It's been sooooo long I know I know! But I'm back! With a new chapter (obviously) I hope you enjoy! And I'm hoping to be posting another chapter within a week! Here we go!
Chapter 24: Freedom Reunited
Standing outside Yu Dao, Sokka studied the city which had caused him such pain. A woman he had loved died there. Now he returned with another woman, one he was feeling for deeply. One he was not willing to lose.
I can't do this again…Spirits, please do not let me lose another Sokka thought, glancing over at Azula. They had left the Rebel Camp on foot with the promise to return and collect the ostrich horses later. It had been a long two day journey, but they had finally made it.
"Something isn't right about this place," Azula commented besides him. "A town this size should have more activity."
Sokka nodded in agreement.
"What's our plan, oh great planner."
Sokka smirked slightly, "We find The Duke's friends. Get a safe place to stay, than start looking. See if can find anything on either of our targets."
"Well least we'll blend in better with these clothes."
Sokka nodded in agreement. He had given The Duke some gold pieces to purchase them earth kingdom clothing. Hoping it would give them a better disguise as they entered the city.
"Green looks good on you. I especially like the headband," Sokka grinned at Azula's sigh. It had given him a jolt seeing her dressed in green over her usual black and red. With green pants, a green and gold tunic and her hair parted into two braids, Sokka had been stunned at the difference. She looked younger, more carefree than her normal fire nation clothing.
"At least I still look like an upper tier member; you look like a scruffy peasant."
Sokka couldn't argue; it was what he was going for. He hadn't shaved the past few days, and his hair was down and all over the place. The only thing keeping it directly out of his eyes was a green and gold head band. His simple green tunic and pants had no embellishments.
"I'd rather be a scruffy peasant than a snotty upper tier anyway. They aren't bright and are easily brainwashed," Sokka commented pretentiously.
"Are you implying I'm stupid, Peasant?" The glint in Azula's voice had Sokka grinning as he looked over.
"Well…." Sokka chuckled as Azula wacked him on the back of the head.
"Let's move, I grow tired of your company. "
Keeping the mood light, Sokka commented, "It's good to know your acting abilities aren't as bad as your flirtation skills."
"Acting? Who says I'm acting?"
Bending close to Azula's ear while taking her hand in his, Sokka whispered, "I would say you grow tired FROM my company, rather than OF my company. I believed I proved that a few nights ago."
The blush he put on her cheeks had Sokka chuckling softly. He had been worried about his actions the last time they had laid together. He was rougher than he meant to be, his anger leading him to turn into the savage Azula claimed him to be. He made a vow to himself to make up for it at a safer time.
If we ever get to sleep together again… Gloomy, Sokka looked around as they entered Yu Dao. All around were wanted posters with their faces on them.
Universe…keep us hidden…
People walked around them, moving with a purpose. Several nodded towards Sokka and Azula, but no one seemed to have made the connection. He was congratulating himself on a disguise well done until he spotted two men, one tall and bulky, the other shorter but still bulky, walking towards them. His grip tightened on Azula's hand. He gave her a warning glance.
"Relax, they're just investigating," Azula replied softly, tightening her hand in his. "Smile at me, we're just a couple entering the city."
Relax, right…you've been wanted before by a nation Sokka…be cool…be cool
"Haven't seen you two around the city before? What's your purpose?" The taller of the two asked.
"Visiting some old friends," Azula stated her voice calm with a hint of friendly curiosity.
Great actress indeed.
"Staying long then?"
"Depending on how much food and booze they have will determine the length of the stay. If you get my drift," Sokka tagged on, thankful when both men laughed agreeably.
"True true. What's your names?" The shorter of the two asked.
Names have power, Sokka remembered The Duke saying.
"I'm Mai, this is my boyfriend Lee," Azula responded smoothly, "would we get the pleasure of knowing yours as well?"
Damn she's good.
"I'm Cho and this is Yen. We're patrolling the city. You see these two people on your journey?" Cho, the taller one asked, gesturing to the closes wanted poster.
Sokka's heart rate spiked, they couldn't be discovered so soon.
Think Sokka think!
"They look rather dangerous. Why are they wanted?" Azula's calm voice rang through Sokka's panic.
"They're killers! They've killed innocent men and threatened a woman and her child. We need to catch them as soon as possible," the one named Yen responded.
Well that's a bunch of hippo-cow shit…
"Wow, that is terrible," Sokka commented blandly, trying not to chuckle at the fake gasp Azula let out. "If we see them we'll make sure to alert the authorities immediately."
"Do not try apprehending them. The reward will go out to informants and those who do capture them. The Prime Minister is wanting them, said they're extremely dangerous. Better to have the professionals handle it." Yen continued, giving Sokka and Azula a pointed look.
Yes because the professional can't even tell what the hell their looking at….
"Thanks for the warning. We'll get to our friends and keep our eyes open for them," Sokka commented sternly, barely succeeding in keeping the amusement from his voice. "Can't have dangerous people like that wondering the streets."
"No we can't. We'll make sure alert the authorities right away," Azula tagged on.
You could sound a little more frightened Azula…Sokka thought humorously.
The two men gave a slight bow and continued on their way.
"Well, that went well enough," Sokka commented, "Isn't Mai a special name?"
"Everyone's name is Mai. Not everyone spells it with an 'I', but I won't be writing it that way."
"Oh. Good thinking!"
"They may not be Lady Flame and Master Sword, but they work."
"Seems like the professionals around here are super professional," Sokka smirked.
"Oh yes, they've very astute. We'll have to be on guard."
Sokka chuckled softly at her sarcasm.
"Come on; let's find our friends Mai before the killers get us."
