DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NICKELODEON'S AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER OR ITS CHARACTERS. I just WANT ANOTHER AVATAR SERIES! I especially want one that shows sexy adult Zuko...
"How did we allow Uncle to talk us into this?" Zuko glowered at the old man's back as they ascended the stairway to the town mayor's mansion.
The stairway, wide and opulent, seemed to glow in the light of the dozens of torches that lined it, the flames making the pink marble appear to be on fire.
Lan Chi squeezed Zuko's arm sympathetically. "You know how excited he gets at the thought of parties. The food, the people..." She trailed off.
"The food." Zuko repeated. "That's really why he's here."
Lan smiled. "How do you expect him to resist? The man he saw at the market said that the mayor's chef makes the best roast duck tartlets in the entire Earth Kingdom."
Zuko snorted. "I don't. He never has, so why start now?"
She gave a small laugh. "Don't be hard on him."
He was silent as they reached the top of the stairs, and Iroh turned to them.
"Come on, children. Don't dally."
Zuko and Lan exchanged looks, and followed him. "What exactly is this purpose of this party?" Zuko asked petulantly.
"What is the purpose of any party? To have fun, of course!" Iroh exclaimed.
"I meant – what is the occasion?" Zuko asked with exasperation.
"What? Oh, that." He waved an airy hand. "Welcoming the new Harbor Master. Some captain. Distinguished himself in battle, although I can't remember his name exactly. Zhou. Cho. Choi...something like that."
"Something like that." Zuko repeated dully, and Lan tried to suppress a smile as they reached the entrance doors, where several soldiers stood at attention, barring admission.
Iroh smiled at the men good-naturedly. "General Iroh, Prince Zuko, and Lady Lan Chi Sun."
One of the men looked at a list of names. "Very good, Sir."
The men stepped aside and allowed them entrance, and they were escorted by another guard to the grand ballroom, which certainly lived up to its name. It lay before them at the foot of another wide staircase, resplendent in gilt and gold leaf, twinkling like a jewel in the light of what seemed to be a thousand candles.
"More stairs." Iroh mumbled. "I'm already exhausted." Shaking his head, he repeated their names to the herald, who nodded.
"General Iroh and party." The herald intoned, and hundreds of eyes turned to them.
Although Lan blushed at their regard, Zuko colored in annoyance. "And party?!" He huffed as they paused at the top of the stairs. As they walked past the herald, Zuko glared at him. "Imbecile!" He said, mostly under his breath. "I am the crown prince of the Fire Nation – not part of Uncle's – party." He spat the last word. "Doesn't the herald recognize me?"
Lan gave him a small smile. "It's better this way, Zuko – being anonymous – well, relatively anonymous, at least. We don't need word to reach your father that you escorted me to a Fire Nation party."
"I suppose not." He grumbled.
Iroh nodded and smiled to onlookers as he entered, and Lan Chi followed suit, ignoring the blatant stares and whispers – although whether they were directed towards her or towards Zuko, she did not know.
Zuko, for his part, glared at everyone, his look so intense and angry that many looked away – which, perhaps, was the intent of the gaze.
"I hate being on display like this." He hissed under his breath.
She pasted a larger smile on her face. "Just part of being the future Fire Lord." She turned to him. "That is what you want, isn't it?"
His glare turned to her, although he did not speak, and she had to subdue another small smile. He was too easily teased.
Once they reached the main floor, Iroh saw someone that he knew, and Zuko and Lan were left on their own.
She smiled at him again, hoping to alleviate his anxiety. "Want to see if there is punch?"
He looked relieved. "Spirits, yes!"
He fairly dragged her from the middle of the crowd to the perimeter until they located the refreshment table.
"Look." Lan pointed to a nearby plate laden with small hors d'oeuvres. "Duck tartlets."
Zuko gave them a brief look as he poured them two glasses of a brightly-colored liquid and passed her one. "Uncle will be over any minute, then. I swear that he can smell duck from across the room."
She giggled. "I think he has a sixth sense for finding it."
"Too bad he doesn't have a sixth sense for the Avatar." His tone was rueful.
"Ah, you found the roast duck!" Iroh's voice's boomed from behind them, and they both turned. "I had to cut short my greetings to get here. Honestly, some people just talk so much!"
