Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Avatar: the Last Airbender!" nada thing.
Author's notes: Well here we go again! With the snow falling outside, it matches the imagery inside the story.
As always, full creds to my friend Maraghoul for helping develop the formation of this story's plot :P A lot of stuff wouldn't have happened without her suggestion. Thanks!
QueenTyzula: well, as you'll read, that little bit of extra from the last chapter was as a buffer for the stuff that's going down in this chapter…. Oh man, your comment made me die of laughter, my friend! :P Ty Lee does seem to like the concubine role :P Snick. Just read on!
CharlieBarrow: Creds again for helping push my mind to think about chi signatures on the unborn pups. Thanks!
Harley Quinn Davidson: Yes, long live Azula! :P
The Rogue of Dragonstone: oh, I like what you said :P Heat conflicting with the ice; very apt! Yes, it will uhm, head for a bang…
"Stoking the fire"
Chapter twenty-six "Winter Tragedy"
Mai staggered into her bedchamber panting. Her self-inflicted patrol with Tsung and Yoshiko was over, or was as she saw fit. It was well past midnight and the Fire Lady was beyond exhausted. Her feet and ankles had started swelling, so patrolling was a trial. Why she still did it was beyond her.
But someone had to save her husband's shaky reign, even if he wasn't so entitled to. At least Iroh was on the watch with the other Kyoshi Warriors. Mai knew he had his eyes opened wide and wouldn't let anything slip past.
At least not consciously. She had talked with him earlier in a shut off sitting room. They all traded notes on the servants, those they recognized and those Iroh knew had served for years in the royal palace. They tried to differentiate any new faces out in plain sight, but over two thirds of the royal staff went to sleep at night to rise with the sun so they could begin service. Only a select token few worked through the night, baking bread in the kitchen, cleaning the odd chamber, or whatever task had been left over from the day staff.
It stood to guess the Kemurikage weren't skulking around in their horrible purple and black cloaks. They were more than likely masquerading as servants. It was a good theory, and Mai knew they would narrow down the hundreds of servants sometime.
Hopefully sooner than later. Mai groaned as she pulled at the ties of her robes. Her servants, known to her for years, and loyal, sidled up and helped draw the garment from her pale shoulders. Her breasts were truly round and her belly was growing huge. It wasn't as big as Ty Lee's belly, but it was definitely larger than it had been.
"My bed robe…thank you," Mai murmured. One servant placed a soft red bed robe around her shoulders and Mai ducked into the sleeves. The other made to comb her hair, but Mai dismissed them.
She was exhausted and needed sleep. Mai climbed beneath the covers of her new bed and curled on one side. Her arms slid around her belly despite herself. Azula may have sired the pup but it was her husband's face she thought of as she curled around herself.
Stupid Zuko…..instead of just berating him in her head, Mai's body surged and she couldn't help but remember their last coupling. Mai had pushed for it, of course. With her being so angry about the entire situation, her husband was as standoffish as he could be.
So she had to push for everything. Zuko had been generous in stoking her passion. He had been on top of her, making sure to stay off her belly, arching his back in uncomfortable ways to do so. Mai wouldn't let him kiss her, but his mouth had descended on her mating mark and she had melted into him. She hated that he could still have that effect on her. But it couldn't be helped; they WERE mated.
Mai pulled the comforter over her shoulders. She sighed and closed her eyes.
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"Will she come this morning?" Ty Lee wondered. Zuko sighed. He was on edge, moving around the small table in the apartment's sitting room setting up the breakfast dishes that had just been delivered. Mai had almost barged in on the two of them naked the previous morning, and even though it had been an embarrassing and irritating interruption, once everyone was settled and clothed, Mai had some intriguing notions about the silent killers in the palace. Despite himself, Zuko was impressed with her.
"Possibly. All we can do is sit out the winter. And try to gain some semblance of peace," Zuko muttered. He helped Ty Lee around the table and helped her into a chair. Ying smiled when Zuko leaned down to kiss her cheek affectionately. Ty Lee leaned back, sighing, her hand on the swell of her belly. Her eyes gleamed at the possibility of action, despite herself. Zuko poured her a vitality tea, and Ying sat across from the both of them.
