Crossroads

AN: After a major seven month long writer's block, I can finally say that I'm done being stuck. I still don't have a beta-reader, so I am aware that there are a lot of mistakes that I overlooked. I apologize about them. I'll go and correct them after my Christmas break. Thank you for waiting!

Rumors

It had been two long weeks. The preparations to leave the Earth Kingdom were moving slowly – better yet, it was almost stalled. But thankfully, other aspects of Zuko's life were slowly progressing. His relationship with his mother was slowly flourishing. He was surprised that it was going so easy – sort of like starting of where they left off. Hopefully, the scattered pieces of his complicated childhood could fit properly in the large puzzle he called his life. There were still questions that needed answers, but very very slowly, his life was gradually coming full circle.

The Fire Lord walked down the familiar halls, when a shadow merged with the wall and he stopped suddenly. He narrowed his eyes; his body positioning in a fighting stance. He was prepared to die defending his family and their honor.

"Zuko, it's me, Haru." Haru called out, as he stepped out of the shadows and removed the hood that covered him. "I'm sorry that I must come to you in such an unpleasant way. Can you spare me a moment of your time to speak?" Haru asked, raking his fingers through his hair. "I won't be long," he added when he noticed the Fire Lord returning to his previous position and tapped his foot impatiently.

"Do you have bad news?"

"I am afraid that I do,"

Zuko grimace when he saw Sokka's nonchalantly approaching them. "We'll speak later... What is he doing here?"

"I don't know," Haru shrugged. "Your mother gave us permission to wander the halls if we wanted to. I guess he's just doing that."

"I know that," Zuko glared. "But, why is he on this side of the mansion. He's usually with Suki... near the ponds."

"They probably got in a fight," Haru said indifferently.

"Hey, guys," Sokka greeted them, eyeing the suspiciously. "What's going on? Are we having a secret meeting and I wasn't invited?" he asked, drifting his eyes amongst the man. "Why is Haru dressed like a shinobi? Are we going on a secret mission?"

"Hmm, well, not really," Haru stuttered, "I was out at the village. Buying Zuko fire flakes... I didn't want anyone to recognize me, either."

"Oh, wait... Fire Flakes?" Sokka asked aghast. "You bought fire flakes and didn't bring me any."

"I didn't buy any... I was, um, going to bring you some, but, well, I didn't find any. So, you?" Haru trailed off.

"What about me?"

"What are you doing without your Suki?" Haru asked, diverting the conversation away from him. "You two are usually joined at the hip."

"Oh, she's been sick since this morning. She's been puking all day and doesn't want to see me. I think she's on her period." he said casually, moving his shoulders up and down.

"That was... we didn't need to know that." Zuko chuckled, shaking his head.

"It's natural... So, what are you two up to?"

"Nothing," Zuko replied. "We just crossed paths. I asked him about my, um, fire flakes."

"Oh, cool then..." Sokka smiled. "Where are Toph and Rae?"

"They are with Aang and Katara." Zuko said shortly. "You should go with them."

"Okay, then, I leave you two alone. I know when I'm not wanted," Sokka said, and took a step forward, "I'll see you later at dinner. Your mom is having some important people coming for dinner, so I gotta get dressed and represent the Southern Water tribe with honor." He said proudly.

"Yes, thank you for reminding me," Zuko said, and leaned against the wall. "I'll see you later, then."

"Yep," Sokka said, arching a quizzical eyebrow. "You two look very suspicious. If you are going to get in trouble, don't count me in."

"If you say so," Haru laughed and looked over his shoulder as he watched Sokka's parting figure.

"So," Zuko cleared his throat, when Sokka had vanished through the large arched hallway and into the golden doors. "What news do you have for me?"

"Oh, yes," Haru said. "I was at Palomar village."

"That's where you've been these past few days?" Zuko asked, when he noticed his friend's dirty clothes. "Did you find what I asked you?"

"No, actually," he paused and looked down at his clothing. "I didn't find much, only that the guards that sold Rae, were not from the Fire Nation. They were from the Earth Kingdom. Apparently, they are hired assassins from Gaoling. They used Ozai's name to divert our attention from the real master-mind behind Rae's kidnapping."

"Ozai wasn't involved? No, I still don't know who it is... Only that it was from Gaoling."

"Do you think it had something to do with -"

"I'm not aware, Zuko. I'm still investigating. But I did find something else." He whispered.

"Do go on," Zuko said, making a hand gesture for him to continue.

"I know that this must come as a shock for you," Haru said carefully, "I've been keeping in touch with Major Shin," he continued. "He summoned me a week ago. That's why I was gone..."

"Can he be trusted?"

"Yes," Haru nodded.

"What does he have to say?" Zuko asked coolly, never once removing his eyes from his trustworthy friend. "I hope that you brought some good news."

"I'm afraid they are not," Haru drew in a deep breath. "According to him – Major Shin – the missives he sent me, he states that messages from the Fire Nation were pouring down like rain. Messenger hawks were landing daily – once or twice at the nearest Fire Nation posts - which is in Palomar - with information about a possible rise being led by the former Fire Lord..."

