Author's Note: I don't even know who's reading this in 2021. I don't think I published a chapter in this story at all in 2020. That's just the kind of year it was I guess. Anyways, welcome back to those who are following or have favorited this story. I plan not to let you down again. I think maybe I needed a hiatus from this story so that I could come back with a comeback (see what I did there?). Our heroes are united and working toward the common good. Carla, the mom to be, realizes that its time to play Carla, the mom right now, or Katara might just have a meltdown. Kids fighting a war is not an easy concept and I don't see how Avatar got away with nobody dying or wanting to in that gaang. I guess that's why we have fanfiction...
Disclaimer: Si tu puedes...porque no?
Chapter 12-A Night To Remember
Zuko's small family and the "gaang" as the warrior Sokka called themselves fell into an easy routine of practices, meals and mundane chores. Occasionally Sokka would call Zuko over to help with a strategic plan when he wasn't training Aang and Toph was usually off hiding in one of the rock walls to keep from having to help with anything since she says she carries her own weight.
Carla tried to help alleviate the pressure on Katara to maintain meals and laundry for everyone. To be such a close-knit group Aang's friends looked to Katara as the "Mom" of the team and much of the housekeeping work fell on her. Carla knew in this world the expectations were that men did certain work and women did all the rest.
She knew it couldn't have been easy for Katara and she offered her services daily, but Katara would refuse her. The first time it happened Carla thought it was perhaps because of what almost happened when they first met, and perhaps she still felt guilty, but soon it became clear Katara didn't want her help.
"Katara," Carla began. "You have a minute?" she asked gently. Katara was in the middle of washing Sokka's socks which was never an easy task. The exhausted girl sighed.
"Sure, anything to stop what I'm doing right now." She grimaced. Carla giggled.
"Man-boy feet are the worst. I used to have to wash my twin brother's socks and…let's just say… I'd rather fight Azula." Katara's eyes widened like moons.
"Ok, hold on. You're a twin? That's serious! And you had to wash his socks? You're literally the same age! That's crazy." She said. Carla laughed again.
"I know right!? Ugh, it was so unfair. I don't even know how it's possible for men to produce those kind of smells from just wearing shoes. Their feet are just so, rank!" she complained. Katara just shook her head in disgust and looked at Carla. Their eyes met and they snickered. Soon they were laughing and holding their sides. When the laughter died down they fell into an awkward silence for a few minutes and Carla decided to break it. She sighed.
"Katara, I didn't come to talk about socks but on one level I did," Carla said taking Katara's hand and holding it. Katara watched Carla warily. Where was she going with this?
"Look, I've been thinking. Ever since we joined the gaang both Zuko and I noticed that you take on so much on top of teaching Aang water bending. This is a lot to handle. You do all the cooking, the cleaning, the laundry, the dishes. It can get to be overwhelming. Especially if people aren't being considerate." She said carefully then glancing over at Sokka's socks in the soapy water. Katara watched Carla with wary but shiny eyes.
"You've had the whole world on your shoulders Katara. I've heard how you took care of your entire village with your brother. You were responsible for finding food for everyone and still had your chores to do." Carla added. Katara fought the urge to cry. It was her duty. She was just doing what she was supposed to do. It was what was expected of her. She had to make her mother proud and she said as much.
Carla got even bolder. She placed her hand on the young girl's cheek and held it there looking Katara in her eyes blue-green staring into crystal blue.
"Katara, I know without a doubt your mother is proud of who you have become. You are her legacy and you exceed her expectations. You've cared for your family, your brother, the Avatar, and others. You never abandon people who need you. You are no burden in this world." Carla paused and chuffed.
"Katara, You became a master waterbender on top of all of that! The thing your mother willingly gave her life for, and I believe would do again and again because that is what mothers do. She believed in your destiny. This is no small feat." She said quietly. Katara looked at Carla her eyes wet with tears. She took several deep breaths. How dare she? How dare she say that out loud? She wasn't worth it! She wasn't…
"W-Why are telling me all of this? I-I'm not going to let you help me—You, You need to rest and care for your baby and husband." Katara protested trying to deflect from the conversation. Carla held up her hand.
"Katara, I'm telling you this because you need to hear it. You were worth every effort and every sacrifice. I'm also telling you this because it's time someone says "Thank you" for working so hard, for sacrificing so much. For giving your all without complaint. You are appreciated and deeply loved." She said grabbing the strong yet frail water tribe girl and pulling her into a hug. Katara stared wide-eyed and paralyzed as Carla reached for her. Her voice hitched from the contact and her dam broke.
