Chapter Text
“You have a visitor.”
Hama lifted her head up at the sound of the guard’s voice. Old, broken, and defeated, even that simple motion was a chore. Her bones and muscles ached and as the days passed, she found it harder and harder to catch her breath, the air in the Fire Nation prison getting increasingly suffocating.
Although she was never quite the healer – she could feel the blood pumping through her own body. She was aware of the subtle clotting that wasn’t enough to kill her just yet but would eventually, and if she wanted to, she could manipulate her own and command it to flow.
But, she didn’t.
“Who is it?” She calls out, eyes looking even more sunken in on her frail frame.
The security guard gulps. She can feel the swishing motion of his spit and see his Adam’s apple bob from the force more than she hears him.
“Master.” He coughs into his fist awkwardly. “Uh, Katara. She wants to speak to you.”
Hama stills for a few seconds and then she grins. She didn't expect to ever see that child and her ragtag group of friends again. “Send her in, then.”
The guard slides the door open and Katara steps in. The prison cell is small, with a faint lingering odor of blood and burning flesh, and she shudders at the thought of what may have transpired here with other prisoners.
The Fire Nation wasn’t above torture, and it was only recently, with a decree by Fire Lord Zuko, that it was outlawed and forbidden.
For a few minutes, she just stands there in silence, a mixture of hurt and anger, and yet, compassion and empathy on her face.
“Well? On with it.” Hama demands.
Katara takes a deep breath to steady herself. At first, she thought this would be a good idea, but now, she’s second-guessing herself, riddled with doubt and uncertainty. “I bloodbended last night."
The corners of Hama’s lips quirk up into a smile. “Oh? And how did it make you feel? Good, right? To tap into that primal power? Feel the glory of the moon?"
Hama’s smile drops into an emotionless expression, almost a scowl, and Katara bites the inside of her cheek.
There was the tiniest part of her that couldn’t handle the woman’s disappointment.
She shakes her head. “No.” She spits out, venomous and angry. “I hated it. It felt…” She sighs, taking a deep breath as she tries to think of words that felt appropriate. “Wrong. Cruel. Inhumane. But-“
Hama looks up at her then, and her lips form a thin line, seemingly satisfied to see her react this way. “But what, Katara?”
“It saved her life.” Katara sniffles, and it occurs to her then that she started crying, silent tears rolling down her face. “The mother. And her baby.” She shakes her head, sobbing now. “It was her first pregnancy after years of infertility…..they were happy to try again now that the war ended. I couldn’t-“ Katara shudders out a shaky breath. “I couldn’t let them die. So, I used my blood bending. To stop the bleeding.” She looks up and meets Hama’s gaze. “They survived.”
Then, Katara turns away, feeling ashamed. She could still feel the mother’s veins in her fingertips as she bled out, and the lychee-sized blood clot in the umbilical cord.
She could feel exactly where to stop the bleeding – and where to command it to flow.
Several beats of silence pass before either one of them speaks again.
Hama looks like she wishes Katara would just go away and Katara can't help but feel a flash of rage. Here, she was reaching out to her, going behind her own boyfriend's back to do so, and she won't even acknowledge it?
Katara is about to lash out, to give her a piece of her mind, and then, the Water Tribe elder's voice cuts through the silence.
“You know…” Hama starts. “I always wished I learned it before I lost my baby.” It comes out sad and weak, a stark contrast to what Katara remembered when she thought of Hama; determined, brave, strong. Then, vengeful, angry, and full of hatred.
She had more in common with the Southern Water Tribe elder than she would’ve liked to admit.
“I was pregnant when they captured me.” She continues. “A little girl.” Hama stares off into the distance like she’s reliving it, like if she closed her eyes enough she could picture a different time - one where she was beginning the sacred journey of motherhood. “It was frowned upon to have a baby out of wedlock, but she was mine, and I was going to love her anyway.” She takes a deep breath; it’s heavy and tired, like she’s running out of fight in this journey called life.
“I’m sorry, Katara. For what I did to you and your friends.” She offers her a strained, weak smile and Katara doesn't see a mean, old lady anymore.
Underneath a bitter old woman was a determined, scared little girl. The difference between her and Katara – Katara still had something to believe in.
***
Fire Lord Zuko is in his office when Sokka’s pet dragon-hawk, Hawky, knocks against the window with his beak.
He slides it open and the bird steps forward, purring against the sleeve of his robe when Zuko pauses to scratch his chest.
Zuko chuckles. “I missed you too, buddy.” Then, he grabs the scroll out of his carrier and shakes his head. “Let’s see what your dad has for me today. Hopefully, not another request for fireworks for a new invention.”
“Dear Fire Lord Zuko,
It’s Katara.
Yes, Sokka’s letting me borrow Hawky to send you this.
I hope all is well. How’s leading an entire country going?
All is well here in the South Pole. We’re in the midst of a baby boom, with our men returning home from the war. Speaking of babies, I almost lost one a few weeks ago when Aang and I were visiting an Outer Island.
No, I’m not, wasn't, expecting.
Katara doesn't know why she felt the need to clarify that, but she did.
I mean, a baby and her mother almost died. Would’ve. But I went against my own rules and used blood bending on them.
I hated it. It made me feel sick. But they’re alive and breathing, and I think that counts more than anything, right?
Which brings me to my reason for writing this letter.
Is it possible to sneak in some seal jerky, seaweed chips, and preserved stewed sea prunes for Hama? She hasn’t had our native cuisine since she was captured all those years ago.
Isn’t it so crazy how things work out? I can’t believe I’m writing a letter to the Fire Nation.
Anyway…I know when I had her imprisoned, that was an agreement to follow all the rules and regulations but lately…I’ve had a change of heart.
Warm regards,
Master Katara
P.S. Aang says to pull the “my boyfriend is the Avatar” card when your council starts pestering you about marriage and an engagement.
P.S.S. Not sure how I feel about my boyfriend and once mortal enemy having a bromance. It’s almost as bad as you and my brother being in a love affair.
***
Dear Master Katara,
It’s nice to hear from you.
I’m not in a love affair with your brother, nor is Aang, my boyfriend.
You should know that Aang is really affectionate, and Sokka is just…Sokka. I don’t know how Suki deals with him.
I’m sorry you had to experience that. I used to associate firebending with destruction and violence, but it’s also life and warmth. I learned that it can be used for good too. I'm sure the mother really appreciated it.
Per your request, I’ve personally tasked one of my own men to make sure she gets some Southern Water Tribe cuisine during mealtimes. I’m currently working on revising the justice system to make it more humane and equitable, but I’m afraid it’s taking a backseat to snuffing out rebellions, coups, and establishing reparations. But I won’t bore you any longer with archaic politics.
And don’t worry – he’s been carefully vetted by me and sworn to secrecy.
P.S. You saved my life. Please just call me Zuko.
Sending my best,
Zuko