Title: "Lady Behind the Fan"

Summary: A young lady from the court of the Fire Nation must balance duty, honor, and love to find herself and her prince. Arranged marriage, court intrigue, and one flying bison served together for one not-so-typical romance.

Disclaimer: I, in no way, own or claim Avatar: The Last Airbender as my original work. It is the property of its creators, Nickelodeon, and Nickelodeon's parent company. I am in no way receiving compensation for my work and it is written for the sole purpose of recreational enjoyment. In short, I'm just borrowing the characters for a little bit. I promise to put them back where I found them after I get done playing with them.

Author Notes: THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF CURSING IN THE THIS CHAPTER. BE WARNED! This is the last chapter to be written in Zhao's perspective, at least for a while. I just feel so…unclean after having to think like him. As always, please submit reviews (signed or anonymous) because it really does encourage me and I love to hear what you think of my work.

Also, I highly recommend a visit to Distant Horizon (url the greatest Avatar website on the web. IT ROCKS. IT ROCKS YOUR SOCKS.


Book Two: Fire

Chapter Three: Interlude in the Garden

Even without the formalized styles of fashion within Ozai's court, Etsu really was an attractive lady. Zhao stole several discreet glances at her. Her face alone was remarkably lovely with her large golden eyes framed by long lashes and pouty lips above a stubbornly round chin. Beyond that, her frame could only be described as delicately petite, despite the fact she was taller than most of the women at court. Compared to the robust and weedy hulks of women that Zhao had seen in the Earth Kingdom, Etsu was the divinely elegant flower of the Fire Nation court.

Zhao was not stupid. No matter how pretty the flower, there would always be thorns. The one particular flaw that pricked Zhao incessantly was Etsu's attachment to Zuko. Zhao was sure that her devotion to the Prince had progressed far beyond the bonds of duty. Her outburst just moments earlier—her faith in Zuko—confirmed one of Zhao's suspicions. Loathsome as it seemed, Lady Etsu genuinely cared for Prince Zuko. It left a foul taste in his mouth.

Without any warning, Etsu abruptly halted on the garden path, forcing Zhao to lurch to an awkward stop. "This is far enough, Commander. Whatever you have to say to me can be said here or not at all," Etsu informed him, taking an irritatingly superior tone with him. Despite being nearly twice her age and well over a foot taller than her, Etsu was possessed of a grace that gave Zhao the uncomfortable feeling of being lesser. He could hate her for it.

At least she had been considerate enough to have her attendants stand out of earshot. Now the games would truly begin. "I am…sorry," Zhao allowed, his jaw stiff in protest at the apology. "I am hardly a man of fine words, so I'm sure my manners must've come off as rude to you." Zhao's back began to scream in protest as he bowed to Etsu, "However, I meant no offense to you. Your company is quite desirable to me."

One fine black eyebrow arched incredulously. "Really?" Etsu queried. She circled Zhao, fixing him with a shrewd eye. She stopped in front of him, narrowing her eyes in suspicion, "Why would you seek out the company of a woman already engaged to be wed? Your opinions of the Prince are widely known and none of them flatter." Etsu glared at him, "I ask you again, Commander: why?"

Even if she was a woman and a particularly vicious one at times, Zhao could still appreciate her candor, insofar as it helped him. She was wary, so he must lure her out. "You are well-educated on my views of Prince Zuko and I will not deny them. It burdens my heart to imagine this nation in the hands of such an incompetent fool," Zhao quickly raised his hand, stilling the protest that had just formed on Etsu's lips. She was a high-strung, emotional creature; Zhao could only pray that she would listen to some form of reason. "Prince Zuko is blatantly disrespectful of his elders and their knowledge. Such foolhardiness, especially in wartime, could bring ruin upon the Fire Nation."

