Dark Puck - Blood Lines 10

Lady Minami was an inverse bender — a rarity unique to the Firenation, who absorbed fire, rather than creating and manipulating it. The shy noblewoman, therefore, spent most of her days at the Academy, making sure there weren’t any fatal or permanently scarring accidents.

After work every day, she would stop by the infirmary to see Leilani — until one afternoon about a week after General Iroh’s arrival, when she didn’t show up at the usual time.

Frowning, Leilani continued to work until the end of her shift, but still no sign of the beautiful albino.  Wondering if possibly Minami had stayed later than normal, she headed out to the Academy.  The professor Minami had been working with that afternoon told her that the noblewoman had left at the usual time.

Concern turned to worry, and Leilani searched the entire palace grounds, to no avail.  As the worry escalated, she altered her quarry to Ty Lee, who was the closest person to Minami other than Leilani herself.  Ty Lee might know where Minami was.

Ty Lee was off in the grounds, teaching the youngest of the court children to climb trees and do other tricks.

“Ty Lee?” asked Leilani hesitantly, approaching the group.

“Hang on a sec, guys,” Ty Lee said to the kids, and went over to the healer. “What’s up, ‘Lani?”

“Have you seen Minami?”

“Not for a day or two… why?”

Hesitantly Leilani explained what was going on.

“…That’s bad.”

“Yes, so I was wondering if you knew where she might possibly be?”

“Well, her family has a house in the city. She might’ve gone there?”

“Show me?” Leilani asked.

“No problem,” Ty Lee said, and led her off to a mansion not far from the palace. Unfortunately, the staff there hadn’t seen Minami, either.

Worry became fear.

“We have to find her,” Leilani said to the younger girl.  “I’ll start looking through the city…”

“You do that, I’ll go tell Zuzu, he needs to know she’s missing,” Ty Lee agreed.

She paused.  “He does?”

“‘Cause if something happens to her, it might touch off a lot of political problems,” she said, nodding.

Now Leilani looked confused.  “Really?  Why?”

“…You don’t know?” Ty Lee asked, looking confused in turn.

“Know what?”

“She’s the only legitimate member of one of the Seven High Houses.”

Leilani’s jaw dropped open.  “What?”

“…You really didn’t know?” Ty Lee asked.

“She… she never told me…”

“…I guess she wouldn’t,” Ty Lee admitted.

Leilani took a deep breath.  “I’ll start looking.”

“Right. Good luck!” Ty Lee ran off to find Zuko and give him the news.

Leilani began searching high and low through the city.  Whoever had taken Minami had taken her out of the city.  Leilani didn’t stop until night fell, when she returned to the palace, close to panicking.

“Any luck?” Ty Lee asked, worried.

“She’s not in the city.”

“Damn!”

“What do we do?”

“…We should talk to Haru. And Toph.”

“Right,” Leilani said.  “I’ll talk to Toph.”

“Okay. I’ll get Haru and meet you two here?”

The older teen nodded and darted off.

Ty Lee ran and knocked on Haru’s door as urgently as she knew how.  There was a brief pause, then the man opened the door, looking surprised.  “Ty Lee, what—?”

“We’ve got a problem,” she said. “A big one.”

“How big are we talking?”

“The sole legitimate member of one of the Seven going missing.”

Green eyes went wide, then Haru said several words that he certainly had not learned from his father, then, “Let me get my shirt on.”

She hesitated, then decided to keep her private suspicions private until they’d met up with Leilani and Toph.  “Right, okay.”

“What aren’t you telling me?”

…right, earthbender.  Or maybe just Haru; the young man was incredibly perceptive.

“You remember ‘Nami?”

“Azula’s special —”  He stopped, then said a couple more words.

“She’s the one who’s missing,” Ty Lee said, softly. And Azula probably wanted her back.

Haru finished pulling his shirt on and stepped out into the hall.  “Then we’ll go find her.”

“We’re meeting up with Toph and Leilani. This way.” She led him back to where she and the healer had split up.

Leilani and Toph were quick to join them, the waterbender pale under her darker-toned skin.  “‘Lani already searched the whole city. So which direction do we want to start in?” Ty Lee asked.

