Chapter 41
Zuko stands at the window of his airship, surveying the new channels of the Qima River. The dam project stretches for miles and has completely changed the landscape of the Broken Plains; it must have taken a team of geniuses to design it.
"Do you see the river, Kazuto?" he says to his son. "It used to be one river that flooded, but some very smart people figured out how to divide it into lots of small rivers to feed the soil." Kazuto, who stands with his hands and nose pressed against the glass, looks up at Zuko with excitement.
"Mama says rivers are boring!" Kazuto says happily. He's dressed in all red, his fine brown hair combed into a traditional topknot, the picture of a miniature Fire Nation prince.
Zuko laughs and places his hands on Kazuto's shoulders. "Mama says a lot of things are boring. Do you know what she doesn't find boring?"
"Me?" Kazuto holds his breath.
"You!" Zuko pokes his son's nose. And it's no wonder. When Kazuto first entered the palace, all Zuko and Mai could think about was the scandal it would cause. They didn't even consider how much joy the boy would bring. They couldn't have imagined if they tried.
"Firelord Zuko. Prince Kazuto." Commander Ong approaches and bows deeply. "On your order, we will descend to Qima."
"You have my permission, Commander," Zuko smiles. "I'm excited to meet the engineers behind this project. Aren't you?"
"Of course, my lord," Commander Ong says dutifully. He bows again at the waist, hands in the proper position, and backs out of the room.
Zuko turns back to the window. He knows Kazuto is young, but it is never too early to expose a prince to the process of governing. Zuko sets his jaw. He wants to make sure Kazuto grows up feeling that he can express his opinions freely and without fear. Kazuto will never be punished for speaking up for what he thinks is right. He won't be stifled and abused like Zuko was. He won't be forced into adulthood too soon like Azula was.
"Daddy, you look broody again," Kazuto says gravely.
Zuko snorts with laughter. "Where did you hear that word?" he demands, although he thinks he knows the answer.
"Mama!" Kazuto screams. Zuko rolls his eyes. Of course it was Mai.
They only left the Fire Nation two days ago, but Zuko already misses Mai so much it hurts. It just doesn't feel right to wake up without her. Even if she hates the mornings. Zuko smirks to himself as the airship descends over the verdant countryside.
Leaving Kazuto at the window, Zuko circles over to his desk and reviews his notes for the day. Today should be mostly formalities; he'll meet Mayor Morishita of Yu Dao, General Xia from the Earth Kingdom, and Mayor Hegane of Qima. Morishita is suitably thankful for Zuko and Aang's help in forming the United Republic, but has been stubborn lately, probably to satisfy anti-Fire Nation factions within the United Republic. Zuko has dealt with Xia before and dislikes her heartily.
It's the first time he'll meet Hegane. His informants report that she's a stern woman of Fire Nation ethnicity who hates any implication she is loyal to the Fire Nation. In any case, Zuko anticipates this meeting will merely reaffirm friendly relations; he'll make the same apologies for the Fire Nation's actions in Qima and the Colonies and promise to pursue peace. The real negotiations about ceding new territory to the Republic will start tomorrow, once Aang arrives. Zuko shakes his head. Aang and Katara have been honeymooning in the Southern Water Tribe for over a month now, and they'll probably be disgusting when they finally arrive.
At the thought of Aang, Zuko's heart twinges. They aren't far from Bahasa, where Aang and Katara chased Azula away a few years ago. He had been so furious with Aang. But their friendship had survived Zuko's temper, just as it had many times before. Aang's patience and forgiveness holds the four nations together.
The airship settles on the ground with a gentle thud.
"Okay, Kazuto," Zuko says. "We're going to meet some important people today. When we first meet them, you stay with Commander Ong and your tutor and just listen, okay? We can talk about any questions you have later."
"I will listen with my ears, not talk with my mouth," Kazuto says solemnly. Zuko stifles a grin. Kazuto's voice was once choked by fear, but no longer.
"Good."
The royal procession assembles on a field dusted with the new green of spring. They march with purpose towards the mayoral mansion, Zuko in the middle of the soldiers. He has always hated palanquins. Besides, today the Fire Nation comes not as a conquering enemy, but as a supportive friend. Cries and heralds signal the Firelord's arrival, and two grey-clad servants swing open the gates to the mansion, welcoming Zuko into the central courtyard. Mayor Hegane and her household stand at a dais on the opposite side of the green, assembled to greet him.
