Chap. 28

Nighttime Conversations

They stood before him, their long arms reaching for him. As he looked at them, he heard their mocking voices call to him. They baited him, calling him a fool for his childish beliefs, laughing at the ease at which they had destroyed his hope. They asked him how he had ever thought that his dream would have come true. As they laughed, he felt his anger grow and grow within. All of his frustrations, all his rage, all his disappointments, they swelled until they have completely clouded over his mind. He raised his weapons over his head and with a scream of rage, he charged them. He battered their arms aside with ease and began to attack with all his power. Their bodies splintered and broke under the force of his swings. With a pair of hard swings, he sent their heads flying, but continued to attack, until all that was left of his enemies was a pile of broken bodies. He stood over them, breathing hard, his body exhausted from the exertion, but refreshed nonetheless. As he began to regain his calm, a voice suddenly spoke; "So this is what you've training with?"

At the sound of that voice, Sokka turned around and saw his father standing before him, looking at his son with apprehension and puzzlement.

"Hey Dad. Yeah, I just wanted to test myself on my own, ya know?" Sokka said, as he stretched his arms out. "Gotta make sure that all my skills are sharp."

"It appears they are." Hakoda said, looking over at the broken wood dummies that Sokka had vanquished. "Don't you think that was a bit much?"

"Well maybe." Sokka said. "But hey, easier to pull back then have to learn more, right?"

"Sometimes." Hakoda answered. "How long have you been doing this exercise son?"

"I don't know. About a week or so." Sokka said, as he started to pick up the broken remains of the dummies.

"Just when she arrived." Hakoda said quietly to himself. "Sokka, can I ask you something?" he said aloud.

"Sure Dad, what's up? Do you need help with some of those stink bombs you made?"

"It's not about the Army. It's about you. I get the impression that something is bothering you lately. Am I wrong?"

"Dad I'm fine. What would make you think that?"

"For one thing, this is the most you've said to anyone in a long while. You're quiet and withdrawn; Katara says that even Fuego's meat dish doesn't excite you anymore. And now I find you practicing violent attacks late at night; except I think you not so much training as blowing off some steam. So what's making you so mad?"

"Nothing." Sokka said, with more emphasis in his voice this time. "I just wanted to practice on my own. Is that so wrong?"

Hakoda sighed; he hadn't wanted to do this, but it seemed that Sokka's stubbornness wouldn't be broken by any other means.

"This has something to do with Suki, doesn't it?" he asked.

At that, Sokka started, and paused in fixing the dummies. Hakoda waited as his son stood silent. Then Sokka said, "No. It isn't about her."

Frustrated, Hakoda began to ask again, but before he could, Sokka said, "It's about someone else."

"Who?" Hakoda asked, as Sokka turned to face him.

"I met her before, in the North Pole." Sokka said. "Her name was Yue."

"Your sister told me about her. She said she sacrificed herself to save the moon spirit. She also said you two were getting very close."

"She was….. she was the first girl to kiss me Dad." Sokka said. "I thought she was so beautiful. And she cared about me too. But things were… complicated. Then when the Fire Nation came, her father assigned me to protect her. I was supposed to keep her safe. But I didn't. I couldn't."

"Sokka, don't do this to yourself." Hakoda said, as he walked up to his son. "What happened with Yue was something that no one could've changed or altered. It was destined to happen, and you should feel no shame for allowing it to happen. You did everything you could've done."

"I don't think so. I could've saved her. But I didn't. I failed to protect her. But I thought I could redeem myself. I thought that if I could protect the others, I could make up for Yue."

"Sokka, you did that. You helped get everyone this far."

"I know, but it still wasn't enough. I still felt empty inside. Then, I thought I had another chance. I thought that maybe if I couldn't protect Yue, I could protect another person I loved. But I couldn't do that either."

Hakoda groaned sympathetically at his son's words. "No wonder you've been so withdrawn lately. Seeing Jet with Suki…."

"Yeah. But you know what the worst part was? I didn't feel bad that she was with him as much as I felt bad that I couldn't protect her anymore. How selfish does that sound?"

