanied her over to her seat, and pulled her chair out for her like a gentleman. She sat at the head of the table, with her father on her left, and Asami and Iroh on her right.
"Iroh, honey it's good to have you back home. I've got some tasks for you. The Earth Kingdom has made a proposition to..."
"Mother, can we talk about work another time" Iroh quickly interrupted.
Ursa looked up at her son. He was looking down at his plate, taking a bite of his food with a fork.
"Alright. So, why don't you introduce your friend then" she said glancing at Asami now.
"Ah, yes" he put his utensils down and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Mother, this is Asami Sato. President of Future Industries."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Fire Lord Ursa" Asami tried not to sound too nervous.
"Please, Asami, call me Ursa. Hmmm, President of Future Industries. Impressive. So young, yet you've already accomplished so much. That's just like my baby boy."
"Mom.. I'm not a baby..." Iroh shook his head.
"Being the youngest General of the United Forces took a lot of work on his part. Dedication and determination are two things we value in this family" the Fire Lord said proudly.
"Tell us Asami, what's the next big thing you've been working on?" Zuko asked, taking an interest into her profession.
"Well, we just finished testing our new line of biplanes. They provide greater maneuverability and have a stronger support structure" she boasted.
"You have got to see them grandfather. They're amazing!" Iroh interjected.
"Interesting, your family must be very proud" Ursa added.
"Well, I'm not so sure about that. My mother was... killed by a fire bender when I was a child. So, it was just me and my father... but now he's in jail for aiding the equalists... And now it's just me" she sighed.
Iroh placed his hand on top of hers and gave her a reassuring look.
"That's sad to hear" Ursa said apologetically.
"You know Asami" Zuko began to speak, "you and I are quite similar. My mother was taken from me when I was a child, and I too had to see my father in jail during my adolescence. My uncle once told me that life likes to test us, and you have to look for the silver lining in these hardships."
"Your uncle was very wise" Asami smiled.
"He was indeed. Well, I hope everyone enjoyed dinner. How about we have some tea?" Zuko enthusiastically asked.
"Actually, we were going to head to bed after dinner. We've been up all day" Iroh said holding back a yawn.
"Yes, you should get your sleep. I expect your attendance in the war room first thing in the morning" Ursa said standing up. She leaned over and gave Iroh a small kiss on the forehead before walking away. "Oh, and Asami, you're welcome to join us. Goodnight you two. Enjoy your tea father" and with that, Fire Lord Ursa left the room.
Iroh and Asami made their way out the dining hall and up to his room.
"I hope you enjoyed dinner" he asked softly in her ear as he hugged her from behind.
"I did. Your grandfather is very kind, and your mother wasn't as intimidating as I thought" she replied.
"Good. To be honest, I think she likes you. She doesn't invite just anyone to the throne room" he joked.
Asami turned around and placed her arms around his neck. "What exactly happens in the war room?"
"Well, its where the Fire Lord discusses plans with the military advisors and with me since I'm the General. Plus mother wants to make sure I'll be able to take care of the Fire Nation once I take over as Fire Lord" he explained to her.
"That sounds like a lot of... fun" she said sarcastically.
"Oh yea, well you know what would be even more fun?" Iroh smirked.
Asami raised an eye brow.
"Getting you out of this dress" he whispered as he slowly unzipped the back of her gown.
"But I thought you liked this dress on me" she said as she stopped his hands midway.
"True, but I think it would look much better... on the floor" he laughed.
He took his hands off Asami, "I'll be a gentleman and let you change."
She returned from the bathroom wearing a short night gown, and hopped in bed with Iroh. He turned out the lights and rested his head on Asami's arm.
"Goodnight... baby boy" Asami joked as she kissed his forehead.
"Heyy..." Iroh was too tired to argue back and tell her not to call him that, so he yawned and fell asleep.
The morning came faster than expected for Iroh and Asami who were walking over to the war room bright and early in the morning.
"I want to go back to sleep" Asami yawned.
"Hey, stop that. You're making me yawnnnnnn" Iroh shook his head to wake himself up.
"Alright, here it is" Iroh said opening the doors to the war room. The room was surrounded with tall black pillars with gold bases that outlined a long path down the center. At the end of the path was a large gold throne surrounded by fire.
"It's... intimidating" Asami said with her eyes wide open.
Iroh led her down the path. She looked down at the black tiled floor that reflected the glow of the flames. They made it to the end where the large throne sat. Iroh
"It's customary for family to sit on opposite ends of where the Fire Lord sits, the rest of the advisory council sits at the table" he pointed out.
"Where do I sit?" Asami questioned.
"Right next to me" he looked at her and smiled.
The council members started coming in one by one as Iroh and Asami took their seats next to the throne. A palace maid came in and served tea to everyone.
Fire Lord Ursa followed by Zuko came in last once everyone had been seated. They were accompanied by two palace guards. She took her seat on the throne as Zuko sat to her left.
"Ooooo Jasmine tea please" Zuko said to the maid as he sniffed the aroma of hot tea in the air.
"Good morning everyone. Earth kingdom updates please" she asked the council.
One of the men stood up and spoke, "We've received news from the King of Ba Singh Se that everything is going well now. Fire Nation troops will be withdrawn effective immediately."
"It's good to see the Fire Nation working together with the Earth kingdom. I remember it like yesterday when I helped my sister overthrow the Earth king and take over Ba Singh Se" Zuko reminisced.
"Father, please. Now's not the time for your stories" Ursa scoffed.
"It really is an amazing tale" Iroh whispered to Asami. She giggled.
"Iroh" Ursa turned to him.
"Yes, Mother" he replied.
"Have you reinstated the fleets that were damaged during the battle for Republic City?" she asked.
"Yes. We have done full damage control. I even specifically asked mechanics to redesign the warships to them more agile to navigate through underwater mines" he said proudly.
"And what about in the case of another airborne attack?" Ursa inquired.
"Well, the ships proved no match for the biplanes" Iroh replied not too proud about this fact.
"Which brings me to my proposition" she paused then looked over to the raven haired girl, "Asami" Ursa called out.
Asami turned quickly to the sound of her name, unsure of what the Fire Lord would ask her.
"How would you like to assist Iroh, in being in charge of creating a new Air Force division as well as commanding your own fleet. We could use a partner like Future Industries to create a line of fighter planes" she insisted.
"Oh, well... I think that would be great... but there are a lot of factors that go into starting a new plant. I would have to expand the company, check the market share values, obtain new equipment, not to mention staff...and paper work! Tons of paperwork..." Asami began to ramble.
"We would be willing to work with you throughout the process Asami. I can personally have all your finances taken care of, as well as providing you with factories in the Fire Nation to expand your business" Ursa explained.
"It would be great Asami. We could use that kind of technology" Iroh explained.
"... hmm" she quickly pondered the idea. "...you're right. I would be honored to be a part of the United Forces and provide them with the very first fleet of biplanes" Asami could see the headlines now.
"Alright, well the council has voted. Asami, welcome to the United Forces."
Author's Note:
Even though I love writing about Asami and Iroh's adventures in the Fire Nation, I feel like I've been neglecting the rest of the Krew, I wonder what they have been up to ;) I'll probably be writing a chapter about them soon. Other than that, Reviews are greatly appreciated. I like to know what you guys think :D