This is a public service announcement: as the author I reserve the right to manipulate not only the characters but also you, the reader. It's part of the game, and I swear there is a purpose behind the madness.
That said how'd you like the sucker punch? (Laughs evilly.) Reactions seem split about how I expected… I know the kiss was a bit shocking. Just- keep that thought for a chapter or two, m'kay? There's other stuff that needs to get cleared up first.
I'd also like to take a moment to clarify a few points regarding the story as a whole and my specific goals with the project:
1- Give Zuko significant motive to support a reversal of his choice in COD. I can't help thinking it would take a tad more than a single conversation with Katara to make him throw away everything he believes in. Or rather believes he believes in. Boy's more twisted up inside than a Chinese puzzle box.
2- Extrapolate a more in-depth view of the world and the characters. The show is amazing and I love it to death, but it was targeted at children. While the creators did an incredible job addressing such harsh issues as genocide, total warfare and justifiable homicide it still skirted around some of the things that would logically exist in the setting. There simply wasn't enough time to explore the potential of all the characters, either.
3- Make things complicated. I don't mean plot-wise. Although the show does touch on the fact that life is rarely "black or white" and includes examples of "bad" Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe people and "good" Fire Nation people, the basic premise is fairly simplistic. Again, meant for children. Reality tends to be messier.
4- Raise the stakes. For example, instead of some angry peasants glaring at his back, Zuko has to run like hell from a lynch mob.
5- Investigate some of the possibilities hinted at but not explored in-show. Character abilities, the Spirit World, political structure, etc.
6- Keep the original romantic interest pairings. I realize this choice is potentially divisive. I understand the appeal of alternatives and do appreciate them but I have heard too many times that the canon pairings are "boring". So I decided to test that theory and see how much mileage I could get without shuffling emotional attachments. It's a personal challenge. Please note that keeping the same pairings is not the same thing as keeping the same relationships, because the characters involved have deviated from canon. Follow?
7- Temper drama and angst with humor and light/heartwarming moments to create a well-rounded and balanced work. (Go ahead, you can laugh, it's funny… I'm trying, though!)
8- Write the story to the best of my ability and stick to my guns. I marked out most of the plot over a year ago, it just takes time to flesh out and write down. I do appreciate feedback and constructive criticism, but I also have a specific vision in mind and intend to keep it. I've spent too much time and effort not to. That said, I'm always fascinated by responses (especially if you catch something I didn't consider) and always always always flattered if my humble-yet-overgrown plot bunny o' doom catches your interest. (If you notice obvious technical errors please for the love of all you keep holy tell me where- the manuscript is over 300 pages!)
Still with me? Brave soul. I applaud you and reward you with this tasty offering:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After the display in Full Moon Bay, when Iroh charmed his way past a particularly hideous ticket agent with over-the-top flattery Kai didn't even bat an eyelash. He did dissolve into laughter further down the road, however.
Kai had never been a fan of the public monorail. True, it was fast and efficient, but it was also crowded. Not a good place to be trapped if things turned ugly, way up high and completely dependant on the Earthbending engineers.
Besides, he knew a guy at the post relay station who only charged half-fee for a mount if you agreed to carry a parcel or two on your way into the city proper. He only offered that deal to people he personally trusted, of course, and the sender of many of those packages preferred unofficial channels. If Iroh had any suspicions about the arrangement he had more sense than to utter them.
Valley-bred ostrich horses were tall, lean, and fleet of foot and the odd pair made good time across the farmland. They raced past homesteads and open pasture, stiff corn, squat soybeans and waving rice in terraced paddies, stopping as needed for fresh mounts. Kai recognized a few faces at the checkpoints but didn't stop to chat. He couldn't risk the possibility, however slim, that a well-connected individual might recognize his companion and he couldn't shake the sense that he needed to reach the Weeping Demon as swiftly as possible. Iroh shared that sense of urgency, but for more personal reasons.
Despite that haste, when the riders noticed a cart abandoned at the edge of the road they slowed to investigate. The cart itself was ordinary, but it held a tall metal box bound with lengths of chain and the driver's seat was decidedly vacant. The ostrich-horse hitched between the cart shafts stood placidly browsing. The men dismounted and approached cautiously, boots crunching the displaced dirt. Muffled voices sounded from the box, one loud and brash and the other decidedly not.
"I told you not to trust her!"
"But you fell for it as well."
"Shut up!"
"Ow! Move your elbow."
"Excuse me," Iroh called pleasantly. "Are you all right?"
The voices fell silent and then fists banged furiously on the walls.
"Get us out!"
Iroh motioned for his companion to keep quiet and Kai stood back to watch, expression speculative. Even distorted by the thick steel plating, Iroh thought the two sounded oddly familiar.
"I'm afraid we have no way to free you," he apologized. "How did this happen?"
"We were transporting a dangerous fugitive and the little freak duped my partner," the louder voice answered. There was a mumbled defense from said partner and muffled thuds against the walls.
Kai stepped forward then, his eyebrows quirked in curiosity. "Little freak?"
"Yeah. She looks like an innocent little girl but she's actually a powerful Earthbender."
Iroh's brow knit. He definitely recognized the voices, now. And he could think of only one person their description fit; from the look of things Miss Toph Bei Fong had discovered a way to manipulate solid metal.
"Oh, dear. That sounds dreadful. Hold on, we'll send help for you."
He motioned for Kai to follow his lead and mounted up, barely waiting for the younger man to settle into the saddle before racing off at breakneck speed. Kai caught up as the older man let his ostrich horse settle into a more reasonable pace. Pulling alongside he reached out and laid his hand on the bridle strap of Iroh's mount.
