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Chapter 19: It's Over?
"I demand to know what's going on," Akira shrieked from the cell she shared with her husband.
The guard didn't turn his head to look; in fact he didn't move at all and that frustrated the woman to no end.
"It wasn't supposed to turn out like this," she moaned as she turned to her husband. "Oono was supposed to win. We should have been well rewarded instead of thrown into prison by Zuko."
Hoshi jumped up from his seat on the dank stone floor, grabbed Akira by the shoulders and pushed her against the equally dank stone wall.
"Shut up," he hissed. "The guard isn't deaf, you know. We may still be able to get out of this, this situation. But if you keep giving us away, who knows what will happen."
"Oh, come on now, Hoshi. Zuko and Mai both hate us and I'm sure the 'Fire Lord' plans to punish us no matter what."
Hoshi slumped down onto the floor again and placed his back against the cold wall. Both he and Akira were still in their sleepwear; Jee hadn't allowed them to change before he dragged them out of their house and onto the street. Akira fumed the whole way to the prison about the possibility of neighbors spotting them and whined every time she felt a stone through her flimsy slipper. When Jee pushed them into a cell with a wide smile, she protested its, well, its likeness to a prison.
"That's why it's called a jail cell," Jee replied smartly. "And from what I hear, it's too good for you."
The couple passed a restless night, unable to sleep on the hard floor. As soon as the sun rose, Akira began her tirades. Hoshi secretly wished for execution. It would be better than listening to her for the next Agni knew how many years.
Zuko's shoulder throbbed. The pain woke him early after only a few hours of sleep. He placed a kiss on Mai's forehead, pausing to admire her sleeping form for a few minutes before getting out of bed and stumbling down the hall to the kitchen.
Guards began to follow but Zuko waved them back. He wanted privacy. Shutting the door, he sat down on a stool and looked around the usually bustling room, filled with wonderful smells and good memories. It would never be the same, not without Rezu, and the Fire Lord's heart ached. He sighed and decided to make himself some tea and hunt around for something sweet to eat. He wasn't usually that fond of cakes and cookies, but sometimes a baked good comforted like nothing else could.
He found some cookies in the pantry, ones Rezu must have baked a few days before and placed three neatly on a plate while he waited for the tea to steep. Sitting down again, he ate and he drank and he remembered little, inconsequential moments from his childhood that still meant so much to him. It saddened him that his own children wouldn't grow up under Rezu's affectionate eye and her 'love through good food' philosophy.
"Everyone will pay, Rezu. I'll make sure of it"
He looked up as a sleepy eyed Mai entered the kitchen and stood behind him, wrapping her arms around his chest. A guard hovered in the doorway, but left at a word from Zuko.
"Remembering?" Mai asked.
"Mmm," the Fire Lord replied. "I recall you in here a few times too."
"Well, all that 'playing' with Ty Lee and Azula worked up an appetite."
"Your cheeks would get all hot and pink whenever I walked by. I thought maybe you were just sick a lot."
Mai snorted indelicately and gave her husband a resounding kiss on the lips.
"Idiot," she said affectionately. Then in a more serious tone, "I really am sorry about Rezu. I'll miss her too."
"Much as I hate that you were put in that position, and much as I hate that you had to kill someone, I'm glad that coward is dead. Does it bother you, Mai? I know you said that it doesn't but…."
"I'm fine and I would do it again," she replied, brushing the idea of her discomfort off.
"Alright, I believe you. Do you want a cup?" he asked and gestured to the dark red teapot.
Mai nodded and sat down beside Zuko. They sipped in silence for a few minutes.
"Any more cookies?" Mai asked. "I'm a bit hungry."
Zuko fetched the earthenware container from the cupboard and plunked it down on the large chopping block that had doubled as a table for as long as Zuko could remember. Mai dipped her hand in and came out with two, eating them quickly then reaching for two more.
Her black hair was loose and Zuko pushed it gently back from her face, pausing to stroke her cheek.
"You're beautiful," he stated.
"Didn't you get enough last night?" she quipped and Zuko flushed. "Now whose face is pink?"
"It's never enough," he whispered almost shyly and pulled her face to his for a kiss.
"Oh, Zuko," she laughed. "What would I do without you?"
He kissed her again, harder this time, running his hands through her silken hair.
"Missed you," he declared.
"I'm going back to bed," Mai replied with a pointed look. "I suggest you come too because the twins will be awake very soon."
The Fire Lord didn't need to be told twice. He left his second cup of tea unfinished and grabbed hold of Mai's hand.
As Mai predicted, Miyako and Ryuhito were awake within an hour, full of energy and questions. They jumped on their father, eager to see him again after his brief absence. Ryuhito was the first to notice the bandaged bulkiness of Zuko's shoulder.
"You hurt, Daddy?" he asked, concern clear on his face.
Miyako poked experimentally at the bandage and Zuko winced.
"Sorry," she said immediately.
"It's okay," Zuko replied and gave her a hug. "It hurts a bit, but I'm fine."
"Breakfast is waiting," Mai said.
Miyako ran to her room, got dressed, washed her face and dragged a comb through her hair all in a few minutes. Her tunic was partially tucked into her pants and her hair was still bedraggled but her face was clean and shiny and she wanted to eat. Ryuhito took his time and his sister stamped her foot impatiently.
"Are you growing again?" Zuko asked his daughter, eyes sparkling.
"I dunno," she shrugged.
"I think you are," Zuko teased.
Miyako giggled and made a move to help her brother.
"Me do!" he exclaimed and the little girl backed off with a pout.
