War of Change | Book 3

18: Little Sister

Art: Falling Man by Melinda Coostona

"Was anything damaged?" Zuko questioned when I returned to the courtyard, my bag slung over my shoulder.

"No," I sighed before throwing a look at the three earthbenders. "I'm still amazed at how you could 'accidentally' turn nearly all of the bedrooms into rubble."

Sheepish smiles came over Haru and Aang while Toph held a giant, prideful grin. "True talent," she claimed. "And these two did a little bit of it too."

"Don't worry, Kida," Aang piped up, "the temple is huge. We'll move into a different chamber section tomorrow. Tonight we'll just have to share the courtyard."

"Warning: I'm a snorer," Chit Sang announced.

"Great," I heard a grumble come from Sokka as he walked past me.

"I think this will be nice," my father spoke suddenly. He dropped a pile of blankets on the ground. "It's not like you needed a separate room, right, Kida?" He reached down for one of the blankets and began to beat out the dust as his eyes darted between Zuko and me. That is until he realized he'd been caught and got a sudden intense interest in what his hands were doing.

"No, Dad," I huffed loudly, "I don't mind at all. I'll have plenty of chances for nights alone later."

Stifled laughter spilled from Suki, and I saw my brother giving Zuko a pointed glare in the corner of my eye – the others not really paying attention to the conversation. I simply kept my eyes locked on my father. His own dark blue gaze widened at the initial realization of my words before narrowing into accusing slits, first focused on me and then the prince.

"Wait, what?" Zuko exclaimed loudly. It appeared he had only then understood what was going on. His face went bright red as his now wide eyes moved between my brother and father. This only made Suki laugh more.

I rolled my eyes and reached out a hand for Zuko's shoulder; however, he jumped back as I touched his arm. I looked up at his face to see his eyes were glued to my father's.

"Will you two stop scaring him!" I snapped at the pair.

"No, it's our rightful duty as your brother and father," Sokka declared. Just then, Katara accidentally joined the conversation as she came over to hand out pillows. "That goes for whoever you date, too, Katara!" he added.

She rolled her eyes as well but turned to Zuko nonetheless and shrugged. "It's true, honestly. When I was younger, I used to have playdates with this little boy, and they always tormented him. Then one day, he just disappeared."

"That's right," Hakoda agreed, a sense of pride in his deep voice. He raised a hand in the air, which my brother happily hopped up to slap.

"His parents moved to the Earth Kingdom to find work," I interjected.

Sokka walked past us with his nose in the air, haughtily declaring, "He ran away with his tail between his legs like a coward."

"He was six!"

"Cowards do not date my sisters!" he sang out.

I looked to my little sister, who met my gaze. With silent words, we came to the same conclusion and gave a pair of nods. Both of us dropped what was in our hands and began to bend the water out of the fountain. Without him noticing, we each took one of his legs with our separate waterspouts before moving in sync to lift him up into the air.