A/N: Hey guys, yes, you can throw stuff at me if you want. I fully deserve it, I've been away for a really long time and its all my fault. I was busy at school, I FAILED at time management and this chapter gave me SO MUCH trouble, seriously, there were three or four drafts before I got to this one.
As with practically all the chapters, this is a LOOONG one, which sort of makes up for my long absence. But wow, twenty-five chapters, there's a good chance I can wrap this story up at around thirty but we will see where it goes... I'm super excited to be back and I promise to give updates more frequently. As with all chapters, I welcome constructive criticism in my reviews. Please don't hesitate to tell me what you like, dislike or just think in general.
So without wasting more time let's move on to... CHAPTER 25! (YAY! So excited)
Chapter 25 - Towards the Frontline
The castle of Shu Jing was known for it's magnificent corridors and well manicured gardens, presided over by a man, famed for defeating a hundred soldiers in combat and maintained by a dedicated butler. But Piandao's castle had once belonged to a noble and like any other ancient stronghold of the nobility, it held many secrets. For the castle's walls not only bore witness to untold treacheries but concealed dungeons that held documents that told countless secrets of times long passed.
While Zuko was recovering from his injuries, Iroh spent the days digging through the archives that were hidden beneath the castle, trying to find out more about the T'ien Ti. Iroh had made remarkable progress over the past few days but it was nothing compared to the progress he made in the past fourteen hours thanks to Sokka and Suki. The warriors were young and curious, eager to soak up knowledge about a world that existed well before their own time. Of course, the young ones could not read everything that they found, some scrolls were written in languages that had faded away. These scrolls were left to Iroh to decipher, one of the few people alive who could understand ancient languages, after all, one did not become Grand Master of an ancient order of knowledge without acquiring the ability read all of its secrets.
After fourteen hours of relentless reading, researching and head bashing, the three of them now sat down on in the very room that Iroh had announced his grave situation and assigned his comrades their tasks.
Sokka sat opposite Iroh, gazing at the old Fire Lord who was now sipping what could have been his sixtieth cup of tea. The old man looked peaceful and content, two things that Sokka would not be feeling if he had a rebellion on his hands. Suki sat next to him, and for once the warrior did not feel anxious at her presence, she was still upset with him because of what he said to her during the meeting but was slowly getting over it after Sokka had apologized a hundred times over. The warrior shook his head in shame, knowing that he should know better than to say she wsan't fit to fight when it was she who taught him his basics. The warrior shook his head and gazed down at the large pile of documents that were sitting between the three of them. All of these scrolls held information pertaining to the T'ien Ti, the cult group that had nearly killed Zuko twice and were trying to overthrow Iroh's government through revolution. As the warrior gazed down at the scrolls he begun to wonder how he would have handled the situation had he been in Iroh's shoes. How would Sokka a man who relied on his wits, rather than his sword been able to handle a bloodthirsty group intent on killing him? Would he, like Iroh, take a step back and try to understand the context of the war and act accordingly? Or would he have chosen a different path?
Sokka's mind was driven out of it's wondering by Iroh's words.
"My friends," he said. "You have my thanks for assisting me in my research."
The words were spewing out of his mouth before he could help himself.
"That's not the only thing you'll be thanking us for."
Sokka was immediately punished with a smack on his forearm.
"Ow!"
Iroh smiled and proceeded to talk, as if there had been no interruption.
"Thanks to you, my friends, I have been able to dig up some valuable information on the T'ien Ti, information that I doubt I would have been able to find even in the Dragon Bone Catacombs."
Sokka raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Dragon what?"
"A stronghold for knowledge, Master Sokka," explained Iroh. "But that is a story for another time. We must focus on the present, tell me, what have you researched so far? Please do not leave anything out."
Sokka glanced at Suki with a slightly confused look on his face, before letting out a low groan. He was tired and hungry; there was no way his brain could function.
"Recorded Fire Nation History is divided into three stages," said Suki, in a clear commanding voice. "Yi nian, the First Age, is the time before the Avatar and the Four Elements, not much is known about that. "
Iroh nodded in approval.
"Yi nian is said to span, over five hundred years, depicting a long, gruesome war among three factions who fought for the islands of what would be the Fire Nation, several factions fought against one another to gain dominion over the lands, but one by one they fell to stronger clans, until by the year 2300 BSC, only three factions stood The Huo clan, the phoenix clan and the Yu Yan Warriors."
Iroh nodded waiting for Suki to continue, but Suki's memory had faltered and she now glanced at Sokka, waiting for him to continue, reading ancient history can be a boring affair for a warrior. Sokka sighed in resignation.
"By 2350 BSC, the phoenix clan had been assimilated into the Huo clan" he said. "The phoenix clan were a peaceful clan led by a group of sages who tried to harness fire as an element of life rather than a weapon. It was their peaceful ways that led to their assimilation in the hands of the more militant Sons of Fire clan, together, they formed what would become the modern day Fire Nation."
Sokka would have continued had it not been for Iroh who chose this moment to add his own branch of knowledge to the conversation.
"And it was from the peaceful ways of the phoenix clan," he said. "Was the T'ien Ti born."
Sokka looked up, all thoughts of food effectively banished from his mind.
"Wait? What?"
The Water Tribe warrior was not certain about the ways of the Fire Nation, but he was certain that a militant group that had destroyed a city, attempted to wipe out an elite regiment and tried to kill Zuko on two different occasions did not mean peaceful.
"How are they peaceful?"
"Peaceful in origin," emphasized Iroh. "But how they have strayed from that path remains a mystery."
Iroh leaned towards the thick pile of scrolls and picked one. The Fire Lord held out the scroll towards the young pair, entreating either one to take it. Sokka leaned forward and took the scroll and unfurled it.
"I believe the scroll can shed light on my statement."
Sokka took the scroll and read it out loud.
2300 BSC, Year of the Dragon
I was able to feed Shu and Jing , today was exceptionally good, able to provide milk and riceballs without forgoing for me or the wife.. The kids still say they're hungry but they are young and don't understand that we have fallen on hard times. Life is difficult that's the way it is, but there is hope that things will change. The other day, Jin told me that the Fire Lord and the Yu Yan have seized fighting and may come to a truce. I have no doubt that it is the T'ien Ti who are responsible for this. They are the only hope for a brighter future for my children. May the spirits be with them always.
Sokka frowned, trying to analyse what he was reading.
"The T'ien Ti seem to be the good guys here." he said, his surprise written all over his tone.
Iroh agreed with a nod of his head,
"Here's another one." He held out another scroll.