Mai fixed his hair and then the four went down to the dining room where breakfast was laid out. Miyako dug in hungrily and then stopped. Something was different about this breakfast. Rezu always put a little something special for each child on the table, whether it was a uniquely shaped roll or a flower (both kids loved them) or brightly coloured chopsticks. Today, there was nothing.
"Are you missing something?" Mai asked her daughter.
"Rezu…." she said slowly.
Her voice, usually so strong and happy sounding, quivered a bit and her eyes grew big and round.
"Finish your breakfast, Miyako. Then your daddy and I need to talk with you and Ryu."
She was a perceptive child and knew immediately that something was very, very wrong. Suddenly food seemed stupid, so she just poked at her plate, occasionally taking a bite only to please her parents. Mai and Zuko exchanged a sad look and continued to eat. When the servants had cleared away the dishes, the parents attempted to explain what had happened to Rezu in terms toddlers could grasp. Death was a concept beyond them but they still needed to hear the truth.
"Why she not say bye?" Miyako asked despondently. "When she come back?"
Zuko wrapped her in his arms while Mai held Ryuhito.
"She can't come back, sweetie. I'm very sad and so is your mommy. We'll all miss Rezu very much."
"But who make cookies now?"
"I don't know. I guess we need to find another great cook."
"How come she die?" Ryuhito asked.
"Remember when I told you about the people who wanted to hurt us?" Mai asked.
Both children nodded.
"One of them hurt Rezu."
"I hate him," Miyako screamed and then began to weep.
Ryuhito joined her and the heartfelt cacophony could be heard down the hall.
When Ursa and Hideo walked in for their breakfast, the twins had finally settled down.
"Zuko," Ursa stated and hugged her son fiercely. "Thank Agni you're alright."
"Hi, Mom," he replied and hugged back.
Hideo watched from a discreet distance, not wanting to intrude on the mother/son moment.
"You know about Rezu?"
Zuko nodded and looked down at the floor despondently.
"Mai and I took care of things," Ursa said gently.
"I'd like to do something to memorialize her; I'm just not sure what."
"We'll think of something, okay. In the meantime I need to remind you just how amazing your wife is. She really was impressive."
"Trust me, I know. So, you and Hideo are, you know, you're…" Zuko stuttered.
"Yes, we are. Hideo, come say hello."
The professor walked over and greeted Zuko, giving him a respectful little bow.
"There's no need for that. You're part of the family, it seems. I'm grateful that my mother met you and that you bring her happiness."
"Thank you, Zuko. I'm very glad to hear that. I'm very grateful to have met her."
"Mom, Mai and I have some things to look after now. We're taking the kids to their rooms. Midori's coming to watch them for the rest of the morning, and Tomiko too."
"Would Mai's parents be part of these things?"
"Oh, yes," Zuko replied and his face clouded over.
"We'll see you for dinner perhaps?" Ursa asked hopefully.
"Sure, we'll be there."
Mai and Zuko walked with the twins down to Tomiko's temporary room. He could decide later if he liked it or not. The kids were eager to see their uncle and wanted to burst into the room without knocking.
"Hey, he had a bad time when he was away and he might want to sleep longer," Mai explained.
She opened the door slowly and peered inside. Tom was looking right at her with a grin on his face. She smiled back.
"Up for some visitors?" she asked.
He nodded his head vigorously and Mai opened the door wide. Miyako and Ryuhito ran to Tomiko and jumped up on the bed, smothering him with hugs and kisses.
"Tom, Tom, Tom," they shouted until the boy covered his ears to block the noise out.
"I missed you two," he stated. "Wanna play this morning?"
"Yeah, yeah," they answered happily.
"You must be hungry, Tom. I can have breakfast sent to the twins' rooms and you can eat there. Midori's waiting. Wash up and get dressed and meet us there," Mai instructed her brother.
He did as he was asked and fifteen minutes later entered Miyako's room. Midori greeted him and all four got down to some serious playtime.
"Remember your food," Mai said as she left the room with Zuko.
The two left the palace and began the climb to Capitol City's one and only prison.
They held hands as they walked, Zuko keeping a close eye on the almost seven months pregnant Mai. Jee followed a bit behind, ever watchful.
"I've got people going through their house right now, Mai. I'd like some concrete evidence of their betrayal. And they will bring Tomiko all his things."
"Mmmmm," she said noncommittally.
"Are you certain that you're alright with my plans for your parents?"
"They're bastards. I hate them. It's perfect," Mai stated emotionlessly.
Thinking about her parents and what they were willing to go along with, what they approved of, angered her like nothing else ever had. But she was in perfect control of those feelings. She just wanted to stare them down and make them squirm. Zuko could do all the talking.
"I'll take that as a yes," Zuko replied with a wry grin.
"Astute of you," Mai drawled.
It felt good to get out of the palace and into the cool air. She loved her home, but it had been more like a suffocating tomb than somewhere Mai wanted to be for the past few days. Zuko gave her hand a squeeze and looked over at her, no doubt checking for tears or a scowl. Mai appreciated his concern, she really did, but it was unnecessary. She was fine.
The steep climb up the stone path made Mai's calves sting pleasantly and combined with the breeze that blew her long loose hair everywhere, exhilarated her. Her elegant mouth turned upward in a slight smile and she let out a breath it seemed she had been holding for weeks. Everything really was fine now.
A guard accompanied them to the cell that held Akira and Hoshi. Jee came along but didn't go beyond the outer door. As soon as Zuko pulled it open, the couple was on their feet as if expecting release.
"Mai," Akira pleaded. "Are you going to let your husband keep us in here? Surely you have some influence on him. Make him let us go."
Mai glared coldly at the woman and said nothing. She then cast her eyes upon Hoshi, who quickly looked down at the grey stones beneath his feet.
"Who says you're staying in here?" Zuko asked playfully. "Perhaps I have other plans for you, more creative ones."
