A/N: You know, writing is not as easy as people want you to believe. I have been working on this story for over a year now and I'm not quite sure if I'm approaching the finish line. The next arc is coming and it's a doozie LOL. Zuko really has a messed-up family. She's discovering that she really, really likes Sokka, and the tides are turning in everything. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter and I would love to hear from you. I am hoping to move things along quickly because I'm finally returning to my pre-written chapters which means I should be able to post more consistently. Hope everyone is doing their best in this world, lots of things happening. Love to you all!
Disclaimer: "All is not fair in love, war, and Pai Sho. In fact, nothing is fair in love and war or Pai Sho because whether you play, don't play, or even know of the game, you lose in the end..." -Princess Zuko of the Fire Nation.
Chapter 21-The Times They Are A-Changin'
Zuko was just one move away from capturing the Avatar's last piece. She gave nothing away as she waited patiently for her turn. Aang scratched his head in disbelief at how Zuko was able to get him cornered in a triple threat without seeing any of his moves.
Suddenly he remembered something Iroh mentioned about Zuko's newfound abilities with manipulating heat and the fact that Zuko asked to play with her special Pai Sho board. Was she able to "see" the heat in the board?
It was made of sunstone which is known for holding heat well, which is one of the reasons it is used for cookware. Aang decided on what he would do before he suffered a humiliating loss to the princess of Fire.
There. He could feel the heat from the last piece he moved recently glowing just barely. No other fire benders would have paid attention to such a small amount of heat on the board, but Zuko would... he thought.
Aang smiled mischievously. He waved his hand over the board slightly warming up all the pieces just before he passed his turn on to Zuko. Zuko's mouth hung open in complete shock and awe.
"What did you just do... Aang did you...?" she began.
Zuko sensed multiple pieces on the board full of reddish heat effectively hiding the tile she needed to capture. Her face filled with its own red heat and Aang laughed. Zuko's sightless eyes widened. Was he laughing at her?
After seeing her consternation and shock, Aang laughed harder.
Zuko's face grew beet red in embarrassment.
Aang laughed so much he had to hold his belly.
He laughed even harder when Zuko began to fluster and stutter like in the old days.
He fell out of his chair when Zuko became flabbergasted and accused him of cheating.
"Oh, no Princess. All's fair in love and war...and Pai Sho!" he declared innocently. Zuko sat with her mouth hung open again. Now she regrets not nicking him with her swords when they sparred earlier.
"I-I-I... I think maybe it's time I took my leave. Good day, Avatar..." she said quickly standing up and turning to walk away.
Aang blanched with Zuko's shift in mood and subsequent abandonment and he caught up to the swiftly retreating princess.
"Wait, Princess, wait! Please, I'm sorry. Don't go. It was all in fun! You know you had already won the game. It was really a matter of my concession. Don't be angry with me." he said his voice laced with sincerity and grief.
He knew that what he had done was a cheap move to avoid his defeat and was unfair to the girl who had gone through so much to find her new normal. Be it far from him to strain their relationship when they already couldn't be as genuine as they would like.
He waited for the princess to respond. Zuko stood still. She took a deep breath knowing it was her own ego that got to her when Aang heated up the pieces. The princess knew her friend loved to win and could be very competitive like her. This was nothing to ruin a solid friendship over.
Also, be it far from her to create an international incident over a game. Pai Sho was no different than diplomatic relations and she had to remember that even then not everyone played by the same rules.
Zuko couldn't really be mad with Aang even if she wanted to be. He was one of the few people who caught on to her ability and why she uses sunstone. She honestly shouldn't have been surprised. With that thought, she chuckled and shook her head. She pointed a hand in her friend's general direction.
"Do that to me again, dear Avatar, and I shall challenge you to an Agni Kai. I won't have my honor tested like that," she said with a smirk. Aang sighed with relief and offered his arm to his longtime friend.
"I would never move to test your world-renowned honor, your Highness. Shall I escort you back to the main palace, dear Princess?" he said with only a slight hint of amusement. Zuko felt like his comment may have had a touch of sarcasm mixed in but she didn't want to question it since things were right between them once more.
"I would like that dear Avatar, perhaps we can stop by my uncle's office if he is available. On your lead, sir," she said cordially. Aang led the way.
As they walked Aang asked Zuko all the questions he would have if he didn't know her well though he asked her these questions and more many years ago. Zuko answered happily and answered a few that hadn't been asked before.
Passing nobles and ladies exchanged curious glances at the bantering pair curious as to the nature of their relationship. They wondered if the princess had lost interest in the handsome Prince of Water by the way she was laughing with the young and equally handsome Avatar.
In their opinion, the two of them would be an amazing match—much better than their princess degrading herself with a water savage. Some of the nobles who were councilmen made a mental note to mention what they witnessed with the Fire Lord later.
When Zuko and Aang drew closer to the wing of royal chambers, the pair found General Iroh sitting outside on his personal veranda with his Lieutenant, drinking tea.
"Ah, my dear niece and Avatar. What a pleasant surprise! Would you like to join us for tea? We were just taking a short break." he called down below to them with joy. Iroh's voice was warm and inviting like a fountain in summer. Lu Ten on the other hand eyed the pair curiously.
Was this a new development? Aang was being quite friendly towards his cousin if how close he was standing to Zuko was any indication. Any closer and they would be one soul, he thought with humor. Sokka wouldn't like that one bit!
Lu Ten wondered briefly if he should tease them about it but thought better of it knowing how sensitive his cousin could be about relationships and feelings. Zuko smiled back at her uncle brilliantly.
"That was precisely what we came to do, Uncle Iroh! It looks as if the will of the Spirits are aligning today," she added with equal joy in her voice. She tilted her head up to Aang as if in a question and Aang smiled. He caught on that a shortcut was in order and grabbed Zuko around her waist tightly.
