Okay… I may be procrastinating on my school work a little. I will officially be a good student tomorrow. Today, I just had to write!

Chapter 48: True Family

A hand shook me awake. Groggily, I opened my eyes to see Sokka crouching beside me from where I rested against Appa. He was smiling, and seemed excited about something. I stared at him with confusion. What was he smiling about? Then I looked around, trying to remember where I was and what had happened a few hours before.

I recalled Zuko hugging me as I cried for Iroh and Aang. I recall only vaguely that we had moved over to Appa and leaned back against him. I remember Yuna settling beside me. I remember being absolutely exhausted and just wanting to sleep. The night was dreamless as far as I could remember.

I felt the place beside me, but Yuna was not there. I noticed that Zuko was not on my other side either. "Sokka…" I looked over at him again. "Where is everyone?"

Sokka smirked. "Not sleeping still like you."

I furrowed my brows more. "Why are you so happy?" Then my eyes widened. "Did Aang wake up?!"

Sokka frowned when I asked this. "No… that's not it. I just am excited for you to meet our people. Dad and the warriors just got back. They've grabbed the spoils from their recent mission and are eating breakfast. I told them you are here and they can't wait to meet you."

I was stunned. Then I grew worried. If they were here, did that mean they had confronted Zuko? Did they make him their prisoner? He was the Fire Lord's son… what if we couldn't convince them to trust him…?

My heart pounded. I had to ask. "Zuko? Is he okay? Did they–"

He cut me off. "Amara… Relax. Zuko didn't want to wake you this morning. You had a rough day yesterday, so we decided to let you rest another hour. He's at the campfire with the others, eating breakfast. Dad's already met him. It was tense at first, but when we told dad what Zuko did for us he quickly accepted him. The prince of the Fire Nation has not been maimed by the Southern Water Tribe."

I sighed with relief. When we had gotten to the campsite last night, there was one worry I had, and that's how everyone would react to Zuko. I was so glad to hear the Southern Water Tribe Warriors were willing to listen and see Zuko had changed sides.

"Come on," he insisted. "Dad wants to meet you! Everyone does!"

My insecurities came flooding back. I felt my heart race again at the thought of meeting Chief Hakoda and the rest of my mother's people. Would they truly accept me? Or would they only see me as a mistake like my Fire Nation family?

Footsteps came over, and I looked up to see Katara coming our way. She noticed my anxious expression, and smiled encouragingly. "Amara… I know you're scared to meet the tribe, but I promise they will love you." She stopped in front of me and held her hand out to me. "Everyone's waiting in the center of camp. Let's go before they lose patience."

I stared at her hand with hesitation. "Are… you sure about this?"

She nodded. "Yes. More than anything."

I shivered. A thousand what ifs raced through my mind.

"Plus, if they accept Zuko for switching sides then of course they will accept you," Sokka reassured. "You're blood."

Sokka did make me feel a little better. But I was still uncertain. However, I finally took Katara's hand, not wanting to be a coward. She helped me up, and then ran her hands through my hair to help me tame some of the knots. I knew we were all in need of a good wash after the last twenty-four hours, and I hoped we could clean up some after this terrifying meeting.

Sokka took my hand once I was done getting ready. "Don't be nervous. Just be yourself. They'll love you."

Katara took my other hand. "We're with you though. Every step."

I let out a heavy breath. "If… if you're sure…"

With one cousin on each side, I left Appa to make my way across the sand of Crescent Bay, and into the heart of the Southern Water Tribe warriors camp. My heart accelerated as I saw different fire pits in the area where groups of men were seated around. They were all dressed in shades of blue, with their brown hair adorned with beads or shells. Their skin was a tone darker than my own. You could tell my differences immediately. Would they really accept me? The daughter of a Fire Nation admiral…?

Zuko was at one of the campsites when I arrived. I saw him sitting with Toph, Jet, Longshot, and Smellerbee. As we approached, Zuko met my gaze and smiled at me with reassurance. Yuna, who was perched on the log he sat on, was eating some fish. I was glad she was cared for while I slept.

