Chapter 18:

Zuko

Seeing who was creeping up behind them, Zuko resisted the urge to laugh in the man's face. Even though three years had passed, it was still weird and mildly hilarious seeing him like this. He wasn't in the armor of a Commander, but instead in the simple robes of a court official. Around his neck was a thin cord of gold thread and hanging down from it was a small symbol of a mortar and pestle in gold.

Despite being demoted, Zhao acted as though he'd been promoted instead. In the beginning, while Grandfather Azulon had been alive he'd been reserved, ashamed even. It had been a hard blow to his pride.

Zuko coughed, trying to clear his throat. "Zhao."

"Prince Zuko." The word Prince came out a little forced, as if he didn't want to say it in the first place. The older man gave a little bow—well it was actually more of a nod of the head rather than a bow. Zuko internally scoffed, if there was a way that Zhao could get away without recognizing Zuko, he would.

Zhao's attention wasn't focused on Zuko while he was speaking. It was instead focused on Katara. Zuko followed his gaze and glared at the man.

"Who is your friend, Prince Zuko?" Zhao asked leering at the pair with a satisfied smirk tugging at his lips.

Despite his reservation, his mother made him be polite to Zhao, and if nothing else, he would do so for her sake.

"This is Katara, the Princess of the Southern Water Tribe." He said, trying to sound more confident than he felt at the moment.

When he emphasized Katara's title, he did so in the hopes that Zhao would leave her alone. Katara and Zhao were so far apart on the social hierarchy, hopefully Zhao wouldn't touch her, he wouldn't even dream of it. Zuko knew Zhao would try though, and that is what scared him the most about Katara healing Longshot's friend. He didn't tell her, but he would soon. She deserved to know. She would be in Shibai hospital, with Zhao breathing down her neck with every second she spent there.

"Did you finally take your father's advice and get yourself a concubine?" Zhao quipped and Zuko wondered how he could be so brazen. Zuko could hear Katara's breath hitch as she stared at him. Her eyes were darkening, calling forth the raging storm.

"Show her respect. Director." He ordered as best he could.

Zhao's attention was focused on him now. He turned to Zuko with a smirk on his lips and a condescending look in his eyes. "Who are you to tell me what to do Your Highness?" Zhao spat the word. "You think that just because you're the son of Prince Ozai you actually have the authority to order me to do anything?"

"I—," Zuko started to say, but Zhao wouldn't let him finish. He never let anyone finish.

"Let me answer that for you. No. You don't."

"Your face must hurt from smirking so much. Or are you permanently stuck like that?" Katara snapped at Zhao from beside Zuko, but if Zhao heard her, he didn't say.

"You lost that authority the day you tried to kill your sister." The former commander said smugly. He felt Katara's nails dig into his skin.

He felt Katara's touch on his arm lighten. Her eyes were calm but hidden beneath the surface he could see fear. He shook his head rapidly. "I didn't try to kill her." Zuko snapped, glaring at the older man.

"That's not the story that floats around among the elite, Prince Zuko." He made a mockery of the name. "Everyone says that you're the worst firebender known in the history of the Fire Nation. That you couldn't fight your way out of a battle with a 4-year-old."

"Shut up." Zuko barked out, red clouding his vision.

"Admit it, Zuko." Zhao laughed menacingly, his bushy eyebrows creasing in the middle of his forehead. "You don't deserve that title. Prince. You don't have the honor to back it up."

He was livid. He could feel the flames licking at his fingertips, begging to ignite into a burst of fire that would shut this man up for good. His anger was fueling his rage. His fingers tightened into fists as his body tensed. His back was straight, his head bowed as he tried to regain his composure. The worst part was that he knew what Zhao was trying to do. Zhao was trying to rile him up. But even though he knew it, at that moment, all he wanted was to see Zhao begging for mercy.

His arms shook with unrestrained rage, as heat flooded his body. He felt all the years of suffering nearly explode inside of him.

