I am back! I am sorry it took me so long to write this chapter but I had so many school projects and work :( I rewrote this chapter so many times and still wasn't satisfied with it.
But I am back now and I am really happy for all new reviews. In the last chapter Kuvira and Baatar faced a crisis in their relationship but managed to sort things out and be there for each other again. The bad part is that Suyin found out Baatar is sneaking out of the house at night and seemed very angry :o
Enjoy this new chapter and I will be really happy if you write a review. You can also follow teasfanfics on instagram for fanarts.
Zaofu, The Guards' Residence, the next day
It was really early in the morning when the sound of opening domes woke Baatar and Kuvira up. The sun was hidden behind the mountains so it was barely 5 a.m. but it was still the best rest Kuvira and Baatar had in a very long time.
The atmosphere in Kuvira's apartment was so different. It was better than during last few days but there was still sadness in the air because of Kuvira's miscarriage... Baatar and Kuvira were laying in bed without saying anything and were hugging tightly.
Kuvira was feeling a bit better but her body was still weak and full of tension. When she had an argument with Baatar two days ago, Kuvira felt like her anger attacks and impulses came back to life again. She suffered with them more in her childhood but when she moved out of the Beifongs' Residence it got much better. Now the miscarriage brought her rage back... She felt hatred against all the people responsible for what happened...
Kuvira closed her eyes and tried to calm down a bit by focusing on Baatar's heartbeat and his warm hug. She felt bad for putting all her frustration on him in the past few days but she knew she will never be able to accept what happened to them... She couldn't.
Kuvira slowly sat up and Baatar watched her closely. He couldn't imagine the storm of hormones in Kuvira's body and war of thoughts in her mind... He sat up too and gently moved loose strands of Kuvira's hair behind her ear. She turned her head at him and smiled softly in return. Baatar felt small wave of happiness in his heart. This little smile was a sign Kuvira is feeling better... at least a bit.
When Kuvira went to the bathroom some time later, she felt relief that her bleeding was not that intense anymore. She knew it was a good thing for her body but the pain in her heart and mind was still the same... She also wished she could feel more confident around Baatar like she used to in the past, because since he saw in her lowest point, Kuvira felt so vulnerable.
Kuvira braided her hair and washed her face with cold water. When she walked out of the bathroom, she sighed and tightened her long dark green bathrobe around her slim body. She had to seem confident again. The bed was already empty and Kuvira heard noises coming from the kitchen. She headed there slowly and found shirtless Baatar preparing tea and something for breakfast.
Kuvira stopped in the doorway and was glad that they worked things out together after their argument... Kuvira put all her anger and frustration at Baatar two days ago even thought he didn't deserve it. But this painfull event didn't divide the two of them... They found a way how to be there for each other and it made their bond even stronger.
Kuvira slowly walked closer to Baatar and caressed his shoulder gently. He smiled at her softly in return. Kuvira sat down to the kitchen table and Baatar put a cup of tea in front of her. When he sat down on the chair next to her, the big scar on his left arm caught Kuvira's attention. The memory of how she threw her helmet at him in anger occured in her mind.
"Your arm..." Kuvira said with worries and observed it closely. Her helmet has really sharp metal details and Baatar's wound had to be deep.
Baatar covered the scar with his hand and looked at Kuvira. "Forget about it... I deserved it." he said and was very aware of the fact that his scar was nothing in comparison to what Kuvira had to be trough.
"I am sorry..." Kuvira said quietly and then looked away. "I thought that working could help me concentrate my mind on something else...but I over did that... " she continued and Baatar thought about her words. Focusing on something different would surely be beneficial for Kuvira... and for him as well. They just have to také it slowly and continue step by step.
"Maybe I could bring some paper work from your office and you could work on it here. In bed, to be precise." Baatar proposed and Kuvira agreed. She had to start doing something. She had to get up again...
Their early breakfast continued in quiet while they were holding hands. It was 6 a.m. when the sunlight started casting trough the kitchen's window and Baatar looked out. He didn't want to leave Kuvira's side today but he knew he will have to go home before his family finds out something...
