Chapter 58: Of Ash and Snow, Part 9

Operations room

ID Barracks

"Man, I don't know if this is the right call to make boss." the team sergeant from team one sighed, before giving a few puffs on his pipe.

"I agree with him boss, it makes more sense to strike them now while they're still getting their feet wet than give them time to fortify the place. Who knows what kind of fuckery they're gonna have set in place?" another one chimed.

"You're right, they've probably only just set up. On the other hand, one wrong move and we'd be looking at fifty percent or higher casualties."

"It's part of the job boss, if your number's up it's up and Spirits know there ain't jack shit you can do about it. Or has working in the office these past few years made you grow soft? Must be all that food that lil' missy of yours is feeding you." an older sergeant replied.

"Bullshit, if anything I've heard they've been going at like two horny seals during mating season every chance they get. Isn't that right?"

"The fuck you heard such bullshit?!"

"Ooohh so the scuttlebutt's true eh? Pay up you sons of bitches!"

"Boss man didn't say shit, so I ain't paying you nothing."

"Man fuck y'all tighter than a newborn polar bear dog's butthole when it comes to paying up."

"Shit son, didn't know you were that kind of a dog person!"

"Alright boys, I think that's enough, let's get back to the topic at hand. Ultimately it's your call whether we hit them tomorrow night or three nights from now." Hahn interjected, eager not to hear what type of kinks his men were into.

"As I see it, boss man, the lads 'ave been working their ass off in the killhouse and it's better to go now than let them relax some and have their motor skills go to shit because they think they've got the time to slack."

"Fair enough. I think it's decided then. For what's worth, my gut feeling tells me to pack heavy and break out the gunboats."

"Roger that."

Exiting the compound, Hahn was immediately joined by his protection detail, who weren't too happy about the fact that he was travelling back and forth given the latest threat briefing earlier that morning. Of bloody course, the Spirits had to make their lives just that much harder with the former 2IC of the fucking Kemurikage was running loose in the city.

Still, theirs was to shut up and focus on the job at hand. After all, bitching and whining certainly did not pay the bills as well as distracted one from picking up potential threats. Sparing a glance at the night sky, one of them noticed there were just a few more extra stars on the inky canvas that was the northern skyline in winter. Nudging his partner, he asked "Is it just me, or there seems to be a little too many stars out tonight?"

"Beats me. On the other hand, I hear some sort of low whining, do you?"

"Yeah, me too."

"Should we tell the others?"

"Probably."

"Hey guys, do you hear a low whining?"

"Probably some crew chief working on something." the pointman replied. "Now keep your heads on a swivel, we-"

His admonishment was abruptly interrupted by the sudden heat and whoosh of ten large rockets slamming every which way into the barracks, sending geysers of water and building material raining down on the chieftain and his security detail, as well as some unfortunate admin staff heading to their vessels. Soon enough, the whole place was put on general alert and the resting troops rushed to take up defensive positions as well as start to clear the rubble, as shouts of the wounded and trapped echoed across the area.

"Alright lads, we gotta get the bossman out of here! On me!" The pointman shouted, as the five man group bunched up around him and shoved him into his vessel, where the driver had the engines running for them. With shouts to bring the chief back to his residence, the driver backed out of his berth and floored it, the turbocharged engines roaring loudly as they exited out a different side of the compound and made for the relative safety of downtown Agna Q'ela.

Sniper's hide

Somewhere near the ID barracks

"What are you waiting for? Take the shot!" Aiizhern urged.

"How about….no?"

"Why you-"

"Shut up you old geezer, you're gonna get a heart attack or stroke if you keep up that attitude."

"We could have-"

"This was just an icebreaker, a little teaser of what is in store for them. Besides, it's no fun if you take out the main character too early in the story."

"What exactly are you playing at?"

"Nothing that concerns you. I have my methods."

"Seems like you need a reminder of who's in charge." he intoned, slipping a hand inside his coat to draw his weapon when faster than he could blink, two knives embedded themselves near his ear.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Consider this your first and last warning."

Seeing the old man tremble in anger, Zirin continued "Unless, of course, you'd like a demonstration by the 'Demoness of Hui Yii'."

Standing up, Aiizhern walked off in a huff, muttering curses under his breath and vowing that once all this was over with, the troublesome assassin would be consigned to the bottom of the ocean, but not before he had his way with her. After all, there weren't many who could boast about having literally and figuratively fucked the Kemurikage's 2IC and lived to tell the tale.

Residence

Fire Nation Embassy

On the one hand, swigging that much alcohol in one go probably wasn't the best idea on a half empty stomach. On the other hand, Azula didn't think she'd be able to tell Sokka half of what she did if it weren't for the loosening effect alcohol had. Still, the strong Fire Nation liquor had left her with a simultaneous headache and a hungry stomach.

Clutching her head, she tried to get up, only to fall back weakly into Sokka's warm nest. Well that's not an option, she thought, before snuggling into his chest and hoping he would get the hint.

"What is it firefly?"

"Hungry. Head hurts." she whimpered in his arms.

Cradling her, he picked her up and took her back to their room, where he placed her on the bed.

"Just, give me a few minutes, I'll fix up this bath that'll make you feel better. Anything in particular you feel like eating?"

"I-I don't know. Do whatever, I guess, I doubt I can keep it in." she weakly sniffled.

"Hmm, I'll think of something." he replied from the bathroom, the sound of running water filling the background.

When he judged it acceptable, he gingerly picked her up and placed her on the countertop, before relieving her of her clothes. In her woozy state, she was slightly relieved that Sokka had at least the decency to blush, even though both of them knew there was nothing really to hide, given that they've both seen what the other had to offer in terms of bodily assets.

Clothes relieved, he then placed her into the hot water, which was scented with oils that helped relieve some of her headache.

"Feeling better?"

"Mmhmm."

"Take as long as you like, I'll be outside."

Muttering some form of acknowledgement with her mouth slightly under the water's surface, Sokka let her be and left to prepare her meal. Between the oils and the hot water, her mind slowly drifted to sleep until she felt some water enter her nose, at which point she readjusted herself and found a position where she was almost submerged, with her nose just above the water and sighed.