Equivalent Exchange
Chapter 5: Trust is Given and Danger Looms
Sagami-wan finally came into sight six days days later. They had encountered inclement weather for three of those six days, a vicious spring storm that tossed the small ship about like driftwood. Mai had spent the duration of the storm with her head over a bucket, sick and humiliated. Zuko had done his best to help, pinning back her hair, bringing her cold water and dampening face cloths to place on her forehead. She had never been so glad to see the sun in her life.
"Solid ground is going to feel good, isn't it, Mai?" Iroh joked as they stepped off the ship, money pouches tucked into robes.
"You might say that," Mai replied dryly.
"You two go off on your own. I'll be busy looking for tea and a sungi horn."
Mai smirked. During one of her bouts of vomiting, Zuko told her about Iroh's plans for a music night. If they happened, they could prove to be amusing.
"And take your time. We're docking here tonight," the retired general added. "Just promise me that you'll send a letter to your parents."
"I will," Mai stated.
"Good," Iroh replied.
He walked off down the dock, humming a tune, and disappeared down a narrow street. It almost seemed as though he knew where he was headed. Mai looked at Zuko and shrugged. He reached for her hand shyly, as if expecting her to refuse. She didn't, of course, and wouldn't, but Zuko always seemed to expect rejection.
"I suppose we should look for a bed of some kind first," the prince suggested.
Mai nodded and then observed their surroundings. The small city was nothing like the Fire Nation capitol both her and Zuko were raised in. Where the capitol city was organized and orderly, quiet and calm, Sagami-wan was a loud, chaotic mess, full of odd looking people. People hawked their wares, shouting over each other and using a sort of sing song voice. The smell of exotic foods drifted along with the light breeze. Mai's stomach responded loudly and Zuko smiled.
"I guess you lost a lot more food than you ate the last few days," he remarked. "Do you want something?"
"Yes," she replied emphatically and moved forward to examine some of the offerings. "I'll take some of that."
Mai pointed to a pile of zongzi*.
"Two?" Zuko asked and Mai nodded.
"I'll take two," he said to the merchant.
The old woman placed the zongzi in a rough basket and handed them to Zuko. He paid her and then passed the food on to Mai. She ate quickly, Zuko watching with a smile, licking her lips when she was done.
"Thanks," she said and took her betrothed's hand again.
They walked about slowly, taking in the sights, keeping their eyes open for furniture displays. Finally they hit upon a dark looking shop that sold all kinds and wandered inside.
"Can I help you young people?" the oily man who ran the store said, leaping on them right away.
"We need a bed," Zuko stated briefly.
"Aren't you a bit young?" the man asked with a shocked look on his face.
"No, no, oh Agni, that's not what I meant," the prince replied.
Once again, his face was red
"He needs a bed," Mai corrected. "It can't be too big. It's for a ship's cabin. And we'll need it delivered to the ship."
"Not a problem. Come this way."
They ended up buying a bed, bedding to go with it, a mirror and dressing table for Mai and a large table for Zuko. Zuko paid and they watched as their new things were delivered to the ship. Once that was done they continued their shopping. When they approached a messenger service, Mai sighed.
"I promised your uncle that I would write to my parents."
"Okay," Zuko said.
"Need a letter delivered?" the owner asked without bothering to look up.
"I need to write it first," Mai replied.
"Over there," the man said, pointing in the general direction of a messy table and chair.
Mai sat down gingerly, wiping at the chair first, then selected some paper and dipped the brush into the open bottle of ink.
"What should I say, Zuko?" Mai asked.
The owner's head jerked up at the sound of the prince's name. He examined the couple carefully but didn't say anything.
"Just tell them you're fine, I guess," Zuko replied with a shrug.
Mai wrote a brief note and then rolled up the thick paper.
"Here," she said and handed it to the owner.
"Where to, Miss?" he asked.
"The Fire Nation capitol," Mai replied.
"Thought so," the owner sneered.
"What do you mean by that?" Zuko said in a low voice.
"I know who you are," the man began. "You're Prince Zuko and your father, the Fire Lord just banished you. I have a friend in the capitol who keeps me informed. And before you ask how I found out so quickly, our hawks are the fastest in the world."
Zuko clenched his fists and scowled angrily at the man.
"Who I am is none of your business," he spat. "Just send the letter. Here's your money."
"You're pathetic," the owner continued as if he hadn't heard Zuko. "You disrespected our great Fire Lord and you were too weak and too scared to fight him. He should have killed you. And now you've dragged this beautiful girl into your mess. What kind of man does that?"
Zuko's breathing was ragged now and flames emerged from his fingertips. Mai put a strong hand on his arm.
"I think you've said enough," Mai stated coldly. "You don't know anything about us. I chose to go with Zuko. It was my decision. I am capable of making one."