2250 BSC, Year of the Tiger
This city has been destroyed, every building is now nothing more than ash and cinder block. I don't know if we can ever rebuild this place again. Everything that me and da ge Jing have worked for has been wiped out by that bastard of a Fire Lord, all because the people protested against taxes. I warned da ge Jing that protesting is a bad idea, that we should keep our heads down and let the T'ien Ti handle it. But da ge Jing wouldn't listen, "The war with the Yu Yan is over' he says. 'No battles to be fought, no armies to be raised, no weapons to be made. Why should we pay more money?" Instead of heeding the voice of our people, the Fire Lord sent an army. The military came with their firebenders and catapults, are town watch never stood a chance. It took them just three days to tear down the buildings that two generations of men worked so hard to build, buildings that me and da ge Jing had designed, buildings that should have represented a great city to be born in the wake of the War with the Yu Yan.
The T'ien Ti have protested against this act, they have called the Fire Lord a blood thirsty tyrant, making war on his people. They are right in their accusations but foolish to voice them, now I fear, that the Fire Lord will turn his armies on them. They are a group of Fire Sages who stand for peace; I fear that they will be crushed like this city. Who then will speak for the people?
I must go, I hear my advisor calling, and there is work that must be done.
Shu.
Sokka let out a low whistle.
"Looks like the selfish, bloodthirsty tyrant gene goes waay back in your family."
Iroh chuckled as if he was amused rather than insulted.
"Read this one." he said.
This time, Suki reached out and took the scroll, eager to play her part in the onging conversation.
2240 BSC, Year of the Horse,
Word has reached us, the T'ien Ti has been disbanded. The Fire Lord has used his armies to destroy them and has declared the T'ien Ti a terrorist organization, an enemy of the Fire Nation. The only enemy they ever were was the enemy of the Fire Lord himself. With the T'ien Ti gone, there will be no one left to speak for the people. Without the T'ien Ti I fear a life of tyranny and destruction at the hands of the Fire Lord. What should I do? Perhaps we should escape to the Yu Yan Islands or maybe to the Earth Kingdom. Mother, I do not know if I can raise my children in such a hostile environment.
"Wow," muttered Suki. "Your people had nooo faith in your great-great-great grandfather."
Iroh chuckled in agreement. "The point in asking you to read the documents is to make you see one thing."
"That the T'ien Ti were once the good guys," said Suki, at once. "And they were a peaceful non-militant group-"
"Who managed to survive all attempts by the Fire Nation royal family to wipe them out," completed Sokka. "The questions that need to be asked is: Why now? What were these guys doing during the Hundred Year War? And what are they trying to achieve by attacking a Prince and his FireLord who are dedicated to improving the livelihood of their people?"
Iroh nodded with a smile on his face. "Those are some intelligent questions, my friend," he said. "And I'm hoping to find out soon enough."
Sokka frowned, wondering what sort of trick that the old man had in mind. Before the warrior could open his mouth to express his thoughts, Suki quickly cut him off with a question of her own.
"Has anyone noticed that the T'ien Ti have made every effort to attack Zuko but hasn't even tried to attack General Iroh once? I mean, I don't want to offend you General-" amended Suki, getting to her feet and bowing low at the waist. "But, I can't help but think, if I was trying to take out my enemy I would go directly for the man in charge, even if Zuko is the heir apparent. Taking you down would not only mean taking down the current Fire Lord but also taking down the prince's family member and ally. If you can kill the unquestioned leader of a nation, the trouble it causes will spread like wildfire."
Sokka glanced up at Suki, admiration written all over his face.
"Wow… you're right." he muttered, it had never occurred to him to think about the T'ien Ti's choice of target, he had accepted that Zuko was their primary target but never stopped to consider why. While the warrior gazed on with a drooling mouth, Iroh smiled at the Kyoshi warrior.
"I'm glad Mistress Suki that you have pointed out this little detail. Yes, they have been attempts on Zuko's life, while there has been none on mine, even though the T'ien Ti have demonstrated the capability to do so."
Iroh paused after these words.
"My intuition tells me that the T'ien Ti have recognised my nephew as the most important member of the royal family. More important than myself."
Iroh's words snapped Sokka out of his daydreaming, and gazed at the General.
"How come?" he asked. "You're the current FireLord, what's more important than that?"
"I am the Firelord, today" said Iroh. "But Zuko is the Fire Lord, tomorrow. He's so much more than someone who will carry on our ancient bloodline. Zuko, to his people, represents a new way of life, steeped in the ways of honour, moulded in the belief in peace and forged in the fires of hardship. If something were to happen to my nephew, everything we had fought for, will die with him."
Sokka could only stare and listen as the General spoke, rarely had he ever seen Iroh like this, without his placate smile and cup of tea, Iroh looked like a completely different person. The warrior did not see the old man who embarrassed his nephew with lame jokes, but the General who was feared by his enemies and praised by his followers.
"Zuko hails from an ancient blood line of a powerful lord who founded the nation we know today," continued Iroh. "With my brother in prison, and Azula in a mental house, Zuko is the only person worthy of the throne and the only one who can lay claim to it when I pass away. But should my nephew be killed, then, every General, Admiral and politician with an ounce of power will try to claim lordship over this archipelago. Zuko is more than just a prince, my friends, he is the very fabric of our stability."
"So if Zuko is killed, we could have a huge civil war on our hands." summarised Suki.
"That amount chaos can easily spill out of Fire Nation territory and become another world war." said Sokka, in a grave voice.
A grave silence descended upon the room, as it's occupants considered what they had just discussed. The gravity of the situation descended upon him and Sokka realized that they weren't just trying to save the Fire Nation from impending chaos but also preventing the world from experiencing the scourges of another war.
Stupid firebenders! he cursed.
It was Suki who broke the awkward silence.
"So what do you want to do?"
Her question was directed at Iroh, who acknowledged her with a nod.
"I must go to the capital, your master has been keeping an eye on things for me." he said, nodding towards Sokka. "He has reported that there has been dissent within the city, I'm going back to quell these riots, with my presence the T'ien Ti may make a brash move that we can use to our advantage."
Sokka was on his feet in a flash.
"We're coming with you," Katara and Zuko were going to the Yu Yan Islands, Aang and Toph were going to the Dragon Pagodas, all of his friends were placing themselves in danger to ensure that there was no civil war, Sokka wanted to play his part in dousing the fires before they got out of control.
Iroh nodded in agreement.
"We will leave by air balloon, the one that Lieutenant Lee arrived in," he said. "Be ready within the hour."
Without thinking about what he was doing, Sokka saluted the old man.
"I wish to come too." said Suki, feeling the need to assert her presence.
Iroh gave her a small smile.
"Who ever said you weren't?"
