99 A.G
Prince Zuko was relieved to finally be this far north. His uncle's contacts had continued proving their worth, passing information from town to town whenever anyone spotted the three Water Tribe teens.
The reports had changed slightly over the last few weeks, with people now mentioning two additional travelers accompanying them, but the enormous flying bison made identifying the group easy enough.
Zuko was confident they were still following the correct trail, and for once, he had managed to get ahead of them thanks to the upgrade to his cruiser. The ship had spent the last two years receiving repairs and improvements whenever they returned to Chin Harbor, and the time Zuko had been forced to spend recovering from the Agni Kai had at least allowed the latest retrofit to be completed without delaying them further afterward.
The engines now pushed the cruiser faster than before, allowing them to cross the Mo Ce Sea before entering a series of rivers that carried them north of the Great Divide. From there they continued north until reaching the Su Oku River, where Zuko finally ordered the ship to stop along the coast so they could prepare an ambush.
He was grateful the Avatar had been traveling so slowly. Every report suggested they were constantly stopping somewhere, occasionally remaining in the same region for several days before continuing north.
Zuko could not understand why someone supposedly trying to master the elements would waste so much time, although he was certainly not going to complain while that delay gave him the opportunity to prepare.
Once the Avatar reached the Northern Water Tribe, everything would become considerably more difficult. Zuko had never been there himself, but everyone knew how heavily protected the northern capital was.
Trying to sail a Fire Nation cruiser directly toward it would be dangerous, especially without an entire fleet supporting them, while infiltrating the city would be harder as well. He also did not want to think about what would happen if the Avatar actually became a master of his own element.
The young boy had already proven difficult enough with only using airbending, which he assumed had been thanks to whatever remnants of the airbenders that had managed to teach him. If he learned proper waterbending as well, Zuko's chances would only become worse.
Now he stood near the edge of the temporary camp overlooking the river, watching the water while a few of his crew prepared positions farther along the coast. Two scouts had already been sent ahead to watch for the flying bison, and if everything went according to plan, they would catch them unaware.
They just had to find a way to bring the beast down and he would be able to capture them. He had done everything he could to prepare, yet his confidence had taken a beating so far. His mind was wondering of all that could go wrong and fail.
"You know, Prince Zuko, this is a perfect time to relax."
Zuko turned and found his uncle sitting a short distance behind him with a Pai Sho board already prepared between them and a set of tea.
"Easy for you to say."
"Ha, true. A good cup of tea will do that to me." Iroh smiled. "You could try it as well, you know."
Zuko looked back toward the river. "I have to keep focus. We might not get another chance like this. If he reaches the North Pole, catching him might be impossible."
"That is true, but you have prepared enough, all we can do is wait now."
After a moment, he looked toward Zuko again. "Would you like to play?"
Normally Zuko would have refused without thinking about it. Playing board games was boring, and he never understood how his uncle could spend hours moving pieces around when there were more important things to do.
This time, though, he thought carefully about it. His thoughts kept going back to his current circumstance. After having to recover for a while, where he could do nothing but think, he had come to realize that he had lost one of the few people who would help him in the future.
Not only Lin had treated him fairly, but they had been able to encounter the Avatar thanks to her willingly giving him the tools he needed. He had pushed all of that away, even if he still thought he was right in demanding respect he should be given as a prince.
Either way, his uncle had stayed through all of it, even when he had gone against his advice. Iroh had followed him into exile, trained him, helped him search for the Avatar and continued supporting him even when Zuko made it difficult.
Now Zuko understood that at least until he was able to return to the Fire Nation and regain his honor back, he couldn't alienate his only ally. Which is why he considered his proposition for a while before deciding that a stupid game was worth keeping him close.
"Fine."
Iroh's smile widened immediately. "Wonderful. I was beginning to think I would have to play both sides again."
"You do that?"
"Sometimes. It is surprisingly difficult to defeat yourself."
Zuko gave him a confused look before sitting across from him. "That doesn't even make sense."
"It might, if you attempt to do so one day. Tea?"
"Fine."
