A/N: Hi guys! Well I guess I've got a lot apologising to do. I wish I could update more frequently, but uni tends to take up a lot of my time. I want to say that while I enjoy writing I realise why a lot of writers have a writer's block and I finally understand the reason for that can be due to trying to stick to a story that you first published years ago. I am not saying that I'll abandon this story or 'Will they ever understand?' but it's hard to keep a drive for so long.
For WTEU it's especially hard because I had never intended to continue the story after the end of the war, big surprise! It's only because of all your reviews that I found myself continuing it and creating a new idea for it, so it will take longer for me to finish it. However, you'll be happy to know it is close to its end and it just needs five chapters at most and you'll finally get the end you all are waiting for. I'm mentioning WTEU here because I know a lot of readers are following both these stories, so I guess it's just easier.
For this story: TOMO, this story actually has a very close place to my heart, it's emotions are born out of my own, so I definitely feel the need to go through with it (and honestly I enjoy writing it more). I have written several of the coming chapters and they only need to be edited (I just need to find the time to do that). Anyway, my sincerest apologies for taking so long with this chapter and I hope the length of this chapter makes up for it.
Lastly, I want to thank everyone that are still following and reading my story despite the lack of updates, it's really appreciated. This chapter has come out because of the guest review I received today and it spurred me to get this out to you. So remember everyone that reviews are the way to go.
Sokka's POV:
I jump down from Appa's back and quickly turn to Zuko and Toph. "You guys get Aang down, I'm going to look for Katara." I'm about to sprint off, when Zuko clasps his hand on my shoulder.
"Be quick, if you don't find Katara in 10 minutes, it's all over." I gulp and nod my head, a determined expression crosses my face.
"Don't worry, that won't happen." I dash off as fast as I can, while mentally going over places that could Katara be in. 'Suki's house next to her training dojo, she's not going to stay by herself, I hope.' I make a beeline for Suki's hut and throw open the door of said building. I stumble in just as Katara is bending a stream of water. My commotion makes her drop the water as her eyes widen at my sudden presence.
"Sokka?!" I bend over for a brief moment to catch my breath. "What in spirit's name are you doing here? I thought we were meeting in the Fire Nation." I straighten myself up.
"No time to explain. I need your help, do you have any spirit water with you?" I watch as she blinks at the absurdity of the question but thankfully she gives me a nod.
"Yes, but why do you..." I grab hold of her wrist and begin dragging her outside, the question dying off her lips.
"I need your healing, he's been poisoned; please you're the only one that can save him." I explain quickly, leaving out who exactly I'm referring to. I glance at her as some understanding settles on her face and with renewed vigour she runs faster. I let go of her wrist and sprint further with Katara close on my tail. Soon I reach the site that I left them at, but I stop short when I see the whiteness of Zuko's face, his posture broken and Toph kneeling beside the unconscious Avatar.
"What happened?!" I semi-screech in worry.
"His heart stopped for a moment, we got it started again, but barely." I clench my jaws in fear and push Katara towards him. As she takes a proper look at the person on the floor she gasps in shock and spins round to face me.
"You didn't tell me it was Aang!" Her accusatory tone causes the rage in me to build.
"Does it matter?!" I shout at her, as my fear completely boils over, 'I'm not ready to lose him!' She wordlessly shakes her head, steps forward towards the Avatar and crouches down beside him, as Toph moves to give her space. I watch as she bends some water out of her pouch and runs her hands along Aang's chest and stomach. Zuko and I step closer to hear her prognosis. She stops her movements and bends the water back to her pouch and a frown graces her features.
"The poison has spread a lot. We need to get him to drink some of the spirit water and then I can bend it to the right places from outside."
"And how do you suggest we do that Sugarqueen?"
"I guess I could bend it in." She quickly reaches out to the necklace around her neck and unscrews the small vial and it's similarity to the one I saw years ago hits me hard. As we watch her work on healing the young Airbender we are painfully aware of how time is against us. Seconds later Katara bends a ball of dark yellow liquid out of Aang's mouth. I scrunch up my nose in disgust.
