Important Notes To Note: Sorry for leavin' 'ya guys to hang there. Owo Didn't meant to leave my poor story hanging Dx. The reason was because I was trying to fill one more chapter in just before things began to heat up. Owo After getting some wheels cranked, I got this. Now, before anybody wants to know where the lovely bloody goodness is, I shall let you know that it will for sure at least pick up in the next chapter. owO I wanna make sure this is a good, leveled story. And now...for some plot explanations!
The part about learning from Suki and Ty Lee...I figured that it would be a.) Super awesome if Sokka could do something like that, but on a weaker scale and b.) Thought it was an additional skill that he could know. His ingenuity, swordsmanship, and plan-making skills are already invaluable, but to make a level playing field so that he could keep up with Zuko and his Firebending, I thought it might be good. I also think that c.) Since Suki sort of taught herself how to match Ty Lee in the prison, and that since Ty Lee is a Kyoshi warrior now, it might sort of fit in. Of course, if you don't think it really works, I will most certainly take it out and revise the chapter owO
I've been a bit lazy on this one, but I thought you should be informed that Sokka is hair-tieless. If that doesn't really roll with you, then you can totally ignore what I said and shoot me in the foot if you would like. owO Here's to hoping you enjoy!
After heading out from the desolate village [The brunette was just glad they got out quickly, since the rain stopped soon after] the two boys continued to travel until they stumbled on a rather reserved area with a large body of water. Sokka was glad it came up, thinking that they were going to stock up on some water, but his plan was busted the moment his friend caught foresight of it.
The raven insisted that he take a bath instead, [The brunette wasn't sure why, because he knew he bathed at least three days ago], and that the quiet location was going to be their camp for the night. He didn't quite like the idea, but when his ear was being pinched, and he was given that look, there was no way he was going to hear the end of it if he didn't agree.
He was, however, not about to go down without struggle. After landing and setting up camp, he made sure that Zuko promised to go in with him [He just knew that his friend probably hadn't bathed in at least four days, therefore, he couldn't stick him in that body of water without going in himself]. With a begrudging agreement and a 'I'll be there in a few', the brunette headed off to the lake.
Now in the water, Sokka waited around, keeping himself busy by splashing around in small pushes. He was already squeaky clean [if he didn't say so himself], and had been done for at least a good ten minutes. He figured that the raven was just taking his sweet time undressing, probably being embarrassed and what-not.
Even with the conceived belief, too much time had passed, and the brunette knew he was up to something beyond undressing. Grabbing a towel, he got out and tied the material around his waist before heading over to the softly lit tent.
Hoping not to disrupt anything, he carefully moved one side of the fabric door to the side, peering in.
"Hey, Zuko! What are you doing?"
With no answer, Sokka tentatively shied his head in, looking from left to right. Once he caught sight of his friend slumped on the ground with a scroll in hand, he let his lips curve slightly into a pout before heading in.
Even though he was forced to bathe, the brunette was planning on just relaxing, trying to unnerve the tension the raven held before they even began to formulate any specific ideas or plans. Seeing him slouched over his work with groggy eyes almost made him cringe. Zuko just worked too hard, sometimes.
"Hey!" He shook him, trying to take him out of his work. The raven shot up, looking around in a confused daze.
"Huh? What?"
"You fell asleep while reading…Wait, what exactly are you reading?" He peered in, trying to see what it was his friend was mauling over.
"A Firebending scroll." The raven frowned, hiding it away from sight.
"A Firebending scroll? Can I see?"
"No. You're not even a Firebender."
"That doesn't matter, at least, I don't think so." Sokka folded his arms, putting on a rather serious expression. Zuko knew his bluff was snuffed out.
"Okay…It's a document about food shortages in the Northern part of the Fire Nation, and droughts occurring in several Earth Kingdom cities."
The initial response was a frown [though it could have almost been a pout]. Cerulean hues shimmered in a mixture of confusion and worry.
"Zuko! You're not even in the capital right now! You can't be worrying about other issues at the moment! Besides, your uncle and Mai have everything under control. I'm sure they do."
"…I know. It's just, they might need my help. I'm running the nation, so it's my problems. Not theirs, and not yours."
"Hey…" The brunette started, trying to run up to speed the words he needed in his mind. "You're my friend, and I don't wanna see you stressed and tired. You've gotta be prepared for the fight."
"I know." The raven grinded out in an irate response. "But that doesn't mean I can't take care of other issues. I'll just send my responses by mail and then action can be taken. My nation is still recovering just as much as any other, Sokka. I can't just leave it."
"I know…" He sat down, lightly grabbing onto the parchment and sneaking it away from his friend's lap, then rolled it up and sat it to the side.
"But you're only one person. You have help at the capital. They can take care of it. You just need to relax as much as you can and prepare yourself."
"I am prepared."
"Not mentally. You're fatigued, and worried. Right now, you just need to relax."
"How do I do that?" He rubbed a hand through his hair, giving a frustrated sigh. "I already have too much on my mind."
"I know. That's why if your relax, you can take all that off of your mind." The brunette tugged on his sleeve. "Come on. You can go in the lake with me and we could…just talk about stuff. Besides, you need a bath anyway."
"Do not. I bathe at least once every day." Sokka broke out into a challenging smirk.
"Oh yeah? Then how have you been bathing for the past few days? Have you been dumping the bottles of water all over yourself when I was asleep?"
