"I know this is risky, but I'm going to tell you the truth." Zuko began to speak as his sister was wheeled in front of him. "I feel disconnected from the good in my own family... and in my own nation. For a whole host of reasons, I believe finding my mother would help me reconnect. I've had conversation after conversation with Ozai and it's gone nowhere. He refuses to reveal what happened to her. So I've come to an uncomfortable conclusion. You are the only person in the world who can coax the information I need out of Ozai. Tell me, then... What do you want in return for helping me find Mother?"

"Don't be silly ZuZu! The satisfaction of serving the FIre Lord in some small way will be compensation enough! Besides, not a day has gone by since you put me here that I haven't wondered... what exactly happened to our dear mother?" Azula's eyes were dazed and crazed as she hallucinated the very woman.

Suddenly a lady-in-waiting from the palace rushed up to Zuko and spoke to him in hushed tones. Zuko stood up and began to walk.

"Changed my mind!" She chimed out. "I must know what that woman said. Tell me and I'll help."

Zuko froze and slowly turned to face Azula. He needed this. Did he want to do this? No. Did he have to do it? Yes.

"She said that it's time." He said vaguely.

"Time for what?" Azula smiled cruelly. "Time for dinner? That's nothing to rush away for."

"Time for you to... become an aunt." Zuko spoke quietly and then left quickly, leaving Azula stunned.

Your labor was progressing more quickly than you had thought it might. Despite your own blood bending abilities, the baby wanted out and they wanted out NOW.

"Zu... Where are you?" You wondered out loud.

"I'M HERE!" Zuko slammed the doors opened and practically flew in with fire blazing behind him. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world!"

Was he going to look down? Likely no, but as soon as you heard his voice and saw his face, you put your own blood bending to work, moving your contractions along. You wanted to get this done. You wanted to meet the baby and show them to Zuko.

"Um, YN..." He stroked your hair out of your sweaty forehead as you tried to breathe and focus.

"Yeah?!" You asked with a strained voice. "Ain't a great time for questions or surprises, by the by!"

"I had names picked out..." He admitted, holding your death grip of a hand, while a doctor monitored your progress.

"I ain't." You admitted. "Ain't wanna get attached... In case!"

"Get attached." He nuzzled you. "We'll work it out, I promise."

"Ya say that now! But!" You groaned.

"Head." The doctor announced.

"When they be bendin' water, you be sayin' different!" You let out a louder groan. It was primal.

"A boy, I'd like something kind of... swampish. Dao works in both our nations I think..." He admitted. "But I'm open to changing that name. The girl name though... I'm sold on it."

"What is it!?"

"Shoulders. The baby is almost out." The doctor let you know the time was almost here.

"Izumi. It means fountain. Like water. It's a Fire Nation name, but it means water. Isn't that... perfect?"

"Yup, sounds great." You answered unenthusiastically. "Ugh!"

"And baby."

Suddenly, a heavy, crying weight was placed on your chest and you closed your eyes, feeling with your bending for their heart. You were bonding. Getting to know their heart beat and making sure everything was okay.

The baby was shifted slightly as Zuko crawled in bed with you and began stroking the tiny infant.

"Oh my Fire Lord in the sky..." He looked at them with wonder. "I guess... I guess it's Izumi then."

"Yeah?" You still had more labor to go, but the worst of it was over. "A girl?"

"A beautiful, perfect, wonderful, little girl for us." Zuko swooned. "Our baby. Hello, pretty girl..."

He stroked her face with one finger.

"I'm Daddy. It's nice to finally meet you."