Chapter 70: Bond Over Blood

He brushed Yue's hair out of her face as she slept, his other hand entwined with hers. Ki'ma sighed at her nephew's anxious state, stepping into the room with a bowl of seal jerky in her hand.

"Katara says the healing may have some kind of sedative effect. That's why she's sleeping so much. But it will wear off."

Sokka nodded despite his hand lingering over Yue's forehead for a moment.

"Sokka, she's fine."

"Yeah…it's just…sometimes when she's really stressed out, she gets a fever…"

Ki'ma, too, felt Yue's forehead, "She's sleeping peacefully, Sokka. There's nothing to worry about."

Sokka hesitantly glanced at Yue's hand, then cast a look in the direction of the trash bin, within which lay the broken pieces of a few of the bangles he had made for her, the shards stained with her dried blood. He stiffened, his eyes on the verge of turning black as he recalled the vivid sight of Pakku slamming his foot against her hand, breaking her bangles, the shards having sunk into her skin. His hand tightened around Yue's, his shaken look turning into that of pure wrath.

Ki'ma, alarmed, placed her hand on Sokka's shoulder, "I do think she can use some iron-rich foods. Just to make sure."

The comment was successful in pulling him out of that trance. His wrath was overridden by concern, his gaze flying back to his wife, "Yeah, Katara said that, too…"

Ki'ma took the chance to slide the trash bin out of her nephew's sight.

"Does…does she have scars…?" Looking at his aunt, "Is everything okay…?"

"Katara and I have taken a look. The other healers did, too. She's completely alright, sweetie."

"And nothing's wrong?"

"If there was anything wrong, we wouldn't hide it. We can't. What can you even hide from a world-class healer? She'll figure it out anyhow." And with that, Ki'ma held the bowl of seal jerky out to him, "Now eat."

He shook his head.

"Sokka, please. You can't starve yourself."

"When she wakes up again, we'll eat together."

"But—"

"Please," he frowned, "I can't eat right now, I can't…"

"Then at least step outside for a minute. You've been here for several hours. Get some fresh air." Tugging at his sleeve, "Come on, sweetie. You can come back soon."

He stood up with great reluctance but didn't manage to leave the vicinity of the room; he sighed and took his seat on the pelts just outside of their room, wallowing in misery, "I shouldn't have let this happen…"

Ki'ma set the bowl aside and took her seat beside her nephew, "Sokka, would you really have stopped her from healing an infant?"

"It's not that. I should've been more attentive. I shouldn't have agreed to dinner. I shouldn't have wasted my time with the conference…I-I was a useless piece of shit while everything was happening—"

"You were severely hurt," Ki'ma reminded him. "You were barely able to focus. You lost a significant amount of blood, too. You shouldn't be blaming yourself for this. And I know you don't care for these things and you didn't know it as it was happening, but…you did heal her…"

"But was that really me? As far as I know, I didn't do shit. I made a horrible mistake. I shouldn't have given the chief another chance. I should've prevented this! If I really were La, I wouldn't have let it get this far. Come to think of it, that La of yours should've prevented this, too." His voice breaking, his hands trembling, "I should have resisted her requests to stay. She said she wanted to see the tribe, and I…"

"Whenever I close my eyes and picture the South, I don't want to be reminded of any of this drama. I want to just be reminded of you. Of tonight." He tore at his lip, tears slipping.

"Oh, sweetie," Ki'ma sighed, her arm around her nephew's shoulders, "It's okay—"

"No, it's not," he shook, "I wanted her to have fun 'cause she'd been so stressed out lately…and…"

"Please, Sokka, don't be hard on yourself. You stopped the worst from happening, don't you see that? That was you, it really was. Besides, she wasn't hurt when you were showing her the tribe. Maybe things would've been better if you two kept up the sightseeing… Then again, you didn't know this was going to happen. No one knew this was going to happen. Why would you agree to go to the conference if you knew this was going to happen?"

"I wasn't careful enough…" His head dropped against the wall, "Even when there were potential enemies around each block, we were so happy in the North. We had each other's backs. But here…"

"You had her back, Sokka, you did, but the fact of the matter is that we can't help certain things. But the worst is behind us. Yue is perfectly alright. Don't let what happened…and what could've happened…ruin the future you have waiting for the two of you."

But he remained disheartened. "I can see it now. Silak and ukuagek are gonna hate me."

"No, they won't, Sokka—"

"What if she hates me? What if she sees me like any other man? After something like that, I doubt anyone would look favorably on men in general." Vigorously shaking his head, "I don't want her to look at me and be angry or afraid or uncertain. What if she's no longer comfortable around me? Oh Spirits, what will I do…?"

"Oh my Spirits, Sokka, no one will hate you," Ki'ma said with great patience, "I can promise you this. What happened wasn't just an attack on Pakku; that was an attack on ignorance, on the criminal subjugation of tribeswomen. You relinquished your own bloodline because of Pakku's atrocity; that's a testament to what you embody. That's who you are, Sokka. And as far as the gravity of the situation… what Pakku did is bound to bring a lot of sensitivity to the forefront, but that doesn't mean Yue's going to hate you. She knows you. She knows who you are and the extent you've gone to take care of her. She'll never forget that."

He turned to his aunt, whispering a desperate plea, "Tell me something to do about this. Anything. What can I do? What can I do for her?"

"Sokka, you've done a lot."

"But I'll never know if that was me," he persisted. "What can I do? As a man?"

Taking a deep breath, "Respect, loyalty, and love… There's no greater balm of comfort for anyone than these. Especially at a time when they seem rare in existence. As far as I know, you embody these things. So just be yourself."

Their conversation was interrupted by a hasty rush of footsteps. Amaruq entered the hallway with a wide, hopeful smile, carrying a scroll in his hands. "We have great news!" He handed the scroll to Sokka, "This report was sent to the South by the Northern administration just now."

"What's this about?" Ki'ma asked.

"Princess Yuesanga is now Chieftess Yuesanga! And Sokka is the new chieftain! Read the scroll! Read it!"

Sokka burst up from his seat, "Are you serious?!"

"Just read this, my boy, you'll know for yourself!"

Sokka took the scroll and scrambled to unfurl it, skimming over the contents, cursing his tears that made it all the more difficult for him to read.

This is to inform the authorities of the respected Sister Tribe of a historic executive action in the Northern Council of Elders. The Loyalist-majority council under Chieftain Arnook and Chieftess Ahnah's regime overturned their reservations for Her Royal Highness, Princess Yuesanga-Kuunnguaq's rule, thus allowing for the continuation of the royal bloodline through an adopted heir for the first time in history. In the instant case, the bloodline of the reigning family— hereafter to be referenced as the Kharsaq-Aninnialuk lineage— will continue with the reign of Princess Yuesanga-Kuunnguaq and her progeny following a formal adoption ceremony that will legally welcome her into the royal family.

A longtime burden in his heart eased with every word he read, a choked laugh of joy leaving his lips. "Is this…" he looked up, filled with hope, "This is really…? It's really happening?"

Amaruq beamed, "Keep reading, son."

This action was initiated with the support of the Leadership Council, a plethora of local tribal leaders, and international representatives from the Order of the Black Lotus and the Order of the White Lotus following an array of protests that swept across Agna Qel'a. Several nonviolent demonstrations, most led by notable Revivalists, erupted over the course of three days, halting a substantial amount of activity in the capital.

While a voting process had been initiated in deciding the fate of the bloodline, the action had since been unpopular along the masses. Many citizens who were involved in the protests that followed claimed to have received life-changing aid from Dronningi Yuesanga, alias Kuunnguaq through Revivalist efforts. Outrage poured from several social groups such as the Northern Water Tribe Eunuch Society and the Northern Coalition of Underprivileged Tribals, both who were very vocal in their concerns that the citizens' votes will not surpass the conservative-majority Council's inevitable influence in the procedure and resulting propaganda.

