Azara awoke, knowing that there was a difference in the morning air. Sitting up from her mat, Azara pulled herself up before walking over to the lone window of her cell. The morning sun peeked through the bars, casting a soft orange slow over her. Closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath, Azara opened her eyes, staring out at the outside world for perhaps the last time.

Today was it. Her execution.

As she faced the wall, the door to her cell room jingled opened behind her. She could hear the footsteps of various guards filling into the small room. Turning around, Azara clasped her hands behind her back, staring at the guards with a mix of boredom and disgust.

The warden entered the cell room next, his face sporting a rather large sneer as he caught sight of Azara. "It's time to go, Princess."

Azara didn't respond, staring down the warden with her chin tilted up. She wasn't going to give him satisfaction, she wasn't going to give any of them satisfaction. Fighting and struggling would only convey the idea that she was afraid to die, that she was scared, that she was still a terrified little girl.

And besides, she'd already died once before. She was living on borrowed time as it was.

The guards opened the cell door, stepping forwards with chains in their hands. They shackled her hands in front of her, locking her ankles only a few inches apart so that she would be forced to take small steps. They left her mouth free this time, probably so that she'd be able to beg for her life if the fancy hit her.

But she knew it wouldn't.

"Scared, Princess?" the warden taunted as Azara's gaze flickered over to him. She didn't respond, merely staring at him as if he were a bug flittering about her head. An annoyance. A puny little nuisance that she would forget about the second after it had disappeared.

And besides, any words she had to say would pale in comparison to the level of frustration her stubborn silence would draw out of them.

The warden sneered at her before giving the order to take her out of her cell. Azara didn't look back. The halls were lined with guards, ready to prevent any attempt at escape she showed. Or perhaps they were expecting someone to swing in and save her. But Azara wasn't similarly convinced.

The cart ride to the Fire Nation Palace was slow and bumpy, but Azara sat calmly, her legs crossed under her as she stared forward. When they finally reached the Capital, Azara glanced around at the familiar streets from her childhood. There was no one in the streets, save for the guards escorting her to her death. They were all probably hiding in their houses, wondering what was going on.

They reached the palace, where even more guards were lined up in preparation for her. Azara stepped out of the cart with her head held high as if she were balancing a book on top of it. Her steps were short and clanky due to the chains around her ankles, but had she been wearing a dress instead of raggedy pants, she would have looked like she was gliding over the stone.

Walking up the steps to her childhood home, Azara kept her piercing gaze focused forwards. She couldn't be caught up in the minutia of childhood nostalgia. She didn't have that luxury. Though she had to admit that it was rather ironic that the place where she was born would also be the place where she would die.

Turning a corner, Azara recognized the route that the guards were leading her. They would take another left, walk down a long corridor lined with large windows that had the most hideous curtains in the entire palace, before turning right again.

It was the route towards the palace's Agni Kai arena. The place where her father had burned half of Zuko's face off more than three years ago.

She walked through the red drawn curtains, her gaze flickering up to the stands. The royal box sat directly in front of her, filled this time with three individuals. Her father sat in the middle on a pedestal, his lips twisted into a smirk at her appearance. She didn't spare him a second glance.

Zuko sat at his right, in the place reserved for the Crown Prince, a position that Zuko had long coveted after he lost it. He was dressed in formal military attire, his longer hair swept back into a traditional Fire Nation top knot. But his face was drawn. He looked scared, his eyes widening as she approached. Like he was the one about to be executed.

Azula sat on Ozai's left. If one were to look at Azula's face, they wouldn't see a trace of any emotion—good or bad; scared or gleeful. But as Azara locked eyes with her sister, she could see the underlying emotions her sister kept locked up. There was a flicker of fear, another of doubt. What Azula was doubting, Azara didn't know. But she wouldn't have time to find out either.

Azara walked into the middle of the arena before she was tugged back. Standing with two guards on her sides, Azara stood calmly as the herald stepped forwards, pulling out a long scroll from his robes, before clearing his throat.

"Princess Azara of the Fire Nation is hereby sentenced to death for treason and crimes against the Fire Nation by order of Fire Lord Ozai." Closing the scroll, the herald turned to Azara, who stared at him with guarded disinterest. "Does the traitor have any last words?"

Azara glanced up at her siblings before her gaze landed on her father. "Not for you," she replied, before she was pushed forwards roughly.

