Equivalent Exchange
Chapter Nine: Brief Respite
The group had walked well into the night, putting some distance between themselves and the coastline and then heading in the direction of Anshan. It was decided that Cook along with some other crew members would purchase Earth Kingdom clothes for Zuko, Mai, Iroh and Jee. Fire Nation armor and robes would only draw attention and that was the last thing they needed. Once they reached the city's outskirts, Cook and the rest went ahead, weighed down with Iroh's gold pieces. They came back a few hours later with an odd assortment of green and brown clothing, a bedroll for each, some cooking supplies, food and a tarp.
"I shouldn't have to live like this," Zuko whined. "I'm a prince."
He stood behind some thorny bushes and wriggled out of his red tunic, slipping a rough pale green shirt and a darker green tunic on instead. He decided to keep his black pants. Black might come in handy one day. He stuffed the brown pants Cook had handed him into his satchel and went to look for Mai.
"I'm still changing," Mai informed her betrothed as he stuck his head around her privacy bush.
Zuko got a glimpse of perfect pale skin before Mai drew one of her blades and threatened him.
"Alright, alright, I'm going," he said. "I was just checking on you."
"These clothes are too big. Does Cook think I'm fat or something?" Mai complained.
She used the accompanying emerald green sash to cinch the waist of her new forest green pants. The brown and yellow tunic hung from her slender frame like a sack. As she walked around the bush and out into the small clearing, Zuko met her with a stare.
"I take it that I've got the refugee look we're going for," she stated dryly.
"I, I've just never seen you in those colours," Zuko stammered. "It will take some getting used to."
"Yeah, well, you look different too."
Iroh approached in his own Earth Kingdom clothing, followed by Jee resplendent in nearly solid brown.
"Ah, I see you young people are ready to go. I have a destination in mind and would like to discuss things with you. But first, we must say goodbye to the crew. I don't know how we'll manage without Cook. I'll miss him."
The retired general dabbed at his damp cheeks. Zuko and Mai looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
"I hope you can cook, Mai," Iroh continued. "A diet of plain rice will get old very fast."
Mai shrugged. "I can try, I guess."
"You mean you don't know how?" Iroh wailed.
"I've never needed to cook," Mai replied.
"Well now you do. And Zuko you can learn too."
"Can you stop worrying about food? We're stuck in the Earth Kingdom for Agni knows how long. Zhao thinks we're dead which means my father and my sister will think we're dead. That's the only advantage we have. No one is looking for us. But no one can know who we are either."
"That's not quite true, nephew."
"What do you mean?" the prince barked.
"Later," Iroh said firmly. "Come on, the crew is leaving."
With a put upon sigh, Zuko took Mai's hand. They walked toward the crew and said a polite but emotionless goodbye. Zuko wasn't particularly close to any of them. In fact, he wasn't even sure of all their names. It was Iroh who had played pai sho with them, shared stories, drank tea and sometimes fire whiskey. Zuko had pouted and obsessed and yelled a lot. No doubt the crew would not miss him either.
Once the men disappeared into the forest that surrounded Anshan on three sides, Iroh turned to Mai and Zuko. His face was serious now.
"Sit down," he ordered and indicated a convenient tree trunk.
The young couple sat. Jee leaned casually against a nearby tree.
"I know that I've bombarded both of you with a lot of information these past few weeks. And I know that a lot of it is difficult for you to grasp or believe. Trust me; nothing I have told you is a lie."
"So, you've got more then?" Mai asked.
"Yes, but this is very helpful information. I mentioned that I know many people. They are from all the remaining nations."
"Okay, so you know some Earth Kingdom people," Zuko said with exasperation, throwing his hands up in the air.
"Yes, quite a few in many towns, villages and cities. Some of these people are very important. And all of them are members of a group, a group that I belong to as well."
"This group is…." Mai prodded.
"The group is called The Order of the White Lotus."
