Author's Note: Hello everyone! As always, I'm just writing a quick heads up on the beginning of the chapter to thank you all for your continuing support and interest in this story. I see in my stats that it is by far the most popular of my stories at the time being. Reviews would be very appreciated though. Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. Also, be prepared for some, let's say, M-rated content.
Caldera, 100 AC
Ming and Zuko walked back to the palace through the secret tunnels in silence, their hands still joined firmly together. Sometimes, one of them would look briefly at the other, uncertainty flickering up behind their eyes, but they wouldn't say a thing. Both shared the same thought, if someone was to discover them, hear them, meet them, however small the chance, they would be in great danger.
Only once they had arrived in Zuko's room did he let Ming's hand go. For a moment they just stood next to each other, both looking at the ground. Then Ming walked in front of him, looking up to meet his amber eyes, she smiled, her voice was nothing more than a whisper, "Zuko,", suddenly she hugged him tightly. Surprised, he gasped as she added, "Thank you."
After a brief moment of hesitation, he closed his arms around her, mumbling against her temple, "Qing Qing. I should've been there, I'm so sorry."
Ming cupped his face, smiling at him, stroking two stray tears away. "Shh, Zuko, stop saying such nonsense. You didn't know, I didn't tell you."
"I still shouldn't have left you all by yourself. I've made so many mistakes…", ashamed, he couldn't look into her eyes and instead looked at the ground.
"I know. Ai kept me updated on everything you did.", Ming laid her head on his shoulder, looking at him as his eyes widened.
"E-Everything. Like literally everything?", he stammered nervously.
"Hmhm.", Ming answered, "Even about that Earth Kingdom girl, what was her name again? Jin? And about Mai and how you betrayed uncle to return home.", she chuckled slightly as she saw his cheeks redden considerably. "I tried to explain to her that you did it for us, but being your daughter, she was still angry at you. I'm glad you two figured it out, at least that's what she told me yesterday."
Zuko chuckled, "Our little girl is really something. Tonight, she appeared in my dream. She thanked me for the name and the presents, but then she insisted, I had no time to lose. Ai showed me a door, saying I should find it immediately. But she didn't tell me that you were behind it."
"So, that's why you've come. Just in time to save me.", Ming closed her eyes, grabbing a piece of his cloak tightly, her face grimacing at the thought of what could've happened if he hadn't come.
Zuko stroke her curly hair, then he cupped her cheek and made her look into his eyes, "I'm glad that I came. I love you, Qing Qing.", he whispered, putting a light kiss on her forehead.
Ming smiled, "I love you too, Zuko.", for a brief moment they smiled at each other before their lips locked in a passionate kiss. Suddenly, Zuko pulled her even closer, a hand on her back travelling south. A small moan escaped her lips, but then she put a hand on his chest, forcing him away. Disappointment and confusion glinted behind his amber eyes. He turned his head and began to kiss her neck, unwilling to give up just now. But then, Ming spoke, "Zuko, stop.", he growled, otherwise ignoring her efforts, "Zuko, husband, please stop.", she pleaded.
Sighing he stopped and broke away to look at her, she saw in his eyes that he felt hurt and confused. Ming smiled tiredly, "I'm sorry, but now is not the time. It's almost daybreak. People are going to wonder why you aren't up. What if somebody comes looking for you? Besides, I need some time to feel like a human again first."
Pouting like a child, Zuko looked at her, "And what would that require?"
Ming laughed at the display in front of her, "Well, I'm starving, so breakfast would be a good start. And I desperately crave a bath. I still smell like that cell and my hair is a mess."
Zuko quickly glanced over her hair, mustering her whole body, then he grinned, "I don't think you look bad, but without this prison garb you would look even prettier than you already do. Ouch!", she had quickly slapped his arm, her face somewhere between amusement and anger, "Okay, okay,", he moved his hands defensively, "I'll organize breakfast."
He hurried out of the room and towards the palace kitchens. Taking out a tray he put various fruits and a few small tarts, as well as a bowl of sweet cream on it. At last, he added a teapot, two cups and chopsticks. "Up so early, Prince Zuko?", a female voice startled him from behind.
Quickly he turned around, shock evident in his eyes, but he relaxed almost immediately. "Hello, Elora. Yes, I woke up before sunrise and I was hungry so…", he trailed off.
The elderly servant eyed him curiously, "Do you share your breakfast with someone, my prince? It's a bit much for one person and since when do you need two cups and four chopsticks?", she inquired.
