A/N: Avatar:TLA is property of the geniuses at Nickelodeon.
This chapter has much more exposition in it – but I promise the next couple of chapters will include the hi-jinx of Sokka and Toph!
Chapter 3 – Friday Kendo Practice
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Katara had stopped avoiding Sokka long enough to show up to watch the mini-tournament the Kendo squad was staging. She had even agreed to go out with everyone to the dollar theater and the all-night dinner afterwards. She sat on the bleachers, lounging with Aang, Toph, and Haru. Sokka had yet to catch her for a moment to talk. He had a break, but was too tired to walk over to the bleachers – he had fought 5 bouts already. The first two were against newcomers to the sport. He had won the bouts easily. He had let Hahn score a point, since he had been concentrating on making the blows hurt, rather than watching his guard. He was able to turn his concentration around and score the two points required for a win in quick succession. The bout with Suki went as he had suspected, though it lasted longer then the last time they fought. Mai was the most difficult; she had a wicked quick lunge. He was pressed, but managed to get a point in with a sharp forearm strike before time ran out. Zuko was almost finished schooling Hahn, and he would fight Sokka next. If Zuko won, he get to face Suki for the first competition slot. Zuko managed a second point quickly, ending the match. Sokka stood up. He grabbed his shinai, the bamboo katana used in Kendo fencing. This shinai had been his father's, and one of the few things with sentimental value. He stretched it over his head and bounced, loosening himself up.
"Prolonging your doom?" Zuko's gravelly voice broke his concentration.
Sokka called back serenely. "Patience is key to the Kendo mind." He walked up and bowed to the coach. Both Zuko and Sokka walked to their places, bowed and started the match. A loud, energetic yell distracted most of the spectators.
"Give me a S!" Ty Lee had leaped into the gym, waving pom-poms. "Give me an O!" Zuko seized the moment to lunge at Sokka. He was barely able to hold him off. The grappled, chests just inches away from each other.
"Make that a double K!" Ty Lee bellowed. Sokka was sure Zuko could see the embarrassed flush through the steel bars in his helmet.
"My, my someone is popular." Zuko landed a forearm strike.
"And Shake it for your A! Go Sokka!!!!!" Ty Lee clearly did not get that Zuko had just scored.
"Sokka Sok--" Ty Lee's voice cut out. Sokka didn't dare turn around, just sent mental thanks to Toph for whatever she was doing at the moment to get the Bubbly Stalker to stop.
Their shinai cracked sharply as they collided. Sokka lunged, but was stopped and barely missed a strike aimed at his throat. Sokka shook his head trying to regain his concentration. He risked a glance over to where Ty Lee had started to cheer and bit back a laugh as he saw a pink gym shoes and long legs sticking out of a crate where they kept basketballs.
"What are you laughing at, peasant?" Zuko demanded. Sokka answered the only way he could. The setup was perfect.
"You."
"Arrggghhh!!!!!" Zuko lunged at him. This time Sokka got a blow in. For the rest of the match, Zuko attacked constantly. Sokka was successfully holding off his attack, but was unable to launch his own. Then all the sudden, Zuko landed a second point, ending the match
"I told you would rank you. Step aside, Capitan."
Sokka slumped dejectedly to the bench where his teammates were waiting. Suki walked over and put her hand on his shoulder. "Wow Sokka – that was the best defense techniques I've seen you use yet." Sokka took off his helmet and smiled weakly.
"I'm waiting." Zuko hadn't bothered leaving the ring.
"Wow, Suki. Someone is sure eager for punishment. Go spank 'em." Sokka glared at Zuko.
"Her, and what army?"
"Clearly, you haven't been paying attention…" Sokka began heatedly.
"Thank you Sokka, but I can stand up for myself." Suki said evenly, then turning to Zuko, "Let's make this quick so you can un-bunch your panties."
"Oooooo….." Most of the crowd whistled their approval.
It was over quickly – Zuko lunged, Suki countered and struck a point. Zuko lunged again, Suki countered again and struck another point. The match was over in 20 seconds.
"Thanks for the workout, tough guy. Though, you may need to work on your stamina." Suki bowed, ignoring the cheers, and headed to the girls changing room. Zuko just stood there.
