AN: I don't own Avatar. Promise. Please enjoy.
Blind Are Our Children
TAO PACED THE floors of his bedroom, unable to put his aching mind at rest. Dinner that evening had been quiet, each person at the table preoccupied with their own thoughts. Throughout the entirety of his meal he had been unable to keep his eyes off of Azura. She had been quiet, reticent even, and hardly ate anything on her plate. He knew that her now rushed engagement with Kuro was bothering her. The look Tao had received from her when it had been announced was enough to tell him that she needed his help.
But what could he do? He was not the man chosen by Azula to marry Azura. Tao was merely the son of an acrobat Fire Noble and an agent of the Dai Li. He was a half-breed, and possessed no skills as a Firebender or as an asshole. Kuro had all of that, it seemed. Tao could not go to Azula now and request that he be allowed to marry Azura instead. Azula would refuse him outright, and even if she did ask him why, 'because I love her,' was not a good enough answer.
He left him room abruptly, unable to bear its large, vacant silence any longer. He strode to his mother's room, knocking on her door with impatient politeness. He heard her shuffle around a bit, and she came to the door, dressed in rich nightclothes of silk.
"Tao?" her grey eyes widened in surprise and she beckoned her son into her chambers. He bowed his head to her before entering, and continued the same pacing upon her floors as he had his own. "What's the matter?" his mother's voice was guileless and sweet, as always, and it soothed him somewhat.
He looked up, his hazel eyes clouded in confusion and pain. "Princess Azula hastened the wedding." He merely stated, anguish wrought in his very words. He paused in his pacing, his eyes rising to gaze at the painting hanging on the wall which depicted Ty Lee, Tao, and Baiko, his father. The family in the portrait seemed happy, and Tao vaguely remembered posing for it. He'd been barely five years old. And soon after the painting had been completed, his father had died. Well, no, killed. But, he digressed.
"They've been engaged for quite some time now, Tao. What difference does it make whether they marry tomorrow or the day after?" Ty Lee implored. She knew her son very well, and could see how much he cared for Azura. He and the girl shared a deep friendship, one that was slowly growing into something more passionate. Though Tao was too honorable to ever act on it; not while Azura was betrothed to Kuro.
"That's not the point!" frustration unleashed Tao's normally submerged temper. "Kuro is wrong for her! He doesn't love her like I do!" he insisted, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles were bleached white.
Ty Lee joined her son's side, resting a motherly hand on his handsome cheek. He resembled his father so much that it made her heart ache. Spirits, how she missed her beloved Baiko… "Tao, please understand. This is what's best for the Fire Nation." She urged her son.
Tao jerked away from her maternal touch, gritting his teeth. "Was father's death what was best for the Fire Nation?" his voice was deathly quiet, and darker than the night.
Ty Lee attempted to bite back the pain, but it was still fresh, even eleven years after her husband's murder. "Azula felt it was." her voice cracked, and she turned away from her son; ashamed of the tears that sprung forth, and even more ashamed of her foolish answer.
"She's dictated your life with an iron fist." Tao began gently, grasping his mother's shoulders, whirling her to face him. His hazel eyes, with their tint of green, pierced through hers. "I'm going to put an end to it, mother. I'll extract a revenge so sweet that it will put father's memory to rest and repay us for the suffering we've endured under her." He promised.
Ty Lee shook her head, her customary braid flying back and forth. "No, Tao, don't do it. She'll catch you committing treason, and she'll have your head for it. It won't earn you Azura's hand, nor my happiness. Please." She begged as tears trickled down her face.
Tao pulled away from his mother. "Repeat nothing of what I've said this evening." He pressed. Ty Lee wiped at her face, shaking her head. "Promise me!" Tao urged her.
"I promise." Ty Lee whimpered.
Tao bent over, pressing a kiss to his mother's brow. "Good." And he left as quickly as he had come, leaving Ty Lee to collapse to the floor, sobbing. She feared she would lose her only son, much like she had his father. Spirits, please, keep him from doing anything that would take him from me…
JIE YAWNED, HER eyes fluttering open. The sun was rising, casting its rays onto her face, warming her. It gave her a small dose of comfort in light of the recent events. She allowed a small smile to grace her features. If the sun could still rise, maybe there was still hope. That Kai, Kato, and Zara were still alive and well. Aang too.
