Chapter 54: Of Ash and Snow, Part 5

Medical Bay

Internal Directorate SRT Office #1A

Maguyuk Island, NWT

"You do realize this is a breach of human rights, right?"

"As far as I'm concerned, the Northern Water Tribe never signed nor ratified any form of treaty granting any rights to foreign operatives working on our soil. Be thankful to the spirits and your ex I didn't deep six all of you as soon as we were out of Agna Q'ela. Hell, giving you medical treatment is a luxury." Bulan replied in a mildly disturbing off-hand manner while looking bored at the same time.

"Gee, thanks." Suki replied sarcastically.

"So…."

"Yes?"

"Why question me? Why not the others?"

"They looked like meatheads who don't know jack shit. You, on the other hand, look like a natural born leader. Of course, I'd expect nothing less with someone of your pedigree. Second youngest to enlist in the Kyoshi Warriors, four combat tours on the Western Front, spending two years with the Republic City Police's Serious Crimes Task Force before finally going freelance? Which coincidentally, was around the time an obituary for a certain Mr. Sokka came up with a small blurb about a hijacking. You really are some hot shit, girl."

"Apparently not enough for that son of a bitch Sokka." Suki snapped, still understandably salty and angry over the exchange between her and Azula.

"Think of it this way girl, you got the crown prince instead, which honestly I find absolutely hilarious that not only a cop is dating a known class A war criminal, but that he never thought to tell you your ex was now with his sister. Like, that is literally prime drama material here but let's get back on topic: What were you doing up here? Who sent you?"

"First off, I'd very much appreciate it if you could stop fucking mocking my love life and shoving it in my face, thank you very much. Secondly, we were sent here by White Lotus Internal Affairs."

"The White Lotus has an Internal Affairs department? Sounds like a bunch of komodo rhino shit to me."

"I've got contract papers to prove it."

"And I've got an ice factory to sell you. Papers and IDs can be faked."

"I'm telling the truth."

"Are you? Because I don't think you're telling me everything."

"No shit I'm not telling you everything, not until I get a lawyer."

"Ain't gonna happen."

"Nothing I say will convince you, will it?"

"Depends." Bulan replied, pulling up a chair at the foot of Suki's bed.

"Really? We're really going there?" Suki replied, rather exasperatedly.

"You're damn right we're gonna go there." Bulan smirked, before pulling a small bottle out of her pocket and tossing it to her.

"What's this?"

"Painkillers."

"For?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"Is this some joke to you?"

"Maybe? I dunno, with the way things are currently I need some entertainment."

'"You're really messed up."

"Perhaps, but it's always the crazy ones who give good sex."

"So the rumors are true."

"What rumours?"

"The one about you killing a suspect during questioning?"

"Nah, IA couldn't find jack shit. Besides, he'd up die no matter what we did or didn't do, dude had sixteen different drugs pumping through his veins it was a Spirits-damned miracle he lasted as long as he did."

"That's rather casual of you to say stuff like this."

"What can I say except you're welcome?"

Deciding that it was probably not a good idea to take her captor at face value, Suki put the bottle off to the side and requested "Where's Zuko? I want to see him."

"Answer me who sent you and you'll get to see your favourite prince."

"Not happening. How do I know I can trust you?"

"I can't do that for you. Only you can make that call. By the way, Kat told me wounds like this will hurt like a bitch once the painkillers wear off."

"How do you not have split personalities?"

Getting up from her seat, Bulan made her way to the door before turning around and smirking "I think the more pertinent question you should be asking is which Bulan do you want to see walk in tomorrow?"

Resting against the headboard, Suki merely sighed, taking the opportunity to get as much rest as possible to resist her captors another day. Just as she was about to fall asleep, a soft rap on the door got her attention.

"Who is it?"

"Um, hi there, Zuko here. Are you doing okay?"

"Come in. We have a lot to talk about."

"That doesn't sound like a good thing. I'm sure you need your rest, I'll uh, umm, come back tomorrow morning?"

"I'm not asking."

A half scarred face poked in through the small crack in the door. Rolling her eyes, Suki pointed a finger at him and beckoned him to come in.

"Stop being a Spirits-damned pussy and come in, or do I have to drag you in by the ear?"


Bedroom

Fire Nation Embassy

"Where's Zuko?" Ursa asked when they entered the house.

"He's uh, busy, um, filling out paperwork. We uh, um, ran into some issues and um, yeah. So Zuzu isn't coming back tonight, but he'll be back first thing in the morning."

Deciding to not press further, she finally ended her vigil and went back to her bedroom. Taking it as her cue, Kiyi promptly made herself scarce, leaving Sokka and Azula standing in the hallway. Before he could creep away, he felt her hand go from a gentle loving squeeze to an iron grip.

"Just where do you think you're going?" she asked, not expecting him to answer. Wordlessly, she dragged him off to their room, locking the door behind her as she did so.

"Sit."

"Y-y-yes ma'am!"

"Forget that shit, I want you to answer me truthfully to the best of your ability. Any lie and I will zap your dick here and now, understand?"

"Now, how long were you and Suki dating?"

"Well, it was kinda complicated."

"Then uncomplicate it for me."

"I-well, we were in a sort of on and off for like three years while she was in the Kyoshi Warriors and then we kinda dropped off for a few months before we met up in Republic City, where she had just gotten out three months ago and was preparing to enter the police academy there. So yeah...that's kinda the uncomplicated version."

"Did you sleep with her before you left Republic City?"

"Yes?"

"How many times did you two fuck?"

"Okay hold up, what are trying to-ow!"

"Just answer the question Sokka."

"I don't know?"

"Try again." Azula growled, rolling a small ball of lightning between her fingers.

"Look, if I had to put a number on it, maybe five hundred times? What are you trying to get at?"

"Nothing, just wanted to know."

"You could just asked nicely, y'know? Wait, I know that look on your face. You're jealous aren't you?"

"!"

"Wh-wha-what makes you think so?!" Azula snapped, turning away and letting her hair cover her face, which was slowly turning a bright shade of pink.

"Look, if you're worried that I'll suddenly change my mind and get back with her, I won't." Sokka replied with his palms up while walking towards her, before wrapping his arms around her.

"Besides, I'm pretty sure your entire family would like, kill me if I ever did. Hell, I think even Suki would join in if I did. Look, I am yours for as long as you'll still have me, and that is a promise I intend to keep for as long I live."

"How can I trust you? After all, you kept something like this hidden from me for so long."

"I'm sorry. Sorry for not telling you. Sorry for making you worry."

"Sh-should I know about any others?"

"Besides Suki? No, I swear on Tui and La."

"Then promise me, Sokka, no more next time? Promise me."

"I promise."

"Good."