The Taste of Metallic and Burn

Sokka never imagines himself as one to be as comfortable to accept the fact he's living with Zuko and his psychopath sister, but he's tolerating it. Until burned corpses marked for Azula starts appearing up on the front door like presents. Something is up, and Sokka might get more than what he bargains for.

Four

Show me a smile then,
Don't be unhappy, can't remember when
I last saw you laughing...

"Yo, Mad Princess! Open up!"

Sokka clenches his fist and thumps again on the wooden door, his eyes focusing lazily on the tray that he manages to balance with his other hand, where a bowl of rice, soup and meat (all heated up by Zuko) and two drinks (one is clear water, the other is Hot Cocoa - of course, that's his) are placed neatly together. Sokka lets his fingers that were in a fist spread out and presses it against the door after a while, waiting for her response.

There's some shuffling, and then: "Go away."

Sokka instantly frowns, and thud the door again, this time glaring at it as if it's the Princess herself. "Nuh-uh, you're not getting rid of me that easily!"

There's more shuffling at the other side of the door, and when Sokka's about to knock for the umpteenth time, it swings open. It's just a good thing he has a quick reflex and stops half-way through his action, or else his fist is definitely going to come in contact with the Fire Princess' nose - and we all know how that would end; he would be signing his death certificate for sure. He grins at Azula's scowling face, "You look chipper."

Azula doesn't imitate his grin, "You're very troublesome."

"It comes with being incredibly irresistible and awesomely good-looking," He steps forward, pushing the door a little wider. "Can I come in? I'm very lonely and you need to eat. We can even pretend that you can actually tolerate my presence and I have amnesia and totally forget about your 'honorary role' during the War."

Azula raises one eyebrow, stepping in his way and stopping him. "I don't believe I can comply to this request, Water Tribe Boy."

"Oh come on, I don't have anything else to do anyway. Might as well hang out with you - plus, isn't it weird that we seem friendlier during the nights, and not the day. I think it's weird. It's like we're cursed to only be on the speaking terms after the midnight. And well, I'm here to break the curse." He glances at the tray on his hand, "Plus, I struck a deal with Katara and Zuko. They're worried sick about you... not eating. What's up with that - you sick, or something?"

It seems that Azula only deepens her frown, but he can't actually guess correctly because - as usual - she's not meeting his gaze. Her eyes are sharp, that's for certain, but it's cast away somewhere on his shoulder instead of his face. There's lines between her brows, faint wrinkles to show how displease she is hearing those names. Sokka wonders how deep her hatred truly is towards her brother and his sister - after all, they're the ones who defeated her in the War. "My brother is an oaf, and that Water Tribe peasant is simply a fool. I am not ill."

"Oh wow, bad-mouthing siblings now are we?" He narrows his eyes at her - slightly offended that she calls Katara a peasant, but knows well that he can't really do anything to stop it. Plus, it's better that she's just calling names - not really out there to take Katara's heart out of her body or something.

"Okay, let me join the game - Zuko's a total snob because he has all the money in the world and he won't lend some to me, and Katara is a bossy brat that thinks everyone has the same mindset as her and expects every single person to follow her lead. And really dramatic too." He kinda grins by the end, proud somewhat, "Ah, that was fun. Trash talking siblings. We should list that as 'Things Sokka and Azula Do'. Maybe start a two-man club or something."

Azula's lip doesn't even twitch into a smile - in fact, she casts her eyes lower; probably around his forearm and sighs, "You are an abomination."

"I'm guessing that's your way of saying I've passed to be a member of our club now?"

She doesn't say anything more, merely takes a step back - albeit limping ever so slightly - and giving him space to enter. Sokka doesn't know why he's still surprised when he takes in the whole ... scenery (is that the right word to use? scenery? He isn't sure) of her room: books and scrolls are everywhere, stacked together in a neat jumble on every available space. Some books and a few scrolls are scattered over the floor, open and in a formation - a circle.

He's going to take a guess that she's been spending the last few hours studying those stuff on the floor.

He moves carefully, not wanting to trip on any of the books like the Fire Princess did. It's one thing when she fell and hurt herself - someone can still carry her around; like, him for an example. But what if he falls down? Who's going to carry him, then? Zuko unquestionably won't, and he doubts the Princess' small frame could handle his weight.

