-?-?-?-?-

This was his favorite time of night; the time when he could be engulfed in the soft folds of his sleeping bag, left alone to gaze at the endless nighttime sky.

This was the time when he could let down his defenses, abandon his emotional guard, and simply think. This was the time when Sokka could slowly drift into Yue's awaiting arms, encased by such feelings of protection and love that all other fears - everything that tore at his emotions and prodded at his mind - were suppressed.

He could feel his body yield to the sleep that seemed to escape his grasp every now and again. His eyelids became too heavy for their own weight; they slowly closed, sending Sokka into a void of black.

-?-?-?-?-

Yue knew that tonight would be special. She knew that tonight would forever be separated in her mind…apart from all other memories; secluded and left to paint smiles – or well tears – forever.

This girl, bathed in a pale light of innocence and utter beauty, exhaled as her heart collapsed with the burden that was suffocating her. She felt that as an immortal spirit it was unfair for her to have love so distant, yet so close – so unreachable. It tore at her to watch Sokka weave in and out of danger and love without her. It hurt her to gaze at him from her eternal place in the sky and not be able to kiss him and love him like she knew he deserved.

But even though her everlasting duties kept her from her love, she found a way to be with him…even if it was just for a moment; and the coming of the new moon would assist her.

-?-?-?-?-

Toph aroused from her sleep, eliminating the walls of earth around her. The cold night breeze swept against her sun-kissed cheeks and through her glossy black hair, startling the loose ends.

She had heard something; of that much she was sure. The soft heartbeats of Aang and Katara traveled up the girl's feet, informing her in their own special way that the two were asleep.

Impulsively, Toph traveled over to where Sokka's sleeping bag was situated - even though she already knew that he wasn't there - kicking it (sounds like Toph, doesn't it?) and hoping to feel that stubborn lump of a Meathead.

Noise.

The Blind Bandit slid her foot in the direction of the destroyer of the peaceful ambience. Vibrations came back to her routinely. The young girl startled as she deciphered the retrieved vibrations. They felt cold and filled with some other unexplainable emotion.

Perhaps that's why the Blind Bandit contemplated for so long whether or not to go searching for the helplessly sarcastic boy that was Sokka…

-?-?-?-?-

He sat there, surrounded by nothing but the calls of the wind and animals. His body had succumbed to sleep for only a moment…just one sweet moment. Sokka gazed up into the sky, realizing that there was no moon; no luminous beacon to help console him.

The warrior hung his head, accepting defeat. He had been holding onto his fragmented hopes for so long; hopes of seeing Yue again; of gathering her in his arms; of kissing her delicate face, all in vain.

Sorrow hung over him like a wet blanket. He couldn't shake it off and he didn't fully want to, for it was the memories of Yue that brought the sorrow, and how could he leave those memories? And so Sokka – sarcastic, carnivorous Sokka– did the only thing one can do to ease the pressure and weight of sorrow. He let the burden sinking into his heart out through the easiest exit: his eyes. And the two sleek tears that slid down his cheeks represented blood. The precious blood of longing…

The warrior found himself on his knees, silently begging his love to appear.

"Please Yue," he pleaded in a whisper.

-?-?-?-?-

Yue put a hand to her cheek, stopping one solitary tear from completing its course. She was ready to descend from her throne amongst the crystal-like stars.

-?-?-?-?-

She appeared just as he imagined she would: surrounded in a luminescent glow, her hair ornamented with pieces of light and swirling around her head, tickling her cheeks. She smiled at him with all of the beauty and happiness that she could muster, waiting for some sort of response.

Sokka stood, quite contrary to what Yue was hoping for, with no show of emotion at all; no remorse, happiness…nothing. Yue lovingly extended her hand, waiting for him to take it; waiting to feel his calloused fingers like she had long ago.

Sokka felt his eyes start to flood again, much to his dismay. He was supposed to protect Yue, he felt, even if it wasn't needed. He was supposed to be the brave one; the one who always had all the answers.

"Sokka…," Yue called in the most heavenly of tones.

She extended her hand once more, this time having it taken. Sokka's tears escaped from their prison as he caressed Yue's hand, almost not believing that he was looking into her endless eyes.

