Title: In Love And War
Author: Enticity
Genre: Humor/Romance
Summary: The war finally over, and Sokka has returned to Kyoshi Island for
the one person he left behind. But what if she doesn't want him back ?
Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender and friends do not belong to me. The plot,
however, is mine - along with any of the encounters and scenes that appear in ILAW.
Notes/Warnings: Mild cursings in this chapter. Apologies for making you wait so long.
Thanks for the reviews. My pen-name has changed. No longer Lala-Ness, but Enticity.
Chapter Two
Let The Games Begin
It was barely sunset, and the sky to the west was fantastic. Dipping his hands into his pockets, he began to walk, scanning the surroundings. Unagi Bellflowers, the rockers on the front porch, the woods that haunted the side of the house. The old dock swaying over the water, and the small fishing boat moored to it.
He was near the edge of water, kicking a single rock as he walked. Each time he kicked it long and hard. He was using it as a substitute for Saburo's head.
At least for now.
The sky was a silvery blue, the hint of sunlight left reflecting off the clouds. It usually made him think of mysterious, enigmatic things. At the moment, the only thing that was unknown to him was how Suki was attracted to someone like her fiance. Even his name was pathetic. What kind of name was Saburo anyway?
It probably meant something just as unnatural as it sounded.
He kicked the rock one last time, and watched it fly into the deepest part of the lake, sinking to the bottom. He desperately wished that was Saburo. It was a vicious thought, but he felt no guilt for imagining so.
With nothing else left to use as a replacement, he grabbed his bag and walked away from the body of water. Evening would be coming soon. He figured the next best thing to beating Saburo's face in would be to find shelter.
The Southern Sea Inn was nestled comfortably in the center of the village. It was a lovely place, full of character, the lines so clean they disguised the building's rambling structure. It was three stories high, built of stone that had been weathered to a soft gray, the facade interspersed with narrow arched windows. The hipped roof had faded long ago to a quiet green, and a wide wooden porch made a light-brown skirt around the entire house.
The Inn and surrounding buildings and markets stood in peaceful coexistence, neither detracting from eachother's beauty.
Sokka figured it would have to do for a few nights.
With his bag swung over his shoulder, he mounted the steps. He didn't think twice about it when he found that the door was unlocked. There was no one about. The sprawling living room which served as a lounge was empty, though a fire crackled in the grate.
Wool rugs dotted the floor; hand-crocheted blankets were draped on the patchworked furniture. Characteristically, the room was neat, but far from orderly. There were scrolls here and there, an overflowing sewing basket, a group of pillows piled for comfort rather then style. The ambience was friendly with a faintly distracted charm.
He gave an idle consideration of wiping off his dirty boots, but promptly forgot when he heard footsteps down the hall.
"Oh, Sokka, there you are." Typically, his sister greeted him as though Sokka had just spent a year away in another nation rather than a few hours around the village. "I'm glad you got in before dinner. The Chief is celebrating with Steamed Pork Buns, and boiled Dumplings ." Katara grinned as she watched her brother's eyes widen in delight.
Eager, he rubbed his hands together and licked his lips. There was certainly nothing more mood-lifting than good food. He could almost imagine biting into those delicious, mouth-watering dumplings. Katara wrinkled her nose when she saw a pool of saliva running out the side of his mouth.
"Sokka...you're drooling."
He merely grinned and exaggerated by taking in a large whiff of air through his nose. "Smells good," he drawled, hooking his arm through Katara's, and dragging her along.
"How do you know where the dining room is?" Katara questioned, raising a brow.
"Instinct," he replied. Abruptly, he stopped and, sticking his nose up, took another suck of air. His head snapped to the hallway on their left. "That way," he declared, following the scent of freshly cooked goods.
Katara, who wasn't surprised by his reply, allowed him to drag her a little farther into the hallway before he stopped again. "Other way," he declared again, swinging them around and into the hallway originally to their left. She rolled her eyes and prepared a retort when he sighed insufferably.
