Note: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.
"Zuko, you should come! This is what it means to be part of a team. Yes, we fight together, but we also have fun together." Katara explained.
There's no way he is going. A party wasn't his idea of fun. He should be training. The rest of the team could do what they like but he was not going to let his guard down. "No thanks," Zuko replied coldly, "I'll stay here and watch the camp."
"Zuko! Lighten up!" Sokka poked his side. "There's no reason to guard camp. We have nothing worth stealing!" The rest of the group chuckled softly. It was true. Zuko searched his mind for another excuse. He came up with no reason to stay. Glancing at the questioning faces, Toph's smug expression caught his eye. She looked as though she was enjoying him fail at weaseling his way out of this.
He glanced around. The tents were set up nicely, with tree branches gently brushing the tops. Looking up, the prince could see stars peeking out of the leafy canopy. Appa was lying on his side. Already fast asleep on the perfectly flat ground, thanks to Toph's handy work. The camp seemed peaceful, and Zuko would much rather peaceful than twisting knots in his stomach.
"I'm not interested in going." He said stubbornly, "I have better things to do. You guys go. Have fun."
Toph yawned. "I'm bored. If Sparky doesn't want to come thats his problem. Can we just go already?"
"Alright, fine." Katara muttered, slightly hanging her head.
"WOOPIE! PARTY TIME!" Aang shouted, "Come on, Momo!" The flying lemur looked up from his crouch. The beetle he was chasing seized the hesitation and scrambled away. Momo, frustrated, flew over to the young Avatar. Aang skipped down the dirt trail that would eventually lead to the small near by town, where the party was being held. The darkness quickly engulfed him, as the path was shaded by the forest.
Sokka grabbed Suki's hand and pulled her excitedly. "I wonder if there will be food at the party..." Sokka pondered. Suki just giggled as they followed Aang down the path. Katara quickly waved goodbye to Zuko, then followed her brother.
"So, Sparky, you gonna tell me why you really don't want to go?"
Zuko turned his back away from Toph and walked toward his tent. The best way to deal with her is to ignore her. Soon she'll become bored and find something better to do. Zuko started a small fire with a flick of his wrist. He sat down, closed his eyes, and began to meditate. The prince took a breath in, the fire grew in size. He released his breath and the flames lowered.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!" Toph growled as Zuko continued his meditation. Silently smirking at the annoyance in her voice. The smirk was quickly wiped off his face as Toph kicked the ground. A cylinder of rock shot out of the earth, pushing Zuko over onto his back. Toph grinned. "That should get him fired up." To Toph's dismay, the prince calmly sat up and continued on meditating, without even opening his eyes.
"Zuko!" Toph yelled sharply. He raised his eyebrows. The blind earthbender rarely used Zuko's real name. He knew what this meant. This meant he was in trouble.
The firebender opened his eyes just in time to see a boulder flying towards him. He pushed with his arms and rolled out of the way. Zuko sat back down.
Toph decided to change her approach. "Well, I guess if you aren't going to tell me, I'm not to tell you what Katara said about you." Zuko's eyes snapped open. Toph chuckled lightly. As she felt his vibrations change. "So. Flying boulders won't get your attention, but just the mention of Sugar Queen will?"
Zuko started to blush. Katara was the avatar's girl. He could not let himself get too atached to her. She didn't seem interested in Aang like that yet, but Zuko knew it was just a matter of time. Once Aang defeted the Fire Lord and became a hero, Katara wouldn't give Zuko a second glance. In order to not cause trouble he had to keep his distance. "What do you want, Toph?" Zuko responded roughly.
"Oh nothing really," Toph stated as she flopped down, leaning against a nearby tree, she reached in her bag and pulled out an apple. She took a big bite. Munch.
"Then why are you still here?"
Munch. "You think a party is my kinda of scene either?"
Zuko couldn't help but imagine Toph at a party. She'd be leaning on the bar trying to convince the bartender she was of age. Someone would approach her and begin talking or flirting. Toph would yawn and just walk away, or worse she would send him flying across the room. Zuko laughed.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh, just trying to imagine you at a party. I personally think you would be my favorite party guest, simply for amusement." Zuko smiled at the young earthbender.
She beamed back. "Thanks, Zuko. But I think if you were having a party Katara would be your favorite."
Toph laughed as the prince began to blush again. "Won't everyone be worried about you? You've fallen far behind the group," Zuko said. Trying to change the subject.
"No need to worry, Sparky, I told Sugar Queen I was going to stay back an make sure you were okay." At that moment Toph threw her apple core at Zuko. Hitting him in the head with a pleasent thunk.
"Ah. Thanks for that. I'm sure that was your intention. It had nothing to do with the fact that you wanted to bug me about Katara and I," Zuko said sarcastically.
"Katara and I?" Toph teased, "You say that as if you two are a couple."
"Toph!" Zuko warned. Toph seemed to back off, until an idea lit up her eyes.
"Come on, Zuko! Lets go to the party! I promise you won't have to talk to big bad Katara if you're too scared. I'll protect you." Toph taunted in the baby voice her parents used to use on her.
"I'm not afraid, Toph," Zuko said, slightly annoyed at himself for letting Toph get this far, but slightly proud he hasn't burned her to ashes yet. He was not interested in Katara, and he certainly was not afraid of talking to her.
"Okay, Sparky. Whatever you say," Toph said. There was a pause. A gentle silence until her passive expression turned to a devilish grin, "If you aren't scared, come to the party."
"Fine, Toph. I'll go." Zuko said though clenched teeth, he took a breath in then laughed, "I really hate you right now."
"I can live with that," Toph replied happily as her and the firebender started their trek down the trail.
"This is going to be interesting."
