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The Price of Peace	By : Looneyluna Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Het - Male/Female > Katara/Zuko Views: 19166 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Summary – Iroh schemes. Toph arrives.

Interlude Six –

She paid little attention to the fireworks outside her window as she wept by the locked door. “It is for your own good,” the Dragon of the West had said.

The attendant stared at her with unsympathetic eyes as Jia Li banged the locked door with her fist. The silk of her robe was dirty and wet with tears – a gift from him.
She was not naïve. She knew what the old man wanted from her. She was too old for romantic notions.

When her previous husband had succumbed to the fever she had mourned. Kalid had shown her kindness. He had wanted to make her most honored wife, but he had been unable to due to the prejudice of war. After all, she had been his prisoner. And prisoners of war did not become wives. They were conquered.

But it had never been like that with them. He had wooed her, broken down her defenses and won her heart. But fate had other plans.

Now she was common flesh in the brothels, selling her body to survive for one night a year – the opening of the Summer Festival.

“Please!” she whimpered, her voice raw from earlier shouting. “Let me go. I must go!”

The Dragon of the West had taken her as his concubine, offering his protection and locking her away. That had been two days ago. Her pleas had fallen on deaf ears.

--

Iroh moved swiftly through the streets…at least as swiftly as he could, given his age. There was much to do and so little time. The royal feast had already begun. He could hear strained laughter from the confines of the compound.

Making his way through the streets, Iroh looked up to the sky. The fireworks were lovely this year, heralding the arrival of the Fire Nation’s season. Summer belonged to the Fire Nation, just as winter belonged to the Water Tribe, autumn to the Air Nomads, and spring to the Earth Kingdom.

Personally, he preferred spring. Summer was much too hot.

Mentally, Iroh chastised himself for letting his mind wander. He needed to focus. He needed to find the Tan family and recover the child. Revelers crowded the street, singing merely and forgetting their daily woes.

His daily woes were just beginning, judging by his nephew’s attitude. Zuko skirted a very dangerous edge – one he could no longer go alone. It looked as though Zuko’s stubbornness would have to be overcome with old-fashioned treachery. Of course, he would need to speak with Hakoda before he arranged the trap. After all, he would be playing an integral part. If only he could give the young Waterbender’s father some acting lessons…

Tracking his way through the maze of streets and buildings, Iroh looked at the familiar landmarks and got his bearings. He chuckled, chastising himself for letting his mind wander again. He needed to get back to the task at hand – finding the Tan family compound.

Although it was unlikely he would be able to reunite Jia Li with her son tonight, he could at least start pouring the foundations. She did not understand, of course. He’d had little time to explain and had had to take drastic measures to keep her inside his home. The streets were thick with soldiers…drunk soldiers, and he could not risk her safety.

He would not risk her safety. He frowned as he remembered Jia Li’s words, her pleas of grief. He was not used to explaining his actions to anyone, much less a woman. Between this plot and the other schemes he had little time.

He stepped into the street and quickly stepped back as a processional of carriages with the Bei Fong family crest made their way down the street. “Another late delegate, no doubt. It really is fortunate that the summit was postponed.”

--

The carriage hit a bump in the road and Toph winced. Her ass was so sore, just like the rest of her body. At least it wasn’t raining anymore. Hearing the sounds of fireworks in the distances, she turned her face toward them.

“Wow! Did you see that?” Mongi asked, his voice filled with awe over the display.

Rolling her eyes and waving her hand in front of her face, Toph “accidentally” kicked him. “Uh, no I didn’t. Blind, remember?”

The uncomfortable silence stretched between them. She didn’t know which she hated worse, the silence or the apology that was coming next.

“Oh, yeah. I forgot. Sorry.”

Gripping the cushions of the carriage, she leaned toward him. She was tired and sore, and her temper had always been short to ignite. “What are you sorry for? For me being born blind? Don’t be. I like being blind. It allows me to see things others can’t – like how I’m going to kick your ass when this carriage stops.”

The bodyguard snorted loudly.

Toph grinned, able to feel the mountains in the distance. “Just wait.”

--

Stifling a yawn, Iroh made his way past his guards and to Jia Li’s bedchamber. The night had been very productive. He had wheedled an invitation to the Tan family picnic and had met Jia Li's son, Hui. Through much flattery and libations, he had convinced the family of Hui’s potential and had offered his services as tutor.

Hui’s grandmother had been wary, but his grandfather had been flattered. After all, it wasn’t every day that a member of the Royal Family paid such respect to a family of the merchant class. Sure, he could have taken Hui from the Tan family, but he had enough enemies and did not need any more.

When Iroh had had a moment alone with the ten-year-old boy he had explained his mother’s absence and that he would be with her soon.

“She did not arrive in the garden this evening,” Hui whispered, tears swimming in his eyes. “She is not in the Spirit World?”

“She is very much alive, aggrieved that she cannot be here with you tonight,” Iroh replied. “You will come to my home as my student. You will see your mother then. But you must keep this secret from your grandparents.”

Unlocking the door to Jia Li’s chambers, Iroh pushed open the door and found a very drowsy attendant. Jia Li was in the bed, staring at the ceiling. Her fine silk robe was soiled. There were dark circles under her eyes. If one could will themselves to death, Iroh had no doubt that she would. Iroh winced. He had not meant to cause her such distress, but he’d had little time to explain things to her.

“Leave us,” he commanded the attendant, who quickly scurried away.

Removing a yellow orchid from his sleeve, Iroh placed it on the pillow beside Jia Li’s head. “I am sorry,” he mumbled, searching for words. “I am sorry that I have distressed you.”

Jia Li’s gaze remained fixed on the ceiling. If he weren’t seeing the steady rise and fall of her chest, he would think she was dead.

“Hui is well,” Iroh continued. “He sends this flower and his love. He will arrive in a few days.”

Her eyelids fluttered. Turning her head, she gazed at the flower.

Tired, and desperately needing some sleep before the summit, Iroh left the room.

--

TBC

Thanks for the reviews, Coolblue and Tabitha!
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The Price of Peace