“You know this city better than any of us do,” Haru replied.  “What’s the quickest way outside?”

“This way,” she said, and led them all through the closest gate. Once outside, she paused. “Um, before we go any further…”

“Yes?”  Leilani sounded impatient.  She was bouncing from foot to foot in her urgency to find the albino noble.

“I think Azula took her,” the acrobat said quietly. “They used to be… close.”

A strange look came over the waterbender’s face.  Sheer unyielding hatred.

“…that just means we’ll have to be more careful about getting her back,” Toph said. “Also, ‘Lani, you should probably stay here. You’re not a fighter.”

“No.”

Haru looked at the islander, surprised; he’d never heard such ice in her voice before.

Ty Lee stared at her, too. “…oh, wow,” she breathed.

“I’m going,” Leilani said, in that same voice, “and if you know what’s best for you, you will not stop me.”  With that, she ran off.

“Dammit!” Ty Lee said and scrambled after her.

“That could have gone better,” said Haru as he and Toph brought up the rear.

“Yeah, probably,” the younger earthbender said, frowning a little.

“You think jealousy will keep ‘Lani alive if she finds Azula first?”

“No.”

“You want to take point or cover the rear, then?”

“Point, when we catch up to them.”

“Then I’ll take rear.”  Haru lengthened his stride to speed their approach, knowing Toph could easily keep up.

Meanwhile, Ty Lee had caught up to ‘Lani. “Calm down. You can’t go after Azula on your own, that won’t help anything.”

“I’m going after Minami,” said Leilani.  “Not the princess.”  Her tone of voice left no questions as to what she would attempt should Azula try to stop her.

“Yeah, but you’ll probably have to go through her to get to ‘Nami. Just calm down and wait for Haru and Toph to catch up.”

The older girl scowled, but slowed down to a walk.

Toph and Haru caught up a few minutes later, and the younger girl took point, searching for any hint of either Azula or Minami.  Leilani was right behind her, one hand on the water pouch she’d taken to carrying in imitation of Katara.  Ty Lee followed ‘Lani, starting to get a little nervous.  Haru brought up the rear, keeping one eye out for signs of pursuit or of Azula’s allies.  “Did we ever account for all the Dai Li?” he asked.

“Between us and the people who liberated Ba Sing Se, yeah,” Toph replied.

“Good.  I’m good, but I dunno if I can fight them.  You’d probably be busy with Azula.”

She nodded, and kept searching.

About two hours, she paused. “Hang on a sec, I think I found something…”

“What did you find?” Leilani asked.  She was clearly tired, but was keeping up regardless.

“I’m not sure yet. Shut up and let me figure it out.” 

Haru took the opportunity to kneel, pressing both of his hands into the dirt and closing his eyes as he tried to feel what Toph had.

“Hear that, Haru?” she asked, after a minute. “She’s down there.”

“I… I’ve got something,” he said after a moment.  “I just can’t tell what it is.”

“That’s definitely Azula,” she said. “I can’t tell if — no, wait, there’s someone else there, too.”

Haru nodded.  “Right.”  He stood up without bothering to brush the dirt off his hands.  “We’ll need a plan, because honestly?  I’d rather not have to fight her.”

“…I think there’s two rooms down there,” Toph said, after kneeling and slamming her hand down into the ground. “Azula’s in one, and Minami’s in the other. The problem’s going to be getting down there without Azula noticing.”

“So, we tunnel quietly,” replied Haru.  “I can keep my bending quiet.”

“Me, too. We ready, then?”

“Yeah.  Ty Lee, Leilani, take a few steps back, please.”

Ty Lee back-pedalled, and then Toph started the tunnel.  Haru caught the dirt she dislodged and shoved it aside, using it to shore up the passageway as quietly as he could.

As the two earthbenders worked, Leilani uncorked her flask and began to draw more water from the surrounding grass, chasing it inside the carrier until the leather was completely full.

Toph was working as quietly as she could, which meant the tunnel was very slow going — it was over an hour before she stopped. “Okay, there’s about six inches between us and the room now,” she whispered. “Get ready.”