Zuko closed his eyes and sighed, on the one hand this could be very unfortunate, then again, it was good that this was Elora. She had been a close servant to his mother, and tended to him and Ming after Ursa's disappearance. If anyone could be trusted in this palace, it was her.
He looked at her and smiled a bit sheepishly, "I plan to share, yes. Actually, it's good that I meet you. Maybe you could help me out, as long as you can keep a secret."
Elora slowly stepped closer to him, amusement glinting in her eyes. "Let me guess, despite Lady Mai's efforts, you found yourself someone in whose arms you sought solace tonight?"
The prince chuckled and took the tablet, "There is a girl in my room, yes, but, well, you come and see for yourself.", he walked out the door and towards his room, leaving the servant looking after him puzzledly for a moment, before she hurried after him.
As he opened the door, Ming quickly stood up, she had been sitting against the far wall of the room. Quickly she walked over to her young husband and took the tray from him, smiling at him. Just as she wanted to put it down, she heard someone gasp at the door. Shocked, Elora just stood there for a long moment, whispering, "Y-Your Highness, Consort Ming… But, but that's impossible. The reports said that you died."
Ming raised an eyebrow at her husband, then she smiled at the elderly servant. She handed the tray back to Zuko as Elora quickly came into the room, closing the door behind her. Still in disbelief she knelt down in front of Ming, holding the teen's hands in her own as tears ran down her face as she stammered, "You're alive, Your Highness, I'm so glad you're alive."
Zuko smiled at the scene as his wife knelt down as well and pulled the elderly lady in a tight hug. Carefully he put his hand on her shoulder, "Elora, for Ming's safety, no one should hear about this. I just got her out of the prison tower, and we cannot be sure what will happen if anybody knows that she's here. She must stay hidden, at least for a few days, until everything is sorted out."
The elderly servant backed away from the hug and ran her hands over her face, wiping her tears away, "Alright, I understand. Don't worry, I'll help you two. What do you plan?"
Ming and Zuko exchanged a quick glance, smiling at each other. Zuko spoke first, "I still have a few things to get done today, incognito. It would be great if you could take care that no one enters this room.", Elora nodded.
Ming then added, "And I really need to take a bath, would you help me with that?"
Elora smiled at her, "Of course. I have to appoint the junior maids for today, then I'll come and take care of you and your bath. And afterwards I'll guard the door, don't worry.", she pulled both teenagers in a hug and hurried out of the door.
Zuko and Ming sat down next to the tray, both bursting out in laughter for a brief moment. Ming shook her head, "I didn't think she'd still be here."
Zuko smiled at her, "Of course she is. You know, nothing would get done if she wasn't.", then they began eating, both happily silent. The Fire Nation prince watched meticulously every movement his wife made.
"Why are you staring at me?", she startled him.
"Huh? Oh, uhm, I'm, I'm just fascinated. Until tonight, I've thought I'd never see you again. And now you're sitting here. I think my brain needs some time to comprehend.", he answered her question. Ming laughed, then she put her chopsticks aside and snuggled up to him, laying her head on his shoulder.
He put an arm around her, and she looked up at him, "So, Zuko, you still need some things to get done today, hm? What do you plan?"
Zuko smiled down at her, "I can't hide anything from you, can I? Over the last few weeks, I've thought a lot. About what you and uncle, and even Ai, said. And I've come to a conclusion. I cannot allow my father's plan to succeed. I need to do the right thing. And the right thing is to leave. Leave and help the Avatar save the world and restore balance.", Ming pulled away from him, staring at him with wide, black eyes. He grinned at her, then he continued, "Tomorrow is the Day of the Black Sun, a solar eclipse will extinguish all firebending for a few minutes. There's an invasion planned, but we already know of it. But I think, if he's still out there, he'll be there and he'll escape. I mean, he escaped me so many times, I don't think he's going to stay and become my father's prisoner. Anyway, when the sun is out, I'll confront my father. I'll tell him why I'm leaving and that what he's doing and what he did before is and was wrong.", he saw her shocked expression, "Don't worry, I'll have my swords and he'll have to listen. I know, this is somewhat unnecessary, but I think it is important to speak the truth for once. Then I'll go and free uncle. I'm going to prepare a war balloon, so we can flee and follow the Avatar with that."
Ming stared at the ground in front of her, then she nodded slowly. "I still think that confronting your father is an unnecessary risk. But I guess, if you feel it is necessary, then you should do it. But please be careful.", she said, looking up into his amber eyes as she cupped his cheek.
