Please apply all of the usual disclaimers.

Sorry it took so long to update. Life just got int he way. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 6

A couple of days after their near fatal experience, Inara was not too thrilled about returning to the Earth Kingdom's mainland. Genji had suggested to some minor maintenance so Inara and Kerak decided to relax with a bit of training. They both agreed to give Taizo something to do. A course was laid to the northwest of their current position and neither of them thought he could get into too much trouble.

Under the blue sky and by the song of the sea birds, they cleared away anything important or flammable from the training area. Inara and Kerak drew a large circle on the deck. Boundaries always made things more interesting. There was no hiding or improvisation. It was only by the grit of ones nerves that won the fight besides creativity.

"No, let's not," Kerak suggested looking down at the white chalk line.

"Really, why not?" Inara inquired.

Kerak gestured around the empty deck. "Business is not exactly booming at the moment. We don't have to risk the chance of damaging a bolt of fine silk or a priceless clay jar."

Inara glanced at her barren ship. He was right. There was no cargo above or below to be concerned with. The only passenger they had on board was Sokka and no one was particularly concerned with his health. He was a big boy and could take care of himself.

"Fine," she decided.

"Fine, as in yes we can kill each other anywhere on the ship," Kerak requested clarification.

Inara nodded.

Kerak grinned at her. "And what are the rules?"

"Yari rules," she answered.

"Yari," he repeated. "That sounds good to me."

Before he could assume a ready stance, Inara had shot a fireball at his head. He rolled across the deck and popped up ready for another one. She winked at him before she started to kick flames across the ground causing him to have to leap and jump. Kerak answered with a quick barrage of three fireballs to give himself enough time to regain steadier footing. He circled around her but she found him. She sent a fire disk at him that he side stepped. He then sent a wave of fire that she diverted around herself.

"Yari is fun," she commented.

Kerak kicked up a large flame that Inara pushed aside. The flames hurdled towards the door just as Sokka appeared from below deck. He let out a loud yelp and slammed the door closed. The door them inched opened a bit. Inara and Kerak had turned 90 degrees from the door. Sokka slipped out and ran up to the wheel house.

"What is going on?" he asked Taizo.

"Training day," Taizo replied. "It looks like they're playing by Yari rules."

"What are Yari rules?"

"It basically means there are no rules," Taizo replied. "Yari matches can get uglier than Agni Kais but end on better terms."

"What is the difference?"

"Usually only one person comes out alive in an Agni Kai."

"Both Zuko and Azula came out alive from their Agni Kai," Sokka pointed out.

"That they did," Taizo muttered and continued to watch Inara and Kerak. "Watch," he commented as Kerak bent fire whip at Inara. "She'll shield it."

Sokka was drawn into the deadly match. He watched the whip violently grab at her but she did not shield it as Taizo had predicted. She diverted it back at Kerak with a whip of her own. Kerak was forced to abandon his own whip to form a shield.

Inara then dipped to the ground. She made a large circle pulling her hands from behind her to the front. The entire time flames were building in power and size. Then she clapped her hands together and the flames swung around from behind her. The two large streams of flames collided and the fire rushed towards Kerak and if he did not react, he would be crushed between the two long flames. Out of instinct, he shot a wall of fire straight up taking to block the raging river of flames.

"Well, look at that," Taizo remarked not seeming to be watching the duel any more.

Sokka watched closer at the match thinking something spectacular was going to happen. Inara and Kerak and gone back to the standard fireballs and smaller explosions of fire. Taizo moved to the wheel and changed direction. The sudden jerk sent Sokka falling to his right and Inara and Kerak stumbled ending their match. When they regained their footing, they glared up at Taizo.

"What was that about?" Sokka demanded.

"Look," Taizo said to him pointing out into the distance.

Sokka followed his finger's direction and saw smoke rising from a ship. Taizo handed Sokka the telescope. Sokka found himself looking at another Fire Nation ship. This one was in much better condition as the Empress and was about the same size. The ship even seemed to gleam.

"What was that about?" Inara demanded as she threw the door opened. She then snatched the telescope from Sokka's face as Taizo continued to point. "This had better be good."

Inara looked at the ship. Kerak walked up behind Sokka but he remained at the back of the wheel house. He leaned against the wall as Inara looked through the telescope.

"I always knew that you were a fool but I never imagined you were that foolish," she said to Taizo as she put the telescope down.

