Zuko woke up at around evening. He didn't want to leave the comforting warmth of the furs, but he had to. The sun was down, so the weather was colder than the usual. He really needed to adjust to this time zone. Sokka had told him that there were weeks they would be only day or night. He didn't know what was worse, being restless all day or sun deprived. Probably the later. Time was really strange here. As they approached winter, he could see that in some weeks the "whole day is night" thing Sokka talked about was coming. He got up with a groan and went to exit the tent when it hit him.
He didn't remember going to sleep, more or less arriving to his tent. In fact, the last thing he remembered was that he and Hakoda were out fishing, having an awkward discussion.
He really didn't want to delve into that intuition he had but in the end it wasn't helped.
Zuko could see it two ways; first, he simply forgot. Maybe the climate or the food here was getting to him. Second, he somehow fell asleep and Hakoda carried him to his tent.
There was no way that it was the second one, right?
Like, Hakoda was a great father, like a thousand time better than Ozai, but would he really go out of his way to carry a sleeping teenager back to his tent? And cover him with blankets? Instead of doing the logical thing of waking him up?
Zuko was a realist, not stupid.
He tried to push his thoughts at the back of his head, as he approached Katara who was sitting near the communal campfire in the center of the village. Some villagers were there chatting, Bato, Hakoda and Sokka being between them.
"Hey Katara." He said sitting next to her.
"Oh hey Zuko! Did you sleep well?" she asked.
"Huh? Oh yeah." He muttered. They listened to the conversation of the tribesmen. Apparently, a group of men that were on hunting duty today, managed to kill ten tiger seals. They discussed how nice it was returning to their old way of living in the village. They made jokes. Zuko laughed at some of them. Katara poked his arm to get his attention.
"Dad told us that you were really good at fishing. You both caught a lot of them." She said. Zuko nodded.
"Yeah, I was surprised that I did that well. I guess I found my thing here." Zuko joked.
"Well don't get me wrong, you heating our homes and water is a gift from the spirits." She also joked. Zuko chuckled.
"I could do it all day long. How is the rebuilding going?"
"Sokka is making a lot of plans, which is expected of him. But for now we are trying to built more igloos and rebuild our walls back. Since, you know…someone didn't know how to use the door." Katara joked.
Zuko felt guilty for a moment but decided to go with the flow. "There was a lot of fog that day, so I couldn't pinpoint exactly were to dock." They both laughed.
"So, say, dad said that you were so exhausted from the fishing trip and all the chores you did at the morning and like, you passed out at the boat." Katara said.
"Really now?" Zuko asked smiling, but inside he was screaming. The second option was true after all. He felt so embarrassed, angry and happy at the same time.
Every day that passed, this man was closer to adopting him.
"Are you hungry? Want me to bring you a snack or anything?" Katara said.
"I am good for now, thanks." Zuko said.
"…There are still some leftover sea prunes if you want." She sang. Zuko gave her a look.
"….Ok." he said. Katara let a laugh and got up heading for the igloo. Zuko followed her, leaving the people and the discussion behind.
In the igloo, Kanna was sitting on the fur rug sewing some clothes. She noticed the two teens entering.
"Oh Katara. Zuko." She greeted. Kanna was still wary of the teen, but in the last days she had warmed up a little. Zuko knew that he needed to give her more time, or do something in order to gain her trust. A field trip maybe? It wouldn't be like they could confront a Fire Nation killer from her era this time.
Katara acknowledged the awkwardness in the room so she quickly spoke.
"So Zuko let me get you some stew." She said making her way to the kitchen table. The igloo wasn't that big, so in reality she walked about 4 to 6 steps. "Ok let's put it to the fire to get warm." She monologued. Zuko noticed how motherly Katara sounded since they arrived at the South Pole. She was still acting like a mother back when they were camping just before Sozin's comet, but now Zuko couldn't help but see a hint of his own mother in Katara.
Zuko ate in quiet while Katara was helping her grandma with the clothes. Most of them were Sokka's and Katara made a strong point on how he always managed to make holes on them.
