Author Note: I don't really have much to say this chapter. LOL Thanks for reading and continuing to support my fan fiction writing I hope you're enjoying it!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any rights to Avatar the Last Air Bender. I did not create it and I will not profit from it in any way, shape or form.

Chapter 8: Journey to Freedom

Sokka scanned the skies once more. They had been traveling for several hours and were miles away from the palace. Far enough, Sokka thought, that Katara wouldn't think it wise to follow them. But with his sister, he never knew what she'd do to 'protect' him.

"Are you waiting for the sky to fall Peasant? I can assure you it won't," Sokka didn't miss the teasing tone in Azula's voice.

"No. I'm looking for a flying bison to fall from it," Sokka responded.

"A flying bison? Why would the Avatar come after us?" Azula asked also taking a glance up at the sky.

"Aang wouldn't, but Katara might," he replied. He looked towards Azula and caught her rolling her eyes.

"She's still pissy about last night, I take it?"

"No we made up over that. And we were cool this morning when Zuko informed us about the canceling of the mission. But by now Zuko would have told her the trip was back on and I'm with you. So now I'm just waiting for her to swoop down and drag both us of back," Sokka finished.

"She can try. But I assure you, there will be no going back for me until I have my mother with me," Azula said determinedly.

Sokka didn't miss the stern resolve in her voice. He knew this meant a lot to here, heck he was there when she nearly started an Agni Kai against Zuko over it in her bedroom.

"I don't know," Sokka started teasingly. "When Katara wants to do something, she does it. Doesn't matter what I say. It used to irritate the hell out of me when we were traveling before." Sokka thought of the Painted Lady incident that had occurred so many years ago. Now it made him smile, at the time it had pissed him off. However, he knew Katara had done the right thing, even if it had thrown them off the scheduled plan.

"Well you can be afraid her but I'm not. No way is anyone going to take this sunlight from me again," Sokka watched as Azula closed her eyes and titled her head up to the sun.

Sokka couldn't stop the shot of desire that ran through him as he starred. Her long neck was stretched out as she basked in the sunlight, just inviting him to lean over and give it a little kiss...maybe even a nip or two.

Perhaps they could stop for a moment and have a little fun, Sokka thought, letting his imagination go.

They'd stop for a quick rest and he'd pull her off the ostrich horse and just bury his face in the area where her neck and shoulder met. He'd content himself by nuzzling before slowly kissing up and around her gorgeous neck. She'd stretch out even further with a moan and he'd keep moving up with little nips and kisses, just a bit at a time. Then, after she was all but begging him, he'd take those luscious red painted lips of hers. He could all but taste the sweetness.

Suddenly his ostrich horse let out a squeal and stumbled slightly, throwing Sokka out of his thoughts.

"Problems?" Azula's sweet voice asked.

"Must have been a rock or something," Sokka answered lamely. Now he looked stupid and had a hard on, which was very uncomfortable. He shifted slightly trying to get into a more comfortable position. He heard Azula laugh softly.

"Whatever you say, Peasant. Whatever you say." She was laughing at him and he knew it.

'She can't read minds can she?' Sokka thought in a panic. Discreetly he looked down to make sure nothing was standing out. 'Nope hidden there...so why did she say...'

"One would think you'd know how to ride an ostrich horse. Seeing as you've been on so many journeys in your life time," Azula continued. Sokka relaxed.

Thank goodness she thought he was just inept…well for now that was okay.

"We normally flew from place to place. We never really rode animals." He paused, thinking, and then continued, "Well unless you count the giant eel hound. I rode one of those once."

"Why were you riding a giant eel hound?"

"To get to Ozai and his army of air ship and stop them from burning down the earth kingdom," Sokka answered giving Azula a knowing look.

"Right," Azula responded turning away from Sokka. He didn't like bringing up the past. But it was what it was. An awkward silence ensued as they continued forward.

"Yeah, that was probably the only time we had ever road anything but Appa...oh wait there was the time in the great divide that we rode a canyon crawler. That was fun," Sokka said remembering.