Remembering the condition Minami had been in when he’d first met her, Haru stripped off his outer tunic and folded it over one arm as Leilani ran to join Toph.

A few minutes later, Toph broke through the last six inches, letting them into the room.

As before, Minami was naked, chained up, and battered. This time, however, she’d also been blindfolded, and was upside down.

Haru bit back a curse as Leilani gasped and dashed across the room to the noblewoman.  She got an arm underneath Minami’s shoulders and said soothingly, “‘Nami, it’s me.”  Minami whimpered a little and leaned towards the younger girl, as Toph joined them to break the chains as quietly as she could.

With Leilani supporting Minami, the noblewoman was gently lowered rather than having a sudden tumble to the ground.  As soon as she was free, she clung to the healer desperately, shaking.

“It’s okay,” Leilani soothed her, holding her tightly with one arm and stroking her hair with the other.  “We’re going to get you out of here…”

“Here,” said Haru softly, proffering the tunic.  “Put this on.  Can you walk?”

Still shaking, she pulled on the tunic, and tried to stand up, with little success — she was too dizzy from hanging upside down so long.  Leilani tried to support her, but Haru picked Minami up with ease.  “Let’s get out of here,” he said.  “Fast.”

“Good idea,” Ty Lee agreed.

“I’ll go last, and close the tunnel behind us,” Toph said.

Haru nodded assent, and Leilani strode to the fore and led the way out.

“We should split up,” Ty Lee suggested, when they reached the surface. “Toph and I could maybe lay a fake trail, while you and ‘Lani get ‘Nami back?”

“Sounds like a plan,” Haru agreed.  He kissed Ty Lee’s cheek softly.  “Take care, both of you.”

“You too,” she said, then she and Toph went off.

As they neared the city, Leilani tugged off her tunic as well and used it to hide Minami’s head from view — the questions that would arise from them sneaking the albino back into the capital would not be fun to answer.  She didn’t particularly care that this left her modesty preserved only by a breastband.

Minami apparently did, judging by how fiercely she was blushing.

Haru looked from girl to girl, then rolled his eyes.  Schoolchildren the both of them.  “Come on.”  He led the way to the palace.  No one commented on the odd sight the three of them made — they managed to get inside safely, somehow.

Once inside, Haru went straight for his rooms and settled Minami down on the bed.  “You two stay here for now,” he told them.  “I’m gonna go talk to Lord Sparky.”

Leilani smothered a giggle.  “Shouldn’t you bathe first?”

Haru eyed the covering of dirt on his flesh and shrugged.

Minami slid off the bed to kneel quietly, so as not to get blood on his sheets.

“Get back on there,” he told her softly.  “I’ll wash them later.  You’re far too cold and need care.  Leilani, don’t leave the room.”

The girl nodded, catching onto Haru’s intent — Azula had infiltrated the palace twice before.  She wouldn’t expect to find Minami in an earthbender’s room.

“Yes, sir,” the noblewoman whispered, and obeyed.

Haru’s gaze lingered on Minami a moment, then he turned away so she couldn’t see the expression on his face.  “I’m off.”  With that, he strode off to Zuko’s rooms.

She sat nervously on the edge of the bed, head bowed, shivering slightly.

Leilani sat next to her and put an arm around her shoulders.  “Minami…”

“Yes, lady…?” she whispered.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, lady,” she replied, a little too quickly to be telling the truth.

Leilani silently uncorked her bending flask and drew some water out.  “This might feel cool,” she said softly, and turned her focus to healing.

Minami tried to remain as still as possible, fighting not to shiver.

When she finished, Leilani grabbed the blanket and gently wrapped it around the older girl.

“Thank you, lady,” she whispered.

“You’re welcome, Minami.”

She curled up a little tighter in the blanket. “I’m sorry…”

Leilani blinked.  “Why?”

“For today.”

“That wasn’t your fault, Minami.”

“O-oh…” But I went with her… she asked me to, and I said yes, even though I knew you didn’t want me to… and I didn’t want me to…

Leilani wrapped her arms tightly around Minami’s shoulders.  “I won’t let her take you again,” she whispered.

Minami fought back tears. But if she asks me again, I can’t refuse.

