"What were you even doing out there together?" Zuri questioned.
They were all corralled in a common area. A few requisite soldiers were there, but the rest of the compound seemed indifferent to his three day disappearance. Ursa was the only one who looked even remotely anxious, while Zuri and Sokka were absolutely livid.
"I heard a noise-" Katara started.
"I wasn't asking you." Zuri barked.
"I thought it'd be perfectly safe to go out into a walled garden in the middle of a Fire Nation fortification." Zuko said idly. "Apparently I was incorrect in that assumption."
"You seem oddly relaxed for someone who's just been kidnapped." Zuri growled.
"But knowing you were coming to rescue me, how could I ever fear?" Zuko asked.
"Zuri." Ursa said gently and Zuri turned in one fluid motion to go to her side.
"You doubt the honor of my son?" Ursa asked. Her words were a sweet kind of hurt, but her bronze eyes were sharp.
"Of course not my lady. I just think your son may be as tender-hearted as you." Zuri replied, moving their hands in small circles. "The bandits must be caught and punished."
"Well then what are the rest of the soldiers doing? They're the ones awfully calm about the prince being kidnapped!" Katara snapped.
"You were kidnapped too!" Sokka interjected and Katara leveled him with an exasperated look.
"I doubt they very much care about that at all." She retorted.
Zuri revolved and advanced on her. "You don't know anything about-"
She stopped as the door opened and the soldiers snapped to attention. Another entered and bowed deeply, causing Zuko to retreat to his mother's side. In synchronized movements, they both instinctively started to straighten their clothes.
The familiar face made Zuko almost cry out. His eyes watered anyway and his spine went rigid. Ursa, conversely, relaxed and made a small happy noise.
"Well this is better than I expected to find." Iroh said and Ursa walked gingerly to him. She put her hands on his arms and he reached to hold her forearms.
"Dearest brother, I am so happy you came." She said.
"Sister, I'm never happier than when I see your face. I am glad to see it at peace." Iroh replied. After a moment, Ursa stepped aside and Iroh examined the room.
When his gaze landed on Zuri, they sputtered.
"Fire Lord! I didn't know you were coming." They said.
"When my nephew goes missing, I think it's worth a detour." Iroh replied.
"YOU are the Fire Lord?" Sokka blurted.
Iroh looked at him and frowned. Having been flanked for years by Azulon and Ozai, Iroh had not been fond of his stature. Zuko's uncle didn't mind, but he wasn't sure about this Iroh.
"Uncle." Zuko said quickly and stepped forward. "I apologize for making you come all the way here. As you see, Zuri rescued me without a problem."
"Only after you were gone for three days." Iroh replied and looked him in the eye. His own narrowed and Zuko flinched.
Please, he begged the heavens, please don't let him know me.
"The competency of these soldiers is questionable." Zuri remarked. The guards behind Iroh straightened and Zuko could feel the temperature in the room shift.
"Yes, though it's always unfortunate to lose even one man during a war." Iroh said.
"You," Zuko swallowed trying to get his words out. "Executed them?"
"Of course. But only the ones who proved dishonorable." Iroh said and then turned to Ursa. "And it is the greatest dishonor is to upset a beautiful woman."
"You would have found him in a day and immolated the bandits in one fell swoop." Ursa said and put her hand in his.
A queasy feeling started in Zuko's stomach but seeped out to make his skin crawl.
"Fire Lord, will we be accompanying you north then?" Zuri asked. Zuko realized that they had become subdued since Iroh arrived; still they acted like a dog whose master had returned and less like a mistreated beast.
"Of course. We've wasted enough time here, so we'll be leaving in the morning." Iroh answered.
Looking astonished, Ursa covered her mouth with her free hand.
"Oh my Lord, I didn't prepare a room for you." She said and put on a deeply remorseful face.
"My dear, the governor's house is empty. I'm sure the servants would be glad for something to do." Iroh replied and Ursa laughed lightly.
Horrified, Zuko watched them.
