Chapter 40

The first sensations Zuko experienced after waking up the next morning were those of Katara's hair tickling his nose and nearly making him sneeze. With his eyes watering as he tried to hold back a fit of sneezing, Zuko gently pushed Katara's hair out of his face without disturbing her sleep as she rested curled up against him, her head in the crook of his arm, arm wrapped around his chest. She hadn't even been gone for that long, a couple of weeks at best, but still, somehow this separation had felt so much worse than compared to the first time when she had left him. But now that Katara was back where she belonged, at least according to Zuko, he was more motivated than ever to not let her leave again.

Sometimes it still surprised him how important her presence had become in his life. He felt like a dried husk without her, going about his duties almost mechanically, with cold detachment. But with Katara present, everything just seemed to make so much more sense. She infused even the annoying daily chores of their life with meaning. He couldn't hope to put the true extent of his feelings into words, but previous night had convinced Zuko that Katara not only understood the way he felt about her, but that her feelings for him matched his in their strength.

Another proof of her love for him rested against the skin of her upper chest, the beautiful necklace he had commissioned for her. Katara was clearly reluctant to take it off, and it flattered Zuko greatly. Making love to her while she wore nothing but the necklace that spoke of her devotion to him filled Zuko with fierce possessiveness and he found it extremely arousing. He had lost count of the amount of times they had woken each other through the night to resume their lovemaking, but judging by how exhausted he felt, they must have set a new personal record for themselves.

As he was busy reminiscing about their recent amorous exploits, he felt Katara stirring next to him and she opened her eyes, looking up at him, her gaze full of love and warmth. "Mhm..." she mumbled, clearing her throat. "Why do I feel so tired..." she whispered happily.

"Because we refuse to acknowledge that we have limits," Zuko chuckled at her. "We are in no hurry, though. We can rest for as long as we want... well, until hunger becomes impossible to ignore," he added, realizing that he was feeling quite ravenous.

"I'm not really hungry," Katara muttered. At that, her stomach growled fiercely in protest, making them both snicker. "Well, I guess I stand corrected!" she laughed.

"Oh, I don't know, from the way my shoulders are covered in bite marks, maybe I shouldn't be surprised that you're not hungry," Zuko winked at her.

"You're the one to talk, I bet my neck is all covered in bruises," Katara said, reaching out with her fingertips to touch the side of her neck.

"Umm, yes, I seem to have left quite a few spots," Zuko blushed a little, not that he felt sorry for it. Also, he knew perfectly well that Katara loved to wear these marks as a proof of his passion for her.

"Well, time for something with a high neckline today, then," Katara grinned at him. "I don't want to be horribly insensitive to Aang. Oh, and speaking of Aang... I guess we should get out of the bed and check on how he's doing. Maybe he's come out of the spirit world already."

"Suki or Ty Lee would have informed us if that were the case," Zuko replied. "But, sure... let's check in on Aang. It would be a little unfair for us to lounge here all day while he does all the work. Not that we can help him, but..."

"I know exactly what you mean," Katara smiled warmly at him. "Alright, time to try and get up." With a groan, she managed to get up from the bed, stretching her tired limbs. Zuko felt reluctant to move, for the moment preferring to continue laying about and enjoying the view of her slowly dressing herself, until Katara noticed what he was doing and tossed his robes at him, hitting Zuko square in the face.

"Not fair, you can't blame me for enjoying the view," Zuko mock-protested, but then grumbled and started to get ready as well.

"I'm sure you can survive until the evening when you can enjoy the view once again," Katara gave him a meaningful state. "Just as long as I'm not denied my own enjoyment."

"Oh... does the lady have any complaints about last night?" Zuko asked, hoping that he did not sound insecure.

"No complaints whatsoever, Zuko, only praise," Katara smiled. "Now hurry up and let's be on our way."

A few minutes later, the royal couple were on their way, walking the palace hallways, when rounding one of the corners they came face to face with two Kyoshi Warriors running towards them. "Suki, Ty Lee, is something the matter?" Zuko immediately addressed his two most trusted bodyguards.

