Expansion
Chapter 17: Something to Remember Me By
The bed was enormous but the four bodies, two adult and two small children, were all crowded together in the centre; twins in the middle, Zuko and Mai like fortress walls surrounding them. Mai awoke first. Her seemingly constant need to use the bathroom was frustrating and for a brief moment she imagined engaging in a tense battle with an assassin only to request a time out to use the potty. She couldn't help but giggle at the thought as she quietly slid off the bed and looked back at her sleeping family.
That was what she was fighting for, right there on the bed. Zuko, aware of her absence though still asleep, wrapped his arm around the kids and pulled them in close to his chest. His warm breath moved the fine hairs at the nape of Ryuhito's neck and the little boy squirmed. Yes, her world was there, clumped together under the snug comforter, and 'here', she thought as her hand caressed her abdomen.
She used the bathroom and crawled back under the covers, this time facing the group of three and just watching them until they opened their eyes. Miyako and Ryuhito were fully awake instantly, running around the room and asking for breakfast. Zuko took longer. He yawned and rubbed at his eyes and then dragged a hand through his hair before yawning again. The reality of what was to come soon (he would leave for Tokoma Island the next morning…early) hit him and both anger and fear flitted across his face. He smiled when he saw Mai looking at him. She bent down and gave him a warm kiss on the lips.
"Let's get the kids some breakfast," she suggested.
"You stay here and relax or get dressed or whatever. We'll bring a tray back."
"Okay," Mai replied and kissed him again.
Zuko slipped a robe on over his sleep pants and took the kids by the hand, leading them to the kitchen where Rezu and her assistant were already busy preparing a huge amount of food.
"How are you handling the extra guests?" the Fire Lord asked.
He had as soft spot for the older woman who had treated him very kindly as a child, and was now like a doting aunt to his own children.
"Don't you worry, my lord, we're doing just fine. It keeps us on our toes and makes the day fly by."
She looked down at the bright eyed toddlers and gave them a grin.
"You're not here for breakfast are you?" she asked.
"Yep," they both shouted enthusiastically.
"We'll take a big tray back to our room, enough for the four of us," the Fire Lord instructed the woman.
She encouraged the children to help her, allowing them to place fruit and warm rolls onto dishes, while she brewed fresh tea and quickly steamed some rice.
"All set," she declared when the tray was heaping full of food, dishes and utensils. "How about you carry the napkins, little princess, and little prince, you can carry the chopsticks."
They obliged happily and bolted off down the hall ahead of their father.
"Wait," he called sternly and they stopped in their tracks. "Stay close to me and the guards. Do not run ahead again."
"Yes, Daddy," they both stated tearfully and walked back to his side.
The remainder of the short walk was silent, with everyone suddenly in a somber mood. A guard opened the door to the huge bedroom that Mai and Zuko shared and the Fire Lord entered with the tray, both kids close to his side.
"Oh, good," Mai stated, "I'm starved. Put the tray down here, Zuko."
He did and everyone dug in quietly.
"Why so sad looking all of a sudden?" Mai asked
"It's nothing," Zuko replied. "When I'm done here, I need to talk to Toph and Piandao again and make sure the ship is being readied properly."
Mai just nodded her understanding.
"I'm going to train," she said seriously. "The kids can come with me again and then we'll spend the afternoon in their rooms. At least there's a bit of space for them to run around there."
"Mmmm," Zuko replied around a thick chunk of papaya. "Be careful, please. You know, I think I'll do some training too. I'll use the room Piandao and I sparred in last night."
"Alright then, kids, are you finished? Let's get you washed and dressed. You can each take a toy to my training room so you won't get bored, okay?"
"Me like when you throw things," Miyako declared with bright eyes. "I wanna watch."
"I see my future student," Mai chuckled and gave Zuko a look.
He grinned back at her, happy to think of a future in which both Mai and Miyako were alive and well enough to do anything.
After a quick training session, Zuko slipped out of the palace with Jee and headed across the street to Mai's childhood home. The Fire Lord wore a simple red cloak with the hood pulled up and no royal trappings at all. He hadn't told Mai he was going and wouldn't until this whole mess was over.
Once at the top of the white stone staircase, steps he had climbed many times upon first coming back to the Fire Nation, he pounded on the door and pushed his way by a startled servant as soon as she opened it.
"Hoshi, Akira," Zuko called.
