Azara sighed as her tutor smacked her back once again. "I said keep that back straight, Princess Azara! You cannot be walking around like some simple peasant! Again!"

Straightening up again, Azara walked slowly across the carpet, the stupid dress they had made her wear swishing around her. Turning around with her hands clasped together beneath her sleeves, Azara waited for the verdict.

"Better," her teacher sighed, studying her again.

Azara stood rigid as the older woman stalked around her, trying to find any and all flaws in her appearance. A servant stood to the side, ready to write down everything that her tutor decided to nitpick. No doubt that her father was probably sent a copy of it.

"You'll need to add more rouge. Her cheeks look sullen. That won't do." Azara glared at the woman as she continued to circle her. "And we need to do something about those circles under your eyes, Princess. And what happened to your eyes?"

Clenching her jaw, Azara looked away for a moment. "Allergies," she snipped returning her eyes, which were twinged with red, back to her teacher.

"Well, then you need to properly steam every morning to lessen the effects," the woman huffed, sending a look over to the servant to make sure she was writing everything down. "But I suppose that's enough for today. Princess Azara."

With a quick bow, Azara was hurrying out of the room, eager to return to the sanctuary of her room. It was the only place in the entire palace where she didn't feel the need to vomit over everything. However, on the last turn, Azara paused when she spotted Izen in the hallway, clearly looking for her. Hoping to slip away unnoticed, Azara cursed as Izen called out to her.

"Azara, I saw you," he stated as he walked over. Stepping out from behind the wall, Azara crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Izen as he approached. "I've been looking for you."

"Why?" Azara snapped as Izen sighed.

"Can we at least be civil to each other?" he pleaded as Azara's glare intensified.

"Why should I be civil with you?" Azara demanded, uncrossing her arms.

"Can we please just talk? I'll explain everything and anything you want," Izen promised as Azara looked away for a moment.

"Fine," she grumbled out before following after Izen.

They walked in collective silence through the halls before ending up at one of the courtyards she had frequented as a small child. Sitting under the shade of the cherry blossom tree, Azara waited for Izen to start the conversation. If he wanted to talk to her, he would need to be the one to initiate. There was no way that she was going to be the one to start this conversation.

"First of all, I'm sorry for how I treated you in the past."

"Just in the past?" Azara snipped, causing Izen to straighten up.

"Alright, then I'm also sorry for how I greeted you, for being engaged to you, and for everything that's happened so far since you were released." Azara didn't say anything, merely glaring at the ground at his apology. "I know an engagement wasn't what you were expecting . . . and I wish we got the time to warm up to each other again beforehand, but I really do think we can make it work, Azara."

"What if I don't want to make it work?" Azara asked, shooting him a glare. "I don't want to marry you."

"Look, if I had it completely my way, I wouldn't be here either," Izen grumbled out, causing Azara to scoff and roll her eyes. "We're both being forced into this, Azara."

"Don't act like we're in the same boat here," Azara warned, her golden eyes flashing. "You volunteered to marry me. At least, that's what you told Zuko and Azula." Her voice dripped with venom, clearly unhappy with his presence.

"I would think you out of everyone here would understand what it's like to have a . . . controlling father," Izen muttered as Azara looked at him with an odd look. "My father controls my life too, you know. You're not the only one being forced to do something."

"You think that we're the same?" Azara huffed, shaking her head. "I know I'm a little naïve, but I'm not fucking stupid, Izen. Your father is not my father. And don't begin to insinuate that."

"I wasn't," Izen replied, his tone slightly harsh. "But I'm just saying, we both have someone hanging over our shoulder about this. And I know your father threatened something, which is the only reason you even agreed to this whole thing in the first place. But you're not the only person here with something to lose."

"I never said I was," Azara replied, annoyance seeping into her tone. "I'm just saying that one of us was literally in chains a few days ago and one of us was not. You do the math, Izen."

"Azara, please. I really think that we can make this work," Izen tried to plead with her. "We got along so well in the past and—"

"—Right, when you were manipulating me," Azara interjected, shooting him a look. "When you pretended to care about me and then one day just decided that I was an annoying little girl that was far too unimportant to even talk to anymore."

"I didn't think that!"

"Well, you had an odd way of reacting then," Azara scoffed, moving to stand. "I don't need to listen to this, honestly."

As Azara took a few steps away, Izen called out to her again. "My father was the one who told me to say those things to you!" Azara paused, turning on her heel as she stared back at him with a hard expression on her face.

"What the hell are you talking about?" she demanded as Izen looked to the ground before continuing.

"My father. He told me I had to cut off contact with you after your father was crowned Fire Lord. He never said why, but . . . I didn't want to lose you."

