"Great, now we've lost two teammates," said Sokka, pacing back and forth a while later. "And one of them is the Avatar…we are soo screwed."
"It's only been twenty minutes, Sokka," Katara said. "They'll be back soon."
"So what, twenty minutes isn't long enough for something to go wrong?" said Sokka, tugging at his hair in panic. "They could've been abducted by Fire Nation bandits…or fallen off a cliff…or eaten alive by rabid lemurs!"
"What?"
"It could happen!"
"Just calm down," Katara said. "You're worrying too much about this."
"But the invasion is less than two weeks away!" Sokka said. "What're we gonna tell the troops? 'Hey guys, sorry, but we kinda lost the Avatar, looks like you can all go home.'"
"Well then," Katara said in a mock-serious tone. "It looks like you have no choice but to master all four elements yourself and stand in for Aang when the invasion comes."
Sokka just looked at her seriously. "This is no time for joking, Katara."
"Oh, come on…" Katara paused, and squinted through the trees. "Wait, they're back!"
Sure enough, Aang and a raven-haired young girl came wandering through the trees. Before Aang could even open his mouth to speak, Sokka seized him into a bone-crushing hug.
"Aang, thank goodness you're safe! The invasion is back on, baby!"
"Uh…Sokka…can't breathe…" Aang gasped.
Sokka released the Avatar and looked at the girl next to him. "Uh…Aang, you were supposed to bring Toph back," he said, raising an eyebrow at him. "Remember? The little blind girl? Short temper? Nasty feet?"
The girl frowned.
"Uh, Sokka," said Aang, smiling slightly. "This is Toph…the new Toph."
The warrior stared at the girl for a good three seconds, taking in the red clothing, the long hair, the flame-shaped hair-pin…before responding. "Aw, come on Aang! I know Toph was a tough teacher but you didn't have to go and replace her!"
Aang smacked his forehead. The girl just sighed before kicking the ground with her heel…even Katara winced slightly as the shaft of rock struck Sokka in the groin.
Frozen in pain, Sokka's eyes started watering and he let out a whine that was so high-pitched it would make bats jealous. Crumbling to the ground and curling up into a fetal position, the girl stood above him with her hands on her hips.
"What were you saying about my feet?" she said.
Sokka's whimper was barely audible. "Hi Toph…"
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That evening, the gang sat around the fire, engrossed in conversation. Toph's new look seemed to be the main topic.
"Well, it definitely seems to suit you," said Katara, for what must have been the third time. Toph remembered how Katara had once tried to bring out her feminine side at a day spa in Ba-Sing-Se. She was probably just happy that Toph had managed it of her own accord. Toph had to keep reminding herself that she was now Katara's rival, even if the Waterbender didn't know it herself.
"Yeah. It sorta makes you look more girly," said Aang. "N-not that you didn't look like a girl before, it's just that…"
"Don't worry Aang, I know what you mean," Toph said with a smile. She could feel Aang's heart beating faster than it normally did when he talked to her. Blushing slightly, she realized that its rhythm was the same as it was when they were role-playing yesterday, just not quite as fast. It was a good sign.
"What happened to Twinkletoes?" Katara asked, noticing Toph's abandonment of Aang's usual nickname.
In truth, Toph knew that Aang hated being called 'Twinkletoes.' It was the main reason she kept calling him by that name. But now she had to try and stay in his good books…especially if she wanted to draw his attention.
"I dunno," Toph said in response to Katara's question. "I just thought it was getting old. New look, new person."
"Not entirely," mumbled Sokka, a bag of ice resting in his lap.
As the group started to retire to their tents, Katara tapped Toph on the shoulder.
"Can I speak with you?" she said. "Alone?"
Toph gulped. "Uh, sure." What was this about?
Katara lead Toph away from the campsite, into a deserted clearing, out of Aang and Sokka's earshot. The two stood facing each other in silence for a moment, disturbed only by the chirping crickets.
"I thought you said you don't care what you look like," Katara said. It was a friendly tone, but still carried an air of suspicion.
"Well…" Toph said, trying to make something up. "I just thought that…"
"And if I remember correctly," Katara continued. "You said it was because you weren't looking for anyone's approval."
Toph sighed. She knew where she was going with this. "So?" she said.
"So, it means you are looking for someone's approval now," Katara said triumphantly.
Toph looked to the ground and blushed. There was no point denying it now, what else was she going to say? She just nodded in response.
"Ha! I knew it!" the Waterbender exclaimed. "You like him, don't you!"
Toph nodded again, blushing furiously. "Please…don't tell Aang."
Katara nodded. "What about Sokka?"
Toph sighed. "Sure, go ahead. He probably knows already anyway."
"Really?"
"Uh-huh," said Toph. "Just don't tell Aang. I don't want him to know just yet."
Katara gave her an odd look but shrugged. "Sure. If you don't want me to, then I won't. But all I can say is…good for you, Toph!"
Toph gulped again. Why did Katara always have to make things more awkward for her? "Uhh…thanks."
"You'll be fine," Katara said, giving her a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Just go easy on the teasing and he'll completely fall for you."
"You think so?" said Toph.
"I know so," Katara responded. "Now come on. Let's get back to camp before they realize we're missing.
Toph smiled awkwardly before starting to make her way back towards camp, with Katara following suit.
-------
Katara smiled, watching the young Earthbender in front of her. Who knows, she thought to herself. If it all works out…she could end up being my sister-in-law.
In case you didn't catch the hint, Katara thinks that Toph likes Sokka. That's why she was puzzled when she was told not to tell Aang.
Hope you like it! Chapter four coming soon!