Reunion

Part Three: The Husband

At the Fire Palace, Azula and Masanori sat by the turtle-duck pond. "Are we staying long, Fire Cat?"

"Sick of the place already?"

"Ember Island is my home, you know."

"Time you expanded your horizons. Ever been to Ba Sing Se?"

"No. And with your travel plans, we won't even be married before the baby is born."

"I'm not even showing yet, Little Boy. We have time."

"At this rate, you'll be bursting your wedding dress!"

"That's my prob-" She stopped short. "We're not alone." She stood. "Come out. I know you're there."

Ursa and Amaya came out from behind a pillar. The little girl ran to her half-sister. Azula flinched at her embrace. Despite Ursa's assurances, Amaya was still a sore spot for Azula. Strangely enough, she never voiced her objections when Amaya was actually around. The little girl gave her a clean slate, and while that was a new idea to the firebending princess, she didn't mind it. "How are you, kid?"

"Good."

"Amaya and I were wondering if you and Masa would show us some firebending, baby."

Azula raised an eyebrow. "You actually want to see it?"

Ursa sat down and Amaya rejoined her. "I always loved your firebending, Azula. I just never told you. I'm sorry."

Azula turned to her intended. "Why don't you go first, Little Boy?"

"Mommy," Amaya whispered, "he's not a little boy."

Ursa ruffled Amaya's hair. "It's just a nickname for him, honey. They do that because they like each other."

"Amaya," Masanori said cheerfully, "watch. You breathe in-" He took a deep breath. "And you release it." A flame burned in each of his open palms. "And we can do so much with it." He whirled around, flames leaping skyward. The joy of bending was plain on his face.

"Wow! Mommy, did you see?!"

"I did. That was wonderful, Masanori." She shifted her gaze. "Azula?"

Azula sniffed. "Very well. But things have changed since you saw it last." Azula conjured a small flame and juggled it on her fingertips.

"Blue? Azula, how can you do that?"

"Born lucky, remember? I guess my grandfather's theory was right. Plus, I wanted something unique to me."

"It's beautiful, baby. Just like you."

That was not expected. Azula faltered a split-second. Ursa praising her bending was a new experience. But then, her father had never really praised it, either. Azula smiled. "Thank you, Mama."

"Can you do that, Mommy?"

"No, sweetie. Azula and Masanori are special."

"Can big brother Zuzu do it?"

"Yes, he can," Masanori replied. "He's great. His looks like mine, though."

"Can I do it?"

"We don't know yet, honey."

"You might be too young," Masanori added. "I didn't find out until I was almost eight."

"You'll know," Azula said confidently. "It's something you feel inside you."

"Okay, big sister."

"Azula, could I speak to Masanori alone, please?"

Azula's eyes narrowed. "It doesn't work like that, Mother. Masa and I are together."

Masanori smiled. "It's okay, Cat. I figured this might happen."

Azula shot him a dark glance, then turned to Amaya. "Let's toss a few rings, kid."

"Okay!" Amaya skipped after the departing princess. That made Azula roll her eyes.

"Masanori, I never had a chance to...thank you. For everything you've done."

"It was my pleasure," he said, blushing slightly. "But I didn't do all that much. I was just there for her."

Masanori hadn't meant that the way it sounded, but Ursa took it as a rebuke. "You don't approve of me being here, is that it?"

"I encouraged her to try with you, remember?"

"I know, but..." Ursa was wrongfooted now.

Masanori sighed heavily. "You want me to be honest? Okay. I encouraged her to reconcile with you for her peace, not for yours." He took a breath. "I don't mean to be moody. I'm not usually this unfriendly. And I think you really want to make things better. But I just can't get over what you did. You left Zuko, but you'd already abandoned her in your heart, and we're all living with that damage. Maybe it's not my place to say this. Maybe I'm too young and haven't lived enough life to know what I'm talking about, and you can tell me so. But what you did was wrong." He pulled back when he saw Ursa's hurt eyes. He reached out and took her hand. "I hate what you did. I don't hate you. I'm glad you're back. Zuko and Azula really needed this from you. They still need you."