"And yet you still did," Azara responded simply before turning around and walking away again. She could hear Izen behind her and prepared to throw a fire blast straight at his head when he jumped in front of her.

"Why won't you even give me a second chance?"

"I don't need to give you anything," Azara stated as Izen blocked her escape again. "Get out of the way!"

"Why won't you give our marriage a try?"

"We're not married!" Azara snapped, pushing past him, and storming towards the palace again. "And we never will be!"

"Azara, I'm just trying to help!"

"Well, I don't need your help!"

"Is there something going on? Why are you so against marrying me?" Izen demanded as Azara rolled her eyes at him.

"Has it occurred to you that I don't love you? Frankly, I'm not even sure that I like you," Azara spoke as Izen approached her again.

"It's an arranged marriage. We can learn to love each other."

"I never will," Azara vowed, glaring back at Izen. "And therefore, I will never actually agree to marry you."

"Is there someone else? Do you love someone else?" Izen demanded, his eyes narrowing slightly as Azara glared at him.

"Even if I did, that's none of your business," Azara partially lied with her eyes narrowed. "You cannot force people to fall in love with you, Izen."

"Azara, you need to be honest with me," Izen tried, but Azara pushed him away.

"Has it occurred to you that you're not that attractive? Or kind? Or anything that a woman would look for in a partner?" Azara jabbed, before turning around and walking away once more.

"You know, if there is someone you love out there, or in here, or wherever, you're only putting them at risk by trying to stop our marriage," Izen warned as Azara clenched her jaw shut, her fists shaking in her sleeves. "Your father isn't going to risk anything to stop this wedding, so you need to be honest with me, Azara. I can help you."

"I'm not lying," Azara growled out as she and Izen locked eyes once more.

"Look me in the eye and say you don't love anyone," he insisted, taking a step closer to Azara.

"I don't love anyone," Azara stated coldly, subconsciously grabbing at the golden band around her wrist. "Especially you, Izen."

Marching back to her room, Azara threw open the doors before slamming them shut behind her. Resting her head against the cool wood, Azara slipped to the ground, clutching her knees to her chest as a few tears slipped out.

After a moment, Azara got to her feet shakily and walked to the edge of her bed. Kneeling on the ground, Azara felt around for the dip in the carpet before yanking it back. Sliding her fingers under the loose floorboard, Azara yanked up the wood before staring down into the small alcove hidden under her bed.

She had found the small hole in the floor as a child and often hid her most precious possessions in there. Staring down into the hole, Azara smiled painfully as she stared down at the old dragon plushie she and Azula had won at the Fire Day Festival all those years ago.

Trailing her eyes down, Azara picked up the small Fire Nation pin. It had belonged to Lu Ten and he had given it to her before he set out for Ba Sing Se. Placing the pin back in its place, Azara stared down at the small dagger Zuko had given her when Iroh sent him a larger one.

Pushing the memories to the side, Azara picked up the small jewelry box in the corner of the hole. Opening the small box, Azara stared at the name engraved into the wood. Princess Ursa. Azara placed the box down on the ground before turning to her wrist, pulling back the sleeve.

More tears streamed down her cheeks as she slowly pulled the golden band off her wrist. Holding it in the palm of her hand, Azara trailed a single finger over the cactus charm before letting out a quiet sob. "I'm so sorry, Sokka," she whispered out before placing the bracelet into a box. Closing and latching the box, Azara carefully tucked it into the gap in the floor before hiding the hole once more.

Along with all other happy memories of her past.

She tried to rationalize it to herself. She couldn't lose the bracelet. It was literally the only physical reminder she had of the last few months of her life. Azula was suspicious, so was Izen, a couple of servants had already seen it—she couldn't risk it. She'd just have to bury it here, only to pull it out when she was truly safe and alone.

"I'm so sorry, Sokka," Azara whispered out, lowering her head as more tears streamed down her cheeks.

*|*|*|*|*

Meanwhile, a few islands away from the Fire Nation capital, Sokka woke up from his place beside the forge. Quickly getting to his feet, he shoveled more coal into the fire. Piandao approached, a proud smile on his face as he saw Sokka getting back to work despite the late hour.

"You're quite determined to see this through, Sokka," Piandao commented as Sokka looked up from the coal pile.

"I'm not going to fail again," Sokka replied quietly, picking up another shovel full and tossing it into the fire.

Piandao raised an eyebrow at Sokka's comment, taking a few small steps towards the Water Tribe boy. "We all fail sometimes, Sokka. It makes a great master to recognize your mistakes and to learn from them."

