Authors Note: First Avatar fic, takes place around a year after The Promise (that's two years after the end of Avatar) Enjoy, and please review!

Toph was gone. Missing, but not dead, at least as far as they knew. Sokka gripped the hair at the side of his head in frustration, starring at the maps spread out in front of him. It was to much. He stood and began to pace, but the four others in the room paid him no attention – they were to used to his restlessness. He wanted to just yell, but not specificly at anyone in the room. He would have loved to start up an argument, but the pickings were slim. One with Katara would probably end in him as an icicle. Aang would be no fun – he would just smile and wait patiently until the yelling was done. Zuko could be a potential, but he was on the edge of his nerves too, and Sokka didn't want all the maps to go up in flames. Suki – well, he didn't even want to go there.

It had been nine days ago that they – He, Aang and Katara – had flown to the Bei Fong Metal Bending Academy to wish Toph a Happy 15th Birthday. There they had found her students, recovering from an attack. Toph was no where to be found. The students told them how a group of people ambushed them in a late night training session. Their attacks rendered them temporarily paralyzed and unable to bend. The fight was over before it began, and they took Toph with them.

The trio couldn't describe their guilt. If only they had gone the day before. They started out their search by asking people at nearby villages, hardly sleeping on Appa as they tried desperately to track down their friend. It didn't take long before townspeople got confused in which direction the Chi-Blockers had headed, and Aang started to attract a lot of attention as the Avatar and slow them down.

So, they decided to pay a visit to the Fire Lord, hoping that he could send out people to search, people that would attract less attention then Aang and be able to spread out more. Suki, who was still working as one of his guards, quickly jumped at the opportunity to do more then guard work.

Sokka grit his teeth. It had rubbed him the wrong way when Suki had said that – almost as if it was just another mission to her, and not their friend's life that was in danger.

A knock came at the door suddenly and all five spun around, starring down the man who entered, carrying a scroll.

"News from the Colony of Yu Dao." He said, sounding slightly nervous under their stares. Zuko grabbed the scroll as the man scurried out.

"Suspicious figures passed through a few days ago...sounds like the lead we've been waiting for."

They all circled around the largest map in the room, looking down at a spot in the Earth Kingdom.

"Which direction did they go when they left the town?" Katara asked, leaning over to look at the scroll.

"Doesn't say." Zuko sighed. "Either we send a letter back to them asking, or..."

"Or we go to the colony and spread out in all directions?" Sokka asked, frowning as he traced his finger around the town.

"Orrr when we go to the colony we save ourselves the trouble and just ask the colonials which way they went?" Aang suggested.

"Right. That works too."

"Whose going then?" Suki asked, looking around.

"Me." Sokka said, avoiding Suki's gaze.

Katara and Aang both agreed, but Zuko sighed.

"I want to help, really...but I have to see if they can handle me being done..."

"I'm sure I can replace you."

Sokka spun around to look at Mai, who stood with a small smile in the doorway. Ty Lee stood beside her, and just behind them was Iro.

"Mai -" Zuko started to protest.

"I can look out for your lovely bride," Ty Lee giggled. "Plus, us Kyoshi Warrior have to stick together, right Suki?"

Suki, Sokka was always surprised to see, took Ty Lee's excitable mannerisms quite well, and simply smiled at her.

"Right."

"You're coming too then, Uncle?" Zuko asked.

"Toph is one of my friends as well. We will sort out your affairs, so that you may come as well."

Sokka couldn't help the bubble of hope that started to rise in his chest as he smiled around at his friends.

"Alright Boomerang Squad!"

The others groaned and he left the room, headed to the quest quarters to pack. He felt a twinge of sadness as he realized no one had counted his statement. It took a moment for him to realize that it was Toph's quips he was missing, and he quickly turned into his room, rubbing at his dry eyes.