Equivalent Exchange
Chapter 22: Of Ends and Beginnings
Spring ended and summer came in a wave of heat and humidity. They began to train in the early morning, spending a few hours in the courtyard before the sun was at its midday peak. As each day passed, Mai grew more and more comfortable with her sword. She and Zuko would spar for a good hour at least and then he would go through firebending forms with Jee and Iroh.
The targets at the courtyard's far end beckoned her afterwards and she threw her new collection of blades, ones she was very grateful to Piandao for. They were so finely crafted that it was almost a pity to use them. When she took them all off before her post training bath, putting them back in their carrying case after she was clean and dressed again, Zuko would often catch her touching them reverently.
"It's okay, I still love you more," she deadpanned. "But it's close."
"Good to know," Zuko replied dryly.
Mai closed the lid on the case and sidled up next to Zuko, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him soundly.
"Is that proof enough?" she asked.
Zuko kissed her back, deepening it, pushing her down onto her bed. When he finally pulled away they were both flushed and breathless, Zuko's hardness a throbbing heat between them.
"I wish we had time," he whispered in her ear and then ran his tongue down the length of her neck.
"Later, if we still have the energy," Mai replied. "We've got to go; Keung's waiting and so is Toph. You know her. She'll come stomping into my room and catch us. The girl has no couth sometimes."
"True," Zuko sighed and crawled back down her body and off the bed.
He held out his hand to her and she accepted with a smirk. When they got to the library, Toph was hunched over the desk with Keung. She was feeling the raised characters on an engraving, running her fingers over and over them.
"It's a wonder that no one has come up with a way for the blind to read," Keung remarked when they joined them at the desk. "Look, Toph can feel the characters. She could learn them all. But there would have to be special books made."*
"Eh, it doesn't matter," Toph said derisively. "What do I wanna read for? I would have less time for bending. Besides, my parents would probably think it's too dangerous."
"They've been letting you come here for weeks now," Zuko protested. "Maybe they're changing."
"No," Toph replied emphatically. "They only let me visit you because Keung convinced them I would be sipping lemonade and discussing the finer points of bonsai, not bending rocks at you guys and learning bizarre facts about the Earth Kingdom."
"Oh," Zuko uttered. "That's too bad."
"Yeah, well, they just don't get it and they probably never will." Mai put a hand on Toph's back but the girl shrugged it off. "I'm fine. Hey, this has been the best spring and summer I ever had."
"We're glad, Toph," Keung stated. "Now, I want everyone to take a seat."
He spoke of Kyoshi Island and the small group of female warriors who dressed, painted their faces and fought like Avatar Kyoshi had. He spoke of Ba Sing Se's beginnings as an underground city built around natural caverns filled with beautiful crystals, and he spoke of different Fire Nation campaigns in the Earth Kingdom.
When Keung finished, Iroh and Jee entered.
"Jee came up with a wonderful idea," Iroh said as he rubbed his thick hands together.
"What's that?" Mai asked.
"Let me explain," Jee replied. "I'm going to represent the Earth Kingdom in the debate about the colonies. Iroh will represent the Fire Nation and Keung will represent the colonists themselves. You, Zuko, will be the Fire Lord and Mai will be your lady."
"You'll be thrust into the middle of many debates like this one, nephew. Let's see how you do."
Zuko looked panicked for a moment but then a resolve seemed to settle over him and he questioned each party on its position. The more the different representatives argued, the angrier he got however and soon he was shouting at everyone to shut up. Mai giggled behind her hand and received a nasty look from her betrothed.
"I can't help it," she finally breathed out through her laughter. "You look so adorable when you're angry."
"That's not the way the people in the council room will see it, Mai," Iroh said sternly.
Mai saw the corners of the old general's mouth twitching too.
"Sorry," she said and cleared her throat. "Toph what do you think should be done?"
"Earthbend all the colonies into the sea or the lake or whatever; then the people can choose to live in either the Fire Nation or the Earth Kingdom."
"That's not a bad idea as a last resort," Zuko said, stroking his chin like an old professor.
"I don't think so," Iroh said emphatically. "It's a big problem and inevitably, someone will be unhappy with whatever decisions Zuko comes to. Nephew, you must remember that no matter what you do, you can never make everybody happy. So you need to stick to your principles and make a decision that is as fair as possible. And learn to accept that there will always be those who dislike you."
