Chapter Text
The baby bison were loose on Air Temple Island. Bawling and grunting, they rampaged through the air barrelling head-first into passing acolytes for comfort while the adults of their herd sat quietly chewing their cud.
As Kuroko and Midorima crested the horizon climbing the stairs to the Air Temple from the jetty, the calves, yelling, rounded the corner of the temple going at full speed.
Midorima backed up hastily from the mass of fur and legs, careful of his still-broken arm. Luckily for him, Kuroko caught him before he could topple backwards down the stairs.
"Oi!" barked an airbender. He spun out air in tiny typhoons, the calves yelling even louder as they found themselves wafting up into the air, spinning around and around. Some, more in control or at the front of the pack, broke away bawling, but Kuroko and Midorima were spared the stampede.
"Sorry about that," the airbender said, looking over the upended baby air bison, waggling their many legs sadly in the air. "They won't sit still today, and they're running around getting into everyone's way."
“Thank you-?” said Kuroko. He noticed one baby calf had taken a firm hold on Midorima’s long coat with her milk teeth, and bent to help the waterbender shoo her away.
“Nakamura,” said their helper. “Here, I’ve got her.”
Nakamura coaxed a light-coloured baby away from Midorima’s furs, draped over his shoulder to spare his injured arm.
“Bad bison,” said Midorima, harassed. “Bad bison!”
“It’s the dragon,” Nakamura said, indicating the roof of the temple with a wave of his hand. “Damn thing’s got them all stirred up. They’ll be daring each other to fly up to him and touch him for a joke next, and I hope he eats them for it.”
"I'm not sure he would regard it as a joke," said Kuroko, watching the dragon yawn, exposing colossal white teeth, and settle himself more soundly on the roof of the Air Temple. The great head was turned towards Republic City.
“He’s come for the Prince, I guess,” said Nakamura. He looked at them. “And you guys are here for Kise?”
“Yes,” said Midorima.
“Is he free?” inquired Kuroko politely.
“He’s out back in the Spirit Grove,” said Nakamura. “Kasamatsu isn’t here, so no one is hauling out to shout at him. I think he’s torturing himself with the quiet. I’ll show you the way.”
“Kasamatsu-san is away?” said Kuroko.
“Flew out this morning,” said Nakamura. “Down these stairs. Watch yourself on them. Normally we’d just jump down, but for you guys… it’s a clear path. If you see any spirits, just walk past them.”
“Thank you very much,” said Kuroko. “Midorima-kun, give me your arm or you will fall down these stairs and break your neck.”
Midorima submitted to this with good grace, for him. “I hope you’re not planning to put that in your newspaper,” he said, suspiciously. “You understand that when I asked you to help Kise, I did not mean for you to be able to use knowledge you gained in confidential circumstances to expose fleet movements in the Northern territories. Publishing this kind of information could get back to the Mukan and -”
“Midorima-kun, you are exposing more confidential information right now than I could find out by interrogating a dozen airbenders,” said Kuroko. “Please focus on your footholds. You are holding onto a snake spirit, not the railing of the stairs.”
Kise, as promised, was lying in the spirit grove at the base of the cliff. Kuroko was surprised to see that Kise was meditating, not napping as Kuroko would have expected of the easy-going Avatar.
He turned and beamed to see them as they entered the grove. “You guys!” he said. “Did you come to visit me? How are Kagamichi and Momochi and Aominechi? Do you miss me? Does Nigou miss me?”
“No,” said Midorima, revolted.
“They’re doing very well, Kise-kun,” said Kuroko. “Actually, we came because Midorima-kun suggested I might be able to help you.”
“Escape the island without getting yelled at by Akashichi?” said Kise.
“With energybending,” said Midorima. “Why are you thinking about leaving the island and slacking off or putting yourself in danger? Do you not understand the position you are in?”
Kise let out a big sigh and slumped sideways until his face hit the grass. “What about energybending,” he said, muffled.
"Fortunately for you," said Midorima, “I knew Kuroko to have been a student of various theories of chi and, since I have many other much more important things to do, have requested his aid in elucidating them for you.”
“I’m sure Kise-kun will prove to be an apt and enthusiastic pupil,” said Kuroko. “Won’t you, Kise-kun?”
