The Northern Water Tribe was a peaceful place. A lovely Royal Family was ruling with utmost respect and care towards their people. Family had a quite different meaning in this tribe. Family came first. They treated each other with love and respect.

Romance wasn't perfect in everyone's life, but it was very important. The view to love was respective, which wasn't usual everywhere around the world. People wanted their children to marry, to settle down and make their own family. Yet no one ever arranged anything if the children were strictly against it.

Of course, this was a work of the King and the Queen. Hakoda and Kya loved each other since her childhood. They counted themselves lucky to have found each other and have fallen in love. 22 years of marriage and their romance never vanished. They achieved many things together. The best ones were their firstborn Prince Sokka and their beloved daughter Princess Katara.

Katara, an affectionate Princess loved by their people and every child in their Tribe. She was responsible, caring and has never let people down who needed her help. Despite enjoying her responsibilities as Princess, she liked taking a break from time to time and go on adventures with her best friend Aang.

Aang, the Avatar became as good as a part of the Tribe. He was still learning water bending from Katara.

The handsome Prince had a good l life. But happiness wasn't part of it. He always gave his best at everything he did as the Prince. Never did he feel a spark with any girl. No matter how many of them tried to approach him and wished to catch his eye, no one ever did.

There was almost nothing he wouldn't do for his family since he was a family-oriented person. Loyalty and a good heart were his remarkable traits. He was talented, a good warrior and a responsible man. Yet he looked melancholic often.

His mother would catch him watching the stars every night. Every time she saw him like that she hoped and deep down knew one day someone would make his son happy. If only the day would arrive soon…

She underestimated the coldness. She also underestimated the nice architecture and the largeness of the Northern Water Tribe. Would they succeed? She had her father's trust, she always did. But this was a huge mission beyond anything she ever experienced.

How could a Princess act like a Peasant?

The possibility to pull it off was high, since she was confident even if a small fear was dwelling inside of her. But when she looked at her companion who was shivering and making weird faces she just sighed. Lu Ten's been a Prince far longer than Azula's been a Princess. How was he supposed to act like a commoner?

Unlike the Northern Water Tribe, the Fire Nation was problematic at the moment. Their people had different views and different understandings of the world. Their education and developments were excellent. But the hundred-year war ruined the trust of many people.

After Azulon's death, Iroh became Fire Lord. He ended the war and things were slowly going into the right path. Until a group of people rebelled against the Royal Family. Said rebellions happened quite often these days. It wasn't easy to find out who was friend and who was an enemy anymore.

Prince Zuko, Azula's brother, the nephew of the Fire Lord got wounded in a fight. After days of meetings, the Fire Lord made a dire decision.

The Fire Nation needed help soon as possible. Iroh decided to get their help from other nations. Ozai and Zhao had the mission to travel to the Earth Kingdom and meet the Earth King.

Whereas the only Princess and her cousin Prince Lu Ten, son of Fire Lord Iroh, had the task to travel to North. Both were incredible young Royals. It was Azula's first mission. A dangerous one too boot. Yet she knew it was smart, even if dangerous, to form a friendship with other nations. She's been given an important task, and she would do her best to succeed at it.

The Northern Water Tribe wasn't likely to trust everyone from the Fire Nation blindly, even if there hasn't been any complication since the war ended. But not long ago Admiral Zhao tried to invade this Tribe.

So, the two young Royals no one ever saw before, were sent into the cold icy territories to get help from the King of the Northern Water Tribe and to gain their trust and friendship. They also needed the Avatar's help.

Another reason was the spirit Oasis. Zhao informed the Royal family about the power of the Oasis, which could heal Zuko's wounds.

The big problem was of course that no matter what Azula and Lu Ten had to enter the Tribe in disguise first. They both didn't know the people here. They didn't know what they would do if they knew they're the Royals of the Fire Nation. But how are they going to trust them if they find out later they have been lying all the time?

Lu Ten had a friend named Koda who lived in the Water Tribe. Destiny made them form a friendship. Koda used to live in the Earth Kingdom, where Lu Ten went to a university years ago. Koda didn't judge him, instead he tried to understand him and saw his good heart. Lu Ten once saved him from an attack from the Fire Nation, and Koda promised that no matter when and no matter what, he would pay it back one day.

Later, Lu Ten returned to his own Nation. Koda was of Southern Water Tribe origin, but he fell in love with a waterbender from North. So, they married, and he moved to his wife's Tribe.

