Chapter 27
Azula (the same evening)
She entered her mother's rooms clutching the letter as if it were life itself, a playful smirk on her lips. Careful plans needed to be thought out very carefully, and she had to be sure that her mother was thinking things through. There could be no more mistakes like the one in the Dining Hall. If she had to be honest with herself, she'd say that her mother was a little bit obsessed. Killing people for the sake of a title? A stupid word placed in front of your name instead of Madam or Mistress? She didn't want to think about herself ever doing something so foolish. Azula knew that there were greater things worth fighting—and killing for.
Yan Li looked at the princess with an excited smile and greeted her with a very deep bow. Azula sneered at her, the old woman irritating her more than Zuko ever had. How dare she think that just because they both did her mother's bidding, that they were on the same level. It would never happen.
"Mistress Tiang is waiting for you in her bedroom, your highness." Yan Li told her.
Azula murmured a disinterested response that felt more automatic than heart-felt. She started walking down the short hallway to her mother's bedroom, Yan Li nipping at her heels. The old woman's squeaky voice announced her arrival to the other servants in her mother's chambers. They were all positioned silently in various corners of the room and sank to their knees as she passed them. She walked by them indifferently, although one of her mother's younger maids reminded her vaguely of Smellerbee. The thought of Smellerbee also brought Jet's disgusted reaction to the forefront of her mind. She wouldn't allow him to consume her thoughts entirely, but there was no denying that yesterday, he had impacted her to some degree.
Trying to distract herself from thoughts of Jet, Azula wondered why her mother wanted to meet in the bedroom of all places, and why Yan Li was allowed to accompany her. Didn't her mother know that the elderly, beady-eyed, grimacing woman worked for others in the palace? Someone with dual loyalties couldn't be trusted. But as soon as she crossed the threshold, Azula knew why.
Her mother, and the former Commander Zhao were curled up in bed together in vary minimal states of dress. Azula would never forget this, the sight of her mother tracing lazy patterns on Zhao's chest as though he were the most comfortable cushion in the world or the feeling of betrayal that ripped apart her heart. Thank goodness that Zhao was covered from the waist down or she'd have to wash her eyes out every day for the rest of her life.
Zhao murmured something low, and her mother placed a long languid kiss on Zhao's lips. Azula didn't know whether she should throw up or burn Zhao to a crisp for his audacity.
Azula had never had much control of her mother, but this was ridiculous. Ever since Uncle Iroh's poisoning, Azula knew that her mother snuck away to meet with Zhao, but to bring him here? Right under her father's nose? Didn't her mother have any common sense? If her father, Ozai found out, not only would her mother be executed, but Azula would never have any legitimate claim to the throne, and that was something that she wasn't going to give up by any means.
They still had not recognized that she was in the room, still all too caught up in their own little world. Azula had to make her presence known when Zhao's leg slid between her mother's parted ones. She cleared her throat. This had been going on far too long.
"Ahem…" Her mother looked up and didn't even have the decency to be ashamed. There was no blush staining her mother's cheeks, no attempt to preserve modesty as it seemed that Zhao didn't care either. Azula folded her arms over her chest and stared at the couple in disbelief. "Good morning, Mother."
The older woman sat up and yawned, stretching her arms out above her head. "Azula…" She muttered once she had finished, curling back into Zhao's side. "I had forgotten about you."
Just today?
"That's fine, mother." Azula said looking away from the couple, feeling irritation pool in her stomach, but she forced it away. Her mother needed her for something, and Azula was glad to be useful for once, even if she was betraying her father. Her mother waved a flippant hand at Yan Li, who brought Azula a stool from her mother's vanity before disappearing to the other side of the room. "You said you needed me?"
"I did—do need you Azula." Her mother said, rising.
Yan Li moved from her place and held a pink silk robe in her hands. She helped her mother off the bed and then wrapped the robe around her, tying it in a tight knot at the waist. And for a moment, Azula was struck by how beautiful her mother was. She had big golden eyes, though not as bright as Azula's own, and a willowy form that could be compared to a tree blowing in the wind. The sleeves on the robe reached her hips. As a concubine, her mother wasn't allowed to wear the royal color of gold, but her mother had always said that she preferred pink.
"Why did you get up, my darling?" Zhao asked from his position on the bed, his confident smile faltering a bit.
Her mother turned and pushed Yan Li away from her. Crawling on the bed, she placed a chaste kiss on Zhao's lips that he returned with a smile. "Because, my love, you're making it incredibly difficult to think."
Azula shouldn't be here. She shouldn't hear these words. All this time, she'd thought that her mother loved her father, but perhaps that wasn't the case. Was her mother using her father for power and prestige, when she was really, in love with Zhao? Of course, her mother could be leading Zhao on to help her father in some way.
Moving away from Zhao, her mother moved to the large couch opposite her bed. Lounging on the red and gold fabric of the couch almost made her mother into something out of a painting. Azula wished she could be so beautiful.