Midorima snorted derisively.
Kise turned large and wondering eyes on Kuroko. “Kurokochi?” he said. “What do you know about chi?”
“I have a fairly extensive theoretical grounding,” said Kuroko, “aside from my studies with my grandmother, while I lived in Kiyoshi Village with Aomine-kun and Momoi-san, the Kiyoshi Warriors graciously allowed me access to their books and records and, as you already know, I was tutored by Momoi-san in the practical application of their art.”
Midorima nodded.
“Oh,” said Kise. “Kurokochi, er, not to slander your grandmother, but what did she know about energybending?”
“My grandmother became interested in the art from her lover, Avatar Ira,” said Kuroko. “She herself was a healer of no mean achievement, and she made great strides in studying the applications of energybending to her craft.”
“Her what,” said Kise.
“Her healing, Kise-kun,” said Kuroko. “I’m sure you’re aware that chi techniques have long been used as a part of waterbending healing. Midorima-kun has even studied with the Fire Sages for the same purpose.”
“No,” said Kise. “Back up. Back up! Your grandmother and Avatar Ira were-”
"Yes, lovers," said Kuroko. "My memories of her are of course somewhat unclear, but she was a dear and welcome family member in our house, and my grandmother mourned her and remembered her fondly for many years until her own death."
Kise closed his mouth. "Can I go-" he asked weakly, "process this a minute?"
"This cannot really be a surprise to you," said Midorima. “Did you pay no attention to histories of past Avatars?”
"Surely you have met many others who remember your previous life," said Kuroko, more diplomatically.
"But they weren't her-" choked Kise. He looked at Kuroko, and pinked. Kuroko kindly patted his head.
"You shock me," said Midorima. “Aren’t Air Nomads proponents of free love?”
Kise glared at him. "Well, I thought the Water Tribe was supposed to be all uptight and proper," he said.
"You’ve obviously never lived in a igloo," said Midorima. He adjusted his glasses with his unbroken arm.
“You live in a palace,” said Kise.
“Made of ice,” said Midorima. “The point stands.”
“Regardless,” said Kuroko, breaking into their bickering. “Kise-kun, I offer you my assistance in the hope that it will help you unlock your energybending.”
“Thank you, Kurokochi,” said Kise, sweetly.
“Work him like a polar bear dog,” said Midorima.
.0.
Throwing open the heavy wooden doors, Alex surveyed the Council room. It was full of clerks and files and dusty shafts of sunlight, and the members of the Republic City Council looked haggard and worn, beaten down by care and responsibility.
Yeesh. Thank goodness she'd never wanted a career in politics.
"Miss, this is a closed session-" cried the clerk who'd tried to stop her getting in the first place.
"Really? My favourite kind," said Alex, unfazed. "My dear friends! How long it's been."
Kagetora was the first to recover. "Alex!" He said, getting out of his chair with an audible crack, which Alex hoped was his chair and not his back. He came around the table to hug her, crushing her against his bulk. "What brings you to Republic City? And how did you get in?”
"I came dragon-back, of course," she said, ignoring the second question. "It was the least I could do, after getting those kind of messages from my cute students."
"What kind of messages?" said Araki, suspiciously. Alex had always thought that her face was going to stick like that some day, which would have been a shame.
"Just that Prince Taiga had been found and he’d gotten into a spot of trouble," said Alex. Since no one was offering her a chair, she seated herself on the edge of the table, winking at Elder Takeuchi as he stared sadly at his pinned papers.
“Was that all?” said Kagetora, abruptly. He had returned to his seat, and was now frowning a little at her, his earlier friendliness receding. Nakatani hadn’t changed expression, but Alex was willing to bet he was bristling all over inside. He fussed over that little cousin of his like a mother cat, and never had quite forgiven Alex for that time with the shirshu and the radish spirit.
“Probably there was more,” agreed Alex. “But it didn’t really seem relevant to me, so I just threw some things in a bag and hitched a ride over here to see Taiga.”
“What, exactly, is ‘irrelevant’ to you, Alex?” said Nakatani. “In the scheme of international affairs?”
“Quite a lot,” said Alex. “I’m not a big-shot like you guys, after all.”
