A/N: Hi guys, I'm back with a super short and boring chapter but unfortunately it's necessary all the same. But after that chapters start picking up in interest and angst again. I was just writing chapter 35 while I was at work on my break (pretty much my only free time at the mo and I don't have wifi there so all I can do is write lol) and dang is it angsty. Anywayyy, thank you for being super awesome, I'm legit gonna say it in every chapter bc I don't know how else to tell you how much I appreciate all your words and support.
Midnight:
Zuko's POV:
The sounds of car wheels scrap across the driveway outside my window before fading completely. I gulp and throw my duvet back, ignoring the twinge in my spine from where Father had thrown his rock-heavy briefcase at me in his usual fit of rage.
I go over to the window and lift the curtain back slightly to find the driveway lacking a certain red saloon car. I roll my lips between my teeth as I drop the curtain back. 'I don't really have to do this. I could tell the kid I had no luck and leave it at that. I mean, he's gullible enough to believe me. But...'
I sigh and fist a tuff of my hair. 'What's this going to solve anyway? I'm not really going to tell Aang that my father is after him and I'm not going to tell my Dad that I know the person he's looking for, so why bother? Shouldn't I just stay a bystander?'
I exhale heavily and start pacing up and down my room. 'If I don't do anything, what's stopping Dad from killing again? Or maybe this was a once in a lifetime thing? Or...' My thoughts trail off as I release a huge groan and flop back on my bed.
"No. I'm not getting involved. I get enough grief as it is and this has nothing to do with me." I convince myself before succumbing to sleep.
Next morning:
"ZUKO!" The holler cruelly snaps me out of the realm of slumber as I jerk up from bed. "You've got 5 minutes to get changed and down here!" The man shouts. I stumble to my feet in haste.
"Yes Father!" I holler back and I'm already snatching my clothes from yesterday, until another booming order escalates up the stairs.
"And look presentable!" I grumble at the demand and quickly dig in my closet for a suit, already having a good idea of what my father has in store. I'm fumbling down the stairs 4 minutes later as I try to snap on a pair of socks. I spot the master firebender tapping his foot impatiently as he stands by the door.
"Finally. Come on, I want you to observe a day in the life of Ozai's Accounting since you'll be taking on more work after you graduate in a year's time." Dad explains briefly as he unlocks the front door. I press my lips tightly together as I nod and grab my shoes. After exiting the house, I begrudgingly go and take a seat on the passenger's side as Ozai starts the car. The first few minutes are stale and stiff before the older man decides to open his mouth.
"I feel it's about time you learnt more about the ins and outs of the company. Today you'll meet with the board members and hopefully they can mould their principles into you, since I've obviously failed at such." Father states and continues rattling on for the next half hour. I restrain myself from sighing aloud as I nod occasionally to look like I'm listening.
30 minutes later:
"Not a word alright? You're here to listen, observe and be silent. Got it?" Ozai commands.
"Got it." I grit back. The man spares me a sour glance before walking into the meeting room like he means it. I trail in after him and take a seat on the closest chair as my father goes to stand at the head of the table, all eyes of the board members are on him.
"Right, I want a status report." My father booms and I watch as one old man picks up a sheet of paper.
"Profits are still high with all the bankruptcies we've forced these big companies into unless they pay up, but it's stopped rising. Without new threats, some companies are getting bolder and leaving after their contract ends. We've managed to...silence them, but we can't continue to do so without having it being linked back to us. And drug exports can only sell so much." Dad's right hand man lists off, making the master firebender frown.
"We need new money making ideas and a way to scare companies into not leaving." Ozai hums in thought as he runs his fingers through his beard.
"Fresh ideas have been dry for some time. Without action, we may very well face our own bankruptcy." Another board member pipes up. My eyes flicker between them, feeling sick to the stomach at all this evil scheming.
"Any news on the search of the boy?" Dad suddenly asks. I nearly choke at the question, but somehow play it off as a cough, as harsh amber eyes snap to meet mine.
"Unfortunately not. We know he was relocated to a foster home after we burnt down the orphanage, but details of such have remained anonymous." The old man replies.
"The only one who does have any information would be the council member in charge of public affairs, Hakoda, and he hasn't budged under pressure." Another man pipes up.
"I feel it's time we used a bit more of a direct force. It seems he hasn't put two and two together about his wife. Maybe a little visit to his house will clarify things." My father murmurs with that dark glint in his eye. I gulp and slide down into my chair slightly.
"But sir, we don't know where he lives." A relatively young member points out, earning him the glare of the century as fire erupts from my father's hand.
"Then find out! Stalk him, blackmail, leave threatening voicemails, I don't care! I want that boy and I want him now! He's the answer to our business problems and that genius shouldn't be left untainted and wasted. It belongs to the most powerful company and soon the most influential power of the surrounding region!" Ozai bellows.
"But what if he refuses?" My question slips out before I can snatch it back. All heads swivel round towards me, as if I broke a sacred rite of passage and as I spot the burning fury in my father's eyes, I realise that I have.
"You dare speak out against me, boy?" The man growls. I clench my jaws together.