"Thank you, Master."

"Goodnight, Sokka," Piandao replied, about to walk off when he stopped, turning back to Sokka. "And Sokka?"

"Yeah?"

"I may not know what failure you're referring to . . . but I have faith that you'll rectify the situation in the near future."

"Thank you, Master."

Piandao walked off, leaving Sokka alone with his thoughts. Tossing another coal shovel-full into the fire, Sokka stopped, wiping the sweat from his brow. He stepped away from the forge for a moment and into the cooler embrace of the night air. Staring up at the moon, Sokka sighed for a moment, lowering his head to gather his thoughts before looking back up at the moon.

"I'm coming, Azara. Just a few more weeks. I promise."

A.N. Since so many of you guys liked the little fluff AU bit of the Headband chapter, I thought I'd make one for Sokka's Master too. Hope you guys enjoy it!

Azara sat beside Toph as Master Piandao spoke to Sokka, who was kneeling in front of him. "Sokka, when you first arrived, you were so unsure. You even seemed down on yourself. But I saw something in you right away. I saw a heart as strong as a lion turtle, and twice as big. And as we trained, it wasn't your skills that impressed me. No, it certainly wasn't your skills."

Azara winced along with everyone else as Piandao picked up Sokka's sword. "You showed something beyond that," Piandao continued before unsheathing the blade. "Creativity, versatility, intelligence . . . these are the traits that define a great swordsman. And these are the traits that define you." Piandao sheathed the sword once more before holding it out to Sokka, who accepted it.

"You told me you didn't know if you were worthy, but I believe that you are more worthy than any man I have ever trained," Piandao stated as he stood up. Azara's eyes widened slightly at the praise before her gaze fell on Sokka, who lowered his head in shame.

"I'm sorry, Master. You're wrong. I am not worthy. I'm not who you think I am. I'm not from the Fire Nation. I'm from the Southern Water Tribe," Sokka revealed as his friends gaped at him.

"What is he doing?" Azara whispered anxiously as Toph shook her head.

"Being Sokka."

"I lied so that I could learn swordsmanship from you. I'm sorry," Sokka continued, offering the sword back to Piandao, who stared down at him with a hard expression.

"I'm sorry too."

Piandao quickly turned around and swung his sword at Sokka. As Sokka avoided the attack, his friends leapt to their feet, ready for battle. Sokka swung his own sword, blocking Piandao's attack before raising his hand to stop his friends from running forward.

"No, this is my fight. Alone."

As Piandao and his servant walked down to the sword fighting ring to prepare for the duel, Azara ran forward and grabbed Sokka's arm. "What are you doing?" she hissed, pulling him around to face her.

"This is my fight. I can handle this," Sokka promised as Toph, Aang, and Katara walked up behind Azara. "I know what I'm doing."

"Sokka, why did you tell him that you were Water Tribe?" Katara asked, looking at her brother worriedly.

"I couldn't lie anymore. Not after what he said," Sokka replied as Aang nodded, seeming to understand.

"We'll be right there if you need us."

"Thanks, guys," Sokka smiled as Aang, Katara, and Toph filed out of the room. Sokka turned to Azara, who still looked unsure. "Hey, I'll be alright. Don't you trust me?" Sokka tried to joke, grabbing her hand as Azara shot him a look.

"Your life is worth more than your honor," Azara stated firmly, clearly looking like she disagreed with his choice. "You don't have to prove anything to him, or to me, or to anyone else out there, okay? I know you think that somehow you contribute less just because you can't bend, which is complete and utter bullshit and I've already told you a thousand times that I don't care—"

Azara's rambling was cut off by Sokka's lips on her own, causing her eyes to widen for a moment before she returned the kiss. The two held onto each other for a moment before they pulled away, resting their foreheads against each other's. Azara sighed, staring at Sokka through her lashes. "Just don't do anything stupid. Please."

"I'll try not to," Sokka replied with a small smile before turning to head down to the ring. Azara stepped outside, standing beside Toph as Sokka took his place across from Piandao. She watched nervously as they got into fighting stances, gripping the edge of the balcony with her hands.

Sokka held his sword with his hands close to his head while Piandao took a wider stance, pointing his sword at the ground. Then, Piandao lunged forward, forcing Sokka back. Sokka managed to parry each of Piandao's strikes before he swung forward himself. The two continued to lunge and parry until Piandao pushed Sokka back after blocking another thrust.

Azara winced as Sokka rolled back and grabbed the front post of a small bridge. Sokka hurried to climb the bridge before leaping to the other side as Piandao ran over. Sokka managed to avoid Piandao's swings, jumping and rolling around the bridge as Piandao prepared to swing again.