In moments they were up in the air and landing gently on the old General's spacious balcony overlooking the courtyard where they once stood. Iroh gave a quick glance to his son and they both knew they would be having a conversation about what potentially was going on between the Avatar and their relative.
Iroh invited his guests to have a seat as he poured tea. "So, what brings you two to my table today?" he asked giving away nothing of what was on his mind. Zuko took a sip of the tea she instantly identified as her favorite Jasmine. She savored the flavor before she spoke.
"I was wondering if you made any progress on securing a meeting with Earth King Kuei. It's been a while since I heard you mention something about it," she said easily. Iroh smiled. His niece seemed to have a sixth sense of shifts in the world and her environment. She really would make an excellent Fire Lord.
"Well, my dear, it's funny that you should mention it. We just received word that King Kuei is quite open to talks with the Fire Lord about what happened. It seems a certain famous young metal-bending earth bender reached out to her royal cousin and made a request for him to, and I quote, "get your ass in gear and stop this petty political foolishness before both of your countries go to hell." end quote." Iroh said with a chuckle.
Aang coughed into his cup as he stifled a snicker at Toph's blunt audacity. Lu Ten shook his head at the young earth bender's crude, yet surprisingly effective diplomacy efforts.
Zuko's eyebrows raised slightly as she sipped on her tea again. Iroh watched his niece. Her lack of surprise and curiosity made him suspicious once again that she knew more than she let on.
"Dear Zuko, you wouldn't happen to have anything to do with this letter that went out to the Earth King, would you?" he asked avoiding an accusatory tone. Zuko shrugged.
"I merely suggested that the relationship between our countries was improving before this situation with the Caldera. I might have said something else about how perhaps there was some way to encourage the two governments to move towards a peaceful resolution of who was responsible for the attacks and what to do about the colonies if King Kuei would come to the Fire Nation. I didn't even know Toph was his cousin until she said something..." she said nonchalantly.
The three men stared at the blind woman sipping on her tea as if she hadn't possibly just turned the tide in this situation between Earth and Fire. Aang muttered over his cup,
"And this is precisely why Zuko should be the next Fire Lord..." Iroh and Lu Ten grunted in agreement and sipped on their teas.
There was no denying that Princess Zuko was being the Fire Lord the nation needed right now when everyone else was choosing sides and doing nothing. Hopefully, King Kuei would find his courage and make the first move towards reestablishing the peace between the two nations.
With the Avatar's prompting during a seemingly fated "emergency" meeting in the Earth Kingdom, a letter from Earth King Kuei finally arrived for Ozai proposing a meeting between the two on Fire Nation soil.
Kuei's desire was to renew the treaty and to give an official apology to Princess Zuko and the Fire Lord for the attacks and damages done to his home and family.
Ozai sat in his office stunned. What could have possibly encouraged the Earth King to make such a move? Was this a trap or was he being sincere? As the Fire Lord pondered the strange chain of events a message came in by hawk from the little blind Earth girl's father, Lao Bei Fong. What could he possibly have to say at a time like this? What was really going on?
Ozai and Lao have a powerful business alliance that has lasted many years from the time of the Great War to now. He opened the letter to words he couldn't believe. Lao was encouraging Ozai to meet with Kuei!
Lao explained how his nephew was open to negotiations and wanted to make things right between them. Wait, his nephew? Ozai was taken aback. He wondered just who was actually running the Earth kingdom. He never realized the amount of influence the BeiFongs had in their native land.
He was especially glad he didn't ruin that relationship when things went to hell in his own home. This letter perhaps carried more weight than the one he received from the Earth King.
Ozai would have to have a conversation with his brother about this. He felt sure he knew what needed to be done but wanted a little more assurance. This was not a step he could take lightly. He called for his servants.
"Go and summon General Iroh for me, please," he said in an uncharacteristically polite tone.
The servants wondered what had come over their Fire Lord today. It wasn't like him to say please or ask for anything nicely. They moved quickly in case the Fire Lord was having a momentary lapse in judgment or there was a true emergency.
As Iroh walked into his brother's study, the look on Ozai's face told him that the plans his niece set in motion were working. Ozai held up two letters offering both to his brother to read. Iroh's eyes grew wide at the letter from Lao Bei Fong. That he did not see coming.
Ozai leaned back in his chair running his hands through the loose hair below his top knot. "Well? What do you make of all this?" he said to his brother's surprise once again. Iroh huffed.
"I'd say that there is a very good chance that both men are quite sincere in what they ask and offer you, Ozai. What are your reservations about this?" he asked carefully.
Ozai grunted in turn. He sat quietly for a moment pondering what his true feelings were about the missives.
"I'm thinking... I don't want to be wrong about this, brother. There is so much at stake and we're still not entirely sure King Kuei wasn't involved in the attacks against our home. We can't get this wrong." he said in another rare show of humility and vulnerability.
Iroh sighed and stroked his beard. He knew his brother was partially right about it. They couldn't get this wrong. If the saboteurs knew about this meeting and plotted to make their move then the results would be beyond disastrous. What was the right move now was the question.
General Iroh felt a little transparency would do much to win his brother's trust in repairing the bond between kingdoms. "Brother, I don't believe King Kuei was involved in the attack on the Caldera," he said plainly.
Ozai's eyebrows rose well into his forehead. This was not something he expected to hear from Iroh at all. The consequences for being wrong in this case would be devastating, so if Iroh was willing to say it, Ozai was all ears.
Iroh watched his brother carefully. He was ready to hear it now.
"We think there was an inside element to this attack. There were too many factors that pointed evidence in that direction concerning how the Earth Kingdom rebels were able to penetrate our borders undetected. We have not completed our investigation but we are surer now of it than ever." he said.
Ozai released a deep groan of despair. Our own people! He thought.
