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A Cursed Blessing	By : Yaoiandcoffeeaddict Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > AU/AR - Alternate Universe/Alternate Reality Views: 6939 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar Last Airbender or profit from this story... damn.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
DIRTY, DIRTY LIARS
"Jet," Katara hissed in a manner Toph only heard her speak to Azula before she pounced and knocked the confused male to the ground. Toph felt Sokka move a few steps forward and arm himself, ready to take on this newcomer as Aang shifted into a fighting stance, one hand remaining on his beloved bison. "What are you doing here, you murderer?"
The unknown male on the ground attempted to rise to his feet before ice chained him to the ground. “Murderer?” he repeated, his voice terrified. “What did I do?” It was like he was far more terrified of himself than Katara.
“Don’t play dumb, Jet. You know exactly what you did,” Katara yelled, her body shaking as she barely held back from beating the boy in front of her to death. “Or have you tried to use so many others like you tried to use me and Aang to kill innocent people all for the sake of your revenge?!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Jet replied. “I don’t remember doing anything like that.” His heartbeat was too steady for him to be lying. The boy kicked and broke free of one of his ice restraints only for Katara to bind him to the ground again. This time with ice binding his mouth shut.
“Liar!” Katara screamed. Her self-control had just broken and she was ready to beat this guy into a pulp.
“Wait!” Toph cried as she created a wall between the two. “Katara, I think you have the wrong person.”
“No, that’s Jet alright,” Aang said. “There’s no question about it.” He hadn’t broken his fighting stance and it was clear he was all for letting Katara beat him even if the guy had brought Appa back.
“He’s the most manipulative person I’ve ever met, Toph. Don’t fall for his act,” Sokka advised, his boomerang at the ready and his voice so hard Momo pushed his ears back in surprise from his perch on Sokka’s shoulder.
Toph shook her head. “He’s not lying. I can tell when someone is lying by his heartbeat. His is too steady. He really doesn’t remember doing whatever you guys say he did.”
“He admitted it before! He admitted to trying to use our bending to kill an entire village full of people because half were Fire Nation! If Sokka hadn’t warned the villagers in time, his plan would have worked.” There was something else going on there that Katara wasn’t admitting. Toph was guessing ex-boyfriend.
Toph sighed. Really for someone who tried to be the grown up, Katara tended to act her age when it came to boys. It was yet another thing that irked her about the girl she saw as a big sister. “At least let him talk. The guy did just bring Appa back.”
Some of the tension left the room. “Toph is right,” Aang agreed, dropping his fighting stance but still maintaining a grip on his staff. “Jet did just bring Appa back to me. I think that should count for something.”
Katara rounded on Aang, anger flowing off of her in such thick waves Toph actually was slightly terrified of her for the first time since they met. “You can’t be serious!”
Sokka took a few hesitant steps towards his sister. “No, Katara, they’re right. Even someone like Jet deserves a second chance.”
Katara was practically shaking with anger before she released Jet’s restraints. Immediately, she then ordered, “Talk fast and then leave.”
The boy now known as Jet wisely made slow movements as he rose to his feet. “Look, whoever you guys are, I’m sorry for whatever I did. I have no memory of it but if what you are saying is true, I don’t blame you for hating me.” He was completely truthful.
“Like we believe any of that story! Why are you here?” Katara snapped, her entire body tense and ready for another fight.
“I work for a noble named Lord Mori, who owns the warehouse Appa was being held in. Two of my co-workers came back from an errand and were talking about seeing a large creature in Lord Mori’s warehouse. I was curious…” Jet sighed. “And I was looking for a distraction from… my thoughts. I saw Appa there and thought he looked familiar. Then this guy Long Feng came in and was telling Lord Mori he needed to move Appa to lure the Avatar out of the city. I freed Appa and he took me here…” Jet shifted his feet nervously.
“Long Feng,” Toph repeated. “I knew there was something not right about that guy.”
“What do you mean you needed a distraction from your thoughts?” Sokka asked, ignoring Toph’s muttering, his finger tapping on his chin.
“When I told you I didn’t remember what happened… Well, I should have told you that I don’t remember much of anything except my name,” Jet said.
Katara snorted. “Yeah right.”
“Toph?” Aang asked, the question obvious.
“His vibrations say he’s been telling the truth,” Toph confirmed.
“I think it had to do with that man Long Feng and something called Lake Lagoi,” Jet continued, his voice adamant. “Please, can you help set me on the path to find out who I was?” There was a hint of desperation in the boy’s voice.
