My hands covered my mouth in order to try and stifle the sound of my crying, too overcome by everything as my father began to approach me. He had a clear limp from a leg injury which had been bound up, but he walked with such an air of pride and strength that it seemed like he refused to acknowledge the pain. How could I be this man's daughter? He was a hero, a real hero. He'd spent over twenty years fighting in the war and protecting refugees, defending them both pirates and the Fire Nation until the war ended, then continued to protect them. He was brave and seemed fearless, it was written all over his face, but I was nothing like that. I knew it, he's going to hate me, once he finds out what I'm like he'll think me weak, a coward, I can't stay here, I should leave now and…
During my inner panic, I hadn't noticed that my father had reached me and dropped to his knees as well, opening his arms in order to completely engulf me in them to embrace me for the very first time, and as I blinked I distinctively heard the sound of his voice breaking from choking on his own sobs, warm tears streaking down his face. "Kayo. I finally get to hold you, my beautiful little girl." That did me in.
Before I knew it I was crying without restraint, grabbing onto my father and sobbing into him as he held me like I was the most precious thing in the world, stroking my hair and trembling same as I was. For a long time we just stayed like that, everybody watching the touching scene and several people started crying. Katara, Aang and Suki were the first, and when I opened my eyes I even saw Sokka bawling which made me giggle quietly. Drawing back I looked at my father's face, touching his cheeks with my hands to feel the warmth of his skin and began to commit every feature to memory.
"Dad." That was all I managed to say before my voice cracked, but it was enough. My dad pressed his eyes shut and gripped onto one of my hands, placing a kiss on my palm whilst the other held my head tenderly, turning to me as he spoke with a deep, sonorous voice which sounded like the rumble of thunder, yet soft and beautiful in its own way.
"Kayo, the moment I learned that I had a daughter, I loved you more than anything else in this world. I've heard all about what you did, helping the Avatar win this war. This old man of yours is the most fortunate father in the world to have you as my child. I'm so proud of you." Unable to stop smiling, I hugged him again and he tucked me in close before he grunted, finally beginning to feel the pain from all your injuries so I quickly pulled back and took a look.
"You're hurt, let me help you." Drawing water out of my pouch I began to heal my dad from his injuries, easing the pain and helping the circulation of his chi which made him relax. As I worked he stroked at my hair and face, looking at me like he still couldn't believe it. Katara helped to heal others, and once I'd done everything I could for dad, I glanced behind me towards the numerous other warriors who needed healing.
"It's alright, you go ahead. I'm not going anywhere." He promised me and Suki stepped up to keep him company, allowing me to pull away and help Katara heal the most critically injured. There were a couple of burns and old war wounds that also needed seeing to, and by the time we were halfway done it was growing dark and the Earth Kingdom ships were starting to arrive to take the pirates into custody. My dad coordinated with the commander in charge whilst Aang flew the injured back with Appa to return for us later, whilst those down below in their tribal boats started to sail back to their base of operations in the town where my troupe were camped.
Mom ran to us when we returned, my father's arm slung over my shoulder so that I could help him walk. Her eyes were lit up with relief as she rushed into my father's arms and he held her close, even kissing her deeply which made me look away awkwardly, stepping back so that they could reunite. "So, how do you feel?" Katara asked me as my friends all gathered around.
"Your dad is one of the coolest people ever. I want to hear more of his war stories." Toph said cheerfully as I smiled weakly.
"I'm a little overwhelmed, to be honest…and tired. I think I need food and a nap."
"You should get some rest, you pushed yourself a lot today and went through a lot." Zuko said to me, placing his hand on my shoulder as Sokka continued to pester other warriors who'd joined my troupe at their camp, asking them about their stories and if they knew his father the current chief. Most of these men were a lot older than Chief Hakoda, or younger. It seems the generation above and below the chief had joined forces after leaving the South Pole all those years ago. Wanting to hear some stories too, we all gathered together and had another campfire banquet, with stories being told by anyone who had something to share whilst I sat between my mother and father, feeling utterly complete.
"Our girl was incredible Azumi, you should have seen her water bending. You have your great grandfather's gift." Dad said to me, making me sit up.
"Great grandfather was a water benders too?"
"That's right. Our mother, your grandmother, didn't inherit the ability to water bend and neither did me or your uncles. Your great grandfather was taken in a raid about seventy year ago, so I never met him but my grandmother told us about him as we were growing up." Zuko looked up, instantly showing guilt and sadness as he spoke.
"All war prisoners have been released now and are being given the means to return to their homes. If you like I can search for your parents and see if they're still…" He trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence. My dad frowned at Zuko suspiciously, not yet having been properly introduced to all of my friends since he'd only shown interest in me.
"And who are you, boy?" He asked severely, making my mother softly chide him to be nice as I explained.
"This is Zuko, Fire Lord Zuko. He and his uncle saved me after I was lost at sea during a storm and Zuko has saved my life numerous times." I told my father who frowned suspiciously, eyeing Zuko who bowed respectfully in greeting, trying to make a good impression.
"You seem young to be Fire Lord. How old are you?"
"Seventeen sir, and I'm old enough to be able to lead my nation in the right direction. You don't have to worry about that." At first I blinked, astounded that Zuko would say something like that in such a way that actually made him sound like a real leader. To my father of all people. The usual Zuko wouldn't care about the opinion of one guy, but he'd retaliated in such a way as if he were trying to prove a point. Looking up at my dad, he considered Zuko a while before giving a wry grin.
"Well said boy. Your nation has a lot to answer for. I won't hold grudges, because my woman and child belong to that same nation, but you had better keep your word that you'll make right all the wrongs from the past hundred years."
"I give you my word." The two seemed to stare at each other for a while, the tension rising before I clapped my hands and interrupted, suggesting another story to pass the time. My dad wasn't interested in stories so much, instead asking me questions about myself whilst my mother snuggled against him, looking tiny against his great big shoulders and arms. That night I finally felt a sense of fulfilment and completion that I hadn't felt in a very long time, all my life really. With the world so utterly perfect, there was nothing I wanted more than to stay in this moment forever, where I could feel this happiness and never have to let it go.