"What's that?" I say subconsciously. Katara glances at me briefly, before bending the subtsnace into the ground.
"The poison. I've got rid of it all and I've bended the spirit water into his bloodstream to get to the key areas."
"So will he be ok?" I look at Zuko, happy that he voiced the question that I was too scared to ask. Turning back to Katara, I find her nodding and I'm flooded with relief to the point that I finally let my tense shoulders sag.
"He'll be fine, but his recovery time may take a while. This poison was aimed to waste away the muscles. Fortunately you came here before it reached his heart, but his muscles are fairly damaged and he'll need a lot of herbal medicines and physiotherapy."
"How long will that take?" Zuko questions anxiously.
"Roughly 3-4 weeks, but it's different for everyone."
"And how long until he regains consciousness?" She sighs and her eyes flickers to the young Avatar, whose chest is thankfully rising rhythmically up and down now.
"Honestly it varies, but no longer than a week." We all sigh in relief.
"That's an improvement from last time." Toph mumbles out and I can't help but nod in agreement, but Zuko looks at me in cluelessness.
"Wait, how long was last time?"
"A few weeks." I answer in a monotone voice; the thought just brings shivers down my spine. The soft 'oh' from Zuko, indicates to me his guilty feelings on the matter, I try to give him a comforting smile, but I don't think it works as well as I hoped as he hangs his head in shame.
"Should we get him into one of the huts?" I'm broken out of my thoughts at Katara's sudden question.
"Yeah that's a good idea. Is there any place that's free from annoying fan girls?" Toph splutters at the question.
"Fan girls?!" I just wave my hand at her question.
"I'll tell you about it later."
"My hut is good. Suki gave it to me as no one goes in that area, reserved for special guests or something." We nod in unison.
"Toph you want to do the honours?"
"Yeah, let the blind person do all the work."
"Will you just cut it with the blind references?! You know you're more sighted than we are!" She throws back her head and laughs, a twinkle of mischief in her pale eyes.
"It doesn't hurt to hear you say it." I grumble at her teasing while Zuko slings an arm around my shoulder.
"Ah let her have her fun."
"Whatever." I turn away, but Zuko keeps his hold on me and leans in close to whisper in my ear.
"She saved him you know?" I look up at him in confusion.
"She's the one who re-started Aang's heart, I didn't have a clue what to do, but she took charge and just did it." I widen my eyes in surprise, but then soften them in gratitude.
"I guess I'll have to thank her for that later." He lets go of me while smiling and follows Toph and Katara as Toph moves Aang on a rock platform towards the hut. I trail behind them and listen to Katara and Toph talking animatedly with each other. 'I guess it's been a while since they last saw each other, must be over a year now.''
Soon we reach the hut, put Aang carefully in bed and retreat back to the lounge. As I go towards the sofa, I feel a hand on my shoulder and I find myself being spun round to face my little sister, her eyes slightly watery. I throw her a questioning look in concern, but she just pulls me into a tight hug. I wrap my arms around her and pat her back.
"Are you ok?" I question, my tone laced with worry.
"I should be asking you that." I pull back, but keep hold of her shoulders.
"I'm fine. What's wrong?" She steps out of my touch and I let my arms drop to my sides.
"Being nearly shot by a poisonous arrow is not fine!" I frown slightly, but nod in understanding.
"Toph told you, didn't she?"
"You should've told me." I hold her steady but harden gaze before shaking my head.
"We didn't have time to talk."
"What about on the way back?" I sigh heavily, 'I hate it when she gets like this.'
"Katara its really no big deal!" I stress, but as soon as I see her shoulders tense, I realise I must have said the wrong thing.
"You say that about everything! We never talk anymore, we used to talk all the time, but you just decided to drift away from me." I raise my eyebrows in shock.
"I drifted away from you?! Reflection much?" I can't help but say sarcastically.
"Excuse me?!"
