A/N: Hi Everyone! This has been a draining week for me and many of my friends. So much to do and so little time. I am trying to get at least one chapter out for each story because I will be traveling this week and may not have time to post. This week's chapter is bringing about the results of a lot of change in Princess Zuko's life. Hopefully, you will enjoy this chapter and see a little bit more of what I have in mind for our heroine in future chapters. Chime in if you have a comment or questions. If you like what you see, don't forget to follow or favorite. Happy reading!
Disclaimer: You can make changes in your life; just make sure the changes are for a better version of you and not for others. Fanfiction is for the changes...
Chapter 9—Beautiful Stranger
The morning of Zuko's departure was bittersweet. Lady Hayato made it her point to escort Zuko and her friends to the dock personally as she had done in reverse three months prior when they first arrived at Madame Hachi's school.
At the docks, Lady Hayato stood before each of the girls. Her eyes were red and bloodshot with the potential tears she wanted to shed or perhaps with tears she shed privately. Ryo Hayato looked at each of these girls who stood before the first day awkward and trembling and unsure. As she took in each young woman now, she was amazed by the contrast.
She marveled at how just a little understanding, time and training could prepare girls once written off as uncultured, boorish, clumsy and inept could give them the tools to be graceful, articulate, and adept to navigate the world of politics and "civilized" culture. Most of the girls who attended Madame Hachi's school of excellence were really just normal young ladies that needed someone to believe in them and give them a chance.
Lady Hayato looked at her protégée. Zuko was a lovely young woman. Even more now she looks like her mother in spirit and image. The time she spent at the school was what she needed to blossom. Like a healthy flower, Zuko needed the right conditions, opportunities, and people to care about her without titles, or honorifics and the knuckle-kissing that normally went on in court. Zuko needed a chance to just be herself while she grew into her best self. Ryo understood that.
"You have blossomed into a lovely flower my protégée. I can't begin to express how proud I am of you. I expect to hear many great things in the future about you my dear princess." Lady Hayato said softly. Zuko smiled brightly.
"I had a wonderful mentor who saw the best in me even when I didn't make the best first impression. I will do my best to continue to honor those lessons." Zuko said. Lady Hayato smiled at that.
"If you are so inclined or if you ever need me, please let me know. I would love to hear from you and know how things are faring. I am vested in your future dear princess." Zuko smiled again and nodded.
"Yes, Lady Hayato." She said pulling her into an unexpected hug. Lady Hayato sniffled as she tried not to shed tears on the princess' formal travel cloak. Zuko didn't care and whispered, "I will never forget you," as she squeezed the Lady tightly.
The return home seemed to go faster than when Zuko first arrived at Madame Hachi's island. The day was sunny and clear and Zuko was in her cabin preparing to go out on the deck and soak up the warm rays and salty sea air when there was a knock on her door.
To her surprise, the captain and Jet were standing there one glaring the other clearly ashamed and humbled. "Good morning gentlemen, how may I help you?" The princess asked kindly. The captain poked Jet in the back and Jet cleared his throat.
"Good Morning, your highness. I wanted to apologize for my behavior at the ball last night. The words I said to you before leaving the island were grossly inappropriate, overly familiar, and were not worthy of any woman much less a woman of your status and station. Will you please forgive me for this slight against you and this nation?" he asked looking at the floor.
Zuko resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow. Would jet have willingly apologized if the captain had not been there quite possibly holding him at knifepoint? Zuko tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"I do not accept your apology currently; however, I will on one condition: I challenge you to a duel of swords." Jet and the captain both stared at the princess as if she grew another head. Zuko smirked and added,
"You bring your Fu Tao and I will bring my dual Dao. First to lose swords loses the match. If I lose then I will accept your apology, and all is forgiven. However, if you lose, I will accept your apology, but you must answer a question for me." The captain looked at the princess curiously.
He wondered if perhaps his sailor was telling the truth when he said he knew the princess. His thoughts were interrupted when Zuko asked,
"Would you be willing to oversee the match, Captain Nishikawa?" The captain was taken aback by the honor and bowed deeply.
"Of course, your highness. It would be interesting to see how well my sailor holds up in an honorable encounter with our princess." Jet's eyes went wide at his captain's veiled rebuke but smirked.
"As you wish your highness, seeing that with your request, either way, my honor is restored I will agree to this." Jet bowed to both his captain and the Princess and added, "With both your permissions, I will go and retrieve my Fu Tao." The princess nodded as did the captain and Jet went off to his shared cabin to retrieve his weapons.
As soon as Jet was out of sight the captain gave the princess a curious look. "Your highness, I do not know if you know of this young man, and his past, but I do hope that you will be careful. I'd hate to lose a sailor today." Zuko smiled at his encouragement and nodded.
