"Where is it?" A honey voice hushed nearby. Sokka pointed to his bag behind him, not looking up at the woman who assisted on his hunting trip.

Azula's arrival two years ago to the Southern Water Tribe, shook the ground he thought would keep him standing. Their relationship had been tumultuous, a hurricane of snow, fire and disastrous words.

Sokka never spoke down on a woman, but something about Azula infuriated him. She broke him, with her dark ridden golden eyes and damning thoughts about his character.

"Where do I put your bag?" she asked.

Sokka finally looked up. Azula blinked and held his duffle bag in her hand. Her dark hair fell past her shoulders and she no longer had dark circles under her eyes. The thick coat she wore covered her body, but Sokka found himself letting his mind wander over the recent nights they've spent together.

"Over there is fine," he replied, before Azula nodded.

He started it. They shared an igloo, and the same bed. But Sokka slept late, and had a dream. In the dream, he took off the clothes of a woman who let him kiss her until he hardened against her bottom - the woman took him between his legs on a soft bed, her lips on his veined skin forced him to turn her around and thrusted himself between her legs.

A cold gush woke him up. His body still felt hot, groin pulsing and he peered his eyes open to Azula riding him. Sokka had no time to process what was happening, but he knew he did it.

He kept Azula in doors till the late morning. He used his hands to study the slope of her hips riding him, the curve of her breasts, and the hooded lids of her eyes. He listened to the soft moans from her lips, and the slight incoherent murmur she released when he gripped her hips and said things to her - his lips tracing her ear.

Their voices were low and no one heard them sleeping together for the second time.

Azula walked by again. He kept watching until he took in her distinct scent. Something sweet, and light - a hint of a flower. He reached out to take her hand.

"Stop," he murmured.

Azula blinked, but did not object.

"Come here."


Sokka's eyes peered open to a warm chamber.

The soft traces of Azula holding his arms in the council chambers twisted his heart. The last time they laid in each others arms, she let him hum to their son and she murmured her love for him.

The last time he saw Katara, she hit him head and chastised him.

He should have known earlier - he should have anticipated the worst that day. His father's body in the snow after he searched for him, visited him every night he tried to sleep in the cave - hiding from the remaining Fire Nation military who kept checking the perimeters for any survivors. When he spotted Bao and Koah, he had a hunch they were part of the search.

After he killed Bao and Koah, he walked in the snow in Bao's furs and reached the vessels. He shivered on the canoe they abandoned, ignored the blood on the snows and approached the docked vessel.

He snuck in to find two soldiers talking in the boiler room.

"That waterbender should have been executed by now," the first said.

"But I don't know what's the hold up," the second soldier said. "That criminal has been fucking her for too long, and now, they are planning on marrying Princess Azula off to Admiral Chan! I thought the plan was for her to become heir again, not an idiot's wife."

"That rat they call Illah should have been replaced by now!"

Sokka disarmed them with the dagger he stole from Koah and slit their throats. He took any food and weapon that could sustain him, and left with the canoe.

Arnook took him in without a word after his long journey up north. He waited on the shores for him to dock. Sokka got off, and followed him to the palace. He had to ignore all gazes that tracked him wherever he went in the canoe traversing the waters of the Northern Water Tribe and kept his gaze ahead. When Arnook took him to the guest chambers, he simply stated they would speak later. Sokka slept for a period of seventeen hours.

He fell so lost in his thoughts, that he did not hear the door peer open and light footsteps echo inside.

"Sokka?"

He looked just in time at Yue, who stepped inside the chambers and rushed towards him in her sleeping robes. He barely moved when her scent, reminding him of his sister's, overwhelmed him. His body still felt like it burned.

"I'm so sorry," Yue pulled back, to hold his scarred shoulders. "We heard about the massacre after-"

"I'm sorry about your mom," he said.

Yue shook her head, trembling. "No time for that right now."

The last time he saw Yue, was the tenth time they met. She came short months after Azula's proposal for the North and South to form an alliance interested the North. Sokka took his hands up to cover Yue's own.

"Sokka," she said. "I won't sugarcoat this, but I know you've been listening to the rumors...about Katara and your wife - whatever you do, be safe-"

A knock came on the door. Yue was the first to rise and walked to the door to open for a taller figure. Chief Arnook smiled, despite the loss of his wife. Yue's words echoed in his mind.

Arnook exchanged a glance with Yue. "You may leave us, Yue. I'm afraid I have to take Sokka to the meeting chambers before we engage in the morning feast. Get the servants ready."

"Yes, father," she bowed and left.

Arnook waited until Yue left and her steps faded. He gestured for Sokka to follow him. "Come along. There is no need to dress up. I want to introduce you to my guests."

