To alleviate your fears, I am not including a Zhao love interest...you may interpret it as he has feelings for Azula but they are not returned. Read on but this is darker than previous chapters.
Zhao considers the prisoner before him. The proud, defiant princess is gone, replaced by this broken shell of a woman.
A part of his heart breaks at it but to the victor go the spoils. Kneeling down to her eye level, he peers through the metal bars. Golden eyes that once sparked with fire stare dully at him.
"What do you want, Admiral?" Her voice is a sharp whisper barely louder than the sounds of dripping water down the cold stone walls around them.
"I only wanted to check on you." Zhao knows he shouldn't be here but he feels compelled to look after the woman he once seen himself marrying.
She scoffs though it lacks her usual venom. "I am as well as can be expected."
Zhao looks her over. The dress is torn and dirty. Her hair hangs limply around her shoulders. It is a far cry from the polished perfection that was Azula.
"The fires have been put out." He says striving for a lighter tone. "The palace is intact though most of the city was heavily damaged.
Azula snorts. "Isn't that a shame."
A too familiar voice screams in defiance farther down the hall. Her golden eyes dart to the side, ears straining, to discern the words before the solid crunch of bone is heard silencing the screams.
Zhao swallows thickly against the sound.
"What of my brother and the others?"
He looks away from the hope flickering in her eyes. "I don't know but they aren't prisoners. At least if they are then not here."
Azula sighs and casts doleful eyes around. "Perhaps they are safe then."
A snicker sounds from behind Zhao, surprising them both. "Your optimism is refreshing."
Zhao stands as a tall shadow is cast over them both and he bows. "I was only checking on her welfare."
"Indeed." Is the curt reply.
With a nod the guard moves to unlock the door.
Azula is on her feet, teeth bared. "Stay away from me!"
The calm voice speaks again. "Admiral, resume your search for the others. I want them alive if possible though not necessary."
Zhao watches as Azula backs up in the cell, hands shaking, eyes flashing.
"Do not touch me!" She threatens the looming figure.
Zhao averts his eyes as Azula screams.
The next time Zhao sees her he has a difficult time not looking at her. It is as if she is on display. From the careful attention given to her hair to the meticulous clothing, everything about her screams trophy.
"Admiral, any word?"
His eyes snap to the owner of the voice. With a small bow, he speaks "Prince Zuko and General Iroh have eluded us. The trail has simply gone cold."
Zhao doesn't miss the satisfied look in Azula's eye.
"They can't go far. Air bison have to rest sometime." One hand absently traces her bare shoulder as he speaks.
Zhao nods in agreement. "We shall redouble our efforts." His eyes flicker back to Azula where she is kneeling, eyes boring into his. He had nearly forgotten what a hypnotic effect those golden eyes could have.
"Admiral," the voice is sharper and filled with reprimand. "Do you see something you like?"
"Forgive me but I have not seen Princess Azula in some time." He averts his eyes from her to the man staring him down.
The smile is cold."It is Fire Lady Azula now."
Zhao swallows against this but he keeps his features carefully schooled. "Congratulations. I am sure it will be a happy marriage."
"I'm sure it will. You are dismissed, Admiral. Next time I expect better results." The threat is clear.
He barely avoids the rings of fire that lash at him as the Crown Prince rages. Zhao deflects and dodges but doesn't dare attack.
"Prince Zuko, please!" He implores even as a wave of flame comes much to close.
Zuko is having none of it and keeps up the attack. In the distance Zhao sees General Iroh making his way with others in tow, calling for the prince's attention.
Water tentacles wrap around Zhao, pulling him down and the earth rises to bind him in place. Zuko's face is twisted in anger as he looms over him a hand flaming with fire ready to strike down on top of him.
If this is to be the end, then Zhao will have only one regret in his life.
Iroh's hand stays Zuko's. "There is no honor in striking an opponent that is already defeated." The man's gentle voice reprimands him.
The fire in Zuko's eyes fades and he relents, stepping back but staring Zhao down all the same.
"He's been chasing us all over." Zuko growls. "We can't get a moments rest!"
Iroh nods in that wise way. "Zhao did not attack though so perhaps we should hear him out."
The Earth girl removes his bonds and he carefully stands.
"I am not here as an enemy." Zhao pleads.
Blue eyes flash at him. "You haven't been anything but the enemy!"
"Let him speak." Iroh says quietly. It has the effect of quieting the Water Tribe girl.
"Thank you, General." He directs his words to the older man. "I want to help free Azula."
At the mention of his sister's name, Zuko perks up. "Azula, is she okay?"
Zhao nods grimly. "Fire Lady Azula is as well as can be expected." He pauses to let the implication sink in.
Zuko turns cursing. Iroh makes a humming sound of disapproval.
"You mean…." The Water Tribe girl's words trail off.
"Yes." Zhao says quietly. It is clear Azula has meant something to these people and he resolves to keep some of the darker aspects of her marriage to himself. "There is a small resistance movement in the Fire Nation." He watches the prince carefully for his reaction.
Zuko is staring at him, hands on his hips. "Meaning what?"
"Meaning," Zhao says, "that they are tired of war and just want this to end. Some of the generals and admirals have been speaking."
Hope lights in Zuko's eyes. "They have?"
