The Jaded Princess - A Sokka Love Story

Chapter Thirteen

The day had gone on without much more action. Orzala had talked more with Haru and Tyro, silently envying the relationship they had. She had never known her father, and according to her grandfather, she would've never wanted to. But still... it would've been nice to have something like that.

Her grandfather had been splendid- a wonderful teacher, a protective and loving relative- but he could not replace the spot in her heart that was meant for her parents.

The sun had not even begun to set when they were forced into their sleeping quarters. Katara made sure to keep Orzala close, knowing that Aang and her brother would be coming for them. She had not, however, had time to inform the princess of their plan. Needless to say, when they were woken in the middle of the night, she was not surprised by the flailing of the girl beside her.

"Aang?! Sokka? What the hell?! Never scare me like that again or I swear I'll crush you!" Katara couldn't help but laugh as the princess scolded the boys, and she laughed even harder at the look of fear that crossed both of their faces. The four of them quietly crept toward the edge of the ship where Appa was waiting.

"Your twelve hours are up, Katara. Where's Haru? We gotta get out of here." Sokka and Aang rushed to get on the sky bison, but Katara lingered, looking back toward the ship.

"I can't." Orzala groaned loudly, running a hand down her face.

"Sweet mother of dragons, Katara! I just want to sleep!"

"We don't have much time, there are guards everywhere. Get on!" Sokka pleaded, reaching out a hand for his sister, but she only looked back to the ship. Sokka's gaze drifted to Orzala, and she gave him a deadpan stare. They both knew what Katara was thinking, and neither of them liked it. That much was clear. Aang broke the silence.

"Katara, whats wrong?"

"I'm not leaving," she told them, determinationclear on her features. "I'm not giving up on these people." Orzala whined, resting her head heavily against one of the metal bars.

"Of course you're not."

"What do you mean you're not leaving?!" Sokka exclaimed, scrambling off Appa to face his sister. He looked at her as if she was insane, and quite honestly, Orzala wasn't all convinced that she wasn't. All she wanted was to lay down and rest. Her back felt as if it was on fire all over again, and she was sure that it was bleeding once more. She had moved way too much, and the wounds had grown aggravated.

She felt all of her energy drain from her at once, and she slumped heavily against the bars. Sokka noticed this, and he took quick strides toward her. Orzala jumped slightly as he gripped her elbow, pulling her toward him and looping an arm around her torso to steady her. Her green eyes drifted to his face in confusion, but he would not meet her gaze. "You're not well, you need to sit."

Her eyes turned cold. "I believe I'm capable of handling myself, thank you." He finally looked at her, blue eyes calculating as he raised his eyebrow. In a sudden movement, he removed himself from her, and she immediately began to sway with unsteadiness. One step and she began to crumple, but he caught her gently.

"I can see that," he told her, once again looping his arm around her and steadying her. She frowned, but refrained from objecting further. He held her steady as she lowered herself to the ground, and she sent him a grateful nod once he settled beside her.

"We can't abandon these people!" Katara hissed to her brother. "There has to be a way to help them."

"She's right," Orzala relented, slumping against Sokka. His eyes widened slightly, but he didn't protest. "We can't just leave them high and dry. They have families that they need to get back to." Aang's gaze flitted back and forth between the two girls, and he nodded.

"Maybe they're right. There has to be something we can do. What do you say Sokka?" He shook his head, and they all frowned.

"I say you're all crazy!" A light flashed their way, and Sokka pulled Orzala against him, quickly scooting back and out of sight sight. "Last chance! We need to leave now!" Katara turned to him, scowling.

"No!" He huffed, rubbing a hand down his face.

"I really hate when you get like this." Orzala cleared her throat beside him, and that was when he noticed that he was still holding her tight to his side. Heat rushed to his face, and he let go slowly with a cough. "C'mon, we'd better hide."

The group snuck away quietly, and Orzala couldn't help but watch Appa fly away with sad eyes. She really hoped that they would be able to free these people and get off this stupid rig. Katara slowed, falling in step with her friend. She smirked slightly.

"What?" Orzala questioned, which only caused Katara's smirk to grow.

"I think Sokka is warming up to you." The princess's eyes bulged, and she shook her head quickly.

"I doubt it. He's only being nice because I'm hurt."

"Uh-huh. If you ask me, he seemed pretty worried when he heard you were gone." Orzala rolled her eyes.

"I doubt that. I don't think he worries about anything more than his own pride. And you, of course." Katara only shrugged.

They eventually found shelter among some boxes, which they moved to guard them from sight. Once they were sure they were hidden, the group began trying to form a plan.

"We don't have much time. What are we gonna do?" Aang thought for a moment.

"I wish I knew how to make a hurricane!" The others looked at him, clearly unimpressed. "The warden would run away and then we could steal his keys!"

"Wouldn't he just take his keys with him?"

"Yeah, and let's not forget that we're on a rig in the middle of an ocean!" Orzala deadpanned as she crossed her arms. "Any other bright ideas?"

Aang frowned at Orzala and Sokka. "Hey, I'm just tossing ideas around!"

"We tried talking the earthbenders into fighting back, but it didn't work. If only there was a way to help them help themselves..."

"For that, they would need some type of earth, or some rock- something they can bend."

"But this entire place is made of metal."

Orzala frowned at Katara's words, looking away. When she raised her gaze, an idea began to form in her head, and she lightly hit Aang. He raised an eyebrow toward her, and she pointed toward the billow of smoke above them. He gasped.

"No it's not! See that smoke?"

"I bet they're burning coal," Orzala cut in, a smirk forming on her lips. "In other words, earth!"