Sokka was not going to make the same mistake of angering the Kyoshi Captain, he looked at his girlfriend and gave her a small smile of encouragement.
"I'll go get ready."
Suki turned and departed, Sokka stood where he was and watched her go, his eyes raking her slender body. Sokka could feel a warm fuzzy feeling unfurling in the pit of his stomach and he was hit with the sudden urge to place his hands on Suki's hypnotizing hips.
"She's a wonderful person, isn't she?" asked Iroh, in a tone that indicated that he knew what was going through Sokka's mind.
Sokka turned to face the older man and nodded.
"Yeah, she is."
"She reminds me of a young woman of radiant beauty, one whose smile managed to captivate a young prince."
The General had disappeared replaced by an old man nostalgic for his past. Sokka turned away from the door through which Suki had departed and turned to face Iroh, he was certain that had the Fire Lord been rambling about anything else he would not be paying attention but on this occasion, Sokka found the old man's story interesting.
"Who was she?" he asked.
"My wife," said the general with a soft smile. "She was the most beautiful woman I had ever met and the only one I ever loved."
The sheer honesty behind Iroh's words made Sokka nervous and he gulped in apprehension, it was time to leave.
"I have to-"
A rustle of robes made the warrior pause and turn around, Iroh had gotten to his feet and was walking towards a desk piled to the edge with an assortment of scrolls. The general's words were spoken in a soft whisper, but his voice still carried to Sokka's ears.
"On the day of our wedding," whispered Iroh. "I felt that we would live to be two hundred. If I had known back then that our time together would be so short, my life would have been very different."
Sokka could only see Iroh's long mane of grey hair, but the warrior could still feel the deep sadness emanating from the Fire Lord, an aura of gloom that grabbed his attention. Despite his misgivings, in spite of the voice in the back of his mind screaming at him not to do it, Sokka couldn't help it; the call to sate his curiosity was now too strong.
"What happened to her?"
Iroh acknowledged the question with an inclination of his head.
"She passed away, shortly after my son was born."
Sokka was taken aback; he could feel his heart beating hard and fast. The warrior was hit with the urge to turn and flee.
"I must leave."
"Remember, we leave within the hour, time is short"
The warrior scurried towards the door, eager to get away from the old man who for some reason felt the need to ramble on about someone who Sokka had never met.
Why can't he ramble away with Zuko, the two of them would have been a match made in heaven. Why does he have to talk to me about someone who I've never met. Just because she was his wife doesn't mean….
The warrior was about to bolt through the door when he suddenly stopped, something had occurred to him. Sokka turned around to face to look at the General who was still standing with his back to him.
"General Iroh?"
"What is it Master Sokka?"
"When you said, time is short? You weren't just talking about this whole mess with the T'ien Ti, were you?"
A brief paused followed Sokka's question, the warrior waited, wondering if he had just misunderstood the Dragon of the West.
"I can see that the Southern Water Tribe is blessed to have an heir apparent of your calibre."
The two men stood still staring at one another, divided by years, divided by culture and station, but in the threshold of a nobleman's office a kindle of understanding had been lit, an understanding forged of friendship and respect. For the first time, since he had returned to the Fire Nation, Sokka was glad that he had decided to follow Katara and Aang. The Warrior bowed to the General, not out of custom, but out of deep respect.
"Thank you."
Living in the Fire Nation was not an easy job, during the century of warfare, its people were subjected to long dangerous campaigns in lands thousands of miles away from their homes, where the only reward was survival. At home, people were subject to long hours of work, dragging themselves through the streets out of sheer force of will, while glancing enviously at the politicians and military officers in their palanquins lined with silk cushions.
With the end of the war, little had changed, the Fire Nation had to rebuild an entire economy and hundreds if not thousands of people were laid off work and those who were lucky enough to keep a job were forced to take pay cuts for even longer hours, but despite the strife, the people did not complain, it was their duty to be loyal to their Lord regardless of who occupied the throne and what he did. The people were forced to grit their teeth and slog through each day, just so that they could tumble into bed, only to get up the next day and slog through another day.
Life in the Fire Nation was hard work but in the case of Zuo Zuo, the town's days were made considerably brighter thanks to the presence of a small pub reputed for it's cheap spiced wine and succulent beef jerky, with it's cheery atmosphere, the Dancing Phoneix soon became a hotspot for people of all ages to gather and talk about their lives, anybody who wanted to know anything about somebody would gather at the Dancing Phoneix, some even said that it was the heart and soul of the town.
Aang continued to walk down the path towards the bar, feeling torn between fear, apprehension and excitement. The young bender had heard so much about these pubs from his friends from over a century ago and he had always dreamed of entering one. But at the same time, he was painfully aware of the seedy reputation of these establishments, he knew that fights often broke out and that people have been killed. Why Iroh wanted him to come here, he did not know and how was a fourteen-year-old supposed to go unnoticed inside such a place remained another mystery. Aang turned to his companion with a smile on his face, the airbender could remember how she had bullied two, full-grown men into revealing the location of 'The Dancing Phoneix.' Aang had been strongly reminded of the past year, when Toph had dealt with difficult people the way she always did and he was glad that she had chosen to come with him.
It had only been two days since he had broken up with Katara, but it already felt like two months, the sting of their arguments was beginning to fade away and thoughts of the delightful waterbender no longer enticed him the way they once did. Aang was left to wonder just how quickly romantic feelings could fade away. Or was it perhaps that his relationship with Katara barely extended beyond friendship? If that was the case then how did one know who you loved as a friend and loved as a lover? Aang shook his head, trying to dispel the thoughts from his mind.
I have bigger things to worry about. He reminded himself.
"The Old Man's got a reason for us going there." said Toph, interrupting his train of thought.
Aang turned to his companion his eyes skimmed over her face, grey eyes looked directly at the milky pair of the pale young woman, before lingering down to her face. Toph had remarkably smooth cheekbones and a complexion that glowed under the moonlight. Aang had never thought of Toph as an attractive person but perhaps… No, no what am I thinking! This is Toph! My sifu! But then Katara was my sifu too, and she was older than me, so then, is it okay to think that Toph is attractive?
Aang glanced at Toph again, the more he stared at her, the more he found himself not caring.
"Did the Old Man tell you why you had to go to a pub?" asked Toph, who had seemed to develop a talent for interrupting his thoughts.
Aang shook his head and tried to focus his mind on the task at hand. "He told me to meet someone in there," he said. "I suspect that he's someone from the Order of the White Lotus."
Silence fell between the two of them but Aang did not trust his mind to stay focused on the task at hand, he needed to break the silence between them.
"How do you think Zuko and Katara are doing?"
Toph cocked her head in his direction.
"Are you worried about them?"
