CHAPTER 53: Rumors
"If you truly love yourself, you can never hurt another."
Sokka would never have anticipated what met them when he, Suki and his dad finally arrived at the South Pole.
Their stops at Yon Rha's village and Whale Tail Island had not proven to entail anything else but short breaks for them along the way.
As they had sailed south, the weather had grown progressively colder.
And as they came closer to the South Pole, the Water Tribe ship leading them on in their journey had to cut through thick ice floes, navigate treacherous waters and keep calm through several small snowstorms.
When the ship finally docked at the icy shores of the Southern Water Tribe, the trio was greeted with enthusiasm by the tribe.
Family and friends rushed to welcome them, wrapping Suki in warm furs, before leading all of them to Hakoda's home.
And even though Sokka felt absolutely fantastic about finally being home again, he did however soon notice some sort of tension in the air.
He could sense it in the secretive whispers and furtive glances of his people.
His dad did not seem to notice, though, so he pushed it away for a while, as he reveled in the familiarity, enthusiasm and warm greetings from his family and friends.
It appeared that the ongoing Southern Reconstruction Project had been a success so far.
The village had expanded a lot since the last time he was there, and several tribe members had returned to the South to embark on the blossoming of the capital.
Once small and sparse, the village had grown significantly, and Sokka was now met by new structures and bustling activity, and he could not help but to feel an overwhelming sense of pride swelling in his chest for his people.
The expansion of the tribe represented to him their resilience and ability to thrive despite the challenges that they had faced not only as a former colony of the Northern Water Tribe, but also since the Fire Nation's earlier attempts of defeating them.
It made him reflect on the hard work and determination that were such big parts of his culture.
A wave of nostalgia hit him.
Man, how he wished that Katara was here with him.
Sokka remembered the village as it was during his childhood - simpler and smaller but filled with the same spirit of community and camaraderie.
He recalled playing with Katara in the snow, training the other young warriors, and the close-knit bonds they all shared.
A bittersweet smile broke over his lips, as he acknowledged the passage of time and the changes that had come with it.
He felt optimistic too, though.
Seeing the tribe's growth filled Sokka with hope for the future.
He found himself envisioning a thriving community where his people could live peacefully and prosperously. The new buildings, improved infrastructure and bustling activity signified a bright future where the tribe could continue to grow and flourish.
In a way, he felt like the expanded village somehow mirrored his own experiences and the evolution that he had undergone since leaving home several years ago.
He felt a connection between his personal development and the tribe's progress, recognizing that both had come a long way and still had much further to go.
He exchanged a proud look with his dad when they reached the Chief's hut, and Sokka could not help but to exhale a sigh of disbelief as he let his eyes marvel over the structure.
Before the Fire Nation attacked, residents of the Southern Water Tribe lived in beautiful igloo-like structures. However, sealskin tents had been the norm in his childhood, except of course for the Chief's hut.
The Chief's hut, now an impressive structure at the center of the village, commanded attention with its size and intricate design. Decorative carvings of water tribe symbols and patterns adorned the exterior, each telling stories of their heritage and victories.
The entrance was flanked by tall, elegantly carved icy totem poles, symbolizing the tribe's ancestors and spirits.
For a fleeting moment, Sokka's eyes rested over the depiction of the cycles of the moon, and he felt a slight twinge of pain gripling just at the edges of his heart.
"Dad, this is incredible," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else, as he reached out to touch one of the carvings, feeling the ice prickle the skin of his fingertips.
The beauty of the hut exceeded his wildest imagination.
"We've worked hard," Hakoda muttered with a smile, before he lifted the sealskin leading into the hut, silently urging Sokka and Suki inside.
Sokka felt a comforting hand on his shoulder, as they stepped inside, and he turned his gaze to Suki.
She smiled warmly at him, and he knew that she shared his admiration.
The interior of the Chief's hut revealed even more impressive details.
The space was expansive, with a high ceiling supported by large wooden beams. The walls were adorned with furs, seal skins and beautiful hand woven tapestries with sacred symbols.
The main hall was obviously designed to accommodate large gatherings, and at the center, a large heart provided warmth and light.
Several pelts and animal skins laid spread out around the fire, inviting visitors to sit down comfortably when visiting the Chief.
Again, Sokka could not help but to turn to his father, a wide grin on his face.
