A/N: I know I said this would be the last chapter, but I realized just how long this chapter will end up being, so I'm breaking it into two. This is the first part of it; the next chapter will really be the last and will include an epilogue.

Chapter 80: The Meeting

The chieftain was barely keeping himself together, explosive rage subdued in the presence of his pregnant wife. He directed his glare to the ground, listening to what Ivaneq had to say.

"There was nothing else I could do, sir," the assistant said, hanging his head, "I was going to send for you, but it would've taken extra time. Waiting any longer would've been a threat to their lives; by then they had already been standing out there for more than a half-hour. They're older and would suffer greatly in the event they get hypothermia. They constantly threatened to end their lives if we did anything to forcibly stop their efforts."

"Were they being serious?" Yue asked, highly perturbed, "Or were they just saying this to get what they want?"

"Most likely the latter," Sokka said bitterly. "They want the attention."

"They were carrying poison in their belongings, Your Majesties," Ivaneq said, the revelation causing great alarm in the chieftess but only further skepticism in the chieftain, "We tried to tread carefully with them. We told them to seek shelter somewhere in Heijan until the matter gets sorted out, but they were only willing to take shelter if they were let into the North… And looking at all of this cumulatively, I had no choice but to bring them in." Adding quickly in response to Sokka's increasing discomfort, "B-But I assure you, they are nowhere near Agna Qel'a. Their lodgings were arranged in the outskirts of Mintuq village. Just within Northern limits but far enough away from Agna Qel'a." With a helpless sigh, "Whatever my reasons, I know I breached our security policy. I will accept any punishment given to me, Your Majesties."

"Why would we punish you? You did the right thing, Ivaneq," Yue said. "Saving lives is never something we should regret. Besides, the policy is meant to minimize threats to the homeland. You said you searched them and their ship and didn't find any weapons—"

"They were carrying poison on them," Sokka mused, "Certainly that can be used to end lives. There's no guarantee that they intended to use it on themselves, is there? There's no way to tell they were being serious about any of their threats." Turning to Ivaneq, "But you did say you confiscated that."

"Yes, sir."

The angayok took a deep breath, "Don't stress yourself out, Brother Ivaneq. The chieftess and I aren't the types to dance on corpses for prestige like them. Sure, the integrity of our leadership was blatantly disrespected with the breach of a crucial policy," his anger bubbled in his irises, which were teetering between blue and black, "but the North is never going to stoop down that low."

"Uh…yes," Ivaneq gulped.

"Also, the breaching of the policy isn't your doing," he said much to Ivaneq's surprise and relief, "You didn't do it out of your own volition. You were under duress because of their antics. They're the ones who breached national security policies, and that is intolerable."

"What would you like for me to do next, Your Majesty—?"

"Throw them out, of course. We're not bending to blackmail."

"Sir, they are threatening to—"

"Send a message to the Southern council to take them into immediate protective custody," Sokka commanded. "If need be, we can send some people along to babysit them until they go back to the South. But under no circumstances are they stepping into Agna Qel'a, and under no circumstances are they meeting with anyone."

"But sir, I have a strong feeling they will put up a fight against this."

"Fine, I'll be generous," Sokka crossed his arms, "If they don't agree to protective custody, they'll have to take responsibility for their actions and be imprisoned in the South for breaching national security policies. Or, if they don't want to be imprisoned and their suicidal tendencies are real, they will be enrolled in a mental institution in the South and be carefully watched, guarded, and isolated if need be—"

"Woah woah, hold on," Yue said, "Sokka, what are you saying?"

"They breached our border policies, nalligima," he said calmly, "And just like everyone else, they're going to be charged for that crime. That is, if they refuse to comply. We can't let them off the hook just because they were former royalty."

But Yue seemed unsettled by the idea, "Can you give us a minute, Ivaneq?"

"Of course, ataniq," the assistant bowed before stepping out.

"Are you aware of what you're suggesting?" Yue asked her husband.

"There's nothing else we can do. These are the best ways to hold them responsible for their idiocy and keep them out. They think they can just get what they want with tantrums and waterworks. They're not children, they're bloodsucking piranha-bats feeding on the blood of the people they hate—"

"Sokka—"

"I'm not seeing them, nalligima, you know this," he said earnestly.

"Sokka, there's no telling what they'll do to themselves—"

"We don't even know if they're being serious—!"

"And what if they are?"

"There's no proof," he said patiently. "Now don't get stressed out about this, okay?"

Yue grasped his hand, "I'm not saying we should take mercy on them and forgive them and act like everything's sunshine and rainbows when clearly we want them nowhere near us. I'm saying we're the leaders of both tribes. Temporarily the South and officially the North. Our position requires us to maintain harmony of both divisions. And the last thing we need is the world spitting in our faces for being the cause of whatever they might do to themselves—"

"Well I'm not throwing you and the kids under the sleigh for tribal harmony!"

"Sweetie, that's not at all what I'm saying," she said, bringing him into her arms. He sank his head against her neck, lost in the warmth of her bosom as she enveloped him in her grip. "No matter how much we try to deny it, no matter what they did…they're still the reasons you're here, my love. And that's the one thing keeping me from showing my outrage so publicly…" Soothing him with kisses to his forehead, "In the grand scheme of things, they're the reasons why I have you like this all to myself—"

"And you're my wife, and these are our kids, and if anything happens to you, I'll die—"

"Hey," holding a finger to his lips, a frown on her face, "I told you, don't talk like that."

"I had that provision drafted in the border policy so I never have to have you and the kids in the same area as those monsters."

"I know," she whispered, "But just hear me out, my love, and be calm." Frowning, "I keep having dreams of someone breaking into the kids' rooms."

"Who?" he blinked, alarmed.

"Sometimes it's Kya, sometimes it's Hakoda, and sometimes, I don't get to see who exactly it is. All I see are shadows looming over the kids' beds, reaching for them."

"No wonder you haven't been sleeping well," he huffed, "You should've told me this before!"