"I can handle dislike," Zuko replied. "I've had enough of that."
"Did you get a taste of what council might be like?" Iroh asked seriously.
"Yeah, and I hate it already. I've got a headache."
"That's where Mai comes into play," Iroh winked. "I suggest that she sit in on meetings too. Two minds are better than one and she is someone you can place your complete trust in."
"I know," Zuko said and glanced over at Mai.
"I think he puts more than that in her," Toph said under her breath.
"What did you say?" Zuko asked, whipping his head around to look at the earthbender. "And how old are you?"
"Nothing important," she answered meekly. "I'm just making observations on your relationship with Mai. And I'm only eleven."
"Sure," the prince retorted. "An eleven year old monster."
"Come on, Zuko; she's pure innocence," Mai continued, "a demure little lady."
"Stop, you're making me blush," Toph joked.
"Alright now," Keung said, bringing everyone's attention back around. "I suppose that lessons are over for the day. Mai and Zuko, why don't you accompany Toph back home."
"Sure," Zuko replied.
"Stupid parents, stupid escorts," Toph muttered. "No one would stand a chance against me. I can feel everyone coming from a mile away."
"Just go along with things for now," Iroh advised. "One of my biggest hopes is that your folks finally see you for who you really are."
"You like long shots, don't you?" Toph asked.
"Yes, I suppose that I do," Iroh replied, his voice taking on a philosophical tone.
"I'm ready," Toph announced and walked out of the library.
Mai and Zuko followed, moving quickly to catch up. As they stepped outside Keung's gate and onto the road, Toph's face looked serious.
"So when are you guys leaving? I know that you're not going to stay here forever."
"We don't know," Mai shrugged.
"Iroh's planning some sort of birthday celebration for us so we'll be here a few more weeks at least," Zuko added.
"Birthdays, huh? Are they on the same day, your birthdays I mean, 'cause that would just be too romantic?"
"No, they're a few days apart," Zuko replied. "But we celebrate them together."
"Cool; so am I invited?"
"I'm sure," Mai said.
"I won't be able to get you anything since I can't go into town. Being a secret from almost everyone really sucks."
"That doesn't matter," Mai replied.
"Do you really think that you can defeat the Fire Lord, your father, Zuko?"
"I try not to think about it a lot. I concentrate on training and, and on Mai."
He gave his betrothed a sidelong look, a blush colouring his good cheek.
"Geez, you two have it bad. All this mushy stuff is making me sick."
"Maybe one day, you too will enjoy 'mushy stuff'," Mai retorted.
"Yeah, in my nightmares," Toph sneered.
They walked the rest of the way in silence. Zuko and Mai linked their fingers together and enjoyed the almost cool afternoon breeze. The sky was a clear blue, untainted by clouds and the road was dusty and dry. It hadn't rained for a good while. Toph moved ahead of them a bit as if she wanted to be alone. When she spoke again, her voice was wistful.
"I sort of like you guys. You know that, don't you?"
Mai and Zuko nodded, forgetting the girl's blindness but then quickly realizing she could sense the movement anyway.
"I wish that I could go with you. I guess that I could run away but I…."
"It's okay, Toph. When everything's over we'll see you again," Zuko said and rested a hand on her shoulder.
"If you don't, I'll find my way to the Fire Nation and kick both your butts."
She laughed then, the sound loud and abrasive but still music to Mai's and Zuko's ears. They sort of liked her too.
"Sixteen years old," Iroh said with wonder and shook his head back and forth. "I recall the day that you were born. I was home for a few days, on leave from my duties as General, and your mother went into labor five weeks early."
Zuko had heard the story more than once but never tired of it. Any recollection involving his mother was close to his heart. Mai leaned against Zuko on the comfortable green sofa in Keung's sitting room and waited for the story to continue.
"She was upset and worried and asked me to sit with her. Your father was busy in a meeting with Azulon, our father, your grandfather. Ursa didn't want to bother him. He didn't like being interrupted during anything important."
"And the birth of his son wasn't important?" Mai asked bitterly.