The group was silent, obviously debating whether or not to believe the man. “Well, you helped Appa so I think I should help you too,” Aang finally said.
“You can’t be serious!” Katara screeched at Aang in such a grating manner it made Toph wince.
Aang just turned towards her and said, “I am.” His two words were weighed with all the seriousness and wisdom of the Avatar. Toph once again found herself filled with deep respect of her pupil.
Katara let out a growl of frustration before spitting a grudging agreement, “Fine. We’ll help… for now.” Toph felt Katara shifted from her tight offensive stance into a looser defensive position. But she was still tense. “So what’s the plan?”
---
Zuko knows Kuei is following him and calling his name but he does not stop. His heart is heavy and tight and his eyes are moist with unshed tears. He only stops when he reaches the window-like door to his suite and he collides with the soft, round flesh of his Uncle.
Before he can even think about moving past Uncle, the old man suddenly has a firm grip on his upper arm, comforting and supporting. “What’s this about, Nephew?” Wise eyes look over his shoulder and some understanding settles on Uncle’s lined face. The grip on his arm relaxes but the hand still stays, blocking his way to the sanctuary of his room.
The footsteps behind him have finally caught up with him. There’s that crunching of grass and petals from wooden sandals and large paws. There’s a sigh of relief behind Zuko before he hears in his right ear, “Please, Zuko, forgive me. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I simply wanted to get to know you…” The bear gave a small grunt of agreement with its master.
Zuko’s hands heat up. Part of him knows Kuei is telling the truth but part of him also deeply hurt and even more embarrassed that another error in his judgment is being witnessed by his Uncle. He felt pathetic and disgusted with himself. Really, all the signs had been there and he ignored them. Growing up in the Fire Nation Court should have taught him the importance of a man being aware of his surroundings and associates. To blindly trust was a weakness for a man… but… he was no longer a man… was he?
“Zuko?” Kuei asked softly.
A high pitch squeal of a kettle snapped Zuko out of his mind and he was suddenly aware of the smell of Uncle’s special blend of green and jasmine tea.
“Perhaps this would be best discussed over a nice up of tea?” Uncle suggested, his tone warm and inviting. “Besides, I think it is time I got to know the man who will be my future son-in-law.” Surprise and embarrassment instantly flooded Zuko at Uncle’s statement. Iroh knew who Kuei was. How?
“That would be very nice,” Kuei agreed, some confusion in his voice. Zuko still could not bring himself to look at Kuei as they were all ushered inside. Uncle gently led the Zuko by the arm to a chair at the table and motioned for Kuei to sit next to Zuko’s right. Zuko saw the greens of Kuei’s uniform out of the corner of his eye but he stubbornly kept his eyes on the table before him, his body tense and straight, until a large brown head butted him from his left and he found himself relaxing slightly as he pet Bosco’s warm fur.
A small little tea cup soon appeared before Zuko and he was grateful for the additional distraction of his attention. Without a word, he took a sip and set it back down. The small clank of ceramic cup resting on wooden surface to his right let him know that Kuei had also been served his tea before the groan of a chair told him his Uncle had joined them.
Zuko heard the scraping of Kuei’s cup leaving the table. “This is amazing!” Kuei exclaimed a moment later.
“Why, thank you. I have travelled all over the world since my own youth and was fortunate enough to sample teas from the finest tea shops. But, there was always one thing that remained constant…,” Zuko felt Uncle Iroh’s eyes on him and turned his attention to sipping his own tea, “The secret ingredient to great tea was love.” Zuko looked up and saw the knowing smile his uncle was giving Kuei and barely kept himself from blushing. “Now, young man, why don’t you tell me about yourself. I would like to understand what sort of man will be marrying my nephew.”
Zuko glanced at Kuei out of the corner eye and saw the man’s own embarrassment. “There is not much to tell really. I’ve never set foot outside the palace so I’m afraid I’m not very interesting.”
Uncle’s face was full of understanding. “I imagine that must be frustrating.”
“Slightly,” Kuei admitted, adjusting his small glasses before taking another sip. “I wish I could have visited the places I’ve read about in scrolls but I understood that my place was here.”
“What places have you read about?” Uncle asked as he raised his own cup to his lips.
“Omashu, the Earth Kingdom with the fastest and most sophisticated mailing system, the wonders of the healing pool of the Palace of the Northern Water Tribe, the moon dances of the Southern Water Tribe, the bison of the Eastern Air Temple…” Kuei’s voice was suddenly brimming with passion.
“Ahh,” Uncle simply remarked. The question of why Kuei had not left the palace was not asked. Everyone understood on some level why.
