"Why didn't you say anything when you left the papers at my temple?" Aang asked, frustrated "It could have gone less…"
"I'm sorry, I came here for a quick battle plan. We weren't supposed to last more than 3 days Aang" Sokka apologized as he unpacked to show the battle plan draft he wanted to modify.
"Don't you think it would have been faster if we persuaded the fire nation? Or did you do it only to-"
"Yes" Sokka interrupted with a mild frown "She is getting married, but we need her for this plan to be successful"
Aang looked with disbelief first, afterwards he hugged Sokka, who sighed in response. He didn't want any more pity for him. He could still be his friend and that was good enough after all the damage he did.
"I hoped it wouldn't be like this" Aang broke the silence
"It's the way it is, nothing else to be mad or sad about" Sokka smiled through with teary eyes "But hey enough of that, we don't have much time before sitting on Appa. Here, this is what we were thinking could finally take out the leader"
"I am glad you are planning to retake your political career Katara. Some stories floating around here that you were one of the best" Zuko said, guiding her towards the languages area of the library.
Katara tried her best to not sound angry, failing "Thanks Zuko, but I'm not here for that"
"Oh" The firelord said halting at the section, sensing how upset she was. It was a look so eerily similar to when they traveled to find her mother's assassin. "Oh"
"Did the catcrow ate your tongue?" She was annoyed at his mutterin, searching for the book of the northern tribe language.
"No, sorry. I just can see you are not happy" Zuko said trying to appease her "Can I help with that?"
"You are" Katara said lowering her guard for a moment "Lending me this information is the best you can do"
"Did something happen? At the poles, I mean" Zuko asked as he saw Katara reading intensely at the book in her hands
"This paperwork from Sokka's pile has old language used in the northern tribe. It's not fair for them to communicate in the mother tongue and not the standard one" Katara explained as Zuko looked at her in confusion.
"Do you want help with reading it? I was taught after all, not the best but I can-"
"I'm fine Zuko, thank you. Can you give me some privacy?" She asked as he nodded and let her be in peace with the book.
"You can take it, we should teach Sokka and Electra too" Zuko said a bit disappointed in not being able to talk to her "If you want more information you can ask me"
Katara felt the urge to slap him for some reason, a rage building inside of her. Maybe it was the way he announced his relationship, maybe it was because it kept hurting her brother.
Maybe it was still hurting her, not giving a chance to explore the opportunity, forgotten as fast as they connected.
"Zuko" Katara barely managed to say, making the firelord return briefly "Can you help me read this one?"
"Am i being fired today?" Mai asked Suki who was packing her stuff with Karina. Karina smiled at her and Suki sighed
"Hey, you have been…fair with me, I don't feel that's correct" Suki said as Mai huffed bored "I…wanted to ask you a favor, Karina…"
"A lady gets a bit of fire and suddenly, her best friends is no longer the one who gossips with" Karina said sarcastically as she grabbed the bag and carried it with her, closing the door to give them privacy.
"Do you need me to give you a personality too? How much do you want to take from me?" Mai asked upset as Suki caught a breath, unsure in confiding in Mai again.
"I…I want you to be honest with me" Suki asked unsure, her demeanor just like Azula had taught her but her eyes filling in with emotions, different from the usual ones Mai had seen.
Mai stared unamused at her waiting for the question. Suki took two steps forward with her eyes turning darker, as she was about to speak. Mai had seen the worst of Azula and Suki was no match in regard imposing fear.
"I can't believe you just let out Azula without telling us, and its have been already a month" Katar said upset, taking her place on Appa's saddle. The group looked to each other, tensed.
"We barely knew too" Sokka spoke defending themselves "Your mother-big sister session should be directed towards Zuko and Toph"
"And Suki" Toph added. They stared at her waiting for her to speak as Toph carefully thought about what she was about to say, annoyed and wanting to sleep and relax "The three of us already knew it, but Uncle Iroh already explained those details to you, can you just let it go briefly so at least we can sleep and focus on the mission?"
"I can't believe you are trying to change the topic. Don't even try to lure me away from it. Did Azula even change something in her? She didn't seem really.." Katara was loss of words, trying to describe the uneasiness
"You barely talked to her" Suki said "You can't prejudge her"
"After all the things she put you through are you going to-"
"KATARA" Aang shouted against the wind "Babe, can you come here a bit?"
Katara moved closer to the Avatar, already countering the pleas of her husband to stop the topic.
"Don't."
"Kat…-"
"Aang, this is serious, Do you know how strong Azula still is? In the news there were assesination attempts!"
"That-"
"You can't prove it! We need to keep her in check as a prisoner, maybe she is a whistleblower"
"We can hear you guys!" Sokka screamed annoyed, trying to make them talk quieter. His sister paid him no mind.
"I think that's the point" Suki replied tiredly, offering a comforting smile to the warrior "We should just tell her all the details. She wasn't at the event"
"It would have been easier if they were there" Electra replied with a hand on her temple, aching for the lack of sleep "I would really love a nap and she won't hush until we give her every living detail of Azula in the palace"
"Come here Kat" Sokka initiated grabbing his sister and steering her towards the circle in the saddle "C'mon, tell us off"
"She lied pretty convincingly that day of the black sun, I'm surprised you trusted Toph's ability" Katara voiced her concern "Especially without involving any of us! I was the one who put her in jail"
"Yes but ARE YOU implying that I haven't perfected my technique since that day? Is that your take in this situation?" Toph replied offended, knowing that Azula held a grudge against them, a small one, but still a grudge. As long as Zuko was on the throne nothing would go wrong.
"Okay okay sorry Toph" Katara calmed herself "Now, why did you hide it? Was this before our wedding?" Katara asked as Suki nodded "why?"
"She couldn't leave the city, it would be a scandal, why would we tell you that and ruin your day?" Zuko asked rhetorically as Katara dryly laughed
"Is not like that stopped you before" Suki leaned her head backwards irritated at the waterbenders attitude.