"My father?" Zuko exhaled. "I should have known."

"Yes, Zuko," he sighed and nodded. "We really have to leave to the Fire nation. I don't like how things are turning."

"I am aware," Zuko said worriedly. "What other news do the messenger hawks are bringing?" Zuko asked, arching an eyebrow. "Are they positive that it is my father starting all these trouble?"

"Yes, Kail, a former Fire Sages- "

"Former Fire Sage?" Zuko asked intrigued. "I did not know that Kail had retired from being a Sage!"

"Do you know Kail?" Haru asked confused.

"If it is the Kail that I think it is," he paused, pursing his lips in a tight line. "Then, I do know him."

"Well," Haru went on, "Kail came to your uncle and asked for help."

"Uncle Iroh? Did Kail go to Ba Sing Se?"

"No, not really. Iroh is in the Fire Kingdom." Haru informed him and stepped back.

"When did he get there? Why wasn't I informed of this?"

"Because," Haru gulped nervously, "you were frantically searching for your missing son. Iroh wanted to know how he could help us... so I took the liberty to ask him to keep a close eye on your palace and the Fire Nation. He agreed. I am sorry if I made such decision on my own without consulting you, but I had to ensure that there was someone we trusted at the palace, keeping things straight."

"How long has he been in the palace?" Zuko asked, as he pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled a slow breath.

"A couple of, um," Haru gulped, again. "A couple of months, Zuko."

"When were you going to tell me about this?"

"I was going to tell you, but, something always came up," he said defensively and leaned against the wall, next to the Fire Lord. "There's more. Do you want me to tell you?"

"I guess," Zuko said, furrowing his brows. "Did my Uncle Iroh get into trouble?"

"No, it's not about him, per se. But – well, this former Fire Sage, Kail, was brought in for questioning by the Fire Nation Royal guards."

"Why?"

"Major Shin doesn't know exactly why, but he speculates that," he said and rubbed his chin. "Kail left his position as a Fire Sage, because he doesn't want to be in the Fire Nation when Ozai's plot is finalized. He also made many assumptions about your paternity. Iroh did send me a letter... It's not a letter from him exactly, but a page from the Fire Sage diary... He wants me to investigate."

"A diary page, why? Paternity? What does it have to do with me?"

"I don't know really, but here," he said, as he reached in his pocket and pulled out a folded scroll. "I read it several times, but, I think that you should read it and ask your mother about it."

"My mother?" Zuko took the paper out of his hand and glared at Haru.

"It might explain why she left so suddenly," Haru interjected Zuko's thoughts. Zuko quickly unfolded the paper and let his eyes skimmed through the letter. "I want you to know that I will do all that I can to get to the bottom of this."

"T-this can't be t-true, Haru." Zuko whispered, as his hands shook with rage. "This means that my entire life has been a lie..."

"I don't know if it's true or not, sir," Haru said, shaking his head. "I do know that this news doesn't change who you are. You are my friend, a great leader and the Fire Nation's respectable Fire Lord. Kail might be confused. This can all be a misunderstanding - a rumor."

"I want you to bring me this Kail," the Fire Lord demanded.

"Your Uncle Iroh let him go."

"Why?" Zuko asked angrily. "Why would he do that?"

"Well, I can only tell you that you should be prepared to meet your mother's guests. They might be able to answer your questions." Haru shrugged, again. "Kail's sudden resignation as a Fire Sage raised a few eyebrows. He is very loyal to you, sir. It's true that he wasn't too thrilled when you were selected as the new Lord, but when he saw how great of a ruler you are, he changed his opinion of you. He was being interrogated for possible conspiracies against you, but as it turned out, he was actually protecting your mother... She is his daughter."

"Ursa? My mother?"

"Yes, your mother," Haru nodded. "You should ask her what all this means."

"It's obvious, Haru, I am a bastard! I'm not the rightful Fire Lord! I am not Ozai's son. Maybe he always knew this. Maybe that's the reason he treated me like a fucking leper and preferred Azula over me." He hissed, tossing the paper on the floor and paced back and forth. "I'm a bastard!"

"Zuko, I don't know why he treated you so badly, but," Haru chuckled and walked over to his friend, and touched his shoulder, stopping Zuko from pacing.

"What's so damn funny?"

"Because, your past shouldn't alter your future. You are who you are, because you are a great leader. The Fire Nation is striving since you became their leader. If what is written in that paper is true. You always had your father beside you."

"Do you think he knows?" Zuko asked, looking down at the crumbled paper in his hand.

"I don't know, but I do know one thing," Haru paused and stared attentively at Zuko.

"What is that?" Zuko stared intriguingly at Haru.

"You know those guests that will be coming to dinner tonight?" he asked, furrowing his brows. "Iroh is one of them... I suggest you get ready for tonight and brace yourself for what's about to come, my friend."