Sokka lets his eyes travel across the room again, analysing anything as he could. Oddly, her bed looks untouched, no dirty clothes in sight - if there's any clothes, it's folded neatly and cast aside, seemingly to blend in with the gloom surrounding, the shadows. He glances briefly back at the Princess, but continues to step on until he reaches the bedside table - where three thick books are stacked together. Sokka pushes the books slightly to the side, giving space for the tray.

When he turns side-ways, he sees the Princess is already moving back at the circle of books and scrolls, eyes narrow and stare harsh, probably searching for the pages she was on before having him interrupted her.

Sokka stands there, almost awkwardly, and he notices that the door is left ajar. At least Katara and Zuko will hear me scream if she ever tries to strangle me. He flops down on the bed with a soft thud and he notices how Azula sneers, but only slightly as she realises what he's done - but otherwise, she doesn't say anything else and settles on the floor to flip a page on one of the books.

"So...," Sokka takes the mug from the bedside table, slurping. "How are you this very fine day?"

"I was absolutely at peace until you open your mouth, Water Tribe Boy."

"Ouch," he murmurs, now checking up the books that are in his range of sight. "You read every book there are," he points out, silently noting it at the back of his head. Along these years of growing up, Sokka can categorise himself into a lot of ... labels: a warrior, a survivor and a funny guy (probably even tolerably handsome - 'cause he can't sound to cocky now, could he), but being a bookworm has never been on the list. Sure, he's pretty into poetry and such, but just cocooning yourself from the world and spend the rest of the day behind a book? Yeah, he's not a fan.

But he's got to admit, watching someone else; particularly the Princess, just sitting there, indian-style, face pale against the semi-darkness room with a hint of the snow scenery by the background - she looks perfectly contrast, books everywhere, a few strands of pitch black hair falling messily; she looks stunning. Sokka lets a smile slip - but just a small one, "What, you stole the local library or something? 'Cause the amount of scrolls and books here are ... unbelievable. Do you read everything?"

She's quiet for a moment - and the only sound that passes in the atmosphere is the sound of her fingers flipping another page of a book, "Yes. Everything, as long as I could just get my hands on it."

"Do you read like, I don't know, romance novels like that? Or like, some historical, fact-filled ones?"

"All of them. Fiction and non-fictions." She answers now moving her head to read a scroll by her right side, "As I've informed you: anything I could get my hands on."

"You look desperate," he utters meekly, slurping more on his drink as he leans back against the bed, lifting one leg and stretch it out on the mattress, without his mind really registering his actions.

There's a pause, but she never once glances back at him. "I am."

"Is this... Does this have anything to do with - you know, the fact that the Spirits ... break your brain?"

Azula clenches her jaw, and her words are harsher as she exclaims it - but she still refuses to meet his gaze, moving her head to the side and read from another book. "Yes."

Sokka cringes at the way her whole body tense, but at the sudden shift in the atmosphere reminds him of the earlier conversation he has nearly twenty minutes ago with Tarro. He had just managed to slip himself away from the gang without anyone noticed and came back to the lodge, where Tarro stood, guarding. He had greeted him, and the older man had been more than okay to greet back.

Then, they talked about Tarro's older brother and his sister in law who were just blessed with the news that she's going to have a baby - and Sokka remembers his whole body shaking from the excitement, even though he wasn't much of a family member, merely just a friend. He can't really recall how - but he remembers seeing Tarro frowned at once, and the way he grabbed Sokka's hand all so suddenly, pulling down the gloves to reveal to him the faint bruise he never noticed before.

Sokka now traces his fingers over the small bruises on his wrist - the bruises from Azula's nails, sinking deeper than he thought it did into his skin from yesterday's night. He wonders how it hadn't drawn blood.

Tarro's voice still floats in his mind, beating on him - his own reply becomes nothing but a muffled cry, barely a noise in the distant. "She's just using you. Everything she said - she's just lying. She isn't real, Sokka." In Tarro's eyes, there were betrayal that still burns Sokka right to his core - he still couldn't figure out why his tongue weren't quick enough to say that he and Azula weren't even in a relationship. Tarro pressed on regardless, "What you have ain't love. It's insanity."

He lets the memory stops there when he realises the Fire Princess is talking to him, "... you have a ... female companion."

What.