Responses from local chieftains and chieftesses have run on a similar vein with local leaders commending the young dronningi's cooperation and generous aid to disadvantaged villages and tribes, all of which will likely be reversed with unnecessary Council meddling. Out of a total of ninety-eight high-ranking delegates Dronningi Yuesanga had met with in the course of her Northern Trail Project, ninety-five delegates have responded immediately to the Northern Council's decisions to override the princess's candidacy, demanding for a reconsideration of the Council's termination of the princess's rights. Eighty-five local chieftains filed individual demands to reinstate her position. In a petition drafted to install the princess as the successor to the Kharsaq bloodline, two hundred ninety-six signatures from a total of three hundred local representatives and chiefly personnel were made in support of her reign. These documents were submitted to the Council, attached to several legal papers presented by Leadership Councilman Akluviq, who persisted on Dronningi Yuesanga's and Isumataq Sokka's taking of contractual charge as the Nunaatip Angajukkaat following their marriage.

The Council's overturning of its reservations signifies the designation of Isumataq Sokka as the new Chieftain of the Northern Water Tribe, and a formal recognition of his position will take place during the Royal Coronation, set to take place the day before the Winter Solstice as previously decided…

The rest of the language, Sokka felt was not worthy of his attention, for everything he needed to know for now ended there. Confirming the authentic nature of the document was the official Water Tribe seal stamped at the end of the scroll, followed by a second page that contained a long list of signatures of local delegates, members of the Leadership and Northern Councils, ending with the official signatures of Chieftess Ahnah and Chief Arnook. Following those pages were copies of the papers Sokka and Yue had signed immediately following their marriage ceremony. Last but not least were documents ordering a formal adoption ceremony set to take place an hour before the Royal Coronation, Chief Arnook and Chieftess Ahnah's signatures supplied in the "parents" section and Yue's name written in the "adoptee" line.

"...And you wouldn't believe this, Ki'ma," Amaruq had gotten caught up in conveying everything to his wife, "They had local chiefly authorities show up at the Agna Qel'a palace. The council members had nothing to say; they peed their pants and called off the voting in the name of public unrest. Many councilmen have resigned, too, in their shame."

Sokka smiled for the first time following a draining twenty-four hours, rejoicing in his heart over and over. Princess Yuesanga-Kuunnguaq and her progeny… A laugh followed his beam of joy, which in turn was accompanied by a sob and flooding eyes. Ki'ma and Amaruq were beside him in a moment's time.

"I knew the North wouldn't let her go. That's why I thought voting would help. He dried his eyes, his smile briefly returning. "Turns out that's not even necessary…"

He stepped back inside, taking his seat next to his wife, kissing her forehead in pride and love. Ki'ma and Amaruq did not wish to interrupt his stream of happiness, but there was another issue to be addressed, having been expressed in the ignored final contents of the letter — obviously written before any knowledge of the horrors that had happened in the South.

We cordially welcome Chieftess Kya and Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe to attend and participate in the passing of the torch to both leaders. Ample assistance and resources will be provided by Northern personnel on Southern territory to personally and quickly escort the Southern royal family to Agna Qel'a in due time…

"And the solution to that problem was banishment and disownment?"

Amaruq's tone did not help the guilt that weighed against the Southern leaders. Kya wearily leaned against her chair, burden and heartbreak caging her heart as the letter from the North fell into her lap. The chieftess and her husband had tried once again to meet with their oldest, this time with the knowledge of Princess Yue's status as being official in the North, but they were begged by a weary Chunta to let the couple be, that securing a moment to speak with him was not going to be possible, especially with the princess's continued slumber taking its toll on him. It was, after all, too late to repair what was legally severed, what was ethically broken. Not to mention the relative ease with which Sokka had shrugged off the banishment orders even if Amaruq and Ki'ma felt enraged by the decision.

"What else can we do?" Hakoda swallowed, "Not everyone is ready to throw away history and tradition as easily as we are. The South is nowhere near the revolution the North is now going through."

"Are you sure about that, Brother?" Ki'ma demanded, "Sokka's quite popular with the masses."

"His disbelief isn't popular—"

"Should La be his own believer? Is La a heretic to his own religion?"

To which the Southern chief and chieftess still could not respond.

"It wouldn't be too difficult to replace council members," Amaruq insisted, "And grant Sokka the status of a chieftain and accept Yue as the Southern chieftess and his wife. You're letting their relationship go unchallenged on the basis that they don't have to meet the requirements and expectations of future leaders of the South when instead, you could just get rid of those stupid requirements altogether and rightfully recognize their marriage and successor status. But I see you're taking the long route." Turning briefly to his sister, "Keep in mind that even though she knew there was tension here, she came all the way here and almost lost her own ability to be a mother for a newborn who didn't come from her."

"We hate our decision as much as you do," Kya began in shame, moisture collecting in her eyes, "but it would cause unrest in the tribe if we ruled otherwise."

"We have many local chieftains who feel that traditional values are very important," Hakoda insisted. "The North may steadily be seeing changes, but it will take more time here. There is nothing we can do."

But Amaruq and Ki'ma were not having any of it. "I wish you were the Hakoda I knew three decades ago," Amaruq frowned. "Then maybe you'd see that there are things you can do. The princess wasn't popular in the North, either, at first, but look at her now. An icon. Despite what the Northern Council labelled as a discrepancy in her legal status, by sheer popularity, she now has complete and unhindered access to the throne. And even if there was no chance at all for them to be accepted here…you could've still tried."

"Arnook hid the truth of his daughter's past and was prepared to take that secret with him to his funeral pyre no matter how many pressures he faced," Ki'ma said. "And even after the North found out about her, he'd been fighting ever since for her rights. For someone who didn't come from him. And here you two are, unable to take a step towards recognizing your own son's rights and autonomous decisions. I will never understand…"

Kya held back a sob, brushing at her eyes.

"The Water Tribe isn't gonna change overnight, Hakoda, and I'm not dumb enough to not know that," Amaruq looked to his brother-in-law, "But the point is that we keep trying to push for faster change anyway. Clearly that's not a priority for you."

"That is not what I'm saying," Hakoda began, equally burdened, but Amaruq was not willing to listen.

"He may be a god, and she may be a goddess according to their birth charts and whatnot, but they are also children of the Water Tribe. As long as Arnook and Ahnah are alive, they will not let Yue face the burden of being labeled as a bloodless tribeswoman; they have sought to join her into their bloodline with every unorthodox means they could grab, and today," holding his own copy of the letter, "They have done it. But my boy can't go around with the reputation of a bloodless tribesman because his parents aren't able to accept his marriage, because his parents think disowning him is the right choice in a time of turmoil."

Amaruq stood up, eyeing his sister and brother-in-law, "I refuse to let Sokka face what I did when I was disowned. Righteous loyalty should never be punished. I meant what I said when I told Sokka I'm adopting him if he's ever disowned. I think I have a strong case since you think of these relinquishment documents as being real and fixed." He shoved aside the papers on the desk, "I don't believe in this yakshit about ejecting him from his own home and rightful position to make sure he's happy."

"Whether the South changes or not, from now on, he's our son," Ki'ma insisted. "And we welcome Yue as our daughter-in-law. Legally, that is; Amaruq and I always saw him as ours anyway."

The Southern leaders felt part of their burden lifting from their hearts, for they knew that Sokka would never be truly removed from the family if he was under Amaruq and Ki'ma's protective wings. Perhaps this was the best course of action given Amaruq and Ki'ma were fairly removed from the Southern premises and were not going to be excessively subject to the scrutiny of the Southern Council's conservatives. It certainly did not lessen the pain, however, of being legally removed from their long-awaited oldest, from the suffering that came with the fact that they were unable to pass the leadership torch to him, whether it was Southern or Northern leadership. If he didn't want them around now, there was no telling he would want them to be present for his coronation.

"I won't stop your decision… but please…" Kya looked to her brother, "When you get a chance, tell him… Tell him that we had nothing to do with Pakku's monstrosity, please… We never wanted that girl to go through what she did, we didn't…"

"Even if he doesn't want to see us, we can live with that, but…we never intended this to happen, and that is the truth," Hakoda reiterated. "We respected her enough to not devastate her… We might not have wanted her to be a part of the family, but it was never our intention to throw her status into disarray. She's another man's daughter. As a father to a daughter myself, I would never…I would never do that to them…"

Amaruq only sighed, "If he doesn't listen, there's nothing I can do. Pakku crossed a line no one should cross, and he ruined things for the rest of us. Sokka will neverbe able to unsee what happened here."

