chapter 31; Only a Scratch

Chapter Thirty One

Only a Scratch

Under Sokka, we were on a schedule. A well kept, strict, to-the-point schedule, in which one mistake out of the schedule's lines will mean absolute disaster. In Sokka's mind, that is.

The Day of the Black Sun was nearing, and by Sokka's master schedule, it should be arriving in about two weeks. The plan for that day would be to invade the Fire Nation, because during this Eclipse, all firebenders would be without their fire.

We will meet up with a large group of friends and allies Team Avatar had made during our travels, almost all before I joined the group. The names and who these people were I did not know, but friends of Aang were definitely friends of mine. Once everyone was situated, everyone would board the Southern Water Tribe vessels, and we will sail to the Gates of Azulon, where, expectedly, the guards in charge there will stop the ships. During this time, everyone on board of the ships will gather into submarines, fueled and controlled by waterbenders Team Avatar had met before I had joined the group.

Once past the Gates of Azulon, we will arrive at the docks. By then, the Eclipse will almost be set, but even so, firebenders still have their power and will attack. The plan is that we will fight through the lines, distracting the people there for that Aang can go to the Palace and do…what needs to be done.

I closed my eyes, breathing in deeply, clenching and unclenching my arms, trying to calm myself. The Day of The Black Sun made me feel anxious, to the point where my stomach churned violently and gave me a raging headache. I really wasn't sure why; but I was mostly afraid for the well-being of Aang, and I was nervous. What if he got hurt? Shot by lightning again? What if they captured him, tortured him…killed him…

My stomach started to churn again and I involuntarily clutched it, willing myself to take a breather and calm down. I felt someone's eyes trained on me and glanced up to see Aang, watching me with observant yet worried eyes. My cheeks flushed at the embarrassment of being caught hyperventilating.

"What's wrong?" He asked, closing the small distance between us, his big gray eyes searching mine. I felt flustered underneath those eyes and I loved it.

I shrugged, my arms dropping to my sides. "Nothing," I said, almost mechanically, and let my eyes wander. A couple days ago we had stopped in a meadow to rest and prepare ourselves for the Eclipse, only weeks away.

Aang placed a warm hand on my shoulder, "You don't look so good," He commented gently, his brows etching together worriedly.

I dropped my eyes to the dusty ground underneath us. "I'm okay," I insisted weakly, clasping my hands together behind my back. I heard Aang sigh, and I knew he could see through my façade. I smiled slightly, "I'm just anxious. Nervous…about the Eclipse." I explained.

"I feel the same way." Aang suddenly looked very nervous and slightly terrified, the way his eyes widened and flickered away, his teeth nibbling on his lower lip.

I nodded, "I…just…"I struggled for the right words, "Please, don't get hurt when the Eclipse comes," I finally said, my voice dropping to a soft whisper, my heart thudding loudly against my chest. I remembered when Aang was unconscious for weeks, and felt a wrenching sadness set over me like humidity.

His smile was small, "I won't." He unexpectedly grabbed my hand, gently, and the warmth from it made me feel slightly relaxed, leaving my skin tingling. "I promise." Aang squeezed my hand, and I met his eyes, and my heartbeat seemed to instantly speed into unimaginable speeds, leaving me under a dizzy spell. His big, dark gray eyes flickered to my lips and back to my eyes, and I knew what he was going to do, and I wanted him to do it…

"AH-EM." An almost too familiar voice broke both of us apart, sending Aang stumbling backwards, and once he caught his balance, a raging blush consumed his face, and I felt my cheeks heat up as well. My eyes wandered from Aang to Sokka, who was standing with his lips puckered and his hands on his hips. "Now that I have got your attention, lovebirds…" I blushed even more and lowered my eyes, "Vinca, I need to talk to you."

I glanced upwards. "Um…okay…" I awkwardly looked back at Aang, who shrugged, and shuffled after the Water Tribe warrior.

He turned towards be after we were out of earshot from the others. "Do you know how Olin is going to get here? We talked about my father picking him up on his way here-"

"Wait," I interrupted him, suddenly very confused, "What about my brother?"

Sokka blinked at me, "He's in the invasion force. You know, to fight on the Day of the Black Sun?"

"Olin?" I said slowly.

He nodded.

I was suddenly enraged, my fists clenching together, "Why would you make my brother do this?" I said angrily.

Sokka put his hands up, "Olin wanted to do it, Vinca. I'm not forcing him to do anything."

"But, he's getting married! He can't put himself in danger! And if he gets hurt, or worse, killed," My voice cracked, and I looked down, "He's the only one I have left, Sokka…" I trailed off, feeling a lump rise to my throat at the mere thought of Olin putting himself in such danger.

"He's a grown man, Vinca. He can make the decisions that he wants. He chose to do it." Sokka said, his voice soft, his cyan eyes meeting mine. I sighed, dropping in a heap to the ground.