Zuko finished his quick meal and observed how Katara and Kanna worked. He felt like he should do something similar, or like work in general so that people wouldn't say he was slacking off. But then again, this same morning Hakoda and Bato were begging the spirits for him to stop.
After some time Katara got up and made her way to the exit.
"I am going to ask the waterbenders what are the new plans for tomorrow. Who knows, maybe we'll rebuilt Sokka's watchtower." She said smiling. Zuko noticed how she winked her eye at him. Zuko was suddenly confused. Was Katara making that up? Why? Why would he leave him alone with Kanna when-
Zuko took back what he thought before about not being stupid, because he was the most idiotic man in the four Nations.
Katara had left him so he could bond with Kanna. Or at least try to make her forgive him.
Zuko looked at Kanna, who continued sewing a shirt. He wondered if she felt scared right now, having a firebender inside her home with her, with no way of protection.
Zuko needed to take careful steps in order not to frighten her and make a wrong impression.
"Umm…" he simply muffled, trying to start a sentence. Well, he got a reaction at least.
"If you want to talk, make some tea first." She said, not looking up from her work. Zuko nodded but she didn't seem to care.
The teen got up and walked towards the "kitchen" area. He remembered Katara showing him where the tea is in case he wanted to make it himself. His eyes locked on a small pot of clay painted with blue lines. He opened it and he smelled for confirmation. Yup that was Jasmine tea alright.
He found the pot easily as it was just on the table in front of him. He poured in some water from the barrel and a spoonful of tea powder. He returned to the fire and hanged it to the hook. After that, he got up again and brought two cups.
There was silence as Zuko waited for the tea to finish. Kanna was still minding her sewing. It was awkward, but then again, every social interaction he had was.
Thank Agni, the tea was ready. Zuko took the pot carefully from the hook. Kanna noticed how the prince didn't use gloves, but instead he was grabbing the hot pot with his bare hands. The image was crazy to her, but Zuko was a firebender, so he could endure the heat, right?
Following her train of thought, Kanna observed the teen that served them tea more. His face to be precise. If the kid could grab a hot pot with his bare hands, how could he get a scar?
"Here." Zuko said while extending his hand towards her, giving her the cup of tea.
"Thank you." Kanna murmured taking it. Zuko seemed that he was content just by that 'thank you'.
They took a small sip each.
"You make good tea." She says.
"Thank you. Uncle makes better though." He answers.
"The Dragon of the West huh? Who would've thought?" Kanna returns, taking another sip.
"We were working in a tea shop back in Ba Sing Se when we were refugees. Well, two tea shops actually." Zuko said. "They said that it was the best in town."
"Then I suppose I would like to try it too." She says.
Silence again.
"So Lady Kanna I.."
"Zuko, I know that I treated you in a mistrustful way the last two weeks. I had my doubts, and don't get me wrong, I still have some. I remember how morbid the Fire Nations raids were, when we lost so many good waterbenders, my friend Hama included. Also that day when you attacked us with your crew and threaten us. It was the same thing. The fire Nation coming and taking it all from us. I thought that I was going to lose Katara, like her mother six years ago." She said, not breaking eye contact with him. Zuko wanted to say something, say that he was sorry, say that he was an idiot back then but in the end of the story, what happened had happened. He couldn't change the past.
"Whenever I saw your face, I could only see those same cruel monsters, the Fire Nation and everything that our tribe cared getting ripped away from us."
"The same as Katara did." Zuko whispered.
"I have heard of how you played your part in the end of this war, going against your nation and your family. I have seen how you interacted with my son and grandchildren these past 2 weeks and how you behave in our tribe. I was surprised. You participated in all kinds of cultural activities and you did your fair share of work. If someone ever told me that the son of Ozai was acting like this to my home, I would consider him to have midnight sun madness. What I am saying Zuko, is that I will never forgive the Fire Nation for what they did to us and the rest of the world. Never. My hatred still burns for Sozin, Azulon and Ozai, Tui and La be my witnesses." She said.
"But now, I can see now that you are different. I can see why my family likes you and wanted to bring you in our home. In other words, kid, I am ready to forgive you…"
Zuko wanted to scream from his gratitude.