"We should patrol ourselves. It wasn't so long ago I did so for you," Ty Lee urged.
"You're pregnant," Zuko answered by way of saying "don't do it." He angled his chair beside hers. Ty Lee turned to frown prettily at him.
"I'm not made of glass, Zuko. We should try and seek out the interlopers ourselves," Ty Lee said. Ying nodded.
"Maybe once the baby is born…." She suggested by way of pleasing the Fire Lord. Ty Lee huffed at the both of them. She cradled her cup of tea over her belly with both hands.
"You're both impossible!" she frowned. Zuko smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear and tried to soothe her ire.
"I just want you and the baby to be safe," he said. Ty Lee calmed and sipped her tea.
"We will be…."
The Kyoshi Warriors on guard outside the apartment knocked, and admitted in Mai with Tsung in tow. Ty Lee gave a careful smile, and Ying raised an eyebrow at Tsung. Likewise, both women were all but ignored.
"Glad to see you're up," Mai said dryly. Zuko rose to his feet to help her to a chair. Mai sank down gratefully, hand going to her belly. Tsung took the last available chair. Ying glanced at her aloof past lover out of the corner of her eye.
Zuko ignored the barb. He took his seat and poured her a cup of tea. "You should stop patrolling, Mai. You're getting huge and you must be tired."
"I am tired," Mai retorted. "But Tsung and I are onto something. Your uncle certainly thinks so."
Zuko blinked. "I will patrol with Uncle if need be; you need to rest. Please?" he asked.
"I'm surprised you're being so light about this," Mai said dryly. Zuko sat up straight.
"Please? Will you stop patrolling? You look exhausted," Zuko complained. Ty Lee set her cup down.
"Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors have all the patrols down, Mai. I know you think some of the Kemurikage are in the palace disguised under our very noses, but you should think of your child first," Ty Lee said gently. Mai huffed and crossed her arms over her belly.
"I am thinking of it. Same as you," Mai retorted. Ty Lee's eyes half lowered and the two held a silent stare across the table. Zuko began to sweat.
"Uncle and I will keep an eye for any new suspicious servants. By the way, aren't you due with the court healers?" Zuko suggested to his wife. Mai gave a wry smile.
"I suppose I am. Wil you come this time?" she asked. Zuko's heart thudded. He found himself nodding.
Ty Lee felt oddly closed out. With Azula flashing in her mind's eye, she shouldn't have minded. But her pup's sire was far from touch and reach and she felt walled off from Zuko. Suddenly, she wished her chair was closer so she could touch his knee.
"Will you come to my child's naming ceremony, Mai? I want to be there for yours, too," Ty Lee offered. The grateful look Zuko flashed her made her heart leap. Mai cast hooded eyes to her friend.
"We'll see how I'm feeling. But please, come to mine," she said. Ying's eyebrow quirked. The Fire Lady was doing everything to clip Ty Lee's wings and she felt sorry for her friend.
Likewise, across the table, her past love did everything to give her sullen looks or ignore her. Ying nudged the pot of tea on the table closer to Tsung but the Kyoshi Warrior ignored it. Ying sighed in her head.
Like the her friend and the Fire Lord, Ying felt a similar situation in her own corner where it concerned her ex-lover.
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The three Kemurikage women were on their knees, dressed in the red tunic and slacks of the palace servants. White bandanas were tied over their heads. They had a bucket of soapy water between them and were busy scrubbing the stone floor. All the better to while the time away until nightfall.
The three women conversed in low tones as they worked slowly through the afternoon. They had already been bawled at by a supervisor, and pretended to scrub harder.
"There are a few of Zuko's newer soldiers left…." One of the women murmured. Another of the women smirked. She pushed her bandana up on her forehead.
"I propose a 'friendly' visit tonight. That uncle of Zuko's is nosing around the servants and I don't like it."
"They won't find us," the other Kemurikage noted confidently. "There are too many servants moving around all day."
"The Fire Lady's gotten in on this search…. She really pisses me off," one of the women cursed. The three gave each other a wry look. One of the women dipped her brush into the bucket and messily spread a dollop of soapy water on the ground.
"Well, she's pregnant. I doubt she can do much," another woman scoffed. One of the Kemurikage frowned.