She turned to gaze at her brother, but as she did the blanket covering her shifted, and the person laying beside her groaned at the lack of warmth. She quickly covered him, but it was too late. His green eyes fluttered open, and caught hers. She was entranced.
"Morning." Daichi greeted mildly. He smiled lazily, his brown hair more of a rumpled mess than usual, falling into his face.
Jie felt her face flush. "Morning." There was something about Daichi that made her feel giddy and silly, like a normal teenage girl, despite the fact that she'd been wandering around the world for the better part of a year. And it wasn't just his silly, devil may care attitude, he was genuinely nice and attentive to her.
He took her tanned hand into his own paler one, and pressed a kiss to it. She nearly swooned right then and there. "What a pleasant morning this is, to wake up and have a beauty such as yourself be the first thing I see."
Jie blushed softly. "Oh, Daichi, you flatter me." She protested gently, pressing her hands to her pinked face.
Daichi shifted, leaning in closer. "Oh, no, you're a lovely water maiden, and I am unworthy to even gaze at you!" he informed her, taking in her slim frame and delicate features. He meant every word of it. Jie was something extremely beautiful and exotic to him; for none of the girls from his village had blue eyes like her, beautiful dark skin like her, nor did their hair fall down their backs in a cascading braid. And they certain were not adept warriors like her. She was truly one of a kind.
Jie felt her heart beat rapidly beneath her breastbone, and she wondered if she would die then and there. "Oh, stop it, of course you're worthy!" she protested meekly. He took her hands in his own, his green eyes sincere and true.
"I should like very much to court you, Jie." He said sincerely.
She felt weak, like she couldn't breathe. This handsome boy, with his green eyes and broad shoulders, wanted to court her? As in, gain her affections so he could marry her? Marriage?! She was hardly even fifteen yet! Yet…she gazed into his warm eyes…he was fifteen, and would be sixteen soon. Old enough to marry her if her father permitted it. She could imagine it now, steam billowing out of her father's ears as he hacked away at Daichi with his boomerang…
Since Jie didn't reply, and only stared at him in wonderment, he continued, elaborating. "I mean, with your father's permission, of course. And I'd prove my worth to your parents, and-"
She silenced him with her slim fingers. "I would like you to court me, very much." She answered honestly.
Daichi could barely contain his grin, but as he leaned in to give her a chaste kiss, his sister's hand waved in front of his face. He fought the urge to smack her into next week, hadn't she been asleep, or something?
"Hold on lover boy, look!" Tsuchi announced, pointing down. Jie and Daichi craned their heads over the edges of Appa's saddle. Their eyes widened in shock as their gaze drank in the sight of dozens of ships, ethnically designs by the Water Tribe, sailed in the same direction the were heading: to the Fire Nation.
"It's the Northern Water Tribe's fleet." Lian informed them, his voice rather annoyed. Probably because Daichi as practically asked his baby sister to marry him. But, that didn't matter at the moment.
"Let's go talk to them, Lian." Jie urged her brother, hoping he wouldn't be too angry with her for the whole Daichi situation.
"Alright." He pulled Appa's reigns, and they began their decent towards the flagship, landing smoothly on its wide deck. They each jumped off of Appa, and Lian tried to ignore how Daichi assisted Jie. He looked among the wary soldiers, and stood tall. "I am Lian of Kyoshi Island, nephew to Lady Katara and Chief Kuval, cousin to Princes Kai and Kato. Please allow me speak to your superiors." His voice, strong and level, carried through the crisp morning air.
Before he could end blink, a blur of white tackled him to the ground. "Wha-oof!" he winced at the pain of the blow.
A boy knelt above him, grinning deliriously. "Hey Lian."
Lian blinked. "Gakko?"
The boy nodded enthusiastically. He'd been one of Kai's friends back at the northern Water Tribe, and they knew one another well.
Lian grinned widely, slapping the teen on the shoulder. "Hey man!"
Gakko grinned, giving Lian a noogie. "Long time no see!"
Tsuchi and Jie shared glances, rolling their eyes at the boys' antics.