"It does sound selfish, but it also sounds understandable." Hakoda said. "You had a tragedy son, and I understand you want to make up for it. But there's nothing you can do to change what happened. I'm sorry that you lost Yue and I'm sorry that Suki isn't there for you anymore. But you can't dwell on it. You have to put your energies into something else."

"That's what I was trying to do." Sokka answered.

"Not with the Army. Sokka, I'm telling you this as your father- don't let what happened before rule you. You couldn't have used Suki to make up for Yue and you can't do it with another girl. You have to find someone for yourself, not because you want to protect her, but because you care about her. And if you start interacting again, and being yourself, you might just find someone. There must be some girl that's sparked a little interest for you, eh?"

Sokka smiled at that and said, "Well, there's this one girl, but I'm not sure. She seems…. Well, kinda nuts."

"Oh? Has she put the moves on you or something?"

"Yeah. Something like that."

"Well Sokka, all I can tell you is spend a little time with her, and see if you like her back." Hakoda said. "In the meantime, think you can quit the quiet loner act?"

"I think I can do that." Sokka replied.

"Good. Now let's get these dummies cleaned up and put away."

"Hey, I'd love the help." Sokka replied, as the two of them started to walk towards the dummies. But before they could begin, the sound of footsteps appeared in the air. Father and son stiffened at the noise, and without warning, leapt to their feet and whirled around, ready to fight.

"At ease soldiers." Bosque said, holding his hands up. "We come in peace."

"Bosque? What are you doing out here this late at night?" Hakoda asked.

"Better question, what's she doing with you?" Sokka asked, pointing at Azula.

"Talking." The squirrel replied.

"I hope it was worthwhile then." Hakoda said. "I doubt Prince Zuko is eager to trade guardianship of his sister to anyone."

"My brother doesn't know I'm here." Azula said. "I…. Got lost in the woods, and Bosque found me."

"What were you doing in the woods?" Sokka asked.

"Nothing traitorous, if that's what worries you." Azula said.

Sokka's face tightened at that, but Bosque interrupted, saying, "I'm sure that Zuko is worried about Azula being out of his sight. I'm going to take her back to the barracks, then talk to Zuko and clear things up."

"It's pretty late. All the troops are sleeping." Hakoda said. "It wouldn't be prudent to awaken them by sneaking in late at night, especially considering Azula's reputation."

"Where else should I go?" Azula asked.

"You can use my tent." Sokka said. "I still have a spare sleeping bag."

"Are you sure?" Bosque asked. "That's not going to have a good reception either if it gets out."

"I can deal with it." Sokka said. "Besides, it's better then having the traitor talk come up again."

"All right then. Azula, you go with Sokka, and I'll go talk to Zuko." Bosque said. Azula nodded, and Bosque turned in the direction of the main war tent.

"All right, let's get going." Sokka said, gesturing in the direction of his tent.

"Feel free to lead the way." Azula replied. "It's not like I know where it is."

"Oh. Right." Sokka said. He started to walk towards the tent, Hakoda accompanying him. Azula made up the rear as the trio moved to the tent.

"Did she actually agree without a fuss?" Sokka whispered to Hakoda as they walked.

"Yes. And she's being rather obedient and polite, given her past behavior." Hakoda whispered back. "She and Bosque must've had a very good talk."

Sokka nodded thoughtfully, as they finally reached his tent. As with all the general's tents, it was quite large, big enough to hold at least four people. The Earth King had supplied them before they'd left Ba Sing Se, and the Army had made good use of them.

"I see you've done well for yourself." Azula said, as she looked at the tent.

"Did you just compliment me?" Sokka asked in amazement.

"Don't get too excited. This isn't a royal bedroom, but it's more then adequate."

"Well, I'll take what I can get then." Sokka said, as Azula nodded and walked inside the tent.

Sokka looked over at Hakoda in surprise, who simply shrugged and said, "Just let it go, and hopefully, nothing will go wrong."

"I'll try. Good night Dad. And thanks for the talk."

"I'm always glad to help. Sleep well son." Hakoda replied as he turned and headed for his own tent. Sokka watched his father for a moment, then headed inside his tent. Once inside, he saw Azula looking through his packs, presumably to find the sleeping bag.

"Hey! Didn't anyone tell you to ask for things?!" Sokka snapped, as he stomped over and halted Azula's search.

