A/N: Aye Yooo Everybody! So, we have three or so chapters and an epilogue remaining. I started this story last year just before summer. Never woulda thunk it... Thanks for sticking with me and Happy Reading!
Disclaimer: Not mine but I'm willing to help...
Victory is Subjective Part 3
At the close of the meeting, Hakoda hugged his children furiously. The last time he saw them they were separating once again to get away from the sadistic princess of the Fire Nation. Seeing them back in his arms safe and sound brought tears to Hakoda's eyes.
He knew they were willing to die for this cause and that thought secretly terrified him. To know that they not only survived but performed admirably was almost too much to think about. It was truly a sign that the gods were still with them and the battles were not in vain.
As he hugged Katara he snuck a glance at Zuko who was warming himself near the fire in the center of the council hut with Toph and Suki. Zuko looked up and noticed the older man watching him. He gave a sincere nod of his head since he was seated and Hakoda smiled slightly and nodded back. The Fire Prince turned out to be the biggest surprise of the hour. Zuko saved his daughter's life. He took no thought of his own life but threw himself in the way of his sister's lightning to keep Azula from killing Katara.
A growing understanding dawned on Hakoda. There was more to this friendship with his daughter than either of them let on. Only a man who had something to lose would be willing to sacrifice himself that way. Hakoda smirked. Who would have guessed the angsty sour prince of the Fire Nation would be subdued by the love of water? Well, it's not like it hasn't happened before, he thought.
Hakoda glanced over at his best friend who was more like a brother to him. Bato chatted happily with Sokka and the others laughing at occasional jokes and funny stories. His mottled hazel eyes with specks of blue twinkled with mirth. Though the tribe knew of Bato's parentage and the story surrounding it, no one ever made it a big deal. Bato was every bit Water Tribe and his loyalty to the tribe was never questioned.
The fact that he wasn't a bender made his mixed heritage a lot easier to bear in a time of war and intolerance. Hakoda dared not think of what would have happened had Bato been a fire bender. He looked down at his daughter still holding on to him around his middle like she did when she was four or five. Another thought briefly crossed his mind: Did Katara feel the same way about the fire prince as he was sure Zuko felt about her? Hakoda felt a conversation with the two of them would soon be in order.