He managed to wriggle his hands free of the restraints, but kept them clasped behind his back. She leaned on the rim and stared out at the point on the horizon where you can never really be sure if it's water or the sky. Especially not on a night like this. Were the stars reflected on the ocean, or the glittering glinting waves projected onto the night sky? It was true, what she had said. He might have toyed with the idea of just going on this way forever; having one during the day, the other at night. He knew how it would end—she did too, apparently. They just didn't work anymore. Years ago, when they were younger, they understood each other. He could never deal with her increasing distance and that slight haughtiness. She was part of a powerful family and knew it. She had said it herself: her childhood was uneventful. His still managed to creep up and find him. He looked up, then closed his eyes.
"We don't have Appa, and Momo can't exactly carry us. How are we supposed to get to Ba Sing Se?"
"We could Earth-run there."
"There's an ocean in between."
"Then we'll get a boat."
"You steer."
"Tiny problem: I'M BLIND."
"Well, I don't know how to do boat stuff."
"Sokka does."
"So all we have to do is find Sokka?"
"Yeah."
"I'll send him a note."
"That might take too long."
"Wha'd'y'mean?"
"It takes days…even weeks for mail to get delivered."
"But that was during the war—"
"It still takes that long."
"Oh. Hmmm…do you know where Sokka is now?"
"He went back to the Southern Water Tribe with his dad."
"Do you think they miss her too?"
"Hmm?"
"Katara. I wonder if Sokka and Hakoda miss her too."
"They're family. They probably do." Toph was still on shaky terms with her parents, even after all this time. They tried to be proud of her. She knew she disappointed them by not turning out to be the person they wanted to raise her as.
"Do you miss your family?"
"Sometimes. I miss my other family more. All of us together I mean: you, me, Sokka, Katara, Suki, even Zuko. We got to travel the world—and save it."
"It was nice. At least now I don't have to worry about crash courses in all the elements."
"Want to practice Earthbending?"
"Maybe some other time, Toph."
How many days was this? Two? Three? No, this had to be the second day. She had left at night, then woken up at night. She had only been traveling for one day. Her mind was clearer. Every so often she would rub at her head and a sprinkling of sand would rain out. It found its way everywhere. She didn't mind. The feel of something else besides cloth and fur and skin helped to break the monotony.
The skies were still star-laden. Sunrise was hours off. She looked up at them, tried to remember the stories and legends. Instead the only thing she could find in the recesses of her mind was him. She remembered why she was going in the first place. And where, because that had become vaguer the farther she went. She smiled to herself. Maybe this was still possible. If not to save him—take him back, claim him—to have one last goodbye.
A/N: Reviews make me happy. Plus, they inspire me to update more quickly. Everyone wins! So please keep reviewing. And favoriting and alerting. To know that people are taking an interest in this story is amazing.