"It won't hurt to pop in for a little while," Taizo said. "And you can inquire about the princess. If anyone knows anything about her it will be her."

"Who are you talking about?" Sokka asked.

Inara rolled her eyes and pointed at the ship. "That is the Floating Lotus," she stated. "It is a Hana House or as you might put it a brothel."

"A brothel," Sokka wondered.

"The Hanas are more than just brothels," Kerak explained. "They provide the usual services of a brothel but there is also dining, baths, massages, entertainment, and even laundry services. Laundry services are the big money makers of the Floating Hanas."

"Laundry services," Sokka repeated feeling more foolish by the moment.

"It is always a privilege for a rich merchant or an admiral to have his clothes properly pressed and starched," Inara remarked.

"Can someone explain to me why I have never heard of these Hana Houses?" Sokka asked through the continuous flow of the conversation.

"I don't think that Hana Houses were on your to-do-list during the war," Kerak muttered. "And the Madams tend to keep a quiet profile. Unless you know what you are looking for, you probably won't even realize you have past one before. There is one in Ba Sing Se called the Blossom Pavilion."

"Never heard of it," Sokka said remembering numerous visits to Ba Sing Se.

Kerak chuckled. "It is the main competition for the Jasmine Dragon."

"The Blossom Pavilion is known for its exquisite tea," Inara explained. "But unfortunately Taizo is right. Madam Asahi has a rather large clientele who does not know when to stop talking. As unsavory as this may seem, the whores do hold a lot of priceless information."

"Shore leave," Taizo nearly sang.

"You, however, will remain here. Kerak and Sokka will come with me."

Taizo's jaw nearly hit the floor. His gold eyes became dull and the color fled from his face. "What?"

"You cause too much trouble and cost me too much money when I let you loose in a Hana. I can't afford any delays or any money because of your mischief."

"I do not," Taizo protested.

"You nearly burned down an entire wing of the Orchid Court," Kerak helpfully pointed out and dodged a small fireball from Taizo. "The captain is still making payments to the Madam."

"And that is why I should go," Taizo said.

"That is exactly why you should not go," she responded.

"Come on," Taizo said like he could charm his way into it. "Can you deal with the mischief I can cause on this ship without your or Kerak here as supervision?" he challenged.

Inara covered her face with Taizo's words nagging in her brain. She let out a soft moan of despair knowing that he was telling the truth. Finally, still hiding behind her hands, she nodded.

"Fine, you can come. Genji and Nayen can handle things here," she decided.

"I'm sure Genji will appreciate that," Kerak said sarcastically.

"He's trying to impress Doc," Taizo mentioned. "I don't think him going to a Hana House will be the best means of doing so. Besides, we'll bring back some of Asahi's beer to him and he'll be content."

"You're going to have to promise him more than that," Inara said to Taizo. "Go down there and make a deal with him."

Taizo hurried out of the wheel house heading for the engine room. Inara put the ship on a safer course towards the Floating Lotus.

"So, what is this Floating Lotus like?" Sokka asked Kerak quietly.

"It's nicer than the Empress," Kerak whispered. "Asahi specializes in beer brewing. It is some of the best in the world. No one knows how she does it on a ship but she does. We sometimes sell her beer for her."

"And there are…" Sokka lifted his eyebrows as he ended his statement.

Kerak chuckled. "Of course there are," he said. "But not all of the women are like that. There are the brewers, the seamstresses and washers, the entertainers, the cooks, and so many other jobs on the ship."

The door below slammed and Taizo and Genji came into view on the deck. Kerak and Sokka rushed out of the wheel house and looked down on them. Genji wore a large contraption on his back and was shooting flames at Taizo. Taizo did not seem too concerned with the flames. He bent them aside but he did not fight back.

"I am always stuck here!" Genji yelled.

"I'm doing you a favor," Taizo countered.

Genji shot more flames at Taizo. "Favor!"

"You just have to look at it differently. Look at the upside. You get to be in command of the ship while we're gone."

Those words seemed to quiet Genji a bit. He turned off the flames and pushed back his goggles. He still looked quite perturbed at the idea but he was more willing to listen.

"Go on," he invited Taizo.

"I'll bring you back some of Asahi's beer," Taizo offered.

"And…" Genji persisted.

"And…I'll bring you back lunch."

"That sounds nice but…"

"But what…what else is there?"