The knife thrower saw the flash of fear in her mother's eyes. 'Good,' she thought and continued to stare.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not going to tell you. I prefer to surprise you. However, I do want to say my piece."
"Didn't you do that a few days ago?" Hoshi snapped. "And what evidence do you have that we did anything or know anything. Akira and I have no idea why we're here."
Zuko looked over at Mai and they both snickered.
"No idea?" Zuko asked. "Well, a few people from Sacred Flame Academy, which is finished, by the way, mentioned your names. Oono…..you know him, don't you, Akira? Well, his assistant brought up a very important letter sent to you. I wonder if it's at your house. I've got people going through everything."
"You can't do that!" she screamed. "You have no right!"
"Do you forget who I am?" Zuko bellowed. "I am your Fire Lord and if I want to search your house, I will, you traitorous bitch."
The woman backed away from the bars and cowered next to Hoshi.
"You wanted me dead so that your friend, Oono, could replace me with Ozai. You sent your son to a school where he was abused and tormented. You were fine with making my children fatherless and your daughter a widow. You supported treason and murder. Do you know that an assassin infiltrated the palace in an attempt to kill Mai and the twins and my mother? Do you know that? Oono didn't just want me dead; he wanted my whole blood line wiped out. Avatar blood is tainted, according to him. Are you sure you weren't aware of that too?"
By this time, Zuko's fists were shooting out small blasts of fire and Mai made no attempt to hold him back. He was pressed close to the bars, his nose poking through, and the heat from his own fire reddened his cheeks and made his scar look somehow terrifying. Mai's parents moved as far away as they could from the flames that threatened to grow more powerful.
"Wha, what?" Akira finally stammered. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Why were you so keen on me going to visit Sacred Flame?"
"I, I thought the visit would put your mind at ease."
"Akira, you and Hoshi have been acting smug and sure of your selves for awhile now. You didn't worry about what I thought or what I could do because you figured I would be dead soon and Oono would have control using my pathetic father as a puppet. How long has it been? Has Oono been planning this takeover since I was crowned? Have you been helping him for that long; spreading the word among your wealthy friends, advocating this wonderful new school, disrespecting me and your daughter and our children."
"You can't prove all that," Hoshi stated, though his voice was unsure.
"My justice minister is talking with several people from Sacred Flame this morning and I'll bet you've left all kinds of incriminating evidence around your house. But I already know you're guilty and your punishment has been decided by me. You will not have a trial like Oono and Akagi. I'm involving the justice minister only as a nod to propriety, something you're so fond of. I don't want to be accused of punishing you as traitors with no evidence."
"What are you going to do to us?" Akira asked in a tremulous voice.
Her face was blanched and her hands shook uncontrollably. She was truly afraid now. Once again, she looked to Mai.
"I'm your mother Mai. Help me," she whispered hoarsely. "I'll do anything you want. I promise."
"You are not a mother," Mai finally spoke. "You never really were. And I'll enjoy watching you receive exactly what you deserve tomorrow. Uncle's coming too."
"But, but, you can't just let him…"
"Now, now, mother, whining isn't becoming a lady. Settle down and enjoy the rest of your brief stay in prison. You might look back on it fondly."
The knife thrower leaned into her husband, whispered something and then left the cell. She would wait outside in the sunshine and crisp air for Zuko to finish.
After lunch the justice minister brought his own notes plus evidence collected from the Matsuo home to Zuko. Mai's parents were definitely traitors, though it seemed that they were only aware of the plot to kill Zuko, not his entire family as well. That made no difference to the Fire Lord. A traitor was a traitor; the degree of his or her depravation was inconsequential.
"Thank you, Minister Nakada. Are you readying yourself for the big trial?"
"Yes, my lord. I estimate it will take a month or so to hear all the evidence and testimony. When Oono and Akagi are done, we have their subordinates to deal with. That will be another few months."
"I still have a nation to run in the meantime and a pregnant wife. I can't spend every day listening but I will testify, of course, and your sentence must meet with my approval."
"If I may suggest so, my lord, we need a few more people to hear evidence and then I along with them can decide on innocence or guilt and the severity of punishment."
"I agree. Who do you suggest?"
"I have several esteemed colleagues to choose from, each of whom knows the law very well."
"Pick two then," Zuko said. He looked thoughtful for a moment and ran his index finger along the edge of his scar. "Hmm, I just had an idea. This plot of Oono's threatened the very nation itself. I think we need others to hear about it too, not ministers, not intellectuals, but regular people."
"Regular people, my lord?" Nakada asked doubtfully.
"Yes, regular people. I don't care who; a street performer or a shopkeeper or a waitress. Perhaps you can subtly put the word out and talk to a few people. Tell them they will be paid for their time and loss of business, if they have no one to take over while they're gone. I want three good, solid, bright people. Can you manage that?"
"Yes, my lord," the minister replied immediately but his eyebrows were furrowed.
"Regular people," he repeated as soon as he was outside Zuko's office door. He shook his head and muttered to himself until the palace was well out of sight.
Zuko spent the next hour writing two letters, one to Aang and one to Iroh. They both explained what exactly had happened regarding Sacred Flame Academy. He thanked his uncle for sending Piandao to his aid and urged the man to visit soon with his new wife, Lan.
The Fire Lord wondered what Aang would think of Mai's actions and of the upcoming trial (and its probable outcome). No matter; the Fire Nation was his country, not Aang's. He would not tolerate treason from anyone. If he appeared weak now, Agni knows what attempts to claim his throne might happen in the future.
Mai glided gracefully into the office carrying a tray with a teapot and two cups.
"Hey," she greeted her husband.
"Oh, tea, great," Zuko replied. "How's your afternoon been?"
