"Are you okay?" Ku-San asked the princess as they finished their next set of poses. He could see the Princess sweating more than she normally did if she ever did at all.

"Yes, I'm fine," Azula answered before immediately going back to her next pose and Ku-San follows, watching her closely as he mimicked her movement.

Azula tried her best to keep her mind focused on training, but her nightmare kept flashing in her mind. Cell doors, Sokka looking like he could kill her, her brother laughing at her maniacally as they leave her there to rot until she died. Never once had a dream, a nightmare, felt so real, so possible that it shook her to her core, waking her out of her sleep every time. Her sleep hadn't been the best ever since that damned messenger hawk showed up, alerting them of her brother's impending arrival. During the day, it flashes through her mind, and at night, it hits her with full force, and she gets stuck in this vicious cycle.

A breath of relief leaves her as Somi approached the pair, calling Ku-San in for his educational lessons. She bid them both goodbye with a polite bow before rushing off to the library. She needed anything she could find to distract from the chilling walk that felt longer than it ever had. Azula tried pushing her feelings down again, pulling her parka close as she trudged through the snow.

"Where were you earlier?" Sokka approached her at her usual spot in the library. Her head shoots up and she frowns as she realized what had slipped her mind.

"I was supposed to meet you at the boats. I'm sorry. I've been a bit...distracted," She admits to him as he takes his seat next to her.

"Is everything okay?" She hates his concern at this moment because it is the opposite of distracting herself from her problems. It only puts them directly in her focus.

"Yes, of course," she brushes off his concern and he gives her a concerned look.

Sokka didn't know when he had started to read Azula, learning what each of her reactions meant and how to respond to them. He could tell that something was upsetting her but he could not narrow it down.

"Did Chaska bother you again?" His question made her chuckle a little.

"He wasn't bothering me the first time but no," her voice is light but he could still pick up her distress.

"You don't have to pour you heart out, I know you won't do that but I'd like to help if I could," Sokka told her and Azula kept her eyes focused on the scroll in front of her, ignoring the feeling of tears filling her eyes. She let herself breathe, forcing her tears back and hoping Sokka doesn't notice, She looked up at him again when she finally felt back in control and sighed, his caring eyes already staring back at her.

"Zuko will be here soon," she doesn't elaborate and he doesn't ask her to. Sokka understands what she means and nods, reaching out to hold her hands in his. He didn't know why he did it and as she froze in place, he thinks he's made a huge mistake.

Sokka snaps out of his own shock and goes to move his hand when she returns his grip. She isn't looking at him anymore but as she returned his hold, they went along as they normally did, Azula reading softly and Sokka listening to her carefully, her hand never leaving his. He only hoped that following their usual routine would be his way to help her feel better.

As the days went on, the Village continues to prepare for the Gaang's arrival. Extra food needed to be put together as well as arranging space for them. Azula watched as people scurried around, getting things or moving them from place to place. The thought of Zuko and his friends staring at her like some animal, waiting for her to attack.

She forced a smile as people exclaimed about their arrival and how glad they were for them to be back so soon. She knew that her brother and his friends were important to the village and the people living there so she bit her tongue. She knew that she was the odd one out here and she should just be grateful that they'd accepted her but it wasn't easy.

Extremely so.

"Princess," Azula left her thoughts to give attention to whoever addressed her.

"Hello, Chief Hakoda," she does a small bow to Hakoda and the chieftain holds back his small smile at her extreme displays of respect.

"How are you today?" He noticed her downcast expression from across the way and needed to check in on her.

"Fine," her answer was simple and she hoped it was enough to convince him it was true.

"Princess, we both know that is not true,"

"it's as true as I need it to be," she really didn't want to rehash this, especially with him. He was the father she should've had, the father she should be missing instead of the monster that sat in a cage of the Fire Nation Prison.

"Well, I do hope we can have that fishing trip before you take off again,"

"Why?" She cursed her lack of composure, her filter failing at its job because of how on edge she was.

"Because I enjoyed your company and I'm sure Sokka has too,"

"I see where he gets it from now," Azula muttered and Hakoda raised his eyebrow.

"What did Sokka get?"

"You're too nice!" Azula declared him and the chieftain rolled his eyes.

"And what's wrong about that?" He questioned and she froze, thinking of her answer. She didn't know what was wrong with it but it made her uncomfortable, still.

"You're nice to people who don't deserve your kindness,"

"Are you saying you don't deserve our kindness? Because you would be very incorrect." Hakoda told her and she narrowed her eyes.

"Hmm," Azula didn't know what else to say to him. She could hear the sincerity in his voice but that didn't prevent her from being uncomfortable.

"You are not this terrible girl you've made yourself out to be," Hakoda doubled down on his sentiments and Azula felt the most out of place.

"I'm sure you two are the only ones who think so," Azula told him dejectedly.

