I´m one day late, but here we go. My second short one-shot for Sokkla Saturdays.
November 7: Making a Deal OR "I was your wife in a previous life"
He was waiting. It's been hours, but to him it felt like never passing seconds.
His father and Aang took Appa to fly to the nearby island to put an end to this senseless war. The Fire Nation was tired. Many people would carry the emotional scars from the war for a time. The South Pole tried it's best to find the best solution possible.
The Chief and the Avatar decided it would be the best if they would make a deal with the Royal Family's leaders. Both sides agreed with that, for they had no other choice but to trust each other. The war got out of control and even the Earth Kingdom seemed to want more power.
"How could they leave just like that?" asked Sokka angrily.
"Sokka, I know you feel left behind, but maybe this is the best way. It was a quick decision. Besides, I doubt you would be able to think and act rational if you would see Azula.
Azula.
Something stinged in his heart when he heard her name. She was always in his mind, but hearing someone else saying her name hurt more. She was, what always kept him strong. She was the reason why he never gave up.
He always hoped they would meet again very soon and be together again. That was their deal after all. To try to settle things the right ways. Without making their families angry or leaving them behind. The process seemed to take longer and longer.
Had he just been there in the igloo when his father and Aang took off. No one could have managed to hold him back. He would go with them the moment he heard the Royal Family was in the nearby island. But he went hunting. And they left him behind. To think that his love was not that far away from him, but he still couldn't be next to her drove him crazy.
He hoped that everything would go well, and everyone would stay safe. But he had an awfully bad feeling. An inner restlessness did not let go of him.
Hakoda and Aang prepared themselves that the outcome of this meeting might not end up being the best. But never did they think that the Earth Kingdom would go so far as to plan a trap for them.
Princess Azula was the only royal member in the meeting. As they arrived to the building, they saw Earth Kingdom soldiers. They were not supposed to be here. And so, a fight started and escalated. No one knew why, but somehow everyone was unprepared. Azula would have never thought the Earth Kingdom would do this here and now. Nor did she have an idea about how they found out about the secret deal between the Fire Nation and the southern Water Tribe her father, the Chief and the Avatar had planned.
...
Silence. There was no word spoken between Hakoda and Aang while flying back the South Pole. Sadness took them in. Hakoda didn't think it would hurt him so much. He kept imagining his son's face expression and his reaction upon seeing what happened.
Sokka and Katara were waiting eagerly for the bison to land. Sokka has been restless the whole time already, but the moment he saw Appa, his restlessness and the bad feeling inside of him grew.
Aang jumped down after Appa's landing.
"Aang, what happened?" Katara asked him fearing his answer.
The worry on his face didn't make it easier.
Sokka didn't even look at Aang for he walked towards where he saw his father's head.
He knew something would happen. But he didn't think his father would climb down carefully, with a young, wounded woman in his arms. Azula was unconscious and bleeding. Sokka was in absolute shock.
"It was a trap. A trap for all of us. And an unexpected attack to Azula." Hakoda said.
No one could calm Sokka down.
He ran to Azula and freaked out.
He talked with her and told her to open her eyes.
He said he was here now and would never let her go ever again. No matter at what cost.
But she didn't open her eyes yet.
He tried to stop the bleeding and Katara started the healing process...
GranGran and Katara treated Azula's wound on her stomach. Sokka didn't leave Azula. He was there the whole time. Holding her hand, crying, and hoping that everything would be good.
The whole tribe was in a down mood. They knew how much Azula meant for Sokka.
At the evening, Azula finally showed little movements. Her eyebrows moved and she slowly opened her eyes. It felt like her pain left her body and soul when she saw Sokka's teary eyes and his relieved smile. He was holding back from crying.
She tried to smile at him, but it was a sad smile.
Weeks went by and Azula regained her strength. Sokka never left her side. She felt like a part of this tribe. Of Sokka's tribe. Her love. Her future husband.