Author's Disclaimer: I don't own "Avatar: the Last Airbender!" Nothing here.
Author's notes: Here we go! Oh boy, here we go…..
Maraghoul: My many thanks yet again 😝 Thanks for the recent exchange of notes. Everyone, this story would have been radically different if M hadn't pmed me. Thank you, gentle spirit!
QueenTyzula: Oh yeah, it makes sense for Fire Nation to smoke! 😝 Did I do 'em justice? I guarantee from here on out you're gonna love what the plot does to Zuko.
CharlieBarrow: Thanks for all of the great ideas and suggestions! Gotta get our princess the proper aide. It just killed me that she was just in a mental institution in the comics. Like, really, Zuko? Thank you for the victory prompts so full steam ahead :P
Harley Quinn Davidson: Zuko may confess all to Aang sometime. We shall see…..
Guest reviewer: Yes, Zuko did do something bastardly in torturing her. To be fair, were the shoe on the other foot, Azula would have done the same thing. That he sank to her level for an instant is a blight on him.
"Stoking the Fire"
Chapter forty-seven "Plots for the Princess"
Iroh rubbed his jaw. He'd barely gotten any sleep. He and Noren had taken the letters they'd all written to the messenger hawk station and had sent off the birds after three am. They'd waited until the palace had quieted and when the royal couple had retired for the evening. Noren had helped without complaint and Iroh gently asked about Kiyi. Noren was obviously an easy-going man and Iroh could see what Ursa had fallen in love with. But just once…. he wished there were no obstacles to the once princess. Even when she was with his brother, Iroh had wished he could have claimed Ursa and taken care of her. Zuko would have been his then….. Zuko….
Iroh found his nephew practicing firebending in one of the small gym rooms. He gave a small smile. Zuko's stance was impeccable, and his feet were rooted in the proper moves. "Stronger exhale," he suggested. "You'll get the larger blast."
Zuko nodded, greeting his uncle silently. Fists raised, he turned aside and hissed in exhale. A long plume of orange fire streamed from his mouth. "Thanks, Uncle."
Iroh adjusted his fine robes. "How are you this day, nephew?"
"Okay, I guess," Zuko mumbled. Despite his fine clothing, the Fire Lord looked tired. Black circles lined his eyes. Iroh could only guess what before Zuko let him in on his thoughts. "Ty Lee slept apart from us."
"I'm sorry, Zuko. Are you having….troubles?" Iroh knew Ty Lee had followed Azula during her Earth Kingdom campaign in the past, but apart from that connection, he didn't know just what happened between her and the Fire Lord.
"In a lot of ways…" Zuko grumbled. He ran a hand through his bangs. He could still hear Ty Lee's words in his mind telling him she loved Azula, not him. His heart pinged with pain. "I don't know what I can do to win her back. I don't even think I can."
Iroh nodded. He stroked his beard. "If she asked for space, give it to her. If you truly love someone, let them go. You may be pleasantly surprised later."
"I guess…."
"And in the meantime, you have your beautiful princess and lovely wife. Life is not all bad, Zuko," Iroh gave a small smile. Zuko shrugged but he could tell his words were having an impact on him.
"Thanks, Uncle." Zuko's chi roiled slower, and was almost at ease.
Iroh gave a 'hmm.' He sat on a bench along one wall and eased his wide hips on the plank of wood. "How long are you sentencing the soldiers that betrayed you?"
Zuko gave him an unreadable look. "Five years. Before hope of pleading their case to the throne."
"Very decisive, nephew. And in that five years, you'll find a loyal soldier again, ready to guard our family," Iroh nodded his approval. "And Azula…"
Iroh was quick to note Zuko's gait stiffened. He still walked with a limp thanks to his new burn injury, but his back straightened at an alarming rate at the mere mention of his sister.
"What about her?" he snapped. Iroh pressed on; he'd learned to ignore his nephew's petty bursts of temper over the years and after the war, he had learned to control it. But hatred lined the Fire Lord's words now.
Iroh paused, lips parted. He stroked his beard and chose his words. Ursa was counting on him. "A good ruler takes into account every contingency. If you help your sister regain her mind, you could be hailed for your mercy. It has been far too long since we had a merciful Fire Lord. Zuko, you're starting a new era…..what was it the Avatar called it?"
"Screw what Aang said!" Zuko bit out. Iroh's eyes widened at the outburst. "What I do with Azula has nothing to do with my reign!"
