Chapter 1
“Zuko.” He barely glanced up at his wife as she approached his desk. “We need to talk.”
“Can this wait, Mai? I’m busy. We’re dealing with some issues that Aang encountered with the restoration efforts in the Earth Kingdom colonies that my father invaded. He’s also still trying to restore the Air Temples.”
“I want to dissolve our marriage.” He stopped his writing and looked up at her. As always, her face and body displayed no emotion or sign of weakness but her eyes were slightly watery.
“I don’t understand.” She sighed and looked down.
“I love you, Zuko. I think part of me always will but I want an exciting life filled with adventure, love, and travel. Being married to you and being stuck in this forsaken palace is killing me. I want more from life. I’m not getting any younger.” He curled his hands into fists and shook his head.
“What’s his name?” He asked, choked up.
“Ty Lee.” He stared at her in shock but she stared back at him with steely resolve. She knew what position she was putting him by admitting that and she didn’t care. She was filled with more fire than any bender he’d ever met.
“Mai…” He said softly. “Do you know what you’ve done by telling me that?”
“Yes I do. I’ve forced you to decide to lead with your heart or your anger. Will you imprison us or let us go?”
Zuko sat back in his chair and growled under his breath. He covered his face and sighed so heavily that Mai chuckled a bit. He shook his head and thought hard about the appeals that had gone through the royal courts and been denied, subjects who threw themselves at his feet when he traveled and begged for the release of their friends, children, siblings.
Izumi’s sweet face flashed through his mind and he thought of what would happen to his beloved daughter if she grew up like her mother, if she wanted to marry a woman, or if she wanted to be a man. Would he force her to live her life in misery? Force her to lie about who she was and what she wanted?
He looked back up at Mai and stood. She tensed slightly but her face did not give away her worry.
“I love you, Mai but...I don’t think I’ve been in love with you for a long time. Now you’ve got someone who loves you, deeply. Someone who’s been dear to you for over 20 years. Who am I to deny you happiness?” She smiled at him and pulled him into a hug.
“Thank you, Zuko.”
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Zuko supposed he should’ve been surprised when Mai told him she wanted their marriage dissolved but he wasn’t. He’d been so swept up in Firelord business and their efforts for peace and harmony to notice her pulling away, spending more and more time with Ty Lee. He couldn’t really blame her. Their bond was always different and stronger than the one he’d ever had with her.
He was worried mostly for how this would affect his daughter. She was already brilliant and skilled like her ancestors before her and she was barely five. The parents she knew and loved no longer together, under the same roof.
The rumors would be the worst.
“How could the Firelord grant the Firelady a reprieve but not his own people?”
“If he’s letting her go free, then why not change the laws for everyone?”
“He’s almost as bad as the others!”
He didn’t want his own people upset but he also didn’t want Izumi growing up in a bigoted Fire Nation, one that was stuck in the ways of his father and his grandfather before him.
Now he was sitting facing his advisors who were all speaking over one another, desperately vying for his ear. He ignored them and bounced a flame between his hands.
A decree had gone out the day before for the entire Fire Nation, decriminalizing what his homeland had shunned for years. Those who were imprisoned were to be released immediately and the former crime wiped from their records. Once the entire Fire Nation knew, legalizing marriage between same-gender partners wouldn’t be far behind.
Arjun, his Earth Kingdom advisor, stepped forward and the others grew quiet. Zuko barely acknowledged him and continued juggling the flame. He heard fireworks in the distance and he smiled at the idea of his people celebrating.
“Firelord Zuko, please think of the negative consequences this will have. This much change too quickly will surely bring more rebels and usurpers. We’ve already dispatched almost all of the Kyoshi Warriors to deal with insurgents. We cannot risk an attack on the palace.”
“You’re quick to assume the worst. In case you haven’t noticed, people are happy. We’ve been stuck in our old ways for far too long and my people have suffered because of it.”
“There are traditionalists who will surely be upset, sire.”
