AtLA Rewritten: Edition 1

Chapter 67

Zuko ran a flame along his body and it evaporated the water from his skin. He gave Athlea a glance, then Katara. "I blame Katara for the fact that I am soaked," he announced.

Katara's eyes went wide. "Dai did it!"

"You gave her the idea!" Zuko protested.

Dai looked between them, grinning, slowly walking to hide behind Sokka. He chuckled. "Lord Zuko is angry, heh." Dai hugged him from behind, using the water to bring her up to his level, her cheek against his neck. Sokka smiled back at her, one of his hands moving to hers.

Aang chuckled. "He hates water; what do you expect?"

Zuko shouted from shore. "Hungry baby mama," he announced. "Let's go get food, guys!"

Dai gave Sokka's neck a quick kiss, grabbing his hand. A moment later, the water was sliding under their feet as well as Katara and Aang's, and they were neatly deposited on the shore.

Katara regained her balance and smiled at Dai. "Thanks." Dai giggled.

Athlea blinked at Zuko, standing and pulling the towel over her shoulders. She muttered to him, giggling, her cheeks turning red. He had stood, and they were holding hands. "Mm... food!" she said more loudly.

Aang smiled, "Glad to see you two getting along again," he told Katara and Dai, following the Royal couple as they began walking. There were many little shops along the beach, so they could go back to the water if they chose. Dai and Katara's little play fights had drawn a bit of a crowd of commoners hoping to see some drama, but they parted for their Lord and Lady.

Dai blinked at Aang. "Me and Katara? We always get along." She flicked her hand and Katara was sprayed in the face with a little stream of water.

Katara scoffed, pushing her sopping hair out of her face. "Even though you beat the shit out of me any time we're near water," she complained. "Just because you're a better bender doesn't mean you have to rub it in my face!" She wiped water off of her face. "Literally."

Dai rolled her eyes. "I'm not rubbing it in, I'm just enjoying it!" Katara rolled her eyes but she was smiling.

Dai held Sokka's hand, following the Royal couple with the others behind them. He smiled, glancing down at her. Zuko was leaning close to Athlea. "What do you want to eat?" he asked. If she was closer to her second trimester, the baby would be choosing what they ate, not Sokka, nor anybody else.

Athlea glanced over the shops. Fire flakes, cookies, fire gummies, ice cream. Watermelon juice, milkshakes. She glanced at Zuko, then back forward, a pout on her face. "I don't know," she said sadly.

Zuko pressed his lips together, hiding a smile, and put a hand on her shoulder. "Take your time."

"FOOD!" Sokka announced loudly. "Ice cream! Oh my god oh my god oh my god!" Aang and Toph laughed.

Dai facepalmed at Sokka's excitement. "You're like a teenage boy," she muttered quietly, shaking her head.

"Sir, sir. Can I get the chocolate ice cream please?!"

Aang interrupted. "Make it two please!"

Toph blinked. "HEY! Make it three!" Sokka turned to glare at them.

"How many do you want?" the shop owner asked, irritated.

"Three chocolate ice creams," Sokka announced with a big grin.

Althie took a deep breath and rubbed her temples before looking at Zuko. "...Watermelon juice and the cookies," she finally said. After a moment, her face lit up, and she smiled.

Zuko nodded, leaning forward and adding his order to Sokka's. Katara ordered two more of the same for her and Aang. The shop owner, looking a bit overwhelmed, bowed, narrowing his eyes at Sokka before turning to make their food. Dai pouted, then bit her lip and glanced at Sokka, smiling but not saying anything.

Sokka looked at Dai and grinned. "I got ice cream, I got ice cream!" he announced happily.

Dai giggled. "Oh my gosh," she said. She pressed a finger against his lips. "Relax," she said, still laughing.

Soon enough the old man turned around to give each one of them their respective orders. Athlea smiled as she took her watermelon juice and three cookies. Sokka also moved forward to get his chocolate ice cream and returned to Dai. "Want some?" he asked with a smile.

Dai raised her eyebrows. "Yes." She leaned forward, stealing some from his cone with her finger and licking it off her finger, her gaze wandered over the ocean. Sokka's cheeks turned red and he glanced away. Dai raised an eyebrow at him, smirking. "Do you guys wanna go back to the beach?" she asked. "Or we could... I don't know what else we could do." Katara glanced anxiously at Aang, and Sokka returned his gaze to her, tilting his head.

Athlea smiled as she sipped on the straw of her watermelon juice. Then she glanced at Dai and blinked. "Dai..." she started, her full attention on the Chieftess, "my father was wondering if you have any leads on my mother?" she asked, curious, tilting her head to the side.

"Good question Athlea," Aang said with a nod.

Dai froze. "Right, about that..." she said. She winced. "Please don't be angry, I just wanted us to have a good day and I promise I was gonna tell you right after..." She took a breath. "They found her. But she doesn't remember anything. Not even her own name."

Zuko took Athlea's elbow, taking a step in front of her. "It's fine," he said, glancing at his wife. "You were gonna tell us, so it's okay." He was trying to calm Athlea before she even responded. "When did you hear about this?"

"Just before we left for the beach." Dai was still cringing nervously. Sokka blinked, licking his ice cream.

"Athlea..." Aang started.

Athlea finally looked at Dai and nodded, smiling. "It doesn't matter; you told me either way. I'm bothered more by the fact that she doesn't remember," she said, taking a deep breath.

Dai nodded, her hand finding Sokka's and holding his tightly. "They used pictures that Avitus provided," she informed her. "They thought she had severe hypothermia, but she has no frostbite, and it sounds like your mother has enough experience to keep herself safe in travels. She isn't bending, and she's going by another name. They think the Fire Nation forced her to change her identity."

"That's awful," Sokka said with a frown, looking first at Dai and then at Athlea. "I'm sure Athlea can help her remember," he said.

Dai sighed as Sokka held her hand as well, leaning against his arm. She nodded. "Seeing you and Avitus could help her," she agreed.

Athlea smiled for a moment, then sipped on her juice more. "How would you all feel if we took a trip to the North Pole?" Athlea finally asked.

"I'm up for it," Sokka said with a nod and a big grin.

"Me too!" Katara said excitedly. "It'd be nice to see ice again."

Dai perked up. "Home," she sighed. "I'm ready to go as soon as anyone else is. We can leave tomorrow if that's alright with everyone? We'll take a ship; that's how I got here since I brought Isa." She blinked, and Zuko nodded, glancing at his wife.

Athlea let out a breath. "Looks like I'll have to endure the ship travel," she said with a soft giggle.

Dai bit her lip. "I can have my benders make the ride as smooth as possible. Plus I can help them. It'll give me something to do while we travel." Zuko hugged Athlea to him with one arm.

Athlea nodded, smiling. "The help is really appreciated, Dai." Dai smiled happily. "Mmm... I think I'll return to the Palace." Athlea shrugged and slowly turned, sipping her juice.

Katara turned to Dai. "I suppose we'll go pack," she told her.

Dai nodded. "We can just ask staff to pack for us," she pointed out.

Zuko blinked at Dai. "I'll have one of your Followers send the message that you'll be home tomorrow."

***

A/N TEAAAA