The next morning the twilight glow was just beginning to pierce the blackness on the horizon when Zuko's eyes opened. The room was still dark and nothing around him was visible, but he could feel Chiara's warm body curled up against his side. Images of finding his mother felt like a dream. He knew he was not camping outside, and he did not feel the motion of a ship, and he was sure he was not on a more comfortable palace mattress. He grinned knowing it was not a dream. He continued replaying everything from the previous day in his mind until objects in the room became more visible.
After sitting up, he tenderly ran his hand over Chiara's long braid careful not to wake her. He was feeling restless, and he decided to go outside and take in the early morning air. He quietly left the room and stealthily started towards the door until he spotted his mother kneeling at the table with a pot of tea.
"Oh, Mom..." He still felt a childlike giddiness when he addressed her. "...I didn't think you'd be up so early."
Ursa smiled. "I'm not usually. I was a little too excited to sleep much last night." She was ecstatic to be reunited with her children, but years of forgotten memories suddenly coming to life in her mind also kept her thoughts preoccupied.
He knelt down next to her. "Like if you fell asleep, you'd wake up and it was just a dream?"
She gently laughed. "Exactly." She poured tea into a cup and set it before him. "Is Chiara still asleep?"
"Yes. But she won't sleep long. She usually wakes up when I do. We meditate together."
"Aww," she said, her smile bright. "That's so sweet. I'm so happy for you, Zuko. I'm so happy you were able to marry someone you love." Her eyes drifted to the other side of the room where Noren still lay asleep. "And someone who loves you," she added softly.
They continued talking over tea. He answered her questions and filled her in on the details of their adventures until Azula joined them at the table.
"Tea, Azula?" Ursa asked her.
She silently nodded as she knelt down.
"Did you sleep okay?"
Azula's first instinct was to complain about her less than regal accommodations, but she bit back her protest.
Ursa caught her hesitation and gave her a kind smile. "I know it isn't what you're used to, sweetheart."
Zuko tensed up expecting a sharp remark from Azula, but his reaction made him wonder if that was how his uncle felt around him all those years during his banishment when he snapped at everyone.
The princess shrugged. "I was still able to sleep."
He relaxed, impressed that she did not fuss.
"How are you feeling?" her mother asked her.
Azula was not sure how she felt, much less how to describe it. "My head feels...off."
"Do you want me to wake Chiara?" Zuko offered. "She might be able to..."
She was shaking her head. "Not that kind of off," she said, but she could not help the warm feeling inside her hearing her brother offer to wake his wife for her. "Everything is just...overwhelming."
"Like it's not real," said Zuko softly.
Azula nodded.
Ursa placed a cup in front of her daughter. "It is real," she said taking one of their hands in each of hers. "And I am so happy to have my children back in my life."
--------------------
The three of them had been talking and catching up for a while when Noren approached the table.
"I'm sorry if I'm interrupting..."
Ursa smiled up at him. "Not at all, dear."
He was surprised to see his daughter missing from the small group. "Kiyi's still asleep?"
"Yes. She had such a long day yesterday, I suppose not even the sun could wake her up this morning."
Azula raised an eyebrow. "Is she a firebender?"
"No," answered Ursa. "But she is usually up with the sun."
Zuko stood up. "I'm going to check on Chiara. She's usually up now too."
"You should let her sleep, Zuko," said Ursa. "She needs her rest."
"She also needs to eat. If she doesn't gain weight before we return to the palace, Amiku's going to kill me."
Azula let out a dry laugh. "He's not kidding. That woman had Uncle cowering yesterday for allowing Chiara to come on this trip."
Ursa softly laughed. "Oh, Amiku must be so excited...and Iroh...I mean the Fire Lord...," she corrected, "...he must be thrilled about it. He always loved spending time with all of you when you were younger."
Zuko entered the bedroom where he found Chiara meditating in the sunlight shining through the window.
"Chiara..."
She looked up at him.
"How long have you been awake?" he asked as he knelt down next to her.
"For a while." She reached up and brushed a few strands of hair from his eyes.
She admired his fiery gaze while he relished her soft touch.
"I didn't want to interrupt your time with your mother," she said.