"That has nothing to do with this topic, Katara. You are my friend and so is my fiancee" Zuko defended her "Focus. Nothing would have changed, you would just worry about nothing like you are doing it right now"
"I agree with the loserlord" Sokka mocked trying to diffuse the situation "I barely knew this out of the cage Azula. But we talked and I do believe she is changing"
Suki held her best at rolling her eyes, sensing her posture at the comment.
"Oh yeah? You were aaaaaallll the evening with her after taking her out dance" Toph mocked instigating
"And? We were bonding as friends" Sokka excused himself as Katara frustration build up higher
"You know that's even less reliable? She charmed her way through you so she can put all of us in her bag" Katara scolded annoyed "We can't trust her"
"She has changed. She apologized, she really regrets it. We have let all what happened behind us" Suki added her two cents, as Katara looked amazed "I was angry like you are right now, and there are times where I still don't trust her completely. But.. she is really doing her best to be a sister."
Katara took a deep breath and exhaled "Oh Suki, she is your sister in law after all, it's the least she can do unless her dream home is that jail cell. Besides, you weren't the only one wronged"
"Can we not focus on this right now? The festival is about to be and the plan these two supposedly masterminds created is cracking badly before being put in action" Electra interrupted exhausted "Azula will be discussed another day"
"Get over it Katara" Toph backed Electra up "As much as I care for you, you are a thousand and miles away from them, you don't have to support the fire nation, you can support your FRIENDS"
" I CAN NOT SUPPORT SOMEONE WHO KILLED AANG" Katara exploded, shocking Electra and Suki who had no prior knowledge of the assesination.
"Wasn't that Zuko…'s mistake?" Suki asked as her hand slipped away from his, Zuko didn't force or attempt to grab her hand on the ride anymore. He had omitted that part and several other things that had happened in war.
If he explained everything his uncle had done they would loathe him too.
"You didn't know?" Katara mocked angry at Suki, turning around angrier "YOU DID"
She pointed her fingers at Sokka and Toph
"I can't forgive that, no matter how much you try to paint her in a good light. She killed my husband before, she tortured my friends, she manipulated and BROKE my brother…I will NEVER forgive her"
Suki was starting to crack like an old pot of white paint, her face changing to no expression to rage. If she had reasons to be mild with Azula they were thrown down in the ocean beneath them. She was okay after Zuko and Aang became friends with the fact that the Avatar was murdered, because she thought Aang was also okay with it.
Now her views were shifted, feeling deceived and betrayed by her fiance, too.
"Now that I made my point clear in why she need to be in jail, I hope you do your job well and that all those lost opportunities of love don't fog your principles again" Katara said towards Zuko with a murderous look "We can now discuss that goddammned festival you also hid from us"
Aang felt heaviness in his heart after hearing how much it had affected his wife those seconds he failed his duty again and perished, wanting to erase the fact that she rescued him and save his life at the cost of his limpless body haunting her in her nightmares since that day.
He didn't resent Azula, she was obeying her father just like Zuko was. People change as they grow and learn, with that image in mind Katara painted, he was, starting to doubt how long he would live before making Katara a widow.
He briefly closed his eyes in pain, trying to focus on getting on time to the famous reunion.
"We are sorry we are late to the meeting but we got part of our team ready to learn and add their opinions on our plan" Electra said, dying inside, knowing the plan had no real ground to stand on.
"Yes, we can see Avatar Aang is here alongside Firelord Zuko. A pleasure to have you in our humble table" Kura said bowing as they mirrored the gesture "Lady Katara, Captain Suki, a pleasure having you here too"
"Quit the bullshit and bootlicking and let's sit down" Toph grabbed the attention as Kura sighed annoyed. "Onika you can stay if you want to"
"I will to take notes for my firelord" Onika said bowing as Zuko bowed back
"Thank you again for your service Onika" Zuko thanked as they sat. Suki looked at her notes and wasn't as sure anymore of the plan, was she nervous to be in charge again?
She looked down on the plan, no expression as the voices died down and one kept going louder
"You are helping the ones who killed us, why?"
"Suki, leader of the Kyoshi warriors" Sokka introduced as Suki stood and put out a map in front of them
"The famous Suki of Kyoshi Island, nice to meet you" Kura said extending his salute, she mimicked and cleared her throat
"Thank you, it is a pleasure meeting you too. I do have to agree with Toph about the urgency this plan must be executed and applied, as a lot of informants could be mixed in this crowd" Suki explained as the drawing showed all areas of the festival
"It's a lot of guards for benders and people alike" Sokka continued "That's why they won't be armored, we need them in disguises"
Aang smiled, winking "That's a great idea!"
"They can't be all Kyoshi warriors, they know your association is a non bending" Kura urged as Suki smiled "that would be like putting turtleducks in front of an arrow"
"That's the idea" Suki replied "For them to think Kyoshi warriors are still the same group of women without bending"
"That would cost us troops and guards, it is too ris-"
"It's rude to interrupt the ladies, Kura" Sokka faked annoyance "please continue miss Suki"
"As I said, we will be exposed as the weak point of the guards to lure them. The new kyoshi warriors will be benders and police force" Suki said proudly "while the real kyoshi warriors will be mingling around undercover with no armor"
Kura gave it a thought as Aang and Katara smiled wickedly. Aang really liked dressing up as Avatar Kyoshi!
"Fair enough, how many forces will be used? How many are the nations putting in?" Kura asked as Sokka took the word
"We don't need too much, as you can see on the drawing the areas we will cover and those that will be allegedly alone , we only need masters under the disguises, ones people don't know yet:
My sister Katara, Chief Beifong, a few prodigies, no more than two from the fire nation and metalbending academy, kyoshi warriors are small groups" Sokka explained pointing towards the attractions and positions each of them would be taking.
"That's for better direction, besides, councilman Sokka will be in disguise too to command them while I be in the lookout with my team in the clouds" Suki said as she put out the small fire contained in the gauntlet "burning them so in court they can't deny their presence in the ambush"
Sokka was proud at seeing the prototype quickly adapted and used in Suki's hand was the cherry on top
"How did you make this?" Zuko questioned, amazed at the fire Suki could make in her hand "It's really…"
"Awesome, wow" Toph added amazed "We knew bringing you here wasn't a wasted trip like SOME people said"
Kura did his best to be controlled in front of their guests, sighing as Onika suppressed a laugh with a snort.