Zuko chuckled, "Sure.", he said briefly as he closed the distance between their lips. "I'm also going to get you some new clothes.", he added, chuckling.
After they finished eating, Zuko took the tray back to the kitchen. He left the palace as Elora came back and started to prepare Ming's bath. He smiled as he saw the elderly woman carrying a bowl with rose petals in, the expression on her face showing utmost devotion. She would take good care of his wife.
He returned to the palace in the afternoon through the secret passage he had by now become quite familiar with. Zuko had set the balloon up and put much of the supplies he had bought the other day already in it. He had also added a set of fire stones to it. In case he didn't make it, at least Ming should be able to escape. He smiled briefly as he looked at the small package of clothes he carried. The store owner had been quite confused that he was buying women's clothing but had been somewhat fine with the explanation that he was buying them for his sick wife. He had bought black undergarments, a crème-colored shirt, dark brown trousers and a crimson tunic with golden accents. The set was completed by forearm guards of the same color, a broad, dark red belt and black boots. He was sure, she'd like it.
Zuko entered his room quietly, not knowing if anyone stood just outside and would hear it if he closed the secret door too loudly. He put the package on his desk and got out of his cloak. He heard a small noise behind him and quickly turned around towards his bed. After a brief moment of surprise, he smiled. Ming laid on his bed, on top of the blanket, apparently holding a nap. She was clothed in his bath robe and the warm afternoon sun made every curl of her black hair shine.
Quickly he thought about if there was anything he had to do left and came to the conclusion, no, there wasn't. Carefully he sneaked over to her. Standing at the foot end of the bed he could smell the various flowers that she and Elora must've added to her bath. He took her foot in his hand and lifted it to his eyelevel, he ran his hand over the smooth skin and started to kiss it, causing Ming to stir.
Refusing to awake from her slumber, a smile played around her lips as she mumbled his name. Zuko smiled and continued his ministrations until she finally sleepily opened her eyes. Ming gasped at first, but it quickly changed into a smile, "Zuko", she sighed, "What are you doing?"
He chuckled, "You smell enticing.", he complimented her, making her blush, "Do you feel better now?"
Ming sighed happily and nodded. Grinning at him knowingly she pulled her foot out of his hold. As she sat herself up, she ran a hand through her shoulder-length hair. Then she got up on all fours and approached him, pulling herself up on him into a kneeling position. The robe fell from her shoulders as their gazes locked. They slung their arms around each other before they indulged in a deep, heated kiss. Midway through it, Zuko lost his balance, causing both of them to crash onto the red bedsheets, breaking their kiss.
Both burst out into laughter as he propped himself up on his elbows. Smooth, cool fingers ran through his hair, suddenly pulling his head back towards Ming's waiting lips. He felt her swing her legs around him, locking them behind his back. Zuko ran a hand down her side and up again, cupping one of her breasts. She moaned and her hips buckled up against him.
He chuckled, kissing a small path down her neck, mumbling in between the kisses, "I didn't know you could be that impatient."
Suddenly he yelped in surprise as she rolled both of them around, now sitting on top of him. Ming bowed down to him, a spark glinting in her black eyes, "You didn't spend the last months in a cage.", then she began rapidly undressing him.
A few hours later, Zuko laid awake in the dark room, a sleeping Ming clinging to him like he was her lifeline. Slowly, carefully not to wake her up, he stroke her bare back. He was glad she was able to sleep, however, he was not. A million thoughts ran through his head, all at the same time, and the knowledge of what he would be doing the next day wouldn't let him find any peace tonight. His gaze wandered over Ming's sleeping form. They had made love before, but never with such urgency, desperation, maybe even need. He wondered if it had been her way of dealing with the situation, herself being freed from prison after such a long time as well as the prospect of maybe losing him again tomorrow. There were a million things in his plan that could go wrong. And his father wasn't exactly known for his mercy. After a while, he drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
When he woke up again, the sun had already risen. As Zuko took in his surroundings, he noticed that Ming was not laying on his shoulder anymore, nor was she anywhere else in the room. He panicked. Had someone been here at night and taken her away? Were they discovered? Or was it all just a dream and in reality, she was still dead?
Then he heard someone humming a little melody, coming from the bathroom. Quickly he got up and went over. Silently he opened the door and grinned at the picture in front of him, crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe. Ming stood in front of the mirror, running both hands through her curly hair in an attempt to organize it. She was wearing the new undergarments he had bought the day before. Quietly he mustered it on her body. It fitted well.
