Hey guys sorry I haven't updated in a long time, but I have been very busy with dance and school. But dance is coming to an end for the year so I should be updating more often. I might make it once a week depends on how busy I am. Thank you for sticking through the story!

Sokka held it together until they all made it back inside. But once the three of them made it back inside Toph and Hakoda had a little explaining to do. All things considered, Sokka handled it rather calmly. "What in spirits name is WRONG with you two!?"

"Sokka I-" Hakoda tried to speak but Sokka cut him off.

"Brawling in the street? You're the CHIEF of the tribe."

"Sokka-" It was still no use, Sokka wasn't in a mood to listen.

The boy had sat Toph and Hakoda side by side on the couch while he stood over them pacing, ranting and raving around the living room. "If you want to blow off steam you do it in PRIVATE. What if someone got the wrong idea and joined in? You both could have been injured."

Hakoda decided to just wait him out, he'd get tired of yelling eventually.

Sokka looked around the room. Surely his bantering had drawn the attention of his baby sister. "Where's Katara? I'm sure she'd have something to say about this."

Seeing the opening Hakoda answered, "She and Aang left for a while."

"What do you mean they 'left for a while?!" The boy snapped.

Hakoda leaned over to Toph. "I take back what I said about him being a child from time to time."

Somewhere in the back of her mind Toph had registered that statement as 'funny,' but Toph's mind was just about everywhere BUT in the room with her at that time. So all the man got in response was a slight nod.

"When are they coming back?"

Toph didn't seem to be in a mood to respond at the moment so Hakoda took the lead. "I don't know, a couple days perhaps? It depends on when they find the pirates."

"PIRATES? Of all the lame, ridiculous excuses you didn't fall for before... you believe there are pirates."

Hakoda leaned forward and pointed at the boy from his knee. "Son, your tone is treading on thin ice." Sokka winced inwardly as he was reminded of who was really in charge around here. "I understand your concern but your sister is a big girl now. She knows how to make good decisions."

"But Dad," Sokka reasoned, "There hasn't been-"

"Sokka," Hakoda interrupted, "I'm not stupid." Toph's stomach jumped and her expression became slightly more attentive at this, it seemed that they weren't talking about pirate hunting anymore. "You know Katara can make responsible decisions on her own. So let her."

Toph could tell Sokka wasn't going to just let it go. She knew him too well, he was going to argue, rant and rave, and throw temper tantrums even after he'd begun to accept that he was wrong.

"Yes, Sir." After he said this he saw Toph's attention and curiosity increase. It was always odd watching Toph's facial expressions because she never looked at, or even towards, whatever had caught her attention. She just stared, unblinking through the far wall, like it wasn't even there.

Hakoda saw his son's glance but maintained the stern gaze he had on the boy. "Good," now considering the subject to be dropped the man's tone lightened and he rose. "Now I'll let you two alone to plan your own outing."

Sokka's bewildered gaze snapped back and forth from Toph to his father a couple times. The idea of them going on their own little getaway hadn't even entered his mind until now, and given the circumstances it seemed rather preposterous. "Uhh," his mind tried to work through the logistics a bit before speaking, "are you sure that's-"

Hakoda waved the question off before it was finished, "Sure it is, you don't expect her to stay cooped up here alone the whole time do you?"

"Well, no. I was-"

"Then take her with you."

Toph found enough of her voice to interject a bit. "He can still-"

Sokka interrupted her, "I was just gonna stay."

"Sokka, I know you've been pulling triple shifts all week so you could get out of the town for a few days."

Toph tried again "I don't mind stay-"

"Dad, I'm not just gonna leave her here."

She was starting to get frustrated with the interruptions now.

"That's why she's gonna go with you."

"Do I get a say in-"

Sokka interrupted again, mostly out of not realizing Toph was speaking. "Why shouldn't I just stay here with her?"

"Dude, both of you need to stop talking like I'm not here."

Hakoda was starting to have fun with this. "Son, it's obvious that neither of you is particularly content with staying indoors all the time. I think a little camping trip would be just what you need."

"Seriously, this isn't funny guys." Toph leaned forward, glaring in Hakoda's direction, trying to be as threatening as possible.

"You sure it's okay, dad?"

Now completely fed up, Toph tried to insert her own answer. "NO?"

"Sure it is," Hakoda amended, "I can take care of things here while you kids go have fun. You've earned a vacation."

Toph grabbed a pillow, slammed it against her face and flopped back lengthwise on the couch. "Gahhhhh," she yelled into the pillow. She knew they were doing this on purpose and it was driving her insane. She hated feeling invisible like this.

This finally got Sokka's attention and he looked over to Toph, realizing that she had been trying to say something. But Hakoda reached his hand over into Sokka's field of vision to gesture his attention back to him. Succeeding this he mouthed 'play along' and motioned to ignore Toph as best he could. "Don't worry about me. If something comes up I'll send that messenger bird of yours out to get you."

Sokka glanced back at Toph, not quite sure how he was supposed to play along with this. It didn't really seem right to drag her out into the arctic wilderness with him, but then she also didn't seem at him at…well…home. Maybe dad was right. So he shrugged in resignation, "Okay, I guess that sounds fair."