Corresponding Hearts Chapter 3
Ok, I had to seriously revise this chapter thanks in part to the wonderful review from Jade Flame! Jade...the only explanation...I absolutely forgot! LOL Thanks alot for the catch! And thank you all who have reviewed the story so far! You guys are great. I try my hardest to post another chapter up tomorrow. It's already brewing in my head. And don't worry Toph will come back very soon, and Zuko and Katara are going to get into it! BWAHAHAHAHA! Kudos!
Thanks for reading so far. Hope you like-y
Two weeks had passed since Katara sent her response back to Zuko and it had been just as long when they had to say good-bye to one of their own. After finding out that there was a bounty for her return, Toph decided to go home just long enough to settle matters between herself and her father. Aang was reluctant to let her leave and if you would ask Katara or Sokka, maybe a little too reluctant. Yet, when it came time to part ways, Aang made Toph promise that she would meet up with them as soon as she could. It was a promise that was easily made.
In those two weeks she really had little time to think back on the events that had transpired, because at the present moment Aang, Sokka and she were trying to give the crazy she-witch the slip. It had come close a couple of times.
Azula might be crazy, but she was persistent and those two cronies that tagged along were just as bad.
They thought they had gotten away from her in the mountain region, just past an earth kingdom settlement. The peaks of Jai Ben were perfect to maneuver Appa through safely, while concealing his large form. The peace that they had didn't last long however, as Azula backtracked her pursuit and inadvertently backed them up between two peaks in a low cavern.
The battle had been fierce and had been three against three. Aang and Azula were throwing attack after attack at each other, dodging and receiving equal amounts of damage. It amazed Katara at how far Aang had come with his bending. Yet, no matter how great he had become with water and earth, he still needed to master fire. The lack of knowledge was affecting Aang in his frequent meetings with the fire princess.
Sokka had his own hands full fending off the barrage of daggers that were aimed straight at his head. Mai, with her cat like grace, seemed to have an endless supply as she jumped over Sokka's head, assailing him from above. Sokka, for his part, did everything he could to avoid being struck with her many daggers. Knowing this group, they were probably dipped with poison or some other paralyzing liquid. Sokka finally saw an opening flinging his boomerang towards his mark, barely grazing past Mai's shoulder, cutting her deep enough to put a pause in her step. Her usually unexpressive face showed the slight hint of shock as she slid backwards trying to regain control of the fight.
Katara and Tai Lee were in their own battle for dominance over each other. Katara remembered quit clearly what the nimble acrobat could do with her hands and she was desperately trying to stay far enough away where Tai Lee couldn't effect her bending. Tai Lee cart wheeled and flipped her way around Katara, trying to break the water bender's defenses to dive in for a critical strike. Katara was having a very difficult time keeping up with her. Her water whip was striking were the gymnast stood, but would crack on empty air as Tai Lee barely escaped, flipping back and fro.
This went on for what seemed like hours, each warrior concentrating and fighting with their all to topple their opponent. Finally, out of the corner of her eye, Katara saw Azula fly through the air, her back making contact with the side of the mountain. The sound of her sudden impact stopped every one short. Mai met Tai Lee's gaze and they both fled to Azula's side, picking her up off the floor.
The two fire nation warriors looked at the three recovering fighters and back at each other nodding in agreement that this battle was over, for now. Tai Lee, with her smile that could brighten any day, looked straight at Sokka and waved a cheery good bye.
"Ooooh, looks like you won today, but we'll be back, ok? So don't go too far! Bye, bye!"
Sokka, not knowing what to do, just smiled back, waving bye bye at the girl. Katara, seeing her brother's plight, slapped him across the head and dragged him towards Apa, where Aang was already on top the bison waiting for the other two.
"Come on Romeo, lets go before your girlfriend decides to come back to kick your butt."
"What? Hey! She's not my girlfriend. She was just saying bye."
Katara let out an exasperated sigh as she and her brother climbed on Appa's back, giving the Avatar the signal that they were ready to go. Aang pulled up on Appa's reigns. "Yip, yip. Let's get out of here boy!"
They didn't stop until they were sure that their hunting party was no where in sight. Aang spotted a clearing surrounded by thick trees and a wide river flowing close by. He guided his giant bison toward the clearing and gently landed on the soft grass underneath. The three travelers slid off Appa and collapsed, completely exhausted on the ground.
"Great Spirits! Is this ever going to end? Really, I mean, what is it going to take to get those crazy psychotic girls to get off our backs. I thought Zuko was bad, but he doesn't hold a candle against those three. At the mention of Zuko Katara flinched, suddenly remembering their short lived connection through their letters.
"You know what it's going to take Sokka. I have to master all the bending forms and beat the fire Lord before the comet comes.
"Uh-huh, ok, and exactly who are you going to get to teach you fire bending? It's not like we have a plethora of volunteers from the fire nation just waiting to help us out here, now is there?"
Sokka was clearly getting agitated from the exhaustion that they were all experiencing.
"Calm down Sokka. Arguing isn't going to find us a bender any sooner. Besides, if you don't take care of that wound on you arm; you're probably going to bleed to death.
Katara was exaggerating, but it produced the desired effect. Sokka looked down at his arm and staring back at him was an ugly gash that he could only assume came from battling that crazy she-witch.
"Oh man! I hope it's not poisoned!"
Aang came over to where Sokka was. He reached for his arm and held it still, looking at the wound carefully.
"No, I don't think it's poisoned Sokka. You would probably be dead by now if it was. Sokka stilled his movements and looked Aang straight in the face. "It's not?"
"No, but we should take care of it before it gets infected."
"Yeah, you're right, hey Katara, where did you put the gauze and wraps?"
Katara stood from her resting place and moved over to her brother, looking at his arm.
"They're in my pack."
'I'll get them." Aang left Sokka's arm to Katara's healing touch as he went to Appa to retrieve her pack. He finally spotted it under their packs and started pulling it out, having a little difficulty getting the pack loose form the bundle. Aang gave a forceful tug, pulling the pack free, but overbalanced himself and tumbled backwards on the saddle. Katara's bag emptied out over the saddle revealing its contents.
Aang looked over the side to see if Katara or Sokka had noticed his less then graceful performance, but at the moment Katara was busy trying to heal Sokka's wound. Aang let out a sigh of relief and started collecting Katar's things to replace them back into her pack. His task was almost completed, until he picked up the package of wraps. Underneath he noticed a piece of paper that was carefully folded.
The Avatar didn't understand why he felt the sudden urge to know what was on that piece of paper, but he did know that what ever was held inside the folds was important. He quickly finished putting Katar's pack right again, keeping the gauze and the wraps out for Sokka. The air bender looked again over the side to see if Katara was almost done with Sokka's arm. It appeared that he only had a few moments before they would be calling him for the supplies.
Aang sat deeper in the saddle and carefully opened the folded paper. His eyes grew large.
"No Way!"
