A/N: Again, I remind you all this takes place between Firebending Masters and Boiling Rock. And now back to the story.
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They were well into the woods when Aang finally pulled his hand free from Katara's grip. "Why would Sokka want to hurt Zuko now? He's been with us for a few weeks now." After she had released his hand Katara had kept walking, forcing Aang to follow quickly on her heels.
After a few moments she slowed and let out a ragged sigh. "It's been coming on for awhile now. I could tell Sokka was bristling at Zuko's presence." She glanced at the Avatar to gauge his reaction. "Also, it's probably my fault. This morning I was blowing off some steam to Sokka, mostly regarding Zuko." As she said the Prince's name she gritted her teeth. "I told him again about what happened in Ba Sing Se prison, and in my anger I may have 'embellished' a few things."
Aang stopped in his tracks, eyes wide. Katara stopped and turned to face him. She looked ashamed of herself. "I think it might have sent Sokka over the top. He seemed very calm at the time but…" Her voice trailed off in worry and her eyes spoke volumes.
Aang nodded knowingly and the two picked up their pace through the woods.
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Zuko rolled out of the way in time to avoid Sokka's blow from above. The black blade slammed into the dirt with a thud that sent earth and grass flying. "So let me get this strait. You thought your honor had been taken away from you? And that capturing the Avatar was the only way to redeem yourself?" Sokka turned to see where Zuko had moved off to.
"In a way, yes. It was the only way I could return home." Zuko crossed his blades and spun towards Sokka.
"Ha! Who gave you such a crazy restriction?" Sokka blocked the blades with his own, and the two boys froze as their swords locked.
Zuko became quiet and Sokka could see a brief look of pain cross his features. "My Father. His opinion of me was all I could think of. I drove myself to please him. In the end it nearly destroyed the real me." Zuko shook his head sadly. "You wouldn't understand."
Sokka pushed away and the two swordsmen let their arms still at their sides. Sokka's eyes were wide. He was caught off guard by the Prince's honesty. "I understand more than you think." He said quietly. "A Father has expectations for his son. And whether they are real, or self imposed on ourselves, we try our hardest to fulfill them."
Zuko took in this man before him, now with a greater understanding and respect.
The duel was quickly abandoned. Nether heart was in it any longer. They sat on the cool grass to talk. Sokka told of being left behind and how much that hurt. Zuko told of how he had gotten his scar, and about his Uncle. The two warriors were more honest with each other than they'd been with themselves for a long time. It bound them fast as friends.
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Aang and Katara dashed into the clearing expecting a bloodbath. They had braced themselves for the worst. What met their eyes was even more shocking. The two sword masters where sitting on the ground laughing!
Sokka and Zuko stood up and strapped their swords on their backs.
"Thank you for the workout Sokka. I truly enjoyed it." Zuko said bowing.
Sokka reciprocated the gesture. "Thank you Zuko. We'll have to do it again sometime."
Aang grinned broadly. He was ecstatic that everything had worked out like he'd always hoped it would.
Katara was in shock. She just kept staring at her brother in stunned silence.
The sparring partners headed back to camp. They passed Aang and Katara as if they weren't there. Sokka had already launched into the story of his sword's origin, as they disappeared up the path.
[[Sokka never had Katara heal his arm, claiming it would make a better story. Zuko knew the real reason he didn't do it was as a gesture of respect to him. He revered him greatly for it.]]
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A/N: Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed as much as I do. I would love to hear all reviews, good or bad!
This was originally part of a MUCH larger fanfic. I really loved this part and thought it stands pretty well on its own. I haven't finished the larger fic but when/if I do I may remove this and replace it with the other.