Chapter 35: Midnight Hunting Party, Part 11
Unmarked facility
Somewhere in the Northern Water Tribe
As they took their places around the table, Zuko and Azula noticed that the table was made out of ice, a wise safety measure given that one could very easily conceal a variety of lethal instruments from icicles, shanks to small machine pistols under a typical wood or stone table. Ice however was transparent and thus, allowed all to see if there were tricks up one's pant leg that the guards outside missed.
Granted, all these measures were employed to stop non-benders, who had to be more ingenious and crafty than their counterparts, who were living, breathing weapons. For that threat, all benders and non benders had to put on a special cuff that would send a small jolt that disabled their bending, with the dosage increasing the harder one tried to exert said ability, culminating in permanent loss of bending if the suspect didn't die of cardiac arrest before hand.
If a potential assassin or Spirits forbid, one of the feared fedayeen hired from the Si Wong got past all the measures, then said chief was fated to die, regardless of the protective measures sent in place. In a different timeline, the two Fire Nation siblings seated in front of him would have been welcomed as allies and close friends. Alas, it was not to be, for this iteration of the siblings had a fearsome reputation, built on blood, sweat and tears, which did not always belong to them nor take place in that order.
The boy had a reputation as a stubborn survivor, in addition to being a hardened veteran of the Divine Wind Division, a penal battalion with a 100% casualty rate due to its employment as both vanguard and shock troops where the fighting was most fiercest. The girl was cold, calculating, an assassin with ingenuity and cunning as well as a body count that cemented her high up in the top 10 most wanted PFIWC list, to say nothing of her intellect and sheer raw talent that was truly once in a generation.
When all participants were seated comfortably, Arnook flipped the dossier open in front of him, which had circles and notes scribbled neatly on the margins. To the four of them, the chief looked very much like a headmaster having to deal with students who he knew were capable of great things, yet chose to expend their energies on trivial and meaningless pursuits. From Arnook's point of view, three of the four had appropriately contrite expressions except the girl with a plaster over her left hand, her golden eyes seeming to clash against his own cerulean in an unspoken game of chicken.
Placing his clasped hands on the table, he asked no one in particular "Why is it when there's trouble it typically involves the Fire Nation?", letting the question hang in the air.
"Well…, um, I can explain, erm, Chief Arnook" Bulan answered hesitantly, her face flushing in embarrassment at having to address her adoptive father so formally in front of her peers.
Turning his attention to his daughter, he replied "Please, enlighten me as to why you felt the need to rope in two high level PIFWCs into an internal affair? What could be gained from having their perspective on this? And don't even think about repeating what Hahn said to me two days ago." in a tone that implied If I don't hear a satisfactory answer I will punish you in front of everyone here.
"Without their help, we wouldn't have been able to crack and eliminate one of their mid level operatives, which we wouldn't have been able to otherwise. For example, they helped in confirming the existence of a mole deep within the directorate, where previously there were only rumors. There's more intel in my notebook, which is currently held under guard in the evidence locker for reasons that is somehow above mine or Hahn's paygrade."
Seeing that he wasn't going to make anymore headway with his daughter, he changed his focus on the pair of Fire siblings instead.
"Is there anything that you would like to say to convince me not to hand both of you to the Earth Kingdom's tender mercies or multiple life sentences as a guest of the White Lotus?"
Leaning back in her chair, Azula countered "If you were truly sincere about extraditing us to that man child Kuei or rot in a White Lotus black site for eternity, you would have done so earlier. The fact that you chose instead to sit us all down here for this powwow is fact of our usefulness to you." in a disinterested matter of fact voice, before taking an interest in her nails.
If he took offence at the bluntness of her words, he did not show it. Looking at Zuko, he asked "You were on the operation this midday, tell us what happened."
"With all due respect, the AAR that is in front of you does a better job than I ever can."
"Words mean nothing without context. Anyone can write a pile of nonsense on an AAR and call it facts."
"We breached the building, ran into a hostage situation, one of them activated a hidden wire and blew up said hostages and whatever intel left that they hadn't burnt. That's it."
