Kira's eyes fluttered open and she took a moment to remember where she was. She rolled over in the bed and came face to face with Zuko who was still asleep. Her eyes fell on his scar. How much had it hurt when he got it? Probably way more when she got her brand. She licked her dry lips nervously before reaching out a small hand to touch it but before her fingers even grazed the rough skin Zuko's hand snapped up and caught her wrist.
"Don't do that," he said tiredly.
Kira snatched her hand away quickly followed by a stream of apologies. "Don't worry about it, I'd be curious too." Zuko sat up and let the covers fall off his bare chest. Kira stared at him and Zuko went red in the cheeks. "Okay time for me to get dressed before someone gets the wrong idea," he said and quickly moved to put on his discarded shirt from last night.
He looked over at Kira who was still blushing though she also seemed to sway where she sat. "You want to sleep longer?" he offered, "I have work to do but I can make sure Uncle looks after you?"
"No...I'm fine," even though she tried to act otherwise, Kira was fighting to stay awake. Zuko wondered when she had last had a good nights sleep what with her being forced to work into the night. "I just...I just need to rest my eyes for a minute." Zuko smiled when she laid back down. Within the minute she was back asleep so he took the opportunity to leave.
After saying good morning and goodbye to his Uncle he quietly moved towards the Palace then climbed up the wall and over the balcony outside his room. He planned on sneaking back into bed before his wake up call but when he entered through the balcony door he was startled when he saw Jinn standing at the foot of the bed.
"Oh, good morning Fire Lord Zuko," Jinn said with an amused grin, "I trust you had a pleasant night?"
"Crap," Zuko said...
Iroh was an early riser thanks to his years in the military. He had already seen Zuko on his way out and was now sitting happily as he practised his Pai Sho manoeuvrers with a nice cup of ginseng tea to start the day. Such was the blissful laziness he got to enjoy in his retirement when he wasn't helping Zuko. It was a quiet morning disturbed only by the calls of birds and the occasional summer breeze. He raised his cup of tea and breathed deeply of the aroma before holding the cup to his mouth to take his first sip of the day.
"AGNI CURSED DEMON CHILD!"
Iroh jumped and spilt his tea over his chest. Thankfully most of it landed on his beard which he had stopped trimming as much. He sighed sadly as he looked at his now empty cup though. By the sounds of things, one of the maids had found the Burakumin child sleeping in one of his rooms. He sighed again and got up.
He left the tea room just in time to stand between his maid, Tatsui and the door she was about to drag Kira out of. "Good morning Tatsui," Iroh said pleasantly, "I see you have met my guest."
"General Iroh, surely you know this thing cannot be a guest in your home!" she grabbed Kira's hand and showed him the unsightly brand. The way Tatsui twisted her arm around caused Kira to yelp in pain. He looked down at her and noticed that she had a split lip and was quite clearly crying.
"Tatsui did you hit the child?" he didn't let his smile fade as he spoke to her but his tone was what carried his displeasure.
"I...I did," she stammered, "I found the little beast sleeping in Lord Zuko's room!"
Iroh wondered why Kira had moved to Zuko's room and although he fully trusted his nephew not to abuse the power he had, if anyone else had discovered Kira where she was then it could very well cause a scandal. "That would be because this girl is here at the behest of Fire Lord Zuko, he allowed her to use his room before retiring to his own in the Palace," it wasn't a total lie at least, "Please unhand the child."
Tatsui looked at Iroh and then at Kira. Still smiling, Iroh said, "Please don't make me repeat myself." The elderly maid let Kira go and she ran behind Iroh, clasping his robe for protection like she had done with Zuko when she first met Iroh. Tatsui looked like she wanted to say something when she touched his clothes but kept her mouth firmly shut, pursing her lips so hard they went white.
"Nobody is to know she is here," Iroh then said pleasantly, "Now I trust you have more important things to do than harass a guest of the Fire Lord?"
