Part II: Thirty-Five

Zuko smiled in triumph as his brush glided smoothly across the parchment. The fat black characters marked the official start of the deal he'd spent most of the morning and afternoon crafting with the Earth King and his lawyers, with Governor Chuanwei chiming in on the part of Kyoshi Island.

It had been a long day since landing outside the palace, where King Keui had been eagerly waiting to greet him. Even the bear had looked happy to see him, whuffing in his face and sniffing at his robes. After that his entire party had been treated to a sumptuous lunch, followed by the closed-door negotiations.

Zuko hadn't wanted to delay the signing of the treaty declaring Kyoshi Island under Fire Nation protection a moment longer than he had to. He'd promised Suki he would only be gone a week, and he aimed to stick to that.

Keui hadn't seemed perturbed by Zuko's rush, not after Zuko had explained the reason he was doing it in the first place. Keui's eyes had gone all misty behind his pince-nez glasses, and he'd smiled and sighed.

"I envy you, Fire Lord Zuko," Keui had said seriously, with that misty light in his eyes. "To find a bride you love and would do anything for... I wish you all the luck."

"Thank you, King Keui," Zuko had replied. "And I wish you were coming to the wedding. You never said why you declined."

"Oh, I hope you didn't take offense to that!"

"Of course not!"

"I'd love to go, but things here are..." Keui made a face, causing Zuko to frown. "We have quite the crime problem in Ba Sing Se, or so my adviser's tell me. Some crime lord is doing something or other in the lower ring. There's a rather nasty underground fighting ring... It wouldn't be prudent at the moment to leave the city, not at this time."

Keui hadn't seemed particularly happy about that, but then Zuko had always gotten the impression that Keui was entirely uninterested in actually ruling the Earth Kingdom. The day to day minutia bored him, and he didn't bother taking charge much. He'd signed the Harmony Restoration Movement treaty granting the United Republic a large chunk of the Earth Kingdom with the same easy grace as he'd signed the Kyoshi Island treaty.

Zuko wondered what could be so bad that the Earth King felt he had to actually address the problem, but he decided not to press. He had enough on his plate at the moment and didn't need to involve himself in the Earth King's business.

There was a general round of polite applause after Zuko signed the last copy of the Kyoshi Treaty. They'd had the Earth King's scribes draw up three copies for the signing that evening. One would go with him to the Fire Nation, and one to Kyoshi Island. The third would be filed with the Earth King's lawmakers.

Zuko put down his brush and stared at the third document. Chuanwei and the Earth King had been signing the other two, and he glanced at them. Chuanwei looked pleased, but then she'd strong-armed several key parts of the treaty and had a lot to be happy about. He didn't begrudge her that; she'd thought of several things he never would have. Stubborn and abrasive though she was, he valued that shrewd mind of hers.

King Keui looked as distracted as ever, as his scribes took the treaties, and dusted them with sand to dry the ink. Zuko glanced around and his eyes met Rin's. She was standing at attention in the small audience of King Keui's lawyers and other noblemen assembled before them. The other Kyoshi Warriors were scattered throughout the room, guarding him as unobtrusively as possible. For once their green and gold uniforms didn't stand out like sore thumbs. It was odd to see them in a sea of green instead of red.

Rin smiled at him, but he didn't return it, looking away and putting his brush back into the pot of ink.

Coward, he thought to himself again, as everyone stood up. He made polite conversation with the Earth King for an hour, and then glanced at the window. It was late afternoon, stretching toward evening. He'd promised Iroh that he would come for dinner if the treaty signing went well.

The Earth King was disappointed when he declined an invitation to dinner but understood when he explained that he wanted to see his Uncle.

"Of course, of course. It's been months since your last visit. He complains about it every time he stops in. He misses you."

"It's mutual," Zuko said warmly, bowing to the King. "I've been so busy planning the wedding and dealing with the aftermath of the attacks last year that getting in a much-needed visit to my uncle has been nearly impossible."

"Yes, well," Keui started and then his face went a little red. "He has plenty of company with that, ahem, sister of yours. Will you be taking her back with you?"

Zuko cocked his head. "I'm hoping she'll come to the wedding. How is Azula? You've seen her at the tea shop? I know you go there a lot."

"I used to, but..." Keui trailed off and then cleared his throat. "Iroh visits me at the palace these days. I miss my trips down into the city, but..."

"What is it?"

