The Officer and the Princess: The Flames Of War

Chapter 15

Sung sat across from Azula inside the Officers Dining Hall. Not much had changed since he was last here, maybe some of the tables and chairs had been updated but other than that the same old room he had spent the last remaining days of his Service in. Until now that was. Truthfully Sung hadn't exactly wanted to join the Military again, there were parts of it he missed, the order, the structure, the friends he had. But the horrors he had seen and the things he had done during his time with the Army outweighed the good memories he had. But if war was coming Sung knew where he needed to be if that happened. A Yangs place was in uniform, defending his Fire Lord..wether he believed the threat to be true or not.

Chopsticks in hand Sung picked up pieces of Komodo Chicken and shoveled them into his mouth in a rather undignified fashion. This wasn't a time to enjoy a delicious meal, right now the food in front of him was simply energy to allow him to fight harder and longer. A soldier needed Calories to keep fighting. Ever since Kretin Valley and he had been without food or water  he ate every meal like it was his last. His method of eating was in complete contrast to Azula who seemed to just be picking at her meal, taking small bites here and there.

"There's something on your mind." Sung said as he picked up another piece of Chicken and plopped it into his mouth, the meat was savory, hints of garlic, and a sweet but spicy sauce coating it.

"Just thinking." Azula said with a shrug. Picking up a piece of her own chicken and chewing on it. "You eat like a pig, you know that?"

"Haven't eaten much since I left Sun Dao." Sung replied. "But you're trying to change the subject. What are you thinking about?"

Azula looked up at him, her jaw slowly moving up and down. "You're nosy too..." she said.

"I'm not being nosy, I simply what to know where your head is at." Sung leaned forward. "We are heading into a dangerous situation and I need to know that I can count on you"

Azula hummed. "So you don't trust me either...shouldn't be surprised."

Sung grimaced, she was twisting his words on him. "I do trust you Azula, if I didn't I wouldn't be coming with you. But I need to know that when the fighting starts you'll have my back."

"You don't have to worry Sung. If there is fighting to be had I'll fight...I'm a little rusty though. Haven't practiced in awhile." Azula said, flashing a sad smile. "If I did everyone would have known who I was...I'd have to leave the life I made....I didn't want to run anymore."

Sung sat back in his chair. "Ma'inka...you're sure your people are there?" Sung asked now him being the one to change the Subject.

"They aren't "my" people any more...but Ma'inka is where I left them last. They are in the Jungle somewhere...thick, plenty of places to hide. We liked that sort of place...many of the...girls didn't like being out in the open."

"Why did you leave?" Sung then asked.

Azula paused for a moment, looking at Sung as if he had just asked her how it felt to watch her favorite play be butchered. "After my last...attempt against Zuko many of "my" warriors had been either captured or vanished in the wind...those I still had left began to question me...woman named Zirin took control out from under me and I was left behind. I guess I wasn't the leader I used to be." She took another bite of her meal. "I wandered around after that, did some petty crimes here and there. Worked a few odd jobs to get meals. Then I went to...Izui, a woman found me on the verge of death, she nursed me back to health...fed me, I felt indebted to her...been working in her bar ever since."

Sung but down on his lower lip. What had been a single question had spawned quite literally a life story. Sung didn't mind it, he listened in silence. "You could have come to me...I would have helped you."