"Where is the Avatar headed?" Zuko growled, hand gripping the back of Sokka's neck to shove against the table, the pressure increasing with the passing time. Threatening to choke the life out of his prisoner.

Snorting in an attempt to cover the ragged breaths of pain, Sokka struggled to turn his neck and glare at solid his enemy, making sure to spit on the ground. "Go to hell." He blurted. Aang and Katara were off somewhere safely, probably planning to rescue him. He hoped.

Keeping the eye contact as a competition of nerves, Sokka could only search and wonder why such eyes could hold so much confident resolve for a twisted cause. As if his man-hunt for Aang was the greatest journey to complete, that killing any hope of balance was a celestial goal. After an exchange of wordless distaste for one another, Sokka was surprised to see that Zuko had been the first to withdraw.

"We'll see if you give the same answer the next time I come by, the Avatar will come for you." Zuko assured with a growl, eyes wide and dangerously calm despite his twisted expression.

Throwing Sokka back to his rickety chair, Zuko exited the room, barking for the guards to take care of him "When I return, I want to hear answers."

Sharply they nodded "Of course!" while bowing in respect.

Rubbing at the lingering pain on his neck, Sokka watched the prince exit from his sight, surprised the jerk hadn't melted his face off. It was slightly comforting that the prince was so sure his friends would come back for him, but found himself slightly plagued by his doubts. Perhaps if they left him behind, it'd be easier on both of them in their travel. In came in a quiet rush, the realization of how much easier this situation would have been if he was skilled in something. But he wasn't. He was just ordinary.


After several hours of investigating the village, Zuko was surprised to hear the Avatar was headed to the temple of Avatar Roku instead of planning to save Sokka. No matter, he still knew where he was heading, and he could use Sokka as part of a trade, the sister would make the choice to have her brother back. Satisfied with his findings, he retired to his room, avoiding his soft uncle so he wouldn't find himself drinking tea to 'relax'. Once he changed out of his armor and into something more casual, he rested on the edge of his bed with his elbows resting on knees with his fingers entwined, he needed to take a moment for himself.

The fleeting sensation of hope surged in his chest, he was close to capturing the avatar, his grip in fingers tightened. Some call him cruel for wanting to hunt down the hope of the world, but what did they know about him? Hope couldn't be given to him by the Avatar, only by redeeming himself in his father's eyes could he restore the pride and honor his family carried. While his father would be pleased with his victory, Zuko found his thoughts drift to his missing mother. Zuko loved both of his parents, always desired to meet their expectations, but he preferred his mother's company, he supposed it was because she was openly compassionate and gentle when it came to him. There was no doubt in his heart, his mother loved him. But what about his father? Catching himself, Zuko shook off such disrespectful thoughts. His father was a distinguished man, the rightful fire lord of the world that wanted to share the fire nation's greatness. Zuko had ungratefully stained his father's honor by speaking against him when he was 13, his punishment was fair. Speaking out and refusing to fight back against his father was cowardly and selfish, he deserved this. By burning him, his father banished him to hunt for the Avatar as his reprieve.

Fingers traced knowingly around the tough surface of his skin, bright fire was recalled from the source of his mark, his shame. It was simple. His mother was loving but weak, while his father was powerfully illustrious. For so long, Zuko was weak. Readying for bed, he rested on his back, feet still dangling, he understood his attachments to his mother was what dragged him down, but could he really throw away the meaningful heart she shared with him? Was that really the right thing?

The metal ceiling creaked as the boat began to set sail for their destination. The silence was light and airy, easy to breathe in, calming the storming thoughts on Zuko momentarily as his mind floated tiredly. Knuckles tapped the metal door which pulled his attention. Sitting up, he took a deep breathe, closed his eyes, and lit the candles in the room "Come in." He hesitated, displeased with the disturbance. A slightly hunched figure walked in, gray hair trailed from a receding hairline to a face. "Uncle," he acknowledged politely.

"Nephew, today there's a music night." With a steadfast smile, the aging man approached "I was wondering if you wanted to join, you've had a long day."