While her mother was reclining, a maid in a thin pink robe with her hair in a bun offered her mother a plate of grapes. Azula rolled her eyes. Were they ever going to get started talking about Katara's demise? But when her mother gave her an appraising look, as though she were some sort of livestock, was when Azula started to get agitated. Yes, she was better off planning something on her own.
She stood. "Excuse me mother, I have to—,"
"How do you feel about the position of Fire Lady, Azula?"
She froze. Her mother smirked at her, blood-red lips shimmering in the candlelight. The position of Fire Lady was something that she'd always wanted, but with so many Royal Women in line before her, especially now that Lu Ten and Zuko were getting married, she'd come to accept that she never would wear that ornate crown.
"How do I feel?" She repeated curiously.
"Are you hard of hearing Princess Azula, or are you too slow to figure it out?" Zhao muttered under his breath, but he wasn't discrete about it, so Azula heard every word. Her mother did too, judging by the way she frowned at Zhao.
"Has being a military outcast affected your brain so much that you've forgotten yourself?" Azula spat at him, rising off the stool. She knew she looked as imposing as her father did in that moment because Zhao's mouth parted as his eyes widened and Azula drove on. "Keep in mind who you're speaking to, Director. I won't allow myself to be taunted like Zuko. Remember your place."
After a second of holding his gaze, Zhao looked away. "Forgive me, Princess Azula."
The 16-year-old princess sighed and sat back down. Her mother smiled at her, eyes narrowing in delight. "Impressive, Princess Azula." Azula turned to her mother in surprise. Ozai's concubine smiled at her and Azula shrunk under the striking gaze of her mother. "You might just have what it takes after all."
"She just insulted me, my love." Zhao cried, affronted.
Tiang blew a soft kiss towards her lover. "You shall live, my darling." She soothed before turning her sharp gaze back to Azula. "I apologize daughter, but I had to be sure that you were the same child who ripped the heads off your dolls as a little girl."
"I'm the same, mother." Azula said calmly, all the while feeling inside that she in fact had changed…she just didn't understand in what way yet. "I have just grown taller."
Her mother laughed, short and sweet. Even Yan Li's wrinkled face cracked a smile. The only person who wasn't laughing was Zhao. "Oh, my dear child," She said, "I'm pleased with you. For now."
Azula couldn't help the overwhelming satisfaction of hearing those words. She had received countless words of praise over the years, from tutors and trainers and most of the nobility of the Fire Nation Court. But to hear those words of praise after 16 years of life, Azula felt pride well up in her chest.
"Thank you, mother." Azula said, mostly to herself. Her mother's smile faded.
"Now. Back to the business of things." Her mother said, looking around the room determinedly. "Where is Diyi, that insufferable girl? I thought I ordered her to be here at precisely 11 o'clock."
Azula smiled to herself. She knew exactly what happened to Diyi. The young woman was currently hiding from Azula in her room, or if she knew what was good for her she would be. "I don't know, mother. Why do you need her, if you have me?"
"I should think it would be obvious, Azula." Her mother narrowed her eyes and Azula's breath hitched. "I need someone in the Inner Circle of the people we want to bring down the most."
"Katara's inner circle?" Azula asked, and her mother nodded exasperatedly.
"Of course." Tiang said dejectedly. "That Water-Tribe girl has been poking holes through each of my otherwise brilliant plans." She looked at Zhao with eyes filled with determination. "We need to change our strategy."
"Of course." Zhao murmured. By now, he'd put on a robe so dark red that it was almost black, with a golden dragon embroidered along the sleeves. Azula's eyes narrowed. That was one of her father's robes! She could feel the anger at Zhao's boldness bubble up inside of her.
Azula felt the letter in her hand grow heavy. Hoping to distract herself, and to avoid throttling Zhao, Azula spoke. "I have a plan to bring down Katara, Mother, if you're willing to hear it."
Azula's mother gave her a look bordering on disinterest as well as irritation. "Azula you think too small." Azula's heart dropped. "We need to focus not only on the girl, but we need to bring down the entire government all together. That is the only way that I can become true royalty."
"Yes, Mother." Azula said solemnly. Perhaps her mother would never get to listen to her plan after all.
"Zhao," The irritation didn't disappear from her mother's voice, and the man stiffened. "I want you to go to Iroh's room tonight and slit his throat with this dagger." From the vanity drawer behind her, she pulled out a dagger, encased in a golden sheath, decorated with rubies and diamonds across the hilt and down the side of it in a row. It was as large as an ink brush, maybe a bit smaller, perfect for concealing under clothing and even easier to hide away when its task is done.
"Where did you get that mother?" Azula asked. She had never known of her mother's weapon, she thought her mother dealt with finesse… The thought made her mother all that more impressive in her eyes. Azula wanted a dagger of her own.
The woman unsheathed it, revealing a small knife with a blade so sharp it looked like it could cut glass. She admired her reflection in the steel before smiling sinisterly at her daughter, ruby lips curled back over her teeth. "An adamant suitor of mine bequeathed it to me when I was much younger, around your age, Azula. He said it would be for my protection." She chuckled darkly. "If only he knew the dark deed this blade was destined for."
