At First Sight
Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA.
A/N: I would like to thank my beta-reader Inazuma Akai. I will like to thank you for all you have done. To my readers, thank you. I would like to know what you think of my story so far. I've taken some of your advice, suggestions and opinions to write a better story. Please read this new chapter and let me know how you like it. Without further adue, here is Chapter 4.
One time, not so long ago, Katara helped me write a letter to my parents. I was blind; I needed someone to aid me in transferring my feelings into words. She was that person. She always placed other's feelings before hers. She has a motherly-like quality. Perhaps, just maybe, I envy her. She is kind, gentle, tender, and possesses many good qualities. I am nothing like that. I am still finding my path in this unnerving world. Now that I find myself in this situation, I wonder how I could word my feelings towards Zuko.
Reunion
"You shouldn't be alone this late at night." said a masculine voice. Toph was deep in thoughts, completely lost to the world that surrounded her. The soft motion of the water against her skin was mesmerizing. She was drifting in a sea of memories that took her further away from reality.
The person waited for her to reply, but there was none. "Toph," he said, taking a few steps closer. "You should be more careful." he said placing a hand on her shoulder, as he surprised her.
Toph grabbed the perpetrator's hand and twisted it with all her might, shoving him into the water. She slightly turned her head to prevent the water from splashing on her face.
"Are you crazy?" screamed the man in a whiny voice. Toph could hear the splatter of water as the stranger tried to get up. "I tried to be nice to you. This is how you repay me?" he said as he spit water out of his mouth. He clenched his fist and began hitting the water in frustration.
She stood up, moving away from an angry Sokka. She began to laugh as she saw his attempt to get out of the shallow water.
"Laugh all you want, Missy. I will get my revenge. I will get you when you least expect it!" he said furiously, as he managed to stand up. His clothes were dripping in water and his hair was tussled in all direction. A soft wind blew making him shiver.
She had her hands over her mouth trying to stifle her laughter. It was useless, she began laughing uncontrollably. She laughed for a few minutes and knelt on the floor. She immediately turned serious, placing her pale hands on the floor she began to feel for vibrations coming from the earth.
"Sokka, did you come alone?" she asked as she stood up. She didn't wait for Sokka's answer. "There are four people and a half approaching us…" her voice trailed off. Four people and half?, she thought worriedly, I'm really losing it…I need to depend more on the earth.
She knelt back down, one hand on the floor. Her face was serious as she concentrated. Since she gained her eyesight, she had decreased her dependency on observing the world through the vibrations that objects, people, and insects sent through the earth.
"I haven't practice that much bending and I'm losing my capacity to see through the vibrations that the ground sends my way." she said unhappily. "That is why I was unaware that you were standing behind me. I am sorry that I threw you in the water… If I knew that it was you- I didn't mean to. " she finally said in an apologetic tone.
Sokka's blue eyes opened wide at Toph's sincerity. He still stood in the knee-high water. She sat on the floor.
"Are you really Toph?" he asked. Wet strands of hairs still clung to his face. Toph watch as he carefully tucked them behind his ear. He was staring at her in a strange way. She felt unease, but pushed the feeling to the back of her mind.
The midnight breeze was growing increasingly cold. The trees swayed in a rhythmically manner. Toph could see Sokka's wet skin glowed under the dim light of the moon.
"Sokka, what do you mean by that? Of course, it's me! How did you get here?" she asked him, confusion written all over her face.
"We received a letter from Aang. He wrote that you were joining them in their trip to the Fire Nation. Well, we came to rescue you. You know about your parent's presence at the Royal City, right?" he asked as he wringed his shirt to remove the excess water.
"Anyway," he continued, "they sure bother Fancy Breeches. Aang sent us the coordinates of where you were hiding. We followed them accordingly and here we are!" he said. "Oh yeah, those four and half people that you detect are: Katara, Aang, Suki, Koki (my son) and Fancy Breeches." he said nonchalantly, as he removed his satchel.
"Fancy Breeches?" whispered Toph. She was hoping that it would be Zuko. Deep down in her heart, she wished that it was him. But it can't be Zuko, she thought bitterly. The Fire Lord had many things on his hands at the moment. He needed to oversee a nation, its economy and most importantly; he was in search of his missing mother. He was too busy to worry about trivial things like her situation.