The whole campsite suddenly fell quiet. I froze as suddenly all eyes were on me as everyone stopped eating their breakfast. I stopped moving, and Sokka and Katara stopped with me.

"Everyone," Katara spoke. "I want you all to meet Amara… my aunt Kala's daughter."

There was a somber air upon the mention of my mother. Many of the older men her age or above were frowning in dismay as they remembered my mother and the waterbenders they lost that day. Then whispers started as the men began to discuss things I could not hear.

Footsteps approached though, and silence fell again. A man came forward from one of the campfires, and from his nose, chin shape, and blue eyes I could make out similar features to my cousins. I knew immediately this was their father… Hakoda… Chief of the Southern Water Tribe. My mother's brother-in-law… my uncle…

He stared at me for a moment, taking in my features. My heart was pounding painfully, and I felt my body stiffen.

"Amara…" Chief Hakoda finally spoke. "My children told me so much about you." He stepped over and held his hand out to me. "I'm your uncle… Hakoda…"

Uncle… I hesitated. His hand extended towards me. The only uncle (other than Zuko's uncle) I'd ever known was Uncle Xi, and he hurt me daily during my time at the estate. Was this uncle truly not like that? Was he more like Zuko's uncle? More like Iroh? Kind… caring…

Uncertain, I stepped back.

Chief Hakoda was shocked when I did not take his hand and moved away.

Sokka sighed. He said to his dad, "She's just nervous… it took us a minute to get her to come here."

Katara placed her hand on my shoulder to reassure me. "Amara… I know you're scared… but no one will ever hurt you like your father's family did. We are Kala's family. We will protect and take care of you. We will never treat you cruelly like those monsters. I promise."

I swallowed, and then finally took the step I'd been hesitant to. I reached my hand out to Hakoda. He smiled and took it with a gentle grasp. We shook in greeting, but his hold lingered as he said, "Katara's right, Amara. We're your true family. You're safe with us."

His words stunned me. True family… my mom had said that once…

"One day, my love, you are going to meet your true family. And I know they will love you more than anything."

Tears fell down my cheeks. I stared at Hakoda's hand with sudden disbelief. This was really happening… I was among my mother's people. I was with the Southern Water Tribe.

Mom… Is this real…? I'm not dreaming…? Everything you had once wished for me… has it finally come true?

I moved my gaze from Hakoda, to my cousins, and across the campsite to the men who were staring at me with curiosity. Some of them were also still whispering amongst one another, while others were crying too. Some of them smiled at me when they saw my gaze meet theirs.

Acceptance… I looked back at Hakoda who was still holding my hand with a warm embrace. My Aunt Kya's husband… my family…

I'm with them mom… I'm with our family and people at last… And you were right… they accepted me… just as you said they would…

Hakoda released my hand as a sob escaped me. I shut my eyes, covered my mouth with one hand, and gripped my mother's necklace with the other.

My family… these men were once part of my mom's life. Now…. Now I had finally met them. My Water Tribe people. My mother's old friends and family. I was with them at last. And they didn't care that I was a firebender. They were accepting me. Chief Hakoda was accepting me for just being Kala's daughter. For just being Amara…

Sokka suddenly came in front of me and pulled me into his brotherly embrace. I sobbed against him as I thought about my mother… my past… my one hope to finally escape and be with my mother's people. Meet the tribe my mother had told me so much about.

I pressed my face into Sokka's shirt, and he stroked my hair.

"Did I say something wrong?" I heard Hakoda ask with concern.

Katara answered. "No dad… she's just relieved… all she's ever wanted is to be accepted by us… by the Southern Water Tribe."

I finally found my voice. But I spoke softly, so only myself and maybe Sokka could hear. "I did it mom…" I whispered. "I'm with them… I found them mom…"

My crying calmed the longer Sokka hugged me. Finally, I pulled away feeling embarrassed for my breakdown. Sokka only smiled and brushed my tears away with his thumbs. "Better?"