Sokka started to clean up and put away the equipment. He raised an eyebrow at a few of the freshmen teammates who were trying to nonchalantly walk to the changing room. They got the hint and started carrying the equipment to the closet. Toph came up to him.
"That was a thing of beauty." She giggled. "you should have heard…" Zuko broke his reverie with a sharp intake of breath and stomped to the boys changing room.
"What was that?"
"The new kid, with Suki issues." Sokka watched Zuko walk away.
"What is it with all the man-babies? Do they all have to lose to Suki and throw a fit before they understand how good she is?" Toph wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"Uhm, yeah. It is a kind of a guy right of passage." Sokka painfully remembered Suki having to give him an attitude adjustment when he first arrived. "So what is this thing of beauty?"
"Ty Lee, in a basketball cart. Katara even helped."
"She what?!?"
"She helped with the strategic placement of the cart, Aang distracted the psycho, and Haru and I assisted her in…" Sokka glanced over to where Mai was helping Ty Lee out.
"You are the best, Toph."
"I know. I'll add it to the list of things you owe me for."
"Ty Lee is almost out; I am going to escape to the locker room now. See you in a few minutes."
"Ok, Meathead. Smell ya later."
Sokka had finished with his shower when he was startled by embarrassed yelps of surprise from other teammates.
"Grow up, it is not like I can see anything. Snoozles, where are you?"
"Over here, Toph."
"I need your electrical tape and a Phillips head screwdriver, stat." Sokka went through his bag. You can have the tape, but my tools are in the truck – can you make due with my Leatherman?"
"Sure thing, Meathead." Sokka handed the tools over. Toph uncharacteristically shook his hand. He encountered a small square of paper that he quickly palmed. "Well, I solemnly swear I am up to no good. TTFN!"
Some of the freshman boys were still whimpering at the fact there was a girl in the locker room. Toph just snorted and said. "Cheer up babies, it isn't like I have to feel my way out."
Sokka finished dressing and then started putting his gear in his bag. He leaned into his locker and quickly opened the note. He recognized Katara's neat, loopy handwriting.
S- Invite Zuko to the movies. Suki wants him to come – but don't tell him she does!!!!! –K
Sokka ripped up the note. He would never understand women. Now he'd have to look for the Angry Jerk, who conveniently was not in the changing room. Sokka grabbed up his gear and with a nod to his teammates, left in the direction of the parking lot.
He looked around, trying to remember if Zuko had a car. He reached his own truck and tossed his gear in the bed. His shinai, he carefully put in the cab. As he headed back to the school to report his failure to the girls, Sokka spotted Zuko leaning against the school by the door. He had walked right past him a few minutes ago. Sokka attempted an awkward wave.
"Hey." He was met with sullen silence. Sokka tried again. "Hey, a bunch of us are headed to the movies and then to dinner. You are welcome to come…"
"I am not in the mood." Sokka stared at him. "You might have noticed a lost… to a girl."
"A girl who is a 4th level dan. Get over it."
"You wouldn't understand; it is a matter of honor." Zuko growled.
"Honor?! " Sokka sputtered. "And pouting over a match is honorable?"
"I don't expect you to understand."
"It could be worse. I got beat by some sexist emo jerk."
"I am not a sexist jerk! And I am not emo!"
"Could've fooled me." Sokka started getting upset, but remembered he was supposed to persuade Zuko joining his friends, though he strongly suspected they would regret the invitation. "So… Are you going to join us?"
"Of course he will!" a kind enthusiastic voice called out.
Both Zuko and Sokka jumped. A portly old man with a long beard was coming up the walk.
"Uncle?!?" Zuko said.
"Mr. Iroh?" Sokka suddenly recognized the sandwich shop owner.
"Why hello, young man. Sokka isn't it?" Sokka nodded. "Can I ask that you give my nephew a ride to the shop at the end of the evening.?"
"Uhm, sure." Sokka was not quite sure how Iroh knew his name.
"Uncle!!!" Zuko sounded petulant. "Aren't you here to pick me up?"
"I was, but I know young men much prefer the company of beautiful young ladies on a Friday night. " He turned to the crowd that had just come out of the school. "Good evening, Miss Toph, Miss Suki, and you must be Miss Katara. Nice to meet you, but I must be going. I now have an opportunity to grab a game of Pai Sho over at the club. Have a great time with your friends, Zuko!"