"I know how you are around my due dates, and I didn't want to make things worse," she said, smoothing his hair. "Look, I know we have very capable guards always on high alert, but a part of me is still unsettled because for the past ten years, they've been relentless. They haven't left us in peace. One way or another, they kept trying to reach out to us even though we repeatedly make it clear to them that we want nothing to do with them. I know that you don't want to see them; I definitely don't want to see them. But I really believe the only way we can settle this in a civilized manner…or at least attempt to settle this… is to get a super quick meeting over with. Tell them one last time that if they don't back off, we as interim leadership will have to take action."

"But Yue—"

"I won't be involved at all, of course," she said. "No children allowed, obviously. Kunya will also be left out of this. It'll mainly be you, Kohana, Katara, Aang. I get that Karuna should be there since he's the current candidate for Southern chiefdom, but the poor baby's only ten, and the conversations you're all going to be having involve…well, violence and honor killings and such things. He shouldn't be around those kinds of discussions." Musing ahead, "Ivaneq will be in attendance. And obviously Kya and Hakoda. You can take silak Amaruq and ukuagek Ki'ma with you if you want... but taking my parents isn't a good idea. And, of course, you'll have plenty of security. We have double the number of guards we had when Khasiq was still around, and they're five times more efficient. Oh, and Akluviq will have to be called in. He needs to witness the leadership discussions." Finding that he was still perturbed, "And if you want, we can call in a few White and Black Lotuses for extra security. Maybe invite Master Piandao to handle the security measures? It's great whenever he's around."

Sokka still didn't say anything, wrapping an arm around her waist, terror raiding him with every thought, every what-if flitting through his anxious brain.

"I hate this, too, but they haven't been leaving us alone, Sokka. And now they're blackmailing us. How long are we going to sit here and take this from them? We're running out of solutions. There's nothing else we can do, and I'm tired of us trying to fend them off. All those years ago, they came to the Global Conferences in Omashu and saw Ummi even though they officially said they wouldn't show up or send any representatives. They tried to get you to come down to Akhein to immerse Kanna's ashes. They kept sending gifts and scrolls requesting us to send family portraits. Now they made it to the border without us knowing, and they were wearing disguises. If we ignore this now…what if they get into the palace next time? What if they somehow give the guards the slip? We can't take that risk and let them sneak in one day. We haven't even told the kids about them."

"Spirits, you're right," he widened his eyes. "The kids wouldn't even know who they are. They might interact with those monsters…We can't expose our babies to this nonsense!"

"That's why we need to give this meeting a shot," Yue said. "It doesn't have to be for long. You just need to assert our stance on the leadership issue and warn them to their faces to stay out of our lives. If they agree, then fine—"

"And if they disobey? They haven't valued our word before."

"If they disobey this time, we're going to bring the foot down. We'll proceed with charges against them for breaching border security policies as you said. If putting them behind bars is the only way to stop them from harassing us, then it's going to end up being the result."

"We could just throw them in jail and avoid all this…"

"But we're interims. We're not acting as private citizens seeking revenge," she said. "Let's just give this a try and see what happens. You don't have anything to worry about. Kunya and I will be with the kids, and we'll have plenty of guards with us. There's no eclipse coming up, besides. And I'm not going to sit back and take yakshit like I did all those years ago. I'm a mom, I will kick ass if necessary—"

"Well I'm not expecting you to kick ass in this condition when you should have an army of guards on alert—"

"Well yes, obviously."

Casting a glance at her stomach, "This is extremely bad timing for a meeting with those monsters."

"I know, but it's better to get this over with and send them out of here before the babies get here."

"You do have a point," he sighed. "Katara will be with you. You need a capable healer with you at all times—"

"Katara and Aang both need to be at the meeting," she said. "We can invite Yugoda instead."

"Fine, but Imona will also be with you. Junguk's in town; he'll be happy to watch the kids, too. Of course, silak and ukuagek and Kunya will be with you, too. Sayen and her team will keep guard, and they'll come get me if your water breaks."

Yue laid her head against his chest, "That sounds good."

He planted kisses to her temple, closing his eyes. Despite the urgent nature of this Spirit-forsaken meeting, he had a horrible feeling about the whole thing. It was no secret that Yue, too, was dreading this. But some part of her allowed her to brush her hand softly over his and whisper into his chest, "Everything's gonna be okay."

Ki'ma found Sokka sieving half-heartedly through a scroll, Ahuma curled up in his arms. She chuckled at the sight, making her way over to her oldest.

"There he is," Ki'ma said, brushing her hand over the little airbender's wolf-tail, "I was wondering where he was."

"He had a bad dream," Sokka rubbed the boy's back.

"I'll go tuck him in," Ki'ma offered.

"It's fine, Mom, he can stay for a bit," the chieftain draped his robe over Ahuma as a blanket as the boy burrowed himself further into his father's arms.

Ki'ma took a seat beside Sokka, speaking softly so she wouldn't wake the little boy, "Kohana said he's not coming to the meeting tomorrow. Did he tell you?"

"Yeah. He'd rather spend his day off with Kunya and Kinu-bear."

"He's super attached to Kinara," the woman noted with a smile.

"And he's afraid Hakoda and Kya will ask him if they can see Kinara and Kunya."

The tribeswoman nodded. "You know, your dad and I went to see them earlier."

"I heard."

"We were very pissed that they came now when Yue is past her due date, but they had no idea that she was expecting again. They said if they knew, they wouldn't have done this now—"

"As if they're gonna be considerate and leave now that they know. They're only gonna take advantage of this. I wouldn't be surprised if they ask to stay until the babies get here and then ask to see them." Rubbing his aching head, "They know I won't let 'em back into the tribe, so they won't be budging until this Spirit-forsaken meeting is over." Covering Ahuma's ears, "These idiots, these fucking idiots just can't get a fucking grip on the fact that we see them as monsters and want them nowhere near us."