"Well, Ozai never put much stock in family and love and children, unless he could use them for something. I'm sorry, Zuko. I know he's your father and you wish that things were different. He is my brother. Maybe I could have done more to nurture something good in him."
"I've let go of that hope, for the most part anyway," Zuko said quietly. "I know that Ozai doesn't love me. He probably never did."
"Your mother did, though, with a fierceness that was almost intimidating."
Zuko smiled fondly as he thought back to good times with his mother. Mai reached for his hand and squeezed it gently, letting him know that she was there to lend her quiet support.
"Anyway," Iroh continued. "You came quickly after just a few hours of labor, but they were hard on your mother. She lost more blood than she should have and was very tired and weak. You were tiny and frail looking and didn't want to breathe right away. The midwife worked on you for a few minutes before you finally took a big gulp of air and let out a bellowing cry. I remember your mother laughing through her tears when she heard that beautiful sound. She held her new son for a few minutes and then handed you over to me. I could see determination on your face back then, nephew. And I loved you from that first time I held you."
Iroh wiped tears away from his eyes and Zuko looked embarrassed but pleased nonetheless.
"So, are you looking forward to your little celebration tonight, both of you?"
Mai and Zuko nodded their heads 'yes'.
"I wish I had an anecdote to share about your birth, Mai," Iroh said sadly.
"No need," Mai replied. "My parents were disappointed. End of story."
"They were very foolish then," Iroh responded angrily.
"They're the ones missing out," Zuko added and placed a kiss on her head.
"Thanks," Mai said gratefully. "I'm glad that someone appreciates me."
Party preparations were almost complete. A table and chairs were set up outside in the courtyard, decorated beautifully with Keung's best tableware and vases full of fresh flowers from the garden. Wonderful smells emanated from the kitchen and Liang was working happily, moving from pot to pot to oven, checking her special dishes and humming under her breath.
Mai lounged on the window seat in her room and looked out at the gardens; the faint noises of people working outside drifted in through the open window. It was time to get dressed but she sat a bit longer, enjoying the cool late summer wind that played mischievously with her black hair.
With a reluctant sigh, she got up and selected an outfit from the many that hung in the wardrobe. Zuko seemed to like simple best and so did she. A soft green dress trimmed in white and with the wide sleeves that she loved would do. Mai pulled off her plain pants and shirt and changed into the dress. She stood in front of the full length mirror and looked at herself. She would be fifteen years old the next day. In some ways she felt far older than that. Yet it was hard to believe that two and a half years had passed since the day she had first boarded Zuko's ship after her spontaneous decision to join her betrothed on his banishment. It was the best decision of her life, one of the few she actually had a chance to make back then.
Everything in her life was so different now and despite the danger that was surely coming and the things she had seen and dealt with, she was truly happy. Her twelve year old self would have hardly believed that possible. With a wry smile she ran a brush through her hair and pulled it up into a loose bun, leaving tendrils to hang down and soften her face. She already wore plain studs in her ears; that was enough. After one last look, Mai left her room and walked next door to Zuko's.
"Are you almost ready?" she called through the thick wood.
"Yeah, just give me a minute," Zuko called back.
Mai considered walking in on him; she'd seen him naked countless times already after all. With a shrug, she decided to wait. He opened the door a few minutes later looking handsome in the same pale green that Mai wore.
"Great minds think alike," Mai remarked when she saw his choice of outfit.
It wasn't much of a party in the sense that both Mai and Zuko were accustomed to. Toph was the only guest after all. But it was a celebration nevertheless. Everyone else was already outside, waiting patiently for the guests of honour.
"There they are," Keung declared when he spotted the couple. "Happy birthday to both of you."
"Thanks," they replied simultaneously.
"Hey you old geezers," Toph greeted them.
The earthbender wore a huge grin on her face and sat between Iroh and Jee, cracking her knuckles every so often.
"Hey, Toph," they replied and took their seats.
"I hope you enjoy the food. Liang has been working in the kitchen all day," Keung stated.
"I'm sure we will," Mai replied politely.
"I think you're both old enough to have some wine with dinner. Would you like some?" Iroh asked with a wink.
"Um, sure," Zuko said with just a hint of hesitation.
"Alright," Mai agreed.
Iroh poured the wine and Liang served the tasty food.
"Hey, Iroh, how about pouring a little wine for me?" Toph asked brashly.