"Yes, Aang just came out of the spirit world," Suki exclaimed, breathless. "First thing he said right away was to send for you, so... here we are."

"And we're really relieved that we didn't have to barge in on you," Ty Lee added gratefully.

"Well, let's not waste any more time and go hear what Aang has to say," Katara said firmly and quickly they set to follow Suki and Ty Lee towards the royal palace hall where Aang was currently sitting among the scattered pillows, eagerly emptying a glass of water before moving on to devour a piece of tofu. Despite finding tofu rather unpalatable, the sight still made Zuko's stomach growl ferociously.

"Oh, there you are," Aang finally noticed their approach. "Sit down, you'll want to hear this," he pointed at the pillows.

"Did you manage to deal with the assassin?" Zuko asked impatiently.

"I did, but let me tell you, it was not at all easy," Aang sighed, wiping his forehead. "It's not often that I get this feeling that maybe talking alone won't be able to solve a problem and that maybe on this occasion I will need to set my pacifism aside. I had to fight that spirit at least a dozen times until she would finally listen to what I had to say."

"That sounds very difficult and dangerous, Aang. We appreciate everything you've done to solve this problem for us," Katara spoke gratefully, Zuko nodding in agreement.

"I'm still amazed that I managed to break a cycle of vengeance and hatred as old as this," Aang sighed. "Can you believe that this spirit was older than the Fire Nation itself?"

"That's what the legend of the Kemurikage says," Ty Lee butted in, eager to remind everyone about being the first with her spirit theory. "They were the spirits of grieving mothers who had their children taken by the warlords who ruled the Fire Islands during those days."

"That part of the legend seems accurate, Ty Lee," Aang smiled at the excited looking girl. "And it seems that this particular Kemurikage viewed the Fire Lord as simply one of those warlords of old. She didn't see any difference, until I was finally able to convince her that the Fire Nation as it is now, has nothing in common with such distant past."

"Well, she wouldn't have been wrong about Sozin, Azulon and Ozai," Zuko sighed. "It's funny that I never heard about them being attacked by this Kemurikage assassin, though. They would have actually deserved it."

"Here's the thing, Zuko... she wouldn't have attacked you either, if she hadn't been compelled to do so," Aang explained.

"Compelled? How, and by whom?" Zuko asked.

"I think one of your enemies has some ancient blood ties to the woman who became this twisted dark spirit," Aang mused.

"Wait... isn't Ukano the one boosting about his immaculate pedigree and how his bloodline is older than the Fire Nation itself?" Suki blinked.

"He sure is," Zuko nodded. "I don't suppose this spirit gave you any names that would help us link Ukano to this Kemurikage?"

"No names, but she showed me his face," Aang replied.

"That's... even better!" Zuko exclaimed, nodding at Ty Lee. "Go get the pictures we have of Ukano and his brother in law! The ones we made in preparation of wanted posters." Ty Lee jumped to her feet and ran off, returning barely a minute later with a couple of scrolls.

Aang unfolded the first picture and shook his head. "Nope, that's not the man," he said, then unfolding the other scroll, now smiling and nodding. "Yes, here's your guy, Zuko. That's him, alright," Aang said, pointing at the picture of Ukano.

"I can't believe it, but we finally have him," Zuko exclaimed with joy, feeling a massive burden falling from his shoulders. "Suki, Ty Lee, put together a strike team, it's finally time to hit the estate. Secure everyone on the premises and then comb the entire place for clues and more evidence. I want to know as much as possible about everyone's involvement."

"Understood," Suki nodded, immediately ready to head out, but Ty Lee seemed a little slow to follow.

"Umm... what about Mai?" Ty Lee asked hesitantly. "And her mother and little brother?"

"Well... when I said secure them, you don't have to throw them in a dungeon," Zuko replied. "But they need to be held until we have finished our investigation." Ty Lee looked relieved as she ran off to follow Suki.