“Actually… before Zuko’s comment today I’ve never considered how much freedom a peasant enjoys as opposed to the king.”
Zuko blushed as Uncle shot him a teasing wink. “So you two have met often?”
“Not as often as I would have liked,” Kuei honestly noted before turning to Zuko and blushing. “I… uh…”
Zuko bit his lip and did not respond, his own face even hotter, as Uncle Iroh’s smile widened. “I am glad to know you have had the chance to get to know each other before the wedding, My King. While the best marriage in my opinion is always a love match, an arranged marriage is always happier when the two are friends first. I am deeply comforted by the fact that my nephew will never have to suffer the pain of having a spouse who neither loves him nor appreciates his opinions.” Zuko realized Uncle was referring to the marriage of Zuko’s parents. “That was my greatest fear.”
Kuei seemed to realize the implications of Uncle’s words and gave Zuko a sympathetic glance. “That does sound horrible.”
Uncle nodded then slipped back into the role of the doting host once more. “More tea?”
“Yes please,” Kuei said with a smile as he held up his cup for more.
“Of course, I am also happy to finally have someone in the family who appreciates tea!” Iroh said with a chuckle as he poured their guest another cup as Bosco drifted to sleep with Zuko petting him. Zuko found a slight smile gracing his face despite the lingering pangs of betrayal at the scene he had found himself in. Uncle Iroh noticed and his smile grew impossibly wider and Zuko’s smile decreased slightly when he saw the mischief in his uncle’s eyes. “Now, I think it’s only fair Zuko tell you something about himself.”
Zuko flushed. “Uncle!”
“Unless you want me to tell your future husband embarrassing stories from your childhood like the time when you were a toddler and decided to mimic the baby turtle-ducks…”
Thankfully whatever Uncle was about to say was interrupted by a knock on the door. Without waiting for a reply, the imposing figure of Long Feng entered the room. The middle-aged man’s fingers were laced behind his straight back and every inch of the green uniform was as immaculate as usual, although Zuko noticed he was leaning on one foot and there appeared to be a scratch on his cheek. With a deceptively warm smile in Zuko’s direction, Long Feng commented, “You are looking better, Prince Zuko. Your face is far less gaunt than before and your hair is growing longer. I am glad to see your health is improving so quickly.” Without waiting for a reply, Long Feng turned to Kuei and bowed. “Pardon my intrusion, Your Majesty, but it is time for the afternoon court.”
Kuei sighed and rose from his seat. Then, to everyone’s surprise, Kuei stood and bowed to Zuko and Iroh. “Thank you for the tea, sir, but I’m afraid I must attend to my duties. Prince Zuko, I hope you can forgive me for not informing you of my identity.” Without waiting for a reply, Kuei stood and followed Long Feng out of the room. Bosco removed his head from Zuko’s lap and followed his master out as well.
The door to the suite shut and Zuko continued to stare at the table surface in embarrassment. There was a sipping sound followed by a few seconds of silence before Uncle announced, “What a nice young man. And not bad-looking either.” When Zuko didn’t respond, Iroh said, “My great nieces and nephews will be so adorable!”
“Uncle!”
“They might even like tea.”
----
There was nothing unusual about the afternoon court. Well-off farmers from the inner ring accused each other of using their land to graze animals, merchants that did business with the palace brought forth shoplifters, the university came to ask for money to fund research, and nobles offered congratulations on his engagement. Kuei slipped back into his role as king as easily as putting on a robe. With wise eyes and a straight back, he heard each side and gave his decisions even as his mind drifted to his future consort Zuko.
Just as Kuei accepted the congratulations from the Lee Fong family, there was a crash and a loud roar. Disbelief came over Kuei just as a large animal and five teenagers burst into the room as Dai Li agents began to pour from the shadows until there were guards around every inch of the room, with weapons at the ready. Long Feng moved to stand in front of Kuei and advised, “Do not get up, your majesty. We will protect you.”
“And my future consort?”
“My agents would have moved the two to a secure location by now.”
Kuei decided to follow Long Feng’s advise and remained seated just as one of the teenagers, who was covered from head to toe in blue arrow tattoos announced, “We need to talk to you!”
“Don’t listen to them. They’re here to overthrow you!” Long Feng said, his body tense as he assumed an offensive stance.
“What!” cried the scruffiest invader wearing a ripped servant uniform.
A dark skinned boy dressed in blue with amazing blue eyes and a short ponytail stepped forward, hands up in an obvious effort to show how harmless he was as he exclaimed, “No, we’re on your side. We’re here to help.”
“You have to trust us,” said a young woman who looked to be the boy’s sister due to the color of her eyes and the way she dressed.