"What was that about? I'm certain you could have found a way to free them somehow. Or simply driven the wagon."
"I've crossed paths with those two before. They may be Earth Kingdom, but their only true allegiance is to money. And the girl they claim trapped them happens to be a friend."
"Is she really that dangerous?"
"Oh, yes. A most charming young lady, Miss Toph. She has taken the Avatar as her student, you know."
Kai's grip went slack. He had of course heard the flying rumors in Fan Rong Men Hu and elsewhere of the Avatar's Earthbending companion, rumors that included details identifying that same person as a notorious Earth Rumble favorite. "You know the Blind Bandit?"
Iroh's eyebrows rose comically. "I believe she does use that name. How is it you know her?"
"Well I don't personally, of course, but I have seen her in the ring. Young lady, huh?" Kai whistled. "Way she fights, most folks figure she's a midget, not a kid."
A smile wreathed the old man's face as he held up a finger in mock stern warning. "You should not mock those of us with a lower center of gravity. When the world knocks us down, we have less far to fall, and get up again quicker."
Kai knocked back a swallow of baijiu and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Well, there is that I guess. Come on, there's another station a little further on. We can, ah, alert them to your friends' predicament."
Iroh nodded, but thoughts strayed elsewhere. If those two greedy idiots had been attempting to remove Toph from the city, it stood to reason that she and her friends were staying there. He could only hope Zuko did not realize the Avatar's presence, or that the boy had finally come to his senses and abandoned the hopeless quest his father demanded.
***
Toph hated flying. It was bad enough when she had to walk on wood floors and couldn't feel anything around her, but up in the air on Appa's back was even more of a disadvantage. It had been unnerving when she could hold onto the edge of the saddle, but flying like this, clinging to a giant shaggy creature who knows how far above solid ground- it was only through sheer stubbornness that she could even pretend not to be terrified.
Kuei didn't like flying either, but at least he could see. She was totally helpless. Not that she'd ever admit something like that. Except that she'd been holding on for dear life most of the night and her hands were getting tired, she couldn't hold on anymore and she was slipping…Her mouth opened to cry out for help and then she gasped as strong fingers closed around her wrist and held fast. She swallowed.
It couldn't be Kuei. He was farther up, towards Appa's head, and probably wouldn't be brave enough to let go for even a second. He probably hadn't even noticed she was falling. Sokka was "driving", although Appa probably had a better idea of where they where headed than he did, and Katara and Aang were sitting on Appa's neck. It definitely wasn't Momo, and the bear didn't even have hands... She reached up and felt until she found a wrist, knotted with muscle but oddly bony.
A smile broke out over her face.
"Thanks, Zuko."
She felt muscles bunch under her touch, and her body slid across Appa's fur as he lifted her further onto the broad expanse of the bison's back. Once she was settled, he let go and placed his arm on the other side of her body, just in case she started to slide again.
Sokka remembered all too well that Appa had his limits and couldn't keep flying forever. He guided the bison toward a likely looking clearing, near a dark shadow that just might be a cave. The bison landed with a weary groan, and the riders tumbled from his back.
The cave was dry, and uninhabited. Katara guided a half-conscious Aang to the flattest spot she could find and he sank to the ground, folding into a fetal curl. She settled beside him, too tired to risk Healing him. She'd have to wait until her strength returned and hope the delay wouldn't make things worse in the long run. Momo curled himself up next to the boy and fell asleep.
Appa settled himself with a long groaning sigh, and Toph waited until the great beast's breathing became regular and slow before Earthbending a solid wall across the cave entrance.
"Thanks, Toph," Sokka mumbled. Now they could all sleep safely, for a while at least. He leaned against Appa's flank and settled down for the night. After a moment's hesitation Kuei followed his example as Bosco curled up nearby. Toph flattened a spot for herself, close enough to feel Appa's body heat. She almost offered to repeat the favor for Zuko, simple repayment, but he was already passed out against the wall.
***
Jin wasn't worried Shen had forgotten about her, she was terrified something had happened to him. She forced the worry to the back of her mind, just in case he was merely late. She waited by the fountain, checked the nearby streets in case he was only lost, and finally accepted that he simply wasn't coming. She knew something had prevented him from keeping his word.
She didn't know what had happened, but her gut insisted it was bad.
Setting out extra early the next morning Jin made her way down the twisting byways of the Lower Ring to the Weeping Demon, where the innkeeper informed her that the boy had gone out two days previously and was expected back. Jin smiled politely and left; expectation or no she knew Shen wouldn't return. Distracted, she nearly bowled into the two men entering the courtyard, ducking her head in apology. Had she been paying attention she might have noticed the older, short man's eyes were the same odd color as the boy she sought.
The same vague unease that had troubled her since the previous night followed her back to the Middle Ring and Master Pei's print shop, tightening to a gut-clenching anxiety when she entered to find the shop already bustling with activity under the supervision of a Dai Li agent. He examined her briefly with piercing eyes and dismissed her just as brusquely, hands clasped behind his back.
Forcing herself to breathe calmly, Jin swallowed her rising panic and strode forward. Master Pei greeted her with a smile, but it did not reach his eyes.
"Ah, Jin. I'm glad you are here. We need all available hands just now." He gestured toward the agent. "We have a large order to fill as quickly as possible."
She nodded and set to work, covering her plain green robe with an ink-stained apron and rolling up her sleeves. It seemed all other orders had been set aside to work on this one, and she wondered at the urgency of the job as well as the source. Master Pei was an intelligent, diplomatic man, but she knew him well enough to know he was no avid supporter of the cultural police. True, he had refused to print anything for Jet, but that was merely good sense.
