This whole story takes place between TBR and TSR.

Zuko sat crosslegged, eyes closed, facing the sun as it rose. He tensed as he heard footsteps behind him but relaxed when he heard the person trip and a familiar voice cry out in surprise.

"You're not very good Sokka," he sadi calmly, not even bothering to open his eyes. "Why are you bothering me?"

"Why are you up so early?" Sokka retorted. "Plotting against us?" It was a joke, but it stil put Zuko on edge.

"I rise with the sun," Zuko said calmly. "It's a firebender thing."

"Actually," Sokka said, "that's exactly why I wanted to talk to you. We're going to be fighting the fire nation pretty soona and I want to make sure I'm ready. So, I was thinking, maybe you could help me train." Zuko opened his eyes and stood up.

"So you want me to shoot fire at you while you try to dodge?" He asked. Sokka shruuged.

"Pretty much," he said. Zuko thought about it for a moment before shrugging.

"Alright," he said. "Give me a few minutes then meet me in the practice area."

"Alright," Zuko said as he and Sokka circle each other. Sokka had brought his space sword while Zuko had come unarmed. "We may run into a bit of a problem wih this practice."

"And what would that be?" Sokka asked. "Did you loose your jerkbending again?" Zuko sighed and shook his head.

"No," he said. "The problem is, unless I actually attack you, there's no way to make this training completely realistic. Example," Zuko looked at Sokka, the water-tribe teen was leaning on his sword cleaning his ear. "My sister would have killed you by now."

"Alright," Sokka said. "Everytime you see me do something that you think would get me killed, just say 'Kill.' Then we can fix it." Zuko nodded. before Sokka could react, a fire ball hit the ground at his feet. He jumped back and stumbled, falling on his rear.

"Hey!" He snapped. "I thought you weren't going to try and kill me!"

"I'm not, but I'm not going to go easy on you," Zuko snapped back. With what could only be descibed as a growl, he shot fire directly at Sokka, though it was aimed a little higher than if it had been a real fight. Sokka ducked and waited for Zuko to stop. He lifted his sword over his head and stood up.

"Kill," Zuko said calmly. Sokka stood there.

"What?" He asked. "How?"

"You left your chest unprotected," Zuko replied. "If I had been Azula, you'd be shot with lighning right now."

"Aw man," Sokka moaned.

"Well, hold on," Zuko said. "Let's go again. Just don't give me an obvious opening and stay quick on your feet." Sokka nodded and charged at Zuko. Zuko jumped over Sokka and punched him in the back.

"Kill," he repeated. "If I had been Firebending, you'd be dead." Sokka sighed.

"Any suggestions?" He asked.

"If I ever become Firelord, don't try to assassinate me?" Zuko suggested, smiling awkwardly. Sokka sighed.

"I'm goign to go practice with Boomerang," he said before leaving.

So Sokka's being moppy because he can't beat Zuko in a practice run.