Lord Gumo's Garden
Kitsu sat with a tea cup in her hand. It steamed lightly, tickling her nose with the scent of ginger and honey. Iroh had wheeled her to a stone bench where he offered her some hot tea from a little pot he'd abandoned in order to greet her. The warmth of the cup in her palm grounded her in the moment as she sniffled silently and stared at the grass. Iroh let the quiet garden shroud her in comfort and simply sat with her as she grieved the loss of her home. He imagined that years of solitude had made her used to grieving in silence. Trying to pull information from her would only serve to strain her more.
Iroh resigned himself to observing the young girl. His heart ached for her, exactly as it ached for his nephew. She was so young, and lost in a cruel world. As he thought, the sound of approaching footsteps drew his attention and he smiled as Shan approached, leading Poki beside him.
"It seems you have a visitor." Iroh nudged Kitsu's shoulder gently, but the girl only grimaced behind her hand and shook her head.
"I don't want to see anyone." She murmured. The thought of meeting yet another new face drained her. So many new faces in so few days was like a whirlwind to her little world.
"I think you will make an exception." Iroh urged softly.
Kitsu looked up ready to argue against it, but gasped instead at the sight of her dear friend. "Poki!" She yelled and threw her arms out. The Ostrich-Horse nearly toppled Shan in his rush to greet her and roughly shoved his large head into her arms. The press of his enormous skull against her chest was too sweet to be uncomfortable, even if it did threaten to tip her rolling chair over.
Poki nickered and chirped in joy as Kitsu hugged him tightly and scratched beneath his chin lovingly. "Oh Poki I thought you were gone!" The quiet grace with which she had taken her loss broke, and she began to sob.
Iroh watched as fat tears rolled down Kitsu's cheeks and onto the bird's feathers. The sight warmed his heart and nearly brought a tear to his own eye. He looked up to thank Shan, but was intrigued to find the young man sharing an intimate glance with Chen. When they noticed they had been seen their gaze broke. Chen was left blushing and Shan cleared his throat uncomfortably before hurrying to put distance between them.
Iroh shook his head and returned his gaze to Kitsu who was lavishing Poki with kisses and affection. The great bird was so enthralled by their reunion that he flopped to the ground by her feet, never pulling away for an instant, and let his long neck stretch across her lap.
"He loves you very much." Iroh observed, as Kitsu sniffled in an attempt to quell her runny nose. The old general pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it to Kitsu who took it hastily.
"Thank you." She whispered after blowing her nose. "I thought I'd lost him."
"My nephew would not allow it." Iroh chuckled softly. As rough and brazen as Zuko was, his actions spoke of a brave and kind heart. Iroh felt pride well in his chest at the thought of his nephew's valiant actions over the past week.
Kitsu wiped her tears as she remembered her husband, asleep on the sofa. She still could not fully grasp the idea that someone had married her.
"How did it happen?" Kitsu asked after a moment of peaceful silence. "Our marriage I mean? How did we even meet?" She watched as Iroh took a deep breath and began to stroke his beard.
"It is a funny story, actually." Iroh smiled and looked at her sidelong. "He stumbled upon you in the woods. You were gathering herbs at the time." It seemed to the old general that he could offer the truth in a different light so to speak. "At first the two of you were like oil and water. But you cared for his wounds at my request. This was not our first run in with the fire nation, you know." Iroh shook his head. "Then the two of you grew to respect each other, and even care for one another." He avoided embellishment as much as he could. But his weeping heart was a sucker for a love story.
Kitsu nodded and stroked Poki's forehead as she thought. "It is hard to believe that someone, let alone a handsome man, worried over me for days. I just can't seem to feel familiar with the idea. I wish I could remember. It upset him that I do not…" Kitsu paused and looked up at Iroh earnestly. "How can I thank him, Uncle? What can I do for him?"
Iroh was deeply touched by the earnest concern in Kitsu's gaze. She was bound and determined to repay Zuko, even though she was nurturing a marriage that was a farce. Iroh felt the gravity of the lie weigh on him and coughed gently. Perhaps, as awful as it was, it could turn out for the better, or maybe he was a fool hoping for young love to bloom.
"My nephew has had very few people in his life care for him. Perhaps if you took care of him, the way he cared for you, it will make him happy." He watched as Kitsune digested his suggestion and nodded.