He walked through the elegant foyer, Jee close behind, and into the main sitting room. Mai's parents sat stoically and looked up at the Fire Lord with no surprise on their faces.
"I have a few things to say to you two," Zuko began in a harsh, commanding tone.
Akira raised her perfectly shaped eyebrows while Hoshi tapped a finger against his chin. Neither said a word.
"First, Hoshi, you are no longer a member of my council. I should have gotten rid of you after the last meeting. I've come to my senses now."
"That's a shame," Mai's father stated.
There was no regret, no panic or anger in his voice.
"For someone who's just been dismissed, and has an expensive lifestyle, you seem calm, Hoshi," Zuko remarked.
The Fire Lord suspected, of course, that Hoshi and Akira knew all about Oono's dark plot or if not all at least something of it. Hoshi was unaware of that fact.
"I'm surprised that you kept me for as long as you did. I'm sure I can get a good position somewhere else."
"I can make it so you can't," Zuko said ominously. "And don't think I won't. You might be sweeping the streets for a living until you fall down dead."
"I'll manage," the older man smiled knowingly.
"You, Akira, had better never step within one hundred paces of the palace gates. You're hateful and despicable, a poor excuse for a mother and grandmother. I'll do what it takes to make sure that Tomiko never lives with you again."
"You would take a child away from his parents and from his home?"
"In this case, yes. And haven't you already done that? If I find out that either or both of you are in any way plotting against me, you will pay the highest price. I know more than you think I know."
Zuko gave them no chance to reply. He whirled around, red cloak flapping out behind him, and left as swiftly as he had come.
"That felt good," he said to Jee once outside. "Now we've got more garbage to clean up."
Maho ran like a hunted deerlion and dragged the terrified boy behind her, heedless of his pants that were torn at the knees and the scrapes and bruises that covered the exposed flesh. He was having trouble keeping up and stumbled frequently onto the increasingly rocky ground. The soldier followed the course of the river for lack of a better route and didn't stop until the cramps in her side became unbearable. She dropped gracelessly onto the ground and grunted in pain when her head collided with a rock.
Tomiko sat down next to her, hugging his sore knees close to his body. His dirty cheeks were streaked with tears and he sobbed almost silently. Maho reached out and placed a hand on his arm. He turned to look at her and fresh tears filled his eyes.
"Do you think Mr. Nomura's okay," he sobbed. "I like him."
"I like him too," Maho answered. "He's a tough old man. He was a soldier, you know, so he can handle a lot."
She recalled the scream and shuddered. Whatever they had done to Nomura might very well have killed him but she wouldn't tell Tomiko that, not when she didn't know for sure.
"Why don't you get a drink at the river and wash off your face again," she suggested to the boy.
He obeyed without question. Maho sat up and rested her head on her knees. Her only concern right now was keeping Tomiko safe. The blasting jelly was taken care of; hopefully that would keep the rest of the children safe as well. She wanted to be there when Zuko arrived, not out in the open, of course, but she wanted to help in the inevitable battle that would occur. But what would Tomiko do? Could he make it to Zuko's ship? Would he stay hidden or decide he wanted to help too and end up getting killed?
"Damn kid," she cursed with no venom.
Guilt for involving him at all ate away at her even though Tomiko had taken action on his own. She was the adult. He was just nine years old and had no clue about what was really going on.
"Are you mad at me?" the boy asked as he plopped down beside her, face clean but still heart wrenchingly sad.
Maho shook her head.
"No," she insisted. "I think you're very brave and I know that your sister and brother-in-law will be very proud of you."
"Really?" he asked hopefully.
"Really," she replied with a smile. "Now, let's get going. I want to figure out where we are exactly. I'll bet we're near Oono's little army."
"Army?" Tomiko asked with wide eyes.
"Yes, your headmaster," she spat the word out, "has an army waiting for the Fire Lord's arrival."
"Oh," he said in a subdued voice. "Zuko's better than they are and he'll win."
"I believe you're right, kiddo. I believe you're right.
The pain was so intense that Nomura could hardly stand. His chest and upper right arm were both severely burned, the flesh hanging in ragged strips as if someone had run a grater over it. Beneath the bits of hanging flesh, was red, raw skin spotted with blood that stood out in little droplets. In some spots even the muscle was exposed. He wasn't sure where he was. The agony was that disorienting. He saw a fuzzy looking Headmaster Oono standing nearby; his sadistic grin was quite clear, however. Nomura's legs wobbled and he fell to the ground. No one helped him up. While in his pain induced trance, he recalled what had happened before he ended up in front of Oono.
