Chapter 16: Negotiations

Forests of Hanyang Fjord, Northern Earth Kingdom

Deep breaths. In. Out.

Fire comes from the breath.

Finally, some warmth.

A crunch. Shit, did they see that flame? Quick, where's the nearest cover ?

Silence.

Her heart is beating so loud, she's certain the Earth King himself can hear it all the way in Ba Sing Se. Still, she forces herself to remain as still as possible, even going so far as to pack snow in her mouth to eliminate the possibility of an unwelcome interloper spotting her breath.

One minute passes. Two. Then three. Seconds turn into minutes, which stretch into hours it seems like. After an eternity, she spits out the snow and crawls as slowly as possible out of her hiding spot, massaging her stiff joints into action. As she does, snow starts to fall like spring showers, blanketing the bleak cliffs in white powder.

No time to waste, must get to the rendezvous point as soon as possible.

Step by agonizing step she moves and weaves between the fir trees, giving time for the surroundings to settle down as much as possible to not raise any unwanted attention. Finally, the pine trees give way to rocky shores that plunge deep into the inky depths.

As she approaches the shore, a voice calls out. Seconds later, lights start to stream down the mountainside like fireflies. The game is up.

Frantic shouts. Panic ensues.

A shot echoes, breaking the stillness of the night.

Silence.

Alleyway, Earth Kingdom port town

"Well, would you like to explain yourself? I don't have all day here Mr. Sokka, I have a meeting to attend to." Ursa asked, arms crossed whilst tapping her right foot.

"I erm well, I'm uhh-, I-I'm dating your daughter ma'am and she, uh she wanted some cuddles because it was cold. Yeah, she wanted cuddles to warm her up so yeah, that's what we were doing." Sokka stammered, understandably nervous and somewhat terrified of Ursa's reaction.

Raising an eyebrow, Ursa queried "Is that so? Well, I'd much prefer if you'd keep it in the bedroom, not out here in the open. Just remember who exactly are you dating Mr. Sokka if you value your life. Now run along, I'll be in touch before the end of the week."

"Un-Understood ma'am. I'm sure your daughter will make sure I stay in line." he replied, not even daring to look either woman in the eye whilst his cheeks felt so hot he felt like he was going to combust any minute.

As Ursa, Kiyi and her bodyguards left, Azula spun him to face her and hissed "Really? Spirits above Sokka, was that the best thing you could think of? Cuddling? If you really think for one moment I would-", shuddering for a moment at the thought, "cuddle with you, you've got another thing coming. Like honestly, you would have more luck trying to get the moon to cuddle with you than me.", shooting angry glares at him all the while.

"Sheesh okay fine girl, I got your message. Now can we go back home? I just wanna bury myself." Sokka replied, still embarrassed about him being caught red handed by Ursa of all people in such a compromising position, to say nothing of Kiyi's snickering at his expense.

"I could arrange that y'know." she replied, back to rolling a small fireball between her fingers like a coin.

"Do you not understand sarcasm Azula?"

"My offer still stands.", giving him a grin that sent a shiver down his spine.

"Why are you the way that you are?" he sighed while shaking his head. Spirits above, I'm gonna need more than a few bottles to wipe that image away, he thought glumly to himself.

Undisclosed location, outskirts of town

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting, gentlemen?" Ursa queried, staring across a table to two men in suits. "Come on, time is ticking here. I don't have all day." she chided, folding her arms across her chest.

The duo looked at each other, exchanging glances before the younger of the two spoke. "We'd like to requisition your assistance in, how to put it-" pausing briefly to look for the right phrasing "transportation of illicit goods and services across international borders."

"I see. Just say you wish to hire a smuggler, mister. Us people do not have time to bandy words around to avoid stepping on toes. Normally, I would stay out of my son's business operations but seeing as he almost received a TOW missile to his face the last time he accepted a job from a Fire Nation individual, I would like to know what exactly is it you are hiring my son for. After all, it is the duty of a concerned parent to look out for their children, is it not?" she replied, sensing that there was something that the two individuals were hiding.

"I am afraid that is classified intelligence, Mrs. Ursa."

"Then I am refusing this offer on behalf of my son."

"Very well then. I suppose I would have to make some calls regarding the omission of a certain individual whose name is conspicuously absent from the list of former regime officials wanted by the Water Tribes as well as the Earth Kingdom."

"You leave my daughter out of this." she shot back, doing her level best to keep her anger from bleeding through.

"Who said anything about your daughter?" the younger man smirked, leaning back into his chair.

"Give me one reason why I should not have you shot right where you sit."

"I would very much refrain from adding the murder of a Fire Nation diplomat in addition to charges of regicide, ma'am."

"Pfft, for someone claiming to be a diplomat you have very poor diplomatic skills. At least my former husband did not suffer fools such as yourself."

Before the younger one could hit back, the older man intervened "Enough, Ji Min. Know your place." "My deepest apologies, your Ladyship. He will be disciplined for his infractions, of this I can assure you.", before giving the younger one a glare that said I'll deal with you when we get back.

"Finally, a professional with whom I can do business with." she remarked, making sure to emphasize the point the younger man was anything but. "Now, how may Hotel Azulon assist you ?"

"So here's the situation…."

Three hours later, Ursa's office

"We're going where now? Up north? In this weather? You have got to be kidding me. The Blue Spirit is not equipped for rough seas of the North, to say nothing of the pack ice at this time of the month." Zuko whined.

"Which is why they're giving you one of their own to use for this mission." Ursa retorted.

"I still don't see why they had to go through us instead of doing it themselves."

"Ours is not to question why son, only that when the State asks you to jump, you say how high."

"But we're outlaws, mom. We answer to no man or state, do we not?"

Sighing at her son's naivety, she replied "Someday my little turtleduck, you'll find that the world is a lot more complicated than just black or white. Besides, deals with people like this helps to ensure that our organization remains one step ahead of law enforcement, be it our own country's or any other."

"Fine. Also could you stop using that? It's embarrassing."

"You, Azula and Kiyi will always be my little turtleducks no matter what or how old you are. Lastly, keep an eye on that Water Tribesman you picked up. I caught him this afternoon in a rather compromising position with your sister in an alleyway. No need to threaten him, just make sure he keeps his hands to himself."

"Pretty sure if anything, Azula's the one who taunted him into doing so. Besides, I'm confident she'd fry him to bits if he ever tried to get frisky with her without her express permission."

"I know your sister can take care of herself but that still doesn't excuse you from your big brother duties, young man. Now run along my turtleduck, you'll ship out in twenty four hours." she cooed.

"Mom!"