"I've got a letter here for Ty Lee. My uncle should be arriving soon," she said, holding up two scrolls, one sealed and one open.
"Ohhh," Zuko groaned.
"Stop," Mai commanded. "He's not that bad. He doesn't hate you anymore. He tolerates you."
"I know, I know, but I expect some kind of tongue lashing about how I didn't foresee the whole coup thing, and didn't protect you and the kids, and I don't know what he'll say about your parents."
"You can take it," Mai insisted.
"Yeah, but I don't have to like it," Zuko retorted.
Mai chuckled and poured their tea.
"Rezu's assistant made some suggestions for head cook. I'll be talking to a few shortly."
The Fire Lord nodded. "How's Tomiko doing? We need to talk to with him tonight."
"After the twins are asleep, we'll sit him down."
Neither looked forward to that conversation but the boy needed to know what his parents had done and the consequences they would suffer.
"I'm pretty sure he knows a lot already, Mai. I mean, he knew that your mom and dad were just getting rid of him and your mom was pretty cruel toward the end."
"I wonder if he'll want to see them," the Fire Lady mused. "And we need to do something about school."
"We'll figure it all out."
"It's like we gained another child, Zuko. We're completely responsible for my brother now."
"And I'm glad that we are. We've already been better parents to him than Akira and Hoshi ever were."
"True," Mai agreed. "Oh, he's decided to just stay in that room. His things were brought over. And our portraits are ready. They will be delivered in a few days."
"When Iroh comes he can take his home and Tom can hang one in his room if he likes."
"Tomiko needs to sit for one too. I'd like that," Mai said softly.
"Yeah," Zuko agreed. "So is your uncle going to make it for dinner?"
"I don't know. I do know that he's going to visit my parents."
"It doesn't really matter. Mai, I need to get back to work. I've got some reports to read before the day is over."
"Give me your letters. I'll have them sent off."
"Thank you," Zuko stated.
It was a bit of a struggle for Mai to get out of her chair. She moved to stand beside her husband and bent down to kiss him on the mouth.
"I leave you to your work," she smirked and left.
It was difficult to concentrate on mundane Fire Nation business when the next day promised to be one that neither Zuko nor Mai nor her parents would ever forget.
Just as the large group sat down to dinner, Warden Chung arrived. A servant announced him but he brushed the young woman aside and strode into the dining room as if he owned it. He wore an attractive red tunic over black pants and his hair was pulled into a formal topknot rather than the more casual style he usually chose. Mai went to stand up but Chung shook his head.
"Sit," he ordered brusquely. "It's good to see you Mai and you too, Tomiko. You both look good."
"Please find a seat," Zuko suggested pleasantly.
Chung sat and a servant set his place.
"Piandao, this man is Mai's uncle, Warden Chung. Chung, meet Piandao, legendary swordsman."
"Oh, Zuko, you're here too," Chung replied snidely. The Fire Lord clenched his fists under the table. Mai turned and gave him a look. "So the great Piandao is here and the earthbender and someone new. And how could I forget Miyako and Ryuhito."
Chung's face broke into a genuine smile as he took in his grandnephew and grandniece. They smiled back at him.
"Hi, Unca," Miyako called.
"Hello, pretty little girl and hello fine young man," he teased.
"Uncle, you haven't met Ursa's friend either."
Chung's hard eyes glared across the table at Hideo. The professor shifted nervously in his seat.
"His name is Hideo Koga and he's a professor at the university."
"Oh, another one of those intellectuals who never get their hands dirty."
"Uncle," Mai warned.
She loved the man but would not stand for his nonsense.
"Fine," he sighed. "It's nice to meet you, Piandao and nice to meet you, Mr. Koga. Are you Ursa's man?"
Hideo turned bright red and Chung laughed, an abrasive sound. Ursa looked angrily at Chung and rubbed her lover's back soothingly.
"Hmmm, you really have no manners, do you?" Zuko's mother asked.
Toph leaned close to Piandao and whispered, "This is getting good."
"Enough," Zuko said sternly and everyone quieted. "Chung, stop stirring up trouble or I'll have you removed. I'm not in the mood tonight."
Surprisingly, the warden nodded respectfully at Zuko and behaved for the rest of the meal. Zuko was relieved. Perhaps Chung was a man who responded to roughness more than to gentleness. Zuko would keep that in mind.
When everyone moved to the sitting room for tea and cakes, Chung took Zuko aside in the hallway. He demanded to know everything. The Fire Lord spoke bluntly of the rebellion, Sacred Flame Academy, the assassin in the palace and Hoshi's and Akira's circuitous part in the plot.
"I knew they didn't like you, well neither do I, and I knew they preferred the old Fire Nation ways, well so do I, but I didn't think Akira would take things so far. There are other ways to show your displeasure. I'm ashamed, Zuko, and I apologize for my sister because I know that she won't."
Zuko almost fell over when he heard the word 'apology'. Mai's uncle had never cared for Zuko and the young man accepted that fact graciously enough. He had been and still was good to Mai and to Tomiko. He respected Chung for that and was grateful that Mai had an older relative who actually loved her.
"I appreciate that. Now let me tell you what I have planned for tomorrow."
Chung's eyes widened but he nodded his approval as Zuko spoke.
"I understand. It's necessary. Is Mai okay with it?"
"Oh, yes," Zuko replied.
"What about Tomiko; how does he feel?"
"He doesn't know everything but he does know enough. Mai and I just hope it doesn't affect him when he returns to school."
"He needs to learn how to deal with other kids sooner or later. And they won't always be nice."
"He found that out at Sacred Flame," Zuko stated dramatically. "His roommate was a bully."