Iroh pulled a pai sho tile, the white lotus one, out of the pocket in his robe and held it out for Mai and Zuko to see.
"This tile, along with certain key phrases, proves that I'm a member. When we arrive at certain destinations I can present it, answer a question with the correct phrase and gain access to a place of safety."
"That is helpful," Mai stated. "What exactly does this group do?"
"It's an ancient group, my dear, which does not let the divisions between nations affect it. Its purpose has always been to preserve and promote philosophy, beauty and truth. But since the war began, the order has helped wherever and whenever possible."
"How long have you been a member?" Zuko asked, his eyes sharp.
"For many years, nephew; it is an important part of my life. In fact, I was recently made Grand Lotus."
"What does that mean?" Mai inquired.
"It means that I know more and have access to more knowledge than lower level members."
"So, you're telling us all this why?" the prince asked.
"I'm telling you because I think we should pay a visit to King Bumi, the leader of Omashu. He is a prominent, if slightly crazy member. It beats wandering around aimlessly, doesn't it?"
"I suppose," Zuko agreed. "This King Bumi….how will he feel about me and Mai?"
"I wouldn't worry, nephew. He's very…." Iroh paused for a moment as he searched for the most appropriate word. "…open minded. And Omashu is a wonderful city. You'll enjoy it."
"So you've been there?" Mai asked.
"Once; just briefly."
Mai turned to look at Zuko. They communicated silently their agreement with the plan.
"It's not like we've got anywhere else to go. And we'll be able to sleep in beds instead of on the ground," Mai finally said with a shrug.
"Yes, but it will take quite a while to walk there," Iroh explained.
"How long?" both Mai and Zuko asked at once.
"I'm guessing about a month,"* Iroh said and then cringed as he waited for the loud protests.
They never came.
"I suppose we'll get started in the morning then," Zuko said reasonably. "What choice do we have?"
After a dinner of overcooked rice and undercooked vegetables, Iroh and Jee curled up in their bedrolls and dropped right off to sleep. A steady low rumble came from both men.
"Do you want to go for a walk?" Zuko asked Mai as she felt for rocks underneath her bed roll.
"Just what we need, some extra walking," she remarked snidely.
"Oh," Zuko replied. "I guess I'll get some sleep then."
"Can't we just sit over there," Mai sighed and pointed to the massive tree trunk that ran the length of their makeshift camp.
Zuko's face brightened noticeably and he moved to help Mai. Together they cleared an area big enough for both their bed rolls and then laid them out side by side. The fire at the centre of their camp looked ready to go out. With a flick of his wrist, Zuko brought the flames to life again. Shadows flickered across Mai's face as he reached for her hand and guided her gently to the tree trunk. They didn't say anything for awhile, just sat holding hands and looking up at what they could see of the night sky.
"How's your head?" Zuko finally asked.
"It's fine, honestly," Mai replied, a hint of irritation in her raspy voice.
"So, Omashu...weird, huh?" Zuko tried again.
"I guess it's as good as any other place. We're just ghosts after all. What does it matter?" Mai replied morosely.
"Are you sorry that you came now?"
"No," the girl replied simply.
"I wish that I could make everything okay again. I wish that we could go home," the prince despaired.
"Well, we can't. The only way we'll ever be able to return is at the head of some rebellion force. I guess all that knife throwing will come in handy after all."
"I'm sorry, Mai. I'm sorry for everything."
"I told you to stop saying that. You saved my life, for Agni's sake. That was really stupid by the way."
"Wh, what?" Zuko sputtered.
"Challenging Zhao; it was stupid."
"Did you have a better plan? He was going to..." Zuko couldn't say the words.
"I know what he was going to do. I wouldn't have let him."
"Oh, and how would you have stopped Zhao?" Zuko asked, angry now.
Mai looked down contemplatively at her fingernails.
"I would have found a way. No one will ever hurt me like that."
Zuko craned his neck so that he could see Mai's face. He believed her then. She would have found a way.
