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Everything Happens in Ba Sing Se	By : CanadianGirl Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Het - Male/Female > Mai/Zuko Views: 4070 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
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Everything Happens in Ba Sing Se

Chapter 9: Little Firebender

Fire Nation Capitol

They were first time parents; stressed out, worried and fatigued yet still deliriously happy. Akina was one week old when Mai and Zuko brought her home to the Fire Nation palace. Zuko had hovered protectively over mother and daughter the entire voyage home, fussing as much or more than any old woman ever would. Mai took it in her stride; actually she enjoyed the fussing and the help. Zuko was already a good father, attentive, interested, affectionate and completely taken with his baby girl. Mai had always known he would be. She was just glad now that he knew it.

They were eager to show her off to Kenji, the man who it often seemed, was their only true ally in the capitol. A letter had been dispatched home as soon as Zuko had managed to wrench his eyes away from his little family. It was adorable really, the way he continued to drink in the sight of Akina. It was as if he couldn't quite believe that he had anything to do with something so wonderful.

"Zuko, I promise that she won't disappear if you look away." Mai cradled Akina with one arm and placed her free hand on top of her husband's.

"It's stupid, I know, but I can't seem to take my eyes off her. She's so perfect and pretty and sweet."

"She's not destroying your nipples, is she?" Mai retorted. "Agni, they're sore."

"Um, no, I guess she's not." What could a man possibly say in reply to something like that?

The royal couple's airship was about to land near the palace. Zuko could see Kenji waiting on the ground along with a palanquin, something the couple rarely used. The middle aged man began to wave and the smile on his face was warm welcome enough for both Mai and Zuko.

"Let's see the little princess," he demanded cheerfully as soon as Mai and Zuko disembarked.

Zuko took Akina from Mai. He was still a bit stiff and unsure when holding the infant, but every time he took her, the Fire Lord improved.

"Here's Akina," Zuko declared proudly. "She looks almost exactly like Mai. She's beautiful."

Kenji stepped forward and took a peek, running a gentle finger along the baby girl's cheek. "Wow, you did well, my friend; she's amazing."

Mai cleared her throat and gave Kenji a pointed look. "Remember, I'm the one who carried her for eight months and suffered the pains of childbirth."

"And you'll probably never hear the end of it," Kenji whispered to Zuko.

The Fire Lord chuckled, took one look at Mai and stopped. "Mai was incredible," he clarified. "I couldn't have done what she did. I have a new and greater respect for women now."

"Oh, really?" Mai questioned as she quirked her eyebrows. But she believed her husband; he always treated her with respect. He always had.

"Really," Zuko replied. He leaned in toward Mai and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Love you," he breathed quietly into her ear.

Mai smiled. She would never tire of hearing those words.

"Congratulations to both of you," Kenji stated, now completely serious. "Akina is gorgeous and healthy. You have a both a daughter and an heir."

"Something tells me that the words 'daughter' and 'heir' won't please the council," Mai noted.

"Something tells me that you're right," Kenji agreed. "Come on; the palanquin is waiting. The official celebration is tomorrow. I know that you want to introduce your daughter to the nation. Your people will be thrilled, Zuko and Mai."

"I want to get her settled in the nursery, Zuko. Kenji, is the bassinet in our room for night time?"

"Everything has been taken care of. All you need to do is carry Akina inside."

"Thank you, Kenji; I wonder sometimes what we would do without you." Mai flashed the man a grateful smile and stepped into the palanquin. She leaned back into the cushions and let out a pleased groan. Sometimes luxury was a good thing.

Every member of the council was lined up in the foyer awaiting the Fire Lord's and Fire Lady's return, and of course, itching to catch a glimpse of the brand new heir.

"They look like vultures ready to pick our bones clean," Mai remarked quietly, but not quietly enough.

The nearest councilman actually looked offended, as if he wasn't there to make some sort of judgment or assumption about little Akina.

"My lord, my lady," Councilman Chibo said respectively as he bowed. "We're here to congratulate you on the birth of your daughter, a healthy child, and to wish you well."