I gave a small smile. "Yes… So much better." I looked back at Hakoda, feeling suddenly embarrassed for losing my emotions in front of everyone. I took in a deep breath, and said softly, "Sorry… I just… I've been dreaming about this moment my whole life. I've feared rejection… for being part Fire Nation… I'm relieved you all don't hate me."

Hakoda smiled kindly at me. "The only thing you are to us is Kala's daughter. You are my niece, and a member of the Southern Water Tribe. Your Fire Nation heritage does not change that fact."

He extended his hand to my cheek, and his kind touch was unfamiliar to me. An uncle who didn't slap… who didn't kick… who didn't beat… this was my uncle… my true uncle…

"Kala was one of my best friends growing up," Hakoda whispered. "Looking at you, I feel like she's still here with us. You have her eyes… and her beauty. She'd be so happy to know that her daughter is finally with her people. Safe…"

I shut my eyes as I felt his kind and gentle touch still. Safe… I was safe…

"Mom… all she ever wanted was for me to find her family… her people…" I opened my eyes to meet his gaze again. "I wish she was here to see this."

Hakoda moved his hand from my cheek, and placed it on my shoulder. His eyes watered as he spoke. "Amara… I want you to know how sorry we all are for failing to save you and your mother. If we could have—"

"It's okay," I said, cutting him off. I found the strength to speak with more confidence than before. "It was too dangerous. The man that took my mother… he was powerful. He would've destroyed you all if you tried. My mom was able to be at peace believing her people were alive. She did not want you all in danger. She wanted me to find you and be safe… that was her dying wish… and I've finally fulfilled it."

He sighed. "You speak like her as well."

Something dropped in the sand. Hakoda and I were both startled.

"Is… Is this her?"

A man suddenly sounded from nearby, his voice sounding pained. I turned my gaze to see a lean but muscular man, with darker skin like the others. His brown hair was down, except for a ponytail that had some strands in it. He had dropped a basket he was carrying of caught fish.

He met my gaze, and his eyes widened. Tears formed in his eyes. He stepped around the basket and slowly approached.

"I don't believe it," he whispered. "You… look so much like her…" He stepped over to me. I looked at him with confusion, not sure who this man was. He looked at the necklace on me, and tears slid down his cheeks. "Kala…" He whispered. "I see her in you."

He went to place a hand on my cheek. I stepped back in surprise, not sure why this man was reacting in such a way. Katara placed a hand on my arm to reassure me.

"Amara… it's okay. I'd like to introduce you to someone who was once really special to your mom," Katara spoke. "This is Bato…"

Her words stunned me. Bato… the man that had once loved my mom? The man who made the necklace I was wearing now?

Bato continued to stare at me like he was seeing a ghost. He whispered, "I… can't believe it's all true… Kala… had a daughter…"

"You're… Bato?" I stared at him, amazed to finally meet the man that my mother had never stopped loving. "You… you're the one who my mom was engaged to?"

He gave a small nod. His eyes dropped to the necklace again. "I haven't seen that in twenty years… but I remember giving it to your mother like it was yesterday." He shut his eyes. "Kala… did she… think about me?"

I flinched. "Yes… but she didn't mention you to me… I didn't learn about you until after she died… I think talking about her past was too painful. I would hear her cry a lot at night when she thought I was asleep though… I know she missed you every day. She never stopped loving you. I was told that… by the man who guarded us. He told me my mom always held love for you…"

He opened his eyes again, however, this time he looked serious. "What happened to her?"

My heart jumped from his question. I swallowed and tensed. "I… I can't…"

"Please…" he spoke with desperation. "I need to know what she went through…"

Thankfully, Sokka stepped in. "Bato… I don't think this is the time for that question right now… those memories are hard for Amara…"

Katara agreed. "Let her tell you when she's ready. Besides, she needs to eat breakfast anyway."

Bato still seemed to desperately want to know. However, he let out a heavy breath and nodded. I felt terrible for not wanting to tell him. However, I knew telling him would make him angry. Possibly angry at me too… the fact mom did not run with me… the fact she chose to die, and begged for my life to be spared… I was not sure how Bato would take the truth.