Kitsu swallowed as she puzzled over how to go about smoothing the rift in her marriage. Lee certainly didn't treat her the way she imagined a husband would treat his wife. His actions lacked a certain amount of affection that she'd seen between her own parents, but none-the-less he had gone to great lengths to protect and care for her. She looked down at Poki, gave the beast one final kiss on his broad forehead and smiled widely.
"You are a good bird. I'll see you soon." She looked up to Shan who came to her side and took up the bird's lead rope. It took some convincing but after several tugs Poki squawked unhappily and peeled himself away from Kitsu.
"I'll take good care of him." Shan reassured her before leading Poki away towards the stables.
"Thank you, Uncle." Kitsu said as she gave Iroh a smile. "I needed that."
"I am always here, whenever you need a sympathetic ear." Iroh patted her shoulder gently. Over the past week he'd grown extremely fond of Kitsu. He could see so much of her father and mother in her mannerisms. She was passionate and focused like her father, but stubborn and sharp as her mother. Kitsu nodded and turned towards Chen.
"I would like to return to my room now, and I'd appreciate your help with a few things." Kitsu smiled as the girl rushed to help her and once again unlocked the rolling chair. "I will see you later, Uncle." Kitsu called as she was rolled away into the palace. Iroh waved his goodbye before taking a sip of tea.
Zuko's lungs burned as he ran, pushing his body harder and faster as he ran through the darkness. He had to get to her- to save her.
"Zuko!" Kitsu's panicked voice echoed through the darkness. Zuko searched the emptiness for any sign of her, but saw nothing. He could not even see the ground. "Zuko, please!"
"I'm coming!" He roared as her frightened cries made his stomach toss as though he were rolling in a stormy sea. Sweat stung his eyes, blurring his vision just as something came into sight ahead of him. He made out a body lying limp on the ground and felt his heart thud dangerously in his chest. It was Kitsune. Her weak arm was outstretched towards him, he could see blood, just a little bit further.
From the shadows the foreboding figure of his father appeared with his fists full of flame. He looked exactly as he did the day of the Agni Kai. Zuko skid to a halt petrified.
"You traitor!" Ozai barked as he threw a flame towards Zuko, forcing him back and away from Kitsune.
"Father, please!" Zuko begged. "She's going to die!" He dodged more flames that seared his skin and made him cry out in pain.
"She will die, Zuko, because I will it to be so!" Ozai spun a kick that sliced the air with a fierce blaze. Zuko narrowly dodged the attack as he heard Kitsu call for him faintly. The sound shot ice through his veins.
"No!" Zuko's voice tore out of him in a bellow that made him sound inhuman as his mind snapped. He threw flame after flame at his father pushing him back like an animal cornering prey. As a blow hit Ozai the firelord vanished with a diabolical cackle.
"You're too late!" Ozais' voice echoed through the emptiness. Zuko felt ill as he looked at Kitsu's lifeless body.
"No, no, no, no!" Zuko pleaded as he ran to her side and dropped to her knees. She was white as snow, all signs of the healthy tan that illuminated her skin was gone. Stinging tears welled in his eyes as a cry of desperation left his lips. "Kitsu please!" The sight of her beautiful eyes staring blankly into the abyss crushed him.
Zuko shot up, gasping for breath. He hadn't had a nightmare like that before. As he panted and rubbed his eyes he realized that Kitsu was sitting next to him in a chair that was pulled up to the couch. Disorientation flooded him as he slipped from dreamstate to reality in an instant and he yelled in surprise.
"It's okay." Kitsu murmured, setting a tanned hand on his arm reassuringly. "It was just a dream." She didn't know what had frightened him so terribly but the wild look in her eyes spoke to her louder than words ever could.
"How long have you been there?" Zuko asked. His voice was rough with sleep and agitation, but he was suddenly wide awake.
"Not long." Kitsu said with a shake of her head. "Lay back down. I'll stay with you." She offered.
"You don't need to do that." Zuko snapped. "I'm not a child." He felt his face grow hot with embarrassment and he shook her arm off defensively. The sight of her cold dead eyes wouldn't get out of his head.
Kitsu tilted her head in concern, undeterred by his rude response. "No. But I am your wife." She placed her hand on his arm once more and smiled. "It's okay. I want to spend time with you." She reassured him hoping it would make him feel less awkward. His brow was covered in beaded sweat and he was panting.