Keui glanced around and then said softly, "My adviser's don't like me being around the Princess. I've told them that Iroh has assured me that she's not a danger...anymore, but for safety's sake, they think it best that I avoid her."

"Ah, I see," Zuko said, shifting uncomfortably in place. "My uncle tells me that my sister has settled in well at the tea shop, and that's she's been making great strides. She's changed a lot from the girl who breached the walls of this city and sat on your throne."

Keui blanched and Zuko realized that he shouldn't have said that. "Be that as it may, I'd sleep a lot easier if she were back home in the Fire Nation."

Zuko had no reply to that and decided that it was time to make his farewells. An hour later he found himself in a carriage borrowed from the Earth King, bumping along the cobbled streets of the Upper Ring. Mei Lin was driving the team of ostrich-horses, with Chao-Ahn beside him. In the carriage were himself, Chuanwei, Rin, Kikki, Xiuying, and Qing.

Rin sat down beside him before he realized what was happening. The carriage was roomy, but it was warm in the blistering, humid heat, and he became very aware of her beside him.

"I'm sure you're happy to have the treaty signed," Rin started.

"Yes. Now I can get back to Suki," he said pointedly. He could see the back of Rin's neck flush red at that, and she sat back, her gloved hand against her lips. He couldn't tell if she looked hurt or not, and groaned inwardly, wishing he could sink into the seat so that he didn't have to deal with anything at the moment.

Despite the tension with Rin, his spirits were high, and he looked out the windows of the carriage as they rolled down the streets. He hadn't been to Ba Sing Se in nearly a year and a half, and the last visit had also been brief. His eyes took in the architecture of the University as they passed it, spotting students on the lawns and walking to classes.

By the time they rolled up in front of the Jasmine Dragon, Zuko was thirsty and eager to get out of the hot carriage. The moment he saw the familiar shape of the tea shop, he opened the door and jumped down from the moving carriage and into the dusty street.

"Zuko!" Rin called after him, as Mei Lin drew up the ostrich-horses and pulled the carriage to a halt. Rin came out after him, followed by Kikki. "Wait!"

But he wasn't listening. He charged toward the front door and entered the tea shop with a chime of the familiar bells. The moment he entered, it felt like coming home. He couldn't describe it. The smells of the tea, the scent of honey cakes on the air, and the warm hush of the room all combined and assaulted his senses.

Rin and Kikki came in after him. Rin said something to him, but it was drowned out by the excited shout of the man who had appeared in the doorway to the kitchen.

"ZUKO!"

"Uncle!" Zuko breathed and charged across the shop, dodging customers and tables. Iroh was beaming broadly when Zuko threw his arms around him in a hearty bear hug. "It's so good to see you!"

"And you as well, nephew!" Iroh said, pulling back and looking at Zuko with his eyes glittering happily. Zuko took in the sight of him. There was more white in his iron-gray beard than there had been before, and he was balder on top. He was also much rounder in the belly, but despite that, he looked happy and healthy. Iroh touched his face and looked into his eyes. "You look...different."

Zuko frowned. "I do?"

"Mmm. Happier. That Suki, she's good for you."

Zuko's face went a little red. "I couldn't agree more."

"Did she come with you?" Iroh asked, glancing behind him at the door.

"No. She's back home. I've been working on a surprise for her. For the wedding. I couldn't bring her along or I'd spoil it."

"A groom's gift?" Iroh's beard twitched in amusement.

"Yes. And a good one, I think. She's going to love it," Zuko said as the other Kyoshi Warriors filed in behind him. Iroh spotted them and grinned, spreading his arms wide.

"Ladies! Welcome!"

"Iroh!"

Zuko was shuffled out of the way as the Kyoshi Warriors crowded forward, each of them hugging him in turn. Zuko grinned to himself, watching him as he asked after each of them. They glowed and answered his questions, laughing at something he'd said. Iroh and the Warriors were old friends. Every time he visited the palace, or Zuko visited him here in Ba Sing Se, he gushed over them.

Zuko shook his head. There weren't many women his uncle couldn't charm. Even his bodyguards weren't immune. The door chimed behind him, and he glanced over his shoulder, watching as Chuanwei came into the shop.

Where the Kyoshi Warriors blended in with their green uniforms, Chuanwei's blue clothing seemed to pop like a bluebell in a field of grass. She glanced around the shop and then spotted Iroh, who was still flanked by the Warriors. He saw one of her slim brows rise as she looked his uncle over appraisingly.

