Reminder of previous chapters:
During an outing with Ty Lee, Azula, feeling threatened, savagely attacked Kojiro, a young man with whom she was spending the evening.
Following this event, she found Zuko waiting in her apartments. The argument quickly turned into passionate hugs, interrupted by the arrival of Ty Lee.
Azula, who regained her confidence after that night, wrote a letter to Zuko in which she arranged to meet him in their father's room. After going there alone to confront the traumatic memory of her rape, Azula is determined to attract Zuko there to give herself to him.
For his part, very worried about the political situation, Zuko made his friends come back. The Gaang has finally arrived at the Caldera.
Chapter 15 – Wait and listen
Sitting alone on the bleachers of the coronation place where the Agni Kai took place five years ago, Katara was thinking.
The others were still dinning. She had left, claiming she needed rest after the late arrival the night before and the day spent in the Council Chamber, trying to ease tensions between Zuko and his ministers and advisors.
While leaving, she had caught Aang's slightly worried gaze and smiled reassuringly at him and rested a hand on his shoulder before saying goodbye.
Her wandering had brought her here. It was the first place she had thought of.
Threatening clouds cast their shadows on the dirt floor where, years before, the apocalyptic fight between her, Zuko and Azula had taken place.
She would never forget the events of that terrible day. Every time she thought about it, she was surprised at the sharpness of her memories: the bloody sky above their heads, the maniacal laugh of the princess, the frantic beating of her own heart when Azula had started to pursue her across the courtyard to annihilate her. The feeling of pure dread when her deadly lightning had struck Zuko. The cataclysm of fire, orange and blue, on that dusty ground, the fierce struggle between a brother and a sister who hated each other viciously.
Katara was sure of one thing. If she hadn't stopped her, Azula would have killed Zuko, without hesitation. She would have witnessed his agony while the Sages placed the crown on her head and then would have abandoned him here, as one lets an animal die, at the mercy of crows and other scavengers.
Katara would never forget that terrifying day, the insane expression on the princess's usually calm and calculating face, the savagery of her lightning attacks… Then Azula's mental breakdown when she had realized her defeat. The way her body had twisted on the ground, the flames that had burst from her mouth as she contorted to free herself from her bonds in an almost indecent stance… The terror the princess inspired in her quickly gave way to a deep pity that she never imagined she would feel for this enemy who had almost killed first Aang and then Zuko.
It was the same pity that had prompted Zuko to spare her life, to save her from prison.
At least that was what Katara had thought.
Then she had witnessed Zuko's distress in the days following their Agni Kai. As they watched helplessly the princess' tragic insanity, she realized that Zuko had perhaps not been entirely sincere with them.
He had always told them how much he hated Azula, how much she had ruined his life, how badly he wanted to get rid of her. He had barely flinched when he watched her from Appa's back, spinning in the void, doomed to a certain death in the Western Air Temple.
Yet what Katara saw in his eyes as he gazed at the sad spectacle of his insane sister was not hatred, nor jealousy, nor resentment. It was an excruciating grief, a sharp pain, as if his arm had been torn from him.
It was love. Quite simply.
Maybe Zuko had not been aware of it until then. But suddenly everything made sense for Katara: the reason he had spared her when she had wanted to kill him; for which he had betrayed Katara and his uncle in the Ba Sing Se catacombs.
Azula had the power to bring out the best and the worst in Zuko. And it was no different today.
The Fire Lord, her friend, the best hope the world had known for over a century in a world troubled by conflict, this man was ready to start a new war. And for what? For whom?
The princess had established her empire in her brother's mind and heart. Formerly the enemy of the nation and of peace, she now seemed unassailable.
Katara wondered how far she would be willing to go to protect Sokka if he was so threatened. She guessed she would have done anything to save him.
Although he often drove her mad, Katara deeply loved her brother, and knew it was mutual. The way he was overprotective of her annoyed her, but it was also very touching and she was as exasperated as she was moved by this behavior.
The bond between Zuko and his sister was nothing like that. It wasn't just the affection, nor the tenderness that a brother is naturally supposed to feel for his little sister.
It was an obsession.
Katara knew that, just like her, Aang, Sokka, Suki, and Toph had been worried about Zuko's reaction when the topic of his sister had been brought up in a meeting that very morning.
Indeed, after breakfast, the Fire Lord had gathered them to inform them of the disturbances that have been raging more than ever in the colonies for several weeks and the popular protest that was reaching the Capital with the influx of refugees. Then Kadao had spoken, with Zuko's permission, about Kuei's blackmail.
If the Fire Nation does not deliver Azula to them, the Earth Kingdom will no longer help with restoring order in the colonies and let the natives attack the settlers. Knowing Lu Fang, one could even assume that he wouldn't just be content with not participating in the easing of tensions, he would stir them up, until Zuko gave in to their request.
Of course, she understood perfectly well that her friend refused such odious blackmail. But seeing the rage distort his features, hearing the tone he used when the ministers raised the possibility of considering the matter, had terrified her.
The minister who had been reckless enough to speak had shriveled in his chair when Zuko stood up and walked threateningly towards him, a fiery dagger rising in his hand. It had taken the combined efforts of Sokka and Aang to hold him back when he had thrown forward to hit the minister who had finally fled, escorted by Kadao, while Zuko continued to yell at him, uttering threats, promising him extremely severe sanctions. Katara could have sworn that she saw smoke coming out of the corner of Zuko's lips as, still held by his two friends, he watched the poor man run away.
