Thanks to the insinuations of his sister and Ty Lee, Zuko’s trip with Mai was filled with awkward tension. He became very aware of his proximity to the dour girl, and judging by Mai’s movements, she was doing likewise.
It didn’t help that, thanks to the words of his sister and her friend, Zuko had flashes of…imaginations where Mai acted very…un-Mai-like and beckoned him over to join her in her tent. It also didn’t help that Zuko was pretty sure she caught him staring on several occasions, but didn’t so much as stare at him with disapproval.
Being stuck in a dangerous situation, it came with great relief when they met up with the squad that Azula had promised. The presence of other soldiers helped banish most of the tension, and also allowed the prince to keep some distance from Mai to…clear his head. That such sessions required privacy was not an issue, the training from the 11th allowed Zuko to be discreet enough to banish his fantasies into the bushes without anyone noticing.
The rest of the journey south became uneventful after that, boring even. The colonial soldiers kept to themselves, fully out of perceived deference for his standing as more than just a soldier of the 11th.
Zuko was an exiled prince, but that still commanded some form of respect from the colonials it seemed.
He didn’t know whether to be thankful or annoyed at that. On the one hand, it was nice to know that people still held him in some regard despite his disgrace. But at the same time, Zuko was starting to enjoy the camaraderie that his position as crown prince could never give. It almost…hurt to realize that he couldn’t trade banter with these soldiers.
Well, at least Mai was still treating him normally. As normally as Mai perceived it, anyway.
“Private Zuko, set my tent up.”
“Yes, Lady Mai,” he answered stoically, long used to acting as a servant for Mai’s and Ty Lee’s wry amusement. Strangely, Azula didn’t see it as such, Indeed, his sister barely reacted at all to his ordeals. Zuko had expected malicious glee, mocking laughter, or even disappointment.
It was somehow concerning that Azula simply stared at him blankly without any biting comment - unless it involved Mai, anyway - and mostly left him alone. In a way, perhaps she truly has grown into her role as a princess, far beyond Zuko’s own stunted achievements…
Getting his thoughts back to the present, the conscripted prince quickly went to work setting up Mai’s camp while she stood by and watched. Before, back when it was just the two of them, Zuko was convinced that her eyes were on him and he felt the urge to make a show of building up her tent. Now, with other company around, self-consciousness crushed that urge, but the feeling of being the object of Mai’s attention did not fade.
This was so weird…
With aid of information from a messenger hawk, they found (former) Governor Ukano and the refugees of New Ozai in one of the vassal towns. Guards, officials, merchants… they all looked worn and dejected, but unscathed. Colonial soldiers were spread throughout the group, either handing out food or talking with the refugees.
There was also a slight but noticeable relief from Mai’s sagging shoulders as she saw her family, while they were far less reserved when they caught sight of her.
“Mai!” her mother, Michi called out as she ran over, Mai’s baby brother in her arms. “We were so worried about you!”
Mai gave a derisive snort, though now Zuko could tell that it was out of habit instead of any real apathy. “I’m fine, mom. I’m the one coming here looking for you.”
“It’s good to see you unharmed, Mai,” Michi said, ignoring her daughter’s assurances with a maternal relief that made Zuko feel enviously uncomfortable.
“Yes, we’re glad that you’ve come back for us,” Ukano said with genuine gladness, and again the prince had to shove down the pang of envy.
Mai did a very good job of looking unperturbed, though her hand strayed to pat on her brother’s head. “Az- The crown princess asked me to make sure that you guys are safe. She’s also very worried about the loss of New Ozai, and is already working to address that…issue.”
Bringing up New Ozai made Ukano visibly shrink back and glance away nervously. “Uh…right. We’re grateful for her highness’ concern.”
“Yeah… Oh, she also asks you to wait a bit before returning to the home islands,” Mai said too casually. “Something about her father needing time to…” She paused and turned to Zuko.
“Calmly collect his thoughts,” he added with all the diplomatic niceties he could manage.
“Right. That.”
Ukano got the meaning, judging from how his face paled, and his head bobbed up and down in a rather comical nod. “I see. We’ll stop by the nearest colony port town then. I’ll…use the time to compose a report for the Fire Lord…” As his words trailed off, Ukano finally turned to Zuko and squinted, trying to peer through the chainmail veil that covered the prince’s face.
“Prince Zuko?”
“Private Zuko,” he corrected, and immediately did not like how Mai’s father’s face lit up.
