A/N: A short fic about Zuko and Sokka, my two favorite Avatar characters. This takes place roughly between Firebending Masters and Boiling Rock. I really, really wish this had happened on the show! But isn't that what fanfics are for? XD
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Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4Aang was leaning against a large rock chatting with Zuko. They had just finished firebending practice and the two were relaxing after a good workout. Aang marveled at the change in Zuko, he had always had faith that he could find a friend behind that hard exterior, and he was overjoyed to finally find him.
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They simultaneously noticed when Sokka came into the clearing. Aang hopped up from the rock and greeted his friend. He noticed Sokka was carrying Zuko's twin blades in their sheath, and Sokka had his own meteorite sword strapped to his back.
"Our turn." Sokka said with a smile, tossing the twin's sheath to the fire Prince, who caught it easily.
Very few words were exchanged as both swordfighters drew their weapons and set their sheaths on a nearby bolder. Zuko and Sokka locked each other in a stare and took up stances a yard apart from one other.
The Avatar collected his things, preparing to go back to camp. He glanced at his friends. "Now, you two are just sparring; right?" Aang smiled but concern crept onto his brow.
"Of course. We're just honing our skills." Sokka said cheerfully, never breaking eye contact with Zuko.
Zuko's lips curled up in a wry smile that didn't reach his eyes, as he returned the Watertribsman's gaze.
Aang paused for a moment, uncertainly shifting from one foot to the other. Finally he nodded, "Alright then. I'll leave you to it." He left them facing each other in the clearing, and headed back to camp.
Zuko took a moment to admire the black sheen of Sokka's unusual blade. He'd noticed the Water Tribe boy carrying it around camp. He hadn't known Sokka to fight with a sword, and he supposed it was a recent addition. It peaked his curiosity. As soon as Aang was gone, and well out of earshot, Zuko broke the heavy silence. "I see you favor a single sword."
"I see you favor being a jerk", growled Sokka, skipping any form of pleasantry.
Zuko narrowed his eyes, but he kept his smile. "I've been expecting this for some time." He said in low tones. Zuko mused that the steely look in his opponent's eyes was probably reflected in his own. Both of them would never concede defeat easily.
"I thought it was about time we had a 'talk'." Sokka said. Quickly he stepped forward and thrust his blade towards his adversary. Zuko blocked downward with both his blades.
"So, what exactly do you not like about me?" Zuko said as he spun, swinging his left blade at Sokka's head.
Sokka ducked and shot forward running by the Prince's back. He moved a short way off and turned on his toe. "Oh yes, you're such a likable guy." He scoffed. "You chased us around the world, repeatedly trying to kill my Sister and me, and trying to take our friend captive. From what I see, your own family doesn't even like you.
Not to say that that isn't a mark in your favor..."
Zuko grit his teeth and lunged forward crossing his swords and then rapidly swiping them outwards at the level of Sokka's waist. Sokka jumped back dodging the very tips, but only by a little.
"I only did what I thought I needed to do to restore my honor. It wasn't personal."
"Not personal?" Sokka spat. "That just means it wasn't personal to you!" Both boys stalked around one another sizing up their opponent. "If you were so blasted obsessed with honor why didn't you practice a little from time to time?"
Zuko stopped moving for a minute, and let his swords drop to his sides, letting those words sink in. Sokka stopped to watch him curiously, but readied himself just incase. Zuko shook his head sadly, "I guess I really didn't know what honor was, or if it was truly what I wanted. I was hurt and confused." He raised his swords again. "I want to put that behind me now." He sprang forward swinging the twins diagonally downward. Sokka blocked one of the swords but the other grazed his left shoulder. The two fighters stepped back as Sokka surveyed the injury. He was a little surprised that Zuko had made contact.
When he looked at the Prince he was equally surprised that Zuko looked just as shocked.
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Aang had strolled back down the path towards camp. He wasn't in any hurry and it was a beautiful day. On days like this he could almost feel his connection with nature without having to meditate. He decided to stop by a spring to cool off after working up a sweat during practice. He found a secluded spot, and after stripping down to the bare minimum, he dove in. The water was a little cold, but refreshing.
When he returned to camp he saw Toph teaching Haru some new Earthbending forms. Aang laughed, Toph had really taken to her role as teacher.
Teo was building a new glider for his chair. He had been working on the plans with Sokka for about a week.
Aang didn't see Katara or The Duke anywhere but he assumed they were around.
He had just started to play a game with Momo when Katara returned with a basket of fruit. She was followed close behind by The Duke carrying a load of firewood that was almost larger than the young boy. "I wish you had let me carry that Duke." She was saying.
"I've got it!" The young man said emphatically as he dropped the wood next to the fire pit. He grinned from beneath his oversized helmet showing a gap where he'd lost a tooth. "And it's The Duke!"
Aang sprang to his feet to meet Katara. "What ya got there?" He asked, poking his nose into the basket.
Katara jumped. "Oh, Aang! You startled me." She smiled then looked at him with a strained look on her face, "How was practice?" What she really wanted to say was 'Did that jerk hurt you?' but she was trying to be more congenial for Aang's sake.
"It was great!" Aang said a little more cheerfully than Katara would've liked. "Do you want me to show you what I learned?" He said getting into a firebending stance.
"Um, maybe later." She said trying to smile. She glanced around the camp. "Did he return with you?"
"No." Aang said, and Katara breathed an almost imperceptible sigh of relief. "I left him back at the clearing with Sokka." Aang popped one of the berries from a bowl into his mouth.
Katara's eyes grew wide. "What?" She stood up quickly and grabbed one of her bending flasks.
Aang looked at her worriedly. "What? I'm sure that Zuko wouldn't hurt Sokka." He knew Katara didn't like Zuko, but he was dismayed that she would think the worst of him all the time.
Katara grabbed Aang by the wrist and started to drag him in the direction of the clearing. "Perhaps. But I know my brother, and he didn't make any such promises!"
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Zuko looked at the cut on Sokka's arm that was starting to slowly ooze blood. "One more reason for her to hate me", he muttered to himself.
"Lucky shot." Sokka said wiping the trickle off his arm. He raised his sword again, smiling. "Let me repay your luck."
Zuko raised an eyebrow at the emphasis Sokka put on 'luck', and took up a defensive stance. He had to admit that the Water Tribe boy was a better sword fighter than he thought possible in this short time. The only recollection he had of fighting him one-on-one was the first time they'd met, and that'd gone decidedly in the Prince's favor. It was almost like this was a completely different person facing him now. But then, they were both changed people.
Sokka ran a short distance back and ran up on the rock. He quickly turned and jumped towards Zuko. As he did, he brought his sword down directly at the prince's head.
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A/N: Mmm. Sweaty, hot, shirtless swordplay…. What was that? Oh no! A cliffhanger!
No worries. I'm posting the other half right now. XD