"We need get off the streets immediately Lee. Anyone who threatens women and children are not to be fooled with. I'm so glad you're so big and strong, you can protect me." Playing into it, Sokka pulled Azula closer.
"Of course my sweet! I would never let anyone harm you. You're way too precious to me," Sokka stated jokingly, but then paused realizing it wasn't really a joke at all. Hugging her to his side, he bent down and kissed the top of her head whispering, "Way too precious."
The soft smile he received in return had him standing proudly.
I won't let anything harm you here…I swear on the Spirits, Avatar and Universe. I will not lose you.
They walked by closed up buildings, rusted fences, passed by the occasional beggar or two. The city started to become dimmer as they moved towards the eastern side.
Soon a great warehouse came into view. Peeled paint decorated the sides advertising the old circus that was once there. Next to the warehouse was two story long stone building with multiple front doors.
"This must be it," Sokka commented looking around for a door to knock. "Should we just knock?"
"Might as well," was her response.
Walking up to the first door, Sokka knocked three times. When no one answered, they moved to the next.
"I don't like this," Azula stated quietly. Sokka noticed her reaching for a dagger. "Something isn't right."
Picking up on that, Sokka reached for his sword as well.
Before either could pull out their weapons, the ground shifted and went out beneath them. Sokka grabbed Azula around the waist as they fell underground.
"Hold on!" Sokka yelled, not knowing how long they were going to fall.
Before they knew it, they hit solid ground, both somehow able to keep their balance. Above them, the ground moved and closed off the opening they fell through. They were in pitch darkness.
"Don't," Sokka warned, grasping Azula's hand before she could create a fire for light. "We could be discovered by that."
"We're in complete darkness, I can't see in the dark!" Sokka didn't miss the panic in her voice.
Shit…He stroked the hand he held with his thumb, trying to keep her calm.
"Stay calm. They could be friendly. We don't want to freak them out with your flames," Sokka warned. Thinking fast he called out, "We're looking for friends of a man who calls himself The Duke. He told us to come here for a place to stay!" Sokka turned quickly at the sound of movement, feeling Azula do the same, he continued holding her hand always stroking soothingly. Thankful she heeded his words and didn't light a fire.
"How do you know him?" a deep voice spoke from the darkness. He felt Azula move to stand back to back with him.
Too hard to pin point where they are…where is Toph when I need her?!
Not wanting to give someone too much information on his friend, Sokka stuck with simple stuff, "I met him when he was a part of the group call Freedom Fighters. I spent time with him during the war at the Western Air temples after the day of black sun. He fought with the Avatar though I do not know his allegiance now." Sokka tagged on, worried that the old allegiances could cause them harm.
"What's your name?" the voice called out after several seconds.
"Why don't you show yourself," Azula countered. Sokka glared at her, sure she couldn't see it, but he felt better doing it.
"What she means is we are not here to harm anyone. We're simply looking for a place to stay the night. The Duke didn't give us your name, and we're hesitant to give you ours. You can't trust anyone in this town." He could sense the eye roll Azula gave him.
"This is true," the voice stated, "so why should we trust you?"
"Because I haven't toasted your ass yet, that's why." Sokka flinched at the annoyance in her voice. A pissed off Azula was not going to help their situation.
"A fire bender, are you? We don't take to kindly to your kind," the voice had become cold and stern. Sokka could feel the earth under his feet shake.
"We're here on behalf of the Avatar. We're hoping to bring peace back to the town," Sokka spoke loudly. "I have been friends with the Avatar since the day he was discovered."
Please be good friends…please be good friends.
"Sokka? Is that you?" the earth had stopped shaking, the voice changing to curiosity.
"That's me," Sokka replied, he knew Azula wasn't going to play nice much longer and whether they died here or not, he was tired of being in the dark.
Death wasn't what the mysterious male had in mind. The wall to their left shifted, revealing a candle lit tunnel. Blinking against the light, Sokka looked around for the owner of the voice.
Oh for the love of the Avatar. He'd know that mustache and goatee anywhere.
"Haru? Why didn't you tell me it was you?" Sokka exclaimed, releasing Azula's hand to give him a manly hug.
"Can't be too careful around here, people change allies faster than Aang can switch elements," Haru responded. "Only caught a glimpse of you upstairs, you look…different."
"If you'd leave your hole here, you'd have known we're wanted criminals," Azula's dry comment had Sokka frowning.
"I've seen the posters, didn't think you both would be crazy enough to enter the city, let alone go knocking on random doors," Haru frowned. "Why you're with Sokka in the first place really has me baffled."
"I'm making up for my past…discretion by helping bring peace to this city," Azula sneered. Sokka took her hand once more, giving her a warning look.
"I could see Zuko going for that, and I'm still alive, so you can't be too bad," Haru responded with a grin. Sokka shook his head, though stubborn, Haru always was one to forgive.
"Well come on then, there's someone you should meet. I'm sure she'll be pleased to see you," Haru announced, starting to move down the lit tunnel.
"What is this place?" Sokka asked. The tunnel was connected to several other tunnels with no directly lit path. Holding Azula's hand, he began stroking it slowly as he felt her pulse spike as they moved further underground.
"Our safe haven. Moved here a few years ago. The guards leave us alone for the most part, but to be extra cautious, we live under ground. Very few can feel it down here," Haru answered. Turning they entered a wide sitting area. Sokka would describe it as homey. Simple couches and chairs with a square table to sit four. It was bare, but it was comfortable.
A woman stood on guard at the entrance.
Sokka groaned, of all the people.
"Honey, look who I found," Haru introduced. "Look familiar?"
"Haru, I was starting to get worried! Who are they? Why did you bring….Azula?"
Sokka felt more than saw Azula sigh, "Hello Ty Lee."
Shorter chapter but I felt that was a good place to pause :D New chapter in another week!
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