The Jaded Princess - A Sokka Love Story

Chapter Eight

The town was bustling with life with they arrived, and Orzala couldn't help but be amazed. She had never been in a town herself, since her grandfather had deemed it too dangerous. All she had ever know was the palace of Omashu.

Everyone seemed so happy and different. There were vendors at every corner with all types of products: foods, jewelry, hats (she laughed when Aang stopped at that one). The princess found herself in awe at every turn. Katara watched on with a small smile.

It's nice to have another girl around, she thought to herself as Orzala waltzed through the commotion, jade eyes wide as she tried to take everything in. But her thoughts were quickly cut short when her gaze drifted to the runaway from earlier.

"Orzala!" She gasped, snatching the girl's wrist and running toward the shop that he had just entered.

"Wha- Katara, slow down!"

The raven-haired girl furrowed her eyebrows as Katara dragged her in a small store, but her eyes widened in realization when she locked eyes with the boy before them. His own eyes widened in shock, before his expression turned to fear.

"Hey," Katara began, inching closer to the boy and the storekeep, "you're that kid! Why'd you run away before?" Orzala caught Sokka's eye from the door, motioning him and Aang over. The two quickly ran over, coming through the door as the stranger began to speak.

"You must have me confused with some other kid," he said, his green eyes wide and pleading as they met Orzala's. She frowned.

"Katara, maybe we should-"

"No she doesn't, we saw you earthbending," Aang accused, drawing gasps both from the boy and the shopkeeper. Orzala jumped, accidently bumping into Sokka as the doors and windows slammed shut around them. He glared down at her, and she quickly stepped away with a sheepish smile.

"They saw you what?" The woman exclaimed. Her face was etched with fear. The boy shook his head.

"They're crazy mom! I mean, look at how they're dressed!" The gang looked down at their clothes and frowned. The princess began to play with the end of her shawl, suddenly becoming selfconcious about her attire.

"You know how dangerous that is! You know what would happen if they caught you earthbending." Orzala stepped toward the older woman, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Who?" The woman turned to her, eyes widening slightly as she met the princess's gaze.

"I-"

The tense moment was broken as a loud knock resonated through the building.

"Open up!" A voice shouted, making the gang look at each other with fear. Sokka crept toward the window and peeked out the blinds. His breath caught in his throat as he observed the soldiers on the other side. "Fire Nation! Act natural!"

While the others scrambled together, Orzala kept her place by the old woman, standing at her side protectively as she opened the door. She didn't miss the grateful gaze the woman shot her way. The door opened slowly, and Orzala felt the air leave her lungs momentarily as the soldiers stomped inside. She'd never encountered a Fire Nation soldier up close.

The lead soldier's cold glare met hers, and she immediately set her lips into a scowl. He only smirked at her before turning, eyebrow raising as he took in the teenagers before him. Orzala nearly facepalmed at their sad attempt to 'act natural,' but she couldn't help but snort slightly when Aang fell into the water bucket.

The soldier turned back to the woman with a shake of his head. "What do you want?" She spat. "I've already paid you this week!"

"The tax just doubled," he told her, his smirk returning as he conjured a fire at his palm, "and we wouldn't want an accident, would we? Fire is sometimes so hard to control." Orzala growled lowly, taking a step forward. She paused when she felt a grip at her elbow and turned to see Sokka shaking his head.

The woman frowned, but retrieved the money from behind her desk and gave it to the soldier. His lips contorted into a snarl as he examined the poor change, but he walked on. He threw the copper coins on the floor behind him as he exited. "You can keep the copper ones."

The gang glowered at where the soldier had stood, several different emotions running through their heads as the door slammed shut once more. Sokka was the first to break the silence, turning back to the woman. "Nice guy," he remarked, "how long has the Fire Nation been here?" He heard a small cough beside him and turned to Orzala. His fingers were still gripping her arm tightly, but the boy quickly released her with a cough. He turned back around quickly, silently cursing himself as he felt blood rush to his cheeks.

"Five years," The shopkeeper stated, crouching to pick up her coins. "Firelord Ozai uses our town's coal mine to fuel his ships."

"They're thugs," the boy spat from behind his mother. "They steal from us. And everyone here is too much of a coward to do anything about it!"

"Quiet, Haru! Don't talk like that!"

Katara frowned. "But Haru's an earthbender! He can help!"

"Earthbending is forbidden!" The woman explained with a scowl. "It's caused nothing but misery for this village. He must never use his abilities." Orzala felt her heart clench.

"How can you say that?" She asked quietly, drawing the group's attention. "Haru has a wonderful gift!"

Katara nodded beside her, stalking toward the boy. "Asking him not to earthbend is like asking me not to waterbend. It's a part of who we are!" The woman shook her head slowly, a sad look overcoming her features. Her shoulders sagged, and Orzala touched Katara's shoulder in an attempt to stop her.

"I understand that Haru can help you fight back. What can the Fire Nation do to you that they haven't done already?" The brunette snapped, unable to understand why someone would willingly live under the Fire Nation in such a way.

"Katara, leave them be-"

"They could take Haru away!" The woman burst out, making the gang freeze, "like they took his father." Orzala's eyes darted to the boy's- Haru- and she held his gaze for a short moment before he looked away. Katara looked stunned beside her, head whipping toward Haru.

"I-I'm sorry... I didn't know."