Zuko gazed at her dumbfounded and swallowed the growing lump in his throat. What did she mean? All he'd done was endanger her and be cruel. How could she possibly want to spend time with him? He watched her swallow nervously just as he had done and nibble her lower lip for a moment. She searched for something to say so she could fill the uncomfortable silence.
"Thank you, Lee. For saving Poki. I… I can't tell you how much it means to me that he is safe and sound." The words spilled out of Kitsu in a rush and she flushed as he looked at her in confusion. "I don't know what I would do if I lost him." She admitted in a whisper.
Zuko looked at her, noticing that for the first time she was properly dressed in a fine Kimono, and her long braid was pinned up into a bun at the back of her head. Her tan skin was paled by white powder and her lips were painted rouge. She looked for all the world like a princess and the realization momentarily stunned him.
"Don't mention it." Zuko dismissed her and looked away, attempting to hide the flush in his cheeks. He couldn't handle the prickly feeling in his stomach when he looked at her. It was just too much to process on top of the dream. Despite himself, though, the sight of her awake and smiling soothed his nerves. He wanted to burn the image of her corpse out of his mind.
Kitsu considered Zuko for a long moment before nodding and taking up a teapot from the table next to her chair. Chen had helped her prepare to care vigilantly for Lee while he slept, and by the looks of it he desperately needed comfort. Zuko watched as she poured a cup of tea and held it out to him.
"Here, drink this. It will help you feel better." Kitsu looked directly into his golden eyes and watched him as he slowly reached out and took the cup. Zuko gazed at her intensely.
"Thank you." He mumbled before lifting the cup to his lips and taking greedy sips of the hot liquid. Lavender and honey coated his throat and tickled his nose as he drank. The warmth dripping down his throat was soothing to say the least. Before he knew it Zuko drained the cup. Kitsu gave a tiny smile and took it from his hands to refill it.
"Don't mention it." She replied cheekily, and Zuko felt a heat bubble in the pit of his stomach. It must have been the tea. The way her dimples showed when she smiled caught his attention and he couldn't look away. Zuko took the cup from Kitsu's rough hands and sipped, this time tempering himself. "Are you hungry?" Kitsu asked as she took up a plate of meats and vegetables that Zuko hadn't noticed before. His stomach growled at the sight and he rubbed it plaintively. Kitsu chuckled at him and set the plate on his lap. She watched as he plucked up hunks of meat with his fingers and devoured them. This was something she could manage. Conversation certainly wasn't her strong suite, but she'd always been good at taking care of animals, and at this moment caring for a man wasn't that different.
"It's the least I can do." Kitsu murmured as she smiled at the sight. "You were so kind, and took such good care of me. I know you feel uncomfortable talking about it, but no one has ever done that for me before, and I promise I will return your kindness." She felt her chest tighten as she spoke, realizing how much she was endeared to this man in so short a time. Kitsu wished for all the world that she could remember falling in love with him, but she felt a fragile hope that she could fall in love with him again. Her cheeks bloomed a rosie pink at the idea.
Zuko stopped, something in the tone of her voice catching his attention despite his feeding frenzy, and looked at her. The gentle flush that peeked through the powder on her cheeks snared him as effectively as her dimples had. The memory of her lifeless expression as she fought the sparrow-viper's venom reminded him of the fear and turmoil he'd felt as he watched over her. He never wanted to feel like that again. Her promise to repay him struck a chord and he lowered the plate of food.
"I'm just glad you're awake." He mumbled with a lame shrug. Zuko wasn't sure what to say. No one ever called him kind, or thanked him for things; not that he'd done anything kind or good in the past several years. Zuko reached back and rubbed his neck anxiously. Kitsu smiled broadly. The little glimmer of sweetness that showed through his anxious habit made her hopeful.
"Do you want to talk about it?" She offered after a long moment. Maybe he would brush her off, but he might confide in her instead, and she was willing to take that chance.
Zuko swallowed and looked at the floor as his dream flashed through his mind. Before he knew what he'd done he gripped the hand she'd laid on his arm in his own. Her warm fingers were like an anchor point in the storm of his emotions. Should he tell her?
Kitsu's eyes widened but she waited silently as his breathing evened. Whatever he was dreaming about, it really shook him, and he had taken hold of her to calm himself. As new to her as his touch was, it felt oddly comfortable. His hot rough hand squeezed hers tightly, and she almost thought she felt it tremor.
