Avatar The Last Airbender Fan Fiction ❯ Amber ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

A/N: I apologize for the delay in posting this chapter. Life called. It wanted me to participate. Also, this is a rather long chapter-about 50% longer than any other so far. Thanks for sticking with it as I am still building up the plot. Also, please forgive any lingering spelling and grammar errors until next time, because…HAPPYHAPPYHAPPY NOTE! I have a motherf*ing Beta. The normal scales of ecstasy are not sufficient to quantify my euphoria. She will be making her debut as my co-pilot next chapter ("Co-pilot" is so much better than "Beta." "Beta" sounds like a bad Microsoft operating system. "Co-pilot" is much more adventurous, like two swashbuckling pirates off to conquer the high seas of Fanfiction and pillage the stormy isles of Plot. Together, we will rule the WORLD. Or at least we'll get shit published quicker.) Class, say "hi" to Sav. Sav, say "hi" to the class.

Disclaimer: I own niets, nichts, nada, rien, niente, nothing. WARNING: Cussing. Future BL (boy/boy) lovins.

Chapter 4:

"Absolutely not."

"Why? It's a great plan!" Sokka scowled. His protests were falling on deaf ears. Zuko rolled over to face the other direction and he had a sneaky suspicion that he'd just been dismissed. How annoying—was he honestly not even going to consider it? He struggled into a sitting position and glared down at the shock of black hair on the back of Zuko's head. "Fine. If you can think of a better alternative before I wake up, we'll go with your plan. No questions asked. As an added bonus, I won't even complain." Zuko snorted. "BUT—if you can't think of another option before Iroh gets back and it's time to get up, we're doing this my way."

There. That sounded firm yet reasonable. It also made it seem like Zuko had a choice. Yeah, right. Zuko couldn't come up with a better plan to save his life—he was more of an action/ reaction kind of guy. While that kind of trait was handy getting out of a pinch in a battle, it didn't really help you with getting to that battle in the first place. Caving to immaturity, he stuck his tongue out at Zuko's broad back and collapsed onto the bed. Trying to reason with Zuko was exhausting, and his extra reserves of energy had already been maxed out. Sleep was finally tugging at him only to be snatched away again as Zuko rolled back over with a snarl.

"You can't do that!" He snapped at Sokka.

"I can't what? Sleep? Oh, but I think I can. Why wouldn't you want me to?" He didn't even understand the words that were tumbling out of his mouth. His eyelids felt so heavy that it was a struggle to keep his focus trained on the other boy's face. Ugh, why wouldn't he let him sleep? "Sssshokay Zukoo… I'm lisss…listening…lessh' talk 'bout…" Damn, his tongue felt so thick…and what were they talking about?

"Damn right we're going to talk about it! Sokka, this plan is way too dangerous you're already injured as it is! We can think of another plan together, one that doesn't involve…" Sokka nodded sagely as Zuko carried on about—something. Whatever it was, it wasn't important. What WAS important was the nice rhythm Zuko's voice had when he was talking. So soothing…it was like velvet, all soft and gentle, putting Sokka to sleep. He smiled as his whole body began to hum in time with the timbre of his voice. Feeling peaceful and safe for the first time that day, he fell asleep with the feeling of being wrapped in a velvet blanket.

He was floating on a pleasant bed of clouds far above the heavens. When he looked down through the crack in the haze, he could see all four nations spread out below him. The feeling of being up so high was invigorating and terrifying at the same time. He felt like his entire body was charged with energy from the very clouds themselves, power prickling on his skin and electrifying him. Countless mortal lives moved around on the surface beneath him. It would have been so easy to reach out and grasp something, change it, mold it, relish the feeling of life. He looked up as the spirit closed the parted clouds with a gentle wave of the hand and smiled at him, delighted. Smiling back, he rolled onto his side with only a little protest from his stiff muscles. He released a little sigh of happiness as his body sank into the soft cloud, as ghostly hands soothed away some of the pain in his spine. Fluffy nebula had begun to drift past him like the currents of a river when a sudden sense of unease gripped him, causing him to become instantly alert. There was a distinctly ominous presence somewhere.

Cracking his eyes open he found the source of the bad aura in the form of a giant pair of knees. Right there. In front of his face. He was pretty sure that somewhere they attached to an angry firebender. Following the knees up to the torso with his eyes, he hesitated a moment before glancing at the face. Hoo boy, bad decision. His first instinct was to scoot back a couple feet, but he was pretty sure Zuko was like some insane predator that could smell fear. Best to just play either dead or dumb. Preferably, without ending up really dead.