"Alright, so my instincts need a tune-up. Just tell me where the food is." She smiled, and wandered into the room just across from them. Sokka gaped for a moment, wondering just how stupid he could possibly get.
Then he saw Suki and whats-his-name sitting on one side of the table...cuddling. He suddenly lost his appetite. "Where do I sit," he mumbled, looking away.
Katara noticed his sudden change in mood, but resisted the urge to ask. She already knew he'd deny any uneasy feeling - "because he was a warrior". Instead, she gestured to a seat.
Which was ironically just across from the loving couple.
Inwardly, he groaned. How worse could this possibly get? He decided he didn't want to find out. So he sucked in the pain (like a man) and sat down. If he was going to get rejected by the woman he loved, the least he could do was walk away with his pride. He turned to watch Aang and Katara sit down beside eachother, and found himself gaping.
Whats-his-name was touching her butt!
He opened his mouth to object when Suki smiled at him. "I'm glad you didn't cut your hair."
It took him a moment to register the comment. His mind was blank at seeing some other man touch Suki...in places they shouldn't be touching. A part of his mind screamed out: She has a fiance you dumbass. The other - the half that was winning - really couldn't care less. The smile, however, was full of charm and so completely unaffected that Sokka was able to form one in return.
"Thanks." He gave what he called a man-to-man nod in Saburo's direction. He returned it. While the dinner conversation bounced around her, Suki sat back with a satisfied sigh. At first the thought of Saburo and Sokka meeting sounded like a disaster waiting to happen. She was completely wrong. Sure, Sokka was scowling, but it was a friendly scowl. And Saburo had smirked, but it was such a polite smirk. Positively friendly, she decided.
Sitting there, watching them, as Aang devoured his Pork Buns, and Katara and the Chief argued over what floorings should be added to the inn, Suki could almost hear the friendly thoughts circling between the two of them.
Arrogant, girl-friend thief.
Rude, self-important intruder.
Who the hell does he think he is, sitting at the table as if he already owned it?
A pity he doesn't have the look to match his attitude.
Suki, who had no idea of the hatred that already fumed between the two men, smiled fondly at them as she took a sip of her tea. "So Sokka, how long are you planning to stay?"
Sokka took a drink as well, before setting his cup down calmly. "Permanently."
Her eyes widened in amusement. "That's wonderful." But she didn't see the smirk on Saburo's face vanish and form into a disgusted frown. Neither did she see the smug grin on Sokka's part. "Honey," Suki started, glancing at Saburo. "Why don't you show Sokka around tomorrow? I have work in the Dojo tomorrow." She patted Sokka's hand. "There's so much that's changed since you left."
Saburo grunted. Suki took it as a yes, but what it really meant was: I'd rather go to hell then show him around.
Sokka shrugged, determined to treat it lightly. "I have a lot of stuff to unpack."
"Come on, Sokka, it'll be some good male-bonding time," Saburo said. To Suki, it was encouragement. To Sokka, it was a challenge. And Sokka was never one to back down from a challenge. Especially from this conniving thief.
"It seems the next few days might prove interesting, after all."
"Yeah." Sokka's agreement lacked enthusiasm. "So it does."
The house was quiet now. Moonlight filtered in, leaving the corners shadowed. After taking a good full cup of tea, Sokka headed for his room. It wasn't until halfway down the hall when he saw Suki locked in a very involved embrace with Saburo.
There was no need to worry about being seen. Both Suki and Saburo were totally focused on eachother. Sokka was certain that the roof could have toppled over their heads, and they would have remained unmoving and entertwined. The pain came back, hatefully, in full force.
Hurrying by, he gave vent to hideous and unwelcome jealousy by slamming his door.
So Saburo thought he could play games too, huh?
Well, so could he.
Hm .. wonder what that means.
I know I made Suki really oblivious to what's really going on. She'll catch on though. Eventually.