Gladiator

by Seyary-Minamoto

In a world where the Avatar wasn't found, the Fire Nation took over two nations and they strive to overcome the last one. Water Tribe warrior Sokka seeks to fight for his people's rights, but he's captured by his enemies. His life is no longer in his hands as he fights as a Gladiator, and his fate will eventually depend on the Fire Nation Princess, who needs him for her own ends...

69. Chapter 69: Azula's Birthday 3

Her movements were agile, quick, on point. She slid her sword through his openings as smoothly as though she were gliding through water, and he was left parrying her blows while trying to keep up with her. His defense was slower than usual, and she hadn't failed to notice as much. There were bags under his eyes, but he had claimed it was only because he had stayed up all night reading. Teasingly, she had asked him if perhaps he had been studying up on haiku. His response had been a scowl.

It had been weeks of constant training. They hardly stopped ever since Azula had decided Sokka would face a new opponent in the Arena every week. Sokka had taken notice of an unusual aggressiveness in Azula's fighting style as of late, but he hadn't found the proper moment to inquire about it, for she kept prying into what he was hiding from her. He had managed to protect his secret so far, but only because he either resorted to flirting dangerously with her, which never failed to make Azula forget what they had been talking about, or because he changed the subject swiftly. She had caught on to his intent to distract her, though, and that only bolstered her determination to discover what he was hiding. She became more observant than ever, to Sokka's unease, for she meant to discover what he hid… but seeing as she seemed to be in a better mood when she was pestering him about his secrets, Sokka wouldn't complain much over being interrogated about them.

Up to date, Sokka had already fought against five new opponents in the Grand Royal Dome, and to his sponsor's relief, he had aced every fight. He had sustained a few wounds against the Vortex, a strong non-bending woman who had used razor-sharp knives to attack him, but the shallow injuries were no matter of concern when Sokka had already managed to rise to the 214th position on the ranking. Advancing through the list of gladiators grew more difficult every day, but the increase on the frequency of Sokka's fights had greatly helped him improve his position.

It seemed to Azula that Sokka was more tired than usual lately, though. She wasn't imagining the bags under his eyes, or the fact that, whenever she arrived at his house he would be dozing off. She wasn't sure what had brought this about, although she suspected it might be the new weekly fight regime they had established. Nevertheless, his exhaustion seemed odd to her, and it worried her to an extent… but upon seeing him greet her with a warm smile every day, even when he looked so sleepy, she figured he wasn't feeling as bad as he looked.

Azula couldn't understand the actual reason why Sokka was so tired, of course. The weekly fight regime wasn't his only source of fatigue, and it definitely wasn't the main one.

The forging of the dragon's armor was going quite well, to Sokka's and his helpers' relief. Rui Shi and Song would head to the workshop on occasion: the former did it whenever he had spare time and the latter would do it whenever she wanted to. Sokka, on the other hand, visited the workshop every day as soon as his training session with Azula ended. Once the Princess had gone home for the day, Sokka would go to the workshop to spend most the night working, usually by himself, on the armor for the dragon. Song would stay with him sometimes, but she would usually fall asleep on a chair while Sokka made sure the metal plates fit together properly.

All in all, Sokka only ever managed to sleep a few hours before getting up again to train with Azula. His body begged for mercy, but Sokka couldn't stop pushing himself yet. The armor only needed finishing touches by now, he would get proper sleep soon enough: Azula's birthday was tomorrow, and he had been working too hard to stay on schedule only to bail out now just because he was tired. He would complete all work on the armor today, and he would only rest after he was done with that.

But his body seemed to disagree with his mind's commands entirely. It had been too much strain, too little rest, and too much recklessness on his part…

Azula's smooth movements were fascinating to watch… and incredibly deadly too. Not for the first time Sokka wished they were training with blunt swords when Wolf's Bane sharp edge nearly cut through his cheek.

"A-Azula!" he exclaimed, as he stumbled to evade her.

"Too slow, Sokka!" she declared, stepping forward and attempting to reach his chest with the sword.

He parried her blow with his sword, but he had to take a step back to maintain his balance… and a sharp jolt of pain rushed up through his leg when his foot touched the ground. Sokka cried out in pain as his knees buckled under him. He fell on his butt, one hand on his leg while the other one dropped the sword he'd been holding.

He was rubbing his thigh when he noticed the tip of a white sword was only inches away from his forehead. He lifted his head and found she was beaming with pride, her golden eyes blazing.

"And so I win," she said, smirking.

"N-no, you don't..." Sokka said, and her self-satisfied smile vanished for a moment.

"You're on the ground, I could kill you if I wanted to, you're not even holding your weapon anymore... And yet you say I didn't win? I fail to grasp your logic, gladiator..."

"M-my leg, Azula…" Sokka muttered, clutching it tightly.

"What about your leg?" she said, raising an eyebrow.

"I've got a leg cramp, that's what!"

"A leg cramp? Pffft..." she said, rolling her eyes. "Oh, sure thing. So, when I defeat you in the most embarrassing fashion possible, you happen to be cramped. Makes sense."

"I'm serious!" Sokka said, grimacing.

"And I'm serious too, you're such a sore loser," said Azula, shaking her head. "For the first time I've beat you fair and square, following your petty 'no firebending allowed' rule, and when I do, you throw a tantrum. You know, it's very inappropriate for a grown man such as yourself to act like such a baby..."

"I'm not throwing a tantrum, woman!" Sokka squealed. "If you want me to say you've won, then fine! You got me! But I still have a leg cramp, whether you want to believe me or not!"

"Well, I sure don't believe you," said Azula, moving towards him. "If I did, my victory would be tainted and thus, invalid. Isn't that the way of it?"

"It doesn't have to be, I really don't care that much…" growled Sokka, trying to get up. His left leg shifted only slightly, and that was enough to send him through another world of pain. "Ah, blast it!"

"Who knew you were such a delicate thing, Sokka..." whispered Azula, squatting beside him and encircling his waist with an arm. "Come on, at least make the effort to move, will you? I've had to carry you enough times as it is."

"What's that supposed to mean? Aaaah, dammit!" Sokka whined as Azula pulled him up with her.

"Well, what else?" said Azula, as Sokka draped an arm around her shoulders and she helped him towards the house. "Did you conveniently forget that I carried you out of the Grand Royal Dome when you were half-dead?"

"Heh, well, I carried you through the river and towards Xin Long's cave when we were in the forest," Sokka retorted.

"And then I had to pull you up when you couldn't climb the rocks that led to the cave."

"Oh, but then I carried you when you were sick, and I did it like five times in a single day!" Sokka declared, as they climbed the steps towards the house. "And then in Ember Island...!"

"Well, fine, then," said Azula, rolling her eyes. "You've done it more times than I have. Doesn't mean I should be helping you walk anyways."

"Yeah, it does," said Sokka, cringing upon every step he took as they moved towards the couch in the living room. "You… you're bound by your honor to repay the debt you owe me!"

"Why, that's ironic," said Azula, looking at him skeptically. "Who was it that constantly said: 'I didn't do all those things so you'd owe me'?"

Sokka gave Azula a pouty glare, bothered by how she had lowered her voice to imitate his. He was still thinking about how to respond to what she'd said when she dropped him heavily on the couch, and he cried out in pain again when his left leg took most the impact of his fall.

"Really, how whiny can you be?" asked Azula, raising an eyebrow as Sokka cursed under his breath and rubbed his leg.

"Next time you can't walk because your leg is killing you, I'll ask the same question!" Sokka snarled, as Song left the kitchen and approached them, looking at the pair with curiosity.

"What's the matter now?" she asked, hardly even surprised to find they were arguing, as ever.

"Good thing you're here," said Azula, regarding Song with only a flicker of her gaze towards her. "He's broken. Do something about it, will you?"

"What the…? I'm not a thing, you know! I'm hurt! Not broken!" Sokka squeaked, while Song looked back and forth between them with confusion.

"You broke something…?" she asked, approaching Sokka.

"I didn't, my leg's cramped. That's all," grumbled Sokka.

Song looked at him, noticing his left leg seemed to be bothering him. She tapped her chin for a moment… logic said that his muscle would begin working properly again in no time, there wasn't much to do about it. Yet…

"Well, I suppose a massage could help," said Song, shrugging.

"Then get on with it," said Azula. "I'd very much like to show him that, cramp or not, I can defeat him."

"Right," said Song, smiling weakly. "Though I think it would be best if he took some time to rest his leg. He might endure a worse injury if he puts a lot of strain on his body."

"So, no more training?" asked Azula, clearly disappointed to hear this.