"Zuko?" Katara called his name softly, a hesitant hand reaching for his shoulder as if to restrain him. But his fury couldn't be stopped.

He stepped forward, fingertips itching, but the sound of wood creaking caused Zuko to turn around. His Uncle's bedroom door opened, and his mother poked her head out into the hallway cautiously, seeming to not know what she would find.

"Zuko? Katara?" She called, stepping out. When her eyes fell on them both, she smiled. She started to walk forward. "There you're… we were wondering where the two of you had gotten—,"

Her voice stopped as she looked behind Zuko, to see Zhao. His mother stopped in her tracks. Her hand covered her mouth in surprise. His mother narrowed her eyes at the older man. Zhao's lecherous grin faded. He cleared his throat and bowed deeper to her than he did to Zuko.

"Director Zhao. I didn't expect to see you here." His mother said, stepping closer warily. She was cautious around him, as far as Zuko could tell. Her hand was pressed thoughtfully under her chin. "Why have you come?" His mother asked suspiciously.

Why, as soon as his mother walked in, did Zhao's whole demeanor change? It was subtle, but Zuko could tell. He had known Zhao for most of his life. When Zuko's mother narrowed her eyes at him, Zhao looked away, his eyes on the wall next to him. Then he turned back, an arrogant grin on his face.

"You really should call me Commander, you know." Zhao said cockily. "I'm going to regain that title soon."

His mother raised her chin and she too spoke with an air of superiority. "Fire Lord Azulon made you the director of Shibai hospital. I doubt the Fire Lord will change his father's decision." His mother said pointedly. "I ask again. Why are you here?"

If Zhao looked troubled by her question, he didn't show it. He still looked at the three of them arrogantly. "I came to speak to Oza—I mean, Iroh about the winter budget for the hospital."

"Winter is 4 months away, Zhao." His mother said coldly. Zuko blinked in surprise. He had never heard his mother speak like this before. He looked at Katara, and she was stunned too. She continued, "What's more, the Fire Lord can't see you now."

"He can't see me?" Zhao said, irritation seeping into his voice. He took a step closer to where they were and Zuko had the urge to move his mother away from Zhao. He advanced on them, glaring at Ursa. "Oh, that's just like you, Ursa. You obey orders so well, and all for nothing, right? Are you Ozai's little puppy still? Do you still follow him around as you used to when you were younger?"

His mother said nothing. Only the grim setting of her mouth betrayed that his words were getting to her.

She betrayed no emotion, no anger, and no sign that she was upset. But Zuko could tell. Her fingers gripped the fabric of her elaborate dress, fingernails digging into skin. But even though her body language betrayed her feelings, her words didn't.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Zhao."

Zhao scoffed, nodding mockingly. "Of course, you don't." He stepped closer, but this time his mother backed away. Zuko could only stare at his mother in shock, astonished by the way this conversation had gone. "Think about how many bastard children he's probably fathered over the years. Must be quite a few, right?"

His mother held her ground though, even if her expression faltered a bit. Her face betrayed the tiniest bit of fear, but only for a moment, as her gaze hardened again. "You will address the Royal Family with respect, Zhao. You need to learn some self-control." She took a step forward again. Zhao and his mother were separated only by the width of Zuko's body. His mother said thoughtfully, "As I recall…that's what you struggled the most with when you were learning firebending, correct?"

"You don't know anything." Zhao hissed at his mother, letting out a sound of rage. He stepped closer to her. His temper had gotten the best of him. His mother's confidence faltered, as Zhao raised a hand to hit her.

Zuko had enough. He stepped forward, catching Zhao's wrist just as he was about to strike his mother. The man looked at the teenager in shock, as if he had forgotten that Zuko was even there. He pulled Zhao's arm down slowly across his face, Zuko's golden eyes never leaving Zhao's slightly darker ones. Zhao tried to wrench his wrist out of Zuko's grasp but Zuko wasn't going to lose, not now. He brought Zhao's arm around his back, tightening his grip so that Zhao couldn't firebend. For once, Zuko was grateful that not focusing on Firebending allowed him to focus more on hand to hand combat. Zhao's breath came in short, quick pants. It was silent, the only sound was the sound of Zhao's harsh breathing as he and Zuko stared each other down.

