Disclaimer: ATLA isnt mine.
I'm cleaning this story up- please review.
The steady spring morning sun was in the sky. The ocean breeze was blowing through the buzzing town, cooling the slight heat from the sun's rays. The leaves of the trees were a lush green and everyone was eagerly awaiting the trade ships to come into port.
At the edge of the small town, a middle aged woman was sitting on her porch with a steaming cup of tea in her hands. She was looking over her town, a thoughtful expression on her face. It was hard to believe she'd ever left this place. Seventeen years she lived away from her homeland; so much changed, and yet much of it remained intact from her memory.
Suki breathed the salty breeze in with a serene intake of air, and closed her eyes to savor the pleasant weather, such a nice change after a harsh winter.
It's been almost thirteen years, she thought. Thirteen years since he was taken from me. She turned her lilac gaze to the cloudless, clear sky. His eyes were so much brighter than the sky. Always a darker hue, with a glint of turquoise in them. What I wouldn't give to see them one more time. To see his love for me in them.
The woman sipped her tea gingerly, feeling longing clutch at her heart. Even after so many years, her heart still couldn't fathom the fact that the love of her life was gone. She'd coped as well as she could over the years, but there were times where the void was too great. Especially around this time of year.
About two years after her husband died, Suki had decided it was time to return home. Her oldest son was growing up and needed time to be away from the prying eyes of the city. And she and her baby were in no condition to be constantly hounded by the press. She was constantly being asked about Sokka's death, how they were handling it, if the baby was actually his. If she would remarry or take on a lover at some point.
Suki needed space to heal. Hakoda needed a change of scenery. And little Jian deserved to grow up in peace without people following his every movement.
The decision was a difficult one, but in the end, it was necessary. She needed time to heal, and to have a sense of peace. A peace she would never experience within the crowded confines of Republic City. For the past eleven years, Suki has resided on Kyoshi Island, helping to train the next generation of young Kyoshi Warriors and raising her sons. Every few months or so she and her boys travel to the Republic to visit their friends and each year on the anniversary, they all gather together to mourn.
So many things had changed over the last decade. All of the team's kids were grown and finding their own places in the world. Suki felt somewhat empty sometimes. The Kyoshi Warriors she grew up with were occupied with their own families and lives. Since she'd left Republic City, she only saw her friends a few times a year. Her husband was gone, and her eldest boy was now gone as well.
Hakoda was now a 27-year-old man and an Ambassador for the United Republic. He'd left Kyoshi Island shortly after his nineteenth birthday to search for his own destiny. He was truly going back to the roots of his parents' war days, traveling all over the world. He'd gone to the Ba Sing Sei University to study politics for a few years. He'd lived in the Southern Water Tribe for a year to help Bato, his namesake's old friend, run the ever growing tribe. He perfected his swordsmanship at the very manor in the Fire Nation where Master Piandao taught his father. And his job is to travel anywhere the United Republic Council sends him on political and govermental matters. He has a quick mind, a sharp tongue, and a charming demeanor for handling negotiations. He was well repsected by the Council. He truly is Councilman Sokka's son, they'd always say.
Suki admired the man her son grew into and would beam with pride at any mention of his name. But she would miss her little boy dearly, knowing he no longer needed her.
"Mom?" called out a childish voice.
But there was still one person who filled that emptiness. There was still someone who needed her.
The woman ripped away from her bittersweet thoughts and turned to face her youngest son with a smile. A twelve-year-old Jian approached her, obviously just having gotten out of bed. His eyes were still groggy with sleep and his unruly hair was sticking in all directions.
"Hey, Son," she said as she pulled her baby into a hug.
"Did you hear from Hakoda?" The boy questioned with interest.
The mother nodded. "He called last night after you went to bed. He just finished his duties in the Earth Kingdom and was getting on one of the Embassy vessels. He should be here this afternoon."
The boy whooped as he fist pumped with excitement. "Yeah! I can't wait I haven't seem him in like three months!"
Suki smiled. "He's missed you too and he told me he can't wait to see you. He mentioned a new move he learned in Omashu that he wants to teach you. Now go to the kitchen, what do you want for breakfast?"
The boy was practically jumping from excitement. His older brother alwyas learned new fightinh techniques on his travels and would teach him. "Komquats and dumplings?"
Suki chuckled. "Alright, come on."
The boy sped inside and the woman warrior made a mental note to call her sister-in-law.
Mother and son waited on the tranquil beach happily, awaiting the arrival of their son and brother. Jian was standing firmly and patiently, yet the eager glint in his violet eyes could not be missed.