"A little bit" confessed Aang. "We don't know what's going on right now and what may happen, but at the sametim they're the strongest people that I know, whatever fate throws at them I know they can handle it."
"They're not invincible, you know."
There was a certain force behind her tone that made Aang glance back at her.
"You're worried about them, as well, aren't you?"
His insightful comment was rewarded with a hard punch to his arm.
"Of course I'm worried about them, and Sokka, and the Old Man, hell, even that fan-waving loony who calls herself a warrior. I'm worried about them all."
Aang was slightly taken aback, he had always known that beneath Toph's tough exterior was a warm-hearted personality constantly worried about the well-being of her companions but he was not expecting the confession to come bursting out of her at this moment.
"I'm worried too," said Aang, trying his best to reassure her. "The monks used to say that our greatest strength is our faith in hope. I never quite understood what they meant back then, I was just a kid cooped up in a temple, I didn't know much back then"
"You still don't know much." muttered Toph.
"The point is," said Aang, choosing to ignore the jab. "I finally realize what they meant, I don't know if Zuko, Katara, Sokka and all our friends will be all right, I don't know if we will get through this unscathed, but I believe that they we will be all right, I believe that we will one day, be able to sit around a campfire like we used to and we would be able to tell stories, play jokes on one another and laugh ourselves silly, because that's what hope does Toph, we need to have faith in a brighter future. It's what helps us get through."
When Aang stopped talking, he could feel something warm, soft and tender in his hand, surprised, he glanced down to see that had taken Toph's hand into his own, and that Toph was actually holding his hand, her pale fingers wrapped around his own. Aang was surprised but he didn't want to let go.
"You've grown, Aang," whispered Toph. "I'm proud of you."
Aang suddenly felt awkward and a little embarrassed, he began to rub his head.
"I've had many people to teach me." he said.
The airbender looked ahead and realized that they had stopped walking during their conversation.
"We need to get going; I want to find out what happened to my connection with my past lives. The sooner I find out what the problem is, the sooner we can help our friends."
"Still no idea why your past lives ditched you?"
"Not a clue."
The two of them walked down the path in silence, as they approached the pub, a small establishment close to the coast. As the two of them got closer to the pub, they noticed a tall figure standing at the entrance.
Please, don't let that be someone who wants to attack us. thought Aang.
Toph was obviously thinking the same thing for she cracked his knuckles, as the person took a step forward. Aang continued to walk forward with a tight grip on his staff. As the two companions approached the pub, the figure approached them and stepped into the moonlight. The shadow was cast away to reveal a tall, slim woman, who looked to be no older than thirty, she had a pale face framed in short black hair. The young woman wore the sort of travel clothes that Aang had seen Zuko wear during the war, she would have looked like a tomboy had it not been for the smile she wore.
"Greetings, strangers" she said, bowing low at the waist. "Who goes there?"
Aang smiled in relief, Iroh had told him that he would be asked this question and he knew exactly how to answer.
"One who has seen the fruit and tasted its mysteries."
The woman smiled again.
"It is a pleasure to meet the revered Avatar and Master Bei Fong in person," she said, bowing to the younger people. "I'm honoured to be in your presence."
Flattery had never made Aang comfortable and a year of being showered in compliments did not make it any less awkward
"Thanks." he said, with a nervous laugh.
"My name is Shu Qui" said the woman, approaching the two of them. "The Grandmaster has requested me to help you on your journey."
"Why did you want to meet us here?"
The question had come from Toph, Shu Qui surveyed her with a glance.
"I frequent this place, Master Bei Fong" she said. "And, My boat is not too far from here"
"Your boat?"
"Yes, hidden in a cave not too far from here."
Toph placed her hand on the ground, with a look of concentration of her face.
"Yep, there's a cave, really close by, shouldn't take more than a couple of moments to reach it."
"Then let us hurry," said Shu Qui. "It will take less than a day to reach the Dragon Pagodas. Time is essential and we must not linger in one spot for too long."
Aang knew what she meant and nodded in agreement.
"Let's go"
A pale tinge of pink began to blemish the dark sky, a single ray of light was breaking through the horizon, as the sun rose to greet the world. To Lee, the weather seemed to be mocking his mood, as Zuko's words echoed in Lee's head, like a shout down a long corridor, the hurt behind the words resonated in his head, threatening to crack his skull.
"Why? Tell me, why!"
Words that expressed anger, and hurt were etched into his mind, branded by a red hot rod into the inner most realms of his memory. Lee would never forget the look on Zuko's face when he first walked onto the rocky ledge. If Lee ever lived long enough to have grandchildren, he was sure that he would still remember this day, when he had betrayed his only real friend in the worst way ever. The rogue felt hollow, it was like his body was nothing more than a shell, devoid of any feeling. Was this how tyrants and warlords felt every time they ordered the execution of defenceless people? The look on Zuko's face expressed the very words that the prince wanted to say. Lee forced his mind away from the past and onto more recent events. The 'Master' or junfa, the unquestioned leader of the T'ien Ti had approached him with an offer that he could not refuse; Lee could still remember the conversation he had had with the old man. It had been at a very stressful time, when he was struggling to resettle the refugees of Sozin on the Western islands. The man had given him something that belonged to someone who was precious to him but was now dead. Lee dug into his pocket and pulled out a small earring, a small dragon, made out of glass, it had belonged to Lee's mother. The Junfa had given it to him to gain Lee's trust. The lieutenant could recall the conversation as if it were yesterday.
"Your mother did not die the night your home was burnt down, Lieutenant Lee." Lee looked up at the man, his anger flaring like a fire doused in oil. "I don't know who you think you are or who how you came to know about my mother snapped Lee, his fists igniting with fire. "But if you mention her one more time I will shove my fist right through your head!"
"Patience, good Lieutenant, patience." appeased the old man.
He pulled something out of his pocket and held it out towards the Lieutenant, it was small and it glimmered in the torchlight. Lee immediately recognized it.
"My mother's ring" he gasped.
Lee knew that his mother was not rich enough to own jewellery, but she always wore that ring. Lee was not sure where or how she got it, all he knew was that she never took it off.
"How did you get your hands on it?"
"That's what I came to tell you tonight." said the man, placing the ring on Lee's desk. "I know what it is that you seek to know, are you willing to listen? "
Lee glanced at the ring before taking it into his palm.
"Why are you here? " he whispered.
"I want to tell you the truth about your mother, I knew Yangyang, and it pains me to see that her son does not know the true circumstances of her death."
Lee was torn between tears and anger. A part of him wanted to know what had happened that night, but another part of him wanted to close the wounds and move on.