It had taken him several minutes to calm down, sitting in a chair. Aang's reassuring words and the promises of the remaining ministers who swore their loyalty to him, managed to appease him a little.
No, no one would hand the princess over to Ba Sing Se.
Yes, they would protect her at all costs.
"However," Aang told him, a comforting hand resting on his shoulder, "we need to think about a solution Zuko. Azula cannot stay at the palace. She's too exposed. And you know that her presence is damaging your reputation now."
Katara could only approve of his words, although she wasn't quite sure what Aang was referring to. Her fiancé had been very mysterious about his last visit to the Caldera and Katara was pretty sure he was hiding things from her.
Then Zuko got angry again.
"You too, then? Even you, who are supposed to be my friends, you are against us?"
The use of the word "us" had deeply troubled Katara.
"We don't Zuko," Toph had tried to reason with him, "But Aang is right, you are not objective when it comes to her. We have to find a way to protect her while getting her out of here."
Zuko stood up threateningly and walked over to Toph, towering over her to his full height. The young earthbender didn't budge an inch, both feet firmly planted in the ground. She remained perfectly static, even as Zuko's scorching breath made her black locks fly above her head, his face so close to hers. Around them, Aang, Suki and Sokka stood up again, ready to defend Toph if necessary or to separate them.
Fortunately, it hadn't been necessary. Zuko turned away from Toph and looked at them all, a glint of defiance shining in his golden eyes:
"I brought you here to help me sort out my problems. Your only priority from now on will be to ensure the protection of the princess. She will remain here, with me, under my roof and under my protection. It's not negotiable. If you refuse, then there is no point in you staying. We will have nothing more to say to each other."
And before they could answer, he had left the room, a cloud of smoke enveloping his form as he stepped through the threshold of the large Council Chamber door.
Zuko hadn't joined them for dinner, neither had Mai nor Azula. He must have given orders to his servants because despite everything they were served a sumptuous meal which they shared in a tense atmosphere, without exchanging a word. Ty Lee had joined them but even she, usually so cheerful, put on a worried and gloomy look Katara couldn't remember ever seeing on her. She quickly slipped away, apologizing to them. Azula needed her and she didn't want to leave her alone for too long. Upon hearing her, one would have thought that it was a bodyguard or even Azula's nanny who was speaking rather than her friend. She wondered what impossible mission Zuko had placed on her shoulders.
[End of flashback]
Now, sitting on the steps in the courtyard, her head in her arms, Katara was still worried. She sighed deeply. Suddenly the sound of footsteps pulled her from her thoughts, and she jumped violently when she saw two legs in leather boots appear in front of her. Immediately she opened the bag she was always carrying and created a giant water sphere in her hands. Then she sent it crashing into the intruder.
A splashing sound, followed by a familiar cough, was heard in the silence of the courtyard.
"Seriously, Katara! Brand new leather boots!"
"Oh! Sorry Sokka!" she cried, getting up hurriedly to approach her brother who was snorting furiously and soaked to the bone.
"One day this joke will stop being funny!" he retorted, crossing his arms over his soggy tunic with a grotesque sucking noise.
"Excuse me," she repeated, using her bending to suck as much of the water out of Sokka's clothes as possible. "You surprised me. I was lost in my thoughts."
"Fortunately, you are not a firebender nor an earthbender! Were you thinking about the meeting?"
"Yes." She confessed, lowering her eyes.
"You're not the only one worrying. When Toph told us that you lied while pretending to go to bed…" Katara couldn't help but frown at the mention of the young blind girl's highly infuriating talent. "…we talked about it. Aang doesn't say anything, but I have a feeling he knows things about Zuko that we don't."
"Yes, I think so too." Katara replied.
"Anyway, when I knew you hadn't gone to bed, I came here. I knew I would find you there."
"How did you know?"
"Hey! You are my baby sister; I know you well." He replied with a small smile as he sat down next to her. "But also, because I asked the guards..."
She responded to his smile by nudging him in the ribs. Sokka gently put an arm around her shoulders. Katara let her head rest against her brother's and the two of them were silent for a long moment, gazing at the sky above them, covered by ominous storm clouds. A heavy atmosphere hung in the air and a few silent lightnings streaked the sky in the distance. The storm was obviously a few miles away and would be over them by the middle of the night.
It was Sokka who broke the silence. In a voice full of concern, and looking down to his feet, he asked:
"Do you think there is going to be another war?"
"Sounds like it. If we cannot reason with Zuko and Ba Sing Se continues to provoke him..."
"I still can't believe Kuei is betraying us like that!" Sokka replied, his brow furrowed. "After everything Zuko has done for him!"
"Kuei just does what Lu Fang advises him. He's being manipulated... That's what Aang thinks."
"Yeah, it's an annoying little flaw which he has already shown in the past," answered Sokka in a tone feigning innocence. "But I really don't see what that alludes to..."
Katara laughed and put her hand gently on her brother's arm.
"Listen Sokka, I know what Zuko is demanding is abusive. I also know how uncomfortable Azula makes you. If you want to go home with Suki… be sure Aang and I will stay with Zuko. You don't have to do what he asks you."
"Neither do you," he replied with a seriousness that was unlike him.
"It is the Avatar's duty to solve the problems. And the one we face is quite consistent. And my duty is to stay with Aang."
