Preparations

A whole week.

Azula has never expected to feel so nervous and concerned but she was. She checked her old cell every morning and every evening but Sokka's belongings remained untouched in the room and so she could keep her hope as well.

Her new temporarily company was a young staff member named Ching. He didn't stay down here but it seemed he was chosen to be the unlucky one to bring Azula her meals and other things she asked for. It was amusing to see the man sweating nervously every time he showed up but during the week even he started to relax a little bit since Azula didn't burned him to a crisp like he seemed to have expected. Ching was a Firebender as well, probably to have a chance to escape in case Azula would dare to attack him and he was new at the sanatorium so he hadn't any contact with her before.

Also doctor Kujing visited her during this week but like last time he did only a brief check-up without mentioning Sokka or why he wasn't back down here, but she also didn't dare to bring up this subject. But with every new day she felt more and more restless and since a week has passed she finally took the chance as Ching was making his last visit. The man was taking the used dishes and placed them on a tablet as he was asking his usual question.

"Any last wishes for today?"

Azula was busy with a book she was pretending to read and she kept her Pai Sho face, but she could hear her blood rushing louder through her veins.

"I fact I have. How is the water peasant doing?"

The sounds from Ching clearing the table stopped instantly and it didn't do her well to face this heavy silence which was filling the room suddenly. Azula felt her patience running lower and she looked up from her book narrowing the nervous man.

"Since his stuff is still in my old cell I assume he's still here in this institution."

Ching nodded nervously which let some of Azula's tension fade instantly but at the same time it made her even more nervous. She placed the book on the table and crossed her arms before her chest, drumming with her fingers on her arm.

"I'm waiting."

Ching winced a bit and swallowed hard before he answered with a trembling voice.

"The ambassador is still recovering from his injuries. His ribs aren't healing as fast as hoped and he… refuse to get proper treatment by his sister or any Waterbender at all."

Azula's lips got thinner as she pressed them together. The bitter taste in her mouth and the uncomfortable sting in her chest made her angry and obviously she couldn't hide her anger due to the worried face of Ching.

"Does the water peasant plans to bother me again with his presence?"

Azula was facing the anxious look of the young man. She could see him sweating but she had to admit that he was holding his ground surprisingly well.

"So far he isn't in the condition to be down here. That's what the doctor has told him as well."

A painful sting let Azula's anger grow, but she expected this explanation to some degree. But it was also a good sign.

"So this snow savage still plans to return."

It sounded a bit more nervous than Azula has hoped it would, but obviously Ching hasn't noticed it. He was too busy to keep himself composed. Under normal circumstances his whiny presence would have been a great amusement to Azula, but right now his hesitant behavior and his beating around the bush only fueled her own nervousness and so her anger.

"At least to fetch his belongings in personal, yes."

The drumming of Azula's fingers stopped instantly and she couldn't suppress the sharp breath, which was forcing Ching a step closer to the door. Her voice gained an sharp edge suddenly.

"I'm tired of you dodging my questions. Does Sokka returns here or not."

Ching swallowed a lump but finally he took a deep breath.

"The ambassador seem to prepare to leave soon. Neither I have detailed information nor am I allowed to read his correspondence, but due to rumors I have heard he seem to be in contact with the Palace lately and with the South Pole. Also the Avatar himself has visited him a few days ago. Last thing I have heard it hasn't been a nice conversation and the Avatar has left quick again and due to the rumors very concerned and frustrated."

Azula felt this uncomfortable tickle in her stomach getting worse with every word Ching was speaking. She was staring at the wall beside the door and remained silent as the nervous man finished his report. The silence was back int the room again and only Ching clearing his throat ripped her out of her stare again.

"May… May I leave now or is there anything else you might wish?"

Azula gave him a wave with her hand to send him away and she could hear a sigh of relief. Ching had nearly left the room as he stopped again and took a deep breath. His voice was trembling heavy.

"He… He has asked for you too."

Azula's eyes jumped wide open.

"What?"

Ching turned around and nodded nervously.

"All the time. I had to report him how I am treating you. He was concerned the event would take away the freedom he has earned for you. And he was concerned how you would handle his absence."

Azula was staring at Ching with open mouth. She could feel her heart hammering in her head. Her look seemed to worry the man cause he started to talk again to break this uncomfortable situation.

"He said you kept promise so he wants to keep his own. No mask, no binding."

Azula closed her mouth. Her tongue felt sticky and she swallowed hard. Her mind was swirling and her emotions did the same. Ching's face softened suddenly, still it was filled with nervousness.

"I will tell him that you've asked for him too, if this is your wish."

Was it her wish? It was. But he was just an annoying snow savage. But he has helped her. He has asked for her even now.

Azula stood up which let some color leaving the man's face.

"Do so if you must. I don't care. But you can tell him that he still has to learn more lessons."

She ignored the irritated face of the man.

"He'll know what I mean, now leave me alone."

Ching bowed hasty and left the complex. Azula took place in the middle of her room in lotus seat to compose herself and to bring her thoughts in line again, which were swirling around in this storm of stirred up emotions.

Why did he wanted to help her so desperately?

Where was the parallel he seem to see?

Was there a parallel at all?

He has refused to answer her questions about his reasons more than once. Revealing the link to his source of guilt only happened on accident and she still had no details, only hints. Azula stood up and left her room. The corridor in front of her seemed to get stretched as she faced the entrance of her old cell. Her feet were heavy and her steps seemed to echo loud in the complex as she walked towards Sokka's room.

She hesitated before entering.

She hesitated before his bag.

She hesitated at opening it to browse through his belongings.

It felt so ridiculous. She had have never a problem at browsing other people's belongings when she was younger. She had done it countless times and has never felt so nervous.

But this time she was.

This time it felt wrong.

The same wrong she has felt as she had witnessed his nightmare.

But she had no choice. Azula needed more information to solve this riddle. She needed something which might force out the whole story from Sokka. Her fingers found a metal object in the bag and stopped instantly.

She took a grip at it and pulled it out of the bag with shaky hands.

Azula knew what she had found even before she could lay eyes on it. It was another prove of Sokka's loss. An object, which would suit her plan to finally get the full story from him, why he was embracing his misery like she did. He would have to trade his story, the full story to get this back from her.

Azula placed the object on the floor and after a quick search she found the second one as well.

It still felt wrong somehow and it was deeply irritating to Azula that it did, but she was determent to get answers. In the end it might help to show him his own stupidity as well.

The Princess picked up two metal fans from the floor and returned to her own room.