"It was stupid, but brave," Mai added. "And..."
"And?" Zuko asked.
"And, you were pretty awesome."
"Thanks," the prince replied delightedly, his eyes aglow with warmth from the praise.
"Don't risk your life like that again, if you don't have to. I don't want to be left behind," she implored.
Her normally emotionless voice cracked on the last word.
"Mai," Zuko said softly.
He placed a hand on her chin and lifted her head so that he could look in her eyes. Zuko hesitated for a moment before moving in close and kissing those lips he dreamed about. Mai responded passionately and the kiss grew deeper, much deeper than the few they had shared before.
Mai pulled away reluctantly and placed slender fingers against her lips. She breathed deeply to gain some semblance of control.
"Um, I think we'd better go to sleep now," she stated.
Standing up from her moss covered seat, Mai walked back to the fire and slipped into her bedroll. Her dreams that night were very good.
Jee awoke first the next morning. It was a long time since he had slept outdoors with nothing but a thick piece of fabric between him and the cold ground. Every joint and muscle ached and he groaned loudly as he stretched his arms upward, trying to get the kinks out of his back. He looked over at his sleeping companions and smiled when he noticed Mai pressed up tightly against Zuko. Poor thing was probably freezing he surmised. Firebenders were like portable furnaces. They emanated heat, especially in their sleep, when control over bending was lax. He chuckled as he recalled moments from his youth; offering to warm up a young lady that he had his eye on sometimes got him as far as a good kiss. Sometimes it got him a good slap, but the attempt was always worth it anyway.
He gave Iroh an elbow in the ribs. The retired general cracked one eye open and looked thoughtfully at the lieutenant.
"Look," Jee suggested and pointed over to Mai and Zuko,
Iroh struggled to sit up. His body had stiffened overnight too.
"What I wouldn't give for the royal masseuse," he said through a grimace. "She could do wonders. Sore muscles were like putty beneath her marvelous hands."
He cracked his neck and then glanced over at his nephew and Mai. Smiling affectionately he shook his head.
"They're getting very comfortable sleeping near each other," he observed. "Part of me is glad." Iroh took in the peaceful expression on Zuko's face and the contented one on Mai's. "Zuko knows serenity with Mai. I don't want him to ever lose that. But part of me worries that they might become too close. Mai is only thirteen…so young."
"That girl is whip smart, Iroh. She won't do anything until she's good and ready. I think Zuko knows that too."
"Hmmmm, I suppose so, Jee. I'm going to take a little walk into the woods and then start the fire for breakfast."
He heaved himself upward, got out of the bedroll and then bent over at the waist, letting the blood rush to his head.
"That feels good," he declared and disappeared into the greenery.
Their first two weeks of travel were uneventful. Every day the group walked from early in the morning until almost sunset, with short stops for lunch and the occasional rest. Steadily they moved eastward and got closer to the mountain range that surrounded Omashu. Food was running short, however, and Jee fished whenever they happened upon a river or stream. He was good at it too and more often than not caught a fat fish for dinner or lunch.
"My father would take me fishing when I was a boy," he explained to the rest as he fashioned a pole from a supple tree branch.
"My father never did anything with me," Zuko replied.
"Here then, give it a try," Jee encouraged the young man. "It takes a bit of patience."
He handed the pole over to Zuko and attached his makeshift hook along with a fresh, wriggling worm. Zuko stared at the pole for a minute, turning it over and over in his hands. The stream they were now following was narrow and shallow but Jee was certain fish were plentiful.
"Well, young sir, put the hook and bait in the water."
Zuko did as he was instructed, dropping the top half of the pole into the barely trickling stream. He stood still, occasionally waving the worm back and forth but nothing happened. Mai watched with undisguised boredom. Reaching into her sleeve, she grabbed a blade and moved over to the stream alongside Zuko. Her sharp eyes spotted a pair of fish in the centre of the stream. With terrifying precision, she threw the blade out and down, impaling both fish.**
"I'm not touching them," she informed the men as she stepped daintily into the water to retrieve her blade.