"Huh?" he tries to rephrase the question in his head while Azula begins to stare at him oddly: I didn't realise you have a female companion, his mind counters and Sokka pauses immediately afterwards, confused. Female companion? What's she even talking - "Wait, are you talking about a girlfriend? Nah, Suki and I broke up a long time ago."

"I - I wasn't -" she catches her words, then shakes her head, "Never mind." She's quiet then, her eyes are back on a scroll that is now on her laps.

Sokka narrows his eyes toward her, "Are you hiding something from me? You're not talking about Suki, are you?"

She seems to be holding her breath, but her posture remains calm - well, as calm as she tries to be, he guesses. Sokka can see the restrain she's trying to maintain in her whole composure, and has a feeling somehow that his gaze is slowly peeling those control off. "I saw you... kissing a local Water Tribe girl," she admits, her eyes focusing elsewhere.

His eyes widen in shock, "How... how would you know?"

She gazes quickly at the large window that seems to be the only thing that's illuminating the whole room, "I have the perfect view of your whole activity."

Sokka slightly smirks, "So, you were checking me out?"

"Hardly," she snarls, because even the slightest idea of 'checking out' a non-bender Water Tribe Boy must be extremely revolting to her, he thinks - and smirks some more. Ah, how the Fire Princess amuses him. "I was merely passing through the window when I noticed. As I mentioned before, I didn't believe someone as ... cumbersome as you could obtain a female companion."

"Okay, Imma stop you right there," he chuckles, and sees the way she snaps her eyes at him, curiosity dancing dimly behind her almost-vacant eyes, "I didn't obtain anybody. I guess that's your weird way of saying I'm in a relationship or something - which I'm not. She's a friend's sister and it was just ... for fun, I guess?" Sokka says, deciding that the Manic Princess won't need any further details. "It was nothing. Why with the sudden interest in my love life, huh? You jealous?"

She doesn't even flinch - but she does make that move where she ducks her head lower and lets the rest of her un-tied bangs to fall and cover her face from his view, "Your query holds no such rationale; why should I be jealous?"

Sokka grins, "Because you like me."

"I do not like you."

"Okay, maybe you don't - not entirely," He admits, slurping more onto his Hot Cocoa, "But you tolerate me enough and that is why I believe Zuko and Katara has given me the job of making sure you eat. C'mon, eat. You need it. No one's really attractive when they're just walking skeletons." And plus, it'll be a shame because hey, you're kinda beautiful and I wouldn't want you to starve even if like, you're a super villain.

She only gives him a quick, intense, death stare before she passes her look onto a random book, ignoring him.

He sighs, and sits up straighter, "Please... eat." That catches her attention as she gradually looks up from her book, eyes questioning and mouths pursing. Sokka licks his dry lips, now letting his feet touches the floor while he sits appropriately - thinking that maybe if he'll get out of the room, she'll finally eat. "I'm actually ... worried about you, not eating. Yeah, it's strange, but I noticed alright - and you, you barely consume anything through any meal and - at first I thought it's because you actually believe I would put animal's food into your meal but you're too smart for that, and you're really thin, Azula - " once again, the use of her name on his tongue sends a weird impact on both of them.

He continues anyway, "- so thin that I don't think it's normal for anyone. I just - " he sighs, scratching the side of his neck, trying to find the perfect word, "I'll leave you alone, if that's what it takes for you to... eat."

He starts to stand up, bringing his mug when Azula shuts her book with a thud, and Sokka gazes up at her, eyebrows shoot up in a questionable manner. She just stacks up her books that was in a circle a second ago and rolls the scrolls together, "Sit." She says, with her tone clip and precise, then her eyes are dragged to meet with his and she says again, "I'll eat."

"You...," Sokka looks around - as if trying to search for another Princess Azula because like hell this young woman in front of him just listen to what he said and actually isn't disagreeing and not only that, wants him to accompany her. Spirits, the world must be coming to an end. "... want me to stay?"

"I wouldn't want my brother and the Waterbender girl to question you anymore than they question my real motives, whatever that may be. Sit. At least you would know I didn't just burn my food away."

She walks pass him, sits on the bed and puts the tray on her laps. He nods slowly to himself, assuring that this isn't some trick she's using against him or his mind or anything, and trails back his steps and takes a sit next to her. She doesn't move away at the lack of space between them - or the sudden warmth traveling from his body to hers, and hers to his, as he levels down next to her - she doesn't even shrink away from the contact.

