Expansion
Chapter Fourteen: What are you Going to do About It?
Hoshi was attending a sunrise meeting at the palace, so Akira was alone in their luxurious house, well alone aside from the servants. She sat in her special sitting room, perched lady like on the edge of a chair the colour of blood and drank white tea. A book of traditional Fire Nation romance stories sat on her lap, but she hadn't turned a page for more than half an hour. She looked out the window at the already busy street and smoothed back her long brown hair that was, much to her dismay, showing bits of grey. Flashes of blue and green could be seen among the various reds, maroons, blacks, yellows and browns. Akira shook her head. Those people belonged in their own nations, not strolling down the main street of Capitol City as if they had every right to be there. A lot of things had changed in the last few years and they needed to change again. The councilman's wife and mother-in-law of the Fire Lord regretted that her daughter and now her son were so besotted with Zuko and his new ways of doing things. But the future of her nation was far more important than the feelings of two people, her children or not. She had tried with Mai and now she was trying with Tomiko. She wanted them both to see how everything should really be. Why were they so stubborn? Why were they so blind?
"Well," she smiled to herself. "They're both in for a surprise. What will they do without Zuko?"
The warmth of the sun on her face and the almost desperate need to relieve herself woke Maho from her fitful sleep. She was curled up on the ground, tucked in between a pair of palm trees and covered with bits of grass and dirt. The young woman had moved around in her sleep a lot, disturbed by terrifying dreams of Oono slaughtering Zuko and his family. Her hands trembled as she brushed the dirt off her brown tunic and pants. She wiped at her pretty grey eyes, clearing both crusty bits of sleep and dampness away. Apparently those dreams had been powerful enough to make her cry.
She couldn't wait until she reached a bathroom, so squatted furtively behind the slender trunk of a coconut palm. Washing her hands would have to wait. Maho shook her head vigorously, trying to clear the cobwebs of sleep. She looked around and determined that it was just past sunrise. When the head caretaker opened up the school she would slip inside and use the girls' bathroom to wash up. A clean uniform and food would have to wait until her morning shift was over. Her stomach growled in disapproval. She clutched her hands to it and pressed down as if that motion would squelch the hunger she felt so keenly.
It would be a good half hour before the campus awoke and longer still before the paths were filled with students, teachers and workers. With nothing else to do, Maho decided to look around discreetly. She wondered what exactly lay beyond the campus grounds. This 'army' Oono spoke of had to live somewhere. There wasn't room for them in the dormitories. Besides this group of disgruntled citizens turned warriors was a secret. The students and workers were not supposed to know anything of their existence.
The young soldier stayed off the paths, making her way through long grass, random shrubs and clumps of flowers. She walked around the training area, up the short but steep incline that bordered it and looked around. At first she didn't notice them, small reddish specks, all of a uniform shape. The longer she stared, the clearer their identity became; tents, and lots of them.
Tomiko moved into the dining room along with the rest of the nine year olds. All the students at Sacred Flame Academy were sorted by age. The youngest, the eight year olds, went first, the nine year olds second and so on until the thirteen year olds. These same groups walked to and from the school together, to and from the training grounds together and everywhere else that needed walking to.
The food was, for Tomiko, the highlight of Sacred Flame. It was delicious and plentiful, and the cooks did not skimp on the meat. The smell of rice and fish and miso soup* hit his nostrils and he breathed in deeply. His mouth watered in anticipation.
Jiro watched Tomiko's expression change from dour to almost happy. He elbowed Tom in the ribs and smirked when his roommate yelped reflexively. A strong arm pulled Mai's brother out of the lineup and a hard face looked down at him.
"I warned you yesterday at dinner, Matsuo; no talking, no noise at all when you're moving from one place to the other. Yet, whose voice do I hear? I guess you think that you're special. You're nobody here, boy. If you're very smart, you will remember that. Now, hold out your right hand."
Tomiko hesitated for just a second as the weapons instructor, Michi Akagi, brandished the bamboo cane that all teachers carried.
"You get an extra strike for not obeying immediately. Now, hold out your right hand."
The little boy held out his hand, palm up, and fought the desire to close his eyes. Everyone in the cafeteria stared as Akagi struck the tender flesh, bringing the cane down twice. Two livid red marks stood out on Tomiko's pale skin and the pain was intense. He would not cry, though, not in front of all those kids, not in front of Jiro, not in front the headmaster.
"Next time you make a noise in my line, I'll strike you five times. Alright everyone, continue to your seats."
Tomiko moved back to his place beside Jiro but that same strong arm jerked him backward and over to the wall.
"I didn't say that you could eat. Sit here until everyone's done."
He knew better than to slouch. That would only get him another whipping. So Tomiko sat with his back rigid and looked down at the stone floor. His stomach rumbled and his hand throbbed. Tomiko wanted very badly to go home, to Mai and Zuko, not to his parents.
"Do you approve, my lord?" Councilman Matsuo asked politely for the second time.
Zuko looked like a rabbaroo caught in a trap. He blinked rapidly and tried to recall what Hoshi had been talking about. He squeezed his fingers (hidden inside the wide sleeves of his Fire Lord robes) together until his eyes watered with the pain.
