"Fish tail!" Azula shouted. There was no respond from the calm sea. "Show yourself!" Silence.

She sat on the shore, her feet being touched by the gentle waves. It's been a year since she met the merman. The one who served as her companion in the cruel world she lived in. Azula was born from the loveless marriage of the manipulative noble and power hungry prince. Her birth was the fire nation's epitome of power. She was the death of the air nomads, defeat of the earth kingdom, and she was destined to be the downfall of the water tribe. Azula harbored fear and respect, and at her peak, she realized how lonely it was at the top. Until she met the merman.

It was another victory for the for the Fire Nation, this time, against the Southern Water Tribe. Their warriors has been killed or captured, while the civilians were being transported across the kingdom and be servants. A celebration was held, cheers and praises were sang for her. Azula watched her cohorts drank to stupor, and felt the suffocating atmosphere of the crowd.

She left the festivity and walked around their new territory. She believed that what they were doing was fair. It was war. The strong triumphs and the weak gets eaten alive. But as she looked at the dilapidated tribe, for a moment, doubt hit her. She lit a fire on her finger, and for the first time, she did not feel the elating boost of pride.

"Are you feeling guilty, Princess?" A voice said. Azula took a sharp turn, fire in hand, ready to attack the intruder. A man around her age lazily waved at her. His hand on his cheek, half his body submerged the in freezing water. Azula shoot a stream of fire, but the man was gone. She felt a spray of freezing water on her back side. She jumped forward and turned to its source, only to see an enormous tail lazily flicking water towards her.

"That's not very nice." The merman said, amused at her reaction.

"Merman." Azula took a stance preparing another fiery attack.

"That's not wise. You could burn any part of me, but one flick of my tail could break the ice you're standing on, render you motionless, and pull you down to the deepest part of the sea."

Azula glared at the merman. Could she burn the merman's tail and render it useless within a few seconds?

"I just want to talk to you Azula."

"Who are you?"

He smiled at her like an old friend. "I am Sokka, and I've been watching you for a really long time"

"Prince of the deep dwellers." Still no response.

"... Sokka"

A disturbance on the sea surface, a head popped up, grinning at her.

"I really like the sound of my name when you say it, Princess." He swam towards her, half of him laid out beside her.

"And I keep on telling you, I am not a princess."

"But you are to me, my princess."

Azula laid her on her back and steered closer to Sokka.

"I am no innocent princess, Sokka." He took her hand in his.

"I know." Sokka answered.

"I am a murderer." He tightened his hold and brought her fist to his heart.

"We are all victims of war."

"I am war itself." He brought her fist close to his lips and placed a chaste kiss.

"Not by choice."

Their troop was going back to the mainland, and for some reason, Azula was having second thoughts on leaving the merman behind.

"Have you made up your mind, Princess?"

"I never did falter, merman. My life is for the Fire Nation. We do what we can, we seize what we see. All for glory."

"All is fair in love and war, Princess. But always remember that you have a choice." Sokka was about to jump to the water, until he felt a warm hand grasp his wrist.

She wanted to tell him to stay and keep her sane. She wanted to tell him how things has been feeling to wrong and right. She wanted him to be with her.

But, in the end, she stayed silent.

But, in the end, Sokka understood.

"I am the heart of the sea. Even the mere whisper of my name will make me come to you."

A few minutes of silence enveloped the two. They stayed still, eyes on the setting sun.

"Zula, what will you do if I was suddenly gone."

Azula smirked at the merman, "I'll boil the sea and force you to show up."

Sokka laughed. He rolled around and brought his face face closer to her.

"And if i can't see you anymore, because I am owned by another?"

"Then I will conquer the deep sea and take my claim on you."

"Really?"

She placed a hungry kiss on his lips. "It's a promise, Sokka."