Iroh was drinking his tea, jasmine flavor if he may add, at the palace gardens. He had forgotten how relaxing it was here. But the tea was the same. Wherever you were, no matter the circumstances, a good cup of tea was the cure. Even if it is in the Fire Nation's palace, even if it is in a small cave in the Earth Kingdom.
He was so distracted by the breezing autumn air and the chirpings of the turtleducks that didn't notice the man that was coming towards him. It was Zhen, a loyal servant to the royal family for years. The fact he didn't agree with Ozai's ideals while in reign was a plus to put him to the allies list regarding the staff.
"Fire Lord, sir. Sorry for the disrupt." The servant said while bowing. Iroh took another sip of his tea and replied smiling. "No need, my dear friend. To what I owe the pleasure?" he asked.
The servant was clearly not used to the new Fire Lord but he liked him a lot more than he liked his brother.
"A messenger hawk arrived just now. From the South Pole my lord." The servant said.
Iroh left his tea immediately. A letter from the South Pole could mean anything, from a political standard of view or an economical one. But there was a chance that his nephew would be involved. A wild chance.
He opened the scroll quickly. For his own happiness, he immediately recognized Zuko's handwriting.
Dear Uncle,
I hope this letter finds you well. You must have a lot of work with the White Lotus rebuilding the Fire Nation. I am writing this for you to know I am well. In fact, more than that. I don't know where to begin, much happened in this one month. I got used to the lifestyle here. I learned how to sew, cook local dishes, hunt, even fish. The first time I went with Hakoda I caught a lot of them. He was very proud! And it made me happy, so I continued the hard work around the village.
I play a lot of games with Katara, Sokka and the other kids in the snow, the men here are joking with me and treat me as a friend and a fellow warrior. I sparred sometimes with them and they were really impressed with my sword skills. Oh, and I went penguin sledding which I know it is stupid and impossible but really, it was so fun! Sokka's and Katara's grandmother made a parka just for me, which was really appreciated. Yeah, the truth is I wear Water Tribe clothes here. And my hair is like that too. But I don't mind, actually, I like it a lot.
Yesterday Hakoda took me ice dodging. It is a coming-of-age ritual. I didn't know I could participate but here I was. And I passed! I was so proud and everyone in the village was too! I am probably the first firebender that did that. We had a feast last night to celebrate. I had lot's of fun. Only if you were here. I really miss you. The winter is coming and it is going to be difficult for me with no sunlight. I was really hoping you can come here for some days, to see how much I've grown. But I understand that you are a busy man. So I guess I will see you in the near future.
Your loyal nephew, Zuko.
Iroh smiled. His nephew sounded like a different person. At the South Pole he found a lovely family and a good life.
But Iroh was still family.
"Zhen." Iroh said to the servant.
"Yes sir." The other replied.
"Could you be kind enough to schedule a small ship to the South Pole? Oh, and pack some clothes?"
"Are you leaving sir?" the servant asked.
"Indeed. Ah yes, and warm clothes would be preferable." Iroh said smiling.
"Of course, my lord." The servant said and left to begin the preparations.
Bato had a good day. He, Ultak and Kota and some other lads had gone for seal hunt. It was their season, since they were well fed up for hibernation.
They caught 7 which was a good number to keep the village fed for one or two days. Tomorrow they would go again.
Bato was drinking some sake (a gift from the Fire Nation as an emblem of peace) and enjoying the night stars. It wasn't even night, it was early noon, but he actually missed it. While travelling north for two years, the time zone was different and it was kinda weird for him and the crew but they got used to it pretty quickly. But this- this scenery with the bright stars was something magical. In two months the southern lights would take place, and honestly he could not wait to see them again.
He then saw Katara approaching him. She sat at the log next to him, her sad eyes reflecting in the fire.
"What's wrong princess?" he asked. Katara didn't like that nickname, but if it came from dad and Bato she wouldn't mind.
"It's Zuko." She said. Bato raised an eyebrow.
"Is he okay?" he asked, leaving the sake to the snow below. "Is it about his Uncle and…"
"No, no. That happened two weeks ago. His Uncle wrote back to him. He will be here in a couple of days to visit him." She said.
"Then what is it?" he asked.
"His…his scar is hurting." She said. Bato understood immediately.
"I see." He said. His voice was tense, compassionate, and sad.
"I don't know exactly why. I tried to heal him with waterbending, but I can't see anything wrong. His scar is completely healed." She said.
"That's why he hadn't move from his tent for two days?" he asked.
"Yes. He doesn't feel well to participate in activities and such."
"Has Koda talked to him?"
"He did, but honestly he didn't know what to do either." She said. "I don't know what to do Bato, he is hurting and I can't heal him!" she yelled frustrated.
"Hey, hey, hey princess." Bato put his hand on her shoulder. "I will talk to him. Alright? I know about these things. Ok?" he said.