"Laundry," Genji answered.

"Laundry?" Taizo questioned.

Sokka saw Genji roll his eyes and Kerak let out a small groan when he heard Taizo's response.

"Not all of us want to smell like animals!" Kerak yelled down to Taizo.

The door then opened from below deck again. Sokka saw Nayen come out dragging two large bags behind her. She walked right up to Taizo and plopped them right in front of him.

"All of it," she said.

"All of it," Taizo repeated. "Is this everything?"

Everyone on the ship nodded. Even Inara's head bobbed up and down as she concentrated on their course.

"That's everyone's clothes along with the linens," Nayen said. "Find a way to get it all done and your debt will be repaid to us."

"What debt?"

"We'll think of something else," Genji answered.

Taizo looked quite defeated as he shook his head. "Fine, I'll get the laundry done," he agreed.

"And you have the appreciation of the crew of the Empress," Kerak jested.

Taizo looked up at him with scorn. Sokka held in a laugh as he and Kerak waved at Taizo in his defeat.

"The Floating Lotus is coming up on the Starboard," Inara announced.

"Come along gents," Taizo yelled up to Kerak and Sokka as he pulled the bags of reeking laundry over his shoulders. "Let's not keep the ladies waiting.

***

Ozai flinched when the cell door opened. A flood of light washed over him and he shielded his eyes against it. There was a solitary figure that stood in the center of the doorway. He recognized this figure. He had seen this site many times before.

There was something different this time though. There was a slight slump to the shoulders and a noticeable limp. Ozai leaned forward. He was intrigued at this new development.

"Fire Lord Zuko," he mused. "What has brought you to my humble abode?"

Ozai's son came into view. He could see the telltale signs of a fight and possible defeat. He could tell that it took all of his son's strength to come to his prison cell. For what reason he came, Ozai had no idea. He bit his lower lip to hold in a sigh. He was not sure what emotion would come out. Would it be relief or anxiety? There were many who would want to see the Fire Nation fall.

"What has happened?" Ozai asked casually.

"It seems that your favorite child has forgotten about you," Zuko said.

Ozai narrowed his eyes at Zuko. "What do you mean?"

"Do you mean you have not heard? Azula escaped and tried to kill Mai and me."

Everything fit into place then. "Where is she?"

"You don't know?"

"This is the first I have heard of this," Ozai nearly growled.

Zuko did not answer. Ozai almost missed it but he heard it. There were three light taps outside the door. The corner of Zuko's mouth then turned up slightly. It was a look that Ozai had never been privy to before. Zuko was much too young to develop such darkness in a smile and they were still distant when Ozai welcomed him home with open arms.

"Well, then I imagine you have nothing that will be of any help to me then," Zuko said and turned to walk away.

"Will she be back?" Ozai asked in a taunting tone. "Are you and your precious Mai safe? What about the Avatar? I imagine that he is out looking for the true Fire Lord. How does it feel to know that you have sent him on a fool's errand? He will die."

Zuko stopped and turned back towards Ozai. His face was cold and still. Not a single muscle twitched as he observed the fallen Phoenix King with his burning eyes.

"No, the Avatar is not hunting her," Zuko said.

"Really, then who is?"

"Captain Inara," Zuko answered. "You remember her, don't you?"

"Indeed," Ozai nearly purred. "Well, your highness, I must applaud you. You're not afraid to get your hands dirty."

"My hands were never clean," Zuko replied. "None of our hands were ever clean. I was born with my hands stained with the blood of an entire nation. Have you ever lost sleep at night over that?"

"They were weak," Ozai said. "They did not deserve to live in the world that your sister and I would have created."

Zuko was quiet for a moment and then he slowly shook his head. "You've been here for seven years father. Seven years of your life are gone and wasted in this cell. And in seven years, you have not changed as I hope you might. You do not feel; you do not mourn."

"It is because I am strong."

"No, it's not because of that. I don't know what it is though. But truly, there is no changing you."

Ozai looked away from Zuko. "No, there's not."

"Then what do I do with you?" Zuko wondered.

Ozai did not answer. He kept his eyes diverted from Zuko as he turned his back on him and walked away. The cell door creaked and closed tightly with a thud. The familiar scraping of the locks could be heard. Zuko stood on the other side of the door with his back against it. He did not know why he had gone down there. He knew nothing would come of it.