The guards hauled her forwards, forcing her to kneel before the executioner block. Loud footsteps echoed around the arena as the executioner approached her, a large axe held in his hands. Azara glanced over at the executioner before staring at the block in front of her.

"Would the prisoner like a blindfold?" the herald asked, standing beside her. Azara didn't respond.

The herald walked away as Azara lowered herself onto the stand. Staring at the ground, Azara's dark hair framed her face, the muted darkness giving her some time to find her own peace. Her thoughts drifted away from the Fire Nation Palace to a much happier portion of Azara's short life.

Thinking of her friends, Azara let out a shaky breath. "I'm sorry, Aang. I failed you. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you from the Fire Nation. From my family." The executioner sharpened his axe beside her, the grating of the metal echoing around the arena. "Katara and Toph, I failed you guys too. I'm sorry I couldn't help Aang, and I'm sorry I'm not there to help you now."

The executioner approached the stand, twirling the axe in his hands, testing the weight of the weapon. "And Sokka . . ." Azara sighed, comforted in the moment by the familiar weight of the band around her wrist, the cactus charm resting on her palm. ". . . I never got to tell you properly . . . but I love you . . . and I'm sorry."

The executioner grunted, hefting the axe in the air, ready to end her life. But before he could move, a voice yelled out from above them. "Wait!" The executioner dropped his axe to the side as Azara opened her eyes. Staring up at her family, Azara's eyes widened in shock when she saw who was standing up.

*|*|*|*|*

At the edge of the Fire Nation, Sokka, Katara, and Toph moved about the cave to set up camp while they waited for Aang to return. He had disappeared while they were grabbing lunch, and Toph had suggested that they return to the cave to wait for his return. Katara was clearly nervous about Aang's disappearance as she patted Appa's head, the sky bison groaning in appreciation for the attention.

When the sun started to set, Sokka grumbled to himself when he realized that someone had forgotten to set up the fire. The Fire Nation robes that they had stolen were not nearly as warm as the traditional Water Tribe attire he usually wore, and the night was filled with a light chill that Sokka hoped to alleviate with a warm fire.

Walking over to Toph and Katara, Sokka pointed at the marked fire pit. "Hey, whose job was it to start the fire?"

Katara paused for a moment, thinking over the question, before staring at Sokka with a sad expression when she found the answer. Toph sat up from her place by the wall, a similar expression on her face. "Sokka . . ." Katara started, as Sokka raised an eyebrow at his sister.

"What? Come on guys, I don't care, but someone was supposed to light the fire and it's starting to get cold," Sokka shrugged as Katara waited patiently for it to click in his head. "I'm not mad, I just want a fire, so whose job was—" Sokka stopped, realizing the words coming out of his mouth, before shaking his head. "Never mind. Sorry."

He grabbed his bag, digging through it for flint as Katara walked over. "Sokka, it's—"

"—It's fine, Katara. My mistake," Sokka replied, having to pull everything out of his bag to get to the flint stones, which had sat unused for months at the bottom of his bag. Katara looked worriedly at her brother as he hastily set up the firewood before clacking the flint stones against each other.

He had grown up learning how to build a fire from just about anything one could find. Survival in the South Pole was quite literally dependent on one's ability to get a fire going. But Sokka, nor Katara, nor Aang, had ever had to start the fire when a firebender was traveling with them. A firebender that wasn't sitting beside him like she normally would be, the fire reflecting off her gold irises as she cracked a joke at his expense.

The sparks caught on the kindling and Sokka worked quickly to foster the flames. The fire caught easily on the rest of the dried wood, bathing the cave in a soft orange glow. Staring into the flames, Sokka closed his eyes, before lowering his head solemnly.

*|*|*|*|*

Azara narrowed her eyes as she glared up at her father, who had gotten to his feet. Zuko looked up at Ozai with shock as the Fire Lord stepped forwards towards the railing. Azula remained seated calmly, but the faintest of smiles tugged at the edge of her lips.

"Is there a problem, Your Highness?" the herald asked, walking over to where Azara remained on the executioner's block.

"Yes," Ozai sighed dramatically, his gaze lowering to meet Azara's scowl. "I feel that this is all . . . anti-climactic."

"Would you prefer a bigger ax?" the herald suggested as Azara turned her glare over to the man, who took a step away from her at the intensity of her gaze.