"Alright…" she said exhaling a breath. "Just…tell me if you make any progress."
"I will." Bato smiled and got up. He approached Zuko's tent.
"Zuko, Bato here. I am coming in." Bato said and proceeded to enter the boy's tent. He could ask for permission, but he was sure that Zuko wouldn't grant him.
The candles were lit, giving a small wave of heat in the room. Zuko helped with making more candles from animal fat because winter was coming and the people needed light and heat. His weapons, the two dao swords, his rental machete from animal bone, spear and boomerang were all set neatly on the corner. His clothes and stuff were all put at the side of the tent on a low, small wooden table. Actually that table was a gift to Zuko from Aput, who was helped by Zuko catching a very dangerous polar tiger bear. With Zuko's help (and amazing bending skills) the man returned with one big scratch on his left arm.
The only thing that stood out was the former Fire Prince sitting on his bed cross legged taking in breaths.
Zuko looked up and he was met with Bato's concerned look.
"Hey Bato." He said. He sounded very tired, almost in the verge of agony.
"Hey fire ferret. Are you doing ok?" he asked.
"Yes." He lied.
"You said the truth to your dad and sister, why lie to me?" he asked.
"Sorry." Zuko lowered his head. "I…I don't want to offend you, but I just want to be left alone, if that's alright." He murmured.
Bato sighed. "Can you give me some minutes?" he asked. Zuko nodded.
"Can I sit next to you?" he asked. Zuko nodded again.
Bato did so. He took a sit at the right side of Zuko, his good side. The kid was not wearing his parka, his blue tunic, pants and warm socks were the only clothing he had on.
"Aren't you cold? It is freezing out." He asked the boy.
Zuko scoffed. "I am a firebender, remember? Human heater." He said. "…Also I feel warmer than usual. My face- it is very warm." He said, averting his gaze from Bato.
Bato wanted to check the boy's temperature by pressing his hand on Zuko's forehead, but wondered if that would trigger him. So he asked instead.
"Can I put my palm on your forehead to check your temperature? Just to check if you have a cold." He asked.
To his surprise Zuko agreed. So he did.
La, firebenders were warm but Bato could roast a whole seal on Zuko's face.
"Indeed, you are very hot. Maybe you are sick?" he asked.
"Dunno." Zuko said. "I thought it at first, but I don't cough, or shiver. It is just….heat." Bato hummed.
"So I've heard. Katara told me your scar hurts." He said.
"Yup…" Zuko sighed.
"Does it hurt a lot?" he asked.
"Not that much, but..i can still feel it at the point I can't ignore it." Zuko touched his scar and winced. "It had been worse of course. I am used to it. It will go away in some days." He said.
"I understand what it feels like." Bato said.
Zuko didn't want to sound like a jerk, but he did anyway.
"How can you possibly understand what it feels like Bato?" he asked, looking at him with his eyes full of anger, but not anger directed at him, but from exhaustion.
Bato took of his parka and rolled up his left sleeve. To say Zuko was shocked, would be an understatement.
Bato saw the look on Zuko's face. The same look everyone on the Akhlut gave him when he was rushed at the healer's room.
On the one hand Zuko couldn't stop staring at Bato's burnt arm. On the other hand he really, really wanted to shut his eyes.
How could he be so stupid? How?! He saw many, many people in the Earth Kingdom with scars! Like..like Song for example! Why, why he thought for a second that he was the only one with scars from this stupid war?
"Shit, Bato..I-I- I am so sorry- I didn't…" Zuko stumbled across his words. Bato raised his hand in a friendly manner.
"No, its alright. You didn't know. Now…well, now you do." He said. Zuko stared at the burnt flesh.
"…can I ask…" he said.
"How I got it? Same story as everyone. We engaged a troup. They had one or two firebenders. I couldn't protect myself from both a spear and fire. So I took the least lethal blow." He said.
"Are there more? People I mean." Zuko asked.
"Yeah. At least everyone has a small burn left from an aftermath with a firebender. For example, Namik has a scar at his right leg. You will notice at the way he walks. Kustaa has a scar at his right arm. A small one the lucky bastard." He laughed. "If I start telling you for every man I know we will be here all day."
Zuko sighed.
"I still feel so stupid." He said.
"Don't be. Everyone is going through this phase. We all know how it is for the scar to be fully healed but somehow, it still hurts." He said rolling his sleeve down.
"I see." Zuko said.
"Now I know how you got your scar, and you have more right to be angry. You didn't deserve it." Bato said. Zuko was quick to protest.
"Neither you! Or everyone! No one deserved to be burnt!" he said. Bato chuckled.
"Perhaps. But we were in the middle of war. It was about to happen anyway. No one got out of the battlefield unscathed. Many didn't even made it alive."