"You're family too." He took her hand in his. "And it wasn't just me and her; Azula was with us."
"That's even better. The three of you need to heal together."
He kissed her hand. "And you need to eat." He got to his feet, bringing her with him.
They went to the table where Ursa stood up. "Good morning, Chiara. Did you sleep okay?"
"I did. Thank you for allowing us to use your room."
Ursa smiled and caressed her face. "It's the least I could do after you took such good care of my son." She started towards the kitchen. "I'm going to get everyone breakfast."
Chiara turned to Zuko. "I'm going to help her."
"You don't hav...," he started until she raised an eyebrow at him.
They heard Azula laughing. "You should know by now, Brother, not to argue with her over kitchen duties."
He smirked and leaned towards Chiara to gently kiss her lips making Azula roll her eyes. Noren was smiling at their show of affection which reminded him of him and his own wife.
"Ugh, public display...," started Azula.
"Doesn't matter when I'm Lee," said Zuko casually, kneeling down at the table.
She groaned, but Noren softly chuckled at them.
When Chiara entered the kitchen Ursa was busy preparing breakfast.
"Is there something you need?"
"I'm here to help, Aunt Ursa," she said.
"You know, you can call me 'Mom,'" Ursa smiled at her. "I always thought of you as a daughter."
Chiara's eyes sparkled. "And you were every bit a mother to me."
Ursa hugged her. "And now even more so. I'm so happy for you and Zuko." She gently touched her cheek. "And you haven't changed a bit," she softly laughed. "You always did enjoy helping everyone."
Chiara picked up one of the yellow dragon fruits and began cutting it as they made breakfast together.
"Zuko was telling me you can firebend," said Ursa.
"Yes. The Fire Lord's been asking around, but no one's been able to figure it out." She looked at her mother-in-law. "I suppose you couldn't firebend when you were pregnant with Prince Zuko and Azula?"
Ursa gave her a smile. "No. But I didn't try either." Her eyes dropped down. "I don't even want to imagine how Ozai would have taken to a non-bender practicing with him." She pushed the thought from her head and found a sweeter one to dwell on. "I still remember the day you and Zuko met," she gently laughed. "He was trying to teach you how to firebend."
Chiara giggled at the same memory. "And to think he really did teach me how to firebend."
"Princess!"
She glanced down to see Kiyi wrapped around her. She knelt down and hugged her.
"Good morning, Lady Kiyi."
"I'm glad you and the prince are still here." She gazed at Chiara with her big brown eyes. "Are you going to stay here forever?"
Chiara chuckled and looked up at Ursa unsure of what to tell her little sister-in-law.
"Oh, honey...," said her mother as she knelt down next to them. "...we're going to go with them to the Capital."
Kiyi backed away from Ursa and clung tightly to Chiara.
"It's okay, Lady Kiyi," said Chiara. "This really is your mother."
"She doesn't look like Mommy." Her voice was muffled as she hid her face against Chiara's neck.
"But it's still me, Kiyi," said Ursa.
Chiara gave the girl comforting caresses on her back. "A great spirit changed her face back to what it once was."
"That's what Daddy said." She was still pressed against the princess. "He said a bad man was after Mommy and she had to change her face."
"That's right, sweetheart," said Ursa.
"But I miss your real face."
"This is what your mother really looks like," said Chiara still rubbing her back.
"And I know you don't recognize me like this, Kiyi, but Zuko does because I'm his mother too."
Kiyi, still pressed against Chiara, peeked out at her mother. "You're the prince's mommy?"
Chiara smiled. "She is, which makes Prince Zuko your big brother."
The excitement in the girl's face made Chiara giggle.
"And Princess Azula is your big sister too."
"I have a big brother and sister," she said, her voice filled with awe. "Does that mean you're my sister too?"
Chiara let out a soft laugh. "In a way, yes."
Kiyi wrapped her arms around her neck and hugged her tightly. "I'm glad you're my sister." She let her go. "I have to go see my big brother now."
She sped out of the kitchen.
"She really adores you and Zuko," said Ursa.
Chiara looked at her. "Knowing he's her brother might help her adjust to the change."
"Wait 'til she finds out she's an aunt," she smiled.