"Wait, why can't I be in disguise too?" Aang asked "my part in the plan was changed from the last draft?"
"People recognize certain faces, specially the Avatar's face" Suki said as Aang pouted "Your place will be alongside firelord Zuko and ambassador Electra, both of you will be playing bodyguards of her"
"They won't get near her if we are too close" Zuko said looking at Sokka "We don't want them attacking our citizens"
"They won't, Electra's head is the one they want" Sokka said sighing, considering outing Suki as his fiancée to have an excuse to guard her but it would make the plan have no legs again
"Your going to throw her like that?" Toph asked upset "Boyfriend of the year everybody"
"Of course not!" Sokka replied annoyed "We will all be taking care of her, here the plan is for you to mingle with the citizens in these designated and controlled areas" he pointed again where the undercover and armored guards would be
"We just need you to separate three times in the night, one after a speech, second time after the games begin to sit in the guarded areas, third time after the fireworks are lit up." Suki explained pointing too "The information shared by Councilman Sokka shows us that they will attack in large groups, so hyper vigilance will be our priority"
"I like it, but… I think Sokka's absence will raise questions" Katara said "Why don't you let him join the squad after the fireworks"
"Good observation" Suki said as she rearranged positions "The small units will then be rotating in the ground, to cover for Councilman Sokka's absence"
"We can add other elite warriors, yuyan archers" Zuko added "get them to travel here by air balloons to be on time"
"We can work with that but we need to be discreet," Suki said, caressing her chin. "Could you send some of your people here on a commercial trip?"
"Mixed? I could, they will be in our housing as guests of honor" Zuko replied with a brief smile "Without armor?"
"Preferably, we need them to be undercover too, with them here" Suki brainstormed looking at the drawing "the air will get overcrowded"
"Come down to guard then" Katara added moving the pieces "You can signal them with something right?"
Suki thought about it briefly "I would be of more use in the air as the troops already know about the positions and hand gestures we use for communication"
"Karina can handle that, also, Toph voice is too recognizable and Sokka will be surrounded by cameras, so he can't command" Katara said finding the weak spot "and Toph is of no use in the air"
"Thanks sugarqueen" Toph said frowning "Good thing to have you here and re do a plan where you will only be relevant enough to heal people around that get hurt for falling down drunk on their ar-"
"No need for that here Toph" Zuko interrupted "Focus…Katara has a point. We should make the two of you patrol together"
"I have no problem with it" Katara replied with a grin "Just like old times"
"Any other suggestions? What do you think of this final draft?" Suki asked to the table, exchanging glances with Kura, who seemed fascinated by the idea of having team Avatar on the table with him.
"Your team has a reputation for planning and being successful with it, let's trust this and start right now training the troops" Kura replied "Electra, do you have everything in order?"
"Yes, Avatar Aang and I did the marketing and buildings we considered would be good for the event. They can aid to certain hideouts for us and for the guards to move faster" Electra explained putting up in the board the designs, Aang helping her model it in 3D
Zuko was grateful Onika was taking notes, because no matter how much he focused on the decorations and similar designs, he knew he had a pending chat with his fiancé
"How do I even talk if she is upset" Zuko thought, glancing around the room to find her paying attention, taking notes, and talking.
Being herself
It was refreshing seeing her so vivid, brainstorming and adding views where he would only see a small crack of the sky, she could make the crack a hole with no problem.
Sokka by her side didn't seem to change her focus in the room, he would whisper things and write them but she would keep tabs on the plan.
He looked down at his notes and sighed, happily. Days before he tumbled, at times imagining scenarios. She was really keeping her word, he at least wanted to think that because that scene they made at his party was trying to ruin his confidence in himself as a partner.
Well he was the one ruining it, he still needed to come clear to Suki about Azula's wrongdoings.
"Then we need to start construction right away, send the papers to the mayor so the festival comes to life in time" Toph said as everyone agreed, standing up to their dessignated places to keep on working.
"Firelord Zuko, there were rumors of your relationship status going around the city and in your gabinet" Onika said gesturing towards team Avatar "Having-"
"We must discuss this in your office to avoid a potential leak" Zuko interrupted as he opened the door for her "We still need to make the plan work"
"Hey Zuko! We meet for lunch in 30 minutes and for drinks when the annoying cricketdove chirps, basically almost midnight… are you coming?" Sokka asked with a half smile, still trying to wrap the idea of marriage around his brain while being civil
"Sure, send a guard to remind me please" Zuko asked as he left the room, unsure on his public presence and how much it actually impacted the world
Karina was still Suki's best friend, she would know what's best for her in case something exploded after the announcement
Onika was working and looking out for the palace in the city, she should know the correct things to announce or deny with the newspaper, as gossip ran fast.
There were once rumors that Suki was his girlfriend, would they be brought up again after announcing her? He couldn't risk her to getting more hurt after dealing with his sister
That was a really dumb idea from him, both have the darkening, Azula was changing so giving her power could make her relapse and get drunk with it
"Firelord Zuko, you seem troubled" Onika's voice managed to filter his thoughts "Do you want to hold this meeting at another time?"
"Yes I…I no, we don't have a lot of time to send the Yuyan archers" Zuko said rearrenging his priorities. "Will the balloon be ready by the time we finish the day?"
"Of course. Any political parties you would like to invite?" Onika asked as she redacted the message, waiting for instructions.
Zuko was hit with a curb, would Suki be recognized without the veil? Would it be easier for them to actually present Suki as a part of team avatar instead of being her bodyguard?
"Yes"
"We just need the yuyan archers to arrive and then it will all be set, our work would be done" Suki smiled sitting down on Toph's couch "You have a really nice office"
"You would have noticed sooner if you hadn't run to kill Electra the last time you were here" Toph mocked as Suki blushed embarrased.