Hakoda spoke up as well. "We will have much time for answers, Bato. For now, let's give Amara a little while to rest. The group had a trying day yesterday."

Upon his words, I looked over at Katara with concern. "Aang… how is he?"

Katara frowned and hung her head. "He's still unconscious in dad's tent. I healed him more today… It's like his body is here, but his spirit is far away. Right now, all we can do is wait for him to wake up."

"How long can he survive without food though? Or water?" I felt my concern grow. "What if—"

Katara placed a hand on my shoulder. "Amara… it's okay. Aang's in a frozen state right now. Kind of like when he was in the iceberg. It's hard to explain… but it's like his organs have shut down yet he's still alive. It has something to do with him being the Avatar. When he wakes up, he will be okay… we just don't want to move him a ton because of his injury."

I sighed with relief. "You got all that from healing him?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I can feel he will be okay. Part of me thinks he's in the spirit world. We just need to protect him right now until he comes back."

I furrowed my brows. "I thought his tattoos glowed when that happened?"

Katara sighed. "This time is different… I'm just holding on to hope at this point that he will wake up soon."

Hakoda spoke with reassurance. "The Avatar is a being none of us can explain. He will survive this, and you will have your friend back in no time."

Sokka nodded. "Yeah. Plus, Aang wouldn't want us sitting around worrying about him all day. He'd want us strategizing. And eating! Come on! I'm starving!" He grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the fire where the others sat. Zuko moved over, and I took the spot beside him. Yuna moved into my lap, and I pet her on the head. Momo was in Toph's lap, looking sad about Aang.

Longshot suddenly stepped over and handed me a plate of steamed rice. I smiled in gratitude and grabbed the chopsticks to start eating. Hakoda, Bato, Sokka, and Katara had joined us at this point getting their own plates of rice and fish.

"You okay?" Zuko asked.

I looked over at him and gave a nod. "Yes… I'm okay. It's just a lot to take in… and I'm still worried about Iroh."

Zuko sighed. He kissed me on my forehead. When he pulled away, he said, "Don't worry about that… like I said: Uncle will be fine. That man has survived a lot. He can get through this too."

I nodded. "I know… but I still will worry."

He sighed and looked back down at his rice. He picked up some with his chopsticks, saying softly, "Yeah… me too…"

"So, Prince Zuko…" Hakoda began as Zuko put some rice in his mouth. "What exactly is your relationship with my niece?"

Hakoda's question surprised me. Zuko coughed on his rice. Toph passed over a canteen from where she sat beside Jet, a smirk on her face as she was amused by the question. The Freedom Fighters all stared at Zuko with their own curiosity. I blushed and played with my rice, my heart fluttering as I knew the answer.

Once Zuko drank some water to get his rice down, he lowered his gaze embarrassed by his own reaction. "Well… I love her, Chief Hakoda…" He calmed as he spoke with sincerity. "From the moment my uncle and I saved her from her brother Zhao, I've cared about her and only wanted to make her happy." He looked over at me and smiled. "She's everything to me."

My cheeks burned more.

Hakoda noticed my reaction. "Amara… you feel the same?"

I smiled over at Hakoda, answering, "Zuko saved me more times than I can count. He's sacrificed so much for me… and he makes me happy… I didn't know what it felt like to love someone other than my mom… until I met him."

Hakoda let out a heavy breath. "Well… I've heard good things about you from my children, Prince Zuko." His eyes narrowed. "But understand that from this day forward Amara is one of my children as well. You hurt her, and you have me to deal with."

Toph coughed a laugh. "I think Zuko will face the wrath of Katara and Sokka first."

Zuko defended himself though. "I can promise both Amara and her family… I will do everything in my power to make her happy. She's been hurt too much in the past. I never want to cause her pain. I will protect her."

I blushed even more from all the attention on me and my relationship to Zuko. I kept my gaze on Yuna to try and hide my red cheeks.