That the Dai Li had not only commissioned work but left an agent to oversee production obviously did not sit well but Pei hid the unease, seeking refuge in standard civility. Fortunately the work was routine enough that Jin could simply lose herself in the familiar repetition, grinding out the pigment and mixing it to the proper consistency for printing.
When Master Pei appeared at her side and gently rested his hand on her shoulder she jumped at the touch and then apologized, blushing with embarrassment.
"It's all right, child. I suppose everyone is a bit on edge just now."
"What do they want?"
Pei studied her for a moment before nodding as if deciding something in his head.
"I think we have enough ink for now," he announced in a louder voice, tightening his hand on her shoulder briefly. "Time to test the print blocks."
She followed him without a word, grateful that carrying the ceramic pitcher of ink hid the tremors in her hands. She could feel the agent's scrutiny even through the walls of the workshop, although it must have been even worse for the printers on the main work floor, backs exposed to his searching gaze.
Jin's father had insisted that his children receive a better education than he himself possessed. Jin was no scholar but she was perfectly literate, a skill that had given her the opportunity for a job like this instead of mere drudgery. Mixing ink might be tiring work, but she had breaks, reasonable hours and days to spend as she saw fit, instead of spending every waking hour in a steaming laundry or dim weaving room or (spirits forbid) the far baser occupations available to young women without prospects. It also had the odd side effect of teaching her to read backwards, as Master Pei encouraged his employees to learn the entire printing process. Unmarried and childless, it was no secret he intended to pass on the business to one of his apprentices.
Jin was too nervous to notice the contents of the printing plate as she inked it, however, and so it came as an even greater shock when Master Pei removed the thin sheet and an all too familiar face greeted her eyes. Her face fell and she stepped back.
Shen. Only not Shen. His name was given as Zuko, nationality Fire Nation. (Amber eyes…) Dangerous, it said. Fugitive. Firebender. Wanted. Reward. Nothing specific- no charges or explanation- just enough information to attract attention and sway the general populace against the target, and money to tempt.
Reeling, she studied the other plates and choked back an exclamation as her eyes settled on the next one, a round boyish face bearing an unmistakable arrow tattoo. She scanned the line; Avatar, Water Tribe warrior, Waterbender, Earthbender… Head swimming she grasped the edge of the worktable, knuckles white.
"Master, what's going on?"
He regarded her solemnly, steadying her with both hands clasped to her shoulders.
"These individuals have been named dangers to the realm. And it is our duty to support the government."
Jin absorbed this with a kind of dislocation before the situation snapped into place with far too much clarity. The Dai Li had seized complete control. And they considered the Avatar (the Avatar!) an enemy, along with all these others. The Avatar's friends. Her eyes widened and she snatched the first poster, staring into the scarred face.
You don't believe in him, do you?
He had reacted so oddly to that… and yet…
Keeping her voice low, she asked. "They're all together, aren't they? All these…people."
"That seems to be the assumption, yes." He regarded her quizzically. "You recognized the Firebender." His voice was low, not to carry beyond her ears. She nodded, just barely. "You know him?" he pressed.
Master Pei knew what she did on her days off. It was something of a joke that he called the practice "adopting strays," but it was as good a description as any and she knew he didn't mean anything hurtful by it.
"Yeah," she breathed. "but not- close." Not like Jet.
"I don't think they know. And I certainly wouldn't bring it to their attention." He patted her shoulder. "Come, I think perhaps you need a breath of fresh air."
Jin discarded her stained apron and followed him numbly as he approached the Dai Li agent to explain, oh so politely and agreeably, that while his clients would of course understand the necessity of postponing other commissions to aid the authorities it was only good business practice to warn them such delays had occurred- without giving particulars, of course. Master Pei understood the need for discretion at such a delicate time. When the agent granted approval, he ducked into his private office, leaving Jin just beside the door.
Once free of the agent's observation Pei retrieved a key from his robes and unlocked the aromatic cabinet where he kept all his most valuable papers, which he never allowed even his most trusted apprentices to touch. He pulled free a sheet with an almost invisible medallion in the center, the outer edge flared like petals. Silk threads ran through the sheet and over the motif, giving it the appearance of cracked stone.
The agent scanned the brief note, snorting at the ornamental calligraphy and material. Then his gaze narrowed.
"This is some awfully fancy paper for a simple message, Printmaker."
Master Pei didn't even flinch. "Some of our clients appreciate such simple gestures. Especially those in the nobility."
The man scanned the message again, found nothing suspicious, and handed it back. Master Pei deftly folded the paper and sealed it with wax and chop, leaving the impression of a flower in bloom.
Jin accepted it silently, keeping her breath even although her heart thrummed like a humming-bee. Pei rested his hand on hers for a moment, a slight smile of encouragement hidden from the agent's gaze.
"I want you to deliver this to Lord Tenno. It's a bit of a trip, but I can only assume you won't dawdle. We have much to do still."
"Of course," she murmured, and forced herself to walk calmly to the door instead of bolting. Once outside she did bolt, running flat out for the length of the block with the message clenched in her fingers before slowing to a more reasonable walk. She had made deliveries to Lord Tenno's estate before so she knew the way.
The guards at the Upper Ring gate seemed restless but executed their duties with the same brisk efficiency as usual before letting her pass. Jet had been rather envious of her messenger's immunity, although he was perfectly capable of getting past such checkpoints other ways.
