Thanks so much for the feedback on the last chapter! Option two it is!

Hope you enjoy.

Chapter Six - Only Kids

Lieutenant Jee had to keep reminding himself over and over that the two younger royals were children.

Twelve and thirteen years old.

"Twelve and thirteen year olds who like to yell," the man thought, rubbing his forehead with a wince.

He could feel a headache coming on from the sheer...

Volume.

The argument was loud even from his position on the bridge.

"Well, I don't care what Ty Lee said! You're still an idiot for falling off the roof!"

"You fell off too!"

"Trying to save you!"

"Well, your mom scolded us both and we both got injured so there!"

The phrase, so there, seemed to be a common point in arguments by children. Or at least these children.

Jee failed to see how it was an effective or even valid point.

Apparently, in the world of kids, it had some weight to it.

"Well, I guess you're right," Prince Zuko replied sullenly, rubbing the back of his head. In either admittance or remembering of an injury. "At least I didn't jump off like you practically did."

Jee wasn't sure.

"Of course, I'm right!" Princess Jaylee placed her hands on her hips, giving her cousin a look. "Now are we going to do this or are we both going to fall to our deaths one day because we didn't?"

"We have to. For training," affirmed the prince.

The lieutenant watched from the command bridge as the prince took off across the deck, the princess right behind him. The man rose an eyebrow.

"They just went from insulting each other over falling off the palace roofs to... Training?" the helmsman asked, eyebrows knitted together as he frowned.

Jee didn't admit it, but he was just as confused.

"Keep an eye on them, Helmsman. You have the benefit of a bird's eye view. Please use it to your advantage," the lieutenant ordered.

The other man nodded, then turned back to the window, frowning when he realized the children were out of sight.

Jee sighed and turning, left the bridge.

He had soldiers to drill. Not children to babysit.

That was not what he'd signed up for.

Although, the old general seemed to consider it part of the arrangement.

As Lieutenant Jee emerged onto the deck of the ship, he happened to glance up.

The reason he glanced up, was because he caught a flash of red and black out of the corner of his eye.

The reason his mouth dropped open, was because of what, or rather who, the red and black clothing belonged to.

The two young royals were about halfway up the command tower.

With only one rope between them, tied high above to something near the very top.

"At least they have tied themselves in," the lieutenant muttered, preparing to yell at them and demand they get back on the deck immediately.

He did so and the younger one had the audacity to smirk at him, while the older simply scowled downwards. They did however, began climbing back down.

Doing rather well, the man had to admit to himself. And they were fast, having gotten as far as they did in the short time they'd been discovered.

Obviously, one of them had to have gone up the ladder and tied the rope previously. Jee wondered how long it had been there. He would have to tighten the watch and inform them of this.

In private of course. While it was his duty to keep everyone alive aboard the ship, it was another matter to go and publicly tell the men to watch for stealthy underage royals.

Jee had to remind himself again, shaking his head, his headache growing stronger.

The prince and princess were only children.

Well trained, sneaky children.

Sokka watched the warriors carrying supplies onto their ships.

The boy held his battle club, face already painted as he eagerly watching the men.

With a grin, Sokka scooped up his large pack from where it had been sitting on the snow beside him. Walking quickly, he joined a few of the men heading towards the boats.

Hakoda stood next to one of the boats, handing bundles of supplies up to a man on the ship. Catching sight of his son's approach out of the corner of his eye, he turned and walked over to him.

Sokka stopped in his tracks, staring up at his father.

Hakoda stopped in front of the young boy and placed a hand on his shoulder, a sad smile on his face.

"Sokka."

"I'm coming with you," Sokka said, an urgent tone to his voice.

"You're not old enough to go to war, Sokka," Hakoda answered gently. "You know that."

Sokka's eyes widened. He dropped his pack back into the snow and spread his hands in plea. "I'm strong, I'm brave, I can fight! Please, Dad!"

Placing his hand back on his son's shoulder, Hakoda spoke. "Being a man is knowing where you're needed the most," he began sadly. "And for you right now, that's here, protecting your sister."

"I don't understand," replied Sokka, eyes beginning to well up with tears.

"Someday you will."

Sokka threw himself into his father's arms. He began to sob. "I'm gonna miss you so much."

A while later, the twelve year old stood at the edge of the water, watching the fleet sail away.

Without him.

He didn't know when or if he'd ever see his father again. He wished he could've gone with the men.

But his father said he had to stay and protect Katara.

He didn't understand why he had to stay exactly, but he would do as his father asked.

As the fleet disappeared out of sight on the horizon, Sokka turned and began to walk back to the village.

The village he would protect.

After all, he was sort of the man of the house now, and the chief's son.

He would look after everyone while his dad was gone.

It was his responsibility.

Toph listened from her room down the hall. Stamping her foot once, she checked again that her maid was still elsewhere and not coming to usher her back into the safety of her room.

The woman was in the kitchen with the cook, likely helping him prepare Toph's tea. Likely making sure it wouldn't be too hot for the blind girl.

Spirit World forbid she ever get hurt in any way, no matter how minor.

Turning her full attention back to the three people in the front room, the nine year old listened.

"Of course, I do not want Toph learning anything but the beginner's moves," her father said sternly. "The only reason she needs to learn earthbending is to help her find her way around a small amount. Anything more would be impossible and too dangerous."

"Of course, Lord Beifong," the stranger, apparently Toph's new earthbending teacher, said with a bow.

"Does Toph really need to learn any earthbending?" Toph's mother asked, worry in her tone. "We have servants to help her get from room to room and in the garden."

Toph frowned from her listening spot.

Little did her parents know, she didn't need Master Whatever-his-name-was to teach her basics. She already knew far more than just basics from her teachers.

And she certainly didn't need servants to lead her around.

Not that her parents knew or would believe that.

"Poppy," Lao said, "Of course Toph won't be needing to go anywhere without servants, but I believe a few lessons in earthbending will be beneficial."

"Are we sure about this? Toph doesn't need to be able to fight anyone here on the estate. Why does she need to learn at all?"

"A bender needs to learn their element," Master Yu said. "Do not worry, Lady Beifong. A little blind girl has no business in fighting in any capacity. As your husband has already said, I will only be teaching her the very basics."

"They all think of me as a helpless little girl!" Toph thought, her frown deepening.

Someday, she would show them. She would prove to everyone that she was the greatest earthbender in the world.

Withdrawing into her room when the conversation down the hall ended, Toph sat on her bed and thought for awhile.

She would have to play along with this Master Yu and let both him and her parents believe she didn't know any earthbending.

But she had heard some of the guards talking about something called Earth Rumble VI.

Now that sounded interesting.

"I think I'll sneak out and see what it's about," the girl thought, already planning on how she could do so that very night.

Annnnddd, some of the future gaang are introduced! Probably won't be seeing them again in the story for a little while, but I wanted to show a little bit of what they were up to.
I have no idea when or if it even tells us in the series when Toph joined the Earth Rumble. (I couldn't find anything, but oh well, she's joining now.)

Thanks for reading! :)