LOL, here's the next chapter. I updated pretty quickly, ne? xD Anyways, hope you like it. I really put alot of effort into this!(:

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN AVATAR; if I did, alot of things would be different.

Warnings: Swearing, violence, fluff, Slash. Nothing too graphic, though. Uhh. theres gonna be some mystickal magick, but nothing too different from the series. I'll try to keep em as OC as possible.

Pairings: Zukka(Zuko, Sokka.) Taang(Toph, Aang) Jetara(Jet, Katara) eerr... maybe more side pairings. I have the tendency of stirring up drama and jealousy when I write. -sigh- I'm such a drama queen.

Chapter Two

Happy The Hard Way

"SOKKA, LOOK OUT!" Katara's scream filled the young warrior's ears as the Fire Nation ship crashed into the snow wall protecting the village. Sokka held his ground, but was pushed back by the snow nonetheless.

Gasps were heard as the dwindling village looked on in horror, Sokka standing alone to face the threat. He was scared, very scared, but he knew it was his duty. He promised his father he would look after the village, no matter what. He was a man.

The front of the ship dropped to form a bridge, leading straight to where Sokka stood. At first, he was intimidated by the ship and it's size, but he quickly pushed those feelings aside.

Sokka crouched low, holding his club, ready to attack, eyes focussed on the looming ship. It was true he wasn't the most skilled, seasoned warrior. He was the only one in his age group, the other boys barely even reached his belly button. But Sokka was confident that his will to protect his family alone could defeat any enemy he would face.

He tightened his grip on his club as figures emerged from the depths of the enemy's ship. Fire Nation. The day that haunted him ever so cruelly flashed in Sokka's head. His sister crying, his mother's burned skin and-

Rage bubbled up in him as he ran towards the Fire Nation soldiers, a sharp cry of battle rising from his lips as he lived in the moment. The one in the front of the pack, the leader Sokka suspected, looked at him bemusedly, a smirk twitching on his lips.

Tch.

Sokka swung the club at the cocky bastard, pressing all his weight into his swing and- The "cocky bastard" delivered a swift, yet powerful, kick to Sokka's head.

Sokka -utterly surprised and unpleasantly confused by his opponent's obvious skill- was knocked off the bridge and into a large pile of snow.

It chilled his tan skin, as he sunk more and more into the snow. Tears threatened his eyes, as he bit back the disappoint he felt at being so easily thrown aside. How was he supposed to protect them, when he couldn't even protect himself?

He guessed that now his warpaint would be smudged. After all the time he'd spent perfecting it... He let out an irritated sigh as he wiggled around.

What would Hakoda say? What would Kya say? Sokka struggled in the tightly packed snow, his face burning with the cold sensation. He had to get out now. The Water Tribe warrior emerged from his snowy prison just in time to see the bastard shoot flames at his family. Sokka growled, just as the intruder angrily said, "I know you're hiding him."

Sokka ran for his club, grabbed it from the snow, and sprinted for his target. He swung his arms back, ready to hit, letting another war cry escape as he got closer. As he swung, the stranger ducked and Sokka went hurdling over him.

A fireball was sent his way and Sokka just barely escaped making a rather unattractive howl. He slid to the side, reached for his trusty boomerang and threw it. Bastard moved his head, surprised by Sokka's quickness after so easily getting rid of him before.

One of his little warriors in training tossed him a spear, and Sokka wasted no time going after Bastard. His breath was labored now, to his disbelief. He'd spent the past six years preparing for fighting Fire Nation scum! How could he already be so easily tired?

Bastard's amber eyes narrowed in annoyance. He easily broke Sokka's spear in half, effectively knocking the boy to the ground his own weapon. He watched as Sokka glared up at him, rubbing the spot on his head he'd just hit.

Sokka clenched his jaw. This guy's going easy on me! He could have easily done much more damage, yet he-

His thoughts were cut off as his boomerang appeared in the distance and hit Bastard right on the head. His helmet slammed against his skull and he moaned, steadying himself. Inside, Sokka was doing a happy dance. But the look Bastard was giving him showed that if he showed any signs of happiness, he'd be ripped to shreads.

Sokka clawed backwards, towards Katara who pulled him towards her as the stranger approached them, fire forming in his palms. He looked pissed. Sokka clenched his eyes shut, waiting for a blow that never came. There was cheering. Sokka peeked open an eye. Had he done something right? Had his boomerang somehow caused the cocky bastard to fall into a coma?