"Zuko, she is your little sister. She may be a traitor but…"
"SHE TRIED TO KILL ME!" Zuko bellowed. Small spurts of orange fire burst from his mouth. "Me AND my wife! And you want me to hold her hand, get someone to ease her mental illness?!"
Iroh watched him sadly. "It is the right thing to do…."
"Not when it comes to Azula!" Zuko snarled. He spun on his heel and stalked across the gym. He picked up a clean towel and ran it across his damp brow. "The answer is no, Uncle. She'll stay locked up!"
Iroh watched him go sadly. He leaned back on the bench, sighing. 'Well, Ursa, keeping our plans secret may have been the best route….' He thought.
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The Kyoshi Warriors were hailed as they entered the capital city on lizard back. They rode through the streets and up to the royal palace. Inside the gates, they were greeted by the soldiers and the Kyoshi Warriors that had come back. Suki moved among her warriors, greeting everyone. When Tsung jumped down from her saddle, she reached up to help Ying down. Her hands tightened on the woman's hips as they smiled at each other.
Suki paused by the pair and raised an eyebrow high. "Well, well, well. You two finally worked things out. My congratulations."
"You sent both of us for this reason, didn't you?" Tsung grinned. Suki gave a slow wink as she smiled.
"Where's Ty Lee?" Ying asked excitedly. A troubled look crossed Suki's features.
"She's…in her chambers. She asked to be apart from Lord Zuko. He's not taking it well," Suki said. Ying turned to Tsung, looking concerned.
"Can we both be on guard with Ty Lee?" Ying asked. Tsung squeezed her hand. Suki nodded.
"Please. She'll be glad to see you both back. And together," she gave that sly grin again. Tsung patted her leader on the shoulder.
"Thanks, Suki."
"Don't mention it."
The two women strode through the palace toward the concubine's chambers. The Kyoshi Warriors on guard greeted them and everyone gave a brief hug.
"How is she?" Ying asked. One of the girls sighed.
"She's in a bad place. Princess Azula attacked the Fire Lord and they both had at it. It's been rough for the Fire Lady and Ty Lee."
Ying pushed into the chambers. Ty Lee was cradling her infant, curled up on the sofa. It was strange to see her alone without Zuko doting on her. Ty Lee did a double take. She laid Izumi in a basket on the floor and rose gracefully to her feet.
"Ying! Tsung! You're back…." Ty Lee grabbed both of them up in a hug. Ying gladly embraced her. "And you're…together, I hope?"
"Suki knew what she was doing when she asked us to continue the search," Tsung smiled. Ty Lee smiled impishly at her best friend.
"About time, Ying. Who won the fight?" she teased. Ying blushed.
"Both of us, I guess?"
"Point taken," Ty Lee said. The three women sat cross-legged on the rug around Izumi's basket. The infant stared at each of them with her wide golden eyes.
"We're here for you, Ty. Did you and the Fire Lord have a fight?" Tsung asked. Ty Lee cast her anguished gaze to the baby.
"Sort of…. I have to be apart from him."
"Will you make up?" Tsung wondered. Ying got her meaning when Ty Lee said no.
"Was the princess captured after the attack? We missed out on helping!"
"You did," Ty Lee said. "Zuko blew apart the entrance to the throne room and injured her and himself. She's in prison."
"Where she belongs," Tsung said. Ty Lee gave her a pouting look.
"Please don't say anything disparaging about her. She needs some real help."
"Sorry, Ty Lee," Tsung apologized. Ying clasped her shoulder.
"What are you going to do?" Ying wondered.
"The best I can," Ty Lee grumbled. "There's so much to correct….."
Ying noted her gaze swept deliberately down to the princess. She clasped hands with Tsung.
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Zuko sighed as he paused outside the door to his family's chambers. He straightened his gait and knocked. Noren opened the door and smiled.
"Good afternoon, Zuko," he greeted. Zuko gave a wan smile.
"Can I come in?"
"Of course, son," Noren said. The euphemism seemed strange but Zuko tucked it away for later. His mother was knitting another top for Izumi and was watching over Kiyi at her studies. The girl worked her brush down a piece of parchment, copying characters. She brightened at the sight of her brother.
"Zuko! How's the baby?" Kiyi greeted him happily. Zuko gave her a smile but found himself dreading the soft look his mother gave him. It was utterly unreadable and he felt stress knot his belly.
"She's fine. Ty Lee and Mai are with her," Zuko said. He ran a hand through his bangs. "Aside from the Kyoshi Warriors guarding you, have things been well with all of you after….the attack?"
Noren noticed his wife stiffen at the mention. They had both seen how Zuko's planning had gutted the entrance to the throne room.