"Perhaps we should adjourn the meeting. You seem, um, distracted, my lord. Maybe the hour is too early."
Zuko's temper flared. He narrowed his eyes and looked coldly at Mai's father and spoke directly to him.
"Perhaps I need a new councilman in charge of economics," he hissed. "I decide when to adjourn a meeting, not you, Matsuo. You had better remember that. Now, go over your proposal again."
Hoshi read in a bored voice and Zuko struggled to concentrate. Thoughts of Tokoma Island and Sacred Flame Academy kept trying to push out numbers and statistics dealing with the nation's economic status.
"Enough," the Fire Lord roared. "Leave the proposal with me. If you have so little enthusiasm for it, it's probably not worth my time."
"But…" Hoshi objected.
"Leave it with me," Zuko repeated slowly. "Now all of you go."
His face and voice were terrifying. Zuko rarely showed this side of himself in meetings but he had to admit that the timid and respectful looks on the men's faces were very satisfying. They stood up and began to file out of the meeting room. Zuko called Hoshi back. The councilman turned, walked toward Zuko and waited with the beginnings of a sneer on his face.
"Don't you ever try to humiliate me in front of the council again."
"My lord, surely you don't believe I would do that? I was just concerned for your well-being."
Matsuo's face was serious and he held his hands out as if in a gesture of supplication. Zuko began to laugh. It was just a chuckle at first but as it grew louder and deeper in tone, Hoshi looked more and more uncomfortable.
"I don't see what is so amusing," he stated angrily.
"The very idea of you caring about me is hilarious," Zuko informed the man.
The councilman spluttered, unsure what to say in reply.
"Don't say anything," Zuko continued, now back in control. "I'll do the talking. I don't like you, Hoshi. I gave you this position because you're Mai's father and because you have years of experience. The only reason you still have it is because of Tomiko. I didn't want him to suffer any effects from you losing your position. But I've been thinking. Your son doesn't need you to look after him. He doesn't need Akira either. The two of you don't even want him around. I would gladly support Tom and give him all that he requires."
"What's your point?" Hoshi asked with all pretense of respect gone.
"My point is this: do one more thing to anger me or irritate me and you're gone."
"Fine, I apologize for my actions today," the councilman replied.
The words were forced and insincere sounding.
"You don't sound very sorry."
"You have your apology."
"Get out of my sight," Zuko ordered.
Hoshi walked down the long aisle in the centre of the room and pushed the thick velvety curtains aside. Once out in the corridor the grey haired man began to smirk and his gold eyes glittered with something that resembled triumph.
"Oh, Zuko," he whispered. "You're the one who'll be gone."
Maho sucked in her breath and stared wide eyed down the hill again.
"Oono's army," she breathed out loudly. "Angi, there must be a hundred men."
A new sense of urgency struck the woman. The ship would be at Tokoma Island tomorrow. She needed to write a brief note that warned about all the dangers that lurked here for Zuko and his family. If he didn't get that warning, she could be responsible for his death and the end of a very brief era in the Fire Nation's history.
Suddenly feeling exposed there on high ground, she quickly darted down the incline and back around the training grounds. She could see the head janitor in the distance, heading toward the school. Maho crept along the outer edges of the campus again, keeping her eyes on the man, Kyo Nomura. Sneaking looks around the corner of the grey stone school, Maho watched as he pulled out a key and opened the door. She waited a full minute before approaching the door herself. Watching carefully, she pushed it slowly inward until more and more of the foyer was visible. She could hear Nomura whistling somewhere nearby.
The nearest girls' washroom was down the main hall and then off to the left. Maho's ears thrummed with the sound of her rapid pulse and her palms were damp with perspiration.
"Just go," she urged herself.
The young woman focused on the cheerful whistling, a sound so incongruous in this dreary place that it almost made her laugh. One dash later she was at the left turn in the corridor. One more dash and she was at the washroom door. She made it inside without detection. Quietly she washed her hands and face and ran damp hands through her hair, redoing her topknot. Her clothes were still rumpled and a bit dirty but they would have to do. She hid for another fifteen minutes and then ventured out into the hallway again.
Nomura was waiting for her when she emerged.
"What exactly are you doing here, Tanaka?"
Headmaster Katsu Oono thought carefully before he began to compose the letter. He did his best work early in the morning, just after breakfast and that little scene with the Matsuo boy inspired him. The words needed to be a combination of flattery and persuasion sprinkled with his trademark forcefulness. And most importantly, he couldn't give too much away.
Akira,
I hope you don't mind me using your first name. I feel that we know each other quite well and are of like minds when it comes to certain issues.
Your son is not happy here yet, but I'm sure that he will be after he's had time to adjust. He's spent too long immersed in the soft ways of the false leader who is running our proud nation into the ground as I write.
I plan to send this man an invitation to visit my school. Tomiko will be an enticement for him. You've told me how close they are and how worried he is about the boy. Your daughter and grandchildren will be welcome as well. Don't fear, Akira, they will be safe. Once the deed is done, it will be better for them to be away from Capitol City and the palace as my people take it over. That will be a glorious moment and a glorious day, but perhaps a bloody one.