Ki'ma placed her hand on his shoulder, "Sokka—"

"I'm terrified, Mom," Sokka admitted. "I have this…this strange equation etched into my mind somehow that something horrible will happen as long as they're here…"

"I know why you feel that way, but nothing's going to happen, sweetie," Ki'ma told him. "Your dad and I aren't going to let anything happen to any of you. We have a guard appointed for nearly every square inch of this place. Several White and Black Lotuses are on their way here. Master Piandao said he's finalizing a security plan."

"But I'm still so terrified, and I don't want to stress Yue out by admitting this to her," he said raggedly. "I heard that those idiots won't stop asking around about the kids." Clutching Ahuma closer to him, "Asking the servants which of our babies were airbenders…"

"They told me they were just curious. They were asking what bender each baby is, or if they're non-benders. And they wouldn't stop talking about Ummi. Since she's the only one they've actually seen…"

His terror only intensified, "Fuck…"

"They keep asking these things because they want to get to know their grandchildren—"

"They're not their grandchildren, they're yours."

"I know, sweetie, I know," she said. "Your dad and I told them to keep to their own business if they wanted a meeting. I just…I'm just wondering why would you and Yue pass up the chance to be the chief and chieftess of the South."

Which caught him by surprise.

"This was the honor you both deserved," Ki'ma said. "Back then, they were groveling for Yue to leave the south be, and today, they're groveling for Yue to take the Southern throne with you and establish your bloodline as the royal bloodline. Isn't this what you want? For her to get all the honor and glory she's entitled to?" And upon noticing his obvious discomfort, "There are no threats down South, inniga. The political atmosphere in the South is not like how it was ten years ago. There's a new council, there are new members, and there's a new mindset all over. The South wants progress like the North. The people want you and Yue. No one's paying Kya and Hakoda any head, so it's not like we have anyone backing them up in any way. Tribefolk have been terrified to work for them ever since the incident. Do you know exactly how many servants are in that 'Palace of Doom,' as the people call it? Seven. Those seven servants bathe in holy water day and night to protect themselves and their families to cleanse themselves of being in that horrid place, and they say prayers to La every night to forgive them because they have no other way of earning a living."

Sokka said nothing, looking out of the nearest window at the Northern landscape, lost in thought.

"We can have a new palace constructed in the South. It will be ready as soon as you and Yue take the throne. And I know you're worried about Karuna's rights, but…you and Yue need to be the chief and chieftess even if it's for six years. You can then open the floor to him. If he wants to be the chieftain, pass the baton over to him. No disqualification of bloodlines will be necessary." Holding his hand, "What do you say, sweetie?"

He shook his head, "As long as Hakoda and Kya are down there, there's always gonna be a threat. Like I said, my brain equals them to danger now… I mean, they keep harping home the fact that they didn't throw the pitchforks, but even after everything Yue did for them, they rejected her, didn't they? They still tried to find faults in her, didn't they?"

"You saved Kohana, and… you saved Karuna. You've stopped Sokka from getting into trouble with the Fire Nation, and you've helped my daughter establish a career that is most fulfilling to her. And of course, you've saved the South from starvation. You've helped all of our children, all of us in very powerful ways, and we are ever grateful. You are a hero to us…but…Even the goddess keeps her distance, right?"

"Even though we are thankful to you, the highest honor we are able to give you is naming my little one after your alias. But that is all we can do. The reality is that we can never accept you as family."

"No matter what we do, we are not able to break away from what has been ingrained into us. We can't even look at you without flinching... And we hate ourselves for it, but this is just the way things are with us. Hakoda and I are not in a position to question the authority of the Book of Purity, and I don't want to take chances by questioning it. M-Maybe things would've been different if you had come from me, but you did not. I'm a simple woman, Akna…I can't… overcome this block…I can't bond with you. I can't empathize with you…Do you know what I mean?"

"They insulted our relationship, and they called our babies sins. Kya was telling Yue to do them a favor by dumping me and getting out of my life, and Hakoda told me to get the hell out of the South if I had no plans of abandoning Yue." Scowling, "If uplifting the South from starvation, giving them all the riches in the world, saving their kids from trouble did nothing... we can't expect them to change now. We can't take risks."

"They're not going to use those tactics on you now. You two have gone way too far for any of that to happen. You don't have anything to fear. And besides, they said all those things before she was defending you from Pa…from that maniac, I mean." Sighing, "They genuinely believed Yue was using you for the throne, Sokka, because of the initial contract behind your marriage. It wasn't until the incident that they realized Yue did love you."

"Of course she loves me! She never used me for anything! I begged her to use me because I was obsessed with her, and she still didn't!"

"They don't know that."

"Well even if they don't, my wife shouldn't have to have a near-death experience for them to trust her." Glaring back out of the window, "And it doesn't matter how we got married. They were latching onto the idea that because she's the Akna, she brings bad luck. And I would bring bad luck, too, because I wanted to be with her forever. And because we were the 'bad luck couple,' we had to be banished from the South for the South's well-being. They're pining for grandkids now, but wouldn't their grandkids bring them bad luck, too, by their idiotic logic?"

Ki'ma said nothing, earning a patient look from her oldest, "You're feeling sorry for them, aren't you, Mom?"

Ki'ma shook her head, "I don't think I personally have very much pity for them. They did this to themselves. Amaruq's also getting tired of all this; if Kya wasn't his sister, he would've excused himself from this dilemma a long time ago." Swallowing, "If they had just accepted your relationship, and if they had just opened their hearts a little bit and made room for Yue back then, they wouldn't be in this situation today… And I just don't ever want to find myself in the situation that they're in. You and Kiguk are our whole world, inniga… I don't ever want to be in a situatio where you and ukuagek look at me with disgust—"

"You and Dad could never do what they did, Mom," Sokka told her. "You took me in when they threw me away."

"Inniga—"

"It's the truth." He tossed aside the scroll in his hands, "You and Dad are all we need. Yue and I are very happy with you two in our lives. We don't need them. We don't want our kids hanging around them…"

"And you have every right to feel that way."