"So, what do we do? If King Kuei comes and is attacked within our borders, how would we ever prevent another global war? Do we go to him? That would not be proper protocol since it was his country that attacked us. It would be considered a complete show of weakness. What can we do?" Ozai asked, no, implored.
Iroh rested his hands on his midsection breathing slowly and evenly. His breath began to feel meditative after a moment. Just before the Fire Lord lost his patience, Iroh spoke.
"Our people have no idea what Kuei looks like. What if... what if Kuei came pretending to be a friend of Zuko's? The noblemen have no idea of who she knows from outside the nation. The only people who know what the king looks and sounds like would be Zuko and her friends. He could pretend to be the little Bei Fong heiress's cousin (which according to this he actually is). This way we can protect him long enough to meet with you and then before the council."
Ozai pondered his brother's words. Knowing now that potentially there are members of his own trusted council attempting to kill his family and prevent peace between the nations, he knew that secrecy was the order of the day.
"Do it. We speak of this to no one. Only tell Lu Ten and the Earth girl. We must make this meeting happen to save the country. Return the message to Kuei in secret and inform the king of the necessity to send for him in this manner. Assure him with an oath if you must. Oh, and tell the king to leave that damned bear at home!" he said.
Iroh smirked before breaking out into a light chuckle.
"Indeed. Nothing says Earth King like that bear by his side. We will prepare to have him come within a week's time, perhaps the Avatar can assist with this. That way we will prevent anyone from making any sudden moves if spies were to get wind of our plans. This plan will work." Iroh assured.
The Fire Lord gave a soft sigh of relief at his brother's confidence and kindled a small spark of hope inside. He knew that his brother would see it done. He prayed to Agni no one would find out about Kuei's surprise visit and ruin the last chance the nation had to find normalcy and peace. Peace was the only way his legacy and throne would remain intact.
The line of Sozin could not fail.
Kuei walked around the palace with the curiosity and wonder of a child. This was perhaps his second (or was it his third?) time outside of the Earth Kingdom since the Great War and never did he think he would be so intimately acquainted with the inner workings of the Fire Palace. It was simply fascinating!
He had so many questions about the design and structures that were so different from the masonry and grand bending construction of the Earth kingdom architecture he was accustomed to in Ba Sing Se. The Fire palace was created from cut and hewn fine stone sprinkled here and there with technology not found anywhere else.
The patterns on trims, pillars, and walls were intricate and gossamer and created a sense of opulence not seen in the likes of the Earth kingdom palaces. Kuei looked to his uncle Lao Bei Fong and whispered,
"Is this where you found artisans to design your home? I now see why Fire Nation interior decorating is so highly valued." Lao nodded and whispered in reply being sure to cover his mouth to prevent those who may have been lip-reading or listening in from seeing and hearing.
"Yes, and if we don't botch this meeting up, we just may be able to have an alliance that will allow us to avoid war and bring more of this beauty into our own country. Stay focused," he said avoiding honorifics and identifiers in case there were spying eyes and ears about that were keener than he realized.
Iroh led the men through the servants' passages to his chambers where Ozai, Toph, and Zuko were waiting to greet them.
It wasn't uncommon for the Fire Lord to speak with his brother though not as common to do so in Iroh's chambers. Lao Bei Fong was an Earth Kingdom citizen and not a diplomat.
Though Lao was a nobleman, the strange young man accompanying Lao was an Earth kingdom peasant (or so people believed when he got off the boat) so it would be less honorable for them to meet the Fire Lord in his chambers. The ruse gave just enough credibility to the rumors that the visit to see the Earth heiress was just that, a visit.
As soon as the men entered the General's chambers, Iroh spoke to his guards and shut and bolted the door to prevent anyone from walking in unexpectedly.
Lu Ten would be arriving soon, but through the secret passages designed for the royals to move in stealth. He would bring Ako along with him to operate in a scribe's capacity and keep a legal record of the conversation.
Lao assisted King Kuei with dressing in Iroh's private study before the monarchs would meet officially.
Lu Ten and Ako arrived shortly after the Earth Kingdom visitors went into the other chamber.
The once strange-looking and common appearing young man came out of the study in full regalia and crown looking fully the ruler expected of the Earth Kingdom.
Kuei's change in appearance and demeanor gave Ozai pause as to how seriously he should take the young man. In the beginning, when Kuei first entered the room appearing as a peasant he almost felt as if he would have to talk down to him or treat him like Zuko, naïve and inexperienced in leadership, but now...
Kuei gave a bow customary between rulers and spoke confidently.
"Fire Lord Ozai, I had hoped we would eventually meet face to face under better circumstances. I understand the need for secrecy and to forego our usual protocols. It is a sad day when we cannot be sure of who to trust, but I do hope with my presence here we can establish a new and improved trust relationship between our governments and one another."
When Kuei finished speaking, Ozai fought the urge to quirk his eyebrow but his training prevailed. He had heard from not a few diplomats and advisors how the Earth king was awkward and hesitant, easily manipulated and barely fit to rule.
The Fire Lord was given the impression that Kuei was a pushover and would be easy to sway in the direction he desired. He now wondered who was being manipulated truly.
Ozai gave an appropriate bow in return and cleared his throat. He guarded his words knowing that the people of Earth had great pride and whether right or wrong would not stand for their honor or ego to be wounded.
"King Kuei, your presence here at great cost to yourself and kingdom is already a step in the right direction of re-establishing that trust. Shall we be seated?" he said offering a comfortable cushion at the table where they would work out the new treaty and make official statements.
Kuei gave a nod and a slight smile placing himself nimbly and elegantly on the cushion offered. Once again, he surprised Ozai and made him think twice about the difference between what he had been led to believe and what was reality.