Accustomed to the daily invitations for music, tea, and pai sho, Zuko shook his head dismissively "No, tonight I'd like to rest. You should as well." He urged.

Being kidnapped by a group of earth benders, his uncle should have been resting since the majority of the day he had been walking in a loincloth. Today was stressful for both of them.

"When feeling fatigue of the four limbs, one should drink tea only; four or five times." The sentence lingered, "Perhaps the young tribe man would like some."

Narrowing his eyes at the suggestion, Zuko chided "Prisoners don't get tea. I doubt he could even comprehend the value of tea." Irritated with the topic, Zuko added "Goodnight uncle." Sighing, Iroh retired their conversation, still wistfully holding his smile "Goodnight." He finished, blowing out the candles with his bending for his nephew.


"I seriously need to use the bathroom." Sokka repeated, trying to get the stubborn captor to let him stretch his legs, holding his crotch with his left hand to fight against the pressure. Annoyed, Zuko kept his arms crossed "You bothered the guards for this?" He asked thickly, his voice on the edge of anger as he stepped forward in confrontation, taking in the new bruises on his upper arms, and cheeks, disappointed the guards hadn't gotten anything out of him.

Jaw dropping, Sokka shuffled his feet forward as he continued to defend his needs in a dramatic manner "Do you have any idea what it's like to hold in pee and get an infection? Not fun." He informed, trying to desperately think of something else to keep his mind off of his urge to pee, careful with his right arm as it was tender.

Disgusted, Zuko pointedly reminded "The guards offered you their bathrooms. Use those. There shouldn't be a problem since they're kept decently clean and they're closer to the cell."

Scoffing, Sokka rolled his eyes, gesturing Zuko "Just let me use yours." He demanded, voice slightly high strung, a result of puberty.

"Why would I let you use mine?"

"Probably cause you're full of crap and therefore never use the bathroom. I do." Sokka deadpanned.

Zuko nearly stormed out, before he noticed frayed ends on Sokka's right sleeve, the arm a little too far behind his back. "I'm the one full of crap?"he asked tightly, boldly pulling on Sokka's right elbow, finding a mild burn marring the sepia skin "Seems the guards would disagree." He remarked, thumb tracing the scarlet edges of raw skin. The burn wouldn't scar. While he did order the guards to persuade info out of his prisoner, the sight of a burn was… unsettling. Sokka was ignorant and resentful to the fire nation, but it seemed overboard to burn him. He couldn't bend an element to protect himself, no matter how he looked at it, this was just plain discriminatory. There was nothing ethical about this.

Face glowering, Sokka snapped his arm away, hissing from the touch "You're the one who ordered them to rough me up, why the hell would you care?"

On the edge of explaining that casualties were unnecessary to regain his honor, Zuko restrained his tongue as the words built up behind his lips.

Keeping his patience calm, Sokka had no reason to know of his history, and neither of them would benefit from such conversations. Instead he slipped his hand in his pocket finding a singular object he placed where he stood. "I don't." He answered before dismissing himself, the new guards locked the cell quickly after his exit.

Dissatisfied with their momentary argument, Sokka crossed his legs on the cold metal floor. Looked like his plan had failed, if he succeeded in using Zuko's bathroom, he could have had a better understanding of the ship's layout to find his escape route. Skeptically, he reached for the small jar. It fit nicely in his palm, able to wrap his fingers around it, the casing was made of red clay. Opening the lid wasn't difficult, but it made him apprehensive for what he would find, for all he knew this was some poison that would kill him, or even a bomb that'd melt his own face off.

Despite the possibilities of this being some trick. Lifting just the lid up, Sokka stupidly licked the layer of mush on the surface of the lid. Bitterness spread like water in a dry mouth, a heavy smell invaded his nose which induced painful coughing, gripping his knees to help keep it down. He knew what the jar was filled with. Aloe Vera. Tasted and smelled like a dying animal, but great for burns. Had he only sniffed it he would have known what it was, now he was paying the consequences for sampling it with his tongue.

After the taste and smell settled to an sour aftertaste, Sokka took off the bandages on his burned elbow and scooped out the slimy mush of pale green on to his burn. Immediately the throbbing eased as the cool sensation began to work away at the damage.