"At least not for today," said Song, sighing before biting her lip. "It's getting pretty late, too… Well, I have to go somewhere right now, if you two don't mind…"

"Huh?" said Sokka, looking at her in confusion. "Song, it's not that late, and… wait… uh… oh. You've got to go, then. Of course you do. What about the massage you mentioned, though?"

"Oh, well, the Princess could do it, right?" said Song, shrugging.

Song should have known the response she would earn upon those words would be as explosive as it was. Azula jumped back and looked at her, in utter disbelief, and Sokka also tried to leap to his feet in surprise… though soon enough he had to sit down again, grabbing his leg in the process while grimacing.

"What the hell?! No, I couldn't do it! Why on earth would I do that?!" Azula asked, looking at Song as though the girl had lost her mind.

"Well… I thought it wouldn't be a problem," said Song, shrugging. "It's just a simple massage. Just rub his leg a little until he feels better, no more than that."

"Actually, it IS a problem," said Azula, trying to fight back the blush that was creeping over her features. "What could possibly make you think it'd be appropriate for me to do that?"

"I just… I just guessed you'd be willing to help Sokka get better," said Song, blinking a few times and looking at Azula with apparent innocence. "I mean, he is your gladiator after all…"

"And you're his healer, aren't you?" asked Azula. "You do it! Whatever you have to do can wait, can't it?"

"Y-you know, nobody else has to do it…" said Sokka, with a weak smile. "I can do it myself, no need to worry…"

"Well, it would be better if it was someone else who…"

"He said he could do it," Azula repeated, looking at Song dangerously. "So he will. Now, unless you have a better idea, and this time one I might actually approve of, you're more than welcome to take off as you meant to."

"O-okay…" said Song, swallowing. How did Sokka manage not to be intimidated by the Princess's wrath? The way she glared at her was enough to make Song regret her attempt to tease the pair… if only it were possible to turn back time, she surely would have avoided making that mistake.

"See you later, then," said Sokka, waving as Song gulped and moved towards the door.

Azula watched her leave, her eyebrow twitching until the door was closed behind her. She sighed and rolled her eyes before dropping on the couch at Sokka's right.

"You've got a real trouble-making maid there, Sokka," she said, crossing her legs. "Is she always like that?"

"Eh, from time to time," said Sokka, shrugging. "You haven't seen the worst of her."

"What do you mean?" asked Azula, raising an eyebrow.

"Well…" Sokka gulped, hoping she wouldn't jump to the wrong conclusions. "She can be like an annoying little sister, picking on you and irritating you when you least expect it, you know? She's quite the feisty one, but she always manages to hide it behind that perfect pretense of innocence and kindness…"

"Deep down she's not a bad person, though," said Azula, crossing her arms over her chest as well. "She doesn't give off the vibe of it."

"Heh, so proud of your people-reading skills, aren't you?" asked Sokka, smiling.

"Well, I have every right to be," said Azula, her head held high. "Many people believe themselves unreadable, but nobody is. It's just a matter of observing and understanding them."

"You do a lot of observation, then?" asked Sokka, chuckling. "So, if you can read Song so well… what do you read about me?"

"That you're a moron pretending not to be one, that's what."

"Hey!"

Azula chuckled as he looked at her with apparent hurt, rubbing his leg already and grimacing upon the pain at times.

"You're an honest man, that's what you are," said Azula, at which Sokka dropped his guard again and looked at her with interest. "No matter if you try not to be, you are. You're pretty thoughtless, though, often saying everything you think without hesitation…"

"Well, life is too short to worry about the effect your every word will have, huh?" said Sokka, shrugging.

"And thinking that way will only serve to shorten your already short lifespan," said Azula, with a smile. "But you're also ridiculously thick-headed, so even if I warn you not to be so thoughtless, you won't change your ways… but you'd better learn to restrain yourself, Sokka. At least for one day."

"You mean tomorrow?" asked Sokka, gulping. "Is this going to be like my induction into high society?"

"I… wouldn't call it that. Not exactly," said Azula, growing stiff all of sudden, to Sokka's surprise.

He frowned as he scrutinized her carefully, worrying over the drastic change of her demeanor. She was tense again… as she had constantly been during the past weeks. And maybe it was the right time for him to ask about what was bothering her at long last, wasn't it?

"Are you alright?" he asked her, taking her by surprise with that question.

"Me? You ought to worry more about yourself, Sokka," replied Azula, sternly. "I guess you don't understand what I just implied…"

"Well, I kind of figure what you meant by that," said Sokka, shrugging. "I'm a slave, and I know it. Maybe you and your dad don't treat me like I'm worth less than the soil you tread on, but the same can't be said for the rest of the noblemen I'll be meeting tomorrow. Right?"

"Right…" said Azula, sighing. She wouldn't quite lump her father in the same group as her, though. Perhaps Ozai was intrigued by the gladiator, to some extent, but not to the point where he'd actually see Sokka as a human being on his same standing…

"But that's to be expected," said Sokka. "What I don't understand, though, is why you've got that frown on your face whenever you get lost in thought. You end up with a little crease between your eyebrows when you do that, you know?"

"W-what? I don't get a crease between…!" Azula exclaimed, taken aback by that sudden remark.

"And there it is!" said Sokka, chuckling when she frowned as a reaction to what he had said.

The crease remained in place, for she was still frowning, and Sokka kept laughing about it until Azula flicked him on the forehead.

"Hey! No need for that! Don't you think I'm in enough pain already?!" he complained, rubbing his forehead now while looking at her accusingly.

"That last comment gave me the impression that it really wasn't enough," she said, raising her eyebrows and looking at him defiantly.

"Keh, leaving that aside, though…" said Sokka. "You're not the only observant person around here, Azula. What's going on? Something's been bothering you for a while. You can tell me what it is, you know? I've kept every single secret you've ever shared with me, I'm not about to start giving them away now."

"Considering you're keeping secrets from me at the moment as well, I don't see why I should talk," Azula said, crossing her arms over her chest again.

"My secret isn't making me miserable, is it?" said Sokka, at which the grip of her fingers on her arms grew tighter. "Come on, Azula. Whatever it is, you can tell me."

Azula frowned again and sighed. It was true, there should be little to no risk in sharing this with him. Still, something compelled her to hold back. Maybe it was that she didn't want to tell him about the objectives her father had set for the feast… at the very least, she didn't want to tell him about one of her father's objectives. Still, what good would it come from hiding it? If things went Ozai's way, she'd end up married, and hiding this from Sokka would only wound him. The sooner he knew, the better… but she didn't want to start off with that part, though.

"Well, for one thing, I attended an audience session with my father on the same day I came here to tell you that you would be fighting a new opponent on a weekly basis," said Azula, her jaw tense as she spoke. "It was… it was an odd experience."

"How so?" asked Sokka, surprised. "You'd never done that before?"

"No, my father usually deals with those meetings by himself," said Azula. "I suppose I learned a few things, but… the last man lashed out at my father. I had to defend him to keep the man from reaching him."

"Woah," said Sokka, gulping. "That sounds crazy. I didn't think people would actually try to touch your dad…"

"One would expect them to know better," admitted Azula. "No matter his reasons, no matter his convictions, attacking the Fire Lord wasn't going to end well for him."

"And I wager it didn't," said Sokka, frowning.

"He was demoted into slavery," said Azula. "And he was sold a week ago, or so my father told me."

"Huh…" said Sokka, dropping his gaze. "Well… it's odd that he didn't want his head for what he did."

"He told me that if I hadn't stopped him, and the man had actually reached him, he would have," said Azula. "I didn't expect something of the sort to happen, though. Ruling isn't exactly what people are led to believe it is."

"You'd do fine at it, though," said Sokka, encouragingly. "You wouldn't have a problem kicking away all the people who try to attack you, huh?"

"If my people were willing to physically assault me, just how well would I be doing my job?" asked Azula, at which Sokka froze. "I… I've been working my entire life towards the same goal. The goal my father set down for me. And perhaps I'm prepared in some regards… but you did tell me once that what makes a nation is its people. And as much as I didn't want to admit it then, I can say it now… you were right about it."

Sokka looked at her in surprise, his jaw dropped. Azula looked at him sideways, slightly bothered by his reaction.

"What?"

"Y-you… you said I was right about something," he said, dropping back on the couch, his gaze now on the opposite wall. "I'm just trying to digest that…"

"Oh, please, don't be so ridiculous," said Azula, rolling her eyes.

"No, seriously, I need a moment to actually process what you just said…" he muttered, at which Azula huffed.

"Yes, I said you were right, what of it?" she snapped, and he seemed to grow even more elated to hear her say it again. "But ever since you got that damned idea into my head everything has become more difficult. I mean… my father says he's working for the sake of the Fire Nation's progress, but what sort of progress is there in reducing our own people, the ones born to our nation, into slavery…? Whose sake is this progress for, really? Is it for the so-called greatness of the Fire Nation? Because it… it doesn't really sound like it."