"You're the one who blocked me out!" I shout, half aware of Toph and Zuko slowly backing out of the room, keeping me alone with my hot tempered sister. 'Thanks a lot guys' I think bitterly.
"That's not true!" I raise an eyebrow at her in a probing manner, but she just crosses her arms over her chest, her gaze unwavering. I throw my hands up in the air in annoyance.
"Fine, what do you want to know?" I watch as she unfolds her arms.
"Sokka I don't want to force you to talk. I want you to be able to feel like you can come to me, I want that closeness we used to have." Her words and pleading tone makes me drop my eyes to the ground in shame, 'I'm being too hard on her. But if only she knows how much I want the same.' I force myself to look at her in the eyes, her pain written so clearly in them.
"Katara I...I want things to go back to how it was before too. It's just everything has been so hard...so stressful, what with work, friendship and family issues. So many times I felt like I was drowning in that small air tight office. I've been waiting for you to let me back in because I've really missed you." I observe as the corners of her lips curve upwards into a smile and she reaches out a gentle hand to settle it on my shoulder.
"I know and I've missed you more than I realised. You're right I've been trying to block everything and everyone out, even my own brother. I thought it would help stop the pain, but...all it did was make it worse. Can you forgive me?" At her last statement, I can't help but sigh in relief and this time I pull her into a warm embrace.
"Of course and don't worry we'll fix things." I feel her nod into my chest and I hold her even tighter. After what feels like an age we finally pull back. "Let's drag everyone back in here for a proper reunion. It has been so long since we've all been together. I hope we didn't scare them off Kyoshi Island." I joke while Katara rolls her eyes at my lame sense of humour but she chuckles anyway and nudges me.
"We weren't that bad." I throw her a look of mock shock.
"If that wasn't bad, I don't want to see what it's like when it is!" The Waterbender places her hands on her hips whilst shaking her head.
"Sokka!" I put my hands up in mock surrender while walking towards the door out of the lounge.
"I only speak the truth little sis." I turn to my right to find Zuko and Toph leaning against the wall.
"Have you guys finished your fight?" The bluntness of Toph's statement makes me blush in embarrassment. I scratch the side of my head, surprisingly lost for words.
"We weren't fighting! We were just reaching a loud understanding." I splutter out as soon as my ability of speech returns to me. She snorts at my response.
"The shouting sure told me and the island otherwise.
"We weren't that loud!"
"Could've fooled me." I throw my hands up in frustration.
"It's impossible to win an argument with you!" I watch as she smirks and I slap my forehead, 'why did I say that?!'
"Why thank you, I'll keep that in mind. I'm just so glad that I don't have siblings." This time it's Zuko who snorts at Toph's statement.
"Yeah lucky." Silence ensues for a minute before I throw Zuko a sympathetic look. I then glance at Katara who smiles reassuringly at me.
"Well I guess it depends on your sibling, some can be amazing and some can be evil. But all siblings have to be a nuisance, so you've escape that." At this everyone laughs, breaking the tense atmosphere.
"Now why don't we re-start this reunion?" Katara claims brightly and her words is followed by her throwing her arms around Toph, who recuperates it briefly before pushing her back.
"Come on Sugarqueen, enough of the mushy stuff." The Waterbender smiles affectionately.
"Alright. But it's good to see you again, it's been so long. You should've came and visited me." At this the Earthbender gives a shudder and shakes her head vigorously.
"And risk losing my feet in that icy wasteland? No thank you! But...I missed you too Sugarqueen, you should've come and visited." Katara takes hold of her elbow and looks away momentarily in guilt.
"I should've. I guess I've been a coward. I wanted to stay close to home, and...I wanted to avoid Aang." At her words we nod in understanding. Silence ensues for a while until Katara speaks up again. "I can't believe how much he's changed, he's grown so much...why don't we go to the living room and you guys tell me everything that's happened because by the sound of your letters it seems intense." Again we nod in unison and together we make our way back to the lounge. I take a seat opposite Katara, Zuko sits beside me and Toph beside Katara. We then begin telling the master waterbender everything that's been happening, from the meetings and questioning Aang to the arguments and the attack. As each detail is unravelled, Katara's eyes widen further, a hand over her mouth, she gasps when we tell her about the assassination attempts.