"Yue and I don't need a dumb throne that they threw away, and we aren't gonna go begging for the affections of people who threw us away. It's how Yue feels about Natsiq and Lusa, and it's how I feel about Hakoda and Kya. Our kids are gonna grow up with silak Arnook and ukuagek Ahnah and you and Dad as their grandparents, and that's final." He stood up, wrapping his robe completely around little Ahuma, his palms still covering the boy's ears, "Tomorrow's meeting's gonna be nothing but me telling them to shove their performances up their asses and leave us all alone."

"Yep, they're hanging in there," Yugoda said, helping straighten Yue's robes over her ballooned stomach. She looked at Sokka, who had been a nervous wreck throughout his wife's examination, "You both tried everything I suggested?"

"Yeah," the chief nodded, "We tried the herbal oils. I brewed her the teas you wrote down. We're going on long walks."

"You've tried an induction massage, Chieftess?"

"Yes, we had some acupressure healers come in and help with that."

"And I'm you've tried sex," she said, amused by the leaders' flushed forms, "Well, it seems like you're doing everything you can from your end, and it's definitely triggering something, but the triplets just don't want to come out. You said you were having false labor pains again, Chieftess?"

"Last night, but it wasn't too bad," Yue sighed. "I'm still hoping for the process to be natural."

"I understand, and we can wait another week if you want, but it's risky for you and the babies if we go past that." Being wary of the chieftain's spastic anxiety, "Not to worry, of course. Mom and babies are still in the safe zone. She just needs to stay hydrated to keep the false labor at bay somewhat. I also have a serum that can help move the process along." Looking back at the chieftess, "We can wait for two more days before I give it to you. It typically boosts the process seventy percent of the time, but if it doesn't work, then I recommend we shift you over to the healing hut for a surgical procedure… But I'm sure it won't go that far," she noted the terror on the chief's face. "Who knows, maybe it'll happen naturally tonight or tomorrow. And even if it comes down to the serum, the serum does work wonders. I was just speculating…"

"But it happened naturally with the boys and the twins," Sokka pointed out, still worried.

"Yes, of course, and it might very well happen soon. But then again, every pregnancy is different. If it does happen naturally in the next two days, we won't need the serum."

Sokka swallowed, brushing his wife's hair out of her face. "I'll just postpone the meeting—"

"Sokka, that's not necessary," Yue said, "I'm fine."

"I understand you wanted a healer on site for today, Your Majesties," the healer said. "I'll be in the palace premises all day today."

"Yeah, that's good," Yue nodded. "See, Sokka? No worries."

"If you start to feel something, send for me, Chieftess," Yugoda said before bowing and taking her leave. Ahnah and Arnook rushed in soon afterwards.

"What did the healer say?" Ahnah asked as she and Arnook settled beside their daughter, "How are you doing, love?"

"She just told me to keep drinking those teas and do what I can."

"There's nothing to worry about, is there?"

"No, ukuagek, everything's fine," Sokka said.

Ahnah kissed her daughter's forehead, "Why don't I personally brew you some of that herbal tea, sweetheart?"

"Yeah, that sounds nice, anaana."

"I'll be right back," Ahnah hurried out.

Arnook took a seat beside his daughter, dabbing away the sweat at her temples, "How do you feel now, paniga?"

"Just tired."

"Don't stress yourself," he said, muttering beneath his breath, "Those idiots really couldn't find a better time, could they?"

"Ataata—"

"What? That's what they are," Sokka agreed with his father-in-law, confiding to him his woes, "I keep saying I'll postpone the meeting, but your panik wouldn't listen to me, silak."

"What's wrong if he postpones, Yue—?"

"I'm doing just fine, okay? No postponements are necessary."

Arnook shook his head. "You know how she is, ningauk. But don't worry, we'll all be with her. Everything will be fine." Turning to his daughter, "Is there anything I can get you?"

"Do you know where the kids are, ataata?"

"They're playing out in the hall. Imona is with them."

"They had a bunch of snacks earlier, and they haven't had a proper lunch yet. Do you mind—?"

"No no, not at all, paniga," he stood up, "I'll take care of that right now, don't you worry. Get some rest." And with that, he rushed out.

Upon seeing Sokka's panic flaring up again, Yue frowned worriedly, "This is exactly why I said I didn't need another check-up. I'm a healer, too, Sokka, I knew this was what she was going to say. And now you're all anxious."

"You can't skip out on check-ups just 'cause you think I'll panic." Though the timing of this Spirit-damned meeting and the present circumstances weren't the only things messing with him. He couldn't stop thinking about the nightmare that rattled him last night: fire, lots of fire triggered from explosions that came from Spirits-knew-where, attempting to swallow the palace whole and claim the lives of his wife and children. And he, who was on the outside, failed to barge in and retrieve them before the fire spread. Of course, the nightmare was likely fueled by the meeting having drawn so near, and not being by her side only worsened his ordeal.

Yue thumbed his palm, "Hey, it's okay. It's nothing to be worried about."

He helped her sit up and gave her some water, taking his seat beside her and pressing skillfully on her shoulders. "You look really tired, baby. Take a nap."

"In a little bit." Raising her eyebrows at his unkempt hair, "What's this? Trying to give me a bad name in front of Kya?" Her hand combed through his locks, putting up his wolf tail in a neater manner, "'You think you're all that, Akna! Sweeping my son off his feet! But you don't even know how to do his hair!'"

"Who cares what she thinks," he frowned.

"It's just a joke, nalligima." And seeing that he was still on edge, she kissed his cheek. "Every time you feel like you're getting super angry, just imagine me and the kids sitting next to you. Like we're all about to play a board game or something. Bring yourself back to the present. Take deep breaths. And when you see them, try not to lose your cool. Be intimidating, but take it easy."

"It's gonna be difficult with those monsters…" He kissed her forehead, "And I hate not being next to you right now."

"I know, baby, but I'm not alone. In fact, the kids and I were thinking of spending some time out in the northern courtyard. Guarded, of course, and with anaana and ataata. It's very peaceful there, and I'd like to go for a walk."