Zuko rolled his eyes, although there was no real irritation behind it, and picked up one of the tiles and the cup of tea, and made his play. His uncle began explaining which pieces he had arranged while Zuko occasionally glanced toward the river, still unable to completely ignore the possibility that the scouts could return at any moment.
Even so, he stayed seated and continued playing.
----0000----
The Festival of the Twin Suns had turned the capital into a frenzy of genuine cheerful ambience, the people in the city were celebrating and everywhere Lin looked, people had smiles on their faces.
For three days, banners covered the streets, public squares remained packed from morning until well after sunset, and nearly every ceremony repeated the same message about peace, unity and prosperity now that the Fire Nation and the territories that had once belonged to the Earth Kingdom were finally united under their might.
Officially, the war had not ended entirely while the Northern Water Tribe remained outside Fire Nation influence, but they had gone into isolation long ago, choosing to defend their territories rather than help their allies.
For most people living across the colonies the end of the confrontation with the Earth Kingdom meant true peace. The fighting that had consumed generations had finally moved away from their homes, Ba Sing Se had been liberated, and people were treating the moment as the beginning of an entirely different era.
Lin had spent most of the festival being dragged from one ceremony to another. Her armor now carried several new medals and decorations that she had not asked for, along with additions marking her final promotion and the campaigns she had participated in.
She had already lost track of which ribbon represented which battle, although apparently everyone else cared. Even the servants and attendants knew about them, and they kept correcting their position whenever she prepared for another public appearance.
Her family had been invited to remain in the Royal Palace throughout the celebrations, which at least gave Lin an excuse to spend some time away from crowds and speeches.
She was currently sitting with her parents inside the private quarters assigned to her, finally without officers, nobles or servants waiting nearby. Shyno had spent the first few minutes gushing about her appearance and how radiant she looked.
"You have become so beautiful and powerful. I would say even more than your father." her mother commented proudly.
Kaien faked looking offended. "That is hardly fair, she has your looks and mine combined, how can she not be?"
Lin chuckled and leaned back slightly. "Thank you."
"I'm truly proud of you." Shyno replied, reaching over and straightening one of the medals that had moved slightly. "Your father and I knew you would do well, but I don't think either of us imagined this when you first joined the army."
Kaien nodded. "You exceeded every expectation we had for you. Ba Sing Se alone would have secured our family's place for generations, but everything you accomplished before that already was more than enough."
"Our family is one of the most important in the nation now." Shyno added. "People who barely acknowledged us years ago suddenly have been all over us now."
"That sounds terrible." Lin said.
Her mother laughed. "It is."
Lin had never cared much about whether her parents were proud of her achievements. She had already lived an entire life before meeting them, and their approval had never been something she depended on, but seeing how genuinely happy they were still brought a small smile to her face.
She leaned forward and embraced them both, earning an immediate squeeze from her mother and a much more restrained response from her father until Shyno pulled him closer. After more pleasantries they sat knelt beside the low table to relax.
They spoke about different business and research the family was carrying on, and they kept asking about her input on them, knowing she had ideas that would help them out. For Lin, whatever advancements that they made was a step closer to enjoying the comforts she knew existed back in her own world, but that she had never been able to enjoy.
One thing she noticed however, was that her father had been tense through the entire conversation. He had been smiling as always, but there was something in the way he kept looking at her that suggested he wanted to talk about something more serious.
"Alright, what is it?" Lin asked.
Kaien blinked. "What?"
"You have that face you make when you are deciding how to tell me something which may be bad news for me."
Shyno covered a smile with one hand. "You are not subtle, dear."
Kaien sighed. "It is not bad news, but I do want to say something."
Her father adjusted his robes before looking at her more seriously. "I want you to know that you have my full support, Lin. Whatever happens, your mother and I are behind you completely."
Lin frowned slightly. "Thank you?"
Kaien continued, without noticing her confusion. "Just be careful. You have always been ambitious, but something this important cannot be rushed."
Lin looked between both of them. "What exactly would I be rushing?"
Her father gave her a knowing smile that only confused her more.
