Disclaimer: Standard Disclaimers apply! Naturally any character that is not associated with the show belongs either to someone I have permission to use or to me. Please ask permission to use any character that I own should you desire to do so. Thank you. If there are any similarities between my work and another author's then I apologize. I suppose great minds DO think alike.

Series: Avatar: The Last Airbender

Title: Virtue

Author: Tiasha

Type: One-shot/Drabble

Word Count: 866

He had never been fond of the Fire Nation; that was a well known fact within their group of three...er four… It was going to take some getting used to having that little earthbending girl around now. So when the two Fire Nation citizens who had been hunting them, joined them, he had been flabbergasted and outraged. It was ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous! And he had made it quite clear that he was unsupportive of the decision to allow them to join. And he had been especially unsupportive when his baby sister began spending time with the stuck-up, arrogant prince.

His opinion however, was one he had to grudgingly change…or revise at least. The pain in the ass excuse of a prince had gained his gratitude and a smidgen of respect from him. And just how had that happened one might ask? Simple. Zuko had defended his baby sister when there had been no real need to.

Sokka could remember that day quite clearly, although how could one forget? It wasn't everyday that your younger sister had been mistaken as a prostitute. Now how that had happened was still unknown to him, since their group had split up earlier that day. Zuko had been designated to go with Katara, while he, Aang, Toph and Iroh had gone another way. Naturally, he'd been concerned so halfway through the day, he'd separated from the three smiling people of his group and searched for his sister and her…companion.

He'd turned a corner just in time to see some man grab Katara's arm and pull her to a stop, leering at her in a sleazy manner. Zuko had stopped as well, eyes narrowed and fists clenched at his sides; he had spoken to the man in such low tones, that Sokka had not heard what had been said. But the man's loud, slurred accusation that a whore had to do what she'd be paid to do and Katara's indignant cry of protest, had made the situation quite clear to Sokka. And his protective older brother streak had soared to the pinnacle of its capacity at hearing the crude remark.

Yet, he'd barely taken a step forward when Zuko's hand had shot out and grabbed the man's wrist and yanked it forcefully; the action had effectively released Katara and brought the man to his knees in pain and the exiled prince had continued to apply pressure. It seemed as if Zuko was intent on breaking the man's wrist when Sokka heard Katara say that they should leave. Angry gold eyes had swiveled to her and pinned her with a look of displeasure, but she had been unphased, saying simply that the man wasn't worth their time.

To Sokka's surprise, only a moment had passed before the young firebender had released the man and turned away. A hand was placed between Katara's shoulder blades as a means of getting her to move and she followed the gesture in a complacent manner, head held high. She acted as if the comment had not been made to her directly; and no one stopped them or even dared whisper about the two as they continued on their way.

Shocked at this—side of the young man, Sokka had stood rooted to the ground for a good five minutes before he decided that he should leave them be and return to his own group. After all, his sister seemed to be in capable hands. He needn't worry about her getting kidnapped by anyone other than Zuko… Wait minute! What had he been thinking! Leaving her alone with him! Had he gone crazy?

With one last glance at the couple, he had realized that maybe he had. But at least his little sister would be taken care of.

"Listen, I wanted to thank you, for earlier."

The young firebender narrowed his eyes at him, confusion slightly evident on his annoyed and brooding features. "What for?" he questioned warily. He had a right to be suspicious. Sokka just did not show gratitude to the two firebenders. Period.

Sokka averted his gaze from the small campfire to the young man who sat across from him. The flames caused shadows to flicker on the man's face, making the gold eyes seem more sinister than the man's heart really was. Everyone else had fallen asleep hours ago, and Sokka felt that now was the only time he'd have enough privacy to swallow his prejudice and thank the firebender.

"For my sister," he said, meeting Zuko's hard gaze unflinchingly. "You defended her virtue and…I'm grateful."

The young man snorted in denial, "It wouldn't have mattered who your sister was; I can't forgive a comment like that. It's dishonorable."

Sokka nodded in agreement, "At least we see eye to eye on that."

Zuko glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, but did not return his gaze to meet Sokka's or say anything. He did nod in acknowledgment however.

"Well…thanks anyway. It's kinda nice not having to worry about her all the time."

"I never said I'd protect her, so don't go getting your hopes up, peasant."

Sokka bit back a comment; they both knew Zuko was lying through his teeth.