They remained in total silence, listening to the soft wind outside and the candles' light, its' fire flickering around them, taunting them.
"When your scar hurts, how do you deal with it?" Bato asked.
"I do mostly what I do now." Zuko murmured. "Then…my Uncle would come to my room. Sit with me, talk with me. Give me a cup of tea to make me relax." He said.
"Hm." Bato said. "So the only thing I am missing is some tea." He laughed.
Zuko laughed too when he realized what Bato meant.
"You don't have to. I'll just shove my face to the snow to cool it." He said.
"But I need to fulfill my uncle duties." Bato protested.
"No, you don't." Zuko replied. They laughed.
"So, when is your Uncle coming again?" he asked, putting his parka back on. It was very cold, and for the record, he was not a firebender like some other folk.
"In four days or so. I am actually surprised he is though. With all the work he is having." Zuko replied. He looked at the direction his Uncle's portrait was put, on the small wooden table that had some other stuff in its drawers such as oolong tea and spices.
Bato hummed in agreement. He sighed as he got up.
"Are you better now? Even a little?" he asked. Zuko smiled. "I am." He said.
Bato turned to leave when Zuko's raspy voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Thank you Bato. For talking to me. Again." He smiled. Bato looked at Zuko and yes, the kid looked nothing like his evil father (personality wise).
"No problem kiddo. If it…" he gestured to his left eye. "…continues to hurt a lot, come find me again. This is a pain no one should embrace alone."
Zuko nodded with gratitude. Bato too. They didn't need to say anything. Only a single stare would suffice. They both understood what the other meant.
We are the same.
Bato exited Zuko's tent. The teen was left with the autumn ambience of the south pole. He still felt warm, but it was better to cover himself with the furs at least. Getting sick was no option. He would have to be active in the tribe. The last thing he wanted was for the other villagers to carry his own weight while he was bedded. Nope, not happening.
So that he did. Zuko covered himself good with the animal furs and rested his head (his right side) on his pillow that was made of wool and animal pelt. He would get up soon to attend dinner with the others. But if he was gonna do it, then he would not be in a bad mood. So he took the little time he had and meditated while lying down.
Hakoda was proud of his kids. They grew a lot since they left them, considering Kya's passing. His daughter went to a responsible and motherly figure and a master waterbender. His son grew from a young warrior-wanna-be to a true warrior, a brilliant strategist and inventor. Did he mention they helped end the infamous 100 year war?
His kids were many things, but Sokka being a great cook wasn't one of them.
They all stared at the wooden bowls in front of them.
Kanna had the look of a supporting grandma but 100% would say that she was full.
Hakoda raised an eyebrow, wondering if the food they ate back at the Akhlut when the men cooked was better or worse than this.
Katara literally wanted to waterbend the content of her bowl to the snow outside and make a proper meal. But she controlled herself.
Zuko was a mix of all.
Sokka on the other hand didn't catch the hints, so he continued grinning at them, profoundly proud of his skills in the kitchen.
"Sokka dear, what is this again?" Kanna asked with a smiled that seemed a little fake.
Sokka was still oblivious. "Why, thank you for asking Gran Gran. It is a soup with sea prunes, seal jerky with yak's intestines."
"Have you…tasted it?" Hakoda asked, playing with a piece in his bowl that looked like an over steamed prune.
"Well no, but I want you to be the first judges." The boy replied.
Everyone sitting around the fire exchanged looks. Who would go first?
"C'mon guys eat up! It is going to get cold in this weather." Sokka said.
"I doubt it will make a difference." Katara whispered to herself. Zuko heard her though and tried to contain his laugher.
But since he was daring today, he took his spoon and decided to go for it. He quickly took a spoonful of everything and prayed to Agni.
The taste was…something else. Zuko was used to Water Tribe cuisine by now, but this…this thing that he ate scared him.
But then again, he didn't want to make Sokka feel bad. He swallowed it rather quickly and let a sigh escape his lips.
"It misses some spices." He said while grabbing his cup of water to wash off the taste.
The others (plus Sokka) took a bite too, and they were left regretting it.
"Ok ok I leave Katara to the cooking. Never again." Sokka said.
"Agreed." Hakoda said. Kanna remained silent.
"The point is that Sokka wasted three days of supplies on this…thing. What do we do now?" Katara asked.
Zuko thought for a bit. "I can cook something if you'd like. It doesn't require many ingredients." He said.
Sokka laughed. "Since when do you know how to cook?" he asked.
"Since I was a refugee. I studied some Earth Kingdom recipes, and combined them with Fire Nation ones." He looked at the room. He blushed. "I..I was homesick, alright? And…I could never eat a turtle duck." He whispered the last part. Sokka heard him.
"Hahaha oh Prince Hotman is a softie!" he laughed.
"Shut up! Can you eat Momo for example?" Zuko blushed.
"For your information, when we first met him, he did say that." Katara jumped in.