Kuvira watched Baatar's face and knew what he is thinking about. "You should return home before they wake up." Kuvira said and Baatar looked back at her again.
"Yeah..." Baatar replied and slowly stood up. "But you need one more injection of antibiotics before I go..." Baatar added and went back to the bedroom for his bagpack. He also knew that Kuvira needs some time only for herself…
When he returned to the kitchen, Kuvira pulled her left sleeve up and closed her eyes. She didn't like needles...but Baatar's gentle moves made everything painless.
"It's done." Baatar said and Kuvira opened her eyes again. She pulled her sleeve back down and watched Baatar packing his bagpack.
"Will you come back in the evening?" Kuvira asked with hope in her voice when Baatar was cleaning his glasses with fabric of his t-shirt.
"Yeah" Baatar replied and put his glasses back on. Kuvira stood up and hugged Baatar tightly. He wrapped his arms protectively around her and kissed her forhead. Kuvira felt the hormones in her body starting to control her again and she closed her eyes. She didn't want to be so weak in front of Baatar again. She hugged Baatar even stronger and wished their little family was still reality...
After a while, Baatar left the Guards' Residence and Kuvira was left alone with her thoughts.
Zaofu, Beifongs' Residence, some time later
The sun was slowly rising and the Residence was covered with bright orange sunlight when Baatar returned from Kuvira's apartment.
It was shortly after 6 a.m. and Baatar enjoyed warm sunlight on his tired face after such a long time. Weather in Zaofu during past two weeks was more similar to the fall than early summer and it was very depressive. This sunlight on the other side was like the sign of a new hope for Baatar. He hoped it will help them heal their painfull wounds at least a bit...
Baatar stopped in front of the main entrance of the Residence and took a deep breath. He didn't want to return home... He knew he will have all those painfull memories forever connected with this place... But there was no other choice.
He opened the large door and the hallway of the Beifongs' Residence was empty and filled with darkness. Everybody was probably still asleep, Baatar thought for himself.
Baatar was quietly walking to the right ward of the building where his laboratory was. He didn't want to wake up the rest of his family and he didn't really want to return to his bedroom yet... not after everything that happened there...
At the end of the hallway, with head full of thoughts, Baatar slowly opened the door and entered his laboratory. It was dark inside and the curtains were guarding the place against the sunlight. Tired Baatar threw his backpack on the floor and sighed. He massaged his face and then turned on the closest lamp...
He almost got a heart attack when light filled the room and revealed his angry mother sitting by his working table with her arms crossed.
"Good morning, Junior..." Suyin said ironically and stood up. She was waiting for her son all night.
Baatar felt goosebumps on his skin when his mother gave him that very angry Beifong glance. "Mother..." he responded and tried to hide the scar on his arm.
"Where have you been, Junior!" Suyin said angrily and walked closer to her oldest son. "You were gone all night!" she was now shouting and Baatar saw the plans of Yu Dao railway scattered all over his table...
"I am really sorry that I wasn't there during the welcome dinner but- ..." Baatar fixed the position of his glasses and quickly tried to think of right words. "-but I really needed to be somewhere else tonight..." he said honestly and wondered why his mother went through all of his technical drawings... but his mother seemed even more furious by Baatar's answer and his mind immediately focused on her again.
"Where Junior! What are you talking about! What is more important than your family! I didn't raise a liar!" Suyin was now even angrier and saw her son's tired appearence.
Baatar was now frowning. "I am not lying! I am seeing someone, mom...I am sorry I wasn't there with all of you." Baatar responded and his mother's eyes got wider. She didn't even let him finish the sentence...
"Everyone who should be important for you lives under this roof, Junior! Look at yourself! This isn't the first time you've been gone, is it! By hanging out all nights you are ruining your potential!" Suyin argued and her pupils covered all the green color in her eyes.
"What?! I am not ruining anything!" Baatar said strictly and got angry by his mother saying that everybody important lives under the roof of the Beifongs' Residence... He was glad Kuvira didn't hear those words Suyin have just said... "I wasn't at home because my girlfriend truly needed me by her side tonight... more than you and others!" Baatar argued back and watched his mother loosing her temper.
