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Dragon's prey	By : ajj77sunhawk Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Slash - Male/Male > Sokka/Zuko Views: 20843 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar, and I do not make any money from these writings.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
OMG the reactions to the last chapter was amazing – I am sooo happy that I surprised all of you. Some would have prefered Sokka to be more aloof and not forgive them soo fast – but hey this is Sokka – Katara is the grudge holder in the family never him. :) Sides who says tat that was the end of it.

OK apologies to my Beta – I forgot to post the edited version for a time – I have corrected that now. Heeheh

Read Review and ENJOY!!!!

Chapter 17 :- Steam

Spirits! It felt good – it was so damn good to be with them again. Katara and Aang, they were more than his siblings, they were parts of his heart, and to be with them healed some of the wounds deep within the Warrior. The original Gaang back together.

“Its so good to see you again, Sokka. I missed you so much.” Aang blurted out finally breaking the silence. “Hey you got your tattoos after all. That is sooo cool,” he chirped happily out as he stared at his heart-brother. By all that was holy, it was good to feel Sokka supporting him once again. .

“Oh, Sokka! Let me see!” Before Sokka could say anything, Katara caught his face and turned him towards her, her blue eyes widening as she took in the dragon on Sokka's face. A strange horror entered her eyes as they trailed down and saw the Fire Nation mark so prominent on Sokka's neck.

Her indrawn breathe was sharp. Her voice was strangled. “Aang! That is not a Water Tribe tattoo, that is a Fire Nation...BRAND! The BARS! Sokka, what have they done to you! That spirit be damned Zuko! You are his prisoner!” Katara saw red.

“Umm, Katara,” Sokka said, “errr, wait, umm—” Seeing the anger in his sister’s eyes, words failed Sokka, and sweat rolled down his brow as he gulped “Well, you see, funny story— well, not really funny, actually, strange. Yeah, errr…”

Whatever else Sokka may have said was lost as the sound of doors slamming open broke the quiet.

Appa's nose told him who was coming, but the aura around the Firebender kept Appa firmly in place. In fact, both Appa and Momo cautiously backed away a little.

Fire Lord Zuko marched into the gardens; sparks lit the air around him. He had left the throne room before the Captain had even finished explaining, the words “Air Bison” and “crash” had been enough to convey the gist of what had occurred. He was controlling himself – barely. They were his friends, too, after all. He managed to make it to the suite without killing anyone and the guards had the first doors open and ready for him. Word of the rampage had spread. Only Zuko slammed into the Prey's suite.

He glared at the two around his Prey and the Dragon roared at the desecration of his Prey's lair. Seeing the only two on earth that he feared could convince his Prey to willingly abandon him, rational thought fled. His voice overlaid with the voice of the Dragon, he snarled, “He is MY sacrifice. Get away from him NOW!” Fire danced around the Lord, his eyes spat flames.

“Ahhh, Zuko, uuuummmm—” That was as far as Sokka managed before he and Aang were shoved aside as Katara leapt out, a column of ice heading straight for Zuko. The Firebender created a barrier of flame, water and fire met - and steam filled the garden.

“MY BROTHER is not YOUR SACRIFICE!” Katara yelled as she sent deadly icicles straight at Zuko. The Fire Lord flipped back, the icicles catching and shredding his robes, but missing flesh. Less hampered now that his long robes were torn, Zuko returned the attack with a volley of fireballs. Water swirled around Katara's hands as they whipped out, batting the fireballs away.

“He is MINE!” Zuko roared, the Dragon rising around him.

“He is NOT YOURS!” Katara screamed back. The Frilled Narwhal, responding to the presence of the Fire Spirit, rose gracefully from Katara.

Aang gathered his powers. He could not allow the Spirits to attack each other; it would disrupt the hard-won balance once again.

