Encounter with Embers

TY LEE COULDN'T FORGET Mai's words on the battlefield. They turned over and over in her head. 'Azula, you and Ty Lee fight for the wrong goal'

What was their goal? To defeat anyone who wasn't Fire Nation? Why did the Fire Nation want to own everything? What was truly enough?

What was Mai's new goal? She and Zuko had stood so closely together…for the Fire Nation that meant a close friendship, or even an intimate one. Ty Lee resisted the urge to giggle. Mai had always liked Zuko…and she knew about the time they had kissed, right after Zuko had been burned.

She was happy for Mai. So, if Mai was close to Zuko, then what was Zuko's goal? Well, that was easy. Regain his throne. But…how on earth could he do that? Unless…

Unless he was plotting the death of his own father and sister.

That thought weighed heavily in her mind.

'This useless war will kill us all if we do not choose to fight for peace'.

If Mai died…if Azula died…if she died…could they bear it? And how would she feel about the blood on her hands?

'Ty Lee, think about the consequences of siding with Azula'

The consequences indeed. Being forced to repeatedly commit horrible acts against people who'd done nothing wrong. The guilt alone was more than enough.

She ate her dinner slowly and without vigor as these thoughts turned over in her head. She ate alone, because she could not bear to see Azula. Azula had tried to kill her brother today. Unluckily for her, Zuko had become stronger and it was more difficult to kill him than it had ever been before.

Ty Lee had no siblings, but knew that if she did, she would have loved and cherished them dearly. Not tried to have killed them.

She placed her half eaten plate on the table, feeling nauseas suddenly. What was she doing? She had to be loyal to the Fire Nation…it was in her blood. She swore fealty to Azula. She swore to honor her country, and fight for its best interests.

Another wave of nausea struck her as she thought of honoring the Fire Nation. Could she do it? Ty Lee clenched her fists and bit her lip. This would require much consideration before she could make a decision. And so she began.

KATARA AWOKE SLOWLY, shaking the fuzzy dreamlike sleep like a butterfly would its cocoon. The events of the previous day came back to her: seeing her father, reuniting with Haru, almost sharing a kiss with him…

She blushed softly, recalling how her heart had beaten so furiously and her knees had quivered like blasting jelly. In Haru's eyes she had seen something so intense…and she knew that he wanted to kiss her too.

Katara giggled to herself, then became somber. The battle yesterday…then men she had lost… Funny, she had only known these men for a short time, but had come to know their names, whether they had a wife, had children… They followed her without question or fear, directly into battle.

She drew her covers tightly around her. This was no longer child's play, this war. It was serious. People were dying. Blood was shed. And it soaked the mountains outside of Omashu.

Something pattered softly at the door, almost as if it was not certain it wanted to be heard.

"Hello?" she called softly.

"It's me, Haru." A muffled voice replied.

She momentarily touched her face, and then her hair. She probably looked an awful mess. Oh well, if Haru truly wanted to kiss her, he wouldn't care how unseemly she appeared first thing in the morning. "Come in."

He entered tentatively. He stood strong and tall, as always. His muscles rippled with every movement and his handsome face held a shy smile.

"Good morning…you missed the meeting last night." He almost lost his breath when his eyes fell upon Katara. Her face glowed from a good night's rest, her hair tumbled over her shoulders, and the sheets hugged her gently, hinting at what lay underneath.

She gasped softly. "Oh, no…"

Haru waved his hand dismissively. "I let you sleep. You had been badly injured…you needed your rest. Everyone understood."

Katara relaxed once more and sunk back into her pillow. "Alright."

Haru walked over to her bedside and sat beside her. "How are you feeling?" his gaze was intense, deep, and sincere.

"I'm better. Yagoda helped, I'm sure."

Haru smiled wistfully. "Yes, she did."

Katara somehow understood that he meant something different, but she chose to disregard any hidden meaning.

Haru took Katara's hand in his and squeezed it gently. "Katara…"

Her heart was pounding again, and her cheeks flushed. "Haru…"

"I've been meaning to tell you…" he began slowly.

Katara looked at him expectantly, and he blushed.

"I…um…" he wasn't sure exactly how to say the words he needed or wanted to say.

"You know…this Fortune Teller…her name was Aunt Wu…" Katara began sheepishly. Anything to break the lull in conversation. She sensed that Haru was a little uncomfortable.

"Yeah? And?" Haru replied, oblivious. He didn't seem to understand how this was relevant to anything they had been discussing.

