And the dawn came all too quickly for Ara. The two men and the young woman had walked back a while after midnight, saying goodnight and going to bed, but Ara lay awake, listening to the stillness of the night, thinking of how her whole life and future was going to change once again once Zuko, Mai, and Ty Lee left, but especially Zuko. How could he leave?
Zuko…
At his name, she shivered and curled up even tighter in her bed, laying on one side, looking out towards the small light from cracks of her tent, counting down the time to when her world would change-again.
She finally decided that sleep wouldn't come, and so dressing in boots, a light pair of pants and over shirt, and wrapping herself in her warm fur blanket, stepped out into the crisp morning air.
The light of the sun made the sky light purple as the underside of an oyster-crab shell, calming and soothing to watch, mixing with the last remaining streaks of aurora over the land. Ara breathed in the sweet smell of the salt water blown in on the breeze, and she began to walk slowly down the steps to the lone water tribe ship turned toward the open ocean, being stocked for essential provisions for the future firelord's journey home.
She stopped at Warrior's stall, and filling his water and food buckets, turned to go, when the gigantic creature grabbed her by the untucked shirt, chirping. Ara laughed as she sighed and turned to face him with a sad smile, which he sensed. He nuzzled her face and rubbed his head gently against her stomach, trying to get her to laugh. She smiled. "Thanks, buddy," she cooed as she patted him and traced the outline of the arrow on his head. He kept his dark eyes on her the whole time, and she stared into his, wondering what secrets his eyes held, what he knew and thought and dreamed. And she wondered one more thing.
Why are we bonded together? Why did you pick me?
She stared into his eyes, and immediately he screeched and pressed his head against her, and her sorrow suddenly vanished. She laughed and lifted his beak to her head, where she kissed him as he screeched happily. She stared into his eyes again, but his gaze broke first as he looked over her shoulder and chirped in recognition.
She turned her head.
"I thought I might find you here," Aang's deep voice said, and Ara turned, seeing him leaning over Warrior's stall door. He smiled sadly, but she turned back to the eagle.
"It's the only place here that's peaceful and where I can think, besides my own room," the young girl said, stroking the feathers, and leaning against her bird, careful of his still broken wing. "Warrior always cheers me up, but after the sun comes up, I don't think even he will be able to."
Aang sighed. "You know, it's not forever."
Ara also sighed, but turned. "I know, but he won't be here. I know you're my father, and you're the best there ever was, and I love you so, so much, as much as it's possible in life, but Zuko was the one I learned nearly everything from. He's the one I always turned to when I needed him, he's the one who acted as my father, my guardian, who loved me. And we were the best of friends He protected me and I him and we stood by each others' sides. We had a bond that neither of us could ever name. We were connected. And it's gonna be broken, torn apart, today."
"Ara," Aang whispered, letting himself into Warrior's stall, "I completely understand what you mean. Love can mean loss. But loss is not forever. Your bond, It'll never break. It's too strong to. And yes, they are leaving," he said, wrapping his arms around his daughter, "but you will also see them again. It's not forever, and you've got Warrior. You can go see them whenever you want."
Ara looked up. "What? You'd actually--you'd actually let me go?"
"Why not? After all, you are a master who can take care of herself. I know you can."
He smiled and hugged her again. "Come on, we need to go meet them."
Ara nodded sadly, patted Warrior one last time, and walked hand in hand with hre father out into the rising dawn to the docks.
Katara turned in time from melting the ice away from the ship to see the daughter and husband toward her, and she smiled as she stood up.
Aang took her in his arms and Katara grabbed Ara, and as the family embraced, Momo flew up and joined them as well.
Soon after Sokka and Toph joined them, Hakoda came as well, now fully healed from his daughter's skill, and finally, Mai and Zuko walked towards them, supporting a weak Ty Lee, who was at least up and walking, both of them carrying their worldly belongings in sacks slung over their shoulders, Zuko also carrying his broadswords. With sad smiles, the three handed their belongings to two men who were helping load the ship, and they all walked to the group waiting for them.
They all started giggling when Ty Lee pulled away from Mai's light grip and stood up straight.
"I can walk to them myself, Mai. I'm not an old lady!" she snorted, and Mai smiled, with Zuko chuckling. As much as she had always smiled and laughed, Ty Lee had never, ever, been a morning person. But the young woman immediately brightened up when she hugged Sokka and Toph.
"You guys have a good life together!" she smiled, kissing each on the cheek. "I'll be waiting for you guys to have a few little ones, some little warriors of your own!" The others laughed while Sokka and Toph blushed deep crimson, but Ty Lee laughed and continued. "Thanks for all the adventures. We'll see you all again."