"No. But . . . I was thinking that there are better ways to punish a traitor." Ozai paused for dramatic effect, clasping his hands together in front of him. "Especially one such as my daughter." Ozai turned to Zuko, who quickly averted his gaze. "Prince Zuko, how do we settle instances of disrespect in this family?"

Zuko stiffened at his father's question. And even though she was still unbelievably pissed at Zuko, if her arms were not chained down, Azara would have shot a bolt of lightning right through Ozai's skull in that moment.

"Agni Kai," Zuko stated, looking down at Azara with a stoic expression.

"Correct," Ozai nodded before turning back to Azara. "I think an Agni Kai would be a more appropriate means to handle the traitor, don't you think?"

"Whatever Your Highness desires," the herald nodded, bowing as guards ran onto the stage.

Azara sat up from the executioner's block, the guards moving to carry it away. The executioner himself bowed to Ozai before walking out of the arena, dragging his sharp and unused ax with him. Azara continued to glare up at her father, who studied her, as if he was still calculating his next move.

"Your Highness, whom should the princess duel?" the herald questioned, standing beside Azara again. Azara waited for Ozai to dramatically throw his robes off and jump down into the arena to face her. But instead, he returned to his seat.

"While I think it would be most appropriate for the traitor to face myself, as she disrespected my reign most egregiously, my other children's recent triumph in Ba Sing Se has left me feeling rather . . . merciful." Azara scoffed at the comment as Ozai waved his hand.

The doors below him opened and four men stepped out. She studied them as they walked up the arena steps, fanning out around her. "These are four of the best firebenders under my personal command. If the traitor can survive an Agni Kai against them, I will reconsider her execution. And if she fails, well . . . I gave her an opportunity for survival."

"Uh, is she facing all of them at once, Your Highness?" the herald inquired softly, causing Ozai's eyes to flash.

"Yes, you fool!" Ozai barked at the guard, who cowered away. Guards rushed to surround the stage, blocking any exit for Azara. Two ran forward to undo her chains, before dragging them away. Rubbing her bruised and raw wrists, Azara turned to stare at her opponents.

Her gaze filtered over them, looking for any weaknesses that she could exploit. Getting to her feet, Azara walked to the edge of the arena as she made notes to herself. Tugging at the fabric of her shirt, Azara peeled off a strip, tying back her dark hair into a ponytail, before kneeling in a crouch with her fingers spread to steady her.

Glancing down at her wrist, Azara stared at the cactus charm for a moment before looking away. "Remember who you are, Azara," she whispered to herself, her gaze focused in front of her. She thought back to some of her earliest lessons with Iroh, while Zuko was still recovering from his own Agni Kai.

Azara stood on deck of the Fire Navy ship across from Iroh, who had a kind smile on his lips. "Are we going to practice my sets again, Uncle?"

"Not today, Azara," Iroh replied, before leading her over to a small table set up on deck. Azara raised an eyebrow but took her seat at the table anyways. Iroh poured her a cup of tea before sipping at his own. "Today I was thinking we should have more of a discussion on your bending technique."

"Okay, Uncle. What about it?"

"You've progressed quickly through all your sets, my niece. But there is still much you have to learn before you'll be a true master."

"Of course, Uncle. And you'll teach me?"

"To the best of my abilities," Iroh assured her before taking a sip of his tea. "But I'm not the only teacher you should seek out, Azara."

"You're one of the best firebenders in the world, Uncle," Azara protested, sloshing her tea around. "Who else should I learn from?"

"There is much to learn about firebending outside of the Fire Nation," Iroh explained calmly, setting down his tea.

"In the colonies?" Azara guessed, growing confused. Iroh shook his head.

"No, Azara. For your bending to progress to its fullest extent, you must learn from the other nations. Of the other bending techniques."

"What would an earthbender or waterbender know about firebending?" Azara asked, raising an eyebrow at her uncle.

"It is important to draw wisdom from many different places, Azara. If you take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale. Understanding the other bending techniques will allow you to extend your abilities farther than you could imagine."

Azara's eyes flashed at the sound of the gong. Standing up, Azara raised her hands in a defensive pose as she spun around to face her four opponents. They regarded her with sneers, but Azara remained calm and focused on her breathing.