"I think it would be best if you went home Zhao." Zuko said, trying to sound threatening. He had to admit, he wasn't very convincing, even to his own ears.

The anger in Zhao's eyes faded away, slowly. His body relaxed enough for Zuko to let go of his wrist. The older man backed away, and Zuko stood protectively in front of his mother, folding his arms across his chest. But there would have been no real contest if it came down to a fight between them.

But Zhao seemed to remember where he was and bowed stiffly. "Remember to tell the Fire Lord that I was here."

Zuko grit his teeth. Zhao still talked down to him, and one day he would pay for that. "I'll give my Uncle your message. But there's no guarantee that he'll want to speak with you. Director."

Zhao turned, and walked down the hallway, the long coat of his robes trailing behind him. Zuko walked forward, following behind him, making sure that he was actually leaving. Yan Li bowed as they approached the main doorway out of his Uncle's bedroom, and as Zhao walked up the steps leading to the door, Zuko spoke.

"Yan Li, please escort Director Zhao out of the palace. It's very large, and I'm afraid that he might get lost."

In other words, get out and don't come back.

Zhao turned back, a menacing grimace on his face. "I'm leaving, Prince Zuko," He said, stepping closer. He was only a few inches taller than Zuko, and twice as powerful. "But before I go…you should know something first."

Ursa

She watched Zuko's back as he made his way down the hallway, following Zhao closely. His posture was tensed, agitated. She turned to the girl next to her; Katara's eyes followed Zuko's form down the hallway as well, and Ursa could practically hear her mind working as she tried to process what just happened. What happened between the two of them before she'd come out there?

She cleared her throat, getting Katara's attention. "I didn't know that Zhao was going to show up today." Ursa said stiffly. "If I had…I would have told them not to let him in."

Katara didn't look at her, instead staring at Zuko's back. "What was he talking about… when he said that Zuko almost killed his sister?"

Ursa sighed. Of course, Zhao couldn't keep his mouth shut. Ursa ran her fingers through the long section of hair hanging in front of her shoulders. "It's nothing for you to worry about." She said evasively. "It was a long time ago…it doesn't really matter now."

Katara looked at her with unimpressed eyes. "Obviously it matters to Zuko." Katara said, looking the way the two of them had gone. "I've never seen him like that…Zhao would have deserved it, but..." she trailed off, unsure how to continue.

A weary hand ran over her forehead as the woman sighed, resigned. "I told Ozai this was going to happen, that one day his fire bending would return, even slightly." Ursa shook her head in defeat. She could feel angry tears come to her eyes.

"So that's what Iroh meant…" Katara whispered under her breath.

"Iroh?" Ursa glanced towards the Fire Lord's bedroom door.

Katara looked down, suddenly nervous as she clasped her hands together. She looked away, avoiding Ursa's gaze. "I met the Fire Lord before…. he explained what happened to Zuko a few years ago in minimal detail. That Zuko had made a mistake…one that cost him a part of himself."

"Yes," Ursa nodded in agreement, but with a dismayed expression and watery eyes. "Zuko didn't mean to fight with Azula— it was an accident, really, but Azula was burned and Zuko was blamed…Fire Lord Azulon believed in harsh, swift and severe punishment for transgressions. And Azula was his favorite grandchild, so Azulon was even more unforgiving."

As Ursa spoke, Katara's eyes softened as she stared at Zuko's retreating form, now at the other end of the hall with Zhao. "The Fire Lord didn't go very much into detail…What happened? If you don't mind me asking."

Ursa's lithe frame sagged, and her eyes grew distant. "As a child, Zuko's firebending was…unpredictable. Some concepts or forms he understood very easily, others took him two or three times as long to master as other children. He didn't have much control, setting clothes on fire…burning his furniture, things like that. He was explosive—full of power…but it was difficult to channel. When he was a child, he refused to actually use fire when sparring with anyone…because…because he didn't want to hurt them." Ursa looked away, tears stinging her eyes once more.