Sokka had no time to respond. He still put on a tunic and followed Arnook out. The blue corridors still kept warm despite the cold outside.

Arnook tossed him a look. "Lighten up. You have finally grown."

Sokka sent him a look.

"I know what you are thinking… but life throws surprises at you. I just want to let you know that you were justified. They planned on taking you to the vessels in the beginning. Even if they had changed their mind, they were bound to submit you."

Arnook stopped by an entrance. "I want you to meet a few visitors,"

"Visitors?" Sokka asked.

The chief pushed the doors open. It took a moment for Sokka to take in the high number of occupants in the chambers. Dozens of soldiers in black, red and brown stared back. They did not look imprisoned, or uncomfortable. They bowed before him.

Fire Nation. He knew most were Fire Nation.

"These soldiers were young men when King Ozai banished Princess Azula. A huge protest in Capital City almost resulted in a riot. Most civilians of the Fire Nation believed that Azula's banishment was a serious flaw in the governance of the Phoenix King," Arnook said.

"Many of the protestors were arrested for treason. All were allowed to go free under the condition they serve King Ozai. Killing them would not have looked good on the king. Since most of them lived on the streets, their parents pressured them to join Ozai's military - where they trained to be the best fighters. They were here each time King Ozai visited your wife to convince her to come home, and they know that the rumors in the Fire Nation are lies."

Sokka did not speak, he focused on a soldier who stared back. "Where you all here...that day?"

The soldier spoke. "We escaped here the last time King Ozai came to ask for his daughter back. We had comrades disguise themselves as us on the way back. The king does not know we have turned against him."

Sokka looked away from the outspoken member, and watched the others. One shorter man caught his attention.

"You are right to distrust us, the Water Tribe would not have been our concern if Azula had been in the Fire Nation. But unlike the king, we believe that the seat of the heir to the Fire Nation should have been given to someone of blood origin - not a village rat." a member said before bowing. "I am Jian, Chief Sokka."

Sokka nodded paused. "What do you all intend on doing after I take back Princess Azula?"

The group paused, but they did not look uncomfortable.

"Princess Illah is not so popular amongst the people," Arnook said. "But your wife is...more so than the man who has Katara hostage."

Jian nodded. "Shortly before she was banished, Azula used to come to the orphanage to train our young sons - who now have joined the cause back home. We didn't know who she was because she wore a mask - until she stopped coming, and we saw her being shipped off. My son recognized her because he had been the only one who knew her identity."

Sokka saw a woman step forward.

"I am not from the Water Tribe - I was a girl living on the streets of Fountain City, where my mom pretended she did not know me because she was ashamed of working in a brothel. The Firelord says we are better than the Water Tribe, but what good was me watching my mother sleep with more than ten soldiers a day from his military? What good was I roaming the streets, with nothing to sustain me and only the glorious words of a rich man who knew nothing about my struggle?"

Jian stepped forward, until he came face to face with Sokka.

"We don't expect to live after this, but we want honor bestowed upon the Fire Nation - not the legacy of a madman who killed half of the Water Tribe. We want the freedom to be the righteous nation we were meant to be!" he said.


The sun outside called her every morning.

Katara stood by the windows, overlooking the Royal gardens and how they dipped down into the valleys leading to the cities below. Her body still burned and ebbed. She ignored the dryness in her throat, and her chest.

Azula did not look good. Katara could read the panic written all over her body, and saw her reddened gaze. She had been crying earlier. Katara felt her mind slipping each day - but somehow, she kept fighting to keep her head above the waters.

The door whined.

Katara saw him enter the room through the vanity mirror. She turned her gaze away when he caught her staring. Weeks ago, she fought in the battle of her life - and almost thought she won. Then she saw Sokka fall under Zuko's dagger, before he was burned on the spot like an animal - writhing and screaming until his body started to turn to a blackened crisp.

Wham!

Katara gasped, but held her breath. The arms holding her waist, pulled her back into Zuko's tall frame. She ignored his pulsing behind her bottom.

"Good morning,"

She tried to remember that day, rather than say anything back. She simply recalled waking up to visit Azula back home, finding him sitting there. He gave off a bad vibe the moment Azula introduced him as her brother. The stories Katara once heard, of a poor young prince burnt by his own father, did not match the man tracing her every move short moments as soon as she entered the igloo. Katara never planned on telling Azula of the strange stares until the council meeting ended.

"You don't like me, do you?" Zuko murmured.

Katara kept her eyes away.

Slowly his scarred hands slipped inside the robe she wore. She clenched her fists went he palmed right under her breasts, and kissed her neck while still staring her down through the window. "You should be grateful. My people want you dead, I'm keeping you alive."