"A canyon crawler?" Azula said in disbelief. "Why were you riding a canyon crawler?"

"Well here's how it happened..." Sokka began telling Azula the whole story of the great divide.

He started with how they had met the tribe's people of the Gan Jin and the Zhang, and their bitter rivalry. How their bitter rivalry had caused the earth bender to end up getting his arms broken. He told her of how the rivalry had led to them all being divided as they continued down the canyon. He saw her rolling her eyes when he mentioned the whys of what side he had picked. He told her of the canyon crawlers and how Aang had gotten all to work together and ride the animals out. He finished with how Aang had lied to get the two families together.

"You guys must have gone on some crazy adventures. Seems like you all just barely make it out alive," Azula said bemused, smiling at Sokka. Sokka didn't return the smile. Years ago Suki had same almost the same exact thing.

"You okay?" He heard Azula ask quietly.

"Yeah just thinking about how hungry I am," Sokka lied. He didn't want to talk about Suki, at least not yet.

To keep his mind from thinking about Suki, and because he really was hungry, he decided it was a good time to stop and make camp. They had traveled pretty far for their first day and he wasn't quite sure what direction he wanted to take. His plans from last night were irrelevant to the new journey. Plus, it was a nice location. It was an area of flat lands that were hidden by the trees, with a creek near enough to water the animals and catch some fish for dinner.

"Let's make camp here," Sokka said stopping his ostrich horse and jumping off.

Azula stopped her animal alongside him. "There's still plenty of daylight, why would you want to make camp so soon?" she asked.

"We need the daylight to make a new plan. Our old one isn't going to work anymore," Sokka replied.

He watched Azula shrug and jump off of her ostrich horse

When Azula hit the ground, her legs gave out from under her. He reached over and grasped her across the waist, keeping her from falling.

"Whoa careful there," he said soothingly. "Maybe I'm not the only one who's not used to riding."

Azula grabbed his shoulder to steady herself. "It's been a while since I've ridden anything for so long. I didn't think it would affect me like that," she said, sounding slightly embarrassed to Sokka's ears.

He looked down at her, ready to make a teasing remark, only to be stopped by their closeness. They were only inches apart. His eyes couldn't help but focus on her lips. He watched, entranced, as her tongue peaked out to wet them. His hands tighten their grip on her waist.

Before he could stop himself, he leaned down and put his lips against hers. She was just as sweet as he had imagined. As she let out a slight sound, he pulled back, not knowing whether she made a sound of acceptance, or displeasure.

He looked into her eyes and saw the same emotion he was feeling, desire. He bent his head once more and kissed her soundly. He felt her slide her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her. She tugged on his hair and angled her head for a better seal.

He pushed Azula against the trunk of a tree continuing to kiss her soundly. His hands drifted from her waist up to her breast, lightly cupping each one in his hands. They fit his palms perfectly.

His leg found its way between the two of hers and lightly pressed into her groin, making her straddle him. She moaned and arched her head, exposing her throat to his attention.

He nipped and kissed his way across her exposed throat, just as he had day dreamed about only moments ago.

Where this desire came from, he couldn't begin to comprehend. All he knew was this passionate woman was in his arms and had no intention of letting her go.

"Sokka, Sokka wait," he barely heard Azula's words. So engrossed he was in his task. It wasn't until she grabbed his head with her hands and brought him face to face with her, did he stop.

"Sokka wait, we can't do this. Not now," Azula said breathlessly.

Sokka put his hands on either side of Azula's waist and pressed himself closer against her body. "What, why not? It's just you and me...and the ostrich horses. But I highly doubt they'd say anything," he replied jokingly. Azula smiled, making his heart miss a beat. He went in for another kiss but Azula's hands prevented him from moving his head.

"It's not that Sokka, it's just, we barely know each other. And I don't think it would be good if we started this trip out...like this. We have to stay focused. We can't allow ourselves to be distracted. Distractions could get us killed."

She had a point, not that Sokka wanted to admit it. All he wanted to do was keep kissing her...and possibly a few other intimate things. But he could see Azula's face set sternly and he wasn't one to pressure a woman.