"Good morning, sunshine." Gah, judging from that look, sarcasm was not helping. "Did I fart in my sleep or something?" he asked in his perkiest voice. There, that was better—he needed create a diversion. Whatever Zuko was pissed about now did not look like it was going to be a short argument. "Because really, you did hang with Toph for a while, so y-"

"Not a good morning, Sokka. Bad morning. It's only three a.m. and I haven't slept at all, thanks to you. And frankly, I have absolutely no desire to ever be reminded again of Toph's…nighttime gastric issues. Never. You cannot go through with this plan."

"Uh, come again?" This conversation was not starting off on the right foot. First of all, if they were talking about Sokka's assassin-catching scheme, the plan was freaking brilliant. Second of all, why the HELL were they discussing this at 3 a.m.? "I think I'm a little confused. Does that mean that you've come up with a better plan? Because if you have, I'm all ears." Zuko's eyebrows shot together in a frown and lips pulled back a little as he gritted his teeth. Sokka felt guilty for being so snarky, but this was a ridiculous conversation to be having in the wee hours of the morning.

"No," Zuko ground out. "I haven't come up with anything—yet. But I will. And in the meantime, as Fire Lord, I ORDER you to abandon this plan."

"Listen Zuko, we can talk about this later. I'm not talking about this right now. I'm so exhausted I could vomit, not to mention I feel like shit and I'm probably going to vomit anyway. Go to sleep."

"I can't! I tried to talk to you about this earlier, but you fell asleep! How do expect ME to sleep when I know if I don't think of something you're going to go through with some plan that's going to get you killed?" The pitch of his voice was rising with every sentence that fell out of his mouth. Zuko had uncrossed his arms and had begun gesturing wildly to emphasize his words. Sokka knew if he didn't calm him down soon, the guards were going to bust in there and then nobody would be getting any sleep at all in the foreseeable future.

Without thinking, he made an executive decision to shut Zuko up and the consequences be damned. Despite his muscles screaming in protest, he shot his arms and legs out and latched onto Zuko like an octopus. With an unmanly shriek, the dark haired boy was dragged down to the mattress and sucked under the covers like a creature being dragged into the lair of a sea monster. Sokka tightened his arms into steel bands as the firebender struggled against him, careful to restrict any movements that could result in him turning a bit crispy. "Sleep now. Argue later. Promise." Burying his nose in his friend's thick brown hair, he sucked in a huge breath and let it out in a happy exhale. Sleepy time! Zuko smelled spicy, like everything in the Fire Nation. He also smelled sweet like cinnamon or something though, and Sokka was murmuring happily to himself when Zuko turned stiff. The happy murmurs faded to disappointed grumbles as the other boy's body became about as giving as a wooden plank.

"Um, Sokka, you can let go. I'll-I'll be going to sleep now." Zuko's voice had taken on a strangely timid quality, almost hoarse. Sokka dismissed it, way too tired to try and figure it out. All that mattered was that Operation Super Sonic Squid of Sleep was working and for whatever reason, Zuko was dropping the argument though he had no doubts that it was only a temporary truce. Man, his friend was so warm it was almost uncomfortable.

"Mm. Na, I'm super comfy. If anyone walks in, you can just tell them I thought you were my old stuffed polar-walrus Mr. Fifi Cuddly Lumps, and you couldn't pry me off." Sokka mumbled into the side of Zuko's head. It had now become almost hot under the covers, but Sokka was too tired to move. "Now relax, or I might think you don't like being around me." If possible, Zuko's body got even stiffer.

"I can't sleep being all clingy. I'll get a panic attack." Zuko argued desperately. Man, it really seemed like it was making him anxious. Sokka sighed.

"Fine. Whatever. Just go to sleep. And turn off the lights, will you?" He released him and Zuko shot as far away as he could without falling off the bed. What a weirdo. Earlier, he'd been just fine right up next to Sokka. Oh well, as long as they could finally pass out he didn't care if Zuko slept on the roof. The candles dimmed to nothing then extinguished as Zuko winked them out into darkness. The only remaining light came from the open terrace, where he watched until the dancing shadows lulled him to sleep.

