Things had been weird between Sokka and Azula ever since their talk in the library. Azula did her best to avoid him, her walls standing as tall as ever. She felt uncomfortable around him, the fact that he knew things about her that he shouldn't. Sokka tried his best to give her space, to be easier to avoid, but the village was still only so big.

"Excuse me," Azula muttered as she walks past the warrior. She was late to the kitchen to help Gran-Gran, and with that came interacting with Sokka. She got started, listening to the elderly woman's instructions and following along. Sokka watched on as she acted like he didn't exist.

"Gran-Gran, I'll see you at dinner," Sokka tries his best to make his smile genuine, but Kanna saw right through him. She nodded her head and placed a kiss on his cheek before he left the igloo.

Azula tried her best to focus on the task at hand. She didn't want to think about Sokka or her family. She wanted to go home. At least there she would be able to get her privacy, to actually be alone.

I thought you were tired of being lonely? The voice in her head sounded eerily like her mother's, and that only served to further irritate her spirit.

I was irrational and ungrateful, Azula's response was quiet, even in her head, and before she could even formulate her next thought, a piercing pain shot through her hand.

"Agni's sake." Azula looks down to see the blood dripping from her finger, and Kanna rushed over to her side.

"Goodness, child, you must be careful," Kanna tells her softly as she grabs a seal-skin towel and wraps it around her finger. "They are sharper than you think," she continues as she directs Azula to the seat on the other side of the room.

"I'm always careful," the Princess muttered. Gran-Gran grabbed a cup of water and poured it over the cut. Azula winced, the saltwater burning the wound intensely.

"Except for when there's a lot on your mind," Kanna added before getting up and grabbing the knife in question. She uses the water again to rinse the knife off before cutting a smaller strip of the towel. She wrapped it around the Princess's finger and secured it with a knot.

"You don't know me," Azula is nearly snarling as painful tingles flow through her hand from her finger. She tried to bend it, but that proved to be just as painful.

"You don't make it easy to know you, do you?" The Princess looked at the older woman in shock.

"So you are working with the peasant," the realization is dawning on her and Kanna shakes her head.

"Child, I am not against you," Kanna says her words clearly and carefully for the Princess to hear. It was like her heart stopped as the words sit within her.

Sweet child, I told you that everyone does not have it out for you, Ursa's voice makes its first official appearance since this wretched incident happened.

She's lying, it was a pained thought because, for a moment, she desperately wished she could believe that the elder wasn't lying. That she was being truthful.

"How can you lie like that?" Azula mutters the question and gains a chuckle from Kanna.

"You should know," the words made her skin crawl, but she notices that the woman still has her smile on her face.

"I guess my reputation precedes me." Azula's said softly, almost like she was scared of Kanna's reaction.

"Would you say it's true?" Definitely not the response she was expecting. A question Azula wasn't sure she had an answer for. The question stays between them for some time as Azula thought of the answer to her question. She was telling the truth that night, Ozai was going to kill Zuzu, she was sure of it, beyond hearing the conversation. Their family had always been split in half, and they were on opposite sides. The one time she told the truth, everything changed for her. And her ability to lie didn't make it easier for people to believe her. But she had no need to lie.

They didn't want to believe her.

It wasn't fair.

And it wasn't true.

She didn't always lie.

Everyone chose not to believe her.

"No." That was the answer she had chosen, and Kanna nodded.

"Okay," was all Azula received back from Kanna. Azula stared at the woman, not believing what she heard.

"That's it?"

"Child, if you say you're not a liar, I believe you."

Azula sat with that for a few moments as Kanna went back to preparing food. There's no way that was all she was going to say about it. She sat on the couch for a minute longer, flexing her cut finger as she took in Kanna's words. Hearing I believe you, especially from someone who should hate her, felt like relief washing over her. When she woke up in this igloo two months ago, she was prepared for a continuous stream of disdain towards her and while she got some looks, it was nothing like what she expected. And the peasant.

Sokka was a different ordeal completely.

Maybe Sokka meant no harm? Her mother's voice was a complete annoyance to her by now. It made her overthink every interaction she had in this place. And if she was honest with herself, Azula was scared. Scared that she would be left alone if she dared let people know her. That they'd hate what they saw and they'd leave her. She could read people, and she could manipulate them, but relating to them was a different story.

"Are you still going to help me, child?" Azula heard from behind her and stood up from her seat. She'd worry about the peas- Sokka later.

"Of course," she answered before meeting the woman at the counter.

"Son, we got word from Fire Lord Zuko." Sokka looks up from his work to see the small scroll his father was holding. He goes to read it and lets out a small sigh of relief.

We have finally left the port to head back to the Southern Watertribe. We should arrive in approximately two months if we do not hit any snags on the way. Aang, Katara, Mai, Ty Lee and Suki will be aboard the ship and we plan to make a few stops on our way back to the Fire Nation. Hopefully you haven't had too many problems with Azula. She hasn't burned the place down, I hope. I know it can't be the best circumstances being stuck with her. I hope to see you soon, safe and healthy.

~Firelord Zuko.