"I guess it must have been hard to see things from a different perspective for you…" said Sokka, stroking his stubble. "But even if it's not easy at first, I think it's what you have to do. A good leader is capable of acknowledging his shortcomings, and the shortcomings of his system. That way you can do something about it when it's your turn to rule."

"I suppose I should," said Azula, sighing heavily. Sokka frowned again.

"And… this is the extent of what bugged you?" asked Sokka. "Because really, Azula, I'm pretty sure you're on the right track…"

"That's not all there is to it," said Azula, and Sokka's reassuring words were silenced.

"Oh… then what else is bothering you?"

"After those audiences, I spoke privately with my father," said Azula. "I happened to find out why he wants you to attend the feast…"

"Huh? Really, now?" asked Sokka, surprised. "Why, then?"

"Well… you're becoming quite renowned in the circles of high society, apparently," said Azula. "I suppose it's because of all those noblemen who sponsor their own gladiators. They've spoken to my father about you, and he seems to think it will be a good idea to parade you before them like some circus hogmonkey…"

"Huh? You're not literal about that, are you?!" asked Sokka, grimacing.

"Oh, well, I will confess it would be fun to watch you perform circus hogmonkey acts…" said Azula, chuckling for the first time since the conversation had drifted to these topics.

"No, it wouldn't be!" said Sokka, horrified. "B-but then… parade me? What do you mean?"

"Well… he wants you to be some sort of attention bait, if you understand what I'm saying," said Azula. "After all the things you've done, you're almost like a celebrity… which is pretty ridiculous considering you're a slave, isn't it? So all those noblemen are curious about you… and if you attend the feast they might be quite pleased to see you there."

"So, your father does care about keeping people happy," said Sokka, with a grin that actually came off as a grimace. "Just, high-class people who will look at me like I'm the Royal Family's jester. Yippie."

"I'm warning you beforehand… please try not to do anything stupid," said Azula, sighing. "I know it'll be frustrating for you, but if you do something out of bounds you might just end up locked up somewhere for misbehaving. And I'd much rather avoid that sort of trouble, if you'd be so kind…"

"What, you thought I wouldn't behave myself?" Sokka asked, pretending to be hurt by her words. Azula gave him a skeptical look.

"When have you ever behaved yourself, Sokka? You don't even know what the word stands for," she stated, and he chuckled weakly.

"Maybe not. But I'll do my best," he said. "I can't promise I'll be just a nice ornament standing next to you if your dad's noblemen ask you if you don't need to keep a leash on me… but I'll try to avoid saying everything that goes through my head, if that's any consolation."

"I suppose it is, on some level," said Azula, nodding. "You're ready for it, then?"

"Yeah," said Sokka. "The clothes Ty Lee got for me will work for the occasion, I think. It'll be the first time I dress up all fancy, though… but I think I'll manage somehow."

"You'd better," said Azula, sighing.

"How about you? Are you ready for it?" asked Sokka. "Ready to turn… how many, is it? Nineteen?"

"Ha ha," Azula laughed sarcastically, at which he chuckled. "I was nineteen when I caught you in the South Pole, you know?"

"Curious that you've become a nicer person at almost twenty-two, then," said Sokka, smiling. "I admit I like the almost twenty-two Azula much better."

"Are you certain of that?" asked Azula. "I actually disagree. Beating you up and stepping all over you in the snow wasn't half bad…"

"Sure thing," grumbled Sokka, and she smirked. "So you're really ready for it, then? Off to face those irritating noblemen?"

"Well… more or less," said Azula, growing tense again. Sokka raised an eyebrow.

"Is there something else?" he asked. He sure hadn't expected Azula's problems to be threefold.

"I… suppose," said Azula, looking down at his legs. "Feeling any better yet?"

"Oh, a little," said Sokka, but upon trying to stand up he ended up dropping on the couch again. "Aaah, well… not that much better yet."

"Huh…"

Sokka jumped when he felt Azula's hand on his leg. Blood began rushing to his face… and he was quite grateful that it had gone upwards instead of downwards. The last he needed was a mishap with his groin right now…

"If you're not going to do it yourself you're leaving me no other choice," said Azula, somewhat embarrassed yet massaging his leg all the same. He had touched her inappropriately quite a few times now… and she had an excuse to return the favor now. It wasn't like he'd complain about it, anyways.

"W-well…" said Sokka, gulping and failing to find any other word to respond to what she had just said. It seemed Song's devious plan had worked out after all.

"There… there is another issue," Azula said, her heart thumping in her chest as she tried to bring herself to say it. "As you said, I am about to turn twenty-two… and every past Fire Nation Princess has already been married long before they reach this particular age."

Sokka frowned now. This didn't sound good.

"My father… he often tells me I need to find a husband," said Azula, incapable of looking at Sokka as she spoke. "But he had never put that much pressure on me about it, despite it all. I've always been opposed to the idea of marrying before I take the throne, if I am to take it at all…"

"Yeah, I heard as much…" said Sokka, dropping his gaze. "If that happened, you'd end up as Fire Lady and your husband would be Fire Lord… right?"

"There's no record of a female Fire Lord in all of Fire Nation history," said Azula. "When you walk through the Royal Gallery, you'll only ever see portraits of men after men… and for a very long time I dreamt that my very own painting would make the difference one day. Marrying someone now would destroy those dreams… and all my hopes to improve the Fire Nation would vanish along with them. I trust myself to be capable of bringing real progress to my nation. But manipulating a husband into doing my bidding, as my father expects me to… I don't want to put the fate of my nation, of my people, in the hands of some incompetent puppet my father deems worthy of my hand. Not when I could do better by myself."

"Which is why you didn't want to marry Chan," said Sokka. "Well, one of the many reasons, I guess."

"Indeed," muttered Azula. "But… it seems my father thinks it's time I accept a suitor. And even though I tried to pull out of it, he didn't let me this time. He… he actually expects me to choose my future husband tomorrow."

Something inside Sokka seemed to break upon this last confession as he looked at Azula in disbelief. She couldn't get married, she… she was too good for any man out there, he was completely certain of it. But if Ozai expected her to marry someone now… if her father was commanding this, Azula would obey. That was how it always had been, right?

Imagining another man with her made him clench his jaw. To think another would touch her, kiss her and make her his… it even caused him physical pain just to think of it. His chest had hurt him in the past for an array of reasons, but never as it did just now. He didn't want Azula to marry someone… he didn't want her to be with any random nobleman, especially since she didn't want that either! For, if she did, why would she be unable to hold his gaze now? Why did it seem it bothered her so much to tell him about this?

The last thing he could have wanted was for Azula to marry someone she couldn't care less for. But how could he prevent it from happening when Fire Lord Ozai was the one who insisted on it? And it wasn't as though Sokka had any right to beg Azula not to marry someone… he was just a slave, after all. And he had no right to be selfish when it came to her, of all people… especially when she had never been meant to belong with him.

But thinking about it only made his chest ache more. Azula, married… clearly, she wasn't on board with the idea either. But what other choice did she have?

"Who…? Who are the guys trying to court you, though?" Sokka asked, swallowing hard. "Are they any good?"

"Most of them aren't," muttered Azula. "Remember Kuan?"

"How could I forget?" grunted Sokka, an eyebrow twitching at the memory of the man.

"Well… he would be one of them," said Azula, sighing. Sokka looked at her in disbelief.

"What?! Hell, no! I mean… I have no idea if the other guys are any good, but just don't marry that one! Please, don't!"

"I'm not going to marry Kuan, of all people, Sokka," said Azula, with a weak smile. He sighed with relief at that.

"Well, good. You deserve better than that," he said, nodding before taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly. "And… well, you just might find better. I mean… maybe the idea of husband-hunting sounds awful, but who knows? Maybe… maybe it won't go so badly."

"What?" said Azula, finally looking at him with disbelief.

Was he actually saying he didn't mind that she got married? Was he genuinely telling her that maybe this could end well? Why on earth would he do that? Didn't he… didn't he have feelings for her, just as she did for him?

"I'm just saying… not all guys are bound to be awful," said Sokka, shrugging, avoiding her gaze while trying to sound supportive even if it was the last thing he wanted to do. He just wanted to hug her, to hold on to her, to tell her he wouldn't let anyone else take her… but he had no right. He couldn't make matters more difficult for her than they already were. "You'd have some really bad luck if that were the case…"

"Sokka…" said Azula, at which he looked at her sideways.

"What?" he muttered.

"Are you…?" she whispered, trying not to sound like she was really bothered by what he had just said. She knew she should be hoping to find an adequate husband in tomorrow's feast, just as he said… But the idea hadn't even crossed her mind until now. She didn't want to find a husband tomorrow. And she thought he'd know as much.

