"Go on," Anraq said, giving Azula a gentle nudge in the side. "It's not going to bite."

Azula frowned, staring at the soupy dish in front of her, swirling the contents with her spoon. "I know that. I'm just... working up my appetite."

The man across the table from them chuckled, eyeing her closely. He was a broad, dark-skinned man, his rounded face framed by a thick beard and shaggy mane of brown hair streaked with gray, decorated with various beaded braids. While his bold blue eyes watched her with distinct sternness, there was gentle warmth in them. "Not used to Water Tribe food, I take it?"

Anraq gave his father a pointed stare. "Dad, let her be."

Kovu leaned back in his seat with a nonchalant shrug. "All I'm saying is that I understand our native cuisine can be quite the acquired taste. Especially for someone from the Fire Nation."

"It's my fault, really," said the woman at Kovu's side. She was much smaller than her husband, thin and wiry with a long braid of auburn hair trailing down her back. Faint crow's feet lined the edges of her eyes, framing the kind of welcoming comfort only a mother could give. She smiled brightly, scratching her cheek with a nervous laugh. "Perhaps I should have started with arctic hen before jumping straight to sea prunes?"

"Nonsense, Hikara." Kovu turned to his wife with a grin. "You make the best damn sea prunes in the entire South Pole. She'll give it a chance, just give her a minute."

Azula glanced up at both of them. What a strange concept, a married couple who actually got along. So much different than her own parents back then. With a gentle sigh, she scooped a spoonful of sea prune stew and raised it to her lips. "No time like the present, I suppose."

One deep breath, and she popped the spoonful into her mouth. An odd flavor met her tongue, somewhere between sour and bitter, but in an oddly pleasant way. There was a saltiness to it, overpowering the sourness enough to make it bearable. Something hot, too. A spice? She swallowed the concoction and let the flavor sit on her tongue a moment longer. Any of the underlying bitterness vanished, replaced by an odd sweetness that hadn't been there before. How in spirits name could a single dish have so many different flavors in so short a time span?

Azula set her spoon down and raised her eyebrow, lips pursed. "Well, that's... actually not that bad. Lovely, even."

"Ha! You see?" Kovu gave his wife an encouraging pat on the shoulder, before digging into his own bowl.

"Oh, thank you," Hikara said, brightening at the compliment. "I added some imported fire flakes to the recipe, so I wasn't sure how it would turn out."

"Fire flakes?" Azula blinked, staring down at the bowl. "So that's what that spice was?"

Hikara nodded. "That's right. I figured it might add some extra flavor for you."

Azula offered a slight chuckle, and filled another spoonful. "Yes, it certainly did."

Anraq leaned closer to her with a grin. "Not that bad, right?"

"Yes, yes, so it's pretty good," she muttered, struggling to hide the growing smile curling her lips. "Just eat your sea prunes."

Kovu swallowed a bit of his own stew, and leaned against the table. He settled another stern gaze on Azula. "I want to take this opportunity to say how nice it is to have you here. It's been a while since our boy had anyone in his life like he has you, and I for one couldn't be happier. Now, I might have been a little disappointed to learn you weren't a Water Tribe girl—"

"Kovu." Hikara jabbed her elbow against her husband's side, narrowing a critical stare at him. "Where she's from doesn't matter. She's a lovely young woman, and Anraq is lucky to have her."

"You didn't let me finish," he insisted, with a wave of his spoon. "As I was saying, it's been a pleasure getting to know you these past couple days, and I think I speak for both myself and Hikara in saying you're a wonderful young woman, and we hope to see more of you in the future."

Hikara folded her arms, giving her husband a pointed nod. "That's a little better."

Azula squirmed uncomfortably in her seat, staring straight down into her bowl. "Please, the flattery isn't necessary. Really."

From what she understood, Hikara and Kovu lived rather isolated lives in a small village on the outskirts of the Southern Water Tribe. They didn't keep up with world events, or anything much beyond their home. Unsurprisingly, they knew nothing about Azula's backstory. They didn't know she was the same Azula from the Hundred Year War, didn't know she had been resurrected by a dark spirit, and had no idea about her involvement with the Red Lotus resurgence, the Dragon Empire, or any of the things she had done in the past. As far as they were concerned, she was an ordinary Fire Nation girl. Ignorance, bliss, and all that. While this made their acceptance of her easier, and made any potential interactions between them far less awkward, Azula couldn't shake the guilt souring in her stomach.

"You hear that?" Kovu said, with a knowing chuckle. "Humble, too. Sounds like a keeper to me."

