The Jaded Princess - A Sokka Love Story

Chapter Twenty

They had flown right into the break of morning, and it wasn't long before Orzala woke. Katara and Sokka hung over the edge of the saddle, both siblings on the lookout for anything Fire Nation below them. The princess pushed herself up and stretched, green gaze flickering between the two. "Why didn't anyone wake me?"

"Sokka said you looked too pretty and peaceful in your sleep to wake you." The boy whipped around to glare at his sister, feeling the tips of his ears turn pink from embarrassment.

"I did not!" Katara smirked, eyes flashing toward the princess between them. Orzala sat wide eyed and dazed before turning to the eldest sibling. A smirk curled her lips upward.

"So, you think I'm pretty?" Sokka's mouth fell open and his heart raced as she bat her eyelashes teasingly at him.

"I- uh, no? I mean you are but I-"

The girls began to laugh loudly as he stumbled over his words, and he eventually gave up, turning and pouting as he watched for Fire Nation ships once again. Katara and Orzala shared a smile before focusing on the water below. Aang urged Appa to go faster, and the motion knocked the princess off balance and into Sokka. She shot him a sheepish grin.

"Aang, we got trouble!" Katara called suddenly, causing Orzala's eyes to widen. She scrambled off Sokka and ran to Katara's side. Her heart dropped when she spotted a Fire Nation ship below them. The boy popped up beside her, eyes growing as he observed the ship's speed.

"Yeah, and it's gaining fast!" Orzala narrowed her eyes when she spotted a catapult on the ship.

"Aang, they've got catapults!"

"Fireball!"

"I'm on it!" Orzala gripped the sadlle tightly as Aang manuvered Appa to the side, and the burning mass barely missed them. A rancid scent filled the air, and the princess felt the strong urge to hurl. She didn't, however, and pinched her nose tightly in hopes of blocking out the smell.

"We have to get out of Zuko's range before he throws another hot stinker at us!"

Sokka held back a gag as he called to Aang, "can't you make Appa go any faster?!"

Orzala shook her head and allowed her gaze to drift in front of them. Her breath caught at the sight in front of them. "Uh, guys- there's a blockade!" Her friends whipped around to look at the line of Fire Navy ships, and Orzala felt dread weigh heavy on her chest. "Aang, is there another way around?"

"If we fly north we can go around the Fire Nation ships and avoid the blockade. That's the only other way!"

She gritted her teeth and shook her head, nervously chewing her nail as she stared at the ships up ahead. "There's no time for that, we'd never reach the temple in time." Aang seethed, shooting a glance back at them.

"This is exactly why I didn't want you to come! It's too dangerous!"

"And that's exactly why we're here!" Katara shot back, and Aang huffed, facing forward again.

"Let's run this blockade!"

"Appa! Yip, yip!" The sky bison let out a mighty roar, and Orzala grasped onto the saddle so hard that her knuckles began to turn white.

"This is most probably a bad idea." A tense moment passed as they looked below, and suddenly fireballs were raining down on them from every direction. A hoarse scream tore from Orzala's throat, and she ducked down in the saddle with her eyes squeezed tightly shut. She felt Appa weaving thorugh the wave of fire, and then she felt an overwhelming heat. Her eyes flew open, only to be met with the dark cloud of smoke that surrounded them.

As they passed through the smoke, Appa released a pained groan, and the princess leaned over to see that the bison's fur was on fire. "Oh no!" She hurridley patted out the flames, along with Sokka and Katara, and Aang steered his friend higher into the sky for cover.

"Appa, are you ok?!" The bison only roared in response. As they shot through the clouds, Orzala released a breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding, shooting the siblings a tense smile. Another bout of fireballs pierced the clouds, and the group screamed once more as Appa evaded the onslaught as best he could. There was nothing to be done, however, when two fireballs collided right in front of the creature.

Appa stuttered through the blast, jostling the gang in the saddle, and Orzala's blood ran cold when Sokka flew from beside her. "Sokka!" She reached for him, but they were moving too fast in the wrong direction. With a shout of terror, he disappeared into the clouds. "Spirits! Aang, do something!"

The airbender steered Appa downwards, gray eyes scanning the sky frantically for his friend. Orzala spotted him first, and quickly pointed him out to Aang. "There! Go, go, go!" They plummetted downward, rapidly approaching the water, and Orzala outstretched her arm to the boy. Sokka grabbed her wrist, and she yanked him into the saddle beside her right as Appa leveled out and skimmed the water.

The force caused Sokka to land on top of the girl, and Orzala felt her face flush as their gazes met. "Thanks," he breathed, icy eyes locked on her green ones, and she flashed a sheepish grin.

"Y-yeah, no problem." He cleared his throat, scrambling off of her to sit by Katara at the head of the saddle, but Orzala still laid there, dazed for a moment. Slowly, she sat up, turning to see a giant fireball hurtling staright toward them. It was sure to hit them head on.

Aang suddenly jumped off of Appa, propelling himself forward and sending ablast of air toward the incoming blast. Orzala let out a triumphant shout when the fireball disentagrated, and she was quick to help the water tribe siblings grab the boy. "Aang, you're incredible!"

The avatar let out a wild laugh, pumping his fist into the air. "We made it!" He exclaimed, receiving a highfive from Orzala. Sokka and Katara were not as pleased.

"We got into the Fire Nation. Great," Sokka deadpanned, causing the princess to turn to him in concern. Her fingers grasped his shoulder gently, and she pulled him into an embrace when he turned to her. Cautiously, he returned it, one hand grasping the back of her head gently. Sokka sighed, resting his cheek against her hair and ignoring the smug look from his sister. "Are you ok?"

Orzala pulled away, green eyes wide as she began to look him over. "Did you seriously just ask me if I was ok? Sokka, you fell from the sky! Are you ok?" He chuckled at her, nodding before pulling her back into him. She huffed, nestling her head into his shoulder as she frowned. "I thought you were a goner," she admitted, and she felt the rumble of his chest as he laughed.

"Nah, princess. You can't get rid of me that easily."