"We aren't! Ku-San thinks you're the best fighter to ever exist, he adores you. My mother is the same way, she enjoys teaching you. You're not alone here," Hakoda told her and she feels her face heat up, not knowing what else to say.

"I guess,"

"Don't guess, know that, Azula." He told her one last time before excusing himself to finish helping some of the villagers haul in some fish.

"Don't make us hurt you," Sokka's voice is harsh as she backs away from him, blue flames lit around her fingers.

"Just let us take you back and everything will be okay," Zuko's voice echoes behind her and suddenly her blood goes cold. The air changes in the hallway and before she could decide her next move to defend herself, her arm went limp, her flame dissipating into the air. Within seconds, the person, who she assumes is Ty Lee, struck her legs and it goes limp as well, the princess falling to the ground. Azula doesn't have the energy to push back her tears as the rest of her limbs go and Sokka lifts her from the ground. The hallways are barely lit as they take her to what she can only assume is her new cell.

The guard unlocks the door and Sokka doesn't hesitate to throw her down on the cot. He walks out, not even sparing her a look as he closes the door behind him, leaving her there until she died.

Her eyes shoot open as she sits up in bed, her breath heavy and she quickly surveys her surroundings. When Azula finally feels safer than she had, she stands from the bed, letting out the sob that had been stuck in her throat.

Four nights in a row, she'd been woken out of her sleep with a similar nightmare and an intense feeling of terror. She hated that this is what her life had become.

Sokka went back to his igloo to grab more supplies to prepare for five more people joining them. As he entered the igloo, he expected Azula to be sleeping in bed, not pacing the room, tears staining her cheeks.

"Azula, what's wrong," he sets down the blankets, rushing over to her side. Sokka reaches out and Azula stills, looking up at him finally.

"Nothing, I'm fine," she has no problem lying as she rushes to wipe the tears from her face and looks back at him.

"You don't cry," he moves closer to her, and she makes no move to step away from him. He takes her hand and grimaces at how cold it felt in his own, something strange from someone who was always warm.

"How would you know?" Azula tries her hardest to sound harsh, but the words fall out softly as she hiccups for a second. She wasn't supposed to do this in front of him, blubbering like a fool because she was scared and lonely. Scared that as soon as her brother arrives, she would be left alone again with no one to turn to.

And it felt so good to finally have someone in her corner, even if she was terrified to admit that.

"Because you're my friend and I know that if you're this upset, something is hurting you, I knew something was up as soon as I walked in the library," he's looking directly at her, his eyes peering into her and still, she expected pity to be there no matter how many times he told her it wouldn't be. She expected the worst and was always utterly surprised when she got the opposite. His eyes held such kindness and concern as he held her hand, willing her closer to him.

"It's stupid really," a humorless laugh leaves her as she looks away from him, "I had a nightmare. I always have them, but this one was different. I wasn't just scared that Zuko was gonna send me away again," Sokka frowns at that, the fact that she was constantly terrified of being sent back to the asylum. She didn't deserve to live with the consistent fear of being thrown away like she was a problem, "This time, you were there. You looked at me like... I was a monster and slammed the cell door shut before leaving and I," Azula pauses because she can feel her throat close as the images come back to her mind, his disgust from her dream in the forefront of her mind.

"Azula, I would never do that to you," Sokka wants to make sure she knows because he means it with everything he has. In the past few months, Azula had gone from almost a stranger to someone he couldn't imagine living without. He grabs her hands and pulls her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her as he held her tight.

"You were right, Sokka. I am very lonely. I always have been," the whisper was haunting. When he had told her that she seemed lonely all those months ago, he was taking a guess, trying to hit the right button to get her to say anything to him. He hadn't put any more thought to it then because she seemed content being by herself then and all the times they had interacted before. Now he's seeing just how correct he was brought made him sick to think he pointed out something that caused her so much pain.

"Azula," as he speaks, she separated herself from him as she realized exactly what she had told him.

"No, you asked about that night. You asked why I wanted to...well, this is your answer. Can't be lonely if you're dead," Sokka grimaced at her blunt statement. She stood near her bed, fingernails pressed into her palm. "I played alone a lot of time when I was a child. Zuko and I had long stopped playing together, and then it was just my studies. That was most of what I did besides training to take over the world," a dark chuckle left her as she avoided Sokka's eyes.

"I had gotten used to being lonely, it had stopped feeling like I had been struck by lightening, and eventually, it felt like just a dull ache. And then Zuko brings me on this stupid trip where I have to sit and watch as he gets everything. He gets the throne, he gets mother, he gets a happy family, and I'm always just off to the side, like some defective toy no one wants but doesn't care enough to just get rid of it," Azula cringed as the hairs on her arm rose. Telling these personal details to Sokka still felt wrong, but until this point, no one had wanted to listen. Or she had never been ready to tell them. Silence filled the room as Sokka stood in front of her, wishing he could hug her. He knows that telling him this hurts her, but her voice never lets it show, and he hates how even now, there seems to still be this fortress around Azula's emotions.