"I will keep that in consideration dear Captain and thank you." Captain Nishikawa bowed and excused himself so that the Zuko could prepare for the impromptu sword fight ahead.
Word spread quickly on the ship about the duel and sailors, soldiers and ladies alike were excited to see what the Princess of the Fire Nation was capable of in the heat of battle. Though this was more of a sparring session, they had heard many tales of bravery and skill about their princess who had been trained under the renowned Master Piandao.
The deck was crowded with the exception of a makeshift arena that had been created for the moment. Jet came with his specialty hooked swords and no shirt on. Zuko smirked at the way the girls returning from Madame Hachi's school quickly opened their fans and began tittering about his undeniably attractive physique. Zuko rolled her eyes and shook her head. She knew exactly what he was trying to do.
"Nice swords, Mister Jet." She teased.
Jet smiled and flexed his pectoral muscles a bit to showboat for the women on board. More titters and gasps sounded behind the fans some of which started moving back and forth rapidly. Jet smiled. He noted that Zuko wasn't nearly as distracted as he'd hoped she would be. She was truly a warrior at heart like he remembered; Her mind always on the task ahead.
Secretly Jet also wondered if perhaps she wasn't really all that into guys. It does happen. She never really interacted with the soldiers or her team who fought with her in the Great War except maybe Katara's brother, the water tribe guy, Sokka. Maybe that's why she didn't respond to Jet the way most women do. It's not like she was even a girly girl back then.
Captain Nishikawa glared at Jet. He saw the showboating attitude and hoped that the princess gave him a battle to remember. He cleared his throat.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, I ask that no one interferes with the match. The rules have been pre-established and are as follows: The opponents will fight using their swords until one is disarmed of both weapons at that point the winner will be the one who maintains at least one of their weapons. They must remain within the designated arena for the safety of the observers and observers must remain without the arena. Princess, Ensign are you ready? Jet and Zuko nodded simultaneously without taking their eyes off one another and bowed keeping their eyes and heads up.
The captain smiled to himself. This was going to be a sight to see. "Begin."
Zuko and Jet circled one another carefully. Jet continued flexing his large biceps and pectorals hoping to show that he now had power behind his thrust and swings. Zuko continued to tune his intimidation out and watched his feet. She smiled. He still signaled his movements by slight hesitations in his steps before a thrust. Zuko did no such thing. Piandao trained her to move her thoughts and body as one.
She was like a dancer on her feet. Zuko moved with lightning speed and accuracy and stepped lively with each parry and thrust. The cheers were instantaneous.
Jet and Zuko clashed back and forth for almost an hour with no sign of an end in sight. Their swords made sparks as they repelled one another over and over again. They were still quite equally matched. Zuko realized Jet probably hadn't had a worthy opponent to spar with since the war. Jet realized the same about Zuko and the moment was exhilarating.
The captain watched with obvious pride in his princess and with surprise and approval of his sailor. Jet never disclosed his ability with the Fu Tao, but the captain saw that Jet had experience born of living the life of a fighter. Though not as elegant as the princess he saw that his skill levels were high. That meant for him to survive so long through the war, he had to be extremely intelligent and perhaps very lucky. It gave the captain pause.
What would bring the Earth Kingdom peasant with no family to his name and no affiliations to the Fire Nation? Jet had always proven himself loyal in every exercise and task and never gave Nishikawa a reason to think he was a spy. He was respectful and did what he was instructed to which is why the captain gave him an opportunity to be a sailor though he wasn't from the Fire Nation.
When Jet first applied, he said that he owed a friend from the Nation a debt. Seeing how he sparred with the princess he understood. There were a bond and camaraderie between them born out of necessity and circumstance. He had clear loyalty and friendship with the princess. The captain made a note to talk about it with Jet later. The soldiers and sailors didn't know who to cheer for because they supported both Jet and Princess Zuko. Jet was like a brother and the princess was their hero. It was obvious who the girls were supporting.
They cheered and squealed with delight whenever Jet rolled his shoulders or made a skillful thrust with the sword. It was clear to anyone watching that the two of them were familiar with one another's styles and moves.
Zuko swung with her left and right hands simultaneously coming dangerously close to Jet's open chest in a leaping move. She used both swords as if they were an extension of her arms and each sword was equally deadly as she swung and managed to slice a lock of Jet's hair. He watched in shock as his hair floated down like a feather down to the deck floor. He glared at the princess. She was getting too close for comfort.