Lan and Zuko exchanged meaningful looks as their uncle loaded a plate with the tartlets, along with several other types of finger foods.
After taking a bite, the old man closed his eyes in bliss. "Hmm." He nodded as he chewed. "These tartlets earn their praise." He opened his eyes and offered one to Zuko. "Here. Try one, Prince Zuko. They don't disappoint."
Zuko scowled and backed away, raising one hand to ward off Iroh's intentions. "I don't want one, Uncle."
"But you must try it, Zuko. It is astonishingly good."
Zuko's face reddened. "I said that I don't want one!"
A frighteningly familiar voice came from behind them. "Perhaps you might entice Lady Lan Chi to indulge, General Iroh."
Lan Chi whirled to look into the eyes of Captain Zhao, standing just a few feet away, his hands clasped behind his back, smiling at her with a reptilian air.
He looked much as he had, although there were a few more lines in his face and a few strands of gray in his fair hair.
She took a step back without realizing it, a fact that Zhao did not miss. In the brief second that their eyes met, he had read her measure, and she his.
He saw a frightened young woman, and she saw a man who meant her harm.
His eyes fluttered from hers when Iroh addressed him.
"Ah, Captain Zhao! Well met! I have not seen you since..." He trailed off as he remembered that the last time he had seen Zhao had been at Zuko's tragic agni kai. "...For a long time!" He finished lamely, trying to cover his blunder.
Zuko flushed a dark, dull red, and unconsciously scratched his scarred ear.
Zhao gave a smile that did not reach his eyes. "Indeed, General Iroh. It has indeed been quite a while." He gave a brief bow to Zuko and Lan Chi. "I did not expect to find you here – and with both Prince Zuko and Lady Lan Chi. How – fortuitous...for you."
"Ah, yes." Iroh inclined his head at Zuko and Lan. "I am accompanying Prince Zuko on his quest, as you probably are aware."
"Yes. How is that going, Prince Zuko?"
"Fine." Zuko snapped.
"Had a lot of leads to follow up, have you?" Zhao knew full well what a fool's errand the young prince was on.
"Enough." Zuko's teeth were gritted.
"Well, I look forward to seeing the Avatar in chains." He dismissed Zuko, and turned to Lan Chi. "It is indeed a surprise to see you here, Lady Lan Chi. Surely Judge Liang's jurisdiction does not run to this region."
Iroh shook his head, answering for Lan, who could not have spoken, even had she tried. "No, no. Fai's influence is much farther west. I am escorting Lady Lan Chi to her – wedding because he could not be spared from his duty. But, tell me, Captain, how do you know my niece?"
"Your niece? I was not aware of the connection, General."
"She is my late brother-in-law's daughter. Admiral Yan Sun. Surely, you remember him."
"Ah, yes, quite well." He gave her another bow, although, to Lan, it seemed mocking somehow. "I made her delightful acquaintance at a party she attended with her aunt – nearly two years ago, I believe."
"Ah, yes, that would be her Aunt Ming Yi."
Lan swallowed at the mention of the party at which Zhao had attempted to force himself upon her.
"We had a quite a pleasant walk around the grounds that night, as I recall. Isn't that right, Lady Lan Chi?" His cold eyes dared her to contradict him.
She was silent for a long time while the three men stared at her, waiting for her to respond, and all she could do was nod mutely. She knew that she should have said something about what had truly happened; she knew that she should have exposed him as the morally corrupt reprobate that she knew him to be, but her throat was tight and dry, and her voice failed her.
So, to her own shame, she only nodded.
A smug smile came to Zhao's face. "Felicitations to you, my lady, on your upcoming marriage. I am certain that you will find bliss in the wedded state." His words were loaded with meaning, and Lan felt a cold sweat break out on her neck. She fumbled to set down her glass of punch, sloshing some of it onto the table.
Zhao's sharp eyes noticed this, and his smile increased as he addressed Iroh again. "I am pleased that you were in port for my party, General. And you, too, of course, Prince Zuko. Lady Lan Chi."
"Your party?" Iroh was surprised.
"Yes, yes. I have been named Harbor Master."
"What an honor." Iroh enthused. "How did you come by such an appointment?"
Zhao's chest puffed. "Valor on the field of battle."
Iroh evinced surprise. "I had no idea that you had been stationed at the front."