"Good," Hakoda spoke. "I'm glad to hear. If there's one thing Amara needs, it's someone to watch over her."

I argued. "I don't need to be watched over all the time though… I'm a lot stronger than I used to be."

Zuko brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "I know. But that doesn't mean I still won't look out for you."

Jet sighed. "Okay. We get it. Amara and Zuko are a thing. Can we talk battle strategy now? This love stuff is making me uncomfortable."

Katara scoffed. "Oh please… We all know you're just jealous Zuko wooed a waterbender and didn't ruin it."

Jet argued. "You totally liked me at one point, Katara. Admit it."

Sokka sighed. "Oh boy… here we go…"

Katara stood and grabbed water from a pot nearby. "Yeah! Until you lied and almost made me help you destroy a town!"

Jet held his hands up. "Okay… okay… sorry I mentioned it. And I already apologized about that."

Katara dropped the water back in the pot and sat down with a huff. She crossed her arms and spoke with frustration, "Still doesn't mean I forgive you entirely for that. Will take some time for me to get over it."

Bato was stunned by her reaction. The rest of our circle had watched with surprise as well. Even some of the men at the surrounding campfires had watched with concern that a fight was going to break out. When they saw that the drama was over, they turned back to their conversations.

However, Hakoda was not ready to drop the subject. He looked between Jet and Katara with puzzlement. "You two… had a thing for one another?"

Katara scowled. But her cheeks turned red. "No! It wasn't like that!"

Toph smirked and muttered, "Liar."

Katara glowered over at her while Toph went back to eating her rice with satisfaction. Hakoda covered his face in disbelief. Katara argued, "He flirted with me to trick me! Nothing more! It's in the past! End of story!"

Jet rolled his eyes. "My flirting was sincere, Katara. I know I deceived you, but I really did like you."

She scoffed and crossed her arms. "Well too bad… I already like another guy now. You lost your chance."

Hakoda was bewildered. "What? Who?"

She blushed, realizing her confession. "Uh… no one…"

Toph coughed a laugh again. "Liar."

Katara huffed at her, and looked at the fire with a pout. Hakoda looked at her with suspicion. Toph smirked with amusement.

Sokka tried to change the subject.

"So… Jet's right. We should talk about strategy. I think it's best we don't linger here long. The Fire Nation will come for us soon."

Zuko spoke up. "Actually… that might be a good thing…"

Everyone looked at him with confusion. Katara asked, "What do you mean 'a good thing'?! That would be terrible."

He explained. "Think about it. Our goal is to get into the Fire Nation undetected until the Day of the Black Sun. If we're going to do that, traveling in disguise is the best option. We hijack a Fire Nation ship when it comes here and use it to get into the Fire Nation. We can travel without worrying about battle until the day of the invasion."

"But… we don't know how to steer a Fire Nation ship," a man from one of the other campfires said, having been listening to our conversation.

Zuko urged, "I can teach you. It's simple once you get the hang of it. And we can travel through the least populated waters of the Fire Nation. I've studied the land and sea in that area. I know the best route to take."

"Hmm…" Hakoda spoke. "Not a bad idea."

Sokka tapped his chin. "That does sound better than dodging Fire Nation ships until the eclipse."

Hakoda nodded. "Very well… We will prepare for battle here. When a Fire Nation ship arrives, we will commandeer it and use it to get through the Fire Nation undetected."

Toph asked, "What if a Fire Nation ship doesn't come, though?"

Zuko sighed. "Trust me… As soon as Azula learns that the Southern Water Tribe warriors are camped here from the Dai Li, she will send someone after us. Azula knows I'm with Amara, and she knows Amara is with her cousins. My sister's smart. She will immediately assume this is the place we fled to. And since we're her enemy, she will stop us at all costs."

My fists tightened at the thought of Azula. Thinking about Azula made me think about Iroh… I really hoped he was okay.

The rest of the day was spent strategizing with the warriors about battling the Fire Nation ship when it came. As the men strategized, us girls headed a little ways from camp to where a pool of water was behind some rocks. We all took a much needed wash, getting the dirt and grime off of us to try and wash away the terrible remnants of the day before. I was kind enough to heat the water to make it a comfortable temperature, and Smellerbee was astonished by my ability. "Once again! This chick is so cool!"

