Enjoy!
How he enjoyed being fitted for a nice set of clothing. Zhao spend the afternoon finding the right fabrics for his meeting with the Fire Lord. The finest red and gold silk was being tailored in a modern suit and he certainly loved the annoyed look on the Avatar's face. She had offered to get something tailored for him and he wanted to test her patience again. It also helped that he brought up the fact that he was going to have to convince the Fire Lord to forgive him.
After the long grueling hours of watching him change his mind on cloth, Korra gave up most of her recent earnings to pay for his one suit. She knew that he did all of that in spite of angering her.
She bowed, openly mocking him, "Are we done here, your highness? We still have guest rooms to move into."
"No, I still need a haircut since you decided to burn some of my hair."
Korra sighed, "I'll cut it for you."
"I prefer to have a professional do it."
"I can cut it, almost professionally," Korra crossed her arms, "It would not be the first time I've cut hair."
The former admiral grinned, "I do like the idea of the Avatar pampering to my every need. Fine, I will let you cut my hair."
Korra shook her head as she left the shop. She kicked a small stone into the street out of frustration. It was going to be fine though, right? This stubborn narcissist of a man would stay here and she could go back to her favorite pub in Republic City. The thought of hopelessly flirting with the bartender made her smile. The smile didn't last long though; Zhao announced his arrival to the street.
"I assume you know how to get us to our rooms, Avatar?"
Korra snorted as she opened a door to their rented Satomoblie, "I can drive us to the palace. From there I'll be just as lost as you."
Before he entered, the firebender inspected the machine, "This is quite the machine."
"I'll make sure to pass your liking of it to the inventor's daughter." Korra sighed, entering the driver's seat, "Don't forget to buckle the restraint."
"Why's that?"
Just as he let out his question, the machine shot forward. He hit his head on the windshield.
"I'm not the best of drivers." Korra smirked, before getting the Satomobile on the street.
He growled as he rubbed the sore spot on his forehead, causing the driver to laugh at him even harder.
"You did that on purpose."
Korra continued to laugh, "I did, but I couldn't pass that chance up, and to be fair, you deserved it."
What Korra expected to be a short drive turned into a frenzy of turning around, missing turns and almost a wreck with another Satomobile. The cause of such a mess happened from old memory of the city from Zhao and the constant back and forth insults between the two. When their valet came to take the rental, he was surprised that it was not a ball of flame. Both benders were steaming from the ears when Korra chucked the keys at him. It took another hour to allow them into the palace and only when they had both agreed to enter at separate times. In her final insult of the day, Korra laughed at Zhao when he was escorted in by four palace guards.
Later that night, like she had promised, Korra came by Zhao's room with a pair of scissors and a straight blade.
"This won't take long if you don't quarrel with me." She said, pulling a wooden trunk into the room to use as a stool.
"What is your plan then, Avatar?"
"I'm just going to shorten everything and clean your face up. I would be offended if I was the Fire Lord and saw you walk in with burned facial hair."
"If I were the Fire Lord, I'd be offended that a savage decided to walk into my palace." Zhao jested.
Korra let out a sigh as she held the scissors at his top knot.
"Do you have to cut that?"
"It's a bit old fashioned." Korra started, "But if it means so much to you then I will leave it and leave you to shave your ugly face."
He took a moment to consider his options. While a part of him wanted to continue to harass the woman, he knew that he would not be here to ask for another chance.
"Cut it. I am here for a new change in life, right?"
Korra nodded, "I think you are making the right choice, finally. It's time to move on from the past."
Zhao snorted, "Don't let this moment get to your head, Water Tribe. I still won't like you."
"That endearment is shared, Zhao. I find you annoying and rude." She said, dropping the clipped top knot to the ground.
"And you are a wrench."
Korra shook her head again, fighting the urge to cut his ear off. Instead, she trimmed it and combed it back.
"If I didn't know that you were quite the villainous prick that you are, I'd mistake you for a well, a prick."
"I'm charmed." He deadpanned.
Korra smirked, before allowing him to check it out for himself. She held out a mirror for him to take a look in. He studied the new look for a bit, making Korra more nervous as time went on.
"Well?" she finally asked.