"She's not a bender, but she carries around knives. I'd watch it and kowtow when she's near."
"Fine, fine…."
The three women kept scrubbing as the sun arched through the sky toward afternoon.
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Zuko clasped his hands before his waist as Mai's robe was parted. His wife darted angry eyes to him when he lingered over her rounder breasts and belly. He raised surprised eyes to hers and sheepishly smiled. She scowled at him.
The healers went to work, assessing the chi and making note of Mai's health. Zuko knew they had last lain together over a week ago, and hopefully his chi was still laced through with hers and through Mai to the child inside her. Zuko was thankful that with the gaps in their sexual joinings, that at the very least they were mated. That would help mask the child's chi signature sufficiently.
"Strong so far," one of the healers murmured. "You've done well, my lady."
Mai gave a smug smile to Zuko and thanked the healers. The old men gathered their tools and bowed to the Fire Lord and Lady. Mai closed her robe and stood opposite Zuko. He gave a soft smile to her, though his eyes looked troubled.
Mai sighed with exasperation. "Come here." She ducked into his arms, ignoring the surprised look on his face. She was glad when his arms readily slid around her waist, rubbing her back softly. Zuko held his very pregnant wife, feeling his hopes stretch out impossibly. Mai was holding him back, but the child inside her round belly wasn't his. He closed his wet eyes and sighed.
"Don't you have a council meeting, Fire Lord?" Mai asked against his chest. She pressed a hand against the fabric of his tunic and looked up at his scarred face. Zuko nodded. He almost bent to kiss her cheek, stopped, and released her. He gave a soft bow at the waist.
"Please rest yourself, my lady," he said. Mai watched him leave. Always, Zuko infuriated and pulled her in all at once. It was his fault she wanted to seek out another lover during her heat. Yet he acted as if his heart were broken around her. Did he still love her?
Mai swept off with her Kyoshi Warriors. She wanted to rest, and her mother would be all for it. Before she could fully leave the corridor, a servant bypassed the room, carrying a tray with two cups at a fast pace. Mai raised an eyebrow. When she peeked into the corridor to see where the woman was going, she felt a tingle go up her spine when she realized she was following Zuko.
"Come on," Mai muttered to Tsung. She nodded and Yoshiko's gaze hardened and they followed the servant at a seemingly sedate pace.
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"Our chefs want to go over stores and ingredients with the capital harvest being distributed through the islands," one of the lords began. He pushed a scroll over to Zuko. "They propose we have a more-simple diet of dishes and save any elaborate ingredients for special occasions during the winter."
"Such as the birth of my grandchild," Lord Genma grinned. Zuko wanted to throw something at the man. But he nodded.
"We'll have a feast of course when my child has been presented. We'll make it a lighter affair as it is. But I do agree with keeping to a more stringent diet until special occasions occur. Rice jook for breakfast, rice and vegetables for dinner. We'll save meat for half of the week and bread should be baked to three days a week. We'll make due," Zuko said.
"What about sweets?" A rounder lord wondered. "Surely we won't cut down on the baking of pastries and filled dumplings."
"For now, we will. We will save them for when my child is born," Zuko said rationally. "Simple dumplings for now."
The round lord looked displeased but he nodded. "Well, my wife was after me to lose some weight. This early winter could be a blessing," he said, trying to save face. Zuko gave him a grateful look.
"Simple it is," one of the lords said. He made a few notes on the scroll.
"What do the farmers say about the fields? The ground is still impassable?" Zuko asked.
Another lord cleared his throat. "Yes. All is hardened with ice and won't be able to be touched until spring…"
"Pardon my intrusion, my lords, but I have tea for the Fire Lord," a servant backed into the chamber, a silver tray in her hands.
"What about the rest of us?" one of the men demanded.
The lords shrugged and Zuko went to accept the cup. Iroh sidled into the chamber suddenly, looking slightly winded as if he had just run the whole way. He gave a slight nod of the head to the bearded men, but reached for the tray, as if to take it from the servant woman.
"I'll take that. Thank you," he offered. "You, you're new here, aren't you?"
Zuko's hackles began to rise at the statement. Mai had said his uncle and she were on the notion of inspecting all the servants, certain their enemies were in plain view. He leaned back in his chair, legs tensed if he needed to fight.
