The summer months brought with them a little more warmth in the South Pole. Katara was stood with chief Hakoda, her loving father, and Sokka, her overprotective big brother, as they watched a pack of Tiger Seals basking in the rare sunlight. It was a peaceful moment until Sokka spoke.
"Man, that'd be pretty if they didn't look so tasty."
Katara rolled her eyes. "Do you ever think of anything but food?" Sokka pondered for a moment before shaking his head. Hakoda stood between them and he began to laugh loudly, clapping his children on their shoulders. The Tiger Seals all raised their heads in curiosity as Hakoda's booming laugh startled them.
"You two never change, still bickering like children," he said whimsically, "I only wish your mother could see you both now and all that you've achieved."
"She would be so proud."
Katara smiled and fingered the necklace around her neck absently. Her last keepsake. Then she looked sideways at Sokka with a wicked grin. "What's Sokka done that's so impressive?" Katara challenged, "I'm helping the Avatar."
"Sokka is a fine warrior, and he has a brilliant mind." Hakoda slapped Sokka on the back. Where once her brother would have been knocked flat by the gesture he now barely budged an inch. "He'll make a fine chief one day and you'll be here to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid, right?"
"As much as I can," Katara said with a sigh, "I still have ties to the Homeland – uh...Fire Nation," she palmed her forehead. Azula always called it the Homeland and Katara had easily picked up on the term. "Sorry."
Hakoda simply smiled. "You were raised under unique circumstances, I don't doubt that you see the Fire Nation as home just as much as you do the South Pole."
"Yeah but we're still better right?" Sokka chimed in.
Katara laughed at him. "Of course, I'll always choose you over the Fire Nation."
"Oh Katara how you break my heart," Azula was walking up behind them from just beyond the walls of the village. Sokka had overseen the construction and he had graduated from a pile of snow to bricks cut from ice thanks to some aid from their Northern brothers and sisters.
"Hey sis," Sokka turned to face her first.
"Don't call me that Ponytail," Azula said simply as Sokka nervously fingered his wolf knot. "What are you looking at?"
"Tiger Seals," Katara pointed to them and Azula shrugged her shoulders in a disinterested manner, "What, you don't like them?"
"I simply prefer penguins." Azula hugged her chest, pressing her parka closer to her body. Despite how warm it was to Katara and the native Southerners, Azula didn't feel the temperature difference and although she was used to the cold she still missed a nice hot Fire Nation summer. Some months ago the Fire Islands had been hit by an earthquake and she had been sent Zuko a message offering her help.
He had refused, saying he could handle this crisis but she still wanted to go back. "I think I need to go back to the Fire Nation for a while." Azula told her extended family, "I can't help feeling that Zuko needs me right now."
"He said he could handle the aftermath of the earthquake didn't he?" Hakoda challenged, "Maybe you should respect his wishes?" Hakoda spoke to Azula as an equal. A High Chieftain to a Princess.
"I would be lying if I said my intentions were entirely altruistic," she shivered visibly and Katara smiled knowingly, "I need some real heat, after such a long winter I've missed how the sun feels."
"I think they should go," Sokka chipped in. Katara looked at him when he said 'they should go' "You do for family, right?" Hakoda smiled at his son and nodded.
"Then go with my blessing, we can always see you again next spring."
The ship that Azula used to move around the world was still docked in the newly constructed port. Katara's home village was growing more and more each year and trade had finally returned to the impoverished Southern Water Tribe. The crew of the Fire Nation vessel were loyal, hardy and perfectly willing to live in the south with their own families. Some even 'mingled' with the locals and a whole new generation of mixed heritage children spawned far from the Earth Kingdom colonies.
The big question was, were some of the children Firebending Water Tribe or Waterbending Fire Nation?
But now these men and women were being called on to set sail once again and when the news spread that they would be sailing home it wasn't long before their families packed bags and begged Azula to let them board the ship to visit family in the Homeland. Some of these children had never even set foot on Fire Nation soil despite being the offspring of two Fire Nationals though not one of them were over five so they didn't exactly care. Azula had no right to refuse and soon the ship was filled with the squeals of excited children as they got to go on an adventure.