Sokka silently cheers for the slow progress of their ... whatever it is that they're having.

When she picks up the bowl of rice in her small palm, he can't help but to blurt out, "Is it still hot?"

She shakes her head simply, closes her eyes and judging from the slight wrinkles forming on the bridge of her nose - he could gather she's trying to heat the food herself. It takes a few silent moments, but after a while, he could detect the smell of hot, nice rice - and by the small smile on her chapped lips, he knows she has successfully uses firebend to heat it up.

He kinda grins at that, and just continues to - watch her, you know?

She's kinda interesting to look at - and she's fairly ... sorta ... good-looking too, so it isn't exactly a sore scene.

Then, his mouth falls and he remembers Tarro's word again: "...she isn't real, Sokka. It's insanity." And he remembers his eyes and his bruise and suddenly it stings more than it should - he isn't exactly sure what stings; his head or his chest or the purplish-blue skin on his wrists - but he knows something is definitely stinging and the longer he looks at her, the longer he thinks about the dark lashes that surrounds her eyes, or how dark exactly is the colour of her hair and how more close can he really get without her trying to cower herself away, it stings even more.

Because somewhere along Tarro's story - despite the lines where the older man is convinced that he's hooking up with Azula - he thinks he is actually falling for his words. Is Azula tricking him?

"What?" comes her sharp reply.

Wait. Did he just said that out loud? He stares at her, unblinking. "I - I was just ... wondering aloud."

She nods, "That much I could understand."

"Yeah..." he answers weakly, averting his eyes as he extends his legs forward, putting his mug on the bedside table. He takes a shuddering intake of breath, trying to grasp any bits of courage that somehow leaps away him under the presence of the Fire Princess next to him. Swallowing, he tries, "So... are you?"

"What?" this time, her tone is gentler - albeit still sharp and piercing right through his very soul.

"Are you - you know - are you... tricking me?"

"What foolish notion have rattled your mind this time about, Water Tribe boy?"

"It just...," he sighs, groans. "There's this friend of mine who said something about you tricking me to be your puppet of evil or something, and he even inserted a story about his cousin who had this whacko as a wife, and at first the wife was nothing shorts of crazy, but then the war really erupted and her family was killed and she went completely nuts and she dragged him into her psycho world and then the man was convinced that all he did was for her, because of their love and everything went to hell - and I - I don't want to end up as that man!"

Azula is oddly quiet throughout his outburst, like she's trying to take everything in. Finally, she responds, "And what happened to the man and his wife?"

Sokka momentarily remembers himself asking the same question after Tarro tells the story half-way through, curious. For a moment, he sees the graveness of Tarro's eyes, the hollowness of his cheeks - and all of it were growing as seconds progress, as Tarro recalled what happened to his cousin, gloom emitted with each words he drawled. And Sokka - he was there to hear and bare it all, and now even repeats the same thing back to Azula, "She takes him to a mission in hoping to end her family's murderer. He ends up getting killed while covering for her, even when she was chocking in her own blood."

"That was... pitiful." Is all she could say, after a long pause and a very uncomfortable atmosphere starts to settles in the air.

He looks on sadly, "Yeah, it was."

He drags his feet across the floor, thinking of the story, thinking of Tarro, even thinking about ... the possibility of Azula and him, which is just insane, but hey - nothing is really impossible, right? He feels the question bubbles up behind his throat, just aching to come out: are you tricking me? But he forces it down, knowing how stupid it really sounds.

He steals a glance at the pale-face young woman besides him again and sadly wonders of how he - with all of his wits and charm and strength - isn't made for these. The murders. Tarro's story. This really heavy tension in the air. Her.

Sokka honestly isn't made for these.

He sighs out again, drinking the last drop of his Hot Cocoa - even though it has lost its warmth for quite some time now. Out of nowhere, Azula speaks up, "Do you believe I would do such a thing as the woman did?"

He notes how her tone isn't sad, or grieving, or offended, or even evil-like: it's just straight-forward and clear and honest. He isn't sure if he likes the sound of her monotone voice better, or one that holds an emotion; probably neither, but it doesn't exactly matter now, does it? He lets his chin drops, "I don't know. I guess. Would ... you?"

