Chapter Text
The dragon pups were the first to noticed something was wrong. They stopped laughing immediately, coupled by flatten ears and alarmed expressions. Ozai glanced around and saw that Ursa was missing. Concern quickly filled him as he grabbed his crutch.
“I’m going to check on Ursa.”
Azula followed her father, leaving their confused houseguests with Zuko.
“What’s wrong?” Katara asked.
Zuko rubbed his tail nervously. “It’s Mama. She-“
“URSA!”
The family quickly rushed over to the bathroom. Azula stood frozen staring at Ozai who was cradling a barely unconscious and bruised Ursa. She was breathing hard with a pained expression as blood pooled from between her legs.
“Stay with me! Ursa!!!” Ozai panicked.
“Help me get her into the tub!” Kya ordered.
She lifted her legs while Ozai supported her other side.
“MAMA!” Zuko lunged forward, but Hakoda caught him.
“Whoa there! Let’s give them space.”
“Sokka get my kit from the truck! Hurry!”
The boy took off while Hakoda picked up a crying panicked Zuko and ushered the girls to the front porch. Katara held Azula’s hand who was too shock to react. Zuko squirmed his way out of Hakoda’s arms, transformed into a dragon, and ran off. Hakoda started to go after him, but when the dragon pup stopped and howled up at the sky; the rolling thunder drowned out his roars. Just then, Sokka came sprinting back with Kya’s bag. Hakoda took the med kit from him and told him to wait on the porch with the others before disappearing inside.
Sokka sat beside his friend and sister then wordlessly held Azula’s other hand. No one knew how much time passed. After a while, Zuko returned in human form, soaked with bloodshot eyes and raw throat. The others welcomed him into the huddle, not caring about the rainwater. Eventually, the front door opened and Hakoda stepped out. The children perked up immediately.
“Mama Dragon?! Is she…?” Katara ventured.
“She’s…” Hakoda hesitated. “Kya and Ozai are taking good care of her. It’s late. I’m gonna take all you kids home.”
The children looked at each other confused.
“Me and Azula too?” Zuko asked.
Hakoda nodded. “Your Dad gave the go ahead. Don’t want you sleeping on the porch any longer.” He knelt down. “We’ll look after you two. Right guys?”
“Yeah! No one gets past us!” Sokka agreed.
Katara patted their hands. “We triple pinky promise.”
Zuko nodded nervously while Azula merely stared. She supposed she should feel something, but everything was just so… numb.
The drive to the valley flew by. It was hard to see anything in town because of the storm. Hakoda led the children inside and lit the fireplace. The dragon pups gawked at the Imiq’s house. The living quarters was smaller than their cabin, but cozy and covered in Water Tribe decorations and various shades of blue. While Katara and Sokka changed into their pajamas, Hakoda brought over towels and extra clothes for Zuko and Azula. His heart tightened at their somber expressions.
“Your Mom is in good care. I promise.” He reassured them once they were settled. “She would want us to keep having a good time. So you know what that means.”
Hakoda ducked into the kitchen then returned with a large carton.
“Ice Cream for supper!”
Sokka and Katara cheered while Zuko smiled some. Azula only continued to stare blankly. Hakoda passed out bowls and spoons then help them make a nest of pillows and blankets by the fireplace. He then told them more Water Tribe stories of brave heroes and miraculous healings until they fell asleep a little after midnight.
Hakoda was utterly exhausted. He close to falling asleep himself on the floor beside the children when his phone vibrated. Hakoda shot up when he saw it was Kya. He stepped outside and quietly closed the door before answering.
“Hey. Everything alright?”
“The baby came prematurely and was in a breech position. It was a lot of touch and go, but we just got the little one out.”
“Are they…”
“The baby’s healthy, given the circumstances. Ozai’s a bit shaken, but he did good. Was a big help.” Kya’s voice lowered. “Ursa lost a lot of blood though. It’s going to take her much longer to recover.”
“I see. But other than that, good news?”
“Yeah.”
“How are you?”
“Tired.” Kya said bluntly. “You?”
“Same.” Hakoda chuckled. “Just got the kids down.”
“Good. Don’t bring them back first thing in the morning. We still need to clean up.” She sighed. “A lot.”
“How’s around noon?”
“That’s good.”
“Great. You did amazing, Dr. Kya.”
“Please… I’m not an actual doctor...”
“Nonsense. You think those Northen stiff-necks could deliver a breeched dragon baby on such short notice? They’d scream more than the baby.”
Kya snorted. “Thanks. You always know what to say, Koda. Love you.”
“Love you too. See you soon.”
Hakoda hung up then let out a long tired sigh. After collecting himself and whispering a grateful prayer to Tui, he slipped back inside. Hakoda startled some when he saw Azula on the other side of the door, watching intensely. He couldn’t tell if her eyes were glassy from tears or reflecting the night lights.
“Azula, you spooked me.” Hakoda knelt down. “Guess you heard that, huh?”
“Is Mama going to die?” she whispered shakily. “Mrs. Kya said she lost a lot of blood.”
“Your mama is going to be just fine. She just needs to rest.”
“But blood attracts the monster.”
“Monster?”
“The one that watches.”
Hakoda’s breath hitched. She must have seen the evil spirit that lurked in the forest.
“We have the protection symbols, remember? It won’t go near the cabin or your family.”
Azula rubbed her tail.
“Come.” Hakoda held her hand and guided her to the kitchen. There he got her a glass of warm milk. “You’re a big sister now. Isn’t that exciting?”
Azula shot him an annoyed look then sipped the milk.
Hakoda chuckled. “I get it. Little siblings are annoying, but you love them regardless.”
Azula grunted. The baby had done nothing but hurt Mama. How could she ever love something like that? As far as Azula was concerned, the baby was no different than the monster. At least the monster knew how to wait its turn.
After finishing her milk, Azula let Hakoda guide her back to the makeshift nest. She quickly fell asleep and dreamt of forests that reeked of her family’s blood and cold eyes that never left her.