"But you are deputized to retrieve the prince?" said Nakatani. His face had definitely stuck like that a few decades ago and not changed at all. “To say nothing of the circumstance of his highness leaving the palace unattended and allowed to wander the world like a vagabond.”
"It didn't hurt him any," Alex pointed out. "I lived with the Air Nomads a few years, too, really expands your horizons. Besides, I think it was getting lonely for Taiga at home."
Nakatani's face didn't change. “When internal matters involve royalty,” he said, each word carefully chosen. “They become incidents of international concern.”
"I just wanted to drop by and see them," said Alex, narrowing her eyes. "We shouldn't throw words like international incident around so easily, huh? Let's try to solve it between friends."
Harasawa sighed. “But you do have to see your presence here signals to the world that this is an international incident,” he said. "When it should be handled as a matter within Republic City territory and in Republic City jurisdiction. Now that you're here, no matter how much you protest that you’re here on personal business, we are going to get the full complement of busybodies and nitpickers-”
The door opened again. "C-commander Akashi!" announced the clerk.
Takeuchi groaned. Harasawa’s tones carried, even if the Commander’s face gave no sign he had heard the remark.
Kagetora, never one to let diplomatic tension get in the way of appreciating a truly ridiculous or awkward situation for someone else, choked down his laugh.
“My lookouts reported a dragon entering Republic City airspace,” Akashi excused himself. It sounded lame even to Alex’s ears, not that she was about to call him on it. She was surprised that Seijuurou, usually correct to a fault, would just barge in on the Council like that, and pointedly not greet the Republic City Council, who were ostensibly the people who gave him his orders. No wonder they were stressed if they had to deal with this kind of pressure. “I thought that it could only be you, Alex.” He looked at the council, who gazed back at him with varying levels of exasperation and resignation.
“If this is not a suitable time, I will excuse myself,” he said, cooly. His gaze switched to Alex. “If your business here is concluded, may I escort you to the embassy? We have a great deal to catch up on.”
"Of course!" beamed Alex. She got off the table. "Seijuurou! My dear- well, you were never really my student, but-"
"But assuredly, you were my master," said Akashi, a note of real warmth in his voice, and bowed.
He straightened and was nearly fast enough, but not quite, to escape Alex lunging forward to plant a big fat kiss on his lips.
.0.
“Why is he here again,” said Aomine.
“That’s a good question,” said Kagami. The pan smoked and sizzled and spat more delicious smells into the air, joining those of the- Aomine craned his head- eight or nine already cooked dishes sitting on their table. It had been like this since that Himuro had come in and taken Kagami out with him, promising to have him back soon.
Kagami had come back with money- “From the embassy, I told them to take it from my accounts” he had said, shortly- and in a terrible mood. He kept cooking food and forbidding them to eat it.
Well. Forbidding Aomine to eat it. But when he was stuck here recuperating, what else was he supposed to do? It wasn’t like there wasn’t more than enough to go around.
Even for that asshole Lieutenant, who wouldn’t stop hanging around. Today he was lying on his stomach, playing with Nigou to keep him from getting under Kagami’s feet. Aomine could barely look at Nigou. What a traitor dog.
“Shin-chan told me to stay here and look after Kagami- sorry, his royal highness,” said Takao offhandedly.
“The hell he did,” said Kagami. “And don’t call me that.”
“Whatever you say, sir,” said Takao comfortably. “My orders, if you like, are to keep watching you, and if you look like you’re about to skip town or run away, I’m to inform Shin-chan immediately, and then he will come get you before you can, and this is a quote, ‘act like a hotheaded fool again’.”
Kagami’s eyes flashed. Actually flashed, like a sky full of storm clouds.
“I won’t run,” he said, shortly. “But if Commander Akashi wants to talk to me, he can come do it himself. And that goes for Tatsuya, too.”
Takao’s eyebrows lifted. “Who said anything about the commander?” he said, “I’m pretty sure Shin-chan decided to do this all on his own.” Takao paused. “Because he’s worried about you.”
“Well he can stuff it,” said Kagami, even as his cheeks pinked.
“Duly noted,” said Takao. He batted at Nigou’s ears. “When are we eating?”