"Is that so?"
"With all due respect, it's impossible to conduct SSE on a target building when the important bits are in a million pieces or scattered to the four winds."
"I find it hard to believe that the building only contained one individual, who managed to take down and subdue four of our best special police units personnel and still have time to rig him, the hostages and the room with explosives and tripwires."
"Given the core of their fighting strength is made of Fire Nation armed forces veterans, I do not for a moment find it hard to believe. The reality is, your best are ill-equipped to counter an organization with such training and organizational skills. I'm sure your special police units and interior security forces are capable, but countering a pseudo-paramilitary crime syndicate that has the backing of a foreign government with current tactics will result in much blood in the snow before all is said and done." Zuko answered.
"Besides, it takes a Fire Nation individual to take down a Fire Nation individual. Between my brother and I we have combined ten years' worth of experience in this line, which is a resource that is squandered being locked behind bars, to say nothing of the diplomatic fallout you should choose to do. " Azula added.
At this, Arnook leaned back and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he did so. Exhaling loudly, he finally turned his attention to Hahn. "So," he intoned, " care to share what were the results of your discussion with the Fire Nation ambassador?"
"The ambassador was willing to help of course, in exchange for favours. Typical Fire Nation, altruism does not exist in their vocabulary."
"Excuse me? We're here to make deals, not run a charity." Azula growled.
"It wouldn't kill you to do something nice with no strings attached for once."
"But what if it did? Are you going to take responsibility for the death of a sovereign on your territory in a black site, hmm? Are you?"
"Enough. This is supposed to be a civil discussion. Thank your patron deities I did not have you delivered here bound, gagged and chi-blocked." Arnook interjected.
Before Azula could turn the discussion, which was walking on a razor's edge into a full on diplomatic incident, a restraining hand gripped her shoulder. Feeling her brother channel heat into his grip, she forced herself to calm down, if only for the sake of appearances. Seeking to salvage the situation, Zuko offered "Apologies for my sister's outburst, it was unbecoming of her. What about this, we offer our services as courier services to rendition individuals for enhanced questioning at no cost to you as well our expertise in dismantling the network here?"
"You strike a compelling offer, prince Zuko. But appearances are everything here, and the populace is restless, on edge and seeking an outlet for frustrations."
"We are used to working in the shadows, out of sight and out of mind. No one needs to know." At this, the chief took a deep breath and pondered on his next moves.
After a long silence spent deep in meditation and contemplation, he exhaled and replied "I will accept on one condition. While the operation is in play, the smallest one shall be handed to our custody as collateral. Should there be any attempts at a double cross, you will find that the High Polar region is a most unforgiving terrain, especially at this time of year. However, you will be entitled to a share of seized assets in compensation for your efforts as well as freedom of movement as assets of the directorate."
"Can we get this down in writing?"
"If it were to be put to paper, then there is a potential it will leak, regardless of how secure you store it in. So no, there will be no records that this deal, should you choose to accept it, ever existed."
"If it were to transpire that she was subjected to danger while under your protection, you might find that dragons do not have the term 'collateral damage' in their vocabulary. Do we have an understanding?"
"I believe we do. "
"Can we go now?" Azula asked impatiently, toying with an earring that Sokka bought for her.
"I would suggest waiting outside in the adjacent room, it would not do for an errant guard to terminate either of you before you can carry out your tasks."
With that, he escorted them to the door and pointed them to the adjacent room, all under the watchful eyes of the guards who seemed way too trigger happy from the looks of it.
Ursa's office
Hotel Azulon
The CCI stood at attention in front of Ursa's desk, while she arranged and rearranged the papers scattered throughout. Absentmindedly he rubbed his throat, which was understandably sore at having been put under a vice like grip. If it weren't for his position as well as the potential firestorm, he was certain he would have been choked to death right there on the pier.
After another 10 minutes, he was just about at his wits' end when Ursa finally decided to give him her attention.
"Let's get right to business, shall we? Namely the fact that a combustion bender tried to short circuit the judicial system and save some taxpayer money at the expense of my soldat? Do you have any idea how much effort it takes to vet new recruits in? Or the amount of time and resources to get them as trained as they are? So please, do enlighten me."