Nomura stood perfectly straight as Akagi approached, flanked by four other men. He silently prayed that Maho and the boy were already far enough away to avoid detection. He would accept all the blame willingly, especially if it meant their survival and the survival of the Fire Lord and his family.
"Is that you, Nomura?" Akagi sneered. "What are you doing here, away from the school and your work?"
"I felt like a walk, sir," he replied with a smirk.
"You know this area is off limits. You know that no one is to leave the school grounds."
"Yes, sir."
"So why are you really here?"
Akagi approached the caretaker with a cruel smile. He carried a bright flame in the palm of his hand.
"I ran across something dangerous and decided to get rid of it. I can't believe that you or Headmaster Oono would purposely endanger the lives of all those youngsters."
"Something dangerous," Akagi sneered. "And what would that be?"
"Blasting jelly, four barrels of it placed in locations around the campus. Did you know about those?" the old soldier asked, knowing full well that Akagi did.
"Of course, you idiot," the teacher replied coldly.
"Yes, well, I suppose that I put a kink in your plans. I certainly hope that Headmaster Oono doesn't punish you. He'll need to blame someone. Leaders like him always do."
"You'll be the one punished and I'll enjoy doing it. Now where did you put the blasting jelly? If you tell me, perhaps you'll live. I'll put in a good word with Oono."
"You can't use it now," Nomura grinned. "I put it in the river."
"Go check the river," Akagi ordered his men and they moved off immediately.
"What's the matter? Will it be harder to kill Fire Lord Zuko now?" Nomura taunted.
"Don't call him that!" Akagi roared. "He is tainted. He does not belong on the throne of our great nation. And what do you know of our plans?"
"I know quite a bit. It's amazing what people let slip in front of a lowly janitor."
"What do you know about the Matsuo boy? He's missing."
"I don't know any students by name," Nomura stalled. "Someone questioned me about a missing boy yesterday. Like I told him, I don't know anything."
"That's fine. I'm sure we'll find him and then we'll deal with him. The brat will regret running away from his punishment."
"Sir," one of the soldiers called as they all ran back to Akagi. "The jelly is in the river, completely submerged."
"Hmm, so you told the truth," the teacher said, turning back to Nomura. "Headmaster Oono will want to have a talk with you, but first, I've got something to say."
Akagi was quick. The caretaker hardly saw the blast of fire before it contacted his chest. After that there was nothing but pain and he screamed.
"He's useless. Finish him off," Oono said to Akagi, "just don't do it here."
"Yes, sir," Akagi replied with a sly grin. "Perhaps in front of the students as they walk to school; no one will run away again."
"Whatever you want; I really don't care. Make sure he's dead, that's all."
Two men dragged Nomura out of the office and onto the street. Most of the children were already inside the school building, but the eldest ones were still making their way there. Akagi pushed the caretaker onto the dusty ground and set him on fire. He watched until there was nothing left but bone.
Azula woke up in her room, clean and bandaged. She felt groggy and out of sorts and reasoned that Tochihara must have given her some kind of sedative. When the princess's eyes traveled around her small room, they eventually landed on the doctor. He was watching her carefully, sitting in the room's only chair.
"I'm glad that you're awake," the doctor began. "We have a lot to talk about."
"Do we now?" Azula asked haughtily, trying to fight her way through the fog that clouded her mind.
"You killed a man, Azula," Tochihara continued.
"Like that's never happened before," she retorted smartly.
"You used firebending."
"Well, I am a firebender from the royal house, am I not?"
"How did you summon the fire with your chi dampened?" the doctor persisted.
"I don't know," Azula snarled. "It just happened. My life was in danger and the fire came. End of story. I have a question for you. Why was an assassin allowed to get near me?"
"I don't how he got here or where he came from, but a letter just arrived from your brother telling me of the danger you're in."
"A late letter; how convenient. Zuko never could do anything right. If I had died, his worries about me would have died too. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?"
"I don't believe your brother wants you dead. I do believe that he fears what you are capable of, however. You've told him, after all, that you would happily slaughter both him and his family."
"Yes, and I stand by that. It seems like someone else wants to kill him and the little brats, though. Unfortunately that someone wants me dead too. The assassin said something about 'bad blood' that I carried."
