Chapter 31
Sunlight streamed through Sokka's window, and he groaned, rolling over and burying his face under his pillow. The sun in the Fire Nation was too bright. Flashes of last night's party started to come back to him…he remembered dancing, and maybe teaching Akira the Wolf Warrior dance? He also recalled Aang zooming around on a giant ball of air, Northern Water Tribe Chief Arnook clinging to his back. Or was that a dream? Sokka burrowed deeper into his blankets. He didn't know what the Fire Nation put in their punch, but it was strong. Suki had appeared halfway through the party, looking tired, and proceeded to out-drink them all… She would probably be asleep in the Kyoshi Warrior suite for half the day.
Zuko and Mai had retired early, to the hoots and cheers of all the party. But from how exhausted Zuko had looked, Sokka bet they actually were leaving to get some early rest. It would take weeks for Zuko to heal from his Agni Kai ordeal, but given the current political climate, Zuko was trying to attend every event as if he hadn't almost died five days before.
And speaking of events: Sokka looked out the window and yelped when he saw the sun. There was a morning meeting between the heads of state regarding the former Fire Nation colonies. Today. Sokka scrambled out of bed and over to his closet, cursing his thick head and clumsy feet. This was worse than that time he had been on cactus juice in the desert for days. Although maybe Katara wouldn't agree.
After he splashed cold water on his face and dressed, Sokka set off for the Firelord's small conference room. Sometimes, it felt like he spent half his life running around the palace. On his way, he passed by Akira's room and slowed. It would probably be good to make sure Zuko's brother was awake; they were both supposed to speak on the Soldier Relocation project. Sokka knocked, and the door flung open. Akira stood there, looking a little red in the face but otherwise much less groggy than Sokka felt.
"I'm awake. And we're late!" said Akira. He grabbed a sheaf of papers from a table next to the door and slapped Sokka on the back. "Let's go!" Akira said, already halfway down the hall. How was he so chipper? Sokka shook his head. He had never seen anyone dance or drink as intensely as Akira had last night, but the young man seemed totally fine.
They arrived roughly on time. Zuko was already sitting down, probably because Zuko needed help moving a chair and sitting down behind a table. He was reading a scroll spread out on the circular table Sokka had insisted be made for specifically this occasion.
"Morning, Zuko!" said Sokka. "Did you sleep well last night?" Zuko scowled at his friend. It was hilarious how touchy he was.
"From the sound of it, I missed quite a party," Zuko said, dodging Sokka's question. "Akira, rumor has it you broke the hearts of half the ladies in the Fire Nation court by dancing with them only once."
"I am single," said Akira easily, sliding into a chair on Zuko's right. "And mysterious." Sokka coughed.
"Hey guys," Aang stumbled into the room. "Fantastic time to schedule an international meeting, Zuko. Really…fabulous." Katara followed Aang, massaging her skull.
Zuko looked smug. "I can't help it if everyone overindulges while I remain focused on affairs of state."
"Why aren't you on your honeymoon?" complained Katara, sinking into a chair and planting her face firmly onto the tabletop.
"Because I'm in extreme pain and I can't move," said Zuko caustically. His face softened slightly. "And I also have a three-year-old son who needs me."
"Zuko, I think you're lacking in creativity," said Akira idly. Ouch. In response, Zuko flushed angrily and rolled up a sleeve to reveal his white bandaged arm. "Listen, Akira, I have to change my dressings every five hours, or else blood will soak—"
"Greetings, Firelord Zuko!" said Sokka's father, Hakoda. At his side was Malina, and behind him slunk the Arnook of the Northern Water Tribe. Zuko immediately rolled down his sleeve and rose slowly to greet his guests. He simply remained standing as Earth King Kueh, the ever-unnerving General Xia, and Mayor Morishita filed in behind the Water Tribesmen and took their seats. Kueh kept shooting Morishita dirty looks, possibly because the Fire Nation Colonies attending the meeting as an independent player did not bode well for the colonies ever being returned to the Earth Kingdom.
"It is my pleasure to host this meeting in the Fire Nation capital," Zuko said warmly. "I am aware that for some of you it is your first time here, and I am grateful that you made the trip to celebrate my wedding. I like to think this is step forward in building strong, peaceful relationships between our nations." Everyone nodded.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to discuss the Fire Nation's continued withdrawal from the Earth Kingdom and surrounding territories, as well as our efforts to help all affected parties rebuild from a hundred years of war," said Zuko formally. "Unless anyone else has other issues to discuss?"
General Xia looked at Kueh significantly, and the Earth King cleared his throat. "I do, actually," he said. "I'd like to discuss the punishment of Fire Nation war criminals. Namely, of former Firelord Ozai and Princess Azula."
