Chapter Text
1.
The War ends a year after the Siege, and when Sokka comes back to the Northern Water Tribe he’s a foot taller than when he first arrived.
Yuka might not have been involved with the War Council as her husband had been (or rather, she was not allowed to be. She remembers Katara's rage with Master Pakku's incompetence, how the floor shook and rumbled with power. The whispers in the Palace did not cease for weeks. How could a little girl take down a Master? How shameful. She thinks of Yue. Could Yue have been that powerful had they let her? Had they held her back?), but she remembers Sokka well.
He'd sat next to Yue during the feast for the Avatar. He spoke while chewing on food with his mouth wide open. ( "He was so charming, Mother," Yue says star-eyed, clutching a pillow to her chest and hugging it tightly. Yuka strokes her hair, "Have you thought over Hahn's proposal? Your father says that he would make for a fine Chief.")
Now, he returns with a girl holding golden war fans at his side.
"Long time no see, Chief!" Sokka chirps, making sure to smile at both of them. Though Sokka is not technically visiting alone; there is no Avatar and no teenage girl to slap around the water-bending master. Yuka guesses their absence might be the reason why he stands stiff, mouth pressed together into a tense smile. The warrior girl next to him hides her emotions more carefully, though Yuka does notice her clenching her fans a little too tight. It appears a lot has changed.
(They're asking too much of them, Yuka thought, taking another look at them. They're kids . They were forced to resolve a hundred-year-old conflict, and now it was all over, they were forced to pick up the pieces. It was cruel. She thinks of Yue again.)
"Welcome, Ambassador Sokka," her husband greets him warmly. "I hope you had a safe trip to our tribe."
"Thank you, Sir. Have you met Suki? She's the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors." Sokka ushers to her.
"It's nice to meet you, Sir." she says politely. "I'm glad to be here."
Had Yue been this tall at 16? The girl- Suki is of considerable height, taller than Yuka by a couple of centimetres at least. She wonders if they would’ve been friends.
"I made sure to read more on the Earth Kingdom before your arrival, I am pleased to make your acquaintance." He says to Suki before turning to Sokka again. "Perhaps your girlfriend will be able to show Yagoda's students that traditional Avatar Kyoshi fighting style?"
Both of them answer at the same time. "He's not my boyfriend." "I don't see why not." There is a moment of complete silence before they both blush profusely. Sokka opens his mouth to say something but then shuts it quickly. "Sure," Suki says eventually.
It is strange to see the boy Yue admired with someone else. Did Yue mean that little to you? Did it take you a year to find someone else? Yuka knows her thoughts are irrational, but she cannot help the grimace that falls to her face.
"I see," Arnook says, clearly amused. "Have you met my wife, Yuka?" He squeezes her hand as if to say, say something. Please. People are watching. What does he expect her to say? Does he wish she would greet them warmly? Welcome, Ambassador Sokka. Our tribe is falling apart at the seams, but surely you and this warrior girl will be able to delegate conflict. She feels her heart hurt for thinking poorly of the kids. It’s not their fault. ( but it wasn't Yue's either, someone says
She stares blankly at Sokka in spite, forcing down the urge to cry. He swallows down his obvious distress. With time he'll be able to handle the discomforts of diplomacy better, but for now, he looks constipated.
"It's nice to meet you, Ma'am." Sokka chooses his words carefully, smiling. "I'm glad to be back." Suki stares at her curiously. What are you looking at?
Her husband lets go of her hand, clearing his throat. "Are you ready for tonight's feast?"
She can hear people whispering around them, the voices haunting them like ghosts echoing across the Palace. Don't look now, but she's doing it again. She's not been the same since her daughter died. I wonder if the Chief cares about his wife. I heard she sleeps in the Princess' room at night.
Eventually, Arnook holds her hand again, and they walk into the Palace together.
2.
It didn't take long before the rumours began targeting Arnook.