---------------------
Zuko and Azula were talking to Noren when the prince suddenly found himself being tackled by Kiyi for the second time that morning.
"Big brother!" she said excitedly.
Noren was tempted to scold his daughter for her overly enthusiastic attack on the Crown Prince again, but seeing Zuko laughing as he held her, he refrained from reproving her this time. And though Zuko found it difficult to breathe for how tightly her little arms were wound around his neck, he enjoyed her excitement. It even jolted his memories of Azula doing the same at a much younger age than Kiyi before Ozai found it necessary to put a rift between them.
"The princess said you were my big brother," she said happily, releasing him from her hug.
"She did?" he asked as if it were news to him. "But then that would mean I have another little sister."
Azula was surprised to hear her brother speak the words "little sister" in such a fond tone, especially considering their history, but what struck her even more was how she found his gentle tone heartwarming. She was not yet sure how to handle having a little sister, but amid the heap of negative emotions and feelings which had driven her for so many years, there were positive ones of which she had been so recently drawn towards. Instead of anger, envy, or condescension, there was a more fulfilling feeling of affection as she watched her older brother tickling the girl who was squealing with laughter. It was reminiscent of another time, as though somewhere in her memories she was the little girl happily squealing at her big brother's playful attention.
--------------------
After breakfast Zuko and Chiara left his mother's house and started walking towards the center of town where Nersala lived. When Shiza, Nersala's husband, answered the door, his eyes grew wide upon recognizing the young couple even with the prince wearing an eye patch.
"Prince Zuko, Princess Chiara...." He bowed before stepping aside. "...please come in."
They returned his bow before entering.
"It's an honor to have you in our home again."
"It's good to see you too, Shiza," said Zuko.
"Nersala is currently with a patient," he said, "but you may sit." He pointed to the table where they sat with his family during their last visit. "You will have tea?"
"Yes, thank you," said the Prince.
"Everyone in the village was excited to hear about the defeat of Ozai," he said as he poured water into the teapot. "The whole island really." He set the pot over a flame. "When my son and his friends returned they were so proud to have been able to help. He still speaks of his night in the royal palace and the banquet."
"It was the least we could do," said Zuko, "especially after they fought so hard to prevent Ozai from burning down the Earth Kingdom."
"They told everyone all about the airship battles and the Avatar fighting the Fire Lord...uh, the former Fire Lord. And Rizin was quite shocked to see how young the Avatar was, especially after witnessing such bending power during the fight."
"The Avatar State can be frightening," said Chiara. "And we've never even seen him at full power using all his bending abilities."
Zuko stared at her. "You're right," he agreed, thinking back to the few times he had seen Aang in the Avatar State. "That must've been thrilling to watch."
"Rizin also spoke of a child earthbender who could bend metal," said Shiza.
The couple grinned. "That's Aang's...the Avatar's earthbending sifu," said Zuko.
"And also a child," he said. "Amazing.
Zuko and Chiara chuckled. "Yeah, we think so too," she said.
Shiza shook his head. "I never thought I'd see the end of this war. And to see Prince Iroh take the throne...we had quite a celebration here in Hira'a on the day of his coronation."
--------------------
They continued their conversation with Shiza, and shortly after finishing their tea, Nersala exited a room followed by a young woman from the village. The doctor was excited to see the couple.
"Prince, Princess," she greeted them as she bowed. Her medical instincts kicking in, her trained eyes automatically began a visual examination of Chiara.
The young woman with Nersala stared wide-eyed at the royal couple and she immediately bowed.
"This is Hina," said Nersala introducing the woman. "She was here the last time you visited."
They had met nearly everyone in the village, but there had been so many people they did not know them all by name.
"You healed my mother, Princess," said Hina. "She had fallen and injured her leg."
"I remember," said Chiara. "How is she doing?"
"Much better. She's suffered no pain since then. Thank you so much." She shifted uncomfortably clearly showing her nervousness at being in their presence. "I...um...I should go," she said. She made a swift bow and headed towards the door followed by Nersala.
When Nersala returned, she looked over Chiara. "I hope everything is well with you, Princess," she said hoping they were not visiting due to an issue with her pregnancy.
"It is," she said.
"Though we do have a personal question we were hoping you might be able to answer," said Zuko.