"Yes, Fancy Breeches is Zuko." Sokka said as he laughed at his insipid joke. He waited for Toph to laugh with him, but she remained silent
"He came with us. He made all the preparations. He wanted to come with us. I think he wanted to be away from your pestering parents. Did you know that your fiancé is also with them? He is real ugly! What did you see in him?" Sokka said. "I guess that Zuko also came with us because we are closed to some islands where his mother lives or lived. I don't really know. I just overheard a bit of the conversation he was having with Iroh before we left." said Sokka. He rubbed his hands together and took a look at their surroundings. "It's getting a little bit chilly. Are they getting closer? I am hungry!" he complained.
'…some islands where his mother lives or lived' the words resonated in Toph's mind. She was hoping that Zuko came to rescue her. Reality is a bitch!, she thought gloomily. The real motive of him coming was: his mother. Perfect, she thought desperately, he really doesn't care about me! He only came to find his mother in the process of 'rescuing' me.
As pathetic as it sounded, she had envisioned a beautiful reunion with Zuko. She imagined Zuko embracing her, holding her so tight until their hearts beat as one. It was all a beautiful illusion. When did I get so sappy?, she thought dully. She sat straight and looked away from Sokka.
"Somehow… you seem different." Sokka said quizzically. He walked towards her and tried to focus his eyes to adapt to the dark.
"You look like a semi-matured Toph." he said pleasantly.
Sokka had grown since the last time she saw him. He looked extremely handsome. You could certainly tell that he was Katara's brother. His chiseled jaw was defined and masculine. His nose was small and not overpowering, giving the rest of his face a perfect symmetry. Under the faint light of the moon, she could tell that he had a medium built. His face appeared smooth and his goatee had finally grown. His wet, dark clothes clung tightly to his body.
"What do you mean, semi-mature?" she asked annoyed. "I am matured!" Toph said haughtily. She left her hands on the floor to detect how near her friends were from them.
"Yes, semi-mature. Katara told me about the scene that happened earlier." Sokka said, collapsing on the padded sand. He reached for Toph's hand and pulled her closer.
"So Sugar Queen is talking behind my back?" asked Toph. "Did she tell you about what happened? Why did she say I was semi-mature? What is wrong with Sugar Queen?" she asked angrily. Sokka began to laugh, making her increasingly irritated. "What's so funny?" she asked annoyed.
"You've not changed! You act mature and like a spoiled brat. Semi-mature!" he said happily as he patted her on the head. He laughed, but suddenly grew serious as he noticed her mood.
"Are they close? I am really hungry." he said, rubbing his stomach. "I am also cold!" he complained.
"You say that I haven't changed-but you act like a hungry idiot! Why are you complaining about it being cold? You are from the South Pole, Snoozles!" she said aggravated.
They sat in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes. "How far are they?" Sokka asked. He was playing with a stick that he found on the sand.
Toph was hugging herself. She looked like an angel. "How is Zuko? Is he angry at me? Did my parents do something to upset him?" she finally spoke. She looked down at her lap. She felt Sokka patting her head.
"You're still in love with him?" he asked somberly. He waited for her to answer, but she was already deep in thought.
"Hey!" he said, pointing at the light of torches approaching them. She raised her head and saw the torches getting nearer.
She moved away from Sokka. "Looks like they are here." she whispered nervously. She hoped that he didn't notice how nervous she was. She thanked the night for hiding her flushed face.
Sokka took notice her unexpected change of mood. "Well, they are here! Hopefully, Katara can make some soup or something. I am starving!" he joked trying to alleviate the tension. "We should meet up with them. They might be worried about us." he said as he stood up.
"Yes, they might be worried." said Toph through clenched teeth. They walked silently behind their friends. Her hands were crossed over her chest. Her heart was beating fast. She had a forlorn face. I can do this, she thought nervously, he is my friend Zuko. He is my friend Zuko. Just a friend!
She felt like a goat-sheep walking to the slaughter the rest of the way. When they finally made it to the campsite, she inhaled deeply. "We are here!" she tried to say cheerfully but it came as a whisper.
Sokka sauntered to where his wife and child stood. They were preparing a bed for their child to sleep in. Katara and Aang were busy starting the fire again. She watched as they conversed happily.
She felt so out of place. It was better if she just disappeared. No one needed her. She wasn't wanted. Her parents made sure that nobody knew she existed. They sheltered her, confined her to a wooden prison.
She hid in the shadows of the trees as she watched nostalgically the scenes that played before her. "No one needs me." she whispered disappointedly.
"I do need you." said a deep throaty voice. "I came to tell you that!" it said this time in a guttural whisper.
More A/N: I hope that you enjoyed it. I will have Chapter 5 uploaded soon. Please read and review. Until next time! Adios!