"Thank you, Chibo. Lady Mai and I are both tired. We'll be retiring to our rooms for the remainder of the day. We need to rest up for tomorrow, after all."

"Ah, yes, the celebration; everything is in order, my lord. The preparations have all been taken care of. I took the liberty of writing a schedule of sorts for you: a few words from you, presentation of the, um, heir….."

"He's tired," Mai snapped. "Just hand him the schedule. He can read it later."

Chibo looked to Zuko who nodded immediately as if to say, "Mai's word is as good as mine; do as she says."

The councilman handed Zuko the scroll. "Until tomorrow, then," he stated, craning his neck to get a look at the infant in Mai's arms.

Protectively, the Fire Lady raised her arm to hide Akina's face. She wasn't ready to have the crusty old men staring at her daughter just yet. As far as she was concerned, they didn't deserve to set eyes on her at all.

"You'll get your chance tomorrow along with everyone else." She glanced over at Zuko and then walked through the foyer and down the hallway to her left.

Zuko followed.

"Ugh, those men get my back up even when they're not doing anything." Mai had just fed Akina and then given her to Zuko for a diaper change.

"Am I doing this right?" he asked with a sweet sort of befuddled expression on his face. "It doesn't seem to be staying on."

"Hang on a second." Mai adjusted her tunic before standing up and joining her husband at the changing table. "No, tighter, like this."

It was incredible how much Mai had learned in seven brief days. She could hardly remember a time before Akina was a part of their lives; such was her impact on the Fire Lady.

"Ah, I see. I'll get it right next time. Oh, and Mai, we do have help you know. There are servants plus the nanny we decided on before Akina was born. I'm going to let her know that she can start the day after tomorrow. Use her as much or as little as you need to, okay."

"I know, Zuko. I want to do as much as I can while still being active in council meetings and working with you a bit. I'm not sure if I could leave her right now, though."

They both gazed down at their daughter then and marveled at her very being.

"I understand. I don't want to leave her either."

Akina slept in a bassinet near their bed. Several times during the night, both new mother and new father got up from their bed to simply stare at the child, silly smiles of happiness on both their faces.

Morning dawned bright and warm with no clouds to be seen. The celebration planned around the presentation of Akina to her people was to begin just past midday. Mai wasn't too keen on the whole idea but some things needed to be tolerated without complaint and this was one of them. The people of Capitol City lived and worked around the palace, some of them in it, and many were involved somehow with the royal family; their butcher shop might supply meat for instance or their book shop the latest volume of something that Mai fancied. They deserved to see Akina and they would.

Stretching, Mai followed Zuko out of bed and went immediately to the bassinet. He was already there, watching Akina slowly awaken, a besotted grin on his face.

"Wow, you've got it bad," Mai deadpanned and linked her arm through his. "But I don't blame you. We made a pretty damn amazing baby."

"Yeah, yeah, we did and I think she's hungry."

Between feeding and bathing, diapering and dressing, the morning sped by. It was a little frightening just how much time was eaten up in the care of Akina; time well spent and treasured by both Mai and Zuko.

"I need to get washed and dressed, Zuko. Sleep clothes won't cut it out there on the dais." She handed off Akina and headed into the bathroom.

The Fire Lord sat down in a comfortable arm chair and crooned at his daughter. "Hello, princess; are you ready for your big debut? Agni, you are just so beautiful." He stroked her cheek then and began to hum some long forgotten tune.

Mai joined him after a few minutes, looking a bit tired but radiant nonetheless in her formal robes, royal hairpiece decorating her topknot, and just enough makeup to enhance her lovely features. Zuko would happily sit like that forever, baby in his arms and Mai at his side. It was bliss.

"You look content," Mai observed with a crooked smile.

"I'm so lucky, Mai. It makes me wonder why this," he indicated both her and Akina, "wasn't enough for Ozai. He had everything and it wasn't enough. I wasn't enough, never could be in his eyes. I look at Akina and you and feel so much love, so much gratitude. What was wrong with him, Mai?"