"Well, she said I'd marry a powerful bender." Katara continued hastily. She blushed and bit her lip.

Haru felt his heart drop. But he tried to be enthusiastic for her. "Oh…wow…I never knew about you and Aang!"

Katara smacked herself in the forehead. Sometimes men could be so dense!

Haru blinked. "Did I do something wr-"

Drastic times called for drastic measures. She built up her courage and decided to make her move. Katara threw her arms around Haru and kissed him deeply. His arms came to embrace her by instinct, and they kiss lasted for some time.

They pulled away only for breath, and they rested their foreheads against one another. "I think Aunt Wu meant that it was you." She commented absently.

Haru smiled and hugged her tightly. "You think so?"

She nodded and they shared a laugh.

MEANWHILE, MAI AND Zuko had their own morning business to deal with. Mai woke Zuko with kisses pressed all over his face.

He smiled and was glad Mai was the first thing he saw when he opened his eyes. "Beautiful."

She blushed and kissed him gently on the lips. "Handsome."

He learned quite some time ago to believe Mai when she said such tender sentiments. She truly meant them and was offended when her opinions were challenged. So, he chose to believe her. It was nicer that way.

"I want to propose something."

Zuko blinked. Mai didn't waste any time.

"What?"

"Let me go on a mission to recover Ty Lee."

Zuko sighed. "Mai…it'll be risky. Are you certain she even wants to join us?"

Mai bit her lip and looked aside. "A tear fell down her cheek. She said to me…she said…" Mai clenched her fists, and looked into Zuko's eyes, her own burning with unshed tears. "'Oh, Mai…I'm so sorry.' That's what she said."

Zuko's features softened and he cupped Mai's cheek tenderly. "This is important to you." He stated.

She nodded, only slightly, and a tear fell down her cheek. "I must save her."

Zuko sighed softly, a bad feeling growing in the back of his mind. "From Azula. I understand."

Mai wiped at her tears and wrapped her arms around her beloved. "Thank you Zuko."

He sighed and kissed her forehead. "Bring Suki with you. You'll be safe with her."

Mai nodded and rose for the day, eager to get the rescue mission underway.

ZUKO CALLED A minor meeting which involved only Katara, Sokka, Suki, her two Kyoshi warriors, Toph, Aang, Jet, Mai, Iroh, and himself. Everyone seemed anxious and concerned, considering there had been a small meeting only last night.

The meeting last night had been blissfully short, merely congratulating everyone on a job well done. This one, however, was a bit longer.

Zuko paced about the room, trying to decide how to begin this meeting. He looked among the faces of those he had come to call 'friends' in the past month.

"I have reason to believe that Ty Lee is a willing fighter to our cause. We hope to arrange a rescue mission to retrieve her from the hands of our enemy." He began.

Katara visibly blanched. As did Sokka and Aang.

Toph immediately raised her hand. "Who's going?"

Zuko sighed with impatience. "I was getting to that, Toph."

Toph smirked. "Oh."

Zuko let Toph's grating personality roll off of his back. "I'd like Mai and Suki to be our main rescuers." Suki remained silent, taking in this information.

Toph snickered.

Zuko looked within himself for the patience to deal with someone who delighted in aggravating him for no reason what-so-ever. "They will travel in stealth to retrieve Ty Lee."

Jet stood and coughed. "I'm an expert in stealth and guerilla warfare, Zuko."

Zuko's brow twitched. "We cannot have too many persons on this mission, Jet."

Katara frowned softly. "Why are we risking Suki's life to rescue someone who may or may not be loyal to us?"

Mai scowled at Katara. "How dare you suggest such a thing! Ty Lee will be an asset to our army with her fighting abilities and knowledge of Azula and the Fire Nation."

Katara crossed her arms. "Mai, I trust you with my life. But Ty Lee, however…"

Mai grit her teeth. "She is trustworthy!"

Katara scoffed. "I'd rather not risk my future sister-in-law's life, if it means anything to you." She marched over to Mai, as if to emphasize her point.

Mai pointed a finger at Katara. "Listen here; I'm risking my life as well!"

Suki stepped between the two girls. "I'll go on this mission with her, Katara. Mai is right; Ty Lee will be an asset in our struggle."

Katara and Mai softened slightly and quietly apologized to one another.

"Do you want me to accompany them as their healer, if something goes awry?" Katara asked.

Zuko looked thoughtful. "You were injured yesterday. You need to rest."