Sokka looked back at her, finding the hurt in her eyes to be even more heart-wrenching than being told she was to accept a suitor tomorrow. Why was she looking at him like this? She had to get married, her father was commanding it… what did she expect him to do, tell her he couldn't fathom the idea of her being married to someone else? Because indeed, he couldn't fathom it. But what was he supposed to do, ask her if she wanted to fly off into infinity with him? Did she want him to ask her to give up all her responsibilities so that they could finally be together as they wanted to be? Because… he couldn't do it. He knew how much the Fire Nation mattered to her. She had a place she belonged in, a life worth living… he didn't want to take that from her. He couldn't do it. So why was she looking at him like this? Didn't she realize her gaze could obliterate his determination completely?

"Are you trying to say it doesn't matter to you?" Azula asked, despite herself. "You… you don't care if I…?"

Sokka dropped his head, incapable of looking into her eyes any longer. She had been right earlier… he was an honest man. Too honest to keep his thoughts to himself now, of all times.

"I… whatever I think isn't important here, Azula," said Sokka, swallowing. "I mean… I kind of had taken for granted that it was going to be the two of us, always. I had forgotten that… that you've got a lot of responsibilities and pressures and expectations to uphold. And… I don't mean to get in the way of that by being a selfish prick. I've been selfish when it comes to you enough times by now, I think, so… so I won't be anymore. I'm… I'm not going to tell you not to marry someone. But… I'm also not going to tell you to get married."

"Then what are you trying to tell me?" asked Azula, looking at him with mild despair, her hand gripping his leg a little tighter than intended.

"I… I guess I'm saying…" said Sokka, sighing. "That I'll accept whatever choice you make… I'll accept whatever man you choose, so long as I know you'll be happy with him. If you can guarantee you will choose whatever makes you happiest, then I'll be… I'll be happy too. That's… that's all I dare ask of you."

Azula looked at him in disbelief. That was completely ridiculous… how could he ask for something like that? How could he act as though it was reasonable to tell her to make a choice she could be happy about, when the only choice that could fulfill those requirements was him? And he just happened to be the one man she could never have…

"Happiness isn't supposed to be a part of this," muttered Azula, dropping back on the couch. "I can't picture any potential outcome where I won't end up miserable if I go through with what my father wants of me. So… I doubt I can do as you ask."

"But…"

"Sokka…" she said, looking at him and rubbing his leg again. "Just… forget it. Even if I did end up betrothed tomorrow, it doesn't mean I'm definitely getting married. I might just find a way out of it somehow, I've done it before, so… it's really not the end of the world."

"No… I guess not," said Sokka, smiling a bit. "I mean, even if you did end up getting married, you'd still be my sponsor. It's not like… like we wouldn't still be the best team out there, huh? Things don't have to change between us…"

"I suppose not," said Azula, looking into his eyes again.

That was a lie, though, and they both knew it. There was no way things wouldn't change between them. They weren't just a gladiator and a sponsor nowadays… they probably had never been. The forces of attraction in play between them had always been too powerful to resist.

"Just… try to do as I asked, Azula," muttered Sokka, between gritted teeth. "I… I really can't promise I won't butcher your husband if he reminds me in the slightest of Kuan."

"I probably would like him better once you butcher him, though," said Azula, with the hint of a smile on her face. Sokka didn't know these noblemen as she did. The ones who were actual decent beings were mostly taken already… such was the case with General Tiang, for instance. She probably would have chosen him, if he had been an option. He wasn't a bad man… but he had married a Ba Sing Se girl already. And all other men she could think of were nowhere near the standard Tiang had set.

And even then, Tiang held no sway over her. He wasn't a man who could make her breath hitch, who could make her heart race in her chest just by looking into his eyes… much unlike the one who sat next to her on this couch.

"Huh?" said Sokka, smiling a little. "And what happens once they realize I'm the one who murdered your husband? They'd marry you off to someone else, wouldn't they? As for me, well…"

"You're really not careless enough to get caught, are you…?" said Azula, teasingly, and Sokka actually laughed.

"You give me too much credit," he said, smiling at her. "I can't say I'd be too thoughtful about the things I do when I'm…"

"When you're… what?" she asked when he stopped talking.

They hadn't noticed they had been inching closer to each other as they spoke. Her hand was still on his leg, and their breaths were mingling together…

"I…" he said, forgetting completely about what they had been talking about. One of his hands found hers on his leg, and Azula looked down at the contact briefly before he called her name again. "Azula…"

"What?" she whispered, her forehead against his.

"Y-you know… that's the wrong leg."

Knowing she had made a mistake had never mattered so little to Azula. She was a born perfectionist: the smallest errors would be catastrophic in her eyes… but this time it was completely irrelevant. This time she just couldn't care less.

She moved in, a hand going to his cheek as she brought their lips together. Sokka's arms surrounded her waist to pull her closer. He had thought she would have rolled her eyes and pushed him away for pointing out that she had been massaging his right leg instead of the left… and for pointing it out so late, too. But it didn't seem to matter to her… for which he was beyond grateful. For all he knew, this was the last time he would be presented with the chance to kiss her… for all he knew, she would belong to another man starting tomorrow. But if he could be with her for now… if only for now…

His lips moved against hers, now his hands caressed her face while hers went to his chest. He licked her lips softly and she allowed him entrance into her mouth without hesitation, caressing his torso and now running a hand over his left leg. His cramp was almost gone by now, for which he was grateful… and now there was a jolt of pleasure instead as he felt her hand stroking his thigh.

His kiss was somewhat desperate, more so than usual… but Azula found herself matching his despair after a moment. Tomorrow should never come… she couldn't concede to marry another man when she only wanted to be with Sokka. It was out of the question…

Only, it wasn't. Her father wasn't bound to take no for an answer this time. Time was running out for them… and they could do nothing but feel it slip away. They couldn't go any further than this either, no matter how much Azula wished they could. If she could only give herself to him now, she would do so without a second thought… but she couldn't do it, let alone when she was supposed to take a husband soon. And yet she couldn't pull away. She never wanted to pull away from him.

Sokka's hand was on the back of her neck as he kissed her repeatedly, longingly. Azula leaned forward, pushing him down so he ended up on his back, lying across the couch while she climbed atop him, her lips still on his.

He seemed to understand what she was asking for, though. And nothing would have made him happier than to comply…

But all the same as it had been in Ember Island, they had to put a stop to this now. The desire was almost too powerful to resist, but they had no choice.

"A-… Azula…" he whispered against her, and to his surprise she decided to muffle his words by slipping her tongue into his mouth again.

His hands were on her waist, and he thought he had to push her away now… but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Maybe it would be best if he stopped trying. Maybe he should just let this run its course and damn the consequences…

It surprised Azula that his attempts to stop their passionate exchange would cease suddenly. His arms went around her, his fingers sliding through the strands of her dark hair, and his kiss was as heartfelt as it had been before his failure to slow them down.

So, it would be up to her to stop this time, then? It was a saddening thought… yet at the same time it was somewhat satisfying as well. Knowing that Sokka didn't have the willpower to pull away anymore, knowing that his desire for her was beginning to overwhelm his rational thinking, was something she could rejoice in.

Yet if she didn't interrupt their exchange now, she never would. No matter that she didn't want to end it at all, she had to. The consequences of reaching her wedding night without her maidenhood were too steep.

Truth to be told, she probably could have dealt with the consequences that solely involved her. Being shamed for her recklessness was hardly a matter of concern anymore, not when being with Sokka promised to be worth the price she would have to pay for it. Granted, it would be a living hell, but she was sure she could endure it… what she couldn't endure, though, was the thought of Sokka being held accountable for the loss of her virginity. For there was simply no other man worth suspecting for said 'crime'. Her father would guess as much… and he would execute Sokka on the spot for it. No matter how many times he claimed to be a merciful man, there was no way he would be merciful when it came to something like this.

And even though she wanted nothing more than to continue losing herself in his kiss, in his caresses, in him… she forced herself to stop their exchange by biting quite hard on his lower lip.

"O-ow!" Sokka exclaimed, as they parted, panting. "W-what was that for?"

Azula's chest heaved, and she looked at Sokka, her hands at either side of his face. She sighed and dropped atop him, her head on his shoulder.

"You know what it was for," she muttered, closing her eyes and caressing his chest.

"Heh…" said Sokka, dropping his head back and sighing as well. "If you were so mad about massaging the wrong leg you could have said it… you didn't have to bite me for it."

"I'll bite you if I feel like it," she muttered, as his arms surrounded her. "I get the message across with bites better than with words."