"That's good news! You can get back to your work in the capital soon," his father told him with a pat on the back and he smiled softly.

"Yeah," was his only response and his father gave him a questioning look.

"You don't seem all that excited. Do you not want to return to the fire nation?" Hakoda asked and Sokka shook his head.

"No it's not that. I am excited to go back. I love traveling and I love the work I'm doing with new capital. I just-" Sokka pauses. He didn't know how to explain what was off putting about the letter. He was just starting to realize that Azula didn't have anyone on her side. Zuko didn't even ask about how she was doing, just concerned about her causing him trouble. Which, sure, she was anything but easy to deal with but he still felt bad for the girl.

"You are worried about the Princess?" His father finished and he sighed with a nod.

Of course he was worried about her. For so many different reasons. Maybe he shouldn't be, Azula had done nothing but cause him and his family harm in the past. She was ruthless but she was also just human, like he was. Like Zuko and Katara and Toph. They were all human. If this had happened five years ago, he would have had a different experience with the Princess. He wouldn't have cared less about the Princess' well-being and she probably would have killed him by now. But he knew better, he knew now that there was always more to the story. At this point, Sokka simply wished that for the next two months, things with the Princess wouldn't get any worse.

His other concerns are with Zuko arriving. Her reaction when he brought him up spoke volumes. Not that he was very excited about him arriving here either. Especially since Zuko was not his favorite person at the moment. With all that was going on, he had almost forgotten about Zuko and Suki dating. Something that still brought a sour taste to his mouth. As much as they denied it, he knew that something had been going on while he was away with Aang and Katara. And while he was angry, he also knew that he and Suki were bound to break up soon. They had drifted apart way before he even thought Zuko was in the picture.

Still, it fucking sucked.

Sokka looked back at his father and remembered the question he asked, "Yes I'm worried about her but she doesn't make it easy," Hakoda chuckles at his son's response and nodded.

"Did you expect something different?" Hakoda chuckled and Sokka shook his head. He didn't know what he had expected. "What had been going on with you two?" Hakoda asked and Sokka stopped what he was doing. He didn't know what was happening between him and the Princess. He didn't think he could really make it any better after their past couple interactions.

"I truly do not know. I wanted to..." what did Sokka want to do. He hadn't given it as much thought as he'd been distracted by the other things going on. When he thought of it, he found himself wanting to be Azula's friend, wanting to get to know her. He thoroughly enjoyed the festival with Azula, she was surprisingly funny and an excellent opponent when it came to games and challenges. He wanted to give her a chance and he wanted her to give him one as well, "I think that Azula and I could be friends," Sokka finally tells his father and the man laughs.

Just friends, Hakoda laughs inwardly at the statement. The Watertribesman knew his son better than the boy knew himself. They were bound to be more than just friends if Sokka followed that route.

"And what would your friends say about that?" Hakoda asked and Sokka sighed. He could already see Zuko and Katara losing their minds. Not that he cared about their opinions that much, they accepted Zuko after everything he had done.

He didn't kill Aang though, his first thought fluttered through his mind and he grimaced at the memory.

He would've if he had a chance to, his own mind countered and he sighed. He hated to sound like Aang but some people did deserve second chances.

"I don't know if I'm really concerned about what they think," Sokka answered his father truthfully and the chieftain nodded.

"Then what are you concerned about?" Sokka wasn't sure about what his concerns were. He didn't know where to start when it came to Azula and what he wanted. He meant it when he said he wanted to be friends with her, she was more than what people made her out to be and he could only see that for himself.

"It's not going to be easy. She won't trust me. I'm her brother's friend, her enemy if you still want to think of it that way," Sokka sighed and Hakoda nodded. It was always clear that there were going be challenges as their friendship progressed.

"Is anything worthwhile ever easy?" Hakoda asked his son.

"So you think it worth giving a shot?" He wanted his father to tell him what to do, he wanted to know how to progress further, he wanted advice.

"It's not about what I think. Do you think it's worth it? Are you willing to try?" Sokka was stumped by the question.

Was it worth it? Over the past few months, he had seen pieces of Azula and each one was like a new piece of Pai Sho being placed on the board. He never knew where to place his piece and what her next move was going to be. Yet with everything that was unknown, it only fed into his curiosity.

"I- I think so," Sokka starts, almost unsure of his own answer for a moment, "I want to try." He concluded, more sure of himself. He only hoped he would be able to overcome the obstacle of Azula's closed off nature.

"Hey," Sokka said shyly as he entered the igloo. He knew he'd see Azula at dinner tonight but he thought to let her know about Zuko's message. He wasn't sure how she'd respond to it, Zuko's words were common but that didn't make them any less harsh. The Princess looked up at him and frowned before turning back to her scroll that she borrowed form the library. "I just wanted to let you know that they've finally left the Fire Nation and should be here in two months time if nothing goes wrong."

"Mhmm," was the only response he got from her and Sokka sighed, starting to walk back towards the door but he stopped himself. He had to talk to her, he had to clear the air between the two of them. He said he would try and when would he get a better opportunity to than now.

Literally any other time would be better than now, Sokka scolded himself.