"I can certainly try," said Nersala. "It's my pleasure to serve you and the princess. Follow me."
They followed her to the room where they first discovered they were expecting a baby.
"I've spoken of your condition to no one," said Nersala. "Not even my own family. Since I haven't heard any announcements from the palace, I assume you're not ready for the joyous news to be made public."
"Considering the way Uncle was telling everyone, it's amazing the whole Nation doesn't know," said Zuko.
Nersala chuckled. "It's good to hear the Fire Lord is a proud great uncle."
"Now that we're actively working on peace with the other Nations, he plans on making the formal announcement when we return," said Chiara.
"I believe a new member of the royal family will be good for the Fire Nation," said the doctor. "We can celebrate the end of the war and new life in the palace...in more ways than one," she added referring to the change in leadership.
She knelt down and they followed her lead.
"Now, what is it you would like to ask?"
Zuko looked at Chiara and gently nodded. She held up her hand. Nersala's eyes widened when she saw a small flame appear on the princess's palm.
"You're carrying a firebender," she said with a smile.
"So you've seen this before?" asked Zuko anxiously.
She shook her head. "No. But I've seen the princess waterbend with my own eyes. I know she's not a firebender, nor the Avatar." Her eyes moved from the flame to Zuko. "My son has personally seen the young boy...both in battle and...well...playing around the palace."
Zuko and Chiara softly giggled.
"That sounds like Aang," he said.
Nersala returned to studying Chiara's flame. "The only other explanation is that she's carrying a firebender."
"Have you ever heard of this happening before?" asked Chiara.
"No. It's truly unique, and I've taken care of many expectant mothers who were not firebenders and had children who were," she said as she closely studied the flame.
"The Fire Lord has consulted the sages and doctors even among the colonies, but so far none have heard of anything like it," said the princess.
"You must be very attuned to firebending."
"I trained with them most of my life. Even though I couldn't produce fire, I listened and imitated when the General would instruct Prince Lu Ten or Prince Zuko."
Nersala nodded. "You had no inner flame with which to create fire, but now it seems you've tapped into your own child's." Her eyes met Chiara's eyes and she smiled. "He shares his flame with you." She stared again at the small fire Chiara was supporting. "I suspect your own skill in bending an element is another factor that contributes to this new ability."
"Do you think she'll still be able to firebend after the baby's born?" asked Zuko.
Nersala looked thoughtful before holding out her hand. "May I, Princess?"
"Of course."
The doctor placed her hand over Chiara's heart. She looked at Zuko. "Prince Zuko, may I?" she asked his permission. He was puzzled by her request, but nodded his assent. She held her other hand over his heart. "Every person carries a small flame inside," she said. "But because firebenders have the ability to call on and control that flame, their bodies also give off a natural heat higher than non-benders." She smiled at Chiara. "I'm sure you're already aware of that, Princess."
"I've hugged my family of firebenders enough times to know how warm they are."
Nersala chuckled. "You're not giving off that same heat. I'm sure you're drawing from the baby's inner flame." She looked at Zuko. "I don't believe she'll be able to firebend after giving birth, but I can say with some certainty that your child will likely be a firebender," she smiled.
"I guess that's good for an heir to the throne," he said. "But it doesn't matter to me if he's a bender or not."
Before Nersala could voice her pleasure of the young prince's humility they heard a commotion outside the room and all three stood up. When they opened the door, Rizin and his wife and daughter were talking to Shiza. They stopped and stared at the royal couple.
"Prince Zuko, Princess Chiara," greeted Rizin as he and his family dropped to their knees. "It's an honor to have you in Hira'a."
"It's good to see you again, Rizin," said Zuko motioning for them to stand.
"What's all the excitement?" asked Nersala.
"There's a crowd outside. They know the prince and princess are here. Everyone's anxious to see them."
Zuko turned to Chiara and grinned.
"I'm so sorry," apologized Nersala. "I should have stressed to Hina to keep your visit secret."
"It's okay," said Zuko. "We didn't intend to stay undercover. We'll be here for at least a few more days, and we planned on meeting with the villagers."
"Do you have a place to stay?" asked Rizin's wife Sora.