"Why don't you go home while you still can?" the man asked Mai. "Find a decent Fire Nation man to be with, not this traitor."
"I am not a traitor!" Zuko roared.
He was breathing fire now, much like the dragons of Fire Nation lore. Mai had never seen him so angry. The businessman reached for something below the counter. Mai moved quickly, pinning the man with four blades before he even straightened up.
"Let's go, Zuko," she whispered and guided him out of the small building and back into the sunshine, leaving her blades behind.
Back in the shop the furious man vowed revenge.
Zuko leaned against the wall of a nearby alleyway and tried to compose himself.
"That's what everyone thinks," he said, the words emerging like short, clipped grunts.
"I don't think that. Iroh doesn't either. Who cares what some colonial loser says?"
"Maybe he's right, Mai. Maybe I am just a weak, pathetic traitor."
"He's not. Stop wallowing. Come on. I need new knives now. And I want a cup of tea."
She tugged on his arm persistently until he finally moved. It took a few minutes, but eventually the prince smiled again. Mai liked to think that she had a lot to do with that smile. They stopped for tea and a quick lunch then continued on. Neither was aware of the pair of rough looking men following along behind, watching their every move.
Mai's eyes lit up when they found a shop specializing in weapons, every conceivable kind. She chose some replacement knives along with some extras and then paused in front of a beautiful set of dual swords. She glanced over at Zuko who was busy examining ornamental daggers. The price was steep, almost too much for her, but Mai couldn't shake the idea of buying the swords for her betrothed. She caught the shopkeeper's attention and indicated the well-made swords with a nod of her head.
"Are you sure, Miss? They're costly."
"I'm sure," she whispered and handed over the money.
"Look, I'll throw in this sheath for free," the kind hearted man said as he slid the swords inside. "Here you go."
Mai was delighted. She approached Zuko from behind, giving him a nudge toward the door. Once outside, she handed him her gift.
"Here," she stated flatly. "You'll have something else to keep you busy now."
Zuko was struck dumb. He unsheathed the swords and examined them closely.
"Why?" he finally said.
"Your gratitude is overwhelming," Mai replied with a roll of her eyes.
"I, I'm sorry; they're really amazing. But they must have been expensive."
"Yes, but I don't care."
"I don't know how to use them, Mai, and there's no one to teach me."
"Teach yourself; that's what I did with my knives and look at me."
"Do you really think I could?" he wondered.
"I'm sure of it. Look, you've got a lot of free time. It's better than being bored or brooding. I speak from experience."
Brashly, but with a pink face once again, Zuko leaned over and kissed Mai on the cheek. She gasped and raised her hand, touching the spot his lips had grazed.
"Um, shall we move on?" Mai asked and then cleared her throat.
Zuko slung the swords over his back and guided Mai through the throngs of people. His eyes were caught by a display of colourful masks. There were ones that looked like dragons and ones that looked like other animals. And there were ones that looked like terrifying demons. He stopped and Mai looked at him quizzically.
"You like the masks?" she asked. "What would you do with one?"
"I'm not sure," the prince replied. "But I have a feeling that they might come in handy."
His answer was cryptic, but Mai didn't push any further. He chose a blue and white one that resembled a demon and seemed to grin maniacally. Then after pondering for a few minutes, he picked one in stark black and white. It represented a beautiful woman with dark hair and the palest of skin. Its only colour was the bright red splash for lips. He paid and tucked them under his arm.
"Maybe we should take all this stuff to the ship. The packages are getting a bit awkward to hold."
"Yeah," Zuko agreed. "Let's do that."
They met Iroh on the way back. He was carrying a sungi horn under one arm and small stringed instrument under the other. A large sac stuffed full of other packages was slung across his back. He beamed when he saw his nephew and Mai.
"Ah, good timing," he stated cheerfully. "Are you having dinner aboard ship?"
"We're dropping our packages off," Zuko explained. "I was thinking that maybe Mai would like to have dinner in town."
He turned and looked expectantly at Mai. She thought for a second and then nodded her agreement.
"I suppose it will be a long time before we see a town again. We might as well enjoy it," she stated.
"Excellent idea," Iroh agreed. "You two have fun. I'll eat with the men. Perhaps I can try out my new instruments."
They all climbed aboard the ship and went below deck to their rooms. Zuko slipped the masks under his new bed and then unsheathed his gift from Mai, taking a few experimental swipes and jabs. They felt good in his hands, almost like they were meant for him. Zuko smiled.
"Are you ready?" Mai asked as she poked her head into Zuko's room.
"Yeah, I just need to take some painkiller. It's starting to throb," Zuko replied and indicated the left side of his face.
Mai waited patiently. Her betrothed was ready in a few minutes and they left the ship again, saying a quick goodbye to Iroh.
"Don't stay out too late," the old man implored. "Zuko's not healed yet and you're still quite young. And be careful."
