𝐆𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 [ᴢᴜᴋᴏ]

Chapter 58

Episode 16, The Southern Raiders

After the encounter with Azula we found a nice meadow to camp on.

We built up our tents and made a fire, sitting around it when it was getting dark.

"Camping," Aang sighed with a smile on his face, "It really seems like old times again, doesn't it?"

I hummed and nodded as I leaned back slighlty, looking at the sky.

"If you really want it to feel like old times, I could... chase you around a while and try to capture you," Zuko said.

I let out a laugh just like the others and looked at him. Of course the only one who didn't find it funny was my dear twin. She let out a sarcastic 'haha'.

Sokka raised his cup. "To Zuko. Who knew after all those times he tried to snuff us out today he'd be our hero."

I smiled and raised my cup. The others quickly did the same. "Here, here!" we cheered.

Zuko looked taken aback for a moment before his face slightly fell with a small sad smile playing on his lips. "I'm touched. I don't deserve this."

"Yeah, no kidding." Katara said in a cold tone. I froze and looked at her while she stood up and left without another word, a tense silence consumig us.

I clenched my jaw, looking after her. She was being plain rude. Those were some hurtful words she said and her tone wasn't any better. Even I felt hurt by that somehow.

Seriously, what's up with her?

"What's with her?" Sokka asked no one specific as he watched Katara walking away as well.

I balled my fists and wanted to follow her but before I could stand up, Zuko beat me to it.

"I wish I knew," he said and followed Katara.

"What's with him?" Sokka asked and watched Zuko walking away.

I was tempted to follow them as well but I stayed seated. Biting my lip, I loosened up my fists and looked at my lap.

He wanted to talk to her anyway, so this is his chance. I don't need to get involved in everything.

Without another word, I left as well to get into Katara's and mine tent.

As we hadn't got so may tents we had to share. Sokka didn't want me and Zuko sharing a tent so I had to share with Katara and he with Aang. That was kinda mean as Sokka had his own tent while Suki and Topd shared. Why couldn't I share with my brother at least. He knew that Katara and I were not on speaking terms.

With a huff I got into my sleeping bag, trying too hard to sleep. It didn't work and when Katara entered some time later, I was still wide awake.

She glanced at me briefly before getting into her own sleeping bag. We were consumed in a tense and awkward silence with the only sound being our breaths.

I had a hard time to endure the silence but I wouldn't be the first to talk again. She said all those mean things to me so I pulled the blanket over my head, clenching my jaw. My eyes watered but I quickly blinked them away and tightly shut my eyes. And after a long time, I finally fell asleep.

The next morning wasn't any better. I simply had no luck as Katara and I got up at the same time. We glanced at each other but I quickly looked away.

She took that as a sign and left the tent without saying a word. But then I tensed, clutching my blanket.

"You look terrible," Katara said in a snappy tone.

"I waited out here all night," Zuko's exhausted voice reached my ears. My chest tightened a bit at his words and I breathed slower in order to understand what they were saying.