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Chapter Text

Pakku sighed in annoyance as he and his fishing crew sailed through the ice infested water near the frozen tundra where they live. They already filled three fishing boats full of food but Chief Arnook had insisted on filling up a forth boat because Korra was going to give birth any minute, and Arnook wanted to throw a banquet in honor of the new heir.

”Hey!” Voduq, a young man of fifteen summers, called out. “I see a boat with a tarp over it! I can hear something coming from here!”

”Reel it in,” Pakku said. “But make sure you have your weapons at the ready.”

The others yelled their confirmation and Pakku made his arms flow smoothly and lifted the small boat into their fishing boat. It was silent until they heard a baby’s cry rang out from underneath the tarp covered boat. The fisherman and warriors stared at each other in confusion before Arnook took his spear, and removed the tarp. The smell that hit them was a horrible one. It was the smell of when it took them a few days to return home and their catch grew old.

The sent of death.

Arnook covered his nose with his parka and walked towards the death emitting boat. Before he could peek, the baby cry came from it.

”Sir?” Arnook shook his head and looked into the boat. What greeted him was the rotting corpse of a female Fire Nation guard who was gripping the basket that held an infant with his left eye and ear wrapped in bandages. The baby was staring at Arnook with watery eyes but that wasn’t what he was focused on. No, he was focused on the bright, golden, bandages eye that the baby sported. The babe was Fire Nation and the Fire Nation we’re enemies of the Water Tribe.

”We have a problem,” he stated as he picked up the confused infant. He walked over to the others and explained the dilemma.

”You can’t be serious about murdering a child!” Parnok, a twenty year old, cried out. “It’s-“

”That child has the eyes of those who we have been avoiding for a hundred years! Besides, the child is already suffering due to the magnitude of that wound,” Pakku snapped. “It would be better to end its suffering!”

”You can’t be-“

”I am!” The men on the ship were arguing about what to do about the baby all the way until night. The moon was full that night so the water benders of the group felt stronger, but Arnook paid no attention to them. He paid attention to the light of the moon that shone on the baby, and nothing else.

”Enough!” They turned towards Arnook and Froze when they saw the moonlight illuminating the small child. Tui has spoken and told them to spare the child. Why? They have no clue but none the less, they listened to the moon spirit.

”Set a course for home,” Arnook commanded. The warriors nodded and quickly ran to their positions. The baby, who was silent this whole time, started to giggle and grab ahold of of the Chief’s braids. As the infant moved around, the blanket revealed a tag stitched in the piece of cloth. Arnook raised an eyebrow as he read it. “So your name is Zuko?”

The baby started to wiggle in happiness an Arnook chuckled. He waved his finger in front of Zuko’s face as the baby tried to grab ahold of it.

”How would Korro feel about the new addition?” Pakku asked from beside his chief.

”Who said that I’m the one taking him in?” Arnook asked with a raised eyebrow. The old water bender sorted and gave him a pointed look.

”Please,” he scoffed. “I just saw you smiling fondly at the baby.”

Arnook flushed and gave a glare to his long time friend, andPakku laughed. The older man just smacked him on the shoulder and told him that he’ll try to find another crib, as well as other infant supplies.

’Tui and La,’ Arnook thought. ‘Where going to have twins basically.’

...

Korro stared at her husband as he explained that it was up to her if she wanted to take in a child while she was pregnant with their child. The baby just slept peacefully in Arnook’s arms as the two talked.

”Let me see him,” she stated without revealing her inner thoughts. Her husband just nodded and put the clumsily wrapped infant into the expecting mother’s arms. Even with the exchange, Zuko remained asleep, and even buried himself into the warmth that radiated off Korro. “Has he been seen by Yogoda?”

”No, since we-“

”Well, get her! This child is chilled to the bone!” Korro snapped and wrapped a spare parka around the sleeping boy. Arnook nodded and ran off to get the veteran healer.