"Not so new, my lord," the woman demurred. But Zuko noted a hard gleam in her eye despite her gentle words.
"When did you begin service here?" Zuko demanded. The woman made to answer, then shoved the tray at Iroh. Hot tea splattered over his robe and he jumped back, yelping in surprise and pain. The lord protested, and those of them that were firebenders leaped to their feet to grab up the servant.
The woman snarled and advanced on Zuko, fists streaming fire. Zuko back-kicked from his chair, toppling it over as he darted back. He deflected the flames neatly, but she pressed her attack. Iroh recovered and moved to grab her up from behind but she gave a hard back kick, forcing him to retreat back.
As she was momentarily distracted in pressing his uncle back, Zuko advanced. But through the flurry of fire and motion from the lords pressing in on his frantic peripheral vision, a figure in black and red robes rushed past him. He blinked and in the millisecond he had time to process a knife in the figure's hand.
Mai jumped in front of Zuko and flung a knife at the servant woman. It struck her shoulder, imbedding in the fabric of her tunic and she shrieked in pain. As Zuko made to shove past his wife and take the woman down, the servant flared back with a wave of fire. He grabbed Mai's shoulder, intending to fling her to the side.
Mai turned and shouldered him to the ground. Zuko kept his hand upturned, deflecting the flames from her as he went down hard, his legs flying up. Zuko cast wild eyes to his wife. The servant charged Mai and despite a fierce battle hand to hand, Mai's condition got in the way.
The servant smirked openly as she pressed two hands against the Fire Lady's belly and SHOVED. Mai went flying back against the stone wall, and her scream made Zuko's heart grow cold.
"MAI!" he screamed. He had time to glimpse Tsung fling a hard fist across the servant's face, knocking her back. He turned and blasted a stream of intense fire at the rogue servant. It collided with Iroh's stream and the women couldn't deflect both at once. A horrible scream filled the air.
The charred body of the servant woman clattered to the rug and the lords clamored, surrounding her. Zuko blinked and knelt down beside Mai.
She was huddled over on herself, arm around her belly. "I'm okay…. stop looking at me like that, Zuko!" she snapped. Despite her tone, he heard her fear and Zuko slid his arm around her waist, lifting her.
"Let's get you checked out, Mai," he soothed gently. Mai clung to his arms as he lifted. Suddenly, a bright red stained formed at the waist of her robes and spread rapidly. They both gaped down at it and at each other.
"Zuko!" she whispered. Zuko lifted her in his arms.
"It'll be okay, Mai…. it'll be okay!" he swore. Iroh, Tsung and Yoshiko flanked him as he ran from the council chamber.
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"You need to calm down, Fire Lord. We're helping Lady Mai in every way we can."
Zuko growled at the healer bodily trying to keep him from their chambers. "Screw that, I'm going in," he vowed.
The healer made to dryly answer, but the hard look in Zuko's eyes made him step back. He bowed.
"Just stay out of the healer's way. Maybe you can calm the Fire Lady," he suggested. Zuko glared at him, but pushed inside. The snow swirled wildly outside the windows.
Mai was half naked, her belly being measured and assessed. Blood dotted her inner thighs and Zuko's heart sank at the sight. He felt to his knees beside the bed and smoothed the bangs from her furious golden eyes.
"Mai…." He whispered. Mai's eyes flew to his, and her anger broke. She began to sob, clutching at him. Zuko gladly held her, trying to soothe her. His chi swirled around hers, trying to fill in the jagged cracks her grief had wrought. "Mai…. you didn't do anything wrong…."
"But I lost it. They said so. The baby's chi died," Mai sobbed. Zuko sighed, bundling her in his arms. He let her cry against his chest. His heart broke for his wife, but in his heart of hearts, Zuko couldn't be broken-hearted for the child. Azula had sired it and his wife had been so at odds….
Zuko suddenly felt guilty, like he had caused all of this. And in a way, the dangers of being Fire Lord HAD caused it. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. Mai's eyes flashed, though filled with tears. The promise in them said she had more to retort in private, but she allowed her husband to hold her.