“When Momoi gets back,” said Kagami. He frowned at Aomine, who had emitted a noise of great complaint. “She’s still working night shifts, you know. And we’re lucky she didn’t lose her job over this.”
As if that sentence made any sense at all. Kagami didn’t need to be lucky, he was a prince.
“Ryou said they’re too het up for officers right now,” said Aomine. “And they like having a chi-blocker around.”
“People like her,” said Takao. “She’s pretty and people will tell her things and really feel she gets them. That’s good when you’re on the ground.”
Aomine looked at him.
“Miyaji-san told me,” said Takao. “She took his statement after that incident at Narook’s. Remember, he got into a fight with the vicious gangster, you beat him up, Shin-chan got into a fight with you, and then they broke out the airships and shut down a third of the city trying to smoke you guys out?”
“Sorta,” said Aomine. He frowned. “That cook guy? He’s not a bad bender, actually. What’s he doing in a dump like that?”
“I like Narook’s,” said Takao calmly.
Kagami rumbled a warning noise. Filthy, filthy mood.
“You know what I mean,” said Aomine. “Where’d he pick up those moves?”
“He was one of my NCOs back when I first enlisted,” said Takao. “He’s tough, but we all respected him, you know? He really looked out for us. Recommended me for my commission, much fancier uniform. But the last I heard of him, he’d left the Fleet for family reasons. I didn’t meet him again until I got back on shore and went to Narook’s to cheer myself up.”
“But that’s the life, right?” said Aomine, scratching his head. “Coupla guys from my village signed, too. Auntie Li’s kid has been away for three years.”
“That’s the life,” Takao agreed. He studied them both. “Neither of you ever thought of enlisting? Kagami could’ve enrolled in Officer School, easy.”
“No,” said Kagami. He upended the pan onto a plate, and set to scrubbing it to make it ready for another dish.
Aomine and Takao shared a look. If Satsuki didn’t come back soon, Aomine would- well, he didn’t know what he’d do.
That was the problem. None of them had any idea what to do.
.0.
Hyuuga's fist hit the desk, making the telephone and stationery jump. “For the last time, we want answers!” he barked.
“Yeah!” echoed everyone Hyuuga could scare up for an impromptu mob of angry concerned citizens. Some were just gawkers and rabble rouser;, others, like them, hadn’t seen hide or hair of their friends since the second raid on the sewers, barely a week ago.
"Sir!" cowered the unfortunate clerk manning the reception desk today, a cadet Furihata by his Hello, ___ is serving you today! name tag. "Please, I've told you! We're not authorized to release any information at the time. I’ve told you this repeatedly! Threatening me is not going to get you information, because I don’t know any! Please calm down!”
Izuki had out his notebook, which he was welding as aggressively as Hyuuga was his fist. "Are you authorized to release who placed this gag order?" he asked. "If not, then who ordered you not to release the identity of the person who ordered you not to release the information that should be readily available to any citizen of Republic City? Was it the council? Is it United Republic Fleet high command? What truth is there to the rumors of a schism between the rank and the file? We are prepared to pursue this case all the way to the top!"
Furihata opened his mouth, closed his mouth, and looked like he was about to cry. Mitobe nodded at him comfortingly, and placed a restraining hand on Hyuuga’s shoulder. The firebender took a deep, calming breath.
“At least let us see them,” said Hyuuga, crossing his arms in lieu of leaving more sooty handprints on the desk. “Why all this secrecy about the people who were taken in? He went in there to help the police, not to get arrested for something that wasn’t even his fault to begin with.”
“The results of our investigations -” said Furihata desperately.
“Investigations that aren’t warranted?” said Hyuuga. “What are they even being charged with, why can’t anyone tell us that?”
“Fortunately for the safety of our citizens, arrests in investigations undertaken under the aegis of international jurisdiction need no warrant,” said a new voice, “since in many cases, such as in this one, the perpetrator sought to disappear into a new location to escape the consequences of his crimes.”
Several people jumped. Hyuuga looked around frantically.
"M-Mayuzumi-sa- sir!" said Furihata. “These people, they…” he looked at the newcomer imploringly.