"How do I know you're not lying to me? "
"I gave you the proof, look carefully; it was Yangyang's ring was it not? "
Lee's fists clenched the ring, it was indeed his mother's ring, he would recognise any possession of hers.
"What do you want to tell me? "
"Five years ago, your home was destroyed and your supposedly mother perished with it."
Lee nodded, unable to say anything.
"The truth is Lieutenant, that was not the case, you're mother was not left to die in a burning building. She was kidnapped. "
"Kidnapped? "
"By the very same soldiers who saw you in the district."
Lee shook his head, if only he had not gone down that road….
"She was taken from the apartment, while you were away, and the building set aflame, perhaps it was to draw you out or make sure that there were no witnesses left, I'm not sure what was the idea behind it. "
"It was a way to get to me." muttered Lee.
"Your mother was taken away."
"Wait, how could that be? "
If Lee remembered correctly, he had killed the men that night, who was left to take his mother away?
"You were spotted by ranked soldiers, they had subordinates to do their bidding for them. "
Lee was not certain if ranked soldiers frequented districts, Sitting in his palm was proof that he knew or at least met his mother but he was starting to wonder how much the man knew and how he knew it.
"How did you get this ring? "
"Your mother was brought to the palace," continued the junfa. "Where I worked as Captain of the Royal Guard."
Lee looked at the man, anger giving way to surprise.
"You? The palace? "
The Junfa nodded.
"Indeed, I served the Fire Lord many years ago, similar to your duties to the prince."
"Why was my mother brought to the palace?"
"To be questioned of your whereabouts."
"My whereabouts? "
"Yes"
"But what would someone in the Fire Lord's home want of me? "
The Junfa's eyes glinted with malice and Lee knew that he had walked into a trap.
"If you wish to know." said the Master of the T'ien Ti. "You will have to do a little favour for me. "
The conversation with the Junfa had opened up old wounds and ignited a burning desire to find out what really happened that night. Lee had assumed that the soldiers had burnt down his home out of simple vengeance, but if what the Master of the T'ien Ti said was true then there was more to his mother's death, he recalled the time his mother refused to tell him who his father was and wondered if there was a connection….
"You!"
Lee turned around, ready to embrace any sort of distraction from his thoughts, even if it came from someone he despised. The woman who had led the attack on Zuko and Katara was approached him, Zuko had called her Sui.
"You!" she repeated, her hazel eyes livid with anger. "How dare you disobey my orders! Now look! The Prince and his friend are gone! The Master is going to kill me! We had one chance and you blew it-"
Lee tuned her out and stared out into the ocean, not more than a few minutes ago, a ship was bobbing a few meters off the coastline. Lee knew that the ship would be taking Zuko and Katara to the Yu Yan Islands. The Islands were less than a day's journey on ship.
We can easily catch up he thought.
The girl named Sui was still ranting, he noted her startling resemblance to Mai and his dislike for her grew.
"You insolent moron! Who-"
Lee had had enough, he did not join the T'ien Ti to suffer the ranting of a little child. The traitor turned to face the girl and she immediately stopped, perhaps, it was the look of barely constrained anger on his face that made her think twice about yelling at him.
"First of all," he said, in a voice full of righteous anger. "You have no authority to yell at me, under any reason."
Sui's eyes flashed with anger and her nostrils flared with resentment, Lee ignored these signs of discontent.
"Don't act like you're in charge, Sui," he snapped. "Because from the moment I joined the T'ien Ti, you automatically ceded your authority to me."
Sui's open look of surprise told him the story, Lee couldn't help but smirk with satisfaction.
"You truly had no idea," he said, in wonder. "Did you honestly think that the Junfa would trust you with such an important task, after what you did at Sozin?"
"What makes the Junfa think he can trust you!" she snapped, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "You were the Prince's second-in-command!"
Lee stared at the pale dirty finger and resisted the urge to break it in half.
"The junfa and I have an understanding of our own" he hissed, in a cold voice. "And like you said: I was Prince Zuko's second-in-command, that means I know exactly where he is going, and what his agenda is. I'm of much more value to the Junfa than you ever were."
Lee noted how Sui's fists clenched in anger.
"I have a task where capturing the Prince is only the half of it, I'm part of the Junfa's bigger plans, Sui, you're just a pawn in this game."
It wasn't entirely true, thought Lee, he was certain that the Junfa had other plans where he was the pawn, but his words were having the desired effect. Sui's face was a map of anger and hate, and Lee knew that he needed to try and quell any ideas that could disrupt his plan.
"If you have any problem with this new arrangement than I suggest that you take it up with the Junfa. But then again, it's not like you can do too much complaining, can you Sui?"
Lee smirked because he knew that Sui was now regretting her actions at Sozin, the actions that got her in this situation.
"I think you get the point," said Lee. "Now go get us a boat, we're heading towards the Yu Yan Islands, also, send a message to the Junfa, tell him that the Prince is heading towards the Yu Yan Islands."
Sui did not respond at once, she bowed her head with clenching fists and Lee knew that deep down she was trying to suppress the urge to punch him in the gut.
"It will be done." she said. "It will be done, sir" Sui gritted her teeth. "It will be done, sir."
With those words she stormed away. Lee smiled to himself, savouring the temporary victory which he knew would not last. Sure enough, Sui had no sooner left than Mai approached him, he was once again struck with the canny resemblance between the two women.
"I sent the message." she whispered.
Lee nodded in reply.
"I don't like this, they're watching us like red hawks."
Lee snorted and turned away, facing the ocean that did not glare accusatory looks through his skull. This was the first time he heard an expression of feeling from Mai.
"What did you expect?" he asked. "Try and deal with it as best you can if all goes according to plan, , it wouldn't be for long."
Lee could sense Mai glaring at him and he wondered if she was going to stick a knife in between his shoulder blades.
"Mai, did you really intend to hit Zuko with that knife you threw at him?"
"Perhaps" said Mai. "But I had to do something to convince them."
Lee heard the faint footsteps of her departure. Lee sighed as he rubbed his head, time was short, he knew that Zuko and Katara were heading towards the Yu Yan Islands to negotiate with the clans, so that they would not side with the T'ien Ti, Lee had been given the important task of preventing Zuko from achieving his goals.
The first hint of sunrise broke through the horizon adding a speck of pink to the dark skies. The sea was calm, making it receptive to sailing ships. A single ship could be seen floating across the sea, billowing out smoke at a steady pace. A lone figure could be seen leaning on the railings of the small ship, gazing intently at the water below. Zuko could not decide what was worse, having a sister who your archrival and knowing that one day you would have to take her down or having a friend you thought you could trust, onyl for him to turn his back on you when you needed him. Zuko sighed in frustration and ran a hand through his dark hair, with Azula, it had been different, the former princess may have been a master of deception but there was one thing she had never lied about: Her feelings towards Zuko, from the moment it became clear that she was Ozai's favourite, Zuko had become the focus of her hostility, she had marked a clear border between them and treated her brother like an enemy.