Toph smirked. "Kitten is pretty amazing."

Yuna "mew-hooed" from the rock she was perched on in agreement.

As we continued to wash up, Katara spoke softly to me from where we were in waist deep water. "Amara… You do know that you can call my dad 'Uncle,' right?"

I took the water out of my hair and dropped it back in the pool. I let my hand settle on the water then, my palm surfing the surface. "I… just can't… that word… It just makes me think of the one person from my past who is still alive. Calling someone else that… it won't make me feel comfortable with them. If it's okay with everyone, I'd like to just call him Hakoda…"

She gave a sad smile. "Sure, Amara… whatever works for you." She stared at my back again where my scars showed. "Did he give you some of those?"

I hung my head and shut my eyes. "A few… A lot of the more prominent ones were from Zhao… but Uncle Xi definitely liked to strike me too. He actually broke my arm once… A few months after my mother was killed…"

Talking about him, I felt my eyes burn with tears. However, they weren't from fear. I felt angry. I was so angry… no matter how far I was from Uncle Xi, the pain he inflicted on me in the past was still memorable. I hated him so much. He also was the reason my mother was not with me. I knew at that moment, if I ever saw him again, I'd want to kill him.

"Woah! Kitten! Temps rising! Calm down!"

I gasped at Toph's shout. I saw the water was starting to steam. I quickly left the pool, the steam going away as I did. I grabbed my clothing and put them back on. Katara had followed me out with worry.

"Sorry, Amara…" she said as she got her clothes back on too. "I didn't mean to upset you."

I shook my head. "No… It's not your fault, Katara. It's just… When I think about everything that monster did to me and my mom, I want him dead. I wish he was dead…"

Katara sighed. "You have every right to hate him, Amara… but… don't let your anger consume you. You may never see that man again, anyway… and if you do, you'll have us to back you up this time."

I nodded and let out a heavy breath. "I know… I'm sorry. It's just hard for me to believe that there's one monster from my past who has not suffered for the crimes he committed. He's still out there… living freely with no repercussions for the evil he committed."

She narrowed her eyes. "When this war is won, I can promise you that if Zuko doesn't do something about him then the rest of us will."

I believed her. This did give me some peace. The thought of my uncle paying for everything he did to me and my mom was one thing I hoped would happen. That man deserved to be punished for everything he did to us.

A little while later, we returned to camp. The guys took their turn to wash up at the pool we had been to. As they were gone, Katara went to check on Aang and Momo followed her. Toph was chatting with Smellerbee about something. I took a seat at the dead campfire again, and stared out at the bay in the distance. As I did, I fiddled with my mother's necklace, wishing she were here with me. I hated that I had finally found her people without her. I wished she could share this moment with me.

"I remember the day I made that for your mother…" Bato suddenly spoke. He had stepped over to me, and I jumped a bit from his sudden voice. "I was so excited… and nervous…" Yuna, who was perched on the log beside me, looked over at Bato with wide eyes. She probably didn't know what to think of him either. "Mind if I join you?"

I shook my head to let him know I didn't mind. He sat down on the other log nearby and stared out at the waves as well. "The day your mother was taken…" Bato began, speaking softly. "That day I vowed never to fall in love again. My heart was broken… She was the one I loved more than anything…" He swallowed as his emotions took over. "I tried to go after her, you know… But Hakoda stopped me. He told me it was a suicide mission. He was right of course, but when he did it I resented him for a while. Over the years I forgave him, but there was always a piece of me that regretted not going. Knowing that Kala lived for so many years under the hand of a brutal monster… I regret even more not hopping on a ship and killing every firebender to get to her."