He was a tall man, whose air was more supercilious than commanding. Every detail seemed to clock in for an officer, though, that sneer, neat hair, disdainful level grey eyes, fancy uniform, grey detailing for a non-bender. Hyuuga totalled up all those shiny buttons and embroidery and realised he was a lieutenant at least, way higher up on the pay grade than any of them had expected to see.
The fleet officer looked Hyuuga's group over, making sure to linger his eyes on their faces as if memorising them.
Izuki advanced with his notebook. “Your name and rank, please sir!” he said. “For the Times!”
“Lieutenant Colonel Mayuzumi, attached to the Victory as Commander Akashi’s aide-de-camp,” he said. “May I know what is the cause of all this uproar?”
Several voices clamoured loudly all at once. Hyuuga’s was not one of them. The Commander’s personal assistant out here on a minor public relations gaffe? No one had even started chanting yet, let alone hefting bricks.
“We know our rights!” said Koganei, somewhat unwisely.
“I see,” said Mayuzumi. “Well, for the Times, I see no reason why we shouldn’t release a statement right now.”
“Sir?” said Furihata.
“A statement?” said Hyuuga. “What kind of statement?”
"An official one," said Mayuzumi. He cleared his throat. "The Republic City Council has authorized a statement regarding the arrest of Kiyoshi Teppei, also known in some places as the Iron Heart, an accomplished Earth Bender of some repute. He stands accused of seditious political activity in numerous towns under the aegis of the Earth Kingdom, Republic City and Northern Water Tribe, as well as involvement in a plot to abduct the Fire Nation Prince. He has been identified as a member of the group known as the Mukan- the Crownless, the Unrecognised. They are a terrorist group responsible for untold amounts of destruction and injury. If you would like me to repeat it, for the Times,” he said, “I will be happy to.”
“That’s ridiculous,” burst out Hyuuga. “Kiyoshi’s not a criminal!”
Mayuzumi turned his blank gaze onto Hyuuga and deliberately paused until the silence became oppressive. “You may believe that,” he said, while Hyuuga purpled. “However, I assure you- and the people of Republic City- that the charges are indeed correct and substantiated. If you have any further questions, please feel free to write into the Head Office with your concerns.”
“We’re in the head office right now, you smarmy bastard,” said Hyuuga.
Mayuzumi closed and opened his eyes, very slowly. “So you are,” he said, in tones of mock surprise. “Cadet Furihata?”
“Yes, sir!” said Furihata.
“Escort these men to the suggestion box,” he said. “Help them with the stroke order for the difficult words. Their concerns are perfectly reasonable and must, of course, be heard.”
Fortunately for all involved, at this point Mitobe and Koganei each seized one of Hyuuga’s arms and dragged him out of the lobby, while Izuki hastily followed.
Hyuuga shook them off and pressed his steaming palms against the wall of the alley outside, huffing little puffs of flame. “They’re not going to get away with this,” he said, when he could speak again. “They’re not- Kiyoshi’s not a terrorist. He was just helping them. He only got mixed up with Hanamiya because he was helping us. And now they want to throw him away on some trumped-up charge, because they didn’t get Hanamiya to crucify? They can’t do that.”
Unexpectedly, a voice said, “I agree.”
For the second time that day, they all jumped. “Who’s that?” said Koganei. The man stepped forward out of the back of the alley, pushing back his longish dark black hair. Hyuuga stared. He was covered all over with jewelry, silvery metals- bangles, overlapping armbands, necklaces and chokers, rings, piercings, and a row of metal cuffs that marched up the outside curve of his ears. It was like someone had crashed into a very sharp flea market stand eight separate times.
“I absolutely admire how you defended justice like that,” he said. He had a pleasant voice, low-pitched and musical. “Particularly for Teppei. He’s one of the kindest, most generous people I’ve ever met. It’s a crime to be locking him up. A crime.”
“You… know Kiyoshi?” said Izuki.
The stranger tittered, which instantly grated on Hyuuga’s nerves. “Very well, actually,” he said. “I want to help him. And I know you do, too. So we can help each other.”
“Hold on, this is a bad idea,” said Hyuuga.
“Worse than picking a fight with an LC in the Fleet Head Office?” said Izuki. He studied his notebook. “Good copy, though. This probably counts as an exclusive.”
