Leader(ship): of Embers and Swords

Chapter 7

The Fire Lord hadn't been seen in a few days since the incident. The staff didn't know of the events that transpired that night. But they knew to be respectful when he was absent for a while, leaving him to muddle through whatever stress he's under. The rumors around the Palace supported his anxiety with being the new Fire Lord, so they knew better than to push when he got like this.

Sokka roamed the halls of the palace recalling the news he learned from the servants.

"His majesty is unwell and needs to be alone for a while."

"Let me through! I can help!"

"Please, respect his majesty's privacy."

Sokka clenched his jaw and turned down the next corridor. He couldn't stand people telling him what to do.

...Thank you, Sokka.

The image of the gracious, then scared fire-bender flashed across his mind.

...It'll be fine.

Sokka had watched soft lips whisper to him. Those same lips on his... Sokka bit down on his bottom lip, straining the memory away. He needed to focus. No one would stop him from seeing Zuko this morning.

"Gone?!...What do you mean he's 'gone?'" Sokka shouted as he pushed past the attendant guarding the Fire Lord's chambers. "Mr.. er.. Sokka, he just vanished? No one has seen or heard from him," squeaked the servant. Sokka's instincts kicked in and scanned the room for a sign of struggle. Everything about this room seemed perfect, too perfect. The bed looked as though it hadn't been slept in for a few days and the curtains were drawn closed. When Sokka began to give up, something caught his attention from the corner of his eye.

He walked up to the floor length mirror and stared back at himself. "Mr... er.. Sokka, sir? I told you, he's gone. We are doing everything in our pow-"

"Shut up." Sokka breathed.

"S-sorry?"

"I said, shut up. Get out." Sokka's voice was gruff and monotone.

The attendant walked backward in a low bow to exit the room. Sokka stared into the reflection. He looked at all the places on himself that he could remember feeling Zuko's warmth. On his hands and arms, on the broad shoulders he was still getting used to, his cheek..

"There.." Sokka whispered to himself. Over the reflection of his cheek he noticed a smudge on the glass. He stepped forward to examine further and recognized it as a mark from the delicate handprint that gently touched his own face. Sokka whispered over the mirror, "What happened, Buddy?"

---

The flame rose in the war balloon and Zuko retracted his hand from the engine. He sat back down in the basket and looked out over the horizon. Ba Sing Se seemed a lot bigger than he remembered it to be. The great walls of the city intimidated him as he landed. The last time he was here, he was sneaking in and impersonating a refugee. This time, he was welcomed.

"Please, this is unofficial," Zuko waved his hands to quiet the Earth Kingdom attendants. "Do not tell the Earth King I am here just yet...This is a family visit."

Zuko threw the hood of his cloak up over his head and stepped onto the train. The ride to the upper-ring would be a while, so he hung his head to rest a bit. Almost an hour later, the conductor signaled the passengers of their arrival, and Zuko blended into the crowd of citizens eager to step onto the platform.

The Jasmine Dragon looked smaller than he remembered. But the jade encrusted insignia shined prominently as ever over the tea shop's entrance. He took a seat in a corner booth, close to the kitchen of the establishment and awaited his service. An elderly woman shuffled to his table and asked for his order. Zuko answered discreetly, "The lotus flower opens wide to those who know her secrets."