The mother smiled at her boy, realizing not for the first time how collected and calm her young one can be. He was was not as serious as his cousin Tenzin had been as a child, but he always had an air of control around him when it came to taking things seriously, such as training, school work, and behaving out in public. When he was excited, however, he was very energetic.
He's just like me when I was that age. I was always well behaved and trained to be patient. Hakoda was the complete opposite. He was always jumping around and desperate for something to do. Thank Agni he gained some patience as an adult.
A large vessel with the Earth Kingdom insignia finally came into view over the horizon, and Jian's eyes lit up exponentially.
"Mom he's here! He's here!" exclaimed the boy as he pulled on his mother's arm towards the docks.
"I see it, Jian. Let's give your brother a chance to actually get on the island," she chuckled.
The pair finally made it to where the large ship was docked and watched as the sea vessel was unloaded. The crew began to haul out boxes full of fruits, grains, animal skins, and various other goods imported from all over the mainland. Many businessmen came out of the entrance, seemingly interested in setting up real estate on the barren parts of the island. Several tourists, mostly from Ba Sing Sei, came down and began chatting and taking photographs, excited about browsing around the island of the famous Avatar Kyoshi.
Finally, a recognizable figure dressed in a green Earth Kingdom tunic and pants and sporting gopherbear fur Water Tribe boots disembarked from the grand ship. The man slung a large duffle bag over his right shoulder and gripped the hilt of the sheathed black sword that was strapped to his waist as he inspected the dock with penetrating sapphire eyes.
The woman beamed at sight of her eldest son. He had truly grown into a remarkable man.
The young man had also grown exponentially over the years, now very tall with broad, strong shoulders and a commanding presence. He looked more like Sokka as he aged, now the spitting image of the councilman. The same strong, muscular build was evident, the same chiseled cheek bones and strong jaw line with mature cerulean eyes. Hakoda wore out his long auburn hair, never in a wolf tail. He had a braid on one side of his hair in the Southern Water Tribe style. He had slight stubble on his chin and typically wore a combination of Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom clothing.
"Hakoda!" yelled the younger boy as he ran towards the large, seemingly stoic warrior.
The man in question looked in their direction and a large, warm smile immediately spread across his handsome features. He dropped the bag and bended slightly, opening him arms as his younger brother crashed into him, wrapping his arms around the elder male's broad shoulders.
"Hey squirt!" greeted the older sibling warmly. "Let me take a look at you." He pulled back slightly to take in the boy. He had grown a bit since the last time he'd seen him, his wild hair was slightly longer and spikier, and Hakoda noticed that the boy has slightly more muscle mass. Pride flooded his chest as he realized Jian must have been training hard.
"It's great to see you, buddy. I've missed you so much!"
"I missed you too! How long are you staying?!" Jian asked nervously. He hated it when his brother had to leave.
Hakoda stood up and ruffled Jian's hair, a sad, distant look glazing over his cobalt gaze. "About two months, Jian. I just finished an important treaty between the Omashu monarchy and Ba Sing Sei's Court Council, so I was given some vacation time. And we're heading to Republic City this week, remember?"
"Oh yeah," recalled the younger as his mood deflated a bit. "The anniversary?"
Hakoda nodded sadly. "But hey we'll see Aunt Katara, Uncle Aang, Aunt Toph, all our cousins, Lin, and if Uncle Zuko comes too, you'll see Lu Ten!"
"Yeah! I haven't seen Lu in almost a year!" the twelve-year-old brightened considerably at the idea of seeing his best friend.
After giving her boys a little space to reconnect, Suki walked over with a small smile of pride as she looked over her grown son up and down.
The Ambassador hustled Jian out of the way while he engulfed his mother into a large embrace. The female warrior felt a part of her heart return to her now that her first baby was finally home, even if only for a few months.
"I've missed you, Mom," he mumbled against her hair. "How've things been here on Kyoshi?"
She released him and placed her hand on his muscular arm. "Things have been alright, Son. Ty Lee and I have just started training the younger girls with the katanas and the older girls, Sun especially, are more than ready to start wearing the full Kyoshi uniform. Jian is doing great with his katana lessons, too, though I think what he really wants is for you to help him with his mastering of the boomerang. How has your trip been? I haven't seen you in months."
