Gladiator

by Seyary-Minamoto

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

172. Chapter 172: Hahn's Gambit 2

The vicious argument behind the closed door seemed to have one very clear winner. Hahn could only smile as he listened in on the fluctuation of the raised voices, scarcely understanding their words but judging the success of his new partner by how often Hina's voice overpowered her father's, and how, after around ten minutes, Gao seemed completely silent.

Their house was comfortable, a fine estate outside the Capital, but not on par with Zhao's. There were a few luxuries, but nothing compared with what Hahn had seen in the Palace. On some level he regretted falling into this particular arrangement, but at the same time he was confident in his impending success. It didn't matter that the Princess's gladiator had defeated important gladiators, such as the second one in that League's ranking, because Hahn had no doubts his own war experiences amounted to much more than that. Gladiatorial combat was entertainment for the masses: he had lived through the ordeals of war since around two months after Sozin's Comet arrived. He had been fighting ever since. He had built up strength and become a warrior worthy of all the respect of his Tribe. No untested fool from the south could possibly measure up to that.

Moments later, Hina walked out of the room, looking satisfied and proud of herself. Gao followed, his eyes wide, and he didn't even spare Hahn another glance before walking away, presumably to convey the mess Hina had made to his wife. The woman had been courteous to Hahn, but she didn't seem to approve of the situation any more than Gao did… and yet it seemed Hina would merely do as she pleased. Hahn suspected it wouldn't be the first time she did.

"Well, that's settled, then. My father will agree to let you stay until the fight is over" Hina said, sitting beside him at a small table. Hahn smirked.

"That's fortunate" he said "Though I'm surprised you can make him do whatever you want so easily. Looks like you've been having your way for a very long time, haven't you?"

"Well… it's the benefit of being the youngest child" Hina said, surprising Hahn by how smug she sounded "People think because I can't inherit my father's fortune or lands, I'm doomed to a miserable life. What they don't understand is that it's quite the opposite: my position gives me the freedom to pursue whatever interests I may choose"

"And you chose gladiator fights, for a time" said Hahn, smiling "Why exactly did you grow interested in that, if I may ask? It seems odd for you to be so fixated on that gladiator…"

"Oh, well, that is… I suppose I rather enjoyed seeing handsome men showing how manly they were" she said, blushing now "Though I wasn't too impressed by a lot of them, since most aren't all that good-looking…"

"So, he's better-looking than the others you saw?" Hahn asked, smirking.

"Well, yes, but that's not all" said Hina, huffing "Like I said, my family mostly just… puts up with me. I'm free because they just want me out of the way and I give them exactly that, on the most part. Sometimes I've felt like… like they don't care too much about me"

"Oh?" said Hahn, a hand on his chin as he listened to Hina attentively.

"So, when I heard that Water Tribe men were not only handsome but quite caring with their communities and families, I thought that was the kind of husband I wanted" said Hina, nodding proudly "So, well, I did enjoy watching strong men but most of all, what I wanted was… that"

"A noble goal" said Hahn, nodding "But are you sure he's the one you should be after, if that's how it is? I mean… he did leave his family to come here, didn't he?"

"Only because that bitch dragged him from them, I know the story" said Hina, scowling "I've done my research, you know? I'm not just talking out of nowhere here: she stole him away from his people and after punishing him for a few years in some Amateur League, now she tortures him directly and makes him fight as her gladiator. And she has the gall to pretend he actually wants this… he's always been manipulated by her, I've been able to tell every time we talk. So…"

"Well, there's no solid evidence for that" said Hahn, biting his lip "Do you have any evidence that he's not just, well… an opportunist?"

"He's a good man, like I said!" Hina said, stubbornly "He looks out for other gladiators in his fights, even if they're trying to kill him. A man who's so kind, deep down… he couldn't possibly be that rotten. And, well… his heart doesn't make him any less manly. When he's fighting, when he acts in a controlling way, he's just…"

She shivered visibly, and Hahn smirked in disbelief. Hina's cheeks were flushed, and he briefly wondered if he had ever caused that kind of effect on a woman before. He didn't think there was anything to envy the Princess's gladiator for, but the effortless talent he seemed to have to seduce Hina was wasted on someone like him.

"S-so, anyways, he's just… everything I ever wanted in a man" said Hina, simply "I don't care much that he has no money or that he's not really with his family right now, because I can give him both things just fine. The problem is, of course…"

"The Princess" said Hahn, smirking "Well, in all fairness she won't be a problem for too long"

"I should hope so" said Hina, smiling at him "We didn't speak too much at the Ball that time, but… I think you mentioned you were a warrior, right?"

"I still am. No one stops being a warrior just because they're not on the battlefield at all times" Hahn said, smiling proudly too. Hina looked at him with admiration and interest "I have seen quite a lot of warfare and battlefields in my lifetime. More than that gladiator has, for certain. My expertise should be more than enough to take him down"

"I hope so, though… at the same time I don't" she said, smiling sadly "You wouldn't hurt him too much, would you?"

"Well, I can promise I'll avoid lasting damage, as a favor to you" Hahn said, smirking. Hina laughed softly.

"I can't believe the day has come when I may finally have what I've always wanted" said Hina, sighing in bliss "All thanks to you, of course. Hadn't you offered to fight for me, I would still be stuck with the Princess's constant negatives, but…"

"It's why I had to sweep in to the rescue. I couldn't let a fine lady like yourself be bullied around that way" said Hahn, smirking "I'd wanted to marry the Princess, myself… but she also presented obstacles, saying I had to find a gladiator to fight hers, but I suggested maybe I could fight him myself. She liked the idea at first, but… it feels a little pointless, doesn't it?"

"Oh? Why's that?" said Hina, looking at Hahn warily.

"As much as she seemed interested to see me fight her gladiator, would she really ask me to fight him if she wanted to marry me?" said Hahn, huffing "It feels like she's just delaying the inevitable, and for all I know she'll keep doing it after I win. After her last threats, I'm not sure what she's capable of"

"Don't be scared of her" Hina recommended, frowning "She may act like she's all power, but my father has told me himself, she's nowhere near as powerful as she wants to pretend she is. The Fire Lord still rules this nation and he will continue to do so because she's simply not good enough to take over for him. And if she's not good enough so far, I'm sure she never will be"

"But, wait… doesn't he have to die before she can take over?" Hahn asked, smirking "Feels like it's only natural that she wouldn't have that much power right now"

"Oh, sure, but she won't have much power later anyways" said Hina, shrugging "She'll have a husband by then, surely, and… well, if we have our way, it'll be you"

"And I'll be Fire Lord?" Hahn asked, amused. Hina giggled.

"It'd be so strange, a Water Tribe-born Fire Lord… but I wouldn't mind it one bit" she said "Surely your concepts of society are vastly superior to ours"

"Well… in some ways, I guess" said Hahn. Hina nodded.

"You treasure family and protect your own, that's as superior as can be" she said. Hahn smiled.

"Well, we also consider women unfit for violent combat, but if you don't mind that…"

"Of course I don't!" said Hina, huffing. Hahn smirked, the profound contrast with his earlier conversation with the Princess apparent to his eyes right now "What sort of self-respecting woman would demean herself to fighting in the dirt like men do? We're not supposed to live our lives that way! It's preposterous! That's why there are seldom any women in our army, you see? Because the few who are there just have no choice! But the rest of us… why would we want any part in wars and combat when our place is…!"

"At home" Hahn finished, smiling "With the children, protecting the family in the proper way"

"Exactly!" Hina declared, looking at him proudly. Hahn chuckled and shook his head.

"I'll be damned. I already thought so before, you're far too pretty for him to begin with, but your way of thinking just confirms that you're too good for that gladiator" Hahn sighed. Hina laughed, blushing at his flattering words "And no Fire Nation nobleman suits your fancy?"

"Oh, they're worthless" she sighed "Utterly worthless. It's so sad how they only care for appearances and skirting around each other in plights for power. Men should have better things to do than that, but not in the Fire Nation, of course…"

"Sounds like you're quite frustrated with how things are handled here" said Hahn, tapping his chin with a fingertip "At any rate… I am wondering about something, if you would indulge me with an answer. It's fine if you don't want to, but…"

"Yes?" Hina said, looking at him with her large brown eyes. She looked oddly innocent at times, even if she wasn't exactly naïve, from what Hahn had seen…

"Why did you infiltrate the gladiator's house, and why did you do it so poorly?" he asked. She blushed "I mean, you sound far too intelligent to just… leave a door ajar. It seems only natural that a mistake of the sort would have resulted in the gladiator revealing that his privacy had been invaded…"

"I know that, I do, but…" said Hina, sighing and shaking her head "After the Ball I wasn't sure what to do. I mean, he had a girlfriend but then I found out a few weeks later that it was all false… it only seemed to prove that he wasn't as devoted to the Princess as she wants to believe he is. He must have been with a girl she would approve of at the Ball, just to keep people like me at bay…"

"Seems reasonable" said Hahn.

"So I thought, well… I needed a new approach. One where she wouldn't get in the way. I needed to establish a way to communicate with him, and him only, so I wrote that letter and I planned to leave it there, hoping it might be untraceable but guessing he'd know it was me. I figured, well, he'd just keep it to himself and wait for me to return so we could, well…"

"Yes?" said Hahn. Hina blushed violently now.

"A-acquaint ourselves without the Princess's meddling, of course" she said, raising her head proudly. Hahn smirked knowingly.

"Sounds like fun" he said. Hina bit her lip "And he just tossed that opportunity away? Have you considered maybe he's just not interested in women? As in, well…"

"That's not possible" said Hina, shaking her head "He asked Kyoshi's Heir out, everyone saw that! He likes women, simple as that!"