"No Katara, our place is in the Southern Water Tribe. The girls are waiting for you at the Academy. We have spent more time in recent years in the Fire Nation or Earth Kingdom than at home. It's time for Zuko to learn to rule his own nation without us. I love this guy, but I wouldn't risk my life for the safety of his crazy megalomaniac little sister!"
Katara looked a little hurt and let go of his arm. The movement caught the attention of Sokka who sought her gaze.
"If it was me who was threatened like this by Kuei, wouldn't you react the same way?" she asked.
"Yes. Of course, I would. You know I would never let you down. But we're not talking about you! We're talking about Azula: the most dangerous, crazy and deadly girl that ever existed! I can't believe Zuko doesn't see this!"
"She's his sister… he loves her… well I guess you can call it that…" she suggested, shrugging her shoulders.
"If you want my opinion, there is something weird between these two. I felt it the last time we came, and so did Toph, and Suki. I don't know what the two of them are up to, but I don't like it and if you want my opinion, the minister Zuko attacked earlier is not totally wrong. It would be better for everyone if she left the palace as soon as possible."
"I agree with you. I don't feel comfortable either. But for now, we absolutely need to appease Zuko so that he doesn't cause more damage. You don't have to stay," she repeated, "Aang and I can handle this. I will stay to protect Azula. Even if I doubt that she wants my protection…" she concluded grimly.
Sokka gently nudged her and plunged his ultramarine blue eyes into hers.
"Hey! I told you, you are my baby sister. We remain united, even in turmoil!"
Katara smiled at him and took the hand he offered her. He helped her up and, fraternally passing his arm over her shoulders, led her to the palace.
Katara felt a little better at the idea of facing this ordeal with her friends and her brother.
She wished so much that Zuko could experience the happiness that came from a sincere and healthy relationship with his own sibling.
"We are definitely not going to laugh every day," Sokka said grimly, his voice echoing between the marble pillars as they entered the palace.
Katara smirked before responding more happily.
"With you here, I don't worry about that!"
Then they took the direction of the dining room where the others were waiting for them, determined to enjoy a last serene evening with their friends.
Ty Lee looked around nervously, wondering for the tenth time at least if he would come. The heavy laughter that echoed from the next table pierced her ears and made her jump. With a grimace of disgust, she withdrew from the sticky, grease covered table the hand which she had just placed there. Even though Ty Lee enjoyed the festive atmosphere, she still was a nobleman's daughter, and she couldn't help but feel a little offended when a customer poured the entire content of his mug straight into his throat just to let out a loud belch that triggered his companions' foolish laughter. Or when the big moist hand of a corpulent consumer lingered on the hip of a waitress who responded with a smirk, hit him with a tea towel and walked away, rolling her eyes, while having an expression of deep exasperation etched onto her jaded features.
She couldn't believe that Hikaru had wanted to meet her in such a place. This was not a good sign; she had only seen him twice since the night they went out with Kojiro and Azula and he hadn't responded to any of her requests in the past four days.
When she had received his hawk, she had been deeply relieved, but her joy soon faded as she quickly scanned the contents of his letter.
Meet me at the Yellow Dragon tavern tomorrow night. We need to talk. Come alone.
Hikaru
Even though she knew that Hikaru was a serious boy, the solemnity she had perceived in his letter had seemed ominous to her. What could he possibly want to say to her in such a place? At first, she had told herself that it couldn't be that important. He wouldn't have met her here if it was. But now that she had been here for half an hour, surrounded on all sides by music, bawdy chants, laughter and heated conversations, she had to admit that it was actually the perfect place for a private conversation. No one would be able to hear them in this din.
With a small pang in her heart, she imagined what Azula would say if she saw her. She would no doubt be both appalled and horrified. At least she would if she still had any interest in what Ty Lee was doing. Ever since she had surprised them, her and Zuko, in the middle of an intimate moment, Azula was the embodiment of coldness. She hardly spoke to her anymore, except to evoke trivialities, and two days before, she had asked the servants to prepare a room for Ty Lee whereas she had insisted until now that her friend stay with her at night, on her cot.
Ty Lee was supposed to return to Kyoshi Island three days later. It was certainly not the sarcasm, nor Azula's sudden coldness, nor Zuko and Mai's scowls that held her here. Although she was ashamed to have such feelings, Ty Lee couldn't help but feel deeply bitter at the thought of how the princess was treating her, after all she had done for her. She had believed for a moment that Azula's heart was softening, that she was becoming more human, more tolerant. She was sorely mistaken. All that mattered to the princess now was how much time she could spend alone with her brother. Other people were hardly more than figures in her life, of negligible importance, if not outright Lee would probably have gone home sooner if it hadn't been for Hikaru. Her plans to leave would therefore depend on how this conversation finishes. She had not insisted on Suki when the latter had told her that despite the trouble in the Fire Nation Capital, she wanted to see her join their comrades as soon as possible to prepare an intervention in the settlements nearest to their island.
Was Azula with Zuko right now? Although she did not have access to the letter the princess had written for him, she guessed only too well its content. Azula had been unusually happy throughout that day, sometimes showing signs of impatience. Strangely, she had also seemed nervous, scratching the backs of her hands more frequently than usual, shaking her head briskly at times as if to chase away some disturbing bug.
Ty Lee knew what it meant: the voices were back. For several days now, she had witnessed with heart-wrenching pity her friend's fierce struggle to ignore them, although she sometimes saw silent words form on her lips when she lowered her head, thinking that Ty Lee did not see her.
Did the princess realize that the illness was worsening? Was she afraid? Had she spoken to Taïma or Zuko?
