Title: The Aftermath
Rating: T+ (Bordering on M)
Summary: It is 10 years after the events of Sozin's Comet. Under the rule of the pacifist Fire Lord Zuko and the guidance of the Avatar, many expected the world to heal from the damages suffered during the century-long war. But evil is still afoot, and threatens to disrupt the peace once again ...
Disclaimer: I don't own any components of ATLA.
Warning: Mild adult themes.
Chapter 2: A Moment Of Peace
On Kyoshi Island
"Nice place you've got here, Snoozles, I love the decor!" Toph muttered aloud.
"It's gorgeous isn't it! We used mahogany for the panels but used oak for floor, it's much easier to clean, and lends a magnificent brown tone ...", Sokka grimaced, his right hand finding its way to his forehead.
A grin broke out on Toph's face.
"That just never gets old ..."
Katara watched on, as a heady feeling of nostalgia washed over her.
Somethings never changed.
"It's lovely isn't it?"
Katara looked up to the source of the voice, a petite brunette with the most marvelous set of brown eyes. She was briefly reminded of Jet.
"What is?"
The diminutive lady smiled and answered gently, as if all too aware of the fragile emotional state Katara was in.
"This moment of peace. We rarely have any time to relax back at the palace."
"The Palace?"
Katara's eyes widened in realization.
"Oh, you must be Song. How's Zuko holding up? Pity he couldn't make it."
Song, who up to this point had a demeanor befitting a queen, suddenly blinked twice in quick succession, and a light pink blush appeared on her cheeks.
"He's been taking things quite well, projecting the image of a confident leader and all, but I've seen him have his vulnerable moments. He's pretty good at keeping his emotions in check. I'm not sure whether that's a good thing."
Concern and affection tinged Song's soft voice as she unconsciously stroked her long dark hair, a habitual trait that surfaced every time she was nervous.
"You love him don't you?" Katara stated matter-of-factly.
Song's blush deepened, turning from pink to red.
"I haven't told him yet - it's only been 2 years since I started working in the Fire Nation, and I know he still hasn't completed recovered from his last relationship. Besides he doesn't seem to be the romantic kind."
Katara flashed her a polite smile, a knowing smile.
"He doesn't show it, but he needs and yearns for comfort and affection as much as any other guy. I'm sure he'll greatly appreciate it."
Their conversation came to an abrupt end when Yue excitedly brought out lunch - Turnip-Carrot and Ash Marrow Stew with Rice.
The adults and 1 kid tucked into their meal in a brief period of silence.
Then Suki was bombarded with the perfunctory questions that come with announcing one's pregnancy.
"When is it due?"
"Is it a boy?"
"If it is, are you really going to name him Sokka Jr.?"
The last question was blurted out by Toph, which drew a pout from Sokka and laughter from everyone else, including Suki.
"It was only a suggestion ...", Sokka muttered under his breath and then added indignantly,
"And it's not like it's a bad one!"
More laughter ensued as he continued his protest, arguing how Sokka Jr. wasn't such a bad name.
After the hoohah died down, Aang suddenly turned to Sokka and said,
"I know the rebel movement has been growing stronger, and you are severely undermanned, so it is with greatest difficulty that I have to tell you this. I can't join you. I know my destiny lies elsewhere. I'm sorry, but as I told Katara earlier, I've already fulfilled my responsibility to the world by taking out Ozai."
"But you're the Avatar! Zuko is struggling just to keep everything together, and you're just going to abandon him to solve to the problems of the world on his own?"
Everyone at the table turned towards Song, whose strong outburst further ruined the mood of the 'party'.
Yue's large blue eyes glistened with unshed tears, and she was visibly trembling, confused and scared of the sudden hostility present in the dining room.
"Mommy?", she whimpered tentatively.
Suki quickly glanced around the table, her blue-green eyes firm and assertive, conveying the message she wouldn't stand for any more nonsense.
"It's okay, Yue, Uncle Aang just made a lame joke, and no one likes bad humor."
Yue's little face brightened up, and sniggered, "Ms. Song really didn't like that joke, did she?"
Toph tactfully continued the charade, remarking with feigned aloofness,
"Yeah, Twinkletoes, that was an awful joke. And I thought Air Nomads were supposed to have a good sense of humor!"