He turned his head, continuing to look before commenting, "I think I have underestimated you, Avatar. Not only can you drive, you can cut hair. You'd make an excellent servant."
Korra stormed out of the room, slamming the door. The guards in the room stood there, stunned from what had happened.
The next morning, Korra spent the time before her meeting with the Fire Lord getting ready. She took advantage of the large mirror, brushing her hair before the long sequence of braiding and finally finishing the bun in the back. She then took a moment to take in her reflection, noting the overdue look of being weary and the pesky grey hairs that she had tried to hide before. Her eyes slowly looked up at the gazing hallucination joining her in the mirror.
"I blame you for the grey hair, you know. Don't you have somewhere else to be?" she said harshly, before letting out a deep sigh, "Of course not. If I died saving the world, you'd haunt me in death just to spite me."
The being said nothing, but stepped away. A sharp knock on the door brought Korra back to the present. She got up to open the door, finding an escort to bring her to the throne room. Zhao was already at the main doors, surprisingly standing silently. His hair was slicked back and if it were not for his awful attitude, she would have told him that he looked dashing enough to pass.
"Awfully evil." She said, realizing that she spoke out load.
"What was that, Avatar? Are you beginning our day in a foul mood already?"
Korra cringed at her mistake, "Ah, no. I was talking about… the morning being evil?"
The other five people in the hall stood there, blinking with a blank look. Korra gave them a lighthearted smile, shrugging off her mistake.
"That was a horrible attempt to save what dignity you had today." Zhao commented, his hands behind his back.
Korra scrunched her face, trying to not fall for his trap again, "Oh, bite me."
"Where and how hard, my dear Avatar?"
"Damn, you're good at this." Korra pouted, "Well, are we ready? The sooner this is over, the sooner I can go home."
Zhao feinted offense, "You crush my hopes that we would never end this lovely time together."
"There's more of you I'd like to crush," Korra gagged, "And it's not your hopes."
There was another moment of awkward silence before Korra spoke up.
"Can we just get this over with?"
The doors soon opened and they were escorted in, presented to the Fire Lord as 'Avatar Korra and Former Admiral Zhao.' Of course, the firebender would not let her live her predictions down without a knowing smirk. They both bowed after they stopped before the throne.
"It is a pleasure seeing you again, Avatar Korra." The voice from the dais said joyfully.
"The same, Fire Lord Iroh. I hope you do not mind my sudden appearance." She responded with a smile.
"Of course not. If you were anyone else, I would have declined. Now, what is it that you needed from me?"
Korra cleared her throat, "I have the last man from the Valley of the Lost. He is a man of the Fire Nation and I would like to have his citizenship reinstated, if you allow it."
Iroh tapped his fingertips together as he spoke thoughtfully, "And he is not going to Chongsheng to stay with the others?"
With a bit of a pout, Korra responded, "I was hoping to have him stay here. He was sent to the Spirit World during the last year of the Great War. I think he would be best off here."
The Fire Lord nodded as he settled his gaze on the man, "Admiral Zhao, right?"
All eyes were now on the former Admiral as he dropped to his knees to bow, "I am, my Lord."
"Please rise, Admiral Zhao. There is no need to bow from your knees. This is not the Fire Nation you once knew. Please stand and tell me why you want to return to the Fire Nation instead of a place where there are others in your situation?"
He stood as requested, looking the man on the dais over. He noticed the flames of old were gone. The once intimidating feeling of the palace was gone.
"My Lord, I return in hope to regain favor of the Fire Nation. Our dear Avatar has the wisdom to overlook my past actions in light of bringing back some honor to my name."
Korra scoffed, knowing full well that he was trying to sweet talk his way. The man's restraint on calling her names was obvious to her.
"And finally," he said, bringing Korra back from her thoughts, "I bring a certain motivating personality, should I be allowed to rejoin the Fire Nation's proud navy."
Iroh raised an eyebrow, questioning the man's past, "Yes, your past actions."
He waved, dismissing the guards. Once the room was empty, he spoke again.
"I recall there being an Admiral Zhao in my history lessons, Korra. Can you describe what actions he has done in the past to me?"