"It was…an impulse" Suki tried to defend herself "I already apologized but…I don't know. Maybe we wouldn't even be required to lure this potential terrorist group if she hadn't done anything"
"We can't change the past anymore" Sokka said startling her, putting some papers on Toph's table "No use of trying to discuss it again, drink or work, that's why we take these breaks"
"Well, now i won't take the drink iif you're here to defend her" Suki said without thinking, trying to backtrack "But yes, we need to get going, I didn't know you had long breaks, it pays good to be your own boss"
Sokka decided to not engage in chit chat with her outside of work, it would screw his priorities. He was also confused about the letter he read and the message she wrote in his hand and his last conversation with Azula.. Suki continued talking
"Anyway, Toph, here are the instructions and commands you need to teach your best troops. We need them to memorize it under 24hrs so Karina can try them"
"Talk about high standards" Toph whistled "You need to be low, try to evade being with any of us in public"
"Alright, I will go into exile to fight for my honor," Suki mocked, giggling, masking the fact that being alone with her thoughts in her designated room was making her nervous. "I wonder how am I going to move? Or I don't have any accommodations?"
"Oh yes you have, you are staying with Electra and I" Sokka replied smiling at Suki's blush "We have this driveway exclusive to us, it helps us get faster to certain parts of the city"
"Thanks to me, your welcome" Toph butted in "Now get out of here, some of us actually do our work"
"What other work do you have other than screaming at people?" Suki mocked "Oh right, screwing them"
Toph frowned, her pale face flushing red at her anger and embarrassment. Sokka laughed at the exchange
"Oh you're laughing? I wouldn't laugh that hard if I was you" Toph said upset "And I wouldn't sit there if I were you"
Suki jumped out of the sofa disgusted "You don't clean this?"
"Why would I? Nobody is here, nobody uses it" Toph smirked "Out"
"I still owe you something," Suki said as they walked towards the car. Sokka glanced at her waiting for whatever she was thinking "I didn't apologize to you that day I attacked Electra"
"True" Sokka said as he opened the door for her, Suki continued the walk and he guided her in the tunnel "Not properly at least, I also grabbed you without consent"
"It was needed. The darkness was overwhelming to me… I guess it was a bit of an excuse to use against Electra. Makes me no better than the killer benders" Suki continued as she saw the car in the garage. "I am sorry for assaulting her"
"You apologized to the right person, I wasn't even hurt physically, at least" Sokka said as he opened the door for her. Suki sat and helped him close the door, sighing heavily. She was about to be married, she couldn't keep indulging in flirting.
He needed to ease his posture, Azula could be playing mind tricks on him again, it wouldn't be the first time she was used as instigation. "I will sleep on the sofa, you can sleep in my room" He smiled easing the tension
"Thank you for your hospitality" Suki smiled back, liking his long hair, he had changed the hairstyle with three hair ties. "I like your style"
"Tell me something new please" Sokka grinned, keeping his eyes on the road "I could notice"
Suki rolled her eyes, biting her tongue "Well, I paid my debt, you need to pay yours"
"Me? I have done nothing but to be an amazing chaperone and friend, what else are you requiring ma'am?" He faked a northern accent, mocking Electra. Suki giggled, playing with a string of her hair.
Sokka had to slow down at the risk of crashing, adoring seeing Suki playing with her hair. Really just admiring her, in more casual clothes and not the long dresses and robes.
"You told me you would show me the city around if I came back" Suki glanced with a bright smile, in her mind the idea to annoy Azula was bigger than ever. Making Azula fail as a master was a great humiliation, as everybody in the palace knew she was under her wing.
"Oh" Sokka said driving faster, excited to arrive at the city "Then we should hurry, we don't have a lot of days to explore. At least the warmer part of the city is out of the bucket list, that's where we held most of the activities of my sisters wedding"
"I hope the colder parts aren't freezing" Suki sighed, missing the spring in Kyoshi Island
"It's less than the poles, I'll say that" Sokka said as they had reached their destination, almost jumping out of the car and opening her door "C'mon, I need to hug you"
Suki looked at him with eyes wide, surprised at the suggestion. Sokka's blush and sleepy eyes didn't make it better for her, harder to resist the offer. "I need to hide your face and I don't have my jacket, is that or making me enter naked and that would be a scandal"
"I'm sure it will be" Suki said, stepping out of the car and burying her face in him. "I just hope you are big enough to hide my hair"
Sokka was grinning as he lifted her off the ground to run towards their private elevator. "When she notices later on no one is in this part she will punch me"
"Here is it" Sokka said, putting her down as he closed the door. "I'll go and pick your bags from the office, feel free to eat, sleep or do whatever, I won't take too long"
"Well the sun's going down, what are we even going to explore?" Suki asked, wanting to look at other passages and views .
"You have the best guide in town, don't worry about that" Sokka said winking as he walked out the door with the room echoing, leaving her with her thoughts " We'll also go to Toph's place for drinks!"
She was to stay at his room so her first move was to look for it. Her eyes wandered around the living room she had ignored thanks to the nervousness of talking with Electra.
"Nice window" she said to herself as she explored the chamber,, fighting the urge to pry on certain areas. She sat on the bed, looking at how the orange rays of sun filled the room.
She missed being completely alone, her body didn't feel oversaturated until she sat looking at the sun going down, admiring it. A brief, sharp pain cut her as she was reminded why it was dangerous for her to be on her own.
"Hey" Katara said entering the office "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, take a sit" Electra said, extending her hand, closing the scroll "Is everything alright?"
"Well…no. I will be direct" Katara said as she put the papers on the table "Care to explain this?"
Electra examined the papers, noticing the old language.
"This is the military vows and language with information about-"
"About the north trying again to colonize the south as if we were savages, that's what the sentence ends with" Katara replied angry "My brother has not done any good work because apparently this was being approved the moment it would touch the round table"
"No, I wouldn't let them" Electra replied offended "Sokka probably didn't read well, or only the first and last paragraphs that included all the innovative and wellness Center's buildings…this was a bait to him"
"A bait you probably prepared" Katara accused Electra who looked unfazed "After the festival is executed we will send a troop to kindly plant uneasiness and shock groups so the South would ask help from the North? Signed by Ulu? Who is Ulu?"