And just like that normality resumed, although the rest of the lunch was filled with awkward conversation, mostly pleasantries and formalities, and a air of tension that hung thick and heavy in the room.
--
Dusk over Kyoshi Island was always breathtakingly beautiful, the vibrant hues of orange and red in the sky casting it's brilliance over the scenic shoreline. The gentle lapping waves, the silent flight of Tocuan-Puffins and the last remnants of the land breeze were a great distraction from the troubling state of the world.
The two ladies walked in silence, appreciating the artistry of nature and the serenity it provided. It almost seemed like a gift from the spirits, as if to remind the two young women that despite all the ugliness of humanity, there was still beauty in the world.
"I'm sorry for what happened earlier," Song apologized sincerely as she turned to face her pregnant friend.
"It's okay, Aang did choose the wrong time to make his announcement."
The 2 women continued walking as the colors of the sky mellowed, displayed a medley of hues ranging from watermelon pink to a deep shade of lavender.
Song continued, "I hope Zuko's presents weren't too extravagant for your liking."
"No, not at all, it was a very nice gesture. It was sad he couldn't make it, Yue was really looking forward to his fireworks display. Is he stuck up in the capital again?"
"Unfortunately, yes, his workload just keeps getting heavier and heavier. Even with Iroh at his side, he just can't cope. He spends many nights up by himself, reading reports, devising tactics against the rebels, balancing cheques. And there are very few people he can trust, as even though many of the staunchest pro-Ozai cabinet members have been removed, there still are many who believe in the superiority of the Fire Nation."
Song paused.
"They can be more than a little hostile to Earth Kingdom scum like me."
Suki gasped lightly.
"It's nothing much, just snide remarks here and there. I don't blame them, it's the way they were taught to behave and act."
"Anyway, enough about me, you're going to have a baby! Are you nervous about it? I mean with Sokka due to leave tomorrow and all ... can you cope with raising Yue on your own?"
Suki didn't answer.
--
The ships were ready in the docks by midmorning, and standing on the pier holding Yue's hand, Suki bid farewell to her husband and friends.
"Promise me you'll write? Okay? All of you. It gets very lonely on Kyoshi Island. Toph, no excuses, you can get someone to write for you."
Toph grimaced. She pointed absentmindedly to where she thought Katara was.
"Sure, but Sweetness better not complain!"
Sokka turned to his wife, an apologetic look in his sad blue eyes.
"I promise it'll be over soon, and Yue will have her Father back home."
Suki's lips brushed against his.
"Just don't get yourself killed, you are very clumsy on the battlefield."
Sokka smiled at his wife's attempt to lighten the mood. He bent down and patted his daughter's head.
"Listen to your mum and don't give her any trouble, and I'll get you one of those Earth Kingdom dolls when I return."
Yue wrapped her tiny arms around Sokka in a warm embrace.
"Daddy? Come back soon, 'kay?"
Sokka gently pushed his daughter off him, looked straight into her round blue eyes and lied.
Outside an Earth Kingdom Inn
"She's in there."
Jun calmly stated as she helped Jet off her Shirshu.
"I'll be waiting right here, make sure you have the ..."
The giant animal suddenly raised its snout in the air, clearly recognizing a certain scent.
"What's wrong with it?", Jet asked, the piece of wheat in the corner of his mouth bobbing up and down as he did.
Jun spent a few minutes checking her pet, before a wan smile found its way onto her otherwise expressionless face.
"Looks like it's your lucky day, pal, your payment will suffice, Nyla's picked up the scent of a more worthwhile venture."
Jet frowned in disbelief.
"Seriously, there are other people with a much higher bounty on their head than you, don't flatter yourself, lover boy. Just go in there work out your girlfriend problems."
With that parting comment and a crack of her whip, Jun was off, her ponytail fluttering in the pale moonlight.
--
Jet made his way up the creaky old stairs of the Inn slowly. He treaded lightly, ensuring he made as little noise as possible. He did not want to alert her of his presence.
She's upstairs in room 8, but you best not be going near that girl, if you know what's best for you.
The Innkeeper's warning reverberated in the mental landscape of Jet's head.
He made it to her room. He gripped the doorknob and lightly pushed it inward. Nothing. The door was locked. Jet cursed quietly under his breath. He should have asked the Innkeeper for a spare.