Once into the Upper Ring she let her feet guide her to the right address by memory. Something in the air reminded her of the calm before a storm, and with a start of sudden recognition Jin realized the takeover was just now coming into effect. The rest of the city didn't know yet, and it would take time before the power shift affected the uninformed.
It was both thrilling and terrifying to be aware of the truth. Thrilling, because she knew something crucial, something hugely important. Terrifying because it was so much bigger than she was and she could only watch as it happened, knowing but unable to change anything.
Jin reached the gates to the Tenno estate and drew a deep breath before entering. Lord Tenno was a known eccentric as well as a frequent customer, a well-lettered grey haired gentleman that most regarded as odd but harmless. His estate lay a ways beyond the Palace compound and boasted ornate fences covered in trailing plants, a small pond filled with brightly colored chameleon-koi and tame rabbit-antelope roaming the manicured grounds. Jin had never met the Lord personally, but his staff always seemed content with their employment, which she thought a sound indication of character.
The doorman recognized her, accepted the message and started to shut the door, then froze as his eyes caught the seal. Without a word, he beckoned her inside and locked the door behind them. He led her to a room deep within the house, furnished with cushioned chairs and low tables but no windows.
"Wait here," he instructed, and then swept away, letter in hand. Jin sank into one of the chairs. She decided the room was some kind of parlor, and the location for privacy and security. Despite the lack of natural light, the room was bright and open. Calming.
By the time the door opened Jin had relaxed considerably. She ducked her head politely as the Lord entered, opened letter in his hand. He considered her for a moment, and then sank into the chair opposite her. He had a particular presence, impossible to ignore yet unimposing.
"Do you know what this says?" he asked softly, laying the paper on the table between them.
"It's to let you know we can't work on your commission right now."
"Because the Dai Li have overthrown the Earth King and are seeking to consolidate power by controlling all outlets of information."
She glanced up then, too startled to remember manners as she met his gaze.
"It- how do you know that?"
He smiled. "The words are not the message you were entrusted to deliver. The paper is, and the fact that Master Pei sent you."
"I- I don't understand, sir. I have to get back, if I take too long-"
"The Dai Li might get suspicious," he finished. "Let me worry about that. Do you know why Master Pei chose you to bring me this message?"
She shook her head.
"He trusts you. In fact, he has spoken to me on several occasions of the potential he sees in you. Intelligence. Courage. Honesty. And compassion. I understand that you often use your free time helping newcomers. And now, when things are crumbling around you, you kept your head and remained focused on the task given you."
A brief knock sounded at the door and at the Lord's invitation a servant entered with a tray bearing a steaming teapot and two cups, which he carefully placed on the table before leaving as silently as he had arrived. Jin tried not to stare as the Lord poured tea for himself and his guest.
"You may speak freely in my company, child," he informed her gently. "Now, I've received the first half of the message," he gestured at the paper (by pre-determined agreement with Master Pei it did indeed signify political overthrow by the Dai Li), "but you, my dear, hold the rest. You may take as long as you need. I want you to remember carefully and tell me everything you've noticed. Anything that happened at the print shop today or the past few days. Anything unusual that you witnessed, even if you think it's not connected. Any information at all."
Jin wasn't sure what made her trust him, but she did. There was something comforting about the old gentleman, something that transcended the fact that he was a powerful, wealthy noble and she was the teenaged daughter of dirt-poor refugees. So she drank her tea, and told him everything.
***
Package delivered, Iroh and Kai headed toward the southern gate. Neither man mentioned the creeping sense of palpable anticipation hanging over the city. It could have been nothing, and the people carried on as they always had. There was nothing specific to point to and say something's up, but the travelers caught the unease anyway.
As they entered the courtyard to the Weeping Demon a teenaged girl all but ran into them, her clear green eyes wide with worry. Iroh turned- she was young and obviously upset and while there obviously wasn't time for tea it would only take a moment for a comforting word- but she was hurrying on, fingers twisted in the folds of her robe as she fled.
Iroh turned back and followed Kai to the innkeeper's desk. The innkeeper took one look at the mercenary and his amber-eyed companion, reached under the counter and held out the boy's letter.
"Your friend Ghost stepped out two days ago."
Kai had mentioned the pseudonym, but it still gave the old man pause to hear it spoken so casually, mostly because he had no way to tell why his nephew would use such a name. It didn't strike him as a random choice.
Kai examined the wax seal with a raised eyebrow, although he couldn't really fault the boy for being paranoid. The message itself showed further evidence of that paranoia; carefully vague as if Zuko had been worried the message might fall into the wrong hands.
After a moment, the mercenary handed the letter to Iroh.
"What do you make of this?"
Iroh smoothed the paper and read.
Thanks for before.. Hoping I don't need to return the favor. Gone to check something. If I'm not back and you get this grab the ostrich horse and get the hell out of town.
Iroh's eyes widened and he lowered the paper, deliberating his next words.
"My nephew is not always perceptive to subtle hints, and at times given to understatement. If something caught his attention this strongly I can only assume there is a significant, legitimate danger. We should heed his warning."
Kai could tell the decision was not an easy one. Here Iroh had missed catching up with the boy by a matter of days, and the note held no indication of his intended actions regarding the threat- whatever it was. To be so close, and then have no idea where Zuko could have gone… Leaving now, instead of hunting further, must break the old man's heart.
"Room's still paid for- no one's touched it," the innkeeper offered. He took them to the appropriate door, but when it creaked open the room was spotless and empty. Kai shifted a couple of things to check, until Iroh placed one broad hand on the mercenary's shoulder. When he looked up Iroh shook his head.
"My nephew would not leave his belongings somewhere so- insecure."
