Originally posted on my deviantART account, with a few revisions.
We finally begin to unravel some of the miscommunication.
Enjoy!
Aang stared in amazement at the charred campsite. Circles of burnt grass and blasted bits of debris lay everywhere. "Katara! Sokka?" He picked up Sokka's boomerang and stared at it in horror. "What happened?"
Toph didn't respond for a minute. "Twinkletoes, you need to look at this." She held out her closed fist. He felt his heart drop as she dropped something cold and sharp into his palm. A throwing star.
"Azula." Aang growled. "If she's done anything to them-"
"I'm sure their fine." Toph said calmly, bending to gather half of a pot. Aang looked unconvinced. "Azula wants you, Aang. She'll just use them as bait."
"Or revenge." Aang said softly. "She could have just killed them."
Toph's eyes narrowed. "Don't talk like that!"
"Well, it's true!" Aang shouted. "Katara could be dead, angry at me for all eternity!" He flung the stiletto at one of the trees in anger.
"Aang, she doesn't hate you."
"Yes she does!"
"You're like a brother to her."
"Not anymore. She found out my motivation and she hates me."
Toph froze. "What did Katara say about your motivation?"
Aang whirled on her. "I knew it! I knew you told her!"
"I didn't tell her anything." Toph snapped.
"Liar!" Aang roared. "She blew up right after she said she knew my motivation!"
"You said something, Mr. Tactful." Toph was as solid and stubborn as her element. "Don't blame me for your screwups!"
Aang was livid. "After! After she said she knew, she said you were prettier."
Toph wrinkled her nose. "What? Why would she say something like that?"
"I don't know, she said that I thought you were prettier."
Toph's scowl slackened. "This was after she said she knew?"
"I'm going to find them." Aang growled, snapping his glider open.
"Wait!" Toph grabbed his arm. "What else did she say?"
"Something about that I should stop pretending." Aang yanked his arm away. "How is this going to help?"
Toph winced. "Twinkletoes, I think I made a mistake."
Ty Lee flipped from the tree, landing with a respectful salute. Azula eyed her coldly. "Did you find them?"
"Nope!" Ty Lee chirped. "Looked everywhere."
"Hm." Azula folded her arms, scowling. "I wonder what's keeping Mai. Ah." She surveyed Mai as she slowly joined them. "Why are you so happy?"
"Zuko and the Water Tribe brats are heading back to their camp." Mai smirked.
Azula raised a scruntinizing eyebrow. "How predictable. Was Uncle Fatzo around?"
"I didn't see him."
"Interesting. Well, let's go greet them."
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