"Girlfriend!?" Suyin shouted and was schocked by what she just heard. Her son has a girlfriend and Suyin didn't even have a clue about it... "What! Who! You can't date just whoever you want and why didn't you say anything!"
"It's my private thing! And I have right to choose who to love!" Baatar fought back and felt anger growing inside of him even more.
"No it's not! I am your mother and I want to know who you are seeing! That girl is obviously a bad influence!" Suyin yelled at her son. Oh how she missed her advisor Aiwei who knew everything that happened in the town...
Baatar couldn't hold himself anymore and lost his temper too. He was a Beifong after all too. "Why are you saying that! You don't even know who it is and you hate her already!" He hated how his mother was talking about Kuvira...
"I don't like your tone, Junior! That girl is obviously not right for you and you have to end all of it immediately! You have to concentrate more on your talents than on an ordinary girl!" Suyin argued and didn't like the fact that her son is being used by an unknown girl. She is stealing him from his family and Suyin couldn't allow that. She had very different plans with her oldest son and his behavior made her furious...
"I am happy with her! Why are you so happy that Opal fell in love with Bolin but you can't stand the fact I love someone too! Why are you so angry!? Because I love someone who you don't approve without even knowing who it is!" Baatar's joints were white from how strongly he held his fists. He felt his blood boiling.
"Enough, Junior! Tell me who is that girl and what was more important than your family!" Suyin yelled and the metal floor under her was shaking as her anger grew.
"I won't tell you anything!" Baatar yelled at his mother and suddenly heard the door open again. He promised Kuvira that everyhing will stay secret.
"What's going on?!" confused Baatar Senior opened the door in his pyjama and saw his oldest son having an argument with his mother.
"Our son is fooling around with a girl and he's sneaking out of the house at night!" Suyin looked at her husband hoping he would gave his son a lecture but he got scared by the rage of his wife now bending the floor under her and his face expression got even more confused and scared. He just woke up two minutes ago.
"I wanted to tell you about her! But the only thing you cared about was that Opal moved to Republic City! Aunt Lin was right about you! You care only for yourself!" Baatar argued back and tried to defend himself. His heart was beating fastly and he felt strong headache clouding his mind. He couldn't stay in the same room like his mother anymore...
"Enough!" These words were too much for Suyin and she angrily walked towards Baatar Junior... he was sure she will hit him but before Suyin could get close enough, her husband catched her.
"Su stop!" he tried to calm her down and then looked at his son with his sad eyes saying: "Go away..."
Baatar watched his parents fighting and anger filled his mind. He had to get out...
Baatar quickly grabbed his backpack and rushed out of his laboratory.
He almost crashed into Huan whose hair was messy and his tired eyes almost closed."Are you okay?" Huan asked and yawned but everything what Baatar felt right now was rage.
"Don't pretend you care..." Baatar muttered and ran out of the Residence. His blood was really boiling and growing anger made him run even faster. He didn't know to where he's running but he knew he can't go back to Kuvira. Not now. He was worried that her finding out about this argument could cause her health condition get worse again...and Baatar couldn't allow that.
Baatar ran faster and faster to the City Center and didn't turn at Beifongs' Residence again. His mother showed her true self today... She hates everything she can't control…
…
Meanwhile, back in the Residence, Suyin was furious because of her son's behavior. Baatar Senior tried to calm her down but her Beifong genes were now truly showing.
"He can't do this anymore! You know it!" Suyin argued with her husband while angrily walking around the laboratory.
"I know but you shouldn't yell at him like this! He's smart and he has good heart... I am sure he will understand it..." Baatar Senior argued back but Suyin didn't seem to listen.
"You know what's at stake!" she said and walked closer to her husband. "He has to leave that girl immediately..." she added strictly and looked in her husband's eyes. He didn't say a word in return and just sighed. It seemed the unknown girl is changing their son's path...and not in a way they wanted...