Ursa hugged her future son-in-law for a moment. "She really needs you, too. Azula never had a 'normal' time growing up. I know you've suffered losses, but you don't give up. You know about real love, and you give my oldest daughter stability. She needs that. She couldn't have chosen better."

Masanori brushed away a tear of joy. "Soon, she'll be my wife. I'd give her the world, the Sun, the Moon...everything if she asked. And you...have the rest of your life to be a mother to your children."

Amaya came running up. She was frantic. "Mommy! Mommy! Big sister fell down!"

Azula scored perfectly on the ring toss. "Keep your wrist steady. That improves your aim."

"Hello," came a man's voice. Amaya turned to it. "Hi, Daddy."

"Hello, Sweetness. Your highness." He bowed. "I've been talking with your brother, Zuko."

"I'm sure that was a light, pleasant conversation," Azula snarked.

"Very much so," Pai returned deftly.

"Daddy, big sister can make fire!"

"I know, honey. She's famous." He looked back to Azula. "I know we have to go back home, soon. But if you ever need a father to talk to-"

"I know where to find you. All right, kid. Give it a try."

As Amaya made her attempts at the ring toss, Pai noticed Azula started grinding her teeth. Her face was flushed and she was sweating. "You won't touch her," Azula snarled, "or my baby. I'm done with you. Leave me alone."

Pai was offended. "Why, you've got-" And then he realized Azula was not speaking to him. "Princess, are you all right?" That's when Azula collapsed.

When Amaya returned with Ursa and Masanori, Pai was holding Azula's head. "Princess, what's wrong?"

Ursa knelt and rubbed Azula's head. "Baby? Speak to me."

The princess began to stir. "Mom?" she asked weakly.

"Yes, Azula. Pai, what happened?"

"She was talking to herself, then she passed out."

"I wasn't talking to myself. I had an hallucination of my father." She groaned in pain. "Apparently, he's a sore loser."

"Cat, would you like a healer? Just to be safe?"

"I'll be fine, Little Boy." She tried to get up. In a sitting position, she suddenly covered her mouth, a look of horror in her eyes. She rolled onto her hands and knees and vomited violently. It was terrible to see. Finally spent, she crumpled up on her side and cried bitterly. She was ashamed of her weakness.

Ursa gently stroked Azula's head. Masanori whispered words of comfort. Pai held Amaya, both very frightened.

"I'm having a baby," Azula said testily, "I don't need to be treated like one." She tried to rise from her bed.

Ursa lowered her back down. "We're just being careful, honey."

"Would you like my old straitjacket so as to be extra careful?"

"She didn't mean it that way, Cat. Think of it as, today, you get the royal treatment. Anything you want."

"What I want is for things to be as normal as they get for me, and for the rest of you not to act like I'm dying!"

"Azula," Masanori said very seriously, "you've had a terrible shock. And you have to think of the baby. It's my baby, too. Don't I get any say?"

"He's right," Zuko said, fully dressed in his royal regalia. "Rest up for a while."

"Is that an official edict, your lordship?"

Zuko didn't take the bait. "Yes, it is."

"Far be it from me to disobey the Fire Lord." She laid back on her pillow, frustrated. "I rolled around in dirt and my own heavings. Would a beauty treatment be too much to ask?"

"I'll send them myself," Zuko said pleasantly.

"That sounds like a good idea," Ursa said. "I wouldn't mind one myself."

"Me too, Mommy."

"That's all right, honey. Why don't you go with big brother?"

The child looked up, very serious. "Big sister needs me."

"Smart kid," Azula said.

The palace beauticians had brought their implements to Azula's chambers. Zuko had kept his word. He had also given them some instructions. "My sister is not feeling well today, so it's best not to try and converse with her. If she speaks to you, by all means do so. But only then. As to my mother and other sister, this is new for them, so please be extra nice to all three."

The beauticians gave all three royal females a thorough treatment. It was very relaxing to Azula. It would have been moreso, except...

"Mother, could you please not giggle so loudly?"

"I'm-I'm soreehee! The brush tickles my feeheeheet!"

"I like it, Mommy."

Azula snorted. "Another trait I get from you, Mother. Much to Masa's enjoyment." She rolled her eyes, but in an amused way. "You just have to block it out."