"There, you see. And he liked his old school very much, didn't he?"
"Yes, and he had some good friends there as well. Look, I'm not sure what we'll do. Mai and I have a lot of decisions to make."
"Tomiko's lucky that you're taking him in and doing it so willingly. I'll help in any way I can."
Zuko stared at Chung, shock evident on his face.
"Why are you being so kind? It's not like you."
"You're helping out my nephew and I respect that."
"I really love the kid and will do all I can to assure a good life for him."
"I can see that, Zuko," Chung stated. "Maybe Mai is right about you."
"Okay, now I'm just frightened," Zuko quipped.
"Don't get too cozy with me, boy. I still think Mai could have done better."
Zuko laughed and shook his head. "I'm going inside for some tea. Come spend a little time with the kids. You don't see them very often."
The next hour or so was spent pleasantly talking and watching Chung, who sat down on the floor with Miyako and Ryuhito, and played as if he were two and a half years old. Mai and Zuko desperately tried not to laugh. The gruff warden helped put the twins to bed and then retired to his room for the night. Tomiko waited patiently in his for Mai and Zuko to arrive.
The little boy sat on what was his new bed, legs pulled up and his arms wrapped around them while his head rested on his knees. He had already washed up and cleaned his teeth and dressed in his sleep clothes. All his possessions, which fit into two small crates, remained unpacked. He was happy to be at the palace with Mai and Zuko and the twins. In many ways, he felt more at home there than he ever did in the house across the street. Still it was strange to think he would live in the palace for years to come, that for all intents and purposes, Zuko and Mai would be his parents.
And there were things he would miss. His old bedroom window looked out into the large garden behind the house. He could open up the shutters and sit on the wide ledge looking up at the night sky or spy on one of his mother's boring gatherings of even more boring ladies. Sometimes, when they thought no one could see, one would scratch a not so delicate body part or toss some remnant of food into the bushes. Tomiko would laugh so hard he almost fell off the windowsill and splattered onto the flagstones below.
He liked to sit in his father's office while the man worked. Sometimes Hoshi would give him his own scroll, a brush and a pot of ink and let him write his own letters. Other times, he wouldn't allow Tomiko in at all. But what he remembered most clearly was the smell of Hoshi's pipe, the one that Akira thought he had gotten rid of and only smoked when she was gone for the day. When she was due back, Tomiko would help his father by flapping his arms around like a crazy turtleduck in an attempt to make the bluish air leave via the open window. Tomiko would giggle as his father tried in vain to deny that he had lit the pipe at all.
Zuko's insistent knock shattered the boy's reverie.
"Can we come in, Tomiko?" the Fire Lord asked.
"Yes," he called out in reply.
Zuko and his sister entered, Mai still graceful despite her large, protruding belly. They looked around, wondering where to sit for a minute, before Tom patted the bed.
"We need to talk about Mom and Dad," the knife thrower said without preamble.
Tom nodded and then waited for one of the adults to begin. Mai and Zuko exchanged a look and then Zuko spoke.
"Do you know why you're here instead of at your house?"
"You put my mom and dad in jail," Tomiko replied without flinching. "I heard some servants talking."
"I did," Zuko agreed. "Do you know why?"
"They did bad things," the boy shrugged. "They liked the school when it was really bad."
"You told me that when you were in the bathroom one night you overheard two men talking at Sacred Flame. You said they mentioned I wouldn't be around much longer and neither would my family."
Tomiko nodded and felt anger surge through his body at the memory.
"Your mother and father knew about the plan to kill me, Tomiko. I don't know how to say it any more gently. They knew about it and they supported it. Your mother even tried to get Mai to persuade me to visit the school so Oono could ambush me. Do you understand that?"
"They wanted you to die?" Tomiko snuffled. "Why? Mai loves you and Miya and Ryu wouldn't have a daddy anymore. And, and I love you too. How could they?"
Mai reached out and placed a soothing hand on the boy's back, rubbing up and down slowly.
"Tom," she said, "Mom and Dad think that Zuko is wrong for our country. They want another Fire Lord."
"I don't understand," Tom cried. "You're a good Fire Lord, Zuko."
"Not everyone agrees with that and that's okay. But it's not okay to try to kill me and my family and take over. That's called treason and it's a very serious crime, and people who commit it are punished severely."
"Wait, so Oono wanted to kill Mai and the twins too? But Mom and Dad didn't know that, did they?"
"Agni, Tom, you shouldn't have to hear all this, but I think you need to know. Yes, Oono wanted to kill me and Mai and the twins along with my mother and my sister. That would end any connection to Avatar Roku, my great grandfather. Oono thinks that avatar blood is bad and didn't want it in the royal family. Oono wanted to get my father out of jail and put him on the throne while he really ruled. Your mother and father, from what we have discovered, didn't know about Oono wanting to kill Mai and the kids. He kept that part from them."
"But still, they really are bad," he whispered and looked up into Mai's sympathetic gold eyes. "I knew something was going on. Mom's been so mean to me and Dad didn't care. And they wanted me away from you, Zuko." A sudden and fierce rage made his face flush and body shake. "I hate them," he screamed. "I hope you kill them. I never wanna see them again."
He cried then, big, fat tears pouring down his face and sobs wracking his small body. Mai and Zuko both held him and let him cry until his energy was spent. He looked at his sister again and his lip quivered when he spoke.
"They're supposed to love us," he declared mournfully. "Why don't they?"
"I don't have an answer, Tomiko."
"What's going to happen to them?"
"Everything they own, including the house, will be held in trust for you. So when you're grown up, you'll have a good start."
"But are they staying in jail?"
"No," Zuko stated. "I think what I've decided is far worse than jail."
He proceeded to tell the boy Hoshi's and Akira's fates.
