Chapter Text
Hakoda wiped his brow after finally getting the couch back in the right position. The living room was in somewhat better shape now, though there was still a lot of work to be done. He decided to check on the kids. It had been quiet lately and that alone made him worry.
Out of habit, Hakoda glanced at the wall clock in the hall way, then swore.
It was almost noon!
“Kids!” He raced to the kitchen and found nothing but empty bowls in the sink. “Kids!”
“Yeah Dad?” Sokka stepped out of his room.
Hakoda breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the rest of them huddled around some opened books.
“Everyone get ready. It’s time to go see Mrs. Hong.”
Seconds after the words left his mouth, the children eagerly raced to the front door. Hakoda managed to catch them before they opened the door.
“Whoa easy.” He laughed. “Sokka, Katara, you’re still in your pajamas for Tui’s sake!”
The siblings looked down surprised. “Oh yeah.”
While they left to change, Hakoda searched for something to cover Zuko and Azula’s dragon features. He soon returned with two fluffy parkas and helped them get dress.
“I do not need it the hood.” Azula pointed to her banes styled in a way that hid her horns. “See.”
“I do.” Hakoda pulled on the hood. “Let’s wear it just to be safe, okay?”
Azula’s eyes dropped. “Okay…”
After waiting a few more minutes, Hakoda left to see what was taking his children so long. Azula sulked on the waiting room’s couch while Zuko explored the area. He saw the front door was adjured and pushed it open. Inside the lock was a handkerchief.
How strange. Zuko did not remember this practice in any of his books. Was this a Water Tribe tradition?
He pulled out the handkerchief and sniffed it. That weird smell again. It was two different scents; a strong salty smell that made his nose hurt and a fainter more realistic smell underneath. Something scratched at the back of Zuko’s mind. Where had he smell this before?
“Hello! Imiq boy!” a woman called, causing Zuko to jump. “Is your mother back yet? I need to place another order for…”
She trailed off when see saw Zuko’s wide golden eyes.
“Oh my.” She gasped.
Zuko slammed the door shut then ran over to his sister.
“Where’s Mr. Hakoda?!”
Azula shrugged, not looking up from the magazine filled with smiling models. Zuko glanced back at the door then to the hallway that lead to the stairs.
“I’m gonna go get him.”
He ran out without waiting for Azula’s response. Upstairs in Sokka’s room, he found Hakoda braiding Katara’s hair while rushing Sokka to pick an outfit already.
“Hey Zuko. We’re getting there.” Hakoda gave him a tired smile.
Before Zuko could tell him about the woman and handkerchief, Sokka held up two shirts.
“What do you think? Hockey jersey or wolf shirt?”
“Umm…”
“Just pick whichever is cleanest.” Hakoda rushed.
“But they’re both clean! Well kind of.” Sokka sniffed the shirts. “Which one, buddy?”
Zuko hummed. “I like wolves.”
“But it’s hockey season-”
“He said wolf. Put on the wolf shirt, Sokka.” Hakoda tied the end of Katara’s last braid. “There you go. Now let’s roll out!”
“Dad! You’re supposed to brush it first!” Katara complained then started undoing her braid. “Mom said it helps stimulate blood flow.”
Sokka held up two pairs of shoes. “White and blue sneakers or hunting boots?”
Hakoda pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed for the hundredth time that day. Zuko tugged on his sleeve.
“There’s someone outside-”
“Did they see you?!” Hakoda asked alarmed.
Zuko nodded.
Hakoda swore under his breath. “Alright. We need to leave now. Sokka put on your shoes.”
“Sneakers or-“
“Boots. Wear the boots. Katara, you can do your hair in the truck. Come on.”
Hakoda corralled the children downstairs where Azula was still waiting then check if the coast was clear. Mushi’s rude father was gone, thankfully, and no one else was around. Though knowing Arrowwood, there were probably some watching from the windows. There was nothing to be done about that. Hakoda brought the children to the truck then finally took off.
12:35 pm. Not too terribly late.
(They were very late. Kya was definitely going to bombard him with questions later.)
Zuko and Azula watched the town fly by from the window. It had been years since they’ve seen it in board daylight. Arrowwood looked just like the cozy towns in their storybooks. Once they reached the forest road, Katara asked Azula to help her with her hair.
Azula’s heart warmed. She read about this activity in her books. For dragons, it was merely part of cleaning, but for humans it was a kind gesture between friends and sisters, one that wasn’t taken lightly.
“Yes! It is my honor!”
“Hey can you do mine next?” Sokka joked.
Katara rolled her eyes. “Ignore him. Mr. I can’t even wear the same type of boots!”
“What does that-“ Sokka looked down and saw he was indeed wearing to different boots. “Aw man…”
“Sokka, do you usually put cloth in your doors?” Zuko asked.
“Uh no?”
“Huh.” Zuko was about to show him the handkerchief when the truck passed an old woman with huge teeth partly hidden in the foliage. Zuko flinched when their eyes met. “Did you see that?!”
“What?” Sokka asked.
“The…” Zuko sighed and settle down. “It was nothing. Nevermind.”
“We’re almost to your cabin.” Hakoda said reassuringly. “Aren’t you excited to see your mom and new baby sibling?”
Zuko nodded.
“Let’s focus on that then.”
Zuko took a deep breath, and mentally put aside all the strange things he had seen recently. Mr. Hakoda was right. He needed to focus on what was important.
~*~
Ozai swayed back and forth while cradling the small bundle in his arms.
“You just had to continue the tradition didn’t you, little one.” He wiped his daughter’s cheek. “You couldn’t give your Mama a break?”
She cooed and tried to eat his finger, earning soft laughter from the man. It was cute now, but Ozai knew from experience how fast those sharp little teeth grew. They’ll have to get her a chew toy soon, but for the moment, his finger was just fine.