"No...do you know how long it's been going on for?" The heavy concern in my sister's eyes makes me glance away and I look to Toph, hoping she'll answer instead, as I don't want to be the one to give her more bad news. I hear Toph as she visibly swallows before going ahead and answering.
"He told me three years." Katara shakes her head, before dropping it down.
"Three years...that's when we...that means he left when he was experiencing these threats...he never left because of anything else, he left because he wanted to..." As she trails off, Zuko steps in to finish her sentence.
"…protect us." I nod, having come to the same conclusion earlier. I watch as she clenches her fist and snaps her head back up so quickly that it startles me.
"What was he thinking?! How could he not have told us this?! We could've stopped it or helped him or something! How could he be so irresponsible and careless?! He should've told us...at least he should've told me, he used to always tell me things, so why didn't he?" Her last statement drops to a hushed whisper, a sharp contrast to her angry shouting just moments ago. But her words are laced with hurt and I can't help but share her same sentiments, 'why didn't he come to us? We've been through so much together. Is it so hard to tell us about something this serious, this big?!' Before I continue my silent accusations. Toph reaches out a hand to Katara's shoulder and Zuko with mine. I look up in surprise, 'since when is Toph the peacemaker?' As if she heard my silent question she speaks up.
"I know you feel betrayed Sugarqueen and Snoozles. Trust me I feel it too."
"Then why are you acting so calm?" I accuse, half annoyed of her seemingly calm persona.
"Does a rock show what it feels?" I raise an eyebrow in confusion before shaking my head 'Toph will pick up that vibration right? I really need to ask her how much she actually sees someday.' I turn my attention back to Toph as she starts speaking again."Exactly. I am annoyed, betrayed and angry, but I don't think Zuko can handle calming down an Earthbender, Waterbender and a crazy guy with a sword." I blink and realising that I've just been insulted I shoot her a glare, though the effect is ruined knowing that she can't see it.
"Hey!" I opt in to voice my annoyance.
"I call it as I see it. Anyway, I'm trying to be reasonable and...and maybe it helped that I actually talked to him briefly. He sounded so broken." At this I drop my head in shame, 'she's right, he's been carrying this burden for so long and I'm angry that he didn't tell us. Can I really fault his caring nature?'
"That doesn't excuse him not telling us!" Katara bites. Toph nods in agreement and continues speaking.
"No it doesn't. He should've told us. But I think we've got bigger problems at the moment." Zuko shifts in his seat and leans closer in to indicate his turn to speak.
"Toph's right, for once." The blind earthbender snorts and reaches over to punch Zuko in the arm. "Ow! I was just being honest." He cries in defence.
"Well don't!" I scratch my head at Zuko's comment.
"Well, since when have you become so mature?" Toph growls and throws her hands up in frustration.
"Is it everyone pick on Toph day or what?!" I put my hands up in surrender.
"We can't help but be curious." I watch as she crosses her arms over her chest and huffs.
"More than three years can change somebody, or are you guys the same as we were when the war ended?" We give one another grave looks and nod.
"You're right Toph, sorry." The Firelord apologises. She gives a curt nod and we continue on with our conversation. "So what should we do? Right now I've left my nation in the hands of assassins and we don't even know how many nobles were killed in that attack. Did the Earth King even get away safely?" I bite my lip in guilt.
"I wasn't looking to be honest. Kind of had my hands full." We turn to Toph, who just shrugs in response.
"Do any of you know how many there are?" Katara questions. We all shake our heads, no. "Then the best thing we can do is wait for Aang to wake up and get more information from him." Zuko frowns and shakes his head.
"Didn't you say he won't be physically capable for a few weeks? We can't wait that long for him to get better. We have to act now!"