"Yes, these would be usurpers want to eliminate all traces of Roku's bloodline. Azula, I've got extra guards posted outside your door and more will be arriving shortly from the main island."
"I think I've proven that I can take care of myself."
"Yes, but we can't have you shooting fire at everyone, now can we? You could end up escaping on the supply boat. I won't be responsible for what you might do if you ever escape."
"Well then, you had better keep me restrained and sedated, Doctor. If I ever get loose, you might just be the first one I kill."
"Azula, you don't want to lose any of the privileges that you have, do you? Your life here can be pleasant or difficult. It's your choice."
"I've had enough of padding around here in those hideous slippers and painting pictures and walking in the damn garden. I feel alive again and I'm going to fight, even if I die doing it."
"As you wish, Azula," Tochihara sighed. "It's time for some more tea."
Ursa was up and dressed and had ordered breakfast brought to her room. Hideo slumbered peacefully on the sofa, still wearing his robes from the day before. She had offered her bed, it was large enough that they wouldn't need to touch, but the professor had looked aghast.
"Hideo," she said, shaking him gently. "It's time for breakfast."
"Ursa," he beamed after a brief struggle to gain wakefulness. "What a wonderful sight to wake up to."
The woman flushed and then flashed her own bright smile. "Thank you, Hideo."
"You mentioned breakfast; I'm starving."
"Yes, it should be here soon. If you want to wash up, feel free to use the bathroom. Oh, and I'll see if Zuko's got some robes you can borrow. I'll make sure that yours are washed."
"Thank you," Hideo replied gratefully.
"I'll be back in a few minutes. If the door opens it's just the servant bringing in breakfast."
He nodded and headed into the bathroom. Ursa returned shortly after with two sets of robes. They were a little snug but would have to do. Breakfast waited on the table and the two dug in, Ursa pouring the tea. The Fire Lord's mother pondered briefly the fact that a man had slept in her room the night before. For thirteen years, she had slept alone and had grown used to the sound of just her breathing. Even during the later years of her marriage to Ozai, they sometimes slept separately. It was difficult to share a bed with someone you once cared about but now feared and almost despised.
Those were difficult days, almost as hard as the ones of her lonely banishment. Zuko helped keep her sanity then. He made her feel as though she had done something right. Ursa had tried with Azula, she really had. But the girl was drawn to her father and the praise that he lavished on her. He didn't try to correct her cruel behavior and that drew her to him all the more. Ursa talked and chastised and reasoned and got nothing but disdain or a stony expression.
"Ursa, you look upset. Are you thinking about what's ahead of your son?"
"No, actually I was thinking about when my children were small and….."
"And you lived here with Ozai?"
"Yes; I'm sorry, Hideo. What man wants to talk about his….his 'friend's' former husband?"
"It doesn't bother me. He's out of your life. And it's natural for you to think about him sometimes. Oh, and Ursa, you're much more than a friend."
She blushed again. He reached over and gave her a soft kiss, running his large hands down her arms.
"I want…." Ursa stuttered.
"What do you want?"
"I want you," she blurted out and then clapped a hand over her mouth. "Oh, Agni, I'm sorry. What is wrong with me?"
"I want you, Ursa. But I don't want to push."
"I haven't been with a man since Ozai. I haven't wanted to or even thought about it. But you changed everything."
"I'm honored," he whispered and then kissed her again.
"I waited for two hours, sir. He didn't meet me."
Oono's fingers twitched. He hadn't felt such murderous rage since the war ended. Azula's assassination was probably a failure. The best he could hope for is that both Azula and that strange knife wielding man were dead. Things were not going quite as he planned; things were beginning to go wrong.
"What should I do, sir? Should I send someone else?"
"No, Azula will have to wait until after we take care of Zuko. Once we're in charge, I'll get the girl out of that asylum and publicly execute her. Yes, that will do. You can leave now."
The man left, making sure to be quiet. Everyone had heard about what Oono did to Isa. The headmaster, meanwhile, stayed at his desk, tapping a well manicured nail against the highly polished wood over and over in a rhythmic pattern. His frown became a smile as he imagined the blood that soon would be spilled. Akagi had the fun with that pathetic caretaker. Oono's fun was arriving soon.
