Gang Warfare

Author/Artist: MuffyTaj
Pairing: Zuko/Katara
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Theme: #17. kHz
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, or the series.

A/N: This is another one I am considering turning into a chaptered fiction. Any thoughts/suggestions much appreciated.

The thumping beat of bad rap music alerted Katara, Aang and Sokka of their enemies approach from two blocks away. By the time the purple limo squealed to a stop beside them the sound waves were making the ground shake.

Katara and Sokka pushed Aang back, and prepared to face down their life-long rivals.

Zuko jumped out of the car, all flashy moves and dark clothing. He smirked, and opened the door for his uncle.

Iroh was the Pimp Master, and as such was always surrounded by no less than two beautiful young women. He oozed out of the car, and slowly straightened up. The music continued to pound through the air, slamming its way into the two Mizuhan members' skulls.

"Hihan." Sokka spat as a greeting. The Hihan were the main gang for the area, and viewed all turf as their turf. They had almost completely destroyed the Tsuchihan gang last year, and now had their eyes set on the Mizuhans.

Zuko was pinned to be the next leader, once his father bit the dust. His face was scarred from his father getting drunk and throwing acid at him, and he was well known for his wicked temper. In order to prove his worthiness as the next leader Zuko had sworn that he would hunt down the legendary Avatar, and either make him a part of the Hihan gang, or kill him.

The Avatar was the name given to the man who managed to master all four of the gangs' unique fighting style. Their techniques and special moves were closely guarded, and so anyone who was capable of learning them all was seen as their uniting leader, and ultimate threat. Once the Avatar aged he or she would often choose a successor, and train them to fill their position.

The last Avatar had died seven years ago when a home-made bomb exploded in his car. He had not chosen a successor. With no overhead to answer to, the Hihan slowly began their takeover. The Kazehan had been the first gang to fall to them, and with their decimation many had despaired of an Avatar ever reappearing.

But then Aang had turned up, and the streets had once again begun to hope. He was skilled in the Ku style of Tai Chi, Northern Shaolin and naturally talented in Ba Gua. The only martial style he had yet to master was Hung Gar from the Tsuchihan gang, and the Hihan hoped to stop him before he achieved it.

"Avatar, this is your last chance to join us." Zuko shouted over the music. Irritated, he signaled his uncle to turn the music off. In the ringing silence that followed Katara stepped forward. Slowly she reached into her sleeves, and pulled out a small switchblade. "An Agni Kai?" Zuko asked in amusement.

"Something like that." Katara said. Sokka looked sideways at her, and seemed like he was going to object.

"Fine." Zuko snapped and, pulling out his own switchblade, darted in. Their switchblades met, and sparks flew screaming from the metal's lethal kiss.

Zuko drew first blood, his knife nicking Katara's face as he attempted to overwhelm her with his strength. Blood splattered across the ground, and Sokka stepped forward with a shout.

"Stay back!" Katara ground out, her fist connecting with Zuko's shoulder. Iroh raised an eyebrow at that, and watched as Katara broke through Zuko's flimsy defense to return his cut.

She finally managed to get a lock on him, her blade pressed against his, holding him in position. His hand was around her other wrist, and they were each strained to free themselves. Except for their breathing, there was complete silence.

"Pity you're a Mizuhan." He panted eventually. His knife jittered slightly.

"Pity you're an arsehole." She replied, wondering how long it would be until she lost all feeling in her left hand. Zuko had more upper body strength than her, it was only a matter of time before…

Iroh's eyes flickered and for a moment it looked like he was about to lash out at something, but then he subsided, smiling.

"Neither of you move!" Sokka's voice rang out. Heads swiveled around as Sokka's knife flashed. He had managed to get around to behind one of Iroh's ladies, and his knife pressed up against her neck. "Zuko, step away from her, otherwise…"

The lady in question smirked, shifting slightly under Sokka's hold.

"D-don't move!" He squeaked, his face flushing. "Put your hands in front of you!"

"Sure thing, honey." She murmured, folding her arms under her ample chest. Ample, very exposed chest. Sokka swallowed hard, before concentrating back on Zuko and Katara.

Iroh stroked his beard as he watched Sokka blush dorkily at his favourite lady friend, and her respond to a surprising degree. Usually she would have ripped his balls off by now. His ladies were discerning, and had excellent taste (after all, they chose to spend their time with him, didn't they?) and they were rarely wrong when it came to men. Maybe there was something to the boy after all. To see that much skill in someone young and untutored…

Pimping was a very serious business. A bad pimp could ruin a score of lovely ladies, and so pimps had to be carefully selected, and ruthlessly educated in all things sordid. As the next Avatar must be chosen so too must the next Pimp Master be carefully trained. And many pimps never made it through the program – why even Iroh had made one near-fatal mistake in his apprenticeship, involving a young women who wasn't … but the experience had only strengthened him, and made him extra careful when selecting companions. Perhaps this boy would be the same.

"You - Sokka was it? How would you like to become my apprentice?"

"What?" Sokka blinked.

"I see much talent in you, and with training and experience, I believe that you could rise to match even me." Iroh strolled over to Sokka and casually took the blade out of his loose grip. He smiled at the bemused Sokka, and pocketed the knife. "What do you say? Would you take this old pimp as your teacher?"

"Uncle!" Zuko shouted.

Katara shook her head, and then realized that she was still locked into position with Zuko. Oh, right, the Agni Kai…

"Sokka?" She whispered.

"Ah, of course, we shouldn't be discussing this in front of your special lady. Although I could always find you work, if you wished…." Iroh said, winking at Katara.

"She's the enemy!" Zuko shouted at the same time Sokka jumped and practically screeched "She's my sister!"

"Is the fight over?" Aang asked into the glare-filled silence that followed. "I'm hungry." His face was a very picture of puppy woe.

"Then may I suggest a temporary truce, whilst we discuss young Sokka's pending apprenticeship." Iroh said, and such was his charm that they were halfway to the local restaurant before it occurred to Zuko that there was something incredibly wrong with this scenario.

"Uncle!" He shouted over the once-again present music. "Uncle, this is madness! They're our enemy!"

"Sorry Zuko, I can't hear you!" Iroh shouted back, leaning forward, and somehow, accidentally, pushing Katara into Zuko's lap. She sprawled across the young next-in-command's lap, before grabbing his shoulders and pulling herself free. Flushed, she rolled onto the seat next to him, and crossed her arms.

Zuko was also slightly red, and glared at his uncle. Iroh just shrugged at him, and made the universal hand signal for 'make conversation now!' before turning back to Sokka and Aang and continuing his story.

"…That was an interesting move you used to block my leopard strike. What is it called?" Zuko asked baldly.

Katara blinked, then smiled slightly as she began to explain the flaws in his attack that made it so easy to block and break through his defense. Pretty soon they were deep in conversation, comparing fighting notes.

From his corner, Iroh smiled to himself. It was good to be the Pimp Master.