After using up the medicine and wrapping it with his other bandages, Sokka relocated to the mattress in the corner, contemplating over the offered ointment. Zuko was the villain. Fire nation soldiers weren't exactly Sokka's favorite sort of people, but did he hate everyone in the fire nation? No he didn't, but the fire benders were destructive, they were the ones that created so much suffering in their paths. Now Sokka had an anomaly to deal with. When fire lord Ozai dies Zuko would take over this wretched war, but somehow the evil heir of the fire nation didn't match up to cruel heir of the fire nation. Zuko was pissed when he'd woken him up from the middle of the night for the bathroom, but Sokka didn't feel the cold weight of dread twist his guts like he expected, like he wasn't the bloodthirsty Prince he believed him to be.

But he knew that wasn't true, no matter what, trying to hunt the avatar was corrupted, he set his eyes at the empty jar in bitter thought. Yes, Zuko was human, but that doesn't mean he was someone trustworthy. Zuko had a moment of empathy, probably because he knew what it was like to be burned. The water tribesman didn't want to think about this anymore, his head spun in confusion regarding Zuko, but his body wanted rest. Eagerly, he laid on his back, pulling up a thin blanket over himself, reminding himself who the real enemy was.


Sounds of trampling footsteps woke Sokka up. Sitting up quickly, he shook off the lingering urge to sleep by pinching his face. Listening closely, the yelling around him seemed to increase with urgency. Faint voices were panicking over a damaged engine, apparently they were being attacked. Over all the voices, Zuko's stood out from all like a knife"Do not stop this ship!"

Hope bubbled forth, it might be Aang and Katara. For once, he was glad Zuko was a stubborn jerk. This could be a chance to escape if he waited long enough, until then he'd nestle back in bed and evade any attention. Silence eventually returned but no one had come back to the cell when soldiers were called forth to fix the engine. Lifting one eye open, he looked around despite the darkness. Besides the sound of steam from the boilers, it seemed like the ship was now empty, and if no one was on the ship it could only mean they had docked somewhere close to his friends.

Throwing off the itchy blanket, Sokka began to investigate his small space in hopes of finding a pin, a stick, anything that could pick the lock. The search itself was short since the cell only had a futon and blanket, only to find dust bunnies.

Sucking at his teeth, his fingers traced the ground, he was stuck. Breathing increased as he tried in futile attempt to shake the locked door open in futile attempt. "This can't be happening..." He groaned, dropping his head in defeat, fingers gripped roughly against cold metal touching at his collar bones. What use was he stuck here? Aang could seriously be what the world needs to change, Katara could support Aang in his journey but they were stronger with numbers. They wouldn't turn their backs on him, so he needed to break out. If he was stronger he could break out, if he had been born a bender he wouldn't even be here.

'Wait.' He paused with realization, taking a step back, hands still on the bars. Staring at the sight before him as a light sensation grew in his chest. "This can work." He confirmed in disbelief, close to jumping in victory. The space between bars was wide enough for him to squeeze through, as long as he sucked his stomach. For once, he was happy he was still a bit scrawny.

Turning to the side, Sokka prayed that he could fit through. Pushing past his shoulders, the bars were a tight squeeze, but he did manage to get halfway with his face turned towards the exit. Unintentionally he shivered at the pressure against his tight cheeks and his crotch, he swallowed any sound as he pressed through, trying to resist thrusting up for a stronger sensation. Sokka could feel his dick begin to stiffen from the attention, quickly he closed his eyes and searched for repulsive images to kill off any arousal. He could not afford being caught right now, especially like this.

First thoughts were of the times he walked into his grandma changing, immediately any arousal was killed off. Before he could even rejoice over his tactical evasion of an erection, there was a sound of crashing water.

Jerking his eyes open in bewilderment, Sokka switched from shuffling to using his thighs to push himself, struggling to get his other half of his both out.