"Excellent! Using your superior agility against an older opponent . . . smart," Piandao commented before charging at Sokka, who readied his blade.

Azara leaned further on the railing, trying to get a better view of the fight as Sokka was thrown back into a stone wall. "Come on, Sokka," she whispered as he dodged and ducked under Piandao's slices. Sokka hopped up, pushing off the wall, and thrusting the sword towards Piandao, who deflected the attack.

Sokka quickly scrambled up the opposite wall before spinning around to throw a few swings down at Piandao. "Good use of terrain . . . fighting from the high ground," Piandao stated as he blocked Sokka's swings.

Piandao thrust his blade forward at Sokka's legs. In response, Sokka spun around and pinned Piandao's blade under his own, weighing it down. Piandao tried to dislodge the blade before stepping forward and pushing his sword up, throwing Sokka off it. He stumbled back into a stalk of bamboo.

"Come on, Sokka. Get up, get up," Azara pleaded as Piandao climbed up the wall.

Sokka ducked under another swing, before rushing into the bamboo thicket and out of sight from the house with Piandao close behind him. They could make out the sound of slicing and yelling, but otherwise there was no sign of either Sokka or Piandao.

"Here they come," Toph spoke, feeling the vibrations.

Azara turned back to the bamboo as Sokka burst out of the thicket, screaming as Piandao chased after him. Piandao cut to the side as Sokka looked back. Azara squeaked, covering her eyes with her hands as Piandao stuck out his blade, Sokka sliding under it, and avoiding the blade.

Sokka scrambled to his feet again before stabbing his sword into the cracks between the tiles. Spinning around, Sokka flung the dirt back at Piandao, blinding him. Piandao spun around, holding his sword behind him as he repositioned himself.

"Very resourceful," Piandao praised before turning his head to the side to listen for Sokka.

Sokka slowly raised his sword defensively, trying to sneak away quietly. He took a few steps away before stepping on a twig, snapping it. Piandao immediately leapt into action, rushing forward as Sokka prepared himself for the attack. Piandao thrust his blade forward, which Sokka managed to parry. However, Piandao expertly swung his sword around, flinging Sokka's blade out of his hands.

Piandao moved to swing again at Sokka, who jumped backwards to avoid it. Sokka grunted as he landed on his back, defenseless as Piandao turned and pointed his sword at him. Azara was first to jump down from the balcony, Aang, Katara, and Toph just behind her as they rushed Piandao. However, before they could do anything, Piandao swung his sword away from Sokka's face.

"Excellent work, Sokka," Piandao nodded as Sokka stared curiously up at his master. Piandao raised his hand, signaling to his butler. Spinning around, Piandao turned and held out his sword as his scabbard flew right onto his blade. "I think I'm a little old to be fighting the Avatar . . . and the runaway Fire Nation princess."

"How did you know?" Aang asked, standing up as Azara eyes widened slightly.

"Oh, I've been around a while. You pick things up," Piandao shrugged, taking a cloth, and wiping the dirt from his face. "Of course, I knew from the beginning that Sokka was Water Tribe. You might want to think of a better Fire Nation cover name. Try Lee, there's a million Lee's."

"But why would you agree to train someone from the Water Tribe?" Katara questioned, taking a step forward.

"The way of the sword doesn't belong to any one nation," Piandao began, placing the rag down.

"Knowledge of the arts belongs to us all," Azara finished, causing Piandao to shoot her a smile as her friends stared at her in confusion.

"How did you know that?" Sokka asked, glancing between Piandao and Azara.

"I heard him say it every time I came here," Azara shrugged, acting like that answered more questions than it raised. Seeing the confused expressions on her friend's faces, Azara decided to continue. "Zuko used to take some lessons with Master Piandao when we were kids and I tagged along more than once."

"Azara was quite the markswoman," Piandao agreed, nodding along. "When she remembered her blade, that is." Azara smiled and nodded to Piandao, who turned to give his sword to his butler.

Piandao walked over, grabbing Sokka's blade, before turning back to Sokka. "Sokka, you must continue your training on your own. If you stay on this path, I know that one day, you will become an even greater master than I am." Sokka smiled warmly at Piandao words, before the two bowed to each other respectfully.

As Sokka went to change and collect his things from Piandao's mansion, Piandao approached Azara. "It's good to see you again, Azara."

"You as well, Master Piandao," Azara smiled, bowing to Piandao. "And thank you for not killing my boyfriend," she added with a joking tone as Piandao chuckled.