Zuko and Toph had been ordered ahead of time to remain silent in the meeting with Kuei today. What the two kings had to discuss would be both sensitive and potentially volatile. Any interference from either of them could undo all the work the girls accomplished in helping to establish the meeting in the first place.
Though she couldn't see anyone's faces Zuko read their heat signatures to get a baseline of emotions and energies. Her father was a surprising reddish-orange as if he should be a fire bender, but he wasn't angry.
He normally appeared as a deep blood red, which was an ominous sign, but not today. Zuko wondered if he was feeling less angry because things were finally moving in the right direction.
Perhaps he just had too many other things to think about instead of what made him angry.
Uncle and Lu Ten were their usual red-orange as was Ako who sat in a far corner writing and waiting.
Lao was a calm yellow-green. It was reasonable that he would have some apprehension about what was taking place but Kuei—Kuei was a deep greenish-blue as if he was in a state of sadness and depression. What could possibly have him so troubled? Zuko wondered.
Kuei tried his best not to look at Zuko directly for he knew he would stare. The last thing he wanted was to offend the Fire Lord and in his own home no less!
Zuko had become such a beautiful woman from what he could see on the right side of her face. The scar that took up a significant portion of her left side, however, curdled his insides. She didn't deserve such a cruel fate!
Kuei had heard from Toph how Zuko protected her people by sacrificing herself for them when she deflected an Earth kingdom mortar. A mortar that should never have been launched in the first place, he lamented.
The Earth King was ashamed that he didn't have a good handle on his military and members of his own council. He had been manipulated for so long that he didn't see just how deeply the betrayal and misinformation ran through his ranks.
General How almost killed Kuei's dearest friend with his pride and foolishness and ruined an already tentative and fragile relationship between the two countries.
How could he ever get the Fire Lord to see that he had no part or ill intention by what occurred in the coup although he still takes responsibility?
Kuei rose up slightly causing several of the men in the room to flinch at his sudden movement. He fell into a kowtow allowing his head to touch the ground to the shock and amazement of everyone able to see it.
Ozai's eyes widened and his mouth fell open as Kuei began to speak though it was highly out of protocol for him to abase himself this way. "Fire Lord Ozai, although I would never have moved to harm you or your family in such a deep and disturbing way, I apologize on behalf of myself and my nation for the grievous harm done to you in your home." he began.
The room was as still as time stopped on a clock. Kuei did not rise from his position of humility. Lao wasn't sure where this antic was going but he felt that it was a gamble that his nephew was making. He only hoped it was not in vain. The shrewd businessman knew Ozai and it could be hit or miss when showing perceived weakness and emotion.
Would Ozai use Kuei's words to start a war with justification? They would know in the next moments. He crossed his fingers. Kuei's voice cracked with his next words.
"I accept full responsibility for General How's actions for he was still my military leader when such a terrible breach of our peace was allowed to occur. His treachery and betrayal run deeper than you know Lord Ozai."
Ozai jerked at the king's words. He too felt the sting of deep betrayal by those who were supposed to be his allies. Perhaps it was time to shake things up a bit in his own kingdom.
Kuei did not look up. He kept his head down in what seemed like a deep shame.
"I do not have words to express how sorrowful I am that such a tragedy befell you and especially on your daughter who I consider a good friend," he said with true grief.
Ozai glanced at Zuko whose face was unreadable. She sat as still as a stone though her breathing gave away the deep emotions swirling within her.
The Earth heiress took Zuko's hand in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. She too felt the emotion and sought to comfort her friend. Zuko has a tendency to be more emotional than the rest of her family but this was different. She truly believed Kuei's words were sincere.
Though Zuko could be more naïve than her sister, Ozai knew his daughter was an excellent judge of character and could detect a lie as easily as breathing. It was one of the reasons he allowed her to be present for such meetings.
She couldn't hide when she perceived something to be wrong and he still trusted her instincts with people (for some things). Kuei took a shuddering breath,
"I know that I do not have the right to desire this of you, but is my hope that you will forgive the trespass committed against your family. There are those in my country who would just as soon see us plunged back into war. I know the toll a century of chaos has brought us. There would be no winners. I pray you will find it in your mind to work with me to find a solution that will bring prosperity and a new sense of positive forward movement to both our kingdoms. I do not desire war with you, Fire Lord." he said not moving from his bow.
Ozai found himself once again shocked and intrigued by how wise and intuitive the young king was. He knew that taking the hard and stubborn approach wouldn't benefit either of them councils be damned. It was time to do things differently if they wanted to attain different results. No, war was not the answer.
Ozai took a deep breath for what he had to say next.
"King Kuei, please rise. There is no need to abase yourself in this manner. I believe that you have spoken sincerely and there is nothing to forgive as you were just as caught off guard by these activities as I was. I too know the sting and wounds of betrayal by those you trust." he said.
Zuko and the others sat up in attention at Ozai's words. It became clear that Ozai was more aware of what was going on than they thought. The only person who wasn't surprised was Iroh.
Ozai took another breath.
"No King Kuei, your general could not have accomplished this without help. I do not desire war either. It is time for our countries to move forward. The question now is how to do that." he said soberly.
Kuei lifted his head. His blotchy face and eyes were red with tears not shed and he nodded in agreement.
The Earth king held his breath knowing that this was just the first step. He understood just how much those who profited from the war on both sides desired to return to the spoils of conflict while everyone else suffered and perished for their gain. There were no winners in war.
The two monarchs made an agreement that day to declare a formal statement of absolution of fault for the Earth King, an apology for the actions taken against the Fire Nation by Earth kingdom citizens, and to declare anyone involved in perpetuating the attack on the Caldera enemies of both kingdoms and entities that acted of their own accord in rebellion.
This move would ensure mutual cooperation from both countries and signal to the rebels that either ruler would not tolerate treason and would punish accordingly.