"That's a very good question, Ulu…" Electra tried to make a guess of who was their enemy to try and infiltrate using their mother tongue "It can't be anyone in a high rank"
Katara crossed her arms, waiting for Electra to reply as she continued touching the papers. She grabbed her phone, dialing Sokka
"Yes, is Councilman Sokka in his office?….Okay, tell him it is urgent, thank you" Electra said as she hung up "Do you want something to drink?"
"I'm good," Katara thanked "Why are you bringing my brother into this?"
"He signed this. He must know Ulu then" Electra clarified as she drank water "bad thing he takes his time"
"Tale old as time" Katara smirked "Specially with Suki here"
"You haven't congratulated the new couple" Electra pushed for a reaction, as the waterbender looked annoyed "Is there a motive behind it?"
"We don't have time to sit around and talk of it" Katara lied, feeling a bit hurt "Besides…we are here on a mission, I don't even know where are they"
"Probably in a bedroom" Electra continued picking on her "Now that they are about to be a royal couple"
Katara made a face of disgust and looked down at the papers, trying to focus instead on the side quest she was about to handle.
"I think they look good, but honestly, it's a bit soon to wed" Electra continued the topic, trying to bait a reaction and see more of the event that unfolded years before her "After all that happened in the party, I'm still surprised the wedding will take place"
"What happened? Something went wrong?" Katara asked a bit concerned
"Oh no, but your brother and Suki were irradiating so much passion without even dancing on beat, that's a talent itself, that people were afraid the firelord would do something bad to his friend" Electra added more info as Katara frowned a bit, relaxing her face after some time thinking.
"Sokka is really in trouble" She muttered crossing her arms "Can you hurry him?"
"If you can find him in the corridors you are welcome to bring him here to discuss this, otherwise I'm afraid he is either with Suki and Zuko, or, in his little workshop" Electra said tired as she started to dial him again.
"Of course you don't think this is important, it is correlated directly to the festival and the plan we have!" Katara explained as Electra held the phone, listening to the secretary
"That means someone is leaking info or someone involved in the group is working with us" Electra replied "I understand the concern Katara, but we need to keep it even tighter this secret as possible, specially between the three of us"
"Sure, but we need to find him before the event unfolds" Katara hurried "We don't have that much time, 3 days at most"
"I know, I know" Electra replied soothingly "I owe your brother so much, I will make sure nobody of my tribe tries to conquer your sacred grounds"
Katara walked out and rushed towards his brother's office, finding to her surprise no one. She slammed the papers on the desk desperately, overthinking what else could be in the papers she hadn't been able to learn as fast as she wanted.
She didn't want to go to his aid again, but it was in the name on duty.
"Hello Onika" Katara smiled brightly, her tone sweet but serious "Can you tell me where is firelord Zuko staying?"
"I can send you in the same car if you want to, he is about to take off to the residence" Onika said dialing the guards
"Thank you! I'll go catch him then. Have a great night!" She said running off, hoping her judgment was the right one.
Suki was falling asleep on the bed, her thoughts tiring her as she waited for Sokka or Zuko to arrive. She laid on her side looking at her surroundings again, she did want to change clothes as hers were already dirty
"My my, how refined you have become" Suki laughed at herself, laying down completely on the bed. As her eyes battled to stay open, a secret corridor made her brain wake up in an instant.
She recognized the gold in the arm placed on the shelf, her mouth a bit open as she reached for it, moving the stand with coats that were hiding it. The famous fan and boomerang placed harmoniously.
Another sting in her heart, as she opened it and was unable to interrupt the visually alluring weapons. She looked at the letters under them, most of them sent by her. Others probably drafted as they were properly folded and with her name on it, never sent.
Sokka did his homework, she just skipped the class and went straight into denial of change, at least that was what the doctor had said. Hanging on the idea of an impossible love, impossible standards. Rather than keep playing there was an ongoing war that she needed to save people from, like he was, she now was guarding Zuko personally, unable to give him relief after all the other important things were put on the table.
She was the problem. She was a non bender, she was a foreigner, she was never meant to be in that palace. She insisted on it.
" I need to…to go. I can't, not anymore" Suki thought, biting her lip, a cloud of nostalgia overwhelming her as she touched and moved one of the letters she sent, the clinical Mr Saturn written on it with his contact info.
She folded it again like it was and placed it carefully, now being noisy, she reached for the other side where unsent letters were piled up. As she lifted it she noticed it was heavy and dropped it.
The doors opened and Suki panicked, trying her best to put everything like it was, making noise as she moved the shelf.
"Hey! You are already snooping around? Should have waited until I was asleep, I wouldn't have noticed" Sokka smiled as he placed the bags close to the bed. "What did you find?" he asked as Suki blush died slowly.
"I…I was reading" Suki said as she grabbed a pottery book "About pottery and it's art, I wanted to see if you have done something better than the images"
Sokka smiled and melted her heart, smiling back "Sure, silly me thought you found the boomerang and fan behind the bookshelf. But you are a bit rusty from playing firelady it seems" he said as he scooted closer and moved the shelf
"Oh! No, I didn't mean to-" Suki tried to explain as her face grew maroon. "Sokka"
"Suki" He repeated "It's alright, I'm sorry if the papers weird you out. I just couldn't bear to throw them out…but hey, at least you got to see your fan. I tried to keep it in the original shape but my first place didn't have the ideal area and I sent it to maintenance, do me a favor and hold it"
He reached for it and handed it to her, the glee in his eyes in seeing it holding it was unmatched. Suki fanned herself playfully, reminding him when she had beat his ego to the ground on her dojo.
"Do you want it?" Sokka asked, charmed by her eyes, who stared with innocence. "I mean it's yours… I never got the chance to give it back"
"I will use it for the mission, for good luck" Suki replied as she hung it on her waist, exchanging it for her new one. "Keep this one in case I break this one"
"We hope that doesn't happen, I will make sure it doesn't happen" Sokka said seriously "You are a target too…being the firelady"
Suki lowered her head briefly before replying "They don't know me here, they don't even know I'm the leader of the kyoshi warriors. At least not without makeup"
"But I do, '' Sokka said apprehensivily. "I'm sorry, I know you can defend yourself"
"Let's have this chat in one of those places you said that would blow my mind" Suki said to end the conversation without being rude "Aren't you starving?"