No other Earth King in the past half millennia had any break in at the palace. His wounded pride and concern for Zuko, the person he had come to view as both a highly valued friend and future love, had Kuei seething in anger at the invaders. “You invade my palace, lay waste to all my guards, break down my door, and you expect me to trust you?!”
“He has a good point,” said the smallest invader whose coloring suggested Earth Kingdom nobility. Kuei was startled when he realized a second after studying the little girl that she was blind.

Anger draining slightly as he realized he was dealing with children, he announced, “If you are on my side, then drop your weapons and stand down.”
One by one, the young invaders did as he commanded, though Kuei noted the great reluctance in the scruffy one. Then the first invader with what Kuei suddenly realized were air-bending tattoos said, “See, we’re friends, your Earthiness.”
“Detain the assailants,” commanded Long Feng and the Dai Li moved to stand behind the young invaders, securing their wrists with earthen hand cuffs.

“But we dropped our weapons. We’re your allies!” said the blue-eyed boy, confusion clearly on his face as a Dai Li agent moved forward and gripped his arm.

“How can you do this to us?!” yelled the scruffy boy as he struggled against his captors.
“Make sure the Avatar and his friends never see daylight again,” Long Feng commanded and the Dai Li moved to comply.

“Wait!” Kuei ordered, startled at Long Feng’s announcement. “The Avatar‌…” Kuei repeated, noting how pale Long Feng seemed to get. “One of you is the Avatar?”
“Here, Your Highness,” said the Airbender, breaking the earth cuffs with ease and raising his hand. Kuei then noted the Avatar allowed himself to be bound again.
Long Feng turned to fully face him. “Sir, I’m sorry for not telling you this before but the reason why I have kept you from meeting the current avatar is the current avatar is mentally unsound. There was a collapse at the Northern Air Temple several years ago where he was trained and several young airbenders, including the current avatar were injured. The avatar suffered head trauma and as a result is easily influenced by rebels such as these.”
Suspicion began to creep into Kuei’s brain. At some point Long Feng’s explanation, Kuei noted his bear had walked over to the young Avatar to be petted. The young Avatar once again broke his bonds and complied. Bosco always was an excellent judge of character. “Well, Bosco seems to like him. I’ll hear what he has to say.”
“Well, sir,” the Avatar began as he moved towards the throne, “there is a war going on right now. For the past 100 years, in fact. The Dai Li’s kept it secret from you. It’s a conspiracy to control the city, and to control you.”