Yue was oddly aware that she was in a dream or illusion of sorts as she trudged through the blizzard toward the Moon Temple. It was late in the night with the moon barely visible in the wake of the storm, and even the temple itself would've been buried in blankets of white had it not been for its stark black marble protruding like a speck of La in a sea of Tui.

Out of instinct, she reached for the keys in her pocket, effortlessly stepping inside. Instead of the expected Aninnialuk idol, there was a human waiting at the altar— or perhaps, the line between human skin and marble sculpture blurred given La's traditional ornaments and imagery were etched perfectly onto the visitor. A black-robed Sokka, his face covered in ceremonial wolf paint, was seated on the sanctum step with his arms on his knees. His palm toyed with a decaying apple that he picked up from the pile of other rotten apples presented as offerings, and he stared at the rotting skin on the fruit with his eyebrows raised. A moment later, he placed it aside, reaching for another platter that was left to his "enjoyment."

"Eugh!" came his disgust as the crab puffs oozed damp mold, "The fuck?" And he pushed that platter aside, too, rolling his eyes. It was then that she noticed his irises were not the same blue she found herself frequently lost in; rather, they were now a stark black, sucking in her attention like a black hole, radiating some sort of trance. Even more so when they flew to meet her gaze; their exquisite darkness was such that she could see herself reflected perfectly within them.

"There you are!" he grinned.

And the chamber reverberated with the echo in his tone. She blinked, bemused, "I'm projecting..."

"If you say so," he smirked, a twinkle in his cosmic eyes as he pat the space on the pedestal beside him.

She did not protest, simply rolling with whatever was happening as she took her seat next to him. He scooted closer to her, flashing her another giddy smile before rambling about the food, "You see this? They call these offerings?" he pushed another plate of decaying fruit away, "And even this milk," he picked up a fancy offering vessel, his finger dipping into the paste-like milk only to find its dormant stench gain footing, "Ugh. They get three-year-old food, and then they want all the luxuries in the world. Who do they take us for?"

Yue widened her eyes as his hands suddenly lost their fleshy texture, transitioning into palms sculpted by water entirely, a black glow sweeping through the water. "'La, I need a promotion. La, I want my great aunt's inheritance,'" he went on with his griping, the flesh returning, leaving his hands clean, "'La, make the universe bow to my fucking will. Here, take this mold as my offering.' Idiots."

He resembled an odd combination of a warring soldier having come home from a weary battle and a pouting child having woken from a nap, either way demanding food. He was succumbing to what was offered to him, too, in his hunger, resigning as he reached for one of the rotting apples, "It is what it is, I guess…"

But she stopped him with her hand. "Wait." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a wrapped cake for him. "I only have one…"

"Now that's what I'm talkin' about," he beamed, fiddling with the wrapper. He broke the cake towards the middle, handing her the slightly bigger half, "We'll share it," he said sweetly.

"No, you can have it."

"You got something against projected cakes?"

She sighed before taking the other half and took a bite, prompting him to swallow his half whole. Her smile of amusement dimmed, however, as she took in the reality of the situation, the recent events playing in her mind. Where was she and what was she doing despite everything that happened?

"Why the face?" he asked. "Yuesanga's supposed to smile and laugh."

She eyed his form for a long moment, wallowing in the illusion a moment longer before, "I feel like a fool." Staring at the piece of cake left over in her hands, "I became the kind of victim I never wanted to become…And for a moment, I thought… I was scared that I had to lay down motherhood. Biological motherhood, at least." She swallowed, "I reconciled with the fact that I might not be the chieftess, but… generally, the grounding reality that you probably won't be a nunaatip anaana is way different from the nightmare that you won't be an anaana at all…"

He brought the cake in her hand up to her mouth to feed her, "Nonsense. I'm La, the All-Seeing Eye, the All-Steering Hand. No one subverts the fates I write. In times when people needed you most, you were always there for them. If anyone is deserving of bringing more of you into this world, it's you."

"But what…what even happened out there?" she asked him, "Was that…was that really you? I couldn't…I wasn't able to see…I only heard bits and pieces in between, and I…" her hand flying to her aching head, "I'm confused. I'm anxious… I don't want to wake up and find out what all I've lost…"

"Don't want to wake up?!" came his spastic anxiety, "What does that mean?!"

She turned away, the devastation replaying in her mind. She could feel the entity beside her shifting, every movement he made resembling the roar of rolling waves. His hand, warm and soft, resembling the swish and sway of tides, found its way to her cheek and tilted her face until she was looking at him. A haze of warmth settled over her, numbing the ache in her head.

"Those who give up on people turn to idols, and those who give up on idols turn to people. And then there's the universe that's way bigger than idols and people. Whatever you think happened, you can call that whatever you want— an idol, a human, the universe. But just know that I'm accessible through whatever means you want to access me. And I'll make things happen. Whether I'm a historical fiction or a figment of the religious imagination, whether I'm chaos or an untamed reality. A projection, a rusted old prophecy…" Shaking his head, "Nothing is ever lost to you, Yue. I've made sure of it all this time, and I'll continue to make sure of it. I'm not letting anyone take anything away from you. If I do, I wouldn't be me."

She blinked, a tear escaping.

"I'm not just sitting around behind closed sanctums. Whether you believe it or not, I'm always watching. I'm always fighting. I'm always with you."

…These signs made it very clear that there was something very different about Sokka in those moments, but Aang does not know what exactly happened or how it did. He said he only sensed an abundance of spiritual energy coming from him. Whether that energy came from somewhere else and took over him or whether it came from Sokka himself, these kinds of questions would be difficult to answer. Of course, not everyone is going to accept a nonanswer, so Chunta is telling people that Sokka was possessed, and Aang is going along with it. I know this will be difficult for you and Sokka himself to process, too, because you're not fans of the Incarnation Prophecy.

But as his sister who has been beside him nearly all his life — at least, whenever he was home— I can only think back to the things people have said about his birth chart. I'm a believer in birth charts and foretunetelling, but I've always been skeptical about the shamans' proclamations when they said La chose to be born into this household. The idea that my brother was La made me laugh if nothing else. But there are things in this world that can't be explained, and this has to be one of those things. It will take time for me to process seeing Sokka like that…honestly, it will take everyone time to see him like that. The South is most likely going to be split in its opinions about what happened. Many are going to question the whole thing, and many are going to believe Chunta, but the reality of what exactly was at work, we will never know.

The situation here is very chaotic. Aang and I might end up bringing Kohana with us when we come back. I know Ko-bear needs to be away from everything for a good bit. It will take a while for him to come down from all of this. The same can be said for all the adults, too, of course. I guess deep down, everyone knew that it was possible for someone like Pakku to do this, but I thought since our culture basically saw us as walking wombs, tribesmen would at least maintain the ethics of not harming us in this exact manner. But a direct blow to our literal womanhood is abhorring. Unacceptable. A sin from which there's no return. I'm furious, and I know that you are especially.

Society is not far enough along in medicine to undo injuries of this degree, but it seems that bloodhealing is the secret. This is basically Imona's case all over again, isn't it? She had experienced catastrophic injuries to her reproductive organs to the point of being incapable of carrying children, and you had used bloodhealing to counter the destructive effects. From what I now understand, bloodhealing is more intensive than other procedures, and from what I can easily guess, it requires razor-sharp attention and diligence. But if properly performed, it causes the rapid regrowth of what has been torn apart.

I've come to a decision, Yue: I want to learn how to bloodheal, and I need you to teach me. You said I had it in me to achieve it. If you still feel that way, I would be honored if you would train me. I know I told you I didn't want to learn it, but that was because I didn't envision something like this happening. But now, I want to think of this as a wake-up call to the horrors of what could happen, and I'm not about to let my selfishness— that is, my discomfort with bloodbending— come in the way of the care and comfort that our sisters need in times like these. What happened here should NEVER happen to another woman.

