Sokka was released the next week. He was being let go after receiving the "appropriate punishment" for a minor. But now he knew he was being watched, and that meant Katara was too. They didn't fight when he came back, they were too relieved and exhausted to fight. Things were sad and grim when he returned, but for a while it felt peaceful. He went back to school, and Katara and Aang continued going to the Hideout every Friday and Saturday night.

Sokka didn't like to see Jet and his sister going everywhere together holding hands, and he got the impression Aang didn't like it either, the little bastard. But Sokka was glad Aang went with them. "Aang, if that bastard does anything, I expect you to protect my sister."

"I will, but I know Jet won't do anything. He's a good guy."

Sokka grimaced, "Just …. watch your back."

The team welcomed Sokka back and everyone expressed their joy and relief at his return.

Suki approached him seriously. "I've done my best with them, although the staff didn't make it easy. They forced us off the field while you were gone so I had to train in small groups. They're coming along though and I think …. Um …."

Sokka was hugging Suki. He didn't really know why. She didn't either apparently. "Sokka?"

For some reason, Sokka's mind had wandered off to a conversation they had weeks ago, before he was arrested. He had seen Suki and Katara walking together and eating snow cones after school.

Sokka walked up to the two of them. "Kyoshi, don't be late okay?"

"When have I ever been late? Honestly, you're so paranoid."

"Soccer comes before snow cones."

"Friends come before soccer!"

"Since when have you two been friends?"

"Since you told me to get lost at try-outs!"

"I let you on the team, didn't I!"

"That isn't an excuse to treat me like a child!"

"I'm not treating you like a child! I'm just telling you not to be late!"

"Yeah but you always give me more attention than the other players! Telling me what to do and how to do it! I know how to play soccer and I know how to take care of myself!"

"I'm just making sure you don't fall behind! You're the only girl …"

"What does being a girl have to do with it?! You're such an ass hole!"

"Hey! You can't talk to me like that! I'm the captain!"

"I don't care! You need to learn some respect for women!"

"I respect women plenty!"

"Then prove it! Stop treating me like a girl and start treating me like a warrior!"

He let go of her. He tried to appear stoic after his act of affection. "Uh um uh yeah I …." He cleared his throat. "Thanks for holding down the fort, …. assistant student captain."

The team had an audible response. "WHAT?!"

Suki blushed. "Sokka, are you sure about this?"

Sokka shuffled his feet. "Not really, I think co-captain would be more appropriate. Don't you?"

The team yelled out their shock and Sokka and Suki both stood awkwardly avoiding eye contact.

Suki spoke, "I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. I'm sorry for the way I treated you. I treated you like a girl when I should have treated you like a warrior."

Suki paused, "I am a warrior." She touched his shoulder, "But I'm a girl too."

Sokka blushed bright red and the team howled. "Shut up, you dumbasses! Get off the bench and start your laps! We have one week before the big game so get to work!"

Suki smiled, "You heard him! Move!"

They stood side by side and watched with pride as the team got to work. It was a new day.

The school was filled with excited energy as spirit week approached. Spirit week was always highly anticipated, especially by non-fire citizen students. It was one week to fight openly against the firenation, and perchance taste some small victory. And then of course, there was the costume ball. On Friday night, the whole school would dress up in costumes and no one would know who was firenation and who was not. It was one night to feel free, to feel normal. But before the ball, there was a week of sports tournaments.

Monday was the worst. Monday was dedicated to firenation pride, one day of unbridled animosity. The events of that day included a pep rally that raised up the fire citizens and shamed the colonists. They were reminded sternly of the great generosity of the fire nation for allowing their presence at the school and how vengeance would be wreaked upon those who rebelled.

Jet snickered, "I'd like to see them try."

Katara elbowed him to shut him up.

After the pep rally, the whole school was made to watch displays of the firebending students dueling or showcasing special skills. Aang watched as Zuko faced off against a junior boy with a smartass attitude. The school laughed at Zuko as he furiously went after the junior boy. He was using basic firebending moves, and his moves were more sporadic than strategic.

Aang clenched his fists together nervously. "Come on, Zuko."

The boy pushed Zuko to the ground, panting. "What's the matter? Does his highness need a break?" The crowd laughed and Zuko lunged at the boy. "Careful your highness, I wouldn't want to ruin your good side."

"Shut up!" Zuko flung his flaming fists at the boy.

He blocked. "Pathetic."

Zuko took a deep breath in. You're focusing too much on your firepower and not enough on your movements.

Aang smiled as Zuko moved into position and performed the move he had taught him. The crowd watched astonished as Zuko swiftly glided through the air and struck the boy with a flaming kick. He cried out in pain and the referees began frantically whistling away. The nurses had to assist the boy as they walked him to the nurse's office.

The boy spat at Zuko as he left. "You freak!"

Zuko was disqualified for foul play and given a Saturday detention.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were less eventful. A series of poor play-offs between firenation and non-fire sports teams. Non-fire naturally lost at nearly everything, and spirits were fairly low by the end of Thursday.

When the dismissal bell rang, Katara and Aang gloomily walked together towards the soccer field. "That's it. Our only hope now is for Sokka's team to win tomorrow, and that's not likely."

Aang tried cheering Katara up, "Well yeah, but now that Suki is co-captain ….."

"What difference does it make? Even with Suki the referees will never let the non-fire team win. They always have some trick up their sleeves. If it had been a fair fight the hockey team might have had a chance."

Aang hung his head. He noticed beneath his feet the crunching of autumn frost. Suddenly he perked up and pulled at Katara's sleeve. "I know what will cheer you up! Let's go ice skating tonight! We don't have any homework because of spirit week, and the rinks should be open this late into fall, and you did promise when I met you that you would go skating with me."

Katara hesitated, "Well …."

"Come on, Katara. It's time we had some fun for a change."

Katara started to say something, but stopped short when she saw Jet waving at her from across the way. Forgetting Aang, she walked over to Jet. Aang watched them talking and laughing and felt his face turn hot. He started to walk away when Katara called him back. He walked back and the three of them whispered in a circle.

"Jet has a mission for us."

Jet brushed back his hair, "Come to the Hideout tonight. I know a way you and Katara can help in our struggle, and with the costume ball coming up, we have the perfect opening. I'll explain more tonight." He squeezed Katara's hand and walked off.

Aang stood awkwardly as Katara watched him walk across the lawn. "So, I guess we're not going ice skating."