Sokka was tied to a tree, and it wasn't the most comfortable position he'd ever been in thank you very much. In fact, he was in downright agony the ropes were tied so tight. How in spirits name did I get myself into this? Why is it always me? And where is Aang when you need him? He thought furiously to himself. It was no good of course. It had been his own stupid fault that he had insisted on meat for dinner and went off hunting. How was he to know that he would stumble across Azula? Though his pride would not allow him to voice it, she was tougher and stronger than him. He was no match for the firebending prodigy. He was burned quite badly and knocked unconscious by a kick to the head. Hours later he had woken to find blazing amber eyes boring into him, the ice cold tip of a knife held to his throat. Azula questioned him for hours. What was the Avatar up to? What were their plans? Where were they? What are his weaknesses? Of course, he hadn't said a word – and she resorted to torture.
It didn't take long for him to fully comprehend the depths of her sick cruelty. It had started off innocent enough. "Tell me where they are or the ponytail goes." Did she really think him that vain? He doubted it, but it was cut off none the less. "Tell me where they are peasant. I will resort to force if necessary." His silence deemed it necessary, and she proceeded to burn him. Raw burns now spread up his arms, down his legs and there were minor ones on his face. These, however, paled in comparison to the burn that now spread fiercely across his chest – right where Azula retied the ropes. He bore the agony. He would not let his friends, his family, up that easily. She proceeded to beat him. He bore witness to every one of her well learned, perfectly delivered hand-to-hand combat moves. Looking down through swollen eyelids, he saw blood, bruises and an oddly bent arm to prove it. Judging by the new angle of his elbow joint, it was severely broken. Thankfully, Azula decided to take a break.
She left Mai and Ty Lee to watch over him. Mai grew bored and soon left, deeming the job to be 'boring' and 'pointless as the rest of the black hole that was her life'.
Groaning in agony, Sokka silently begged the spirits to save him. Or take him. At this point he didn't really care. He would not give up his friends, but he was prepared to give up his life to end the pain. His body couldn't cope any longer, sending him unconscious.
He woke up once again to blazing amber eyes. Sokka closed his eyes and groaned inwardly. How much more of this would he have to take? He cried out in agony as she forced twigs under his fingernails. He'd heard of this method of torture before, but had never really appreciated how painful it would be. He had always considered soldiers who gave in to that kind of torment to be weak and pathetic. Now he understood. Tears streamed down his face, pride long forgotten. Blood leaked from beneath his damaged nails, but he would not let up. "You are brave. I admire that. Bravery, however, will not make the pain stop, and I will continue until you tell me what I want to know. Sweet dreams peasant." His eyes rolled backwards into his head as he gave in to the sweet embrace of unconsciousness.
When he finally came round again, he noticed that it was dark. At leas the night was easy on his now sensitive eyes. He tried to turn his head to survey his surroundings, but found that he couldn't. He had been beaten so badly that he couldn't move his head it hurt so much. "Has the pain gotten through to you yet peasant? Is it still worth it? They haven't come to save you. They won't you know. You didn't mean anything to them. You're going through all this pain when you don't need to. They don't care, so why do you? I could make you powerful. I could help you gain everything you've ever dreamed and more. What do you have to say to that, peasant?" With what little energy he had remaining, Sokka spat in Azula's face. Her eyes flashed in fury. "So be it. You had your chance." She plunged a knife into his leg and began to carve the firenation symbol. Sokka's screams pierced the quiet of the night. He tried furiously to scramble away, but his bindings and wounds held him firmly in place. It seemed like longer than the few minutes it took for her to carve the symbol. It seemed hours, months, even years passed, where nothing but pain and the sensation of blood dripping down his leg entered his mind. "See that peasant? You're mine. My toy. To do with as I please until you satisfy me and tell me what I want." With that, she mercifully left for the night. His eyes watered, tears of anguish coursing down his face. What have I done to deserve this? He thought wildly before drifting back into unconsciousness.
He woke once more to a pair of eyes boring into his. The difference this time though, was that they were brown, not amber. Opening his eyes a fraction further, he realised that it was Ty Lee. "Shhhhhhh. Don't make a sound." She hissed. Sokka's eyes widened (as far as they could for their damaged state) in fear. What was she going to do to him? A gasp escaped his lips as the ropes were pulled tighter – only to slacken and fall to the ground. Confused, Sokka's eyes sought his saviour. She appeared before him and helped him stand – how he managed it was a mystery. She hauled him on to a komodo-rhinoceros and urged the beast to run, with all haste, away from the campsite, Sokka in front leaning against Ty Lee for support. Tilting his head slightly she looked at him straight in they eyes. "I want to help you." She murmured these words so quietly he could barely hear her, but nodded slightly. Something in her voice and eyes made him trust her, firenation friend of Azula or not. He guided her toward the place where the gaang were and she delivered him silently to their campsite where they were all sleeping. She helped him onto the ground and turned to leave, but Sokka grabbed her arm. "Why did you help me?" He asked, his eyes searching hers for answers. She looked away.
"I had to help you. It was scary – I didn't mean for anyone to hurt that badly."
Sokka nodded in understanding.
"Especially not you. You're too cute to be scarred any more."
Sokka's eyes widened, but further reply was stopped as Ty Lee bowed her head and brought her lips to his. It was a short kiss, but what was transferred silently through it would stay with Sokka forever. Through it he thanked her, and begged her to come to their side. She showed him a depth of emotion and apology that he had never before experienced. All too quickly it ended, and they were brought back to reality. "I have to go." She hissed. She leapt to her feet and somersaulted onto the komodo-rhinoceros. Casting a final glance over her shoulder at him, she sped off into the night. Sokka watched her silhouetted disappear, silently thanking the spirits for his saviour, and vowing never to speak ill of the firenation in general again.
…oo0oo…
Actually, rereading this, I think the ending may be a bit weak. Scrap that, it is. Oh well. Let me know what you think!