Hakoda winced slightly at her tone and gave her an apologetic look. Even after all these years, he still felt like that little boy who would feel guilty about going out and training instead of spending time with his mother. "I'm sorry, Mom. The Embassy had me in Omashu trying to solve a conflict with the Royal Earth Court Council. Things were pretty heated up for a few months and the negotiations were painfully slow. But I'm here now, and I'm staying for a while. I did miss you," he promised.
Suki looked up at her boy. A bittersweet sadness seemed to seep from her violet eyes into his cobalt ones.
"Mom, I'm sorry if I upset you, but I was doing my job. What's wrong?" he whispered worriedly. He knew that look; that melancholy look etched on his mother's face, as though she were on the verge of either crying furiously, or screaming viciously.
She attentively reached up and placed her warm hand on the side of Hakoda's cheek, silently surveying his features.
"You didn't upset me, sweetheart," she assured him. "It's just- Each time you're gone longer, you grow more, you mature. You become more of a warrior and a leader. And every time I see you again, you look more like your father. You look so much like him right now, it hurts."
A painful memory flashed before the young Ambassador's eyes, a memory that would never stop haunting him.
His father was on the ground, in the pouring rain, bleeding to death from a stab wound to the heart from the Triad leader he'd just killed. He was coughing up vast amounts of blood and breathing with increasing agony. Hakoda, who was fifteen at the time, watched in horror and hopelessness as his father, the strongest man he'd ever known, died slowly. It was as if he was watching the life seep out of Sokka's body.
Everyone around him were crying and begging him to hold on. He remembers distinctly being frozen in place, not being able to move from the sheer shock and despair of the sight before him. The painful sobs coming from his own mother and his Aunt Katara only made it worst.
He remembers his father's raspy breaths and dull blue eyes as he spoke to him for the last time. Those words that filled Hakoda, and yet left him empty. Words that he still carried with him.
"I've taught you all I can. Now you need to forge your own path. I know you'll make me proud. Always remember, a warrior does everything he can to protect. I love you, so much. You are and always will be my pride and joy. Be strong, my son," Sokka had told him with a pained smile.
As he forced his mind out of the past and blinked back oncoming tears, the warrior frowned sadly at his mother. Unbeknownst to Suki and to the rest of their family, this is one of the reasons why Hakoda is often away longer on his travels; everyone around him would look at him with bittersweet nostalgia due to his strong resemblance to his father. It was not that he was ashamed of resembling Sokka, no, quite the contrary; Hakoda was proud to be like such a great man as Sokka was. He wanted nothing more than to carry on that legacy. He just couldn't bear the sadness of his family when they commented on his similarities to the deceased tribesman. He stayed away so he wouldn't bring anyone past pains, and so he could forge his own path.
"I know, Mom," he muttered. "Everyone tells me that."
"I'm sorry, Hakoda," she said. "I'm not trying to make you feel bad by saying that. I can't help it, though. I'm not upset about it. It gives me comfort, because I know I'll always have some of him. As I've always said, whenever I look into your eyes, I can see him reflecting back."
Jian awkwardly stood behind his mother, listening to the nostalgic conversation with crestfallen eyes and a hurtful sigh. It was always like this. Whenever this time of year came, Suki would unconsciously cling to Hakoda like a life line. Jian understands it was not for the purpose of singling him out, or ignoring him. And he also knows that they shared a great loss before he was even born. A loss that to this day still hurts. But hearing these words from his own mother, as though he didn't exist, struck painfully at his young heart.
Jian turned and began trudging back up to the beach, as he noticed his mother and brother doing the same while Hakoda grabbed his bag and they walked slowly, still speaking with nostalgia plastered all over their faces.
The boy angrily walked a bit faster, just wanting to get away from the scene.
This isn't fair. Why is Hakoda always the favorite? I mean, I love my brother, he's awesome, but Mom and everyone else always go to him. It's like my feelings on that day don't matter. Every year it's the same thing. They always ask him how he's coping, or say that his dad would be so proud of him. Well that isn't right. He was my father, too.
The late afternoon sun was producing just enough light in the clearing of the forest where the two brothers were present. The elder was stretching and warming up his muscles while removing his tunic top and boots. The younger was attempting to throw a boomerang angrily while still mentally rummaging over the unpleasant conversation from hours earlier at the docks.
After Hakoda had rested a bit at their small yet comfortable house, he'd noticed his younger brother's foul mood and offered to take him out training. Suki reluctantly agreed as long as they came home to have dinner together. She was going to go help Ty Lee at the dojo anyway.
The man closed his eyes as he focused his senses on his surroundings. He tuned out all worldly distractions and honed everything onto his stances. Footwork is the primary step of swordsmanship. This was the first lesson he'd learned.
