SooMing perched daintily upon a sitting pillow in front of Lord Gumo's low desk, where he sat with a plate of horderves and oolong tea. The slim man wore golden half moon spectacles that, along with the silver hair at his temples, distinguished him. He wore an elegant absinthe colored robe with subdued gold trim decorated with gold buttons. The Garment was rumpled from the road and Lord Gumo's crabbed expression denoted his displeasure with her untimely arrival.
"I had not expected you until midday." He commented coolly. Butter cream colored eyes peered at her inquisitive as she smiled apologetically.
"And I am sorry for that, My Lord. But my business with you simply can't be delayed. I beg that you forgive my callous intrusion." Soo Ming put her palms together before her and bowed low in her seat.
"It is not too inconvenient, I suppose." Lord Gumo mumbled as one hand began to stroke his trim beard. "What is this urgent business?"
Soo Ming's eyes flashed to the waif of a woman that stood behind Lord Gumo, watching her like a hawk. Rose from her bow and returned to her impeccable posture.
"Might we speak privately, my Lord?" Soo Ming inquired with a small nod toward the seemingly omnipotent housekeeper.
"There is no greater privacy I can provide." Lord Gumo answered stoically. "State your business."
"As you please." Soo Ming gave a nod and held her sleeve up to her mouth in deference. "I am here to inquire after your guest. The Beifong family has sent me to collect her and escort her home to Ba Sing Se."
Lord Gumo's pale eyes narrowed at her and he took up his tea cup and saucer before taking a prudent sip. His cup clinked as he returned it to its saucer. "Interesting. My messenger was only sent out yesterday. How could they have sent you to respond so quickly?"
Soo Ming could read the suspicion in his eyes.
"You must understand, Lady Beifong's safety is of utmost importance to me. Considering the circumstances of her attack, one cannot be too careful." Lord Gumo gazed at her over his spectacles, awaiting her answer.
"I was traveling behind the Lady's group. When we heard she was attacked, her aunt Lady Poppy Beifong commanded me to locate her and bring her home. She will be waiting for our return." Soo Ming imagined that dropping the name of one of the most powerful Beifong women would loosen his temperament a bit. "She continued onto Ba Sing Se in case Lady Kitsune arrived home before I found her." The lies slipped so easily from her rouged lips.
Lord Gumo considered her for a long moment seeming to relax. "I see. How is Lady Poppy's daughter fairing? I heard she'd been experiencing trouble with her ailment"
"Very well, my Lord. The doctors say she will be on the mend soon." Soo Ming knew the moment the words hit his ears that had not been the right answer.
"Interesting. They've found a cure for blindness then?" Lord Gumo's gaze hardened, obviously thinking he'd snared her in some game of wits.
"Oh goodness no, My Lord!" Soo Ming laughed like a clear bell. "I thought you were inquiring after her terrible cold!"
Lord Gumo's glare softened, a flash of surprise dancing across his face before he composed himself.
"I see." He took another sip of his tea. "You may report to your Mistress that Lady Kitsune is unwell, and will not be able to travel. She is safe here until my healers deem her fit for transport." Lord Gumo did not trust this strange woman, no matter how easy her manner may seem. Ming Ming had informed him of her suspicious activities, but he was not prepared to reveal his hand just yet. He had no intention of allowing this woman within twenty paces of his esteemed guest.
Soo Mings lips pressed together and relaxed as she realized that she would be met with a stone wall. "My lady will not be pleased with this news. She wants Lady Kitsune home as soon as possible."
"And I can assure you that she will be free to travel as soon as her health is no longer in danger. Certainly Lady Poppy would not object under the circumstances. We are such old friends after all. I'm sure she will trust my decision." Lord Gumo took up a scroll and began to read. "You may go now."
Soo Ming's blood boiled at his dismissal but she smiled and bowed nonetheless. She would need to take her niece by stealth then. "As you wish. I will return to visit with Lady Kitsune in the morning."