"You're not defective," was the only thing that tumbled out of Sokka's lips despite the thoughts overwhelming him, "You are not defective," he was firm as he repeated himself. She continues to avoid his eyes, so uncomfortable with herself and the situation she has herself in that she wants to push him away again. Like she should have since the beginning. Azula wouldn't be dealing with this now if she did.

"Don't say that just-"

"This isn't pity! It's not pity." Sokka snapped. He wished that it was only pity, feeling pity for Azula was preferable to the heat that sat in his stomach and the lump in his throat. He was angry and sad for her, there was no positive to her childhood.

Something you only got once.

"Friends feel emotions with you, good friends do at least," he tried his best to grin, but it looked more like a sad attempt at a smile.

"I was never good at being friends. Did you miss the whole lonely part?" It was a weak attempt at a hiss, and Sokka shook his head.

"But that was then. Now, I'd say we have a good friendship going, right?" He tells her, and she wants to tell him no. No, because these feelings Azula's starting to have makes her friendship with him hard. No, because staying friends with him will only make those feelings worse.

But he made her laugh.

They'd bicker and within minutes he was telling her another joke. Or how he was determined to try to get a smile out of her at any given moment. And when he wasn't annoying her, he was helpful with her training and with her studies. He was a good friend, at least according to his own definition. She didn't have her own to go by. Not one that didn't mean completing her every will.

And having him as her friend was the best thing she had going right now. So, she'd fight those feelings if that meant keeping what she had.

"You think I've been a good friend to you?" Sokka looked at her with questioning eyes.

"Don't you think so?" It was nearly laughable. Of course, she didn't. She hadn't thought herself capable, at least not willingly. Yet, each time they were together, she stayed because she wanted to. She wanted to be around him, and that at its core could be considered her being a good friend. No more ulterior motives or malicious intent, but somehow, it still felt out of place.

"I didn't. Now, I think... I know that if I hadn't, you wouldn't be here with me now. You're no liar," Sokka chuckles lightly and before she could even take in that joy, another worry entered her mind, "But what happens when they arrive?" This was new for both of them. Azula had never been this vulnerable with him, with anyone before, and Sokka never thought he'd be the person to have this development with her.

"Maybe nothing has to change. We can keep being friends as we are and maybe, they could also be your friends?" Azula couldn't hold in the hysterical laughter at the thought of her joining their friend group. It sounded ridiculous to her, they would never welcome her into their group, even if she became the avatar herself. Still, Sokka was staring at her, and she knew that he was serious about what he said.

"Don't be naive,"

"I'm not. I just think that maybe they could see the real you, you're not as bad as you think," Sokka smiled softly at her, playfully nudging her should, and he was met by her infamous eye roll.

"Yeah, tell that to your sister," Sokka shook his head. While he was serious about Azula possibly becoming friends with them, it was hilarious to imagine Azula and Katara hanging out with each other.

"Besides Katara, I do think Aang and Toph would be open to it. Toph is always looking for someone to fight with, and I doubt you'd back down from a challenge," Sokka tells her playfully, and she rolls her eyes at him.

"Really though, I don't want you to feel like you don't have anyone. It isn't true, you have me," Sokka adds after a few beats of silence. Azula didn't expect that, she never thought he would say that.

"Thank you Sokka," Azula wants him to know that she appreciated that, that it meant more to her than he could ever know.

"Anytime, Princess,"

The pair stayed up longer talking as Azula quickly relaxed. She had this strange feeling take over her as she sat with Sokka's words. She couldn't imagine anyone saying those words about her. Especially him, the Water Tribesman to whom she's caused harm.

Sokka couldn't take his eyes off her. He couldn't ignore the smile she tried to hide as he went on about how much he still wanted to show her. He wouldn't have believed he would be making plans with Azula when he fell overboard with her.

She rolled her eyes as he reminded her about the fishing trip they still needed to take. Azula sat close and listened to him talk, as he explain all of the intricate details. Her eyes grew heavier by the second but she did her best to keep them open. Minutes went by and Sokka stopped speaking, looking over to see the princess fast asleep.

Sokka picked her up and put her back in bed, wrapping her up in blankets to keep her warm throughout the rest of the night. He almost didn't want to leave her but he knew he had to. Once he made sure she was sound asleep for the night, he went back to his father's igloo, the supplies he needed since forgotten as he tried to wrap his head around everything he had learned about Azula in the past half hour. It was nothing like what he had expected and it made him want to fix it and show her that she could make new friends while still being herself. Sokka wrapped up in his own blankets, thinking about how he could do his best to make Azula a part of the friend group. He refused to let her feel alone when the Gaang arrived.

As the pair drifted off into sleep, a fire nation ship made its way into the Southern Water Tribe docks.