"Oh, well then…"

"The problem was the ajar door, of course" Hina sighed "I was lucky that they took that girl, the one he pretended to be involved with, on their travels. As she wasn't there, I didn't need to wait until she left the house before doing what I did. My plan was just… perfect. My timing was ideal. So I, well… did what I had to do, left him his gifts, and I was ready to go but when I was going to close the door I overheard voices of people in the street. It's usually not that busy a street so I… I panicked. And I ran off before anyone could catch me. I thought about going back to close the door, but they came back the next day or so, and, well…"

"You should've done it earlier, so you could've had more time to spare to fix anything that went wrong" said Hahn, chuckling.

"It wasn't easy to make up my mind to do it at all, in spite of everything" Hina sighed "It was very bold, and no doubt quite inappropriate, but… I thought he'd understand. In fact, I know he does. I wouldn't be surprised if he loses against you on purpose because of that"

"He'd be a fool otherwise. He'll be doing the Princess's dirty work for the rest of his life if he doesn't put a stop to it now" Hahn added "At any rate, I guessed it'd have to be something like that. How did you find out where he lived, though?"

"Oh, that was easy enough" said Hina, waving a hand carelessly "One day I saw that girl at the market and I followed her back to their house. He lives with her, you see, she's his cook or something of the sort, so I knew what to do"

"And she didn't notice you?" said Hahn. Hina shook her head.

"She's just a common girl, she couldn't have noticed" said Hina, carelessly. Hahn chuckled.

"Well, you really do seem to have all the answers for everything" he said, smirking "Frankly, it feels like a true shame for you to waste your life away with that gladiator…"

"Oh, don't say that, he's a good man" said Hina, giggling "Besides, you're worse off. You're planning on spending yours with the Princess, and she's a complete monster as far as I'm concerned…"

"Do you really think so?" Hahn asked, amused "I think you give her too much credit. She just wants to prove herself capable of keeping up with her father, which I suppose she can't… but that's part of why you give her too much credit, if you ask me. She's not that extraordinary, let alone that monstrous if, as you said, she doesn't have enough power to back her threats. She used to have personal guards, from what I heard Admiral Zhao say, but now she's lost even that. Her latest grand deed is just… looking after a group of beggars from the streets? How monstrous is that, really?"

"Well, I don't mean it because of what she's capable of, I mean it because of how she acts" Hina said "When we first met, I… perhaps I was too bold when I tried to ask out her gladiator, but she had no right to call me…!"

"To call you what?" Hahn asked when she paused. Hina scowled.

"Well, she didn't really call me anything, but… she implied all I wanted was his, well, his…" she said, blushing "You know what I mean. His, uh, male rod"

"Male rod?" Hahn repeated, amused. Hina's blush was darker than ever "No need to be so flustered, it's just a part of our bodies, just like your, uh, female cave, perhaps?"

"You shouldn't speak of such things at leisure, it's… embarrassing" she said. Hahn snorted.

"Oh, now, if I understood things right, you left your underwear as a souvenir for the gladiator! I thought you were no prude…" Hahn taunted Hina, who shook her head.

"I-it's not that I'm a prude, I just… well, I don't really think it's appropriate to talk about such matters" she said. Hahn snorted.

"Well, I'll be damned" he said "You're a virgin, aren't you?"

"I…! That's neither here nor there!" she exclaimed, flustered. Hahn chuckled and shook his head.

"That gladiator is such a fool. The chance to marry an untainted woman and he'd rather go run to the Princess with the tale of how someone broke into his house" said Hahn, sighing "I do feel bad for you now, really. If only I didn't have my own goals, I'd gladly yank you out of his arms so you could be with someone who can see your true worth without needing any coaxing for it"

"O-oh. W-well, that's… very flattering" said Hina, still quite red "But, well… I do want to marry him, so…"

"It's quite alright, I wasn't propositioning you" Hahn laughed "Though I assure you, if you ever wanted me the way you seem to want him, you wouldn't leave my side with any sort of lingering frustration. More than enough women in the Northern Water Tribe stand as proof of that"

"Were you very promiscuous, then…?" Hina asked, uneasy. Hahn smiled.

"How judgmental of you" he said. She jumped "Here I thought a manly man should take his pleasures where he could, and fight his battles with all his bravery and strength…"

"W-well, I wasn't really judging, it's just…! You didn't really fall for all those women, did you?" she asked, averting her gaze. Hahn shook his head.

"I can't say I've ever experienced genuine romantic love towards anyone" he said "I was married, but… I cared more about our common children than about her"

"Oh? Was it… another political arrangement, like the Princess?" Hina asked. Hahn nodded.

"The Northern Water Tribe Princess, to be precise" he said. Hina's eyes widened.

"W-well, what happened to her?" she asked "Did she die, or…?"

"She's alive, safe in the Northern Water Tribe, and she will continue to be until the Fire Nation armies melt our pole, of course" said Hahn, rolling his eyes "That's why I left, you see. I wanted… I wanted to find a better alternative. I wanted to strike an alliance with the Fire Nation, hopefully to protect my children once the war ended against us. I still have hopes to do that, but… after Admiral Zhao kicked me out, this is my last chance to become someone important here. And I can't squander it"

"Y-you… want to protect your children" said Hina, looking at him with wide eyes "Oh, that's… that's such a noble sentiment. I'm so sorry you're in such a difficult position…"

"That's alright" said Hahn, smiling weakly "It's why, regardless of how unpleasant she may be, I must marry the Princess. Indeed, she's fine to look upon, but if I were only interested in beauty I could have stayed back home. I need more than that…"

"Was your former wife beautiful?" Hina asked, biting her lip. A nudging feeling inside her chest nearly made her regret asking the question.

"Quite, the most beautiful of the Tribe" said Hahn, shrugging "But I see no point in caring for that kind of thing anymore. I'm no longer a child who would be impressed by beauty"

"That's a shame" said Hina, with a sad grin "I suppose her beauty did nothing to reassure you that she was the right woman to marry…"

"No, especially after she refused to see sense and listen to reason for so long" said Hahn, shaking his head "But that's not going to keep me up at night any longer. Yue is my past, my future should be much brighter than her"

"Well, yes, but…" said Hina, biting her lip and eyeing Hahn with uncertainty. He raised an eyebrow in her direction "I was just thinking, well, you need a home and a safe haven for yourself, and then a chance to take your kids there too, right? You don't really have bigger plans than that, do you?"

"If you mean to ask what my ultimate purpose is, well… yes. I just want to live in peace" Hahn declared, closing his eyes as though to imagine a leisurely existence "It's all I could want"

Hina gazed at him wistfully, her heart stirred by the Water Tribesman's words as well as his features: there had never been any denying that he was handsome, manly and attractive, but Hina had done her best to push that aside and focus on the Blue Wolf instead. It wouldn't have been right to choose Hahn over the Blue Wolf merely after one encounter in the Ball, right? Not to mention that Hahn had seemed to be perfectly fine back then, in no immediate need of rescuing from a miserable fate in the hands of the Princess, of all people. Now, though…

Now he was about to jump into that exact same miserable fate she had intended to save the Blue Wolf from, all in the hopes of living free and happy for a few brief years, until the Princess drove him mad, Hina suspected. By then he'd surely regret his decision, but all be it for his family, right? All be it to save his children…

There was a nobility to him that Hina had never seen before. He wasn't right to say the gladiator had abandoned his people, Hina was sure of that, but it seemed Hahn had left them on a quest for survival, in the hopes of saving them. How could anyone blame him for that?

"Well, at any rate, I hope we'll hear soon about when the fight will take place" said Hahn, startling the young woman beside him "In the meantime, uh… I don't suppose you have any acquaintances who might help me train a little, just to polish my skills before fighting the gladiator?"

"I… well, no. Not really" Hina said, with a sad smile. Hahn chuckled.

"That's fine, I can train by myself" he said, relaxing by resting back, supporting his weight with his forearm "I figure I shouldn't take it easy even if I doubt the gladiator will be all that strong, so…"

"Oh, but he is quite strong" said Hina, biting her lip "If he fights seriously, he could do some actual harm…"

"You said he looks after even his enemies, why should I be afraid that he'll hurt me?" Hahn asked, amused "Don't worry, I'm sure I'll be fine. And so will you. We'll both get exactly what we want, and all will be well. Though, of course, you'll have to endure your parents disapproving of your choices, but from what I've seen you're quite adept at dealing with that, so…"

"I am. Of course I am" said Hina, biting her lip and gazing at Hahn wistfully.

Yes, they were going to get what they wanted. But was it really that simple? Perhaps Hahn would have more trouble in the fight than he expected, perhaps the Princess wouldn't keep true to her word, perhaps…

Perhaps Hina was making up excuses, because she wasn't sure of what she wanted anymore.

The thought hit her suddenly, and she would have shoved it away immediately, but it lingered. It lingered because her heart was racing as she stared at Hahn, because his previous claim that he would satisfy her if she wished for it were astoundingly tempting…

But that wasn't right. She couldn't be so easily swayed, her heart was set on the Blue Wolf after all, wasn't it? He was the entire reason why she was working so hard to defeat Princess Azula, and her alliance with Hahn was only meant to be a vehicle that would guide her to success. She wasn't supposed to decide the vehicle was the goal halfway there, was she?

The thoughts continued to course through her mind for the next days, and they only worsened when a message arrived for her four days before the week ended, letting her know that she would be expected at the Grand Royal Dome at midday, with her temporary gladiator, on the last day of the week. No doubt she intended to uphold her promise and to save the southerner from the Princess's grasp, but the more she watched Hahn train shirtless under the scorching sunlight, the easier it became to forget why she had brought him here in the first place…

Hahn was only meant to stay for less than a week, and said time period went by too fast for Hina's liking. Before she knew it, they were already sharing their final dinner together with her entire family, and she had nothing to do but watch as Hahn offered her family his charming smiles through the meal.

