Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Avatar: the Last Air-bender

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022. Father (Set in the December AU, before Foreign, after Picture.)

Sokka stood before the entrance of the Fire Nation Palace throne room. He took a few deep breaths in order to calm his nerves. Once he felt he was ready, he marched into the room with his head held high.

"Ah, Sokka," Fire Lord Ozai said amusedly. "What is it that I can do for you?" he asked.

Sokka bowed before the the Fire Nation leader before stating his purpose. "Fire Lord Ozai, as you are aware, I have been seeing Azula for almost two years now," the young man stated, earning a nod in agreement from Ozai. "During that time, I've come to love Azula more than anything else in the world. That is why I wish to ask you for permission to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage."

Ozai seemed to frown as he mulled the thought over. As he observed the young man he could see eager anticipation for his answer. "Permission denied," Ozai answered.

Sokka's eyes went wide with disbelief. "But, why?!" the water-tribesman demanded.

"I've indulged you well enough in being able to see my daughter. When the time comes, I will decide who my daughter shall marry, and you will not question my decision," Ozai ordered.

Sokka clenched his teeth together tightly as he thought of some way around this situation. "Very well then, I challenge all of Azula's potential suitors to an Agni Kai!" he demanded.

"You do realize an Agni Kai is a duel between fire-benders, correct?" Ozai remarked amusedly.

"I don't care. I'll challenge anyone you find suitable to marry your daughter, and when I win, I will be given every right to ask for her as my wife," Sokka replied. "Whether or not she agrees to the marriage is completely up to her, however. So even if I win, which I will, Azula has every right to reject the marriage proposal."

Ozai thought the deal over. It was a pretty bad deal. He could assemble any group of fire-benders to deal with the boy, and Sokka would have to defeat all of them in order to win. He was giving himself a handicap. Ozai smirked. "Very well," he answered. "I will select any five young men to face you in one on one combat. If you can manage to defeat all five, I will permit you to ask for my daughters hand. You will have one week to prepare yourself. The challenge shall take place in the Coronation Plaza. Is this satisfactory?"

Sokka nodded his head and bowed to the Fire Lord before he left the throne room. For one week, Sokka prepared himself to face any obstacle that would come between him and his goal. As the young man trained himself, the news of the challenge spread throughout the capital like wild fire.

Almost in the blink of an eye, the week was up, and Sokka found himself surrounded by, what could possibly be, the entire Capital City population at the modified Coronation Plaza. It was now facilitated to look like a massive arena.

"Are you sure you want to go ahead with this?" Master Piandao asked. "Knowing Fire Lord Ozai, he won't make this easy. In fact, he just might just choose the strongest fire-benders for you to face."

"Master, you've taught me a lot over the past five years I've been staying here, and if I didn't know any better, I would think that you don't have any faith in your teaching abilities," Sokka replied and looked to his teacher. "Where's the man who could challenge an army of fire-benders with only his sword and wits."

Piandao smirked at his students words. "Before I go to my seat, here's a bit of advice; 'Don't let up'." The sword-master patted the young man's shoulder before leaving for the Fire Nation Elite sitting area.

"People of the Fire Nation Capital," an announcer billowed. "Today, this young man will embark on five consecutive battles for the prestigious right to ask for the Princess' hand in marriage. Only when his opponents are incapacitated will he be crowned the victor. So it is without further delay that I give to you the five combatants."

The crowd gave a large cheer as one by one, the announcer introduced the combatants. "I give to you the final combatant," the announcer said enthusiastically. When the fifth and final competitor made his appearance, Sokka's eyes went wide. "Prince Zuko!"

The crowd cheered loudly at the appearance of the crowned prince. Sokka wanted nothing more than to punch Ozai right in the face.

And so one by one, Sokka fought his opponents. It was a lot more difficult fighting fire-benders with a blunt sword, but he didn't want anyone to die due to a sword gash. All of that didn't matter, however, when Sokka amazed the citizens by making it to the final round.