She walked up to Aang and Katara and bowed. "I was and still am proud to fight alongside you two. I am honored to be in your family."
She yelped when Katara grabbed her in a tight hug and she laughed. "Alright Katara," she giggled yet tears formed in her eyes. She embraced the young woman back.
"We'll never forget what you've done to help us," the waterbender whispered, holding onto the young woman as if she'd never let go. "Thank you, for everything."
Ty Lee let go and stared into Katara's eyes, searching within them. "I was proud to," she smiled and looked over to Aang, then back.
"Keep him within your reach. No telling what trouble he'll get into without me to paralyze him into place for you," she giggled, giving the young Avatar a soft punch, and he laughed (but now noticed his arm was numb).
Katara smiled. "I will."
Ty Lee went on to Aang.
"Well, hey you."
"Hey yourself."
She smiled. "Well buddy, seems that you've gone through a lot since we first met you in Omashu," she said, throwing her arms around him. "You're a good man, Aang, besides being the Avatar."
"Thank you," Aang whispered, hugging her closer, "for all you've done. You were always there, even when you were against us." They both laughed.
He lightly kissed her cheek. "Take care of yourself," she said as they pulled apart and smiled. She took a deep breath in.
"Don't I always?"
Aang smirked. "Sure…sure you do…" he laughed, pointing down to her still bandaged chest and shoulder. She playfully knocked his hand away.
"See you around."
"Kay."
Ty Lee moved onto her adopted niece. Ara smiled. "Thank you for everything, Ty Lee. I learned so much from you, and you were always there for me. I love you."
The young acrobat pulled Ara into a deep hug. "My dear," she sighed. "I am so proud of what you've grown to become. Keep the gifts you've been given and use them wisely always. And I'm glad that I've been able to watch you grow up. I love you too. And I won't forget you. Come and visit sometime, alright?" she smiled as Ara nodded and Ty Lee kissed her cheek.
She backed up, letting Mai have her time, who walked forward towards the original four.
"You all are wonderful," she started, tears in her eyes. "I don't want to leave, but I must. But I've seen you all grow and master, fall in love, start families, and become better people. And I'm so honored to know you all. I am proud of you all. I love you all, and thank you for being my family. But we'll see each other again, so no goodbyes from me." She smiled.
One by one, Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Ara each hugged Mai, and she whispered personal words to all of them.
She then stepped back next to Ty Lee, and the whole group looked to the last person, waiting his turn to say goodbye.
Zuko rubbed the back of his head and he tried to look everywhere but the group.
"Um…"
But he cried out in surprise as the original four members of the group piled on top of him, hugging and laughing like they were all kids again. And they all fell onto him, knocking him off his feet and into the snow; Zuko was on the bottom, Toph and Aang on the sides, and Katara and Sokka on top of the pile, a jumble of legs, arms, heads, and smiles, all forced into a bundle. And from deep with in the pile, the other three not in it laughed as they heard Zuko's mumbled voice.
"Alright guys. I'm sinking into the snow. Let me out!"
The gang laughed as each one got off, and Aang took his friend's hand, lifting him out of the snow. They both looked down as Zuko brushed himself off. The deep indent of where the prince had been was clearly visible.
"Nice."
"Well at least we know that you've made your mark here."
"Haha, very funny, Mr. Avatar."
The prince brushed himself off and the airbender clapped him on the back--hard--shaking the snow off his coat. And Zuko coughed as he doubled over.
"Thanks," he gurgled, yet had a smile on his face and a light in his eyes that was indescribable.
He looked at Aang, putting a hand on his shoulder, and the Avatar returned it with the opposite hand on the prince's, smiling with all the happiness and love that he felt for the man in front of him, his best friend, part of his family.
"We've both come far, you and I," Zuko started, gold eyes locked directly into Aang's as if speaking to his soul. "You helped me find who I was to be, you helped me restore peace. You and I grew you from being spoiled princes and goofy kids to both honorable men. And for that, I'm eternally grateful, Aang. Thank you. You're my best friend. I thank you for all we've gone through together. And I'd gladly do it again."
Aang smiled as he squeezed the prince's shoulder. "Same with me, exactly. And Zuko, I thank you for taking care of all of them while I was gone. I truly thank you, especially with Ara."
Zuko smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way." He hugged the airbender, and he closed his eyes tightly. "I'll miss you, buddy."
Aang held tighter and shut his eyes as well. "I'll miss you too."