But to everyone's surprise, the two benders suddenly seemed frozen as the elemental Spirits eyed each other. Then, in a symbol of mutual respect, the Spirits seemed to bow to each other formally. Both then turned to Aang, the Dragon with an especially warning look in its eyes. The ancient Spirits were born for the balance and even the madness that took the Fire Spirit in the human realm could not shake the Spirits’ resolution to maintain that sacred balance. The Spirits bowed at the Avatar and both slowly disappeared into their hosts. They could not involve themselves in this battle, and the fight would therefore be between their hosts and only the undoubtedly great natural bending abilities of the benders would be involved in the fight.

Aang's sigh of relief as the Spirits vanished was short-lived, as disks of ice immediately flew at the Fire Lord, who dodge rolled away from the deadly projectiles and sent a whip of fire at Katara's legs. She flipped gracefully over the fire and at the same time sent a column of water, hitting Zuko from behind. Zuko stumbled forward, allowed himself to roll on his own momentum, and as his legs came up he kicked fast moving orbs of fire at Katara, who, though singed, managed to block most of the attack. Steam rose thick in the air as both benders pressed the attack.

“’Zup?” Aang said to Sokka, who was leaning casually against Appa and watching the battle. Aang uncertain of what to do about the battling benders decided to follow Sokka's lead. He copied the casual air around Sokka as he, too, leaned against the great beast beside his friend.

“Not much!” Sokka said with a shrug, wincing as a wall of water soaked Zuko and vapor rose from the Firebender, who retaliated with a low sweeping fire kick, catching Katara's ankle and knocking the wind out of her as she was slammed back.

“Hmm,” Aang said, looking around. “How long could this place hold you?” he asked in a casual voice, wincing as a fireball hit Katara's shoulder and Katara froze a part of Zuko's leg. However he looked at it, they were both gonna hurt – later.

“Me?This place? Hold Me? Two minutes, five tops if I was feeling lazy,” Sokka responded.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” Aang said with a huge, relieved smile. He crossed his hand behind his head. “So should we stop ‘em?” he asked, nodding towards the two benders furiously trading blows.

“No rush! They seem to be enjoying themselves!” Sokka answered with a grin. “Blowing off steam and cooling down is good for both of ‘em.” He beamed at his own brilliance.

Aang gave a surprised bark of laughter – he had missed this. “Good one, and I do believe you are very right. Errr, we will stop them if they actually hurt themselves, right?” Aang asked a little nervously as he watched the two furiously going at it. How was he supposed to stop them? He gulped as a sudden burst of fire, followed by a tremendous flood of water, flashed past him.

“Avatars know no fear!” Sokka replied with a sideways evil grin, chuckling at the sad, dejected look that crossed Aang's face and the slumping of shoulders that carried the heavy burden of the Avatar. “Don't worry, Aang, I've got a plan,” Sokka said with a wink.

A big smile bloomed across Aang's face. Darn, he had forgotten: he was with Sokka, and of course Sokka had a plan. The heavy mantle that dragged the Airbender's spirit down lifted as he happily surrendered the role of decision-maker to his older friend. He reached out a hand and grasped Sokka's arm tightly. Sokka looked at Aang, surprised to suddenly see his friend very serious and somber.

“Sokka, I am so sorry. We- I didn't appreciate all you did. I let things slip so far. I failed you!” Aang whispered, tears pooling in his eyes. “I'm sorry.”

“For what Aang? Im a big boy – bigger then you, and let me tell you a secret,” Sokka's hand went around Aang neck in a conspiratorial fashion. Aang leaned in, “You see Aang...” Sokka's arm locked around Aang's neck as his knuckles dug into the bald head, giving the 20 year old squirming and protesting Avatar a Super noogie. “I don't remember ever saying I needed you butting in. I DONT need a kid like you taking care of me.. so you failed no one.”