"I have already seen enough of your plan to understand what you are doing, and I think it is brilliant. You have positioned yourself better than I ever could have, but next time you should include me earlier. I could have helped you from the beginning instead of forcing you to manage everything yourself."
Lin stared at him while trying to understand what he could possibly be referring to.
'Do they mean my relationship with the princess?'
Shyno gave Kaien an amused glance. "She really intends to keep pretending."
"I suppose caution is a good habit." Kaien replied before turning back toward Lin. "I am not asking you to explain anything you do not want to explain. I only want you to understand that you do not have to hide it from us. I have also gone ahead and placed my people in the right places, we will be ready."
Lin considered asking, but whatever her parents believed was happening, they were clearly convinced that she already knew exactly what they meant.
Her mother reached over and placed a hand on Lin's arm. "And should things go badly, your father and I will make certain the family has alternatives prepared. You will not have to worry about us."
'Do I even want to be involved? But what if they are being misled by someone else that wants to blame it on me? I think I need to uncover this on my own.'
Lin slowly nodded. "I understand. I will do my duty."
Both of her parents smiled at that answer, apparently satisfied enough that Kaien finally relaxed. They stayed for a little longer before leaving for another event elsewhere in the palace, with Shyno hugging Lin once more before following her husband through the door.
Lin waited until their footsteps disappeared down the corridor before leaning back and staring at the ceiling. This was concerning, and she hoped it wouldn't come back to bite her now that things were finally calming down.
Lin stood and opened the door to call one of the guards stationed outside.
"Find Agent Wu and have him come here as soon as possible."
The guard bowed and immediately left to carry out the order. Lin returned to the room while going over the conversation again in her head. Her father made it sound as if there was something going on, something large enough that if it went awry it required contingency plans for the entire Renshi family.
It could be from an economic war against other families, or all the way to a coup, she needed to understand what was happening before she was involved by force. When Agent Wu arrived, Lin wasted no time explaining what she wanted from him.
"I need you to investigate my family discreetly. Find out what my father has been involved in lately, who he has been speaking with, and why both of my parents seem convinced that whatever is happening in the capital is part of some plan of mine."
Wu raised an eyebrow but nodded.
'What kind of games are they playing here?' Lin folded her arms, already irritated.
----0000----
Most of the Fourth Army had been granted several weeks of leave after returning from Ba Sing Se, which Lin considered well deserved after everything they had gone through. Some soldiers immediately returned to their families, others remained around the capital to enjoy the celebrations.
A few seemed completely unable to decide what to do with their free time now that nobody was ordering them around, something Lin understood as well. Her own days had become strangely uneventful compared to the last several months.
Agent Wu was gathering information about whatever her family had involved themselves in, while other spies and contacts were quietly looking into the political movements around the palace. Lin had also begun making use of some of the Renshi family's own resources, although there was only so much information she could collect without making it obvious.
Which meant that for now she was left waiting for other people to bring her something useful. The Festival of the Twin Suns had at least kept her occupied through ceremonies honoring soldiers who returned from the war, and memorial services for those who had not.
She also had dinners with noble families and more formal gatherings than she really wanted. Every person seemed to want a few minutes with her, and Lin had quickly learned that she couldn't refuse every invitation, so she was left with enduring them.
Azula had been keeping her busy as well after deciding that, with the war paused for now, she needed to spend more time understanding the responsibilities she would eventually inherit as Fire Lord.
She had therefore begun attending meetings that previously would have been handled almost entirely by Ozai and his ministers, asking Lin to accompany her whenever possible. Arguing that she wanted another perspective and a guard.
Lin thought it was a good idea, especially since there was considerably more to ruling a country than knowing how to command armies, intimidate and torture people or even firebending.
Listening to ministers discuss taxation, colonial administration, trade routes and reconstruction was probably very valuable to her future, and Lin was glad to see her taking the responsibility seriously.
That morning they had spoken with two noble family heads, a senior minister and several generals about the integration of the former Earth Kingdom territories. And while the discussion had begun normally enough, mostly covering what resources would be needed to restore roads, maintain trade and keep food moving between the colonies and Ba Sing Se, eventually the subject had turned toward the Fire Lord himself.