The door of the tavern swung open, and a draft rushed through the crowded room. A familiar tall figure appeared in the frame.
She waited for him to look in her direction to wave at him. Hikaru joined her at her table, and she immediately noticed his dark face and drawn features.
He sat down facing her and raised his hand to get the attention of a waitress. He placed his order and turned to Ty Lee, his hands clasped on the table in front of him, not looking at her.
"Hello Hikaru," she said shyly. "I am glad to see you. How are you doing?"
She extended a shy hand towards him, but he withdrew his own and placed them on his knees, under the table, still refusing to meet her gaze.
"I'll be brief, Ty Lee. You and me... It's over."
No matter that she expected it, it didn't make things any better. Her gray eyes widened in shock, and she had to bite her lower lip to keep it from shaking. Usually, she was the one to end relationships. She took a sip from her glass to give herself countenance, inhaled and asked, in the calmest tone she could:
"Are you going to give me an explanation or will I have to settle for that?"
"Why didn't you tell me that Miyu was Princess Azula?"
The question had arisen with such abruptness, so unexpectedly that Ty Lee was unable to speak for a moment, let alone deny it.
"How did you know?" She stammered, too shocked to wonder what upset Hikaru so much.
"Blue flames aren't a very common gift in case you didn't know. And you only need to look at a portrait of the princess to recognize her immediately. It's not every day that you meet girl like her."
Ty Lee tried not to sound offended by the meaning behind these words. Azula was a very beautiful girl, she was highly aware of that fact. However, it was not pleasant to be told by her boyfriend how much the beauty of another surpassed her own.
"Good," she admitted. "That's true. We lied. It was Azula. I'm her best friend," she explained, trying in vain to hide the note of pride that appeared in her voice. "But you can understand why, right? She's the Princess! It would have been really unwise to say so, whether it was for her safety or her reputation."
Kojiro gave a mirthless little laugh and retorted:
"Don't worry about her, she doesn't need anyone to ruin her reputation! As for her safety, it's not for her that you have to worry!"
"What do you mean?" Ty Lee said, starting to feel uneasy. In her stomach, her gut contracted painfully, and she put down the glass she was about to bring to her lips, unable to take another sip.
"Do you remember I had no more news from Kojiro?" He asked.
Ty Lee nodded.
"Well, we finally found him."
"We?" Ty Lee asked, her anguish reaching its peak. "What do you mean? Is he okay?"
"You should ask your best friend!" he retorted, his brow furrowed, a look of hatred spreading over his thin, well-defined features.
"Listen Hikaru, I don't understand what you're talking about!" she shouted, unable to contain the growing anxiety she was feeling. "So either you tell me what happened, or I get out of here and talk to the Fire Lord about your allegations. He also happens to be one of my best friends! And believe me, he won't be very sympathetic towards you. He doesn't really like having his sister touched!"
"I don't doubt that! Apparently, he reserves this right for himself!" He retorted with a wicked laugh.
Ty Lee was outraged but she quickly lost her fighting spirit. What to answer to that? It would have been easy to retort if she hadn't caught the Fire Lord's and the Princess' loving embraces a few days before. Besides, she wasn't Azula. She didn't take pleasure in threatening people.
She tried to hold Hikaru's glare, and lowered her voice, just enough for him to hear her despite the commotion.
"Please Hikaru, tell me what happened..."
Hikaru took a long sip, put his mug down, crossed his arms on the sticky wooden surface and gave her an intense and lingering gaze. Then he slowly began his story.
Ty Lee listened intently, her large, grey eyes growing and darkening with every word Hikaru's deep and penetrating voice spoke.
A wall of flame appeared out of nowhere, slicing through the air around Aang, forcing him to dodge, as Zuko abruptly dropped his heel to the ground, completing the execution of his kata.
Blinded, the Avatar raised an arm above his eyebrows to shield his face from the scorching heat and risked one eye to his opponent. Zuko, magnificent in his battle gear, appeared in the midst of the dancing flames he had just generated, walking straight towards him.
With all the agility of a real airbender, Aang executed a graceful pirouette back and, as he levitated at least ten feets above the ground, he aimed his fist at Zuko, which shot out a salvo of fire balls which the Fire Lord easily deflected with a flippant wave of his hand. He responded with a returned kick that released two fiery jets that Aang hardly avoided as he landed on his feet.
It was impressive to see how much Zuko had improved since the last time they had trained together, months before. And Aang had to admit that he felt a little rusty. Apparently, peacetime was not an ideal time to maintain an Avatar's combat skills.
He had hardly had the opportunity to practice his firebending in fight for several months. And although he was a peerless firebender, Aang marveled at the new gestures and kata that Zuko had visibly added to his repertoire.
Ending the fight with a sign they had agreed upon earlier, Aang returned to fetch the towel he had left behind, next to Toph who was picking her ear, seated on the stands, her feet stretched out in front of her on a stone block she had made appear from the ground. She had witnessed the fight without making the slightest comment but could not help herself when she saw her friend coming towards her:
"So, Twinkle toes? We let ourselves be impressed by the King of sparks, now? I have to warn you that if I catch you fighting like a little girl in an earthbending duel, I'm going to give you a piece of my mind!"
"Don't worry, Sifu! With a master like you, there is no risk of forgetting anything!" He replied, laughing and wiping his forehead with the towel.
As they spoke, Zuko walked over to them, looking darker and more serious than ever.