With a final exhale of air he finally shimmied out. Frozen with the revelation he was free, his expression brightened as he felt his body simmer in the victory. Gathering himself again before getting too caught up, Sokka closed his eyes to detect any sign of footsteps. Nothing. Based on passing conversations he overheard while being taken to his cell, his stuff should have been nearby, he'd just have to find the way out by exploring. Advancing through the only exit, he would slowly test the handles of adjacent rooms he'd pass by and map out the floor till he found the entrance.

Eventually he came across a room with various types of bags and trinkets. Deciding it was worth a check, he sorted through the mound until he came across something he hadn't expected, he slowed down to take a look; A photo of Zuko's younger, unmarked face beside a beautifully women with warm eyes, both smiling. It was a peculiar sight to see such a carefree version of the prince, but it was pleasing to the eyes to see a blithe expression on him for a change.

Overall the photo was very dulcet looking. Zuko wasn't bilious in this photo, he was relaxed and content, and surprisingly had hair. It was unfortunate he traded it for a shaved ponytail, whatever they were called, he looked better with a full head of hair.

Sokka slipped the slightly crumpled photo in his pocket. Apprehensively, he wet his lips as he glanced for anyone that might have caught him stealing rather than escaping. Technically this wasn't stealing since it was would be destroyed later, but somehow Sokka felt guilty for taking it. The picture was of a loving family, and Sokka was both jealous and curious.

Once he found his bag, he checked his stuff over, worried something was either missing or destroyed. Everything was just as it was, feeling especially relieved to find his camera hadn't suffered a scratch on the lens or a dent.

Before he ventured further, he decided it wouldn't hurt looking through the other bags for supplies. The owners of these items didn't need these as much as his friends did, their expedition was a long one. When he filled his bag with dried meats and fruit, he returned to exploring for a ladder leading outside.

It was after ten minutes of wandering did he come across an iron ladder around the back of the ship. Feeling paranoid with how well this was going, Sokka wiped his palms against his shirt for a better grip on the bars, hoping whatever is distracting the entire crew outside the ship would go on for a bit longer.

Setting his left foot up on the first bar, he quickly hiked to the top and pushed up at the handle of the door. He expected to see the blinding light of the sun among a soft sky, or the creamy moon among sprinkled stars. Of all things, he didn't expect to see a tall temple splitting in two with magma bursting out like it was bleeding.

The thick streams of glowing amber set everything it touches on fire, as if the earth itself was crying with fury.

Absentmindedly, he took out his camera with the intent of capturing the moment, always taking the photo when an opportunity is there. Looking through the lens to focus on the burning building, he noted how it seemed like the world was on fire, he pressed the moment the top of the building exploded. Quickly he fanned the developing photo, glad to have taken the chance to photo an intense eruption, placing the picture with the rest in his bag to later admire once he was out of danger.

"Sokka, over here!" A familiar voice called. It was Katara.

Snapping out of his stupor, Sokka never thought he would be so relieved to see a flying bison ready itself to cover him in drool. Knowing that he was saved, he took a final glance at the falling tower, wanting to try to capture a mental image, to remember the intense waves of heat hit his skin. Breathing hitched, when he caught sight of Zuko sprinting out of the building, who also noticed Sokka escaping. As expected, the expression the jerk bender made was furious.

Consciously, his hand pressed against the medicinal jar in his pocket, his injury would have healed fine without it. Only then did he realize his burn scabbed over, no longer tender and raw. 'It must have healed overnight.'

Swiftly he joined his sister on Appa's back, Aang took care of guiding the bison out and away from the island.

Worried over the absent look in his eyes, Katara touched his shoulder gently, aware that something was off "Sokka, are you okay?"

Meeting her eyes, he nodded "I'm fine, I just..." he trailed off before forcing an overzealous smile "…Seriously need to eat, their congee was gross."

Eased with his return in character, she chuckled "Good to have you back, we were worried they might have killed you." her expression trembled as she embraced Sokka, grateful nothing terrible had happened.

Rubbing his hand on her back, Sokka had shared the same fears, but everything had turned out okay in the end. The worst was over.

'Why didn't you come sooner?' he wondered, afraid of the answer if he asked. Right now, he didn't want to know.