Zhao nodded, although his eyes slid to Lan Chi. "It was an – unexpected posting, to be sure, but I persevered and – triumphed, ultimately."
"And yet you remain a captain." Zuko pointed out, draining the last of his punch.
Zhao bestowed a superior smile on the prince. "I expect that to be remedied imminently by the Fire Lord."
"I would not hold my breath waiting, Captain. You might – choke." Zuko said. Hopefully, he thought, not realizing that Lan had the same hope.
Zhao gave a tight smile, but ignored the prince's words, and addressed Iroh. "It is a good fit for my skills. This harbor has been without a master for several years. And, in that time, there have been three raids by the Earth Kingdom Navy. I intend to put a stop to that."
"Interesting, Captain. How do you propose to do that?" Iroh asked, popping an entire duck tartlet into his mouth.
"By making this a major hub for the Fire Nation Navy. You may have noticed the construction down at the docks. We are adding moorage for larger ships, and, by the end of the month, we will have finished the large lifts necessary to offer and complete major repairs."
"Is it wise to establish a shipyard in an area so plagued with enemy attacks?" Iroh continued.
"I believe that it is imperative that we establish a shipyard here for that very reason! It will tell the Earth Kingdom that we will not allow them to terrorize our colonies. Why, it has been so bad here that even the Harbor Master's house was destroyed in the last attack. I myself am living in a tent!"
"Oh." Iroh pointed at Zhao with a potsticker. "Is it that large tent near the docks?"
"Yes. The house is near there. It's being rebuilt now; I hope to have it done by the end of the summer. By then, the shipyard will be ready."
"How do you propose to stop attacks against the port, Captain?" Zuko was skeptical.
"Fortifications along the coast. Carefully mined waters."
Iroh swallowed another bite. "Well, it is an admirable goal, Captain, and I wish you the best of luck."
"Thank you, General. I hope to, with the support of – certain, important individuals. In fact, General, there is something that I would like to discuss with you – something that would be advantageous to us both, I believe. Would you be able to spare some time this evening?"
Iroh waved an airy hand. "Perhaps, Captain, but, if not, you could come by the ship tomorrow morning. We shan't be leaving until the tide, tomorrow afternoon." He smiled as if that were the best idea ever. He watched as Zhao made his way through the crowd and away from them, and, sighing, shook his head. "I cannot abide that man."
"Uncle!" Zuko glared at Iroh. "Then why would you invite Zhao onto my ship?!"
Lan, who had fallen into silence, held her hand up to her mouth in distress. She did not want Zhao on the ship – she did not want him anywhere near her, or Zuko, or Iroh, or anything in her life. She wanted him to be as far away from her as humanly possible.
Iroh gave his nephew a small smile. "I should hear what Captain Zhao has to say – what he has to propose."
"Why in spirits' name would you want to hear what he has to propose?!" Zuko demanded.
"Better we know his plans and intentions than guess at them." He looked down at his plate. "Now, I should turn my undivided attention to this delicious food. It deserves that, don't you think?" He popped another tartlet in his mouth. "Ooh. Is that a waiter with another tray?" He rushed off, leaving Zuko and Lan.
Zuko shook his head. "I will never pretend to understand that man." He gave Lan a quick look, and did a double take at her ashen face. "What is it?"
She shook her head, not wanting to tell him about her shameful episode with Zhao. "I have a – bit of a headache, I guess."
He frowned. "No doubt. It's blazing hot in here." He took her elbow. "Let's go outside."
She nodded gratefully, and allowed him to guide her outdoors to the edge of a terraced garden mercifully empty of party-goers.
"This is better." He leaned on the balustrade and looked out at the dark garden, and she gratefully pulled at some of the pins holding the bian fang in place.
"I swear I never want to see another bian fang in my life." She grumbled.
Zuko looked at her, and then out into the night again. "I didn't realize that you knew Zhao."
Her pulse jumped, but she covered her nerves with anger. "I don't know him." She snapped. "I met him – once. Should I inform you of everyone I met while I was in the Earth Kingdom?"
His eyes slid back to her. "No. It's just – a coincidence, I suppose, you knowing him."
There was a hint of sadness in his voice, and she tried to push the memories of Zhao from her mind to concentrate on Zuko's words. "Why do you say that?"