Of course, I'm aware of its limitations. Bloodhealing is typically reserved for the full moon— though you're the exception— and I'm not sure if I have it in me to bend at will. Now without very extensive practice, anyway. Also, bloodhealing makes it possible for people to physically come back from these traumas, but the memory of being inflicted with those traumatic injuries will still haunt the victim. But I want the power to heal these women so they won't be deprived of their fundamental right to be comfortable and safe in their own biologies. I know that even if I knew how to bloodheal before, I sadly wouldn't have been able to do much for you immediately because of the eclipse. But in the future, at least, if anyone is faced with a danger like this, I want to be a source of help.

To this moment, I think it's ironic that the horrible man I called my grandfather was my waterbending teacher. Now, I am able to understand where you are coming from when you say that your teacher was a terrorist. We are in the same boat. I don't feel sorry for the pain Pakku is in, and when he dies, I will never mourn him.

I wish I could tell you all of these things in person. There is so much I need to get off of my chest, and you are the only person I can rant my heart out to about these things. But I know that there is no time. I know that you are exhausted, and I know you need space. Honestly, I don't think I can look you in the eye right now; I'm weighed down by my regret of seeing you in pain in the South. For everything you've done for us, what happened to you is unjustified, and I am ashamed for not being there. For not preventing this.

Let me reiterate that La has never left your side, and it's safe to say that He never will. Regardless of missing details and nuances, the fact of the matter is that you are the reason why our Southern brothers and sisters are able to feed themselves and their children. I know that La— be he a spirit or a warrior— will never let anyone hurt your chances of being all you can be, especially a mom.

Take care, ukuaq. I'll see you and Sokka in time for your coronation.

Katara

Yue set aside the long scroll, withdrawing her other hand from her lower belly, eyeing her form that was bare from the waist down. She basked in the fact that she really did harbor no sign of injury. Rather than the anticipated soreness, there was only a pleasant rush of warmth that remained in her lower abdomen, somewhat resembling the texture of a warm, soothing wave.

"Nothing is ever lost to you."

She took a deep breath, murmuring an invocation of gratitude before making herself presentable. She stepped out of the bathroom, the burden on her chest lifting with every confident step she took. Through the simmers of her exhaustion, which was only now starting to fade away, she glanced at the room, taking note of how Sokka still wasn't here. Very faintly she heard clinking in the distance, likely stemming from the hallway a few feet away. She eventually saw that he was sitting by himself in the abandoned hallway, a series of intoxicants laid out on the table before him, distant chatter coming from the other side of the chamber's closed door.

"I've never seen you drunk before."

Through his bleary vision, Sokka looked up to the direction of the voice that breathed life into him anew. He saw her standing by the door, the observation in her tone laced with concern. He didn't move, uncertain, unsure, terrified of not maintaining a distance she would probably want. What if she did not want him close to her?

But she dispelled his worries with open arms. She could see him break, see every visible muscle jolt in her direction, and she welcomed his trembling form. He was gentle in his hug and touch, his lips quivering as he kissed her forehead. Her warmth held his quaking form as his face disappeared into her shoulder. "Spirits…"

"I'm okay," she rubbed his back, the scent of moonflowers filling his soul as he wept in relief, "I love you."

"I love you," he muffled into her neck between sobs, and as if reminded of something, he extricated himself from her warm hold long enough to draw a scroll out of his robes. He gave it to her, "For you."

"Oh no, another letter—?"

"It's a good letter this time."

And he watched her reaction unfold with every sentence she read, every tear that drenched the parchment. Yuesanga Kuunnguaq and her progeny…

"Is this…?" Looking at him, "Does this mean…?"

"You're the chieftess," he nodded, "You're the Chieftess of the North!"

I'm not letting anyone take anything away from you. If I do, I wouldn't be me. And she burst out a reaction teetering between a laugh and a sob. They were drawn back to each other, lost in a moment of relief and joy as they shook and cried, utterly overwhelmed. Yue gripped tightly onto his frame, her face burrowing into his tunic, stubborn palms gripping the muscles in his back.

Katara and Aang were insistent on not missing the coronation, but they were obligated to stay in the South for at least two more days given the chaos that nearly split the palace apart. Katara obviously could not abandon the situation at home for the sake of her parents, who were both still reeling back from the shock of all that happened. Not to mention Kanna's processing of Pakku's current condition as well as her own actions of ending the lead councilman's life.

Aang felt it was imperative to stay not only for his fiancé but for his peace-keeping duties; his status as the future son-in-law of the family only added weight to his claim. Most importantly, the couple was staying behind for Kohana; the little boy had seen far too much conflict in one day even if he'd been miraculously spared of the sight of his raging older brother; the young prince found comfort in his sister and Aang, demanding that he stay with them. And the chances of him accompanying his sister and Aang back to the North for the coronation were high.

Bato, in the meantime, had pushed for the idea that a representative should go to the North to give an official statement of explanation to the Northern chief and chieftess and formally apologize on behalf of the South. The possibility of reparations and other alarming legal consequences lingered behind hushed whispers as the ministers and palace personnel ruminated over how such talks would even go about, especially given Arnook and Ahnah's fierce attachment to their daughter. Very few were able to control their sheer guilt to the point of being willing to assume these duties, but Chunta had understood Sokka's death glare to mean a sharp no, that the Southern warrior was in a highly defensive state and was under no circumstance willing to let anyone follow them to the North. The duties, therefore, were entrusted to Amaruq, Ki'ma, and their son and daughter-in-law, for they were the only exceptions to Sokka's demands that he and Yue not be followed by anyone.

All of this was understood, of course, which proved to be somewhat difficult given Sokka's utter lack of communication with anyone. He shared minimal talks with his aunt and uncle and occasionally engaged in conversations with Aang and Katara, but that was all that was to be expected out of him. Indeed, his distance and silence proved to be terrifying for everyone who knew him, throwing them off guard apart from the spiritually-charged incident.

When it came time to depart, there were no goodbyes exchanged. Sokka's only focus was on escorting his wife into the ship under the cloak of the dark night. His friends and well-wishers had clamored over the docks, taking a look at the tired Tui-esque princess of the North— the hero of the South who was now being sent back to her homeland with her blood having spilled significantly on the Southern tundra, bathing the Land of La in pure guilt. Remorse suffocated the Southern atmosphere as the bowsprit began to lift.

Katara and Aang retreated from their position at the forefront to make way, having promised to meet them at the coronation. Hakoda and Kya lingered on the docks, unable to say anything to the flash of beastly black that flared defensively in their wounded son's glare, the white fires of fury that sizzled in the Northern goddess's eyes as she turned away, both lovers holding tightly onto each other.

"It is a matter of justice. The Spirits have willed it... Only if your hearts are open will Tui stay; if she is displeased, the Spirits will leave your household."

Sokka didn't look back.

The paranoia was not quick to leave her; she spent considerable time in the bathroom, repeatedly engaged in the ritual of examining herself. Every time, the conclusion was the same: it was as if nothing had happened. Following her fourth self-examination since boarding the cruiser, she stepped out and noticed Chen was sitting on the bed, waiting for her with two bowls — one that contained what appeared to be carrot-prune soup and another that consisted of sliced mangoes.

"How are you feeling, angaju?"

"I'm doing fine."

"Brother Sokka wanted me to give this to you," she held the soup out to Yue, "I know you said you don't feel anemic, but he wanted to make sure. You did lose a lot of blood…though the healing may have countered that, but just in case…"

The confusion on Chen's face was obvious given the uncertainty of what had happened. Yue made the task easy for her, simply taking the soup from her and setting it aside. "Thank you, Chen. I'll have it when it cools down. Where's Sokka, by the way?"

"He was with Father the last time I saw him. He told Lady Iruqi to stand by and examine you if necessary," she said, referring to a Southern healer who had accompanied them at Sokka's request, "and he wanted to give you some privacy. She's waiting outside if you want me to let her in."

Yue shook her head, "That won't be necessary. I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You seem like you're needing…confirmation. Brother Sokka is worried."

So he had noticed. "No, I…I'm okay… I'm still processing, that's all." And she took her seat beside the young Earth Kingdomer, placing a hand on her shoulder, "It's late. You should go to sleep."

"It's okay, angaju. I want to stay."