“You’re not going to find any milk there, dear.”
Ozai glanced at a sleeping Ursa. He didn’t want to wake her just yet. The past 16 hours had been the hardest on her.
“I’m guessing the others weren’t smooth either.” Kya asked from her slump position on the other side of the bed.
Ozai let out a dry laugh. “That’s an understatement. Would you believe this was actually the tamest?”
“You’re kidding.” Kya gave him a dead stare.
“First time, Ursa nearly burned down the motel room while in labor. Second time was spent in a cave during a typhoon with a panicking toddler.”
Kya rubbed her aching head. “La drown, Ozai.”
“Indeed.” He sat down beside Ursa and brushed hair out of her bare face. “It was worth it though.”
Kya was once again amazed by this loving family. It was hard to believe just a year ago, she was scared and skeptical of them.
“It always is.”
A knock came from the door.
“I’ll get it.” Kya stood. “Must be Hakoda and the kids.”
She checked the window first before opening the door. Sure enough, there stood her weary looking husband with four excited children.
“Hey.” Kya greeted warmly.
Katara was the first to hug her, followed by Sokka. “Mom! Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, sweeties.” She then addressed Zuko and Azula. “Your parents and sister are in their room. Be careful because they’re-“
The siblings bolted past her before Kya could finish.
“…sleeping.” She shook her head while chuckling.
“What a wonderful idea.” Hakoda kissed her.
“Can we go meet the baby dragon?!” Katara asked excitedly.
“Let’s give the Hongs’ some privacy first. How about we get some lunch? I made some sandwiches earlier.”
“Oh thank Tui.” Sokka sighed. “Dad was taking forever getting ready this morning!”
Hakoda’s mouth fell open in utter disbelief while Kya laughed.
~*~
The siblings burst through the bedroom door and saw their parents resting on the bed. Ozai held a finger to his lips.
“Gently.” He extended his arms. “Come say hello to your baby sister.”
Zuko and Azula drew closer in complete awe. Neither had seen a real baby dragon in person. She was so tiny and plump with little pink horns and pink scales littering her body. Her golden eyes and black scuffs of hair made her look identical to Ozai and Zuko. So strange, yet so familiar.
She gawked at her siblings, just as curious of them as they were of her.
“It’s okay.” Ozai said softly. “Introduce yourselves.”
“H-Hello. Zuko here.” He said shyly. “Nice to meet you, baby.”
She smile and waved her hands, making Zuko feel better.
“She likes me!”
“Yes. She recognized your voice.” Ozai nodded to Azula, urging her to speak up.
“Uh… I am Azula.” She bowed. “Greetings.”
Wait, did babies know about bowing? Judging by her confused expression, Azula assumed they didn’t. She opted to shake her hand instead, but accidently squeezed too hard causing the baby to scream. Azula jerked her hand back and whimpered.
“Azula!” Zuko scolded.
“It’s alright.” Ozai comforted the baby. “She was just startled.”
Azula jumped onto the bed and curled up against Ursa. Why did she even bother in the first place?
Ursa woke up then stroke Azula’s head. “Good morning, darling.”
“Mama! Are you alright?” Zuko worriedly rushed to her side.
Mr. Hakoda said she was better, but Ursa still looked as pale and weary as before.
“I’m fine, darling.” She rubbed Zuko’s head. “Did you greet your sister?”
“Uh-huh.” Zuko nodded. “Lala made her cry.”
Azula huffed then turned her back.
“Don’t take it personally.” Ursa rubbed her head again. “Babies do that.”
“A lot. So get used to it.” Ozai added while trying to soothe the crying baby.
Azula rolled her eyes. Great. Just great.
“Oh, I know what that cry means.” Ursa held out her hands.
Ozai hesitated. “Are you up to it?”
“Honey, it’s fine. Don’t worry so much.”
Ozai gave it and passed her the baby. Zuko’s mouth fell open when Ursa started breastfeeding her. Azula refused to watch.
“What under Tui’s sky…” Zuko gasped.
‘This is how I used to feed you too, silly.’ Ursa purred.
He shuddered. Sokka was right about babies being gross.
“What’s her name?”
Ozai rested his head on the side of the bed and smiled at his wife. “Your turn, Firelily.”
Ursa hummed. “How about… Ilah.”
Ozai sat up as his eyes grew misty. Zuko looked between his parents.
“Who’s Ilah?”
“My mother…” Ozai breathed.
Azula faced them and shared a confused look with Zuko. This was the first time Daddy ever talked about his family. They just assumed he didn’t have one like Mama.
“It’s so formal.”
“A nickname then, for her pup years. But I really like Ilah.”
Ozai nodded and blinked away the tears. A deal was a deal after all. “Very well. Now for a nickname.”
“Not another fruit.” Zuko grumbled.
“What’s wrong with Strawberry?” Ozai teased and poked Zuko’s puffed out cheeks. “It’s cute.”
“It’s stupid!”
“You just don’t want to match with your sister.”
Zuko huffed while Ursa chuckled some. The baby finished feeding then barked excitedly, trying to copy her mother. The family laughed again except Azula, who rolled her eyes once more.
“How about Kiyi since she won’t shut up.”
‘Azula.’ Ursa growled disapprovingly.
The baby squealed and failed her arms around.
“I think she liked it.” Zuko tilted her head.
“Kiyi’s a fine nickname.” Ozai agreed.
Ursa raised a brow. “You want to go with that?”
“It’s my turn now. Unless you want another pup?”
“Oh no. That chapter is closed.” Ursa said firmly. “I am not forgetting my ginger root tea ever again.”
“What does tea have to do with anything?” Zuko asked, causing his parents to giggle.
“Nothing darling.” Ursa purred and tickled her little pup. “Kiyi it is, then.”