"Azula, would you mind giving me a hand with the dishes later?" Hikara asked. "It'll give us a chance to talk. I'd love to hear more about your life growing up in the Fire Nation."

Azula stifled a laugh of her own, looking up from her bowl. Spirits, she couldn't well go telling them anything about her actual childhood. Still, she could always make something up. "Of course. I'd be happy to."


Kovu sat across from his son in front of the Pai Sho table, staring down at the array of tiles set atop the board. He pursed his lips in deep thought, fingers poised above one of the tiles, not quite committing to a move. While he and Anraq had never played much together before, apparently his son had become quite good at the game over the past few years. Time to put that to the test. "So, Azula seems nice."

Anraq sat straighter on the other side of the table, raising his eyebrows. "Just 'nice'?"

"Alright, really nice." Kovu chuckled, and slid one of the tiles forward. "I can see how happy she makes you. That's the most important thing."

Anraq couldn't hide his widening grin, as he countered his father's move by sliding his own tile in place to block it. "She really does."

"I'll say. Been a while since I've seen you smile so much." An intense look of concentration settled over Kovu's face, as he studied the board to contemplate his next move. After a brief pause, he jumped another tile forward. "She's smart, fierce, compassionate, and definitely pretty. I can see why you fell for her."

"You have no idea," Anraq said, with a brief laugh. He lowered a hand to one of his tiles, studying its path. Maybe not the best move, but it might just work.

"Oh, I might have more of an idea than you think. After all, it takes a heck of a woman to stage a coup of the Fire Nation, get ousted from her position, and come back to overthrow an empire. I'd say that warrants some attraction."

Anraq froze, choking out a heaving cough of air. He pulled his hand back and snapped an urgent stare up at his father. "Wait, how did you—You know about that?"

Kovu gave a stern nod. "I know your mother and I never paid much attention to the goings on of the rest of the world, but I do see the paper now and then when I go into town. Like yesterday, when I went shopping for those fire flakes for your mother. Imagine my surprise when I saw Azula's picture in the paper and read the headline: Former Dragon Empress Retakes Her Throne, Dissolves Empire. Quite the article, I have to say."

"That... that was an old headline," Anraq muttered, hanging his head.

"By a few weeks, I think. The market never was very good at restocking their papers on time."

Anraq swallowed, shifting a glance towards the kitchen of their small hut. Azula and Hikara stood side by side at the sink, one of them washing dishes, the other drying and setting them on the rack. The soft sound of laughter emanated between them. "So, uh, what did the article say exactly?"

"Enough." Kovu leaned against the table, giving his son a careful glare. Not angry, nor accusatory. There was a sternness there, but one that came from understanding. "Look, Son, I may not know everything that's happened between you two, and I may not know everything that's happened in Azula's past, but I stand by everything I've said since I met her. We've all done things we wish we could take back, and we all have things we wish we could forget. What matters is the here and now, and how we choose to live our lives going forward. I've seen nothing yet to make me doubt her. She's good for you, and I'm happy to know her."

A gentle tremor lifted in Anraq's chest, as he worked up the nerve to finally move his Pai Sho tile forward across the board. "Thanks, Dad. I, uh... I know my relationship with her isn't exactly normal, with how things happened between us, but I really do love her, you know? It's just been so long since I've had anything genuinely good in my life. Like, really good. I don't want to mess this up."

"You won't." Reaching forward across the table, Kovu set his hand on his son's shoulder and gave a warm smile. "Just be yourself. That's who she fell in love with, isn't it?"

"Yeah, I suppose it is," he said, with a soft sniffle. He paused, watching his father shift focus back to the Pai Sho table. "I think I might take her to see Kanna tomorrow."

Kovu's hand paused halfway towards one of his tiles. He looked upward at his son, brow lifting with surprise. "Oh, I see. Been a long time since you've gone to see her."

"Yeah, I know. I guess I just never wanted to deal with it." A cold knot coiled into his throat, choking his breath. He breathed deep, and swallowed the knot into his gut. "After she died, I just... I ran away from it all. Left home again, traveled across the world, went back to Republic City, anything to keep from coming back. To keep from having to face it. Was just easier that way."

His father gave a slow nod in understanding. "And now?"

"Now, I think I've finally come to terms with it. Moved on. I'll never forget it, of course, and I'll never forget her, but I can be open about it now. I can talk about it. Kanna will always be an important part of my life, and Azula is an important part of my life now. I can share that with her. Besides, I think it'd be nice if they met."