He shrugged, and turned away from her. "It's just that – he was there."
Her heart skipped a beat. Did Zuko know?
"At the agni kai." He turned to look at her again. "He was there. I had – met him earlier that week. He had come to Uncle's office to talk about some sort of scheme for the navy to save – fuel, as I recall. And he was there. In the audience." He sighed and shook his head, and, again, turned to look into the darkness. "I – don't remember most of the people in the audience. I mean – there were people I knew – but I don't really remember them. But Zhao...Zhao, I remember. Spirits, I don't even remember seeing Uncle until after, but I must have, because I can remember the concern on his face. And I remember Azula. Azula and Zhao. They both had this – this look on their faces – like they were glad that it was happening – to me. Azula – well, Azula I can understand, because she hates me, but Zhao? What did I ever do to him? Why?"
There was silence for a long moment, and Lan wondered if she should tell him about her own encounter with Zhao. A second later, though, she decided against it. It was too shameful. What if Zuko blamed her for what had happened? She had gone willingly with Zhao that night – Zuko might say that she had encouraged him.
She finally spoke. "He – he's evil, Zuko – and – and dangerous."
He looked at her quizzically. "Why do you think he's dangerous?"
She shook her head, and averted her eyes. "He just – is."
Zuko seemed as if he wanted to pursue the subject, but, instead, he pushed off the railing, willing to leave the matter alone. "I'm thirsty again. Do you want some more punch?"
She nodded silently, and he peered at her closely. "Are you entirely well?" His voice was soft.
She mustered up a wan smile. "Yes, of course. Why do you ask?"
He continued to look at her. "No. Nothing. No – no reason."
Zhao noted Zuko returning to the ballroom alone, and excused himself. He had been stuck talking to the wife of one of the local politicians, and was frankly glad to get away from her. She was old, ugly, and smelled of camphor, and he only bothered speaking to her because her husband was a man of some influence in the community.
His eyes followed Zuko to the refreshment table, and he smiled. Lady Lan Chi was probably alone – perhaps he should chat with her a bit, and find out how much she had divulged to Iroh about the events of that night, long ago.
It wouldn't do to have her telling tales to her uncle, after all. That would severely damage his plans.
But where was she?
When he had heard, via eavesdropping on another guest's conversation, that there was a red-haired young woman in attendance, he knew, immediately, who it was.
Seeing Lan Chi Sun with the Fire Lord's brother and son had startled him, but he had quickly overcome the surprise. After speaking with the three of them, he had been fairly certain that she had told neither Iroh nor Prince Zuko of the incident of the year before, although he was not one hundred percent certain that she had not.
She had obviously told her Aunt Ming Yi and Uncle Fai of the incident – otherwise, how to explain his own sudden posting to the front?
Zhao started to make his way across the ballroom, when he heard a voice behind him. "Captain!"
He gritted his teeth as he stilled, although, by the time he turned to the speaker, a smile was on his face. It was the mayor of the town, one of the men responsible for his appointment, and Zhao wanted very much to stay on the man's good side.
"Mayor Tsang." Zhao bowed deeply. "I wanted to thank you for holding my welcoming party in your lovely home." His smile widened, although it was insincere. "I am indeed fortunate to have a champion such as yourself."
The man waved a hand airily. "Do not mention it, Captain. We are the fortunate ones, to have a man like you defending our harbor."
Zhao inclined his head. "That is too kind."
The man nodded. "I wanted to let you know that I have drafted a letter to his majesty, Fire Lord Ozai, recommending that you be promoted to Commander. I know," he continued hastily, "that it is not really my place to make such a request, but, with your stellar accomplishments at the front, I feel it is, indeed, justified."
Zhao had maneuvered himself to keep the refreshment table in his line of vision, and he watched as Zuko filled two cups and turned for the door that led to the gardens.
At that moment, one of the mayor's aides stepped up and whispered something in the man's ear, and the mayor nodded and turned to Zhao. "Captain, please excuse me. There is a matter that requires my attention."
Zhao frowned, his eyes leaving Zuko's receding figure briefly. "Nothing amiss, I hope."
"Nothing that cannot be handled." He took his leave, and the captain was free to turn his attention to Prince Zuko, who was just disappearing through a wall of glass-framed doors leading to the gardens.
Zhao followed, and paused at the doors to peer out.