Now, you must keep up the good work that you've done for me. It was your words that convinced many parents to send their children here. And the donations from you and Hoshi have been generous. It's costly to maintain and train many men. It's costly to build a school and supply it well.
I need your words to help convince your daughter and her husband to accept the invitation. Remember, your daughter and her children are safe here with me. I will even try to shelter them from any disagreeable sights. So, go have a talk with her. Tell her that you've received a letter from the headmaster. Tell her that I wrote of Tomiko's contentment and desire to stay here. Let her know that I plan to ask our 'illustrious' leader to visit our fine school. From what you've told me, Akira, your daughter and son-in-law will want to see a happy Tomiko for themselves.
Soon all will be as it should be,
Katsu Oono
Frowning, the stern faced man reread the letter. It would have to do; now for the next one.
Most esteemed Fire Lord,
Oono cringed at the sight of those words in reference to Zuko but he knew that sometimes sacrifices had to be made and distasteful things done in order to achieve that important final goal.
As headmaster of Sacred Flame Academy for Boys and Girls, it gives me tremendous pleasure to extend a hand of welcome to both you and your lovely wife and children. We here at the school would be honored if you paid us a visit soon and toured our impressive facilities.
The other administrators and I are proud of our work here. We've managed to follow all the nation's criteria for schools and still maintain a sense of individuality. It would mean so much to us if we could share that sense of pride with you.
You would also have a chance to see young Master Matsuo. I'm certain he would enjoy a visit from his beloved brother-in-law. We can have everything ready for you by next week.
With respect,
Oono shuddered.
Headmaster Katsu Oono
"Get in here, Isa," the headmaster yelled.
Oono's assistant, Kei Isa, a tall, well-built young man with dark hair pulled into a tight topknot and eyes so brown they were almost black, burst through the door and stood rigidly, waiting for his orders.
"Take these letters to the messenger hawk tower and send them off immediately."
"Yes, sir," Isa replied and darted out the door, practically running.
Toph strutted through the palace gates, saying a friendly hello to the six guards she passed on her way.
"Hello, Miss Bei Fong," they all replied respectfully.
"See you tomorrow, boys," she called flirtatiously as the gate closed. "I've got them eating out of my hand," she chuckled to herself.
The earthbender found no one in the dining room and the kitchen empty of everyone but the cooks. Rezu, the head cook was Toph's favorite staff member and an undeniably sweet human being. She fixed a quick meal for the young woman and practically forced her down onto a stool.
"Eat," she ordered sternly but there was no bite to her voice. "You work hard every morning and need to keep up that strength of yours."
"Yes, ma'am," Toph replied with a huge grin.
She would never admit it, but Toph loved the mothering that Rezu gave her. The slightly plump, brown eyed cook kept an eye on the earthbender, making sure that she ate every last bite, and then offered her seconds.
"Well, maybe just a little bit," Toph agreed. "This stuff is amazing."
"Thank you, dear. The children love it too."
"I'm surprised there's any left after Miyako," Toph joked.
"Oh, the little princess does enjoy her food, doesn't she?"
"You can say that again!" Toph exclaimed. "And I love her for it."
"The prince and the princess are beautiful children."
"You'd better not say anything else in here," Toph quipped.
"Nooooh, Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lady Mai are not like that. I love working for them. The palace is a good place to be now."
"Did you work here before too?"
"Yes, little Zuko often sat where you are sitting now and ate a snack. Sometimes he helped me too….until his sister began to tease him about it. Then he stopped."
"Thanks for the ammunition," Toph stated.
"Oh, Toph, you mustn't tease Lord Zuko too much."
"Why? It's good for him, keeps him on his toes. There's a difference between my teasing and what Azula did to him. Besides he knows that I love him."
"I suppose," Rezu acquiesced.
"So where is everyone anyway?" Toph asked.
"Right here," Mai stated as she walked into the kitchen by herself.
"On your own, huh," Toph observed.
"Zuko's working, Ursa's with Hideo again and the twins were tired so they're having a nap. I was hoping we could spend some time together; how about some tea?"
"Sounds good," Toph stated.
Mai looked to Rezu who began to boil the water and get out the cups.
"We'll be in the sitting room," Mai told the cook.
"Yes, my Lady," she replied.
The two young women left the kitchen and headed for the sitting room down the hall. Tea and cakes arrived with a servant a few minutes later. Mai let it steep a bit longer then poured them each a cup.
"Toph, do you want a cake?"
"Yep," she replied and grabbed a couple.
"How was your training session this morning?" Mai asked politely.
"Great! Those guys are really coming along and I'll actually miss them when I move on to a new group of students."
"That's good," Mai replied distractedly.
The knife thrower sipped and looked down at her nails, silently reminding herself to repaint them.
"So Blade, the baby's heart sounds really strong."
"Does it?" Mai asked with a smile. "Good."
"Yeah, Mai, are you depressed or something?"
"No, I'm just worried and imagining all kinds of terrible things. And I'm angry."
"At your parents?"
"Yes," Mai replied firmly. "They're throwing their son away. And for what; so he can chant Fire Nation songs of glory and recall all our victories in useless battles move for move?"
"They definitely want him indoctrinated," Toph agreed. "Rich, high society people are always molding their kids, trying to make them fit into whatever stupid idea they have of what rich, high society people are supposed to act like."