Zaofu, the Guards' Residence, late afternoon
The clock on the wall was showing 4 p.m. and Kuvira, still in her dark green bathrobe, was sitting in her green armchair. When Baatar brought her some paper work from her office before he left in the morning, Kuvira was glad she wold be able to focus at least a bit on something else. Even thought she knew she will always be grieving for her little baby deep inside...
She went back to her bedroom and moved her armchair from the corner of the room closer to the window. She let the sunlight cast on her pale face and covered her legs with beige blanket. Kuvira spent long time by just sitting in the armchair, looking out of the window at the mountains. The sun and fresh air was giving her very needed energy after such a long time...
Later during the morning, Kuvira was trying to go trough all the papers and airship station schedules. She wanted to put everything back on track after her absence but knew things will never be the same... It was very difficult to keep her mind concentrated.
In the afternoon, when the sun started hiding behind the clouds again, Kuvira noticed of something odd. There was an error in the airship cargo delivery plan. It seemed like one of Zaofu airships didn't manage to land in Laogai District two days ago...
Kuvira frowned and took the flight schedules from the near by table. She quickly went trough everything again and saw that the airship crew was instructed not to fly directly above Ba Sing Se because of the recent riots... but... could the riots spread to this area as well, Kuvira thought for herself… That would mean the Royal Guard lost control over everything.
She stood up and rushed back to the kitchen. She grabbed the telephone and tried to contact current Airship Station patrol as quickly as possible. She had to make sure that the crew is alright. Barefoot in her bathrobe, Kuvira was nervously waiting for someone to pick up the telephone on the other side. Seconds felt like hours...
When the guard finally picked up the telephone, Kuvira's eyes got wider when she found out that the lost airship is not reacting to any radio calls since yesterday's evening...
Kuvira's heartbeat got quicker and she instructed guards to try contacting them again in her authoritative tone of voice. The airship was supposed to return today at noon but what if something bad happened...
Kuvira quickly hang up the telephone and looked around herself. She knew she promised Baatar to stay at home because of recovery but lost airship was a very serious issue... She was even more nervous about the situation in the Earth Kingdom's capital city... She couldn't just leave it like that...
With her heart beating fastly, Kuvira started putting on her uniform. She knew Baatar said he would return in the evening and it was late afternoon now but this situation required immediate captain's attention...
Kuvira knew Baatar would understand this. He has special place in his heart for Ba Sing Se where he used to study... however she knew he would be concerned about her health condition. Kuvira felt the drops of sweat on her forhead as her body wasn't fully recovered yet but she had to find out what happened in Laogai District... She also had to run away from the storm of her thoughts...
When she was fully in her uniform, Kuvira took a pencil and small paper and wrote a note for Baatar explaining what happened and where she goes... Kuvira carefuly placed it on the table and hoped Baatar would find it when he returns.
Kuvira took on her helmet and rushed out of her apartment. Walking down stairs was still painfull for her but when she met a group of guards on the staircase she had to act like nothing is wrong with her... They saluted to her and Kuvira wondered how other guards really see her... Since she became a captain, so many bad things happened in Zaofu... Red Lotus attack, Harmonic Convergence, Aiwei's betreyal, lost airship... What if they see her as a failure, she thought for herself. When they were far enough, Kuvira sighed and closed her eyes. She couldn't let her emotions manipulating her so much…
She went straight to her office where the radio was as she wanted to try contacting Laogai airship station one more time. Sound of her fast steps filled the corridor of the Guards' Residence as Kuvira's nervousness grew. When she was close to the door…she froze on place. It was partly opened and Kuvira's heart was beating fastly when she saw an unexpected visitor in her office...
"Hello, captain Kuvira." said a man with short grey hair and wearing typical Zaofu clothes. He was standing close to her working table and held a folder with the Metal Clan emblem in his hands. Kuvira felt wave of fear in her.
"Captain Rey!" Kuvira stood up straight and greeted former captain of Zaofu Guards. Kuvira didn't know why is he in her office as he retired almost four months ago but she didn't have a good feeling from his visit... What if he's here to tell her that she's not a good captain and they will replace her, Kuvira thought for herself.