He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly as he unsheathed the black sword. He slowly help it up as skillful hands gripped the hilt, and with a quiet snarl, he began switching from one stance to the next, jabbing the blade in all directions.
Jian stopped his furious failed attempts with the boomerang to look at his brother. His anger subdued slightly as he watched in awe. His brother's skills had always amazed him.
Hakoda tuned out the rest of the world, focusing solely on the feel of the earth beneath his bare feet as he changed stances, the rippling of his muscles under tense tanned skin as he sliced the blade through the air, and the sight of black fading from velocity.
The boy watched as the swordsman moved faster and began to move in more complex stances, the sword becoming almost invisible from the speed. Hakoda's movements were fluid and graceful, yet deadly and meaningful. He'd definitely inherited his father's grace with the weapon.
After several minutes of intense concentration, Hakoda detained his movements and wiped the sweat on his brow. He held the sword up to the sunlight where he inspected it closely. This sword was his most cherished possession.
"You're gonna need to eventually tell me what's wrong, Jian," he muttered to the boy as he ran a finger down the blade smoothly. "You've been upset and angry since I got here. I brought you out here so we could talk." He turned his cerulean gaze to the violet eyes of the younger warrior. "What's the matter?"
Jian scoffed and picked up his discarded boomerang, throwing it again, hoping it would slice through the air and return to him, yet to no avail. It swung once before hitting the soft earth with a loud thud. The boy groaned in irritation and reached down to pick it up again, but the Ambassador's reflexes were quicker and he picked it up, away from the preteen's reach.
He brought it up to his side and looked at his brother. "You'll get this back when we talk about it. Talk to me, Jian."
The boy glared daggers at the man before him. He adored Hakoda and has always wanted to be like his older brother. And yet whenever his frustrations amounted near this anniversary, he couldn't help but feel anger and envy towards the man who'd been more like a father figure to him rather than a brother most of his life. The fact that he was looking at an almost carbon copy of the source of his pain only made it worst.
The young warrior clenched his fists and snarled. He extended his hand. "Give me my boomerang, Hakoda," he ordered. "This isn't funny. I'm trying to practice and I need it back."
Hakoda looked down at the boy and sighed. "Okay let's do this. I'll help you throw it properly so it comes back to you. I can teach you how to do some real damage with it. In return, you'll tell me why you're acting this way. Deal?" He compromised.
"Fine," muttered the younger. He'd wanted to learn how to perfect the boomerang on his own. From what he's heard, his father learned how to use it all on his own. His brother and even his cousin Bumi both learned from Sokka how to do that and to sword fight. After they pretty much finished learning themselves. He was determined to do so as well. But he had no idea what he was doing wrong here.
Hakoda replaced the sword to the strap on his hip and smiled at the boy. "Don't worry about it," he soothed the youth. "When I was your age, I had a hard time learning with the boomerang, too. I wasn't able to properly throw it on my own until I was thirteen. But you're a fast learner, you'll get it quicker than I did. This is the trick Dad taught me."
He took Jian's hand and placed it at the base of the blade, guiding it with his larger hand. "You hold on tightly to the base like this," he instructed. "Then you have to put all of the force into your wrist. You've been throwing it with force from your finger tips. However you need to imagine it as an extension of your wrist. You flick your wrist back like this," he guided the boy's hand. "You hold it back for a few moments, breathe deeply and imagine the route you'll send it on. Then release and," he and Jian released the boomerang and it flew in a 360 degree angle before returning to Hakoda's waiting hand.
The boy was bubbling with awe and excitement. His eyes lit up as he bounced. "Wow that was awesome!"
The older man grinned and handed his brother the boomerang. "We'll practice that a few more times over the next few months. By the time I leave you'll be doing it on your own. Now," he continued as he crosses his arms over his muscular chest. "I held up my end of the bargain. Now spill. What's up with you?"
Jian's previous happiness ebbed away and he looked up into his brother's expecting eyes.
He sighed deeply. "It's almost the anniversary of Dad's death, as we all know," he muttered. "And once again I'm around people who are sad and miss him. But that's just the thing. I've never met my own dad. I know he died before I was even born. Mom, Aunt Katara, Uncle Aang, and Uncle Zuko always tells me stories about him. In school when we learn about the United Republic, we learn about the Great War heroes and how they built a new country for all. I learn about the great Councilman Sokka. The brilliant guy who set up the Council. The famous swordsman who's considered one of the best warriors in the world. And history remembers him as a great hero who died protecting the city. But then kids in my class ask me how can he be my dad if I never met him? And some of them talk crap, like how Mom probably slept with some random guy after he died, and there's no way I'm Sokka's kid! And that I look nothing like him! And when we all go to his statue every year, I'm always forgotten!" He yelled with furious tears spilling out of his eyes. Years of pent up frustration and pain finally burst.