The two parted, smiled, shook hands, and Zuko moved onto Sokka and Toph.
He hugged them both and sighed sarcastically, shaking his head.
"I'm kinda worried about leaving you two behind, alone." He gave a smirk. Toph punched him.
"You're worried about us, Hothead? Hmm… there's something wrong there." She moved her hands up and down like a scale. "Young newbie Firelord master all on his own, two masters together…"
"Touché."
But they both smiled as they embraced. He kissed her cheek. "Thanks for all you've done for me, Toph. You've grown to be such an amazing woman. I'm going to miss you, my little partner in crime."
"Oh don't give me that crap," Toph replied in her non-caring tone, but as he turned to go, she grabbed him and held on for dear life.
"Heck with what I say. I'll miss you too. Love ya."
Zuko embraced her back, and kissing the top of her head, sighed. He looked down. "Watch him carefully," he whispered playfully, motioning Toph towards Sokka. "There's no telling what he'd do without both of us to keep him in line."
The blind young woman giggled. "I'll try to keep him on a short leash."
"Hey! I heard that…"
Zuko looked over and Toph turned her head towards the young warrior, who frowned, but then smiled as Zuko gave Toph a noogie, mumbled "see ya kid" and moved onto him, and Sokka held out his hand.
"Nice adventures through the years, huh?" his sarcastic smile said it all.
"Yeah, they were okay…"
Upon seeing the young man's expression at his words, Zuko gave a hearty laugh. "Just kidding buddy. I enjoyed life more and lightened up around you. So thanks for being my best friend. Thanks for all the support." He shook Sokka's hand. "And I've always got your back."
"Same with me. You ever need anything, you know where I am."
The handshake they made pulled them together for a hug, and the prince smiled. "Oh yeah, I'll know where to find you, still rebuilding the watch tower I destroyed years ago."
Sokka backed out of the embrace, smiling. "Yeah, I never did get back to that, did I?" He laughed, but became serious.
"Take care of yourself."
"You too."
The prince backed up and looked carefully and lovingly at the next one in line, her gaze locked onto her feed. He smiled and walked to stand in front of her. He lifted her chin gently with his hand, gazing into the woman's tear filled blue eyes.
"Katara…" he whispered. His deep gold bore into her blue, and as she searched his eyes, all she found was love and happiness through them. She smiled, attacking him with a death grip hug around him, yet he gladly returned it.
"Thank you for being there for Ara, for me. I thank you for always risking your life for what's right, to save us. Zuko, I'm so proud of you," she whispered in his scarred ear, kissing his left cheek as well. "You've done so much for us, I can never thank you enough. And you found yourself with us. You became a master. You're a good man." she sighed. "But I'll miss you, so much…"
Zuko kissed her cheek hard, trying to keep the tears from falling as he held her closer to himself even tighter. "I'll miss you too. But I'm always with you. All of you."
As he let go of her, she looked up at him. "Just be careful, okay?" she smiled sadly. "I don't want to come and rescue your royal butt our of another situation."
He smiled. "I won't. But if I do, I know you'd still come."
"That's true."
She looked down, biting her lip, knowing that the final part had to be played. She didn't want it to.
Zuko lifted up her chin, staring into her eyes again. "I love you," he whispered, giving a half smile.
"I love you too."
He sighed, stroked her cheek, and moved on to the last one who meant the most to him as he left. He looked down at the snow and stopped when he saw her boots, and he turned. Slowly the tear-filled gold eyes looked up to meet the equally-saddened grey eyes before him, and Zuko nearly broke down.
Ara blinked as she looked at him, and a single tear slid down her cheek, falling to the cold frozen ground. She bit her lip, wondering what to say to the man who she loved more than anything.
Swiftly Zuko let out the breath he was holding and pulled her into a hug, holding onto her with all his might, shutting his eyes tight as he held his little girl in his arms. He scooped her up so he was holding her off the ground, and squeezing him tighter, Ara let the tears escape from her eyes as she shut them tight, trying to remember this moment, his feel, his smell, his embrace, his love.
Finally he set her back down, but still didn't let go as he kissed her cheek. Softly and full of love, he breathed her name in her ear. She buried her face in his neck and the fur of his parka, letting out a small squeak as she cried silently. "Ara," he whispered again, holding her close. "Thank you," he stuttered, trying to hold back the burning tears. "Oh, my gosh," he sighed, "Thank you, Ara, so much. You gave me life."
The young woman looked up into the prince's eyes brimming with tears that took so much to control. She smiled sadly and sniffed, yet looked down.
"Heh, don't worry about it."
