Prince Zuko stamped the last of the documents and allowed the blue ink to dry around his newly-made personal seal. From the bottom of the letter, a deviously grinning mask like that of the Blue Spirit with two swords crossed beneath stared back at him. He skimmed over its contents, realizing that if this letter fell into the wrong hands, it was his death warrant. Of course, Zuko knew that it no longer mattered whether or not he committed treason against the Fire Nation. Until the Fire Nation was no longer ruled by his father or Azula, his life was forfeit anyway. He folded the letter and sealed it in an envelope, adding it to a pile on his desk.
Father never planned to let me come home. That's why he sent me after the Avatar. He expected me to fail. Tired, Zuko rested his head on his palms. No. 'Fail' is the wrong word. He expected me to die. I was a fool not to see it sooner.
Wearily, his eyes fluttered closed. He could almost hear his uncle's comforting voice as his mind drifted: You look tired, Prince Zuko. You should rest. A man needs his rest. But then the kindly, gritty tones of Iroh's voice in his mind were replaced by a colder voice, one remembered from a dream: Sleep, Fire Lord Zuko. Sleep. Just like Mother!
Zuko inhaled sharply as his head jerked upright. His heart was racing with fright.
"Prince Zuko." Sato, his sharp-bearded, quiet-spoken Dai Li liaison, had appeared silently in front of his desk. One could never be certain with the Dai Li, but Zuko almost thought he saw a flicker of concern in the earthbender's helmet-shaded eyes. "Tai Lan is waiting outside," he informed him.
"Show him in," Zuko replied, regretful that he'd had an audience for that moment of weakness. "The letters are ready. You know what to do."
Sato gave a quick bob of his head, took the sealed correspondence and swept from the room.
Tai Lan entered as the other left. His presence was as slick and imposing as it had been in the throne room. On closer inspection, the Dai Li leader was square-jawed and ruggedly handsome, though his age was indeterminate. "Prince Zuko. I came as you requested."
"Tai Lan. I'm glad you're here," Zuko greeted him cordially. "Have a seat and we'll get down to business."
Tai Lan seated himself in the green wingback chair in front of Zuko's desk, his back rigidly straight. "Very well. Plans are underway to recover the regional kings. Most of them have been imprisoned. The rest are in hiding, to avoid assassination or capture. Very few of them would trust the Dai Li, so your letters will be invaluable in gaining their alliance."
"Good. Have you started organizing the resistance?"
"Yes. I've assigned an elite team of Dai Li agents to give impetus to the uprising. Their job is to spread out among the provinces and see to it that the local earthbenders are trained in a few of our techniques, as well as advanced in some of their own. This should ensure successful coups in each location. Using small cells and guerilla tactics, we should wrest the main part of the Earth Kingdom out of Fire Nation control in roughly a month. Two months is a more conservative timetable."
"So quickly?" Zuko marveled.
Tai Lan sat back in the chair and folded his arms. His arched eyebrow clearly said, You doubt?
The banished prince couldn't help but be impressed. "We've already agreed that civilians aren't to be harmed, whether they're Earth Kingdom or Fire Nation. But what becomes of the Fire Nation governors once they lose control of their provinces?"
"We thought to leave that particular detail up to you, Prince Zuko," Tai Lan replied composedly. "What do you wish to be done with them?"
Zuko stared coolly back at him. This is a test. He wants to see if I'm still loyal to my own people, or if I will crush anyone on my way to power. My answer will determine how he sees me and the promise I've offered him.
"Arrest them," Zuko answered after a moment. "Bring them and their families here to Ba Sing Se and keep them in the palace under close surveillance. Make certain that not one governor or soldier makes their way back to the Fire Nation and that none of them can send any messages out."
"So, you wish for us to keep this shift of power… contained?" Tai Lan inquired, obviously seeking something more specific.
Fortunately, Zuko knew what he was getting at. "For now, yes. Even if we can get the Earth Kingdom off its knees in a month, we still need to buy some time. We have to keep a lid on things until the army has time to rebuild and mobilize. The Fire Lord needs to believe everything here is under his control. But he keeps close contact with the colonial government, and he'll get suspicious if he isn't updated regularly. Someone will have to write believable reports and send them back under the governors' seals."
Tai Lan lifted his chin, clearly satisfied with Zuko's proposal. "Agreed. What the Fire Lord doesn't know can't hurt us."
"Exactly." Inwardly, Zuko relaxed. He knew he had just gone a long way in winning Tai Lan's trust. "We'll have to shut down army communications between the Fire Nation and the colonies, too."
"Consider it done. What about the defense of the city?"
"Except for my ship, Azula is routing the Fire Navy fleet towards the South Pole. I'm hopeful that the Water Tribe will do some damage to them, but we can't count on that. While they're gone, we need to build defenses around the ports large enough for them to land. You can't reach Full Moon Bay without earthbenders, so the refugees should be safe enough, but we've got to do something about Chameleon Bay. With the Water Tribe gone, it's just sitting wide open."