"I'm glad you want to treat them fairly," Aang said sincerely. "I really hope there will be no repeat of what happened with your father."

"Umm, Aang... the penalty for treason in the Fire Nation is execution," Zuko shuffled uncomfortably.

Aang winced at that. "I don't suppose I can convince you to be lenient," he sighed.

"I can't make any promises, but I'll try to be as fair as possible," Zuko said, then smiling at his beloved. "Katara will hold me accountable."

"That I can trust, at least," Aang smiled at them both. "Well, I think my work here is complete. It's time I got started on my way back."

"You don't have to run off immediately, do you? Surely you could stay a while?" Katara asked, Zuko finding himself nodding along, despite the recent difficulties in their relationship with the Avatar.

"I'm not quite there yet, Katara, if you know what I mean," Aang gave her a bittersweet smile. "But I'll get there someday soon. And don't worry, I don't plan to disappear from your lives. You'll see plenty of me in the months and years to come."

"That's good to hear, Aang," Zuko found himself smiling at the Avatar. "Perhaps eventually we'll be able to resume our work on the Fire Nation colony project."

"Of course!" Aang agreed eagerly as he rose and dusted himself off. "Let me know when you have something solid in mind, Zuko. Until then, I bid you two farewell. Take good care of the Fire Nation and of each other."

"We will, I promise," Katara answered for them both as they watched Aang walk away. Once he was out the door, Katara quickly slipped into Zuko's embrace and they remained like that for a while, content and relieved about finally being rid of this dark threat over their lives.


Shortly after the Kemurikage had been pacified, the Kyoshi Warriors led by Suki and Ty Lee managed to execute a flawless raid on the estate of the former governor Ukano. Following the arrest of Ukano and his family, as the news spread over the course of the next few days, his rebellion quickly fell apart. The remaining resistance pockets in Fire Fountain City agreed to surrender in exchange for full amnesty. The rebels on the Hing Wa Island also decided to give up their hopeless cause, arresting their own leaders and then exchanging them to the Fire Nation Navy generals in return for full amnesty. Just like that, the rebellion of the Fire Nation was over.

All that was left for Zuko was to deal with the head of this snake, Ukano and his family. Evidence gathered by the Kyoshi Warriors clearly condemned both Ukano and his brother in law, and there was no way Zuko could allow them to escape the harshest sentence. As much as he did not enjoy the thought, an example needed to be set or else he would risk seeing another rebellion springing up at some point. Ukano's wife Michi was absolved of all involvement in the plot, and together with her young son Tom-Tom they were released to live with her sister Mura.

Still, there was one loose end and it weighed heavily on Zuko's mind as he stood at the gates of the mountain prison fortress that had once held his own father before his execution. He had asked Katara to accompany him for moral support, and she stood by his side, appearing a little downcast and intimidated by the grim compound. He squeezed her hand, offering a nervous smile, before heading inside past the heavy gates to confront the guards on duty.

"Fire Lord Zuko," one of the four guards addressed him as they all bowed to the royal couple. "Are you here to see the prisoners?"

"Just one of them," Zuko replied. "Take us to the cell of Lady Mai."

"Of course, Lord Zuko," the guard nodded, grabbing the keys and leading them down the winding, poorly illuminated passageway, lined with dark cells on one side.

"I think it would be better if I didn't go in with you," Katara spoke once the guard had stopped and was busy opening the lock on the outer cell door. "She could become more hostile and confrontational if she saw me."

"That's probably a good idea," Zuko sighed, not looking forward to the upcoming conversation.

"And Zuko?" Katara stopped him as he was about to head inside. "Please, try to find some leniency in your heart, if you can." She sighed, before letting him go. "Eh, I shouldn't have even said that. Know that I fully trust you to do the right thing."

"Thank you, Katara," he whispered, leaning in to kiss her briefly before proceeding into Mai's cell.