A middle-aged woman dressed in robes of silver steps forward, bowing shallowly. The embroidery resembles the intricate tattoos Zuko has seen on Northern water tribesmen, but her hairstyle is clearly Earth Kingdom. Only her pallor and proper Fire Nation bow betray Mayor Hegane's Fire Nation heritage.
"Welcome, Firelord Zuko," Mayor Hegane says. "Your presence here honors us."
"Thank you for inviting me here," Zuko says graciously. "It is our pleasure—"
He stops. Behind Hegane, standing on the dais with the servants, is Azula. Her hair is cropped short and she wears robes of green, but it's her.
"I see you've noticed the chief engineer behind the Qima Dam," Hegane says archly. "Nekana, come forward."
Zuko stands dumb and immobile. She's alive. She's alive, and she…built the dam? She's here. In the Colonies. Breathing.
Azula looks to an older man at her right, then approaches quickly. She bows deeply, form flawless.
"Firelord Zuko," she says. "It is my honor to meet you."
"I—" Zuko's voice rasps and cuts out. "The honor is mine."
His heart pounds so hard he can't bear it.
Zuko turns to Hegane. "You'll have to excuse me for a minute. Guards—stay here." He turns, smiles reassuringly at Kazuto, and walks back out the gate and turns a corner. When he reaches a place he thinks he can't be seen, he collapses to the ground.
Zuko weeps.
After all these years, she's here. Why didn't she reach out to him? So many times he was afraid he would never see her again. So many nights he wondered if his dream of Azula repentant was real or just his imagination. And yet she's alive, and not only alive, but the engineer behind one of the greatest projects ever built. She looks well. He wants to run back into the courtyard and hug her and listen to her story.
But now is not the time. Clearly, no one here knows who she is, and Zuko won't be the one to blow her cover. Zuko dries his eyes on his sleeve. He stands.
"My apologies, Mayor Hegane," he says upon reentering the courtyard. "I thought I left something outside, but I've found it. Please, introduce me to your engineers."
The next few hours are both excruciating and fascinating. For the first time in her life, Azula watches Zuko perform as Firelord. He holds himself like a Firelord, speaks boldly of his vision for the United Republic, and even manages to make Hegane smile.
He is also incredibly socially awkward.
It makes sense, Azula smiles to herself. As a child Zuko was never Ozai's favorite and was never taken to Council meetings. In fact, Zuko's infamous misreading of a social situation earned him public humiliation and scar that would follow him forever. While Azula learned strategy, Zuko traveled to the most desolate parts of the world, interacting solely with those under his command. Before he became Firelord, Zuko never had to be a diplomat. Time and time again, Azula winces at Zuko's blunt candor, his sharp tone, and the way his fingers still twitch when he's irritated, like he wants to blast someone away with fire.
Yet for all that, the key players from the Earth Kingdom and the United Republic seem to listen to him. They argue, but the room goes silent when Zuko speaks. Perhaps it's just the crown resting on Zuko's head. Or perhaps Zuko has found his own brash leadership style.
"How are you doing?" Temurin murmurs as he passes Azula's spot against the wall. As one of the lead engineers on the Qima Dam, she has to be seen; fortunately, it seems no one expects her to engage deeply in conversation. If she spends too much time standing next to Zuko, someone is sure to spot the resemblance.
"Fine," Azula replies. "He didn't arrest me on sight."
"I knew he wouldn't," Temurin says. He brushes her palm slightly with the tips of his fingers, as if he'd like to take her hand but cannot.
Wakaba doesn't like the way the Firelord looks at Nekana. First, he seemed surprised by her. Was he shocked the chief engineer is a woman? When the Firelord returns to the courtyard, he looks at her hungrily, eyes flitting to her when he thinks no one is watching. Wakaba narrows her eyes over her evening cup of tea and classifies the Firelord as a creep.
Temurin holds onto each moment. It's possible that when Azula reunites with her brother tonight, she'll realize she belongs in the Fire Nation. Is her job here enough? Are her friendships enough? Is he enough? Temurin cannot blame Azula if she realizes her destiny leads her back home.
Who would choose to be a commoner if they could be a Princess?
And yet, and yet...Temurin can't shake the feeling that she may be happier in Qima than in a palace. Still, he carves Azula's face into his memory and steels himself to say goodbye.