"We will," they both replied and ventured into the town once again.
The sun had already set but Sagami-wan hadn't plunged into darkness. Bright lanterns strung from rope dangled everywhere and each storefront and restaurant had at least one lamp post ablaze near its main entrance. Hand in hand, the young couple pushed their way through the crowds of noisy people, looking for a decent place to eat. They both felt a bit out of place and very much under dressed. Clothing was colourful, almost eccentric, compared to Zuko's simple black pants with a red tunic and Mai's black skirt and leggings under a purple tunic.
"They look like carnival people," Mai observed. "I can't believe they dress like that all the time."
"Weird," Zuko nodded. "I guess the colonies really are different."
Eventually they happened upon a restaurant that claimed to serve traditional Fire Nation cuisine. The place looked presentable enough and they decided to give it a try. Their waitress gave Zuko sympathetic looks and he squirmed in his seat.
"Were you hurt in the war dear?" she finally got up the courage to ask. "It's such a shame. You're a very handsome young man."
Before Zuko could spit fire or shout, Mai intervened.
"It's still fresh in his mind. He prefers not to talk about it," she said diplomatically. "Please bring us some fresh jasmine tea."
"Of course, of course; and your dinner will be ready soon."
"I can speak for myself," Zuko chastised Mai as soon as the meddling woman was out of earshot.
"I figured you would blow up, so I stepped in."
"Well don't next time," Zuko hissed.
"Fine," Mai replied and crossed her arms over her small breasts.
She glared at Zuko until he finally lowered his head in shame. When their dinner arrived they both stabbed at the food savagely with their chopsticks and didn't speak. Zuko paid and they left, Mai deliberately avoiding Zuko's seeking hand.
"I'm sorry," he finally said quietly. "I shouldn't have gotten angry. I know that you were trying to help. It's just, look, I'm not going to blow up every time someone mentions 'it'."
Mai said nothing.
"Don't be angry with me, please," Zuko continued.
"Shut up," Mai whispered.
The street they found themselves on now was a quieter one and poorly lit. They hadn't paid attention to their surroundings while they were huffing about dinner and ended up walking in the wrong direction. Zuko looked around and then looked at Mai.
"Why did you tell me to shut up?" he asked irritably.
"I think someone's following us and I'm trying to listen."
A blade whizzed by Mai's cheek, just grazing the pale flesh and leaving a drop of blood. Immediately she assumed a fighting stance and Zuko followed suit. Whoever threw the knife was hiding somewhere in the shadows. Zuko made a large fireball, pushing back the darkness and exposing two men, both of whom leered at Mai and then growled at Zuko.
"Who are you?" Zuko demanded in his best princely voice. "How dare you hurt my betrothed?"
Mocking laughter was the only answer and another blade flew. Mai shifted sideways just in time. Angry now, she reached for her own blades. This fight was her first real one. She was excited and confident and not even a bit nervous. Mai knew just how skilled she was. While Zuko pelted the men with fire, Mai let loose. With terrifying accuracy her blades hit home, pinning the men to the wooden fence behind them, purposely drawing blood a few times too.
"You're not very good with those knives," Mai stated as she approached the two men.
They were wide eyed and trembling now and quite willing to do whatever it was Mai wanted.
"Why did you attack us?" Zuko snarled. "You cut Mai."
"We're sorry. It was our friend, the man who runs the messenger service. You embarrassed him, Miss, and he was really angry. He wanted to pay you back."
As Mai slowly pulled all her blades out of wood and cloth and replaced them in their holsters she stated dryly, "I suppose he never sent my letter, then."
They found Iroh above deck, trying his best to coax a tune out of his new sungi horn. Zuko grimaced but if he was fair, he would admit that Iroh's playing was actually decent. The tune was a mournful one and the former general look as though he were recalling something sad.
"How was your evening?" he asked when the song ended.
"Interesting," Mai and Zuko replied simultaneously.
They looked at each other and both smirked.
Iroh chuckled.
"It's good to see you happy, nephew. Mai does wonders for you."
It was Mai's time to blush and she did, very prettily.
"So tomorrow we head for the Southern Air Temple, am I right, nephew?"
"Yes, though I doubt that it will do any good."
Iroh looked thoughtful but kept those thoughts to himself. Mai placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder and remained quiet also.
"I'm going to bed now," Zuko spoke after a few moments, finally breaking the silence.
"Your bandages need to be changed. Shall I come below deck with you?" Iroh asked.
Zuko looked at Mai and took a deep breath.
"Maybe Mai could help me tonight. Is that okay, I mean you don't have to?"
"Go, idiot," she replied and gave him a shove. "I'm coming."
As she walked behind Zuko down the narrow staircase she inhaled deeply as if with relief and then smiled.
