I am soooo sorry that I took this long to update. Things at home have been so crazy, but since things are getting easier, I'll have more time to write. But on the bright side, this much time to update gave me time to think of some awesome new ideas for future chapters. I'd like to just thank you all for your reviews, and your support. So, without keeping you any longer, here's my update.

VVVVV

Chapter Seven: Tested Trust

It had been nearly a week since the incident with Kira and her father. Nothing much had changed, to say the least. Sokka had taken it upon himself to keep a closer eye on Kira during his daily chores. She would often notice him watching her. And in gratitude, she would smile and nod her head a little to let him know that she was doing okay. This, however, didn't keep him satisfied as time got closer to the day Kira was to be married. It was already less than a month away.

Kira walked down the hall with her satin robes pulled tightly around her shivering body. It was a little past sundown, so it was beginning to get cold out. And the fact that almost every window in the palace was open didn't help at all. She hummed a small, wistful tune as she wandered down the empty corridors, not quite sure what to do to pass the time. It was nearly another hour before Sokka was supposed to meet her once he finished his chores, but Kira was too restless to sit in her room.

She sighed absently and pulled the jeweled pin from her hair, letting it fall freely around her shoulders and down her back. There was a sudden noise at the other end of the hallway and Kira jumped slightly, turning around. There was a dark silhouette at the end of the hallway where the noise came from, but it was too dark for Kira to make out. She squinted against the darkness and took a few cautious steps closer.

"Hello?" She called softly, her voice unsteady. Maybe it was Sokka, done early. It must be. A small smile crossed Kira's lips at the thought and took a step closer. She spoke a little more confidently. "You can stop playing around now. I know it's you."

"Oh, but I think you were expecting someone much different." Her sister's icy voice rang out and Kira stiffened as Azula started to walk towards her. As she stepped into the light, Kira saw a twisted smirk playing across Azula's face and knew immediately her sister was up to something.

"What do you mean?" Her voice was cool, but she was sure Azula knew something. Kira kept her posture as Azula began to slowly circle her with her arms cross over her chest.

"I think you know exactly what I mean, sister. There's something going on between you and the new prisoner. The Avatar's friend." Azula stopped walking when she came in front of Kira and looked down at her. Kira bit at the corner of her lip nervously, avoiding eye contact with Azula. She regained her composer and looked up.

"Well, then you're mistaken. He's nothing more than a prisoner." Kira tried her hardest to keep her voice from shaking. She laughed a little, as if she found it funny, then continued. "I assure you, there is nothing going on."

"I'm not blind, Kira." Azula's voice was sharp and fierce. Kira just rolled her eyes and walked past Azula, wanting to continue her walk. Azula's eyes followed Kira and she smirked. "He'll never truly care about you." Kira stopped walking, and closed her eyes slowly.

"What?" Her voice now shook freely, and she didn't turn around. Azula walked up behind her and combed her fingers through Kira's hair.

"Dear sister, were you actually silly enough to think he actually wanted to be close to you. You're a tool to him. Just a pretty tool that he'll end up killing to escape." Azula spoke softly, smirking as she played with Kira's hair. Kira's breath hitched and she shook her head a little.

"It's not true." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"But it is. He's using you, tricking you to get close to him so it'll be easier to kill you. Why else would he want to get close to a filthy little disgrace like you?" Upon hearing these words, Kira knew instantly it was a trick. Azula always tried to make her feel like people were using her. She smirked for a moment, then frowned as she turned to her sister.

"You're right. I… I don't know what I was thinking." She made her voice shake. Azula smiled and brushed Kira's hair behind her shoulders.

"It's alright, Kira. That's why you have me. I told Father about the prisoner. Don't worry, I didn't mention your little attraction to him. He said he's have the prisoner executed. He believes that as long as the Avatar still thinks his friend is alive, he'll come. It doesn't really matter if he is alive or not." Azula said, brushing her own hair out of her face. Kira was shocked at this news and bit her lip to keep her act up.

"Thank you, Azula." Kira leaned over and hugged her sister. Azula hugged her back, then pulled away.

"You should get back to your room." Azula said, looking at her nails. Kira nodded and turned around to walk away. She hurried down the hall, not looking behind her. When she turned the corner, she pulled the hood over her head to ensure she would've be seen. Hurriedly, she headed to the wash room where she knew Sokka would be. When she entered, there were a few more servants in the wash room than she though there would be. When Sokka saw her, he knew at once something was wrong by the expression on her face.