Zuko wondered what she made of the Dragon of the West, flanked by laughing young women and wearing a flour-dusted apron across his wide belly. He certainly didn't look like a man with a reputation for warfare. He looked like someone's harmless grandfather.

Then again, Chuanwei didn't exactly look like a threat either. She looked like a good solid breeze might knock her down, but Zuko had already realized there was iron in her spine. Like Iroh, she was not what she appeared to be.

Iroh looked up and spotted Chuanwei.

"Welcome to the Jasmine Dragon, madam," Iroh said, bowing to her.

"Uncle, this is Governor Chuanwei, of Kyoshi Island. Governor, this is my Uncle Iroh, General of the Fire Nation Royal Army."

"Former General," Iroh corrected, striding forward and bowing to Chuanwei. "Now I just serve tea. It's a pleasure, madam."

"The Dragon of the West," Chuanwei said, eyeing him as he stood upright. "You're not what I expected. I've heard tales of your brutality for years."

Iroh flinched. Zuko saw it. "Brutality?"

"Yes. And war crimes," Chuanwei said. "Even on Kyoshi Island, we heard tales of the Siege of Ba Sing Se by the great General Iroh, prince of the Fire Nation. And the things you did to the people of the Earth Kingdom... Well. The people of Ba Sing Se are very forgiving, aren't they?"

"Ruh-roh," Kikki breathed on Zuko's left.

"That was long ago," Iroh said in a measured voice. "And the people of this city have welcomed me with open arms. This is the most popular tea shop in the city."

"Hmmph. Who knew tea could wipe out so much red?"

Iroh's polite smile fell and he glanced at Zuko with lightning in his eyes. Zuko cleared his throat. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I could use some tea. Uncle, I'll give you a hand."

He took Iroh by the arm and all but dragged him into the kitchen. He glanced through the service window into the tea shop and watched the Kyoshi Warriors fanning out to check the perimeter, leaving Chuanwei to sit down at a table with a thump, her thin face contorted into a scowl.

Zuko closed the window shutters and turned on Iroh, who was looking thunderous in the middle of the clean, bright kitchen, with its bubbling kettles and baked goods sitting on the counters. Zuko made a beeline for the honey cakes and immediately popped one into his mouth.

"That woman is a—" Iroh started and then stopped himself. "Why is she traveling with you?"

"She represented Kyoshi Island at the treaty signing today," Zuko said, and then explained what he'd been doing. He'd been very vague in his letters to Iroh about his business in Ba Sing Se, so Iroh's surprise was genuine.

"You're right. That is a spectacular groom's gift," Iroh said, impressed. Then glanced at the door to the shop. "She doesn't seem to like me much."

"Chuanwei is very opinionated," Zuko said diplomatically. "It must feel weird to you, to have a woman not fall immediately at your feet."

"I don't know what you mean," Iroh said lightly, going over to the stove, where he had several kettles bubbling away. "Women don't fall at my feet."

"Right. As if you're not the most eligible bachelor in the city. All of these old biddies come to drink your tea and flirt with you. And you love it."

Iroh's beard twitched a little. "Well...perhaps, I do. A little. It's good for business."

"Mm-hmm. So," Zuko said, looking around the room. "Where is she?"

Iroh glanced at the windows that lead into the kitchen garden. The shadows out there were getting longer as the hot day dwindled down toward night.

"Azula has a meeting with a group she's part of in the afternoons a few days a week. She should be back in just a little while."

"What kind of group?"

Iroh hesitated and then cleared his throat. "A survivor's meeting."

"Survivors of what?" Zuko said stupidly and then stopped, his blood running cold. "Oh."

There was pain in Iroh's eyes as he took a kettle off of the stove just as it started to scream. He set it down on a tray and turned back to Zuko. There was a grim catch to Iroh's lips for a moment.

"She has been going to every meeting for months now. I think they are doing her some good. She does not speak of it to me much, but I can tell."

"You said in your letters that she's going to some doctor? How is that going?"

Iroh's smile was genuine this time, and there was no pain in the expression. "It took a few months, but Dr. Song seems to found a treatment for her illness that works. She takes medication every day, but she no longer hallucinates. Even her panic attacks are few and farther apart now. In the beginning..." Iroh stopped, shaking his head. "The first six months after she came to live with me were touch and go for both of us, but she is doing well now. I am very proud of her."

"But how is she?"

Iroh patted his shoulder. "She is not the Azula you remember, Zuko. She is not even the Azula she was a year ago. She is different."