"Everyone always says he would be so proud of you, Hakoda. And Mom always says that crap about Dad being in your eyes, and everyone always says how hard losing him was for you. Well what about me! He was my father, too! I never got to meet him. Here on Kyoshi, I'm Kyoshi Leader Suki's son, and a prodigy warrior. But in Republic City, and to the rest of the damn world, I'm just Councilman Sokka's second son, the unimportant one. And I know Dad didn't know about me, but if he had, would he love me? Would he be proud of me like he was of you?! You have no idea how it feels to be compared to a man who you've never met and to read about a stranger who is supposed to be your father!"
The teen attempted to regain control over himself and in moments his face fell to a stoic expression, although tears of hurt and pain were still glistening in his eyes.
Hakoda's mouth was slightly agape with shock and his eyes were wide. He was stunned. He'd had a feeling his baby brother was upset about something along these lines, but he never imagined his anger went to this extent. He felt his heart go out to the boy, he truly did. On the the hand, however, he felt a deep pain stab at his heart. Jian really thought he didn't understand? Of course he did. Anger bubbled within him and his surprised expression fell to one of righteous anger. He did, however, take his mediation training into account and kept his voice cool and neutral.
"I understand that this is hard on you. You've grown up without an important figure in your life. And I'm sorry your pain is this much. But don't you dare, Jian," he almost growled. "Say I don't understand. You believe his absence has been hard for you. But think for a second how difficult it's been on Mom and I all these years. The day he died, Republic City was fucking chaotic! People were dying everywhere. I went to bed every night for weeks before that, worrying if I'd even see Mom and Dad come home alive. You say it's shitty for you on that day, you never knew him. Well I watched him die! After I got blood bent, along with the rest of our family, I watched that Triad stab him in the chest. I was there, fifteen years old, watching my father get murdered! He'd saved my life just days before that, and yet all I did was stand there and watch him choke on his own blood! I still have night terrors about watching him bleed to death, especially around this time of year! Mom lost the man she loved. She's never been the same since. And everyone doesn't mean to single you out. I'm sorry you feel that way, I'll talk to them. You don't deserve to feel left out. But my entire life I've had to be up to the standards expected of being the son of a War Hero. Dad never forced anything on me, he always accepted and loved me the way I was. But I saw what a great man he was, all the titles and honors he'd gained. Hell he stopped a war when he was fifteen! I trained rigorously so I could be deemed worthy of carrying on his legacy. You have no idea the type of shit people spoke about me in the city when I was a kid. If I didn't get a certain percentile on an exam, I was automatically deemed stupid. If I couldn't train right, I was clearly a failure of a fighter."
He took a deep breath before continuing. "It isn't just me, we all have the burden of being the children of famous war heroes. We all struggle under their shadows. Don't you think it's hard on Bumi? Despite him being a skilled fighter and a major in the United Forces, he's always been insulted and looked down on for being a non-bender son of the Avatar. Tenzin has so much pressure on him to be the perfect airbender so he'll keep the race going after Uncle Aang dies. Lin is pressured to have airbender kids with Tenzin, and she's training to be the future chief of police. Do you know how hard that is for her? Everyone in the city sees her a poor substitute for their Chief Toph Beifong, the greatest earthbender in the world. Kya, who hates combat, has to be the greatest waterbender, like Aunt Katara. And Ursa? She's constantly put down for not only being a female heir, but no one believes she'll be able to match up to Fire Lord Zuko's legendary rule. Lu Ten is always pressured to be the perfect prince and to be a skilled firebender like Uncle Zuko. And unfortunately, buddy, you and I are under the pressure to be great warriors like Mom and Dad. We're expected to perfect Kyoshi fighting, and to be great leaders like Dad. So don't you think this is only hard on you."