Kovu's smile widened, growing with a proud warmth. "You've grown a lot these past years, haven't you?"

"Yeah," he said, with a gentle nod. "Yeah, I have."


A cold shiver raced down Azula's spine as she trudged through the ankle-deep snow. She held her arms tight around herself for warmth, bundled full in a heavy blue coat, thick snow pants, fur-lined boots, fluffy white mittens, and earmuffs. In spite of all that, she couldn't fight that deep, biting chill. Even her best attempts at warming herself with her chi faltered, unable to steady her breaths. Tiny bursts of flame flickered out of her mouth with each exhale, although they did nothing to offer any heat.

"Are w-we almost th-there?" she asked, teeth chattering. "It's f-f-freezing out here."

"Well, it is the South Pole," Anraq replied, glancing over his shoulder at her. He had dressed only half as heavily as Azula, and yet remained unfazed by the subzero temperatures. "Cold is kind of its thing. But yeah, we're almost there. Come on, I'm sure she's going to love meeting you."

"Could h-have at l-least waited until summer." Azula rubbed her hands against her arms, desperate for even the fainted bit of warmth. "But n-no, had to c-come r-right away, in the d-dead of w-winter."

Anraq chuckled, raising an eyebrow at her. "Hey, it's beautiful in the winter. Besides, I wanted to introduce you to my parents sooner rather than later. Spirits know it's been way too long since I last visited."

Azula frowned, watching the snow beneath her feet while they walked. Crunch, crunch, crunch. Spirits, there was so much snow. "Right..."

She still wasn't certain about this whole trip. They'd been living on Ember Island now for close to a month. She, Annie, Druk, and... Mr. Quackers. Ugh, such an awful name, but by the time she'd tried to change it, the turtle duck wouldn't answer to anything else. Terrible pet names aside, things had been wonderful. She'd finally been able to relax, to shut herself off from the world without having to worry about any kind of drama. Being able to wake up every morning next to the most important person in the world to her, nothing to do, no schedule or pressing concerns, no need to push herself... What a dream. A perfect, wonderful dream she never wanted to wake from.

Hardly surprising then that she'd been apprehensive when Anraq asked her to take a trip to his home village in the South Pole. They could have stayed on Ember Island, could have continued their carefree vacation. Instead, they'd flown all the way to the coldest place in the world to visit Annie's parents. Meeting Kovu and Hikara had been nice, certainly. If anything, they offered her a glimpse at what a normal family could be like. A happy family. A family they all claimed they were glad to accept her into. Didn't matter how much they insisted. No amount of assurance or pleasantries could shake that deep, sinking feeling in Azula's gut that questioned whether or not she would ever belong.

"There it is," Anraq said, pointing towards the small square of land at the end of the path. Rows of small, polished stone mounds poked up from the snow in even succession. Graves. "Come on, hers is right over here." He led her towards the third row of snow-covered gravestones, to the fifth from the left.

Azula stared down at the stone mound, a distant gloom settling in her eyes. "So, this is her?"

"Yeah... this is her." Anraq took a step towards the grave and wiped the snow off the front of it to reveal the engraving: Kanna, loving daughter and vibrant spirit. Taken from us far too soon. A gentle smile curled his lips. A solemn smile. Forlorn, carrying years' worth of weighted grief. Lowering himself to the ground, he sat cross-legged in the snow and pressed one of his hands against the stone. "Hey, Sweet Pea. It's Daddy. I'm, uh... I'm sorry I haven't visited in a while. Things have been pretty crazy lately. You'll never believe all the stuff I've done. I went back to Republic City, worked as a police officer for a while, made some great friends, and I actually helped the Avatar stop a bunch of really bad people. I even fought in a war."

Anraq uttered a soft chuckle, as though some attempt to lighten the mood. A poor mask to hide the sorrow choking through his tone. "Then, uh... Well, I went to the Fire Nation for a while. You wouldn't believe how hot it is over there, nothing like here. You probably wouldn't like it much since it never snows, but I enjoyed it. I even met someone really special. You'll never guess who."

He paused a moment, as if giving the spirit of his daughter a chance to make a guess. He offered a warmer smile and continued. "Azula. Like, the real one from the stories I used to tell you. Now, I didn't think much of her at first. Actually, I kind of hated her. But..." He offered another chuckle, glancing up at Azula. His smile eased a bit wider. "Well, you were right about her. There is good in her. A whole lot of it, too. Now she's the most important person in my life."