In her time abroad, she had realized more than ever how aggressive and offensive firebending was in comparison to the other elements. And, by nature or training or a mix of both, most firebenders happened to be the same. So, she would have to play defense against the four of them until one inevitably messed up and gave her an opening.

She would have to wait and listen.

"Begin!" Ozai demanded as two of the firebenders jumped forwards, releasing harsh fire comets at her. Azara danced around them, easily staying on her feet as she retook her stance. The four firebenders looked at her oddly at her technique.

"Did you hear me, you fools? Begin!" Ozai shouted from his box, causing the four firebenders to jump into action.

They threw fire blasts at her, but Azara remaining light of her feet. She deflected and slid around the ones that she could. One firebender ran towards her, causing Azara to narrow her eyes. Rushing forwards as well, Azara timed her jump as she watched the firebender wind up.

With a little help from her own firebending, Azara jumped, flipping over the fire blast and over the firebender's head. Spinning through the air, Azara blasted the man in the back, causing him to go flying out of the arena. Landing gracefully and turning to face her three remaining opponents, Azara raised her hands again.

One down. Three to go.

The three remaining firebenders lined up, each jumping forwards and spinning, releasing powerful fire comets at Azara. Raising her arms, Azara reached out to the fire, before pulling her arms back to herself, the flames swirling around her in a ring. Blocking another fire comet, Azara spun around, gathering the fire from around her and thrusting her arms forward. The fire beam hit the middle firebender, knocking him clean out of the arena and at the base of the royal box.

Two down. Two to go.

The two firebenders looked at each other in shock as Azara raised her hands to cup her mouth. "Is that the best you've got?" she taunted as the firebenders glared at her, before yelling out and charging at her.

Azara blocked their fire blasts, returning some of her own as the two men drew closer to her. They both released a strong fire comet at her. Azara slid her foot over before raising her hands, creating a wall of flames in front of her, which absorbed the fire comets.

Lowering the fire wall, Azara jumped forwards, releasing a sharp kick to throw them back. The fire slice caught one of the firebenders, but he remained in the ring. Turning to the firebender who remained on his feet, Azara watched him wind up to release a fire slice back at her.

Seeing the flames headed towards her, Azara planted her front foot and swung the other behind herself. Facing the side of the arena, Azara watched the fire slice slide by harmlessly before she turned sharply, releasing a powerful fire blast at the firebender. He yelled out as he was thrown from the arena, leaving Azara with only one more opponent.

Three down. One to go.

The remaining firebender got to his feet. The two locked eyes as they raised their hands, preparing for the final showdown. The firebender jumped forwards, releasing a fire beam directly at her. Azara returned one of her own, the two beams colliding, causing flames to go shooting around everywhere.

The firebender jumped through the flames, releasing fire blasts from quick jabs of his fists. Azara blocked and dodged before spinning around, delivering a fire slice back at her opponent. He managed to dodge it before sending a fire comet back at her. Azara deflected it away with a well-timed wave of her hands.

The flames from the earlier explosion started to die down as Azara and the remaining firebender circled each other. "Finish her!" Ozai demanded of his firebender, who nodded, before winding up. With a powerful stomp forward, he released a powerful fire beam at Azara, who took a deep breath.

Placing her hands together, Azara pulled them apart, pulling the fire beam to wrap around her. Azara spun the flames carefully around her, forming a ball of flames. Controlling the fire, Azara held her hands in front of her before lifting them apart, revealing her in the middle of the ball of flames.

She caught the look of surprise and perhaps a bit of fear on her opponent's face before she delivered the final blow. Gathering the fire around her into her palms, Azara stepped forwards, thrusting the flames out at her opponent. A fire wave burst forwards, knocking the man back, and out of the arena alongside his compatriots.

Straightening up, Azara swung her hands around so that they were clasped together. Releasing her breath, Azara lowered her hands, signifying that the battle was finished. She turned to glare at her father, who looked rather flabbergasted at the result. Even Azula looked rather impressed, though she masked her expression well.

"What would you like us to do, Your Highness?" the herald asked as everyone held their breath for a moment, waiting for Ozai to deliver the verdict.

"She survived," Ozai muttered, looking furious for a moment before he regained control over his emotions. Smirking down at Azara, Ozai released a chuckle that she hadn't heard in over three years. And yet, it still made her blood run cold. "For now, she has shown she might be a worthwhile asset. Show her to her quarters. I will deal with her in a moment."

