Tears of pain rolled down his cheeks but he kept his mouth shut. Biting down on his lip he would rather draw blood than satisfy her with the screams he held down his throat.
Madness danced in her eyes as fear pumped in his heart but he stood his ground. He could neither flee nor shout for help, facing her was his only option. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself back up. Rewarded with a demented chuckled, Sokka glared at her.
"You won't win this Azula, the Fire nation would never accept you. No one will accept you," he hissed through clenched teeth whilst looking around in hope to find his boomerang.
Delirious laughter echoed in the clearing.
"Oh, you're funny, boy," taking one of the jet black strands surrounding her pale face, she twirled it between her fingers, "I'm not here for the throne, even I know this one's a lost cause."
Unable to contain his surprise, Sokka gaped the golden-eyed bender. If she didn't come to overthrow her brother, why was she here?
Reading the confusion etched on his face, Azula's features shifted into a joyful expression. Easily closing the distance between them, she leaped in front of him before he could even think of stepping back.
Clutching the fabric of his shirt in her hands, she tugged him forward.
"Zuzu took my throne so I'll take you. An eye for an eye."
As he leaned away from her frighteningly gleeful smile Sokka inadvertently put weight on his leg causing a whimper to slip past his lips.
"Aw, poor little, Sokka," tightening her grip on his tunic, she used her advantage to brush her foot against his leg making him shudder in pain. "You-"
Suddenly stopping, Azula listened. Brows furrowed, Sokka wondered how crazy the bender had gone, until he heard branches crack.
"You're late, Zuzu."
Even with her back to him, Azula recognized her brother's steps.
Hope rushed through Sokka's veins seeing his partner, hastily replaced by pain when Azula brusquely switched their position. One hand pressing against his throat whilst the other hovered, glowing with fire, all too close to his face, Azula had him completely defenseless.
Panic squeezed his heart, and with Azula's fingers tight around his throat, Sokka struggled to even stand upright.
Blue eyes searched for Zuko's but the searing pain added to the lack of air made it difficult for him to find them. Unable to gather any more strength, Sokka finally fell prey to the dizziness lurking in his mind and slumped against the former princess.
"What a consort you have, Zuzu, he certainly is an interesting one," mocked Azula as she adjusted her grip on her hostage, "Too bad he's gonna die."
Gasping for bits of air, Sokka felt more tears pooling in his eyes. He couldn't even see Zuko.
"Let him go, Azula."
Voice as sharp as metal, the order made Sokka shiver.
"Why would I do that? You're not my Fire Lord nor my brother anymore, Zuko." All trace of amusement deserted her voice and she clutched her fingers tighter around the tanned skin of her prey. "You cast me out of everything remember? But I guess you needed the spots for, pretty boy, here."
Suddenly letting go, she watched Sokka crumble on the ground and laughed seeing Zuko's instinctive step towards his partner.
"You and your friends took everything from me. The throne was mine and you took it."
Sokka barely had time to enjoy the sensation of air once more filling his lungs that a kick in the ribs made him cough it out.
"And him? Your love for him is an invitation to hurt you."
Eyes locked on Zuko's face to make sure she would catch every flicker of pain crossing his expression upon seeing his consort in pain, Azula loomed over Sokka.
"Who am I to refuse such a proposition?"
Crunching his already bruised wrist under her foot, Azula enjoyed every second of it. She engraved in her mind the pure look of distress on her brother's face as she pulled hoarse screams from the man beneath her heel.
Her twisted satisfaction reached its peak when, at last, fire lit Zuko's hands.
