Katara and Zuko enjoy their family and catch sight of the unbreakable bond that their sons share.

I hope everyone has enjoyed my story about Katara and Zuko and the family they've created together. I hope I did them justice and I appreciate each and everyone one of you who've stuck it out with me! Stay safe and stay in!

Much love,

MaidenP

I sit with Nilak as we watch Zuko and Kushanu spar. Blasts of fire and grunts are the only sounds as Kushanu tries to outmaneuver his father. Nilak sits next to me as we weave a water tribe cloak for Sokka for his birthday. We just celebrated Kusahnu's sixteenth name day and he's started his training for fire lord, to some day take over for Zuko. The beads around his neck swing through the air as he dodges the edge of Zuko's fire blade and I smile. Renza made him a customary air nation necklace as a present and he never takes it off. I secretly suspect that the sweet-natured girl has a crush on him. I also suspect that he might reciprocate the feelings. Nilak grunts and I look over to see he's pricked his finger on the needle. He concentrates for a moment and the blood stops flowing from the cut. My own blood tingles with the connection we share and my heart patters nervously. We discovered that Nilak was a bloodbender when he fell and cut his knee open when he was ten. He held his hand up and the blood clotted and the wound closed partially. I healed his leg later that night and told him what he was. Zuko and I answered his questions for hours and he said he didn't want to use the powers that I had passed down to him. I told him that the powers can be a curse and a blessing, it just depends on the user. Ever since I've taught him how to use his powers and to control them. He is such a sweet, quiet boy and I know he will use his gifts to help people.

"Do my stitches look even?" Nilak rustles me from my thoughts and holds up his part for me to check. I lean over and eye his work. His stitches are even and straight. I smile at him and poke his cheek. He snorts and pushes my hand away.

"They are perfect, thank you. Uncle Sokka will love his new cloak." Nilak beams at my praise and gets back to work. After what feels like hours of needlework, my fingers ache and Kushanu bounds over to me, his black hair in a slip knot on the top of his head. He wipes the sweat from his face and ruffles Nilak's brown braid and he scowls. He swats at Kushanu but he jumps away before he can reach him. A shadow falls upon us and I turn my head to smile up at Zuko. His thick black hair hangs down his back in waves and his scarred side crinkles when he grins at me. I tilt my head back and accept his lips in a gentle kiss.

"How was training?" We watch as Kushanu snaps Nilak with his towel and takes off running, cackling as Nilak gives chase. Zuko snorts and sits opposite of me, grabbing my foot and pulling off my sandal to rub it.

"It's going wonderful. Kushanu is really coming into his bending. I have no doubt he will become a firebending master some day." Nilak wipes out a tendril of water and shoves Kushanu into the pond. He sputters as the turtle ducks surround him, their quacks filling the clearing. Nilak doubles over laughing as the mother turtle duck nips Kushanu on the toe and chases him from the pond. We settle in and watch as Kushanu chases Nilak through the trees, our hearts warm with the love and kindness they have for each other.

...

We walk through the festival, our guards following at a respectable distance away. Kushanu walks ahead of us, his two closest friends beside him, their laughter like a bubble around them. I'm snuggled up to Zuko, my arms wrapped around his elbow as he whispers in my ear about all the dirty things he plans to do to me tonight. I giggle like a virgin and pat his arm. I notice Nilak breakaway from our party and slip to a stall selling jewelry. I pull Zuko to a stop and point over to our son. We watch as he purchases a sparkly red, beaded pendant and slips it into his pocket. He catches us looking, a bright red blush staining his pale skin. He ducks his head and hurries to catch up to Kushanu and his friends. Zuko cocks a brow at me and I shrug. We continue on and I'm pulled from my browsing when a guard runs up to us, his chest heaving with exertion.

"We've lost the fire princes. They slipped out of our watch." I drop the silk I was considering and we rush through the crowds, searching for signs of them. Zuko catches sight of the end of Kushanu's vest and he grabs my hand, pulling me through the stalls to an alley. A blast of fire flares through and he sprint to catch sight of Kushanu standing over Nilak, his hands balled into fists and his legs spread in a bending stance.

"I dare you to say that again! You mess with my brother and I'll destroy you." Nilak picks up the necklace he bought earlier and brushes the dirt from it. He sniffles quietly and discreetly wipes his face. Zuko frowns and moves toward them. I grab his arm and pull him into the shadows.

"Let me go. I'm going to deal with those punks." Zuko snarls, his eyes flashing with anger. I push him against the wall and hold up my finger to my lips, silencing him. I point at Kushanu and we watch. One of the boys scoffs and points his finger at Nilak.

"He's a stupid crybaby. You both think you're so cool just because your princes." He kicks dirt at Nilak and Kushanu snaps. He tackles the boy to the ground and hits him once, twice before Nilak pulls him from him. Kushanu is panting and little steams of smoke blow from his nose. The boy's friends help him, his nose twisted and bleeding. Kushanu struggles against Nilak's hold.

"I see you again and you'll wish you were banished!" The group of boys runs away, their voices throwing half hearted threats as they retreat. Nilak releases Kushanu and Kushanu immediately turns around and wraps his arms around him, checking to make sure he doesn't have any serious injuries.

"Are you alright?" Kushanu hovers anxiously over Nilak. Nilak nods silently and clenches his bloody hands, wincing when the skin pulls.

"Next time I see them, I'm going to blast their teeth out." Kushanu snarls and looks at the exit where the boys ran away. Nilak sniffles again and throws his arms around Kushanu.

"Thank you for helping me." Nilak murmurs quietly and Kushanu smiles softly at him. He brushes his hair back from his eyes and pats his head.

"Your my little brother. I'll always look out for you." Nilak sniffles again and tries to heal his hands. He concentrates but nothing happens. He frowns and looks up at Kushanu.

"I'm to rattled to concentrate. Will you help me clean up? I don't want mom and dad to know." Kushanu nods and wraps his arm around his shoulders. Nilak is only a year younger than Kushanu but Kushanu easily towers over him. We watch as they spill back into the crowd and we merge from the shadows. I grin at Zuko and snuggle into his arms. He brushes a kiss to my hair and leans his cheek on my head.

"We've raised some good boys Zuko." Zuko holds me tighter and leans down to kiss the shell of my ear.

"Thank you Katara for giving me everything." I tilt my head back and our lips fuse together in the sweetest kiss. Zuko pulls away and gazes into my eyes, his fingers trailing over my cheek.

"I love you Katara. Forever." I blush and peck his lips once more.

"I love you Zuko. I can't wait to see what amazing things Kushanu and Nilak will accomplish." Zuko wraps his arms around me and we go in search of our boys. When I first discovered the avatar in the ice I never expected to go on the adventure of a lifetime. I found a family I never expected and discovered the other half of my soul. My story is complete and I can't wait to see what else the stars have written for our children. I have a feeling their story is far from over.