Both boys quickly became somber though, and helped one another off the deck of the ship. "The Avatar, Kai, Kato, and Zara were captured at Ba Sing Se. we're on our way to the Fire Nation now to rescue them."
Worry flickered over Gakko's features. "I see." He bit his lip, then gestured. "Come with me, all of you. You'd better speak to General Shui."
AZURA WOKE SLOWLY, dreams flitting away rapidly, the reality coming to replace them just as swiftly. She shifted in her bed, warm and comfortable beneath the lush covers. Beside her was Kuro, asleep, his golden eyes closed. His breath was slow and deep, his features lax. He studied him, so handsome, the vision of serenity. That was, until he woke up. Then he'd become all Princely, all ambition, and seriousness.
She missed the days when they were younger and could spar together playfully, when they played childish games of hide and explode, when there wasn't such a thing as titles, war, and death hanging over their heads. When he was still good and kind and true. But no longer did they live in their child's world. Instead they faced a lifetime together as Fire Lord and Lady, wreaking havoc upon the other nations, murdering, fighting… she closed her eyes against such imagery, it was too much to bear.
Azura extended her hand, tracing Kuro's handsome features. His breath was hot against her hand, and she suppressed a shiver, as she recalled that hot breath over various parts of her body only last evening. She rose slowly, so as to not disturb his sleep, suddenly wanting to be far away from him. Yes, he was skilled in bed, yes he was handsome, but she was to be married to him as soon as possible. Three days, her mother had said last night. So now it was two, actually. Two days…oh, Tao, will you forgive me for marrying Kuro?
She had felt Tao's eyes watching her carefully at dinner last night, and she secretly wished she could meet his gaze. And tell him everything. How much she loved him, how she longed for it to be him she was engaged to. Tao always understood her; always made her feel better, always supported her, made her needs come first. He was unselfish, undraining, unambitious…he was everything Kuro wasn't. He was nothing of what Kuro was.
Nausea overcame her suddenly, and she rushed to their bath, retching what little she had in her stomach. She collapsed to her knees, feeling weak suddenly. She rested her forehead against the porcelain of their toilet, fighting the urge to whimper or bawl like a child. What was wrong with her? She was usually never sick, at least not physically. Her heart was a different matter.
She drew herself up from the cold tile floor and grabbed the red silk robe which hung from one the hooks on the bathroom door. As she tied the sash she inhaled deeply, then exhaled deeply. She called upon her hours of meditation before candlelight to soothe her body's turmoil. And the nausea ebbed away, lingering only as a bad taste in her mouth.
But replacing it was an overwhelming desire to flee. Away from Kuro, away from this bedchamber where she'd lost everything that meant anything to her. She spared one last glance at her fiancée's sleeping form before leaving their bedroom. As she closed the door behind her, Kuro's eyes opened. But she was not aware of it.
The halls of the Fire Nation palace were quiet this early in the morning. Few guards stood vigil at their posts, but said nothing to her. Her feet carried her on their own accord, taking her wherever they pleased. She soon found herself standing before the prison tower which held her uncle and cousin. Well, at least, she assumed they were, from her mother's words. Not bothering to question how she ended up there, she entered the building.
It was dark and dank, even in such early hours of the morning, the sun climbing the horizon like a toddler. She felt utterly ridiculous suddenly, wearing a red bedroom robe and a pair of slippers. She wore no make up, her hair was probably a mess, and her prisoners would think her crazy. But it mattered not, or so she told herself.
She approached their cell, which was large and fit them all rather comfortably. She knew that by sticking them all into the same cell they'd be more easily guarded. She knew each of them possessed Bending prowess that would make them a threat if there were spread out individually. They were all sleeping, having separated themselves into small groups; natal families, she guessed.
Her eyes fell upon the man who held his wife and daughter on either side of him. His scar was pronounced, standing out of his face, but it didn't detract from his handsome features. His embrace with his daughter and wife was protective and strong, as a father's should be. Azura frowned, attempting to remember her father. He'd been assassinated when she was younger, and she only had a few memories of him.