"I know," whispered the boy after a few moments of tense silence. "But they all have their parents' support, and know they're still proud of them. And at least you had him. At least you had someone to soothe away the pressures and to accept you. On Mom's part, I know I have that. But when I'm looked down at for not matching up to what's expected of a son of Councilman Sokka, I have no one. You had him to train you, to love and accept you, to be there for you. And even after his death, you still have more of him than I ever will." Tears of defeat welled up in the boy's eyes. "I know about it. That when everyone found out Mom was gonna have me, they expected someone amazing to be like Sokka. Another child to carry on his legacy. But I'm not like him. The way some people ask if I'm even his son hurts. The way a lot of people remember only you as his kid hurts so much. And the way Mom clings to you on his death anniversary hurts, too. I know she loves me and doesn't mean to hurt me. But it hurts, Hakoda."
The older warrior's anger melted away and concern and sadness at the sight before him replaced it instantly. He wrapped him arms around the boy and allowed Jian to cry out his pains. His bare chest was moistened with tears, but he didn't care.
Hakoda rubbed Jian's back comfortingly. "I've always tried to be your father figure," he whispered. "We all have. Uncle Zuko and Uncle Aang always try to be there for you and be good examples for you. And me, I've done all I can to help fill the void. I've trained you, tried being there for you. I've always tried to take his place. But the truth is, Jian, I can't do it. No one can ever really fill Dad's place. I've been your big brother, your sifu. But I'm not your father."
Jian pulled away and wiped his eyes. He looked up sadly to his brother. "You've been a great brother, Hakoda," he told the older man. "But you're right. You're not my father. You can't be."
Hakoda sighed and ran his hand through his auburn locks. He didn't know what to do now.
"I just, I want to know I can be part of him," the boy continued. "I want to know he'd be proud of me. That I am like him in some way. I'm proud to be so much like Mom. But when I look at you, it hurts sometimes. You're his legacy. When I look at the pictures of him that Mom gave me, I just remember that you're just like him, and I look nothing like him. Sometimes when I look in your eyes after we train and you're proud of me, that glow in your eyes, I try to imagine its his eyes that are proud of me."
Hakoda placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Looks don't mean everything, Jian," he clarified. "Yeah I'm proud to look like Dad. But what really makes me my father's son, is who I am in here." He placed his hand over his heart. "I uphold the morals and values Dad raised me with. I always remember him and everything he taught me about being a warrior and a man. That's what makes me carry on his legacy. You can be that, too. You're more like him than you realize."
He pulled out the sword. "This was Dad's sword. He gave it to me when I was fourteen. He told me this sword symbolized the day he became a real warrior. He gave it to me to pass on the torch of doing the right thing and protecting what I love. This sword is my most treasured possession. It connects me to our father. And this boomerang," be pointed at the weapon in his brother's hand. "Was his. I gave it to you, so you could have something from him, too. I knew him well enough to know he would be beaming with pride at you just like Mom and I do. And I know that wherever he is, he's always with you. You are as much Sokka's son as I am."
The boy squeezed his eyes shut as more tears threatened to come out. He took in a shaky breath. "Let's just go home."
Hakoda grabbed his arm gently. "We need to talk about-"
Jian furiously ripped his arm away. "No! I get it, Hakoda! I'm part of him, he's with me, all the crap I've heard before! I just wanna go home!" The boy left in quick strides.
The old warrior sighed. This was going to be more difficult than he thought. As he put on his tunic and pulled on his boots, he couldn't help but ask himself what Sokka would do.
What would you do, Dad? Can you help me out here? Give him a sign, that you're there?
The warrior was met with eerie silence as the sun began its descent from the sky.
He sighed and began to walk after his brother with sword in hand.
Suki walked into the training dojo, clad in her new Kyoshi uniform. She was not wearing the face paint anymore, for she was no longer part of the core group that made up the island's defenders. She was the commander of the island's finest warriors, and was training the new teenage girls who would take her and her old team's place. She was passing on the torch that Avatar Kyoshi began centuries before.
Suki was the youngest girl to have ever been promoted to leader of the Kyoshi Warriors at the age of fifteen. Her greatest and most admired qualities were her sharp mind, her fierce dedication to upholding Kyoshi's legacy, her participation in ending the Great War, and her impressive fighting skills. Her connection to the Avatar and his friends elevated her reputation, as well as the powerful influence she'd had on Sokka, helping to shape him into the man he was. The female warrior was considered the greatest Kyoshi Warrior, and was the island's most favored hero, second only to Kyoshi herself.
She saw her longtime friend, Ty Lee, who was also held in high esteem as a warrior and mentor, teaching the teenage girls the most complex stances with the fan. They had to complete this final phase of training in order to truly become the next full-fledged warriors of Kyoshi. This portion of training, however, was with a combination of very complex stances and moves that Kyoshi herself had invented with her earthbending. Those who could master this art took months, sometimes up to years to learn it. It had taken Suki ten months to master this style.