He was one of the most trusted members of the Northern Water Tribe.

Without any forewarning, he met Azula and Lu Ten near the Tribe's waters. It was too late to talk with King Hakoda, so he also had to keep his mouth shut and play along.

Three days have passed since they entered the Northern Water Tribe. Thanks to Koda, they could go inside the Tribe as his friends without any complications.

During their first week Azula noticed people here were completely different from the one's in her own Nation. People here were friendly, open and… happy? It's been a long time ago since she remembered happiness in her own family. She felt welcome here. There was warmth within this cold Tribe. What an irony she thought to herself.

Walking side by side with her cousin, they saw a man with soldiers walking towards them. No doubt he was the most important person in this Tribe. The King was indeed also very friendly and smiled at them. She didn't think her first expression of him would be so positive.

"You two must be the friends of Koda, welcome to our Tribe" he said smiling.

Azula and Lu Ten half bowed as respect to King Hakoda.

"My name is Lu Ten, and this is my cousin Azula" Lu Ten introduced themselves.

Thrice a week, Hakoda would take a walk with his son to watch how their people were doing and communicate with them. Today he has been unusually silent.

"Where is Prince Sokka?" asked Hakoda his soldiers.

He finally appeared from behind the soldiers, walking to his father.

"I'm here dad, I'm … "

And then he saw her.

Long dark hair, glowing amber eyes, beautiful shape of lips caught his breath away. He loved the night sky, he thought it's beautiful. But this, this was a beauty beyond anything, anyone he has seen or known. He forgot his surroundings while he looked at her, without bating a single eyelash.

The people around him were confused, looking from him to Azula.

Azula was ... she didn't really know what she felt. She just knew the way the Prince was looking at her wasn't annoying somehow. He was handsome and the powerful focus of his eyes on her made her freeze on spot.

"Sokka?" Hakoda finally broke the silence.

Sokka shook his head promptly after hearing his father's voice and neared the most beautiful woman in the world.

"I'm Sokka" he said, extending his arm, waiting for her to do the same with a big smile and eyes.

Azula was startled. She looked at his hand briefly but took it anyway. The brush of their skin felt extremely pleasant.

Since when was shaking hands such a remarkable good feeling?

Azula decided to go out for a short walk. She ended up on a nice spot, watching the night sky deep in thoughts when she heard someone nearing her. She turned around swiftly and saw him.

"Hey" Sokka smiled and gave her a lovestruck look like the one from earlier today. He didn't expect to see her today again, but he was thankful that it happened.

"Are you following me?" Azula asked an eyebrow furrowing.

"Wha… No!" Sokka immediately replied. He wouldn't have anything against following her though. He couldn't get her face out of his mind the entire day and hoped to see her soon again. "I come here every night"

"You have a nice view here" Azula said, turning around to look at the sky again.

"Yeah, but the northern lights are even nicer. I am waiting for it to come" he told her, walking to stand by her side.

"The northern lights?" she asked.

"You never heard of them?" he chuckled slightly.

"I've once read something about it but never actually saw one" she replied.

"Well, it's a matter of days until they appear. When they do I would gladly show you"

She turned around at his words and smiled a little.

"You would?"

"Why not?" he smiled, looking at her.

He wanted to lose himself in those eyes.

Weeks passed by. Azula and Sokka met on a daily basis. At the beginning it's been a "coincidence", but after some time they purposely planned on meeting. All they did was spend almost the entire day together and watch the night sky. Although she was pleased to spend time with him, she felt worse every time their bond strengthened.

She was sure the Prince liked her. The interest was mutual without a doubt. But she had a mission to complete. She was here for a reason.

No one ever asked them if they were really commoners. It was almost unbelievable of how much the Tribe got used to their presence. Honestly, they got used to the Tribe too.

Sokka shared his whole life story with Azula. His childhood experiences, his relationship with his family and his role as Prince. There were things she understood as a Princess herself so good but couldn't agree since she was supposed to be a commoner for now.

She shared many things with him too. But every time he asked about what happened to her family, she didn't answer. And he didn't push her, giving her the space, she needed. Accepting that she might not be ready to share things she felt uncomfortable with.

Lu Ten felt good in the North Pole, yet guilty too. Like his cosuind, he also saw how nice people here were. He helped Koda in his work and made some friends. But how are they supposed to tell them the truth now? The whole situation was complicated and not easy for both of them. Things developed very differently, out of their, especially out of Azula's control. They were settling in this Tribe.

