Hello everyone! Welcome to chapter 86 of Sparks Ignite! I hope you guys liked that last chapter! This chapter we get to see some of Hakoda and Katara, as well as hearing how things are going back in the Fire Nation. So keep on reading! As always, I do not own Avatar or its characters. Onto the story!
Fate and Destiny are a funny thing. They are so permanent, but yet can be changed by the smallest thing. It can cause the moon and the sun to collide. Or the most opposite Sparks to Ignite.
Chapter 86: The Fire Nation Princess
Katara cracked the door open, peaking inside just in case her father was not yet awake. But instead she saw him, sitting up, holding his side where the bandage wrapped around his middle.
She stormed inside, not even bothering to knock, "Dad! What are you doing?" she rushed to his side. Hakoda looked up and saw her standing in front of him, hands on her hips. He chuckled slightly, "You don't miss a beat do you kid?" he tried to joke with her, but her face did not leave any room for joking.
Instead, he tried to go for the distraction route, "Ya know, you look just like your mother like that" he told her. Katara huffed and rolled her eyes, "Well she would be telling you the same thing I am now which is you're not strong enough to be moving around yet and to get back into bed" she spoke as she helped him back into a laying position.
"I feel much better Katara…" he told her, "Sure I'm not 100% but I'm sure after a few more healing sessions" he reasoned, but one look shot that down. Maybe he should have compared her to his mother instead.
She understood why he wanted to be back on his feet. He couldn't be weak in a time with unrest. People were angry, whether it was at Gilak for stabbing their Chief, or at Hakoda for letting the northerners come in and almost take over the South, it was unclear.
Katara carefully unwrapped his bandages, trying to move him as little as possible. They couldn't risk ruining the progress she had made the night before. She pulled water from the bowl beside her, pressing it into his side. She didn't have to think very hard before it started glowing blue, stitching back together his nerves and his skin cells.
"You've become quite the healer Katara…" he told her, "Your mother would be proud…"
She smiled slightly, but not saying anything. Talking about mom suddenly became slightly off putting after Malina entered the picture. She knew it had been years, but it didn't stop the churning in her stomach when she thought of her father with someone else.
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be able to sit up at all… Actually, without you and the rest of you all, I don't think I would be here at all…" Hakoda thought out loud. He turned to look at his daughter, "Thank you for saving me… Thank you for saving the city…"
Katara gave him a small smile but continued to focus on her healing. But Hakoda continued, "Ya know, you and Zuko make a really good team…"
She couldn't help but blush at the sound of his name, her mouth opened to speak but no words came out at first. After a moment, she uttered, "Yeah… I guess we do…"
Zuko walked the streets, trying to find the hut, being finding himself getting lost along the way. If anyone asked, he would say it was just to take a morning stroll, even if it was honestly just because he got lost.
As much as he wanted to stay, he knew he had to go back soon. His Uncle had refused to tell him anymore on the state of things, no matter how much he asked. Zuko knew his Uncle was only trying to let him enjoy his vacation, but it only made him anxious to return.
He knew things would still be in a bad state when he returned. People would have questions, and be looking for answers about his disappearance, and what was to happen next with the nation. It almost made him happy to stay in his little bubble in the southern water tribe.
But it couldn't last forever.
He wanted to ask Katara to return with him, but would that be unfair? Especially after her father being injured. But he couldn't think of the thought of leaving her behind, not again.
Zuko was lost in his own thoughts, but that didn't stop him from hearing the caw of a messenger bird flying overhead. He looked up and saw his Uncle's bird, circling above him. He reached out his arm, giving the bird a soft place to land and he felt it come down with a thud. It never had been the most graceful bird.
He saw the message tied around his ankle and peeled it off. The bird looked at him expectantly, to which Zuko chuckled, reaching in his pocket for a piece of seal jerky, which he recently discovered the bird loved.
The bird grabbed it out of his hand and chomped down quickly. It then jumped over to his shoulder, waiting patiently for the reply.
Zuko tore open the scroll and scanned the page. As he reached the bottom of the paragraph, his face darkened and then paled.
He wanted to tear the letter in two out of anger or crumble it in his hands. But instead he took off at a run, in what he figured was the direction of the hut.
Hakoda cleared his throat, "After getting an up close view of you two defeat Gilak, I'm convinced more then ever that the southern water tribe has to collaborate with other nations to move forward" he spoke assuredly, "It took people from all four nations to save the world, it will do the same to save the South"
Katara was quiet for a moment, "Dad… don't you think you're being a little naïve?" she asked him. She reached behind her for a healing jelly, taking a small amount and gently putting it on the wound. She continued, "I know I can trust Zuko… But there are people like Maliq out there, people who don't have our tribe's interest at heart…"
Hakoda sighed but Katara continued, "Invite them in, and they'll make the south into a cheap imitation of themselves… or worse!"
He raised a hand slightly, "The risk you describe is real, I must admit but" he suddenly winced from the pain in his side, and the cool feeling the jelly brought.
Katara hushed comfortingly, "We don't have to talk about this now… Most important is your health and you getting better…"
They sat in silence for a few moments before the door opened. Katara looked up, seeing Zuko at the door and a smile graced her features. But when she saw the dark look on his face, her own face fell.
"What's wrong?" she asked him. Zuko closed the door behind him, "I just received this letter from my mother…" he crossed the room in a few strides, handing her the letter. She took it lightly and began to read.
My son,
I hope you have been enjoying your vacation. I'm deeply sorry to disturb your time away, and I've done my best to avoid doing so. Your Uncle told me not to, but unfortunately, I have been given no other choice.
We've had an attack on the palace. It was nothing huge and nothing the guards couldn't handle. But the message that was left was grave.
They plan on capturing Azula. They know her condition and they know its moldable. They want her to take your place.
I know you have resisted me seeing my daughter. But I need to see her, and I need you to take me there. Maybe if I talked to her, I could bring her out of this. Iroh told me how you wanted to handle this. But I feel it may be too late and too dangerous for that.
I need you to come home, my son. Before it might be too late.
Katara looked back at Zuko then back at the letter, "If they capture Azula…" she trailed off, not wanting to think about what that could mean.
"They could bring her back to sanity… Bring her back to power… Bust out my father…" Zuko finished for her. Katara looked down and away, "So you have to go back…"
Her heart ached. She wasn't ready to go back to the real world yet. She was enjoying their little oasis away from home. But yet, she couldn't ask him to stay. They would just have to be separated again.
"You both have to go back…" Hakoda spoke, for the first time since Zuko had come into the room. Katara whipped around to look at him, "Dad, you still need more healing"
"Which can be done by the other healers from the north…" he told her, taking her hand and squeezing it. Katara still resisted, shaking her head, "No way, I need to make sure you heal properly and" she went to continue but Hakoda raised his hand to silence her.
"You've already done enough" he grabbed a hold of her hand and squeezed. He tried to smile and give her some encouragement, but she just sighed, "You update me on your condition weekly"
Hakoda nodded, "Yes Chief"
Katara rolled her eyes but nodded. She leaned down and hugged her father tight, careful to avoid his wound, "I love you Dad…"
"I love you too kid…"
Ta-Daa! Cute little father daughter moment to end this chapter! We also got to see a glimpse of where this book is heading! So I hope you all like it! Stay tuned! Until next time!