Zuko took another bite of his honey cake and then leaned against the counter, watching his uncle make up a tray, which a server he recognized from his last visit came in and took. She smiled at him shyly, and bowed out of the kitchen, leaving Zuko to watch his uncle putter around the kitchen.

"Is she happy?" Zuko asked, unable to stop himself.

"Happy? Yes, I think so," Iroh said. "She is dating again."

Zuko nearly choked on his honey cake. Iroh came over and thumped him on the back until the swallow passed, leaving him wet-eyed and coughing.

"Dating?" he exclaimed. "Azula's dating? Who? You didn't mention that in your letters!"

"It was not my news to tell. And he is a student at the university. You would like him. His name is Shirong. I believe he is coming to dinner tonight."

Zuko stared at Iroh for a long moment. Then he licked his lips and asked in a tentative voice, "And what about Sokka? I never got a straight answer about what happened in the South Pole. All you told me was that she left with you after that Smoke Demon burned down Sokka's house."

Iroh sighed and wiped his hands on his floury apron. "I do not really know what happened between Azula and Sokka. The assassin who attacked them... Azula lost control during the fight."

"She burned him to death with her lightning-bending," Zuko said, nodding.

"And she was so out of control that she took a shot at Sokka's father, Chief Hakoda," Iroh said, which was news to Zuko. His mouth fell open. Iroh held up a hand. "She was ill, and Sokka was injured in the attack. She was not herself. But afterward... She did not want to leave him. It broke her heart, Zuko."

Zuko thought of how the two of them had been back in the Fire Nation, before the fake assassination attempt on his life. He could still remember the way Azula had looked at Sokka. He'd never seen her look at someone like that. He had no doubt that his sister had been in love with Sokka. The truth had been written all over her face, as well as Sokka's.

Zuko was not ashamed to say that realizing just how hard Sokka had fallen for his sister had been a relief to him at the time, considering how hard he himself had fallen for Suki. Things back then had been messy. It seemed they still might be, for his sister.

"Then why did she?"

"She has never said, but I think she knew she needed treatment, and I believe she was afraid of hurting Sokka. She loved him very much. Those first few months were hard, and in part, it was because she was pining for him," he said, and then rubbed at his beard. "She still does. She will not admit it, but she still does."

"And she's dating someone else now?"

"It is good for her, I think," Iroh said, and then turned to the stove, mumbling, "And she is a woman grown so I will not be angry that it is happening under my own roof..."

"What was that?" Zuko asked, but Iroh took a breath, waving his hands a little.

"Nothing, nothing. I'm curious, though. Have you heard from Sokka? I sent a letter a few months ago, but did not receive a reply," Iroh said.

"I haven't heard from Sokka since the Smoke Demons attack. Katara said he's living in Republic City, but all of my letters go unanswered too. I think he may hate me a little."

"Because of Suki?"

"He punched me once. I can't imagine he's happy that I'm marrying her. We sent an invitation, but I'm starting to wonder if our friendship is beyond repair." The thought made Zuko sad. He had always gotten along with Sokka very well. Like Aang, he counted Sokka among his best friends and didn't want to lose what they'd had. He didn't like to think that Sokka was angry over the wedding, but the thought had crossed his mind a few times.

He'd even wondered if Sokka had regretted breaking up with Suki in the first place. Especially after Azula had left with Iroh. The thought made hot knives squirm in his stomach. He knew that Suki didn't regret the breakup, but he also knew that Suki's feelings for Sokka were complicated.

Rin came in through the kitchen door and Zuko cleared his throat. Speaking of complicated...

"The perimeter is clear," Rin said softly, nodding to him. Their eyes met for a moment and he saw sadness lurking in her gaze. "Zuko, can I speak to you alone?"

He started to say something, wondering how he could get out of it, when the back door opened and a lithe young woman walked into the kitchen. She stopped dead in her tracks when she spotted Zuko, and he found himself staring at his sister for the first time in a year.

The last time he'd seen Azula she had been thin and sick, and haunted by the things she had experienced both working for the Smoke Demons, and the things she had been through before that. It had been a year since then, and he could see that the months since he had sent her off in an airship with an injured Sokka had been kind to her.

She was no longer painfully thin. She looked fit and healthy, with a glow to her skin that hadn't been there before. Her hair was long and dark and braided across one shoulder. She was wearing a pair of dark green pants, and a long-sleeved shirt in green and gold that made her honey-colored eyes glitter.