"They better not be too hard on Tom there," Mai said in a low, hard voice.
"He really is a strong kid, Mai. He can take a lot. He's like his sister."
"That was almost sweet," the Fire Lord's wife observed dryly. "I hope you're not going soft."
"The day I go soft is the day I give up earthbending and take regular baths."
Mai snickered and reached for a cake. She felt suddenly hungry.
"Thanks, Toph."
"Anything for you, Blade."
Ursa knocked on Hideo's office door and waited patiently for a minute before just giving up and walking in.
"Hideo," she called. "I'm here."
"Ursa, hang on. Give me a minute," he answered from somewhere in the large room.
"Where are you?" the woman asked curiously.
Ursa wore her hair in an attractive upsweep, a new style for her and very unusual in the Fire Nation. Gold earrings swung gently when she moved and her rust coloured robes, edged with delicate whorls of gold swished across the floor. She poked around the large room, ending up at the window and looking out over that magnificent garden once again.
She waited patiently for Hideo to show himself. The sound of books falling, a few choice curses, followed by a loudly exclaimed, "Aha!" preceded the man's emergence from a sort of built in closet situated behind the office's door.
"I didn't think you had a curse word in your vocabulary," Ursa giggled.
"I'm sorry. A very heavy book dropped on my foot and then I bumped my head and….that's no excuse for swearing in front of a lady."
"It's nothing I haven't heard a few times in my life and even used on occasion. You don't need to watch yourself around me."
"Well, alright then, but I still don't like it when I lose control like that. I did find what I was looking for, though. This Earth Kingdom scroll has been missing for months."
The professor and researcher brushed a few cobwebs off his robes and then looked at Ursa, really looked at her.
"Oh, wow, you look exceptionally lovely today, Ursa. Your hair, it's up. I like it."
She reached upward reflexively and touched her hair. Her cheeks felt warm and they were coloured a pretty shade of pink. She was thrilled that Hideo had noticed. Ozai never noticed such things, even during the beginnings of their arranged courtship and marriage.
"Thank you," she replied sincerely. "I thought that I would try something a little different."
"You always look pretty to me."
Ursa flushed a deeper shade of pink and decided to change the subject.
"So what's this scroll you found?"
"It contains an account of an ancient Earth Kingdom religious ritual. I'm trying to gather all the information I'll need to write a paper concerning Earth Sages," Hideo replied.
His eyes shone with childlike delight at the mere thought of this old knowledge come to light.
"Is your information usually stuffed into closets full of cobwebs?"
"Now that I think about it; yes."
"You need someone to organize your office, and not the way your house is organized. This is a professional place. You waste too much time searching for things when they could be at your fingertips."
"I never thought about it that way," Hideo replied. "You're right. I'll need to find someone, perhaps one of the students."
Ursa sighed. The man was not picking up on her subtle hinting. She would have to spell it out for him.
"Actually, Hideo, you don't need to find someone. I can do it."
His brown eyes widened and then he grinned. "You would do that?"
"Yes, I'm quite good at organization. And I could spend more time with you. How about one day a week I come here and work. And we can have lunch in the garden."
"That sounds wonderful. Thank you."
"I think that maybe I would like to tell you everything about the night I left the Fire Nation. Are you ready now? Can we go for a walk?"
Realizing the enormous trust she was placing in him, Hideo dropped the scroll on his desk and took her hand.
"Let's walk," he replied.
The Fire Lord was in a foul mood after his encounter with Hoshi, foul enough even to pay a little visit to Ozai. He had an almost overwhelming desire to do something nasty to someone, not an honorable desire but an honest one. A little gloating in front of Ozai would fit the bill just fine. He slipped out of the meeting room and called to Jee.
"I'm going to the prison," he informed his bodyguard. "Walk with me."
"How long has it been since you've seen your father?" Jee asked cautiously.
"Years," Zuko replied. "I haven't seen him since my coronation day. I get weekly reports on him, though."
"As a friend, may I ask why you're visiting him now?"
"Jee, you can ask me anything. I want to rub his face in my mother's happiness. I have no other motivation than that; makes me sound awful, doesn't it?"
"You've been remarkably restrained with your father. A little gloating is nothing compared to what you could have done to him."
Zuko just smiled as they continued on the path that led out of the caldera and to the white stone prison. Jee walked inside with Zuko but waited at a discreet distance to give the Fire Lord privacy. The prison guards were shocked to see their lord and exchanged curious looks with each other.
As he stared through the small grated opening in the cell's door, Zuko caught a glimpse of his father, father in name only. His hair was longer than the Fire Lord remembered and pulled back into a simple pony tail. His goatee was the same, however and the rest of his face was clean shaven. Prisoners were allowed baths once a week and a shave if requested.
The man who had such power over Zuko for years, the man whom he had wanted to please so badly, was sitting cross legged on a threadbare mat. His thin prison tunic and pants hung loosely on his bony frame. When the door squealed open and Zuko stepped inside, Ozai didn't look up. The present Fire Lord watched the former Fire Lord for a few minutes before speaking.
"I see you've taken up meditation," Zuko remarked neutrally. "Has it helped you any?"