"We're fine, Zuko. It's others that I'm concerned about," Ursa said smoothly. Noren got her meeting and patted Kiyi's shoulder.
"Your mother needs to talk to your brother alone. Come on," he said gently. Kiyi pouted.
"I barely see Zuzu as it is lately! I want to spend time too," she said. Zuko gave her a half smile.
"Tell you what, I'll teach you some firebending forms this afternoon. If it's okay with Mother," he said.
Ursa gave a slight nod and after tightly hugging her brother, Kiyi left happily enough.
Zuko sat opposite his mother and clasped his fists on his knees. "Go on, Mother. You obviously want to talk to me about her."
Ursa sighed. "Zuko, your sister needs real aide. I found out how you interrogated her….it galls me to think any of your father's teachings got through your uncle's tutelage. Torturing your sister… I'm so disappointed in you!"
Zuko cringed openly. He looked to the side, face unreadable. "She would have done the same, were she in my place. Azula is not blameless."
"No, she's not," Ursa agreed. "But we're talking about you. First off, that bomb business. You could have severely hurt your friends. I've seen you limping; you hurt yourself too!"
Zuko sighed. "I'll be alright, Mother. I've had Katara look at it….."
"You could have killed your sister. I didn't have you both to end each other in a futile bid for your father's throne," Ursa griped. "Zuko, we're past that; we're past HIM. Please don't turn into any part of him. I love you for you, for the man you've become. Please do the right thing." She reached and took her son's hands in hers.
"Yes, Mother," Zuko said, oddly touched by his mother's words. Ursa brightened.
"Which facility should we send Azula to?" she asked. Zuko flashed her a troubled look.
"We're not. Until I obtain every scrap of knowledge about the lords that helped her little coup, Azula's not going anywhere."
Ursa watched her son with surprise. He rose to his feet, gave a low bow at the waist and left her chambers. She sat, staring off into space, partially in shock. Zuko had always been more tractable. But he had exhibited as iron a will as her ex-husband had displayed.
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When Zuko found his wife, he was highly irate. Mai merely held her arms out and welcomed him into them. Zuko laid against her, face against her bosom. Mai ran a hand through his hair, loosening his topknot.
"What is it, Zuko?"
"Why do I feel so at odds with what I have to do?" he muttered. Mai lifted his face to hers and kissed him. She felt her husband relax slightly. She relaxed on her back, pulling Zuko on top of her. As the Fire Lord eased out his long legs against hers and got comfortable, Mai reflected it was the least she could do for him. As she soothed Zuko's mood, she couldn't help feeling she was helping Ty Lee by distracting him with touches and kisses.
It was the least she could do.
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"Are you sure this is a good idea? I can take the princess back to your chambers," Tsung groused. Ty Lee flashed her a neutral look. The Kyoshi Warrior already wore the princess in her sling around her neck and one long arm curved protectively around her back.
"In a moment you will," Ty Lee agreed. "I just…felt it right to take Izumi with me…"
Ying flashed a look rife with concern toward her best friend. She was one of the few gifted with the knowledge of Izumi's true paternity and she was getting worried herself. To be at odds with the Fire Lord was one thing, but was Ty Lee truly thinking of doing what she thought she was going to do? Out of her lover's view, Ying grasped her friend's wrist gently.
"What are you thinking?" she hissed in a whisper. Ty Lee's brown eyes were wide and doe-like. She pursed her lips into a thin line.
"I'm seeing if Azula needs anything. And well….we'll see what we shall we," she finished lamely. Ying felt worry roil in her gut, twisting into a knot.
"I guess we will…" she mumbled.
"Come on, slow pokes," Tsung said, not catching the exchange. She cradled Izumi gently as she strode along. The infant watched the torches high in their scones on the wall with wide golden eyes. Ty Lee and her friends met Lord Iroh outside of Azula's cell. As before, he had obtained the cell door key from one of the soldiers. It had to be under the table, as it were, as General Mak was Lord Zuko's faithful servant.
"She's been quiet, but she could be stuck in her own mind," Iroh said gently. "Will you really try to go in again?"
"I will," Ty Lee said. At Iroh's curious stare to her daughter, she gave a small smile. "It's too early to introduce the princess to her, so she'll be taken back with Tsung."
"We'll go now." Tsung tickled the infant's chin. Izumi sneezed. Ty Lee unlocked the door and pushed it open. Azula was slumped against the wall. Ty Lee cast her sad gaze over her and to the tall Kyoshi Warrior.