Azara glared at the guards who surrounded her, one reaching out a hand to grab her arm. "I know the way to my room, asshats," she scoffed, pushing the guard off of her before being marched out of the arena and back into the Fire Nation Palace.

Zuko got up to leave, Azula moving to do the same, when Ozai raised a hand.

"Azula, stay." Knowing better than to argue, Azula lowered herself back to her seat, waiting for her father to elaborate. Ozai waited for Zuko and the rest of the guards to walk off before turning to Azula. "You were right about Azara's abilities. They've improved significantly since I last saw her," Ozai commented, stroking his beard as Azula nodded obediently.

Ozai moved to stand, Azula remaining in her seat. As he straightened up to his full height, Ozai stared down at his daughter. "Hopefully you'll also be right about her ability to change," Ozai mentioned offhandedly, moving towards the curtains behind him. "After all, she is your sister." Ozai pulled back one of the curtains before turning to Azula.

"Yes, Father."

"It would be a shame if our little family was shattered once again. Don't you agree, Azula?"

"Yes, Father."

"Good. See to it then."

Ozai slipped through the curtains, leaving without a second glance at Azula. She rose to her feet a moment later, her expression calm despite the anxiety growing within her. Turning on her heel, she pushed through the curtains before heading for the royal quarters.

A.N. So, Azara lives!

Also, because my brain just could not help but imagine the scene with Sokka and Katara as Aang's parents with Azara instead of Katara, I wrote a little snippet of The Headband episode as if Azara had not been captured and spent those weeks building her relationship with Sokka instead. So, this is just a little AU one-shot side show and little fluff to make up for the angst and to try and make you guys laugh.

Azara looked up from the fire as Aang came racing into the cave, a panicked expression on his face. "Aang, what's wrong?" Katara asked, standing up as Aang looked around the cave nervously.

"Did people figure out who you were?" Azara added, getting to her feet as well.

"No, no, but, uh, I need a favor," Aang replied sheepishly before looking between Sokka and Azara. "From you two."

"What kind of favor?" Sokka questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"I got in trouble at school today. I need you guys to act as my parents for a meeting with the headmaster," Aang stated to Sokka and Azara, who shared a surprised look before turning back to Aang.

"I don't like this. We've already spent a longer amount of time here than we can afford," Sokka huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Sokka's right, Aang, maybe we should just leave instead," Azara suggested as Aang clasped his hands together.

"Please, please, please. I promise I'll actually do my firebending breathing techniques! Airbender's honor," Aang pleaded, causing Azara to sigh and place her hands on her hips.

"Alright, we'll go as your parents," Azara agreed after a moment as Sokka looked at her in surprise.

"What? How are we even going to pretend we're his parents!?" Sokka got to his feet, walking over to his girlfriend. "I mean look at him, he looks nothing like us! We're only a few years older than him, there's no way we'll be able to pass as his parents."

"We'll figure something out. When do we have to be ready by?" she inquired as Aang rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Uh, in a few minutes," Aang revealed, causing Sokka to smack his forehead with his hand.

"It's fine, we'll figure this out," Azara reassured her boyfriend, before looking around the cave for anything she could use to make her look older. Spotting a folded pile of blankets by their supplies, Azara had a realization. "Katara, hand me that blanket. I have an idea."

Azara shuffled through the streets of the Fire Nation village with her arms tucked under her fake pregnant belly to keep it in place. She had pulled back most of her hair into a top knot, a rest of her hair trailing down her back. Her longer skirt had been tugged higher, tucked into the bottom of her top to complete the appearance of a pregnant woman.

Glancing around at the village, Azara looked between Sokka and Aang, who walked on either side of her. "Alright, you two follow my lead. I know how these headmasters operate, so just let me do the talking."

"Okay, Mom," Aang smiled as Sokka sighed from beside him.

"This isn't gonna to work."

"Not with that attitude," Aang pointed out as they arrived at the school.

Aang led the way through the school to the headmaster's office, where they were quickly ushered inside by his secretary. Azara glanced up at the portrait of her father hanging from the wall before her gaze centered on the headmaster, who already looked displeased at their presence.

"Thank you for coming, Mr. and Mrs. . . ." the headmaster began. Azara was about to open her mouth, but Sokka beat her to it.