He's either too wrapped up in his daughter's death to perform his duties as Chief or he's a cruel man for not caring enough. What a heartless man. Look at the state of his wife. The poor Chief has been grieving for so long, maybe it's time someone took over. He's undeserving of his title. What will happen now that the war is over?
Yuka learns that her entire world is defined by words early on. "Your daughter seems to be fond of the boy from the Southern Tribe," Hama smirks, sipping on her drink. "Congratulations on her engagement, by the way." Yuka fights back the urge to bite. "Thank you, Hama. How's Sangok's water-bending training going? I hear he's very talented." Hama gets kicked out of their circle a week later.
Arnook doesn't take it seriously. Of course he doesn't - he's a man. "If they have genuine concerns about my legitimacy as Chief, they can take it up with me individually," he grumbled to her one time in bed. "You should not be worried about such trivial matters."
However, as she takes her seat at the feast, something in the air has shifted. Arnook's shoulders are tense, and his smile is forced.
"The Northern Water Tribe has helped rebuild so much of the South in just a few months. We are endlessly grateful to have your support." Sokka speaks to the group with practised skill, but there's a tremor in his hand. (He keeps staring at his "not-girlfriend" as he put it at breakfast that morning. "She's my not-girlfriend because she's not my girlfriend." He repeats talking more to himself than to Yuka. Yuka and Arnook share a look. Suki sighs. "I just asked you to pass the bread, please." She gives him a supportive smile.)
"Now that we're more established, the Southern Water Tribe is excited to discuss and amend details in our previous agreement. Thank you for having me, Chief Arnook. I'm glad we're finally meeting again under better circumstances."
Murmurs emerge as Sokka takes his seat back next to Suki. She puts a hand on his shoulder. He squeezes it. How dare the Ambassador say such a thing? What would the South be without us?
Had Yuka been a better wife, she would have cared. Instead, she focuses on the fact that the Ambassador did not mention Yue in his speech.
Arnook clears his throat once, and the murmurs do not quiet down. He has to clear his throat twice before they do.
The feast commences anyways, there is food and music, and Arnook keeps getting up from his table to talk to his men across the table. The Warrior whispers something in the Ambassador's ear. Suddenly, she gets up and takes big strides towards Yuka.
"Good evening, Ma'am!" She stands in front of Yuka's line of vision, Sokka rushes over to Arnook. "Have you ever thought of visiting Kyoshi Island?"
"Forgive me, but I do not care for your Earth Kingdom stories right now, Warrior." She interrupts her. "Look, it's finally happening, isn't it?"
Suki frowns. "There does seem to be a lot of tension in the room. I would think so, too. "
She hums. That's interesting.
"Sokka and I will do everything in our power to make sure that nothing happens," she assures her. “They'll listen to us, even if we have disagreements on other matters.”
She stares at Sokka across the hall. He stands next to Arnook, and something he said has just made the Councilmen laugh when they would have otherwise been yelling. He looks so little, even for a boy so tall. If things were different, maybe Yue could've been standing in his place right now.
She sighs. "If you tell me everything you know, I'll listen to your story about this island of yours."
.
Arnook doesn't come back to their bedroom until late. He tries to tip-toe in, but she's pacing around the room.
"Oh." He exclaims sheepishly. "I thought you would be asleep by now. How are you feeling?"
"Like a fool," she replies hastily. How dare he? "Our guests told me everything. How could you keep this from me?"
"You would have to be a fool not to notice," He mutters, looking away. She wraps her arms around herself. Breathe.
"You should've told me, still." She pleads. "I could've helped."
He scoffs, and she wants to gasp at the audacity. "What is it? What are you mocking me for this time?"
"I do no such thing. Yuka, you spend most of your day in our daughter's room, crying about a fate we knew she would have." He says the words as though they are simple. "The Moon Spirit told us she would leave us, and yet you have not come to peace with the news even after years have passed. How could you have helped? "
" I could've helped if you'd let me!" She wants to yell. "I feel so useless. I wish I could've done something, anything.”