Korro cradled the Fire Nation infant close to her chest and cooed at him. She’ll raise him to me a member of the Water Tribe. He won’t be corrupted and he’ll be raised as their son, but how will the other villagers react?

”She’s here!” Arnook called out when he came back with Healer Yogada trailing behind him. He turned to the experienced healer. “This is the infant we found in the boat at sea. We believe he is from the Fire Nation.”

Togada hummed in response and took the wrapped baby in order to examine him. She gently removed the bandages that covered the left eye and ear, and she grimaced when she uncovered the wound. “The fat the child survived the wound is a miracle, but infection has started to set in.”

”Can you help?” Arnook asked and as a result, Togoda gave him a raised eyebrow. Arnook rubbed the back of his neck and looked sheepish. She seemed to accept that and informed them that she’ll need her healing creams from her tent.

“KeeP him close to the hearth. Since we don’t know if he will be a bender or not, and you need to keep fire benders warm or they will die.” The two nodded and Arnook grabbed a spare blanket so that he could sit Zuko close to the fire.

”Dear,” Korro called from next to her husband. “What are you thinking? Is is about his Fire Nation roots? Or is it the wound?”

”How could they harm an infant? does their cruelty know no bounds?” His brow farrowed in concern and watched as the baby start to whine? Was he weened? Would he drink the milk his wife provided?

”I believe we might be in over our heads, and raising two babies? One we don’t have any information about.”

”We’ll find a way,” Korro said as she wrapped her arms around her husband. “We always find a way.”

Pakku stared at the chubby Fire Nation baby as he wiggled around on the floor. He was forced by his chief to watch the infant as Arnook talked to the other elders. They were discussing if they should allow Zuko into the line of succession since he is officially the son of Arnook and Korro, but he is not of their blood.

”bah!” Pakku raised an eyebrow at the baby who gave him a glare in response. “bah!”

”Do you require something?” The baby just wiggled around on his back angrily until he used his momentum to roll over on his back. Pakku just sat there frozen and watched as Zuko continued to transition between his back and stomach. By the time Pakku snapped out of it, Zuko was in the kitchen.

The old after bending master quickly ran to the boy and picked him up, and glared at the wiggly baby. “You and me aren’t going to get along, are me?”

Zuko just blew a spit bubble at the man and ended up getting it on his parka.

”This is war,” Pakku growled.

”rah!”

...

Arnook let his pregnant wife to their front door when they heard a crash and Pakku yelling curses. This worried the chief as he burst into their living quarters, but the sight that greeted him was not of an intruder. It was the sight of his old friend covered in...stuff while he tried to get Zuko to stop throwing things.

Arnook cleared his throat to get Pakku’s attention, and the water bender glared at his Chief. He stomped over to Arnook and shoved the new tired infant into his adoptive father’s arms. “Take this menace!” 

He stomped out of the home and he left the two expecting parents before lamming the door close. Korro looked at Zuko with confusion etched on her face, but the baby just slept peacefully in her husbands arms. “Do we want to know?”

”Probably not,” Arnook shrugged. The two had servants fix up their living quarters and start on dinner as they placed Zuko into his crib that Pakku he brought over to them.

”Did they make a depiction?” Korro, who was at the healers all day, asked her husband as she started as she started to knit a blanket. Arnook nodded and explained their choice to his wife.

”He will have the rights of the tribal prince, but he will not become the next chief of our people.” Korro nodded and asked another question. 

“What will happen if he turns out to be... a fire bender?” Arnook sighed and informed her that the council of elders have decided that he wouldn’t be treated any different then if he were a water bender. Korro smiled at that and continued to knit.

Somewhere, on the battlefront, sat the infamous Dragon of the West as he read with a heavy heart about how his brother cast out his child because he believed that the child didn’t have the spark that indicated that Agni had blessed him. It broke his heart that such a young life was snuffed out before it had a chance to begin. His own son would be heartbroken since he was excited to meet the child.