"I know I'm not the reason why a dog like you would want to destroy me," she said.

He tightened his hands on her waist, forcing her to bite her tongue. "Look outside."

Katara knew the side no one else saw. Over the sleepless nights she had to endure, she sensed something unstable about him. Something hot and terrible. Reluctantly she did look outside.

"Choose," he said.

She blinked. "Choose what?"

"Any place...any land big enough for you to own."

Katara did not speak. Sokka flickered up in her head. Her chest began to burn and her hands trembled.

"I don't care if you don't like me...but you understand me. You know what I'm really like," he murmured. "You know that either way, you'll be answering to me from this day forward."

"I belong to no one-"

Something flashed. Katara flinched when Zuko held a bright blade, flickering with flames, at her neck. "Don't think that drug I gave you is the only thing I need to make you relax. Test me again, and I'll kill you like I did your brother."

Zuko wrenched her back.

.

"Good morning!"

Katara had to blink twice at the tenth servant entering the chambers.

Her encounter with Zuko happened earlier this morning. She blacked out again when she fell on the bed. Time fell and came up. She could not keep track of it. Her neck felt as though she had been screaming for hours, but she let her shaky hands cradle the cup of tea she took from the young girl.

The girl had a short figure, wore clothing like the servants, and had dark skin that complemented her golden eyes. "Don't like talking, huh?"

Katara paused. "Are you speaking to me?"

Laughter broke through the chambers. The girl sent her a sly look with a small wink. "Yes I am. Who'd you think I would talk to? The curtains?"

Something about the new guest did not get a rise out of her. Katara almost felt relieved, that this time, a servant did not simply come into the room and pretended she did not exist.

"No," Katara said.

The servant prepared another cup of tea. Katara listened to the liquid fall in the cup. "I'm Yuki, from the colonies. My grandfather felt I could get paid well here - that's why I'm serving tea to a princess."

Katara blinked. She saw a burn mark on her wrist but ignored it. "I'm not princess - just a daughter."

"Did your father call you princess?"

Katara paused, ignoring the ache in her chest. Her father's hugs were like sitting close to a campfire. "Sometimes…"

"Then you are a princess," Yuki said. "A beautiful Southern Water Tribe princess."

Katara paused when the servant took a sip, staring at her. "I know you don't trust me...and I know you don't like him."

Her stomach dipped. Sokka blinked up in her mind, and she tightened her hold over her cup of tea. Azula, hugging her, him coming back inside the chambers.

"Would you like someone who killed your brother?" she asked.

Yuki's eyes sharpened behind the smoke wafting from her tea cup. "No...but how else would I be able to get revenge?"

Katara paused.

"You are sitting on a gold mine," Yuki said,"...and you should get comfortable with this man."

Gold mine? Something hot seeped inside Katara's chest, and she clenched her fists. "Is this what you think? Just because you got comfortable, I should?"

Yuki paused, placing her cup back on the tray. "Sounds like he was your first."

Katara forced her body not to shake. Yuki flipped her straight hair over her shoulder. "You can continue to be angry all you like. I like angry people, but if you want a good aim, get your target to settle down."

Katara looked away, ignoring the heat rising inside her. Her eyes started to well up, but she kept it to herself, listening to Yuki take the empty cups back on the tray. She listened to light steps grow louder, until the scent of jasmine wafted around her, and a cool hand reached out to touch her shoulder. She did not shrug it off.

"Queen Ty-Lee spoke to me about you," Yuki said, snatching her attention. "I became very interested...and then I saw how pretty you were."

Something fell on the vanity before her. Katara watched the dried leaves in a small clear packet.

"This Prince Zuko is a difficult target," Yuki said, "...either you get killed in this room one day and die a whore, or you see your sister in law around again. In the meantime, take this."

Katara paused. "What is this supposed to do to me?"

Yuki lowered herself, until she shared Katara's gaze. "Have you ever liked a boy?"

"Yes." Katara said.

"What did he look like?"

"...dark hair, skinny...from the Earth Kingdom. He visited during trade."

Yuki grinned. "Take this when the prince comes to you again. He will start to look just like that boy."

Katara did not move when the servant stepped back and walked towards the doors. She waited until the young woman stopped.

"By the way," Yuki started. "It may also get your bending back."

Slowly, Katara listened to the doors whine close.


Illah took a bit of the red bean pies baked on a tray in front of her. She downed it with tea, letting the warm liquid soothe her stomach. The knock on her door had not been expected.

"Come in,"

Ty-Lee entered, dressed in her sleeping robes just like Illah.

"You are up late today," she said.

Illah casted a bored look at the opening towards her balcony outside. The heat calmed her in ways that put her mind to rest. She had been thinking deeply of the complications concerning Prince Zuko's return. "I'm surprised you've noticed. Cuddling with the bitch seemed to occupy you over the past days since I returned.

