Crossroads Meet
Zuko stared angrily into his cup of tea as he listened to his uncle and the commander speak.
God he was still mad as hell that somehow Zhao was climbing up the ladder of power. He was a goddamn bastard who only got where he was through manipulation and deceit. He did not deserve the honor to hold that title in his nation’s navy.
His brooding was interrupted by the commander’s voice being directed at him.
He rested his chin on his hand as he grumbled.
“I don’t believe I heard what you said commander.”
The title rolled off his tongue with such distain that he was sure both Zhao and his uncle must have recognized it. Instead, Zhao grinned at the boy before turning to the old man beside him.
“General Iroh, may I please speak to the Prince alone? I have important business to discuss that is rather private.”
His uncle replied with a suspicious tone.
“Commander Zhao, I do not see why that is necessary.”
As much as Zuko did not want to be alone with the older man, he refused to let Zhao see him as too weak to speak to him on his own. After all, he wasn’t a child anymore. He hadn’t been for quite some time.
The prince gripped the cup of tea in front of him, and spoke tightly
“I’ll be fine Uncle. I can take care of myself.”
Iroh continued to look at him worriedly, pleading with the boy through his eyes. When his nephew’s stubborn stare persisted, however, he merely sighed.
“As you wish, Prince Zuko.”
He got up and nodded respectfully at the commander, before walking out the door. He was going to make sure to keep close outside. Zhao would not lay a hand on the boy for as long as Iroh was breathing.
Back inside, the young prince continued to stare into his now cold tea. He truly cared little for what Zhao had to say. He was just hoping it was quick.
He finally lifted his eyes to see the commander staring very intently at him.
The teenager felt a slight chill run down his spine as he attempted to decipher what it was that he saw in the man’s eyes.
Before he could, the older man broke eye contact, standing up and placing his hands behind his back. Zuko shook his head as he pushed his discomfort down.
The commander then walked over to the small window and stared at the setting sun. The prince couldn’t deny the sunset tonight was astounding, although the man standing in front of it was souring his view.
The older man finally hummed, causing the teenager to turn his attentions to him.
“You know Prince Zuko, from what I’ve observed your search for the avatar hasn’t gotten very far.”
The young prince rolled his eyes and scoffed in reply.
“Very original Zhao. Got anything else to say for once?”
The commander thinly hid his displeasure at the teen’s sarcasm under a smile. The boy certainly hasn’t lost his fiery attitude. Whether Zhao liked that or not, he couldn’t decide.
He dug his fingers into his palm as he approached the prince.
“I would hold your tongue Prince Zuko. I would hate to report to your father that his only son has already lost all his royal manners.”
Zuko’s face dropped at the mention of his father. He bit his lip hard to stop himself from shooting an insult back at the jackass.
‘Just get through it and stay quiet and he’ll eventually leave.’
The older man noticed the prince’s submission and continued.
“Anyways, that’s not what I was here for. I am here to make a deal with you.”
Zuko shot him a glare.
“I’m not interested in making deals with you.”
Zhao’s eyes glinted with malice.
“If I were you, Prince Zuko, I would open up your options. That is, unless you don’t actually wish to return to the Fire Nation.”
‘What?’
The prince shook his head in confusion and curiosity.
“What?”
Instead of responding, the commander sat down beside the teenager and poured himself some more tea, reveling in the obvious impatience of the boy next to him.
The prince’s eyebrows were furrowed as always, and there was a simmering anger shining in his golden eyes. If Zhao didn’t tell him soon what he met by his words, Zuko was sure he would burn a hole right through that stupid face of his.
Zhao sipped some of his tea before finally clearing his throat.
“I have been having discussions with the Fire Lord about a possible invasion of the Northern Water Tribe. Of course, since I am not an admiral, I do not yet have the authorization to lead such an excursion.”
The older man placed his tea cup down and continued.
“However, in this situation I am greatly patient, and I sense another promotion in the near future. Once that happens, I can have the authority to lead however many ships I wish to the North Pole. I want you and your ship to be among that fleet, Prince Zuko.”
‘He wanted what?’
The young prince couldn’t hide the utter shock he was feeling, and his mouth fell agape.
Zhao wanted him to help him....on an invasion?
For once, Zuko was at a complete loss for words.
He would certainly gain much credibility if he did join the attack force. Perhaps then the fire nation navy would finally have some respect for their crown prince.
