Chapter Text
Visions were warnings, not fate set in stone. And yet witnessing the end of the world as she knew it had a way of shaking her to her very core. An evil was going to appear over Republic City. Kazumi could see how a crumbling temple, enshrouded in darkness, would fall from the sky, emerge from the spirit world, and crush buildings and people alike. At its peak, a malevolent figure, its hulking shape looking over the destruction it had caused with great pride. Kazumi jolted as its glowing red eyes turned to look straight at her.
Sahlki, the Spirit of the Four Winds, had been repeatedly trying to gain Kazumi's attention. This was her opportunity to change the outcome of what lay ahead and prevent another round of worldly and spiritual imbalance. It was likely also in an attempt to help the Avatar with an upcoming enemy. Sahlki was particularly fond of this one, finding Aang to be "adorable" and "respectful of his heritage."
Unlike that Yangchen, such a brash woman. If she were the bridge, I would burn it. Sahlki had said to Kazumi, the wind she manipulated molding the shapeless silks to mold into a humanoid shape.
The vision repeated, allowing Kazumi to memorize every part and detail. Then she awoke, eyes landing on the roof of her tent where her attus hung. She looked at the design her grandmother had woven into the fabric, gold and silver thread balancing a design meant to ward off evil spirits.
Shuddering at a cold she felt on the inside, she pulled her wide-sleeved kimono tighter around herself. The capital of the Fire Nation, Caldera, was as warm as the Fire Nation could get, and yet Kazumi found the desire to have her ferret-fox fur cloak with her, even if just for comfort.
Sighing, she gathered her supplies and packed up her belongings, pulling her attus over her shoulders over her kimono. The fact that she could remember the vision so vividly was a sign that it was happening and it would be happening soon. After her errand in Caldera, she would have to visit Mei. Perhaps she had experienced a similar dream.
The worried whispers of the forest's spirit world shook around Kazumi. The world felt its impending destruction. Kazumi quelled the growing worry and packed for her trip. Once her supplies were organized, she made her way to the Fire Palace. It was time to meet a very special turtleduck.
Fire Lord Turtleduck, to be precise.
Entering the Fire Palace was always an overwhelming experience for Kazumi. Despite her people being native to the Fire Nation islands, the mainlanders lived such different lives. The building was filled with such opulence, gold that could feed thousands and silks so heavy they could suffocate a child, but they lacked the soul Kazumi was so used to finding in her people's creations.
There was no love in these walls, no delicately carved heirlooms or evidence of personal lineage. Everything was created for the royal family by masters, but in contrast to her people's traditions, they were strangers to the family.
Entering the audience hall, Kazumi found herself waiting in line to be seen by the Fire Lord. There was always so much to do and so many people doing it. The hall itself was filled with more than thirty people, all working to either guard or expedite government processes. Even with an appointment, there was a chance that not everyone would be attending that day, though Zuko always tried his best to accommodate his subjects even if it meant having to spend an evening with nobles to hear from them.
The number of people present was only beaten by the amount of societal rules set in place. How you stood, how you walked, even how you spoke were highly scrutinized by everyone around you. It was a blessing that Kazumi didn't care for mainland etiquette. Years of forced assimilation and battling left her and her people rebellious. They weren't many, but the few that were left would die before being forced to follow anyone else.
After a few hours of waiting, Kazumi moved to the front of the line. She stepped forward when called, walking into the Fire Lord's line of sight. Kazumi observed her long-time friend closely. He looked a bit tired. Nothing some good tea and food couldn't fix. Perhaps even a nap under the peach blossom tree he's so fond of.
Gone was the awkward teenager she had met all those years ago, and in his place sat a confident man. He was bigger now and much stronger than the starved and stressed teen of the past. The years in the palace had done him some good. His hair, long and tied up by his crown headpiece, looked shiny in the fire's light. The fire behind him, maintained by his own inner flame, was alive with elegance and warmth; multiple colors danced throughout.
There were servants lined up on each side of the stairs leading up to the Fire Lord's desk. With quick, controlled strokes, he wrote on a piece of paper, stamping it with his official seal before passing it on to a servant who emerged solely to collect the scroll.
Zuko's Chamberlain spoke of the next item on the agenda, demanding the guest to "cease wasting his excellency's time." Kazumi would not risk quick movement in a hall full of trigger-happy firebenders. They would sooner stab or burn her for "threatening movements" than let her approach peacefully. If her attus didn't prove her origins as a Setsuen Clan member, then the marking she painted on her face would be enough to place her as "an enemy to national culture."