"Are you sure you wanna be active right now?"

"I'm doing everything I can to speed up the process," she said. "It's just a short walk."

He kissed her belly, softly rubbing the skin, "Be careful. If you go into labor—"

"I'll send a hundred people to hunt you down and bring you to me. Happy?"

"Ataata, ataata!" Yuka suddenly burst into their room, followed closely by her brothers and sisters and a panting Arnook, who had been running after them with a generous bowl of dumplings, "Master Panda's here, ataata!"

"She means 'Piandao,'" Ahote clarified.

"Master Panda, Master Panda!"

Which managed to bring chuckles out of the Northern leaders.

"I'll talk to Master Piandao," Sokka told them. "You all stay with anaana. And be very careful—"

"And don't run around," Ahanu drawled.

"And don't run after strangers," Ahuma went on, "and don't eat too many spice chips—"

"And don't take candy from anybody," Yura said diligently, "especially candy that's not from Grandma Ahnah or Grandma Ki'ma or Grandpa Arnook or Grandpa Amaruq—"

"— or Auntie Imona or Auntie Sayen," Ahiga followed, "or Uncle Junguk or Uncle Kanguq or Uncle Aput or Auntie—"

"Okay, wolf pups, you know the drill, I get it," Sokka knelt down to their heights, "Be good to your mom and grandma and grandpa, okay?"

"Hey, 'ataata,'" Yue nudged him, "Wanna grab some fruit slushies and pastries when you get back?"

"Slushies!"

"I want a slushie!"

"I want one, too! Please ataata?"

"Please please please!"

Sokka smiled, "Alright, but only if you all be good."

"We'll be at the northern courtyard," she reminded. "Just meet us there when you're done."

"Yeah, I'll come get you guys," he said, "and we'll all stop by Kicchi's Bakery for some sweets and slushies. How does that sound?"

"YES!"

"Woohoo!"

He kissed the children one by one, holding them all close to his heart, a pang of terror and longing tugging at him as he held them for a long moment.

"If we ignore this now…what if they get into the palace next time? What if they somehow give the guards the slip? We can't take that risk and let them sneak in one day. We haven't even told the kids about them."

He let out a ragged breath, giving them each one more kiss before sharing a kiss with his wife, "Be very careful. I love you. All of you."

"We love you, too."

It had been a decade since Kya and Hakoda set foot in the Northern Water Tribe palace. They were swept away by the continued grandiosity of the place…and of course, all of the guilt that came with it. They were nevertheless eager to enter its doors; following the horrific incidents in the South, they thought they would never again set foot here. But here they were now, just a few feet away from the gates, so close to being in the same building as their son, ukuagek, and grandchildren… Though their hopes were once again dashed. They were informed by Ivaneq and the escorting guards that they were to be allowed nowhere near the palace save for the last corridor of the western wing (through which there was a shortcut to the Crescent Moon Estate, where the meeting was actually to be held).

They bypassed the main wings of the palace, and the gondola took them straight to the western wing. The stares of the passing servants bore into Kya and Hakoda; some were shocked to see them, and some others picked up their children and nearly fled at the sight of the former Southern leaders. Ivaneq remained at a distance from them, keeping a watchful eye, and the guards who led them inside, too, were stiff and on edge, constantly alert, one hand resting on their spears and the other resting at their belts. Kya and Hakoda held in their shame and anguish, their last shreds of hope lingering on the certainty that they would meet their oldest very soon.

Just before they stepped out of the western wing, Kya and Hakoda caught hold of a large, magnificent portrait of the chief and chieftess's family. They halted in their tracks, overcome by overwhelming love and pride at the image of the Northern leaders. In unbridled happiness Sokka and Yue were, their eyes aglow with joy and their faces glistening with wide smiles. Sokka resembled Hakoda even more with his trimmed beard and moustache, and he was no longer a slender young warrior-prince but a built chieftain much, much broader in physique. Yue was ever graceful, her supple curves from the past having matured into wider hips, blooming into a lush motherly figure. The lovers' marital bliss resulted in several little lives huddling against them in the portrait — young children in braids and wolf tails.

"Spilling one's bodily fluids on consecrated grounds is an unpardonable offense… and it will bring infertility, disease, and death…!"

"Infertility, disease, and death, hm? I suppose that's why she's a master healer… why she has saved millions of lives in the South and prevented many children and expecting mothers from starving to death! Don't forget that without my daughter risking her life to save all of yours, you would have been in the streets…!"

Hakoda and Kya, strangled by guilt, turned away from the portrait long enough to gather themselves together.

"Ivaneq? Who…? Who are all…?" Kya asked the assistant, looking back at the portrait in dormant excitement, "Which one's Princess Yura and which one's Princess Yuka? Which one's Ahanu and Ahote and—?"

A towering figure quickly tugged at a rope, unfurling a tapestry from its confines near the ceiling. The tapestry swooped down and covered the portrait in its entirety, shielding it from the glance of the former Southern leaders. Kya and Hakoda turned to see that the figure was none other than the chief of the North, his irises utterly black and furious.

Though hit with goosebumps, the former Southern leaders became overwhelmed with affection. Kya instantly shed her tears, wanting nothing more than to hug her son, "S-Sokka, inniga—!"

"I thought I told the servants to cover up the portraits!" the chieftain bellowed at Ivaneq, the high octaves of his voice making Kya nearly jump backward.

"They d-did, sir," the assistant fished for a white Tui talisman in his pocket as the chieftain glared at him with an eerie darkness in his eyes, "I-I guess they missed this one… I'll have the guards double-check every part of the palace and make sure they didn't miss anything else…"

Sokka huffed but said nothing, ignoring Kya and Hakoda and storming towards the estate, his fists clenched tightly. Ivaneq was a close second, breathing a sigh of relief. A heartbroken Hakoda and Kya followed, feeling very much like walking curses, unable to reach the chieftain with Ivaneq and the guards blocking them. Despite the tension, Kya spoke anyway, unable to stop her streams of affection.