"No. I was wondering what you would do if you did find him." I mutter. The man's eyes narrow just as my father's right hand man strokes his moustache.
"Your boy does have a point. What would we threaten him with? We already took everything away from him. He has nothing left." The elderly man points out, narrowly saving me from my father's wrath.
"Then find something that he does have and take it!" Dad spits back in annoyance. "Whatever you do, make sure no actions can be traced back to us. Use one of the mercenaries." He adds a moment later.
"Any particular one, sir?" The young board member queries, prompting the master firebender to scrunch his nose.
"I don't care. Choose whoever. Yon Rha probably. He did an excellent job in his last mission." My dad says with a wave of his hand.
"Isn't the police still on his trail?" Another member reminds lightly.
"We could always use Kuzon, he knew the boy best." The young board member chips in. Ozai pinches the bridge of his nose.
"That coward has always been too soft. He's only useful for intel. Use Yon Rha, if he gets caught that has nothing to do with us." The firebender decides without remorse.
"Won't he spill?" The same naive member echoes in confusion.
"He knows the code. He spills, he dies in his prison cell the next hour." Ozai voices coolly, silencing the entire room.
Underneath the table, my hands clench and unclench repeatedly. The urge to lash out is great, but the last time I spoke out against my father in his meeting room, it led to me being permanently disfigured, so I just leave my hidden fist quivering where no one can see it.
Fortunately, the meeting swiftly moves onto profit margins and various contracts with their associates and as much as I hate to admit it, it's just as interesting as I've always found it to be. When it finally draws to an end, my father strides out of the room, jerking his head at me when he passes by. I stiffly get to my feet and follow him out.
"You spoke." He starts before the door has even shut behind us.
"I thought..." I begin, but the man cuts me off.
"I don't want you to think, I want you to do what I tell you to!" He growls and I feel my hands clenching into a fist once more. "Regardless, I suppose your contribution was adequate." Ozai drops a moment later, leaving me to gape at the man. "Close your mouth Zuko." He booms, making me snap my jaws together.
"Thank you?" I utter unsurely, still reeling at the fact that Father just praised me in some minor way of his.
"Don't do it again." He hisses and starts marching away, leaving me feel both confused and twisted inside. I shake my head, knowing there's more important things to do. 'Make sure Aang keeps away from the town he grew up in. Oh and find out who on earth is Hakoda. All without raising suspicion.' I drag my hand down my face. 'Great. Just great.'
5 hours later:
I find myself walking into the accommodation building that I once spotted the airbender coming out of. If it wasn't for Mai telling me that he's on the same floor of hers, I wouldn't have bothered. Top floor. 'Go figure the airbender would choose to be closest to the sky.' I dig into my pocket for the scrunched up paper that I hastily scribbled down from my phone-call with the girl. Room 100. Taking a deep breath, I knock on the door, but it's eerily silent inside. I knock louder. No answer. Frowning, I peek into the keyhole, but it's too small to really spot anything. 'Where is he?' I wonder in annoyance as I walk down to the end of the corridor and knock on Mai's door.
"One second." The gloomy tone echoes back. Moments later I hear the door unlocking and the black head poking her face through the gap. Her eyes widen slightly at the sight of me as she pushes open her door wider. "Zuko?" She greets in surprise.
"Hey. You wouldn't happen to know where the airbender is?" I ask awkwardly, eliciting an eye roll from the woman.
"Do you think I keep tabs on everyone I live with?" She voices dully. I purse my lips.
"Well, you do live with them." I remind, prompting a sigh from the black-head.
"He left. Went home with that water-tribe girl for the holidays." Mai voices in boredom. I furrow my eyebrows at her.
"How do you know that?" I ask in confusion as the girl leans against her half open door.
"Because she lives here and made a right racket before she left. Will be nice not to see her perky face for a month." The woman utters while my eyes widen. 'If Aang's not here and he's not at his hometown then he's fine for the next month.' Yet, something doesn't feel right.
"Do you know where they went?" I question, only for the girl to shake her head.
"No clue and don't care. Why are you so interested anyway? You said you don't like him." Mai queries with a quirked eyebrow.
"I don't! I just...needed to tell him something. Don't tell Azula, ok?" I plead. The girl scrutinises me for several moments before her features soften.
"Alright. Just be careful, you have a habit of getting yourself in trouble." She murmurs with a concerned expression. My lips twitch slightly.
"Thanks Mai." I voice lightly and wave goodbye. I watch as she shakes her head to herself before returning the wave and going back inside. 'So the kid has opened up enough to go with the water-tribe girl. Let's hope she lives miles away from here.' I pull out my phone and scroll through my contacts. 'Lee' stands proudly on display. My finger hovers over the name, but I click home instead.
"I'll call him later." I mutter to myself and start making the trek back home.
A/N: I know, I know – not as exciting as some of the previous chapters. We do get a bit more of a slice into the workings of Ozai's company though. I really needed this chapter to set a couple things up, a stepping stone I guess. Next chapter returns back to the trio arriving home. After that things start getting a lot more interesting. Anyway wishing everyone well and see you next time XD
8/8/21