Sokka released the squirming Aang, and the Avatar groaned and rubbed his head, the tears drying up as the guilt faded into nothingness. “Thanks, Sokka!” Aang said softly,

Sokka grinned back. “Yep, you better thank me. How many others would dare to knock sense into your bald head, after all? Sheesh, the stuff I do,” Sokka said as he continued to watch the battle. Aang relaxed beside him. Though he seemed casual about it, Sokka was closely monitoring the fight; the benders not augmented by the elemental Spirits were pretty much evenly matched. The rage of the two benders was slowly dying down and Sokka knew he had to step in before they got tired and careless and actually ended up injuring each other. Sokka winced as both were thrown back when fire and ice collided, causing bruises and bumps, which were well deserved and he decided did not really count as injuries.

Both benders were tiring, but neither was willing to give in. Anger still eating at them, they drew their energies in for a powerful strike. The air around Katara turned to frost as she drew her element to her. Electricity sparked around Zuko, there was a subtle shift in the mood. Sokka knew that enough was enough.

“Stay!” he ordered softly, including Aang, Momo, and Appa in the command. All three members of the Air Nomads looked at each other and relaxed. They had no problems following orders. Sokka would have a plan.

Aang watched Katara draw on ice and could almost guess what was coming. Icicles that were nearly unstoppable would attack Zuko, forming and reforming in a continuous wave of attack. They numbered anywhere from 3 to 30, depending of Katara's determination, and the Waterbender looked pretty damned determined. Zuko looked freaking scary, his determination equal to if not stronger than Katara's, and the electricity crackling around the Fire Lord was indeed - intimidating.

‘Sokka has a plan, Sokka has a plan, Sokka has a plan!’ Aang found himself chanting over and over. “Don't worry, Momo, Sokka has a plan!” Aang said as he tried to relax, but he was getting more and more nervous as the benders set up their attacks and Sokka seemed to stroll up to them and stand at the side quietly. What was he up to?

Aang almost screamed when, in silent accord, both benders unleashed their attacks, and with regrettable timing, Sokka choose that moment to stride between the two and face Katara.

“Sokka!” The scream came from three directions. In an impressive display of control, Katara transformed the deadly icicle column into water; inches away from her brother. Lightning around his fists, Zuko slammed his hands together and blasted the lightning into the ground, forcing him backwards and burning his own hands.

“THAT WAS YOUR PLAN! THAT WAS YOUR PLAN!” A hyperventilating Aang rushed forward to yell at Sokka, who stood soaking wet but otherwise unscathed in the middle of the garden.

“Well, getting soaked was not really part of the plan, but than when Katara is involved I always seem to end up wet,” Sokka said easily as he looked at both of the panting benders. Pulling back their attacks had required much more control and energy than simply releasing their powers.

“Your plan sucked!” Aang said angrily.

“Hey, my plan was brilliant, simple but brilliant. See, they aren't fighting, are they?”

“But you could have gotten hurt!” Aang retorted.

“No, Aang, I wouldn't have! Neither Katara nor Zuko could hurt me!” Sokka said with unshakable confidence. “They may toss me around, but neither of them is capable of hurting me, and this was the fastest way to prove it,” Sokka asserted firmly. “Now if the two of you are over your little tantrum, maybe we can clear this up before dinner.”

Katara stood breathing hard, looking at her drenched brother, her eyes never quite leaving the Fire Nation tattoo on Sokka's neck.

“Katara, things have changed!” Sokka said softly but firmly. Katara's eyes finally left the tattoo and she actually looked at Sokka. Her brother was taller and broader than she remembered; soaking wet, his stance was confident and powerful. There was something else, something almost elusive about Sokka that had not been there before. Realization came slowly, but it did come. The boy—no, the man who stood before her was not cowered or caged: he was a warrior to be reckoned with. The nervous, tentative assurance of youth had given way to steely determination and pure internal strength.

Katara's mouth opened, but no words emerged.