"So, are you ready for tomorrow, Hahn?" Hina's mother asked. She hadn't been too happy with the arrangement initially, but Hahn's smooth conversation skills had quickly won her over, and she smiled with doting eyes as she spoke to him now. The wife of Hina's oldest brother wasn't acting any better either: all three women of the house fell prey to the Water Tribesman's charms quickly, to the confusion of the male members of the family.

"I believe so, yes" said Hahn, smiling before carefully bringing the rice to his lips. He swallowed it all before speaking again "I have prepared over the past few days, as you all know. If it weren't for your generous family, I would have faced many hardships through this week, so I'm profoundly grateful to all of you"

"Oh, no, please!" Hina's mother laughed, as did her sister-in-law. Her father and brothers grimaced: the eldest, heir to the family estate, seemed to be irritated by Hahn but he had kept his silence so far, only appeased by knowing that the outsider would leave the family home by the end of the week.

"Well, I hope you won't forget us, then, once you're living it up as the Princess's fiancé, eh?" said Gao, raising his eyebrows. Hahn laughed and nodded.

"I'll be certain to reward you for your services by then, yes" he said.

"If so, then good luck to you" said Gao "You have been, well, good company these days"

"Thank you, truly" said Hahn, as Hina sighed upon hearing the veiled farewells her family was already conveying to her temporary gladiator. That her father's words were spoken half-heartedly mattered little to her "It's been my honor to be your guest"

"Your honor, perhaps, but our pleasure" added Hina's mother, beaming at Hahn "I had never understood my daughter's fixation with, well, men of your kind, but I've been quite surprised by how well-educated and proper you are. From what we gathered, well…"

"Oh, yes, it's not the north that's full of savages but the south" he said, smirking "It's a common misconception people have when they have never been in either place to see how different they are…"

"Of course" said Hina's mother, looking at him with fascination.

"That only means more trouble for you, though…" said Hahn, with a half-hearted laugh "Since, well…you'll be stuck with an actual savage starting tomorrow. I'm sorry for that"

"Oh, indeed…" said the woman, eyes darting down as she grimaced slightly. It seemed Hina's constant praising of the Blue Wolf had done very little to persuade her family of his true worth as a man, let alone as her potential husband.

"You needn't worry, I'm sure he must have picked up a good habit or two after spending years near royalty" said Hahn, chuckling "Perhaps he can't be fully reformed, but hopefully you'll figure out how to beat the savagery out of him somehow"

"Can't say I'd bother, it sounds like too much work" grumbled one of Hina's brothers. Hahn smirked while the women at the table shot the younger man disapproving glares "What?"

"In truth, he may be right of it. I'm not sure you can fix a southern savage" Hahn sighed, dramatically "But alas, I may just be wrong. Who knows?"

Hina met his eyes with hers, apprehensively. He only raised his eyebrows at her before smirking and winking. The color rushed to her cheeks, but he focused again on his food and he seemed not to notice. Could he understand what was on her mind, even if she hadn't stated it? Did Hahn have it in him to see into the depths of her soul? Was he aware of her doubts, of her uncertainties… of the new desires she wasn't certain she could put out of her mind?

For there was something she was craving, and she craved it just as badly as she'd wanted the Blue Wolf for all these years. It was just as passionate, just as desperate, and unlike how it had been with him, this desire was within her reach right now… but only for now. Within a few hours Hahn would be gone, and once he was… all her hopes to know what might have been would vanish along with him.

Was he thinking the same thing? Did he feel the pull of attraction between them too, or was it just Hina's mind playing tricks on her? Would she make a fool of herself if she even asked if he was interested in her? For she had always intended to be loyal to the Blue Wolf, and to no one else, but…

But there were valid enough reasons to forsake that vow, weren't there?

Hahn had taken a late bath that day, for it wasn't often that the best bathroom of the estate was available for his use. He also had intended to enjoy himself fully for the last time in this household and doing so by relaxing in warm water was a good idea, as far as he could tell.

He was wearing only a bath robe as he returned to his room, fully intending to sleep bare, as he always did. He would have proceeded with his plans right away, too, but upon reaching his bedroom door he found someone standing right beside it.

"Ah, a late-night visitor?" Hahn smirked at Hina "Do you bring last minute wisdom to share with your gladiator, perhaps?"

"Well, that… not quite" said Hina, with an uncertain smile "I merely wanted to, well… speak privately with you"

"Speak privately?" Hahn repeated, a smug smirk spreading over his face "Why, be my guest…"

He opened the door to his bedroom and ushered her inside without another word. Hina entered the room, listening as he closed the door and afterwards following him with her gaze as he paced in the room. His strong chin remained raised, proud as he was of the manliness he exuded without even trying… her legs trembled just to look at him.

"Well? What did you wish to speak about?" Hahn asked, meeting her lustful gaze with his own, questioning one.

"I just… have been thinking. Quite a lot" she said, breaking their eye contact to force herself to focus. She walked back into the wall, resting against it before continuing: "About the things you said a few days ago, when you first came here"

"Is that so?" Hahn asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Indeed, and I… I may have some second thoughts, b-but not in the long-term, just… regarding everything I've been offering the Blue Wolf" she said. Hahn smirked.

"Finally saw him for the fraud he is, perhaps…?" he teased her. Hina huffed.

"He's not a fraud, but he's… he's not as perfect as I thought he'd be" she admitted. Hahn watched her intently "I mean, I thought my intent would have been perfectly clear, and that he would be interested in what I had to offer, and he could have not told the Princess, even after being surprised that I'd broken in, right? But… he told her. Whatever she said can be ignored, I doubt it amounts to much, but he decided to tell her. He had to give her my letter. Otherwise, there's no way she would have had it, right?"

"Right" said Hahn, nodding.

"S-so, I was thinking… I was thinking I may have been rash in my judgment of him" she said "I do still wish to marry him, yes, but… perhaps he doesn't deserve to marry me as I am right now"

"What do you mean? You'll have him wait?" Hahn asked, confused. Hina shook her head, looking at him again now.

"I… I mean, as untainted as I am right now"

Hahn's eyes widened for a moment, but they narrowed knowingly instants later. A slow smirk spread over his face, now with that latent mischief she had seen in him since the first time he had flirted with her. That confidence that said he knew exactly what kind of effect he had on women, and that he knew just how to exploit it.

It took instants for him to stride up to her again, but he stopped by the door first of all, throwing the lock quickly. Hina's eyes widened as she watched him, but her cheeks didn't flush violently until he undid his sash and shrugged off his bath robe. Her lips were parted by the time Hahn placed a hand on the wall and leaned closer to her.

"Here I was starting to worry I'd lost too much practice with women lately" he snickered. Hina seemed to be about to say something, but she couldn't utter a word "Well, then… is this what you wanted, Hina? Just like this?"

He had half expected her to refuse. Some part of himself would have been amused if so, for she had seemed too nervous about this to genuinely pull through with it…

And yet she surprised him by nodding. There was fear in her eyes, but also desire. And above all, the need to be desired by someone else, too.

"He doesn't deserve… he doesn't deserve all of me" she finished "If just this, I… I would rather give it to you"

"And I appreciate the sacrifice quite a bit" Hahn smirked. First Yue, now this girl, and soon enough the Princess… he'd have quite a lot of virgins in his conquests' history if he kept up this pace "You needn't worry, Hina. I'll do a much nicer job of it than that brute ever could, so…"

"N-no" she said, clasping his wrist and looking at him in determination "I… I don't want it nice, smooth and easy. I…"

"But you're only starting off" Hahn chuckled "Believe me…"

"I want the savage you keep buried deep down inside you" she said, eyes glowing with what anyone else might have considered craziness. To Hahn, it was merely exciting to glimpse such an expression on his newest lover's face "I want… I want you to spare nothing. I want you to go all out on me. If it hurts… then I'll endure it. But I…"

"I see. Well you don't have to make any excuses or offer more explanations" Hahn laughed, smirking as he lifted Hina's chin "Your wish is my command, my lady"

The words made her legs weak again, but nothing prepared her for the kiss he moved in for, merely moments later. Her first kiss, and her first time… all would belong to Hahn now. Perhaps one day she would feel guilty about this, about having been unfaithful to the Blue Wolf… but if he wasn't truly loyal to her, could he truly expect any better from her? Especially when this would be Hahn's last night in her house…

No, there was no point in dwelling on it. The Blue Wolf deserved none of her pity or her concern right now: Hina intended to make every second with Hahn count, and no thoughts of the warrior she had admired for years would stop her.

---

"Good luck today" Song told Sokka, as he slung his sword over his back in the living room. He smiled proudly and nodded in her direction.

"No need to worry, Song. The one thing we can be sure of today is that I'm taking down that jackass, and that Hina will leave us well enough alone after I do" he said, smirking.

"That's only if you do your job right" Azula said, standing near the backdoor, her eyebrows raised "And this time you have to put on quite a performance too, it's not just a common fight…"

"Yeah, well, seeing as it's Hahn I'm going to be dealing with, I'm pretty sure I'll do just fine" Sokka said, smirking. Azula sighed.

"I should hope so. Just, make sure to keep in mind that it won't be too much help for me to get rid of Hahn if Hina keeps pestering you" she said "Still, who knows? Perhaps after spending a week together, her so-very-deep feelings for you might have shifted towards him…"

"What? As if getting over me was that easy…" Sokka scowled. Azula smirked.