Azula watched on in mute horror as she watched her boyfriend fight the greatest fire benders of their age group. Every fight took a great deal of effort for the young man. When he finally faced off against Zuko, his entire outfit was burned to ash, leaving him only with his pants.

Zuko stared down Sokka, each analyzing their other. "I will give you one chance to give up," Zuko offered. "I know how much my sister cares about you, and I know how much it would hurt her to see you loose to me, so for both of your sakes, please forfeit now."

Sokka wiped the sweat from his brow as he took a moment to recompose himself. "Sorry, Zuko," he replied. "But I am not gonna quit, and I will ask Azula to marry me." Sokka took a moment to look at the Royal box seats and found Azula watching him intently, worry etched across her face. He winked at her to put her at ease.

"Fine then," Zuko stated. "Don't think that just because your my friend I'll go easy on you."

"By all means," Sokka said taking his sword stance. "Don't hold back."

The two charged after each other and began their elaborate fight. As each threw out an attack, the other would evade. Every fireball that Zuko threw, Sokka managed to dissipate with his sword.

After what felt like hours, the deadly dance of fire and steel came to an end when Sokka managed to sweep Zuko's legs from under him, causing the royal prince to fall to his back. When Zuko attempted to get up, he felt the tip of the dull blade at his neck. "I win," Sokka said as he removed the blade.

Sokka sheathed his sword and approached the Royal sitting area. He kneeled before the Fire Lord as the announcer broadcast his victory. Ozai walked towards Sokka's kneeling form and stood before him. "Rise," the Fire Lord ordered.

Sokka obeyed and stood to face the Fire Lord. He could see Azula quickly making her way towards the two, with Piandao following behind. "It's seems I've underestimated your abilities," Ozai stated, Sokka smirked despite the wounds he had accumulated from his five matches. "As such, you have earned the right to ask for my daughter's hand in marriage."

Ozai took a step back as Azula lunged herself at the battle weary water-tribesman. "Thank the spirits you're okay," she said hugging him tightly, causing the young man intense pain. "Sorry," the princess apologized. "I forgot about your wounds."

Sokka chuckled before addressing his teacher, who had just reached the group. "Master, do you have it with you?" he asked.

Piandao reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small and long black box, and quickly handed the object to Sokka. The young man opened the box to reveal a blue stone with the Fire Nation insignia carved into it. Azula looked at the necklace and up to Sokka's eyes.

"Azula, I love you more than anything else in the entire world, even meat," he started, causing the young woman to laugh softly at his bad joke. "I have come to realize that I could not imagine living in a world without you, so, that's why I'm asking you with all of my heart; will you do me the honor becoming my wife?"

Azula smiled broadly as tears fell from her eyes. She nodded her head yes, not trusting her voice at the moment. Sokka returned the smile and proceeded to tie the around his, now, fiancée's neck. It was strange, but for Azula, it felt right to have that necklace on her.

The cheers of celebration from the crowd went unnoticed by the two young adults as they stayed lost in each others eyes. They were brought out of their trances when Ozai placed his hand on Sokka's shoulder.

"Although I don't like how all this turned out, I would like to request that you at least have a Fire Nation marriage ceremony," Ozai stated. Sokka thought about it for a moment before agreeing with the Fire Lord.

"Fine," Sokka said. "If it's okay with Azula, I would like for her to live in the Southern Water Tribe with me for a year, and well return for the wedding. If, after the wedding, Azula wishes to stay here, we'll do so, is that acceptable?"

"Very well then," Ozai replied before looking at his daughter. "If this is what you really want, then you have my blessings."

As Ozai left, Ursa quickly ran up to Azula and enveloped her in a tight hug. "Congratulations, sweetie," she said joyously before looking towards Sokka. "Congratulations to you too, and welcome to the family."

In an attempt to prevent further discomfort to the young man's injuries, Ursa simply gave Sokka a pat on the shoulder. "The fact that Azula's father hasn't incinerated you a good omen," the mother stated jokingly. "I'm sure you two will have many years of happiness."

Sokka and Azula smiled at the woman's warm and caring personality. After excusing herself Ursa went to go about her business.