"But you can't just attack the Fire Lord all at once, mother. It would draw too much attention. That wouldn't be the best course of action, in my opinion." Azula stated hesitantly.
"And why can't I!?" The concubine hissed. Azula recoiled. She'd never seen her mother become so angry. Her mother's golden eyes darkened with rage, as she leaned forwards, grabbing the dagger tightly for a split second, Azula feared that her own mother might stab her own child. "How dare you tell me that I can't do something I want to."
"M-Mother, I only meant that…" Azula paused, feeling the heavy glare of her mother on her face. She had to quell her mother's anger, while pointing out the flaws in her plan. "Would it not make more sense to start from the bottom? If, Zhao did try to kill Uncle, the water tribe girl could heal him in a matter of minutes." She stopped and tried to read her mother's expression.
The older woman was looking at her with a mixture of contempt and understanding. Her mother wasn't pleased that Azula was, in effect, telling her that she was wrong, but she couldn't deny that the problems Azula pointed out were very obvious. "Go on." She bit out.
Steeling her nerves and trying not to make a fool out of herself or anger her mother further, Azula resumed her explanation. "Besides, mother. Even if Zhao does kill Uncle Iroh, won't the blame be immediately placed on you?"
Zhao whirled on her. "Are you implying that I would turn my back on your mother?" His face reddened.
"Nonsense, Commander—Oh, forgive me." A vein pulsed in the middle of his forehead. Azula smirked, relishing in his irritation. "I would never suggest that you're disloyal." Zhao could flip sides faster than a gold coin. He could be in a corrupt minister's pocket in one second, the next, be on the side of the authorities bringing the man down. "I was merely suggesting that while, of course you would be capable of carrying out the task, the knife might be traceable due to its…design."
She could see in their eyes that they realized that her point was valid. Should Zhao misplace the sheath, or someone recognizing the hilt, her mother would be ruined.
"Are you saying that I'm incapable of doing this?" Zhao frowned, his face reddening more. "My dear, you can't possibly believe that Princess Azula could perform a deed such as this."
Azula fought to keep her expression passive. "I don't have to. And if you listen to my idea, you won't have to either." The teenager stated plainly. Zhao sat back down on the bed, eyeing Azula suspiciously.
"Then enlighten us with your plan, Azula." Her mother deadpanned, not sounding interested in the slightest. "Quickly now, before I lose my patience."
"Yes mother." Azula nodded. "It would be the most beneficial if we conquered all of our enemies at once. The entire opposite branch of the Royal family up in flames with one single shot."
"How do you intend to do that, Azula?" Zhao asked tauntingly. Azula opened her mouth to speak about the letter but was interrupted by her mother. The teenager gritted her teeth. She was interrupted, again. Azula didn't even know why she was here in the first place. Were they planning on Azula taking the fall if they were compromised? Would her own mother do such a thing to her?
"We need to get Lu Ten out of the way. Get rid of the Crown Prince." She said, smirking. "After all, once you kill Uncle Iroh, Lu Ten can't inherit the throne if he's dead."
"How would we get him alone?" Zhao frowned.
"The Fire Lady has been clamoring for her son to take a more active role in government and administration, why don't we help him?" Her mother's ruby lips broke into a wide grin.
"And if Lu Ten were to be torn to pieces by an enraged mob…then how on earth could he inherit?" Zhao chuckled darkly. "And if Iroh were to die from grief, or a slashed throat, whichever comes first…then that would get them both out of the way."
"But all of the fingers would be pointed at Father next because he's Chief of the Guard! The nobility would automatically accuse him of murder!" Azula didn't want anything to happen to her father. He could do no wrong in her eyes. She loved him, and she thought that her mother did too.
"I warned your father that I will do whatever it takes to take this throne and get my title. And if he must be imprisoned for treason then so be it." Her mother snapped at her, eyes narrowing to near slits, but the anger radiated off her.
Azula recoiled in fear. Could her mother be so ruthless? It was almost admirable, but not when it came to her father. No, her mother had crossed the line now.
"When the nobility realizes that the only competent member of the royal family left is you, Azula, you will rule the country as Fire Lady."
"It's not like Zuko is any different. Incompetent, ineffectual, and an idiot, just like the rest of them." Zhao sneered, but then froze, as if remembering something. "What about the Water Tribe girl?"
Her mother sighed. "The girl is a problem. But do not worry, my love. We will get rid of her too. I stake my life on it. Now, as for the second part of our plan, I will need you to…" As if only now she realized that Azula was actually in the room again, she looked at her daughter with suspicious eyes. "Go Azula. Leave. Do not return until I have summoned you."
Azula had never been more grateful to leave in her life. She nearly sank to the ground outside of her mother's chambers, emotionally exhausted. Her mother and Zhao had just revealed their plan to her, and she was expected to comply as though she'd had some great part in it all. Azula could hear them laughing inside, talking loudly to each other as though this was a private residence. Wasn't her mother fearful of her father or did she just not care anymore? She felt the letter in her hand again, now crumpled into a ball with how tightly she had been holding it. Did her mother really have any use for her? Or was she simply a pawn in their game? Did her mother actually consider her weak? Like Zuko?