The Northern leader softened her eyes, "I understand you were more traumatized by seeing me like that than I was. I'm sorry you had to see that."

"No, angaju, I—"

"I appreciate your company, but I don't want you to be here if it makes you uncomfortable. You can be honest with me."

"I'm not uncomfortable around you, I promise," Chen told her, holding her hand. "I was terrified seeing you like that because… it was terrible seeing how you were treated. Just because you are half Air Nomad." Swallowing, "Honestly, I was afraid for my own life. I'm not from the Water Tribe. I'm a full-blooded Earth Kingdomer, and…" Chen hesitated but was coaxed by Yue's reassuring squeeze of her hand, tears forming in her eyes, "Angajuk, I found out yesterday that I'm with child. Right before the attack, I'd seen a healer, and…"

Yue widened her eyes, "Chen…"

"Kiguk and I had wanted to start a family soon. I was so excited. I was going to tell him… and you see, I was never exactly worried over the fact that he's a tribesman and I'm an Earth Kingdomer, but…seeing you in that situation…" Chan's hand instinctively flew to her belly, "I was afraid for our baby…I was terrified…"

Yue hugged Chen, allowing the woman to sob against her. Chen shook and quivered in Yue's arms, "I'm so sorry, angaju. I know you're the one going through this, and I shouldn't make this be about me—"

"No, no," Yue smoothed her hand over the younger woman's hair, "This is a very valid reaction of yours. I'm sorry I unknowingly ruined this moment for you."

"No, no, stop. Don't apologize."

"I understand you're afraid of being in my situation…and I know this is a horrific situation for all women…but let me just tell you that me being half Air Nomad isn't the reason why Pakku hated me so much." The princess looked to the ground, bitterness swirling in her eyes, "It may have been one reason why he disapproved of me, but it's not the only reason why he wanted to get rid of me. I can give you that. There were so many other things that made my case worse, and there were more restrictions for us because Sokka was next in line, essentially…"

Eventually shaking her head and turning back to the young woman, "Don't worry. Your relationship with Kiguk is not going to be challenged like that."

"It's so unfair," Chen croaked, "It's so dumb. You're perfect! Why would…?"

"Don't worry about that right now," Yue told her. "This is a happy moment for you. Did you tell Kiguk about the baby yet?"

"Not yet."

"Then don't waste any more time and go tell him. That's the only thing you should be thinking about right now. I don't want what happened to affect the happiness you deserve. This is a special moment."

Chen looked back to the princess in hesitation, but Yue convinced her with a smile, "I'm perfectly fine anyhow. I'm not in any kind of pain. La was on my side; there's nothing to worry about."

"P-Please, sir, Shaman Chunta told me to do this every time you appear distressed," a Northern tribesman on board insisted as he jammed his fist into a large container of vermillion and threw the pigment in a glaring Sokka's face and all over the warrior's bare chest. "It's very calming!" the tribesman insisted, throwing more handfuls at the now-coughing Southern warrior, "La, ikulliak, La, ikulliak—!"

"What are you doing to him?"

The tribesman yelped, seeing Yue approach with a scowl on her face. She rushed over to her husband, brushing the pigment off of him.

"Your Highness," the tribesman squeaked, "I was just—"

"You know he doesn't like all of this," Yue glared at the tribesman, "Leave him alone."

"But Shaman Chunta—"

"We left Chunta and his opinions back at the South," came her tight reply, "You can relax your efforts."

The tribesman nodded before bowing. Yue took to bending the pigment off of Sokka, brushing it off of his chest. Her palm briefly paused beside his light spot to the left, noticing the similarity between her light complexion and the identical hue of his milken birthmark. Switching her dialect, "You could've just told him to back off."

Sokka shrugged, emptied of the expected sarcasm, only wrapping his persisting arms around her, refusing to let go. "Did Iruqi get a chance to see you yet?"

Feeling herself melt, "No, love, but I'm doing fine. Come on, let's go to our bunker."

On their way back, they caught a glimpse of Kiguk and Chen sharing a moment of excitement at the end of the corridor, the Earth Kingdom woman having been hoisted up in the tribesman's arms. A joyful Kiguk set his wife down, his hand brushing against her belly before he subsequently knelt and planted a kiss on her stomach.

"I want what you two have, and I want it with Yue. What part of that do you not understand?" Sokka, embittered by the circumstances in the South, tightened his hold of Yue's hand. The two of them managed smiles, however, as Kiguk and Chen beamed at them. They waved at the excited couple before Yue led him into their bunker.

"Chen told me you didn't eat," Yue said and offered him a slice of mango, which he declined, unable to meet her eyes.

"I'm not really hungry. You can eat."

She tried to feed him a slice herself, but he shook his head, persistent. Her hand reached for his only to pause at the sight of a thick bandage wrapped around his wrist. "Hey, what happened here?"

"It's nothing—"

"Oh my goodness," she quickly peeled off the layers of the bandage through which he was lightly beginning to bleed. To her horror, she saw that his slightly mended wound had split open again, regular healing not having been effective against the deep cut. Yue then remembered the flashing memory of Pakku's dagger tearing into Sokka's wrist. She shivered, quickly mending the skin, her efforts leaving behind a scar that couldn't be avoided. The dark, healed skin cut through a portion of his marking — a jagged scar resembling a dagger slicing through his Tui half. He stiffened.

"That's not a problem," Yue comforted him, slowly bending the permanent ink of the pigment to where it covered his scar, filling in the space again. "See? Perfect." Handing him the mango slice again, "Come on, eat."

He chewed his bottom lip, placing the slice back in the bowl, "You're really okay, right? I don't know what happened when…"

"I'm really okay, nalligima."

She took note of his lingering discomfort, the way he cast a look in the general direction of her lap before turning away, trying not to appear like he was doing so out of ill intention. As much gratitude as Sokka held for the universe, it was undeniably difficult for him to process the fact that whatever means of healing had occurred had taken place with him as the medium, especially when he believed himself to be the most useless of the bunch. He could only remember the helplessness that he had to swallow while cast out in the raging tundra with her critically wounded form in his arms. The devastations of those moments had paralyzed him, embittered him, surprised him. He looked from his hands to her lap again, unable to connect the scattered fragments of his memory.

"You're tired," gesturing to the bed, "Get some rest. I'll be right here, I promise."

He didn't protest, laying against the sheets, his hand refusing to let go of hers. With every slow blink, with every rhythmic brush of her palm against his face, his inhibitions tapered into slumber.

"How could you let this happen to my daughter?!" Ahnah screamed, her hand slamming against his cheek, her shrill cries stabbing through his heart, "What did we ever do to you?!"

"We trusted you," Arnook followed, glaring daggers at his tear-stricken son-in-law, "We WORSHIPPED you! As LA! And what did we receive in return?! You hid the fact that you were going to the South of all places WITH MY DAUGHTER, and you DARE to ask us for forgiveness after your folks put her through hell?!"

"We told you to look after her!" Ivaneq roared, shoving Sokka away from the bawling Northern chieftess and incensed chieftain. "To think we believed you were loyal!"

"I'm sorry," Sokka sobbed, "I did everything I could, I tried, I—!"

"GO!" Arnook kicked at Sokka's chest, sending the warrior sprawling down the steps of the citadel. The Southern ex-prince tumbled down the stairway, his head crashing against the harsh ice.

"If you have even an ounce of pride in you, you will never set foot in the North or come after my daughter ever again!" Ahnah bellowed, "You're no La! You're just another imposter! A vehicle for Pakku!"

A vehicle for Pakku. Sokka shook his head fervently through his tears, muted by the screams of several women coming from behind him— screams of the women tortured in Khasiq's brothels, the sisters who had been rotting away like living corpses in the hands of their abusive in-laws, the cries of infant girls thrown into the seas as offerings to the ocean.

"No! PLEASE!" he screamed, "I'm not like Pakku! I'M NOT OF THEIR BLOOD!"

"I TOLD you not to trust this imbecile! HE'S NO LA! LA IS DEAD!" came Imona's shriek, sporting a look of utter madness and chaos from atop the citadel stairway. She held a spiked whip in her hand, blood dripping demandingly from the spikes. Behind her were several Revivalists glaring down at him, an enraged Sayen dragging an effigy of him, which she lit ablaze and threw down the stairway until it landed beside him.