"Sokka-"

"WHAT what what what what?"

"Did you really have a polar-walrus called Mr. Fifi Cuddly Lumps?"

"Good NIGHT." He didn't hear a response for a while and kept waiting until they had both been laying there long enough to be fast asleep. He had almost given up on expecting a response when a quiet "Good night, Sokka" whispered through the dark. His heart fluttered at the way his name sounded in that smoky voice, probably because it was normally spoken along with a healthy dose of exasperation or annoyance. Probably. Whatever the reason, sleep was much longer in claiming him than it had been before.

Daylight came much sooner than they both wanted. Sun rays danced on Sokka's eyelids and prevented him from lazing about any longer. Groaning, he resigned himself to the dismal fact that they were going to have to actually get up. Blinking slowly at the sleep crusted in his eyes, he grinned as he realized that sometime during the early morning hours Zuko had decided that he didn't mind spooning after all. They were both lying on their sides and the older boy's back was snuggled up to Sokka. Sitting up and adjusting his weight to rest on his elbow, he leaned over the other boy to take a peek at his face.

Zuko's scar shimmered softly in the morning sunlight. At the angle at which Sokka was looking down at him, the burn mark looked almost translucent. How strange that he had an inexplicable urge to trace this grisly reminder of Zuko's tortured past with his fingertips. There weren't many opportunities to see the Fire Lord so unguarded—his position did not allow him to show any form of weakness. It was sad on some level that he had been raised in a family that had scorned any sign of weakness and he had risen above it, yet he had ultimately chosen a path in life where he had to endure the exact same thing—all for the good of others. Sokka could make out a few faint lines in between his brows where he carried much of the everyday tension of his position. Damn. He was way too young to have these sorts of worry lines already. A fierce, overprotective feeling swelled up in him as he observed the firebender's face relaxed in sleep. His was breathing softly through his mouth, with one hand curled beneath his chin and the other under his cheek. Zuko looked so innocent and vulnerable, such a difference from his typical bossy self that it struck Sokka how beautiful his pale friend was, despite his scar. Had he never really looked at him this closely before? A funny feeling started squirming in his stomach.

He wanted to see Zuko's relaxed face more. He didn't want him to have to shoulder the peace of the nation while neglecting his own needs. Zuko needed someone to look out for him—dammit, he needed Sokka. At that moment he vowed to do whatever it took to protect Zuko. He was determined to take full responsibility for apprehending the assassin and his rebels, no matter what objections Zuko had to his plan. He didn't know where these feelings were coming from and why they were so strong but he knew that he wanted Zuko to depend on him and just him, although that was an impractical desire.

In the meantime, the hour was long past due that princess here woke up. Snickering, he glanced around a pulled a feather from where the pin was poking out of a pillow. Very lightly, he began to tickle Zuko under the nose. The firebender scrunched up his face and swiped with the back of his hand before settling it again with his fingers curled against his lips. Wow. Sokka blushed—he was as cute and innocent-looking as a little kid. There was no way he could hold back his teasing at this point. Smirking broadly now, Sokka leaned farther so that their faces were a few inches away from each other and began to tickle under his chin. Amber eyes snapped open and Sokka had just opened his mouth to say, "Good morning," when abruptly, Zuko wasn't there anymore. Flabbergasted, he looked around for the missing firebender. Moments later, Sokka heard crashing noises coming from the floor next to the bed accompanied by a strange assortment of sparks and tongues of flame that lit up above the canopy. Dragging himself by his forearms to peer over the side of the bed, he propped his arms up on the edge and cradled his chin in his hands.

Zuko was flailing around on the floor, tangled in the sheet he had ripped off when he had made his none-too-graceful exit. Sokka pursed his lips while meticulously studying his nails, and said in a deadpan voice "You know, this isn't exactly the way I'd normally like the person I'm sharing a bed with to react when they see me in the morning, but it is entertaining. I see the merits. I can't say I disliked the fireworks, although it is a little early for them don't you think?" Zuko stopped thrashing around and Sokka raised an eyebrow at the lumpy sheet and shifted his cheek onto his palm. "Are you better now?"