"What is it you want?" Ozai replied tiredly, not bothering to open his eyes.
"Nothing really," Zuko stated, "I just have some happiness to share with you."
"We do get news….even in prison. I know that you and your wife are expecting another mewling brat."
"That's true," Zuko agreed, ignoring the crassness of Ozai's comment. "But the good news I'm referring to has nothing to do with either Mai or me directly."
"Go ahead, then," Ozai urged, finally opening his golden eyes and looking directly at his son. "Tell me."
"My mother has found someone, someone completely different from you and for the first time since before she met you, she's really happy."
"Well, isn't that marvelous," Ozai replied, voice dripping sarcasm. "I wonder if she'll spread her legs for him more than she ever did for me. I had to fight to get what I deserved as a husband and lord; frigid bitch."
"You bastard," Zuko hissed.
Flames danced on his fingertips and he was tempted to incinerate the man, wiping the smugness from his still handsome face, a face that Zuko hated resembling. He breathed deeply instead and found the inner calmness that it had taken him years to access.
"Same old Ozai," Zuko stated. "You'll die a bitter, wizened up shell of a man while Mom has a wonderful life. You'll never see outside this small cell. You'll never be free again."
"Blah, blah, blah," Ozai retorted. "I know the story and I've made my peace with it. I would do the same all over again if I had the chance. No, I take that back. I wouldn't marry your mother and then I wouldn't have two insufferable failures for children."
"You're the failure, Ozai, though it took me a long time to realize that."
"Did you get what you came for? Do you feel good now?" the prisoner asked.
"You are where you belong and that makes me feel good. Mom and I have both moved beyond you and your influence and we're happy."
"Yes, yes, that's all very sweet. Why don't you leave now?"
"Oh, do you know anything about Sacred Flame Academy?" Zuko asked as an afterthought.
"What are you talking about?" Ozai growled after a barely noticeable pause.
"Nothing," Zuko replied as he examined his father's face closely.
He left without another word and didn't look back. Zuko missed the smile on Ozai's face.
Maho stared at Nomura. Her mind spun in circles as she tried to come up with a cover story. The janitor waited patiently for her reply. He leaned against the wall casually and watched the emotions flit across her face.
"I decided to come in early. I can't afford to lose this job so I'm trying to do a little extra."
"You're lying," he said crustily.
"How can you tell?" Maho asked.
"Look, just tell me. I'm not angry at you."
Zuko's young spy decided to go with half truths instead.
"I went for a walk after my shift yesterday and ended up falling asleep. Dinner was already over by the time I woke up and I was too afraid to try to get into the dormitory. So I spent the night outside. I hope my roommate didn't report me missing."
Maho waited expectantly for Nomura to scold her, sound the alarm or whatever it was people did in these situations. He surprised her.
"No one reported you. Anyway, don't let it happen again. I've got some clean uniforms in the closet and some food you can eat. Come with me."
Relieved, Maho followed the man. She greedily ate the sweet roll he had wrapped in a cloth from the cafeteria and took the uniform he handed her.
"Thank you, Mr. Nomura," Maho said gratefully. "I thought for sure you would report me."
"You're a good worker. And things aren't right here. I have a bad feeling and I don't like it."
"What do you mean" Maho probed.
"This curfew….people shouldn't be stuck inside after dinner. And where's the portrait of Fire Lord Zuko? And the kids, they march around here like machines. It isn't right. But I need the money too. Ah, I've said too much."
"Don't worry," Maho said. "I won't talk to anyone."
"Well, I have something on you and you have something on me. That should keep us both quiet."
"Yes," Maho chuckled.
She returned to the girls' bathroom and changed into the clean uniform, putting the old one in the laundry. Nomura might be an unexpected ally. Not everyone here was completely unaware. That was a pleasant surprise.
Hideo listened intently as Ursa recounted the events that led to her banishment. She spoke in short, blunt sentences and restrained the emotions that threatened to boil over.
"That's it," she said, "every terrible detail. Do you still want to be with me? Can you still love me?"
She found it hard to meet his eyes, afraid of what she might see there. Her hands were twisted together in her lap and she looked down at the grass beneath her feet.
"Ursa, everything you've told me only makes me love you more. You are so brave and so resilient. You are a good mother who did what she had to do for her child."
"I'm a killer, Hideo. I have that inside me. You can live with that?"
"We all have that inside us, dear. When we are pushed sometimes we have to push back. No one could blame you for your actions. You've punished yourself for years anyway and you were cast aside like a pariah. You deserve a good life and I want to be a part of it."
"You're sure?"
"Ursa, if I say it, I mean it,' the scholar said forcefully.
Tears prickled at the back of Ursa's eyes. She didn't fight any more and let them fall freely down her cheeks. Hideo kissed them away and pulled her into his arms.
"It's alright now. Everything's alright."
Michi Akagi, the school's weapons instructor, entered Headmaster Oono's office and shut the door behind him.
"Have a seat," Oono suggested decorously.
Akagi sat. He pressed his fingertips together and rested his chin on top.
"Did you write the letters?" he asked.
"They've already been sent," Oono replied. "It almost made me sick to write them."