"We should have told them from the beginning" he said with a sigh.

They were given a small house. It was different from what both of them were used to. Big huge luxury rooms were only in the Royal Palace, even if it was still nothing compared to the luxury of the Fire Nation. But the small houses were nice anyway. They were bright and warm.

"Yes we should have. But how were we supposed to know? These people won't trust the Fire Nation, let alone us Royals. Only three years ago Admiral Zhao attacked this very Tribe. No matter how much they accepted and liked us, I still don't think they will just let us get away with it." Azula said.

She closed her eyes for a moment.

"I will talk with him this evening. I'm going to tell him everything. I have to do this Lu Ten"

Lu Ten gave her a sad look and nodded in her direction.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"Yes" she answered and smiled.

"Just a few minutes" he said.

They met at their place like they did every night, since they saw each other for the first time.

The day Sokka waited eagerly for arrived. When they first met at this place under the night sky, when they had their first conversation, he promised Azula, that he would show her the northern lights. Here they were now. Waiting for the lights to show up.

It was like this every time. Azula would feel bad and guilty, but then Sokka would show up and would give her this beautiful smile of his. Then she couldn't help it, smiled back, and felt safe with him. She just couldn't break his heart. No one ever told her emotions could take over so many things.

Lights showed up and Azula looked at the sky, amazed by it. The sky looked even more incredible and romantic.

Sokka on the other hand looked at her. Now that she looked so happy, so innocent while watching the sky, he was fascinated by her even more.

He walked away from her side and hugged her from behind tenderly. Azula was startled at first, so Sokka waited before hugging her tighter. But she smiled and let her back press into his chest. Sokka smiled again and hugged her tighter pressing his cheek to hers. She held onto his hands, their fingers intertwining while resting on her belly.

And right there they could stop time. Right here they felt happy. Especially Azula would really like to stop time now badly. Suddenly she turned around and put her hands on his shoulder looking worried, while his fell on her waist.

"Azula" he started before she could say anything.

He took her face into his hands.

"Azula, I'm so happy with you. It feels like my life gained purpose and a future since you've entered it"

She wanted to cry now. Since when was the closeness to tears so common for her? How was she supposed to tell him the truth now? How to tell him she's been lying since a month?

"Azula, I love you! I want to spend the rest of my life with you. By your side. I... I always imagine going to bed with you and waking up next to you"

"I love you"

Words spoken by his heart made him feel free. He wanted her to know all the feelings he had for her. It wouldn't be enough to describe the fire burning inside of him for her. But he felt happy. Happy that this moment was real.

Now Azula held his face between her hands. The moonlight shined into her eyes, making her small tears visible.

They neared and started kissing slowly, sensually. His arms surrounded her waist, while her's surrounded his neck, one of her hands reaching for his hair while their meaningful kiss grew more enthusiastic.

"Today I'm really going to tell him"

Azula paced in the room, while Lu Ten was sitting. They were in a mess. A mess they couldn't get out so easily. Lu Ten saw the spark in his cousin's eyes. He knew the Prince and Azula were in love. Which made the whole situation more difficult for everyone.

"Azula, we need to go inside the Spirit Oasis. Zuko needs the water direly. We…"

"Ha, I knew it!"

The voice of a stranger startled both Azula and Lu Ten. They jumped at the voice.

Hahn, son of Master Pakku, was following Lu Ten very often. But he didn't believe Hahn was smart enough to find anything out about them.

Master Pakku had already forewarned King Hakoda many times, that these two strangers were up to no good. Yet Hakoda told him to not come to him with accusations about people, without any evidence.

Well, Hahn and Pakku had their evidence now…

He held the brush firmly in his hand, his mind completely fixed on his almost finished painting.

Hopefully, she would like it. Everyday he worked on the painting to make it as perfect as possible. Azula didn't deserve less after all. His painting skills weren't that of an artist, but he put his heart into it.

The peaceful silence was broken abruptly when his sister and Aang were running towards him in a rush.

"Sokka!" Katara yelled.

He turned his head around, looking at her confused.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Two people were taken by our soldiers and are arrested now" Katara told him out of breath.

"Okay..." he said, unsure of how to react. His good mood fell slightly "Why?"

"Because... because they've been spying on us! They wanted to steal water from our Spirit Oasis!" Katara replied.