It was a long time before Tomiko fell asleep. Mai and Zuko stayed with him, answering more questions and doing their best to comfort the boy. He vacillated between anger and sorrow, alternately raging and weeping. It was exhausting for him and exhausting for Mai and Zuko. When he finally quieted and closed his reddened eyes, Mai was too wound up for sleep. Dressed in a simple red nightgown, she slipped into bed beside her husband and rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart.
Zuko ran his fingers through her ebony hair, the tips grazing her scalp and the sensation sending sparks down her spine. She sighed contentedly and rubbed the starburst shaped scar that marred his pale skin.
"Do you think it was right to tell him everything?" she asked.
"Yes, he has a right to know and people will talk about it anyway. Better he hears everything from the two of us."
"Poor kid," Mai sighed. "I feel so bad for him."
"I feel bad for him too, but he's lucky that he has us," Zuko replied. "We'll give him a good home, Mai. He'll get all the love he needs. I promise you that."
"I know; that doesn't worry me."
"My father is a bastard and when I finally realized it, I was free."
"He's nine years old and his parents are traitors. Every child in Capitol City will know that and he'll have to deal with their questions and stares and cruelty."
"Yeah, he will, for a little while. And then the kids will move on to something else," Zuko stated.
"I suppose but I wish I could spare him."
"We'll help him all that we can. I'm pretty sure he'll be alright, Mai. He's strong like you, remember."
"I don't know if I was strong. I just shut myself down."
"That was how you coped. I exploded all over everyone. Tomiko will find his own way, hopefully somewhere in the middle," Zuko replied.
"Tomorrow's going to be so weird," Mai stated. "Part of me is looking forward to it and part of me just wants to stay in bed all day under the covers."
"I need to do this, Mai. The nation needs to know that I won't tolerate treason."
"Oh, the people will know," Mai stated. "Fire Lord Zuko is not to be messed with.
With that she turned over, seeking the peacefulness of sleep.
It was well past midnight when Chung climbed out of bed and slipped on his boots. He had slept well for a few hours and felt refreshed enough to see his sister and brother-in-law one last time. The lateness or earliness of the hour, depending on how you looked at it, didn't matter to him and if he knew his sister at all, she would not be sleeping anyway.
He nodded to the guards who patrolled the hallways and those posted outside important rooms with important people. Outwardly, he questioned Zuko's ability to protect his own family. Someone had to give the guy some grief sometimes and he was just the man to do it. Inwardly, though, he applauded the Fire Lord's decision to be extra careful at least until it was certain that the rebels had been stamped out. Chung growled when his thoughts turned to that lowly creature who had tried to kill his Mai and her beautiful children. He would have torn the scum into hundreds of tiny pieces and laughed while doing it. But Mai took care of things in her own elegant, clean way. The result was the same; and he was proud of his niece.
His own sister, Mai's mother, was involved in this farcical takeover attempt. He was angry enough to rip her into pieces too, but would refrain. A good old fashioned tongue lashing was not out of order, however. Even in her childhood, Akira was overly concerned with appearances and status. The older she got, the worse her 'obsession' became. In the end it drove her to agree to the destruction of her own family. And Hoshi, that nauseating suck up was just as bad.
Chung was so deep in thought that he didn't see the white stone building until it loomed up right in front of him. He liked prisons. No 'like' was not strong enough. He loved prisons. They were part of the system of order that he cherished so highly. Of course, if all citizens behaved properly, there would be no need for these marvelous institutions. From the time he could talk, Chung knew there were those who wanted order and those who wanted chaos. And from the time he could talk, Chung realized that he fell on the side of order.
The guards looked up as Chung approached and quickly got into fighting stances.
'Very good,' Mai's uncle thought. There was always the possibility of a prison break- in. No one knew that better than Chung. Zuko's infiltration of The Boiling Rock Prison and subsequent escape on the gondola with that Water Tribe peasant still stung. He heaved a heavy sigh and continued moving forward.
"I'm Warden Chung from Boiling Rock," he called out. "Here are my papers from the Fire Lord."
A guard stepped forward and took the scroll, unrolled it and scanned down the words quickly. When his eyes lighted on the royal seal, he nodded and handed the letter back to Chung.
"The Matsuos are this way, sir. Follow me."
It was quiet inside and Chung passed many empty cells. He wondered briefly where Ozai was as they moved along dank stone corridors, poorly lit with the occasional wall sconce.
"In there, sir," the guard instructed and moved aside for Chung. "I'll wait out here for you."
Nodding, Chung opened the door and strode inside. As he had thought, Akira sat in one corner of the cell, pressed tightly into the stone as if trying to derive some comfort from its solidity. She looked at him reproachfully but didn't speak. Hoshi was stretched out on one of two threadbare mats that had been provided for the prisoners. A chamber pot sat in the other corner.
"What are you waiting for," Akira snarled and Hoshi shifted in his sleep. "Go ahead; chastise me, yell at me. Just do it and get out."
"Akira," Chung began. "What the Agni happened to you? I'm ashamed to call you sister. Your daughter, your beautiful daughter, do you realize the danger she was in? Do you realize how heartbroken she would have been had Oono succeeded and killed Zuko? You aligned yourself with a man willing to kill children, your own grandchildren. I wonder if you would even have cared if Mai and the twins had died. You've fallen very far, Akira, and as far as I'm concerned, you can never raise yourself up. I look forward to tomorrow. You deserve what you will get."