Jet moved his hooks in a feint and managed to hook the end of one of Zuko's broadswords. The swords stuck together from the tension as neither was willing to give in until Zuko made a rapid turn and released her sword from the hold taking Jet's sword with it. It landed on the deck sliding to the rails. Jet raised an eyebrow. That's one.
Not one to give in easily Jet continued to fight with the one hook switching from his left hand to his right and back again to show that he was just as skillful with both hands.
Soldiers cheered for the princess, but also encouraged their fellow at the same time. Jet kept his eyes on Zuko. Zuko smirked. This is the Jet she remembered. He had laser focus in a fight. They clashed back and forth dodging, jumping back and ducking as the swings and thrusts became more erratic.
They were getting tired. Jet caught Zuko off guard and tripped her hooking one of her swords as she stumbled to regain balance. He pulled the sword from her hand and sent it sliding across the deck in the opposite direction. Zuko's eyes widened and she huffed in frustration. That's one. Now they were both down to one sword and getting tired. The battle had to end soon.
Zuko was never one to give up and she still wanted her questions answered. They circled each other back and forth watching and waiting for who was going to make the next move. The silent suspense was deafening.
Almost in perfect synch, the dueling pair clashed on the offensive. They met one another blow for blow emitting sparks and ringing swords from the force of the vibrations created as they pulled apart.
Observers stood in awe at the renewed energy between the two. It was like watching two forces of nature clash.
Jet attempted another feint but Zuko was ready for him. She stepped in instead of back and locked her step in his and brought Jet down hard. Zuko immediately took her sword and knocked Jet's final sword out of his hand. She pointed her sword at Jet's throat and smiled breathing hard at the effort. Jet smiled and fell back on the deck laughing his chest shaking.
He sighed and started clapping. The sailors, soldiers, onlookers, and captain joined in and applauded at a good showing and a job well done by their princess.
Zuko held out her hand for Jet to help him stand. He hesitated only for a moment and gripped her hand standing and giving her a good pat on the back.
"A most formidable opponent. Well done." Zuko said to Jet who took another deep breath and nodded.
"As are you, Princess. I never knew how skillful you really were with your Dao. You were holding back during the war, weren't you?" He said suspiciously. Zuko shrugged nonchalantly and whispered in his hearing,
"You still owe me a question, later on, don't forget." Jet smiled flashing his bright smile and laughed.
"After dinner perhaps? He asked. Zuko nodded and turned to the captain who came up to congratulate them both. Captain Nishikawa was elated.
"Well done Princess, well done! You make your country proud." He said shaking her hand and giving her a firm clap on the back. She smiled realizing he was congratulating her as a fellow warrior instead of a lady. He looked over at Jet with a genuine smile on his face.
"Ensign Wu, I am quite impressed. I never knew you had such skill with the sword. Please come see me before you retire tonight. I think I might have a job for you that is complementary to your skillset." He said his smile never leaving his face. Jet looked at Zuko and then at the captain.
"Of course, Captain I will, and thank you." He said. The captain excused himself and gave orders for the sailors to return to work. The soldiers and other onlookers began mixing and mingling talking about the exciting duel they just watched.
Jet looked at Zuko who was observing the people on deck. When Zuko turned Jet was staring at her curiously.
"What? Why are you…What is it, Jet?" Zuko asked nervously. Jet shook his head. He stepped back from the princess and bowed.
"I will see you this evening, your highness." Jet gave her a slight smile. "It felt good to fight again. Until later tonight." He said. Zuko gave Jet a simple nod and he turned on his heel and walked away. Zuko stood continuing to watch the crowds and the sea as Muta slid up next to the princess.
"A rematch, huh? Are you sure that was all he wanted?" she asked with a mischievous smirk. Zuko eyed Muta and gave the faintest hint of a smile. "I have someone waiting for me back home, Muta. It was just a rematch." Muta gave Zuko an unreadable look and hummed.
"OK, whatever you say, Princess. I'll see you at dinner…" Muta walked away and over to the sailor she danced with the night before who smiled brightly at the sight of her.
Zuko slipped away from the crowds so that she could go and freshen up before dinner and change.
Dinner was just as boisterous as the day's earlier event. Soldiers and sailors bowed and smiled at both Jet and the princess as they entered the mess hall for dinner. Jet was called over by his peers to sit at the table with them and Zuko made her way over to her former classmates and friends that had become more like sisters over the course of the three months they were on Madame Hachi's island.
Hilda Nishikawa and her entourage sat at the next table over and whispered and tittered occasionally glancing over at the princess and the handsome sailor she fought that morning. It was clear what the conversation was about as they giggled incessantly. Zuko ignored the gossip and just hoped it didn't turn into one of those reputation scarring types of gossip. Mariko and Chrissy stared at Zuko and smiled.
