Here's the next chapter. Gah, did everybody see the latest Legend of Korra? Amazing!
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar
The morning was warm, but breezy, perfect for walking down to the beach and swimming in the pure blue water. The group trooped up the sandy, sloping hill to the small beach house that was to be their home the next few weeks. Zuko had refused to use his family's old house, after everything that had happened. The others respected his decision, though it led to an uncomfortable conversation about where they would stay instead.
They settled on a small house nestled in a private stretch of beach, where they would not be disturbed. With six bedrooms and a short walk to the beach, it promised to be a relaxing haven for them all. They were greeted by a musty scent when they pulled open the old, creaking door. It smelled faintly of salt and sand and blue skies, not unpleasant to the senses. Zuko looked about dejectedly, seeing the plush chairs and colorful tapestries hanging on the walls.
He would rather be back in the palace, dealing with state affairs, than in this ancient, lonely house. But he had promised Mai, and he didn't want to let his friends down. So he looked on as Sokka dumped his sack of clothes on the carpeted floor, stretched and yawned hugely, and then shed his clothes rapidly down to his swim trunks.
"To the beach!" He cried loudly, causing dust to float down from the vaulted ceiling. Katara frowned and pointed at the heap of his possessions.
"That belongs in your room, Sokka," she said exasperatedly. In a frenzy, he scrambled to gather his things and raced down the narrow hallway to deposit them in the same manner in the first room he entered.
"Someone's anxious to get his feet wet," Suki smiled, amused as always at her boyfriend's antics. She followed him down the hallway and let herself into her own room, shutting the door with a click and proceeding to put on her swimming clothes in a more modest way.
"You coming?" Katara looked at Zuko, noting his reluctance to put his bag down or shed to his swim trunks. He shrugged, knowing that they all expected him to go down to the beach with them. Instead of giving a clear answer, he stomped off to one of the remaining empty rooms. He chose the one at the end, furthest away from the others. He was surprised to see as he went to shut the door that Katara had chosen the room opposite his.
It was a simple room, with an old bed and an aged wardrobe. The window faced the back of the house, away from the beach and into the dense, green trees. He liked the trees better than the ocean, anyway. He felt more comfortable around them for some reason, as the ocean was unfamiliar to him.
He unpacked slowly, in no hurry to return to the living room where the others now gathered, fully dressed in their swimming clothes. He set the picture of his uncle upon the small bedside table, and the ceremonial hairpiece his grandfather Fire Lord Sozin had given Avatar Roku beside it. He had few garments, as he had never been one to care for material things. Resignedly, he donned his swim trunks and joined the others as they made their way down to the beach.
Their stretch of beach was covered in white, sparkling sand. It was narrow and long, with crystal clear water lapping gently on the shore. No one else was around, giving them well-needed privacy.
Sokka immediately threw himself into the pristine sand, vigorously shaping and molding what looked like the second blubbering blob monster created on the island. Suki pulled out a towel and plopped down next to him, observing the artist at work. Toph sat down as well, covertly bending sand into Sokka's face and messing with his sculpture, causing him to build with more intensity.
"C'mon, Katara!" Aang called as he ran into the waiting water, arms flailing. Katara grinned ad dropped her towel onto the sand.
"Right behind you, Aang," she responded, diving after him and splashing him playfully with water. For a moment, Zuko felt a strange pang of emotion, some emotion that he didn't have a name for. His eyebrows scrunched together unconsciously, as he wondered what on earth was wrong with him. It was just Katara and Aang. They were his friends, right? Everyone knew they liked each other and were practically dating. So why was he feeling this way?
Then it dawned on him slowly. It was a jarring and uncomfortable thought. Was he jealous?
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