When Katara didn't say anything, Ursa looked up. The young girl's arms were folded across her chest, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Maybe I can help him."

Ursa laughed darkly, not looking at her. "I don't think that this is something that you can help my son with, Katara. I don't think waterbending applies here."

Katara shook her head, a stormy determination coming to her eyes. "What's the harm in trying?"

The older woman shook her head. "I don't want to get his hopes up unnecessarily." The tears had dried now, leaving clear streaks on her cheeks. "Furthermore…Why would you do something like that, Katara? Zuko told me what happened back at the South Pole…with Hahn…you didn't even want to be here in the first place." Ursa folded her arms across her chest. "After what's happened today…all of the girls will probably return to their families. Why do you want to stay?"

"He needs help. Isn't that enough?" Katara's cheeks tuned a faint shade of pink.

"Enough for what?"

Ursa looked up, and there was Zuko, standing there, a curious look on his face. How much did Zuko hear? It took a few mints for Ursa to realize that he was waiting for an answer. She fought to say something that would make sense.

"I was talking to your mother about…some…some Water Tribe foods that I think would be nice to have. And…and…I told her that I would teach you how to make them. I think you would need help, that's all."

Although Zuko looked like he didn't believe a word, he still nodded and smiled at them as if they weren't just making this up out of nowhere. For that, she was grateful. Zuko's story was his to tell. It wasn't fair for her to tell everything about it to Katara…that was up to him to do.

"O-kay…?" Zuko looked skeptical, but he would forget what she had said eventually.

"C-Come on, you two. We'd better get inside." Ursa said, turning around.

"Mom." Zuko said. She stopped in her tracks. "Can you give Katara and me a minute?"

She nodded, and then walked back to Iroh's doorway, the ghost of a smile on her lips. So, they wanted to be alone? Well. She could help with that. She opened the door and went inside, trying not to look back at the pair. When she entered, everyone looked up. Ozai folded his arms, looking like he would rather be anywhere but there, and Azula was his mirror image. Tiang on the other hand separated herself from them, staring out of the large window, seeming to be lost in thought. Yun Xi and Lu Ten were sitting at the mahogany table in front of Iroh's bed, now with a third chair that was obviously her seat.

"What are Katara and Zuko doing out there?" Lu Ten asked before she sat down.

Ursa looked at her nephew in a quiet curiosity. "I had no idea you cared so much about what they were doing." Lu Ten still looked impatient. She shrugged. "They looked like they were talking…but…"

"But?" Yun Xi asked.

"They were interrupted." Ursa said simply. "By Zhao."

"Zhao?" Lu Ten asked incredulously. "As in—Ex Commander Zhao?"

"The one and the same."

"What's he doing back in the Palace?" Lu Ten asked as he leaned back in his seat. "Didn't Grandfather banish him or something? A dishonorable discharge for conduct unbecoming?"

"No." The Fire Lady shook her head. "Zhao was only demoted. His influence prevented his banishment. If he was banished, then half of the military would have deserted us."

"We don't need him, anyway." Lu Ten said, arrogantly, his hand coming to the table in a fist. "I'm the Crown Prince. I can lead the navy."

Ursa shook her head, as the young man's mother did the same. Ursa clasped her hand over her nephew's larger one. "You may be the Crown Prince, but you don't know the men in service. Do you think that if a war broke out those men would fight and die for you?"

"They would have to because I'm—," Lu Ten said

"The Crown Prince?" Yun Xi said, taking his other hand. "Men will fight for you because they're told to…that much is true. But whether they do it willingly is based on your relationship with them. And the will to fight can be all that stands between a victory and death. You need more time to work with your father on that."

The 23-year-old still looked irritated. He scowled into his teacup.

"Lu Ten…" Ursa said calmly, trying to appease him. "We're only saying this because we love you. You know that."