"Wait, you know what will happen tomorrow? Tell me!" she demanded in a harsh voice. "I can't take it anymore. It's bad enough being trapped in this horrible place but not knowing…it's killing me. What must my friends think and my neighbors? Perhaps they'll believe Hoshi and I were on a vacation or an important trip. Do you think they will, brother? I'll have to have a party when I get back home. Yes, I'll throw the largest, fanciest party this city has ever seen. I'll even invite Zuko and Mai. Do you think they'll accept the invitation? I know they're angry at me, but, perhaps they'll get over that."
By the end of her little speech, Hoshi was sitting up and staring disbelievingly at his wife. Her voice had gotten louder and louder the more words she spoke and her eyes were huge in her face. Her skin was a deep pink almost as if she were on fire. Hoshi's eyes darted to Chung and then back to the frenzied woman.
"Get her under control," Chung shouted at Hoshi. "What is wrong with her?"
Hoshi knelt beside his wife, looked directly into her eyes and then slapped her hard across the cheek. Akira began to cry, a horrible keening noise that echoed off the dank stone. Chung covered his ears and Hoshi slapped his wife again. Her wailing became choked off sobs and she smacked her husband back.
"How dare you!" she screamed. "Don't you ever hit me again."
She pressed herself back into the wall and glared balefully at the men.
"You've got your hands full now, Hoshi and it's everything you deserve."
"Don't play so high and mighty, Chung. We all know that you dislike Zuko and think he's weakening our country. Don't judge us for thinking the same thing."
"Thinking it and advocating his assassination are very, very different. He may not be the kind of Fire Lord I prefer, but he's your daughter's husband, the father of your grandchildren and a decent man. He put you on his council and you betrayed him."
"I admit to nothing," Hoshi replied stiffly.
"I'm done here," Chung replied. "Goodbye Akira. Goodbye Hoshi."
"Wait," Akira called. "Talk to Zuko. Convince him that he's wrong. Convince him to show mercy."
"Shut up, Akira. For once in your life, just shut up," her husband said wearily.
The woman wiped at her face and brushed back her hair, suddenly concerned with her dignity.
"Go back to sleep, Hoshi," she snapped. "The show is over."
Outside the cell, Chung smirked.
"The show is just beginning, my sister, just beginning."
The next day dawned bright and cool. A brisk wind blew wispy bits of cloud across the deep blue of the sky. Zuko stood in the small garden outside Ryuhito's bedroom and looked up. His dark hair, still loose, moved in the breeze and the fabric of his wide sleeves flapped gently.
Inside, the laughter of his children and of Mai's brother, rang loudly. It was one of the most wonderful sounds in the world and hearing it brought a sense of peace and contentment to the young man. But, he had an important job to do and it was time to do it. Sighing, he walked back in the room and sat down with the children for a few minutes.
Though Tomiko appeared happy enough, Zuko saw tension and stress in both his eyes and his posture.
"Tom," Zuko called. "Come here for a minute."
The boy put down the game he was playing and sat beside his brother-in-law on the sofa. He didn't say anything but waited for the Fire Lord to begin.
"I need to get going now, Tom. I still have to get dressed and…Are you really okay? There's still time to see your parents if you want to."
Tomiko looked down at his hands, folded neatly in his lap, just like Akira had taught him. Angrily, he pulled them apart and made fists instead.
"Don't want to see them. Zuko, what if people think I'm bad too?"
"No one will think you're bad. You did nothing wrong. In fact, you were very brave. You helped to get rid of that blasting jelly. Lots of children could have died and you helped stop it. Mai and I are very impressed and very proud of you."
Zuko ruffled the boy's black hair and gave him a wink. Somehow, Zuko winking was comical in itself and Tomiko laughed cheerfully.
"Thanks, Zuko. You can go now. We're fine. Ursa's coming to stay with us."
"I know. We'll see you later then. Bye kids," he said to his own children and then slipped out of the room.
Mai was dressed in her finest formal robes and had part of her thick black hair pulled up into a top knot. A flame shaped hair ornament sat regally at its front.
"You're late," she chided crabbily. "Your robes are all laid out for you. "
She began to tug at his simple tunic but Zuko pushed her hand away.
"I'm not a child," he snapped. "I can take my own clothes off."
"Then act like an adult and get here on time," she retorted.
Zuko glared at her and Mai glared back, tapping the tips of her black lacquered nails together impatiently.
Hastily, Zuko slipped out of his casual clothes and picked up piece after piece of his Fire Lord robes, impatiently pulling at sleeves and smoothing out stubborn folds. Mai rolled her eyes at him and finally took over despite his protests. When he was dressed, she tackled his hair. She ran the comb through its tangles a little harder than was necessary but Zuko remained silent. He was smart enough to know that Mai was simply anxious about what was to come.
"You're fine," she stated when she finished. "Let's go."
Her voice was calm now and her face like the one Zuko recalled from years before. It was as if she had suddenly closed a window or shut a door blocking out the air and light. He took her hand and she didn't resist but she didn't return the pressure either.
As they neared Coronation Plaza, Warden Chung joined them. He took one look at Mai and didn't bother to ask how she was doing. For years, he was witness to her mask as well. The hum and stir of a crowd reached their ears as they entered the long, red carpeted hallway that led to the dais. Heavy red curtains covered the windows and lanterns hung down from the ceiling, alternating with the columns that stood sentry. Taking a deep breath, Zuko pushed aside the curtain and walked out into the sunshine. Mai followed.
Jee and two other guards led Akira and Hoshi out of the prison and along the path that led back into Capitol City. The one time leaders of Fire Nation society were dirty and rumpled looking. Akira's long hair was lank and lifeless and she continually dragged her hands through it, trying to give it some semblance of its former glory. She looked down at herself and suddenly remembered that she still wore her nightgown and robe.
"Hoshi," she wailed, "it's afternoon and I'm in my sleeping clothes. What will people think if they see me?"