Sokka chuckled a little and closed his eyes as well. One of his hands went to her nape as she nestled her head on the hollow of his shoulder. They could still be together for now, at the very least… and for that, Azula was grateful. If only time could stand still… if only she could stay with him and forget all about marriages and suitors. That would be the one and only way to fulfill Sokka's request… that was the only choice that would actually make her happy.

But, just as it was for him, Sokka had never been meant to be an option for Azula.

---

"So… that's it?" asked Song, looking at Rui Shi with inquisitive eyes. "You think we ought to do anything else to it?"

The Captain looked at the fully assembled armor before shaking his head. It had taken a lot of effort, and it had been anything but easy, but it seemed they had finally reached the end of their forging ordeal.

"The gladiator can change and upgrade it all he wants later on," said the Captain. "But I think this is the extent of what we should do for now."

"It looks good, though, don't you think?" asked Song, smiling at him.

"I suppose," said the Captain, nodding and looking out through the window. Dusk was already upon them. "We should take off, I believe."

"Well, we don't need to rush much," said Song, smiling but complying. "I'm sure the Princess is doing fine…"

"Heh," said the Captain, his eyebrow twitching as they left the workshop together. If the Princess was with the gladiator, he rather doubted she would be just 'fine'.

A light breeze ran through the Captain's hair as they walked down the streets. It wasn't every day that he could enjoy the wind like this, since he hadn't pulled up his hood and mask yet. Song glanced his way to find he was delighted by the breeze, and she smiled as they headed towards her house together. She had become quite used to his presence during the past few weeks, and even though they had always gotten along quite well, now she felt she could consider the Captain a friend.

"If you like the breeze so much, why do you wear that hood at most times?" asked Song. "Is it because you want to respect your uniform?"

"Well… that, and also because I shouldn't take off my hood when the sun is up," said Rui Shi, gulping.

Song raised an eyebrow before she realized what she meant. She began chuckling and nodded in understanding.

"I guess you are the palest person I know, Captain," she said, smiling at him. "Were you always like that?"

"I never had much color," shrugged Rui Shi. "But wearing thick layers of clothing every day only made me lose what little I had. I suppose it's quite ridiculous, a firebender who gets sunburned as easily as I do…"

"It's not ridiculous; considering your situation it makes sense," said Song, shrugging.

"Uh…" said the Captain, before clearing his throat. "You can call me Rui Shi, if you want. It's my name."

"Ah… oh," said Song. She had heard Sokka call him by that name a few times now, but she didn't think she was allowed to be so casual with the captain… "Rui Shi, then. It's a good name."

"I suppose," said the Captain, somewhat embarrassed by the compliment. "Not many people say as much."

"Others don't like it?"

"Well… hardly anyone knows my real name," the Captain admitted. "Which means only a handful of people can say it's good."

"Just your friends and family, I take it?" asked Song, biting her lower lip.

"I… suppose," said the Captain, dropping his gaze.

Song looked at him worriedly as they walked, wondering if she had said something wrong. The Captain was suddenly distant, lost in thought…

"Is everything alright?" she asked.

"I just… hadn't thought about my family in some time," he muttered. "I haven't seen any of my relatives ever since I joined the Army."

"Really? Wasn't that a long time ago?" said Song.

"It was, but I chose this life after all," said Rui Shi. "I decided to become a Royal Guard, and that means forsaking everything else in order to fulfill your duty. You cannot have any ties, not even with your fellow guards. You must be ready to give your life for the member of the Family you were tasked to protect… and that person must become your absolute priority. It may not be easy at times, but it's what I chose."

"I… guess," said Song, frowning. "Even so, well… I suppose you had your reasons to want this, and I'm guessing you have no regrets about it. But… to give up on your family like that? On your life? Your humanity, even?"

"My humanity?" asked the Captain, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well…" said Song, her semblance darkening. "It seems that giving up on your name, on sunlight, on your features, on your identity, is almost like giving up your humanity. Isn't it?"

"I… I wouldn't say as much, of course not. I haven't relinquished my humanity…" said Rui Shi, frowning.

"Really?" asked Song, raising an eyebrow. "I don't know if I should tell you this, but… before talking to you for the first time, I honestly didn't even think of Fire Nation soldiers as people."

"You… what?" said the Captain, shocked.

"The only thing the Earth Kingdom people saw, when the soldiers arrived to attack the villages and cities, was a group of uniformed murderers," whispered Song. "Men who had no consideration, no conscience, no heart, no family, no principles… that's the sort of person that should be capable of the massacres that the Fire Nation has committed so far. At least, that's what it seemed like to us…"

"You honestly believed we were only killer machines?"

"What else were we supposed to think?" asked Song, looking at him with earnest eyes. "Your fellow soldiers and Fire Nation people may have bought into that talk about greatness and the sort… but to us, what the Fire Nation armies did was murder. And I don't care whether or not we were in a war… a death is a death, whether it's a civilian's death or a soldier's."

"Then the death of Fire Nation soldiers is wrong too?" asked Rui Shi, frowning.

"Of course it is," said Song, surprising him with her response. "The Air Nomads are gone… they have been gone for a long time. But I remember my father told me, when I was a little girl, that they believed all life was sacred. I don't know much more about their ideologies… but I believe that's true. Though I confess that, for a time, I didn't quite think so…"

"You wanted the Fire Nation soldiers dead?" asked the Captain, gritting his teeth. "Since you thought they were mindless beings… in your eyes, it was as though we were lifeless?"

"It used to be," muttered Song. "My father was dragged away from our village by soldiers, after all…"

Rui Shi's eyes widened at that. He looked at her with worry, realizing how much the memory still hurt her.

"And my mother was forced to become a slave all the same as I was," muttered Song. "From what I know, she was taken to Ba Sing Se, but… I honestly don't know anything about my parents anymore, or about my neighbors, or my friends… For all I know, they might be dead by now."

"The Fire Nation took everything from you," muttered the Captain, the unpleasant bite of guilt gnawing away at him as Song spoke.

"Indeed," said Song, nodding. "But… when I met you, I realized I had been wrong about soldiers. I mean… surely some of them are genuinely bad. But that doesn't mean they all are… and it doesn't mean you're not human either. I don't know what I was expecting when you took off your hood for the first time in front of me… but when I realized you were just a man I felt stupid. Soldiers… plenty of you must have families too, friends and loved ones. And the Fire Nation soldiers that have died are victims of the violence, too…"

"Do you truly believe so now?" asked the Captain, frowning.

"Yeah. You're just a man, a man who decided what sort of life he wished to lead…" said Song. "And all people should be allowed the same decision. Just as you chose to spend your life protecting the Princess, I think everyone deserves to choose what they want their lives to be like. I should have had a choice… I shouldn't have been forced into slavery. Nobody should have been. Deep down, Captain… deep down we're all human. Fire Nation, Earth Kingdom, Water Tribe… what makes one better than the other? Why should one nation want to take over the others when living peacefully is a much more wonderful solution?"

The Captain looked at her with slight confusion and sighed, his hands on his hips as they approached the house. He had never really seen these matters under this light… and it ashamed him to only do so now. He hadn't taken part in the war against the Earth Kingdom, for even while he was an apprentice guard, he wasn't given the same duties in the frontlines as regular soldiers. Nonetheless, the words of the girl beside him were knocking his world off-balance. She wasn't physically strong, just as he had suspected when this dragon armor ordeal had begun… but she had a strong and gentle heart. She had more insight than she let on, and she was clearly wiser beyond her years… wise enough to make a man like him realize just how wrong the Fire Nation's actions had been during the last hundred years.

"I… I'm sorry about your family. And about your friends," muttered the Captain. "I can only hope they've found a kinder fate than what you fear they might have."

"Hopefully," said Song, giving him a weak smile. "I mean… I got quite lucky. So did Sokka. Maybe… maybe my mom is in a better place than I expect her to be. Maybe a Ba Sing Se nobleman is enjoying her finest roast duck as we speak…"

"They just might be," said Rui Shi, nodding weakly as they finally reached the house.

They climbed the steps up to the front door, and when Song swung it open they both heard something tumbling inside the house, followed by a complaint in Sokka's voice.

"What was that for?!"

Song smiled and shook her head, assuming the pair had been fighting again, as ever. Even when they had all the time in the world for themselves, all they did was argue. Or at least, that's what it sounded like to her…

Little did the girl know that the Princess and the gladiator had fallen asleep together on the couch. The reason why Sokka had started up a new argument was because Azula, upon realizing they would have company soon, had panicked and pushed Sokka off the couch where she still sat, while Sokka glared at her from the floor.

"That wasn't fair," Sokka said, while Azula tried to act natural when Song and the Captain entered the house.

"Captain?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Well, isn't that coincidental. Why is it the two of you decided to show up at the exact same moment?"