The pain was indescribable and she sobbed as the healers tried to clean her up. But her child receded from her, leaking out in clots and staining the bed sheets. Zuko half sat on the edge of the mattress, one long leg stretched out. Mai bundled against his side, crying. Zuko closed his eyes against her head and tried not to cry aloud.
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Iroh held Ursa in the hallway, doing his best to ease her sorrow. They had both gotten the news at once and Ursa wanted to rush in to comfort her son, thinking he needed the lion's share of comfort. Iroh had gently asked her to give him as much time alone with his distraught wife as needed.
"We'll have to give the announcement….at some point," Iroh murmured gently. Ursa wiped her eyes, leaning her head against his firm shoulder.
"My grandchild… oh, Zuko….and Mai…." Ursa fretted. Her heart bled for the Fire Lady. They had had a rough time of it getting pregnant, now this. "What will we do?"
"Get through. As we always have," Iroh said firmly. Ursa blinked wet eyes, gazing up into his gentle smile.
"How does nothing bring you down, Iroh? You always push us through," she said. Iroh rubbed a rough thumb along the tear sliding from her eye.
"Because we have to," was his simple response. Ursa nodded.
"Is Mai okay?" Ty Lee sidled up, clasping Ying's hand for balance. Her round belly led the way and Ursa's eyes wet as she took in the pregnant concubine.
She clasped Ty Lee's shoulders and helped take her other arm. "No…she's lost the baby…."
A sad frown twisted Ty Lee's mouth. She wanted to comfort her friend. She wanted to hold Zuko and take the guilt she knew he was surely feeling from him.
"Can I…see them?" she asked. Ursa made to answer, but Iroh gestured to the door.
"You were all great friends. Please," he insisted. Ty Lee flashed him a grateful look.
Tsung slid out of the chamber, and started, noticing Ty Lee. She gave her a friendly smile, but ignored Ying. Ying sighed as she helped Ty Lee inside.
Tsung moved toward Iroh and lenaed to whisper to him. "My lord, she was but one of the enemy. Now that one's been gotten rid of, perhaps the rest will make a mistake or two."
Iroh nodded to her. "Of course; we shall patrol tonight. Your mistress is with the Fire Lord. She'll be well guarded." Tsung grinned at the lord and gave a bow to Lady Ursa.
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Inside the chambers, Mai was well covered, and the blood-stained sheets and robes had been taken away. But her aura fluttered in spurts, sustained by grief and sorrow.
Zuko cast wild eyes up and relaxed when he noted his concubine. He wanted to feel her arms around him, wanted to be comforted, but that could come in due time. He wanted to be here with his wife first and foremost.
"Ty…..you didn't have to come," he said gently by way of greeting. Mai's eyes snapped opened. She clung to Zuko's side, feeling her heart flutter wildly. Jealousy surged through her, as her golden eyes took in her friend's round belly and full breasts. SHE was still pregnant…..
"What do you want, Ty Lee? Come to verify the news? YES, I lost the baby…happy?"
Ty Lee tried not to flinch. She sat carefully on the opposite side of the mattress. She leaned to touch Mai's pale arm.
"No, not at all…. Mai, I'm still your friend. I'm so sorry for you… so sorry…."
Her heart-felt words made tears prick Mai's eyes. Even when she turned into Zuko's shoulder away from her, the gentle look in Zuko's golden eyes told her she had done well. Despite the physical rejection, Ty Lee felt the grateful flutters from Mai's chi. She told herself to be patient.
"Just leave me alone," Mai muttered. Her fingers clutched at Zuko's leg. He kept his arm around her, but cast troubled golden eyes to Ty Lee. They shared a soft look and she nodded. Zuko nodded gratefully to her.
"Please get better, Mai. I'll be hoping for you to," Ty Lee said softly. Ying took her arm and gently led her away. Zuko cast eyes filled with longing after her, but he focused on Mai's hand on his thigh. He leaned and kissed her brow.
"I'm here, Mai. I'm not leaving," he whispered. Mai's chi fluttered gratefully. She clung to Zuko. When more tears filled her eyes, he gently kissed them away. She felt the unselfish love from him in waves and it made her weep softly.
End for now
End notes: and DRAMA! Let me know what you think of the events transpiring :P Like it, smash that button and do that review thing! Stay strong, my lovelies….stay strong!
Sincerely, pen 1/29/2017