"King Kuei, I will see to it that my council is informed of what we have decided and I will set a date to meet officially with you and the other Earth Kingdom leaders within a few weeks' time. I will send a message as soon as possible," he said. Kuei smiled appreciatively and gave an official earth kingdom bow of respect. He stood and smiled as he said,
"I will speak to King Bumi of Omashu in preparation for the upcoming talks. He's going to need it. I know he has a tendency to, ah, "intimidate" your council and I'd like to mitigate that if I can. I look forward to working with you soon."
Ozai chuckled.
"Intimidate was not the word I was thinking of, but yes, a conversation would be helpful. I believe the last time he was here one of my poor councilmen had a stroke. He hasn't been the same since. I would hate to see a repeat of that. Thank you for taking the chance and coming. I do believe we will have the peace we desire." he said sincerely.
Before Kuei walked out with Iroh and his uncle Lao, he stopped and stood before Zuko who till this point said nothing. Kuei smiled gently and took her hand to let her know he was there.
"Princess Zuko, it was good to see you again, even under these circumstances. I do hope that we will have a chance to talk when I return for the official meeting with your father's permission of course," he said. Zuko smiled.
"Of course, King Kuei. Will Bosco be joining us next time?" she teased. Kuei laughed.
"Absolutely! He will probably try to eat me when I get home because I left him behind...Ah, such a funny bear." Zuko wasn't sure if the thought of Bosco eating his master was actually funny and gave the king a beatific smile.
"Ah, yes. Um, if would you excuse me, I need to, um, go? Yes! I must be going now. Toph, are you ready?" she asked with a small screech.
Toph got up from her cushion, stretched, and stood in front of her cousin briefly.
"Oi, could you not be weird for just one minute? Telling someone your bear might eat you is not sexy. I'm so glad Zuko's not into you. Anyway, it's about time you government guys got this sorted. I'm proud of you. See you in a few weeks!" she said clapping her cousin's arm to his shock and slight embarrassment.
The thought briefly crossed Kuei's mind that she wouldn't see him because she's blind but then he remembered what he just said to Zuko. Kuei blushed as he watched his little cousin and friend walk out of the General's antechamber unassisted.
Ozai, Iroh, and Lu Ten gave each other a strange look and chuckled at the blind Earth girl who was never afraid to tell the truth as she perceived it.
Lao rolled his eyes at his nephew's ineptness with women and his daughter's complete disregard for all things noble. He only hoped Kuei would be able to maintain the forward momentum he created today with the Fire Lord and Lao had long since given up on trying to change his daughter.
When the council found out that the Fire Lord had gone behind their backs and hosted the Earth King clandestinely, there was an uproar. Some felt that Ozai was acting the coward in not dealing with the Earth King as an enemy and calling him out openly and others were upset that things were not done according to their protocol.
Either way, Ozai had a splitting headache but he was not deterred. Meeting with Kuei privately was his right and he was glad he did it the way he did. Now he could see a little more clearly who was with him and who was against him.
Who seemed to have the most to lose by his meeting with King Kuei and making peace? Were they afraid of their secrets being revealed? This was a good thing he knew, but the noise didn't do anything for his blood pressure.
Ozai pounded his hands on the armrests of his throne and stood up as the fires around him flared to the ceiling. "Silence!" he demanded. The activity in the room ground to a sharp halt.
Eyes widened as he scanned the room for those who showed any signs of disdain. The fire of his throne flared white-hot. Not one person spoke as he looked around.
His mouth curled into a sneer and the old Ozai emerged.
"I do believe the last I checked I was still the ruler of this kingdom. There is no protocol that demands I must meet with anyone through the council first if I so desire," he said with an eyebrow raised in challenge.
Council members lowered their heads as they remembered their place.
Ozai huffed as he flipped his robe and returned to his seat. He took a calming breath and the fires returned to their normal brilliant red-orange.
"The nature of our meeting was sensitive and personal as my daughter Zuko was present," he said.
Murmurs filled the room as they considered what the Earth king would need to say to the princess. Ozai sneered again knowing that he had thrown a wrench into someone's political plans.
"The Earth King and my daughter are friends. King Kuei sought to apologize face to face to the princess for what the attack did to her personally and to me knowing that the attack was something neither of us planned. This was not a political visit but one of leaders being people. We deserved an apology and a chance to make the determination for ourselves of what was true and whether or not peace was possible."
The tension in the room was palpable. No one had any idea of what was coming next, but it was clear the Fire Lord was no longer in the dark about the true nature of the attack.
Ozai wanted to make sure those responsible for the rebellion were aware that he knew about them. It didn't matter if he knew who they were by name or not for it was only a matter of time.
"I now know that there was more to the story than what was presented to us on both sides and we will not force war when peace can be obtained." he added. Men made subtle glances at one another but said nothing.
The Fire Lord was determined to nip further thoughts of coup d'état in the bud today.
"We have had our 100 years of war. It is time to see what we can do in a season of peace. Surely, we do not need conflict to find our fortunes. If this is a problem for any of you, there are always the colonies."
You could hear a pin drop in the room. No one dared protest knowing that it could mean that perhaps they would be considered a part of the rebellion that nearly killed the princess and created a deep wound in the Fire Lord that would not be easily healed. No one was ready to start a new life in the colonies either.
There was deep unrest between Earth people and Fire Nation in the newer colonies. The only one that was stable and productive was Yu Dao and that was because it was also the oldest colony nearly as old as the Great war itself. Not a soul doubted Yu Dao was not on the list of destinations.
Select nobles sat as still as stone seething on the inside. How had the Fire Lord found out about noblemen's involvement in the attack on the Caldera?
There was no reasonable way anyone should have known that they were involved! That had to mean they had a mole in their midst.
Ukano was livid. He kept his face impassive at his seat near the Fire Lord but gripped his robe to the point of tearing fabric. Whoever it was that exposed them was as good as dead in his mind. What does the Fire Lord know exactly?