Azula wasn't weak. She was a prodigy, and she had been told so all her life. She could shoot lightning from her fingertips, manipulate fire at her will, there was no way that she was weak.
Then why did she feel this way?
She laughed darkly, sounding hollow even to her own ears. For the first time in her life, she was almost jealous of Zuko. Her father would laugh at her if he was here. At least Ursa loved Zuko. Azula wasn't even sure if her own parents loved her. How fortunate for her big brother. To have a mother, cousin, and an aunt and uncle that loved him unconditionally. And now he had Katara too. Azula felt tears burn in her eyes.
No, Azula. She told herself, you don't cry. Not for yourself, or anyone else.
Why did he get all of the luck?! Why did Zuko have everyone when she had no one? Why was he so lucky? It should be her, surrounded by people she loved. It should be her, having people fawn and fight over her like the Hana Matsuri girls. It should be her that had someone to hold onto at night. Someone to turn to when she was frightened.
Why can't that be me?!
She heard the laughter inside of her mother's rooms, change to moaning. She stiffened, fixing her expression before anyone saw her like this and walked down the hallway like a good Fire Nation Princess should. Like only she knew how.
But not like the person she wanted to be.
Azula wiped her angry tears on the back of her hand. She had someone she needed to speak to. And tomorrow, she would.
Katara (the next morning)
Katara of the Southern Water Tribe wasn't acting in a manner befitting a Princess. She wasn't even sure if she was acting in a manner that befitted anyone, if she was perfectly honest with herself. She could see Gu Zhi's disapproval all over the old woman's face. Lin and her other servants looked at her anxiously. With each paper or piece of clothing Katara threw on the floor, their concerned faces only grew increasingly intense.
Where is that letter?
She'd arrived back to her room late last night, after a very casual meeting with Song, Princess Ursa, and Fire Lady Yun Xi. They'd instructed her that today, she, along with Song would be undergoing training for their life in the Fire Nation palace. In other words, Princess lessons. She wasn't exactly thrilled, but she loved Zuko, and even if he hadn't said it to her directly yet, she knew he felt the same that she did, or at least to some degree. She wouldn't be here otherwise.
But Katara didn't have time for Princess Lessons right now, she had to find that letter. Yue's letter, the thing that threatened to tear the whole Royal Family apart should it be given the chance. What if Lu Ten found out? Would he call off his marriage to Song? Would he marry Yue instead? Would he make her a concubine? Yue would hate that. She wouldn't stand being second to Song, it was a part of Yue's temper. What would happen if her parents found her here? Yue was a fugitive from the Water Tribe. Would she be exiled to the Frozen North? Would Katara, be punished as well for helping her? If Yue gave birth to a boy, would that child be legitimate? Would he be Lu Ten's heir? And with Fire Lord Iroh's health still as weak as it was, should something happen, Lu Ten would be the Regent, to rule in Iroh's place. How could Lu Ten successfully rule, with thoughts of Yue and his child plaguing his mind?
Word couldn't get out about Yue's baby.
She ignored the anxious looks of Gu Zhi and the rest of the servants as she frantically tore her room apart. Clothes were everywhere, her stationary thrown all over the floor, after she had carefully sorted them all, one by one, trying to find one that matched the green and yellow paper used by the Kyoshians. She had found the envelope, as well as the wax seal from Kyoshi. Both were on her desk, but it wasn't what she was looking for.
"Princess Katara, would you please, let us help you?" Lin asked, twisting her fingers nervously in her hair.
"No, Lin. I have to do this on my own." Katara pulled a box of her things out from under her bed and dumped it on top of the covers, kneading her fingers through the pile of shoes and slippers. This is ridiculous! Why would it be under my bed?
"Then can you at least tell us what you're looking for?" The girl asked.
Katara was about to reply, but she stopped herself. She eyed the new maids behind Lin and Gu Zhi warily. She didn't know them, and by instinct, she didn't trust them to look for the letter. Katara pointed slightly to the new maids standing by the door and frowned. Gu Zhi nodded her head.
Turning, she said. "Princess Katara has no need for you today, continue about your own business. But return in an hour so we can get her highness ready for the day." The maids bowed silently, first to her, and then to Gu Zhi before backing out of the room and closing the door behind them.
Once they were gone, Katara sank to the floor, exhausted. Gu Zhi and Lin came to her, the younger servant rubbing soothing circles on her legs, and Gu Zhi patting her back timidly, but with affection was there. Katara rested her head against her mattress. "I never asked to be here, you know. And I don't regret most of it. But those new maids…I don't know…something feels off, about them."
Gu Zhi looked at her quizzically. "I assure you, Princess Katara, those maids are completely devoted to serving the crown."
Katara had a higher standing now, and as such, needed more servants to help her with day-to-day tasks. Or at least, that was the idea. But she didn't need people to order around. What she needed was to find that letter. And without it, Katara's whole future was thrown into a whirlwind of insanity and blindness.
