Chapter 14

Sokka hadn't allowed for anything to advance after he had kissed the older woman. No matter what, he was a man of honor and despite his girlfriend's traitorous behavior, he couldn't be the unfaithful one.

He had cared for her for a number of years. A care, he would later realize, that had been ebbing away since before he had even received the call from Toph to go speak to the Fire Nation princess.

He would be a fool not to admit to himself that there was sexual tension between he and June but frankly, that's all it was and he couldn't get distracted from his mission. Not now. She was a means to an end for it wouldn't be a particularly gruesome end.

He knew that things weren't going to go smoothly once the rebels found out that he had left the Fire Nation. They had posts all over the continent and once they discovered that he traveled without his men, they'd try to kill him. It was simple.

There was a knock on his door. He had barely gotten any sleep, as usual, but his reflexes were still sharp. He sat up from his position on the bed and grasped the handle of his sword that was never too far from his person. He narrowed his eyes as the door handle turned. June walked in and he relaxed.

He knew that she possessed no hard feelings from his rejection the previous night and he appreciated that she understood him. They were as much alike as they were polar opposites.

"We need to get a move on," June spoke, crossing her arms, "How soon do you want to get to where you're trying to go?"

Sokka thought carefully before responding. They were in the coal mining village that was native to Haru and fortunately for Sokka, Haru had told him of some tunnels that he had personally created as a safety precaution through the mountains, months ago. Sokka had mentally recorded each of the tunnel locations and he knew just the one to take that would lead them out of the village.

He had noticed the stares from some of the seedy looking barfolk. He was sort of famous and knew that it wouldn't be long before negative attention was on him. Luckily, word got around fairly slow from continent to continent and he hoped with all his might that when he made his appearance at The Asylum, his position as Sword Squad leader wouldn't be questioned.

Sokka stood up and grabbed his bag and sword. "As soon as possible. That's why I need you to get me through the Great Divide and Serpent's Pass."

June nodded and turned to lead him towards the inn's stairs but Sokka had reached out to grab her arm. She turned her head over her shoulder, tense.

"Things are going to get rough so if you want to back out, this is your chance," the man spoke softly.

June nodded sharply while gently tugging her arm out of his grasp, "I like to play rough".

"When will we be leaving to seek King Bumi?" Katara questioned Zuko.

It had been a week and a half since Sokka was discovered missing. They were in the Fire Lord's wing of the palace both sitting on the edge of his bed contemplating their next course of action. It was dusk and they had barely left one another's side since their drunken confessions though earlier in the day, Zuko had left Katara to speak with his council and Aang while she trained in the gardens.

"Two days. And not just for the sake of figuring out where my mother is. A World Council meeting has been called for in Ba Sing Se, no doubt to discuss the rebellion. Bumi will be there," Zuko sighed.

Katara blinked. Surely things had to be bad all over for a World Council Meeting. She looked at Zuko's face to note a familiar look of determination on his spreading across his features. That look was one that she hadn't seen since before they had left on the original pursuit of his mother.

"You're not going to like what I have to say next, Katara." The waterbender had absolutely no clue what he was going to tell her and that worried her especially the tone he used as he said her name.

"I am Sokka's commanding officer. It's evident that he wasn't abducted so I have to declare him away without permission to leave. You know what that means."

Katara stood up and she felt her heart drop. Her brother had deserted his post. He'd have to go to trial which would most likely lead to imprisonment.

"Maybe he left under orders from Toph? Isn't she higher in the command than you are? Maybe she gave him more important orders?" the woman paced, her voice filled with both hope and confusion.

Zuko sighed loudly. He loved her but duty was duty.

"If only that were the case. I haven't gotten any notification regarding any other orders. He's supposed to be here guarding the palace. I know that he's your brother. Hell, he's my friend. My brother. But he knows the consequences following each of his actions when he's in that uniform. I can only hope that he knows what he's doing", Zuko sighed again before continuing, "There's going to be a bounty on his head, from today onward."

Katara stopped her pacing and narrowed her eyes before cutting them over at Zuko.

"What?" Her teeth were clenched angrily and her tone was clipped. Zuko stood and grabbed Katara's forearm bringing her around to face him.

"You forget that I have a responsibility here, Katara. The council here, they feel that Sokka could be a part of the rebellion since he's pulled this stunt. There's been evidence that there's someone on the inside providing them with information and access to important locations. I hope that you remember that we were just recently attacked."

"And you think that MY BROTHER is behind it all? Are you fucking kidding me?"

Zuko flinched at her anger, releasing her arm. He wasn't sure that he had ever heard her speak so harshly.

"No. Of course I don't. Aang and I are positive that there are members in my council...probably all of them...that are corrupt and they want to pin it on someone else. Sokka's the obvious choice due to his desertion."

Katara's lips trembled and her frown dissolved. She wrapped her arms around her upper body.

"The bounty? What are the specifics?" The woman asked almost inaudibly.

"A generous sum for him to be brought back here alive. I had to put my foot down regarding that last part. The council would love nothing more than to have their scapegoat killed."

Katara released a small sigh of relief and leaned against her anchor to the world. Just when things started to look up... Zuko could feel the despair radiating off of her.

"Here, let me draw you a bath," Zuko spoke bringing his hands up to cup her elbows despite the tingling ache in his shoulder.

Xxx

There goes an abundance of politcal mayhem for you. Get your tissues out, we won't be seeing Sokka for a bit. But be prepared for darkness and...romance in his stead. After all, this is a Zutara fic. How do you think June's going to respond to the bounty on Sokka's head? I also have a clear direction of where I'm going with this, so bear with me. It will be finished.

Review with you predictions! I quite enjoy reading WHY you guys like each chapter! It gives me reason to continue