"I dreamed that you died, and it was because I couldn't get to you in time." Zuko's voice came out in a shameful whisper. His chest squeezed tightly as he waited for her response. He heard Kitsu draw in a sharp breath but could not bring himself to look at her.
Kitsu's heart thumped as she gazed at his pained face. It was a shock, though she could not say why, that he cared so deeply about her wellbeing. She covered his hand with her own and squeezed it firmly.
"I'm so sorry." She murmured. "I'm sorry I put you through all this." Kitsu felt so guilty. The bags under his eyes showed her how exhausted he was and because of her he couldn't even sleep peacefully.
"Who poisoned you, Kitsu?" Zuko asked as he clenched his jaw. "I need to know." There was no way his sister had used poisoned throwing knives. That was Mai's weapon, but if Mai was there he would have seen her, so that ruled out his sister's old playmate. Zuko turned to Kitsu after a long silence and found her chewing her lip again.
"How much do you know about my parents?" Kitsu asked in a whisper. Zuko's brows knit together at her question.
"Not much." He admitted. "I know that your father was a general from the Fire Nation, and that your mother was a Beifong noble from here in the Earth Kingdom." He watched as Kitsu nodded slowly.
"My father was a General from a very old family in the Fire Nation. I've never met any of my family from there… Before I was born he was ordered to lead a corps during the siege of Ba Sing Se, and somehow, I'm not quite sure… he met my mother and they fell in love." Kitsu sighed and looked at the floor. "When my mother became pregnant with me they ran away together. My mother abandoned her family and my father left his men leaderless…" Kitsu looked back into Zuko's intense amber gaze and swallowed her fear. She was not sure what he was thinking behind those fiery eyes. "Since I was child I have been running from the consequences of my parent's love. My father was exiled and labeled a traitor, and my mother… never returned to her family."
"When I was 15 we were discovered in our compound outside of Omashu in the mountains. My parents were murdered trying to protect me… and I barely escaped with my life." Kitsu held her breath and reached up to the collar of her kimono, sliding it down to show the tail of the scar that marred her tanned skin. "My Uncle did this to me… and left me for dead." A choking tightness gripped her throat and she struggled to swallow as she fought back tears. "I believe my Aunt returned to finish the job." She yanked her collar back into place and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "When I woke up… I found my parents remains… burnt to embers." Another difficult swallow gave her the courage to finish her story. "I stole Poki from a stable and rode until I collapsed… That's when I found the natural crater I made my home in. I assume you know the rest."
Zuko was horrified by her story. He'd known her parents were dead and she was badly injured, but hearing her strong voice shake with emotion as she told it dug through his armor into his chest like a blade. She survived all of that, completely alone, with no help from anyone. He tried to imagine what surviving exile without his uncle would have been like, and shuddered at the thought. He felt a protective instinct ignite within him, but struggled to understand why. She wasn't his problem. Kitsu was just supposed to fix his arm and be one stop along the way. She wasn't supposed to make his chest ache with her stories, or make him want to protect her from danger.
"Please say something." Kitsu whispered. She couldn't stand the unreadable intensity any longer.
"I don't know what to say." Zuko murmured before leaping to his feat. "I need to think." Without another word he crossed the room and walked out the door. As soon as it closed he fell back against it and covered his face with his hands. What was he going to do now?
Ai rushed into the parlor where her older sister was oiling the wooden floors and knelt next to her just outside of the puddle of oil soap that soaked the floor in front of Chen.
"I need you to read something for me!" Ai whispered as she pulled the scroll out of her sleeve and unfurled it.
"Where did you get this?" Chen asked as she dried her hands on her apron and took the scroll from her sister.
"Nevermind where I got it." Chen said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Tell me what it says!
"It's a family tree." Chen ran her fingers over the names on the tree and frowned. "From the Fire Nation! Ai, how did you get this?!" She raised her voice in alarm and Ai shushed her frantically.
"You can't tell anyone!" Ai urged. "I found it in Lady Beifong's chambers, wrapped up in her husband's clothes. I don't think he is who he says he is! This could be my ticket out of here!" The excitement in Ai's voice was unmistakable as dreams of late nights in Ba Sing Se filled her head.
"You stole it!?" Chen gasped. "Ai you could be thrown in jail for this! Are you insane?"