"I'll see you back at my apartments," Ty Lee murmured. Tsung gave a nod of the head. She turned and captured a quick kiss from Ying and was well on her way. Ty Lee raised an eyebrow at her friend. Ying blushed through her make-up. "Well, here goes…"
Ying and Iroh both crowded the doorway, ready to follow Ty Lee as she entered the dragon's mouth, as it were.
Ty Lee swallowed hard as she stepped closer to the disheveled princess. Was she asleep? Or merely sensing the intruder?
"Azula…"
Azula's head rose slowly and she gazed up at Ty Lee, her golden eyes wide. Was she seeing her? Or someone else? "Who?..."
Ty Lee swallowed. "It's me….Ty Lee."
Before she could move, a stream of blue flame erupted from Azula's mouth. Ty Lee leaped out of the way and Iroh jogged to step in front her. He dissipated the flame with his bending, but just as quickly as it had sparked, it fizzled out to mere smoke. Azula gaped at the rising smoke, colorless lips agape. Her cosmetics had been scrubbed away by a healer at some point, but even without it, her beauty was apparent, disheveled though it was.
"Traitor! Go back to the Fire Lord!" she sneered. Her golden eyes swam with unshed tears and she held her head as her vision slowly went out yet again. She wailed with fear at the sudden darkness even as her widened eyes darted about, not seeing the anguished expressions on the three people's faces. "Nooooo!"
"We're here, Azula…I'm here!" Ty Lee called. Azula blinked rapidly, scrubbing at her eyes with one tunic sleeve. It was torn half off her arm from the healers and the scrap of fabric dangled from the bunched muscles of her forearm.
"It should have been me…should have been me…" Azula was muttering. Ying watched her friend, concerned for her. Tears streamed from her eyes. No one had any idea what Azula was talking about. Iroh gave a soft cough.
"My lady, perhaps another day….."
"When are your plans going into play?" Ty Lee asked, voice strong. Iroh was impressed.
"As soon as we secure a manor. Then it's a matter of sneaking her out. I'd say that should be simple," Iroh said optimistically. Ty Lee scrubbed the tears from her eyes.
A bearded healer sidled into the cell and cautiously approached the ranting princess. "My princess, it's time to clean your wounds…..they must hurt, don't they?"
"Get away from me," Azula hissed. The healer sighed. He signaled to the cell door past Ying, and in jogged three muscular young orderlies. They were all firebenders, and easily kept Azula's sputtering flames at bay. Iroh kept a strong hand on Ty Lee's arm to keep her from charging forward when two of them wrapped Azula in a headlock, and the third administered a needle of drugs. Azula's eyes rolled back and she slumped forward. The three men held her up in a propped position so the healer could clean and rebandage some of the burn wounds.
Ty Lee started forward. "Can I help?" she asked softly. The old bearded man blinked but nodded.
"Wash out the burn…." He pushed a bowl of warm water toward Ty Lee. She dipped the offered rag into it and wrung it out. "Then once you're done, apply this salve…I'll help with the bandages."
Ty Lee did as he said, carefully washing out one ugly wound on Azula's half bare leg. A piece of stone shrapnel had been dug out, but the wound still wept slowly. Ty Lee's fingers were gentle and she lovingly washed away further debris she found.
Ying knelt beside Ty Lee and cast her gaze over the unconscious princess. "When she's quiet, she's rather beautiful."
Ty Lee pressed her lips together, her eyes scanning up and down Azula's prone body. "I know."
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Zirin edged along the edge of the roof and peered down into the window below, top of her head upside down. Zuko's fat uncle was spending quite a lot of time with his mother, and their meetings had to be more than just friendly acquaintanceship. She didn't care one whit if they were carrying on with an affair or whatever it was they were doing, but they WERE plotting around Azula's capture. It would do her good to always listen in on their conversations. Even if they ran the ground of bordering on lovey-dovey.
This evening, Zuko's mother's husband had been excused, and the two plotted again. Even with her ear pressed as low to the open window as she could, Zirin could only make out "manor", "facility" and "Azula." Where this facility was, she didn't know. But it was evident they were planning to send the princess en route, and possibly incapacitated, far away from the capital.
She would follow and she would be there; to spring Azula and help her, that's what she had signed up for. As Zirin clambered back up over the top of the roof to the other side, the icicles draping off of the sloped stonework fell to the ground. The rest of the ice began to melt in rapid progression.
End for now
End notes: Oh boy, Zuko's gonna be pissed about his family. Karma's a you know what. Like the story, smash that button and do that review thing 😝
Most sincerely, pen
6/08/2017