“Do you not remember what happened with the last sad sack stranger we picked up,” scowled Hyuuga. “Look what happened to him! Look at our life. Look at our choices.”
Mitobe looked at the newcomer. Did he really think he could help Kiyoshi? They were so worried about him.
“Yes,” he said, and smiled at them. “At least, will you hear me out?”
.0.
Somewhat to Alex's surprise, when she asked for Tatsuya's direction, she was directed not to the Fire Nation's ambassador's residence, but to the Republic City Four Elements, where she stood in the elevator for an obscene amount of time as it wooshed her upstairs to the Imperial Penthouse Suite. The room’s spare private butler stood at the ready to hold the open button, should she require it upon disembarking.
The door opened onto surroundings Alex could only describe as palatial. Decorated tastefully in purple, green and gold, the suite took up the entire top floor and her butler was only one of three, waiting to offer her drinks, a hot towel, and wave her into the room where Tatsuya was reclining on a silk-draped daybed, meditatively eating sweets. He rose to greet her with a smile. His scarlet silk tunic was covered with so much gold embroidery it looked like armour, and jewels winked from his ears and wrists.
“Alex!” said Tatsuya, adroitly dodging her expertly aimed kisses. “You’ve come to visit us!”
“Nice place,” she said, hugging him instead with a laugh. “Wonder if I could get it expensed if I billed it to the embassy.”
"That's what comes with traveling with a Murasakibara," said Tatsuya, smiling. “Have you met Atsushi before?”
"No, but I've heard of the family and I love the outlet just across from the school," she said. She sat, spreading her arms to enjoy the thousand-count sheets. "He not around?"
Tatsuya laughed. "Atsushi performs stringent quality checks on the main outlet in Republic City every day," he said. "By eating everything they have in stock. He’ll be busy with that for a while.”
“So you met him in the Earth Kingdom?” said Alex.
“Oh, yes,” said Tatsuya. “I was a guest on the family estate in Ba Sing Se. They’re a lovely family. And so generous! Do you know, Alex, I feel I could quite honestly say that everything I have right now is a direct result of the love and affection which they’ve showered onto me. And Atsushi. Lots of it on Atsushi. You have to meet him, he’s adorable.”
“He sounds it!” said Alex brightly. “Yes, thank you, more sparkling lingon-plum brandy.”
“Fill my master’s cup,” said Tatsuya, sparkling a smile to butler number… two? Alex was losing track. Tatsuya continued talking, his voice smooth and sweet. “- and we spent some time with the Metal Clan out in Zao Fu. There’s this girl who has this way of customising metal jewelry especially for you that I was absolutely charmed by, she’s booked through the decade but if you come with me, she says she has time anytime. And they’re so kind, of course.” Tatsuya lapsed backwards onto the daybed. “So intellectual, so artistic. Metalworking has made them rich, and they’re eager to share their bounty and knowledge with whoever visits.” As Tatsuya talked, he sifted through the collection of pendants around his neck, and among them, very obvious, the golden flame of the Fire Nation spilled out onto his chest, gleaming. “Everyone I meet is so very kind to me.” It sounded innocent, but Alex knew Tatsuya well enough to doubt that.
"You're still wearing that?" said Alex. "You know, I thought you'd have... more sense than that, Tatsuya?”
"Only as a memento, Alex," said Tatsuya. "It reminds me of... happier times." He ran his manicured finger down the inward golden curve, face pensive. The servants discreetly withdrew.
“Have you seen Taiga?” said Alex. She put down her glass. “How is he doing?”
Tatsuya shook his head sadly. "Taiga was not...happy to see me," he admitted. "I met with him and tried to persuade him to see reason, but..."
He gazed limpidly at her. In those icy blue eyes she saw only a wall, shading depths which made her afraid for the boy he had been. "He's so stubborn, Alex."
"All you boys are," said Alex drily. "I consider it quite the family trait."
Tatsuya's smile gave away nothing, like it always had. "I simply feel that even if our relationship isn't the same as it used to be, as Taiga's older brother, it's incumbent on me to ensure his safety,” said Tatsuya. He sipped his tea, and continued to smile at Alex. "I know this is also a paramount concern for you. After all," he mused. "He's the one next in line for the Fire Nation throne."