"I'M NOT HIM! I'M NOT THEM! I'M NOT ANY OF THEM! PLEASE—!"

"His entire family is out to get her! They're demons, they're all demons, and he's no different!" Imona screamed. "DRAG HIM OUT OF HERE!"

He lay in a pool of blood, screaming his innocence, looking around desperately for Yue only to hear her screams in the far distance— the shattering reminders of what he could've prevented.

"Yue! Yue!"

"Sokka! Nalligima!"

It wasn't until he was shaken awake that he realized he had been screaming in his sleep. He gasped, drenched in a cold sweat.

"It's just a dream, baby," she whispered, planting kisses on his face. He caught his breath, his arms fixed around her. Eventually he sat up, brushing away the sweat at his neck.

"Sorry," he mumbled, "I'm okay, I am… I just don't feel like sleeping anymore."

Yue brushed at his cheek, patting her lap with her other hand, "Then relax for a minute."

He swallowed, shaking his head, "I'm okay."

She didn't listen, gently guiding his head to her lap. He tensed, remaining still for several moments until she shifted a little to accommodate him. He attempted to get up but was convinced by the hand on his chest, the warm look in her eyes. "Sokka, I'm not in any pain. It's okay."

He slowly turned until he was facing her, letting himself relax against the cushion of her lap. She gazed down at him, brushing his hair with her fingers, briefly tracing the new scar at his temple beside the scar he previously earned from driving Zhao out of the North. The injuries that he, too, had received were a testament to how rough the night before had truly been.

"I was so terrified," Sokka mumbled, "when you didn't wake up so quickly."

"I was really tired," she said, explaining that she was likely caught up in the expected exhaustion and drowsiness that often followed an extensive bloodhealing session. At least, that was how she could describe her experience of being healed. And in the wake of that tiredness, the mellow haze that was cast over her, the events that had transpired felt more like a nightmare— a fever dream as opposed to a fervent reality. It wasn't until later when she finally awoke that she was struck with the realization that it had all been real, and she was sent into a state of panic…only for her side effects to be justified by the fact that she was healed.

"It's strange. I can't even remember the pain that well…even if I remember what happened…"

His arms wrapped gently around her middle, his head resting against her abdomen.

"We don't have to talk about it," she said. "I know I don't want to think back to it. We don't need any explanations. Not now." A kiss to his head, "Whatever happened, let it be another nuance in the void. Not everything can be explained."

He croaked into her tunic, "Why did you have to go charging at him like that? He was armed, and you weren't… and it was an eclipse…!"

"You wanted me to just stand there and watch you get hurt? That maniac was charging at you with a spiked club."

"Well I had to watch you get hurt after that!"

She continued to smooth his hair, not responding but letting the outburst sit in the air for a while. He closed his eyes, shuddering, "What happened today…Maybe that was some sort of spiritual intervention…"

"Well…I suppose there's a scientific explanation out there somewhere. You could very well be a bender…and that trait could be dormant in you. Stress and strong psychological responses can bring out those traits sometimes."

"During an eclipse?"

Which threw a wrench in the hypothesis. "But if it's possible to bloodbend at times other than a full moon…maybe there are exceptions where you can bend during an eclipse. I personally never had luck with that, but…it can still be possible."

"If a powerful bender like you can't do it, what makes it easy for me to do it?"

"Well…again, we don't have to piece together what exactly happened back there. Just let it be for what it is."

"But all I know is that if I have to see you like that again, I…"

"Sokka, I don't want you blaming yourself, okay? You had the right idea. You didn't want us to stay. I was the one who didn't listen—"

"You're blaming yourself for this? No one would expect this to happen! We were told that imbecile wasn't there!" Finding himself trembling with rage again, "Chunta, that fucking asshole—"

"Chunta didn't know, really. He really did think that man wasn't going to be there. Everyone thought that."

"The almighty chief and chieftess had to have known," he spat, "They invited us to dinner the same night. Everything worked a little too conveniently for them, didn't it—?"

"Sokka, you can't be saying they planned all of this," Yue frowned. "And this isn't something only the South is guilty of, and I don't want you binding this incident to the South…even if that's where it happened. Both tribes are equally to blame for many atrocities."

"Doesn't make this any less wrong or devastating!"

"I know…but even if I was born in the South, I probably would've still faced these issues. And there's no guarantee I would've been spared in the North…and I think it's good to keep that in mind. Our entire country is responsible for this, not just the chief and chieftess of one tribe."

"I don't understand… Why are you defending them after all this?!"

"Because they didn't actually invite us for dinner," she swallowed, "I requested for the dinner to be arranged."

He gawked at her, incredulous.

"I felt everything was moving too fast. You were being stubborn about leaving and breaking ties, but your mom wanted to talk to you. You kept avoiding her and everyone else, and…I honestly felt bad for them. I thought all of you having a warm meal together would abate some tension. I didn't want to come with you at first; I wanted your conversation to be private. But you were getting defensive about staying in the palace without me and…I figured it would be difficult to convince you otherwise for dinner, too…" Biting her lip, "If I'd known they'd serve me in a different space…if I'd known Pakku didn't actually leave, I wouldn't have opted in for this."

"I can't believe you'd feel bad for them. I tell you every time not to be so compassionate—!"

"Well I didn't want to tear you away from them," she said. "I never wanted a misunderstanding to drive you away from your family…And I want you to understand that it's not your parents' fault that Pakku did what he did. The way they treated me was undesirable, but they weren't trying to make this happen. They wouldn't go that far."

Shaking his head, "I still don't understand…You should be furious about this! How are you so calm?"

"I wouldn't say I'm calm," she said, turmoil boiling over in her eyes, turbulent like crashing waves, "I am furious. Pakku crossed a line, and I'm never going to forget that. And if I'm being completely honest, I won't be able to stay in the same room as your parents for longer than three seconds now…but I still give credit where it's due."

"Credit," he huffed, "That's what's on your mind after their blatant violation of your well-being and fundamental rights?"

Sighing, "The thing is, this isn't new, Sokka. I would be even more furious but what's the point? This isn't the first time atrocities have happened to women, and for it to nearly happen to me… It hurts my heart, but…should I be totally shocked?"

The response only added to his distraught condition, pulling him out of her lap. He sat up, granting her his attention, horror slipping into his gaze.

"I'm still trying to process it, but everything happened so fast. Me being hurt and then immediately healed like that." Closing her eyes, "I literally had a statue, a container of yak milk, and a gust of wind keep me alive when I was born…and now, I'm saved by a Spirit I never really got to see…through circumstances that I will probably never understand… And I'm not questioning anything. I accept it all. I'm grateful… But if there's anything I'm very sure about…I can't do something I'll deeply regret in the heat of all this uncontrolled rage. I don't want to be in a position of hating someone to such an extent that…that there's a possibility that I might become a monster like Hama."

"I always tell you that you won't," his hand flew to her cheek, "You shouldn't repress yourself for this."

"Well that woman really screwed me over…For the rest of my days, it will always be a fear. Rational or not. I just don't want to be in a position where I might snap."

Holding tightly onto her hand, "We could've just left. I kept telling you we should go. Why did you have to try so hard?"

"I told you before that I didn't want you to go through a crisis like I was…with regard to parents and families. I didn't want to be the reason you and your family broke apart. It's not compassion, it's pure selfishness. I didn't want you to ever look back on your life and regret having a soured relationship with your parents because of me. I know you wouldn't abandon what we have, but I didn't want there to be a chance for resentment or regret."

"You really thought I'd think that?"

"It's not you. It's my own insecurities at play." Turning away, "I never wanted you to look back and hate me. For being the reason why you separated from your parents. I never wanted you to regret…us…and I—"

He stopped her with a kiss, shaking hands holding her close. "That's never gonna happen, nalligima. If anyone should be scared, it's me. Every time you told me about the horrible things that happened to our sisters, the horrible things in-laws were doing…I always told myself that I'd never let you be in any sort of situation like that…I'm so ashamed, I…"

"This isn't your fault, Sokka, please—"

"I don't know what I would've done if you hated me after what happened," he burst, "I might exist because of him but I'm not him…! I'm not them…!"