Ukano would have to have a visit with him to see what he could discover. How much he knows would determine their next move. The Sons of Sozin would have to wait patiently knowing they were playing a long game of Pai Sho.
With the backing of their benefactor, they could not afford to mess this up. Their secret faction would have to maintain a low profile and meet later on in the week to keep down suspicion. The council readily agreed with the Fire Lord to a formal meeting between the Earth Kings of Ba Sing Se and Omashu.
They would concede to a small step backward if they could win the race in the long term. Perhaps in working with the Earth Kingdoms they could start bringing in some of the products that have been missing for months at much more reasonable prices until they could once again dominate the world as Agni intended.
"I miss Sokka..." Zuko said to no one as her feet swung over the wall near the turtle duck pond.
She hadn't sat on that wall since the day she broke her wrist on it so many years before. She let out a long, mournful sigh remembering how things were simpler back then. She and her friends had few worries because the war was over and the possibilities were endless. Now it seemed that everything was coming to an end...for her at least.
It had been weeks since Prince Sokka was in the Fire Nation. Fire Lord Ozai sent Sokka away to do some "reporting" on the Fire colony of Yu Dao. Sokka was strangely unsurprised at her father's request.
Zuko wasn't entirely sure that her father's intentions were benign. Many things changed in rapid succession after Sokka left that confirmed her feelings about it.
The conversation she had with her father following King Kuei's secret visit was less than stellar. She knew at that moment just how much the Fire Lord valued her as little more than a beast of burden. The burden being her of course.
"You must produce an heir for the line of Sozin if we are ever to continue to rule this land," he said in no uncertain terms. The tone of his voice held hints of worry and fear though it came across as gruff and almost angry.
Zuko's knowledge of his weakness and the terror he carried in his heart made it easier for her to understand her father from a different perspective, but it still didn't change the fact that he saw her as no more than a means to an end.
Ozai sighed in annoyance and displeasure. "You have a potential suitor..." he began. Zuko sat up in attention more from concern than actual interest, but her father couldn't tell the difference. He smirked knowing that what she would hear next would only serve to shatter what he assumed were her expectations.
"However, he has questioned your honor and virtue. He says he could only marry a virgin, but he believes you have been intimating with foreigners," he said making it perfectly clear what he was implying about a particular foreigner.
Zuko took a deep breath knowing that any outburst on her part would have less than desirable repercussions. Though she and Sokka hadn't had any sort of "intimacy" at least in the way he assumed, she knew that this was not about sex. There was something her father needed to know and it wasn't going to be good for Zuko.
Though her father had changed considerably since her accident Zuko still realized The Fire Lord was cunning and always had an endgame for anything he wanted from her.
"What does this mean for me?" She asked softly. Ozai smirked. Her training really has come in handy, he mused. He thought this was going to be much more difficult knowing his daughter didn't like having her honor questioned.
"We must prove to the fool that you are "intact" and indeed unspoiled. You will have to be examined and certified as pure," he said without any discomfort.
Zuko balked and quickly reigned in her emotions. She knew any protest on her part would appear as guilt and give her father more fuel to alienate her from her friends.
Ozai caught her somewhat visceral reaction and held back the urge to laugh. It was ludicrous to make a big deal about virginity knowing that the culture was such that it really wasn't unacceptable to be with someone in a committed relationship.
This potential suitor just didn't want to marry Zuko and needed some excuse.
Of course, if Zuko turns out not to be pure he could just send her away in banishment because of the embarrassment to the royal family, but if she is a virgin then his plan for her could go forth uninhibited. He would have Agni's blessing to raise an heir through Zuko for the nation.
Ozai huffed. "The only reasonable recourse is to have you examined by Dr. Ishi and his assistant. They will certify you and if you are a virgin, you have nothing to worry about," he said with the threat of what the opposite could mean hanging silently over Zuko's head.
She felt like either way her father would get what he wanted.
Zuko would more than likely be relegated to a life of solitude if she wasn't a virgin and she would be sold to the highest bidder if she was. A sickening feeling crawled over her stomach and she felt as if she would vomit.
Ozai ignored the look of distress on his daughter's face and dismissed her as if he hadn't just told her that she was less than a concubine in his eyes.
"You may go. I will send for the doctor this afternoon," he said and turned to his desk to plan for how he would set up the Agni Sokushitsu.
Not long after his awkward conversation with Sokka about Zuko, the Fire Lord scoured over the old records from the sages for anything that allowed him to use his daughter to produce an heir for the throne without her being married.
Stacks of scrolls littered his desk as he tossed them one after another when they failed to give him the information he desired. Ozai was combing through the history of Sozin himself when he found it: Sozin was the result of a tradition known as Agni Sokushitsu or Agni's Seed.
Zuko could bear an heir for Agni using a chosen male who purified himself for the task of serving as a male concubine. This is how Sozin was conceived though Ozai perceived it was also used for less than honorable reasons.
He had heard rumors that Sozin's mother Izuma wasn't as willing a participant as the records alluded to in the end, but that was how things were back then. Women did what they were told and life was much better for everyone, he thought.
Ozai frowned deeply his forehead making a crease in the center. If his own mother had done what his father commanded of her, she would not have had the accident that caused him to be born early.
She'd probably still be alive, but she lost her life during delivery for her willful disobedience. That was why he was so hard on Zuko. She was a woman who had that same propensity and needed to be trained and controlled unlike her sister who understood what was at stake.
If Azula wasn't so unstable emotionally and mentally, she would already be the heir apparent or at least a Fire Lady in training. Unfortunately, she too could never be Fire Lord.
Ozai called for his servants to summon Dr. Ishi.