Sneakily he approached her, just as she wanted to fasten her hair behind her head with a golden clip. Catching her by surprise, he quickly hugged her from behind, making her yelp. He held her tight and buried his face in her neck, mumbling, "Good Morning Qing Qing. I missed you. I almost thought it was all just a dream."
He ran his hands across her body as she giggled. Then he grabbed the clip from her hands, "Here, let me help you.", he said as he fastened the upper half of her hair behind her head and ran his hands through the rest.
Ming turned her head towards him and leaned backwards against him, smiling, "I never knew you have talent in hairstyling."
He chuckled, "What can I say, I'm a man of many talents.", both laughed as Ming turned around and pulled him in a kiss that got longer and longer, getting ever more passionate the longer it went. As she lifted one leg and put it around him, Zuko was suddenly very aware that he hadn't put on any pants by now. He pulled her even closer, liking where this was going.
Suddenly a knock on the door and a loud, "Prince Zuko?", interrupted them. Zuko cursed under his breath as Ming giggled and handed him some pants. She stayed in the bathroom, just for sure. You never knew who would be on the other side of that door. The voice belonged to Elora, but who knew if there was maybe a junior maid standing behind her.
"Did I wake you up?", the elderly servant asked as he opened the door. He shook his head. Mustering him, Elora laughed briefly before she brushed past him into the room, carrying a tablet with food and a package. She put the tablet down, "Here's some breakfast for you, and", she handed him the package, "This should get you two through a few meals.", she winked at him conspiratorially. "If anyone asks, I knew nothing.", she waved a hand at them as she hurried back into the direction of the palace kitchens.
Ming leaned in the doorframe of the bathroom door, "She really is something. Did you tell her what you planned?"
"Actually not.", he said perplexedly, still staring at the door through which the elderly lady had vanished.
Over their breakfast they spoke about the details of their plan for the day. Ming would pack up the remaining pieces of luggage and head through the secret tunnels to the balloon, while he would confront his father during the eclipse and free his uncle before joining her again.
After they were done eating, Ming helped Zuko dress. He noticed her tense expression as she straightened his collar. He felt nervous himself, about their plan, about what was to happen. "Are you mad at me for doing what I'm going to do?", he asked.
Ming looked up into his amber eyes, "No, actually, I'm very proud of you.", she quickly smiled at him, stood on her tiptoes and put a light kiss on his forehead.
"Even though of all the foolish things I did, this is probably going to be the most foolish and dangerous?", he seemed to search for something in her black eyes, but neither of them were sure what it was.
Ming looked away and raised her hand in a mockingly exaggerated thinking posture, "Well, I don't think it's the most foolish thing you've done. Neither the most dangerous."
"What? Hey!", he pouted.
Ming giggled, continuing in a mocking tone, "It ranks in the top ten though, I'm sure.", she grinned, kissing him lightly. Quickly he caught her neck in his hands, holding her close and answered with a more prolonged, more desire-filled, needier kiss. "Zuko,", she whispered as they both regained their breaths, "just promise me to be careful, okay?"
Zuko nodded, running his hands over her arms, he put their foreheads together, "If we're not coming after three hours, promise me to use the fire stones and leave on your own."
Sadness filled Ming's black eyes, "No,", she whispered, "I can't leave you behind. Don't make me do that. No matter what I have to endure, I want to be by your side."
"Ming,", he interrupted her, "Please, promise it to me. You have to be safe. If everything goes south, I have to know that you're safe."
They stared into each other's eyes for a long moment, then Ming pulled him in a tight hug, burying her face in his tunic. "No, I won't.", she sobbed, "You can't make me do it."
"Ming, please.", he cupped her face, stroking the tears away, "Please, I have to know that at least you escaped. I can't lose you again.", she looked into his eyes, hurt evident behind her black orbs, then her gaze wandered to the ground defeatedly.
Slowly she nodded, "Alright.", she sighed, "We'll see each other again, one way or the other.", she pulled him into one last, longing kiss, before they smiled at each other, tears running down her face, and Zuko took his swords, heading towards the bunker under the palace.
Ming's gaze lingered for a moment at the door that just closed behind her husband. Then she began dressing herself. The rest of their luggage was already organized, so she could fit one package onto her back and carry the other in her arms. With a determined expression she closed the door to Zuko's bedroom behind her and headed through the tunnels.
As she reached the balloon, she quickly organized everything, the supplies that were already there, the luggage she brought. She had a bit of trouble climbing into the balloon's basket herself, landing not on her feet, but ungraciously on her hip and thigh. She sat against the basket and waited for whatever would happen next.
