Qin sent a messenger to find Doctor Chimon, and they all set out for the Central Tower.

"I understand your concerns about Zuko possibly being afraid of father figures," said Qin. "I found servants with experience caring for sick children to look after him. They should be quite reassuring for him. There is little need for me to interact with him much until his mental health improves."

"You separated him from his own servants?" said the High Sage. "That seems a little cruel if he's so ill."

"I have little choice. Some of them may have known about the Dai Li agent, and I don't know which ones yet."

Qin was impatient, and only slowed down to Hina's pace when the High Sage started falling behind as well. Dr. Chimon was waiting for them, and Dr. Kage strode to meet him. Dr. Chimon's expression was thunderous as he looked at Kage. "I trusted you! How could you give the Fire Lord's political enemies detailed health information I told you in confidence?"

"National security trumps privacy. You know that!"

"We're not in the military here!"

"The Fire Lord is not a private citizen. If he's not fit to rule, then someone who is needs to be installed, while the Fire Lord is given the medical care he needs. You've admitted yourself that you haven't the specialist skills to provide that!"

"I have to wonder if your actions are motivated more by politics than by his health," said Dr. Chimon heatedly. "The boy is saner and safer to be around than his father ever was. He doesn't need to be removed from power! Not if some help is provided with running everything so that the stress doesn't get to him."

"Before the Dai Li agent got to him, you could have made that argument. Chimon, he's not even conscious right now."

"Which is going to make it impossible to determine his mental state until he wakes up."

Something meowhooted softly, and everyone turned to look at the servant standing awkwardly by the stairs holding a cat carrier. "I, er... just brought Fluffball. For the Fire Lord."

Chimon nodded. "Yes, that's a good idea."

"Fluffball?" Hina saw Chan's mouth quirk upwards. It wasn't a very dignified name for a Fire Lord's pet. How old had Zuko been when he named it?

Kage shrugged. "I don't see why not. I take it he's fond of the animal?"

"She's an owlcat kitten, sir," said the servant earnestly. "He's had her about four weeks, and seems quite fond of her. If he's sick and in a strange place – I really think he should have her with him."

Apparently Zuko wasn't very good at naming pets.

"Fine. Bring it upstairs."

They all started up the spiral stairs in the Central Tower. Hina stopped multiple times, leaning on the handrail, and was soon left behind by the others. Qin had gone out of his way to put the Fire Lord in a hard-to-reach location, hadn't he? Though it would be easy to secure against outside threats.

Hina finally reached the top of the stairs. The guards let her through into the room at the top. It was ringed with windows on three sides, and sunlight poured in through the glass. Everyone was surrounding the four-poster bed. Hina came over, and looked down.

Zuko was lying on his side, eyes closed, with the unscarred side of his face up, half-hidden by a wild mess of dark hair. He looked so very young and helpless like this. Dr. Chimon had unwrapped a bandage and was examining his wrist, which was ringed by cuts and bruises. There were bruises on his arms too, some of them suggesting being grabbed and held by rough hands. Hina felt a simmering rage begin to build. Had Qin hurt Agni's chosen like this? How DARE he?

And if he was willing to do that, what else was he willing to do? This was not someone she wanted in charge of the Fire Nation. One Ozai per lifetime was enough.

Hina might not be able to prove it was Qin just yet, or to remove him, but one way or another, he was going down. She was sure the Avatar would like to know what was afoot in the Fire Nation just now... and there were other things she could set into motion.

Zuko woke slowly. His mouth was horribly dry and he really needed to pee. And he was so cold. He groaned, opening a protesting right eye to see dawn lighting an unfamiliar room. He then sat up, and wished he hadn't. The room was tilting. He landed back on the bed again.

"Fire Lord, you're awake!" A face came into view above him, smiling and wearing a servant's hat, but unfamiliar. "Here, are you thirsty?"

Zuko blinked at him, and nodded, then squeezed his eyes shut as this made the world even more unstable.

"Let me help you sit up so you can drink more easily."

Zuko allowed himself to be propped up on pillows, and drank greedily from the glass of water he was offered. He still needed the bathroom – was that the other room? Where was he, and why did he feel so ill? He caught sight of a bandaged wrist holding the glass in front of him, and hand-shaped bruises on his arm. Where had those come from? He frowned, blinking slowly. He couldn't remember.

Zuko rubbed his bad eye, and dropped the glass as he did so. At least the glass was almost empty.

"Easy," said the servant as he retrieved the glass.

"Whaa...?" Zuko croaked. Zuko frowned, then pointed at his bandaged right wrist.

"Do you remember what happened?" asked the servant.

Zuko shook his head, then felt dizzy and let his head fall back against the pillows.

"You were kidnapped by a Dai li agent the night before last. General Mung and Admiral Qin rescued you. They believe you have been mindbent."

Zuko froze. Green, lots of green and stone, and a smooth voice saying something he couldn't remember, and firebender armor, fire right in his face. Nothing was really clear, but... Zuko shivered, closing his eyes.

"Easy. The Dai li agent is dead. You're safe now. Are you cold?"

Zuko nodded.

The servant didn't seem surprised by this. "The doctor thought there might be something wrong with your inner fire." He brought out a second blanket and tucked it around Zuko. "I'll be back in a minute – I need to let them know you're awake."

Zuko let himself rest, then was reminded of his other problem. He pushed himself up to sit properly, still feeling a bit dizzy. The bathroom was so far away...

"I don't think you should stand. Can you tell me what you need? said the servant, reentering the room.

"b-bathrro," Zuko stopped. What was wrong with his voice? He sounded like a badgerfrog.

"Oh. You need the toilet?"

Zuko nodded.

"Okay, I will help you up, and we'll get you there."

A few minutes later, Zuko was back in bed. He was still cold, dizzy and exhausted, but a lot more comfortable. Fluffball had even settled on his chest. His eyes shut and he was asleep again.