Chapter 12

They had reached Omashu four days ahead of his father and Sokka spent the whole time anxiously wandering the streets of the city. He had been disappointed to learn that Katara had not yet passed through. Traveling just the two of them, Sokka had been sure they would have beaten them there and now he worried they had been caught. Not knowing where she was was making him crazy. Suki seemed to have decided to give him space as he hadn't seen her at all since their first day there. Toph however usually joined him if only to make sure his anger didn't get him into any trouble. King Bumi had left for his home almost immediately after the comet and had been gleeful to have them staying with him. After they had confirmed the rumors of Aang's death though, he had been uncharacteristically somber and remained so. Sokka knew that he had been friends with Aang when they were boys, but he was surprised at how hard the usually maniacal king had taken the news.

On the morning of their fourth day in Omashu, Sokka and Toph were wondering the lower level of the city near the gate when Toph stopped. He turned and made to ask her what was wrong when she reached out and put a hand on his arm.

"There is a group of around 50 people heading for the gate. Do you think it could be your dad and some of your people?"

Sokka frowned, it could be but it didn't seem like quite enough people. There had been around 100 people in the village when they had left two years ago.

"Might be, mostly women, children and a few old folks?"

Toph turned so she was facing the gate and then started in that direction, dragging him by his sleeve where her hand still rested.

"I can't tell for sure from here but I don't think so. Let's go see!"

His leg was much better now but he still couldn't keep up with her as she ran off. Limping slightly, he caught up to her as the gates were coming down. She seemed excited but all he could see was dust. When that cleared he found himself face to face with his father.

"Dad!" His voice was thick with emotion as he threw himself at the older man and hugged him tightly. He finally pulled back and frowned, looking down. "I don't know where Katara is dad, we haven't heard from her in weeks and she hasn't passed through here yet either." He looked up in confusion when Hakoda laughed and clapped his shoulders.

"I thought I was the blind one Snoozles!" Toph had brushed passed him and his father and was hugging Katara and Zuko at once in an unusual show of affection. She had been worried too. Sokka rushed his sister as his father spoke to him.

"We met Katara and Zuko on the road just north of Chin. They have been traveling with our group for the last two weeks. We split the tribe into groups so we'd attract less attention. Everyone else should arrive over the next few days."

Sokka hardly heard what he said as he held onto his sister, overcome with relief. He finally loosened his grip on her and found his voice again.

"No wonder you were traveling so slow. I guessed you'd stop here on your way to Ba Sing Se but when we got here and King Bumi hadn't seen you I was worried sick! I didn't even think that you might have met up with dad and taken longer."

"I missed you too Sokka." She gave him a sad smile and he hugged her again. Behind her he heard Zuko clear his throat.

"Nice to see you too buddy."

He released his sister and turned towards his friend, laughing he reached out and flung his arms around him as well.

"Oh Zuko I missed you so much!" Drawing back, he laughed again at the prince's irritation and clapped a hand on his shoulder.

"I am really glad to see you Zuko. How are you? You look terrible!"

Rolling his eyes, Zuko sent him an incredulous look before laughing himself. "Well a month ago I took a lightning bolt to the chest and would have died if not for your sister, and we've been on the road ever since. I happen to think I look great all things considered."

Sokka's eyes widened at this admission and he scanned Zuko up and down looking for signs of injury. His father spoke again, drawing his attention.

"There are many tales that need sharing I believe. Why don't we get settled in first. We have been traveling on the dusty road for days and could all use a rest."

Sokka nodded and looked around for Toph so they could lead everyone to the temporary homes King Bumi had erected for their stay. She was standing next to his sister with a confused look, a frown bent her brow but her lips were turned slightly up at the corners.

"Yes, we do have a lot to talk about. Katara, you and Zuko can stay with us in the palace. We are King Crazy's honored guests. Come on Sugar Queen, I missed you so much I think we should go find Suki and have some girl time" She grabbed ahold of his sisters arm and nearly dragged her off in the direction they had come. Sokka frowned after them at Toph's bizarre behavior before turning to his father.