But alas, no, for the monk had came to save the day riding a penguin. How cliche. Bastard's face was planted in snow an Aang landed in front of Sokka and Katara. He wore his usual silly grin and watched as the penguin waddled away.

"Hey, Katara. Hey, Sokka." He said it so friendly. As if Sokka hadn't banished the traitor from the village only hours ago. This kid must have serious memory problems or something.

"Hi, Aang." Sokka said dejectedly. "Thanks for comin'." Sokka's eyes were now diverted to the Bastard, who now stood. Something flashed in Sokka's mind. There was something eerily familiar about the, boy apparently, who stood fuming before them. The amber eyes, the black hair. But the scar. He had never seen a scar like that, except for...

He looked down at his own hand, a tiny scar on his wrist. He smiled bitterly at it, shaking his head. Now was not the time for those thoughts. The boy was probably dead. Like his mother.

He was so caught up in his thoughts, Sokka was startled when he heard Bastard talk. "You're the airbender?" He asked Aang, his body stiff as he faced the twelve year old boy.

Bastard seemed to be Sokka's age, and he was already so well trained in the Fire Nation's combat. Though, had their been more teachers and more time in the Southern tribe, Sokka was sure he would have been on the boy's level.

From the sidelines, even hearing the voice, struck a chord in Sokka. "You're the Avatar?"

Waaait, hold up, cocky bastard say what? Katara's shocked exclamation was echoed by Sokka at Bastard's declaration. Aang, that monk kid, was the Avatar? No freaking way.

Sokka watched, transfixed as the two circled each other. Aang and the intruder on their lands. They seemed to be speaking, but Sokka could hear nothing over the static in his own head. His brain was too small to process all this at once.

Fire shot out at Aang. The kid blocked it as it was repeatedly thrown at him, doing his best to shield Katara, Sokka, and the village. His eyes widened as one shot came particularly too close for comfort. Sokka was clenching his teeth again. He wanted another go at this guy-

"If I go, will you leave the village and everyone in it alone?" This caught Sokka by surprise and he watched as Aang was escorted away by threatening looking men. It reminded him much of the day his friend had been taken from him.

Zuko.

"No, Aang, don't do this!" Katara called, taking a few steps after her new friend.

"It'll be okay." Aang assured her, optimistic although the situation seemed entirely too... not. Sokka watched as a blank expression crossed over his face.

Much of this was like when he'd had his new friend stolen away from him by the Fire Nation, too. But this time there was much less death.

When Aang had said those three words, Sokka had believed him, despite his pessimistic nature. That kid was comforting. Nothing had been comforting when he'd seen the look on Zuko's face as he'd been torn away from him.

His mother is dead and he'd lost possibly the only non-relative friend he'd ever had.

Aang smiled as the bridge lifted, and Sokka could tell Katara's eyes were watering. They stared as the ship retreated. Sokka was just relieved no one he cared about was hurt this time.

Sokka pondered their situation. He pondered if there was still a chance Aang could be alive. As the siblings worked through the day to repair the village, Sokka pondered.

His mind went over in his head possibilities. Plans. How could they...

Katara was brooding as she worked, which had inspired Sokka to think even more. The monk's absence had a negative effect on his sister, for whatever reason. He supposed she just liked the company.

It reminded Sokka much of the feelings he'd had towards his first and only friend, the Fire Nation prince. The giddy excitement of having fun with someone who shared your point of view. A shining beacon of hope and excitement, after being stuck in the boring South all your life.

Sokka sighed. He couldn't let a friend go another time. He owed it to Katara and in some ways, to Zuko. He couldn't help at all. He couldn't help his friend, his friend's mother, or even Kya. Not even Kya. Sokka shook his head, gazing thoughtfully at his sister. It was sunset now, and she was pacing in front of the retreating sun.

She was ranting now, and Sokka tried to speak only for her to cut her off again.

"Katara, are you gonna talk all day or are you coming with me?" He motioned towards the canoe in the water beside him. Katara's eyes sparkled in delight, her face lightening and becoming much more pleasant to look at as she smiled.

"Oh, thank you, Sokka!" She cried, hugging her brother fiercely. Sokka coughed, embarrassed. "Now, let's go save your boyfriend."