It seemed that Etsu had found some truth in those statements, judging by her troubled expression. She bit her lip, eyes averted. Clearing her throat, she brought her eyes back up in half-hearted defiance, "Prince Zuko was fourteen at the time of his banishment. I hardly believe that the Fire Lord expected his young son to demonstrate the wisdom of an old man." Etsu stepped away from Zhao, clearly unsettled.

"Yes, the Prince is quite young, and you, Lady Etsu, are younger still. Eventually, your engagement should end in marriage and heirs to the Fire Lord's throne," Zhao reminded her, trying not to snort at her blush. It was hardly an embarrassing matter; rather, it was a fact that all women were aware of. For the women, there was either the life of motherhood or the life of whoredom. Children had to be produced, for the continuity of family fortunes and honor. Etsu would have actually been one of the older brides, had the Prince not been banished. "It certainly seems a waste to have you languishing in a dead-end marriage contract."

That set her off. "How dare you imply that my engagement is 'dead-end'! I have already informed you," Etsu seethed, her maidenly blush disappearing in a heartbeat only to be replaced by an angry flush, "that Prince Zuko will succeed at the task of capturing the Avatar. In any matter, your assessment of the contract has little weight."

"Actually," Zhao said calmly, "it's not just my assessment. The Fire Lord shares these opinions, as well as many other lords and courtiers. As far as anyone of importance is concerned, this banishment could potentially last for an indefinite amount of time." Zhao smirked at her, "To be quite blunt, you are frittering away your childbearing years waiting for a loser."

Zhao was surprised Etsu's back didn't snap with such a rigid, ramrod posture. "I'll be damned if anyone speaks to me in such a manner!" Etsu spat, furiously punctuating the air with a sharp jab of her finger. "I am Lady Etsu of the House of Reizo—"

As if possessed of its own mind, Zhao's arm swung back, a fist balled and ready to punish Etsu for her insolence. Etsu, resolute in her own status, did not even flinch. Zhao ground his teeth together, a muscle twitching like mad in his temple. Damn that woman, damn her to hell! He was a royal Commander in the Fire Navy, and this—woman—had the gall to antagonize him, to get under his skin. Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT!

Zhao slowly lowered his arm, an agonizing effort. He exhaled heavily through flared nostrils and tightly clenched teeth. A familiar tinge of pain blossomed at the back of his head, no doubt brought on by the stress of dealing with this mess. One thing was certain, though. His jaw would simply not allow him to smile another apology at Etsu. "I do beg your pardon," Zhao spoke in a very quiet, very calm, and supremely pissed voice.

Etsu brushed aside the apology as though dealing with a small child. "If this is all you lured me out here to talk about, I will be taking my leave of you, Commander Zhao," Etsu told him dismissively. She surveyed him with a cool look before turning and walking away. Zhao could not let this opportunity—spoiled as it was—slip through his fingers.

"I merely wish to warn you," Zhao called out at her retreating form, "Your own part in Prince Zuko's shameful behavior has been called into question." That little piece of information caught Etsu's attention. She paused and turned her head ever so slightly. Good. She was going to listen.

Zhao approached her slowly, taking his time to prolong the anxiety. More than ever, he could sense an underlying air of apprehension surrounding the woman. If he didn't know better…he could swear that she was hiding something. Something about Prince Zuko.

This was too perfect.

"Let us not forget the events leading up to Zuko's banishment," Zhao smiled down at her cruelly as he approached her, noting her discomfort at the sudden turn of the conversation. He leaned down, speaking into her ear with a low voice, "We both know, dear lady, that a sharp tongue isn't what drove Zuko out of the Fire Nation. No…," Zhao's voice dropped even lower, to a smooth whisper, "there was that other girl."

Etsu jerked away from him violently, her robes swishing about her. Her hands shook as she glared at him with narrowed eyes, "You've got some nerve! You've got a mouth as foul as a commoner, Commander, and I will not allow it sully my reputation! It is forbidden to speak of Prince Zuko's crime," Etsu sneered at him in disgust, "and even your poisoned tongue won't save you from the Fire Lord's wrath when he finds out!"