"Exactly where would you like me to begin?" she inquired dryly. "Forget about Ozai. He doesn't matter."

"You're right, of course. I just can't help thinking about him sometimes." Zuko's face was twisted and he reached up to touch his scar.

"Well, do it another time then; no brooding today. It's special. I'll take the baby now. You go get ready."

An hour later, the little family stood together on the dais, Zuko's brief but heartfelt speech over, and listened to the cheers of the huge crowd. Akina's eyes scrunched up at the loud noise but she didn't cry. The people looked ready to celebrate now; there was food and drink and games and later there would be music, dancing and fireworks. As Kenji often said, sometimes the citizens needed an excuse to celebrate, have fun, take a few hours off from work. It did wonders for morale. The birth of the Fire Lord's and Fire Lady's first child was reason enough.

Zuko and Mai retired to their rooms shortly after and later took in the fireworks from their balcony, Akina sleeping peacefully against Zuko's chest, Mai resting her head on his shoulder.

The next few weeks were a whirlwind of activity and adjustments. Friends came to visit and meet Akina, there was the naming ceremony, of course, and all those thank you notes to write in response to the wonderful array of gifts from around the world. There was sleep deprivation and worry along with tremendous joy.

The baby was two months old before they knew it. Zuko was back to working regular hours while Mai pitched in occasionally for a change of pace and to give her mind some adult stimulation. She still attended all the important meetings, as keenly observant as ever, though nursing an infant always limited her time away.

A few hours after one of those meetings, Mai silently prowled the hallways, a finally sleeping Akina in her arms, and overheard the councilmen talking. They were huddled together in a small ante- room, the door open halfway. What they said did not please her. In fact, Mai was enraged.

"I don't like the fact that the child was born in the Earth Kingdom. Royal heirs should be born in the palace just like they have always been. I mean, can we really consider her fully Fire Nation if she wasn't born on our soil?" Councilman Tanaka stood with his arms crossed and a frown on his deeply wrinkled face.

"Indeed," Councilman Misato agreed. He stood up to his full height and looked closely at all of his colleagues. "And the way the Fire Lord dotes on her, takes her to the office sometimes, actually changes her diapers, it's ridiculous. Doesn't he have more important things to do?"

Councilman Chibo nodded but kept his opinions to himself.

'Score one for Chibo,' Mai thought as she continued to listen in.

"Everyone is forgetting the most important issue." It was Kanto's time to speak. "The heir is female. Granted, Princess Azula had a brilliant mind. But she couldn't handle a little bit of pressure. Females get hysterical when they encounter trouble. It happens time and again. Are any of you happy with the idea of a female heir? Don't tell me that all of you aren't hoping their next child is a son?"

Even with one arm occupied holding onto her daughter, Mai was killer with her knives. Kanto was pinned to a tapestry and the wall behind it before he had a chance to blink. The rest of the men found themselves in similar situations, too slow to dodge the shiny silver blades as they flew through the air.

Mai strode imperiously into the small chamber. She glared at each and every councilman before beginning to speak. "Just as I have always suspected, you men are stupid. I mean, did you really think that no one could hear you? Or did you just assume that I was off having some hysterical fit somewhere while Zuko changed Akina's diaper? I'm going to say this only once; do not ever degrade my daughter or put her down because of her sex or where she was born. She is the heir to Fire Nation throne and both the Fire Lord and I could not be more pleased. Personally, I hope that all of our children are girls, just to spite each and every one of you antiquated bores." Mai turned away from the men then and walked slowly toward the door. "Zuko may think that all of you are the best choices for councilmen and perhaps you are good at what you're actually supposed to do. But he won't tolerate anyone speaking about his child the way you did. I would start looking for other jobs. Oh, and when you're free, just leave the knives on that little table over there. I'll come for them in the morning. Come on, Akina. Let's get out of here."

