Chapter 3: Don't Judge a Cult by its Leader

He was met with about two dozen bewildered blue eyes and two fearful yellow ones. Wait, fearful? That couldn't be right. What would Azula have to fear? He did a double take, but the fright he thought he saw had entirely abated. Still, he could tell she was far from pleased to see him, even if her body language said otherwise.

Somehow she managed to break the ice before his mind could think of a single word. He shouldn't have been surprised. She'd always been one to think on her feet.

"Why, isn't it my good friend – " A split second pause. "– Sokka!" She smiled awkwardly as she walked over to greet him. And then she did something completely unexpected.

Her arms were around his torso. She was hugging him. Madness! What in the world was happening?! Completely unsure of how to react, he tentatively hugged her back. Even with his arms wrapped around her waist, her body remained stiff with tension.

She stepped back, freeing herself from the hug and turning to address the confused all-female audience. "Class, I've invited Sokka here today to help out with some demonstrations." She turned back to him, mustering up some fake laughter. "And here I thought you weren't going to show up."

He chuckled. So, she's still a good liar. "Sorry A – " He needed to think fast. If he blew her cover and revealed her true identity, there was a good chance that these 'students' of hers wouldn't believe him. They were her allies after all. As confident as he was in his own fighting prowess, he wasn't delusional. A thirteen-on-one fight just wouldn't end well for him. Not to mention the large bounty on her head… the things he could buy with that reward! "– uhhh, you know me. Always running behind." He decided to play along. At least for the time being.

"It's no problem. We were just reviewing last week's exercises. I have no doubt your attendance will be a great asset in today's lesson. Thank you for volunteering."

What lesson? What demonstrations? What was she going to do to him? He swallowed hard, worried that he may end up as a human sacrifice. "Thank you for inviting me to your…" He smiled playfully. "… cult." That seemed to catch her off guard. He watched her stifle a laugh.

"We prefer the term 'dojo'," she smirked, taking a few paces away from him.

Ah, so the runaway princess started a fight club. How appropriate.

"Now, come at me like you're going to strangle me."

An evil grin spread across his cheeks. "With pleasure."

"And that, class, is how you disarm a grown man and leave him completely defenseless," she chimed, straddling the back of the panting Watertribesman beneath her, twisting his arm uncomfortably behind him without harming him. She turned to face the back of his head, smirking. "Thank you, Sokka. Your participation proved quite useful." She brought her attention back to her students as she dismounted him. "Now everyone, practice amongst yourselves while I escort our guest out."

To his surprise, she extended her arm to help lift him up. He took the offer, grabbing her hand and standing up. Their eyes locked for a brief moment. He wondered if the electricity he was feeling had anything to do with her bending abilities. That would be the only logical conclusion, right?

"Let me walk you out," she whispered, leading him by the hand toward the exit.

As soon as they were out of earshot, her demeanor changed. Her eyes narrowed, yet he could sense an unexplained sadness in those molten orbs. This anger or intimidation she was trying to convey was not very convincing.

"Stay away from me if you know what's good for you," she hissed.

"Sorry, Princess. No can do." He flashed her a wry grin before turning his back to her and taking his leave.