She wanted to tell this woman off for getting in her business and being nosy. For bringing up her mother. She wanted to resist her, but she couldn't. This was exactly what she needed to hear. Her cry started as a small wail and grew into a mournful soul-baring deluge. Katara shuddered and hiccupped as the tears fell freely now wetting Carla's sleeve.
No one had ever told her thank you like this. Not even once. She needed to hear that her mother's sacrifice wasn't in vain. Carla was right. Katara rested her head on Carla's shoulder as Carla stroked her chocolate brown waist-length hair humming and whispering soothing words to the overworked and overstressed girl. Sokka and Toph came by curious as to why Katara was crying so desperately but Carla shoed them away. This was a moment for Katara and Katara alone. They would have their conversations soon enough.
Katara's tears ebbed and waned until she was quiet and still upon Carla's lap sleeping peacefully for the first time in many months. Zuko came by after Fire bending practice with Aang and smiled. He gave his wife a gentle peck on the lips and said he'd do dinner tonight. Before Aang could sneak away to play, Zuko grabbed the boy by his collar and dragged him to the kitchen to help prep. Aang whined only a little seeing that Katara was sleeping and knew it'd probably not be a bad idea if they wanted to eat. Zuko usually puts fire flakes and peppers in everything. Carla smiled gratefully.
Sokka came by and grabbed the container holding his socks. He moved to the other side of the fountain to wash them. As he began, he made slight gagging noises from the smell. Carla nodded in approval. Yep, this is what your sister does for you buddy, Carla thought to herself. Toph sat nearby and "watched" the scene unfold without saying a word. She wasn't a part of the problem. Those lazy bones needed to pitch in and help Sugar Queen, but she did realize she could do with saying "thanks" a little more sincerely and you know, more often, if ever…
Katara awoke strangely refreshed. She felt so much lighter. Who knew the power of a good cry and a nap? Well, Carla did obviously. She smiled at the older young woman's wisdom and graciousness. She will make an amazing Fire Lady, Katara thought to herself. She looked up to see Carla and Toph working on setting a table together. Toph laughed at a joke Carla made and snorted. Carla chuckled and looked up to see Katara staring at them. Toph never laughs with her, especially not while doing work. Katara frowned. This is what she was afraid of. Everyone would suddenly want to be more helpful with Carla but not her. It wasn't fair! Before she could marinate in her foul mood, Carla called over to her.
"Katara, would you come to the table and have a seat please?" she asked sweetly. Katara was caught off guard. Dinner was ready? Who cooked? She wondered. "Uh, Ok." She said. Katara walked over to the low table and cushions set up around it and looked at the pretty place settings with napkins, utensils, plates, and cups. There was a beautiful flower arrangement in the center and a card that said "For Katara" in scribbly Earth kingdom characters.
Katara sucked in a breath quickly almost forgetting to breathe. For her? She looked at Carla who pointed her hand in the direction of the seat of honor. Katara looked at her companions who gave nothing away but smiled and urged her to sit. Within moments Zuko and Aang came out carrying platters of food with a variety of both vegetarian and meat dishes. Sokka's mouth watered from the smells emanating forth and rubbed his hands together in excitement.
Carla cleared her throat in warning and Sokka poked out his bottom lip to Katara's amusement. Somethings never change. Once everyone was seated, Aang sat up straight and grabbed his cup.
"Katara, I know you're wondering what all this fancy hullabaloo is about. We realized that you are always on the clock for us. You cook, you wash, you clean, you mend, you doctor, you teach, you—" Once again Carla cleared her throat and moved her hand in a forward circular motion to urge him to hurry his speech along.
"Oh, right. Uh so, we wanted to take this moment to offer a toast to you, Katara. We don't say it enough. Sometimes we don't say it at all, but we really do appreciate you and every contribution you make to the gaang. We realized that we need to do more, and we will try to help you out as much as we can so that you don't get burned out. We really do love you Katara." He finished while raising his cup at the same time. "To Katara," they all said simultaneously.
Katara felt like she was going to cry all over again when Carla interjected. "No tears, unless they are of joy, mija! You deserve this moment and for the rest of the night you, my dear, are off duty. No cleaning, no dishes. Don't even think about it, OK? Let's enjoy this wonderful meal prepared by my husband and the Avatar!" Carla added excitedly with applause filling the table. Katara's mouth hung open. She already knew that Zuko had a few skills in the kitchen because he would sometimes make dishes for Carla when she was tired, but Aang?
"Aang, you can cook?" she exclaimed in near disbelief. Ang looked away sheepishly.