Jee and Iroh laughed and Zuko's good eye was huge with surprise and admiration. The Lieutenant nabbed the fish before they drifted away and marveled at Mai's skill. Mai meanwhile was rinsing her knife, making sure there were no fish guts on it before she wiped it down and put it back in its proper spot. Her nose was wrinkled and her lips were pursed as she worked.
When she was done, she set a pot of rice to boil alongside the pan that contained the now cleaned fish. Her cooking skills along with Zuko's had improved immensely in the few weeks since they began their trek. Necessity forced one to learn.
"Can I help?" Zuko asked, handing Jee the fishing rod.
"Here," Mai replied and handed him the sac that contained the remainder of their root vegetables. "Cut those up. We'll add them to the rice."
Obediently, he sliced the tired looking vegetables into small chunks and handed them to Mai. Iroh, meanwhile, prepared the tea. He rarely let anyone else do that job. Tea was his love and his passion. No one got between Iroh and his sacred leaves.
Once the meal was over, dishes and utensils were scrubbed off in the stream and put away for the next time. Everyone was exhausted by day's end and there was rarely any talking around the fire. They cleaned up as best they could and slid into their bedrolls, falling asleep within minutes.
Mercifully, a few days later the forest thinned out and they saw a good sized village in the distance. They could buy supplies and maybe spend one night. All Mai could think about was a bath, a real bath, with warm water and soap. She smiled as she imagined sinking into the soothing water.
"What are you thinking about?" Zuko asked.
"A bath," she replied. "That's all I ask for right now."
"Hmm," Zuko mused and moved ahead to talk with his uncle.
She could hear her betrothed talking earnestly and Iroh chuckling about something. They were comforting sounds to her, very familiar now, and ones she would hold onto with everything she had should someone try to take them away.
Zuko rejoined her after a few minutes. He wore a pleased smirk.
"What did you do?" Mai asked, expertly keeping the curiosity out of her voice.
"You'll see," he answered mysteriously.
"Where did Iroh and Jee go?"
"They're walking on ahead a bit. They want to check the village out. Let's sit here."
"Why?"
"Just do it," Zuko groaned.
"Fine, fine," Mai replied and sat down on the uncomfortable rock Zuko had suggested.
They hadn't kissed since the night before their journey began. Truth be told, there hadn't been much opportunity and sleeping had taken priority over everything else. Zuko fidgeted and edged himself a little closer to Mai.
"If you want to kiss me, kiss me," she urged. "Stop fidgeting."
Zuko wasted no time. He leaned in. Mai tilted her head and their lips met. The kiss grew urgent and Zuko wrapped his arms around Mai's shoulders, pulling her in closer. Mai's mouth opened a bit and Zuko dared to slip his tongue inside. He felt her tense for a second and then relax as pleasure replaced shock. They sat like that for a few minutes, tongues dancing with one another, before they regretfully broke apart. Mai leaned her forehead against Zuko's and sighed. Her whole body was thrumming with desire. Zuko rubbed his hands up and down her arms. The motion calmed her.
"We can get going now if you like," he said.
Mai nodded. They stood up together and walked hand in hand toward the village.
"I've got a wonderful surprise," Iroh said in a sing song voice as soon as Mai and Zuko appeared.
"Iroh used his power over women to get us a few difficult to find rooms for the night. Our clothes are going to get washed and there's a restaurant to eat in."
"And best of all, Mai," Iroh beamed. "There's a lovely bath house next to the inn."
Realizing Zuko's part in her good fortune, she graced him with a beautiful smile.
"So where's this inn?" she asked eagerly.
"Follow me," Iroh instructed and walked down the town's main street.
It was a thriving place full of busy and happy looking people. A few gave the strangers stares, but they were friendly, curious stares, not suspicious ones. Iroh greeted everyone cheerfully and the people responded, often stopping to chat for a moment with the retired general.