"The chieftess is as radiant as ever, Your Majesty," she choked out. "It's hard to believe she's a mother of so many children. The girls look just like their mother, and the boys are all you—"

"Tell them to keep my wife and my babies out of their conversations, Ivaneq," Sokka snapped, "Otherwise, they can get the hell out of here."

From there, Sokka and Ivaneq broke from the group, meeting with a couple of other people and entering the estate through another entrance. The guards led Hakoda and Kya in the other direction in the meantime, taking them down vaguely familiar corridors— familiar given how Sokka had traversed them all those years ago, wearing heaps of cologne and carrying bunches of moonflowers for Yue, nearly floating out of the estate and flying into the palace every single day.

"It's not attraction."

"Then what is it? Gratitude?"

"Not just."

"Then? What is it? Love?"

"Yes."

"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard coming out of your mouth."

The guards eventually led Hakoda and Kya to the center of the estate— what used to be the meeting room of the estate. Piandao was standing outside, accompanied by several guards in black robes. The White Lotus sentry didn't say anything to the older couple but moved aside to let them in.

Several Southern and Northern delegates were gathered inside, along with several representatives from the Black and White Lotus Societies. Hakoda and Kya were led to a few seats furthest away from but directly across from the chieftain, and as they took their seats, they looked around the room, secretly hoping to spot more portraits — though that luxury was likely reserved for the palace only.

"All rise," a servant then announced, and everyone in the room scrambled up, "His Royal Highness, Nunaatip Ataata, Angayok Sokka Aninnialuk is arriving, accompanied by Her Highness, Dronningi Katara, and the Honorable Avatar Aang; Their Graces, Lord Amaruq and Lady Ki'ma of the Southern Water Tribe; the Honorable Mister Akluviq of the Northern Water Tribe Leadership Council; and the Honorable Mister Ivaneq of the Northern Water Tribe Council."

The announced officials stepped in one by one with more guards sandwiched between them. The raised platform at the front of the room welcomed the chieftain, whose glare was intact, his eyes pitch black. Aang and Katara took their places on one side of the chieftain whereas Amaruq and Ki'ma took their places on the other side. Katara and Ki'ma sat nearest to the chieftain, keeping their cautious hands within reach of his clenched fists.

"Every time you feel like you're getting super angry, just imagine me and the kids sitting next to you. Like we're all about to play a board game or something."

But Sokka didn't even want to imagine his family being in the vicinity of the former Southern rulers, the horrific images of a bloodied Southern tundra slapping him in the face. Clearing his throat, "Let's get this over with."

Akluviq rose, briefly bowing to the chieftain before facing the gathered delegates. "We are gathered here to discuss the future leadership of the Southern Water Tribe. In the past couple of years, Lord Hakoda and Lady Kya have sent numerous petitions citing their inability to lead the tribe. They expressed their wish of having their bloodline disqualified from royalty considerations. Expressing their greatest regrets, they revoked the banishment of Their Excellencies, Angayok Sokka and Ataniq Yuesanga, and despite having two sons eligible to ascend the throne, they have requested Their Excellences to officially ascend the Southern throne and begin the new royal lineage. This request had been repeatedly denied for lack of adequate legal basis, but in consideration of the fluctuating Southern economy, tensions in the old and disintegrating Southern Council, and the recurring threats of government shutdown, Ataniq Yue and Angayok Sokka had eventually assumed interim chiefdom with the view that Isumataq Kohana would ascend the throne. During this time, the economy of the South has seen major improvement and stability, and the Southern Council has been re-established with new members and effective leadership. It was also during this time that Isumataq Kohana relinquished his right to the Southern throne on account of personal reasons and signed off on the relinquishment documents. The current official candidate for Southern leadership is, therefore, Isumataq Karuna. Once again, Lord Hakoda and Lady Kya are requesting to make Angayok Sokka and Ataniq Yue's interim reign permanent and official whereas Their Excellencies are in favor of defending Isumataq Karuna's rights to the throne."

Ivaneq rose next, turning to Kya and Hakoda, "Please state the reasons why you ended your chiefdom."

Hakoda stood, facing the chieftain but unable to look him in the eye, "The burden was too big for us to bear. My wife and I had become personally very exhausted. Everyone had been spitting at us behind our backs. And perhaps the most important reason is the people's lack of faith in our leadership. There was never any obvious disrespect, but…we knew they did not think highly of us. Amaruq can attest to this—"

"Akluviq, please do inform Mister Hakoda to address my dad as Lord Amaruq," Sokka said sharply.

Akluviq blinked, turning to Hakoda. The older tribesman gulped, "Yes, Lord Amaruq…I apologize…" Holding back his tears, "Lord Amaruq can attest to the fact that…the situation in the South is not looking too well…in terms of the people's faith in me and my wife to lead the tribe… And we just couldn't continue to lead a nation when we were highly unpopular as leaders."

"Hm, I do wonder why that is, Akluviq," Sokka drawled, reveling in the very public shame that sparked in the eyes of the former Southern chief and chieftess. Amaruq and Ki'ma, though concerned for Hakoda and Kya, could say nothing in the circumstance; there was nothing to be said with the former Southern leaders having brought this upon themselves.

Akluviq cleared his throat, "Please state your reasons for wanting to disqualify your bloodline without just cause."

"We believe there is just cause," Hakoda continued. "Except it's a cause that wasn't written down in the Water Tribe Code. The South's reputation has been severely tainted because our bloodline has been disgraced. We believe the only way the situation can be rectified is to have Their Majesties officially take the South under their wing—"

"I don't understand what they mean by their entire bloodline being disgraced, Akluviq," Sokka raised his eyebrows, "So they're saying Prince Kohana had been disgraced and was unworthy for the throne? They're saying Prince Karuna is now disgraced? What are the princes' crimes for them to be so disgraced? Did they run after people with pitchforks? Did they try to throw babies into the fire? Did they mercilessly disown their young?"

Hakoda and Kya shuddered, looking away painfully.

