Disclaimer: Well it's a new year and I still don't own Avatar: the Last Airbender
Chapter 15
Reaching for his tea he glanced at the young man seated before him, "You care a great deal for your sister don't you?" Sipping on the warm nectar he mulled the situation over in his mind. "But the questions you ask me are ones you should be directing towards, Prince Zuko, himself"
Sulking into the dinning room the young prince took a seat by his Uncle. "What questions?" Rubbing the last remnants of sleep from his eyes. Sokka was feeling a little annoyed as the snotty prince seemed to not even notice his presence.
"Questions like oh I don't know... What the hell were you doing with my sister last night?" There he just laid it on the table. He thought making such a statement would have relieved some of the strain on him, but only served to make him feel worst. Turning his head to the side the prince saw Sokka for the first time. His eyes went wide and he gasped in surprise. 'Had the boy been there the whole time?' His expression seemed to say.
"I don't want to talk about it. Especially with the likes of you, peasant." Sokka felt his temper rise at his insolent words. He didn't think things could get any worse, "What transpired last night between your sister and I is our business not yours." He said matter of factly.
"You bastard." Hardly a whisper, more like a growl. Yet he couldn't control his actions any more than he could keep the stars from the heavens. Grabbing the source of his frustration, "You think you are so much better than me? At least I know how to treat a woman. What do you know? Only how to scare them?" Zuko tried to claw away from his foul breath in vain. He couldn't firebend for two reasons. One being a guest in the earth kingdom was the most important. This distasteful youth was his loves brother. How he wanted to strike him down.
"You are lucky I made a promise to your sister or you'd be dead right now." Grabbing the juveniles hands he cast them aside with great furry. Straitening the wrinkles from his clothing, "I suggest you do the same for her sake." Offering his whole attention on the food that was placed in front of him, he ate ignoring the protests of the young man.
Feeling more than a little put out the younger of the two boys slumped in defeat into his chair. Head in hand he watched the older boy as he ate his food. He took small portions, delicately ushering them to his mouth. He noticed the other boy hadn't left but instead chose to watch him eat his meal. It unnerved him. Placing his chopsticks down on the edge of his bowl, "Is there some other way you can annoy me other than watching me eat?" He demanded, turning his head ever so slightly towards the boy. But the boy only shrugged.
"Your very pale. You hardly eat enough. Not enough to gain any real strength, anyway. How do you expect to provide for my sister?" Smoke billowed from his ears at these words. 'Provide? What like a wife?' feeling a lump form in his thought, he stood and excused himself.
Sokka looked at the old man named Uncle. Who was stroking his goatee, far off in thought. "Did I say something wrong?" The young boy wondered. Uncle seemed to hear this and shook his head as if to say, 'You got me kid. I was wondering the same thing.'
"My nephew is very complex individual, Sokka. Please give him some time to clear his thoughts. I know he means well. He just has trouble showing it." Sokka thought over the wise words offered by his new found friend. "Besides... If he hurt your dear sister it wouldn't just be you who would be after Zuko for retribution." Extending his hand to Sokka who gladly took it. They silently agreed to keep a lookout for Zuko's lustful side when ever he was around Katara. Shielding Katara from it would be a great undertaking.
Stirring in her bed she felt as if she were being watched, so as slowly as possible she rolled over to her side. Laying there for a while in the cowardly silence she opened her eyes to the smallest slits. There was no one there. Sitting up she could have sworn someone was there. Sighing as she got up, taking glance around the room she realized she was alone. Maybe Aang or Sokka came in while she was still asleep. This thought didn't do much to comfort her, she still felt a presence. It unnerved her as she started move around the room.
Glancing into the small washroom she took a stance in the ready to defend herself. No one. She was all alone. "Katara, get a hold of yourself." She went to the sink and washed her face. Grabbing a towel she dried herself and exited. Casting the towel aside on her bed she felt the glare of the presence yet again. Holding her breath she turned into the direction where she felt it coming from.
She nearly screamed when she saw it, or rather saw her. Holding her chest, "Frida have you been in here this whole time?" Her voice was raspy, for want of air to breath. The other girl looked so shocked all she could do was shake her head.
Finally able to speak the older of the two spoke, "Lady Katara, you startled me. Why do you ask? Your brother asked that I let you sleep undisturbed." Seeing that Katara was visibly shaken she gestured for her to sit on the bed. "I haven't been in your room until now. I heard you stir and watched from the door as you went into the bathroom." Katara groaned.
Looking up at the older girl she was afraid to ask, "You saw that?" Placing a hand on her burning cheeks she could feel the flush rise. 'How embarrassing. She saw me.' Pleading that it was other wise she cast a glance at her. Noticing her stifling a chuckle, "Pretty funny wasn't I?" But she still couldn't rid herself of the feeling that someone had been in here.
"You looked like you were really going to fight someone. And as it turns out that someone was me." She exclaimed. Fearful for herself and this young girl that she had come to know and care for. "I wouldn't know the first thing about defending myself much less fight someone off." Letting the weight of her words sink into an unseen pit. "You on the other hand could have taken that intruder. Who or what ever it was."
Great now she had the hired help believing there was someone in her room too. Eyes rolling into her head she barely noticed the noise coming from her stomach. "My Lady are you hungry? Can I get you something?" Katara only offered a nod of her head. The older girl got up as Katara flopped down on her bed, sighing. "I'll be back as soon as I can. Don't let the boogie man get you before I come back with your breakfast." Chuckling as she exited.
Katara grunted, at least no one else saw her make a fool of herself. Resting on the bed in a ill-fitting manner she shifted only to have the fear and loathing feeling come back. She closed her eyes. She was so sure she was alone. So who was watching her? Slowly she sat up again. Looking around she spoke as if some one was in fact there. "Who's there? What's so interesting about watching me and not letting yourself known? Afraid?"
She nearly fell to the floor on hearing it speak, "Afraid? Of a little girl?" She quickly scanned the room but only heard laughter as it echoed off the walls."Wish to know who I am?" Nodding was she could muster. Meet me by the river where you normally practice your bending in two hours. And I will be there." And the chuckle died into the recesses.
The feeling of someone watching her was replaced with a feeling of dread. How could she agree to meet an unknown being alone. How stupid was she. And in two hours? 'Oh Sokka is going to kill me.' A knock was heard from the hallway, and soon Frida entered with a basket in her arms.
"Some food for you my Lady. Sorry I couldn't find a tray." Silently thanking who ever was looking out for her from above. She thanked the girl. Leaving instructions to tell Sokka that she had woke and decided to go train as normal. She would be returning late so not to worry. She would be fine.