The spray of the sea felt good on my face, but it did nothing to quell my queasy stomach. It felt as if the sloppy sea around the boat had taken up residence in my belly. I heard the clanking foot steps before I felt Katara's hand on my shoulder.

"How are you doing?"

I fidgeted with the edge of my cloak. "Fine. Just a bit nervous."

Katara smiled gently. "Well, Sokka is below deck. He was looking for you."

"Thanks." I returned the smile before pushing off from the railing and heading below deck.

Just as I reached the foot of the stairs, I was grasped roughly on both arms and slammed into the metal wall. The cool metal felt like ice on my heated skin. A pair of lips found their way to my neck, and I squirmed uncomfortably.

"Sokka," I managed to get out, "please, stop."

My arms were released instantaneously, and I was engulfed in a bear hug. Sokka murmured an apology in my ear and I sighed.

"Are you alright?" He pulled away and eyed my conspicuously.

"I'm fine. You just startled me. I'm not used to seeing you in Fire Nation armor. It still kind of scares me." Sokka patted my head soothingly.

"I'd take it off, but I don't think it'd be very safe." Sokka chuckled.

I gave a weak laugh too. Sokka trapped my chin between his fingers, lifting my eyes to meet his.

"Are you sure you're ok?"

"Like I said, just a little nervous about being back in the Fire Nation." I repeated.

Sokka accepted this, and I returned to the deck. The sea was still churning inside me.

{BURNING WATER}

"Sokka?" I whispered.

I was whisked inside quickly, the door shutting with a soft click. Sokka's room was dim, and he pulled me into a tight embrace that made me laugh.

"What? Why are you laughing? Did I telepathically tell a meat joke?"

I flopped back onto his bed, laughing harder.

"Quiet! You know Katara is right next to us!" I just continued my incessant giggling.

Sokka rolled his eyes, climbing on the bed next to me.

"I guess this means I'm just going to have to make you be quiet."

Sokka smoothly rolled over on top of me, and locked his lips with mine. My laughter was cut off as I was otherwise occupied. I slid my arms around his neck as we continued to kiss, and his fingers danced dangerously close to the hem of my night shirt.

I paid little attention as he tugged lightly at, pulling it up to expose my belly. It was when he ran his hand over the ravaged skin of my back that I shoved him away in shock. The scars stung where they had been touched, and I wrapped my arms around myself in an attempt to ease the pain somewhat. It didn't make a difference.

Sokka tentatively laid a hand on my arm, a questioning expression dotting his face.

"I'm sorry." I muttered.

"Do you need me to get Katara? I don't know how I hurt you, but I know she'll be able to help." Sokka began a panicked ramble and I shushed him, finally unwinding from the pain.

"I'm sorry. That was my bad. You didn't do anything wrong." I was panting heavily, and Sokka still looked at me in confusion.

"What did I do?"

I turned around; lifting my shirt some, I showed him the angry red scars that had destroyed my back. It was quiet for a moment.

"Azula." I hissed.

Sokka reached a hand out and traced my back, careful to avoid the scars.

"Do you miss him?"

I swallowed hard, wondering if Sokka knew who 'him' was. I pulled my shirt down.

"The boy who gave you the betrothal necklace." Sokka clarified.

My chest untightened. I slowly nodded my head. I was pulled into a hug from behind.

"You know, you can forget about him. You have me now. And I would never hurt you."

I abruptly pushed away from him.

"I can't, Sokka!" I shouted. "You just don't understand! I'm unfixable! Forgetting him won't make me whole again. I will never be that way. What's so hard about understanding that?"

Sokka gave a sigh at my sudden outburst, and I lifted myself off the bed and out the door.

The sky was clear outside, and I could see each and every star clearly. I sat on a stray barrel and stared out on the water. I was glad it was warm enough to be outside like this. It was only a few minutes before Katara came to join me.

"I heard you and Sokka arguing. Is everything alright?"

I nodded blankly. I was more content with the solitude earlier.

"He also, told me about your…scars. Do you want me to try to soothe them? I can't make them go away, but it's the least I can do."

I turned and smiled, accepting her offer. The scars were giving me a constant burning sensation, and Katara's healing ability cooled them comfortably.

"Thank you." I whispered.

"You're welcome."

It was a satisfying silence as we sat under the moon and stars, the rhythm of the ocean as our background music.