"No, are you?" He asked back as Suki looked surprised "What? Did my face morph or something?"
"You are not hungry, that's something weird. What on earth is happening! Is the air really polluted here?" Suki asked jokingly, touching his belly. Sokka laughed along, not wanting to tell her his darkening kept appearing at the mere thought of the marriage.
"I'll grab something from the kitchen and take you out. But first we need to take care of this." He grabbed her ching playfully " Here is this hat and long coat for you" Sokka said pulling them out of his own clothes "At least for getting in the car"
"I hope your fiance is already asleep" Sokka joked nervously as they walked along the isolated part of the bay he had secluded for training. In previous nights he would run to drink or scream there as it reached a high point where the city could be seen.
"If I don't worry about him, you shouldn't either" Suki replied with her heart breaking in half, wary of the surroundings they were in. Sokka noticed and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You are safe here. This is my safe place" He introduced as they walked deeper and onto the hill he used to climb. He offered a hand for support, she climbed by his side, smiling when their faces met.
"Okay, race to the safe place?" Suki asked as she bolted, taking him off guard
"Not fair!" He giggled as he caught up, staring at her while she admired the lights in the city reflected on the serene bay in front of them. The Mo ce sea to their right and the city to the left.
"It's breathtaking, I can see why it's your safe space" She said walking towards the edge, Sokka quickly grabbed her, snapping her out of the amazement. "Stupid, that was dangerous"
"Yes, dummy" He joked, relieved to let her go, sitting on the edge with his legs wandering in the air. She sat down on her knees, close to the earth. "Have you wondered why the sea is so calm and angry at the same time?"
"It's fierce, flexible and welcoming, I believe those are the words you are searching for?" Suki asked, trying to understand the relationship of the words.
"You're probably right" He agreed "Before knowing that information, I used to reflect my own feelings in these vast place of water"
"You are a water tribe, it's expected" She said in a matter of fact tone, elbowing him softly to make him smile. He glanced doleful to the edge
"Mhm" He added as bad memories came back from being in this place. Bringing Suki along apart from the view was not doing him any favors to his heart, confused in what she wrote on his hand and with her unsent letter in Azula's hands. "Can I…can we…"
Suki looked intensely, caressing his back for support. Sokka glanced and quickly departed his view from her, tempted to let it all out. It was a relatively easy mission, he was unsure why he felt he would lose her forever.
She didn't pressure anything, looking at how his mood shifted suddenly.
"Can we eat? I thought you were starving" He said with a goofy smile, suppressing the urge to ask her that question burning in the back of his mind again. He had tried on the library at the fire nation without any feedback from her, he wouldn't force it.
"Oh" Suki was taken aback a bit "That's right, sure, where is the basket?" She asked glancing around as Sokka palmed himself annoyed
"Goddesses I forgot it at the car, let me get it for you" Sokka replied standing up and walking down to jump
"Are you just leaving me here alone?" Suki asked with a big smile as Sokka nodded
"Safest place for a reason" Sokka added as he climbed down. Suki looked at the man who disappeared and let out a breath she was holding, glancing at the moon who peaked at her.
"Oh Yue, I can see your point now" She whispered, a heavy feeling growing in her heart as she tried to expose out loud what she was feeling "Doing one's duty is so heavy…"
Mai looked annoyed at the correspondence that begged her to go to the festival, annoyed at herself for probably accepting it.
Only if Azula hadn't read it before her, now that she knew she was avoiding the topic.
"You need to pack right now, this is the perfect time for you" Azula hyped her "He is doubting since the debut"
"I don't want to go, besides, I can always decline. Ty Lee is invited too and I don't think she is going" Mai said as Ty Lee continued packing
"I am, for different reasons than yours. The balloon is going out at noon" Ty Lee smiled "Besides there is a party! We are not required to do anything else other than to drink and talk with boys"
"As if I need more boys in my life" Mai said rolling her eyes "How could you know I was desperate to go?"
"Because nobody wants Zuko to marry her, we all know you are meant to be" Ty Lee explained bitterly
Azula's smile didn't fade from her face as she turned to Mai, who sighed annoyed at Ty Lee's innocence.
"I think you have personal problems with the new couple Ty?" Azula asked, knowing the answer.
"I would have Mai, I don't hate them or anything" Ty Lee replied dismissively "I am more mature than to hold grudges"
"You sure are, leaving the group you loved to join a squad who you barely talked after the war ended" Mai vented as Ty smiled and puted afterwards
"You wanted to get out of the palace after…the first break up. I didn't know Suki was like that" Ty Lee said upset "If I-"
"Enough of that peasant, she has grown a bit on me after all the training together, so I think is fair for us to repay after all the fun stuff we did to her" Azula interrupted looking at Mai's closet
"I'll consider it" Mai said as she opened the book in her hands to leave her present as Azula and Ty schemed around a reunion and breaking up their engagement.
Mai was never the second option, she prioritized and was calculated in her demeanor most of the time. Funny how now that is convenient for him, she is being flown and prioritized. Not when she was his girlfriend.
She was never prioritized at all and that depressed her, for tolerating it. Perhaps her lack of expressions and affection after the war ended were less. She was in a prison cell, without friends and alone in the palace most of the time.
It seemed the way to his heart was to work for him and not with him, seeing how his love for Suki blossomed suddenly and intensely. It made her rage for a bit before letting all those feelings be kept in control after being named his fiance.
Then it all happened again when the warrior apologized, until she recognized that most of the fault relied on her for giving in the false hope of being with Zuko.
She needed to protect herself with this visit, to avoid falling for anything he had to offer. The doubt was already planted, not on purpose at least. She didn't know what had happened.
It was better with Azula not knowing anything too.
"Don't you think it is funny how Yue is usually looking down on us when we talk?" Suki asked as Sokka glanced from his meat towards the sky, gulping a bit too hard.