Once situated before Zuko, the Chamberlain introduced her as the Delegate of Setsuen here to discuss Clan restitution. The hall fell into a conflicted hush. It hadn't been loud before, but now it sounded as if everyone was holding their breath.
Looking up at the introduction, a glimmer of recognition and, dare she think, happiness lit Zuko's golden eyes. Kazumi smiled, giving Zuko a shallow mainland bow, one of friendship rather than respect for his position. If they hadn't been friends, she wouldn't have bowed at all. This was not a show of deference, but rather equality.
The servants bristled at the clear disrespect towards their Fire Lord, some even sneering in Kazumi's direction. Zuko, on the other hand, seemed unbothered, returning a slight nod at the gesture. It was good to see that even with status between them, Zuko would not treat her differently. But now it was time to do the political dance they had been speaking of for years, regardless of how little they wanted to do it.
"Irankarapte, Fire Lord Zuko. I come to petition for the accurate inclusion of my people in mainland history. In addition to acknowledgement of my people, I wish for restitution of our land, stolen assets, and permission to reinstate our connection with the tribes." She greets him in Setsuen dialect, watching as he writes a few characters on the parchment delivered by a servant moments before. It was likely her petition or another form of government paperwork.
They had talked about all of this in prior years after the war. Her people had been decimated, destroyed within an inch of their existence during the 100-Year War. The remaining members had been too old or too injured to take on a political stance or action. Both Zuko and Kazumi had been too young at the time to do things properly, too busy with cleaning up the mess the adults had left them. They were old enough now; 26 years old and well-travelled. Kazumi spent several years spreading the seeds of her people's history throughout the land; now it was time to plant roots in their home.
The uptight chamberlain opened his mouth indignantly, clearly offended by Kazumi's request. He wasn't allowed to speak as Zuko signed and stamped the document before passing it on to that disappearing servant. Now that the request was official, it would be a matter of whether it made it through the whole process and that the nobles and council did not make things overly difficult for Zuko.
"Approved. Please submit your final official written claim signed and sealed to my secretary. This will be processed immediately. I look forward to our future relationship, Delegate Kazumi." Zuko smiled, gaze soft, calm. Calm looked good on him. Kazumi returned the expression.
"Likewise, Fire Lord Zuko. May Agni shine on our future peace through snow and clear skies."
Before Zuko could respond, a guard approached with an urgent message, stopping just to Kazumi's right. The advisor, incensed by the interruption, scolded the guard. Zuko dismissed him, asking the guard to continue. Kazumi looked at the guard curiously, wondering what could be so urgent he risked the wrath of the prickly advisor.
"Peace, Chamberlain. There are very few people whose messages have such high priority. Is it from the Avatar?"
"Yes, Fire Lord Zuko."
"Read it."
The guard nodded resolutely, opened the letter, and paled. He choked on his inhale and didn't continue. Curious at the reaction, Kazumi leaned over to glance at the letter. She quickly lifted her kimono sleeve to cover her lips, hopefully masking a snort. It seemed she wasn't very successful, as the guard looked at her with eyes that said, "This isn't funny."
"Well? Read the letter!" The chamberlain commanded, causing the few servants near him to flinch.
The guard coughed, clearing his throat, "Flameo Hotman- ahem, how have you been? Is that annoying chamberlain you're always telling me about still bothering you?"
Oh Aang. Not every letter Zuko received would go directly to his hands; he must have known that by now. The line of servants turned to the man in question, forgetting themselves in a moment of curiosity just like Kazumi had. The old advisor's fair complexion burned red, mouth agape and at a loss for words as he glared at anyone who looked at him for too long. Zuko sighed, covering his face with his hand before spreading his fingers to allow himself to see through them. Kazumi snorted as they made eye contact, coughing to hide the sound. Zuko seemed to be debating whether it was a laughing matter.
The guard continued reading: Aang needed Zuko's help. A part of Kazumi felt a bit hurt, perhaps left out, at the fact that Aang hadn't sent her a letter. She knew that Aang had no way of knowing she was in the Fire Nation, and she also knew that Zuko was Aang's close friend. Closer than perhaps she had ever been. Aang knew how to reach her via the spirit realm if he needed her. It was clear this adventure did not require anyone extra. Kazumi felt childish at the feeling of exclusion.
