Anytime
He left Ba Sing Sai sooner then expected. He had quickly packed up his things and left the day after his encounter with Suki.
He found it was easier to think outside the city; away from all the noise and distractions. But that also was a bad thing, because once he got to thinking he could stop and his mind wondered onto topics he wished not to think about. Ones that slowed him down more and more.
He'd left Suki… because of Toph?
He hadn't thought about it that way, but after what she'd said… he found himself feeling extremely stupid for having been so oblivious.
Sokka had received the letter two weeks before he left Kyoshi Island, and he knew each word like the back of his hand.
Sokka, it's been awhile. How have you been? The words had obviously halted for sometime, because the writing was a little different next. I wish I was sending you this for other reasons, but I'm not. Aang and I found out today from Iroh that Toph is gone. We're not sure how or why, but she just left. Sokka, we figured since you and she were good friends, closer then either of us were. You might be able to contact her? Or know where she is even? Please, we're just worried.
-Katara
It hadn't meant much to him at the time, but slowly, after hearing no news of Toph returning, he assumed she had truly left. And for a short time… even thought she might have been killed. That was what made him leave.
He hadn't told Suki why, but that was the reason. And now he understood she knew, and nothing would be the same between them now. Not after he left her because of a letter, because of Toph.
He made his way toward the ocean, deciding to fallow it until he neared the spot he would have to turn inward, deep into the Earth Kingdom forests; where he would find the volcano eventually.
It seemed simple at that. The only hard part was going to be traveling.
He tried to avoid the thought of how to confront Toph. How would he apologize without stuttering? Without messing up?
How was he going to explain to her everything thing he'd done since she left? All the lives he took…
Of course he would only have to explain if she actually forgave him, which he was growing more and more doubtful about.
Iroh had said she wasn't the same as she used to be. Was she really that different now?
Sokka tried to imagine what she was like now, how she behaved. Was she still the same, rough child who always thought she was invincible? Or did she realize she was just as fragile as anyone else?
There was no way of telling unless he saw her, talked to her. And to do that he'd need to get to the village before winter, or he'd have to wait the cold out.
The thought of trying to get there within a few months only made his feet more tiresome, but he refused to stop. Whether he showed up early or late, he would show up… and then he would apologize. Apologize for everything.
"What am I doing?" he finally asked himself. "What am I going to do?"
He arrived at the ocean within three days, reaching a small, run down fishing village, where he paid to rent a small room for the night. It was tiny; consisting of only a curtained window and a bed. He laid his sleeping bag out over the filthy mattress, then flopped down upon his, falling into a deep slumber a moment later.
He awoke to a soft knock upon his door, which he reluctantly opened; yawning away the sleep. "What?" he demanded groggily, only staring down at the small boy angrily.
"My… father said to tell you your time here is up… its sunrise. If you want to pay more… you can stay another night." The boy was shivering in the early morning chill, his bare feet and thin rags of clothes barely producing any warmth.
Sokka felt nothing but sympathy for the boy, but he was angered toward the father. The man had been so cowardly; he'd sent his own son to confront him.
He smiled softly; then nodded. "I'll be gone soon."
The boy shifted uncomfortably. "I… I know who you are."
He raised a brow, staring down at the child with surprise. "Who… am I?"
"You're Sokka," the boy was growing excited at knowing such things, but fear was also in his eyes. "You helped the Avatar save us… and you belong to the Warriors. But they don't come to help us anymore." He said sadly, staring down at the floor. "I haven't seen them in awhile."
Sokka dropped down to one knee. "When was the last time you saw them?" he questioned calmly, but he was slowly becoming anxious to know.
"Three weeks ago, they came and slept the night, then left before I woke up." He sighed. "I was hoping they'd show me how to fight… but they didn't." he shrugged, turning to leave.
Sokka didn't try to comfort the upset boy, just merely shut the door. They were three weeks ahead of him.
"What are you talking about Sokka?" he demanded to himself as he rolled up his sleeping bag. "You're not going after them, you're finding Toph. That's what important.
But no matter what his mind kept wondering to his group of men… or Sashu's. Would he go after them?
The days wore on as he walked the beach, feet quickly growing tired of treading sand hours on end. He stopped only to sleep but a few hours, then arose before the sun. He'd decided he would try to find his Warriors before leaving the ocean, where he would travel to find Toph. That only would happen though, if he encountered them before he came to where he must depart from the sea.
Sokka passed two more villages, which he only stopped at to buy supplies. He'd been informed there were no more villages for days, but he'd been foolish enough not to worry. But once he'd found he no longer had water or food, he was forced to stop and find some.
He discovered a stream not far inland, which he filled his pouch with, then started back for the beach.