"He's not-"

"Whaaatever."

Sokka froze as he saw her approach. "What do you think you're doing?" A hoarse, yet wise, voice asked from behind Katara. Gran-gran stood, watching them, a brow raised. Her wrinkled hands behind her back, and her lips pursed. Like she knew they were up to something.

She broke into a wry smile. "You'll need these for your trip." She said, holding out packs. Kanna looked Katara in the eyes, still smiling.

"It's been a long time since I had hope, but you brought it back." She smirked. "Little water-bender." Katara grinned proudly as Kanna turned to Sokka who was smiling softly at the two.

"And you, my brave warrior," Her voice taking on some lilt,"Be nice to your sister." Sokka blinked as Kanna hugged him tightly. Embarrassedly, he agreed he'd watch after her.

"Aang is the worlds only hope, as the Avatar. You both found him for a reason. Now your destiny is intertwined with his." Kanna's eyes glinted mischievously. "And others' so it seems."

Oh joy.

Katara and Sokka exchanged puzzled looks. Just then, a loud growl was her from behind the trio. Katara glanced over her shoulder, then she beamed. "Appa! We can ride Appa!"

Sokka groaned.

"You just love taking people out of their comfort zones, dont' ya?" Katara ignored his comment, and went skipping over to the marvelous beast. She looked absolutely bewitched by the creature.

Soon, Sokka and Katara found them selves above the Fire Nation ship. Sokka felt rather manly and confident. It seemed they had the advantage now, didn't they? Noise on deck alerted them to Aang's presence and they watched him as he used his bending to escape his captor's.

Sokka's eyes were locked on the boy from earlier. He watched his movements, so precise and sharp. He wanted so desperately to be able to move like that.

When Aang was flung off deck, Katara had screamed, startling Sokka from his thoughts. The Avatar emerged after a few seconds, wielding water as his new weapon.

The Water Tribe members watched in awe as Aang effortlessly bended the water, their element. Katara was extremely impressed, and Sokka could practically feel the hope expanding inside her. Appa flew down to land on deck as Aang collapsed to the ground.

Katara and Sokka rushed to him, Katara fussing over him worriedly.

"Thanks for coming..."The bald-one mumbled from Katara's arms. "I couldn't let you have all the glory." Sokka joked, earning a slight smile from Katara.

"I dropped my staff." Aang said looking over to their left. "I'll get it." Sokka said happily, marching over to the brown staff.

As he reached down for it, another hand grabbed it as well. He looked forward to see the cocky bastard grabbing the staff, using it to hold himself on the ship.

The boy stared at Sokka's scar, amber eyes blinking in confusion, as he looked up at Sokka's face. The Water Tribe boy was frozen still. He couldn't move.

"Sokka?" His name came out as a confused sound from the older boy's lips and Sokka suddenly knew why the boy was so familiar. "Z-zuko?" Sokka gasped, grasping at the boys' arm to pull him up. Zuko sat on the deck, staring incredulously at Sokka.

Then reality hit them both. Zuko grabbed Sokka's forearm. "I will give you thirty seconds to run and take the Avatar. Don't look back, and this never happened." Zuko hissed in Sokka's ear.

Sokka paled. This was his friend? The Fire Prince? How did he get that scar?

"Go!" Zuko hissed suddenly, startling Sokka to his feet. The Water Tribe boy clenched the staff in his hands and ran full speed to his sister and Aang. "Let's go before he regains his strength." Sokka said quickly, helping Katara carry Aang onto Appa.

"Yip yip."

Sokka peered over the edge of the large Flying Bison. He spotted Zuko. He tried to resist the butterflies in his stomach, knowing his friend was alive. He looked over to see Katara obsessing over Aang.

Both of their friends were.

"Nephew!" Iroh said in a slightly concerned tone, crouching beside Zuko, who was currently sitting in an awkward position near the edge of the ship.

"Are you alright?" He asked Zuko.

Iroh could tell by the oh-too-obvious fire in his eyes, that he was not.

tbc

SO, did ya like it? Review please. I'm going to go start the third chapter. This story has me really pumped and I have nothing else to do since I've been sick this entire weekend. Thanks for the reviews for last chapter and to everyone who added this to alert and favorite. I will try hard not disappoint! -bows determinedly- CHA! Constructive criticism is welcome, along with encouragingly long reviews with the word LOVE in them. hehehe.