Chapter Text
"Aw, but Chief —"
"I know you want to be involved with defending the city, but we need somebody on the inside," Hakoda explained to one very pouty sixteen-year-old. "Besides, it won't be for that long. Would you rather I send Akela in?"
"Yes," Toklo said, crossing his arms. "I think it'd be funny."
"It won't be funny if our alliance with the Earth Kingdom falls through because we don't have a negotiator," Hakoda said. "And I can tell you one thing, Akela wants the job even less than you do."
"You think I can negotiate with a bunch of old dudes? I can't even negotiate with you right now! And you're you!"
Hakoda sighed. Unlike Akela, he got the feeling Toklo's reluctance wasn't borne of a dislike of being put aside; something told him it was more a fear of failing.
"Consider it your first mission," he said. "Something worthwhile, rather than just another boring guard position with the fleet."
A look passed over Toklo's face, as if he hadn't considered it that way; it was just as quickly gone. "It didn't work on Akela, and it's not working on me. I really don't think you want me on this mission."
"There's one way to find out, isn't there?" Hakoda pointed out. "I trust you. You've earned the chance to take on a serious mission like this. You've proven where your skill lies more than once."
"How? The most I've ever done is babysitting."
Hakoda smiled. "Then this shouldn't be a problem for you."
~
Ty Lee could feel the agitated, anxious energy radiating off of the whole crew as they sailed alongside the thin pass separating them from West Lake. The imminent separation, and the ever-present threat of a Fire Nation attack, had everyone on edge. She got the feeling Jin could sense it too.
"Okay, could you put the weapons away? Please?" Jin finally said, breaking up the silence in the cabin.
Jet, Zuko, and Mai all shared a look, their hands not leaving their respective weapons.
"No," Zuko answered, turning back toward the porthole to watch the horizon, on which any ships had yet to appear.
"Do you think you're gonna take down a Fire Navy ship with your swords?" Jin asked, crossing her arms and leveling a skeptical look at them.
"Can't hurt to try." Jet grinned in a way that was likely meant to annoy Jin, though Ty Lee found it rather cute. "Besides, it's not like one of us is gonna get hurt. We're responsible."
Jin shook her head. "I shudder to think how you'll fare in society," she said dramatically, climbing onto a bunk to sit.
"Been hanging out with Azula?" Jet asked dryly. "Anyway, it can't hurt to be prepared."
Ty Lee couldn't help agreeing. With their luck so far, anything could happen.
~
Hakoda breathed a sigh of relief as they finally cleared the gap in the pass. Up ahead was their meeting point, and the threat of the Fire Nation was behind them.
Now they just had to relay information, secure passage on ferries, and —
"Get down from there!"
Hakoda turned around, peering at the other ship's deck, where Ursa stood, holding Kiyi in her arms. The toddler's feet were still touching the top of the barrel she had been standing upon, apparently moments ago. Ursa spoke, too quietly for Hakoda to hear, but with a stern expression, while Kiyi happily clung to her.
It was a scene that reminded him bittersweetly of home, of a two-year-old Sokka running out on the ice, barely three-year-old Katara climbing the racks in Ashuna's smokehouse, and Kya snatching them up with that same look of concern and relief on her face.
Hakoda wondered how long it would be before he saw his children again. If he ever would; everyone in the fleet left home.with the knowledge that it could mean never returning, and Hakoda didn't have any delusions that they would all make it back. Death didn't pick sides or favorites.
He sighed, looking from Ursa to Azula, who leaned against the railing, staring boredly at the horizon; past the boredom, though, he could see calculation and thought in her expression.
He hoped, in time, Azula and Zuko would adjust to living in Ba Sing Se; hoped that all the kids would, and Ursa.
What I would give to have my family safe, somewhere the war couldn't touch.
"Chief!" Aake called from the bow. "We're coming up on the Bay!"
"Steer us in," Hakoda called to Bato at the tiller.
The ship eased into the small mouth of the cave that shielded the bay from prying eyes, and Hakoda whispered a small thanks to whatever force had granted them such an uneventful arrival; and another in advance for the easy transfer this would be, no matter what Bato said.
He stepped off the boat as they docked, and approached the spot where his informant had agreed to meet.