Sokka was shocked. He thought that this issue had been laid to rest.
"What is there to discuss?" said Zuko carefully. "I imprisoned my father and sister."
Kueh leaned forward. "Ozai was responsible for the death of millions of Earth Kingdom citizens," he spat. "And Azula brought down the walls of Ba Sing Se, effectively ending the war in the Fire Nation's favour. Prison is too good for them."
"And I've heard rumors that Azula has escaped prison," added Arnook. Xia nodded in support, her pale, eyebrowless face somehow both blank and menacing.
"I have both Ozai and Azula well handled," said Zuko tersely. "What is it you are asking of me?"
General Xia finally spoke up. "We want them dead," she said. "We want them publicly executed in Ba Sing Se, as justice for all Earth Kingdom citizens."
Zuko laughed harshly. "You have to know that that will never happen," he said. "Even if I wanted to give them to you, politically that would be suicide."
"What makes you think Ozai and Azula are even alive?" cut in Akira darkly.
"I—well—" sputtered the Earth King. He could hardly admit to having spies in the capital.
"Are you saying you've had them killed?" asked Hakoda, horrified. This was spinning out of control.
Zuko glared at Akira. "What I'm saying is: whether they are dead or alive, I have them under control. And dead or alive, I will never ship them to Ba Sing Se for you to torture. Do you understand me?"
"This is unacceptable," said General Xia angrily. "Why are you protecting mass murderers?"
Zuko looked flustered. "Azula was underage when she committed those crimes. She's still culpable, but she was under the influence of Ozai—"
"You were underage, too, when you attacked the Avatar and razed countless Earth and Water villages," commented Arnook. "Are you also somehow not responsible for your crimes?"
"Of course not, but—"
"I think we've gotten off track here," interrupted Sokka. "The Earth Kingdom demands Ozai and Azula be turned over as compensation for the deaths of Earth Kingdom citizens in war. Is there anything else you would accept, Earth King Kueh?"
Xia whispered in Kueh's ear. "We demand reparations," said Kueh. "Both the Water Tribes have received financial compensation for the trauma and devastation inflicted by the Fire Nation. Why haven't we?"
"Our involvement with the Earth Kingdom was more protracted, making the situation more…delicate," said Zuko. "But with certain conditions, I am amenable to reparations."
"What conditions?" said General Xia directly. Zuko's face darkened again.
"Surely, those can be worked out in a private meeting," said Sokka quickly.
"Yes. Let's do that." Zuko swallowed and breathed deeply. His face softened. "Your people truly did suffer greatly, and for that I am sorry. I am also willing to make a formal written apology, on behalf of my family and the Fire Nation, for starting the Hundred Year's War."
"That is…appreciated," said Arnook, a little surprised. "It's odd to hear humility from the Firelord."
"The Hundred Year's War was a tragedy," said Zuko. "The Fire Nation is not afraid to admit when it has committed a terrible wrongdoing."
"Well said," commented Malina from Hakoda's side. Sokka's future stepmother was bold to speak up in a meeting like this.
"And we aren't only prepared to send financial compensation," added Akira smoothly. "The Fire Nation has the largest and most skilled workforce in the world. We can help you rebuild your countries."
"Who are you again?" asked Xia rudely. Akira flushed, his tan skin growing darker around the ears and jawline.
"He's an advisor," cut in Zuko. Akira looked livid.
"I don't know," said Arnook. "Inviting Fire Nation soldiers back? That sounds dangerous." His eyes shifted to the door.
"Consider it," encouraged Sokka. "The Southern Water Tribe signed a contract with the Fire Nation two days ago, agreeing that the Fire Nation will send engineers to help the Water Tribe build a railroad across our continent." Hakoda and Malina nodded.
"Well, of course it worked for you," said General Xia. "The Southern Water Tribe has you as an intermediary, living in the Fire Nation capital."
"If you're concerned about it, why don't you send an Earth Kingdom representative to live in the Capital, too?" said Aang, speaking up for the first time. "Arnook, you should send someone from the Northern Water Tribe. And Zuko can send Fire Nation citizens to live in the Water Tribes and Ba Sing Se, to work on negotiations just like this one!"
"That's…actually a really good idea," admitted Kueh. "I'll send someone I trust to live here as soon as possible. Assuming you agree, Firelord Zuko?"
"Of course," said Zuko. "Whatever leads to peace."
Sokka breathed an internal sigh of relief. Thanks to Aang, they had steered clear of the touchy subject of Azula and Ozai and ended on a positive note. The meeting adjourned, and Sokka left to go check on Suki, noticing that Akira hung back. Maybe Sokka would make his girlfriend some hot tea.