"I wonder what they would think if they knew who we really were?" Zuko whispered to Mai.
"They would probably run us out of town," Mai whispered back. "Or worse."
The inn was scrupulously clean and run by a bubbly woman named Lan. She showed everyone to their rooms, told them about the bathhouse conveniently located next door and suggested they leave their dirty clothes outside their doors.
"Are you coming?" Mai asked Zuko as she knocked on his door a short time later.
She wore nondescript black pants and a rather ugly green shirt. The shirt had stayed hidden in her satchel since Anshan. Nothing but dire necessity would make her wear it. But the promise of a bath was reason enough to put it on now.
"Yeah," Zuko replied and opened his door.
He wore brown pants and a brown tunic. The roughness of the cloth was uncomfortable and made him long for the fine silks and cottons he had worn since birth. He shoved two gold pieces into a pocket and shut the door behind him.
"Iroh and Jee are staying here for now. They'll bathe when we get back."
The bath house was clean and divided into male and female sections. They paid and parted with the promise of meeting outside the doors in an hour. Mai slid out of her clothes and into the delicious warmth of the water. She just soaked and relaxed before beginning the task of washing her thick tresses. She washed and rinsed and then repeated the action. Smelling almost like a lady again, she stepped out of the water, dried off and worked at brushing out her hair. She dressed and let the mane of black fall loose down her back.
Zuko was waiting looking refreshed as well. They returned to their rooms and promptly fell onto their respective beds and napped.
Dinner that evening was simple but tasty and very filling. Mai enjoyed the simple pleasure of having a chair and table instead of a rock and her lap. Her nap had filled her with energy and she had the urge to explore later with Zuko.
"There's a bit of a pai sho tournament every night," Iroh informed them. "Jee and I are joining, aren't we, Jee?"
"Indeed," the lieutenant replied with a nod.
"What are you young people going to do?" Iroh asked.
"I thought we could look around the town," Mai replied.
She glanced at Zuko and he smiled his agreement.
"Just be careful," Iroh warned. "No one must know that we are Fire Nation."
"We will be," Zuko reassured his uncle.
The town had a lively night life. The tavern was busy as was the other eating establishment. Townspeople browsed the stalls that lined the streets, chatting and laughing happily. Couples walked hand in hand and young children ran excitedly back and forth, giggling and shrieking. It was a pleasant scene, one Mai and Zuko enjoyed very much.
As Zuko was about to buy Mai a strange treat called fried dough, the thundering sound of approaching animals filled the air. A sense of panic immediately descended on the town and increased when the source of the noise came into view. Five massive, vicious looking Komodo-Rhinos each with an equally vicious looking Fire Nation man astride tore through the centre of town, snorting and stomping.
"You're right to be afraid," their leader called out to the cowering crowd as he reined in his animal. "We've destroyed village after village in this stinking cesspool of a kingdom. How you act will determine whether we destroy yours as well. Or maybe it doesn't matter what you do. We might destroy it anyway."
He laughed then and his men joined in, slapping their thighs and throwing their heads back. The raucous cackling could be heard throughout the now silent town. Zuko pulled Mai backwards through the stunned townspeople and toward the inn. He didn't know who those bastards were but he knew what they were capable of. He'd seen the same sort of look on Zhao's face, on his father's and on Azula's.
"We need to get back to Iroh and Jee," he said softly, close to Mai's ear.
"And then what?" Mai asked.
Zuko shrugged. "I haven't thought that far ahead yet."
As they crept back to the inn, the sound of a scream pierced the night.
*guesswork aided by an avatar world map with all the towns and cities marked
**Don't know if that's even possible but because of Mai's mad blade skills, I'm saying 'yes'.
A/N: less action this time around, but there can't be action constantly either…next chapter the R.R.'s will terrorize and brutalize, but will Zuko and Mai help?
Thanks for reading. I'm glad so many people are enjoying this story. Let me know what you think, please.
Alabaster