Suki smiled as she laid down on the grass, looking at the darkening night sky. She was just training some of Sokka's soldiers and she had enjoyed sparring with them. She usually sparred with Sokka, but he had another sleepless night and needed to get some rest. The nightmares had gotten much worse over the past few days. She knew that the only way he would feel at peace is if he avenged Aang's death and got someone worthy on the Fire Nation throne, but sometimes it consumed him.
The anger.
She had heard about his temper and obsessive nature from some of the recruits, but she never believed it. Sokka was only creating the army to defeat Azula and get Zuko on the throne. Whenever she voiced these thoughts, the soldiers looked at her with something that resembled pity. She never understood what those glances were for, but they always frustrated her.
She closed her eyes and breathed deeply to calm herself. Worrying about this would never help her relax. She felt a sudden unnatural breeze. She turned her head quickly but there was no one there. Furrowing her eyebrows, she laid back on the ground, but kept her guard up. She felt something brush against her hand, and she got to her feet quickly and saw someone running towards the woods.
She couldn't make out who it was, but she was too distracted to go after the figure. That person had left a note in her hand.
10:00. Meet me under the Makapu bridge. Don't tell the Commander.
Suki looked in the direction of the woods. She debated with herself. The letter had warned her not to tell Sokka, but she was curious what the person had to say. It might've just been a prank, but after the rumors she had heard from townspeople and the soldiers, she was getting worried about what Sokka was doing.
She decided to go there, but in case it was a trap, she would have her weapons with her. She went to her room and anxiously waited until it was time to leave. She quietly took her travelling cloak and left her room when it was 9:45.
She stole a torch and went into the woods. By the time she was able to locate the bridge, it was already 10:15. There was a dark figure under the bridge that was pacing back and forth, as if whoever it was didn't know whether or not to leave.
"Hello? Are you the one who told me to meet here?"
The figure turned around quickly and sighed in relief and motioned for Suki to join her under the bridge. She cautiously climbed down the rocks to the creek, not taking her eyes off of the figure who waited patiently for her.
"Thank god you're here Suki." A somehow familiar feminine voice disturbed the peaceful quietness of the night.
"How do you know who I am?" Suki asked the girl.
The girl squinted at her and took off the hood. "He did it again, didn't he?"
"Who did what? Who are you?"
"It's me, Sunjin."
"I'm sorry. I have no idea who you are."
"The Commander has relinquished control."
Suddenly, Suki's head filled with memories she knew weren't hers.
"What...What is this?" Suki sat down as she remembered Sokka's fits of violence and how he had slowly been turning crazy ever since the Avatar's death.
"I'm sorry it took so long to get to you this time, but we didn't know he erased your memories."
"Sokka. He... he's a monster." Suki's brain was flooded with images of him burning down entire Fire Nation villages with innocent civilians still inside.
All the blood drained from her face when she heard a slow clap coming from someone leaning against a tree.
Sokka's voice was filled with cold fury bubbling just beneath the surface.
"You found out. I can't say I'm surprised, but I need to do something that ensures the Rebels stay out of my way." Sokka scratched his chin, pretending to think. "Oh. I know." His face suddenly darkened as an emotionless smile took over his features.
He was across the creek impossibly fast and before Suki could react, he stabbed Sunjin and sheathed his sword before she even knew what was happening. There was a look of surprise on Sunjin's face before she fell down on the ground.
"NOOOO!!!!" Suki teared some of her clothes and put pressure on her midriff, but it didn't help. Suki looked at Sokka with a murderous glint in her eyes. She pulled out her fan and threw it at Sokka. His eyes widened in surprise, and he only just ducked in time.
"Hey, hey. I don't want to hurt you Suki." Sokka said warily, putting his hands up.
"You killed her. You just killed her."
"I know. But I'm not going to kill you. I love you, Suki."
"Love? Ha. This isn't love. This is an obsession." Suki scoffed.
Sokka grinded his teeth and before Suki could say or do anything else he said, "The Commander invites you to The Dragon's Eye."
Suki blinked. "Sokka? What are we doing out here and... is that a body?"
"We were just taking a walk, remember? And that Fire Nation spy tried to kill you." He hung his head. "I did what I had to do. I couldn't lose you too."
Suki put a hand on his arm. "Hey. I don't blame you. Are you OK?"
"I'm fine but let's just go home. Shall we?" Sokka offered a hand and Suki graciously accepted it.
"We shall."