"Azula, could we please talk?" He asks her and he waits until her head lifts and she looks at him.

"Why?" Came her response.

"I want us to be able to move past this. I want us to be friends." Azula's eyes widen at his answer.

"And I'm the liar," Azula scoffs at him and he shakes his head.

"I'm sorry for that. I shouldn't have said that, it wasn't fair." Sokka tells her and silence fills the room. Azula didnt really want to think about what his words meant. She knew he was being truthful but that didn't make her any less weary. "But I am not lying, I do want us to be friends. I want us to have that battle, I want you to be able to enjoy your time here," Sokka explains further and she stayed quiet as she took in his words. Kanna's words were also floating around in her mind, that she wasn't against her and it made her think harder. Still, she did not respond to Sokka and kept her focus on her scroll, hoping he would leave soon but he stood firm.

"You know, I'm not exactly excited that Zuko is coming," Sokka finally says and she chuckles softly.

"Well, I guess we do have something in common," she finally speaks up and he laughs with her.

"I guess so," he agreed and the awkwardness started to set in again since neither of them knew what to say.

"He always had the tendency to make everything about himself," Azula finally says, it was quieter than her last statement and he looked over at her.

"He still does," Sokka added and Azula chuckled.

Oh you have no idea, Azula thought. Yes, she was certainly not easy to deal with but the amount of leeway Zuko got for being 'led astray' was always something that rubbed her the wrong way. She didn't have too much of a choice in the direction she went. Of course, a large part of her truly believed that she was on the right side of history but in the end, she had Ozai to guide her and only Ozai. The man that cared more for her talent and ability than her well-being.

"Can I ask you a question?" Sokka says.

"You may but I will not guarantee you an answer," Azula tells him. She closes her scroll and placed to the side, picking up a new one from her pile.

"Why aren't you and Zuko close?" The dread fills her as she takes in his question. It could've been worst but this one certainly rubbed her the wrong way. Why did he care about her relationship with her idiot brother? His loyalties lied with Zuko.

"I'm sure he's told you all about me," she lets out a breath through her nose, keeping her eyes focused on the scroll in front of her.

"He's spoken about you but I'm sure it's not the whole story," Sokka elaborated and Azula's jaw nearly dropped to the table.

"Zuko couldn't handle the fact that I was better than him," she tells him, not taking her eyes away from the scroll in order to keep her stability.

"There has to be more than that," Sokka was now sitting in front her at the opposite side of the table. She looked up from her scroll and saw soft eyes looking back at her.

He's not against you, Ursa speaks up, and it shakes her. This definitely wasn't the time for her to appear in her thoughts. She was at a crossroads, either to shut down or actually answer his questions. Azula still did not like the thought of letting Sokka get to know her, but she no longer hated the idea completely. She did have fun at the festival, despite how it ended. And the rational side of her knew that he was simply trying to find something in common between the two of them when he brought up Zuko and her mother. Sokka didn't provoke her on purpose. At least she hoped, Azula could only hope and see. But that was the scariest part of it all.

"Our mother loved Zuko more, Our father only loved my talent. We were never going to like each other with the circumstance we were given," her eyes remained on the scroll as he listened carefully to her answer. Azula knew there was more to it but that was the truth in its simplest form. It was the only way she could answer him without completely exposing her own thoughts and emotions.

He may be against me but that doesn't mean he's with me, Azula's thought countered her mother's voice from earlier and she was met with silence.

"I'm sorry," Sokka tells her softly, still looking directly at the princess while she avoided his eyes.

"Why are you sorry? You had no part in it," the question fell from her lips before she had the opportunity to stop it.

"It still sucks that it happened to you and I can be sorry that it's what you had to go through,'" Sokka elaborated and his words sat with her.

"Is that the only thing you wanted to know?" She allowed the annoyance that usally filled her tone to return in hopes of bringing the mood back up. Even if he did want to know something else, the princess didn't think she had it in her to answer anything else.

"Of course not, but Ill save them for later. We still have plenty of time to ask questions and I'm sure I've interrupted enough of your studies," Sokka tells her. He was smart enough to not push her any further today. He learned his lesson from the fetival. He bows his head and turns to leave the library in hopes of getting some painting done in his igloo.

Is there anything you want to say to Sokka? Her conscience, that now started taking the voice of her mother, snuck out of its cage and found its way to the forefront of her mind. She didn't understand when or how it did it silently, like appearing out of thin air. In that very moment, all of the thoughts Ozai taught her to surpress were extremely loud. The Princess now realized that while he had upset her, those were not his inntentions and her reaction made it no easier to deal with. Still, that realization didn't make what she had to say to him any less nerve wracking for her.

"Sokka?" She called out before he was fully out the door.

"Yes?" He replies and she looked at him nervously, like her words were stuck in her throat.

"I...I want to apologize for the festival. I shouldn't have...I shouldn't have said those things to you," Azula tells him and he smiled softly at her.

"So I'll see you at dinner tonight?"

"Either way, you would have seen me at dinner," Azula states, her attention already back onto the scroll in front of her.

"I'll take that as a yes. I will see you later then," he tells her with soft smile before leaving the igloo.