"It will all be worth it in the end," Akagi said wisely. "I've been thinking about our plan. What will we do if Zuko refuses the invitation?"
"Simple, we kill him at the palace. We have enough of our people peppered all over Capitol City. The job will get done. I just prefer to do it here. It's," he paused for a moment, "cleaner.'
"And his wife and children, what will we do about them?"
"If they do not accompany Zuko here, we will kill them once Zuko is dead. The country will be thrust into turmoil. The palace will be in an uproar. An assassin can easily take care of a pregnant woman and two small children."
"You have someone who is willing to murder children?"
"There's always someone, Akagi. Money speaks louder than conscience in many cases."
"I have a proposal for you."
Oono nodded.
"Azula and the mother, Ursa, need to be killed as well. That way, we can be sure that Roku's bloodline is completely gone."
"I like the way you think. Consider it done."
Akagi smiled and got up from his chair.
"It won't be long now," he stated almost joyfully. "A new era is upon us."
"A new era indeed," Oono agreed and laughed heartily.
Despite his hunger, Tomiko ate lunch slowly. His hand hurt and holding the chopsticks caused him great discomfort. Jiro sat across from him. His eyes were mean looking and he kicked at Tom under the table. It took all of the young boy's self control not to cry out, lunge across the table and beat Jiro's self satisfied expression into oblivion. It would almost be worth the severe punishment he would no doubt receive. But again, he thought of Zuko's words and restrained himself. Getting into trouble all the time did not exactly make him inconspicuous. It didn't matter that Jiro was the cause of all his problems. No one would believe Tomiko. So, he had to endure the best that he could until Zuko and Mai could figure something out.
He looked down expecting to see his still almost full bowl of food. It was gone. Jiro grinned at him from across the wooden table. He was stuffing the last of Tomiko's rice into his mouth.
"What are you going to do about it?" he asked nastily.
"Nothing," Tomiko sighed.
It was late afternoon and Zuko was finished work for the day. He had changed into a comfortable outfit, grabbed a snack and found his wife in Miyako's room where the two children played on the floor with stuffed animals.
"Hi Daddy," they both called happily.
"Hi," he replied, bending down to give each a quick kiss. "Good day so far?"
"Mmmhmmm," Miyako hummed in response. "Good day."
Zuko slouched down on the thickly padded sofa and Mai reached for his hand.
"Not a good day," Mai observed wryly seeing the stressed look on her husband's face.
"I've had better," he replied.
"What happened?"
"Your father purposely tried to humiliate me in the meeting this morning. I almost kicked him off the council. Next time he does anything that bothers me in the slightest I'll blast him out of that room."
"Hmmm, I wonder what's gotten into him. He's been bordering on insubordination a few times."
"Yeah, he was almost cocky. It made me very uncomfortable."
"Maybe you should have punished him," Mai stated. "But I know….Tomiko."
"Tomiko or no Tomiko, he can only go so far before I do something drastic."
"So that's it?" Mai asked as she continued to prod for information.
"Well….no," Zuko replied hesitantly as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
His visit with Ozai had not turned out quite as he imagined it would. He felt stupid for going to see the man at all.
"What then, for Agni's sake? Just tell me."
Ryuhito looked up at his mother and then over to his father. Mai's sharp tone had captured his attention.
"I saw Ozai," he announced flatly.
"Ugh, why do you go looking for trouble?" Mai asked. Exasperation was evident in her voice. "Ozai will never give you what you're looking for from him. I thought you knew that. I thought you accepted it. Honestly, sometimes you really do act like an idiot."
"Hey!" Zuko exclaimed angrily. "Do you have to be so damn blunt all the time?"
"Yes. You need someone blunt to keep you in line. You should have told me that you were going. I would have talked you out of it. Why exactly did you go?"
Zuko looked down, almost shamefaced.
"I told him about my mother and Hideo."
"Oh, Agni, and what; you thought he would care?"
"I hoped to get some reaction, some flicker of regret or jealousy. I wanted to make him hurt a bit."
"And did you?"
"No," Zuko answered sadly. "I guess he really never cared. Or if he did, he's forgotten. He was as nasty and brutal as ever."
"Zuko, he'll never change. For Agni's sake, forget him. What's it going to take for you to understand that?"
The Fire Lord said nothing for a minute. He looked down at the carpet, deep in thought, gold eyes squinting and mouth twisted in a frown.
"I look like him, you know, and I hate that."
"Doesn't make you him," Mai replied reasonably.
"I asked Ozai if he knew anything about Sacred Flame Academy."
"Do you think he does? How? He never gets visitors, does he?"
"No. Someone would have to sneak in somehow or get a letter to him."
"So, he denied any knowledge, of course?"
"Yes, but he hesitated for just a second. I wonder now."
The barest trickle of fear crept up Mai's spine. She looked over at her children who continued to play, blissfully unaware of all the potential terror around them.
"I want more guards for the twins. Call it instinct or call it being over cautious, but I would feel better. And Toph needs to check them out."
"I'll go see about it now," Zuko replied.
He gave Mai's hand a squeeze and slipped out of the room without another word. Mai looked at his retreating form and shook her head.