"So, a rematch. Now we get it." Chrissy said. Mariko giggled and leaned in closer to whisper.
"You two were amazing out there today, by the way. You were so in sync with one another. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you two didn't just "fight" together. He seems like he really likes you." She said. Chrissy squealed as quietly as she could with delight.
Zuko sighed and looked over in the direction of Jet's table at the same time he was looking over at her. Their eyes went wide and she turned away quickly blushing slightly. Jet turned back and lowered his head smiling. Maybe he still had a chance.
After dinner, many people settled into their cabins for the night and a few sailors and the soldiers who were not on duty hung out on near the bow of the ship.
Zuko had just said goodbye to Muta, Mariko, and Chrysanthemum for the night. The girls eyed her suspiciously but said goodnight. As they walked down the hall they noticed Jet heading in Zuko's direction but said nothing as they passed him in the corridor. They continued walking so as not to raise suspicion but went around the corner and stopped.
Muta peeked around and noticed that the handsome sailor stopped at Zuko's cabin door and knocked. She gasped and hid back around the corner. Her sister and friend looked at her in shock.
"He stopped at Zuko's room." Mariko and Chrissy gasped. "No!" they said in unison. "Yes." She said with confidence. Mariko looked with concern.
"What should we do?" she asked. Muta looked at her friends and shrugged.
"What the Princess of the Fire Nation does with her time and other people really isn't any of our business. He obviously has a reason for going to see her and we will leave it alone…" Mariko and Chrissy frowned. Muta looked at the two girls and smiled wickedly.
"But, that doesn't mean as her friends we're not going to ask what happened in the morning." The girls giggled and walked quickly to their rooms for the evening excited about whatever juicy gossip they would receive the next day.
In Zuko's room Jet stood quietly by the door. He was suddenly nervous about whatever she was planning to ask him. He looked around the room noting that she had a much larger cabin than most of the passengers. Two sets of bunks and another bed could fit in her room with room to spare. The princess even had her own bathroom.
Zuko was still dressed in her robes from dinner but her hair was down. She was probably preparing to go to bed Jet noted. Zuko watched him by the door and finally spoke.
"Please have a seat Jet, you're making me nervous standing by the door like that." Jet laughed softly.
"I'd like to stand if you don't mind. Be it far from me to sully the name of the honorable Kasai family." He said. Zuko laughed and gestured to the chair at her small desk inviting him to sit. Jet rolled his eyes and took the seat turning it around so that he could straddle it.
It was Zuko's turn to roll her eyes and chuckle. Same old Jet. Whatever makes you comfortable, she thought.
"So, as we agreed if you lost the match, which you did, you had to answer a question (or several) for me. Are you ready?" she asked. Jet took a deep breath and nodded. His brow furrowed for a moment but then he relaxed and rested his arms on the top of the chair.
"Ask away." He breathed. Zuko nodded.
"What happened to you after that situation under Lake Laogai? Katara was certain you were a goner. She said there was massive internal bleeding. Longshot even nocked and arrow. If you gave the order, I know he would have seen it done. It was a terrible situation. How did you—" Zuko took a deep breath.
She shook her head to clear her head of the memory of watching a fallen comrade fade away.
Jet worried his lip for a moment. He looked up to the ceiling as if weighing his options. He blew out a puff of air like a sigh. Jet spoke low and subdued, unlike the cocky and vibrant personality she knew before.
"I died, Zuko. I physically died and went to the Spirit world, but I was given a choice. The spirits said it wasn't too late for me to live and turn my life around, to live without hate and anger. They said all I had to do was make a decision." Jet ran his hands through his hair and left them on the top of his head. His face scrunched as if in pain and his breath shuddered.
He looked Zuko in the eyes and she saw no lie in them. He was telling the truth.
"So, you chose to come back." She said. It wasn't a question. Jet smiled.
"Yes, but I betrayed so many people and I hurt so many others. I didn't really think my life was redeemable, but the spirits said it was. I came back." He said chuffing to himself.
Zuko seemed to be off in her own thoughts but Jet felt like there was more she wanted to ask.
"You have another question." He said. This too wasn't a question. Zuko smiled. She nodded absently. Her voice grew heavy and hesitant.
"Who…who is the person you owe a debt to in the Fire Nation?" she asked. Zuko felt like she already knew his answer, but she was afraid to hear it. Jet smiled again.
"Do you not know, Zuko? We fought side by side. You taught me that every bender in the Fire Nation wasn't an ashmaker, a monster. You changed from the bratty little terror you once were to someone worth following. We changed the world together and you gave me a chance even when I fucked it up, pardon my language, your highness. You tried to warn me, save me, but I wouldn't listen. I owe you. I could have…I…" Jet faded off at a loss for words.