Kai considered this and turned back to the innkeeper.
"He had a mount…"
"Still in the stables. Barmy nut is starting to affect the others- can't use the stalls on either side, he gets 'em so riled up."
Help squawked loudly as Kai neared his stall, scratching his claws against the floor and thumping the wooden walls. Zuko's saddlebags lay in the hay at the back of the stall, out of reach behind the agitated ostrich horse. Kai motioned Iroh to stay out of the way and flipped the latch.
The stable fairly exploded as the bird charged free, but finally he settled enough to let Kai stroke him and sniffed at Iroh experimentally, nipping at his loose sleeves. Moving slowly, Iroh took out Zuko's sheathed dagger and held it in his open palm under Help's questing nose. After a few exploratory sniffs the animal seemed satisfied by the combined credentials of Iroh's demeanor and Zuko's scent.
"This is a mountain breed, is it not?"
Kai looked up from the back of the stall where he stooped checking the loose straw for any hidden items. "Think so. Looks more like a pack animal than a runner, to be honest, but he handled well enough for the boy."
Iroh helped settle bridle and tack, then stood tracing his fingers over the smooth grain of the dual-blade scabbard. He closed his eyes briefly and slung the strap over his shoulder as Kai tightened the saddle girth. Bags secured, he lead the ostrich horse to the courtyard.
Iroh followed a few steps behind, one hand grasping the leather strap over his shoulder and the other Zuko's blade, thumb sweeping over the ornamentation. Dao swords and a rare mount- what had his nephew been doing before Kai encountered him? And where had he gone?
***
"What kept you?" The agent demanded when Jin returned.
"Lord Tenno, he wanted to talk to me. I'm sorry. I couldn't get away any sooner."
It was an evasion but not a straight out lie, and she had an honest face. Swallowing down her fear, Jin recalled the instructions Tenno had given her.
Remember, child, repeat these words exactly as I tell them to you.
"He said- he offered me a position, and said that I was a pure flower blooming from the mud."
Jin didn't realize until the words left her mouth that they could have a double meaning, but as the Dai Li agent leered heat rose in her face and she turned a remarkable shade of pink. The agent laughed.
"I'll bet he did."
As Jin turned away she caught Pei's approving glance and realized the innuendo was meant as a distraction for their unwanted guest. And beyond that, it seemed to be a coded message for her boss as well, although the significance eluded her.
"Do you wish to accept that offer?"
Jin was bound to Master Pei and his shop for the duration of her apprenticeship- if she wanted to leave, she'd need his permission to terminate that agreement.
"I don't know enough to decide."
"An intelligent response. You won't be running off today, at any rate. I'll not be having my apprentices stolen away so easily, young lady," Pei warned, the warmth in his eyes belying the words. "There's too much to do here. Spend your own time as you like, but you'll not waste mine."
"Of course not, Master," she replied softly, donning her apron and retreating to the ink room. Pei scowled, but Jin knew he was secretly pleased and a little knot of excitement settled in her stomach where before had been raw tension.
A flower blooming from the mud… isn't that an old proverb or something?
***
Toph was the first to wake, tremors rippling through the floor and then her bones. Zuko tossed fitfully near the far wall, breath harsh and fast. Within minutes Sokka jerked awake as well, squinting through the gloom in utter disorientation before placing himself.
"What-?"
He nearly jumped as Toph touched his shoulder.
"It's Zuko- something's wrong. Bad dreams."
Neither one had witnessed his collapse the day before and there was something deeply unsettling about the thought of Zuko, of all people, suffering from violent nightmares. The exile twisted against the floor and his voice rose, forming small sounds of distress more than decipherable words.
As Sokka felt his way across the floor the rest of the group woke behind him, too sleep-muddled to react as Zuko's frenzy escalated. Finally Sokka found him, reaching down in the dark to encounter flurried erratic movement.
"Zuko," he called harshly. No response. "Zuko, Zuko wake up," he shouted, grabbing the older teen's shoulders and attempting to shake him into wakefulness and restrain flailing limbs at the same time. There was no way the Water Tribe boy could have known, but it was exactly the wrong thing to do.
Zuko snapped awake with a roar and struck out, sending Sokka skidding across the cave. Acting on reflex he reached for the blades always kept within arms reach- and felt nothing but dirt. Shreds of nightmare still wrapped around his mind Zuko tried to orient himself to his present environment and failed, recent and not so recent events jumbling together with dream in a tangle of confusion and anxiety. He couldn't see and his swords were gone. There was something in the darkness, something that had grabbed him and held him down and as he rose to face the threat fire licked along his hands, illuminating the cave.
A cave completely sealed in all directions.
In a clearer state of mind, Zuko would have been able to see the rough edges of Toph's handiwork, and probably grasp the intention of such a barrier more or less instantly. But he was not in a clear state of mind and the sudden realization that he was shut in completely pushed him further from coherency, into an almost primal sense of self-preservation. He sank into a feral crouch, face contorted into a snarling mask as the flames flickered higher, igniting the fabric of his sleeves and burning them away.
Cradling a scraped arm, Sokka lurched to his feet. Kuei hunched down next to his bear, back to the far wall as his eyes widened behind skewed lenses. Katara knelt beside Aang, who was still as ghostly pale as the night before but lucid, both of them staring with identical expressions of horror. Toph was confused. She could feel Zuko's strained heartbeat and breathing but had no idea what was causing the reaction.
"Zuko!" Katara called. "Zuko. It's us. It's just us. Snap out of it!"