“General Iroh?” One of his underlings Asked from the doorway asked. “Your orders, sir?”

”Continue our course,” he stated while his thoughts started to race. What did his father think of this development. Azulon was adamant that Ozai had a child to stabilize the line of succession, but for Ozai to kill his only child?

This isn’t good.

Arnook was tired. Sure, Zuko slept through the night but when he did wake up, he made sure he was known. For something so small, he sure had a set of lungs.

Zuko was pawing at the bandages that were on is face. He must have flare ups at night. Poor thing. Arnook opened up a jar full of pain medication for infants an poured a little bit into a bottle of milk that a goatcow provided. The might not have farmable land, but they do have reserves f supplies from when thy travel to Earth Kingdom ports.

He tried to put the bottle up to Zuko’s mouth, but he kept moving his head to avoid it. He just kept crying in pain and Arnook couldn’t help him. “Please, little one. Drink your bottle. It’ll make you feel better...”

”Arnook?” His wife asked from the doorway of the nursery. “Is Zuko alright?”

“He won’t the the medicine,” he explained. “I don’t know what’s wrong.”

”Korro giggled and took Zuko into her arms. he seemed to calm dow slightly when he was transferred but he still whimpered in pain. ”All it took is a mother’s touch.”

Arnook chuckled and bent down to look at Zuko as the infant drank his bottle. “Are you trying to steal my wife? That’s treasonous.” Korro laughed and Zuko Just stared blankly as he ate.

”are you threatening him because I find him to be cuter than you?” His wife okey and the chief of the Northern Water Tribe put on a serious face and nodded.

”I will fight him for your hand.” She just shook her head and sat down in a rocking chair.

”He’s such a good baby.” Arnook shook his head and told her to tell that to Pakku. He rubbed the back of his neck and explained that he might need to buy him a new parka. She snorted and laughed in response. “Pakku has a phobia of babies.”

Chapter Text

It was Pakku’s greatest nightmare came true. Another baby is arriving today, and he/she will raise chaos with Zuko. Spirits… two evil babies running around. The water bending master glared at the babbling baby in Arnook’s arms.

“Come on, old friend!” Arnook laughed. “It won’t be that bad!”

“He behaves for you! He’s evil!” Pakku pointed his finger at Zuko, who in response grabbed it and put it in his mouth to ‘chew’ on. “Gross, Arnook, tell him to release my finger.”

The Chief of the Northern Water Tribe shook his head and released his friend’s finger from its gummy prison. Zuko whined in response but was quickly distracted with his stuffed polar bear dog that he likes. “You know you like him.”

“He’s a menace!”

“Tell that to Korro. She adores him,” replied Arnook with a smile.

Before Pakku could respond, Yogoda emerged with a grim look on her face, which caused the Chief to tense up. “Korro made it through the birthing process but…”

“My child…?”

“She won’t cry.”

Arnook walked past the veteran healer in order to check on his wife. This can’t be true. Not his first born.

“Bah!” Zuko raised his arms towards Arnook, but the leader of the Northern Water Tribe ignored the struggling baby. He has to check on his wife.

“”Arnook…” Korro whispered and took her husband’s hand. “I’m so sorry…”

“Shh…” The chief shushed his wife. “Everything will be fine. I promise.”

Tears flowed from his wife’s eyes as he removed his hand from her grasp. He made his way to his silent child and gently picked her up. Nothing. Not even a whimper. “Toi and La… please… save my baby girl…”

Light from the moon suddenly illuminated the birthing chambers, causing Arnook to look up. Was Tui answering his prayers? Will the moon spirit save his child? “Korro, I have an idea.”

Before his wife could ask, Arnook wrapped the baby in a blanket and made his way out of the room. However, as soon as he set foot out of the room, Pakku stopped him. “My friend, what-“

“Not now. Follow me.”

“What about…” Pakku motioned  to the infant in his arms.

“Bring him!” Arnook snapped. “We need to go to the Oasis!”