"Fire. Wang Fire. And this is my wife, Sapphire," Sokka replied in a gruff deep voice as Azara shot him a look before turning back to the headmaster with a kind smile on her lips.

"Sapphire Fire, nice to meet you," she smiled despite the hiccup. The headmaster looked at her curiously for a moment.

"Forgive me, Mrs. Fire, but you seem quite familiar."

Azara chuckled, hiding her mouth behind her hand. "Oh, perhaps you've seen me around town. I also come from quite the large family. Perhaps you know one of my sisters," Azara lied smoothly, a fake smile plastered on her face.

"Yes, that must be it," the headmaster nodded, before turning back to the rest of the group. "Anyway, Mr. and Mrs. . . . Fire, your son has been enrolled here for two days and he's already causing problems. He's argued with his history teacher, disrupted music class, and roughed up my star pupil," the headmaster listed as Azara narrowed her eyes.

"Now, Headmaster, while I'm sure Kuzon will never interrupt his classes again," Azara paused to send Aang a reprimanding look, "he's not the type of boy to start a fight."

"I can assure you that any mother would feel the same way, Ma'am. Regardless—"

"—Now see here, Headmaster," Azara interrupted, her voice raising as Sokka and Aang eyed her in surprise. "My son is a lot of things, but a bully is not one of them. Where's your star pupil, the one whom my son apparently roughed up? Where are his parents?" Azara leaned back in her chair, her glare locked on the headmaster, who appeared surprised at her questions.

"Mrs. Fire, he wasn't the one who started the fight—"

"—How do you know, Headmaster?" Azara pressed as Aang and Sokka shared another look.

"My star pupil would never—"

"—Now, Headmaster, we seem to be at an impasse. You're certain that your pupil would never start a fight. And my husband and I argue the same about our son. So, I ask, were any adults there to see the fight happen? Perhaps we could resolve this whole issue with their testimony," Azara suggested, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Well, no, but—"

"—So, you're accusing my son of starting a fight based on the word of the boy he supposedly was in the fight with? That doesn't seem very fair, Headmaster," Azara accused, eyes narrowing as she glared at the headmaster, who was starting to falter.

"Mrs. Fire, I can assure you—" As the headmaster choked out excuses, Azara pulled from her memories of school and all the crazy parents she had seen interacting with the school staff. She held back a smirk before getting back into character.

Turning to Sokka, Azara grabbed him by the shoulder, shaking him lightly. "—See, Wang, this is exactly why I didn't want to move back to the mainland!" Azara sighed dramatically, her other hand resting over her heart.

"I thought that the prejudices against the colonies had finally stopped here on the mainland, but yet I hear night after night from my poor son that he's being harassed by his teachers and classmates for being a colonial." Azara wrapped her arms around Aang, who looked confused for a moment, before nodding and feigning distress.

"Mrs. Fire—"

"—You know when I went to school here on the mainland, I was taught all Fire Nation citizens were equally valuable to Fire Lord and the Fire Nation! But clearly your school and your teachers seem to think otherwise, Headmaster!"

"Mrs. Fire, you should know that we don't discriminate against—"

Azara stood up from her chair, her arm wrapped under her fake pregnant belly to keep it in place. "Headmaster unless you can provide me with decisive evidence that my son is a bully, I'm afraid this meeting is over," Azara snapped as Aang couldn't help but smile. Sokka merely stared up at his girlfriend with amazement as she easily manipulated the headmaster.

"But—"

"—I left three other screaming children at home with my sister and it's now past dinner time. So, unless you have anything to prove that my son is as big of a troublemaker as you're suggesting, I'm afraid my family and I will be leaving," Azara huffed, staring at the headmaster with an unimpressed expression on her face.

"Mrs. Fire—"

"—Good day, Headmaster!" Azara interrupted, causing the headmaster to look at her with wide eyes.

"But—"

"—Kuzon, let's go!" Azara snapped, spinning on her heel, and marching out of the room. Aang hurried to leave after her, eager to get out of there. Sokka got to his feet as the headmaster stared after Azara and Aang with an odd expression on his face.

"That's my wife," Sokka smiled, leaning on the headmaster's desk before pointing after Azara with his thumb.

"Wang!"

"Coming dear!" Sokka called before rushing out of the room.

The headmaster looked completely baffled as the family disappeared around the corner. He took a moment to process the interaction before leaning back in his chair. "What the flamey-o just happened?" the headmaster sighed, shaking his head.