He closed his eyes and took a couple deep breaths, then moved away from Azula. As he tried to calm his racing heart, he heard Azula inhale deeply. He opened his eyes and looked at her curiously. Sokka followed her gaze. It ended up landing on his erection, which his pants were having no effect hiding.

"Yeah umm...I'm going to go jump in the creek and umm...try to...ahh...get rid of that," Sokka stumbled through the words and turned to head towards the creek. Slightly embarrassed at the noticeable affect Azula had upon him. A small hand on his arm stopped him.

"Is it...like always that...umm big?" Azula asked in a quiet voice. Sokka found her question to be both complimenting and puzzling.

'Doesn't she know what an erection is? I'm sure she's seen one before...hasn't she?'

"Well when I'm with an attractive woman it sort of like gets bigger and...uhh...is more...pronounced," Sokka responded awkwardly. "You have seen a male like this before, haven't you?"

Sokka watched as Azula turned her face away from him, her cheeks turning a pretty pink. After a few moments she responded, "Of course I've seen men in that state before. It just...surprised me a little that it was so...big." Sokka wasn't sure if he believed her or not but before he could ask any more questions, she moved away claiming that she'd collect some wood for the fire.

Shrugging Sokka headed towards the creek, figuring he'd catch some fish, and cool off.

Half hour later, Azula still hadn't returned with any wood.

If she ran for it, I'm going to find her and beat her ass. She won't sit comfortably on that ostrich horse for a week.

A small part of Sokka almost wished she had run for it, just so that thought could play itself out.

You're a sick man Sokka. Focus man, focus.

After the kiss, Sokka went to the creek where he removed his boots and shirt, then dived into the water to cool off and hand catch fish for dinner. So far he had caught three fish, and was just catching the forth when he saw movement in the woods. He threw the fourth fish next to the other three on the bank, and walked out of the water, moving quickly for his sword.

"No need for that Peasant, it's just me," Azula's voice called out. A moment later, she appeared, her arms loaded with wood.

"What took you so long? I was starting to think I'd have to chase you down," Sokka responded, relaxing. He turned away from Azula and sat down to put his boots back on. When she didn't respond he glanced over his shoulder, only to find himself face to face with Azula's groin. He looked up, Azula was standing there hands on her hips glaring at him. She reached for his hair and pulled his head back, making him meet her eyes upside down.

"I'm going to tell you this once, and only once Peasant," she started slowly, "I. Want. My. Freedom. And I am NOT going to risk gaining that freedom by running away from this mission or from you. Do you understand?" She still hadn't let go of his hair.

"I'm just saying. You'd have your freedom if you just ran for it. It wouldn't last long, but you'd have it," Sokka responded. Here was the arrogant threatening Azula he knew so well.

"It wouldn't last long enough. I want my freedom and I want my royalty as well. Only way to get that is to stick it out with you," Azula finished. "Now are we clear?" She tugged his hair again.

"Clear as water Princess. You mind letting go of my hair now?" Sokka replied lightly. He saw Azula roll her eyes and then his head was free. He cracked his neck a couple of times, and finished putting on his boots. He stood and grabbed his shirt that he had hung on a nearby branch. Turning, he found Azula standing over the fire pit she had started to make, staring at him blankly. "Are you going to get that fire going Princess? I have some fish we need to get cooking." He pulled his shirt on.

"Fish, fire right," he heard Azula mutter. A second later, blue flame blasted from her hands, turning to orange and red flames once it hit the wood.

Sokka cleaned and started cooking the fish while watching Azula put up his tent and unrolling his single sleeping bag.

"You know, Princess, you didn't have to put my stuff together. But thanks." Sokka commented pleasantly.

"I only put up your stuff because I don't have any stuff. I didn't think to pack a tent or a sleeping bag…I haven't had to camp like this in a long time. And we rushed out of the palace so quickly; I couldn't ask Zuko for anything." Azula responded.

Crap…one tent on sleeping bag…not good.