"You've done an amazing job, dad. This is everything our tribe deserves and more," he said, and he could see the pride and love that beamed from his father's eyes.
"It's not just my doing, son," Hakoda said in a humble smile, before he turned around to throw more wood on the fire. "It's the result of our entire tribe working together. And it's something we'll continue to build upon, with leaders like you and Katara to guide us."
Sokka bit his lower lip at the mention of Katara's name.
How could he feel guilty on behalf of her?
It was her choice not to come, not his.
Sokka furrowed his brow and nodded at his father.
He knew that the path forward required dedication, purpose, responsibility and unity, and he felt more ready than ever to play his part in ensuring the continued prosperity of the Southern Water Tribe.
He felt a deep desire within himself, and also a sense of purpose rooted deeply in him to represent the South one way or another in the future. Whether it would be as the Chief of the South, or in some other way.
With a sense of purpose, pride and affection, Sokka enjoyed his first Southern Water Tribe meal in what seemed to be ages, accompanied by his girlfriend and father.
The warmth of the steamy soup traveled like a soothing wave of heat from within his stomach and radiated outward from his core, soon enveloping his entire being with a sense of coziness and contentment.
In that fleeting moment, he felt nurtured and cared for, as the heat of the soup seemed to wrap around him like a soft, comforting blanket of his childhood, while the fire in the hearth crackled sweetly, carrying with it a scent of homecoming.
As he finished his meal, Sokka let out a contented sigh, stretching his legs and savoring the moment of peace. Beside him, Suki smiled, her face glowing in the firelight, while Hakoda was engaged in reading through a few messages that he had received while he was away.
But the moment of comfort was fleeting.
Just as Sokka was about to close his eyes and fully sink into the comfort of finally being home again, a sudden chill prickled his skin.
He frowned, sitting up slightly, as he glanced towards the source of the chill.
The thick furs and seal skin that usually kept out the cold at the entrance had been pushed aside, letting in a gust of icy wind, and then a figure appeared in the doorway, silhouetted against the outside that had already grown dark.
Sokka squinted his eyes before he recognized the familiar shape of a tribe member wrapped in heavy furs.
Karlaq soon stepped inside, his breath visible in the cold air that he brought with him, before he quickly pulled the door coverings back into the place.
When he was a kid, Sokka had trained Karlaq to become a warrior, and it was strange to see him so grown up now, as he approached them hastily, his face lined with worry.
Karlaq sent Sokka a quick smile, before he turned his face to Hakoda, and his smile disappeared.
"Chief, I'm sorry to disturb you, but we have a situation," he said, his voice urgent and breathless from the cold.
Sokka's comfort evaporated instantly, replaced by a knot of concern tightening in his stomach.
He exchanged a quick glance with his father, who nodded, his expression shifting from relaxed to curious in an instant.
Suki leaned in, her eyes alert.
"What's going on?" Hakoda asked in a calm voice, but Sokka could see the hint of concern in his eyes.
As in the rest of the world, peace was the highest currency that no one could afford to lose.
Even though Sokka braced himself for whatever news Karlaq had for them, he could never have prepared himself for the words that left the warrior's mouth.
"It's only a couple of days ago that three strangers came to the village," Karlaq said as he shrugged off the warm furs that covered his shoulders. "They carried some news that really rallied up a lot of people."
A moment of silence passed in the Chief's hut, only broken by the crackling of the fire.
Sokka suddenly got a bad taste in his mouth, as he saw the exchange of glares passed between his dad and Karlaq.
"And?" Hakoda raised at him calmly.
"And well, it's probably just rumors and nothing more, but…" Karlaq spoke warily, his gaze darting around the room as if he was afraid to share whatever rumors these strangers had brought to the village.
"Karlaq…" Hakoda pressed, his voice still calm.
The tribe member took a deep breath, his words heavy with the weight of urgency.
"They shared rumors about…" Karlaq murmured, shifting awkwardly on his feet as he stood there. "Well, it's impossible, I know, but…"
"What rumors, Karlaq?!" Hakoda urged.
"About your daughter!" Karlaq finally breathed. "And the Firelord."
Sokka's mouth fell slightly agape.
Oh no…
Sokka's gaze flew to his father's face, who was simply staring at Karlaq, his face still calm. However, Sokka knew the turmoil that must rush through his father at this very moment.
