Disclaimer: Inconceivably not mine, except for the tiger-wolf. :D

Author's Note: Oh my, one that's not depressing! It must be the apocalypse! Thanks again to GlassesLolita for the review. Yes, I realize there is probably no such thing as a tiger-wolf in Avatar canon, but just go with it.

Warnings: Slight AU.

#50 Food

© Ethereal Fae, October 2008

"Hey, are you gonna finish that?"

"Sokka!"

"What? It's not like he's eating it, it's just sitting there. I'm starving!"

Katara glared, effectively silencing her brother.

"What's up, Twinkle Toes? Not hungry?" Toph shoved a piece of fatty meat in her mouth and chewed noisily.

The Avatar shook his head.

Katara placed a hand on the young airbender's shoulder. "Aang?"

He met the questioning look in her eyes. "Sorry, I guess I'm just nervous."

Katara smiled. "Don't be. We're all behind you."

Sokka reached for the apple on Aaag's plate, but Katara slapped his hand away. He pouted in response. "Yeah, even pretty boy over there is on your side. You got nothing to worry about."

Aang took on a sarcastic expression. "Yeah, killing the Fire Lord is nothing to worry about. Why don't we go on a picnic to celebrate after?"

"Hey, hey, hey." Toph waved the fruit she was holding in his face. "Leave the sarcasm and pessimism to me."

Zuko came to sit with the group, overhearing their talk about his father. Sozin's comet was merely days away, and even Zuko was worried of what the outcome might be.

"Aang's right, though. My father is ruthless, all of you should be worried."

The gang kept silent for a while, just nibbling on their food or simply lost in their own thoughts. The only noise came from Toph's incessant smacking of food. Zuko's eye twitched slightly.

"Is it possible for you to eat quietly?" He asked without looking at her.

Toph merely smirked, leaning back on her elbows. "Nope." Smack.

Zuko huffed. Sokka and Katara smuggled a giggle. Aang managed a light chuckle.

Smack.

"Toph."

Smack. Smack.

"I know you're doing that on purpose."

Smack. Smack...smack.

"Toph!"

Katara and Sokka covered there mouths, trying to hide their laughter when Zuko glared at them disdainfully. Aang's grin was so big, it almost didn't fit on his face.

"Oh, come on. I'm just messing with you, flame boy."

Zuko sulked. "Whatever." He glared at the ground. "And stop with the nicknames."

Sokka raised his eyebrows in amusement. "Aw, does Zuko need a hug?"

"Shut up, Sokka." Cold glare.

Sokka clutched his chest in mock-hurt. "That pains me. It really does."

"You're an idiot."

Toph stood up and stretched. "We already knew that, tell us something we don't know."

Sokka pointed an accusing finger at the earthbender. "Hey!"

"Are you okay, Zuko? Do you need some cheering up? We could go to the beach if you'd like." Katara offered.

"No thanks."

"I know what will cheer Zuko up!" Aang grinned, picking up some crushed citrus fruit from a bowl.

"Oh boy..." Sokka trailed.

Katara raised an eyebrow. "Aang, what are you doing?"

"What's going on? Somebody fill me in, I'm blind over here!"

"Avatar, don't you even-"

Splat!

"Head for cover!" Sokka wailed, running behind one of the boulders. "Angry firebender on the loose!"

"Aang..."

Aang grinned. "Yes, Zuko?"

"I'd suggest you run now."

Aang blanched. "Uh, right. Running now."

"This is not exactly what I had in mind." Katara worried as Zuko ran after the Avatar with all the stealth of a tiger-wolf.

"What just happened?" Toph fumed, irritated that she had no idea what was going on.

Sokka had only enough time to give her an answer before an orange slice hit the back of his neck.

"Food fight!"

Fin.

I was in a funky mood today, so you get a funky update. It's very random.

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