Hakoda let out a deep sigh. He was still healing. His mother and Pakku had offered to look after him. While the Gang, as they called themselves, got some much-needed rest. He still couldn't believe Malina would turn out to be a selfish lowlife. Gilak's way of doing things might be wrong, but his heart was in the right place. A pang of sudden guilt covered his mind knowing that Gilak's accusation was somewhat true. He indeed was blinded by his feelings for Malina. He let his feelings decide for his people. Not seeking the truth, he has failed his people. Hakoda was blaming himself for imprisoning Gilak. He was the blood of his blood and flesh of his flesh.

"How are you feeling, dad?" katara asked, entering the igloo with Aang. Hakoda suddenly felt proud. His daughter has grown into a beautiful young woman. Just...just like Kiya.

He felt a sudden pain in his heart. He mentally scolded himself for thinking about Kya. He wanted to forget her. He wanted to forget that he failed to protect his family. He couldn't defend his wife—the love of his life. "Kya" He didn't even give Katara and Sokka a proper childhood. He just left. It was too much for him to bear. Whenever he looked at those bright blue eyes of katara's, they instantly reminded him of kya. That's why he left. He was a failure then, and he was a failure now. Maybe he will die as a failure.

"DAD! Are you okay? I asked you how you were feeling." Hakoda came to his seneses. He saw Katara looking at him with concern.

"I am feeling much better katara"

"You had us, scared DAD! We just got our family back. I don't wanna lose you."

DAAAAAAAAAAAAD! you're awake! Sokka cried. He hugged Hakoda. Hakoda smiled. He loved his son dearly. Well, he loved both of his children. But Sokka reminded him of himself. He was just like Sokka when he was young. Hakoda turned to katara

" You saved my life Katara, I...don't know how to thank you, I'm just glad you kids were here for me. I can't thank you enough for saving my life, katara.

"You can always count on her when it comes to saving lives; Head chieftain Hakoda sir, she is pretty good at it", Aang spoke for the first time. He was giving the family some moments. He has grown to like the water tribe chief as he had no one as a father figure. Hakoda looked at Aang. The young avatar was looking at him with warmth and concern in his eyes. Aang was like the son he always wanted. Hakoda knew Aang looked up to him as his father figure. They both had an unspoken understanding.

"Ava...Aang, thank you for helping back there," Hakoda said. Aang just smiled warmly. Something about the Airbender made him calm. Like he was almost carrying an aura of peace. It might be an avatar thing, Hakoda thought. He was pleased Aang, and his daughter was together.

"Okay, enough for today; let him rest now. Pakku and I will look after him. You can visit him in the morning," Kanna said.

" Katara, I am worried for Hakoda," Aang said, walking back to their huts. They were staying in different cabins respecting water tribe traditions. Honestly, they were not intimate yet. But it felt like they were. Katara felt like she was the most crucial person in the world around him. She gently held his hands. "Don't worry, sweetie; he will be fine. he's been through worse than this"

"I'm not talking about his physical condition, Katara. I am just worried about how he will react when he sees Malina. Betrayal from your loved one often ends in a mental breakdown. I don't know if leaving him with Kanna and Pakku is the best idea right now."

"How can you be ..."

"I know, katara. trust me; it hurts a lot."

suddenly there was an uncomfortable silence between them. "katara, I didn't mean...

It's okay, Aang, it's fine. she kissed him on the cheek."Good night Aang."

"Good night, Katara," Aang went his way.

She knew he needed time. But it hurts too much to let him go. She wanted to feel his love. Not force it.

Hakoda was awakened by the sound of Kanna kissing Pakku. It sounded weird. He accepted that his mother was married, and Pakku was like a father to him now. It still was strange.

Hakoda tried to get up and cried out in pain. He has not yet fully recovered. But much work remains. As chief, he could not stay in bed all day.

" You should rest. The wound is yet to heal; any sudden movement and you will lose more blood," Kanna said. "And we don't want that, do we ?" added Pakku

"Pakku, I want you to do something for me."

"What?"

"I want you to release Gilack from prison along with his associates."

Pakku sighed, knowing his stepson well. He was expecting this.

He was against Gilacks ideas and ways. But he understood that southerners needed to rebuild their home by themselves. Honestly, he didn't like Malina and Maliq from the very beginning. But his experienced eyes could see the instant connection Hakoda made with Malina. Hakoda was nothing but helpful in his relationship with Kanna. He was proud of his stepson. Secretly he wanted Hakoda to call him dad.

Kanna frowned" Hakoda, he tried to kill you."

"I know, mom. But his love and loyalty for the tribe made him do it. He thought he was doing it for his people and the tribe. We can not dishonor a man who has soo much loyalty and passion for the tribe. I want to make amends. And if the people want. I will come down from the position of chief."

"People will think you are making this decision out of fear," Pakku said

"No, My people know me better than that; I've fought the war side by side; I've shed my blood alongside them. I have proven more than once that I deserve to be the chief. Though I've failed to do what's right his time. But I want to make up for it. Pakku, Help me up. I want everyone in the town square within an hour."

Pakku gave up. His stepson was stubborn. He never walked away from something he thought was suitable for his people. It was among many things Pakku admired about Hakoda.

Kanna was going to object, but knowing that Hakoda had made his mind, she gave up.

"Good morning, everyone." katara came in."How are you feeling today, Dad? Why are you not in bed?" Hakoda chuckled nervously. Pakku broke the news to her. " Apparently, your dad wants to let Gilak and his companions go. He has ordered me to announce a meeting within an hour."