All three ladies conceded to a deep fingertip massage. Afterwards, they were all relaxed. Azula climbed into her bed. "I suppose a nap won't hurt." She said it as if it were her own idea.

"Would you like a lullaby?"

"Mother...oh, all right."

Ursa sat down on the bed. Amaya was next to Azula. "This is from the Earth Kingdom.

Away, Away

Come Away With Me

Where the Grass Grows Wild

Where the Winds Blow Free

Away Away

Come Away With Me

And I'll Build You a Home In The Meadow"

Against all expectations, the lullaby worked. Ursa lifted the drowsy Amaya into her arms and left her oldest daughter in peace.

Zuko was telling a story, Clearly, he did not have his uncle's talent for it, but Pai and Masanori still listened. "After I got kicked out, Azula, Mai and Ty Lee left with me. To get back at them, Azula suggested we wreck the house."

"Let me guess," Masanori said with a grin, "Chan and Ruon-Jian?"

Zuko's eyes went wide. "How did you know?"

Masanori chuckled. "The island's not very big, Zuko. Word got around pretty fast. I didn't know you guys did it, though."

"I'd say you're not too upset," Pai said.

"Nope. They never invited me to their lousy parties. It couldn't have happened to nicer guys."

Zuko was startled, which did not wear well on him. "Masa, that's an awful thing to say, especially from you."

"I know," the younger boy said, blushing. "But it was actually kind of sweet that Azula was willing to do that for you. In a really messed-up way."

"I didn't appreciate that then," Zuko said ruefully.

"Did you make it up to them?" Pai asked.

"Yes, Da-ahem!-Pai. We rebuilt the house."

Before anyone could remark on Zuko's slip, Ursa and Amaya entered the room. "Mai?"

Mai had been listening with disinterest. "Yes, ma'am?"

"Oh, just Ursa will do, honey. Um, would you be willing to take Amaya to see the babies please? I need to speak with Zuko."

"Fine," the assassin sighed, rising. "Come on, kid. I'll tell you some embarrassing stories."

"I'll go too," Pai said politely. "I like the idea of being a grandfather." Pai took Amaya's hand and followed Mai out.

Masanori asked the question. "How is she?"

"I think she'll be fine, Masa. She's sleeping now. I think you should be with her."

"I think so too." Masanori left the room.

Zuko pegged the situation immediately. "What's wrong, Mom?"

"Zuko...there's something I need to do before I go back home. Where is your father now?"

Zuko winced involuntarily. "The imperial prison. Mom, this is not a good idea."

"I didn't expect it would be, honey. But sometimes we have to do things, whether we like them or not."

"There's nothing to do, Mom. He's where he can't hurt anyone."

"I can't let it go unresolved."

"At least don't go alone."

Ursa shook her head. "I have to. I hope you'll understand some day."

"I understand, Mom. I just don't like it."

"Neither do I." Ursa donned a hooded cloak and left Zuko alone.

The guard assigned to Ozai's cell opened the outer door and walked the short corridor to the cell. "You have a visitor."

The ex-Phoenix King looked up from where he sat huddled on the floor. "My son?"

"No, this is a woman."

"My daughter?"

"Not her either. Don't try anything stupid."

The guard stepped back through the outer door. Into the corridor stepped a hooded figure. It stopped at the bars. "Do you remember me, Ozai?" Ursa threw back her hood.

"So, my son found you."

"No. I found him."

"Then be with him and leave me alone," Ozai snarled.

"Oh, no," Ursa quipped, "I quite enjoy seeing you this way. It took me some time, but I finally realized what made you like you are. You didn't do the things you did to me and your brother and our children for our nation. You did it because you thought you owned us, body and spirit. Look where it got you. Look where it got your father."

"You know nothing. You never did. You could never understand."

"Oh, no? Did you know that Zuko is a father?" Ursa nearly laughed out loud when she saw Ozai's expression. "Or that Azula is getting married? That she's pregnant?"

He was even more shocked. "You lie."

"It's true, Ozai; every word of it. Our children have grown up. They have outgrown you. Our nation has outgrown you."

"After everything I gave them...everything I gave you..."