But with Lee it had been different, he had walked into his life as a complete stranger but their relationship had blossomed until Zuko was convinced that they were friends. At first, the prince had reacted with apprehension, the prince was a stranger when it came to matters such as friendship and he had been far too preoccupied with his breakup with Katara to notice the level of understanding he had had with his Lieutenant up until this moment. But now, he was left to wonder if it was all one setup for last night.
'Was it all some sick game?' he whispered .
Zuko had trusted Lee despite knowing very little about the man's history, taking it for granted that he could trust him. But now Zuko wondered whether Lee had been a double-agent all along, from the events at Sozin, to the attempt on his life at the palace, Zuko wondered whether Lee's sole purpose was to eventually betray him. Anger began to rear its ugly head and Zuko gripped the railings tightly. If Lee had been planning this moment for months then he was going to have a lot to answer to.
The sound of footsteps alerted Zuko to the presence of another person and he turned around to see who it was. Katara was approaching him, dressed in Fire Nation garb that Zuko was certain was meant for men. Not that it mattered; Zuko had come to the conclusion that Katara would look splendid in anything she wore.
"I just spoke to the captain" she said, softly. "He said that we will reach the islands in less than an hour"
"Right."
Zuko suddenly remembered the purpose of their journey and he resisted the urge to groan.
How the heck are my supposed to carry out negotiations with the enemy at my back? How in Agni's name are my supposed to be calm and rational now?
But Zuko knew that he had little choice in the matter, he had to endure whatever came his way. As the Crown Prince, Zuko was the rock of his country, if the foundation fell than an entire nation would descend into chaos, weakness was not an option. The prince glanced at the waterbender beside him, Katara's eyes were on the water, flicking her wrist to make a variety of animal shapes in the water and Zuko couldn't help but marvel at her skill, and was glad that he had chosen her to help him negotiate with the Yu Yan.
"We need a plan," said Katara, breaking the silence between them.
"You mean how to deal with the Yu Yan?"
"That's right"
"Why do you think the Yu Yan want to push independence now?"
"Isn't it obvious? They think my country is weak"
Zuko was rewarded with a sharp slap to the back of his head.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"For being rash" snapped Katara, her eyes flashing. "Think Zuko, if they thought that your country is weak why bother with sending a letter to your uncle? There could have just declared their independence and broken away from Fire Nation rule, or worse yet, go to war with you guys."
Zuko had to concede that she had a point, the prince thought hard about the Yu Yan's actions. Why would a tribe of people renowned for it's war like ways suddenly retort to diplomacy?
"Because they want more than just independence." he concluded.
Katara nodded in agreement with a small smile on her face.
"Exactly, I've been thinking hard about this, and while I agree that the timing is a bit suspicious, I don't think the Yu Yan want to just break away, they want to break away on favourable terms with the Fire Nation."
"What makes you so sure?"
"Before we left I did some reading on the history between the Yu Yan and the Fire Nation," said Katara. "And I took down some notes on what I thought might help."
Zuko raised his eyebrows, feeling very impressed.
"You came better prepared for this than I did."
The waterbender waved away his compliment.
"That's only because you're more familiar about this stuff," she said. "Zuko, my own homeland, was ravished by the Fire Nation, I know how it feels to have your only home suffocating under someone else's rule. The Yu Yan want to break away not because of who is weak or strong, but because they want to get rid of that humiliation they must have felt being subservient to someone else ."
Zuko suddenly understood what Katara was trying to say.
"You're telling me to give them what they want, aren't you?" he whispered.
"If that is what they want, why not?" replied the waterbender.
Katara paused to assess what she had just said.
"I'm sorry that what I'm saying is going against your uncle's wishes and you are free to ignore what I said, but the way I see it, there's a chance that you may incite them by denying them freedom."
Zuko sighed, as he ran a hand through his loose hair.
"I'm glad you told me your opinion," he said. "Don't ever apologize for that."
Katara smiled and nodded, she then did something unexpected, she placed a hand on Zuko's forearm. The prince felt the hairs on his forearm prickle with lightening that was not his own making. Katara was looking at him intently, deep blue orbs that penetrated his soul.
"Whatever decision you make, I will support you to the fullest."
Zuko placed his hand over Katara's and smiled back.
"I know."
He gave her hand a light squeeze in thanks. As the prince stared at the young woman before him, thoughts of their past began to swirl through their mind and he began to wonder why the two of them had ever broken up in the first place.
"But there's still the problem of them." whispered the waterbender.
Zuko turned away scowled at the ocean, he did not need another clue as to who them meant.
"How are you feeling?"
Zuko paused for contemplating his words.
"Like the time I got hit by Azula's lightening." He confessed.
"I know it's shocking, " said Katara, in a heartfelt voice that told her that she understood. "It must be so hard."
"It is," admitted Zuko. "I never thought that he would do that."
An awkward silence followed this confession. Katara placed a gentle hand on Zuko's shoulder, though she said nothing, letting Zuko know that he was there for her if she ever needed her. But the prince was in no mood to think about Lee. Zuko knew that Lee would come to him sooner or later, and he would deal with him when he did. The prince was reminded of how much he missed Katara, the waterbender, he knew was not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, she was stubborn, quick to anger, slow to forgive and could hold a grudge longer than a sea lion turtle's lifespan, but beneath all these flaws, was the warmest, most compassionate being in the entire world and he would never change anything about her personality.
Zuko wanted her despite all her flaws. The prince turned to face the waterbender, her large sapphire blue eyes were focused on the water but her hand was still on his shoulder. Did she feel the same way? Did she still think about him, as he did her? Zuko's mind screamed at him, yelling that they were on the verge of a pending civil war and that he had to focus on formulating a plan of action. But his heart told him a different story, that this would probably be the only time he would be alone with Katara and he needed to take advantage of the moment.
But what about the other day?
Zuko's mind raced back to the moment when he had kissed Katara, carried away by a strong haze of emotion, Zuko had acted on feelings that had been boiling inside him for days, and he regretted almost immediately.
I can't be distracted, not now, not when so many people are relying on me.
"Katara"
"Yes?"
The waterbender turned to face him with a look of…. Eagerness?
"Thank you so much, Katara" said Zuko, placing a hand on her shoulder.
His pale fingers closed over her shoulder, and the prince could feel the delicate skin beneath the fabric of her tunic. A part of Zuko longed to push aside the fabric and run his hand over her smooth, tan shoulder.