"I suppose it's just as well that you're getting married," Yun Xi said. "It will be good for you. And Princess Song is exactly the girl I would have chosen."

Katara

Zuko took her hands in his, looking into her eyes. He was so close. She could feel the trace of his breath on her cheeks. The smell of cherry tree ashes filled her nose again…it was almost intoxicating. Katara gulped. Was he going to kiss her? Was that why he asked his mother to leave them alone? But surprisingly he didn't. He held her gaze…looking into her eyes…searching for an answer to a question that she didn't know.

She was starting to get uncomfortable beneath that state of his, so she cleared her throat. "Why didn't you want to go inside?"

His voice was quiet. Barely the slightest hint of a whisper. "Why did you…" he paused. "What were you…talking about with my mother?"

"Like she said—," she started out saying, but she stopped before she could get the words out.

His eyes were so sad. They were worried, concerned, and it just hit Katara that Zuko was actually nervous about asking this question. Or was he more nervous for her answer?

Katara sighed, looking down. Debating whether to just…lie to him. But it was as he said. He had been honest with her…and her with him. They were both working on this trust thing with each other and Katara would hate to screw it up now. Not after how far she'd come with him.

"She told me what happened three years ago. With Azula. And your punishment." With every word she spoke, Zuko's face grew darker and darker as he heard the secrets that his mother divulged to her. He let go of her hands, turning away from her and running his hands down his face, a loud groan escaping his lips. Seeing his expression, Katara tried to appease him. "But it was vague. Your story wasn't hers to tell—,"

"That doesn't matter!" Zuko exclaimed. He turned towards her as he spoke, his eyes filled with anger. She didn't know whom he was angry at, but she hoped that it wasn't her. "She knew how I felt. She knew that I wanted to tell people on my own terms. She knew that I—that I couldn't take the embarrassment." He looked down, calmer now. He leaned against the wall opposite her…not looking at her, a frown on his lips.

"Zuko, she didn't tell me everything, but you can!" Katara told him. She walked up to him and put her hands on his shoulders. He looked up, into her eyes. "You can tell me what really happened. Your way. And I'll believe you."

For the first time since she had known him, Zuko looked unsure, and almost afraid. "Do you promise?"

She smiled at him reassuringly. "Of course, I do." Katara looked away, a blush staining her cheeks for what must have been the hundredth time that day. She mentally rolled her eyes. If she blushed anymore, she would turn red permanently. She continued excitedly, "We can make a whole day out of it. Tomorrow. I can go heal Jet, and then meet you back here and we can talk, okay?"

Instead of smiling, as she thought he was going to, Zuko frowned. "I don't like the idea of you going to that hospital alone."

"Zuko I can take care of myself." She said, poking him lightly in the chest. "You saw me back home."

He nodded. "You were surrounded by snow, completely in your element. Zhao, on the other hand…he's a sneaky bastard." He gave her a look. "Did you not see the way he was staring at you?"

There was a true difference between sparring in practice and fighting for real, with your life on the line. She couldn't deny that Zhao made her uneasy, those murky gold eyes of Zhao's were unnerving, and Katara didn't want to spend more time around him than she had to. She shivered.

"See?" Zuko pointed out, "He did bother you."

This time she actually rolled her eyes. "If it makes you feel any better, come with me."

"I couldn't go outside of the palace." Zuko said, sounding more than a little wary of stepping beyond the palace walls. He looked at her nervously. "I might get recognized. And then where would we be?"

"Well…Prince Zuko, we'll just have to make you look like a peasant." She smiled at him, and this time…he did smile back. Their heads grew closer, lips parted.

Her heart began to race. She wondered if he was actually going to kiss her. But he stopped once more as the door to his Uncle's chambers opened. His chin fell to his chest as the look of want faded slowly from his eyes. She heard several pairs of footsteps coming down the hall, as well as chattering voices. Suki. Toph. Song. Katara separated herself from Zuko although it was surprisingly difficult to do so. She turned just in time to see her friends come down the hallway. They approached, Toph stared ahead blankly, but Song had a surprised expression on her face, and Suki was wearing a smirk that was very reminiscent of her brother, Sokka.