Tai Lan's eyes gleamed. "I'm glad you brought that up, Prince Zuko. Here. Let me show you something." He and Zuko walked over to the far wall, where a large map of the Earth Kingdom was painted as a mural.
As Tai Lan began to talk more excitedly about their plans, pointing to specific locales and outlining their weaknesses and strengths as prospective battle sites, it struck Zuko with a sudden certainty that he was not only plotting the Earth Kingdom's revolt from Fire Nation control, but the eventual death of his father. The Dai Li would never grant Fire Lord Ozai amnesty, nor would a fully-restored Earth Kingdom ever accept anything but his swift and public execution.
Stand and fight me, his father's steely voice haunted him from the core of his brain. The memory of flames eating away at the skin of his face before he passed out cold flashed through his mind.
You didn't want a cowardly son, Zuko thought, firming his resolve. You wanted one who would fight back. Who would try to kill you. Congratulations, Father. You just got what you always wanted.
I am your loyal son.
ooo LL ooo
Katara had left the Council in a horrible mood, but the sight before her eyes made her almost burst out laughing. In the newly-constructed storehouse, where jars of sea prunes and sacks of seal jerky were stacked high, she found her grandmother among a small crowd of elderly women. Punctuated by only one man, the Earth King, they had gathered in a circle around Iroh. The old firebender was wearing an apron and stirring a waist-high kettle full of stew, singing a cheerful tune.
That old scoundrel, she thought, shaking her head. He's as fun and lovable as a penguin. No wonder Master Pakku was so nervous. Fortunately, though, Kana seemed unaffected by Iroh's sanguine disposition. She waved at her Gran-Gran from across the room.
"Hello, Katara," the Earth King greeted her warmly. He seemed different without his crown and formal robes - more comfortable, and almost childlike in a way. His lanky frame, glasses and long, polished braid looked out of place against the borrowed blue anorak, but he didn't seem to mind. "You're just in time for lunch."
"Hello, Your Majesty," she smiled back. "Lunch sounds great!"
"Please. It's just Keui now," he smiled sadly. "Have a seat."
She thanked him as he made room for her on the pelts. "Where's your bear?"
The bespectacled young monarch brightened at the mention of his pet. "Over there," he replied, pointing. The large, fuzzy brown animal was asleep next to the hoard of seal jerky. "Bosco's adjusting to this change very well. He was ice fishing this morning, and he seems to have taken a liking to the local cuisine."
"So I see," Katara giggled, noticing the jerky bits around the napping bear's jowls. "How are you settling in?"
"Getting here was a bit of an ordeal," he admitted, blushing slightly as he recalled his seasickness, "but I have to admit that this has been a fascinating experience. You and your friends opened up a whole new world to me. The more I see of it, the more I want to see - if this war ever ends, that is."
"I know what you mean," she agreed, thinking of Zuko. She found herself wondering about the one place the gang hadn't traveled. As a child, mentions of the Fire Nation had conjured up images of iron ships, flames and death in her mind. She'd always pictured it as a dark, barren wasteland full of bursting volcanoes and a smoky haze that blocked out the sky. But if it was really like that, why would Zuko want to return to it so badly? Surely there had to be beauty there, too…
Iroh turned and saw her then, waving with his free hand. "Katara! This is a welcome surprise. I thought you'd be in that boring war meeting all day!"
"I snuck out a little early," she demurred, careful not to show her aggravation.
"Good. You deserve to get some rest. The stew is almost ready." He turned back to the pot and dipped in a spoon, testing the taste.
"Speaking of rest, I looked in on the Avatar this morning," Keui mentioned. "Your healer, Yugoda, told him he can come off of bedrest tomorrow."
Katara grinned. "That's wonderful! Who's staying with him in the meantime?"
"Your friend Toph. It's quite remarkable. She seems to be a very capable nurse."
Her jaw dropped. Could they be talking about the same rock-hurling, arm-punching, spitting little girl? Toph? A capable nurse?You've got to be kidding me… when did she decide to start being so helpful?
ooo LL ooo
"Wow," Aang said, reflecting on all that Toph had just told him. "Sounds like I've missed out on a lot."
The little bald monk glanced across the ice chamber, where Toph had happily discovered that she could manipulate the fire-coals with her earthbending. Thanks to this new skill, she'd managed to spark a flame and cook him some arctic hen and seaweed broth, a welcome change for Aang from the horrid flavor of Yugoda's stewed sea prunes. He'd had to break a little from his strict vegetarianism since being at the South Pole, since it was far too cold to grow any vegetables or wheat or rice, but it wasn't so bad. With a little help from Iroh, who'd dropped in a couple of times now to visit with him and Toph, she'd discovered she wasn't a bad cook.