Suddenly, she puts her rice of bowl down - she's only finished like a quarter and a little bit more, but it's more than Sokka ever hopes for, and so he doesn't complain - and sets her tray away. Her hands quickly latches onto a napkin, wiping her mouth with it, "I cannot promise that I wouldn't hurt you at one point or another, because I am highly certain that I will." There's bitterness when she says this, and Sokka can see the hurt flashes over her eyes before she flutters it close.

"Either physically or mentally or both, I wouldn't know - but," she puts her napkin down, eyes staring straight ahead. "To use you in that way... I would never allow myself to execute such contemptible actions."

Right, Sokka wants to say. You're just saying that. Because, really, the obvious interpretation of "I could never use you" in Azula's language must meant "I could never use you because then Zuko would personally hand my brain for the Spirit's evil use to break it even more and extend my years of sufferings". That has to be it, because this is Azula, and what else could it mean?

Sokka breaks into a grin and lightly nudges her, "I guess I do have a soft spot in your heart, huh?"

There's something gleeful that dances over her expression, leering her lips into a kinda wicked smirk, "I wasn't aware of the knowledge that you believe an existence of a heart within me."

He chuckles nervously, feeling guilt lapping on his stomach because in fact, he did once say that about her - the fact that he thinks she didn't have a heart - but that was when he was a silly little kid and never knows the Princess is actually ... capable of acting normal (and not monstrous like he always imagined her to be), "Haha. Azula made a funny."

She ignores his last comment and walks herself to her closet, "Do you know the whereabouts of the Avatar?"

He shakes himself out of his thoughts and looks away, "Yeah... I think he's hanging around with Toph and Iroh. The locals are doing some kind of show, or something." He shrugs, pretending that he doesn't care about the increasing rate of space she's putting between them. "Why?"

"He and I have a scheduled appointment together."

"Appointment? Like a date?" Something in his chest sinks, but Sokka pretty much ignores it. "Didn't know you're into the guy."

"He's taking me to the local's clinic, or medical centre." She answers instead, now releasing her hair and tying it back up even more properly into a bun. Just like how she used to appear during the war. Just skinnier now, and ... not out there to dominate a town or something. At least, he hopes not.

"Oh? And he agrees to let you go near kids?"

The dry sarcasm doesn't miss her as Sokka notices a dark shadow passes over her face before she covers herself with a coat. "Children are troubling, yes. But I'm sure I'll endure it and survive through the day."

"Do you want me...," he munches on his lips, "to - I don't know - follow you or something?"

"You are not entitled to, but if that is your wish, do not let me get in your way, Water Tribe Boy."

"Well, you do need someone to carry you around - "

"No. No carrying." She shakes her head firmly.

"Okay then," he says, taking the tray in his grasp. "How about I just help you walk? It'll take longer to get to the clinic, but... it'll get you there."

She doesn't say anything for a long while, "That will be helpful."

Sokka stands up and heads to the door, "Well, let me just put these food away and I'll leave you... to get ready or something." With that, he closes the door and walks himself to the kitchen; figuring out if the 'thanks' he hears just moments before he stalks himself out of her room is real, or imaginary. He finally settles with, "I just need more sleep," as an answer.

"So, what you're saying is, she's done this before?"

Aang nods, after smiling at an old lady he just treated. He cleans up his hand, "Yeah. It starts about, two years back, I think. She starts requesting that she would like to follow me if I ever go and try to help around at a clinic or a medical centre."

Sokka looks on weirdly as Azula is trying to note something a man is saying from across the room, her face solemn. "She hasn't ... killed anybody so far?"

Aang shrugs, "Not that I know of. She's actually okay, if you ask me. Sure, she needs help at warming up to children and as she claims, 'needy' old people, but other than that, she's pretty professional. I think she'll even consider working alongside Katara with these healing stuff - I mean, I've been meaning to ask her about it. Do you think it's a good idea? For her to be working with Katara?"

"Um, I don't know. I guess, you could discuss about it?" Sokka shakes his head, playing with a random tool of medical supply on the table, "But - what can she do anyway in a healing centre? She's not even a water bender!"

"But Sokka," Aang kinda whines, "A firebender can heals too."

"Can they?"

"Of course they can. It's far more complicated than waterbending, of course - but it's not impossible. In fact, Azula's been studying a lot about that. I think it's something she considers doing."