Lanterns lit the scene, allowing him to make out the figure of Lan Chi standing at a balustrade, overlooking the grounds.
Zuko approached and spoke to her, and, when she turned to him, he handed her the cup, laying his hand in the small of her back possessively as they both turned away.
"So, that's how it is." Zhao murmured to himself, with a note of satisfaction in his voice. "What an interesting development."
Lan was silent for most of the short carriage ride back to the ship, staring out the window. Memories of the night that Zhao had attacked her seemed to run on an endless loop through her mind – the feel of his hands around her neck; the sour smell of his breath, hot on her face; his body heavy on hers. The images went round and round in her head, torturing her endlessly.
She also recalled his smug face of earlier, almost daring her to tell Zuko and Iroh about what had happened – daring her to speak of it, and dredge up the memories.
But they had never left her. They had been there, lurking, waiting – sometimes coming to her in the middle of the night, and sometimes in daylight.
But they should not control her – she should not allow them to. She was not a victim, and she was most certainly not Zhao's victim – not anymore.
"Oh, that must be the Harbor Master's house." Iroh interrupted her thoughts.
He pointed out the window at a construction site, and Lan peered out at a low building missing its roof.
"My goodness, what was Zhao thinking?" Iroh shook his head.
Zuko scowled at him. "What are you talking about, Uncle?"
"He's built his house out of wood!"
"So?" Zuko shrugged.
"So?!" Iroh was scandalized. "Wood burns! Why would any self-respecting Firebender live in a wooden house?"
"Stone houses can be Earthbent, Uncle!" Zuko sounded exasperated.
"Bah! How would Earthbenders get close to that house?!" Iroh demanded, pointing out the window.
"Oh, you mean the Earthbenders who destroyed it in the first place?!"
While Iroh and Zuko argued, a thought was born in Lan Chi's mind.
She leaned back against the cushions of the carriage, and gave a tiny, tiny smile as the thought began to grow in her head. It took shape and came together like pieces in a puzzle, and her smile grew.
Zhao thought that he had escaped with no repercussions, but he was very, very wrong.
It would require good timing, and, unfortunately, some deceit.
She was quiet until they reached the ship, and, as Zuko assisted her afrom the carriage, Iroh commented on her silence.
"I – have a headache, Uncle." She gave what she hoped was a weak smile.
Zuko was instantly solicitous. "I'll walk you to your cabin."
She was caught off guard by his offer. "Wh – what? Oh! Oh, no!" She tried to recover, shaking her head in what she hoped was a feeble way. "I – I'll be fine, Zuko. Truly." She gave him a brief, tremulous smile, and laid a hand on his unscarred cheek. "You go with Uncle. I - I just need some sleep."
He frowned, and, with a bow, prompted her in precede him up the gangplank onto the ship. "I don't need to go with Uncle." He insisted.
Her pulse jumped. She had to get rid of Zuko quickly.
Fate intervened.
As the prince walked onto the deserted deck of his ship, he heard the sounds of raucous singing, and looked at his uncle with fury. "What is that noise?"
Iroh grinned. "Ah. Sounds like music night."
Zuko glared at him. "More like drunken music night." He stomped off, and Iroh winked at Lan, who, grateful for the distraction, headed for her cabin.
Iroh followed his nephew to the bow deck, where a fire burned in an old drum, and much of the crew sat, or sprawled around it, surrounded by empty liquor bottles. They were all singing an old sea shanty about a lost love, and Lieutenant Jee sat with his well-worn liuqin, strumming along to the tune.
"Jee!"
The lieutenant jumped at the sound of Zuko's voice, and the others followed suit, lurching to their feet.
"What is the meaning of this?" Zuko demanded.
"Y – your Highness, we –" Jee began, swaying on his feet.
"I gave them the night off, Zuko." Iroh leapt in.
Zuko whirled to look at his uncle. "Did you give them the huangjiu, too?!" He demanded, kicking a nearby bottle.
Iroh shrugged, his face coloring. "I thought it would be nice for them – to relax. It's been a very long summer, Zuko."
"So you thought to get them drunk?!"
"Well, that was not actually my intention..."
"It's completely irresponsible, Uncle! They've left this ship defenseless!"
Iroh scoffed. "Come now, Prince Zuko. It's not as if the port is crawling with Earth Kingdom spies."