True, he had no blasting jelly to blow the building up, children along with them, but Zuko didn't know that. The soft hearted weakling would surrender in a heartbeat to save all those innocent lives. And once he surrendered, Oono would kill him slowly. He tried to imagine the man's screams of agony. While a military strategist, he had sometimes traveled to the war's frontlines. He witnessed brutal savagery and pain. It never bothered him; sympathy was for people unfit to lead, unfit to rule. The mantra for his reign (under the guise of Ozai's) would be, 'No Mercy'.
The ship was ready for the next morning's departure. Each soldier was responsible for his own armor and personal weapon. Extra weapons (swords, knives, axes, bows and arrows) were polished and organized neatly. Additional armor gleamed on racks in the storeroom. Food and water and medical supplies were also stacked neatly. Two doctors would make the journey as well, staying aboard the ship during the battle and waiting for wounded to be brought to them.
Zuko was pleased. Everything was in order. His men, Piandao's men and Toph's students all knew the seriousness of the mission, its potential for danger and what would happen if they lost. He could do nothing else but wait and spend time with those precious to him.
They had an early dinner; a large group…Zuko and Mai, the twins, Hideo and Ursa, Toph, Jee and Piandao. Talk was cheerful and innocuous. Piandao told tales of his younger days while Jee shared memories of a young and angst ridden prince. Ursa listened attentively to Jee's recollections. She would never quite reconcile herself with all the years she missed in the lives of her children. Hideo sensed what she felt and grabbed a hold of her hand under the table. She smiled gratefully at him and wondered at her recent good fortune.
Mai and Zuko said little. They sat close together, close enough that their shoulders could touch if they moved slightly, and observed. The twins were nearby too, concerned more with their stomachs than the oftentimes bewildering conversation of grownups.
Toph sensed the underlying tension in everyone, especially her two best friends. The earthbender was eager to get going and enter the fray. Waiting patiently for something to begin was agonizing. Too bad they had to travel by ship. She could bend metal and feel everyone onboard but underneath was nothingness and she hated that.
"Enjoyable as all this is," she blurted out, "I'm going to my room. We're up very early tomorrow."
"Toph, wait," Mai said. "Let me walk with you."
"Sure, Blade."
"Excuse me everyone. I'll be back in a few minutes."
A trio of guards followed them down the hall to the residential wing and Toph's room. Mai stepped inside for a few minutes.
"Hey, what's on your mind?" Toph asked.
"Be careful, Toph," the knife thrower began. "This Oono man is ruthless and cares about nothing but winning. Watch yourself and watch…"
"I'll take good care of Zuko," Toph reassured her friend. "I'll be damned if I let some pig like Oono get the better of us. Remember, I'm the greatest earthbender in the world."
"Yeah, I've heard that a few times," Mai drawled.
"Piandao ain't too shabby either. And your husband is decent too," Toph joked. "Mai, I won't let them kill Zuko. I promise you. Now go back to the jerk. You guys should be spending the evening together."
"Thanks, Toph," Mai whispered.
They embraced awkwardly and Mai left without another word.
As they rounded a bend in the river, Maho and Tomiko spotted the encampment. It was impressive looking with row upon row of tidy tents, neat cook fires and lines with drying clothes. The smell of meat and vegetables cooking made their mouths water. As they ducked behind a large grouping of rocks, Maho tore off a piece of bread and added a small piece of meat, giving the ragged handful to the boy. He gobbled it down and his gold eyes looked hopefully to the woman for more.
"We need to save it, Tomiko," she stated. "We'll go look for some fruit now, okay?"
"Okay," he replied in resigned voice. "That's a lot of tents, Maho."
"Yeah, it is, but don't worry. I'm sure Zuko will bring a lot of fighters too."
"Are we gonna stay here until Zuko comes?"
"I'm not sure yet," the young woman sighed. "But I think we should watch them for awhile."
"Yeah," Tomiko agreed.
He looked to her for permission before moving off a bit and looking for a banana tree or lychee nut tree. Maho watched the camp and thought. She and the boy might be able to skirt around its other side, the one furthest from the school. The encampment was inside a shallow valley of sorts, with short walls of rock at both sides and the back (where Tomiko and she hid right now) and the sea near the front. Once at the sea, there would probably be no cover and the camp was sure to have people on watch at all times. If they did make it to the sea unnoticed, the pair would need to get to the docking area and hide out there until Zuko arrived. She still had a day or so to make that decision and come up with a reasonable plan. Right now, Tomiko was hungry. She wondered if the stream had any fish.
Story books from the kids' rooms were brought into Mai's and Zuko's room and scattered in a colourful pile in the middle of the bed.