"Not so much, actually," Toph replied distractedly, turning three lumps of coal just above her palm, "except maybe Sokka getting caught in that mudpit. It was pretty funny. He screams like a girl." She chuckled to herself.
"I thought you liked Sokka," Aang ventured tentatively. He wouldn't soon forget that Toph had kissed Suki after being saved from a sea-serpent, thinking she was Sokka. It had been as much girly emotion as anyone had ever seen out of her.
"Just as a friend," Toph told him casually. "I used to think I liked him… y'know, that way… but I was wrong. No big deal." She shrugged, then laid on her back on one of the pelts in the floor and started bending the coal with her feet.
"Yeah. No big deal." Aang gave an awkward laugh. He also hadn't forgotten the fevered dreams he'd had while recovering from Azula's wound - dreams of kissing Toph instead of Katara - dreams that made seeing her as just a friend difficult. Those dreams and Toph's constant presence during his recuperation had been a source of confusion as far as his feelings were concerned, especially when he had thought he loved Katara, enough even to admit it to Guru Pathik.
Katara. Now there was a sore subject. It hadn't escaped Aang's notice that Katara hadn't come to see him since he'd first awoken, or that she and Iroh seemed to share some kind of secret. He had asked Iroh to fill him in about how he had escaped from Azula's clutches, but it seemed Iroh wouldn't tell him anything until Katara was there. They're supposed to be my friends, Aang thought glumly, and they're keeping things from me. Why?
Toph didn't seem to be in the know either. As far as Aang was concerned, that made her all the more trustworthy. Besides, she's been here with me and Suki almost every minute, taking care of us. I know Sokka and Katara have been busy getting ready for when the Fire Nation strikes, but so has Iroh, and he's made time to come see us. The Kyoshi warriors came by to check in on Suki. Even the Earth King came to see me. Why wouldn't Sokka want to see his girlfriend? And… why doesn't Katara want to see me? Isn't she even my friend anymore?
"What's up, Twinkletoes?" Toph asked then, interrupting his train of thought. "I can hear you getting upset over there. Your breathing is all out of whack. Talk to me. That's what I'm here for."
Aang gave her a weak smile. "I know you're here, Toph. You don't know how glad I am that you are."
"Really?" Toph brightened, turning her sightless eyes towards him.
"Yeah. Really." Aang sat up, pulling his arms around his knees. "Especially when I'm starting to wonder if some of our other friends have forgotten us."
"I hhh…haven't forg…forgotten you."
Aang and Toph whirled around. Though cracked and barely audible, that voice had been Suki's.
She was awake.
ooo LL ooo
Sokka left the War Council late that afternoon. He dreaded seeing his sister again. The young warrior knew when Katara stormed out that he hadn't heard the end of it. But it had been awkward for him, being in that room full of war heroes and master benders. It made him feel as though he didn't belong. When his father had asked him for his input as though it mattered, he'd wanted to answer. Despite what Hakoda had said at Chameleon Bay about his being a good warrior, Sokka was still desperate to prove himself. And since he couldn't do it like his sister, by becoming a glorified Master, his gift for ideas and strategy was all he had to offer.
I don't know why she was so upset, he thought angrily. She used to call me the "idea guy." I was just doing what I could to help our tribe. And if she was mad because I didn't speak up when those guys were putting her down for being a girl, that's just tough. She's never been backward about defending herself before, and she's never wanted her big brother to be protective or even get in her way. I finally start doing what she wants, and she gets all huffy. Figures.
"Sokka!" The Earth King was running awkwardly through the snow towards him, the bear bounding after. "Is the meeting over?"
Sokka gave a perplexed nod. "Yeah. It is. Why?"
"I have good news for you." Though he was out of breath, Keui's face was practically glowing. "It's about your friend, Suki. She's awake!"
A jolt ripped through Sokka's heart.
"After lunch, Iroh, Katara and I went to visit," he continued, "and she was sitting up on her own. She's been asking for you."
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Sokka paused long enough to glance up at the sky, where the moon was just coming into view, then ran alongside him to the convalescence house.
ooo LL ooo
When Sokka arrived, the crowd gathered was almost enough to fill the main chamber. Squeezing his way through, he saw a sea of smiling faces. Among them were the Kyoshi warriors, Aang, Toph, Iroh, Katara, Gran-Gran, and Pakku. It seemed everyone had come to see Suki, who was sitting up with Yugoda's assistance and eating some broth.
"Suki?" Sokka cried, tears coming to his eyes.
"Sokka!" she gasped, her voice still weak. She wanted to get up and run to him, but her legs weren't strong enough to budge.
But she didn't have to. He came to her, holding her as tightly as he dared for fear she'd break. "I was so scared you wouldn't make it," he murmured into her neck.