"You know, I have the perfect candidate for governor. She is very loyal." Ursa said.
"Come and tell me about it while I eat." Iroh said.
And with that, they left.
Speechless, Zuko stared at the doorway. The soldiers sagged against the wall and Zuri took a few steps into the center of the room. Katara and Sokka only blinked at the empty space, unsure of what just happened.
How many people had Iroh just murdered? And now he was having a meal with Ursa, as if it were nothing.
Staggering, Zuko managed to get himself to a chair before he collapsed.
"What's wrong with you?" Zuri demanded. Katara sucked on her teeth as she went to Zuko's side.
"We've barely slept or eaten, Zuko's very clearly been beaten, what do you think?" She retorted.
"Watch your mouth peasant." Zuri said and thrust a finger out at Katara. "You'll burn your tongue speaking so."
"Don't threaten my sister." Sokka said. "Or I'll break that damned finger you're putting in her face."
"Zuri, we've done nothing to you that warrants this hostility. Either get us some food or get us someone who will." Zuko said.
Zuri snarled but whirled on the soldiers.
"Go and fetch the prince some food!" Zuri marched to the door and stopped, suddenly grabbing the front of one of the soldier's uniforms. "And remember to feed the Tribals or you'll be wandering the Valley of Lost Souls before dawn."
They walked out of the room and the soldiers looked at each other; none of them wanting to follow after Zuri.
"And get me some water to heal the prince!" Katara called out as she knelt next to Zuko's chair. At her request, one of them finally broke off and went out into the hall.
"Your uncle doesn't look that impressive." Sokka said and crouched next to Katara.
"He's the Dragon of the West for a reason; I wouldn't underestimate him." Zuko said with a sigh.
"So why were you with my sister in the middle of the night?" Sokka asked.
Katara swatted his arm and scowled. Sokka scowled right back and rubbed his arm.
"He kept me safe. Be nice." Katara hissed.
"Wish I had some gallant prince to keep me safe these past three days." Sokka grumbled. Zuko sat up and looked at him.
"Were you not?" He asked.
"For the first two days they thought Katara and I had abducted you ourselves and part of the plan was for me to stay behind." Sokka said.
"What? But you've never been out of the South Pole." Zuko said.
"Sure, but we got contact from the outside world now and again. Plus, we were oddly friendly with you all things considered." Sokka sounded bitter and it wounded Zuko. A barb lodged itself in his ribs and Zuko shifted uncomfortably.
"Our friendship is odd." Katara agreed and looked down at the rug.
Zuko rubbed his eyes and winced as he pressed on the damaged flesh under his right eye. Thankfully Suki hadn't broken his nose but his cheekbone had seen better days.
"Unfortunately, I'm not concerned about what others think. I'm usually too preoccupied with what Katara thinks about me." Zuko said with a sigh. He turned his face to the side and rested his chin on a fist as he thought.
He would have to be more cautious about his appearance. Being overly eager had made Suki defensive and Zuri's suspicion removed a level of safety for him. There had to be a way to get back some of that goodwill, and it most likely resided in how he navigated his relationship with Iroh.
That required a plan.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Sokka asked.
Coming back from his thoughts, Zuko lifted his head and his hand relaxed into a refined pose. He leaned forward and reached out to Katara. As his other hand moved to her face, she leaned back slightly and blushed.
"I have a bit of a terrible idea." Zuko said. Katara took in a breath and her lips parted slightly. Then Sokka slapped his hand away.
"Don't touch my sister." Sokka snapped.
Zuko had to pull up an image of Azula but leaned casually toward Sokka.
"You are really going to hate this." He said, making sure to keep his voice low.
"Hate what?"
Zuko stood up and held out a hand to Katara. She took it and he pulled her up. Sokka stood, squaring his shoulders.
"Would you like to play a little bit?" Zuko asked Katara as he lifted her hand up.
"Play?" She repeated.
Carefully, lightly, Zuko kissed the back of Katara's hand and winked.