But, he had to find the avatar if he wanted to return home. That was his mission. To restore his honor and be welcomed back by his father.
He swallowed hard and clenched his fists.
“I already have a mission, Zhao. I still need to find the avatar so I can take back my throne and be able to return to the Fire Nation. I don’t have time for side quests to feed your ego.”
The commander chuckled and leaned in closer. The body warmth of the other firebender made Zuko stiffen in discomfort. He had never been in this close proximity to Zhao, and he could practically feel the hostility radiating off the man’s skin. However, the teen kept a straight face despite being terrifically uncomfortable.
Zhao stared deep into the prince’s eyes as he spoke in a lowered voice.
“If your father knew that you aided me in finally putting an end to the Water Tribe civilization, he would be more then thrilled. So thrilled perhaps, he may even restore your honor and throne.”
The commander’s tone was entrancing, and the prince couldn’t help himself from wanting to believe his words. He wanted to believe his father was willing to let him finallycome home. He wanted to believe his father maybe—just maybe, actually wanted him.
He broke out of his fantasy when he felt the warmth of the commander’s leg pressed against his own. The older man’s warmth was unbearably hot, making Zuko’s stomach clench uncomfortably. The teenager scooted over abruptly to create some space between the two firebenders. Whether it was anger or.....disappointment Zuko saw in Zhao’s eyes, he didn’t care. At least he finally felt he had some breathing room to think clearly again.
“If you cannot guarantee my father will lift my banishment by assisting you on your little invasion, then I am not interested.”
The older man frowned at the reply and sighed obnoxiously, shaking his head.
“My offer is as good as it’s going to get, Prince Zuko. The avatar is a hopeless excursion, at least you actually have a chance of retrieving the throne by joining my fleet. Or perhaps you want that birthright to be given to Princess Azula?”
Zuko clenched his teeth at the mention of his younger sister.
“Why do you care anyways Zhao?”
The commander smiled at the prince. Whatever it was that was gleaming in the older man’s eyes before was quite apparent once again.
“Because I believe partnerships are important. You tend to get what you want at the end of the day if you understand that.”
He stood up after that statement, returning his hands to the place behind his back. The prince looked up at him with frustration and slight confusion. He couldn’t tell if those words were sincere or not, but considering they came from Zhao’s mouth, it was probably the latter.
Zhao spoke once again as he walked towards the door.
“My offer still stands, Prince Zuko. My fleet and I are going to the north eastern front of the Earth Kingdom to provide reinforcements, so you and I will be on similar courses until we reach the north. You can continue your search for the avatar there as planned and I will be on my way.”
He turned to face the teenager as he opened the door.
“Once I do get promoted however, I’ll return to the Fire Nation and begin plans for the invasion. You can join me, or you can sail around the world hopelessly on this pathetic ship of yours. The choice is yours.”
And with that, he shut the door, leaving the prince alone to his thoughts.
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The sunset was now a low glow in the horizon, and the darkness of dusk was settling on the coast slowly.
The two water tribe siblings were still walking along the beach, both equally exhausted. Sokka sighed loudly.
“Please tell me we’re almost there.”
Katara glanced at the small hill in front of them, lifting her eyes further up to notice the top of a volcano. A glint of hope returning to her blue eyes.
“Look! The volcano is right there! We just have to get up this hill and we’re there!”
The duo had a sudden burst of energy and began scrambling up the hill, eventually reaching the top of it. From there, the small town was visible. Sokka exclaimed.
“I’ve never been so happy to see civilization!”
Soon enough, the two young teenagers made their way into the town.
The town was small, but it had a sort of unique charm to it. Perhaps it was the giant volcano right behind it or the friendly villagers, who smiled at the new water tribe strangers as they passed. One older woman came up to the siblings as they walked through the streets.
“Welcome to Makapu! I am the fortune teller of this town. It is a pleasure to meet new friends.”
While Katara smiled and thanked the woman for her kind welcome, Sokka glared at her with suspicion.
“Fortuneteller?”
The woman turned to face him, an ever shrinking friendly smile on her face.
“Yes, I can tell people’s future and their destiny. Many inhabitants of this town greatly admire me.”
Katara perked up eagerly.
“Really? That’s amazing!”
Just as the ‘fortuneteller’ seemed about ready to offer to read the girl’s future, Sokka grabbed Katara’s hand and began walking away.
“Yeah yeah. That’s all a bunch of bullshit to me. Like anyone can read the future.”