"Well, you do have a point" she said "But if I read Hina right…"

"She's just interested in Water Tribesmen for her own gross reasons, yep" said Sokka, nodding "Either way, if I were to fail with my performance…"

"Oh, please don't start with that again" Azula said, rolling her eyes. Sokka smiled, despite himself.

"Then Song and I would have to move someplace else!" he said "And it could be fun going house-hunting again, you know. Maybe we could live somewhere closer to the Palace now…"

"I'd sooner you don't" Azula said, shaking her head and moving to the backyard "I feel safer the further away you are from there"

"But that way we could meet up more easily!" Sokka exclaimed, following her out of the building. Grass was finally growing out again in the backyard, long after Toph's destruction of the terrain when she had stayed in their house.

Xin Long had taken to exploring the area, rather than only chasing down bugs. He scrambled off to the bathroom at first, but now he was sniffing something behind it. Azula tracked him down without much trouble, only to find him with his head inside Sokka's deflated hot-air balloon's basket.

"And what exactly are you trying to do there?" Azula smirked. Xin Long lifted his head out quickly, as a child who had just been scolded for misbehaving.

He trotted back to Azula's side, gazing about himself with feigned innocence while Azula smiled and shook her head in his direction. Sokka as well seemed confused by Xin Long's interest in his seldom-used means of transportation.

"You know… I did say, before all that mess happened in the Brawl, that we ought to take a trip on the balloon someday" Sokka remembered, tapping his chin. Azula raised an eyebrow as she stood by Xin Long's saddle.

"Well, you did, but… surely you don't mean we should go to the fight on that instead, or do you?" she asked.

"Oh, no, not at all" Sokka said, with a chuckle "Xin Long's bound to be faster. But I'm just saying, you know, as a reward for a job well done right after we're finished…"

"Hmm. That's a thought" said Azula, climbing on the saddle. Sokka followed quickly.

"I think it bears mentioning that the balloon won't be too upset if we're not completely appropriate while we ride it" he smirked. Azula smiled too.

"I like the sound of that" she said, glancing back at him. Sokka snickered.

It had been a while since Sokka had last implied any interest in sexual activities. The Hina situation had only made matters worse, for he seemed to have spent most his nights on the couch instead of his bed, even after doing away with the sheets. It was apparent he'd be getting another mattress soon, and even then, there was a chance he wouldn't sleep on it easily for a while, too. He could hardly be there without wondering if Hina had gone through his things, aside from the foul acts she quite possibly committed in his bed.

So perhaps a change of venue was the better solution, Azula guessed. They hadn't been intimate since before the Brawl, and while she hadn't pressed him for it and never would, she missed it quite dearly, if just because she'd feel safer once she had spent a few hours in his arms, with no pressing matters to deal with.

The dragon sped away to the Grand Royal Dome, which was emptier today than ever before. It was a good thing to see just how vacant it would look on its day off: it told Azula that, as bad as things were right now in the Gladiator Business, the smaller flow of people these days at least showed a fair share of the Capital's populace still had interest in it. Hopefully, everyone would return soon. The lack of disappearances lately had eased the fears of most people in the city… Azula sighed at the thought, hoping Seethus wouldn't be lying dormant somewhere, waiting for Ozai's next command. A quick resonance told her he wasn't nearby, and she decided to hold on to that for the time being.

"Alright, let's do this" Sokka said, breathing deeply and cracking his knuckles as Xin Long descended on the curb.

"It's certainly not every day that I allow you to beat up people you actually want to beat up" Azula smiled at him, as she climbed off the saddle "You'd better make the most of it"

"I assure you, I will" Sokka smirked, jumping off the saddle too as continued to stretch his body.

Azula exerted more willpower than she expected to need by tearing her gaze away from his tensing muscles. Upon turning towards the doors she found they were wide open, and that they were being watched by two people who stood by them. She breathed deeply, climbing the stairs up to the Dome's entrance.

"Well, I certainly can't claim you're not punctual, if anything" she said, leering menacingly at Hina.

The girl glared back, but there was something strange about her semblance right now. Something dark, perhaps, on her face… something that made her look miserable, rather than hopeful. There was no doubt she and Sokka had indulged in the thoughts that Hina might permanently change the object of her affections from Sokka to Hahn… but was that what her current expression meant?

"You gave us a time and place, and we honored the agreement as expected" Hahn said, smirking "Are you and your gladiator ready, then?"

"Quite" Sokka growled, glaring at Hahn. Hahn only smirked.

"Good. Shall we?"

Hina didn't speak, let alone did she seem to swoon over Sokka as she would have been expected to. Instead she followed Hahn inside the Dome, leaving behind a very confused pair of gladiator and sponsor.

"You think he… did something to her?" Azula asked, looking at Sokka with uncertainty. Sokka raised his eyebrows.

"What, like whatever he did to Zhao's maid?" he said. Azula grimaced.

"As disgusting as she may be, if he forced himself on her…"

"What makes you think she wouldn't have forced herself on him?"

"He seems awfully happy" Azula said, eyeing Hahn with suspicion "I wouldn't expect him to be in such a good mood if she'd made any unwanted moves on him"

"Maybe he did want it, then?" said Sokka.

"And why would she be so miserable, if so?" Azula asked, skeptical. Sokka smirked.

"Must be he's just that bad at it" he chuckled. Azula rolled her eyes but smiled.

"If that's how it is, I'll never forgive you if I end up having to marry him" she said. Sokka snorted and laughed "I mean it!"

"I won't force you to endure that downgrade, I promise" he chuckled. Azula smiled proudly at him.

Hina and Hahn had approached Shoji, and Hahn had spoken to the young man, who was tasked with organizing this fight, to let him know everything was ready. Hina glanced back upon hearing the sound of laughter, and her blood seemed to slow when she saw how unexpectedly happy the Blue Wolf looked, standing beside his sponsor. The mischievous smirk on her face said she had been mocking something… most likely, Hahn and Hina herself were the objects of her mockery. But that he'd laugh along with her…?

Her fists tightened, as she tried to calm herself. No, she was losing her mind. She was thinking too much of this. Perhaps he was simply happy he'd be rid of her, and the Princess was pleased to take Hahn for a husband. Perhaps.

She would be a fool not to be pleased for that, and Hina knew as much now. Her legs still trembled a little after last night, and no doubt some of the pain lingered… as did all the marks he had left on her body. Some part of her, the weak part, had wanted him to slow down… and yet the strongest part of her was proud of having taken him fully as he was. Of having experienced the savagery of a Water Tribesman who had made her feel desired, wanted, for the first time in her life.

But now he stood there, talking with the Dome's staff member, smirking proudly at the thought that he would soon marry the Princess and finally fulfill his dreams of living in peaceful circumstances. He had been in a remarkably good mood, and Hina had wanted to think it was, if just partly, because of her, but…

"Princess, Blue Wolf" Shoji said, smiling weakly at them as the pair finally reached his counter "I'm glad to see you well"

"I'm sorry we ruined your day off" Azula said, nodding in Shoji's direction. Shoji shook his head.

"No need to worry" he said "I'm glad I can help you, as always"

"Well, then… is everything ready to begin?" Azula asked. Shoji nodded.

"It should be" he said "I cleaned up the sand early this morning, hopefully everything is in order. I'll stay here, I still have to finish updating the ranking, but if I have time…"

"It's fine. We'll be done pretty quick" said Sokka, matter-of-factly. Hahn nodded.

"I'm certain of that" Hahn declared. Sokka eyed him skeptically.

"Alright, hold back all the hostility for the ring, if you'd be so kind…" Azula said, closing her eyes and leading the way to the stairs "The sooner we're through with this, the better"

Hahn and Hina followed, but Hahn was surprised to see the Princess heading downstairs with the gladiator. Hina as well stopped at the stairs that led upwards, aware of the Princess's habit of accompanying the Blue Wolf to the stand-by room. Some part of her didn't want to follow her example, if just by principle… but this was the last time she'd have an opportunity of privacy with Hahn, wasn't it?

"D-do you mind if I accompany you first?" she asked. Hahn raised his eyebrows "J-just, well, I'd rather not go wait in that balcony all by myself"

"Scaredy-cat, are you?" Hahn teased her, smirking "If only I could head up there to protect you from any possible dangers, huh…?"

"Y-yes, well…" said Hina. Hahn chuckled, leading the way.

"Come along then. It's fine by me" he said. He knew just what Hina had in mind, after all.

The grids by the stand-by rooms were already open, in virtue of today's fight being a private one, with no need for the usual introductions with grandeur. Sokka glanced out at the sand and scowled, thumbing his knife already as he wondered just how far he'd have to go to perform as Azula had advised him to…

"Alright, alright… I love it when you're so intense and serious, but you can lighten up" Azula smiled, wrapping her arms around his waist. Sokka smiled, turning in her arms and raising an eyebrow.

"That's part of the plan, right?" he said. Azula nodded.

"Quite so. Today you'll show your, uh, true self. And I will be very proud of you for it" she said, patting his chest gently "And if you do everything right, as you have lately… then we can indeed celebrate on that balloon of yours. Should be lots of fun"

"I have no doubts it will be" he said, caressing her face "We'll survive this ridiculousness today, Azula. I promise"

"I know we will. I look forward to it, even" she said, smirking "We're unstoppable, Sokka. We both know that"

"That's right" he smirked too, before leaning in for a passionate kiss.

The opposite stand-by room was far away, and even if Hina had squinted and struggled to watch, she wouldn't have seen what was happening at the other end of the arena. The darkness in the stand-by rooms contrasted with the brightness of the sand, and it was difficult to see the other fighter until he stepped out into the fighting area.