Azula returned the smile, but hers was one of habit, a vague attempt to hide the shared grief building in her chest as she watched him. She'd never seen Annie like this before. So determined to remain composed, to hold himself together against the obvious pain trembling beneath his smile. Spirits, she wish she knew how to help him.

"Well, except for you, of course," Anraq added, as he looked back to the grave. Leaning closer, he whispered, "You want to say hi? Go on, say hi." He looked to Azula again and waved her closer.

Azula swallowed, cautiously trudging forward towards the grave. "Um... hello, Kanna. It's nice to meet you, I suppose." She paused, glancing back at Anraq with a frown. "What am I supposed to say?"

"Anything, doesn't matter. Just meet her."

With a heavy sigh, she lowered to her knees and stared at the grave. Her gaze found the engraving. She focused on it, reading it over and over again in her mind. "It's nice to meet you. Figuratively speaking, anyway. Your father has told me a great deal about you. From what he tells me, you sound like a fine child. I think I would have liked to actually meet you, even if I am terrible with kids. Maybe we could have gotten along, I don't know. I'm sure you were nice. I'm not sure if I'd live up to what you heard about me in those stories, but to be fair, the history books were probably quite biased against me." She stopped herself before going off on an unrelated tangent. With another sigh, she fell back on her hands and shrugged. "I don't really know what else to say."

"That's plenty," Anraq said, rubbing his hand against her back. "I think she liked it."

"So, now what?"

"You can head back to the house if you want," he said, with a nod towards the path that led away from the grave site. "I know you're cold. I just want to sit here a while."

Azula stood up, and offered a parting stare at the grave. She should stay, shouldn't she? That's what a supportive girlfriend would do. That's what she wanted to be. So why did an invisible grip claw at her insides, as if to tell her she was only intruding on Annie's time with his daughter? Something about this place... She didn't belong here. Shoving her hands into her coat pockets, she turned and began to walk away.

Annie's voice struck the air in a gentle wave, halting her in place. He sang in a slow, somber tone, laden with a deep and heavy sorrow. "Leaves from the vine / Falling so slow / Like fragile, tiny shells / Drifting in the foam / Little soldier girl / Come marching home / Brave soldier girl / Comes marching home."

He poured his soul into those lyrics in a way Azula had never heard before. Warmth poured into her heart, melting away the tundra's frigid cold. As Annie's voice faded and went quiet, she made her way back to his side and lowered herself next to him on the ground.

"It was her favorite song," he said, with a deep, quivering breath. "I'd sing it to her every night before bed. Used to be I'd sing it joyful, upbeat. That was the version I always liked. Ever since she... Well, ever since then, I guess I've become accustomed to this version. I know I don't have the best singing voice, but..."

Azula leaned close, resting her head against his shoulder. "I thought it was lovely."


One week later, they had returned to their beach house on Ember Island. Azula lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Stark moonlight flooded into the room, filtering a dull silver glow into her vision. Had to be after midnight by now, and here she was wide awake. Anraq lay beside her, fast asleep with his arm wrapped around her waist. By any account, this night was no different than any other. So why couldn't she fall asleep? Why did her thoughts keep drifting back to the South Pole? To Kanna's grave?

She'd hated seeing Annie like that. Grieving, broken, unable to hide his pain behind a smile any longer, as though a piece of his soul had crumbled away. He'd always been so happy and upbeat, always brushing off any misfortune with that laid back optimism of his. Easy to forget the kind of pain still rooted deep inside. No matter how much he tried to play it off, no matter how much he moved on, it would always be there. It would always hurt.

Azula was supposed to be there for him now. She was supposed to make him happy. To comfort him, and be that rock in his life, the way he was for her. She was supposed to help him through these kinds of things, and yet when confronted with the opportunity, she'd been at a loss for what to actually do. Annie had been there for her through her worst moments. He had helped her heal, recover, and change into a better person. He had helped make her life wonderful, and make her happy. He had been a pillar of support when she needed it most.

What had she ever done for him? She had given him a club for his birthday. She had taken him out for dinner. She'd been nice to him. The bare minimum of decency, all of it superficial in the face of his dedication to her. She had never done anything truly meaningful for him. Nothing selfless, or anything like what he'd done for her. Why not? Was there something wrong with her? She had to do something. She had to be there for him, she had to help him. Spirits, there must be some way she could ease his pain, other than simply existing with him. A way to make him truly happy.

Spirits.