Ukano promptly bowed, making Mai roll her eyes. “I’m grateful for your presence as well, your highness.”
His daughter groaned in annoyance. “Azula assigned Zuko to be my bodyguard, that’s why he’s here, dad.”
“Bodyguard?” Ukano looked to Mai, and then to Zuko, and then back to Mai with a great smile. “You must have done well to gain the princess’ trust.”
“Ugh. Not now, dad, please? It’s already boring enough as it is loitering here. Let’s get you all to the nearest colony, and then at least it’ll be more comfortable there when you bore me to death.”
With more colonial soldiers to escort the refugees to the nearest colony port and handle the chores, Zuko found himself sticking close to Mai again as a dedicated bodyguard.
Unfortunately, it also meant guarding over her family.
Oh, Mai’s mom was polite and courteous, and Tom-Tom was…cute. But it was her father Ukano that gave the prince the heebie-jeebies. The way the man liked to walk up and initiate conversation felt like the former governor was interrogating and kissing up to Zuko at the same time. Thanks to his time being exposed to Azula’s scheming while he watched Mai in the background, Zuko was immediately aware of Ukano’s attempt to weasel into his good graces.
The question then, was why bother? Why was Mai’s father treating Zuko with such unwarranted interest, when he was a mere footsoldier right now? Zuko couldn’t help him against the Fire Lord’s inevitable wrath, nor did he have any pull to secure any resources for Mai’s family.
Yet here Ukano was, buttering him up for some yet unknown reason.
“I’ve lost all royal privilege, so please call me by my rank,” Zuko insisted, but the man barely acknowledged it.
“As you say, pr- er, Private Zuko. Please, once again, let me say how grateful I am that your highness is looking over my daughter.” Urgh. Just out of sight, Mai was palming her face and shaking her head as she went to get her mother. Michi couldn’t come soon enough to save Zuko from the pestering.
“As I said, sir, it’s Princess Azula who assigned me to watch over Lady Mai,” the prince said, still trying to be polite. It wouldn’t be good to hurt the family of the girl he li- he was guarding, after all.
“Yes, yes… But still. I hope that Mai didn’t cause too much proble-”
Michi finally came over to interrupt by laying a firm hand on Ukano’s shoulder. “Dear, stop disturbing our daughter’s bodyguard.”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Thankfully, that kept Ukano away…for a while. Throughout the rest of the journey, Mai’s father would appear to just about repeat the same things over and over again like a persistent petitioner, until Mai had enough and positioned herself (and therefore Zuko) far ahead of the convoy.
“I’m sorry about my dad,” she offered blandly as they rode their ostrich mounts in silence.
“It’s alright,” Zuko replied. “I’m sorry about my dad too.” For what her father would most definitely be put through after this.
*****
It seemed that despite the massive loss of Ba Sing Se, there was still hope to be found. Sokka was glad that the kooky King Bumi had freed Omashu by himself. If even the Fire Nation couldn’t stop that piece of gossip from spreading across their land, it must’ve been a real scene indeed.
Aang had wanted to head back to Omashu when they heard the news, but with Toph’s aid, Sokka convinced the airbender that they were already too deep in the Fire Nation territory to leave now. They needed to gain information about Xing.
Having the royal engagement between the Scorpion and the Fire Nation princess helped sway their argument. Xing was growing in power, which made it even more imperative to figure out his intentions before working with him.
Trustworthy people don’t just use the name ‘Scorpion’ after all. ‘Stalwart’ and ‘Dutiful’, those were far more respectable names, Sokka felt.
Yet, back when the gang passed through the Fire Nation colonies, the folks there, Fire Nation colonists and conquered Earth Kingdom alike, seemed to have a very positive view of Xing.
If you believed everything they said, the Scorpion was responsible for saving several of the colonies in the past from Earth Kingdom raiders. The story of his near death at Tai Plains was always told with heavy emotion and surprising venom towards this Shiluo fellow who sent the 11th to their near extinction.
The colonists said that Xing was the reason the Earth Kingdom kept to their side of the border nowadays, while the Earth Kingdom refugees actually thanked the guy for being merciful.
Merciful.
Xing.
The guy that burnt Zhao in half and tore through the Dai Li.
But…then again, Sokka remembered the protectiveness Xing showed towards the Kyoshi Warriors. So maybe him not harassing Earth Kingdom towns and villages could be taken as truth by now. Everyone praised Xing for sticking to the whole ‘rules of war’ thing
So Xing was only brutal towards enemy soldiers, and somehow that’s acceptable?