“They are old and stuck in their ways. Soon they will pass onto the spirit world and life will continue. I can’t deny my people love and respect while demanding it for myself.” He stood and the advisors instinctively backed up. “This is the future, Arjun. We will have the support of our people, the support of the Southern Water Tribe, the North likely won’t be far behind. And Avatar Aang as well.” A few of the advisors muttered to each other at the mention of the Avatar. Zuko glared down at Arjun who shrunk under his gaze and averted his eyes. “You’re dismissed.”
They cleared the room and he ducked down one of the hallways behind his throne, eager to get to the courtyard. He wanted to grab Izumi so the two of them could sit by the turtleduck pond and watch the fireworks together. As he made his way through the hallways, guards looked at him nervously, shifting in their positions and he frowned.
He stepped into the courtyard and smiled at the sight of his daughter who was training with her teacher. She landed a punch and her teacher, Amina, smiled at her. They bowed to one another and Izumi looked over at her father with a grin.
“Papa! Did you see? I finally hit Master Amina!” He kneeled down and opened his arms as his daughter ran over to him.
“You were wonderful! One day you’ll be the best warrior in the Fire Nation.”
“What about the world?” He laughed and nodded.
“Of course! You’ll have to train a lot though if you want to beat Suki.” She frowned and thought for a moment.
“Second best isn’t too bad.” He laughed and kissed her on the top of her head.
He carried her over to the benches around the pond and sat her on his knee, the two of them looking up at the evening sky. Fireworks exploded overhead as people cheered loudly and sang.
“Mama sent me a scroll today! It was about fighting styles! It came from Omashu! Master Amina said we could practice them tomorrow.”
“Did you get a letter too?” She nodded and pulled a folded up piece of paper out of her pocket. She unfolded it and held it out to him.
“Mama said I could go with them next time they come home! She said she’ll take me to see the world! Can I go?” She pleaded with him, the letter clenched tight in her tiny hands.
“Well I don’t see why you can’t spend the summer with mama and aunt Ty Lee.”
The two of them sat together, talking as the fireworks continued exploding overhead. A servant came through with dinner for the two of them as well as some diced fruit for the turtleducks. Izumi filled her hands with the fruit and held it out for the small creatures to eat. Zuko loved watching his daughter experience the world in new ways every day and it filled him with pride. His thoughts were interrupted by someone behind him clearing their throat.
He turned to see Chiyoko, one of the Kyoshi warriors, standing there. She was holding a letter and he could see tears welling in her eyes. He shot to his feet and the woman handed him the letter.
“News from Aiya about the battle in Saga.” Aiya? Shouldn’t the letter have come from Suki? He took the letter and practically ripped it open, already aware of what the words inside would say.
He scanned the words quickly and he covered his mouth. His throat went dry and he felt his hands shake. Chiyoko looked down at her hands before bowing to him and walking away. He could hear her muffled sobs as she left the courtyard. He folded the letter and tucked it into his pocket. Tears streamed down his cheeks and he turned to look at Izumi who was happily feeding the turtleducks, blissfully unaware of the terrible news. She turned to look at him and her face fell.
“Papa, what’s wrong?”
“I have bad news, Izumi.”
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Sokka burst into his father’s house, exhausted from a long day’s work. He’d been training warriors all day which always took a lot out of him. He expected there to be dinner waiting and his father with a smile and a funny story. Instead, he was greeted to the sight of his father reading a letter with tears in his eyes. Katara was sitting next to him, one hand on her fathers and the other on her swollen belly. She’d also clearly been crying and he paused.
“What happened?” Katara looked up at her older brother and a sob escaped her lips.
“I’m so sorry, Sokka.” He crossed the room and took the letter from his crying father. He scanned the words quickly and shook his head.
“No...no this can’t be right. They must be wrong.” Hakoda stood to approach his son but Sokka backed away, the letter falling out of his hand.
“Sokka…” His father started.
“NO!” He screamed. His hands shook and his eyes burned as they flooded with tears.
“Sokka, please sit.” His father touched his arm but he pulled away. His whole body was shaking and he was only slightly aware of the fact that he was sobbing. He screamed again and collapsed to the floor. Hakoda kneeled next to him and ran a hand across his back, trying to calm his son.