"Your assistance is needed in my room. Something broke and I need it cleaned immediately." Kira told Sokka as the other servants bowed to her. Sokka finished wringing out the robe he had been working on cleaning and stood up, wiping his hands on the rag that hung from his shoulder. He followed her out into the hallway and as soon as the washroom door, he gently grabbed her wrist.

"What is it? Did your father-" Sokka was cut of by Kira's finger on his lips. He looked at her on concern, but she just shook her head.

"Not here. Let's go to my room." Kira held her head high and continued walking to her room. Sokka wanted to know what was wrong, but knew it was better to wait until they were in her room. When they finally reached her door, she looked around cautiously, then slipped inside. Once the door was closed, she leaned against the door while Sokka stood in front of her.

"Now will you tell me?" Sokka asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. Kira looked up at him.

"We have to leave. Tonight."

"What? Why?" Sokka looked confused for a moment, then his eyes flashed angrily. "Did someone hurt you?"

"No. I'm fine. It's you I'm worried about." Kira reached out and slipped her hand into Sokka's and he looked confused again.

"Me? What? Kira, you're not making any sense." Sokka gently pulled Kira over to the bed and sat down, pulling her down next to him. "Now, talk to me."

"Azula tried to convince me that you were just making me believe you cared about me so you could kill me and escape. I knew that you would never do that, but I had to play along. She told my father that you planned to kill me and he's having you executed." Kira explained. Sokka looked shocked for a moment, then his eyebrows furrowed together, focusing on one spot on the floor.

"So, what's the plan?" His voice lifted when he turned his head to look at Kira as she got up and paced the floor in front of her bed.

"I don't know." Kira muttered after a minute or two of pacing. She would stop every so often, glance at Sokka, then shake her head and continue her steady, but panicked pacing. Sokka stood, a soft sigh escaping his pursed lips, and stepped in front of the small vertical path Kira had created in front of her bed. When she found that he was now blocking her path, she stopped, bowing her head in resignation. "I'm sorry, I'm just scared."

"I know." He said slowly, almost smiling to himself. "But we'll figure this out, Kira. You just have to know that I'm going to be okay."

Kira sighed and leaned her head slightly against Sokka's chest in thought. He reached up and wound and arm around her shoulder, not knowing if this would particularly calm the panicking princess, but it sure made him feel a whole lot better. She relaxed at his touch and tilted her head up towards him, biting her lip nervously. "There are only a few Firenation guards that patrol during the night. We can't make it look like you kidnapped me, or they'll come after me."

"So, what's the plan?" Sokka's grip tightened a little bit, and he found that his other hand had ended up resting on Kira's hip. He looked down at her and his eyes almost saddened when he saw how frightened she was. "If I can contact Aang and my sister, I can guarantee they'll tell us where they are so we can find them."

"Then you can use my messenger hawk to write them. I just need to gather a few things. Write to them and I'll send it. Then you're going to finish your daily chores as if nothing is wrong. Don't speak to anyone about anything. Especially Azula or my father. Meet me back here at half past one and we'll escape while everyone is asleep." Kira explained slowly, as if she was testing her own words as she said them. She was surprised at herself for coming up with a plan this quickly. She briefly wondered if she had picked it up from Azula. When she broke from her thoughts, she looked at Sokka, who was smirking down at her. She looked confused. "Sokka, what?"

"Have I ever told you how truly brilliant you are?" He muttered, shaking his head in amusement.

"No." Kira laughed and put a smirk on his face that matched his own. "But I could stand to hear it every now and again."

"Such a Firenation princess." Sokka rolled his eyes, the smirk never leaving his lips as he walked towards her desk. Without another work, he quickly scribbled down an explanation as to wear he's been, that he's okay, and that he's coming to meet them. He mentioned meeting them at the Great Wall of Ba Sing Se in seven days' time at sundown. That should give him and Kira enough time to reach Ba Sing Se without any problems. He finished the letter and rolled it up, tying a ribbon around it. He turned and walked back over to Kira, handing it to her. Without a word, she nodded and leaned over, sliding her arms around his waist. Sokka smiled and briefly put his hand on the back of her head, as a small act of reassurance. And all too quickly, he pulled away and walked towards the door. "In a few hours, we'll be gone from this place forever. I'll see you soon, princess."

A small smile spread across Kira's lips as she watched him slip from the door and disappear from view. She turned on her heal, attaching the message to her hawk's leg, and watching it fly out the window. As she closed the window, and began to gather her belongings, a few simple words passed through her lips, aimed at no one in particular. "I'll see you soon."