Freezing chill swept up her spine as he met her eyes, one flaming hand pointed like an accusation before sweeping over the entire huddled assembly. He swallowed visibly, and his lips and throat worked as he tried to formulate a thought clear enough to communicate.
Swords. No swords. Defenseless. Where did it go? Came in. Don't remember that. Where-
"There- was," he managed, gesturing at the walls. His hand left trails of fire in its wake.
"Open," he gasped. "Open the-" Door? Wall? Cave? "OPEN IT!"
Finally understanding the root of the problem, Toph split the rock face. Zuko rushed out into the light and dove into the surrounding undergrowth. The remaining inhabitants of the cave breathed a collective sigh of relief at the narrowly averted crisis. Toph tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Not to accuse you guys of anything, but was he that messed up before you left him with the crazy General?"
Katara stared out of the cave, though Zuko was lost to sight. "I'm- honestly not sure."
"He got weird yesterday," Aang wheezed, flinching. "Not like that, though. It was like he just- went away inside. I thought it was the scariest thing I'd ever seen. I didn't know what had happened or what I should do. But now I'm not sure if this was worse." Merely talking seemed more effort than the boy could spare, and sweat dewed his ashen forehead.
Katara nodded, trying not to let her concern for her friend's condition show. She had to stay strong, stay calm. "I know what you mean. I'm not sure which one is worse for Zuko, but this is definitely more dangerous for everyone else. I've never seen anyone lose control like that."
Sokka thumped the air bison's side affectionately and the great beast groaned.
"At least Appa was exhausted enough to sleep through it. He doesn't like being sealed up in caves either, and I'd hate the think how the big guy would react to being stuck in a cave with fire."
"Good point," Toph agreed.
Katara gently disengaged herself from Aang's side and rose. "I'm going to go see if I can find a stream- we all need food and water and I should work on Aang as soon as possible."
"Follow the trail Zuko made through the brush," Toph suggested. "He nearly fell in. I'd be real careful approaching him, though. He might need a while to calm down still."
"I'll keep that in mind," Katara reassured her, and set off. Things had been pretty hectic yesterday, all things considered, but Zuko had always seemed more open around her than the others. It was worth a shot, anyway.
The stream really wasn't that hard to find, and Katara made no attempt to disguise her arrival, stopping several yards from the Firebender kneeling along the bank. Zuko didn't look up, continuing to scoop water from one hand onto his opposite arm. For a moment she thought Zuko had burned himself along with his sleeves before remembering the fight with Azula. The wound was from yesterday, not a sign his control had slipped that drastically.
"Zuko?"
He still didn't look up but he did stop, placing both hands flat against the ground on either side of his knees.
"Zuko… we didn't mean… we didn't know you'd freak out like that. Toph was just trying to keep everyone safe while we were asleep."
Still nothing. Katara hoped he was listening and ignoring her and not still out of it. She stepped forward and wet her lips nervously.
"Zuko," she tried again.
"Stay away from me."
She froze. At least he was acknowledging her now, but her face fell as she placed the tone. So much had happened since Pakku's ship, on the ship. Surely he wouldn't just- revert, would he? He was different now. He'd helped them. He'd saved Aang…
They had no idea what was wrong with him. She swallowed.
"Fine. I was only trying to be polite. I just needed to get water from the stream."
"Nobody's stopping you."
She sat down on the bank, uncomfortably aware that she didn't have anything to carry water in. It would get really old having to Bend the water uphill, or even freeze it into ice blocks to carry. And then what, Bend it into everyone's mouths like she had in the desert? She glanced over.
"Do want me to fix that?" she asked softly, reaching out one hand to pull water from the stream. "It's the least I can do for you helping us."
"Don't make so much of it. Besides, I'm sure you have a more pressing claim on your healing skills. I know how much effort it takes- why waste that on me?"
His voice was almost inflectionless but the words stung nonetheless. Katara shut her eyes against the well of tears and let her hand drop. Swallowing the lump in her throat she pressed on. Aang could wait just a little bit longer- he wasn't in mortal danger and she knew he'd understand. He'd probably be more upset if she didn't try.
"What were you looking for, when Sokka woke you up? You reached for something."
"Swords. They're still in the city. Everything is. Got nothing again." He gave a short bark of laughter.
"We could help with that." Katara wasn't sure how, but she knew without a doubt that regardless of his actions the previous day Zuko had absolutely no intention of becoming a permanent addition to the group- and never had.
"I don't need your help."
"Zuko, you just said yourself you left everything in the city. That you have nothing."
"I managed with less," he growled.
Katara refused to let this throw her, although a part of her couldn't help wondering, and then shying away from possible answers.
"Okay, maybe you don't need us, but we need you. Aang's hurt and I don't know how long it'll take him to recover. And the Earth King has- minimal experience outside the Palace and no fighting skills to speak of. "
Zuko sighed and finally turned to look at her. His eyes were calm, with no hint of the frantic desperation that had scared her so much in the cave. Calm but not open.
"You don't take hints, do you? How about this: no. Is that clear enough for you?" He stood abruptly and walked away.
"Zuko, wait-"
"Quit wasting time and go fix your boyfriend already."
Katara watched him leave, disheartened. She knew he was right- Aang did need her help. And in all likelihood Zuko wouldn't get too far. Toph would probably be able to locate him again without too much trouble. Sighing, Katara rose to her feet and pulled a long strand of water from the current into a floating puddle between her hands and shifted it absentmindedly as she walked up the hill.
By the time she returned Toph had raised a low kind of platform where Aang lay on his stomach to keep pressure off the wound. Kuei had sacrificed his cape for a makeshift pillow. A smile rose on Aang's face as Katara entered and then fell again as he noticed her expression. Toph lifted her head.