"Frankly, this looks so… dull" Hahn sighed, shaking his head as he finished cladding himself with the armor that Hina's family had rented for him for today "What exactly is so entertaining about watching a couple of people beating each other up in a scheduled fight? The Fire Nation has some really ridiculous customs…"

"Yeah… it does" said Hina, biting her lip "You'll, well, win out there, right?"

"That's what I'm here for" said Hahn, looking at Hina with uncertainty before smirking "Well, I can understand you're apprehensive now about letting me go, last night was quite… remarkable, I'll say. You're the feistiest virgin I've ever met"

"W-well, I'm not one anymore. Thanks to you" she said, though there was no spite in the words. Hahn smirked and turned to her.

"And I regret none of it. I'm quite sure that bastard wasn't good enough for you, now more than ever" he said.

"T-the Princess isn't good enough for you either, though" said Hina. Hahn shrugged.

"I'm aware, but what can I do? She's the one in the best social position, so…"

"But… w-well, I understand that she's better off than me, no doubt, but I…"

"Oh, Hina" said Hahn, with a soft chuckle "I understand you could feel attached to me after last night, I'd be lying if I said I don't feel the same way… but you need to keep your head in the game. Isn't he what you wanted?"

"Well, yes…" she said, looking into his blue eyes with uncertainty.

"Then my last gift to you will be just that" said Hahn, raising her chin with his fingertips "As for the previous to last, I suppose…"

She met him halfway when he leaned to kiss her. After being so confused and uncertain about how to kiss him last night, now she was assertive, wild. Something about her was genuinely appealing for Hahn, for he was used to submission, to women who simply seemed to wait for him to be done. This one, though… this one was in touch with her deepest desires. And some foolish, naïve part of him seemed fond of that… but he was a man of common sense. He had a goal, and he had to keep to it. Marrying the Princess wouldn't be all that easy and fun, but he had no choice as it was: anything less would leave him without the political power he had coveted to obtain here. Enough political power to rule over both the Fire Nation and the Water Tribes, when the time came…

He broke their kiss, noticing Hina's hand on his chest, as though begging him for more. He couldn't help but offer her a sad smile. As much as he didn't appreciate clingy lovers, he had grown fond of Hina, somewhat.

"If he's a disappointment to you, you'll know where to find me" he said. Hina's eyes widened.

"Y-you mean…"

"Well, if you're right to say that the Princess is a monster… can't say I'm interested in remaining faithful to her" said Hahn, chuckling. Hina smiled for once, pleased by Hahn's coldness towards Azula "Now, run along, Hina. This fight can't start until you're up there, or… whatever ridiculous rules this stupid system has"

"Yeah… well, good luck, Hahn" she said, smiling "Even if things don't go as planned… you can always come back to me"

"Hmm… good to know I have another offer" said Hahn, winking at her again. She giggled before turning and leaving, mostly so she could avoid embarrassing herself too much in front of him. His unabashed flirting set her heart on fire.

By the time she got upstairs she found the Princess was already there, and her judgmental glare fell upon Hina immediately. Hina was still flustered, and her attempt to return Azula's glare backfired.

"Where were you?" Azula asked. Hina huffed.

"You always go to the stand-by room with the Blue Wolf, why couldn't I do the same?"

"Ah. Imitating me, are you?" Azula asked, with amusement. Hina froze, nearly tasting bile at the mere notion that she would be following the Princess's example in any regards "Well, that's flattering, I suppose. Here I thought you despised me"

"I didn't imitate you, y-you…! You don't hold some sort of monopoly over being the only one who can accompany a gladiator to the stand-by room!" Hina squealed.

"Might as well, nobody else does it" Azula laughed "Ah, but have it your way. Sokka?"

As the Dome was empty, Azula only had to raise her voice slightly for the echo of her call to reach her gladiator. He looked out through the door, raising his eyes in her direction.

"We ready now?" he called back. Azula nodded.

"Get started, both of you. The sooner this is done, the better" she declared. Sokka gave her a thumbs-up.

"You got it, Princess!" he answered, walking to the center of the ring. Before long, Hahn had done the same thing.

"Well, then, finally we're allowed to come to blows" said Hahn, smirking as he twirled a spear in his hand "I must say, I looked forward to this"

"So did I, though… I admit, I must have really overestimated you" Sokka sighed, grimacing "I mean… I'd hoped perhaps we could have a full-blown, violent, bloody fight but… eh? I'll probably snap your neck before you can so much as touch me. And don't you think that's just plain boring?"

"You… heh. Trash talk is a very disgraceful tactic" said Hahn, pointing the spear at Sokka. Sokka only raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, boohoo. Seems like you prissy northerners have your heads stuck so far up your asses you can't take a single insult, huh?"

Hahn's frown deepened, and his hold on his spear tightened. Sokka only smirked as he waited for Hahn to break.

"You know… I've told Hina all along she deserves better than you" Hahn growled "But I don't think I need to say much else. You're proving just how lowly and pathetic you are right now"

"Heh. That's funny" Sokka said, smirking "You think she's the one who deserves better?"

Hina's eyes widened. Azula relaxed on her chair, although she watched Sokka with uncertainty. The conversation held by the gladiators was quite easily heard this time, echoing through the empty stands as it was.

"What do you…?" said Hahn, frowning. Sokka laughed.

"Have you had a good look at her? She's… so plain" he said, rolling his eyes "Honestly, she's so flat in the chest department she might as well be a boy. Hell, maybe she is…"

"How dare you say something so…?" said Hahn, eyes wide. Sokka snorted.

"Wait a second… you're taking offense to that?" Sokka asked, amused "Oh, wow. You have a crush on her now? Damn, Azula! Get a load of this guy!"

"Well, that's certainly fun. Marrying a man who has feelings for some low-ranked noblewoman with nothing to offer but her underwear…" Azula chuckled, shaking her head "Sokka, please, put an end to this. I think we've made it increasingly clear that we both have higher standards than this, right?"

"That we do" said Sokka, nodding and closing his eyes.

Hahn took that sign as the opportunity to strike. His rage had been stirred enough, and the gladiator was stupid to the point of closing his eyes when threatened by a spear…

But to his surprise, the Blue Wolf leapt to the side and withdrew his sword. The black blade glinted under the sunlight as it swung down over the tip of the spear, slicing it off cleanly with a singly attempt.

Hahn's surprise was apparent, but only for an instant. Only until Sokka's fist crashed into his face, breaking his nose with a loud cracking sound.

Hahn collapsed, clutching his face as he writhed in pain. Sokka, though, only hooted in celebration and glanced up at the balcony.

"Did you see that, Azula?! Look at him, he's bawling like a baby!" he laughed, pointing at Hahn with amusement. Azula blinked blankly and grimaced.

"Oh, uh, sorry, I got a little distracted" she smiled guiltily "Care to do it again?"

"Huh? Oh, come on! I'm showing off here just for your viewing pleasure, and you get distracted?!" Sokka pouted. Azula sighed.

"I'm sorry!" she said "Come on, you can do it again, right?"

"Well, well, only because you asked nicely" said Sokka, solemnly at first. But mere moments afterwards he smirked and kicked Hahn again, just as the man was about to stand up.

Hahn rolled back on the sand, the burst of pain blinding him. Hina, next to Azula, jumped to her feet and clutched at the balcony's railing. On some level Azula understood her pain. What Sokka was doing to Hahn wasn't so far from what Toph had done to him on their first fight, after all.

"Stop it!" Hina yelled. Sokka scoffed and looked at her with derision.

"Oh, yeah? Why should I stop?" he said "Just because you said so, you boring bitch?"

Azula's eyes widened. She hadn't expected Sokka to go that far, but she guessed he was more than ready to rid himself of Hina for good… and going by the girl's indignation at such insult, he really was likely to do away with the problem she posed.

"You know, if you were pretty, maybe I'd think about it" he said, smirking "But seriously? You can't be the best I can do, I mean, look at me! I'm hot as hell, aren't I, Azula?!"

"Oh, come on" Azula said, rolling her eyes. Sokka snickered.

"You know it's true! Everyone here knows it! That's why everyone loves me! They all want a piece of me, and the fun of it is to never give it to them!" he said, extending a hand towards the non-existent crowd arrogantly "If I wanted a girl, I could just get whichever I want, whenever I want her! Why the hell would it have to be you, huh? Give me a break…"

"Y-you…" Hahn hissed, surprising Sokka.

"Eh? Still alive? Maybe you're not that brittle, huh?" Sokka sneered.

"Shut up… you piece of shit…" Hahn said. Sokka laughed mockingly.

"Ooooh! Look at that, he's got a mouth on him after all!" he said, glancing at Azula "Okay, I know you said I shouldn't go too far but I'm guessing I could, I don't know, cut off his tongue, maybe a few of his limbs? I'm not sure, what do you think?"

"Well, as far as I'm concerned, you should've just knocked him out so we could get out of here already. I know you're having the time of your life, with so little pressures now that you don't have to offer one of your heroic grand performances for your fans…" Azula said, leaning over the balcony "But I do have better things to do"

"I know, Azula, I know, but… I always did want to break Hahn's bones" said Sokka, sighing "I mean, really, this dude expects to be Fire Lord through you, without learning a single Fire Nation precept?"

"Shut up, I said!" Hahn roared, lunging at Sokka, but Sokka clasped Hahn's fists with his hands and swung him into the air.

Hahn flew for a moment before crashing chaotically into the sand again. Sokka sighed shaking his head.