Iroh watched on, silent, for he need say nothing. Zuko was making excellent decision making skills on his own.

Zuko spoke once more: "Azula's camp has already begun to move back to the Fire Nation. You must leave as soon as possible to catch up with them. You'll most likely need ostrich-horses and two days' supply of food."

Suki looked lost in thought. "My…may I have some time…to say goodbye?" she queried softly.

Zuko nodded. "You and Mai will leave in half an hour." He too, needed time to bid his lover goodbye.

Everyone left, and Mai turned to Zuko. "Thank you."

He didn't respond and only swept her up in his arms. "Be careful…I cannot lose you." He pleaded softly.

She returned his embrace. "I will…now…just hold me." She sighed in contentment.

And he did.

SUKI'S MIND WAS filled with many turbulent thoughts.

She was flattered that she had been chosen to accompany Mai in such an important mission. She was proud that her prowess on the battlefield was considered relevant enough to be utilized. She was nervous to be working with Mai, since they had not practiced together often enough to know one another's abilities in and out. She was scared of the small chance that she would never see Sokka again, if she and Mai happened to be captured, or worse.

"Suki! Suki!" Sokka was calling her, snapping her out of her trance.

She turned to face him.

"Suki…" he breathed her name, taking her hands in his. Within her name she heard wonder, worry, fear, anxiety, love…

"Sokka." She kissed him, once, and touched his face. Her fingertips explored every plane of his face, as they had done so many times before. She knew every side of him, every inch of skin, and she had earned such knowledge.

She loved him so much. She loved his sister, his father, his culture, and everything else about him. He was water that quenched the thirst of her earth. The thought of never seeing him again scared her more than she cared to realize.

He closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. "I'll miss you." He confided mildly.

"I'll only be gone for two days." She assured him.

He kissed her deeply, taking her by surprise. "Make love with me?" it was a gentle question, a soft plea.

She nodded and eagerly drew him into the nearest abandoned room. There was no time for slow foreplay, only rough, desperate intercourse. They strove to elicit every moan and gasp possible from one another.

Every time Sokka's face screwed up with pleasure, every time his breath seeped hot onto her neck, and every time he sighed out her name…she cherished it all. She savored his tanned, smooth skin, his deep, ocean blue eyes, his rippling muscles, his essence filling her up…

They shared a deep kiss as they climaxed together. And too soon their time together was over.

They said nothing, only gazing into one another's eyes, and sharing another kiss before she dressed and left.

He watched her leave, slowly dressed himself, and wondered why his chest felt so painfully tight with her departure.

MAI AND SUKI left in a hurry, goading their ostrich-horses into a full gallop, their coaks swirling in the breeze. They packed some clothing and only enough food for two days of meager eating.

They hoped to catch Azula's army soon, for the longer the journey the more unpleasant it would be. Mai and Suki said little, each both silenced by their own concerns and worries.

Mai kept a perpetual hand on her stomach, worried for her unborn son or daughter. At this point, she was certain she was with child, and it worried her. They were in the middle of a war, one she simply had to fight in. There really was no choice in such matters. She was needed.

She inwardly spoke to her child, urging him or her not to die, to live, to grow strong, live well, to have everything she never did. She hoped that he or she would know this. Would know how much she already loved them. She couldn't bear to lose her child. It would devastate her.

But Ty Lee…she could not abandon Ty Lee to Azula. She saw in her face, on the battlefield that day. She knew, with all of her heart, that Ty Lee truly despised the position Azula had coerced her into.

Ty Lee had told her the story once, of how Azula had prompted her to join her mission of chasing the Avatar and Zuko. She had set the safety net on fire and unleashed all of the dangerous animals: all of that simply into scaring Ty Lee into joining her.

Mai had laughed at the time when Ty Lee told her the story, making some airy comment on how that was so like Azula. But she realized now how that story secretly injured Ty Lee's heart. She had joined the circus for a reason: to be happy. And Azula was not helping Ty Lee to attain such a goal.

She grit her teeth and made a vow. I'll save you, Ty Lee. I'll deliver you from the beast's mouth and gnashing teeth. You'll be my dear friend, and fight by my side, and help us to win this war. And once it's all over, you can go back to the circus, back to where you were truly happy.

And Mai? She would become Zuko's wife, no matter whether he was Fire Lord or farmer. And she would bear his child, and another, and another. Until they had made their own happy family. Then, and only then, could Mai have peace.