"Thank you for coming" he whispered.
Katara gave him another smile.
"We've been over this Zuko," she said, softly. "I won't abandon you, not ever."
Something in Zuko's chest swelled and exploded.
"And I will never walk away when you need me" replied the prince, his voice had gone soft and husky, an expression of what he was feeling, his hand seemed to act of it's own will and moved from her shoulder to the waterbender's cheek.
Katara leaned in to his touch with a smile of content on her face, Zuko began to lose track of his rational thoughts and he found that he did not care. This was what he wanted, here and now, moments of sweetness and intimacy that he wanted to share with no one else but Katara. His throne and his honour, he was willing to throw both away for the sake of the blue-eyed girl standing before him. It was at this moment did he realize that there a gap between them, like a gaping ravine in the mountains, and that if this gap was to be closed, he would have to say something, regardless of what the outcome was. The uncertainty of the days ahead, loneliness that had been building up for the past year, spurred him on to do something that he had been too scared to do for so long.
"Katara, I just want you to know that how I feel hasn't changed ever since that day."
Something in Katara's eyes made Zuko think that whatever he had said was the wrong thing, a look akin to pity had cropped up on Katara's face.
"Oh, Zuko," she whispered, her eyes were shining with tears. "This is harder than I thought it would be."
"What is?" said Zuko, suddenly afraid that she might turn him down.
"Us" she replied. "Our history, our memories, all of it is so hard to deal with and we have so many problems to-"
Katara stuttered to a halt when Zuko pressed his finger to her lips.
"Katara, I know it it's hard," he whispered. "Because it's hard for me too, every time I'm around you I can't help but remember our time together and I wish I could get it back, but I can't."
"But we have to move forward" whispered Katara, prying his finger from her mouth. "You...We have to stay rational, your country is counting on us to do so."
Had they been in different circumstances, Zuko would have understood what Katara was trying to say, but his brain had somehow shut down, and his heart was demanding clear answers.
"What are you trying to say, Katara?"
"I'm saying that us, can't happen for a while, Zuko, at least till we have solved this one."
Her words were like a blow to his gut, for a moment he forgot how to speak and he simply stared at her.
What did you expect? said a nasty voice in his head. Your duty comes first, it always has. Did you honestly think that it would change just because you actually like a girl?
"Katara, I-"
"I'm going below deck" she said, turning away.
Katara turned away and the prince suddenly felt cold, he was hit with a strong sense of déjà vu, strongly reminded of the day at Ba Sing Se when Katara had abruptly ended their relationship. The Prince had been too shocked to say anything back then and it had ended with him reminiscing and wondering over her words, for months. He would be damned, if he was going to let her walk away without him having his say. This note of thought sparked something within Zuko, a feeling so intense that it burned away all rational thought.
"Katara, wait."
Zuko reached out and caught Katara's arm before she could walk out of his reach. The waterbender turned around with a look of surprise on her face. Zuko himself had no idea what he was doing, this was not in his character, he was a disciplined person who was always able to keep his emotions in check, but since when was he able to keep his cool around Katara?
"I just want you to know," he said. "About the other day outside Niu Chengshi, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to… surprise you like that. It was an honest mistake."
"Zuko, I-"
"Please, wait, I'm not finished, I also did that because for the year that you and I have been apart, I've been miserable, even though I had my duties to my country, I could never stop thinking about you, what you said on that day and how we ended things like that and now… I feel empty inside, Katara. So… I, want to know, no, I beg you to tell me"
Zuko no longer knew what he was doing, nor did he care. All he wanted was answers, and this maybe the only time he could have to get them. Taking a deep breath, Zuko got down to his knees. Katara let out a low gasp, her eyes wide in shock and her mouth open in a slight 'O'
"Zuko, what-"
"I want to know, Katara." he said, looking up to her.
"Know what?"
"Why did you end things the way you did? Tell me the truth."
Katara turned away from him with a sorrowful look on her face, Zuko could tell that she was recalling past memories.
"I…. Do you remember that night we spent at the crater?"
We spent many nights at the crater thought Zuko, but knew better than to say that out loud.
"There was one night where you mentioned one of your minister's suggestions for improving relations with the aristocracy, you mentioned arranged marriage, I didn't think too much about it, even though it made me jealous." she continued. "But you saying how the minister's kept persisting with that idea, and my thoughts immediately went to Mai and, I… thought it was best if I slipped away."
The words hit Zuko like a hammer to the gut, he never thought that something so trivial would be the cause of this confusion.
"Katara, I- It was only a plan I mentioned in passing, I was never going to consider it."
Katara shook her head.
"No, Zuko don't misunderstand."
She closed the distance between them and placed her hand on his temple, allowing her fingers to trace the outline of Zuko's jaw.
"It wasn't the arranged marriage or jealousy… well, a little bit, but not entirely. I saw just how hard it was for you to run a country that didn't want you in power to begin with and I thought that I was in the way."
"No you weren't," said Zuko, shaking his head in denial. "You never in my way, you made it possible to make it through those days."
Katara smiled at him.
"I wish that you told me that a year ago," she said. "But it wouldn't have changed my decision, Zuko, I wanted to be with you, but your country, your uncle needs you, then and now."
"And I want-"
Zuko's stubborn reply was cut off by Katara's finger on her lips.
"I know what you want," she said with a smile. "It's not everyday that you see a prince kneeling before a peasant."
Zuko chuckled.
"You're not a peasant" he said at once. "Your father is a leader of a tribe with an ancient culture, you're just as good as a princess… even if you don't have the title."
Katara smiled again. Zuko got to his feet and looked at Katara.
"Is there anything else you want to tell me?"
Zuko did not know why he had just asked that, but he could immediately tell that he had touched uncomfortable ground. Katara's smile vanished and she looked away.
"Katara?"
"Zuko, I-"
The prince did not know if he was ready to hear the reason that had triggered the waterbender's awkward behaviour.
"It's okay if you don't want to tell me, it's"
"No, this is something you should know, and I don't know if I will get another chance to tell you."
The waterbender sighed and turned away.
"Zuko, I'm not proud of what I did, it was terrible, almost evil."
"Katara, don't judge yourself-"
"Please, Zuko, let me finish."
The prince nodded apprehensively.
"After we broke up, it was very difficult. I know I ended it, but it was still hard on me. I thought that the best way to get over you is to…"
The words made Zuko go cold, as if the sun had been covered. The prince backed away from Katara, an array of emotions fighting for dominance.
"Who was it?" he whispered.
Katara rubbed her neck and raised her hand to her temple, as if trying to hide from Zuko's penetrating stare.
"Who was it?"
