CH 7

KnightOwl247: *does happy dance too* YES HE IS! Also good point about the name.

jin xuan: well nothing really happened in college…. I guess what happened is once i was more comfortable writing this everything just kinda went from there. I'm glad you think it's improved and are looking forward to more. It means a lot and makes me want to write more. Also thanks for the explanations of names from before and yeah I was thinking about that actually and it seems like a great idea.

Guest: That may be true, but then again I don't go scourging through my writing for errors. I usually read it once or twice to make sure it makes sense. I don't have anyone reading before I publish it. I try to get errors but as you can see they're still there. Aang and Appa will be introduced later on. And Momo's will be very funny hopefully.

C'Riverblade: That's a cool idea! It would make sense that he'd uses it too because he'd be more at balance with himself, but then again not because of feelings about the Fire Nation. Also his father and sister use it so he may not want any connections to them. I'll have to think about that it's still a good idea and I really like it.

MysticAnime: that's very true about the name and I do want it to mean something special. Thanks for the advice I like hearing my reader's opinions. And I do feel like I've come farther in this story than with anything I've written. ANd with putting the responses at the end…. It's habit to put them at the top or else I forget

Demetria0620: I honestly thought that too to both things! Zuko is supposed to be more of an opposite to the Fire Nation in this story while still trying to keep with being true to him, more like how young Zuko was before his mother died. And I've always thought that Hakoda would make a great dad for Zuko. I see Iroh as more of an Uncle/grandfather figure more than a dad (though he does do that role a bit too) and good siblings too. I honestly feel sorry for Azula (She was only freaking 14!) Sorry for my long response ~

Supermage543: I hadn't thought of weapons yet but that's a good idea. And that is also a good point about the seasons with the no sun for months. I've been trying to figure out how to incorporate that in a way so any ideas are welcomed.

Ch 8 Welcome to the Water Tribe

Zuko gazed around at the frosty, white village. There was not the best wall in Zuko's eyes. (It was made out of snow!) The tents inside the wall were a bit makeshift though there was a large building that must have been like a town meeting area. In the center was a fire place where many were gathering.

Women and children filed out of the tents and meeting building. Families reunited, children were hugging fathers and brothers, and wives were crying happily. Zuko felt a sinking feeling in his stomach as he watched all the men reunite with their loved ones. It got worse as two kids around his age ran up to Hakoda and hugged his legs.

Hakoda stumbled a bit as they latched on and succeeded in not dropping Zuko. Zuko was still in his arms and clung to him more as the children started rattling off on something. It took a couple of minutes for Hakoda to settle the children down and for them to notice Zuko curled up in his arms.

"Who's this?" the boy asked glaring at Zuko.

Hakoda kneed down forcing Zuko to show himself to the kids. He nervously looked at them with his unbandaged eye before looking away. He could feel their judgmental stares at him. Glancing back at them he noticed the frown on the boy's face change to an angry look and a look of concern on the girl's face.

"Now Sokka, Katara this here is Zuko," Hakoda introduced. "Zuko this is my son, Sokka and daughter, Katara."

"Hi," Zuko weakly said before lowering his eyes to the snow covered ground.

"What is he doing here?" Sokka demanded.

"How about we head in out of the cold," Hakoda said noticing Zuko starting to shiver from the cold wind sweeping through the village.

The two lead Hakoda over to the largest snow building. Hakoda still carrying Zuko, took him inside and a wave of warmth washed over his freezing body. Zuko sighed in relief sensing a fire close by before he noticed it in the middle of the room. Hakoda sat Zuko near the fire. He took off his coat and put his hands as close to the fire without burning himself, which was closer than any non-fire bender. The flames were so close they almosted licked at his fingertips.

"So who is he?" the young girl, Katara, Zuko remembered, asked Hakoda.

"This is Zuko," Hakoda started his story. "We found him injured in a small boat. He was hurt really bad and is still healing. When I questioned him he told me that some crew member from the Fire Nation did it to him."