"Yes," came the sullen reply from the floor. "Sorry. You just—startled me." Riiiight. Why was Zuko acting so weird, anyway? Did he really look that bad in the morning? He probably did. His bruises were fading to a motley palette of sick green and yellow, and had begun swelling as they healed—he probably looked like a cabbage cart wreck. Apparently it was a necessary evil, since he had heard the healers saying was a positive sign. But still, it wasn't like he had the plague! Trying to shrug off the irritable mood before it ruined his entire day he physically shook his head back and forth to clear his thoughts. Regrouping, he looked back down at Zuko who had started fighting with the impossibly tangled sheet again. "You know, you can get off the floor now," he said, bemused.

Zuko made a pitiful noise. "I can't. I'm stuck." Grinning again and sensing his mischievous mood returning, he leaned down and grasped the sheet firmly. With one solid yank, the sheet fluttered into the air and back on the bed and Zuko's surprised form managed a very acrobatic spin in mid-air before he face-planted onto the cold tile. With a yelp he jumped up, shivering.

Glaring at Sokka who was rolling around on the bed in a fit of uncontrollable giggles, he muttered angrily to himself and stomped off towards the door. Sokka caught something about a bath and breakfast and finding Iroh mixed in with various death threats and promises to char Sokka's scrawny ass. Letting his laughter fade away, he watched fondly as Zuko peered out the door and spoke softly with one of the guards on post. Before he knew it, their room was crawling with various attendants who came and went, bringing breakfast or news. Iroh joined them shortly before they were finished eating and Sokka took the opportunity to fill him in on the plan as well as to finally relay all of the events that had led up to Sokka's injuries.

"I see. This is very troublesome indeed. A blonde haired man, you say? That one should not be difficult to track down, although it is likely that they have either disguised his appearance by now or are hiding him away altogether. I am saddened that a former member of our own military is acting in such a reckless manner. It is good that you discovered this information Sokka, I just hope that the price has not been too high." They all paused a moment. Sokka could tell from Zuko's face that he was recalling the moments in the bathroom, when Sokka's life had been hanging in the balance. "Regarding your plan, Sokka—it is surely dependent on quite a number of things going just right, but it is not a bad plan at all. However, are you sure you will be well enough? I am only concerned with your health, but if you feel you are up for it, I trust your judgment and can have no objections. I am sure my nephew agrees." Iroh said pointedly as he paced in front of the small temporary breakfast table they had set up against one wall. Zuko, who had been unusually quiet throughout Sokka's story, glared down at the floor and jutted out his chin.

"Up for what? How is our patient doing today? I trust you haven't been pushing yourself too much, Sokka." The Water Tribe woman smiled kindly as the trio of healers entered the room. "We've got a lot of work to do today, so I hope you're not planning on doing anything crazy. We can have you up and fully running in two weeks for the Avatar's party, but no sooner than that, dear." As she spoke, she helped Sokka move from his seat at the table to a position on the side of the bed. They would work on healing him first before doing any rehab exercises to get his stiff and unused muscles back up to snuff.

"Sweet. I knew I could count on you, Shuu. Won't you reconsider leaving that husband of yours and marrying me? You know they say there's just something about younger men," Sokka gave her his biggest shit-eating grin and yelped when she yanked his bandages a little harder than necessary.

"Oh you. You've been hanging around that Iroh too much. Be good or I'll have to tell your father on you." Shuu answered in a gruff voice, but she could barely conceal her pleased grin at the younger man's words.

Zuko leapt up from his seat. "No. I can't listen to this anymore. Are you all CRAZY? Iroh, you need to tell him that this isn't going to work. He can't do it. I mean, two weeks is insane, he's too banged up right now and there's no way he'd be ready to go through with this hare-brained plan. He's going to get himself killed, Sokka—you're gonna get yourself killed, dammit!"

Sokka sighed. They had been having the same argument all morning before Iroh had arrived, and Sokka was getting tired of being treated like a helpless invalid. "Zuko, I don't know how many times I need to tell you, this plan will work. It may depend on-" he stopped short as he realized a dozen interested ears were tuned in to their argument. It wouldn't be good if his plan became public knowledge, he'd have to watch what he said. "—it may depend on a lot of things, but you and I both know you can't come up with a better plan. Remember what I said last night? That we'd do this myway if you couldn't come up with another option?"