Once the guard finished reading the letter, Kazumi excused herself as her matters had been finished. She wandered the palace halls for some time, her mind drifting back to the vision. Could this be related? It wasn't uncommon for Aang to invite his friends on adventures, but he knew that Zuko was busy. He wouldn't ask Zuko to leave everything if there wasn't a good reason for it.
In her distraction, she followed a memorized path to the garden. Zuko had shown it to her long ago. It was where they met to speak casually and spend time together. If the weather allowed, they would eat dinner, drink tea, and sometimes even sake under the stars. He had confessed that it was a special place to him. It was where he and his mother had spent most of their time together watching the turtleducks and feeding them.
The fact that he favored turtleducks was fitting and, Kazumi can admit, cute. Seeing a big bad Fire Lord with his muscular stature, fearsome flame, and scared face didn't immediately conjure the image of him petting turtleducklings and checking their health. Yet Kazumi had witnessed that very scene. It had been an adorable sight.
The garden was much the same as when she had last visited. It hadn't been that long, perhaps two seasons. They had spent the night drinking, tasting the seasonal peach blossom soju he had imported from the Earth Kingdom. They savored its taste, relaxing after an impromptu training session.
There was a lot said that night, but perhaps a lot left unsaid as well. It felt like a dream, but if she tried hard enough, she could remember their lips touching under the veil of stars. When the sun rose, it wasn't spoken of. The only witness was Tui herself.
Turtleducks swam around the pond, an adult female and male with their ducklings. The parents stared at the new visitor warily. They didn't like anyone other than Zuko; Kazumi couldn't blame them. She didn't much like anyone else in the palace other than Zuko and Elder Iroh. She gives them a little wave and settles under the peach blossom tree.
"Ah, if it isn't Young Kazumi." The familiar voice has Kazumi turning quicker than she meant to. She hadn't been expecting to run into him during this visit, at least not so soon.
"Elder Iroh!" She stood to receive the older man. Despite him being an older gentleman, he still looked well, healthy, and his flame was vibrantly alive. "It's been some time. How have you fared? I thought you would be visiting your Pai Sho companions this time of year."
Elder Iroh seemed amused by her question, likely due to the phrasing. She was practically a native speaker in Mainland dialect, but the Setsuen dialect was her first language. When she spoke, she tended to sound much more formal than she intended. Perhaps, in part, it was the old habit of not wanting to mingle too much with Mainlanders, seeing as they were quick to denounce her presence as their law dictated.
"Always much better when I have the pleasure of seeing you, my dear. Have you been well?" Elder Iroh extended his hand out in a traditional Setsuen greeting. She responded in kind, bowing her head slightly to allow his hand easier access to her head. He petted it gently, smiling when she looked at him once more. "You know that you may call me Uncle. You've helped me a great deal in these past years, and you've more than earned the privilege."
She wouldn't say that she helped him quite as much as he suggested. She would visit often, bringing teas from her travels. There was a period of time when Elder Iroh fell ill, a spirit sickness, with something that kept him trapped in the spirit world. It was only right for Kazumi to assist him in returning to himself. They spent some time in the spirit world getting to know one another, sharing regrets, learning about what they valued.
Elder Iroh truly valued Zuko. It was one of the things they had in common. Kazumi remembers feeling shy about how plainly her love for Zuko appeared on her spirit when he was mentioned. How the mention of him filled her with warmth and pride. After that experience, Elder Iroh had attempted many times to have Kazumi call him Uncle, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Family was important; titles like those meant something. She couldn't take Iroh as her uncle when she wasn't sure how Zuko felt about them. About her.
"I have. Thank you." Kazumi responded carefully, smiling under Elder Iroh's gaze. His brows pinched as he observed her features.
"Trouble resting? Perhaps some tea will help your nerves."
She did feel tired, but she didn't think it was noticeable. She nodded, thanking him for the invitation. Tea and turtleducks, all that was missing was Zuko. After the tea was mostly gone and the sun was past the middle of the sky, Zuko arrived at the garden.
"Uncle, have you seen-ah, there you are." Zuko approached, hair tied back in a high tail, bangs framing his face. He looked like a heroic samurai, one that would be portrayed in one of the plays he enjoyed attending. He had changed from his royal silks to travelling clothes.