"DCI talked with accounting, said it would be cheaper to fry the whole lot on EK soil before they get to Caldera's shores and get away with murder on the flimsiest of technicalities."
"And you chose to not tell me because?"
"I didn't know until after the fact."
"That is a limp dick excuse and we both know it."
"What else do you want me to say?"
"You're the CCI, if anyone can smell a rat it should be you."
"It's not often I get to do fieldwork. Besides, connection with Caldera is spotty at best without the likes of you tapping into my communicades."
"Consider it doing my due diligence."
"Point noted."
Placing her hands on the table, her eyes turned from a motherly sunrise yellow into hard, unyielding amber as she spoke. "
"I don't typically ask twice, but the shitshow from here to Caldera when they find their CCI's corpse floating in the Mo Ce is not worth the hassle. So tell me, who do you really work for? Clearly from your logs it's not the Fire Nation you're working for. The URN perhaps? Or maybe…." she paused conspiratorially.
"...the Dai Li?"
"So what if I am? Like you said, the fallout is not worth it." he smugly countered.
"Thank you for your service rendered, Chief. I'll remember to send your family a thank you note next time I'm in Caldera." she replied, before reaching under her desk and depressing a button. A whistling dart pierced his calf and he felt a sharp pain shoot up, before collapsing on the floor in agony.
Snapping her fingers, two individuals in suits hoisted him up as she strode forward from behind her desk.
"You know, this was probably the most honest you ever were with me this entire time. A shame you weren't earlier, we could have avoided this whole fiasco. Oh well, there's some not very nice people from the URN and the SWT just dying to speak to you. Who'da think you've got fans from around the world?" she cooed.
Paralysed, he could only glare at her. As they left her office, one of her lieutenants timidly stuck her head into the door, having been only freshly promoted after a mere six months in logistics and accounts. In her former life, she was a targeting analyst for the Golden Division's rivals, Project Phoenix.
"Ah yes, Jin Linh, you may come in. Now, what news do you have for me?"
"Well you see ma'am, it's well, none of it is good." she replied. Having doled out targeting packages to more intense and hardened individuals before, she didn't know why she was feeling like it was her first day on the job. Might have been that man being escorted out by those two, she figured. Still, best not keep the boss lady waiting.
"Oh dear." Ursa deadpanned.
"One of our runners fished out some bodies floating in the sea on their way to Ember. Turns out, they were SAD guys. Most, if not all of them had multiple wounds and were most likely dead when they hit the water sometime this morning. In addition, some group tried to pull off a kidnapping of Kiyi. Didn't get too far, but word is she's recovering from chloroform inhalation."
"I see. Get an airship ready, there's a few people I'd like to visit. Seems like my kids could use all the backup they need."
Meeting room
As the Fire siblings left the room, Bulan stood up to follow but was prevented from doing so by Arnook.
"Sit, this meeting is not yet done."
"But-"
"This is for us and us only, there is no need to involve outsiders."
"Okay...but why the secrecy?" she asked, puzzled.
Motioning to Hahn, he nodded and Hahn pulled out a file from inside his coat, placing it on the table in front of her. "What's the meaning of this?"
"It's time we had a talk about who you really are, or rather, who your real parent is."
"And this is supposed to be top secret because? It's not rocket science to figure out I'm adopted."
"Your biological dad is the current head of the Agni Kai's NWT outfit."
"Bullshit."
"Intercepted radio communications two days before the attack on the safe house mentioned a certain Papa Charlie and if she was in play or not. Their plan was to hit the place after you were gone, but for some reason they decided to light the place up when they did."
"And you're choosing to tell me now because?"
"Well, it uh, kinda got lost in the system. Signals didn't fully piece together the puzzle until just yesterday."
"That is a shit excuse and you fucking know it. And you-" she barked at Arnook, "-you could have told me this instead of dancing around the question every time I asked. But nooo, you had to wait till I almost got shot up and a half blown up building before you decided now was a good time. What a great fucking dad you are."