"Well, that's ... good, I guess. Does Zuko knows?"

"I think he notices, but he never says anything about it. You know what I think?" Aang beams widely at him, "I think it's great. I think... it's a good thing I didn't take her bending away. Even with her case, I think she has a better chance at starting her life again. You know, good and nice and kind."

"Nice and kind doesn't suit her."

"What, why not?" The Avatar's smile falters slightly, "She's been kind to you."

"It was not kindness," a snarl comes from behind and Azula comes in between them, her eyes on the notes in her hand. "I merely grow tired of going against such witless creatures and slaying their heads off. And here's the notes I gather from patient number #16, this one could be better if you use your waterbending, Avatar."

Sokka turns to her and pokes her arm, "It was kindness. You like me."

"No. You are dense and given to proffer with any information that flits through your thick head."

"Which is why you like me. We talked about this earlier."

"I do not... like you."

"Do I hear stuttering? You do soooo like me!"

"And immature," grumbles Azula, walking back to the man with a straight face. Sokka grins widely at her, knowing full well he's won the conversation. Aang looks at them with some kind of serenity rests on his face. He brushes her off, and concentrates on the young Avatar, "So tell me again, has she ever tries to... heal anyone with her firebending?"

Aang seems to still be smiling gently, "No. Not yet. But I've seen her do it - I mean, initiate movements that resembles to the steps of healing a wound, but she hasn't ... try to do anything with it."

"Do you think she will?" Sokka returns back to play with the medical tools, "Would you allow her if she will?"

"If she must, I won't stop her." Aang then turns his body away, "I'm sorry Sokka, let me just check out this man first."

"Yeah, yeah - take your time. I'll just... be around."

Aang nods and walks to where Azula is, easing down and taking a sit across from the man, smiling up and probably explaining what he'll do to him, or something. The clinic isn't crowded today - well not as crowded as it was when the war was in full swings - but it gathers a few people. Some are children, but most of the people today are full grown adults; others even older.

Aang and Azula seems to be working well together. Too invests in the art of all medicals, there's an easy lightness that brightens up Azula's face; at one point, she even cracks a smile as she glances over at Aang, who smiles wider as a respond - he probably just shares a joke with the patient or something - and then she shakes her head, still smiling, and notes more onto the piece of parchment she's holding - even allowing Aang to comes close to her and checks the content of her data without her flinching or shrinking away.

Sokka pulls his gaze from them, trying to beat down the anger that's slowly building up inside of him. He wrecks his mind to remember back if she ever smiles at him like that - smirk, leer, sneer, yeah, she does that a lot; but an easy smile? Well, that's as rare as the existence of Zuko actually laughing at one of his absolutely funny jokes. Sokka sighs.

Why wouldn't she smile at Aang? That boy's a charmer. He once sweeps Sokka's own sister off her feet, having the girl sighs and swoons on nights when Aang is away to help villagers right after the war (you know, before the really weird and strange break-up). And Toph always has a certain fondness over Aang, despite their clashing personalities; he means, if it's anyone that could break Toph's tough exterior wall, it would definitely be the young Avatar, no doubt.

And if anyone could charm the sanity out of Azula, why wouldn't it be Aang? Why shouldn't Azula be attracted to him? He is handsome and wise, possessing a light personality with an enough touch of coolness that can cope with all of her ... dark and confusing aura.

Sokka, on the other hand, is "dense" and "immature" and all-things that are not-Aang, he thinks with a mental snarl that's just as equally powerful as Azula's snarl in reality. He huffs. Yeah, well, whatever - at least Renka thinks I have amazing abs.

In spite of that, Sokka lets his eyes gaze back at the image of the Fire Princess with the Avatar; her eyes concentrating hard as Aang's hands move swiftly, the water that envelops his fingers glimmering in a beautiful glow. His stomach churns dangerously and Sokka immediately knows it's not because of his Hot Cocoa. He groans as that fact finally registers itself clearly in his whole system.

Crap. He's developed a crush on Azula.

5,643 words counted. Guys, my heart totally breaks reading all those reviews and I just know that I shouldn't give up then because now I'm absolutely sure this story is worth it; even if only one other person is reading this. I was in tears, like literally. I was just ... a complete mess. Thank you, for being there when I needed you guys the most.