Seeing his child hurt the way he’d hurt after he’d lost Kya was awful. No parent wanted to see their child heartbroken like this. His son had already lost his mother and Yue and now…
Katara kneeled next to her brother as well and pulled him into her arms. He screamed again and she kissed the side of his head. She just held him and let him cry. She was hurting inside as well not just for Sokka but for the woman who’d been a sister to her.
“Suki can’t be gone! This is a mistake! It has to be! Katara, please tell me it’s a mistake.” Her lip trembled and he groaned loudly, a guttural noise that made her heart ache.
“Aang is coming by soon with Appa. We’re heading to Kyoshi island first thing tomorrow.” Hakoda said, wishing he wasn’t saying what he was saying.
“Not Suki! Anyone but her! Please!”
The next morning they were all on Appa’s back, flying towards Kyoshi island. It was a trip that would take several days but nobody would dare hold the funeral without Sokka there. He was her partner of 12 years and they wouldn’t disrespect that.
When they landed right outside of Kyoshi, they were immediately greeted by Zuko and the Kyoshi warriors. They all exchanged hugs except for Sokka who had his arms wrapped around himself, like he was holding himself together. Aang helped him off of Appa and patted his shoulder once he was on solid ground. He glanced around at the warriors who all bowed to him and he sighed.
“Hey guys.” His voice was weak and frail. Chiyoko approached him and pulled him into a hug. He hesitated for a moment before wrapping his arms around her. The other warriors surrounded them and placed their hands on Sokka and lowered their heads, their lips mouthing a silent prayer.
When the women finished, they stepped away, allowing Zuko to step forward and hug his friend. Sokka clutched on to him tightly and both men were silent. After a moment, they pulled apart and the warriors motioned for the group to follow them.
The town was quiet as Sokka headed towards the temple where Suki was. The townspeople were gathered outside as he approached. As he walked towards the steps, the townspeople parted like the sea, allowing him access inside. The temple was dark inside, save for some flickering candles.
Laying on the altar at the front was a figure dressed in warriors garb. Her face was painted and her familiar fan was splayed across her chest, her fingers clutched around the base. Even in death, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. She looked so peaceful and he felt his chest ache. He placed a hand over hers and frowned at how cold it was.
“Hey sweetheart. It’s me.” He ran a hand down her face and his bottom lip trembled. “You look so beautiful.”
He leaned down to kiss her forehead. Her makeup was undisturbed and he was grateful for that. She’d kill him if he messed up her makeup.
“I should’ve known you’d go before me. You were always rushing into whatever battle would take you. I guess you’re probably happy right about now. You always wanted to die fighting.” His voice cracked and he choked back a sob. “You got your wish, stubborn girl.” He laughed a bit and he was sure Suki was probably laughing somewhere as well.
The funeral was long and every moment felt like a knife was being pounded deeper and deeper into his heart with every word. Chiyoko and the other warriors gently wrapped her in a white sheet and lowered her into her coffin. Aiya covered her shinto with a white cloth as well, protecting her from evil spirits. They placed coins in her hands before sealing her into the coffin.
Once the ceremony was over, they lifted her coffin and carried her North to her final resting place. Standing on the edge of the town was another altar, this one lower to the ground. They placed her down on it and draped another white sheet over the coffin, this one doused in anointed oil. Someone handed him a burning torch and for a moment he hesitated but he knew Suki would want this. A true warriors sendoff.
He stepped forward and touched the torch to the fabric. It went up in flames quickly and he dropped the torch to the ground, stepping back over to his sister’s side.
They watched as she burned, the smell making Sokka physically ill. But he never took his eyes off the flames once. At some point Aang had taken his free hand and was cradling it gently. It was a touching gesture from his brother-in-law and it made him smile a bit.
The rest of the night passed by in a blur and before he knew it, they were saying goodbye, preparing to fly back home. The warriors were all offering him their condolences and telling him he was welcome back as often as he wanted. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to do that ever again though which broke his heart. He loved Kyoshi island but everything there reminded him of Suki.
A few weeks later, Bumi was brought into the world, red-faced and screaming. His lungs clear and his cries strong and without knowing it, a small part of Sokka healed.