"Just pick one already, or I will," Mai said crossly.
When the pair began tugging on a book, threatening to break its binding, Mai stepped in, snatched it away and then scooped up the others, leaving only one.
"But…" Miyako began to protest.
"I warned you," Mai interrupted her daughter. "Daddy will read from here. Hey, Zuko, what are you doing in there?"
The Fire Lord emerged from the bathroom, clean shaven, with teeth brushed and ready for an evening spent with his family.
"Did they decide on a story?" he asked.
"No," Mai snapped. "I did. Here."
She handed the book off to Zuko and eased herself down onto the bed. He curled up beside the children and read them the brief story. Their eyes were beginning to close by the tale's end and he tucked them up into the centre of the bed. Mai stretched out and placed a kiss on each forehead, brushing Miyako's heavy fringe out of her eyes.
"Her bangs need trimming," the knife thrower observed dully. "She hates sitting still and she hates the scissors even more."
"She'll get over it," Zuko assured his wife
"Mmmm," Mai nodded. "Come on; I've got a pot of chamomile tea. Let's sit over there."
They moved over to the sofa. Mai poured them each a cup. She sipped thoughtfully, not saying anything. Eventually, she leaned in close to her husband, reveling in his warm and solid presence.
"Mai," Zuko whispered. "I'm coming back."
"Yes," she replied. "You are."
Quiet descended again. They placed their teacups on the table and Mai stretched out, placing her head on Zuko's lap. She fell asleep like that and Zuko carried her to the bed, crawling in after her.
Ursa giggled like a young girl. She and her family were in peril yet she felt carefree and happy and in love. Both she and Hideo were curled up on her bed talking about anything and everything. The professor had assented to sleeping there rather than on the much less comfortable sofa: Ursa's declaration earlier in the day had broken any remaining barriers between them.
He played with the long brown hair that hung loose over her shoulders. It felt so soft in his hands and shone in the dim but warm light from the wall sconces behind the bed.
"Your hair is beautiful," he said.
"Thank you," Ursa blushed.
"You're beautiful," he continued, not caring at all how silly or sentimental or mushy he sounded.
This relationship was Hoshi's first real experience with love and he planned to enjoy it. He'd had a few flirtations and had spent time with some women he liked, but he had never been in love. With Ursa, he felt different than he had felt with them; Ursa he would do anything for.
"Goodness," the woman smiled. "You're full of compliments tonight."
"A lovely woman should receive praise," he reasoned.
She put a hand on his cheek and kissed him passionately.
My ego will swell to unbearable proportions," she joked after breaking away. "And then you won't be able to live with me."
"Live with you?" he asked hopefully.
"Well, I meant, you won't be able to stand me, but actually living with you would be nice."
"Ursa….." Hideo breathed out softly.
He gently pressed her downward and covered her with kisses. Ursa didn't resist. She welcomed it, wrapping her arms around his back and holding him tight against her. Their clothing vanished soon after and for the first time in so very long, Ursa felt like her whole body was ablaze with sensations. She reveled in and cherished every one and she knew that she was happy. She knew that she was loved.
Sleeping on the ground, Tomiko discovered, was no fun at all. Besides that, it was uncomfortable. Rocks dug into his back, insects crawled over him or buzzed annoyingly in his ear and whatever bits of grass there were scratched at his bare arms. Still, it was better than sleeping in a room with Jiro or staying in that horrible school at all. He liked Maho; he liked her a lot and he was glad that the young woman was on Zuko's side. He had faith that she could take care of him and help the Fire Lord too.
He woke up when the sun made its way through the sparse collection of trees and made dappled, shifting shadows on his face. Maho was already awake and washing up in the river. He could hear the splashing noises and her muttered words.
"Hey," she said when she walked back to their little camp and saw him awake.
"Hey," he replied and managed a smile.
"We're going to walk around the army's encampment today. We'll take it very slowly and carefully and stay on our side of that wall of rocks. I hope by nightfall, we're near the dock. We'll wait there for Zuko to arrive."
"Okay," he agreed.
He couldn't argue. There really was no better plan and all he could think about anyway was the gnawing hunger that made its presence known with growls and rumbles.
"I've got a bit more food in my satchel," she smirked. "I'm pretty sure that you're hungry."
"Mmmmhmmm," he agreed and waited, licking his lips.