"Let me guess, no dice?"
"I don't understand. He just won't listen."
Sokka snorted. "Big surprise there, little sister. We don't need him anyway." He examined the long scrape on his arm and picked at the edges.
Katara knelt down and spread the water over Aang's back. He sighed under her touch, closing his eyes. Katara shot her brother a sharp look before shifting her attention back to Healing.
"I don't suppose it occurred to you that we could use all the help we can get right now?"
Kuei leaned over and lightly touched Toph's shoulder.
"I feel I'm missing something here. It appears their argument concerns a bit more than whether the Firebender will consider returning."
Toph patted his hand. "Not bad, your Majesty. Katara and Sokka have been arguing about Zuko since before I met them. Apparently they've been arguing since he was captured at the North Pole."
"Captured by who?"
"The Water Tribe, of course. Apparently he took advantage of the fact that Aang's totally defenseless when he's off communing with nature or whatever, knocked out Katara and tried to take Aang back to his father."
"I'm afraid I don't follow. I thought Zuko had been banished? And Katara seems to support having him with us."
"Yup. The Fire Lord said Zuko could come back if he brought the Avatar as a present. Or something. And Katara thinks Zuko will help our side win because the dead princess said something cryptic when she turned into the moon."
"If Zuko was captured in the North Pole, how did he end up in my country?"
"They brought him here. That was Sokka's idea, apparently. He thinks Zuko is a no-good selfish jerk, but agreed that if they did end up needing him it would be better to keep him somewhere handy. So they gave him to one of your Generals."
"One of my-"
"He got away, obviously."
"Obviously," Kuei echoed, pressing fingers against his forehead and tipping back the heavy hat. "But he was helping the Avatar yesterday. You said he warned you about the Princess."
"He was and he did."
Kuei considered this. He had spent most of his life sheltered from the world and thought he had adapted rather well to the truth, all things considered. He understood power play and intrigue on an intellectual level; history was filled with such lessons, and he was a well-educated man. Long Feng had overlooked the monarch's reading material. So despite his lack of direct experience, the young King recognized the situation once the relevant information was presented. That call had been confirmed when the Council apologized for the duplicity, offered their reasons, and pledged their loyalty to him alone.
It had been a shocking blow to discover more deception so soon after. He still wasn't sure how to feel about it all, but Sokka and Toph's hurried explanation had been verified not only by the girls' reaction to the interruption but also the bands of Dai Li attempting to detain them as they raced through the Palace.
As excited as he'd been at the prospect of meeting more of the Avatar's adventurer friends, he was somewhat relieved that the supposed leader of the Kyoshi Warriors was no such thing. He'd bought the act but couldn't shake the sense that something about her seemed off, though he had written it away as his own inexperience dealing with those accustomed to a life centered on fighting and violence…
The other two had seemed different, and somehow he didn't think Ty Lee had faked her interest in teaching Bosco circus tricks any more than Mai had faked kissing Zuko during the getaway. Zuko, who had seemed as reasonable a person as any of the others and then shown a completely different side the very next day- a change Toph had suggested might have something to do with an imprisonment by Kuei's own people at the Avatar's request…
"If you don't mind," he said faintly, "I would appreciate a clearer explanation."
***
Zuko was down right relieved Katara didn't follow him. He just couldn't deal with her, or her questions, right now. Not on top of everything else. Sleep had solidified the previous day's events into a tangled mess he couldn't begin to process. He couldn't separate the individual components, couldn't risk losing himself in either yawning void or jagged chaos to sort things out. Better to leave it alone, for now. No sense poking at an open wound.
Instinct prompted him to avoid contact, seek defensible ground until he recovered. It was a base impulse, something primal and at complete odds with the more sensible response of sticking together until a secure location was reached.
He did recover enough coherency to function, if somewhat rigidly. He had to stay focused, in control. Just shut the rest away and keep moving. As long as he kept equilibrium he could push the worst far enough down to cope. He sighed, trying not to think too hard about the fact that he was, once again, lost in the middle of nowhere with nothing to his name but the clothes on his back. He was even missing his sleeves again.
At least I have shoes this time. That's something.
Crossing the stream at a shallow point (he could dry himself easily enough but he preferred not to get soaked in the first place) he pulled himself onto the opposite bank and then scrabbled for purchase as it crumbled. Zuko slid back toward the water holding a handful of plant. A plant he was sure he'd never seen before but recognized anyway.
Disbelief stamped across his face he stared at it, then along the bank at similar clumps trailing their fat roots in the water from the lip of the overhang, and finally back across the stream. He hesitated, then scooted back down the bank, grabbed several more specimens and crossed the stream again to retrace his steps.
***
As might be expected, explaining the situation from the beginning took a while. Kuei insisted on clarification as they went, which tended to jumble events out of order. And then they would have to try and find where they had left off, and pick up the thread, and repeat things. It was impossible to tell how the young monarch felt about any of it, although on the whole he seemed split between admitting utter confusion and impassively reserving judgment.
Sokka was rather annoyed by that reservation, actually. Kuei was Earth Kingdom- sure he had been sheltered from the war but he shouldn't he realize Zuko was a threat at worst and a loose cannon at best? He was more annoyed when Toph kept trying to butt in. She had only met the jerk yesterday, what did she know about anything?
"Guys…"
"Not now, Toph. It's important that His Majesty understands just what we're dealing with, here."
"What we're dealing with, brother, is bigger than your personal dislikes. He's a part of this and has been from the start, even if we didn't realize it then."
