Author Note: Sorry this has taken so long to get out…I've been having a writer's block…and started writing Desires of a Comet…which is turning out to be a bigger story than I intended as well…so now I have two stories I need to update and I have very little time to do it…but anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter! Thanks for all the reviews, favorites and followers!

Chapter 21: Friends of Freedom

There she told him. She wasn't the one that really saved him, his ex…well old girlfriend did.

Probably not right to call an old girlfriend who died an ex...right?

If it hadn't been for Yue, Azula didn't think she would have been able to save Sokka, a fact that just tore her apart. She was the one that was always in control of the situation. She was the one everyone went to for help…or used to. But this time…this time she hadn't been the one with the answers.

Everything Azula did to save Sokka was because of the spirit. Yue had told her to cauterize the wound. Yue had told her to trust the couple. In reality, it was Yue that had saved him. Azula had just followed directions.

Like the good little soldier I am…

Frowning she looked down at the floor, then around the room. She really didn't want to tell Sokka of her failure…or almost failure as it was.

"Azula, was Yue really here? What did she say? Why did she come?"

Taking a deep breath, Azula began, "I can't say if it was Yue or not because she never gave me her name. I just know that she came out of nowhere and helped me carry you to the room. Then she just disappeared when she was done helping me help you. And the way she talked about you…the way she was touching you…there had to be more there." She paused, "I remember how you told me that she had become the moon spirit…and I just…put the pieces together."

Azula took a deep breath, "She said that she held nothing against you…and that she did what she had to do to protect her people…whatever that means…" she let her voice drift off.

Now for the hard part…

"She was the one that really saved you Sokka. She told me to cauterize the cut on your leg. She was the one that told me to trust the old couple when they came to do the door."

This sucks…

"If it hadn't been for her, I wouldn't have done any of that. I would have bandaged up your wound, and ignored the old couple at the door…you would have died if it hadn't been for her."

Disappointment and failure filled Azula. Even though Sokka was alive and well, it just goaded her that she would have done everything wrong if it hadn't been for a past lover of his. Another woman that had always been…good and probably was kind and loving and everything Azula wasn't.

Taking another deep breath and continuing to look at everything but Sokka, Azula finished bitterly, "So there you have it. That's why I almost failed you. It took an old love…a…kinder and nicer love to save you. I would have just killed you."

As the silence continued, Azula glanced at Sokka. He was staring at her, a shocked and surprised look on his face.

Yes you were saved by someone you once loved... I failed you…

Azula started feeling a little unsettled as Sokka continued to sit there looking at her. The silence was soon broken by a loud horn sounding, port was fast approaching.

"We better finish packing, we have to get off here as quickly as we can," Azula turned towards the bathroom, only to be stopped by a hand on her arm.

Careless Azula…just be careless…so what if he's disappointed. So you failed once, who's here to judge you for it? He's alive, that's all that matters.

"Azula…look at me," his quiet voice sent shivers through Azula. Still she didn't turn towards him.

"Peasant, you're safe, you're healthy and apparently you have a spirit watching your every move."

Reminder to self, never have sex under a full moon…

"You're alive and that's all that matters. My part in it, as little as it was, shouldn't count for or against me," Azula finished. She tried resisting him as he pulled her around to face him, when he didn't stop; she finally turned but didn't look up at him.

"You played a huge part in saving me Azula," Azula looked up, that was the last thing she thought he'd say. His eyes were gentle and…loving.

"No, no I really didn't. I just did what I was told to do. I didn't take charge. I did contr…." Sokka's lips met hers, silencing her. When he pulled up, Azula could only stare.

"Just because you didn't take control doesn't mean you didn't save me. Do you know how many times I've been in a near death situation?"

Azula shook her head saying, "but that's…"

"A lot, the answer is a lot," Sokka interrupted. "And not once did Yue, or any spirit for that matter, come to my rescue. Yet she did for you. Something you did called Yue from the moon to help me. Something you did brought that couple here to help me."

He doesn't understand…they came for him not because of her.

"No don't even try to say anything; you will believe me, Azula. You saved me. You were the one that showed up and kicked Muscle, Braindead and their goon's asses. And it was you that took those directions and healed me." Gently he tilted her face up to meet his. She hadn't noticed she was looking at the floor once more.

Looking deeply into those ocean blue eyes, Azula heard him say, "I owe you my life Azula. My. Life. And I can't even think of the words to tell you how much that means to me."

Azula stood there as he closed the space between them with another kiss.

He's not disappointed I didn't take control? But wait…

"Wait," she pulled away, "Aren't you upset you missed seeing Yue? Don't you…don't you still have…feelings for her?"

Apparently the new Azula enjoys punishing herself for some reason…

A small smile came to his face, "I may always have feeling for Yue. She was the first woman I loved after all. But…those feelings have moved on, just like time does. And currently I'm finding myself falling more for someone else…someone…real."

Azula's heart rate started to increase.