Zuko's lips parted slightly at his admission. She felt uncomfortable with the weight of what he felt was his sin and her influence. She wanted to free him so that he could release this burden and live for himself.
"You don't owe me anything, Jet. We were all children fighting an adult's war. We did the best we could, with what we had, right? That's all we can do. I'm just glad to know that you are alive and well and living your life better now. But why the Fire Nation Navy?" she asked.
At this Jet smiled wide showing off his perfect rows of white teeth.
"That's easy, princess: how else would I figure out where you were? I needed a chance to get closer to you and one day have a conversation. I just wanted the chance to do good and to see you again. To tell you thank you." Jet shifted in his seat stretching his arms and bringing them back to the top of the chair. He smiled again.
"I was so shocked to see you at that island. I mean, you've grown up a lot since I saw you last." Zuko blushed from her neck to her forehead. She looked away and pushed her hair behind her ears. She bit her lip nervously and nodded.
"We all have, I guess. So much time has passed…" she admitted softly. Jet smiled and stood up.
"Do you have any other questions for me, your highness?" Zuko looked up and returned a smile of her own.
"No Jet, thank you for talking with me. It means a lot to me." she declared. Jet chuckled.
"Well, I kinda had no choice; you did win that bet…" he said sarcastically. Zuko gave him a suspicious look.
"Oh no, you don't! I know I won that match fair and square! I also know you would have answered my questions anyway." She said matter of factly. Jet chuckled letting his laugh rumble low in his chest.
"You're right, Princess Hothead. I would have." Zuko stood up to escort Jet to the door.
"I doubt we'll ever have another chance for a rematch, so I say take your loss like a man and see what your captain has in mind for you." Jet gasped. He completely forgot about going to see the captain! He had to admit to himself his mind was quite preoccupied.
"Yeah, I almost forgot about that. Rest well princess and thank you for talking with me." Jet said with his hand on the doorknob. Zuko laughed.
"You had no choice remember?" Jet laughed again and in a moment of impulse leaned in and gave the princess a kiss on her lips. Zuko started from the unexpected move but didn't push him away. She stared at Jet as he pulled back and rested her hand on her lips. She blinked in surprise, but then her tone was serious.
"Jet, I'm seeing someone. Don't get me wrong; I'm flattered, but please don't ever do that again. I'm quite able to tell someone how I feel about them and if I were interested in you, I would have said something by now." She said. Jet pulled back in shock.
"Ouch. Ok, uh that was… I'm sorry. The captain was right. I'm not good at social cues." Jet said scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "I'll get going now. I'm glad you're still you. Good night princess." Zuko nodded uncomfortably.
"Good night, Jet. Take care of yourself. Not everyone gets a second chance." She said. Jet was in shock at her directness, but he knew that she meant what she said. He wondered exactly who she was seeing, but he already overstayed his welcome. Jet's jaw twitched slightly, and he gave a formal and deep bow.
"You take care as well." He said. Jet opened the door and left without looking back. Zuko was left standing by her door and backed herself against it when it closed. She sighed and groaned at the emotional exercise, but then touched her lips again. She smirked to herself. Now she can say she'd been kissed by Jet if anyone asked.
The next morning, Jet was nowhere to be found. She assumed he met with the captain last night and had duties to attend to that morning. Zuko wondered if she was too hard on Jet for his kissing her that night but then she remembered Sokka and his kiss. She never forgot how Sokka's kiss made her feel. Jet's kiss didn't have any of the electricity she felt when she kissed Sokka. She liked the water prince and didn't want to ruin a good relationship before it could even bloom and grow.
Muta, Mariko, and Chrissy were at her door bright and early and much too chipper for just coming to say hello. Muta closed the door once all the girls were inside. She turned to face the princess with a knowing grin.
"Good Morning, your highness. We came to check on you. Last night we saw that you had a ruggedly handsome visitor at your door, and we came to get all the details so spill." Zuko sat on her bed and laughed at her friends' lack of personal space.
"If you must know, nothing happened. Jet came to answer some questions for me, and we talked and then he left. That's all. There's nothing to tell." Zuko said. Muta wasn't buying it.
"Come on Zuko… There's no way. No! That guy was totally into you. The way you two fought each other was like pure pent up sexual tension. The two of you were just exuding sex the whole time! In fact, the way he looked at you at dinner last night meant he totally wanted to bang you. Wake up." Muta declared. Zuko squinted at her friend.