"A-ah, well, it's…" mumbled the Captain, as Sokka's eyes widened as well. They had kept this secret from her for five weeks and they were going to spill it now?

"We happened into each other while he was on his way here, Princess," said Song, smiling. "We simply walked to the house together, there's nothing more to it."

"Right," said Azula, still looking at Rui Shi with interest. "That still doesn't explain why he's not wearing his hood and mask."

Song was startled by that, and Rui Shi blushed intensely upon Azula's remark. The Princess continued to look at him with curiosity before standing up and sighing.

"Just put it on again, Captain, and let's go back to the Palace," she said. "I will be seeing you tomorrow, then, Sokka… make sure to look decent, if it's actually possible for you to do that."

"Ha, who're you trying to fool?" asked Sokka, smirking. "You know my handsome face will amaze everyone so much that they won't even care what I wear!"

Azula gave him a glacial glare before rolling her eyes and sighing, gesturing at the Captain to follow her. Yet Sokka bolted up to his feet before they could march away.

"A-Azula…"

The Princess turned around, and neither the Captain nor Song missed on the fact that her face seemed softer now. As though she were expecting something from the gladiator…

Sokka seemed at a loss for an instant. Clearly he wanted to say goodbye to Azula in a different fashion… but with two witnesses he didn't dare do anything other than smile at her and drop a hand on her shoulder.

"See you tomorrow, birthday girl," he stated with a grin.

The softness on Azula's features faded away, replaced now by disappointment, it seemed. She rolled her eyes again and removed his hand from her shoulder before heading towards the door. The Captain followed her, but not before shooting a warning glare at Sokka. Song seemed slightly amused by that, and the Captain noticed as much. Azula had turned around, and thus she missed out on how he bowed ceremoniously in Song's direction.

"It may have been… somewhat troubling on some levels," he muttered, surprising Song. "But I deeply appreciated our conversation earlier. Thank you."

"U-uh… right," said Song, with a nervous smile. "I suppose I'll see you around, Captain."

The Captain nodded before donning his mask and hood once more, and he followed Azula outside without another word, Song's gaze following him.

"Heh… and then you tease me about Azula," said Sokka, chuckling. "Way to go, girl! Here I thought the man had no feelings!"

"I-I didn't…! That's not it, not at all!" she exclaimed, blushing.

"Oh, sure it's not," said Sokka, chuckling. "Well, no matter if it is or isn't, I'm off to the workshop now. Want to give me a hand moving the armor all the way here?"

Song's face fell upon that. Just when she had finally gotten home, when she meant to soak her feet in warm water… ah, life really had its way of being unfair.

She smiled weakly and complied, despite herself. They took off to the workshop before long, to fulfill the last stage of Azula's birthday present…

---

"Hey, Zuko, catch!"

Zuko frowned and turned towards the voice that had called him just in time to see a small projectile flying towards him. He frowned as he caught it with a hand, and his single eyebrow rose as he looked at what Toph had tossed him.

"A cookie?" he muttered, looking at the earthbender with confusion.

Toph huffed and her bangs moved when her breath grazed them. She shook her head in disappointment, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Well, now I sure don't believe Iroh. That's the best kind of cookie you'll find in the Fire Nation and you're just being the same old Grumpko you always have been."

"Believe my uncle?" muttered Zuko, looking at the man with inquisitive eyes.

They were in a Palace room Iroh frequented, the one where he often brewed his tea. He had asked Zuko to join him and Toph in it today, and he was currently chuckling at what Toph was saying.

"Iroh told me you'd been in a better mood lately," said Toph. "And I wanted to see if he was just yanking my hair with that."

"I did no such thing," stated Iroh. "I wouldn't yank a lady's hair, either figuratively or literally."

"Well, good thing I'm not a lady, then" said Toph, smirking proudly. Iroh chuckled again.

Zuko raised an eyebrow and nibbled on the cookie… which actually was good. Still, he wouldn't remark on it. It was one thing to be kind to his uncle; being nicer to someone who had irritated him since the moment he met her was a whole different story.

Which was why he still hadn't acted upon most of what Mai had told him regarding Azula. His uncle had been more than happy about Zuko's change of demeanor... His sister would likely think him a fool for it. And if he suddenly walked up to her just to ask about her day, she would most likely twist their entire interaction to her liking just to make Zuko come off as an idiot. Because even if Mai was right, and Azula wasn't as bad as he'd always taken her to be, it didn't mean she didn't genuinely enjoy making his life more difficult.

So, as Mai had told him, he needed to do something big. Something that wouldn't allow Azula to twist matters around, something that showed her that he wanted to try to improve their relationship.

And Mai had said something that had given him an idea. He had pondered the matter over the last few weeks, and even though on some level he didn't want to do this, on another level he did. And considering that tomorrow would be Azula's birthday, it was his perfect opportunity to go forward with this plan.

"Where are you going?" asked Iroh, when Zuko stood up suddenly.

"Just... To my room, for a bit," said Zuko, shrugging. "Enjoy the tea, Uncle."

"Oh, I shall," said Iroh, beaming as Zuko turned to leave the room.

"Well, your loss! Now I'll eat all the cookies!" Toph exclaimed happily while Iroh groaned. Zuko smiled, despite himself, and left them behind, arguing over the sweets.

Once he arrived in his chambers he headed towards his weaponry closet. A pair of old dao swords hung inside, along with his armor and other blades he had collected over time.

But his attention went to the smallest of his weapons: a knife with a black hilt and a matching scabbard that he'd had in his possession for quite some time.

He took a deep breath and made up his mind. This was the right thing to do. This was what he wanted to do, too. Maybe he was nervous about it, and yes, he feared this might not work at all... but he wasn't going to give up without a fight.

---

The guards at the Palace regarded him with a nod and allowed him entrance without a hitch. The place was decorated quite beautifully, Sokka noticed, as he walked towards the main building. He only hoped the feast wouldn't take too much time… he really wanted to give Azula her present today, as soon as possible.

He was led through the Palace hallways by a servant who was somewhat familiar... It was the same one who had found him food and a room in the Palace during the day he had stayed here. He smiled at the boy, who only regarded him politely, more than he had on their first meeting. Being Azula's gladiator meant he had earned a lot more prestige and respect than he ever expected to receive.

The room where the feast would be held was spacious and quite bright. There were several guests there already, and Sokka wasn't surprised when most eyes fell upon him as he crossed the doors. For a moment he felt at a loss for what to do, wondering if maybe he ought to herald his own arrival, but he was saved by the least expected person.

"Ah, so this is the one, my Lord?" said a voice nearby, startling him. "The slave?"

"Indeed," said another voice, this time one that Sokka was familiar with. "This is my daughter's gladiator."

Sokka turned towards the Fire Lord to find him speaking with a pair of noblemen, presumably siblings. Ozai regarded him with cold eyes, and Sokka gulped before unwillingly bowing his head towards him. Paying respects to the man made him feel beyond uncomfortable.

"His build isn't the most adequate, is it?" asked one of the men. "Why did your daughter choose him?"

"Considering how efficient he has been as her fighter, said question ought to answer itself," declared Ozai. "My daughter has extraordinary insight, after all."

"Naturally," said the other man. "A child born on the summer solstice… she is a true marvel, my lord. Without a doubt, she is the most prodigious firebender the Fire Nation has seen in millennia."

"It is so," said Ozai, smirking proudly.

"Is he fed every day?" asked the first man again, looking at Sokka with curiosity. "And he doesn't reek as badly as most slaves…"

"He is fed every day, and I believe he must bathe on a regular basis as well" said Ozai, while Sokka bit back the urge to snap. It really sickened him to be treated by them almost like a stray dog on the streets… "My daughter wouldn't keep him as the filthy savage he used to be."

"And her generosity towards him has earned her his loyalty, hasn't it?" said the same man. "It is what slaves should be like, truly. They should be obedient, doing their master's bidding without question as this one does."

Upon that, Sokka smirked a little. Perhaps he was loyal to Azula… but that sure didn't mean he was obedient at all. These men knew absolutely nothing about him.

"Oh, indeed. Though in some regards he hardly makes the ideal slave, this one," said Ozai, looking at Sokka with a raised eyebrow. Sokka looked back at him defiantly.

"Whatever do you mean by that…?" he said, surprising the others when he spoke to the Fire Lord directly.

"Y-you… speak to the Fire Lord with respect!" exclaimed one of them.

"Don't bother. He is, after all, an uneducated savage," said Ozai.

"An efficient uneducated savage, if I must say as much."

Sokka lightened up noticeably upon hearing her voice. He turned around and did his best not to drop his jaw upon seeing Azula in such a get-up for the first time in his life.

