In a few short days she would be home on Kyoshi Island. She had just adjusted to her daily routine on the waters too. Early in the mornings, she would watch the waterbending practice on deck, or if the weather was fair, she'd watch them spar in the middle of the ocean.
The last time the morning conditions were perfect, there was a three-way sparring match between the most senior master benders of the three water bending styles. She admired the fluidity the waterbending styles and display of raw power of masters working in their element.
Out of the three, Master Pakku from the Northern Water Tribe was the most fluid, while Hama from the Southern Water Tribe was the most aggressive. Huu's style was the most unique with his seaweed monster. It quickly proved ineffective surrounded by water, but even without it, his bending proved unpredictable, often catching the other two off guard with long range attacks that appeared to come from nowhere. In the end, Master Pakku had won.
"That's a shame," Suki said. "I was rooting for Huu to win."
"Well, considering Hama had been held captive for the last few months and Huu wasn't used to these conditions, Pakku was the most likely to win," reasoned Sokka.
After the waterbenders finished practising, it would be breakfast and then ship duties. Everyone had to help out unless they were sea sick, like poor Toph who was based on another ship with Katara and Aang. They saw each other daily, but would fly back on Appa back to their hammocks.
In the afternoons, while Sokka and the other captains or representative would convene on the main ship, the Kyoshi warriors would have their daily training session.
Today's session was extremely frustrating. Even though she tried to hide from Sokka at dinner, he still noticed.
"Suki, what's wrong?"
She shook her head and forced herself to eat more fried salmon. "It doesn't matter. We'll be arriving in Kyoshi Island soon and I want my time with you to be as happy as possible."
"I'd be happy if you were happy," he said. "What is it?"
She fiddled with her chopsticks, then sighed. "It feels like there's a rift between me and the Kyoshi Warriors. They were all together while I was in Boiling Rock. And now we're reunited, it feels as if there are two factions; those who accept me as the leader, and those who'd prefer Naomi. I understand why. She was who led them through their time in prison."
"You were separated from them and that's not your fault."
"But I also led them into the situation that caused them to be imprisoned in the first place," she snapped.
He put his hands up. "Look, I'm just trying to help by seeing things from a different point of view. Have you tried talking to them about it?"
"I was going to but things were extremely tense during the drills. I'd give them corrections and some of the girls would has for her opinion which were exactly the same as mine. If they're can't trust my judgement with something as small as drills, imagine if we had to face something life threatening."
There were a lot of little things that were getting under her skin too but that was the main one. Suki wanted to force them all to sit together with her bare hands, but this wasn't a problem that fighting could solve.
"You'll need to talk it through with Naomi," said Sokka. "You can't build an igloo on freshly fallen snow."
She'd never heard that saying before. "As in, you have to have a solid foundation to build on?"
"Yeah. You've only just reformed the group and need to either wait for the situation to settle or work together to flatten the ground until you can build on it, otherwise cracks will appear later."
"But shouldn't I be talking directly to the girls instead? I don't have any real issue with Naomi."
"But they trust Naomi. She'd be able to influence the girls to trust you more. If you already have a good relationship with Naomi then that makes things easier, but it's always good to talk with her."
"I guess."
He took her hands in his. "You know, my dad once told me that a leader creates more leaders. The fact that the Kyoshi Warriors were able to function without you is a sign that you've done a great job with them."
"Do you think that giving her more responsibility would work?"
"That's a good idea."
It was a terrifying idea too. She had been the Leader of the Kyoshi Warriors for so long that giving up that responsibility permanently was daunting. "But if I give her more power, what does that make me?"
"You're still Suki, the strongest warrior and woman I know."
She kissed him for that. "Thanks, Sokka. What will I do without you?"
"You'd manage. I have faith in you. We'll stop over at Kyoshi Island on our way to the Ba Sing Se summit and we can send letters too."
She snuggled up closer to Sokka as he ranted his missing messenger hawks. Suki would miss seeing him every day. He had this uncanny ability to make her laugh and see a different point of view. She closed her eyes to savour the moment with him to sustain her for when they would have to be apart.