"Is that all you think about? Sex? Sometimes two people can have conversations without it devolving into a tryst. Nothing happened ladies. Save your fantasies for some other time or Love Amongst the Dragons." Muta poked her bottom lip in disappointment. Mariko and Chrysanthemum on the other hand looked relieved. Zuko smiled. She realized she would have to keep her friends' minds occupied another way.
Being the last day of the voyage it was all hands on deck for the sailors and none of them had time off today. They would be approaching the Caldera by mid-afternoon. Zuko knew that she would have to present herself to her father and couldn't wear her casual travel clothes, so she asked the trio to help her prepare herself for her return to the palace.
Mariko was in charge of styling Zuko's hair again and opted for a lovely chignon with ringlets falling to either side of her face. Muta worked her magic once again to perfect a lighter version of her debutante makeup. Chrissy was in charge of selecting Zuko's dress, shoes, and accessories.
Thanks to her conversation with Jet, Zuko couldn't sleep last night so she was able to make sure she was packed and ready to disembark on arrival. At the sound of the horn, Zuko and her friends looked up at one another. The moment of truth had arrived. They would be going to their homes possibly to new marriages and others going home to interact with society differently. Zuko looked at her three friends sadly.
"I'm really going to miss you three." She confessed. Mariko spoke up first.
"Well, if you invite us to visit, we'll be glad to come and see you." She suggested. Muta added,
"You can always have us upgraded to major nobles as well. It would make it easier for us to come to court to call." Zuko laughed.
"There's a little more to the process than that, but I think I could make a special exception on the guestlist for my three favorite classmates." She said.
Chrissy at a loss for words just grabbed Zuko's hand like she did three months prior and smiled. She hastily wiped a few tears from her eyes and tried not to get the princess started as well. Muta glared at the two of them.
"Forget about it, your highness. Crying is just not an option right after I've done your makeup. Chrissy, suck it up." Zuko and Chrissy laughed at Muta's straightforwardness. Zuko took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders.
"Ladies, are we ready to go?" she said confidently. Her friends smiled and stood with her. Zuko with the fan in her hand stepped out of her room and into the corridor leading to the gangplank. The dock was filled with people, mostly noblemen and women who heard the princess was returning today who hoped to capture a glimpse of the "new and improved" royal.
As Zuko walked up to the gangplank, Captain Nishikawa was waiting for her.
"Your highness, may I have the honor of escorting you down to your carriage?" Zuko gave him a grateful smile. "Yes, that would be most appreciated, Captain. Thank you for everything." She replied. The captain smiled in return and offered his arm. She took it placing her hand gently in the crook of his elbow. He walked her down carefully measuring his steps so as not to rush her or cause her to stumble.
Zuko scanned the crowd for familiar faces. There were mostly friends of her sister and father in the crowd. Her face almost fell until she caught a glimpse of three familiar figures standing in front of a royal palanquin. Sokka, Toph, and Katara stood together with huge smiles on their faces. Toph had already given the Water Tribe siblings a warning about what to expect.
"With her new training in etiquette, she will more than likely seem aloof and distant. She'll be fine once we get into the privacy of the carriage. Just follow her lead, OK?" The prince and princess gave each other a look but knew that they didn't want to embarrass Zuko or make her uncomfortable, so they waited quietly with Toph until she approached.
As Zuko continued to walk with the captain along the dock towards her friends, she noted that people began to bow as she approached at a certain distance. Before long the entire dock was bowing to the princess. This was something she never experienced before. Zuko kept her head up and gave a gentle smile to the children who were looking up at her subtly to catch a glimpse of the new princess.
Once she reached her friends, the captain bowed to Zuko once again and made the return to his ship. Zuko sighed inaudibly. Katara, Toph, and Sokka all bowed in sync. Zuko stifled her smile. Sokka was the first to speak.
"Welcome home, your highness. We've come to escort you back to the palace." Citizens strained to hear the conversation which would verify the work that Madame Hachi did on the once "rough around the edges" princess.
"How very kind of you, Prince Sokka, Princess Katara, and Lady Bei Fong, it is good to be home. Thank you for coming to escort me. At your lead, sir…" Zuko said holding out her hand. The prince took it gently to escort her to the carriage. Katara and Toph fell in step behind the princess and the crowds were abuzz with gossip.
"Did you see that? That was a flawless exchange! By Agni, she's looks just like her mother… Madame Hachi is a miracle worker!" they cried. In the carriage, Zuko released the breath she had been holding. She spoke very quietly to keep the palanquin carriers from hearing.
"I've missed you all so much! Being a noblewoman is a lot of hard work. I thought I was going to faint coming off the ship!" she laughed breathlessly. Toph wasn't shocked.