He had never seen Azula wearing a dress before. It was a red hanfu outfit with a golden collar and black cuffs, and the cloth was patterned with dragons. Her bangs still fell on either side of her face, while the rest of it was held back by an ornamental comb that was crowned by her royal hairpiece. Sokka swallowed hard, his eyes gleaming as he looked at her in amazement. She never failed to look beautiful… but right now she was breathtaking.

"I rather doubt his lack of education is of any importance," Azula said, looking at the men sternly. "He's only meant to be a gladiator, after all."

"P-Princess!" exclaimed one of them. "It is our greatest honor to attend your birthday feast!"

"As it should be," she stated, with a sardonic smile.

"You arrive just on time, Azula, as ever," said Ozai, approaching her and cutting off the two men from their conversation, at which they both walked away with disappointment. "Are you prepared for the feast, then?"

"I am, I believe," said Azula, nodding. "Hearing people praise me to no end has never bothered me much, if I must be honest."

"There's no reason to be bothered by that, Azula," said Ozai, smiling before pointing at Sokka with his thumb. "Keep this one in line. He may have been allowed to attend the feast, but I refuse to suffer any problems caused by him."

"You can address me personally, you know…?" said Sokka, but Ozai ignored him.

"I shall, father," said Azula, nodding as Ozai walked away, in order to speak to other noblemen nearby.

Azula sighed and looked at Sokka with a raised eyebrow. He blushed a little at that and gave her a lop-sided smile.

"You look… great," he muttered, as he bit back all the compliments he would have wanted to give her.

"I know," said Azula, proudly, though she blushed a bit upon hearing him say as much. "Haven't embarrassed yourself yet, have you?"

"Well, I did talk directly to your dad, which seems to be some sort of affront against him all of sudden," said Sokka, scratching his head clumsily. "But other than that…"

"Let's try to keep your record as clean as it currently is, then," sighed Azula. "And please behave yourself once the food is served. Try to eat like a normal human being."

"I'll do my best" said Sokka, smiling weakly. "Say, once this is done…"

"Ah, Azula!"

The Princess frowned for a moment before conjuring a fake smile that couldn't have been meant for anyone other than her uncle, who was looking at Sokka in surprise now.

"Oh, we were allowed to bring our gladiators?" he asked, stroking his beard. "Ah, Toph will be upset over missing this…"

"I highly doubt she's the type to enjoy social situations," said Azula. "I'm certain soaking in mud must bring her more amusement than a feast."

"Ah, she might just be doing that indeed…" said Iroh, at which Azula grimaced. He smiled again afterwards, dropping his hands on his belly. "In any case, have a very happy birthday, my niece! I trust you shall enjoy this celebration thoroughly."

"I hope as much," said Azula, curtly. "Although I doubt the same can be said about you. I suppose it shall be quite upsetting for you to join an event where there is no tea…"

"No tea?!" Iroh exclaimed before entering a phase of denial. "No, no… that cannot be right. I shall go speak to the cooks! That cannot be!"

Azula rolled her eyes as Iroh skulked away, and she sighed before turning towards Sokka again.

"Well, at the very least it was easy to fend him off," said Sokka, smiling a little. "And see? I didn't even open my mouth!"

"Indeed, seems like you're actually holding your tongue for once," said Azula, smiling back. "Just carry on like this and this whole feast will go smoothly."

More people approached to greet Azula, too many for Sokka to keep track of them. He stood next to her, simply hoping she wouldn't resort to saying anything too harsh about him just to please the noblemen… but so far she hadn't done as much. Some people asked questions about him, and Sokka kept from responding on most opportunities. He felt quite foolish, letting Azula speak for him when he could easily do it himself, but he did his best not to show his discomfort.

Once the latest bootlicking nobleman was gone, a waiter carrying a tray with beverages appeared before them. Sokka eyed the drinks intently, his eyes alight with interest.

"I'd say these drinks are far too refined for you…" said Azula, taking two glasses and handing one to Sokka. "But you can take it as your reward for behaving so far, I guess."

"Thanks!" Sokka squeaked, sipping his drink happily before his semblance darkened a little. "So… uh, when should we expect your suitors to start bugging you?"

"They'll make themselves known while the feast progresses" said Azula, sighing. "No need to hold your breath for such an unwanted matter to unfold it-…"

"Uh… Azula?"

The pair turned around to find an unexpected sight in the feast. Azula had been completely certain Zuko wouldn't bother showing up at all, but here he was. His clothes were darker than those most people were wearing, but he had tried his best to comb his messy hair properly. Azula raised an eyebrow as she looked at him. Did her father know Zuko had decided to attend the feast…?

"Zuko?" she said, her eyes as judgmental as ever as she regarded him coldly. Zuko swallowed and held back the urge to turn on his heels and leave. "To what do we owe this surprise, I wonder?"

"I… I just thought I'd come," said Zuko, shrugging. "I mean, I am your brother, right? It's not like… like I'm forbidden from attending your birthday feast."

"Oh?" said Azula, looking at him inquisitively. "So all of sudden you actually care about my birthday? Well, then, you owe me ten presents if that's the case."

"W-what?!" said Zuko, looking at her in disbelief. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, you were out traveling through the world for ten years, so I'd say you could have purchased souvenirs for me…" said Azula, shrugging innocently.

"Yeah, very funny," grunted Zuko. "If that's the case, you owe me ten years' worth of birthday presents too!"

"Ah, well, see, there's the difference. You decided to care for my birthday… I did no such thing about yours," said Azula, smirking cruelly.

Sokka grimaced at that, looking at Zuko warily. The Prince seemed to be about to storm off… which just might have been Azula's intent anyways. She was eyeing her brother in the way she usually regarded him, challenging him to fall for her ruse… or to run away, as he usually did when she irritated him.

Zuko took a deep breath and rubbed his forehead with a hand. He should have just given her the damn thing and been done with it already… but he could still do it now. No matter what nonsense she told him, he could do it…

"Look, I just wanted to…"

"Aha! So, this is the famous gladiator everyone talks about, isn't it?"

Zuko paled noticeably suddenly, and Azula turned around towards the new voice they had heard. Yet that wasn't the reason why Zuko's blood seemed to have frozen in his veins…

The man who had spoken sported an army uniform, had dark hair, and he was looking at Sokka with keen eyes. And Fire Lord Ozai stood next to him, nodding at his words.

"It is indeed," said Ozai, smiling. "And this is my daughter, I don't believe you have ever met…"

"Oh, we haven't," said the man, bowing down elegantly towards Azula. "I wish the happiest of birthdays to you, Princess. I am Lieutenant Zhen. It is a pleasure to meet you. Such a beautiful woman… it is a true wonder no man has claimed your hand yet."

"It would seem that will change eventually, though," said Azula, with a smile that didn't quite conceal her discomfort. Sokka's eyes narrowed at that. Was this guy one of the accursed suitors…?

"Without a doubt," said Zhen, smiling. "Ah, if only I weren't taken already I would be first in line to request your hand in marriage to your father…"

Azula smiled a little more sincerely after that, and Sokka released the breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. The Princess kept smiling upon Zhen's remarks about how wonderful a Princess she was… and while the man rambled, Azula realized her father had failed to acknowledge Zuko's presence yet again.

Her brother stood frozen in spot, but he wasn't looking at his father anymore. Now his head was tilted, and he kept telling himself that this had been nothing but a mistake. Coming to this feast had been the worst idea he'd had in ages… for, again, he realized just how much he meant to his father. Again, he was less than an eyesore, again he wasn't worth noticing. It was almost as though he weren't there.

"E-excuse me…" he whispered, though he didn't expect anyone would hear him as he turned around to leave the room immediately.

"Zuko," Azula called out, and he stopped for a moment, without looking back. He didn't want to be in the same room as his father for another instant. "You were saying something, weren't you?"

Zuko was surprised to discover Azula wanted to hear him out, but that wouldn't make him stay anyways.

"I… I'll tell you later," he muttered, walking away from them without another word.

Both Zhen and Sokka watched him leave in slight confusion, while frowns appeared on both Ozai and Azula's faces, though for very different reasons. It pleased Ozai, despite his reaction, to see that Zuko had walked away. He wasn't needed here. Considering his track record, he would only ruin the entire event if he stayed.

"Alas… you were saying?" asked Azula, turning towards Zhen again.

"Ah, that I've heard much about you," said the man. "And also about your gladiator, if I must say so… though he hardly looks like an interesting challenge for mine. Too short, too lanky…"

"Huh?" Sokka looked at the man in disbelief, incapable of holding his tongue upon that. Azula grimaced. "What do you mean, short and lanky? I'm taller than you!"