Once around the corner, Mai leaned against the wall and began to tremble. It wasn't the confrontation itself but the old feelings of worthlessness the remarks had dredged up that upset her. She had spent years feeling inadequate, unloved and useless simply because she was a girl, and a firstborn girl to boot. Her daughter would not know those feelings ever, not as long as Mai had breath in her.

Six Years Later

"How come Tenzin can bend and he's only five?" Akina asked her father after one of their special training sessions. "What's wrong with me?"

"Nothing," Zuko replied quickly and forcefully. "You'll bend when you're ready and if you never do that's fine as well. Look at your mother. She's deadly with those knives. She doesn't need to bend."

"I know, but the Fire Lord is supposed to firebend. That's what everyone says."

Akina wiped at the tears that filled her narrow gold eyes and pushed thick black bangs off her forehead. She was beautiful child, six years old now and the spitting image of Mai. It was almost eerie how much the two looked alike.

"Who said that to you, sweetie?" Zuko knelt down so he could look directly into damp, sorrowful eyes. He reached out and brushed a stray tear from her cheek.

Akina began to sob and wrapped her arms around Zuko's neck. "Some kids at school. They can bend already too and they said that I was stupid and couldn't be Fire Lord."

"Listen closely; I couldn't bend until I was seven and even then I wasn't very good. It took me a long time and a lot of hard work to get where I am. And you are not stupid, Akina. You're a bright girl and will make a fine Fire Lord many, many years from now. How about you just concentrate on being a little girl and having some fun?"

"Okay," she snuffled. "Can I go find Mom and Kinako and Sayori?"

"Sure, go ahead. They're at the turtleduck pond."

Zuko watched his daughter run, ponytail bobbing up and down, her steps growing more and more light the further away she got. She had already moved on to something else and for that Zuko was glad. He hated when Mai or one of the girls cried. All he wanted to do was make everything better. And that wasn't always easy.

"How was the movement training today?" Mai asked Zuko as she nursed their youngest, four month old Sayori.

"It was good. Akina's bright and listens very well. She has more patience than I do too." Zuko contemplated telling Mai about their oldest's misgivings.

While he thought, Mai continued with the questions. "Did the girls get to sleep easily tonight?"

"Hmm, oh yeah, they're both asleep." He watched as Sayori finished up and began to drift off herself. "I'll put her down." He stood up and held out his arms for the infant. "Hello, baby," he said sweetly. "Time for bed." Lovingly and expertly, he placed her in the bassinet, the same one that both her sisters had used, and tucked her special blanket around her, making sure that she felt warm and secure before rejoining Mai on the sofa.

Mai edged closer to Zuko and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "What's wrong, Zuko? Something's bothering you. I can tell."

"You'd think that I would learn? You always know, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. The fact that you're completely transparent has nothing to do with that at all." Mai rolled her eyes and waited for her husband to continue.

"Akina's worried that she hasn't started bending yet. Apparently some kids at school were teasing her and said that she can't be Fire Lord if she can't bend."

"Oh great," Mai sighed. "I hope that you set her straight."

"I did my best. I don't want her to ever feel the same shame that I was made to feel. And I will not put pressure on her. I don't care if she ever bends. I just want her to be happy."

"And that is why you're a good father," Mai assured her husband. Zuko beamed at the praise. "Akina's too young to be worried about stuff like that. Fire Lord; for Agni's sake, that's decades away."

"I know, I know; listen, I was thinking that maybe a little time with Iroh would help. He's such a good teacher and I never appreciated him when he was teaching me. He's a little mellower than I am. He could do firebending forms with Akina. Maybe the two of us could show her some of the dragons' moves. Then when she does make fire, if she does, she'll have already started her basic forms."

"Zuko, it's all right. You don't need to convince me. I can make all the arrangements if you like. And Akina will be thrilled to see Iroh. She adores him."

"Thanks, Mai." Zuko tilted her face up, one finger beneath her chin, and kissed her passionately.

"I like where this is going," Mai gasped when Zuko finally pulled away. Her voice was suggestive and she put one hand strategically close to the tightening crotch of Zuko's pants. "I think that you like where it's going to."