A pale face appeared from out of the shadows. Blank eyes stared up at Zuko. "What do you do now?" Toph asked.

"This changes nothing," Zuko said. "She has no need for him. He cannot bend and so he is useless to her. It will be a waste of her time to come back for him."

"At least we know that he was not involved in the plot. That means the guards here can be trusted."

"It makes no matter. Azula did not escape by the bad virtue of her guards. Everyone on the island was slaughtered by the sword. Someone helped her escape but she came here alone. Whoever it was is still on these islands."

They then fell silent. A hallow howl of the wind blew through the prison corridors from a guard opening a door down the way. The torches' flames flickered and hissed from the new air.

"We better get you back to the palace," Toph finally said as her nerves began to fray in the dank prison. "Sweetness and Mai will be worried. "

"They always worry," Zuko said.

It was not as a complaint but as a fact. He had to be snuck out of the back by Toph to meet with his father. Mai was meeting with Iroh on matters of the state. Toph had sent Katara out to train and relax. She claimed that Katara was too up tight and had to get out for awhile. This gave her enough time to get Zuko to the prison so that they could get some answers.

They walked quietly through the prison. The guards stepped back and bowed to them as they passed. Silence lingered between them while they were in the darkness. Their footsteps echoed through the stone walls and that was the only music that they could hear.

Once they were outside, Toph could smell the fresh air and feel the sunlight on her skin. She was not afraid in the prison but it was still somewhere she did not like to be. She helped steady Zuko as they moved towards his carriage. The captain of the guard had accompanied them and he helped Zuko in. Toph hopped in after him and then the carriage started with a slight jolt.

"Are you sad?" Toph finally asked.

Zuko tapped his finger against the side of the carriage. "Maybe a little," he replied. "I had hoped that he would change but I see there is no use in hoping."

"It is a long path from the darkness up to the light," Toph said in a gentler than normal voice.

Zuko coughed out a laugh and then he groaned quietly in pain. "He has to want it first," he said. "He doesn't want it. He wants things to be as they were."

"It took you awhile to find your path," Toph said.

"He is not me."

"No, that much is right," Toph reluctantly agreed. "He is not you. But what do you plan on doing once Inara and Sokka bring back Azula?"

"I haven't thought about it yet," Zuko mumbled.

Toph became quiet and as the carriage rocked them back and forth. Zuko watched her mind travel else where and he wished he knew what she was thinking. She almost seemed like a mind reader to most since she knew a lie without reading a person's eyes. He reached out and squeezed her hand to bring her back. Toph turned her face towards him. He saw her cloudy eyes. He smile and placed her hands on his face so she could feel it.

"I don't need either of them though," he said.

This caused Toph to laugh. "No one deserves your father or sister," she replied.

Zuko laughed at that as well. He then started to violently cough. He put a white handkerchief up to his lips. His cracked ribs rattled as his lungs seized against them. His muscles constricted and fought against his lungs with the ribs being crushed in between.

"Are you ok?" Toph asked.

"I'll be fine," Zuko answered in a strained voice. "It stinks to be in pain every time I want to laugh." He then wadded up the slightly damp cloth into his palm out of sight.

"Well, at least you're finding something that's funny enough to laugh at," she responded. "But does Katara know about the cough?"

"She is always around. Surely she has heard me cough by now."

"You should tell her."

"I'll be fine."

"All of you men are all alike, stubborn to the end."

This made Zuko laugh again. It was painful but at least he didn't start coughing. They began to feel the darkness lifting. His spirits were lifted until they pulled up to the palace. He looked out and saw Mai and Katara standing on the bottom step. Mai had her hands on her hips and Katara's arms were crossed over her body. They both wore the same deep frown.

"It's time to face the music," Zuko muttered.

"Oh dear," Toph groaned as they got out of the carriage.

Mai and Katara angrily marched towards them. Their anger could be felt by all. Even the guards steered clear of them.

"What were you thinking?" Mai demanded.

"Toph, how could you take him without telling me?" Katara raged.

Toph pushed out her hand and the earth beneath Mai and Katara moved back. The two women faltered a bit to keep their balance. The path was clear for Toph and Zuko to pass. She grabbed him by the arm and blindly led him up the steps into his palace.

"It only takes a gentle touch with those two," she jested as she and Zuko walked into the palace with Mai and Katara's eyes burning into their backs.