Aang let his eyes close. The barest movement tugged at the wound, and although the healing session had helped there was still a long way to go before he was better. Lifting his head wasn't worth the strain, and apparently there was nothing new to the argument. If he could just shut the pain away and get some sleep...
"Guys? You might want to…"
"As I was saying, this is bigger than any one person…"
"Of course it is. Doesn't make you right."
"Sokka, you weren't there in the catacomb, okay? You didn't see-"
"Well you weren't there before that. He practically admitted he only warned us to save his own ass."
"Guys," Toph tried again, slightly louder. Still no effect.
"But if he came at all, doesn't that mean Katara was right, that her plan worked?"
"What, being nice so he'd change sides and help us take down his father?"
"GUYS!" This time she used Earthbending as well as volume for emphasis and finally caught everyone's attention.
"What, Toph?"
Toph set her mouth in a line and pointed.
Zuko stood just outside the entrance with an unreadable expression on his face and a handful of plants brushing his leg, muddy from the knees down.
Katara felt heat rising in her face.
"Oh. Um, you came back."
"Don't change the subject on my account. By all means, continue."
Even Toph flinched.
Aang tried to prop himself up on an elbow, face uneasy. Sokka folded his arms. Katara held out one hand in a placating gesture and then stopped. "Zuko," she faltered but he was in no mood to listen.
"I asked you. Over and over and over, every day for three weeks, what you wanted from me. You said nothing. That you wanted nothing. I had almost managed to convince myself you were on the level and my suspicions were sheer paranoia, but they weren't, were they?" Rather than the familiar snarl, his face went tight and nearly emotionless. "Don't answer. Just- don't bother. It doesn't matter now, anyway."
"What was I supposed to do, Zuko? We were under orders from the Spirit World."
"No, I was under orders. Orders that I am paying for failing to carry out. Unless you were lying to his Majesty just now, you were serving your own ends. "Hey, I know what we can do- let's use Zuko!" Oh, and while we're at it? I'd like to take a moment of your precious time to point out that I did help you, yesterday. Looks like I fulfilled your little prophecy. Nice knowing you, have fun, goodbye."
"Zuko, wait," Katara called.
"Why the hell should I?"
He turned to leave, muttering under his breath about damn manipulative brats, fate keeping a personal vendetta against him and having to start all over without a clue where Uncle could be. It sounded like angry, unintelligible gibberish to everyone but Toph.
"We can help you find your uncle."
He froze for a full three seconds before responding, still facing away.
"What?"
"I'm guessing it slipped Aang's mind to mention it yesterday, what with everything else going on, but we ran into Iroh a while back. He's looking for you. And you're looking for him. He said he felt our paths would cross again. Besides, if you go off on your own now you'll just end up bumping into us later anyway."
He did turn at that, regarding the blind girl evenly and keeping his voice tightly controlled. "How do you figure?"
"Divine interference, of course. Unless you think the Spirits will just leave off messing with you. Unlikely, in my opinion. For whatever reason, they've decided you're their man."
Zuko's face was guarded, body rigid. Tension simmered like heat distortion over rock but the offer had been so unexpected and so inescapably relevant it swept most of the anger aside, at least for now. Toph grinned and propped one foot on top of the opposite ankle- she had his attention, and she wasn't about to lose it.
"The way I see it, you need to get out of the area just as badly as we do. Opposing the Fire Lord's plans for dominion can't have improved family relations, and it's a good bet Iroh will either be drawn to the secret Resistance outpost or someone there will have information you can use. So, as long as we're going the same direction anyway, you might as well travel with us. Whadda ya say?"
"I'll think about it."
"I can work with that. What have you got in your hand, anyway? It's shedding little clods of dirt."
He looked down at the drooping stalks and muddy roots, as if he'd forgotten what led him back to the cave in the first place. "Oh. I found Bitterroot growing down by the stream." He shrugged. "It wasn't really that far out of my way to bring it by."
Sokka peered at the plants skeptically, resisting the urge to poke as curiosity won out over wariness. "Bitterroot, huh? Doesn't sound too appetizing."
"You would try to eat it, wouldn't you? I'm tempted to let you try, but it might kill you."
Sokka looked up sharply. "Why would you bring us poisonous plants?"
"It's medicine. I- saw a picture in a book once. It's supposed to numb pain."
The intended beneficiary went without saying, and even Toph was at a loss for an appropriate response. Finally Katara stepped forward and held out her hand. She was the healer, after all. Zuko dropped the plants into her waiting palm and pulled away instantly, refusing to move beyond the threshold.
"As long as I already brought them."
"Of course."
"I know about burns."
Katara tore her gaze away from his eyes and the ruin of his face. When he had pushed away her concern down at the stream she'd feared she'd lost the tenuous link of trust wrought on Pakku's ship, but now she knew that was wrong. This- this was Zuko not trusting her. Discovering the truth had shattered any credibility she had.
He had to find out eventually. What did you think would happen?
"Thank you," she offered.
Aang gave a weak smile and whispered thanks as well before settling his head on his arm. Katara closed her hand around the Bitterroot. Zuko- Zuko- had found medicine for Aang. Not out of goodwill or even obligation- just because he recognized it and knew there was a need. And he would stick around, not because he trusted them or agreed with them or liked them- just because it was practical. And that motive stung far deeper than she thought possible.
Dammit, I didn't do anything wrong!
But she couldn't find a voice to explain or the words to make him understand and he just stood there, closed off, as if daring her to try and bridge the gulf.
Yeah, that particular plot point has just been waiting to bite Katara in the butt. More fallout next chapter! You didn't think this would get easier, did you?