Her mind raced with a faint possibility, an idea that slowly clawed its way to the surface of her thoughts. Perhaps there was something she could do. She sat upright in bed and stared out the window, at the moon. What was the date? The twelfth week of winter? Still time, maybe a few days at most. If she hurried, she could make it before having to wait another season. Doubtful this would even work, but she had to try. She owed Annie that much, at least.

Azula gently slipped out of bed. A subtle chill pulsed through her, as cool night air kissed her bare skin. She quickly dressed herself in casual traveling attire, grabbed a pen out of the bedside desk, and scribbled out a note. When she finished, she placed the note on the bed in the spot she'd been lying moments before. Hopefully, Annie wouldn't be too worried when he woke up to find her gone.

Opening the top drawer of the desk, she reached inside and pulled out an old, folded photograph. She gave the smiling figures in the picture a brief look, before tucking the photo into her pocket. No time to waste. Making her way outside, she pulled out her dragon whistle, gave a firm blow, and waited. Druk arrived moments later, lowering himself so she could climb aboard.

Within seconds, they were gone.


Forgetful Valley. Oh, the memories of this place. The last time Azula had been here, she'd been a completely different person. Frantic, panicked, afraid, her mind in turmoil, unsure of herself and her destiny. She had been wild, aggressive, attacking the forest as she went. The forest had fought back, and she had lost. She had died. A single mistake, and her spirit had become lost to the Spirit World, sparking the catalyst in bringing her to this age, this modern world. Sparking the beginnings of her change. Now, she faced this valley as a new woman.

So much different than she remembered it. The forest was no longer dark and suffocating, as if reaching out to seize her in its spindly clutches. Faces continued to stare back at her, painted across the trees, the leaves, even the rocks, but they were calmer than before, no longer aggressive or scowling. Almost inviting, as if welcoming her into their domain with open arms. Perhaps they sensed the peace in her. Perhaps they knew she was not a threat this time around.

She ignored the faces and pressed on through the forest. She had something else to find, and if she didn't hurry she'd miss her chance. Shouldn't be too difficult to spot a giant glowing wolf spirit running through the trees. With a little searching, she should find it before long.

Three hours into her search, she noticed the dull white glow emanating through the trees. She raced forward, weaving her way through the forest until she emerged through a cluster of face-covered bushes. A looming figure appeared before her, forcing her to slide to a stop. There it was. The great spirit wolf gave her a passing glance, watching only a moment before bounding forward through the trees.

Azula gave chase. Vines and branches flew by her vision. The wolf was fast, but still she managed to keep pace with it, swift and nimble in her pursuit. Never slowing, never stopping. Five minutes. Ten minutes. Fifteen minutes of constant sprinting. Her lungs burned, begging her to slow down. She pushed herself harder. Couldn't afford to lose sight of it. Had to find out where it stopped.

She emerged into a large clearing. The wolf wandered forward towards the edge of a perfectly circular pool of pristine, clear water. This was it. This was why she'd come. She waited at the edge of the treeline, watching as the wolf bent down to the water to drink. Bubbles rippled outward from the center of the pool, until the surface broke with a whirling splash. A towering figure emerged, standing taller than the trees with a body made of gnarled bark and a head with multiple faces. Azula's heart jolted, and she ran free into the clearing.

"Mother of Faces!" she called, staring up at the ancient spirit. "May I have a moment?"

Although the Mother of Faces' eyes were hidden by coils of twisted bark, her gaze focused with piercing intent on Azula. "Ah, so yet another human seeks out my aid. Let me guess, you wish to receive a new face?"

Azula shook her head. "No, actually. That's not why I'm here."

"It is not? Hmm..." The Mother of Faces tilted her head, her expression shifting with subtle curiosity. "Most humans who approach me desire a new face, although I do not understand why. I take so much care in creating each and every face, it mystifies me as to why anyone would be dissatisfied with the one I first gave them. So, if you do not wish a new face, why are you here? Why have you come to see me?"

"I understand you're a very powerful spirit. One of the oldest to exist."

"Yes, that is true. What are you getting at, human?"

Azula breathed deep, settling the fluttering in her gut. "I've read about you, about the things you can do. You can create more than just faces. You can create entire bodies, empty vessels devoid of life, just like your son can."

"My son?" The spirit's tone shifted with confusion. "My son steals faces. He destroys. He does not create."

"I don't mean Koh," she said, sharpening her gaze. "I mean Sen."

A weighted pause followed, as the Mother of Faces lowered herself to study Azula closer. "How do you know about Sen? His name should have been lost to you humans thousands of lifetimes ago."