It had been two days since they left the south and already the air was warming up. Katara leaned against the railing on the main deck and watched as a group of kids played. They seemed so carefree, she was almost jealous. Did she ever want kids? Maybe. At one point she had been ready to be a mother for Toph, whom they had rescued and taken of for months, but after her time in Makapu, she had decided to stay and live with a nice couple who had taken her in during her mission.
They were wonderful people but it still hurt to say goodbye. Azula missed Toph the most and although she didn't exactly show it in her outward appearance, Katara had known her long enough to tell when her best friend was hurting. They were both barely seventeen when they met Toph, who was around fourteen at the time, so it was probably for the best that someone older had become her new mom.
But now she looked to the future more seriously. Her duties in finding teachers for Avatar Aang were complete and for the first time in a long time, she had no mission. As a prisoner of the Fire Nation, the goal had been simply to survive and when she was free to return home the mission was reconnecting with her long lost family. When they had found Aang frozen in the iceberg that goal became helping him.
They had spent weeks atop Appa. Azula and Sokka had come along as this bald little monk dragged them around the world in his lust for adventure and determination to put off his Avatar duties for as long as possible. They had gone along with it, the world wasn't in any danger now. Eventually, they had parted ways in Agna Qel'a, the Capital of the Northern Water Tribe. Azula was chosen to become Aang's Firebending Master so all that remained was finding an Earthbender skilled enough to teach Aang.
She'd done so much in her short life but she still felt like she could do more.
"Are you alright love?" Azula walked towards Katara, calling her by her usual pet name.
"Yeah, I just got lost in thought," Katara said with a small nod as she continued to watch the children. Maybe her new goal could simply be settling down and having a family with Azula?
"Say, do we think we could ever be parents?" Katara put out suddenly.
Azula was shocked for a split second but quickly hid the expression behind a silly smile. "Do I need to explain the birds and the bees to you love?" Azula said jokingly, earning a light punch on her shoulder.
"I'm serious," Katara said resolutely, "Someday, but not too soon, I think I'd like to be a mother."
"Short of letting someone bed you, which is not an option, by the way, the only way I can think of is we adopt one."
"So what, we go looking for orphans and pick the best one?"
Azula chuckled. "That's a little crass even for me," she shook her head with a smile before looking slightly more serious. "After Toph left I admit I felt a little empty but now that I've had some time I honestly don't think I'm ready to be a mother."
"But I might be someday," she assured Katara who smiled in return. Azula took her hand and held it tightly before resting her head on Katara's shoulder. Together they watched as the kids played until they were called below decks for dinner...
Cold winds changed into warm breezes and the thick layers of furs came off long before they even saw land. It was decided that their arrival would be a surprise to Zuko so no messages were sent ahead of them. After disembarking next came the climb up the volcano and into the caldera itself.
Katara had come to love the sun thanks to her time here. It had been an adjustment to get used to the cold of the South again but she could safely say that neither climate bothered her anymore. Finally, they made it to the summit and once again descended into the large crater of the Capital City. Katara and Azula made for the Palace after saying goodbye to the crew and their families.
As they approached the centre of the city something caught Azula's eye. "What have we here?" she approached what appeared to be a construction site. "I wonder what they're building?"
Katara approached behind her and looked around. Several of the workers carried a brand she was somewhat familiar with but has never really questioned. As a child, she learned to accept what she saw in the Fire Nation as Azula rarely tolerated her speaking much back then. "Those marks," Katara pointed to an older man, "I've seen it before but what does that mean?"
"You mean to say you've never heard of the Unclean?" Azula asked and Katara shook her head, "I suppose I've never given them much thought myself but, essentially, they are the lowest of the low in Fire Nation society, living lives not much better than slavery if memory serves."
"Zuko allows this to happen?"
"I doubt it, this is something only Nobles do and even then only those who practise the Old Ways."
"Why did you never tell me about this?"