He couldn't be talking about me…we barely know each other…was she falling for him too…possibly? This was so new to her…emotions, feelings, caring; those were weaknesses in her old world. But she had to remember, this was new Azula. This was…emotional…somewhat…Azula.

"It may be…that that someone might be falling more and more for you too," it was a leap…and if she fell…she wasn't sure if she would be able to recover.

"Good…that's really good." Sokka's voice was quiet and he kissed her once more. Azula wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer.

It wasn't a declaration of love, which she was okay with, because love…love was an emotion she wasn't sure she was ready to handle, but knowing he was falling for her. That made her feel…special…so very very special.

The moment was broken once more by an even louder horn, and then the ship lurched slightly. They had made port.

"Let's grab our stuff and make a run for it. We have to get off and out of the city as fast as we can," Azula said pulling out of Sokka's arms reluctantly. "First you need to change. We need to sneak out of here, not draw everyone's gaze with your nudity."

"I'd rather we made use of that bed one more time," Sokka's said in a sad childlike voice, grabbing clothes from his bag and changing into them. Azula had to admit, she preferred that they did that to.

She gathered up the stones and packed them safely into her bag.

"Don't worry, we'll find a better bed to enjoy. I promise." Looking over her shoulder at him she smile seductively, "then you can pay me back for saving your life…it's the least you could do after all."

"Well I do appreciate it," Sokka replied slyly.

With a little laugh, Azula threw him his stuff and they left the room.

"Maybe we should make camp."

At Sokka's comment, Azula looked towards the sky, confused as to why Sokka wanted to make camp so soon. While the sun was sinking in the west, there were still several hours before it was fully set.

"Why would we make camp? We should use the remaining sunlight to get further away from the city," she responded.

They had been traveling away from the city as fast as they could after the ship had ported. While they had made it several miles, Azula still felt as though something was watching her. Now wasn't the time to make camp, she wasn't comfortable making camp until that feeling of being watched had disappeared entirely.

"You look like you're going to fall out of the saddle," Sokka commented dryly.

Azula looked over at him, insulted. She was not going to fall out of the saddle; she was just a little, tired. She sat up straighter in the saddle and opened her eyes a little wider. Maybe she had slumped a bit; it had been a long day and night after all. She'd be damned before she'd admit it to him though.

"You will fall out of your saddle before I fall out of mine, Peasant. Trust me," Azula responded with pride.

She glanced over at him, noticing he was facing forward, scanning the area.

At least he understands the danger…

"Well, I think we should camp. And since I'm technically the leader of this party," Azula cocked her eyebrow up at that, "I say we make for that bunch of trees and make camp for the night. We'll be well hidden."

Without another word, he started towards the trees, oblivious to Azula's dagger throwing glare. When they jumped off their ostrich horses, she pointed a finger into his chest, making him take a step back.

"Listen here Peasant," she spat, "You are NOT the leader of this group. If anyone is the leader it's me. I'm the royal not you. Secondly, you may not realize it, but there are people out there that want us dead. So if I say we need to keep moving, then we should keep moving. Thirdly, I'm not the one who had my ass handed to me last night. That was you. So…"

Her rant was broken off with Sokka's lips. She went to push him away, but when he only held her tighter, she found herself sinking into his kiss.

Damn him and his kisses…I should be stronger than this why am I not stronger…damn he can kiss…her anger slowly started floating away with the kiss.

When he pulled up, Azula had lost most of the need to beat him…most of it.

"Azula, you have been awake for almost 48 hours now. Even if you don't want to admit it, you're dead on your feet. We can use a little extra time to rest and regroup. We don't have a lot of time before we're at the next city, and if those guys are coming for us, we need to be ready," his calm voice, and the fact that he was making sense, irritated Azula.

"I've stayed awake longer than this before. Trust me; I know what my limits are."

Sokka sighed and smacked his forehead.

"Okay, so what about the fact that I had my ass handed to me last night. Maybe I'm the one that needs the extra rest?"

Azula looked at him, overall he didn't seem to be tired or even close to exhaustion, but that didn't mean he wasn't hurting. Maybe it was a good idea to take a few extra hours rest.

"Fine, we'll make camp. But you're tired body is going to go find food and take the first watch. We can't risk sleeping at the same time anymore."

"Fine, but you're setting up the tent and getting the fire going."

"Fine."

"I'm glad we agree. "

"So am I, now go get food."

"I'll be just by the creek over there. Don't fall asleep while I'm fishing, hate to have to do your work and my own, oh great team leader."

Sokka turned away from Azula, she was tempted to throw a dagger at him, but realized it would be a waste of effort. He'd either deflect it, or just take it, and Azula didn't want to be without a weapon. Not when she still had that feeling of being watched. She heard a few birds, but otherwise the area was quiet.

The trees kept them pretty hidden, but that didn't mean they were truly protected. With a final glance around the area, Azula started setting up camp. Walking around, she started collecting wood for the fire, along with a few long sticks to cook the fish on.

