This has basically nothing to do with Kataang or the prompt. I was just typing everything that came to mind until I could no more. Bleh.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar
CHAPTER 2: Smoke & Mirrors
When Aang and Katara returned hours later, umbrella still held between them, everyone else was awake and helping run the shop. Iroh had learned that Toph had a knack for brewing tea to perfection, so she was back with him in the kitchen. Mai and, to everyone's surprise, Sokka, had a similar talent, though not as naturally refined as Toph, so they were in the kitchen as well. Zuko and Suki were acting as waiter and waitress, carrying trays of steaming cups to the customers thirsty enough to brave the rain. Normally only a couple of them would stay behind to run the shop, but today there wasn't much else to do.
"Well look who decided to-" Zuko began as the two of them entered, but Suki seemed to appear out of nowhere and 'accidentally' elbow him in the stomach. He staggered back with a loud 'oof' and nearly dropped his tray of scalding tea, but Suki's hand shot out and caught him by the elbow, steadying him without a second thought.
"Whoops, clumsy me," she said lightly, smirking at Katara. The younger girl laughed appreciatively while Aang rolled his eyes and turned to shake the water from the umbrella.
"You know I could probably have you hanged for that," Zuko grumbled, rubbing his stomach.
Suki waved him off like she hadn't heard him. Zuko sighed, a slight smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. This improvised family of theirs had grown so close in the past weeks, threats of hanging were like terms of endearment.
"Anyway, you guys better watch out," Suki said quietly. "Sokka's in a bad mood today. His leg's giving him trouble and he wasn't exactly happy that a certain waterbending master wasn't here for her daily healing session."
Katara gave her a strange look. "How long were we gone?" she asked, bewildered.
Suki shrugged. "I woke up three hours ago and Iroh said you'd already been gone a while…"
"Three hours?" Katara repeated in surprise. She and Aang exchanged a glance. "Boy, we did get distracted today, didn't we?"
Aang smirked and she couldn't help but laugh.
"Hey, he's not very happy with you either," Suki added, pointing at the Avatar. "As far as he's concerned, you kidnapped her."
"It's all Iroh's fault," Aang blurted immediately. "He gave me the umbrella."
Suki raised an eyebrow. Aang blushed and hid the bright red umbrella behind his back.
Katara sighed. "We're just going to have to trick Sokka then," she said lightly. "Suki, distraction?"
Suki grinned. "No problem." She finished delivering her tray and the three of them went back to the kitchen. Sokka was sitting on the floor beside a small fire pit sunk into the floor. A grate holding three kettles hung over it. Apparently Sokka had been demoted to boiling water for his bad attitude.
Suki plopped down beside him without preamble, looping an arm through his.
"Hey there, water boiler," she said amiably, but the distraction didn't seem to be working. Sokka's eyes were fixed on Aang and Katara.
"Where have you been?" he demanded crossly.
"Us? We've been out looking for you," Katara replied just as crossly.
Across the room, Toph snickered to herself but didn't say a word.
Sokka scowled suspiciously. "What are you talking about? I've been here."
"Not this morning when we both got up," Katara snapped convincingly.
"We passed your room and your bed was empty," Aang added.
"That's impossible," Sokka frowned. "I woke up in bed. Are you proposing I snuck out last night and didn't get back until morning?"
"On that leg?" Aang asked doubtfully. "I don't think so."
"Sometimes slow healing injuries like this one cause restlessness that you don't even notice," Katara shrugged. "You were probably sleepwalking."
"Sure," Sokka rolled his eyes.
"Sokka we were worried about you," Katara snapped again.
"We went out to find you this morning," Aang pressed. "Ask Iroh."
Iroh looked over at the sound of his name. Sokka just looked at him.
"Oh it's true," he said after a moment, nodding. "They were very worried about you. But you wandered back in a few hours ago, must have walked right past me."
Sokka sighed dramatically. "Fine, sure, sleepwalking," he waved the matter off. Aang and Katara grinned triumphantly. "Would you please just heal my leg?"
"Sure thing Sokka," Katara said soothingly. "Aang and I just have to take care of something."
"We do?" Aang asked under his breath.
Katara just smiled and grabbed his hand, dragging him across the kitchen toward Iroh.
"Thanks for the umbrella," Katara said quietly, grinning.
"Oh yeah, thanks," Aang added, squeezing her hand and offering the umbrella to Iroh.
"You keep it," Iroh replied, waving them off. "I think you have more use for it than me."
Aang and Katara exchanged a smirking glance before Sokka cleared his throat loudly.