"I do," he rasped. "So what are we waiting for?"

Ba Sing Se

As soon as they stepped over the Jasmine Dragon's threshold, Akina tore through the tea shop calling out for her great uncle. She weaved her way through the maze of tables and chairs and darted into the kitchen where she found the old man busy talking with a very attentive Ping.

"Ah, look who's here," the tea maker exclaimed with a huge grin. Immediately, Iroh bent down to wrap still strong arms around his great niece. She grinned back and wrapped her small arms as far around Iroh as they could go. "Ping, do you remember Akina?"

"I do indeed. Hello, Princess Akina." Ping bowed and made an exaggerated sweeping gesture with his arm.

The girl giggled. "Hi, I remember you too. Can I go out in the garden, Uncle Iroh?"

"Just for a few minutes; I'm working on lunch for everyone."

"K; bye, Uncle."

With that she was gone, running up and down the slate pathways, stopping to sniff flowers that appealed to her and checking out a bush that she had helped Iroh to plant during their last visit.

Meanwhile, Mai and Zuko along with two and a half year old Kinako and baby Sayori were just making it to the kitchen.

"Hi, Uncle," Zuko smiled. "I'm really glad to see you."

"It's been awhile, hasn't it? Akina is out back in the garden, but I told her not to take too long. Ping and I are almost finished with lunch. Now, let me look at all of you."

He stepped back, wiping his hands on his apron, and took in his family. "You all look wonderful. Kinako, how about a hug for your old great uncle?"

Without hesitation, the toddler moved forward and held on tightly to Iroh's legs. He stroked her hair and remarked how pretty she was. "You're a bit of your mother and a bit of your father. How is your little baby sister?"

"Good," Kinako declared with a toothy grin.

"Here, Uncle, do you want to hold her?" Mai handed Sayori over to Iroh and he cradled her lovingly.

"Nephew, I hope you know exactly how lucky you are. Your family is beautiful."

"I am lucky," Zuko said softly. "Are you still okay with giving Akina some instruction?"

"I'm honoured to teach her a little something. Nothing would make me happier than passing on some of my knowledge to my great niece. She's a dear and I don't like to hear that she worries about her fire or lack of it. Six years old…it's ridiculous."

"Thank you, Iroh. I think I'll head upstairs and feed Sayori before we eat our lunch." Mai reached out for the baby and the tea maker handed her back reluctantly.

"Of course; Zuko and I will mind the others. Come along Kinako; I need your help with the tea."

"See you in a bit." Zuko kissed Mai and watched as she walked up the stairs.

Iroh clapped the Fire Lord on the back. "Like I said, nephew, you are one lucky man."

"Do you know about balance, Akina?" Iroh and the little girl sat on a bench that had been strategically placed beneath a huge shade tree.

"Sort of," she answered. "Daddy talks about it and so does Aang."

"Everything, including you, works better when it's in balance. If you have too much anger or too much sorrow, or too much worry it's likely that your school work will suffer or your bending or your knife throwing. Do you understand?"

"Mmm, I think so."

"And have you been worried lately?" Akina nodded. "You're worried that you haven't made any flames yet, right?" Another nod. "Well, let's see if we can put that worry aside and work on some firebending forms."

"But I can't bend!"

"That doesn't matter. When you do begin to bend, you will already know some forms. And even if you're not a bender, these forms are wonderful for your concentration and will help you to move with grace and ease, like your mother does."

"She's real quiet and so is Daddy."

"Exactly; so let's get started." Iroh got up from the bench with a slight groan, and then began to bend and stretch, loosening stiff muscles.

Akina copied his every move, her face a study in concentration; lips pursed, eyes narrowed.

"I haven't started yet, my dear." Iroh chuckled and ruffled the girl's hair. "Now, watch what I do and then try to repeat it."