"You don't have to tell me this for me to know," she frowned, tilting his head so he could look at her, "I would never hate you. I'd be making the greatest mistake of my life if I imputed that man's actions to you. I was defending you, why would I hate you?" Touching his forehead with hers, "Seeing for myself what happened, the honor killings that Pakku was trying to commit…The way that man attacked his own family, the way he took his anger out on you, too… the moment I saw him hurt you, I knew I made the mistake of staying. I didn't think my fears would bring us this far."

"It's not your fault," he rasped. "And it doesn't matter whether they were directly behind this or not. The fact that they didn't treat you with dignity and respect is enough. They told you to get out of that palace knowing that palace was built with your money. Making a bender stand outside with no security whatsoever in a hostile environment in the middle of a fucking eclipse… if you weren't out in the open, that scum of the earth wouldn't have seen you…"

"Just let it go—"

"How can I let this go? Would you let this go if it happened to anyone else?"

"The universe punished Pakku instantly. What else is there to be done? This isn't even a battle to fight. They've lost all face and reputation…and at this point…I hate to say it, but I'm past the point of feeling any remorse."

"There's no reason for you to feel guilty—"

"I know, and I'm not."

"Then why do you keep defending them?

"Again, I'm not defending them…and it doesn't mean I'll forget this. No, no, never…"

"You are a hero to us, but even the goddess keeps her distance, right…?"

Her eyes bloodshot, unbridled rage flaring through for a moment, "I'll never forget. The nerve they had to scoff at my existence. I wish I can say I never expected anything in return for the Southern Revival Project, but I expected to at least be treated like a human being. It wasn't just my flesh that was hurt; my pride, dignity, self-respect…my future…they were all nearly obliterated…A-And I'm not sure why I'm shocked by this instead of the gravity of the offense, but…I'll never be able to forget..." Gulping, "I'm not letting myself snap. My rage should be productive. If anything, this gives me the incentive to keep fighting."

He nodded, his hand squeezing hers, "You'll never have to see them ever again. It's over. I'm never letting them come near us. Banishment, my ass; we were never gonna go back anyway."

"Sokka, that's not what—"

"I know you'd never ask me to do this," he said, "I know who you are. But I'm not taking any more chances with them after all of that. Whatever medium was at work…we can't always rely on colorful nuances. What we can do now is prevent any and all contact."

"I don't know. La's pretty reliable if you ask me. He's always had my back one way or another."

"Well he shouldn't have let this happen," his attempt at a scoff culminated in a sniffle. "If anything had happened, I would've never forgiven myself…"

"Sokka, I really don't want you blaming yourself for this. Please, nalligima."

"You were in a lot of pain, baby," he croaked, "I hated seeing you like that. They're monsters…"

"Sokka, I promise, I'll be careful."

She let herself fall into his arms, her arms wrapping tightly around him, her head resting atop his chest. She could feel his pulse thrumming through her as she thumbed the boundaries of his light spot.

"Whether I'm chaos or an untamed reality. A projection, maybe even a rusted old prophecy…"

Arnook and Ahnah had greeted their daughter with great desperation, their eyes glued cautiously to her frame, checking for signs of injury. They had wanted to welcome her back with great joy given the sheer ease at which the nation championed for her rule, but now they wrestled between anxiety and frustration, unable to neither show nor curb their fury that their daughter had fallen prey to Pakku's monstrosity; that she narrowly escaped a near-death experience; that she insisted on going to the South without their knowledge and that their ningauk, of all people, would follow along with such a plan, especially when they both knew that the South presented dangers. The situation had been complicated, they later learned, by the emergency that drew them to the South in the first place as well as the fatal effects Pakku endured for his actions.

"You still should've told us!" Ahnah exclaimed at her daughter, her fists clenched in fury with every step Ki'ma and Amaruq took forward in attempts to pacify her, "The nerve that imbecile has to hurt you! If I see him, I'll skin him alive and watch him rot!"

"We are all ashamed of Pakku's conduct, Chieftess," Ki'ma began. "The Southern Water Tribe truly respects Her Highness—"

"Well my daughter didn't get that respect," the chieftess hissed, her outburst only weighing heavily on Sokka's existing guilt.

"We understand that you are furious, and you have every right to be," Amaruq said. "But we would be grateful if you viewed this as an act of a maniac as opposed to an act of the state—"

"That man is the state, isn't he?" Arnook bellowed. "Hakoda may be the chieftain, but Pakku is the driving force of it all! He is the face of Southern laws! If you think we're letting this go, we're not!"

"Ataata," Yue frowned, "Take a moment to stop and think about this before—"

"We're not hearing another word from you!" Ahnah glared, fumbling to dry her eyes, "All this time I thought I had an intelligent daughter, but what you did was the antithesis of that, paniga!"

"And here we thought you and Sokka were actually thinking about starting your marital life," Arnook shook his head, his hand resting at his pained temple, "We're not telling you that healing a sick infant is wrong. You should've told us that you were going to the South! And you should've hightailed it out of there once you were done with the healing!"

"No matter what anyone says, we're demanding reparations, and we're enforcing sanctions," Ahnah insisted. "The South has crossed a line, and it cannot go back."

"Anaana—!"

"The South has the gall to feed off of my daughter's hands, do absolutely nothing when she was in horrible pain and suffering, and it should continue to receive benefits? I don't think so—"

"Alright, enough of this," the dronningi stood up from her seat with a disapproving glare at her parents, "If you impose sanctions on them, where do you think they'll get the money?"

"They should've thought about that before—!"

"It was a domestic dispute. He wasn't acting on behalf of the state. I should have been more careful. There was an eclipse and he attacked, and… I didn't want anyone to get hurt…I was acting on adrenaline… The people had nothing to do with this, and I'm not having them face the consequences for the actions of an individual."

Ahnah shook her head, incredulous at the extent of her daughter's mercy. "Your father and I begged you to just slide the truth under the rug, paniga. Let the tribe go on without knowing you aren't ours. But the whole reason why you wanted to be public about everything was because you wanted to have your own children in peace…so you wouldn't have to worry about what the world will say when you have an airbender. Especially since you're not married to one."

Sokka looked to his wife, flames of affection filling his chest.

"But that man sought to end your life…or in the very least deprive you of your right to be a parent…" Ahnah bit her lip, "This is an attack on humanity. An attack on womankind. Now is not the time for you to show your compassion—"

"This isn't compassion, this is a basic level of human empathy," Yue argued.

"So you're going to let them get away with it—?!"

"It's impossible for me to do that. Pakku is facing the consequences. It was instant karma, to say the least—"

"You can't rely on the universe for this! Karma isn't enough! We need to take action, paniga!"

"I'm not saying he should go unpunished. I'm saying they're already paying the price. He's already punished. He'll be in constant pain for the rest of his life." Swallowing, "But the actions of one man can never justify putting the entire tribe in a destitute position. You said that seeing me at the altar that day tugged at your heartstrings and brought out the mother in you. Shouldn't the mother in you acknowledge the children who were on the brink of starvation before the Southern Revival Project? They'll be headed back to that brink if we impose sanctions and ask for reparations. The South is just now starting to thrive economically; why are you forgetting that?"

To which Arnook and Ahnah couldn't respond with any articulate argument.

"It's not fair to put all responsibility on the sister tribe when this is an issue of the Water Tribe in general."

Yue's support only increased Amaruq and Ki'ma's displeasure regarding Hakoda and Kya's actions towards the princess. "She continues to be the reason why the South's ass is saved," Amaruq said. "Orthodoxy be damned; Her Highness is Tui on earth, and this is the truth."

"And let me add that going to the South was a risk I personally took because I didn't want anything happening to Karuna. And no matter what anyone says about this matter, I'm not going to regret my decision." Sighing, "We don't need to discuss this further."