"What are you two up to?" he asked them as an introduction.
Aang turned to him, but it was Toph who answered first:
"Nothing very interesting. Aang was whimpering because one of your little sparks burned his little finger. Well done Double-Face, if one day by chance I need to light a candle, I might reconsider everything I said before and call on your services."
Zuko looked at her with big round eyes and then smiled. It was an expression that Aang hadn't seen often on his friend's ravaged face over the past few months.
Aang was glad Toph got his letter in time to join them. She had waited for them at the Southern Air Temple as they traveled from the Water Tribes towards the Caldera. A month spent with her parents was more than she could bear and she had confided in him that she was relieved to have an excuse to sneak away.
Aang was relieved that she had avoided rejoicing in front of Zuko though. Despite his smile, the young ruler was not quite willing to laugh at the events that agitated his nation and the colonies. Even less at the rumors that still circulated about him and Azula and which took extravagant proportions.
Aang had refrained from talking about it with his friends as he brought them back to the Fire Nation. But in the course of their journey, they had come to hear about it from the travelers and merchants they met on their way.
At first Toph had laughed at it, claiming that she had always known something was wrong between these two. But she had quickly stopped when she noticed Aang's stubborn silence and the way his heart raced whenever someone brought up the subject. Well, that's what he assumed as Toph soon said nothing more about Zuko and Azula and had refrained from any comment until now, even when Zuko had lost his temper in the Council Chamber the day before.
"No kidding Zuko," Aang said, throwing another towel at his friend who caught it on the fly. "I am impressed with the progress you have made. I didn't know half of the moves you used to fight me!"
"Azula taught them to me." He replied darkly.
A somewhat uncomfortable silence settled between them.
The two men drank as Toph absently tossed ossicles game which she had stolen from Sokka during their journey and caught them between her fingers, without dropping a single one.
"Do you often train together?" Aang risked turning to his friend, trying to make his voice as neutral as possible.
"Not in the past two months." Zuko growled without looking at his friend.
"Yes, of course..." Aang said to himself while internally blaming his own awkwardness.
This was the moment that Toph chose to intervene:
"So, how about you tell us what's going on with Princess Crazy?" She exploded.
"Don't call her that!" he burst into flames, sparks Toph couldn't see appearing at the tips of his fingernails.
"Really Double-Face, if you keep this to yourself, you'll explode! I can tell you!"
"How is that?" he asked, giving her a nasty look.
"Every time Princ-… sorry, Azula's name is mentioned, your heart rate goes up so much that I'm afraid you'll have a heart attack! So, if it's any relief, tell us what's wrong. You know us, Twinkle toes and I, are as silent as graves!" And for added emphasis, she raised from the ground next to her, a perfectly rectangular stele, such as the ones one could see in the cemeteries of the Earth Kingdom.
Zuko's face flushed fiercely and Aang was glad Toph couldn't see him. However, she must have felt his discomfort, one way or another.
Zuko looked even more embarrassed than usual, and more nervous too. Before Aang could ask him any questions, he spoke:
"I have to meet her tonight."
"What? Who?" Toph and Aang answered heartily.
"Azula. She wants me to meet her… in our father's apartments." He finished, looking down at the dirt floor of the practice yard.
Aang didn't say anything but could easily sense the tension floating in the air whose Toph, sensitive as she was, must be even more aware.
"In Ozai's apartments? But ... why there?" The young Avatar finally stammered.
"I don't know!" Zuko grew angry. "Another of her eccentricities, who knows?"
"Excuse me," interrupted Toph who was standing up behind them. "Did I miss something? What are you talking about? What would you do with your sister in Loony Daddy's abandoned room? A salacious nap with you sister?"
Fortunately, she couldn't see the look of hatred Zuko gave her at that moment. Aang would have run away if Zuko had looked at him that way.
He opted for temperance.
"Stop it Toph!" He silenced her in an authoritative tone that was unlike him but had the desired effect. "Zuko, do you want to talk about it?"
Zuko's shoulders slumped, and frustration twisted his face for a moment. He took a deep breath and spoke:
"I think she wants us to have sex."
The sentence fell like a meat cleaver and for once, even Toph was too stunned to say anything. The shocked expression spreading on her face would have looked comical under other circumstances. Her cloudy eyes stared into the void, inches from where Zuko was. Aang needed to swallow several times and take another sip of water before he could respond, his throat still dry.
"And... does she," he tried to keep a calm and detached tone, but with such a revelation, it wasn't easy. "Does she have any particular reason to think that... this could happen?"
Zuko didn't answer right away. He risked a glance at Toph who was listening intently to them, still unable to speak. Aang knew she was trying to detect the lie in Zuko's words.
"There was... well..." began his friend whose face flushed as he spoke, "There were a few ... Well, things got a little out of hand the other night when I came to talk to her."
"WHAT!" Toph yelled before she could help it. "What do you mean things got a little out of hand? Do you and Princess Crazy have…?"
"No!" Zuko immediately stopped her without paying attention to the nickname this time, probably feeling too ashamed and miserable to teach anyone any lessons. "Listen, you two, I… you promise me not to tell anyone, do you? Not even to Sokka and Katara? They wouldn't understand. You, you don't have siblings, you can't judge."
It was presumptuous, Aang thought. Incest was not a taboo only in large families. But he didn't want to rush Zuko, not now that he was willing to confide.
"Of course, Zuko, you can trust us" he promised.