"Oh, but my dear girl, who's to hear anything?" Zhao sneered right back at her, matching her for disgust. He made a great sweeping gesture with his arms, indicating the vacant gardens around them. He gave a condescending chuckle, "Do you honestly believe that the Fire Lord would listen to you? He indulges you, little girl, because you are the Prince's bride.

"Yet…there is the scandal of the Prince's crime. What did you do, Lady Etsu?" Never breaking eye contact, Zhao circled her slowly, hands clasped behind his back. It was time to find out how much pressure it would take to crack this polished gem. He leaned down again, deliberately invading her personal space, cajoling in a smoothly seductive tone, "Come now, you can tell me. What terrible things did you do? What was so horrendous that it drove the Prince away?"

Etsu continued to glare at him, "What makes you think I was something I did?"

"True enough," Zhao assented, straightening up. "It surely couldn't have been that pretty face that frightened the boy away," Zhao murmured, reaching out to tilt her chin up. It must be killing her, having to squash down the urge to knock his hand away. He could see it in her eyes and stubborn expression. More like a mule than a brood mare, that she is. "Yet it is you that is at fault in this situation," Zhao released her chin as he took a step back, surveying her with an unruffled air. Enough sniffing about, it was time to actually ferret the answers out. "Why else would you so vehemently defend Prince Zuko? Is that guilt I see in your face?"

Etsu turned her back to him sharply, but not before Zhao saw her wide, terrified eyes. She wandered off a few paces, clearly desperate for a few moments to reorganize. Only a little more pressure and he would have enough fodder for years of blackmail—the perfect vehicle for his climb to the top. He took a few steps toward the shaking girl, "Or is it humiliation and embarrassment? How horribly tragic it must have been, Lady Etsu, to have the Prince replace you with a common girl in his affections." Zhao chuckled darkly, "With a few Firebending tricks, he managed to bed himself the village whore—"

Etsu snapped.

"I've no doubt that's where you come from, you foul, loathsome pig!" Etsu shouted as she whirled about, her hair ornaments twinkling dangerous in the morning light. "You. Are. A. Bastard! Your mother was nothing more than a local harlot, who showed her 'bending' off to any—"

CRACK!

Even in his fury, it gave Zhao endless pleasure to watch Etsu's pale cheek turn a bloody red under the force of his slap. Dazed by the power of the blow and a little shocked that he actually hit her, Etsu stumbled backward, nearly tripping over the hem of her robes. Zhao lunged forward, capturing her right wrist in a firm grip and hauling her up with a vice-like hold about her neck. Ignoring the surprised shrieks of Etsu's attendants, he got his face mere centimeters from hers.

"Now you listen to me, you damn wench," Zhao gave her a vicious shake, hard enough to make her teeth rattle. "You're lucky I'm in a particularly forgiving mood today. If you ever pull that stunt again, I'll snap your pretty little neck in two," Zhao applied more pressure to his stranglehold on her to make sure his point was clear. Panicking, Etsu's free hand scrabbled uselessly against his grip, desperate for air. "Change is coming, little lady, and I am trying to make this easy for you. If you don't cooperate," Zhao smiled at her calmly, a terrible light in his eyes, "well, I suppose I'll just beat you into submission."

With a disgusted grunt, Zhao released her, giving her a harsh shove into the dirt. He stared down at her, not bothering to conceal his scorn. With a hand pressed against her chest, Etsu was gasping and sucking in air, eager to be reacquainted with the flow of oxygen to her lungs. Zhao could already see five large and very dark bruises forming on the pale column of her neck. Good. It would serve as a reminder that women are to keep these mouths shut.

"Good day to you, Lady Etsu," Zhao bowed to her, his controlled face back in place. He turned to leave, straightening his uniform before glancing over his shoulder at the still gasping form on the ground. "Perhaps we should do this again sometime. The conversation proved to be quite enlightening."