Conclusion:

Conclusion:

Chapter 11: Body Paragraph #9

A/N: And now, the plot picks up again!!

ATLA

"They should pay back what they owe!"

"Yeah! We should tax the Fire Nation now!"

"Hey. …Hey." Sokka raised his arms above is head and waved the frantically. "HEY!"

A hush fell over the crowd of Earth Kingdom officials.

Sokka sighed and rolled his eyes. This was supposed to be Toph's job…but since she chose to stay to with her parents, Zuko graciously bestowed the Duty of holding Earth Kingdom meetings on him, and needless to say, Sokka hated it. "Look, the Fire Nation gave you your land back. They're in so much debt from the War; they just can't afford it right now. Your going to have to sit tight and make do with what the Earth Kingdom has. Rebuilding this world is going to be a slow process, it's going to take more than just a year."

"Well why should we be listening to you!"

"Yeah, you're just a child!"

"You're even from the Water Tribes for Spirits Sake."

Sokka slammed his gavel down, "Dismissed."

He stormed away, frustrated, as always. The Earth Kingdom conferences never went anywhere, they were all too stubborn…

And, heck, what were Katara and Zuko doing right now? Probably nothing. The Fire Nation and Water Tribe meetings always went smoothly. The Fire Nation wanted to do whatever Zuko said for peace, and Water Tribe Citizens were adaptable and caring. So, just like Katara, they stood for what they wanted but they also went with the flow.

XXX

Katara tugged at the blindfold over her eyes, "Can I take it off now?"

Zuko pushed her hand away from her eyes, "No, almost there."

"Will you just tell me where we're going?" She smirked, "Please?"

"Nah, It'll ruin the surprise."

"I hate surprises."

He placed a light hand on her shoulder, "You'll like this one." He said softly, "I promise."

XXX

Sokka continued back towards the Heart of the Palace. He thought that he should probably go look for Suki, give her some attention, but he just wasn't in the mood to be smothered with 'are you okay' 's.

Once in the courtyard, Sokka reached for the sword that was sheathed on his back. This past year, training with his (found) space sword, had always made him feel closer to Toph. Knowing that she was the only other person on earth with a piece of it, gave him some odd sense of comfort and helped him sooth the pain of missing her.

XXX

A/N: Well well well, 'Nother day, 'Nother Chappie. One more after this though, because I'm a day behind.