"You never 'gave' anything to anyone. I was just there to give you children. I left them, and I'll never forgive myself for it. But I have the rest of my life to be their mother. My heart has grown until it's bursting with love. But your heart is so small, it has no room for anyone but yourself. And now yourself is all you have left."

"Then leave me to myself."

"Not. Yet. When I think of you, I think of the scars on my children, the ones I can see and the ones I can't. I think of the bruises you left on me and the way you hurt everyone who loved you. But I don't hate you, because I don't want to think about you at all. Soon, no one else will think of you either." Ursa leaned very close to the bars. She lowered her voice, as if speaking conspiratorially. "You're being scrubbed from history. Every image, every mention of your name-all gone. In a few generations, no one will remember you ever existed. Good-bye."

Ursa turned and left, paying no heed to her ex-husband's explosion of threats, curses and obscenities. As the outer door was closed, the so-called Phoenix King's utterances degenerated into incoherent screaming and sobbing.

Back at the palace, Azula was up and around, talking to her boyfriend. "I was alone, when these dragons appeared. The first one was black. It spoke with my father's voice. It attacked me. I fought back, but it was too powerful. It was about to overwhelm me."

"What happened then?"

"More dragons appeared. A green one coiled itself around me, shielding me. 'You've hurt this girl enough,' it said. It sounded like Mother."

"She was protecting you."

"Mm-hmm. But there were two more. One was golden, the other one red, but it had a mark on the left side of its face."

"Zuko."

"It had his voice, too. The golden one had your voice."

"Hmm. Masanori Sun, the Golden Dragon. I like the sound of that."

"Maybe later," Azula said with frustration. "The red and golden dragons fought the black one and drove it off."

"Sounds like the dragons are on your side. And you know it."

"It was a dream, Masa. It was silly, like you."

"I'm not silly," he replied with a wry expression. "I'm the golden dragon."

"You're not going to let go of that, are you?"

"Mm-mm!" He shook his head. She nailed him with her pillow.

The "conversation" might have gone further, but both of them stopped when there was a knock at the door. Azula opened it and found Ursa and Zuko standing there...with marks on their faces as if they had been leaning against the door. She said nothing about that. "No need to check on me. I was just coming to see you."

"May we come in, baby?"

"Yes, Mother," the princess said, slightly exasperated. "Come in."

They did. "Azula, I just came back from seeing your father."

"Why did you bother?"

"It was something I had to do. And I'm glad I did. Now I'm rid of him, like you and your brother. He'll never hurt you or anyone else again."

Azula's eyes narrowed. "You did all this while I was asleep?"

"Yes, Azula. I wasn't trying to keep it from you, if that's what you mean."

"Your dream," Masanori whispered. Azula elbowed him.

"By the way, Zuzu...I couldn't help but notice the portrait in the Hall of Fire Lords. Should I ask why you have removed our father and put me in his place?"

Zuko's face became grim-more than usual. "I'm sick of looking at him. At least this way, you'll have a testament to history, and something to tell your children."

"Aw, nuts," Masanori squawked, "and I was all set to make that golden statue of her."

Azula turned to Masanori with a big, fake grin. "Masa," she said mock-sweetly, "shut up."

"Baby, you're blushing." Ursa laughed a little.

"Don't you start on me, Mother."

"You're in enough trouble already, Masa," Zuko said. "I still haven't forgiven you for that portrait of me you made."

Masanori was hurt. "Why? What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing," Ursa said gently. "It's a fine painting."

"At least he put your scar on the left side, Zuzu. Or did you think I didn't hear about the Ember Island play?"

"Azula..." Zuko ground his teeth.

They argued, but as a family. It was...nice in its way.

The elimination of Ozai from history began in earnest. In the midst of this, Iroh's response arrived. It was glowing, of course. Iroh promised they would all be together at Azula's wedding...whenever that was.

Amaya was sad to leave. But Zuko and Azula promised that they would see each other again soon. Amaya even gave them nicknames: "brother dragon" and "sister dragon."

When the airship carrying Ursa and her second family passed out of sight, Zuko said, "If it's not too much trouble, can we start planning a wedding, please?"

THE END