"That's enough. I am not the captain anymore. That's your rank now..." he responded and Kuvira felt relief that she will keep her captain rank. But if this was not the reason why he came here, then why?
"I thought you were enjoying retirement... " Kuvira said and suspicious folder in former captain's hands caught her attention again. Under the Metal Clan emblem there was also wild boar. It's a symbol of the Beifong family…
"It's really nice to finally have some free time... However I have to admit it's strange that this office doesn't belong to me anymore..." the old man said sentimentaly and looked around the spacious office.
Kuvira was disturbed from her thoughts when he started talking and she slowly walked closer to him. She put her helmet on her working table and friendly smile on captain's face dissapeared.
"I am sure you are interested why I am here." captain Rey said and Kuvira nodded. Captain opened the folder and then quickly closed it again. Kuvira was angry she couldn't see what's inside...
"I suppose it's something very important when you brought it here..." Kuvira replied in professional tone of voice and captain Rey was wathing the Metal Clan emblem closely.
"Yes...I was chosen to deal with a very important task and I feel that as a new captain, you should know more about it." he responded and sat down on the near by chair.
"Task? What task?" Kuvira asked in her neutral tone of voice and tried to read captain Rey's behavior. But he was very good at hiding everything... He was quiet for a while and then started talking again.
"Zaofu has a great potential...and...let's say that our leaders have big plans with it." captain Rey said and Kuvira lifted her eyebrow. She still didn't know what was on captain's mind but she didn't have a good feeling from all of it. Kuvira also wondered why leaders chose to trust the former captain instead of her. "It is very important for every citizen of Zaofu to do their very best so this plan would became reality..." he continued and Kuvira tried to find the hidden meaning behind his words.
"What plan do you mean exactly?" Kuvira asked but captain Rey didn't show any emotion on his face. Kuvira realized it has to be something what will have huge impact on evryone and she wasn't sure if in a good way.
"That's not important for you now... The only thing you need to know is that this task is top secret and you can't talk about it with anyone." he responded and said the last word very strictly.
Kuvira watched him for a while and found his behavior even more suspicious. Why he doesn't want to tell her everything…Kuvira took a deep breath and knew she has to cooperate if she wants to find out more. She has to hide her nervousness caused by the lost airship. "Then why are you here?" she said with authority in her voice and her face expression was strict.
Captain Rey checked the doorway again and when he saw noone is close to the office, he started talking. "Everyone has to do their very best so the vision of Zaofu Council and our leader Suyin Beifong became reality..." Kuvira wondered what is she plotting but captain Rey continued. "However there's someone who's the key to succes of this vision... and that person was... getting off the way recently..." captain Rey said and Kuvira's scepticism grew. After everything that happened during the last month... and after everything what's happening in Ba Sing Se right now... It seemed something big is going to happen in Zaofu too. But who is so important for all of this…
"We have to find every possible information, all the people and places, every contact that person has..." he continued and Kuvira realized what is he talking about.
"You mean spying?" Kuvira said directly before he could finish the sentence. Without Aiwei... Suyin was feeling blind... Kuvira was disgusted by spying on people of Zaofu who never did anything wrong... But now when Aiwei was gone, Kuvira thought people would finally be allowed to have privacy…
"Yes... and not only that. I was tasked to make sure these distractions will end for good." captain stated and Kuvira took a deep breath. She knew she has to learn more about all of this... but to do so she had to act like a professional.
"Who is that person?" Kuvira asked with serious face expression and captain Rey didn't say a single word... Instead he gave Kuvira the folder...
"Future wealth and power of Zaofu lays on his back..." captain said and stood up. "It's like a game, Kuvira... lost airships, chaos... this revolution in the Earth Kingdom is going to have only one winner... and it has to be Zaofu..."
While listening to captain's words, Kuvira took the folder to her hands. Who could be so important? Kuvira slowly opened it and felt goosebumps of fear. Her heart almost stopped when she saw a photograph of Baatar Junior on the top of the document... Suyin wants to spy on her own son... and took everyone away from him…
Drama is here. Do you have any ideas what is Suyin plotting? I will be really happy for reviews :)