"I'm afraid not." Lord Gumo replied commandingly as he peered at her over his scroll. "The lady requested not to be disturbed. She wants time to heal. You understand." The smirk that quirked across lord Gumo's face awoke the viper with Soo Ming and she decided in that moment that she would taste his blood on her fingers before this tale was over.
"I see. Very well then. Farewell, my lord." Soo Ming bowed once more and rose from the silk sitting pillow. The housekeeper left her perch behind lord Gumo and stalked Soo Ming out of the palace. Ming Ming watched as the snake of a woman climbed into her carriage and rolled away. As soon as the carriage was out of sight she returned to lord Gumo, who had assumed his tell tale look of concentration. He stroked his beard with a grim frown as he watched the steam rise from his teacup.
"I do not trust that woman." Soo Ming offered as she began to tidy. "She puts my teeth on edge."
"As always, you are right, Ming Ming. That woman is not to be trusted. Double the guards and place two men outside of Lady Kitsune's chambers. That woman is dangerous. I can smell it on her." Lord Gumo set his scroll down and turned to Ming Ming who was waiting patiently for further orders. "And request an audience with lady Kitsune. It is time I meet our mysterious guest."
Kitsune swallowed the lump in her throat as she wheeled herself away from the couch where Lee had abandoned the tray of food and rolled over to her bed. It was awkward to maneuver but she managed after a few irksome moments of struggling. Kitsu stood and immediately collapsed against the bed as a yelp escaped her lips. With a frustrated grunt Kitsune used her good foot to thrust herself off of her knees and up onto the bed where she scooched carefully back against her pillow.
"Are you alright, my Lady?" Ai asked as she slipped into the room. Kitsune turned to her in surprise and nodded quickly.
"I'm fine, just clumsy." Kitsu answered with an awkward chuckle. She was desperately unused to having so many people intrude upon her privacy like this.
"Let me help you!" Ai rushed across the room and pulled the chair away from the bed. Despite Kitsu's protest the young girl fluffed the pillows behind her and pulled the rumpled comforter up over her slippered feet and to her lap. Kitsu flushed and did her best not to panic.
"Please stop!" Kitsu urged. Ai froze in surprise and flushed a deep red.
"I'm sorry, my Lady. I only wished to help."
Kitsu chided herself for panicking and swallowed her agitation.
"I'm perfectly fine, thank you." Kitsu grumbled, throwing in her thanks as an afterthought to soften her sharp tone. Ai looked lost for words and simply folded her hands in front of her.
"Is there anything I can fetch you, my lady?" Ai inquired after a tense silence.
"No." Kitsu sighed. "And please stop calling me that. I prefer to be called Kitsu." She couldn't handle all of the coddling being lavished upon her. She was perfectly capable on her own.
Of course her conversation with Lee only moments before had done nothing to sweeten her mood.
"Oh I couldn't possibly!" Ai protested. "It would be improper." Kitsu leveled her with a stony glare and Ai fell silent. With another heavy sigh Kitsu rubber her throbbing head and shook it gently.
"Please. For the sake of my sanity, just call me Kitsu." She looked at the young maid servant who appeared to be terribly bewildered, but Ai nodded in agreement all the same.
"Alright.. Kitsu." Ai tried out the intimate pet name and blushed immediately at the thought. She was on a pet name basis with a Noble lady. This could only bold well, despite the lady's poor temper.
"Thank you." Kitsu gave a wan smile and closed her eyes. "What is your name?" Perhaps she could smooth over her rude behaviour.
"My name is Ai." The girl offered cheerily as she continued to stand by the bedside unmoving. Kitsu gazed at her confused by her lingering.
"Do you need something?" Kitsu asked with her dark brows knit together. She watched as Ai shifted on her feet.
"I think your husband is an imposter!" Ai blurted out suddenly. The flashes of emotion that crossed Kitsu's face in response to her outburst were almost impossible to follow. Confusion, fear, and then rage.
"How dare you?" Kitsu growled.