Zuko's face took on a desperate look as he began stalking around the free space between Sokka, the healers and Iroh. All the healers moved back a step as the room became noticeably warmer. Zuko had certainly matured, but his temper was still legendary. Only Iroh stood his ground, standing with his hands behind his back and no expression on his face. Shoving a hand through his hair, Zuko made a frustrated noise before steeling his face in determination. Pointing at the Water Tribe teen, Sokka was surprised he didn't see licks of flame coming out the corners of his mouth as he ground out his words. "I swear to every spirit that ever graced the four nations—I will literally chain you to this bed." Sokka winced a little as the tic in Zuko's eyebrow turned into a full-on twitch. If he was a betting man, he'd say that Zuko was dead serious about making good on his threat.

"Nephew. It may not be the most appealing plan, but it is our only choice. I also want to remind you that Sokka is a grown man and he is your friend, you need to respect his decisions." Zuko stopped stalking around the room and whirled to face his uncle. Incoherent sounds emerged from his mouth as he sputtered, clearly at a loss for words. The red in his face was deepening and Sokka was worried that if he didn't breathe soon he'd start to turn purple. Though maybe if he passed out right now that wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen. It might even be a good thing.

"You-he-how the hell can you be on his side? You were supposed to back me up and tell him what a horrible plan this is!" He shoved a hand through his hair again and looked at Iroh with such a pitiful face that even Sokka almost caved.

"Zuko, what do you want me to do? Sokka and I are both trying to look out for the peace of the nations and for you. He is an Ambassador as well as your friend, and I should not need to remind you that he stood with the Avatar during the war—you need to keep this in your mind! Sokka has already considered what would happen to this country if you were hurt or killed so please consider this, yourself! You cannot rebuild this country effectively if you try to shoulder everything on your own and fail to acknowledge the capabilities and strengths of your own Counsel members." Zuko's mouth snapped shut and the puppy dog eyes melted into a murderous glare between the two men opposing him. Crossing his arms in front of his chest, he huffed out a frustrated sigh and flumped down on the foot of the bed.

"So…Iroh. How can we coordinate with Katara and begin making preparations? We've got a lot of work to do to get what we need ready and not much time-"

"Argh!" Zuko jumped back off the bed, "Sokka, why are you doing this to me? I don't like this plan. It's way too dangerous! You have been conscious for less than one day!"

Sokka snapped. He'd been content with letting Iroh attempt to reason Zuko, but enough was enough—they were just beating their heads against a stone wall. "Stop being ridiculous Zuko. I am not some five year old child or some Fire Nation peon that you can just order around. I am here to work with you, not for you. I will also not be told to sit at home like a good little boy and look pretty and smile while my sister, the peace of the four nations, your country and you are all in danger. Now frankly, at this point, I don't give a rat's asshole if you like the plan or not. Either you come up with a better one, shut up and help us, or get the hell out. If you argue this much with your fucking ambassadors, it's no wonder you fought so much with Mai." Dead silence followed his outburst. Sokka regretted the words the minute they fell from his lips.

The look on Zuko's face melted from anger to hurt just a moment before an empty mask shuttered down over his expressions. Shutting his mouth, Zuko quietly turned around and walked to the entrance to the chamber. He opened his mouth as if to say something before hesitating, "If that is your wish," he finally murmured over his shoulder before slipping out and closing the door gently behind him.

"Zuko, wait—no—" Sokka felt panic grip his chest as his best friend disappeared. He had just said something very, very bad. The last time he'd seen Zuko's face that emotionless had been during the war. That had been years ago and they had been on opposite sides while Zuko was still under the influence of his emotionally abusive father. Shit, how could he have said something that careless—it was just like something Ozai or Azula would have said out of spite. He felt like he'd been dealt a physical blow to the gut—the look on Zuko's face as he had glanced at him over his shoulder made him feel two feet tall. Spirits, he was such an ass. Sokka was worried—worried for his sister, for Aang, even for Iroh, but he was especially worried for Zuko who was obviously just as worried about him. Something indescribably desperate and agonizing gripped him at the thought of hurting or even losing Zuko over such careless words.

He pushed the healers' busy hands away and reached towards the door, bracing his weight on the wooden poster of the bed. Hopping down, he shivered as his feet touched the cool tiles. He made it two steps before his legs collapsed beneath him. His chin caught on an ornamental wooden chest that served absolutely no purpose but to hurt him, and a stream of obscenities escaped as a dozen aides rushed over to where he had landed. He knocked them away as they reached out to help him and tried to drag his body up towards the door.

