"Auw… Auw… Auw."

It was the next morning. And Sokka was more waddling around than he was actually walking.

"It hurts…. Why does it hurt? I didn't even know a shoulder could hurt like that!" Sokka cried. "And arm… and back… And stomach… And thighs… And feet."

Zuko looked up at Sokka. "Did you stretch probably?"

"Yes!" Sokka exclaimed. "I did everything you told me to do!"

"Well… Maybe you should rest today. And stretch." Zuko mussed. "Yeah… Today just do stretches. As many as you can."

"That's going to help?" Sokka asked.

"Yeah. Though it'll probably be a few days before you'll be back to normal." Zuko admitted. "But you can remember. The pain just proof of your hard work. And it proofs you have gotten stronger."

"Oh." Sokka blinked. "Well in that case. A man gotta do what a man gotta do." he stated as he stepped away, only to let out another. "Auw."

And soon after Sokka was stretching just like he was instructed to do.


The next few days things did fall into a routine and Katara couldn't help but be amazed how well Zuko had suddenly integrated into the group.

And just how comfortable she felt around him! It was just meant to be somehow. And they all worked on their bending.

Did the sunrise meditation together, and joined each other for bending lessons. Something Katara had never really thought about doing before. But as she tried to join both Zuko and Toph to try out some stances it turned out to be a lot of fun. And really interesting.

Toph as well tested out some water bending and fire bending stances. And finally the natural thing happened and Aang told them about Air bending.

Sokka dutifully continued his own training. And though he would complain, because that is what Sokka did. He never stopped! Didn't skip a day and did all his stretches, stances, punches and kicks. Often joining with Zuko and Aang for training.

In the evening Sokka was smirking happily as he looked at his own flexed arm. "I think I am getting more muscle!" he grinned. Then clapped his own biceps. "Definitely!" he stated, then sighed deeply as he leaned back.

"You're really enjoying your training with Zuko." Katara observed.

Sokka halted.

"Sokka?" Katara asked.

"Yeah… In fact. I'm really grateful." Sokka then admitted. "You guys. You are all so amazing with all of your bending and stuff. And I am just the guy with the boomerang. At least I want to be able to defend myself." he stated. "And not be a burden dragging you all down. You know."

"Sokka. You never dragged us down. You know that right?" Katara asked.

"Well. Not so far." Sokka stated. "But you're all getting so much stronger and it's going so far. I need to get stronger too! I want to be." he stated. "So yeah. I am really happy. I feel stronger and I know now that I can get way stronger still. And that makes me really happy, that I am getting there. And growing while you're growing. So we all get to grow together. And I wont fall behind."

Katara smiled. "That's good."

"Man to think. I would be so happy that Zuko of all people joined us." Sokka shook his head. Then leaned back. Putting his hands behind his head. "It's hard to imagine now isn't it? How scared we used to be of him."

"Yeah… He's actually really nice." Katara commented.

"Not at training he's not! He is brutal." Sokka said.

"He just wants you to do your best." Katara encouraged.

"Yeah, I know." Sokka said. "And that's actually… Really nice. I know he is taking me seriously. And I really feel like I am getting stronger."

Katara nodded as she collected her knees in her arms. "You know it's funny… In the past. When I pictured the enemy. The face of the fire nation itself that was always chasing us. It was him… His face."

Sokka glanced up. "I know what you mean."

"I feel so bad now. Is it because of the scar? I judged him?" Katara asked.

"No I don't think so." Sokka said. "It's because he was the first one we saw, who stepped out from that boat. And then he chased us. How-ever. I guess what we have learned now is that… There are always more going on beneath the surface. And well… There are times when people can change. That's pretty great isn't it?" he asked. "If Zuko can change. Then there is actual hope that the fire nation can change."

Katara gasped. Then she swallowed as she nodded. Closing her eyes. "I never thought much about what would happen after we defeated the fire lord." she admitted. "What should we do with the fire nation? Oppress them like they oppressed the earth kingdom?" she asked. "But you're right! If Zuko can change then maybe… Just maybe."

"Who knew. Aang was right back then, when we insisted that we kept Zuko around for another day. It was important. Really really important." Sokka commented.

Katara smiled. "You know Sokka. Sometimes you're really smart."

"Well I have my moments." Sokka smirked. "And I can figure out it'll probably be a lot better if we can be friends with the fire nation than if we fight them for another hundred years just with the tables flipped around."

"Right!" Katara stated. "You're right!" then she reached out and hugged Sokka. "Thank you Sokka."

Sokka smiled amused. "Anytime Katara." he smiled as Katara let go. Only for Sokka to ruffle up her hair. "It's really nice I can still be the clever big brother ones in a while!"

"Sokka stop!" Katara pushed her hand away and then tried to flatten her hair.

"Seriously. I want to be of help." Sokka stated. "So what ever you need… You know?"

Katara halted then looked at Sokka. "I know." she said softly. "Remember what mom said?"

"We never have to be alone! As long as we have each other!" Sokka grinned.

And Katara smiled. "Thank you Sokka."

Sokka blinked. "For what?"

"You know. Being my brother. For being the reason that I never ever had to be alone." Katara smiled sweetly. "Even when you are super annoying."

"Speak for yourself." Sokka snapped back. Then shook his head. "You too. Seriously. I really mean that." he said.

Katara smirked. "It's a good thing too. Now we got a bunch of other people to take care off."

"Tell me about it. How come everyone has issues?" Sokka asked.

"The war." Katara replied honestly.

"Right. That's probably true." Sokka had to admit. "It's gonna be a really good thing when we end it!"

Katara nodded. "By the way. We need to go to town either tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. We are basically out of supplies."

"Great. I could use a change of scenery." Sokka sighed. "Training is good and all. But I also think we should move and you know… Try to figure a plan of attack or something."

Katara nodded seriously. "Yeah. We need to figure out what we are going to do next."

"Hopefully. It wont be anything too dangerous." Sokka commented. "Though knowing our luck. That's not going to happen. Is it?"

"You know us and our luck." Katara smirked.

"Yeaaah." Sokka sighed deeply. "How aren't we all dead all ready?"