He withdrew her hairpin from his pocket, and got to work, lightly prodding and poking to turn the simplistic lock. In less than a minute, the lock popped open, and Jet proceeded to enter her room.
He heard the sound of running water and noticed that the door to the bathroom was slightly ajar.
Indoor plumbing. This had to be one of the better Inns in the Earth Kingdom.
The room itself was sparsely furnished with only a four-poster bed, a desk, chair, dresser and a lamp. But whatever furniture it did have, was of a remarkable quality. The four poster bed - complete with silk sheets and pillows - along with the desk, chair and dresser were made of Cedar-Oak, one of the sturdiest materials in the Earth Kingdom. The easily distinguishable reddish-bronze shade of the wood under the orangey glow of the desk-side lamp, gave the room a rather cosy and peaceful ambience. As if the visual spectacle wasn't enough, the room was perfumed with the most intoxicating scent of mulberry and sandalwood, courtesy of the bath the female occupant was having.
Man, this Inn went all out! Fragrant soaps?
The sound of running water stopped. Jet sat down on the chair, awaiting his companion.
"I know you're there."
A female voice came from inside the bathroom.
Jet responded in kind.
"Sweet place you've got here. Four-poster bed, fragrant soaps ... you sure know how to pamper yourself, Princess."
The woman finally walked out of the bathroom, her body barely covered in a pink towel.
"They ran out of white towels, they only have ones in this horrible color."
The woman walked to the dresser, beginning to comb her long dark hair. She had changed since the last time Jet saw her. Her figure was more svelte now, her sensuous curves more pronounced and she had gained some muscle. Her arms and legs were taut and toned, and she had a slight tan on her, which was so much more appealing than the deathly-pale skin she had when she was in the asylum. The former Fire Nation Princess was beautiful before, now she was simply divine.
Azula continued.
"I hate pink. It reminds me of Ty Lee."
Jet eased back into his seat. She didn't object to his presence in her room, so he made himself comfortable. He took out the piece of wheat in his mouth and placed it on the desk, along with his tiger hook swords. He put his feet on the tabletop.
"It cost me a tiny fortune to find you, you know. But everything is going along smoothly though, the movement is growing, our financial resources are increasing ... although there's still the problem of Long Feng's rogue army."
Azula turned to face Jet, a devious smile on her face.
"Oh, don't fret over that", she taunted in a sing-song voice. "You have other things to worry about tonight."
She let her towel drop, relishing the effect it had on Jet. She took great pride in her body, as she did with most things, and she knew she wanted her first time to be perfect.
"I've been waiting for this for 24 years, Jet, don't disappoint me."
She grabbed the clearly shell-shocked Jet out of his chair and onto the bed, before climbing up onto him, her long wet tresses spilling over her head onto Jet's dark handsome face.
Her companion regained some of his usual charisma.
"Your hair smells wonderful, Princess, honey-pear shampoo?"
Azula leaned in to kiss him, her luscious lips forcefully drawing the breath out of Jet's lungs.
"Your compliments won't change anything.", she said with authority.
"I'm going to be on top."
In the Fire Nation Capital
"Fire Lord Zuko!" a flustered soldier yelled out, a sheen of sweat visible on his forehead, as he sped down the hallway.
"The Earth King! Bear ... dissection ... rebel earthbenders!", the soldier said in between pants.
Zuko stopped him.
"Please calm down, Private, take your time."
Taking a deep breath, the inexperienced army man continued.
"We just received word from Ba Sing Se, the Earth King and his bear have gone missing, believed to be kidnapped by someone who witnesses describe as strikingly similar to ..."
The man paused, as if unsure to continue.
"Who? Who did he look like? Spit it out, soldier!", Zuko ordered harshly, impatience and fear creeping into his voice.
"Your Father, Sir. Witnesses said he looked like your Father."
Author's Notes: For my small viewing audience, the relationship between Jet and Azula will be explained in the next chapter, amongst other things. I'm still working on a flashback chapter (5 years ago ...) but I'm still not sure which chapter I want it to be. The mature content in this chapter will be about as far as it gets in this fic, so just a heads up, in case you are worried whether there are going to be explicit love scenes later on.