Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Azula paced back and forth across the dining room. Zuko watched her from his seat at the table. He started to open his mouth but then Azula spun around to face him. He shut his mouth. It was best to not interrupt her when she got going. She slammed three envelopes down onto the table. He looked at the envelopes and then looked back at her, raising his eyebrow.

“Those are the only letters I have from Naoki. Three letters, Zuzu. My grandsons should be adults by now. I don’t even know their names. I’m not getting any younger either.”

Zuko carefully picked up the letters and began to go through them. 

Mother,

By the time you have found this letter I will be long gone. I’m so sorry. I just feel this is not where I am destined to be. I need to find my own path to follow. Please don’t blame yourself.

Love,
Naoki

PS. Tell Uncle Zuzu I’m sorry.

Mother,

Today my son got lost at the market. I questioned anyone and everyone if they had seen him. I would’ve turned that whole market upside down if I could. I felt fear like I had never felt before. When I finally found him it was as if a weight had been lifted. It felt like he was gone a century but in reality it was about half an hour. I’m so sorry for not writing to you. I didn’t realize the pain I was causing you till today. I was a fool for not writing. I hope this eases your eternity of fear.

Love,
Naoki

Mother,

I know I made you wait again and I was scarce on details of my life in my past letter. I will tell you what I safely can. I know that sets you on edge but I’m not in any danger. It’s perfectly safe where I live. It’s just that I’m not ready for you to show up and turn everything upside down. I’m married and happily in love, Mother. My husband and I have two sons. They’re both benders and they’re both sweet boys. I’ll introduce you to them one day. They both already know of their Grandmother. I haven’t told them who you are yet. They only know of you as Grandmother. They love hearing stories about when I was younger and about you. I hope you are doing well, Mother.

Love,
Naoki

PS. My boys send their love also.

“There should be more letters. I know she wanted space but she also didn’t want to worry you.” He said frowning. “Maybe she did write more but they somehow didn’t reach you?”

“I’ve considered that, Zuzu! I’ve considered it all!” She yelled. “What if they got lost in the mail? What if she hates me? What if her husband hates me? What if my grandkids hate me? What if she’s gone!? What if they’re all gone!?”

She sank down into the chair in front of him and sighed. Zuko reached out and held her hand.

“You deserve answers, Azula.”

“How am I going to get them? I don’t even know where she went.” she grumbled.

“Her last two letters I recognized the processing stamp on it. Those letters were sent from Republic City. She could live there. She could have lived there and moved. She could have even paid someone to send the letters from there. I don’t know but it’s a lead.”

“Don’t lie. I know you’re still bad at it. Do you think she will be mad that I’m showing up and upending everything?” Azula looked at her hands.

“I don’t know but your reasoning is good. She’ll know you care. Will she be mad that I came along?”

“Ugh! Spare me the hurt turtle duck look, Brother! You are her dearest Uncle Zuzu. She’ll probably talk your ear off about all she’s been up to.” 

Chapter Text

When Lord Zuko and his sister showed up on a dragon outside her precinct, Lin knew today was going to be a headache. She had owed him a favor and now he was here to cash in.

She pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a deep breath.

“So, let me get this straight. This princess runs away the night before she’s set to take a more active role in the royal family and yet the public was never told there’s a missing Fire Nation princess.” She asked them.

“Well…she was legally an adult and she intentionally left and-” Zuko awkwardly started explaining.

“Ignore Dum-Dum here. He did however have some points. I ask you what would every low life all over the world do if that was public knowledge? On Top of that she didn’t want to be found either. Then there’s the fact she’s also my daughter. I don’t need to elaborate that I was once a much more controversial figure.” Azula interrupted.

Lin inclined her head. That made sense. She picked up the first letter. It was more of a note really in Lin's opinion. She scanned the contents then paused. Naoki. She had a hunch.

“Do you have a picture or anything of Princess Naoki?” She asked.

“I had a copy made of the most recent picture we had. It was taken a few days before she left.”

Zuko pulled out a photograph from his robes and set it on her desk. Lin looked at the photo. Her hunch might be right. Well.

She went over to her filing cabinet and pulled out a file and set back at her desk. She opened the file and looked at the photograph within it. The same face from the royal photograph smiled up at her. She read the small note section.

- Naoki (From Fire Nation)
- Husband named San (From Ba Sing Se)
- Had an Uncle called Zuzu (Unsure if real name or nickname)
- Zuzu had a turtle duck pond (Unsure if he actually owned a pond or if it was nearby)

Naoki was dead. Lin always hated having to break news like this. She looked over at both the royals sympathetically. Azula's eyes briefly widened before she schooled her expression into a steely acceptance. She already knew what was coming. Zuko didn't. He looked confused. 

“A former employee of mine lost both his parents at a very young age. He didn’t remember a lot about his extended family on either side. A few years back he accidentally managed to meet his fathers side of the family. After that had happened he thought maybe it would be possible to find his mothers. So he made a copy of his only surviving photograph and wrote down what he could remember and asked me to keep an ear out for anyone looking for a woman named Naoki.”

Tears slid down Zuko's face.

“H-his…” Azula cleared her throat. “His photo may I see it?”

Lin wordlessly handed the photo from the file over. Azula stared at the photo like if she blinked every detail would disappear. Zuko wiped his eyes then leaned over to look at the photo over her shoulder. His eyebrow furrowed.

“Why do they look familiar?” he asked.

“That’s Mako and Bolin.” Lin told him.

“Which one is which?”

“Mako and Bolin.” Zuko carefully pointed out.

“How did you know them?” Azula eyed her brother suspiciously.

“I didn’t know they were my great nephews!” he glared at his sister. “I met them a few years back. They’re Korra's friends.”

“My grandsons are friends with The Avatar.”

“Actually, I’m pretty sure Mako used to date Korra.”

“Zuko. My grandson, Your great nephew, dated The Avatar.”

Zuko looked at his sister. The irony of the situation had just started to hit him. They both broke out into laughs.