A quick study, the heir to the Fire Nation throne mimicked Iroh's moves fluidly. Repeating the same movements over and over was soothing and soon Akina felt nothing but a sort of peace. Her limbs began to move almost automatically as she kept sharp gold eyes on her great uncle. Neither saw Zuko standing in the open doorway to the kitchen, his shoulder leaning into the frame and a wistful sort of smile on his face. There was something exciting about learning forms for the first time. He recalled when firebending was new to him, a mystery almost, something wonderful to be learned and honed; that was before all the frustration and anger set in. That was before his father deemed him a complete waste of time and space. Akina would never know that feeling. She was surrounded by people who loved and cherished her, no matter what her abilities might be.

"You're looking good, Akina," he called when Iroh finally stopped. "How did you like it?"

She gave Iroh a bow before running up to her father and chattering excitedly about balance and forms. "Can I do more tomorrow?"

"Yep; I think that maybe Uncle and I will show you the Dragon Dance tomorrow. What do you think of that?"

"Cool," she shrieked and ran inside to get some water and find Mai.

"So, good day, huh?" Mai asked as she and Zuko snuggled under the covers.

It was well past midnight and the tea shop was silent. The streets of Ba Sing Se were quiet too, only the occasional shout or crash disturbing the stillness.

"Yeah, it was a good day. You should have seen Akina. She had no problem with any of the forms." Zuko was every inch the proud father.

Mai brushed the hair out of Zuko's eyes. "I'll watch tomorrow. And you need a haircut."

"You can do that tomorrow too, if you like," the Fire Lord said amicably.

"Okay, I will." Mai tucked herself in closer to Zuko's warm body. "It's cold tonight. You can feel winter coming."

"Let me turn up the heat then."

Mai rolled her eyes but appreciated the warmth emanating from Zuko's body. "I'll always keep you around even if it's only for that," she joked.

"I can do a lot more than warm you up." Zuko practically leered at Mai before he dove in for a kiss that led to gentle touches.

The touches became more urgent and intimate and soon Mai wasn't worried about keeping warm any longer. Her mind and body were occupied with far more important things, like the feel of Zuko's mouth kissing her everywhere and the feel of him moving inside her.

When they were done, a delicious sleepiness came over them both. And when the morning sun lit up their bedroom, both were rested and excited to start the day.

Iroh went over the same forms with Akina again, spending more than an hour repeating the motions. Then he introduced a new form and let the girl get the hang of it before beckoning Zuko over.

"Your father and I want to teach you something very special. It's called the Dragon Dance."

"Dragons can't dance, Uncle." Akina laughed.

"Oh, but this form is very much like a dance and it was invented by the original fire benders; both your father and I have met the Sun Warriors and the dragons. Maybe one day your father will take you to see them."

The six year old practically shivered with excitement. "Could we Daddy? I wanna see the dragons."

"Well, um, maybe. But we can't just drop in on them. I'll have to ask the Sun Warriors. They like their privacy."

"Aww, but I wanna go," she pouted.

"I said we'll see, Akina. Now, watch what your great uncle and I do."

Her lips protruded sulkily for a few minutes but soon she became entranced with the Dragon Dance and a smile replaced the pout. Mai, Kinako and Sayori sat on the bench and watched the proceedings quietly.

"Like this?" Akina asked. She did the moves almost perfectly, her little body fluid and supple and graceful.

"That's excellent," Zuko declared. "Let's do it together."

The three of them move in synchrony and it was beautiful to watch. Mai was captivated, looking at her husband and her oldest daughter moving together like that.

"Hey, Daddy," the girl stated when they were done. "I'm not worried anymore."

Zuko put his hand on her head and smiled. "Good. Take things as they come, Akina. It's so much easier. And I learned that from experience."

"How about a nice cup of tea," Iroh suggested. "It's a bit cool out here in the breeze and my old bones can't take that as well anymore."

"I'll get it started," Mai said. "Zuko, you watch the girls." She put the baby in her husband's arms and glided into the kitchen to make a pot of chai.

Three days later, on the final day of their visit, Akina made her first flames. She never looked back.
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Everything Happens in Ba Sing Se