"The Northern Water Tribe, being fully aware of Her Highness's lineage and Air Nomad roots, had wholeheartedly and unanimously accepted her as their nunaatip anaana. They valued everything she had done for him and prioritized their bright futures under her reign over the details of her past. But it is beyond me how Southern leadership, which has expressed what it believed to be crucial concerns about Her Highness's bloodline, is now all of a sudden ready for her rule." Glaring daggers at the former Southern chief, "I do wonder if Mister Hakoda remembers the conversation I had with him ten years ago. About an hour before the unspeakable atrocity in the South, the then-chief Hakoda stood me up in front of ninety-seven members of the then-Southern Council. He raved about the horrors of having Ataniq Yue as the South's chieftess. He refused to allow Her Majesty to, I quote, 'taint the pure Southern lineage with airbending blood.' He demanded that I must be separated from her to remain a candidate, and he said that even if I refused to leave her, our marriage wouldn't be recognized. She would be legally known as my mistress instead of my wife, and our children would be illegitimate."

"Chief, that was when I didn't realiz—"

"I fail to understand why Mister Hakoda, a man of firm conviction," Sokka cut Hakoda off, "is begging before me now to restart the royal lineage with our blood—"

"That was when we were still narrow-minded, Your Majesty. We were being adamant about pointless traditions. But now we realize just how ridiculous we were being. True leadership is based on neither blood nor bending abilities but the purity of the heart."

"Her Majesty has been very generous to the South since the beginning," Kya spoke. "She is the reason why Karuna is alive. She is the reason why Kohana is sitting here. She is the reason why the South didn't starve to death. And even though we knew all of these things…were blinded by false scriptures and horrid people. And Her Grace had still shown us only mercy…" Looking up at the chief, "We ask that she shower her mercy on us again. Not necessarily by forgiving us — because that's not something we deserve— but by taking the South under her wing."

"We understand the Southern palace is a reminder of the atrocity she experienced," Hakoda said. "We will have it torn down at once if you and the chieftess accept—"

"Pardon my ignorance, Akluviq," Sokka interrupted, "but is the mere act of tearing down the palace going to guarantee my family's safety in the South? Or will it make us forget our traumas and have us run around freely in the South again? Or will it wipe out the memory of my wife soaked in blood and left to bleed out? Should I remind everyone that I ordered certain provisions to be included in the border policy? Specific provisions prohibiting these two individuals from casting their shadow here? Need I remind everyone in this room that the only reason we're all here right now is because they were acting like hooligans for the attention!"

"We had no choice but to do this. It was for the South," Hakoda said. "You've worked to uphold the South ever since you were young, Your Majesty. Surely you wouldn't turn your back on the South when it needs you."

"When it needs me, huh?" Sokka said bitterly, "The tribe I grew up in didn't even blink as it threw me under the sleigh, but the tribe I'd been furious with was quick to accept me as its leader. I suppose that's irony at its best. But despite this, I would never turn my back on the South." A blazing fire seemed to burn in his eyes, "It is not of interest to me or the chieftess to lead the South, but it is our responsibility to look out for the South's wellbeing as its interims. Her Majesty and I raised Prince Kohana and prepared him for the throne, but Kohana was righteous in choosing family over power. And we respected his priorities; after all, it's not our tradition to disown loved ones for following their hearts."

Hakoda and Kya repeatedly felt a jab to their hearts.

"Prince Karuna is now the South's candidate for chief," Sokka continued. "Whether anyone likes it or not, he will be officially in line for Southern chiefdom. In the event that he, too, knowingly and wholeheartedly relinquishes chiefdom for any reason, he will be replaced by a backup candidate of mine and Her Majesty's choosing."

"Are you saying a random Southerner is better equipped to rule the South? Are you saying a sixteen-year-old child is better equipped to rule the South?" Hakoda pressed. "Because in our opinion, Your Majesty, there is no better man to restore the dignity and honor of the South than the man who slayed my father. And there is no woman more fit for the Southern throne than the woman who has lifted the North onto its feet in a matter of months. Only your leadership can earn the trust and loyalty of the tribefolk, and only the chieftess is capable of bringing the South back on its feet."

"Someone who has received coaching from such people is also capable of bringing such change," Sokka said. "Isumataat Kohana and Karuna are like our own. Just as we have prepared Kohana, the chieftess and I are going to prepare Karuna for these responsibilities—"

"We don't need a chieftain on the throne," Kya insisted. "We need makers of chieftains. That's what the South needs. Disqualify our bloodline, Your Majesty, I plead with you—"

"WHAT ARE THE PRINCES' CRIMES, DAMMIT?!" Sokka raged, throwing everyone in the room off guard. Most people in the room reached for their Tui talismans as Katara and Aang reached for the chieftain, trying to calm him down. "Tell them not to waste my time with this nonsense!" Sokka boomed in Akluviq's direction. "Prince Karuna is the official candidate! These people might find joy in throwing their children out of their lives and sabotaging their careers, but I don't! Karuna might still be young, but if he ends up wanting the position, his rights will not be compromised for these baseless requests. Karuna is the South's new chief. There will be no disqualification of any kind!" Snapping his look in his assistant's direction, "Ivaneq!"

"Y-Yes, Angayok," Ivaneq scrambled up, shakily grabbing his papers, "A-As per the final word of the honorable Angayok and Ataniq, Lord Hakoda and Lady Kya are to leave the North immediately and abide by the orders of their banishment from the Northern homeland. If they refuse, or if they again try to contact the leaders of the North and their family in any way, action will be taken against them for refusing to comply with security policy. They will be imprisoned in the Southern Water Tribe for a minimum duration of ten years—"

"You wanna know their crime so bad, Chief?! THEIR CRIME IS NOT BEING YOU!" Kya screamed in the middle of the statement, jolting the room back to attention. "How could you think they could ever replace you?!"