"Well, I'm gonna be using it anyway." Azula snapped back.

"Maybe, but that doesn't mean you can just go looking through my stuff without asking." Sokka replied. Grabbing one of his larger packs, he pulled out the sleeping bag and tossed it at Azula.

"Here. You can spread it out next to my bed." Sokka said, pointing to the wooden bed frame near the wall.

"Great." Azula said, as she moved over to the bed and started to unwrap the bag. As she did, Sokka said, "I figured that talk you had with Bosque actually affected you."

"Believe me it did." Azula snapped. "But I don't see how that's your business."

"I think it's everyone's business, since we don't really trust you." Sokka replied.

"Hey, if you don't trust me, why'd you vote me in?"

"The same reason I let you stay here. To keep an eye on you." Sokka replied.

Azula glared at Sokka, then pulled the sleeping bag out, kicked off her boots and cover shirt and slipped inside. She pulled the cover her head and muttered good night. Sokka just looked, then shook his head and pulled off his own shirt and boots, then climbed into bed himself. After some time, snores began to issue from both beds.

"Get up." The voice growled.

Struggling under the weight of her chains, Azula raised her head and faced the group before her. All her accusers were assembled, from the Knights to the Avatar group. All of them glared at her with anger and hatred in their eyes, as she sat there, chained to the floor.

"Azula, you've been proven of betrayal of the Army." Oscuridad said. For that, there is only one punishment."

"But I didn't do anything!" Azula swore. "I don't even know what you're talking about."

"Don't waste your time lying to us." Bosque spat. "You already lied to me about believing what I told you."

"I believed you, I swear." Azula said. "Why won't you believe me?"

"Because he knows you too well." Another voice said. Azula went pale at the sound of it; it was a voice she knew all too well. She turned then, and saw a figure, dressed in Fire Nation armor standing before. She stared at in horror, as this figure brushed her long hair away from her face in an all too familiar gesture.

"They know you can't change." The Fire Princess sneered. "You can never escape me, no matter what you do. You're too scared to break free."

"I never wanted to be you!" Azula screamed. "You're what he made me! I hate you!"

"Hate me all you want." The Princess replied. "I know that you need me, and you know it too. I'm what makes you strong; I'm what makes you powerful. Without me, you're nothing more then a scared little girl. It sickens me just to look at you."

"Thankfully, I can rectify that situation." The Princess said, as she raised up one flaming fist. Before Azula could move, she felt the blast of flame strike her face. She fell to the ground screaming in pain. Suddenly, the floor underneath her changed, and became a huge mirror. Azula saw herself, and her screams grew even louder. Half of her face had been burned away; the flesh that was left was blackened and charred. Her lips had been incinerated, her teeth jeering out from the hole. She suddenly realized that she couldn't see out of her left eye.

"I see the Knight was right about one thing." The voice said again. But when Azula managed to turn and see her attacker, the Fire Princess was gone. Her father stood in her place.

With a scream, Azula sat bolt upright in the bag. She sat there, breathing hard, the sweat pouring down her face. Her hands reached up and felt her face, feeling for the wounds that had seemed so real to her a second ago. So obsessed was she with checking herself that when she felt another hand touch hers, she almost screamed again. But then she heard Sokka's voice, she managed to bite the scream back.

"It's ok, it's ok." Sokka said sleepily, concern still evident in his voice nonetheless. "Calm down Azula."

Slowly, Azula managed to regain control of herself. Her breathing slowed, and she wiped the sweat off her face.

"What was that?" Sokka asked.

"I-I had a nightmare." Azula said. "It was….. it was so real. I was on trial, and then I was fighting myself, and then I was on fire and my face…….."

"Don't worry, it's fine." Sokka said, as he reached over and lit a small lantern. "Besides, I don't think you could make it any worse." He added gently.

Azula snorted, then actually smiled a little and began to laugh shakily. Sokka nodded and said, "See, it wasn't so bad. It was just a dream. Go back to sleep. I promise I'll be here if anything happens."

Azula gave a nod back, then went back inside the sleeping bag. As she lay back and began to find her way back to sleep, Sokka leaned on his arm and watched her until she fell back asleep. He stayed awake a moment after that, then nodded and leaned his head back down on the pillow. He fell asleep in moments.