Was it too much to ask for something simple out of life, a day where she didn't have to worry about what was coming her way? A day where she didn't have to worry about who was conspiring behind her back? A day where she could go to the garden, sit under the tree, and relax without a care in the world? Or spend time with Zuko without someone being angry at her for it?
Katara felt her cheeks heat up as she thought of Zuko, and exactly what spending time with him would be like once they were married. Zuko wasn't pressuring her to advance with their relationship, and he hadn't officially asked her yet, as was the custom of her tribe, but marriage was definitely on the horizon, and would probably take place not long after she turned 16. She'd always known it, every Water Tribe girl did. But Zuko…his bending…Katara didn't know if her grandmother had been right when she'd made the prediction. Katara turned 16 in less than a week. In just 5 days, she would be old enough to marry.
She looked up and saw both Lin and Gu Zhi staring at her curiously. She blushed deeper, embarrassed at how she was sidetracked by her thoughts of Zuko, and what he could become. She cleared her throat and tried to relax, pushing away the redness from her cheeks.
"I need to find the letter I received yesterday." She told them. Gu Zhi's eyes widened, and Katara raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. "It was on gold and green Kyoshian paper, and…" She paused, taking a deep breath. "It contains something very important."
"Like what, Princess Katara? If we knew what we were looking for, or any characteristics it might have had, then we could—,"
"I can't tell you that." She said softly, looking at Lin. The girl's brown eyes widened in shock. "I trust you Lin, really, I do, but the walls in this palace have ears, and you never know who may be listening."
Lin was obviously upset by Katara's reluctance to tell her, but she nodded slightly. "Of course. I understand."
Gu Zhi was acting more nervous than Katara had ever seen her. The old woman twiddled her thumbs, and kept her eyes trained on the folds of her dress. Katara frowned, concerned for the maid. "Gu Zhi? What's wrong?"
Gu Zhi looked up, startled. "P-Princess K-Katara, I—,"
A loud knock on the door stopped Gu Zhi from talking, and Katara was concerned because the old woman looked almost relieved that she was interrupted. If it had been any other time, Katara was certain that whoever was on the other side of that door would get an earful of a scolding. Especially if it was a servant.
Gu Zhi sighed, straightening herself and walked to the door quickly. She opened it and a young girl entered the room, seeming to be about Toph's age, around 12 or 13. She had dark brown hair that had obviously been unkempt for a while, and was stuck together with dirt and grease. She wore a very shabby dark red servant's tunic that reached her knees, with long and loose dark red pants under them and tattered brown shoes. Wrapped around her midriff was an apron that she could only guess must have been white once. But now it was so splattered with dirt and other things that it was more brown than white.
The girl seemed fearful as she entered the room, eyes trained on the floor. Katara held out her hand to Lin and the older girl helped her to her feet, where Katara sat on her bed, concern for this girl written all over her face. When the young servant entered the room, she immediately sank in a not very graceful bow, pressing her forehead to the stone of Katara's floor.
"My name is—," the girl started to say, her voice so uneasy that Katara could barely understand what she was saying.
"What are you doing out of the kitchens, girl?" Gu Zhi said firmly, no longer the nervous old woman that she had been only moments before.
The young servant barely moved her head a fraction of an inch, but somehow looked at Gu Zhi with eyes full of fear. "I..."
Gu Zhi narrowed her eyes. "What's it? Can you not see that Princess Katara is trying to rest? Why are you trying to pester her?" Gu Zhi snapped. "Does Suzhen know that you're being lax in your duties? Should I have him take away 3 month's wages for abandoning your tasks?"
"P-Please, no!" The girl looked at Katara quickly before pleading, "I told my brother it was a bad idea for me to leave the kitchens, but he didn't understand. I tried to tell him that I would get in trouble, but he didn't care!"
"Who exactly is your brother?" Katara's head maid ordered the girl to answer. But the servant girl shook her head and didn't answer. Bending over, Gu Zhi pinched the girls ear, making the girl cry out in pain, and pulled her up from her position on the floor onto to her knees, and the tears start to run down her young face.
Katara was in shock. She'd never seen Gu Zhi act like this, why was she being so harsh? Is this how all the servants in the palace were treated? Katara stood. "Gu Zhi stop." The old woman's eyes widened. "Can't you see that you're scaring the poor girl half to death?"
"I'm sorry, Princess Katara, but servants are meant to be never seen, never heard. Especially those that work in the kitchens, dirty and greasy as they are." The old woman gritted her teeth. "It is the Fire Nation way."
"It's not my way. And you know that. Everyone deserves respect, regardless of where they work." Katara shook her head, looking at her servant. Gu Zhi's eyes widened, and the woman that Katara knew flickered behind them. Gu Zhi, who was usually so demure, so composed, was reduced to…this. Katara tried her best to sound authoritative, as close to her mother as possible. "Something's bothering you, Gu Zhi. I know it. You wouldn't be acting this way otherwise, which we will discuss later. Now let her go."
Gu Zhi didn't say anything and let go of the girl's ear, but suddenly she looked very old to Katara. Katara wondered what terrible burden she had to bear. What happened to make her this way?