"Absolutely not," the tea lover replied. "You're far too young and if you went home drunk imagine how restrictive your parents would become."
"Oh, yeah," the eleven year old acknowledged. "I forgot about them."
Conversation moved between speculation about the future, from Mai's and Zuko's marriage and eventual children (there was much blushing) to the coming comet and the power it would bring to firebenders to plans for defeating Ozai and stories about the past.
Iroh told every embarrassing story he could think of that involved Zuko. Toph literally lay on the ground and stamped her feet, uncaring of the dirt that clung to her best dress. She howled with laughter, tears running down her cheeks.
"If you think that one's funny, let me tell you about the time young Zuko came out of the water on Ember Island with a crab attached to his…"
"Enough," Zuko pleaded.
His face was scarlet and his eyes were narrowed.
"Aww, come on," Toph wheedled. "They're getting really good now."
She dried her eyes and took a seat again, digging into the roast duck with gusto.
"No, I think my nephew has reached his limit. Those are all fond memories of mine, Zuko. "
"Well, they're not fond for me," the prince replied tartly.
"One day they will be," the former general assured his nephew. "Here, have some more wine."
He refilled both Mai's and Zuko's glasses. By the time cake arrived, the couple was pleasantly tipsy. Mai practically sat on Zuko's lap as she picked away at her cake and then brought the spoon to her mouth, licking the frosting off it like a cat licked its tail.
"I think they're drunk," Toph stated to Jee.
"Could be, a little bit; but they've got a right. There are tough times ahead for both of them and for Iroh and myself too. The more I think about it, the more I want to drink."
Jee poured himself some more and Keung laughed. Their host pulled the small pile of gifts from underneath the table and placed them on top. Toph added something too.
"Well, open them," the earthbender demanded.
"Okay, okay, take it easy," Mai replied, her voice slightly slurred.
She took a package and tore it open. There was a pair of elegant earrings sitting atop a bed of silk.
"Oh, those are from me," Zuko said and began to laugh.
Mai kissed him full on the lips. She didn't care who was watching. There was a new wrist holster for Mai and a sharpening stone too. Zuko got books as well as a small knife, one easily hidden almost anywhere. There were two more items on the table. One was wrapped in red cloth and Iroh urged Zuko to open it.
"Is this what I think it is?" the prince asked.
"Yes," Iroh replied seriously. "I think you should have it now that you're sixteen. I've been holding onto it long enough."
"Roku's head dress, the one that Sozin gave him," Mai said. "It's lovely."
"Thank you, uncle," Zuko said.
His voice was full of awe and he turned the red and gold artifact over and over in his hands. It was like touching history and a part of his family at the same time.
"Well, I don't know if my little present can compare," Toph began, "but here."
She tossed a cloth sac at them. It jingled when Zuko caught it. He pulled the drawstring and looked inside. Mai peeked too and then looked over at their friend.
"We can't take that, Toph," Zuko said and closed the sac again.
"Oh yes, you can," the earthbender insisted. "I've got no use for the money but you guys, who knows what you might need."
"You're right," Mai said. "We could use it. Thank you, Toph."
"I like a practical girl," the earthbender laughed.
"So do you like the earrings?" Zuko asked later that night when he and Mai lay together on her bed.
"Mmm, they're pretty," she replied and snuggled closer to him.
"You're pretty," Zuko stated with a distinctly girlish giggle.
"Well, you're handsome," Mai responded.
Zuko shifted and then leaned over Mai, pressing a kiss to her lips. She reached up and dragged her fingers through his hair, then tugged on the strands hard, making him flinch.
"More," Mai demanded.
Zuko increased the pressure of the kiss and Mai opened her mouth, allowing his tongue inside. They lay like that, kissing luxuriously for minutes before they undressed and when they finished, many minutes later, Zuko whispered 'happy birthday' in her ear.
Fall came and fall went with bursts of colour and increasing cold. They continued to train outside, adding layers of clothes as the weather changed. Toph continued to visit and the bond between the three young people grew stronger. Iroh still had no plans for their next destination. Keung was happy to let them stay for as long as they needed to. He enjoyed sharing his vast array of knowledge with others and would miss his guests when they left.