The next day
It was midmorning, a clear, mild day, and Akira was in her bedroom sorting through her clothes. She had randomly concluded that her wardrobe needed an update and was deciding what robes to get rid of and which ones to keep. The pile on the bed kept growing until eventually her closet held only the bare minimum of outfits.
"You and the other girls can have these," Akira said to the young female servant who attended her. "Although, I don't think that any of you will be able to carry off these types of outfits. They're too elegant for servants. Perhaps you could play dress up. On second thought, I'll donate them to the local theatre. I'm sure it could use them."
The servant inwardly fumed and outwardly wore a mask of calm and detachment much like the mask Mai grew up wearing.
"Yes, ma'am," she said. "Shall I pack these up?"
"I didn't say that, did I?" the noblewoman asked with a scowl. "I'm simply thinking out loud."
Akira's face, a pretty one, but not nearly as elegant and delicate looking as her daughter's, was distorted into an ugly expression, a combination of concentration and annoyance. When another servant knocked on the door, Akira barked angrily at her.
"I said not to bother me with trivial household matters. Go back to cleaning."
"But ma'am, there's a letter here for you. It just arrived."
"Why didn't you say that?" Akira asked haughtily.
She pulled open the door and snatched the fine quality scroll from the girl's hands.
"You leave too," she directed the servant standing by her bed. "I want to read this in privacy."
Akira sat down on the edge of her luxurious bed, red on red, and opened the letter with anticipation. She loved receiving correspondence of almost any kind. This letter, from Headmaster Oono of Sacred Flame Academy, was better than most. Her eyes shimmered with pride as they skimmed over the words of praise. She had a job to do now. Akira began to prepare for her visit with Mai.
Zuko was out in the courtyard spending some much needed time on his firebending. He had neglected his training of late and guilt combined with the desire to get out of his office for awhile, prompted him to initiate the impromptu session. He moved gracefully through his katas, focusing on proper breathing and form. His mind was clear of everything but the motions of his own body, how the muscles moved beneath the skin, how his lungs took in air, how life giving flame erupted from his hands and his feet, making yellowy orange swirls around him.
Firebending was both soothing and invigorating. He sometimes forgot just how much a part of him it really was. He began to slow his movements, letting his body come to its own natural stop. The Fire Lord felt someone watching him and turned to see Mai eyeing him appreciatively.
"It's been some time," she stated. "I like watching you bend."
Zuko grinned bashfully.
"Where are the kids?" he asked.
Mai tossed him a towel and he wiped his face and bare chest.
"Your mom is with them and there's an extra guard posted outside their rooms. Here," she said, moving forward and handing him a scroll tied with a deep red ribbon, "I brought you a letter. It arrived a few minutes ago."
"Thanks," he replied and tore off the ribbon.
He unrolled the paper and began to read. Shaking his head in disbelief, he grinned.
"He's laying it on a little thick," Zuko said and handed the letter to Mai, who scanned it quickly.
"We can't make a decision until we've heard from Maho," Mai reminded her husband.
"I know," he replied. "Oono will just have to wait."
The Fire Lady sat on the floor with her children, a comfortable cushion under her bottom. She was reading them a story but their attention wandered, lured by the sounds of birds and trickling water outside the window.
"Not exciting enough for you," she said dryly.
"Bird, Mommy!" Miyako declared and ran over to the door that led onto the small courtyard.
"Hang on, Miya," Mai called.
She pushed herself up onto her knees and then stood up completely. Ryuhito waited for her and she reached out her hand to him. As they followed Miyako across the room, a knock on the door stopped them in their tracks.
"My lady," Ming called. "You have a visitor."
Mai sighed, walked over to the door and opened it slowly, looking back to keep an eye on the children.
"Who is it, Ming?"
Akira poked her head around Ming's solid frame and gave Mai a sealshark like smile.
"What do you want?" Mai asked harshly. "You have a lot of nerve."
"It's important, Mai. Let me in," Akira wheedled.
Curiosity got the better of Mai and she moved aside to let her mother in.
"Miya, Ryu, come here," Mai stated.
They walked over to their mother and eyed Akira warily.
"Hello children," she said.
"Hi, Grandma," they replied with little enthusiasm.
"Kids, I want you to play over there on the carpet where I can see you. I need to talk with my mother for a few minutes."
"But I wanna see the bird, Mommy," Miyako moaned.
"Later," Mai replied sternly.
The little girl stuck her bottom lip out and scrunched her eyes up tightly but she moved with her brother over to the plush red rug where some toys sat waiting for them.
"Already defiant; you need to be harder on her, Mai. I…"
"Get to the point," Mai interrupted rudely.
"So, it's going to be like this, then?"
"What do you expect?" Mai asked disbelievingly.
"I just wanted to let you know that I got a letter from Tom's headmaster today."
"Oh, do you know him personally?"
"We've spoken a few times," Akira replied cautiously. "He says that Tom is quite happy and adjusting well. You should really go visit the school. Then you could see for yourselves what a wonderful place it is."
"Did Oono tell you to say that?" Mai asked suspiciously. "How do you know we're invited to the school?"
"Well, Headmaster Oono told me that he planned on inviting you. Are you going? He really wants to show the place off."