"Shut up, shut up, he says… true warriors don't have to tell others what to do, they just make them, you know?" said Sokka, shaking his head "You're really not cut out for this world, Hahn. And I don't mean the gladiatorial world, but the Fire Nation itself. Violence, danger, the survival of the fittest… that's all part of it. But you? You just want to play at who marries the woman with the most money. And damn, if that's not pathetic…"

"As if you… as if you were any better!" Hahn roared, pushing himself up "You'd be lucky to marry Hina! But no, no! You're so sure you should stay as the Princess's gladiator, all because she gives you anything you'd want!"

"Well… yeah. Exactly" said Sokka, nodding.

"You're the real opportunist here…" Hahn growled, glaring at him. Blood coated his face, his broken nose looked terrible by now "You're the one who's just looking to advance himself…! And yet that's what you all judged me for?!"

"Of course" said Sokka, with a skeptical smile "See, why should a weakling like yourself advance anywhere? I think it speaks for itself why none of us, me or Admiral Zhao or Azula or even the Fire Lord think you're worth anything. But you know, beat me now and maybe we'll backtrack on that!"

"You son of a bitch!" Hahn yelled, jumping forward. Sokka frowned.

"Well, now, that's more than I'm willing to tolerate…" he grumbled. It was a generic insult, he knew as much… but his mother did not deserve to be trashed by Hahn.

It wasn't as though Sokka needed more reasons to beat up Hahn, but Hahn had generously supplied him with one more excuse. And so, Sokka rushed forward and avoided Hahn's fists before striking his stomach with his own.

Hahn attempted another punch, but Sokka dodged it and aimed for Hahn's chin. The blow was bad enough that Hahn fell backwards now, on his back, staring at the glowing dome's ceiling while the world seemed to spin around him. What on earth was happening? What was going on? He hadn't underestimated the gladiator, there was no way a southerner could be this strong…

No, he had to get up. He had to fight, he had to…

Suddenly, he lost all feeling in his legs.

The gladiator had punched them quickly, right before sliding his sword across them in a quick swing.

"STOP!"

Hina's desperate plea came as soon as she saw blood oozing out of Hahn's legs. Hahn couldn't feel them, and was too disoriented to understand… had Sokka cut off his legs? Had he actually used that demon sword of his to do something so cruel, so harsh…

"Oh, come on, you whiny little brat!" Sokka growled, rolling his eyes and glaring at her in the sponsors' balcony "You really are full of yourself, aren't you?! Pretending to marry a guy like me, then telling ME what to do?! What'd you think gladiator fights are for, making friends?! Seriously, you've never had to use that brain of yours for once in your entire lifetime, have you?!"

"Stop it!" Hina screamed, her face covered with tears now "Leave him alone! Y-you guys win, just…! Just leave him alone!"

"Oh, please" said Sokka, smiling and shaking his head "So now we won, she says! We've won, Azula! Do you think Mr. Legless here would accept that?"

"I'm not sure he would, but I personally don't care to marry anyone without legs. I'd rather have a man I can look up at" Azula said, brightly. Sokka snickered and nodded.

"I know you would, that's why I've cut down all these losers for you" he said, bowing towards her "If they can't prove themselves on my level, they sure as hell will never be on yours"

"Ah, such flattery, gladiator" Azula smiled fondly at him "Why exactly do you feel the need to butter me up like that, if I may ask? I mean, it's quite clear you're going to stay as my gladiator as it is, so…"

"Well, perhaps I'm just in a good mood" Sokka said, shrugging before walking towards Hahn again "Seeing as I've finally destroyed this northern piece of shit. I'm so sure your family would thank me for this, Hahn…"

"Don't… d-don't talk about… about my family…" Hahn growled, breathless and wounded badly enough that he could barely finish a sentence. Sokka smiled.

"Who'll stop me?" he asked, leaning closer "A petty, sad northern warrior who bit off more than he could chew? Not bloody likely"

Hahn growled, the only thing he could do right now that didn't require more efforts than he could spend. Sokka snorted and shook his head.

"I really had hoped you'd do better than this" he said, quietly now. No longer could Hina and Azula hear him "All that talk about how great you were… no surprise Zhao had no trouble dealing with you in the North"

His words were accompanied by raising his sword dangerously, aiming towards his neck. Hahn's breathing accelerated, fearing the gladiator would actually go that far. Would he dare? That was… that was unthinkable. Didn't Hina say this bastard was kind, saving the lives of even his enemies? Was it all really just a front to gain the audience's love?

"No…! NO!" Hina exclaimed, before running out of the sponsors' balcony in a hurry. Azula watched her go before standing up. She moved a hand horizontally, a wordless signal for Sokka to cut it out already. Sokka caught her gesture from the corner of his eye and lowered his sword.

Hahn frowned, confused by what Sokka had done, before the hilt of Space Sword struck him hard on the side of his head.

Sokka stood up again, cleaning the tip of his blade from the earlier cuts he'd done to Hahn's legs. The scars would be unsightly for a man as vain as Hahn seemed to be, as would be the broken nose… but Sokka doubted he would suffer much over that. Especially once the final stage of Azula's plan took place.

"Well, that's that" said Sokka, glancing up at the Princess, who nodded "I hope you're very proud, Azula"

"You did right by the both of us. I am eternally grateful" she said, bowing her head ceremoniously. Sokka smiled more earnestly now, but only until he heard Hina rushing into the sand pit through Hahn's stand-by room.

"STAY AWAY FROM HIM! LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

"Oh, sure, leave him alone?" Sokka said, raising the sword and aiming it at Hina, who stopped cold upon being threatened by Sokka "Here I thought you liked savages! That was too savage for you, though, wasn't it? You're something, really, Hina. And I don't mean it as a compliment"

"Please…" she said, the tears rushing down her face "Why…? You were never like this! You were never…!"

"Oh, I was never an asshole, never did anything I shouldn't have, never taunted my enemies, never beat anyone to the point of near killing them?" Sokka asked, amused "You really have blinded yourself to most of me, just pretending I was some sort of, what, exotic prince to make your dreams come true? You're naïve, Hina, and frankly pretty stupid. I'm not the Princess's sorry slave: I'm her partner, through and through. We're in this together, because we're a lot more alike than you could ever realize"

He smiled as he finished those words, the tip of his sword near Hina's cheek by now. She stumbled back as he chuckled.

"Frankly… why would I ever even look at you?" he said, scoffing in her direction "Run along home now, you sorry excuse for a noblewoman. You're an eyesore"

Hina didn't seem likely to obey at first, for she glanced at Hahn's limp body with nervousness. Sokka scowled.

"Didn't you hear me?" he growled.

"I-is he alive…?" she asked. Sokka huffed "Is he alive?! P-please, I'll leave you alone, please, just tell me…!"

"He is. But he won't be for long" said Sokka, lowering his sword "Not if I have any say upon the…"

"Sokka"

Azula's voice brought him out of his dark monologue. He frowned and glanced up at the Princess in the balcony, finding her commanding attitude slightly affronting.

"What?" he said, nearly pouting.

"We have an agreement" she said "I said, you're free to beat him up to your liking, but I need him later on anyways. You agreed. So…"

"Oh, come on, whatever could you need a broken useless northerner for?" Sokka complained "Let me finish him off and…!"

"No, I said" Azula repeated. Sokka huffed, again behaving like a child throwing a tantrum "You know full well that there's a better punishment for Hahn's insolence than plain death, after all…"

"Oh. Right" said Sokka, before smiling in realization "Well, I admit, if I don't get to run him through, at least knowing he'll die as a slave is good enough for me"

"Slave?!" Hina asked. Sokka shrugged.

"He's a foreigner. He'll fetch a decent price in the market" said Sokka, as an explanation.

"So please, Sokka, bring him back inside so we can go ahead with the plan and…"

"WAIT!"

Sokka frowned when Hina screamed now. She wasn't just pleading suddenly, even if she still looked desperate. But whatever she had to say, Azula seemed intrigued by it.

"Yes?" said Azula. Hina stumbled towards the balcony, looking at her with desperation. Knowing now that pleading with the Blue Wolf was impossible…

But the one person he'd listen to was up in that balcony. And if Hina could get her to muster any compassion, maybe, just maybe, she'd be able to save Hahn's life…

---

His head felt heavy when he came to his senses. Hahn's eyes opened, and he found himself in a foreign, but luxurious place. Much more luxurious than anything in Hina's house. The Palace, then…?

His body felt even heavier than his head. One glance down told him he had been covered with a blanket, but he couldn't see what was underneath. Why, though, was he so desperate to see the full state of his body? What on earth had happened…? He couldn't remember anything…

"Ah, finally back with the living, are we?"

The voice was unwelcome. Hahn's eyes widened as he glanced to his right, finding Admiral Zhao sitting beside him. The man's brown eyes were trained on Hahn, who couldn't have felt more nervous right now, despite hardly understanding why.

"You got beaten up quite badly. Here I thought you were a proud warrior who wouldn't fall against the Princess's gladiator" Zhao sneered "Funny how that turned out"

"I… I know it wasn't as I'd planned, but…" said Hahn, grimacing as the events of earlier that day returned to him "I didn't deserve all that, did I? All… all this"

"I think you certainly did, Hahn" Zhao said "I found Rei, you see…"

Hahn's eyes widened. Zhao sighed.

"She'd ran off to a safe place, ran away from you indeed. Not because you'd laid a hand on her yet, but because you had threatened to do so. Because you took her rejections as challenges rather than as the obvious refusals they were. And you thought it was funny that she'd be so embarrassed, so ashamed… when she ran away, you thought it wasn't your fault because you hadn't done anything to her. You just had played a game, and she had been unwilling to play along, so…"

"I didn't touch her…" Hahn said, grimacing. Zhao chuckled.