This time he regretted that Toph was blind because he wished he could give her a sign to encourage her to imitate him. But it was not necessary. After a silence, Toph whispered in a very small voice that hardly sounded like her:
"Of course, Zuko… you can trust me."
No joke, no nickname… She must be sincere.
Zuko must have made the same conclusion since he seemed a little reassured when he began his tale:
"The other day, Azula went out into town with Ty Lee and…"
"Fire Lord Zuko! Sire!" A male voice interrupted him from across the yard.
Their gaze immediately shifted in the direction the sound was coming from and Aang saw General Kadao rushing towards them, panting, his face pale.
"General," Zuko said, standing up to face him and respond his salute, palm to fist. What's going on?"
"A man asks to see you Sire. He's Tsuneo, an Air Fleet Commander. It's urgent."
"Tell him to come back another day. I'm with my friends," Zuko answered roughly, sitting down with a wave of his hand to signal the General to leave.
"Sire, with all due respect, I really think you should meet him." Kadao insisted, paler than ever. "It's ... it's about your sister..."
After exchanging a worried look with Aang, Zuko's golden eyes scanned Kadao's face. Aang guessed he was trying to read an answer to his anguished questions in the General's green irises.
"What happened, General?" he asked in a blank voice, "Is Azula okay?"
"That's not it, Sire. The princess is in perfect health. She is currently with her ladies in the Royal Gardens. That's another thing… You'd better come… alone," he added, glancing at Aang and Toph who had half-sat up on the stone steps.
"They're coming with me." Zuko said, gesturing for them to stand up.
"As you wish, Sire." Kadao concluded, bowing deeply.
Without taking the time to pick up their things, the three of them headed for the palace, following Kadao who was leading them to the Throne Room. The anguish that had filled Zuko's eyes was now creeping into the Avatar's body and freezing his heart.
In the sleeping palace, a silent shadow crept into the corridor leading to the apartments of the former Fire Lord. Stealthily, the hooded figure carefully walked along the wall to avoid the rays of light that filtered through the large rectangular windows inlaid at regular intervals into the opposite wall.
Holding her breath, Azula walked the last few feet that separated her from the unguarded double-leaf door behind which, for sure, he was waiting for her.
She had spent the day in a barely bearable state of anxiety. Rebuffing her servants even more than usual, tormenting the young Sanae who had left crying, refusing to see Ty Lee who had asked for her all that day.
Ty Lee...
Guilt gripped her heart when she thought of her friend who, despite her best efforts to talk to her and deter her from going to this fatal meeting, had only faced a wall of silence and indifference.
She knew Ty Lee deserved better than her coldness and contempt. But she didn't understand!
One day, Azula would convince her. Ty Lee would then understand that she and Zuko were meant to be together, and she would be happy for them.
But it was not yet the time. She had plenty of time to persuade her of it.
Right now, all that mattered was Zuko. Zuko standing behind that door.
"How can you be sure?" Her mother questioned.
"I know it," she hissed between clenched teeth, "he promised to me. Now go away! I don't want you here! Not tonight!"
He would come, she was sure! She had spent enough time doubting these past few days. She needed to believe he was there. The prospect of what was going to happen behind that door was scary enough already.
All the questions that had plagued her over the past few days surged into her mind, as if a dam had given way.
Was she really ready for this? What if the memory assailed her the moment Zuko entered her? Was she going to scream? Was she going to cry? Or attack him like the hapless Kojiro?
What if unfortunately, she betrayed herself? What if she unwittingly revealed to Zuko what had happened here five years ago in that very same place?
You'll never tell. To no one. I'll kill you if you do. I'll lock you in this trunk and this time I'll let you die and rot there.
Azula closed her eyelids tightly to chase away the tears that were already threatening at their edges.
Would it hurt like the first time? Would she bleed again?
She would have liked to ask Ty Lee but she doubted her friend was willing to give her advice now that she knew the truth. Besides, Ty Lee wasn't supposed to know Azula wasn't a virgin. How would she have explained to her?
It couldn't be that bad. Otherwise, people wouldn't do it all the time, right? Ty Lee wouldn't be dating all these men if it was just too horrible. And wives would rebel eventually, that was for sure. No one can endure such pain, such outrage, several times a month -a week! if she was to believe the servant's conversations she had sometimes overheard.
What if I am not up to the task? If I can't do right what Zuko wants me to do? If I fail to satisfy him?
She began to doubt.
"Not now! Shut up!" She yelped.
No. Impossible! Not now! She had to keep the voices at bay. At least until it's all over. Maybe after, when she would finally fall asleep in her brother's arms, under the relentless and disapproving gaze of her father's portrait above the headboard, she could let them talk. She knew then that their comments would not reach her.
But what if Ozai appeared to her? What would he say when he discovered the abject sight of his two children entwined, naked in his bed, indulging in the guilty pleasures of the flesh?
At first, it had seemed natural to her to offer herself to Zuko in the place where she had been raped. She had seen it as a way to close this parenthesis, to leave the trauma that had gnawed at her for five long years behind her. And move on, finally. At least this time she was deciding her fate. It was he who came to her. Not like the last time.
But now that she was standing in front of that door, a few feet from Zuko, this plan seemed both silly and reckless.
Wasn't that almost an invitation to her hallucinations? Even though they didn't need to be summoned to appear to her, she had noticed that certain places, certain circumstances were more conducive to their appearance than others.