"I met him. I was trapped in the spirit world once, and he attempted to trick me into releasing him from his prison in exchange for a new body. He failed, obviously. He couldn't fool me."

"Is that so?" The great spirit tilted her head further, lips pursing in deep thought. "Yes, I see now. Your body, your face... Sen crafted this for you."

Azula nodded. "Yes, he did. Then he placed my spirit inside it, restoring me to life."

The Mother of Faces raised herself back to full height, maintaining her intense glare. "What is it you are trying to ask of me?"

"I know you can create empty vessels, but I have another question." Azula sucked in another breath to steady her nerves. Now or never. Time to learn whether or not this trip had been a waste of time. "Can you do the same as Sen? Can you place a spirit into that shell and restore a life that was lost?"

Deep frowns twisted across the great spirit's multiple faces. "What you request is no simple task. Reaching beyond the divide to pull back a departed spirit requires great focus and power. This favor is beyond my ability to grant."

"What?" Azula's heart sank, crashing with a nauseous gurgle. "But you're supposed to be an all powerful spirit! If you're not strong enough to do it, then who is?"

"Allow me to rephrase myself," she replied, with a rising bite in her tone. "This favor is beyond my desire to grant, especially to you, Azula of the Fire Nation."

Azula recoiled with a quiet gasp. "You know who I am?"

"Of course I do. I never forget a face, and I remember you coming to my forest and confronting me once before. You were most disrespectful then, and selfish." The spirit's expression altered from simple annoyance into genuine, unrestrained anger. Her form grew taller, and her voice shook with a booming echo. "You humans often abuse my generosity to grant you favors and to change your faces, faces I put a great deal of effort and care into creating. I put up with it because I am generous by nature, and I take pity on your kind, but what you ask of me now is a blatant display of audacity and arrogance. I would not grant such a request to any human, let alone one as selfish and callous as you! Now, be gone from my forest and do not return!" When the Mother of Faces finished her tirade, the water beneath her churned, drawing her back below its depths.

Azula's breath choked in her throat. She ran forward, closer to the pool. "No! Come back!" Within seconds, the spirit was gone, vanished beneath the water. That didn't stop her. Azula jumped into the pool and waded out up to her waist, staring downward with wild eyes. She saw only her reflection staring back at her. "You have to help me! Please! This isn't for me! I'm not trying to be selfish! It isn't for me!"

No response. Azula tightened her fingers in her hair, loosing a frustrated howl from her throat. She'd known this trip would likely end in failure. She'd known the Mother of Faces would never help her. Should have known better than to get her hopes up. To believe she could ever find a way to repay Annie for everything he had done for her. Now she had to return to Ember Island and try to explain why she'd been gone, without any results to show for her efforts.

With a defeated sigh, she dropped her hands by her sides and turned to leave the pool. A wet churning drew her attention. She paused, looking back over her shoulder to see the surface of the water rippling in front of her. Seconds later, the Mother of Faces emerged once again. Not tall this time. Not imposing. The spirit remained small enough to lean close to Azula, their faces mere inches apart.

"If you are not making this request for yourself, then for whom?" the spirit asked, with a curious gaze.

Azula renewed her strength with a shuddering breath, lifting her heart back into her chest. "Someone very close to me, and who I care very deeply for."

"Did he send you here in his stead?"

"No, he doesn't even know I'm here. I'm just trying to do something good for him. I want to make him happy." She bowed her head, eyes softening with a distant sorrow. "That's why I'm here. So he can be happy. He deserves it more than anyone."

"I sense you've never performed a selfless act such as this before. Never such a display of kindness and caring." The Mother of Faces examined her closely several moments longer, before pulling away to straighten to her full height. "Very well."

Azula choked on a breathless gasp. "Really?"

"Yes, although for this task I will ask for a form of payment first."

"Payment?" Azula narrowed a skeptical glare at the spirit. "What kind of payment?"

"The body you have, the face you wear? It is ageless, given to you by Sen and suspended in time. No being, no face, should be unable to grow older and change. Give up that quality to me, give up your physical immortality, and I will grant your wish."

Azula lowered her gaze, staring at her reflection in the water below her. This face of hers... This permanently young, never-aging face. Oh, how she had grown to despise it. So many years, and still her body never changed. Her face never changed. At one time, the concept of permanent youth had seemed a blessing. If only she'd known how wrong she was. This was no blessing. It was a curse. Whenever she looked at herself in the mirror, whenever she saw her own reflection, she couldn't shake that feeling deep down. Something was wrong with her. Something unnatural.

No longer.