"Yue never had to do anything," she jabs at him, enraged. "She was honourable, she cared for her tribe, and that's why she's gone. Yue cared more for this tribe than any of your men ever did."
"Do not question my men." He scowls.
"Oh, but you're fine when they question you? If it were not for our guests today, where would you be now?" Her hands are shaking, and she feels small.
"They need me." He replies desperately. She rubs her temples, it's like talking to a wall .
"And what will happen when you're gone? Why wait for someone to take over once you're no longer here when they can just do that now? We have no heir, Arnook."
He doesn't say anything, even if she wishes he just would. Maybe the whispers are true, maybe he is a cruel man. Maybe I am a crazy woman, I wish I were a crazy woman, I wish I'd ever done something to make me a crazy woman.
"I wish Yue was here," she confesses angrily, tears welling up in frustration. She wants to scream. "I wish she would've just let the Avatar deal with it."
"It wouldn’t have been our Yue, had she let the Avatar deal with it." He whispers, words almost inaudible. It is the first time he speaks her name.
There is more silence.
"We knew this was going to happen," he repeats himself. "She's my daughter, too. I've been carrying this grief with me forever. My heart burns for her, I don't think I'll ever stop feeling this way, but maybe we can do this together."
"I knew she was going to leave us," she says, forcing the words out. Her throat is closing in, and her face is wet. "But I didn't think it would be so soon. Not like this."
"Let us deal with this in the morning." He bargains with her, reaching for her hand. "Come to bed."
"I can't do this." She walks to the doorway. How did we get here? "I'm sleeping in Yue's bedroom tonight."
His arms fall to his side. "I know" is all he says.
3.
The full moon is out tonight, and the moonlight shines over the pond. It is beautiful. She expects nothing less from Yue.
It’s silent except for the occasional splashing of the fish. She toys with the grass between her fingers. It’s a foreign feeling she's sure she'll never get used to.
The last time she'd seen Yue was the morning of the second day of the Siege. "Mother, I'm scared." She whispers to her as people come filing into the Council room. She holds her hand. "It is a full moon tonight. I trust that we’ll be able to defeat them. Did you speak to Hahn before he left for the mission?" Yue turns away, guilt-stricken. "It appears I might’ve missed him. I'll make sure to do so next time.” Yuka hums.
The memory replays in her head over and over again. I wish I could go back. I would do anything to bring you back. We need you more than ever.
Suddenly, there is a bang. "Ow! What is this thing made out of, metal?!"
The shock almost makes Yuka laugh. Almost. The Ambassador seemed to have slammed his head against the door coming in.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Ma'am. I didn't realize you were here." He says upon noticing her presence, rubbing the spot where he’s hurt his head.
"It's made out of wood. You shouldn't be here," she replies like she's reprimanding a child. "It's late."
"I know," he says wearing an embarrassed smile. "I couldn't sleep. I'll leave, I'm sorry to bother you."
"Wait," she says, thinking of Yue. "Come, sit." He complies.
It is quiet again, and the Ambassador keeps fidgeting.
"What is it?" She asks, making sure her tone doesn't show her annoyance.
He gulps. "When I was sailing out here, I had this whole speech prepared on how thankful I was to your tribe. When I saw the state of the South after Master Pakku had arrived, I nearly cried. Okay, no, I actually did cry, but that's not the point." He says, squirming in his seat. "So much has happened to me in a year, and I never got closure for a lot of things. Like, you know."
"Yue?" She fills in for him.
"Yes." He answers.
"You can say her name. I won't be mad." I feel like I've said this before.
"There was a whole part of my speech in her honour, but after talking to the Councilmen before the feast, I cut it out completely. I know losing family is hard, I lost my mom under the Fire Nation's previous rule too, but I still think Chief Arook can do this."