The last time she entered here, Azula had passed out and suffered a severe delusional episode. What would happen if she relapsed in Zuko's arms? What if he panics? How would he get out of this situation without drawing attention to them and betraying himself?
She wasn't stupid. She knew their relationship had to be kept a secret, no matter what. She was ready to accept Mai's existence, to share Zuzu with her, if that would ensure their safety and that of the Fire Nation. Too many rumors were already circulating, and it seemed that more and more people were ready to believe them. The circumstances were not favorable for their story, but they would one day become so.
Later, when the time would come, she and Zuko would reform the world. They would rewrite the law. Together they would rid the Fire Nation of moralizers, religious fanatics and traditionalists. Love would no longer be a crime and Zuko would make her his Fire Lady. They would rule together and give birth to a new dynasty. They would model the world in their own image and submit it to their will. She knew that once she would have given herself to him, Zuko couldn't deny her anything.
A little more confident in the idea of this bright future, Azula took a deep breath. Before opening the door, she turned to the specter of her mother who was still waiting, silently, her hands crossed in front of her, like a praying statue, a deep anxiety engraved on each of her features.
"One last objection?" She asked her mother.
"You are making a huge mistake Azula..."
"In your eyes, I am the mistake."
That being said, without waiting for her mother's answer, she turned the handle and entered.
Province of Yu Dao, in a temporary Earth Kingdom Army camp.
The Commandant's yurt stood in the middle of the camp, large and majestic among the long, narrow, spartan tents, lined up in order, where the soldiers were piled up at night. On either side of the camp, high rocky peaks, gigantic stalagmites, rose, giving the legionaries the impression of being trapped in some voracious dragon's jaw. This feeling was reinforced in the twilight by the crimson hue painting the sky, by the trails of fire lacerating the horizon and by the dark shape of the pines which darted their tops, like sharp teeth, on the sides of the mountains and surrounding peaks.
The atmosphere in the camp was calm and relaxed: it was mealtime and all the men who had not yet been served were gathered around the young recruit who was filling the bowls with rice under the watchful eye of the Chef.
Around the tents, the soldiers chatted happily and exchanged pleasantries, passing discreetly, under the cloak of darkness, bottles filled with sake.
Commander Lu Fang remained indifferent to this casual ambiance. Brows furrowed, he was contemplating, from his yurt window, the last light of the evening falling on the narrow landlocked valley where they had established their camp, a few miles from the ramparts of the colonial city of Yu Dao.
Beside him, on a small carved mahogany table, set next to an abandoned bowl of cold rice, was a letter that had been read so many times that it was now perfectly flat.
"Anger is rising among the insurgents, Commander." His lieutenant Yao explained behind him. "Acts of violence have multiplied in the last twenty-four hours. The police forces sent by the Fire Lord are now powerless to contain the discontent of Yu Dao's residents."
"Good... Perfect," Lu Fang replied absently, not bothering to turn around or release the arms he held crossed behind his broad back. "Deaths?"
"Two men. Both settlers. Killed last night with a machete. The perpetrators fled before the police intervened. The victims were two Fire Nation officials."
"Very well!" Lu Fang said, smirking, his attention caught by the graceful flight of three raptors between the huge rocky peaks that surrounded the camp. "Come here and look, Yao" he added, waving his hand at his lieutenant inviting him to approach. "Aren't they magnificent?"
"Excuse me, Commander?" the lieutenant asked uncertainly.
"Those birds... Vultures, I guess. See the way they watch the area. Their graceful and light flight. They don't even have to flap their wings to fly. They hover for hours. Their prey is already there, below, spotted for long hours. But they are waiting, listening, watching… they know that patience is always rewarded."
The lieutenant stepped forward and stood beside Lu Fang, his hands crossed behind his back, unconsciously adopting the same attitude as his superior a few seconds earlier.
Lu Fang wasn't sure that Yao was smart enough to seize the metaphor, but the boy had proven himself in the field and the highly detailed reports he gave him daily were satisfactory. Everything was going as planned.
Yao watched the vultures perform their dance of death for a moment, no doubt wondering how much more time he should wait before speaking without sounding rude.
"Indeed, Commander. They are beautiful." he said appreciatively.
"See, that's exactly the way we have to act. Waiting and inaction are the key to success."
"But Commander," Yao interrupted, looking away from the sky to stare at Lu Fang. "Aren't we taking risks by allowing such a situation to last? Will the indigenous population not rebel when they see that we don't act to end the violence? Our forces are largely sufficient to pacify the region! The inhabitants know it."
Lu Fang turned to him and bulged his torso. This silly boy did not understand. Born and raised in the colonies, Yao had grown up believing that the display of physical strength was the only way to gain power. Wasn't that what a century of subjugation under the Fire Nation had taught them?
Yao had some qualities, for sure, but he was not a true earthbender.
A true earthbender waits and listens. Wasn't that how Bumi, the crazy old king of Omashu, had singlehandedly reclaimed his legendary city?
"It's a risk I'm willing to take. I am sure the Fire Lord will not be indifferent to his nationals' fate. As the great altruist and humanist he claims to be, he will also try to spare the Earth Kingdom natives. He will send his troops to pacify the colonies and gradually empty the Fire Nation of its soldiers. And then we'll just have to serve ourselves."
Yao shifted slightly beside him, and Lu Fang felt the discomfort in the way his face had contracted.
"But Commander, what if the Fire Nation attacks us?" he asked hesitantly.