Zuko held up a hand to stop his uncle's words, and turned to Jee. "And you know better, Lieutenant Jee."
Jee bowed in agreement, although he pitched forward, and Zuko was forced to shove him back to a standing position. With disgust, he shook his head. "Just go sleep it off – all of you."
He turned to his uncle. "You're trying to undermine me! Trying to corrupt my crew!"
Iroh sighed. "I am not trying to undermine you, Prince Zuko. I just did not see," he shrugged, "– the harm."
Zuko gave a strangled growl, and huffed off.
Iroh turned with a comforting smile for Jee. "That was a very stirring song, Lieutenant Jee."
Lan spent little time in her cabin upon reaching it.
She went to the secret drawer in her armoire, which still held her "spying" clothes, and changed into them. She pulled out the Blue Spirit mask and looked at it for a long time. She had never intended to don it again, but this was a special circumstance. She tucked it into her waistband, and, after grabbing her bow and quiver of arrows, and closing the door behind her quietly, headed for the weapons magazine.
Pulling open the hatch, she peered into the room below, which was lit by a sickly, yellow light. She eased herself down into the hold and searched through the crates and shelves lining the walls, until she discovered what she had come for – a barrel of blasting jelly.
She bit her lip as she looked at it. She couldn't carry an entire cask of blasting jelly with her – and, spirits knew that she did not need an entire cask.
She walked along the shelves again until she found a small crate of empty, corked bottles, and, nodding firmly, she grabbed three and returned to the blasting jelly. She carefully filled the bottles and tucked them into her tunic, being cautious that they did they did not knock into each other. She climbed the ladder and peeked out at the empty deck before emerging, and, crouching low, ran along the rail until she came to the gangplank.
However, despite her attempts, she was not unseen as she slunk off the ship.
There was only one place that Zuko wanted to go after the argument with his uncle – to see Lan Chi.
He knew that she had complained of a headache earlier and had evinced a desire to sleep, but he could think of no one who would understand his frustration with Iroh more than she. She would understand his anger – she would understand his resentment and impatience; after all, she had lived with the old man half of her life.
He knocked at her door and leaned close to the panels to hear her 'come in,' or to hear the sound of her footfalls as she approached, but there was nothing but silence. He knocked again with the same result, and, with eyes narrowed, grasped the handle and gently pushed the door open.
An empty futon greeted him, and, with steps calmer than he felt, he crossed over to her bathing room to find it, too, was empty.
His face suffused with red, he allowed flames to lick at his clenched knuckles for a moment before dousing the fire and striding from the room with a purpose.
Oh, he had a purpose.
His purpose was to find his cousin – his sneaky, lying cousin.
Where had she gone this time? What was she up to?
What mischief was she working?
He ran to his own cabin to see whether she was there – hoping that she would be waiting docilely for his arrival. His hopes were dashed, however, at the empty, dark room, and, with anger now bubbling within him, he tossed aside his armor and uniform. He stripped down to the slate gray hakama and shitagi that he wore beneath, and grabbed his dao swords. He was not going to chase his cousin around spirits knew where in his armor and uniform, and he was surely not going into an unknown situation without the added protection of his swords.
Damn her! Damn her to the depths of the spirit world for her perfidy! He thought angrily as he raced to the deck.
But how would he find out where she had gone? She had a head start – not a long one, true, but long enough that she might be anywhere in the town by now.
If she was trying to steal secrets, she would have to head for the garrison. But why would she want to steal secrets – again? Hadn't she given up on that ludicrous idea to buy his freedom from the Earth Kingdom?
He sent a silent prayer to the sky. Spirits, show me where she is – let me find her.
It must have worked, for he spotted, from the corner of his good eye, movement on the dock. A crouched figure ran along the water's edge, and he gave a grim smile.
"Thank you, Spirits." He murmured, and started after her.
Author's Notes: Hello, readers, and happy belated Christmas/Hanukkah/December! I know that I haven't posted in a while - it's amazing how crazy life can be sometimes! However, I am trying to commit myself to finishing this and my other fanfic, Shatter Me, in a more timely manner...
*sigh* I just hope that life cooperates!
PLEASE review - I SO enjoy reading reviews.
I hope that you all have a happy and peaceful new year! : )