"No! I have proof!" She scrambled to withdraw the stolen items from her sleeve and presented them to Kitsu in a panic. "I found these in his things! A fire nation headpiece and family tree! I believe he may be one of your attackers." Ai's voice quavered as Kitsu became white as a sheet. Her strange eyes wide as she stared at the pile of trinkets. The beifong coin she understood, but why had Lee taken her family tree and her father's headpiece. Wheels turned in her head as she set her jaw and turned her gaze to the young maidservant.
"You are wrong." Kitsu murmured dangerously. She grabbed the items and hid them in her sleeve. "These items belong to me. My husband was carrying them for me. How dare you sift through our things?" Kitsu threw off her blankets and kicked her legs over the edge of her bed, fueled by her anger. Did no one in the outside world understand privacy? Would she forever have people nosing through her things?
"I didn't mean to!" Ai cried as she took a step back. Suddenly her plan seemed utterly foolish just like her sister had said.
"Who have you told!" Kitsu growled as she forced herself to stand, leaning heavily on the bedside.
"No one, my Lady! I swear!" Ai raised her hands in a show of innocence and shook at the ferocity of Kitsu's gaze. She'd known Beifong were said to be ill tempered but she had not anticipated such a raging response.
"Swear again!" Ai roared as she clenched her fist in anger. How had this happened? How could Lee be so careless?
"I swear, my lady! Your secret is safe with me- I.. I wish only to serve you!" Ai knelt to the ground and clasped her hands in contrition. "Please my lady, you must believe me!" Images of her punishment drifted through her head and Ai began to shake. The lady had grounds to flog her for taking her personal things, and her mother would be so cross.
Kitsu looked down at the shaking girl and felt suddenly guilty for flying into a rage. Ai couldn't have known what she found. The maidservant had come to her, hoping to help her, and Kitsu had exploded. The pain in her leg throbbed up from her ankle into her teeth and made her waiver on her feet.
"Get up." Kitsu commanded, her tone somewhat softened but still cold. Ai scrambled to her feet and wrung her hands.
"Please, my lady, let me serve you! I want to leave this place and I promise you won't find a more loyal servant! I don't care about your heritage, and I will defend it with my life if I must." Ai vomited her words in desperation, noticing Kitsu's fury beginning to calm.
Kitsu looked at Ai's frightened face and felt her anger wither inside of her like a candle in the wind. Once again she rubbed her throbbing brow and collapsed onto the bed in exhaustion. The weakness in her limbs terrified her. When would they be strong and fit again? Would she forever be helpless at the hands of servants?
"Enough." Kitsu murmured as she rubbed her head. Ai swallowed loudly as her heart pounded in her chest. She did not know what else to do other than set about brewing a pot of tea for the lady out of habit. Her hands shook as she poured the herbs into the little clay pot and set it over a burner against the far wall. "Come here." She ordered quietly. The younger girl hung her head shamefully and approached Kitsu like a frightened boarcupine.
Kitsu looked at the shorter girl. She couldn't be more than fifteen and Kitsu remembered that foolish age as though it were eons ago. "Where do you want to go?" Kitsu asked quietly. Regret rolled in her belly as she realized how terribly she'd responded to this foolish girl. Ai's eyes lit up at her question.
"Ba Sing Se." She answered quietly. "Or wherever you go, my-" a sharp look from Kitsu made her correct herself. "Kitsu." Kitsu nodded and looked at the ground.
"I will need to discuss this with my husband. In the meantime, you cannot tell anyone what you found. If I realize you have betrayed me-"
"No my lady!" Ai waived her hands frantically. "I would never."
"Good." Kitsu said with a weak grin that didn't reach her eyes. Ai nodded and caught her breath in relief. Perhaps her plan would work after all.
Zuko sat in the garden by the koi pond, hair grasped in his fists, elbows on his knees. He watched the large fish drift in circles, breaking the surface of the water to snatch up unwitting insects.
What was he doing there? Where was he going? What on earth was the plan? He felt so utterly lost. For years he had depended on his lazer focus to get him through, but now there was no point. His father hated him, and he would never regain his honor. His fists clenched his hair until it hurt.