It didn't take long to discover an edible fruit, but it wouldn't hold him over for long. He needed to find another village soon.
Another day passed of walking and he finally gave into sleep sooner then planned.
His dreams were like all the others; the same exact scene playing through his head.
But this time everything was muted; as if he were deaf. But he realized soon enough that it was not everything that was muted, just his friends. He knew it was just a strange dream, like all others were supposed to be. But for some reason, he longed to hear one of their voices. Toph's voice, but he couldn't. He wanted to so badly; and he couldn't.
He woke, startled immediately at the sight of a shadow looming over him. A figure that looked oddly familiar.
"Hello," the figure said cheerily, silhouetted in the moon light.
Sokka threw the person backwards, jumping to his feet with his hand upon his sword.
"Wait… I'm sorry I scared you, I just-"
"Aang?"
There was along silence, in which the figure drew forward again, squinting in the dark. "Sokka?"
Sokka relaxed, letting go of his sword. "Yeah… yeah it's me." He sighed slumping back toward the ground. But Aang had already embraced him tightly, not letting go for a second.
"Hey… it's uh, nice to see you too." The separated and Aang gestured behind him. "I'm Appa would be much better to sleep on then the ground."
It was dark, but by the way he said it; Sokka knew Aang was grinning.
"Uh… sure." He grabbed at his bag, pulling it tiredly onto his shoulders.
"I'll get it," Aang grabbed the bag, pulling into it on.
They started for the figure of Appa, which was even showing white in the dark. Sokka patted the beast when he reached him, feeling the familiar softness of the creature. "I missed you," he whispered. Something leapt onto his shoulder, startling him even more. He rubbed under Momo's chin, letting the lemur rub against his neck. "All of you."
Aang still had that goofy kid look to him; never stopped smiling and was always blabbing on and on.
Though he enjoyed the company, he hoped that Toph didn't act like this. She and Aang being the same age, he assumed they would be similar. But he hoped not now.
"So… have you seen Katara lately?"
"I just came from the South Pole."
"And she's… okay?"
He paused, thinking back on how sad she looked. But then he'd remembered how she'd blushed so deeply when he mentioned Zuko. "Yeah Aang, she's doing fine. How are you doing these days?"
"I'm fine," he shrugged simply, pulling Appa off to the right, for they were steering away from land. Sokka had forgotten how amazing flying was, but at the same time; terribly frightening. "I was at Kyoshi Island recently."
Sokka glanced at the boys back, nervously scratching at his hair. "Oh yeah? How's everything there?"
"They're doing fine. Suki was gone though, in Ba Sing Sai. Did you know that?"
He sighed. "Yeah, I met her there."
Aang shifted uncomfortably. "Oh… how'd it go?"
"She pretty much told me I broke her heart," he shrugged, causing his companion to glance over his shoulder at him. "But hey, she forgave me."
"And what else?"
"That was it, we hugged and I didn't see her after that."
Aang remained silent. He obviously disapproved of Sokka leaving Suki the way did. But he didn't know why he'd left her, and Sokka hoped he wouldn't have to tell him.
"So where are you heading?" The Avatar questioned.
He cursed silently to himself. "Uh… Aunt Wui's village."
"Oh, why's that?" Aang questioned, still completely oblivious to what he was getting into.
"Toph."
Aang spun around, jerking the reins with him and sending the bison hurtling to the left, which he quickly fixed. "Toph? She's there? Why? When?"
"Aand, calm down." He waved the questions away. "Katara just told me that-"
"Katara knew? And she didn't tell me?"
Sokka sighed. "She promised Toph that-"
"But she told you, don't I deserve to know too-"
"Aang!" he snapped, causing the younger man to stop. "Listen. I'm going to find Toph, that's all that matters. Who knew and who didn't isn't a big deal."
He silently agreed with him, only nodding then waiting for Sokka to continue. So he did.
"I just need to talk to her. That's all."
"You
know, I could just fly you there."
Sokka considered it greatly
for a moment, but eventually shook his head. "I think its best you
didn't. I'm sure you have a lot of places to go and lot of things
to do. Besides, I have a few stops before I go."
Aang nodded sadly, but understood. "Right, I'll drop you off at the nearest village."
He also considered this, but shook his head again. "Aang, listen. I' need to tell you something."
He explained his actions over the last two years and confined in him all the horrible memories he had. All the blood and fighting he pictured so often, up to the point of what the Earth King told him. The man, or boy was more of what he was still, listened quietly, not interrupting once.
When Sokka finished, his companion only nodded solemnly. "And you want to stop them now?"
"Yes, will you help me?"
Aang hesitated; then extended his hand. "Anytime Sokka." He said it softly, but meant it. "Anytime you need me."