Ty-Lee smiled. "That bitch is pregnant and has to deal with the death of her husband. Be a bit more considerate."

Illah scoffed. "...I'm just a village rat from Hir'ra. I don't understand things as well as you do."

"You don't seem to like her," Ty Lee said.

The silence that followed, forced Illah to pause. Her mother flickered up in her thoughts again. She casted a sharp look at Ty-Lee.

"She reminds me of my dead mother," Illah said. " And I don't know why - that's why I hate her."

Ty-Lee tilted her head. "Sounds fair."

Illah stopped. "Why are you here Ty-Lee?"

Ty-Lee blinked, before stepping back.

"Follow me." she said.

The strange answer somehow transgressed to Illah following Ty-Lee down the corridors. She kept watching her back sharply, ignoring the servants who happened to find her in her robes and her hair down. The queen and heir to the Phoenix King somehow found themselves near a small patch of gardens bear the guest room.

Princess Illah used to remember sneaking into that room through the tunnels, and sometimes, sticking around until she heard the sounds of servants. Other times, she came to hide from the woman she became - to imagine herself as that small kid who just wanted those nice bean pies her mother used to make for her.

Knock knock.

Illah waited, standing next to Ty-Lee. The door peered open. Yuatak shared her gaze, and Illah stared back with a bored expression. Yuatak bowed.

"Inside, Illah." Ty-Lee said.

Illah stayed rooted on her spot. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Inside."

Illah sneered. Yuatak stepped aside and she entered, listening to the door close behind her. Suddenly, something forced her to stop.

Ahead of her stood a tapestry. It wasn't there before.

As a matter of fact, it would have been impossible for her to see such a portrait. King Ozai carefully instructed that all portraits of his former wife were taken down, even if they involved his children. The former Lady Ursa did not look like the caricatures she used to see on the streets.

Princess Illah kept watching the portrait.

Ty-Lee stepped up next to her. "Illah...I know your mother."

Illah sent Ty-Lee a sharp gaze. "My mother is dead, and there is no use-"

"Kiyi," Ty-Lee said, commanding a look of indignation of the princess' face. "That's old your name, right?"

Princess Illah clenched her fists. The name she had long forgotten, echoed in her head. Ty-Lee walked to the four poster bed and sat on the edge, right under the tapestry of Lady Ursa. "I've watched you grown into a beautiful woman - but it's time you get to know me a little better..."

"Are you going to be calling me that name now?" Illah mocked, holding her waist with her left hand.

Ty-Lee blinked.

"I have ended my allegiance to the Phoenix King and joined the New Azula Society. I will be supporting Princess Azula onward and will make sure her son arrives under the best conditions possible."

Illah's eyes widened. "What the fuck are you doing?"

"Princess Azula is our priority, and I believe it is also in our best interest to keep Princess Katara from facing a possible execution under the Phoenix King's command. Dangerous things are happening, and this is the best way for me to serve my term. The Phoenix King is no longer competent to control the Fire Nation. However, it won't be wise for us to reveal this information to him."

"If you think I'm joining your foolish society, think again!" A blue flame shot up in the palm of Illah's hand, before Yuatak shifted into position. "My loyalty is to the Phoenix King and him alone! I could care less about who you support - and I will burn you alive in this room!"

Ty-Lee sighed, before turning to Yuatak. "Give her the letter."

Illah paused when Yuatak stepped close to hand her a scroll. She snatched it, unrolling it to stop once she recognized the handwriting.

Her father had terrible handwriting.

She read the contents, and the more she read, the more her hands shook.

"Your father and I had a good chat before he died," Ty-Lee said, "and when he told me who your mother was, you can imagine how shocked I'd been. On the day your mother died, the gift she received to change her face left her. You were too young to understand what happened, but you were the only witness to this when she died….you saw your mother turn into someone else."

Ty-Lee pointed above her. "I brought this here for a confirmation, but I think the look on your face does it...is this is the woman you saw?"

Princess Illah tilted her head. "That traitor isn't my mother. I look nothing like her."

The Phoenix Queen smiled. "Blood is thicker, no matter how different you look. And I don't need you to accept this. According to your father's letter, your mother is, in fact, Lady Ursa of Hir'ra, which makes you a possible suspect in any form of treason against the king."

Illah watched the queen rise to step before her to take the scroll out of her hand.

"This is all I need to tell King Ozai that you are the daughter of a traitor," Ty-Lee said. "And if you think he will support a little bastard like you after I tell him, then you don't understand this world the way you think you do, little girl."


End Note - Thanks for the positive reviews! Here is another one.