"T-Thank you for your m-mercy, Princess Katara!" The girl exclaimed in gratitude, staring up at her with watery eyes. Katara paused. What had caused this girl to be so…fearful?
"I didn't show any…mercy…I just didn't want to see you in trouble." Katara said kindly, giving a nervous glance to Gu Zhi, who looked positively ashamed. She walked to the young girl and held out her hand. After a moment, the girl accepted it with a shaky grasp on Katara's fingers. Katara led her over to the small couch in her room and sat her down. "Now, what happened…?" She trailed off, not knowing the girl's name.
She sniffed, the tears finally stopping. "Mifeng."
"Mifeng?" Katara asked. "Do we know each other?"
"N-No…" the girl stammered but she looked up with bright eyes. "You know my brother! Jet!"
Jet?
"You're Smellerbee? Jet's little sister?" Katara asked the young girl. "Longshot's friend?"
She nodded, her eyes brightening further. "So, you know Longshot too!" Her brown eyes softened. "My family and I owe a lot to you."
"Jet's alive? He's fine?" Katara asked, eyes wide. Gu Zhi raised an eyebrow, but Katara ignored her questioning gaze.
The young servant smiled slightly. "He keeps asking for you. He said you saved his life…" Her eyes were filled with gratitude. "He said he wants to thank you more than anything else in the world."
"Smellerbee…where is he? Is he…outside of the palace? I-I don't think I can leave." Gu Zhi shook her head in agreement to what Katara was saying.
"No…he's in the kitchen." Smellerbee told her. "He wanted to come to your room and see you, but I told him that it was dangerous enough for me to be outside of the kitchens during the day. If he was seen going into your room…I don't know what would happen, but the results would be bad."
"Then I'll go to the kitchen and see him." Katara announced standing. Lin's mouth dropped open and Gu Zhi looked almost stricken with worry,
"Princess Katara!" Gu Zhi gasped, appalled. "Surely, you're not going entertain this silly notion of visiting this…this Jet, person. He isn't fit to be with someone of your standing."
"Are you saying that I can't choose my own friends?" Katara frowned.
Lin cleared her throat and Katara turned her head to the older girl. "I think what she means is that people may develop the wrong idea if they find that you met a man when you're only so recently engaged to Prince Zuko."
The old woman nodded. "It is true. Rumors fly fast through these walls."
"Jet is my friend." Katara said firmly, starting to walk towards the door. "And by going to see him, I'm not turning my back on Zuko. He knows how I feel for him, and how I feel about people who need me. I don't need you to advise me on that." Katara couldn't help but snap at the older woman.
"But Princess Katara, this is the Fire Nation way." Gu Zhi said. "You're not to meet with any man before your wedding!"
What's Gu Zhi trying to hide from me?
"I'm not from the Fire Nation." Katara said before walking out the door, Smellerbee following close behind.
When she entered the hallway, she paused for a minute, wondering if she should go back and apologize. Perhaps she was too harsh, but Katara hadn't been lying when she said it. She wasn't from the Fire Nation, and wouldn't just acquiesce to whatever they wanted, just to appease them. Perhaps she'd been harsh with the woman who was only looking out for her, but it was too late to go back and apologize. She steeled her nerve and followed Smellerbee to the kitchen through the servant's entrance.
"I'm sorry." Smellerbee said softly from next to her. They walked out of the Concubine's Quarters and across the garden.
"For what?" Katara asked.
"I-I caused problems between you and Mistress Gu Zhi." Smellerbee's voice broke.
"No…" Katara said softly. "It wasn't you. Something is bothering her..."
"Oh." Smellerbee sniffed. "Mistress Gu Zhi is very loyal to those she serves. I believe she won't turn away from you."
Katara looked away from her, toward her shoes. "I certainly hope so."
Before long, they reached the entrance to the kitchen, and Katara was surprised to see how busy it was, so unlike when Katara and Zuko had snuck in here only a few days ago. The smell of fresh bread hit her first, followed by the smells of cooking meats and cheeses. There were people everywhere, all wearing similar clothing to Smellerbee, and carrying baskets full of produce and other items from place to place inside of the large kitchen, storing things, chopping them and putting them into pots. The door to the supply room was propped open by a sandbag placed strategically on the floor in front of it.
A large pot hung over a burning fire in the hearth. Katara smiled inwardly as she saw servants avoiding the door to the tunnels that Katara and Zuko had used to exit the palace not so long ago. The servants were only women, some looking as old as her grandmother had. The only man that Katara could see in the room stood on a platform by the door they'd arrived through. No one looked up when they entered, so engrossed as they were in their work. They were probably fearful of the man on the platform as well.
He was a portly man, with a beard so black it was almost the color of charcoal. His apron was the only clean white one, and his hair was combed fashionably to one side. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and his large mustache quivered when he barked out orders, which was often. Katara had to restrain herself from laughing aloud. When Smellerbee shut the door behind them, the man turned to them. Recognizing Smellerbee, his eyes narrowed dangerously, and he bounded down from his position.