After making a pit out of some rocks, she piled the wood together and lit them with a handful of fire. Hearing shuffling, she turned expecting to find Sokka and barely avoided a giant wooden log to her face.

Moving into a fighting stance, she had a moment to see a giant man wielding that log before she gave him a swift high kick to his middle, forcing him backwards. Another shorter man wearing a helmet came out from her left, wielding two blades of his own. Azula dodged them, as they swung with deadly precision.

These men were meant to kill, and she wasn't ready to die. Flipping the daggers out of her holsters, she threw one at the giant, it ripped through his shirt, pinning him to the tree. The swords swung towards her again, she dodged and spun around the man towards the creek. He shifted with her, blocking her path to warn Sokka. She created a flame of fire in her dagger-less hand and flung it towards the swordsman.

As he jumped back, Azula took that moment to call out, "SOKKA WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the giant rip away from the tree but he paused and just stood there. Azula caught his look of surprise coming across his face but then had to turn her attention back to the swordsman who was still swinging his swords.

She twisted to avoid being cut in the face, and kicked out, only to meet air. Ducking, she avoided the slice meant to take her head. She slashed out with her dagger, blocking one of the swords flashing towards her face. This gave the swordsman a chance to swing his other sword from the other angle; Azula kicked fire from her feet, making the swords man jumped back. She lost her dagger in the process.

Shit… she didn't have a way to block the swords any more.

"STOP!" Sokka's voice called out by the creek. Azula faced off against the swordsman, keeping an eye on the giant who still hadn't moved from his position by the tree.

Yes because the bad guys always stop when you yell stop…

The swordsman went on the offensive again and Azula punched out with several fire balls, each one just missing the swordsman.

Light on your feet aren't you…let's see how you avoid the whip…

Azula prepared to create a whip of fire, when a set of familiar arms wrapped themselves around her.

"I said stop," Sokka's voice was firm and calm in her ear.

Azula kicked backwards at him, Sokka only held her tighter. Did he just betray her? What the hell was he doing?

"What the hell are you doing, Peasant? Don't you see we're under attack!?" She looked around, two others had joined them. One was a slim tall man with brown hair and big brown eyes. He was carrying a bow and quiver of arrows. The other was shorter with messier hair held back by a hair band, Azula wasn't quite sure if the second person was male or female. They had a slightly feminine face, but their chest was hidden by leather armor, making it difficult to identify what their sex was.

The giant had moved closer as well as the swordsman. They were all glaring at her, but no one was attacking.

"They're friends, not enemies," Sokka replied just as calmly. "And I would really appreciate it if you didn't burn them. They can help us." He squeezed her lightly, "Now I'm going to let you go. Please don't attack them."

Azula glared at him while he slowly let her go, without missing a beat she elbowed him in stomach as hard as she could, he was lucky he wasn't the one that was burnt. He grunted but kept straight. Azula had to give him credit for that, especially after the beating he had taken the night before.

Turning her glare on him, she asked coolly, "What kind of friends attack you and your traveling partner? What kind of friends try to kill you?"

"Friends that didn't know who he was," a voice said behind her. She turned back to that said group of friends.

"How do you not know who your friends are?" Azula asked sarcastically.

Which really isn't a question I'm qualified to ask….

"We haven't seen him in seven, well almost eight years now, he looks different. Plus, he has that giant bruise on his face. Wasn't until he pulled out his sword and you yelled his name, that we knew it was him," the one with the chest armor explained. Their voice had a higher pitch, and since they didn't look young, Azula concluded that chest armor was a she.

"Well who are you?"

Sokka moved closer to Azula and swept his hand towards the group.

"Azula, meet the Freedom Fighters. Freedom Fighters, meet Azula."

"We go by the Rebels now. No one needs freeing any more, now that the Fire Nation was taken down," the comment was served with a glare towards Azula.

Azula returned it with a smirk, not playing in to the bait. They stood in silence, glaring at each other. The bowman nudged the woman with his arm, giving her a look. The woman sighed then looked at Sokka.

"So, you two coming with us? Or you going to let the fire bender burn the forest down?"

Like hell they were going with…

"Yeah, we'll break camp," Sokka said.

Azula turned her glare on him.

WHAT?

"We need to lay low and keep safe. Regain our strength. They can help us. They're awesome fighters and can give us some great protection Azula."

She looked over at the four fighters, while the swordsman had been quick on his feet; she wasn't so sure about the others. But she'd trusted Sokka this far, and a few extra eyes never hurt.

"Fine, but the woman can use an attitude check," Azula responded.

"Speak for yourself," came the woman's reply.

Smirking Azula collected her daggers and helped Sokka with the tent. This was going to get interesting.

Author Note: Yeah Freedom Fighters! More explanation in the next chapter Which may take a while because I just bought a condo and have to fix it up and paint and…yeah my time is going to be pretty tight…but I'll try to update it at least once a week! Please review, follow and favorite! Again sorry for the upcoming delays, but once I have everything settled, I'll be writing a lot more, I promise!