A/N: Thanks a million for the amazing feedback on the last chapter and all the chapters before that. I don't know if I've said that on the other chapters, but it's more than lovely to get a review alert and see that people have reviewed past chapters and stuff. It's a love of mine, getting reviews on past chapters.

As usual, my original idea didn't work out and I ended up with this. Even though I wanted something else, I am glad with what was produced. The idea I kept typing out will most likely be used in a oneshot sometime in the future.

This takes place... hmm. Four or five years? I'd say Sokka is or is almost twenty. Placing this somewhere in the future just... didn't happen while writing so I just had to figure it out.

The branches of the willow tree hung low towards the ground, creating a curtain for many fireflies to buzz through. The manmade creek lazily flowed along, the trickling of water over rocks echoing through the garden. Bushes lined paths, but that didn't mean you had to follow them. In fact, not many did. Various people were scattered about the garden; some sat near the koi pond, others sat on the grass near the creek, and a couple sat on a wood bench near the willow. There was a low hum of conversation floating in the air, with fits of giggles erupting every so often.

As another fit of giggles burst into the air, a man dressed in red robes stepped into the garden. From the entrance, he could see all but the people sitting near the willow. The bench they sat on was behind two bushes, and provided a small amount of privacy. He looked over to the koi pond to see the Avatar meditating in silence, his legs crossed and his back straight. Three women, two wearing green and one wearing red, sat near the creek and had what looked like a conversation going.

Zuko smiled from his position at the gate, finding the scene somehow calming. He was happy to see Mai, Suki, and Toph sitting near the creek, having what looked like to be an equal conversation. None of them looked awkward or forced, and Toph looked more relaxed than usual. He was happy to see that all of his friends were in the garden, enjoying a cooler than usual Fire Nation evening.

Moving his eyes over the garden, he decided to go see Sokka and Katara. He didn't want to interrupt the conversation by the creek, and Aang needed to meditate.

Walking down the path, Zuko absorbed the sounds of the garden. There was a bird, somewhere, singing a very soft and melodious tune. That, mixed with the sounds of voices and a suspicious set of giggles, let Zuko relax. He continued down the path, watching the fireflies dance in the willow.

He turned onto a path that led to the tree, and finally got a look at what Katara and Sokka were doing. That was when Zuko became aware of where the giggling was coming from. Sokka was holding his 5-month-old daughter, Pearl. Zuko found the name odd at first, as he didn't know where they had gotten it from. However, Katara and Aang quickly explained that on the night of the child's birth, the moon has been bright and round, resembling a pearl. Suki had insisted, and Sokka didn't resist.

Pearl giggled again as Katara made another silly face at the child. Her lips curled out and she crossed her eyes, and it seemed even Sokka had a hard time keeping back his laughter. Zuko was just far enough away that he couldn't hear their conversation, but the baby's giggles were loud and happy.

Zuko turned again, down a new path, and now he could only see Sokka's back. He slowed down as he neared the bench, and he could now hear bits and pieces of a quiet conversation.

"I'm going to get you." Katara said in a singsong voice. The baby squealed, and Zuko heard the sounds of a raspberry. He grinned as he neared, but stopped when Katara and the baby were in view.

Katara had a soft look on her face, as she always had around Pearl. Zuko, like everyone else, knew that Katara was great with children. She adored her niece, and always showered her with love. Now was no exception. She was planting a soft kiss to the child's forehead, and as she moved away, Pearl reached up and grabbed Katara's hair gently. Katara smiled at Pearl, before rubbing noses with the baby.

When Pearl let go of Katara's hair, the waterbender sat up straight and stretched her back. She still hadn't seen Zuko, and he remained where he was. He watched as Katara moved over next to Sokka, leaning her head on his shoulder and squeezing his side.

"She's the cutest." She said simply, and Sokka shook his head.

"You say that now, but when another baby comes alone, you'll say the same thing about it."

"No, I mean it Sokka. Pearl is going to be an amazing person someday."

There was silence, and Zuko decided to start to move away.

"She has amazing people to learn from. I mean, look at her family! The Avatar is her uncle… in-law or something!"

Even though he was trying to keep himself unnoticed, Zuko couldn't help the laugh that passed across his lips. However, the siblings didn't seem to hear him. Their conversation had engrossed them, and anything else was just background noise.

Zuko felt a tug in his chest.

Maybe Aang was done meditating.

A/N: So, as you can tell, this was more of a brotherly-sisterly moment. I've done the three major cannons, and I've wanted to write something with Katara and Sokka for a while, so this was produced in thirty minutes.

As always, reviews make my writing centered world spin 'round. Makes me forget I have 20 pages of history to read.

-hangingmardigrasbeads