"Girl!" He roared, face turning red with the word. He pinched Smellerbee's ear and yelled into it, and Katara had the urge to cover her ears with her hands to shield herself from the noise. "Where the blazes have you been? I ought to fire you."
No one in the room paid the three of them any attention. Perhaps someone getting scolded wasn't all that uncommon here. "M-Master S-Shuzen!" Smellerbee gasped, wincing in pain. "I-I—!"
"Leave her alone!" Katara cried, rushing to Smellerbee's side. "She was with me!"
Shuzen turned his gaze on her now, and Katara recoiled from his breath. His lips pursed, cheeks red with anger. "And who the fuck are you?!"
"I'm Katara," Katara said lowly. She blinked once, then twice as Shuzen analyzed her with his beady eyes. And after a moment, he straightened, and moved away from her as though she'd had some disease. He took Smellerbee with him, dragging her by her ear. He'd recognized her eyes, the blue of the Water Tribe, and unlike anyone else in the entire Fire Nation.
She whimpered in pain and he yelled at her, "Shut up!" Before turning his gaze to Katara. His voice changed in an instant, becoming softer and more respectful. "Princess Katara…what brings you to such a lowly place?"
Everyone stopped moving. They all stared at the Water Tribe Princess, a royal who had dared to come into the Kitchen.
"I'd appreciate if you'd let my friend go." Katara said forcefully, narrowing her eyes back at him.
Shuzen looked very confused, as though he didn't understand. He looked from Katara, back to Smellerbee, and then back to Katara. "Her?" He threw Smellerbee on the floor and the girl let out a sob when she contacted the floor. Shuzen straightened, scratching his head as though he was thinking about something difficult. "Princess Katara…what would someone as esteemed as you…be doing with the likes of her." He glared down at Smellerbee again. "Especially one so lazy and useless as her." He said, half muttering to himself. "Can't even stay at her post…"
"I didn't mean to leave, I couldn't just—," Smellerbee cried.
"Stop talking." Shuzen said.
Katara continued, trying to sound as imperious as she could. "I don't have to explain myself to you, one who treats another human being so poorly." She said, crouching down and offering Smellerbee her hand, repeating the same gesture she had done not too long ago. She took Katara's hand and stood, giving Shuzen a glare. Looking around the room, she noticed that someone important wasn't there.
"Where is my brother?" Smellerbee yelled. "What did you do to him?"
Shuzen rolled his eyes. "What do you think, stupid girl? I put him to work! I'm not going to have a freeloader taking up valuable space and not earning his keep."
But Katara didn't have to wait long to find Jet. He entered the kitchen through the supply room, coming from the door leading out of the palace. He wore an apron like the rest of the servants, and a heavy glare on his face. He held three crates stacked one on top of the other that looked like they carried star fruits, pomelos, cantaloupes and other fruits that she couldn't identify. He heaved a heavy sigh, dumping the crates behind Katara and Smellerbee, and not noticing the two of them. Katara was surprised to see him moving around so well. He didn't look to be wincing in pain, and it was almost a complete reversal of how he looked only a few days ago.
"Are you fucking happy?" Jet complained, wiping sweat off his brow. He untied the apron from around his waist and threw it at Shuzen's head. The large man dodged it surprisingly easy and returned Jet's glare. "I brought your stupid fruit in, for this stupid party that no one gives a damn about." He sent a sneer Shuzen's way when he caught sight of Smellerbee holding her ear.
"Bee?" Jet cried, rushing over. He placed his finger gently under Smellerbee's chin, lifting her head up and examining her ear. Katara snickered to herself. He didn't even see her, with eyes only for his sister. "What happened?" He looked up and glared at Shuzen even more heavily than before. "What did you do to her?"
"Watch your mouth, boy!" Shuzen snarled, and Katara backed up in case he lunged at Jet. But Jet didn't back down. If anything, his resolve was only strengthened. She thought Shuzen was going to punch him. He gestured respectfully to Katara. "Can't you see we are in the presence of royalty?"
Jet turned, and all at once, the angry look disappeared from his face. "It's you."
Katara sensed that there was more that needed to be said, so she turned to Shuzen. "Leave us." She narrowed her eyes. "I will be taking them with me for the moment." Katara said, trying to sound as regal as possible.
"Yes, your highness." Shuzen could hardly refuse her, so he nodded, and left them, resuming barking orders to the others from his position.
Katara turned to Jet and Smellerbee, smiling to them both. "Shall we talk somewhere a bit more…quiet?"
"We can talk in the hallway, if you'd like." Smellerbee suggested. Jet still didn't say anything, his mind still trying to process seeing Katara wearing expensive finery, and not wearing servant's clothes.
They left the kitchen and moved out into the hallway. Jet seemed to look tired as he rested his back on the wall, eyeing Katara warily. She smiled at him brighter, hoping to reassure him. "It's good to see you up and about Jet. I honestly didn't think you would recover so fast."
"I thought he would never recover!" Smellerbee agreed, hugging her brother tightly.
Jet didn't say anything. His eyes traveled up and down her form, taking in the clothes that she wore, and she was a bit annoyed at the brazen way he did it, as though he was appraising her for an auction of some kind. She frowned at him. She put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow. "Don't look at me like that." She snapped, turning away from him slightly.