Maho dug deep into the soft leather bag and came up with a sweet roll and an apple. She tossed them over to the boy who gulped them down, hardly taking a breath between bites.
"It will be good to get home and have a real meal again, won't it?" she asked Tomiko.
"Uhhuh, I like spicy beef and so does Mai. And watermelon is yummy and so are almond cookies."
"Oh, they're good," the young woman said enthusiastically. "But this scrunched sweet roll will have to do."
She found another one along with a second apple and ate slowly, savoring the different tastes and textures on her tongue. The night before she had tried unsuccessfully to catch a fish. The river was teeming with them but her makeshift net was almost laughably pathetic. There were a few fruit bearing trees, so they did stock up on bananas and coconuts. Tomiko enjoyed cracking them open and drinking the milk.
"Finished?" she asked after a few minutes.
He nodded.
"Let's get going then," she suggested.
She closed up her bag and reached for the boy's hand.
The Fire Lord kissed his wife and then embraced his mother. Hideo hovered in the background and wished Zuko good fortune. The twins were half asleep, little heads bobbing up and down as they fought against the need for rest. Zuko hugged them both close, almost desperately, before handing them back over to Mai.
Toph embraced Mai quickly then gave the knife thrower a solid punch on the arm.
"Something to remember me by," the earthbender joked.
Mai rolled her eyes.
"I don't need any reminders," she drawled.
"Come on, Zuko. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can come home."
Nodding at Toph's wise words, Zuko gave his family a final look before striding off down the hallway.
"I'll see you in a few days," Mai called out after him and then sighed forlornly.
She and the kids went back to bed, Ursa and Hideo to get a very early breakfast. Piandao waited down the hall and joined Toph and Zuko, the three walking abreast and murmuring in low tones.
Jee met them outside along with a few of Piandao's men. The rest of the contingent was already on the ship. They had gone aboard in small groups so as not to gain attention. The Fire Lord's banner did not fly, nor did a Fire Nation one. The ship looked as inconspicuous as they could make a huge floating metal monstrosity look.
A man dressed in plain browns and reds approached the group. Immediately the guards surrounded Zuko and assumed fighting stances.
"It's me, Norio Saga," the man called to the Fire Lord.
"He's alright. Stand down," Zuko ordered.
"I've been watching things around here and have a pretty good idea of what's going on. I'd like to help. May I come?"
"Sure," Zuko answered. "I'll take all the help I can get."
"It's an honor, my lord," Saga replied and gave Zuko a bow before swaggering onto the ship.
A few minutes later, Zuko stood on the deck and watched his family and his home and his city disappear. He felt bereft.
"Hoshi, look!" Akira called as she tried to shake her husband awake.
"What is it now?" he snapped angrily
She dragged him out of the bed and to the large window that looked out onto the plaza.
"Isn't that Zuko?" she asked.
Hoshi squinted and peered out into the semi darkness.
"Yes," he answered.
"Well, he's obviously going somewhere; it must be Tokoma Island. It will all be over soon."
"I hope so," he moaned. "I'm sick of hearing you talk about it."
Maho and Tomiko spent the day picking their way around Oono's encampment. Shouts carried over the natural wall of stone. The large group of warriors was engaging in practice drills of some kind. As long as they were occupied, they probably wouldn't look over the wall and spot them.
They took frequent breaks, drinking from Maho's water skin. There was no hurry. Zuko wouldn't arrive for at least another day, maybe longer. It was sunset by the time they stood on the rocky beach and looked for a place to sleep. No one had noticed them and now they had darkness as a cover.
Tomorrow they would make their way around the rocky cove over to the next one, where the school's dock was situated and Zuko's ship, hopefully full of soldiers, would soon be sitting.
Mai spent the day with the twins, Ursa and Hideo, the entire group finding comfort in each other. The older couple stayed with the twins while Mai trained yet again, pushing her body to its limits and worrying Ursa.
"Are you sure it's okay to train that hard while you're pregnant?" she asks.
Mai just rolled her eyes and continued to throw. She didn't feel like putting Ursa's mind at ease, didn't feel like explaining. When a blade was in her hand, that blade was everything, it and the target. Nothing else mattered. Her mind was mercifully blank and free from worry. If she had her way, and if it were possible, Mai would spend every minute until Zuko returned tossing the shiny and sharp metal objects.