"I know, I said. But I hardly care" said Zhao, looking at him with amusement "You're still getting what's coming. Because as you must realize now, your attempt at courting the Princess ended in a miserable failure. And now, well… now you're lost. And hopeless. What do you think is going to happen to you now, Hahn?"

"I… I don't know, but… please, I… I have information" he said. Zhao laughed.

"Again, that old trick… it's not going to save you anymore, Hahn" said Zhao "No, not after all this. The Princess has made up her mind about what to do with you, and I can't find any reason to contradict her. You, Hahn, are to be shipped off to a slave market as soon as…"

"No!" Hahn exclaimed, pushing himself up despite the pain in his face and body. He sat where he was, looking at Zhao desperately "Y-you can't do this! You can't…! T-the gladiator cut off my legs at the fight, I can't be a slave, I…!"

"Well, he sure did a poor job of that, didn't he?" Zhao said, frowning before lifting the blanket to show Hahn his own legs.

Hahn's eyes widened. They were bandaged, but fine. What on earth had happened? There had been blood, the sword had cut through his skin, he hadn't felt them anymore…!

"You seem to only need a little healing before you can spend the rest of your life learning your rightful place" said Zhao "And that place is by serving others who are much worthier than you. So, as you're awake now, I'll send for the soldiers to…"

"No, please!" Hahn said, his eyes wide in desperation "Y-you can't do this to me! I…! I can't become a slave! I can't!"

"It's as good as done, Hahn. I have no reason to ask the Princess to change her mind" said Zhao, shaking his head.

"N-no, please… please, I could… if I tell you" said Hahn, his eyes gleaming now "If I tell you, Admiral, if I… if I tell you the truth now, what I'm hiding, you can… you can convince her not to make me a slave? Please…!"

"Oh?" said Zhao, raising his eyebrows "Well, now… is that information truly so valuable it could buy you out of a lifetime of slavery?"

"Yes, it is!" Hahn pleaded "Please, please, Admiral… the spirits are the least of it, Admiral! That oasis, it hides… it hides greater power than you can imagine! T-that water, the sacred water, it… it can heal the worst of the wounds! It can! It… it saved soldiers, it has saved our waterbenders before, and…! If it's in your control, in Fire Nation control, you and the Fire Lord and the Princess and everyone valuable…! Y-you could all live forever! You could just… use that water, you could use it, and live forever! Y-you'd fight death itself with it!"

"Death itself?" said Zhao, surprised. Hahn nodded.

"Believe me, it… it saved my wife" he said, eyes wide "Yue, she was born dead! B-but with the water, and the spirits… she came back to life! If any of you were to die, t-then… you could be saved with it. Immortality, at your grasp! I swear it's true!"

Zhao frowned and eyed Hahn with uncertainty. Hahn's chest heaved as he watched Zhao push himself up to his feet.

"Immortality…" he repeated, before scoffing "I'm sure if that were true, I would have read as much in the Spirit Library"

"What…? B-but it is true! It is! Admiral…!"

"Enough of your nonsense, fool" said Zhao, shaking his head "I, for one, am glad I'll be seeing the last of you"

Zhao moved to the door, leaving Hahn behind with wide eyes. The man was hyperventilating by now, fear gnawing away at him in the worst way it ever had. He had dreamt of living in greatness, of the highest honor in the Fire Nation, of becoming Fire Lord… and now he was going to be a slave. A slave, of all things. Him, Prince of the North, a slave…

"Ah, here you were" said Zhao, to a pair of soldiers waiting by the door "I believe the Princess was expecting Hahn, yes? Feel free to take him to her now. It's time for him to start his new life"

"No… don't do this, please…!"

The soldiers, Imperial Guards, entered the room and picked up Hahn forcefully. Hahn struggled weakly, too hurt to fight back effectively as they pulled him through the corridors of the Palace… and led him into a small room. A room he'd already been in before.

A room where Hina and her father were sitting in, once again.

"You're… you're awake!" Hina exclaimed, rushing to hug him when she saw him. He cringed at her touch when she brushed his bruises with her hands, and she inched away "S-sorry…!"

"Hina!" Gao growled "Behave yourself!"

"I… sorry. B-but I just…" she said, nervously, before looking at the Princess.

Azula stared at Hahn, who seemed confused over Hina's presence in the room, as well as Gao's. One glance at Zhao, though, told her he'd already succeeded at his endeavor. He nodded in her direction as he stood behind Hahn, his arms folded over his chest. Azula breathed deeply and glanced at Hahn.

"As you may have been informed, Hahn… your fate was to become a slave" she said. Hahn looked at her in sheer terror "That is, indeed, what I found most fitting, but… someone has vouched for you. Someone who's determined to save your life, at any cost. I have no idea why her father is agreeing to this arrangement, but…"

"I'm so sick of this matter I would see it finished already. Be it however it may" Gao growled. Azula smiled.

"You and me both" she said, before glancing at Hahn again "Congratulations, Hahn. You're engaged"

Hahn blinked blankly for a moment, before noticing the way Hina was looking at him. The girl's unexpected joy could only mean one thing.

"Wait… marry you?" he said.

"Yes. This is… this is certainly for the best" she said "The right outcome, for the both of us!"

Hahn's jaw dropped, but he said nothing. Sure, this wasn't what he had wanted… but after nearly being sold to slavery, suddenly marrying into a smaller nobility family looked like a godsent gift. Suddenly, Hina's clingy nature, her obsessive behavior, her fetish for Water Tribesmen, had become so very valuable in Hahn's eyes. Somehow, that girl had managed to convince the Princess to spare his life. And if that meant he had to marry her, he would accept it, gladly.

"Well, that is, unless he prefers slavery" Azula blurted out, to test Hahn's resolve. Hina shot her a dirty glare but before she could say anything, Hahn spoke.

"I don't, I… I don't, please… l-let me marry Hina. Please" he said.

Azula smiled proudly and breathed out in relief. She gave Gao an apologetic smile, for the man merely seemed defeated. He shook his head and got on his feet, asking the soldiers who were holding Hahn to please help with bringing him all the way to his family's carriage. Hina's relief as well was palpable, and she even boldly kissed Hahn's lips in front of everyone, even if Hahn groaned in pain over it: his broken nose definitely hadn't healed enough for kissing to be pleasant just yet.

"S-sorry!"

"Hina, stop that shameless behavior of yours!" Gao growled "Curses, the kind of child I'm stuck with, what on earth did I do to deserve this…?"

The words seemed a little harsh to Azula's ears, namely because she suspected Hina's behavior surely had some sort of relation to her upbringing, as it ever did… but she kept her silence all the same. No one had told her mother to shut up whenever she had said similar things about her, after all.

Zhao waited until the soldiers, the newly-engaged couple and the frustrated father had walked away before approaching Azula. He seemed rather pleased with himself, as did the Princess.

"And that is why your father holds you in such high esteem" he said, chuckling "That was quite a clever plan, Princess. Every step of the way, perfectly executed. I'm impressed"

"Well, that's only because my partner-in-crime did his duty just the way he was expected to" Azula smiled, glancing at the door.

Now that Hina was on her way out, Sokka had appeared at the room's threshold. He didn't seem as pleased with himself as Azula was, but his relief was still apparent.

"You didn't have to hide from her that much" Azula said. Sokka huffed.

"And risk her changing her mind and deciding she wants a psychopath for a husband after all? No, thanks" said Sokka, grimacing.

"Ah, but you were so entertaining in the ring today! I was quite impressed by your performance" said Azula. Sokka snorted.

"Yeah, well, it's probably the first time I've put on a believable act" he said "I'm surprised he was that weak, though. Fighters in the last leg of the ranking would've had an easy win against him"

"Nobody ever complimented Hahn on his competence other than Hahn himself" said Zhao, to which Azula and Sokka chuckled.

"Yes, that's true" said Azula "And admittedly, you did hold back a lot, Sokka. A broken nose, a couple of punches to the stomach…"

"Chi-blocked his legs and then slashed them superficially with my sword to trick him and Hina into thinking I'd cut them off…" said Sokka, with a guilty grin.

"Ah, no wonder he was so sure he'd lost them" Zhao smirked "That was clever. Cruel, but clever. You two are truly terrifying. I genuinely hope I never anger either of you again…"

"There's no need to worry, Admiral" said Azula, smiling "As long as you behave yourself, you have nothing to fear from either of us"

"I suppose he doesn't. Though we may have something to fear from Hina" said Sokka, gulping "You think rumors of the fight will spread?"

"You think they won't be easily dispelled?" Azula said, smirking "There were only four witnesses of that fight. As far as most people are concerned, it never even happened. If Hina tries to discredit us with this, who would listen to her, really? She's fallen out of the Blue Pack's grace since ages ago, so…"

"Fair enough" said Sokka, sighing "I'm just really hoping this won't come back to haunt us in the future"

"Not likely" said Azula, before looking at Zhao "You nodded, though… so you did what I asked, right? You tricked him into thinking he'd be sold as a slave, it was plain on his face, but… did you get his information?"

Zhao smiled and nodded. Azula raised an eyebrow, and even Sokka seemed curious about what Zhao had to say…

"It was indeed every bit as worthless as we knew it would be" he said "Some delusion about the oasis being a source of healing water… as though waterbending healing didn't already exist. Pathetic"

"He genuinely thought he could trick you with something so stupid? That such basic information deserved to be rewarded through marriage to a Crown Princess?" Azula asked, looking at Zhao skeptically. Zhao laughed.

"When did anyone say Hahn was a paragon of intelligence, really?" he said. Azula grimaced, conceding Zhao's point.