"Azula," Zuko said and then crossed the distance between them before he could stop himself. He drew her into a hug and felt her stiffen for a moment, and then her arms went around him.

"We're not huggers, Zuzu. Ugh, what has Suki done to you?" Azula said into his shoulder. He held on a little tighter, feeling emotion well in him that he hadn't expected. He'd been apprehensive about seeing his sister again, wondering what might happen, but all of that slid away the moment he'd seen her.

For all the problems between them, for all of the history and bad memories, she was still his sister, and he still loved her, and he felt overwhelmed by the realization for a moment. And he also realized as she patted his shoulder, that he'd been more worried about her than he'd realized. Seeing her looking so happy and healthy had hit him like a fireball to the face.

"Made me into a sap," he said into her hair and then pulled back to look at her again. "You look well."

"So do you," she said warmly, though there was a nervousness in her voice. "I wasn't sure you'd be happy to see me."

Zuko frowned. "Of course I'm happy to see you. I ask after you all of the time. I wasn't sure if you'd be happy to see me."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"You never answer any of my letters," he pointed out and saw her cheeks go red.

"I'm not the correspondence type," she said, pulling out of his arms, and glancing at Rin. "I see you brought the painted parade with you. Where is your blushing bride?"

"Back at the palace," Zuko said, as Rin silently ducked out of the room.

"Ashamed to bring her out in public?" Azula shot at him.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Uncle. She hasn't changed a bit," Zuko said, as Iroh chuckled from the stove.

"Yes, I have," Azula said, hoisting herself up onto the countertop and grabbing a honey cake from the tray. She took a bite and said, "But you're still the same old Zuko."

"I missed you," Zuko said warmly. Azula met his eyes and he saw the fleeting ghost of a smile crest across her lips.

"I...missed you too. How long are you staying?" she asked.

"Just for tonight. The airship leaves in the morning."

"I've already packed my bag," Iroh said. "You should do the same, Azula."

"I told you, I'm not going," Azula said sharply.

Zuko frowned. "What do you mean, you're not going? Azula, it's my wedding. You're my sister. I want you to come."

"So you said in your letters," Azula mumbled. She took another bite of cake and then shrugged. "Someone has to stay and run the tea shop."

"I was going to close for a few weeks," Iroh said. "You should come, Azula."

Azula sighed. "And I told you why not, Uncle."

"And I told you what I thought of that."

Zuko looked between his sister and his uncle. "Please, Azula. I want you to come."

"I'm sure Suki doesn't want me there. She can't stand me."

Zuko almost told her that wasn't true, but he made it a habit not to lie outright if he could help it. He hesitated and then said, "She still wants you there. She knows how important it is to me."

"I have other things to worry about here in Ba Sing Se, Zuko. I wish you luck, but I'm not going."

"If you're worried about running into Sokka, he hasn't answered any of my letters or the invitation I sent him. I doubt he'll be there."

The minute the words were out of his mouth, Zuko realized what a mistake saying them had been. Azula's expression closed off at the sound of Sokka's name and she hopped down off of the counter. Her mouth was a hard line.

"That's..." Azula started and then put one hand over her heart. Her eyes drifted closed for a moment. "Why hasn't he answered any of your letters?"

"I don't know. Katara said he's not even talking to her or Aang or Toph these days."

Her expression was stormy for a moment. "That's not like Sokka."

"No, it's not. I'm a little worried about him."

Azula licked her lips and then shook her head. "I'm...I'm still not going, so stop asking."

"Because of your new boyfriend?" he asked in a teasing voice. "You can bring him along."

Azula whirled on Iroh. "You are such a gossip!"

Iroh grinned at her as Zuko laughed. Her face was a little red. "You're blushing, Azula."

"I am not!" she said hotly.

"Uncle tells me he's coming to dinner."

Azula rolled her eyes and grabbed an apron off of the wall. "I'm regretting that invitation now. You'd better be nice to him."

"Or what?"

"Or I'll Agni Kai your ass in Uncle's kitchen yard, Fire Lord or no Fire Lord."

"I won the last time," Zuko said mildly, watching her tie on her apron.

"Katara won the last time," Azula said. "She's not here and you will go down. By the time I get done with you the only thing you'll be able to do on your wedding night is drool into a pillow. I promise you that."

She ducked out of the kitchen and into the tea shop, leaving the door to swing on its hinges. Zuko grinned after, and then glanced at Iroh.

"See? She hasn't changed a bit."