Weird, but the more Sokka thought about it…
Anyway, the perception of him soured somewhat when the gang reached the Fire Nation home islands. The merchants and townsfolk still lauded his achievements, but Sokka noticed some of the folk subtly sniffing or scowling whenever Xing’s name was brought up. Katara had the right idea of stopping the impromptu survey before it drew suspicion, but it still left them at a loss on how to proceed.
“We could try to find a firebending master by ourselves…” Aang thought aloud, but Toph snorted at the idea.
“Do you really believe that, Twinkletoes? I say we’re just putting off the inevitable. I mean, yeah he’s ruthless, but Xing’s a soldier, right? Maybe that’s all he knows how to be. Kinda like how Sokka only knows how to crack off lame jokes.”
“Hey!” Now that was uncalled for!
Katara ignored her brother’s outrage and was tapping a finger on her chin in thought. “It’s not the best point, but that’s still valid. Everyone keeps going on about how young Xing was when he joined his regiment.”
“I…” Aang paused, and then sighed, running a hand through the burr of growing hair on his scalp. “I guess.”
“But then again, he didn’t say he’d be the one teaching you, right?” Katara said, trying to find the silver lining in the matter. “So maybe there’s a chance that he’ll find you a decent firebender.”
The Avatar scrunched his face up. “Yeah, right. Knowing him, he’ll put me up with some firebending soldier that has done a lot of bloody and horrible things so he can ‘toughen’ me up or something…”
Hm. Yeah, that was a valid point. Xing made his disapproval of Aang…the gang’s supposed naivety quite clear. There was a chance that the Scorpion would try to put Aang through military training.
But still… “You can always refuse his offer if the firebending master is a douchebag,” Sokka said. “Xing’s a prick, and he might be doing the right thing the wrong way, but I’m sure he can take no for an answer.”
Aang gave another, more drawn out sigh. “I hope so.”
“Let’s be real here,” Toph cut in. “Xing’s been lenient on you…on us so far. Otherwise, we’d all be dead by now, plain and simple. I saw what he did to the Dai Li. He’s being really careful with us in comparison.”
Sokka involuntarily shuddered at recalling the details Toph so unhelpfully provided in great detail about her time under Lake Laogai.
“But we can’t just blindly trust him,” Katara said, restarting an old argument.
“Of course not. But it doesn’t mean that he’s not giving Aang an opportunity to learn firebending that’s proven to really work.” The blind girl put her hands on her hips. “You might hate losing to him, and I can’t imagine how much it hurt, but he kept to his word and you’re fine now without missing body parts. It’s be stupid to not try and learn his bending.”
Aang finally relented with a resigned nod. “I guess… I just wish it wasn’t so hard to hate or like him.”
Sokka didn’t fully agree with that, but he kept silent. By his estimation, it was far easier to like the guy now despite the bloody trail he left in his wake. He’d dealt with Zhao and the Dai Li, and nobody’s got a word to say against him about how he deals with innocent civilians… But Aang was still trying to deal with the whole idea of murdering the right people being a good thing, where Sokka had already more or less accepted the ugly fact.
“Well, look at it this way: If Xing’s really not the awesome guy the Fire Nation news keeps making him out to be and he ends up treating Ba Sing Se badly, you’ll be right there as the Avatar to put him in his place.”
“You’re making it sound far easier than it actually is, Sokka.”
“Eh, maybe. But you got us to help deal with him.”
“Us?” both Katara and Toph asked in unison in equally unimpressed tones.
Sokka raised his boomerang defensively. “What? I can fight! I’ve been fighting!”
The conversation came to a halt as the evening skies lit up. The gang looked up (even though Toph…you know, couldn’t really see…) and awed at the rain of stars streaking across the skies.
Sokka had a harsh realization that night about his actual contributions to the team as they battled to end the massive inferno from the impact of a falling star. Thankfully, the nearby town that they saved was home to what was arguably the greatest Fire Nation swordsman. Not wanting to slow Aang’s date with firebending any further, Sokka convinced them to leave him in Shu Jing, promising to seek them out once his training under Master Piandao was completed.
It was an invigorating experience, especially after he realized how effective and enlightening the lessons were. Sokka left Master Piandao’s estate mere weeks later, wielding a sword made from a piece of fallen star, the knowledge of how to use it, and an appreciation for Pai Sho.