"Why do you think I spend so much time not caring about it? It's a complete waste of time to me." She said. Zuko sighed.
"Perhaps, but you don't have a nation to potentially run. I must take it seriously. Plus, I have to show my father that his money was well spent." She smirked looking over at Katara. Katara smiled.
"Well, you looked amazing out there and I don't think there's a single subject who thinks otherwise. The crowds were very impressed with you." Sokka remained quiet. He peeked out of the curtain that blocked people's view of inside the palanquin. Zuko looked as Sokka curiously but decided not to probe or comment.
The four rode in silence for the duration of the trip to the palace. As they approached the gate the moment of truth had arrived. How would Zuko's father receive her? She felt a nervousness in the pit of her stomach. What if her father was disappointed in what he saw? How could she face him or deal with others in the palace?
The palanquin stopped suddenly, and the guards opened the door. They first allowed Zuko's friends to exit and the guards waited for Zuko to assist her and escort her directly to her father's throne room where he was waiting for her.
She took a deep breath and shielded her face from the sun which beamed down excruciatingly bright. The guards quickly summoned a servant with a large parasol to cover her until they reached the upper covered corridor which led to the throne room.
Toph gave Zuko a thumbs up as she passed and Katara and Sokka watched with unreadable faces as Zuko began her walk. Heels clicked and clacked as shoes met stone over and over. Zuko felt like her heartbeat was in rhythm with her steps and each step was the boom of a drum. She could have easily been on her way to a trial or execution the way she felt. She prayed for neither of those situations and that the entire way to the throne room she didn't encounter her sister or associated minions.
Within minutes the guards slowed to the entrance that would soon be the portal to the rest of her life. At the large opulently carved wooden double doors to the Fire Lord's throne, Zuko waited silently to be announced and invited in to see her father.
Zuko fidgeted with the imaginary wrinkles in her dress and coat and opened and closed her fan suddenly feeling too hot for the weather and too cold all at once. Just when she thought she would pass out; the doors were opened and Zuko was announced by a guard.
"Now approaching Her royal highness, Crown Princess Zuko, firstborn daughter of Fire Lord Ozai and descendant of the great house of Kasai." The room was silent as she entered. No one dared to make a comment or breathe a word about the princess as she stepped demurely into the room.
Her stride was confident, even, and graceful. Once she reached the appropriate spot where she would present herself, Zuko lowered herself into the curtsy Madame Hachi taught her was most honorable and appropriate for her station. She lowered herself to the floor completely keeping her back erect but not gazing upon her father. She kept her eyes low and her posture solid resting her hands in her lap. She waited for her father to address her.
Ozai was in shock! Just as his soldiers he sent to Madame Hachi's island reported, Zuko bore an uncanny resemblance to her mother, Ursa. Perhaps who the person, the noblewoman, saw was indeed his daughter interacting with students. He could see where she would get the impression that she saw his banished former wife.
Ozai noted that Zuko had grown taller in her time away and filled into a womanlier shape. She was now of age and he knew he made the right decision for her future spouse. She was graceful and poised and appeared light-years beyond the playful, immature child he sent away to learn some manners. Now comes the real test.
"Daughter, how was your time with the renowned Madame Hachi? Your entrance was most impressive." He smirked teasingly. Zuko kept her eyes down and fought to keep her voice confident and even as she spoke. "Greetings Lord Father, my time with Madame Hachi and her staff were most informative and useful to me. I have learned many great things that I was not privy to prior to my journey. My teacher was a magnificent instructor and most wise. I was honored to have learned from her." She smiled humbly.
Noblemen and council members murmured in surprise. Was this the same princess Ozai sent away a few months ago? The Madame Hachi was a miracle worker! Ozai's eyes widened at his daughter's fair and confident speech. She didn't stumble over her words or prattle. He was intrigued now.
"You may look upon me now, daughter." Zuko raised her head slowly meeting his eyes simply. He detected no unease or nervousness or malice. She was respectful and attentive.
"I am indeed impressed with the work you have done to become a princess worthy of her crown. I expect to see this behavior continue and perhaps influence those in your circle who are less cultured and in need of training. Madame Hachi has gone above and beyond my expectations." She ignored the obvious slight about her friends and Zuko bowed her head in a nod of respect.
"Thank you, Father. I only desire to please you and honor the names of our ancestors. I pray I do not disappoint." She said keeping her face and voice unimpassioned. She added, "Father, I have had a long and tiring journey. With your permission, may I be excused to refresh in my chambers before dinner?"