The waterbender didn’t let go, though eventually her arms loosened; she’d fallen asleep with her head against Minami’s shoulder.  When she was sure the younger girl was asleep and wouldn’t be upset by it, she cried.

 

 

“Oi.  Lord Sparky.”

A filthy Haru leaned against the doorframe of Zuko’s room.  The last time the Firelord had seen the older man thus, it had been after a training session with Toph, and Haru had beaten everyone else to the water to get clean.  Something must have happened.

“What happened?” Zuko asked, looking up at him.

“We found Lady Minami.”

“That’s good. Is she all right?”

“Physically?  She will be soon.  Leilani is with her.  Mentally and emotionally?  Couldn’t say.”  He paused for a moment.  “Azula had her.”

The young Firelord wore a very odd expression for a very long moment. He appeared to be blushing faintly. “Ah.”

“Yeah.  I left them in my room.”  He shrugged.  “If she comes back, she probably wouldn’t think to look there.”

“Right.”

“Toph and Ty Lee are laying a fake trail to throw her off the scent.  I think that’s everything.”

“Thank you for telling me,” he replied.

A tired grin.  “Just doing my part to keep the politics boring.”  He saluted Zuko impudently and wandered away, presumably to get clean.

Zuko shook his head to banish the images permanently burned onto his psyche from walking in on Minami and his sister shortly before his exile, and returned to what he’d been working on when Haru had interrupted.

 

 

Two hours later, Haru quietly opened the door to his room to check on the girls.

Minami was half-asleep, but she jerked back to awareness and slid down to kneel when he came in.

“Don’t mind me,” he told her, opening a drawer and reaching for clean clothes and a comb.

She said nothing, kneeling and keeping her head bowed.  Shrugging, Haru found a small bag and put the clothes in it.  Using the comb, he twisted up his mass of long hair and twirled it around the comb, getting it away from his back and the huge wet spot on the back of his shirt.  He then resumed packing.

She watched him, wondering why — this is his room, right? — but not daring to ask.

Finally he finished and turned to her.  “You’re going to be using this room for awhile,” he explained.  “For security reasons.”

“Yes, sir.”

He grinned at her and glanced down at Leilani for a moment, then rolled his shoulders.  “You may have a guard assigned to you later.  That’s up to the Firelord.”

“Yes, sir,” she said again.

He nodded to her and quit the room.

She rose and crawled back into the bed next to Leilani, cold again.  The sleeping waterbender murmured something and cuddled close.

Minami curled up against her, hoping this lasted.

 

 

Haru stopped in the hallway and considered his options.  He could take his father’s old room — Tyro had returned to the Earth Kingdom shortly before Kouji’s kidnapping, having been separated from his wife quite long enough, thank you.  Haru had been vaguely surprised when the old soldier hadn’t ordered him to return as well, but he was grateful.

Then a familiar, lithe form slid her arms around him from behind. “We’re back.”

Haru grinned, dropped his bag, and turned to hug Ty Lee and greet her with a kiss.  “Welcome back.”

“‘Lani and ‘Nami are staying in your room, then?” she asked, when she broke the kiss.

“Minami is, at any rate.  Leilani’s just sleeping right now.”  He sighed.  “I figured that the last place Azula would look for Minami would be the quarters of an earthbender guest.”

Ty Lee nodded. “Probably not.” She tilted her head and studied him. “Where are you planning to sleep?”

“Well, I was thinking of taking my dad’s old room.”

“…or you could stay with me,” she suggested.

The earthbender blinked a few times.  “I… could?”

“Sure,” she said, smiling. “I have a very big room.”

Haru paused to consider.

Ty Lee waited, expectantly, shifting a little from foot to foot.

“Well, if you’re sure…”

“Great!” she said, grinning, and pulled him off to her room. It was as large as promised.

There was only one bed. It, too, was very large.

Haru arched an eyebrow at her as he laid his bag down again.

“So, I guess I should ask someone to bring a second bed in…” she murmured, question and invitation both very apparent.

“…no, I think we can manage with one.”

Her face lit up and she threw her arms around him and kissed him.  He kissed her back, pulling her close against him.  She didn’t break the kiss for a very long time.