Important: the last chapter was uploaded wrong for some time and showed chap6 again instead of chap8 so if you didn´t read what happened after the hug then read again.

The rest of the travel went pretty smooth at least in Sokka´s oppinion. There were no incidents and nothing was bothering him. And he wasn´t even bored because ever since that shore leave Azula was much more talkative towards him.

She was a big part of his daily routine and he was thankfull for that because the rest of his routine was boring to say the least. He would wake up everyday around sunrise and give the crew the newest orders which most of the time just meant to tell them to keep the same direction or to keep the deck clean. Then he would have a brief meeting with more important crew members to discuss details like the provisions. So it was usually around midday that he could finally visit Azula talk to her and eat together with her. Sometimes they would spend some time on the deck together but most of the time they were in Azula´s room seperated from the rest of the crew.

Sokka knew the crew did not like his behavior as most of them were fire nation soldiers who feared or hated Azula but he did not care.

He would he leave her alone then for some hours until it was time for supper and they would then spend some time of the evening together. It had been that way for nearly two weeks and Sokka could not find it boring or feel the desire to have an end to this trip soon.

It just felt so good to have Azula around and talk to her he wondered if they would still get to see each other regulary once Azula finally left. The thought of asking her to come with him crossed his mind briefly but disappeared within seconds. She wouldn´t want that.

Sokka got up from his bed it was nearly time for dinner and he wanted to see Azula again being on this ship wasn´t fun without her. He smiled inwardly thinking of how fast he had accepted that she was an important friend to him now. Still dwelling on his thoughts he arrived in front of her room and knocked in his unique way but no one responded. „Azula? Are you in there? It is time for dinner?" still no answer was heard. He took all his courage and opened the door carefully, no one could say what Azula would do too him if he would caught her in a compromising situation.

But the room was empty she must have left earlier. Sokka went back on the deck and saw her looking over board like she had done so many times before they had changed the rooms.

„Hey Azula I searched you everywhere, dinner is ready." She did not turn around to face and just continued to gaze around the dark ocean. The moon was nowhere to be seen and Sokka guessed it was new moon. „I am not hungry." her voice was very soft and she nearly flustered. Sokka could sense that something was bothering her but wasn´t completely sure what that something was.

„Are you allright?" he asked her his voice displaying affection and compassion.

„Of course I am allright, why shouldn´t I? Just because I am not hungry you think I am getting depressions not everyone is so keen on food as you are." still she did not look at him.

„Come on what was that for? I am just trying to help something is bothering you so don´t pretend it isn´t there. Remember we are friends we tell each other things."

Finally she looked at him her eyes a bit red and her face wore a sad and dark expression.

„If we keep traveling at this speed we are out of the fire nation in two days. Then I´ll never be able to come back here again." Sokka felt the urge to smack his head he could have known that was bothering her. But well he was a guy and guys don´t see those things right?

„Ohh I understand but it isn´t that hard. The rest of the world has so much to offer there are so many beautiful places to live and I said I bring you the food." he tried to get a laugh out of her but failed terribely. „No you don´t understand this isn´t about where I live or what food I eat. I don´t care about these things it isn´t even about my damn birthrights. I have to leave my home forever. I can never come back I can never again see the places I spend my whole life at. I will never again be able to see the palace where I have grown up, the beach on amber island where I used to spend my holidays as a child and later as a teenager. I will never see a volcano again!" her face saddened more. „There are volcanos in the earthkingdom." Sokka said weakly knowing fully that that wasn´t the point. „I can´t even see Azulon´s harbor again." she looked at him and he felt his heart ache.

„I am so sorry Azula that you can´t visit these places again, I know the memories are in your heart and you will never forget but still it isn´t the same if you can´t visit the places. I am so sorry. And I know that sometimes there is nothing you can say to protect you from grief. But that is okay because grief isn´t something bad it shows your affection towards the things you loose and that is a good thing. And don´t dare to say that feeling grief means being weak because it doesn´t" With that he turned away pretending to be unaware of the tears that were flowing down Azula´s cheeks. There was a long silence between them that prevailed quite some time after Azula had stopped sobbing. Finally Sokka saw Azula standing next to him, „Would you mind eating with me I am hungry?" she smiled at him. Sokka smiled back „Of course not let´s get something to eat.".

„So goodnight then I guess." Sokka stood up and turned towards the door ready to leave Azula´s room. „Sokka wait!" he turned around and looked at her not knowing what was to come. „Thank you.". He gave her a warm,friendly look „It was a pleasure, sleep tight.". He turned around again and left her room walking out on the deck. It was a cold night and he froze. He shivered and the bleakness rushed through his body. The feeling wasn´t uncomfortable though but rather pleasant. He felt content and aware of everything around him. The wind that tickled his skin, the waves that crushed against the ship even the moon although he couldn´t see it. The moon... he hadn´t thought about Yue in a long time. And strangely it didn´t spoil is mood to think about her. He felt tears coming to his eyes but still he was content. He had just told Azula that grieving wasn´t a bad thing that it was necessary even. But he had never believed in this himself until now. The tears ran down his cheeks and felt like purifying water. But soon after that he felt depressed. Thinking of how he lost Yue made him think about depatures and the limited time he had left with Azula. After all they´ve been through not having her near to talk about anything was a very unpleasant thought.

Again Sokka had to wonder about the strong feelings he had towards Azula but he was too tired to think it to an end and walked to his room unsure wether to be happy or to be sad.

So finally I came to this scene I had that in mind from the beginning but never actually came to it. But don´t worry we are nowhere near the end there is still plenty to come. PLS REVIEW