"No" He smiled "In this place, far from the city lights, the stars and the moon are seen better"
"Oh I see, you wanted to have a friendly reunion with your exes" Suki joked as Sokka rolled his eyes.
"At least it wasn't a moon joke" Sokka muttered while Suki leaned close enough to whisper in his ear.
"You want to know what is funny?" Suki asked as Sokka grumbled, already knowing it was a moon joke "At least there is no moonshine available for you"
"That's not a good moon joke" Sokka turned biting his beef jerky, making Suki pull away "But if I had any moonshine….we would be talking a lot more"
"Hmm?" Suki questioned confused, finishing her cookie "I thought we..we could talk about anything?"
"And we are talking about exes and marriages," Sokka ignored her, laughing as he looked at the sea below him. "We have come far…"
"Yeah…" Suki said as it dawned on her again the previous conversation, the last dance, her message in his hand.
Azula walking him to her room after hours...
"Why were you scheming with Electra?" Suki asked hurt, deciding she had nothing else to loose after being the official bride of the firelord "At the party"
"Suki…there was no scheming or strategy" Sokka tried to convince her, knowing it was a bad look all around, he sighed heavily, unable to look at her "There was a letter to be sent instead of the three of us going to the palace.
I wanted to go alone to see you. As obvious as this was, Electra and Toph tagged along to warn me about…your engagement"
Sokka's dry throat wanted to shine, he fought against it; he was tired of doing things wrong, his gestures not doing him favors to show how he was feeling.
"They were only there to…care for me in case their suspicion was real... and It was easy to deal with at first. Really... because I didn't get to see you every time with him. It was just the two of us, even at that party where everything was going very illegal we…I felt love for our relationship rekindle..until…until you were introduced officially"
Suki bit her lip, feeling unsure if the night or her feelings were softening the mask.
"And…and then it hit me. You are gone. Forever" Sokka said finally facing her, a somber, neutral face "I couldn't help myself and thought 'Well done Sokka! You had a heads up since your sisters wedding but your fucking ego was bigger than the fact that she is happy'!
You are happy. You are suceeding and...persisting in being so happy because you have found someone who matches you in everything: the adrenaline, the companionship, the secrecy of sharing a plan, of preparing yourself. I saw it as we talked, as you read, as we danced in that room, when you danced with Toph.
And I don't have the right to feel crushed! He is handsome, he is kind, you told me how he prioritizes you and gives you that ugly and exciting feeling in your stomach when you share a kiss, he promised me he would take good care of you many years ago and…."
Sokka stopped his rambling and smiled, trying to mask the darkening inside of him. Suki could notice it and she wanted to change the subject but felt inappropriate as he was pouring himself out to her, something she had wanted so many years ago. But why had it come so so late?
"I'm sorry S-"
"No no! Don't be" Sokka interrupted awkwardly "I…I don't know what happened that I said all of that, I am the one that should be apologizing…"
"Sokka" He liked hearing his name out of her mouth, never before his name sounded so beautifully. "Yes, i'm happy. I know you are not overjoyed and I don't expect you to be…I sure wasn't when I heard about Electra and you dating"
"I imagine" Sokka related embarrassed "You weren't supposed to know in that way"
"You weren't supposed to know either in that introduction. I thought you were other visitants…I would have found you before to tell you everything" Suki explained, embarrased at the situation "You took it way better than I did, I'm glad you trusted in me to…share your burden"
Sokka grabbed his arm with a sad smile, his time running out the more they talked about the past, the night closing as the moon moved slowly.
"I wouldn't have it any other way…even married I'll make sure to visit you as soon as I can" Sokka blurted out before trying to stop himself, eyes widening at Suki's blush. "Uh…yeah…not my first royal entanglement"
"WHAT?" Suki asked surprised, a sly grin appearing "What did you meant with that?"
"Well…let's say Princess Yue…" Sokka sheepishly dragged the story as Suki grinned ear to ear.
"You like taken women? you menwhore" Suki joked elbowing him as Sokka cleaned a fake tear, freezing for a second.
"Wait a minute, halt the conversation" Sokka asked as Suki looked unamused but curious "Why did you say I took it like a champ-"
"I said better"
"Well, than you? What did you do?" Sokka asked concerned as Suki blushed and looked away "Suki?"
"I…almost destroyed my hair and killed Zuko" Suki admitted with a forced smile "and began dating him..." she whispered as Sokka's jaw dropped at the confession
"HUH?!" He shook his head fast and cleaned his ears "HUH?!"
"It was the darkening! I never meant to do it or take it this far but…now I have a plan with my life. So in the end…I guess it was meant to be" Suki explained embarrassed glancing briefly at Sokka, whose face was shocked "That's why you calmly talking about me breaking your pretty big heart is nothing compared to when I knew you were dating her"
"Spirits Suki, I never knew that…" Sokka's hurt was palpable in his tone"I…"
"Don't say anything please, it's embarrassing now to say it out loud" Suki stared at the ocean, ignoring his gaze "But…now that we are in this interview…"
"It's not an interview, has the fame already gone to your head?" Sokka tried to make light of the situation, getting a good reaction from her was enough for him.
"No dumb dumb, but…Can I ask you…why Katara said that Azula broke you?" Suki asked worried as Sokka eyes died a bit. "There are some things about the war I didn't know of…"
"Well…you can ask me anything if that'll help you" Sokka said, preparing himself to not sound even more needy to her. She nodded, waiting for him to talk. "The day of the black sun we prepared an invasion to take advantage of the lack of firebending. Unfortunately, the infiltration of Azula as a K-Kyoshi warrior meant she knew about the plan.
So Ozai was moved somewhere safe we didn't know of while she waited for us in the throne, making us waste our time and not search for her father"
"You discovered the plan too late?" Suki interrupted, ashamed of being a part of the failure.
"On the contrary, she was 'harmless' as there was no firebending in her, so I immediately caught that it was fruitless and began to take Toph and Aang towards the other corridor. In an attempt to get my attention…she mentioned you"
"Me?" Suki asked shocked, the tiles starting to fall in place as flashes of the boiling rock glimpsed
"Sokka….what an ugly name, Sukka sounds way better. Oh? Why are you getting mad? Don't get any wrinkles! You are far too young to look ugly on your deathbed, besides, it won't be long until you see him again. I always keep my promises"
"Yes…she just mentioned my name alongside 'My favorite prisoner talks about you all the time and, spirits, I lost my temper. I fell for it, I would have killed her that day but I could not get any information out of your whereabouts"
Suki's face was in a frown, involuntary clenching her teeth and hands.