"Are you leaving soon?" Kazumi asked, watching Zuko's graceful gait. From the corner of her eye, she could see Elder Iroh observing her. She didn't have a clue as to what he could be trying to find on her face.
"It seemed urgent. I'll be heading out soon, but I wanted to see you before I left. I know Aang didn't mention you in the letter, but would you like to join?" Despite being so awkward, Zuko always seemed to catch on to emotions before others. With the years, he became more sensitive. Even if he couldn't exactly place their emotions, he was often closer than he thought. He sat to Kazumi's right. Elder Iroh poured him a cup of tea he had reheated in his hands.
Kazumi pouted dramatically, crossing my arms and turning her head away petulantly, "I wasn't invited to your little group party. So, no."
Zuko seemed at a loss for words, and after a long enough pause to make him start sweating, she smiled, pinching the fabric of his sleeve and tugging gently. "I'm teasing. But Aang asked for you for a reason. If he needs my aid, he knows how to reach me. If you need my help, you know to call Senko; she'll find me." Senko, the ancient fox spirit Kazumi had befriended, would likely grumble momentarily before asking Zuko for some tea for her troubles. No matter how grumpy she appeared, she had admitted herself that she liked the Agni's Lordling.
Zuko nodded, brushing gently over Kazumi's hand as he removed her hand from his sleeve. He rubbed her fingers gently, looking at them with a contemplative expression. "I have something I want to speak with you about. But perhaps it can wait until I return? It's…important." Zuko looked up to her eyes, his golden gaze earnest. She nodded, agreeing easily.
He grinned, bringing her fingers, the ones he had yet to let go, up to his lips. Kazumi blinked at the gesture. It seemed very mainland. Zuko hadn't done it before; a part of her burned internally at the feeling of his lips on her knuckles. Elder Iroh had brought out a fan, lazily waving it around, looking away from them and toward the pond.
Kazumi's eyes drifted away from the new gesture to a glimmer of black peaking over Zuko's collar. He leaned back before she could fully see what it was, warming her hand with his energy before letting it go.
They looked down at their empty cups. A part of her didn't want him to leave. It was a selfish part, she knew, but she had wanted to see the sunset with him and maybe even meditate together when the sun rose in the morning.
"I should probably get going," Zuko said, voice somewhat tight. "You're welcome to stay. I had someone prepare your rooms."
"I wouldn't want to impose." If Zuko wasn't staying, it felt a bit odd remaining within the Palace. Iroh made a sound of disagreement.
"You are welcome here always, Kazumi. Those rooms are yours now for as long as you live. If anyone says otherwise, you'd best direct them to Zuko or myself."
She considered the offer, leaning towards accepting at least for the night. As she was about to agree, the air around them dried like a desert breeze rushing under the sweltering sun. A sand spirit emerged just a few feet from their table, the crystal-like particles forming into the shape of a capybara.
"Kazumi?" Zuko asked, watching her carefully. He couldn't see the spirit, though it seemed Elder Iroh could now. He had grown much more sensitive after his last adventure in the spirit world.
"I have somewhere to be as well. I've been experiencing some visions. Whatever Aang needs help with is likely related to this." She would have to travel to the Mirror's Oasis, a spiritually charged mountain spot that was one of Sahlki's resting places. With such high levels of spiritual energy, it would help her connect to the other side and finally see the vision in its entirety.
"Thank you for the tea, Elder Iroh; it was delicious." Kazumi approached Elder Iroh and hugged him. He infused the embrace with his warmth, his fire reaching out to her own as if encapsulating it, protecting it. It felt comforting.
"Anytime. Please return soon. Perhaps we can enjoy a game of Pai Sho together."
"I'd like that." She turned to Zuko. "Take care, Fire Lord Turtleduck." She gave him a mock salute; he grinned.
"You too." There was something in Zuko's eyes that made Kazumi pause, an unsteadiness that she didn't like.
"I'll see you soon. You owe me some of that sakura sake." Kazumi approached him, squeezing him in a hug in hopes of shooing away whatever that emotion was that lingered in his gaze. It seemed to work; the emotion was replaced with a bit of surprise and warmth. He wrapped his arms around her, their inner flames dancing, swirling against one another like swan-flamingos in a courting dance.
Stepping out of his embrace before it lasted too long, she made her way to the spirit, a silent request to be taken to its master clear. The portal to the spirit world opened, leading Kazumi far away from the turtleduck pond and the Fire Lord who took care of it.