"Who Katara?" Sokka stood up, his face a mask of fear. He had a bad feeling about this.

Katara waited for a short moment and looked at Aang, who gave her a sad nod.

Sokka waited eagerly for an answer. So she turned to him again, her eyebrows furrowed.

"Prince Lu Ten and Princess Azula from the Fire Nation"

The brush in Sokka's hand fell on the ground, spreading the color on spot. He immediately started running out of the room as fast as he could...

The chamber as well as the cell inside, where they were kept wasn't scary. The ice was shining everywhere and brightening everything in the Water Tribe. Another thing that was completely different from her nation.

Suddenly, the light grew brighter, when the door to the chamber was opened.

He entered the room slowly and closed the door behind him.

Heartbroken as he was, he just stood there.

Even from distance, as short as it was, his blue eyes were completely locked into her amber one's. Azula never saw such a strict face on him. He's been always smiling, goofy and friendly.

Sokka had hoped everything was a misunderstanding, that they mistaken Azula and Lu Ten with other people. But that hope vanished, alongside his serious facade, replaced by sorrow and disappointment now, when he saw the apologizing look in her eyes.

Azula took some steps forward and put her hands around the railings, looking at him from between them.

"Sokka..." his name was the only thing she could utter at the moment.

He walked towards her. Their face inches away, the railings the only thing that separated them. His eyes were intent and burning as always. Her's were glowing and breathtaking as always.

"Is it true Azula? Are you the Princess of the Fire Nation? Did you and your cousin plan on stealing water from the Oasis?" his voice grave.

She nodded. He twitched at that. Her admitting it hurt him too much.

"So, I was just... a tool? You tried to distract..."

"No Sokka of course not!" she interrupted him "I know I should've told you from the very beginning, but every time I wanted to it's just... my brother is wounded and we..."

She was too emotional to talk. What good was it to tell him everything now, after having lied to him as they did? She just looked away, unable to see the pain and anger in his eyes any longer.

Sokka turned around and walked away.

He felt betrayed and hurt. But part of him, his heart knew she had feelings for him. As smart as Azula was, no one could fake glances and emotions right? How could he misread those beautiful and honest amber eyes.

Yes, he was angry, she lied to him. But he didn't really believe she played with him. He was madly in love, that much was clear. She never told him she loved him, but he's been sure she liked him.

He held back his tears, blinking several times. She said her brother was wounded. Would he go to the ends of the world to save his own sister? He didn't need to think twice: he would.

His legs carried him to the throne room.

"Father!" he entered it determined and desperate. Master Pakku and his son Hahn were there too.

"Sokka" Hakoda said.

"Father we should..."

"Sokka, you stay out of this!" his father said firmly. Sokka stopped walking.

"What? Why?" he asked him.

"You are lovestruck and can't think rationally. She used you to..."

"No! I won't stay out, cause she didn't use me! They both deserve to be listened to!"

Kya, watching the scene worriedly now stepped in.

"Hakoda, what they did was terrible indeed. But I do not believe they had any bad motives. Azula and Lu Ten are good children. What about Koda? He would never betray us. For him at least, you should be kinder with them."

If anyone could influence Hakoda's decisions and thoughts, then it was his wife. He would always listen to her and estimate her opinion.

"I hate them for what they did" Katara who was watching the others talk, joined them now. She turned towards her brother "But I also believe she loves you Sokka."

Sokka's eyes gleamed. His mother and sister siding up with him and also seeing Azula had feelings for him as well, made him gain hope again.

"Father, I saw it. I saw the way Azula and Sokka looked at each other. They look at each other the way mom and you do"

And that seemed to do it. The mood in the room changed and Hakoda gave thought to what his daughter said. Sokka stepped infront of his father and waited eagerly for his decision.

A loud chuckle disrupted them.

"That arrogant Princess just played with you and you think it's love. Just because she is hot, doesn't mean she isn't enemy!"

Sokka's blood boiled at Hahn's bold comment.

"Keep your mouth shut and never ever talk about her! This isn't any of you business!" he snarled, standing in a position as if he would fight him.

If feeling betrayed by his loved one's made Sokka angry, hearing anyone else saying or doing something bad to his loved one's made him see red. The monster inside of him would awake and nothing could stop his wrath.

"We are members of this Tribe Prince Sokka" Pakku said.