His former fiancée had noticed the commotion outside her cell and was standing with arms crossed on her chest as she waited on him to enter. Despite finding herself in an oppressive and dank cell, there was still a defiant expression on her face as she turned to regard him coolly. "I had nothing to say to your lackeys, and I don't have anything to say to you," she announced coldly.

Zuko sighed deeply at the hostile welcome. He needed Mai to help her own case, not to worsen her situation. The evidence gathered by the Kyoshi Warriors was overwhelming. Mai's involvement with her father's plot before Zuko had broken off their engagement was impossible to prove. However, since Zuko had banished her from his presence, Mai had been onboard with every step her father had taken in directing this conspiracy, involving the summoning of the spirit assassin that had threatened his and Katara's lives and had taken the life of poor On Ji. If he followed the letter of the law as it stood written, then Mai's head should roll separated from her shoulders, following that of her father and her uncle. But deep down, Zuko knew that it was his decision to be with Katara that had turned Mai against him. And now, he needed to save her life because of it.

"Has it been properly explained what awaits you unless you renounce your father and his actions?" Zuko asked her, refusing to become angered by her confrontational stance.

"It doesn't matter," Mai snapped angrily. "I'll stand with my father."

"So you don't know what awaits you?" Zuko asked again.

"They said something about the harshest punishment," Mai shrugged. "I won't be intimidated, not by you."

"I'm not trying to intimidate you, but I cannot overlook the seriousness of what your father did. I must set an example," Zuko replied simply. "Mai, perhaps you don't understand your own situation. Your father and your uncle will be executed. I'm trying to save you from the same fate."

Mai gave him a look of disbelief. "You wouldn't dare," she shook her head, as if trying to convince herself. "My family is too influential and powerful for you to just... wipe out like that. You're just trying to turn me against my father."

"There's no reason for me to do that, Mai. We already have enough evidence to condemn all three of you. But I want to give you a chance to keep your life," Zuko said.

"Like you care," Mai spat bitterly.

"I do care, or I wouldn't be here," Zuko sighed. "You are too young to throw your life away, Mai. Not for this! Surely you want to keep living?"

"You're serious... you're actually serious," only now Mai seemed to realize that Zuko's words were not merely empty threats. In an instant, all fight and hostility was gone from her, replaced by crippling fear in her haunted eyes. Her knees buckled and she crumpled to the floor. "Of course I want to keep my life... if you want me to renounce my father's actions, I will. I'll do anything."

"That's a good start," Zuko smiled, feeling relieved about her cooperation. "We can work from there."

"I assume you'll still throw me to rot in some prison for a long time," Mai remarked bitterly.

"I have something else in mind, Mai," Zuko told her.

"Like what?" she asked resignedly.

"Exile," Zuko spoke grimly. "You will leave the Fire Nation never to come back. But you'll be able to select any place of your choosing and start a new life there. I will provide you with transportation and some modest funds to get you started."

"Starting anew somewhere else... maybe that's what I've needed all this time," Mai wondered quietly.

"Any idea where you'd like to go, Mai?" Zuko asked.

"Yu Dao, if that's alright," Mai decided quickly.

"Good, I'll go make the arrangements," Zuko nodded. "You'll have to sign some paperwork before it's all settled. I hope you'll find peace in your new life, Mai," he added, turning to leave.

"Zuko?" she called out as he was about to leave. "You're a better man than I deserved. If our positions were reversed... I don't think I would have been so charitable."

"Maybe you just don't give yourself enough credit, Mai," Zuko stopped on the doorstep to address her one final time. "For what it's worth... I'm sorry about how it all unfolded."

"Yes... me too," Mai whispered as he left the cell, the guard locking it behind him.

Zuko hadn't even made a few steps when Katara was at his side, his girlfriend embracing him tightly. "I'm so glad she listened to reason," she whispered as they held each other. "And I'm so proud of you, Zuko. I don't believe you will come to regret being merciful."

"No... no, this time I don't believe I will..." Zuko replied, cradling Katara in his arms. "I'm just glad I could give her a new start. Hopefully, she will use this opportunity wisely."