The group walked through the thick woods, lead by Sheng, while Mera walked back with Aang, Katara, and Sokka, Appa and Mo Mo behind. The walk to the village was taking a long time, and it didn't help that Mera was talking the entire time. Katara walked next to her brother, pulling petals off of a flower and humming softly, not really paying attention. Aang and Mera talked, ignoring the fact that behind them, Sokka had been throwing his boomerang, a few times almost hitting them. Sheng was quiet, almost as if he was alone. Sokka wondered if it was always like this; Sheng quiet and Mera loud. Suddenly, the boomerang came flying back, hitting Sokka in the head rather hard, knocking him backwards.

"Ow! I'm pretty sure I've suffered enough head injuries today!" Sokka groaned, as Katara laughed.

"Sokka, you are a head injury." But before Sokka could argue with her, he felt a hand on his arm. He looked up, his blue eyes meeting bright, shimmering green eyes...Mera's eyes. It felt like they had been looking at eachother forever, like time had paused. Sokka realized how "cute" she really was. Her hair was golden, tied back and hidden underneath her black hood, but still quite vibrant. He hadn't noticed that. And cute was definetly an understatement. Mera wasn't cute...she was beautiful.

"Are you planning on getting up? We all have to walk, you know. Or you can go sit on the...Appa." Mera said, a little rudely, breaking his thoughts.

"H...hey! I'm trying!" Sokka said weakly, then felt like kicking himself. Why couldn't he come up with a 'witty' comeback? Luckily, Mera didn't rub it in, but instead helped Sokka to his feet. He muttered a 'thanks' and they started walking again. Sokka rubbed his head, glaring at Mera and Aang, still talking.

"So, you're really 112 years old? Thats amazing!" Mera exclaimed, and Aang nodded.

"Yup! I don't look like I would be-" He began, but Sokka interupted.

"Or act like it." He laughed to himself as Aang and Mera glared at him, Katara elbowed his ribs again. "Quit being so rude!" She whispered. Sokka scowled, not talking the rest of the trip to the village.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

"So, the fire nation have just quit bothering your village then? That seems a little strange..." Katara said, as they all sat around a small table, eating bread and fruit. The town was small, and in ruins for the most part, only a few buildings left standing. Besides Mera and Sheng, there were only a few other people that lived there. Sokka bit into a peice of bread, wondering if they had any meat, not noticing Mo Mo's hand reach up and steal his apple.

"Yes. They figure that since they have killed most of our people and left us with nothing, that we wouldn't be a threat. But they're wrong." Sheng said simply. "Our people were once great warriors, but when you have thousands of fire benders after you, a few great warriors cannot do much. Mera and I train, so that one day we can help defeat the Fire Nation, and gain back our pride."

"I'm back! I hope theres still some bread left..." Mera said, walking back into the room. She had gone to clean up, and Sokka turned to look at her, his jaw dropped. Mera cleaned up nice. Her black hooded outfit was now replaced by a flowy, more femmenine outfit. It was white, contrasting with her lightly tanned skin, making her seem almost angelic. Her golden hair was tied back loosely, a few strands of hair treading the nape of her neck. She sat down next to Katara, who made a comment on her dress, but Sokka didn't hear a word, until he felt Aang poke his arm.

"Why are you drooling..." Aang asked, bringing Sokka back to his senses. Sokka shook his head, closing his mouth.

"Nothing! Its...its something you wouldn't understand. Too mature for you..." Sokka said, taking another bite of bread and trying to focus on Sheng, who was apparently saying something important, but still, Sokka couldn't hear. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mera laughing, still talking with Katara. He couldn't concentrate, or keep his cool. "I'm gonna step outside. You should know that warriors like myself need...air..." He mumbled, walking outside. Katara laughed, rolling her eyes.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

What is going on? Shes just a girl. You've seen girls before. Heck, you've kissed girls before. Like Suki, and Yue. Now they were good reasons to blush. But Mera? You don't even know her, and she seems annoying, and a lot like Katara. Maybe I just need a good meal...

Sokka paced back and forth outside of the small house, trying to think. From the hour that he had known Mera so far, he really couldn't understand why he would be so flustered. Sure, she was pretty, but so were Yue and Suki. And at least they weren't annoying. Mera talked. Mera didn't fawn over him, but instead cared more about Aang, or Appa even. Mera laughed at the idea of Sokka being a warrior. And shes not THAT pretty! Sokka told himself.

"So, warriors like you need air? Thats shocking." Mera said, standing behind him with her hands on her hips. Sokka whirled around, almost loosing balance. Okay, she is THAT pretty... He managed to glare at her as she stood, looking rather amused.

"Why are you bothering me? Why don't you go bug Aang. He likes the attention. See, hes not used to getting attention from women. I, on the other hand..." Sokka began, but Mera scoffed, interupting him.

"Oh really? I didn't know I was in the presence of such a 'ladies man'. Forgive me, your Royal Lameness."

"Oh yeah!" Sokka retorted, crossing his arms.

"Yeah!" Mera snapped back, her gaze peircing his.

"Well...look! Whats that!" Sokka said quickly, pointing. Mera rolled her eyes.

"Oh please! I'll have you know that I've grown up with- AHHH!" She screeched as Mo Mo landed on her sholder, scaring her. She jumped, falling over, landing in a barrel, and her bottom quite stuck. Sokka doubled over with laughter, almost in tears. "Get me OUT! This is not funny!" Mera yelled at him, attempting to push herself out, but it was useless. She crossed her arms, waiting for Sokka to quit laughing. Five minutes later, Sokka stood up straight, grinning at her.

"I'd help you, but your Royal Lameness has many royal plans to attend to." Sokka said, still grinning.

"You can't leave me here! It will be night soon! I'll freeze!" Mera said angrily. Sokka shrugged.

"Oh don't worry, they'll find you eventually."

"I cannot stand you!"

"And you cannot stand, either."

"Why are you so irritating!"

"Why are you stuck in a barrel!"

"Quit it!"

"Fine."

"FINE!" Mera yelled, exausted. Sokka looked at her for a minute, pretending to think things over.

"Well, if you admit defeat, I'll help you out." He said with a sly smile. Mera stared at him.

"SHENG!" She shrieked, and her brother came running out. Sokka hadn't expected that. He watched as Sheng helped his sister out of the barrel, lecture her about staying away from barrels, and then walk back inside. Mera crossed her arms, glaring at Sokka once again. "This is not over, water boy!" She said, stomping back into the house.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

AN: Ooh, you can cut the sexual tension with a knife! SARCASM . Sorry if this one isn't too good either haha, I'm just having fun writing, thats all!