Zuko was dumbfounded. "YOU WANTED TO EAT MOMO? HOW COULD YOU?" he yelled.
"Hey hey hey! I was hungry, sleep deprived, up in a freezing mountain! I could eat Aang if I wanted to!" Sokka yelled back. Zuko looked at his in disbelief.
"YOU ARE NOT MAKING THIS ANY BETTER!" Zuko said.
"Ok ok, I get it. Anyway, what are you going to prepare?" Sokka asked.
Zuko found his composure and got up from his seat. "I don't have anything in mind. I will improvise in the way."
Zuko began working immediately. Katara was curious so she watched Zuko do his thing while her dad and grandmother drank a cup of herb tea.
It didn't take long and the igloo was smelling amazing.
In the end the family was again around the cauldron, which now contained a soup. Again. But now it was a lot different than Sokka's.
"It is ready." Zuko said. Sokka didn't need to hear it twice. He grabbed his bowl and served himself. The others did so too, with Zuko hoping he didn't screw it up.
They tasted it at the same time. They all looked at Zuko.
Zuko was nervous. They probably didn't like it.
"Holy La Zuko this is amazing!" Sokka was the first to react.
"Mmm." Katara agreed while taking another spoonful.
"A little spicy for my taste, but I suppose it is good for my bones this time of the year." Kanna smiled.
Hakoda patted Zuko in the back fatherly-proud style and continued eating his serving.
Zuko smiled. Victory it is.
"What is this anyway?" Katara asked.
"Fish soup with chili and wild roots."
"You have to teach me how to cook it." She said.
"Will do." Zuko smiled.
"Look at our mad hotman cooking dinner." Sokka joked.
"At least mine is edible." Zuko teased back.
"Touché. But you are right. Now give me some more." He passed his bowl.
"You ate it already?"
"I am a big man with big needs."
"I bet Suki disagrees." Katara smiled. Needless to say Zuko and Hakoda spit out the soup they had in their mouths.
So, the day had come. Zuko was at the docks, pacing around in the snow. It was absolutely freezing but he needed to be there to greet his uncle.
He felt his nose turning red and he caught himself shivering. His self-heat technique was not doing much now that the real winter was starting to show itself.
Katara told him that in the South Pole existed only winter and frost winter. He said that when travelling with Aang, she saw grass for the first time. At least fresh.
Zuko wasn't sure if she was lying or not but decided not to tease her about it.
Zuko blinked a few times. Was that a ship in the distance or the cold was really getting to him?
"Uncle!" Zuko rushed forwards and embraced his other dad in a big, heartwarming hug.
"Hahaha! It is so nice to see you my dear nephew." Iroh said as they stood there hugging each other.
Iroh broke the hug and grabbed Zuko from his shoulders to see him better up close. Zuko lowered his hood and by looking his uncle's expression, he couldn't hold in a giggle.
"Look at you, I almost didn't recognize you! The hair, the clothes…you in whole! You grew so much. I missed you."
Zuko did not let a tear fall. It was the snow melting on his face. "I missed you too Uncle. So much." They hugged again, for a shorter time.
"Now, can we go somewhere inside? It is very cold out here and my bones are not what they used to be." Iroh joked.
"Yes of course, let me bring you home." Zuko was surprised to call the igloo home, but he wasn't sad or mad about it. Now he thought about it, he even considered it…normal.
Iroh made a gesture to the guards to stay in the ship. Thank Agni because there weren't that many tents to house these people too. Not to mention the villagers would feel awkward with them around. Better keep them separated for now.
Zuko led his uncle through the village and showed him his igloo. The rebuilding was doing quite well but they were still covering the basics. Most of the waterbenders left to go to their homes in the North for the time being, and the men of the tribe were doing the whole work.
"So uh, I will let you rest. It was a long trip. I will come and wake you up when lunch is ready." Zuko said.
Iroh smiled. "Thank you, my nephew. Please go and rest yourself. I want to hear all about you later." They hugged once more.
Zuko made his way to the village center, when he saw Tulok, a boy 8 years older than him. He hanged out with him and Sokka all the time. It was nice to see that the only people his age weren't just his new 'siblings'. Tulok looked like an adult, which is to be expected as he left with the other men to the war, but he was also very childish.
"Hey Zuko." Tulok greeted. It seemed he was sharpening his weapons.
"Hey Tulok. What's up?" Zuko sat in the log next to him.
"Nothing. Just giving these bad boys a maintenance." He said.
"…Looking sharp." Zuko joked. Tulok stopped his work and turned his head to look at Zuko.
"Don't. Seriously." He said. Zuko smiled.
"It was a good effort." He justified his attempt.
"No it really wasn't." Tulok replied and continued with his work. Zuko sighed.
"You know, my uncle arrived today. Just now, actually." He said.