"You are indeed, and look at that, he speaks!" said the man, chuckling. "That's more than can be said of mine, truly. In any case, it will still be some time before we collide in the Arena, I'm sure…"

"And who is this mysterious fighter of yours who would make mine look like a joke, I wonder?" asked Azula, raising her eyebrows. Sokka was very appreciative of her defensive attitude towards him.

"Combustion Man."

Both Sokka and Azula looked at him in disbelief for an instant before they both reacted to his revelation.

"What?!" said Sokka, jumping back and almost dropping some of his drink.

"Just a moment, I am certain Combustion Man's sponsor is Admiral Zhao," said Azula, frowning. "What do you possibly mean by saying it's you?"

"Well, Admiral Zhao isn't here right now, is he?" said Zhen. "I'm his substitute sponsor. He requested the favor from me when he was sent up to the North Pole. I've sponsored Combustion Man for longer than he has, truth be told…"

"Huh… I see now," said Azula, frowning.

"I trust we shall see our gladiators fight one another one day, then!" said Zhen, smiling. "Even if by then the Admiral might be back already…"

"Most likely, he will be," said Ozai, at which Azula stiffened. "The Admiral will return soon, or so he told me. In no time he shall be in the Capital again."

"Ah, well, I shall make good use of my time as a sponsor until then," sighed Zhen.

"Oh, my Lord! Princess!" someone else called then, and Ozai smiled as another nobleman approached, this time one that wasn't such an unfamiliar face to Sokka, though it took him a moment to recognize him as Fire Fountain City's Mayor.

"Ah, why, Mayor Kuan," said Ozai, beaming as the man approached, smiling happily. "It is my pleasure to see you again. I trust my statue is back in place, as you reported?"

"Indeed it is, my Lord! I guarantee it!" said Kuan, chuckling.

Sokka stared at the man in horror upon that exchange, and he leaned down slightly towards Azula.

"K-Kuan, he said? Isn't this…?"

"Fire Fountain City's Mayor? Yes, he is," replied Azula, sighing.

"B-but then that means…"

The look on the gladiator's face turned to that of utter disgust when the dreaded Governor Kuan, son of Mayor Kuan, also approached them with a proud smirk… and with a tall, burly, dark man next to him.

"And Governor Kuan," said Ozai, smiling at the younger man. "It is a relief to know you could make it."

"My Lord, I wouldn't have missed this feast for the world," said Kuan, smirking unpleasantly… until he found Sokka with his eyes and his apparent delight dimmed. "Oh, my. And what is that doing here?"

"Why, that would be my daughter's gladiator. I believed you knew him already."

"I do, my Lord," Kuan declared. "Regrettably, I met him once before. Quite the charming savage your daughter has hired for the role of her gladiator… ah, but we should speak of more pleasant topics, should we not? It is her birthday indeed!"

Azula raised an eyebrow and she looked at Kuan skeptically.

"Took you long enough to notice," she said, with her mocking smile again. Sokka actually grinned at that.

"Oh, do excuse me," said Kuan, with a smile. "It is such a special occasion, Princess… and I meant to honor it through two gifts to you."

"Why, you can leave any gifts you brought over…" said Azula, pointing at the place where the servants were placing the presents, but Kuan laughed.

"No, I would much rather give them to you directly," he said, presenting Azula with a small box.

She regarded it skeptically while she opened it, hoping Kuan's enthusiasm would decrease if she showed little to no interest in his presents… which she did when she pulled a golden comb out of the box, embroidered with ostentatious jewels.

"I tasked one of our finest jewelry makers with its creation," said Kuan, beaming. "I'm certain it shall be the perfect complement to your natural beauty."

"Why, how thoughtful of you," said Azula, placing the comb in the box once more. For some reason she suspected that she would find a thousand articles just like this one in the pile of gifts she would have to go through later. "I'm most grateful, Governor Kuan…"

"Ah, but this isn't all," said Kuan, smiling and now looking over at Ozai. "My lord, you have been aware of my intentions to court your daughter for quite some time…"

Sokka felt fury boiling in his stomach when the man uttered those words. Azula remained expressionless, wondering what Kuan's next move would be.

"Indeed," said Ozai, nodding. "You have sent one too many letters about it."

"Well, my lord…" said Kuan, with a smirk. "I mean to make my first engagement gift to your daughter today, if you'll allow me."

Ozai raised an eyebrow, surprised by how forward Kuan was… yet he wasn't disapproving. He seemed pleased, rather, to see the man was so driven to obtain what he wanted.

Naturally, though, the other's reactions were quite different. Sokka scowled and glared at the man, Zhen seemed slightly baffled by Kuan's bold claim, and Kuan's father gulped as he noticed the glare of pure hatred Azula was sending his son's way…

"Oh?" said Ozai. "And what sort of gift is that?"

"Why, no other than him, of course," said Kuan, pointing at the man he had brought with him.

"Why, your first engagement present to me is a man?" asked Azula, raising her eyebrows. "Your ideas for courting are quite unconventional, Governor Kuan."

The whole group laughed at her remark, though the Governor only chuckled to cover his displeasure upon her response to his advance.

"Well, nobody knows of the Princess's interest in the gladiator business as well as I do… I even stood by her during her gladiator's combat in Gaoling. But I do believe the Princess is deserving of a more suitable fighter than the one she has at the moment…"

"And thus you decided to bring a replacement for him," said Azula, looking over the man in question quickly. Considering it was Kuan she was dealing with, surely this gladiator's strength was as shallow as he was.

Sokka's eyes widened when he realized what the Governor was trying to pull. Indeed, he had known for some time that the man was out to get him, but this was outrageous… to have him replaced, just like that? And to believe he could court Azula by doing so… Oh, he had despised people in his life, but he wasn't sure if he had ever hated anyone as he did Kuan.

"He is a fine firebender, you can have your guards test him if you wish to," said Kuan, smiling. "It seems far more appropriate for a Princess of your standing to have a firebender as your fighter, instead of some inferior and insolent Water Tribe non-bender…"

"Heh, you want to see just how insolent I can…?!" Sokka started, but Azula's arm darted out in front of him, keeping him from attacking Kuan.

"Keep-your-mouth-shut," she said between gritted teeth before looking at Kuan again. "Why… it's such a thoughtful present on your part, Governor, but did you bring along anything that guarantees that this new fighter is better than the one I currently sponsor?"

"Why, Princess, please," said Kuan, chuckling. "It's just a matter of logic, I was certain you would be able to see it. He's a firebender! That alone should be…!"

"That alone is not enough," said Azula, curtly. "My gladiator's first opponent in the Superior League was a firebender, and he defeated him with such ease that it was almost embarrassing to watch. Why am I supposed to believe yours is so much better?"

"Because this one has been in the Gladiator League for some time now, and he occupied a very high position until recently," said Kuan, proudly.

"Oh? And what happened recently?"

"He, uh… had to retire for a year over wounds he had sustained in the Arena," said Kuan, somewhat nervous when he mentioned this. "His sponsor replaced him with another gladiator, and I bought him into my service after your last visit to Gaoling."

"Is that so…?" said Azula, raising an eyebrow. "And… what fighter was responsible for the wounds that forced his retirement?"

"T-that would be…" said Kuan, looking at the man nervously. "Who was it? Speak!"

"I-it was DragonClaw, sir," said the gladiator.

A smile appeared on Azula's face upon that, a smile Sokka hoped to interpret as a good sign. Kuan did otherwise.

"S-so… it's time to relinquish that useless fighter you've been sponsoring, Princess," said Kuan, smiling awkwardly. "This one is clearly a great improvement, and on top of it all, by accepting it…"

"By accepting it, I accept your attempt to court me," said Azula. "By accepting him, I would gain a fiancée and a better fighter."

"Why, exactly, Princess! I was certain you would…!" said Kuan, his eyes gleaming with joy when she said the words he wanted to hear, but Azula stopped him before he could get too enthusiastic.

"There's just one problem," said Azula, sighing. "Your fighter truly is no match for mine."

Everyone present looked at Azula, most of them with confusion, but Sokka did it with hope. Was she going to do what he thought she would do…?

"P-Princess, how could you possibly think…?" said Kuan, snorting in disbelief.

"I think so because I can tell, Kuan. I haven't made my way through this business blindly, even if you might believe otherwise," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "And even if I'm wrong, there's literally nothing to guarantee otherwise. How am I to believe your fighter is an improvement over mine by your word and nothing more?"

"Why, Princess, I wouldn't lie…"

"I'm not saying you're lying, Governor," said Azula. "I'm saying you're jumping to conclusions, and I'm saying that I refuse to accept your gift without testing it out properly first."

"You mean…" said Kuan, his eyes widening.

"Azula…" said Ozai, looking at her with confusion.

"I mean I am challenging you, Kuan," Azula declared, determination blazing in her eyes. "Your gladiator against mine."