"Of course. Sokka has a certain . . . endearing quality about him. He has great potential once he finds the courage already inside of him," Piandao commented as Azara smiled and nodded in response. "He will be an excellent swordsman and leader in the future. Though, I'm sure you had no doubts on the subject."

Sokka walked over, his sword strapped to his back. "So, when were you going to tell me about your sword-phase, then?" Sokka asked, glancing between Azara and Piandao.

"I didn't use a sword, Sokka."

"But . . . I thought—"

"—The swords were much too big for her the last time she was here," Piandao interjected, waving for his servant, who brought over a smaller and thinner blade with a handle.

"You threw knives?" Sokka deduced as Azara picked it up, weighing it in her hand.

She glanced at the wall, where an old target lay, and turned, releasing the blade with a quick flick of her arm. It sunk into the wood, on the edge of the red center mark. "I dabbled," she shrugged as Sokka stared at her in amazement. "Haven't really done it in a while."

"Right, because your aim is so terrible," Sokka commented sarcastically as Azara rolled her eyes playfully at him.

While Azara walked off to join Aang, Katara, and Toph, Sokka moved to follow, but he was stopped by Piandao. "Sokka, one last word of advice," Master Piandao stated, placing a hand on Sokka's shoulder, pulling him back from his friends.

"Yes Master?" Sokka asked, turning around to face Piandao. The older master glanced at Sokka's friends before turning back to the Water Tribe boy.

"A flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all," Piandao recited as Sokka raised an eyebrow, not understanding the metaphor.

". . . Master?"

"You don't meet a girl like that every dynasty," Piandao translated after a moment as Sokka's eyes widened in realization.

"You don't have to tell me twice, Master," he nodded along with a sheepishly smile.

"Safe travels, Sokka." Piandao smiled, waving as Sokka walked away.

The Gaang walked out of Piandao's mansion through the front gates, about to descend down the hill when the sound of footsteps caused them to pause. "Wait!" Piandao's servant called after them as they turned around to face him. "The Master wanted you to have this, as something to remember him by."

The butler handed over a small bag to Sokka before they bowed to each other. As Piandao's butler walked off, Sokka opened the small bag. "It's a Pai Sho tile," Sokka realized as he dumped the bag into his hand.

"Not just any Pai Sho tile. The White Lotus," Azara pointed out, staring down at the tile. "My uncle gave me one before I left Zuko's ship."

"What does it mean?"

"I have no idea," Sokka spoke as the doors closed behind them. The group turned around, their eyes landing on the white lotus design on the doors.

"I wouldn't worry about it. If it's important, we'll figure it out," Azara replied, placing a hand on Sokka's shoulder as he tucked the tile into his pocket.

"Yeah, you're probably right," Sokka agreed, wrapping an arm around her waist as they started walking down the hill. "So, what did you guys do while I was gone?"

"Katara suggested that I marry you," Azara shrugged nonchalantly as Sokka's eyes widened.

"What?"

"I said I missed you. And I believe her actual phrase was 'if you miss him so much, why don't you marry him'," Azara recounted, thinking back to the other day.

"She was trying to make a joke," Aang added from in front of them.

"Key word is trying," Toph joked as Katara huffed.

"Oh, everyone's a critic."

"So . . . what did you say in response?" Sokka asked as Azara raised an eyebrow, glancing over at him with a surprised look.

"It was just a bad joke."

"But . . . metaphorically speaking . . . what would your response have been?" Sokka continued, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You really want to know?" Azara questioned, her cheeks tinting pink.

"You know what I didn't miss? Those love bird moments you inflict on the rest of us," Toph interjected, leading the way down the hill.

Azara and Sokka walked side by side for a moment in silence before Azara turned back to Sokka. "Maybe when we're a little older . . . and the world's not falling apart . . . and my family's not trying to kill us . . . then . . . yeah, probably yes," she finally spoke, a light blush still staining her cheeks.

"I'll take that as a yes then," Sokka replied, grabbing her hand with his own.

"It was really a maybe at best," Toph called over her shoulder, causing Sokka to shoot her a look.

"Do you mind? We're trying to have a moment!"

"Do you have to do it in front of us though?"

"Technically, we're behind you guys," Azara pointed out, raising a finger as she smiled.

"That's my girlfriend!" Sokka laughed, high-fiving Azara, who giggled in response.

"Oh no, he's finally corrupted her," Toph warned ominously as Katara shook her head at all of them.

A.N. I'm trying to end every update with some fluff since there's a lot of other angst going on but hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and AU bit!

Thanks for reading, commenting, and voting and stay safe!

Also, another shout out to ScribbleBee for making another drawing for this story (the scene that made everyone sad at the end of Book 1) so go check it out on her page!