The female healer from the Fire Nation, Iana he thought her name was, pulled him up by his elbow and dragged him back to lean against the bed. Her grip was surprisingly firm despite his struggling. They continued a quiet battle when out of the blue, Iana slapped him across the face."Stop it!" she shouted as a few of the other attendants gasped and murmured behind their hands, glancing between their faces. Sokka felt like he'd been snapped out of a reverie. No, it was more like a nightmare. Freezing in place, he looked around and flushed when he realized he'd been essentially arm wrestling a grown lady. Iana slowly let his hands go when he stopped resisting and immediately began checking his body for any injuries from his fall. While she wasn't the prettiest girl in the world, she had gentle hands that efficiently scanned his body for further damage. The male healer, Yami, knelt on his other side and held him down with a hand on his shoulder, even though Sokka didn't make any move to try to stand again. Tears pricked his eyes as they attended to him.

"Ambassador Sokka, you can't move right now. You may begin to walk around a little in a couple days, but right now you cannot push yourself. You must stop acting in this manner immediately." Seeing the tears that burned his eyes as he rapidly blinked them back, her tone became slightly gentler, "Please don't make us worry. You both just need to cool off for a moment. He'll be back." The Water Tribe healer looked on at the trio with narrowed eyes and crossed arms. Suddenly even more ashamed of his earlier speech towards Zuko, he flushed and looked away from her. Iroh, who had been quiet throughout Sokka's outburst, sighed and walked over to take a seat by him against the bed.

"Sokka," he began, "Zuko is…temperamental. You of all people probably know this the best. You have seen him at his worst, but you have also seen him at his best. And I know that you see more of him, down within him, than most people ever will in their whole lifetimes. He was a good boy and now he is a good man. You must forgive his overprotective nature Sokka, he loves you very dearly. I care about you too, but I am also aware that you are old enough to make your own decisions, just as he is old enough to make his own."

Sokka let out a deep breath and slumped over to rest his head on Iroh's shoulder. "I know, Iroh. I care about him a lot, too. He's a really great guy. He also just happens to be really good at channeling his inner jackass, sometimes."

The older man patted his crown and chuckled. "Yes, my nephew was also like this with Mai. I am surprised that she put up with him for so long." His chuckle got deeper, "Although it certainly is interesting."

Sokka tilted his head from Iroh's shoulder with a questioning look. "What's interesting, Iroh?"

"Oh, nothing really. It just seems that my nephew is much more protective of you than he ever was of Mai. He certainly never threatened to chain her to the bed. The bond between friends must run very deep indeed." A blush lit up Sokka's cheeks, but he wasn't really sure why. The way Iroh was talking it just seemed like he should be embarrassed about something.

"Well…he is a really good friend, I guess. But I don't see why he'd need to chain me to the bed," Sokka said petulantly. Apparently Yami and Shuu were in on Iroh's little inside joke, because they began tittering behind their hands. Glaring at them, he opened his mouth to ask what was so funny before thinking better of it and snapping it closed. He hated being left out of a joke, and it was unusual for him to be so slow to catch on. Maybe this one was best left untouched. Besides, there were plans to make and he really felt like throwing himself into a project. He needed a distraction so that he wouldn't give in to the urge to try and follow Zuko again. Plus, even though he felt guilty for his outburst, he wasn't going to back down now. Giving in to Zuko once was basically signing over your free will—he had a heart of gold, but he could be a steamroller when he thought he was in the right. Particularly if it concerned someone he cared about. So, it was best to pick and choose your battles wisely and this definitely counted as one of those occasions.

"Whatever. You all be creepy adults while I get back to brainstorming. Iroh, are you going to help me or not?" Back to business, the sooner he got this over with the sooner he could track down his absent firebender. Their planning should give him enough time to calm down, and for Sokka to think of the best spanking apology in the human world AND the spirit world. The thought of his sensitive Zuko sulking somewhere caused a physical pang in his chest. Wait a minute, what was with this "his" Zuko? He really must have been spending too much time around Iroh. After he was healed up and they had caught the assassin, he really needed to drag Zuko out for a celebratory night on the town with a few ladies. He got a goofy look on his face as he imagined a night of drinking with a few lovely Fire Nation ladies serving him and Zuko drinks, fawning over them all night for saving the country—again. The goofy smile disappeared though, as the thought of the girls hanging over Zuko caused an irrational sense of irritation. No, Zuko wouldn't want those girls hanging all over him; it had better just be the two of them.