Anyways, back to the story: I don't know if you guys will get confused, but the first part of the story was supposed to set right after Sokka hang out with his local friends - and the sequence of events followed up like this: he met Tarro, Tarro warned him about Azula and told him the story of his cousin, Sokka finally walked into the lodge, Zuko and Katara asked him to coax Azula into eating and that's how he ended up banging on Azula's door at the beginning of this chapter - I hope that clears stuff up.

And these are all my review responds to those anonymous reviewers who I couldn't answer through PM:

Lord Annaymoss: Okay, seriously. You're the one who set the tears, dude, because your reviews were just asdfghjklfghjk like I can't even function properly for the next hour. I mean, I've always liked when someone pointed out what they really enjoy throughout reading my fiction because it makes me turn into a complete blob of fangirliness and ugh... I just, like, I want to hug you and stuff okay. Thanks for reviewing, and telling me your opinion of my story. I mean, I appreciate it like mad. And yeah... I'll just walk away now because I know I must look like a complete creep to you.

Guest: Thank you for leaving the awesome review. Honestly though, I wasn't sure how I was portraying the characters - especially Azula because I have to make her look broken but at the same time, still snappy as hell and sometimes her character is too much for me to handle and my brain just went overload and breaks down and I need some time (and a very good cup of hot cocoa) to be able to just ... write her out. But I'm soooo glaaaadddd you find them to your liking! I was so happy reading your review. Really. I hope you'll stick around for the next update!

tone: I really like how your review is very short and simple and straight to the point and just like, "I'll read every chapter." I'm going to give it to you man, you're cool. Like, seriously. But thanks though for reviewing 'cause that's just awesome and I really did find comfort in what you said. Thank you.

john: First of all, can I just tell you how much I like your name? I mean, I've always liked someone with a simple one-syllable kind of name; like yours or Jack or Ray. I know I'm being completely random, so just ignore that part, shall we? And for your question: yes, most of Sokka's friends are from the North Pole - but some of them, I imagine as Qu, are from the South. And yes, I know that they have no friends their own age as you stated, but I'd like to think that they are still children their age that just weren't their friends during the war, and they became friends after Sokka returned to the South to build it up. I hope this answers your question, and thanks for the review. I hope you'll be around for the next chapter!

Guest (ii): Thanks for the reviews, such as yours, I have decided to not end this story, anon. And thank you sooo muchhh for saying that it's a good story. That definitely cheers me up. I'm totally passing you a virtual hug right now and hoping that you aren't seeing me as a dorky girl or just a really weirdo person.

Anonymous: You rip my heart apart (thank god I'm only speaking in a metaphoric sense) because your review just ... ugh. Thank you so much for leaving me one and telling me that my story is unique. It's actually a very complicated story if I ought to be completely honest, but it was fun building up the characters with the plot. And I'm really glad you like it. I really do hope you'll stay tune for the next chapter.

Guest (iii): Soooo... I updated! I'm sorry for the length of the chapter; I know it's shorter than the previous ones, and the content is probably... not quite enough, but I insert a really good portion of Sokka/Azula, so I hope it could make up with what this update lacks. In any case, I was really pumped receiving your review - and it's very short and also cute - because you're one of the many people who stand today as the reason why this fiction wasn't discontinued. So, I thank you. I really appreciate your opinions.

And for the rest of the signed-reviewers, I already PM to you to express my deepest gratitude, but if for some reason I fucked up and you didn't receive it: I want to thank you. It was because what you said that convinced me my work was not just... a piece of trash, or something that resembled dust; it was because of you I realised why I was writing this in the first place - first, (obviously) because of my ever-growing love towards Sokka/Azula. Second, because I wanted to. You guys, you better know that you made someone smile today and that shit is a good fucking feeling, okay - you made me cry and laugh and smile and ... ugh, I just wish I could just send you guys some cookie or something. And this doesn't just go out to the reviewers - to those who alerted or favorited or just scrolled down to read my story: you're appreciated too.

Anyway, thanks again - really, I can't thank you enough - because you guys are just fucking awesome and don't you dare forget it. And if any of you are from Philippines; I just want to let you know that I am here praying for you every single day and I hope you are doing well and just, hang on, alright. I love you. Stay strong. #PRAYFORPHILIPPINES.