Awesomesauce Notes Of Importance: Owo Second chapter. -sniff- I'm so proud. So far, the idea is going strong, and I'm hoping it won't fall apart on me. How often I update is uncertain. I want to keep it level so I don't gauge myself out, but I don't want to wait, because I'm really excitied for what's going to be going down. I'll do my best to keep it level. If I spoil all you lovely readers too much, you might get too fond...-shifty eyes- And now: Plot explanation o.O
This is just a bonding chapter, which is one of the two main focuses in this story. There was a part about somewhat pardoning Ozai's cruelty...because, while, it'd be hard for Zuko or Sokka to easily forgive him, they've been developing a lot in the series, and they're not as grudge-holding as they used to be, so it's a bit iffy, but otherwise owO... I thought it would fit in nicely on their way to the Fire Nation. o.O But don't worry, I've got some other lovely treats for those that like their stories a little...violent. owO Anyway, enjoy!
The choppy ocean waves hit roughly against the body of the ship, making it jolt upward in a rigid motion. Even as rough as it was, Sokka was not about to let the water best him in trying to catch some sleep.
But the water wanted to win more than he did.
To grant itself victory, a larger, and more sharpened wave hit against the bottom of the hull, making the sleeping brunette hit his head against the wall. As soon as he came in contact with the cool metal, he let his pain be known in the form of a loud 'Oof'. Once it came to realization that he had probably had awakened his friend, a tanned hand came to clasp over his mouth, deep cerulean irises examining the area.
"Sorry, Zuko." He whispered, just in case the raven did get a nasty wake-up call, and just in-case he felt the need to barbeque the brunette. But he got nothing in response. No grunt, no mumbles, and no shifts in his movement. Only silence.
Concluding that he was probably just asleep, Sokka started to fix up his blankets in a messy storm of sheets before preparing to hit the hay once more. Just before he was about to lay down, his more properly adjusted eyes didn't see a second form anywhere in the room.
Slightly confused [and maybe curious], the brunette got up and opened the door, hoping that it wouldn't disturb any of the servants or soldiers. Thankful it was a nice enough ship that it [didn't] have an annoying, creaky door, he set himself outside of the room and into the almost maze-like hallway. Even though he had gotten a week and several days of experience with the place, Sokka could never quite figure out where he was going in this crazy place.
Despite that, it was never too hard to figure out where the outside was. He headed straight down the lengthy hallway, careful to pass the sleeping people in silence. After reaching the door that lead to the deck, he opened it a crack, slipped through, and shut it again.
"Hello?" The brunette asked softly, peering around. Once he saw a figure looking out to the side, he easily recognized it as Zuko [There was no way any other person would slump that much] and headed toward it.
"Hey…" He sounded unsure [One was never sure if a person could be even more slump-like than Zuko]. Testing it out, he placed his hand on the figure's shoulder.
"Hey." The raven replied dryly, slowly snapping from his hypnosis with the ocean. "What are you doing out here? I didn't think you'd wake up after I got out."
"What? Oh, I was more unconscious than a tranquilized platypus-bear, but the ride got a little rough and threw me against the wall."
Imagining such a situation made him chuckle slightly, resulting in a jokingly offended brunette. "Hey! That is so not funny." He folded his arms, pretending to be utterly serious. "I could have been injured. What if I hit my head so hard I bled?"
"Somehow, only you could manage that." The raven shot with one of his surprisingly good, witty replies.
The only mature reply Sokka could muster was sticking his tongue out and looking in the other direction, proclaiming victory to himself. In what became an everyday gesture, the raven only rolled his eyes once more, but with more mirth behind it.
"So what did you come out here for?"
"Well, after crashing into the wall, I thought I woke you up, so I apologized. After a moment, I didn't see anybody in the room, so I just figured I'd come outside."
"Good guessing."
"Nah, it's just common sense. Where else are you going to hang out?"
"Well…what if I was going to the bathroom?" He raised a brow, challenging the logic. The brunette only waved his hand dismissively.
"That'd take some really good timing between the time you went to the bathroom and me waking up after crashing."
"Can't argue there." He admitted quietly, gaze switching back to the vast open ocean.
"So what are you doing out here?"
"I couldn't sleep." He lied, hoping his friend was no good at detecting prevarications. Despite the cross in his fingers, his excuse was read right through.
"What? How come?" Zuko let out a breath he was holding, just glad he wasn't caught, except now he would have to be quick to make another excuse.
"Oh…I just couldn't sleep. Haven't you ever had one of those nights where you just can't sleep?"
"Not sleep?" Sokka rolled his eyes toward the sky and tried to remember a single day where he went without sleep. "Well…the only time I haven't been able to sleep was the time when we were being hunted down…" He didn't mention by who, knowing that his sister was a bit of a sensitive subject. "And then the first week after the raid."
The raven glanced over, lips curving into a slight frown. Even long after it happened, the scar could never really ever go away. "Oh…" Was the only word he could form.
"Hey, it's alright." His typically light and humored tone became somber. There was a pause, before the brunette looked up at the nearly full moon. It's soft, translucent light seemed to pay particular attention to the lone ship more than anywhere else.
"It's pretty tonight." The raven complimented. He'd been told the details about what happened during the siege, trying to take a light approach.