Aang, who had been standing next to Sokka, was suddenly shoved away, and the arms that Sokka had been expecting closed around him from behind. Zuko made loose fists, protecting his burnt palms as he pulled Sokka to his chest. He glared at Katara, his eyes narrowed, and deliberately he bent, his gaze holding Katara's, to kiss his mark on Sokka's neck.

The fire in his blood cooled immediately as Sokka leaned against him and tilted his head to the side, allowing Zuko greater access. The ex-Water Tribesman's own hands came up to gently cup Zuko's scorched hands and draw some of the excess heat into himself.

Both Aang and Katara's jaws came unhinged. They stared stupidly at the two men, who stood in an erotic embrace before them. Sokka could not quite stop the light reddening of his cheeks at having to show his sister this, but his embarrassment did not shake his determination. The situation demanded nothing less than the truth.

“I am no longer of the Water Tribe, Katara,” Sokka said in a soft clear voice.

“You belong to the Fire Nation?” Katara choked out.

“No!” Sokka said firmly, and Zuko inhaled sharply, his eyes widening in pain, that one word was causing him more agony than all of Katara's attacks put together. He loosened his hold to release Sokka, but Sokka's hands tightened on his, defeating the half-hearted attempt to pull back.

“No, Katara! I do not belong to the Fire Nation.” He held tight to Zuko's suddenly limp arms and continued firmly, “I belong to Zuko, by choice and by fate. Katara, I am Zuko's. I serve Zuko, not the Fire Lord, not the Fire Nation, just Zuko. So if he serves the Fire Nation, then so do I. If he leaves the Fire Nation tomorrow, I would follow, because I trust the man he is, wholly, willingly, and without reservation. I am Zuko's, and that, Katara, is something YOU will accept!” Sokka never raised his voice, but each word was spoken precisely and clearly, with the weight of the warrior's pledge behind it.

Zuko's face was bright red, tears burned his eyes, and he melted into his Prey's back, nuzzling against the strong neck in apology for his lack of trust. The pledge before Katara and Aang was so much more than he had expected. Zuko's arms tightened. His warrior gave him so damned much, and the love he felt for Sokka filled him completely. In that moment there was no space for jealousy and anger; they were petty, nothing. Even love seemed too insipid a term to describe the nova of emotions that burst from his heart. He inhaled Sokka's unique scent of sea spice, meat, wilderness, and Sokka. He wanted to consume Sokka, to bury himself so deep in Sokka's cooling warmth that the lines that separated them faded to nothingness and they became one.

Still, he would not hurt Sokka, not in any way, so he would have to deal with their unwelcome guests with some measure of civility.

Aang and Katara both watched the play of emotions in the two men before them. Sokka was strangely calm and strong; with a languid sensuality he moved into Zuko's touch. Zuko's face, however, was the more telling, a beautiful softness infusing the Fire Lord's eyes in the way he looked at Sokka, held him as if he was the most precious and beloved being on earth.

That, more than anything, convinced them.

The belligerence leaving her, Katara was confused and more than a little worried. She could not quite manage a smile, but she saw Aang bowing respectfully to the two and so she clasped her stiff hands together and bowed. This was not about her, it was about Sokka, and she loved her big brother. If this was his choice, she would accept it.

Peace once again filled the garden. Stroking the hands that held him so securely, Sokka smiled and cast a paternal look at the group. Oh yes! He loved it when his plans worked out so well. A genius – that was what he was.

--tbc--

Lol – well I hope it was what you all expected and hoped for, I kindda did enjoy writing this – but seriously writing fights without bending is a lot easier – how the hell to I describe water attacks.. sheesh! :)

There was no way I could have the spirits get involved in this – pure earth realm stuff.. N Sokka DOES NOT NEED the Wolf Hawk to control Zuko! Hehehehee
Review please and again do say what you'd like to see. I tried and I really hope that in this chappie Aang and Sokka are straight out of Canon.
- 16
- 17
- 18
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Dragon's prey