Katara ripped her hand away and placed her hands on her hips.
“Sokka be nice. Not everyone is a hopeless pessimist like you. Don’t be so boring.”
He crossed his arms and scoffed.
“I am not boring. I’m just realistic. Now come on, I’m starving and I want to get something to eat.”
The younger girl rolled her eyes, then waved goodbye to the fortuneteller and followed her brother.
“You know Sokka, not everyone is going to think the same as you. Some people’s beliefs are less...well....practical as yours.”
Sokka rolled his eyes.
“Well they can think what they want, even if it is stupid. No one can tell the future. It’s not scientifically possible.”
Apparently he had said that last sentence a bit too loud, because now many of the townsfolk in the streets were glaring at the siblings. Katara caught on quickly and whispered to her brother.
“You might want to quiet down. The last thing we want is to be run out of a town because of your big mouth.”
The boy grumbled as they approached what looked like a good place to eat. The aroma of flavorful meat cooking filled Sokka’s nostrils and made his stomach ache. He practically ran to the open window of the small joint.
“Hey excuse me! Can I get two meals for me and my sister?”
The man cooking the food turned around and looked at the teenager deeply.
“Aren’t you two the teenagers that just came in today?”
“Yes.”
The man’s stare turned more harsh, and he turned back around. His voice now came from the back of the restaurant.
“So you’re the ones who don’t respect the fortuneteller. Trust me, word travels fast.”
Sokka looked back at his sister in surprise, stuttering in reply.
“Is...is there a problem with that?”
The man continued to look at them angrily, crossing his arms.
“Well what would you like to eat?”
The boy reached into his bag to drop a few water tribe coins onto the window shill.
“Whatever we can get with that.”
The man’s gaze left the duo and fell onto the pieces before him. He grumbled and pushed the currency back to the teenager.
“There’s nothing here you can get here with that. Or anything in Makapu with that. We don’t take that currency.”
There was a sense of smugness in the man’s voice that made Sokka want to plant a fist into his face. He slapped both his hands down onto the window shill.
“What do you mean? Every other earth kingdom village we’ve been to accepts this currency. Why don’t—“
He was cut off when the man closed his windows in his face.
Sokka scoffed and kicked dirt at the building.
“Well screw you too asshole!”
Katara put a hand on his shoulder.
“Hey, I’m sure we’ll find someplace else to eat.”
He pushed her hand off and put his hand back into his bag.
“Well news apparently travels fast. I don’t think we’re getting anything to eat here.”
He pulled his boomerang and his sister looked at him questionably.
“I’m gonna try and get us some grub from the woods.”
“Sokka I don’t think that’s very—“
He was marching off to the woods surrounding the village before she could even finish.
The girl decided against chasing after him, and simply sat down at a nearby table by herself.
After what seemed like a few minutes of utter boredom, an older voice, a kind voice, broke her out of her moping.
“May I sit here?”
She took her head out from where it was placed on-top of her arms on the table and nodded, the darkness preventing her from really seeing who she was responding to.
The older man had a friendly face and a warm smile, and as he sat down across from her, she was able to see him a bit clearer.
He had grey hair and a topknot on his head. Red outlined his attire, and he was placing a plate of food down on the table.
Red.
He was fire nation.
A sense of panic arose inside her as she came to her conclusion. He was fire nation, and it was very clear she was from one of the water tribes.
What if he could tell she was a water bender? To add to that, a water bender from the southern water tribe, to which his nation believed they had wiped out.
At this point, her distress was clear on her face, and the old man noticed this.
“You seem upset. Is everything alright?”
She nodded, trying to think of a quick way to leave. He smiled back at her and took a bite of his meal.
“Well then, my name is Iroh. If I may ask, what is yours?”
Her hands were now shaky and she was just about ready to jump out of her seat, until he pushed his plate towards her.
“It’s alright if you do not wish to share that with me. But you do seem hungry, so please have some of my food.”
She was surprised by his kindness, and her mouth watered at the sight of food. Oddly enough, there seemed to be no malice present with the old man, so she reached out and picked up a fried fish chip.
Her stomach seemed happy to finally have some food in it, so she began to eat more from the plate, relishing in the feeling of her hunger dissipating.
She looked up quietly, feeling quiet embarrassed that she hadn’t said anything yet to the stranger.
“My name is Katara.”
He bowed his head respectfully at the girl.
“It is nice to meet you Katara.”
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