Then there was the matter of the wounded girl lying in the palace thinking she was his wife. What had he done? How could this clusterfuck have possibly come to pass. It was like a plot for some terrible play.
But she lived in shame just like him. She was running from her family, just like he was. Zuko's stomach turned as he imagined Kitsu, wounded and fading, happening upon her parents corpses and still having the courage to continue on. How had she done it? Zuko growled and punched the ground with a heated fist. The pain that shot through his wounded arm made him groan and grasp it tightly against his chest. The burns were scabbing and beginning to each from healing, but the deep ache was still there. He hated feeling scattered. There was no order to any of it and he was completely out of control.
What would he live for now?
"Zuko?" Iroh's inquisitive voice broke him from his thoughts and he glanced at his uncle side long. The old general joined his nephew by the pond and, with a plaintive groan, lowered himself onto the grass.
"My knees do not bend like they used to." He admitted with a jovial chuckle and a pat of the offending joint. Zuko remained silent and returned his glare to the ghostly fish slipping through the water. Iroh frowned at his nephew's bitter mood and turned to gaze at the fish in the pond.
"Something troubles you, Nephew."
Zuko crossed his arms over his knees and rested his chin on them. "I don't know what to do, Uncle."
"Congratulations." Iroh replied blandly. "You have joined the rest of the world."
Zuko glared at his uncle out of the corner of his eye and clenched his jaw in frustration.
"Zuko, you have lived your life within the confines of who you were expected to be… For the first time, you have the freedom to choose your path for yourself." Iroh set a hand on Zuko's shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly. "Freedom is a beautiful thing, Zuko. You must learn to embrace it."
"Freedom." Zuko scoffed bitterly. "I'm a fugitive, running from my murderous sister, with no honor to my name." He spat. "What is beautiful about that?"
Iroh leaned back and considered his young nephew carefully. "You also have a beautiful young woman inside that palace who cares about you." Iroh did not pause as Zuko's eyes shot towards him intensely. "A young woman who is better equipped to understand you than anyone I know of."
"She doesn't understand me." Zuko snapped. "No one does!" He was terrified of what his uncle was suggesting. Iroh raised an unimpressed eyebrow at Zuko and chuckled dryly.
"You don't think that someone, who has suffered as Kitsu has, is capable of understanding your struggles?" Iroh hid his hands in his sleeves and returned his gaze to the pond. "You do not need to suffer alone, Zuko. As hard as our situation is, we are lucky to have Kitsu's help. Where would we be if we had not found her? Asleep in a barn with the sheep pigs I'd imagine." Iroh chuckled half heartedly at his last comment. Zuko frowned, unable to rebuke his uncle's points.
"And what happens when she realizes that we've lied to her?" Zuko whispered. Iroh let out a sigh and closed his eyes for a moment before looking up into the blue sky. A flock of birds flew over and the fluttering of their wings broke the tense silence.
"I cannot answer that." Iroh admitted solemnly. "We can only do right by her, and hope that by the time comes, she will not fault us for our mistake." Iroh looked down to his nephew who was gazing bitterly into the pond.
"What frightens you, Zuko?" Iroh asked softly. Zuko clenched his jaw and pinched his eyes shut.
"I'm not frightened of anything." He grumbled. "I just don't know what to do now!" His fists clenched the silk of his trousers as he spoke. "I'm worthless without my honor!"
"Zuko!" Iroh barked and grabbed his nephew's arm, forcing the moody boy too turn and look at him. "I do not ever want to hear that again." He ordered. "A man makes his own worth through his actions. Never forget that."
Zuko looked at Iroh, shocked by his intensity, and could do nothing but nod once. Iroh released his arm and sat back with a grumpy frown.
"You should check on Kitsu. She is worried she has upset you." Without another word Iroh stood up and left Zuko by the pond. Zuko watched his uncle leave and rubbed the back of his neck. With a reluctant sigh he stood himself up and went to check on the girl that was so deeply conflicting him.