“A secret war‌?” Kuei repeated. “That’s crazy!”
“Completely!” Long Feng agreed. “As I said, Your Majesty, the Avatar is mentally disturbed.”

The Avatar shot Long Feng a dirty look. “Long Feng didn’t want us to tell you, so he stole our Sky Bison to blackmail us. And blackmail is the least of his crimes, he brain washed our friend!” The Avatar pointed to the scruffy boy.

“All lies!” Long Feng said.
“And who are we suppose to be at war with?” Kuei asked, torn between his personal advisor and the young advisor of the entire world.
“The Fire Nation,” said the blue-eyed girl, her beautiful eyes locking with Kuei’s.
“What!” Kuei said, startled. The image of Prince Zuko and Prince Iroh’s faces flashed before his eyes along with different scenarios of his army fighting against the two. It just did not seem feasible. He felt sick as he imagined Zuko’s frail form being swallowed under a mound of earth. It took several minutes before he could speak. “Do you have proof?” Kuei asked, his head still reeling from the idea that he was at war with his fiancé’s nation.
“Yes, we do,” the Avatar confirmed, hand outstretched to Kuei. “Come with us you highness.”
TBC!
Please REVIEW.
A/N: Happy Purim! I update when my schedule and my muse allow. Taking 18 credits for my final year was not a good idea so I’m always very busy. And to my friends on FF, I’m having trouble updating.
Thank you for the reviews:
Lady Hoshi: Hope you enjoyed this chap as well.
Alwayslove: glad you like it.
L.D.: hope you liked the depth in this chp as well.
CultofStrawberry: Zuko as Long Feng’s husband also crossed my mind but then I realized Long Feng would need permission from the king… which led me to think of Kuei.

reviews from
FF:

Kimberly T.: Yes, a lie of omission is always a bad start. Zuko is also guilty of it.
Abby Panther: Yep and Jet is not dead!
Naked King: I update when I can.
Moonyazu9: Kuei is really a sweety.
-Blank-: Zuko needs serious therapy.
Lisacreature: If anyone wants to do a fanart of this story, they are welcome to. I’d love to see it.
SpiritMusician: Sorry for making you late…
Fefe77777: I hope Zuko’s reactions were just as convincing in this chap.
Infinitechange: Definitely poor Kuei in this chap.
Doodlechick12: Zuko’s always going to have trust issues.
Dragon: Hope you liked this chap too!
P.A.W.07: I think it is safe to say the wedding will be delayed at least now.
ArraylePL: Hope you liked the POVs in this chap too!
Golden feathers Edward: I think Zuko is beginning to realize his foolishness.
HiDiNgFrOmYoU: I think the relationship is going to be rocky right now anyway.
Iamhappytojustbealive: Who will Zuko fall in love with? IDK myself at this point. Might even be Sokka.
PhreshxxxBear: Zuko overreacts.
Neon021: Glad you love the story!
Japanesehon1: Well, it wasn’t too bad but he was definitely immature.
Kibafang01: I’m sorry I ticked you off but college is more important.
REBD: I agree. They complement each other.
Things24: Its complicated.
Marufu-chan: thanks. Glad you like it.
Romance Robert: Glad I made you appreciate Jetko a little.
Alta-Lemur: Definitely Kuei/Zuko is a healthier relationship but right now its founded on lies.
DiedInTheVault: I hope I captured Iroh perfectly in this story.
Zuzufan: Zuko needs therapy.
Unnamedreader: Hope this chapter met your expectations.
Jime-chan: Yes… eventually.
Smiling Mona Lisa: It is possible.
Shizuhana: lol. Glad to see I made another person love Mpreg.
Amuto1: Yes the story is still being done.
Eachpeach: I wont abandon this story but I’m just slow updating.
Imbebbedora: I think most people are liking Kuei/ Zuko.
Nyan Rajanu: What do you think about the Gaang here?
Kendall Emmett Forrest Goode: Sorry for the delay.
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A Cursed Blessing