"It's none of your business where Zuko and I go. Why are you so eager to see us visit Sacred Flame?"
"You've been upset because we sent Tom there. And you were upset that he couldn't have contact with family or friends. Now you have a chance to see him despite that and you're still upset. Honestly, Mai, I can't say or do anything right in your eyes."
Mai rolled her eyes at her mother's attempt to turn the tables on her. It was pitiful and pathetic and somehow fitting.
"For once I agree with you," Mai stated with a cold smile. "You're long past doing anything right. I want you to leave, Mother, and not come back. I don't like the way you make me feel. I don't want my children exposed to you. I don't like who you've become….or maybe this is who you always were."
"You are an ungrateful bitch," Akira shrieked. "We gave you everything. You're here because of us."
Miyako got up from the carpet and ran to her mother, wrapping her arms around Mai almost protectively. She glared at her grandmother with fierce golden eyes and stamped her foot down hard.
"Go!" she exclaimed.
"Insufferable brat," Akira snarled at Miyako.
Ming swung the door open, having heard the commotion, and forcibly escorted Akira out into the hall.
"I'll take care of her," she assured Mai with a smile.
Mai just nodded. She called a crying Ryuhito over and embraced both her children. A sense of relief flooded through her and she smiled.
"Best visit with my mother ever," she quipped.
Nomura called Maho into his tiny office. It was tucked away at the end of a hallway and had barely enough room for two chairs and a small table. She eyed the man nervously and hoped she hadn't exposed herself somehow.
"You'll have to make a list of supplies now. The ship will be here soon. I'll help you figure out what we need."
"Oh, thank you, Mr. Nomura, but I can do it somewhere else, somewhere I won't bother you."
"Nonsense, I'm the head caretaker. Besides, I like you and want to help."
Maho twisted in the hard wooden chair. It figured that when someone decided to be kind, it only got in the way.
"You have paper and ink?"
"Right here," Nomura replied and produced said objects along with a brush from some spot behind his own chair.
Maho cleared her throat and dipped the brush in the ink.
"I know we need soap and it seems most of our towels have walked away."
"Yes," Nomura agreed. "We also need rags and floor polish."
Maho made her characters slowly and carefully underneath the heading she had already written. It seemed Nomura was going to stay until the job was finished. She would have to write a note to Zuko elsewhere and soon or else, if she was desperate, give a verbal message.
"You seem nervous," the caretaker observed.
He stroked his graying beard and looked at her with intelligent brown eyes. Maho breathed deeply and took a leap of faith.
"I need to tell you something," she began and Nomura sat up straight, obviously interested.
"My mother, she's very ill, and expects a letter from me once a week. I know that I'm not supposed to send any correspondence, but I know a man on the boat and a friend of mine will be waiting at the docks in Capitol City to take the letter to her. I thought that I could slip it inside the supply list. My mother will be very upset if she doesn't hear from me."
Maho watched the man carefully and tried to read his expression.
"The old sick mother story, eh?" he cackled.
"But my mother really is sick," Maho insisted.
For a moment she was Izumi Tanaka instead of Maho Shimane.
"I see that the letter is important to you even if I don't believe it's for your mother. I hope you know what you're doing. If anyone here finds out, we will both be in severe trouble. Hurry up then…write your letter. I'll leave you be."
Maho's breath hitched and she sighed with relief.
"Thank you, Mr. Nomura. You're doing the right thing."
He looked back at her curiously before leaving his office and shutting the door. Maho found another sheet of paper and began to write.
Fire Lord Zuko,
Oono et al want to eliminate Roku's bloodline. He plans to kill you, Mai and your children. Ozai will be a puppet Fire Lord. Oono will control things until Ozai and Oono's daughter produce a suitable heir and that heir reaches maturity.
He wants to kill you here so beware of his invitation.
Army here, hidden away, at least 100 men strong. They will lay in ambush for you, should you come.
I'm sure he has supporters in Capitol City too. Beware!
Tomiko okay but I heard he was disciplined harshly today.
Oono terrifies me,
Maho Shimane
She blew on the ink to make it dry faster. The words, just black marks on white paper, represented the most important thing she had ever done. Now, these words had to reach Zuko or all would be lost.
A/N: I hope the moving from place to place and character to character wasn't strange or distracting. I've never had so many characters in a story before and so have to divide up the time because they all need attention. (I actually have a notebook with all the characters, their occupations/titles and descriptions listed to keep them straight).
So, big revelations….Hoshi and Akira know that Oono wants Zuko gone (do they know that gone means dead rather than perhaps deposed and then imprisoned? You'll have to continue reading).
I had to give Maho one ally in the school. There's usually at least one person who sees things for what they really are.
Ozai might know a little something too. Poor Zuko was fail at trying to get Ozai's goat. He's still susceptible to Ozai's taunts. He really does need to just forget the man .
Ursa and Azula are in danger now too.
Not a lot of Maiko in this chapter. There just wasn't time. Look for more next chapter.
In the future, look for a friend and ally sent by Iroh, someone who can help Zuko should he need to fight Oono's army.
Toph's little army could come in handy too.
I don't think we'll see Akira at the palace again (understatement).
Thanks so much for reading and reviewing,
Alabaster