"You didn't grab anything? No blankets? Pillow? Nothing?" Sokka responded incredulously.

Azula shrugged, "It's not that bad. The ground is probably softer than the cell I was in. And I only had a simple blanket covering that and me. In a way, this is an improvement," Azula said giving Sokka a rare smile.

We'll see about that.

"Well we'll work something out. The fish is ready, come and get it while it's hot!"

While they ate, they discussed a new plan.

"I was figuring, we'll head towards the port of the mainland and catch a ship over to the Colonies. We'll pose as a pair of Fire Nation citizens just traveling the world. We can start at the oldest colonial city and work our way north." Sokka said in between bites of food. "How familiar is the name Azula?"

Sokka watched Azula finish chewing the fish she had taken a bite of, "It's not a common name, but it's not uncommon either. Once I was born, families named their daughters the same to show unity of the Fire Nation. One issue with you being fire nation, your eyes are blue, Fire Nation citizen generally have amber eyes."

"Okay good. I was thinking code names might be needed, but if it's somewhat common then we won't worry about it. What about the blue fire? Does anyone else have that? I'll claim to be half fire nation, half water tribe. My mother was taken from the southern tribes and brought to the fire nation. Problem solved." Sokka continued eating. He made a damn fine fish.

"That story could work. As for the fire, no, at least no one I know or have ever seen has blue fire. But not everyone knows that I can create blue fire either. The only people that have seen my fire would be my enemies or my family. And for the most part, my enemies are becoming my…well allies I suppose. So issue diverted," Azula said smirking. She put some more fish on her plate. "You know, this fish isn't too bad. It's good to know I won't starve on this mission Peasant," Azula said taking another healthy bite.

"We can't have that happening now can we Princess. No knowing what Zuko would do if I starved you on this quest," Sokka said jokingly, then instantly regretted it as Azula lowered the chopsticks she'd been eating with, a sad look coming into her eyes.

"I don't think Zuko would really care if I came back or not. All he seemed worried about was you," she said quietly. Sokka hated her looking like this. He preferred the hair pulling arrogant Azula over sad vulnerable Azula any day.

"I'm sure he would Azula. Who else is in this world that can challenge him to an Agni Kai and give him a good run for his money? Or what about having someone teach him lightening? Iroh refuses to do it. " Sokka said. He saw her lips curve up in a small smile, as though the thought of teaching her brother lighting pleased her.

"I guess you're right. And I do like the new plan. It may not be fully planned out, but I think it's a good start. Let's clean this stuff up and go to bed. Even on the hard ground, I think I'll sleep like the dead."

Right…one sleeping bag…one tent.

As they cleaned up their dinner, Sokka thought of the different options for the sleeping arrangements. After playing several ideas in his head, and after a moment of discreetly adjusting his pants, he settled on one that made the most sense.

"Azula, why don't you take the sleeping bag tonight? You've had enough nights on the hard floor. I'll just sleep in the tent on the ground. That way I have the protection of the tent, and you'll have the protection of the sleeping bag."

"Sokka I'll be fine on the ground. You take the sleeping bag; it's bound to get cold tonight. And I can create my own heat without it. Trust me…"

"No, you're taking the sleeping bag. We are NOT debating this. I'm not having you sleeping on the ground. Not when you've been practically doing that for seven years. Now take the damn sleeping bag and get ready for bed. We leave shortly after dawn tomorrow." Sokka spoke firmly. Picking up the sleeping bag and rolling it out outside the tent for Azula.

"Well I can't argue with a forceful peasant now can I? But if you freeze tonight, don't blame me." Azula said climbing into the sleeping bag and closing her eyes.

If I get cold, I'll simply think of that kiss. That'll keep me warm all night. Sokka thought to himself.

He grabbed his bag for a makeshift pillow and climbed into the tent. He left the flaps open so he could see Azula. Within moments of lying down, he was asleep.

Author after Note: Wow long chapter! Hope you enjoyed it! I'm hoping to have the next one posted in a few days. Feel free to leave reviews!