Princess Azula thought that she heard another knock on her door, but she ignored it. She continued reading the Art of War instead.
"Azula, it's me. Can you open up?"
It sounded like her brother, but it could've also just been a hoax like that Ty Lee impostor they sent in the other day. At least they learnt their lesson and hadn't dared to try sending in an impostor Mai. They were traitors, not her friends and they should be left to rot.
The door opened to her brother. It was him all right. The servants may fear her to the point of obeying her every command, but he was the Fire Lord, wearing the crown that should have been hers.
"To what reason do I owe the honour of you visiting me again so soon?" she said sarcastically. He and uncle have been visiting her often recently. Her uncle would visit almost every day to have tea and chatter on about old stories of when she was young, but Zuzu usually would only visit a every three or four days. His last visit was yesterday.
He dismissed the guards and sat on a chair nearby.
"Azula, I'm worried about you."
She stayed silent.
"You've hardly left your room and haven't been eating well."
If she left her room, she would be vulnerable to attack. And the food was predictably poisoned.
"I get what you're going through-"
"How can you know what I'm going through?"
"I was ban-," he cut himself short and took a couple breaths before speaking again. "No, sorry let me start again. I'm worried about you and I'd like to help."
"Even mother couldn't help me." She would just whisper pretty lies.
"Is there something else?"
Azula checked her nails. The nail beds were cracked. "You could release father."
"You know I cannot do that. He was tried and sentenced to jail."
"You're a weak puppet pandering to foreign influence."
"It's not weakness to work together with others."
"That Waterbending peasant has you wrapped around her little finger."
"Leave Katara out of this."
On other occasions she would press on with that topic, but today she didn't want to talk about her. Azula hated that Water Tribe Peasant. "It makes no difference how much support you have around the world, there is no way that the Fire Nation citizens will take you for their leader. You hardly were in the nation for the past couple years. You're practically a colonial."
"The colonials are Fire Nation citizens too," he said. "Azula, I'm not here to talk about politics with you. I'm here to see if you were okay. Was there some food you'd like to order or somewhere you'd like to go?"
"No." There was no point. She stayed quiet after that. She had grown bored of his conversation and wanted to continue reading. After a few unanswered questions, he finally took the hint and left telling her to ask the servants if she wanted anything as if she didn't know that. She was the princess.
Katara watched the sun dip low below the horizon and wondered how Zuko was doing in the Fire Nation. At this time, she would normally be eating street food on her break with Bai He and some other healers at the temple near the palace. In the Fire Nation, many of their temples doubled as healing centres with the sages also acting as healers. There were many male healers in the Fire Nation unlike the Northern Water Tribe where healing was solely women's work.
She really liked the Fire Nation fried bananas and the pork skewers served with the garlic, soy and sugar sauce, but she craved for Southern Water Tribe food such as sea prunes and roasted seal.
It had been about nine months since Katara was back home at the South Pole, but it felt much longer than that. The men in her tribe haven't been home for almost three years. Hama and the other Southern Waterbenders hadn't been home in almost fifty years.
At the end of the war, there was a series of decrees to return the war prisoners to their homelands. Some were aboard their fleet and some needed to be found and returned home. A couple ships in the fleet had sailed north to take the Haru, Teo and some others to their homes before finally returning south.
Katara spent the days training and chatting to the others. The Southern waterbenders had great stories of Gran Gran when she was younger. Apparently, she was best friends with Hama.
As a member of the Southern Water Tribe, Hama was unbound and participated in the waterbending sessions, but was constantly under high supervision on another ship. So far, she caused no trouble, however Katara didn't forgive the elderly woman for bloodbending Aang and Sokka.
That being said, it was not as if she was any better. Katara remembered what she did to that innocent commander. Less than a year ago, she was barely a waterbender, and now she was a master in the ancient art and a bloodbender.
She went below deck to check on Toph who spent most of the time curled up on the hammock, clutching a bucket.
"Are you feeling better?"
"Still sea sick. Which is ironic, because I can't see on the floating piece of wood."
She ignored the jab and tried to focus on something more positive. "Are you excited to go home? We'll be there soon."