With that, she intentionally got up noisily, banging and slamming the furniture before ending the cacophony with a jerk that had the door trembling on its hinges.
"Could've been worse." Hahn commented in the uneasy silence.
The ride back filled with a tense awkward air as Bulan made the decision to sit as far away from Hahn as possible, who had the look of a guilty cat being caught in the act of snatching fish. On the other hand, Sokka and Azula were too busy sharing hugs, kisses and affirming words between them to notice the tension in the air, which had Zuko trapped in between.
Looking out the window into the inky blackness, a few shooting stars that streaked across the night sky brought back memories long suppressed.
Four years ago
An Tai mountain range, west of Omashu
It was an otherworldly sight to behold, men in white advancing up the mountain sides, knee deep in snow surrounded by mist, soot and the screams of soon to be dead and dying, bathed in the unfeeling light of flares and star shells that hung over the mountain in shades of red and green.
Another suicide run, the latest in a list so long he'd given up trying to count. After all, who else better to use as shock troops than men and women who had nothing left to lose? Seeing some earthbenders prepare to hurl down boulders that would easily crush a man, he suppressed them with a long jet of maroon flames, which connected in a flurry of screams and sizzling flesh. Pausing briefly, he hauled up a soldier who had his head buried in the snow, hands over ears in a desperate attempt to block the sounds of war.
"Get moving private! Your squad out there needs you! Let's go!" Zuko roared over the din, as a brace of shells landed a few hundred feet away, sending men and material hurtling down at terminal velocity. Hearing movement to his right, instinctively he dropped into a crouch and pulled out a throwing knife and sent it whistling into the source.
As the flares lazily glided down towards terra firma, a gurgling sound was heard and as Zuko moved to retrieve his blade, he saw a young child, barely in his teens dressed in the green of EK summer fatigues, clawing futilely at the blade lodged firmly in his throat, the crimson life force spilling onto the snow as the bright green light in his eyes faded to a dull lifeless jade.
Turning his attention to the scared trooper, he dragged him along, all the while urging his comrades up the mountain.
A whistling sound later, the trooper he was dragging along slumped, a neat hole in his eye socket evidence of a high speed shard loosed off from some Dai Li agent somewhere….
A firm grip on his shoulder and a familiar voice recalled him back to the present. "Zuzu, we're here. Can you move, I can't lower the seat if you're blocking it."
"Oh. Right." he replied, scooting hastily out of the car so that his sister and her boyfriend could exit. As Azula drew level to Zuko, she asked "Are you okay? You seemed pretty lost there for a second."
Momentarily taken aback by his sister's sudden concern (since when did she start to care about people?gotta ask Sokka about this), he froze, much to her annoyance.
"Hello? Earth to Zuzu?"
"I-I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"It's er, nothing, just thinking about things."
"Come on, spit it out."
"You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
"Fine, but don't tell anyone. I saw some shooting stars and it reminded me of my time near Omashu."
"That was your unit? The one that took a hundred percent casualty rate?"
"Knowing dad, where do you think he stuck me in?"
"I-I'm sorry." she whispered.
"For what?"
"For not caring if you lived or died. For not checking up on you. For for-"
"Shhh. What's past is past. Every day is a new day, a new chance to do what is right." he soothed, as he pulled her in for a tight hug.
"Awww, that's so touching." Katara teased from the doorway, making faces and noises.
"Fuck off Kat, go suck off Aang or whatever it is you do with him." Azula responded.
"My sister ain't gon be sucking off no one, of that I'll make sure." Sokka interjected.
"Oh wow, didn't see you complaining when I-"
"Azula, Shut. Up." Sokka growled.
"Make me."
Before Sokka could get close, Zuko pinned him to the ground and held a fire dagger to this throat. At this, Katara immediately leveled ice shanks at Azula in retaliation. As they all faced down each other in the narrow confines of the corridor, a squeaky noise caught their attention as the lights went out in the hallway.