Their routine was comfortable; they were comfortable. It was a few weeks later that word came about the Avatar.
Southern Water Tribe, early winter
Brother and sister paddled their way through the maze of icebergs that populated the frigid waters of the South Pole. They were looking for fish, trying to provide for a tribe depleted of men, men who had left about two years earlier to help in the war.
Sokka, fifteen years old, and Katara, one year younger, bantered back and forth like typical siblings. The girl was consumed with practicing her waterbending, a gift that no one there could help her with. She was the last one of her tribe. The rest had been gone for years, taken by the Fire Nation in an attempt to weaken the Southern Water Tribe beyond any hope of recovery. The boy was consumed with his role as man of the tribe. He was sarcastic and bossy and wary of everything and everyone.
When the icebergs grew in number and began to collide with each other, no amount of good steering on Sokka's part could prevent the crushing of their canoe. Stuck on an iceberg and at the mercy of the ocean's currents, Katara's anger spilled over. Her anger fueled her waterbending prowess and icebergs split open all around them.
"What is that glowing thing?" Sokka asked as a lighter coloured iceberg emerged from the sea.
A boy was inside, a boy with arrows on his hands and on his head. The arrows began to glow as well.
"There's someone inside and he's alive!" Katara declared. "We have to help him."
She leapt along small ice floes until she reached the one with the boy. With Sokka's spear in hand, she hacked away at the ice until it exploded open with a whoosh of air. A beam of bright white blue light shot straight up into the sky. The boy emerged, arrows glowing and then fading. He collapsed and Katara caught him, cradling him in her arms.
When he awoke, and after Sokka threatened him, he sneezed, flying high into the air. Appa emerged next, a huge six legged bison that the boy swore could fly.
"My name is Aang, by the way," he said.
His voice was cheerful and his large grey eyes sparkled with good humor.
"Are you an airbender by any chance?" Katara asked almost hopefully.
"Well, of course," Aang replied. "I can give you a lift home if you like. It looks like you could use one. Just give Appa a few minutes to get used to things."
Sokka's and Katara's eyes, both a beautiful blue like the seas that surrounded their home, met and a knowing look passed between them. Aang was too busy petting Appa and crooning words of affection to the animal for him to notice. Grabbing a hold of her brother's parka, Katara pulled him aside for a moment.
"Do you think it's possible?" she asked.
"Well," Sokka mused, stroking his chin. "Let me think about it. I'm older and wiser after all and have a superior intellect."
Katara picked up a piece of ice and tossed it at her brother's head.
"Ow, what was that for?"
"That was for being a jerk. Now what do you think?"
"He's an airbender. I mean, look at his clothes. Obviously he's not from around here. And the Fire Nation killed all the airbenders, right?"
The girl's jaw grew rigid and her eyes flared with rage at mention of their enemy.
"Right," she agreed.
"And the last Avatar in the cycle was an airbender. No new Avatar has been born in the Water Tribes, so it all fits. Aang must have survived the massacre somehow and got stuck in an iceberg for one hundred years. Wow that sounds crazy, even to me."
"What are you guys talking about?" Aang asked as he joined them in their little huddle.
"We were just discussing the fact that you are the Avatar," Sokka blurted out.
Aang's face blanched and he looked down at his feet, all cheerfulness suddenly gone.
"Yeah," he finally admitted. "I am. I haven't known for very long. The monks, they were going to make me leave Gyatso and stay at another air temple. See, they thought there was a war coming and that I needed to prepare. I got upset and ran away. I guess I really should go home and explain. They're going to be worried."
Katara's eyes filled with tears and Sokka looked subdued.
"What's the matter?" Aang asked.
The waterbending girl put a comforting arm around his small shoulders.
"Take us home," she suggested. "There's a lot we need to tell you."
*something Tribun mentioned in one of his reviews
A/N: Next time, Mai and Zuko will get word of the Avatar's return as will other important players. The hunt will be on. They'll have to say goodbye to Toph and Keung and hit the road again, hoping to meet up with Aang. That doesn't mean that they will all be traveling together all the time and things won't be all sweet and wonderful either. We're going to meet up with lots of characters eventually. It seems that every time I finish a chapter, something new pops into my head or someone mentions something and I just have to include it.
Thanks for reading and extra thanks for the reviews.