Azara took long strides out of the school, staff ducking out of her way as Aang ran around her. "That was amazing! You really did know what you're doing!" Aang gushed as Azara smiled and wrapped an arm around the airbender's shoulders.

"Once I'm done teaching you firebending, young pupil, I can teach you the ways of crazy Fire Nation parent," Azara joked as Sokka caught up to them. "Believe me, I saw plenty of them growing up. I took from the best bits."

"That was amazing!" Sokka laughed as Azara smiled at her boyfriend. "You should have seen his face! He didn't know what to do!"

"Well, I'm just that amazing," Azara teased as Sokka wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to himself.

"You are," Sokka agreed before pressing his lips to Azara's own, causing Aang to groan and cover his eyes from beside them.

"Do you guys have to do that in public?" Aang asked as they walked towards the edge of town and back to the cave.

"Come on, we're not your parents if we don't embarrass you in public," Azara chuckled as she leaned into Sokka.

"I guess," Aang sighed as they turned a corner, the town disappearing behind a shelf of rocks.

"You know, maybe something good did come out of this whole thing. I'm really digging this beard," Sokka mentioned offhandedly as Azara grimaced beside him.

"Really?"

"What? Do you not like it?" Sokka asked as Azara shook her head.

"No, not really."

"Why? What's wrong with it?"

"It hides too much of your handsome face," Azara shrugged, winking up at her boyfriend before walking along. Sokka froze at her words, allowing Aang and Azara to walk a few paces ahead of him, before running after her.

"Have I mentioned how beautiful you look in Fire Nation clothes? I mean, you're always beautiful, but you know—"

"—I know," she chuckled before he pressed another kiss to her lips, Aang gagging in the background.

"Please don't do that at the party. I don't want you guys to scare away any of the kids."

"What party?" Azara and Sokka asked at the same time, looking at Aang with confusion.

"I'm going to throw all the kids from school a secret dance party," Aang revealed, pulling off his headband, smirking, and doing a dance move as they reached the mouth of the cave. Azara and Sokka's mouths dropped open in surprise at his suggestion.

"Go to your room!" Sokka demanded, converting back to his 'dad' voice as he pointed into the cave.

"But—" Aang protested as Azara placed her hands on her hips.

"—You heard your father!" Azara added, pointing into the cave as well. Aang sighed, lowering his head, before marching into the cave. As they watched him go, Sokka and Azara stood side by side, shaking their heads.

"He gets it from your side of the family," Sokka sighed as Azara shot him a look. "What?" Shaking her head, Azara walked into the cave, eager to remove the fake pregnant belly. "Azara? Azara! It was a joke!"

"You two really are sounding like an old married couple these days," Toph mumbled from her place beside the fire.

"We're not old," Azara retorted, crossing her arms over her chest.

"That's the part of her comment you had a problem with?" Katara giggled as Azara blushed, looking away from them.

"Aww, does someone have a crush on me?" Sokka asked as he walked over, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

"Sokka, we're dating," Azara replied in a deadpan.

"I know, but still. I love you too," Sokka replied, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"See? This is what I'm talking about," Aang sighed from beside Katara. "They're going to scare all the kids away acting like that!"

"I see what you mean," Toph agreed, nodding her head.

"Toph, you're blind," Katara pointed out as Toph shrugged her shoulders.

"The vibrations those two give off when they're around each other tell me more than enough," Toph stated as Azara and Sokka blushed darkly, sharing a look.

"I don't want to know," Katara grimaced, her face screwing up into a disgusted expression.

"Maybe you should just sleep with your feet up, Toph," Sokka suggested as Azara elbowed him in the side.

"Maybe you two shouldn't—"

"—Alright!" Azara interrupted Toph before she could blurt out the rest of her sentence. Sighing and rubbing her face tiredly, Azara turned to Aang. "Why don't we talk about your party instead, Aang?"

"What party?" Katara asked, turning to face Aang, who chuckled nervously under her gaze.

"Nice distraction," Sokka whispered into Azara's ear as Aang explained his plan to Katara and Toph. "Maybe enough to—"

Azara pinched him in his side, shooting him a look as he yelped quietly. "Nope, not after that conversation. And not until you remove that beard."

"But—"

"—Not even a chance, Sokka."

A.N. Hope you guys enjoyed it! Happy New Years again!