"Really? I wondered why you were at the docks." Tulok told him.
"Well yeah. Anyway, I showed him his place to stay for these days. There's another thing though." Zuko said.
"What's that?" Tulok said. Zuko opened his mouth to say, but decided against it.
"Nothing. Don't worry about it." He finally said.
Tulok looked at him. "You sure you ok?" he asked.
Zuko tried to look calm. "Yeah, everything's fine." He said.
Actually Zuko was fearful that uncle's arrival would be for another reason too next to a visit. He thought that he must've also some here in order to persuade him to return with him in the Fire Nation to take the throne. His uncle had done him a favor to keep it for a year or two, and it has been only the one quarter of that, but honestly, Iroh needed to rest to. He needed to retire and enjoy the rest of his life with tea, music and pai sho.
Zuko decided not to delve into these thoughts so much. Iroh probably came for visitation purpose only.
Iroh stayed in the South Pole for three days in total. He wished he could stay more, but he was needed in the Fire Nation. He and Hakoda would have meetings for hours and Zuko would attend them too. He was very happy seeing his uncle again, even for a little while.
Iroh and Zuko were doing their firebending routine in the morning. If you could say it was morning. The sun rose only for an hour, so they had to absorb any energy they could feel from the weak sun rays.
"It amazes me, Zuko, that you managed to stay in good health these months. No one has heard of a firebender in the poles. I suppose you know the saying; life from fire, death from ice." Iroh said. Zuko, sitting next to him in the wooden plank he had for his everyday meditation, opened his eyes and looked at him.
"But we've travelled here before. I remember it was very hard at first, but we overcame it. And I thought you observed waterbenders, right? You were in the poles before." Zuko asked. Iroh sighed.
"True. I have always had my breath of fire. My time in the poles were just like yours, only harder. I had to hide my bending from everyone. I only stayed for a week, pretending to be an Earth Kingdom traveler." Iroh said. "On that journey, I might've not found my son, but I discovered that technique. Observed the people. The lives they had. Every day I woke up, I realized how much of a stupidity war is." Iroh said. "But back to my point. You have exceeded any Fire Nation's expectation, Zuko. You are truly going to become an Ice Dragon." Iroh smiled. Zuko let out a laugh.
"Ice Dragon? Yeah right. No one believes in legends Uncle." Zuko said. Basically, Ice Dragon was a hypothetical title of someone, a firebender to be presise, who adapted to the cruel environment of the tundra. The legend said that was the trick in order to achieve blue fire. Azula's case was enough to made a statement.
There had been tales, before the war started, about Firebenders who took on the challenge. They travelled in the North and South Pole, and tried to live there for as long as it took for their bodies to acclimatize to the cold. Many were close, but none of them succeeded. Most of them abandoned after a few days. They say that the cold and the sun deprivation drove them to sickness. Some said that they lost their bending temporarily. Others died.
Some say these stories are fake. Some say them to their children in the night to scare them into being good, or else a barbarian would come and drag them to the tundra for Agni to never shine upon them. Zuko knew these stories, they made perfect propaganda and his father was one of the top supporters. When he and his crew set sail close to those waters, he could hear them mumbling prayers to Agni to keep them secure. Iroh always said that when at sea, you needed to pray to Tui and La. None of the men listened to him. But Zuko knew that his uncle would toss something valuable in the sea every week, a coin or piece of food, an offering for a safe journey.
"Ha ha ha. Who knows, my nephew. Really, haven't you been sick?" he asked.
"Well yeah. The first month I was sick once. I was constantly cold. After that, the days started to thin. I felt weaker and weaker, and my bending was too. My scar hurt too, but that's another story. But after that, it seems I acclimatized. Now I feel normal as ever." Zuko said. "Maybe I am indeed the Ice Dragon." Zuko laughed. Iroh took him into a hug and Zuko stayed there, enjoying each other's presence.
When Iroh left, Zuko swore he wouldn't cry. Not when the whole village was there to send him off. (He cried later in Katara's hug, but he hadn't told anyone else. Neither Katara.).
The life in the village continued as normal. Iroh would send hawks every day to Zuko, and Zuko would always write back. Zuko also exchanged messages with Mai and Ty – Lee, who couldn't wait to see him again. Zuko tried to write to Azula, wishing he was here with him, in the possibility this experience would help her change her for the better like it did for him too. Azula never wrote back. She possibly burnt the letters he has been sending to her. She may have not even read them. But Zuko continued sending them.
Three more months passed like that. The village was getting bigger, more modern. They had still more to go. Zuko's hair grew to the length of his shoulders. Perfect time to add some beads, as Hakoda said. Sokka was also competing him on that regard. Katara would make fun of them, but she also looked like she was maturing as a woman. Tulok said that her breasts were sure getting bigger, and Zuko avoided him after hearing that. He felt sorry for Katara, being almost the only young girl in the South with so many men around. He had to remind himself that all the men had wives, so the only threat was the kids and Tulok. He and Sokka would have to have a talk with him. After they apprehended him, it seemed he was only joking.