Jet smirked. "Well shit. I guess they weren't kidding. You really are a princess. Fucking hell, I really didn't see that one coming."
Who wasn't kidding about me being a princess?
"I see you found your sister, with no real help from me." Katara smiled slightly. "I'd wanted to be the one to reunite you."
"I do just fine on my own, Princess." He said, but then his breath hitched. His eyes grew distant as though he was remembering something sharply. Katara looked to Smellerbee for answers but the girl shrugged.
"Just Katara, please. I couldn't bear it if you acted all formal to me now." Katara continued, snapping Jet out of his thoughts. He blinked rapidly, eyes coming back into focus. "What are you doing now?"
"I don't know. I don't want Smellerbee and Longshot to continue working and living here, especially not with him." He said, gesturing rudely back to the closed Kitchen doors. He sighed, looking at his sister sadly. "We don't have all that much money, and we can't get an apartment on just her and Longshot's salaries. But I don't know of a place that would hire me. I don't have anyone to recommend me or anything."
"Jet don't worry. We'll figure it out." Smellerbee said. " I'll ask Shuzen for extra hours of work and th—,"
"You're not asking that guy for anything." Jet told her firmly, as though daring her to say no. "I don't like him. I don't like how he treats you. I don't like anything about this place."
"Jet…" Smellerbee tried to protest, but he silenced her with a look.
Katara smiled at him. "I happen to know of a place that's looking for a waiter. The pay would be decent, and he'd definitely hire you."
"Oh really? And how would you know?" Jet asked her, disbelieving.
"His name is Wu, and he runs the Golden Lily Tea Shop here in the capital. Just tell him that Lee and Sapphire Fire sent you." She hoped Zuko wouldn't mind Jet using Zuko's cover name.
"Who's Lee and Sapphire Fire?" Jet asked quizzically.
Katara shook her head, chuckling. "You don't want to know." But then she sobered. Her smile faded and she looked at Jet seriously. "I need to ask you a favor Jet. I-I don't know if you'd be able to help me, but I would really appreciate it if—,"
"Anything." Jet said immediately. Katara's mouth dropped and he continued. "You saved my life. I'll do anything for you."
"Okay…that's good to know, because this won't be easy." Katara said. She proceeded hesitantly, unsure of what to say. "I have a…relative that's coming to the City, but her presence here needs to remain absolutely secret. She's running away from…a problem, and I'm the only family she can turn to for help."
"So, I should cancel the parade through the streets then?" Jet said sarcastically.
Katara frowned. "I'm being serious. No one can know that she's here." Jet's expression became stoic. "She's coming in on a ship from Kyoshi. Go to the dockmaster and ask him when deliveries from Kyoshi are set to arrive. She should be on that ship. When she arrives, take her down the beach and you'll find a cave. The cave leads to a series of tunnels that I can use to sneak her into the palace."
"But someone will know something's wrong when a random man comes into the palace." Smellerbee pointed out.
"I'm not random!" Jet protested. "But she's right, you know. How will I let you know that your…relative is here?"
"I could do it." Smellerbee said. "I'll move out of the palace and live with you, Jet. We'll go to the harbor and wait. Longshot and I can take Princess Katara through the tunnels to meet her…relative."
Katara nodded, that idea sounded okay. "Alright then."
"But wait." Jet said, holding up a finger. "How will I know that she's your relative?"
Katara smiled sadly. "Her white hair." She took a deep breath. "And her eyes that are exactly like mine."
Jet met her eyes then, and she didn't know what to think. Healing someone put a little bit of yourself into them, and Katara didn't understand why she was reacting to Jet so strangely. He was attractive, yes, something about his take-life-as-it-comes attitude was appealing in all the right ways and there was something about his bluntness that caught her off guard in a good way. In a palace filled with rules and regulations, Jet was like a breath of fresh air.
But he wasn't Zuko.
Jet nodded. "I understand."
"Thank you for this, Jet." Katara said sincerely. "You have no idea how much this means to me."
"It's the least I can do." Jet told her, stepping forward. "You saved my life, and I'll never be able to repay you. Not until the day I die."
"I've been meaning to ask you," Katara wondered, remembering his easy movement in the kitchen. "How has your wound been? Any itching? Really serious scarring? Pain?"
"Nope." Jet smirked at her, lifting the front of his dark brown tunic, revealing a toned, but mostly healed stomach. "I'm all better, I promise."
Katara could see a faint line of scarring from the cut, but if he wasn't in pain, she couldn't find anything wrong with him. Brain having fully gone into medical mode, she bent down in front of him, tracing the line down his side, pressing on his stomach lightly with her fingertips. Jet looked at her with wide eyes and he started to say something, but Katara shushed him.
"Quiet, I'm trying to see if anything is wrong with you." Jet started to try to put his tunic down, and Katara straightened. "What's the matter?"
But Jet's eyes were fixed on someone further down the corridor.
"I wonder how my brother would feel about you being down here, Katara?"