"I'm with Zuko on this one. We can't wait for Twinkletoes to get better. Last time we had time, this time they've already attacked, we need to do something before they get to more important people." I rub my chin, my mind deep in thought. A nudge to my foot makes me look up. Katara's eyes piercing into me.
"What do you think Sokka?" I bite my cheek at her question, so much is riding on doing things quickly.
"I think we should wait till Aang wakes up. But!" I put my hand up to stop Toph's and Zuko's protests. "A couple of us should take Appa and fly over to the Fire Nation to see what's happening, maybe ask some locals to get a feel of what they're planning. We go in and out quickly, no staying the night or anything. If we can find out something useful we can send word to the other nations to protect or hide their leaders in advance. That's all we can do until we know more from Aang, because how can we prepare to fight against something we know nothing about?" I look at everyone to gauge their reactions until my attention is diverted to Zuko as his chuckles penetrates the silence and he claps me on the back.
"And this is why you're the idea guy." I grin in response.
"I can't help but be so fantastic." Toph and Katara snorts.
"Well done Sparky you just had to go and boost his already big ego." The Earthbender shakes her head slowly in mock.
"And we'll never hear the end of this." My sister's quiet muttering and Toph's previous statement makes me glare at them in turn.
"Sheesh, it's so hard to get compliments these days." They all burst out in laughter and I can't help but join them.
"Man it's been so long since we've been together like this." I unconsciously say aloud, before quickly regretting it as the laughter suddenly dies down and a despondent atmosphere takes hold.
"Yeah it's been too long." The Waterbender whispers.
"Guys can we promise that we won't drift away again? We should have a get-together once a month at least." Zuko's urges makes us all agree subconsciously.
"We can't say the same for him." At Katara's pointed look, my eyes trail to the door opposite that holds the young Avatar. I internally shake myself from her words and clap my hands together.
"So who's going to the Fire Nation?" I ask in an effort to change the subject. Zuko jumps in before anyone can say anything.
"I have to go, it's my nation after all." Katara quickly shakes her head.
"That's exactly the reason why you shouldn't go. Everyone will recognise you, it's best to send someone who can disguise themselves easily."
"But...!" At Zuko's refusal Toph interrupts him.
"Sugarqueen's right. You can't go." Zuko slumps in his seat in defeat.
"I just don't want people to think I've abandoned them." I put a hand on his shoulder and squeeze it reassuringly.
"Zuko they'll understand that its safer if you keep away. Most people know how hard you've worked to bring the Fire Nation up to its former glory. They won't blame you."
"They will if something bad happens."
"Which we won't allow to happen. We'll keep an eye on it." The Firelord finally nods begrudgingly.
"I'll go, I've been itching for some real action in a while. Catching petty criminals gets boring quickly. You want to come with Sugarqueen? You haven't been on the field in ages." Katara bites her lip and her eyes trail to Aang's door; finally she sighs and shakes her head.
"I should be around in case anything happens to Aang. I'm sure I got all the poison out, but I should be around to monitor him and see if I've missed anything. The poison can sometimes cause fever and other unpleasant side effects...I wish I could, it's been so long since I've been in the action, but..." I nod my head in understanding.
"We get it, you have to make sure nothing goes wrong. I guess that leaves me to go with Toph." The Earthbender groans at this revelation, offending me along the way.
"I can still fight!" Toph doesn't respond for several seconds before she finally sighs.
"...fine."
"So it's settled? Toph and Sokka will go and spy on what's happening and Katara and I will stay here." We mumble our voices of agreement. Soon a smile works its way on my face.
"Come on Team Avatar!" Everyone groans at my old made up team name. I stick my tongue out at them. "I personally think it's a good name."
"SOKKA BE QUIET!" Everyone shouts, I cringe at the loudness but grin anyway. 'It's good to be back together again' I glance at Aang's door again. 'I just hope we can be properly back together again.'
A/N: Many thanks for reading this and I hope you all enjoyed reading it. Next chapter we'll see Aang waking up! Please review, I'd love to know what you think about Katara's entrance into the story!
25/03/18