A couple days ago they had arrived at Kyoshi Island to drop Suki and the warriors off and were approaching the mouth of the river that would take them up to Gaoling.
"Not really," Toph said weakly. "I still think I'm going to get into trouble for running away."
"You helped win the war."
"But I still ran away."
Katara rubbed Toph on the back. "If you don't mind me asking, what made you decide to go home?"
"It wasn't because you and Zuko if that's what you're asking."
"Really?" Katara asked gently.
"Well maybe a little. But it was really Uncle Iroh who convinced me," said Toph. "He mentioned that he had to bury his child and it made me feel really guilty because I'm an only child."
The reason took Katara by surprise. "That's very mature of you."
"Thanks – bleurgh."
She drew clean water from a nearby container to wash Toph's face.
"I guess I am looking forward to seeing my parents again, but I miss being in the Fire Nation."
"Yeah," said Katara. "Me too."
After they docked at Gaoling, they said goodbye to the swamp dwellers who then paddled up the river on their make-shift iceboats. While the others restocked the ship, Aang wanted to explore the docks and find some fresh fruit before Pakku found him to do an afternoon training session, but Sokka had other plans.
"C'mon, Toph, Aang," he said. "We have to go to Toph's parents."
"Can't we do that later?" said Toph. "I'm needed here to see which of these merchants are lying."
"I'm sure that the Boulder and Hippo will be able to catch out any liars," he said to her. "We're trying to catch the outgoing tide in the evening and Dad still wants to meet your parents and deliver that letter from Zuko too."
She sighed, and went along with them.
Their reception at the Beifong Estate was rocky at best. When Appa landed at the front gate, the guards all drew a stance or pointed their weapons at them. From the top of the wall, her parents demanded that they handover Toph or they would hand them over to the authorities.
"What on earth?!" she exclaimed. "I came home from my own free will and you threaten my friends?"
"Do not speak to me that way," said her father, authoritatively.
As Avatar, it was Aang's duty to solve arguments. This was his moment to prove to Katara that he wasn't a kid anymore. He stepped forward before anyone could say anything and amplified his voice. "Hello Toph's parents. I'm Avatar Aang, remember me?"
"Of course, we remember you," said father. "You kidnapped our daughter and took her to the dangerous capital and the Fire Nation."
His felt his cheeks redden. "I didn't kidnap her."
"Lies! We received a letter in her name when we know that Toph cannot write!"
"I wrote down what she said," said Katara. "I even signed it on her behalf."
"And delivered it by a Fire Nation messenger hawk?" They pointed to a bird sitting in the tree.
"Hawky!" cried Sokka. The bird flew to rest on Sokka's outstretched arm.
"You are Fire Nation spies dressed in Water Tribe clothing!"
Aang felt the anger rise within him. He would teach them not to disrespect the Avatar or his friends. Aang was going to show them who they were dealing with, but he was stopped by Chief Hakoda.
"I am Hakoda, Chief of the Southern Water Tribe," he announced, "and father of Sokka and Katara. And as a father, I understand how terrifying it is to risk losing a child."
"Then why bring your children with you to war?"
"If it was up to me, they would've stayed home. However, they had a calling to go accompany the Avatar on his journey, just like your daughter. It is thanks to them that the Hundred Year War had ended. Your daughter is a hero, acknowledged amongst her peers and King Bumi of Omashu as an earthbending prodigy. She is the earthbending teacher of the Avatar, and the first metalbending master. You should be proud to have her as a daughter."
Toph's parents ordered the guards to stand at ease. "Thank you for bringing her home. You will have your reward. Name your price."
"Knowing that our children are home safe is reward enough," Chief Hakoda said. He then gestured to the chests they brought with them. "I have gifts from our tribe and also the Fire Nation show our appreciation for your daughter's role in ending the war and to express our hope for lasting peace in the future."
The gates opened wide. A couple guards stepped forward to receive the gifts.
"There is also another invitation for you and Toph to attend the summit at Ba Sing Se next month."
"I have already replied saying that I would be attending."