I grimaced. "Bato…" I stared down at the ashes of the campfire with agony. "There really was nothing you could've done… My fa– I mean… Admiral Gru… he was a powerful man with many resources. If you tried to come on his land, he would've had you killed in seconds. My mom knew this too. She was glad that none of you came… she wanted you all safe. She cared about you all so much. She would talk about the South Pole all the time. She missed it… and she wanted me to know what it was like so that if I ever did escape, I would be ready… She… she didn't expect to be saved. She just wanted to save me…"

"Please… tell me… when did she die… how?"

I frowned. I wasn't sure if I should tell him. I hesitated.

"I know it's hard… but I have to know," Bato begged.

I finally found the courage to answer. "Eleven years ago… I… don't know the details… she was killed by my brother and Uncle Xi… I was only five… I couldn't fight back. I was taken out of the room for them to do their evil deed. But… I remember her screams… everyday…" My heart ached and my eyes watered. "I remember the man who guarded us… Tu Lan… he tried to cover my ears… but the screams were so loud. And then… they were nothing…"

Bato shut his eyes and his face was also covered by the tears that escaped him. "Kala… I'm so sorry…" He hung his head and covered his face with his hands. "I should've come for you. I should've saved you."

I let out a heavy breath. "Bato… don't blame yourself… if anything… Mom dying was my fault…"

He was shocked and looked over at me. "What do you mean?"

I shut my eyes and hung my head. "I should've fought… I could bend water and fire enough to do something… but I was such a coward. I was too scared to fight those monsters to save my mom. I wish every day I could go back and stop those monsters. I regret so much."

Bato reached over and took my hand kindly in his own to give it a squeeze. I opened my eyes to look at him with surprise. "You were a child, Amara… the fact you survived sixteen years under the hands of those evil men… that's strength and courage in itself. Your mother would be so proud if she saw you today. I've heard of your strength… your heart… Kala created an amazing daughter. You are a special young lady, Amara… and a beautiful dualbender. I'm so glad to finally get to meet you."

I smiled at him. "It's good to finally meet you too, Bato. I can see why my mom loved you. You seem to be a good man." I took my hand from him, and reached for the clasp of my necklace. Removing the necklace, I went to hand it to him. "Here… It's yours… you should take it back… Mom had Tu Lan protect it until I could escape. She'd want you to have it."

He smiled and took the necklace in his hand. He stared down at it and whispered, "Kala… Your daughter is amazing… You should see her now." He ran his thumb over the carvings on the stone. He spoke to me again. "This necklace… was a symbol of my love for Kala… It represented her beauty and grace…" He grabbed my hand again and dropped the necklace back in my palm. "You have your mother's beauty and grace. So it's only right that you wear it. She would've wanted you to have it. Plus… I don't think it would look as good on me as it does on you."

I closed my hand around the charm and took the necklace back. I met his gaze again, saying, "Thank you… This has been my comfort for many months. You really did represent mom well when you made this."

He sighed. "She was so excited when I gave it to her. She literally shrieked with joy when I asked her to marry me. I'll always hold on to those memories… the good ones."

I nodded. "There's one memory of my mom that I love… One night, when I was scared and crying after my brother had hurt me, my mom hummed this tune to me. She told me it was a tune that my grandma used to hum. I hum it sometimes when I need to feel her presence."

Bato shut his eyes. "I'd love to hear it."

I stared back at the bay water. Peace filled my heart. As I watched the waves, I started to hum the tune. As I did, I could hear my mother hum with me. She was at peace. We both were at peace. We were free… with our people again… happy… accepted… loved…

Yuna purred in my lap as I continued to hum. Bato smiled and more tears fell down his cheeks as he pictured my mom. As my humming continued, and men stopped what they were doing to listen, I tightened my grip around my mother's necklace. Hakoda was among the men who stopped upon my tune, and he shut his eyes as well as he too remembered my mom.

Her spirit was with us… I could feel her in my heart as her song echoed around us…

Mom… All of our hopes and dreams have finally come true mom… Our family… Our tribe… they have taken me in… they love me… just as you said they would… Thank you, mom… If it wasn't for your sacrifice, this moment would've never come to pass… You saved me… Now, I will help save our people… Help save the world… Make you proud…