"Everyone else can follow me, since we knew you were all coming King Bumi and Toph bent up a place were we can all stay together." He turned and led his people to there temporary home wondering what had gotten into Toph.

Toph was in an awful hurry to get to Suki and this "girl time" whatever that was about. Katara was extremely confused and after being drug along for several minutes she tugged her arm from the other girls grasp in exasperation.

"What has gotten into you Toph? Girl time?" She crossed her arms and cocked an eyebrow at her younger friend. "Is there something you need to tell me Toph?"

Toph spun on her heel and glared smugly in her direction her hands on her hips. "I think you are the one who has things to confess girly."

Katara frowned in confusion. Things to confess? What was she talking about? She was pretty sure Toph and Suki had both caught on to her sneaking around with Zuko on Ember Island but surely that wasn't what this was about.

"I don't know what you mean Toph."

Toph frowned, considering this and apparently decided she believed her.

"Well then I guess I am the one with news. Maybe we should wait till we find Suki before I share it."

She turned back and started walking before stopping and laughing.

"What are we doing? I am an earthbender and damnit if I'm not in a hurry." Suddenly the ground beneath Katara shifted and she cried out as Toph started bending the circle of earth up and towards the palace at the top of the hill rather fast.

They nearly ran Suki over as she was on her way out when they reached the palace.

"Katara! Oh thank the spirits you're here! Sokka has been out of his mind worried for you!" Katara lurched as the earth she'd been kneeling on leveled out with everything else and stood to hug her friend.

"I'm glad we are here now too. I missed you too Suki. Sorry for nearly flattening you, Toph suddenly seemed desperate for some girl time so we came to find you."

Suki was equally stunned at this and gave Toph a questioning look.

"Just come on, Sugar Queen has dust everywhere and I think we should all be sitting down when I share." She started walking inside without another word.

"Share what? What is that about?"

"I have no idea. She seemed to think I had something to share but when I didn't know what she was talking about she clammed up and decided we weren't walking fast enough."

Suki looked at her oddly for a moment and gave a noncommittal noise as they followed Toph inside towards the royal baths. Katara chatted some about their travels as they made there way but Toph didn't say anything else until they were all naked and soaking in the steaming water.

"So Katara, how long have you and Sparky been sleeping together?"

Katara sat up suddenly and sputtered. "What?"

Suki laughed and patted her back consolingly. "Oh come on Katara. I know Sokka is intentionally dense and Aang… well he was oblivious but you have to know Toph and I weren't so blind to what you two were up too. Uh, sorry Toph." The younger girl shrugged her off and smiled at Katara's blush.

"Well, I mean I guess I figured you would know. Especially you Toph, but why the sudden interest? Neither of you ever said anything to me before. I was even using your smartweed tea Suki and you never said anything."

Suki gave Toph a searching look before looking back to Katara.

"I knew you were trying to be discrete, but Katara, did you take any with you when you and Zuko went to the Fire Nation? It took you several days to get there, and it's been a little more than a month since then…"

Katara froze, her eyebrows reaching her hairline as she thought back. No, she hadn't taken any with her, she had been rather distracted after Aang ran off and it hadn't even occurred to her after that and they had been intimate on their way to the Capital. Oh no, surely not… when was the last time she got her moons blood?

"Shit. I don't think I have bled since before we left Ember Island." Suddenly she turned to Toph, beginning to panic. "Toph, why did you think I had something to share? What do you think you know?"

Toph suddenly seemed nervous, but answered anyway.

"Well, you know how I "see" right? How I always know when someone is lying?" Katara nodded slowly, closing her eyes as understanding started to bloom. "After I hugged you and everyone stopped walking all around us I focused in on you and Zuko. It was faint but Katara, you have two heartbeats."

Shit.