"Katara are you okay?" Suki asked, running up to her and enveloping her in a tight hug. "When we saw you go down—,"

"I'm fine, Suki." Katara said. "I promise."

"We…we thought the worst."

"Speak for yourself," Toph said, sticking out a foot. "I knew she was fine. And I told you she was."

Even so, Suki pressed her hand up to Katara's forehead before moving it gently to her neck.

"Seriously, I'm fine." Katara said, as her friends looked on between her and Zuko. "Would you tell her please?" Zuko's cheeks tinged pink, but he nodded.

"I bet you would know, eh Prince Zuko?" Toph grinned widely.

She groaned as she realized her verbal mistake. "I won't pretend I don't regret telling you that."

Suki and Song shared a look. Suki practically shook with excitement, quivering next to Song. Oh boy, she was definitely going to be questioned later. But before Suki could say anything else, Song's voice stopped the girl from speaking. "We have to go. The Fire Lady is waiting inside."

Agreeing, they began to walk back to the door, Suki and Katara first, and then Song, Toph followed after and Zuko brought up the rear. "I need you to explain how you the village got sick."

"Song told me the basics. You think that it has something to do with the attack on the Fire Lord?" Suki asked.

"I'm sure of it. It's the same type of symptoms."

As they reached the doors, Katara placed her hand on the door handle, gave it a small turn and pushed it open. The four teenagers (plus Toph) walked into the large bedchamber. When they got inside, the Fire Lady stood and came towards them.

"We've never been properly introduced." She smiled at Suki and Toph, all traces of grief gone from her face. Hopefully, this went well.

Suki blinked as though she was surprised that the Fire Lady was speaking to her directly. "I'm Suki, Your Majesty. Of Kyoshi Island."

Fire Lady Yun Xi nodded, recognition in her eyes. "You were the girl with the fan…the warrior."

Suki blushed, looking down. "Yes."

The Fire Lady looked between Suki and Azula. "Perhaps you and Azula should have a sparring match. Perhaps Katara could join in, if she feels up to it. What do you think, Azula?"

Katara could hear Azula's scoff all the way from the other side of the room. She folded her arms over her chest and looked even more annoyed than usual. "There's no way you expect me to spar with someone like her."

"What do you mean by someone like…her Azula?" Princess Ursa asked.

But Suki looked up, seemingly confident. "I think it would be a wonderful idea, Fire Lady." Her eyes flashed to Azula's own, confidently. "I believe I could teach her a few things."

Azula rolled her eyes, looking offended. The Fire Lady cleared her throat, trying to move the conversation forward.

"Katara tells me that a few years ago; your village experienced something like what my Iroh is going through?" The Fire Lady said, walking over to her husband, now peacefully asleep. His hands were clasped over his chest and his face looked calm, his chest rising and falling steadily with deep inhales and long exhales. She sat down on the bed and placed her hands over her husband's. She looked up Suki with nervous eyes.

"When I was 14, my entire village was dying from a sickness." Suki took Katara's hand in her own, smiling at her. "If it wasn't for Katara, more than half my village would be dead."

"How does that sickness have anything to do with Iroh?"

"She says it's the same symptoms. And from what I saw of him, I agree with her. It's the same symptoms I had…my parents had…" Suki spoke with an air of confidence. "As soon as the Fire Lord collapsed, I figured it could be the same."

"How did your entire village get poisoned?" Lu Ten asked her.

Suki shrugged. "Well…we didn't know it was poison at the time…we thought it would help." Suki looked down, fiddling with her thumbs. "That year, there was a terrible drought. Nearly all our crops failed. We boiled water from the sea, so we wouldn't die of thirst…but we had no food. Slowly one by one all our animals died. My grandfather, Oyaji had to write letters to the other Nations to help us."

