Title: Abandoned
Word count: 527
Characters: Azula, Sokka (Sola)
Notes: Post Ozai's funeral. This includes the chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8. Chapter 9 was one of the outcomes to those 4 chapters, and this chapter is another outcome/ending to it.
I do not own Avatar.
xxx
The trees rustled caused by a gentle breeze. The skies were blue and the birds' sang their songs. Time moved forward for everthing and everyone else, except her. She sat alone in the palace's garden contemplating what she would do next. Should she apologize to all of them for her betrayal? Should she try to win her love back? Should she go to him, beg for his forgiveness, and ask him to understand?
She couldn't though. She never bowed down to anyone and claimed responsibility for her faults, for she was never in a situation like this. She was Azula, Princess of the Fire Nation. Ozai's prodigy daughter, who had no imperfections. She couldn't afford to be anything less than perfect.
Her solitary peace was interrupted, "Beautiful day, isn't it?" He walked toward her and stood still beside her, "Do you mind if I join you?"
She shook her head, as her voice seemed lost. As he sat down beside her, Azula noted how hard his voice was. It was like the young man was detaching himself from his emotions. Her heart felt a sharp stab, knowing she did that to him. She had grown to love his goofy personality and realized how much she missed the old him; how she wished he would revert back. She wished he would smile or say something silly, but he didn't.
They were quiet for a while, enjoying the serene atmosphere. Sokka turned his head and looked at her, and Azula mirroredhis actions. She wanted to say so much to him and yet, she was tongue-tied.
"I guess," he began. "I should say what I came here for. Azula I'm leaving..."
So soon?
"I love you, but it's too painful." he told her honestly. "Being here, seeing you--it reminds me of everything. I don't think we can be...together."
You can't handle what I did to you. Though who could really blame him? He had every right. If there was anything she wanted to say to him, she would have to say it now, before it was too late. Azula straightened her white dress, "Sokka," his name on her lips suddenly sounded foreign. "I..."
I am sorry.
In a whisper she said, "I want you to know that, despite what I had to do, I...I--"
I love you.
Sokka looked at her, "I know," he leaned toward her and gave her a chaste kiss on her cheek. His eyes read it all, But I have to do this.
She turned her head away from him, it seemed lately that all she felt was unhappiness. Her downcasted eyes began to water, she closed her eyes and said to him, "My father left me, and now you're leaving me too."
This pained Sokka, realizing what she said was true. How much it must've agonized her, he knew. He had lost his mother; she had lost her father; someone he loved a long time ago left him; and now someone she loved was leaving her.
She stood up and he followed. Azula looked up at him, "I wish you well on your journey," she said politely.
Sokka took her hand and respectfully kissed it, "Thank you, Princess."
Azula knew she had lost him.
I'm all alone.
xxx
A/N: So yeah, this is my other version. Sokka and Azula still see each other of course in this future, but they aren't together and you can decide if they're still in love in this future. However, to me Sokka would end up with Suki--or no one at all, considering it hurt him when Yue died and now Azula has added to the pain. His first love died, his second betrayed him, would you really blame him if he became a loner? As for Azula, same thing: she could end up with some Fire nobleman or remain unwed, like Queen Elizabeth I of England. Oh when rereading this, I thought of the song How Can I Not Love You by Joy Enriquez. It's a great song, and it fits this.
Tell me what you think!
For more of my thoughts, it's in my profile. (Cuz it's long. Kinda.)