Distractions (Sokka x Zuko) [COMPLETED]

Chapter One

    "Private Wang Fire!" The captain barked. "Do not go in that cave with that monster!"

Sokka turned to face the sour old man yelling at him. A troupe of Fire Nation soldiers cowered behind the grumpy guy, their knuckles turning white from how hard they were clenching their spears.

"Well someone has to take care of it! What if it terrorizes that village?" Sokka reasoned, getting closer to the cave.

"No! We must wait for reinforcements. Us non benders couldn't imagine trying to fight a monster like that." The Captain retorted.

"Speak for yourself, Captain." Sokka said softly before turning and racing into the cave.

Ignoring the shouting behind him, he came face to face with Appa.

"Hey buddy," He whispered to the bison, lifting his helmet up a bit. "It's me, Sokka."

Appa groaned in reply, inching further away from the mouth of the cave.

"Here's what I'm gonna need you to do," Sokka started. "I'm going to start running out, you whack that wall with your tail so that part of it collapses and those guys will think you're dead. Then escape once I've drawn 'em away, okay?"

Another groan and Sokka smiled at the big fluffy boy. He started counting down from five, once he hit one Appa whacked the wall and he started running. The cave crumbled behind him and Appa yelled. What a good actor.

When he was clear of the cave, his fellow soldiers and captain came into view.

"See? What did I tell you?" He boasted.

"Wow! Amazing!" The troupe of soldiers fawned.

"My my, you certainly have a brave heart my man," The Captain patted his shoulder. "I'm gonna get you a place as a palace guard."

"Aw, thanks!" Sokka grinned, but then processed what he'd said and his expression dropped. "Wait, what?"

_

"Are you sure about this?" Katara asked softly as she tied her brother's sash.

"Yes, I'm sure. No one will recognize me with this disguise on." Sokka responded, stroking his faux beard.

"Okay, but... Honestly I mean, what's the point?" Katara reasoned, moving to stand in front of him. "We already have plenty of intel and the invasion is in a few weeks."

"We can always use more information, Katara." Sokka reasoned, putting his bun accessory in.

"I can't believe we're gonna have to live a whole three months without Sokka." Toph grumbled, walking into the cave beside Aang.

"Yeah, we were barely able to survive a couple of hours without him... I'm still not confident in my map reading skills..." Aang agreed.

"You'll be fine," Sokka waved him off, swinging his pack onto his shoulder. "What could go wrong?"

_

    He'd spent years on the sea and months in the cold but both felt warmer than being back in the Fire Nation. He'd walked these halls years ago as a young and innocent boy and returned as a changed, scarred man. The looming portraits of his ancestors and the overwhelming red of the palace seemed to almost suffocate him.

    But Zuko just pushed it down. The memories of being burned and bandaged and banished in the room he'd just passed. The ghostly silhouettes of his mother and Iroh that creeped in his peripherals but vanished when he turned to them. He felt watched. Like he didn't belong there. And in a way he didn't. What had he done to earn his place there? As he'd said to Azula before; he never captured the Avatar and he wasn't even the one who "killed" him. That of which was a whole separate issue but he tried not to think about it since it made him feel sick. 

    Things were arguably perfect. His father was proud of him (for achievements that were not his own), he'd sparked up a relationship with Mai- which was fine but he wasn't used to it- and Azula was treating him better than she ever had really. Yet his mind was still restless. His entire being felt wrong. And when he'd taken the plunge into those depths to find the reason, his Uncle's disappointed face flashed across his mind and he'd locked it away so fast that it somehow gave him the effects of whiplash. All in all, he felt like shit.

_

    Palace guards were supposed to room together in a large building attached to the Royal palace but due to his "heroic deeds" Sokka was allowed his own bedroom. Apparently the super important guards were supposed to be as close to the royal family as possible in case of emergency. How did the Fire Nation go so long without losing when their security was so shit?

    He unpacked his things, thankfully the money Toph had scammed from people went to good use and he could get a few sets of Fire Nation clothes. Granted he would be wearing mostly the guard uniform but he'd need more than stolen garments for his days off.

    His schedule was swiftly delivered and it was written up to a month. Perfect. Looked like he had two days off a week so he could use that time to get extra information or go into the Palace city to scout the terrain and list any inconsistencies in his intel. The invasion plan had to be perfect. The invasion itself had to be perfect.

    Well, he had lots of time to think and plan it out. Make it perfect. He had a lot more time than he initially thought though as all he did during his shift was stand in one spot and stare at the wall. Doing little bows whenever someone of importance walked by.

    He was mulling over some of the land stage details when very quick footsteps echoed down the hallway. Snapping out of it, Sokka's head jerked to look in the direction of the noise. Was something finally happening? Would he finally get to fight someone?

    Nope. Nope I am not fighting anyone. Nope.

    Prince Zuko veered around the corner at top speed and sent Sokka into an immediate panic. Did he find out? Was he about to get roasted alive? Shit. Shit! SHIT!!

    And Zuko just walked right past him. Not even glancing in his direction.