Zutara Week - Pinch

Pinch

Katara and Suki walked up to the campsite with their arms full of supplies. They had just returned from a nearby town to both replenish their supplies and take note of any important news that might have spread about the Avatar.

“So, any news?” Sokka asked, pausing only briefly from eating lunch.

“No not really. There seem to be some sort of fuss over a play that’s coming soon but other than that, no new news to report.” Suki replied setting down her replies. She walked over and cuddled beside Sokka. They seemed to complement each other in everyway. It was obvious that Sokka would do any thing for her. He put down his bowl and wrapped his arm around her.  Katara sat in-between Zuko and Aang.

“Where’s Toph?” Katara asked after everyone had settled.

“Here I am” said Toph waving from not to far away. She came and sat between Aang and Katara causing Katara to scoot closer towards Zuko, much to Aang’s disappointment.  Katara didn’t mind though, she had got to know Zuko a lot better since he had joined to the gang and although they weren’t as close as the other members of the group they were definitely friends.

“So what have you guys been up to while we were gone?” Suki asked innocently.

“Well me and Haru just had a bending battle. I bet you can guess who won.” Toph said smugly, humility was not one of her qualities. “Haru’s still tending his wounds.” Sokka laughed at this last remark. Even with the knowledge that girls were just as capable at fighting as boys, he was still amused at the fact that someone as large as Haru could be beaten by someone as little as Toph.

“Zuko and I have just finished training. I’m getting pretty good too, fire bending is amazing.” Aang added, lost in his own little world it seemed.

“Yeah, you gotta love all that fire everywhere.” Sokka said sarcastically while rolling his eyes.

“Sokka!” Suki snapped while pinching Sokka in the arm. “That’s not nice, you should be happy that Aang’s picking it up so fast.  You wouldn’t him to rely on your sneak attack alone would you?” She gave him a questioning look.

“Yeah, I’m happy for you Aang.” Sokka said a bit deflated.

“Well we all know who wears the trouser in that relationship don’t we guys?!” Toph joked. Everyone laughed including Sokka, even Katara smirked a bit.

A cold breeze flew over causing the campfire to dance erratically. “Hey Zuko, I think the fire angry with you for bringing twigs instead of real fire wood.” Sokka teased.

“Not as angry as how Suki will be when she realises that haven’t done your chores today.” Zuko laughed heartily, pleased at his comeback. Katara turned towards him and waited for him to stop laughing before pinching him for telling on her brother, however it didn’t go quite as she planned.  As she drew her fingers closer to his arm Zuko suddenly stood up and before she knew it, Katara had pinched his upper thigh or at least that’s what she told herself.

“Its getting a bit cold, Zuko stated even though he was bright crimson. I’m going to go to my room. Katara blushed as well, fortunately no one seemed to notice what had happened but that didn’t matter, she needed to straighten thing out with Zuko before he got the wrong idea.

Before returning to her own room to lay down for the night she knocked on Zuko’s door. The last time she had been there it was to threaten him; she cringed at the thought. “If only she had spoken to him sooner, all of that could have been avoided.”  She thought to herself.

“Come in.” Zuko said from behind the door. Katara walked in trying to keep herself from blushing, Zuko tried his hardest to do the same.

“Oh. Hi Katara.”

“Hi Zuko. Urmm about today, I’m really sorry about what happened.”  Katara seemed to stumble on the words as if she were in a hurry to get them out. “I didn’t mean to touch that. . .” She instantly turned a plumish purple, embarrassed by what she had said. Zuko smirked. “I mean you….I didn’t mean to touch you.” She slapped her palm against her forehead and sighed. She then lifted her gaze from he shoes and looked at him. “I wanted to pinch your arm for telling on my brother, but then you stood up so quickly.” She blushed again. I’m really sorry.”

Zuko looked at Katara and smiled. “Don’t worry about it Katara I know it was an accident. At least Toph didn’t notice.” He chuckled to himself. “That would have been bad.”

“Yeah.”  Katara replied, joining in with his laughter.

“I would be so sure about that! Toph said casually walking past Zuko’s room smirking slightly.

“Urgh!” Katara and Zuko said simultaneously, slapping their palms on their foreheads.