"I didn't make the meat dishes, but I can make a few things. The monks taught me because we all had to know how. I did make the fluff pie all by myself though." Katara flushed with appreciation. She had never had anyone cook for her before or prepare a table and make her the guest of honor. She kind of liked it. She liked it a lot actually.
The dinner was fabulous. Zuko toned down the spice in literally every dish he made which was a blessing because they were perfect for everyone else. He made pineapple Komodo chicken in a red sauce, He baked a huge fish from the ocean he and Sokka caught that afternoon. There were steamed rice, fried rice, and stir-fried vegetables, Katara's favorite fruits including moon peaches and mangoes, and the crowning achievement was the fruity fluff pie that was an air bender made specialty. The pie had to be filled with air in order to complete it. Katara thought by far that pie had to be her favorite part of the meal.
Everyone sighed in contentment at the end of dinner. Their bellies were beyond stuffed and there was still more left over to eat in the morning. Carla made some kind of clicking noise and gesture with her chin and Aang and Sokka were off on dish duty. She made a slight whistle and the same gesture to her husband, and Toph and Zuko were off on clean up with Carla on guard duty. She wasn't going to let Katara do anything even remotely connected with chores tonight.
She invited Katara out to the open area where the fountain was. They sat out near the ledge of the open stone temple overlooking the gorge and watched the stars while naming them and telling one another stories about their legends. Carla realized how much Katara's natural personality was dampened by the burden of work. She was a sweet girl and shouldn't feel so stressed she can't be that way. The gaang would definitely have to make some changes to help her be who she is. Within a half-hour, all tasks were finished and the gaang were back together again around the campfire full and happy.
Carla was leaning on her husband as they did many months ago at the beginning of their journey in an Earth kingdom forest.
"Hmmmn. Amor, you should tell a story tonight. I adore your stories. Carla whispered groggily but happily. Zuko chuckled.
"You're almost asleep already. You won't make it to the end." He said. Semi-conscious Carla protested.
"Still, maybe the others would like to hear one…" she said with a dreamy smile. Zuko looked up at the children who stared at him with wide eyes and anticipation. He rolled his eyes smirking.
"Alright, I have one, but it's a kind of spooky story. Are you guys up to it?" he asked. The four teens nodded enthusiastically. Zuko nodded. He tried to get more comfortable with his wife who leaned against him lazily already asleep. He smiled.
"Ok, this story happened about one hundred years ago back when there were only whisperings of war and threats of change." He began. All eyes not closed in sleep were on him. He continued.
"Not everyone from the Fire Nation approved of the war and there was one such young man from the little island of Otaku." Aang's eyes widened at the mention of the island. He remembered a friend from long ago he left behind.
"Otaku was a very progressive island when compared to the more traditional and nationalistic Caldera. Many of the inventions and devices we use in the Fire nation now came from inventors on Otaku. They were highly skilled in metalwork and had a deep fascination with non-bending flight modeled after the birds and Air Nomads. In fact, because Otaku was so close to the Southern Air Temple it was not strange to see Airbenders and Firebenders working together on projects or just hanging out as friends." Aang chuckled more to himself than out loud.
"It's true, one of my best friends was a fire bender who lived there. Zuko hummed.
"I'm not surprised. It was a very symbiotic relationship between those airbenders and firebenders of Otaku. Travel was also open and friendly though those the tides were slowly starting to change." He said his voice lowering and his face shifting to a frown.
"My great grandfather Sozin began to see this cooperation between firebenders and other benders as a threat. He perceived the intermingling of cultures and the slowly eroding identity of the Fire Nation in that area as a problem that needed to be eradicated. He began making sanctions, prohibiting trade and commerce between Otaku and the air temples. He banned certain colors from the national dress. He started requiring papers for travel between nations and turned away any Air nomads who sought to visit. The last straw came when he finally met with his council and basically said he wanted to start a campaign to rule the world and show them the greatness of the Fire Nation. I realized not too long ago that what his "campaign" really did was an attempt to dominate the world because of insecurities and fear." He said. Toph yawned.
"So, get to the creepy part already, Zuko. You're just giving us a lot of history." She groused. Aang looked over at Toph sharply. This history was a part of the one hundred years of his life that he missed, and he wanted to know as much as possible. He glared at the girl who wasn't fazed one bit considering she couldn't see it. She felt his heartrate rise but she didn't care. She wanted Zuko to get on with it! Zuko chuckled,
"Fair enough, Squirt. I felt like you needed the background before I get to the creepy part but I'll pick up the pace. There was one young man from the island of Otaku who was devastated by the way Sozin imposed all of those rules and regulations on his people. Not only that, the army was starting to occupy his lands and create a hardship for the people of Otaku. The young man's brother had even been killed by Sozin twelve years before because of his stance on the Fire Lord's plans for world domination.