"We might not impose sanctions," Sokka said, his tone firm and insistent, "But we can demand for his arrest and prosecution. Right now he's in a healing hut receiving all the benefits a former royal is entitled to receiving, and the government has taken no official action against him whatsoever despite issuing a statement condemning his actions. What's a fucking statement gonna do? He needs to rot in prison for the rest of his days, conditions and privileges be damned." Turning to the chief and chieftess, who were pacified yet shocked by their son-in-law's decision, "We can also ask for a permanent injunction to never let the senior members of the royal family— Kanna and the chief and chieftess— set foot here again. Regardless of what their purpose for visitation is. Any and all aid requested on behalf of the South will be shipped to the Southern capital, but the royals themselves are not allowed to cross Northern borders whatsoever. Disobedience will result in deportation."

"Sokka," Yue frowned in disbelief, "What are you saying?"

"This should be fair. We're not targetting innocent people, and we're still demanding justice. Staying off of Northern territory is the least they can do."

"We have great respect for you, ningauk," Ahnah sighed, speaking calmly for the first time in hours, "But we want to take this step after you have some time to think. We can't deny that they are your paren—"

"There's nothing to think about, ukuagek. I've made up my mind, and I've thought this through. What I'm wanting to see happen are preventive measures; they're the bare minimum."

"But what if you want to meet with them—"

"All the people I want to see are the people allowed to enter the North. I'm not dying to see anyone else. Don't try to talk me out of this. Please." The fire in his throat spilled through his desperate tone, "I've got people I need to protect."

"So you're really not mad at me?"

Arnook sighed, giving his answer with a soft ruffle of the isumataq's hair. "We're mad that you didn't say anything to us. We're angry at the South for treating you and my daughter the way it did. That's all."

"Ukuagek…?"

"Your ukuagek took your side since the beginning…though she was disappointed that you didn't tell us."

"But…but I couldn't do anything to stop that idiot from—"

"You were both attacked, son," Arnook said. "What could you have possibly done in that situation? Besides, you looked out for her. Even if you didn't know you were doing it. Even if you don't believe it. Not to mention you put Pakku in his place… I would've never expected you to do that…"

Sokka knelt beside the Northern leader, wearily resting his head against the leg of the chieftain's chair, "I'll never forget, silak. I'll never… Dear universe, I'll never be able to forget."

"You don't have to forget. I know you won't. But if anything, don't let that experience shake up your foundation. Because that's what they wanted: to break what you two had." With his hand on his son-in-law's shoulder, "My daughter has officially told you she's returning your feelings, so start your new life together in peace. Focus on the coronation at hand." Sighing, "Of course, we have no expectations at this point other than for the two of you to heal."

"I don't understand how you're able to quickly bounce back from this. I thought you and ukuagek would kick me out. I thought you'd never want to see my face again…"

"Why would we do that?"

"Why not? Why aren't you still jumping off the walls in fury?"

"Because you're La. And you've proved time and time again that you will always look out for her. Just because you don't trust the process doesn't mean we don't," Arnook said, noting his confused look, "I know you won't understand. I know you wouldn't want to understand. So just let it be."

Shaking his head, "Your daughter's the real deity here, but she's still so reckless. If anything, that's what I don't understand."

Arnook took a brief look at the tapestry of Tui and La from across the room, at the black and white koi fish that eternally circle each other. "How should I know?" His hands settled on the shoulders of the chief-to-be, pulling him up from the floor and guiding him to a seat, brushing the dust off of his robes, "It would be nice if you had someone to represent you at the coronation."

"My pride comes from breaking away from that horrendous bloodline," Sokka said sternly. "I don't need representation."

"But I still think we may be of help."

Sokka turned to see his uncle and aunt approaching, accompanied by Kiguk and Chen.

"I was being serious when I said I'm taking you under my wing if the worst was to happen," Amaruq told his nephew. "We've always seen you as our own, Sokka, and if you're up for this…we want to officially make you ours." Turning to the chieftain, "Along with your ceremony, we can have ours."

Ki'ma knelt beside her nephew, "What do you say, sweetie?"

Little by little, his bitterness let loose. In spite of himself, he returned the hug that awaited him, cementing his answer.

"Are you nervous?"

She wanted to deny it, for there was no reason to be nervous if she knew these people all of her life, but she couldn't help nodding. It was as if her entire life led up to this moment: the moment she addressed her people as herself with no barriers in between, every pore of her being completed by the presence of the perfection that was her invaluable ikkingut, whom she never imagined she would ever meet.

"Don't be, nalligima. These are your people."

"You mean our people," she straightened his wolf tail.

"Yeah," he beamed softly, "Our people."

Occasional reminders of the chaos down South did not fail to rattle him as evidenced by his longing look at her wrist, the few missing bangles serving as a testament to what happened. She brought their lips together, stopping the ebb of his anxiousness.

"I hate to interrupt you, Your Highnesses," came Zhi's voice, pulling the flushed leaders out of their moment, "But once this is over, you have the entire day to yourselves."

Their fingers intertwined before leaving the privacy of their chamber, escorted by Zhi out into the balcony where the bright faces of her parents, Amaruq, Ki'ma, Kiguk, and Chen awaited. Ivaneq was at the very forefront, beaming at the duo in bliss before turning to the crowds, "I present to you the leaders to be crowned this Winter Solstice! Angayok Sokka and Ataniq Yuesanga!"

The North greeted its soon-to-be leaders with enthusiasm and wild abandon. The courtyard chimed with LONG LIVE YUESANGA! LONG LIVE YUESANGA! And the hordes of people who had flocked to the palace premises sent the building rattling from the fervor.

Yue took in the sight of the people welcoming her despite her fears, confirming her future among them. She could see hundreds of faces that she knew, thousands of faces that she recognized. The realization that she would never again approach these faces as a servant or an incognito agent dawned over her, and it felt strange for her to appear without some sort of face covering. It was definitely going to be a huge transition from here on out, approaching everyone with her long-hidden face in constant streams of spotlight.

But the gentle squeeze of his hand dispelled all discomfort.

"I extend my love and respect to every one of you," Yue addressed the crowd. "Just a few days ago, I believed my journey as a leader was over. That my origins would lead me away from all of you. But today, I feel proud to identify as a tribeswoman. Mixed I may be, but I am still a child of the North, and today, I have truly made peace with this truth. I feel most confident with who I am, and I have great hope for not just my future but the future of this tribe. This tribe that made history by choosing bonds over bloodlines, justice over propaganda."

More chants followed, among them flaring outbursts and squees over the observation that their hands were intertwined. Yue chuckled, turning briefly to her grinning husband before addressing the audience again, "Just as I've been private about my parents and my actual identity, I've been private— or at least attempted to be private— about my significant other. I did not want the name of my husband to be revealed when my life was in danger, and I did not want him to be targeted. But of course, you all basically knew there was something between us, and he did not escape his share in the risks."

Ahnah and Arnook shared hopeful smiles; the truth was out after a long time, and they couldn't ask for more.

"Prince Sokka of the South made several sacrifices to ensure the safety and security of the tribe. His loyalty and support are unable to be measured. I think it goes without saying that without him in my life, I wouldn't be standing here. As your new chieftess and as a living being. And I think it can easily be said, too, that without his contributions to the North, the fate of the tribe would have been uncertain under the oppressive regimes of extremists."

The crowd went crazy, now chanting, ISUMATAQ SOKKA! ISUMATAQ SOKKA!

"What I now see before me is a nation that is proud and victorious but also a nation that is wounded and in need of healing from the atrocities of the near past. And in these sensitive circumstances, I'm convinced that there is no one more deserving of leading this nation with me." Tightening her hold of Sokka's hand, "As the esteemed Master Piandao of the Order of the White Lotus famously expressed, Isumataq Sokka has a heart as strong as a lion turtle and twice as big. I know that this is the kind of leader we need to begin healing."

In a smooth swoop, she held up their intertwined hands, proclaiming to all in pride, "It is my greatest honor to officially announce and introduce to you my ikkingut and your new chieftain: His Majesty, Your Nunaatip Ataata, Angayok Sokka Aninnialuk!"

LONG LIVE ATANIQ YUE! LONG LIVE ANGAYOK SOKKA! came the hollers and screams, which only intensified as the new leaders shared a tender kiss.