Opposite Elements

High chief Hakoda looked at his children and smiled to himself, glad to see them so happy and carefree. Katara laughed at Sokka's discomfort since she had frozen his trousers solid. Even if it was her doing, Sokka could see the fun in the situation. Sometimes the siblings were at odds with each other and exchanged harsh words but the love and respect they shared were real and tangible, for all to see. Perhaps their bond was so strong because of their mother's demise so long ago. Hakoda still felt a pang of sadness when he thought of Kya.

"You would have been very proud of our children, Kya". He whispered softly, his smile now sad.

It would be hard to part with them for so long but the tribe must come first. Hakoda had just received confirmation that Katara would spend the next couple of years in the Northern Water Tribe to learn and master water bending. And Sokka would spend those years with the royal family of the Fire Nation. They had a little time before they needed to leave their home and each other, time before they had to grow up and embrace the responsibility forced on them as adults.

§§

A month later Sokka stood at the bow of a trade ship and looked out over the great harbor of the Capital City, also called the Caldera. It was immense and intimidating just like the Gates of Azulon.

Sokka still felt angry about it all. Why could he not travel to the north and learn from the Northern Water Tribe just like his sister? What could the arrogant and demanding Fire Nation teach him that no other nation or tribe could do? It was all so unfair! His father's words about the Fire Nation being their most vital trading partner and that they needed them far more than the other way around did not appease Sokka at all. And some things did not make sense at all! Why did he have to learn to eat, speak and even walk in a certain way? And why did he need so many cloths and stuff? Four pairs of shoes? What was up with that?

Sokka didn't see much of the city before his carriage arrived at the royal palace. Sokka felt a flutter in his stomach; suddenly it was all real and actually a bit frightening. A servant ushered him through several courtyards, colonnaded corridors and large halls, all very regal and intimidating. It would take forever to find his way out, Sokka thought. Finally they arrived at a room that was occupied by several formally dressed people, who were having dinner. A massive dinner - Sokka had never seen so much food for just four people.

When he was announced they all turned toward him. He knew who they were of course. Prince Ozai were a tall man with something unpleasant in his eyes, the prince were scowling at him and was not best pleased for some reason. The incredibly beautiful woman had to be Princess Ursa. She had kind eyes that held sadness in them. The twitching young man was Prince Zuko and he looked nervous for some reason and continuously kept glancing at his father. He was fifteen years old just like Sokka. The last person in the royal family was Princess Azula. She had her mother´s grace but her father´s cold eyes. They all had the most amazing golden eyes Sokka had ever seen.

§§

Azula smirked at the boy standing in the doorway. He did look both weak and foolish, just like father had told them a moment before. Clearly he was an obvious savage and most probably both filthy and unrefined as well. She definitely would have some fun with this peasant. Of course Zuko had a different opinion and had voiced it to father's displeasure and to Azula´s amusement. The boy did a rather poor bow toward father.

"I am Sokka, son of high chief Hakoda and it is my great pleasure to give you this token of my tribe's gratitude to the Fire Nation and the Royal family as thanks for giving us the opportunity to bond and learn from each other". The boy said with a rather pleasant voice.

In his hands he held a beautifully carved box made of ebony from an elephantwhale and his speech was obviously practiced. His eyes were startling blue and when their eyes met she saw something more, was that curiosity?

"You need practice how to bow to your betters more, I believe" Ozai said with a dark sneer. "It will serve you well here in the Fire Nation." Ozai continued and all in the room but the snow savage understood the implied insult. Ursa frowned of course but Azula found it fitting and amusing.

"Ah, well." Sokka said with an easy smile, "you are probably right about that. We do not go around and bow to each other very much. We give respect to those who deserve it and not because of their fathers or family." Sokka continued with a steady gaze at Ozai.

Wait, did the savage just take fathers insult and fling it back at his teeth? Azula felt a bit stunned for a moment and wasn't the only one. Zuko´s jaw dropped and she heard Ursa gasp. Azula stole a glance at her father and she could see that father was not happy. Not at all. But the savage didn't seem like he insulted father on purpose. Did he mean to insult or was that unintentional?

Ozai rose from the table with a glare at the savage, who didn't notice it at all because he was preoccupied with gazing longingly at the food.

"I seem to have lost my appetite. I will be at my office." With that he strode off toward the door. The savage noticed Prince Ozai's departure at last and threw him another poorly executed bow. It came off as rather ironically after the savage statement to her father. Ozai quivered in anger and you could almost see the smoke coming of him as he strode past and out.

Ursa stood and walked over to Sokka. "You are a very interesting young man, Sokka" she murmured while taking the gift from his hands and guiding him toward the table. "Are you hungry? Come and eat with us and tell us about your voyage!" she continued.

The savage seemed to lighten up when he was invited to eat with them. "My voyage was rather boring actually. Not even one pirate dared us! Awfully disappointing." Sokka told her mother and continued, "This is a lot of food. I could not eat it…" the boy calculated quickly, "in two days!"

Azula looked at the full table; they could not eat it all in a week! What was he talking about? Two days? What was happening? A small smile played on her mother's lips but Zuko looked dazed and she felt exactly the same….