She remembered that he was handsome by Fire Nation standards, and that he'd seemed as tall as a tower and steadfast as one too. He would always bring her small treats and take her for walks, and she recalled that he'd tell her bed time stories at night. Tales of a world that had been in peace, the four elements mingling in harmony. She pushed the memory from her head, her eyes falling to her so-called Uncle, the traitor.
And his own golden eyes looked straight back at her. She jumped in surprise, but quickly recollected herself. "Good morning, Zuko." She said politely. It was best to remain neutral with her uncle before choosing to behave in any particular fashion.
"Ah, so disrespectful of you. It's Uncle Zuko." He corrected her mildly, and seemed to be as unaccustomed to the title as she was herself. His wife stirred in her sleep, the vibrations of his voice awakening her.
Azura bowed her head. "Uncle Zuko." She repeated, her tone respectful. When she raised her head once more, she could see he was perplexed. She didn't understand why, and it was almost annoying. "What's the matter?" she inquired.
He looked at her, his head tilted wonderingly. "You're too respectful to be the daughter of Azula." He was not snide, nor rude, nor anything negative. He stated it as if it were fact, a simple knowledge that his sister was an evil wretch. And, Azura couldn't help but subconsciously agree. You, her brother, must know my mother's heart just as, if not more, than I. Don't you, Uncle Zuko?
"Perhaps I take after my father." she suggested, her voice level and calm. His statement had not angered her, but it did strike emotion into her. One she was nearly unfamiliar with: understanding.
Zuko arched a brow. "Who is your Father?" he wondered if perhaps he knew him from his days as the Prince of the Fire Nation. The others in his cell all began to stir, the conversation drawing them out of their deep sleep.
"General Gouka, son of War Minister Qin." Azura replied, glancing down. Funny, why should she be thinking and even missing her father so much today? Perhaps it was because an uncle and cousin who she had never known of were suddenly here, now, and in the flesh? The family resemblance was undeniable, and she knew in her heart that this was her flesh and blood.
Zuko's eyes widened, for he had known both Qin and Gouka, and he quietly repressed a laugh. Of course Azula would pick a War General's son for a husband and father of her child. He only wondered where Gouka was now, for Azura had spoken as if she did not honestly know her own father's characteristics. "You did not know your father?" he questioned.
Azura's eyes did not meet her uncle's as she spoke. "He died when I was a young girl." She answered. She took note of the cell's inhabitants all awakening, but she ignored it. They were unimportant; only her uncle's responses were pertinent.
"You mean murdered?" Zuko reiterated. He knew instantly that for whatever reason, Azula was behind the death of Gouka. A young man usually didn't die for no reason. His daughter's beautiful green eyes regarded him curiously, but she did not speak.
"Whom are you implying did such a thing?" Azura eyed her uncle, doing her best to keep the disdain from her voice. The witnesses to their conversation all remained silent, alternating glances between Zuko and herself.
Zuko retracted himself from his wife and daughter, walking over to the bars. "I don't know," he shrugged, "Maybe Azula?"
The mere suggestion made Azura choke. "How dare you-" she stopped herself suddenly, experiencing a painful flashback of her parents arguing…
She had been outside their bedroom door, frightened from a nightmare, and had wanted to join them. "You cannot seriously be planning to take the Fire Nation by force, Azula!" her father's voice was harsh, angry. She had rarely ever heard it raised to such decibels.
"I can and I will, Gouka. This is my birthright, Azura's birthright." Her mother argued, her own voice echoing her husband's rage.
"Don't tell me plan on involving her in this." He warned menacingly.
"Of course I am. She will be the Fire Lady before her sixteenth birthday." Azula's replied.
Her father remained silent for a few moments, then he spoke. His voice held contempt. "I won't allow you to use our daughter as a pawn."
"And I won't allow you to interfere with my plans." Azura fled at this point, not wanting to hear anything more. The entire subject, combined with her parents' yelling, had frightened her more so than her nightmare had. That night she cried herself to sleep.
The following morning, when she woke, her mother informed her that her father had been assassinated in the night. When her eyes met her mother's she knew instantly that her life would change forever. She sobbed harder then than she had the night before.
Azura felt weak, as she had earlier that morning, but this time it was because of her heart, not her body.
"Azura? Azura, are you alright?" Zuko's voice, laced with concern, broke her out of her trance.