"No!" Ai urged in a hushed tone. "It was hidden! They don't want anyone to know about it. If they accuse me of stealing then they have to reveal their secret." Ai had puzzled it all out. She could leverage this to barter for passage to Ba Sing Se with Lady Beifong, maybe even gain a position in her employ. In her mind it would all fall together perfectly.
"That's terrible, Ai! How did you even come up with such a hair brained plan?" Chen gaped at her younger sister as Ai yanked the scroll away from her and stowed it up her sleeve defiantly.
"Just because I'm not content to stay here and marry a stable hand doesn't mean I'm terrible!" Ai snapped back as she flushed with anger. Chen's cheeks turned the rosie with embarrassment.
"And if you tell Mother or Ming Ming, I'm going to tell her about how you sneak out at night to visit Shan!" Ai threatened angrily. Chen covered her mouth in shock and shook her head fervently.
"You can't!" Chen pleaded.
"Then don't ruin my plan." Ai begged. "It's the only way I'll ever get out of here." Chen looked at her sister completely lost as to what she should do. With a defeated sigh she looked at the floor and shook her head.
"Fine. But you can't just disappear. Mother deserves a proper goodbye before you leave us" Chen demanded. Ai lit up and hugged her sister tightly, but chen shoved her away. "Don't." Chen snapped. "I'm not doing this willingly." Chen gave her sister a cold glare before returning to her work. Ai frowned and stood up, saddened by her sister's anger, but undeterred from her plan.
Earlier that morning…
Soo Ming would not wait to be called by lord Gumo like a lap dog. She rose before the sun and began to set her plan in motion. While the innkeeper slept peacefully with his wife she slipped out into the town and towards the market. In the early morning fog the market was filled with shopkeepers preparing their wares for the day. It was quiet as she glided down the aisles like a wraith, thin and silent on her way. Obsidian eyes flashed as the smell of a blacksmith's forge hit her nose, followed shortly by the black smoke that belched from an earthen chimney on the roof of a shop that sat ahead of her. Soo Ming stepped into the storefront that lay just behind a sooty curtain and shielded her nose from the pungent smell of charcoal.
The blacksmith did not notice her arrival immediately, and she watched him work in silence. His hammer rang out rhythmically as he pounded white hot steel into the form of a dagger. His muscled arms, covered in soot as they were, were scarred and strong. He was the polar opposite of the fastidiously refined Fire Lord, and it aroused her interest. She could have him if she wanted him, his life or his bed if she chose, but there was no time for petty games. Too much hung in the balance for her to become distracted.
"Blacksmith!" She called sweetly between the ringing of his work. The blacksmith stopped and turned to her, hammer in hand and a gruff look on his stubbled face. Upon seeing the fine lady in his shop the blacksmith quenched his work in a bucket of water with his iron tongs and set it beside the forge before turning to her and wiping his hands on his dirty apron.
"How can I help you, M'lady?" He asked in a deep voice that sounded exactly as a man should.
"I have a commission for you." Soo Ming answered demurely.
"What would you like to commission?" A man of few words and quick to the point. How very delectable. Soo Ming smiled and drew a small throwing knife from her sleeve.
"I need you to make me another." Soo Ming placed the blade into the blacksmith's outstretched hand and ignored the roughness of his calloused fingers as they brushed her delicate palm. Oh what a grip like that could do to her hips.
The black smith held the knife up to his eye and inspected the blade. It was cracked at a jagged angle across the tip, but the damage did not intrigue him so much as the shape of it. The blade was long and as thin as a grass reed. The blade was notched with a long groove that ran the length of the tang and created a dual blade effect. The handle was gouged in such a way to allow the grip of two dainty fingers, and nothing more.
The blacksmith looked up and examined Soo Ming for a moment. "A poisoned blade?" He commented more than asked. "I shall be careful not to cut myself." He set the blade next to his other work and crossed his muscle bound arms over his chest. "I charge double for secrecy." The blacksmith answered resolutely.
"And how much do you charge for speed?" Soo Ming asked flirtatiously. "Have it by the end of the day and you can name your price." She placed one lily white hand on his arm and smiled suggestively. The blacksmith raised a brow and gave a crooked grin.
"As you wish, M'lady." His words slipped off his tongue like sweet wine as his eyes caressed her from head to toe.
"Good." Soo Ming withdrew her hand and turned for the door. "I'll return with your payment at sunset." Upon the Blacksmith's nod she exited the shop and blinked at the rosey sky. The sun's fiery crown was just visible above the terracotta rooftops.