"Because I never thought it was important," Azula sighed and turned to face Katara, "There's probably a lot of things in my head that, to you, might seem awful but are still perfectly fine to me." She offered an apologetic smile, "This is exactly why I need you in my life."
Katara nodded in understanding. "I'm still going to have words with Zuko. If he knew about this then why in Agni's name has he let it continue?"
"That's just it, he might not have a choice love."
"Can I help you, ladies?"
A voice behind Azula caused her to turn around. The woman suddenly looked shocked and fell to her knees, leaning forward with her hands pressed flat to the ground. Both girls could clearly make out the brand on her hand. "You're Burakumin?" Azula stated then eyed the woman's sword, "But armed? Why?"
The woman was clearly surprised and had trouble finding her words. "P-Permission to speak, Princess Azula?"
"I just asked you a question, didn't I? Speak," she said back sharply.
"I serve as a guard at Fire Lord Zuko's behest," she explained quickly, "Myself and a dozen or so other Burakumin have been permitted to protect this place and question anyone we feel isn't permitted to be here."
"I see, and why this building?"
"It is to be a school for the children among my kind. I must insist you speak directly to the Fire Lord, he is better able to explain."
Azula was about to speak but Katara suddenly moved past her. When she knelt to offer the Unclean Woman a hand Azula almost stopped her but then she realised that wasn't kind and would likely get her in trouble with Katara. "They're people like anyone else," Azula told herself, "Don't think like Ozai
The woman bowed her head when Katara asked her name. "Julin," she stated, "It's an honour to meet you Lady Katara."
Katara blushed at the sentiment then fixed her eyes on the woman's bright red hair. "Your hair is such a lovely colour, is it natural?" the woman nodded, now also blushing, "You must be blessed by Agni." The woman looked offended somehow but before Katara could apologise Julin excused herself. Azula led Katara away, once again heading towards the palace.
"What did I say?" Katara asked Azula.
"You just called her blessed," she reminded her, "I just told you they live like slaves and you called her life blessed?" Katara palmed her forehead with a loud groan. When she tried to go back and apologise Azula stopped her. "We need to get to the Palace, put her out of your mind for now."
"Fine but you're gonna tell me everything you know about these people."
Zuko sat on the grass in Iroh's small garden. A warm breeze blew by as he relaxed in the shade of a tall tree. On his lap was Kira, still wearing her training clothes as she slept with her head on his lap. He idly stroked her hair without realising he was doing it. When he gave his speech a week ago and banned the practice of Shaming he fully expected those with power to revolt but since the initial riot, the Capital had been somewhat peaceful. He knew this couldn't last.
He also knew it didn't help when he banned Burakumin from being paid a lesser wage only two days later. For the first time in Fire Nation history, he had enforced a minimum wage law that applied to all citizens and would carry a hefty fine on any employer who didn't follow this new rule. If the banning of Shaming had made the Nobles angry then the idea of paying the Unclean a fair wage had made the Merchants livid.
He may as well have painted a target on himself that said 'Come and get me' but despite his kind approach to ruling and dealing with the citizens, he was still their sovereign ruler and at the end of the day he made the final decisions. He had the support of his Generals and, to his surprise, a few Nobles had publicly backed his reforms.
Now that he had killed the practice of creating new Burakumin his efforts could be focused entirely on bettering the lives of the existing ones. No amount of clean slates could remove the brands from their hands however and even if he made laws that raised them in society he knew that some wouldn't let go of the stigma. He pitied them but his Uncle Iroh had suggested building housing for the existing Burakumin so that, at the end of a hard day, they would have a fair wage and a safe place to sleep.
It was the least he could do really.
"Zuzu, guess who!" A familiar voice rang from inside the house. "Where are you, big brother?"
"Azula?" he said to himself. He made to get up but then he remembered Kira was asleep on his lap. Oh crap, Kira, what would Azula think if she saw them? He had to think. Think Zuko think!
Too late...
"There you are Zuzu!" Azula suddenly appeared at the garden door with Katara right behind her. She smiled at her older brother before she noticed the sleeping little girl. Her brow furrowed in confusion and Katara seemed to mimic the expression. "Who's this Zuko?"