The Fire Lady nodded, thinking. "I remember Iroh signing the order to give you relief aid."

"But did anyone check to see what was being sent over?" Suki asked. She tried to keep the more accusatory tone from her voice, but the Kyoshian was failing.

"We asked our director of medicine to do it. Why do you ask?" Fire Lady Yun Xi asked suspiciously.

"We were grateful for the aid initially." Suki sniffed. She sounded like she was close to tears. "But it wasn't until later that we realized that all of the food sent was poisoned." Several gasps filled the room, the most notable expression of shock came from the Fire Lady, genuine horror in her eyes. "Still, we had no food, so we ate, forcing it down. Chief Hakoda came with supplies three days later, Katara in tow."

"My dear…I really had no idea." The Fire Lady took Suki's hands in her own, but Suki recoiled away from her.

Suki said bitterly, "We didn't stand a chance of survival. We were already weak…our bodies weren't strong enough to fight the poison and starvation. Katara healed most of us…but she was too late to save my parents." She swallowed thickly, unable to fight the tears.

"Suki…I'm sorry. I don't know who sent you poison." The older woman said softly, unable to offer anything else.

"Just forget about it…please," Suki said, she looked up at the Fire Lady with sad eyes. Katara wrapped her arms around her friend, trying to comfort her. "I don't want to relive it all over again. If it helps the Fire Lord…that's all that matters."

The Fire Lady nodded, seeming to respect Suki's wishes. She turned to Katara. "You're confident that this came from the Fire Nation?"

"I'm positive." Katara said. She walked over to Iroh, feeling his forehead. His temperature had gone down significantly. That was a good sign. "When Fire Lord Iroh let me visit his personal library earlier this morning, I was curious about what poisoned that man from the first round. So, I borrowed some medicinal scrolls."

"Do you know what the source of the poison?" The Fire Lady asked, rising out of her chair, leaning towards Katara expectantly. The entire room was tense, anxious, waiting for her to speak.

"In the medical books, it's listed as dian-qie, but it's more commonly known as deadly nightshade."

"Nightshade?" The older woman repeated, uncertain if she'd heard correctly.

"Deadly nightshade. It grows here in the Fire Nation and some parts of the Earth Kingdom, using the warm, humid climate to grow and thrive."

"Are you accusing the Fire Nation of poisoning Kyoshi Island?" Lu Ten asked, mildly angry.

She shook her head. "How can I blame an entire nation for what one person has done?" She looked at Suki again, offering her friend a kind smile. "It's quite possible that whoever put the nightshade in the medicine didn't know what they were doing."

"How can you say that?" Lu Ten asked critically. "If it's poison then it's poison. Someone poisoned Suki's village, and then poisoned my father. That kind of thing doesn't happen all the time. Maybe you didn't read properly or something—"

"Lu Ten." Zuko snapped, his face hardened as Lu Ten glared at Katara.

Lu Ten stared at Zuko in confusion but didn't say anything more.

"It's possible," Katara continued, with a quick glare at Zuko, before turning back to everyone else, "because if nightshade is properly handled, it can act as a very powerful painkiller. Perhaps, the person who packed it didn't know about its improper treatment."

"Oh." Lu Ten blinked, and looked like he was going to say something, but Katara wasn't done. "I suppose so."

"But…it's also possible that they knew exactly what they were doing to Fire Lord Iroh." She said alternatively.

"How so?" Ursa asked.

"Because the berries of the Nightshade plant are very sweet. Often, they were used in tea before people discovered their poisonous nature."

"Tea?" The Fire Lady gasped, as Ursa and Zuko shared nervous looks.

Katara nodded. "He must have been poisoned for years. In very small doses. So small you could hardly taste them. Nightshade is not that toxic in small forms…but in large quantities can cause death in minutes. Many people have died just from ingesting the berries alone. But if it was watered down…through tea…" she trailed off, allowing the others to continue that thought.

"So, you're saying that he was deliberately poisoned…by someone?"