I shook my head angrily, grasping at the grass underneath us, "I can't let him be hurt…what…what if he is, Sokka?" I asked quietly, and suddenly the flashback of Grandma's death hits me like a wave. The flames - the yells, the hazy fumes, the smell of death…I let out a tiny cry, my breath hitching in my throat and I suddenly feel like I'm going to wretch, my stomach churns violently and I feel dizzy.

I'm crying; I feel the hot tears streaming down my face, and I desperately try to wipe them away, turning my head from Sokka. A sob escapes from my throat as the pain rises, and the thought that Olin could be killed is holding me down.

"Vinca," Sokka is beside me,and he nudged me gently. I glanced upwards, and Sokka appears vaguely uncomfortable and I feel horrible for putting him in this situation.

I pushed him away, sniffling, "I'm okay, really." I said, wiping my face from the tears, "Just something in my eye."

Sokka laughed, "I bet." He said sarcastically, smiling. He sits down next to me, "And Olin isn't going to get hurt…at least, I hope not." He glanced at me and I know he must think that I'm crazy. He doesn't know why I'm crying. "But, he joined because he didn't want you to get hurt."

I made a little sound, that kind of sounded like a cat giving birth, "Me, getting hurt? I can take care of myself." I said, stubbornly.

Sokka smile grew, "Yeah, mhmm. You are pretty stupid sometimes, you know."

I glared at him.

He laughed, "But in a good way…" He trailed off, thinking. "Well, not really. Like when you got yourself cut in the neck and stabbed because you didn't want Aang to turn himself in."

"Well, obviously you wanted him to get captured by the pirates!" I yelled, hugging my knees to my chest, anger bubbling.

Sokka sighed, "Relax, I'm just teasing. That was really brave."

I smiled, "Really?"

He nodded, "Yeah."

Sokka reminds me so much of Olin that it hurts.

I swallowed loudly, "Thank you."

Sokka rose, dusting himself off, "So, back on subject. I'll see that my father picks Olin up on his way here. You'll see your brother in no time."

I grinned, "Okay. But," I shoot him a look, "If my older brother gets hurt, in any way - even if it is only a scratch - it is on your head, Sokka." I declared, and Sokka's eyes widened, and he nodded before walking off. I laughed quietly, but it is an uneasy laugh. The fact of seeing my brother again is a happy one. Too bad that its not for a happy occasion.

AN: Oh, more Vinca and Sokka bonding time. It might seem that they will have a romantic relationship, but I'm not aiming for that. And, I know this was just another lame-o filler chapter, but didn't I say that I was going to upload a filler chapter? (;

The next few chapters will be focused and basically leading up to the point and day of the Day of The Black Sun. Of course, there will be some filler chapters, but I'll try to add some drama. aandd, be looking forward for some Vincaang fluff. OH. YEAH. MADE MY OWN PAIRING NAME. WHOOP.

OH. ALMOST FORGOT MY RANT OF THE NEWEST LEGEND OF KORRA EPISODE. (fangirl swoon)

RANT BEGIN:

ugh. LOK episode 5 was drama-filled.

OH BOLIN, PABU ISN'T THE ONLY ONE WHO LOVES YOU! (SCREW ALL YOU MAKO LUVERS, BOLIN ALL THE WAY BABY)

WTH KORRA YOU HEARTLESS GIRL, Y U BREAK BOLIN'S HEART? AND MAKO! YOU ARE A GOOD BRO. YEAH. BRO. EVEN THOUGH YOU KISSED KORRA BACK. BUT WHATEV. BOLIN WAS DRUNK OFF NOODLES AND U HELPED, SO YEAH.

BUT SERIOUSLY MAKO. YOU NEED TO LIGHTEN UP. YOU BROKE YOUR OWN FREAKING BROTHER'S HEART, YOU KNOW THAT? POOR BO. I LOVE YOU SO. PABU IS CUTE AND SO ARE YOU. SERIOUSLY. AND BOLIN IS LIKE A FREAKING BADASS EARTHBENDER. LIKE TOPH. TOPH IS BEAST. BUT SO IS BOLIN. BOLIN I LOVE YOU. BUT MAKO IS AWESOME AS WELL.

ASAMI I THINK U ARE A SLUT AND YOU NEED TO BACK OFF OR SOMETHING. I WILL SOOO LAUGH MY ASS OFF IF ASAMI IS AMON. :) DOUBT IT THOUGH. MAGICAL VOICE CHANGER?

BUT ACTUALLY, I LIKE THE ASAMI AND MAKO PAIRING, BECAUSE I AM BORRA. BOLIN + KORRA. EVEN THOUGH I LOVE MY BOBO. KORRA MAKES HIM HAPPY. BUT NOT ANYMORE. BUT MAKORRA IS AMAZING AS WELL. I THINK BRYKE IS MAKING UP FOR NOT HAVING KATARA AND ZUKO TOGETHER. BUT ASAMI...GURL U BETTER GO AWAY I DUN LIKE U.

KORRA BROKE HIS HEART. WHY. MY POOR BOLIN.

ENDRANT.

um...yeah. I am a mixed bag of chips. Excuse my language. I get a little bit...infruiated...yeahh. (embarrassment) ^^"