"Alright," she said, looking up again at the spirit. "I accept."

"Very well," said the Mother of Faces, with an accepting nod. "Do you have an image of what you wish the vessel to look like?"

Azula nodded, reaching into the pocket of her tunic. "I have a picture. It's the girl."

The Mother of Faces took the photograph from her and gave it a long, close stare. "This will suffice. Now, to call back her spirit, I will need to know her name."


Anraq paced around the center of the beach house courtyard, running his fingers back through his hair. In his other hand, he clutched the note Azula had left behind for him. Spirits, how many times had he read it now? He paused, lifting it up to his eyes to read it again. Evidently, not enough.

Will be gone a few days. Something I need to take care of. Had to take your photograph. Please don't be angry. With love, Azula.

What on earth had she been talking about? Why would she leave in the middle of the night without saying anything? For the life of him, he couldn't figure it out. Didn't make any sense. All she'd left was this note, leaving him alone on the island worried out of his mind. No way of finding her, no way of contacting her. Nothing to do except wait here helpless for her to come back.

A gentle quack drew his attention away from the note long enough to look down. Mr. Quackers stared back at him, his feathery head tilted to the side. The turtle duck had grown since they'd first taken him in, quite a bit larger only a month later. Not quite fully grown, but getting there.

"I know, I shouldn't worry," he said, with a soft groan. "Can you blame me, though? Spirits, I just hope she's alright."

A growing shadow darkened the sky. Anraq looked up, shielding the sun from his face with a raised arm. Druk soared into view moments later, landing in the center of the courtyard with a tired growl. Azula jumped off the dragon's head onto the ground, without even waiting for him to let her down.

"Azula! Spirits, there you are!" Anraq ran to her and wrapped his arms tight around her. "What happened? Is everything alright? Why did you have to leave?"

"Everything is fine, Annie." Azula eased out a quiet sigh and pulled away from the hug. "I just had something I needed to take care of."

"Yeah, that's what you said in your note," he muttered, with a curious stare, "but why on earth did you have to take my photograph with you?"

"I needed it," she insisted. "I... Well, I had to use it for something."

"What are you talking about? Why would you...?" He paused, lowering his brow into a concerned glare. "Where is it? Where's the photo?"

"I don't have it anymore. It's gone."

"It's what?" A furious heat seared through him, igniting an anger he hadn't known in a long time. His stomach twisted into knots, so tight his breaths began to sour, rapid and panicked. "What do you mean it's gone? Gone where? That was the only picture I had of her! I can't lose it! I don't... I don't want to forget what she looks like, Azula! I can't!"

Azula swallowed, tilting her gaze towards the ground. "I'm sorry. I thought you might want a new one."

"A new one? I can't just get a new one!" The heat ruptured. He doubled forward with labored, seething breaths, fists tightening at his sides. His entire body trembled on the cusp of snapping. "I can't take a new picture with my dead daughter! Why would you take that from me? Why? You had no right! You had—"

"Daddy?"

Anraq fumbled, choking on his own breath. That voice. He knew that voice. So many years later, but still it filled him with a familiar warmth. A voice that brought with it a rush of memories. Wonderful memories. Painful memories. The knot in his gut loosened, as the blinding anger within him began to cool. A voice he shouldn't be hearing. Not here. Not now. Not anymore.

With a slow turn of his head, he looked towards Druk. The dragon had lowered himself to the ground, enough so the small girl on his back could climb down. A small, three-year-old girl with scruffy brown hair, wearing simple Water Tribe clothing. A girl who shouldn't be there. A girl Anraq hadn't seen in ten years. Not since she had died.

Anraq crumpled to his knees, unable to hold himself upright. His breaths pulsed, lifting a sob into his throat as he watched the girl turn to look at him. No mistaking that face. That beautiful, wonderful face. "Kanna?"

His daughter giggled and pointed behind herself at Druk. "Daddy look, I rode a dragon!"

"Kanna..." His voice choked outward in stunned disbelief. Tears pooled in his eyes, but he did nothing to stop them. He let them fall free down his face, as he fought his way back to his feet. With a deep, shuddering breath, he raced towards his daughter, arms held open. "Kanna!"

"Daddy!" The girl laughed and ran to greet him, jumping into his arms.

Anraq caught her in a tight hug, promptly collapsing back to his knees with his face buried against her shoulder. No holding himself back. Tears surged, reducing him to a mess of sobbing and wheezing. Kanna hugged him in return, all smiles. He never let go. For a solid five minutes he held his daughter and cried, rocking gently back and forth on his knees. Ten years. Ten long, horrific years since he had held her. Spirits, he never wanted to let her go again.

