The Jaded Princess - A Sokka Love Story

Chapter Nine

The night was near, and Haru's mother had graciously offered the gang shelter. Orzala couldn't help but notice how Katara kept stealing quick glances at the Earth Nation boy. A smirk began to form on her lips, and the princess nudged her friend. The brunette raised a sharp eyebrow at her before shoving her playfully with a scoff. Haru had led them up to the family barn where Appa resided.

"My mom said you could sleep here for the night, but you should leave in the morning," He explained, pushing open the doors. A laugh escaped Orzala when she saw Appa with a mouthful of hay. Aang smiled as well.

"Thanks, I'll make sure Appa doesn't eat all your hay." The sky bison stopped mid-chew and turned to the gang, but eventually went back to eating. Haru nodded and turned to go, but Katara ran after him, dragging Orzala with her.

"Haru, wait!" The boy turned, smiling slightly when he saw the two girls.

"Hey, Katara, Orzala. What's up?" The three began walking through the woods together, and Orzala couldn't help but marvel at how the golden light of the sunset enhanced the forest. So this is the kind of stuff I've been missing, she thought to herself, smiling slightly.

"I'm sorry about what I said earlier. I didn't know about your father," Katara confessed, head bowed in shame. The boy only nodded.

"That's ok. It's funny. The way you were talking back in the store- it reminded me of him."

Katara looked down again, feeling heat rise to her cheeks. "Thanks."

"My father was very courageous," Haru told the two, and Orzala decided it was time to tune back in. "When the Fire Nation invaded, he and the other earthbenders were outnumbered ten-to-one. But they fought back anyway." The princess smiled.

"He sounds like a great man, Haru." The boy nodded.

"After the attack, they rounded up my father and every other earthbender and took them away. We haven't seen them since." The trio came to a stop at a cliff side, and Orzala couldn't help but admire the sunset before them. She plopped down on the edge, her awe-struck gaze on the horizon. Haru kneeled beside her, watching it as well.

"So that's why you hide your earthbending." Haru frowned.

"Yeah. The problem is, the only way I can feel close to my father now Is when I practice my bending." He began twirling two stones in the air, and Orzala smiled softly. Once he stopped, she bended the stones toward her, repeating his actions. He gazed at her, watching the stones move before they dissolved in her hand. He sighed, looking away. "He taught me everything I know."

Katara plopped down beside them, fiddling with her necklace. "See this necklace?" She asked, and Haru smiled at her. "My mother gave it to me."

"It's beautiful." Orzala nodded in agreement.

"I lost my mother in a Fire Nation raid. This necklace is all I have left of her."

"It's not enough, is it?"

"No."

Orzala felt herself sadden, standing once more. The two looked up at her in question as she began to walk away. "I never knew my mother," she conceded, not glancing back at them She knew they were following. "I never knew my father either- and I never wanted to." She felt gentle fingers on her arm and turned to see Katara. Her blue eyes were filled with concern. She gave the brunette a sad smile. "Still, I always wished I at least had a day, or a memory- just something."

Orzala averted her gaze, speeding up quickly to walk ahead of them. She didn't like feeling weak like this.

A loud boom knocked them out of their reverie, and Orzala's expression became serious as she caught sight of dust rising from a mine up ahead. Her heart dropped to her stomach when she heard a cry for help. Their feet began moving before they could even think about what they were doing, and they came face-to-face with an old man who was trapped in a collasping mine.

"Help me!" He croaked, and Orzala and Katara immediately ran to his side, trying to pull him out from under the crumbling mine. Orzala felt her heart quicken as they pulled, and she shook her head at Katara. "It's not working!"

"Haru!" Katara called, looking at the earthbender above them. "There's a way you can help." His eyes widened as he realized what she was saying.

"No, I can't!"

"Please! There's no one around to see you! It's the only way!" Orzala looked up at the boy, green eyes pleading, and he grimaced before pushing away from the collasping mine. He turned, falling into his stance and holding out his hand. Orzlala smiled when she realized that the rocks had stopped midair. Suddenly, the boy spun, throwing his fists in the direction of the mine, and then the rocks blew back into the mine.

Katara beamed up at him. "Haru, you did it!" He smiled at them as Orzala helped the man up, before rushing to the man's other side.

Together, they walked back toward town, helping the old man walk as they went. Orzala sent Haru a lopsided grin.

"You're a hero."