"And…" Karlaq continued in a grave voice. "Even though I've tried everything I can to explain to people how, of course, Katara is not to betray our tribe to become the next Fire Lady, it's still causing quite a stir among the villagers."
Immediately, Sokka's mind raced as he tried to piece together how these rumors about Katara and Zuko had reached the Southern Water Tribe.
He felt a rush of confusion and frustration, his heart pounding and his thoughts spiraling in different directions, as he tried to grapple with the unexpected news.
Sokka quickly ran through a mental list of the people who knew about their relationship.
It was a closely guarded secret, known only to a few trusted individuals.
Of course, team Avatar knew.
But they also knew of the possible consequences that a relationship between the Fire Lord and a high ranking member of the Southern Water Tribe - and the daughter of the Chief himself - could lead to.
What were the weak points?
Could the secret have slipped out somehow?
Another, more troubling thought entered Sokka's mind.
Who would benefit from spreading such rumors?
The political ramifications of this could prove to be more than significant.
"Hm," Hakoda hummed as if in controlled surprise, however, it was clear to Sokka how the lines of his face deepened with worry. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Karlaq."
The flickering light of the hearth cast long shadows in the room.
The warrior stood there, his brows furrowed with curiosity and concern, clearly expecting more than just acknowledgement.
"So, is it true?" he asked, his voice tinged with hesitation but firm in seeking clarity, while his eyes searched Hakoda's face, looking for answers.
Hakoda paused for a moment, the question hanging heavily in the air.
He understood the potential fallout if the truth about Katara and Zuko's relationship became widely known. The tribe's unity and the delicate political balance with the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom could be at risk.
And Sokka did not even dare to think about how the Northern Water Tribe would react.
He gulped down.
They really needed to navigate this carefully.
"These are complicated times, Karlaq," Hakoda began, choosing his words with care. "There are many rumors that circulate, and not all of them have a basis in truth. What's important is that we stay focused on our own path and not let outside influences divide us."
Karlaq raised an eyebrow at his leader.
"Not to be rude, Chief, but the people want to know…" he said with dark eyes. "Where's Katara now?"
Sokka felt his breath catch in his throat, and he tried to mask it by coughing.
Suki rested a calming hand on his thigh, urging him to keep his composure.
"Katara has business elsewhere at the moment," Hakoda calmly stated, before he started cleaning his teeth with the nail on his thumb. "I understand your concern, Karlaq, and I appreciate your vigilance. For now, let's keep this between us until we have more clarity. Our priority is the well-being and unity of the tribe. Where are these strangers now?"
Karlaq nodded slowly, his face a mixture of acceptance and lingering doubt.
"Of course, Chief. I trust your judgment," he replied, although his tone suggested that he would be keeping a close watch on the situation. "The strangers left only a couple of days ago."
"Thank you, Karlaq," Hakoda said sincerely, raising his hand at the warrior. "Your discretion and loyalty are invaluable to us."
At these words, Karlaq understood that he was no longer wanted in the Chief's hut, and both Sokka, Suki and Hakoda watched as he left the hut, the weight of the rumors still hanging in the air.
"This is…" Hakoda started after a silent moment of reflection.
"Not good," Sokka finished, knowing that the situation was delicate.
As Sokka's mind raced through different scenarios, his confusion solidified into resolve.
They needed to find the source of these rumors and address them swiftly. The stability of both the Southern Water Tribe and their broader alliances could be at stake.
Sokka looked at his dad with a face that was now set with determination.
"We need to get to the bottom of this," he whispered firmly, his strategic mind already formulating a plan. "We need to gather everyone who might know more about where these rumors started. We'll figure this out."
"No," Hakoda's deep voice sounded, causing Sokka to widen his eyes in surprise and shake his head slightly.
"What?" he whispered at his father as if shouting.
"Sokka," Hakoda hummed with the wisdom of age. "You know that an alleged relationship between Katara and Zu- the Fire Lord will outrage many. Some will see it as a betrayal due to the Fire Nation's past aggressions, and we don't know the possible consequences this could have for our tribe."
Sokka stared at his father with narrowed eyes.
"Or for the legitimacy of my leadership," his dad added in a solemn voice, causing Sokka to gulp down once more. "We need to seem as if we simply discard these rumors, until…"
A moment of silence passed by.
Sokka grew impatient.
Until what exactly?
Until the perfect moment to announce it to everyone?