Ozai felt as if he now had the heir he always wanted. A polite, agreeable, and subservient child that would not embarrass him. Ozai nodded. "Of course, dear daughter, your request is most reasonable. Rest well and I shall see you at dinner. We have many things to discuss. You may go." Zuko stood gingerly and curtsied to her father once again before turning and walking out of the double doors. Ozai summoned his scribed and whispered as Zuko walked out,
"Please send my regards to the Madame Hachi. Inform her that I am most pleased with her work and include a bonus of gold pieces for her extraordinary service." He said. The scribe wrote his request word for word and nodded.
"As you wish, my Lord. Consider it done." Ozai looked upon his councilmembers who all had a renewed interest in securing a marriage offer for the princess with one of their sons. Ozai rolled his eyes behind his wall of fire knowing that none of these families were worthy of his daughter. This new and improved princess just sweetened whatever deal the Fire Lord would make.
The only person who wasn't making a statement was Ukano. He smirked to himself because he already knew of the Fire Lord's plan to marry off the princess to a far and distant minor lord. These men would be ripe and ready for the picking for his daughter Mai when their hopes and dreams of securing a position in the royal family are dashed.
Ukano continued to listen to the bragging and one-upping of the other nobles keeping in mind who could deliver on the type of dowry they proposed. Once the guards arrived at the princess' bedroom door, one of them opened the door and waited for the princess to walk in. The guards bowed to the princess before closing the door.
Once alone, Zuko crumbled to her bed removing her headpiece and allowing her hair to fall down around her shoulders. She sighed wearily as she took a look in the vanity mirror across the room. She sees the woman her father wants her to be and knows that if she wants to make it in this arena, she must play the game. This is what Madame Hachi warned her about.
Zuko began to wipe away the makeup her friend did for her with her sleeve but stopped. She didn't want to smudge the dress and make more work for Kiko. Zuko stood and walked to her bathroom. She grabbed a cloth from the shelf and used the faucet to wet it. She reached over for a container of bath soap and added a little to the cloth and washed her face. She would try to be more considerate to those she knows works hard for her.
Ozai worked in his office for an hour or so before dinner. As he took a sip of fire wine, there was a knock at his study door. He smiled.
"Enter," he commanded. A tall dark-haired nobleman robed in travel clothes entered. Ozai eyed the man carefully. Though a minor noble he was dressed well and showed no signs of poverty. Hondo was handsome with a square jaw and a strong physique shaping his clothing. A conversation would let Ozai know where this meeting could lead.
"Ah, Lord Hondo, you've made it just in time. My daughter just arrived a few hours ago." He said cheerfully. Lord Takeshi Hondo bowed deeply and stood with a brilliant smile.
"I'm glad that I was able to make good time and arrive at the opportune moment. To say the least, I was honored and humbled albeit surprised at your request. I am from the least of the houses in the Kasai line." Ozai raised his brow. Lord Hondo corrected himself quickly.
"Be it far from me to question your reasoning at all My Lord, again I am most honored; however, I am curious about your decision. Why me?" Lord Hondo asked. Straight to the point. Ozai liked that. He took another sip of his wine and nodded. He invited Takeshi to have a seat on the couch and offered a glass of wine.
Lord Hondo refused politely but sat carefully down on the couch which was too low for his knees. He would tower over Zuko when side by side. Ozai answered carefully,
"Lord Hondo, I must admit when I began looking for a spouse for my daughter, I knew that I would be overwhelmed with offers from the local nobles and rulers. These men are for lack of a better word, leeches, opportunists. I wanted to try to find a match from our great line that would continue to honor the Kasai name and lineage but also remove much of the… guesswork in choosing a suitable mate for Zuko. You were in the military, no?" Lord Hondo smiled.
The Fire Lord didn't want the pageantry of wading through potential suitors. So, Lord Hondo lucked out.
"Ah, yes my Lord. I was a lieutenant in the 222 Infantry, the Dragon Sons. I fought in Ba Sing Se and in the Omashu coup." Ozai was liking this man more and more.
"Very good! I like to see a lord who served our great country in service. My daughter too played her part in helping to end the Great war. I feel that the two of you will perhaps be a good fit. I would like for her to meet you at dinner. I will make up my mind then and present you with the offer. How does that sound, Lord Hondo?" Lord Hondo stood again and bowed.
"You have truly honored me and my family beyond words. I will gladly attend dinner and meet my future bride. I have heard already that she is quite the beauty." At this, Ozai grinned and said mysteriously, "You'll just have to see for yourself. Until dinner, I'll have a servant escort you to your quarters." Hondo bowed again and Ozai nodded.
He summoned a servant who led Lord Hondo into the corridor. Ozai sighed when the door shut. He really didn't care how Zuko felt about this young man. He had the feeling that his search was over./p