"Of-of course General Iroh," she bowed to him but before she left she glared one last time at the child. Iroh stood his ground until she was out of sight before turning around and looking down at Kira.
Her face was a mixture of fear and humiliation. "I'm sorry I should have gotten you up sooner," Iroh said to her as he slid his hands into his robes long sleeves. "Your lip is bleeding, would you like me to find a cloth?" Kira didn't speak but instead shook her head and sucked her bottom lip. Iron thought she must have incredible fortitude, a great many Burakumin died from small wounds that got infected as they didn't always have access to medicine or clean water. He made a mental note to have a Palace physician give her a full checkup when the time was right, just to be safe.
He moved back into his tea room and set about preparing another mug of tea. Kira watched him do so for a moment before timidly following after him.
When Iroh didn't react to her being in the room she bravely moved closer to the tea table. Iroh watched out the corner of his eyes as she tested her boundaries, which was quite adorable. He kept watching as the girl moved closer and closer until she was practically stood in front of him. He looked up at her with a neutral expression though she didn't dare meet his gaze and instead stared at her feet.
He took a sip from his cup before setting it down and reaching behind him for another one. His hand wrapped around one he knew well. "This cup was a gift to a special young lady who used to live here," he told Kira, showing her the mug made by Southern Water Tribe craftsmen. "I consider her my niece even though we aren't related."
"Where-where is she now?" Kira asked from where she stood.
"Why not sit down and I'll tell you about her?" Kira looked around nervously and her eyes fell on Tatsui who was tending to the garden outside the tea room, no doubt to spy on them through the open door. "Do not be afraid of Tatsui, she merely acted in my defence but I promise she will not betray me."
"She's still scary," Kira admitted, rubbing her arm nervously.
"Tell me about it," Iroh said with a grin, "She tells me off when I leave my Pai Sho tiles out too long."
"But you're the Dragon of the West, why can she tell you what to do in your own house?" Iroh was happy to know the girl was somewhat educated. Perhaps she was smarter than he first thought?
"Even a Prince must respect his home and those who keep it," he indicated to the floor now, "Please sit and let me tell you all about my niece?" Kira finally accepted his invitation and moved to kneel in front of his tea table. Despite being invited it was impossible to expect her to not be uncomfortable at this moment in time.
"So," he began as he poured some tea into the tribal looking mug, "This mug, as I said, belongs to a girl I consider my niece, perhaps you have heard of Lady Katara of the Southern Water Tribe?" Kira's eyes seemed to glow with wonder at the mention of her name.
"What little girl hasn't!" Kira said excitedly, "Even the others, the other Untouchables I mean, look up to her as a symbol of hope!"
"Is that so?" Iroh knew Katara's story was well known around the world but to think she was almost worshipped? "And why is that?"
"Well, she was like an Untouchable when she arrived right?" Kira put out, "Like, she was below everyone else but then she tamed the Spitfire Princess!" Kira quickly covered her mouth before speaking in a muffled voice. "I mean...she...became friends with Princess Azula." Iroh laughed at Kira's name for Azula. Ozai had also called her his Spitfire but it sounded far more innocent coming from a child. Her tiny fingers began to drum on the side of her mug as she spoke. "Lady Katara proved that, even though I'm Shamed, I can still be happy."
Iroh found himself admiring this child. Her outlook was one of optimism and hope in what was an otherwise dismal life. When he was a child, every Burakumin he had met was miserable but not Kira.
"I always dreamed that Lady Katara would help us one day," Kira then said, "That she'd take us away from here and we could live better lives." Kira was blushing now. "I know it's just a childish fantasy."
"Perhaps," Iroh mused with a light shrug, "But it saw you through some dark days I take it?" Kira nodded, still blushing, "Then it is a good dream." Kira was still drumming on her mug and Iroh wondered why she wasn't drinking, did she not like tea? Impossible! "Are you going to keep playing with the mug or will you drink your tea?"