Ty Lee had been part of their group since the war's end. She'd been very dedicated to being one of them and thanks to her magnificent flexibility and reflexes, learned the Kyoshi fighting style with relative ease.
She was now a middle aged woman with her hair out, unlike her childhood braid, a more defined face, a taller and shapelier body, and a high level of maturity. She was no longer the naïve youth of the war days. But she still retained that bursting energy of youth and bubbly, positive aura. She was also now married to Haru and had two young daughters with him.
Like Suki, Ty Lee wore the uniform, albeit without the face paint. She had a fan in her right hand and her face was etched with concentration as she demonstrated stance after stance to the younger girls.
"Now, the fundamental thing to remember," she instructed. "Is to keep balance in your heels. Like any other form of martial arts with a weapon, steady footwork is the foundation. You need to be able to move swiftly and lightly on your feet, but still keep a firm balance so your opponent can't easily knock you down."
She demonstrated these graceful movements, her eyes closed in deep concentration. When she finally finished her routine, she told the students to attempt the same maneuver. Ty Lee finally noticed her friend and told the girls to keep practicing while she made her way to her old friend.
Some of the girls whispered once they noticed Suki.
"She's supposed to be some kind of legend," mumbled one student. "She mastered this crap in under a year. I can't even balance correctly."
"Don't be like that," Sun reprimanded. "Commander Suki is a legend on the island. It'd be an honor if I could be Kyoshi leader like she was. She's been really dedicated since she came back."
"That's right," pointed out another female warrior as she moved her fans. "And her oldest son is hot. And I mean really hot! Have you seen him?! Damn. And he's back on Kyoshi I heard."
"Shut up, Rin," warned Sun. "We're supposed to be practicing."
"But we can all agree," interrupted Rin as she outstretched her fan. "From the pictures we've seen, Sword Master Sokka was really hot in his younger years. No wonder his son is such a fine piece of-"
"Enough!" warned their leader. "Let's just master these movements. Don't disrespect Commander Suki's family again."
"Hey," greeted Ty Lee as she embraced her friend. "I didn't expect you today."
Suki offered a small smile. "Just thought I'd help you help the girls, I know how hard this technique is. The boys are off training anyway. How're Haru and the girls?"
The acrobat huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Haru is still in the Earth Kingdom, still on business, but promised he'd be back soon. He said that three months ago! No good husband. Always off working. But I do love him too!" she chirped. "His aura is so strong and green and lively. And the girls are great! We just started katana lessons yesterday."
Ty Lee noticed the glossed over look in those violet eyes when she gushed about her love for her husband. Her expression softened and she placed a warm hand on the other warrior's arm gently.
"I'm sorry, Suki," she whispered. "I forgot about how hard this time of year is for you. When are you guys going to Republic City?"
"It's okay, Ty," she reassured her friend. "It's just hard sometimes but I'm okay. We're going in about two days."
The Fire Nation woman nodded. "I can imagine how you and Hakoda are. How's Jian been? Now that he's getting older, he's bound to want to understand more about Sokka."
A slight pain tugged at the woman's heart. She'd completely neglected her baby all day due to her catching up with her eldest son.
"It's hard to say," she told Ty Lee with a sigh. "When he was younger, he'd always have so many questions about his dad. What was he like, how did he help end the war, how we fell in love. He was so enthusiastic to know about him. But as he grew older and learned about Sokka in school, he stopped asking questions. Now, whenever I try to talk to Jian about Sokka, he just gets this sad look and says he's tired. And since we're going to Republic City, he's avoiding the subject altogether. Ty, did I do a bad job? Did I make him somehow resent his own father's memory? All I've wanted was for him to love him as much as Hakoda and I did."
Ty Lee replaced her hand on her friend's shoulder and soothed her.
"Suki," she soothed. "You've been a great mother. Your husband would be so proud of the way you've raised Jian without him. But I think it's hard on your son. He desperately wants to know his father, but it hurts because he'll never have the chance to. You need to realize this. You, Hakoda and the rest of our friends can spend years talking to him about Sokka, showing him pictures, he can learn about his accomplishments. But he'll never be able to truly love Sokka as much as you'd want if he can never know the man for himself. Now we all know that Hakoda adored Sokka. But that's because he grew up with his dad around. Jian didn't have that chance. It's not fair, I know. Just like it wasn't fair for Sokka to die the way he did. Jian is conflicted with wanting to love Sokka, but not knowing him. Hakoda knows where he comes from. But Jian really doesn't, and I think it hurts him. My daughters are so attached to Haru, but that's because he's always been there. Stories about his father will never really fill the absence of him in Jian's life."