With that, Arnook quickly made his way to the Spirit oasis with his long-time friend in tow. If his hunch was right, then Tui would help his baby. Once he reached the doors of the oasis, he pushed them open and stopped at the edge of the body of water that held they two spirits of the moon and ocean.

“Tui… La…” Arnook begged. “Please save my little girl.”

The water tribe chief slowly lowered his silent baby into the spirit oasis’ water. For a few moments, neither spirit left their never-ending circle, until Zuko started crying.

“Shit!” Pakku tried to soothe the baby who he believes is evil. “Not now! Calm down!”

Tui left the circle and swam to the infant. The moon spirit circled around the baby before coming into contact with the child. It’s mark on the top of its head started to glow and suddenly, the baby’s hair started to change from brown to white. As Arnook removed the babe from the water, she opened her closed eyes and she started to cry. The man smiled and tears started to form in his eyes.

“Bah!” Zuko reached towards his adoptive father from his place in Pakku’s arms. The non-bender laughed softly and positioned the little girl into the crook of his right arm while he held Zuko in his left arm. The adopted baby looked at his sister with rapt attention.

“Do you like your new sister?” Arnook asked as he and Pakku walked back to the birthing chambers. He’d need to explain some things to Yogoda and Korro. As he walked,  his gaze went to the bright moon above them. “Thank you, Tui.”

…

“Her name is Yue,” Korro whispered as his daughter grasped her finger. “She was blessed by the moon spirit.”

“Bah!” Zuko exclaimed, causing the two water tribe natives to laugh in response.

“It seems Zuko like the name.” The young boy laughed in response and clapped his hands, but as soon as he done laughing he started to yawn.

“I’ll put him to bed. Come on my little fireplace.” The chief picked up the boy and went to the nursery they set up for him. They couldn’t keep Zuko and Yue in the same room because the fire in Zuko’s room had to be hotter than the normal ones that they have in the rooms. Yogoda told them to constantly keep the boy warm since he comes from a warmer climate. Also, they have to keep applying a healing salve to the slowly healing burn. They haven’t tested to see if his ear and eye were damaged beyond help.

“Time to go to sleep,” Arnook whispered as he gently placed his son in his crib. “The sooner you sleep then the sooner you’ll be able to play with your sister.

Zuko blinked sleepily at his father before finally letting sleep overtake him. Arnook stood over the boy while he clenched his fist. He was so heartbroken over the fact he might have lost Yue, yet someone willing tossed their newborn out to sea. How could the Fire Nation be so heartless?

“I won’t let you or your sister come to any harm. That is a promise.” Yet the baby slept on through his father’s declaration of protection.

“Come on Yue!” The young water tribe prince called out. “Master Pakku and father are about to set sail!”

“I’m coming! Princess Yue huffed as she picked up her parka and ran towards her brother. The fishermen are going fishing to get fish for her big brother’s eighth birthday celebration. Hers, plus the Winter Solstice, was next month.

“You think Master Pakku would train me once my bending comes in?” Zuko asked his sister as they made their way to the dock.

“Well, he said when you become a water bender then he would!”

“Yeah, but he said he would get us a pet polar bear dog, but he never delivered!” Yue frowned and started to thing. He did have a point.

“True but Master Pakku is the only water bending teacher for the warrior factions.” Before Zuko could response, the sight of the ships caused in increase in their speed.

“Father!” They both cried and jumped into their father’s outstretched arms.

“Hello, my little fireplace.” Arnook placed a kiss on Zuko’s forehead. “Hello, my little tiny princess.” He copied what he did on Yue. “You’re going to behave for your mother while I’m gone, won’t you?”

The two siblings nodded while Pakku snorted. When were those two troublemakers ever going to behave? His snort caught the attention of the young boy. “Master Pakku! Will you teach me  water bending once I get it?”

The two friends gave each other a look. Korro and Arnook haven’t told Zuko that he wasn’t biologically related to them, and they weren’t planning on telling him until he was older.