"No way!" Kira looked almost insulted, "It's Lady Katara's mug, someone like me can't drink from it!"
Iroh cleared his throat to hide his discomfort as she, once again, put herself down. "What if I said that drinking from the mug will give you a portion of Katara's strength?" Kira's eyes went wide with childish wonder and Iroh smiled happily when she picked up the mug and took a drink from it. She winced as the hot tea touched her split lip but then licked them adorably after lowering the mug and a pleasant smile appeared on her face. "How do you feel?" Iroh asked playfully, "Perhaps you can Waterbend now?"
Kira let out a childish giggle. "No, but I do feel warmer."
"Then at the very least, you can say you drank good tea from Katara's mug," Iroh chuckled to himself and Kira took another sip. As she did he eyed her brand again and couldn't stop himself from sighing. "It seems that every year after the war ended I meet a child who has suffered because
of my family."
"You mean 'cause I'm Shamed?" Iroh nodded, "But that wasn't your fault was it?"
"No, but it was my grandfather who made your lives harder," Iroh spun his mug in his hands now. "The people of the Fire Nation were the first to be conquered when my grandfather started the war," Iroh explained, "The other nations have suffered but none more so than the commoners of the Fire Nation. Zuko works tirelessly to make amends for all the wrongs his forefathers committed."
"Thank you," Kira said much to his surprise, "We both know my life isn't easy but I don't want people feeling guilty when they had nothing to do with what ruined it." Iroh nodded his understanding and watched as Kira took another sip of tea. She let out a happy noise as she smiled at Iroh. "This is good tea," she said sweetly, "Did you make it?"
"I did," Iroh said proudly, "I might not be good at much in my old age but I've always been an expert when it comes to tea."
"So where did you sneak off to last night, Fire Lord Zuko?" Jinn walked beside Zuko towards the war room. He really wanted to change the name of that room to something more fitting for peacetimes. "Did you go somewhere nice, perhaps I should ask the nice ladies who work in the markets if they've seen their Fire Lord?"
"I didn't visit a brothel if that what's your implying," Zuko said to Jinn. He tried to talk to the man as he always had but now all he could see was him beating Kira. He was starting to dislike Jinn which wasn't a pleasant realisation.
"Come now, your father was a frequent visitor of such places after your mother-"
"Don't you dare!" Zuko shouted at the man suddenly, stunning him to silence. He hated that he hadn't managed to find out what happened to her. He didn't even know if she was still alive but he would keep trying.
"Then it wouldn't have anything to do with that Unclean girl we ran into yesterday would it?" Zuko froze in place and Jinn had a knowing smile. "Zuko I've known you since you were a boy, I knew right away that my actions had upset you." Zuko hadn't expected this, maybe he did regret his actions?
"Do you feel any guilt for beating that little girl in public?" Zuko then asked him, not denying Jinn's accusations.
"No, I do not," Jinn said honestly, crushing Zuko's hopes, "My Lord, you must understand that everyone, myself included, is beneath you. You are a Dragon and I am but the humble Mongoose Lizard who serves you," he held out his hands and raised one higher than the other when he called Zuko a Dragon. Then he put his other hand behind his back. "The Untouchables are the Maggot Slugs that feast upon the dregs and carrion of our great civilisation. While their role in our society is disgusting I do not deny that they have some importance."
"But when the Maggot Slug thinks itself bigger than it is then the humble Mongoose Lizard must remind the disgusting Maggot Slug of its place so that the Dragon need not sully itself."
"You still haven't explained why your actions shouldn't upset me?" Zuko looked at Jinn with fire in his eyes but the older man didn't even buckle.
"The answer to that, my Lord, is that it simply shouldn't," he said coldly, "They barely deserve to be called human."