Nearly six months later; the Fire Nation palace
Fire Lord Ozai sat rigidly on his throne. He was bored and wanted to sprawl but thought better of it. War Minister Qin was droning on and on about some new machine he was busily perfecting. Some of the older generals were even asleep.
"Yes, yes, cut to the chase Qin," Ozai finally remarked. "Will the machine help us crush the Earth Kingdom peasants?"
"Yes, my lord, I'm confident of it."
"Fine, then continue working on it. But I don't want to hear about it again; not until you can give me an actual demonstration."
"Yes, my lord,"
Qin backed away from the throne and took his seat.
"This meeting is over," Ozai declared loudly and several men jerked in their chairs.
The various ministers shuffled out of the room.
"Suzumi, I want you to stay," the Fire Lord said.
An old man, once personal advisor to Azulon, sat back down and awaited more from Ozai.
"I've been thinking a lot about my son and my brother lately," the younger man began.
"Yes, my lord."
"I'm worried."
"About what, my lord?" Suzumi asked as he sat up straighter.
"The old man has a lot of influence on Zuko. As you know, since Lu Ten's death, and perhaps even before, Iroh was developing dangerous ideas, having almost traitorous thoughts."
"That is true, my lord."
"What if my brother somehow convinces Zuko that I did him an injustice? What if Iroh encourages my son to try to regain his place as heir without bringing me the Avatar?"
"Are you speaking of rebellion, my lord? Do you think that Zuko is capable of turning against you and his nation?"
"I'm not sure what he's capable of? I know that he's soft like Iroh and like his mother was. He might come to see our glorious nation's actions as wrong, should Iroh babble on about balance long enough. He might come to think that he should rule our country and show compassion to the filth that lives out there in the rest of the world."
"We can't have that, my lord," Suzumi said with a cruel smirk.
"No, we can't. Something must be done."
"May I make a suggestion, my lord?"
Ozai nodded.
"Send Captain Zhao to keep an eye on the boy. He's been gone for six months, yes, but I'm sure that Zhao can find him. That man has a, well, a certain tenacity. And he loathes the prince. Let him have his fun with Zuko. As long as we know what's going on with the boy we're one up on him. If he shows any signs of rebellion, however, give Zhao permission to kill Zuko and everyone else with him. While he's in the Earth Kingdom, he can overtake a few cities too. And should Zuko happen to find the Avatar or some evidence of his whereabouts, Zhao will be able to take the dirty airbender off Zuko's hands or even capture him first. Look at all you will accomplish."
"Excellent idea, Suzumi, excellent; I can always count on you. No wonder my father held you in such high esteem. You are dismissed."
Suzumi left. Ozai remained on his throne, the bright orange flames that surrounded it moving in time with his breathing.
"Yes," he said to himself. "It's an excellent idea."
Evening of the same day; formal dining room of the palace
"How was your meeting today, Father?" Azula asked eagerly.
"It was very productive." Ozai replied.
Azula's intelligent amber eyes examined her father's face. He was pleased with something and it wasn't her.
"Zuko's birthday is tomorrow and Mai's is a few days after that," she remarked.
"Yes, and I should care why?" Ozai asked snidely.
"If Mai were here she would be having a party. It's her thirteenth birthday."
"Azula, get to the point. What's wrong with you?"
The twelve year old narrowed her eyes and straightened her back.
"I'm still angry with Mai for choosing Zuko over me. I mean, what was she thinking?"
"Obviously, she's not the girl we thought she was," Ozai replied and took a bite of his duck.
Azula reached for her glass and sipped at the ice water, taking time to gather her thoughts.
"I wish that she was here. It isn't as much fun without her. With just Ty Lee…."
"Azula," Ozai said in a low, dangerous tone.
"I want her back. If she won't come willingly, I want her hurt and then brought back. And if she resists completely and insists on staying with that loser brother of mine, I want her killed, painfully."
Ozai began to laugh. A low chuckle became a full blown guffaw.
"I like the way you think," he complimented his daughter. "And you're in luck. I'm sending Zhao to follow Zuko. I'm sure he won't mind capturing Mai and sending her back. And I know he won't mind killing her."
"That's perfect," Azula cooed. "Oh, Father, I feel so much better now."
"Wonderful; now tell me about your firebending lessons."
"You should have seen…" Azula began.
Her face was alight with glee.
*rice steamed with things such as nuts or meat, shaped like a pyramid and wrapped in bamboo leaves
A/N: I had major inspiration for this chapter. That's why I got it done so quickly. I hope it was entertaining. It certainly sets up a lot for the future.
Someone asked how far I plan on taking this story. It will cover the time span of the entire series but many events will be different or not happen at all. So, while Mai and Zuko are the main focus, there are the villains and eventually the gaang will appear. Like I said before, this story is not a rewrite. It's a reimagining, I suppose.