On the far side, the gang could make out the silhouette of a girl through the moonlight, slowly advancing towards them. Somehow, in a feat of adrenaline fueled dexterity, Sokka had wiggled out from Zuko's grasp and into Azula's arms. Despite her strength, the sudden weight of her beau crashing into her had her landing on the floor with a loud thud. Scrambling to get up, the gang inched back as the silhouette crept ever closer.
Somehow, someone's hand hit a switch and the lights came back on, revealing a dazed, confused and sleepy Kiyi trying to process the ungainly mass of humans arrayed in front of her. To her, the mass of humans in front of her seemed almost hilarious, with Sokka clutching onto Azula for dear life, while Zuko and Katara were caught in the middle trying to use the other as a human shield against the perceived malevolent spirit.
"Wh-what's going on?"
"Stop scaring us like this Kiyi!"
"Oh. Hehe, sorry Zuzu. Gee, I wonder what would Aang say if he caught you and Kat in such an embrace." she giggled, making them both blush. But before Sokka could throw in a snark or two, a familiar sting ripped through his backside as Azula angrily gave him what for, berating him for his weight, his lack of motor skills, intelligence and all manner of things.
"Okay that's enough Azula. Must you be so violent with my brother?" Katara cringed, having witnessed her handiwork before.
"I'm pretty sure I can feel little Sokka disagreeing with you down there, which means your brother most likely has a spanking fetish. Isn't that right, Soksok?"
"What kind of a pet name is that?!" Sokka whined.
"No one asked your opinion, Soksok." she smirked, before giving him another smack.
"Could you not corrupt Kiyi like this?" Zuko pleaded, covering her eyes.
"Bitch I'm 21 not 12, Zuzu. Get your hands off me!" Kiyi shot back, trying to peel brother's hands off her face.
When she sensed that Sokka was on the verge of breaking, she ceased her assault, before hauling him up into her embrace, where she smothered him in kisses and coos in full view of everyone.
"Alright people, we don't need to see this shit. Please take this someplace else." Zuko, Katara and Kiyi pleaded.
"No one asked y'all to stay and watch, but here you all are."
Seizing advantage of her being distracted, Sokka counterattacked by slinging her on and over his shoulder in a swift motion, with only a confused "What are you doing?" tumbling out of her mouth before they entered into a nearby room and locked the door.
"Should we…?"
"Do you really want to?"
"Probs not."
"Agreed. Also, there's something we need to discuss with you Kiyi." Zuko quickly added, leading her by the hand with all haste.
Inside the room, Azula struggled and writhed on his back. "Put me down Sokka right now, or else!"
"Or else what?" he grinned, before flipping her unceremoniously on the bed with a muffled thump and kneeling in between her legs.
Noticing a familiar glint in his cerulean eyes, she stammered "Oh no no no no you don't, dontchu' dare Sokka, I'm warning you."
"I think it's about time someone put you in your place, princess." he replied, making her swallow a gulp at what might be in store for her. Tugging off her pants and underwear in one swift motion, he exposed her slightly damp core to his hungry eyes, the scent of her filling in his nostrils. Spinning her on her stomach, he hiked her legs over his shoulders and devoured her like a famished pauper, while his hands squeezed and smacked her buns around like stress cushions.
"Oh hnghh Sok-Sokka, wha-what are you- oh fuck don't stop!" she moaned loudly into the blanket. Licking and teasing, he kept up his assault, carving his name and hers in Hanzi all across her folds and clit, giving her some tongue when she least expected it. As he did so, Azula felt white hot magma pool and built up in her core, making her moan his name, along with some choice words even more loudly.
Feeling her thighs squeezing his head even harder, he slipped a few fingers straight into her now wet core, making her scream his name at this point as she broke into a sweaty spasming torrent of ecstasy, her eyes rolling in the back of her head.
"S-Sokka what have you-oh shit I-I can't no stop please, enough Sokka I'm sorry I'm sorry I- Mmph!" she wailed, as he ignored her pleas but redoubled his efforts that made her lose control again, her sensitive cunt pulsing and throbbing while her butt sported red handprints all over, marking her as his like a perverse brand.