It's lunchtime before she knows it and they all troop to the kitchen, guards surrounding them, and talk to Rezu and poke in this pot and pick in that bowl until everyone is full. A sudden feeling of exhaustion hit the knife thrower and she lied down with the twins on her bed, all of them asleep within minutes. It was another good way to kill time.
The huge ship hugged the coastline of island after island, some only big enough to contain a few buildings, others large enough for three or four villages along with some kind of industry. Zuko whispered the name of each one as they passed it, recalling them first from his childhood studies but more recently from his duties as Fire Lord. A leader needed to know his nation and Zuko did his best.
Piandao stood on one side of him while Toph stood on the other. Toph enjoyed the breeze on her face and the smell of the ocean. As long as she wasn't struggling away in the waves trying to swim, she was okay with the sea. It had its place. It just wasn't home, like the earth was and she didn't want to spend long floating upon it. The sword master watched as flying dolphinfish leapt up from the depths and out into the air then back down again. He might just paint them from memory when he returned to his roomy mansion in the country.
They were as prepared as they could be. All three just wanted to get there and end Oono, halt his depraved plan in its tracks. It was the lull before the storm, something all warriors experienced; an eerie, other worldly sort of time that felt like being trapped in a box and waiting for it to open, letting you out and the world in.
"We'll dock before we reach Tokoma Island," Zuko said out of nowhere. "I want to arrive in the morning, under the light of the sun."
"Okaaaay, Grumpy," Toph acknowledged. "Is that your inner firebender talking?"
"I guess so," the Fire Lord replied.
"What about the group we're letting off sooner?" Piandao asked.
"We'll let them off just before the docking area. There's a small boat for them to use. Then we'll give them an hour or so head start."
Zuko left abruptly, muttering something about meditation.
Piandao watched his lord's retreating figure and then returned his eyes to the sea. There was nothing else to be done.
After spending a restless night in the damp sand hidden behind a large rock, Maho and Tomiko ate a meager breakfast and then began to walk along the rocky coastline. They had to walk in the water, and Maho tucked their shoes into her satchel. Tomiko held onto the slippery rocks and edged carefully along. The water got deep quickly and he didn't want to slip and get pulled out to sea. Maho stayed right behind, pacing a hand on his arm for support. It took them a few hours to make it to the next cove. Once they came around the large rocky outcrop and spotted the dock, they both instinctively pressed themselves flat against the rock and looked about carefully. They could see movement up the hill at the school, but no one was down by the sea.
"Let's find a spot to wait," Maho urged.
They moved along the rock strewn beach, staying close to its edge and found a small cave like opening.
"This will do," the soldier stated and gave Tomiko a gentle push. "Get comfortable. We're going to be here for awhile."
Rezu puttered about in the kitchen. It was late afternoon and quiet in the palace. Most of the 'guests' had left with Zuko so she had time to work on some of her experimental recipes. She loved cooking, especially for a young family such as the Fire Lord's. She'd never had one of her own, but didn't regret that. Her life was full and she had people she loved.
She was expecting a large delivery of meat and produce very soon. The man who brought the baskets heaped full of fresh foods was handsome and young, always ready with a smile and some funny story or other. So when Rezu heard the knock on the service entrance to the kitchen, she rushed over and pulled open the door.
"Hello, Ren," she smiled at the figure.
His face was hidden by the large baskets and packages that he held. He nodded and Rezu accepted that as a hello.
"Put them down anywhere, dear. Let me help."
As she reached for a basket laden with just ripe mangoes, melons and berries, she felt a sharp sting in her abdomen and then a trickling wetness.
"I don't feel right, Ren. I think I need to lie down."
Rezu dropped to the floor dead. The assassin placed the baskets down carefully and then dragged the body into a nearby cupboard. He had to push hard to make her fit and broke several bones while at it.
"She doesn't need them anymore," the man clad in red trimmed black joked crudely.
As he walked around the baskets and over to the old servants' hallways (a series of corridors that were parallel to the main ones, now mainly unused) papers dropped out of his robe.
Ren Fukuda hereby has permission to enter Palace grounds every fourth week day to make deliveries.
The royal seal stood out garishly on the bottom right corner of the white paper. The assassin moved stealthily through the corridors. He was headed for the residential wing. For now, he would just observe.
A/N: Thank you, thank you to all of you out there who are reading and enjoying this story. I appreciate the reviews you give so much as well.
Sorry that I couldn't get to the battle this time around. There was still so much else to get through. Next time (I hope).
Alabaster