Katara shook her head. "I don't know who caused this, but I will try and heal Fire Lord Iroh to the best of my ability."

"Yes," Tiang agreed, speaking for the first time. She stood and pinched Azula's arm as well, forcing her to stand as well. Azula hissed and glared at her mother. Lady Tiang had the perfect mask of sorrow on her face. "We must all pray that the Spirits grant Iroh a safe and quick recovery."

"Thank you Tiang, how kind of you. Of course, Tiang." The Fire Lady said, seeming wary of Tiang's words.

"In fact …I feel motivated to visit the temple now." Tiang said, smiling sweetly. "Princess Azula and I will go, in fact. Right now."

Azula looked concerned, but she nodded. And with a quick bow, both were gone. When they left, Ozai followed soon after, not saying a word to anyone…not even his wife. He only paused at the doorway to eye his older brother lying unconscious on the bed, his expression unreadable.

Lu Ten, Princess Ursa and Fire Lady Yun Xi were talking amongst themselves…not paying the teenagers any mind.

"She's lying." Toph whispered so only Katara could hear. "She's not going to the temple."

Tiang

"Mother what are we doing?" Azula asked, but Tiang ignored her. Azula questioned her all while they were walking, but Tiang didn't really care about her daughter's questions. She had to fix this, and Azula was going to help her whether she wanted to or not. Once she'd left the Main Palace, Azula trailing behind her, she walked across the garden, and then to the Concubine's Quarters. She found Iroh's servant, Yan Li standing outside the door to her expanse of rooms.

"Did you bring Zhao here like I asked you?"

Yan Li nodded yes. Tiang was about to push the door open, but Yan Li spoke. "My Lady…if someone found out that I let a man who isn't a member of the Royal Family into the Concubine's Quarters…I could be killed.'

Tiang didn't care. "We'll worry about that later, come Azula."

She opened the door, but before she could go inside, Yan Li spoke again. "I don't think—, "

Tiang reeled around, grabbing the elderly maid by the collar, and pushing her down onto the floor. Yan Li stared at her with a horrified expression on her face. "Did I ask for you to think?"

The older woman sputtered, eyes lowering to the floor. "N-No I-I just—," But before she could get the rest of her explanation out, Tiang turned and left.

Azula followed her into her rooms. As soon as the door shut behind them, the older woman turned on her daughter. Raising a hand, she slapped her daughter in the mouth, but unlike the others, Azula didn't fall. She only staggered backwards. Tiang smirked, that was good.

"You, my daughter, are a fool." She said, as Azula touched the place where her mother had hit her. There was hurt and anger in her child's eyes. That was also good. "Your little stunt with the poison will get me killed."

"Mother what are you talking about?"

"You're ruining my chances to get what I want most and I can't have that." Tiang walked in front of her daughter, closer. "That poison launched a full-scale investigation into where it came from. All because a man was killed. The dosage that I got wasn't supposed to kill him."

Azula to her credit, stood her ground opposite her mother. "What are you trying to gain?"

"Everything! Your aunt hates me, Azula. Your uncle too" Tiang scoffed at the simplicity of her daughter. "Do you really think that she'll just give anything I ask for? You were born royal, with all the power that comes with it. I had to earn it, scratching and clawing my way to the top."

"Mother I—," Azula tried to say, stepping closer to her mother.

Tiang pointed a manicured nail at her daughter threateningly. "You're an ungrateful child. I won't be satisfied. I want it all. Everything that she takes for granted. What you all take for granted. And I'm going to do whatever I have to achieve it."

Azula knew she was talking about Zuko's mother in this instance.

"And you shall have it, my love." A voice said behind her.

Tiang turned, and there was Zhao, standing there. Tiang ran up to him and threw her arms around him, placing a large kiss on his lips. She turned around to her daughter, who looked horrified, and a little bit disturbed. Azula's golden eyes were wide with confusion as Zhao placed his arms around Tiang's waist.

"You remember Zhao, right? He's going to help me become Fire Lady."