"What? No, that would be nasty. I'm not that public about myself."
"Point taken. You have to bathe, and you need to relax."
"But I still have-"
Before he knew it, he had been jabbed in the shoulder, but it was a soft tap more then anything. He wondered if that was a friendly nudge or a serious attempt to hurt him.
"What was that?"
"A nudge."
"Tch. You're still an idiot." The raven rolled his eyes, smirking a little. He started to raise his arms, stretching off the sleepiness that lingered, but only his left arm had gone upward. His right arm had felt like there was a ton weighing down on it, but without any pain.
In confusion, he looked to the brunette. "What happened? What did you do?"
"What? Nothing. I just hit you with a little jab."
"I can't move my arm."
"It probably fell asleep."
"I didn't feel any numbness in it."
"Maybe it just fell asleep, and you didn't know it."
"Sokka, don't play smart with me."
"What? I'm not playing smart!" He raised his hands, looking innocent as he did so. "I'm just telling you what I think happened!"
As soon as those words had come out, the brunette had put one foot in the grave. He got that look. Oh, was Zuko giving that look. The look that held the most ferocious set of golden-copper irises he'd ever seen, and the most stiff set of lips that didn't even flinch. With his left arm, the raven snatched onto his friend's ear and gave it a hard twist, making the body lean downward.
"You did something to my arm." He said, rather calmly. It was that kind of anger that was even more terrifying then his flash-bang fury. "I would like to know what it is…" He twisted harder, earning a [manly] yip. "…Before I rip your ear off."
"Zuko, did I ever tell you that you're my best friend? I mean, sure, Aang and Toph are great, and Katara is fun to talk to, but you…oh, you are just the man."
The flattery earned another twist.
"Okay, okay! I went to Kyoshi Island after the war with Suki. I wanted to get more training, so she taught me all the new things she learned, and since Ty Lee is also a Kyoshi Warrior, she helped me. They both taught me how to hit chi points, and I know how to block most of them. Isn't it awesome?" The last part of the sentence came out as a pleading whimper, hoping the raven would let go.
Sokka got his foot out of the grave, letting out a 'phew' in relief.
"You learned how to block off chi points like Ty Lee?" His features went from that look to surprise. "I didn't know that."
"Yeah, I was there for five months learning it. I went off to find my sword afterward, and I barely got back to the South Pole three weeks ago. Lucky you caught me, or I would've been off somewhere else."
Zuko raised his brow. "So, does that mean you can bend every which way and do fifty crazy flips in one move?"
"What are you, crazy? I'd end up breaking my back or something!" The brunette rapidly shook his head at such an idea. "But, I can do cartwheels, some handsprings, and some flips."
Honestly, the raven was glad Sokka had picked up on those kinds of things. Those talents would certainly be invaluable to their mission.
"Does this mean we're best friends now?" He gave a lopsided grin, hoping this would pry the raven away from any more forms of torture.
"What?" He paused, and then smirked, preparing to lie. "No."
"Hey!" The brunette fake pouted, looking hurt. "But…you invited me on this mission."
"Everybody else was busy." Zuko got up, brushing his currently dead arm off.
"So what if Aang wasn't at the North Pole?"
The raven shoved his friend out, stripping down to nothing before he took hold of the second towel. He headed outside, smirk still plastered onto his features.
"Are you kidding? I would have invited him already."
"Oh yeah? Bet he doesn't have the mad skills I do."
"Maybe he can't cut off chi, or handle a sword, but he can control all four elements. I think that's a major bonus right there."
"Yeah, that is a bonus…" He nodded in agreement, but grinned again and nudged his friend with his elbow. [The brunette figured Zuko didn't need another dead limb or anything]
"But I can read maps and plan strategies like I was sleeping. I don't think Aang can do that."
"I could have taken somebody else along."
"This is only a two-man entourage. That means by inviting me, you are my best friend." A tally went off in the brunette's head. Sokka: 1, Zuko: 0.
"What if…I took Toph? She can't read, but she can think quickly."
"Yeah…but, she doesn't have the ingenuity that I do. Face it, Zuko. You so need me for this."
"Tch." He snatched the towel off of the brunette and shoved him in the water. "You aren't my best friend. I'm sorry you have to hear that, but it's true."
Sokka emerged from the depths of the water and spit it out, quickly removing the towel from his friend before yanking him right in.
"That's okay. I know you didn't tell me one of your personal secrets because I'm not your best buddy. I can live with that."
"I'm sure you can." There was a quiet, subtle pause, before the two broke out into a set of smiles.
"So…"
"Yeah…I'll race you."
"Loser says what!" The brunette shoved him away and dived underneath the water before Zuko had time for a response. He dived after, determined not to be beaten.
He was most prepared not to be the loser that said what.
Ending Notes To Note: There 'ya have it! Owo I hope I did okay...o.O, and that everybody who reads, reviews, and all that awesomeness is still lovin' it! There will be bloodshed...o.O Just have to pace through it. And now...
Review. I haven't an excuse for this one...oh, wait! Got it! Review, or I am forced to tell Zuko that nobody loves him, and that will make him sad. Would you like to see that? I didn't think so Dx. No, just kidding [lamely]. Owo Positive, uplifting reviews and helpful, constructive advice will ensure that half-naked dudes and/or ladies appear at your door [Not really -lamely lulz to self-] Owo. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!