One of the nobles carefully suggested that Ozai had relied too heavily on older families when appointing officials, arguing that several recent corruption scandals proved the administration needed people with fewer personal connections to the court.
Minister Khute was bold enough to comment that the war effort might have moved considerably faster if military commands had been given according to ability rather than political loyalty, and Lin expected the room to become uncomfortable after such comments were made so openly in front of the Crown Princess.
Instead, the others seemed comfortable agreeing with them. They were careful with their wording and always framed their comments as advice for Azula's future reign rather than direct criticism of Ozai, but the meaning was obvious enough.
Ministers spoke about inefficiencies that needed correcting, generals complained about supplies that had been redirected through political connections, and several people suggested that Azula should surround herself with younger officers and administrators once she inherited the throne.
Lin sat beside her throughout the discussion and said little unless Azula directly asked for her opinion, paying more attention to the people around the table as the meeting continued.
A few months earlier, she doubted half of them would have dared mention that Ozai had made a poor appointment, yet now they spoke openly to the princess, and she began wondering what had changed to make them feel so comfortable doing it.
She even briefly wondered if she might not see them alive again after those meetings. She doubted that Azula didn't notice, being as clever as she was.
But Azula made no moves to stop them, and when Minister Saar suggested that the Crown Princess should begin preparing her own circle of advisors before ascending to the throne, she glanced briefly toward Lin before asking what qualities he believed those advisors should have.
The man immediately began describing competence above all, which sounded reasonable, although Lin remembered how many of Ozai's strongest supporters had recently been removed from their positions, so she didn't think there were many options out there loyal enough.
There were now too many coincidences. She did not know whether the people they were meeting were connected to whatever her parents believed she had planned, but she was becoming increasingly certain that many of these advisors were part of it.
Once the meeting ended and the others bowed before leaving, Azula remained seated deeply in thought.
"There is certainly a lot to do, things that father should have done apparently." Azula commented.
"It seems so." Lin replied, leaning back slightly.
"What do you think is their game here?"
"I think many of them are in on something deeper going on, even if some of the advice given is useful."
Azula smiled slightly. "They do give useful advice."
"Do you want me to investigate them?"
"No, I've got it."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, leave it to me." Azula said, confidently.
She nodded without saying anything else. She intended to support her, if she wanted to handle it she would let her. Still, Lin was going to pay much closer attention to everyone from now on, just in case.
----0000----
Aang was feeling terrible as he watched Katara walk away through the beach with tears in her eyes. Sokka, on the other hand, walked deeper into the sea, then remained standing with his feet in the water as the waves slowly went through him.
"Just give them space, Aang. We will be here when they need us, but everyone needs their alone time to process things like that." Raizo said.
Aang nodded, hugging his knees while atop a small rock.
"I just feel useless right now." Aang said, sadly.
"Yeah, me too." Haru said. "We might stay a bit here though, so I'm going to build Appa a small shelter, just to do something."
Haru walked away, and Raizo moved closer to him, sitting down beside the rock.
"I'm sure we will find something to cheer them up. Right now, it might be difficult for them, but in the short time I've known them, they have a lot of will in them, they will pull through."
"I hope so… I also hope their father's fate was not the same." Aang sighed.
"Do you know his name? I might be able to ask around, maybe he has been… captured instead." Raizo said.
"I don't know his name, but maybe after they come back, we can ask them." Aang said.
"Sure, we can maybe make it a bit subtle, so that they can tell us their happy memories with him, maybe that will help." Raizo said, then he got up and gave him a gentle pat in the shoulders.
As Raizo walked away to their now small camp, Aang stared at the wreckage of the Water Tribe boats in the coast with sadness once more.
----0000----
Lin had been making a conscious effort to be gentle for the last several minutes, a challenging feat having metal fingers. She was running her fingers slowly through the princess's hair while she rested with her head against Lin's thighs.
The entire situation had somehow become more intimate than Lin expected when they had started training that afternoon. She had suggested a few rounds of sparring because all three of them had been restless after days filled with ceremonies and meetings, and at first everything had gone normally enough.