"Why don't we get your wounds treated," Azula offered. Nodding in agreement, Sokka followed Azula to the infirmary, the sound of the cheering populace accompanying them all along the way.

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023. Marionette (A new AU)

Sokka was always a bit of a child. Whenever he got the chance he would always try to shirk away from his duties, he enjoyed doing childish activities, in fact he would spend a lot of time with children more-so than with the adults.

Some people thought it was because of his reluctance to grow up, others thought it was because he liked acting immature. Azula, however, new better. To her, Sokka wasn't acting like a child, no, he was something more. Whenever he would play with the children, they would follow his commands or mimic his actions.

To Azula, Sokka was a puppeteer, and the children; his marionettes. After all, children grew up eventually, and if molded properly, Sokka would have a team of warriors ready to follow his commands in any situation.

So when she thought about it, Sokka was acting more like a teacher, or a drill-sergeant preparing soldiers of the future. Or perhaps she was simply looking into Sokka's personality way too much.

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024. Glass (Part of the December AU, before Tapestry.)

Sokka sat outside the birthing chamber. It had been hours since Azula went into labor. He had never felt so nervous before in his life. He looked to his side to see his father accompanying in the waiting area.

"Were you this nervous when I was born, dad?" Sokka asked tensely. Hakoda chuckled a little, "Nope," he informed. "I passed out after the first fifteen minutes."

The small admittance helped to somewhat diffuse the tension among the two men. But as the minutes ticked away, Sokka began to have a feeling of dread wash over him. What if something went wrong? What if the baby doesn't make it? What if Azula died in childbirth? What if they both died?!

Sokka was brought out of his morbid string of 'what if's when his grandmother came out of the birthing chamber. "You may come in now," she said happily, causing the young water-tribesman to let out a sigh in relief.

When he entered the room, Sokka was greeted with the sight of his wife propped up on a bed, and holding a small bundle in her arms. Surrounding her were his family members, Katara and Kaya at one side of the bed, as well as the healers standing at one corner.

As Sokka observed Azula he noticed that her hair was a complete mess, her face was sweaty, and she looked beyond exhausted. But, to him, as she held onto the small child, she could never look more beautiful. "Congratulations, Sokka," Azula said, tiredly. "You are now a proud father of a healthy baby girl."

Sokka sat on the side of the bed and wrapped an arm around Azula's waist. He looked at the small bundle in his wife's arms, and felt his heart melt. His daughter had a round face and a small batch of black hair atop her head. She had puffy red cheeks, and when she opened her eyes, the two could see the vibrant blue typical to the water tribe.

"I guess I won't be teaching her fire-bending," Azula pointed out sadly, causing Sokka to chuckle. "Cheer up, you can still teach her plenty of other things," he added as he kissed the tired woman's head. "Would you like to hold her?" Azula asked.

Sokka looked at the newborn. She appeared to be so delicate and fragile, like a sculpture made of glass. Cautiously, the water-tribesman took hold of the baby and held her close, careful not to cause the little girl discomfort. As he held his daughter in his arms for the first time, Sokka couldn't help but smile proudly. He was a father now.

"So what do you want to name her?" Kaya asked as she watched the scene next to Hakoda. Sokka looked from his daughter, and then sent a questioning glance to his wife. "Why don't you choose," he said. Azula thought over several names before finding a name that she liked.

"I want to name her Xifeng," she stated. "It's the name of a legendary Fire Nation warrior who is said to never have lost a battle. Is that okay with you, Sokka?"

Sokka seemed to mull the name over in his mind. "Xifeng," he said looking at his daughter. She seemed to smile when he said the name. "Alright, Xifeng it is."

It was one of the happiest moments in Sokka's life, holding his daughter in his arms as she quietly slept. As she would grow, he would realize that she was not the glass figurine he had first thought of her as, but a great warrior and future water-bending master. After all, it was his daughter.

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A/N: Well, that's it for this installment. I really don't have much else to add. I hope you all enjoyed reading.

Read and Review Please!