"Sokka," she breathed, leaning into him. Yugoda allowed this, sitting back with a knowing smile on her wrinkled face. "I'm all right. I'm so glad you're here."
"I think perhaps they need a little privacy," Iroh suggested, winking at Kana. Pakku grimaced and folded his arms.
"Iroh's right," Katara spoke up, "we should get out of here and give them some breathing room. Let's go, everybody - well, except you, Aang. We'll see you tomorrow. Rest up!"
Aang gave her a faint smile, feeling a little down. That was the only time Katara had even looked his way since she'd come, and now she was walking away, arm in arm with Iroh and discussing something that looked very serious with the old firebender.
"You gonna be all right, Aang?" Toph asked, clearly concerned.
The Avatar nodded glumly. "Yeah. I'll be fine. I'll just rest up, like Katara says, so I can get out of here in the morning."
"That's the spirit," Toph said bracingly. And then she did something totally unexpected. She hugged him.
Aang blushed furiously. He hadn't thought his little friend was capable of that kind of affection. Then again, something about her seemed different these days… something he just couldn't put his finger on.
"See you in the morning," she grinned, releasing him, then following the crowd outside.
"Okay." Aang watched after her for a moment, feeling something stirring in his heart. Something that wasn't just gratitude, or even friendship. He glanced over at Suki and Sokka, telling the reunited couple good-night and rolling over so they could kiss and whatnot in private.
I guess Toph really doesn't like Sokka. She didn't seem to mind his reunion with Suki. Then suddenly, it hit him. Wait a minute. Why would I care if Toph likes Sokka… if I didn't…
Aang's eyes widened so that they nearly bugged out of his bald head. Hopping hogmonkeys! I think I like Toph!
Unaware of his catharsis, Suki glanced over at the Avatar. "Do you think he's asleep?"
Sokka gave her his most seductive look. "Who cares?" He traced along the line of her cheek, running his fingers through her short brown hair. "I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you, too." She tried to squeeze his hand; her grip was weaker than a seal-kitten's. "Sokka, Katara told me what happened on Kyoshi. You came back for me. You saved me."
"We all did," Sokka demurred, "Toph and Katara and me. And Appa, of course. He did a little."
His joke made Suki grin. "I'm glad you got Appa back. I… I tried to help him get back to you… and then Azula…" Her face fell, and she grabbed her side with a wince.
"What is it?" Sokka gasped. He reached for her side, but Suki used all the force she had to keep him away. "Suki, what's the matter? Why won't you let me look?"
"Sokka…" She bit her lip. "I don't want you to see me like this."
"Like what?" Sokka wondered aloud. "Without your makeup? I've seen you like that before. I like it."
"No." Tears began to form in her eyes. "Sokka, I'm… different than when you first met me. I…" Her already-faint voice cracked again. "I'm scarred."
"How can that be? Katara healed you, and then Yugoda -"
Suki shook her head. "They didn't get to me in time. I was in that prison for weeks and I never healed properly after Azula burned me. Sokka… the bruises on my face and my arms will heal. But… parts of my body…" Shaking her head, she pointed to her leg, which was sticking out from under her fur coverlet. "Look."
Sokka obediently rolled up the leg of her pants, gasping with dismay as he saw that about half of the skin from her knee down held a nasty burn scar. "Oh, Suki."
"It's awful, isn't it?" she murmured.
"It's awful that Azula did this to you," Sokka corrected, his jaw clenched as he rolled her pants leg back down, "and she's going to pay, I promise. But Suki, you can't help what she did to you. And I think you're just as beautiful as the day I met you."
Suki wiped at her eyes. "You really mean that, don't you?"
"Yeah. I really mean it." Sokka embraced her, letting her cry her fill. "I've already lost so many people I love to this war. If I lost you… I don't think I'd want to keep going."
"No," she sniffed, pulling away to look at him, "don't say things like that. You won't lose me."
"You can't promise me something like that. This war almost took you from me," he reminded her, his voice broken. "I was going to wait to ask you this, but I don't want to waste another minute. I want to spend all the time I can with you; now, and however long we have left. Suki, will you marry me?"
Suki trembled in his arms. "Sokka…"
Sokka took her lack of response as negation. "If you don't want me, I understand. I know I can be pretty dumb sometimes, and overprotective, and I probably complain too much, but -"
"Sokka, you idiot!" Suki interrupted him hoarsely, laughing. "I was about to say yes!"
"Y-you were?" he asked incredulously.
"Yes!" Suki affirmed.
"Yes… yes? You will? Oh, Suki!" He kissed his wife-to-be then, all of the sorrow and grief leaving his heart in this moment of perfect joy. After all the war had taken from him, life had given him one more chance at happiness. This time, he wouldn't let it go.