Gran Gran had made new parkas for him and her kids. She added some red to Zuko's in order for him to have a connection with his home. Zuko hugged her and made her a nice tea after that.
Zuko had his swords, but Hakoda insisted he would make his own from the animals he would kill. It was a tradition. When an animal is killed, every part of it's body was used, and that includes the skeleton, which was the base tool of making weapons. Zuko already had and used them, but they were rental so it was time for him to make his own. When Zuko went hunting again, he took the fang of the creature's mouth. He made it into a very beautiful knife.
After another six months
Zuko couldn't believe this was happening. It felt like yesterday his uncle arrived in the South Pole to visit him and update him about the circumstances that occurred in the palace.
Zuko didn't live in a tent anymore, he moved to a new, bigger igloo/house two months ago where he stayed with his family. The reconstruction was doing better than before. The tents were disappearing, and more igloos and actual houses were up. Many people from the North that had ties with the South decided to move here permanently and help. Tribes from other villagers, far away from their, came to unify. The population was getting bigger and bigger, and from a small compound with several tents and an igloo, the village had become six times bigger, they had an official port and a market. Houses were built every day, and more people from the other water tribes and from the Earth Kingdom came in every now and then. Zuko couldn't believe this was happening. At first, everyone was very reserved with all the strangers coming to their village, like Katara who felt like her whole world was changing. It was nice that Aang talked this over with her, as he has experienced the same thing too. Aang was visiting every three weeks and stayed for another one. He was on a personal Avatar journey to help people. He found Guru Pathik again and he was getting better at controlling the Avatar state. Katara would join him very soon on his journeys, as she also wants to travel again and help people. Besides, they had a whole relationship to work on.
Sokka started taking the role of a leader seriously, as he felt ready to prepare to take over his father's steps. "If Zuko can be Fire Lord and Katara can be a waterbending master and the Avatar's girl, then I want to be a chief." His words, not Zuko's. He would attend meetings and learn more about managing a village. Zuko was very proud of him.
Toph decided to stay in Gaoling with her parents. After the war, she accepted the fact that her parents did these awful things to her because they loved her. So she went back home, ready to show them what she accomplished in the war, in order to lay off the manhandling. But to say the truth, she missed them. She didn't tell Sokka, only Zuko, that when she saw the fire from the air balloons on the day of the comet, she feared that her parents were caught in the fire and died. Zuko hugged her that time, and Toph accepted a hug without punching him. She came and visited with Aang and Suki two times in the course of this one year. She hated the snow, but it was a small price to pay in order to be with her friends.
Suki had returned to Kyoshi Island with the other warriors (and Ty Lee of course) in order to continue their training. She came very often to the village in order to see her boyfriend and them. Zuko couldn't believe how Ty Lee looked with the Kyoshi garb on. It suited her. Also, she could not stop hugging penguins. She wanted to take one as a pet back home in the Fire Nation, but she was sad when she learned that these animals can't survive in very hot climates. Zuko felt sorry for her. He promised her when he became Fire Lord, he would take her a red panda. Her spirits lifted immediately.
Zuko and Mai wrote letters to each other all the time. Mai visited every two months with Ty Lee because she wanted to 'keep an eye one her not to be eaten by a bear or something'. Zuko agreed. It was nice to see them handing out with Katara, Suki and Toph if she was around at the time. Anyway, now that Zuko was leaving, they could start their relationship for good. Love was there, even after one year of long distance.
Zuko sighed as he overlooked his new room. The floor and walls were made of wood, the ice was covering the whole house from the outside in order to not let the heat escape. His room had a pelt carpet, a mattress as before and a desk where he could write and read. On the one side he had his stuff and on the other a drawer with all his clothes.
He started packing his things in bags. He had arrived with a sack, and he was leaving with two bags and his weapons on his back.
The ship that would take him home had arrived yesterday and was restocking. Zuko, after getting his stuff in the ship, had two hours left to close ties and say his goodbyes.
First, he went to the plaza to find Bato.
"Hey there Fire Ferret. You finally leaving us?" Bato said as Zuko sat down next to him.
"Seems like it." Zuko said. "I just wanted to, uh you know, say goodbye and-.." Zuko started but Bato had cut his sentence in half with a raised hand.
"No, no, I am not doing that. Sorry kid, but goodbyes are too much of a drag for me. We all live under the same sky, under the same moon. Whenever you are, just…look at the moon and you'll feel like you are here with us." Bato said and hugged Zuko. "You were always a drag, you fire ferret." He said. Zuko returned the hug and laughed.