He managed to lift his gaze when Azula approached into view. He blinked at her, forcing his tears away enough to clear his vision. "How? I don't... I don't understand. How?"

"I'll explain everything later," she said, with a simple nod. "For now, let's just say I finally put all my knowledge on the Spirit World to good use."

Kanna pulled back from the hug, giving her father a delighted grin. "I missed you, Daddy!"

"I... I missed you too, Sweet Pea." A hiccuping sob bubbled into his throat, as he curled a bright smile across his face. His tears renewed, flowing free down his cheeks. "Oh spirits, I missed you."

"Hey, how come you're crying?" The young girl gave him a small pout, tilting her head curiously. "Are you sad?"

"No, no I'm not sad," he said, with a choked laugh. "I'm crying because I'm happy. So, so happy. I..." Further words escaped him. He settled for pulling her back into another hug, and continued to cry.

"It's okay, Daddy, don't cry. Here, I'll make it better!" Kanna leaned back and gave her father a gentle kiss on the forehead. "There, all better?"

Anraq chuckled through his tears. "Yes, Sweet Pea. Much better."

Kanna's grin returned, as she looked back towards Azula. "Hey, Daddy, you know who that is? It's Princess 'Zula! Like, the real one. From the stories!"

"You don't say." Anraq sniffled, and finally began to wipe the tears away from his eyes. "You really think so?"

"Uh huh! And you know what else?" She giggled, as though about to reveal some super important secret. "She's reaaally nice."

Anraq shifted focus towards his girlfriend, widening his smirk. "Oh is she now?"

"I, uh, well..." Azula cleared her throat, folding her arms across her chest with a shrug. "I mean I had to be nice, didn't I? She's three, or whatever."

Anraq leaned close to his daughter, speaking in a soft whisper. "Want to know a secret?"

"What kinda secret?" Kanna asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Well... Azula and I are dating."

Kanna's eyes flared with delight. "No way! Really? That's so cool! Does this mean she's going to be my new Mommy?"

Anraq raised an eyebrow, glancing back at Azula. "Well, I don't know. Why don't you ask her?"

Kanna immediately spun around, looking up at Azula with a grin. "Princess 'Zula, are you gonna be my Mommy?"

"W-well, I'm not sure if..." Azula stared down at the girl, blinking in confusion. "I don't know. I mean, I... I suppose I can try?"

"Yay!" Kanna gave an excited laugh and lunged towards Azula with her arms spread open. "Awesome!"

Azula puffed out a startled gasp, stiffening as Kanna wrapped hold of her legs, as though afraid the child might bite her, or some other manner of horrible thing. With a deep exhale, she relaxed herself and knelt down so she could look eye-to-eye with the young girl. Kanna grinned, and any apprehension still lingering in Azula's demeanor melted away with the faintest hint of a smile.

"Yes, well, I can't say I've ever been a maternal figure before, so don't blame me if I'm bad at this," she said, gently wrapping her arms around the child. Kanna giggled, hugging tightly in return. "But I will try."

Anraq offered a soft chuckle. "You're already doing great."

An abrupt quack interrupted them, as a feathered animal trotted forward. Kanna pulled away with a curious stare, looking down at the creature. Her eyes lit up at the sight of it. "Oh! Daddy, look! It's a turtle duckie!"

"Oh, yeah, this is Mr. Quackers," Anraq said, lifting the turtle duck into his grasp. "He sort of lives with us now."

"You mean like a pet?"

"Yeah, like a pet." Anraq cradled the turtle duck in his arms, gently scratching the top of its feathered head. "Come on, say hi."

Kanna crept forward with a cautious curiosity, slowly reaching out to pet the turtle duck. "Hi, Mr. Quackers. I'm Kanna." The bird replied with an excited quack. "Hehe, it's nice to meet you too!"

"I think he likes you."

"I like him too!" Kanna giggled, looking up at her father with a delighted grin. "Daddy, can we get something to eat? I'm hungry.

"Absolutely." Anraq set down Mr. Quackers on the ground, and reached forward to scoop up his daughter into his arms. "How about I make your favorite? Stewed sea prunes."

"Yeah!"

Anraq sniffled in a deep breath, hugging his daughter closer as he carried her towards the house. Tears brimmed at the corners of his eyes again, but he blinked them away.

"Welcome home, Kanna," he said, kissing the top of her head. "Welcome home."