He took her other hand and continued to stare at her, not knowing whether to leap at the chance to lovingly kiss her once more, or to maintain a solemn composure.

Yue had waited a long time for this; she was ready for Sokka to press his lips against hers, sending that electrifying chill throughout her body that she enjoyed so much.

But they just stood there, Yue protected in an atmosphere of ghostly light, and Sokka, his hair a mess from a sleeping and his clothes dirty from traveling.

The sound of crunching dirt pulled the two lovers from their deep stares.

"Snoozles? Where the heck are you?" a sleep-ridden voice called.

Both turned around to see a sleepy Toph, rubbing her eyes and trying to figure out what was going on.

Yue sent a shocked expression towards Sokka, half believing that he had found new love, even though she knew that their own love could never be.

'How foolish…you know he loves you…' a teasing voice echoed throughout her mind.

Yue shook her head, trying to release herself from the hold of this terrible voice. She finally released from Sokka's grip, escaping from his view.

The Water Tribe boy extended his hand, trying to prevent Yue from leaving him, to no avail.

Sokka slowly turned around, facing Toph, his heart pounding like a church bell within his chest. He just stared at her, making the Blind Bandit feel even more uneasy. She wasn't one to succumb to feelings of sorrow or remorse, but the way that Sokka was shaking made her feel terrible.

"Hey. What's up?" the girl questioned as nonchalantly as possible.

Sokka's bottom lip began to shake, giving him more of a babyish look that fierce. He gritted his teeth and tried to maintain a steady disposition.

"Go away," Sokka ordered, tears dictating his voice.

Toph was about to question why the sudden anger, but before a word could travel from her lips, he sank to the ground, head in hands, weeping as though there was no tomorrow. Toph was startled by this; she began to approach him slowly in hopes of offering some form of comfort.

As she neared his weeping form, she extended a hand and groped for his shoulder. Finding it, she knelt down and sat next to him, the boy's tears subsiding at the feel of her touch. He wiped his eyes and turned to her.

"That's better. You really scared me there," Toph spoke at the turn of his head.

Sokka cleared his throat, eventually mumbling, "Sorry."

"Don't be," returned the girl, "judging from how often you cry I was beginning to worry. Heck, the tears have to flow sometime, right?"

Toph herself was startled by the gentle phrases flowing from her lips. They seemed to be comforting Sokka, though, so she continued.

"Who was that you were standing with? I couldn't figure it out; they didn't give off any vibrations…"

No response came from Sokka, so she tried again, "Come on, Snoozles. Help me out here."

Sokka sighed, his attention now focused towards the midnight sky.

"It was just an old friend…"

Toph blew a stray bang away from her face, frustrated at Sokka's lack of compliancy.

"But we're in the middle of a forest. How could you have any friends out here?"

"Oh, she just shows up from out of nowhere," the boy explained with a shrug.

Toph's attention was caught. "She?"

"Yep."

Toph smacked her palm against her forehead. "Does the mysterious she have a name?"

"Yue. Her name's Yue."

"Oh," responded Toph, her confusion amply expressed.

"You may know her better as the moon," Sokka continued after a moment's silence.

"Oh," replied Toph once more, her eyebrows furrowed, "Did you love her?"

Sokka exhaled deeply. "I guess you could say that."

Toph stood up, brushing the dirt off of her clothes.

"I'm sleepy. Let's go."

Sokka nodded and stood up; the two slowly ambled back to the camp. Upon returning, the boy burrowed into his sleeping bag with evident awkwardness. Toph smiled; this was an excellent opportunity. She grabbed Sokka's hand and led him instead over to Appa, carefully stepping over Aang. She lay down in the bison's soft fur, the boy following.

"How about a little company tonight?" Toph asked after they both lay side-by-side.

Sokka smiled, pleased with his company. Sleeping next to Toph made him feel warm and safe, feelings he never thought he'd harvest from being with her. He took her cold hand and laced his fingers through hers.

"Company would be great…"

-?-?-?-?-

Yue smiled from the sky, pale tears decorating her cheeks.

"Take care of him, Toph…"

7