"On two conditions." Kanna smiled. Zuko's mind was put into a pause.
"What…what are they?" he asks, slightly frightened.
"First, I would like to know how you got your scar." She said. Zuko almost chocked to his tea.
"Do..you don't know either?" he asked, his head lowered.
"No." she answered. "The news here don't travel as well as in the Earth Kingdom."
"Did not Hakoda tell you? Or Sokka and Katara?" he asked again.
"No." she said. "To be honest, I had this question immerge right now, when you grabbed the pot with your bare hands. You didn't get burned. But on the other side, your face got." She said.
The room was silent for some minutes. Zuko gathered all his strength to start talking. He looked at his reflection in the cup of tea.
"Firebenders…don't get burned easily. In order for someone to get burned, the fire must be very strong." he made a gesture with his hands trying to give Kanna to understand. He made his way to continue, to tell about the war meeting, his father's rage, the Agni Kai, everything. He could feel the panic rising from the depths of his being. It would be just like in the Air Temple again.
"…Why are you telling me this?" Kanna asked. Zuko looked at her. He was confused.
"What do you mean, you…you asked me." He said.
"Kid, I know I am very old and my sight isn't what is used to be, but even I can see the panic that is about to overwhelm you from here. If that is such a sensitive subject to bring up, why are you talking about it?"
"Because…well… you said it was a condition in order for you to accept me. I have no choice." Zuko said.
"If it is that bad, then I suppose it was my mistake for asking. Forget it." Kanna said.
"Wait…" Zuko was super confused. "So it is still alright if I won't tell you?"
"Yes. It was just a curious observation from some minutes ago anyway." She said.
"…But." Zuko started. "I don't get it." He said. "It is indeed painful saying it, yes, but it still a part of me, a part of my history. Don't you want to know why I am like this? Why I acted like that back then? Why I changed?"
Kanna hummed. "True. I don't know a lot about you, except the things the others had told me." She said.
"So how can you still want to trust me if you don't know about me?" he asked.
"Maybe I will learn later from the others. Maybe you will tell me another time. It doesn't matter." She said. "If my family trusts you so much, then I will too."
"Are you serious?" he asked. She nodded.
His panic was dissolving. "What about…the other condition?"
Kanna smiled. "I want you to stop Sokka from damaging his clothes. The next time he does that, he will sew them himself." She said. Zuko let out a small laughed. Kanna chuckled too.
"So…can I still go ice dodging or is it still off limits? I understand if so, I won't oblige." Zuko says. Kanna looked at him like she was thinking something.
"You have my permission. Like it mattered anyway. Koda would still drag you by the hood into that boat for you two to go together." She said.
Zuko smiled. "Thank you. It means a lot." He said. He bowed his head. Kanna let out a chuckle.
"You Fire nobles are too strict with your postures." She said amused.
"Sorry." Zuko said sheepishly. "How…how do you show gratitude here?" he asked.
"Definitely not with a bow." She said. Zuko laughed.
"Alright kid, why don't you pour some more tea and help an old lady get these clothes done? I'll show you the ropes." Kanna said.
"Of course." Zuko said. After he poured tea for the both of them, he got next to Kanna and picked up a piece of clothing and a needle. He followed her lead.
"So, like that?" he asked.
"Yes. If you need help just tell me." She said.
Zuko smiled.
"I will."
The night ended with the family getting back at the igloo. Hakoda and Sokka laughed at the image of Zuko trying to sew a mitten.
"Hey now. He is still doing better than you two." Kanna said. Zuko tried not to smile proudly at Sokka.
"And Sokka, don't start again about sewing being a woman's job." Katara said.
"What? No way, you know I am over that way of thinking." Sokka said.
"Is this because of that Suki girl?" Kanna asked. Then the whole family talked about Toph, Suki, Mai, literally every girl that they encountered in their journey being a total badass. They talked about some of their adventures again, Sokka adding juice to the stories.
"You all have grown a lot. I am proud of you." Hakoda said patting Sokka's shoulder. The kids smiled.
"Speaking of growth…" Katara said. "Zuko, your hair needs a haircut."