Suki was stunned into silence before sadness reflected her amytherst eyes.
"You're right, Ty. I've tried fooling myself all these years that he'd be just like Hakoda in loving their dad. But the harsh reality is, he can't really love a father he never met. It's just, when he was little he wanted so badly to know about him. I guess I'm just clinging to the hope he'd still want that."
A memory flooded the Kyoshi woman's mind as she remembered the first time Jian had truly questioned her about his father.
Jian was about four at the time, and was just beginning to notice that everyone else but him had a father amongst the kids on the island he'd frequently play with.
One day when they arrived home from a day at the beach, Little Jian walked over to where his mother and brother were sitting in the den, having a cup of tea.
He went straight up to his mother and smiled sweetly as he tugged on her blouse. "Mommy?"
Suki smiled and set aside her tea cup, scooping her baby up and placed him on her lap. "Yes Jian?"
The little boy giggled before turning his violet gaze to hers. "Mama, where's my Daddy? Do I have one?"
Suki's smile instantly faltered and a deep sadness crept into her eyes. Hakoda placed down his own cup, sensing where this conversation was going. He placed his large tan hand on his mom's smaller one.
"Mom," he told her with his ocean gaze tinting with his own sandess at this line of questioning. "We knew he'd ask eventually. He has a right to know."
Suki nodded and looked back at her baby.
"It's just all my fwiends have daddies who come pick them up and take them fishing and stuff. I didn't wanna make mama sad. Did I make you sad, Mommy?" A trembling lipped four year old asked.
She grinned and cuddled the boy. "No, Jian, it wasn't you. It's just hard to talk about. Sweetheart, you did have a daddy. He's just, not here anymore. Remember I told you your daddy's name?"
The toddler nodded. "Daddy is Suok-kah," he replied with a grin. Jian had to sound out his father's name since he could not yet pronounce it correctly. Suki knew that if Sokka were here, he would be swooning over how adorable it was.
"That's right. And Daddy is in the Spirit World, baby," she told him while stroking his brown hair. "He died before you were born. But I know that from the Spirit World, he's always watching over you, and he loves you."
"How did Daddy die?" he questioned.
Knowing the question caused a painful intake of breath for Suki, Hakoda looked at his mother apologetically before answering his baby brother. "Jian, Dad was a warrior. He fought in a huge battle with nothing but his sword and boomerang to protect us!"
The little boy's eyes widened. "Wow! Really?"
The young man nodded. "He died valiantly in battle. He's remembered as one of the best warriors in the world. And we need to be proud of him, buddy."
The boy was in awe. His daddy? A great warrior? A sword fighter? Hero of the world?
He felt pride for being this man's son swell his little heart. He wanted to know everything about his dad.
"Mommy, tell me more about Daddy!" he snuggled down in her lap and looked up expectantly. "Where did he learn to fight? How did you fall in love with Daddy?"
Suki chuckled. "Slow down, sweetheart, one thing at a time. How about I just start from the beginning and tell you about when Daddy and I first met? Then go from there?"
The boy nodded eagerly and listened in amazement as his father's life story was unfolded before him.
Stories of winter hunts, war raids, battles, great adventures and more filled his young ears. Certain parts of the story were taken out, for Jian was not yet old enough to hear them. But the essence of the deceased tribesman's life was laid out clearly.
As Suki told her tale, she again felt that familiar warmth. The warmth she'd felt four years earlier at Jian's birth.
Ty Lee's steady and grounding hand on her shoulder snapped Suki back to the present.
She looked up to her friend. "Thank you, Ty," she answered. "You've helped me realize a few things. I need to talk to Jian. But I think once we're in Republic City, it'll be the best time."
Ty Lee grinned. "That's what friends are for! Now," she quipped as she pulled out her fans once more. "Enough talk. How about a demonstration for the girls, and a good spar between old friends?"
Suki's violet eyes, which were just moments ago lost in painful nostalgia, grew hard and determined. That familiar fire blazed in her gaze as she smirked and pulled out her own fans.
She assumed a battle stance and said, "Thought you'd never ask. Pay attention, girls! You'll watch two seasoned warriors exemplify this technique. Once we finish our spar, attempt to copy our movements with your own sparring partner."
The younger females obliged their master and stood silently in awe as they watched two of the most renowned warriors on the island go against each other in combat.