This is a new story I just recently cooked up. I'm not really sure where it's going, but I'm happy to be taking this journey, and to be taking it with you guys! If you like the concept, let me know! My writing is unbeta'd, so it's a far cry from perfect.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar. If I did, Zutara would be canon.
It was a month after the birth of Toph Bei Fong that Mrs. Bei Fong found the water tribe baby on her doorstep. The child couldn't have been more than a year old. She little girl was clearly marked by her heritage with her dark skin and vibrant blue eyes. The blue eyes stared into Mrs. Bei Fong's in a way that her daughter's cloudy ones never would. It was the precise characteristic that convinced her to keep the child.
After bringing the child inside, she found a note pinned to the little girl's dress. The note read
"This little girl is my pride and my joy. Her name is Katara, and she is a year old, as of two days ago. If it were possible, I would give anything to raise her, but I cannot. Her mother died hours after her birth. Please find it in your heart to raise her with love as one of your own. Please raise her, as I cannot. She is water tribe, yes, but I have seen the way you take care of your own daughter with devotion. Hopefully, they will become fast friends, and they will find sisters in each other. Please, love her."
Mrs. Bei Fong was moved near tears. This little girl was alone in the world. No. Not anymore. She had a new home with the Bei Fongs. They were a very wealthy and noble family and could raise the girl. People would ask questions, but that was of no matter. Katara. A distinctive water tribe name.
"Katara?"
The little girl looked up, clearly recognizing her own name. Katara smiled up at her and reached out her arms, asking to be picked up. Mrs. Bei Fong immediately obliged and held the girl close to her.
"Katara, I know this isn't going to be easy, at least not immediately, but I'm your new mother. Would you like to meet your new sister?"
"Mama?" The little girl asked, tilting her head to the side.
"Yes, Yes Katara. Mama." Mrs. Bei Fong smiled for the first time in a week. This little girl was charming.
That was when Mr. Bei Fong walked into the foyer, preparing to leave for the council chambers that day. He looked at his wife questioningly.
"Whose child is that?" He asked, although he already knew the answer in his heart.
"Ours. She's ours. Somebody left her, and I want to keep her. Have you ever seen eyes this blue before?"
"Dear . . ." But here Mr. Bei Fong paused. He looked into the little girl's cerulean blue eyes, seeing the innocence and trust in them. And from then on, Mr. Bei Fong was wrapped around Katara's finger. "What is her name?"
"Katara. So are you in agreement? We're going to raise her alongside Toph? Please tell me you've already fallen in love with her." Mrs. Bei Fong pestered her husband, almost giddy with joy.
Mr. Bei Fong reached for Katara, and Katara reached for him and put her arms around his neck. She had already warmed up to him, and he had clearly warmed up to her. His heart melted.
"Yes, yes we'll keep her. I'll fill out the paperwork to legally adopt her today. I'm sure there won't be any issues, based on her heritage and the current situations in the water tribe. Especially because of our position in the city," he stated, handing Katara back to her new mother. He kissed his wife on the cheek as he walked out the door, headed to his first meeting of the day.
Mrs. Bei Fong took Katara into Toph's nursery, humming all the while. When Katara saw the infant she clapped her hands and cooed at the baby. Mrs. Bei Fong smiled at her daughters. They were going to be sisters, and the best of friends. Katara yawned and Mrs. Bei Fong realized how tired the child must be. She put her down for a nap next to Toph, musing at the circumstances of the family. Clearly, there were grander schemes at work. This child was going to do something special in her life, and maybe, just maybe, Toph would too.