Hakoda glanced at Zuko who was staring intently into the fire. It had been weeks since he had seen any fire and while there was a slight fear of being burned again, he found comfort in it. Being surrounded by water, ice, and snow was not what he was used to. The fire was the only comfort of the home he once had besides his clothing, which he could no longer wear.

Hakoda continued talking, "We couldn't send him away. The closest land is a several week trip by boat. It was agreed upon to take him with us. He's going to stay with us now."

Zuko shyly gazed up before dropping his gaze seeing the glare sent his way by Sokka.

"How do you know he isn't Fire Nation?!" Sokka asked pointing at Zuko. "He could be fooling all of you to try and kill us!"
"Sokka," Hakoda said calmly placing his large hand on Sokka's shoulder. "Zuko has been through a lot, it's his choice if he wants to tell you, but I can promise you that he won't try and hurt anyone. Just don't push him to tell you. He'll tell on his own time."

Sokka's glare didn't waver but he turned away. Katara, who had been silent this whole time approached Zuko. She squatted in front of him and gazed at his face. A small smile crossed her face.

"Okay, dad," Katara said turning to her father. "I can show him around!"

Hakoda smiled happy that his daughter had accepted the Fire Nation boy. He was worried about what the children would do if and if they learned of who Zuko really was and what happened to him.

"His leg is still hurt so he can't walk. Your tour will have to wait until he's healed," Hakoda said.

Katara pouted but nodded in agreement. She then smiled and hugged her father. Hakoda pulled Sokka into the hug. The family was all smiling and laughing as Hakoda started to tickle the children.

Zuko looked between the family. The strange feeling returned in his chest. It hurt seeing the family so happy. It was something he wanted. It hurt him that he didn't have something like that. Zuko turned away back to the fire. He didn't want to feel this way about the people who took him in, but it was so hard not to.

"Alright, I have to hold a meeting with everyone so why don't I walk you guys back to our tent," Hakoda said.

Sokka and Katara let out affirmatives and race out of the building. Hakoda went over to Zuko and knelt by him. Zuko kept him face towards the fire.

"Let's get you to the tent. You still need rest," Hakoda said.

He grabbed the discarded coat and helped Zuko put it back on. He then lifted Zuko, who wrapped his arms around Hakoda's neck. They left the warm building and made their way to a tent not to far. It was large enough to fit everyone in comfortably and keep the cold air away. It was warm inside but Hakoda set him down on one of the beds pulling the sheets around him.

"I'll be back in a bit, okay?" Hakoda said to Zuko, who nodded in return. Hakoda turned to the siblings and whispered something to them that Zuko could not hear. With one last smile and a wave, Hakoda left the tent and the children to themselves.

Sokka turned and glared at Zuko. He shifted uneasily in the blankets unsure of what to do. Katara just stared at him in wonder and a slight bit of fear. Zuko looked away, not wanting to see the hate and fear in their eyes. He was just a boy for crying out loud. He couldn't hurt them if he tried right then.

"I'm keeping an eye on you, Fire Nation," Sokka spat out. "If you try anything, I'll make sure you're banished!"

"Sokka," Katara said softly grabbing her brother's coat. "Dad said to be nice."

"He's Fire Nation, Katara," Sokka protested. "Who knows what's going in that head of his! He could be plotting to kill us! Or spy on us!"

Sokka stomped out of the tent with Katara calling after him. Zuko was left alone in the tent. He shivered from the cold, burrowing deep into the blankets. Closing his eyes, Zuko thought about all that was happening. He didn't want the two siblings to hate him, but he also didn't want to break apart their family. Hakoda accepted him and Katara seemed to like him a bit. Sokka showed just how much he hated him and he didn't want to drive him away from his family.

Zuko's thoughts floated around until sleep claimed him. He didn't wake to when Katara returned. Nor when Sokka stomped back in. He slept peacefully as the siblings sat away from his whispering back and forth. Katara trying to have her brother see reason and compassion while he protested. This continued until Hakoda would return.