"We do," said Zuko. "We'll be staying with...Noren." He nearly said his mom, but he knew it was not his place to reveal her and Ikem's identities. He would allow them to make that decision when they chose, though it would probably be soon considering it would appear to the other villagers that Noren was with another woman.
They could hear the group of villagers on the other side of the door. Zuko looked at Chiara again.
"I guess we should go outside and greet them," he said.
He took her hand and they stepped outside where everyone began cheering. When the crowd settled down, a man and woman stepped forward.
"Magistrate...Haku?" said Zuko hoping he remembered his name correctly.
"Yes, your Highness," he confirmed as he and his wife bowed. "And my wife Lani."
"It's good to see you again," said the prince.
"We are honored by your visit. Had we known, we would've made preparations for your arrival this time."
"It wasn't necessary," said Zuko. "We were visiting regarding private business."
"If there's anything you need, I will be more than happy to offer any help."
"Thank you, Magistrate, but we found what we were looking for. And now we're planning on offering our own services to the people."
A murmur was heard from the crowd reflecting their excitement upon hearing the prince's words. They joyfully welcomed the royal couple who mingled among them answering questions and offering their healing services when requested.
--------------------
News of their presence on the island continued spreading throughout the village, and soon Kiyi was anxiously pulling Noren along through the crowd with Ursa and Azula following behind them. The princess was surprised to see so many people surrounding the couple.
"Already Zuzu's got a fan club," she muttered.
Ursa could hear the slight bitterness in her daughter's voice. "They really appreciate what Chiara's done for them," she said.
Azula gave her a puzzled look. "What did she do for them?"
"When she and Zuko were here a few months ago, Chiara healed many of the villagers, including a blind girl."
Azula now understood why Zuko was so insistent upon entering the village in disguise, but she wondered if they had come to Hira'a to hide after she had pursued them at the Western Air Temple. "Were they hiding here?"
"No," said Ursa. "Zuko was telling me this morning they came here for the doctor when they last visited. It's when they found out Chiara was pregnant."
"Why did they come here for a doctor?"
"One of his friends was from the island and recommended Nersala."
When they broke through the crowd, they saw Chiara preparing to heal a broken leg and a gash on a young man while Zuko stood nearby talking to other villagers. Chiara heard the concerned gasps of several former guards who had recognized Azula from her visit to Boiling Rock after the breakout. She glanced over to see her standing with Ursa, Noren, and Kiyi before focusing on her patient's injury. It was two days old and had already been treated, but Azula intently watched as the bruising around the broken bone disappeared signifying the healing of the fracture beneath and the wound resealed itself until it was completely gone. Though she had personally experienced Chiara's healing touch, she had never seen her do it, and she was mesmerized by the glowing blue water, the same that often brought her a sense of peace and calm.
"It's such a beautiful blue," said the young man's little sister watching the glowing water up close.
Chiara returned the water to the bucket that had been provided for her. "If you think this is beautiful, you should see Princess Azula's beautiful blue flames." She gave her sister-in-law a friendly smile with the hope that those who were uncomfortable in the presence of the younger princess might relax.
Azula gaped at her not expecting such a compliment from her nor was she expecting the attention of most of the crowd that was now focused upon her.
"You have blue flames?" asked Kiyi staring up at her big sister. "Can I see?"
The princess was tempted to snap back that she was not some circus freak ready to put on shows for people at will, but she held her tongue and collected herself before producing a small blue flame in her hands. The oohs and aahs of the children surrounding her trying to get a closer look took her by surprise, as did the amazed gasps of the adults.
"It's incredible," she heard among them.
"I've never seen anything like it," said others.
"How unique!"
Ursa remembered her daughter's threat with her blue fire the night before and the fight she had with Zuko before she ran out of her home. But now with her memories restored, she looked at Azula's fire with her true eyes.
"Azula, your fire is really beautiful," she complimented her.
Ursa's praise was very different from Ozai's. It was genuine and sincere. Her mother's pride in her ability was completely devoid of selfishness unlike Ozai whose pride in her was more for himself, as if he were the reason for her talent. She wondered how she so easily fell for her father's selfish flattery.