Sokka continued to glower down, but at that moment, Kya saw in his eyes not just unfathomable rage; there was betrayal, heartbreak, fear, and disgust, all swirling in unison. And it only set her guilt on fire, making her burst into tears on the spot and drop to her knees. Amaruq, seized by his affection for his sister, rushed out of his seat and down the platform, racing for the frail, sobbing woman as Hakoda held her by her shoulders, letting his own tears fall. Ki'ma, too, found herself letting go of Sokka's hand and running down to the woman, and Katara, who had held herself back all this time, felt her heart moved by the plight of her mother, signaling Aang wordlessly to watch Sokka before stepping down as well.

"We admit it, Sokka!" Kya screeched, "We did this just so you and Yue can take the Southern throne! We wanted to live in the illusion that we properly passed the reign to you! Because you are our firstborn! You are La's gift!"

"Your 'gift' was long dead," the chieftain said bitterly. "He was dead the moment you threw those papers in his face. Sitting before you is a husband and a father trying to protect his family…and I take those identities very seriously."

Kya nearly collapsed in Katara's arms, continuing to sob, "I'm sorry, inniga, I'm so, so sorry! I'm sorry I was a coward! I'm sorry I was a bigot! I'm sorry I was stuck in the shadows of our ancestors even though they did nothing but RIP MY LIFE APART!" Through hiccups, "I love you with every fiber of my being! I just wanted to see you and ukuagek! I wanted to see my grandchildren—!"

"Don't bring my babies into this," he hissed. "You called my children sins. You think I'm ever going to forget that?!"

"I didn't mean it," Kya vigorously shook her head, "I didn't mean any of it! I accept my ukuagek and inngutaat just as they are! Please, Sokka, don't do this to us, please…" Drying her tears, "No matter how many papers you signed and no matter what filth left this man's mouth during that Gods-forsaken meeting ten years ago—" pointing to Hakoda, "—you are our firstborn! And that will never change!"

"You speak of firstborns like you're the only person who has one," his glare didn't change. "I, too, have a firstborn. I have airbenders among my children, and my children all have the possibility of having an airbender among their children or their children's children or their posterity… And I'm not letting any of them come near a tribe that has always been doubtful about its future under our mixed lineage. And I sure as hell am not taking any chances by letting them come near the two of you." His eyes welling up with tears, "Every time I think about you…I don't even picture your faces. All I think about is the South. All I think about is that tonight. All I think about are my wife and kids. The ukuagek and inngutaat you're dying to meet right now? Yeah, they would have existed if anything— ANYTHING— had gone wrong that night! The nerve you have to ask to see them after everything?!"

"If you really believe that the sins of the parents don't touch the innocent, then you'll have to believe that my father's sins won't touch me," Hakoda choked out. "You know our history, Sokka. You know I have good in me. I shouldn't have been so harsh and heartless that night, but dear Spirits…that night…Oh my Tui and La…!" the man shuddered, terror glazing over his tear-filled eyes, "Even if you hadn't murdered my father, I most certainly would have that night. We never wanted this to happen, Sokka, please…"

"We'll spend the rest of our lives apologizing to you and ukuagek and the kids," Kya wept, "Every single day for everything. But don't hold us responsible for the actions of a maniac, Sokka, please, I'm begging you! Have mercy on us, please!"

"Our sins shouldn't touch the tribe as a whole," Hakoda pleaded. "Don't abandon the South just because you hate us."

But the chieftain was unyielding. "My children need a father more than the South needs me as its ruler, much more than you need me as a son. And I need someone who accepts me just as I am and assures me every day that I'm irreplaceable, not people who so easily cut me out of their family." Ignoring their pleas and shrieks, he stood up, "I've had enough of this nonsense. My decision will not change. Akluviq, pursuant to Resolution Two-Hundred Seventeen, these two will leave the North within two hours. I don't want them anywhere in my tribe—!"

BOOM!

And all of a sudden, the estate rattled with incredible force, knocking everyone off of their seats. Shocks of debris flew through the glass windows, and along with them, the high octaves of several screams of the tribefolk that came bursting forth. The thick smell of smoke blinded the senses of those who took cover from the flying debris. Aang rushed forth to shield Katara as Amaruq and Hakoda shielded Ki'ma and Kya, scrambling under the tables.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Sokka, who had staggered out of his seat, held onto a tapestry to prevent himself from falling, fear stabbing his pounding heart at the volume and magnitude of what sounded like—

"EXPLOSION, CHIEF!" a delegate screeched after peeking outside through a broken window. "The ports!"

And amid the panic in the room, Sokka dared to look outside through another shattered window, his chest twisting at the amount of smoke that quickly filled the air, the destruction that came into the light when the clouds of smoke parted. Ashen, bloodied, mangled bodies lay over the snow. The chieftain screeched in horror.

"SEND IN THE RELIEF TEAMS IMMEDIATELY!" Sokka ordered, "Secure the gates! Emergency Protocol Seventy-Nine! NOW!"

Which prompted several guards and delegates to dash out.

"B-By the ports? But that makes no sense!" Ivaneq scrambled up, "Th-There's nothing around the ports to trigger anything like this! The routine inspection happened an hour ago, I personally saw those files—!"

"The only thing that changed in the past hour is the docking of Hakoda and Kya's ship," Akluviq glared daggers at Kya and Hakoda, "Isn't that where your ship is docked?"

Sokka fumed wildly at the former Southern leaders, his black eyes swirling dangerously. A horrified Hakoda and Kya vehemently shook their heads and screamed, "NO! We didn't do anything! We swear to the Spirits! We have NO IDEA what—!"

"We've checked their ship!" Ivaneq exclaimed. "We cleared it before bringing it in! There's nothing there that could've caused this! It's docked on the north side, besides—!"

The door to the entrance then burst open, an alarmed Piandao rushing in with fellow Lotuses. "There's another explosion by the north side ports, Sokka! The whole north side's been blasted! A significant portion of the palace is also affected!"

North side. The chieftain's world stopped.

"We'll be at the northern courtyard. Just meet us there when you're done."

"NALLIGIMAAAA!"