"I think we have bigger worries," her husband replied dryly.
"You mean we're not going home?" she asked, sounding like a lost little girl.
"Wake up, woman. We're going to our punishment, a punishment no one has seen fit to tell us about."
"So Mai and Zuko are still angry?"
Jee let loose a short burst of laughter and then shook his head.
"So they are upset?" Akira continued. "My daughter is a very unforgiving young woman and I didn't even do anything wrong. This," she said dramatically, waving her hands around, "is all a terrible miscarriage of justice. Hoshi, we love our nation, don't we? We're not traitors?"
"Please let it be death, please let it be death," Hoshi chanted.
His wife had snapped or chosen to ignore what was really going on around her. And her behavior was driving Hoshi into the ground. He inched away from her and off the centre of the path. Jee stepped forward and pushed the man back into place.
They entered palace grounds through a back way and so didn't see the crowd waiting for them. But they could hear the murmur of many people. The sound made Hoshi uneasy and Akira hopeful.
"Perhaps it's a celebration," she suggested. "Won't that be nice?"
"It is not an Agni damn celebration, you twit," Hoshi shouted. "The people are waiting to see us suffer."
He reached out to slap her again but thought better of it.
"Suffer," Akira muttered. "Oh, but I'm not dressed properly."
"I give up," her husband sighed.
Jee pushed them along, guiding the couple to a spot off to the side of the dais' stairs. They could see Zuko and Mai standing straight and unmoving. The Justice Minister stood directly behind them, symbolically showing his support. Jee gave his lord and friend the signal and Zuko raised his hand for silence. Within seconds, a hush fell over the throng and the sense of expectation was palpable.
"Citizens," the Fire Lord began in a strong, clear and dignified voice. "Today, here at Coronation Plaza, you will see what happens to those who would advocate and participate in the attempt to destroy our nation. Hoshi and Akira Matsuo, parents of my wife, grandparents of my children, were aware of and aided a plot to assassinate me and return Ozai to the throne."
An audible gasp rose from the crowd and the stars of the show were marched up the stairs and forced to kneel before the people.
"They helped build a school, Sacred Flame Academy, which was really a place to plan rebellion and indoctrinate young minds. They sent their own young son there. Tomiko was mistreated and victimized by the staff simply because they knew of his close bond with me. Akira followed orders from the rebellion's leader, Katsu Oono, and was in contact with him during all stages of planning. Hoshi sat on my council, looked me in the eye and betrayed me. What they didn't know, was that Oono wanted Avatar Roku's bloodline wiped out. That means he wanted not only me, but my children, my mother, my sister and my wife, who carries our child, killed as well. Their treasonous actions endangered my family and my nation and the way of life I have tried so hard to establish. People died when I along with friends and soldiers fought the traitors at Sacred Flame. An important member of my staff died when an assassin infiltrated the palace. Still they were not the main perpetrators of the attempted rebellion, so death is unwarranted. But, punishment will be severe."
Akira looked at the crowd through the curtain of hair that hung in her face. There were familiar faces. Her neighbor was there, staring up at her, a shocked look on her features. She turned to the woman beside her and whispered, then pointed up at Akira and Hoshi. Akira flushed and closed her eyes for a moment. Slowly, she opened them again and spotted a friend, someone she had tea with once every week. The well dressed, perfectly coiffed lady jeered at the couple. Akira could hear the words and feel the hatred behind them. Again she closed her eyes. Tears rolled down her cheeks, not from remorse for what she had done, but for all that she herself had lost.
"Hoshi and Akira Matsuo, stand and face me," Zuko ordered.
Leaning heavily on her husband, Akira stood up and turned around. Her eyes remained downcast.
"I said look at me," Zuko roared.
Her body began to jerk, making her look like a child's puppet on strings. Reluctantly, she met Zuko's fiery stare. A stone hit the back of her head. The thin dribble of blood that made its way down through her hair almost tickled and her fingers twitched as she fought to control her need to scratch.
"Everything you own, from your house to your country property to your furnishings and clothing is confiscated. Monies from the sales of any items will be put into trust for your son, Tomiko. Everything else automatically goes to Tomiko when he turns eighteen years of age. Both of you are banished from Capitol City. You are not to set foot inside the caldera ever again. You are branded traitors and your pictures will be posted in every town on every island in this nation. No one is to hire you for any kind of job. You will have to rely on yourselves or the kindness of people to survive. No one is to give you passage outside the Fire Nation. You will live out the rest of your days here, where everyone knows how despicable you are. You no longer have any rights as citizens of this nation. Do you understand?"
Hoshi and Akira both nodded. Another rock flew, this one hitting Hoshi square in the back. He grunted and then looked defiantly at Zuko.
"Glare at me all you want, Hoshi," Zuko hissed softly. "You're finished."
Hoshi looked at Mai then. Her hands rested lightly on her belly and she stared off into the distance. She would not meet Hoshi's gaze. It was the last time he laid eyes on his daughter. Jee got the pair turned around and with a group of guards, marched the stumbling couple down the stairs and straight through the middle of the crowd. The people let loose then, screaming insults and tossing anything they could get their hands on at the couple. Pieces of fruit, shoes, clumps of dirt and stones flew. Jee and the guards stepped back a bit, not wanting to get hit. They made no move to stop the assault and Zuko remained mum as well. The parade continued until the couple was outside the city gates. Alone on the other side, Akira fell to her knees and wept. Hoshi kept walking.
"It's over?" Tomiko asked when Zuko and Mai entered Miyako's room.
Mai opened her arms and Tomiko went to her. She held him close, trying to convey what she couldn't say in words. He understood.
A/N: Thanks to Firelord Lionheart for helping come up with a suitable punishment for Hoshi and Akira.