Zuko had fallen deep into thought as she sat taking in the sun on the low wall. She was so absorbed in her meditation that she didn't even sense when Sokka sat down next to her.
"A penny for your thoughts, my lady?" he said gently to avoid scaring her. Zuko smiled.
"When did you get back in the country?" she asked gently. Sokka grinned in turn.
"A little while ago. I hitched a ride with the Avatar again. You miss me?" he said with a hint of mischief. Zuko laughed.
"How did you know? You must have heard it on the wind." she teased. Sokka put his arm around Zuko and gave her a little squeeze. He leaned in close his warm breath tickling her neck and causing her cheeks to glow a slight shade of pink.
"Actually, you told me a few moments ago. I was right behind you when you said it. I miss you too." he said seriously planting a gentle kiss just behind her ear.
Zuko thought she would melt where she sat. She quickly pulled away knowing that she was just moments from undoing her "pure" certification status from Dr. Ishi. She smoothed away the imaginary wrinkles in her tunic and sat further down the wall.
"So...uh, tell me about Yu Dao. What did you do while you were there?" she asked in an attempt to distract herself from Sokka's intense heat.
She fanned herself from the sudden increase in temperature around her and turned her body away from him.
Sokka chuckled at her newfound shyness and avoidance techniques.
"Strangely pleasant," he admitted.
"The colony is an oxymoron. On one hand, the land was conquered and the Earth peoples subjected, but on the other Earth and Fire have found a way to live together in desired harmony," he said.
Zuko sat up in attention and turned in Sokka's direction. Her one good eyebrow shifted up.
"What do you mean? Don't the Earth citizens resent our being there?" she asked. Zuko couldn't hide the deep curiosity edging her tone. Sokka loved that about her. She was always wanted to learn more about her world and was willing to listen. That sense of openness is what would make her the perfect Fire Lord, he thought.
He stroked his chin where a small goatee began to develop.
"Well," he began. "No one wants to be subjected, but in this case, the earth citizens ended up better off in the end." Zuko's sightless eyes widened.
"How?" she squeaked. Sokka strained not to laugh. He licked his lips and huffed.
"I actually asked the same thing myself, Zu. Apparently, when the colony first formed 100 years ago, the Earth people were wallowing in poverty and had no real economy though there were those who were skilled in particular "arts". They were too far away from the other Earth cities to benefit from trade and too close to the Fire Nation to benefit from protection. Yu Dao was considered the badlands of the Earth kingdom." he said.
Zuko blushed slightly at what her boyfriend implied about "arts". He smirked rolling his eyes at the unusually prudish behavior of his girlfriend. The same girlfriend who on multiple occasions not long ago referred to people as Badgermole fuckers.
Zuko was finding it harder and harder to concentrate and forced herself to "look" at Sokka and give him her undivided attention. Sokka rolled his eyes again. He moved closer to Zuko and continued the conversation.
"When the Fire Nation came, they eventually developed and brought in needed infrastructure. They used the artisan skills of the local people to create a new culture that blended both Earth and Fire. It is clear that Fire has a greater advantage economically, but there is also an obvious benefit to the colony as a whole. I also saw more than a few blended families." He said with a knowing smile.
Zuko was thoughtful. She knew that the other colonies had no such luck with blending and wondered how the Earth Kings and her father would compromise if at all about the colonies. She would have to give that more thought later, but for now, she was itching for a spar and a way to put a little more distance between herself and the man who was raising her heart rate. Zuko gave Sokka a poke in the side.
"That's really fascinating and all but how are your sword skills? With all this diplomatic travel you've been doing lately surely, you have lost your edge," she said in a challenge. Sokka huffed loudly.
"You and your ego never cease to amaze me, woman. I don't mind knocking you down a peg or two. Wanna dance?" he said with the glint of competition in his eyes and a mock bow. He never backed down from a challenge with his equal.
Sokka wanted to see if Zuko had learned anything new while he was away. Zuko grinned wickedly.
"On your lead, Prince Sokka," she said offering her hand.
"You're out of shape, my dear prince," Zuko said fighting the urge to huff and puff from the exertion. She wiped a wet strand of hair from her forehead. Sokka laughed breathlessly.
"I'm not the only one...my dear princess," Sokka said between a deep inhale.
The pair had been sparring for less than an hour yet both were already wasted from the effort. Neither warrior was willing to concede to the other and it would have been too embarrassing to admit that neither had been practicing or training while the other was away, but Sokka was tired and didn't really want to spar. He had something else in mind.
In a move that would no doubt be considered cheating, the Water prince grabbed Zuko by her waist and pulled her in for a deep and passionate kiss. Zuko could barely breathe. Whether from the kiss or the excitement that warmed her, she couldn't tell.
She easily dropped her swords which made a loud clanking as they clattered to the ground. Sokka kicked the swords to the side and dropped his own sword to the arena floor. He placed his hands on either side of Zuko's head and held her in place as he deepened his kiss.
Zuko moaned from the shiver that crawled up her spine. How was this man able to affect her so? She had no idea where to put her hands so she let them drop to her side and followed Sokka's lead.
Sokka moved one hand around her waist and pulled her in closer. Zuko felt a thrill move through her. A need she had never felt before suddenly became unbearable. She knew that if they didn't stop, she was about to give Sokka all of herself right there on the arena floor! Zuko pushed her arms between them and held Sokka back to his surprise and somewhat dismay.
"I -I... I think we need to stop." she said nervously. Sokka tilted his head. This was a different side of Zuko. She was never averse to his affection before. What happened while he was away?
"What's wrong Zuko?" he asked with concern holding her arms gently and giving gentle rubs along her forearm. Zuko sighed deeply her voice catching as she struggled with how to put what she felt and feared into words.
Sokka saw her distress and pulled her into his arms. She buried her head in his chest and sighed again. After a long moment, Sokka lifted Zuko's head to his. He held her close rubbing his nose against hers taking in her essence and the scent of her hair.
