𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕

𝑩𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝒃𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒔

Chapter Forty two
Sokka

She's gonna kill me

I think as I tiptoed out of our room, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at leaving Elora behind but it was too dangerous for her to join. She looked so peaceful sleeping, her face relaxed, her breath steady. But duty called, and I had to answer.

Slipping past her without a sound, I made my way to Appa. He stirred slightly as I tossed my bag onto his saddle and began to climb up. Just as I settled in, thinking I'd made a clean getaway, I was greeted by the last person I expected to see: Zuko.

He stood there with his arms crossed, his expression a mixture of annoyance and skepticism. I couldn't help but jump in surprise, nearly losing my balance in the process.

"Not up to anything, huh?" Zuko's voice was as dry as the desert sand, and I winced, knowing I'd been caught red-handed.

"Fine, you caught me," I admitted, rubbing my side where I'd bumped into Appa's saddle. "I'm gonna rescue my dad. You happy now?"

I met Zuko's gaze, his amber eyes intense with determination. "Look, I have to do this. The invasion plan was my idea, it was my decision to stay when things were going wrong." I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of my mistakes pressing down on me.

"It's my mistake, and it's my job to fix it. I have to regain my honor. You can't stop me, Zuko."

Zuko's response was unexpected. "You need to regain your honor? Believe me, I get it. I'm going with you."

I shook my head, dismissing the idea before it could take root. "No. I have to do this alone."

"How are you going to get there? On Appa? Last time I checked, prisons don't have bison daycares," Zuko remarked, and I froze mid-climb, his words sinking in.

"We'll take my war balloon," he continued, and I nodded in agreement. "Let's get Inara first though, she'd kill me if I leave her behind with Aang again."

Inara's room was like stepping into a shadowy cave, the dim light barely illuminating the space. As soon as we entered, she jolted upright, her reflexes lightning-fast, hand instantly reaching for her weapon until she recognized us.

"We're sneaking into a Fire Nation prison, let's go," Zuko declared, his voice firm.

Inara raised an eyebrow, her skepticism evident. "Are you in or out?" I whispered, hoping to sway her decision.

"Out," she replied bluntly, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. I glanced at Zuko, unsure of our next move, but his determined expression spurred me on.

"Sorry, Inara. You're already in. Come on," I urged, but she remained unmoved, lounging on her bed as if our mission was nothing more than a passing thought.

"You either come with us or stay here with aan-" zuko doesn't even finish the sentence before she's up and out the door

✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾

I sit there silently, observing Zuko as he blasts fire into the tank to keep the war balloon moving, and Inara sitting close by, the air between us grows awkward.

"So, uh, pretty clouds," I interject, attempting to lighten the mood. "You know, a friend of mine actually designed these war balloons."

"No kidding," Zuko responds, the awkwardness so clear.

"Yeah, a balloon, but... for war," I add with a forced chuckle, feeling like I'm dying inside.

"If there's one thing my dad's good at, it's war." Zuko grumbled as he furiously tends to the fire, his frustration evident in every fiery blast, Inara remains silent, her penetrating gaze fixed on me. It's unsettling, the way she watches us, like she's analyzing our every move. I can't help but feel a bit uneasy under her scrutiny.