This tension finally came to a head after there was a conflict on Otaku that killed several residents, airbenders, and hurt many others. Not long after that Otaku heard that the monks and sisters of the Air temples had been attacked in their homes and destroyed. They also feared the Avatar had been destroyed with them. Residents of Otaku tried to come to their aid but were also cut down by the armies once again," He said soberly.
Katara and Sokka looked at one another. The Fire Nation attacked their own people first before the Air nomads? They never considered what it would take for people to get on board with a world domination plan, but they should have known that not everyone was going to be for it after all. Oppressors just silence the opposition to keep them from being heard. Zuko sighed.
"Here is where the story gets strange: The young man had escaped the first attack and had had enough of the killing and destruction. He lost his best friend who had gone off from one air temple, in fear of the tasks he had with the coming war. He didn't want to go against his beliefs and kill anyone. That friend was moving south but never made it to his destination from what he heard. The monk was just a child and no child should desire to be involved in any war but especially a madman's war."
The teens shifted uncomfortably at the parallels to their own lives. Especially Aang. He felt like Zuko was telling his own story and he swallowed the lump forming in his throat. Zuko cleared his throat and shifted slightly.
"The young man set sail in a "borrowed" boat and he made his way to the Caldera to confront the Fire Lord. He announced himself and the Fire Lord invited him in quickly. He thought that perhaps the young man was coming to announce his island's surrender and cooperation with the Fire Lord's plans. Instead, the young man gave a prophecy that made the Fire Lord shake from crown to sole. He said to him with no fear in his voice,
"The Avatar will return at war's end, and he will use your own flesh and blood to stop this war and reunite the four nations. Your mission is doomed to fail." He finished never taking his eyes off of the Fire Lord. Sozin immediately declared him a traitor for his words and called for his soldiers to take the man out to be executed immediately. No one knew exactly when it happened, but a strange glow overtook the Fire Lord's throne room, brighter than the sun knocking soldiers, guards, councilmen, and even the Fire Lord himself to the ground. When the light dissipated, the young man was gone.
Sozin sent his armies back to Otaku to find the man and destroy the remaining citizens but when they arrived, the island was abandoned. Yet everything was in place as if people had been there only moments before, fires burning, food cooking in kitchens, even well water pumping. Soldiers searched the island but every last individual remaining from that nation was gone. Vanished without a trace." All four children by now were leaning so far up that they were inches from the fire but in rapt attention. "Where did they go, Zuko?" Sokka asked not wanting to believe a whole village could just disappear. Zuko shook his head.
"No one knows, there is a rumor that a spirit was involved in saving the young man, moving the Otakuans and surviving nomads to the Spirit World until the war was over, but there is no one who can confirm the story and we won't know until the war is over if that was just rumor or perhaps what actually happened. It remains a mystery to this day.
But I will say this: The prophecy spoken by that man is true. Every word. The Avatar has returned at war's end and Sozin's flesh and blood will help him and unite the four nations." Toph and the others gasped at the significance. They sighed deeply. This story was spooky but also heavy. Toph spoke up.
"I've listened to this story and I'm confused by something, Zuko. You speak this story as if it's not a story, but real history. Is this real history, Zuko? There's nothing out there about the fact that there was a resistance to Sozin and their propaganda in the Fire Nation. They make it seem like the Fire Nation has always been on the same page and joined in with enthusiasm to wipe out all the other nations." Zuko nodded.
"Indeed Toph, it is the truth as was taught to me by my uncle Iroh. I didn't want to believe that my great-grandfather could be so evil, but he did kill his best friend so, the genocide of his own people is possible too. The interesting thing about that story is who was involved. They say the man they code-named Shadow escaped because he had help. I'd like to think it may have been my great-grandfather who helped him to escape. I mean, he was my great grandfather's little brother after all." He said with a smirk.
"Sozin's brother? I thought he was an only child." Aang asked with surprise. Zuko smiled gently. "No not Sozin, my other great-grandfather, my mother's grandfather, Avatar Roku." He said quietly.
"Whaaaaaaaaaat?" Sokka droned in complete shock. "No wonder you were so confused, Zuko. You are a living personification of Yin and Yang dude." He said. At that Zuko laughed with a rumble.
"Yeah, sucks to be me, right?" He said clearing his throat. Katara spoke up quietly.
"What was the name of Avatar Roku's little brother, Zuko?" she asked. Zuko smiled widely at this and looked Aang directly in his eyes,
"My great granduncle's name was Kuzon. He was a good friend of the Avatar's, isn't that right Aang?."