"Yeah…"
"Do you still blame yourself for what happened?" A shaky sigh escaped him as he shook his head in uncertainty.
"I don't know. I'm…confused."
"Confused?"
"Yeah…" The brunette stood up, looking over to the ocean. Zuko didn't think anything was more complimentary than the colors between his friend's cerulean hues and the murky blue depths of the water below. They reflected off of each other, almost giving off a soft and sullen aura.
He paused, before an idea struck him. "You know…when my mother ran off after she got banished, and I thought she was dead, I blamed myself."
"What?" His gaze turned away from the choppy tides and onto his friend. "I never knew that."
"Yeah…and I still blame myself. I know she's alive, now, but it's still all my fault. If I was a better heir, my dad wouldn't have wanted to kill me."
The expression that formed on the brunette was that of utter shock. His lips were parted, trying to figure out what to say, and his eyes were unable to focus straightly on his friend. What kind of father would want to kill his own child? A family was a security that gave love and comfort. It sounded like the raven was in a battleground.
After trying to wave off the disturbing notion, Sokka went back to wrapping his mind about the situation presented. "It wasn't your fault, Zuko. I know she did it because she wanted to protect you. You shouldn't have to feel guilty."
The raven paused, and smiled a bit. After it eventually sank in at what he was really getting at, the brunette broke out in a bit of a smile as well. "Then I guess I shouldn't feel guilty, either." A pale hand placed itself on his friend's shoulder.
"She did it to protect you because she cared about you, and no other reason. You don't have to keep knocking yourself down about it."
He nodded, and slumped his shoulders as if a great weight had just been lifted off. He paused, before a serious tone came back over. "But…what you just said…was that true, or were you pulling my leg to make me understand?"
"Sokka, I wouldn't pull your leg like that just to make a point."
His features quickly shot back to disbelief. "Your father…I can't believe he would want to even consider that…"
"It doesn't matter now. It's okay."
The brunette was quick to disagree. "No, Zuko. I don't know what to say about your father…I mean, Aang was right. He's a human being, too. But no parental figure should ever think about doing that to their child."
"I think you're right about him being a human. And thanks to Aang, I understand that. My father grew up misguided by the lies of the Fire Nation…just like so many Fire Lords before him during the war. So I don't think I can particularly hold it against him. I mean, when we were younger…we were just like every other family."
The brunette didn't say anything, but he nodded his head, agreeing. After a moment, he decided to cave in and give out one more confession for the night.
"Hey, Zuko."
"What?"
"I'm about to tell you something a little crazy…I've only told Toph, but I think maybe you should know, too." Attention put completely on the speaker, Sokka began to muster out what was on his mind.
"It's been a long time since that raid…it was the hardest time for me, losing my mother. Now, when I look back…" His voice became softer than the waves that hit the metal hull of the ship. "I can't remember her face. Every time I try, I can only see my sister's."
The confession came as a bit of a shock to the raven, golden-copper eyes widening slightly. "Then I'm going to tell you what I told Katara."
"Your mother was a brave woman."
The brunette paused for a moment, before he offered a light smile. "So was yours."
A long pause came over the two boys, before a sudden realization hit Zuko.
"…Did we just…bond?"
"If you mean by spilling our guts out about personal struggles, then yes, I think we did just bond." The brunette nodded, rubbing his chin in thought. "I guess being cramped on a ship for almost two weeks can do that."
"Be quiet." He elbowed Sokka, but rather hard.
"Hey! What was that for?"
"Ruining the moment." A small smirk appeared on Zuko's features.
"Oh, you're just horrible." The smirk was infectious, and the brunette had to do it too.
"I know."
"Well…" He yawned, exhausted. He had more shut-eye to catch up on, and was starting to get tired again. "I'm heading to bed. You gonna stay out here longer?"
"Maybe…I'll be in there soon. Just gotta think for a little bit more."
"Alright." Another yawn. "Night." He gave a friendly pat on the raven's shoulder before heading back inside. Zuko looked to the door, studying it with intensity as his thoughts whirled around.
The bonding moment they shared was unlike any other he had with the rest of the group. He considered everybody his friend, but he felt a natural attentiveness to Sokka than to anybody else. He wondered if it was just because they had the chance to get to know each other better, or if maybe some invisible, family-like bond was slowly starting to thread in.
But, was he really that close to the brunette? They were only one year apart, so they had common ground, and easily understood each other where girls, or younger boys didn't. There was a stillness between him and the cool wind before he smiled a little and headed toward the door. The raven stifled a small yawn, knowing he was sleep-deprived. The anxiousness of a battle soon to come was starting to settle in.
He would just have to lay down on it, hoping the threads would tie together the rest.
Ending Awesomesauce Notes: Dx. I seriously can't tie up my endings too well, but there isn't anything to make out of a cliffhanger yet, so my endings may be a bit dry, but I'll do my best to patch it up. o.O In the mean time...
Review. o.O I don't have a good reason for you to click that poor, lonely green button, but, when I think of one...-cackles madly-. O.o Anyway, I hope you enjoyed. Positive, upliftiing reviews or helpful, concrete advice never loses its touch. I hope you enjoyed, and have a good rest of the day!