GASP! An Update!
I do not own avatar, however, Ukya is my own character!
The Royal couple stood just before the docks the Earthbenders ship made port. Katara stood with her hands folded against her stomach. Her jaw was clamped shut, but it still trembled as she tried to hold back the tears that were about ready to pour out. She glanced to her side, noting the Fire Nation public staring at their Queens quivering form. She looked back to the ship and sucked in a breath, letting it out slowly as she tried her best to calm herself, however, none of this was working. She could feel her knees weakening with each moment that passed. Her husband shifted beside her, noting his wife's discomfort, but stood idly by, trying to bury his own feelings. Soon, both of their focus shifted to the ship before them, trying to forget that their child was missing.
The ship was massive, with a long pointed bowsprit that curved as it went out. Soldiers were stationed at least ten feet apart for security reasons. The crew was almost entirely Fire Nation except for the few brave Earth Kingdom natives that served to assure Toph's safe passage over the great sea. A few crates were being unloaded from the ship, presumably trade products. However, the cargo was not the focus of the royalty. But rather the pass-
"SPARKY! Sug-whats wrong?"
The two jumped at the loud use of their nicknames. The looked back to find the small Earthbender standing a few feet in front of them, clearly oblivious to her departure from the ship. The blind woman shifted her feet slightly.
"Where's Ukya?" she asked hesitantly, not wanting to know the answer.
Katara lost it after that, breaking down in tears once again. Zuko's arms wrapped around her in comfort, quietly cooing at her.
"Come, Toph, we'll explain on the way back to the palace." He guided his wife to the carriage, helping her and Toph in, quickly climbing in after them.
The carriage rolled along the streets of the Fire Nation Capital, rocking slowly back and forth, the clack of the wheels against the pavement masked Katara's sobbing while Zuko tried to explain the events of the morning to Toph, whose expression was growing even more irritated with each passing word. Finally when he ended, Toph seemed to explode.
"Who is stupid enough to kidnap the only interracial royal child in the world? The whole South Pole as well as Fire Nation will be after their heads! With over half the worlds population looking for them, there is no way they can get far!" She threw her hands up in the air, agitation etched across her face. Usually so great at masking any feeling of sorrow, Toph's sightless eyes showed her sadness evidently. Ukya was the only child she had ever taken to. If anyone harmed her in anyway, there would be hell to pay.
"Toph, it would be easier if we knew who to look for. I mean, we suspect that it was Azula, but we can't be sure," Zuko stated calmly. His hands were clamped together as Katara's small form was curled up beside him.
"Wait, Azula?" Toph nearly screamed. "Isn't that psycho locked up?"
Zuko sighed. "We shouldn't be having this conversation where the whole town can hear."
Toph glowered at him but did not persist, for, despite how much she hated admitting it, he was right. The Fire Nation people did not need to know that a psychotic woman was running around kidnapping toddlers and doing who knows what to them. She turned her head toward Katara, feeling her trembling despite the rickety ride. She couldn't help but feel terrible. The typically strong Fire Lady was torn to shreds, leaving behind a frail woman who could barely keep her composure. However, part of Toph wanted to slap some sense into Katara. Crying over the absence of her daughter would solve nothing, and Katara knew that. Nevertheless, Toph remained on her side of the carriage, silently wishing there was something she could do.
The rain poured down on the swampy terrain surrounding the young woman, but she did not care. Her dark, wild eyes scanned the rain for her companion, but he could not be found. She swore under her breath, if that stupid boy lost that toddler again...
"Ow!" came a masculine howl. "You little brat!"
"What is taking you so long?" the young woman snapped at the man, stalking up to him, crossing her arms. Her pale hands curled around her sleeve, her impatience with the man growing. His dark hair remained matted against his face, despite the two year old that continued to tug on it in her fit of anger.
"Mama! Ukie want Mama!" cried the child.
"What do you think? You can't expect me to be able to keep up with your stride while carrying a whiny two year old!" he snapped, pulling the small dark-skinned child away from his face. "If you want to carry her, be my guest!"
The woman shook her head. "No, my sharp nails might scratch her, and I promised her father and...mother that she would remain unharmed. Besides, I'm a noble, I don't have to carry anything. That's what you're hear for." She turned away and glanced around the swamp. "Ugh that village has to be around here somewhere!" she groaned. "Stupid vines!" She pulled out a dagger, slashing violently at the green that blocked her way.
"No!" the toddler shouted, squirming from the man's hold, grabbing onto the woman's arm. "No hurt tree!"
"You stupid Fire Nation brat!" the woman yelled, shrugging her off. "You could have gotten yourself hurt!"
The child squealed in surprise as a shadow fell over the three of them. The woman turned and gasped at the giant creature that now stood towering over them. Vines dressed the creature, but the woman was not foolish enough to believe that there was such thing as a vine monster. From what she had heard Katara say, this was merely a man named Huu, and he served only to protect enemies of the swamp.
She quickly grasped Ukya and held her up to the vine monster. "Come now, you wouldn't dare hurt a small child, would you?"
Beneath the vines, Huu hesitated, listening as the water whispered to him, informing him of who these people were, and also informing him that the water gods, La and Tui, were spreading word that the daughter of Master Katara and Master Zuko had been kidnapped.
"Wh't br'ngs ya'll h're?" he bellowed, a small plan forming in his head. What if he were to accept them into his village, but instead hold them hostage until Katara came for her child?
"Good sir, my husband and I are terribly lost and our daughter is very tired. Could you please provide us with shelter until we are well enough to leave?" the lady asked, raising her hands in a gesture of innocence.
Slowly the vines fell and the small fat man appeared. "W'd be hap'y to let yall st'y wit us!" he exclaimed. "B't wat's yer n'me miss?"
She smiled a dark smile, one that made Huu rather nervous. "My name is Mai, and this is my husband, Jet."
For those of you who don't know, in my book, Jet didn't die. Besides, his hatred of Zuko seemed to work for this :D
Anyway, sorry I took forever, AP testing had me swamped!
Leave me loves?