"You were always a drag too, uncle Bato." He said. Bato let out a laugh. They broke the hug and Bato shuffled Zuko's long hair. "When you come again, don't expect me or the men to treat you all high and mighty just because you'll be Firelord." he said. Zuko shook a water tribe arm shake with him.
"Don't worry, I won't." He said.
Next on his list was Tulok, who of course told him goodbye with a snowball at his back with the remark ' keep it cold for me when you get there ' . Zuko laughed it off and waved him goodbye too. He was happy that he found friendship in this cold part of the world.
Then he said goodbyes to all the men of the village who had talked with him and spent time with. It was a nice moment, were they all patted him on the back, shuffled his hair as always and gave him stuff to remember him by.
After that, it was time for the kids of the village. They cried. But they had time to play two last games together. Snowball fight and Evade the Firebender. Zuko never took offend to the name of the last game.
Kanna's goodbye was very heartwarming, as she handed him packages of fish, meat and jerky to take home with him. Zuko didn't have to remind her that in the palace they had pretty much everything he could ask for, but accepted her gifts wholeheartedly. She also allowed him to keep his parka and hair accessories, they were his after all, a part of his identity. Zuko hugged her with all his power. He never experienced a grandmother before, and he told her that. Kanna told him that he will always be her grandson. And also she would swim to the Palace herself if the servants were not feeding him enough, may Tui forgive her.
Next were Sokka and Katara.
"I am gonna say it, it really sucks for you to leave." Sokka said. "But we will be visiting all the time, we have Appa!" he said. True that, with Appa they could come very often to him and hang around. Besides, they had a whole Nation to rearrange together as the Gaang.
"I am going to miss the times we had here together. You've changed, Zuko." Katara said hugging him.
"Yeah, you are not the angry ponytail guy that arrived two years ago." Sokka said jumping to the hug. Zuko snorted.
"Thanks, ponytail." He said.
"HEY!" Sokka exclaimed.
Hakoda was the last. Zuko had to stop himself feeling déjà vu, this time was not like the other times. He was about to say goodbye, not ask for forgiveness. He entered the house and found Hakoda in his office. The office was small, way small for a captain or a chief, but better than the tent they were holding the past meetings.
Hakoda looked up from his scrolls and saw Zuko's figure in the entrance.
"Zuko. Come in, sit." He smiled. Zuko smiled and entered the room.
"I prefer standing, if that's alright." He said. Hakoda laughed.
"A year passed and yet you continue to sound formal huh?" he asked as he got up too, to meet Zuko face to face.
"Old habits never change." Zuko shrugged. Silence.
"I am leaving in some hour, so , I , uhhhh…" Zuko scratched his head.
"You are saying goodbye." Hakoda finished for him.
"Yeah." He said. He cleared his throat. "I, well, I want to- I mean- I can't even describe how much, Agni, how much I want to thank you about this…" he started.
"Zuko.." Hakoda smiled, tried to escape the awkwardness.
"Like, I owe some much to you by now, everything…" Zuko continued.
"Zuko, come on…" Hakoda was getting really awkward.
"You helped me so, i-i-I can't even express myself into words…"
"Zuko! Please." Hakoda had to raise his voice a little in order to stop this embarrassing ordeal. Zuko stopped, Hakoda sighed.
"You don't have to thank me. You don't have to say anything. I know, goodbyes are hard, I have experienced some on my own." He said. "But let's not make it…" he tried to think of a word.
"…I want to." Zuko said. Hakoda looked at him in the eyes. Zuko tried again.
"I want to. Please. Just this once. I don't want to tell you this by a messenger hawk, neither when we'll see each other again. Please. I need this." Zuko said, his eyes full of emotion. Hakoda realized, that after winning in a war, he was about to lose to a child. He nodded for the teen to continue.
"When I arrived here in the South Pole for the first time, I threatened our tribe, gran gran, hurt Sokka…I still regret doing that." Zuko started. Hakoda opened his mouth to protest, but Zuko stopped him.
"I was a banished Prince, hated and hurt by my father," he spat the words like it was poison "and I was lost, hunting a wrong cause for almost three years. I was a kid, but I thought I knew what my destiny was. I thought that Ozai loved me, that I had to earn his love by doing the impossible. When I was finally put in the right path, you came in. I still remember how I reacted to you then, and honestly, I am ashamed." Zuko took a breath to continue. Hakoda didn't make a sound.
"So, uh, then you showed me something different. Fathers are supposed to love their kids and be proud of them, despite what they do or act. And they should never expect them to earn that affection. Just like my uncle. And after that, well, although you had already showed me the truth and been there for me when I needed support through my panic… you continued." Zuko smiled. Hakoda wanted to smile, but his interns were hurting.
"You are not my biological father, you already have kids, you could- should left me there after that, me with my uncle and Azula as my whole family. But you brought me there, gave me a place to stay, introduced me to the men, kids, Tulok, Bato...You gave me clothes. You fed me. You taught me how to hunt, fish, make weapons, took me ice dodging.." his eyes had start to glow, and Hakoda knew it wasn't from the light. He was close to tears too.