Because that would definitely solve all their problems!
It was not like they had a century of conflict and bad blood to worry about.
Sokka felt annoyed by the selfishness of his sister.
Why settle for a nice, normal guy when you can date the most politically complicated public figure possible?
Nope, we need the drama of a political cross-nation love story to really spice things up!
Sokka felt like she was prioritizing her personal feelings over the potential political fallout that could change the future of the Southern Water Tribe, and it made him frustrated that she did not care to safeguard their people's interest more.
Love is love and all, but damn.
She had the whole world to choose from, and she picked the guy who had 'awkward political situation' written all over him.
Sokka could not hold his snarky comment back.
"Yeah," he muttered under his breath. "Let's all wait for the magical moment when Katara feels ready. Because that's when everything will suddenly make sense, and everyone will sing songs of joy about the Firelord dating a Southern Water Tribe diplomat!"
Sokka closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh, before he ran a hand over his face, his fingers dragging down from his forehead to his chin in a gesture of pure exasperation.
He felt his father's eyes on him.
"This is going to go smoothly, I can just feel it," Sokka continued, throwing his arms sarcastically into the air. "I'm sure the rest of the world leaders will be thrilled to get that memo! 'Dear world, guess who's dating the Firelord? Love, Katara.' Nothing says 'diplomatic genius' like springing a royal romance on everyone."
"Sokka…" Suki cooed at him, nudging his thigh a little, seemingly trying to calm him down.
"Suki…" he mimicked her tone in a low hiss.
"I understand your frustration, son," Hakoda began in a steady voice, causing Sokka to return his gaze to his father. "Believe me, I do. This isn't an easy situation for any of us. But we have to remember that Katara's happiness is important, and if Zuko makes her happy, we should support her in that."
Sokka rolled his eyes but remained silent, letting his father continue.
"That said," his dad added, his tone growing more serious. "We can't ignore the possible consequences. The rumors are already out there, and we need to handle this carefully. It's not just about Katara and Zuko anymore - it's about our tribe."
Hakoda paused as he and Sokka shared a moment of silence, as they looked each other in the eyes.
"Keeping it a secret was never a permanent solution."
Sokka sighed, rubbing his face again, but the sharp edges of his frustration softened slightly.
"I know it's hard," Hakoda continued in a gentle but firm voice. "But we need to support Katara while also protecting our tribe's interest. It's a delicate balance, and we'll get through it together. Love isn't always simple, but it's worth fighting for."
Sokka looked at his father, his expression a mixture of resignation and reluctant understanding.
He wanted to cling to his frustration and annoyance, but Hakoda's words had a way of cutting through his defenses.
The last sentence echoed in his mind, and he sighed deeply, dropping his hand from his face.
"I know," Sokka said, his voice softer but still carrying a hint of his earlier sarcasm. "It's just… Why does it always have to be so complicated with us? Can't we ever have something easy?"
Hakoda chuckled softly in a warm and knowing sound.
"If it were easy, Sokka," he hummed. "It wouldn't be our family."
Sokka could not help but crack a small, lopsided smile at that.
He glanced at his father, seeing the wisdom and the worry etched in his face.
Sokka knew that Hakoda was right, even if he did not want to admit it.
His heart started aching with a familiar, deep-seated pain as he looked at his father. He knew all too well the painful, heavy burden that his father carried within himself.
The War had stolen so much from their family, and the most painful loss was the death of his mother. His dad had left to protect their tribe, to fight for their future, but in doing so, he had not been there to protect the love of his life.
And so right now, Sokka knew that his dad was not just talking about Katara and Zuko.
He was speaking from his own scars, his own regrets.
Sokka saw the pain that lingered behind his father's wise, steady gaze - the pain of a man who had done his duty but lost so much in the process. Sokka felt a surge of empathy and respect, realizing that supporting Katara, despite the complications, was a way to honor the sacrifices their family had made.
"Yeah, I guess we don't do easy," Sokka said more quietly, the weight of shared pain and understanding in his voice. "I'll try. For Katara. And for mom."
Hakoda's eyes softened with gratitude and sadness, and he nodded before the three of them shared a respectful moment in silence around the fire.
As the moon crawled further over the skies, they discussed how to approach the situation in the morning, and they all agreed that first and foremost, Katara and Zuko had to learn of these rumors as quickly as possible.