Poppy Bei Fong was never one for secrets, particularly ones she wasn't in on. Especially from her daughters. She had noticed that something had been off with Katara since her seventeenth birthday and return from the North pole, but she couldn't place it. She knew that Toph was keeping secrets, but she also knew that she would probably never get anything out of her. So she did what any concerned mother in her position would do. She took Katara to the spa.
Katara and Poppy both enjoyed the spa, but Toph always hated it, so they decided to let her stay at home. This suited Poppy just fine, but it irked Katara that they could have a mother daughter day without her sister. Mom would let her go if she wanted to, Toph just doesn't like the spa. It's fine, she reasoned with herself.
The carriage ride to the spa was filled with happy chattering from both parties, but Poppy could still see the lines on her daughter's face, and the reserve she held. Poppy resolved to get whatever information she could out of Katara.
"So Katara, dear, you never really told me about the North Pole. How was it? Did you have a good time?" Mrs. Bei Fong asked, her voice laced with interest and concern.
Katara sighed inwardly, but pasted a smile on her face. "Yeah, it was great! Master Pakku taught me so much and I really enjoyed it." That's all she really needs to know about the North Pole, Katara thought.
"Katara, I know you, and something's bothering you. Please just tell me, I want to help you. I'm your mother, please let me in."
Katara's mind was racing. Should she tell her mother what she was thinking? Maybe she could help.
Poppy could see the wheels turning on her daughter's head and she began to hope for the best outcome. Brace yourself Poppy, she could say anything.
"Mom, don't take this the wrong way, but, what do you know about my parents?" Katara said, staring into Poppy's eyes intently.
Poppy sighed. I always knew this day was coming. I supposed I should have told her sooner, I just always wanted her to feel like she was apart of the family.
"I suppose there's a lot I didn't tell you, and there's a lot I simply don't know. You know that we found you on our doorstep one morning when you were one." Katara already knew this, and sighed in exasperation.
"I know, but what else do you know? There has to be more."
Poppy looked down for a moment to compose herself and think. She then looked at the driver and directed him to take them back home. The rest of the ride was finished in silence, both women lost in their thoughts.
As the door opened to their home, Poppy led Katara upstairs to her and her husband's room. She shut the door softly behind her and directed Katara to sit on the bed. She then walked over to the closet and pulled out a box. She pulled out a blue ribbon with a pendant attached as well as a note that had been fold and worn. She handed both objects to Katara. She then pulled out another note, one that was in an envelope that Poppy had never opened, and addressed "To my Katara," and handed it to her with some reluctance.
Katara held the objects, recognition dawning on her face. "Did I have these when you found me?"
"Yes, you were wearing the necklace, and the notes were pinned to you. To answer your previous question, I know little of your birth parents. We suspect that you were from the Southern Water Tribe based on the clothes you were wearing, as well as the unrest there had been there around that time. Something about succession, I hardly remember anymore, which is why we sent you to the North Pole to study. We didn't want you to be . . . recognized. I know it sounds selfish, but your father and I love you so much, we just didn't want you to be taken back." Poppy was on the brink of tears, and Katara reached for her mother's hand.
"I . . . understand." She struggled to find the right words. Part of her was angry with her parents for keeping this secret, and the other part of her appreciated their concern for her well being. "And the necklace? Is it a betrothal necklace?" Katara had seen many of these in the Northern Water tribe and she loved the way they looked.
Poppy smiled when she saw the pendant. It was beautiful. "Lao and I think it was your mother's betrothal necklace, per Southern Water Tribe Tradition. The note mentions your mother, so I believe it was hers."
Katara stood up, holding the notes and necklace. "Thank you for being honest with me. I just need to read these and be alone for a bit." Katara headed towards the door and stopped. "I love you, mom." And with that she left Poppy and sought out Toph.
Toph had, of course, heard the previous conversation and sat in shock at what her mother had said. It wasn't necessarily news to her, but to hear it said out loud finally was a bit difficult to stomach. She heard Katara's footsteps approaching and knew that her sister needed her. Katara opened the door to their room and entered, lost in thought.
"I assume you heard everything, so I'm just going to read the notes out loud to you since that's the only mystery you haven't exactly solved yet."
Toph smirked at how well her sister knew her. "Of course sugar Queen, whatever you need. I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't at least a tiny bit interested in your backstory."
Katara read the first note to Toph, and after finishing, noticed that the note was wet. Why? Why would it be wet? Then Katara recognized the tears racing down her cheeks. Toph also noticed her sister's emotions, but let her be. This wasn't the time to tease Katara.
Katara then opened the sealed note addressed to her. She read aloud:
My most darling girl, I know that I do not have much longer to live. I wish I could watch you grow up, but that is not possible. Tui and La bless you my little girl. Based on the state of the Southern Water Tribe right now, I do not know what will happen to you. I hope your Father and brother protect and take care of you in these tumultuous times. Please know that I would have given anything to be with you, but I cannot. Know that I love you and am prodigiously proud of the young lady I am sure you will become. I know you were put on this Earth to do wonderful and amazing things. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you are less the amazing. You are a daughter of the Southern Water Tribe, born of ice and snow, and I hope, a bender of elements. I knew you would be a waterbender during my pregnancy with you. Don't forget your strength. I close this letter with a mother's blessing. Please know that you are always loved, even if you cannot see where it comes from. Love, your Mother.
Katara choked out sobs until Toph approached her and put her arms around her.
"If it means anything to you, I think it's amazing that you have not two, but four parents that love you. And you have brother who is probably at least half as cool as your amazing sister."
Katara giggled at Toph's attempt to make her smile, and hugged her in return. "You're right Toph, I couldn't ask for a better sister." Katara then folded up the notes and put them in her top dresser drawer and clasped the necklace around her neck. She felt comfort from the smooth pendant, and overwhelming urge to cry passed. All she wanted to do now was sleep and rest. She put her head on her pillow and closed her eyes, instantly claimed by sleep.
Toph smiled as she pulled the blankets over Katara. Sometimes big sister's needed mothering too.
Zuko began to pack for Omashu ruefully. This certainly wasn't going to be a pleasant experience for him. I have more important things to do than play up to the other nations. I bet anything Uncle is making me go to introduce me to some girl. He's always telling me that I should get married, or at least get a girlfriend. But girls are a distraction from more important things. Besides, I've never met one that I really want to spend time with. Fire Nation girls seem so fake, all they do is dress up and simper around the palace. I need someone I can share my responsibilities with, someone that will understand me, and he thought with a chuckle, someone that won't be afraid to stand up to Azula. To Zuko, no such girl existed, so the search was futile.
He looked up when he heard a knock on the door. "Enter," he answered.
"Why Zuzu, still packing?" Azula called as she strutted into the room. "The journey isn't that long."
"Why do you care, you're not even going."
"Oh, you didn't hear? Well, Uncle said that a 'Princess of the Fire Nation' has an obligation to attend such an important meeting. I suppose it won't be all bad. At very least, I'll be able to do some networking for the fire nation and see where we can find some powerful allies."
I doubt that's why Uncle wants you to go, Zuko thought, more likely he doesn't trust you to stay behind by yourself. But Zuko didn't speak his thoughts aloud, because it would only anger Azula and cause her to set something of his on fire, and he was beginning to run out of pants.
"Anyway Zuzu, I just wanted to check on you and make sure you weren't doing anything stupid. We'd hate for the Crown Prince to look bad, now would we?" Azula said, sauntering out of the room.
"Don't call me that!" Zuko shouted after her. And I certainly, don't want to ever, EVER, marry a girl like That.