"…You gave everything to me. You gave me a friendly environment where I could be useful, I could be an adult, I could be a kid, and no one would judge me for it. You cared for me, and I tried to kill the voice that said I didn't deserve it. You were there for me every time I had panicked, I cried, you always hugged me and told me that it would be alright." Zuko brought his hands to his eyes to wipe off the tears. Hakoda did too with quick movements, trying to look stoic.
"A-and you cared, y-you loved me and…treated me like I am your son- and I-I-I want you to know that I really see you as my father, and…" Zuko was cut off by Hakoda who rushed in front of him and embraced the crying teen in a big, warm hug. Zuko's muffled cries were heard from Hakoda's chest. He put his arms around his head and back as usual and cradled him.
"Shhh it is ok son, I know, I know. I love you too. You hear me? I love you so much. You are my son and I will fight everyone who says otherwise, you hear me?" Hakoda sang. Zuko cried louder. His hands were grabbing Hakoda's parka for dear life, and the duo bend down to their knees in order not to lose balance and fall.
After some seconds of cries from both of the men, Zuko's loud ones and Hakoda's silent ones, Zuko spoke.
"…I-I don't want to go.." he whispered. Upon hearing those words, Hakoda's face squeezed in anguish.
"…I know…" he whispered, trying not to let a sob escape his lips. His son needed a strong father right know. He could cry later, with his other son and daughter in his hug.
"…But you have to. I know, it is painful. You, me, everyone here doesn't want it to happen. I know. But this isn't the end. We will see each other again, Zuko, I will come to see you so much that they'll have to block the gates of Azulon to stop me." His attempt of a joke lifted up the mood a little, because Zuko finally decided to unlock his body from the hug.
Zuko looked Hakoda to the eyes and said nothing. He said those things just now, and he could say them again, and again.
"I am so proud of you. You have grown so much in this one year." Hakoda said, wiping his eyes.
"Thanks to you." Zuko replied, doing the same. They both got up from the wooden floor, not wanting for any outsider to see them like this. They remained in silence for some seconds.
"I know that the possibility was always in the air for so long…" Hakoda started. Zuko's attention focused on the man.
"Well, we already treat each other like a family. My mother, Katara, Sokka, consider you family. That goes for me too. Tui knows how many times I've called you son by now." Hakoda laughed. Zuko didn't. Where was this going?
"We both know were our feelings stand by now. Wouldn't you agree, Zuko? I mean, you see me as a father figure already, but…I think it is time to take it all the way." Hakoda said. Zuko's mind broke.
"You…wait, so you mean..." Zuko started.
"For me it was always that way, but I need to make sure you are on board. So, what do you say Zuko?" Hakoda placed his hands on the boys' shoulders to steady him.
"No…you can't…" Zuko had just stopped crying and new tears were falling again.
"Do you want to be an official member of our family?" Hakoda asked. Zuko took all his power to nod and yell 'YES' through his crying. Hakoda smiled and hugged Zuko again. Zuko could feel his bones cracking by the sheer strength of Hakoda's arms but he didn't mind. He probably gave the older man a sore back too.
"Yes! Oh Agni, yes!" Zuko whispered. This was everything he ever wanted.
"Welcome to the family, son." Hakoda said. "You have never left to begin with." He added.
Zuko stood on the deck of the Fire Nation ship observing the sea. He had left the village an hour ago. He was supposed to arrive at Caldera in a day and a half.
He saw his reflection in the water. He needed to take of the beads and wolf tail when he arrived in the Fire Nation. He didn't want to, but the last thing he needed right now was a scandal.
This year was something else. He arrived in the South Pole hoping to feel the same kindness as Sokka and Katara did, spend time with them to get to know them better and take a break from his responsibilities of becoming a Firelord. Instead, he got all that and more. He became an urban legend, learned a handful of skills his advisors would frown upon, made friends with the locals, became a member of the tribe and most importantly, he became a part of a family.
Zuko wondered when Hakoda would break the news to them. He probably had by now. He didn't do it before he left in order for them not to stop the ship from sailing away. Zuko wanted to stay more, but he was needed elsewhere. Besides, now his half family was living in the South Pole, he had all the reason to visit them every now and then, right?
The only problem is to announce it to the Fire Nation. The reaction would be wild. Same as announcing it to Azula. He was sure that telling her she was now related to some Water Tribesmen, and to the girl she lost from at the war in all matter, would drive her crazier than she already is.
Anyway, he didn't regret it the slightest. It felt right in his heart. Uncle would agree too. It just needed time. Time to let it establish.
Zuko took a last look at Tui, prayed for a safe journey and headed to his cabin.
The end.