"I…I couldn't hide it with Katara. Not only did I know that you were her prisoner, my plan failed and Dad was also a prisoner because I refused to let go of her until I got information" Sokka explained ashamed "Only to go with Zuko and rescue my dad, finding you in the way…which makes me the worst boyfriend ever for forgetting you…or exboyfriend now"
"No hard feelings.." Suki whispered enraged by the fact of being used as a damsel in distress, not only she hated losing and being tortured, now she could add being the bait. "Fukcing Azula"
"But hey, at least she is changing" Sokka tried to calm her down as Suki gazed angrily at the ocean, her darkest feelings bubbling up towards Azula and Zuko who basically begged her to be civil with her.
To deal with her and obey her after everything she was put through.
"I don't know" Suki admitted "Just like I told Katara, there are times where I can't trust her completely"
"Well that checks" Sokka added with a giggle "You are doing it for love to deal with her then"
"Duty, Sokka" Suki corrected "Of course I lik-love Zuko…but Azula is what pulled me to marry him"
"What?..." Sokka asked in disbelief…"That's what you meant …when you wrote in my hand...?"
"...no" Suki admitted embarrased of letting go of her mask at this point of the night "But that's the major reason"
"Suki…spirits you don't need to do this whole circus! I thought you were happier!" Sokka said upset, Suki frowned at Sokka trying to scold her.
"Aang, Katara, Toph can't do shit compared to the manipulation Azula can do! When you live and learn what the enemy knows you understand the power. Zuko is in a really tight spot specially after she has been announced"
"Suki I am sorry, I won't let you do-"
"Sokka stop" Suki said standing up "You are my friend. You can stop being it if my decision angers you, it won't stop me from marrying him"
"But you are not happier… and that worries me. That your motives behind that is a promise and denial of… of I don't know!" Sokka raised his voice as Suki began to walk down the path, Sokka continued to try and talk her out of it, walking behind her with long swings, his bad leg cramping, annoying him even more.
"Why did you tell me you thought about me when he held you? Then when he kisses you you miss me?" Upset and confused, he questioned her.
Suki was avoiding to say anything, it was her mistake trusting him with the plan and letting go off her mask in that ball, thinking nothing out of it would come out. It was a disaster waiting to happen and she put more wood into the fire.
He wasn't crying, he wasn't disappointed, he was just hurt. She broke his heart because he was doing the right thing, she didn't want to admit he could also change.
She wanted a change without having to change, was that why she chose Zuko? She knew for sure, that's why she insists on handling high stakes missions and compromises, this is the life that she is choosing.
"Do you really hate me that much to not...want to try it again?" A tear wanted to appear as his voice crashed with the water below "I wished I had read that sooner and run to you to explain it again, do it again, beg you again so you could have the closure you desired so much and not do this out of spite or 'duty' you are trying to convince yourself so hard this is supposed to be...
But that letter…never reached to me"
Sokka looked defeated, quickly cleaning the water that fogged his eyes as Suki halted her walk, her face having fallen completely, looking horrified.
"What letter are you talking about?" Suki whispered, fearing it was that letter "Sokka?" she asked louder, her breathing slowing down more and more as she turned around to face him "Sokka…what did you read?"
"You don't…uuuugh fuck!" Sokka said facing away from her, red face, holding a breath to calm himself. "Oh Suki I'm so sorry, Tui and La, you are right"
Suki walked fast to stand face to face, stopping him from getting away as Sokka's breath struggled to keep steady.
"What letter Sokka? I…I didn't send it" Suki, seeing his pain grabbed his shoulders "How did you find out about it?"
"So it was not a lie" Sokka whispered confused as Suki lost the grip, her darkening begging to appear
"It was never a lie…I…it was Azula? wasn't she?" Suki asked enraged, Sokka nodded surprised as Suki let him go and tried to meditate walking to her previous place, kneeling by the edge.
"Do you see what I am talking about? Her being free will be her doing everything to manipulate Zuko as she has done with us" Suki exclaimed angry "That's why I will marry him, at least someone will keep her from doing the worst"
"And who will protect you? Karina? Against Azula? Ty Lee, who is hurt?" Sokka reasoned with her, kneeling by her side "Look, we can make a better plan and control on Azula so you don't have to-"
"It's a promise I made," Suki replied, upset. "I will not keep talking about this unless it is for you to support me. Please keep your word and don't say anything"
Sokka wanted to talk her out of it, but that face of determination was all he needed to know she wouldn't change her mind.
"I won't say anything" he wanted to puke his bowels out, looking at her disappointed "But you're running straight into the fire. Don't hesitate to inform me to help you out"
"With court politics? I barely manage them well, you told me you fall asleep at meetings that are either shorter or with less pressure" Suki scoffed crossing her arms
"But for you I would learn the entire language map of all the nations to help" Sokka said pulling her to face him, startling Suki "Suks…"
"Yeah?" Suki asked, charmed by Sokka's blue so close to her, putting her hands on his in an attempt to get him away. She had missed how his warmth complimented hers.
"What did you mean then with what you wrote in my hand? It was my…language" Sokka asked leaning closer, relaxing the grip as she followed his lead.
"That I…still wish it was you" Suki melted as she felt his breath on her face "I am still yours…that I...wished this was different...that..."
Sokka's heart was with her, he didn't care about being the homewrecker. His lips were about to touch hers until she pulled apart slowly, crushing him.
"We should…we should not be alone anymore" Suki forced herself away from him "It doesn't do us any favor"
"Don't marry him" Sokka demanded, his eyes pleading her to stop this.
Suki's shaky breath mixed with the love for him brought her back to life, something she had tried to avoid since the last party. Her heart was racing and her head was begging her to fall for him
"I will. Please take me home now"