Zuko couldn't stop himself from letting out a small angry growl. All his life he had thought Jinn to be a strict but kind old man, he was like a second Uncle to him, but after yesterday he wondered just how well he knew him. He was starting to remind him of his grandfather. "I'm starting to see why my father and grandfather put so much trust in you Jinn," Zuko told the man as they started walking again. Jinn said nothing as he followed behind Zuko which only made him angrier for some reason.
They entered the war room from the main entrance instead of using the one hidden behind the stage that the Fire Lords of old used. As he burst into the war room Zuko wasn't surprised to find it practically empty. He had forced every general who had fought in the war to retire when they tried to convince him to restart the conflict endlessly. He was still in the process of filling the empty positions with those he and his Uncle deemed fit to serve during peacetimes. The new Generals should not be just conquerors but equally dedicated to keeping the peace.
Unfortunately, this meant that only three Generals greeted him with the customary bow. He walked around the large table towards the podium with Jinn at his heel and took his place underneath the pagoda atop it. The Generals all wore full armour while Zuko wore a long robe befitting of a Fire Lord. He wished he could wear something lighter.
He looked into the eyes of those gathered and not one of them flinched under his gaze. Each one of his new Generals was handpicked because they represented a side of the Fire Nation the world rarely got to see. He looked towards a younger man named Lee, Zuko often thought there was a million Lee's in the Fire Nation. He was older than Zuko but still young, perhaps one of the youngest to ever attain the rank of General. During the war, he had led a division of soldiers in taking land for the Fire Nation. This alone made Zuko think twice about promoting him but after some investigation Zuko learned that the towns he conquered suffered the least amount of casualties on record to both the opposing forces and the civilian population but what truly set him apart was the kindness and respect he showed to those he controlled, be they from the Earth Kingdom or the Fire Nation. Yes, he had conquered in the name of the Fire Nation but he had also sworn to uphold the peace.
Next to him sat the only female General. A strong woman named Pai Min. Though her hair was greying and she was starting to show signs of her age she remained strong and loyal. Once, she had served her nation faithfully and without complaint throughout her entire career right up until the moment she defied her commanding officer. He had ordered his battalion to burn a small village to the ground just to lure the enemy in. It was nothing short of a war crime so instead of obeying she killed the offending officer in an Agni Kai. Despite the legality of the slaying politics polluted her victory and she was court marshalled. Although she narrowly escaped a death sentence she was still locked away for ten long years in the Boiling Rock.
When Zuko learned of Pai Min he had arranged a meeting and had fully expected her to be broken much like Toph had been after her time in the Iron Pit but it wasn't the case. Her spirit burned brighter than ever and Zuko was impressed to see how respected she was, even amongst the guards. Though he didn't have precise details, he had learned that the Boiling Rock was far worse before she arrived. He needed someone with a strong sense of justice and the drive to enact meaningful change in the world. Change that could improve lives.
And finally, there was Piandao, a living legend and a master Swordsman from Shu Jing village. He was also Zuko's broadsword instructor and a friend of the royal family. He and Iroh had known each other for years so when he was asked to help rebuild the Fire Nation into a land of peace he happily agreed. His promotion to General, despite having deserted the military at one point, wasn't disputed.
Iroh also told him of a man named Jeong Jeong who had also deserted and was last reported to be living near the colonies. Zuko had aimed to recruit him as well but apparently, the old man hated the military and, worst of all, he despised being a Firebender. Zuko still kept tabs on the old man but he had no intention of approaching him unless he was desperate. There were rumours of him attacking Fire Nation soldiers out on patrol in the past and Zuko had no clue if Jeong Jeong would continue to be aggressive. For now, he was best left alone.
Zuko would have to make do with those he had and so far they had proven to be more than enough. "Thank you all for coming," Zuko said as he sat under the pagoda, "Especially on such short notice, I'm keenly aware that it's far too nice a day to spend it inside so I'll make this meeting as brief as possible." Nobody spoke so Zuko continued. "I've called you all here this morning so we can talk candidly, I want everyone to speak their minds on a very delicate subject that, to my shame, I only learned about recently."