"Sokka, did you hear me?" Iroh repeated patiently. Oh no! He had been daydreaming the entire time Iroh had been talking! Here he was, demanding that they get to work but immediately spacing out, himself.

"I think Ambassador Sokka has had enough excitement for the day, don't you Shuu?" Iana glanced up at the older healer and smiled. "Poor thing is probably still exhausted. You had better get some rest before jumping back into your work. I've already prepared his meal specially—it should contain what he needs to help him gain back some strength." The last bit was directed towards Iroh, who nodded gratefully. Strangely, Sokka caught a dirty glare on Yami's face towards Iana. Although no words were spoken to that effect, the two had been quietly at odds the entire time they had been working with him that morning.

"Perhaps Ambassador Sokka should have some food brought from the kitchen. I hear that the meal today is quite nutritious and I have already ordered my errand boy to retrieve a plate for him." Yami kept glancing out of the corner of his eyes at Iana the entire time he spoke.

Shuu responded before anyone else could open their mouths. "Nonsense, Yami. It will be safer if we prepare the meals ourselves. Do you really think these assassins have given up on him? He knows what they look like." Shuu was firm in her decision and crossed her arms in a way that brooked no arguments.

"She is right, Yami. Iana—are you sure it is no trouble to prepare the meal yourself? We would also be greatly appreciative of your kindness." Iroh took her hands in his and leaned toward her with a charming smile. She giggled and blushed in a lovely shade of pink at his flirtatious manner. Urgh, was that really how he had started acting these days? He needed to watch out before he became a pervy old man just like Iroh.

"Um, General Iroh sir, it's no problem," she paused and looked at Yami uncertainly, who was glaring at her more openly now, "It's no problem, but I am happy to take turns…if that is what the other healers prefer..." She seemed to shrink a bit under the heavy gaze.

"Not a problem." Yami replied curtly. "I am happy to help in any way to restore Ambassador Sokka to health."

Iroh beamed. "Excellent! Sokka, you must eat and rest. We will begin our plans tonight. Please do not stress yourself too much—you will only make my nephew worry even more. And do not worry about Zuko—he will not stay away for long, it is not in his nature." Sokka felt a tiny bit of relief at Iroh's words. He did know his nephew very well after all, and if he thought that Zuko wouldn't stay mad it was probably true. Iroh laughed deep from his belly and added, "Though it may be fortunate that you had your little spat when you did—you will probably sleep much better while Zuko is not here. He was always so clingy when he slept, even as a child. It was horrible back then—he couldn't regulate his temperature very well and I always woke up with the little leech attached to me, sweatier than a Fire Nation summer day and feeling as dried out as old leather!" Iroh continued laughing and shook his head as he recalled the memory with fondness. Sokka looked at him, confused. Then why the hell had Zuko told him last night that he didn't like touching people in his sleep? He knew something had seemed off. Oh well, either he had changed or he had been overly worried about hurting Sokka in his sleep. Sokka wasn't a bender after all, and he was injured to boot.

He climbed back into bed with the assistance of a few palace helpers. Shortly after, the majority of the crowd that had gathered in the bedchambers had left and he began to settle into the sea of pillows to eat his meal. Iana wasn't the best cook in the world, it was a little too sweet, but he found that despite his recent breakfast he was so hungry that it didn't really matter. Almost immediately after finishing, his eyelids began to droop and the room seemed to gather a slight fuzziness around all of the edges. Lingering anxiety at his recent fight with Zuko was fighting an epic battle with the sleepiness fogging his brain. Ultimately, he was unable to fight the lethargy that had crept into his body.

Whispers reached his ears as his head swam and his mind kept sinking past the bed. A sense of vertigo gripped him and his stomach dropped like it had when Appa had descended too quickly. It felt like sleeping was all he'd been doing these days. "No, no problem. Thank you all for your help, we are very grateful to have healers such as yourselves. I am happy to stay with him until my nephew returns. Go, rest yourselves. It has been a long day." The rest of Iroh's words were lost as Sokka's ears filled with a ringing. He fell into a fitful sleep, full of dark shadows and misshapen figures. The ringing turned to roaring, and it wasn't until it became a low hum that Sokka was able to dream dreams that were filled with urgent whispers and glittering beasts.

Final A/N: Yes, they fought. No, fighting is not fun. But yes, MAKING UP is fun. *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*