She remembered the first time she created her blue flame. She was alone in her room in the palace a year into Zuko's banishment. When Ozai had seen her using her newfound ability during practice, she could not deny that she had been slightly jarred by the greedy look in his eyes betraying his desire to use her to his benefit. But his praise of her unique skill immediately played upon her own pride and she allowed herself to be his tool.
And in one of her earliest memories she could still remember her brother's reaction to her first flame which was nothing like Ozai's response. Not long after Zuko had learned how to produce a small flame in his hand she sat and imitated him as he practiced.
"Zuzu! Zuzu!" she called, her small, chubby hand cradling a tiny flame.
Zuko's golden eyes were big as he stared at the fire in his little sister's hand. "You did it, Zula! You're a firebender too!"
He quickly got up and picked her up struggling to carry her to their mother.
"Mom! Mom!"
"What is it, Zuko? What's wrong?" asked Ursa.
"Look what Azula can do!" he said setting his sister in front of her. "Show her, Zula."
She held out her empty hand.
"Like this," said Zuko holding his own hand out.
He called upon his inner fire creating a small flame. She imitated him, but again, nothing happened.
"Zuko, she's too young yet to create fire..."
"But she did it," he insisted. He looked at his sister. "Concentrate," he instructed. "Feel the flame inside you."
Soon a small flame appeared on her palm. Her mother smiled proudly at her daughter's accomplishment.
"She's a firebender too," said Zuko.
"I'm so proud of you, Azula," said Ursa looking closer at the fire.
Ozai entered the room to see his daughter cradling the small flame. His eyes grew wide. "Already she is producing fire without a master," he said striding over to her to study it closely.
"She learned it from watching Zuko," said Ursa.
He sneered at her. " Zuko?" he repeated, his voice full of disdain. " His firebending is so late and so poor, he's practically a non-bender." Ursa glared at him, but he merely turned his attention back to his daughter. "No. Azula is just gifted. At this rate, she will surpass Zuko before the end of the month." He looked at Azula. "You will be a great firebender worthy of the royal family."
Zuko's eyes dropped in shame.
When Ozai left the room, Ursa turned to her son who had struggled so long to prove he could firebend and had finally done so recently. "I'm proud of you, Zuko. You taught your sister how to create a flame."
He looked at his little sister and gave her a smile.
Her brother had not shown the slightest bit of envy or anger, but he had been genuinely proud of her, just like her mother.
"Azula!" called Ursa. "Chiara, help her."
They were the last words Azula heard after she collapsed on the ground, her flame dissipating as she lost consciousness.
Chiara dropped to her knees beside her and drew water from the bucket.
"What's wrong with her?" asked Ursa.
Chiara was holding the water over her head and focusing, but she could find nothing. She shook her head and proceeded to move the water over the rest of her body searching for the cause of her unconsciousness.
"What happened?" asked Zuko now kneeling next to her.
"She just fell," said Ursa.
"There...there's nothing physically wrong with her," said Chiara.
"But why is she like this?" her mother asked worriedly.
Chiara looked up at Zuko. "Ba Sing Se."
He was puzzled.
"The Fire Lord might understand this better," she said.
Comprehension then dawned on him. "It's not natural."
"I don't understand," said Ursa. "What's going on?"
"I'll explain later," he said as he noted the murmuring crowd gathered around them. "Let's get her back to the house."
He carefully lifted his sister from the ground and carried her following Noren back to their home.
"Princess, will she be all right?" Nersala asked Chiara.
"I believe so."
"If there's anything you need, let me know," said the doctor.
"Thank you." She turned to follow Zuko.
When they arrived at the house, Noren opened the door for them.
"Take her to our room," said Ursa, her hand on Zuko's back as she tried to remain as close as possible to her oldest daughter.
Zuko gently placed her on the bed where he and Chiara slept the night before.
"She's been dealing with a lot of change lately," Chiara told Ursa.
"This morning she said she felt overwhelmed." She knelt on the bed next to her daughter.
Chiara sat on Azula's right side and felt her forehead. "She feels warmer than she should."
"I'll get water for you," said Noren.
"Is my sister going to be okay?" asked Kiyi.
"Mommy and Princess Chiara will take care of her," answered her father. "Why don't you help me get the water?"
She followed Noren out of the room.