"King Hakoda, the Princess and the Prince should rot in prison. That b..." Hahn couldn't finish his sentence when he felt the hardest punch ever on his chin, followed by more.

The only goal in the throne room now was to keep a feral Sokka away from Hahn.

Lu Ten tried to soothe his cousin. Both were sitting in their cell, Lu Ten had his hand around Azula's shoulder. He was always been loving and protective when it came to his little cousin. It was why he was eagerly to go on this mission, so that he would stay by her side.

He hated himself for not having made things better. Now Azula was sad, and both were in prison, not knowing what would happen. But he would see to it, that his cousin would get out of here safe and sound. He would fight anyone who would try to harm her.

This time, the door swung open hurriedly.

"Azula!" Sokka marched inside.

"Sokka?" Azula stood up alongside Lu Ten and rushed to the railings.

Lu Ten was at loss for a while earlier. But now he collected himself and would give his best to talk with Sokka and King Hakoda

"Prince Sokka, listen, it's not Azula's fault. It's my fault first and foremost, so let us clear things together as men and..."

The soldier next to Sokka opened the cell door which confused Lu Ten.

Sokka just nodded kindly to Lu Ten, took Azula's hand, pulled her out of the cell and made her look into his eyes.

"You tell me everything!" he said "Everything from the beginning! My father will listen to you both"

The soldier already guided Lu Ten out of the chamber.

Azula pulled at Sokka's hand before he could start walking again and he turned around at that.

"I..." she started.

Sokka waited.

"I love you Sokka!" she said and crushed her lips to his. He didn't need a second to reply.

Azula and Lu Ten told the Royal Family everything. Master Pakku was there to listen as well. He was an important member of the Tribe, even if his now injured son wasn't best friends with the Prince.

After the chaos was over, Hakoda invited Prince Ozai to his Tribe. The security was held high still. He might trust his daughter and nephew, but he had no idea of how Ozai himself was like. So he would be on the safe side for the beginning.

Prince Zuko, alongside Ozai's wife Ursa, would come to the Tribe too. Water from the Oasis alone wouldn't be enough to heal his wounds, he needed a waterbender.

Two weeks have passed and they arrived at the North Pole.

Azula and Sokka talked about everything at that time and bonded even stronger. Azula couldn't believe how amazing this man was. He trusted her fully even after what happened and treated her like his Queen. She has already been pretty astonished before everything that everyone was okay with a Prince to be so close with a peasant. Such thing would be unthinkable in the Fire Nation

Standing on the balcony of the palace, they watched their father's conversation. After back and forth, they've finally reached an agreement. The Northern Water Tribe and the Avatar would help the Fire Nation and hopefully be friends form now on..

The two lovers were tightly cuddled together, Azula was pressed to Sokka's chest.

She looked up at him and he looked at her. She had apologized for not being honest from the beginning, but he understood her. It wasn't her fault. He was happy that everything was real. They were lovers and they were in love. His fear was long gone and replaced by a greater happiness than before.

Sokka pulled out something from his pocket and Azula looked at it confused first.

"I made this for you" he said smiling.

It was a blue necklace, she saw similar one's around some married women's necks... it was a betrothal necklace.

Her eyes got big and she turned her gaze from the necklace to him.

"Will you marry me Azula?" he asked her ever so earnestly and lovely.

She jumped into his arms. The necklace around her neck soon, they didn't stop hugging tightly.

Under the balcony, Kya and Hakoda saw them.

"Look at them dear. Our son has finally found happiness. I always waited for this day to come" Kya said.

Hakoda smiled at that. Indeed, they always wished for their children to find happiness and true love just like they did.

Unlike Hakoda, another father wasn't particular pleased by the situation. Ozai didn't like the weird Prince and the closeness of his beloved daughter with him, but kept his mouth shut for now. He would never approve of any man. His daughter was too perfect for anyone.

In the evening, Azula and Sokka watched the night sky from the balcony in Sokka's room. He surprised her with another gift.

"Look! I have drawn this for you!" he gave her his painting.

She took it from him. She started laughing and he blushed.

"What's so funny Princess?" he asked.

"It's just.. Sokka" she tried to talk in between laughter.

He laughed too and the night faded away with their happiness.

Prince Sokka and Princess Azula.

A/N: This is my longest chapter I've ever written so far. I was very thrilled for this one too. Might be I publish this AU seperated from the Sokkla Saturdays as well. Hope you guys liked it as much as I did!=))