"That is good to hear. We will be sailing along the east coast of the continent and would be happy to escort you and Toph to Ba Sing Se if you so wish."
"That would be much appreciated." Toph's father bent down to catch what her mother said to him. "My wife and I invite you to have dinner with us."
"Thank you." He stepped towards the gates. "Let's go."
"Aren't you going to miss your tides?" said Toph.
"Surely we can catch the next high tide?" added Aang.
"We can," said Sokka, "but the winds are unpredictable during this time of year…"
"It won't matter if we miss the tide," said Hakoda.
"I can tell you're lying," said Toph. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. Go."
"But-" said Katara.
She crossed her arms. "Sokka said that you have to catch those tides home."
"Are you sure?" asked Katara's dad.
"I am."
"Thank you, Toph we really appreciate it." He patted her on the shoulder. "We'll pick you up on the way to Ba Sing Se."
Chief Hakoda declined the invitation, but exchanged details with Toph's parents about the journey and how to reach them while Aang and the others said goodbye to Toph.
She punched them on the arm. "That's enough, guys! We'll see each other soon."
"But Toph," said Aang, "you're blind."
"Aang!" protested Katara.
The blind earthbender laughed. "We'll it seems that you've learnt something, Pupil Aang. Make sure that you practise your earthbending."
"Yes, Sifu Toph." Not that he needed it. He was a fully realised Avatar.
"Don't lie, Aang."
He wouldn't be able to fool her. "Yes, Toph. I'll be sure to practise my earthbending."
"Good."
Toph made peace with saying goodbye to her friends knowing that they would pick her and her father up next month to go to Ba Sing Se. Or at least, that was the plan, until he and her mother announced the next morning at breakfast that she wasn't allowed to go.
"Why can't I go to Ba Sing Se for the summit?"
"The Earth King has been missing for months," said her father. "There is no word a successor which indicates the capital is still in turmoil."
"You'll be safer here," added her mother. "Master Fu and Xu were ambushed Ba Sing Se and locked in a metal container. It's not safe there."
"I was the one who was ambushed, and I was the one who locked them in the metal container."
"Not according to them."
They didn't trust her. "I can look after myself. You've seen me fight and I've been to Ba Sing Se! If anything, you'll need me to protect you."
Her father ate another xiao long bao before responding. "The guards will be sufficient."
"I can beat all of the them."
He put down his chopsticks. "Fine, if you can beat all of the guards, then you can accompany me to Ba Sing Se. But if you don't, you will stay here."
Toph felt that he was telling the truth. She accepted this gamble. She couldn't run away from this. "Fine. I'll be waiting at the training area."
"But she's just a young girl," protested her mother.
She ignored her mother's protest and went to where the guards did their daily exercise. She sat down, cross-legged, and waited. She breathed in deeply to ground herself. She had beaten all her opponents at the Earth Rumble Arena and had fought toe to toe against the Dai Li. She would beat all of these guards.
Sometime later, her parents and the guards were all assembled. She heard a couple express their apprehension at fighting the girl they once had to protect. Her mother pleaded with Toph's father to reconsider.
They were equipped with arrows, nets and metal chains, but hey were no match for the greatest earthbender and only metalbender in the world. She played a similar tactic and raised the dust, and started picking them off one by one.
As the dust settled, Toph approached her father. "I've defeated the guards. I am going to Ba Sing Se."
He did not flinch. "As we agreed. Until then, you will work on your etiquette with your mother."
She cracked the ground with a stomp. That was exactly the reason she didn't want to come back here. "That wasn't part of the agreement! I already know proper society behaviour!"
"Ettiquette is a skill that will always need to be brushed up. The Ba Sing Se summit is not an event where you can earthbend people into submission. If you want to go and not risk reigniting the war, you will work on your manners." He was not going to budge.
"Fine." She said that she was going to go with her friends to the summit and she was going to get there whatever it took.
Author's Notes:
Hi! Thank you for reading.
This title's chapter was one that I was tossing up for chapter six which now has a much more straightforward title.
And I know that it's taking an age, but don't worry, the South Pole is coming.
Feedback would be much appreciated :)