Ming could hear fighting noise in the distance. It must be the invasion Zuko had talked about. She wondered if it would really fail. But then again, if Ozai had known of it beforehand, there was no way to an easy victory for the attackers. She sighed, thinking of all the people this battle would hurt. Ming just hoped, Zuko was okay.
As the hours passed, she got more and more anxious. The eclipse was over, and the second hour afterwards was nearing its end. She grimaced, clenching to the fire stones. The spirits knew, she didn't want to let him go, again. A part of her anxiety was also because she never flew before, and she had only a slim idea of how this balloon would work. She thought, I'll not be safe if I fly this thing alone, I'll die in a crash landing somewhere.
Suddenly she heard footsteps coming closer, someone was running towards her. Unsure of how to react she glimpsed over the edge of the basket. Her heart jumped as she saw that it was Zuko.
He jumped into the basket without greeting her. Quickly, almost mechanically he pushed fire into the machine and started the balloon. Only once they were up in the air amongst the clouds and he set some kind of course, Ming didn't see what made him chose that direction, did his body somehow relax.
Carefully as if she was walking on glass, Ming stood up. The ground felt not really unstable, but sometimes it would lean towards one side a bid, or the basket ground would somewhat shift under her weight. And the thought that only this relatively thin material kept them from falling thousands of meters to their death wasn't exactly reassuring.
She grabbed the rim of the basket and looked around, marveling at the fact that they were floating amongst the clouds and how cute and fluffy they looked from up close, forgetting all of her fear. That was until the balloon made a sharp turn and she almost lost her balance, if it weren't for Zuko grabbing her hand. In one swift movement he pulled her into his arms.
"Qing Qing,", he whispered, "Are you alright?"
She nodded, enjoying the feeling of his arms around her, but noticing how tense he still was. "What happened with your father?", she asked.
For a moment he was silent, looking into the distance and running a hand trough her hair as if to calm himself. Then he said, "Our talk went more or less like we predicted. He laughed at me when I told him that if we want to have peace, we have to restore the balance in the world and replace the war with an era of kindness. But just as I wanted to leave, he made me stay. He, he asked me if I didn't want to know what happened to mom."
Ming's eyes widened, "And you stayed?", he nodded, "What happened to her?" Ming asked. Ursa had been close to her too.
Zuko closed his eyes for a long moment, "Apparently, that night when my grandfather had ordered us all out to speak with my father alone, my father wanted him to make him his heir, because with Lu Ten's death, Uncle's bloodline had ended. But grandfather refused and wanted to punish father. He… He wanted him to kill me as his punishment. Mom couldn't accept that. Father would've done it, though. So, she proposed to him a different solution. From her mother she had learned her way around herbs. It allowed her to concoct a poison that would leave no trace. She handed it to father and he poisoned grandfather that night, explaining to the Fire Sages that he was with his father when he died suddenly, and what his last wish had been. Afraid that mom could use the same poison on him, he banished her, and she left."
Ming nodded, processing everything, "So, she's alive? That's good news.", she slung her arms around her husband happily.
He smiled, "Yes, it is. Someday we're going to find her. But,", his smile vanished, "It kept me down there long enough that the sun was reappearing. In the blink of an eye, father shot lightning at me, faster than I've ever seen anyone do it."
Ming stared at him, frightened. She mustered him again; he didn't seem to be hurt. Maybe the hem of his tunic was a little bit singed, but then again, that was nothing uncommon for a firebender. He chuckled, "Don't worry. While we travelled through the Earth Kingdom, uncle had shown me a technique to redirect lightning. It quite literally saved my skin. You can't imagine that feeling, all that power… but you have to get it out of your system again quickly, or it'll destroy you. It was exhilarating but frightening at the same time."
She cupped his face and put a light kiss on his lips, "Remind me to thank him when we see him again. By the way, didn't you want to free him to?"
"I tried, but when I reached the prison tower, a beaten warden told me that he freed himself earlier. You should've seen that cage. It was utterly destroyed. I never thought he could have so much power in that heavy body.", Zuko explained.
Ming laughed, "That's good then.", and after a while she added, "Are you sure, we're flying the right way? I see only clouds around us."
Zuko rolled his eyes, but sported a playful grin, "Pretty sure, yes. I've seen their bison head in this direction before we took off. The Western Air Temple is not far. Most likely he's going to seek refuge there."
"Then I'm relieved, my Avatar tracking expert.", she said teasingly, putting a light kiss on his cheek.