"Fair enough" she said, sighing "Well, that's pathetic, no doubt. Here I thought he was hiding something worth my while… can you imagine how stupid I would have been had I married him just for that?"

"I had no idea waterbending could heal…" said Sokka, before grimacing "But you're right. That's about as stupid a reason to marry someone as, uh, as…"

"As having a fetish with his culture, perhaps?" Azula asked. Sokka's grimace intensified.

"Yeah. Sounds about right" he said, shaking his head.

"Is everything alright with your maid now, then?" Azula asked Zhao "I had thought you wouldn't return until you found her… I was surprised to find you in the Palace today"

"Not surprised enough to hold back from asking me to partake in your scheme, though" Zhao smirked.

"It was going to be more impactful, for you to be the one to convey his fate as a slave, after the crap he pulled on you and your maid" said Sokka, folding his arms over his chest.

"Indeed. It's why I did it" said Azula, smiling weakly.

"At any rate, yes. Rei is fine and safe" said Zhao, sighing "She feared Hahn would go too far with his insinuations, and she had no one to count on who might defend her from him, so… she ran off to her mother's, uh, place"

"Oh?" said Sokka "Your maid isn't a slave, then? Or is she one of the few slaves with parents…?"

"No, not a slave" said Zhao, lowering his gaze.

Azula looked at Zhao with a frown. There was something guilty in the man's countenance right now, as though he was ashamed of the truth… but Rei was indeed young. Considerably younger than Azula, even. She was no slave, but had a mother, so…

"Is she your illegitimate daughter?"

Zhao cringed, and Sokka's eyes widened. Azula swallowed hard, interpreting the man's reaction as an affirmation. Odd that, for once, Zhao seemed unable to stay level-headed under Azula's scrutiny.

"That, well… something like that, I suppose" said Zhao. Azula actually smiled.

"I guess that explains why you were so worried about her" said Azula. Sokka whistled.

"I didn't imagine you had a kid of your own" he said "Why don't you tell anyone about her?"

"Her mother is, well, far from highborn, even if she's Fire Nation" said Zhao, sighing "Either way, I simply don't tell people about her because I… I don't want her to be used against me"

"My father doesn't know either, does he?" Azula asked. Zhao shook his head.

"I've tried to keep the truth from him, though I have no doubts he already suspects of her identity. I-it's not that I distrust him, but…"

"I can understand. Don't fret" said Azula, closing her eyes "My father certainly won't hear it from us either. Your secret is safe"

"W-wha-…? Truly?" Zhao said, his eyes wide "Princess…"

"What, you think I'm going to use it to blackmail you somehow?" Azula said, smiling a little "I'd like to think I won't need to do that at any point in time, Admiral. I was finally starting to think of you as a relatively reliable ally, after all…"

"That's… more than I could have expected" said Zhao, smiling gratefully, though there was guilt in his eyes. Azula frowned.

"Is something wrong?"

"It's… no, no. Nothing" he said, shaking his head and bowing his head "Thank you. I, uh, should go tell Ozai the news about Hahn and about Rei. He'll be happy to know this pointless ordeal is behind us now"

"Surely" said Azula "And I suppose you ought to hurry home, back to her, right?"

"Quite right" said Zhao, nodding again "Thank you, Princess. It seems you keep handling matters more than deftly on your own terms… at this rate I don't think I'll ever pay back any of the countless favors I owe you"

"How exaggerated…" said Azula, shaking her head as Zhao laughed.

"I shall see you both later, then. Thank you for everything you did today" he said, before walking past Sokka to leave the room.

Sokka sighed and looked at Azula. He seemed exhausted, and it was unsurprising if that was the case. It was already mid-afternoon, and he'd been on edge so far, waiting to see if he would really be rid of Hina. It was possible that, even now, he couldn't quite believe this problem was behind them.

"Sokka?" Azula called him. He bit his lip.

"Did I go too far?" he asked. Azula smiled and approached him.

"Not really. The physicians who checked him said he'll make a full recovery. Which, considering who we're talking about, is almost a pity…" she said, with a sigh. Sokka snorted and gave her a light push.

"How funny, Princess" he said, as she laughed softly "Well, he sure isn't the nicest guy ever, so maybe I shouldn't worry too much about him, but… damn, I did say some shitty stuff, huh?"

"Not like you had a choice. You played your part to perfection" said Azula "And by doing so, you may just have scared Hina off for good, and that's not something you'll regret, now, is it?"

"Heh, never. Good riddance" he said, nodding "And truthfully, good riddance to Hahn as well. I didn't really expect them to fall in love, if that's what that was, but heh, maybe they're the only suitable partners for each other"

"I doubt Hahn is in love with her. For that matter, Hina has probably idealized Hahn just as much as she had idealized you, so… I question that's love, too" Azula said, before shrugging "Either way, it's no longer our problem. And I'd say we ought to celebrate, the way you suggested before. Or are you going to withdraw your offer, gladiator?"

"Heh, as if" said Sokka, smiling and biting his lip "You sure we can do that, though? It's hardly early, maybe your dad expects you to stay here…"

"As things stand, my father's expectations aren't my priority" Azula said, closing her eyes "He knows as much, too. I think he'll only lose his mind if I appear to stop coming back home again for a long time, and sadly that's not going to happen, so…"

"Sadly, huh?" said Sokka. Azula smiled.

"You have to admit, it's a little annoying for things to be back to the way they used to be, before… before Seethus" she said "But I suppose we'll do best to stop complaining about it. Are you going to show me how a manly man steers a hot-air balloon or not?"

"You needn't ask twice, Princess" said Sokka, smiling and bowing his head gently before leading the way to Xin Long's refuge.

A few corridors down, Zhao spoke with Ozai. He updated him on the latest happenings, and told him exactly what he had told Azula: Hahn's information had been completely superfluous, nothing but a waste of time. The Fire Lord seemed displeased, but not overly so. He merely dismissed the Admiral after their conversation was over, and Zhao made his way to his carriage, riding it alone back to his estate.

Hahn's words had been spoken in desperation. His claim seemed so void, so empty… it seemed nonsense that immortality could be found in that oasis, that it would be within the Northern Water Tribe's grasp and yet they wouldn't have used it to their favor.

And yet Zhao's hands were trembling in anticipation.

He felt guilty for having lied to Azula and Ozai. For having spoken half-truths about Hahn's words. But it was best not to get their hopes up, of course. Especially with something like this.

First, he had to figure out if it was true, and that would only be done once he had a chance to return to the North. Only then would he understand if that oasis' water had the remarkable powers Hahn had said it did.

And if it did, Zhao intended to share it with those he deemed worthy of said gift. Yes, why wouldn't he? Ozai would be thrilled: Fire Lord, for all of eternity. With Zhao as his loyal, eternal advisor, too…

---

Up in the sky, in the outskirts of the Fire Nation mainland, floated a red balloon, soaring gently amid air currents at dusk. Its engine grumbled steadily as Sokka checked on the fire within it, ensuring it was the right amount of heat before sitting down again, right next to his sponsor. She smiled, her head against the basket's wall, her hand reaching for his from under the blanket that protected her very naked body from the night's chill. Sokka smiled as he lifted the blanket too, though he only used it to cover his lower body. As ever, he enjoyed the rare moments where the Fire Nation's weather wasn't as annoyingly hot as it often was.

"You look so very pleased, Princess" Sokka taunted her. She laughed.

"I admit, playing around so high above ground is surprisingly satisfactory" she said, glancing at him with a proud smile "We ought to do this more often"

"I agree" said Sokka, leaning in to kiss her cheek "You certainly moan much more earnestly up here since you're sure no one will hear you…"

"Well, really, who would?" Azula smiled, fisting his hair and kissing his lips. Sokka groaned, brushing her lips slowly. She forgot all about their conversation topic as she melted into the kiss, finding her lover as tender and passionate as he ever was.

For quite a while she had feared things wouldn't go back to normal, but she wasn't sure they were, even now. The latest events had shaken up the two of them, and Azula wasn't sure there was any going back from that, just as they were never going to fully recover from what Jeong Jeong had done, and many incidents they dealt with before that. But whatever had changed, their feelings remained the same. Their intimacy, their teamwork… all of it was still there. And she hoped it always would be.

A sudden screeching noise surprised them out of their kiss though. Her eyes widened at the sound, but it wasn't long before she realized what it was: Xin Long innocently rose higher in the air, smiling mischievously at them as he flew beside the balloon.

"Oh, you wretched dragon" Azula said, looking at him skeptically "Here we are, trying to avoid annoying you, and yet you decide to interfere?"

Xin Long laughed audibly, and Sokka joined in before standing up and reaching out to stroke Xin Long's mane. Xin Long rubbed his head against Sokka's hand, as the gladiator smiled at Azula gently.

"I think he doesn't want to fly all by himself" he said. Azula smiled.

"You're getting better at reading that troublemaker, huh?" she asked. Sokka shrugged and Xin Long nodded proudly "Feels like we're really a three-way partnership now"

"As we always should have been, right, Xin?" Sokka said. Xin made to lick him for a moment, but then recoiled and shook his head. Sokka scowled "W-well, what's that for?!"

"Well, I guess you don't understand that much, huh? It's because he knows what we were doing and isn't going to lick you after your face was, well… where it was" Azula smiled. Sokka snorted and Xin Long laughed too.

The dragon and his two riders were all laughing together before long, floating easily in the sky together as the moon rose in the sky. Sokka swept Azula into his arms soon enough for more kisses, to enjoy as much of her as he could before they had to part ways for the day. Xin Long flew around them, as good as celebrating with them that, in spite of how catastrophic the past few months had been, the hardships were finally falling out of view, allowing them to finally catch their breath before looking forward to whatever their future would bring them next.