"Yes."He answers simply. Domination over the rest of the world was all they ever wanted but they foresee the way this will go. What can be gained from ruling a virtual wasteland? There will be no winners.
"How do we know he's not just trying to trap us?" The blue eyed woman asks, eyes sparkling with anger.
"He's not lying."The blind girl offers with a shrug.
Zhao turns back to Zuko. "My orders were to find you, all of you, dead or alive."
This draws looks of concern from them.
A taller boy dressed in Water Tribe garb raises his sword. "You'll have to bring me in dead."
A woman next to him bares her fans.
The others agree, quietly assuming defensive positions, all except Zuko and Iroh.
"I do not intend to follow orders." Zhao bites out. There will be punishment for failing and he is already on a warning but seeing Azula broken as she was is an image he can't get out of his head. "I am on borrowed time."Seeing they are still not convinced, he adds. "Ozai's dead."
This shocks them and it runs in a ripple through the group.
Zuko looks away at the horizon, features hard and brooding.
Iroh speaks, "How did my brother die?"
Zhao doesn't miss the hint of sadness in the old man's voice. "Public execution." He doesn't add that Ozai was so broken down and defeated by that point that he had to be carried up the stands. The man's screams and the smell of burnt flesh is something Zhao shall never forget.
"Was Azula there?" Zuko asks in a hesitant way.
Zhao stares for a moment before nodding. Azula was there on full display as beautiful and perfect as ever. The fear and anger in her eyes was so clear as she watched her father die.
Iroh sees the meaning in his words. "Why don't you go back to camp while Prince Zuko and I speak to the good Admiral in private."
They want to disagree but the look in the old general's eyes puts them off and quietly they retreat to their camp.
Once they are away, Iroh asks, "Tell us everything you know."
"It's not a pleasant story." Zhao warns.
"I did not expect it to be, Admiral." Iroh answers with a grim look.
The war room is quiet; too quiet.
The generals and admirals resist fidgeting under the cold glare.
"I am disappointed." The words are quiet, simple, but laced with meaning.
Zhao can't help but let his eyes drop to the woman kneeling on the dais. The months have worn on her and he can see it in the tired golden eyes.
"What of Ba Sing Se?"
"The walls are standing," General Hito answers, "but we are working on alternative ways to infiltrate the city."
Zhao watches as Azula turns her head away when questing fingers trace her neck.
"When the city falls, leave no survivors. I will not be opposed."
Azula's eyes flash and she snaps. "Ba Sing Se has over a hundred thousand citizens. You can't just kill them all."
The hand grabs her hair pulling her back harshly.
"Forgive my wife, she forgets her place." The blue flames before the throne flare with the seething words.
Zhao and the other military leaders exchange nervous glances as they watch Azula struggle against the hand that holds her with little effort. They know what is coming next if she continues to resist.
It is with a sense of pride that Zhao watches her defy her captor.
"If Zuko doesn't kill you then I swear to Agni I will!"
This is the most defiant Zhao has seen her be since the Day of Sozin's comet. It also fills him with a sense of dread.
A low laugh fills the room. "Really, Azula, you think Zuko has it in him? He couldn't even take Ozai down. I think you're right though; if anyone were to kill me, it would be you." There is such dark amusement in those words and something about it sets Zhao on edge.
Azula doesn't give up though and eyes glare defiantly even though her head is at an awkward angle. "I will gladly kill you."
Zhao knows her well enough to know that if she was still at her former glory, that if she had her bending, that Azula would be breathing fire.
"Do it."
The order is genuine and for a moment Zhao thinks he can see a flicker of truth in those eerie eyes.
Azula sees it too and stills in her struggle. "Leave Ba Sing Se alone, please."
Zhao has never heard her beg before.
The room is quiet save for the crackling flames as her request is contemplated.
"There is a change of plans. General Hito, tell your soldiers to hold their positions."
Hito bows.
The hold on Azula's hair is released as he stands. The wall of blue fire drops as he descends the stairs.
"I will travel to Ba Sing Se and lead the attack personally."
The cold words settle in Zhao's stomach. Ba Sing Se won't be able to withstand the attack and the defeat will be perhaps worse than Omashu or the Northern Water Tribe.
A shriek of rage sounds from the dais as Azula springs to her feet. "You cannot do this!"
Her husband doesn't acknowledge her. "I want to conquer the Earth Kingdom by the end of the month, maybe sooner."
Zhao sees her decision a split second before she moves. He opens his mouth to tell her to stop but it is already too late and she is down the stairs.
The movement is effortless as her intended target turns out of the way and manages to catch her around the neck all the same, throwing her to the ground with more force than necessary.
"You have your orders. Now leave us."
They know not to linger when they have been dismissed but they look at one another with uncertainty
The blue flames before the throne flare to life, blazing high and hot and the men make their decision to retreat.
At the door, Zhao turns to look. His last image of Azula is of her pinned to the ground, alternately raging with curses and threats to begging and pleadings.
The sound of Azula's cries and screams can be heard even as the heavy doors to the throne room shut.
Hito turns to Zhao with haunted eyes. "We must do something and soon."
Zhao nods. "Ba Sing Se will be the last battle we fight one way or another, General, that you can be sure of."
AN: This is set after Sozin's Comet.