Zuko's mind began to go through all the possibilities, Haru, the earthbender, someone from Katara's village and maybe…
"It was someone we know" said Katara, still not looking at Zuko.
The prince did not need anymore clues as to who that someone was, but he still found it hard to belief.
"Don't tell me… Aang?"
Katara's silence was all the confirmation he needed. For a moment, the crown prince was paralysed, not sure of what to do, he wanted to yell at Katara, he wanted to demand more answers, he wanted to walk away and act as if this conversation had never happened. The fire that had been snuffed out from within, returned with a vengeance, and he took a deep breath to keep calm.
"Zuko?"
The prince did not reply, with his fists clenched tightly, he sidestepped the waterbender looking at him with sad, large eyes. Zuko continued to walk away, a small voice reminded him that he too had tried to start things with Mai, once they had broken up, but he choose to ignore the voice. Katara did not call out to him, she knew better than to disturb him when he was in no mood to talk. Zuko was grateful because he did not know what to say, unfortunately, the approaching soldier did not know the prince as well as the waterbender did.
"Prince Zuko, sir!" Can't a guy get a moment's peace?
"Yes, what is it?" said the prince, in a tight voice. "The Yu Yan Islands are in sight, we will be docking at the Fire Nation base within the hour."
Zuko turned around and glanced ahead of him, he could clearly see the tropical islands growing larger and larger with each passing minute. The prince clenched his fists with renewed determination.
"I will make peace with the Yu Yan," he muttered to himself. Zuko turned back to the soldier, "Thank you, Corporal."
A half an hour later, the ship was drifting slowly into the small, rudimentary harbour of the Fire Nation base. The military base in the Yu Yan Islands was built shortly after the War had begun, over a century ago. It was established upon the personal orders of Firelord Azulon to draft the Yu Yan's revered warriors to be used in combat, after reaching agreement with the tribe leaders, it was meant to serve both as a recruitment spot and a symbolic reminder of the Fire Nation's control over Yu Yan territory and its people. Zuko cast his eyes around the base, it was a small base with nothing more than the necessary buildings, such as, the barracks, komodo keep, officer's buildings and a small oval ground for the firebenders to practice. The Yu Yan base was not a large one for there was never need to train the recruits who came to it, for the Yu Yan trained their own for combat.
It was the early hours of dawn, and torches could be still seen glowing weakly with each passing minute as the sun rose ever higher. A small assembly of soldiers were standing in a line, waiting for their prince to disembark. Zuko, however, was pressed for time and in no mood formalities, with his rucksack in hand he leapt off the ship before it had come to a full stop. Ignoring the gasps of the captain, he turned to Katara who was still on the ship, with an amused expression on her face.
"Are you coming?"
"In a minute." she said, with a small smile, obviously reluctant to jump down from the ship.
Zuko smiled back, before turning to face the captain who was bowing low to him.
"Prince Zuko, we're honoured that you would grace us with your presence."
But Zuko was in no mood for military protocol, he had come here to do a job, and he had to do it quickly.
"Skip the protocol, Captain" snapped Zuko. "I want a quick report: Has the Yu Yan done anything at all in the past couple of weeks?"
"They have sent a messenger, wanting to know what the FireLord has done in response to their request."
"What did you tell them?"
"I have stated that the Fire Lord will carefully consider their words and come up with a solution that they will be of both mutual interest."
Zuko nodded, he noticed Katara approach the two of them, the captain's eyes flitted towards the waterbender but did nothing else to acknowledge her presence.
"Have they followed it up with any reaction?"
The Captain shook his head.
"They have not, my prince."
Zuko nodded in appreciation,
" Listen carefully to my instruction Captain, Mistress Katara and I will depart for Yu Yan territory very soon, I want you and your men to keep your eyes peeled for any intruders that may try to sneak onto the island."
"Intruders, surely you don't mean the T'ien Ti, my prince?"
Zuko hesitated for a second, wondering if he should tell the Captain when his uncle did not know about Lee's treachery.
"Yes, Captain." spoke Katara. "There's a possibility that the T'ien Ti will try to infiltrate this island, if they haven't already. Send your ships out to patrol the territory that you have been allotted. Make sure that you guard all entryways into the base and the roads that lead to the Yu Yan territories. You may also want to keep some soldiers on standby; you never know when you might need them."
Zuko felt warm with pride and he had to fight the urge to grin like a maniac in front of his men.
To be in the presence of this fantastic woman is a reward in of itself he thought.
The Captain did not move from his spot, his face was creased into a frown, obviously not pleased about being ordered by a foreign woman.
"You have your orders, Captain," growled Zuko. "Make sure you do them as if your life depended on it."
Perhaps it was the way the prince spoke, perhaps it was the scowl on the scarred face, or maybe it was the sheer weight of authority that the prince carried, but the Captain went from a stubborn, authoritative figure to a bumbling idiot in a heartbeat.
"O-o-f course, my prince."
The captain stumbled away, determined to get away from the scowling prince.
"Captain!" roared Zuko.
"Y-y-yes, my prince?"
"You did not acknowledge the Master Waterbender, nor greet her, where are your manners!"
The captain bowed low at the waist.
"O-o-of course my prince, forgive me Mistress, for not acknowledging you as you arrived, welcome to the Fire Nation base of the Yu Yan Islands."
Katara nodded, with a small smile on her face.
"Do your best, Captain"
"O-of course, mistress"
The Captain bowed to Zuko again.
"My, prince"
"Captain!"
The captain turned around again.
"Y-y-yes, my prince?"
"Do not refer to me as 'my prince' again, its either 'your highness' or 'my lord'"
"Of course… my lord."
As the captain scrambled away, the prince turned towards the Katara. "The way that captain was looking at you, I'm surprised you didn't have a whip with you."
Zuko shrugged dismissively.
"Sometimes, it's the only way to get something out of these men," he said. "But my concern is with the Yu Yan, they haven't done anything as of yet, that could only mean two things"
Katara nodded in understanding.
"One, they've decided to trust the captain's word and wait or Two-"
"They could be mounting a massive assault," concluded Zuko. "We have to reach them as soon as possible."
For a moment, the prince expected Katara to protest, but the waterbender nodded as if she was expecting him to say that.
"I think you know better than me just how dangerous this is?"
"I do," said the prince . "But I can't just sit back and do nothing, my uncle and my nation, are counting on me"
"And I hope you realize that I won't let you go alone either." finished Katara, as if she had never heard the prince.
Zuko sighed, and nodded in defeat, he had hoped to bring Katara for a mission of words, but it would seem that they were getting much more than was expected.
"I know better than to stop you" he said, with a small smile. "We will leave as soon as possible."
'