"Previous rule, huh? Spoken like a true diplomat."
Sokka blushes furiously. "Thank you, Ma'am."
"Did you find the closure you were looking for?" Yuka asks, half out of wanting to spare him more embarrassment, half out of curiosity.
There is a small silence. "Yes and no," He says, frankly. "I don't think I was supposed to find closure here, I think I've known it all along. After the Siege, it felt like I had failed to protect another person in my life. It messed with me for a while, but after everything that had happened, I finally realized that some things will be out of my control and that it's not my fault. Coming here was for diplomatic purposes, of course, but it gave me the confirmation I needed."
"I'm glad it did." She smiles at him.
"Also, about the Chief, I've bought ourselves some more time. If that doesn't work, I'm sure the Avatar wouldn't mind lending a hand, too."
"I think your presence is doing enough, Ambassador. Thank you, really." She places a hand on his shoulder. "What I'm worried about is our lack of an heir."
Sokka grabs his chin. "Wouldn't the Chief's nephew take over? He'll be of age in a couple of years."
"There would still be shame." She thinks of the voices at the Palace, she thinks of what would happen to them after everything that already has.
"I wouldn't worry about that, Ma'am. Your wellbeing is more important." He quickly adds: "And the wellbeing of the tribe."
He is still young, she thinks. Young and full of hope. He has not committed the same mistakes I have, he can still say that. I cannot.
"I will be taking my leave, for now, I think it is time we both rest. I would love to continue this conversation tomorrow over breakfast with Suki, Ma'am." He gets up slowly, watching her with obvious concern.
"Suki," she says, each syllable rolling off her tongue. "Yue and Suki would have been good friends."
"I'd think so too." He watches her. "Goodnight, Ma'am."
"Goodbye, Sokka." She doesn't tear her eyes off the pond as he walks away. The fish circle one another.
I know what I must do.
" Spirits, I know I've asked so much of you already, but I need you to grant me one more wish." This time, her voice doesn't shake.
4.
Suki is at the breakfast table when it happens.
To be fair, nothing about that day had started off normal. She woke up fifteen minutes late and left her war fans in her room. I'm safe , she rationalizes. I can afford to go to breakfast without a weapon.
If anything happens I can rely on hand-to-hand combat, her thoughts whisper anyways.
I can afford going thirty minutes without a weapon, right? Wrong. Yuka is not sitting in her usual seat, and no one seems to have any idea where she might be. ' Maybe she finally went overboard,' someone snickers from behind them. 'Quiet! The Ambassador can hear you!' To make matters worse, Sokka doesn't seem to have a care in the world.
"Man, I should've brought more of Iroh's tea with us." Sokka pouts. "The Fire Nation life spoiled me, Suki. This normal tea doesn't satisfy me anymore."
Suki opens her mouth to say something along the lines of "didn't know the Fire Nation now means Zuko,' or 'be grateful and have regular tea, fuckwad,' when she’s hit by the sound of servants screaming.
The room goes silent for a moment like it always does when something bad is about to happen. They grab their weapons. The one day she doesn't have a weapon, this has to happen, Suki curses.
A servant comes running in, huffing. He opens his mouth to say something, but it’s as if the words were choking him.
“What is it?!” Arnook spits out, infuriated. He stands tall with his hand on his weapon, ready to fight. When the servant still doesn’t say anything, he walks over to him. “Speak to me, what has happened?”
Behind the servant, someone walks in drenched from head to toe in water. They lean against the wall with their full weight, as if they could not walk on their own. Yuka.
“Ma’am,” Suki takes a step towards her, but Sokka puts his shaking hands on her shoulder to stop her. She looks back at him, and he stares at the woman slack-jawed. It is almost as if he’s seen a ghost.
“That isn’t Yuka,” Sokka whispers, his voice almost inaudible.
"Father," the woman groans, her long black hair sticking to her face. "Why am I here?"
Father?