"I still like you, Princess Zuko," Sokka whispered against her lips. Zuko gave a breathy chuckle. How could she tell him what her father intends to do? How could she share the embarrassment of her humiliation before the council and the growing desire in her heart and body for him? She wished she wasn't a princess so that she could live her life freely.
"I still like you too, Master Sokka," she said meekly. Sokka rested his forehead against hers as he did all those years before on the docks of the Fire Nation. He urged her to sit next to him on the ground and then planted tiny kisses all over her face and lingered at her mouth. "Marry me, Zuko." He rasped softly against her lips.
Zuko's lips trembled at his declaration. She turned her head away.
"How can you…why do you still want me? I'm damaged, broken. I don't even know if I can give you what you want." She said in reference to her possible dilemma. Sokka shook his head lightly nestling close to her ear and whispering.
"How can you say that when all I want is you?" Zuko exhaled sharply. She grabbed Sokka on either side of his face.
"I want you too." She replied. Her voice trembled with emotion and she felt a keen ache for Sokka that flared again. Sokka saw the need in her face and desperately wanted to fill it but he knew that this was not the way they would get what they both wanted.
"We need a plan, love. Your father's not going to hear a third proposal for your hand from me." Third? Sokka asked for my hand twice before? She thought.
"Y-you asked my father to marry me... twice? Even after my accident?" she asked in shock. Sokka nodded with his head still in her hands. Her sightless eyes widened when the realization hit her like a lightning bolt.
"Oh, Agni. My father doesn't want us to marry, but not for the reasons you think; He's not afraid of our union, Sokka, he never was. It has nothing to do with the treaty either. It's about Sozin's line." she said.
Sokka sat up in shock remembering the uncomfortable conversation he had with the Fire Lord recently. "What? What do you mean?" Zuko sat up next to Sokka shaking her head in disbelief.
"He doesn't want to marry me off anymore because he figures no noble will want me, but that doesn't mean he can't arrange for me to bear children for the throne. Dr. Ishi declared after he "certified" my virginity that I might be barren because of the mortar blast, but I think it's just a cover-up. It must be. I have my mother's gift! My father found that out the day of the attack on the Caldera. He wants that gift in Sozin's" line, but not me." Sokka thought hard about what he just heard.
"Whoa! Whoa? OK, you got "certified" as a virgin? I'm gonna assume it wasn't by choice." he spat. Zuko huffed angrily.
"Definitely not by choice," she growled. Sokka shook his head to clear it from the realization of just how dysfunctional his girlfriend's family really is. He needed to get her out of the country for good.
"Ugh, we will definitely talk about the virginity thing later, Zu, but don't you have to be married to have a legitimate heir for the throne?" He asked. Zuko huffed a second time.
"Not if my partner is a designated Agni Sokushitsu, uh, Agni's Seed. He's like a divinely appointed male concubine. It's a supposedly high honor." Zuko said not hiding her disdain or sarcasm as she waved her hands mockingly. Sokka was brows furrowed in thought.
"How would your father manage to pull that off? It doesn't sound like a very current practice or he would have done that a while ago, don't you think?" Zuko hummed in agreement.
"You're right. It hasn't been done since before Sozin's time. The only reason I know about it is that I learned it in Fire Nation history class. In fact, Sozin is the result of Agni Sokushitsu. Ew, but it was incest." Sokka gagged a little and said,
"Do explain…" Zuko smirked.
"No inbreeding jokes, OK, but Sozin's mother had to sleep with her cousin who was a powerful bender and…" Zuko shook her head in disbelief. Her mouth hung open at her sudden realization. She murmured the word "no" over and over. Sokka's eyes narrowed in concern and suspicion.
"What? What is it Zuko? Talk to me! What are you thinking?" he said grabbing her arms and holding her in place. She whispered.
"He wouldn't…Oh, please Agni, No. Not this… I have to—I've got to get out of this place! I – I think Father wants to pair me with Lu Ten…" Sokka blinked as if he had been splashed with ice-cold water.
"What?" he said. His voice was heavy and cold like the icy wilderness where he was born. Zuko put her hands by her side for stability.
"Focus Sokka, think about it! Lu Ten is the closest male relative that is not a sibling or uncle or someone too close to me biologically and closest to me geographically. None of the other members of the Kasai clan are strong benders. Lu Ten is a skilled and powerful bender, Son of the Dragon of the West! My father is just insane enough to do it and that is why he had me 'examined'," Zuko mourned. Sokka rubbed his hands down his face.
"What would your being examined have to do with the Agni Shit-zhu-thingy?" Sokka asked wearily. Zuko rolled her eyes and clapped her hand on her forehead.
"Unbelievable! One of the lords my father tried to engage me to accused me of not maintaining my virtue. It was just an excuse to get out of the arrangement of course because culturally in the Fire Nation women sleep with their significant others and fiancés all the time. My father had the physician "certify" that I was a virgin to everyone's apparent shock and amazement." She said waving her hands sarcastically.
"When the Lord withdrew his claim, I think that's when my father began to formulate this idea. He's been hinting at Agni Sokushitsu, but I ignored it. Now I don't think I can. The woman participating in an Agni Sokushitsu must be a virgin otherwise the child would be considered a bastard and not a Son or Daughter of Agni and would not have any claim to the throne." Zuko said the fight draining out of her. She rubbed her temples feeling the onslaught of a terrible headache.
"I don't know what to do, Sokka," Zuko said, grimacing from the throbbing in her temples. Sokka pulled Zuko over into his chest and held her close. He leaned his head over and tucked it neatly between her head and shoulder blade.
"We'll figure it out. There has to be something we can do. We just haven't discovered it yet, Zuko." Zuko moaned in distress and buried her head in Sokka's chest.