“Like I said, once you become a water bender then I will. Not sooner.” Arnook’s heart broke when he saw his son’s face fell at his old friend’s words. Pakku knew the boy couldn’t water bend due to his background but teasing the poor boy was cruel.

“Pakku!”  He hissed. The older water bender  raised an eyebrow before sighing.

“What I mean is, you will have to be able to water bend, and there is nothing wrong with being a non-bender. Your father is one and he is an exceptional warrior.”

“What Pakku means is…”m The Northern Water Tribe chief was also at a loss for words.

“Father…?” Zuko called out. Thankfully, the horn rang out that it was time to leave.

“We’ll talk about this once I return.” The two older men left the two confused children on the dock.

Yue pulled at her brother’s sleeve and asked if they could go see Master Yogoda. This pulled the scarred boy out of his confusion as they made their way to their surrogate grandmother. Occasionally, the healer would check on the eight-year old’s scar to make sure it wasn’t getting infected.

“Yogoda!” They called out but the only one there was a young teenaged water bender.

“Master Yogoda has went on an expedition with some of the guards to collect some herbs. She should be back tomorrow.” This revelation caused the duo to pout in response.

“Let’s go find her!” Yue suggested.

“Yue…”

“If she’ll be back by tomorrow then she’s close! We can find her.

“But father said…”

“Please, Zuko,” his sister begged. “I promise we’ll be back before anyone notices!”

The small boy sighed in response before agreeing. He really doesn’t say ‘no’ to his sister because they are each other’s only friends. No one wanted to be friends with the scarred, pale kid. He knows he’s different from his family. All the other kids tell him so. Yue was protective of him ad decided she didn’t want any friends if they were mean to Zuko.

Yue jumped in joy before grabbing her brother’s hand and pulling him out of the healing quarters. “We have to make sure we aren’t caught by the guards.”

“We can’t wait until the changing of the guards. It should be happening in a few minutes.” Yue nodded. Then, the two of them waited behind an ice wall as the guards became distracted with the shift changes.

“Go! The black haired whispered as he took his sister’s hand and ran beyond the large ice gates. They ran and ran until their little legs couldn’t keep up. Luckily for them, they were a good distance away from the watch tower.

“Okay, now…” Yue’s face scrunched up in concentration. “Master Yogoda said that the place with all those herbs is north of the North Gate.”

“That way?” Zuko pointed towards the tall mountain in the distance.

”I guess…” She shrugged and followed her brother towards the mountain. The Northern Water Tribe princess started talking about how happy Yogoda is going to be once she sees that they traveled by themselves to see her.

Korro was currently helping the other older women sew together some new parkas. All was quiet until her children’s private tutor came rushing in. “My Lady!”

“What is it, Savraq?” The man took some deep breaths to steady himself before speaking.

“I can’t find the prince and princess anywhere!” This caused everyone in the room to freeze. They were neutral in this war while those in the South are off fighting the war, and there is no way someone from their tribe took the children.

“Everyone spread out to find them.” The caption of the guard called out to his guards.

“Lady Korro,” one of the women she was sewing with piped up. “I thought I aw the prince and princess heading towards the Northern Gate.”

“But the sun is already setting!”

“We need to hurry then!” Korro said nothing as the guards ran out the room. She was frozen in shock during the whole exchange. Her babied were missing.

‘Tui and La, please keep them safe,’ she prayed.

“I think we’re lost,” Zuko huffed as they notice the sun setting plus the incoming snowstorm coming in from the east. They were no where close to the mountain, and they were getting tired and hungry.

“I want mom,” Yue whined. “Let’s  go back.”

“We can’t. We’re lost.”

“Follow our footsteps!”

“The storm is heading towards us-“ While they were talking to each other, they didn’t notice until a sudden growling caught their attention. Both of the children slowly turned towards the source of the sound and tensed up when they saw it was a wolf who looked very hungry.