Unexpected Love

Zuko-Part 3

This chapter contains some mature content. There is no graphic language but there is mature language.

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I wake up jittery with excitement. I try to tell myself that this outing was just going to be for training but I can't help but hope it'll mean something more. I pull on my clothes quickly and grab my swords. I sling them around my shoulder and make my way down to where Aang is serving breakfast. 

I slow my pace in efforts to seem more casual, when in reality I'm bouncing off the walls internally. I sit down beside Toph and start eating. 

"Sokka told me you have a frame of your Uncle in your room so I made a nail for you so you can hang it on your wall," says Toph in an unconvincingly casual tone. I turn to her and accept the nail, studying her face in attempts to understand her intensions. 

"Thank you," I reply and stuff more food down my throat. I steal a look over at Sokka who is staring way too intensely at the ground. For a moment he looks up and we lock eyes. I give him a small smile before Suki pulls away his attention. She slides a hand up his arm to get his attention and kissing his cheek she whispers something in his ear. He coughs as if shocked at whatever she said and stands up stiffly. 

"Zuko and I are going out today," he says staring straight forward at something only he can see. Suki looks put off by this and turns away. I stand up and nod. Moving toward the food I fold two bowls over on themselves and tie them up in a piece of cloth.

"Where are you going?" Suki demands impatiently.

"I asked Sokka so show me some sword techniques." I cough out uncomfortable with all the attention we are receiving. 

"That's great Zuko! Sokka got trained by a real master," Aang says excitedly.

"Calm down arrow head, me going out today doesn't mean that you're off the hook from training. I left instructions on your bed this morning," I say indifferently. 

"Zuko and I best be going now. Sorry Suki," Sokka says the second half only for her.

Appa lands with a thud and I watch as Sokka slides down the bison's fur and stumbles to a stop. He scratches his head nervously and lets out a strangled cough. He's hunched over with his hands on his knees; looking up at me with an embarrassed smile, I return it before quickly looking away.

Smiling at the ground I unsheathe my broadswords. Immediately after Appa jumps into the nearby stream, groaning in relief.

"I learned my lesson on Kyoshi not to brag, but if I say so for myself I have gotten better." Sokka chuckles as if recounting an old memory. I look at him trying to act as if I know how to respond. Thankfully he pulls out his sword too. 

"I don't know much about broadswords but I assume they're pretty different from how I use mine. We could just spar a bit I suppose."

Without saying anything I lunge forward swinging my swords. Sokka jumps back, his look of surprise turning into a grin. He retaliates with a swing at me. I block it with my right sword, pushing my weight onto him. He stumbles back, dragging his sword into the dirt and up into the air. I cover my eyes with my arm and turn away. He jumps at me and I spin out of the way. I jump onto a tree stump and swing down. Our swords clash, "You're pretty good at this," Sokka says between heaved breathes. 

"The trick is to think of," I take a deep breathe and jump as he swings the sword at my legs, "the blades as, " I land on the ground and turn on him quickly, "one in the same." He blocks my attack and pushes back on me, making me step back hurriedly. My ankle catches on a root as Sokka lunges at me, making me stumble and land on my back and Sokka on me.