"It has come to my attention that there are those in the Fire Nation who are seen as lesser than anyone else. The Burakumin." The three Generals all looked at Zuko but betrayed no emotion in response to his chosen subject. "Yesterday I met one," Zuko then told them, "A child who couldn't have been any older than twelve. As I was carried through the slums in a palanquin she ran in front of it and tripped, causing one of the carriers to fall over her."
"Thankfully I was unharmed but as I checked on one of the bearers I found Jinn standing over the child as he kicked and beat her in public," he couldn't conceal his displeasure as he remembered the scene.
"General Pai Min," Zuko then said, "Would you ever consider beating a child even if she was Burakumin?"
"No Fire Lord I would not," she stated firmly and without hesitation.
"And what are your thoughts on them?"
"It's an outrage that we still treat hard-working individuals in such a way, Fire Lord."
Zuko nodded to her. "Thank you, General, please be seated," Pai Min saluted before sitting back down. Next Zuko looked at Lee. "General Lee, your thoughts?"
"My mother always said to treat others as you would wish to be treated. Those above me have called me young and naïve for this but now I stand above them all because I never compromised on my beliefs," he said honestly, "A Shamed child is still just that my Lord, a child."
"And would you condemn any man or woman who deems it fitting to beat a child for an honest mistake?
"I would my Lord," Lee said and sat back down
when Zuko thanked him for his input.
"Master – forgive me – General Piandao," Zuko said with a small smile, "Your thoughts?"
"My manservant is Burakumin," Piandao said simply, "I consider him my closest friend." As ever, Piandao knew exactly what to say and Zuko bowed his head to his old Master. He then looked sideways at Jinn. "Would the humble Mongoose Lizard please stand before his Dragon," he said in a stern tone. The Generals all looked at one another with confusion as Jinn answered Zuko's call.
Zuko stood and walked over to Jinn. "For years you have served my family," Zuko said as he walked, "My grandfather, my father and you even defended my sister when she was challenged for her rightful place as Fire Lord." Zuko stood in front of Jinn now.
"I respect you Jinn, I truly do, but what you did to that child, in my name no less, was out of line and far from the message I want to send to my people. I do not rule through fear and do I not condone beating a child for something as petty as daring to cross my path." Jinn's face finally contorted in anger when he realised what was happening. "You still value my father and grandfather's ideals and they kept the world locked in a war for a century. I cannot allow imperialism and prejudice to spread in the Fire Nation while I rule so I must urge you to retire from service, you have earned that much."
The room was silent. Jinn stood still but the anger in his eyes looked to be burning hotter than Agni on the summer solstice. Zuko was sure the man was going to fight his decision but at the moment he thought he would lash out he instead took a long, deep breath. "As you wish, Fire Lord Zuko," he said in an eerily calm tone, "It has been my honour to serve the Fire Nation," Jinn bowed low and Zuko did the same for him. They stood and faced one another for a moment. Though his expression looked calm even Zuko, who was useless at reading people, could tell he was angry.
There was a sudden flash of steel.
Pai Min stood up and drew her sword.
Jinn cried out in agony.
Jinn then fell to his knees with a tanto blade stuck in his belly. Pai Min had barely taken a step when Jinn had impaled himself with the small blade. Zuko took a step back in shock as blood poured from the wound. He was killing himself, but why? "Jinn, what are you doing!" Zuko exclaimed.
"I am choosing death over dishonour. Unlike those cowardly Generals you forced into retirement I will follow the Old Ways and die with honour!" Jinn snarled as blood dripped from his open mouth and stained his teeth red, "I refuse to live to see you recognise the unworthy. I refuse to live to see you bring the Unclean into these halls. I refuse to live to see you disgrace the Fire Nation with false notions of equality!" With a quick movement, Jinn turned his blade and began to slice across his stomach. As his innards became exposed he uttered his final words.
"May the Dragon eat his own tail!"