Azula had been focused and competitive as always, while Toph had immediately stood up to the challenge, throwing both of them around whenever she got the chance. Lin had expected the princess to do well, like always, but Azula became tired much faster than usual and started losing exchanges she would win.
Toph had not been much better. She complained about the heat, started missing movements through her earthsense and eventually dropped onto the floor, saying it was too hot to even attempt lavabending.
Lin had called the training there and suggested that they rest instead. She had not expected that suggestion to end with Azula stretched across the cushions beside her, eventually lowering her head onto Lin's lap without a second thought.
Toph had somehow ended up on the floor nearby with her back against the carpet and both legs raised against the wall, occasionally flexing her toes while doing absolutely nothing.
"We can ask a servant to bring us water if you want some, Toph." Lin commented while continuing to brush her fingers through Azula's hair.
"I'm happy like this." Toph replied. "I could easily sleep like this."
"...Alright."
Azula made a quiet amused sound without opening her eyes. Lin shook her head and returned her attention to the princess. Azula looked content like that, and being close to her felt nice. Moments like this had become increasingly common since Ba Sing Se, which still surprised Lin.
A few months earlier she had spent hours wondering whether Azula even understood what she wanted from their relationship, while Lin herself had been equally uncertain about how to approach it.
Now Azula sought her out whenever they had free time, leaned against her during long conversations and seemed perfectly content receiving little signs of affection even if they felt a bit awkward.
Lin had planned to take everything slowly once they returned home, especially now that they had time to relax and be together more frequently. They had plenty of time to figure out what their relationship would eventually become, and she wanted Azula to understand what she was choosing.
The more time Lin spent with her, the more convinced she became that Azula had received very little affection growing up. The princess still reacted strangely to simple things and was confused about what some things meant.
The first time Lin kissed her forehead before leaving for a meeting, Azula had stared at her as though she had done something incomprehensible. When Lin brought her food because she had skipped a meal, Azula immediately asked why she didn't send a servant for it instead.
Even now, whenever Lin played with her hair or held her close without any particular reason, Azula sometimes seemed surprised before gradually relaxing.
She knew the royal family was a mess, Azula's mother was no longer there for her and the Fire Lord didn't seem to care much for affection. Moreover it seemed as if even when her mother was still there, she never cared for Azula as she should have.
Lin looked down at the princess resting against her and carefully moved a strand of hair away from her face.
Azula opened one eye.
"Hello"
"Hey." Lin replied, softly.
"It feels nice."
"I'm glad, princess."
Azula closed her eyes again. "You can continue."
Toph made a disgusted noise from the floor.
Lin turned toward her. "You don't want me to play with your hair as well?"
"Please, no."
"I'm sure you would like it."
Toph moved one foot lazily against the wall. "It is not the same as Princess Platypus here. But if you find a handsome guy that wants to love me, do let me know."
Azula snorted against Lin's legs. Lin smiled and continued stroking Azula's hair while the conversation died down again.
She still wondered how she had ended up here, sitting on the floor of the Royal Palace with the Crown Princess practically asleep on her lap and Toph lounging beside them like an exhausted cat. She never imagined that she would have these calm and cute moments in her life.
Azula moved slightly, turning her head until she was more comfortable against Lin's thighs.
"I can get used to this." she murmured.
"At what?"
"The hair thing."
Lin smiled. "Me caressing you?"
"Yes, that."
"You can just say you like it."
Azula remained silent for a second before replying more quietly. "I like it."
Lin felt warm inside her chest and continued without teasing her. She wanted Azula to become comfortable with moments like this, with affection given out of care and love. Lin was older, even before considering the life she remembered before this one, and she felt some responsibility to make sure they built whatever they had carefully.
Since there was no reason to hurry, they could learn from each other gradually, figure out what they liked and what they did not, argue when they inevitably disagreed and build something that felt natural.
Lin brushed her thumb gently along Azula's temple, then through her face, making the princess smile again. Toph made another exaggerated groan from across the room.
"You two are getting gross now."
Azula laughed softly, and Lin found herself laughing with her while the three of them remained where they were, enjoying the moment.
----0000----
Art by Mochii