"WHAT? Are you out of your mind? Do you know how hard it was to catch him in the first place? Sokka and I almost got killed. you almost got killed."

"Katara, try to understand Gilaks way of doing things is wrong. But he is right. We cannot let the south become a cheap imitation of the north, out of all people you should understand. You were the one who felt this in the first place."

"And you were too blinded by Malina to see the truth." Katara blurted out

Hakoda felt that guilt again. How did he become so blind? He should have seen this coming. He bowed his head in shame and said, " I am sorry, katara. I failed you." He was heartbroken. How could Malina use him like this? He loved someone after so many years. He forgave himself. For the first time in many years, he loved someone other than kya, and that one person turned out to be a traitor who used him.

Katara instantly regretted it. She had always struggled to control her feelings. She didn't want to lose her dad for some stupid woman. "Dad, I am incredibly sorry. I didn't mean it."

"It's okay, katara. I deserved that"

Enough! You out now! Kanna screamed, pointing at katara. Pakku felt bad for Katara but remained silent. He feared the wrath of his wife greatly.

Katara silently left.

"Now, let's change your bandage and get you ready for the meeting, chief." Pakku tried to clean the air.

The meeting started. Hakoda stood up, holding a stick, and started speaking. He looked like a defeated man. A man who lost everything. A man who failed everyone.

"My friends, We have fought together in foreign lands. We have shed our blood side by side in the battel. I am the blood of your blood and flesh of your flesh. But today, I stand before you, not as your chief but as a simple member of the southern water tribe. As a person who was blinded by the world views so much that he forgot his roots. A person who let his personal feelings for a particular person decide what was best for his people. Today, I stand before you as a person who has failed his people.

Malina was brought to the court in chains. After her brother's confession. She and her brother were imprisoned. She hated herself for doing this to him. She loved him. At first, she was just tolerating him for the cause. But, when she learned about Hakoda's past, she instantly regretted it. She couldn't dare look Hakoda in the eye. She broke him. But, after she heard him today. She was ashamed of herself. Her mere existence disgusted herself. How could she do this to someone like Hakoda? She regretted everything. Hakoda was not like the northern water tribe men. He never made her feel weak. He respected her as a person.

Every member in the meeting was dumbfounded. Confused about what to make out of this situation. Even Gilak. Who attended the meeting in chains with his companions, Hakoda paused; his wound was slightly bleeding. Pakku came to help him. He denied. Standing on his own, he started again. Looking at Gilak

"Gilak, My friend. I have come to understand your cause. I am proud to know someone like you who has so much loyalty and passion for the tribe. Someone who isn't afraid to do the right thing when needed, I know even as a friend. I failed you. I was unable to accumulate what my people needed. What my friends needed.

I would like to have our friendship back. I want to be Hakoda Gilak's friend. More than I want to be Hakoda chief of the southern water tribe. Gilak of the Southern water tribe, As the chief of The Southern water tribe, I free you and your companions from all sorts of charges with honor. I beg your forgiveness for distancing you to the point that you had o attack me for making your voice heard. I am sorry, Gilak. I truly am.

Gilak couldn't believe his ears. He was preparing himself for death. He was sure he would be charged for attempted assassination against the chief, and the punishment would be death.

looking at the meeting, Hakoda continued

My friends, I have neglected my duty for the tribe as your chief. Though in my right conscious, I never wanted to make this mistake. It somehow happened. For that, if you don't want to see me as the chief anymore, I understand entirely. I shall come down from the post of the chief and let you choose another chief for the tribe. But. Before that. I would like to make my final decision as chief.

"Malina and Maliq, you have tried to take us under northern domination. For this, your punishment should be dead". Malina gasped. She expected some punishment for sure. But deep down in her heart, Malina expected Hakoda to show mercy. She hung her head low in shame. If death it was, Malina was ready to accept it. She deserved it. But, Malina needed to know if Hakoda forgave her before she died. She required his forgiveness.

The whole tribe was silent. Aang and katara held hands. Tensed. Sokka was confused. But Hakoda continued

"The world has just seen a 100-year war. We are still healing from the scars. We do not want to start the new era of peace with bloodshed. For the sake of peace and prosperity, you both shall be spared.

Malina, Maliq, Gilak, and his companions were unchained. Gilak was still perplexed.

Suddenly, Bato stood up, "Hakoda, I have fought alongside you in the battle. You have shed your blood for the tribe many times. You saved my life. Like many men in our tribe, you gave me hope. I don't know if you will stay the chief of the southern water tribe after today. But as long as I live, You are my chief. You the blood of my blood and the flesh of my flesh" Suddenly, everyone knew what to do. Another man stood up and said, "You are my chief too, Hakoda."

"Mine too"

"And mine"

suddenly the meeting was cheering his name. Hakoda looked at them with teary eyes. Then he looked at Pakku. Pakku silently gave a look which meant, " okay, you were right. Your people love you."

Suddenly Gilak ran towards Hakoda. Before anyone could do anything, he reached Hakoda. Aang and Katara were ready to fight the took their fighting stance. But Gilak hugged Hakoda. Everyone was shocked. Gilak said, " Hakoda, my brother, I was never angry with you. I was just sad that you lost your way. My ways may be violent, but I had only had the best interest of the tribe in my heart. I at this moment pledge my loyalty to you, Hakoda. You are my chief as long as I live " He bowed down in front of Hakoda. His companions followed him. The whole tribe bowed down next. Hakoda was so happy his people had forgiven him.