She blinked, her Uncle's amber eyes piercing through her. They were so kind and concerned, even though he didn't know her, or even know of her until recently. So why was he concerned? Was it simply because they were related? Was this…unconditional love? It made her head spin, so she chose not to focus on it. "Yes, I'm fine." She replied curtly.
Zuko eyed his niece skeptically. "You're pale." She had been pale since she had come down, looking almost sickly. But now it was even more pronounced. He was concerned, because he could see in her eyes that she held none of the conniving or malice that Azula did. She was a genuinely good person, and was seemingly thrust into a situation with no consideration for her feelings being taken into consideration.
"I'm fine." Annoyance threaded through her voice, and she turned away from her Uncle's gaze.
"Alright." He quietly accepted her answer, though he didn't agree. She obviously was not well, and no doubt it was from the stress of being the Fire Lady.
Azura remained silent before meeting her Uncle's eyes again. She studied him, and she saw no plotting schemes or deviant ideas lurking in his eyes. Could he really be the traitor everyone thought of him as? Did he consciously turn his back on the Fire Nation, or did he feel as trapped there as she felt? "Why did you betray us?" she blurted, not bothering to quell her words.
Sadness reflected in Zuko's eyes. "Because I couldn't betray my heart." His niece deserved the truth. He knew Azula would have disillusioned her for her entire life, and so she couldn't discern wrong from right. Very much like he'd been when he had been her age.
She seemed affected by his words, her features softening. "And what did your heart want?" she queried.
"Free will, happiness, peace. Among other things." His eyes flickered to his wife and daughter, and Azura instantly understood. She saw how his wife and daughter returned his glances with looks of genuine love and warmth. She fought jealousy at such open emotion.
She touched the bars which contained her Uncle and cousin, but before she could open her mouth to speak, someone entered the prison. She turned her head, her eyes widening as they fell upon Tao. "Tao?" she whispered wondrously.
He was dressed in his traditional kimono. It was simple, in a rich black fabric with small gold piping. He often mentioned that red didn't suit him, and Azura suspected that it was his loyalty to his Earth kingdom heritage that kept him from doing so. And, spirits, he looked so handsome. She suddenly felt self conscious, recalling that she wore no make up and her hair was mussed.
Tao's eyes fell upon Azura, and he quickly hid the surprise he felt at seeing her here. He hadn't expected anyone to want to visit the prisoners, nor do so at such an early hour. Dawn had broken only an hour ago. His heart convulsed in his chest, for this was the first time he'd seen Azura so natural and unkempt in a long while. She was simply stunning, dressed in only that red silk robe. It suited her, and he was glad that he was fortunate enough to see her without any make up or elaborate hairstyle.
Upon further inspection, he noticed she was paler than usual. Apprehension filled him, and he strode to her, taking her face into his hands. "You're ill." He stated softly, his hazel eyes flitting over her sallow features. She seemed so…weary. He longed to pick her up, cradle her in his arms, and soothe whatever ailed her so.
Azura, torn between wrenching herself from his grasp or staying within the warm comfort of his presence, felt helpless. "Whatever happened to 'good morning'?" she attempted to tease.
But Tao's eyes held no humor. "Good morning. What's wrong?" he figured he'd better get straight to the point. He wasn't going to allow Azura to skirt around this issue.
"I'm fine. Really." She protested. Her golden eyes were filled with raw need, and he longed to hug her to him, stroke her unbound hair, and kiss her face. His fingers unconsciously stroked her porcelain cheekbones.
Tao knew Azura, and he knew her well. "You're lying." He felt hurt that she was. After all this time, didn't she know she could confide in him? After all of these years…
Zara felt a streak of guilt course through her. "I'm sorry. You're right." She withdrew reluctantly from his warm touch. His hands dropped to his sides, and he felt as helpless as Azura had moments before. "I'm going to get some rest."
He opened his mouth to protest, longed to grasp her hand and pull her close. But instead he only nodded. "Alright. Feel better." She retreated and he turned away. The attentive eyes of Zuko, Toph, Zara, Katara, Kai, Kato, Sokka, Suki, and Aang met his. He fought the urge to blush. This was going to be embarrassing.