"Zuko would not take the risk of wiping out five years of peacekeeping efforts just because of our inaction. And in case he does, then we'll have the pretext we need to strike. In the eyes of the rest of the world, we will remain the victims and the Fire Nation will always be the aggressor. Hasn't it always been so?
"Yes, Commander." Yao agreed, looking down at his boots. But what if the people rise up against us?"
"The people have remained submissive for a hundred years. No serious attempt at rebellion took place for an entire century, until the Avatar awakened. Why would it be different today?"
"Precisely because the Avatar is back. Confidence has returned. The people of the Earth have regained their former glory and honor and will not let that happen again!" The lieutenant replied. In his voice there was an excruciating emphasis and naivety that made Lu Fang want to grab him by the throat and slam him against the dirt floor.
Lu Fang knew only too well how passive the people of Earth could be. It was one of their qualities and one of their most fatal flaws.
That passivity was good while it meant patience, but it became a weakness the moment it turned into submission.
Wait and listen.
This is what Lu Fang had done all his life.
First, he had listen.
He had listened and seen the way the Fire Nation settlers and soldiers treated his people as a child, when he walked through the alleys of the small town in Hu Xin province where he was born. He had observed the bullying, the humiliations his people suffered.
He had listened to the cries of widows mourning the death of their youngest child.
He had witnessed the downfall and downgrading of his family when Fire Lord Azulon ordered all important administrative posts to be given only to settlers, forcing even senior officials like his father to find a new job, one unworthy of their rank.
He had watched and he had seen the rampant misery that had swallowed them up in just a few months when all their possessions had been confiscated or stolen from them.
Then he had waited.
He had worked hard to restore honor and dignity to his family, watching for any opportunity to draw closer to a power that seemed unreachable. He had climbed the ranks and bided his time. When the Earth King had returned from his great journey, he was there, ready to serve him, to establish the authority and trust the sovereign had lost in his people's eyes.
He had seen, waited and listened. He would see and wait again. When the Fire Nation fell, what would prevent him from getting closer to the Earth Throne, then?
A slight cough beside him pulled him out of his thoughts and he suddenly remembered his lieutenant's presence by his side. Outside a bell rang, signaling the end of the meal. A commotion. arose in the camp as the soldiers returned to their posts.
"Lieutenant. Have I ever given you a single reason for you to doubt me?"
"No, of course not, Commander!" Yao replied immediately, leaping to attention.
"Good. Thank you for your report, Lieutenant. I want you to review the troops for me tonight. I have stuff to do. You are dismissed."
"As you wish, Commander!"
And after a brief salute, Yao stepped out, creating a draft in his wake.
Lu Fang returned his attention to the landscape. The vultures seemed to have spotted their prey. In their elegant flight, they described more and more narrow concentric circles and finally one of them swooped towards the ground.
Lu Fang's eyes fell at the same time to the letter which was still on the tablet next to him.
There was only to wait and see. Zuko didn't need him to surround himself with enemies. Threats arose within his own nation.
What could such a neglectful and depraved ruler hope for? A king who spends all his energy in the futile defense of his sister whom the whole world wanted dead, and who would betray him at the first opportunity? When he should have devoted all his efforts to consolidating the peace and establishing his authority in his own nation! A king who imposed his utopian and idealistic ideas on a people who did not want them? It was quite entertaining to witness Zuko's paltry battle to create a world that could exist only in his dreams and those of the Avatar.
According to this letter, the group of fanatics called Sons of Agni has been experiencing a resurgence in popularity for some time. Lu Fang's decision to withdraw his troops from the colonies seemed to have contributed to this success, through a domino effect.
It was almost too easy, he told himself, a cruel smile stretching his lips. If everything turned out the way he hoped, there wouldn't even be a need to fight.
Lu Fang left his spot and walked towards the large table set up in the middle of the yurt on which a huge world map where pawns were placed was spread out. The faces of the little wooden figurines were all turned to the Fire Nation.
Lu Fang opened the drawer under the tray and rummaged inside for a moment.
Finally, he found what he was looking for.
He took a damaged piece of parchment out of the drawer and stared at it for a moment. On the yellowed surface were five people, obviously members of the same family. A tall, stout man, dressed in traditional attire, stood beside a slender woman with a serene face. They stood behind three children staring at the author of the portrait. In the center was the eldest, a tall, well-built boy with clear eyes and an already square jaw despite his fifteen years. To his left, a tiny little boy with large, naive eyes and cropped hair held a spinning top in his tiny hands. To her right, a girl, barely younger than the teenager standing beside her, was smiling. The same sweetness that illuminated her mother's eyes emanated from her.
Lu Fang slid two fingers across the girl's face. The last time he had seen her, the leprosy had done its work and nibbled away at her delicate features one by one.
He looked up; an angry expression imprinted on his scarred face. He replaced the portrait in the drawer and returned to his spot.
The Fire Nation had taken her from him years ago. Nothing would fix that. Neither the Fire Lord's promises to restore peace and give the independence to the colonies, nor Kuei's confidence, nor even the throne.
There was only to wait and see. Soon the Fire Nation would be amputated from its head. And before that he would make sure the Fire Lord too knew the suffering of losing a sister.
So much for today. I hope you liked this chapter. I don't know when I can post the next chapter. The holidays are over and my free time will be drastically reduced. Remember that your comments are my main source of motivation. So do not hesitate to share your opinion, on this chapter or any other passage. I would like to remind those who haven't read it yet that my prequel "The Fire Lord's Guest" is available on the site.