He took her chin in his hand, pulling her gaze up to meet his, seeing her pain and sadness. Those deep gold orbs shone vividly to her, mirroring all the thanks, all of the love, all of the words that he was trying to speak yet couldn't. But she smiled. They were always able to say more through their gazes.
Zuko's eyes shifted back and forth in Ara's; the light that had always been in hers long gone. He breathed out quickly, as if trying to laugh, but far from it, and looking down, let go of her chin and reached in his pocket.
"I--heh… I have something for you," he whispered, pulling out a small object that he kept hidden in his hand. He grabbed one of hers, and placing the object gently in her mitten, closed her hand over it with his and squeezed. "I love you Ara, as my daughter. And I want you to remember me, besides just the memories."
He let go of her hand and bowed his head, but his gaze was still fixed on her eyes as she slowly opened her hand.
She gasped suddenly, a smile filling her face and tears in her eyes once more as she held the little object delicately. It was a small circular disk, a coin almost, made of gold, with the Fire Nation insignia and the words "spirit and will" carved into the middle, making the different layers of colors from the metal shine through. It shone beautifully in the light of the dawn.
Ara suddenly looked into his eyes. "Zuko," she breathed, "it's amazing!"
"I'm glad you like it." He smiled.
Gently he took it from her hand and reached for her necklace and quickly he pressed the pendant against the back of her original white stone, and she heard a snap as it clicked into place.
"Your father gave you the original. I wanted you to remember this heritage you are part of as well. I wanted you to wear this. Now you can have me closer to your heart. Always."
He let the pendant go free from his grasp and it fell back against her throat. She covered it with her hand, smiling and looking at him.
"I also know you are filled with wisdom. I'm giving you the Fire Nation chest, with all the documents on our nation that I own. I can see you are a leader, and this will help you gain insight to other cultures so you can show the love and leadership you've always shown me."
She smiled. "Thank you for always being there for me. Zuko, you were my best friend, my mentor, my master, trainer, guide, and my father." she leapt into his embrace once more and he held her close, stroking her hair. "Thank you… so much… for being there for me, Prince."
She lifted her head off his chest and looked up. "But now you won't be, and our bond will be broken."
The prince looked down. Sadness overcame the young woman's features as well as his own. He sighed, yet smiled.
"No. It'll never be broken. I love you forever. Ara, no matter how far away you or I go, our bond will never break. Love lasts. I learned that lesson yesterday." He looked over to Mai, who smiled lovingly.
He turned back to the water-airbender and held her tighter. "That bond that's held us together since the day you were born will always last no matter what. It's what has kept us alive through it all. It's more than love, and I promise you, past the day I die, that I'll always be there." He let go of her and stared into her stormy eyes, caressing her cheek and wiping away a stray tear.
"You need to be strong, okay? You need to let me go…"
Ara still clung to him. "What about you?"
"I'm afraid I'm not as strong as you are. You let me go, and only then I can let you. Let me go… let me go…"
Slowly Ara released her hold, and she looked up as he stepped back. He took her face in both hands, and leaning forward, close his eyes as he kissed the top of her head, and she shut her eyes, holding onto his arms as he then kissed her arrow gently, blessing her, and she sighed heavily.
"I love you," he whispered.
As she let go of his arms, he backed away from her. "I love you," she mouthed, and his eyes never left his little girl as Mai and Ty Lee joined him, walking to the ship. Ara's eyes never left her best friend's face as her father came from behind and wrapped her in his strong arms. She held onto him as the three turned away and walked onto the ship.
The plank was taken down, the ropes cut, and the sails set as Zuko turned once more towards his family. The dawn was steadily rising and lighting up the ice and sea in pink and golden light, and the rays of the sun lit up the morning sky with beauty and serenity as he turned. The scent of the salt on the wind and the fresh air let the prince reminisce about the days when he was at sea for three years, but never remembered or took advantage of the beauty of it.
The prince smiled back at the group on land as the wind caught the open sails and took the boat from the harbor, and he waved goodbye, as did Mai and Ty Lee.
The rest on land waved back, save for the young girl and her father, who clung to each other.
Slowly the dawn rose, showing the large Water Tribe ship steadily growing smaller in the distance as the group stared after their best friends, still waving goodbye, and through all his grief, Zuko felt the wind lift his spirits and take away the guilt of leaving the young woman. She had let him go, and her element had begun to help him do the same.
He breathed in deeply and turned to Mai, smiling. She and Ty Lee looked up from holding the ropes and sails and smiled back.
He winked and turned to the open ocean.
"Ladies, let's go home."