The Avatar pinched her nose, trying not to sigh, "He led an invasion of the Northern Water Tribe, killing the Moon Spirit in the process. He also destroyed a wing in Wan Shi Tong's spirit library," She did finally sigh after hearing her own words, "Which resulted in humans being banned from using its knowledge."
She watched the Fire Lord rub his forehead. She had a grave feeling about this.
"I need to consult with my council members and my grandfather. He comes back from a time of great dishonor to the country, Korra. I cannot decide until I meet with them. Please give me a few hours to speak with them."
Korra bowed in respect before nodding to Zhao. They both left the room to wait outside. For the entire two hours, Zhao stood against the wall with his head bowed. He knew his fate and with the way the Avatar was pacing the entire time, he knew that she knew what was about to happen. Only the four guards seemed joyful as they had time to retrieve a quick meal or take a short break from their long and boring day. A couple of hours past before Korra was called in alone.
The long match across the hall made her even more nervous. The room itself seemed to have darkened in the past two hours. She was not alone with the Fire Lord though. Lord Zuko, now wheelchair bounded, was also there and his presence made the tension thicker. The Fire Lord spoke first.
"I have made my decision and I have to decline it." He held a hand up as she opened her mouth to retort, "My grandfather brings up the fact that we still have those who view that the Great War was wrongfully ended and having him stay here could boost their cause."
Lord Zuko soon spoke, his voice being raspy, "I am a bit surprised and disappointed Korra. Trying to pawn an unwanted man is worst than leaving him in the Spirit World. I know you are desperate to fix things, but this is all wrong. He cannot be guided to a path of righteousness. Those before him failed and I fear that you may also suffer the same fate. It would be for the best if he was put back."
Korra's shoulders dropped as the older man spoke, "Your uncle said the same."
"You should heed his advice then. My Uncle Iroh's advice is not something to let off easily."
With his last statement, the Fire Lord nodded before calling out, "Bring Admiral Zhao in."
The large doors opened as Zhao and his escorts came in. The former admiral glanced at the Avatar's sunken look. His assumption looked to be true as he bowed again.
The Fire Lord soon spoke with confidence, "Admiral Zhao, I have to decline the Avatar's request to allow you to stay. Your past actions were a dishonor to the Fire Nation and my grandfather's words spoke a lot about how you acted and treated others. Also, the Fire Nation does suffer from groups claiming to want to destroy the throne of my grandfather's line. Allowing you to stay could give them more reason to openly begin their attacks again."
Korra grunted with anger, knowing full well, that she was stuck with him for a bit longer.
"Admiral Zhao, you are hereby stripped of the rank of Admiral for your murder of the Moon Spirit and banished from the Fire Nation. Any attempt to return will result in imprisonment and certainly death."
"But Iroh!" Korra called out, wanting to fight the banishment.
"Denied Avatar Korra, this is my decision. While I value our friendship, I cannot allow a criminal to live here like all was forgotten. Guards, please escort these two back to their rooms so they may pack and leave within the day."
The Avatar held her temper as her and Zhao's upper arms were grabbed. She shook them off of her, storming back to her room.
The sound of a head pounding against a wooden counter echoed through the bar. Korra was half way through a bottle of rice liquor, cursing out her own luck of being stuck with the prideful man. Zhao had spent the last few hours, sitting silently. He too, was unsure of what to expect as they waited for a ship out of the country. Not to mention he was laughing at the Avatar's state in his mind. While he did fear for his fate, seeing the woman's reaction was fulfilling enough, and the looks that she had been receiving? Priceless.
"Perhaps if you hit your head harder on the bar, you will end all pain for good." He encouraged.
"Oh, shut your mouth. I'm so sick of you speaking down to me." Was what he gathered from her drunken slurring.
"You are not going to fix your reputation with the world, bashing your head on a bar while chugging down a bottle of liquor and trying to pawn off unwanted men."
She lifted her head, looking at him with sunken eyes, "'hen 'ell me what will? 've tried 'verythin' to fix it."
He sat there silent again. When he failed to answer, she went back to hitting her head against the counter.
"'tupid,'tupid."
"Come on. It's time to go." He said, picking her up and placing her on his shoulders.
She tried to fight but refocused her struggle when she realized that she did not have the bottle in her hand. She was not leaving without it.