"Really?" Zuko said, ruffling his dark raven hair. "I guess I haven't noticed." True, his hair were past his ears right now, and he almost couldn't see under some tufts.
Katara smiled. "I can do that for you. I gave a lot of haircuts befo-…"
"I WANNA GIVE ZUKO A WARRIORS WOLF TAIL!" Sokka declared raising his hand.
"Sokka, it is not your hair to decide. Although. It would suit him." Hakoda said trying to imagine Zuko with one. Sokka nodded with enthusiasm.
Zuko was slightly amused by the scene. Kanna and Katara sighed in unison.
Katara pinched the bridge of her nose. "Guys, please, just ask Zuko in the end. It isn't like he wants to-…"
"I would like to try it." Zuko said in a deadpan voice.
"YES!" Sokka and Hakoda high fived in the air. Kanna sighed again. Katara was done.
"Let me get my razor and my ribbons!" Sokka shouted sprinting off the igloo.
After some minutes
"Ouch! Sokka, stop pulling my hair so much!" Zuko complained.
"Sorry." Sokka said. "Do you want to shave the sides?"
"No, I think he looks better this way." Katara said.
"We can trim them a little." Kanna objected. Zuko let Katara cut his hair with a scissor a little to the sides.
"Do you want to add some beads too?" Katara asked.
"That would be awesome, but unfortunately he doesn't have that long hair." Hakoda said.
"Where is the ribbon!?" Sokka franticly looked around him, his hand grabbing Zuko's hair back. Zuko made a painful grimance.
"It is under your leg you idiot." Katara said.
"Oh."
In the end Zuko looked himself in a small mirror. His hair looked almost exactly the same, no major changes. It was slightly trimmed, Katara had given him the length he had when he joined them after the eclipse. The only noticeable difference was that his hair on top were pulled back at a Warriors Wolf Tail as Sokka called it. It was tied with a blue ribbon. It appeared that it was a cultural thing, like the Fire Nation had long hair and top knots.
"I like it." Zuko said.
Katara smiled. Kanna too. Sokka yelled a "YES!" in excitement. Hakoda looked like about to cry.
"Better than the angry-ponytail you had when we first met you." Sokka joked.
"…Was it that bad?" Zuko asked.
"Yes." Katara, Sokka and Kanna nodded.
"…It wasn't always like that. I shaved it right after the Agni Kai. You know. Burnt hair, treatment and all." Everyone felt a little uncomfortable. Zuko looked at Kanna. He didn't tell her about his past before, but she should find out in a moment.
"…Also it was considered the right thing to do." He continued.
"What do you mean?" Hakoda said.
"Hair is something of importance in the Fire Nation…It symbolizes our honor. In an Agni Kai, if the loser is spared, he must shave every part of his head except his top knot. Well, in my case the ponytail." Zuko said. He must not let himself lose control of his emotions right now.
"Why did they do that?" Katara asked.
"In an Agni Kai, the loser almost always ends up dead. Being spared is an act of humiliation, and dishonor. That way, many losers end up wanting to die by the winner. I…well I didn't."
Zuko was happy with himself being able to talk about it with not having a problem to his breathing rhythm, but when he saw the broody atmosphere he created in the room, he thought he should make things lighter.
"But I got over it! I cut my knot together with my Uncle when we started as refugees. I don't believe in these things that much now." He said trying to smile.
"Man, Fire Nation is fucked up." Sokka said. Kanna didn't even bother to scold him.
"I know that now." Zuko said. He exchanged looks with each of them. Their looks were compassionate. They were filled with anger and sadness yes, but this time Zuko didn't think he was being weak in front of them. Quite the opposite. Holy Agni, he really started to change! Progress!
Hakoda started talking. "Your Nation's choice of hairstyle shows weakness and dishonor? That's idiotic if you ask me. Here, this hairstyle shows that you are one of the tribe. It shows that like the wolves of the tundra, you are fierce, strong and you stand up for your family and loved ones. It shows that you are a warrior. A person of trust." He said finishing fiddling his hair. "I think this is the hairstyle you deserve the most. It reveals your real self."
Zuko swore he did not start crying.
He also swore he didn't accept that easily the hug the others had offered.