Finally, just when she thought she would actually pass out from excessive stimuli, he ceased his ministrations and flipped her over. In her mind, she looked like a complete babbling, sticky, sweaty mess but to Sokka, she was the very definition of a goddess wrapped in human flesh, her pupils blown wide open and cheeks flushed red like she'd been drinking too much, strands of her hair messily clinging to her face.
"Gods and spirits firefly, you taste like the sweetest thing in the world. I could eat you out all day every day." he commented, still kneeling between her sensitive core. Giving it a mournful parting kiss, he crawled up to her and brushed the strands of hair aside, before giving her a full on lip lock, letting her taste herself on his lips and boy was he right, she did indeed taste sweet as freshly picked cherries.
Rolling her onto him, he stroked her cheek languidly and asked "That wasn't too intense, was it?"
"Hmm?" she muttered, her brain still trying to piece together fragments.
"Earth to Azula, are you okay? You doing fine up there?" he asked, concern bleeding through at the fact that he just might have broken her brain through carnal ecstasy.
"Oh, I uh, I-I'm fine Sokka. I erm, er might have enjoyed it a little too much." she replied bashfully, the prude in her making her stumble over words.
"Well that's good to know, firefly. Anytime you want another round, just let me know. "
"Anytime?"
"Did I stutter, firefly? Anyways, much as I enjoy this hot messy version of you I think you'll appreciate getting cleaned up and a hot bath even more. What do you think of that?"
"That-that sounds nice."
Making sure the coast was clear, he picked her up and carried her close to his chest as she wrapped her arms around his neck for support while he looked for the bathroom. Finding it, he sat her down on the countertop while he stripped off his clothes and prepared the bathtub.
As she peeled off her clothes, she caught an eyeful of his rear, still sporting red marks that were slowly fading as well as his erect manhood. When Sokka turned to her, he found her looking at his erect penis pointing at her like a sword.
"No funny business, I promise. Besides, we've got a long day ahead and last thing you need are distractions. Now come, your chariot beckons."
"So thoughtful of you." she bashfully replied.
"Any chance I get to spoil you, I'll take it." he replied, before slowly lowering them both into the water. As the hot water soaked into their bones, Sokka pulled some shampoo and began to scrub her hair. Normally, she was loath to let anyone touch her locks but the gentle massaging of her scalp made her purr in contentment as she leaned into his embrace. Moving from her scalp, he massaged down her bare back and what he saw made him hitch his breath.
"What is it?"
"It's-that's a lot of scars. What happened?"
"I-I don't want to talk about it." she whispered.
Turning her to face him "Sorry for bringing up bad memories and ruining the mood."
"It's not your fault Sokka, you can't change the past."
"I know a tattoo artist in the Middle Ring, he specializes in blending in taking scars and blending them into masterpieces. That is, if you want to, I'm not going to push you if you don't. You're still perfect to me all the same, scars or no scars." he replied, tenderly kissing her forehead. In response, she curled up tighter to Sokka, wordlessly expressing her gratitude at having been blest with someone who can empathize and understand her so well.
"Thank you." she mumbled into his chest.
"No problem firefly."
Just as Sokka began to doze off into the water, he woke with a start, startling Azula who had curled up into a tight ball and snuggled her way into the crook of his neck.
"Have you been um, keeping the water warm this whole time?" he asked.
"Perhaps." she smugly replied.
"Unless you'd like to look like a wrinkled sea prune, let's get you out of the water and into an actual bed. How's that sound?", to which she nodded her head.
Carrying her out of the water, he dried her off, bundling her in towels before doing the same for himself. Making sure that the coast was clear, he carried her to her room, where he gently tucked her in.
"Good night, princess firefly." giving her a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Mmm, good night to you too."
Just as he was about to leave the room, he heard a small still voice ask "Would you, um, stay with me please? I can't sleep without you nearby."
Closing the door, he turned around and crawled into the covers with Azula, who wrapped her arms around him like a teddy bear. Resting her head on his shoulder, she whispered "Thank you, Sokka." before kissing him behind the ear and shutting off the light, his scent lulling her into a deep and restful slumber, filling her dreams with nothing but bliss with Sokka.